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In the last years, many studies have focused on risk assessment of exposure of workers to airborne particulate matter (PM). Several studies indicate a strong correlation between PM and adverse health outcomes, as a function of particle size. In the last years, the study of atmospheric particulate matter has focused more on particles less than 10 μm or 2.5 μm in diameter; however, recent studies identify in particles less than 0.1 μm the main responsibility for negative cardiovascular effects. The present paper deals with the determination of 66 organic compounds belonging to six different classes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the ultrafine, fine and coarse fractions of PM (PM < 0.1 µm; 0.1 < PM < 2.5 µm and 2.5 < PM < 10 µm) collected in three outdoor workplaces and in an urban outdoor area. Data obtained were analyzed with principal component analysis (PCA), in order to underline possible correlation between sites and classes of pollutants and characteristic emission sources. Emission source studies are, in fact, a valuable tool for both identifying the type of emission source and estimating the strength of each contamination source, as useful indicator of environment healthiness. Moreover, both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were determined in order to estimate human health risk associated to study sites. Risk analysis was carried out evaluating the contribution of pollutant distribution in PM size fractions for all the sites. The results highlighted significant differences between the sites and specific sources of pollutants related to work activities were identified. In all the sites and for all the size fractions of PM both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk values were below acceptable and safe levels of risks recommended by the regulatory agencies.
Donatella Pomata; Patrizia Di Filippo; Carmela Riccardi; Federica Castellani; Giulia Simonetti; Elisa Sonego; Francesca Buiarelli. Toxic Organic Contaminants in Airborne Particles: Levels, Potential Sources and Risk Assessment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 4352 .
AMA StyleDonatella Pomata, Patrizia Di Filippo, Carmela Riccardi, Federica Castellani, Giulia Simonetti, Elisa Sonego, Francesca Buiarelli. Toxic Organic Contaminants in Airborne Particles: Levels, Potential Sources and Risk Assessment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (8):4352.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDonatella Pomata; Patrizia Di Filippo; Carmela Riccardi; Federica Castellani; Giulia Simonetti; Elisa Sonego; Francesca Buiarelli. 2021. "Toxic Organic Contaminants in Airborne Particles: Levels, Potential Sources and Risk Assessment." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 8: 4352.
Background: The determination of mancozeb, a fungicide extensively used in agriculture, is a challenge, due to the nature of the compound, a manganese and zinc complex of ethylenebis dithiocarbamate and because of the general instability of the dithiocarbamates. Methods: Mancozeb was analyzed in a GC-EI-MS system after derivatization by CE-UV with detection at 280 nm and in LC-ESI-MS-MS in MRM mode. Results: A comparative study of the performance of three different techniques for the detection of mancozeb was explored, highlighting the advantages and drawbacks of them. The limits of detection and quantification of the techniques were determined; the repeatability was assessed, showing values of relative standard deviation. Gas chromatography, although very sensitive, was not reproducible enough due to fast degradation of the derivatization product, whereas capillary electrophoresis-UV showed problems in run-to-run reproducibility which had the worst limit of detection. LC coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was the most reliable and precise technique and was able to determine the main degradation product of Mancozeb, at the same time. The proposed LC procedure was verified by applying it to a commercial formulation, a fungicide of known concentration, and to Italian white grapes treated with the formulation sprayed during cultivation. Conclusion: Thanks to the simplified sample handling, the proposed method resulted to be simple, fast, green, economic, and suitable for residue analysis in grapes and other fruits. Finally, the method was compared with other similar investigations.
Giulia Simonetti; Federica Castellani; Patrizia Di Filippo; Carmela Riccardi; Donatella Pomata; Roberta Risoluti; Francesca Buiarelli; Elisa Sonego. Determination of Mancozeb, a Pesticide Used Worldwide in Agriculture: Comparison among GC, LC, and CE. Current Analytical Chemistry 2020, 16, 1041 -1053.
AMA StyleGiulia Simonetti, Federica Castellani, Patrizia Di Filippo, Carmela Riccardi, Donatella Pomata, Roberta Risoluti, Francesca Buiarelli, Elisa Sonego. Determination of Mancozeb, a Pesticide Used Worldwide in Agriculture: Comparison among GC, LC, and CE. Current Analytical Chemistry. 2020; 16 (8):1041-1053.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiulia Simonetti; Federica Castellani; Patrizia Di Filippo; Carmela Riccardi; Donatella Pomata; Roberta Risoluti; Francesca Buiarelli; Elisa Sonego. 2020. "Determination of Mancozeb, a Pesticide Used Worldwide in Agriculture: Comparison among GC, LC, and CE." Current Analytical Chemistry 16, no. 8: 1041-1053.
