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The aquaculture industry is growing rapidly and plays a huge role in bridging the global demand gap for fish and other aquatic foods. It is a vital contributor of valuable nutrients and economic benefits. Aquaculture and fisheries provide a means of livelihood to an estimated 58.5 million people globally, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. However, the sector is impacted by the ubiquity of microplastics and toxic chemicals. Although many studies have reported plastic pollution in the aquaculture environment, less attention has been paid to the coexistence of toxic chemicals with plastic particles and the role of climate change in aquaculture food contamination. This review evaluates the occurrence of microplastics in organisms, feeds, water, and sediment in the aquaculture ecosystem and the detection and hazardous effects of toxic chemical contaminants. We also highlight novel insights into the role of climate change in plastic and chemical contamination of aquaculture organisms and ecosystems. We report that the extent of aquaculture's contribution to global climate change and global plastic pollution is yet to be adequately quantified and requires further investigation for appropriate risk assessment and prevention of food safety crisis. Possible mitigation strategies for the highlighted pollution problems were suggested, and some identified gaps for future research were indicated. Overall, this work is one of the first efforts to assess the influence of climate change on aquaculture food contamination, emphasising its effects on food safety and ecosystem health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harbors on all coasts regularly silt up, receiving sedimentary inputs that progressively reduce the water depths available for navigation. Consequently, they are routinely dredged to guarantee the depths necessary for navigation. Sediments act as a reservoir for anthropogenic contaminants such as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that enter the aquatic system associated with particles or in solution. The objective of this study is to assess the state of pollution by POPs and heavy metals such as copper and zinc, used in large quantities in antifouling paints, in the sediments of the port of Oran. These were characterized by different methods: size, XRD, calcination, FTIR, NMR, GC–MS, and AAS, in order to determine their main characteristics and heavy metals and POPs content. The particle size is determined by laser particle size distribution. Thus, sediments from Oran port are composed of means and end sands, silt, and clay. The XRD analysis shows that the sediments consist mainly of silicates and calcite. The organic matter was determined by ignition loss at 450 and 550 °C; it is about 7%. Analysis by FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR, and GC–MS of POPs excerpts shows that the sediments are highly polluted by aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons (3372 mg/kg). Finally, metals were determined by AAS method. The results show significant pollution of Zn (313.5 mg/kg) and moderate pollution by Cu (75.6 mg/kg). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are suspected endocrine disruptors and it is important to investigate their effects at low concentrations relevant to human exposure. Here, the OECD test guideline #456 steroidogenesis assay was downscaled to a 96-well microplate format to screen 24 POPs for their effects on viability, and testosterone and estradiol synthesis using the human adrenocortical cell line H295R. The compounds (six polyfluoroalkyl substances, five organochlorine pesticides, ten polychlorinated biphenyls and three polybrominated diphenyl ethers) were tested at human-relevant levels (1 nM to 10 µM). Increased estradiol synthesis, above the OECD guideline threshold of 1.5-fold solvent control, was shown after exposure to 10 µM PCB-156 (153%) and PCB-180 (196%). Interestingly, the base hormone synthesis varied depending on the cell batch. An alternative data analysis using a linear mixed-effects model that include multiple independent experiments and considers batch-dependent variation was therefore applied. This approach revealed small but statistically significant effects on estradiol or testosterone synthesis for 17 compounds. Increased testosterone levels were demonstrated even at 1 nM for PCB-74 (18%), PCB-99 (29%), PCB-118 (16%), PCB-138 (19%), PCB-180 (22%), and PBDE-153 (21%). The MTT assay revealed significant effects on cell viability after exposure to 1 nM of perfluoroundecanoic acid (12%), 3 nM PBDE-153 (9%), and 10 µM of PCB-156 (6%). This shows that some POPs can interfere with endocrine signaling at concentrations found in human blood, highlighting the need for further investigation into the toxicological mechanisms of POPs and their mixtures at low concentrations relevant to human exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the pollution characteristics of 16 priority PAHs, accumulated in copepods from a major fishing harbour and its adjacent coastal waters of Veraval, west coast of India. The total PAH accumulation is