From 1996/1997 to 2008/2009, blood and urine were sampled from 9- to 11-year-old pupils in the state of Baden-Württemberg, South-West Germany. In blood samples the chlororganics DDE, HCB, PCB-138, PCB-153 and PCB-180 were analysed by gas chromatography and ECD detection. PCDD/PCDF were measured in pooled blood samples using GC/MS. Lead concentrations in blood were quantified by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), mercury in urine by using cold vapour AAS. For all chlororganics and heavy metals a distinct decrease of the internal concentration could be shown within the 12-year investigation period. For DDE, the median decreased from 0.32 μg/l to 0.11 μg/l. The median of HCB fell from 0.19 μg/l to 0.07 μg/l. The median of the sum of the three PCB-congeners PCB-138, PCB-153 and PCB-180 decreased from 0.47 μg/l to 0.18 μg/l. The burden of PCDD/PCDF in pooled blood samples resulted in approximately half the concentration after the 12-year period. The internal concentrations of the chlororganics were distinctly higher in breastfed children than in non-breastfed children. In 2008/2009, these differences were strongest for PCB and DDE (2-fold), moderate for PCDD/PCDF (1.6-fold), and slight for HCB (1.2-fold). The median of lead concentrations in blood dropped from 23.6 μg/l to 15.9 μg/l. The median of mercury concentrations in urine decreased from 0.25 μg/l to a value below the limit of quantification of 0.2 μg/l; the 95th percentile was reduced from 3.1 μg/l to less than 0.2 μg/l. The decline of amalgam fillings in children during the investigation period had a strong influence on internal concentrations of mercury. The internal concentration of the persistent xenobiotics investigated here decreased to a low level not likely to be of concern for human health.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are used in high amounts as flame retardants in plastic materials and textiles. Due to their persistence, their accumulation in the food chain and their toxic properties they have been integrated in the human biomonitoring program of the Baden-Württemberg State Health Office since 2002. In repeated cross-sectional studies in winter 2002/03 (n=162), 2004/05 (n=194), 2005/06 (n=411) and 2008/09 (n=770) blood samples of 9-11-year-old pupils were taken, pooled and analysed for PBDE after extraction and purification by silica gel using HRGC/HRMS. Samples were pooled according to region, gender, and breast feeding. PBDE in the pooled samples ranged from 1.9 to 12.5 ng/g blood fat (sum of all PBDE). Mean concentrations of PBDE, calculated for the four investigation periods, were 6.2 ng/g (2002/03), 5.4 ng/g (2004/05), 7.8 ng/g (2005/06) and 6.7 ng/g (2008/09). While the concentration of the decabrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-209) increased, the concentration of other congeners (BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, BDE-154, BDE-183) decreased slightly or remained at the same level. Consistent differences with respect to gender and breast-feeding were not recognizable. Concentrations of PBDE in children range on the same level as in adults and do not seem to be critical from the toxicological point of view. Because of the slight increase of BDE 209, the internal concentrations of BDE should be monitored in the future. The strong variations in PBDE concentration between the different pooled samples indicate that, apart from ingestion, other routes of exposure (dermal, inhalation) and additional sources (textiles, building materials) must be taken into consideration.

Background and objective: Allergic skin and respiratory diseases show a high prevalence in most industrial countries. In addition, during the last years ragweed colonization has increased in Europe. Ambrosia pollen (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. - common ragweed) are highly allergenic. Due to the late flowering time (august/September) of ragweed this can result in increasing health threats for allergic populations. This is of particular importance for those who already are sensitive to some grass or tree pollen. These individuals can then suffer from allergies during nearly the whole year. The present study examined the prevalence of sensitization to ragweed in German children and possible health implications.Methods: Between 2004 and 2007 sera of 1323 10-years old children in Baden Wurttemberg were tested in-vitro for specific IgE-antibodies against common aeroallergens including ragweed pollen.Results: Specific IgE-antibodies to extracts of common ragweed pollen were present in 10-17% of the tested sera depending on the year of investigation.Conclusion: The determined specific IgE-antibodies may be the result of a direct sensitization to ragweed pollen or correspond to cross-reactivity to other plants of the asteraceae subfamily or some nutritional allergens. The detection of sensitization to ragweed pollen does not prove actual allergic disease. However, a ragweed derived allergy should be considered in the differential diagnosis when allergic symptoms are present in direct connection to the flowering-time of ragweed. Ragweed plants should be removed and the spread of the plant 'restricted', as experiences in other countries with already wide spreading show.

