[Halogenated by-products of chlorination in tap water]. / Subproductos halogenados de la cloración en el agua de consumo público.

OBJECTIVE: The presence of trihalomethanes in the water systems of several Spanish cities has been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to analyze trihalomethane concentrations in the water provided for human consumption in the city of Barcelona. METHODS: We analyzed 151 water samples collected in 1998. The analyses were performed in the Public Health Laboratory of Barcelona using the purge-and-trap method and subsequent determination by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The results are presented according to the source of the water: the rivers of Llobregat or Ter, or a mixture of these. RESULTS: Trihalomethane concentrations in the water from Ter were relatively low, with a predominance of chloroform and bromodichloromethane, while concentrations in the water from Llobregat were much higher, with a predominance of bromoform and dibromochloromethane. Mixed water showed intermediate concentrations. The total concentrations reached in the water from Llobregat were above 100 microg/l. CONCLUSIONS: The results show the need to continue reducing organic pollution and halogenated compounds in the water used for human consumption in Barcelona.

Subproductos halogenados de la cloración en el agua de consumo público / Halogenated by-products of chlorination in tap water

Objetivo: La presencia de trihalometanos en el agua de diversas ciudades españolas está demostrada. Este estudio pretende analizar sus concentraciones en el agua de la ciudad de Barcelona. Métodos: Se analizan 151 muestras de agua recogidas durante el año 1998. Los análisis se realizaron en el laboratorio municipal mediante purge and trap y posterior determinación por cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrofotometría de masas. Los resultados se presentan según el origen del agua: ríos Llobregat, Ter o mezcla. Resultados: En aguas del Ter los valores son relativamente bajos y predominan cloroformo y bromodiclorometano, mientras que en las del Llobregat son más elevados y predominan bromoformo y dibromoclorometano. Las aguas de mezcla presentan valores intermedios. Los valores totales alcanzados en las muestras procedentes del Llobregat superan los 100 µg/l. Conclusiones: Estos resultados muestran la necesidad de seguir corrigiendo la contaminación orgánica y los compuestos halogenados en el agua captada para el consumo humano en Barcelona (AU)

Objective: The presence of trihalomethanes in the water systems of several Spanish cities has been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to analyze trihalomethane concentrations in the water provided for human consumption in the city of Barcelona. Methods: We analyzed 151 water samples collected in 1998. The analyses were performed in the Public Health Laboratory of Barcelona using the purge-and-trap method and subsequent determination by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The results are presented according to the source of the water: the rivers of Llobregat or Ter, or a mixture of these. Results: Thrihalomethane concentrations in the water from Ter were relatively low, with a predominance of chloroform and bromodichloromethane, while concentrations in the water from Llobregat were much higher, with a predominance of bromoform and dibromochloromethane. Mixed water showed intermediate concentrations. The total concentrations reached in the water from Llobregat were above 100 µg/l. Conclusions: The results show the need to continue reducing organic pollution and halogenated compounds in the water used for human consumption in Barcelona (AU)

[Dyslipemia in a population with a high rate of cardiovascular mortality]. / Estudio de las dislipemias en una población con elevada tasa de mortalidad cardiovascular.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of dyslipaemias and the mean concentration of cholesterol in the blood of a specific community in a county which has double the rate of mortality from cardio-circulatory disease than the rate observed in the rest of Catalonia over the same period of time. DESIGN: A descriptive and retrospective study. SETTING: The Pallars Sobirá Health District (Lieida). PATIENTS: 1,131 patients with primary care medical records, aged 20 or over, with two consecutive blood analyses, included in the 1991 census and with six inclusion criteria. Variables were age, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Calculation of sample variance and Student's test were used. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: 586 patients between 20 and 64 (group I) and 545 over 65 (group II) were included. The results were: hypercholesterolaemia (cholesterol figure limit: 250 mg/dl) as the commonest dyslipaemia with overall prevalence of 43.32%, and a mean concentration of cholesterol in blood (mg/dl) of 234 for group I; and 242 for group II. CONCLUSIONS: 1) The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia roundly exceeds the average recorded across Catalonia. 2) The mean concentration of cholesterol in blood is a long way above the objectives for the year 2000 defined in the Health Plan for Catalonia.