Trends in the enantiomeric composition of polychlorinated biphenyl atropisomers in human breast milk

For the precise estimation of the risk to human health caused by persistent organic pollutants (POPs), it is important to discuss enantiomer fraction value (EF value) because it is reported that behaviors such as stability and toxicity of enantiomers are quite different in human body. Among POPs, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) is known as one of the most persistent compounds in human breast milk samples. The main exposure source of PCB for human body is mostly from food especially in seafood. The contamination of fish and shellfish has been a serious problem for the Japanese, who consume a large amount of fish in their diet. PCBs have 19 congeners which are chlorine-substituted in 3- or 4- ortho positions are known to have enantiomers. In this study, we analyzed PCB 183 (2,2′,3,4,4′,5′,6-hepta CB) in human breast milk and fish samples enantioselectively and revealed the time trends of the EF value. Though EF value of PCB 183 in fish samples sustained close to racemate (EF?=?0.5) from 1982 to 2012, that in breast milk increased over time. This fact indicates that (+)-PCB-183 has greater bioaccumulation potential than (-)-PCB-183 in human body; therefore, the toxicity of (+)-PCB-183 should be emphasized.     

The Role of Social and Intergenerational Equity in Making Changes in Human Well-Being Sustainable

A sustainable world is one in which human needs are met equitably and without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Human well-being is described by four primary elements—basic human needs, economic needs, environmental needs, and subjective well-being. These elements can interact in a myriad of ways to influence overall well-being. What makes changes in human well-being sustainable for a population or a nation? Two major interactional concepts can push changes in human well-being toward a sustainable state in space and time—social equity and intergenerational equity. The concept of social equity distributes well-being over space, ensuring the fair treatment of all members of society promoting spatial sustainability of a well-being decision. The concept of intergenerational equity distributes well-being through time, ensuring the well-being of present and future generations of a population or nation, promoting temporal sustainability of a well-being decision. The roles of social and intergenerational equity in terms of their influence on human well-being are examined with a focus on more sustainable decision-making.     

Fate and transport of fragrance materials in principal environmental sinks

Fragrance materials are widely present in the environment, such as air, water, and soil. Concerns have been raised due to the increasing utilization and suspected impact on human health. The bioaccumulating property is considered as one of the causes of the toxicity to human beings. The removal of fragrance materials from environmental sinks has not been paid enough attention due to the lack of regulation and research on their toxicity. This paper provides systematic information on how fragrance materials are transferred to the environment, how do they affect human lives, and what is their fate in water, wastewater, wastewater sludge, and soil.     

Biomonitoring perfluorinated compounds in Catalonia,Spain: concentrations and trends in human liver and milk samples

Background, aim and scope  

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are global environmental pollutants that bioaccumulate in wildlife and humans. Laboratory experiments have revealed toxic effects such as delayed development, humoral suppression, and hepatotoxicity. Although numerous human blood levels have been reported, little is known about distribution in the human body. Knowledge about PFC distribution and accumulation in the human body is crucial to understanding uptake and subsequent effects as well as to conduct risk assessments. The present study reports PFC levels in human liver and breast milk from a general population living in Catalonia, Spain. Liver and milk levels are compared to previously reported levels in blood from the same geographic area as well as to other existing reports on human liver and milk levels in other countries.     

Biomonitoring of PCDD/Fs in populations living near portuguese solid waste incinerators: levels in human milk

In the context of two Environmental Health Surveillance Programs, launched in response to public and scientific concern in relation to waste incinerators located near Lisbon and in Madeira Island, two human biomonitoring projects have been started in Portugal, focussed in dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in human milk. Results from the undertaken studies have already provided data on the extent and pattern of dioxin body burden of both studied groups as well as a preliminary temporal trend of dioxin levels for the population residing near Lisbon incinerator. The present paper investigates difference between exposed and non-exposed subjects under study and, from a preventive perspective, possible covariates of the dioxin levels in human milk. Emissions from both incinerators appear to be well controlled as there is no increase of human body burden of dioxins as measured in human milk of individuals living near these facilities. Concerning other determinants of dioxin levels, results suggest confirmation of previously found significant age-dependent trend towards higher levels of dioxins in aged subjects. On the contrary, association between mother's levels of dioxins and parity lost significance. Apart from the issue of incineration, the general conclusion for the general population is that living in Lisbon as compared to Madeira results in higher milk dioxin levels and possible health risks. The profile of the single congeners for PCDD/Fs in human milk from Madeira and Lisbon shows similar contributions for 12378-PCDD, 23478-PCDF, 123678-HCDD and 2378-TCDD, that account altogether for about 84% of the total identified dioxin body burden in the studied groups.     

