Organochlorine Pesticides Pollution Research Articles

Assessment of organochlorine pesticide pollution in Donax trunculus from Agadir Bay (Center of Morocco): Utilization of integrated biomarkers

This study investigated the impact of seasonal organochlorine pesticide pollution on the physiological responses of Donax trunculus at Aghroud Beach during 2009 and 2010. Significant findings include the detection of six pesticides, with Endosulfan S being the most prevalent, reaching concentrations up to 62.63 ng/g dry weight. Biomarker analysis revealed notable seasonal variations, with the highest Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in winter 2009 and the lowest in spring 2010. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity peaked in autumn 2009, while Catalase (Cat) showed maximum activity in autumns of 2009 and 2010. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were highest in summer 2010, indicating increased oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation during this period. Integrated Biomarker Response (IBR) values were highest in autumns, suggesting significant pollution stress. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed strong correlations: a synergy between GST and Cat, and positive links between MDA and lipids, as well as AChE and Endosulfan B. This study highlights the efficacy of using integrated biomarker responses to assess environmental health and stresses the importance of autumn and summer monitoring due to higher pollution impacts.

Differentiated cognition of the effects of human activities on typical persistent organic pollutants and bacterioplankton community in drinking water source

Accelerated urbanization in developing countries led to a typical gradient of human activities (low, moderate and high human activities), which affected the pollution characteristics and ecological functions of aquatic environment. However, the occurrence characteristics of typical persistent organic pollutants, including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and bacterioplankton associated with the gradient of human activities in drinking water sources is still lacking. Our study focused on a representative case – the upper reaches of the Dongjiang River (Pearl River Basin, China), a drinking water source characterized by a gradient of human activities. A comprehensive analysis of PAHs, OCPs and bacterioplankton in the water phase was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the Illumina platform. Moderate human activity could increase the pollution of OCPs and PAHs due to local agricultural activities. The gradient of human activities obviously influenced the bacterioplankton community composition and interaction dynamics, and low human activity resulted in low bacterioplankton diversity. Co-occurrence network analysis indicated that moderate human activity could promote a more modular organization of the bacterioplankton community. Structural equation models showed that nutrients could exert a negative influence on the composition of bacterioplankton, and this phenomenon did not change with the gradient of human activities. OCPs played a negative role in shaping bacterioplankton composition under the low and high human activities, but had a positive effect under the moderate human activity. In contrast, PAHs showed a strong positive effect on bacterioplankton composition under low and high human activities and a weak negative effect under moderate human activity. Overall, these results shed light on the occurrence characteristics of OCPs, PAHs and their ecological effects on bacterioplankton in drinking water sources along the gradient of human activities.

Occurrences, Possible Sources, and Risk Impacts of Organochlorine Pesticides in Soil of Changchun Central Urban Area, Northeast China

Eighteen organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in soil samples from the Changchun central urban area, Northeast China were analyzed using accelerated solvent extraction combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (ASE-GC/MS) for the purpose of elucidating their contamination status, distribution characteristics, influencing factors, and feasible dangers in this city region. The complete concentrations of OCPs ranged from 15.63 to 92.79 ng/g, with a geomean of 36.46 ng/g. Hexachlorocyclohexane(HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichoroethane (DDTs), and chlordanes were the most dominant OCPs, with γ-HCH and p,p′-DDT being the predominant isomers. Higher concentrations of OCPs often centered to the northeast and southwest of the Changchun metropolis, and these artificial influences contributed to the destiny of OCPs in the soils. The residues of OCPs were derived from the historic utility of the technological DDT, dicofol, and lindane. A Pearson’s correlation evaluation indicated that TOC was once a key factor controlling OCP accumulation. The ecological risk evaluation based on the soil quality guidelines (SQGs) advises that the presence of DDTs, lindane, and heptachlor may additionally pose a poisonous ecological danger to soil organisms. The contrast outcomes of the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) confirmed that the highest cancer risk of OCPs to the posed populace was once low, whilst some unique areas with excessive OCP residues ought to be given attention. The research results provide basic information for evaluating the extent of OCP pollution in the soil of major cities in Northeast China and can help authorities establish environmental protection regulations and soil remediation techniques.

