Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls Concentrations Research Articles

Characterization of mono- to deca-chlorinated biphenyls in a well-preserved sediment core from Beppu Bay, Southwestern Japan: Historical profiles, emission sources, and inventory

Contamination levels and profiles of mono- to deca-chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were characterized in a sediment core dated in 1954–2011 from Beppu Bay, southwestern Japan, providing a comprehensive and detailed picture on the environmental occurrence, temporal trends, and emission sources of these pollutants in the study area. Concentrations of total PCBs in the core ranged from 3.5 to 150 (median 15) ng g−1 dry weight and exhibited depth profile matching with Japanese PCB production and emission patterns (i.e., drastically increasing from the early 1960s, peaking in 1970, and then rapidly decreasing). Origin of PCBs in the studied samples largely associated with Kanechlor mixtures (e.g., KC-300 and KC-400), especially for sediment layers dated between the mid-1960s and early 1970s (i.e., the intensive PCB production period in Japan). In addition, dechlorination and weathering signals and emerging inputs of PCBs were also observed in deeper and shallower sediment segments with notable proportions of some unique congeners such as CB-47/48/51 and CB-11, respectively. Historical fluxes of PCBs in our samples showed quite similar vertical shape as concentrations. In the context of national implementation for complete treatment of PCB-containing waste until 2024, further investigations on spatiotemporal trends and environmental loads of PCBs in Japan are necessary.

Blood mercury and plasma polychlorinated biphenyls concentrations in pregnant Inuit women from Nunavik: Temporal trends, 1992–2017

The Inuit of Nunavik (Northern Quebec, Canada) are exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury (Hg) through their consumption of marine country foods. A temporal trend study was initiated in 1992 to monitor circulating levels of PCBs and Hg in pregnant Inuit women, since the fetus is most at risk of adverse health effects. We set out (1) to describe temporal trends of PCBs and Hg levels in pregnant Nunavik women between 1992 and 2017; (2) to determine the prevalence of participants exceeding the guidance values in 2017; (3) to investigate relations between marine country food intake and contaminant levels over the study period. A total of 559 pregnant women provided a blood sample for contaminant analysis from 1992 to 2017. PCB congeners were quantified in plasma (serum) by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to electron capture detection or mass spectrometry (MS). We determined whole blood mercury concentration by cold vapor atomic absorption or inductively-coupled plasma MS. We performed multilevel modeling to assess temporal trends in contaminant levels and relations with marine country food consumption. Concentrations of total PCBs and Hg decreased by 84% and 65% between 1992 and 2017, respectively. Nevertheless, 10% and 22% of women in 2017 exceeded guidance values for PCBs and Hg, respectively. While the decline in marine country food intake is the only factor associated with decreasing Hg levels, other factors may explain the decline in PCB levels. Despite the significant decline in PCBs and Hg levels from 1992 to 2017, exposure to these contaminants is still quite prevalent among pregnant Nunavik women. Most of the decline in Hg exposure is likely due to a shift away from marine country foods to store-bought foods, which is a concern given the cultural and nutritional importance of country foods and the high food insecurity that prevails in Nunavik.

Cardiovascular Effects of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Their Major Metabolites.

