DNA adduct formation among workers in a Thai industrial estate and nearby residents

The genotoxic effects of air pollutant exposures have been studied in people living and working in Map Ta Phut, Rayong province, Thailand, a site where is located the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate (MIE) one of the largest steel, refinery and petrochemical complex in the South-Eastern Asia. This was done by the conduction of a transversal study aimed to compare the prevalence of bulky DNA adducts in groups of subjects experiencing various degree of air pollution. DNA adduct analysis was performed in the leukocytes of 201 volunteers by the (32)P-postlabelling assay: 79 were workers in the MIE complex, including 24 refinery workers, 40 steel workers and 15 tinplate workers, 72 were people residing downwind in the MIE area and 50 were residents in a control district of the same Rayong province but without industrial exposures. The groups of workers were analyzed separately to evaluate if DNA adduct formation differs by the type of industry. The levels of bulky DNA adducts were 1.17+/-0.17 (SE) adducts/10(8) nucleotides in refinery workers, 1.19+/-0.19 (SE) in steel workers, 0.87+/-0.17 (SE) in tinplate workers, 0.85+/-0.07 (SE) in MIE residents and 0.53+/-0.05 (SE) in district controls. No effects of smoking habits on DNA adducts was found. The multivariate regression analysis shows that the levels of DNA adducts were significantly increased among the individuals living near the MIE industrial complex in respect to those resident in a control district (p<0.05). In the groups of occupationally exposed workers, the highest levels of DNA adducts were found among the workers experiencing an occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g. the steel factory and refinery workers. When we have evaluated if the levels of DNA adducts of the PAH exposed workers were different from those of the MIE residents, a statistical significantly difference was found (p<0.05). Our present study indicates that people living near point sources of industrial air pollution can experiment an excess of DNA adduct formation. The emissions from the MIE complex are the main source of air pollution in this area and can be the cause of such increment in the levels of DNA damage.     

Urban benzene exposure and oxidative DNA damage: influence of genetic polymorphisms in metabolism genes

Benzene has been implicated as an environmental risk factor in leukaemia and other haematological diseases. Relationships between urban benzene exposure, oxidative DNA damage and polymorphisms in metabolism enzymes were examined in 40 volunteers living and working in Copenhagen. Personal exposures to benzene, toluene and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) were monitored during a 5-day period. DNA damage was measured by 7-hydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) in lymphocyte DNA and urine and by comet assay with use of fapyguanine glycosylase (FPG) and endonuclease III (ENDO). Excretion of the benzene metabolites trans,trans-muconic acid (ttMA) and S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) were measured in urine. Polymorphisms in glutathione-S-transferases T1 (GSTT1), M1 (GSTM1) and P1 (GSTP1) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO) were determined. Median exposures to benzene, toluene and MTBE were 2.5, 18.7 and 0.86 microg/m(3). No significant correlations between external benzene exposure and any of the biomarkers were found. However, a significant correlation between S-PMA excretion and 8-oxodG in lymphocytes was found (R(s)=0.39). Men were found to excrete significantly more ttMA than the women did and ttMA excretion in men was found to be significantly associated with external benzene exposure (R=0.53, P=0.025). In addition, ttMA and S-PMA excretion was significantly higher in subjects with the NQO+/-genotype compared with subjects with the wild type (P=0.004 and P=0.011, respectively). Even though there are some limitations in this study due to the low range of benzene exposure and biomarker concentrations as well as a small number of subjects, these results could suggest that even at ambient concentrations exposure to benzene could have genotoxic effects in susceptible individuals.     

