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Yang W, Bu Q, Shi Q, Zhao R, Huang H, Yang L, Tang J, Ma Y. Emerging Contaminants in the Effluent of Wastewater Should Be Regulated: Which and to What Extent? TOXICS 2024; 12:309. [PMID: 38787088 PMCID: PMC11125804 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12050309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Effluent discharged from urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a major source of emerging contaminants (ECs) requiring effective regulation. To this end, we collected discharge datasets of pharmaceuticals (PHACs) and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), representing two primary categories of ECs, from Chinese WWTP effluent from 2012 to 2022 to establish an exposure database. Moreover, high-risk ECs' long-term water quality criteria (LWQC) were derived using the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) method. A total of 140 ECs (124 PHACs and 16 EDCs) were identified, with concentrations ranging from N.D. (not detected) to 706 μg/L. Most data were concentrated in coastal regions and Gansu, with high ecological risk observed in Gansu, Hebei, Shandong, Guangdong, and Hong Kong. Using the assessment factor (AF) method, 18 high-risk ECs requiring regulation were identified. However, only three of them, namely carbamazepine, ibuprofen, and bisphenol-A, met the derivation requirements of the SSD method. The LWQC for these three ECs were determined as 96.4, 1010, and 288 ng/L, respectively. Exposure data for carbamazepine and bisphenol-A surpassed their derived LWQC, indicating a need for heightened attention to these contaminants. This study elucidates the occurrence and risks of ECs in Chinese WWTPs and provides theoretical and data foundations for EC management in urban sewage facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Yang
- School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology-Beijing, Beijing 100083, China (Q.S.)
| | - Qingwei Bu
- School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology-Beijing, Beijing 100083, China (Q.S.)
| | - Qianhui Shi
- School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology-Beijing, Beijing 100083, China (Q.S.)
| | - Ruiqing Zhao
- School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology-Beijing, Beijing 100083, China (Q.S.)
| | - Haitao Huang
- School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology-Beijing, Beijing 100083, China (Q.S.)
| | - Lei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Jianfeng Tang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Yuning Ma
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Yu M, Tang Q, Lei B, Yang Y, Xu L. Bisphenol AF Promoted the Growth of Uterus and Activated Estrogen Signaling Related Targets in Various Tissues of Nude Mice with SK-BR-3 Xenograft Tumor. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15743. [PMID: 36497816 PMCID: PMC9741110 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Environmental estrogens can promote the growth, migration, and invasion of breast cancer. However, few studies evaluate adverse health impacts of environmental estrogens on other organs of breast cancer patients. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of environmental estrogen bisphenol AF (BPAF) on the main organs of female Balb/cA nude mice with SK-BR-3 xenograft tumor by detecting the organ development and gene expression of targets associated with G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1)-mediated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in hypothalamus, ovary, uterus, liver, and kidney. The results showed that BPAF at 20 mg/kg bw/day markedly increased the uterine weight and the uterine coefficient of nude mice compared to SK-BR-3 bearing tumor control, indicating that BPAF promoted the growth of uterus due to its estrogenic activity. Additionally, BPAF significantly up-regulated the mRNA relative expression of most targets related to nuclear estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and GPER1-mediated signaling pathways in the hypothalamus, followed by the ovary and uterus, and the least in the liver and kidney, indicating that BPAF activated different estrogen activity related targets in different tissues. In addition, BPAF markedly up-regulated the mRNA expression of GPER1 in all tested tissues, and the molecular docking showed that BPAF could dock into GPER1. Because gene change is an early event of toxicity response, these findings suggested that BPAF might aggravate the condition of breast cancer patients through exerting its estrogenic activity via the GPER1 pathway in various organs.
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Grobin A, Roškar R, Trontelj J. Multi-parameter risk assessment of forty-one selected substances with endocrine disruptive properties in surface waters worldwide. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132195. [PMID: 34826907 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The increasing use of substances with endocrine disruptive properties (EDs) not only impacts aquatic organisms but can also have a direct negative effect on human health. In this comprehensive worldwide review, we collected ecotoxicology and concentration data observed in surface water for 53 high-potency EDs and performed a risk assessment. The compounds were selected from the EU watchlist of priority substances, expanded with new compounds of emerging concern (total 41), where quantifiable data were available for the past three years (2018-2020). The risk quotients ranged from <0.01 for 22 substances to 1974 for tamoxifen. The frequency of samples in which the predicted no-effect concentrations were exceeded also varied, from 1.8% to 92.7%. By using the comprehensive multi-parameter risk assessment in our study, the most current to date, we determined that tamoxifen, imidacloprid, clothianidin, four bisphenols (BPA, BPF, BPS, and BPAF), PFOA, amoxicillin, and three steroid hormones (estriol, estrone, and cyproterone) pose significant risks in the environment. Comparing two structurally very similar bisphenols, BPA and BPB, suggested that the risk from BPB is currently underestimated by at least four orders of magnitude due to the lack of ecotoxicological data availability. The methodological limitations encountered suggest that a standardized methodology for data selection and assessment is necessary, highlighting the fact that some substances are currently under-represented in the field of ecotoxicological research. A new prioritization system is therefore presented, which provides a potential basis for new substances to be included in environmental monitoring lists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrej Grobin
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva Cesta 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert Roškar
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva Cesta 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Jurij Trontelj
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva Cesta 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Molnar E, Maasz G, Pirger Z. Environmental risk assessment of pharmaceuticals at a seasonal holiday destination in the largest freshwater shallow lake in Central Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:59233-59243. [PMID: 32666449 PMCID: PMC8541981 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09747-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The presence of pharmacologically active compounds (PhACs) in surface waters poses an environmental risk of chronic exposure to nontarget organisms, which is a well-established and serious concern worldwide. Our aim was to determine the temporal changes in ecological risk quotient (RQ) based on the concentrations of 42 PhACs from six sampling sites on seven sampling dates in the water of a freshwater lake in Central Europe preferentially visited by tourists. Our hypothesis was that the environmental risk increases during the summer holiday season due to the influence of tourists. Different experimental toxicological threshold concentrations and seasonal measured environmental concentrations of 16 PhACs were applied to ecological risk assessment. RQs of 4 dominant PhACs (diclofenac, estrone [E1], estradiol [E2], and caffeine) indicated high ecological risk (RQ > 1) for freshwater ecosystems. Additionally, our results confirmed the assumptions that the high tourist season had a significant impact on the calculated RQ; however, these results are mainly due to the concentration and temporal change of particular PhACs, including diclofenac (5.3-419.4 ng/L), E1 (0.1-5.5 ng/L), and E2 (0.1-19.6 ng/L). The seasonal dependent highest RQs changed as follows: 9.80 (June 2017; E2), 1.23 (August 2017; E1), 0.43 (November 2017; E1), 0.51 (April 2018; E1), 5.58 (June 2018, diclofenac), 39.50 (August 2018; diclofenac), and 30.60 (October 2018; diclofenac).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Molnar
- Adaptive Neuroethology Research Group, Department of Experimental Zoology, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Balaton Limnological Institute, Tihany, 8237, Hungary
| | - Gabor Maasz
- Adaptive Neuroethology Research Group, Department of Experimental Zoology, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Balaton Limnological Institute, Tihany, 8237, Hungary.
