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Mayer L, Degrendele C, Šenk P, Kohoutek J, Přibylová P, Kukučka P, Melymuk L, Durand A, Ravier S, Alastuey A, Baker AR, Baltensperger U, Baumann-Stanzer K, Biermann T, Bohlin-Nizzetto P, Ceburnis D, Conil S, Couret C, Degórska A, Diapouli E, Eckhardt S, Eleftheriadis K, Forster GL, Freier K, Gheusi F, Gini MI, Hellén H, Henne S, Herrmann H, Holubová Šmejkalová A, Hõrrak U, Hüglin C, Junninen H, Kristensson A, Langrene L, Levula J, Lothon M, Ludewig E, Makkonen U, Matejovičová J, Mihalopoulos N, Mináriková V, Moche W, Noe SM, Pérez N, Petäjä T, Pont V, Poulain L, Quivet E, Ratz G, Rehm T, Reimann S, Simmons I, Sonke JE, Sorribas M, Spoor R, Swart DPJ, Vasilatou V, Wortham H, Yela M, Zarmpas P, Zellweger Fäsi C, Tørseth K, Laj P, Klánová J, Lammel G. Widespread Pesticide Distribution in the European Atmosphere Questions their Degradability in Air. Environ Sci Technol 2024. [PMID: 38323876 PMCID: PMC10882970 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08488] [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] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Risk assessment of pesticide impacts on remote ecosystems makes use of model-estimated degradation in air. Recent studies suggest these degradation rates to be overestimated, questioning current pesticide regulation. Here, we investigated the concentrations of 76 pesticides in Europe at 29 rural, coastal, mountain, and polar sites during the agricultural application season. Overall, 58 pesticides were observed in the European atmosphere. Low spatial variation of 7 pesticides suggests continental-scale atmospheric dispersal. Based on concentrations in free tropospheric air and at Arctic sites, 22 pesticides were identified to be prone to long-range atmospheric transport, which included 15 substances approved for agricultural use in Europe and 7 banned ones. Comparison between concentrations at remote sites and those found at pesticide source areas suggests long atmospheric lifetimes of atrazine, cyprodinil, spiroxamine, tebuconazole, terbuthylazine, and thiacloprid. In general, our findings suggest that atmospheric transport and persistence of pesticides have been underestimated and that their risk assessment needs to be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Mayer
- Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno 602 00, Czech Republic
| | - Céline Degrendele
- Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno 602 00, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Environment (LCE), CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13003, France
| | - Petr Šenk
- Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno 602 00, Czech Republic
| | - Jiři Kohoutek
- Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno 602 00, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Přibylová
- Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno 602 00, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kukučka
- Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno 602 00, Czech Republic
| | - Lisa Melymuk
- Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno 602 00, Czech Republic
| | - Amandine Durand
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Environment (LCE), CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13003, France
| | - Sylvain Ravier
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Environment (LCE), CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13003, France
| | - Andres Alastuey
- Spanish Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Alex R Baker
- Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Urs Baltensperger
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen 5232, Switzerland
| | | | - Tobias Biermann
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Research, Lund University, Lund 223 62, Sweden
| | | | - Darius Ceburnis
- School of Natural Sciences and Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Galway H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Sébastien Conil
- DRD/GES Observatoire Pérenne de l'Environnement, ANDRA, Bure 55290, France
| | - Cédric Couret
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Zugspitze 82475 Germany
| | - Anna Degórska
- Institute of Environmental Protection, National Research Institute, Warsaw 02-170, Poland
| | - Evangelia Diapouli
- National Centre of Scientific Research "Demokritos", Institute of Nuclear Radiological Science Technology, Energy and Safety, ENRACT, Agia Paraskevi 15310, Greece
| | - Sabine Eckhardt
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Kjeller 2007, Norway
| | - Konstantinos Eleftheriadis
- National Centre of Scientific Research "Demokritos", Institute of Nuclear Radiological Science Technology, Energy and Safety, ENRACT, Agia Paraskevi 15310, Greece
| | - Grant L Forster
- Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
- National Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
| | | | - François Gheusi
- Laboratoire d'Aérologie, CNRS/IRD, University of Toulouse, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Maria I Gini
- National Centre of Scientific Research "Demokritos", Institute of Nuclear Radiological Science Technology, Energy and Safety, ENRACT, Agia Paraskevi 15310, Greece
| | - Heidi Hellén
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki 00560, Finland
| | - Stephan Henne
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Hartmut Herrmann
- Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS), Leipzig 04318, Germany
| | - Adéla Holubová Šmejkalová
- National Atmospheric Observatory Košetice, KošeticeCzech Hydrometeorological Institute, Košetice 395 01, Czech Republic
| | - Urmas Hõrrak
- Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - Christoph Hüglin
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Heikki Junninen
- Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | | | - Laurent Langrene
- DRD/GES Observatoire Pérenne de l'Environnement, ANDRA, Bure 55290, France
| | - Janne Levula
