International round-robin study on the Ames fluctuation test.

An international round-robin study on the Ames fluctuation test [ISO 11350, 2012], a microplate version of the classic plate-incorporation method for the detection of mutagenicity in water, wastewater and chemicals was performed by 18 laboratories from seven countries. Such a round-robin study is a precondition for both the finalization of the ISO standardization process and a possible regulatory implementation in water legislation. The laboratories tested four water samples (spiked/nonspiked) and two chemical mixtures with and without supplementation of a S9-mix. Validity criteria (acceptable spontaneous and positive control-induced mutation counts) were fulfilled by 92-100%, depending on the test conditions. A two-step method for statistical evaluation of the test results is proposed and assessed in terms of specificity and sensitivity. The data were first subjected to powerful analysis of variance (ANOVA) after an arcsine-square-root transformation to detect significant differences between the test samples and the negative control (NC). A threshold (TH) value based on a pooled NC was then calculated to exclude false positive test results. Statistically, positive effects observed by the William's test were considered negative, if the mean of all replicates of a sample did not exceed the calculated TH. By making use of this approach, the overall test sensitivity was 100%, and the test specificity ranged from 80 to 100%.

[Experience with prevention and control of legionellosis in Germany : plea for proactive risk management]. / Erfahrungen zur Prävention und Kontrolle von Legionellosen in Deutschland : Plädoyer für ein proaktives Risikomanagement.

Legionellosis is meanwhile the most important specific water-associated infectious disease in developed countries, which is completely preventable, if water distribution systems are correctly planned and operated. This assumes clear criteria for risk regulation and for verification, including microbiological monitoring for Legionella. There are different reactive and proactive strategies in the USA and in Europe. The common premises for prevention and control of legionellosis in Germany, relevant facts for risk regulation, experience in Germany toward proactive risk regulation, and the current approach of the amended drinking water ordinance are discussed. The article concludes with a short discussion of the controversial approaches for the prevention of legionellosis in Germany.

[The drinking water quality in Germany in the period from 2002 to 2004. An overview]. / DieTrinkwasserbeschaffenheit in Deutschland : Eine Ubersicht für die Jahre 2002-2004.

In Germany the drinking water is to be monitored regularly. The sampling frequencies and the scale of monitoring of the water supplies are provided by the Drinking Water Ordinance 2001. Taking into account the overall samples taken, the drinking water quality ranges from good to very good, and the requirements for the microbiological, chemical and physical standards have been largely satisfied, as set out by the Drinking Water Ordinance 2001. What concerns most parameters, unremarkable variations have been measured in more than 99 % of samples taken. The highest frequency of non-compliance (in 1 to 2 % of samples taken) has been found in the parameters pesticides and coliform bacteria. Some impairments of drinking water quality could be traced to house installation systems, which do not meet the commonly accepted technical rules. In general, potential danger to human health does not exist. This information is based on the report by the Ministry of Health about the quality of drinking water in Germany in the period 2002-2004.

Chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes of nurses and physicians handling antineoplastic drugs.

The frequencies of structural chromosome aberrations of persons occupationally exposed to antineoplastic drugs without adequate protection were measured in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 106 persons from five oncological units and in an adequate control population. The observed chromosomal aberration frequencies were 3.3 +/- 0.1 aberrations per 100 cells in the exposed group and 0.6 +/- 0.1 aberrations per 100 cells in the controls. Chromosomal aberration frequencies were not correlated with age, duration of exposure and smoking habits. The results stress the necessity to protect hospital staff against the potential risk related to the handling of antineoplastic drugs.