[Characterization and Exposure Risk Assessment of Non-phthalate Plasticizers in House Dust from Guangzhou].

Although non-phthalate plasticizers are widely used in various consumer products as substitutes for phthalates, currently little is known about their environmental occurrence and the risks of human exposure. To characterize the pollution and human exposure risk in indoor environments, house dust samples collected from 83 households in Guangzhou were analyzed for twelve typical non-phthalate plasticizers. Results showed that dioctyl terephthalate (DEHT), trioctyl trimellitate (TOTM), acetyl lemon tributyl ester (ATBC), heptylnonyl adipate, di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, and trioctyl trimellitate were detected in all samples. The total concentrations of non-phthalate plasticizers ranged from 22.4 to 615 µg ·g-1 with a median of 101 µg ·g-1. DEHT had the highest concentrations (9-487 µg ·g-1), followed by TOTM (0.3-87 µg ·g-1) and ATBC (1.7-50 µg ·g-1). Daily intakes via dust ingestion for adults and children were estimated based on the dust concentrations. The total daily intake of children was 367 ng ·(kg ·d)-1, which was 8-9 times higher than that of adults[43 ng ·(kg ·d)-1]. Further risk assessment through the hazard quotient approach showed that the exposure of adults and children to non-phthalic plasticizers via dust ingestion was within an acceptable risk range.

[Analysis of 89 amniotic samples using fluorescent in situ hybridization].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for detecting common chromosome aneuploidies in interphase nuclei of amniotic fluid cells. METHODS: Eighty two uncultured amniotic fluid samples and supernatants from 2 successfully and 5 unsuccessfully cultured amniotic fluid samples were analyzed with FISH. Results from standard cytogenetic analysis of 79 uncultured amniotic fluid samples and 2 successfully cultured amniotic fluid samples were compared with FISH results. RESULTS: All of the 89 samples were succeeded analyzed with FISH. Positive findings included 3 cases with trisomy 21, 1 case with 47, XYY and 1 case with 69, XXX, which were consistent with results of karyotype analysis. CONCLUSION: FISH is a rapid and accurate method for prenatal diagnosis, and can also provide a remedy to failed amniotic fluid cells culture.