Triclosan: occurrence and fate of a widely used biocide in the aquatic environment: field measurements in wastewater treatment plants, surface waters, and lake sediments

The impact of triclosan on the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment

Triclosan (TCS) is a commonly used antimicrobial agent that enters wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and the environment. An estimated 1.1 × 10(5) to 4.2 × 10(5) kg of TCS are discharged from these WWTPs per year in the United States. The abundance of TCS along with its antimicrobial properties have given rise to concern regarding its impact on antibiotic resistance in the environment. The objective of this review is to assess the state of knowledge regarding the impact of TCS on multidrug resistance in environmental settings, including engineered environments such as anaerobic digesters. Pure culture studies are reviewed in this paper to gain insight into the substantially smaller body of research surrounding the impacts of TCS on environmental microbial communities. Pure culture studies, mainly on pathogenic strains of bacteria, demonstrate that TCS is often associated with multidrug resistance. Research is lacking to quantify the current impacts of TCS discharge to the environment, but it is known that resistance to TCS and multidrug resistance can increase in environmental microbial communities exposed to TCS. Research plans are proposed to quantitatively define the conditions under which TCS selects for multidrug resistance in the environment.

Understanding the role of manganese dioxide in the oxidation of phenolic compounds by aqueous permanganate

Recent studies have shown that manganese dioxide (MnO2) can significantly accelerate the oxidation kinetics of phenolic compounds such as triclosan and chlorophenols by potassium permanganate (Mn(VII)) in slightly acidic solutions. However, the role of MnO2 (i.e., as an oxidant vs catalyst) is still unclear. In this work, it was demonstrated that Mn(VII) oxidized triclosan (i.e., trichloro-2-phenoxyphenol) and its analogue 2-phenoxyphenol, mainly generating ether bond cleavage products (i.e., 2,4-dichlorophenol and phenol, respectively), while MnO2 reacted with them producing appreciable dimers as well as hydroxylated and quinone-like products. Using these two phenoxyphenols as mechanistic probes, it was interestingly found that MnO2 formed in situ or prepared ex situ greatly accelerated the kinetics but negligibly affected the pathways of their oxidation by Mn(VII) at acidic pH 5. The yields (R) of indicative products 2,4-dichlorophenol and phenol from their respective probes (i.e., molar ratios of product formed to probe lost) under various experimental conditions were quantified. Comparable R values were obtained during the treatment by Mn(VII) in the absence vs presence of MnO2. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that MnO2 could accelerate the kinetics of Mn(VII) oxidation of refractory nitrophenols (i.e., 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol), which otherwise showed negligible reactivity toward Mn(VII) and MnO2 individually, and the effect of MnO2 was strongly dependent upon its concentration as well as solution pH. These results clearly rule out the role of MnO2 as a mild co-oxidant and suggest a potential catalytic effect on Mn(VII) oxidation of phenolic compounds regardless of their susceptibility to oxidation by MnO2.

Vanlandingham M, Juliar BE, R. Olson G, E. Patton R, Beland FA. Dose–response assessment of the dermal toxicity of triclosan in B6C3F1 mice

Triclosan [5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol] is a widely used antimicrobial agent in personal care products, household items, medical devices, and clinical settings.

New biomimetic approach to determine the bioavailability of triclosan in soils and its validation with the wheat plant uptake bioassay

A new biomimetic approach for triclosan (TCS) was developed based on the leaching of the analyte from different biosolid-amended agricultural soils and the subsequent extraction of the leachates, using a rotating disk sorptive extraction (RDSE) procedure. The leaching equilibrium for TCS was reached at 3h when the ISO method (ISO/TS 21268-1:2007) was followed. The concentrations determined by this biomimetic method were compared with the bioavailability of TCS, determined by its accumulation in the roots of wheat plants grown in the same soil-biosolid systems. It was observed that the amount of organic matter in the soil matrix was a determining factor for mobilization of TCS. An increasing biosolid rate applied to soils resulted in a reduced mobility of TCS because the high amount of organic matter provided by the biosolid increased the hydrophobic interaction between TCS and the matrix. Similarly, increasing biosolid concentrations in the soil significantly decreased the bioavailability of TCS to the wheat plant. Thus, the bioavailability factor in wheat roots decreased from 0.22 to 0.08 for a soil having a pH of 8.2, when the biosolid rate was increased from 30 to 200 Mg ha(-1), respectively. A significant correlation (R=0.98) was obtained between TCS concentration in wheat plants and the proposed biomimetic methodology, indicating that the latter can predict the bioavailability in a time period as short as 180 min. The results of this study confirm our previous findings that amending soils with biosolids is beneficial for immobilizing low polarity contaminants and helps prevent their percolation through the soil profile and into groundwater.

The commonly used antimicrobial additive triclosan is a liver tumor promoter

Triclosan [5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol; TCS] is a synthetic, broad-spectrum antibacterial chemical used in a wide range of consumer products including soaps, cosmetics, therapeutics, and plastics. The general population is exposed to TCS because of its prevalence in a variety of daily care products as well as through waterborne contamination. TCS is linked to a multitude of health and environmental effects, ranging from endocrine disruption and impaired muscle contraction to effects on aquatic ecosystems. We discovered that TCS was capable of stimulating liver cell proliferation and fibrotic responses, accompanied by signs of oxidative stress. Through a reporter screening assay with an array of nuclear xenobiotic receptors (XenoRs), we found that TCS activates the nuclear receptor constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and, contrary to previous reports, has no significant effect on mouse peroxisome proliferation activating receptor α (PPARα). Using the procarcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN) to initiate tumorigenesis in mice, we discovered that TCS substantially accelerates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, acting as a liver tumor promoter. TCS-treated mice exhibited a large increase in tumor multiplicity, size, and incidence compared with control mice. TCS-mediated liver regeneration and fibrosis preceded HCC development and may constitute the primary tumor-promoting mechanism through which TCS acts. These findings strongly suggest there are adverse health effects in mice with long-term TCS exposure, especially on enhancing liver fibrogenesis and tumorigenesis, and the relevance of TCS liver toxicity to humans should be evaluated.

Occurrence and fate of triclosan and triclocarban in a subtropical river and its estuary

The occurrence of triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) in a subtropical river (Jiulong River) and its estuary was investigated for two years. TCS and TCC were ubiquitously detected in the Jiulong River and its estuary. The levels of TCS and TCC ranged from less than the method detection limit to 64 ng/L and from 0.05 to 14.1 ng/L in the river, respectively. The levels of TCS and TCC in the estuary ranged from 2.56 to 27.25 ng/L and 0.38 to 5.76 ng/L, respectively. Temporal and spatial variations of TCS and TCC in the Jiulong River and its estuary were observed during the investigation. The weather conditions did not show significant correlations with TCS and TCC, whereas several water quality parameters showed high correlations with TCS and TCC. The microcosm studies showed that both direct photolysis and biodegradation contributed to TCS removal, whereas indirect photolysis was important for TCC removal in the surface water.

