Non-invasive biomonitoring of infant exposure to environmental organic pollutants in north-western Spain based on hair analysis. Identification of potential sources.

Recent years have seen growing interest in hair sample analysis to detect organic pollutants (OPs). This biological matrix can be analysed non-invasively for biomonitoring of OPs over a wide exposure window. Obtaining hair sample amounts that meet the needs of the analytical methodology required for the determination of the POs of interest can be challenging, especially in infants. As a result, studies assessing organic pollutants in infant hair have been very scarce. We quantified levels of about 60 OPs, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs), in 110 hair samples from a patient cohort (60 mothers and 50 infants) from Santiago de Compostela (north-western Spain). For each participant we examined relationship between OP levels and corresponding epidemiological parameters using correlations, principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis, and Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). For many OPs we observed significant correlations with place of residence, parity, and maternal age, as well as pet ownership. Evaluation of dietary habits showed significant associations between levels some OPs and the consumption of fish, molluscs, and cereal. There were significant associations between chlorpyrifos and deltamethrin levels and infant birth characteristics such as birthweight and head circumference. Relations between OP levels in the hair of mothers and their infants were also examined, revealing common sources of exposure for dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DLPCBs), non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDLPCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Levels of fluoranthene (F), pyrene (P), endrin, and some PBDEs in maternal hair were significantly correlated with those in infant hair. Our findings identified common sources of exposure to OPs of distinct chemical classes.

Placental levels of essential and non-essential trace element in relation to neonatal weight in Northwestern Spain: application of generalized additive models.

Adequate gestational progression depends to a great extent on placental development, which can modify maternal and neonatal outcomes. Any environmental toxicant, including metals, with the capacity to affect the placenta can alter the development of the pregnancy and its outcome. The objective of this study was to correlate the placenta levels of 14 essential and non-essential elements with neonatal weight. We examined relationships between placental concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, copper, mercury, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, rubidium, selenium, strontium, and zinc from 79 low obstetric risk pregnant women in Ourense (Northwestern Spain, 42°20'12.1″N 7°51.844'O) with neonatal weight. We tested associations between placental metal concentrations and neonatal weight by conducting multivariable linear regressions using generalized linear models (GLM) and generalized additive models (GAM). While placental Co (p = 0.03) and Sr (p = 0.048) concentrations were associated with higher neonatal weight, concentrations of Li (p = 0.027), Mo (p = 0.049), and Se (p = 0.02) in the placenta were associated with lower newborn weight. Our findings suggest that the concentration of some metals in the placenta may affect fetal growth.

Biomonitoring of organic pollutants in pet dog plasma samples in North-Western Spain.

Most of organic pollutants (OPs) have the ability to interfere with biological systems causing negative effects in living beings, including humans. In the last decades, pets have been used as bioindicators of human exposure because they share the same habitat with their homeowners. We sought to determine levels of approximately 70 OPs, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pyrethroids (PYRs) in plasma samples from 39 pet dogs from Ourense (north-western Spain). The results revealed that PAHs were the dominant OPs (mean value 175 ± 319 ng/g lipid weight (lw)), followed by PYRs (132 ± 352 ng/g lw), PCBs (122 ± 96 ng/g lw), OCPs (33 ± 17 ng/g lw), PBDEs (19 ± 18 ng/g lw) and OPPs (2.1 ± 2.7 ng/g lw) in plasma samples. We have previously detected the target OPs in hair samples of pets, collected simultaneously and similar trend of some OPs has been observed. Moreover, pyrene and chrysene showed correlations between levels detected in both matrices.

Postnatal exposure to organic pollutants in maternal milk in north-western Spain.

