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Toxics Dec 2023Suspended particulate matter (SPM), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCP) were studied in the snow cover at urban and suburban localities...
Persistent Organic Pollutants and Suspended Particulate Matter in Snow of Eastern Siberia in 2009-2023: Temporal Trends and Effects of Meteorological Factors and Recultivation Activities at Former Industrial Area.
Suspended particulate matter (SPM), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCP) were studied in the snow cover at urban and suburban localities in the Irkutsk region, Eastern Siberia for their temporal variations in 2009-2023, daily deposition fluxes (DDFs), and effects of some meteorological factors, as well as the effects of different technogenic activities in the industrial area of the former organochlorine enterprises of Usol'ekhimprom. SPM loads at both stations were found to be at a low level of pollution. The levels of HCB, α + γ-HCH, and ∑,'-DDX were lower than Russian maximum permissible levels (MPLs) in drinking water, groundwater, and surface water for household drinking and cultural purposes. The sums of all organochlorine compounds studied in snow were higher than the MPL in freshwater water bodies for fishery purposes. The levels of the DDFs of HCHs, DDTs, and heptachlorinated PCB decreased, di- and trichlorinated PCB levels increased, and HCB levels changed at a polynomial line during 2009-2023. The change in the relative composition of PCBs was found as a result of recultivation activities at the industrial area of the former organochlorine enterprise of Usol'ekhimprom. The air humidity and temperature are the key meteorological factors affecting the DDFs of PCBs and OCPs.
PubMed: 38250967
DOI: 10.3390/toxics12010011 -
Marine Pollution Bulletin Mar 2024Microplastics (MPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are pervasive pollutants in the marine environment, exerting adverse effects on marine organisms. While it is... (Review)
Review
Microplastics (MPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are pervasive pollutants in the marine environment, exerting adverse effects on marine organisms. While it is suggested that their exposure may compromise the immune responses of marine organisms, the cumulative immunotoxic effects remain uncertain. Additionally, the intricate mechanisms underlying the immunotoxicity of PCBs and MPs in marine organisms are not yet fully comprehended. To illuminate their combined biological impacts, Crassostrea gigas were exposed to 50 μg/L MPs (30-μm porous) alone, as well as 10 or 100 ng/L PCBs individually or in combination with 50 μg/L of MPs for 28 days. Our data demonstrated that oysters treated with the pollutants examined led to decreased total haemocyte count, inhibited phagocytosis of haemocytes, enhanced the intracellular contents of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, reduced lysozyme concentration and activity, gave rise to superoxide dismutase. Catalaseand glutathione S-transferaseactivity. The expression of three immune-related genes (NF-κB, TNF-α, TLR-6) was drastically suppressed by the PCBs and MPs treatment, while the apoptosis pathway-related genes (BAX and Caspase-3) showed a significant increase. In addition, compared to oysters treated with a single type of pollutant, coexposure to MPs and PCBs exerted more severe adverse impacts on all the parameters investigated, indicating a significant synergistic effect. Therefore, the risk of MPs and PCBs chemicals on marine organisms should be paid more attention.
Topics: Animals; Microplastics; Plastics; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Crassostrea; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Environmental Pollutants
PubMed: 38364644
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116161 -
Data in Brief Dec 2023Sediment quality and the integrity of coastal aquatic ecosystems are deteriorating, particularly in regions with unregulated discharges of chemical pollutants into the...
Sediment quality and the integrity of coastal aquatic ecosystems are deteriorating, particularly in regions with unregulated discharges of chemical pollutants into the environment. Although organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been banned in recent decades for their adverse effects on the environment and human and animal health, these organic micropollutants are frequently detected in many aquatic systems. This dataset reports baseline concentrations of 27 PCBs and 20 OCPs analysed in surface-mixed layer water and sediment samples collected from designated sampling locations in the Lagos lagoon, off the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria. The EPA Method 3570 (SW-846) and EPA Method 3510C (SW-846) with slight modifications were used for sediment and water extraction/cleanup procedures, respectively. Data were acquired using gas chromatography (GC) Agillent 6890 and 5890 equipped with electron capture detector (ECD). Data are reported in ng/L and µg/kg for concentrations of OCPs and PCBs in surface-mixed layer water and sediment samples, respectively. The interpretation of this dataset is fully discussed in the related research articles by Benson et al. (2023) and Unyimadu and Benson (2023).