Background:Xenobiotic metabolism is complex, and accounting for bioactivation and detoxification processes of chemicals remains among the most challenging aspects for decision making with in vitro new approach methods data.Objectives:Considering the physiological relevance of human organotypic culture models and their utility for high-throughput screening, we hypothesized that multidimensional chemical-biological profiling of chemicals and their major metabolites is a sensible alternative for the toxicological characterization of parent molecules vs. metabolites in vitro.Methods:In this study, we tested 25 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) [PCB 3, 11, 52, 126, 136, and 153 and their relevant metabolites (hydroxylated, methoxylated, sulfated, and quinone)] in concentration–response () for effects in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs) and endothelial cells (ECs) (iPSC-derived and HUVECs). Functional phenotypic end points included effects on beating parameters and intracellular flux in CMs and inhibition of tubulogenesis in ECs. High-content imaging was used to evaluate cytotoxicity, mitochondrial integrity, and oxidative stress.Results:Data integration of a total of 19 physicochemical descriptors and 36 in vitro phenotypes revealed that chlorination status and metabolite class are strong predictors of the in vitro cardiovascular effects of PCBs. Oxidation of PCBs, especially to di-hydroxylated and quinone metabolites, was associated with the most pronounced effects, whereas sulfation and methoxylation of PCBs resulted in diminished bioactivity.Discussion:Risk characterization analysis showed that although in vitro derived effective concentrations exceeded the levels measured in the general population, risks cannot be ruled out due to the potential for population variability in susceptibility and the need to fill data gaps using read-across approaches. This study demonstrated a strategy for how in vitro data can be used to characterize human health risks from PCBs and their metabolites. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7030

Quantitative analysis of 209 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in sediments of the Raritan River estuary, USA

Abstract This study investigated the distribution of 209 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in sediment samples collected from seven sites in the Raritan River estuary (NJ, USA) using gas chromatography/tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS). Results showed that concentrations of 209 PCB congeners ranged up to 20 ng/g, that total PCB concentrations by homolog groups varied from 9.0 to 327 ng/g, and that total PCB mass ranged from 101.0 to 1,476.3 ng with the order of sites 6 > 7 > 3 > 4 > 2 > 1 > 5. Furthermore, higher PCB concentrations were detected for homolog groups including hexa- and hepta-PCBs. More PCBs were associated with sediments at downstream sites possibly due to accumulation and deposition in the estuary, as supported by strong correlations of PCB concentrations between different sampling sites (R2 ≤ 0.96). Comparisons with prior reports showed that all total PCB concentrations were below those reported by the Contamination Assessment and Reduction Project (CARP) and Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), except for sites 6 and 7. Sites 3 and 4 had PCB concentrations exceeding the 22.7 ng/g limit of the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs), whereas sites 6 and 7 exceeded the 180 ng/g limit, indicating potential health hazards from PCBs.

Markers of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) degradation in highly contaminated soil of Central Russia.

The highly polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated historical soil is located in the Serpukhov region (Central Russia). This study evaluates the processes of PCB degradation in the soil under natural conditions. Compositions of industrial mixtures (Sovol, Sovtol, and trichlorodiphenyl) were compared with PCB-contaminated soil from different depths. An increased number of dichlorobiphenyls (6 congeners) were determined in the deeper soil horizons (40-60cm) in comparison with the surface layer (1 congener). Non-associated with industrial mixture congener, PCB 11 was determined in some soil layers with concentrations reaching 3.6mg/kg. PCB 11 can be considered asa potential marker of activated degradation processes in highly contaminated soils with industrial mixtures. Aegopodium podagraria reduced total PCB concentrations in the contaminated soil to 25% during pot experiments. Prospective precursors of PCB 11 were significantly depleted (62-88%) after phytoremediation, but this did not increase PCB 11 concentration in the soil.

Bioaccumulation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Fish Host-Parasite Bentho-Pelagic Food Chain in Epe Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria.

This paper investigates the concentrations of PCBs in the water and sediment media and its bio-concentration in the fish host-parasite bentho-pelagic food chain in Epe lagoon. Samples of water, sediment, plankton, mollusks, fish and intestinal helminth parasites were collected from three stations (Oriba, Imode and Ikosi) in Epe Lagoon. Concentration of total PCBs in the surface water and sediment across the stations ranges from 3.20 to 6.00 ppb and 405.50-860.70 ppb respectively. Imode had the highest concentrations. The plankton bio-concentrates most PCBs in Ikosi (286.70 ppb) followed by Imode concentration (165.40 ppb), then Oribo (92.60 ppb) with total bio-concentration of 544.60 ppb. Surface water temperature negatively and strongly correlates with PCBs in the plankton. The planktons bio-concentrates total PCBs 44 times than that in the surface water. Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus bio-concentrates total PCBs 48 times than that in the surface water. Bioaccumulation of PCBs in human food chain could pose health risk.

