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Pironti C, Ricciardi M, Motta O, Venier M, Faggiano A, Cucciniello R, Proto A. Sulphurous air pollutants and exposure events of workers in thermal-mineral springs: a case study of Contursi Terme (Salerno, Italy). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:3112-3120. [PMID: 35945319 PMCID: PMC9892073 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22432-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Thermo-mineral springs are widely spread over the volcanic areas of Salerno, a city in southern Italy. Although the water of thermal structures provides beneficial effects on human health, the air is characterized by the presence of potentially toxic compounds, such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Exposure to sulphurous compounds may have detrimental effects on human health, with asthma being the most common. In this study, air concentrations of H2S and SO2 in the thermal springs of Contursi Terme (Salerno, Italy) were monitored for 4 months (using both active and passive sampling), along with the chemical and microclimatic characterization of thermal water, to assess workers' exposure to these pollutants. An in-depth characterization of indoor air at the springs is paramount to establish emission control limits for occupational exposure and to take protective measures. The air concentration of SO2 varied from 0.11 ± 0.02 to 0.91 ± 0.02 mg/m3, following a seasonal pattern (higher values in winter and lower in spring). Conversely, indoor H2S concentrations did not vary significantly with time, but outdoor levels (from 0.40 ± 0.03 to 1.90 ± 0.03 mg/m3) were always higher than indoor ones (from 0.11 ± 0.03 to 0.56 ± 0.03 mg/m3). Not negligible air concentrations of these pollutants were detected in this thermal spring workplace, so further investigations are needed to ensure workers' safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Pironti
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Maria Ricciardi
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Oriana Motta
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
| | - Marta Venier
- O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Antonio Faggiano
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Raffaele Cucciniello
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Antonio Proto
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
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Motta O, Pironti C, Ricciardi M, Rostagno C, Bolzacchini E, Ferrero L, Cucciniello R, Proto A. Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper": a case study to evaluate the influence of visitors on the Museum preservation systems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:29391-29398. [PMID: 33813696 PMCID: PMC9001225 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13741-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The most important parameter to obtain an appropriate preservation condition of museum environments concerns the indoor air quality. The exposure of artwork and materials to gaseous and particulate pollutants introduced by visitors and either indoor or outdoor sources contributes to their decay. In this work, we evaluated the possible monitoring of the visitors' influence using the stable carbon isotopic ratio of CO2 and the concentration of NH3 as a real-time tool. The study was done in the Refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie (Milan, Italy) which houses one of the most important paintings of Leonardo da Vinci, the Last Supper, and had more than 400,000 visitors in 2019. The results confirmed a good correlation between the presence of tourists inside the museum and the variation of δ13C value during the visits and the closure of the museum. The variation of indoor atmospheric δ13C was influenced by the presence of visitors in the Refectory and delineates the way done from the entrance to the exit. In the same way, the concentration of NH3 was influenced by the presence of visitors and confirmed the role of this one on preservation methodology for indoor air quality in the museum. This new methodology can be used as a supplemental and non-invasive tool to help in calibrating microclimatic conditions through the ventilation rate and air filtration systems in the museum and to manage the number of visitors per turn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriana Motta
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy.
| | - Concetta Pironti
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria Ricciardi
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Chiara Rostagno
- Ricerca e Progetti Educativi Estero, Direzione Museale Regionale della Lombardia, Palazzo Arese Litta, Corso Magenta, 24 20123, Milan, Italy
| | - Ezio Bolzacchini
- GEMMA Center, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Ferrero
- GEMMA Center, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele Cucciniello
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Antonio Proto
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
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Pironti C, Ricciardi M, Proto A, Cucciniello R, Fiorentino A, Fiorillo R, Motta O. New analytical approach to monitoring air quality in historical monuments through the isotopic ratio of CO 2. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:29385-29390. [PMID: 33389576 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-12215-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated indoor air quality to highlight the effects of environmental pollution in the field of cultural heritage. In particular, two important archeological places in the old part of the city of Salerno, Italy, were analyzed: Fruscione Palace and S. Pietro a Corte. The work focused on the influence of tourists on environmental pollution correlated to indoor air quality during some social and cultural events. Moreover, we focused on the possible use of the carbon isotopic composition of CO2 as a tool for environmental studies in the field of cultural heritage. The results showed a good relationship between the isotopic composition of CO2 and the variation of pollutants concentration in the air, demonstrating that it is a valid tool and non-invasive marker to monitor environmental pollution of museums and cultural heritage sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Pironti
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Maria Ricciardi
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Antonio Proto
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Raffaele Cucciniello
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Antonino Fiorentino
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Rosa Fiorillo
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Oriana Motta
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
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Pironti C, Ricciardi M, Motta O, Miele Y, Proto A, Montano L. Microplastics in the Environment: Intake through the Food Web, Human Exposure and Toxicological Effects. TOXICS 2021; 9:224. [PMID: 34564375 PMCID: PMC8473407 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9090224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Recently, studies on microplastics (MPs) have increased rapidly due to the growing awareness of the potential health risks related to their occurrence. The first part of this review is devoted to MP occurrence, distribution, and quantification. MPs can be transferred from the environment to humans mainly through inhalation, secondly from ingestion, and, to a lesser extent, through dermal contact. As regards food web contamination, we discuss the microplastic presence not only in the most investigated sources, such as seafood, drinking water, and salts, but also in other foods such as honey, sugar, milk, fruit, and meat (chickens, cows, and pigs). All literature data suggest not-negligible human exposure to MPs through the above-mentioned routes. Consequently, several research efforts have been devoted to assessing potential human health risks. Initially, toxicological studies were conducted with aquatic organisms and then with experimental mammal animal models and human cell cultures. In the latter case, toxicological effects were observed at high concentrations of MPs (polystyrene is the most common MP benchmark) for a short time. Further studies must be performed to assess the real consequences of MP contamination at low concentrations and prolonged exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Pironti
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (C.P.); (M.R.)
