新型溴系阻燃剂环境污染现状研究进展

新型溴系阻燃剂(NBFRs,novel brominated flame retardants)作为传统溴系阻燃剂的替代品已广泛应用于电子产品、纺织品、家具等商品中,随着这些商品的生产、使用和处置,NBFRs不可避免地释放到环境中,给环境和人体带来潜在的危害.部分NBFRs可通过摄食和呼吸作用进入人体对人体产生一定危害...     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in soil and dust from plastic production and surrounding areas in eastern of China

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of organic pollutants. They are used as flame retardants that caused worldwide environmental concern. This study investigated the occurrence of PBDEs in soils and dusts from three plastic manufacture plants and surrounding areas in Eastern China. A total of 13 PBDE congeners were detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (electron impact ionization). The total concentrations of PBDEs range from 2.21 to 558, 19.7–4916, and 8.70–18,451 ng/g dry weight in the soils of three sampling areas, with mean of 1004 ng/g d w; in dusts, the concentrations range from 7240 to 10,469, 684–4482, and 193–3989 ng/g d w, with an overall mean of 3619 ng/g d w. The most abundant congener is the BDE-209, followed by BDE-153 and BDE-85. This indicates that the brominated flame retardant added in the plastic manufacture is mainly the commodity decabromodiphenyl ether. In comparison with other polluted areas around the world, the PBDE concentrations in the soils of the plastic manufacture plants are similar to those in soils of waste plastic disposal areas and PBDEs production sites, but orders of magnitude higher than those in agricultural soils, mountain soils and rural soils. Daily exposure was estimated using the average concentrations of the pollution sites. The hazard quotient shows that the PBDEs pose considerable human health risks, especially to children, to which attention should be paid.

     

(Persistent) Organic pollutants in Germany: results from a pilot study within the 2015 moss survey

Background

Since 1990, every 5 years, moss sampling is conducted within the European moss monitoring programme to assess the atmospheric deposition of airborne pollutants. Besides many other countries, Germany takes regularly part at these evaluations. Within the European moss monitoring 2015, more than 400 moss samples across Germany were taken according to a harmonized methodology for the assessment heavy metal and nitrogen input. In a pilot programme, eight of these sites were chosen for additional investigations on a broad range of organic contaminants to evaluate their accumulation in moss and thereby their presence in atmospheric deposition in Germany. Target compound classes comprised polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and –furans (PCDD/F), dioxin-like and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCB, ndl-PCB), polyfluorinated alkyl substances, classical flame retardants as well as emerging chlorinated and brominated flame retardants. In total, 120 target compounds were analysed. For some analytes, comparisons of accumulation in moss and tree leave samples were possible.

Results

Except for certain flame retardants, PFAS, and ndl-PCB, substances of all other compound classes could be quantified in moss samples of all sites. Concentrations were highest for PAH (40–268 ng g^?1) followed by emerging flame retardants (0.5–7.7 ng g^?1), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE; 0.3–3.7 ng g^?1), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD; 0.3–1.2 ng g^?1), dl-PCB (0.04–0.4 ng g^?1) and PCDD/F (0.008–0.06 ng g^?1).

Conclusions

Results show the widespread atmospheric distribution and deposition of organic contaminants across Germany as well as the suitability of moss as bioaccumulation monitor for most of these compound classes. Compared to nearby tree leaf samples, accumulation potential of moss appeared to be higher for pollutants of high octanol–air partition coefficient (K_OA) and octanol–water partition coefficient (K_OW).

     

BDE-47和BDE-209对乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)活性的抑制特性及分子作用力研究

多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)是应用广泛的溴代阻燃剂,其中2,2',4,4'-四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)和2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6,6'-十溴联苯醚(BDE-209)广泛存在于环境中。PBDEs具有神经毒性,但其致毒机制尚不明确。本文通过研究BDE-47与BDE-209对乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)活性的影响及二者与AChE相互作用的光谱分析,揭示BDE-47与BDE-209导致神经毒性的致毒机制。BDE-47和BDE-209在一定浓度范围内均能够抑制AChE分解乙酰胆碱;随着浓度的增加,两者的抑制率均呈现出先增加后降低的规律。BDE-47浓度为400μmol·L-1时抑制率达到最大,为22.3%;BDE-209浓度为200μmol·L-1时抑制率达到最大,为11.2%。相同浓度下,BDE-47对AChE的抑制率始终大于BDE-209,表明AChE对BDE-47更加敏感。荧光光谱分析结果表明BDE-47和BDE-209与AChE之间的相互作用均主要为疏水作用,同时不存在范德华引力作用;BDE-47与AChE的结合常数大于BDE-209与AChE的结合常数,表明BDE-47更易与AChE相互作用。此外,温度的升高不利于BDE-47和BDE-209与AChE之间相互作用。BDE-47和BDE-209抑制AChE活性很可能是导致神经毒性通路之一。     

