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Environmental Health Perspectives Jan 1999Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can travel thousands of miles, accumulate in the food chain, and persist in the environment, taking as long as centuries to degrade....
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can travel thousands of miles, accumulate in the food chain, and persist in the environment, taking as long as centuries to degrade. POPs are known to play a role in birth defects, cancer, immune system dysfunction, and reproductive problems in wildlife. While the effects of POPs on human health are unclear, many researchers believe that long-term exposure contributes to increasing rates of birth defects, fertility problems, greater susceptibility to disease, diminished intelligence, and certain cancers. Twelve POPs have been identified by the United Nations Environment Programme as requiring urgent regulatory attention. They include the pesticides aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, mirex, and toxaphene. Of the remaining three POPs, polychlorinated biphenyls are industrial products (used in electrical transformers), and dioxins and furans are unintentional by-products of industrial processes.
Topics: Aldrin; Chlordan; DDT; Dieldrin; Dioxins; Endrin; Environmental Exposure; Furans; Heptachlor; Hexachlorobenzene; Humans; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Insecticides; Mirex; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Toxaphene
PubMed: 9872725
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.99107a18 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Feb 1999Toxaphene production, in quantities similar to those of polychlorinated biphenyls, has resulted in high toxaphene levels in fish from the Great Lakes and in Arctic... (Review)
Review
Toxaphene production, in quantities similar to those of polychlorinated biphenyls, has resulted in high toxaphene levels in fish from the Great Lakes and in Arctic marine mammals (up to 10 and 16 microg g-1 lipid). Because of the large variabiliity in total toxaphene data, few reliable conclusions can be drawn about trends or geographic differences in toxaphene concentrations. New developments in mass spectrometric detection using either negative chemical ionization or electron impact modes as well as in multidimensional gas chromatography recently have led researchers to suggest congener-specific approaches. Recently, several nomenclature systems have been developed for toxaphene compounds. Although all systems have specific advantages and limitations, it is suggested that an international body such as the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry make an attempt to obtain uniformity in the literature. Toxicologic information on individual chlorobornanes is scarce, but some reports have recently appeared. Neurotoxic effects of toxaphene exposure such as those on behavior and learning have been reported. Technical toxaphene and some individual congeners were found to be weakly estrogenic in in vitro test systems; no evidence for endocrine effects in vivo has been reported. In vitro studies show technical toxaphene and toxaphene congeners to be mutagenic. However, in vivo studies have not shown genotoxicity; therefore, a nongenotoxic mechanism is proposed. Nevertheless, toxaphene is believed to present a potential carcinogenic risk to humans. Until now, only Germany has established a legal tolerance level for toxaphene--0.1 mg kg-1 wet weight for fish.
Topics: Animals; Biodiversity; Brain; Chromatography, Gas; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Endocrine Glands; Food Analysis; Humans; Kidney; Liver; Mass Spectrometry; Stereoisomerism; Terminology as Topic; Thuja; Toxaphene
PubMed: 10229713
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.99107s1115 -
Comparative Biochemistry and... Dec 2020Toxaphene is an organochlorine pesticide and environmental contaminant that is concerning due to its atmospheric transport and persistence in soil. In Florida, toxaphene...