Evaluation of postnatal exposure to organic pollutants is especially important for suckling infants during breastfeeding, a crucial perinatal growth period when organs and hormonal systems develop. We determined levels of 60 pollutants, including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), pyrethroids (PYRs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), in 81 breast milk samples from breastfeeding mothers from Santiago de Compostela (north-western Spain). For most detected organic pollutants, levels were correlated with the season of milk sampling, maternal age at delivery, and place of residence. Dietary consumption habits (eggs, molluscs, and vegetable oils) were also correlated with OCP, OPP, PCB, PBDE and PYR levels. We also assessed the risk to infant health of exposure to organic pollutants in breast milk. PAHs, OCPs, OPPs, and PYRs accounted for almost 95% of the targeted organic pollutants in the samples analysed.

Unravelling the immunomodulatory role of apple phenolic rich extracts on human THP-1- derived macrophages using multiplatform metabolomics.

Apples represent a significant source of dietary phenolic compounds with evidenced anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Nevertheless, the effect of the whole apple matrix on human macrophages is unknown. In this context, our study attempts to evaluate the effect of apple-derived phenolic compounds-rich extracts (pulp, peel and leaf) on IL-1ß production in THP-1-differentiated macrophages and derived metabolic alterations through untargeted metabolomics. Our results have showed that apple pulp treatment inhibited the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß induced by LPS in THP-1 macrophages by ELISA analysis. Metabolomics demonstrate that different proportions of phenolic compounds led to differential alterations in the metabolism of THP-1 macrophages. Indeed, apple extracts promoted alterations in lipid, carbohydrate, amino acid and vitamins as well as cofactors metabolism. Specifically, leaf extracts were characterized by alteration of galactose metabolism while the extracts derived from the fruit showed predominant alterations in lipids metabolism. All extracts mimicked the response observed under normal conditions in LPS-stimulated macrophages, inhibiting LPS response. Thus, the phenolic enriched extracts from apples will be a good source of natural compounds with a beneficial effect against inflammation, and they may be applied as a food supplement and/or functional ingredient for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Applicability of an In-Vitro Digestion Model to Assess the Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds from Olive-Related Products.

The Mediterranean diet includes virgin olive oil (VOO) as the main fat and olives as snacks. In addition to providing nutritional and organoleptic properties, VOO and the fruits (olives) contain an extensive number of bioactive compounds, mainly phenolic compounds, which are considered to be powerful antioxidants. Furthermore, olive byproducts, such as olive leaves, olive pomace, and olive mill wastewater, considered also as rich sources of phenolic compounds, are now valorized due to being mainly applied in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The digestive system must physically and chemically break down these ingested olive-related products to release their phenolic compounds, which will be further metabolized to be used by the human organism. The first purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the current status of in-vitro static digestion models for olive-related products. In this sense, the in-vitro gastrointestinal digestion methods are widely used with the following aims: (i) to study how phenolic compounds are released from their matrices and to identify structural changes of phenolic compounds after the digestion of olive fruits and oils and (ii) to support the functional value of olive leaves and byproducts generated in the olive industry by assessing their health properties before and after the gastrointestinal process. The second purpose of this review is to survey and discuss all the results available to date.

Optimization of a new selective pressurized liquid extraction methodology for determining organic pollutants in wild boar livers.

In this study, a new selective pressurised liquid extraction (SPLE) methodology was optimised for determining about 70 organic pollutants (OPs) including organochlorine (OCPs), organophosphate (OPPs) and pyrethroid (PYRs) pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs), as well as, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in wild boar liver samples considering the temperature, pressure and time of contact between the solvent and the matrix as influential variables. Clean-up of extracts was performed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using EZ-POP cartridges. Detection of OPs was carried out by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (QqQ-MS/MS). This new approach offers:•A new non-time consuming SPLE methodology for determining about 70 OPs in wild boar.•Recoveries achieved ranged between 74 to 119 % with RSD less than 20 %.•Detection and quantification limits in the low to mid pg/g range.

Determination of organic pollutants in meconium and its relationship with fetal growth. Case control study in Northwestern Spain.

