Concentrations Of Environmental Pollutants Research Articles

Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat: What about environmental contaminants?

In October 26, 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) issued a press release informing of the recent evaluation of the carcinogenicity of red and processed meat consumption. The consumption of red meat and processed meat was classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans”, and as “carcinogenic to humans”, respectively. The substances responsible of this potential carcinogenicity would be generated during meat processing, such as curing and smoking, or when meat is heated at high temperatures (N-nitroso-compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic aromatic amines). However, in its assessments, the IARC did not make any reference to the role that may pose some carcinogenic environmental pollutants, which are already present in raw or unprocessed meat. The potential role of a number of environmental chemical contaminants (toxic trace elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated naphthalenes and perfluoroalkyl substances) on the carcinogenicity of consumption of meat and meat products is discussed in this paper. A case-study, Catalonia (Spain), is specifically assessed, while the influence of cooking on the concentrations of environmental pollutants is also reviewed. It is concluded that although certain cooking processes could modify the levels of chemical contaminants in food, the influence of cooking on the pollutant concentrations depends not only on the particular cooking process, but even more on their original contents in each specific food item. As most of these environmental pollutants are organic, cooking procedures that release or remove fat from the meat should tend to reduce the total concentrations of these contaminants in the cooked meat.

대구 안심연료단지 환경오염물질 노출 평가(II) - TSP, PM<sub>10</sub>, PM<sub>2.5</sub> 및 중금속 농도분포 및 노출특성 -

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess airborne particulate matter pollution and its effect on health of residents living near Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and its vicinities. Also, this study measured and analyzed the concentration of TSP, <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX>, <TEX>$PM_{2.5}$</TEX>, and heavy metals which influences on the environmental and respiratory disease in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex, Daegu, Korea. Methods: In this study, we analyzed various environmental pollutants such as particulate matter and heavy metals from Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex that adversely affected local residents's health. In particular, we verified the concentration distribution and characteristics of exposure for TSP, <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX>, and <TEX>$PM_{2.5}$</TEX> among particulate matters, and heavy metals(Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe, Zn, and Mg). In that regard, the official test method on air pollution in Korea for analysis of particulate matter and heavy metal in atmosphere were conducted. The large capacity air sampling method by the official test method on air pollution in Korea were applied for sampling of heavy metals in atmosphere. In addition, we evaluated the concentration of seasonal environmental pollutants for each point of residence in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and surrounding area. The sampling measured periods for air pollutants were from August 11, 2013 to February 21, 2014. Furthermore, we measured and analyzed the seasonal concentrations(summer, autumn and winter). Results: The average concentration for TSP, <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX>, and <TEX>$PM_{2.5}$</TEX> by direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were 1.7, 1.4 and 1.9 times higher than reference region. In analysis results of seasonal concentrations for particulate matter in four direct influence and reference area, concentration levels for winter were generally somewhat higher than concentrations for summer and autumn. The average concentrations for Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe, and Zn in direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were <TEX>$0.0008{\pm}0.0004{\mu}g/Sm^3$</TEX>, <TEX>$0.0141{\pm}0.0163{\mu}g/Sm^3$</TEX>, <TEX>$0.0248{\pm}0.0059{\mu}g/Sm^3$</TEX>, <TEX>$0.0026{\pm}0.0011{\mu}g/Sm^3$</TEX>, <TEX>$0.0272{\pm}0.0084{\mu}g/Sm^3$</TEX>, <TEX>$0.4855{\pm}0.1862{\mu}g/Sm^3$</TEX>, and <TEX>$0.3068{\pm}0.0631{\mu}g/Sm^3$</TEX>, respectively. In particularly, the average concentrations for Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe, and Zn in direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were 1.9, 3.6, 2.1, 1.9, 1.4, 2.6, and 1.2 times higher than reference area, respectively. The continuous monitoring and management were required for some heavy metals such as Cr and Ni. Moreover, the average concentration in winter for particulate matter in direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were generally higher than concentrations in summer and autumn. Also, average concentrations for TSP, <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX>, and <TEX>$PM_{2.5}$</TEX> were from 1.5 to 2.0 times, 1.2 to 1.8 times, and 1.1 to 2.3 times higher than reference area, respectively. In results for seasonal atmospheric environment, TSP, <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX>, <TEX>$PM_{2.5}$</TEX>, and heavy metal concentrations in direct influence area were higher than reference area. Especially, the concentrations in C station were a high level in comparison with other area. Conclusions: In the results, some particulate matters and heavy metals were relatively high concentration, in order to understand the environmental pollution level and health effect in surrounding area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex. The concentration of some heavy metals emitted from direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were relatively higher than reference area. In particular, average concentration for heavy metals in this study were higher than average concentrations in air quality monitoring station for heavy metal for 7 years in Deagu metropolitan region. Especially, the residents near Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex may be exposed to the pollutants(TSP, <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX>, <TEX>$PM_{2.5}$</TEX>, and heavy metals, etc) emitted from the factories in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex.

