Inventory approach for short-chain chlorinated paraffins for the Stockholm Convention implementation in Brazil.

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are chemicals with multipurpose applications. Their global production has increased despite their adverse impacts on the environment and human health. In 2017, short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) were listed as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Stockholm Convention. Yet, specific exemptions were granted for their applications despite the recycling prohibition for products containing SCCPs. Therefore, we aimed to produce the first Brazilian inventory of SCCPs following its respective guidance to evaluate the applicability of the SCCP inventory guidance and to provide technical insights regarding SCCPs in the update of the Brazilian National Implementation Plan (NIP). Moreover, we performed a review of SCCP occurrence in Brazil to fulfil data gaps in the inventory development. We identified and consulted nationwide stakeholders and assessed foreign trade data of CPs and products that might contain CPs in relevant amounts. The Brazilian production of CPs was discontinued in 1994. However, CPs are still imported and used in the country. CPs have been mostly applied as plasticizers, flame retardants and lubricants in Brazil. The import of products containing CPs also pose a significant route of CP entrance into Brazil. Thus, the current end-of-life management of CP-containing products is a bottleneck towards the Convention implementation. The guidance application was feasible and useful despite the low engagement of stakeholders. To assess foreign trade of CPs and CP-containing products, we recommend the use of more specific tracking codes. Besides, the review of SCCP occurrence is not a demanded part for an inventory but was a useful complementation.

Occurrence of pyrethroids in the atmosphere of urban areas of Southeastern Brazil: Inhalation exposure and health risk assessment.

The occurrence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) used decades ago for vector control in urban areas is still reported as a threat to human health. Pyrethroids emerged as a replacement for OCPs in sanitary campaigns and are currently the main insecticides used for vector control worldwide, with prominent use as agricultural and household insecticides, for veterinary and gardening purposes, and as wood preservative. This study aimed to assess the occurrence, seasonal variation, and potential sources of pyrethroids in ambient air of two urban regions of Southeastern Brazil, along with the potential health risks to local populations via inhalation exposure. Pyrethroids were sampled by polyurethane foam passive air samplers and their concentrations were determined by gas chromatography coupled with electron capture negative ionization mass spectrometry (GC/ECNI-MS). Atmospheric pyrethroid concentrations (hereinafter reported in pg m-3) were considerably higher than those reported by previous studies worldwide. Cypermethrin (median: 2446; range: 461-15 125) and permethrin (655; 19-10 328) accounted for 95% of the total measured pyrethroids in ambient air. The remaining fraction comprised smaller amounts of bifenthrin (46;  urban-industrial > background areas. HQs increased with decreasing age group, but deterministic and probabilistic estimates did not identify direct health risks for any group. Nevertheless, since only inhalation exposure was considered in this work, other pathways should be investigated to provide a more comprehensive risk assessment of the human exposure to pyrethroids.

Equatorial Atlantic pelagic predators reveal low content of PBDEs in contrast to MeO-BDEs: An analysis of brominated diphenyl ethers in blue shark and yellowfin tuna.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their methoxylated analogues (MeO-BDEs) are widely distributed in the environment. The main concern about the presence of PBDEs and MeO-BDEs in fish is due to their potential endocrine disruption effects in the specimens, and their potential risk to the health of human consumers. Considering these concerns, the goal of this study was to investigate the occurrence of PBDEs and MeO-BDEs in muscle tissues of blue shark (BSH), Prionace glauca, and yellowfin tuna (YFT), Thunnus albacares, caught in the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean (EAO), North-eastern Brazilian waters, and to evaluate the potential risk of human exposure by consumption. Muscle tissues of YFT and BSH were extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus and an Accelerated Solvent Extractor (ASE), respectively. PBDEs and MeO-BDEs were analysed by GC-NCI-MS. Concentrations of PBDEs ranged from not detected (nd) to 10 ng g-1 lipid weight (lw) in YFT muscle samples, while PBDE levels in BSH muscle samples ranged from

