Self-sampling to increase participation in cervical cancer screening: an RCT comparing home mailing, distribution in pharmacies, and recall letter.

BACKGROUND: We performed a multicentre randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effect on participation in organised screening programmes of a self-sampling device mailed home or picked up at a pharmacy compared with the standard recall letter. METHODS: Women aged 30-64 non-responding to screening invitation were eligible. Response rate to first invitation ranged from 30% to 60% between centres. The control was the standard reminder letter to undergo the test used by the programme (Pap test in three centres and HPV DNA test in three other centres). Home mailing of the self-sampler was preceded by a letter with a leaflet about HPV. The analysis was intention-to-treat. RESULTS: In all, 14 041 women were randomised and recruited: 5012 in the control arm, 4516 to receive the self-sampler at home, and 4513 to pick up the self-sampler at a pharmacy. Participation was 11.9% in the control, 21.6% (relative participation: 1.75; 95% CI 1.60-1.93) in home, and 12.0% (relative participation: 0.96; 95% CI 0.86-1.07) in the pharmacy arms, respectively. The heterogeneity between centres was high (excess heterogeneity of that expected due to chance, i.e., I(2), 94.9% and 94.1% for home and pharmacy arm, respectively). The estimated impact on the overall coverage was +4.3% for home mail self-sampling compared with +2.2% for standard reminder. CONCLUSIONS: Home mailing of self-sampler proved to be an effective way to increase participation in screening programmes, even in those with HPV as primary testing. Picking up at pharmacies showed effects varying from centre to centre.

Antitumour effect of combination treatment with Sabarubicin (MEN 10755) and cis-platin (DDP) in human lung tumour xenograft.

PURPOSE: Sabarubicin (MEN 10755), a new disaccaride anthracycline, has shown greater efficacy than Doxorubicin in a large panel of preclinical models and now it is in phase II clinical trials. Its promising antitumour activity promoted considerable interest to combine Sabarubicin with other antitumour agents. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro cytotoxic effects and in vivo antitumour activities produced by the combination of Sabarubicin and cisplatin (DDP). METHODS: The antitumour effect of Sabarubicin and DDP association was investigated, in vitro and in vivo, in preclinical models of lung cancer i.e.: the non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) H460 and the small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) GLC4 in terms of synergism, additivity or antagonism in order to establish the best schedule for the combined treatment. Further, the correlation between antitumour activity and the pharmacokinetic parameters of the studied combination was also evaluated. RESULTS: The drug combination in vitro was in general more cytotoxic than the single drug alone, indicating the presence of a synergistic effect in both tumour cell lines. Also, in the xenograft experiments a superior antitumoral effect was observed when Sabarubicin was combined with DDP. The antitumour efficacy of Sabarubicin (6 mg/kg q4d x 5) combined with DDP (6 mg/kg q4d x 3) greatly depended on the schedule of administration. In H460 tumour line, the sequential combination was more effective than the simultaneous administration of the two agents, although the antitumour efficacy was not dependent on the sequence of combination. On the other hand, a strong sequence-dependent effect was observed when Sabarubicin was combined with DDP in SCLC, GLC4. In particular, the highest value of LCK = 6.7 was obtained when administration of DDP followed by 24 h that of Sabarubicin. Pharmacokinetics of Sabarubicin in combination with DDP was evaluated at 6 mg/kg for both drugs with different sequential schedule. The experimental data showed no evidence for pharmacokinetics drug-drug interaction. CONCLUSION: These preclinical results indicate the potential for a strong antitumour activity in lung tumours of the combination Sabarubicin and DDP. In particular, in SCLC the best response should be given by a sequence with administration of Sabarubicin followed 24 h later by that of DDP. Clinical trials based on these results are ongoing.

Borderline tuberculoid leprosy--an unusual presentation: a case report.

