PCDD/Fs and PCBs in hen eggs from a contaminated area in Italy: a 9 years spatio-temporal monitoring study.

Eggs can represent a food susceptible to contamination, with bioaccumulation potential for POPs. The Province of Taranto, Southern Italy, is of particular relevance in this context because of the presence of industrial sources of PCDD/Fs and PCBs. The aim of this study was to analyze and report the levels of these contaminants in hen eggs sampled in farms located within a radius of 20 km from the industrial area of Taranto. Between 2013 and 2021, 227 hen eggs were collected, according to a special monitoring plan of the Prevention Department. Samples were analyzed by the National Reference Laboratory for Halogenated POPs in Feed and Food. Median (IQR) values were: 0.28 (0.59) pg WHO-TEQ/g fat for PCDD/Fs, 0.89 (1.70) pg WHO-TEQ/g fat for PCDD/Fs + DL-PCBs, 0.57 (1.16) pg WHO-TEQ/g fat for DL-PCBs, 2.24 (5.51) ng/g fat for NDL-PCBs. Samples not-compliant (Reg. 1881/2006/EC and amendments) for at least one contaminant were 17 (7.5%). No contaminants values or exceedances showed a statistically significant correlation with distance from industrial area (p > 0.05). Higher PCDD/Fs values were observed in first and second quarters (p < 0.05). All contaminants' values pairwise combinations showed significant (p < 0.0001) strong (ρ > 0.7) correlation. According to our epidemiological investigations, the exceedances are to be attributed to factors mainly related to farmers' wrong habits. These results confirmed the importance of the monitoring of contaminants' levels in the matrices at risk as well as to focus on enhancing good management practices on eggs-producing farms.

Rare earths and other elements content in hen eggs sold in Italy: comparison among main types of farming methods and consumer's health risk assessment.

Recently, in Italy, consumers are choosing hen eggs from farming systems with higher ethical value, due to their perception of a related higher quality and safety. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the existence of differences in elemental content in Italian eggs from organic, barn, and caged hen farming methods and to determine the related potential consumer exposure risk to inorganic contaminants due to the consumption of eggs. One hundred seventy-six egg samples were collected and analyzed using Q-ICP-MS to investigate the content of 14 elements (Pb, As, Hg, Cd, Tl, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Se, Co, Ni, V, and Cr) and 13 rare earth elements (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb). The scenarios of exposure to rare earth and other elements from eggs were estimated for three age groups of consumers. The daily intake values were always lower than the respective safety reference values. In conclusion, Italian hen eggs contain low levels of rare earth and other elements, and therefore, their consumption does not represent a risk of exposure. Finally, no significant differences in contaminants between conventional and organic farming methods were found.

A new method for determining PFASs by UHPLC-HRMS (Q-Orbitrap): Application to PFAS analysis of organic and conventional eggs sold in Italy.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants with the ability to uptake to food and feed. Among food, fish, fruits and eggs are considered as major contributors to human dietary exposure. A new method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 18 PFASs in eggs using isotope dilution followed by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry. The analysis of 132 samples (organic, barn and caged eggs) was performed. Levels were always close to the detection limits and no significant difference emerged among the 3 groups. The highest PFAS concentration in eggs was used to estimate the dietary exposure of different Italian population groups. As expected, children were more highly exposed than adults due to lower body weight. This data suggests that the recent tolerable weekly intake of 4.4 ng kg-1b.w. could be exceeded when the cumulative intake arising from other food products is considered.

PCDD/Fs and PCBs in Mytilus galloprovincialis from a contaminated area in Italy: the role of mussel size, temperature and meteorological factors.