Atmospheric Occurrence of Organochlorine Pesticides and Inhalation Cancer Risk in Urban Areas at Southeast Brazil.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been produced for almost a century and some of them are still used, even after they have been proved to be toxic, persistent, bioaccumulative and prone to long-range transport. Brazil has used and produced pesticides in industrial scales for both agricultural and public health purposes. Urban and industrial regions are of special concern due to their high population density and their increased exposure to chemical pollution, many times enhanced by chemical production, application or irregular dumping. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the occurrence of OCPs in outdoor air of urban sites from two major regions of southeast Brazil. Some of these sites have been affected by OCP production and their irregular dumping. Deterministic and probabilistic inhalation cancer risk (CR) assessments were conducted for the human populations exposed to OCPs in ambient air. Ambient air was mainly affected by Æ©-HCH (median = 340 pg m-3) and Æ©-DDT (median = 233 pg m-3), the only two OCPs registered for domissanitary purposes in Brazil. OCP concentrations tended to be higher in summer than in winter. Dumping sites resulted in the highest OCP atmospheric concentrations and, thus, in the highest CR estimations. Despite of all limitations, probabilistic simulations suggested that people living in the studied regions are exposed to an increased risk of hepatic cancer. Infants and toddlers (0 < 2 y) were exposed to the highest inhalation CRs compared to other age groups. Other exposure pathways (such as ingestion and dermic uptake) are needed for a more comprehensive risk assessment. Moreover, this study also highlights the need to review the human exposure to OCPs through inhalation and their respective CR in other impacted areas worldwide, especially where high levels of OCPs are still being measured.

Biomonitoring mercury contamination using fur from roadkilled giant anteaters.

The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) can occur in both preserved and anthropogenic environments in Brazilian biomes. The Cerrado biome, where the samples were collected, is considered one of the world's biodiversity hotspots; however, a large part of it has been converted to pasture and agricultural land. In this environment, animals may be exposed to contaminants, such as mercury (Hg). Despite its immense biodiversity, there are few studies investigating Hg contamination in terrestrial mammals in Brazil. This study aimed to create a baseline for Hg levels in giant anteater fur and establish which biotic and abiotic variables can influence its concentration. Total Hg (THg) concentrations were determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry in 141 individuals sampled on highways between January and October 2017, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. THg concentrations in fur ranged from 0.27 to 4.77 µg g -1. The decomposition stage of the carcasses and vehicular traffic volume on highways did not influence the THg concentrations. Juveniles presented lower THg concentrations than adults. A spatial pattern of higher concentrations in the eastern-southeastern region of the state was found, which could be related to anthropogenic impacts; however, no clear links have been established. The THg concentrations in giant anteaters' fur seems higher than expected considering the trophic position of the species. Despite this, the range was in accordance with studies of other Brazilian terrestrial mammals and within safe threshold levels. This study indicates the potential of utilizing roadkilled fauna to monitor large-scale contamination in wildlife.

Biological factors affecting total mercury and methylmercury levels in Antarctic penguins.

Penguins in Antarctica occupy high trophic levels, thus accumulating high amounts of mercury (Hg) through bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Blood reflects the current levels of contaminants circulating in the body, while feathers are known as the main route of Hg elimination in birds. Studies sampling chicks and adults can provide a comprehensive picture of bioaccumulation and local contamination. Three pygoscelid species (Pygoscelis adeliae, Pygoscelis antarcticus and Pygoscelis papua) have circumpolar distributions being the ideal sentinels of Antarctic environmental pollution. This study aimed to assess Hg contamination of the pristine Antarctic region using non-destructive penguin samples. Fieldwork was carried out during the austral summer of 2013/2014 in the South Shetland Islands, off the north-west Antarctic Peninsula. Concentrations of total Hg (ng.g-1 dw) in blood ranged from 39 to 182 in chicks and 45 to 581 in adults, while concentrations in feathers ranged from 73 to 598 in chicks and 156 to 1648 in adults. Most Hg in feathers (about 70%) is accumulated in the form of methylmercury. Differences were demonstrated in mercury bioaccumulation were related to species and age, but not to sex. To our knowledge this is the first study to report MeHg levels in both juvenile and adult pygoscelid penguins.