非多溴联苯醚(PBDE)类卤系阻燃剂的生物富集特征

近年来,六溴环十二烷(HBCDs)、四溴双酚A(TBBPA)、双(六氯环戊二烯)环辛烷(DP)、十溴二苯乙烷(DBDPE)、l,2-双(三溴苯氧基)乙烷(BTBPE)、五溴甲苯(PBT)、2,3,4,5,6-五溴乙苯(PBEB)和六溴苯(HBB)等非PBDE类卤系阻燃剂(HFRs)在生物体内的富集及其生态风险已引起人们...     

Tetrabromobisphenol A recovery from computer housing plastic by a new solvothermal process

Brominated flame retardants contained in electrical and electronic waste plastic are toxic to both humans and the environment. Most disposal technologies for brominated flame retardants are environmentally unfriendly. Here, a novel solvothermal process was designed to recover tetrabromobisphenol A, a typical brominated flame retardant, from waste computer housing plastic. The plastic waste was treated by the solvothermal process followed by vacuum rotary evaporation. Results show a tetrabromobisphenol A recovery efficiency of 78.9 %, and a purity of 95.6 %. The stability of tetrabromobisphenol A during the solvothermal process was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance. Kinetics showed that diffusion across the polymer layer controlled recovery. We conclude that the novel solvothermal process is a promising green way to recover tetrabromobisphenol A from electrical and electronic waste plastic.     

Indoor and outdoor air PBDE levels in a Southwestern US city

Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants have been increasing in humans and the environment for the past few decades. Human levels are markedly higher in the US than Europe. Although food appears to be a significant route of intake, food PBDE levels are not substantially higher in the US than Europe. House and office dust appear to be major routes of exposure with air believed to usually provide a lesser route of intake. Because there are very few measurements of airborne PBDE that have been performed in relevant microenvironments in the US, increased efforts to assess airborne PBDE in the US as sources of exposure are needed. This study reports, for the first time from a Southwestern US city in Texas, the results of measurements of airborne PBDE in multiple locations, two outdoor and six indoor (residential and office) from active air sampling with collection of a combination of both vapor- and particulate-phase PBDE. Higher PBDE levels were measured in indoor than outdoor air, which confirms previous findings. Of 11 measured congeners including BDE 209, total PBDE levels in two outdoor air samples were 112 and 125 pg m^?3 and the indoor air levels ranged from 175 to 1232 pg m^?3 with a median of 572 pg m^?3. These findings suggest that sources of air contamination with PBDE may be similar in Texas as elsewhere in North America. However, more sampling is required to (1) better determine if this is the case and (2) attempt to characterize potential sources of PBDE contamination in both indoor and outdoor air by analysis of congener patterns.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in plastic products,indoor dust,sediment and fish from informal e-waste recycling sites in Vietnam: a comprehensive assessment of contamination,accumulation pattern,emissions, and human exposure

Residue concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in different kinds of samples including consumer products, indoor dust, sediment and fish collected from two e-waste recycling sites, and some industrial, urban and suburban areas in Vietnam were determined to provide a comprehensive assessment of the contamination levels, accumulation pattern, emission potential and human exposure through dust ingestion and fish consumption. There was a large variation of PBDE levels in plastic parts of obsolete electronic equipment (from 1730 to 97,300 ng/g), which is a common result observed in consumer plastic products reported elsewhere. PBDE levels in indoor dust samples collected from e-waste recycling sites ranged from 250 to 8740 ng/g, which were markedly higher than those in industrial areas and household offices. Emission rate of PBDEs from plastic parts of disposed electronic equipment to dust was estimated to be in a range from 3.4 × 10^?7 to 1.2 × 10^?5 (year^?1) for total PBDEs and from 2.9 × 10^?7 to 7.2 × 10^?6 (year^?1) for BDE-209. Some fish species collected from ponds in e-waste recycling villages contained elevated levels of PBDEs, especially BDE-209, which were markedly higher than those in fish previously reported. Overall, levels and patterns of PBDE accumulation in different kinds of samples suggest significant emission from e-waste sites and that these areas are potential sources of PBDE contamination. Intakes of PBDEs via fish consumption were generally higher than those estimated through dust ingestion. Intake of BDE-99 and BDE-209 through dust ingestion contributes a large proportion due to higher concentrations in dust and fish. Body weight normalized daily intake through dust ingestion estimated for the e-waste recycling sites (0.10–3.46 ng/day/kg body wt.) were in a high range as compared to those reported in other countries. Our results highlight the potential releases of PBDEs from informal recycling activities and the high degree of human exposure and suggest the need for continuous investigations on environmental pollution and toxic impacts of e-waste-related hazardous chemicals.     