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00100, Finland
| | - Marie Lothon
- Laboratoire d'Aérologie, CNRS/IRD, University of Toulouse, Toulouse 31400, France
| | | | - Ulla Makkonen
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki 00560, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | - Steffen M Noe
- Institute of Forestry and Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu 51014, Estonia
| | - Noemí Pérez
- Spanish Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Tuukka Petäjä
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00100, Finland
| | - Véronique Pont
- Laboratoire d'Aérologie, CNRS/IRD, University of Toulouse, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Laurent Poulain
- Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS), Leipzig 04318, Germany
| | - Etienne Quivet
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Environment (LCE), CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13003, France
| | - Gabriela Ratz
- Bavarian Environment Agency, Augsburg 86179, Germany
| | - Till Rehm
- Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus (UFS), Zugspitze 82475, Germany
| | - Stefan Reimann
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Simmons
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Penicuik EH260QB; United Kingdom
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, CNRS/IRD, University of Toulouse, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Mar Sorribas
- Atmospheric Sounding Station El Arenosillo, National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA), Huelva 21130, Spain
| | - Ronald Spoor
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven 3721, MA, the Netherlands
| | - Daan P J Swart
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven 3721, MA, the Netherlands
| | - Vasiliki Vasilatou
- National Centre of Scientific Research "Demokritos", Institute of Nuclear Radiological Science Technology, Energy and Safety, ENRACT, Agia Paraskevi 15310, Greece
| | - Henri Wortham
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Environment (LCE), CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13003, France
| | - Margarita Yela
- Atmospheric Sounding Station El Arenosillo, National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA), Huelva 21130, Spain
| | - Pavlos Zarmpas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Heraklion 715 00, Greece
| | - Claudia Zellweger Fäsi
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Kjetil Tørseth
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Kjeller 2007, Norway
| | - Paolo Laj
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00100, Finland
- Institut des Géoscience de l'Environnement, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble 38058, France
| | - Jana Klánová
- Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno 602 00, Czech Republic
| | - Gerhard Lammel
- Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno 602 00, Czech Republic
- Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz 55128, Germany
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Hartmann C, Kaiser AM, Moche W, Weiss S, Raffesberg W, Scharf S, Graf-Rohrmeister K, Thanhaeuser M, Haiden N, Uhl M. Persistent Organic Pollutants in Austrian Human Breast Milk Collected between 2013 and 2016. J Xenobiot 2024; 14:247-266. [PMID: 38390995 PMCID: PMC10885091 DOI: 10.3390/jox14010015] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast milk holds an immense nutritional value as it contains health-promoting substances in a unique, optimal form. Additionally, breast milk's significance extends to health and environmental protection, as it serves as an indicator of both maternal and infant exposure. In this study, breast milk samples collected in 2013 and in 2014-2016 from mothers in Vienna (Austria) were analysed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as well as further substances which have been listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) due to their persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties. The total concentration of the PBDE congeners in the samples (n = 18, sampled 2013) ranged from 0.055 to 52 ng/g lipid, and from 0.002 to 2.5 ng/g breast milk. In the pooled sample, the sum of PBDEs was detected at a level of 4.4 ng/g lipid. Based on the 2014-2016 study population, certain PFAS were detected in all samples (n = 40). Exposure to the sum of four specific PFAS including perfluorooctanesulphonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoro-n-nonanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonate (PFHxS) ranged between 0.014 and 0.12 ng/L breast milk. In the pooled sample, PFOS and PFOA were found in concentrations of 0.025 ng/g and of 0.045 ng/g, respectively. In addition, the first generation of POPs, mainly organochlorine compounds, was measured in a pooled sample of breast milk from participants sampled in 2014-2016 as part of the WHO/UNEP breast milk monitoring program and compared to the POPs measured in pooled samples collected in 1987/1988 and 1992/1993, respectively. Therefore, this paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the Stockholm Convention on POPs by comparing the Austrian results from the WHO/UNEP global breast milk study from 1987 to 2016. However, the data also show that, despite these reductions, health-relevant levels are still being reached, particularly in terms of children's health when the presence of the new generation of POPs, such as PBDEs and PFAS, in human breast milk is taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wolfgang Moche
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Laende 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Weiss
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Laende 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Sigrid Scharf
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Laende 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Margarita Thanhaeuser
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadja Haiden