The occurrence of halogenated organic pollutants in indoor dust can be high due to the presence of textile, electronic devices, furniture, and building materials treated with these chemicals. In this explorative study, we focused on emerging organic pollutants, such as novel brominated flame retardants (nBFRs) and some perfluoroalkyl substances, together with legacy polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) in settled dust collected in houses and workplaces such as one office and two electrotechnical and mechanical workshops. The total contribution of the investigated pollutants was lower in house and in office dusts except for few nBFRs (such as bis (2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-phthalate at a concentration of 464.5 ng/g in a house and hexachlorocyclopentadienyldibromocyclooctane at 40.4 ng/g in the office), whereas in electrotechnical and mechanical workshops a high incidence of PCBs, BDEs, and nBFRs occurred (for example, BDE 209 at a concentration of 2368.0 ng/g and tetrabromobisphenol A at 32,320.1 ng/g in electrotechnical and mechanical workshops). Estimated daily intakes were also calculated, showing that domestic and occupational environments can lead to a similar contribution in terms of human exposure. The higher exposure contribution was associated to nBFRs, whose EDIs were in the range of 3968.2–555,694.2 pg/kg bw/day. To provide a complete view about the indoor contamination, in this investigation, we also included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their oxygenated and nitrated derivatives. Definitely, dust collection represents a simple, fast, and cost-effective sampling and dust contamination level can be a useful indicator of environment healthiness. Besides, the presented method can be a smart tool to provide a time and money saving technique to characterize 99 pollutants thanks to a single sample treatment.
Giulia Simonetti; Patrizia Di Filippo; Carmela Riccardi; Donatella Pomata; Elisa Sonego; Francesca Buiarelli. Occurrence of Halogenated Pollutants in Domestic and Occupational Indoor Dust. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 3813 .
AMA StyleGiulia Simonetti, Patrizia Di Filippo, Carmela Riccardi, Donatella Pomata, Elisa Sonego, Francesca Buiarelli. Occurrence of Halogenated Pollutants in Domestic and Occupational Indoor Dust. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (11):3813.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiulia Simonetti; Patrizia Di Filippo; Carmela Riccardi; Donatella Pomata; Elisa Sonego; Francesca Buiarelli. 2020. "Occurrence of Halogenated Pollutants in Domestic and Occupational Indoor Dust." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 11: 3813.
Mycotoxins' exposure by inhalation and/or dermal contact can occur in different branches of industry especially where heavily dusty settings are present and the handling of dusty commodities is performed. This study aims to explore the possible contribution of the occupational exposure to aflatoxins by analysing urine samples for the presence of aflatoxins B1 and M1 and aflatoxin B1-N7-guanine adduct. The study was conducted in 2017 on two groups of volunteers, the workers group, composed by personnel employed in an Italian feed plant (n = 32), and a control group (n = 29), composed by the administrative employees of the same feed plant; a total of 120 urine samples were collected and analysed. A screening method and a quantitative method with high-resolution mass spectrometry determination were developed and fully validated. Limits of detections were 0.8 and 1.5 pg/mLurine for aflatoxin B1 and M1, respectively. No quantitative determination was possible for the adduct aflatoxin B1-N7-guanine. Aflatoxin B1 and its adduct were not detected in the analysed samples, and aflatoxin M1, instead, was found in 14 samples (12%) within the range 1.9-10.5 pg/mLurine. Only one sample showed a value above the limit of quantification (10.5 pg/mLurine). The absence of a statistical difference between the mean values for workers and the control group which were compared suggests that in this specific setting, no professional exposure occurs. Furthermore, considering the very low level of aflatoxin M1 in the collected urine samples, the contribution from the diet to the overall exposure is to be considered negligible.
Francesca Debegnach; Carlo Brera; Gianmarco Mazzilli; Elisa Sonego; Francesca Buiarelli; Fulvio Ferri; Paolo Giorgi Rossi; Giorgia Collini; Barbara De Santis. Optimization and validation of a LC-HRMS method for aflatoxins determination in urine samples. Mycotoxin Research 2020, 36, 257 -266.