Mussels represent a food at risk of contamination because they are filter-feeding organisms with high bioaccumulation and low biotransformation potential for organic contaminants. Taranto, Southern Italy, is of particular relevance in this context due to the presence of industrial sources of POPs. The aim of this study was to analyse the role of mussel size, temperature and other meteorological factors in determining PCDD/Fs and PCBs concentrations in mussels. Mussels were collected on a monthly basis with random sampling between 2012 and 2020 according to the extraordinary monitoring plan of the Prevention Department. Samples were analysed by the National Reference Laboratory for Halogenated POPs in food and feed. A total of 787 mussel samples were collected between 2012 and 2020. Higher median concentrations were observed in Mar Piccolo First Inlet: PCDD/Fs 1.49 pg WHO-TEQ/g ww; PCDD/Fs + DL-PCBs 6.35 pg WHO-TEQ/g ww; DL-PCBs 4.74 pg WHO-TEQ/g ww; NDL-PCBs 65.10 ng/g ww. In all basins, PCDD/Fs + DL-PCBs, DL-PCBs and NDL-PCBs showed higher concentrations in mussels ≥ 5 cm. Temperature showed positive association with all pollutants in all basins. Higher relative humidity was associated with higher concentrations of some pollutants, while number of rain days was associated with lower values. Our findings showed higher PCDD/Fs and PCBs concentrations in adult mussels, with dependence on temperature and some other meteorological factors. These results could help guide public health strategies and mussel sampling according to mussel size and meteorological conditions in areas affected by POPs contamination.

Brominated and chlorinated contaminants in food (PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PBDD/Fs PBDEs): Simultaneous determination and occurrence in Italian produce.

Validated methodology for the simultaneous determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in foods of animal origin is presented. Method performance indicators were equivalent or better than those required for the control of EU regulated (EU, 2017/644) PCDD/F and PCB congeners in these foods, and for risk assessment through dietary intake. The method uses a high (>90%) proportion of 13Carbon-labelled surrogates for internal standardisation combined with high resolution mass spectrometry that allow accurate quantitation, and this was confirmed by multiple successful participations in proficiency testing for PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PBDEs in food. The same validation and method performance requirements as used for PCDD/Fs were followed for PBDD/Fs. The analysis of a range of food samples (eggs, milk, fish, shellfish, pork, beef and poultry), showed the occurrence of all four classes of contaminants at varying concentration ranges. In general, PCBs were the most prominent contaminant, both, in terms of dioxin-like toxicity, as well as in the occurrence of non-dioxin-like congeners, an observation that concurs with those made in other studies on Italian foods. The levels of PCDD/F and PCB occurrence are consistent with a gradual decline in contamination as reported by some other similar studies. Although all the determined contaminants were detected in the sampled foods, there was poor correlation between the occurrences of the brominated and chlorinated contaminants, and between PBDEs and PBDD/Fs, but better associations were observed between the occurrences of the chlorinated contaminants.

Chlorinated Persistent Organic Pollutants (PCDD/Fs and PCBs) in Loggerhead Sea Turtles Stranded along the Central Adriatic Coast.

Persistent organic pollutants are widespread in the marine environment. They can bioaccumulate and biomagnify in marine organisms through the food web with a potentially toxic effect on living organisms. The sea turtle Caretta caretta is a carnivorous animal with opportunistic feeding behavior. These turtles tend to bioaccumulate pollutants through food, and hence they can be considered an indicator of chemical pollutants in the marine ecosystem. In this study, 44 loggerhead sea turtles were considered, and liver and fat tissue were sampled from each of them to investigate the levels of dioxins (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sea turtles and their potential correlation with sex and size in terms of curved carapace length (CCL). Results suggested that these contaminants were easily bioaccumulated, and PCBs were predominant compared to dioxins in both liver and fat tissue. The congener patterns were similar to those found in sea fish. Moreover, there were no differences in the contamination levels between females and males, nor was there a correlation with the size. There is a need to harmonize the methodological approaches to better evaluate the results and trends over time and to monitor the species and indirectly the health status of the marine environment.

Dioxins and PCBs contamination in milk and dairy products from Province of Taranto (Puglia Region, Southern Italy): a six years spatio-temporal monitoring study.

INTRODUCTION: Taranto Province (Puglia Region, Southern Italy) is of particular Public Health relevance due to the presence of industrial sources of dioxins and PCBs. The aim of this study was to analyze the spatio-temporal distribution of these pollutants in milk and cheese produced from 2013 to 2018. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Raw milk and dairy products were sampled in the farms located within 20 km from the industrial area. RESULTS: 1005 milk samples were collected. Median (IQR) concentrations were: dioxins 0.21 (0.21) pg WHO-TEQ/g fat; dioxins+DL-PCBs 0.83 (0.71) pg WHO-TEQ/g fat; NDL-PCBs 1.92 (1.56) ng/g fat. Overall, only 6 (0.6%) samples were found to be non-compliant for at least one pollutants group. Temporal analysis showed a decreasing trend in dioxins and PCBs concentrations over the observed years and higher values in the first trimester. Spatial analysis showed higher levels of PCBs in areas closest to the industrial pole. 70 dairy products samples were collected. Median pollutants concentrations were far below the EU limits and no exceedances were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The extremely low number of exceedances appeared as an encouraging result and supported the validity of the Public Health measures adopted by the Department of Prevention of Taranto.

