-
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Jun 2024Despite its reputation as one of the cleanest regions globally, recent studies have identified the presence of various persistent toxic substances (PTSs) in the...
Despite its reputation as one of the cleanest regions globally, recent studies have identified the presence of various persistent toxic substances (PTSs) in the environmental matrices collected from Svalbard. This study investigated the chronological distribution and potential sources of 81 PTSs in soils from the glacier foreland of Midtre Lovénbreen. Soil samples (n = 45) were categorized by age based on exposure to the atmosphere due to glacier retreat in July 2014 into five age groups: 80-100 years (n = 7), 60-80 years (n = 12), 40-60 years (n = 16), 20-40 years (n = 7), and <20 years (n = 3). Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, n = 32) in soils varied with age, ranging from 0.29 to 0.74 ng g dw. In addition, the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, n = 28), perylene, and alkyl-PAHs (n = 20) in soils ranged from 21 to 80 ng g dw, 2.9-62 ng g dw, and 73-420 ng g dw, respectively. The concentrations of PTSs were observed to be greater in older soils. Principal component analysis revealed that PCBs in soils originated from various product sources. Positive matrix factorization modeling estimated the association of PAHs in soils with potential origins, such as diesel emissions, petroleum and coal combustion, and coal. Potential sources of PAHs were mainly coal in younger soils and diesel emissions and petroleum combustion in older soils. Alkyl-PAH compositions in the soil were similar to those of bituminous coal, with a noteworthy degree of weathering observed in older soils. The accumulation rate and flux of PTSs in soils exhibited compound-specific patterns, reflecting factors such as long-range transport, fate, origin, and recent inputs. These findings can serve as baseline data for protecting and preserving polar environments.
PubMed: 38897275
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124387 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024In this study, a critical review was carried out using the Web of Science Core Collection database to analyse the scientific literature published to date to identify... (Review)
Review
In this study, a critical review was carried out using the Web of Science Core Collection database to analyse the scientific literature published to date to identify lines of research and future perspectives on the presence of chemical pollutants in beer brewing. Beer is one of the world's most popular drinks and the most consumed alcoholic beverage. However, a widespread challenge with potential implications for human and animal health is the presence of physical, chemical, and/or microbiological contaminants in beer. Biogenic amines, heavy metals, mycotoxins, nitrosamines, pesticides, acrylamide, phthalates, bisphenols, microplastics, and, to a lesser extent, hydrocarbons (aliphatic chlorinated and polycyclic aromatic), carbonyls, furan-derivatives, polychlorinated biphenyls, and trihalomethanes are the main chemical pollutants found during the beer brewing process. Pollution sources include raw materials, technological process steps, the brewery environment, and packaging materials. Different chemical pollutants have been found during the beer brewing process, from barley to beer. Brewing steps such as steeping, kilning, mashing, boiling, fermentation, and clarification are critical in reducing the levels of many of these pollutants. As a result, their residual levels are usually below the maximum levels allowed by international regulations. Therefore, this work was aimed at assessing how chemical pollutants appear and evolve in the brewing process, according to research developed in the last few decades.
PubMed: 38890939
DOI: 10.3390/foods13111709 -
Neurotoxicology Jun 2024Developmental exposures to PCBs are implicated in the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). This observation is concerning given the continued presence of...