PubMed: 37869624
DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2023.109645 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Mar 2024Whether and to what extent the impact of exposure to various polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners on diabetes, as well as the important contributors, have remained...
BACKGROUND
Whether and to what extent the impact of exposure to various polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners on diabetes, as well as the important contributors, have remained unclear.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate the association patterns between PCBs mixture and diabetes, identify the critical congeners, and explore the potential modifiers.
METHODS
The present study included 5900 U.S. adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2007 and 2016. Weighted logistic regression, restricted cubic spline regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were applied to estimate the linear and non-linear associations of single and mixed PCB exposure with diabetes. Subgroup analyses were also conducted to explore potential sex differences.
RESULTS
In the weighted logistic regression model, total PCBs were positively associated with diabetes (OR = 1.33, P < 0.025), and significant non-linear associations were observed using RCS analyses. The non-linear positive association between PCBs mixed exposure and diabetes was likewise found in the WQS and BKMR results. PCB180, PCB194, PCB196, and PCB167 were with the highest weights in the WQS, and PCB209 and PCB66 were with the highest posterior inclusion probabilities in the BKMR. Additionally, exposure to total PCBs and most of individual PCB congeners were significantly associated with elevated risk of in females (OR = 1.74; P for trend < 0.001), while fewer significant associations were observed in males.
CONCLUSION
The present study highlighted the importance of the long-term surveillance of PCBs and the need to enhance protective measures against them. Notably, these associations were non-linear, congener-specific, and significantly stronger in females than males, especially at relatively high levels of PCBs exposure. Further prospective and mechanistic studies were warranted to ascertain the causal effects between PCBs mixture and diabetes.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Environmental Pollutants; Environmental Exposure; Nutrition Surveys; Bayes Theorem; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 38340600
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116091 -
Environmental Science & Technology... Sep 2023To reconcile the federal regulation of material polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations with recently implemented state regulations of airborne PCBs, there is a...
To reconcile the federal regulation of material polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations with recently implemented state regulations of airborne PCBs, there is a need to characterize the relationship between PCB emissions from surfaces and air concentrations. We hypothesized that the magnitude and congener distribution of emissions from floors and walls fully account for the airborne PCBs measured in rooms constructed during the height of PCB production and sales. We measured emissions of PCB congeners from various wall and floor materials using polyurethane foam passive emission samplers before and after hexane wiping. Our results revealed that PCB emissions from flooring adequately predicted the magnitude and congener distribution of PCBs observed in the room air. Emissions varied by material within a single building (5 × 10 ng m day from wood panel walls to 3 × 10 ng m day from vinyl tile) and within the same room. Yet congener distributions between material emission PCB profiles and room air PCB profiles were statistically similar. Hexane wiping significantly reduced PCB emissions (>60%), indicating the importance of surface films as an ongoing source of airborne PCBs. The magnitude and congener distribution of material bulk concentrations did not explain that of material emissions or air concentrations. Passive measurements of polychlorinated biphenyl emissions from floors in a university building predict the concentrations of PCBs in room air.