Total mercury in wild felids occurring in protected areas in the central Brazilian Amazon

This is the first study to investigate mercury (Hg) contamination in felid species in the Brazilian Amazon. We collected 26 fur samples from wild felids of four species (Puma concolor, Panthera onca, Leopardus pardalis and Leopardus wiedii) occurring in the Mamirauá and Amanã sustainable development reserves, in the state of Amazonas. Samples were from museum specimens, except for five P. onca samples collected from free-living individuals. Total Hg concentrations ranged from 0.12 to 48.1 µg g-1. Concentrations of Hg did not differ significantly between museum specimens and live individuals of P. onca, but varied significantly among species, with significantly higher concentrations for P. onca and L. pardalis, which could be related to factors such as diet and habitat. (AU)

Residues of legacy organochlorine pesticides and DDT metabolites in highly consumed fish from the polluted Guanabara Bay, Brazil: distribution and assessment of human health risk.

Organochlorine (OCP) pesticides were determined in samples of sardine (Sardinella brasiliensis), whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), and mullet (Mugil liza) from Guanabara Bay (state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). OCP concentrations and fish consumption were linked with acceptable daily intake values in order to assess the human health risk for the Brazilian population. The total concentrations of OCPs (Σ OCP) was 6.6 ng/g f.w., 7.5 ng/g f.w., and 2.8 ng/g f.w. for sardines, corvina, and mullet, respectively. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) among the species related to o,p'-DDD and o,p'-DDT concentrations. Both DDT-related compounds were 5 and 76 times more abundant in sardines than in whitemouth croaker and mullet. Newly discovered DDT metabolite, o-Cl-DDMU, was frequently detected in the fish. None of the samples exceeded the maximum limits for acceptable levels of OCP residues. According to the data of average intake of Brazilian population, none of three species exceeded toxicological parameter. The investigated fishes are considered as safe for human consumption in regard to exposure of the studied OCPs. However, fish may be a intake source of OCP metabolites such as o-Cl-DDMU whose toxicity is still unknown.

Tracking mercury in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean: the use of tuna and tuna-like species as indicators of bioavailability.

Mercury is a trace element that is potentially dangerous due its high toxicity and tendency to bioaccumulate in organisms. Currently, high mercury concentrations are seen in the environment especially due climate changes. Studies regarding mercury bioavailability in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean using tuna and tuna-like species are rare. The aim of the present study was to use tuna and tuna-like species (Thunnus atlanticus, Thunnus albacares, Katsuwonus pelamis, Euthynnus alletteratus, Coryphaena hippurus and Sarda sarda) as indicators of the availability of total mercury (THg) in oceanic food webs of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. THg concentrations varied significantly among species for both muscle and liver (Kruskal-Wallis test; H5,130 = 52.7; p < 0.05; H5,130 = 50.1; p < 0.05, respectively). The lowest concentrations were found in C. hippurus (0.008 mg kg-1 wet weight in the muscle and 0.003 mg kg-1 wet weight in the liver), and the highest concentrations were reported in the muscle of T. atlanticus (1.3 mg kg-1 wet weight) and in the liver of S. sarda (2.5 mg kg-1 wet weight). The continued monitoring of tuna and tuna-like species is necessary to assist in their conservation since tuna can be sentinels of mercury pollution.

Laboratory and field tests for risk assessment of metsulfuron-methyl-based herbicides for soil fauna.