OBJECTIVES: Antenatal exposure to organic pollutants is a leading public health problem. Meconium is a unique matrix to perform prenatal studies because it enables us to retrospectively evaluate fetal exposure accumulated during the second and third trimester. The aim of the present study was to evaluate associations between organic pollutant levels in meconium and birth weight in NW Spain. METHODS: In this study, we quantify the concentrations of 50 organic pollutants together with the total values of the most important chemical groups in meconium using gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers were detected with the highest levels in meconium from small for gestational age newborns. It was estimated that several congeners were statistically significant (p<0.05). However, organophosphorus pesticides attained higher concentrations in newborns with an appropriate weight. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of transplacental transfer can be confirmed. Prenatal exposure to organic pollutants was associated with a decrease in birth weight and, therefore, organic pollutants could have an impact on fetal growth. Nevertheless, these results need validation in larger sample sized studies.

Metabolomics Insights of the Immunomodulatory Activities of Phlorizin and Phloretin on Human THP-1 Macrophages.

Dihydrochalcones, phlorizin (PZ) and its aglycone phloretin (PT), have evidenced immunomodulatory effects through several mechanisms. However, the differential metabolic signatures that lead to these properties are largely unknown. Since macrophages play an important role in the immune response, our study aimed to characterise human THP-1 macrophages under PZ and PT exposure. A multiplatform-based untargeted metabolomics approach was used to reveal metabolites associated with the anti-inflammatory mechanisms triggered by the dihydrochalcones in LPS-stimulated macrophages, for the first time. Results showed differential phenotypic response in macrophages for all treatments. Dihydrochalcone treatment in LPS-stimulated macrophages mimics the response under normal conditions, suggesting inhibition of LPS response. Antagonistic effects of dihydrochalcones against LPS was mainly observed in glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism besides promoting amino acid biosynthesis. Moreover, PT showed greater metabolic activity than PZ. Overall, the findings of this study yielded knowledge about the mechanisms of action PZ and PT at metabolic level in modulating inflammatory response in human cells.

Association between placenta concentrations polybrominated and polychlorinated biphenyls and gestational diabetes mellitus: a case-control study in northwestern Spain.

Exposure to persistent organic pollutants begins in uterine life. The study was conducted to evaluate associations between gestational diabetes mellitus and the presence of persistent organic pollutants in placenta samples. They were derived from a birth cohort study in Ourense (NW Spain). Selective pressurized liquid extraction methodologies were used to determine targeted persistent organic pollutants in placenta samples. Cleanup of extracts was performed by solid-phase extraction using EZ-POP cartridges and detection by gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Statistical calculations were performed by comparing the values obtained in the case and control groups. Statistical significance was considered as p < 0.050. Results: The concentrations of several congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) presented lower levels in the placentas of expectant mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus when comparing them to the control cohort. This difference was statistically significant. It was revealed that this association was independent of obesity, age, parity, amenorrhoea at birth, or a family history of diabetes mellitus. To the best of our knowledge, this paper reported an inverse relationship between PBDE and PCB levels in placenta and gestational diabetes mellitus for the first time. We believe this may open a door to future studies in this field.

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) as bioindicator for environmental exposure to organic pollutants.

Organic pollutants (OPs) are widely distributed around the globe, their presence has become an issue of great concern in the last years due to their potential health effects. Wildlife biomonitoring of OPs has been nowadays a common approach to assess chemical exposure in wildlife and humans. In a sample of 60 wild boars (Sus scrofa) from NW Spain, we evaluated the suitability of using liver and hair samples for the assessment of exposure and bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) including dioxin and non-dioxin like PCBs (DLPCBs and NDLPCBs), organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides (OCPs and OPPs, respectively), polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs), pyrethroids (PYRs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Selective pressurized liquid extraction (SPLE) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) methodologies were used to determine the target OPs in liver and hair samples. Clean-up of extracts was performed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using EZ-POP cartridges and detection by gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (GC-QqQ-MS/MS). We found a distribution pattern of ΣPAHs > ΣOCPs > ΣPYRs > ΣNDLPCBs > ΣOPPs > ΣDLPCBs > ΣPBDEs in liver and of ΣPAHs > ΣOCPs > ΣNDLPCBs > ΣPYRs > ΣOPPs > ΣDLPCBs > ΣPBDEs in hair. Significant correlations (p < 0.050) between the socio-demographic characteristics (gender, age and place) and OP concentrations of OCPs, PBDEs, PYRs, OPPs and PAHs were detected. Moderate correlation was found between HCB, PCB28, PCB157 and chlorpyrifos contents in both hair and liver samples. On the basis of these results, our data shows the correlation and complementary information given by both biological samples.

