Benzo Perylene Research Articles

Quantification and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in street dust from functional areas of Khamis-Mushait, Saudi Arabia

The aim of present work is focused on determination of the residual concentrations of 16 PAHs and their health risk assessment in selected sectors of the street dust along Khamis-Mushait, Asir area. Objectives/backgrounds: With the recent rapid development of urbanization, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in street dust pose serious problems to human health and ecological environment. Method: HPLC system (HPLC Nexera-i LC 2040 C 3D Plus Shimadzu Integrated) was used to perform the measurements following well-established USEPA 3550B method . Results: The average value of PAHs in Khamis-Mushait street dust was 2809.46 ng/g, ranging from 1250.41 to 4249.29 ng/g. Incinerator and industrial locations had the highest concentration of fossil PAHs, accounting for 69.62% of PAHs. The King Fahd Garden and Al-Hayat National Hospital regions had the highest concentrations of carcinogenic PAHs and combustion PAHs, which accounted for 41.70 and 27.46% of all PAHs, respectively. Naphthalene (NAP), acenaphthylene (ACY), and acenaphthene (ACE) were more effective range low. However, ACE was more effective range medium, and ACY, ACE, and DBA (dibenzo-anthracene) were more probable effect level. Furthermore, the effects of NAP, fluoranthene (FLT), pyrene (PYR), and benzo(a)pyren (BaP) were greater than the threshold effect level (TEL). For both kids and adults, the hazardous index (HI) was in the following order: ACE>ACY>NAP>PYR>fluorene (FLR)>FLT> benzo(ghi)perylene (BghiP)>phenanthrene (PHN)>ANT. However, total HI for noncancer risks for PAHs varied between 9.91´10-5 and 2.69´10-2 and from 9.22´10-4 to 2.50´10-1 for adults and children, respectively. Conclusion: Various approaches (geochemical indices, statistical analysis, and health risk assessment) were exploited to evaluate the levels of 16 PAHs in street dust from Abha and Khamis-Mushait City, Saudi Arabia. These values are considered safe level and insignificant to adults and children. In addition, ACE may pose risk based on acute and intermediate oral exposure. The following order from several sources was reported by the cluster analysis of dust samples: commercial>industrial>traffic.

Screening for Organic Pollutants in the Black Sea Turbot (Scophthalmus maeoticus)

The health of aquatic organisms can be affected due to anthropogenic activities and limited actions to reduce the pollution of the Black Sea. The accumulation of organic pollutants (OPs) in the aquatic environment occurs in water, sediment, and then biota. The turbot (Scophthalmus maeoticus) is a benthic fish of commercial interest scarcely studied in the Black Sea region, and none of the studies researched OP concentrations in its main tissues. In this paper, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and POPs, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in water, sediment, and turbot muscles, gills, gonads, and livers, to research their accumulation level. The determinations were made with gas chromatography on turbots sampled in 2021 from the Romanian Black Sea waters. OCPs—p,p’DDT and its metabolites p,p’DDE, p,p’DDD—are dominant in the turbot tissues. From PAHs, benzo(g,h, i)perylene was the dominant compound, while for PCBs it was PCB 52. The OPs’ presence in the wild turbot is due to river input, dredging and coastal rehabilitation works, industrial activities and contaminated food and poses a risk to human health due to the exceeding maximum allowable concentration for human consumption in Romania and the European Union.

Human sperm proteome reveals the effect of environmental borne seminal polyaromatic hydrocarbons exposome in etiology of idiopathic male factor infertility.

