Determination of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aerosol samples by high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography?tandem mass spectrometry

Airborne Pesticides-Deep Diving into Sampling and Analysis

The escalating utilization of pesticides has led to pronounced environmental contamination, posing a significant threat to agroecosystems. The extensive and persistent global application of these chemicals has been linked to a spectrum of acute and chronic human health concerns. This review paper focuses on the concentrations of airborne pesticides in both indoor and outdoor environments. The collection of diverse pesticide compounds from the atmosphere is examined, with a particular emphasis on active and passive air sampling techniques. Furthermore, a critical evaluation is conducted on the methodologies employed for the extraction and subsequent quantification of airborne pesticides. This analysis takes into consideration the complexities involved in ensuring accurate measurements, highlighting the advancements and limitations of current practices. By synthesizing these aspects, this review aims to foster a more comprehensive and informed comprehension of the intricate dynamics related to the presence and measurement of airborne pesticides. This, in turn, is poised to significantly contribute to the refinement of environmental monitoring strategies and the augmentation of precise risk assessments.

Simultaneous Determination of 32 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Derivatives and Parent PAHs Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry: Application in Groundwater Screening

A simple, practical and precise method for the simultaneous analysis of 32 different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) including 16 parent PAHs, 8 oxygenated-PAHs (oxy-PAHs), 4 chloro-PAHs, and 4 nitrogen-containing heterocyclic PACs (N-PACs), in groundwater was established via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). The obtained detection method possesses instrument detection limits (at a signal to noise of 3:1) in the range of 0.05-10 ng/mL and method detection limits in the range of 1.7-13.2 ng/L. The average recoveries of the 32 analytes were in the range of 54.3%-127.0% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) < 20%, and the recoveries of 16 PAH derivatives ranged from 54.3 to 115.1% with RSDs < 17.9%. The method has been successfully applied to the screening of 64 groundwater samples from eastern China. The results revealed that 30 types of targets including 16 PAHs and 14 PAH derivatives were detected and that the groundwater in most areas is slightly polluted, while the pollution of Jiangsu Province and Shandong Province was more serious.

Profiling quinones in ambient air samples collected from the Athabasca region (Canada)

This paper presents new findings on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon oxidation products-quinones that were collected in ambient air samples in the proximity of oil sands exploration. Quinones were characterized for their diurnal concentration variability, phase partitioning, and molecular size distribution. Gas-phase (GP) and particle-phase (PM) ambient air samples were collected separately in the summer; a lower quinone content was observed in the PM samples from continuous 24-h sampling than from combined 12-h sampling (day and night). The daytime/nocturnal samples demonstrated that nighttime conditions led to lower concentrations and some quinones not being detected. The highest quinone levels were associated with wind directions originating from oil sands exploration sites. The statistical correlation with primary pollutants directly emitted from oil sands industrial activities indicated that the bulk of the detected quinones did not originate directly from primary emission sources and that quinone formation paralleled a reduction in primary source NO_x levels. This suggests a secondary chemical transformation of primary pollutants as the origin of the determined quinones. Measurements of 19 quinones included five that have not previously been reported in ambient air or in Standard Reference Material 1649a/1649b and seven that have not been previously measured in ambient air in the underivatized form. This is the first paper to report on quinone characterization in secondary organic aerosols originating from oil sands activities, to distinguish chrysenequinone and anthraquinone positional isomers in ambient air, and to report the requirement of daylight conditions for benzo[a]pyrenequinone and naphthacenequinone to be present in ambient air.

