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The Science of the Total Environment Dec 2022We report individual polychlorinated biphenyl congeners and the sum of all congeners (ΣPCB) in residential soils of East Chicago, Indiana. ΣPCB in soils ranged from 20...
We report individual polychlorinated biphenyl congeners and the sum of all congeners (ΣPCB) in residential soils of East Chicago, Indiana. ΣPCB in soils ranged from 20 to 1700 ng/g dry weight (DW), with a geometric mean of 120 ng/g DW. These values are significantly higher than other locations, but similar or lower to locations nearby well-known PCB contamination sites. No PCB spatial distribution pattern was observed. PCB concentrations increase with total organic carbon in the soils and proximity to Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal (IHSC), where sediments are contaminated with PCBs. Most samples are similar in their PCB distribution and Aroclor 1254 yielded the highest similarity to all the samples. A fifth of the samples highly resemble other PCB profiles such as EPA background and Cedar Rapids Iowa soils, and volatilization from Lake Michigan, whereas volatilization from IHSC could not explain the PCBs found in soils. IHSC was expected to be the main source of PCBs in the nearby soils. It is possible that soils are impacted by variety of known and unknown sources, including volatilization from Lake Michigan, resulting in a regional PCB signal. Although PCB concentrations are higher than other locations, samples were below the current US EPA non-cancer residential soil level remediation goal for dioxin TEQ.
Topics: Carbon; Chicago; Chlorodiphenyl (54% Chlorine); Dioxins; Environmental Monitoring; Lakes; Michigan; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Soil
PubMed: 35931157
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157705 -
Environmental Geochemistry and Health May 2023South Pars Industrial Energy Zone, located in the southwest of Iran along the Persian Gulf coast, encompasses many industrial units in the vicinity of urban areas. This...
Spatial distribution, sources identification, and health risk assessment polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds and polychlorinated biphenyl compounds in total suspended particulates (TSP) in the air of South Pars Industrial region-Iran.
South Pars Industrial Energy Zone, located in the southwest of Iran along the Persian Gulf coast, encompasses many industrial units in the vicinity of urban areas. This research study investigated the effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on human health and the environment. Suspended particulate matters (SPM) in the air sampled, in summer and winter 2019, from ten stations next to industrial units and residential areas. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Spatial distribution maps of pollutants in the region were prepared using GIS software. The highest carcinogenic risk due to PAHs and PCBs measured as ([Formula: see text]) and ([Formula: see text], respectively. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency limit ([Formula: see text]), the cancer risks from PAH compounds were significant and need further investigation. The PCB cancer risks were within acceptable ranges. The highest adsorption ratios for PAHs were obtained through skin and PCBs by ingestion. The maximum measured non-carcinogenic hazard indexes (HI) turned out to be 0.037 and 0.023 for PAH and PCB, respectively, and were reported as acceptable risks. The predominant source of PAH in industrial areas was liquid fossil combustion, and in urban areas replaced by coal-wood-sugarcane combustion. Petrochemical complexes, flares, power plants (69%), electric waste disposal sites, and commercial pigments (31%) were reported as PCB sources. Industries activities were the most effective factors in producing the highest level of carcinogenic compounds in the region, and it is necessary to include essential measures in the reform programs.
Topics: Humans; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Polycyclic Compounds; Biphenyl Compounds; Environmental Monitoring; Iran; Dust; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Carcinogens; Neoplasms; Coal; Risk Assessment; Carcinogenesis; Air Pollutants
PubMed: 35567675
DOI: 10.1007/s10653-022-01286-w -
Archives of Environmental Contamination... Jan 2021Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in groundwater and leachate around selected waste dumpsites from two southwestern states of Nigeria...
Concentrations and Toxic Equivalency of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Congeners in Groundwater Around Waste Dumpsites in South-West Nigeria.
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in groundwater and leachate around selected waste dumpsites from two southwestern states of Nigeria were investigated. Samples were Soxhlet-extracted using hexane/methylene chloride mixture and cleaned-up with preconditioned solid-phase extraction cartridges. The ∑PAHs (PCBs) (all in µg/L) in the boreholes, leachate, and hand-dug well across all locations ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 0.62 (BDL to 0.067), 1.16 to 9.96 (0.003 to 0.041), and BDL to 0.01 (0.001-0.031), respectively. Low molecular weight-PAHs accounted for ≥61% of ∑PAHs detected across all locations. The highly chlorinated hexa-PCBs [2,2',3,4,4',5'-HeCB(#180), 2,2',3,4',5',6-HeCB(#34) and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-HeCB(#153)] dominated the entire congener profiles. Pyrene and 2,3',4,4',5-PeCB(#118) constituted 56% and 58% of the ∑PAHs and ∑PCBs, respectively. Sampled water is not adequately safe for drinking and may pose cancer risk. This study should be sustained for health risk and sustenance of an enduring ecological integrity.
Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Groundwater; Nigeria; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Pyrenes; Waste Disposal Facilities; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 33386939
DOI: 10.1007/s00244-020-00790-3 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2022Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of persistent organic pollutants distributed worldwide. Existing researches indicated that the immune system is one of the...
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of persistent organic pollutants distributed worldwide. Existing researches indicated that the immune system is one of the most sensitive indicators of adverse health effects caused by PCBs. We for the first time evaluated the immunotoxic effect of PCB29-pQ, an active quinone-type PCB metabolite. After PCB29-pQ exposure, the body weight of the mice was reduced, but increased the organ index of the spleen and lungs. The morphology and structure of the mouse spleen and lungs were changed, and partial types of lymphocyte subsets in the spleen were significantly reduced. The activation of caspase-3, the significant up-regulation of Bax and the decrease of Bcl-2 indicated occurrence of apoptosis. In addition, mRNA results showed that PCB29-pQ caused the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokines and promoted the Th1-type immune response. Taken together, the above results demonstrated that treatment with PCB29-pQ induced spleen immune dysfunction targeting the apoptosis pathway and Th1/Th2 cytokines imbalance in mice. Since the immune system plays a fundamental role in maintaining homeostasis and is strongly involved in the development of diseases, this study provides a new insight into the immunotoxicity mechanism of PCBs.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Benzoquinones; Cytokines; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Quinones; Th2 Cells
PubMed: 35176371
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153870 -
PloS One 2022Iron and steel industries are the major contributors to persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The microbial community present at such sites has the potential to...
Metagenomic analysis for taxonomic and functional potential of Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) degrading bacterial communities in steel industrial soil.
Iron and steel industries are the major contributors to persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The microbial community present at such sites has the potential to remediate these contaminants. The present study highlights the metabolic potential of the resident bacterial community of PAHs and PCB contaminated soil nearby Bhilai steel plant, Chhattisgarh (India). The GC-MS/MS analysis of soil samples MGB-2 (sludge) and MGB-3 (dry soil) resulted in identification of different classes of POPs including PAHs {benzo[a]anthracene (nd; 17.69%), fluorene (15.89%, nd), pyrene (nd; 18.7%), benzo(b)fluoranthene (3.03%, nd), benzo(k)fluoranthene (11.29%; nd), perylene (5.23%; nd)} and PCBs (PCB-15, PCB-95, and PCB-136). Whole-genome metagenomic analysis by Oxford Nanopore GridION Technology revealed predominance of domain bacteria (97.4%; 97.5%) followed by eukaryote (1.4%; 1.5%), archaea (1.2%; 0.9%) and virus (0.02%; 0.04%) in MGB-2 and MGB-3 respectively. Proteobacteria (44.3%; 50.0%) to be the prominent phylum followed by Actinobacteria (22.1%; 19.5%) in MBG-2 and MBG-3, respectively. However, Eukaryota microbial communities showed a predominance of phylum Ascomycota (20.5%; 23.6%), Streptophyta (18.5%, 17.0%) and unclassified (derived from Eukaryota) (12.1%; 12.2%) in MGB-2 and MGB-3. The sample MGB-3 was richer in macronutrients (C, N, P), supporting high microbial diversity than MGB-2. The presence of reads for biphenyl degradation, dioxin degradation, PAH degradation pathways can be further correlated with the presence of PCB and PAH as detected in the MGB-2 and MGB-3 samples. Further, taxonomic vis-à-vis functional analysis identified Burkholderia, Bradyrhizobium, Mycobacterium, and Rhodopseudomonas as the keystone degrader of PAH and PCB. Overall, our results revealed the importance of metagenomic and physicochemical analysis of the contaminated site, which improves the understanding of metabolic potential and adaptation of bacteria growing under POP contaminated environments.
Topics: Bacteria; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Soil; Soil Pollutants; Steel; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 35486615
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266808 -
Environmental Health : a Global Access... Oct 2022Mixture risk assessments require reference doses for common health endpoints of all the chemicals to be considered together. In support of a mixture risk assessment for...
Systematic review of associations of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure with declining semen quality in support of the derivation of reference doses for mixture risk assessments.