Simulated phytoremediation by root exudates of Sudan grass of soil organochlorine pesticides: impact on the rhizosphere microbial community.

The present work aims to study the efficiency of root exudates of Sudan grass on the degradation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and the consequent impact on the microbial and ecological characteristics of the soil, including population composition, quantity dynamics, and community structure. Pot experiments were carried out to study the effect of root exudates on the degradation of OCPs at initial concentrations ranging from 66.67 to 343.61mg/kg. In addition, the influence of root exudates on the rhizosphere microbial growth and their community structure was studied by monitoring the microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) in the soils. In the range of OCP content (66.67 ~ 343.61mg/kg), the soil-microbial system mediated by root exudates significantly promoted the removal of OCP pollutants. The removal rate of OCPs in the rhizosphere soil (TR2) was as high as 79.32%, 36.86% higher than that in the OCP-contaminated group (TR1) and 60.63% higher than that in the sterilized treatment group (CK). Under the same treatment conditions (pollution level and additive dose), the enhanced removal rate of HCHs, toxaphene, HCB, aldrin, and γ-chlordane by root exudates was much higher than the total amount of OCPs, while the extent of enhanced dissipation of DDTs, mirex, endosulfanI, dieldrin, and heptachlor epoxide was always lower than that in the corresponding soils. During the experiment, the phospholipid fatty acid content of bacteria was dominant, followed by that of fungi, and their variation trend was consistent with the degradation characteristics of OCPs in soil. Root exudates of Sudan grass might change the rhizosphere bacterial and fungal community structure during the process of phytoremediation, leading to enhanced OCP degradation.

ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES POLLUTION OF THE BOTTOM SEDIMENTS OF NAKHODKA BAY AND PARTIZANSKAYA RIVER

Link for citation: Mazlova E.A., Blinovskaya Ya.Yu., Sokolova L.I., Tursunova G.Sh. Organochlorine pesticides pollution of the bottom sediments of Nakhodka bay and Partizanskaya river. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Аssets Engineering, 2023, vol. 334, no. 9, рр. 25-35. In Rus. Relevance. The new data on the organochlorine pesticides pollution of the bottom sediments of Nakhodka bay and Partizanskaya river were obtained in 2020–2021. The objective of the article is to report the organochlorine pesticides pollution level of the bottom sediments and to define the possible sources of organochlorine pesticides in the marine environment. Techniques: sample collection of bottom sediments, Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry analysis of samples, Gas-liquid Chromatography method with electronic capture detector, statistical processing, assessment of the organochlorine pesticides contamination of sediments. Results. The new data were obtained on the organochlorine pesticides concentrations in Nakhodka bay in 2020–2021. The previous data on the studied area are described. The concentration of HCH pesticides (α- , β- and γ-HCH), DDT and its metabolites was analyzed. It was found that the concentration of α- , β- HCCH and DDT in bottom sediments increased in 2021.To determine the quality of bottom sediments, the average annual values of organochlorine pesticides concentrations in the bottom sediments gathered during the field works were compared with the quality guidelines. There are no approved quality guidelines for maximum permissible concentrations of pollutants in bottom sediments in the Russian Federation. For this reason, we used the quality guidelines applied in foreign countries («Dutch sheets» (Neue Niederlandische Liste. NNL) and Canadian quality standards for marine and estuarine bottom sediments (Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines, CSQGs). Possible sources of organochlorine pesticides in the marine environment were analyzed. The results of this work showed that despite the ban on the use of these substances, these pesticides are included in the multiple compounds used in different industries and continue to enter and accumulate in the marine environment.

Temporal trends, sources, and ecological risk of residual organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in sediment core from the Dongping Lake, North China.

