Occurrence and levels of organochlorine compounds in human breast milk in Bangladesh

In low-income countries, the use of some organochlorine pesticides is still common in order to increase food production. Monitoring the chemical exposure is an important step in risk-reducing strategies. This is the first study to report concentrations of organochlorines in breast milk of women from Bangladesh where farming is the main income source.Organochlorines such as p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD (i.e., ∑DDT), HCB, α-, β- and γ-HCH, trans-chlordane, cis-chlordane, oxy-chlordane, trans-nonachlor, cis-nonachlor, mirex and polychlorinated biphenyls (CB 28, 52, 99, 101, 105, 114, 118, 123, 128, 138, 141, 149, 153, 156, 157, 163, 167, 170, 180, 183, 187, 189, 194) were analyzed in breast milk collected in 2002 from 72 first-time mothers (median age 20 years) living in the rural area Matlab, Bangladesh.While the concentrations of PCBs and many of the pesticides were low, the concentrations of p,p′-DDT and its metabolite p,p′-DDE were high (median 349 and 1645 ng g⁻¹ lipid, respectively) in comparison to other countries. The median value of ∑DDT was 2123 ng g⁻¹ lipid. The estimated daily exposure to p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE and ∑DDTs was 10, 30 and 42 μg kg⁻¹ body weight, respectively, in 3 months old infants. The p,p′-DDE/p,p′-DDT ratio ranged from 1 to 23, where 58% of the mothers had a ratio below 5 indicating recent or ongoing DDT exposure.This study reports infant exposure and maternal body burden of organochlorines through breast milk. Although the findings give no reason to limit breast-feeding, it is essential to identify the main exposure sources and find means to decrease the exposure.     

Comparative distribution of the scalp hair trace metal contents in the benign tumour patients and normal donors

The scalp hair samples of benign tumour patients (n = 77) and normal donors (n = 86) were analysed for selected trace metal contents using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In the scalp hair of benign tumour patients, highest average levels were found for Ca (1,401 microg/g), followed by Na (476.9 microg/g), Mg (441.6 microg/g), Zn (438.3 microg/g), K (119.2 microg/g) and Fe (96.38 microg/g) while in comparison, the maximum mean levels in the scalp hair of normal donors were shown by Ca (556.5 microg/g), followed by Zn (154.2 microg/g), Mg (153.4 microg/g), Na (97.45 microg/g) and Fe (81.68 microg/g). Almost all metal levels revealed higher dispersion and asymmetry in the scalp hair of benign tumour patients compared with the normal donors. The average concentrations of Ca, Cd, Co, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr and Zn were significantly higher in the hair of benign tumour patients compared with the normal donors. Significant gender-based differences were also observed in the scalp hair metal contents of benign tumour patients. Strong positive correlations were found between Cd-Cr (0.547) and Cd-Co (0.507) in the hair of benign tumour patients whereas Ca-Mg, Mg-Sr, Co-Cd, Cr-Cd, Li-Cr, Li-Co, Li-Cd, Na-Cd, Na-Co and Na-Li exhibited strong relationships (r > 0.50) in the hair of normal donors. Cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used for the source identification and apportionment of scalp hair trace metals in the two donor groups. The scalp hair of benign tumour patients and normal donors revealed six and five main clusters of trace metals, respectively. PCA extracted seven principal components of trace metals in the scalp hair of benign tumour patients while six principal components were observed in the case of normal donors. The study evidenced significantly different patterns of metal distribution in the hair of benign tumour patients in comparison with normal donors.     

A simple method for simultaneous determination of some organic liquids in in-process materials and effluents produced in the manufacture of amoxicillin and ampicillin

A simple GC method for simultaneous determination of pivaloylchloride, methylacetoacetate, ethylacetoacetate and 2-ethylhexanoic acid in the presence of each other has been developed using glass column packed with 1% Silicone OV-17 on Gaschrom Q 100-120 mesh with temperature programming. Various performance parameters including precision, linearity and limit of detection have been evaluated. The method was found to be suitable for the analysis of these chemicals in in-process materials and effluents associated with the manufacture of amoxicillin and ampicillin. The run time was less than 15 min. The method has been successfully applied to determine the level of these hazardous organic liquids in real time samples.     