Occurrence of seventy-nine SVOCs in tapwater of China based on high throughput organic analysis testing combined with high volume solid phase extraction

Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are ubiquitous and toxic environmental pollutants, and have recently attracted much research attention. However, their occurrence in tapwater and the associated potential health risks have not been thoroughly studied. This work examined 26 household tapwater samples collected in 26 Chinese cities during August and September 2019. Concentrations of 79 SVOCs, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and polychlorobenzenes (CBs), were determined using an emerging method of high throughput organic analysis testing combined with high volume solid phase extraction (Hi-throat/Hi-volume SPE). Total concentrations of PAHs, PCBs, OCPs, and CBs were in the ranges 8.70–103 ng L−1 (average 42.1 ng L−1), 61.6–434 pg L−1 (average 274 pg L−1), 13.1–266 pg L−1 (average 59.8 pg L−1), and 3.5–83.0 pg L−1 (average 13.8 pg L−1), respectively. PAHs were the dominant SVOCs, with concentrations 10–100 times those of PCBs, OCPs, and CBs. All the studied SVOCs had concentrations deemed acceptable by Chinese national tapwater standards. These measured SVOCs displayed little spatial variation across China, but were significantly correlated with the size of the economy and population of each city. The human non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with the studied SVOCs in Chinese tapwater are negligible.

Polychlorinated biphenyls in canned sardines in Nigeria and health risk assessment

ABSTRACT The concentrations and potential human health risks through dietary ingestion of PCBs in canned sardines collected from the Nigerian market were determined. The results shows that the total PCBs concentrations varied from <LOD to 668 ng g−1. The composition of PCBs in the canned sardines followed the order: Penta-PCBs > Hexa-PCBs > Tetra-PCBs > Di-PCB > Deca-PCB > Tri-PCBs > Hepta-PCBs > Octa-PCB. The estimated daily intake for total PCBs ranged from <LOD to 926 ng kg−1 bw day−1 and < LOD to 232 ng kg−1 bw day−1 for child and adult exposures respectively. The TEQs values of the dl-PCBs indicated that these canned sardines are unsafe for consumption. The hazard index and total cancer risk values in 53% of the canned sardines were greater than 1 and 1 × 10−6 respectively indicating that there are adverse non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with human consumption of these canned sardines.

Occurrence, depth distribution and risk assessment of PAHs and PCBs in sediment cores of Lagos lagoon, Nigeria

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediment cores of the microtidal coastline of Lagos lagoon were investigated for the occurrence, sources and depositional contamination history. Sediment core samples were collected using the Wildco @ hand corer (50 cm) SS kit and extracted using a 40 mL mixture of hexane and acetone (1:1), and cleaned-up using 10 mm ID chromatographic column before the concentration of aliquots. In this investigation, 16 US EPA priority PAHs and PCB congeners were analysed in aliquots of sediment cores using Agilent 7820A gas chromatograph coupled to a 5975C inert mass spectrometer (with triple-axis detector) with an electron-impact source. PAHs and PCBs were detected at varying concentrations across the 50 cm depth of each sediment core. The total PAH concentrations ranged from 1.43–5.90 mg/kg, and were more widely distributed than the total PCBs. The total PCB concentrations ranged from BDL – 6.41 mg/kg. The PAH diagnostic ratios used identified the sources of the PAHs as pyrogenic rather than petrogenic. About 52% of the samples had concentrations above the ERM limit for total PCBs, suggesting that adverse effects on biota may occur in the long term. In general, the PAHs and PCBs concentrations detected in sediment cores of the Lagos lagoonal system may pose a considerable ecotoxicological risk to estuarine organisms.

Residues of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Agricultural Soils Adjacent to Historical Sources of Their Storage and Distribution-The Case Study of Azerbaijan.

