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Mahfouz Y, Harmouche-Karaki M, Matta J, Mahfouz M, Salameh P, Younes H, Helou K, Finan R, Abi-Tayeh G, Meslimani M, Moussa G, Chahrour N, Osseiran C, Skaiky F, Narbonne JF. Serum levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in a sample of Lebanese pregnant women: The role of dietary, anthropometric, and environmental factors. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114647. [PMID: 36367504 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are unintentionally produced, toxic environmental chemicals that persist for long years and bioaccumulate along the food chain, contaminating humans through diet. A particularly critical population subgroup is pregnant women given the adverse health effects on fetuses and newborns. Several anthropogenic sources of exposure to PCDD/Fs exist in Lebanon. Therefore, the aim of the present cross-sectional study is to measure the levels of PCDD/Fs in a sample of pregnant women in Lebanon and to explore potential associated factors. In this study, we measured serum concentrations of seven dioxins and ten furans, among 423 pregnant women recruited at delivery, using gas chromatography MS/MS. Among 269 participants, maternal sociodemographic information was collected including vicinity to landfills, incineration, pesticide use, industrial activity, and smoking. Anthropometric data were registered regarding pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), pre-pregnancy weight loss from restrictive diet, and gestational weight gain. Intake of major food groups generally related to PCDD/Fs was reported (fish, red meat, poultry, and dairy). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify associations. PCDD/Fs were detected in 0 to 56.1% of the sample. Geometric mean concentrations were 75.5 (2.35) pg/g lipid and 2.25 (1.39) TEQ2005 pg/g lipid for total dioxins, and 2.66 (1.76) pg/g lipid and 0.34 (1.78) TEQ2005 pg/g lipid for total furans. Levels were relatively lower than levels previously observed in France, Germany, Mexico, Ghana, and Japan. Red meat consumption was the most consistently associated factor with a 2.38-2.57 fold increase in PCDD/F levels. Pre-pregnancy weight loss showed inverse associations with PCDD/F congeners. Vicinity to illegal incineration was also associated with a 2.32-2.43 fold increase in PCDD/F levels. In conclusion, results showed the importance of dietary, anthropometric, and environmental factors in the present sample's exposure to PCDD/Fs, in a region that contains anthropogenic sources of contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara Mahfouz
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Medical Sciences Campus, Damascus Road, P.O.B. 11-5076, Riad Solh Beirut 1107 2180, Lebanon.
| | - Mireille Harmouche-Karaki
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Medical Sciences Campus, Damascus Road, P.O.B. 11-5076, Riad Solh Beirut 1107 2180, Lebanon.
| | - Joseph Matta
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Medical Sciences Campus, Damascus Road, P.O.B. 11-5076, Riad Solh Beirut 1107 2180, Lebanon; Industrial Research Institute, Lebanese University Campus, Hadath Baabda, Lebanon.
| | - Maya Mahfouz
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Medical Sciences Campus, Damascus Road, P.O.B. 11-5076, Riad Solh Beirut 1107 2180, Lebanon.
| | - Pascale Salameh
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon; School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon; Institut National de Santé Publique d'Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban (INSPECT-LB), Lebanon; Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University of Nicosia Medical School, 2417, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Hassan Younes
- UniLaSalle University, 19 Pierre Waguet Street, 60026 Beauvais, France.
| | - Khalil Helou
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Medical Sciences Campus, Damascus Road, P.O.B. 11-5076, Riad Solh Beirut 1107 2180, Lebanon.
| | - Ramzi Finan
- Lebanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Adliye, Beit El- Tabib - 3rd Floor, Beirut, Lebanon; Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Medical Sciences Campus, Damascus Road, Beirut, Lebanon; Hotel-Dieu de France, Saint Joseph University of Beirut Hospital, Blvd Alfred Naccache, P.O.B. 166830, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Georges Abi-Tayeh
- Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Medical Sciences Campus, Damascus Road, Beirut, Lebanon; Hotel-Dieu de France, Saint Joseph University of Beirut Hospital, Blvd Alfred Naccache, P.O.B. 166830, Beirut, Lebanon; Lebanese Fertility Society, Adliye, Beit El- Tabib, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | | | - Ghada Moussa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chtoura Hospital, Zahle, Beqaa, Lebanon.
| | - Nada Chahrour
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, SRH University Hospital, Nabatieh, Lebanon.
| | - Camille Osseiran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kassab Hospital, Saida, Lebanon.
| | - Farouk Skaiky
- Department of Molecular Biology, General Management, Al Karim Medical Laboratories, Saida, Lebanon; Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Saida, Lebanon.