A sedimentary record of the 19 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) pollutants from Dongping Lake, north China, is presented in this study. According to the dating of core sediment and OCP content analysis in samples, from 1904 to 2016, the total concentration of OCPs varied from undetectable levels (n.d.) to 33.1ng/g. The OCP concentration was first detected in the samples of 1938, and then gradually increased to a peak level in 2000 thereafter decreased until 2016. Among the detected OCPs, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) were the predominant and the most frequently detected contaminants in the core sediment, with concentrations ranging from n.d. to 16.9ng/g and from n.d. to 8.8ng/g, respectively. The distribution of OCPs in the sediments was affected by organic carbon concentration, showing a significant positive correlation (r = 0.93, p < 0.001), especially for HCHs (r = 0.98, p < 0.001). The source analysis showed that HCH contamination mainly derived from historical use of technical HCHs, while in recent years, it derived from lindane usage. DDT pollution was attributed to historical use of technical DDTs, as well as the microbial degradation of historic DDT residues. Finally, risk analysis was performed for OCPs in sediment cores based on sediment quality guidelines from the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, showing that DDTs presented a high ecological toxicity risk during the period of 1959-2010.

Assessment of organochlorine pesticides in the atmosphere of South Korea: spatial distribution, seasonal variation, and sources.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are widely used in certain countries. We determined atmospheric concentrations, distribution patterns, and seasonal variations of OCPs at four sites in South Korea for 1year. Samples of 22 OCPs were collected using a high-volume air sampler, and measured via the isotope dilution method with HRGC/HRMS. In South Korea, pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCB), and endosulfan (EnSF) were dominant, accounting for > 87% of total OCPs. Spatial distributions showed significant differences and the highest levels were observed in Seosan (295.2pg·m-3), indicating the compounding potential of diverse sources as Seosan has concentrated large-scale industrial complexes and agricultural activity (Seoul: 243.6pg·m-3 > Jeju: 193.5pg·m-3 > Baengnyeong: 178.2pg·m-3). The isomeric ratios of OCPs in the South Korean atmosphere indicated that the dominant sources of HCB and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane were primarily used in the past; meanwhile, chlordane (CHL) and EnSFs were derived from recent material inputs. Seasonally, OCP concentrations largely peaked in summer with minimum values in winter. This apparent temperature dependence suggests the re-volatilization of accumulated chemicals into the atmosphere. Additionally, an air mass back trajectory indicated the influence of pollutants released from a reservoir through long-range atmospheric transport in the summer. In particular, restricted OCPs are primarily released into the atmosphere by inadvertent sources, such as industrial activities and volatilization from contaminated areas. Thus, severe OCP pollution in Korea is due to the mobile nature of the particles. These data can be useful for the continuous monitoring of long-range transported air pollutants that are transferred between countries.

Comparison of Phenolic and Flavonoid Content and Antioxidant and Chelating Activities of Rhizophora mangle in Different Anthropogenically-Polluted Coastal Lagoons

The production of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant (AA), and copper chelating (CACu+) activities of Rhizophora mangle from three coastal lagoons under different grades of anthropogenic pollution and pollutant presence were analyzed. R. mangle is a mangrove plant that inhabits tropical coastal lagoons and shows the ability to accumulate pollutants in their tissues and respond to environmental stressors via the production of secondary metabolites AA and CACu+ activities. In total, 108 samples (June 2010 to August 2011) of leaves, barks, and the roots of R. mangle from Magdalena Bay (MBAY), Navachiste Lagoon (NLAG), and Terminos Lagoon (TLAG) (Mexico) were collected. Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric, aluminum chloride colorimetric, ABTS∙+ discoloration, and pyrocatechol-violet methods calculated TPC, TFC, AA, and, CACu+, respectively. Atomic absorption spectrometry, gas chromatography, and Walkley–Black methods were used to calculate the metal content, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and organic matter (OM) in sediments. One-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey’s, Scheffé’s, and Bonferroni and Holm multiple comparisons were used to determine significance, and Pearson’s test was applied to determine the coefficient of correlations. Significant differences among the lagoons of TPC, TFC, AA, and Cu+CA activities of Rhizophora mangle are explained by their different grades and type of anthropogenic pollution. A significant increase in the TPC and TFC in bark implies a response to the metal and OCPs pollution in surrounding sediments. Significant AA and Cu+CA activities responded to combat environmental stress conditions caused by the OCP and trace metal concentrations in surrounding sediments. Strong and positive correlations among OCP and trace metal were found and related to the constant pesticide residues input. However, OCP concentrations in the surrounding sediments of R. mangle trees did not influence the phenolic production of AA or the Cu+ CA. R. mangle is affected by the type of anthropogenic pollutants and was reflected in the bio-compounds production, antioxidant, and chelating activities related to the concentration of the metals in sediments.