Non-invasive biomonitoring of organic pollutants using feather samples in feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica).

A large portion of organic pollutants (OPs) represent a potential hazard to humans and living beings due to their toxic properties. For several years, birds have been used as biomonitor species of environmental pollution. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pyrethroids (PYRs) were assessed in body feather samples of 71 feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica) collected from Asturias and Galicia (NW Spain). The percentage of detection for all chemical groups were above 90% in studied birds. The general pattern was dominated by PAHs (mean value ± standard deviation (SD) 32 ± 15 ng/g) followed by OCPs (3.8 ± 1.1 ng/g), PYRs (3.4 ± 3.8 ng/g), PCBs (1.6 ± 1.0 ng/g), OPPs (1.3 ± 0.70 ng/g) and PBDEs (0.80 ± 0.30 ng/g). Significant differences were observed between age, location and gender suggesting different sources of exposure and accumulation pathways.

Rapid liquid chromatographic method for the control of doxycycline and tiamulin residues and their metabolites in vivo assays with pigs: Treatment and depletion.

Results gained from in vivo metabolism could be more authentic to reflect the biotransformation of drugs than in vitro metabolism. This paper discusses the development and characterization of an analytical method for controlling tiamulin (TIA) and doxycycline (DOX) residues in pig plasma and urine, as well as their in vivo biotransformation during treatment and suppression steps at pig farms. For such a purpose, urine samples were taken daily (24-hr intervals) during treatment and until day 8 after last dose. Plasma samples were collected on the last treatment day and up to days 4 and 7 after the last dose. Only traces of TIA and their metabolites have been still detected 8 days after the last day of therapy, in agreement with the period of suppression of both antibiotics set by the manufacturers in 7 days. It was estimated that TIA and DOX half-lives were of two days and one day, respectively. TIA and DOX metabolites have been identified for the first time in plasma and urine pig samples during treatment and suppression steps.

Prenatal exposure to organic pollutants in northwestern Spain using non-invasive matrices (placenta and meconium).

Human exposure to environmental organic pollutants (OPs) begins in the uterine life period by trans-placental transfer. Epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated the vulnerability of human fetuses and infants to the effects of OPs because of their rapid growth and organ development, cell differentiation, and immaturity of metabolism. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prenatal exposure to OPs characterized by different physicochemical properties using non-invasive biological samples (meconium and placenta). A total of 88 placenta and 53 meconium samples were collected in Ourense, a city located in northwestern Spain, at the delivery and after birth from mothers and their infants from the University Hospital of Ourense, respectively. Selective pressurized liquid extraction (SPLE) methodologies were used to determine the targeted OPs in the selected biological samples. Cleanup of extracts was performed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using EZ-POP cartridges and detection by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (QqQ-MS/MS). The targeted OPs were detected with the following mean level total concentration order polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) > organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) > non-dioxin like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDLPCBs) > pyrethroids (PYRs) > polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) > dioxin like polychlorinated biphenyls (DLPCBs) > organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) for placenta and ΣNDLPCBs > ΣPAHs > ΣOCPs > ΣPYRs > ΣOPPs > ΣDLPCBs > ΣPBDEs for meconium, respectively. Significant correlations (p < .050) between the socio-demographic characteristics of the selected population (mother's parity, age, weight increase during pregnancy, place of living and smoking habits) and log transformed concentration of some of the targeted OPs (OCPs, PBDEs, PYRs, OPPs and PAHs) were detected. The results obtained shown the complementary information given by both biological samples selected. Nevertheless, additional research will be needed to gain an understanding of the trans-placental transfer of OPs, to choose the best biological matrix to evaluate the prenatal exposure to OPs in a correct way and to know their health implications.