Substance flow analysis and assessment of environmental exposure potential for triclosan in mainland China

Triclosan (TCS) is a widely-used antimicrobial agent in many consumer products around the world, and China is a major producer and consumer of TCS. In this study substance flow analysis (SFA) was used to construct a static model of anthropogenic TCS metabolism in China in 2008. The systematic SFA results were used to determine possible exposure pathways and trends in environmental exposure potential through different pathways. TCS discharged in wastewater mainly flowed into surface water sediment, ocean, and soil, where it accumulates in aquatic and agricultural products that may pose a higher risk to human health than brief exposure during consumption. Only 22% of TCS discharged was removed in the built environment with the remainder discharged into the natural environment, indicating that anthropogenic TCS metabolism in China is unsustainable. Per capita TCS consumption increased 209% from 2003 to 2012, resulting in increased discharge and accumulation in the environment. If current trends continue, it will increase to 713 mg capita(-1) yr(-1) in 2015 and 957 mg capita(-1) yr(-1) in 2020. Accordingly, annual environmental exposure potential will increase from 388 mg capita(-1) in 2008 to 557 mg capita(-1) in 2015 and 747 mg capita(-1) in 2020, indicating an increasing trend of exposure to environmental TCS. Results of Pearson correlation analysis suggested that feasible countermeasures to reduce environmental exposure potential for triclosan would include encouraging the development of small cities, raising awareness of health risks, nurturing environmentally-friendly consumer values, and improving the environmental performance of TCS-containing products.

Sonoelectrochemical degradation of triclosan in water

The sonoelectrochemical degradation of triclosan in aqueous solutions with high-frequency ultrasound (850kHz) and various electrodes was investigated. Diamond coated niobium electrode showed the best results and was used as standard electrode, leading to effective degradation and positive synergistic effect. The influence of different parameters on the degradation degree and energy efficiency were evaluated and favorable reaction conditions were found. It could be shown that 92% of triclosan (1mgL(-1) aqueous solution) was degraded within 15min, following pseudo-first order kinetics.

Accounting for dissociation and photolysis: a review of the algal toxicity of triclosan

Triclosan, an antimicrobial agent commonly used in down-the-drain consumer products, is toxic to freshwater microalgae. However, the rapid photolysis and pH-dependent dissociation of this compound may give rise to uncertainty in growth inhibition tests with freshwater microalgae, if these are not well characterized. Methods are presented to minimize these uncertainties by stabilizing pH with an organic buffering agent (Bis-Tris) and by the application of ultraviolet (UV) covers to remove UV wavelengths. Toxicity tests with these methods were in compliance with the validity criteria of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development test 201, and no negative effects were seen in controls relative to the unmodified method. The methods were used for toxicity tests with triclosan at pH levels of 7.0, 8.0, and 8.5, yielding effective concentration, 10% values of 0.5 µg/L, 0.6 µg/L, and 12.1 µg/L, respectively. The observed change in toxicity with pH was proportional to the change in bioconcentration factor (BCF) as calculated using the cell model (a dynamic flux model based on the Fick-Nernst-Planck equations, in this case parameterized for an algal cell). Effect concentrations produced with the methods presented in the present study offer robust data on which to base risk assessment, and it is suggested that similar approaches be used to minimize uncertainty when other compounds that dissociate and photolyse are tested.

First assessment of triclosan, triclocarban and paraben mass loads at a very large regional scale: case of Paris conurbation (France)

The objective of this study was to examine the occurrence of parabens (5 congeners), triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) at the scale of the Parisian sewer network and to provide representative knowledge on these compounds in France for a large area. For this purpose and in collaboration with the Parisian public sanitation service (SIAAP) in charge of the collect and treatment of the Parisian wastewater, this study focused on seven main sewer trunks of the Paris conurbation, accounting for 1900,000 m(3) d(-1), i.e., about 8 million inhabitants. Concentrations lying in the 2000-20000 ng l(-1) ranges were found in wastewater, confirming the ubiquity of parabens, TCS and TCC in our environment and household products. Parabens (>97%) and to a lesser extent TCS (68% in median) were mainly associated to the dissolved fraction, as demonstrated by low KD and KOC values. For the first time, this study also evaluated the pollutant mass loads per population equivalent (PE) of parabens, TCS and TCC at the large and representative scale of the Parisian conurbation. Hence, the median mass loads varied from 176 to 3040 μg PE(-1) d(-1) for parabens and from 26 to 762 μg PE(-1) d(-1) for TCS and TCC. Based on these results and according to the assumptions done, the extrapolation of the mass loads at the national scale pointed out an annual mass loads between 51.8 and 100.7 ty(-1) for methyl paraben (MeP) and between 11.2 and 23.5 ty(-1) for TCS. Mass loads per equivalent habitant and national mass loads are both extremely relevant and innovative data. Contrary to other countries, such data are nowadays rather difficult to gain in France and neither enquiry nor database provides access to information on the use and production of these chemicals. Since cosmetic industries are voluntarily and fully engaged in the substitution of parabens, triclosan and triclocarban in personal care product, this study could constitute a "time reference status" which could be used as a basis for future monitoring.

Assessment of toxic effects of triclosan on the terrestrial snail (Achatina fulica)

Triclosan (TCS) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent used in personal care products, and as a result, is widespread in the environment. Toxicity tests of TCS on aquatic organisms have been reported, but limited toxicity data on terrestrial species are available. In this study, the 28-d chronic toxicity of TCS on the biomass, shell diameter growth, and total food intake of the terrestrial snail Achatina fulica were tested. Moreover, biochemical responses, including changes in the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), were examined after 14-d and 28-d exposure. Results showed that TCS had toxic effects on the biomass, shell diameter growth, and total food intake of A. fulica with no observed effect concentration (NOEC) values of 24 mg kg(-1). As for the antioxidant enzymes, TCS caused significant oxidative stress even at the low concentration of 24 mg kg(-1). The CAT and POD activities at the high concentrations of 200 and 340 mg kg(-1), respectively, were significantly inhibited. The SOD and CAT activity in treatments below 118 mg kg(-1) and the MDA content in all treatments showed dose-effect relationships. This study demonstrated that TCS caused adverse effects on terrestrial invertebrates, and provided valuable information for the risk assessment imposed by TCS in the terrestrial environment.

Sorption-desorption and biosorption of bisphenol A, triclosan, and 17α-ethinylestradiol to sewage sludge

To better understand the fate of microconstituents (MCs) in an activated sludge (AS) system, sorption, biosorption, and desorption studies were investigated at μg/L range for 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), bisphenol A (BPA), and triclosan (TCS). Batch experiments with activated and deactivated sludge originating from continuous flow porous pot reactors operating at solid retention times (SRTs) of 5, 10, and 15 days were conducted in order to investigate the sorption kinetics and distinguish physicochemical sorption and biosorption. The effect of SRT and the biomass concentration on sorption kinetics were also studied. Selected MCs showed high sorption affinity to the non-viable biomass during the first 30 min of the experiment, which was gradually reduced until equilibrium was reached. Desorption results showed two distinct stages, a very rapid desorption within 20 min followed by a slow desorption stage. Biosorption study indicated that the soluble concentrations of target compounds decreased rapidly for selected MCs similar to the sorption study; however, the soluble and solid phase concentrations continued to decrease slowly during the length of the experiment which indicates the possible biodegradation of these compounds in both phases. Finally, mathematical models were applied to describe the sorption mechanism and Freundlich sorption isotherms with values of 1/n close to 1 were found to best fit the results which demonstrate that all tested concentrations result on the linear part of the Freundlich isotherm. Calculation of the Freundlich constant, KF and distribution coefficient, Kd exhibited the greater tendency of EE2 and TCS for sorption, compared to BPA. The results of this study indicated that the SRT had a clear effect on the sorption kinetics where the highest sorption rate constant was achieved for a SRT of 10 days for all three target substances. This could be due to change of the morphology of the biomass from reactors operating at different SRTs.