| | - Maria Ricciardi
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (C.P.); (M.R.)
| | - Oriana Motta
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (C.P.); (M.R.)
| | - Ylenia Miele
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (Y.M.); (A.P.)
| | - Antonio Proto
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (Y.M.); (A.P.)
| | - Luigi Montano
- Andrology Unit and Service of Lifestyle Medicine in UroAndrology, Local Health Authority (ASL) Salerno, Coordination Unit of the Network for Environmental and Reproductive Health (Eco-FoodFertility Project), “S. Francesco di Assisi Hospital”, 84020 Oliveto Citra, Italy
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Motta O, Charlier B, De Caro F, Coglianese A, De Rosa F, Moccia G, Pironti C, Capunzo M, Borrelli A, Filippelli A, Izzo V. Environmental and biological monitoring of formaldehyde inside a hospital setting: a combined approach to manage chemical risk in workplaces. J Public Health Res 2021; 10. [PMID: 33849255 PMCID: PMC7967491 DOI: 10.4081/jphr.2021.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The safety of healthcare workers exposed to formaldehyde remains a great matter of concern for healthcare management units. This work aimed at describing the results of a combined monitoring approach (environmental and biological) to manage occupational exposure to formaldehyde in a hospital setting. Design and Methods: Environmental monitoring of working spaces and biological monitoring of urinary formaldehyde in 16 exposed healthcare workers of the Anatomic Pathology Unit of a University Hospital in Southern Italy was performed on a fouryear timescale (2016-2019). Results: Values of aero-dispersed formaldehyde identified were on average low; although workers’ urinary formaldehyde levels were also minimal, the statistical analysis highlighted a slight weekly accumulation. Conclusions: Our data confirm that both environmental and biological monitoring are important to identify risk situations, in particular when values of hazardous compounds are below the accepted occupational exposure levels. Significance for public health Health workers' regular exposure to formaldehyde may be responsible for long-term health issues; unfortunately, threshold limits of this compound are not harmonized between different government agencies. The combination of environmental and biological monitoring thus becomes an invaluable tool to preserve worker's safety and effectively assess chemical risk in hospital settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriana Motta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi; University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Salerno .
| | - Bruno Charlier
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi; University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Salerno .
| | - Francesco De Caro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi; University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Salerno .
| | - Albino Coglianese
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi .
| | - Federica De Rosa
- University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Salerno.
| | - Giuseppina Moccia
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi; University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Salerno .
| | - Concetta Pironti
- University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Salerno.
| | - Mario Capunzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi; University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Salerno .
| | - Anna Borrelli
- University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Salerno.
| | - Amelia Filippelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi; University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Salerno .
| | - Viviana Izzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi .
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Motta O, Cucciniello R, La Femina R, Pironti C, Proto A. Development of a new radial passive sampling device for atmospheric NO x determination. Talanta 2018; 190:199-203. [PMID: 30172499 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.07.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this paper we used Na2CO3-impregnated silica as reactive substrate for the determination of atmospheric NOx (NO+NO2) by using a passive sampling device, with radial symmetry, which is unprecedented. We conducted laboratory and field tests at an urban setting, with co-located passive samplers and continuous measurements of NOx by a chemiluminescence detector, used as reference. The performance of the carbonate-based sorbent for the NOx sampler was evaluated in two different time frames (autumn 2016 and winter 2017), characterised by different environmental conditions. The comparison of the NOx concentration levels measured by passive sampling, using Na2CO3 as NOx sorbent, showed a close relationship with those obtained by the chemiluminescence analyzer. Validation experiments in the laboratory and in the field are reported together with the calculation of the diffusion-sampling rate of the samplers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriana Motta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Chirurgia e Odontoiatria "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Università degli Studi di Salerno, via Salvatore Allende, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Raffaele Cucciniello
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy.
| | - Rosa La Femina
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Concetta Pironti
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Antonio Proto
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
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Cucciniello R, Proto A, La Femina R, Pironti C, Farina A, Motta O. A new sorbent tube for atmospheric NO x determination by active sampling. Talanta 2016; 164:403-406. [PMID: 28107948 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In this paper we used hydrated mayenite as reactive substrate for NOx active sampling in the air, which is novel. The performance of the mayenite-based sorbent for the NOx tubes was evaluated in two different monitoring surveys (autumn 2015 and winter 2016), characterized by different environmental conditions. Sorbent tubes filled with mayenite were exposed simultaneously to triethanolamine (TEA)-based sorbent tubes and to a chemiluminescence detector, as reference. The comparison of the NOx concentration levels measured by active sampling, using mayenite as NOx sorbent, showed a close relationship with the chemiluminescence analyzer. The effect of the environmental conditions on the performance of both mayenite and TEA-based sorbent tubes was evaluated and limitations connected to the use of TEA were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Cucciniello
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia,Biologia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Antonio Proto
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia,Biologia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy.
| | - Rosa La Femina
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia,Biologia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Concetta Pironti
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia,Biologia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Anna Farina
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile,Civile, Università degli Studi di Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Oriana Motta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Chirurgia e Odontoiatria "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Università degli Studi di Salerno, via Salvatore Allende, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
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