AMA StyleFrancesca Debegnach, Carlo Brera, Gianmarco Mazzilli, Elisa Sonego, Francesca Buiarelli, Fulvio Ferri, Paolo Giorgi Rossi, Giorgia Collini, Barbara De Santis. Optimization and validation of a LC-HRMS method for aflatoxins determination in urine samples. Mycotoxin Research. 2020; 36 (2):257-266.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesca Debegnach; Carlo Brera; Gianmarco Mazzilli; Elisa Sonego; Francesca Buiarelli; Fulvio Ferri; Paolo Giorgi Rossi; Giorgia Collini; Barbara De Santis. 2020. "Optimization and validation of a LC-HRMS method for aflatoxins determination in urine samples." Mycotoxin Research 36, no. 2: 257-266.
In indoor environments, the concentration of halogenated organic pollutants in dust can be high due to the presence of products treated with these chemicals. In this study, we monitored emerging organic pollutants, such as novel brominated flame retardants (nBFRs) and some perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), together with legacy polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in settled dust collected in five different (domestic and occupational) environments. In workplaces, a high incidence of PCBs, PBDEs and nBFRs occurred. Dust collection represents a simple, fast and cost-effective sampling and dust contamination level can be a useful indicator of environment healthiness.
Giulia Simonetti; Elisa Sonego; Federica Castellani; Patrizia Di Filippo; Carmela Riccardi; Donatella Pomata; Francesca Buiarelli. Emerging and Legacy Organic Halogenated Pollutants in Indoor Dusts. Proceedings 2019, 44, 3 .
AMA StyleGiulia Simonetti, Elisa Sonego, Federica Castellani, Patrizia Di Filippo, Carmela Riccardi, Donatella Pomata, Francesca Buiarelli. Emerging and Legacy Organic Halogenated Pollutants in Indoor Dusts. Proceedings. 2019; 44 (1):3.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiulia Simonetti; Elisa Sonego; Federica Castellani; Patrizia Di Filippo; Carmela Riccardi; Donatella Pomata; Francesca Buiarelli. 2019. "Emerging and Legacy Organic Halogenated Pollutants in Indoor Dusts." Proceedings 44, no. 1: 3.
F. Buiarelli; P. Di Filippo; Lorenzo Massimi; D. Pomata; Carmela Riccardi; G. Simonetti; Elisa Sonego. Ultrafine, fine and coarse airborne particle mass concentration in workplaces. Atmospheric Pollution Research 2019, 10, 1685 -1690.
AMA StyleF. Buiarelli, P. Di Filippo, Lorenzo Massimi, D. Pomata, Carmela Riccardi, G. Simonetti, Elisa Sonego. Ultrafine, fine and coarse airborne particle mass concentration in workplaces. Atmospheric Pollution Research. 2019; 10 (5):1685-1690.
Chicago/Turabian StyleF. Buiarelli; P. Di Filippo; Lorenzo Massimi; D. Pomata; Carmela Riccardi; G. Simonetti; Elisa Sonego. 2019. "Ultrafine, fine and coarse airborne particle mass concentration in workplaces." Atmospheric Pollution Research 10, no. 5: 1685-1690.
The diffusion and the recycling of electric and electronic equipment waste (WEEE) are an important issue for industrialised countries. During treatment operations of this equipment, legacy and emerging halogenated flame retardant can be released in the environment, causing great concern for their toxicity. For this purpose, a method to simultaneously determine polybrominated biphenyl ethers, hexabromocyclododecane, 10 emerging brominated flame retardants and in parallel-polychlorinated biphenyls was optimised and applied to particulate matter samples collected within a WEEE facility. In this paper, starting from a previously published method, we drastically simplified the sample preparation, reducing the overall completion time, solvent consumption, costs and achieving adequate selectivity and sensitivity for all the target compounds. The multi–analyte method was evaluated in terms of reproducibility, linearity, recovery, limits of detection, limit of quantification, and matrix effect and compared to the previous method. Quantitative analyses were carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in negative chemical ionisation, using matrix-matched calibration curves. The reliability and robustness of the method were demonstrated through the analysis of certified and reference compounds in Standard Reference Material 2585. The most abundant compounds in particulate matter samples, collected in an electric and electronic equipment waste treatment plant, were BDE 47 (3.9 ng m−3), CB 138 (2.7 ng m−3), and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (4.2 ng m−3).
Donatella Pomata; Patrizia Di Filippo; Carmela Riccardi; Vanessa Rossi; Giulia Simonetti; Elisa Sonego; Francesca Buiarelli. Method optimisation for the simultaneous determination of legacy and emerging halogenated flame retardants in particulate matter collected in an electronic waste recycling facility. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry 2019, 100, 1479 -1496.
