Phenolic Endocrine Disrupting Compounds Research Articles

Phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds in the Xiangjiang River: occurrence and risk assessment.

The levels of three phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), NP, BPA and 4-t-OP were determined in water and sediment collected from sites along the Xiangjiang River, Zunyi, China. The NP, BPA and 4-t-OP concentrations ranged from 18.02 to 311.79ng/L in the surface water, 16.04-408.12ng/L in the submerged water, and 21.13-892.37μg/kg dw in the sediment. NP contamination was most severe in both the river water and sediment. The ranges of the three phenolic EDCs were slightly greater in the submerged water than in the surface water (p > 0.05). The concentrations in the middle reaches were greater than those in the upstream and downstream reaches in both the water and sediment, and significant differences in content were detected in some reaches. The levels of three phenolic EDCs in the water and sediment had a positive correlation. In addition, the distribution coefficient (Kd) indicated that NP was more likely to adsorb to the sediment, and BPA and 4-t-OP were more likely to adsorb to river water. Moreover, the risk quotient (RQ) and hazard quotients (HQ) were used to reveal the environmental and health risks caused by coexposure to the three phenolic pollutants. The results showed that the current pollution is a threat to the environment of the study area and not a threat to the health of the local population.

Distribution and source apportionment of phenolic EDCs in rivers in the Pearl River Delta, South China.

The sources and distribution characteristics of three phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), e.g., alkylphenols (APs) (including nonylphenols (NPs) and 4-t-octylphenol (OP)) and Bisphenol A (BPA), were investigated in the rivers of the Pearl River Delta Region (PRDR) with complex land-use types. The mean concentrations of NPs, OP, and BPA in river water including wet and dry seasons were 87, 6, and 74ng/L in the agricultural regions (n = 10), 135, 7, and 61ng/L in the transitional regions (n = 8), and 249, 15, and 152ng/L in the urban regions (n = 28). Contents of NPs and BPA were high in the river sediments (ranged from 7 to 3048ng/g and 2 to 271ng/g, respectively). Equilibriumanalysis results suggested that sediment release was not the main source of the river EDCs. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that sewage was the major source of EDCs in the dry season, while the leaching effect of rainfall on the agricultural soils, urban roads, and commercial products was an important source in the wet season. Furthermore, the ratio of APs and total concentration of phenolic EDCs (ΣEDCs) was used to characterize the agricultural regions and urban regions in the PRDR. The ratio was less than 0.6 in the agricultural regions while the ratio was large than 0.6 in the dry season and less than 0.6 in the wet season in urban regions. BPA and NPs in transitional region and urban region had small/medium potential risk to aquatic organisms.

Priority Organic Pollutants and Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds in Arctic Marine Sediments (Svalbard Islands, Norway).

The present study investigated the occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds (PEDCs), including bisphenol A (BPA), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), and its monoethoxylate (NP1EO) and diethoxylate precursors in marine sediments in an Arctic fjord (Svalbard, Norway). The contribution of different local sources of contamination was also evaluated, together with a risk assessment for the marine environment. Samples were collected during two consecutive summer seasons (2018 and 2019), and target contaminants were analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography-MS/MS. The results showed no statistical differences between total PAH concentrations measured in 2018 (mean value 53.7 ± 54.3 ng/g) and 2019 (mean value 58.1 ± 63.6 ng/g). Low-ring (three or four rings) PAHs were the most abundant congeners, and single PAH ratios indicated a predominance of petrogenic sources (i.e., coal and liquid fossil fuel combustion). Nonylphenols and BPA showed a significant decrease in 2019 compared to 2018; 4-NP and NP1EO prevailed in both years, particularly in sediments close to the Ny-Ålesund research village. Overall, the results indicate that local anthropic activities are the major source of contamination in the Kongsfjorden ecosystem, but also melting waters from glaciers in the summer season can play an important role as a secondary source of pollutants previously trapped in ice. Comparison between our data and empirical and mechanistic indices derived from sediment quality guidelines suggests that the occurrence of PAHs and PEDCs in sediments does not currently pose a risk for this Arctic ecosystem, but further investigation is needed on the spread of hazardous contaminants and their effects on these fragile environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:953-965. SETAC.

