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Chemical Research in Toxicology Jun 2020Isopropylated and -butylated triarylphosphate esters (ITPs and TBPPs, respectively) are plasticizers and flame retardants that are ubiquitous in indoor environments;...
Isopropylated and -butylated triarylphosphate esters (ITPs and TBPPs, respectively) are plasticizers and flame retardants that are ubiquitous in indoor environments; however, no studies to date have characterized their metabolism. Using human liver subcellular S9 fractions, phase I and II metabolism of triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), 4--butylphenyl diphenyl phosphate (4tBPDPP), 2-isopropylphenyl diphenyl phosphate (2IPPDPP), and 4-isopropylphenyl diphenyl phosphate (4IPPDPP) was investigated at 1 and 10 μM doses. Parent depletion and the formation of known or suspected metabolites (e.g., likely hydrolysis or hydroxylated products), including diphenyl phosphate (DPHP), hydroxyl-triphenyl phosphate (OH-TPHP), isopropylphenyl phenyl phosphate (ip-PPP), and -butylphenyl phenyl phosphate (tb-PPP), were monitored and quantified via GC/MS or LC-MS/MS. tb-PPP and its conjugates were identified as the major metabolites of 4tBPDPP and accounted for 71% and 49%, respectively, of the parent molecule that was metabolized during the incubation. While the mass balance between parents and metabolites was conserved for TPHP and 4tBPDPP, approximately 20% of the initial parent mass was unaccounted for after quantifying suspected metabolites of 2IPPDPP and 4IPPDPP that had authentic standards available. Two novel ITP metabolites, mono-isopropenylphenyl diphenyl phosphate and hydroxy-isopropylphenyl diphenyl phosphate, were tentatively identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry and screened for in recently collected human urine where mono-isopropenylphenyl diphenyl phosphate was detected in one of nine samples analyzed. This study provides insight into the biological fate of ITP and TBPP isomers in human tissues and is useful in identifying appropriate biomarkers of exposure to monitor, particularly in support of epidemiological studies.
Topics: Biotransformation; Child; Child, Preschool; Environmental Pollutants; Esters; Flame Retardants; Humans; Liver; Organophosphates; Plasticizers; Subcellular Fractions
PubMed: 32129605
DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.0c00002 -
Journal of Insect Physiology Sep 2023Environmental plastic pollution has significantly increased in the recent decades, and severely impacts economies, human and biodiversity health. Plastics are made of...
Environmental plastic pollution has significantly increased in the recent decades, and severely impacts economies, human and biodiversity health. Plastics are made of several chemical additives, including bisphenol and phthalate plasticizers such as bisphenol A (BPA) and Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP). In some animal species, both BPA and DEHP are known as endocrine disruptor compounds, and can alter physiological and metabolic homeostasis, reproduction, development and/or behavior. To date, the impacts of BPA and DEHP have mainly focused on vertebrates, and to a lesser extent, on aquatic invertebrates. Yet, the few studies which examined the effects of DEHP on terrestrial insects also revealed the impacts this pollutant can have on development, hormone titrations, and metabolic profiles. In particular, it has been hypothesized in the Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis that the observed metabolic alterations could result from the energetic costs necessary for DEHP detoxification or to the dysregulation of hormonally-controlled enzymatic activities. To get additional insights into the physiological effects of bisphenol and phthalate plasticizers on the moth S. littoralis, larvae were fed with food contaminated by BPA, DEHP, or the mixture of both compounds. Then, activities of four glycolytic enzymes, hexokinase, phosphoglucose isomerase, phosphofructokinase, and pyruvate kinase were measured. BPA and/or DEHP had no effects on the activities of phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase. Conversely, BPA-contaminated larvae were characterized by a 1.9-fold increase in phosphoglucose isomerase activity, and BPA + DEHP-fed larvae had highly variable hexokinase activity. Overall, since no disruption of glycolytic enzyme was observed in DEHP-contaminated larvae, our work tended to demonstrate that exposure to bisphenol and DEHP increased the amount of oxidative stress experienced.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Plasticizers; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Spodoptera; Moths; Pyruvate Kinase; Glucose-6-Phosphate Isomerase; Hexokinase; Larva; Phosphofructokinases
PubMed: 37380125
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104533 -
Biomacromolecules Oct 2022Glucose-responsive materials are of great importance in the field of monitoring the physiological glucose level or smart insulin management. This study presents the...
