The New Jersey Toxics Reduction Workplan for Ny-Nj Harbor: Distribution of Pcdd/Fs in Ambient Waters

As part of the NJ Toxics Reduction Workplan for NY-NJ Harbor, ambient water samples were collected at fifteen locations along the tidal portions of the Hackensack, Passaic, Raritan, Rahway and Elizabeth Rivers, and in Newark Bay, the Arthur Kill, and Kill van Kull. A Trace Organics Platform Sampler was used to collect a total of 75 suspended sediment phase samples between June 2000 and May 2002. These samples were analyzed for spatial and wet vs. dry weather trends in the 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs; modified USEPA Method 1613b). Mean total PCDD/F (tPCDD/F) concentrations at the sampling locations ranged between 3.8 and 41.5 ng/g. On average, OCDD accounted for almost 80% of the tPCDD/F concentrations; mean total [PCDD/F – OCDD] concentrations ranged between 0.84 and 5.20 ng/g at the sampling locations. Mean 2,3,7,8-TCDD concentrations ranged between 0.003 and 0.28 ng/g, with the highest concentrations (> 0.10 ng/g) along the tidal Passaic and lower Hackensack Rivers, and in upper Newark Bay. Mean tPCDD/F Toxic Equivalency Quotients (TEQ) ranged between 45 and 344 TEQ pg/g, with the highest levels found in the lower Passaic River. Toxicity was primarily driven by 2,3,7,8-TCDD concentrations in the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers, and in Newark Bay. Examples of congener distribution patterns at some of the sampling locations are also presented.     

Dioxin formation in pulp and paper mills of India

Samples of effluents, sludge, pulp, final products (paper) and soil were collected from the identified pulp and paper mills in India. The samples were analysed for 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) and other dioxin congeners and precursors. Pulp and paper mills using chlorine for the bleaching process showed the presence of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in effluent samples. In the effluent and pulp samples from mills where chlorine dioxide was used as a bleaching agent, the 2,3,7,8-TCDD congener ranged from below the detection limit 0.05 to 0.12 ngL⁻¹/ngg⁻¹. The relative standard deviation of reproducibility and the percent recovery of 2,3,7,8-TCDD were 2.07 and 82.4% in pulp and 2.8 and 92% in effluent, respectively. The 1,3,6,8-TCDD was the only other major dioxin congener found in the treated and untreated effluent and sludge samples. However, dichlorobenzene, trichlorophenyl, and hexachlorobiphenyl were detected in all samples. The formation of dioxins can be minimised by replacing chlorine with chlorine dioxide in bleaching processes in pulp and paper mills.     

Hydroxytyrosol, the phenolic compound of olive oil protects human PBMC against oxidative stress and DNA damage mediated by 2,3,7,8-TCDD

The protective effect of hydroxytyrosol (HT), a strong antioxidant compound from extra virgin olive oil, against TCDD induced toxicity was investigated in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PBMC (1 × 10⁶ cells mL⁻¹) were divided into four groups and were incubated in a CO₂ incubator (5% CO₂) for 12 h with vehicle, TCDD (10 nM), TCDD + HT (10 nM + 100 μM) and HT alone (100 μM) respectively. To clarify the role of HT against TCDD induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and the levels of antioxidant enzymes were assessed. Incubation of PBMC with TCDD significantly decreased cell viability, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and increased the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and oxidative stress markers such as lipid peroxidation products (LPO), protein carbonyl content (PCC) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Whereas, HT had an effective antioxidant property as observed by the increased cell viability, normalization of antioxidant enzymes and decreased levels of LPO, PCC and ROS in PBMC co-treated with HT and TCDD. Apoptosis detection and comet assay results shows that HT, by acting as an antioxidant, prevents the damage to DNA induced by TCDD. In addition light microscopic and histopathological observations revealed that the cells are apoptotic and degenerated during TCDD treatment, whereas cells showed intact morphology during co-treatment with HT. On the whole, the results reveal that HT exerts a promising antioxidant potential in protecting the PBMC against TCDD induced oxidative stress, which might be due to the presence of catechol moiety in its structure.     

