Use of mass spectrometry for determining microbial toxins in indoor environments

We know little about the health consequences of human exposure to microorganisms in the environment. This may largely be due to the lack of universally accepted, sensitive, reproducible, non-discriminatory, and health relevant methods for characterizing the exposure. In this review, some of the different mass spectrometry methods that have been developed for measuring endotoxin and peptidoglycan from bacteria and mycotoxins from moulds in samples from-mainly damp-indoor environments are discussed.     

A combination of micro-porous membrane liquid-gas extraction and solid-phase trapping for ultra trace determination of benzene in urine

A method was developed for the determination of benzene in urine. The sample was pumped through the donor channel of a membrane extraction unit with a micro-porous membrane, separating the donor channel from an identical acceptor channel purged with nitrogen. The analyte reached the acceptor channel by diffusion through the membrane and was then swept by the carrier to a solid sorbent tube, where it was trapped. The analyte was subsequently thermally desorbed and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) with mass selective detection (MS). After optimization, the recovery was close to quantitative, or 95%. Purging the membrane unit with pure water in between the samples eliminated any memory effects. The linearity was good in the concentration range examined (20-4000 ng l(-1)), with a correlation coefficient of 0.9996. The repeatability at 50 ng l(-1) and 400 ng l(-1) was 1.4% and 1.2%, respectively. The limit of detection was 12 ng l(-1) and the limit of quantification 35 ng l(-1). This enables assessment of benzene exposures of occupationally exposed subjects, of smokers and the majority of the general population. The developed method can be easily automated.     

Interlaboratory evaluation of endotoxin analyses in agricultural dusts--comparison of LAL assay and mass spectrometry

Endotoxin exposure is associated with wheeze and asthma morbidity, while early life exposure may reduce risk of allergy and asthma. Unfortunately, it is difficult to compare endotoxin results from different laboratories and environments. We undertook this study to determine if lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extraction efficiency could account for differences among laboratories. We generated and collected aerosols from chicken and swine barns, and corn processing. We randomly allocated side-by-side filter samples to five laboratories for Limulus assay of endotoxin. Lyophilized aliquots of filter extracts were analyzed for 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OHFAs) as a marker of LPS using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. There were significant differences in endotoxin assay and GC-MS (LPS) results between laboratories for all dust types (p < 0.01). Patterns of differences between labs varied by dust type. Relationships between assay and GC/MS results also depended on dust type. The percentages of individual 3-OHFA chain lengths varied across labs (p < 0.0001) suggesting that each lab recovered a different fraction of the LPS available. The presence of large amounts of particle associated LPS and absence of a freezing thawing cycle were associated with lower correlations between LPS and bioactivity, consistent with an absence of Limulus response to cell-bound endotoxin. These data suggest that extraction methods affect endotoxin measurements. The LAL methods may be most suitable when comparing exposures within similar environments; GC-MS offers additional information helpful in optimizing sample treatment and extraction. GC-MS may be of use when comparing across heterogeneous environments and should be considered for inclusion in future studies of human health outcomes.     

地方利益相关者对作为水管理交流工具的模型生成数据的接受:伦讷河研究

本研究的目标是增加关于模型生成数据被用作水质管理的交流工具时,地方利益相关者接受该数据的知识.研究地区选在瑞典西南部的伦讷(R(o)nne(a))河流域.结果表明,模型生成数据起到了联合因素的作用.同时,利益相关者与提供的数据有关,主要问题为未考虑到的污染源、测定污染时缺乏信任、自然变化和延迟效应的影响的不确定性.确定了4组影响利益相关者接受模型生成数据的因素对其实际应用的信心,对所涉及的参与人员或对话资料提供者(如专家、决策者、媒体)的信心,参与者的社会特征(如年龄和职业),和数据的交流方式(如交流的语气、小组的构成、持续时间、对话的地理尺度).对给定的模型生成数据实际应用的公平性的感知,也是接受与否的一个重要因素.     