- Department of Neonatology, Kepler University Hospital, Krankenhausstraße 26-30, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Maria Uhl
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Laende 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Hornek-Gausterer R, Parz-Gollner R, Moche W, Sitka A, Hölzl C, Kinzl M, Scharf S. Bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulfone (BCPS) concentrations found in Austrian freshwater fish and cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) indicating trophic transport and biomagnification - A screening pilot-study. Chemosphere 2021; 263:127902. [PMID: 33297008 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127902] [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: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulfone (BCPS, CAS No. 80-07-9) is used as monomer for the production of several groups of polymers like polysulphones and polyethersulphones. Residual amounts of monomer remain in the polymer matrix and might migrate out from the polymer matrix. In the present study, freshwater fish and fish-eating birds were examined. Following fish species (top predators) were collected at two Austrian locations: Sander lucioperca, Silurus glanis, and Lota lota. Whole fish samples were analysed for BCPS. Levels in freshwater fish ranged between 1.3 and 9.3 ng/g fat. In addition, breast muscle and liver samples from six cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) were investigated. BCPS levels in cormorants breast muscle were in the range of 4.3-40 ng/g fat (mean: 16.3 ng/g fat, n = 6) and 28-86 ng/g fat (mean: 53.5 ng/g fat, n = 6) in the liver samples. BCPS concentration in liver was 3.3-fold higher than in muscle tissue. One of the cormorants had ingested fish with a BCPS level of 5.5 ng/g fat; BCPS levels in the cormorant were 23 ng/g fat (breast muscle) and 28 ng/g fat (liver), suggesting biomagnification values (BMF) of 4.2 (fish/breast muscle) and 5.1 (fish/liver), respectively. A BMF value higher than 1 can be considered as an indication for very high biomagnification. Comparing the BCPS concentrations of cormorants' breast muscle from 2019 (mean: 16 ng/g fat) to the concentrations from 2001 to 2005 (mean: 8.9 ng/g fat), indicates that BCPS levels might be increasing in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosemarie Parz-Gollner
- Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, Univ. of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, (Boku), Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, A-1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Moche
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 9, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Sitka
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 9, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Hölzl
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 9, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maximilian Kinzl
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 9, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sigrid Scharf
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 9, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
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Nežiková B, Degrendele C, Čupr P, Hohenblum P, Moche W, Prokeš R, Vaňková L, Kukučka P, Martiník J, Audy O, Přibylová P, Holoubek I, Weiss P, Klánová J, Lammel G. Bulk atmospheric deposition of persistent organic pollutants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Central Europe. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019; 26:23429-23441. [PMID: 31201702 PMCID: PMC6667414 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05464-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are ubiquitous and toxic contaminants. Their atmospheric deposition fluxes on the regional scale were quantified based on simultaneous sampling during 1 to 5 years at 1 to 6 background/rural sites in the Czech Republic and Austria. The samples were extracted and analysed by means of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. For all seasons and sites, total deposition fluxes for Σ15PAHs ranged 23-1100 ng m-2 d-1, while those for Σ6PCBs and Σ12OCPs ranged 64-4400 and 410-7800 pg m-2 d-1, respectively. Fluoranthene and pyrene were the main contributors to the PAH deposition fluxes, accounting on average for 19% each, while deposition fluxes of PCBs and OCPs were dominated by PCB153 (26%) and γ-hexachlorobenzene (30%), respectively. The highest deposition flux of Σ15PAHs was generally found in spring, while no seasonality was found for PCB deposition. For deposition fluxes for Σ12OCPs, no clear spatial trend was found, confirming the perception of long-lived regional pollutants. Although most OCPs and PCBs hardly partition to the particulate phase in ambient air, on average, 42% of their deposition fluxes were found on filters, confirming the perception that particle deposition is more efficient than dry gaseous deposition. Due to methodological constraints, fluxes derived from bulk deposition samplers should be understood as lower estimates, in particular with regard to those substances which in ambient aerosols mostly partition to the particulate phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Nežiková
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Céline Degrendele
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Čupr
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Roman Prokeš
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Vaňková
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kukučka
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Martiník
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Audy
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Přibylová
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Holoubek
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Jana Klánová
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Gerhard Lammel
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany.
