Associations between CB-153 and p,p'-DDE and hormone levels in serum in middle-aged and elderly men

BACKGROUND: Animal and epidemiologic data indicate that exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) may disrupt the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) and the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes. We have assessed whether the POP-biomarkers 2,2'4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-ethene (p,p'-DDE) affect thyrotropin (TSH), thyroid hormones, gonadotropins or sex hormone concentrations in men. METHODS: Lipid adjusted serum concentrations of CB-153, and p,p'-DDE, were determined in 196 men (median age 59 years, range 48-82). Hormone analyses in serum were performed with immunoassays. The effect of CB-153 and p,p'-DDE (as continuous or categorized variables) were evaluated by linear regression models, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: There was a significant positive association between p,p'-DDE and TSH. An increase of 100 ng/g lipid of p,p'-DDE corresponded to an increase of 0.03 mU/l (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.01, 0.05) in TSH level. The explanatory value (R(2)) of the multivariate model was only 7%. Moreover, there was a significant negative association between p,p'-DDE and estradiol. An increase of 100 ng/g lipid of p,p'-DDE corresponded to a decrease of 0.57 pmol/l (95% CI -1.0, -0.12) in estradiol level. The R(2)-value was only 4%. No associations were observed between any of the POP biomarkers and the other hormones. CONCLUSIONS: The positive association between p,p'-DDE and TSH and the negative association between p,p'-DDE and estradiol, among middle-aged and elderly men, were not accompanied by associations between the POP-markers and thyroxin, testosterone, and gonadotropins, respectively. The results gives some additional support for that POP exposure may affect HPT- and HPG-axes also in humans, but the overall epidemiological data are still not coherent enough to allow any firm conclusions.     

Association between biomarkers of exposure to persistent organochlorine compounds (POCs)

Serum concentrations of CB-153 and p,p'-DDE were assessed for 354 men and women from the Swedish Fishermen's Families Cohort, and were found to correlate very well (Pearson's r=0.72). In this particular cohort the main source of exposure to persistent organochlorine compounds are consumption of contaminated fatty fish. High correlations between total PCB/CB-153 and p,p'-DDE have also been found in other population with similar exposure, but not in populations whose major source of exposure to persistent organochlorine compounds is not necessarily through the consumption of contaminated sea food. The authors suggest that when investigating a possible relation between exposure to persistent organochlorine compounds and different health outcomes in populations with exposure similar to the Swedish Fishermen's Families Cohort, there may be no need to analyze more than either CB-153 or p,p'-DDE.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organochlorine pesticides in sewage sludge of wastewater treatment plants in China

The concentrations of chemicals in sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) may relate to their levels of use and environmental pollution in the region. In this work, sludge samples were collected from 31 WWTPs in 26 cities in China and analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The concentrations of SigmaPBDE (sum of congeners 17, 28, 47, 66, 71, 85, 99, 100, 138, 153, 154, and 183) ranged from 6.2 to 57ng/g (dw). The concentration of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) ranged from below limit of detection (LOD) to 1109ng/g (dw) (with a median of 27ng/g (dw)), and averaged 55% (median 69%) of the total PBDEs. These levels are about 10-100 times lower than those found in Europe and North America. PBDE levels in sludge were not found to depend on the location and capacity of the WWTPs. Concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs) and its major degradation products, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) ranged from below detection limit to 167ng/g (dw), 11 to 1065ng/g (dw), and 7.5 to 319ng/g (dw), respectively. The major DDT degradation products were p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDD. The major hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomer in sludge is beta-HCH, reflecting its higher affinity to solids and resistance to degradation than other isomers.     

Levels and temporal trends (1983-2003) of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury (Hg) in seabird eggs from Northern Norway

The main objective of this study was to investigate possible temporal trends of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury in eggs of herring gulls (Larus argentatus), black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), common guillemots (Uria aalge) and Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) in Northern Norway. Eggs were collected in 1983, 1993 and 2003. Egg concentrations of POPs (PCB congeners IUPAC numbers: CB-28, 74, 66, 101, 99, 110, 149, 118, 153, 105, 141, 138, 187, 128, 156, 157, 180, 170, 194, 206, HCB, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, oxychlordane, trans-chlordane, cis-chlordane, trans-nonachlor, cis-nonachlor, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDT) and mercury were quantified. Generally, POP levels decreased between 1983 and 2003 in all species. No significant temporal trend in mercury levels was found between 1983 and 2003.     