Determination of oxygenated and native polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban dust and diesel particulate matter standard reference materials using pressurized liquid extraction and LC-GC/MS

The objective of this study was to develop a novel analytical chemistry method, comprised of a coupled high-performance liquid chromatography-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry system (LC-GC/MS) with low detection limits and high selectivity, for the identification and determination of oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban air and diesel particulate matter. The linear range of the four OPAHs, which include 9,10-anthraquinone, 4H-cyclopenta[def]phenanthrene-4-one, benzanthrone, and 7,12-benz[a]anthraquinone, was 0.7 pg-43.3 ng with limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) on the order of 0.2-0.8 and 0.7-1.3 pg, respectively. The LODs in this study are generally lower than values reported in the literature, which can be explained by using large-volume injection. The recoveries of the OPAHs spiked onto glass fiber filters using two different pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) methods were in the ranges of 84-107 and 67-110 %, respectively. The analytical protocols were validated using the following National Institute of Standards and Technology standard reference materials: SRM 1649a (Urban Dust), SRM 1650b (Diesel Particulate Matter), and SRM 2975 (Diesel Particulate Matter, Industrial Forklift). The measured mass fractions of the OPAHs in the standard reference materials (SRMs) in this present study are higher than the values from the literature, except for benzanthrone in SRM 1649a (Urban Dust). In addition to the OPAHs, 44 PAHs could be detected and quantified from the same particulate extract used in this protocol. Using data from the literature and applying a two-sided t test at the 5 % level using Bonferroni correction, significant differences were found between the tested PLE methods for individual PAHs. However, the measured mass fractions of the PAHs were comparable, similar to, or higher than those previously reported in the literature.

SPE-LC-FD determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon monohydroxy derivatives in cephalopods

A new analytical methodology, based on liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (LC-FD), after extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis, and solid-phase extraction (SPE) through Oasis HLB cartridges, was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of three monohydroxy derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The optimized analytical method is sensitive, accurate, and precise, with recoveries between 62 and 110% and limits of detection of 227, 9, and 45 ng/g for 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, and 1-hydroxypyrene, respectively. Their levels were estimated in different cephalopod matrices (edible tissues and hemolymph). The methodology was applied to samples of the major cephalopod species consumed worldwide. Of the 18 samples analyzed, 39% were contaminated with 1-hydroxynaphthalene, which was the only PAH metabolite detected. Its concentration ranged from 786 to 1145 ng/g. This highly sensitive and specific method allows the identification and quantitation of PAH metabolites in forthcoming food safety and environmental monitoring programs.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons study in atmospheric fine and coarse particles using diagnostic ratios and receptor model in urban/industrial region

Atmospheric fine and coarse particles were collected in Teflon filters in three cities of the region of the Lower Sinos River Basin of Rio Grande do Sul in the year 2010. The filters were Soxhlet extracted, and 14 priority PAHs were analyzed using a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The principal emission sources of these compounds were assessed by using diagnostic ratios and receptor model: positive matrix factorization (PMF 3.0) of the US Environmental Protection Agency. The results of PAHs concentration for the studied year showed significant levels of high molecular weight (HMW) PAH, Ind, and BghiP, in PM2.5 in the winter season, showing the influence of mobile sources. The application of receptor model PMF 3.0 revealed that the main sources of PAHs were vehicle fleet (both diesel and gasoline), followed by coal combustion, wood combustion, and resuspension of dust. The results of the receptor modeling are in agreement with the data obtained by the ratio diagnostic.

Determination of selected oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (oxy-PAHs) in diesel and air particulate matter standard reference materials (SRMs)

Oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (oxy-PAHs) have recently received much attention in discussions regarding the negative impacts of particulate matter (PM) on human health and the environment. The National Institute of Standards and Technology provides several environmental matrix standard reference materials (SRMs) with certified and reference values for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrated PAHs. In this study, the concentrations of oxygenated PAHs are determined in three air PM SRMs (1649b, 1648a, and 2786) and three diesel PM SRMs (1650b, 2975, and 1975) using two independent gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods. Concentrations of oxy-PAHs were at the milligrams per kilogram level with higher overall concentrations in diesel PM (up to 50 mg/kg for 9,10-anthraquinone). One of the highest oxy-PAH concentrations (up to 5 mg/kg) measured in the air particulate SRMs was for 7,12-benz[a]anthracenquinone. These results suggest that oxygenated PAHs should not be neglected in the analysis of PM as their concentrations can be as high as those of some PAHs and are one to two orders of magnitude higher than those for nitro-PAHs.