试论生态文明建设中的环境保护

随着经济的发展,人们越来越清醒地认识到,以污染环境和破坏生态来换取一时经济繁荣的危害日益突出。正是这种清醒,推动人类文明进行着一场深刻的反思和变革,把追求人与自然的和谐相处,推上当今社会发展主旋律的位置,它预示着人类进入一个生态文明的新时代。生态文明是协调发展物质文明的保障者,是与时俱进的精神文明的塑造者,是日益完善的政治文明的体现者。因此,建设生态文明既是实现全面建设小康社会奋斗目标的内在需要,又是深入贯彻落实科学发展观的重要内容;建设生态文明,必须强化政策支撑,增加生态文明建设的内生动力;必须强化执法监督,增加生态文明建设的环保执行力;必须强化生态补偿能力,构建最具活力的绿色发展模式。     

The abundance and characteristics of microplastics in commonly consumed shellfish in the Jiangsu coastal region of China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Microplastic pollution is ubiquitous in the marine environment and the consumption of shellfish containing microplastics may pose a risk to human...     

Persistent organochlorines in human breast milk collected from primiparae in Dalian and Shenyang, China

The present study determined the concentrations of organochlorines (OCs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), chlordane compounds (CHLs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and tris(4-chlorophenyl)methane (TCPMe) in human breast milk collected from primiparae in Dalian and Shenyang, northeastern China during 2002. In addition, dioxins and related compounds in pooled samples of human breast milk from Dalian and Shenyang were also analyzed. OCs were detected in all the human breast milk samples analyzed in this study. The predominant contaminants in human breast milk were HCHs, DDTs and HCB, and the levels were relatively higher than those in other countries. On the other hand, concentrations of dioxins and related compounds, PCBs, and CHLs were relatively low. Concentrations of OCs in human breast milk from Dalian, which is located along the coast of Bo Hai Strait, were significantly higher than those from Shenyang, implying that the residents in Dalian might be mainly exposed to these contaminants from seafood. When the relationship between concentrations of OCs in human breast milk and age of primiparae was examined, no significant correlation was observed. This might be caused by the limited sample numbers and narrow range of mother's age and/or recent ban of DDT and HCH production and use. Significant correlation between concentrations of TCPMe and DDTs in human breast milk suggested that technical DDT might be a source of TCPMe in the Chinese population. When daily intakes of DDTs and HCHs to infants through human breast milk were estimated, human breast milk from Dalian showed significantly higher contribution than Shenyang, implying that infants in Dalian might be at higher risk by these contaminants.     

Comparison of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish, vegetables, and meats and levels in human milk of nursing women in Japan

At present, little is known about the occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in fish and food products sold in Japan. To investigate whether human exposure to PBDEs through the diet is significant, the concentrations of PBDEs were determined in fish and in meat and vegetables sold in two food markets in the city of Hirakata, Osaka prefecture. The concentrations of PBDEs in the breast milk of 12 primiparae nursing women at one month after delivery also were determined to ascertain the relationship between the levels found in the diet and levels in humans. sigma PBDE concentrations ranged between 21 and 1650 pg/g fresh weight in the edible tissues of five species of fish and one shellfish species. The highest concentrations were measured in yellow-fin tuna, followed by short-necked clam, salmon, yellowtail, mackerel and young yellowtail. Interestingly, sigma PBDE concentrations were not statistically significantly different in two cultured mackerel samples from Japan and mackerel collected from northern European waters. sigma PBDE concentrations in beef, pork and chicken meat (ranging between 6.25 and 63.6 pg/g fresh weight) and in three different vegetables (ranging between 38.4 and 134 pg/g fresh weight) were significantly lower than the concentrations in fish. In human milk, sigma PBDE concentrations ranged between 668 and 2840 pg/g lipid basis, which is comparable to the levels in populations of nursing women reported in Sweden and elsewhere. There was a strong positive relationship between PBDE concentrations in human milk and dietary intake of fish and shellfish, which was established in the women from responses to a questionaire on food consumption habits. The results of this study of food products commonly consumed in Japan and the levels found in nursing women raise a concern about low level PBDE contamination of fish and other foods intended for human consumption.     