A Metabolomics Approach Reveals Immunomodulatory Effects of Proteinaceous Molecules Derived From Gut Bacteria Over Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.

There are strong evidences that probiotics influence the immune status of the host, in a strain-specific manner, acting in the gastrointestinal tract. On the hypothesis that certain extracellular proteins and peptides from gut bacteria may mediate part of this immunomodulation and assuming they are able to diffuse through the mucus layer and interact with immune cells we have developed this work. Our study attempts to understand the immunomodulatory mechanisms of (i) Pext, the extracellular protein fraction of Lactobacillus acidophilus DSM20079T, (ii) HM14, a peptide encrypted in an extracellular glycoside hydrolase from Bifidobacterium longum NCIMB 8809 and (iii) Escherichia coli O111:B4 lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a well-known pro-inflammatory molecule, over human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). An untargeted LC-ESI-QTOF-MS metabolomics approach was applied to reveal intracellular changes in treated-PBMCs isolated from healthy donors. Differences in NADH arrest, NAD+ concentration reduction, as well as increases in palmitic acid and methanephrin were observed in HM14 and Pext treated-cells compared to those stimulated with LPS. This would support an anti-inflammatory molecular mechanism of action of such proteinaceous molecules. Moreover, this methodology has confirms the importance of metabolomics approaches to better understanding immune cell responses to gut bacterial-derived molecules.

Screening of organic pollutants in pet hair samples and the significance of environmental factors.

Organic pollutants (OPs) represent a wide range of chemicals that are potentially harmful for human and wildlife health. Many of these pollutants have been identified as endocrine disruptors that can alter hormonal balance producing adverse biological effects such as neurotoxicity, reproductive disorders, carcinogenicity and hepatotoxicity. For years, hair has been selected as a non-invasive source to assess levels of animal contamination. In the present study, a multiclass screening method for determining about 60 organic pollutants in pet hair was designed and validated for qualitative and quantitative purposes. Concentrations from different classes of organochlorine, and organophosphate pesticides (OCPs, and OPPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs and DL-PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organophosphate esters (OPEs) were identified in the selected pet hair samples from Ourense (NW, Spain). We detected most of these pollutants in the selected hair pets. The mean concentrations found ranged from 89 to 6556ng/g for OPEs, from 8.6 to 1031ng/g for PAHs, from 8.6 to 256ng/g for PBDEs, from 29 to 184ng/g for OPPs, from 0.29 to 139 for OCPs, from 0.30 to 59ng/g for NDL-PCBs and from 1.2 to 14ng/g for DL-PCBs. To our knowledge, this is the first study to document the presence of OPs in pets from North-West Spain and it could provide baseline information for future monitoring of OPs in the area.

Optimization of selective pressurized liquid extraction of organic pollutants in placenta to evaluate prenatal exposure.

The early exposure to organic pollutants (OPs) related to dietary habit or environmental exposure is a concern of growing interest in environmental health. When OPs enter the body, they can accumulate in fatty tissue and even travel through the bloodstream being able to cross the placenta and reach the fetus through the substance exchange between the mother and the child. Epidemiologic and clinical data affirm that these chemicals increase the risk of adverse effects during childhood. This article reviews and addresses one of the most relevant analytical methods for determining OPs in placenta. We discuss and critically evaluate procedures, such as solid-liquid and selective pressurized liquid extraction (SPLE). Clean-up of extracts was performed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using EZ-POP cartridges. Detection of OPs was carried out by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Recoveries ranged from 52% to 94% by SPLE with estimated quantification limits between 0.15 and 2.2ng/g for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), between 0.083 and 0.50 for organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), between 0.025 and 0.15ng/g for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), between 0.015 and 0.10ng/g for polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs), between 0.33 and 0.66ng/g for pyrethroids and between 0.022 and 0.87ng/g for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Most of the target OPs were detected in twenty real placenta samples studied, with pyrethroids, PAHs and OPPs representing most of the 90% of OPs with means of 13-18ng/g versus PCBs, OCPs, and PBDEs with means <4.0ng/g. The rsults of this work indicate a prenatal exposure to OPs in Galicia.