BACKGROUND
Mixture risk assessments require reference doses for common health endpoints of all the chemicals to be considered together. In support of a mixture risk assessment for male reproductive health, we conducted a systematic review of the literature on associations between exposures to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and declines in semen quality. PCBs can act as Aryl-hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR)-agonists and Androgen Receptor (AR)-antagonists, both mechanisms which can affect sperm parameters. PCBs and other AR-antagonists can produce additive combination effects. Based on these observations our objective was to systematically gather data from animal and human studies to derive a reference dose for declines in semen quality for individual PCB.
METHODS
We systematically reviewed and evaluated the evidence in human epidemiological and experimental animal studies on associations between PCBs and deteriorations in semen quality. Human data and findings from animal studies with PCB mixtures were considered as supporting evidence. Information for individual congeners from animal studies was required for inclusion in mixture risk assessment. Using a robust confidence rating approach, we identified suitable studies to derive reference doses for individual PCB congeners.
RESULTS
Evaluation of human epidemiological studies revealed several reports of adverse effects on sperm parameters linked to PCB exposures, although some studies reported improved semen quality. Our review of experimental animal studies found that treatments with PCBs affected semen quality, in most cases adversely. We found robust evidence that PCB-118 and -169 were linked to declines in semen quality. Evidence for adverse effects of PCB-126, -132, -149, and -153 was moderate, whereas for PCB-77 it was slight and for PCB-180 indeterminate. Using widely accepted risk assessment procedures, we estimated reference dose values of 0.0029 µg/kg/day for PCB-118 and 0.00533 µg/kg/day for PCB-169. In addition, we derived values for PCB-126: 0.000073 µg/kg/day, PCB-132: 0.0228 µg/kg/day, PCB-149: 0.656 µg/kg/day, and PCB-153: 0.0058 µg/kg/day.
CONCLUSIONS
We found robust evidence for links between PCB exposure and deteriorations in semen quality, and derived reference doses for a set of congeners. We intend to use these values in combination with congener-specific exposure data in a mixture risk assessment for declines in semen quality, involving several other antiandrogenic chemicals.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Male; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Receptors, Androgen; Risk Assessment; Semen; Semen Analysis
PubMed: 36217156
DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00904-5 -
Alcohol, Clinical & Experimental... Jan 2023The prevalence of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), a subtype of fatty liver disease (FLD), continues to rise. ALD is a major cause of preventable death....
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), a subtype of fatty liver disease (FLD), continues to rise. ALD is a major cause of preventable death. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) 126 is an environmentally relevant, dioxin-like pollutant whose negative metabolic effects have been well documented. In human and animal studies, PCB has been associated with the severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, few studies have investigated whether exposures to environmental toxicants can worsen ALD. Thus, the objective of the current study was to develop an alcohol-plus-toxicant model to study how an environmental pollutant, PCB 126, impacts rodent ALD pathology.
METHODS
Briefly, male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 0.2 mg/kg PCB 126 or corn oil vehicle four days prior to ethanol feeding using the chronic-binge (10-plus-one) model.
RESULTS
Concentrations of macromolecules, including hepatic lipids, carbohydrates, and protein (albumin) were impacted. Exposure to PCB 126 exacerbated hepatic steatosis and hepatomegaly in mice exposed to the chemical and fed an ethanol diet. Gene expression and the analysis of blood chemistry showed a potential net increase and retention of hepatic lipids and reductions in lipid oxidation and clearance capabilities. Depletion of glycogen and glucose was evident, which contributes to disease progression by generating systemic malnutrition. Granulocytic immune infiltrates were present but driven solely by ethanol feeding. Hepatic albumin gene expression and plasma levels were decreased by ~50% indicating a potential compromise of liver function. Finally, gene expression analyses indicated that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and constitutive androstane receptor were activated by PCB 126 and ethanol, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Various environmental toxicants are known to modify or enhance FLD in high-fat diet models. Findings from the present study suggest that they interact with other lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption to reprogram intermediary metabolism resulting in exacerbated ethanol-associated systemic malnutrition in ALD.
Topics: Humans; Male; Mice; Animals; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Environmental Pollutants; Rodentia; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Liver; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic; Diet, High-Fat; Ethanol; Lipids; Malnutrition
PubMed: 36377258
DOI: 10.1111/acer.14976 -
Environmental Research May 2022Most functional microorganisms cannot be cultivated due to entering a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state, which limits the characterization and application of...
