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L'articolo riferisce di un'esperienza informativa e formativa sperimentata dal 2016 in Piemonte, sotto l'egida della Regione e con la partecipazione di vari attori istituzionali: le équipe adozioni, i Centri regionali di accoglienza sanitaria per i bambini adottati all'estero, il Tribunale per i minorenni. Gli incontri vertono sulle problematiche sanitarie dei bambini adottabili con special needs. La valutazione delle coppie aspiranti all'adozione è positiva e si propone l'esperienza come possibile modello formativo.

Il tema delle "crisi adottive" è stato affrontato in Piemonte attraverso un gruppo di lavoro interistituzionale composto da assistenti sociali, psicologi, magistrati che si è interrogato sulla definizione del fenomeno e sulle modalità di presa in carico. Il monitoraggio sui dati del 2018 ha evidenziato 30 casi di minori adottati andati incontro a inserimento extra-familiare. Attraverso un'intervista agli operatori, sono state raccolte informazioni su questi nuclei familiari e sugli interventi messi in atto dai Servizi. I dati raccolti informano sulle caratteristiche della crisi che ha portato all'allontanamento e sui possibili fattori di rischio (ascrivibili al minore, ai genitori adottivi e all'intervento professionale). Nel campione troviamo minori adottati a differenti età, dall'Italia e dall'estero, da coppie descritte positivamente in fase istruttoria. La crisi si manifesta con gravi disturbi comportamentali comparsi o aggravati principalmente in età adolescenziale e sovente anticipati da segnali di difficoltà. Minori e famiglie sono stati oggetto di numerosi interventi prima dell'inserimento in comunità. Fra i fattori di rischio primari spiccano quelli legati alla corrispondenza fra caratteristiche del minore e della coppia e quelli relativi alla storia pre-adottiva del minore. I dati confermano la delicatezza dell'abbinamento e l'importanza del monitoraggio post-adottivo al fine di intervenire in maniera precoce sulle situazioni critiche.

Studies on naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) and on the relevant geo-environmental problems have been traditionally focused on metamorphic rocks (and, more recently, on magmatic rocks). Besides these 'primary' occurrences (i.e., those realted to the in situ growth of NOA minerals), 'secondary', detrital NOA may occurr in sediments, sedimentary rocks and soils derived form the erosion of 'primary' NOA bearing rocks.The occurrence of detrital NOA in sediments and soils is increasingly recognized worldwide. However, a few studies exist that investigate the 'sedimentology of NOA', i.e., the mechanisms underlying the genesis, transport, deposition and post-depositional modifications of detrital NOA particles in the different sedimentary environments. A better understanding of these mechanisms would give us the tools to predict the presence and possible concentration of detrital NOA in sediments and sedimentary rocks.The occurrence and distribution of detrital NOA within the Oligocene-Miocene succession of the southern Tertiary Piemonte Basin (NW Italy), will be investigated as a scientific development in the frame of the CARG project (Geological Mapping at 1:50,000 scale - sheet 195 Novi Ligure). This succession consists of stratigraphic units rich in ophiolite clasts and deposited in a variety of sedimentary environments, from continental to deep marine, thus representing an ideal study case.

Asbestos is classified as carcinogenic to humans (Class 1) by IARC because is known that may induce fatal diseases when respired. Consequently, asbestos occurrence is principally monitored in air.Historically, asbestos had not been investigated in water, but nowadays waterborne asbestos is gaining new attention since it constitutes a non-conventional exposure way: it could be ingested, particularly if it reaches the tap water system, but also be a secondary source of airborne fibres, when asbestos migrates from water to air. Accordingly, it could be considered an Emerging Pollutant in the water matrix because it has not been systematically monitored in the past and it could represent a problem for human health and environment, requiring an accurate risk assessment.Therefore, two sampling campaigns have been settled on surface waters and groundwater of the Lanzo Valleys and Balangero Plain, in North-Western Alps (Italy): the area is rich in Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) and naturally occurring asbestiform minerals non-asbestos classified containing rocks and sediments which can release fibres in the water system when subjected to weathering and erosion. An extensive electron microscopy study (by SEM-EDS and TEM-EDS) of waterborne mineral fibres is currently in progress to define how many and which type of fibres can be found in water. As waterborne fibres could constitute a secondary source of airborne fibres, their typical dimensions would be defined to assess possible respirability risk for humans in case of migration from water to air.Fibres water-to-air migration may occur particularly if asbestos is dispersed in surface moving water, such as in rivers and streams. Fibres can be released in air under collapse of bubbles and foams from polluted waters in natural environment. To study possible asbestos passage from water to air in moving water and evaluate possible related risk, an experimental setup was created, in which chrysotile polluted water subjected to bubbling was placed in a close system. Four tests were run with nil, low, mid and high concentration of waterborne chrysotile and consequent airborne concentration was measured.Waterborne fibres were analysed as well to verify if chrysotile sample may undergo transformation when present in moving water and to define typical dimensions for waterborne fibres, in order to evaluate if they could be a risk for humans in case of water-to-air migration. In addition, an attempt has been made to define a limit of waterborne chrysotile which could generate an alarm situation in air, corresponding to 1 fibre per Litre (f/L).Data regarding real samples and laboratory studies will be presented to shed light on mineral fibres occurrence in the water system of the study area, to describe fibres types and abundancy in relation with local geology and hydrogeology. This is to better characterize and monitor asbestos (and asbestiform) fibres occurrence in surface waters and groundwater flowing in NOA rich areas.The results of this study are expected to have high impact on regulatory aspects, particularly in the definition of a Maximum Contaminant Level for waterborne asbestos, which is not provided by Italian legislation at present.