A survey of alkylphenols, bisphenols, and triclosan in personal care products from China and the United States

Exposure of humans to environmental phenolic compounds such as bisphenol A (BPA) and alkylphenols is a matter of concern, due to these compounds' ubiquitous occurrence and estrogenic potencies. Little is known about the levels of environmental phenolics in personal care products (PCPs). In this study, nonylphenol, two octylphenols, eight bisphenols (BPA and its analogs), and triclosan (TCS) were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in PCP samples (n = 231) collected from China and the United States (U.S.). The concentrations of 4-n-nonylphenol (4-NP), 4-n-octylphenol (4-OP), 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP), and TCS were in the ranges of <0.5-39,100 [geometric mean (GM): 21.5], <0.5-315 (0.680), <1.0-10,100 (2.69), and <0.5-53,900 (3.03) ng/g, respectively. The GM concentrations of individual bisphenols, including BPA, bisphenol S (BPS), and bisphenol F (BPF), were generally at sub-nanogram per gram levels. No significant differences in concentrations of the target compounds were found among various PCP categories or between China and the U.S. The estimated GM daily intakes of 4-NP, ∑OPs (sum of 4-OP and 4-t-OP), ∑BPs (sum of eight bisphenols), and TCS through dermal absorption from the use of PCPs were 0.932, 0.093, 0.072, and 0.016 μg/day, respectively, for adult Chinese women and 0.340, 0.054, 0.120, and 0.068 μg/day, respectively, for adult U.S. women. Body lotions, face creams, and liquid foundations accounted for the majority (>85 %) of the dermal exposure doses of the target phenolics.

Contrasting effects of two antimicrobial agents (triclosan and triclocarban) on biomineralisation of an organophosphate pesticide in soils

We examined the impact of triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) antimicrobial compounds on the biomineralisation of glucose and cadusafos pesticide in three Australian soils. Mineralisations of radiolabelled ((14)C) compounds were measured over a period of up to 77 d in sterile and non-sterile soils treated with different concentrations of TCS and TCC (0-450 mg kg(-1)). The rates of mineralisation of cadusafos were found to decrease with increasing concentration of TCS in all soils, but varied with soil type. Soils treated with TCS at the highest concentration (270 mg kg(-1)) reduced cadusafos mineralisation by up to 58%. However, glucose mineralisation was not significantly affected by the presence of TCS. While TCS, significantly reduced the mineralisation of cadusafos (by 17%; p<0.05) even at the lowest studied concentration (30 mg kg(-1)), no significant effect of TCC was observed on cadusafos or glucose mineralisation even at the highest concentration used (450 mg kg(-1)).

Faster photodegradation rate and higher dioxin yield of triclosan induced by cationic surfactant CTAB

Triclosan has received extensive attention as it has been frequently detected in the aquatic environment. Photolysis was found to be a major pathway governing the fate of triclosan in the aquatic environment. However, the effects of surfactants that usually coexist with triclosan, on the photodegradation of triclosan, are largely unknown. In this study, the effects of selected surfactants on the photodegradation of triclosan were investigated experimentally. The results show that anionic sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium dodecyl sulfate and neutral polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate inhibit the photolysis of triclosan, whereas cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) significantly accelerates the photodegradation rate of triclosan. The interactions between the hydrophilic group of CTAB and anionic triclosan lead to the apparent decrease of pKa of triclosan from 8.4 to 6.1, which increase the fraction of anionic triclosan from 4% to 89% in neutral solution. A red shift in the UV-VIS absorption spectrum is exhibited, thus leading to the increased photodegradation rate of triclosan. The accelerations caused by CTAB were observed under xenon lamp and Hg lamp irradiances, as well as under natural sunlight. Effect of CTAB demonstrated pH dependence with significantly enhancement under pH 5∼9 and inhibition at pH=3. The presence of CTAB also increased the yield of 2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin from the photolysis of triclosan about 7 times at pH=7.

Cometabolic degradation of organic wastewater micropollutants by activated sludge and sludge-inherent microorganisms

Municipal wastewaters contain a multitude of organic trace pollutants. Often, their biodegradability by activated sludge microorganisms is decisive for their elimination during wastewater treatment. Since the amounts of micropollutants seem too low to serve as growth substrate, cometabolism is supposed to be the dominating biodegradation process. Nevertheless, as many biodegradation studies were performed without the intention to discriminate between metabolic and cometabolic processes, the specific contribution of the latter to substance transformations is often not clarified. This minireview summarizes current knowledge about the cometabolic degradation of organic trace pollutants by activated sludge and sludge-inherent microorganisms. Due to their relevance for communal wastewater contamination, the focus is laid on pharmaceuticals, personal care products, antibiotics, estrogens, and nonylphenols. Wherever possible, reference is made to the molecular process level, i.e., cometabolic pathways, involved enzymes, and formed transformation products. Particular cometabolic capabilities of different activated sludge consortia and various microbial species are highlighted. Process conditions favoring cometabolic activities are emphasized. Finally, knowledge gaps are identified, and research perspectives are outlined.

Occurrence of eight household micropollutants in urban wastewater and their fate in a wastewater treatment plant. Statistical evaluation

The occurrence in urban wastewater of eight micropollutants (erythromycin, ibuprofen, 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), ofloxacin, sucralose, triclosan, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)) originating from household activities and their fate in a biological wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) were investigated. Their concentrations were assessed in the liquid and solid phases (sewage particulate matter and wasted activated sludge (WAS)) by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The analysis of sewage from two different urban catchments connected to the WWTP showed a specific use of ofloxacin in the mixed catchment due to the presence of a hospital, and higher concentrations of sucralose in the residential area. The WWTP process removed over 90% of ibuprofen and triclosan from wastewater, while only 25% of ofloxacin was eliminated. Erythromycin, sucralose and PFOA were not removed from wastewater, the influent and effluent concentrations remaining at about 0.7 μg/L, 3 μg/L and 10 ng/L respectively. The behavior of PFOS and 4-nonylphenol was singular, as concentrations were higher at the WWTP outlet than at its inlet. This was probably related to the degradation of some of their precursors (such as alkylphenol ethoxylates and polyfluorinated compounds resulting in 4-NP and PFOS, respectively) during biological treatment. 4-NP, ofloxacin, triclosan and perfluorinated compounds were found adsorbed on WAS (from 5 ng/kg for PFOA to 1.0mg/kg for triclosan). The statistical methods (principal component analysis and multiple linear regressions) were applied to examine relationships among the concentrations of micropollutants and macropollutants (COD, ammonium, turbidity) entering and leaving the WWTP. A strong relationship with ammonium indicated that some micropollutants enter wastewater via human urine. A statistical analysis of WWTP operation gave a model for estimating micropollutant output from the WWTP based on a measurement of macropollution parameters.

