RESUMO
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which play an important part indoors and outdoors, comprise differing compound groups such as n-alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons and terpenes. In the current study, samples were analyzed from indoor (schools and houses, n = 92) and outdoor (n = 33) air in urban, industrial, semirural and residential areas from the region of La Plata (Argentine) to consider VOC exposure in different types of environments. VOCs were sampled for 1 month during winter for 3 years, with passive 3M monitors. Samples were extracted with CS(2) and analyzed by GC/MS detectors. The results show significant differences in concentration and distribution between indoor and outdoor samples, depending on the study area. Most VOCs predominantly originated indoors in urban, semirural and residential areas, whereas an important outdoor influence in the industrial area was observed. In all areas alkanes and aromatic compounds dominated, even though a different chemical distribution was seen. Traffic burden was determined as the major source of outdoor VOC with a benzene/toluene ratio close to 0.5. Indoors, C9-C11 alkanes, toluene and xylenes dominated, caused by human activities. In contrast, in the industrial area higher concentrations of hexane, heptane and benzene occurred outdoors and affected the indoor air significantly. The lifetime cancer risk (LCR) associated to the benzene exposure was calculated for children from the different study areas. For all groups the study showed a LCR value greater than 1 x 10(-6) related to the benzene exposure indoors as well outdoors. A value two magnitudes higher was detected indoors in the industrial area, what demonstrates the high risk for children living in this area of La Plata.
Assuntos
Poluentes Atmosféricos/toxicidade , Poluição do Ar em Ambientes Fechados , Ar/análise , Compostos Orgânicos Voláteis/toxicidade , Alcanos/análise , Benzeno/análise , Criança , Cidades , Monitoramento Ambiental , Humanos , Indústrias , Medição de Risco , Instituições Acadêmicas , População Urbana , Xilenos/análiseRESUMO
Immunomodulatory effects of chemicals adsorbed to particles with aerodynamic diameter below 0.49 microm (PM(0.5)) collected in winter 2001 at three sampling points (industrial area [LPIn], traffic-influenced urban area [LPCi], and control area [LPCo]) of La Plata, Argentina, were investigated. The sampling of particulate matter was carried out with high-volume collectors using cascade impactors. PM(0.5)-adsorbed compounds were hexane-extracted by accelerated solvent extraction. For immunological investigations, human peripheral blood lymphocytes were activated by phytohemagglutinin and exposed to dimethyl-sulfoxide dilutions of PM(0.5)-extracts for 24h. Vitality/proliferation was quantified using MTT, released interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) by ELISA. Cytokine production but not vitality/proliferation was significantly suppressed by all of the highest extract concentrations. Generally, suppression of IFN-gamma by PM(0.5)-extracts was stronger than those of IL-4. Based on administered mass of PM(0.5), all extracts suppressed IFN-gamma production nearly uniform. Contrary, LPCi-extracts exerted maximum IFN-gamma suppression based either on air volume or regarding PM(0.5)-adsorbed PAH. Also the ranking of PM(0.5)-associated effects on IL-4 production differs in dependence of the chosen reference points, either mass or [microg/ml] or air volume [m(3)/ml] related dust quantities in cell culture. Based on the corresponding air volume, LPCi-extracts inhibited IL-4 production to the maximum extend, whereas suppression of IL-4 was comparable based on concentrations. This indicates that not only the disparate PM(0.5)-masses in air cause varying impacts, but also that disparities in PM(0.5)-adsorbed chemicals provoke different effects on immune responses and shifts in the regulatory balance that might have implications for allergy and cancer development.
Assuntos
Poluentes Ocupacionais do Ar/toxicidade , Poluentes Atmosféricos/toxicidade , Fatores Imunológicos , Nanopartículas/toxicidade , Argentina , Citocinas/biossíntese , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Poeira/análise , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Humanos , Imunidade Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Interferon gama/biossíntese , Interleucina-4/biossíntese , Monócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Tamanho da Partícula , Fito-Hemaglutininas/farmacologia , Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos/análise , Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos/toxicidade , Saúde da População Rural , Espectrometria de Fluorescência , Linfócitos T Auxiliares-Indutores/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos T Auxiliares-Indutores/metabolismo , Sais de Tetrazólio , Tiazóis , Saúde da População UrbanaRESUMO
This study takes into consideration an analysis of the chemical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) profile and its distribution in inhalable and respirable particulate matter in urban and industrial areas in La Plata, Argentina, and Leipzig, Germany. Representative samples from three locations in La Plata (industrial, traffic influenced and control area) and two locations in Leipzig (traffic influenced and control area) were obtained in summer and winter. The sampling of particulate matter was carried out with high volume collectors using cascade impactors to separate six size fractions. PAHs were extracted with hexane through a solid-liquid equilibrium extraction and analysed by HPLC/UV/fluorescence detection. The results showed a PAH seasonal behaviour in both regions, with lower contents in summer and higher ones in winter. Highest concentrations of total PAHs were found in the industrial area in La Plata. The size distribution of particles demonstrates the greater relevance of smaller particles. More than 50% of PAHs were associated with particles of less than 0.49 microm. Moreover, this particle size fraction was associated with traffic, whereas other sources of combustion were related also to particles between 0.49 and 0.95 microm. Considering the ratio of benzo(ghi)perylene (BgP)/benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) as an indicator for traffic influence, it was observed that La Plata City was more affected than Leipzig by the same proportion in summer and in winter. The BgP/InP (indeno(123-cd)pyrene) ratio was lower in winter than in summer in both places and indicates the presence of domestic combustion sources. It is important to point out the significance of using fingerprint compound ratios to identify possible sources of pollution with PAHs bound to particles.
Assuntos
Poluentes Atmosféricos/análise , Poeira/análise , Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos/análise , Argentina , Cidades , Monitoramento Ambiental , Alemanha , Calefação , Indústrias , Tamanho da Partícula , Petróleo , Centrais Elétricas , Estações do Ano , Emissões de VeículosRESUMO
Se informa sobre un estudio realizado en un sector de las ciudades de La Plata y Ensenada,que recibe una gran proporcion de emisiones de compuestos organicos volatiles provenientes del polo industrial localizado en esa region y conformado fundamentalmente,por industrias del petroleo,petroquimicas,asi como las generadas por el transito vehicular.Los compuestos estudiados fueron alcanos,cicloalcanos,aromaticos,hidrocarburos organoclorados,alcoholes,aldehidos,cetonas,esteres y terpenos
Assuntos
Argentina , Compostos Orgânicos , Área Urbana , Poluição IndustrialRESUMO
Se informa sobre un estudio realizado en un sector de las ciudades de La Plata y Ensenada,que recibe una gran proporcion de emisiones de compuestos organicos volatiles provenientes del polo industrial localizado en esa region y conformado fundamentalmente,por industrias del petroleo,petroquimicas,asi como las generadas por el transito vehicular.Los compuestos estudiados fueron alcanos,cicloalcanos,aromaticos,hidrocarburos organoclorados,alcoholes,aldehidos,cetonas,esteres y terpenos