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Environmental Science & Technology Jun 2023Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are recognized as pollutants of global concern, but so far, information on the trends of legacy POPs in the waters of the world has...
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are recognized as pollutants of global concern, but so far, information on the trends of legacy POPs in the waters of the world has been missing due to logistical, analytical, and financial reasons. Passive samplers have emerged as an attractive alternative to active water sampling methods as they accumulate POPs, represent time-weighted average concentrations, and can easily be shipped and deployed. As part of the AQUA-GAPS/MONET, passive samplers were deployed at 40 globally distributed sites between 2016 and 2020, for a total of 21 freshwater and 40 marine deployments. Results from silicone passive samplers showed α-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and γ-HCH displaying the greatest concentrations in the northern latitudes/Arctic Ocean, in stark contrast to the more persistent penta (PeCB)- and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), which approached equilibrium across sampling sites. Geospatial patterns of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) aqueous concentrations closely matched original estimates of production and use, implying limited global transport. Positive correlations between log-transformed concentrations of ΣPCB, ΣDDTs, Σendosulfan, and Σchlordane, but not ΣHCH, and the log of population density ( < 0.05) within 5 and 10 km of the sampling sites also supported limited transport from used sites. These results help to understand the extent of global distribution, and eventually time-trends, of organic pollutants in aquatic systems, such as across freshwaters and oceans. Future deployments will aim to establish time-trends at selected sites while adding to the geographical coverage.
Topics: Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Environmental Monitoring; Hexachlorobenzene; Fresh Water; Environmental Pollutants; Air Pollutants; Pesticides; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
PubMed: 37294896
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01866 -
Chemical Research in Toxicology Sep 2021Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is implicated in adverse neurotoxic outcomes. However, the impact of PCBs on the adolescent nervous system has received... (Review)
Review
Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is implicated in adverse neurotoxic outcomes. However, the impact of PCBs on the adolescent nervous system has received inadequate attention. We conducted a comprehensive review to identify studies of neurotoxic outcomes following PCB exposure during the adolescent period in rodents. Only four papers were found to meet all inclusion criteria. PCB exposure in adolescent rats caused disruptions in the main functions of the prefrontal cortex, resulting in cognitive deficits. This comprehensive review demonstrates that more research is needed to characterize how PCB exposure adversely affects the adolescent nervous system.
Topics: Adolescent; Animals; Humans; Nervous System; Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PubMed: 34491731
DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00226 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Mar 2021Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are signaling disrupting chemicals that exacerbate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice. They are epidermal growth factor...
BACKGROUND
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are signaling disrupting chemicals that exacerbate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice. They are epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors that enhance hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in mice.
OBJECTIVES
This study tested the hypothesis that epidermal growth factor (EGF) administration can attenuate PCB-related NASH by increasing hepatic EGFR signaling in a mouse model.
METHODS
C57BL/6 male mice were fed a 42% milk fat diet and exposed to Aroclor 1260 () or vehicle for 12 wk. EGF () or vehicle were administered daily for 10 d starting at study week 10. Liver and metabolic phenotyping were performed. The EGF dose was selected based on results of an acute dose-finding study (30 min treatment of EGF at 0.2, 0.02, of via intraperitoneal injection). Hepatic phosphoproteomic analysis was performed using liver tissue from this acute study to understand EGFR's role in liver physiology.
RESULTS
Markers of EGFR signaling were higher in EGF-treated mice. -exposed mice had lower hepatic free fatty acids, inflammation, and fibrosis relative to PCB-only exposed mice. EGF-treated mice had higher plasma lipids, with no improvement in hepatic steatosis, and an association with higher LXR target gene expression and lipogenesis. EGF-treated mice showed more severe hyperglycemia associated with lower adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity. EGF-treated mice had higher hepatic , NRF2, and AhR target gene expression but lower constitutive androstane receptor and farnesoid X receptor target gene expression. The hepatic EGF-sensitive phosphoproteome demonstrated a role for EGFR signaling in liver homeostasis.
DISCUSSION
These results validated EGFR inhibition as a causal mode of action for PCB-related hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model of NASH. However, observed adverse effects may limit the clinical translation of EGF therapy. More data are required to better understand EGFR's underinvestigated roles in liver and environmental health. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8222.
Topics: Animals; Epidermal Growth Factor; Liver; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PubMed: 33788613
DOI: 10.1289/EHP8222 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jul 2022Characterization of PCB exposure sources for vulnerable population groups is essential to minimize the health effects of PCB exposure. At the same time, it is important...
Application of a pharmacokinetic model in characterizing sources of polychlorinated biphenyl exposure and determining threshold daily intakes for adverse health effects in infants and toddlers.