in the range of 922.16–27,807.49 ng g−1 dw, with the mean concentration of 5776.59 ng g−1 dw. High concentrations of PAHs were present in the copepod samples from inside the harbour. Notably, there was no significant correlation between the lipid content of copepods and the accumulation of PAHs. The molecular diagnostic ratio method (MDR) indicates that the PAH sources are petrogenic in origin, while principal component analysis (PCA) points to petroleum, coal combustion and vehicular emission sources. Total cancerous PAHs (C-PAHs) in the study area dominate by 40% of the total PAHs identified; moreover, the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) is very high in the offshore area, which is also a fishing ground. The global relevance and magnitude of the present study in the Veraval, one of the prime seafood exporting hubs in India, should be dealt with utmost avidity as the accumulation status of PAHs in the zooplankton has never been explored in the Indian coastal waters. Moreover, the current study gives the foremost data on the bioaccumulation status of PAHs in copepods from the tropical waters of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, hazardous substances in 5 different brands of sanitary napkins being used in India have been analysed through gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GCMS). Concentration of chemicals such as volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) (acetone, iso propyl alcohol, toluene), persistent organic pollutant (dioxins and furans), phthalates and total chlorine present in sanitary napkin have been reported. Furthermore, amounts of plastic present per sanitary napkin and total plastic waste generation potential have been calculated. Additionally, data analysis was done to understand the health impacts of these hazardous chemicals on users and the environment. It has been found that Indian sanitary pads have higher concentration of hazardous chemicals, as compared to similar product being sold in developed countries like — USA, Europe and Japan. The values of total chlorine observed in 5 different brands were found to be in the range of 170 to 460 ppm; dioxins varied from 0.244 to 21.419 pg/g; furans varied from 0.07 to 0.563 pg/g; acetone varied from 351 to 429 ppm; isopropyl alcohol varied from 125 to 184 ppm; toluene varied from 2.91 to 3.21 ppb; concentration of two phthalates, DBP and DEHP varied from 57.3 to 127.8 and from 146.2 to 188.5, respectively. Plastic pollution potential of this waste is approximately 33,210 tons/year. Daily exposure volume (DEV) of dioxins varied from 2.295 to 2.266 pg TEQ/g and furan from 0.0616 to 0.0738 pg TEQ/kg/day, compared to safe TDI value < 0.7 TEQ/kg/day. Dioxin's value is around 3 times higher than the accepted TDI value, whereas furan is within acceptable limit. Daily exposure doses (DED) of DBP were observed in-between 4.24 and 9.47 μg/kg-bw/day, whereas the DEHP value varied from 0.541 to 0.698 μg/kg-bw/day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was presented to obtain the first insight into the pollution profile, potential sources, and human health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in indoor dusts taken from Istanbul and Kocaeli, Türkiye. ΣPAH concentrations in dusts from Istanbul varied between 73.64 ng/g d.w. (IST-3) and 434.3 ng/g d.w. (IST-2), whereas PAH concentrations changed between 4573 ng/g d.w. (KOC-2) and 12,311 ng/g d.w. (KOC-1) in Kocaeli which is at least 10.5 times higher than the measured PAH value in IST-2 which has the highest value in Istanbul. IST-1, IST-2, and IST-4 indoor dusts are weakly polluted in terms of PAH contamination, while the other two dusts (IST-3 and IST-5) in Istanbul are not polluted. In Kocaeli, however, they are heavily polluted because the ΣPAH concentrations in the dusts are much higher than 1000 ng/g. Pyrene, Fluoranthene, Phenanthrene, and Naphthalene were the dominant PAHs in all indoor dusts. The predominant OCPs found in all indoor dusts were DDE p,p, HCH alpha, and HCH beta, respectively. The source identification through diagnostic ratios demonstrated that PAHs arise from more than one source and they originated almost equally from petrogenic and pyrogenic sources due to the high traffic density from highways near the sampling points and the existence of many industrial activity areas. All HQ, HI, and TLCR values demonstrated that there is no risk of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic hazards for children and adults in case of ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact with indoor dusts containing related POPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, studies on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) especially focusing on fishing harbours have been found in a limited magnitude only. The characteristics of 16 PAHs and their associated ecological adversities in different environmental compartments of Veraval fishing harbour have been investigated. The concentrations of total PAHs in dissolved, particulate and sediment phases varied from 358.19–42,712 ng L−1, 1450.83–15,291.60 ng g−1 dw and 1263.53–217,560.30 ng g−1 dw, respectively. Two approaches