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in antarctic fish: levels,patterns, changes

Organochlorine compounds were analysed in three fish species of different feeding types from the area of Elephant Island in the Antarctic. In 1996, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) (means: 15-20 ng/g lipid), p,p'-DDE (5-13 ng/g lipid) and mirex (1-7 ng/g lipid) predominated, while PCBs were minor components (PCB 153: 0.4-2 ng/g lipid). Concentration patterns were species-dependent: PCB 180, PCB 153, mirex, nonachlor III, trans-nonachlor and the toxaphene compound B8-1413 were highest in the bottom invertebrate feeder Gobionotothen gibberifrons and lowest in the krill feeder Champsocephalus gunnari. Levels of p,p'-DDE, PCB 138 and heptachloro-1'-methyl-1,2'-bipyrrole (Q1), a natural bioaccumulative product, were highest in the fish feeder Chaenocephalus aceratus, whereas HCB was present in about equal concentrations in all species. Most compounds were taken up preferentially via the benthic food chain, the chlorinated bipyrrole via the pelagic food chain and HCB from the water. In antarctic fish, biomagnification was generally more important than bioconcentration. Between 1987 and 1996, most persistent organic pollutant (POP) levels showed significant increases in the benthos feeder and the fish feeder, while they remained nearly constant or increased less in the krill feeder. Hence, the former species represent indicator species for changing POP levels in Antarctica. Ratios (1996/1987) of average concentrations in G. gibberifrons were: PCB 138 0.7, HCB 0.8, B8-1413 1.5, PCB 180 1.7, PCB 153 1.8, p,p'-DDE 2.0, nonachlor III 2.9, trans-nonachlor 3.3, mirex 6.7. By comparison with trends in the northern hemisphere it is concluded that global distribution of HCB is close to equilibrium. Changing levels of other POPs reflect global redistribution and increasing transfer to antarctic waters probably due to recent usage in the southern hemisphere and climate changes.     

Sociodemographic, reproductive and dietary predictors of organochlorine compounds levels in pregnant women in Spain

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are consistently found in human tissues. Serum levels of organochlorine compounds (OC) in pregnant women in particular have raised concern about possible harm to humans in the early phases of physical and behavioural development. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between concentration of OCs in serum of two cohorts of pregnant women from Gipuzkoa and Sabadell in Spain and socioeconomic, reproductive and dietary variables. Concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs: 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), beta and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH and γ-HCH), heptachlor epoxide, dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) and dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (p,p'-DDT) were measured in the serum of 1259 pregnant women. Associations between OCs and potential predictor variables were assessed using linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders. The compounds most commonly found in the serum were p,p'-DDE (99% of the samples) and PCB-153 (95% of the samples). Geometric means of serum concentrations (ng g?1 lipid) of organochlorine pesticides were 110.0, 19.1, and 33.5 for p,p'-DDE, β-HCH, and HCB respectively, while the geometric means of PCBs were 21.8, 38.9 and 26.9 for PCB 138, 153, and 180 respectively. The levels of all OCs increased with age. BMI was positively associated with the concentration of organochlorine pesticides but inversely related to PCB concentrations. The serum levels of OCs fell only after a cumulative period of breastfeeding of over a year. Levels of PCBs were related to fish intake, but in general dietary factors did not improve the explained variability of the concentrations of OCs. Overall, the levels of OCs found in the study are at the lower end of the range reported in Spain and other countries.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in cord blood from women in Poland

