FMS Workshop - Latest advances in automated sample preparation

Scientific conference (2011, April)

Automated procedures in ISO17025 routine: Impact on the laboratory throughput

Scientific conference (2011, April)

Increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and serum organochlorine concentrations among neighbors of a municipal solid waste incinerator

in Environment International (2011), 37(2), 449-453

Organochlorine chemicals may contribute to an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) within nonoccupationally exposed populations. Among these chemicals, dioxins and furans were mainly released by ... [more ▼]

Organochlorine chemicals may contribute to an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) within nonoccupationally exposed populations. Among these chemicals, dioxins and furans were mainly released by municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) until a recent past in France, a source of exposure that is of public concern. We investigated organochlorines and the risk of NHL among neighbors of a French MSWI with high levels of dioxin emissions (Besançon, France), using serum concentrations to assess exposure. The study area consisted of three electoral wards, containing or surrounding the MSWI. Pesticides, dioxins, furans, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in the serum of 34 newly diagnosed NHL cases (2003– 2005) and 34 controls. Risks of NHL associated with each lipid-corrected serum concentration were estimated using exact logistic regression. The pesticides β-hexachlorocyclohexane (odds ratio [OR]=1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.00–1.12, per 10 ng/g lipid) and p,p' dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) (OR=1.20, 95% CI=1.01-1.45, per 10 ng/g lipid) were associated with NHL risk. Evidence indicated an increased NHL risk associated with cumulative WHO1998-toxic equivalency factor (TEQ) concentrations (dioxins, OR=1.12, 95% CI=1.03–1.26; furans, OR=1.16, 95% CI=1.03–1.35; dioxin-like PCBs, OR=1.04, 95% CI=1.00–1.07; and total TEQ, OR=1.04, 95% CI=1.01–1.05), as well as with non dioxin-like PCBs (OR=1.02, 95% CI=1.01–1.05, per 10 ng/g lipid). Most congener-specific associations were statistically significant. This study provides strong and consistent support for an association between serum cumulative WHO1998-TEQ concentrations, at levels experienced by people residing in the vicinity of a polluting MSWI, and risk of NHL. [less ▲]

Analytical Aspects of POPs

Scientific conference (2011, January)

Emerging Hyphenated Analytical Techniques for POPs'

Conference (2011, January)

Levels and trends of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in camel milk (Camelus bactrianus and Camelus dromedarius) from Kazakhstan

in Chemosphere (2011), 85

To date, despite the fact it represents a very important part of the national dairy production, no data are available concerning the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs ... [more ▼]

To date, despite the fact it represents a very important part of the national dairy production, no data are available concerning the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in camel milk from the Republic of Kazakhstan. Selected PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs were measured in pools of milk from camels (n = 15) located in various places of Kazakhstan (Almaty, Atyrau, Aralsk, Shymkent) and sampled at two different seasons for two different species (Camelus bactrianus and Camelus dromedarius). Non-dioxin-like (NDL- )PCB concentrations (6.3 ± 2.7 ng gÿ1 fat, median 5.1 ng gÿ1 fat, range 0.6–17.4 ng gÿ1 fat) were far below the maximum value of 40 ng gÿ1 fat proposed by the EU. Dioxin-like (DL-)PCB concentrations (1.7 ± 0.7 ng gÿ1 fat, median 1.5 ng gÿ1 fat, range 0.3–4.2 ng gÿ1 fat) and the NDL-PCB to DL-PCB ratio (4.3) were similar to what is reported in EU for cow-based dairy products. PCB 52 and PCB 101 appeared to be proportionally more present in Kazakh camel milk samples (>60% of the sum of the 6 indicator NDL-PCBs) than in European cow milk samples (<10% of the sum of the 6 indicator NDL-PCBs), indicating possible differences in the route of exposure to PCBs in Kazakhstan. PCB 105 and PCB 118 appeared to be present at higher concentrations in camel milk (>80% of the sum of the 12 DL-PCBs). PCB 105, PCB 118 and PCB 156 were the major congeners for DL-PCBs, accounting for 92% of the sum of concentrations of DL-PCBs (88% for Belgian cows). In terms of TEQ, PCB 126 and PCB 118 are the major contributors and represent, respectively, 80% and 14% of the DL-PCB TEQWHO05 concentrations. No significant interracial or geographical trends were observed for NDL- and DL-PCB profiles. However, concentrations of all DL-PCBs appeared to be significantly higher for samples collected in Atyrau region. 2,3,7,8-TCDD level (mean 0.08 ± 0.07 pg gÿ1 fat, median 0.08 pg gÿ1 fat, range 0.00–0.18 pg gÿ1 fat, 60% > LOQs) were very low for all samples and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF was the major contributor (27%) to the PCDD/F TEQWHO05. Considering the total TEQWHO05 (sum of DL-PCBs and PCDD/Fs), DL-PCB and PCDD/F contributed for 73% and 27%, respectively. A decrease of only 1% of the total TEQ was observed when using the TEFWHO05 scale instead of the TEFWHO98 scale. Two samples collected in the region of Atyrau exceeded the EU maximum level value of 6.00 pg TEQWHO98 gÿ1 fat (6.4 pg TEQWHO05 gÿ1 fat and 6.9 pg TEQWHO05 gÿ1 fat). Both samples exceeded the EU action level for the sum of DL-PCBs. Based on the fact that camel milk is used to prepare popular traditional fermented drinks like shubat, this suggests that the human exposure in the Caspian Sea region of Atyrau should be expected to be higher than in the other regions studied here. [less ▲]

Innovative minimally-invasive analytical strategies for human biomonitoring: Measurement of toxicants in dried-blood spots

in Organohalogen Compounds (2011), 73

Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (GCxGC-TOFMS) for Environmental Forensic Investigations in Developing Countries

in Chemosphere (2011), 82

Automated Procedures in Iso17025 Routine Dioxin Laboratory:Impact on the Throughput

in Organohalogen Compounds (2011), 73

Cryogenic Zone Compression Gas Chromatography Combined With High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (CZC GC-HRMS) - Approaches to Sub Femtogram Level Analysis of Dioxins

in Organohalogen Compounds (2011), 73