Transgenic fluorescent zebrafish Tg(fli1:EGFP)y¹ for the identification of vasotoxicity within the zFET

The fish embryo toxicity test (FET) is currently one of the most advocated animal alternative tests in ecotoxicology. To date, the application of the FET with zebrafish (zFET) has focused on acute toxicity assessment, where only lethal morphological effects are accounted for. An application of the zFET beyond acute toxicity, however, necessitates the establishment of more refined and quantifiable toxicological endpoints. A valuable tool in this context is the use of gene expression-dependent fluorescent markers that can even be measured in vivo. We investigated the application of embryos of Tg(fli1:EGFP)(y1) for the identification of vasotoxic substances within the zFET. Tg(fli1:EGFP)(y1) fish express enhanced GFP in the entire vasculature under the control of the fli1 promoter, and thus enable the visualization of vascular defects in live zebrafish embryos. We assessed the fli1 driven EGFP-expression in the intersegmental blood vessels (ISVs) qualitatively and quantitatively, and found an exposure concentration related increase in vascular damage for chemicals like triclosan, cartap and genistein. The fluorescence endpoint ISV-length allowed an earlier and more sensitive detection of vasotoxins than the bright field assessment method. In combination with the standard bright field morphological effect assessment, an increase in significance and value of the zFET for a mechanism-specific toxicity evaluation was achieved. This study highlights the benefits of using transgenic zebrafish as convenient tools for identifying toxicity in vivo and to increase sensitivity and specificity of the zFET.

On the need and speed of regulating triclosan and triclocarban in the United States

The polychlorinated aromatic antimicrobials triclosan and triclocarban are in widespread use for killing microorganisms indiscriminately, rapidly, and by nonspecific action. While their utility in healthcare settings is undisputed, benefits to users of antimicrobial personal care products are few to none. Yet, these latter, high-volume uses have caused widespread contamination of the environment, wildlife, and human populations. This feature article presents a timeline of scientific evidence and regulatory actions in the U.S. concerning persistent polychlorinated biocides, showing a potential path forward to judicious and sustainable uses of synthetic antimicrobials, including the design of greener and safer next-generation alternatives.

A critical assessment of the photodegradation of pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments: defining our current understanding and identifying knowledge gaps

This work presents a critical assessment of the state and quality of knowledge around the aquatic photochemistry of human- and veterinary-use pharmaceuticals from laboratory experiments and field observations. A standardized scoring rubric was used to assess relevant studies within four categories: experimental design, laboratory-based direct and indirect photolysis, and field/solar photolysis. Specific metrics for each category are defined to evaluate various aspects of experimental design (e.g., higher scores are given for more appropriate characterization of light source wavelength distribution). This weight of evidence-style approach allowed for identification of knowledge strengths and gaps covering three areas: first, the general extent of photochemical data for specific pharmaceuticals and classes; second, the overall quality of existing data (i.e., strong versus weak); and finally, trends in the photochemistry research around these specific compounds, e.g. the observation of specific and consistent oversights in experimental design. In general, those drugs that were most studied also had relatively good quality data. The four pharmaceuticals studied experimentally at least ten times in the literature had average total scores (lab and field combined) of ≥29, considered decent quality; carbamazepine (13 studies; average score of 31), diclofenac (12 studies; average score of 31), sulfamethoxazole (11 studies; average score of 34), and propranolol (11 studies; average score of 29). Major oversights and errors in data reporting and/or experimental design included: lack of measurement and reporting of incident light source intensity, lack of appropriate controls, use of organic co-solvents in irradiation solutions, and failure to consider solution pH. Consequently, a number of these experimental parameters were likely a cause of inconsistent measurements of direct photolysis rate constants and quantum yields, two photochemical properties that were highly variable in the literature. Overall, the assessment rubric provides an objective and scientifically-defensible set of metrics for assessing the quality of a study. A major recommendation is the development of a method guideline, based on this rubric, for conducting and reporting on photochemical studies that would produce consistent and reliable data for quantitative comparison across studies. Furthermore, an emphasis should be placed on conducting more dual-fate studies involving controlled photolysis experiments in natural sunlight, and whole system fate studies in either natural or artificial systems. This would provide accurate data describing the actual contribution of photolysis to the overall fate of pharmaceuticals in the environment.

Environmental pollutants and lifestyle factors induce oxidative stress and poor prenatal development

Developmental toxicity caused by exposure to a mixture of environmental pollutants has become a major health concern. Human-made chemicals, including xenoestrogens, pesticides and heavy metals, as well as unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, mainly tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and medical drug abuse, are major factors that adversely influence prenatal development and increase susceptibility of offspring to diseases. There is evidence to suggest that the developmental toxicological mechanisms of chemicals and lifestyle factors involve the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular oxidative damage. Overproduction of ROS induces oxidative stress, a state where increased ROS generation overwhelms antioxidant protection and subsequently leads to oxidative damage of cellular macromolecules. Data on the involvement of oxidative stress in the mechanism of developmental toxicity following exposure to environmental pollutants are reviewed in an attempt to provide an updated basis for future studies on the toxic effect of such pollutants, particularly the notion of increased risk for developmental toxicity due to combined and cumulative exposure to various environmental pollutants. The aims of such studies are to better understand the mechanisms by which environmental pollutants adversely affect conceptus development and to elucidate the impact of cumulative exposures to multiple pollutants on post-natal development and health outcomes. Developmental toxicity caused by exposure to mixture of environmental pollutants has become a major health concern. Human-made chemicals, including xenoestrogens, pesticides and heavy metals, as well as unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, mainly tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and medical drug abuse, are major factors that adversely influence prenatal development and increase the susceptibility of offspring to development complications and diseases. There is evidence to suggest that the developmental toxicological mechanisms of human-made chemicals and unhealthy lifestyle factors involve the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular oxidative damage. Overproduction of ROS induces oxidative stress, a state where increased generation of ROS overwhelms antioxidant protection and subsequently leads to oxidative damage of cellular macromolecules. Exposure to various environmental pollutants induces synergic and cumulative dose-additive adverse effects on prenatal development, pregnancy outcomes and neonate health. Data from the literature on the involvement of oxidative stress in the mechanism of developmental toxicity following in vivo exposure to environmental pollutants will be reviewed in an attempt to provide an updated basis for future studies on the toxic effect of such pollutants, particularly the notion of increased risk for developmental toxicity due to combined and cumulative exposure to various environmental pollutants. The aims of such studies are to better understand the mechanisms by which environmental pollutants adversely affect conceptus development and to elucidate the impact of cumulative exposures to multiple pollutants on postnatal development and health outcomes.