Introduction: Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered as redox active environmental toxicants inducing oxidative stress (OS) mediated injury to cells. Oxidative predominance is reported in 30%-80% of idiopathic male infertility (IMI) patients. Hence, this work aims to unravel correlation, if any, between seminal PAH exposome and sperm function in IMI patients through a proteomic approach. Methods: Seminal PAH exposome was analyzed in 43 fertile donors and 60 IMI patients by HPLC and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to find out the cut-off limits. Spermatozoa proteome was analyzed by label free liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) followed by molecular pathway analysis using bioinformatic tools. Validation of key proteins' expression and protein oxidative modifications were analyzed by western blot. Results and discussion: Of the 16 standards toxic PAH, 13 were detected in semen. Impact of the different PAHs on fertility are Anthracene < benzo (a) pyrene < benzo [b] fluoranthene < Fluoranthene < benzo (a) anthracene <indol (123CD) pyrene < pyrene < naphthalene < dibenzo (AH) anthracene < fluorene < 2bromonaphthalene < chrysene < benzo (GH1) perylene as revealed by ROC Curve analysis (AUCROC). Benzo [a] pyrene is invariably present in all infertile patients while naphthalene is present in both groups. Of the total 773 detected proteins (Control: 631 and PAH: 717); 71 were differentially expressed (13 underexpressed, 58 overexpressed) in IMI patients. Enrichment analysis revealed them to be involved in mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative phosphorylation, DNA damage, Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling, xenobiotic metabolism and induction of NRF-2 mediated OS response. Increased 4-hydroxynonenal and nitrosylated protein adduct formation, and declined antioxidant defense validates induction of OS. Increased GSH/GSSG ratio in patients may be an adaptive response for PAH metabolism via conjugation as evidenced by over-expression of AHR and Heat shock protein 90 beta (HSP90β) in patients. Seminal PAH concentrations, particularly benzo (a) pyrene can be used as a marker to distinguish IMI from fertile ones with 66.67% sensitivity and 100% specificity (95% confidence interval) along with oxidative protein modification and expression of AHR and HSP90β.

Benzo(ghi)perylene (BgP) a black tattoo ingredient induced skin toxicity via direct and indirect mode of DNA damage under UVA irradiation

Tattooing is a very common fashion trend across all the ages and gender of the society worldwide. Although skin inflammatory diseases are very frequent among tattoo users because of the active chemical ingredients used in tattoo ink, yet no ingredient-specific toxicity study has been performed. Benzo(ghi)perylene (BgP) is one of the PAHs and an important ingredient of black tattoo ink that shows strong absorption in UVA and UVB radiation of sunlight. Therefore, understanding the hazardous potential of BgP especially under UVA exposure is important for the safety of skin of tattoo users by considering the fact that penetration of UVA is in the dermis region where tattoo ingredients reside. To evaluate the hazardous potential of BgP on human skin under UVA exposure, different experimental tools i.e., in-chemico, in-silico and in-vitro were utilized. Our results illustrated that BgP photosensitized under UVA (1.5 mW/cm2) irradiation shows a degradation pattern till 4 h exposure. Photosensitized BgP reduced significant cell viability (%) at 1 μg/ml concentration. However, the pretreatment of singlet and hydroxyl radical quenchers, restoration of cell viability observed, confirmed the role of type-I and type-II photodynamic reactions in phototoxicity of BgP. Further, intracellular uptake of BgP in HaCaT cells was estimated and confirmed by UHPLC analysis. Molecular docking of BgP with DNA and formation of γ-H2AX foci demonstrated the DNA intercalation and double-stranded DNA damaging potential of BgP. Furthermore, acridine orange and ethidium bromide (AO/EB) dual staining showed apoptotic cell death via photosensitized BgP under UVA irradiation. The above findings suggest that BgP reached the human skin cell and induced dermal toxicity via direct and indirect mode of DNA damage under UVA exposure finally promoting the skin cell death. Thus, BgP-containing tattoo ink may be hazardous and may induce skin damage and diseases, especially in presence of UVA radiation of sunlight. To minimize the risk of skin diseases from synthetic ingredients in tattoo ink, the study highlights the importance of developing eco-friendly and skin-friendly tattoo ingredients by companies.

Toxicological and Genotoxic Effects of Used Drilling Fluid: Histopathology and Genotoxicity Assessment