Metsulfuron-methyl is one of the most used sulfonylurea herbicides, being applied alone in pre-emergence and with a mineral oil (as adjuvant) in post-emergence. In risk assessment of pesticides, ecotoxicity tests have been applied to assess the effects of products and mixtures under laboratory conditions, but they are limited in their ecological relevance when compared to field assessments. Considering the differences between laboratory and field exposure, and the lack of data on the effects of metsulfuron-methyl in natural soils, this study consisted in a set of tests to assess the ecotoxicity of this herbicide applied alone, combined with an adjuvant (mineral oil) and the adjuvant applied alone, both under laboratory and field exposure, with artificial and natural soil respectively. Reproduction tests with four non-target soil invertebrates species were performed in laboratory, while two experiments were performed in field evaluating avoidance behaviour, feeding activity, mesofauna abundance and pesticide residual. Laboratory results showed that metsulfuron-methyl alone is not a threat to soil fauna on the recommended doses. However, the presence of mineral oil as adjuvant showed ecotoxicity to Eisenia andrei, Enchytraeus crypticus and Proisotoma minuta on laboratory tests. Field evaluations indicated that metsulfuron-methyl and the adjuvant do not impaired the feeding activity of the soil fauna. The low abundance of native communities could be related to soil management. Results showed that laboratory and field evaluations are necessary to better understanding of the effects of pesticides to soil fauna and adjuvant addition should be considered on pesticides risk assessment.

Air contamination by legacy and current-use pesticides in Brazilian mountains: An overview of national regulations by monitoring pollutant presence in pristine areas.

In the last decades, research regarding the dynamics of pesticides has grown, even in remote regions. Due to long-range atmospheric transport, environmental persistence and toxicological potential of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), similar characteristics of current-use pesticides (CUPs) and their massive use in Brazil, these contaminants have become a major concern for environmental and human life. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate subgroups or individual chemicals of OCPs and CUPs, which could have travelled over two Conservation Unit sites in the Rio de Janeiro state. The study was carried out for 24 months, (2013-2015), in Itatiaia National Park (INP) and in the Serra dos Órgãos National Park (SONP), at ∼2400 and ∼2200 meters above sea level, respectively. The study was based on atmospheric passive sampling (polyurethane foam disks). Target pesticides were detected by means of gas chromatography device coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Significantly higher concentrations were measured in SONP when compared to INP. However, in broad terms, the contamination profile was quite similar for both national parks: The highest concentrations of endosulfan (INP - 1275 pg m-3 and SONP - 3202 pg m-3) were followed by cypermethrin (INP - 148 pg m-3 and SONP - 881 pg m-3) and chlorpyrifos (INP - 67 pg m-3 and SONP - 270 pg m-3). In agreement with previous studies, the atmospheric concentrations of legacy OCPs showed background air levels. The decrease of endosulfan over the years was highlighted with a parallel increase of chlorpyrifos, suggesting a collateral effect of the national bias of permissive and massive use of agrochemicals. CUPs seemed to behave like pseudo-persistent pollutants (pseudo-POPs). This is the first report of atmospheric concentrations of pyrethroids in Brazilian mountain regions, and possibly the first to investigate them in the air in South America or in any mountain region in the world.

Modeling the dynamics of DDT in a remote tropical floodplain: indications of post-ban use?

Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding the fate and transport of persistent organic pollutants like dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in tropical environments. In Brazil, indoor residual spraying with DDT to combat malaria and leishmaniasis began in the 1950s and was banned in 1998. Nonetheless, high concentrations of DDT and its metabolites were recently detected in human breast milk in the community of Lake Puruzinho in the Brazilian Amazon. In this work, we couple analysis of soils and sediments from 2005 to 2014 at Puruzinho with a novel dynamic floodplain model to investigate the movement and distribution of DDT and its transformation products (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD)) and implications for human exposure. The model results are in good agreement with the accumulation pattern observed in the measurements, in which DDT, DDE, and DDD (collectively, DDX) accumulate primarily in upland soils and sediments. However, a significant increase was observed in DDX concentrations in soil samples from 2005 to 2014, coupled with a decrease of DDT/DDE ratios, which do not agree with model results assuming a post-ban regime. These observations strongly suggest recent use. We used the model to investigate possible re-emissions after the ban through two scenarios: one assuming DDT use for IRS and the other assuming use against termites and leishmaniasis. Median DDX concentrations and p,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDE ratios from both of these scenarios agreed with measurements in soils, suggesting that the soil parameterization in our model was appropriate. Measured DDX concentrations in sediments were between the two re-emission scenarios. Therefore, both soil and sediment comparisons suggest re-emissions indeed occurred between 2005 and 2014, but additional measurements would be needed to better understand the actual re-emission patterns. Monte Carlo analysis revealed model predictions for sediments were very sensitive to highly uncertain parameters associated with DDT degradation and partitioning. With this model as a tool for understanding inter-media cycling, additional research to refine these parameters would improve our understanding of DDX fate and transport in tropical sediments.