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Mihats D, Moche W, Prean M, Rauscher-Gabernig E. Dietary exposure to non-dioxin-like PCBs of different population groups in Austria. Chemosphere 2015; 126:53-59. [PMID: 25710126 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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: 08/28/2014] [Revised: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The dietary exposure to the sum of the six indicator PCBs (Σ6 PCBs; PCB 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) across different Austrian population groups was assessed in this study by combining data on occurrence from food of the Austrian market (n=157) analysed during 2006-2011 with national food consumption data. The most contaminated food group was meat, poultry, game and offal with average levels of ndl-PCBs of 5.20 ng g(-1) fat. In fish and fish products and eggs, mean concentrations of 3.89 ng g(-1) fresh weight (fw) and 4.00 ng g(-1) fat, respectively, were found. In milk and dairy products average concentrations ranged from 3.07 to 4.44 ng g(-1) fat. The mean dietary intake of Σ6 PCBs was estimated to be 3.37 ng kg(-1) bw d(-1) for children (6-15 years old), 3.19 ng kg(-1) bw d(-1) for women (19-65 years) and 2.64 ng kg(-1) bw d(-1) for men (19-65 years). In all three population groups, milk and dairy products was the major contributing food group to the total dietary intake (50-55%) followed by fish and fish products (23-27%). The exposure of all Austrian population groups is well below the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 10 ng kg(-1) bw d(-1) proposed by WHO, accounting for 34% in children, 32% in women and 26% in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Mihats
- Risk Assessment, Data & Statistics, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Wolfgang Moche
- Organic Analysis, Environment Agency Austria, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Prean
- Institute for Food Safety Innsbruck, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Elke Rauscher-Gabernig
- Risk Assessment, Data & Statistics, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria
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Rauscher-Gabernig E, Mischek D, Moche W, Prean M. Dietary intake of dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs in Austria. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2013; 30:1770-9. [DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2013.814169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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Hohenblum P, Steinbichl P, Raffesberg W, Weiss S, Moche W, Vallant B, Scharf S, Haluza D, Moshammer H, Kundi M, Piegler B, Wallner P, Hutter HP. Pollution gets personal! A first population-based human biomonitoring study in Austria. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2012; 215:176-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2011.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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: 05/02/2011] [Revised: 08/17/2011] [Accepted: 08/19/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Levy W, Henkelmann B, Bernhöft S, Bovee T, Buegger F, Jakobi G, Kirchner M, Bassan R, Kräuchi N, Moche W, Offenthaler I, Simončič P, Weiss P, Schramm KW. Persistent aryl hydrocarbon receptor inducers increase with altitude, and estrogen-like disrupters are low in soils of the Alps. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2011; 18:99-110. [PMID: 20574780 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-010-0361-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2009] [Accepted: 06/07/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soil samples from remote Alpine areas were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls by high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution gas spectrometry. Additionally, the EROD micro-assay and a genetically modified yeast estrogen bioassay were carried out to determine persistent aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR) and estrogen receptors (ER) agonists, respectively. Regarding the AhR agonists, the toxicity equivalents of analytical and EROD determined values were compared, targeting both altitude of samples and their soil organic content. The ratio between bioassay derived equivalents and analytical determinations suggested no significant contribution of unknown AhR inducers in these sampling sites and some antagonism in soils with relatively high PCB loading. More CYP1A1 expression was induced at the highest sites or about 1400-1500 m a.s.l. along the altitude profiles. Surprisingly, no clear tendencies with the soil organic content were found for dioxin-like compounds. Mean values obtained in the present study were for ER agonists, 2: 0.37±0.12ng 17ß-estradiol EQ g-1 dry soil [corrected] and 6.1 ± 4.2 pg TCDD-EQ g⁻¹ dry soil for AhR agonists. CONCLUSION Low bioassay responses with a higher relative amount of ER disrupters than AhR inducers were detected,indicating the higher abundance of estrogen-like than persistent dioxin-like compounds in these forested areas [corrected].