Glucose-responsive materials are of great importance in the field of monitoring the physiological glucose level or smart insulin management. This study presents the first vacuum-based deposition of a glucose-responsive hydrogel thin film. The successful vacuum-based synthesis of a glucose-responsive hydrogel may open the door to a vast variety of new applications, where, for example, the hydrogel thin film is applied on new possible substrates. In addition, vacuum-deposited films are free of leachables (e.g., plasticizers and residual solvents). Therefore, they are, in principle, safe for in-body applications. A hydrogel made of but-3-enylboronic acid units, a boronic acid compound, was synthesized via initiated chemical vapor deposition. The thin film was characterized in terms of chemical composition, surface morphology, and swelling response toward pH and sucrose, a glucose-fructose compound. The film was stable in aqueous solutions, consisting of polymerized boronic acid and the initiator unit, and had an undulating texture appearance (rms 2.1 nm). The hydrogel was in its shrunken state at pH 4-7 and swelled by increasing the pH to 9. The p was 8.2 ± 0.2. The response to glucose was observed at pH 10 and resulted in thickness shrinking.
Topics: Boronic Acids; Fructose; Gases; Glucose; Hydrogels; Insulins; Plasticizers; Solvents; Sucrose
PubMed: 36053563
DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00762 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Jan 2021Microplastic pollution has become ubiquitous, affecting a wide variety of biota. Although microplastics are known to alter the development of a range of marine...
Microplastic pollution has become ubiquitous, affecting a wide variety of biota. Although microplastics are known to alter the development of a range of marine invertebrates, no studies provide a detailed morphological characterisation of the developmental defects. Likewise, the developmental toxicity of chemicals leached from plastic particles is understudied. The consequences of these developmental effects are likely underestimated, and the effects on ecosystems are unknown. Using the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus as a model, we studied the effects of leachates of three forms of plastic pellet: new industrial pre-production plastic nurdles, beached pre-production nurdles, and floating filters, known as biobeads, also retrieved from the environment. Our chemical analyses show that leachates from beached pellets (biobead and nurdle pellets) and highly plasticised industrial pellets (PVC) contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls, which are known to be detrimental to development and other life stages of animals. We also demonstrate that these microplastic leachates elicit severe, consistent and treatment-specific developmental abnormalities in P. lividus at embryonic and larval stages. Those embryos exposed to virgin polyethylene leachates with no additives nor environmental contaminants developed normally, suggesting that the abnormalities observed are the result of exposure to either environmentally adsorbed contaminants or pre-existing industrial additives within the polymer matrix. In the light of the chemical contents of the leachates and other characteristics of the plastic particles used, we discuss the phenotypes observed during our study, which include abnormal gastrulation, impaired skeletogenesis, abnormal neurogenesis, redistribution of pigmented cells and embryo radialisation.
Topics: Animals; Aquatic Organisms; Ecosystem; Embryo, Nonmammalian; Paracentrotus; Plastics; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 33257153
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115744 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2019From a global viewpoint, a lot of time is spent within the indoor air compartment of vehicles. A German study on mobility has revealed that, on average, people spend 45... (Review)
Review
From a global viewpoint, a lot of time is spent within the indoor air compartment of vehicles. A German study on mobility has revealed that, on average, people spend 45 minutes per day inside vehicles. In recent years the number of cars has increased to around 43 million vehicles in private households. This means that more than one car can be used in every household. The ratio has been growing, especially in eastern Germany and rural areas. "Overall and especially outside the cities, the car remains by far number one mode of transport, especially in terms of mileage". Therefore, numerous international studies have addressed different aspects of indoor air hygiene, in the past years. In this paper, meaningful original studies on car indoor air pollution, related to VOCs, COx, PMs, microbials, BFRs, OPFRs, cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, high molecular weight plasticizer, and NOx are summarized in the form of a review. This present review aimed to summarize recently published studies in this important field of environmental medicine and points to the need for further studies with special recommendations for optimizing the interior air hygiene.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution, Indoor; Automobiles; Environmental Monitoring; Flame Retardants; Germany; Humans; Plasticizers
PubMed: 31323996
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16132441 -
General and Comparative Endocrinology Aug 2015Due to their versatility, robustness, and low production costs, plastics are used in a wide variety of applications. Plasticizers are mixed with polymers to increase... (Review)
Review
Due to their versatility, robustness, and low production costs, plastics are used in a wide variety of applications. Plasticizers are mixed with polymers to increase flexibility of plastics. However, plasticizers are not covalently bound to plastics, and thus leach from products into the environment. Several studies have reported that two common plasticizers, bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, induce adverse health effects in vertebrates; however few studies have addressed their toxicity to non-mammalian species. The aim of this review is to compare the effects of plasticizers in animals, with a focus on aquatic species. In summary, we identified three main chains of events that occur in animals exposed to BPA and phthalates. Firstly, plasticizers affect development by altering both the thyroid hormone and growth hormone axes. Secondly, these chemicals interfere with reproduction by decreasing cholesterol transport through the mitochondrial membrane, leading to reduced steroidogenesis. Lastly, exposure to plasticizers leads to the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, the increase of fatty acid oxidation, and the reduction in the ability to cope with the augmented oxidative stress leading to reproductive organ malformations, reproductive defects, and decreased fertility.
