[Exposure to phtalates and their presence in alcoholic beverages]. / Izlozenost ftalatima i njihova pojavnost u alkoholnim picima.

Phthalates are phthalic acid and aliphatic alcohol esters used as additives to plastic in order to improve its softness, flexibility, and elongation. Phthalates are highly mobile and migrate easily from plastic products into the environment due to their physical and chemical properties. This study briefly describes the characteristics and distribution of phthalates in the environment, their toxic effects on human health, the legislation regarding the maximum allowed concentration of phthalates in drinking water and products intended for infants, as well as the tolerable daily intake. Special attention is given to the methods of determining phthalates and their levels in alcoholic beverages, with an overview of phthalate occurrences and concentrations in plum brandy made in Croatia. A segment on denatured alcohol and illegally marketed alcohol is also included, as well as guidelines for the effective monitoring of the routes of human exposure to phthalates.

Analysis of nucleosides and monophosphate nucleotides from mushrooms with reversed-phase HPLC.

The retention characteristics of five stationary phases were tested by using a selection of 5'-mononucleotides and nucleosides with the aim to develop a simple, rapid and sensitive reversed-phase liquid chromatography method without ion-pair reagent usage. The method was optimized by changes in temperature, pH and ionic strength on a column showing a superior performance. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of 0.05 M phosphate buffer and methanol, delivered at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min and based on a gradient program. UV detection was used at a 254 nm wavelength. The method was validated for a quantitative analysis of 5'-mononucleotides and nucleosides in wild edible mushrooms. For all nucleosides and nucleotides, the LOD and LOQ were less than 0.02 and 0.07 microg/mL, respectively. Validation parameters yielded recovery rates between 68.6 and 98.2%, with a precision expressed as a relative standard deviation of 7.6-15.3%. The content of 5'-mononucleotides and nucleosides was determined for 10 samples of wild edible mushrooms found in Croatia and, accordingly, the equivalent umami concentrations were calculated.

Organochlorine pesticides in freshwater fish from the Zagreb area.

The aim of this study was to determine the level of organochlorine pesticides in freshwater fish from the Zagreb area, Croatia. The study included 215 freshwater fish samples from three sites: the Sava River, Lake Jarun, and five fishponds from the Zagreb surroundings. Organochlorine pesticides DDT and derivates, HCH, HCB, lindane, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor with epoxide, and methoxychlor were determined using the GC-ECD method. The determined amounts of organochlorine pesticides were within allowed concentration limits in all analysed fish samples. Median values ranged from below the detection limit of 0.01 microg kg(-1) for dieldrin and metoxychlor to 2.00 microg kg(-1) for DDT in the Cyprinidae fish family from the Sava River, Zagreb sampling site (group 1). This study has confirmed pesticide persistence in the overall ecosystem in our country despite the ban of some thirty years ago, like in many other parts of the world.

Polychlorinated biphenyls in freshwater fish from the Zagreb area.

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of six polychlorinated biphenyls (referred to as PCB-28, PCB-52, PCB-101, PCB-138, PCB-153 and PCB-180, according to the IUPAC) in freshwater fish from the Zagreb area. A total of 216 samples was collected from five sites: from the Sava River upstream of Zagreb, in Zagreb, and downstream of Zagreb, from Lake Jarun, and from five fishponds from the Zagreb surroundings. Samples from all five sites contained polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The maximal levels found in individual samples ranged between 20 microg kg(-1) and 50 microg kg(-1) depending on the congener. However, the total level of all examined congeners was far below the maximal allowed level of 2.0 mg kg(-1) ww, set by Croatian authorities for total PCBs.

The determination of sulfonamides in honey by high performance liquid chromatography--mass spectrometry method (LC/MS).