adopted for the source apportionment of PAHs, molecular diagnostic ratio (MDR) method and principal component analysis (PCA), implied the impact of potential anthropogenic PAH sources, including petroleum leakage, pollution from boat repairing, maintenance and burning of coal emissions. The interpretation and integration of indices such as the total toxicity equivalence (TEQcarc), mean risk quotient (M-RQ) and mean effect range-medium quotient (M-ERM-Q) indicated that the harbour areas were under severe threat of ecological risk due to the highest concentration of PAHs, while the offshore region signified a high or moderate level of risk. The present study provides effectual scientific insight into the role of fishing harbours in PAH pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the blubber of a stranded blue whale found on the coast of Taiwan. The analysis included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The whale exhibited evident signs of emaciation, including low body weight, reduced blubber fat content, and thin blubber thickness. The dominant fatty acid type detected in the blubber was short-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (SC-MUFA), known to aid in thermoregulation. Stable isotope ratios indicated that the blue whale occupied a lower trophic position compared to a fin whale, suggesting its proximity to krill habitats in the Southern Ocean for feeding. The average concentrations of DDTs (1089.2 ± 4.7 ng/g lw; ΣDDT) and PCBs (1057.1 ± 49.8 ng/g lw) in the blubber were almost one order of magnitude higher than PAHs (41.7 ± 10.0 ng/g lw), HCB (70.6 ± 2. ng/g lw), and PBDEs (7.2 ± 1.2 ng/g lw). Pollutant concentrations in this individual blue whale were comparable to levels found in Norway, higher than those found in Chile, and notably lower than those found in Canada and Mexico. Calculating the biomagnification factor (BMF) for the POPs from krill (Euphausia superba) to the blue whale revealed significant bioaccumulation of pollutants in this particular whale. Additional research is imperative to achieve a thorough comprehension of bioaccumulation of POPs and their potential toxicological impacts on whale health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of sewage sludge (SS) in agriculture, as an alternative to manufactured fertilizers, is current practice worldwide. However, as wastewater is collected from households, industries, and hospitals, the resulting sludge could contaminate land with creeping levels of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and microplastics, among others. Thus, the sustainable management of SS requires the development of selective methods for the identification and quantification of pollutants, preventing ecological and/or health risks. This study presents a thorough evaluation of emerging and priority micropollutants in SS, through the lens of environmental insights, by developing and implementing an integrated analytical approach. A quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method, coupled with gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, was optimized for the determination of 42 organic compounds. These include organophosphorus pesticides, organochlorine pesticides, pyrethroid pesticides, organophosphate ester flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The optimization of the dispersive-solid phase for clean-up, combined with the optimization of chromatographic parameters, ensured improved sensitivity. Method validation included assessments for recovery, reproducibility, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). Recoveries ranged from 59.5 to 117%, while LODs ranged from 0.00700 to 0.271 µg g-1. Application of the method to seven SS samples from Portuguese wastewater treatment plants revealed the presence of sixteen compounds, including persistent organic pollutants. The quantification of α-endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide, was consistently observed in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.110 to 0.571 µg g-1. Furthermore, the study encompasses the analysis of agronomic parameters, as well as the mineral and metal content in SS samples. The study demonstrates that the levels of heavy metals comply with legal limits. By conducting a comprehensive investigation into the presence of micropollutants in SS, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the environmental and sustainable implications associated with SS management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The older age group of big golomyanka (Comephorus baicalensis) from three basins of Lake Baikal was studied to assess the levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides, using the chromatographic-mass spectrometric system "Crystal 5000." The results obtained suggest that there has been no improvement in the pollution caused by these hazardous compounds in Lake Baikal throughout the entire research period from 1997 to 2017. The observed variations in the concentrations of POPs in the lipids of the big golomyanka are compared with the results of previous studies on POPS in the coastal soils of the lake and in relation to the pollutant content in the fat of the Baikal seal. The authors propose the use of the older age group of the big golomyanka species for the purpose of POPs biomonitoring in the pelagial of Lake Baikal as a method to find an optimal solution to this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distinct accumulation patterns of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) among granivorous groups and the biomagnification of POPs from crops to granivorous species are still unclear. In this study, occurrence and biomagnification of POPs in three granivorous species including spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis), scaly-breasted munia (Lonchura punctulata), and reed vole (Microtus fortis Buechner) from a former e-waste recycling site were investigated. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in granivorous species ranged from 41.5 to 1370 and 21.1 to 3890 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. PCBs and PBDEs were the main POPs in birds and vole, while decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) and PBDEs were predominant POPs in crops. The dominance of BDE 209 was observed in samples, with few exceptions. Biomagnification factors (BMFs) of POPs in birds and vole were measured. BMFs of most POPs in vole were higher than those in birds, indicating that POPs had greater biomagnification potential in vole. Species-specific biomagnification of POPs might be affected by many factors, such as physiochemical properties and metabolic capability of POPs. There was significant correlation between concentration ratios of POPs in muscle/air and log KOA, which demonstrated that respiratory elimination to air affects biomagnification of POPs in granivorous birds and vole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in different environments has helped to understand the behavior and distribution of these pollutants worldwide. Many developed and developing countries have extensive data on the presence of these pollutants, especially in ambient air and soil. However, the simultaneous measurement of air and soil is less frequent, despite offering the opportunity to characterize air-soil exchange. Moreover, such measurements in upper-middle-income countries such as Turkey are very limited and null in Peru. Both countries also offer unique opportunities to characterize the air-soil exchange since Peru has a semi-arid subtropical desert climate and Turkey has a Mediterranean climate. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the simultaneous POP concentrations (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)) in ambient air and soil in Turkey and Peru and to reveal the POP exchange between air and soil and flux amounts in the gas phase. POP concentrations in ambient air were measured higher at sampling points in Turkey, while POPs in soil were measured similarly in both countries. Also, the air-soil fugacity fractions indicated net volatilization for low molecular weight PAH and PCB congeners, but net deposition for high molecular weight congeners; equilibrium states were found for medium molecular weight congeners. Fugacity fractions did not change with their molecular weights for OCPs. It has been determined that soil acts as a "secondary source" for low molecular weight PAH and PBC congeners in the atmosphere, while the atmosphere acts as a "sink" for high molecular weight PAH and PCB congeners in the soil. Finally, cancer risk calculations for adults and children have been made, both via inhalation of atmospheric POPs and uptake of POPs from the soil. According to the calculations, no health risks were found for both air and soil for adults and children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence, distribution, and fate of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been extensively studied worldwide; however, the patterns and dynamics of scientific publications on POPs are still unclear. In this study, the research trends on dirty dozen POPs, which are identified under the Stockholm Convention (SC) for immediate action were investigated and evaluated in a broad context to obtain up-to-date information. For this purpose, bibliometric analysis was carried out between 1945 and 2021 using the Web of Science (WoS) database. A total of 197,029 publications were analyzed. "Environmental Sciences" was the most popular research category and the USA was the leading country in dirty dozen POPs studies. The research hotspots are related to the most used keywords such as "Polychlorinated Biphenyls", "Dioxin" and "Persistent Organic Pollutants". In the evaluation of keyword clusters with highlighted research points, 7 clusters were obtained from the publications, which are related to the chemical properties, synthesis, structures, health effects, and analysis methods of dirty dozen POPs. The number of publications and, accordingly, the scientific interest in dirty dozen POPs listed under the SC has not reached equilibrium and continues regardless of the level of development of countries in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) eggs have been identified as useful indicators for biomonitoring the environmental pollution in