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Megson D, Idowu IG, Sandau CD. Is current generation of polychlorinated biphenyls exceeding peak production of the 1970s? Sci Total Environ 2024; 924:171436. [PMID: 38447728 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are man-made chemicals that were once widely produced as commercial mixtures for various industrial applications. PCBs were later recognized as environmental pollutants and health hazards, leading to their global phase-out and strict regulations on their production, use, and disposal. Most investigations on PCBs focus on measuring the specific PCBs present in commercial mixtures or marker compounds representing those mixtures. However, there are new sources of PCBs that are gaining more attention. These 'by-product PCBs' are inadvertently produced in certain chemical and product formulations. Our estimates show that U.S. legislation currently permits the generation of more by-product PCBs (~100 million lb. (~45,000 Tonnes) per year) than during peak commercial production of the 1970s (85 million lb. (~39,000 Tonnes) per year). These PCBs are currently going un-detected in most investigations. Therefore, they may be a posing a growing, unmonitored environmental and human health risk. Most people assume PCBs to be legacy pollutants from historically formulated commercial mixtures. However, our research suggests that due to the emergence of by-product PCBs they may need to be reconsidered as an emerging pollutant of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Megson
- Chemistry Matters Inc., Calgary, Canada; Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK.
| | | | - Courtney D Sandau
- Chemistry Matters Inc., Calgary, Canada; Mount Royal University, Calgary, Canada
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Idowu IG, Megson D, Tiktak G, Dereviankin M, Sandau CD. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) half-lives in humans: A systematic review. Chemosphere 2023; 345:140359. [PMID: 37832892 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
This manuscript presents a systematic review of PCB half-lives reported in the scientific literature. The review was completed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and included a review of almost 1000 peer-reviewed publications. In total, 26 articles were found to report half-lives in humans, with the majority of data coming from studies performed in North America on individuals suspected to have been exposed to PCBs. Terminology for reporting PCB half-lives was inconsistent, so we have attempted to consolidate this and recommend using either "apparent half-life" or "intrinsic half-life" in future studies. Within the literature, values for reported half-lives varied considerably for different PCBs. Less chlorinated PCBs generally have shorter half-lives than more chlorinated PCBs. It was interesting to note the large variability of half-lives reported for the same PCB. For example, the reported half-life for PCB 180 varied by nearly 3 orders of magnitude (0.34 years-300 years). Our review identified that the half-lives estimated were largely dependent on the studied cohort. We discuss the importance of PCB body burden, degree of chlorination and PCB structure, gender, age, breastfeeding, BMI, and smoking status on half-life estimations. We also identified significantly shorter half-lives for some PCBs in occupationally exposed individuals compared to results reported from the general population. PCB half-lives are not the same for every PCB or every individual. Therefore, careful consideration is needed when these values are used in human exposure studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Megson
- Chemistry Matters Inc, Calgary, Canada; Manchester Metropolitan University, Department of Natural Science, Ecology and Environment Research Centre, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK
| | - Guuske Tiktak
- Manchester Metropolitan University, Department of Natural Science, Ecology and Environment Research Centre, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK
| | | | - Courtney D Sandau
- Chemistry Matters Inc, Calgary, Canada; Mount Royal University, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Calgary, Canada.
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Megson D, Tiktak GP, Shideler S, Dereviankin M, Harbicht L, Sandau CD. Source apportionment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) using different receptor models: A case study on sediment from the Portland Harbor Superfund Site (PHSS), Oregon, USA. Sci Total Environ 2023; 872:162231. [PMID: 36796695 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Multivariate modelling techniques are used by a wide variety of investigations in environmental chemistry. It is surprisingly rare for studies to show a detailed understanding of uncertainties created by modelling or how uncertainties in chemical analysis impact model outputs. It is common to use untrained multivariate models for receptor modelling. These models produce a slightly different output each time they are run. The fact that a single model can provide different results is rarely acknowledged. In this manuscript, we attempt to address this by investigating differences that can be generated using four different receptor models (NMF, ALS, PMF & PVA) to perform source apportionment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in surface sediments from Portland Harbor. Results showed that models generally had a strong agreement and identified the same main signatures that represented commercial PCB mixtures, however, subtle differences were identified by; different models, same models but with a different number of end members (EM), and the same model with the same number of end members. As well as identifying different Aroclor-like signatures, the relative proportion of these sources also varied. Depending on which method is selected it may have a significant impact on conclusions of a scientific report or litigation case and ultimately, allocation on who is responsible for paying for remediation. Therefore, care must be taken to understand these uncertainties to select a method that produces consistent results with end members that can be chemically explained. We also investigated a novel approach to use our multivariate models to identify inadvertent sources of PCBs. By using a residual plot produced from one of our models (NMF) we were able to suggest the presence of approximately 30 different potentially inadvertently produced PCBs which account for 6.6 % of the total PCBs in Portland Harbor sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Megson
- Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK; Chemistry Matters Inc., Alberta, Canada.