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Liang J, Wang R, Liu H, Xie D, Tao X, Zhou J, Yin H, Dang Z, Lu G. Unintentional formation of mixed chloro-bromo diphenyl ethers (PBCDEs), dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBCDD/Fs) from pyrolysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 308:136246. [PMID: 36044966 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136246] [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: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study presents the comprehensive investigation for formation pathways of chloro-bromo-mixed products from the pyrolysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). In the study, a total of 23 PBDEs with bromination levels from mono-to deca-were selected. Each PBDE standard was sealed in the glass vial and then heated under 450 °C in the muffle furnace to simulate the pyrolysis process. The results demonstrated that PBDEs in the glass vials can unintentionally transform into chloro-bromo diphenyl ethers (PBCDEs) and dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofurans (PBCDD/Fs) during the pyrolysis process. Atmosphere pressure gas chromatography (APGC) coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was used to identify these pyrolysis products, which demonstrated that all investigated nPBDEs (n represents the number of bromine substituents) can unintentionally transform into Cl1-(n-1)BDEs, Cl2-(n-2)BDEs, Cl1-(n-1)BDFs, and Cl1-(n-3)BDDs, while some nPBDEs can transform into Cl1-(n-2)PBDD/Fs during pyrolysis. Experimental phenomena assisted with density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that Cl atom can substitute at C-Br rather than C-H, and Cl1-(n-1)BDEs can be easily generated by Cl atom attacking at C-Br sites with low energy barriers (3.66-11.9 kcal/mol). In addition, nPBDEs with lower bromination levels are more favorable to generate Cl1-(n-1)BDEs than those with higher bromination levels. Further DFT calculations suggest that PBDEs are preferentially first transformed into Cl1-(n-1)BDEs, then subsequentially transform into PBCDD/Fs. We believe the results of this study can greatly improve our understanding of the transformation mechanism from PBDEs to cholo-bromo-mixed products in thermal treatment processes and provide new insight into controlling the emission of toxic cholo-bromo-mixed products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Liang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Rui Wang
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China.
| | - He Liu
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Danping Xie
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Xueqin Tao
- College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Jiangmin Zhou
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Hua Yin
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhi Dang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Guining Lu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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Liu X, Cao W, Liu X, Zhou Y, Wen S. Associations between Maternal Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxin and Dibenzofuran Serum Concentrations and Pulse Pressure in Early Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13785. [PMID: 36360663 PMCID: PMC9654335 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113785] [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: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Pulse pressure (PP) is the difference between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk. Previous research suggests, with different conclusions, that exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) could affect blood pressure (BP). We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the association of dioxin exposure with PP in early pregnancy. A total of 305 pregnant women in early pregnancy in Yingcheng, China, recruited from May 2018 to February 2021, were included in this study. We measured 17 congeners of PCDD/Fs in maternal serum via high-resolution gas chromatography tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry. A generalized linear regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of dioxin exposure and their relationships with PP. The levels of total PCDD/Fs (∑PCDD/Fs) ranged from 163.52 pg/g lipid to 1,513,949.52 pg/g lipid, with a mean of 10,474.22 pg/g lipid. The mean toxicity equivalent (TEQ) of total PCDD/Fs (∑TEQ-PCDD/Fs) was 42.03 pg/g lipid. The ratio of tetrachlorinated to octa-chlorinated congeners in maternal serum was enriched with an increasing number of chlorines. Pregnant women with college and above education had higher concentrations of ∑PCDD/Fs than those with education levels of junior high school and below (β = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.67). The adjusted model for ∑TEQ-PCDD/Fs was significantly and negatively associated with PP (β = -1.79, 95% CI: -2.91, -0.68). High levels of dioxins were found in this area, and exposure to dioxins may affect the PP of women in early pregnancy, with health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yan Zhou
- Correspondence: (Y.Z.); (S.W.); Tel.: +86-027-8765-5221 (Y.Z.)
| | - Sheng Wen
- Correspondence: (Y.Z.); (S.W.); Tel.: +86-027-8765-5221 (Y.Z.)
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Tian Y, Cheng J, Li S, Geng H, Huang C, Zhou Q, Liu W, Ma J. Recent Progress in the Determination of Polychlorodibenzo- p-Dioxins and Polychlorodibenzofurans by Mass Spectrometry: A Minireview. ANAL LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00032719.2022.2112046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yong Tian
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiawen Cheng
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Shuang Li
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Hongshuai Geng
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Chaonan Huang
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Qian Zhou
- Environmental Technical Research Institute of Everbright Technology (Qingdao) Co., Ltd, Qingdao, China
| | - Weixun Liu
- Environmental Technical Research Institute of Everbright Technology (Qingdao) Co., Ltd, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiping Ma
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, China
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Peng J, Jiang Y, Ai C, Liu Y, Lin X, Zhou J, Zhang J. Body burden and influencing factors of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in male workers from a municipal waste incineration plant in China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 305:119272. [PMID: 35413407 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) have aroused public concern around the world. However, biomonitoring evidence regarding the influence of MSWIs on the human body burden of PCDD/Fs is scarce. The aim of this study is to investigate the human body burden levels of PCDD/Fs in MSWI workers and to further explore the potential influencing factors, including duration of occupation and dietary habits, on the PCDD/F levels. A total of 98 paired serum samples from MSWI workers and non-MSWI workers were collected. Seventeen 2,3,7,8-chlorine substituted PCDD/Fs in the serums were analyzed using an isotope dilution high-resolution gas chromatograph/high-resolution mass spectrometer (HRGC/HRMS). The results showed that the mean levels of toxic equivalent (TEQ)-PCDD/Fs for the MSWI workers and the control group were 18.28 pg TEQ g-1 lipid and 5.81 pg TEQ g-1 lipid, respectively. Significantly higher concentrations of PCDD/Fs existed in the incinerator workers compared with the control subjects after adjustment of the confounding factors. OCDD was the most abundant congener in both the MSWI workers and the control subjects, accounting for 82.2% and 89.4% of the ∑17PCDD/Fs, respectively. The serum levels of PCDFs in the MSWI workers increased with the duration of occupation (β = 0.498, P = 0.031), and a higher total concentration of PCDD/Fs were present in senior workers classified as production supervisors than routine operation staff (β = 8.809, P = 0.008). No significant relationship was found between the PCDD/F concentrations and dietary habits. This study was the first to explore the associations between the body burden of PCDD/Fs and occupational exposure as well as dietary intake of MSWI workers in China. The findings provide scientific information for health risk assessments of human exposure to PCDD/Fs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinling Peng
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Yousheng Jiang
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Chunyan Ai
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, 518017, PR China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Xiaoshi Lin
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Jianqing Zhang
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.
