Background levels of PCBs in residents of British Columbia, Canada

Unintentionally produced polychlorinated biphenyls in pigments: An updated review on their formation, emission sources, contamination status, and toxic effects

The formation, emission, environmental occurrence, and potential adverse effects of unintentionally produced polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in pigments are reviewed, providing a comprehensive and up-to-date picture on these pollutants. PCBs are typically formed during manufacturing of organic pigments that involve chlorinated intermediates and reaction solvents, rather than those of inorganic pigments. Concentrations and profiles of PCBs vary greatly among pigment types and producers, with total PCB levels ranging from lower than detection limits to several hundred ppm; major components can be low-chlorinated (e.g., CB-11) or high-chlorinated congeners (e.g., CB-209). Pigment-derived PCBs can be released into the environment through different steps including pigment production, application, and disposal. They can contaminate atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystems, and then affect organisms living there. This situation garners scientific and public attention to nonlegacy emissions of PCBs and suggests the need for appropriate monitoring, management, and abatement strategies regarding these pollutants.

Pilot study on levels of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in selected foodstuffs and human milk from Italy

Despite the health risks associated with perfluorinated compounds (PFC) exposure and the detection of these compounds in many countries around the world, little is known on their occurrence in Italy. The results of a study on levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), analysed by HPLC-ESI-MS, in human milk and food samples from the city of Siena and its province (central Italy) are here reported. PFOS was found in 13 out of 49 breast milk samples (0.76±1.27 ng/g), while PFOA was detected in one sample (8.04 ng/g). Only PFOS was found in food samples. Fish were the most contaminated samples (7.65±34.2 ng/g); mean concentrations in meat and milk and dairy products were similar (1.43±7.21 ng/g and 1.35±3.45 ng/g, respectively). In all cereal-based food, eggs, vegetables, honey and beverages PFOS concentration was <LOD. These data show that consumption of most breast milk analysed would not result in children exceeding their total daily intakes for perfluorinated compounds.

Persistent organic pollutants in human milk from central Italy: levels and time trends

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as HCB, p,p'-DDE, and PCBs were measured in Italian breast milk. This work is part of a study on human milk, adipose tissues, and food carried out in the same area over the last 20 years. The results showed the prevalence of p,p'-DDE and PCBs over HCB. Comparison of our results with those of previous studies carried out in the same area showed that concentrations are decreasing. No statistically significant differences in organochlorine levels were found when the samples were divided into maternal age classes and into the categories "primiparae" and "multiparae". In order to quantify the amount of the molecules of interest transmitted by mother to child during breast feeding, we estimated the daily intake of each class of compounds: our results indicated that HCB and p,p'-DDE were several times lower than the safety thresholds.

Abandoned Mid-Canada Radar Line sites in the Western James region of Northern Ontario, Canada: a source of organochlorines for First Nations people?

The potential exists for human exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other contaminants originating from abandoned Mid-Canada Radar Line (MCRL) sites in sub-arctic Canada. We examined patterns of differences with respect to body burden of organochlorines (lipid-adjusted) between residents of the Ontario First Nations of Fort Albany (the site of MCRL Site 050) and Kashechewan (no radar base) and Hamilton (an industrial, southern Ontario community) to assess whether the presence of Site 050 influenced organochlorine body burden with respect to the people of Fort Albany. PCBs (Aroclor 1260 and summation operator14 PCBs congeners [CBs]) and DDE in the plasma of Fort Albany and Kashechewan subjects were elevated relative to Hamilton participants. PCB and DDE-plasma levels in First Nation women were of comparable magnitude to those reported for Inuit women living in the west/central Northwest Territories. Significantly lower DDE/DDT ratios observed for Fort Albany indicates exposure to higher levels of DDT compared to Kashechewan. The probable source of DDT exposure for Fort Albany people is the DDT-contaminated soil surrounding buildings of Site 050. The results of the correspondence analysis (CA) indicated that people from Hamilton had relatively higher pesticides and lower CB body burdens, while people from Fort Albany and Kashechewan exhibited relatively higher CBs and lower pesticide levels (CA-1). The separation of Fort Albany and Kashechewan from Hamilton was also clear using questionnaire data (i.e., plotting dietary principal component [PC]-1 scores against PC-2); PC-1 was correlated with the consumption of a traditional diet. Separation of Kashechewan and Albany residents occurred because the people of Kashechewan ate more traditional meats and consumed shorebirds. Only one significant relationship was found between PC analysis and contaminant loadings; PC-1 versus CA-3 for Kashechewan. The presence of Site 050 on Anderson Island appears to have influenced organochlorine body burden of the people of Fort Albany. ANCOVA results revealed that it was not activity on Anderson Island that was important, but activity on Site 050 was the influential variable. When these results are considered with the DDE/DDT ratio data and the CB 187 results (Fort Albany and Kashechewan residents differed significantly), the findings are suggestive that Site 050 did influence organochlorine body burden of people from Fort Albany.

