Using PUF disk passive samplers to simultaneously measure air concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) across the Tuscany Region, Italy

Abstract Passive air samplers consisting of polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed simultaneously over 2–4 month periods from April to July 2008 at 19 locations throughout the Tuscany Region at urban (n = 9), rural (n = 7) and agricultural sites (n = 3). The purpose of the study was to assess the gas–phase air concentrations of PCBs, OCPs, PBDEs and PAHs on a local and regional scale. Derived air concentrations (pg m −3 ) ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 300 for Σ 6 PCBs and from BDL to 30 for Σ 3 PBDEs. As expected, the highest PCB concentrations (pg m −3 ) were observed at urban sites, peaking in Piombino (300). PBDEs, however, exhibited a "reverse gradient" (i.e. rural>agricultural>urban) with highest air concentration at the rural site, Arcidoso (30). Levels of OCPs showed less distinct differences among the three site types. The most frequently detected OCPs were Endosulfan I, γ–HCH and α–HCH. Endosulfan I ranged from BDL to 2 200 pg m −3 , α–HCH from BDL to 610, and γ–HCH from BDL to 1 100. The high air concentrations of HCHs were surprising and possibly due to continued and illegal use – especially at agricultural and urban sites that exhibited the highest levels in air. PAHs showed highest concentrations (pg m −3 ) at agricultural and urban sites, ranging from 290 to 4 700 and were generally consistent with other data sets from Europe. PAHs were dominated by the 3–ring PAHs (76 ± 6)%, with phenanthrene alone accounting for (45 ± 11%) of the total PAHs. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using PUF disks as time–integrating passive air samplers for assessing local and regional scale concentrations of a wide range of POPs in central Italy. Given their low cost and simplicity, passive air samplers are the preferred option for conducting concurrent sampling at multiple sites for monitoring and research purposes

Using PUF disk passive samplers to simultaneously measure air concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) across the Tuscany Region, Italy

AbstractPassive air samplers consisting of polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed simultaneously over 2–4 month periods from April to July 2008 at 19 locations throughout the Tuscany Region at urban (n=9), rural (n=7) and agricultural sites (n=3). The purpose of the study was to assess the gas–phase air concentrations of PCBs, OCPs, PBDEs and PAHs on a local and regional scale. Derived air concentrations (pg m−3) ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 300 for Σ6PCBs and from BDL to 30 for Σ3PBDEs. As expected, the highest PCB concentrations (pg m−3) were observed at urban sites, peaking in Piombino (300). PBDEs, however, exhibited a “reverse gradient” (i.e. rural>agricultural>urban) with highest air concentration at the rural site, Arcidoso (30). Levels of OCPs showed less distinct differences among the three site types. The most frequently detected OCPs were Endosulfan I, γ–HCH and α–HCH. Endosulfan I ranged from BDL to 2 200pg m−3, α–HCH from BDL to 610, and γ–HCH from BDL to 1 100. The high air concentrations of HCHs were surprising and possibly due to continued and illegal use – especially at agricultural and urban sites that exhibited the highest levels in air. PAHs showed highest concentrations (pg m−3) at agricultural and urban sites, ranging from 290 to 4 700 and were generally consistent with other data sets from Europe. PAHs were dominated by the 3–ring PAHs (76±6)%, with phenanthrene alone accounting for (45±11%) of the total PAHs. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using PUF disks as time–integrating passive air samplers for assessing local and regional scale concentrations of a wide range of POPs in central Italy. Given their low cost and simplicity, passive air samplers are the preferred option for conducting concurrent sampling at multiple sites for monitoring and research purposes

An unusual arylsulfatase A pseudodeficiency allele carrying a splice site mutation in a metachromatic leukodystrophy patient

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Chemical threats for the sentinel Pygoscelis adeliae from the Ross Sea (Antarctica): Occurrence and levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and mercury within the largest marine protected area worldwide