水生和陆生生物体中卤系阻燃剂的差异性富集研究:以鲶鱼和家鸽为例

分析了水生(鲶鱼)和陆生(家鸽)生物体中卤系阻燃剂(HFRs)的组成和浓度。鲶鱼中短链氯化石蜡(SCCPs)浓度均值为30 800 ng·g~(-1)lw(脂肪归一化浓度),是最主要的HFRs,然后依次是多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)(2 300 ng·g~(-1)lw)、四溴双酚A(TBBPA)(37 ng·g~(-1)lw)、六溴环十二烷(HBCD)(21 ng·g~(-1)lw)、德克隆(DP)(14 ng·g~(-1)lw)、十溴二苯乙烷(DBDPE)(7.1 ng·g~(-1)lw)和六溴苯(HBB)(6.2 ng·g~(-1)lw);而家鸽中PBDEs含量最高(17 000 ng·g~(-1)lw),其次是SCCPs(7 600 ng·g~(-1)lw)DP(1 600 ng·g~(-1)lw)DBDPE(14 ng·g~(-1)lw)HBB、TBBPA和HBCDs(未检出)。鲶鱼和家鸽HFRs组成比较发现,鲶鱼中具有较高百分含量的低溴代PBDE单体和较低的fanti值,而家鸽中具有较高百分含量的高溴代PBDE单体和较高的fanti值。实验结果初步表明,水生生物较多地富集水溶性较大的化合物,陆生生物则较多地富集疏水性较强的化合物。研究认为以上水生和陆生生物体中污染物的差异性富集现象可能与化合物因不同物理化学性质导致的不同环境迁移行为有关。     

Distribution,seasonal variation and inhalation risks of polychlorinated dibenzo-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-dioxins and dibenzofurans,polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the atmosphere of Beijing,China

Spatial distribution, seasonal variation and potential inhalation risks of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were investigated in the atmosphere of Beijing, using passive air samplers equipped with polyurethane foam disks. Concentrations of ΣPCDD/Fs, ΣPCBs and ΣPBDEs ranged from 8.4 to 179 fg WHO₂₀₀₅-TEQ/m³, 38.6–139 and 1.5–176 pg/m³, respectively. PCDFs showed higher air concentrations than those of PCDDs, indicating the influence of industrial activities and other combustion processes. The non-Aroclor congener, PCB-11, was detected in air (12.3–99.4 pg/m³) and dominated the PCB congener profiles (61.7–71.5% to ∑PCBs). The congener patterns of PBDEs showed signatures from both penta-BDE and octa-BDE products. Levels of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PBDEs at the industrial and residential sites were higher than those at rural site, indicating human activities in urban area as potential sources. Higher air concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PBDEs were observed in summer, which could be associated with atmospheric deposition process, re-volatilization from soil surface and volatilization from use of technical products, respectively. Results of inhalation exposure and cancer risk showed that atmospheric PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs and PBDEs did not cause high risks to the local residents of Beijing. This study provides further aid in evaluating emission sources, influencing factors and potential inhalation risks of the persistent organic pollutants to human health in mega-cities of China.     

