The impacts of organochlorine pesticides on adverse human health outcomes: A second-order synthesis of mean effects and heterogeneity.

Enrichment and transport mechanism of organochlorine pesticides in the Western Pacific Ocean: Particle size distribution and eddy accumulation.

Assessing the recency of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) inputs and their related risks in the soils of a heavily anthropized area.

Occurrence and characteristics of organochlorine pesticides from soils due to permafrost thaw slumping on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

A sensitive sentinel: Chironomus xanthus as a bioindicator of freshwater sediment quality in Southern Latin America.

The Saint Peter Saint Paul archipelago (SPSPA) is situated in the central Equatorial Atlantic, approximately 1000km from the northeastern coast of Brazil. A small population of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) exhibits strong site fidelity to the remote archipelago. As apex predators, these dolphins can act as sentinels for the transport and bioaccumulation of organohalogen compounds in isolated marine environments. Remote biopsies were collected from nine individuals (n=9) to investigate pollutant exposure. Blubber samples were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and naturally produced methoxylated organobromines (MeO-BDEs), using gas chromatography coupled with electron capture detection or mass spectrometry. Skin samples were analyzed in an isotopic ratio mass spectrometer. The profile of the chemical markers observed in these bottlenose dolphins was dominated by high molecular weight PCBs and high δ13C, similar to coastal dolphin species. Atmospheric transport, adsorption to benthic substrates, and species-specific metabolic capacity possibly shape contaminant accumulation in this population. Naturally produced MeO-BDEs and carbon ratios suggest low oceanic-coastal dispersal of dolphins. These findings suggest the efficient transport of man-made pollutants to isolated locations and the key role of apex predators, such as bottlenose dolphins, as POPs reservoirs in oceanic zones.

AgNP grafted ZnFe2O4 for enhanced chemicapacitive detection of atrazine.

Influence of artificial beach nourishment on human health risk and sediment quality: The case of the Fortaleza seafront (Ceará, Brazil).

Persistent organic pollutants in India: Multi-compartment trends, source fingerprinting, and emerging environmental challenges (2000-2025).

This study examined pesticide residues in food crops (beans and groundnut) across five local government areas in Nasarawa South Senatorial District, Nigeria. It focused on pesticide use, safety practices and residue levels. Data from 430 respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square tests. QuEChERS extraction and GC-MS methods were employed for detection, identification, and quantification of residues. Pesticide residue recovery ranged from 70% to 130%, demonstrating the method's applicability to complex matrices. The findings revealed that most respondents were farmers (64.65%) using herbicides (73.95%) for crop protection (77.67%). Safety practices were suboptimal, with only 16.51% always reading labels and 39.53% not using any personal protective equipment (PPE). Health issues, notably skin irritation (39.77%) and respiratory problems (18.60%), were reported. Despite high awareness of alternatives to chemical pesticides (59.30%) and willingness to switch (77.44%), cost (33.95%) and lack of knowledge (42.09%) were major barriers. The Chi-square test established that there exist significant associations between the safety practices and locations. Post-hoc analysis revealed significant regional disparities in pesticide safety practices, with Lafia showing higher compliance in areas like label reading and use of protective clothing, while Doma, Awe, and Obi lag. The results of residue concentration analysis revealed that the analyzed food samples contained organochlorine, organophosphate, carbamate, and pyrethroid pesticides. In Doma, banned pesticides such as Ethion, Mirex, and DDT were detected at concentrations of 2.40E-04±2.36E-05 mg/kg, 1.13E-04±2.72E-06 mg/kg, and 2.33E-05±2.72E-06 mg/kg, respectively. The mean concentrations of all pesticide residues in the food samples were below the maximum residue limits.

A comprehensive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of 50 pesticide biomarkers across nine current-use chemical classes in human urine. These classes include organophosphorus insecticides (which encompass dialkyl phosphates and specific metabolites), pyrethroid insecticides, fungicides, neonicotinoid insecticides, herbicides, insect repellents, organochlorine pesticide metabolites, and plant growth regulators. The method employs solid-phase extraction (SPE) for sample preparation, requiring only 0.2 mL of urine. Chromatographic separation was optimized using a Hypersil Gold AQ column, achieving a total run time of 18 min. Mass spectrometric detection utilized polarity switching in electrospray ionization mode with multiple reaction monitoring. Method validation demonstrated satisfactory linearity (R2 > 0.99), high sensitivity with limits of detection ranging from 0.01 to 0.88 ng/mL, and extraction efficiencies between 85% and 113%. Precision and accuracy were within acceptable ranges, with relative standard deviations generally below 15%. The method's robustness was confirmed through participation in external quality assessment schemes. Application to real samples revealed significant inter-individual variability in pesticide biomarker concentrations, with total measured biomarker levels ranging from 89 to 1242 ng/mL across the 10 individuals analyzed. This method offers comprehensive coverage of current-use pesticide chemical classes, including 30 biomarkers from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) biomonitoring program, and demonstrates improved sensitivity and broader analyte coverage compared to existing methods. The developed assay provides a valuable tool for large-scale biomonitoring studies and environmental health research.

Cow milk and plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs) are widely consumed beverages, yet both can act as pathways for exposure to environmental contaminants originating from soil, water, and legacy agricultural practices. In this study, we quantified heavy metals (lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As)), macro- and micronutrients, and 24 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in cow milk and seven PBMAs (almond, soy, oat, coconut, hemp, rice, and cashew). Twenty-two commercial products were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (GC-ECD). PBMAs exhibited higher and more variable concentrations of Cr, As, and Cd than cow milk, with rice and hemp milks showing the highest arsenic and chromium levels, respectively. Lead concentrations were comparable across milk types. Fortified PBMAs showed elevated calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), and magnesium (Mg) relative to cow milk, reflecting formulation-driven rather than intrinsic nutritional differences. All milk categories contained detectable residues of multiple OCPs, including dicofol, mirex, and hexachlorobenzene, highlighting the persistence of legacy pesticides in modern food products. Although concentrations generally remained below regulatory limits, the widespread occurrence of both metals and OCPs underscores the need for continued monitoring and improved transparency for both dairy and plant-based milks.