Topics: Animals; Endocrine Disruptors; Growth Hormone; Mammals; Models, Molecular; Phthalic Acids; Plasticizers; Reproduction
PubMed: 25448254
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.11.003 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024In recent years, the presence and migration of PAEs in packaging materials and consumer products has become a serious concern. Based on this concern, the aim of our...
In recent years, the presence and migration of PAEs in packaging materials and consumer products has become a serious concern. Based on this concern, the aim of our study is to determine the possible migration potential and speed of PAEs in benthic fish stored in vacuum packaging, as well as to monitor the storage time and type as well as polyethylene (PE) polymer detection.As a result of the analysis performed by µ-Raman spectroscopy, 1 microplastic (MP) of 6 µm in size was determined on the 30th day of storage in whiting fish muscle and the polymer type was found to be Polyethylene (PE) (low density polyethylene: LDPE). Depending on the storage time of the packaging used in the vacuum packaging process, it has been determined that its chemical composition is affected by temperature and different types of polymers are formed. 10 types of PAEs were identified in the packaging material and stored flesh fish: DIBP, DBP, DPENP, DHEXP, BBP, DEHP, DCHP, DNOP, DINP and DDP. While the most dominant PAEs in the packaging material were determined as DEHP, the most dominant PAEs in fish meat were recorded as BBP and the lowest as DMP. The findings provide a motivating model for monitoring the presence and migration of PAEs in foods, while filling an important gap in maintaining a safe food chain.
Topics: Animals; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Plastics; Vacuum; Phthalic Acids; Polyethylene; Polymers; Dibutyl Phthalate; Esters; China
PubMed: 38575598
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54730-5 -
The Science of the Total Environment Mar 2024Bio-based fertilizers (BBFs) produced from organic waste have the potential to reduce societal dependence on limited and energy-intensive mineral fertilizers. BBFs,...
Bio-based fertilizers (BBFs) produced from organic waste have the potential to reduce societal dependence on limited and energy-intensive mineral fertilizers. BBFs, thereby, contribute to a circular economy for fertilizers. However, BBFs can contain plastic fragments and hazardous additives such as phthalate plasticizers, which could constitute a risk for agricultural soils and the environment. This study assessed the exposure associated with plastic and phthalates in BBFs from three types of organic wastes: agricultural and food industry waste (AgriFoodInduWaste), sewage sludge (SewSludge), and biowaste (i.e., garden, park, food and kitchen waste). The wastes were associated with various treatments like drying, anaerobic digestion, and vermicomposting. The number of microplastics (0.045-5 mm) increased from AgriFoodInduWaste-BBFs (15-258 particles g), to SewSludge-BBFs (59-1456 particles g) and then to Biowaste-BBFs (828-2912 particles g). Biowaste-BBFs mostly contained packaging plastics (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate), with the mass of plastic (>10 g kg) exceeding the EU threshold (3 g kg, plastics >2 mm). Other BBFs mostly contained small (< 1 mm) non-packaging plastics in amounts below the EU limit. The calculated numbers of microplastics entering agricultural soils via BBF application was high (10-10 microplastics hay), but the mass of plastic released from AgriFoodInduWaste-BBFs and SewSludge-BBFs was limited (< 1 and <7 kg hay) compared to Biowaste-BBFs (95-156 kg hay). The concentrations of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP; < 2.5 mg kg) and phthalate transformation products (< 8 mg kg) were low (< benchmark of 50 mg kg for DEHP), attributable to both the current phase-out of DEHP as well as phthalate degradation during waste treatment. The Biowaste-BBF exposed to vermicomposting indicated that worms accumulated phthalate transformation products (4 mg kg). These results are overall positive for the implementation of the studied AgriFoodInduWaste-BBFs and SewSludge-BBFs. However, the safe use of the studied Biowaste-BBFs requires reducing plastic use and improving sorting methods to minimize plastic contamination, in order to protect agricultural soils and reduce the environmental impact of Biowaste-BBFs.