Modeling of photodegradation process to remove the higher concentration of environmental pollution

Environmental organic pollutants are mineralized to harmless final-products such H2O and CO2 by photocatalytic advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). In photocatalytic-AOPs, an appropriate concentration of p-Cresol was mixed with certain amount of ZnO in 500 mL deionized water according to an experimental-design. Then the mixture was irradiated by UV-A lamp at different pH for 6 h. At specific time intervals, the sampling was carried out to calculate the efficiency of the photodegradation. Therefore, the photodegradation as a system consists of four input variables such irradiation time, pH, amount of ZnO and p-Cresol’s concentration while the only output was the efficiency. In this work, the system was modeled and optimized by semi-empirical response surface methodology. To obtain the empirical responses, the design was performed in laboratory. Then observed responses were fitted with several well-known models by regression process to suggest a provisional model. The suggested model which was validated by several statistical evidence, predicted the desirable condition with higher efficiency. The predicted condition consisted of irradiation time (280 min), pH (7.9), photocatalyst (1.5g L−1), p-Cresol (95 mg L−1) and efficiency (95%) which confirmed by further experiments. The closed confirmation results has presented the removal (efficiency = 94.7%) of higher p-Cresol concentration (95 mg L−1) at shorter irradiation time in comparison with the normal photodegradation efficiency (97%) which included irradiation time (300 min), pH (7.5), photocatalyst amount (1.5g L−1) and p-Cresol (75 mg L−1). As a conclusion, the modeling which is able to industrial scale up succeeded to remove higher concentration of environmental organic pollutants with ignorable reduction of efficiency.

Food intake and serum persistent organic pollutants in the Greenlandic pregnant women: The ACCEPT sub-study

The Greenlandic Inuit have high blood concentrations of environmental persistent organic pollutants (POPs). High POP concentrations have been associated with age, smoking and consumption of marine mammals. Studies have indicated that exposure to POPs during pregnancy may adversely affect fetal and child development.To assess geographical differences in diet, lifestyle and environmental contaminant exposure among pregnant women in Greenland, blood samples and questionnaire data were collected from 207 pregnant women in five Greenlandic regions (North, Disco Bay, West, South and East). Blood samples were analyzed for 11 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), 14 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 5 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 15 perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) and 63 metals.A trend of higher intake of marine mammals in the East and North regions was reflected by a higher n−3/n−6 fatty acid ratio. Participants in the East region tended also to have higher intake of terrestrial species. A significant higher seabird intake was seen for pregnant women in the West region. Significant regional differences were found for blood concentrations of PCBs, OCPs, PFASs and mercury, with higher levels in the North and East regions. PFASs were significantly associated with PCBs and OCPs in most of the regions. In the North region, PFASs were associated with both selenium and mercury. No significant regional difference was observed for PBDEs.The regional differences of blood levels of POPs and mercury were related to differences in intake of the traditional food. Compared to earlier reports, decreased levels of legacy POPs, Hg and Pb and perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid were observed, but the levels of PFAS congeners perfluorohexane sulfonate and perfluorononanoic acid were sustained. The detection of POPs and heavy metals in maternal blood indicates fetal exposure to these compounds possibly influencing fetal development.

A decision support system for drinking water production integrating health risks assessment.