Biological effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon derivatives

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are included in various environmental pollutants such as airborne particles and have been reported to induce a variety of toxic effects. On the other hand, PAH derivatives are generated from PAHs both through chemical reaction in the atmosphere and metabolism in the body.PAH derivatives have become known for their specific toxicities such as estrogenic/antiestrogenic activities and oxidative stress, and correlations between the toxicities and structures of PAH derivatives have been shown in recent studies. These studies are indispensable for demonstrating the health effects of PAH derivatives, since they would contribute to the comprehensive toxicity prediction of many kinds of PAH derivatives.

Human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using data from a duplicate diet study in Catalonia, Spain

In this study, the dietary intake of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by the population of Tarragona County (Catalonia, Spain) was assessed using the duplicate diet approach. Duplicate diet samples, prepared as per consumption, were collected during September 2010 in various restaurants offering a variety of daily menus (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). For analysis of PAHs, a total of 90 composite samples were prepared. Analytical procedure of PAHs was performed by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Intake calculations were made for the standard male adult population. The highest intakes corresponded to acenaphthylene (12.7 μg/day), acenaphthene (12.4 μg/day), and fluorene (11.9 μg/day), while the lowest intake corresponded to dibenz[a,h]anthracene (0.12 μg/day), being also comparatively low those of pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene+benzo[j]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[ghi]perylene (0.13 μg/day in all cases). The results were compared with data from previous total diet studies (TDS) recently performed in the same geographical area. In the present study, the estimated mean dietary intake for a standard male adult living in Catalonia was 59.2 μg/day, a value notably higher than that found in our recent TDS (6.72 μg/day). However, it is essential to remark that important methodological differences exist between both surveys, reflecting that calculation methods should be similar when the purpose is to compare results from different surveys. In general terms, we conclude that for PAHs, duplicate diet studies may be a good alternative to total diet studies, especially when there are important economical limitations to perform a suitable TDS. The costs associated to the former may be notably lower, as they do not require such an extensive number of samples for chemical analysis. Moreover, a duplicate diet approach may even be more realistic, as cooked foodstuffs are used for dietary exposure assessment.

Risk assessment related to atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in gas and particle phases near industrial sites

BACKGROUND

Inhalation is one of the main means of human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) because of their ubiquitous presence in the atmosphere. However, most studies have considered only PAHs found in the particle phase and have omitted the contribution of the gas-phase PAHs to the risk.

OBJECTIVE

We estimated the lifetime lung cancer risk from PAH exposure by inhalation in people living next to the largest chemical site in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean area.

METHODS

We determined 18 PAHs in the atmospheric gas and particle phase. We monitored the PAHs for 1 year in three locations near the chemical site in different seasons. We used toxic equivalence factors to calculate benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) equivalents (BaP-eq) for individual PAHs and applied the World Health Organization unit risk (UR) for BaP (UR = 8.7 × 10-5) to estimate lifetime cancer risks due to PAH exposures.

RESULTS

We observed some spatial and seasonal variability in PAH concentrations. The contribution of gas-phase PAHs to the total BaP-eq value was between 34% and 86%. The total estimated average lifetime lung cancer risk due to PAH exposure in the study area was 1.2 × 10-4.

CONCLUSIONS

The estimated risk was higher than values recommended by the World Health Organization and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency but lower than the threshold value of 10-3 that is considered an indication of definite risk according to similar risk studies. The results also showed that risk may be underestimated if the contributions of gas-phase PAHs are not considered.

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in shrimp

A simple and rapid method for determining polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in shrimp is described. For sample preparation, the quick and simple QuEChERS procedure was used. Reverse-phase chromatography using an octadecyl silica (C18) column and water/acetonitrile gradient elution was used to separate analyte mixtures. After separation, PAHs were detected using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) equipped with the atmospheric pressure photoionization (PhotoSpray APPI) source operating in the positive-ion mode. In this methodology, all 16 common PAHs were used and toluene served as a charged dopant to efficiently ionize analyte molecules through secondary reactions. Spikes were performed at 0.2 and 1 μg/g with and without primary and secondary amine (PSA) sorbent cleanup. Recoveries of PAHs were good, with ion ratios that agreed well between the spikes and standards. Without cleanup at 0.2 μg/mL, seven compounds had relatively low recovery (49-69%) and one compound, naphthalene, had a somewhat high recovery of 129%. At 1 μg/mL without cleanup, only three compounds had slightly lower recovery (66-67%). When PSA cleanup was performed, all PAH recoveries were within 75-125% at both spike levels.