Topics: Plasticizers; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Plastics; Fertilizers; Microplastics; Phthalic Acids; Soil; Sewage; Dibutyl Phthalate
PubMed: 38307289
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170501 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Aug 2022The application of plastic mulch films brings convenience to agricultural production, but also causes plastic waste that can be degraded into microplastics (MPs)....
The application of plastic mulch films brings convenience to agricultural production, but also causes plastic waste that can be degraded into microplastics (MPs). However, little is known about the fate of plastic waste in agricultural ecosystem under freeze-thaw alternation in middle and high latitudes, as well as in highlands around the world. Whether the release of plasticizers, i.e. phthalate esters (PAEs), under such conditions would pose a potential risk to exposed organisms due to bioaccumulation is also unknown. To fill these data gaps, the agricultural fields in Liaoning of China with typical freeze-thaw alternation was selected as the study area. The transformation of plastic film was demonstrated by simulation freeze-thaw alternating from -30 to 20 ℃. Soil samples were collected to investigate the patterns of MP composition, abundance, and distribution. Concurrently, the concentrations of two PAEs including bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) in soils were analyzed to provide information on the correlation between MPs abundance and PAEs concentrations as well as potential risks. The results showed that freeze-thaw alternating can accelerate the formation of MPs and release of PAEs from plastic waste. The abundance of MPs was positively correlated with the concentration of PAEs. Soil PAEs ranged from 3268 ± 213-6351 ± 110 μg/kg, indicating that over 40 % of the PAEs were transferred from plastic films to soils. Such residual amounts could pose risk for exposed organisms. Hence, the current study suggested that special concerns should be given to the release plasticizers in plastic waste of agricultural soils.
Topics: China; Dibutyl Phthalate; Ecosystem; Esters; Phthalic Acids; Plasticizers; Plastics; Soil; Soil Pollutants
PubMed: 35679726
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113742 -
Genes Feb 2021Bisphenol S (BPS) is used as an alternative plasticizer to Bisphenol A (BPA), despite limited knowledge of potential adverse effects. BPA exhibits endocrine disrupting...
Bisphenol S (BPS) is used as an alternative plasticizer to Bisphenol A (BPA), despite limited knowledge of potential adverse effects. BPA exhibits endocrine disrupting effects during development. This article focuses on the impact of bisphenols during oocyte maturation. Connexins (Cx) are gap junctional proteins that may be affected by bisphenols, providing insight into their mechanism during development. Cxs 37 and 43 are crucial in facilitating cell communication between cumulus cells and oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), denuded oocytes, and cumulus cells were exposed to 0.05 mg/mL BPA or BPS for 24 h. Both compounds had no effect on Cx43. Cumulus cells exhibited a significant increase in Cx37 expression following BPA ( = 0.001) and BPS ( = 0.017) exposure. COCs treated with BPA had increased Cx37 protein expression, whilst BPS showed no effects, suggesting BPA and BPS act through different mechanisms. Experiments conducted in in vitro cultured cumulus cells, obtained by stripping germinal vesicle oocytes, showed significantly increased expression of Cx37 in BPA, but not the BPS, treated group. BPA significantly increased Cx37 protein expression, while BPS did not. Disrupted Cx37 following BPA exposure provides an indication of possible effects of bisphenols on connexins during the early stages of development.
Topics: Animals; Benzhydryl Compounds; Cattle; Connexin 43; Connexins; Cumulus Cells; Endocrine Disruptors; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques; Oocytes; Phenols; Plasticizers; Sulfones; Gap Junction alpha-4 Protein
PubMed: 33672423
DOI: 10.3390/genes12020321