Margherita Ferrante | Università di Catania (original) (raw)
Papers by Margherita Ferrante
Igiene e sanita pubblica, 2012
The authors address the innovative topic of nanotechnology and nanoparticles, a multidisciplinary... more The authors address the innovative topic of nanotechnology and nanoparticles, a multidisciplinary phenomenon important in the development of science and technology and yet not well-known. At the same time, given that nanoparticles will represent an important exposure factor for humans, it is fundamental to describe their features, benefits and potential adverse health effects. The authors therefore describe the characteristics, origins, and various methods of detecting nanoparticles. In addition, they highlight the promising implications arising from their use, especially in pharmacological research, and the still not well-known negative health effects.
Igiene e sanità pubblica
A literature review was performed to retrieve updated information on the quality of dialysis wate... more A literature review was performed to retrieve updated information on the quality of dialysis water, with a focus on the emerging problem of the presence of algal toxins (microcystins) produced by cyanobacteria. Current legislation was examined as well as studies conducted to date in different geographic areas. In this article, the authors present review results along with recommendations to operators and managers of dialysis units, for preventing possible risks for patients.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2016
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Haliotis tuberculata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mollusca, Gastropoda):... more Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Haliotis tuberculata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mollusca, Gastropoda): considerations on food safety and source investigation.
Environmental research, Jan 4, 2016
A significantly increased incidence of pleural mesothelioma in Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy) has be... more A significantly increased incidence of pleural mesothelioma in Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy) has been attributed to exposure to fluoro-edenite (FE), a fibrous amphibole extracted from a local stone quarry. The lymph-nodes draining the pulmonary lobes of sheep grazing around the town were examined, to gain insights into fibre diffusion. The pasture areas of six sheep flocks lying about 3km from Biancavilla were located using the global positioning system. The cranial tracheobronchial and one middle mediastinal lymph-node as well as four lung tissue samples were collected from 10 animals from each flock and from 10 control sheep for light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination. The lymph-nodes from exposed sheep were enlarged and exhibited signs of anthracosis. Histologically, especially at the paracortical level, they showed lymph-follicle hyperplasia with large reactive cores and several macrophages (coniophages) containing grey-brownish particulate interspersed with eleme...
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2015
This study evaluated for the first time the concentrations of 10 metals in wild specimens of abal... more This study evaluated for the first time the concentrations of 10 metals in wild specimens of abalone, Haliotis tuberculata (Ht) (Linnaeus, 1758) from three sites along the southern Italian coast: Gulf of Catania (CT), the Northern Coast of Messina (ME) and the harbor of Villa San Giovanni (VSG). The species is commonly found in the area and has significant commercial value. Additionally, it is long lived, thus suitable as bioindicator of the environmental monitoring. The potential human health risks due to consumption of Ht have been assessed by estimated average daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) of metals, respectively. In particular arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se) and vanadium (V) were quantified in the edible tissue of specimens by acid digestion of the samples and ICP-MS determination. The highest concentrations were found in CT sample area for most metals analyzed. Mean values for Pb, Cd and Hg were lower than the maximum levels (MLs) set for bivalve mollusks by Regulation (CE) no. 1881/2006 in all sites, and average intake values below the risk levels for human consumption.
Igiene e sanità pubblica
Contamination of fruits and vegetables with heavy metals can result from anthropogenic events (ca... more Contamination of fruits and vegetables with heavy metals can result from anthropogenic events (car or factory emissions, poor management of sewage and industrial waste) or from natural events (volcanic activity and geological soil matrix). The chemical and toxicological characteristics of heavy metals can have an impact on human health through several mechanisms. Other metals, on the other hand, are essential for maintenance of physiological and biochemical human processes, are protective against many diseases and must be present in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the human body. The purpose of this study was to assess the presence of heavy metals and trace elements both in fruit and vegetable products widely consumed in the province of Catania (Sicily, Italy) and in various environmental matrices (air, water and land), and to investigate possible sources of contamination. Fruit and vegetable products (tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, eggplants, potatoes, zucchini, grapes,...