Occupational exposure to trihalomethanes in indoor swimming pools

The study evaluated occupational exposure to trihalomethanes (THMs) in indoor swimming pools. Thirty-two subjects, representing the whole workforce employed in the five public indoor swimming pools in the city of Modena (Northern Italy) were enrolled. Both environmental and biological monitoring of THMs exposure were performed. Environmental concentrations of THMs in different areas inside the swimming pools (at the poolside, in the reception area and in the engine-room) were measured as external exposure index, while individual exposure of swimming pool employees was estimated by THMs concentration in alveolar air. The levels of THMs observed in swimming pool water ranged from 17.8 to 70.8 microg/l; the mean levels of THMs in ambient air were 25.6+/-24.5 microg/m3 in the engine room, 26.1+/-24.3 microg/m3 in the reception area and 58.0+/-22.1 microg/m3 at the poolside. Among THMs, only chloroform and bromodichloromethane were always measured in ambient air, while dibromochloromethane was detected in ambient air rarely and bromoform only once. Biological monitoring results showed a THMs mean value of 20.9+/-15.6 microg/m3. Statistically significant differences were observed according to the main job activity: in pool attendants, THMs alveolar air were approximately double those observed in employees working in other areas of the swimming pools (25.1+/-16.5 microg/m3 vs. 14.8+/-12.3 microg/m3, P < 0.01). THMs in alveolar air samples were significantly correlated with THMs concentrations in ambient air (r = 0.57; P < 0.001). Indoor swimming pool employees are exposed to THMs at ambient air levels higher than the general population. The different environmental exposure inside the swimming pool can induce a different internal dose in exposed workers. The correlation found between ambient and alveolar air samples confirms that breath analysis is a good biological index of occupational exposure to these substances at low environmental levels.     

Elevated concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene in schoolchildren during winter in Christchurch, New Zealand

Particulate air pollution is significantly elevated during the winter in Christchurch, New Zealand, largely attributable to use of wood burners for domestic home heating, topography, and meteorological conditions. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a key component of airborne particulate matter (PM) and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) has previously been used to assess exposure of people to PAHs. We examined urinary 1-OHP in Christchurch male non-smoking schoolchildren (12-18 yr) on two occasions after high pollution events (48 and 72 microg PM(10)/m(3) 24-h average) and two occasions during periods of low pollution (19 and 12 microg PM(10)/m(3)). Concentrations of urinary 1-OHP were significantly elevated in the students during high pollution events (median (mean+/-SD) 0.043 (0.051+/-0.032) and 0.042 (0.060+/-0.092) micromol OHP/mol creatinine respectively) compared with low pollution periods (median (mean+/-SD) 0.019 (0.026+/-0.032) and 0.025 (0.028+/-0.018) micromol/mol creatinine respectively). The observed 1-OHP concentrations are at the lower end of those determined in children and non-occupationally exposed adults in international studies and suggest a generally low exposure to PAHs. The increased urinary 1-OHP concentrations following nights of elevated particulate concentrations in ambient air suggest increased exposure to ambient air pollution during winter time, and could potentially be used as a biomarker of exposure in this population.     

Variability of total exposure to PM2.5 related to indoor and outdoor pollution sources Krakow study in pregnant women

The study is a part of an ongoing prospective cohort study on the relationship between the exposure to environmental factors during pregnancy and birth outcomes and health of newborns. We have measured personal PM(2.5) level in the group of 407 non-smoking pregnant women during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. On average, the participants from the city center were exposed to higher exposure than those from the outer city area (GM=42.0 microg/m(3), 95% CI: 36.8-48.0 vs. 35.8 microg/m(3), 95% CI: 33.5-38.2 microg/m(3)). More than 20% of study subjects were affected by high level of PM(2.5) pollution (above 65 microg/m(3)). PM(2.5) concentrations were higher during the heating season (GM=43.4 microg/m(3), 95% CI: 40.1-46.9 microg/m(3)) compared to non-heating season (GM=29.8 microg/m(3), 95% CI: 27.5-32.2 microg/m(3)). Out of all potential outdoor air pollution sources (high traffic density, bus depot, waste incinerator, industry etc.) considered in the bivariate analysis, only the proximity of industrial plant showed significant impact on the personal exposure (GM=54.3 microg/m(3), 95% CI: 39.4-74.8 microg/m(3)) compared with corresponding figure for those who did not declare living near the industrial premises (GM=36.2 microg/m(3), 95% CI: 34.1-38.4 microg/m(3)). The subjects declaring high exposure to ETS (>10 cigarettes daily) have shown very high level of personal exposure (GM=88.8 microg/m(3), 95% CI: 73.9-106.7 microg/m(3)) compared with lower ETS exposure (< or =10 cigarettes) (GM=46.3 microg/m(3), 95% CI: 40.0-53.5 microg/m(3)) and no-ETS exposure group (GM=33.9 microg/m(3), 95% CI: 31.8-36.1 microg/m(3)). The contribution of the background ambient PM(10) level was very strong determinant of the total personal exposure to PM(2.5) and it explained about 31% of variance between the subjects followed by environmental tobacco smoke (10%), home heating by coal/wood stoves (2%), other types of heating (2%) and the industrial plant localization in the proximity of household (1%).     