AMA StyleDonatella Pomata, Patrizia Di Filippo, Carmela Riccardi, Vanessa Rossi, Giulia Simonetti, Elisa Sonego, Francesca Buiarelli. Method optimisation for the simultaneous determination of legacy and emerging halogenated flame retardants in particulate matter collected in an electronic waste recycling facility. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry. 2019; 100 (13):1479-1496.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDonatella Pomata; Patrizia Di Filippo; Carmela Riccardi; Vanessa Rossi; Giulia Simonetti; Elisa Sonego; Francesca Buiarelli. 2019. "Method optimisation for the simultaneous determination of legacy and emerging halogenated flame retardants in particulate matter collected in an electronic waste recycling facility." International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry 100, no. 13: 1479-1496.
Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin mainly produced by Fusariumgraminearum that can contaminate cereals and cereal-based foodstuff. Urinary DON levels can be used as biomarker for exposure assessment purposes. This study assessed urinary DON concentrations in Italian volunteers recruited by age group, namely children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. In addition, vulnerable groups, namely vegetarians and pregnant women, were included in the study. To determine the urinary DON, its glucuronide and de-epoxydated (DOM-1) forms, an indirect analytical approach was used, measuring free DON and total DON (as sum of free and glucuronides forms), before and after enzymatic treatment, respectively. Morning urine samples were collected on two consecutive days, from six different population groups, namely children, adolescent, adults, elderly, vegetarians and pregnant women. Total DON was measured in the 76% of the collected samples with the maximum incidences in children and adolescent age group. Urine samples from children and adolescent also showed the highest total DON levels, up to 17.0 ng/mgcreat. Pregnant women had the lowest positive samples per category (40% for day 1 and 43% for day 2, respectively), low mean levels of total DON (down to 2.84 ng/mgcreat) and median equal to 0 ng/mgcreat. Estimation of DON dietary intake reveals that 7.5% of the total population exceeds the TDI of 1 μg/kg bw/day set for DON, with children showing 40% of individuals surpassing this value (male, day 2).
Barbara De Santis; Francesca Debegnach; Brunella Miano; Giorgio Moretti; Elisa Sonego; Antonio Chiaretti; Danilo Buonsenso; Carlo Brera; De Santis. Determination of Deoxynivalenol Biomarkers in Italian Urine Samples. Toxins 2019, 11, 441 .
AMA StyleBarbara De Santis, Francesca Debegnach, Brunella Miano, Giorgio Moretti, Elisa Sonego, Antonio Chiaretti, Danilo Buonsenso, Carlo Brera, De Santis. Determination of Deoxynivalenol Biomarkers in Italian Urine Samples. Toxins. 2019; 11 (8):441.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBarbara De Santis; Francesca Debegnach; Brunella Miano; Giorgio Moretti; Elisa Sonego; Antonio Chiaretti; Danilo Buonsenso; Carlo Brera; De Santis. 2019. "Determination of Deoxynivalenol Biomarkers in Italian Urine Samples." Toxins 11, no. 8: 441.
Mycotoxins exposure by inhalation and/or dermal contact is possible in different branches of industry especially where heavily dusty settings are present and the handling of dusty commodities is performed. This study aims to explore the validity of the biomonitoring as a tool to investigate the intake of mycotoxins in a population of workers operating in an Italian feed plant. Serum samples were collected for the determination of aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), AFB1-Lysine adduct and ochratoxin A (OTA). A method based on liquid–liquid extraction coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry determination was developed and fully validated. For AFB1, a high number of non-detected samples (90%) was found and no statistical difference was observed comparing workers and control group. None of the analyzed samples showed the presence of AFB1-Lysine adduct. For OTA, the 100% of the analyzed samples was positive with a 33% of the samples showing a concentration higher than the limit of quantification (LOQ), but no statistical difference was highlighted between the average levels of exposed and control groups. In conclusion, the presence of AFB1 and OTA in serum cannot be attributable to occupational exposure.
Barbara De Santis; Francesca Debegnach; Elisa Sonego; Gianmarco Mazzilli; Francesca Buiarelli; Fulvio Ferri; Paolo Giorgi Rossi; Giorgia Collini; Carlo Brera. Biomonitoring Data for Assessing Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A Exposure by Italian Feedstuffs Workers. Toxins 2019, 11, 351 .