Igiene e sanità pubblica
The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of sludge produced by wastewater treatment, by... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of sludge produced by wastewater treatment, by using both chemical and ecotoxicological evaluations. Samples of sludge from treatment of urban and industrial wastewater were analysed. Toxicity of sludge was evaluated by measuring Vibrio fischeri, polychlorobyphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals. Results of chemical and ecotoxicological evaluations were found to be discordant. In all samples, contaminants were found to be below the accepted threshold levels; on the contrary, toxicological evaluations of sludge samples obtained from industrial wastewater found these samples to be toxic. These findings indicate that the evaluation of sludge to be used in agriculture should include an ecotoxicological evaluation, as suggested by the European Community in 1999. Furthermore, chemical evaluation of sludge should be performed by using a single method and the chosen method should have the most restrictive threshold levels of ...
Zentralblatt für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin = International journal of hygiene and environmental medicine, 1991
The Authors determined the concentration of inorganic bromides in soil and tomatoes from greenhou... more The Authors determined the concentration of inorganic bromides in soil and tomatoes from greenhouses where soil fumigation had been performed using methyl bromide (greenhouse B) and alternative pest control systems (greenhouse A and greenhouse B) before planting. The results obtained demonstrate that concentration of inorganic bromides in foodstuffs should be considered as a marker of exposure to methyl bromide poisoning risk.
ABSTRACT L’acqua è l’elemento fondamentale per l’esistenza e la sopravvivenza di tutte le specie ... more ABSTRACT L’acqua è l’elemento fondamentale per l’esistenza e la sopravvivenza di tutte le specie vi- venti. Le risorse idriche sulla Terra sono allo stesso tempo immobilizzate e mobili tra il biotopo (complesso delle componenti abiotiche dell’ecosistema terrestre) e le biocenosi (complesso delle componenti viventi dell’ecosistema terrestre). Durante il suo ciclo nella biosfera l’acqua si arricchisce di sostanze indispensabili alla salute ma anche di sostanze che, accumulandosi in modo vario e a diversi livelli nella catena alimentare, attraverso le acque superficiali, le acque profonde e le acque irrigue possono costituire un peri- colo per la salute. La qualità dell’acqua che utilizziamo è fortemente condizionata dalle attività umane e, laddove è più difficoltoso effettuare dei controlli sistematici per la verifica dell’applica- zione delle diposizioni di legge, da una gestione delle risorse idriche non conforme alle normative vigenti in materia. Questo comporta frequentemente l’immissione nell’acqua di sostanze con effetti potenzialmente pericolosi per l’organismo. La conseguenza di ciò si riflette sulla salute dell’uomo che usufruendo di un bene primario viene inconsapevolmente a contatto con sostanze che potrebbero arrecargli un danno. Lo scopo delle informazioni contenute in questo lavoro è quello di indurre il lettore, attraverso la conoscenza della modalità di sfruttamento delle risorse idriche e delle norme predisposte per la loro salvaguardia, a tutelare l’acqua per tutelare al contempo la salute dell’uomo. Il seguente lavoro fornisce una visione completa non solo in merito alla distribuzione dell’acqua sul nostro pianeta ed alle sue caratteristiche ma anche riguardo all’utilizzo di queste risorse in tutte le sfere della vita.
Drinking Water Minerals and Mineral Balance, 2014
Journal of Hospital Infection, 2010
Results: Of 240 questionnaires distributed, 98 (40.8%) returns were received. 35/98 respondents (... more Results: Of 240 questionnaires distributed, 98 (40.8%) returns were received. 35/98 respondents (35.7%) had never received any structured educational sessions on HCAI. Infection prevention and control nurses (80%) were considered the most influential in shaping attitudes towards HCAI followed by medical microbiologists (71.5%) and fellow surgical colleagues (61.1%). Most believed that their role in prevention and control was very important but considered that it was only of low to medium importance amongst their colleagues. 56/98 (57.1%) were aware of the surgical site infection (SSI) rates in their institution. 65/98 (66.7%) would prioritize the allocation of a single bed to a patient with Clostridium difficle diarrhoea and 60/98 (61.5%) knew that there were 5 moments in the WHO hand hygiene recommendations. Summary: Structured educational sessions are required to address deficits in the knowledge and awareness of HCAI amongst consultant surgeons. Ongoing SSI surveillance with timely dissemination of results can facilitate this.
Epidemiology, 2009
The issues around obesity and overweight youth are beginning to appear to be characteristics of a... more The issues around obesity and overweight youth are beginning to appear to be characteristics of a real epidemic in the world and are recognized as risk factors for several diseases in adults. The information on the epidemiological situation in Italy is still inadequate. One of ...