Developmental exposures to PCBs are implicated in the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). This observation is concerning given the continued presence of PCBs in the human environment and the increasing incidence of NDDs. Previous studies reported that developmental exposure to legacy commercial PCB mixtures (Aroclors) or single PCB congeners found in Aroclors caused NDD-relevant behavioral phenotypes in animal models. However, the PCB congener profile in contemporary human samples is dissimilar to that of the legacy Aroclors, raising the question of whether human-relevant PCB mixtures similarly interfere with normal brain development. To address this question, we assessed the developmental neurotoxicity of the Fox River Mixture (FRM), which was designed to mimic the congener profile identified in fish from the PCB-contaminated Fox River that constitute a primary protein source in the diet of surrounding communities. Adult female C57BL/6 J mouse dams (8-10 weeks old) were exposed to vehicle (peanut oil) or FRM at 0.1, 1.0, or 6.0 mg/kg/d in their diet throughout gestation and lactation, and neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed in their pups. Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) and measures of general development were quantified at postnatal day (P) 7, while performance in the spontaneous alternation task and the 3-chambered social approach/social novelty task was assessed on P35. Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were quantified in serum collected from the dams when pups were weaned and from pups on P28 and P35. Developmental exposure to FRM did not alter pup weight or body temperature on P7, but USVs were significantly decreased in litters exposed to FRM at 0.1 or 6.0 mg/kg/d in the maternal diet. FRM also impaired male and female pups' performance in the social novelty task. Compared to sex-matched vehicles, significantly decreased social novelty was observed in male and female pups in the 0.1 and 6.0 mg/kg/d dose groups. FRM did not alter performance in the spontaneous alternation or social approach tasks. FRM increased serum T3 levels but decreased serum T4 levels in P28 male pups in the 1.0 and 6.0 mg/kg/d dose groups. In P35 female pups and dams, serum T3 levels decreased in the 6.0 mg/kg/d dose group while T4 levels were not altered. Collectively, these findings suggest that FRM interferes with the development of social communication and social novelty, but not memory, supporting the hypothesis that contemporary PCB exposures pose a risk to the developing brain. FRM had sex, age, and dose-dependent effects on serum thyroid hormone levels that overlapped but did not perfectly align with the FRM effects on behavioral outcomes. These observations suggest that changes in thyroid hormone levels are not likely the major factor underlying the behavioral deficits observed in FRM-exposed animals.
PubMed: 38885884
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.06.008 -
Chemosphere Jun 2024The contamination status on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Croatian terrestrial ecosystem was investigated by analyzing two classes of contaminants in...
The contamination status on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Croatian terrestrial ecosystem was investigated by analyzing two classes of contaminants in adipose tissue of male European brown bear (Ursus arctos, N = 27) collected in 2021 and 2022. In addition to seven indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), for the first time seven polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were analyzed in terrestrial species from this region. Sum of mass fractions detected in adipose tissue ranged from 0.011 to 0.463 ng g lipid weight (lw) for the PBDEs, and from 0.652 to 30.17 ng g lw for PCBs, with two orders of magnitude difference in the median value for these two groups of POPs (PBDEs: 0.022 ng g lw; PCBs: 2.307 ng g lw). PCBs dominated over PBDEs with a share of over 94 % of the total mass fractions of both groups of analyzed POPs. Results of the comparison of the PCB levels in the adipose tissue of brown bears reported here and in previous investigation from this region showed decrease in PCB-28, but increase of PCB-118 and PCB-180, while other congeners seemed to have reached a steady-state level in the environment over a ten-year period. Among the compounds analyzed in this study, BDE-47, PCB-153 and PCB-180 were the dominant congeners. Somewhat higher sum of PCBs was measured in April compared to October, although not statistically significant, indicating possible impact of winter hibernation causing concentration of lipophilic compounds due to body fat loss. Revealed POP levels in brown bears are consistent with the data on the low contamination of the Croatian terrestrial ecosystem in general.
PubMed: 38885769
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142637 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Aug 2024The composition and metabolites of the gut microbiota can be altered by environmental pollutants. However, the effect of co-exposure to multiple pollutants on the human...
The composition and metabolites of the gut microbiota can be altered by environmental pollutants. However, the effect of co-exposure to multiple pollutants on the human gut microbiota has not been sufficiently studied. In this study, gut microorganisms and their metabolites were compared between 33 children from Guiyu, an e-waste dismantling and recycling area, and 34 children from Haojiang, a healthy environment. The exposure level was assessed by estimating the daily intake (EDI) of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ), and metal(loid)s in kindergarten dust. Significant correlations were found between the EDIs of 6PPDQ, BDE28, PCB52, Ni, Cu, and the composition of gut microbiota and specific metabolites. The Bayesian kernel machine regression model showed negative correlations between the EDIs of five pollutants (6PPDQ, BDE28, PCB52, Ni, and Cu) and the composition of gut microbiota. The EDIs of these five pollutants were positively correlated with the levels of the metabolite 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, while negatively correlated with the levels of d-erythro-sphingosine and d-threitol. Our study suggests that exposure to 6PPDQ, BDE28, PCB52, Ni, and Cu in kindergarten dust is associated with alterations in the composition and metabolites of the gut microbiota. These alterations may be associated with children's health.
