Occupational exposure to static, ELF, VF and VLF magnetic fields and immune parameters.

Despite the important role of the immune system in defending the body against infections and cancer, very few investigations have been undertaken to study possible effects of electromagnetic fields on human immunity. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of occupational exposure on hospital personnel operating magnetic resonance tomographs and on industrial workers at induction heaters. In both categories of workplaces, magnetic flux densities exceeding Austrian exposure standards have been registered.

Genetically modified organisms in food-screening and specific detection by polymerase chain reaction.

PCR methods for the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were developed that can be used for screening purposes and for specific detection of glyphosate-tolerant soybean and insect-resistant maize in food. Primers were designed to amplify parts of the 35S promoter derived from Cauliflower Mosaic Virus, the NOS terminator derived from Agrobacterium tumefaciens and the antibiotic marker gene NPTII (neomycin-phosphotransferase II), to allow for general screening of foods. PCR/hybridization protocols were established for the detection of glyphosate-tolerant RoundUp Ready soybean and insect-resistant Bt-maize.

Effects of elevated ozone concentration on the degradation of dichlorprop in soil.

An aerobic degradation study was conducted to estimate possible effects of elevated ozone concentration in air on the behaviour of dichlorprop. An average ozone concentration of 80 nL L-1 was chosen, which often occurs close to congested areas during late spring and summer. A control soil and an ozone exposed soil were kept under same conditions such as temperature, air flow and soil humidity.

A simple cleanup method for the isolation of nitrate from natural water samples for O isotope analysis.

The analysis of O-isotopic composition of nitrate has many potential applications in studies of environmental processes. O-isotope nitrate analysis requires samples free of other oxygen-containing compounds. More than 100% of non-NO3- oxygen relative to NO3- oxygen can still be found in forest soil water samples after cleanup if improper cleanup strategies, e.