China. In this study, we investigated thirty eggs of black-crowned night heron collected from the upper Yangtze River (Changjiang) Basin, Southwest China, for the occurrence of legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Our results showed a general presence of POPs in night heron eggs with OCPs being the dominant contaminants, having a geometric mean concentration of 22.2 ng g−1 wet weight (ww), followed by PCBs (1.36 ng g−1 ww), PBDEs (0.215 ng g−1 ww), and PCDD/Fs (23.0 pg g−1 ww). The concentration levels were found to be significantly higher in night heron eggs than in poultry eggs by one or two magnitude orders. Among OCP congeners, p,p′-DDE was found to be predominant in night heron eggs, with a geometric mean concentration of 15.1 ng g−1 ww. Furthermore, species-specific congener patterns in eggs suggested similar or different sources for different POPs, possibly associated with contaminated soil and parental dietary sources. Additionally, estimated daily intakes (EDIs) were used to evaluate non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk associated with consumption of bird eggs. Our results revealed non-negligible non-cancer and cancer risk for humans who consume wild bird eggs as a regular diet instead of poultry eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and plasticizer residues are continuously released into the environment. The use of living organisms, such as Apis mellifera L. and honey, is advantageous as bioindicator of the environmental health status, instead of traditional monitoring methods, showing the ability to record spatial and temporal pollutant variations. The PAHs and heavy metal presence were determined in two sampling years (2017 and 2018) in five different locations in the Molise region (Italy), characterized by different pollution levels. During 2017, most PAHs in all samples were lower than limit of detection (LOD), while in 2018, their mean concentration in bee and honey samples was of 3 μg kg−1 and 35 μg kg−1, respectively. For heavy metals, lower values were detected in 2017 (Be, Cd, and V below LOD), while in 2018, the mean concentrations were higher, 138 μg kg−1 and 69 μg kg−1, in bees and honey, respectively. Honey has been used as indicator of the presence of phthalate esters and bisphenol A in the environment. The satisfactory results confirmed that both bees and honey are an important tool for environmental monitoring. The chemometric analysis highlighted the differences in terms of pollutant concentration and variability in the different areas, validating the suitability of these matrices as bioindicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arctic is a hemispheric sink for both legacy and current use persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Once in the Arctic, POPs biomagnify in food webs, potentially reaching concentrations in high trophic level animals that pose a health concern for people who subsist on those animals. Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic may be highly exposed to POPs through their traditional diets. The objective of this study was to assess concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in tissues of traditionally harvested foods from Sivuqaq (St. Lawrence Island), Alaska. Community health researchers identified volunteer households and local hunters to donate tissues from traditionally harvested animals. Target species included bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), ringed seal (Pusa hispida), bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus), ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata), spotted seal (Phoca largha), and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). PBDEs were frequently detected in all species and tissues. PBDE concentrations tended to be highest in lipid-rich tissues of seals. PFAS were infrequently detected and did not show obvious patterns among species or tissues. This and other studies demonstrate that POPs such as PBDEs are present in tissues of traditional food animals from Sivuqaq, as they are throughout the Arctic, and consumption of these animals likely contributes to exposure among Arctic Indigenous Peoples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorption of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) on titanium dioxide supported on graphitic carbon nitride (TiO2/cGN) was investigated using a novel, accurate and broadly parametrized self-consistent tight-binding quantum chemical (GFN2-xTB) method. The adsorption energy, charges on atoms, bond orders and reaction pathway have been determined and analyzed to figure out the nature of the adsorption process. The obtained results indicate that the adsorption of DDT on the pristine cGN is physical of nature. The combination of TiO2 and cGN significantly enhanced the material's adsorption performance. DDT is chemically adsorbed on TiO2/cGN due to the formation of chemical bonds between atoms of DDT and TiO2/cGN. In addition, the adsorption process does not involve a transition state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, ambient air samples, olive tree branches (1- and 2-year-old) and their leaves (particulate