[Trace Metals Pollution and Health Risks for Planning Area Soils of 193 Chinese Cities].

Urban soils are more easily subjected to modification, especially by contamination because of various human activities, and the environmental problems caused by urban soil pollution have become more prominent. To systematically investigate concentration characteristics, pollution levels, and exposure risks of 13 trace metals in urban soils of planning areas for 193 cities above the prefectural level, located in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) of China, levels of pollution in urban soil were evaluated using the geoaccumulation index and integrated pollution index of trace metals, and health risks of residents exposed to urban soils were quantified using the health risk assessment method recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The results show that the median concentrations of As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Tl, V, and Zn in topsoils of urban planning areas were 9.25, 2.14, 0.174, 12.4, 68.4, 28.2, 0.095, 27.7, 31.1, 0.29, 0.61, 82.7, and 82.2 mg·kg-1, respectively. Compared with the corresponding urban soil background values, the concentrations of Cd, Hg, and Se changed significantly. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) values showed that Hg in urban soils of the planning area was the most severe pollutant, followed by Se and Cd, which caused pollution levels of uncontaminated to moderately contaminated levels, while other trace metals were uncontaminated. The Nemerow IPI (IPIN) revealed that the soils in 22 urban planning areas were heavily polluted and 16 urban planning areas were moderately polluted; in addition, the most polluted city in China was Zhuzhou in the Hunan province. The results of health risk assessment indicate that the soils in the five urban planning areas-Chenzhou City, Huangshi City, Zhuzhou City, Xiangtan City, and Longyan City-posed potential non-carcinogenic risks to children, and the major factor triggering risks was ingestion of Pb. To understand the soil pollution status and distribution of contaminated land parcel, it is suggested to carry out detailed investigation in cities with integrated moderate to heavy pollution to establish the list of contaminated land parcel and implement pollution control and restoration.

[Clinical observation of warm acupuncture combined with yoga posture method in the treatment of periarthritis with frozen period].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of warm acupuncture combined with yoga posture method in the treatment of periarthritis with frozen period. METHODS: Ninety patients with periarthritis who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a control group 1, a control group 2 and an observation group, 30 cases in each group. Warm acupuncture was applied in the control group 1 (Jianzhen (SI 9), Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14), etc were selected), yoga posture method was applied in the control group 2, warm acupuncture combined with yoga posture method were given in the observation group, the treatment was given once a day, 10 times as a course with 2 days between courses and continuous for 2 courses. After 2 courses of treatment, the shoulder joint pain score and shoulder function grading were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy, and the clinical efficacy was observed. RESULTS: ①The pain scores of the three groups were significantly lower after treatment (all P<0.01), and scores in the observation group was better than that in the control group 1 and the control group 2 (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the control group 1 and the control group 2 (P>0.05). ②After treatment, the functional classification of shoulder joints were significantly improved in the three groups (all P<0.01), and the functional classification of shoulder joint in the observation group and the control group 2 were better than that in the control group 1 (P<0.01, P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the observation group and the control group 2 (P>0.05). ③After 2 courses of treatment, the effective rate of the observation group was 86.7% (26/30), which was better than 70.0% (21/30) in the control group 1 and 76.7% (23/30) in the control group 2 (both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Warm acupuncture combined with yoga posture method can effectively relieve shoulder pain and improve dysfunction. The clinical comprehensive effect is better than simple acupuncture and yoga posture method.

[Analysis of ecological risk and the content situation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sediments from Northeast China River Basin].

To investigate the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) pollution status, sediment samples were collected from major rivers in northeast China. Contents of 41 PBDEs congeners in sediments were measured using GC-NCI-MS. BDE209 was not detected, measured level of total PBDEs (excluding BDE209) ranged from 0.91 to 17.67 ng.g-1 dry weight, the highest concentrations of PBDEs were detected in the sediment samples from upstream and downstream of Jilin City in the Second Songhua River Basin, with 15.86 and 17.67 ng.g-1. BDE207 and BDE47 were the predominant PBDE congeners, with their concentrations accounting for 86. 5% and 76. 6% of the total PBDEs concentration measured in the samples. Each congener content difference was not obvious in other river sediments. PBDEs levels monitored in the present study were compared to those reported recently for districts located at home and abroad, and with ecological risk analysis. PBDEs content is at a low level in sediments of Northeast China River Basin and there is no ecological risk.

[Distribution characteristics and environmental significance of heavy metals in soil particle size fractions from tropical forests in China].

Three tropical forest soils were collected from Haikou, Qionghai and Tunchang in Hainan Island. Soil particle size fractionations were conducted using the standard dry-sieving procedure. Distribution of heavy metals in bulk samples and particle size fractions was determined by ICP-MS. The distribution characteristics and the response to organic carbon and iron were discussed. The results showed that the distribution of heavy metals was highly associated with the particle size fractions and variable patterns were found, which decreased with the increasing size. The accumulation of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Cd was predominantly contributed by the particles finer than < 53 microm in diameter, whereas As mainly accumulated in particle size of 53-1 000 microm. Generally, the microaggregate (< 250 microm) contributed 14.38%-65.04% of heavy metals to the contents in bulk soil and the silt-clay aggregates (< 53 microm) contributed 2.61% -32.01%. The content of heavy metals except for As and Cd and Pb in Haikou soil in these different size fractions were controlled by the organic carbon and iron contents, which increased with the decreasing particle size.