Environmental status of an Italian site highly polluted by illegal dumping of industrial wastes: The situation 15 years after the judicial intervention.

In 2008 the Italian government classified the Bussi sul Tirino area (Central Italy) as Site of National Interest destined to remediation which, unfortunately, has not yet begun. The decision followed >20 years of illegal dumping of industrial wastes, lasting from 1984 to 2005, that generated the biggest illegal toxic waste disposal site in Europe. The contamination profile of the site was mainly characterized by PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PAHs, chlorinated solvents, Hg, and Pb. Due to the health concern of the population and local authorities, an extensive monitoring and biomonitoring campaign was carried out in 2017-2018, checking the site-specific pollutants in local food (free-range hens' eggs, milk from grazing sheep and goats, wild edible mushrooms, and drinking water), environmental (air and freshwaters) and biological (human urine) matrices. A total of 314 samples were processed, obtaining 3217 analytical data that were compared with regulatory limits, when available, and values reported by international literature. The sum PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs ranged from 0.24 to 3.6 pg TEQ g-1 fat, and from 0.46 to 8.3 pg TEQ g-1 fat, respectively in milk in eggs, in line with the maximum levels established by CE Regulations except for an egg sample. As regards PAHs, all our results were lower than the literature data, as well as for Hg and Pb. Outdoor air showed levels of chlorinated solvents ranging from

Dioxins and PCBs contamination in mussels from Taranto (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy): a seven years spatio-temporal monitoring study.

INTRODUCTION: Taranto is of particular Public Health relevance for the presence of industrial sources of dioxins and PCBs. The aim of this study was to monitor these pollutants in mussels produced from 2012 to 2018. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mussels were collected on a monthly basis with random sampling. Concentrations were determined through accredited methods. RESULTS: 622 samples were collected. Dioxins and PCBs showed higher median concentrations in Mar Piccolo 1st Inlet (p s <0.0001; Dioxins: 1.43 pg WHO-TEQ/g ww; Dioxins+DL-PCBs: 5.98 pg WHO-TEQ/g ww; DL-PCBs: 4.57 pg WHO-TEQ/g ww; NDL-PCBs: 61.54 ng/g ww) and in III trimester for all basins (p s <0.02). In Mar Piccolo 1 st Inlet, there was a linear increase of dioxins and PCBs moving North (p s <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirmed higher concentrations in Mar Piccolo 1 st Inlet during the summer period and supported the validity of the Public Health measures adopted by the Department of Prevention of Taranto.

Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs) in Italian food: Occurrence and dietary exposure.

Human exposure to polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) through the dietary pathway is widely recognised and regulations in some regions of the world help to limit food contamination. Similar information on the analogous polybrominated dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs) is scarce, partly due to the higher threshold to analytical access and unavailability of some standard materials. The analytical methodology developed here determined twelve planar PBDD/F congeners using 13Carbon labelled PBDD/F surrogates and high resolution mass spectrometric detection, and was extensively validated prior to the analysis of a range of commonly consumed Italian foods. The methodology also allowed simultaneous determination of PCDD/Fs and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The results show that PBDD/Fs occurred in different foods over a range of concentrations from <0.001 pg/g to 4.58 pg/g in fish. The dietary exposure (upper bound) of different Italian population groups, resulting from these occurrence levels was estimated using the toxic equivalency (TEQ) approach that is commonly used for dioxin-like contaminants and ranged from 0.17 to 0.42 pg TEQ/kg bodyweight/day (lower bound - 0.01 pg TEQ/kg bodyweight/day) depending on the population subgroup. Although precautionary, upper bound values may provide a more realistic estimate of toxicity as not all congeners and foods were measured. As expected, children were more highly exposed than adults due to lower body weight. These exposure levels were between a quarter and a third of that arising from the sum of PCDD/Fs and PCBs (0.61 to 1.38 pg WHO-TEQ/kg bodyweight/day), but they contribute to dioxin-like toxicity. If this data is considered in view of the revised tolerable dioxin-like dietary intake published by EFSA in 2018, it is evident that the tolerable weekly intake of 2 pg/kg bodyweight/week would be exceeded by some of the assessed population sub-groups, or all sub-groups if the cumulative intake is considered.