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Hannah TJ, Megson D, Sandau CD. A review of the mechanisms of by-product PCB formation in pigments, dyes and paints. Sci Total Environ 2022; 852:158529. [PMID: 36063921 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There has been an increased awareness of paints and pigments as a source of by-product PCBs in the environment. The majority of existing work has focused only on reporting the presence of the main PCBs in different products with a specific focus on the most PCB congeners, PCB11 and PCB209. This gives the impression that only a handful of PCBs are found in paints. However, this is not the case. PCB profiles in paints and pigments can be just as complex as commercial technical mixtures. This review identified the presence of 149 different PCBs in paint samples. For reference, only 141 different PCBs have been reported in all of the 5 main commercial Aroclor formulations (A1016, A1242, A1248, A1254 (early & late) and A1260). The total PCB concentrations in some paint samples can be substantial, with concentrations as high as 919 mg kg-1 reported in azo pigments. When trying to identify sources of PCBs in the environment, pigments, dyes and paints are often overlooked. In this manuscript, we have compiled congener profiles from 140 different samples from the available scientific literature and presented this in the supplementary information as valuable resource for others to use in source identification applications. We have also proposed detailed mechanisms for the formation of PCBs in pigments, dyes and paints. In many cases, the PCB congeners predicted by these mechanisms provide an excellent match for what has been observed in the scientific literature. We have also identified several additional classes of pigments that are expected to contain PCBs but have yet to be verified by experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Megson
- Chemistry Matters, Calgary, AB, Canada; Manchester Metropolitan University, Ecology & Environment Research Centre, Department of Natural Science, Manchester, UK.
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5
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Megson D, Brown T, Jones GR, Robson M, Johnson GW, Tiktak GP, Sandau CD, Reiner EJ. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations and profiles in marine mammals from the North Atlantic Ocean. Chemosphere 2022; 288:132639. [PMID: 34687677 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can provide crucial information into the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of POPs in marine mammals. Muscle tissue samples were obtained for detailed PCB congener specific analysis of all 209 PCBs in 11 species of marine mammals stranded across the coast of the UK between 2010 and 2013. At least 145 PCB congeners were found in each individual. The highest concentrations of PCBs were recorded in a killer whale (318 mg/kg lipid) and the highest toxic equivalent in a Risso's dolphin (1687 pg/g TEQ2005 wet). Concentrations of PCBs in the majority of samples exceeded toxic thresholds (9 mg/kg lipid) for marine mammals, highlighting the health risk they face from PCB exposure. Many PCB profiles did not fit typical 'Aroclor' signatures, but instead indicated patterns of congeners that are resistant to biotransformation and elimination. However, this study identified a novel PCB signature in a sei whale that has not yet been previously observed in marine mammals. The whale had a PCB profile that included lighter and inadvertent PCB congeners such as PCB 11, suggesting that the main source of exposure was through atmospheric deposition, rather than terrestrial discharges. Seven subsamples were chosen for chiral analysis of PCB 95, 136 and 149. The enantiomer fractions (EFs) of C-PCBs 95 and 149 were non racemic suggesting there may be enantiomer selective metabolism in marine mammals. Although there has been a shift in the literature towards emerging pollutants, this study acts as a stark reminder that PCBs continue to pose a significant risk to wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Megson
- Manchester Metropolitan University, Ecology & Environment Research Centre, Department of Natural Science, Manchester, UK; Chemistry Matters, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Thomas Brown
- Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Oban, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Mathew Robson
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. 125 Resources Road, Toronto, ON, M9P 3V6, Canada
| | | | - Guuske P Tiktak
- Manchester Metropolitan University, Ecology & Environment Research Centre, Department of Natural Science, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Eric J Reiner
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. 125 Resources Road, Toronto, ON, M9P 3V6, Canada
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Idowu IG, Xia Z, Sandau CD, Misselwitz M, Thomas P, Marvin C, Tomy GT. Comparison of different approaches to quantify substituted polycyclic aromatic compounds. J Chromatogr A 2021; 1651:462317. [PMID: 34161836 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2021.462317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Unlike native polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), quantitation of substituted polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) has been a challenge in the environmental industry. The challenge can be attributed in part to the large number of theoretically possible isomers and the lack of authentic standards for quantitation. In addition, the lack of a unified approach to the quantitation of these compounds has led to poor interlaboratory accuracy. Because these compounds are often used for toxicology studies or to delineate sources and fingerprinting, it is vital that a standardized approach to quantify them is established. This study evaluated different