Concentrations of synthetic musk compounds in personal care and sanitation products and human exposure profiles through dermal application

Synthetic musks, such as 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (AHTN) and 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta-gamma-2-benzopyran (HHCB), musk ketone (MK) and musk xylene (MX), are used as an alternative for natural musk. Due to their widespread use, these synthetic compounds turned up in different environmental compartments, such as wastewater, human and animal tissues. Yet, little is known about their distribution and occurrence in personal care and household products, information needed in order to evaluate the different human exposure routes. This paper gives an overview of the synthetic musk levels in six different product categories: body lotions, perfumes, deodorants, hair care products, shower products and sanitation products. Especially body lotions, perfumes and deodorants contained high levels of synthetic musks. Maximum concentrations of HHCB, AHTN, MX and MK were 22 mg g(-1), 8 mg g(-1), 26 microg g(-1) and 0.5 microg g(-1), respectively. By combining these results with the average usage of consumer products, low-, medium- and high-exposure profiles through dermal application could be estimated. HHCB was the highest contributor to the total amount of synthetic musks in every exposure profile (18-23 700 microg d(-1)). Exposure to MK and MX did not increase substantially (10-20-fold) between low- and high-exposure profiles, indicating that these compounds cover a less broad range. In comparison, exposure to HHCB and AHTN increased up to 10 000 fold between low- and high-exposure.     

A Comparative Study of Risk Appraisal: A New Look at Risk Assessment in Different Countries

This study examines perceived risk data from the U.S., China, Japan, and South Korea. These data are then compared with similar results collected from previous studies. Psychometric scaling scores from Burkino Faso (a West African Country), France, Norway, and Hungary have been analyzed and compared with results from our study. The data reveal certain risk events like nuclear weapons, war, and AIDS to have high perceived risks in all countries. These data also show that many of the events have dissimilar perceived risks in different countries. The conclusions also show some countries have higher over all levels of perceive risk (South Korea) while others like the United States display generally lower values.     

Fragrant legs in Paysandisia archon males (Lepidoptera, Castniidae)

Paysandisia archon was accidentally introduced into Europe where it damages endemic and ornamental palms, also threatening the date palm from North Africa. Little was known about sex pheromones in the Castniidae day-flying moth before a recent paper that concluded on the absence of female sex pheromone in P. archon. A putative identification of a short-range male pheromone, present on fore- and hindwings, was reported. In this paper, we describe the original structure of the male androconia located on the tarsi of the mid-legs. The extracts of mid-legs were analysed by GC/MS and the chemical structure of the male androconia component was identified as E2,Z13-18:OH. After extraction in solvent, biological activity of the extracts was assessed by EAG. The chemistry and the morphology of the androconia reinforce the current classification of the Castniidae in the Cossoid/Sesioid assemblage and provide new information on the chemical ecology in day-flying Lepidoptera and suit the recent paper describing the courtship behaviour     

Origin and spatial–temporal distribution of faecal bacteria in a bay of Lake Geneva, Switzerland

The origin and distribution of microbial contamination in Lake Geneva's most polluted bay were assessed using faecal indicator bacteria (FIB). The lake is used as drinking water, for recreation and fishing. During 1 year, water samples were taken at 23 points in the bay and three contamination sources: a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), a river and a storm water outlet. Analyses included Escherichia coli, enterococci (ENT), total coliforms (TC), and heterotrophic plate counts (HPC). E. coli input flux rates from the WWTP can reach 2.5 x 10(10) CFU/s; those from the river are one to three orders of magnitude lower. Different pathogenic Salmonella serotypes were identified in water from these sources. FIB levels in the bay are highly variable. Results demonstrate that (1) the WWTP outlet at 30 m depth impacts near-surface water quality during holomixis in winter; (2) when the lake is stratified, the effluent water is generally trapped below the thermocline; (3) during major floods, upwelling across the thermocline may occur; (4) the river permanently contributes to contamination, mainly near the river mouth and during floods, when the storm water outlet contributes additionally; (5) the lowest FIB levels in the near-surface water occur during low-flow periods in the bathing season.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in human liver and adipose tissue samples from Belgium

Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in paired human adipose tissue and liver samples (n=25) from Belgium. Average concentrations and standard deviation of sum PBDEs (congeners 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154 and 183) were 5.3+/-3.0 (range 1.4-13.2) and 3.6+/-2.1 (range 1.0-10.0)ngg(-1) lipid weight (lw) in adipose tissue and liver, respectively. These concentrations were similar to reported PBDE data from Belgium and were at the lower end of the concentration range reported elsewhere in the world. In both tissues under study, BDE 153 and BDE 47 were the most abundant PBDE congeners, contributing approximately 35% and 25% to the total PBDE content. Average concentrations and range of PCBs (sum of 23 congeners) were 490 (range 70-1130) and 380 (range 90-1140)ngg(-1)lw in adipose tissue and liver, respectively. No correlation between age and concentrations of PBDEs could be found (r=0.04), while PCB concentrations correlated significantly with age (r=0.62, p<0.01, for the sum PCBs; r=0.64, p<0.01 for PCB 153 alone). Factors, such as exposure pathways (food, dust and air), rates of bioaccumulation, metabolism and elimination, influence the concentrations of PBDEs differently than those of PCBs in humans.     