Life cycle toxicity assessment of pesticides used in integrated and organic production of oranges in the Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

The relative impacts of 25 pesticides including acaricides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and post-harvest fungicides, used in the production of oranges in Spain were assessed with current life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) tools. Chemical specific concentrations were combined with pesticide emission data and information on chemical toxicity to assess human toxicity and freshwater ecotoxicity impacts. As a case study, the relative impacts of two orange production systems in the region of Valencia, integrated pest management (IP) and organic production (OP), were assessed. The evaluation of active ingredients showed that on average acaricides have the highest human toxicity impact scores, while for freshwater ecotoxicity insecticides show the highest impact. In both impact categories the lowest impact scores were calculated for herbicides. In the production of 1 kg of orange fruits, where several kinds of pesticides are combined, results show that post-harvest fungicides can contribute more than 95% to the aggregate human toxicity impacts. More than 85% of aquatic ecotoxicity is generated by fungicides applied before harvest. The potential to reduce impacts on freshwater ecosystems is seven orders of magnitude, while impacts on human health can be reduced by two orders of magnitude. Hence, this stresses the importance of a careful pre-selection of active ingredients. In both impact categories, organic production represents the least toxic pest-control method.     

大气中二（口/恶）（口/英）研究进展

二（口/恶）（口/英）是世界公认的强致癌物质,对人体健康危害极大.近年来,大气中二（口/恶）（口/英）的研究已成为各国环境化学家研究的热点.本文总结了近年来国际上有关大气中二（口/恶）（口/英）研究的进展情况,以及所取得的主要研究成果,并在此基础上指出了我国目前研究中存在的问题及以后所应开展的工作.     

Body burdens of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in childbearing-aged women at an intensive electronic-waste recycling site in China

Background, aim and scope  

This study is the first to investigate PBDE body burden with regard to the concurrent analyses of multiple human matrices, namely milk, placenta, and hair, collected from a group of childbearing-aged women at an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling site to determine the partitioning of PBDEs in these different human matrices and the possible health risks imposed to infants at the e-waste recycling site.     

Human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoforms involved in bisphenol A glucuronidation

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of a number of potential endocrine disruptors which may affect normal hormonal function. In this study, human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms involved in BPA glucuronidation were studied by kinetic analyses using human liver microsomes and recombinant human UGTs expressed in insect cells (UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A9, UGT2B4, UGT2B7, UGT2B15 and UGT2B17). BPA glucuronidation was catalyzed by UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A9, UGT2B4, UGT2B7 and UGT2B15 as well as by human liver microsomes. Among these UGTs, UGT2B15 showed the highest activity of BPA glucuronidation at low- (1.0 microM) and high- (20 microM) substrate concentrations. Kinetic analyses of BPA glucuronidation were performed by constructing Michaelis-Menten and Eadie-Hofstee plots. The kinetic profile of BPA glucuronidation by pooled human liver microsomes and UGT2B15 was monophasic, the K(m) and V(max) values were 6.39 microM and 4250 pmol min(-1)mg(-1)protein for pooled human liver microsomes, and 8.68 microM and 873 pmol min(-1)mg(-1)protein for UGT2B15, respectively. The K(m) values for BPA glucuronidation by pooled human liver microsomes and UGT2B15 were similar. These findings demonstrate that BPA is mainly glucuronidated by UGT2B15 in human liver microsomes, and suggest that this UGT isoform plays important roles in the detoxification and elimination of BPA.     

Chiral signatures of PCB#s 95 and 149 in indoor air, grass, duplicate diets and human faeces

Chiral signatures of PCB#s 95 and 149 are reported for indoor air, grass, omnivorous and vegan duplicate human diet homogenates, and human faeces. Comparison of chiral signatures of both congeners in grass with those reported previously for outdoor air (measured at a height of 1.5 m) and soil at the same location suggest that volatilisation of PCBs present in soil may exert a significant influence on concentrations in grass. Duplicate diet homogenates display racemic signatures for both congeners. Alongside the racemic signatures in both outdoor and indoor air, this implies that human intake via diet and inhalation is racemic, and that the previously observed variation between individuals in the extent of enantioselective degradation in human liver samples indicates possible inter-individual variation in ability to metabolise PCBs. Chiral signatures of PCB# 95 in the 10 human faecal samples analysed indicate 8 to be racemic, but 2 to display an excess of the 2nd eluting enantiomer. This is consistent with the excess of the 1st eluting enantiomer reported elsewhere for human liver samples, as it implies enantioselective excretion of the 2nd eluting enantiomer. However, the racemic residues for PCB# 95 in the majority of faecal samples are a possible indication that enantioselective interaction of chiral PCBs with cytochrome P450 occurs slowly. The racemic or near-racemic signatures observed for PCB# 95 and 149 in indoor air match closely those in outdoor air, but differ from those in soil, adding to the weight of evidence that ventilation of indoor air is a far more significant contributor to outdoor air concentrations than volatilisation of PCBs from soil.     