The issue of drinking water quality compliance in small and medium scale water services is of paramount importance in relation to the 98/83/CE European Drinking Water Directive (DWD). Additionally, concerns are being expressed over the implementation of the DWD with respect to possible impacts on water quality from forecast changes in European climate with global warming and further anticipated reductions in north European acid emissions. Consequently, we have developed a decision support system (DSS) named ARTEM-WQ (AwaReness Tool for the Evaluation and Mitigation of drinking Water Quality issues resulting from environmental changes) to support decision making by small and medium plant operators and other water stakeholders. ARTEM-WQ is based on a sequential risk analysis approach that includes consideration of catchment characteristics, climatic conditions and treatment operations. It provides a holistic evaluation of the water system, while also assessing human health risks of organic contaminants potentially present in treated waters (steroids, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, bisphenol-a, polychlorobiphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, petrochemical hydrocarbons and disinfection by-products; n = 109). Moreover, the system provides recommendations for improvement while supporting decision making in its widest context. The tool has been tested on various European catchments and shows a promising potential to inform water managers of risks and appropriate mitigative actions. Further improvements should include toxicological knowledge advancement, environmental background pollutant concentrations and the assessment of the impact of distribution systems on water quality variation.

Association of dioxin and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with diabetes: epidemiological evidence and new mechanisms of beta cell dysfunction.

The worldwide explosion of the rates of diabetes and other metabolic diseases in the last few decades cannot be fully explained only by changes in the prevalence of classical lifestyle-related risk factors, such as physical inactivity and poor diet. For this reason, it has been recently proposed that other “nontraditional” risk factors could contribute to the diabetes epidemics. In particular, an increasing number of reports indicate that chronic exposure to and accumulation of a low concentration of environmental pollutants (especially the so-called persistent organic pollutants (POPs)) within the body might be associated with diabetogenesis. In this review, the epidemiological evidence suggesting a relationship between dioxin and other POPs exposure and diabetes incidence will be summarized, and some recent developments on the possible underlying mechanisms, with particular reference to dioxin, will be presented and discussed.

Multiple regression analysis in modeling of columnar ozone in Peninsular Malaysia

This study aimed to predict monthly columnar ozone (O3) in Peninsular Malaysia by using data on the concentration of environmental pollutants. Data (2003-2008) on five atmospheric pollutant gases (CO2, O3, CH4, NO2, and H2O vapor) retrieved from the satellite Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography (SCIAMACHY) were employed to develop a model that predicts columnar ozone through multiple linear regression. In the entire period, the pollutants were highly correlated (R = 0.811 for the southwest monsoon, R = 0.803 for the northeast monsoon) with predicted columnar ozone. The results of the validation of columnar ozone with column ozone from SCIAMACHY showed a high correlation coefficient (R = 0.752-0.802), indicating the model's accuracy and efficiency. Statistical analysis was utilized to determine the effects of each atmospheric pollutant on columnar ozone. A model that can retrieve columnar ozone in Peninsular Malaysia was developed to provide air quality information. These results are encouraging and accurate and can be used in early warning of the population to comply with air quality standards.

Molecular responses of European flounder (Platichthys flesus) chronically exposed to contaminated estuarine sediments

Molecular responses to acute toxicant exposure can be effective biomarkers, however responses to chronic exposure are less well characterised. The aim of this study was to determine chronic molecular responses to environmental mixtures in a controlled laboratory setting, free from the additional variability encountered with environmental sampling of wild organisms. Flounder fish were exposed in mesocosms for seven months to a contaminated estuarine sediment made by mixing material from the Forth (high organics) and Tyne (high metals and tributyltin) estuaries (FT) or a reference sediment from the Ythan estuary (Y). Chemical analyses demonstrated that FT sediment contained significantly higher concentrations of key environmental pollutants (including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated biphenyls and heavy metals) than Y sediment, but that chronically exposed flounder showed a lack of differential accumulation of contaminants, including heavy metals. Biliary 1-hydroxypyrene concentration and erythrocyte DNA damage increased in FT-exposed fish. Transcriptomic and 1H NMR metabolomic analyses of liver tissues detected small but statistically significant alterations between fish exposed to different sediments. These highlighted perturbance of immune response and apoptotic pathways, but there was a lack of response from traditional biomarker genes. Gene-chemical association annotation enrichment analyses suggested that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were a major class of toxicants affecting the molecular responses of the exposed fish. This demonstrated that molecular responses of sentinel organisms can be detected after chronic mixed toxicant exposure and that these can be informative of key components of the mixture.