During the process of extracting crude oil from the subsurface of the earth, drilling fluids play a crucial role. To evaluate the toxic and genotoxic characteristics of used oil-based drilling fluid, experiments were conducted using Clarias gariepinus (a type of fish) and Allium cepa (an onion). Prior to the experiments, the test subjects were acclimatized and stored for a period of 14 days. Following acclimatization and storage, test solutions were prepared in different concentrations based on the results of a range-finding test. After 96 hours of exposure, the LC50 values for the drilling fluid were determined as follows: 71.589% at 24 hours, 96.052% at 48 hours, 96.052% at 72 hours, and 59.508% at 96 hours. The mortality rate was recorded, revealing a direct relationship between the concentration of the drilling fluid and the mortality of the test subjects. The EC50 values also indicated a correlation between root tip-growth inhibition and increased toxicant concentration. Furthermore, histopathological studies conducted on the gills and livers of Clarias gariepinus after 96 hours of exposure revealed noticeable alterations. To analyze the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in the oil-based drilling mud, substances such as Naphthalene, Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene, Fluorene, Phenathrene, Anthracene, Fluoranthene, Benzo (K), Pyrene, Benz (a) anthracene, Chrysene, Benzo (b) fluoranthene, Benzo (k) fluoranthene, Benzo (a) pyrene, Indeno (1,2,3-cd) pyrene, Dibenz (a,h), anthracene, and Benzo (g,h,i) perylene were analyzed using GC-MS mode S4 = 71096. These parameters are believed to be responsible for the toxic effects observed in fish and onion root tips. Considering the toxic effects and alterations observed, it is crucial to closely monitor the disposal of drilling fluids after the recovery of crude oil. Compliance with the necessary regulatory standards established by regulatory bodies should be ensured to prevent adverse environmental impacts.

Microplastics pollution in freshwater fishes in the South of Italy: Characterization, distribution, and correlation with environmental pollutants

In this study, we investigated the presence, abundance, and chemical nature of microplastics (MPs) in the freshwater fish gastrointestinal tract in the South of Italy, and evaluated the possible correlation between MPs and environmental pollutants. Fifty specimens belonging to five species (Scardinius erythrophthalmus, Barbus barbus, Rutilus rubilio, Leuciscus cephalus, Salmo trutta), from twenty sites were collected. MPs chemical feature was identified by means of Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) and Raman microscopy. MPs were represented by 34.86 % fragments, film, and foam (all together MPs) and 65.14 % by fibers (MFs). The mean number of MPs/MFs per fish ranged from 6.25 ± 4.35 in R. rubilio and 2.26 ± 1.94 in B. barbus. The highest number of MPs/MFs per g of GIT was found in R. rubilio (9.07 ± 9.66), and the lowest in S. erythrophthalmus (0.75 ± 0.53). The highest number of MPs/MFs per fish species was found in L. cephalus (16), and the lowest in S. erythrophthalmus (4). Black predominated in every type of plastic debris identified, followed by blue and white, respectively for MFs and MPs. Polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), and polypropylene (PP), were the main plastic polymers found. At fish sampling sites, comparing concentrations in soils of potentially toxic elements and persistent organic pollutants with the number of MPs/MFs in fish, a significant correlation was noted with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and, in particular, with PCB 105, PCB 118, PCB 156, PCB 157, and PCB 167. A strong correlation was also observed with all types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) particularly with benzo(ghi)perylene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, and pyrene. The results of this study would be useful to draft management and action plans, promote intervention plans aiming at removing threats to species and habitats, and address ways of renaturalization.

HEAVY METALS AND POLY AROMATIC HYDROCARBON CONTAMINANTS IN SMOKED AND FRESH CLARIAS GARIEPINUS

This study investigated the level of heavy metals and poly aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in fresh and smoked African catfish, Clariasgariepinus from a cultured system in Lagos, Nigeria. A total of ten randomly selected life specimens of Clariasgariepinus were collected from the Marine Science Department (Aquaculture unit) University of Lagos and smoked in a 44 gallon smoking kiln for four hours. The heavy metals content was determined using FAO / SIDA, 1983 method while PAH was analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC MS). The results of fresh fish samples obtained were compared withnonsmoked fish samples. Heavy metals and PAHs were detected in both samples at varying concentration. However, it was observed that there was higher concentration cadmium, lead, and zinc in smoked fish though not significantly (P &lt; 0.05) different from that in fresh fish whereas iron and copper were insignificantly (P &gt; 0.05) higher in fresh fish. Naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, and benzo (g,h,i) perylene} were higher in the smoked fishes though Naphthalene, and anthracene were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher in smoked fishes than fresh fishes. The maximum concentration of lead was 0.0492 mg/kg that is higher than the EPA safety limit (0.001 mg/kg) while 2 methylnaphthalene concentration was highest in the smoked fishes with a mean value of 4.13 mg/kg. The statistical analysis using one way ANOVA showed that there was significant (P &lt; 0.05) differences in the heavy metals and PAH content in the fresh and smoked fish. This study suggests that smoked fish have higher concentrations of heavy metals and poly aromatic hydrocarbons which might pose a health risk to humans when consumed