PCDDs, PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs in food of animal origin (Slovakia)

The levels of 17 toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and 12 non-ortho and mono-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 73 foodstuff samples of animal origin collected from shops and small farms in selected districts of Slovak Republic are presented in this paper. The concentrations expressed as WHO-TEQ in analysed samples ranged for PCDDs/PCDFs from 0.25 pg/g fat in pork to 75 pg/g fat in cod liver. The TEQ concentrations of non-ortho PCBs were between 0.007 and 181 pg/g fat and mono-ortho PCBs between 0.0083 and 66.5 pg/g fat. The mean concentrations in freshwater fish and imported species of marine fish were 0.089 pg TEQ/g fresh weight for PCDDs/PCDFs, 0.17 pg TEQ/g fresh weight for non-ortho PCBs and 0.034 pg TEQ/g fresh weight for mono-ortho PCBs. The mean total concentration of PCDDs/PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs in samples of infant milk formula imported from EU countries was 0.98 pg TEQ/g fat.

Influence of alimentary habits, age and occupation on polychlorinated biphenyl levels in adipose tissue

The levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in adipose tissue samples from the mammary glands of 123 women living in Cordoba (Spain) were evaluated. The influence of alimentary habits, age and previous and present occupation on the tissue levels of PCBs were also investigated. The compound found at the highest concentration was PCB 180 (0.134 microg/g), followed by the congeners 153 (0.121 microg/g), 138 (0.102 microg/g), 187 (0.047 microg/g), 170 (0.046 microg/g), 28 (0.039 microg/g), 118 (0.023 microg/g), 183 (0.020 microg/g), 52 (0.011 microg/g), 188 (0.011 microg/g), and 101 (0.002 microg/g). A positive correlation was found between donor age and tissue levels of PCBs 28, 118, 138, 153, 170, 180, 183 and 187. Conversely, age had no influence on tissue levels of PCBs 52 and 101. The majority of donors (40.65%) reported fruits as the most consumed food, followed by mixed food (34.15%), legumes and root vegetables (6.5%), stewed meat and vegetables (6.5%), leafy vegetables (4.88%), milk (3.25%), fish (2.44%) and meat (1.63%). "Farmer" (38%) and "housewife" (38%) were the most frequent previous occupations, followed by "other activities" (24%), while "housewife" was the most frequent present occupation (67%), followed by "other activities" (24%) and "farmer" (9%). No significant correlation was observed between tissue levels of PCBs and alimentary habits or previous or present occupation of donors.

Dietary predictors of concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls in breast adipose tissue of women living in Ontario, Canada

The authors evaluated dietary predictors of concentrations of 11 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in breast adipose tissue from 190 women with benign breast disease who live in Ontario, Canada. Consumption of fish was positively correlated with, and the most consistent dietary predictor of, breast tissue PCB levels. Dietary predictors accounted for < 8% of the variation in breast adipose tissue PCB levels. Age was positively and most strongly associated with tissue PCB levels, perhaps representing long-term dietary intake and the complex interplay of absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion.

Environmental contamination with polychlorinated biphenyls in the area of their former manufacture in Slovakia

Evidently increased environmental pollution as a consequence of the 25-year manufacture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in eastern Slovakia was observed. PCB levels determined in ambient air, soil, surface water, bottom sediment, wildlife (fish and game) samples collected in a potentially contaminated area of about 250 km2 (a part of the Michalovce district) were compared with those determined in a control area (Stropkov district). Up to 1700 ng/m3 were found in ambient air in a village close to a manufacturer's dumping site and a highly contaminated manufacturer's effluent canal whereas PCB concentrations in ambient air samples taken in villages in the control area were about 80 ng/m3 only. While soil samples taken from the agricultural fields of the polluted area contained PCBs at levels comparable with soil samples from the control area (about 0.008 mg/kg) much higher values (from 0.4 to 53,000 mg/kg) were determined in soil taken in the vicinity of manufacturer's landfill and storage sites and especially plants preparing asphalted gravel using formerly PCBs in their heat-exchanging systems. The contamination of the Laborec river and large Zemplinska Sirava reservoir is caused by the manufacturer's effluent canal since PCB levels in the canal sediment are still to be found about 3000 mg/kg. While PCB levels in sediment samples from Michalovce watercourses ranged between 1.7 and 6 mg/kg, sediment samples from the control Stropkov district ranged between 0.007 and 0.052 mg/kg only. Fish living in contaminated Michalovce waters contained about hundred times higher PCB levels than those caught in Stropkov ones. Similarly, game animals shot in Michalovce forests contained several times higher levels than those shot in Stropkov ones.

Occurrence of nitro and non-nitro benzenoid musk compounds in human adipose tissue

Nitro benzenoid musk compounds (Musk tibetene [CAS no. 145-39-1], Musk ambrette [83-66-9], Musk moskene [116-66-5], Musk ketone [81-14-1] and Musk xylene [81-15-2]) and non-nitro benzenoid musks (Celestolide [13171-00-1], Galaxolide [1222-05-5]) and Fixolide [1506-02-1] [21445-77-7] were analysed in 15 human adipose tissue samples from Switzerland by gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry. The levels of Musk xylene and Galaxolide ranged up to 288 ng/g lipids and 171 ng/g lipids, respectively. The concentrations of non-nitro benzenoid musks found in human adipose tissue raise concern since very few toxicological data are available.