Parental phenols exposure and spontaneous abortion in Chinese population residing in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River

Widespread use of phenols has led to ubiquitous exposure to phenols. In experimental animals, phenols increased resorptions, reduced live litter size and fetal body weights. However, there are limited epidemiological evidences of the relationships between exposure to phenols and pregnancy outcomes. We evaluated the associations between parental urinary levels of various phenols and spontaneous abortion in a Chinese population residing in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. A case-control study was conducted that included 70 case couples with medically unexplained spontaneous abortion and 180 control couples who did not have a history of spontaneous abortion and had at least one living child. Both parental urinary phenols were measured by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry including bisphenol A (BPA), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), 2,3,4-trichlorophenol (2,3,4-TCP), pentachlorophenol (PCP), 4-n-octylphenol (4-n-OP) and 4-n-nonylphenol (4-n-NP). Compared with the low exposure group, there was an increased risk of spontaneous abortion with high paternal urinary PCP concentration [odds ratio (OR) = 2.09, 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.05–4.14], and maternal exposure to 4-n-OP and alkylphenol(s) also significantly increased the risk of spontaneous abortion (OR = 2.21, 95% CI, 1.02–4.80; OR = 2.81, 95% CI, 1.39–5.65, respectively). Our study firstly provides the evidence that paternal PCP exposure, maternal 4-n-OP and alkylphenol(s) exposure are associated with spontaneous abortion in humans.     

Vitellogenin induction in Cyprinus carpio treated with 17beta-estradiol and 4-nonylphenol

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate induction ofvitellogenin in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) as abiomarker for monitoring freshwater ecosystems. Sexually undifferentiated specimens of common carp were treated experimentally with 17-estradiol and increasing doses of 4-nonylphenol and levels of plasma Vtg were measured in orderto: 1) validate an ELISA assay for plasma Vtg in the common carpusing the polyclonal rabbit anti-salmon Vtg antibody AA1 (Biosense, Norway); 2) check the sensitivity of carp juvenilesin producing Vtg in response to estrogen stimulation. The grouptreated with 17-estradiol showed high induction (156%)with respect to controls, also groups treated with 4-nonylphenolshowed induction of Vtg. The group treated with 100 mg kg^-1b.wt showed an induction of 61%. A statistically significantcorrelation was found between dose and response. This preliminary study demonstrate a response to the ELISA assay for Vtg in the common carp using rabbit anti-salmon antibody AA1. With further evidence the tested biomarker might be proposed for large scale monitoring of estrogenic effects caused by pollution in urban and industrial effluents.     

Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Endocrine Active Chemicals in Small Streams Indicate Differential Exposure to Aquatic Organisms

Alkylphenolic chemicals (APCs) and hormones were measured six times from February through October 2007 in three Minnesota streams receiving wastewater to identify spatial and temporal patterns in concentrations and in estrogen equivalency. Fish were collected once during the study to evaluate endpoints indicative of endocrine disruption. The most commonly detected APCs were 4‐tert‐octylphenol and 4‐nonylphenol and the most commonly detected hormones were estrone and androstenedione. Chemical concentrations were greatest for nonylphenol ethoxycarboxylates (NPECs) (5,000‐140,000 ng/l), followed by 4‐nonlylphenol and 4‐nonylphenolethoxylates (50‐880 ng/l), 4‐tert‐octylphenol and 4‐tert‐octylphenolethoxylates with concentrations as great as 130 ng/l, and hormones (0.1‐54 ng/l). Patterns in chemicals and estrogen equivalency indicated that wastewater effluent is a pathway of APCs and hormones to downstream locations in this study. However, upstream contributions can be equally or more important indicating alternative sources. This study indicates that aquatic organisms experience both spatially and temporally variable exposures in the number of compounds, total concentrations, and estrogenicity. This variability was evident in fish collected from the three rivers as no clear upstream to downstream pattern of endocrine disruption endpoints emerged.     

Occurrence of endocrine disruptor compounds in the estuary of the Iberian Douro River and nearby Porto Coast (NW Portugal)

Previous studies in the Douro River estuary, based on occasional sampling, showed the presence of several estrogenic disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In sequence, we hypothesized that such type of pollution was more likely an enduring issue than an occasional phenomenon, and that it may even affect recreational beaches in each side of the estuarine mouth. Thus to conclude about the continuous influx of EDCs, water samples were taken twice a day, once per a week, from March to May of 2009, at four sites within the estuary and at two sites in the coastline. After solid-phase extraction, the extracts were prepared for GC-MS analysis of 11 reference EDCs. These embraced natural and pharmaceutical estrogens (17β-estradiol, estrone and 17α-ethynylestradiol) and xenoestrogenic industrial pollutants (4-octylphenol, 4-nonylphenol, and their mono and diethoxylates and bisphenol A). Data showed the ubiquitous presence of potentially hazardous amounts of natural estrogens (particularly of estradiol, ca 5.5?ng?L^?1) and persistent organic pollutants such as nonylphenol mono (up to 550?ng?L^?1) and diethoxylate (up to 2000?ng?L^?1). It was concluded that the targeted area is continuously polluted by the assayed EDCs, and as a consequence, conditions exist for endocrine disturbance in the biota by chronic exposure to EDCs.     