The aim of this study was to identify and examine the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soil collected from the surroundings of historical pesticide storage facilities on former agricultural aerodromes, warehouses, and pesticide distribution sites located in the most important agricultural regions in Azerbaijan. The conducted research included determination of three groups of POPs (occurring together), in the natural soil environment influenced for many years by abiotic and biotic factors that could have caused their transformations or decomposition. In this study, soil samples were collected in 21 georeferenced points located in the administrative area of Bilasuvar, Saatly, Sabirabad, Salyan and Jalilabad districts of Azerbaijan. Soil chemical analysis involved determination of organochlorine compounds (OCP): hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) (three isomers α-HCH, β-HCH and γ-HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) (six congeners 2,4′DDT; 4,4′DDT; 2,4′DDE; 4,4′DDE; 2,4′DDE; and 4,4′DDE); polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): 16 compounds from the United States Environmental Protection Agency US EPA list and, PCBs (seven congeners identified with the following IUPAC numbers: 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, and 180). Our research showed that OCPs reached the highest concentration in the studied areas. The total concentrations of OCPs ranged from 0.01 to 21,888 mg∙kg−1 with significantly higher concentrations of Σ6DDTs (0.01 μg kg−1 to 21880 mg kg−1) compared to ΣHCH (0.14 ng kg−1 to 166.72 µg kg−1). The total concentrations of PCBs in the studied soils was varied from 0.02 to 147.30 μg·kg−1 but only PCB138 and PCB180 were detected in all analyzed samples. The concentrations of Σ16 PAHs were also strongly diversified throughout the sampling areas and ranged from 0.15 to 16,026 mg kg−1. The obtained results confirmed that the agricultural soils of Azerbaijan contained much lower (up to by three orders of magnitude) concentrations of PCBs and PAHs than DDT. It is supported by the fact that PCBs and PAHs were not directly used by agriculture sector and their content results from secondary sources, such as combustion and various industrial processes. Moreover, the high concentrations of PAHs in studied soils were associated with their location in direct neighborhood of the airport, as well as with accumulation of contaminants from dispersed sources and long range transport. The high concentrations of pesticides confirm that deposition of parent OCPs have occurred from obsolete pesticide landfills.

ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS IN BREAST MILK OF WOMEN IN THE SOUTH OF THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST

National programs for monitoring chloro-organk compounds (С0С) in the human body have been introduced in different countries. In Russia, this monitoring began at the end of the 20th century. In the Russian Far East, only preliminary data on the accumulation of chloro-organk compounds in the human body have been published so far warranting further research. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the accumulation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in breast milk of women in the South of the Russian Far East and the compare the findings with the data from 2017. Methods. Breast milk was collected in health institutions in the region (Primorsky Krai). The age of the women ranged from 20 to 49 years. The concentrations of OCPs and PCBs in breast milk samples werestudied by gas chromatography mass-spectrometry. Results. The content of ГОС (EHCHs + EDDTs + EPCBs) in the samples ranged from 23 to 878 ng / g lipids. The concentration ranges of OCPs (EHCHs + EDDTs) and PCBs were 2.8-291 and 3.2-720 ng / g lipids, respectively. Conclusions. The total OCP content in the samples taken in 2018 year was greater than the corresponding data from 2017 (p = 0.035) in all age groups of women. HCH concentrations in 2018 significantly exceed those in 2017 (p = 0.016 and p = 0.008 - according to different evaluation criteria). DDT and its metabolites were below the detection limit in 50 % of samples. The total concentration of PCBs in 2018 was lower than in 2017.