Weathering and erosion of rocks and sediments containing Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA), together with run off from mine tailings deposits containing non-exploitable fibrous minerals, may result in asbestos (and other asbestiform minerals non-asbestos classified) fibres dispersion in surface waters and groundwater.Asbestos is considered highly carcinogenic to humans when is respired (Group 1 by IARC). Therefore, in the past, asbestos occurrence has been mainly monitored in air and not considered in other matrices, such as water. Nowadays, waterborne asbestos is gaining new attention since it can constitute a non-conventional exposure way. Indeed, as groundwater and surface waters resources are exploited for both agricultural and industrial activities and as a source for tap water, water contamination by asbestos could pose a risk related to possible water-to-air migration of fibres, thus being a secondary source of airborne asbestos, and to possible ingestion (particularly when present in the tap water). Therefore, asbestos could be considered as an Emerging Pollutant in water because, historically, it has not been systematically monitored in this matrix and it could actually represent a problem for human health and environment.NOA-containing rocks are widespread in Italy, such as in northwest (NW) and Central Alps and also in the Apennines. In NW area, possible diffusion of asbestos in water has been recently considered as a consequence of interactions between water and ophiolitic rocks or related sediments. Migration through water (particularly groundwater) far away from the pollution source, which has been considered negligible until recently, has gained new attention since column-based laboratory study has highlighted asbestos mobility through porous media under particular conditions, suggesting that the same could happen in the environment.Knowing this background, it is particularly important to investigate possible fibres diffusion in porous aquifers and their transport linked to aquifer characteristics, dimension and morphology of fibres, their chemical composition and surface charge.To better understand groundwater flow and fibres transport, a laboratory test has been set in collaboration with Politecnico di Torino using a packed column in which polluted water movement was forced. Several tests have been done using different material to pack the column with various granulometry and changing water characteristics, such as asbestos fibres concentration and ionic strength.Details regarding the experimental setup and first data on the tests will be presented to better define possible groundwater contamination by asbestos fibres and their movement through porous aquifers. These data will help to understand how reservoir peculiarities (geology, hydrogeology) and anthropogenic activities could influence mineral fibres presence and movement in the water system and, more generally, would help to monitor asbestos (and asbestiform) fibres transport due to water flowing in NOA rich settings or in areas where uncontrolled mine tailings deposits are present.

Weathering and erosion of asbestos-bearing rocks, such as meta-ophiolites (e.g. serpentinite rocks and metabasites), is the principal natural cause of asbestos water dispersion in Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) rich settings. Water pollution by asbestos may occur as a consequence of superficial and groundwater flow through natural rock formations with NOA, depending on several characteristics of either the rocks (e.g. mineralogical composition, fracture grade) and hence the water (e.g. pH, speed).Given the importance of groundwater resources for both drinking water and agricultural and industrial activities, groundwater asbestos pollution represents an environmental problem and could even constitute a risk for human health. In fact, waterborne asbestos can come into contact with human beings as airborne fibres after water vaporization, or by ingestion, especially if they are present in drinking water. While a lot is known about diseases caused by airborne asbestos respiration, not enough has been yet understood about potential noxiousness of its ingestion. For this reason, the necessity to set a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for asbestos in potentially usable water is still debated.As the North-Western and Central Alps are rich in NOA and also in naturally occurring asbestiform minerals non-asbestos classified, it’s essential to understand if, how and which type of mineral fibres can eventually be released into water and to correlate them to the geolithological and hydrogeological characteristics of the area.The results of a surface water and groundwater sampling and analysis campaign, settled in the North-Western Alps, will be presented. The main aim is to investigate the principal aspects related to asbestos and asbestiform fibres presence in water, in particular their natural occurrence in groundwater, linked to hydrological and geolithological characteristics of the reservoir. Furthermore, laboratory test to study the flow of polluted water through a packed column will be designed and observations on the methodology to evaluate waterborne mineral fibres behaviour into porous media will be presented.These data are fundamental to monitor asbestos (and asbestiform) fibres transportation due to water flowing into NOA and to better understand the relationship among geology, hydrogeology and mineral fibres presence in water.