Spatial variations in awareness of air pollution distributions

The accuracy of people's information concerning the spatial extent of air pollution in Christchurch is tested. Overall, the information was generally accurate, though people were more aware of the smoke pollution in the inner city area than of the sulphonation in an outer suburb. Of groups living in different parts of the city, residents of the more polluted areas are more aware of the local problems than are the population as a whole, whereas residents of the “cleaner” suburbs tend to over‐stress this characteristic.     

Factors affecting individual exposure to NO2 in Genoa (northern Italy)

The individual exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) of 89 volunteers living in Genoa, a large port city of northern Italy, was investigated with personal passive diffusion tubes in February-March 2000. The data were related to NO2 concentration in the kitchen and bedroom as measured by static samplers. Volunteers included students, workers and housewives living in three areas of Genoa differing by street traffic and industrial plant location. The kitchen samples showed higher (47.00+/-16.5 microg/m3) NO2 concentrations than those from the bedroom (24.78+/-9.8 microg/m3); overall indoor NO2 concentrations were lower in the Eastern area of Genoa, where outdoor pollution is lower. Students were the volunteer group with the lowest exposure rate (24.9+/-7.8 microg/m3 vs. 44.3+/-10.1 microg/m3 for workers and 40.0+/-13.4 microg/m3 for housewives). This difference is related to the fact that students spend more time indoors, where pollution levels are lower. The main household characteristics which were shown to affect personal NO2 exposure were (a) the presence of a chimney equipped with an active aspiration device in the kitchen and (b) the heating system.     

Housing Choice in Retirement: Community versus Separation

This study explored influences on the housing choices of retirees. Sixteen convergent interviewing processes were conducted in inner urban, suburban, coastal and rural locations in South Australia and New South Wales, Australia. In each location, separate interview processes were conducted with retirement village residents and retirees living in the surrounding community. Eighty-one village residents and 73 community residents were interviewed. Convergence (agreement) emerged within and between interview processes about two key themes: community, reflecting social connection and support, and separation, reflecting privacy and independence. A desire for community was pervasive, but was achieved differently in different locations and by retirement village and community residents. Community residents were more concerned about independence and had more negative perceptions of the impact of retirement village living on separation than village residents. Implications for retirement housing are discussed.     

以杭州市为例对城中村居住特点的分析

简述了杭州市城中村的概况,以杭州市的五联西苑为重点研究对象,探讨了城中村这个"村社共同体"特有的居住文化,对城中村的居住特点进行了深入的分析,可为城中村的相关研究提供借鉴参考.     