Effects of triclosan on reproductive prarmeters and embryonic development of sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus nudus

Triclosan (TCS, 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether), a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent, is commonly found in the aquatic environment. In this study, we investigated TCS toxicity with pertaining to gamete viability, fertilization, and embryogenesis up to pluteus stage of the sea urchin, (Strongylocentrotus nudus). When the sperm and eggs were exposed to TCS (0-3.0 μM), the viability of sperm was significantly decreased at molarities higher than 1 μM of TCS. In addition, for exposure of 2.0 μM TCS the viability of eggs was not influenced and none of the sperm was viable. Fertilization rate was significantly decreased when sperm were exposed to 0.5 and 1 μM of TCS (p<0.001) and no fertilization was observed for the exposure of 1.5 μM of TCS. In embryonic development, embryos are treated with higher than 1.0 μM levels of TCS displayed arrested development. For TCS, the EC50 and LOECs values were 1.8, 1.49 and 0.99 μM and 0.53, 0.62 and 0.39 μM for sperm viability, fertilization rate, and larval development to pluteus, respectively. In the recovery test regarding normal development of arrested embryos based upon TCS exposure time, it was observed that embryos exposed to 1 μM TCS for 15 h were normally recovered for normal development, while embryos with more than 30 h exposure were not recovered to normal larvae. Overall, the results of this study strongly suggest that the gametes and embryos of S. nudus can provide the basis for an effective bioassay, with a fast and sensitive means of evaluating TCS contamination in the marine ecosystem.

Mechanism, kinetics and toxicity assessment of OH-initiated transformation of triclosan in aquatic environments

The mechanisms and kinetics of OH-initiated transformation of triclosan (TCS) in aquatic environments were modeled using high-accuracy molecular orbital theory. TCS can be initially attacked by OH in two ways, OH-addition and H-abstraction. Twelve OH-addition routes were reported, and the C atom adjacent to the ether bond in the benzene ring (RaddB1) was found as the most easily attacked position by OH, producing TCS-OHB1. Seven H-abstraction routes were reported, and the OH exclusively abstracted the phenolic hydroxyl (RabsOH) H atom, to form TCS(-H). The kinetics results showed that the RaddB1 and RabsOH routes would occur preferentially in aquatic environments, and the half-life depended on the OH concentration ([OH]). At low [OH], the main intermediates, TCS-OHB1 and TCS(-H), can be converted into 2,4-dichlorophenol and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, respectively. However, when enough OH is present, such as in advanced oxidation process (AOP) systems, they would be fully decomposed. The acute and chronic toxicities of TCS and its products were assessed at three trophic levels using the "ecological structure-activity relationships" program. The toxicity of the products decreased through the RaddB1 route, while the toxicity of the products first increased and then decreased through the other degradation routes. These results should help reveal the mechanism of TCS transformation as well as risk assessment in aquatic environments, and will help design further experimental studies and industrial application of AOPs.

Occurrence and potential risk of triclosan in freshwaters of São Paulo, Brazil--the need for regulatory actions

Triclosan (TCS) is a broad-spectrum bactericide, highly toxic to algae, which is released into the environment via wastewater effluents. Predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs) for aquatic biota have been proposed in the literature, varying from 1.4 to 1,550 ng/L, reflecting contradicting protection goals. In this work, six rivers in the state of São Paulo were monitored for TCS and caffeine, a tracer for untreated sewage disposal, over a period of more than 1 year. From 71 samples analyzed, 32 contained TCS at concentrations above the limit of quantification, ranging from 2.2 to 66 ng/L, corresponding to a frequency of exceedance of the lowest PNEC of 86 % (six out of seven sites). No correlation between TCS and caffeine was observed, and one of the reasons for that could be the different use patterns in the local populations. Given the high values found in the investigated rivers, TCS seems to be a strong candidate in the priority list of compounds that should be regulated in Brazil to preserve the aquatic environment.

Characterization and quantification of N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-dodecyl-1,3-propanediamine biocide by NMR, HPLC/MS and titration techniques

The present paper reports the determination of the tri-amine N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-dodecyl-1,3-propanediamine (TA) present in a raw material called LONZABAC used to formulate various, widely used commercial biocides. The active principle, TA, is present in LONZABAC together with other molecules at lower concentration levels. Three independent analytical approaches, namely solution NMR spectroscopy, liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (LC/HRMS) and acid-base titration in mixed solvent, were used to overcome the problem of the non-availability of the active principle as high purity standard. NMR analysis of raw material, using a suitable internal standard, evidenced in all analyzed lots the presence of the active principle, the N-dodecyl-1,3-propanediamine (DA) and the n-dodecylamine (MA) and the absence of non-organic, NMR-inactive species. NMR peak integration led to a rough composition of the MA:DA:TA as 1:9:90. The LC/HRMS analysis allowed the accurate determination of DA and MA and confirmed in all samples the presence of the TA, which was estimated by difference: MA=1.4±0.3%, DA=11.1±0.7%, TA=87.5±1.3%. The obtained results were used to setup an easy, rapid and cheap acid-base titration method able to furnish a sufficiently accurate evaluation of the active principle both in the raw material and in diluted commercial products. For the raw material the results were: TA+MA=91.1±0.8% and DA-MA=8.9±0.8%, statistically coherent with LC/MS ones. The LC/MS approach demonstrated also its great potentialities to recognize trace of the biocide components both in environmental samples and in the formulated commercial products.

Selected chloro and bromo derivatives of triclosan--syntheses and their occurrence in Canadian sewage and biosolid samples

The occurrence of triclosan (TCS), a general purpose antibacterial agent contained in numerous consumer and personal-care products, in the aquatic environment is well known. To a lesser degree, the formation of chlorinated and brominated derivatives of TCS during the chlorination of the antibacterial has also been reported. Presumably due to the lack of authentic standards, very few reports have been published on the levels of these halogenated TCSs in the environment. For this purpose, we have synthesized six selected halogenated derivatives of TCS, namely, 3-Cl-, 5-Cl-, 3,5-Cl2-, 3-Br-, 5-Br-, and 3,5-Br2- TCSs, with supporting (1)H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) and GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) data for their structural assignments. Using these model compounds together with sensitive analytical methods, we were able to identify and quantify the above compounds together with their precursor compound TCS in Canadian municipal wastewater and biosolid samples for the first time. While detected in all influent (range from 1.4 to 24.1 ng L(-1)) and biosolid (range from 7.7 to 274 ng g(-1)) samples, the concentrations of these chlorinated TCS were generally from 100- to 1,000-fold lower than TCS in the same sample. Even lower levels (<20 ng/g in 85% of the results) of brominated TCS were found in biosolids, and they were mostly undetected in sewage.

Fate of microconstituents in biosolids composted in an aerated silage bag

Although most composting studies report pathogen concentrations, little is known about the fate of Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals (EDCs) during composting. In this study, a positively aerated polyethylene bag composting system was filled with a mixture of woodchips and limed biosolids from a large Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) to study the removal efficiency of two different groups of EDCs. Two antibacterial compounds, Triclocarban (TCC) and Triclosan (TCS), and a TCS byproduct, Methyltriclosan (MeTCS), as well as seven congeners of flame retardants known as PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers) were studied during two phases of composting: 1) a thermophilic phase, in which positive mechanical aeration, pushing air into and through the materials matrix, was conducted for 2 months; and 2) a curing and stabilization phase in which no mechanical aeration was provided and the bag was opened to ambient passive aeration to simulate storage conditions for seven months. Our results showed that while TCC concentrations remained constant, TCS degradation took place during both phases. The degradation of TCS was corroborated by the formation of MeTCS in both phases. The TCS concentrations decreased from 18409 ± 1,877 to 11955 ± 288 ng g(-1) dry wt. during the thermophilic phase and declined from 11,955 ± 288 to 7,244 ± 909. ng g(-1) dry wt. by the end of the curing phase. Thus, slightly greater TCS transformation occurred during the second than during the first (35.1 vs. 39.4%). MeTCS concentrations increased from 189.3 ± 8.6 to 364.6 ± 72.5 ng g(-1) dry wt. during the first phase and reached 589.0 ± 94.9 ng g(-1) dry wt. at the end of the second phase. PBDEs concentrations were below quantification limits for all but two of the congeners analyzed (BDE-47 and BDE-99). PBDE concentrations were measured at the end of the first phase only and were comparable to initial concentrations.