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene exposure, cognition, and cortical thickness at middle age in US Latinas (the CHAMACOS Maternal Cognition Study): a prospective cohort study.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates based on metallic or alloy nanomaterials have attracted increasing attention for trace pesticide detection in food and environmental samples. Endosulfan (ES), a chemically stable and hazardous organochlorine pesticide, remains difficult to be rapidly and sensitively detected at low concentration. In this work, a SERS substrate based on bimetallic AuPt nanoparticles (NPs) was developed via reduction of HAuCl4 and H2PtCl6 precursors. The resulting AuPt nanomaterials were systematically characterized using TEM, HRTEM, XRD, EDS, and UV-vis, and their SERS performance was evaluated using endosulfan as a probe analyte. Among the investigated compositions, AuPt NPs with an Au : Pt molar ratio of 1 : 1 exhibited the best analytical performance, with an enhancement factor (EF) of approximately 14.3 × 106, a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.05 ppm (1.225 × 10-7 M), and a good linear relationship between log I and log C over the concentration range of 0.05-2 ppm. The developed substrate also showed good repeatability, signal uniformity, and storage stability. The enhanced SERS performance is likely associated with the combined effects of alloy composition and favorable nanoparticle morphology, particularly the formation of interparticle nanogaps that promote hotspot generation. Based on the present results, the electromagnetic contribution is considered to be the dominant enhancement mechanism, while electronic interactions between AuPt NPs and ES molecules may provide a supportive contribution. These results suggest that AuPt NPs are a promising SERS-active platform for sensitive endosulfan detection.

Organochlorine Pesticides (OClPs) are environmental pollutants that can affect reproductive health. Unexplained Recurrent Miscarriage (URM) has not been fully clarified, but some evidence suggests that the epigenome of fetal and placental tissues could be the cause. This study aimed to establish the correlation between OClP exposure and methylation of the TSHR and ATM promoters in these tissues. Blood, fetal, and placental tissues were sampled in this cross-sectional case-- control study involving 73 women with URM and 30 controls. Gas chromatography was used to determine serum levels of OClPs (4,4-DDE, α-HCH, 2,4-DDE, γ-HCH, 4,4-DDT, β-HCH, and 2,4-DDT), and the determination of ATM and TSHR promoters' methylation in placental and fetal samples was assessed using Methylation-specific PCR. Logistic regression analysis was also used to test associations between OClP exposure and DNA methylation of the selected genes. 4,4-DDE, 2,4-DDE, β-HCH, α-HCH, and total OClPs (Ʃ7OClP, Ʃ2DDT, Ʃ2DDE, and Ʃ3HCH) were significantly higher in URM cases compared to controls. There were no significant differences in TSHR promoter methylation between the groups. On the other hand, ATM promoter hypomethylation was observed in URM placental tissues (45.8%) compared with controls (83.3%, p = 0.015) and was significantly associated with increased levels of 2,4-DDT and Ʃ2DDE. Exposure to OClPs, particularly 2,4-DDT and Ʃ2DDE, has the potential to interfere with placental DNA repair processes by hypomethylating the ATM promoter and thus potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of URM. Furthermore, these results emphasize the tissue-specific characteristics of epigenetic changes and highlight the complex interactions between environmental exposures and reproductive health outcomes. This study demonstrates the critical role of OClP-induced epigenetic alterations in the placental DNA repair mechanisms and their possible contribution to the pathophysiology of unexplained recurrent miscarriage.

Serum PCBs, OCPs, PBDEs and PCAs: Associations with metabolic syndrome risk factors in the Flemish Gut Flora Project cohort.

The Atoyac river basin is one of the most polluted watershed basins in Mexico. Recent studies have reported the presence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in this highly urbanized region through environmental monitoring, raising concerns about potential health risks, particularly for children and adolescents. We still lack information about its human exposure through biological samples that represent a more realistic measure of OCPs body burden. To evaluate, we compared the serum concentrations of OCPs in children and adolescents living within and outside the Atoyac watershed basin. We included 428 individuals under 20years old who participated as controls in a population-based study conducted in three central-southern Mexican states (2021-2024). We collected sociodemographic characteristics through face-to-face interviews and obtained serum samples in which we quantified 24 OCPs by gas chromatography. To georeference, we classified the participants as living within or outside the Atoyac basin and compared their respective serum concentrations for those OCPs detected over 10% of samples. We found two heterogeneous spatial distribution patterns of OCPs serum concentrations. HCB, dieldrin, oxychlordane, and endosulfan sulfate were higher in the Atoyac basin, with the two formers being statistically significant. In contrast, p,p'-DDE was significantly higher outside the Atoyac basin. The two patterns of exposure between the two regions emphasized one pattern driven by industry and agriculture, and the second driven by vector-borne disease control. It reinforces the need for regulation and increased monitoring in the Atoyac river basin to provide information about adverse health effects in children and adolescents.

DNA methylation mediates the association between organochlorine pesticides and MASLD: An epigenome-wide association study with integrated AOP framework.

Hormonal perturbations induced by multicategory endocrine-disrupting chemicals increase the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Defining the external exposome of newborns from La Palma Island, Spain: characteristics of realistic mixtures and its role on Precision Public Health.