quantitation approaches to quantify both 16 individual PACs and 32 groups/clusters of substituted PACs in three standard reference materials (SRM 1944 - New York / New Jersey waterway sediments, SRM 1597 - a coal tar sample and SRM 2779 - Gulf of Mexico crude oil). The methods employed include: (1) external calibration taking into account recovery correction factor for each analyte, (2) an average relative response factor (ARRF) of PACs obtained with a recovery correction, (3) ARRF of PACs obtained using uncorrected peak areas (i.e., no recovery correction), (4) ARRF of PACs calculated by normalization to deuterated PAHs and (5) ARRF of native PAHs to quantify substituted PACs. The evaluation of concentrations of individually substituted PACs from the different quantitative approaches compared to the certified/reference values showed that methods 1, 2 and 3 performed best. The average percentage of compounds that fell within our acceptable limit (±30%) using methods 1, 2 and 3 for SRM-1944, -1597a and -2779 was 87, 75 and 100%, respectively. Using native PAHs to quantify their substituted analogs resulted in data of the poorest quality. Irrespective of the approach used, there were significant systematic errors in measurements on clusters/groups PACs most notably C1 and C2-benzanthracenes/ chrysenes/triplenylenes, and C2- and C3-dibenzothiophenes being consistently greater than 100% of the stated value. Commerical availability of more substituted PACs will mitigate the biases associated with the quanititation of PAC clusters/groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifeoluwa G Idowu
- Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development (COGRaD), University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Zhe Xia
- Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development (COGRaD), University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Courtney D Sandau
- Chemistry Matters, 104-1240 Kensington Road NW #405, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 3P7 Canada
| | - Michelle Misselwitz
- Chemistry Matters, 104-1240 Kensington Road NW #405, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 3P7 Canada
| | - Philippe Thomas
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Center, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Raven Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1A 0H3
| | - Chris Marvin
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada, L7S 1A1
| | - Gregg T Tomy
- Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development (COGRaD), University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
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Megson D, Benoit NB, Sandau CD, Chaudhuri SR, Long T, Coulthard E, Johnson GW. Evaluation of the effectiveness of different indicator PCBs to estimating total PCB concentrations in environmental investigations. Chemosphere 2019; 237:124429. [PMID: 31352098 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are one of the most widely studied group of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). There are 209 different PCBs, however not all 209 can currently be individually quantified in one analytical run. This means that a subset of PCBs congeners are often determined and reported. Some of the most commonly reported subsets are the 7 indicator PCBs (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180) and the WHO 12 PCBs (77, 81, 105, 114, 118, 123, 126, 156, 157, 167, 169 and 189). The WHO 12 congeners are co-planar 'dioxin like' PCBs that are effective for establishing health risks. The 7 indicator PCBs were selected as some of the most common PCBs across the compositional range of the most common technical mixtures (such as Aroclors), and are used to give an indication of the total PCB concentrations. These groups of indicator PCBs were established several decades ago. However, in the environment commercial mixtures are subject to weathering and fractionation processes, and additional sources of non-Aroclor PCBs are also becoming more important. In this manuscript we use existing large scale comprehensive congener specific datasets to evaluate the effectiveness of indicator PCBs to predict total concentrations and establish if they are still fit for purpose. The results indicate that while these traditional indicators are a useful tool to estimate total concentrations in humans with background exposure there are many instances where they are not fit for purpose and can lead to significant under predictions in total PCB concentrations in environmental matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Megson
- Manchester Metropolitan University, Ecology and Environment Research Centre, Manchester, UK; Chemistry Matters Inc., Alberta, Canada.
| | - Nadine B Benoit
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Courtney D Sandau
- Chemistry Matters Inc., Alberta, Canada; Mount Royal University, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, 4825, Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sri R Chaudhuri
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tanya Long
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Emma Coulthard
- Manchester Metropolitan University, Ecology and Environment Research Centre, Manchester, UK
