Some technical issues in managing PCBs

Polychlorinated Biphenyl Concentrations and Estimated Intakes in Fish Oil Supplements on the Japanese Market

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic organic contaminants that are widespread in the environment. There are 209 PCB congeners. Fish oil produced from marine fish is widely used as a health supplement. PCB contamination of fish oil is of concern. We determined the concentrations of all 209 PCB congeners in commercially available fish oil supplements from Japan and estimated PCB intakes for humans consuming the supplements. We determined the concentrations of non-dioxin-like PCBs separately. The total PCB concentrations in 37 fish oil supplements purchased in Japan were 0.024-19 ng/g whole weight, and the non-dioxin-like PCB concentration range was also 0.024-19 ng/g whole weight. The total PCB intakes calculated for a 50 kg human consuming the supplements were 0.039-51 ng/day (0.00078-1.0 ng/(kg body weight per day)) and the non-dioxin-like PCB intake range was also 0.039-51 ng/day (0.00078-1.0 ng/(kg body weight per day)). The total PCB intakes were much lower than the tolerable daily intake of 20 ng/(kg body weight per day) recommended by the WHO. The results indicated that PCBs in the fish oil supplements pose acceptable risks to humans consuming the fish oil supplements daily.

Distribution of PCDD/Fs and PCBs at different locations in a circulating fluidised bed municipal solid waste incinerator

This study investigates a circulating fluidised bed (CFB) incineration plant to examine the concentrations and fingerprints of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and biphenyls (PCBs) at five locations downstream of the post-combustion zone. Sampling encompassed both flue gas and ash, spanning from the high-temperature superheater to the outlet of the baghouse filter, thus covering a wide range of flue gas temperatures. The analysis reveals a continuous increase in PCDD/F and PCB concentrations in the flue gas from the superheater to the inlet of the air pollution control system (APCS). The maximum concentrations observed were 75.8 ng/Nm3 for PCDDs, 219 ng/Nm3 for PCDFs, and 763 ng/Nm3 for PCBs. These values represent 9.14, 11.5, and 6.37 times their respective concentrations at the outlet of the high-temperature superheater. Concurrently, the levels of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs) in the ash steadily increased along the cooling path of the flue gas within the plant. Comparing dl-PCBs to the total amount of 209 PCB congeners, it was evident that dl-PCBs exhibited a trend more akin to that of PCDD/Fs. A robust linear correlation was observed between dl-PCBs and PCDD/Fs (R2 = 0.99, p < 0.001), surpassing that between PCBs and PCDD/Fs (R2 = 0.92, p < 0.01), suggesting that dl-PCBs share closer formation pathways with PCDD/Fs. Additionally, elemental composition analysis of fly ash samples aimed to explore potential links between fly ash characteristics and PCDD/F and PCB formation. The Cl/S ratio increased from 1.58 to 5.13 with decreasing flue gas temperature. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to visualise the concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in the flue gas alongside elemental contents in the fly ash. With the exception of PCBs in ash, all other PCDD/Fs and PCBs in fly ash exhibited positive correlations with both carbon (C) and chlorine (Cl). Furthermore, a positive relationship between C/Cl and PCDD/Fs-PCBs in fly ash implies that fly ash serves as the primary reaction surface for dioxin generation during low-temperature heterogeneous catalytic reactions.

Persistent organic pollutants and β-cell toxicity: a comprehensive review

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a diverse family of contaminants that show widespread global dispersion and bioaccumulation. Humans are continuously exposed to POPs through diet, air particles, and household and commercial products; POPs are consistently detected in human tissues, including the pancreas. Epidemiological studies show a modest but consistent correlation between exposure to POPs and increased diabetes risk. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of epidemiological evidence and an in-depth evaluation of the in vivo and in vitro evidence that POPs cause β-cell toxicity. We review evidence for six classes of POPs: dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), flame retardants, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The available data provide convincing evidence implicating POPs as a contributing factor driving impaired glucose homeostasis, β-cell dysfunction, and altered metabolic and oxidative stress pathways in islets. These findings support epidemiological data showing that POPs increase diabetes risk and emphasize the need to consider the endocrine pancreas in toxicity assessments. Our review also highlights significant gaps in the literature assessing islet-specific endpoints after both in vivo and in vitro POP exposure. In addition, most rodent studies do not consider the impact of biological sex or secondary metabolic stressors in mediating the effects of POPs on glucose homeostasis and β-cell function. We discuss key gaps and limitations that should be assessed in future studies.