The purpose of this study was to assess human exposure in the prenatal period to selected PBDEs (BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-153) and PCBs (CB-77, CB-101, CB-118, CB-126, CB-138, CB-153, CB-170, CB-180) basing on the analysis of these compounds in cord blood. The experimental material consisted of 89 cord blood samples taken from women resident in Warsaw and its vicinity. In over 90% of all tested samples the presence of congeners CB-153, CB-138, CB-180 and BDE-47 was identified. The least frequently found were CB-126 and BDE-153, which were present at relatively low concentration levels. Among all analysed PCBs, the highest average concentrations were found in the case of congeners CB-138 (11.8 ng/g of fat) and CB-153 (43.4 ng/g of fat), whereas the lowest was in the case of CB-170 (0.4 ng/g of fat) and CB-126 (0.1 ng/g of fat). In the case of PBDEs the greatest share in the total concentration was that of the congeners BDE-47 and BDE-99, whereas the smallest share was that of the higher brominated congener BDE-153. These results suggest that human exposure to the examined compounds begins already in the period of intrauterine life. The comparison of our own results with the findings of other authors indicates that the PCBs and PBDEs levels in cord blood of women living in Poland do not differ from the respective concentrations in cord blood of other female inhabitants of Europe.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and selected organochlorine chemicals in grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in the North Sea

Blubber samples from grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) pups were collected in 1998 through to 2000. Twenty four newly weaned pups were sampled in November 1998, 13 of which were re-sampled during their first year of life, between March and December 1999, and an additional 48 and 25 samples (new cohorts) were obtained in 1999 (November-December) and 2000 (May-September) respectively. SimgaPBDE concentrations (sum of Di-HxBDEs) ranged from 45 to 1500 ng/g lipid, with a geometric mean of 290 ng/g lipid. BDE 47 dominated the congener profile, followed by BDEs 100, 99, 153 and 154. SimgaPCB concentrations (sum of 41 congeners) ranged from 100 to 93000 ng/g lipid, with a geometric mean of 4600 ng/g lipid, with CB congeners 153, 138 and 180 making up 84% of the total PCB concentrations. The predominant OC pesticides were p,p'-DDE (geometric mean=860 ng/g lipid, range=160-3800 ng/g lipid) and p,p'-DDT (geometric mean=120 ng/g lipid, range=30-670 ng/g lipid). No significant differences were found between males and females, probably due to the young age of the animals. Significant decreases (P<0.01 for PBDEs and P<0.05 for PCBs/OCs) were observed between newly weaned seals in 1998 and 1999, but not for the majority of juveniles in 1999 and 2000. Significant differences (P<0.01) were also found between the different seasons in 1999 newly weaned and juvenile seals, reflecting changes in blubber mass.     

Distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in human serum from urban areas in Korea

Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in serum samples from residents of a Korean urban area (Seoul). This study was performed on 40 Koreans in the general population, aged 27-58, who had resided in urban areas for more than 10 years without occupational exposure to organochlorine pollutants. To our knowledge, this study was the first report on serum concentrations of OCPs in Korean residents. p,p'-DDE, beta-HCH, p,p'-DDT, HCB, and trans-nonachlor were the dominant OCPs in most samples. In addition, concentrations of 22 OCPs were measured by the isotope dilution method with GC-HRMS, which gave accurate and precise data for investigations of trend and international comparisons. The dominant PCBs were PCB153, 138, 180, 187, and PCB118, which contributed 60% to total PCBs. The median concentrations of total OCPs and total PCBs were 315 ng g(-1) lipid and 104 ng g(-1) lipid, respectively. In females, the serum concentrations of all determined organochlorine compounds except beta-HCH were positively correlated with age, and higher concentrations of organochlorine pollutants were found in males than in females. Compared to our previous studies, PCB concentrations in serum from urban areas have substantially decreased during the last decade leading to the observation that the strict regulation of PCBs was helpful in controlling the concentration of PCBs in the environment. Extensive monitoring programs are required for evaluating the concentrations of OCPs and PCBs in serum samples of the general population as an indicator of possible adverse health effects.     

Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in serum samples of Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) from Spain

Concentrations of 23 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), p,p'-DDT and two of its metabolites, p,p'-DDE and p,p'-TDE have been measured in serum samples of up to 1 ml of Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) gathered from five populations in Spain. SigmaPCB concentrations were found to be in the range 3.2-97 ng/ml, while those of SigmaDDTs ranged from 0.93 to 38 ng/ml. p,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDE ratios higher than one were only found in the Segovia population, which could be an indication of recent use of p,p'-DDT in the area. In all cases, PCB profiles were dominated by congeners 52, 132 + 105, 138, 153 and 180. However, some differences among the five populations studied became evident when their profiles were compared with those of technical PCB mixtures by principal components analysis. The DDT and PCB levels detected in the serums analysed were lower than those previously reported for similar avian species and those reported to have deleterious effects on survival or reproduction of birds.     

