ABSTRACT
Electronic cigarettes (e-cig) have gained popularity around the world and its health risks demands more research. This study aims at characterizing e-cig liquids (e-liquids) and its constituents by Total Reflection X-ray Spectrometry (TXRF). The internal standard method was the quantification procedure employed. The spectrometer's performance was evaluated with one certified reference material and spiked samples. It was possible to quantify K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, and Pb in the e-liquids. Concentrations above the limit for potable water were found in 10 out of 38 samples. Principal component analysis was useful for identifying toxic samples. TXRF is a promising technique for e-liquids evaluation due to its simplicity and performance.
Subject(s)
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems , Metals, Heavy , X-Rays , Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission/methods , Metals/analysis , Radiography , Metals, Heavy/analysis , Environmental Monitoring/methodsABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to determine the release of TiO2 from six sport garments into the wash water after 1, 2 and 10 washes. For such, Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry was employed for the study of the wash water and Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (SEM-EDS) was used for the analysis of the textiles. Results showed that the six sport garments released between 0.106 mg/L and 0.352 mg/L after the first two washes and between 0.028 mg/L and 0.337 mg/L of Ti after ten washes. The values found for the Ti amount released in wash water, and consequently into the environment, is much less than other common sources. These results showed the potential of TXRF spectrometry in quantifying Ti in wash water, which is a hard task even for well-established methods. SEM images show that all six samples were weft knitted fabrics, with yarns of approximately 250 µm of width and fibers' width between 9 and 13 µm.
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the action of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs), on the gills and kidneys of Neotropical freshwater fish, Prochilodus lineatus, with emphasis on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, antioxidant responses, and morphological changes. Fish were exposed to 1, 5, 10, and 50 mg L-1 nominal TiO2-NPs suspended into water for 2 or 14 days. In gills, ROS decreased and glutathione (GSH) increased after 2 days, while ROS and GSH increased and superoxide dismutase activity decreased after 14 days. In kidneys, GSH and lipoperoxidation increased after 2 days and catalase activity decreased after 14 days. Common histopathologies in gills were epithelium hyperplasia, cellular hypertrophy, proliferation of mitochondria-rich cells (MRC), and lamellar stasis; in kidneys, there were cellular and nuclear hypertrophy, focal tubule degeneration, necrosis, and melanomacrophage (MM) proliferation. Although environmentally unlikely, high-dose exposures clarified biological effects of TiO2-NPs, such as ROS formation and MRC responses in the gills, which may impair ionic balance. It was also found that MM are likely responsible for eliminating NPs in the kidney. These findings will help to regulate TiO2-NP disposal, but longer-term studies are still needed.