AMA StyleBarbara De Santis, Francesca Debegnach, Elisa Sonego, Gianmarco Mazzilli, Francesca Buiarelli, Fulvio Ferri, Paolo Giorgi Rossi, Giorgia Collini, Carlo Brera. Biomonitoring Data for Assessing Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A Exposure by Italian Feedstuffs Workers. Toxins. 2019; 11 (6):351.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBarbara De Santis; Francesca Debegnach; Elisa Sonego; Gianmarco Mazzilli; Francesca Buiarelli; Fulvio Ferri; Paolo Giorgi Rossi; Giorgia Collini; Carlo Brera. 2019. "Biomonitoring Data for Assessing Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A Exposure by Italian Feedstuffs Workers." Toxins 11, no. 6: 351.
This work is part of an extensive research project aimed at the determination and characterization of bioaerosol with a multidisciplinary approach. In this context, one of the main objectives of the project has been the development of a comprehensive analytical method for the determination of different chemical biomarkers of the bioaerosol, by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The following biomarkers have been considered, and correlated to specific components of bioaerosol as unambiguous indicators: To verify the method, to find diagnostic ratios and to calculate the appropriate conversion factors, fungal spores, bacterial cells and spores, and algae of known species, commonly airborne, were analysed. The material was subjected to freezing and de-freezing cycles, followed by extraction, hydrolysis and purification of the biomarkers. The chromatographic separation of the bacterial biomarkers was achieved by using a polymeric column, based on Hydrophilic Liquid Interaction with the electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection, whereas sterols and chlorophylls were separated by a reversed phase column, coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization – tandem mass spectrometer. The optimized method was applied to environmental particulate matter sampled in an outdoor site. Bacterial and fungal content was compared to the results obtained from the classical direct viable counting method in the sampled particulate matter.
Francesca Buiarelli; Elisa Sonego; Daniela Uccelletti; Erika Bruni; Patrizia Di Filippo; Donatella Pomata; Carmela Riccardi; Cinzia Perrino; Francesca Marcovecchio; Giulia Simonetti. Determination of the main bioaerosol components using chemical markers by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Microchemical Journal 2019, 149, 103974 .
AMA StyleFrancesca Buiarelli, Elisa Sonego, Daniela Uccelletti, Erika Bruni, Patrizia Di Filippo, Donatella Pomata, Carmela Riccardi, Cinzia Perrino, Francesca Marcovecchio, Giulia Simonetti. Determination of the main bioaerosol components using chemical markers by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Microchemical Journal. 2019; 149 ():103974.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesca Buiarelli; Elisa Sonego; Daniela Uccelletti; Erika Bruni; Patrizia Di Filippo; Donatella Pomata; Carmela Riccardi; Cinzia Perrino; Francesca Marcovecchio; Giulia Simonetti. 2019. "Determination of the main bioaerosol components using chemical markers by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry." Microchemical Journal 149, no. : 103974.
Genus Claviceps is a plant pathogen able to produce a group of toxins, ergot alkaloids (EAs), whose effects have been known since the Middle Ages (ergotism). Claviceps purpurea is the most important representative specie, known to infect more than 400 monocotyledonous plants including economically important cereal grains (e.g., rye, wheat, triticale). EAs are not regulated as such. Maximum limits are in the pipeline of the EU Commission while at present ergot sclerotia content is set by the Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 in unprocessed cereals (0.05% as a maximum). This study aimed to investigate the presence of the six principal EAs (ergometrine, ergosine, ergocornine, α-ergocryptine, ergotamine and ergocristine) and their relative epimers (-inine forms) in rye- and wheat-based products. Of the samples, 85% resulted positive for at least one of the EAs. Wheat bread was the product with the highest number of positivity (56%), followed by wheat flour (26%). Rye and wheat bread samples showed the highest values when the sum of the EAs was considered, and durum wheat bread was the more contaminated sample (1142.6 μg/kg). These results suggest that ongoing monitoring of EAs in food products is critical until maximum limits are set.
Francesca Debegnach; Simona Patriarca; Carlo Brera; Emanuela Gregori; Elisa Sonego; Gabriele Moracci; Barbara De Santis. Ergot Alkaloids in Wheat and Rye Derived Products in Italy. Foods 2019, 8, 150 .
AMA StyleFrancesca Debegnach, Simona Patriarca, Carlo Brera, Emanuela Gregori, Elisa Sonego, Gabriele Moracci, Barbara De Santis. Ergot Alkaloids in Wheat and Rye Derived Products in Italy. Foods. 2019; 8 (5):150.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesca Debegnach; Simona Patriarca; Carlo Brera; Emanuela Gregori; Elisa Sonego; Gabriele Moracci; Barbara De Santis. 2019. "Ergot Alkaloids in Wheat and Rye Derived Products in Italy." Foods 8, no. 5: 150.