Most functional microorganisms cannot be cultivated due to entering a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state, which limits the characterization and application of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-degrading strains. Resuscitating VBNC bacteria could provide huge candidates for obtaining high-efficient PCB degraders. However, limited studies have focused on the ability of resuscitated strains for PCBs degradation. In the present study, whole-genome analysis of a resuscitated strain SPC0, and its performances in degradation of three prevalent PCB congeners (PCBs 18, 52 and 77) were investigated. The results indicate that the strain SPC0 belonged to the genus Streptococcus, possessed the degradation potential for aromatic xenobiotics. The SPC0 could effectively degrade PCBs 18 and 52, but exhibited lower degradation efficiency of PCB 77. Degradation of PCBs 18 and 52 could be fitted well by zero-order model, whereas the fittest model for PCB 77 degradation was pseudo second-order kinetics. The bph genes expression, chloride ions release and degradation metabolites identification, suggest that SPC0 possessed the capability of oxidative dehalogenation and mineralization of PCBs. Interestingly, SPC0 can degrade PCBs via the bph-encoded biphenyl pathway, and further mineralize metabolite dichlorobenzoate via protocatechuate pathway. This study is the first to show that a strain belonging to genus Streptococcus possessed PCB-degrading capability, which uncovered the powerful potential of resuscitated strains for bioremediation of PCB-contaminated sites.
Topics: Biodegradation, Environmental; Oxidative Stress; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Soil Microbiology; Streptococcus
PubMed: 34990605
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112648 -
Chemosphere Oct 2019Different countries produce varying amounts of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), have distinct patterns of use, and regulations for treatment and disposal. Therefore,...
Different countries produce varying amounts of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), have distinct patterns of use, and regulations for treatment and disposal. Therefore, long-term countermeasures require an understanding of historical and future emission trends at the national scale. In this study, we estimate historical PCB emissions from products containing PCBs, unintentional production related thermal processes, and disposal processes for products containing PCBs from 1950 to 2030 in Japan. In addition, in order to validate the results, we estimated PCB concentrations in environmental media using an environmental fate model and a sensitivity analysis was conducted. Our results show that total PCB emissions were approximately 2.6 tons in 2017, which was a dramatic decrease from peak emissions of 68.9 tons in 1970. We suggest that PCB emissions may continue to decrease, reaching 0.707 tons in 2030. This trend might be due to a change in the emission source; it was estimated that the main emission source in past and recent years was volatilization from large products containing PCBs. However, it is predicted that the main emission sources in the future will be unintentional PCB production from thermal processes and volatilization from small untreated products containing PCBs, although the estimation of environmental PCB levels suggested that there might be unknown emission sources. Additionally, the sensitivity analysis indicated that some parameters greatly influenced the estimation of recent and future emissions. In particular, there was no detailed information concerning the applications for PCBs, which potentially had a large influence on the estimation of future emissions.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Conservation of Natural Resources; Environmental Monitoring; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Japan; Models, Theoretical; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Volatilization
PubMed: 31158633
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.04.206 -
Chemosphere Jan 2022The sorption isotherms of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on carbons (coal based activated carbon named AC and hardwood derived biochar named BC) and natural organic...
The sorption isotherms of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on carbons (coal based activated carbon named AC and hardwood derived biochar named BC) and natural organic matter (NOM) loaded carbons were examined and carbon-water partition coefficients (K) were calculated. The purpose was to accurately predict the effectiveness of in-situ carbon treatments on the sediment impacted with hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs). For 1 month sorption, AC K values were significantly higher than BC, corresponding to the much larger surface area (particularly in mesopores) for AC. BC K values were correlated with PCB total surface area (TSA) and octanol-water partition coefficient (logK). After loading with NOM, AC adsorption to PCBs strongly reduced and the fitted Freundlich exponents (n) decreased with increasing NOM level. However, NOM loading slightly impacted BC sorption and exhibited an opposite effect on BC n values. It is illustrated that the sorption mechanisms are different between AC and BC thereby the influences of NOM on sorption characteristics differ vastly. As the sorption time increased from 1 month to 6 months, an increase is observed in BC sorption extent but simultaneously NOM reduction effect on BC sorption increases, implying that more accurately evaluating BC application as an in-situ sorbent amendment for HOC impacted sediment need further investigation. On the contrary, AC adsorption attenuation caused by NOM coating greatly decreases over time, encouraging AC application as a sediment amendment.
Topics: Adsorption; Charcoal; Geologic Sediments; Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PubMed: 34543896
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132239