NIVEAU DE CONTAMINATION DE LA CHAIR DE POULET BICYCLETTE (GALLUS GALLUS DOMESTICUS) PAR LES HYDROCARBURES AROMATIQUES POLYCYCLIQUES (HAP)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the organic pollutants sought both in the various environmental compartments (water, soil, air, etc.) and in food intended for human consumption. They are a group of persistent organic pollutants that are potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic. Thus, the present study aims to determine the PAH levels in the flesh of local poultry also called bicycle chickens (gallus gallusdomesticus). Ten (10) composite samples of chickens were collected in Karakoro, a locality located in the department of Korhogo in the north of Cote dIvoire. After the extraction and purification steps, the samples were analyzed on a Shimadzu brand HighPerformance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) equipped with a fluorimetric detector. The measured PAHs, eight (8) molecules in number, are classified among the priority substances to be researched in the context of food safety (fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno(1 ,2,3-cd) pyrene, benzo (g,h,i) perylene, benzo (a) anthracene, benzo (b) fluoranthene). The results obtained showed the presence of these molecules in the samples analyzed at concentrations higher than the European Union (EU) standard for some. On the other hand, all the PAHs determined have concentrations lower than the Codex Alimentarius standard.

The Influence of a Fire at an Illegal Landfill in Southern Poland on the Formation of Toxic Compounds and Their Impact on the Natural Environment.

Landfill fires pose a real threat to the environment as they cause the migration of pollutants to the atmosphere and water sources. A greater risk is observed in the case of wild landfills, which do not have adequate isolation from the ground. The aim of this article is to present the results of studies on the toxicity of waste from a fire in a landfill in Trzebinia (southern Poland). Both soil and waste samples were investigated. The samples were analyzed using the GC-MS method and the leachates using ICP-OES. A total of 32 samples of incinerated waste and soil were collected. The organic compounds included naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, acenaphthene, acenaphthylene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo (c) phenanthrene, benzo (a) anthracene, chrysene, benzo (ghi) fluoranthene, benzo (b + k) fluoranthene, benzo (a) fluoranthene, benzo (c) fluoranthene, benzo (a) pyrene, benzo (e) pyrene, perylene, indeno[1,2,3-cd] pyrene, benzo (ghi) perylene, and dibenzo (a + h) anthracene. Among the inorganic parameters, sulfates, chlorides, arsenic, boron, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc were taken into account. Phenanthrene reached values exceeding 33 mg/L. Fluoranthene dominated in most of the samples. Sulfates and chlorides were present in the samples in concentrations exceeding 400 and 50 mg/L, respectively. Compounds contained in burnt waste may have a negative impact on soil and water health safety. Therefore, it is important to conduct research and counteract the negative effects of waste fires.

Separation of the overlapped humic acid and BGP characteristic peaks using two-dimensional correlation fluorescence-UV-vis spectroscopy

Fluorescence spectroscopy has been widely used to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment. However, the interference of coexisting humic acids (HA) in the environment poses a great challenge to the qualitative and quantitative detection of PAHs using fluorescence spectroscopy. In this study, the spectral properties of benzo [ghi] perylene (BGP) and HA were investigated based on fluorescence and UV–vis spectroscopy combined with two-dimensional (2D) correlation analysis. Under the external disturbance of HA concentration, the homo-2D (fluorescence, UV–visible) correlation and hetero-2D fluorescence-UV–visible correlation spectral characteristics of the mixed samples of HA and BGP were studied, and the effect of HA on the fluorescence of BGP was investigated. It can be inferred that the fluorescence peak at 478 nm come from BGP, and the fluorescence peaks at 442 nm and 533 nm, UV absorption peak at 233 nm come from HA. Meanwhile, asynchronous two-trace two-dimensional (2T2D) fluorescence correlation slice spectra at 533 nm were obtained. The slice spectral intensity at 478 nm was extracted to quantify the BGP concentration in mixture. The results showed that the slice spectral intensity and BGP concentration had a good linear relationship with the coefficient of determination R2 = 0.96. This research provides a way to further study the separation method of HA and PAHs or explore the correction method of the effect of HA on PAHs.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in suspended particulate matter of a region influenced by agricultural activities in northeast Brazil