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Idowu I, Johnson W, Francisco O, Obal T, Marvin C, Thomas PJ, Sandau CD, Stetefeld J, Tomy GT. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry for the analysis of substituted and unsubstituted polycyclic aromatic compounds in environmental samples. J Chromatogr A 2018; 1579:106-114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2018.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Letcher RJ, Lu Z, de Solla SR, Sandau CD, Fernie KJ. Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) from Canadian Areas of Concern across the southern Laurentian Great Lakes: Chlorinated and brominated hydrocarbon contaminants and metabolites in relation to circulating concentrations of thyroxine and vitamin A. Environ Res 2015; 143:266-278. [PMID: 26519832 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The metabolites of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), as well as other halogenated phenolic contaminants (HPCs) have been shown to have endocrine-disrupting properties, and have been reported with increasing frequency in the blood of wildlife, and mainly in mammals and birds. However, little is known about the persistence, accumulation and distribution of these contaminants in long-lived freshwater reptiles. In the present study, in addition to a large suite of chlorinated and brominated contaminants, metabolites and HPCs, we assessed and compared hydroxylated (OH) PCBs and OH-PBDEs relative to PCBs and PBDEs, respectively, in the plasma of adult male common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina). Blood samples were collected from 62 snapping turtles (2001-2004) at 12 wetland sites between the Detroit River and the St. Lawrence River on the Canadian side of the Laurentian Great Lakes of North America. Turtles were sampled from sites designated as Areas of Concern (AOCs) and from a relatively clean reference site in southern Georgian Bay (Tiny Marsh), Lake Huron. Plasma concentrations of Σ46PCB (10-340 ng/g wet weight (ww)) and Σ28OH-PCB (3-83 ng/g ww) were significantly greater (p<0.05) in turtles from the Turkey Creek and Muddy Creek-Wheatley Harbour sites in Lake Erie compared with the reference site turtles. The HPC, pentachlorophenol (PCP), had a mean concentration of 9.6±1.1 ng/g ww. Of the 28 OH-CB congeners screened for, 4-OH-CB187 (42±7 ng/g ww) was the most concentrated of all HPCs measured. Of the 14 OH-BDE congeners examined, four (4'-OH-BDE17, 3-OH-BDE47, 5-OH-BDE47 and 4'-OH-BDE49) were consistently found in all plasma samples. p,p'-DDE was the most concentrated of the 18 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) examined. The mean concentrations of circulating total thyroxine (TT4), dehydroretinol and retinol in the plasma of the male snapping turtles regardless of sampling site were 5.4±0.3, 81±4.7 and 291±13 ng/mL, respectively. Significant (p<0.05) negative (e.g. cis-chlordane) or positive (e.g. BDE-99) correlations between some of the target contaminants and TT4, dehydroretinol or retinol were observed. To our knowledge, we report for the first time on HPC (e.g. OH-PCBs) and methylsulfonyl- (MeSO2-) PCB metabolite contaminants in the plasma of any freshwater turtle or freshwater reptilian species. Our findings also show that the accumulation of OH-PCBs, MeSO2-PCBs, OH-PBDEs and some OCPs in the snapping turtles from Lake Erie and Lake Ontario (in 2001-2004) had the potential for eliciting endocrine disruption. Exposure to these contaminants and associated adverse effects on the endocrine system in freshwater reptiles and the related mechanisms require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0H3.
| | - Zhe Lu
- Richardson College for the Environment, Environmental Studies Program and Department of Chemistry, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3B 2E9
| | - Shane R de Solla
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7S 1A1
| | | | - Kimberly J Fernie
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7S 1A1
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Megson D, O'Sullivan G, Comber S, Worsfold PJ, Lohan MC, Edwards MR, Shields WJ, Sandau CD, Patterson DG. Elucidating the structural properties that influence the persistence of PCBs in humans using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset. Sci Total Environ 2013; 461-462:99-107. [PMID: 23712120 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.04.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Revised: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 04/27/2013] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In human exposure studies involving Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), it is useful to establish when an individual was potentially exposed. Age dating PCB exposure is complex but assessments can be made because different PCB congeners have different residence times in the human body. The less chlorinated congeners generally tend to have shorter residence times because they are biotransformed and eliminated faster than more chlorinated congeners. Therefore, the presence of high proportions of less chlorinated congeners is often indicative of recent exposure. The 2003-04 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset contains results for the concentration of 37 PCBs in a sub-sample of the US population. Multivariate statistical analysis of the NHANES data showed that less chlorinated congeners are not always biotransformed faster than higher chlorinated compounds. For example, PCB 28 (a tri-chlorobiphenyl) appears to be more resistant to biotransformation than PCB 101 and 110 (penta-chlorobiphenyls). Using statistical analysis of the NHANES data in conjunction with previously published studies on PCB persistence in humans, it was possible to identify the structural relationships that determine if a PCB is likely to be from a recent exposure (termed 'episodic') or from steady state exposure. Congeners with chlorine atoms in the 2,5- and 2,3,6-positions appear to be more susceptible to biotransformation whereas congeners with chlorine bonds in the 2,3,4- 2,4,5- 3,4,5- and 2,3,4,5-positions appear to be more persistent. This work shows that future investigations to date PCB exposure would benefit from the analysis of a wide range of congeners, including the selection of key congeners based not only on the degree of chlorination but also on the positions of the chlorine atoms on the biphenyl.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Megson
- Biogeochemistry Research Centre, SoGEES, Plymouth University, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK.