Organochlorine pesticides and metabolites in young leaves of Mangifera indica from sites near a point source in Coast region, Tanzania

Young leaves of Mangifera indica (mango tree) from nine sites were used as bioindicators of local atmospheric contamination by organochlorine pesticides and metabolites from a point source, an old storage site at Vikuge farm in Tanzania. Sample extracts were analysed by GC-ECD and GC-MS. The concentrations ranged 2.7-649 ng g(-1)p,p'-DDT, below detection limit (bdl)-290 ng g(-1) o,p'-DDT, 0.4-13 ng g(-1) p,p'-DDE, bdl to 4 ng g(-1) o,p'-DDE, 1-231 ng g(-1) p,p'-DDD and 0.5-55 ng g(-1) o,p'-DDD. The concentrations of other compounds were up to 3.9 ng g(-1) pentachloroanisole, 1.3 ng g(-1) alpha-HCH, 12 ng g(-1) beta-HCH and 2 ng g(-1) gamma-HCH, on fresh weight basis. The compounds p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, p,p'DDD and o,p'-DDD were found in 100% of the samples, while pentachloroanisole, o,p'-DDT and o,p'-DDE were detected in 78%, 56% and 67% of the samples, respectively. The low DDE/DDT ratios (0.01-0.20) in all samples indicate recent input of significantly non-degraded DDT from the point source. The low alpha-/gamma-HCH ratios (<0.3-0.7) in most samples indicate recent input of lindane (99% gamma-HCH). The slightly high alpha-/gamma-HCH ratios in some samples might be due to photochemical or bacterial transformation of gamma-HCH to alpha-HCH, or could reflect input of technical HCH. The very strong positive correlations in the concentrations of p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDE and o,p'-DDD (r=0.91-0.98, n=18, p<0.01) indicate that they have a common source. The results suggest that young mango leaves are suitable bioindicators of recent inputs of organochlorine contaminants from a point source.     

The relationship between persistent organic pollutants in maternal and neonatal tissues and immune responses to allergens: A novel exploratory study

BACKGROUND: Modern persistent organic pollutants (POPs) contamination are logical candidates in the investigation of the, as yet, unexplained association between allergic disease and progressive industrialisation. POPs have been detected in human cord blood, placental tissues and breast milk, and the reported association between cord blood IgE levels and cord/placental POP levels has raised concerns about potential immunological effects in early life. METHODS: The initial aim of this study was to determine if POPs were detectable in maternal blood, cord blood, placental tissues, adipose tissue and breast milk samples from randomly selected Western Australian women (n = 31), where allergic disease is epidemic. Gas chromatography was used to detect polychlorinated biphenyl compounds [PCBs] (as Aroclor 1232, 1254, 1260) and organochlorine (OC) pesticides, including p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), lindane, heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin and chlordane. Secondly, we assessed the relationship between POP levels detected in vivo and maternal and neonatal responses (cytokine and lymphoproliferation) to allergens and mitogens. RESULTS: Low level POP contamination was detected in adipose tissue and breast milk (but not in cord blood, maternal blood or placental tissues). The most ubiquitous compound found in over 90% of adipose tissues samples was a OC metabolite of DDT, p,p'-DDE (median 0.07 mg/kg; interquartile range [IQR] 0.05-0.12). However, the majority of other OC compounds were not detectable and PCB were not detectable in any samples. The three main residues detected in breast milk were p,p'-DDE (0.003 mg/l; 0.001-0.009), dieldrin (0.001 mg/l; 0.001-0.046) and HCB (0.001 mg/l; 0.001-0.001). These levels are significantly lower than reported over 20 years ago. There were no consistent relationships between POP levels in vivo and maternal or infant responses, with the exception of a significant inverse association (Spearman rank correlation: r = -0.406, p = 0.049) between maternal adipose tissue levels of OC p,p'-DDE and maternal T helper cell Type 1 interferon [IFN] gamma to mitogens. CONCLUSION: This study provides the first evidence (in Australia) since the early 1990's that adipose OC levels have continued to fall. The negligible levels in this randomly selected group are significantly lower than those previously recorded, suggesting that POP contamination (at biologically relevant levels) is not likely to be a major contributing factor in the increasing rates of allergy in Western Australia. However, the relationship between Th1 immune function and OC contamination is consistent with other reports and is worth investigating as a relevant factor in populations where OC contamination is greater.     