Distribution of organochlorine pesticide pollution in water, sediment, mollusk, and fish at Saguling Dam, West Java, Indonesia.

This study aims to determine the distribution of organochlorine pesticide pollution in water, sediments, mollusks, and fish at Saguling Dam as baseline data of organochlorine pollution. Samples were obtained from 12 locations, with 9 and 3 sampling points inside and outside the dam, respectively. Measurement of organochlorine residues was carried out using methods of extraction, purification, evaporation, and gas chromatography. Results showed the presence of several types of organochlorine compounds, namely, lindane, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and endosulfan. Aldrin was dominant in water (2-37μg/L) and sediments (2-1438μg/L), while DDT and heptachlor were dominant organochlorine compounds in mollusks (13-2758µg/L) and fish (11-104μg/L), respectively. Sediments demonstrated higher organochlorine concentrations than water, mollusk, and fish. The distribution of organochlorine was affected by land use around the Citarum watershed and pollutant input from tributaries.

Residual Characteristics and Health Assessment Analysis of OCPs and PCBs in Karst Groundwater

Residual levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in karst groundwater in Nanshan Laolongdong were measured using a gas chromatograph equipped with a micro-63Ni electron capture detector to determine the residual characteristics including concentration, distribution, and source of OCPs and PCBs. Results revealed that the total concentration range of OCPs was 34.8-623.2 ng·L-1, and the mean value was 215.6 ng·L-1, among which the total concentration ranges of HCHs, DDTs, and other OCPs were 8.2-23.6, 4.5-363.7, and 22.2-235.9 ng·L-1, respectively, and the mean values were 15.9, 104.5, and 95.3 ng·L-1; the total concentration range of PCBs was 6.0-40.7 ng·L-1, and the mean value was 16.8 ng·L-1. Overall, the pollution of OCPs and PCBs was above average; the results of multiple comparisons revealed that statistically significant differences occurred in the concentration of some OCPs and PCBs. The pollution levels in the water of each sampling point in the study area were quite different; however, the seasonal distribution of OCPs and PCBs was relatively uniform. Source analyses revealed that HCHs' source was the input of lindane in the surrounding environment, DDTs recently originated from illegal use of industrial DDT, other OCPs originated from atmospheric deposition and agricultural input, and PCBs' sources included both historical remains and enterprise production processes. The results of Pearson correlation analyses revealed that some organo-halogen pollutants were homologous or had similar sources and decomposition mechanisms. According to health risk assessment model, drinking water in the study area would not cause obvious harm to human health, but children were more sensitive to pollutants than adults.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in water and sediment from Volturno River, Southern Italy: occurrence, distribution and risk assessment