Distribution and mass loads of xenoestrogens bisphenol a, 4-nonylphenol, and 4-tert-octylphenol in rainfall runoff from highly urbanized regions: A comparison with point sources of wastewater

This study pays a special attention to three phenolic endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), — bisphenol A (BPA), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), and 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP) — that are present in urban environments, resultant of several anthropogenic activities that can be also carried through rainfall runoff. We investigated the distributions of BPA, 4-NP, and 4-t-OP in Pearl River basin and estimated the mass loads in rainfall runoff, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents, and industrial wastewater from urbanized Huizhou and Dongguan regions. These three phenolic EDCs were detected frequently in tributaries and mainstream of Dongjiang River with the maximum 4-NP concentrations of 14,540 ng/L in surface waters and 3088 ng/g in sediments. BPA showed high concentrations in rainfall runoff samples with maximum concentrations of 5873 and 2397 ng/L in Huizhou and Dongguan regions, respectively, while concentrations for 4-NP and 4-t-OP were detected at tens to hundreds of nanograms per liter. Mass loads of phenolic EDCs from rainfall runoff were 3–62 times higher than those of WWTP effluents, suggesting rainfall runoff is an important source of phenolic EDCs into receiving waters. Sources and tributaries showed median to high estrogenic risks, while low to median risks were found in mainstream, implying the source control should be focused.

Antibiotic residues and endocrine disrupting compounds in municipal wastewater treatment plants in Rome, Italy

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceutical residues are environmental ubiquitous contaminants of particular concern due to their possible ecotoxicological effects on aquatic ecosystems. In this work, the occurrence and fate of six antibiotics (amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, tylosin, erithromycin, sulfamethoxazole and chlortetracycline) and four phenolic endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs, i.e. bisphenol A, 4-nonylphenol, nonylphenol mono- and di-ethoxylate) in the influents and effluents of the principal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serving the city of Rome (Italy) were investigated. The aim of the study was to provide information on the persistence of the selected contaminants in the urban WWTPs, to evaluate the removal efficiencies of the investigated plants and to perform a preliminary assessment of the potential ecological risk due to the discharge through the effluents of the residual pollutants into the receiving river waters. The analytes were extracted/concentrated from 24-h composite wastewater samples by solid phase extraction (SPE), and the analytical determination was carried out by HPLC MS-MS for the antibiotics and by HPLC-fluorescence detection for the EDCs.All the contaminants were detected both in the inlet and outlet samples of the WWTPs investigated, with the only exception of the antibiotics tylosin and erythromycin. Overall, the results confirmed that the biological treatments were not able to completely remove either the antibiotic residues or the phenolic EDCs selected with removal efficiencies varying widely in the range 17–96%. As a consequence, concentration values in the effluents ranged from 6 to 897 ng/L for antibiotics and from 0.4 to 205 ng/L for phenolic EDCs, with the highest concentrations detected for chlortetracycline and amoxicillin. Indeed, the highest mass loads (mg/d/1000 inhabitants) discharged daily into the receiving waters were found for these latter antibiotics, probably due to their greater consumption by the resident population, while the lowest removal efficiencies in the WWTPs overall were found for sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin, which thus proved to be the most persistent antibiotics in secondary wastewater treatments. Among the EDCs, bisphenol A and nonylphenol di-ethoxylate occurred at higher concentrations in the effluents, mostly in the WWTPs collecting a mix of urban and industrial wastes. The preliminary environmental risk analysis indicated that, although a dilution of the contaminants could potentially occur, an ecotoxicological risk, once they were in the receiving waters, could not be excluded, especially for the antibiotic residues, while it was found that for the phenolic EDCs the risk for the aquatic environment was quite minor.