The paper presents the results of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) in house dust in comparison with blood. The participants of the biomonitoring investigations are living in one of 111 flats, where samples of house dust were collected. The concentrations of PBDE in the blood samples of 15 persons living in various flats with higher PBDE-concentrations in house dust (PBDE in average 7,500 mg/kg) are compared to the concentration of PBDE in blood samples of 12 test persons living in houses with low PBDE-concentrations in house dust (in average 150 mg/kg). The results prove that neither the total PBDE-concentration (sum of eight PBDE-congeners) nor the pattern of the PBDE-congeners gives any hint for a relation between the concentration of PBDE in house dust and blood. In both collectives test persons with low (< 2 pg PBDE/g blood fat) and high PBDE-contents (> 10 pg PBDE/g blood fat) in blood are to be found. The pattern of the PBDE-congeners in blood differs substantially from the pattern of DBPE in house dust. Main- or lead-congener in house dust, with a portion of about 90%, is PBDE 209. Only in few samples PBDE 47, PBDE 153 can be detected in relevant portions of the total PBDE-content. In blood usually other PBDE congeners like PBDE 47, PBDE 153 are dominating besides PBDE 209. The PBDE-pattern in blood shows no difference between test persons living in housings with either higher or lower PBDE-concentrations in house dust.

Compared to ambient air the particle size distribution of particulate matter (PM) in indoor air differs clearly. Regarding the observed grain sizes, the temporal resolution and the methods of measurements different dependencies of PM compared to ambient air are recognisable. In many cases the PM exposure situation in indoor air is dominated by typical indoor sources and activities. Particulate matter in ambient air additionally influences the PM exposure in indoor air depending on the kind of use, the site and the type of building. It has to be assumed that small air exchange rates, short distances to sources and sinks inside of buildings and, thus, different interaction and propagation mechanisms influence the PM release, distribution and deposition compared to known mechanisms in ambient air. This high variability complicates an evaluation of PM exposure in indoor air. PM exposure estimations via standardised gravimetric procedures for ambient air (PM10, PM2.5) are therefore inadequate for a survey of PM exposure in indoor air. In general these measurement techniques yield only small information about the correlation between different effects of sources and their impact on indoor air. Standardised measurement strategies for the determination of PM exposure in indoor air do not exist yet. Reproducible and comparable results which additionally identify interrelations between sources and effects are essential for the evaluation of PM exposure in indoor air. The present paper contains first orienting approaches concerning PM grain fractions in indoor air and the influence of given measurement conditions on the results of PM concentration measurements in indoor air.

In the context of a monitoring program, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were quantified in the blood of 10 year old children at four different demographic regions in Baden-Wuerttemberg, a highly industrialised federal state in South West Germany. DDE, HCB, PCB 138, PCB 153 and PCB 180 were measured in 1996/1997, 1998/1999, 2000/2001 and 2002/2003 in individual samples of about 400 children per year. PCDD/PCDFs and some relevant coplanar PCBs were determined in pooled samples from children in seven cycles from 1993 to 2003. Blood concentrations of the investigated compounds decreased in that time period by a factor of 2–4 with the exception of most PCDFs. The concentrations of POPs in the blood of the children were distinctly lower than the concentrations reported for adults. Breast feeding was associated with about 30% higher median concentrations of DDE, HCB, PCBs and a 30% increase for mean PCDD/PCDF concentrations. Concerning demographic differences, significant lower concentrations of HCB, PCBs and PCDD/PCDFs could be seen in children from Mannheim compared to the region of Aulendorf. About 10–20% higher concentrations were found in boys compared to girls for HCB, indicator PCBs and PCDD/PCDFs. The pattern of non-ortho and mono-ortho PCBs in the blood of children was similar to the pattern reported for mother’s milk, and PCB 126 and PCB 156 contributed about 70% to the toxicity of dioxin-like PCBs and about one-third to total TEQ including PCDD/PCDFs.