珠江广州河段及其邻近河流表层沉积物中烷基酚的污染状况

为确定珠江广州河段及其邻近河流水体沉积物中烷基酚的时空分布状况,对该河段表层沉积物采样并应用气相色谱-质谱单离子扫描模式进行了烷基酚(APs)含量分析。结果表明壬基酚(NP)和辛基酚(OP)在样品中均有检出,其含量(以干质量计)范围分别在36.04～24694.10ng·g-1之间(中值为3717.52ng·g-1)和0.36～498.54ng·g-1之间(中值为21.10ng·g-1);珠江广州河段整体含量明显高于其邻近支流各采样点。所研究的表层沉积物样品中烷基酚含量普遍高于世界上其它都市和工业中心附近地区的污染水平,其中壬基酚含量均低于对摇蚊属昆虫(Chironomus riparius)的10d半致死浓度(LC50),但两个含量最高值均已与壬基酚对小虾(shrimp)的亚急性毒性最低效应浓度(LOEC)相接近,且大部分样品中的辛基酚含量都超过了对淡水螺(Potamopyrgus antipodarum)的8周最低效应浓度值(LOEC)标准。因此,烷基酚对该区生物造成的生态风险是一个必须加以认真对待的问题。     

A review on environmental distributions and risk management of phenols pertaining to the endocrine disrupting chemicals in Taiwan

Some phenols, including pentachlorophenol, dichlorophenol, alkylphenols (nonylphenol & octylphenol) and bisphenol-A, have been identified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These phenolic EDCs are extensively used in a wide range of household products, thus posing potential health risks for humans exposed to them. From the viewpoints of ecotoxicology, human health and regulations, it is urgent to restrict the emissions and releases of these estrogenic chemicals from the industrial processes and commercial products. This review article first focused on the physicochemical properties of phenolic EDCs and their industrial/commercial uses. Furthermore, their environmental distributions and regulatory frameworks for integrated risk management of these chemicals in Taiwan were conducted as a case study. Emphasis was thus put on the cross-ministerial joint venture (i.e., environment, health, agriculture, labor, and industry authorities), and the government policy on the risk management of EDCs. Finally, some recommendations for pollution prevention and toxicity reduction of phenolic EDCs were also addressed and analyzed to progress towards a sustainable society in Taiwan.     

Quantification of 17 endocrine disruptor compounds and their spatial and seasonal distribution in the Iberian Ave River and its coastline

The Ave River flows through the most urbanized and industrialized Porto district areas. Despite ovotestis was recently reported in male fish from the estuary, no data exist on the water levels of natural and pharmaceutical estrogens (17β-estradiol, estrone, and 17α-ethynylestradiol), xenoestrogenic industrial pollutants (4-octylphenol, 4-nonylphenol and their mono and diethoxylates, and bisphenol A), phytoestrogens (formononetin, biochanin A, daidzein, and genistein), and sitosterol. Absence of analyses applies to the river, estuary, and nearby coastline. Those compounds mimic the action of endogenous estradiol, being well-recognized endocrine disrupters (EDCs). To conclude about suspected influxes of estrogenic EDCs into the river and coastline, water samples were taken at eight sites every two months, during one year (2010), at low tide. Data showed ubiquitous presence of potentially hazardous amounts of estrogens (particularly ethynylestradiol, up to 10 ng L^?1), nonylphenol (up to 250 ng L^?1), and sitosterol (up to 6 μg L^?1), which helps explaining the ovotestis emergence in local fish. Also, because physicochemical parameters used in water quality evaluation, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and nitrites levels, were within legal limits – suggesting good quality – our study supports that assessment of human and environmental risks by targeting surface waters requires integrating EDCs monitoring in routine analyses.     

4-烷基酚的GC／MS检测及长江南京段的污染状况

于2007年平水期和丰水期及2008年枯水期分别对长江南京段采样,分析调查水质4-烷基酚的污染状况。使用的气相色谱／质谱联用测试方法在10μg/L～500μg/L线性良好,RSD为7．2％－17．9％,平均回收率为76．1％～125％。长江南京段水质受到4-烷基酚一定程度的污染,江水中4－烷基酚的质量浓度枯水期〉平水期和丰水期,4-叔丁基酚的质量浓度〉其他4－烷基酚质量浓度。长江南京段江水中4-壬基酚的含量虽然低于其他水体,但应采取应对措施保护环境。     

有机污染源标志物的探讨及其研究意义

在分析广州市饮用水源水及自来水厂沉淀地底泥、市售洗衣粉、洗洁精等样品中有机污染物的基础上,探讨正构烷烃、藿烷、多环芳烃、苯基长链正构烷烃、长链烷基酚等化合物的污染源指示作用,由此探索判别污染源的特征性污染物（污染物标志物）,从而探讨广州市饮用水源水的污染源,这将对于评价水体污染状况、控制污染源排放等具有重要的现实意义。     

Presence of estrogenic endocrine disruptors in three European estuaries in Northwest Iberian Peninsula (Portugal)

Abstract

Estrone, 17β-estradiol, 17α-ethynylestradiol, alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, are endocrine disruptor compounds. In Portugal, the report of male fish feminization in Minho, Ave and Mondego River estuaries made pertinent their evaluation in surface water samples. Data, got by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, showed that estrogens concentrations were lower in Minho than in Ave or Mondego estuaries: [Estrone]?>?[17β-estradiol]?>?[17α-ethynylestradiol] (p?<?0.05). Converting estrogen concentrations in 17α-ethynylestradiol equivalents, the contribution of estrogens was 1.3?ng/L, 3.5?ng/L, and 2.4?ng/L, respectively, for Minho, Ave, and Mondego estuaries stressing out a high risk for local aquatic species. The concentrations of alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates were lower at both Minho and Mondego estuaries ≈600?ng/L and 2700?ng/L, respectively than at the Ave, ≈1070?ng/L and 4855?ng/L (p?<?0.05). In conclusion, this study reports the first systematic data about the presence of the targeted endocrine disruptor compounds in the Minho River estuary and, in parallel, provides new information about their concentrations in two other habitats previously monitored. This study also shows that in Ave and Mondego estuaries the concentrations of industrial estrogens were still excessive, whereas the load of the pure estrogens has decreased significantly facing previous surveys.