Effect of activated carbon on removal of four phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds, bisphenol A, bisphenol F, bisphenol S, and 4-tert-butylphenol in constructed wetlands

We investigated the effects of activated carbon, used as constructed wetlands (CWs) medium, on its ability to remove four emerging endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs): bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol S (BPS) and 4-tert-butylphenol (4-tert-BP). Two types of CWs planted with common reed were constructed, one with pumice rock called normal CW and the other was amended with activated carbon (AC) called AC-CW. EDCs contaminated synthetic wastewater (5 mg/L of each) was treated by CWs for 8 weeks. AC-CW completely and sustainably removed all four EDCs (98–100%) starting immediately and continuing throughout the experiment. Removal performances of all EDCs by AC-CW were significantly higher than those by normal CW. After experiment, no BPA and BPF and very small amounts of BPS and 4-tert-BP were detected in AC. In AC-CW, final elimination step of EDCs might be biodegradation. In addition, bacterial populations on AC component of AC-CW were one–two orders higher than those on the pumice rock of normal CW. Therefore, in AC-CW, EDCs were initially adsorbed onto AC, where they could be effectively degraded by high bacterial population.

A hybrid material as a sorbent phase for the disposable pipette extraction technique enhances efficiency in the determination of phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds

In this study, the hybrid material 3-n-propyl(3-methylpyridinium) silsesquioxane chloride (Si3Py+Cl−) was synthesized and investigated as a novel sorbent phase for the disposable pipette extraction (DPX) technique coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography-florescence detection. This sorbent phase was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Aqueous samples containing the phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds bisphenol A (BPA), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP), 4-octylphenol (4-OP) and 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) were subjected to DPX procedures and a series of optimizations was performed to determine the ideal extraction conditions using this approach. The proposed sorbent phase exhibited higher extraction efficiency than DPX-RP (reversed phase tips containing styrene-divinylbenzene), commonly used for the determination of the phenolic endocrine- disrupting-compounds under study. Satisfactory analytical performance was achieved with linear ranges from 2 to 100μgL−1 for 4-t-OP and 1–100μgL−1 for the other analytes. Limits of detection of 0.60μgL−1 for 4-t-OP and 0.30μgL−1 for other analytes, RSDs ranging from 1 to 20% and relative recoveries of 83–116% were obtained. Based on these satisfactory results, this sorbent phase represents a valuable alternative for the extraction of compounds with polar moieties in their structure.

Distribution and bioaccumulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals in water, sediment and fishes in a shallow Chinese freshwater lake: Implications for ecological and human health risks

The occurrence, distribution and bioaccumulation of six endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) were investigated in water, sediment and biota samples from Luoma Lake, a shallow Chinese freshwater lake. Total concentrations of ∑phenolic EDCs were much higher than ∑estrogens EDCs in both waters and sediments. There were not obvious differences on the concentrations of target compounds [except nonylphenol (NP)] in upstream, lake and downstream locations, these may be suggested that they were mainly affected by non-point discharges in this area. However, the high concentration of NP in water may be associated with the discharge of rural domestic wastewater without thorough treatment. Furthermore, concentrations of NP were about 2–3 order magnitude higher than those of OP in both water and sediment compartments. Relatively higher bioaccumulation factors (BAF) were obtained for DES and EE2. Ecological risk assessment revealed greater risk of NP in surface water, which may pose a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems. The estrogen equivalent concentration (EEQ) of male were higher than those in female, and occurred in the order of city >rural-urban>countryside.

Phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds in the Pearl River Estuary: Occurrence, bioaccumulation and risk assessment.