The distribution characteristics of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the surface sediments of Ross Sea and Drake Passage, Antarctica: A 192 congeners analysis

A total of 23 sediment samples are collected from Ross Sea and Drake Passage to investigate the distribution characteristics of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Antarctic marine sediments. Over 51 kinds of PCBs are detected through exhaustive searches using multiple reaction monitoring system. The results show that the concentration of individual PCB congener and total PCBs vary greatly among sampling sites, ranging from not detected to 49.75 ng g−1 and 3.77 to 246.86 ng g−1, respectively. The average PCBs level in Ross Sea is ten times higher than that in Drake Passage. Two different homologues, hexa- and tetra-CBs, give high contributions to ∑PCBs level in most samples from Ross Sea and Drake Passage, respectively. Our results support that the marine sediments might be an important sink for PCBs. Besides, the biological pump and the primary productivity might be responsible for the distribution differences of PCBs between Ross Sea and Drake Passage.

Concentrations, toxic equivalence, and age-corrected trends of legacy organic contaminants in Lake Champlain lake trout: 2012–2018

Our study is the first comprehensive, multi-year assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) lake trout concentrations and trends in Lake Champlain (LC). Lake trout whole-fish, fillets, and eggs were collected over the 2012–2018 study period. Total PCB concentrations (395.7 ng/g wet weight (ww)) were the highest average concentration of any contaminant grouping reported in this study. Whole-fish lake trout modeling revealed highly significant (p < 0.05) log-linear correlations for all dioxin-like contaminants measured. Overall contaminant decreases for the 2012–2018 period ranged from 20.9% (total PCNs) to 39.3% (2378-TCDD). Contaminant decreases for total PCBs and total-5-PBDEs were 30.9% and 48.3%, respectively. Of particular significance were the measured total PBDE concentrations (74.3 ng/g ww) found in LC whole-fish lake trout. Log-linear forecasting indicates that whole-fish lake trout TEQs will be below the guidelines protective of wildlife thresholds during the periods 2035–2047 (TRGbird) and 2062–2088 (TRGmammal). Based on current USEPA guidelines, all lake trout fillets from Lake Champlain analyzed for this study exceed the human health cancer screening value of 0.15 pg-TEQ/g ww by a substantial margin (average = 8.61 pg-TEQ/g ww). Dioxin-like trend data collected for Lake Champlain indicates that the mechanisms of contaminant uptake, trends, and yearly percent decline reflect those found in the Great Lakes.

Evaluation of the Removal Efficiency of PCBs from Five Wastewater Treatment Plants in Jordan

The levels of persistent organic pollutants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were investigated in influent, effluent, and sludge of five wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Jordan. Concentrations of 12 dioxin-like PCBs were determined. The extraction of PCBs from wastewater samples was done by solvent extraction using dichloromethane/hexane 1:1 mixture. The concentrated extracts were sequentially subjected to multilayer silica gel, basic alumina, and florisil chromatography columns for further cleanup. Sludge samples were extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus, using petroleum ether. PCB determination has been completed using gas chromatography equipped with mass spectrometry detector. The total concentrations of PCBs in influent samples ranged from 34.65 to 228.3 ng L−1, in effluent samples from 16.1 to 123.88 ng L−1, and in the sludge samples from 51.1 to 223.85 ng kg−1. In three of the investigated wastewater treatment plants, the amount of PCBs in sludge exceeded the limit proposed by European Union legislation. The total removal efficiencies of the total PCBs were evaluated and ranged from 34.8 to 88.1% for Aqaba and Abu-Nsair WWTP, respectively. The values of incremental lifetime cancer risk due to exposure to PCBs in sludge samples were also estimated in this study, and they ranged from 2.415 × 10−7 to 1.193 × 10−6 for adults. The number of people suspected to have cancer due to the exposure to the sludge of the WWTPs in Jordan is between 4 and 20 out of ten million.

