Relationship between Ocular Surface Alterations and Concentrations of Aerial Particulate Matter.

Purpose: To evaluate ocular surface alterations in two populations at different exposure levels to particulate matter (PM) in their living and work environments.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 78 volunteers from Argentina who lived and worked under different pollution levels in an urban (U; = 44) or industrial zone (I; = 34). Mean exposure level to PM was evaluated.

Comparative study of tear lipid composition in two human populations with different exposure to particulate matter in La Plata, Argentina.

To identify the changes in the lipid profile of the tear film in two human populations exposed to different levels of particulate material, and its relationship with dry eye, by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detection. A panel study involving 78 volunteers, who live and work in two locations in Argentina with different pollution levels: urban zone (n = 44) and industrial zone (n = 34). We measured the mean levels of particulate matter (PM) exposure.

Exposure and risk analysis to particulate matter, metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon at different workplaces in Argentina.

In order to estimate air quality at work environments from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), we determined both the concentration of particulate matter (PM and PM) and the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as the heavy metals in the composition of the particulate matter. Three SMEs located in the city of La Plata, Argentina, were selected: an electromechanical repair and car painting center (ERCP), a sewing work room (SWR), and a chemical analysis laboratory (CAL). The results evidenced high levels of PM exceeding the limits allowed by the USEPA and the presence of benzo(k)fluoranthene in all the analyzed sites and benzo(a)pyrene in the most contaminated site (ERCP).

Improvement of health risk factors after reduction of VOC concentrations in industrial and urban areas.

After reductions of fugitive and diffuse emissions by an industrial complex, a follow-up study was performed to determine the time variability of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the lifetime cancer risk (LCR). Passive samplers (3 M monitors) were placed outdoors (n = 179) and indoors (n = 75) in industrial, urban, and control areas for 4 weeks. Twenty-five compounds including n-alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatics, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and terpenes were determined by GC/MS.

Use of standardized procedures to evaluate metal leaching from waste foundry sands.

As part of the casting process, foundries create sand molds and cores to hold the molten metal to specific dimensional tolerances. Although most of the waste foundry sands (WFSs) from this process are land filled, there is great interest in diverting them for use in agricultural and geotechnical applications. One potential limitation to their beneficial use is concern that the WFSs will leach high levels of trace metals.

Analysis of total metals in waste molding and core sands from ferrous and non-ferrous foundries.

Waste molding and core sands from the foundry industry are successfully being used around the world in geotechnical and soil-related applications. Although waste foundry sands (WFSs) are generally not hazardous in nature, relevant data is currently not available in Argentina. This study aimed to quantify metals in waste molding and core sands from foundries using a variety of metal-binder combinations.

Levels of glyphosate in surface waters, sediments and soils associated with direct sowing soybean cultivation in north pampasic region of Argentina.

Levels of glyphosate were determined in water, soil and sediment samples from a transgenic soybean cultivation area located near to tributaries streams of the Pergamino-Arrecifes system in the north of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Field work took into account both the pesticide application and the rains occurring after applications. The pesticide was analysed by HPLC-UV detection, previous derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate (FMOC-Cl).