大连地区唐氏筛查孕中期妇女羊水中甲状腺激素水平与PBDEs内暴露关系初探

多溴联苯醚(polybrominated diphenyl ethers,PBDEs)是一类常用的溴代阻燃剂,由于使用广泛,已成为普遍存在的环境污染物。研究表明,PBDEs具有内分泌干扰作用,影响甲状腺功能,对胚胎发育、婴幼儿及儿童的健康存在潜在的危害。本研究采集了100例具羊水穿刺指征的孕妇的孕中期羊水样本,采用罗氏全自动电化学发光免疫分析仪测定羊水中促甲状腺激素(TSH)、三碘甲状腺原氨酸(TT3)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、甲状腺素(TT4)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、抗甲状腺过氧化酶抗体(TPOA)和抗甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TGA)的含量,用气相色谱-负化学源-质谱法测定羊水样品中16种PBDEs同系物含量。结果显示,羊水中TSH、TT3、FT3、TT4、FT4中位数分别为0.342μIU·m L-1、0.949 nmol·L-1、1.52 pmol·L-1、11.02 nmol·L-1和3.91pmol·L-1,95%参考区间值分别为0.174~0.872μIU·m L-1、0.835~1.01 nmol·L-1、1.26~2.72 pmol·L-1、9.42~20.68 nmol·L-1和2.16~6.35 pmol·L-1。具有唐氏筛查高风险和甲状腺激素水平低下的羊水样品中共检出6种BDEs(BDE-47、BDE-71、BDE-138、BDE-183、BDE-190、BDE-209),其中BDE-71、183和190在被检羊水样品中均被检出,并且,TSH水平低下的羊水中BDE-190和209负荷水平显著高于正常组。这些结果提示,大连地区孕中期妇女羊水存在PBEDs内暴露,并且PBDEs内暴露可能与羊水的甲状腺激素水平低下、尤其TSH水平升高有关,提示PBDEs暴露可能与胎儿中枢神经系统损伤产生的下丘脑-垂体-甲状腺(HPT)轴功能失调有关。因此,羊水PBDEs内暴露对新生儿出生结局的影响值得进一步关注。     

喜马拉雅山区葇籽草和棘豆样品中PCBs、PBDEs和PCDD/Fs的分析

应用同位素稀释-高分辨气相色谱/高分辨质谱(HRGC/HRMS)法分析了喜马拉雅山区海拔5000 m以上的葇籽草和棘豆样品中多氯联苯(PCBs)、多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)和二噁英(PCDD/Fs)的含量.这两种植物样品中污染物含量与世界其它偏远地区的水平基本保持一致.其中PCBs的总含量在1.94—3.62 ng.g-1干重(dw)范围内,平均值为2.60 ng.g-1dw;PCB-28和PCB-52的浓度明显较高,约占7种指示性PCBs总量的90%以上.14种PBDEs的总浓度在83.3—142 pg.g-1dw之间,平均值为116 pg.g-1dw;除BDE-85、-138、-154,以及高溴代的BDE-190和BDE-209未检出外,其它9种单体均有不同程度的检出,且以低溴代的BDE-28为主,含量占45%以上.样品中PCDD/Fs基本上未检出.由于样品采集点位于喜马拉雅山人迹罕至的珠穆朗玛峰北坡地区,周围并无工业污染源,因此植物样品中PCBs及PBDEs可能是污染物发生大气长距离传输和生物富集的结果.     

十溴联苯醚(BDE-209)对土壤跳虫的急、慢性毒性效应

为揭示溴代阻燃剂对土壤生态系统的潜在危害,采用回避实验和繁殖实验评价了十溴联苯醚(BDE-209)对2种土壤跳虫Folsomia candida和Folsomia fimetaria的急/慢性毒性。48h的急性回避实验中,BDE-209对F.candida和F.fimetaria产生毒性效应的EC_(50)值分别为1.27和0.79mg·kg~(-1),LOEC值均小于0.5mg·kg~(-1)。慢性繁殖实验中,BDE-209对F.candida和F.fimetaria繁殖毒性的EC_(50)值分别为0.81和0.56mg·kg~(-1),LOEC值分别为<0.25和<0.5mg·kg~(-1)。研究表明,土壤BDE-209污染对跳虫的繁殖和环境行为有显著影响,且在较低暴露浓度下(0.25mg·kg~(-1))即对跳虫繁殖产生抑制效应;有性生殖的F.fimetaria比孤雌生殖的F.candida对BDE-209污染的毒性响应更为敏感。     