Intake estimates of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls in the Italian general population from the 2013-2016 results of official monitoring plans in food.

The implementation of the European Union strategy for polychlorodibenzo-dioxins and -furans (PCDD/Fs), and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (DL-PCBs) is determining a general reduction of their presence in the environment and in the food chain. The most important route for human exposure to these substances is food consumption and, as a consequence, a progressive decrease of their dietary intake has been observed in the last decades. In this context, it seemed worth updating the PCDD/F and DL-PCB intake estimation for the Italian population. A total of 2659 samples of food of animal and vegetable origin analyzed for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in the period 2013-2016 by accredited official laboratories and the national food consumption database were considered for the dietary intake assessment in different age groups of the Italian general population The median cumulative intake estimates expressed as pg WHO-TEQ/kg body weight per day and computed with a deterministic and a probabilistic approach were 1.40-1.52 for children, 0.82-0.85 for adolescents, and 0.64-0.61 for adults, respectively. Such results confirm the decreasing trend of PCDD/F and DL-PCB dietary intake even though the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) value of 2 WHO-TEQ/kg body weight per day is exceeded at the 95th percentile for all age groups, with children as sensitive group. Most contributing food categories to the intake resulted fish, food of vegetable origin, and cheese. A sensitivity analysis was also performed to calculate the target contamination levels able to keep the dietary exposure below the TDI. Computed target levels fall between P50 and P97 of the occurrence distribution of the main food groups, meaning that most of the Italian food production can be considered safe.

Occurrence of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and Dibenzofurans and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Fruit and Vegetables from the "Land of Fires" Area of Southern Italy.

The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-concentrations dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) (PCDD/Fs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in fruit and vegetables collected in farms located in the well-known "Land of Fires" area of Southern Italy, in an effort to learn more about the environmental pollution of this high-risk area due to illegal waste dumping and uncontrolled burning near cultivated fields. Concentrations were in the range 0.011-2.26 ng g-1 for the six "indicator" non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs), and 0.0009-0.096 pg WHO toxic equivalent (TEQ) g-1 for the sum of dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) and PCDD/Fs. Lacking maximum limits for these contaminants in fruit and vegetables, the concentration values found were compared with the action levels set out in the EU Recommendations. These levels were never exceeded in the examined samples. In the present study, the highest mean value for PCDD/Fs + DL-PCB corresponded to apricots, olives, and nuts, while the lowest values were observed in endive and green beans. The results showed also that NDL-PCB levels in apricots were much higher than in any other food, suggesting that they can accumulate PCBs: this fruit might be proposed as a "sentinel" of the presence of these contaminants in the environment.

Occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in foodstuffs in Italy and implications for human exposure.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in various foodstuffs in Italy and the dietary intake was estimated. PBDEs were detected in all analysed samples at concentrations that spanned over five orders of magnitude. The most abundant congeners were the BDE-209, followed by BDE-47 and BDE-99. Fish oil and milk samples showed the highest PBDE concentrations among all samples. The daily dietary intake values were found to be in good agreement or higher to literature values, impacted mainly from the contribution of the analysed dairy products. The cancer risk values estimated for BDE-209 indicated that this specific risk associated with the studied foodstuffs is limited. Italy is one of the world-leading countries in the production of furniture and clothes and has extremely developed medium enterprise industrial sector, where PBDEs were historically used suggesting that their occurrence may be linked to these activities.