Although PCB and PCB-containing materials are not processed for a long time, PCB is under discussion again and again caused by the pollution of indoor environments. To objectify the discussion, the dates of the PCB-biomonitoring, the organochlorine-compounds (DDE, HCB, &beta;-/&gamma; -HCH, PCDD/PCDF) and the polybrominated biphenyl ethers concerning the investigations within the project "Sentinel Health Departments" in Baden-Wurttemberg are represented. Additionally results from children from Kazakhstan (Aral-Sea area) and from teachers which are working in PCB polluted schools as well as from a long term investigated test person are reported. Blood concentrations of the following compounds decreased from 1996/97 to 2002/03: the sum of the concentration of PCB 138,153 and 180 decreased from 0,46 &mu; g/L to 0,20 &mu; g/L, DDE from 0,32 &mu; g/L to 0,17 &mu; g/, HCB from 0,20 &mu; g/L to 0,08 &mu; g/L, &beta;-HCH below the level of detection, I-TEQ NATO to 4,8 pg/g blood fat, TEQWHO (without PCB) to 5,5 pg/g blood fat, PCB 126 to 18,8,pg/g blood fat and PCB 169 to 12,8 pg/g blood fat. The influence of breast feeding and the gender on the level of the pollution is conspicious. No local correlations were found in Baden-Wurttemberg, but they were found in comparison with the results of Kazakhstan (Aral-Sea area). The difficulty to produce time series while the analyzing pollutants are more and more decreasing, as well as the change of the calculation base of the summation of parameters like I-TEQ NATO to TEQ WHO are discussed.

Although PCB and PCB-containing materials are not processed for a long time, PCB is under discussion again and again caused by the pollution of indoor environments. To objectify the discussion, the dates of the PCB-biomonitoring, the organochlorine-compounds (DDE, HCB, beta-/gamma -HCH, PCDD/PCDF) and the polybrominated biphenyl ethers concerning the investigations within the project "Sentinel Health Departments" in Baden-Wurttemberg are represented. Additionally results from children from Kazakhstan (Aral-Sea area) and from teachers which are working in PCB polluted schools as well as from a long term investigated test person are reported. Blood concentrations of the following compounds decreased from 1996/97 to 2002/03: the sum of the concentration of PCB 138,153 and 180 decreased from 0.46 microg/L to 0.20 microg/L, DDE from 0.32 microg/L to 0.17 microg/, HCB from 0.20 microg/L to 0.08 microg/L, beta-HCH below the level of detection, I-TEQ NATO to 4.8 pg/g blood fat, TEQ WHO (without PCB) to 5.5 pg/g blood fat, PCB 126 to 18,8,pg/g blood fat and PCB 169 to 12.8 pg/g blood fat. The influence of breast feeding and the gender on the level of the pollution is conspicious. No local correlations were found in Baden-Wurttemberg, but they were found in comparison with the results of Kazakhstan (Aral-Sea area). The difficulty to produce time series while the analyzing pollutants are more and more decreasing, as well as the change of the calculation base of the summation of parameters like I-TEQ NATO to TEQ WHO are discussed.