The quantification of asbestos in ophiolitic rocks is of particular importance in the management of soil and rock excavated in civil works and materials from quarry exploitation.In Italy, a well-described quantitative method is currently available taking advantage of the high resolution of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the mineral discrimination provided by energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) (Italian Ministerial Decree of 06/09/1994). The method provides a limit of detection of ca. 4-10 ppm and delivers quantitative results for asbestos content higher than 100 ppm. Conversely, a guide for on-field sampling and laboratory sample milling / preparation is still required, to correctly define the quantities of materials of variable geometric dimensions and weight to be sampled following a representative approach. The development of a proper sampling protocol will define the minimum volume of material that is required to correctly represent an asbestos-bearing soil/rock.The work aims to introduce a structured composite sampling and processing protocol, to reduce data variability and increase sample representativeness for a specified volume of material under investigation.The protocol is designed to obtain one single aliquot for SEM-EDS quantitative analysis (ca. 10 g) that has all the constituents in the same proportion with a known grade of accuracy and to minimize sample preparation time.Variability in measured asbestos concentration in ophiolitic rocks between discrete samples is due primarily to the texture of rocks and heterogeneity in the distribution of asbestos. To consider the heterogeneous distribution of asbestos, a simulation of size distribution of the material after laboratory size reduction (crushing and grinding) as a function of operating parameters was obtained. It was studied the influence of some parameters, specifically linked to ophiolitic rocks, such as: particles shape factor, granulometric factor, mineralogical factor, asbestos liberation factor, and maximum particle size on the representativeness of the subsamples.The methodology provides reasonably unbiased, reproducible estimates of the mean concentration of asbestos in the specified volume of material.

For a reliable evaluation of the geo-environmental risk related to the presence of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) in rocks excavated for large infrastructural projects, a proper procedure has to be followed in order to achieve:1) the definition of a detailed geological model, tailored on NOA-related issues;2) a representative sampling;3) a reliable quantitative determination of asbestos content in rock samples.Here we describe the approach followed for the evaluation of the NOA content for the excavation of a complex highway tunnel system (“Gronda di Genova” NW Italy), in NOA-bearing meta-ophiolite rocks. The NOA-oriented geological model has been constrained by the individuation of the main “NOA-related petrofacies” —i.e., classes of rocks with common lithological, structural and NOA content features—, and by the identification of “homogeneous zones” – i.e. geological units into which the NOA petrofacies are distributed. Implementation of Gy’s theory on sampling was used and here described to maintain statistical validity during sample processing from the primary rock sample to the analytical sample. SEM-EDS procedure for the quantitative determination of NOA content was improved with an error analysis delivering the minimum number of fibers to be measured to achieve the best analytical results.The obtained results allowed the prediction of the NOA hazard in terms of risk zonation along the tunnel section and for the evaluation of the amount of asbestos-bearing spoil to be excavated and managed.

Water pollution by asbestos may result from anthropogenic sources, such as water passing in cement-asbestos aqueduct pipes, or natural sources. Referring to this second case, pollution could be due to the flow of superficial water or groundwater into naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) in rock formations like green stones and serpentinites.Asbestos-bearing rocks weathering is the principal natural cause of fibres water-dispersion. Despite the abundant occurrence of NOA rocks where water can flow (underground and superficially) in the North-Western part of the Alps, a few is known about the mechanism of fibres release in water and the correlation with the geolithological and hydrogeological characteristics of the area.Moreover, the knowledge on the eventual noxiousness of waterborne fibres have still to be deepened: in fact, they can come into contact with human being as airborne fibres after water vaporization, or by ingestion, especially if fibres are present in drinking water. While a lot is known about disease caused by airborne asbestos fibres high-dose respiration, not enough has been yet comprehended about potential noxiousness of fibre ingestion. Following some in vivo studies, US-EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) defined a maximum contaminant level of 7x106 ff/l in drinking water, but this limit is not fully shared by the whole scientific community.Against this background, it has become fundamental to clarify the main aspects related to waterborne fibres, in particular their natural occurrence in water and their transportation due to water flowing into NOA. Consequently, decision has been made to conduct a study on the former chrysotile mine of Balangero, in Piedmont (Italy), which was selected as a reference case study for its great significance in the North-Western Alps context. The case study was developed in collaboration with R.S.A. s.r.l., the company that is in charge of the site remediation.A sampling and analysis campaign regarding the superficial hydrographic network of the area was settled: 5 different sampling points were selected, 2 of them inside the principal site perimeter and 3 in the villages situated downstream of the site. They have been monitored for about one year, to evaluate the seasonal variability.The main aims of the research are:the evaluation of asbestos concentration in term of number of fibres per liter (ff/l); the correlation between the concentration variability and the precipitation pattern over the four seasons; the evaluation of asbestos concentration defined as mass per liter (pg/l), depending on fibres dimension; the study of fibres characteristics, such as their dimension, morphology and chemical composition; the study of a possible correlation between asbestos concentration in pg/l and ff/l; the potential presence of fibres bundles or aggregates which can constitute a problem in the evaluation of the asbestos concentration, in particular for the correlation between ff/l and pg/l. Finally, an attempt to relate the number of waterborne fibres to those that can eventually be released in air is still ongoing.