Igiene e sanita pubblica, 2012
The authors address the innovative topic of nanotechnology and nanoparticles, a multidisciplinary... more The authors address the innovative topic of nanotechnology and nanoparticles, a multidisciplinary phenomenon important in the development of science and technology and yet not well-known. At the same time, given that nanoparticles will represent an important exposure factor for humans, it is fundamental to describe their features, benefits and potential adverse health effects. The authors therefore describe the characteristics, origins, and various methods of detecting nanoparticles. In addition, they highlight the promising implications arising from their use, especially in pharmacological research, and the still not well-known negative health effects.
Igiene e sanità pubblica
A literature review was performed to retrieve updated information on the quality of dialysis wate... more A literature review was performed to retrieve updated information on the quality of dialysis water, with a focus on the emerging problem of the presence of algal toxins (microcystins) produced by cyanobacteria. Current legislation was examined as well as studies conducted to date in different geographic areas. In this article, the authors present review results along with recommendations to operators and managers of dialysis units, for preventing possible risks for patients.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2016
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Haliotis tuberculata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mollusca, Gastropoda):... more Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Haliotis tuberculata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mollusca, Gastropoda): considerations on food safety and source investigation.
Environmental research, Jan 4, 2016
A significantly increased incidence of pleural mesothelioma in Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy) has be... more A significantly increased incidence of pleural mesothelioma in Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy) has been attributed to exposure to fluoro-edenite (FE), a fibrous amphibole extracted from a local stone quarry. The lymph-nodes draining the pulmonary lobes of sheep grazing around the town were examined, to gain insights into fibre diffusion. The pasture areas of six sheep flocks lying about 3km from Biancavilla were located using the global positioning system. The cranial tracheobronchial and one middle mediastinal lymph-node as well as four lung tissue samples were collected from 10 animals from each flock and from 10 control sheep for light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination. The lymph-nodes from exposed sheep were enlarged and exhibited signs of anthracosis. Histologically, especially at the paracortical level, they showed lymph-follicle hyperplasia with large reactive cores and several macrophages (coniophages) containing grey-brownish particulate interspersed with eleme...
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2015
This study evaluated for the first time the concentrations of 10 metals in wild specimens of abal... more This study evaluated for the first time the concentrations of 10 metals in wild specimens of abalone, Haliotis tuberculata (Ht) (Linnaeus, 1758) from three sites along the southern Italian coast: Gulf of Catania (CT), the Northern Coast of Messina (ME) and the harbor of Villa San Giovanni (VSG). The species is commonly found in the area and has significant commercial value. Additionally, it is long lived, thus suitable as bioindicator of the environmental monitoring. The potential human health risks due to consumption of Ht have been assessed by estimated average daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) of metals, respectively. In particular arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se) and vanadium (V) were quantified in the edible tissue of specimens by acid digestion of the samples and ICP-MS determination. The highest concentrations were found in CT sample area for most metals analyzed. Mean values for Pb, Cd and Hg were lower than the maximum levels (MLs) set for bivalve mollusks by Regulation (CE) no. 1881/2006 in all sites, and average intake values below the risk levels for human consumption.
Igiene e sanità pubblica
Contamination of fruits and vegetables with heavy metals can result from anthropogenic events (ca... more Contamination of fruits and vegetables with heavy metals can result from anthropogenic events (car or factory emissions, poor management of sewage and industrial waste) or from natural events (volcanic activity and geological soil matrix). The chemical and toxicological characteristics of heavy metals can have an impact on human health through several mechanisms. Other metals, on the other hand, are essential for maintenance of physiological and biochemical human processes, are protective against many diseases and must be present in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the human body. The purpose of this study was to assess the presence of heavy metals and trace elements both in fruit and vegetable products widely consumed in the province of Catania (Sicily, Italy) and in various environmental matrices (air, water and land), and to investigate possible sources of contamination. Fruit and vegetable products (tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, eggplants, potatoes, zucchini, grapes,...