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples were collected in rainy (2016) and dry (2017) seasons from the Japaratuba River in Northeast Brazil and analyzed the concentration of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The results were applied to measure the seasonal variations, spatial distributions, and source apportionment in the estuarine SPM systems. The seasonal variation in total PAHs was not statistically significant, although the highest levels were found in the rainy season, where the total PAHs concentrations in the Japaratuba River ranged from 71 to 1598 ng g−1, with a mean value of 453 ng g−1. In the dry season, the concentrations ranged from 65 to 459 ng g−1, with a mean value of 257 ng g−1. The composition profiles of PAHs at different sites were not significant. At most sampling sites, 5-ring and 6-ring compounds (indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, and benzo(g,h,i)perylene) were the most abundant components, followed by 2-ring and 3-ring compounds (naphthalene and phenanthrene). The use of diagnostic ratios (DR) and principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the PAHs mainly originated from pyrogenic sources. Ecological risk assessment indicated that the PAHs could cause moderate impacts on organisms, suggesting the need for preventive measures.

Extractable denuders for selective sampling of vapour phase organics in the atmosphere

Extractable denuders were designed to collect trace atmospheric semivolatile organic compounds with high volume (38.30 and 200 L/ min) samplers. Denuders were made of multichannel ceramic support coated with sodium silicate and functionalised with phenyl moieties. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans and chlorobenzenes in ambient air of a sub-urban area of Monterotondo, Italy, were sampled. Samplings were of 24 h, 48 h and 1 week period. Precision was determined using field triplicates and compared to the conventional high volume sampler methods. The fraction of analytes in the particle phase measured with the filter/ PUF system ranged from 0.2 % for naphthalene to 98.5 % for benzo(ghi)perylene; this fraction measured with the denuder ranged from 0.5 % for naphthalene to 99.0 % for benzo(ghi)perylene. A paired t-test indicated that these values were significantly (t = 3.58, P < 0.01) higher for the denuder. Results showed good repeatability (0.4–4.6 %), sampling efficiency (>99 %) and good capacity as variations in experimental efficiency were not observed also for longer (1 week) period sampling. As significant changes in efficiency were observed (0.7–5.6 %), the developed denuder cannot be reused more than once. However, it is possible to regenerate the denuder with a new silanization step. A good linear correlation was found plotting the vapour/particle distribution ratio versus the vapour pressure (R2 ranged between 0.59 and 0.84) and versus the octanol/air partition coefficient (R2 ranged between 0.85 and 0.88) of each selected SVOCs, in good agreement with the theoretical models for partitioning of SVOCs.

Multi-class organic pollutants in atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) from a Southwestern Europe industrial area: Levels, sources and human health risk

The occurrence of 50 multi-class pollutants comprising 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 12 phthalate esters (PAEs), 12 organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs), 6 synthetic musk compounds (SMCs) and 2 bisphenols was studied in atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) samples collected at an industrial area focused on automotive manufacturing located at the Southwestern Atlantic European region (Vigo city, Spain) during 1-year period. Among all quantitated pollutants in PM2.5 samples, bisphenol A (BPA) was the most predominant with an average concentration of 6180 pg m−3, followed by PAHs comprising benzo(b+j)fluoranthene (BbF + BjF) and benzo(g,h,i)perylene (BghiP), accounting for 546 pg m−3 and 413 pg m−3 respectively. In addition, two OPFRs concerning tris(chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP) and triphenyl phosphine oxide (TPPO) were the next following the concentration order, accounting for 411 pg m−3 and 367 pg m−3 respectively; being butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) the most profuse PAE (56.1 pg m−3 by average). High relative standard deviations (RSDs) were observed during the whole sampling period, while statistically significant differences were only observed for PAHs concentrations during cold and warm seasons. Furthermore, some water-soluble ions and metal(oid)s were analysed in PM2.5 samples to be used as PM source tracers, whose concentrations were quite below the target levels set in the current legislation. Data obtained from principal component analysis (PCA) and PAHs molecular indices suggested a pyrogenic and petrogenic origin for PAHs, whereas occurrence of the remaining compounds seems to be attributed to resources used in the automotive industrial activity settled in the sampling area. Moreover, although a substantial anthropogenic source to PM2.5 in the area was observed, marine and soil resuspension contributions were also accounted. Finally, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks posed by PM2.5-bound pollutants inhalation were assessed, being both averages within the safe level considering the whole period.