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Hashimoto S, Matsukami H, Ieda T, Suzuki G. Comprehensive screening of polybromochlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans as mixed halogenated compounds in wastewater samples from industrial facilities by GC×GC/ToFMS and post-data processing. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 276:130085. [PMID: 33690031 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
An enormous number of pollutants must be investigated to be able to understand which types threaten human health and environmental biota. In this study, we propose a workflow for screening polybromochlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBCDD/Fs), which are compounds that have thousands of isomers and congeners, by combining measurement of a sample without any in-laboratory-cleanup with the results of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry and post-data processing. This process can be regarded as "in silico sample cleanup." The post-data processing stage comprises two methods in which the extracted mass spectra are matched to exact mass and isotopic ratios specified as formulae and filtering via mass deficiency. We applied this workflow to wastewater samples from industrial facilities to identify mixtures of halogenated dioxins. As a result, it was estimated that dioxins in an absolute quantity of 10-500 pg could be detected with sufficient accuracy by recovery testing of a standard mixture against sample crude extracts. Tri- to octa-halogenated dioxins were detected in 8 of 13 samples. Leachate from an industrial landfill was found to contain relatively large numbers of PBCDD/Fs, and several congeners were found in wastewater from an industrial fabric facility that handles decabromodiphenyl ether. The workflow, including the post-data processing method developed and applied in this study, has the advantage that additional identifications can be performed at any time from a single set of measurement data. This also enables the screening of substances that have thousands of homologous isomers, such as chlorinated and brominated dioxins, as well as other non-halogenated compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunji Hashimoto
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
| | - Hidenori Matsukami
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Teruyo Ieda
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Go Suzuki
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
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Yang L, Liu G, Shen J, Wang M, Yang Q, Zheng M. Environmental characteristics and formations of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 152:106450. [PMID: 33684732 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs) are emerging persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that have similar or higher toxicities than the notorious dioxins. Toxicities, formation mechanisms, and environmental fates of PBDD/Fs are lacking because accurate quantification, especially of higher brominated congeners, is challenging. PBDD/F analysis is difficult because of photolysis and thermal degradation and interference from polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Here, literatures on PBDD/F analysis and environmental occurrences are reviewed to improve our understanding of PBDD/F environmental pollution and human exposure levels. Although PBDD/Fs behave similarly to dioxins, different congener profiles between PBDD/Fs and dioxins in the environment indicates their different sources and formation mechanisms. Herein, potential sources and formation mechanisms of PBDD/Fs were critically discussed, and current knowledge gaps and future directions for PBDD/F research are highlighted. An understanding of PBDD/F formation pathways will allow for development of synergistic control strategies for PBDD/Fs, dioxins, and other dioxin-like POPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Guorui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310000, China; College of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jia Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Minxiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Qiuting Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Minghui Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China.