Genotypic Variation in the Phytoremediation Potential of Indian Mustard for Chromium

The term “phytoremediation” is used to describe the cleanup of heavy metals from contaminated sites by plants. This study demonstrates phytoremediation potential of Indian mustard (Brasicca juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.) genotypes for chromium (Cr). Seedlings of 10 genotypes were grown hydroponically in artificially contaminated water over a range of environmentally relevant concentrations of Cr (VI), and the responses of genotypes in the presence of Cr, with reference to Cr accumulation, its phytotoxity and anti-oxidative system were investigated. The Cr accumulation potential varied largely among Indian mustard genotypes. At 100 μM Cr treatment, Pusa Jai Kisan accumulated the maximum amount of Cr (1680 μg Cr g⁻¹ DW) whereas Vardhan accumulated the minimum (107 μg Cr g⁻¹ DW). As the tolerance of metals is a key plant characteristic required for phytoremediation purpose, effects of various levels of Cr on biomass were evaluated as the gross effect. The extent of oxidative stress caused by Cr stress was measured as rate of lipid peroxidation. The level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was enhanced at all Cr treatments when compared to the control. Inductions of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants were monitored as metal-detoxifying responses. All the genotypes responded to Cr-induced oxidative stress by modulating nonenzymatic antioxidants [glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate (Asc)] and enzymatic antioxidants [superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR)]. The level of induction, however, differed among the genotypes, being at its maximum in Pusa Jai Kisan and its minimum in Vardhan. Pusa Jai Kisan was grown under natural field conditions with various Cr treatments, and Cr-accumulation capacity was studied. The results confirmed that Pusa Jai Kisan is a hyperaccumulator of Cr and hypertolerant to Cr-induced stress, which makes this genotype a viable candidate for use in the development of phytoremediation technology of Cr-contaminated sites.     

Integrated groundwater resource management in Indus Basin using satellite gravimetry and physical modeling tools

Reliable and frequent information on groundwater behavior and dynamics is very important for effective groundwater resource management at appropriate spatial scales. This information is rarely available in developing countries and thus poses a challenge for groundwater managers. The in situ data and groundwater modeling tools are limited in their ability to cover large domains. Remote sensing technology can now be used to continuously collect information on hydrological cycle in a cost-effective way. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a remote sensing integrated physical modeling approach for groundwater management in Indus Basin. The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Satellite (GRACE)-based gravity anomalies from 2003 to 2010 were processed to generate monthly groundwater storage changes using the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) hydrologic model. The groundwater storage is the key parameter of interest for groundwater resource management. The spatial and temporal patterns in groundwater storage (GWS) are useful for devising the appropriate groundwater management strategies. GRACE-estimated GWS information with large-scale coverage is valuable for basin-scale monitoring and decision making. This frequently available information is found useful for the identification of groundwater recharge areas, groundwater storage depletion, and pinpointing of the areas where groundwater sustainability is at risk. The GWS anomalies were found to favorably agree with groundwater model simulations from Visual MODFLOW and in situ data. Mostly, a moderate to severe GWS depletion is observed causing a vulnerable situation to the sustainability of this groundwater resource. For the sustainable groundwater management, the region needs to implement groundwater policies and adopt water conservation techniques.     

Influence of metallic species for efficient photocatalytic water disinfection: bactericidal mechanism of in vitro results using docking simulation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - TiO2-based heterogeneous photocatalysis systems have been reported with remarkable efficiency to decontaminate and mineralize a range of pollutants...     

Dechlorane Plus as an emerging environmental pollutant in Asia: a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Dechlorane Plus (DP) is an unregulated, highly chlorinated flame retardant. It has been manufactured from past 40 years but its presence in...     

Exploring natural colorant behavior of husk of durum (Triticum durum Desf.) and bread (Triticum aestivum L.) wheat species for sustainable cotton fabric dyeing

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Revival of natural colorants in textile dyeing is one of the important strategies to reduce synthetic chemical-based environmental pollution. The...     

To reduce and not to reduce resource consumption? That is two questions

Recent research shows that because they rely on separate goals, cognitions about not performing a behaviour are not simple opposites of cognitions about performing the same behaviour. Using this perspective, two studies (N = 758 & N = 104) examined the psycho-social determinants of reduction in resource consumption. Results showed that goals associated with reducing versus not reducing resource consumption were not simple opposites (Study 1). Additionally, the discriminant validity of the Theory of Planned Behaviour constructs associated with reducing versus not reducing resource consumption was demonstrated (Study 1 & 2). Moreover, results revealed the incremental validity of both Intentions (to reduce and to not reduce resource consumption) for predicting a series of behaviours (Study 1 & 2). Finally, results indicated a mediation role for the importance of ecological dimensions on the effect of both Intentions on a mock TV choice and a mediation role for the importance of non ecological dimensions on the effect of Intention of not reducing on the same TV choice. Discussion is organized around the consequences, at both theoretical and applied levels, of considering separate motivational systems for reducing and not reducing resource consumption.