BackgroundTo assess the Volturno River pollution and its environmental impact on the Tyrrhenian Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea) caused by Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), 32 PCBs and aldrin, α-BHC, β-BHC, δ-BHC, γ-BHC (lindane), 4,4′- DDD, 4,4′-DDE, 4,4′-DDT, dieldrin, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, endosulfan sulphate, endrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide (isomer B) and methoxychlor have been selected and were analyzed in three different phases: dissolved phase (DP), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediments. PCBs and OCPs were extracted using an SPE column for the DP and glass fiber filter for SPM and sediment samples. Cleaned extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector (ECD) and mass spectrometry (MS) detector for PCBs and OCPs, respectively.ResultsPollutants discharges of PCBs and OCPs into the sea were calculated in about 106.9 kg year−1 (87.1 kg year−1 of PCBs and 19.7 kg year−1 of OCPs), showing that this river could be a major source of PCBs and OCPs pollution to the Central Mediterranean Sea. Total concentrations of PCBs ranged from 4.1 to 48.0 ng L−1 in water (sum of DP and SPM) and from 4.3 to 64.3 ng g−1 in sediment samples. The concentrations of total organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) obtained in water (sum of DP and SPM) ranged from 0.93 to 8.66 ng L−1 and from 0.52 to 9.89 ng g−1 in sediment samples. Principal component analysis shows that all PCB compounds are more likely to come from surface runoff than an atmospheric deposition.ConclusionThe data show that higher levels of PCBs and OCPs were found in sediment samples than in DP and SPM samples, which are an indication of no fresh inputs of these compounds. Based on our results, unintentionally produced PCBs by industrial processes (and other processes) were considered to be the main sources of PCBs in Volturno River and Estuary sediments. Considering the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs), the Ecological Risk Index (ERI), the Risk Quotient (RQ) and the USEPA Environmental Quality Standards (EQS), the Volturno River and its Estuary would be considered an area in which the integrity is possibly at risk.

Spatial distribution and sources of organochlorine pesticides in surface waters of Shanghai, China

The concentrations, distribution, influencing factors, and sources of 26 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were investigated in surface waters of Shanghai. Surface waters in this study refer to the freshwater that contains particles smaller than 0.45 μm in size. Total concentrations of OCPs ranged from 5.90 to 158.16 ng/L with a mean value of 78.11 ng/L. The OCP concentrations were generally low, but with a few relatively high concentrations at sites in the northern and southern regions of Shanghai. Dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH and oxidation–reduction potential had an important impact on the distribution of OCPs, which showed a significant negative correlation (p HCHs > Endosufan and Methoxychlor > Propachlor > Heptachlor and DDTs > Dacthal and Chlordane. The contribution of historic residual HCHs in Shanghai’s surface waters was not significantly different from that of atmospheric deposition, and a part of HCB was likely from the degradation of HCHs. DDTs were mainly from historical residues, although some were derived from recent inputs, and the main sources of heptachlors were also the historical residues. However, the recent input and historical residues of aldrins were both noticeable. The fluctuation of OCPs pollution levels and source differences among different intensive land-use types were relatively insignificant (p > 0.05).

Ecological impact of organochlorine pesticides consortium on autochthonous microbial community in agricultural soil

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) used in agricultural practices are of global concern due to their toxicological hazards on biomes of the impacted soil. Geochemistry and microbiome of OCPs-impacted (OW) soil was determined and compared with those of pristine (L1) soils. Microbiome of OW was based on sequencing total 16S rRNA genes of prokaryotes and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS2) regions between 5.8S and 28S rRNA genes of eukaryotes using Illumina MiSeq platform for bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. Geochemical properties of OW were assessed for ecological risks of OCPs on biota via risk quotient (RQ) and maximum cumulative ratio (MCR). It was established OW was polluted with 15 OCPs, along with consequential nitrate and phosphorous deficiencies. Ten of the 15 OCPs exerted severe ecological risk (RQ > 1: 4–992), of which endosulfan contributed 76% of the ecotoxicity (MCR = 1.3) on OW. The key players in OW were observed to be Enterobacteriaceae and Mortierellaceae represented by Escherichia and Mortierella taxa, respectively. Low abundance of Nitrospirae species and extinction of Glomeromycota in OW connoted serious toxicological consequences of the OCPs. Taxon XOR (Taxon Exclusive Or) analysis revealed 38,212 and 63,474 counts of bacterial and fungal species, respectively, were exclusively found in the impacted OW and possibly contributed to natural attenuation of the OCPs in the impacted agricultural soil. Conversely, 61,005 (bacteria) and 33,397 (fungi) species counts that were missing in OCPs-impacted OW, but present in pristine L1, opined the species as bio-indicators of OCPs ecotoxicity in agricultural soils. While the species tagged as bio-indicators would be valuable in monitoring OCPs pollution, those suggested to be players in self-recovery process will be invaluable to designing bioremediation strategies for OCPs-impacted agricultural soil.