Degradation of PCB67 in soil using the heterogenous Fenton process induced by montmorillonite supported nanoscale zero-valent iron

Montmorillonite supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (MMT-nZVI) was prepared and proved to be able to induce the heterogenous Fenton process for better removal of 2,3',4,5-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB67) in a long-term polluted soil. PCB67 removal depended highly on the dosages of MMT-nZVI and H₂O₂, and the initial pH, with the highest removal rate of 76.38% at conditions of H₂O₂ 45.99 g·kg^-1, MMT-nZVI 29.88 g·kg^-1 and initial pH 3.5 after 80 min of reaction. Furthermore, PCB67 could be removed in a wider pH range (from 3.5 to near neutrality), with a loss of 13.6% in removal rate at neutral pH. With an activation energy of 21.4 kJ·mol^-1, the degradation of PCB67 was an endothermic and diffusion-controlled process and followed the pseudo-first-order kinetics. That Fe²⁺ was supplied through aerobic corrosion of MMT-nZVI to activate H₂O₂ for·OH production was the possible mechanism of PCB67 degradation, leading to complete mineralization of PCB67 through two proposed pathways, with the intermediates of ethylbenzene and 3-hepten-2-one, as well as dibutyl phthalate and butyl acetate respectively.

Phytoremediation of soil contaminated with PCBs using different plants and their associated microbial communities

In this work, we evaluate the abilities of the plants Brassica juncea, Avena sativa, Brachiaria decumbens, and Medicago sativa to uptake polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and induce degradation of soil microorganisms from contaminated soil. Removal of PCBs 44, 66, 118, 153, 170, and 180 was evaluated in both rhizospheric and nonrhizospheric soils. Microbial and bphA1 gene quantifications were performed by real-time PCR. The PCB concentrations in plant tissues and soil were determined, and a fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis assay was used to measure microbial activity in soil. The removal percentages for all PCB congeners in planted soil versus unplanted control soil were statistically significant and varied between 45% and 63%. PCBs 118, 153, 138, and 170 were detected in Brachiaria decumbens roots at different concentrations. In planted soil, an increase in the concentration of bacteria was observed compared to the initial concentration and the concentration in unplanted control soil; however, no significant differences were identified between plants. The number of copies of the bphA1 gene was higher in rhizospheric versus non- rhizospheric soil for all plants at the end of the experiment. However, alfalfa and oat rhizospheric soil showed significant differences in the copy number of the bphA1 gene. In general, the concentration of fluorescein in the rhizospheric soil was greater than that in the nonrhizospheric soil. Although the plants had a positive effect on PCB removal, this effect varied depending on the type of PCB, the plant, and the soil.

Characterising boiler ash from a circulating fluidised bed municipal solid waste incinerator and distribution of PCDD/F and PCB

In this study, ash samples were collected from five locations situated in the boiler of a circulating fluidised bed municipal solid waste incinerator (high- and low-temperature superheater, evaporator tubes and upper and lower economiser). These samples represent a huge range of flue gas temperatures and were characterised for their particle size distribution, surface characteristics, elemental composition, chemical forms of carbon and chlorine and distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), dibenzofurans (PCDF) and biphenyls (PCB). Enrichment of chlorine, one of the main elements of organochlorinated pollutants, and copper, zinc and lead, major catalytic metals for dioxin-like compounds, was observed in lower-temperature ash deposits. The speciation of carbon and chlorine on ash surfaces was established, showing a positive correlation between organic chlorine and oxygen-containing carbon functional groups. The load of PCDD/F and PCB (especially dioxin-like PCB) tends to rise rapidly with falling temperature of flue gas, reaching their highest value in economiser ashes. The formation of PCDD/F congeners through the chlorophenol precursor route apparently was enhanced downstream the boiler. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to study the links between the ash characteristics and distribution of chloro-aromatics. The primary purpose of this study is improving the understanding of any links between the characteristics of ash from waste heat systems and its potential to form PCDD/F and PCB. The question is raised whether further characterisation of fly ash may assist to establish a diagnosis of poor plant operation, inclusive the generation, destruction and eventual emission of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Kinetic simulation and prediction of pyrolysis process for non-metallic fraction of waste printed circuit boards by discrete distributed activation energy model compared with isoconversional method

