PCDD/Fs and PCBs in ambient air in a highly industrialized city in northern Italy.

Ambient air samples were collected in five locations around a polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) production plant in a highly industrialized city in the north of Italy, for the analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and PCBs. PCDD/F atmospheric concentrations were lower than those generally detected in urban areas, while PCB concentrations were higher than in urban and industrialized areas in other countries, especially in the locations closest to the plant. To identify source emissions responsible for air pollution we used principal component analysis (PCA) to compare the "fingerprint" of the air in Brescia with some source-related experimental and published data. This analysis showed that the PCDD/F fingerprints were more similar to steel plant emission data, while none of the PCB air patterns were comparable to emission profiles, indicating that different sources are responsible for the concentration of these two pollutants. The highest PCB concentrations detected in the areas closest to the chemical plant are indicative of its impact on the surrounding environment.

Evaluation of nitrobenzenes and chlorobenzenes levels in samples of sediments from Italy: a rapid and simple method by automatic extractor and GC/MS ion trap.

Ninety-six marine sediment samples from an Italian harbour were analysed by GC/MS ion trap for the residues of nitrobenzenes and chlorobenzenes. The significance of these compounds in the investigated matrix was discussed. In order to determine the simultaneous presence of chlorobenzenes and nitrobenzenes in marine sediments, a simple extraction method by an automatic extraction system was developed. The use of an automatic extractor unit allows the extraction of the analytes of interest with no waste of volatile compounds, since small volumes of solvent are required. This also results in a reduction of the analysis time, compared with traditional extraction techniques such as extraction by Soxhlet. The samples under investigation were mixed with anhydrous sodium sulphate to obtain a free-flowing powder and quantitatively transferred into extraction thimbles. The thimbles were then introduced into the automatic extractor unit by solvent and extracted with 70 mL of acetone/hexane (1:1, v/v). The extract was analysed directly by GC/MS ion trap in EI mode. A VF5 ms low bleeding capillary column was used to separate the compounds of interest. Recovery rates were determined at two spiking levels, one ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 mg/kg, the other from 10 to 50 mg/kg. Six replicates were analysed for each fortification level. Mean recoveries proved to range from 60.6 to 125.1% in either case. The precision of the method was expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD%), which turned out to be in the range 5.2-15.0%. The determination limits ranged from 0.01 mg/kg to 1.0 mg/kg, when approximately 10 g (dry weight) samples were considered. The linearity (r(2) > 0.99) and the limit of detection were also studied.

Air pollution and lung function among susceptible adult subjects: a panel study.

BACKGROUND: Adverse health effects at relatively low levels of ambient air pollution have consistently been reported in the last years. We conducted a time-series panel study of subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and ischemic heart disease (IHD) to evaluate whether daily levels of air pollutants have a measurable impact on the lung function of adult subjects with pre-existing lung or heart diseases. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with COPD, asthma, or IHD underwent repeated lung function tests by supervised spirometry in two one-month surveys. Daily samples of coarse (PM10-2.5) and fine (PM2.5) particulate matter were collected by means of dichotomous samplers, and the dust was gravimetrically analyzed. The particulate content of selected metals (cadmium, chrome, iron, nickel, lead, platinum, vanadium, and zinc) was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Ambient concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), and sulphur dioxide (SO2) were obtained from the regional air-quality monitoring network. The relationships between concentrations of air pollutants and lung function parameters were analyzed by generalized estimating equations (GEE) for panel data. RESULTS: Decrements in lung function indices (FVC and/or FEV1) associated with increasing concentrations of PM2.5, NO2 and some metals (especially zinc and iron) were observed in COPD cases. Among the asthmatics, NO2 was associated with a decrease in FEV1. No association between average ambient concentrations of any air pollutant and lung function was observed among IHD cases. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the short-term negative impact of exposure to air pollutants on respiratory volume and flow is limited to individuals with already impaired respiratory function. The fine fraction of ambient PM seems responsible for the observed effects among COPD cases, with zinc and iron having a potential role via oxidative stress. The respiratory function of the relatively young and mild asthmatics included in this study seems to worsen when ambient levels of NO2 increase.

[Cancer risk for coke-oven workers in the Taranto steel plant]. / Rischio da cancerogeni nella cokeria dello stabilimento siderurgico di Taranto.

Taranto coke oven batteries create a carcinogenic risk because of workers' exposure to PAHs, benzene and asbestos. Because of the vicinity to the city and the inadequacy of measures of pollution control, a risk also exists for the general population. Although the issue of environmental reclaim had been addressed by a specific law (DPR 23.04.1998), the solution to close the oldest batteries had been adopted through and enforced by the city administration and the Court. However, a recent agreement between ILVA and the Apulia Regional Administration has allowed to restart the use of some ovens, after simple revamping.

[Air quality assessment in an urban-industrial area: the Taranto case study]. / La valutazione della qualità dell'aria in una zona urbana-industriale: il caso Taranto.