Sources, distribution, and risk assessment of organochlorine pesticides in Nairobi City, Kenya

The distribution and sources of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in air and surface waters were monitored in Nairobi City using triolein-filled semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). The SPMDs were extracted by dialysis using n-hexane, followed by cleanup by adsorption chromatography on silica gel cartridges. Sample analysis was done by GC-ECD and confirmed by GC–MS. Separation of means was achieved by analysis of variance, followed by pair-wise comparison using the t-test (p≤ 0.05). The total OCPs ranged between 0.018 – 1.277 ng/m3 in the air and <LOD – 1391.000 ng/m3 in surface waters. Based on the results, the means of Industrial Area, Dandora and Kibera were not significantly different (p≤ 0.05), but were higher (p≤ 0.05) than those of City square and Ngong’ Forest. The results revealed non-significant (p≤ 0.05) contribution of long-range transport to OCP pollution in Nairobi City. This indicated possible presence of point sources of environmental OCPs in the city. The water-air fugacity ratios indicated that volatilization and deposition played an important role in the spatial distribution of OCPs in Nairobi City. This indicated that contaminated surface waters could be major sources of human exposure to OCPs, through volatilization. The incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCR) determined from inhalation of atmospheric OCPs were 2.3745 × 10−13 – 1.6845 × 10−11 (adult) and 5.5404 × 10−13 – 3.9306 × 10−11 (child) in the order: Dandora > Kibera > Industrial Area > City Square > Ngong’ Forest. However, these were lower than the USEPA acceptable risks, 10−6 – 10−4. This study concluded that atmospheric OCPs did not pose significant cancer risks to the residents.

Residual effects of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in an e-waste recycling area compared with heavy metal pollution.

Disposal of e-waste is a global issue and has caused serious pollution in recycling areas. Most of these areas had once developed intensive agriculture and might incur organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) pollution. However, this used to be neglected. Here we discuss the joint effects via analyzing OCPs and heavy metals in a notorious e-waste recycling area. The OCPs showed higher (p=0.005) pollution levels in soils from agricultural zone than in core e-waste recycling zone, which is opposite for heavy metals (p=0.02). The OCPs and heavy metals showed the highest concentrations in the open burning site locating in the boundary between the e-waste and agricultural zones. Composition profiles further indicated that the land use changes from agriculture to e-waste industry might accelerate the release of buried OCPs. Worse still, the OCPs and heavy metals might pose carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to local residents, respectively.