十溴联苯醚(BDE-209)对紫红笛鲷鳃抗氧化酶活性的影响

十溴联苯醚(BDE-209)是目前唯一仍在全球范围内广泛使用的多溴联苯醚阻燃剂,其环境行为及生物效应逐渐成为环境污染领域研究的热点。选用2(LD组)、10(MLD组)、50(MHD组)及250μg.L-1(HD组)4个浓度的BDE-209作用于紫红笛鲷,探讨BDE-209对紫红笛鲷鳃抗氧化酶(SOD、CAT及POD)活性和MDA含量的影响。结果显示:BDE-209可以显著促进SOD和CAT活性,且随着暴露时间延长CAT活性呈现逐渐增加的趋势。暴露7d后,MLD组SOD活性达到最高68.31U.mg-1,是对照组(CK)的5.50倍,HD组CAT活性达到6.31U.mL-1,其次为MHD组的5.96U.mL-1。BDE-209对鳃POD活性呈现先促进后抑制的作用,暴露3d时各浓度POD活性均显著高于CK组(P<0.05);7d时各浓度POD活性则受到显著抑制(P<0.05),清水恢复15d后各浓度组与CK组没有显著差异(P>0.05)。暴露期间各浓度组MDA含量均显著高于CK组(P<,并且随暴露时间延长呈现先增加后减少的趋势,7d后HD组MDA含量达到最高,为6.99nmol.mg-1,清水恢复15d后,LD和MLD组MDA含量与CK组没有显著性差异(P>0.05)。以上结果表明:BDE-209可以诱导紫红笛鲷产生氧化应激效应,CAT和SOD则在氧自由基清除中发挥作用。     

Biosolids application affects the competitive sorption and lability of cadmium,copper, nickel,lead, and zinc in fluvial and calcareous soils

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of biosolids on the competitive sorption and lability of the sorbed Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in fluvial and calcareous soils. Competitive sorption isotherms were developed, and the lability of these metals was estimated by DTPA extraction following their sorption. Sorption of all metals was higher in the fluvial than in the calcareous soil. Sorption of Cu and Pb was stronger than that of Cd, Ni, and Zn in all soils. Biosolids application (2.5%) reduced the sorption of all metals especially Cu and Pb (28–43%) in both soils (especially the calcareous soil) at the lower added metal concentrations (50 and 100 mg L^?1). However, it increased the sorption of all metals especially Pb and Cu in both soils (especially the calcareous soil; 15.5-fold for Cu) at the higher added concentrations (250 and 300 mg L^?1). Nickel showed the highest lability followed by Cd, Zn, and Pb in both soils. Biosolids increased the lability of the sorbed Ni in the fluvial soils at all added concentrations and the lability of Cd, Pb, and Zn at 50 mg L^?1, but decreased the lability of Cd, Pb, and Zn at 250 and 300 mg L^?1 in both soils. We conclude that at low loading rate (e.g., 50 mg L^?1) biosolids treatment might increase the lability and environmental risk of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. However, at high loading rate (e.g., 300 mg L^?1) biosolids may be used as an immobilizing agent for Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and mobilizing agent for Ni.     

Distribution,sources and potential risk of HCH and DDT in soils from a typical alluvial plain of the Yangtze River Delta region,China

Spatial distribution, sources and potential health risks of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), in surface soils (n = 544) collected from a typical alluvial plain of the Yangtze River Delta region, China, were elucidated. Concentrations of ΣHCH and ΣDDT in soils ranged from less than the limit of detection (<LOD) to 99.0 ng g^?1, dry weight (dw) (mean 3.23 ng g^?1 dw) and <LOD to 600 ng g^?1 dw (mean 88.8 ng g^?1 dw), respectively. Historical applications of HCH and DDT were the major sources of the residue in soils. HCH was mainly distributed in Anthrosols in the southern part of the watershed, while DDT was mainly distributed in Cambosols in the northern part. The 95 % cumulative probability incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) of different age groups such as children, youths, and adults all exceeded the acceptable risk level of 10^?6 recommended by USEPA for carcinogenic chemicals. The spatial distributions of ∑ILCRs were consistent with concentrations of OCPs in soils, while they were slight different for the different age groups. Adult females had the greatest risk of OCPs in soils, followed by children, while youths had the least risk. The ingestion of OCPs in soils was the more important route of exposure compared with dermal and inhalation exposures. The concentration of OCPs in soils, the particulate emission factor, the fraction of dermal exposure ratio, and the soil ingestion rate were the major contributing variables to total ILCRs according to sensitivity analyses.     