Use of passive samplers to detect organochlorine pesticides in air and water at wetland mountain region sites (S-SE Brazil).

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) passive samplers were deployed in upland surface waters and the overlying atmosphere during May and June 2012, to determine the transport and trends of freely dissolved and gaseous organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) along altitudinal gradients in mountain regions in south and southeast Brazil. Gaseous OCP concentrations were dominated by hexachlorobenzene (3.0-29 pg m(-3)) and endosulfans (Æ© = α-endosulfan + ß-endosulfan + endosulfan sulphate, 170-260 pg m(-3)), whereas freely dissolved endosulfans were significantly higher than all other OCPs (p < 0.001). The presence of some target pesticides at the highest elevation sites indicated their efficient high-altitude transport from regional sources. Air-water exchange gradients indicated net deposition of most volatile and recently banned OCPs (e.g., HCB, endosulfan) over Brazilian mountains. Moreover, the exposure of these sites to large-scale continental airflows with varying source contributions may partly explain the atmospheric deposition of selected OCPs over upland freshwaters at tropical and subtropical mountains sites in Brazil. These findings, coupled with LDPE passive air and water sampling measurements, point out the potential inputs from distant sources of semi-volatile chemicals to the two high-altitude sites.

The brown mussel Perna perna (L., 1758) as a sentinel species for chlorinated pesticide and dioxin-like compounds.

To contribute to the use of the tropical brown mussel Perna perna as a sentinel species for organochlorine pesticides (OCP) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), the present study reports data on the toxicokinetics of these compounds in P. perna. Specifically, the authors present data on OCP and PCB bioaccumulation for eight sampling months from three bays (SE Brazil) and two transplant experiments (each 1 month long). Although seasonality is observed in the total lipid content of the whole soft tissue, with summer samples showing higher values, no such seasonality is observed in the OCP and PCB concentrations bioaccumulated by the mussel P. perna. Because no seasonal effect is observed in the annual OCP and PCB concentrations bioaccumulated by P. perna, the use of this species as a sentinel organism to monitor organochlorinated compounds is encouraged. One month of transplantation is not enough to allow the transplanted specimens to reach the concentrations observed in animals reared at the destination site. Nevertheless, P. perna showed a clear tendency to depurate the DDT metabolites p,p'-DDD and p,p'-DDE after 1 month of transplantation.

Partition of organochlorine concentrations among suspended solids, sediments and brown mussel Perna perna, in tropical bays.

For evaluating the brown mussel Perna perna as a sentinel organism regarding environmental concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), the present study reports original data on the relationship between the concentrations of these chemicals in bottom surface sediments, suspended solids (SS) and concentrations bioaccumulated by this bivalve. Three P. perna cultivation areas, located at three bays in southeastern Brazil were used in this study. The three estuaries are under different degrees of environmental impact. Variations in the OCP and PCB concentrations bioaccumulated by the bivalves tended to be similar to those observed in the sediment, but differed from those found in SS. This latter difference might suggest that the SS trapping apparatuses should have been left in place for approximately 60 days (not only 15 days). This longer period would allow the integration of the environmental variability of the OCP and PCB burden adsorbed to this compartment. Authors encourage future studies to evaluate P. perna exposure to OCPs and PCBs through the evaluation of sediment concentrations.

Reduced plasma zinc levels, lipid peroxidation, and inflammation biomarkers levels in hemodialysis patients: implications to cardiovascular mortality.