OBJECT: The chemical-physical characterization of suspended particulate matter and particulate deposition, heavy metals and benzo[a]pyrene, found in the town of Taranto and the nearby industrial area (steelworks, cement production, refinery). DESIGN: Atmospheric deposition Bulks, air of High Volume (HV) samplers equipped with PM10 probe and total suspended particulate matter samplers were used. SETTING: 4 sites of monitoring in different urban areas: two of them close to the cokery, one near the school, and the last one in the town of Statte (Taranto). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Determination of suspended and deposition particulate matter concentration, further determination of heavy metal concentration in the suspended and deposition particulate matter, and determination of BaP concentration. RESULTS: Data evidenced that in the site of Tamburi Cemetery (near the cokery) suspended particulate matter PM10 concentrations vary with the different seasons (warm period: 67 microg/m3, cold period: 39 microg/m3). Lead concentrations are lower than the national limit (0,5 microg/m3); for those heavy metals not yet regulated by law, values are comparable with other industrial areas. Deposition particulate matter concentrations found nearby the steelworks (warm period: 699 mg/m2d, cold period 575 mg/m2d), vary in each different monitoring site. In the town of Statte (Taranto) the concentrations found are: 236 mg/m2d in the warm period, and 154 mg/m2d in the cold period. BaP concentrations for PM10 found in the area of Tamburi near the cookery are the following: 1,9 ng/m3 in the warm period, and 2,6 ng/m3 in the cold period. CONCLUSION: A very compromised situation is found in the area under study as regard air quality, especially the particulate matter in its different fractions and its content of organic and inorganic pollutants.

[Particulate matter measurements PM2.5 and PM10 in Rome: comparison indoor/outdoor]. / Misure di materiale particellare PM10 e PM2.5 a Roma: confronti indoor/outdoor.

The concentration of airborne particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) was assessed over 12 months (1999-2000) both outdoor and indoor (workplaces and homes without major PM sources) through a manual gravimetric method. Mean concentration values outdoors were moderately lower than indoor concentrations in summer, but higher in winter. The correlations between outdoor and indoor values are statistically significant, especially for PM2.5 in winter. The position of indoor sites with respect to street level was immaterial as far as mean values is concerned, whilst maximum values presented some differences accordingly. Day-to-day variability was higher outside than inside, especially in winter. The PM2.5/PM10 ratio was higher indoors, probably owing to the higher sedimentation speed of the coarse fraction.

[Occurrence of metals in various size fractions of particulate matter]. / Contenuto di metalli nelle varie frazioni dimensionali di materiale particellare.

Size distributions of trace metals of specific health concern (Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Cd, V, Zn and Fe) in the fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5-10) fractions of suspended particulate matter were evaluated. Samples were collected through a year in three sites (traffic oriented and urban background in the urban area of Rome, and remote, in the Regional Park of Simbruini Mountains). Mean concentrations never exceeded the values recommended by WHO and EU. During winter season, levels of Cr, Cd, Pb and Zn resulted higher than in summer, in both fine and coarse fractions. The series of Pb, Cd, and V concentrations clearly showed a predominant fine-particle distribution, whereas Cr, Mn and Ni were more equally distributed between the coarse and fine fractions. Fe prevailed in the coarse mode at the urban sites. At the urban sites mean concentrations of the different metals were from 4 to 22 times higher than at the remote site. For various metals the distribution mode, as well as the seasonal trends of the concentrations, showed significant differences between urban and remote site. In busy and densely populated urban areas, without relevant industrial emissions, anthropogenic sources of metallic species seem still to give a contribution to air pollution, though a trend downwards, compared to previous surveys, was observed, particularly for Pb.

[Air pollution and cardiac and respiratory function in three groups of patients]. / Inquinamento atmosferico e funzionalità cardiaca e respiratoria in tre gruppi di pazienti.

The association between exposure to urban air pollution and cardiac or respiratory impairments in susceptible subjects was evaluated in a panel study including 11 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 7 with ischemic heart disease (IHD), and 11 asthmatics resident in Rome (Italy). Patients underwent repeated 24 h Holter EKG monitoring, 12 h pulse oximetry at night and spirometry examinations during 1999 summer and winter. Multiple linear regression models for repeated individual measures (fixed-effect) were used to analyse the relationship between average daily concentrations of pollutants (PM10-2.5, PM2.5 NO2 and O3) and outcome variables, controlling for meteorological conditions, survey period, and week-ends. In the BPCO panel, increasing ambient PM2.5 levels were associated with increased heart rate and decreased respiratory function. In the asthmatic panel, inverse associations between pulmonary function and both NO2 and PM10-2.5 concentrations were observed, as well as direct association between ambient NO2 concentrations and NO in exhaled breath. In the IHD panel an increase of hearth rate variability associated with increasing concentration of PM2.5 was observed.