Three phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds, 4-nonylphenol, 4-tert-octylphenol and bisphenol A, were determined in water, sediment and biota (fish, shrimp and mollusk) collected from sites along the Pearl River Estuary, China. The 4-nonylphenol, 4-tert-octylphenol and bisphenol A concentrations ranged from 1.20-3352.86ng/L in the water, <0.17-20.80ng/g dw in the sediment and <1.49-237.12ng/g dw in the biota. The concentrations of 4-nonylphenol were higher than those of 4-tert-octylphenol and bisphenol A in the water, sediment and organisms. Moreover, the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) and biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) of 4-nonylphenol and bisphenol A were calculated, and were found to be higher for 4-nonylphenol and in demersal organisms. To assess co-exposure to phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds, the 4-nonylphenol equivalent was employed to evaluate the potential risks to aquatic organisms and human health, and the results indicated a low risk.

Associations between maternal phenolic exposure and cord sex hormones in male newborns.

Are maternal urinary phenol concentrations associated with cord steroid hormone levels and anogenital distance (AGD) in male newborns? High maternal urinary Bisphenol A (BPA) levels are associated with decreases in cord testosterone levels and the ratio of testosterone to estradiol in male newborns, but there was no significant association with AGD. Early life exposure to phenolic endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) is known to disrupt hormonal activities and affect reproductive development in males. However, studies on the health effects of prenatal human exposure are scarce. This was a cross-sectional study to investigate the association between maternal phenolic exposure and cord sex steroid hormones and AGD in male newborns. We recruited 100 mother-infant pairs from each of two hospitals, one in a polluted town (Guiyu) and the other in a cleaner town (Haojiang), from September 2010 to September 2011. One hundred and seventy eight maternal urine samples and 137 cord blood samples were available for quantification, thus 137 complete records entered into the final analysis. Of them, 77 pairs were from Guiyu, and 60 were from Haojiang. The chemical concentrations were determined by solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPE-GC-MS), and cord sex hormones were detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Neonatal anthropometric parameters including AGD were measured. Log2-transformed maternal urinary BPA concentration was negatively correlated with testosterone level and the ratio of testosterone to estradiol (T/E2) in male fetal cord blood after adjustment for potential confounders in linear regression models (βadjusted = -31.09 (95% CI, -53.07 to -9.11) and βadjusted = -0.08 (95% CI, -0.13 to -0.01), respectively). Moreover, compared with the lowest quartile group of BPA level, the highest group showed a significant decrease in testosterone level and T/E2 (βadjusted = -179.84 (95% CI, -333.45 to -26.24) and βadjusted = -0.37 (95% CI, -0.81 to 0.07), respectively). No significant associations between AGD or anogenital index (AGI, [AGI = AGD/birthweight (mm/kg)]) and phenolic EDCs or cord hormone levels were found. Results in the present study should be interpreted with caution because of its cross-sectional nature, small sample size and sampling time. Testosterone plays an important role in sex differentiation and normal development of the fetus and newborn, and the balance between testosterone and estradiol is thought an important mediator of prostate disease. Therefore, our findings may have important implications for human reproductive health. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21377077) and Guangdong University Project for International Cooperation and Innovation Platform (2013gjhz0007). The authors declare they have no actual or potential competing financial interests.

Duo-molecularly imprinted polymer-coated magnetic particles for class-selective removal of endocrine-disrupting compounds from aqueous environment

The removal of steroid and phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) from an aqueous environment was investigated using magnetic particles encapsulated by a duo-molecularly imprinted polymer (duo-MIP). The effect of environmental variables on the binding efficiency was studied. Experimental results showed that the amount of EDCs adsorbed was neither affected by up to 10.0 mM NaCl nor significantly interfered by up to 10.0 mg/L humic acid. Negligible influence was observed from pH 3.3 to pH 6.8, but a decrease started at pH 9. Freundlich isotherm parameters indicated binding capacities in the order of DES > E2 ∼ E1 > BPA. The applicability of class-selective removal was verified using river water samples spiked with these EDCs at 10 μg/L; the binding efficiencies were 90, 90, 88, and 98 % for estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), bisphenol A (BPA), and diethylstilbestrol (DES), respectively. A reuse investigation verified constant binding capacities exhibiting <2 % reduction after seven cycles of regeneration.