International audience; We report a pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) method capable of analyzing traditional East Asian papers. The method proposed is based on rapid and easy single step Py-GC/MS analysis that can be carried out with a minimum amount of matter, in the few g range. Three reference papers manufactured from kozo (Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold & Zucc.), mitsumata (Edgeworthia chrysantha Lindl.) and gampi (Wikstroemia sikokiana Franch. & Sav.) with the traditional hand paper making processes were examined. The method allows discrimination between terpenic and steroid compounds, which were revealed as chemical markers of origin of the plant fibers. Each paper investigated was found to have characteristic pyrolysis fingerprints that were unique to the traditional handmade paper, demonstrating the potential for differentiation of these biochemical components of fiber plants on East Asian papers towards identification and conservation of cultural heritage. The investigation on Py-GC/MS was extended to liquid extraction followed by GC/MS analysis to characterize the biochemical components of fiber plants. The main contribution of this study is to provide molecular criteria for discriminating plant species used for traditional East Asian hand papermaking. Py-GC/MS complements efficiently microscope identification especially for adverse cases. A case study of archaeological Chinese paper painting artefacts was thereafter successfully investigated to address informative potential and efficiency of the criteria of identification on ancient and degraded East Asian paperworks.

Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS) is the only affordable analytical technique that can discriminate both morphology and elemental composition of inorganic fibers. SEM-EDS is indeed required to quantify asbestos in confounding natural matrixes (e.g. ophiolites), but is also time-consuming, operator dependent, and strongly relies on the stochastic distribution of the fibers on the filter surface. The balance between analytical time/cost and the method sensibility allows only about 0.5% of the filter to be analyzed, strongly affecting the statistical significance of results. To improve sensitivity and precision and enhance productivity, an unattended quantitative measurement of the asbestos fibers by SEM-EDS is proposed. The method identifies the particle shape first and determines their chemical composition later, saving EDS analytical time. Our approach was tested on four asbestos standards and the relative error on replicated measurements was 10%. The proposed unattended method quantifies asbestos in natural confounding matrix, also with a very low asbestos content.

Introduction: X-ray computed tomography (CT) is now used in the cultural heritage field because it is non-invasive and it can give a large amount of information on the inner structure of the object under study. Until recently mainly medical CT scanners or micro-CT setups have been used, limiting the analysis to relatively small artworks or requiring multiple acquisition and difficult image-joining for objects larger than detector dimensions. Results: To overcome the limitations of ordinary CT devices, a facility for the X-ray tomography of large size artefacts has recently been designed and installed in a protected area of the Fondazione Centro Conservazione e Restauro “La Venaria Reale”, a Centre for Preservation and Restoration. This facility, based on a X-ray source, a linear X-ray detector and a high precision mechanical system, has been and will be used to gather information on materials, manufacturing techniques and conservative conditions of artworks undergoing the restoration process. In this paper the results of the tomography of the first analyzed large artistic object are presented, giving an idea of the wealth of information obtained from the CT scan. The presented artwork is the writing cabinet called “doppio corpo”, a masterpiece of furniture more than 3 m high, inlaid for Savoy Residences by Pietro Piffetti, the most famous cabinet-maker in Piedmont in the XVIII century. The artwork is now housed in the Quirinale Palace, the official residence of the Italian President in Rome. Conclusions: The CT analysis permitted us to obtain valuable information about the conservative conditions, the presence of previous interventions, the distribution of various materials and the dimensions and arrangement of several wooden pieces, thus allowing for interesting hypotheses about the building technique of this masterpiece.