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Matovu H, Li ZM, Henkelmann B, Bernhöft S, De Angelis M, Schramm KW, Sillanpää M, Kato CD, Ssebugere P. Multiple persistent organic pollutants in mothers' breastmilk: Implications for infant dietary exposure and maternal thyroid hormone homeostasis in Uganda, East Africa. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 770:145262. [PMID: 33513488 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are ubiquitous contaminants with adverse health effects in the ecosystem. One of such effects is endocrine disruption in humans and wildlife even at background exposure concentrations. This study assessed maternal breastmilk concentrations of POPs; brominated flame retardants (BFRs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs), and the potential health risks posed to the nursing infants. We also evaluated the association of these POPs with total 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3), L-thyroxine (T4), and 3,3',5'-triiodo-L-thyronine (rT3) levels measured in human breast milk. Thirty breastmilk samples were collected from Kampala, Uganda between August and December 2018. Hexabromobenzene was not detected while the maximum level of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabrombiphenyl was 64.7 pg/g lw. The median levels of total indicator PCBs, PBDEs, dioxin-like PCBs, and PCDD/Fs in the samples were 159 pg/g lw, 511 pg/g lw, 1.16 pg TEQ/g lw, and 0.4 pg TEQ/g lw, respectively. These levels were lower than those reported in other countries. Owing to their bio accumulative nature, PCBs -81, -169, and ∑PCDD/Fs increased with increase in maternal age. Estimated dietary intakes for dioxin-like PCBs and PCDD/Fs were lower than those reported elsewhere but were higher than the WHO tolerable daily intakes suggesting potential health risks to nursing infants. In adjusted single pollutant models, PCB-126, PCB-169, and ∑PCBTEQ were negatively associated with T3, while 1,2,3,4,5,7,8-HpCDF was positively associated with rT3. Although these associations did not persist in multipollutant models, our findings suggest potential thyroid hormone disruption by POPs in mothers. This may reduce the levels of thyroid hormones transferred from the mother to the neonates and, hence, adversely influence infant growth. A temporal study with a bigger sample size is required to corroborate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Matovu
- Department of Chemistry, Gulu University, P. O. Box 166, Gulu, Uganda; Department of Chemistry, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Zhong-Min Li
- Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German National Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Molecular EXposomics (MEX), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, Munich, Germany; School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan (Nutrition), Technische Universität München, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Bernhard Henkelmann
- Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German National Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Molecular EXposomics (MEX), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, Munich, Germany
| | - Silke Bernhöft
- Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German National Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Molecular EXposomics (MEX), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, Munich, Germany
| | - Meri De Angelis
- Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German National Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Molecular EXposomics (MEX), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, Munich, Germany
| | - Karl-Werner Schramm
- Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German National Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Molecular EXposomics (MEX), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, Munich, Germany; TUM, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung und Umwelt, Department für Biowissenschaftliche Grundlagen, Weihenstephaner Steig 23, 85350 Freising, Germany
| | - Mika Sillanpää
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Viet Nam; Faculty of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Viet Nam; Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering, University of Johannesburg, P. O. Box 17011, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa.
| | - Charles Drago Kato
- School of Bio-security, Biotechnical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Patrick Ssebugere
- Department of Chemistry, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
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Electronic Waste, an Environmental Problem Exported to Developing Countries: The GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13095302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Electronic waste (e-waste) is a rapidly developing environmental problem particularly for the most developed countries. There are technological solutions for processing it, but these are costly, and the cheaper option for most developed countries has been to export most of the waste to less developed countries. There are various laws and policies for regulating the processing of e-waste at different governance scales such as the international Basel Convention, the regional Bamoko Convention, and various national laws. However, many of the regulations are not fully implemented and there is substantial financial pressure to maintain the jobs created for processing e-waste. Mexico, Brazil, Ghana Nigeria, India, and China have been selected for a more detailed study of the transboundary movements of e-waste. This includes a systematic review of existing literature, the application of the Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) framework for analysing complex problems associated with social ecological systems, and the application of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for evaluating the environmental impact of electronic devices from their manufacture through to their final disposal. Japan, Italy, Switzerland, and Norway have been selected for the LCA to show how e-waste is diverted to developing countries, as there is not sufficient data available for the assessment from the selected developing countries. GOOD, BAD and UGLY outcomes have been identified from this study: the GOOD is the creation of jobs and the use of e-waste as a source of raw materials; the BAD is the exacerbation of the already poor environmental conditions in developing countries; the UGLY is the negative impact on the health of workers processing e-waste due to a wide range of toxic components in this waste. There are a number of management options that are available to reduce the impact of the BAD and the UGLY, such as adopting the concept of a circular economy, urban mining, reducing loopholes and improving existing policies and regulations, as well as reducing the disparity in income between the top and bottom of the management hierarchy for e-waste disposal. The overarching message is a request for developed countries to help developing countries in the fight against e-waste, rather than exporting their environmental problems to these poorer regions.
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Fernandes AR, Falandysz J. Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs): Contamination in food, humans and dietary exposure. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 761:143191. [PMID: 33160676 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) have been recognised as environmental pollutants for decades but their occurrence in food has only recently been reported. They elicit the same type of toxic response as analogous polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) with similar potencies and effects, and share similar origins - inadvertent production during combustion and occurrence as by-products in industrial chemicals. Surprisingly, PBDD/Fs have received considerably less attention than PCDD/Fs, perhaps because determination requires a higher degree of analytical competence, a result of the higher adsorptivity and lability associated with carbon-bromine bonding. For most populations, the principal exposure pathway is dietary intake. The PBDD/F toxicity arising from occurrence in foods has often been expressed as toxic equivalents (TEQs) using the same scheme developed for PCDD/Fs. This approach is convenient, but resulting TEQ estimates are more uncertain, given the known differences in response for some analogous congeners and also the different patterns of PBDD/F occurrence confirmed by the newer data. Further studies to consolidate potency factors would help to refine TEQ estimates. Characteristically, most foods and human tissues show more frequent and higher PBDF concentrations relative to PBDDs, reflecting major source patterns. Occurrence in food ranges from <0.01 to several thousand pg/g (or up to 0.3 pg TEQ/g whole weight) which is comparable to PCDD/F occurrence (ΣPBDD/F TEQs are underestimated as not all relevant congeners are included). Plant based foods show higher PBDD/F: PCDD/F TEQ ratios. Reported PBDD/F dietary intakes suggest that some population groups, particularly young children, may exceed the revised tolerable weekly intake for dioxin-like contaminants (2 pg TEQ/kg bw/week), even for mean consumption estimated with lower bound data. It is evident that the omission of PBDD/Fs from the TEQ scheme results in a significant underestimation of the cumulative toxicity and associated risk arising from this mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alwyn R Fernandes
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK.