A study was performed at the four sentinel health departments of Baden-Württemberg between November 1999 and March 2000 to investigate the indoor levels of fungi at the homes of school children (mean age 10 y) and to describe possible associations with allergy statuses. Three hundred and ninety-seven households of school children with (n = 199) and without (n = 198) allergic history were included in the study. The median of colony forming units (CFU/m3) of fungi, measured in the children's bedrooms' in indoor air, was 105 (range 5 to 15,000), in outdoor air 110 (range 10 to 1500). The median of viable mould spores (CFU/g dust) in floor dust was 28,500 (range 1500 to 1,235,000), in mattresses 16,250 (range 0 to 2,500,000). Neither climatological conditions, nor differences between urban and rural regions showed a systematic influence on fungi counts. There was no difference in concentrations and distribution of fungi species levels between children with and without allergic history. The sensitization rate against molds (IgE) was higher for children with allergic condition (9.2%) than in control children (4.4%), but there was no association with the fungi counts in the rooms. In conclusion, the study defined the mould levels in children's rooms, but did not find an association with allergic history of the children or their sensitization rate.

So far there have been rather few reliable and comparable data available on indoor pollution with mould. Following the publication of the Federal Environmental Agency and the Health Agency Baden-Württemberg which supports the assessment of mould pollution of indoor air, it seemed advisable to investigate as to how far these criteria can be used for the assessing the mould pollution in daily practice. The results of investigations of 130 homes and 117 classrooms in Baden-Württemberg. will be represented.

So far there have been rather few reliable and comparable data available on indoor pollution with mould. Following the publication of the Federal Environmental Agency and the Health Agency Baden-Wurttemberg which supports the assessment of mould pollution of indoor air, it seemed advisable to investigate as to how far these criteria can be used for the assessing the mould pollution in daily practice. The results of investigations of 130 homes and 117 classrooms in Baden-Wurttemberg. will be represented.

Bisher gibt es relativ wenige fundierte und miteinander vergleichbare Daten über die Belastung der Innenraumluft mit Schimmelpilzen. Nach der Veröffentlichung der Bewertungshilfen zur Beurteilung von Schimmelpilzbelastungen der Innenraumluft durch das Umweltbundesamt und das Landesgesundheitsamt Baden-Württemberg erschien es angeraten zu überprüfen, inwieweit diese Kriterien zur Beurteilung von Schimmelpilzbelastungen in der täglichen Praxis anwendbar sind. Es werden die Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen von 130 Wohnungen und 117 Klassenzimmern in Baden-Württemberg vorgestellt.

Since 1992, in Baden-Württemberg, ten-year old children have been surveyed in the project "Sentinel Health Departments" to study their exposure to environmental pollutants and possible health effects. In the four study areas 1200 children have been investigated every year initially, since 1996 every second year. The data for mercury in body fluids are reported here. The decrease in the body burden of mercury as a result of the declining usage of dental amalgam fillings, was been verified. In 1992/93, of all the children who had been surveyed, the 95 percentile for the body burden of mercury was 3.1 microg/l and in 2000/01 1.35 microg/l. Also to be discussed is the reason why mercury-based cosmetic ointments seriously exceed the HBM-II-intervention-value. Because of using these ointments, concentrations of mercury in urine up to 1400 microg/l were found. A study within the project "Sentinel Health Departments" compared the concentrations of mercury in the urine of adults with those in blood and salvia. The results support the opinion that mercury in urine is appropriate for estimating the mercury uptake from dental amalgam fillings. It can be assumed that these results reflect the situation in the entire Federal Republic of Germany. The ten years' experience confirms that the concept of the "Sentinel Health Departments" is excellently suited to obtain data relevant for environmental health of children. Environmental health protection and the essential gathering of data for future health observation in Baden-Württemberg.