| | - Zsolt Pirger
- Adaptive Neuroethology Research Group, Department of Experimental Zoology, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Balaton Limnological Institute, Tihany, 8237, Hungary
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Yu W, Du B, Yang L, Zhang Z, Yang C, Yuan S, Zhang M. Occurrence, sorption, and transformation of free and conjugated natural steroid estrogens in the environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:9443-9468. [PMID: 30758794 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04402-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Natural steroid estrogens (NSEs), including free estrogens (FEs) and conjugated estrogens (CEs), are of emerging concern globally among public and scientific community due to their recognized adverse effects on human and wildlife endocrine systems in recent years. In this review, the properties, occurrence, sorption process, and transformation pathways of NSEs are clarified in the environment. The work comprehensively summarizes the occurrence of both free and conjugated estrogens in different natural and built environments (e.g., river, WWTPs, CAFOs, soil, and sediment). The sorption process of NSEs can be impacted by organic compounds, colloids, composition of clay minerals, specific surface area (SSA), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and pH value. The degradation and transformation of free and conjugated estrogens in the environment primarily involves oxidation, reduction, deconjugation, and esterification reactions. Elaboration about the major, subordinate, and minor transformation pathways of both biotic and abiotic processes among NSEs is highlighted. The moiety types and binding sites also would affect deconjugation degree and preferential transformation pathways of CEs. Notably, some intermediate products of NSEs still remain estrogenic potency during transformation process; the elimination of total estrogenic activity needs to be addressed in further studies. The in-depth researches regarding the behavior of both free and conjugated estrogens are further required to tackle their contamination problem in the ecosystem. Graphical abstract ᅟ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, No.66 Xuefu Rd., Nan'an Dist, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Banghao Du
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, No.66 Xuefu Rd., Nan'an Dist, Chongqing, 400074, China.
| | - Lun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, No.66 Xuefu Rd., Nan'an Dist, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environments of the Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Chun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environments of the Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Shaochun Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, No.66 Xuefu Rd., Nan'an Dist, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Minne Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, No.66 Xuefu Rd., Nan'an Dist, Chongqing, 400074, China
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Lee Pow CSD, Tilahun K, Creech K, Law JM, Cope WG, Kwak TJ, Rice JA, Aday DD, Kullman SW. Windows of Susceptibility and Consequences of Early Life Exposures to 17β-estradiol on Medaka (Oryzias latipes) Reproductive Success. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:5296-5305. [PMID: 28379677 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Estrogens and estrogen mimics are commonly found in surface waters and are associated with deleterious effects in fish populations. Impaired fertility and fecundity in fish following chronic exposures to estrogens and estrogen mimics during critical windows in development are well documented. However, information regarding differential reproductive effects of exposure within defined developmental stages remains sparse. In this study, reproductive capacity was assessed in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) after exposure to two concentrations of 17β-estradiol (E2β; 2 ng/L and 50 ng/L) during four distinct stages of development: gonad development, gonad differentiation, development of secondary sex characteristics (SSC) and gametogenesis. Exposure to E2β did not adversely impact survival, hatch success, growth, or genotypic ratios. In contrast, exposure to 50 ng/L E2β during SSC development altered phenotypic ratios and SSC. Exposure to both E2β treatments reduced reproductive capacity (fertility, fecundity) by 7.3-57.4% in adult medaka breeding pairs, with hindrance of SSC development resulting in the largest disruption in breeding capacity (51.6-57.4% decrease) in the high concentration. This study documents differential effects among four critical stages of development and provides insight into factors (window of exposure, exposure concentration and duration of exposure period) contributing to reproductive disruption in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal S D Lee Pow
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University , 850 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Kedamawit Tilahun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University , 850 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Kari Creech
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University , 850 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - J Mac Law
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University , 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, United States
| | - W Gregory Cope
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University , 127 David Clark Laboratories, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Thomas J Kwak
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University , 127 David Clark Laboratories, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- United States Geological Survey, North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - James A Rice
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University , 127 David Clark Laboratories, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - D Derek Aday
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University , 127 David Clark Laboratories, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Seth W Kullman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University , 850 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
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