Presence and transport of the antimicrobials triclocarban and triclosan in a wastewater-dominated stream and freshwater environment

The presence of the antimicrobials triclocarban (TCC) and triclosan (TCS)in Fountain Creek, a wastewater-dominated stream, and the Arkansas River, Colorado, USA was measured in the surface water, suspended sediments, and bed sediments during spring runoff (high flow) and summer base flow (low flow) conditions. Fountain Creak is a tributary of the Arkansas River. Passive polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) were used along with active sampling (water grab samples) to measure and TCS concentrations in these surface waters. The concentration of TCC and TCS, based on POCIS measurements, ranged from 4.5 to 47.3 ng/L and 3.9 to 28.3 ng/L, respectively, at the five sample sites monitored in this study under both flow conditions. The range of concentrations of TCC and TCS in suspended sediments was 0.7-57.3 ng/g and 0.7-13.3 ng/g, respectively, and was closely tied to the quantity of organic carbon in the suspended sediment, which ranged from 1.6 to 14.5%. The quantity of organic carbon in suspended sediment during the summer base flow was influenced by runoff from the burn area of a large forest fire that occurred between the two sampling periods. The primary transport mechanism of TCC and TCS in these surface waters was in the dissolved phase, with 64-99% of TCC and 68-99% of TCS transported in the dissolved phase. The total amount of TCS and TCC in bed-sediments was relatively low, with the maximum amount at any one site being 0.38 ± 0.15 ng/g TCS and 4.09 ± 5.26 ng/g TCC. Fountain Creek contributed up to 76% and 69% of the TCC and TCS, respectively, that is transported directly below its confluence with Arkansas River. Fountain Creek drained approximately 3.0 g/day TCS (in spring), 2.9 g/day TCS (in summer) and 1.9 g/day TCC (in spring), 2.0 g/day TCC (in-summer) into the Arkansas River, which suggests consistent input of TCC and TCS into Fountain Creek, such as in discharge of treated wastewater that is independent of changing creek flow conditions.

Effects of a chronic lower range of triclosan exposure on a stream mesocosm community

Triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol) is an antimicrobial found in consumer soaps and toothpaste. It is in treated wastewater effluents at low parts-per-billion concentrations, representing a potentially chronic exposure condition for biota inhabiting receiving streams. For the present study, a naturally colonized benthos was created using flow-through indoor mesocosms; then, the benthic communities were dosed to achieve different in-stream triclosan concentrations (control, 0.1 μg/L, 0.5 μg/L, 1.0 μg/L, 5.0 μg/L, and 10 μg/L) for 56 d. Water quality parameters and endpoints from bacteria to macroinvertebrates, as well as interacting abiotic components, were measured. Effects of triclosan on specific microbial endpoints were observed at all doses, including an effect on litter decomposition dynamics at doses of 1.0 μg/L and higher. Resistance of periphytic bacteria to triclosan significantly increased at doses of 0.5 μg/L and above. By the end of dosing, the antimicrobial appeared to stimulate the stream periphyton at the 3 lowest doses, while the 2 highest doses exhibited decreased stocks of periphyton, including significantly lower bacteria cell densities and cyanobacteria abundance compared with the control. Other than an effect on benthic ostracods, the changes that occurred in the periphyton did not translate to significant change in the colonizing nematodes, the macroinvertebrate community as a whole, or other measurements of stream function. The results shed light on the role a low, chronic exposure to triclosan may play in effluent-dominated streams.

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the aquatic environment in China: a review

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have been detected as contaminants of emerging concern ubiquitously in the aquatic environment in China and worldwide. A clear picture of PPCP contamination in the Chinese aquatic environment is needed to gain insight for both research and regulatory needs (e.g. monitoring, control and management). The occurrence data of 112 PPCPs in waters and sediments in China has been reviewed. In most cases, the detected concentration of these PPCPs in waters and sediments were at ng/L and ng/g levels, which were lower than or comparable to those reported worldwide. A screening level risk assessment (SLERA) identified six priority PPCPs in surface waters, namely erythromycin, roxithromycin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, salicylic acid and sulfamethoxazole. The results of SLERA also revealed that the hot spots for PPCP pollution were those river waters affected by the megacities with high density of population, such as Beijing, Tianjin, Guangzhou and Shanghai. Limitations of current researches and implications for future research in China were discussed. Some regulatory issues were also addressed.

Toxic effects of triclosan on the detoxification system and breeding of Daphnia magna

The toxic effects of different concentrations of Triclosan (TCS) (1-128 μg/L) on Daphnia magna (D. magna) were investigated by acute (48 h) and chronic (21-day) toxicity tests. The response of antioxidase system and Phase I metabolism process of D. magna exposed to TCS were investigated by measuring a series of biomarkers including glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), Erythromycin N-demethylase (ERND) and Aminopyrine N-demethylase (APND). The 48 h LC50 of TCS was 330 μg/L for D. magna. In the chronic test, total number of neonates per female, body length and the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) of D. magna increased at the low exposure concentrations (1-16 μg/L) and decreased at the high concentrations (64-128 μg/L), while the total number of molting per adult decreased continually. The GST and CAT activities showed no significant increase in all treatments, and SOD activities were induced after 24-h exposure and inhibited after 48-h exposure at 4-128 μg/L of concentrations. The MDA content increased after 6-h exposure but decreased after 48-h exposure at 4-128 μg/L. EROD activities initially increased after 6-h exposure, but decreased after 24 and 48-h exposure, ERND and APND activities showed a similar temporal pattern among different treatments groups. SOD, MDA and APND were sensitive to TCS, thus they are suitable as potential biomarkers for the exposure to TCS.

EU-wide monitoring survey on emerging polar organic contaminants in wastewater treatment plant effluents

In the year 2010, effluents from 90 European wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were analyzed for 156 polar organic chemical contaminants. The analyses were complemented by effect-based monitoring approaches aiming at estrogenicity and dioxin-like toxicity analyzed by in vitro reporter gene bioassays, and yeast and diatom culture acute toxicity optical bioassays. Analyses of organic substances were performed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) or liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) or gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS). Target microcontaminants were pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), veterinary (antibiotic) drugs, perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), organophosphate ester flame retardants, pesticides (and some metabolites), industrial chemicals such as benzotriazoles (corrosion inhibitors), iodinated x-ray contrast agents, and gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging agents; in addition biological endpoints were measured. The obtained results show the presence of 125 substances (80% of the target compounds) in European wastewater effluents, in concentrations ranging from low nanograms to milligrams per liter. These results allow for an estimation to be made of a European median level for the chemicals investigated in WWTP effluents. The most relevant compounds in the effluent waters with the highest median concentration levels were the artificial sweeteners acesulfame and sucralose, benzotriazoles (corrosion inhibitors), several organophosphate ester flame retardants and plasticizers (e.g. tris(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate; TCPP), pharmaceutical compounds such as carbamazepine, tramadol, telmisartan, venlafaxine, irbesartan, fluconazole, oxazepam, fexofenadine, diclofenac, citalopram, codeine, bisoprolol, eprosartan, the antibiotics trimethoprim, ciprofloxacine, sulfamethoxazole, and clindamycine, the insect repellent N,N'-diethyltoluamide (DEET), the pesticides MCPA and mecoprop, perfluoroalkyl substances (such as PFOS and PFOA), caffeine, and gadolinium.