运动对急性暴露于2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二恶英大鼠肝组织酶活性的影响

为了研究运动对2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二恶英(2,3,7,8-TCDD)急性暴露大鼠肝组织酶活性的影响,将40只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为正常对照组(NC)、染毒组(NT)、运动对照组(EC)、运动染毒组(ET)。染毒组(NT组与ET组)腹腔注射10μg·kg-1(以单位体重计)的TCDD,对照组(NC组与EC组)腹腔注射等量的玉米油;NT、NC组静养4周,ET、EC组运动(尾部负重5%游泳30分钟)4周。4周后,称重并宰杀大鼠,分离肝组织,称重后-80℃保存待测7-乙氧基异吩恶唑酮脱乙基酶(EROD)、7-乙氧基香豆素-O-脱乙基酶(ECOD)及芳香烃羟化酶(AHH)的活性。将数据进行多因素方差分析(MAVONA)处理,结果表明,染毒可降低大鼠体重,增加肝湿重和肝相对重量、增加EROD、ECOD活性;运动可增加大鼠肝相对重量、增加AHH的活性;染毒后运动可降低EROD、ECOD的活性。结论:急性10μg·kg-1(以单位体重计)TCDD染毒后4周可增加大鼠肝相对重量;4周的运动能有效降低TCDD对EROD、ECOD活性的激活作用。     

运动对2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二恶英急性暴露大鼠肝脏抗氧化能力的影响

观察8周中等强度游泳运动对2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二恶英(2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin,2,3,7,8-TCDD)急性暴露大鼠肝脏氧化应激的影响。以8周龄雄性Sprague Dawley大鼠为研究对象,将大鼠随机分为玉米油静养组(NC组)、玉米油运动组(EC组)、TCDD静养组(NT)和TCDD运动组(ET组)。将TCDD溶于玉米油中,NT和ET组大鼠按照10μg·kg-1(以单位体重计)腹腔注射TCDD,NC和EC组大鼠注射等量玉米油。正式实验开始后,EC和ET组大鼠进行运动(尾部负重5%游泳30min),每周运动5 d,共8周,NC和NT组大鼠不进行任何运动干预。8周后,称重并宰杀大鼠,收集血清和肝组织样本,待测血清天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)的活性;肝组织丙二醛(MDA)含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的活性。将数据进行多因素方差分析,结果表明,染毒可升高大鼠血清AST的活性,增加肝脏MDA的含量,降低肝脏SOD、CAT和GSH-Px的活性;运动可降低大鼠肝脏GSH-Px的活性;染毒后运动可减少肝脏MDA的含量,升高肝脏SOD、CAT和GSH-Px的活性。研究表明,TCDD急性暴露可导致大鼠肝细胞功能受损,导致大鼠肝脏发生氧化应激。8周有氧运动改善TCDD急性暴露诱导的肝细胞损伤,改善肝脏氧化应激,这可能是运动改善TCDD肝毒性的机制之一。     

2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二噁英与Aroclor 1254单独与联合作用对大鼠外周血淋巴细胞DNA的损伤效应(Damage Effects of Individual and Combined Exposure to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin and Aroclor 1254 on DNA in Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte of Rats)

为探讨2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二噁英(TCDD)和多氯联苯(Aroclor 1254)联合染毒对大鼠外周血淋巴细胞DNA的损伤效应,将20只雄性Sprague-Dawley(SD)大鼠随机均分为4组,即对照组(橄榄油)、Aroclor 1254单独染毒组(10mg·kg-1)、TCDD单独染毒组(10μg·kg-1)和联合染毒组(TCDD 10μg·kg-1+Aroclor 1254 10 mg·kg-1).大鼠每天灌胃染毒1次,连续染毒6d.染毒过程中记录大鼠的体征和体重.末次染毒后24h取外周血,分离淋巴细胞,采用碱性单细胞凝胶电泳技术(彗星试验)检测外周血淋巴细胞DNA损伤,并采用CASP软件分析各组彗星的尾部DNA百分含量(Tail DNA%)、尾长(Tail Length)和尾矩(Tail Moment).结果表明,染毒结束时TCDD单独染毒和联合染毒组大鼠体重显著低于对照组,且联合染毒组表现更为明显.TCDD单独染毒组和联合染毒组大鼠外周血淋巴细胞DNA可见明显损伤,TailDNA%、Tail Length和Tail Moment均显著高于对照组(p<0.05),且联合染毒组大鼠细胞DNA损伤更为严重,但Arolor 1254单独染毒组大鼠未见明显DNA损伤.析因分析提示TCDD与Aroclor 1254对大鼠外周血淋巴细胞DNA损伤的联合毒性效应为协同作用.本研究结果表明TCDD与Aroclor 1254联合染毒可加重大鼠外周血淋巴细胞DNA损伤,在对PCBs与二噁英的混合暴露进行危险性评估时要注意这种联合毒性作用.     