A twenty-six year old lady presented herself with multiple erythmatous, scaly, well-defined, hypo-esthetic plaques over bilateral soles, face and left leg. Histopathology revealed features consistent with borderline tuberculoid leprosy.

A pharmacokinetic study of high-dose continuous infusion cisplatin in children with solid tumors.

The pharmacokinetics of cisplatin were investigated in 14 patients, aged 10 months through 13 years who were affected by solid malignant tumors. High-dose cisplatin (40 mg/m2/d) was administered with repeated courses for five days as a continuous intravenous (IV) infusion. Total platinum (Pt) levels in plasma and urine and free (protein-unbound) Pt levels in plasma ultrafiltrate were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Areas under the concentration v time curve (AUCs) for mean total and free Pt levels were calculated for the 120-hour period of infusion and for the 384 and 120 hours following its completion, respectively. Half-lives of total and free Pt in plasma were calculated for the 216 hours following completion of infusion in five patients at their first course. The fraction of the administered Pt dose excreted in urine as Pt was determined for the five-day period of infusion and seven-day period after its completion. A total of 36 courses were studied. Maximum average Pt levels were reached after 120 hours of infusion: at the first course, 3.22 and 0.17 micrograms/mL for total and free Pt, respectively. Platinum levels declined according to a biexponential model, with initial half-lives of 18.3 and 16.9 minutes, and terminal half-lives of 81.9 and 59.0 hours as determined for total and free Pt, respectively. In the second and third courses studied there was a progressive increase in mean Pt plasma levels. Consequently, the free drug exposure as measured by AUC increased in all patients with repeated courses: 47.7% for the second and 124.4% for the third course, when compared with the first. At the same time, the mean fraction of the dose excreted in the urine for the 12-day period considered, was 44.1% for the first course, 36.2% for the second, and 28.4% for the third. The progressive enhancement of tissue exposure to the free cytotoxic drug, resulting from a reduced renal clearance of Pt with sequential courses of cisplatin, produced mainly increased toxicity while therapeutic effect progressively diminished.

Tamoxifen synergizes the antiproliferative effect of cisplatin in human ovarian cancer cells: enhancement of DNA platination as a possible mechanism.

We investigated the chemosensitizing activity of tamoxifen (TAM) on estrogen receptor negative ovarian cancer cell lines sensitive (A2780 WT) and resistant to cisplatin (CP) (A2780 CP3). Our results showed that the treatment of both cell lines with the association TAM + CP (concentration range 0.01-1 microN and 0.1-1 microgram/ml, respectively) results in a synergistic antiproliferative activity and a complete reversal of the acquired CP-resistant phenotype. We demonstrated that in A2780 cells the addition of TAM to CP treatment is able to significantly enhance at every tested CP dose (P < 0.001) the amount of platinum (Pt) bound to the DNA. Since Pt-DNA levels in the genome are clearly related to the growth inhibitory effect of CP (correlation value = 0.97, P < 0.001) in our experimental model, we hypothesized that TAM could act synergistically with CP and overcome the acquired CP-resistance by enhancing Pt binding to the DNA. We suggest that, from a clinical point of view, TAM may be usefully included in CP-based chemotherapy regimens for ovarian cancer patients since plasma concentrations of the drug capable of in vitro CP resistance modulation are achievable in vivo. A prospective clinical trial to verify the clinical usefulness of combined TAM + CP treatment in ovarian cancer patients refractory to prior Pt-based chemotherapy is now underway in our department.

cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) given in low-dose continuous infusion with concurrent radiotherapy to patients affected by inoperable lung carcinoma: a pharmacokinetic approach.