Occurrence and sources of selected phenolic endocrine disruptors in Ria de Aveiro, Portugal

Background, aim and scopeRia de Aveiro (Portugal) is a shallow coastal lagoon of high economic and ecological importance. Hardly any data on its chemical pollution by polar organic pollutants are available in literature. This study focused on the presence and sources of a series of phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in this area, including parabens, alkylphenolic compounds and bisphenol-A (BPA). A number of possible sources of pollution are present in the area, including the large harbours present in the lagoon, the city of Aveiro and the rivers discharging into the area. A recently constructed submarine wastewater outfall, located a few kilometres from the lagoon inlet has also been suggested as a possible source of pollution to Ria de Aveiro in several publications. The aim of the current field study was to investigate the occurrence and main sources of phenolic endocrine disruptors in Ria de Aveiro.Materials and methodsAn extensive sampling campaign was performed, with surface water and wastewater grab samples taken at over 50 locations, in duplicate on different days. Samples were treated using solid phase extraction and analysed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.Results and discussionConcentrations in lagoon water were generally low: not exceeding 20 ng/L for most analytes. Levels in river water exceeded those in the lagoon by a factor 3 to 500 (o-phenylphenol (PhP) and nonylphenoxy ethoxy acetic acids (A9PEC), respectively), with concentrations up to 700 ng/L for BPA and 7,300 ng/L for A9PEC. Samples from the harbours showed EDC levels similar to those in the rest of the lagoon, but in the city of Aveiro, elevated concentrations were observed for alkylphenol ethoxylates (A9PEO), A9PEC, PhP and BPA. Wastewater effluents showed low levels for parabens, whilst alkylphenolic compounds reached several micrograms per litre. The effluents are discharged into the ocean via a submarine outfall, but as marine water near the outfall showed slightly elevated concentrations only for A9PEO, it does not seem to be a significant source of these EDCs for the area.ConclusionsAll the studied phenolic EDCs were detected in the study area, with high levels found in some of the rivers discharging into the lagoon, and generally low concentrations in the lagoon itself. The main sources for all investigated EDCs were the rivers Caster and Antuã which discharge into the lagoon. The city of Aveiro was identified as a secondary source. As the tidal water exchange volume is much larger than the freshwater input from the rivers, concentrations of phenolic EDCs remained low in the lagoon.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11356-009-0275-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Variation, correlation, and toxicity of phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds in surface water

This study investigated the variation in toxicity of phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) and determined the correlation between their concentrations. All twenty-four samples acquired from a polluted river contained five phenolic EDCs. The EDC nonylphenol (NP) concentration was found to be the highest (4.26 ± 2.74 μg/L) in the river water. In addition the concentrations of nonylphenol diethoxylate, (NP2EO), octylphenol (OP), nonylphenol monoethoxylate (NP1EO), and bisphenol A (BPA) were 1.58 ± 1.37 μg/L; 2.90 ± 2.77 μg/L; 2.89 ± 2.15 μg/L; and 2.25 ± 0.96 μg/L, respectively. Concentrations of NP, NP1EO, and OP were significantly greater in the daytime than in the nighttime samples. Furthermore, concentrations of NP, NP1EO, and NP2EO showed a strong correlation due to similar parent compounds while BPA and OP did not. NP1EO had the highest risk to aquatic organisms (hazard quotient, HQ = 26.3) and BPA the lowest (HQ = 2.24).The accumulative HQ sum (hazard index, HI) was 81.3 within all the samples. The HI was 110.3 in the daytime samples. This was 97% higher than in the nighttime HI (56.3), which suggested daytime anthropogenic discharges were an important source of toxicity to aquatic organisms.