Molecularly Imprinted Adsorbents for Selective Separation and/or Concentration of Environmental Pollutants

This review describes the development of molecularly imprinted materials for selective separation and/or concentration of environmental pollutants, the quantitative concentration of which is usually difficult to determine because of their low level of concentration and existence of a large number of contaminants in environmental water. The fragment imprinting technique allowed for the selective separation of endocrine disrupters and halogenated aromatic compounds, including bisphenol A, and chlorinated/brominated aromatic compounds by the specific structural recognition based on the breeds, position, and number of the substituents. Also, the interval immobilization technique provided the specific materials enabling selective concentration based on the interval recognition of ionic functional groups in the targeting compounds, so that the effective determinations were achieved for natural toxins and pharmaceuticals in environmental water. Additionally, a selective photodegradation of toxins and a stimulus responsible hydrogel by the similar molecular recognition ability were successfully carried out. We have summarized these techniques including our recent studies.

Assessment of dairy products consumed on the Arakmarket as determined by heavy metal residues

Dairy products are nutritious drink and can play a significant part in a healthy diet. The safety of dairy products decreases with increasing concentration of toxic compounds and environmental pollutants (especially heavy metals). In the present study, the contamination of Al, Sn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb in dairy products (pasteurized milk, yogurt, yogurt drink, cheese) consumed in Arak, Iran, 2013 was evaluated using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) method. To meet the aim, 60 samples of 5 different brands, consisting of pasteurized milk, yogurt, yogurt drink, cheese (n = 15) were selected and analyzed for heavy metals content. 100% of the samples were positive regarding the total average and range concentration of Al, Sn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb in dairy products was 168.25 ± 92.2 (30.6 - 356.5), 5.9 ± 4 (1.1 - 16), 3.2 ± 1.95 (0.4 - 8.1), 4.55 ± 2.6 (0.6 - 10.6), 23.15 ± 10.4 (6.8 - 50.2) and 15.4 ± 8.53 (3.1 - 40.2) μg/kg, respectively. 28.3% (17 of 60 samples) of dairy products samples had lead (Pb) greater than EU limit and national Iranian standard (20 μg/kg). Statistical analysis indicated except about As in pasteurized milk and cheese there was no significant difference between products in terms of heavy metals content.

Malt plant wastewater treatment and biohydrogen production

The developed technology of treatment of wastewater of malt factory from phosphates in the system of anaerobic-aerobic bioreactors with simultaneous biohydrogen production in bioelectrochemical system is given in the paper.The biotechnological scheme contains the wastewater treatment blocks for the reduction of concentration of suspended substances, COD (chemical oxygen demand), phosphates and other environmental pollutants, and also the bioelectrochemical system of biohydrogen production.The biotechnology, developed and approved in actual production conditions, provides high efficiency of wastewater treatment of malt factory from organic pollutants according to COD - 94-95 % at the values of COD indicator at the input up to 2000 mg/dm3, from phosphates up to 90 % at the initial concentration of 25 mg/dm3.The application of bioelectrochemical method of hydrogen synthesis allows obtaining biogas consisting of 70 % of molecular hydrogen, and also provides the removal of organic pollution from wastewaters with the efficiency up to 98 %.

Mercury, pets’ and hair: baseline survey of a priority environmental pollutant using a noninvasive matrix in man’s best friend

Pet cats and dogs have been successfully used as indicators of environmental pollution by a great variety of chemicals, including metals. However, information on mercury (a well know priority environmental pollutant) concentrations in household pets tissues and/or organs is scarce. Thus, in the present work we quantified total mercury (Hg(Total)) in blood and hair samples from twenty-six household dogs. The obtained results disclose relatively low levels of total mercury in the surveyed dogs, with values ranging from 0.16 to 12.38 ng g(-1) in blood; and from 24.16 to 826.30 ng g(-1) in hair. Mercury concentrations were independent of gender, age and diet type. A highly significant positive correlation was established between total mercury in blood and hair, validating the latter as a surrogate, non-invasive matrix for mercury exposure evaluation. Additionally, the obtained blood to hair ratio (200) is similar to the one described for humans reinforcing the suitability of dogs as sentinels. Overall, the determination of total mercury levels in dogs' hair samples proved to be a good screening method for the estimation of mercury burden in this species. We propose the quantification of Hg(Total) in hair as a screening method for sentinels like household pets to be performed in routine veterinary visits.