Associations among genetic susceptibility, DNA damage, and pregnancy outcomes of expectant mothers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke

This study determined the effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) on fetal growth by measuring neonatal birth outcomes and the extent of maternal DNA damage, and investigating the relationships among gene polymorphisms, genotoxicity, and pregnancy outcomes of expectant mothers who had exposed to tobacco smoke. This prospective study enrolled 685 pregnant women who completed an initial questionnaire at three central Taiwan hospitals between 2003 and 2004. Genotype analyses of CYP1A1, GSTT1, GSTM1, and NAT2 were performed from 421 women. A total of 398 women completed the follow-up analysis and successfully delivered a live single baby (n=384). Comet assay was performed for 18 smokers, 143 ETS-exposed subjects and 130 non-smokers to measure DNA damage. Analytical findings indicated that the levels of DNA damage among smokers and ETS-exposed subjects were significantly higher than that of non-smokers. DNA damage score in the ETS-exposed group was 82.5+/-41.2 and 64.1+/-39.4 for the nonsmoking group (p<0.001). Risk of DNA damage (DNA strand breakage, sister chromatid exchange, cell transformation and escalation of cytotoxicity) for subjects exposed to ETS was 4.35 times (adjusted odds ratio; 95% CI, 1.54-12.28) greater than that of non-exposed to tobacco smoke at home. Average birth weight of neonates born to subjects with extremely serious DNA damage (within the 90th percentile, DNA damage score >or =129.5) was 141 g lighter than that of those with DNA damage score <129.5 (p=0.09). The degree of DNA lesion was not related to metabolic polymorphic genes. The results of this study suggest that comet assay are reliable biomarkers for monitoring pregnant women exposed to tobacco smoke and indicate fetal growth effects from environmental exposure to tobacco smoke.     

Inhalation exposure of traffic police officers to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during the winter in Beijing, China

This study concerns the use of personal samplers to evaluate the exposure of traffic police to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during the winter of 2005 in Beijing. We measured the samples collected for gas and particulate phases PAHs with the same technique used for an earlier study during the summer of 2004, and evaluated exposure risk based on the calculated benzo(a)pyrene equivalent concentrations (BaP(eq)) of both summer and winter. The mean exposure concentrations of gaseous and particulate phase PAHs in the winter are 4300+/-2900 ng/m(3) and 750+/-1000 ng/m(3), respectively, significantly higher than those measured simultaneously at control sites and also considerably higher than the values measured during the summer. The exposure PAH profiles for police and the control subjects are similar with predominant naphthalene in gaseous phase and dominant fluoranthene, pyrene, anthracene and naphthalene in particulate phase. Large daily variations occur both in summer and winter, because of the changes in the weather conditions especially wind speed and relative humidity which tend to disperse and scavenge PAHs in air. In the winter, the average BaP(eq) value for traffic police is 82.1 ng/m(3), which is significantly higher than those for the control subjects and the national standard of 10 ng/m(3) for ambient air. Particulate phase PAHs contribute more than 90% of the total exposure risk in the winter. Annually, weighted-average probabilities of exceeding the national standard (10 ng/m(3)) are 69.3% and 20.6% for the police and the controls, respectively.     

Indoor air pollution in a Mexican indigenous community: evaluation of risk reduction program using biomarkers of exposure and effect

Indoor air pollution can be an important risk factor for human health, considering that people spend more than 60% of their time indoors. Fifty percent of the world population and approximately 90% of the rural population in developing countries are using biomass as energy source. Latin America represents 12% of the global consumption of biomass; in Mexico, 27 million people use wood as an energy source. Therefore, in this study we evaluated a 3-stage risk reduction program. The stages were: 1) removal of indoor soot adhered to roofs and internal walls; 2) paving the dirt floors; and 3) introduction of a new wood stove with a metal chimney that expels smoke outdoors. The complete intervention program was applied. In 20 healthy subject residents from an indigenous community in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, we measured blood carboxyhemoglobin (% COHb), DNA damage (comet assay) in nucleated blood cells, and urinary 1-OHP levels before and after the program. Before intervention individuals had a geometric mean COHb level of 4.93% and 53% of the population presented levels above 2.5% considered a safe level. However, in all the studied individuals the levels of COHb were reduced to below 2.5% (mean level 1.0%) one month after the intervention. Moreover, when compared, DNA damage in people exposed before the intervention was higher (5.8+/-1.3 of Tail Moment) than when the program was introduced (2.8+/-0.9 of Tail Moment) (P>0.05) and a same trend was observed with urinary 1-OHP levels; 6.71+/-3.58 micromol/mol creatinine was the concentration before intervention; whereas, 4.80+/-3.29 micromol/mol creatinine was the one after the program. The results suggest that the intervention program offers an acceptable risk reduction to those families that use biomass for food cooking.     

