Wastewater-Based Epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 in Northern Italy: A Spatiotemporal Model.

The study investigated the application of Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) as a tool for monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in a city in northern Italy from October 2021 to May 2023. Based on a previously used deterministic model, this study proposed a variation to account for the population characteristics and virus biodegradation in the sewer network. The model calculated virus loads and corresponding COVID-19 cases over time in different areas of the city and was validated using healthcare data while considering viral mutations, vaccinations, and testing variability. The correlation between the predicted and reported cases was high across the three waves that occurred during the period considered, demonstrating the ability of the model to predict the relevant fluctuations in the number of cases. The population characteristics did not substantially influence the predicted and reported infection rates. Conversely, biodegradation significantly reduced the virus load reaching the wastewater treatment plant, resulting in a 30% reduction in the total virus load produced in the study area. This approach can be applied to compare the virus load values across cities with different population demographics and sewer network structures, improving the comparability of the WBE data for effective surveillance and intervention strategies.

In vitro evaluation of the carcinogenic potential of perfluorinated chemicals.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are the major components of long-chain per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), known for their chemical stability and environmental persistence. Even if PFOA and PFOS have been phased out or are limited in use, they still represent a concern for human and environmental health. Several studies have been performed to highlight the toxicological behavior of these chemicals and their mode of action (MoA). Data suggested the causal association between PFOA or PFOS exposure and carcinogenicity in humans, but the outcomes of epidemiological studies showed some inconsistency. Moreover, the hypothesized MoA based on animal studies is considered not relevant for human cancer. In order to improve the knowledge on PFAS toxicology and contribute to the weight of evidence for the regulatory classification of PFAS, we used the BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay (CTA), an in vitro model under consideration to be included in an integrated approach to testing and assessment for non-genotoxic carcinogens (NGTxCs). PFOS and PFOA were tested at several concentrations by using a validated experimental protocol. Our results demonstrated that PFOA is not able to induce cell transformation, whereas PFOS exposure led to a concentration-related increase of type-III foci. Malignant foci formation is triggered at PFOS concentrations equal to or higher than 50 ppm. It is not directly associated with cytotoxicity or proliferation induction. The divergent CTA outcomes suggest that different molecular events could be responsible for the toxicological profiles of PFOS and PFOA, which were not completely captured in our study.

This study explored PFOS and PFOA, common PFAS chemicals, to understand their potential harm and cancer risk. PFAS are known for their durability and resistance to heat, water and oil. They are persistent in the environment and may pose health risks despite decreased use. To better understand how PFOS and PFOA might be harmful, we conducted an in vitro test that can resemble the carcinogenesis process in experimental animals. Testing these chemicals on lab cells revealed PFOS can cause cancer-like changes, at levels of 50 parts per million or higher, but not PFOA. This difference suggests PFAS chemicals affect cells differently, but we need more research to understand exactly how they work and how they might cause cancer. Understanding this could help regulate and reduce PFAS harmful effects. Moreover, this research aligns with 3R principles by using cell-based tests as an alternative to animal testing, promoting ethical research practices.

On the Traceability of Honey by Means of Lanthanide Distribution.

Honey is a natural food appreciated all over the world since antiquity due to its well-recognised beneficial properties. However, it is also considered among the most counterfeited foods. Therefore, analytical methods are currently being developed to allow the verifying of its geographic provenance and its botanical origin. Trace- and ultra-trace elements are usually exploited as chemical descriptors in authentication studies, as they allow the properties declared in the label to be verified. A different matter is to trace a food by means of traceability, that is, to find the link between a food and the soil in which this food originates. For traceability, it has been demonstrated in several studies that the lanthanides are particularly useful to find this link. In the present study, the traceability of the honey chain has been studied by means of ICP-MS and ICP-OES analysis, by comparing the lanthanide distributions of 17 different monofloral honey chains, each one composed of honey, flowers and soil in which such flowers grew. The results show that, while the fingerprint of soil, described by the lanthanide distribution, is transmitted unaltered from soil to flowers, a slight fractionation on the heavier lanthanides (from Dy to Lu) occurs in the passage from flowers to honey.

A review of exposure assessment methods for epidemiological studies of health effects related to industrially contaminated sites.

BACKGROUND: this paper is based upon work from COST Action ICSHNet. Health risks related to living close to industrially contaminated sites (ICSs) are a public concern. Toxicology-based risk assessment of single contaminants is the main approach to assess health risks, but epidemiological studies which investigate the relationships between exposure and health directly in the affected population have contributed important evidence. Limitations in exposure assessment have substantially contributed to uncertainty about associations found in epidemiological studies. OBJECTIVES: to examine exposure assessment methods that have been used in epidemiological studies on ICSs and to provide recommendations for improved exposure assessment in epidemiological studies by comparing exposure assessment methods in epidemiological studies and risk assessments. METHODS: after defining the multi-media framework of exposure related to ICSs, we discussed selected multi-media models applied in Europe. We provided an overview of exposure assessment in 54 epidemiological studies from a systematic review of hazardous waste sites; a systematic review of 41 epidemiological studies on incinerators and 52 additional studies on ICSs and health identified for this review. RESULTS: we identified 10 multi-media models used in Europe primarily for risk assessment. Recent models incorporated estimation of internal biomarker levels. Predictions of the models differ particularly for the routes 'indoor air inhalation' and 'vegetable consumption'. Virtually all of the 54 hazardous waste studies used proximity indicators of exposure, based on municipality or zip code of residence (28 studies) or distance to a contaminated site (25 studies). One study used human biomonitoring. In virtually all epidemiological studies, actual land use was ignored. In the 52 additional studies on contaminated sites, proximity indicators were applied in 39 studies, air pollution dispersion modelling in 6 studies, and human biomonitoring in 9 studies. Exposure assessment in epidemiological studies on incinerators included indicators (presence of source in municipality and distance to the incinerator) and air dispersion modelling. Environmental multi-media modelling methods were not applied in any of the three groups of studies. CONCLUSIONS: recommendations for refined exposure assessment in epidemiological studies included the use of more sophisticated exposure metrics instead of simple proximity indicators where feasible, as distance from a source results in misclassification of exposure as it ignores key determinants of environmental fate and transport, source characteristics, land use, and human consumption behaviour. More validation studies using personal exposure or human biomonitoring are needed to assess misclassification of exposure. Exposure assessment should take more advantage of the detailed multi-media exposure assessment procedures developed for risk assessment. The use of indicators can be substantially improved by linking definition of zones of exposure to existing knowledge of extent of dispersion. Studies should incorporate more often land use and individual behaviour.