PubMed: 37719204
DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00360 -
Biochemical Pharmacology Dec 2023The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a crucial cytosolic evolutionary conserved ligand-activated transcription factor and a pleiotropic signal transducer. The... (Review)
Review
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a crucial cytosolic evolutionary conserved ligand-activated transcription factor and a pleiotropic signal transducer. The biosensor activity of the AhR is attributed to the promiscuity of its ligand-binding domain. Evidence suggests exposure to environmental toxins such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons activates the AhR signaling pathway. The constitutive activation of the receptor signaling system leads to multiple health adversities and enhances the risk of several cancers, including breast cancer (BC). This review evaluates several mechanisms that integrate the tumor-inducing property of such environmental contaminants with the AhR pathway assisting in BC tumorigenesis, progress and metastasis. Intriguingly, immune evasion is identified as a prominent hallmark in BC. Several emerging pieces of evidence have identified AhR as a potent immunosuppressive effector in several cancers. Through AhR signaling pathways, some tumors can avoid immune detection. Thus the relevance of AhR in the immunomodulation of breast tumors and its putative mode of action in the breast tumor microenvironment are discussed in this review. Additionally, the work also explores BC stemness and its associated inflammation in response to several environmental cues. The review elucidates the context-dependent ambiguous behavior of AhR either as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor with respect to its ligand. Conclusively, this holistic piece of literature attempts to potentiate AhR as a promising pharmacological target in BC and updates on the therapeutic manipulation of its various exogenous and endogenous ligands.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; Ligands; Signal Transduction; Gene Expression Regulation; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37863327
DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115866 -
Journal of Food Protection Mar 2024Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic organic contaminants that are widespread in the environment. There are 209 PCB congeners. Fish oil produced from marine...
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic organic contaminants that are widespread in the environment. There are 209 PCB congeners. Fish oil produced from marine fish is widely used as a health supplement. PCB contamination of fish oil is of concern. We determined the concentrations of all 209 PCB congeners in commercially available fish oil supplements from Japan and estimated PCB intakes for humans consuming the supplements. We determined the concentrations of non-dioxin-like PCBs separately. The total PCB concentrations in 37 fish oil supplements purchased in Japan were 0.024-19 ng/g whole weight, and the non-dioxin-like PCB concentration range was also 0.024-19 ng/g whole weight. The total PCB intakes calculated for a 50 kg human consuming the supplements were 0.039-51 ng/day (0.00078-1.0 ng/(kg body weight per day)) and the non-dioxin-like PCB intake range was also 0.039-51 ng/day (0.00078-1.0 ng/(kg body weight per day)). The total PCB intakes were much lower than the tolerable daily intake of 20 ng/(kg body weight per day) recommended by the WHO. The results indicated that PCBs in the fish oil supplements pose acceptable risks to humans consuming the fish oil supplements daily.
Topics: Humans; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Fish Oils; Japan; Dietary Supplements; Body Weight; Food Contamination
PubMed: 38301956
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100235 -
Toxics Dec 2023Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors that have been implicated in potential damage to human semen. However, the...
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors that have been implicated in potential damage to human semen. However, the studies conducted so far provide contrasting results. Our study aimed to investigate the associations between PCB serum and semen levels and semen quality in high school and university students living in a highly PCB-polluted area of Italy. Subjects with a normal body mass index who did not make daily use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or medication were selected. All participants provided a fasting blood and a semen sample. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentrations of 26 PCB congeners. The concentrations of PCB functional groups and total PCBs were also computed. A total of 143 subjects (median age 20, range 18-22 years) were enrolled. The median total PCB concentrations were 3.85 ng/mL (range 3.43-4.56 ng/mL) and 0.29 ng/mL (range 0.26-0.32 ng/mL) in serum and semen, respectively. The analysis of the associations between sperm PCB concentration and semen parameters showed (a) negative associations between some PCB congeners, functional groups and total PCBs and sperm total motility; (b) negative associations of total PCBs with sperm normal morphology; and (c) no association of PCBs with sperm concentration. Subjects at the highest quartile of semen total PCB concentration had 19% and 23% mean reductions in total motility and normal morphology, respectively, compared to those at the lowest quartile. The analysis of the associations of serum PCB levels with sperm parameters yielded null or mixed (some positive, other negative) results. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence of a negative effect of some PCB congeners and total PCBs in semen on sperm motility and normal morphology. However, the associations between the concentration of serum and semen PCB congeners and functional groups and sperm quality parameters were inconsistent.