Concentrations of p,p'-DDE in plasma of nestling Wood Storks from Georgia

We determined the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and total PCBs in plasma of nestling Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) from two colonies in Georgia in 2000. Of 20 compounds analyzed for, only p,p'-DDE was quantified in reportable concentrations, ranging from <2.0-174.0 ng/g wet weight (ww). Concentrations of p,p'-DDE were significantly greater (P<0.0001) in plasma of nestlings from an inland colony, Chew Mill (x 16.9 ng/g,ww) than a coastal colony, Harris Neck (x 1.2 ng/g,ww). Concentrations from nestlings from Chew Mill were significantly different among sampling weeks (P=0.01), with week 8 being significantly greater than weeks 1, 2, and 5. While the Chew Mill colony had much greater concentrations of p,p'-DDE in plasma of nestlings than the Harris Neck colony, reproduction was greater there (1.8+/-1.0 SD fledged young per nesting attempt) than Harris Neck (1.4+/-1.0 SD fledged young per nesting attempt). While concentrations of p,p'-DDE determined in plasma of nestling Wood Storks are an indirect measure of adult exposure to environmental toxicants, concentrations reported would not be considered detrimental to reproduction in these colonies.     

Organohalogen chemicals in human blood from the United Kingdom

Blood serum from 154 volunteers at 13 UK locations in 2003 were analysed for a range of PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and PBDEs. HCB, p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDT and beta-HCH were the dominant organochlorine pesticides in most samples. BDEs 47, 99, 100, 153, 154 and 183 were the most regularly detected PBDEs. This study is the first report of BDE209 in UK human blood (found in 11 samples, range < 15-240 ng/g lipid). Concentration and age correlated for the less easily metabolised PCBs, p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE, HCB and HCHs. With increasing age females tended to have lower concentrations of the more chlorinated PCBs than males. Similar PBDE concentrations, and distributions, to those reported in the general population in Sweden in 2002 were found, despite differences in historical PBDE production and usage. There is increasing regulation to control persistent and bioaccumulative chemicals, and establishing human exposure will help to identify substances which should be urgently phased out.     

Congener-specific approach to human PCB concentrations by serum analysis

The objective of this study was to evaluate all congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in human serum samples. Concentrations of all PCB congeners in the serum of 87 volunteers were determined by high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). The participants consisted of 47 males and 40 females, including 25 men working at municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs). The mean concentrations of total PCBs and dioxin-like PCBs were 242.77ng/g lipid (median: 180.17ng/g lipid) and 18.57ng/g lipid (median: 15.34ng/g lipid), respectively. Penta-, hexa-, and heptachlorinated biphenyls contributed more than 80% of the total PCBs detected in human serum. Congener-specific analysis indicated that PCB153, PCB138, PCB180, PCB187, and PCB118 contributed 57.3% of the total PCBs detected in human serum samples. A statistical analysis was performed to determine whether there were significant correlations between PCB concentrations and specific variables such as age, gender, smoking habits, occupation, and body mass index (BMI). However, serum PCB concentrations correlated only with age. In addition, we found that total PCBs and dioxin-like PCBs highly correlated with PCB153 (correlation coefficient r=0.93, p<0.01) and PCB118 (correlation coefficient r=0.98, p<0.01), respectively. Thus these two congeners could be satisfactory indicators for total PCBs and dioxin-like PCBs in human serum.     

