Biodegradation of two superabsorbent polymers, a crosslinked, insoluble polyacrylate and an insoluble polyacrylate/ polyacrylamide copolymer, in soil by the white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium was investigated. The polymers were both solubilized and mineralized by the fungus but solubilization and mineralization of the copolymer was much more rapid than of the polyacrylate. Soil microbes poorly solublized the polymers and were unable to mineralize either intact polymer. However, soil microbes cooperated with the fungus during polymer degradation in soil, with the fungus solubilizing the polymers and the soil microbes stimulating mineralization. Further, soil microbes were able to significantly mineralize both polymers after solubilization by P. chrysosporium grown under conditions that produced fungal peroxidases or cellobiose dehydrogenase, or after solubilization by photochemically generated Fenton reagent. The results suggest that biodegradation of these polymers in soil is best under conditions that maximize solubilization.

Trichodiene, a volatile sesquiterpene which is structurally related to trichothecene mycotoxins, has been identified in the headspace of growing Stachybotrys chartarum by GC/MS. It is possible that volatile sesquiterpene patterns can be used to characterize S. chartarum and related mold isolates as trichothecene producers, thus providing clear criteria for decisions concerning the occupancy and renovation of contaminated buildings.

The Interuniversity Consortium, Chemistry for the Environment (INCA), was founded in Venice in October 1993. It groups about thirty Italian universities and relies on the research contributions of chemists having different specialities (environmental, physical-chemical, organic, inorganic, analytic, industrial and biochemical), together with researchers coming from other disciplines engaged in environmental research. Consortium INCA has its administrative offices in Venice.

Milk from Indonesian women (n = 4) was analysed for p,p’-DDT and the fungicide, hexachlorobenzene (HCB). p,p’-DDT was found in all of the samples and at levels that are amongst the highest reported anywhere in the world in 3 of the samples. HCB was found in all 4 samples, 1 sample had an exceptionally high level. The high residue of HCB suggested exposure by eating dressed grain, major environmental contamination or direct exposure when handling the fungicide. These are the first data on pesticide residues in milk from Indonesian women which demonstrate general exposure to p,p’-DDT and HCB.