The pharmacokinetics of cis-diamminedichloro platinum(II) (cisplatin), given as a continuous infusion with concurrent radiotherapy to patients with locally advanced inoperable non-small-cell lung carcinoma, was investigated in 16 cases. The regimen, repeated for 6 consecutive weeks, consisted of weekly 10-Gy radiotherapy given in five fractions from Monday to Friday, and concurrent 100-h infusion of cisplatin delivered at a daily dose of 4 mg/m2 by a central venous catheter and a portable pump. Throughout the weeks of therapy the platinum levels were determined in plasma and in ultrafiltered plasma by respectively inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mean levels of platinum in plasma ([Pt]tot ) increased from the 1st to the 6th week of infusion, while mean levels of platinum in ultrafiltered plasma ([Pt]uf), 110 microg/l, showed no marked variation throughout the therapy. [Pt]uf ranged from 16% to 22% of the total Pt. Mean levels of Pt in ultrafiltered plasma were of the same order of magnitude as those found to be active in vitro as radiopotentiators. Pt decay levels were measured for 24 h at the end of the 1st and 5th weeks of infusion, allowing the calculation of the Pt half-life and the area under the decay curves. The mean value of the area under the decay curve, plotting [Pt]tot against time (AUC), in the range 0-24 h from the end of the 5th week of infusion, was about twice that from the end of the 1st week; by contrast, the mean AUC values did not vary for the [Pt]uf against time curves. The mean values of the alpha half-life of Pt in the ultrafiltered plasma were in accordance with those published in the literature; however, an unexpected very long beta half-life was found (more than 100 h). Thus it was suggested that Pt species other than free cisplatin were present in the ultrafiltered plasma; such species probably involve metal bound to low-molecular-mass proteins. Throughout the therapy, the toxic effects in all patients were negligible, and 75% of them had an objective locoregional reduction of disease. In only 2 cases was progression of disease observed within the irradiated area. On the basis of these data, it can be concluded that cisplatin at a level of 110 microg/l in the ultrafiltered plasma, in the reported scheme of continuous intravenous infusion, has an enhancing effect on radiation and avoids concentration peaks of platinum not bound to protein.

Determination of platinum in plasma of patients affected by inoperable lung carcinoma treated with radiotherapy and concurrent low-dose continuous infusion of cis-dichlorodiammine platinum(II).

Platinum microquantities were determined in plasma of patients affected by lung carcinoma during treatment with radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent low-dose continuous infusion of cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) (CDDP). RT was given at 50 Gy in continuous course; CDDP was continuously infused at 4 mg/m2 daily for 100 h/week for 5 weeks, and the infusions were separated by 68 h of rest. The percentage of free drug versus total drug in plasma was about 3%. It did not vary with therapy duration and was not significantly different from that found in 5-day continuous infusions at much higher daily doses. Nevertheless, maximal values of free Pt in plasma were very low and agreed with the low level of CDDP toxicity encountered on the present administration schedule.

Reference values for selected trace elements in serum of term newborns from the urban area of Rome.

Reference values for Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se and Zn, and indicative intervals for Sb are proposed in serum from cord blood of 143 term newborns of the urban area of Rome. On the basis of the eligibility criteria adopted, only babies with gestational age > 37 weeks and body weight at the delivery > 2500 g, i.e., "normal" term infants, were included in this study. With the exception of Cd, Li, Ni and Sb, experimental data for each of the other analytes were found to approach a normal distribution. The estimated references values (in ng/ml) were the following: Al, 1. 12-6.79; Cd, 0.10-0.52; Co, 0.20-0.43; Cu, 140-691; Li, 0.31-2.23; Mn, 0.79-3.26; Mo, 0.36-1.56; Ni, 0.20-3.15; Rb, 196-1302; Sb, 0. 10-1.48 (indicative range); Se, 20.2-69.7; and Zn, 318-1405. For several elements, the information available in the relevant literature does not allow adequate comparisons to be performed. This was actually possible only for Cu, Se and Zn. The correlations between the weights at birth (BW), gestational ages (GA) and elemental concentrations were elucidated. As expected, significant positive correlations were found for Cu and Se with GA and BW, respectively. Strong mutual associations were observed for several other elements, but their interpretation is still debatable.

Chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin monitoring in biological fluids by means of inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).

The antitumoral agent cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) was administered at doses of 40 mg m-2 body surface area daily for 5 days via continuous i.v. infusion in association with etoposide (VP-16-213). The Pt concentration in serum up to 30 days from the beginning of the therapy was monitored by inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometry. Results lead to two main conclusions: the analytical technique employed is suitable for measurements of Pt in biological fluids with the necessary precision (0.95-2.5%), accuracy (recovery 98.5-101.7%) and detection power (0.002-0.004 mg/l); there were effective Pt plasma concentrations for a greater length of time (with peak value 2.0 mg/l towards the end of treatment) than those achieved by other therapies so far adopted. On the other hand, toxic side effects, in particular gastrointestinal toxicity, myelosuppression and nephrotoxicity, were found to be not worse than those generally caused by the administration of the chemotherapeutic compound at lower doses. Both aspects were deeded to be essential prerequisites for better exploiting the drug's effectiveness.

Biomonitoring of traffic police officers exposed to airborne platinum.

BACKGROUND: Over the past two decades there has been a substantial increase in environmental levels of palladium, platinum, and rhodium, the platinum group elements (PGEs), due to the widespread use of catalytic converters for automotive traction. AIM: To evaluate urinary platinum levels in occupationally exposed subjects. METHODS: A total of 161 employees from the Rome City Police Force were studied; 103 were traffic police involved in controlling streets with an average flow of vehicles, while the remaining 58 were control subjects engaged only in office work. Platinum quantification in the urine samples of these subjects was carried out by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between platinum levels in the group of subjects engaged in traffic control and the control group (4.45 (2.42) ng/l v 4.56 (2.84) ng/l, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Urinary levels were found to be higher than those reported for other urban populations, thus showing a progressive increase in human exposure to Pt.

Determination of essential and potentially toxic trace elements in honey by inductively coupled plasma-based techniques.

The mandate assigned by the European Union to the Community Reference Laboratory for residues at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità covers, among other things, the assessment of trace elements in living animals as well as their products. To better protect the health of the consumer, this task aims in particular at harmonizing the procedures in use at the National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) for residues of the Member States for such determinations as well as at developing new approaches wherever the need arises. In this context an investigation was undertaken to appraise the average levels of a number of key elements in several types of honey with special regard to the influence of the various processing steps. Instrumental methods of election for the analysis of this matrix turned out to be inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) depending on the actual concentrations of the elements of interest. Dissolution of the samples for suitable presentation to the analytical systems could be easily achieved by gentle heating at ca. 50 degrees C, sonication and addition of high-purity water. The ranges ascertained are as follows (in ng g(-1)): As, <0.50-0.70; Cd, <0.50-0.74; Cr, 1.03-3.93; Cu, 144-216; Fe, 191-651; Mn, 223-580; Ni, 17-49; Pb, 3.20-186; Pt, <0.50; Sn, <4-27; V, 1.22-1.94; and Zn, 565-1144. As a rule, concentrations of elements in honey from different beehives were similar. A few exceptions were noted for As, Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn. On the other hand, although data obtained with different analytical approaches for the same types of honey and beehive were generally in good agreement, yet some inconsistencies occurred, as in the case of Cu in freshly collected, extracted and ripened honey, Ni in extracted honey and Fe in ripened honey. These could not be traced back to specific procedural facts; rather, they should be ascribed to the inherent heterogeneity of the raw material. The experience gained with this exploratory study will be exploited to set up wider surveys and to plan the preparation of a new certified reference material in a matrix of honey to the benefit of NRLs for residues.

The role of hypoxic stop-flow perfusion and high dose chemotherapy in the treatment of regionally advanced colorectal cancer.