微环境新风量的检测原理及方法研究

新风量是评价室内微环境空气卫生质量的主要卫生指标之一,也是计算室内某种气体单位时间排放量的重要参数。以CO2作为示踪气体,利用于冰升华和人体呼吸产生CO2示踪气体两种测量方法对室内和车内微环境进行了检测,并考虑室内人呼出CO2量的影响,运用箱子模式的各种推导公式（稳态法、解析解法和差分法）对新风量进行了计算,并对结果进行了讨论。结果表明,没有人存在下,用箱子模式的解析解法和差分法计算的新风量值没有明显的统计差异;微环境内有人时必须考虑人释放的影响,这样箱子模式的各种推导公式都可以计算新风量值,且结果准确,准确度高。利用人体呼吸产生CO2示踪气体法,用差分法计算结果不理想,偏差很大;用稳态法计算重现性高,结果可靠。     

Assessment of water quality in the Alqueva Reservoir (Portugal) using bioassays

Background, aim, and scope  

Alqueva Reservoir is the biggest artificial freshwater reservoir in Europe and is an important water supply for human and agricultural consumption in the Alentejo region (Portugal). Pollution can impair environmental and human health status, and to assure water quality and ecological balance, it is crucial to frequently monitor water supplies. In this study, we used an ecotoxicological test battery to identify the potential toxicity of water from this reservoir.     

The use of wastewater in livestock production and its socioeconomic and welfare implications

Although epidemiological studies have found a significant amount of toxins in surface water, a complex link between animals’ access to wastewater and associated animal and human welfare losses needs to be explored. The scarcity of safe water has put stress on the utilization of wastewater for crops and livestock production. The access of animals to wastewater is related to the emergence of dangerous animal’s diseases, hampering productivity, increasing economic losses, and risking human health along the food chain. This review explores use of wastewater for agriculture, epidemiological evidence of microbial contamination in wastewater, and animal and human welfare disruption due to the use of wastewater for crop and livestock production. More specifically, the review delves into animals exposure to wastewater for bathing, drinking, or grazing on a pasture irrigated with contaminated water and related animal and human welfare losses. We included some scientific articles and reviews published from 1970 to 2017 to support our rational discussions. The selected articles dealt exclusively with animals direct access to wastewater via bathing and indirect access via grazing on pasture irrigated with contaminated wastewater and their implication for animal and human welfare losses. The study also identified that some policy options such as wastewater treatments, constructing wastewater stabilization ponds, controlling animal access to wastewater, and dissemination of necessary information to ultimate consumers related to the source of agricultural produce and wastewater use in animal and crop production are required to protect the human and animal health and welfare.     

Association of selenium,arsenic, and other trace elements in drinking water and urine in residents of the plateau region in China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Drinking water is considered to be an important exposure pathway for humans to ingest trace elements; human urine samples are widely accepted...     

Human health implications of clinically relevant bacteria in wastewater habitats

The objective of this review is to reflect on the multiple roles of bacteria in wastewater habitats with particular emphasis on their harmful potential for human health. Indigenous bacteria promote a series of biochemical and metabolic transformations indispensable to achieve wastewater treatment. Some of these bacteria may be pathogenic or harbour antibiotic resistance or virulence genes harmful for human health. Several chemical contaminants (heavy metals, disinfectants and antibiotics) may select these bacteria or their genes. Worldwide studies show that treated wastewater contain antibiotic resistant bacteria or genes encoding virulence or antimicrobial resistance, evidencing that treatment processes may fail to remove efficiently these bio-pollutants. The contamination of the surrounding environment, such as rivers or lakes receiving such effluents, is also documented in several studies. The current state of the art suggests that only some of antibiotic resistance and virulence potential in wastewater is known. Moreover, wastewater habitats may favour the evolution and dissemination of new resistance and virulence genes and the emergence of new pathogens. For these reasons, additional research is needed in order to obtain a more detailed assessment of the long-term effects of wastewater discharges. In particular, it is important to measure the human and environmental health risks associated with wastewater reuse.     

Unboxing the molecular modalities of mutagens in cancer

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The etiology of the majority of human cancers is associated with a myriad of environmental causes, including physical, chemical, and biological...