Wood stove use and other determinants of personal and indoor exposures to particulate air pollution and ozone among elderly persons in a Northern Suburb

A six‐month winter‐spring study was conducted in a suburb of the northern European city of Kuopio, Finland, to identify and quantify factors determining daily personal exposure and home indoor levels of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5, diameter <2.5 µm) and its light absorption coefficient (PM_2.5abs), a proxy for combustion‐derived black carbon. Moreover, determinants of home indoor ozone (O₃) concentration were examined. Local central site outdoor, home indoor, and personal daily levels of pollutants were monitored in this suburb among 37 elderly residents. Outdoor concentrations of the pollutants were significant determinants of their levels in home indoor air and personal exposures. Natural ventilation in the detached and row houses increased personal exposure to PM_2.5, but not to PM_2.5abs, when compared with mechanical ventilation. Only cooking out of the recorded household activities increased indoor PM_2.5. The use of a wood stove room heater or wood‐fired sauna stove was associated with elevated concentrations of personal PM_2.5 and PM_2.5abs, and indoor PM_2.5abs. Candle burning increased daily indoor and personal PM_2.5abs, and it was also a determinant of indoor ozone level. In conclusion, relatively short‐lasting wood and candle burning of a few hours increased residents’ daily exposure to potentially hazardous, combustion‐derived carbonaceous particulate matter.     

昆明市上东城回迁安置房改造设计

回迁安置房作为＂城中村＂改造的一个重要环节,受到越来越多的关注。昆明市正在大力进行城中村改造,虽然从政策层面出台了不少有关回迁安置房的政策法规,但目前在设计层面还没有真正的举措,所以有关＂城中村＂改造中回迁安置房的设计还存在一定的问题。大多设计只是关心指标是否达到,项目是否可以报规通过等硬性的指标,而很少有人关心到底适不适合回迁居民的居住与生活。该文通过对昆明市上东城回迁安置房进行现状调研分析并做出试验性改造设计,在此基础上提出回迁安置房设计应该从回迁居民自身特点出发进行设计,并提出相应的设计要点及对策。     

Genotoxic effects of Israeli industrial pollutants on residents of Bruqeen village (Salfit district,Palestine)

Many industrial byproducts are genotoxic agents that induce cytogenetic changes and DNA damage. Bruqeen, a Palestinian village in Salfit district in the northern West bank, is subject to industrial waste products coming from Barqan Israeli industrial settlement. We evaluated the extent of chromosomal breaks (Csb) and DNA damage induced to human cells using whole blood samples from both test and control sites. Csb were assessed by routine cytogenetic methods and DNA damage was assessed via the Comet assay which is also called single cell gel electrophoresis. Cytogenetic analysis for Bruqeen residents’ sample (n?=?30) showed 133 Premature centromere separation (PCS), 43 Csb, 40 chromatid breaks (Ctb) and 26 dicentrics. In total, the findings showed an average of 4.08% chromosomal aberrations (CA) and 3.81% cells with CA. The results of controls (from Bethlehem area n?=?8) showed 21 PCS, 2 Csb, 5 Ctb and 2 dicentric, and in total the average showed 1.97 CA and 1.91% cells with CA. Statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences between exposed and control subjects for PCS, Ctb and Dicentric (p-value?>?0.05), but there was a statistically significant difference for CA frequency for cells that have CA and Csb (p-value?p-value?相似文献   

Interaction between chronic arsenic exposure via drinking water and plasma lactate dehydrogenase activity