Igiene e sanità pubblica
The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of sludge produced by wastewater treatment, by... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of sludge produced by wastewater treatment, by using both chemical and ecotoxicological evaluations. Samples of sludge from treatment of urban and industrial wastewater were analysed. Toxicity of sludge was evaluated by measuring Vibrio fischeri, polychlorobyphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals. Results of chemical and ecotoxicological evaluations were found to be discordant. In all samples, contaminants were found to be below the accepted threshold levels; on the contrary, toxicological evaluations of sludge samples obtained from industrial wastewater found these samples to be toxic. These findings indicate that the evaluation of sludge to be used in agriculture should include an ecotoxicological evaluation, as suggested by the European Community in 1999. Furthermore, chemical evaluation of sludge should be performed by using a single method and the chosen method should have the most restrictive threshold levels of ...
Zentralblatt für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin = International journal of hygiene and environmental medicine, 1991
The Authors determined the concentration of inorganic bromides in soil and tomatoes from greenhou... more The Authors determined the concentration of inorganic bromides in soil and tomatoes from greenhouses where soil fumigation had been performed using methyl bromide (greenhouse B) and alternative pest control systems (greenhouse A and greenhouse B) before planting. The results obtained demonstrate that concentration of inorganic bromides in foodstuffs should be considered as a marker of exposure to methyl bromide poisoning risk.
ABSTRACT L’acqua è l’elemento fondamentale per l’esistenza e la sopravvivenza di tutte le specie ... more ABSTRACT L’acqua è l’elemento fondamentale per l’esistenza e la sopravvivenza di tutte le specie vi- venti. Le risorse idriche sulla Terra sono allo stesso tempo immobilizzate e mobili tra il biotopo (complesso delle componenti abiotiche dell’ecosistema terrestre) e le biocenosi (complesso delle componenti viventi dell’ecosistema terrestre). Durante il suo ciclo nella biosfera l’acqua si arricchisce di sostanze indispensabili alla salute ma anche di sostanze che, accumulandosi in modo vario e a diversi livelli nella catena alimentare, attraverso le acque superficiali, le acque profonde e le acque irrigue possono costituire un peri- colo per la salute. La qualità dell’acqua che utilizziamo è fortemente condizionata dalle attività umane e, laddove è più difficoltoso effettuare dei controlli sistematici per la verifica dell’applica- zione delle diposizioni di legge, da una gestione delle risorse idriche non conforme alle normative vigenti in materia. Questo comporta frequentemente l’immissione nell’acqua di sostanze con effetti potenzialmente pericolosi per l’organismo. La conseguenza di ciò si riflette sulla salute dell’uomo che usufruendo di un bene primario viene inconsapevolmente a contatto con sostanze che potrebbero arrecargli un danno. Lo scopo delle informazioni contenute in questo lavoro è quello di indurre il lettore, attraverso la conoscenza della modalità di sfruttamento delle risorse idriche e delle norme predisposte per la loro salvaguardia, a tutelare l’acqua per tutelare al contempo la salute dell’uomo. Il seguente lavoro fornisce una visione completa non solo in merito alla distribuzione dell’acqua sul nostro pianeta ed alle sue caratteristiche ma anche riguardo all’utilizzo di queste risorse in tutte le sfere della vita.
Drinking Water Minerals and Mineral Balance, 2014
Journal of Hospital Infection, 2010
Results: Of 240 questionnaires distributed, 98 (40.8%) returns were received. 35/98 respondents (... more Results: Of 240 questionnaires distributed, 98 (40.8%) returns were received. 35/98 respondents (35.7%) had never received any structured educational sessions on HCAI. Infection prevention and control nurses (80%) were considered the most influential in shaping attitudes towards HCAI followed by medical microbiologists (71.5%) and fellow surgical colleagues (61.1%). Most believed that their role in prevention and control was very important but considered that it was only of low to medium importance amongst their colleagues. 56/98 (57.1%) were aware of the surgical site infection (SSI) rates in their institution. 65/98 (66.7%) would prioritize the allocation of a single bed to a patient with Clostridium difficle diarrhoea and 60/98 (61.5%) knew that there were 5 moments in the WHO hand hygiene recommendations. Summary: Structured educational sessions are required to address deficits in the knowledge and awareness of HCAI amongst consultant surgeons. Ongoing SSI surveillance with timely dissemination of results can facilitate this.
Epidemiology, 2009
The issues around obesity and overweight youth are beginning to appear to be characteristics of a... more The issues around obesity and overweight youth are beginning to appear to be characteristics of a real epidemic in the world and are recognized as risk factors for several diseases in adults. The information on the epidemiological situation in Italy is still inadequate. One of ...
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