PubMed: 38276719
DOI: 10.3390/toxics12010006 -
Marine Pollution Bulletin Nov 2023Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were studied in the Nile Delta area of Egypt's southern Mediterranean for their environmental...
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in water-sediment system of southern Mediterranean: Concentration, source and ecological risk assessment.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were studied in the Nile Delta area of Egypt's southern Mediterranean for their environmental impacts, probable sources, and ecological risk assessment. Using the Gas Chromatography Triple Quadrupole technique, the residues of 16 OCPs and 18 PCBs were determined. The total OCPs content in the seawater and sediment samples ranged from 0.108 to 10.97 μg/L and 0.301 to 5.268 ng/g, respectively, while the PCBs residues had values between 0.808 and 1069.75 μg/L in seawater and between not detected and 575.50 ng/g in sediment samples. The findings of the risk evaluation showed that, except for endosulfan-I, OCPs caused little harm in seawater. However, PCB180, PCB153, PCB156, PCB126 and PCB138 posed a comparatively significant risk. The concentration of DDTs was higher than the effect range low and threshold effect level but remained below the effect range median and probable effect level, posing a minimal ecological concern.
Topics: Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Water; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Geologic Sediments; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Pesticides; Risk Assessment; Environmental Monitoring
PubMed: 37871457
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115692 -
Environmental Research Jan 2024Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), they have contributed to the exposure of women to persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These...
Placental concentrations of xenoestrogenic organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls and assessment of their xenoestrogenicity in the PA-MAMI mother-child cohort.
BACKGROUND
Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), they have contributed to the exposure of women to persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These compounds can cross the placental barrier and interfere with the hormonal system of newborns.
AIM
To determine concentrations of OCPs and PCBs and their xenoestrogenic activity in placentas of women from the PA-MAMI cohort of Panama.
METHODS
Thirty-nine placenta samples from women in the Azuero peninsula (Panama) were analyzed. Five OCPs [p-p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p-p'-DDE), beta-hexachlorohexane (β-HCH), γ-hexachlorohexane (lindane), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and mirex] and three PCB congeners (PCB-138, PCB-153 and PCB-180) were quantified in placenta extracts. The xenoestrogenic activity of extracts was assessed with the E-Screen bioassay to estimate the total effective xenoestrogen burden (TEXB).
RESULTS
All placental samples were positive for at least three POP residues and >70% for at least six. The frequencies of quantified OCPs ranged from 100% for p,p'-DDE and HCB to 30.8% for β-HCH. The highest median concentration was for lindane (380.0 pg/g placenta), followed by p,p'-DDE (280.0 pg/g placenta), and HCB (90.0 pg/g placenta). Exposure to p,p'-DDE was associated with greater meat consumption, suggesting that animal fat is a major source of exposure to DDT metabolites. The frequency of detected PCBs ranged between 70 and 90%; the highest median concentration was for PCB 138 (17.0 pg/g placenta), followed by PCB 153 (16.0 pg/g placenta). All placentas were positive in the estrogenicity bioassay with a median TEXB-α of 0.91 pM Eeq/g of placenta. Exposure to lindane was positively associated with the xenoestrogenicity of TEXB- α, whereas this association was negative in the case of exposure to PCB 153.
CONCLUSIONS
To our best knowledge, this study contributes the first evidence on the presence of POPs and xenoestrogenic burden in placentas from Latin-American women. Given concerns about the consequences of prenatal exposure to these compounds on children's health, preventive measures are highly recommended to eliminate or minimize the risk of OCP exposure during pregnancy.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Animals; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Hexachlorocyclohexane; Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; Hexachlorobenzene; DDT; Placenta; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Pesticides; Environmental Pollutants; Mother-Child Relations
PubMed: 37977273
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117622