| | - Jerzy Falandysz
- University of Gdańsk, Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
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Zhou Y, Sun J, Wang L, Zhu G, Li M, Liu J, Li Z, Gong H, Wu C, Yin G. Multiple classes of chemical contaminants in soil from an e-waste disposal site in China: Occurrence and spatial distribution. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 752:141924. [PMID: 32898803 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
E-waste recycling is well known for releasing halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) and heavy metals. This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of traditional and novel classes of contaminants, including chlorinated, brominated, and mixed halogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs, PXDD/Fs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs), in soil from an e-waste disposal site in Hangzhou. PBDEs were the most abundant, at 343-69306 ng kg-1, followed by PHCZs (896-41,362 ng kg-1), PCDD/Fs (349-19,396 ng kg-1), PCBs (51.3-1834 ng kg-1), PBDD/Fs (2.99-524 ng kg-1) and PXDD/Fs (0.104-21.2 ng kg-1). The detected target compound concentrations were generally lower than those reported in the literature for informal e-waste sites. Nevertheless, they can serve as a basis of information for evaluation and subsequent control. The toxic equivalent (TEQ) contributions from these contaminants (except PBDEs) decreased as follows: PCDD/Fs > PXDD/Fs > PHCZs > PCBs > PBDD/Fs. ΣDioxins (PCDD/Fs + PBDD/Fs + PXDD/Fs) accounted for 47.7%-97.2% of the total TEQs in the soil. OCDD, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpBDF and OBDF were the dominant congeners, mainly derived from combustion and transport because of their low saturated vapor pressure. PXDFs were more abundant than PXDDs, and homologue profiles suggested a similar formation mechanism for PXDFs and PBDFs involving successive Br-to-Cl exchange. PHCZs were reported in soil from an e-waste disposal area for the first time, and their concentrations were several orders of magnitude higher than those of the other contaminants. Although the risk of human exposure in this study was estimated to be lower than the values recommended by the WHO (1-4 pg TEQ/kg bw/day), health implications still exist, and further investigations are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxiao Zhou
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Junjun Sun
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Ecological and Environmental Monitoring, Forewarning and Quality Control, Zhejiang Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Ecological and Environmental Monitoring, Forewarning and Quality Control, Zhejiang Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Guohua Zhu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Ecological and Environmental Monitoring, Forewarning and Quality Control, Zhejiang Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Mufei Li
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Ecological and Environmental Monitoring, Forewarning and Quality Control, Zhejiang Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Jinsong Liu
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Ecological and Environmental Monitoring, Forewarning and Quality Control, Zhejiang Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Hangzhou 310012, China.
| | - Zuguang Li
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
| | - Hongping Gong
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Ecological and Environmental Monitoring, Forewarning and Quality Control, Zhejiang Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Chenwang Wu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Ecological and Environmental Monitoring, Forewarning and Quality Control, Zhejiang Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Ge Yin
- Shimadzu (China) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200233, China
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Lin Y, Le S, Feng C, Qiu X, Xu Q, Jin S, Zhang H, Jin Y, Wen Y, Xu H, Liu P, Rao Q, She J, Lu D. Exposure and health risk assessment of secondary contaminants closely related to brominated flame retardants (BFRs): Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) in human milk in shanghai. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 268:115121. [PMID: 33139099 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs), as the secondary environmental pollutants of the widely used brominated flame retardants (BFRs), possess the similar physicochemical and toxic properties as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). However, studies on human body exposure to them are extremely limited. In this study, forty human milk samples collected in Shanghai were measured for 13 PBDD/F congeners using gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS), to investigate their exposure level and characteristics, potential source and corresponding health risks to breastfed infants. The results showed no PBDDs but three PBDF congeners including 2,3,7,8-TBDF, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpBDF and OBDF (mean concentration (detection rates) are 3.2 pg/g (72.5%), 9.5 pg/g (100%) and 28 pg/g (67.5%), respectively) were detected. The average toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ, 0.42 pg/g lw) presented the highest concentration level compared to other regions reported. The contribution of PBDFs to the total TEQ of PBDD/Fs and PCDD/Fs is 6.8%. The correlation between PBDD/Fs and age or dietary habits was not observed, which normally existed in their chlorinated analogues-PCDD/Fs. Significant correlations were observed between PBDFs and highly brominated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (especially for BDE 183 and BDE 209). The correlation between PCDD/Fs and PBDFs was not observed except 2,3,7,8-TBDF. The high PBDFs exposure in Shanghai may originate from the emission of PBDEs and/or non-PBDE BFRs in environment, according to the consistency of the environmental data previously reported. The average estimated dietary intakes (EDI) for breastfed infants is 2.0 pg TEQ/kg·bw/day (0.13-13 pg TEQ/kg·bw/day), within the range of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for TCDD (1-4 pg TEQ/kg·bw/day) suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, given the high toxicity of PBDD/Fs, the potential health risks of these pollutants for breastfed infants should be of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjie Lin
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Sunyang Le
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Chao Feng
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Xinlei Qiu
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Shuping Jin
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Yu'e Jin
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Yimin Wen
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Shanghai Hongqiao Street Community Health Service Center, No.4 Lane 961 Hongqiao Road, Shanghai, 200051, China
| | - Peipei Liu
- Shanghai Jiangzhen Community Health Service Center, 762 Dongting Road, Shanghai, 201202, China
| | - Qinxiong Rao
- Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 1000 Jinqi Road, Shanghai, 201403, China
| | - Jianwen She
- Environmental Health Laboratory Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, United States
| | - Dasheng Lu
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200336, China.