Mit der Fragestellung, welche Rolle die Belastung mit biogenen Innenraumallergenen für Allergien und Atemwegserkrankungen spielt, wurden in einer Fall-Kontrollstudie (Atopiker und Nichtatopiker) im Winterhalbjahr 1999/2000 an den vier Beobachtungsgesundheitsämtern in Baden-Württemberg bei 379 Kindern der vierten Klasse in den Wohnungen die Konzentration der Hausstaubmilbenallergene Der f1, Der p1 und Gruppe-2-Milbenallergene bzw. des Katzenallergens Fel d1 im Boden- und Matratzenstaub bestimmt. Außerdem wurde die Bestimmung von spezifischen IgE-Antikörpern gegen Hausstaub-, Milben- und Katzenallergene im Serum der Kinder durchgeführt. Im Bodenstaub wurden folgende Medianwerte (µg/g) ermittelt: Der p1 = 0,6, Der f1 = 2,3, Gruppe-2-Milbenallergene = 0,1; im Matratzenstaub: Der p1 = 1,2, Der f1 = 3,4, Gruppe-2-Milbenallergene = 0,3. Der Medianwert für Fel d1 im Bodenstaub lag bei 0,2 µg/g und im Matratzenstaub bei 0,1 µg/g. Bei der Bestimmung spezifischer IgE wurde eine höhere Sensibilisierungsrate gegen Hausstaubmischung als gegen Katzenallergene beobachtet. Der Anteil positiver Ergebnisse für Hausstaubmischung (HX-2) betrug im Gesamtkollektiv 24,8 %, bei den Atopikern 32,9 % und bei den Nichtatopikern 17,1 %. Für den e1-Test (Katzenallergen) betrug der Anteil positiver Ergebnisse im Gesamtkollektiv 8,5 %, bei den Atopikern 13,1 % und bei den Nichtatopikern 4,1 %. Aus den vorliegenden Ergebnissen ist kein direkter Zusammenhang zwischen der Häufigkeit von Allergien bzw. Atemwegserkrankungen und der Belastung mit Innenraumallergenen erkennbar. Mögliche Ursachen für diesen Sachverhalt werden diskutiert.

The study examined the exposure to biological indoor air agents and their possible role for allergies and respiratory tract illnesses of children. It was conducted as a case control study (atopic vs non-atopic children) at the four surveillance public health departments in Baden-Württemberg in the winter season 1999/2000 and included 379 children of the fourth class. The concentrations of the house dust mite antigens Der F1, Der p1, and Der Gr2 as well as cat allergen Fel d1 were determined in the children's bedrooms on the ground and in the mattress. Specific IgE-antibodies against allergens from house dust, mites and cat were determined in the serum of the children. For mite allergens the following medians ( micro g/g) were estimated in floor dust: Der p1 = 0.6, Der f1 = 2.3, Gr2 = 0.1; in mattresses: Der p1 = 1.2, Der f1 = 3.4, Gr2 = 0.3. The median of Fel d1 in floor dust was 0.2 microg/g, in mattresses 0.1 microg/g. Sensitisation to dust mite allergen was found to be more prevalent than sensitisation to cat. The distribution of sensitisation among the cases and controls is different. Among the cases, more subjects were sensitised to dust mites (32.9 %) and cat (13.1 %). Among the controls, 17.1 % were sensitised to dust mites and 4.1 % to cat. The results showed no direct association between the prevalence of allergies or respiratory tract illnesses and the indoor concentrations of the allergens. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed.

Since 1992, in Baden-Wurttemberg, ten-year old children have been surveyed in the project Sentinel Health Departments to study their exposure to environmental pollutants and possible health effects. In the four study areas 1200 children have been investigated every year initially, since 1996 every second year. The data for mercury in body fluids are reported here. The decrease in the body burden of mercury as a result of the declining usage of dental amalgam fillings, was been verified. In 1992/93, of all the children who had been surveyed, the 95 percentile for the body burden of mercury was 3.1 μg/l and in 2000/011.35 μg/l. Also to be discussed is the reason why mercury-based cosmetic ointments seriously exceed the HBM-11-intervention-value. Because of using these ointments, concentrations of mercury in urine up to 1400 μg/l were found. A study within the project Sentinel Health Departments compared the concentrations of mercury in the urine of adults with those in blood and salvia. The results support the opinion that mercury in urine is appropriate for estimating the mercury uptake from dental amalgam fillings. It can be assumed that these results reflect the situation in the entire Federal Republic of Germany. The ten years' experience confirms that the concept of the Sentinel Health Departments is excellently suited to obtain data relevant for environ-mental health of children. Environmental health protection and the essential gathering of data for future health observation in Baden-Wurttemberg.