退化的半干旱农业生态系统土壤碳的积累--危险和潜力

<京都议定书>意味着新的可能性:人类将把生物圈作为碳库进行管理.无论从环境还是社会经济的观点来看,把农业生态系统作为碳库是最合适可行的.非洲地区退化的生态系统显著受益于土地管理的改善(碳积累计划的一部分).在非洲有大面积的这样的农业生态系统,对它们的恢复是一个亟待解决的问题.我们同意UNEP的观点:<气候变化公约>、<联合国防治沙漠化公约>以及<联合国生物多样性公约>相互之间将会产生潜在而重要的促进作用.我们调查了苏丹半干旱农业生态系统土壤碳含量增加的潜力,发现延长休耕期将使土壤碳增加,而农业边缘区转变成牧场后碳储量将在100年内恢复到天然萨王纳的80%.碳增汇带来的经济收益将会对这些农业生态系统的家庭经济产生显著的贡献.     

Leachability testing of metallic wastes.

The performance of two tests, a batch test and a percolation test for the characterization of waste as suggested in the EU council decision 2003/33/EC was investigated. The tests were carried out on two solid waste streams from a metal recycling industry. The concentrations of heavy metals such as Cu, Zn and Pb were more than one order of magnitude lower than the proposed limit values. Generally, batch test values were equal or higher than percolation test values. With the proposed test procedures both materials could be considered as non-dangerous wastes. The test performance was also investigated using a leachant with higher ionic strength instead of demineralized water as prescribed. The results clearly show a significant increase in the concentration of some heavy metals. Total concentrations of phenolic compounds and polychlorinated biphenyls were less than 1 p.p.m. and 2 p.p.b., respectively. The precision of the batch and the percolation tests were on average 48 and 35%, respectively.     

A radical public administration? Green radicalism and policy influence among local environmental officials in Sweden

Green radicalism among local environmental officials in Sweden is examined with the aims of theoretically elaborating on different dimensions of Green radicalism in the context of public administration, exploring the dimensionality of Green radicalism among officials, and examining the extent to which Green radicalism is associated with policy influence. Three types of Green radicalism are identified: Green ethics, Green institutional change, and Green activism. Survey data (N = 701) show that the three theoretical dimensions are present among officials, and that there is no negative association between radicalism and influence. It is primarily officials with Green activism beliefs who perceive themselves as able to influence policy. These findings suggest a need for more nuanced understanding of and further studies into the role of public administration in the quest for more radical Green reforms.     

Utilizing international networks for accelerating research and learning in transformational sustainability science

A promising approach for addressing sustainability problems is to recognize the unique conditions of a particular place, such as problem features and solution capabilities, and adopt and adapt solutions developed at other places around the world. Therefore, research and teaching in international networks becomes critical, as it allows for accelerating learning by sharing problem understandings, successful solutions, and important contextual considerations. This article identifies eight distinct types of research and teaching collaborations in international networks that can support such accelerated learning. The four research types are, with increasing intensity of collaboration: (1) solution adoption; (2) solution consultation; (3) joint research on different problems; and (4) joint research on similar problems. The four teaching types are, with increasing intensity of collaboration: (1) adopted course; (2) course with visiting faculty; (3) joint course with traveling faculty; and (4) joint course with traveling students. The typology is illustrated by extending existing research and teaching projects on urban sustainability in the International Network of Programs in Sustainability, with partner universities from Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. The article concludes with challenges and strategies for extending individual projects into collaborations in international networks.     

How effective are River Basin Management Plans in reaching the nutrient load reduction targets?

Riverine nutrient loads are among the major causes of eutrophication of the Baltic Sea. This study applied the Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in three catchments flowing to the Baltic Sea, namely Vantaanjoki (Finland), Fyrisån (Sweden), and Słupia (Poland), to simulate the effectiveness of nutrient control measures included in the EU’s Water Framework Directive River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs). Moreover, we identified similar, coastal, middle-sized catchments to which conclusions from this study could be applicable. The first modelling scenario based on extrapolation of the existing trends affected the modelled nutrient loads by less than 5%. In the second scenario, measures included in RBMPs showed variable effectiveness, ranging from negligible for Słupia to 28% total P load reduction in Vantaanjoki. Adding spatially targeted measures to RBMPs (third scenario) would considerably improve their effectiveness in all three catchments for both total N and P, suggesting a need to adopt targeting more widely in the Baltic Sea countries.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13280-020-01393-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.