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Bruce-Vanderpuije P, Megson D, Jones GR, Jobst K, Reiner E, Clarke E, Adu-Kumi S, Gardella JA. Infant dietary exposure to dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dlPCBs), polybrominated and mixed halogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs and PXDD/Fs) in milk samples of lactating mothers in Accra, Ghana. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 263:128156. [PMID: 33297135 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study, polybrominated and mixed halogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs and PXDD/Fs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dlPCBs) were quantified in 24 human milk samples of first-time lactating mothers from Greater Accra region in Ghana. The aims of the study were to determine the concentrations and toxic equivalent concentrations of PBDD/F, PXDD/F and dlPCBs in human milk, and to estimate an infant's daily intake. The samples were analysed for 12 dioxin-like PCBs, 7 congeners of 2,3,7,8-polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs), and 7 congeners of 2,3,7,8-mixed halogenated dioxins and furans (PXDD/Fs, where X = Br/Cl). The mean concentrations in human milk ranged from 0.15 to 212.9 pg/g lipid for dlPCB congeners (mean TEQ: 1.67 pg WHO2005-TEQ/g lipid). Lesser concentrations for 2,3,7,8-PXDD/Fs (and PBDD/Fs congeners) ranged between <0.01-1.67 pg/g lipid, with a total mean tentative TEQ of 0.56 pg WHO2005-TEQ/g lipid. For an infant of average weight 7 kg, consuming an estimated volume of 600 mL human milk, the estimated average daily intake of dlPCBs in 21 human milk samples was 4.95 pg TEQ/kg bw/day; contributions from dlPCBs, PXDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs resulted in an average estimated daily intake of 6.56 pg TEQ/kg bw/day. The results obtained in this study, although lower than infant dietary intake estimates in human milk from industrialized countries, exceeded the recommended safety standards of 1 pg TEQ/kg bw/day and 1-4 pg TEQ/kg bw/day from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the World Health Organization (WHO), respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pennante Bruce-Vanderpuije
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA; CSIR Water Research Institute, P. O. Box AH 38, Achimota, Accra, Ghana
| | - David Megson
- School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK; Chemistry Matters Inc., Suite 405, 104-1240 Kensington Road NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 3P7, Canada
| | | | - Karl Jobst
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Laboratory Services Branch, Toronto, ON, M9P 3V6, Canada
| | - Eric Reiner
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Laboratory Services Branch, Toronto, ON, M9P 3V6, Canada
| | - Edith Clarke
- Occupational and Environmental Health Unit, Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service, Ghana
| | - Sam Adu-Kumi
- Environmental Protection Agency, P. O. Box MB 326, Ministries Post Office, Accra, Ghana
| | - Joseph A Gardella
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA.
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Shaikh S, Thomas K, Zuhair S, Magalini F. A cost-benefit analysis of the downstream impacts of e-waste recycling in Pakistan. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 118:302-312. [PMID: 32919349 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2020.08.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents downstream cost-benefit analysis for electronic waste (e-waste) recycling workers in Pakistan, a country that both generates large quantities of e-waste domestically and imports a significant amount from developed countries. Financial cost-benefit elements - reduction in productive capacity, lost wages, medical expenses, wages (and meals) and non-financial cost-benefit elements - opportunity cost, cost of illiteracy and value of life have been quantified. Primary data collected on site was analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. The estimated total net economic cost to recycling workers is between Rs.34,069 and Rs.85,478 (US$ 203-5101) per month or an average of Rs.50,363 (US$ 300) per worker. This main finding suggests that cost exceeds by 2.6-4.7 times the estimated economic benefits derived by these workers. Related qualitative data suggests government and owners of recycling businesses are largely blind to many of the less visible costs of this industry, while recycling workers and their families appear trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty. Understanding that what can be measured can be managed and improved, a systematic assessment of informal recycling based on identified impact factors may help mitigate and ideally also motivate a shift towards formal processing that would reduce the downstream negative impacts, both visible and hidden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salsabil Shaikh
- Victoria University Business School (VUBS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia.