Characterization of PCB exposure sources for vulnerable population groups is essential to minimize the health effects of PCB exposure. At the same time, it is important to consolidate the knowledge on threshold intakes of PCBs for infants and toddlers to prevent health effects. We estimated total PCB concentrations from birth to 2 years of age in children from Slovak and Czech populations, which continue to have high PCB concentrations in breast milk. Using a pharmacokinetic (PK) model, we characterized dominant PCB exposure sources and estimated new threshold estimated daily intakes (TEDI) (above which adverse effects cannot be excluded) for postnatal PCB exposure in infants and toddlers. In the PK model, concentrations of seven indicator PCBs in breast milk and cord blood samples from 291 mother-child pairs from the Slovak birth cohort, and 396 breast milk samples from Czech mothers we used, together with their physiological characteristics and PCB concentrations from other exposure sources (food, dust, air). The estimated total PCB concentrations in children's blood at different ages were compared with threshold PCB concentrations of 500, 700 and 1000 ng·g in serum proposed by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) and the German Environment Agency (UBA), above which possible adverse health effects may be expected. We estimated that up to 20.6% of Slovak children and up to 45.7% of Czech children at two years of age exceeded the threshold value of 700 ng·g in blood. Mean TEDIs leading to values of 500 ng·g in blood for children up to two years ranged between 110 and 220 ng·kg·bw·day, varying according to breastfeeding duration. Breast milk and prenatal exposure contributed to 71%-85% of PCBs exposure at two years of age. In contrast, the contributions of PCBs from dust and indoor air were negligible.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Child, Preschool; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Dust; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Humans; Infant; Lipids; Milk, Human; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35337869
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154734 -
Cells Jul 2022It is increasingly recognized that hypoxia may develop in adipose tissue as its mass expands. Adipose tissue is also the main reservoir of lipophilic pollutants,...
It is increasingly recognized that hypoxia may develop in adipose tissue as its mass expands. Adipose tissue is also the main reservoir of lipophilic pollutants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Both hypoxia and PCBs have been shown to alter adipose tissue functions. The signaling pathways induced by hypoxia and pollutants may crosstalk, as they share a common transcription factor: aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT). Whether hypoxia and PCBs crosstalk and affect adipokine secretion in human adipocytes remains to be explored. Using primary human adipocytes acutely co-exposed to different levels of hypoxia (24 h) and PCB126 (48 h), we observed that hypoxia significantly inhibits the PCB126 induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1) transcription in a dose-response manner, and that Acriflavine (ACF)-an HIF1α inhibitor-partially restores the PCB126 induction of CYP1A1 under hypoxia. On the other hand, exposure to PCB126 did not affect the transcription of the vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) under hypoxia. Exposure to hypoxia increased leptin and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and decreased adiponectin levels dose-dependently, while PCB126 increased IL-6 and IL-8 secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Co-exposure to PCB126 and hypoxia did not alter the adipokine secretion pattern observed under hypoxia and PCB126 exposure alone. In conclusion, our results indicate that (1) hypoxia inhibits PCB126-induced CYP1A1 expression at least partly through ARNT-dependent means, suggesting that hypoxia could affect PCB metabolism and toxicity in adipose tissue, and (2) hypoxia and PCB126 affect leptin, adiponectin, IL-6 and IL-8 secretion differently, with no apparent crosstalk between the two factors.
Topics: Adipocytes; Adipokines; Adiponectin; Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1; Environmental Pollutants; Humans; Hypoxia; Interleukin-6; Interleukin-8; Leptin; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
PubMed: 35892579
DOI: 10.3390/cells11152282 -
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 -
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 -
Environmental Research Jul 2020Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are relevant families of persistent organic pollutants, which have been linked to several long-term...
BACKGROUND
Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are relevant families of persistent organic pollutants, which have been linked to several long-term adverse health effects. The mechanisms of action of these pollutants are still poorly understood. However, there are some evidences suggesting that inflammation might play a key role on their effects.
AIM
To systematically synthesize the published in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological data assessing the potential influence of exposure to OCPs and PCBs on the development of an inflammatory milieu.
METHODS
A systematic review of peer-reviewed original research papers published until 1st May 2019 was conducted, by using Medline, Web of Science and Scopus databases. A total of 39 articles met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated in this review.
RESULTS
The majority of the studies showed significant associations of PCB and OCP exposure with all inflammatory markers measured (n = 30). Some studies showed positive and negative associations (n = 7) and only two studies evidenced negative associations (n = 2). Most of the available evidences came from in vitro and in vivo studies (n = 31), with few epidemiological studies (n = 8).
CONCLUSIONS
We found consistent positive associations between exposure to PCBs and OCPs and the development of a pro-inflammatory milieu, with only few discrepancies. However, given the limited epidemiological evidence found, our results warrant further research in order to elucidate the real contribution of these pollutants on the inflammatory processes and subsequent diseases.
Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Epidemiologic Studies; Humans; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Pesticides; Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PubMed: 32668538
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109561 -
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 Monitoring and Assessment Jan 2023Few studies have been performed on the persistent organic pollutant contamination in soil from the plateau and remote areas, particularly the mid-latitude arid and...
Few studies have been performed on the persistent organic pollutant contamination in soil from the plateau and remote areas, particularly the mid-latitude arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest China. The occurrence, spatial distribution, source, and potential risk of 12 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were investigated in soil collected from five Hexi Corridor cities in Northwest China. All of the PCBs were detected individually in the soil samples. The concentration of ΣPCBs in the Hexi Corridor ranged from 2.0 to 148.5 ng/g, with an average of 21.3 ng/g. The tetra-CBs and hexa-CBs were the dominant PCB components in the soil. Higher PCB levels were found in the industrial city of Jiuquan, and the fewest PCBs were detected at Jinchang. Source analysis by principal component analysis showed that the dominant sources of PCBs were automobile exhaust, paint additives, insulation materials, and other industrial products. The carcinogenic health risk of PCBs in the Hexi Corridor soil was within acceptable levels, but the exposure risk of PCBs in soil for children was higher than that for adults.
Topics: Child; Humans; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Cities; Soil; Soil Pollutants; Environmental Monitoring; China
PubMed: 36622457
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10891-2