Abstract
The risk of pesticide exposure in humans and animals may be magnified following natural and man-made disasters such as hurricanes and floods that can result in mobilization and redistribution of contaminated sediments. To develop broad-acting sorbents for mixtures of diverse toxins, we have processed calcium and sodium montmorillonite clays with high concentrations of sulfuric acid. These acid-processed montmorillonite clays (APMs) have shown limited hydration and swelling in water, higher surface areas, and lower trace metal levels than the parent clays, prior to processing. Isothermal analyses have indicated that newly developed APMs are highly active sorbents, with significantly increased binding capacities for a wide range of pesticides, including pentachlorophenol (PCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), lindane, diazinon, linuron, trifluralin and paraquat. The safety and protective effects of APMs, against pesticide design mixtures, were confirmed in a living organism (Hydra vulgaris). Further work is planned to confirm the safety of the APMs in long-term rodent studies. This is the first report of a sorbent material (other than carbon) with high binding efficacy for mixtures of these pesticides. Based on our results, APMs (and similar clays), may be able to decrease human and animal pesticide exposures during disasters and emergencies.
Highlights
More than 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used in the United States each year and nearly 6 billion pounds are used worldwide [1]
This study has focused on the application of broad-acting sorbents for the binding of hazardous pesticides and pesticide mixtures
The higher the ratio, the more expansion and hydration of the sample. The accuracy of this experiment was confirmed for parent calcium montmorillonite and montmorillonite (CM) and sodium montmorillonite (SM) clays (COLE = 2 and 7.5, respectively)
Summary
More than 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used in the United States each year and nearly 6 billion pounds are used worldwide [1]. To develop broad-acting sorbents to mitigate pesticide exposures and toxicities, we have treated both calcium and sodium montmorillonite clays (CM and SM) with 12 and 18 normality sulfuric acid to produce high surface area and enhanced porosity. These acid-processed calcium and sodium montmorillonites (APCMs and APSMs) have been previously reported to bind hazardous mixtures of mycotoxins (aflatoxin and zearalenone), a commonly occurring herbicide (glyphosate) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) [24,25]. We have investigated the binding parameters of APMs with equilibrium isotherms and used hydra analysis to predict the ability of clay treatment to prevent the adverse effects of toxin mixtures
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