Pollution sources and occurrences of selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in sediments of the Mekong River delta, South Vietnam

The Mekong River delta is one of the largest agricultural land in the Southeast Asia. It plays a very important role for agriculture and fisheries in South Vietnam. However, comprehensive studies on the environmental pollution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Mekong River delta have not been carried out in recent years. In this study, we collected sediment samples from the Mekong River to evaluate the contamination and ecological risks caused by several POPs. The contamination pattern of POPs was DDT>PCBs>CHLs>HCHs>HCB. DDTs are the most abundant pollutants, their concentration ranging from 0.01 to 110 ng/g dry wt, followed by PCBs (0.039-9.2 ng/g dry wt). DDTs and PCBs concentrations were higher in sediment from adjacent to urban areas than those from rural and agricultural sites, suggesting urban areas as important point sources of DDTs and PCBs to the river. Ratio of p,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDE was lower compared to those previously reported. However, some samples still had the ratio higher than 0.5, indicating recent input of DDT into the aquatic environments. This result shows that although the magnitude of contamination decreased over time, recent inputs of DDTs to the river still occur. Some sediment samples had concentrations of DDT compounds higher than the standards from the Canadian Environmental Quality Guideline, suggesting continuous monitoring for POPs contamination in the Mekong River is necessary.     

Thyroid ultrasound volume, structure and function after long-term high exposure of large population to polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides and dioxin

We examined 2,046 adults (834 males and 1,212 females aged 20-75 years) from polluted district in East Slovakia (POLL) and two neighboring upstream and upwind located districts of background pollution (BCGR). By ultrasound we estimated the thyroid volume (ThV), hypoechogenicity (HYE), nodules and cysts. Serum levels of thyrotropin (TSH), thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOab) and thyroglobulin were estimated by electrochemiluminiscent assay and these of 15 PCB congeners, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and hexachlorocyclohexane by high-resolution gas chromatography. In 320 subjects also selected hydroxylated and methylsulfonated PCB metabolites, polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins (PCDDs), -furans (PCDFs), five dioxin-like coplanar and eight mono-ortho PCB congeners were estimated. Urinary iodine was measured by automatic microplate method. Reciprocal positive association was found between three major POPs (PCBs, DDE and HCB), the levels of these and also PCDDs plus PCDFs in polluted area being considerably higher than in background pollution area. ThV in groups of males and females from POLL with high PCBs level was significantly higher (p<0.001 by t-test) then in age and sex matched groups from BCGR with low PCBs level. In 1,048 males and females aged <60 years with serum PCBs level >1,000 ng g(-1) lipid (median=1,756 ng g(-1)) a significant effect of age on ThV was found (p<0.01 by ANOVA), while in 921 respective subjects with PCBs level <1,000 ng g(-1) (median=661 ng g(-1)) it was not. These findings supported the view on the additional effect of PCBs on ThV other than that of age. Since the urinary iodine in both districts showed optimal range, any interfering effect of unsatisfactory iodine intake on ThV may be excluded. The frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis signs such as HYE, increased serum level of TPOab and TSH resulting in subclinical or overt thyroid hypofunction was positively associated with sex, age and organochlorine levels. The increase of such frequency in males with POPs levels was much more abrupt than that in females. No considerable differences in the frequency of thyroid nodules as related to PCBs level were found.     

Residues of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in some Brazilian municipal solid waste compost

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), listed as per the Stockholm Convention (alpha -HCH, beta -HCH, gamma -HCH, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, PCBs 28, 52, 118, 138, 153, and 180), were analyzed in municipal solid waste (MSW) compost samples from three different Brazilian composting plants located in three S?o Paulo State cities: Araras, Araraquara and S?o Paulo (Vila Leopoldinha). Quantitative and qualitative analyses were carried out using gas chromatography electron capture detection (GC-ECD) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (Ion Trap, electron impact ionization), respectively. The samples were analyzed in triplicate and the target POPs were not detected by GC-ECD. Twelve pollutants were identified in two samples when qualitative analysis (GC-MS) was used (beta -HCH, gamma -HCH, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDE, PCBs 28, 118, 138, 153 and 180). The composting process has advantages such as urban solid waste reduction and landfill life-span increase, however the MSW compost quality, which can be utilized for agricultural purposes, should be evaluated and be controlled. This kind of study is the first step in making available information to answer questions regarding MSW compost for sustainable agricultural use, such as the pollutants accumulation in soil and in groundwater, and plants uptake.     