Ketone and quinone-substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mussel tissue, sediment, urban dust, and diesel particulate matrices

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) substituted with a ketone or quinone functionality (OPAHs) may be important environmental contaminants. The OPAHs from environmental samples have demonstrated toxicity and may be more harmful than PAHs. Knowledge gaps concerning the occurrence of OPAHs in the total environment arise from analytical difficulties, as well as limited standards and methodologies. An optimized method was developed to quantify five ketone and four quinone OPAHs from matrices ranging from biological tissue to diesel particulates. Five National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) were analyzed. This is the first report of OPAH quantitation in SRM 2977 (mussel tissue), SRM 1944 (New York/New Jersey, USA waterway sediment), SRM 1975 (diesel extract), and SRM 1650b (diesel particulate matter) and among the few to report concentrations from SRM 1649 (urban dust). Furthermore, this is one of the first reports of OPAHs in biological tissue. Σ₉OPAHs were 374 ± 59 mg/kg (mussel tissue), 5.4 ± 0.5 mg/kg (sediment), 16.9 ± 1.6 mg/kg (urban dust), 33.4 ± 0.4 mg/kg (diesel extract), and 150 ± 43 mg/kg (diesel particulate matter). In all SRMs, the levels of OPAHs were similar to or exceeded levels of PAHs. Of the OPAHs tested, the most frequently occurring in the environmental matrices were 9-fluorenone, 9,10-anthraquinone, benzofluorenone, and 7,12-benz[a]anthracenequinone.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from diesel emissions exert proallergic effects in birch pollen allergic individuals through enhanced mediator release from basophils

BACKGROUND

Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) act as adjuvants in the immune system and contribute to the increased prevalence and morbidity of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major components of DEPs, which may be involved in the induction and enhancement of proallergic processes. In this study we explored adjuvant effects of DEP-PAHs on activation parameters of human basophils, fostering allergic inflammation through the release of preformed or granule-derived mediators.

METHODS

Heparinized blood samples from birch pollen allergic and control donors were stimulated with Bet v 1, the major allergen of birch pollen grains, alone or together with a mixture of 16 environmental prominent PAHs (EPA-PAH standard). Flow cytometric analysis was performed for quantitative determination of PAH-enhanced basophil activation. To assess direct PAH effects on basophils, enriched cultures from both donor groups were exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) or phenanthrene (Phe), two major DEP-PAHs, with and without allergen. Supernatants were assayed for IL-4 and IL-8 secretion and histamine release by means of ELISA.

RESULTS

At environmental relevant exposure levels EPA-PAH standard synergized with antigen and significantly enhanced basophil activation of all birch pollen allergic individuals up to 95%. Single PAHs significantly drove IL-8 secretion from sensitized basophils of all patients tested, and there was no further enhancement by addition of rBet v 1. B[a]P and Phe also significantly induced IL-4 secretion, a key factor for Th2 development, from purified sensitized basophils in the absence of antigen suggesting an adjuvant role of DEP-PAHs in allergic sensitization. None of the basophil samples from healthy controls showed any PAH effect on mediator release.

CONCLUSION

DEP-PAHs exert proallergic effects on sensitized basophils in an allergen independent fashion, suggesting a potential role of these pollutants for the allergic breakthrough in atopic individuals, who have not developed an allergic disease yet.