Tributyltin and triphenyltin uptake by lettuce

This paper provides quantitative information on the transfer of TBT (tributyltin) and TPhT (triphenyltin) from sludged soil to cultivated lettuce. The effect of their initial concentrations in the soil (varying from 20 to 50 microg(Sn)kg(-1) for each triorganotin), sludge amount (between 1% and 9%), and cultivation duration (32-54 days) was evaluated by means of experimental designs. The impact of the cultivation temperature at 13 degrees C and 19 degrees C on organotin fate in the soil/plant system was also considered. The final concentration of a given organotin in the plant roots was found to depend directly on its initial concentration in the soil. A total of (85+/-15)% of initial TBT in the soil was still present at the end of the experiments, regardless of the cultivation duration. Consequently, TBT appeared to be taken up by lettuce continually. A total of (75+/-5)% of TPhT was found to be degraded in the soil at 54 days. So, this compound could have been taken up by the plant at the beginning of the cultivation. Sludge amount seemed to have a negative effect on TPhT concentration in a plant at 32 days. This could be due to the quantitative TPhT sorption onto the sludge, observed just after spiking. Organotin plant uptake appeared to be more important at 19 degrees C than at 13 degrees C. TBT and TPhT were mainly accumulated in the roots, and up to 2% and 10% of TPhT and TBT, respectively, were translocated to the shoots. Despite TPhT degradation, products in large amounts were present in the soil and were not significantly taken up by the plant. They possibly remained immobilized on solid phases of the sludged soil.     

Coupling occurs before breakdown during biotransformation of Acid Blue 62 by white rot fungi

Only few data exist on the metabolites produced during the biotransformation of anthraquinonic dyes by white rot fungi (WRF). During the biotransformation of an anthraquinonic dye Acid Blue 62 (ABu62) using Pycnoporus sanguineus MUCL 41582 strain, it was previously demonstrated that the blue colour of the medium turned to red before complete dye decolourisation. To better understand the phenomenon, this study carried out ABu62 biotransformation with five different WRF strains (Coriolopsis polyzona MUCL 38443, Perenniporia ochroleuca MUCL 41114, Perenniporia tephropora MUCL 41562, P. sanguineus MUCL 38531 and Trametes versicolor MUCL 38412) and compared with P. sanguineus MUCL 41582 previously described. A multi-methodological approach (using capillary electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, HPLC, UV, NMR and IR spectroscopies) was developed to characterise the metabolites involved and monitor their apparition. Seven metabolites were commonly found with all strains, suggesting a common metabolic pathway for ABu62 biotransformation. During the first days, dimer and oligomers of the initial ABu62 molecule were observed: the main one absorbed in the 500nm region, explaining the red colour appearance of the medium. This main metabolite was made up of two molecules of ABu62 linked by an azo bond, minus a cyclohexyl moiety. After a longer incubation time, breakdown products were observed. Based on these products characterizations, a bioconversion pathway was proposed.     

Enhanced nitrogen deposition exacerbates the negative effect of increasing background ozone in Dactylis glomerata, but not Ranunculus acris

The combined impacts of simulated increased nitrogen (N) deposition (75 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and increasing background ozone (O₃) were studied using two mesotrophic grassland species (Dactylis glomerata and Ranunculus acris) in solardomes, by means of eight O₃ treatments ranging from 15.5 ppb to 92.7 ppb (24 h average mean). A-C_i curves were constructed for each species to gauge effects on photosynthetic efficiency and capacity, and effects on biomass partitioning were determined after 14 weeks. Increasing the background concentration of O₃ reduced the healthy above ground and root biomass of both species, and increased senesced biomass. N fertilisation increased biomass production in D. glomerata, and a significantly greater than additive effect of O₃ and N on root biomass was evident. In contrast, R. acris biomass was not affected by high N. The study shows the combined effects of these pollutants have differential implications for carbon allocation patterns in common grassland species.     

Evaluation of Probes Used for Source Sampling of Hydrogen Fluoride

The body of information presented in this paper is directed to those individuals concerned with methods for the sampling and measurement of fluorides contained in stack gases produced during the manufacture of phosphate fertilizer or aluminum. An air stream containing gaseous hydrogen fluoride (HF), at concentrations of from 87 to 1700 µg F m^-3, was generated and passed through 193 to 198 cm lengths of Pyrex glass, type 316 stainless steel, TFE Teflon, and methyl methacrylate-coated aluminum probes at flow rates of 28 I min^-1. HF passing through the probes was collected in deionized water contained in a Greenburg-Smith impinger. The Teflon probe exhibited no loss of HF and no trend toward increased passage of HF with time. Significant amounts of fluoride were lost in 18 out of 20 tests with the methacrylate probe and in 4 out of 20 tests with the Pyrex and stainless steel probes. Trends toward increased passage of HF with time occurred with the latter three probe materials. The selective ion electrode and semiautomated methods gave equivalent results when samples were made alkaline to avoid sorption of fluoride by Tygon tubing used in the semiautomated method. These results demonstrated that a Teflon probe gave the most representative sample of gaseous HF. However, additional tests are needed before a final recommendation is made for a probe to sample fluorides in stack gases.