Despite the fact that low plasma zinc (Zn) levels play important roles in the oxidative stress, the relationships between lipid peroxidation and inflammation biomarkers with low plasma Zn levels have not been investigated in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Zn plasma levels, electronegative LDL [LDL(-)] levels, and inflammation markers as predictors of cardiovascular (CV) mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Forty-five HD patients (28 men, 54.2 ± 12.7 years, 62.2 ± 51.4 months on dialysis and BMI 24.3 ± 4.1 kg/m(2)) were studied and compared to 20 healthy individuals (9 men, 51.6 ± 15.6 years, BMI 25.2 ± 3.9 kg/m(2)) and followed for 24 months to investigate the risks for CV mortality. LDL(-) levels were measured by ELISA, plasma Zn levels by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, C-reactive protein (CRP) level by immunoturbidimetric method, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels by a multiplex assay kit. HD patients presented low plasma Zn levels (54.9 ± 16.1 µg/dL) and high-LDL(-) (0.18 ± 0.12 U/L) and TNF-α (5.5 ± 2.2 pg/mL) levels when compared to healthy subjects (78.8 ± 9.4µ g/dL, 0.10 ± 0.08U/L, 2.4 ± 1.1 pg/mL, respectively, p < 0.05). Zn plasma levels were negatively correlated to TNF-α (r = -0.49; p = 0.0001) and LDL(-) (r = -0.33; p = 0.008). During the 2 years, 24.4% of the patients died, all due to CV disease. Analysis by the Cox model showed that high CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 levels, and long duration of HD were significant predictors of mortality. In conclusion, reduced Zn levels were associated with lipid peroxidation and inflammation, and we confirm here in a Brazilian cohort of HD patients that inflammation markers are strong predictors of CV death.

Bulk atmospheric deposition of persistent toxic substances (PTS) along environmental gradients in Brazil.

Bulk atmospheric deposition measurements for selected persistent toxic substances (PTS) were performed along environment gradients (urban-suburban-rural-background sites) in Brazil. The aim with this work is to investigate the fate of PTS and their emissions in South America, particularly along environment transects. Bulk sampler systems (polyurethane foams, 1 × 1 m(2)) were fixed along environment gradients (urban-suburban-rural-background) over summer and winter periods (2005-2007) at sites of different climate zones of Brazil. Organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to electron capture detector (Shimadzu 2010, 20i GC-ECD). Urban sites reported the highest deposition rates for all PTS, ranging from tens to thousands of pictograms per square meter per day. Basically, there were no obvious seasonal differences in deposition rate concentrations for PTS along the urban-suburban-rural-background gradient. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites were the OCs most frequently detected at relatively high deposition rate levels (>1,000 pg m(-2) day(-1)). Other legacy and current-use pesticides such as hexachlorocyclohexanes, endosulfans, hexachlorcyclobenzine, dieldrin, aldrin, metoxichlor, and chlodanes were also detected at lower deposition rate levels (10-100 pg m(-2) day(-1)). PCBs were detected at extremely high deposition rate levels (1,000-10,000 pg m(-2) day(-1)) with highest contributions from the tetra-PCBs (PCB-52, PCB-44, PCB-66, PCB-81, and PCB-77) and penta-PCB congeners (PCB-101, PCB-105, PCB-114, PCB-118, and PCB-126). The greatest deposition rate concentrations for total PCBs were mainly detected at urban sites in connection with high population densities. The observed high deposition rate concentrations for PCBs and DDTs at urban sites are probably associated with old PTS stocks emissions. For PCBs in particular, the high levels are strongly associated with local population densities, highlighting the effect of local/regional urban sources on these target PTS. These results are important to show that even though the use of PTS is regulated, the deposition of selected PTS is still impacted by local and regional emissions in Brazil and may be related to the historical and continued emissions from old PTS stocks.

Landfill mining from a deposit of the chlorine/organochlorine industry as source of dioxin contamination of animal feed and assessment of the responsible processes.