Determination of kinetic bioconcentration in mussels after short term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

The kinetic bioconcentration of N-heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) after short waterborne exposure was studied. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), its analogue azaarene 10-azabenzo[a]pyrene (AzaBaP), and their mixture (Mix), were selected to monitor the changes in water concentrations over three days. Decay of both PAHs concentrations in water after 24 h of waterborne exposure to mussels at levels of 10 and 100 µg/L follows a first order kinetic with half-lives of 4-5 h, with residual levels of PAHs below 7%. While steady-state scenarios are well studied, there is a lack of information of what happens under non-steady-state conditions, the main purpose of our paper. A synergistic bioconcentration of the mixture was found (around 800 in the mix vs. around 400 for individual PAHs at 100 µg/L of waterborne exposure). It could be explained by the following reasons. The most polar AzaBaP does not compete with the most non-polar BaP for the same tissue compartments. Whereas BaP aggregate in hydrophobic areas, AzaBaP can also do in hydrophilic areas. Moreover, a chance for complex formation between them by charge-transfer stabilization mechanisms could make possible a higher bioaccumulation as a mixture. Instead, toxicological results suggest an additive behaviour in the mixture performance, dominated by BaP, which is the key PAH controlling phase I metabolization in mussels, since is approx. three times more toxic. These experiments provide useful indications for a rapid assessment of PAHs kinetic bioconcentration in mussels.

Perspective on pre- and post-natal agro-food exposure to persistent organic pollutants and their effects on quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Adipose tissue constitutes a continual source of internal exposure to organic pollutants (OPs). When fats mobilize during pregnancy and breastfeeding, OPs could affect foetal and neonatal development, respectively. SCOPE AND APPROACH: The main aim of this review is to deal with pre- and post-natal external exposure to organic pollutants and their effects on health, proposing prevention measures to reduce their risk. The goal is the development of a biomonitoring framework program to estimate their impact on human health, and prevent exposure by recommending some changes in personal lifestyle habits. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: It has been shown that new studies should be developed taking into account their cumulative effect and the factors affecting their body burden. In conclusion, several programs should continuously be developed by different health agencies to have a better understanding of the effect of these substances and to develop a unified public policy.

Organic pollutants profiling of wood ashes from biomass power plants linked to the ash characteristics.

PURPOSE: Wood ash, characterized by high content of certain nutrients and charcoal, can be applied to soils as a means of managing this waste product improving the soil quality. The associated environmental risk must be assessed. The objective of this study was to characterize the bottom and fly ash collected from 15 biomass power plants in Spain by determining the benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and styrene (BTEX+S), PAHs and aliphatic hydrocarbon contents of both types of ash. Biochar was also used for comparison purposes. METHODS: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric methods were used for the identification and determination of both BTEX+S and aliphatic hydrocarbon contents in bottom and fly ashes, as well as biochar. High performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was used for PAHs measurements. Multivariate correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between sample characteristics and pollutants identified by partial least squares regression analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In general, the degree to which organic matter in the sample is burned increases with T50 or the "50% burn off" temperature (possibly due to the addition of fuel), and the BTEX+S also tended to increase. However, as the Q/MO (the heat of combustion divided by organic matter mass) increased, the combustion decreased or proceeded with less oxygen, which appears to be related to an increased presence of PAHs. The results confirm that the amounts of organic pollutants (PAHs and BTEX+S, together with total aliphatic hydrocarbons) in the wood ash do not exceed limits established for different soil or industrial uses. CONCLUSIONS: Both types of ash, together with biochar, may therefore be suitable for application to soil as a fertilizer and an organic amendment, taking into account the target organic pollutants.