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11
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Dallaire R, Muckle G, Dewailly É, Jacobson SW, Jacobson JL, Sandanger TM, Sandau CD, Ayotte P. Thyroid hormone levels of pregnant inuit women and their infants exposed to environmental contaminants. Environ Health Perspect 2009; 117:1014-20. [PMID: 19590699 PMCID: PMC2702396 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.0800219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2008] [Accepted: 01/28/2009] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing number of studies have shown that several ubiquitous environmental contaminants possess thyroid hormone-disrupting capacities. Prenatal exposure to some of them, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), has also been associated with adverse neurodevelopmental effects in infants. OBJECTIVES In this study we examined the relationship between exposure to potential thyroid hormone-disrupting toxicants and thyroid hormone status in pregnant Inuit women from Nunavik and their infants within the first year of life. METHODS We measured thyroid hormone parameters [thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT(4)), total triiodothyronine (T(3)), thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG)] and concentrations of several contaminants [PCB-153, hydroxylated metabolites of PCBs (HO-PCBs), pentachlorophenol (PCP) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB)] in maternal plasma at delivery (n = 120), in umbilical cord plasma (n = 95), and in infant plasma at 7 months postpartum (n = 130). RESULTS In pregnant women, we found a positive association between HO-PCBs and T(3) concentrations (beta = 0.57, p = 0.02). In umbilical cord blood, PCB-153 concentrations were negatively associated with TBG levels (beta = -0.26, p = 0.01). In a subsample analysis, a negative relationship was also found between maternal PCP levels and cord fT(4) concentrations in neonates (beta = -0.59, p = 0.02). No association was observed between contaminants and thyroid hormones at 7 months of age. CONCLUSION Overall, there is little evidence that the environmental contaminants analyzed in this study affect thyroid hormone status in Inuit mothers and their infants. The possibility that PCP may decrease thyroxine levels in neonates requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée Dallaire
- Public Health Research Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-CHUL, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Laval University, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Gina Muckle
- Public Health Research Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-CHUL, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- School of Psychology, Laval University, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Éric Dewailly
- Public Health Research Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-CHUL, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Laval University, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Sandra W. Jacobson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Joseph L. Jacobson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Psychology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Torkjel M. Sandanger
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, The Polar Environmental Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Pierre Ayotte
- Public Health Research Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-CHUL, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Laval University, Québec City, Québec, Canada
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Li Z, Sandau CD, Romanoff LC, Caudill SP, Sjodin A, Needham LL, Patterson DG. Concentration and profile of 22 urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites in the US population. Environ Res 2008; 107:320-31. [PMID: 18313659 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2008.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2007] [Revised: 12/06/2007] [Accepted: 01/16/2008] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Urinary monohydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) are a class of PAH metabolites used as biomarkers for assessing human exposure to PAHs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) uses OH-PAHs to establish reference range concentrations for the US population, and to set benchmarks for future epidemiologic and biomonitoring studies. For the years 2001 and 2002, 22 OH-PAH metabolites were measured in urine specimens from 2748 NHANES participants. Percentages of samples with detectable levels ranged from nearly 100% for metabolites of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene, to less than 5% for metabolites from parent compounds with higher molecular weight such as chrysene, benzo[c]phenanthrene, and benz[a]anthracene. The geometric mean for 1-hydroxypyrene (1-PYR)--the most commonly used biomarker for PAH exposure--was 49.6 ng/L urine, or 46.4 ng/g creatinine. Children (ages 6-11) generally had higher levels than did adolescents (ages 12-19) or adults (ages 20 and older). Model-adjusted, least-square geometric means for 1-PYR were 87, 53 and 43 ng/L for children, adolescents (ages 12-19) and adults (ages 20 years and older), respectively. Log-transformed concentrations for major detectable OH-PAHs were significantly correlated with each other. The correlation coefficients between 1-PYR and other metabolites ranging from 0.17 to 0.63 support the use of 1-PYR as a useful surrogate representing PAH exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Li
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Highway, F53 Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
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Sandanger TM, Sinotte M, Dumas P, Marchand M, Sandau CD, Pereg D, Bérubé S, Brisson J, Ayotte P. Plasma concentrations of selected organobromine compounds and polychlorinated biphenyls in postmenopausal women of Québec, Canada. Environ Health Perspect 2007; 115:1429-34. [PMID: 17938731 PMCID: PMC2022639 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.10303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2007] [Accepted: 07/23/2007] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brominated flame retardants, especially polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), have been widely used in North America, but little is known about the level of exposure of human populations to these compounds. OBJECTIVES We set out to assess the internal exposure of postmenopausal Canadian women to selected organobromine compounds and to investigate factors associated with this exposure. METHODS We measured concentrations of four PBDEs, one polybrominated biphenyl, and for comparative purposes, 41 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in plasma samples from 110 healthy postmenopausal women who were recruited at a mammography clinic in 2003-2004. RESULTS PBDE-47 was the major PBDE congener, with a mean (geometric) concentration of 8.1 ng/g lipids and extreme values reaching 1,780 ng/g. By comparison, the mean concentration of the major PCB congener (PCB-153) was 41.7 ng/g and the highest value was 177 ng/g. PBDEs 47, 99, and 100 were strongly intercorrelated, but weaker correlations were noted with PBDE-153. As the sum of PBDEs (summation operatorPBDEs) increased, the relative contribution of PBDE-47 to the summation operatorPBDEs increased, whereas that of PBDE-153 decreased. PBDE-153 was the only brominated compound correlated to PCB-153. PBDE levels were not linked to any sociodemographic, anthropometric, reproductive, or lifestyle variables documented in the present study. Age and body mass index gain since the age of 18 years were significant predictors of PCB-153 plasma levels. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that exposure to PBDE-47 likely occurs through direct contact with the penta-PBDE formulation, whereas exposure to PBDE-153 may originate in part from the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torkjel M. Sandanger
- Unité de recherche en santé publique, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec and Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Polar Environmental Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Marc Sinotte
- Unité de recherche en santé des populations, Centre Hospitalier Affilié Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Pierre Dumas
- Centre de Toxicologie, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Mario Marchand
- Centre de Toxicologie, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Daria Pereg
- Unité de recherche en santé publique, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec and Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Sylvie Bérubé
- Unité de recherche en santé des populations, Centre Hospitalier Affilié Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Jacques Brisson
- Unité de recherche en santé des populations, Centre Hospitalier Affilié Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Pierre Ayotte
- Unité de recherche en santé publique, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec and Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Toxicologie, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Address correspondence to P. Ayotte, Unité de recherche en santé publique CHUQ-CHUL and INSPQ, 945 avenue Wolfe, 4 étage, Québec, QC, Canada G1V 5B3. Telephone: (418) 650-5115, ext. 4654. Fax: (418) 654-2148. E-mail:
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Sandanger TM, Brustad M, Sandau CD, Lund E. Levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in a coastal northern Norwegian population with high fish-liver intake. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 8:552-7. [PMID: 16688357 DOI: 10.1039/b600046k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Recent research has again raised the issue regarding the potential health effects of long term exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the context of a risk-benefit analysis. There remains clear evidence of the beneficial effects of fish consumption on public health and in particular fatty fish with its essential fatty acids. In addition to providing fatty acids, fish fat constitutes an essential source to vitamin D for the northern Norwegian population. Norwegian Food Control Authorities have recommended that children and women of childbearing age should not consume fish liver due to the risk associated with high intake of POPs. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of fish liver intake on the levels of PCBs and chlorinated pesticides in a rural coastal community (n = 31) in northern Norway, applying a cross-sectional design. The geometric mean plasma levels of sum of PCBs (14 congeners) and p,p'-DDE was found to be 558 microg kg(-1) lipids and 179 microg kg(-1) lipids, respectively. These levels were not significantly affected by the reported intake of fish liver, when age and gender were considered. Age in particular, but also gender were significant predictors for most compounds. When merging the dataset with an urban population with considerable lower intake of fish liver, the intake of cod liver still did not significantly affect the levels of PCBs and p,p'-DDE when adjusted for age and gender. Age and gender remain the strongest predictors of plasma levels of POPs in this study whereas fish liver intake was not significantly associated with the POPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Sandanger
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Polar Environmental Centre, Tromsø, Norway.
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Romanoff LC, Li Z, Young KJ, Blakely NC, Patterson DG, Sandau CD. Automated solid-phase extraction method for measuring urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites in human biomonitoring using isotope-dilution gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2006; 835:47-54. [PMID: 16563884 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2006.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2005] [Revised: 02/28/2006] [Accepted: 03/05/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In order to perform comprehensive epidemiological studies where multiple metabolites of several PAHs are measured and compared in low-dose urine samples, fast and robust methods are needed to measure many analytes in the same sample. We have modified a previous method used for measuring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites by automating the solid-phase extraction (SPE) and including an additional eight metabolites. We also added seven new carbon-13 labeled standards, which improves the use of isotope-dilution calibration. Our method included enzyme hydrolysis, automated SPE and derivatization with a silylating reagent followed by gas chromatography (GC), coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Using this method, we measured 23 metabolites, representing 9 parent PAHs, with detection limits in the low pg/mL range. All steps in the clean-up procedure were optimized individually, resulting in a method that gives good recoveries (69-93%), reproducibility (coefficient of variation for two quality control pools ranged between 4.6 and 17.1%, N>156), and the necessary specificity. We used the method to analyze nearly 3000 urine samples in the fifth National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2001-2002).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lovisa C Romanoff
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Mailstop F17, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, USA.