Мониторинг хлорорганических пестицидов в грудном молоке женщин Кыргызстана

Статья посвящена актуальной проблеме химической безопасности, до сих пор не исследованной должным образом - последствиям широкого применения пестицидов в исторический период 1970-80-х гг. на территории республик бывшего СССР, что до сих пор оказывает негативное влияние на экологическую ситуацию. Приведены результаты выполненных анализов на наличие стойких органических загрязнителей - хлорорганических пестицидов (ХОП) в грудном молоке 108 женщин, проживающих в сельской местности на юге Кыргызстана в разных экологических зонах. В пробах грудного молока 37 из 108 обследованных женщин обнаружены четыре вида ХОП: дихлородифенилэтилен (ДДЭ) и три изомера гексахлорциклогексана - альфа-ГХЦГ, бета-ГХЦГ и гамма-ГХЦГ. Доля лиц с ХОП в грудном молоке составляла от 0 до 100 процентов в различных группах, максимальная обнаруженная суммарная концентрация ХОП достигала 0,29 мг/л. Результаты рассмотрены в связи с данными о наличии источников загрязнения в местах бывшего применения пестицидов. Источником загрязнения ХОП в условиях юга Кыргызстана могут быть территории, расположенные на высоте свыше 3500 м над уровнем моря, которые в прошлом были очагами чумы и где в 1980-е годы были проведены дустации норок возбудителей инфекции сурков с использованием ДДТ (дихлородифенилтрихлорэтан). Кроме того, вторичными источниками загрязнения ХОП являются бывшие агроаэроплощадки и склады ядохимикатов, находившиеся в активном использовании более 30 лет назад. Полученные и литературные данные проанализированы с целью разработки мероприятий, направленных на реабилитацию окружающей среды и защиту здоровья населения. The current study highlights a challenging issue of chemical safety, which has not yet been adequately studied, i.e. far-reaching after-effects of widespread use of pesticides in the historical period of the 1970-80s on the territory of the former USSR republics, which still has an adverse impact on the environment. Results of analyzes for the presence of persistent organic pollutants - organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in breast milk of 108 women living in rural areas of southern Kyrgyzstan in different ecological zones are presented. Four types of OCPs have been found in the breast milk samples obtained from 37 of 108 women, i.e. dichlorodiphenylethylene (DDE) and three isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane - alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, and gamma-HCH. The proportion of women with OCPs detected in the breast milk varied in the range from 0 to 100 percent with the maximum total pesticide concentration reaching 0.29 mg/L. The results are discussed in terms of data available for sources of pollution at the sites of the former pesticide use. Possible sources of OCP pollution in southern Kyrgyzstan can be associated with territories located at an altitude of more than 3,500 m above sea level, which have been former foci of plague and where marmot holes have been treated with DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) as an infection pathogen-fighting agent, in the 1980s. Additionally, the secondary sources of OCP pollution can be attributed to the former pesticides storehouses, agro-air strips, etc., which have been intensively used more than 30 years ago. The obtained and published literature data are analyzed for the purpose of developing measures aimed at rehabilitation of the environment and human health protection.

Occurrence and Toxicological Risk Evaluation of Organochlorine Pesticides from Suburban Soils of Kenya.

The use of organic chemicals in agriculture and manufacturing has raised concerns about the dangers of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the environment. By examining OCPs occurrence in the suburban soils from Kenya, this study revealed the distribution, concentrations, and the threat posed to the environment and human health. A gas chromatography electron capture detector was used to test the pesticides. The hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) studied in soils of Kapsabet, Voi, and Nyeri towns showed concentrations ranging from 0.03–52.7, 0.06–22.3, and 0.24–24.3 ng/g respectively. The highest concentration of HCHs was in Kapsabet (0.03–48.1 ng/g), whereas the highest DDTs concentration was in Voi (n.d.–15.5 ng/g). Source identification revealed OCPs pollution originated from recent usage of DDT pesticides to control insect-borne diseases and from the use of lindane in agriculture. Correlation test revealed that total organic carbon influenced the presence of pesticides in the soils. The enantiomeric ratios of α-HCH/γ-HCH were <3 indicating the use of lindane while the ratios of DDE/DDT were <1 suggesting recent input of DDT. The cancer risk assessment showed values close to the set risk level of 10−6, suggesting the likelihood of exposure to cancer was not low enough, and control measures need to be established.

Human Health Risk Surveillance Through the Determination of Organochlorine Pesticides by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography in Water, Sediments, and Fish from the Chenab River, Pakistan

ABSTRACTThe current study assessed the spatiotemporal variations and human health surveillance associated with organochlorine pesticide (OCP) contamination in water, sediments, and fish from Chenab River, Pakistan. The OCP determinations were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography with a reverse-phase C18 column. The total OCP levels ranged from 13.33 to 274.59 ng/L in water, 4.63 to 239.11 ng/g in sediments, and 23.79 to 387.12 ng/g in fish species. The overall pattern of mean OCP concentrations followed the order as ΣDDTs > Σendosulfan > aldrin and OCP pollution pattern among the headworks were Khanki Barrage > Qadirabad Barrage > Trimmu Barrage > Marala Barrage in all three environmental matrixes during both seasons. The estimated daily intake (EDI) for ∑OCPs was found to be 22.44 ng/kg/day. The hazard ratios calculated to assess the carcinogenic risk indicated that the values for ∑DDT and aldrin at the 95th percentile concentrations were greater than one, indicating the probability of carcinogenic risk occurrence of one in million populations due to fish consumption. Therefore, these high levels of OCPs and carcinogenic risk through fish consumption highlight the needs of immediate elimination of OCPs from riverine environment of Chenab River and we recommend long-term monitoring-based freshwater ecological studies to be conducted in the study area.