The primary or secondary forms of colorectal cancers involving local structures or spreading in the abdomen or pelvic area without extra-regional metastases are identified as regionally advanced colorectal cancers (RACRC). They are unresectable and thus radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the fundamental treatment methods. However, these regimens have failed to check the diffusion of tumor satisfactorily in most forms of RACRC. The abdominal and pelvic regions can be isolated from corporal circulation by temporary occlusion of the aorta and cava and perfused with high doses of chemotherapeutic drugs. The hypoxic abdominal or pelvic stop-flow method for delivering high-dose antiblastic agents to these body districts to avoid toxicity by chemofiltration has been suggested. This study examines the possibility of using this method to treat various forms of RACRC.

Assessment of reference values for elements in human hair of urban schoolboys.

Hair samples of youngsters (3-15 years of age) from several urban areas of Rome were analyzed to determine the content of 19 minor and trace elements with the aim of assessing Reference Values (RVs). Thirteen essential elements were taken into account, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Se, V and Zn. On the other hand, Al, As, Cd, Pb, Sr and Ti were also evaluated on the basis of their potential toxicity. Procedures were developed for the collection, storage and pre-analytical treatment of samples. Measurements were performed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Subgroups were formed according to age and sex. Significant differences were found for certain elements depending on age and sex. This was the case, e.g., for Ca which showed a mean value of 336 mg/kg for males and of 537 mg/kg for females. The sex-dependent pattern for this element was also apparent when the three age subgroups of 3-6, 7-10 and 11-15 years were compared. The overall RVs obtained (mg/kg) are as follows Al, 10.2; As, 0.09; Ca, 450; Cd, 0.23; Co, 0.67; Cr, 0.99; Cu, 22.1; Fe, 19.0; Mg, 28.0; Mn, 0.35; Mo, 0.43; Ni, 1.49; P, 195; Pb, 7.11; Se, 0.77; Sr, 1.20; Ti, 0.79; V, 1.22; and Zn 150.

Determination of heavy metals in samples of urban solid wastes by means of the ICP atomic spectrometry technique.

The concentration of elements of environmental significance in the leachate from landfills of urban solid wastes was determined by means of Inductively-Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The suitability of extraction tests which simulate the leaching process were undertaken. Both highly toxic elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Pb and V) and elements present at major concentrations (Al, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn) were quantified at different levels within and under the landfill. Results showed that the extraction test recommended by EPA is acceptable in order to simulate natural leaching compared with the amounts of the elements which are brought into solution after digestion with nitric acid. Furthermore, significant correlations were found in the landfill composition at different levels for element pairs such as Al-Mn, Co-Cr, Co-Cu, Co-Fe, Co-Mn, Co-Zn, Cr-Fe, Cr-Mn, Cu-Fe, Cu-Zn, Fe-Mn, Fe-Zn, Mn-Zn and Pb-Zn.

Levels and risk assessment for humans and ecosystems of platinum-group elements in the airborne particles and road dust of some European cities.

Traffic is the main source of platinum-group element (PGE) contamination in populated urban areas. There is increasing concern about the hazardous effects of these new pollutants for people and for other living organisms in these areas. Airborne and road dusts, as well as tree bark and grass samples were collected at locations in the European cities of Göteborg (Sweden), Madrid (Spain), Rome (Italy), Munich (Germany), Sheffield and London (UK). Today, in spite of the large number of parameters that can influence the airborne PGE content, the results obtained so far indicate significantly higher PGE levels at traffic sites compared with the rural or non-polluted zones that have been investigated (background levels). The average Pt content in airborne particles found in downtown Madrid, Göteborg and Rome is in the range 7.3-13.1 pg m(-3). The ring roads of these cities have values in the range 4.1-17.7 pg m(-3). In Munich, a lower Pt content was found in airborne particles (4.1 pg m(-3)). The same tendency has been noted for downtown Rh, with contents in the range 2.2-2.8 pg m(-3), and in the range 0.8-3.0 and 0.3 pg m(-3) for motorway margins in Munich. The combined results obtained using a wide-range airborne classifier (WRAC) collector and a PM-10 or virtual impactor show that Pt is associated with particles for a wide range of diameters. The smaller the particle size, the lower the Pt concentration. However, in particles

Environmental risk of particulate and soluble platinum group elements released from gasoline and diesel engine catalytic converters.