Topics: Humans; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Female; Male; Child; Environmental Pollutants; Dust; Child, Preschool; Environmental Exposure; Metabolomics; Electronic Waste; China; Metals; Organophosphates
PubMed: 38885585
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134862 -
Neurotoxicology Jun 2024This study aimed to assess associations between prenatal and postnatal exposure to lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and gray matter volume of...
This study aimed to assess associations between prenatal and postnatal exposure to lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and gray matter volume of key regions of the brain reward circuit, namely the caudate nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens (nAcc), the amygdala, the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was conducted in 77 Inuit adolescents (mean age = 18.39) from Nunavik, Canada, who also completed the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS-4) and Sensation Seeking - 2 (SS-2), two self-report questionnaires evaluating the tendency toward sensation seeking, which is a proxy of reward-related behaviors. Exposures to Pb, Hg and PCBs were measured in cord blood at birth, in blood samples at 11 years old and at time of testing (18 years old). Multivariate linear regressions were corrected for multiple comparisons and adjusted for potential confounders, such as participants' sociodemographic characteristics and nutrient fish intake. Results showed that higher cord blood Pb levels predicted smaller gray matter volume in the bilateral nAcc, caudate nucleus, amygdala and OFC as well as in left ACC. A moderating effect of sex was identified, indicating that the Pb-related reduction in volume in the nAcc and caudate nucleus was more pronounced in female. Higher blood Hg levels at age 11 predicted smaller right amygdala independently of sex. No significant associations were found between blood PCBs levels at all three times of exposure. This study provides scientific support for the detrimental effects of prenatal Pb and childhood Hg blood concentrations on gray matter volume in key reward-related brain structures.
PubMed: 38880197
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.06.009 -
Analytica Chimica Acta Aug 2024Dried blood spots (DBSs) collected and archived in newborn screening programs (NSP) represent a potentially valuable resource for assessing exposure to a range of...
BACKGROUND
Dried blood spots (DBSs) collected and archived in newborn screening programs (NSP) represent a potentially valuable resource for assessing exposure to a range of organic and inorganic chemicals in newborns. This study develops and optimizes a method to measure polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in DBS using the isotope dilution technique, ultrasonic-assisted liquid-liquid extraction, simple cleanup, triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS analysis, and background correction.
RESULTS
We minimize the number of extraction repetitions and the volume of solvent, which helps increase throughput while minimizing the potential for contamination. We obtained high recovery and precision for most compounds, and method detection limits (MDLs) were sufficiently low to detect the more prevalent compounds based on representative sample of the US population. MDLs averaged 0.020 ng/mL (recovery: 107 %, precision: 4 %) for PCNs, 0.021 ng/mL (recovery: 97 %, precision: 4 %) for PCBs, 0.021 ng/mL (recovery: 117 %, precision: 2 %) for OCPs, and 0.021 ng/mL (recovery: 96 %, precision: 3 %) for PBDEs.
SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTY
To our knowledge, this is the first study presenting an analytical method and for PCNs in DBS, and one of the few studies providing an assessment of method performance for persistent organic pollutants in DBS. The optimized method can be applied to a wide range of applications, including exposure assessment, environmental epidemiology, forensics, environmental surveillance, and ecological monitoring.
Topics: Dried Blood Spot Testing; Humans; Naphthalenes; Persistent Organic Pollutants; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Liquid-Liquid Extraction; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Infant, Newborn; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Limit of Detection; Pesticides
PubMed: 38879204
DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342756 -
Marine Pollution Bulletin Jun 2024Elasmobranchs are good indicators of marine pollution as they accumulate pollutants from water and food, and occupy different trophic levels. Concentrations of...
Elasmobranchs are good indicators of marine pollution as they accumulate pollutants from water and food, and occupy different trophic levels. Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chlorpyrifos were quantified in muscle, liver, gonads, gills, and brain in both sexes and maturity stages of the Southern Eagle Ray, Myliobatis goodei, captured in Argentine coastal waters. Moreover, possible histological alterations in the liver and gonads were analyzed. Pollutant concentrations were pervasive across all tissues, with PCBs > OCPs > chlorpyrifos. Elevated pollutant levels were notably found in the liver and gills. We identified thirty-six PCB congeners in tissues, with low-chlorine congeners prevailing. Among OCPs, ∑DDT and ∑endosulfan were predominant. Females exhibited higher pollutant levels in most tissues compared to males, except in the gonads, and adults generally displayed elevated pollutant levels. Histological analysis revealed the presence of atretic follicles and melanomacrophages (MM). Continuous monitoring of pollutant levels, alongside their effects on physiological and ecological traits, is imperative for effective management and conservation efforts.