Toxaphene is an organochlorine pesticide and environmental contaminant that is concerning due to its atmospheric transport and persistence in soil. In Florida, toxaphene and other organochlorine pesticides were used heavily in agriculture on the north shore of Lake Apopka and they are still detectable in soil. Wild largemouth bass that inhabit the lake and the marshes along the north shore have been exposed to a variety of organochlorine pesticides including dieldrin, methoxychlor, and p,p'-DDE, among others. While these other organochlorine pesticides have been studied for their endocrine disrupting effects in largemouth bass, there is little information for toxaphene. In this study, male and female largemouth bass were given food containing 50 mg/kg toxaphene for almost 3 months, to achieve tissue levels similar to those found in fish at Lake Apopka. Sex-specific toxicity was then evaluated by measuring various reproductive endpoints and transcriptomic changes. In females, gonadosomatic index showed a trend towards reduction (p = 0.051) and plasma vitellogenin was reduced by ~40% relative to controls. However plasma levels of 17β-estradiol and testosterone were not perturbed by toxaphene exposure. These data suggest that toxaphene does not act as a weak estrogen as many other organochlorine pesticides do, but rather appears to be acting as an antiestrogen in female fish. There were no obvious changes in the gonadosomatic index and plasma hormones in male bass. However, ex vivo explant experiments revealed that toxaphene prevented human chorionic gonadotropin-stimulated testosterone production in the testis. This suggested that toxaphene had anti-androgenic effects in males. Subsequent transcriptomic analyses of the testis revealed that androgen receptor/beta-2-microglobulin signaling was up-regulated while insulin-related pathways were suppressed with toxaphene, which could be interpreted as a compensatory response to androgen suppression. In the male liver, the transcriptome analysis revealed an overwhelming suppression in immune-related signaling cascades (e.g. lectin-like receptor and ITSM-Containing Receptor signaling, CD16/CD14 Proinflammatory Monocyte Activation, and CD38/CD3-JUN/FOS/NF-kB Signaling in T-cell Proliferation). Overall, this study showed that toxaphene induced sex-specific effects. The transcriptomic and physiological responses observed can contribute to the development of adverse outcome pathways for toxaphene exposure in fish.
Topics: Animals; Bass; Endocrine Disruptors; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Gonads; Insecticides; Liver; Male; Reproduction; Toxaphene; Transcriptome; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 32992212
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2020.100746 -
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology May 2020Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are persistent environmental contaminants that act as endocrine disruptors and organ system toxicants. These pesticides (e.g.... (Review)
Review
Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are persistent environmental contaminants that act as endocrine disruptors and organ system toxicants. These pesticides (e.g. dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dieldrin, toxaphene, among others) are ranked as some of the most concerning chemicals for human health. These pesticides (1) act as teratogens, (2) are neuroendocrine disruptors, (3) suppress the immune and reproductive systems, and (4) dysregulate lipids and metabolism. Using a computational approach, we revealed enriched endocrine-related pathways in the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database sensitive to this chemical class, and these included reproduction (gonadotropins, estradiol, androgen, steroid biosynthesis, oxytocin), thyroid hormone, and insulin. Insight from the Tox21 and ToxCast programs confirm that these agrochemicals activate estrogen receptors, androgen receptors, and retinoic acid receptors with relatively high affinity, although differences exist in their potency. We propose an adverse outcome pathway for OCPs toxicity in the fish testis as a novel contribution to further understanding of OCP-induced toxicity. Organochlorine pesticides, due to their persistence and high toxicity to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife as well as humans, remain significant agrochemicals of concern.
Topics: Agrochemicals; Animals; Endocrine Disruptors; Energy Metabolism; Environmental Pollutants; Fishes; Humans; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Pesticides; Reproduction; Toxicity Tests
PubMed: 32112812
DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110764 -
Neurotoxicology Jun 2012Our objectives were to summarize literature on the association of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with pesticides as a group and to evaluate associations of ALS with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Our objectives were to summarize literature on the association of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with pesticides as a group and to evaluate associations of ALS with specific pesticides. We conducted a meta-analysis of published studies of ALS and pesticides as a group and investigated the association of ALS with specific pesticides, using data from the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), a cohort including 84,739 private pesticide applicators and spouses. AHS participants provided information on pesticide use at enrollment in 1993-1997. In mortality data collected through February 2010, ALS was recorded on death certificates of 41 individuals whom we compared to the remaining cohort (controls), using unconditional logistic regression adjusted for age and gender to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals. In the meta-analysis, ALS was associated with use of pesticides as a group (1.9, 1.1-3.1). In the AHS, ALS was not associated with pesticides as a group, but was associated with use of organochlorine insecticides (OCs) (1.6, 0.8-3.5), pyrethroids (1.4, 0.6-3.4), herbicides (1.6, 0.7-3.7), and fumigants (1.8, 0.8-3.9). ORs were elevated forever use of the specific OCs aldrin (2.1, 0.8-5.1), dieldrin (2.6, 0.9-7.3), DDT (2.1, 0.9-5.0), and toxaphene (2.0, 0.8-4.9). None of these associations was statistically significant. Similar results were observed in an analysis restricted to men. In conclusion, the meta-analysis suggests that ALS risk is associated with use of pesticides as a group, and our analysis of AHS data points to OC use in particular. The latter results are novel but based on a small number of cases and require replication in other populations.
Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Agricultural Workers' Diseases; Agriculture; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Female; Humans; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Odds Ratio; Pesticides; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Spouses
PubMed: 22521219
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2012.04.001 -
Acta Crystallographica. Section E,... Mar 2008The title compound, C(10)H(13)Cl(5), is a polychlorinated monoterpene and a Toxaphene congener. This compound is also the only penta-chlorinated derivative of camphene...
The title compound, C(10)H(13)Cl(5), is a polychlorinated monoterpene and a Toxaphene congener. This compound is also the only penta-chlorinated derivative of camphene formed via ionic chlorination. Previously, the title compound was thought to be 2-exo,5-endo,9,9,10-penta-chloro-bornane, but X-ray structural analysis showed it to have a different structure and rather to be 2-exo,5-endo,8,8,10-penta-chloro-bornane. The title compound shows static disorder and almost half the molecule was divided in two partitions with an occupancy ratio of 0.575 (major) to 0.425 (minor). The repulsive close contacts of Cl atoms could possibly be the cause for this disorder.
PubMed: 21202080
DOI: 10.1107/S1600536808006235 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2010Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are capable of persisting in the environment, transporting between phase media and accumulating to high levels, implying that they could... (Review)
Review
Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are capable of persisting in the environment, transporting between phase media and accumulating to high levels, implying that they could pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. Consequently, most OCPs are designated as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and even as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The objective of this paper was to review the current status of pesticide POPs in Taiwan, including aldrin, chlordane, chlordecone, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, α/β-hexachlorocyclohexanes, lindane, mirex, pentachloro-benzene, and toxaphene. The information about their environmental properties, banned use, carcinogenic toxicity and environmental levels, can be connected with the regulatory infrastructure, which has been established by the joint-venture of the central competent authorities (i.e., Environmental Protection Administration, Department of Health, Council of Agriculture, and Council of Labor Affairs). The significant progress to be reported is that the residual levels of these pesticide-POPs, ranging from trace amounts to a few ppb, have declined notably in recent years.
Topics: Environmental Pollutants; Humans; Pesticides; Taiwan
PubMed: 21139852
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph7103615 -
Report on Carcinogens : Carcinogen... 2011
Topics: Animals; Carcinogens; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Insecticides; Neoplasms; Toxaphene
PubMed: 21863113
DOI: No ID Found -
Nihon Eiseigaku Zasshi. Japanese... Sep 2009Dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides are bioaccumulative chemicals that are considered to be toxic contaminants. These chemicals are... (Review)
Review
Dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides are bioaccumulative chemicals that are considered to be toxic contaminants. These chemicals are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). We have started a prospective cohort study to examine the effects of perinatal exposure to these chemicals as well as methylmercury on neurobehavioral development in Japanese children. In this article, the method and the consequence of exposure assessment were described. The concentrations of POPs in maternal blood, cord blood, and breast milk were determined by high-resolution gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. In breast milk samples, p,p'-DDE was the predominant pollutant, total PCB and beta-HCH being the other major constituents. Mirex and major toxaphenes were also detected in all samples even though these chemicals have never been used in Japan. Simple correlation analysis showed high correlations among the three sample materials, indicating that there was a high degree of consistency of chemicals in the body. Major chemicals were also intercorrelated with other chemicals in either of the three sample materials. These findings indicate the presence of coexposure to multiple POPs. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the concentrations of PCBs were affected by the age of mother, parity, and maternal fish intake. These results are informative in terms of considering the strategy to reduce the body burden of POPs in females. The chemical analysis were performed by two different institutes. Multiple regression analysis also showed that the result of chamical analysis was affected significantly by the difference in analyzing institute. This finding suggest the importance of consistency in chemical analysis and the necessity for quality and accuracy control using reference materials.
Topics: Body Burden; Cohort Studies; Dioxins; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Fetal Blood; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Infant, Newborn; Japan; Methylmercury Compounds; Milk, Human; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 19797842
DOI: 10.1265/jjh.64.749