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Saito K, Sjödin A, Sandau CD, Davis MD, Nakazawa H, Matsuki Y, Patterson DG. Development of a accelerated solvent extraction and gel permeation chromatography analytical method for measuring persistent organohalogen compounds in adipose and organ tissue analysis. Chemosphere 2004; 57:373-381. [PMID: 15331264 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.04.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2003] [Revised: 02/27/2004] [Accepted: 04/18/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A new analytical method has been developed for the quantification of 59 different persistent organohalogen compounds, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), PCB metabolites, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in biological organ tissues. The optimum extraction and cleanup procedures were examined using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), automated gel permeation chromatography (GPC) on Biobeads S-X3 and automated solid phase extraction (SPE) on silica-gel. The target compounds were divided into two fractions, non-polar compounds and more polar compounds, which in the latter fraction was subsequently methylated using diazomethane. Detection can be achieved by GC/MS in negative chemical ionization (NCI) mode. The average recoveries of the compounds spiked in swine liver, heart, kidney, and cattle adipose tissues were considered satisfactory, and it was confirmed that the method could be used in routine analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Saito
- Dioxin Research Group, Saitama Institute of Public Health, 639-1, Kamiokubo, Saitama 338-0824, Japan
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Maervoet J, Covaci A, Schepens P, Sandau CD, Letcher RJ. A reassessment of the nomenclature of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) metabolites. Environ Health Perspect 2004; 112:291-4. [PMID: 14998742 PMCID: PMC1241856 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.6409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a widespread class of persistent organic chemicals that accumulate in the environment and humans and are associated with a broad spectrum of health effects. PCB biotransformation has been shown to lead to two classes of PCB metabolites that are present as contaminant residues in the tissues of selected biota: hydroxylated (HO) and methyl sulfone (MeSO2) PCBs. Although these two types of metabolites are related structures, different rules for abbreviation of both classes have emerged. It is important that a standardized nomenclature for the notation of PCB metabolites be universally agreed upon. We suggest that the full chemical name of the PCB metabolite and a shorthand notation should be adopted using the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry's chemical name/original Ballschmiter and Zell number of the parent congener, followed by the assignment of the phenyl ring position number of the MeSO2- or HO-substituent. This nomenclature provides a clear, unequivocal set of rules in naming and abbreviating the PCB metabolite structure. Furthermore, this unified PCB metabolite nomenclature approach can be extended to the naming and abbreviation of potential metabolites of structurally analogous contaminants such as HO-polybrominated biphenyls and HO-polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Maervoet
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
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Barr JR, Maggio VL, Barr DB, Turner WE, Sjödin A, Sandau CD, Pirkle JL, Needham LL, Patterson DG. New high-resolution mass spectrometric approach for the measurement of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in human serum. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2003; 794:137-48. [PMID: 12888206 DOI: 10.1016/s1570-0232(03)00451-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
To increase our analytical throughput for measuring polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine (OC) pesticides without sacrificing data quality, we have developed and validated a combined PCB/OC pesticide gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) analysis. In a single GC-HRMS analysis, both selected PCBs and OC pesticides are detected and quantified. Previously, this has been difficult, if not impossible, because of the major difference in masses of the most abundant electron-impact ions. However, we have identified slightly less abundant ions to monitor that allow us to successfully combine these analytes into a single analysis without sacrificing any analytical sensitivity or instrument reliability. Consequently, we have been able to double our analytical throughput by modification of mass spectrometric parameters alone. Our new methodology has been validated against our current GC-HRMS method, which entails using two separate injections, one for PCB analysis and one for OC pesticide analysis. The two methods differ by less than 4% overall, with no systematic bias. We used this method to analyze approximately 350 serum samples over a period of several months. We found that our new method was as reliable in automated, overnight runs as our current method.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Barr
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
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Sandau CD, Sjödin A, Davis MD, Barr JR, Maggio VL, Waterman AL, Preston KE, Preau JL, Barr DB, Needham LL, Patterson DG. Comprehensive solid-phase extraction method for persistent organic pollutants. Validation and application to the analysis of persistent chlorinated pesticides. Anal Chem 2003; 75:71-7. [PMID: 12530820 DOI: 10.1021/ac026121u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is involved in many epidemiological studies regarding the measurement of chlorinated pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in specimens obtained from humans. In addition to these commonly determined analytes, there is a need to include additional persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in our analyses, which further stresses the analyses because sample volumes remain small. Thus, a single method of analysis for all POPs in human serum is needed. CDC has recently developed a semiautomated and comprehensive solid-phase extraction method for POPs. The method is comprehensive since it was optimized for the extraction of many different POP compound classes. We then developed a purification and fractionation scheme that allows (a) separation of different compound classes by particular functionalities and (b) purification of those fractions to remove coextracted interferences. This paper describes the first step in the semiautomated comprehensive extraction and multiple fractionation method developed by CDC for monitoring POPs. In this paper, we validate the analysis of the persistent chlorinated pesticides, a compound class difficult to examine because of their structural diversity, in human plasma. The method was validated against an existing CDC method by using a spiked quality-control serum pool. The concentrations determined for all analytes using both methods were within 2%-14% relative standard deviations. A multilevel (i.e., 3-4 point) matrix spike showed good linearity for the analytes tested (r2 = 0.978-0.999). The method was then applied to 40-year-old archived plasma samples for the quantitative analysis of selected chlorinated pesticides. Mean recoveries of the 13C-labeled internal quantification standards ranged from 64% to 123% for the 11 monitored pesticides. The overall method proved to be robust by handling old coagulated plasma samples. It allowed faster throughput of samples than our previous methods and provided cleaner samples with less frequent interferences or background as analyzed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The method represents a preliminary step in establishing an automated, comprehensive multiresidue analysis method for POPs in human serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney D Sandau
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Mailstop F17, Atlanta, Georgia, 30341-3724, USA.