Causal effects of synthetic chemicals on mitochondrial deficits and diabetes pandemic

It is generally accepted that mitochondrial deficits cause many common age-associated diseases including type 2 diabetes. However, it has not been understood what causes mitochondrial damages and how to interrupt the development of the diseases in patients. Recent epidemiologic studies demonstrated a positive correlation between serum concentrations of environmental pollutants and insulin resistance/diabetes. Emerging data strongly suggest that some synthetic pollutants disturb the signaling pathway critical for energy homeostasis and insulin action. The synthetic chemicals are possibly involved in pathogenesis of insulin resistance and diabetes as mitochondria-disturbing agents. In this review, we present a molecular scheme to address the contribution of environmental synthetic chemicals to this metabolic catastrophe. Efforts to identify synthetic chemicals with mitochondria-damaging activities may open a new era to develop effective therapeutic interventions against the worldwide-spreading metabolic disorder.

Novel cell‐based assay reveals associations of circulating serum AhR‐ligands with metabolic syndrome and mitochondrial dysfunction

Serum concentrations of environmental pollutants have been positively correlated with diabetes and metabolic syndrome in epidemiologic studies. In turn, abnormal mitochondrial function has been associated with the diseases. The relationships between these variables, however, have not been studied. We developed novel cell-based aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist bioassay system without solvent extraction process and analyzed whether low-dose circulating AhR ligands in human serum are associated with parameters of metabolic syndrome and mitochondrial function. Serum AhR ligand activities were measured as serum 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalent (sTCDDeq) in pM using 10 μL human sera from 97 Korean participants (47 with glucose intolerance and 50 matched controls, average age of 46.6 ± 9.9 years, 53 male and 45 female). sTCDDeq were higher in participants with glucose intolerance than normal controls and were positively associated (P < 0.01) with obesity, blood pressure, serum triglyceride, and fasting glucose, but not with HDL-cholesterol. Body mass index was in a positive linear relationship with serum AhR ligands in healthy participants. When myoblast cells were incubated with human sera, ATP generating power of mitochondria became impaired in an AhR ligand concentration-dependent manner. Our results support that circulating AhR ligands may directly reduce mitochondrial function in tissues, leading to weight gain, glucose intolerance, and metabolic syndrome. Our rapid cell-based assay using minute volume of human serum may provide one of the best monitoring systems for circulating AhR ligands, good clinical biomarkers for the progress of disease and therapeutic efficacy.

비산단지역 환경오염 수준 및 주민의 생체지표 모니터링

Objectives: The main purpose of this study is to produce background data which can be compared with data on vulnerable areas such as industrial complexes in Ulsan, SihwaBanwol, Gwangyang, Yeosu, Pohang, Cheongju and Daesan in Korea. Methods: This study was performed on 1,007 local residents in Gangneung using personal questionnaires and medical check-up. Environmental pollutants including heavy metals in blood and urine were analyzed and the results are as follows. Results: According to the results of medical check-up, 705 subjects were "Normal (A and B)", 232 subjects were "Disease doubtful (R1)" and 70 subjects were "High blood pressure or Diabetes doubtful (R2)". Regarding geometric mean concentration, blood lead was 1.57 <TEX>${\mu}g/dL$</TEX>, urine cadmium was 0.82 <TEX>${\mu}g/g-cr$</TEX>, urine mercury was 0.98 <TEX>${\mu}g/g-cr$</TEX> and urine arsenic was 15.78 <TEX>${\mu}g/g-cr$</TEX>. In the analysis of 11 kinds of VOCs in blood, vinyl chloride, 1,3-butadiene and dichloroethylene were not detected, while the detection rate of other chemicals was above 70% except chloroform(49.7%) and trichloroethylene(19.0%). In analysis of 16 kinds of PAHs in blood, 10 kinds showed more than 80% in detection rate. Also, detection rate of 4 kinds of PCBs in blood ranged 52 to 78%. Conclusions: Compared with industrial compelxes, the concentration of blood lead was lower, while urine cadmium and mercury levels were similar. Also, urine arsenic ranged at a significant level. Further study is required to find the cause of regional differences in concentrations of environmental pollutants.