Differential impact of diesel particle composition on pro-allergic dendritic cell function

Diesel exhaust particles (DEP) were described as potent adjuvant in the induction and maintenance of allergic diseases, suggesting that they might play a role in the increase of allergic diseases in the industrialized countries. However, the cellular basis by which these particles enhance allergic immune responses is still a matter of debate. Thus, we exposed immature murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) to different particles or particle-associated organic compounds in the absence or presence of the maturation stimuli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and analyzed the cellular maturation, viability, and cytokine production. Furthermore, we monitored the functionality of particle-exposed BMDC to suppress B cell isotype switching to immunoglobulin (Ig) E. Only highly polluted DEP (standard reference material 1650a [SRM1650a]) but not particle-associated organic compounds or less polluted DEP from modern diesel engines were able to modulate the dendritic cell phenotype. SRM1650a particles significantly suppressed LPS-induced IL-12p70 production in murine BMDC, whereas cell-surface marker expression was not altered. Furthermore, SRM1650a-exposed immature BMDC lost the ability to suppress IgE isotype switch in B cells. This study revealed that highly polluted DEP not only interfere with dendritic cell maturation but also additionally with dendritic cell function, thus suggesting a role in T(h)2 immune deviation.

Particle-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the atmospheric environment of Zonguldak, Turkey

Airborne fine (PM(2.5)) and coarse (PM(2.5-10)) particulate matter was collected from January to December in 2007 in Zonguldak, Turkey using dichotomous Partisol 2025 sampler. Fourteen selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in particulate matter were determined simultaneously by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FL) and seasonal distributions were examined. The source identification of PAHs in airborne particulates was performed by principal component analysis (PCA) in combination with diagnostic ratios. The predominant PAHs determined in PM(2.5) were pyrene, fluoranthene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene. The total concentrations of PAHs were up to 464.0 ng m(-3) in fine and 28.0 ng m(-3) in coarse fraction in winter, whereas in summer times were up to 22.9 and 3.0 ng m(-3) respectively. Approximately 93.3% of total PAHs concentration was determined in PM(2.5) in winter and 84.0% in summer. The concentration levels of PAHs fluctuate significantly within a year with higher means and peak concentrations in the winter compared to that of summer times. Higher benzo(a)pyrene-equivalent (BaPE) concentrations of PAHs were obtained for PM(2.5) especially in winter. The results obtained from PCA in combination with diagnostic ratios revealed that coal combustion and vehicle emissions were the major pollutant sources for both PM(2.5) and PM(2.5-10) associated PAHs in studied area. Two principal components for PM(2.5) and three for PM(2.5-10) were identified and these accounted for 89.4 and 85.2% of the total variance respectively. The emissions from coal combustion were estimated to be the main source of PAHs in the ambient air particulates with contributions of 80.8% of total variance for PM(2.5) and 53.8% for PM(2.5-10).

Environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) enhance allergic inflammation by acting on human basophils

Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) have been implicated in the worldwide increased incidence of allergic airway diseases over the past century. There is growing evidence that DEP-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) participate in the development and maintenance of immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated allergic diseases. To address this issue we investigated the impact of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) priority PAHs as well as of PAH-containing airborne extracts on antigen-induced CD63 upregulation and mediator release from human basophils. Whole blood samples from birch pollen allergic and control subjects were incubated in the presence of organic extracts of urban aerosol (AERex) or EPA-PAH standard with or without rBet v 1. Basophils were analyzed for CD63 expression as a measure of basophil activation by using multiparameter flow cytometry. In addition, purified basophils from birch pollen allergic donors were incubated for 2 h in the presence of 1 muM benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) or phenanthrene (Phe) and then stimulated with rBet v 1 for 45 min. Supernatants were assayed for histamine, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-8 by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Basophils exposed in vitro simultaneously to AERex or EPA-PAH standard and rBet v 1 expressed CD63 significantly more than with antigen alone. PAHs synergized with rBet v 1 dose dependently, but did not activate basophils from nonallergic donors. BaP and Phe significantly enhanced cytokine secretion (IL-4, IL-8) and histamine release from purified basophils without antigen added, and secretion was not further enhanced by rBet v 1 stimulation. In conclusion, PAHs from roadside emissions can directly activate sensitized basophils to cytokine secretion and drive proallergic processes through enhanced Fcepsilon RI-coupled mediator release from human basophils.