Quantification and Risk Assessment of PAHs in Street Dust from Functional Areas of Khamis-Mushait, Saudi Arabia

The average value of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Khamis-Mushait street dust was 2809.46 ng/g, ranging from 1250.41-4249.29 ng/g. Incinerator and industrial locations had the highest concentration of fossil PAHs (∑FPAHs), accounting for 69.62% of PAHs. The highest concentrations of carcinogenic PAHs (∑CARC) and combustion PAHs (∑COMB) were found in the King Fahd Garden and Al-Hayat National Hospital regions, accounting for 41.70 % and 27.46 % of PAHs, respectively. Naphthalene (NAP), Acenaphthylene (ACY) and Acenaphthene (ACE) were &gt; effective range low (ERL). However, ACE was &gt; effective range medium (ERM), and ACY, ACE, and DBA (dibenzo anthracene) were &gt; Probable Effect Level (PEL). Furthermore, the effects of NAP, fluoranthene (FLT), pyrene (PYR), and benzo (a)pyren (BaP) were greater than the threshold effect level (TEL). The order of Hazardous indices (HI) for both children and adults were ACE &gt; ACY &gt; NAP &gt; PYR &gt; fluorene (FLR) &gt; FLT &gt; benzo (ghi) perylene (BghiP) &gt; phenanthrene (PHN) &gt; ANT. However, total HI for non-cancer risks for PAHs were 2.69×10-2 -9.91×10-5 and 2.50x10-2 - 9.22×10-4 to adults and children, respectively. These values considered safe level and insignificant to adults and children. In addition, ACE may pose risk based on acute and intermediate oral exposure. The cluster analysis of dust samples declared the following order from different sources: traffic &gt; industrial &gt; commercial.

In Silico Approach in the Evaluation of Pro-Inflammatory Potential of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Volatile Organic Compounds through Binding Affinity to the Human Toll-Like Receptor 4.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are widespread across the globe, existing in the environment in complex mixtures potentially capable of initiating respiratory illnesses. Here, we use an in silico approach to evaluate the potential pro-inflammatory effects of various carcinogenic PAHs and VOCs through their binding affinity towards the human toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). For receptors and ligands, RCSB Protein Data Bank and PubChem were used in obtaining their 3D structures, respectively. Autodock Vina was utilized to obtain the best docking poses and binding affinities of each PAH and VOC. Out of the 14 PAHs included in this study, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, benzo(ghi)perylene, and benzo[a]pyrene had the highest binding affinity values of −10, −9, and −8.9 kcal/mol, respectively. For the VOCs, out of the 10 compounds studied, benzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, and styrene had the highest binding affinity values of −3.6, −3.9, and −4.6 kcal/mol, respectively. Compounds with higher affinity than LPS (−4.1 kcal/com) could potentially induce inflammation, while compounds with lower affinity would be less likely to induce an inflammatory response. Meanwhile, molecular dynamics simulation and RMSF statistical analysis proved that the protein, TLR4, stably preserve its conformation despite ligand interactions. Overall, the structure of the TLR4 was considered inflexible.

The Toxicity and Genotoxicity of Drilling Fluids Used During Crude Oil Recovery

The Drilling of crude oil to bring it up to the subsurface of the earth cannot be accomplished without the use of drilling fluids. Used oil-based drilling fluid was introduced to Clarias gariepinus and Allium cepa in the determination of its toxic and genotoxic characteristics. This study made use of spent oil- based drilling fluid/ mud which was gotten from oando gas plant, in sterilized plastic containers. Test subjects were acclimatized and stored respectively which lasted for 14days.After both acclimatization and storage of test subjects, test solutions were prepared in different concentrations after a range finding test was conducted. At the end of 96h, LC50 of 71.589 %, 96.052 %, 96.052 % and 59.508 % were obtained at 24hr, 48hr, 72hr and 96hr respectively. It was observed that the higher the concentration the higher the mortality as well as the EC50 which showed relationships between root tip-growth inhibitions and increase in toxicant concentration. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contents such as Naphthalene, Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene, Fluorene, Phenathrene, Anthracene, Fluoranthene, Benzo (K), Pyrene, Benz (a) anthracene, Chrysene, Benzo (b) fluoranthene, Benzo (k) fluoranthene, Benzo (a) pyrene, Indeno (1,2,3-cd) pyrene, Dibenz (a,h), anthracene and Benzo (g,h,i) perylene of oil based drilling mud was analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. These parameters may be responsible for the toxic effects on fish and onion root tips. Hence, the disposal of drill fluids after crude oil recovery should be well monitored so as to ensure the fulfilment of the necessary regulatory standards set up by regulatory bodies.