Kinetic studies on the pyrolysis process for non-metallic fraction (NMF) of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) were conducted using both the isoconversional SKAS method and the discrete distributed activation energy model (discrete DAEM). The pyrolysis process of the NMF sample could be classified into three stages, and a large mass loss was observed from 98 to 570 °C, attributed to thermal degradation of epoxy resins in the NMF sample. The kinetic parameters, including activation energies (E _i), pre-exponential factors (A _i), and contributed fractions (f _i,0), were determined. It indicated that the discrete DAEM could predict the pyrolysis process of the NMF more accurately and completely when compared with the isoconversional SKAS method. In the discrete DAEM, E _i and A _i values were evaluated at 99 equally spaced intervals of conversion. The E _i and A _i (in the form of lnA _i) transformed with reaction progress, ranging from 80.9 to 240.5 kJ/mol and 19.07 to 39.55 s^-1, respectively, with the conversion increased from 0.01 to 0.99. The pyrolysis of the NMF of WPCBs could be accurately characterized as 17 dominating reactions from f _i,0 results. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Persistent Threats by Persistent Pollutants: Chemical Nature, Concerns and Future Policy Regarding PCBs-What Are We Heading For?

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated sites around the world affect human health for many years, showing long latency periods of health effects. The impact of the different PCB congeners on human health should not be underestimated, as they are ubiquitous, stable molecules and reactive in biological tissues, leading to neurological, endocrine, genetic, and systemic adverse effects in the human body. Moreover, bioaccumulation of these compounds in fatty tissues of animals (e.g., fish and mammals) and in soils/sediments, results in chronic exposure to these substances. Efficient destruction methods are important to decontaminate polluted sites worldwide. This paper provides an in-depth overview of (i) the history and accidents with PCBs in the 20th century, (ii) the mechanisms that are responsible for the hazardous effects of PCBs, and (iii) the current policy regarding PCB control and decontamination. Contemporary impacts on human health of historical incidents are discussed next to an up to date overview of the health effects caused by PCBs and their mechanisms. Methods to decontaminate sites are reviewed. Steps which lead to a policy of banning the production and distribution of PCBs are overviewed in a context of preventing future accidents and harm to the environment and human health.

Combined mechanochemical and thermal treatment of PCBs contaminated soil

This study combines a preliminary mechanochemical treatment and a subsequent thermal desorption for remediating soil, contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Phyto-rhizoremediation of polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated soils: An outlook on plant-microbe beneficial interactions

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals, recalcitrant to degradation, bioaccumulative and persistent in the environment, causing adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. For this reason, the remediation of PCB-contaminated soils is a primary issue to be addressed. Phytoremediation represents a promising tool for in situ soil remediation, since the available physico-chemical technologies have strong environmental and economic impacts. Plants can extract and metabolize several xenobiotics present in the soil, but their ability to uptake and mineralize PCBs is limited due to the recalcitrance and low bioavailability of these molecules that in turn impedes an efficient remediation of PCB-contaminated soils. Besides plant degradation ability, rhizoremediation takes into account the capability of soil microbes to uptake, attack and degrade pollutants, so it can be seen as the most suitable strategy to clean-up PCB-contaminated soils. Microbes are in fact the key players of PCB degradation, performed under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In the rhizosphere, microbes and plants positively interact. Microorganisms can promote plant growth under stressed conditions typical of polluted soils. Moreover, in this specific niche, root exudates play a pivotal role by promoting the biphenyl catabolic pathway, responsible for microbial oxidative PCB metabolism, and by improving the overall PCB degradation performance. Besides rhizospheric microbial community, also the endophytic bacteria are involved in pollutant degradation and represent a reservoir of microbial resources to be exploited for bioremediation purposes. Here, focusing on plant-microbe beneficial interactions, we propose a review of the available results on PCB removal from soil obtained combining different plant and microbial species, mainly under simplified conditions like greenhouse experiments. Furthermore, we discuss the potentiality of "omics" approaches to identify PCB-degrading microbes, an aspect of paramount importance to design rhizoremediation strategies working efficiently under different environmental conditions, pointing out the urgency to expand research investigations to field scale.

Influence of activated-carbon-supported transition metals on the decomposition of polychlorobiphenyls. Part II: Chemical and physical characterization and mechanistic study

This paper studies the synergism between transition metals (TMs) and activated carbon (AC) as a catalyst support used in the catalytic decomposition of PCBs. A series of AC-supported TM catalysts was prepared according to two distinct methods: impregnation and ion exchange which were defined as LaTM-C and IRTM-C, respectively. The catalytic reactions between 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB-153) and AC-supported Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn catalysts were conducted under N2 atmosphere. Changes in the nature of the catalysts as well as the decomposition mechanism of PCB-153 are discussed. Important findings include: (i) a higher metal concentration and a better metal distribution on AC is realized using ion-exchange, despite a lower AC specific surface area, (ii) IRTM-C had better effects on the decomposition of PCB-153 than LaTM-C, (iii) the role of Ni, Cu, and Fe as electron donors in PCB dechlorination was evaluated vs. the stability of Zn, and (iv) both temperature and chemical composition of TM catalysts influenced the decomposition efficiency of PCBs.