The sulfonamides (SAs) are stable chemotherapeutics used against the bacterial disease affecting bees, known as American foulbrood (Bacillus larvae), so their residues could appear in the honey of treated bees. Their presence at a concentration above the limit value could be a potential danger to human health. Therefore, a simple, rapid, and reliable method for determination of 11 available SAs in honey was optimized. The samples were homogenized and cleaned with extraction on solid phase by means of Chromabond C18 end-capped cartridge followed by LC/MS analyses. A detection limit of 25 microg/kg was achieved for all analytes. The repeatability of the method was proven and the optimal parameters for temperature and pH of the mobile phase and acetic buffer, respectively, were determined. In this study, 20 samples of domestic honey were included. Six of the analyzed samples were positive, but all results were below the Croatian permissible limit value (100 microg/kg).

Wood dust exposure in wood industry and forestry.

The aim of the study was to determine occupational exposure in Croatian wood processing industry and forest workers to harmful effects of wood dust on the risk of nose, nasal cavity and lung carcinoma. Mass concentrations of respirable particles and total wood dust were measured at two wood processing plants, three woodwork shops, and one lumbering site, where 225 total wood dust samples and 221 respirable particle samples were collected. Wood dust mass concentration was determined by the gravimetric method. Mass concentrations exceeding total wood dust maximal allowed concentration (MAC, 3 mg/m3) were measured for beechwood and oakwood dust in 38% (79/206) of study samples from wood processing facilities (plants and woodwork shops). Mass concentrations of respirable particles exceeding MAC (1 mg/m3) were recorded in 24% (48/202) of samples from wood processing facilities (mean 2.38 +/- 2.08 mg/m3 in plants and 3.6 +/- 2.22 mg/m3 in woodwork shops). Thus, 13% (27/206) of work sites in wood processing facilities failed to meet health criteria according to European guidelines. Launching of measures to reduce wood dust emission to the work area is recommended.

Presence of N-nitrosamines in canned liver patty.

The presence of N-nitrosamines was determined in samples of industrially manufactured liver patty stored at different temperatures for a variable period of time. Sample preparation included steam distillation and extraction of redistilled samples with dichlormethane. The extracts were analyzed by a gas chromatography--mass spectrometry system (GC-MS-SIM). Study results expressed as total N-nitrosamines, including methylethyl-, diethyl- and dibutyl-N-nitrosamines, ranged from 0.0008 to 2.997 mg/kg, which significantly exceeded the recommended value of 0.002 mg/kg. The increase in the formation of N-nitrosamines was directly dependent on the length and temperature of product storage.

Phthalates in underground waters of the Zagreb area.

AIM: To determine whether and in what concentrations the underground waters, stream waters, spring water, and tap water from the Zagreb area contain phthalates -- compounds used as plastic softeners, which have recently been ascribed carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic effects. METHOD: The presence of dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzylbutyl phthalate (BBP), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), and dioctyl phthalate (DOP) was determined in a total of 96 samples of underground waters, stream waters, and tap water from the Zagreb area between February and June 1998. Identification and quantification of phthalates were performed by the method of gas chromatography (GC-ECD), with a detection limit of 0.005 microg/L. RESULTS: The presence of one or more phthalates was demonstrated in 93 out of 96 (97%) water samples. The measured values ranged from 0.005 to 18.157 microg/L. Phthalates were detected in 76 out of 77 (98%) underground water samples. The mean level of all phthalates present in the water samples was 4.879 microg/L. Median test yielded a significantly increased level of phthalates in the underground waters from Jakusevac (sampled in February 1998) and Trebe , which are Zagreb and Samobor city waste dumps, as compared with other sites in the study (overall median=3.785; chi-square=22.682; p<0.001). Phthalates were found at a mean concentration of 3.363 microg/L in all 10 water samples from the Sava river, the major source of the Zagreb alluvium underground waters. In case of drinking water, phthalates were detected in 7 out of 9 (78%) samples, at a mean concentration of 0.887 microg/L. As expected, DEHP was the most commonly detected phthalate, found in 78 (81%) water samples. CONCLUSION: The highest phthalate concentrations were recorded in underground waters directly related to the proximity of a waste dump. The levels of phthalates recorded in this study were lower than those reported from other countries and did not present a threat to human health. Environmental phthalate monitoring should be continued and their maximum allowed concentrations should be prescribed by regulations.