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Affiliation(s)
- Walkiria Levy
- Institute of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
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Kirchner M, Faus-Kessler T, Jakobi G, Levy W, Henkelmann B, Bernhöft S, Kotalik J, Zsolnay A, Bassan R, Belis C, Kräuchi N, Moche W, Simoncic P, Uhl M, Weiss P, Schramm KW. Vertical distribution of organochlorine pesticides in humus along Alpine altitudinal profiles in relation to ambiental parameters. Environ Pollut 2009; 157:3238-3247. [PMID: 19596160 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2009] [Revised: 06/03/2009] [Accepted: 06/03/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
In forest soils along vertical profiles located in different parts of the Alps, concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), namely organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) like dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH), heptachlor, aldrin, dieldrin and mirex, were measured. Though local characteristics of the sites are influenced by numerous factors like orographic and meteorological parameters, forest stand characteristics and humus parameters, we ascertained a marked vertical increase of concentrations of some organochlorine compounds in the soil. On the basis of climatological values of each site, we found that the contamination increase with altitude can be ascribed to a certain 'cold condensation effect'. In addition, the perennial atmospheric deposition of POPs is controlled by precipitation. Other key parameters explaining the accumulation of POPs are the soil organic carbon stocks, the turnover times, the re-volatilisation and degradation processes, which vary with altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kirchner
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, GmbH, Institutes of Ecological Chemistry, Developmental Genetics and Soil Ecology, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
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Iozza S, Schmid P, Oehme M, Bassan R, Belis C, Jakobi G, Kirchner M, Schramm KW, Kräuchi N, Moche W, Offenthaler I, Weiss P, Simoncic P, Knoth W. Altitude profiles of total chlorinated paraffins in humus and spruce needles from the Alps (MONARPOP). Environ Pollut 2009; 157:3225-3231. [PMID: 19540638 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2009] [Accepted: 05/17/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are toxic, bioaccumulative, persistent, and ubiquitously present in the environment. CPs were analyzed in humus and needle samples, which were taken within the Monitoring Network in the Alpine Region for Persistent and other Organic Pollutants (MONARPOP) at sampling sites of 7 different altitude profiles in the Alps. Gas chromatography combined with electron ionization tandem mass spectrometry (EI-MS/MS) was used for the determination of total CPs (sum of short, medium and long chain CPs). CPs were found in all samples; the concentrations varied between 7 and 199 ng g(-1) dry weight (dw) and within 26 and 460 ng g(-1) dw in humus and needle samples, respectively. A clear vertical tendency within the individual altitude profiles could not be ascertained. Within all altitude profiles, elevated concentrations were observed in humus samples taken between 700 and 900 m and between 1300 and 1500 m. In the needle samples no similar correlation could be observed due to higher variation of the data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saverio Iozza
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research, Laboratory for Analytical Chemistry, Uberlandstrasse 129, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
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11
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Offenthaler I, Bassan R, Belis C, Jakobi G, Kirchner M, Kräuchi N, Moche W, Schramm KW, Sedivy I, Simoncic P, Uhl M, Weiss P. PCDD/F and PCB in spruce forests of the Alps. Environ Pollut 2009; 157:3280-3289. [PMID: 19570598 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2009] [Accepted: 05/17/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
PCDD/F and PCB concentrations in remote mountainous spruce stands of the Central European Alps show strong geographic variation. Independent of the matrix (0.5 year old needles, humus or mineral soil), the highest pollutant levels were always found at the lateral zones of the mountain range. High levels coincided with strong precipitation, particularly along the northern margin of the study region. The most volatile PCB congener propagated farther into the colder, drier central Alps than the heavier species. Matrices with different accumulation history (needles and humus) repeatedly reflected different spatial emission patterns. Consistent with its much longer exposure, pollutant levels in humus exceeded those of needles by up to two orders of magnitude. Needle contamination varied with altitude but the vertical trends were highly variable between transsects and changed between years, too.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Offenthaler
- Austrian Environment Agency, Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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Offenthaler I, Jakobi G, Kaiser A, Kirchner M, Kräuchi N, Niedermoser B, Schramm KW, Sedivy I, Staudinger M, Thanner G, Weiss P, Moche W. Novel sampling methods for atmospheric semi-volatile organic compounds (SOCs) in a high altitude alpine environment. Environ Pollut 2009; 157:3290-3297. [PMID: 19581029 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.05.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2009] [Accepted: 05/17/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
High- and low-volume active air samplers as well as bulk deposition samplers were developed to sample atmospheric SOCs under the adverse conditions of a mountain environment. Active sampling employed separate filters for different European source regions. Filters were switched depending on daily trajectory forecasts, whose accuracy was evaluated post hoc. The sampling continued on three alpine summits over five periods of four months. The prevailing trajectories varied stronger between sampling periods than between stations. The sampling equipment (active and bulk deposition) proved dependable for operation in a mountain environment, with idle times being mainly due to non-routine manipulations and connectivity.