Arsenic is a potent environmental pollutant that has caused one of the largest public health poisonings in the history of human civilization, affecting tens of millions of people worldwide especially in Bangladesh. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in blood plays an important role in predicting cell or organ damage and as an important clue to the diagnosis of a variety of cancers. However, effect of chronic arsenic exposure on the LDH level in blood has not yet been documented. Since the chronic arsenic exposure is associated with organ damages and multi-site cancers, this research aimed at assaying the plasma level of LDH activity in the population who were exposed to arsenic chronically in Bangladesh. A total of 185 individuals living in arsenic-exposed areas and 121 individuals living in non-exposed area in Bangladesh were recruited as study subjects. Arsenic content in drinking water, hair and nails were estimated by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and LDH activity was assayed by a spectrophotometer. Significant increase in LDH activity was observed with increasing concentrations of arsenic in water, hair and nails. Further, the study subjects were split into four groups based on the three ways of each exposure metrics (water, hair and nail arsenic concentrations) where the study subjects in the non-exposed area were used as a reference (lowest exposure) group. LDH activity was found to be increased in the higher exposure groups of water and hair arsenic concentrations. LDH activity was also increased at low to medium exposure groups of nail arsenic concentrations.Thus, the elevated plasma LDH activity might be helpful for the early prognosis of organ or tissue damage in the individuals who were exposed to arsenic chronically.     

Association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms with DNA damage in coal-tar workers

DNA damage was evaluated by alkaline comet assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 115 coal-tar workers occupationally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 105 control subjects. The effect of polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase (GST) genotypes on the DNA damage was assessed. The mean tail moment (TM) value in the coal-tar workers was significantly higher as compared to the control subjects (12.06 ± 0.55 versus 0.44 ± 0.31; P < 0.05). No significant association (P > 0.05) between the GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes and the TM values was found, however highest mean rank TM value was reported in GSTM1 null and GSTT1 null genotypes in both control and exposed subjects. Our results suggest that there is increased DNA damage in coal-tar workers due to PAHs exposure. Polymorphisms in GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes do not show significant effect (P > 0.05) on DNA damage.     

Biomarker of chronic cadmium exposure in a population residing in the vicinity of a zinc producing plant

Measurements of cadmium (Cd) in air, soil and moss have shown elevated concentrations in residential areas close to a zinc smelter in Norway. This study aimed to evaluate whether men and women residing in the area with elevated Cd concentrations in air and soil had increased levels of Cd and microproteins in urine.An invitation to participate was mailed to 200 persons residing close to the zinc smelter and to 200 controls from an area more than 4 km away from the smelter. They were asked to complete a questionnaire, and to deliver a urine sample for analysis of cadmium (CdU), mercury (HgU), lead (PbU) and α1-microglobulin (ProteinHC). Two hundred and six participants (response rate 52%), between 19 and 88 years of age, were included. Results were analysed by multiple-adjusted linear and logistic regression.CdU was not significantly different between individuals in the two residence areas. Only ten individuals had CdU concentrations exceeding European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) critical value of 1 μg/g creatinine, whereas 35 persons (22% of the women vs. 11% of the men) had CdU concentrations higher than 0.66 μg/g creatinine, which EU suggested to be sufficiently protective for the general population. Smoking was the predominant contributing factor to values of elevated CdU. There was a tendency of higher CdU, although not statistically significant, amongst people regularly consuming fruit, berries and vegetables grown in their own garden near the smelter area. Home address in the polluted area was not a significant determinant. There was a positive correlation between CdU and ProteinHC in urine, but no significant difference was found for ProteinHC between residents from polluted area and controls.In spite of demonstrated industrial emissions of cadmium, the results do not indicate elevated cadmium exposure or kidney damage in the polluted area compared to the control area.     

Abandoned Mid-Canada Radar Line sites in the Western James region of Northern Ontario, Canada: a source of organochlorines for First Nations people?