Strong isolation-by-distance in the absence of genetic population structure in the eelpout (Zoarces viviparus, Linnaeus 1758)

The eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) is a benthic marine fish, which has long been assumed to be philopatric. This made it particularly suitable for environmental monitoring programs as it allows matching its content of pollutants to the area of catch. However, a recent small scale genetic study in the Baltic Proper suggested that gene-flow might be stronger than generally believed and may occur frequently up to a distance of at least 90km. As challenging the assumption of philopatry might have strong implications for environmental monitoring studies, we tested the hypothesis of philopatry at a larger geographical scale using ten microsatellite loci. A total of 220 individuals sampled from eight locations covering almost the entire geographic range of the species was genotyped. Our results show that genetic diversity decreases from the North Sea to the northeastern Baltic Sea. No strong population structuring was found, but a highly significant isolation-by-distance pattern was detected, suggesting a stepwise migration pattern among populations. Thus, the hypothesis of long-distance migration can be falsified. It is more likely that only limited gene flow exists among adjacent populations without any barriers between them. Our results suggest that dispersal in the eelpout is weak enough to retain this species as an important bioindicator. However, we suggest that reference stations should be placed in an appropriate distance to avoid misleading results from migrating individuals. We conclude that a more precise knowledge on migration rates of the eelpout is required in order to get more reliable insights into the potential area over which the concentration of environmental pollutants is integrated.

선진국 환경시료은행의 특성 분석을 통한 국가환경시료은행의 발전방안

환경시료은행은 환경질(environmental quality)의 시공간적 변화를 모니터링 하는 역할 뿐 아니라 시료 자체를 장기 보존함으로써 후세에 과거의 환경을 직접적으로 검증할 수 있는 기회를 부여하는 기능을 가지고 있다. 이를 위해서 다양한 생태계의 환경을 대표할 수 있는 선정된 시료를 엄격하게 규정된 채취방법에 따라 채취하여 성분변화가 일어나지 않는 초저온상태에서 장기간 보관함으로써 미래 시점에서 회고적 분석(retrospective analysis)을 수행할 수 있는 시설이 요구된다. 선진국에서는 이미 30여 년 전부터 환경정책의 실효성을 입증하거나 시대별 환경배경농도의 변화를 모니터링 하기 위해 다양한 환경시료를 저장해 오고 있다. 우리나라에서 2009년 자동화된 초저온 저장시설을 갖춘 국가환경시료은행이 국립환경과학원의 연구진에 의해 설립되었다. 이를 계기로 선진국의 시료은행 운영 경험을 발전시켜 단시간 내에 정상궤도에 안착시키려는 노력을 경주하고 있다. 아울러 그간 선진국의 운영 사례를 분석하고 이를 토대로 작성된 표준운영절차(SOP)에 따라 시험연구를 진행하고 있다. 이러한 과정에서 도출된 문제점을 분석하고 개선함으로 환경을 대표하는 시료의 저장 및 분석이라는 기본적인 기능에 충실한 수행체계를 갖추어 나가고 있다. 그러나 이와 동시에 환경시료은행의 기능을 적극 응용하여 독자적 부가기능을 부여하는 청사진이 제시되고 이에 대한 실행방안도 요구되는 상황이다. 이를 계기로 국가환경시료은행이 명실공히 국제적인 환경기구로 인정받는 도약의 발판을 마련해야 할 것이다. The ESBs (Environmental Specimen Banks) have monitoring functions for the contemporary environmental qualities and also offer the future generation tangible information on the past environment by preserving the specimens. This entails the sampling of the representative specimen for each distinctive ecosystem, which is performed under a strict and stipulated procedure and a condition that does not allow any change in the component so that a retrospective analysis can be readily done even in the distant future. It has been more than 30 years that some developing countries started collecting a broad spectrum of specimens to vindicate the effectiveness of an environmental policy and to monitor the long-term variations of background concentrations of environmental pollutants. Though being late, the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Korea, has successfully launched the National Environmental Specimen Bank (NESB) in 2009 equipped with its state-of-the-art automated cryogenic tanks. Since then, the researchers at the NESB have been doing their best to excel the existing ESBs around the world by learning and improving the expertise. To do so, they conducted a pilot study for developing and testing their own Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) based on the analysis of the examples of the other ESBs. The problems from the pilot study had been reviewed to improve the SOP to meet the requirements for an ESB, that is to say, preserving representative environmental specimens in cryogenic condition and enhancing the analytical method. Furthermore, they also need to prepare themselves to address the future challenges by providing some additional functions, which makes it distinguishable from the other ESBs. If successful, this will be a step further to be recognized as a full-fledged member of the ESB society of the world.

