Determination of estrogenic activity by LYES-assay (yeast estrogen screen-assay assisted by enzymatic digestion with lyticase)

In order to enhance the sensitivity and the speed of the yeast estrogen screen (YES)-assay, which has been established in many laboratories for the determination of estrogenic activity of compounds and environmental samples, the LYES-assay, a modified version of the YES-assay including a digestion step with the enzyme lyticase, was developed. With the LYES-assay the estrogenic activities of natural (17β-estradiol E2 and estrone), synthetic (17-ethinylestradiol EE2) and pharmaceutical estrogens (diethylstilbestrol DES) as well as xenoestrogens (4-nonylphenol NP and five parabens) were determined and compared with the results obtained by other in vitro-assays namely the conventional YES-assay, the E-Screen-assay (MCF-7 breast tumor cell proliferation) and a receptor binding-assay (RB) with human estrogen receptors hER- and hER-β. In the case of E2 the LYES-assay had a significantly lower limit of quantification (LOQ) than the conventional YES-assay and even two orders of magnitude lower than the RB-assay. Compared to the E-Screen-assay the LOQ of the LYES-assay was almost one order of magnitude higher. The time required to perform the LYES-assay was as little as seven hours compared to three to five days for the conventional YES-assay. Thus, the LYES-assay is a very good alternative to existing estrogenic in vitro-assays, since it has a good sensitivity, is cheap and much faster than the other assays.     

中国环境内分泌干扰物的污染现状分析

内分泌干扰物严重威胁着全球环境和生态健康,基于人为源内分泌干扰物的分类,分析了国内内分泌干扰物的污染现状,指出了目前研究工作的局限,提出了今后研究重点及污染控制的建议。     

环境激素对水蚤的影响

存在于环境中的环境激素是以某种方式干扰正常内分泌功能的天然或合成的化合物。地水蚤在水生生态系统及生态风险评价中的重要位置与作用,探讨水蚤暴露于一些常见环境激素时,其受激素调节的生殖和蜕皮过程所受到的影响及相应机理很有必要。     

4-n-Nonylphenol and 17-β estradiol may induce common DNA effects in developing barnacle larvae

There is a growing concern over the potential effects of environmental endocrine disrupters on both human and wildlife populations. However, to date, minimal research has been conducted to determine the effect of estrogens and xenoestrogens at the DNA level. In this study, we used the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay to evaluate the effects on the genomic DNA of barnacle larvae that had been exposed to 17β-estradiol (E₂) and low concentrations of 4-n-nonylphenol (NP). DNA effects include DNA damage as well as mutations and possibly other effects at the DNA level that can be induced by chemical or physical agents that directly and/or indirectly interact with genomic DNA. Not only did exposure to NP and E₂ induce changes in RAPD profiles in the exposed barnacle larvae when compared to control patterns, but also, and more importantly, there were similarities in the RAPD modifications in the exposed populations that had been treated to either chemical. We propose that NP and E₂ induced some common DNA effects in barnacle larvae and that these specific modifications in RAPD patterns may arise as a consequence of hot spot DNA damage (e.g. DNA adducts) and/or mutations (point mutations or genomic rearrangements). This could help to explain how xenoestrogens mimic the effects produced by natural estrogens. In conclusion, in the field of endocrine disruption, the study of DNA effects induced by estrogens and/or xenoestrogens warrants further investigation. Indeed, changes at the DNA level may be the precursors of some of the numerous effects reported at higher levels of biological organisation such as the feminization of males, developmental abnormalities, and infertility.     

缺水重污染河流可溶性金属Pb水质基准研究

以渭河陕西段作为研究对象,采用USEPA制定的淡水可溶性金属基准计算参数与公式以及对比分析等方法,对渭河陕西段中具有环境内分泌干扰物特性的可溶性金属铅(Pb)的水质基准(WQC)进行了研究.结果认为:可将0.0113 mg/L作为渭河陕西段淡水可溶性金属Pb的基准推荐值,该基准推荐值可对渭河陕西段中可溶性金属Pb的地方水质标准制定提供科学的技术数据参考.     

Environmental monitoring at Hanford,Washington, USA: A brief site history and summary of recent results

Nuclear and nonnuclear industrial and research activities have been conducted on the Hanford reservation since 1943. Materials originating from these activities may enter the surrounding environment through releases of airborne and liquid effluents and solid wastes. Concern about the environmental effects of these releases has evolved over the past four decades into a comprehensive onsite and offsite monitoring program. Today, environmental monitoring to assess potential impacts of released materials includes field sampling and chemical and physical analyses of air, ground and surface water, fish and wildlife, soil, vegetation, and foodstuffs. This paper reviews the history of Hanford operations and summarizes the current environmental monitoring program and its major findings. Mathematical models based on monitoring data show that radiation doses to people living near the Hanford site are well below existing regulatory standards. Only trace amounts of radionuclides from Hanford have been detected in the offsite environment.     

国际化学危险品分类体系简介

介绍了当前国际化学危险品的各种分类体系,对比了GHS与TDG、EU_CLP、DOT、WHMIS等对化学危险品的具体分类。有助于GHS的理解与掌握,全面推进GHS在我国的实施。     

Estimated chemical usage by manufacturers in Connecticut

Background

There is little available data on chemical use patterns by companies, with few federal requirements for reporting. This results in difficulties for targeting toxics for possible substitution, assisting employers with complying with newer international regulations, and decreased ability to estimate health and environmental impacts.

Methods

Massachusetts chemical use data for manufacturers required under the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) was acquired, with corresponding information on industrial sector classification and employment levels by sector for both Massachusetts (MA) and Connecticut (CT). The MA chemical data was adjusted based on the ratio of employment levels by sector for CT compared to MA to give estimates of chemical usage by sector in CT.

Results

It was estimated that there was over 660 million pounds of chemicals used in CT, with over 300 million pounds each of carcinogens and reproductive hazards (categories overlap). The most common chemicals estimated to be used were styrene monomer (266 million lbs.), sodium hydroxide (60 million lbs.), and methanol (50 million lbs.). The industrial sub-sectors estimated with the highest chemical usage were chemical manufacturing, plastics and rubber products manufacturing, and fabricated metal product manufacturing.

Conclusion

There is extensive chemical use in CT manufacturing, but little direct information on actual use patterns.     

试论我国化学品测试GLP实验室建设

在介绍了GLP及GLP实验室之渊源的基础上,从化学品贸易的国际性特点,制定和执行化学品环境管理的法律法规要求,以及我国化学品环境管理的实际需要三方面论述了建设我国化学品测试GLP实验室的必要性;并从行动依据?理论准备?硬件能力状况?化学品测试技术服务的市场需求出发,分析和论证了建设我国化学品测试GLP实验室的可行性?认为建设我国化学品测试GLP实验室的当务之急是要加快化学物质环境管理立法;尽早制定严格的科学的审查监督办法;集中力量,重点建设;迅速完成由理论到实践的转变?具体建设中应注意充分利用国内现有的技术力量和国外的经验与帮助,稳步滚动发展?