In 1997, the Polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxin (PCDD)/Polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) concentrations in dairy products in Germany and other European countries increased. The PCDD/PCDF source was contaminated lime used in Brazilian citrus pulp pellets. The contaminated lime was mined from an industrial dump site. However, the detailed origin of the PCDD/PCDFs in the lime was not revealed. This paper investigates the contamination origin and describes the link between lime milk from the dumpsite of a chlorine/organochlorine industry and the contaminated lime. The contaminated lime stem from mining at the corporate landfill of Solvay Indupa in Sao Paulo. The landfill was used for 40 years for deposition of production residues and closed in 1996. The factory operated/operates at least two processes with potentially high PCDD/PCDFs releases namely the oxychlorination process for production of ethylene dichloride (EDC) and the chlor-alkali process. The main landfilled waste was lime milk (1.4 million tons) from the vinyl chloride monomer production (via the acetylene process) along with residues from other processes. The PCDD/PCDF fingerprint revealed that most samples from the chemical landfill showed an EDC PCDD/PCDF pattern with a characteristic octachlorodibenzofuran dominance. The PCDD/PCDF pattern of a Rio Grande sediment samples downstream the facility showed a chlor-alkali pattern with a minor impact of the EDC pattern. The case highlights that PCDD/PCDF- and persistent organic pollutants-contaminated sites need to be identified in a comprehensive manner as required by the Stockholm Convention (article 6) and controlled for their impact on the environment and human health. Landfill mining and reuse of materials from contaminated deposits should be prohibited.

Relationship between zinc levels and plasma leptin in hemodialysis patients.

UNLABELLED: Recent evidences suggested a possible relationship between zinc deficiency and leptin levels in pathogenesis of anorexia in chronic kidney disease. The present study addressed the relationship between zinc and leptin in hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: Fifty HD patients (54.3±12.7years old, 62% men) were studied and compared to 21 healthy volunteers (50.7±15.7years old, 43% men). Biochemical data, serum zinc, plasma leptin, IL-6, TNF-α and C-Reactive Protein levels were determined. Anthropometric parameters, food intake and appetite score were also assessed. RESULTS: The leptin levels were higher in HD patients (16.1µg/mL (0.21-118.25) vs 6.0µg/mL (0.50-23.10)) in healthy volunteers (p=0.04), whereas serum zinc levels were lower (54.5±16.3µg/dL) compared to healthy volunteers (78.4±9.4µg/dL) (p=0.0001). The plasma leptin was correlated negatively with plasma zinc (r=-0.33; p=0.007), energy (r=-0.38; p=0.002) and protein intake (r=-0.34; p=0.006) and, positively correlated with BMI (r=0.54; p=0.0001), % body fat (r=0.70; p=0.0001) and conicity index (r=0.46; p=0.001). Plasma zinc was associated with hemoglobin (r=0.30; p=0.04) and negatively associated with TNF-α (r=-0.37; p=0.002) and C-Reactive Protein (r=-0.37; p=0.004). There was no correlation among Zn, leptin and appetite score in these patients. CONCLUSION: This study showed that low plasma zinc levels are negatively associated with high leptin levels in HD patients.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the Brazilian Antarctic Station "Comandante Ferraz".

BACKGROUND: Climate change is a natural phenomenon that has been intensified due to increased emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). It has become an indispensable issue in international negotiations related to global sustainability and is deeply related to the overall status of environmental health in our planet. METHODS: We compiled an inventory of GHG emissions that resulted from human activities at the Brazilian Antarctic Scientific Station "Comandante Ferraz" (EACF) and collected emissions data relating to these activities from January to March 2011. The present work aims to identify the sources of GHG emissions, their characteristics, and composition, using as methodology and framework basis the international ISO 14,064:07 and the GHG Protocol. RESULTS: We addressed emissions of CO(2), CH(4), and N(2)O arising from the use of vehicles, diesel-electric generators, boilers, and wastewater treatment for the sewage treatment plant. We identified that the main GHG emissions derived from the activities of power generation using diesel and boilers (more than 80% of the emissions), adding more than 772 t of CO(2) equivalents. CONCLUSIONS: We identified that the diesel generators and boilers are the most important sources of emission by Expedition XXIX (2010-2011). In that CO(2) is principally emitted in relation to electrical energy generation from diesel generators, we emphasize the need for fuel burning reduction through energy consumption reduction.