| | - Keith Thomas
- Victoria University Business School (VUBS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Segu Zuhair
- Victoria University Business School (VUBS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; Department of Business, Management and Finance, Melbourne Polytechnic, Melbourne, Victoria 3072, Australia
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Niu Y, Liu J, Yang R, Zhang J, Shao B. Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source as an advantageous technique for gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Trends Analyt Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2020.116053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Kaifie A, Schettgen T, Bertram J, Löhndorf K, Waldschmidt S, Felten MK, Kraus T, Fobil JN, Küpper T. Informal e-waste recycling and plasma levels of non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) - A cross-sectional study at Agbogbloshie, Ghana. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 723:138073. [PMID: 32229383 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Informal e-waste recycling leads to a contamination of the workers with several hazardous substances, in particular heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) belong to the group of POPs and are suspected to be associated with adverse health effects. In particular lower chlorinated PCBs, such as the congeners PCB 28 and PCB 52 are a marker of occupational exposure. The aim of our study was to assess the occupational PCB exposure in e-waste workers in relation to their specific recycling task (e.g. dismantling, burning). Altogether, n = 88 e-waste workers and n = 196 control subjects have been included in this study. All plasma participant's samples were evaluated for the PCB congeners PCB 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180 and sum of NDL-indicator congeners by human biomonitoring. A significant difference could be detected for the lower chlorinated PCB congeners (PCB 28, 52, and 101) for e-waste workers in comparison to the control group. Analyzing specific recycling tasks, workers who dismantle and those who burn e-waste showed the highest plasma levels of PCB 28 and 52. In conclusion, e-waste workers showed occupational related elevated PCB levels. Although those levels did not exceed the BAT value, workers were contaminated with PCBs during their task. Occupational health and safety measure are therefore necessary to protect the worker's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Kaifie
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Jens Bertram
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Katja Löhndorf
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Saskia Waldschmidt
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael K Felten
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Julius N Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Thomas Küpper
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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Falandysz J, Smith F, Fernandes AR. Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs) and - dibenzofurans (PBDFs) in cod (Gadus morhua) liver-derived products from 1972 to 2017. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 722:137840. [PMID: 32349199 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Literature data on the occurrence and prevalence of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs) and polybrominated dibenzofurans (PBDFs) in foods including seafood are scarce. In this study, a number of cod-derived products including medicinal grade cod liver oils sourced from Northern Atlantic waters (Iceland, Norway) and the Baltic Sea (Poland) during 1972-2001 and canned cod liver sourced from the Baltic Sea in 2017, showed detectable levels of PBDFs: such as 2,3,8-TrBDF at 0.57 to 5.249 pg g-1 fat and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpBDF at <0.018 to 0.302 pg g-1 fat. PBDDs were not detected in the cod liver oils. Canned cod liver products showed low levels of 2,3,7,8-TeBDD in the range <0.017 to 0.022 pg g-1 whole weight and 1,2,3,7,8-PeBDD at <0.03 to 0.039 pg g-1 whole weight. These concentrations were computed to yield upper bound toxic equivalences (TEQs) of 0.14 to 0.17 pg g-1 for the oils and 0.12 to 0.25 pg g-1 for the canned products (0.08 pg g-1 ww for both products). The resulting supplementary and dietary intakes are low (0.02 to 0.11 pg kg-1 bm day-1 for the oils and 0.07 to 0.17 pg kg-1 bm week-1 for the canned livers) in comparison to the recently expressed tolerable weekly intake of 2 pg kg-1 bm week-1. However, the intakes are underestimates, as due to a lack of analytical standards not all PBDD/F TEQ contributing congeners could be included. The PBDD/F TEQ contributes to the cumulative toxicity arising from other contaminants such as chlorinated dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerzy Falandysz
- University of Gdańsk, Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; Environmental and Computational Chemistry Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zaragocilla Campus, University of Cartagena, 130015 Cartagena, Colombia.
| | | | - Alwyn R Fernandes
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
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Dai Q, Xu X, Eskenazi B, Asante KA, Chen A, Fobil J, Bergman Å, Brennan L, Sly PD, Nnorom IC, Pascale A, Wang Q, Zeng EY, Zeng Z, Landrigan PJ, Bruné Drisse MN, Huo X. Severe dioxin-like compound (DLC) contamination in e-waste recycling areas: An under-recognized threat to local health. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 139:105731. [PMID: 32315892 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) burning and recycling activities have become one of the main emission sources of dioxin-like compounds (DLCs). Workers involved in e-waste recycling operations and residents living near e-waste recycling sites (EWRS) are exposed to high levels of DLCs. Epidemiological and experimental in vivo studies have reported a range of interconnected responses in multiple systems with DLC exposure. However, due to the compositional complexity of DLCs and difficulties in assessing mixture effects of the complex mixture of e-waste-related contaminants, there are few studies concerning human health outcomes related to DLC exposure at informal EWRS. In this paper, we have reviewed the environmental levels and body burdens of DLCs at EWRS and compared them with the levels reported to be associated with observable adverse effects to assess the health risks of DLC exposure at EWRS. In general, DLC concentrations at EWRS of many countries have been decreasing in recent years due to stricter regulations on e-waste recycling activities, but the contamination status is still severe. Comparison with available data from industrial sites and well-known highly DLC contaminated areas shows that high levels of DLCs derived from crude e-waste recycling processes lead to elevated body burdens. The DLC levels in human blood and breast milk at EWRS are higher than those reported in some epidemiological studies that are related to various health impacts. The estimated total daily intakes of DLCs for people in EWRS far exceed the WHO recommended total daily intake limit. It can be inferred that people living in EWRS with high DLC contamination have higher health risks. Therefore, more well-designed epidemiological studies are urgently needed to focus on the health effects of DLC pollution in EWRS. Continuous monitoring of the temporal trends of DLC levels in EWRS after actions is of highest importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyuan Dai
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, China
| | - Xijin Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, China
| | - Brenda Eskenazi
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | | | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Julius Fobil
- School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Ghana
| | - Åke Bergman
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Sweden; Department of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Sweden; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, China
| | - Lesley Brennan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Peter D Sly
- Child Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Antonio Pascale
- Department of Toxicology, University of the Republic, Uruguay
| | - Qihua Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, China
| | - Eddy Y Zeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, China
| | - Zhijun Zeng
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, China
| | | | - Marie-Noel Bruné Drisse
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Xia Huo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, China.