Determination of oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particulate matter using high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method with a rapid and simple sample preparation was optimized and validated for the determination of phenanthrene-9,10-dione, chrysene-5,6-dione, benzo[a]pyrene-1,6-dione, benzo[a]pyrene-3,6-dione, benzo[a]pyrene-4,5-dione, benzo[a]pyrene-6,12-dione, benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dione, benzo[a]pyrene-11,12-dione and 6-oxo-7-oxa-benzo[a]pyrene in particulate matter. The mass spectrometer was operated in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode leading to high sensitivity and selectivity. The limits of quantification (S/N=10) ranged from ca. 0.1 pg/microl to ca. 5.8 pg/microl and matrix dependent recoveries varied between 49 and 92%. The applicability of the LC-MS/MS method was shown by the analysis of particulate matter (PM(2.5)) collected during the course of 2005 in the Munich area, Germany. All oxy-PAHs determined exhibited higher mean and peak concentrations in the winter months compared to the concentration levels in the warmer season.

Confirmatory determination of organochlorine pesticides in surface waters using LC/APCI/tandem mass spectrometry⋄

A confirmatory method for the determination of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and their metabolites (endrin, alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, 2,4'-DDD, 4,4'-DDD, 2,4'-DDE 4,4'-DDE, 2,4'-DDT, and 4,4'-DDT) in surface waters using liquid chromatography /APCI/tandem mass spectrometry has been developed. Chromatographic separation was carried out on a ChromSpher 5 Pesticide column using a gradient elution with mobile phase 1mM ammonium acetate-acetonitrile. Endrin, alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan , endosulfan sulfate, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide were determined in the negative ionization mode, while the rest compounds in positive ionization mode. For the identification of the analytes, two multireaction monitoring transitions were selected per compounds except for the heptachlor which selected ion monitoring was used. The linearity of the optimized method ranges after SPE concentration, from 0.009 to 30.60 microgL(-1) with correlation coefficients greater than 0.99. The method recovery values varied from 72 to 119 % for the different fortification levels . The developed method was successfully applied to determine OCPs and their metabolites in surface water samples collected near paddy fields in growing season of rice, at year 2005 in Pathumthani province, Thailand. Endosulfan sulfate was detected in five out of seven samples and three of them could be quantitated in the range of 0.31 to 0.50 microgL(-1).

Organic extracts of urban aerosol (< or =PM2.5) enhance rBet v 1-induced upregulation of CD63 in basophils from birch pollen-allergic individuals

Epidemiological studies have linked the high prevalence rates of IgE-mediated allergic diseases to an increase in exposure to traffic-related air pollutants such as diesel exhaust particles (DEPs). There is growing experimental evidence that organic compounds of DEPs, predominantly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), participate in the development and maintenance of allergic airway diseases. In this study we investigated the impact of organic extracts of urban aerosol (AERex) containing various PAH concentrations on the activation of human basophils. Whole blood samples from six birch pollen-allergic and five control subjects were repeatedly incubated in the presence of AERex with or without recombinant Bet v 1 (rBet v 1). Basophils were analyzed for CD63 expression as a measure of basophil activation by using multiparameter flow cytometry. Basophils, when exposed in vitro to AERex and rBet v 1, expressed CD63 significantly more than with antigen activation alone. AERex synergized with rBet v 1 in a dose-dependent manner, but did not activate basophils from nonallergic donors. AERex effect on CD63 upregulation was found in blood samples of all patients and did not occur in the absence of rBet v 1. Strongest basophil activation was monitored upon stimulation with AERex comprising the highest PAH content. The capability of AERex to increase activation of basophils from birch pollen-allergic subjects at ambient concentrations suggests an important role of organic compounds of airborne particles in the aggravation of IgE-mediated allergic diseases. This could be a new aspect of regulation of unspecific promoting stimuli in clinical manifestation of allergic inflammation.