Consumer exposure to biocides--identification of relevant sources and evaluation of possible health effects.

Background: Products containing biocides are used for a variety of purposes in the home environment. To assess potential health risks, data on products containing biocides were gathered by means of a market survey, exposures were estimated using a worst case scenario approach (screening), the hazard of the active components were evaluated, and a preliminary risk assessment was conducted.

Methods: Information on biocide-containing products was collected by on-site research, by an internet inquiry as well as research into databases and lists of active substances.

Daily intake of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) by German children -- A comparison of two estimation models based on urinary DEHP metabolite levels.

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) is a general-purpose plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and has become a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. It is suspected to be an endocrine disrupting/modulating substance in humans. Children are of special concern due to their developmental state.

DEHP metabolites in urine of children and DEHP in house dust.

Urine samples from the 2001/2002 pilot study for the German Environmental Survey on children (GerES IV) were analysed for concentrations of the primary DEHP metabolite MEHP (mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate) and two secondary DEHP metabolites SOH-MEHP (2-ethyl-5-hydroxy-hexylphthalate) and 5oxo-MEHP (2-ethyl-5-oxo-hexylphthalate). Urine samples had been taken from 254 children aged 3 to 14. In addition, DEHP was analysed in house dust samples.

In vitro susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes: comparison of the E test with the agar dilution test.

In vitro susceptibility testing was performed on 66 strains of Listeria monocytogenes. Recently obtained clinical isolates from Austria, France, Norway and Switzerland and 17 reference strains from three type culture collections were tested against ampicillin, gentamicin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin-sulbactam, meropenem, and first-, second-, third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins. All isolates were susceptible to ampicillin, gentamicin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin-sulbactam, and meropenem and more than 86% of the minimal inhibitory concentration E test values were within plus/minus one dilution step of the agar dilution test.