Mitigation of biocide and fungicide concentrations in flow-through vegetated stream mesocosms

Organic chemicals entering surface waters may interact with aquatic macrophytes, which in turn may reduce potential negative effects on aquatic organisms. The overall objective of the present study was to determine the significance of aquatic macrophytes to the retention of organic chemicals in slow-flowing streams and thus their contribution to the mitigation of the risks that these compounds may pose to aquatic ecosystems. Hence, we conducted a study on the mitigation of the biocides triclosan and triclocarban and the fungicides imazalil, propiconazole and thiabendazole, which were experimentally spiked to five flow-through stream mesocosms (45 m length, 0.4 m width, 0.26 m water depth, discharge 1 L/s), four of which were planted with the submerged macrophyte (Planch.). Chemical analyses were performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry following solid-phase extraction for water samples and accelerated solvent extraction for macrophyte and sediment samples. The peak reductions of biocide and fungicide concentrations from the inlet to the outlet sampling sites were ≥48% in all stream mesocosms, and the peak reductions in the vegetated stream mesocosms were 20 to 25% greater than in the unvegetated mesocosm. On average, 7 ± 3 to 10 ± 3% and 28 ± 8 to 34 ± 14% of the initially applied amount of fungicides and biocides, respectively, were retained by macrophytes. There was a significant correlation between retention by macrophytes and the lipophility of the compounds.

Effects of growth substrate on triclosan biodegradation potential of oxygenase-expressing bacteria

Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent, an endocrine disrupting compound, and an emerging contaminant in the environment. This is the first study investigating triclosan biodegradation potential of four oxygenase-expressing bacteria: Rhodococcus jostii RHA1, Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5, Rhodococcus ruber ENV425, and Burkholderia xenovorans LB400. B. xenovorans LB400 and R. ruber ENV425 were unable to degrade triclosan. Propane-grown M. vaccae JOB5 can completely degrade triclosan (5 mg L(-1)). R. jostii RHA1 grown on biphenyl, propane, and LB medium with dicyclopropylketone (DCPK), an alkane monooxygenase inducer, was able to degrade the added triclosan (5 mg L(-1)) to different extents. Incomplete degradation of triclosan by RHA1 is probably due to triclosan product toxicity. The highest triclosan transformation capacity (Tc, defined as the amount of triclosan degraded/the number of cells inactivated; 5.63×10(-3) ng triclosan/16S rRNA gene copies) was observed for biphenyl-grown RHA1 and the lowest Tc (0.20×10(-3) ng-triclosan/16S rRNA gene copies) was observed for propane-grown RHA1. No triclosan degradation metabolites were detected during triclosan degradation by propane- and LB+DCPK-grown RHA1. When using biphenyl-grown RHA1 for degradation, four chlorinated metabolites (2,4-dichlorophenol, monohydroxy-triclosan, dihydroxy-triclosan, and 2-chlorohydroquinone (a new triclosan metabolite)) were detected. Based on the detected metabolites, a meta-cleavage pathway was proposed for triclosan degradation.

Evolution of the sewage treatment plant model SimpleTreat: use of realistic biodegradability tests in probabilistic model simulations

Given the large number of chemicals under regulatory scrutiny, models play a crucial role in the screening phase of the environmental risk assessment. The sewage treatment plant (STP) model SimpleTreat 3.1 is routinely applied as part of the European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances to estimate the fate and elimination of organic chemicals discharged via sewage. SimpleTreat estimates tend to be conservative and therefore only useful for lower-tier assessments. A probabilistic version of SimpleTreat was built on the updated version of the model (SimpleTreat 3.2, presented in a parallel article in this issue), embracing likeliest as well as worst-case conditions in a statistically robust way. Probabilistic parameters representing the variability of sewage characteristics, STP design, and operational parameters were based on actual STP conditions for activated sludge plants in Europe. An evaluation study was carried out for 4 chemicals with distinct sorption and biodegradability profiles: tonalide, triclosan, trimethoprim, and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate. Simulations incorporated information on biodegradability simulation studies with activated sludge (OECD 314B and OECD 303A tests). Good agreement for both median values and variability ranges was observed between model estimates and monitoring data. The uncertainty analysis highlighted the importance of refined data on partitioning and biodegradability in activated sludge to achieve realistic estimates. The study indicates that the best strategy to refine the exposure assessment of down-the-drain chemicals is by integrating higher-tier laboratory data with probabilistic STP simulations and, if possible, by comparing them with monitoring data for validation.

Impact of certain household micropollutants on bacterial behavior. Toxicity tests/study of extracellular polymeric substances in sludge

The impact of eight household micropollutants (erythromycin, ofloxacin, ibuprofen, 4-nonylphenol, triclosan, sucralose, PFOA and PFOS (PFAAs)) on the laboratory bacterial strain Escherichia coli MG1655 and on activated sludge from an urban wastewater treatment plant was studied. Growth-based toxicity tests on E. coli were performed for each micropollutants. The effect of micropollutants on activated sludge (at concentrations usually measured in wastewater up to concentrations disturbing the bacterial growth of E. coli) was examined in batch reactors and by comparison to a control reactor (without micropollutants). The bound extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secreted by the sludge were measured by size exclusion chromatography and their overexpression was considered as an indicator of bacteria sensitivity to environmental changes. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and the ammonium concentration were monitored to evaluate the biomass ability to remove the macropollution. Some micropollutants induced an increase of bound EPS in activated sludge flocs at concentrations depending on the micropollutant: erythromycin from 100 μg/L, ofloxacin from 10 μg/L, triclosan from 0.5 μg/L, 4-nonylphenol from 5000 μg/L and PFAAs from 0.1 μg/L. This suggests that the biomass had to cope with new conditions. Moreover, at high concentrations of erythromycin (10 mg/L) and ibuprofen (5 mg/L) bacterial populations were no longer able to carry out the removal of macropollution. Ibuprofen induced a decrease of bound EPS at all the studied concentrations, probably reflecting a decrease of general bacterial activity. The biomass was not sensitive to sucralose in terms of EPS production, however at very high concentration (1 g/L) it inhibited the COD decrease. Micropollution removal was also assessed. Ibuprofen, erythromycin, ofloxacin, 4-nonylphenol and triclosan were removed from wastewater, mainly by biodegradation. Sucralose and PFOA were not removed from wastewater at all, and PFOS was slightly eliminated by adsorption on sludge.