Isotope dilution determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in olive pomace oil by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A gas chromatographic (GC) method with mass spectrometry detection (MS) for the determination of eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in olive pomace oil has been developed. The oil was diluted with n-pentane and extracted by liquid-liquid partition with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). After water addition and back-extraction with cyclohexane, a thin-layer chromatography on silica gel was performed as a further purification step. The PAHs spot was scraped off from the plate and the final extract was concentrated and analysed by GC-MS in full scan mode. The eight PAHs under investigation were determined in the presence of the corresponding labelled compounds added as internal standards to the sample at the beginning of the analytical process. The identified PAHs were then quantified by the isotope dilution methodology assuring the compensation of the concentration of each analyte for any variation in the sample preparation. The method precision was satisfactory with relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) values in the range 3.6-12.7% for all PAHs. The average recovery rates ranged from 69.0 to 97.5%. Accuracy was also calculated for benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and benzo[ghi]perylene by analysing a certified reference material (CRM 458, coconut oil) with adequate results. All response curves exhibited a linear fit from 0.1 to 10 microg ml(-1) and the determination coefficients R2 were better than 0.9942. The limits of detection (0.1-0.4 microg kg(-1)) were acceptable when compared with the maximum permitted limit of 2 microg kg(-1) for each of the eight considered PAHs and 5 microg kg(-1) for the sum of the eight PAHs established by the Italian legislation. Measurement uncertainty was finally calculated identifying and quantifying the uncertainty components of the analytical process. The relative expanded uncertainties (Uc), expressed as percent values were in the range 8.5-11.4% thus appropriate for residues quantification in the range of concentrations considered in the present study.

Concentrations of Contaminants with Regulatory Limits in Samples of Clam (Chamelea gallina) Collected along the Abruzzi Region Coast in Central Italy.

Concentrations of pollutants with regulatory limits were determined in specimens of Chamelea gallina, a species of clam collected along the Abruzzi coastal region of the central Adriatic Sea. Nine sampling sites were selected to evaluate the distribution of contaminants in the environment and the health risk for consumers. The concentrations of all the examined compounds were lower than the maximums set by European legislation. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and total mercury were below the detection limit (0.18 µg/kg for benzo[a]anthracene, 0.30 µg/kg for chrysene, 0.12 µg/kg for benzo[b]fluoranthene, 0.08 µg/kg for benzo[a]pyrene, and 0.0050 mg/kg for total mercury) in all the analyzed samples. Mean concentrations of lead and cadmium were 0.104 and 0.110 mg/kg, respectively. Of the non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, PCB-153, PCB-180, and PCB-138 were the most abundant at all sampling sites (1a to 9a) at 0.25 mi (ca. 0.4 km) and at some sampling sites (1b, 2b, 3b, 5b and 7b) at 0.35 mi (ca. 0.56 km). Principal component analysis revealed that the concentrations of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls were similar at the majority of sampling sites, and O8CDD and 2,3,7,8-T4CDF were the predominant dioxin congeners.

Dioxins levels in breast milk of women living in Caserta and Naples: assessment of environmental risk factors.

Naples and Caserta provinces are extensively affected by the illegal dumping of hazardous and urban wastes, which were periodically set to fire. Several studies were made on the possible health impact of this illegal waste management. The aim of the study was to detect dioxins levels in breast milk of volunteer primiparae and to assess the possible source of dioxins in the affected areas. The authors determined dioxins levels in breast milk from 100 primiparae from the study area and collected anamnestic information on donors. We determined dioxins levels in breast milk from 100 primiparae from the study area and collected anamnestic information on donors. As a measure of environmental risk of dioxins (EDR) we used the interpolated values of dioxins concentration in buffalo milk samples collected in the study area. Correlations between the EDR, age of the mother, smoking habit, cheese consumption, occupation in activity at risk, presence of plants for the disposal of toxic waste or illegal burning of solid waste near the residence of the donor and dioxin level in breast milk were investigated. The dioxin level in breast milk is significantly correlated to the EDR, the age of the sampled women and the presence of illegal burning of solid waste.

Serum levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls in a population living in the Naples area, southern Italy.