A comparison of platinum-group element (PGE) emission between gasoline and diesel engine catalytic converters is reported within this work. Whole raw exhaust fumes from four catalysts of three different types were examined during their useful lifetime, from fresh to 80,000 km. Two were gasoline engine catalysts (Pt-Pd-Rh and Pd-Rh), while the other two were diesel engine catalysts (Pt). Samples were collected following the 91441 EUDC driving cycle for light-duty vehicle testing, and the sample collection device used allowed differentiation between the particulate and soluble fractions, the latter being the most relevant from an environmental point of view. Analyses were performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (quadrupole and high resolution), and special attention was paid to the control of spectral interference, especially in the case of Pd and Rh. The results obtained show that, for fresh catalysts, the release of particulate PGE through car exhaust fumes does not follow any particular trend, with a wide range (one-two orders of magnitude) for the content of noble metals emitted. The samples collected from 30,000-80,000 km present a more homogeneous PGE release for all catalysts studied. A decrease of approximately one order of magnitude is observed with respect to the release from fresh catalysts, except in the case of the diesel engine catalyst, for which PGE emission continued to be higher than in the case of gasoline engines. The fraction of soluble PGE was found to represent less than 10% of the total amount released from fresh catalysts. For aged catalysts, the figures are significantly higher, especially for Pd and Rh. Particulate PGE can be considered as virtually biologically inert, while soluble PGE forms can represent an environmental risk due to their bioavailability, which leads them to accumulate in the environment.

Platinum-group elements: quantification in collected exhaust fumes and studies of catalyst surfaces.

Automotive catalytic converters, in which Pt, Pd and Rh (platinum-group elements; PGEs) are the active components for eliminating several noxious components from exhaust fumes, have become the main source of environmental urban pollution by PGEs. This work reports on the catalyst morphology through changes in catalyst surface by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) and laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS) from fresh to aged catalytic converters. The distribution of these elements in the fresh catalysts analysed (Pt-Pd-Rh gasoline catalyst) is not uniform and occurs mainly in a longitudinal direction. This heterogeneity seems to be greater for Pt and Pd. PGEs released by the catalysts, fresh and aged 30,000 km, were studied in parallel. Whole raw exhaust fumes from four catalysts of three different types were also examined. Two of these were gasoline catalysts (Pt-Pd Rh and Pd-Rh) and the other two were diesel catalysts (Pt). Samples were collected following the 91,441 EUDC driving cycle for light-duty vehicle testing. The results show that at 0 km the samples collected first have the highest content of particulate PGEs and although the general tendency is for the release to decrease with increasing number of samples taken, exceptions are frequent. At 30,000 km the released PGEs in gasoline and diesel catalysts decreased significantly. For fresh gasoline catalysts the mean of the total amount released was approximately 100, 250 and 50 ng km(-1) for Pt, Pd and Rh, respectively. In diesel catalysts the Pt release varied in the range 400-800 ng km-1. After ageing the catalysts up to 30,000 km, the gasoline catalysts released amounts of Pt between 6 and 8 ng km(-1), Pd between 12 and 16 ng km(-1) and Rh between 3 and 12 ng km(-1). In diesel catalysts the Pt release varied in the range 108-150 ng km(-1). The soluble portion of PGEs in the HNO3 collector solution represented less than 5% of the total amount for fresh catalysts. For 30,000 km the total amount of soluble PGEs released was similar or slightly higher than for 0 km.