Organochlorine pesticides across the tributaries of River Ravi, Pakistan: Human health risk assessment through dermal exposure, ecological risks, source fingerprints and spatio-temporal distribution

This study monitored the human health risks through dermal exposure, hazardous risks to ecological integrity, contamination levels, spatio-temporal distribution, and congener specific analysis of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) across River Ravi and its three northern tributaries (Nullah Bein, Nullah Basanter and Nullah Deg). The residual levels of OCPs isomers were screened for water (n=54) and surface sediment (n=54) samples from twenty seven sampling sites in two alternate seasons (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon). The ∑OCPs concentrations ranged from 13.61 to 1992.18ng/g dry weight and 12.89 to 128.16ng/L with predominance of β-endosulfan and p,p′-DDT in sediment and water matrixes, respectively. Distribution pattern revealed significantly higher concentrations in upstream and midstream, suggesting considerable transboundary OCPs pollution. Calculated ratios of α-HCH/γ-HCH, o,p′-DDT/p,p′-DDT, (DDE+DDD)/∑DDTs and cis/trans-chlordane for water and sediments identified the fresh addition of lindane, technical DDTs and chlordane in the study area. Risk quotient (RQ) based ecological risk was found to be >1 at all studied streams during both seasons and elucidates higher risks for endosulfan (α-endosulfan) and endrin. Human health risk assessment indicated absence of hazardous (non-carcinogenic) risk through bathing in studied streams; as the hazard index values ranged from 1.09E−05 to 2.48E−02 (acceptable limit; <1). However, the calculated carcinogenic risk possessed by OCPs through dermal exposure ranged from 1.39E−10 to 1.98E−05 that highlighted the considerable carcinogenic risk associated to aldrin, dieldrin, p,p′-DDT and β-endosulfan at certain studied sites. Therefore, the high levels of ecological risk and carcinogenic human health risk had emphasized an immediate elimination of ongoing OCPs addition in the studied area.

Transplacental transfer characteristics of organochlorine pesticides in paired maternal and cord sera, and placentas and possible influencing factors.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites [dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane], hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), are widely detected in humans despite the considerable decline in environmental concentrations. To understand the placental transfer of OCPs and the possible maternal influence on them, we measured the concentrations of DDTs, HCHs, and HCB in 102 paired samples of maternal and cord sera, and placentas collected in Shanghai, China. The median concentrations of DDTs and HCHs were the highest in maternal sera (601, 188ngg-1 lipid), followed by umbilical cord sera (389, 131ngg-1 lipid), and placentas (65, 37ngg-1 lipid). 4,4'-DDE, β-HCH, and HCB were the predominant contaminants in the three matrices. The ubiquitous existence of OCPs, and the significant concentration relationships of DDTs, HCHs, and OCPs in the three matrices suggested placental transfer from mother to fetus. The lipid-based concentration ratios of 4,4'-DDE, β-HCH, and HCB in umbilical cord serum to those in maternal serum (F/M), and ratios of placenta to maternal serum (P/M) ranged from 0.66 to 1.01, and 0.12 to 0.25, respectively. Maternal variables affected the levels of fetal contamination. For primiparous women, significant correlations between maternal age and maternal HCHs, and between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and maternal HCHs were found. The negative effect of parity, and the positive effect of food consumption on maternal OCP concentrations were also observed, although there were no significant differences. The possible influence of parity on F/M and P/M of 4,4'-DDE suggested borderline significant differences between primiparous and multiparous women. Also, slight group differences were observed between elder and younger women, and between overweight and normal/underweight women. Parity seems to have a potential influence on transfer ratios of some OCP pollutants.