Determination of deployment specific chemical uptake rates for SPMD and PDMS using a passive flow monitor

Passive sampling techniques facilitate the time-integrated measurement of pollutant concentrations through the use of a selective receiving phase. Accurate quantification using passive sampling devices rely on the implementation of methods that will negate the effects of environmental factors (flow, temperature, etc.) or that will allow the calculation of the chemical specific rates of uptake (Rs) into the passive sampler employed. We have applied an in situ calibration technique based on the dissolution of gypsum to measure the average water velocity to which a sampler has been exposed. We demonstrate that the loss of gypsum from the passive flow monitor (PFM) can be applied to predict changes in Rs dependent on flow when using the absorbent SPMD (semipermeable membrane device) and PDMS (polydimethyl siloxan) passive samplers. The application of the PFM will enhance the accuracy of measurements made when calculating and reporting environmental pollutant concentrations using a passive sampling device.

BIOMBIENT.ES: ONGOING HUMAN BIOMONITORING OF THE SPANISH POPULATION

Background and Aims: BIOAMBIENT.ES Is the first Human Biomonitoring study made in Spain at national level including Canary Islands and the autonomous African province of Ceuta. The study is carried out under the responsibility of the National Spanish Institute of Health, Carlos III, and funded by the Ministry of Environment. Methods: The study involved 1936 voluntaries, from 18 to 67 years old, using a complex design intended to reflect the Spanish active population structure by sex, economic activity sector and region. Recruitment campaign, started in March 2009 finished in July 2010, included four sampling periods in order to cover for season variability. Urine, blood, serum and scalp hair were analyzed for persistent organic pollutants, cotinine and heavy metals and followed up by epidemiological questionnaires of living style and diet. Results: Analysis are not finished. The first results show: Geometric mean (GM) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for urinary cadmium concentrations were 0.24 (0.23-0.25) µg Cd/g creatinine. Mercury concentration (GM) in scalp hair was 1.86 (1.76- 1.97) µg Hg/g hair (only given by 31% of the participants volunteers) The GM (CI95%) for the sum of PCB 138, 153 and 180 was 135.6 (130.5-140.8) ng/g lipid. For PCB 28, PCB 52, 99% of the studied population was bellow 59 ng/g lipid and 94% bellow 11,8 ng/g lipid for PCB 101. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) levels were below the quantification limit (0,01ng/mL) Conclusions: Results from BIOAMBIENT.ES show that the concentrations of environmental pollutants in the Spanish population are similar to that reported in HBM studies from other countries (USA; CDC 2009, Germany; Schulz et al 2003). The exception is mercury in hair which is much higher in the Spanish population, probably because of a high consumption of fish and other marine products.

Sometimes Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus) Cannot Find Their Way Back to the High Seas: A Multidisciplinary Study on a Mass Stranding

BackgroundMass strandings of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) remain peculiar and rather unexplained events, which rarely occur in the Mediterranean Sea. Solar cycles and related changes in the geomagnetic field, variations in water temperature and weather conditions, coast geographical features and human activities have been proposed as possible causes. In December 2009, a pod of seven male sperm whales stranded along the Adriatic coast of Southern Italy. This is the sixth instance from 1555 in this basin.Methodology/Principal FindingsComplete necropsies were performed on three whales whose bodies were in good condition, carrying out on sampled tissues histopathology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology, and screening of veins looking for gas emboli. Furthermore, samples for age determination, genetic studies, gastric content evaluation, stable isotopes and toxicology were taken from all the seven specimens.The animals were part of the same group and determined by genetic and photo-identification to be part of the Mediterranean population. Causes of death did not include biological agents, or the “gas and fat embolic syndrome”, associated with direct sonar exposure. Environmental pollutant tissue concentrations were relatively high, in particular organochlorinated xenobiotics. Gastric content and morphologic tissue examinations showed a prolonged starvation, which likely caused, at its turn, the mobilization of lipophilic contaminants from the adipose tissue. Chemical compounds subsequently entered the blood circulation and may have impaired immune and nervous functions.Conclusions/SignificanceA multi-factorial cause underlying this sperm whales' mass stranding is proposed herein based upon the results of postmortem investigations as well as of the detailed analyses of the geographical and historical background. The seven sperm whales took the same “wrong way” into the Adriatic Sea, a potentially dangerous trap for Mediterranean sperm whales. Seismic surveys should be also regarded as potential co-factors, even if no evidence of direct impact has been detected.