Validation of an extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry quantification method for cocaine, methadone, and morphine in postmortem adipose tissue.

Adipose tissue is a complex biological matrix that necessitates several pre-analytical preparation steps to separate drugs and metabolites from the lipophilic matrix. A novel, sensitive, and specific gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method for the determination of cocaine (metabolites), methadone, and morphine in postmortem adipose tissue was developed, optimized, and validated. The method involves the aqueous acid extraction of analytes, alkalinization of the extract, solid-phase extraction with chloroform, and derivatization with BSTFA before GC-MS analysis. Deuterated compounds were used as internal standards for determination and quantification of analytes. Limits of detection were 0.005 microg/g for cocaine and cocaethylene, 0.02 microg/g for benzoylecgonine, 0.01 microg/g for ecgoninemethylester, 0.005 microg/g for methadone, and 0.01 microg/g for morphine. Linearity ranged from 0.1 to 1.000 microg/g for all analytes. Intra- and interday accuracy ranged from 70.6 to 105%, and intra- and interday precisions were less than 8.2% and 8.6%, respectively, for all analytes. The method showed a good recovery.

[Results of the evaluation of environmental technological risk of an Italian region (Puglia)]. / Risultati della valutazione del rischio tecnologico ambientale di una regione italiana (Puglia).

In order to plan a correct planning and a realization of interventions to support Regional Environmental Authority, results of "Technological Risk" methodology applied in a Italian region (Puglia) are reported. In this paper two main risk factors has been evaluated (high risk activities, areas with environmental crisis high risk) and determined indicators able to describe, in case of accident or anomalous event, potential interactions in the normal industrial process. Than has been described operative phases to consent risk factors evaluation and their evolution, considering also pressures on the environment identified by other issues. Some themes were in detail studied through territorial analysis and set of rules. This work enables to carry out a specific database for factories subject to "substantial risk" and finally was completed data processing with thematic maps and statistic analysis.