The potential exists for human exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other contaminants originating from abandoned Mid-Canada Radar Line (MCRL) sites in sub-arctic Canada. We examined patterns of differences with respect to body burden of organochlorines (lipid-adjusted) between residents of the Ontario First Nations of Fort Albany (the site of MCRL Site 050) and Kashechewan (no radar base) and Hamilton (an industrial, southern Ontario community) to assess whether the presence of Site 050 influenced organochlorine body burden with respect to the people of Fort Albany. PCBs (Aroclor 1260 and summation operator14 PCBs congeners [CBs]) and DDE in the plasma of Fort Albany and Kashechewan subjects were elevated relative to Hamilton participants. PCB and DDE-plasma levels in First Nation women were of comparable magnitude to those reported for Inuit women living in the west/central Northwest Territories. Significantly lower DDE/DDT ratios observed for Fort Albany indicates exposure to higher levels of DDT compared to Kashechewan. The probable source of DDT exposure for Fort Albany people is the DDT-contaminated soil surrounding buildings of Site 050. The results of the correspondence analysis (CA) indicated that people from Hamilton had relatively higher pesticides and lower CB body burdens, while people from Fort Albany and Kashechewan exhibited relatively higher CBs and lower pesticide levels (CA-1). The separation of Fort Albany and Kashechewan from Hamilton was also clear using questionnaire data (i.e., plotting dietary principal component [PC]-1 scores against PC-2); PC-1 was correlated with the consumption of a traditional diet. Separation of Kashechewan and Albany residents occurred because the people of Kashechewan ate more traditional meats and consumed shorebirds. Only one significant relationship was found between PC analysis and contaminant loadings; PC-1 versus CA-3 for Kashechewan. The presence of Site 050 on Anderson Island appears to have influenced organochlorine body burden of the people of Fort Albany. ANCOVA results revealed that it was not activity on Anderson Island that was important, but activity on Site 050 was the influential variable. When these results are considered with the DDE/DDT ratio data and the CB 187 results (Fort Albany and Kashechewan residents differed significantly), the findings are suggestive that Site 050 did influence organochlorine body burden of people from Fort Albany.     

Determination of exposure to benzene, toluene and xylenes in Turkish primary school children by analysis of breath and by environmental passive sampling

Benzene, toluene, m/p-xylene and o-xylene (BTX) are toxic volatile organic compounds and ubiquitous air pollutants. Smoking and consumer products are indoor sources of BTX, whereas traffic and industrial activities are primary sources contributing to outdoor levels of BTX. The aim of this study was to characterize exposure of children to BTX by personal air sampling using diffusive samplers and by analysis of end-exhaled air. For this study, 101 children of 10-11 years of age were recruited from four primary schools in Southern Turkey during the warm season (May 2008). Two schools were situated in a residential area near primary and secondary iron and steel works (Payas) and two schools were located in a non-industrialized city (Iskenderun). The children and their parents were visited at home for an interview and to identify possible sources of BTX in the residence. Median concentrations of benzene determined by diffusive samplers were higher in Payas (4.1 μg/m³) than in Iskenderun (2.7 μg/m³, p < 0.001). For toluene, no differences were observed, whereas for xylene isomers air concentrations tended to be lower for children living in Payas. The median end-exhaled air concentrations were 8.2, 29, 3.8, and 5.7 pmol/L for benzene, toluene, m/p-xylene and o-xylene, respectively (Payas), and 6.9, 25, 4.9, and 6.0 pmol/L, respectively (Iskenderun). Concentrations of toluene in end-exhaled air were 50% higher in children living with household members who smoked indoors (p < 0.05) and benzene in end-exhaled air was more than 3-fold higher for those children who were exposed to tobacco smoke inside a vehicle (p < 0.001). End-exhaled concentrations of benzene were also higher in children living in a residence with an attached garage (p < 0.05). These exposure modifying factors were not identified when using the results obtained with diffusive samplers.