: The Ross Sea Marine Protected Area (RS-MPA) hosts endemic species that have to cope with multiple threats, including chemical contamination. Adèlie penguin is considered a good sentinel species for monitoring pollutants. Here, 23 unhatched eggs, collected from three colonies along the Ross Sea coasts, were analysed to provide updated results on legacy pollutants and establish a baseline for newer ones. Average sum of polychlorinated biphenyls (∑PCBs) at the three colonies ranged 20.9-24.3 ng/g lipid weight (lw) and included PCBs IUPAC nos. 28, 118, 153, 138, 180. PCBs were dominated by hexachlorinated congeners as previously reported. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) ranged between 134 and 166 and 181-228 ng/g lw, respectively. Overall, ∑PCBs was exceeded by pesticides, contrary to previous studies from the Ross Sea. Sum of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (∑PBDEs) ranged between 0.90 and 1.18 ng/g lw and consisted of BDE-47 (that prevailed as expected, representing 60-80 % of the ∑PBDEs) and BDE-85. Sum of perfluoroalkyl substances (∑PFAS) ranged from 1.04 to 1.53 ng/g wet weight and comprised five long-chain perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA); perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA) was also detected. The PFAS profile was dominated by PFCAs as already observed in Arctic seabirds. Mercury ranged from 0.07 to 0.15 mg/kg dry weight similarly to previous studies. Legacy pollutants confirmed their ongoing presence in Antarctic biota and their levels seemed mostly in line with the past, but with minor variations in some cases, likely due to continued input or release from past reservoirs. PFAS were reported for the first time in penguins from the Ross Sea, highlighting their ubiquity. Although further studies would be useful to increase the sample size and accordingly improve our knowledge on spatial and temporal trends, this study provides interesting data for future monitoring programs within the RS-MPA that will be crucial to test its effectiveness against human impacts

Monitoring persistent organic chemicals in Antarctica in support of global chemical policy: a horizon scan of priority actions and challenges

Global production and emission of chemicals exceeds societal capacities for assessment and monitoring. This situation calls for improved chemical regulatory policy frameworks and increased support for expedited decision making within existing frameworks. The polar regions of the Earth represent unique sentinel areas for the study of global chemical behaviour, and data arising from these areas can strengthen existing policy frameworks. However, chemical pollution research and monitoring in the Antarctic is underdeveloped, with geopolitical complexities and the absence of legal recognition of international chemical policy serving to neutralise progress made in other global regions. This Personal View represents a horizon scan by the action group Input Pathways of Persistent Organic Pollutants to Antarctica, of the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research. Four priority research and research facilitation gaps are outlined, with recommendations for Antarctica Treaty parties for strategic action against these priorities

The effect of four mutations on the expression of iduronate-2-sulfatase in mucopolysaccharidosis type II

AbstractMucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome; OMIM 309900) is a rare X-linked recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficiency of the enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS; EC 3.1.6.13). Different alterations at the IDS locus, mostly missense mutations, have been demonstrated, by expression study, as deleterious, causing significant consequences on the enzyme function or stability. In the present study we report on the results of the transient expression of the novel K347T, 533delTT, N265I and the already described 473delTCC (previously named ΔS117) mutations in the COS 7 cells proving their functional consequence on IDS activity. This type of information is potentially useful for genotype–phenotype correlation, prognosis and possible therapeutic intervention

A multidrug approach to modulate the mitochondrial metabolism impairment and relative oxidative stress in fanconi anemia complementation group a

Fanconi Anemia (FA) is a rare recessive genetic disorder characterized by aplastic anemia due to a defective DNA repair system. In addition, dysfunctional energy metabolism, lipid droplets accumulation, and unbalanced oxidative stress are involved in FA pathogenesis. Thus, to modulate the altered metabolism, Fanc-A lymphoblast cell lines were treated with quercetin, a flavonoid compound, C75 (4-Methylene-2-octyl-5-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylic acid), a fatty acid synthesis inhibitor, and rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, alone or in combination. As a control, isogenic FA cell lines corrected with the functional Fanc-A gene were used. Results showed that: (i) quercetin recovered the energy metabolism efficiency, reducing oxidative stress; (ii) C75 caused the lipid accumulation decrement and a slight oxidative stress reduction, without improving the energy metabolism; (iii) rapamycin reduced the aerobic metabolism and the oxidative stress, without increasing the energy status. In addition, all molecules reduce the accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks. Two-by-two combinations of the three drugs showed an additive effect compared with the action of the single molecule. Specifically, the quercetin/C75 combination appeared the most efficient in the mitochondrial and lipid metabolism improvement and in oxidative stress production reduction, while the quercetin/rapamycin combination seemed the most efficient in the DNA breaks decrement. Thus, data reported herein suggest that FA is a complex and multifactorial disease, and a multidrug strategy is necessary to correct the metabolic alterations