Stability of Mercury Dilute Aqueous Solutions: An Open Issue

In the framework of the activities of the European Commission Reference Laboratory (CRL) for residues at the Istituto Superiore di Sanita a number of analytical quality control trials on determination of trace analytes are being carried out. As regards trace elements it soon became apparent that the stability of Hg dilute aqueous solutions is rather unsatisfactory. An investigation was thus undertaken to ascertain the conditions under which the concentration of this metal does not appreciably change. Mercury solutions were prepared in high purity deionized water in the concentration range 1-10 ng g-1 and the effect of various amounts of HNO3 and K2Cr2O7 (alone or in combination) was elucidated by measuring the variations with time in the actual concentration of Hg. Determinations were performed by both inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results show that solutions added with 5% (w/w) HNO3 and 0.01% (w/w) K2Cr2O7 do not undergo any significant alteration in the nominal content of the analyte for at least 1 month. Similar conclusions are reached in the case of solutions enriched in CaCO3, NaCl, NaNO3, KH2PO4, KNO3, and Mg(NO3)2.6H2O to mimic acid digests of meat samples. The improvement ensuing from the adoption of this approach on the performance of the Hg analytical quality control trials is discussed in detail.

The Role of Chirocephalus diaphanus in the Early Recognition of Environmental Pollution by Trace Elements

A study was undertaken to evaluate whether the fairy shrimp Chirocephalus diaphanus (Crustacea: Anostraca) could be considered as a species capable of biomonitoring environmental contamination by accumulating trace elements. This preliminary investigation aimed at assessing the levels of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, and Zn in natural waters as well as in adults and cysts of fairy shrimps sampled from five different sites in central Italy. Trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-based spectrometry. In particular, ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was resorted to in most cases due to its high detection power. Pretreatment of samples (adults and cysts) consisted basically in the HNO3-assisted microwave digestion of the material. The highest levels of trace elements were found in the anostracan cysts, with concentration ranges (µg/g) of 0.464-3.11 for As, up to 0.820 for Cd, 2.62-13.0 for Cu, 0.011-0.213 for Hg, 0.966-8.46 for Pb, 0.295-2.45 for Se, and 16.4-50.4 for Zn. On the other hand, the lowest concentrations were found in natural waters, with values close to the ICP-MS detection power for some elements. These data are probative of a bioconcentration process, the extent of which is proportional to the environmental level of each element. This may turn out to be useful in planning biological monitoring and assessing ecotoxicological consequences which might ensue from the diffusion of the exploitation of such organisms in aquaculture.

Honey as a candidate reference material for trace elements.

The feasibility of producing and certifying new certified reference materials (CRMs) for trace elements in honey was investigated. Preliminary steps for preparation of candidate materials are performed at the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (EC-JRC-IRMM). Two different types of honey, Acacia and Eucalyptus, were tested for determination of 10 trace elements. To each type of honey was added a given amount of high purity deionized water to obtain aqueous solutions with an acceptable degree of homogeneity which would require only minimal manipulation before analysis. Average values obtained for the trace elements by means of inductively coupled plasma-based techniques were as follows (in microg/ kg +/- SD): Acacia honey, As, 1.10+/-0.20; Cd, 0.328+/-0.035; Cr, 1.90+/-0.22; Cu, 67.0+/-5; Fe, 215+/-30; Hg, < 0.75; Mn, 82.1+/-6.2; Ni, 21.0 3.0; Pb, 2.30+/-0.25; Se, 9.10+/-1.2; Zn, 167+/-22; Eucalyptus honey, As, 5.99+/-0.10; Cd, 0.592+/-0.074; Cr, 1.50+/-0.07; Cu, 219 24; Fe, 1008+/-114; Hg, <0.75; Mn, 1009+/-51; Ni, 11.3+/-1.5; Pb, 5.00+/-0.40; Se, 5.60+/-0.91; Zn, 791+/-91. When these 2 pilot materials are ready, the certification project will be launched in full compliance with current rules set by EC-JRC-IRMM. If the project is successful, the new CRMs will be put primarily at the disposal of the National Reference Laboratories for trace elements.