The objective of this study was to estimate the levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs and NDL-PCBs) in blood serum obtained from non-occupationally exposed volunteers living in the Naples area (Campania Region, southern Italy). The samples were taken from two geographical zones: one was an urban area of Naples and its surroundings and the other was located in an area deemed to be at high environmental risk. Total mean concentrations of these persistent pollutants proved to be in the range 1.43-17.38 pg WHO-TEQ1998 g(-1) lipid for PCDD/Fs, and 0.98-25.45 pg WHO-TEQ1998 g(-1) lipid for DL-PCBs. NDL-PCBs were in the range 316.57-482.90 ng g(-1) lipid. No significant differences were observed between women and men, nor between donors living in the two different areas. The mean levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in the population living in the Naples area were lower than those observed in some studies of populations living in exposed areas (near incineration plants or industrial sites) and urban or rural areas.

Study of the toxic effects of flame retardant PBDE-47 on the clam Chamelea gallina (Linnaeus, 1758).

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenylether (PBDE-47) on the Chamelea gallina clam (according to current commercial regulations: Venus gallina). PBDEs, which are used as flame retardants in various industrial products, are classed as hazardous substances by Directive 2011/65/EU. They are bioaccumulative compounds, considered to be endocrine disruptors, genotoxic, neurotoxic and practically ubiquitous, and their concentration in the environment has considerably increased in recent years. The aim of this study is to establish the effects of PBDE-47 on Chamelea gallina: toxic power and any harmful effects on the gonads, bioaccumulation capacity in the tissues, and possible entry into the food chain. The research used 96-hour and 21-day experimental tests on clams housed in filtered seawater. The tests were preceded by a period of acclimatisation of the molluscs lasting five to seven days. The clams were fed on seaweed (Dunaliella tertiolecta). The choice of the toxic compound PBDE-47 was based on the high concentration, among the congeners of PBDE, found in some aquatic species. The study demonstrated that the concentration of the contaminant used did not alter the vital functions, cause significant levels of mortality or lead to evident alteration in the gonads of Chamelea gallina. However, the research demonstrated the bioaccumulation capacity of the bivalve mollusc, allowing PBDE-47 to enter the food chain.

A general model of dioxin contamination in breast milk: results from a study on 94 women from the Caserta and Naples areas in Italy.

BACKGROUND: The Caserta and Naples areas in Campania Region experience heavy environmental contamination due to illegal waste disposal and burns, thus representing a valuable setting to develop a general model of human contamination with dioxins (PCDDs-PCDFs) and dioxin-like-PCBs (dl-PCBs). METHODS: 94 breastfeeding women (aged 19-32 years; mean age 27.9 ± 3.0) were recruited to determine concentrations of PCDDs-PCDFs and dl-PCBs in their milk. Individual milk samples were collected and analyzed according to standard international procedures. A generalized linear model was used to test potential predictors of pollutant concentration in breast milk: age, exposure to waste fires, cigarette smoking, diet, and residence in high/low risk area (defined at high/low environmental pressure by a specific 2007 WHO report). A Structural Equation Model (SEM) analysis was carried out by taking into account PCDDs-PCDFs and dl-PCBs as endogenous variables and age, waste fires, risk area and smoking as exogenous variables. RESULTS: All milk samples were contaminated by PCDDs-PCDFs (8.6 pg WHO-TEQ/98g fat ± 2.7; range 3.8-19) and dl-PCBs (8.0 pg WHO-TEQ/98g fat ± 3.7; range 2.5-24), with their concentrations being associated with age and exposure to waste fires (p < 0.01). Exposure to fires resulted in larger increases of dioxins concentrations in people living in low risk areas than those from high risk areas (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A diffuse human exposure to persistent organic pollutants was observed in the Caserta and Naples areas. Dioxins concentration in women living in areas classified at low environmental pressure in 2007 WHO report was significantly influenced by exposure to burns.

Two cases of methemoglobinaemia caused by suspected sodium nitrite poisoning.

Among the causes of acute methemoglobinaemia are the ingestion and inhalation of over 40 oxidising substances, including nitrite, nitrate, carbon monoxide, some medicines, chlorine. The authors describe a case of acute methemoglobinaemia in two people that most probably suffered from food poisoning resulting from the consumption of a preparation of a dish called turkey alla canzanese that contained significant amounts of sodium nitrite. Both subjects who were treated promptly with methylene blue and hyperbaric oxygen therapy room recovered fully. Epidemiological investigations performed to clarify the dynamics of the episode suggested that among the causes of contamination were the swapping of products at the time of sale and the non-compliance to rules for the preparation of foods for human consumption.