Assessment of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contamination of the Red Sea with Endemic Fish from Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) as Bioindicator of Aquatic Environmental Pollution

The aim of this study was to determine whether endemic coral fish commonly consumed by Jeddah residents could serve as bioindicators of oil contamination. In addition, we planned to investigate the relationship between amino acid changes and hydrocarbon concentrations in fish tissue. The composition of amino acids was analyzed using high-pressure liquid chromatography with precolumn derivatization. An analytical study of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and total petroleum hydrocarbons was conducted by combining gas chromatography with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied using Statgraphics software to determine the impact of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and total petroleum hydrocarbons on the amino acid profile of three species of fish. In addition, the bioconcentration factor was estimated in the studied species and was used to validate the results obtained from the multivariate analysis. Based on the results of the study, the sum of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with two cycles, and with five to six cycles, is in reverse order in Plectropomus pessuliferus with respect to Epinephelus tauvina and Cephalopholis argus. The factor analysis showed high factor scores for aspartic acid, glutamic acid, tyrosine, chrysene, and total petroleum hydrocarbons, and for lipids and benzo(g,h,i)perylene, which could be explained by bioaccumulation. It was concluded that the high proportions of glutamic acid (8.32–11.10%) and aspartic acid (6.06–8.27%) in the muscles of the studied species are a sign of contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons. The incremental lifetime cancer risk values for the three endemic fish exceeded the limit value (&gt;10−5), indicating a high potential cancer risk for the Saudi population.

Occurrence, Distribution and Risk Assessment of PAHs in Road Dust Sediment in Daejeon Metropolitan City, South Korea

In this study, the occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in road dust sediment(RDS) deposited from main traffic roads as well as residential and industrial areas were examined with a total of 144 samples in seasons. Based on the results, the concentrations of PAHs were found to be higher in winter and ranged between 0.15 and 1.94 mg/kg with an average of 0.65 mg/kg. The results indicate that pyrene, fluoranthene, phenanthrene, and benzo(ghi)perylene were commonly found in RDS, likely originated from vehicle exhaust emissions and fuel combustion by the diagnostic ratio study. Non-cancer risk from PAHs for humans exposed to RSD was found to be low (HI 1.2E-05). The estimated excess cancer risks by PAHs in RDS was also much less than the regulatory guideline for cancer risk (1×10-6). Thus, current concentrations of PAHs in RDS are expected to be pose no threat to humans under the assumed exposure scenarios with applied exposure factors. However, more extensive and long-term sample analysis for gaseous and particulate PAHs is still warranted to determine potential risks to humans and the fate in the environment, since their concentration and distribution can be influenced by micro-metrological conditions, traffic volumes, or road clean-up conditions.

Relationship of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure with vascular damages among sanitation workers

Chronic exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) leads to a high incidence of cardiovascular diseases. To assess the effects of PAHs exposure on vascular damages in occupationally exposed populations, 196 sanitation workers were recruited. According to the differences of occupation or operation, they were divided into exposure group (n = 115) and control group (n = 81). Sixteen serum PAHs were determined by gas chromatography—tandem mass spectrometery. Tumor necrosis factor ɑ (TNF-ɑ) and angiotensin II (ANG-II) in serum, blood lipids and blood pressure were also measured. Results showed that, except for indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene and benzo(g,h,i)perylene, the detection frequencies of other PAHs were above 85%, showing that subjects are generally exposed to PAHs. The top three compounds in serum concentrations of PAHs were phenanthrene, acenaphthylene and anthracene. Moreover, the concentrations of total serum PAHs in the exposure group were significantly higher than those in the control (p < 0.05), suggesting a higher PAHs exposure in the former. Though there was no significant difference in blood lipids and blood pressure between groups (p > 0.05), TNF-ɑ and ANG-II levels in the exposure group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05), suggesting that PAHs exposure may be related to pro-inflammatory effects and vascular endothelial damages.

A General Synthetic Approach of Organic Lateral Heterostructures for Optical Signal Converters in All-Color Wavelength

A General Synthetic Approach of Organic Lateral Heterostructures for Optical Signal Converters in All-Color Wavelength