Congener-specific analysis of non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in blood collected from 127 elderly residents in Nakagawa Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

We conducted congener-specific analysis of non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (non-dioxin-like PCBs) in blood collected in February 2004 from 127 elderly residents living in Nakagawa Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The present study is one of the few studies in which 56 non-dioxin-like PCBs congeners were measured in human blood. Of the 127 elderly residents, 51 were men (mean: 68.1 years) and 76 were women (mean: 68.1 years). Among 197 non-dioxin-like PCB congeners, 56 were identified in the blood of elderly residents. The arithmetic mean total concentrations of 56 non-dioxin-like PCBs congeners in the blood of elderly men and women in Nakagawa Town were 419 (median: 378) and 363 (median: 323)ngg(-1)lipid, respectively, and the concentrations were in the range of 172-1102 and 119-1226ngg(-1)lipid, respectively, indicating that the total concentrations in elderly men are significantly higher than those in elderly women. The contamination of non-dioxin-like PCBs in the blood of elderly men and women in Fukuoka Prefecture was found to have decreased compared to past levels. The ratios of hexachlorinated biphenyls (hexaCBs) to the total concentrations of 56 non-dioxin-like PCBs congeners in the blood of elderly men and women were 44.6% and 45.6%, respectively, which was particularly high compared with those of other congeners. 2,2',4,4',5,5'-HexaCB (#153) among hexaCBs congeners, the most abundant congener in the blood of elderly men and women, contributed approximately 23.0% and 23.5% to the total concentrations of 56 non-dioxin-like PCBs congeners, respectively. Furthermore, 2,2',3,4,4',5'-hexaCB (#138), 2,3,3',4',5,6-hexaCB (#163)/2,3,3',4',5',6-hexaCB (#164), 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptaCB (#180), and 2,2',3,4,4',5,6'-heptaCB (#182)/2,2',3,4',5,5',6-heptaCB (#187) also showed high ratios to the total concentrations of 56 non-dioxin-like PCBs congeners detected in the blood of elderly men and women. A statistical examination of the relationship between the total concentrations of 56 non-dioxin-like PCBs congeners in blood and the age of elderly residents who were over 60 years indicated statistically significant correlations between the total concentrations of these PCBs congeners and the age of elderly women. However, similar correlations were not observed in elderly men. The results of the present study have indicated the current levels of non-dioxin-like PCBs in the blood of elderly men and women in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan and can be used as baseline data for those over age 60.     

A preliminary investigation of persistent organic pollutants in ambient air in Hong Kong

Air samples were collected for characterisation of PCDD/Fs and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as aldrin, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, delta-HCH, gamma-HCH, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDD, dieldrin, endrin, endosulfan I and II, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide and hexachlorobenzene during the winter of 2000/2001 at the weather station of the Hong Kong Observatory at Tai Mo Shan (TMS), which is the highest point (approximately 957 m) in Hong Kong, besides the routine monitoring of PCDD/Fs and 200 other toxic air pollutants (TAPs) at two urban TAPs stations at Tsuen Wan and Central & Western. Concentrations of the pollutants detected at TMS station were evaluated and compared to those recorded at the urban stations. Though pesticides including alpha-HCH, hexachlorobenzene, DDT, DDE, heptachlor, and endosulfan I were detected, these pesticides were found at relatively low concentrations of about 0.02-0.23 ng/m3 and should not have any significant health effects. Concentrations of some of the monitored POPs were found to be higher whilst most of the monitored TAPs were at comparable levels to those measured at the urban stations during the same period. According to the Stockholm Convention on POPs (May 2001), the 12 chemicals labelled by the United Nations as the most dangerous are: aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex, toxaphene, hexachlorobenzene, PCBs and dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDDs)/(PCDFs). Given that there has not been any large scale use of organo-chlorine pesticides recorded since the decline of local farming activities in recent years, the results of the present study again show that pesticides and POPs such as PCDDs/PCDFs are ubiquitous environmental contaminants present in the atmosphere of Hong Kong. The findings also indicate that organo-chlorine pesticides and PCDDs/PCDFs are among the most prevalent chlorinated semi-volatile pollutants present in Hong Kong. Results obtained in the present study suggest that selected pesticides may be used as tracers for transport of pollutants for regional air quality study.