Occurrence and profiles of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in riverine sediments of Shanghai: a combinative study with human serum from the locals

Herein, we studied the occurrence and profiles of thirteen PBDE congeners in 30 river sediment samples from Shanghai, China. The concentrations of Σ₁₃PBDEs ranged from 110 to 13,071 pg g ^?1 dw, with an average value of 2,841 pg g ^?1 dw. BDE-209 was the predominant congener accounting for more than 65 % of total PBDEs, demonstrating that the major source of PBDEs in sediment samples was associated with the prevalent use of technical deca-BDE products. Moreover, low brominated BDEs in sediments also came from the degradation of higher brominated BDEs. In addition, taking into consideration of dietary exposure, PBDEs in serum samples collected from the locals were also detected with range of 419–26,744 pg g^?1 (average 5,561 pg g ^?1), which suggested a relatively low burden of PBDEs contamination to human body compared with the condition in other place. And in serum, low brominated compounds constituted the majority of total PBDE congeners.     

Time-dependent effects of pentabrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) on thyroid hormones and histology in rats

In order to examine the time-dependent effects of pentabrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-99) on thyroid hormones levels and histological structure in rats, 4-week-old SD rats were divided into 10 groups randomly, according to their body weight. Rats in treatment groups were orally gavaged with BDE-99 at the dose of 60 mg kg^?1 for 10, 15, 20, 30 or 40 days, while rats in control group received equal volume of corn oil. Serum levels of thyroxine (FT4), triiodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Sections of thyroids were dyed with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) to detect any pathologically alterations. In BDE-99 treated groups, on day 10, changes in serum levels of FT4, FT3 and TSH were not found. On days 15 and 20, serum levels of FT4 and FT3 decreased, accompanied by increased levels of TSH. On days 30 and 40, serum levels of these hormones returned to control values. As for alterations in histology, on day 15, follicular epithelium of the thyroid were found to proliferate into two layers in BDE-99 treated rats. On day 20, in focal areas the two-layer follicular epithelia were observed to continuously proliferate into 3–4 layers of follicular epithelium, called hyperplasia plaques. On days 30 and 40, solid buds and secondary follicles to solid buds were detected. The earliest alteration of thyroid hormones in treated SD rats occurred at the duration of 10–15 days, with corresponding histopathologic changes. As the exposure time increased, the serum level of hormones and histopathology altered accordingly in a time-dependent manner.     

Atrazine contamination in agricultural soils from the Yangtze River Delta of China and associated health risks

Atrazine is one of the most widely applied and persistent herbicides in the world. In view of limited information on the regional contamination of atrazine in soils in China, this study investigated the spatial distribution and environmental impacts of atrazine in agricultural soils collected from the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) as an illustrative analysis of rapidly developing regions in the country. The results showed that the concentrations of atrazine in the YRD agricultural soils ranged from <1.0 to 113 ng/g dry weight, with a mean of 5.7 ng/g, and a detection rate of 57.7 % in soils. Pesticide factory might be a major source for the elevated levels of atrazine in Zhejiang Province. The contamination of atrazine was closely associated with land use types. The concentrations and detection rates of atrazine were higher in corn fields and mulberry fields than in rice paddy fields. There was no significant difference in compositions of soil microbial phospholipids fatty acids among the areas with different atrazine levels. Positive relationship (R = 0.417, p < 0.05, n = 30) was observed between atrazine and total microbial biomass. However, other factors, such as soil type and land management practice, might have stronger influences on soil microbial communities. Human health risks via exposure to atrazine in soils were estimated according to the methods recommended by the US EPA. Atrazine by itself in all the soil samples imposed very low carcinogenic risks (<10^?6) and minimal non-cancer risks (hazard index <1) to adults and children.     

Organochlorine pesticides (HCHs and DDTs) in soils along the north coastal areas of the Bohai Sea,China

A systematic survey of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) including hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, δ-HCH and ΣHCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane metabolites (p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDD and ∑DDT) in soils along the north coastal areas of the Bohai Sea, China, has been lacking. In this study, 31 representative surface soil samples were collected along the north coastal and riverine areas of the Bohai Sea to characterise the potential for adverse effects of ∑HCH, ∑DDT and their individual isomers and transformation products. Concentrations of ΣHCH and ΣDDT in soils ranged from less than the limit of detection (1 ng · g^?1 dw (mean: 3.5 ng · g^?1 dw) and2 ng · g^?1 dw (mean: 1.7 × 10¹ ng · g^?1 dw), respectively. Compared with studies of OCPs in soils from other locations, concentrations of HCHs and DDTs observed in this study were moderate. Concentrations of OCPs observed in soils were generally less than proposed reference values. HCH residues were a mixture of historical technical HCH and current lindane sources. The pattern of DDTs was consistent with historical releases of technical DDTs. Selected soil physicochemical properties did not explain the sorption and/or partitioning of HCHs or DDTs.