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Soil concentrations of 239+240Pu, 238Pu, 241Am, 90Sr, and 137Cs are investigated in the Marche Region of Central Italy. Mean values in uncultivated soils (0.721 +/- 0.456, 0.023 +/- 0.014, 0.241 +/- 0.165, 5.40 +/- 3.32, and 62.3 +/- 33.9 Bq kg(-1), respectively) are 3.5-8 times higher than the corresponding values in cultivated soils (0.147 +/- 0.054, 0.005 +/- 0.002, 0.047 +/- 0.021, 1.53 +/- 0.44, and 7.70 +/- 2.07 Bq kg(-1)). Radionuclide inventories and ratios are consistent with values reported by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation for this latitude (40-50 degrees N). This suggests that radiocontamination in this region is mainly due to atmospheric deposition of nuclear weapon test fallout. The vertical distribution of these radionuclides is also studied. The results show that, with the exception of 90Sr (68%), more than 90% of these radionuclides are contained in the first 20 cm of soil and that mobility follows the order 90Sr > 241Am > 239+240Pu, 238Pu > 137Cs.

Low specific-activity scales consisting of alkaline earth metal carbonates and sulfates are often present in some gaseous and liquid hydrocarbon plants. These scales contain a certain concentration of radium, uranium, and thorium which can cause a risk of gamma irradiation and internal radiocontamination when they must be mechanically removed. The gamma dose rates and the 238U, 232Th, 226Ra concentrations were determined in sludges, scales, and waters of some gas and oil hydrocarbon plants located in Italy, Congo, and Tunisia. 238U and 232Th concentrations were were low. The isotopes 238U and 234U resulted in radioactive equilibrium, while 232Th and 228Th were not always equilibrium. A rough correlation was found between the gamma dose rate and the 226Ra concentration. Some considerations and conclusions about radiation protection problems are pointed out.

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The presence of the insecticide Fipronil and its main products of toxicological relevance, namely, Sulfone and Desulfinyl, was assessed in 161 residential house dust samples in the absence (N = 101) and presence (N = 60) of cats and dogs in Italy. High-resolution mass spectrometry analysis revealed a significant difference (p <0.001) in the dust contamination in the presence of pets (median: 467 vs 24 ng/g dry weight), even if the highest value was found in the absence of pets (82,069 vs 67,799 ng/g dry weight). Fipronil intake estimates from dust in toddlers, computed according to US-EPA and EU-ECHA guidelines, ranged from 333-556 and from 20-34 ng/kg per day for acute and chronic scenario, respectively. Dust seemed not able itself to lead to Fipronil overexposure with respect to acute and chronic toxicity health-based guidance values. Kittens were potentially overexposed to Fipronil under both acute (26,076 ng/kg per day) and chronic (1,633 ng/kg per day) scenarios. The mild symptomatology associated with acute intoxication could possibly determine case 2 underreporting within pharmacosurveillance schemes. Its administration was estimated in 7.3-9.7 tons per year. Such a range suggests its prudent use under strict veterinary control to prevent pest resistance and ecotoxicological outcomes.

The occurrence of pesticides intended for non-agricultural use was investigated in 206 dust samples drawn from vacuum-cleaner bags from residential flats in Italy. The multi-residue analysis targeted on 95 different active principles was performed with UPLC-MS/MS, with a Limit of Quantification (LOQ) of 0.008 μg/g dry weight. The results indicated the presence of imidacloprid (IMI) and carbendazim (CARB) in 30% and 26% of the samples, with a mean and P95 concentration between 1.6 and 39 and between 0.08 and 4.9 μg/g, respectively. Combined presence of two biocides was noted in 19.4% samples, of three biocides in 9.2% samples, of four biocides in 3.4% samples, and of five and six biocides in 0.5% and 1% samples, respectively. According to the estimated dust intake in infants/toddlers aged 6-24 months (16-100 mg d) and cats (200 mg d), it was possible to obtain risk characterization with respect to the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for IMI of 0.060 mg/kg body weight (bw) proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the chronic Population Adjusted Dose (cPAD) of 0.019 mg/kg bw d by US-EPA. Under the worst-case scenario, the presence of IMI in dust indicates potential exceedance of the cPAD in kittens, to be considered as sentinel also accounting for combined exposure. This study highlights the relevance of consumer empowerment about the responsible use of pesticides as biocidal products in indoor environment.