2,3,7,8-TCDD代谢产物的液-质联用分析

采用肝微粒体体外温孵法,对2,3,7,8-TCDD在大鼠肝微粒体中进行体外代谢研究.利用实验中所建立的液相色谱串联质谱方法对其代谢产物进行直接分析,共鉴别出两类代谢产物,分别为2个单羟基化代谢产物(2-OH-1,3,7,8-TCDD和1-OH-2,3,7,8-TCDD)和双羟基化脱氯的代谢产物.     

Development of GC capillary column for isomer-specific separation of toxic isomer of PCDDs and PCDFs in environmental samples

Analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) has been performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Analysis of the most toxic isomers, in particular, 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/PCDF in the presence of other isomers requires a special isomer specific capillary column or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fractionation prior to GC-MS analysis. Commercially available long (>50 m) polar columns can separate 2,3,7,8-TCDD from other tetra isomers. However, those columns are not satisfactory for the analyses of total PCDD/PCDF in the environmental samples. Gas chromatography -high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) and GC-MS/MS techniques are not helpful in the analysis of 2,3,7,8-TCDD unless it is separated from the other tetra isomers. The analysis of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and total PCDD and PCDF in a single GC-MS run can ease the laborious techniques presently used. In this study we have developed a new stationary phase for the GC capillary column. The capillary column developed using this new stationary phase showed unsurpassed selectivity for the separation of 2,3,7,8-TCDD from other tetra isomers. There are several advantages of the newly developed GC capillary column.     

Colloid facilitated transport of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) to the groundwater at Ma Da Area, Vietnam

PCDD/Fs are hydrophobic organic substances and strongly sorbing to soil particles. Once adsorbed to soil particles they are believed to be virtually immobile. However, research in the last decades confirmed that strong sorbing contaminants may reach the groundwater via colloid-facilitated transport. This pathway has not been investigated before in Vietnam. Ma Da area, 100 km north of Ho Chi Minh City, was repeatedly sprayed during the Vietnam War (1962–1971) with herbicides like Agent Orange containing, beside others, the teratogenic contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). 11 surface soil samples and 12 water samples were collected in Ma Da area for analysis of PCDD/Fs in solids. Soil TCDD concentrations ranged from 1–41 ppt with a mean of 8.8 ppt and a mean I-TEQ of 9.7 ppt. Two surface water samples showed colloid bound TCDD (7 and 19 ppt). Groundwater samples showed elevated colloid bound PCDD concentrations (mean 770 ng/kg), mainly octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Groundwater colloids separated by filtration did not show any TCDD. The results support that TCDD/Fs can be relocated from the top soil to the groundwater by colloidal pathway. They did not provide evidence that the dioxins bound to groundwater colloids are leftovers from the Second Indochinese War. However, this study reinforces that the colloidal transport pathway has to be included investigating the relocation of strong sorbing organic contaminants.     

The constitutively active Ah receptor (CA-AhR) mouse as a model for dioxin exposure - effects in reproductive organs

The dioxin/aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) mediates most toxic effects of dioxins. In utero/lactational exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) impairs fetal/neonatal development and the developing male reproductive tract are among the most sensitive tissues. TCDD causes antiestrogenic responses in rodent mammary gland and uterus and in human breast cancer cell lines in the presence of estrogen. Also, more recently an estrogen-like effect of TCDD/AhR has been suggested in the absence of estrogen. A transgenic mouse expressing a constitutively active AhR (CA-AhR) was developed as a model mimicking a situation of constant exposure to AhR agonists. Male and female reproductive tissues of CA-AhR mice were characterized for some of the effects commonly seen after dioxin exposure. Sexually mature CA-AhR female mice showed decreased uterus weight, while an uterotrophic assay in immature CA-AhR mice resulted in increased uterus weight. In immature mice, both TCDD-exposure and CA-AhR increased the expression of the estrogen receptor target gene Cathepsin D. When co-treated with 17β-estradiol no increase in Cathepsin D levels occurred in either TCDD-exposed or CA-AhR mice. In sexually mature male CA-AhR mice the weights of testis and ventral prostate were decreased and the epididymal sperm reserve was reduced. The results of the present study are in accordance with previous studies on dioxin-exposed rodents in that an activated AhR (here CA-AhR) leads to antiestrogenic effects in the presence of estrogen, but to estrogenic effects in the absence of estrogen. These results suggest the CA-AhR mouse model as a useful tool for studies of continuous low activity of the AhR from early development, resembling the human exposure situation.