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Concentrations of PCDD/Fs in Human Blood: A Review of Data from the Current Decade. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16193566. [PMID: 31554236 PMCID: PMC6801747 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16193566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-furans (PCDD/Fs) are environmental pollutants with great persistence, the capacity of bioaccumulation, and well known important toxic effects in humans and animals. Incinerators of hazardous, municipal and medical waste, chlorine bleaching of paper pulp, cement plants, and the traffic of motor vehicles are the most frequent emission sources of these compounds. The diet, followed at a great distance by inhalation, is generally the main way of human exposure to PCDD/Fs. Human biomonitoring is of great importance to prevent potential adverse effects derived from exposure to chemicals such as PCDD/Fs. In relation to this, blood is among the most used biological monitors. In the current review, we have summarized the recent information (2000–2009) published in the scientific literature (databases: Scopus and PubMed) on the concentrations of PCDD/Fs in blood samples of non-occupationally exposed populations, as well as in some groups of occupationally exposed individuals. We have revised a number of studies conducted in various African, American, Asian and European countries, and Australia. Unfortunately, the information is quite limited. No data are available for most countries over the world. Based on the results here reviewed, where available, the current health risks for the general populations do not seem to be of concern. Moreover, taking into account the important reductions observed in the levels of PCDD/Fs in foodstuffs, new decreases in the concentrations of PCDD/Fs in blood—and other biological tissues—are very probable in the immediate years.
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Yu D, Liu X, Liu X, Cao W, Zhang X, Tian H, Wang J, Xiong N, Wen S, Wu Y, Sun X, Zhou Y. Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins, Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans, and Dioxin-Like Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Umbilical Cord Serum from Pregnant Women Living Near a Chemical Plant in Tianjin, China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16122178. [PMID: 31248229 PMCID: PMC6616537 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16122178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) are bioaccumulative compounds that may affect fetal growth and infant development. The aim of this study was to determine whether the pregnant women living near a chemical plant in Tianjin had a risk of exposure to dioxins. Concentrations of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in 24 umbilical cord serum samples collected from pregnant women were measured using a high-resolution gas chromatograph with a high-resolution mass spectrometer (HRGC-HRMS) and an isotopic dilution method. The levels of ∑(PCDD/Fs + dl-PCBs) were in the range 476-8307 pg·g-1 lipid, with a mean of 3037 pg·g-1. The mean World Health Organization toxicity equivalent (WHO-TEQ) for PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs was 14.0 and 2.14 pg·g-1 lipid, respectively. The PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs contributed 86.7% and 13.3%, respectively, to the total TEQ. The octa-CDFs and penta-CBs were predominant for the PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs, accounting for 57.6% and 74.3%, respectively. Several PCDD/F and dl-PCB congeners were highly correlated, such as PCB 105 and PCB 118 (r = 0.982, p < 0.001). Although the results hint at decreasing trends for PCDD/F and dl-PCBs by comparison with a similar study in Tianjin, a total TEQ of 41.7% of study participants had a body burden that exceeded the biomonitoring equivalents for dioxins. It was shown that pregnant women and infants had a health risk of exposure to dioxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dezhong Yu
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, LiuFang Campus, No.206, Guanggu 1st road, Wuhan 430205, China.
| | - Xiaofang Liu
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, LiuFang Campus, No.206, Guanggu 1st road, Wuhan 430205, China.
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #6 Zhuo Daoquan North Road, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Xiao Liu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #6 Zhuo Daoquan North Road, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Wencheng Cao
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #6 Zhuo Daoquan North Road, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #6 Zhuo Daoquan North Road, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Haoyuan Tian
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health, National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #27 Nan Wei Road, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Jin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health, National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #27 Nan Wei Road, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Nan Xiong
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, South Central University for Nationalities, #182 Minzu Avenue, Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Sheng Wen
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #6 Zhuo Daoquan North Road, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Yongning Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, Ministry of Health (CFSA) and China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, #7 Panjiayuan Nanli, Beijing 100021, China.
| | - Xin Sun
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health, National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #27 Nan Wei Road, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Yan Zhou
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #6 Zhuo Daoquan North Road, Wuhan 430079, China.
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