PubMed: 38878415
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116573 -
Analytical Methods : Advancing Methods... Jun 2024This study proposes a strategy using a microfluidic ratiometric electrochemical aptasensor to detect PCB77 with excellent sensitivity and specificity. This sensing...
This study proposes a strategy using a microfluidic ratiometric electrochemical aptasensor to detect PCB77 with excellent sensitivity and specificity. This sensing platform combines a microfluidic chip, a wireless integrated circuit system for aptamer-based electrochemical detection, and a mobile phone control terminal for parameter configuration, identification, observation, and wireless data transfer. The sensing method utilizes a cDNA (MB-COOH-cDNA-SH) that is labelled with the redox probe Methylene Blue (MB) at the 5' end and has a thiol group at the 3' end. Additionally, it utilizes a single strand PCB aptamer that has been modified with ferrocenes at the 3' end (aptamer-Fc). Through gold-thiol binding, the labelled probe of MB-COOH-cDNA-SH was self-assembled onto the surface of an Au/NbCT/GO modified electrode. On exposure to aptamer-Fc, it will hybridize with MB-COOH-cDNA-SH to form a stable double-stranded structure on the electrode surface. When PCB77 is present, aptamer-Fc binds specifically to the target, enabling the double-stranded DNA to unwind. Such variation caused changes in the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) peak currents of both MB and Fc. A substantial improvement is observed in the ratio between the two DPV peaks. Under the optimum experimental conditions, this assay has a response that covers the 0.0001 to 1000 ng mL PCB77 concentration range, and the detection limit is 1.56 × 10 ng mL. The integration of a ratiometric electrochemical aptasensor with designed microfluidic and integrated devices in this work is an innovative and promising approach that offers an efficient platform for on-site applications.
Topics: Aptamers, Nucleotide; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Electrochemical Techniques; Biosensing Techniques; Limit of Detection; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; Gold; Methylene Blue; Ferrous Compounds; Electrodes
PubMed: 38874006
DOI: 10.1039/d4ay00830h -
The Science of the Total Environment Sep 2024Chemical pollution is a major man-made environmental threat to ecosystems and natural animal populations. Of concern are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which can...
Chemical pollution is a major man-made environmental threat to ecosystems and natural animal populations. Of concern are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which can persist in the environment for many years. While bioaccumulating throughout the lives of wild animals, POPs can affect their health, reproduction, and survival. However, measuring long-term effects of POPs in wild populations is challenging, and therefore appropriate biomarkers are required in wildlife ecotoxicology. One potential target is telomere length, since telomere preservation has been associated to survival and longevity, and stressors as chemical pollution can disrupt its maintenance. Here, we investigated the effects of different classes of POPs on relative telomere length (RTL) and its rate of change (TROC) in wild long-lived Alpine swifts (Tachymarptis melba). As both RTL and TROC are often reported to differ between sexes and with chronological age, we tested for sex- and age-specific (pre-senescent vs. senescent, ≥ 9 age of years, individuals) effects of POPs. Our results showed that senescent females presented longer RTL and elongated telomeres over time compared to pre-senescent females and males. These sex- and age-related differences in RTL and TROC were influenced by POPs, but differently depending on whether they were organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) or industrial polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). OCPs (particularly drins) were negatively associated with RTL, with the strongest negative effects being found in senescent females. Conversely, PCBs led to slower rates of telomere shortening, especially in females. Our study indicates diametrically opposed effects of OCPs on RTL and PCBs on TROC, and these effects were more pronounced in females and senescent individuals. The mechanisms behind these effects (e.g., increased oxidative stress by OCPs; upregulation of telomerase activity by PCBs) remain unknown. Our results highlight the importance in wildlife ecotoxicology to account for sex- and age-related effects when investigating the health effects of pollutants on biomarkers such as telomeres.
Topics: Animals; Male; Female; Telomere; Persistent Organic Pollutants; Birds; Longevity; Sex Factors; Age Factors; Environmental Monitoring
PubMed: 38851349
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173785