Thermal dechlorination of heavily PCB-contaminated soils from a sealed site of PCB-containing electrical equipment

A large amount of soils are contaminated by leakage of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from sealed-up PCB-containing electrical equipment in China. Thermal dechlorination of soils contaminated with PCBs at a level of 108 mg g(-1) and PCB77 (3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl) as a model isomer in conjunction with calcium oxide was investigated in this study. The PCB dechlorination rate improved with increased temperature and time. The highest dechlorination rate was 85.3 %, and temperature was the main influencing factor. Pentachlorobiphenyl and tetrachlorobiphenyl in soils decreased or disappeared in response to treatment at 350 and 400 °C for 4 h, while monochlorinated biphenyl and biphenyl were detected after the reaction, indicating the presence of a dechlorination/hydrogenation pathway. Discrepancy in chlorine balance was observed after low-temperature thermal dechlorination. The species of dechlorination products were identified as amorphous carbon containing a crystalline graphite plane structure and a carbonyl group-containing polymerized product, demonstrating the existence of a dechlorination/polymerization pathway. The yield of amorphous carbon and high-molecular-weight intermediates increased with heating time. The results showed that the discrepancy in chlorine balance was because of the generation of polymerized products and undetected intermediates.

Detection of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in surface water, soil, and groundwater in a chemical industrial park in Eastern China

China is suffering from serious water and soil pollution, especially in the North China Plain. This work investigated semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in surface water, groundwater and soil within a chemical industrial park in Eastern China, for which the volatile organic compound (VOC) results have been previously reported. A total of 20 samples were collected from the field, and analyzed in the laboratory. A 100% detection frequency of SVOCs in samples from this chemical industrial park was observed (same as VOCs). Moreover, the detection frequency of 113 SVOCs in each sample reached 15.93, 12.39 and 20.35% for surface water, groundwater and soil, respectively. The most detected SVOCs in the park included N-containing SVOCs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates, organic pesticides and polychlorodiphenyls. The elevated detecting frequencies and concentration levels of SVOCs identified in the groundwater were attributed to the intensive chemical production activities in the park. In addition, the agricultural activities in the area might also have contributed to the SVOCs to the groundwater. The results of VOCs and SVOCs from this and previous studies suggest that the groundwater in this industrial park has been severely contaminated, and the contamination likely spreads beyond the park. Imminent hydrogeological assessments and remedial actions are warranted to eliminate the source and mitigate the potential plume expansion beyond the park boundary.

Dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls by iron and its oxides

The decomposition efficiency of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was determined using elemental iron (Fe) and three iron (hydr)oxides, i.e., α-Fe2O3, Fe3O4, and α-FeOOH, as catalysts. The experiments were performed using four distinct PCB congeners (PCB-209, PCB-153, and the coplanar PCB-167 and PCB-77) at temperatures ranging from 180 °C to 380 °C and under an inert, oxidizing or reducing atmosphere composed of N2, N2+O2, or N2+H2. From these three options N2 showed to provide the best reaction atmosphere. Among the iron compounds tested, Fe3O4 showed the highest activity for decomposing PCBs. The decomposition efficiencies of PCB-209, PCB-167, PCB-153, and PCB-77 by Fe3O4 in an N2 atmosphere at 230 °C were 88.5%, 82.5%, 69.9%, and 66.4%, respectively. Other inorganic chlorine (Cl) products which were measured by the amount of inorganic Cl ions represented 82.5% and 76.1% of the reaction products, showing that ring cleavage of PCBs was the main elimination process. Moreover, the dechlorination did not require a particular hydrogen donor. We used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to analyze the elemental distribution at the catalyst's surface. The O/Fe ratio influenced upon the decomposition efficiency of PCBs: the lower this ratio, the higher the decomposition efficiency. X-ray absorption near edge structure spectra showed that α-Fe2O3 effectively worked as a catalyst, while Fe3O4 and α-FeOOH were consumed as reactants, as their final state is different from their initial state. Finally, a decomposition pathway was postulated in which the Cl atoms in ortho-positions were more difficult to eliminate than those in the para- or meta-positions.