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Belis CA, Offenthaler I, Uhl M, Nurmi-Legat J, Bassan R, Jakobi G, Kirchner M, Knoth W, Kräuchi N, Levy W, Magnani T, Moche W, Schramm KW, Simoncic P, Weiss P. A comparison of Alpine emissions to forest soil and spruce needle loads for persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Environ Pollut 2009; 157:3185-3191. [PMID: 19539410 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2009] [Accepted: 05/17/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The project MONARPOP analysed the concentrations of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in two important sink compartments, needles of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and forest soil from 40 remote Alpine forest sites in Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland. In the present study the load of PCDD/F, PCB, PBDE, PAH, HCB, HCH and DDT in the Alps calculated on the basis of measured data are compared with their estimated emissions in the Alpine region. It comes out that the masses of the studied pollutants stored in the forests are higher than the corresponding emissions in the Alpine area indicating that the Alps are a sink for POPs advected from surrounding areas. It is assumed that local emissions of PCDD/F and PAH deriving from biomass burning are probably underestimated and that the pool of these pollutants in the forests represents the accumulation over some decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Belis
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Lombardia, Italy.
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Shen H, Henkelmann B, Levy W, Zsolnay A, Weiss P, Jakobi G, Kirchner M, Moche W, Braun K, Schramm KW. Altitudinal and chiral signature of persistent organochlorine pesticides in air, soil, and spruce needles (Picea abies) of the Alps. Environ Sci Technol 2009; 43:2450-2455. [PMID: 19452900 DOI: 10.1021/es801782n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated the distribution, transportation, and biodegradation of the selected chiral persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCP) in the Alps. In the complex environment, we found the movement and fate of OCP could be defined by many factors. Taking HCE as an example, below the timberline its accumulation from air into SPMD increased with altitude and seasonally changed, but the trends reversed above the timberline. In soil, the tendency of HCE concentrations vs organic materials followed a sigmoid curve, and HCE concentration-altitude correlations are positive in central Alps but negative in southern Alps. The HCE enantiomeric ratios (ERs) in soil correlated to HCE isomers concentrations, the humus pH values, and the sampling site altitudes. HCE shift from humus to mineral soil can also be traced by ERs. The altitudinal and longitudinal trends in needles suggested that alpha-HCH has a more complex movementthan HCE in Alps. In conclusion, altitude conducted condensation, plant canopies, organic material in soil, and geographic specific precipitations may affect OCP distributions and transportation, whereas altitude conducted temperature and soil pH could dictate their fate in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heqing Shen
- Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
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Hohenblum P, Gans O, Moche W, Scharf S, Lorbeer G. Monitoring of selected estrogenic hormones and industrial chemicals in groundwaters and surface waters in Austria. Sci Total Environ 2004; 333:185-193. [PMID: 15364528 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2004.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2003] [Revised: 05/05/2004] [Accepted: 05/06/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In order to address the Austrian situation concerning endocrine disrupting substances (EDS), a consortium called Austrian Research Cooperation on Endocrine Modulators (ARCEM) was established in 1999. Among several other issues that were investigated, ARCEM monitored more than 400 ground- and surface water samples for selected estrogenic hormones and industrial chemicals. Appropriate analytical methods were established using GC-HRMS for the detection of hormones and LC/MSMS for the detection of industrial chemicals. Since analytical results were forwarded for toxicological assessments within the programme, quantification limits below 0.1 ng/l (ethinyl estradiol) and 10 ng/l (industrial chemicals) were required depending on the NOEL of the individual compound. Results indicate that both hormones and industrial chemicals occur in the selected ground- and surface water sites in detectable concentrations. Three river sites were identified as being charged with noticeable concentrations of EDS. These results were verified by biological indications within the part of the ARCEM programme dealing with bio-indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Hohenblum
- Umweltbundesamt, Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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Sauter F, Hayek EWH, Moche W, Jordis U. Betulin aus archäologischem Schwelteer / Identification of Betulin in Archaeological Tar. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1987. [DOI: 10.1515/znc-1987-11-1202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A compound obtained from an early Iron-Age wood tar via “Kugelrohr”-distillation or extraction was identified as betulin by TLC. 1H - and 13C - NMR as well as by mass spectroscopy.
This result validates the assumption that birch was used for the preparation of the archaeological wood tar found at the excavation in Stillfried a .d . March. Lower Austria.
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