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Sandau CD, Ayotte P, Dewailly E, Duffe J, Norstrom RJ. Pentachlorophenol and hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyl metabolites in umbilical cord plasma of neonates from coastal populations in Québec. Environ Health Perspect 2002; 110:411-7. [PMID: 11940460 PMCID: PMC1240805 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.02110411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hydroxylated metabolites of PCBs (HO-PCBs) and octachlorostyrene (4-HO-HpCS), and pentachlorophenol (PCP) were determined in umbilical cord plasma samples from three different regions of Québec. The regions studied included two coastal areas where exposure to PCBs is high because of marine-food-based diets--Nunavik (Inuit people) and the Lower North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (subsistence fishermen)--and a southern Québec urban center where PCB exposure is at background levels (Québec City). The main chlorinated phenolic compound in all regions was PCP. Concentrations of PCP were not significantly different among regions (geometric mean concentration 1,670 pg/g, range 628-7,680 pg/g wet weight in plasma). The ratio of PCP to polychlorinated biphenyl congener number 153 (CB153) concentration ranged from 0.72 to 42.3. Sum HO-PCB (sigma HO-PCBs) concentrations were different among regions, with geometric mean concentrations of 553 (range 238-1,750), 286 (103-788), and 234 (147-464) pg/g wet weight plasma for the Lower North Shore, Nunavik, and the southern Québec groups, respectively. Lower North Shore samples also had the highest geometric mean concentration of sum PCBs (sum of 49 congeners; sigma PCBs), 2,710 (525-7,720) pg/g wet weight plasma. sigma PCB concentrations for Nunavik samples and southern samples were 1,510 (309-6,230) and 843 (290-1,650) pg/g wet weight plasma. Concentrations (log transformed) of sigma HO-PCBs and sigma PCBs were significantly correlated (r = 0.62, p < 0.001), as were concentrations of all major individual HO-PCB congeners and individual PCB congeners. In Nunavik and Lower North Shore samples, free thyroxine (T4) concentrations (log transformed) were negatively correlated with the sum of quantitated chlorinated phenolic compounds (sum PCP and sigma HO-PCBs; r = -0.47, p = 0.01, n = 20) and were not correlated with any PCB congeners or sigma PCBs. This suggests that PCP and HO-PCBs are possibly altering thyroid hormone status in newborns, which could lead to neurodevelopmental effects in infants. Further studies are needed to examine the effects of chlorinated phenolic compounds on thyroid hormone status in newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney D Sandau
- Centre for Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Sandau CD, Ayotte P, Dewailly E, Duffe J, Norstrom RJ. Analysis of hydroxylated metabolites of PCBs (OH-PCBs) and other chlorinated phenolic compounds in whole blood from Canadian inuit. Environ Health Perspect 2000; 108:611-6. [PMID: 10903613 PMCID: PMC1638182 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.00108611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we identified the main hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) and other chlorinated phenolic compounds and we determined their relative concentrations in whole blood from 13 male and 17 female Inuit from northern Quebec, Canada, and from a pooled whole blood sample from southern Quebec. We also determined concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Total OH-PCB concentrations were variable among the Inuit samples, ranging over 2 orders of magnitude (0.117-11.6 ng/g whole blood wet weight). These concentrations were equal to and up to 70 times those found for the southern Quebec pooled whole blood sample. Geometric mean concentrations of total OH-PCBs were 1.73 and 1.01 ng/g whole blood for Inuit men and women, respectively, and 0.161 ng/g whole blood for the southern population pool. There are limited data available for comparison, but the levels of OH-PCBs in Inuit are higher than those previously reported in the literature for other populations. There was a significant correlation (p < 0.005) between OH-PCBs and PCBs (r = 0.84) and both correlated significantly (p < 0.005) with age (r = 0.68 and 0.78, respectively). The ratio of OH-PCBs to PCBs was lower in Inuit (0.11) than in the southern Quebec pool (0.33). There is no apparent explanation for the difference. There was considerable variability in the congener pattern of the identified OH-PCBs. The main metabolite, 4-OH-CB109 (4-OH-2,3,3',4', 5-pentachlorobiphenyl), constituted 12-62% of the total OH-PCBs in the samples. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) was the dominant phenolic compound in blood, constituting 46% (geometric mean) of the total quantitated chlorinated phenolic compounds. PCP concentrations in Inuit blood ranged from 0.558 to 7.77 ng/g on a wet weight basis. All but two Inuit samples had lower concentrations than the southern Quebec pool (6.29 ng/g). The possible role of OH-PCBs in mediating PCB-induced adverse effects needs to be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- C D Sandau
- Centre for Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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