Occurrences, distribution of PCBs in urban soil and management of old transformers dumpsite in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are Persistent toxic substances with a high potential to accumulate in soil as organic pollutant and bioaccumulate in human tissues. In the current study, conducted in 2019, 45 composites (0–20 cm) soil samples were collected from 9 sampling sites that are situated in an area that is being used as a maintenance workshop and dump site of transformers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The extraction and cleanup of samples was done using Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) with Pressurized Liquid extraction (PLE). The analysis was done using GC/MS to determine levels and distribution of PCBs, and a checklist was used to assess existing management practice of the site. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 and Origin pro 9.1. The result of the 18∑PCBs concentration is 17.16 mg kg−1. The range (in dry weight) of 18∑PCBs, Dioxin-Like (DL) 12∑PCBs, and Non Dioxin-Like (NDL) 6∑PCBs, is 1.027 to 4.862; 0.561 to 1.603; and 0.166 – 4.5 mg kg−1 respectively. The most dominant congeners are lower chlorinated PCBs. The distribution of total PCBs concentrations was found to be different in the entire sample tested but with a similar congener's pattern. Transformers and capacitors were observed to be improperly dumped in open fields, a condition that directly exposed them to the severity of rain and sunlight. The Soil surface around the transformer area had cracks, and literally burnt which is an indication of the degree of pollution of the soil. There is poor management in handling of oil and equipment containing PCBs. It was observed oil was leaking from transformers and barrel, and oil tankers to the open space which may cause leachate. It is important that projects are initiated to remediate the soil in the area to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for all. It will be necessary to organize training programmes for workers at the sites on the safe handling and disposal of PCB related materials.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water: method development and application to river samples from a populated tropical urban area.

A method for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water from urban rivers was implemented and validated. Extractions of dissolved and particulate PCBs were performed using solid-phase extraction and a pressurized solvent extraction system, respectively, and the analytes were identified and quantified by gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in selected reaction monitoring mode with no further purification. The method was successfully developed for the determination of 41 PCBs with two precursor-product confirmations for each analyte. Low method detection limits (0.06-0.50ngL-1) and good precision (≤ 20%; n = 8) were obtained, as well a linear response of the calibration curve ranging from 1.0 to 50ngL-1. Method performance for real samples was tested with water collected weekly in triplicate during April 2018 from a eutrophic river in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The total (dissolved + particulate) PCB concentrations ranged from 2.17 to 5.29ngL-1, above the threshold for river water quality standards in Brazil. Graphical abstract.

Tissue Distribution and Immunomodulation in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Following Dietary Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyl Aroclors and Food Deprivation.

Although most countries banned manufacturing of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) over 40 years ago, PCBs remain a global concern for wildlife and human health due to high bioaccumulation and biopersistance. PCB uptake mechanisms have been well studied in many taxa; however, less is known about depuration rates and how post-exposure diet can influence PCB concentrations and immune response in fish and wildlife populations. In a controlled laboratory environment, we investigated the influence of subchronic dietary exposure to two PCB Aroclors and food deprivation on tissue-specific concentrations of total PCBs and PCB homologs and innate immune function in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Overall, we found that the concentration of total PCBs and PCB homologs measured in whole body, fillet, and liver tissues declined more slowly in food-deprived fish, with slowest depuration observed in the liver. Additionally, fish that were exposed to PCBs had lower plasma cortisol concentrations, reduced phagocytic oxidative burst activity, and lower cytotoxic activity, suggesting that PCBs can influence stress and immune responses. However, for most measures of immune function, the effects of food deprivation had a larger effect on immune response than did PCB exposure. Taken together, these results suggest that short-term dietary exposure to PCBs can increase toxicity of consumable fish tissues for several weeks, and that PCB mixtures modulate immune and stress responses via multiple pathways. These results may inform development of human consumption advisories and can help predict and understand the influence of PCBs on fish health.

Serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and the metabolic syndrome in Akwesasne Mohawks, a Native American community

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of diseases that tend to occur together, including diabetes, hypertension, central obesity, cardiovascular disease and hyperlipidemia. Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) has been associated with increased risk of development of several of the components of the MetS. The goal of this study is to determine whether the associations with POPs are identical for each of the components and for the MetS. The subject population was 601 Native Americans (Akwesasne Mohawks) ages 18 to 84 who answered a questionnaire, were measured for height and weight and provided blood samples for clinical chemistries (serum lipids and fasting glucose) and analysis of 101 PCB congeners and three OCPs [dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and mirex]. Associations between concentrations of total PCBs and pesticides, as well as various PCB congener groups with each of the different components of the MetS were determine so as to ask whether there were similar risk factors for all components of the MetS. After adjustment for other contaminants, diabetes and hypertension were strongly associated with lower chlorinated and mono-ortho PCBs, but not other PCB groups or pesticides. Obesity was most closely associated with highly chlorinated PCBs and was negatively associated with mirex. High serum lipids were most strongly associated with higher chlorinated PCBs and PCBs with multiple ortho-substituted chlorines, as well as total pesticides, DDE and HCB. Cardiovascular disease was not closely associated with levels of any of the measured POPs. While exposure to POPs is associated with increased risk of most of the various diseases comprising the MetS, the specific contaminants associated with risk of the component diseases are not the same.

Polyurethane foam-based passive air sampling for simultaneous determination of POP- and PAH-related compounds: A case study in informal waste processing and urban areas, northern Vietnam

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromobiphenyl (BB-153), novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), and unsubstituted/methylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs/Me-PAHs) were simultaneously monitored in the air samples collected from Vietnamese urban and vehicular waste processing areas by using polyurethane foam-based passive air sampling (PUF–PAS) method. Concentrations (pg m−3) of organic pollutants decreased in the order: PAHs (median 29,000; range 5100–100,000) > Me-PAHs (6000; 1000–33,000) > PCBs (480; 170–1100) > PBDEs (11; 5.3–86) > NBFRs (0.20; n. d. – 51) > BB-153 (n.d.). The difference in total PCB and PBDE concentrations between the urban and waste processing air samples was not statistically significant. Meanwhile, levels of PAHs, Me-PAHs, benzo [a]pyrene equivalents (BaP-EQs), and toxic equivalents of dioxin-like PCBs (WHO-TEQs) were much higher in the waste processing sites. This is the first report on the abundance of mono- and di-CBs (notably CB-11) in the air from a developing country, suggesting their roles as emerging and ubiquitous air pollutants. Our results have indicated potential sources of specific organic pollutants such as dioxin-like PCBs, PAHs, and Me-PAHs from improper treatment of end-of-life vehicles and other vehicle related materials (e.g., waste oils and rubber tires), as well as current emission of PCBs and PBDEs in the urban area in Vietnam. Further atmospheric monitoring studies should be conducted in this developing country that cover both legacy and emerging contaminants with a focus on areas affected by rapid urbanization and informal waste processing activities.

A Selective Gas Chromatography-Selected Ion Monitoring Mass Spectrometry (GC‑MS/SIM) Method to Determine Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Fuller's Earth

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are carcinogenic to humans and can be found in Fuller’s earth used for the regeneration of used transformer oil. This work describes a highly selective gas chromatographic-selected ion monitoring mass spectrometric method (GC-MS/SIM) for the simultaneous determination of three Aroclor PCB congener mixtures (1242, 1254, and 1260). The separation of the PCBs could be systematically varied by changing the temperature conditions of the chromatographic column. Methods were first selected from the literature, and the resolution of the PCBs was then optimized by adjusting k* (effective retention), a (selectivity), and N (column efficiency), enabling the detection of 83 PCBs in 35 min. The extract of PCBs from Fuller’s earth was obtained by ultrasonication (employing hexane and acetone as solvents) and cleanup with Florisil and was concentrated to about 500 µL. The ions analyzed in SIM mode were divided into groups according to the similarity (m/z) of the PCB fragmentation profiles. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.19 and 0.64 µg kg-1, respectively. The method developed was used to determine the PCBs present in Fuller’s earth provided by an electric power company. The mean total PCBs concentration was found 1.9 µg kg-1 in Fuller’s earth.