Performance of passive samplers for monitoring estuarine water column concentrations: 2. Emerging contaminants

Measuring dissolved concentrations of emerging contaminants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and triclosan, can be challenging due to their physicochemical properties resulting in low aqueous solubilities and association with particles. Passive sampling methods have been applied to assess dissolved concentrations in water and sediments primarily for legacy contaminants. Although the technology is applicable to some emerging contaminants, the use of passive samplers with emerging contaminants is limited. In the present study, the performance of 3 common passive samplers was evaluated for sampling PBDEs and triclosan. Passive sampling polymers included low-density polyethylene (PE) and polyoxymethylene (POM) sheets, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-coated solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers. Dissolved concentrations were calculated using measured sampler concentrations and laboratory-derived partition coefficients. Dissolved tri-, tetra-, and pentabrominated PBDE congeners were detected at several of the study sites at very low pg/L concentrations using PE and POM. Calculated dissolved water concentrations of triclosan ranged from 1.7 ng/L to 18 ng/L for POM and 8.8 ng/L to 13 ng/L for PE using performance reference compound equilibrium adjustments. Concentrations in SPME were not reported due to lack of detectable chemical in the PDMS polymer deployed. Although both PE and POM were found to effectively accumulate emerging contaminants from the water column, further research is needed to determine their utility as passive sampling devices for emerging contaminants.

Multimedia modeling of the fate of triclosan and triclocarban in the Dongjiang River Basin, South China and comparison with field data

Triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) are two active ingredients widely used in many home and personal care products. Multimedia fate of TCS and TCC in the Dongjiang River basin, South China were addressed by the developed level III fugacity model based on their usage. Under the assumption of steady state, the concentrations in air, water, soil, sediment, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and fish as well as transfer flux across the interface between the compartments were simulated. The measured concentrations for the two compounds in water, SPM, and sediment from field monitoring campaigns were then compared to validate the model. The results showed that the model predicted reasonably accurate concentrations and the differences between the measured and modeled concentrations were all less than 0.7 log units. TCS and TCC had a tendency to distribute into the sediment phase, which accounted for more than 66.3% and 90.3% of the total masses, respectively. Wastewater discharge was the main source for the occurrence of the two compounds in the aquatic environment, while degradation was the primary process for the loss in the study area, followed by the advection export. Sensitivity analysis showed that the most influential parameters for the fate of the target chemicals were source term, degradation rates and adsorption coefficients. Monte Carlo simulation could well describe the modeling uncertainty and variability.

Evolution of the sewage treatment plant model SimpleTreat: applicability domain and data requirements

SimpleTreat 3.1 is the sewage treatment plant (STP) model implemented in the European Union (EU) framework for the environmental risk assessment of chemicals. The model was originally designed for neutral hydrophobic chemicals, whereas many substances currently under regulatory scrutiny, are ionizable at environmental pH. Although the model has been adapted to describe ionization (SimpleTreat 3.1), the fate of organic ions is limited to the unbound aqueous phase, which seriously restricts the applicability domain. New regressions were implemented to estimate the sludge-water partition coefficient normalized to organic carbon (KOC ) of monovalent acids and bases from the octanol-water partition coefficient (KOW ), the dissociation constant (pKa) and the pH. We evaluated the updated model (SimpleTreat 3.2) with 10 test chemicals by comparing predictions with monitoring data collected from the literature. Test chemicals were specifically selected to challenge the applicability domain and to cover a wide range of functionality and physical-chemical properties. Although predicted effluent concentrations are generally conservative, SimpleTreat 3.2 provides reasonable estimates for use in lower-tier risk assessment for neutral and monovalent ionizable chemicals. The accuracy of the new KOC regressions is acceptable for monovalent acid but is lower for bases, for which measured sludge KOC is highly recommended. Measured KOC are also recommended for ionic surfactants and necessary for organic ligands, which may limit the applicability of SimpleTreat using a basic input data set. The conservative nature of model estimates reflects the default worst case, non-numerical parameterization of biodegradation rates and the assumption that biodegradation is limited to the unbound aqueous phase. The potential of refining the description of biodegradation using higher tier simulation tests is explored in a parallel article (Franco et al. this issue).

Analytical performance of two miniaturised extraction methods for triclosan and methyltriclosan, in fish roe and surimi samples

A new and reliable miniaturised QuEChERS-based extraction method combined with a dispersive SPE cleanup procedure for extracting triclosan and methyltriclosan from fish roe and surimi samples was proposed. The effectiveness of different extraction/partition conditions for QuEChERS method was systematically investigated, and the use of acetonitrile extraction solvent and MgSO4, PSA, C18 and Florisil as cleanup reagents was recommended in the final method. Other method based on ultrasonic extraction with ethylacetate and clean-up with SPE was also evaluated for these samples. Different polymeric and silica sorbents for clean up were tested and the combination of Florisil and PSA was finally selected. The performance of these miniaturised sample preparation methods combined with GC-MS with quadrupole detection were compared. Extraction efficiency as well as cleaning effectiveness, laboriousness and speed were taken as criteria for method evaluation. Satisfactory validation parameters, such as linearity, recovery, precision and LODs and LOQs for both developed analytical methods were obtained from fish roe and surimi samples. Finally, both methods were applied to real samples. The sensitivity of the proposed methods was good enough to ensure reliable determination of target analytes at concentration levels commonly found in this kind of samples.

Phase distribution and removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products during anaerobic sludge digestion

The fate and removal of 48 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) during anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge were investigated in four full-scale sewage treatment plants (STPs). We measured concentrations in both the liquid and solid phases of the sludge to compare the distribution ratios (Kd) between phases before and after digestion. The results showed changes in Kd values of PPCPs with carboxyl or amino functional groups, probably due to a shift of dissociation equilibrium with the increase in pH. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim were almost completely degraded (>90%); triclosan, triclocarban, and ofloxacin were moderately degraded (around 30-50%); but carbamazepine was not eliminated. To our knowledge, this is the first report that shows (i) the occurrence and removal of several tens of PPCPs by anaerobic sludge digestion in full-scale municipal STPs and (ii) the change of distribution between the liquid and solid phases during digestion.

Removal and reductive dechlorination of triclosan by Chlorella pyrenoidosa

Triclosan that is widely used as antimicrobial agent has been detected as contaminant in various aquatic environments. In this work, removal and biodegradation of triclosan in water by using a ubiquitous green alga, Chlorella pyrenoidosa was investigated. When C. pyrenoidosa was exposed to a series concentration of triclosan from 100 to 800ngmL(-1), more than 50% of triclosan was eliminated by algal uptake from the culture medium during the first 1h exposure and reached equilibrium after the 6h treatment. In the biodegradation experiments, a removal percentage of 77.2% was obtained after C. pyrenoidosa was cultivated with 800ngmL(-1) triclosan for 96h. A major metabolite from the reductive dechlorination of triclosan was identified by using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. The ultrastructural morphology of algal cells grown in the presence of triclosan was observed by using transmission electron microscopy and the growth of algal cells was detected. It was found that the trilcosan treatment resulted in the disruption of the chloroplast and the release of organic material into aquatic environment, which indicated that triclosan may affect membrane metabolism.