[Distribution, sources and ecological risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyl in sediments from Songhua River Basin].

In order to find out the distribution, source and pollution situation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in sediments of Songhua River basin, GC-ECD and GC-MS were used to determine the PCBs contents in sediments of Songhua River basin. Regulations of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG) and the potential ecological risk index (Er) were utilized to evaluate the ecological risk of PCBs in the sediments. The results showed that 2-10 PCBs congeners were detected in the sediments. The total contents of PCBs varied from 0.83 ng x g(-1) to 125.53 ng x g(-1) in sediments of Songhua river basin, 0.83-4.44 ng x g(-1) for Nen River, 12.44-125.53 ng x g(-1) for Second Songhua River, and 1.74-6.25 ng x g(-1) for the mainstream of Songhua River. The highest level of PCBs was detected in sediments of Second Songhua River, which mainly came from pollution sources which are related with industrial products such as paint, insulation materials and the like, and were distributed along the river. While in other rivers, the dominant PCB was Dichlorobiphenyl, which mainly came from the atmospheric deposition. Risk assessment using three methods (EPA, SQG and Er) showed that PCBs in the sediment of the Second Songhua River has already reached the medium to high level of contamination, and PCBs in sediments of other rivers has no ecological risks at the moment.

Profile of organochlorine pesticides in soil cores from some hotspot areas of Beijing, China.

For the valid use of urban land and the safety of public health, an extensive contamination survey of organochlorine pesticides from five soil cores was conducted in the highly urbanized areas of Beijing in China. For topsoils in five soil cores, level of ∑HCHs and ∑DDTs varied from 0.174 to 4,783 ng g(-1) and 0.62 to 57,849 ng g(-1), respectively. The profile in topsoil of cores displayed that levels of pollutants in four soil cores from the urban areas with dense population are higher than that from outskirts. The depth characteristics of pollutants indicated that the level of ∑HCHs and ∑DDTs in BY and WU was close to/below the background value of soil in China (50 ng g(-1)), but those in some soil samples from A, B and ZX core, especially A and B, was above the threshold value for the soil safety (1,000 ng g(-1)). In views of the usage history of the land and profiles of contaminants, the source in A and B probably came from the dumped waste chemical materials in the old chemical factories. The study of soil cores sampled revealed the existence of chemical "time bomb" in urban regions of Beijing. Also, the finding indicated the absolute necessity of assessing the soil quality with the unprecedented land use changes in the big city community.

Levels and distribution of organochlorine pesticides in various media in a mega-city, China.

As one of China's great metropolises, Taiyuan is generally recognized to be one of the most polluted cities in the world. It is affected by pollution from heavy industries, and from organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). In this study, we measured the concentrations of OCPs in various environmental media in Taiyuan. We measured the levels of OCPs in 15 soil samples and 34 samples of respirable particulate matter (PM) (17 of PM(2.5) and 17 of PM(10)) from urban areas of Taiyuan. Analysis of the composition ratios of OCP residues revealed that dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) were the predominant compounds in soil, PM(2.5) and PM(10). The total DDT concentrations were 1.8-1.0x10(2)ngg(-1) in soil, 6.5-1.0x10(3)pgm(-3) in PM(2.5), and 8.5-1.5x10(3)pgm(-3) in PM(10). The total HCH concentrations were 1.4-45ngg(-1) in soil, 5.2-8.0x10(2)pgm(-3) in PM(2.5), and 9.6-8.7x10(2)pgm(-3) in PM(10). Furthermore, source analysis indicated that there was new input of OCPs at some sites. Finally, analysis of the individual OCPs revealed that new OCP contamination was the major problem in Taiyuan. This study suggests that measures should be taken to reduce the levels of OCP residues in order to improve the environmental quality in Taiyuan.

Spatial character of polychlorinated biphenyls from soil and respirable particulate matter in Taiyuan, China.

As one of China's great metropolises, Taiyuan is affected by heavy chemical industry and manufacture of chemical products, and faces pollution from polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the PCB concentrations in various environmental media in Taiyuan. We collected 15 soil samples, 34 respirable particulate matter (PM) samples (17 of PM(2.5) and 17 of PM(10)) from urban areas of Taiyuan, and measured a total of 144 PCB congeners (including some coeluting PCB congeners). The total PCB concentrations were 51-4.7 x 10(3) pg g(-1) in soil, 27-1.4 x 10(2) pg m(-3) in PM(2.5) and 16-1.9 x 10(2) pg m(-3) in PM(10). Of the PCB homologues, the dominant PCBs detected in the various media were all tri-CBs. Soil was relatively the most polluted media. Furthermore, principal-component analysis revealed that the major PCB source in Taiyuan may be associated with the main commercial PCB through long-range transmission. Toxic equivalency (TEQ) concentrations (based on ten dioxin-like PCBs) ranged from N.D. to 5.9 x 10(-3) pg-WHO TEQ g(-1) in soil, 2.0 x 10(-4)-3.4 x 10(-3)pg-WHO TEQ m(-3) and 1.0 x 10(-4)-1.2 x 10(-3) pg-WHO TEQ m(-3) in PM(2.5) and PM(10), respectively. In previous studies, PCBs were not a severe component of contaminant in Taiyuan; however, this study suggested there is a potential threat of human exposure to PCBs for residents of Taiyuan.