Abstract:This article focusses on the bio-monitoring of total Hg (THg), sulfur (TS) and carbon (TC) concentrations and pool sizes in forest vegetation and soil layers within the context of a maritime-to-inland transect study in southwestern New Brunswick. This transect stretches from the Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy to the mainland coast (Little Lepreau to New River Beach) and 100 km northward to Fredericton. Along the Bay, frequent summer fogs are thought to have led to increased THg concentrations in forest vegetation and soils such that island THg > coast THg > inland THg concentrations. Transect sampling was done in two phases: (i) a general vegetation and soil survey, and (ii) focusing on specific soil layers (forest floor, top portion of the mineral soils), and select moss and mushrooms species. By way of multiple regression, it was found that soil, moss and mushroom THg and TS were strongly related to one another, with THg decreasing from the island to the inland locations. The accumulated Hg pool within the mineral soil, however, far exceeded (i) the estimated THg pools of the forest biomass (trees, moss and mushrooms) and the forest floor, and (ii) the literature-reported and case-study inferred net input/output rates for annual atmospheric Hg deposition and sequestration, Hg volatilization, and Hg leaching. Partitioning the total soil Hg pool into geogenically and atmospherically derived portions suggested that mineral soils in temperate to boreal forest regions have accumulated and retained atmospherically derived Hg over thousand years and more. These results are summarized in terms of further guiding forest THg monitoring and modelling efforts in terms of specific vegetation and soil sampling targets.

Abstract:In order to assess DNA damage associated with exposure to environmental pollution in two polluted sites and one control site in Kosovo, whole blood samples were collected from volunteers in two polluted areas (Kastriot/ Obiliq - lignite-based power plants and lignite mines - and Drenas/Gllogovc - Ferronikeli smelting plant) as well as from Peja, representing an unpolluted area. White blood cells were isolated, and DNA damage was analyzed by the alkaline comet assay. Significantly higher levels of DNA damage (strand breaks) were found in white blood cells from subjects living in the polluted areas compared with residents of the unpolluted city, indicating a potential threat to human health.

Abstract The aim of this work was to develop a comprehensive prioritization method to select the biomarkers to be monitored in the French national biomonitoring program. The first step consisted in building an exhaustive list of biomarkers. The next step involved prioritizing the initial list of biomarkers according to specific scientific questions about human exposure to chemicals in the environment, and meet logistical, feasibility and budgetary constraints. The Delphi consensus method was used to prioritize biomarkers and was developed in three phases: i) the definition of relevant criteria for selecting biomarkers; ii) the prioritization of the biomarker list based on these criteria and iii) the validation of the list by the stakeholders. Among the eight relevant criteria for selecting biomarkers, hazard identification and social perception were the highest-rated and lowestrated criteria, respectively. After scoring each criterion for each group of biomarkers, and discussing the relative ranking of each group during a round table meeting, the final prioritized list obtained contained both historic (e.g. dioxins or lead) and emerging substances (e.g. phthalates, bisphenol A). Combining rigor and flexibility, our method has clearly helped to build a prioritized list shared and supported by many international actors.

Abstract Most biomonitoring studies worldwide have evaluated the air quality in industrial and urban areas, and even in mining areas to a lesser extent. However, air quality investigations in agricultural areas are scarce. In the present study, the trace metal accumulation and physiological response of the biomonitor

Abstract Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins (PCDDs/Fs) are well-known endocrine disrupters. This paper strives to elucidate the data on reproductive consequences of perinatal dioxin and PCB exposure in men and women. We focused on the following end-points: sex-ratio, endometriosis, menstrual cycle characteristics, sperm quality, and prematurity. We summarize 46 papers and compare their results including effects seen after exposure to background concentrations. Seven of twelve studies showed a decrease in sex-ratio after parental dioxin or PCB exposure. In three of the seven studies, effects were seen after paternal exposure and in three after maternal exposure. In eight of the nine studies on menstrual cycle characteristics, abnormalities were associated with PCB or dioxin exposure, however the results differed. In three studies PCB and TCDD were associated with longer menstrual cycles, while three studies indicated that an increase in PCB/PCDF exposure was associated with shorter cycles. Five studies showed effects on menstrual bleeding with higher PCB or dioxin exposure. A higher rate of irregular menstrual cycles in exposed women was seen in four studies. The conflicting outcomes probably result from variability in study design, timing of exposure and endocrine disrupting properties of the measured congeners. Nine of sixteen studies detected higher PCB or dioxin exposure in women with endometriosis. However, the manner of diagnosing endometriosis and the character of the studies varied from prospective to retrospective. Five of eight studies focusing on sperm quality showed that men, with higher serum concentrations of PCBs and/or PCB congeners and/or PCDFs, had reduced sperm quality, including increased abnormal morphology and reduced motility. The exposure timeframe seemed important here. There are two studies addressing preterm birth in relation to PCBs, one mentioned a shortening of three days of gestational age, two other studies did not find a relation. Recently one study related a shorter gestational age of half a week with overall dioxin activity measured with the CALUX method in cord blood, particularly in boys. In conclusion, exposure to PCBs and dioxins has a negative effect on the reproductive systems of human populations. Although some speculations have been made, the exact mechanism of these effects and the interactions of these compounds with other endocrine disruptors are not yet known. Age at exposure and congener specific properties are probably crucial in interpreting the observed results.