and dissolved phase) were collected simultaneously between January and December months at a suburban site of Bursa-Turkey. Total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations, sampled by employing passive air samplers, ranged from 0.03 to 0.08 ng/m3 in the atmosphere. The average annual total PCB concentrations belonging to the tree components were 1.14 ± 0.32 ng/g DM in dissolved phase in leaves, 0.71 ± 0.32 ng/g DM in particle phase on leaves, 1.06 ± 0.25 ng/g DM in 1-year-old branches, and 0.93 ± 0.23 ng/g DM in 2-year-old branches. It was determined that the correlation between PCB concentrations in olive tree components and the air was low. This result indicated that besides the tree-air exchange, other possible factors (such as soil-to-tree transitions, wind effect, etc.) affect the levels of PCB concentrations in the tree components. Total PCB concentrations decreased from summer to winter in all samples. The percentage ratio of PCB in the dissolved phase in the leaves was generally higher than other tree components in seasons. PCB homologous distributions indicated 5-CBs were dominant in the tree components and 3-CBs were dominant in the air samples. Highly chlorinated PCB congeners (8-CBs and 9-CBs) were found at low concentrations in both air and tree components samples. The samples indicated that the ratio of PCBs in tree components to the total (tree component+ambient air) PCBs slightly increased with increasing the chlorine number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the concept of emerging contaminants (ECs) was first proposed in 2001, the global scientific research of ECs has developed rapidly. In the past decades, great progress has been achieved in the scientific research of ECs in China, including the establishment of EC analysis method system, the evaluation of the pollution status, pollution characteristics and environmental risk of ECs in typical regions of China, and establishment of EC control technology system. Continuous progress in scientific research of ECs promoted China’s action on EC control. It is planned that the environmental risk of ECs will be generally controlled by 2035 in China. Priority ECs should be screened for environmental management. Although great efforts have been made, the EC control in China still faces tremendous challenges. It is necessary to bridge the gap between scientific research and decision-making management. Based on the science and technology study, various measures such as engineering, policy management and public participation should be combinedly adopted for EC control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic contamination is ubiquitous in aquatic and terrestrial environments, found in water, sediments, within organisms and in the atmosphere and the biological effects on animal and plant life have been extensively investigated in recent years. There is growing evidence that humans are exposed to microplastics via ingestion of food and drink and through inhalation. Despite the prevalence of contamination, there has been limited research on the effects of microplastics on human health and most studies, to date, analyse the effects on model organisms with the likely impacts on human health being inferred by extrapolation. This review summarises the latest findings in the field with respect to the prevalence of microplastics in the human–environment, to what extent they might enter and persist in the body, and what effect, if any, they are likely to have on human health. Whilst definitive evidence linking microplastic consumption to human health is currently lacking, results from correlative studies in people exposed to high concentrations of microplastics, model animal and cell culture experiments, suggest that effects of microplastics could include provoking immune and stress responses and inducing reproductive and developmental toxicity. Further research is required to explore the potential implications of this recent contaminant in our environment in more rigorous clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are distributed in the environment worldwide. These pollutants are found ubiquitously in the environment, including commercially valuable aquatic organisms. Vietnam is one of the world's largest exporters of seafood, including bivalves. At the same time, comprehensive monitoring studies of aquatic ecosystems in Vietnam are insufficient and not coordinated and are mainly aimed at detecting heavy metals. We studied concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs (DDT, HCH)) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in bivalves of four genera (Corbicula, Geloina, Ensidens, Scabies) collected from the Mekong Delta and Saigon–Dong Nai River Delta as well as purchased freshly caught at local markets in the spring of 2017 and 2018 before the rainy season. The studied watercourses and waterbodies can be arranged in the following order of increasing pollution: Lake Binh Thien – Hau River – Tien River – Ba Lai River – Saigon–Dong Nai River. The surveyed areas of mangrove ecosystems in the provinces of Kien Giang and Bac Lieu cannot be included in this order, since they are inhabited by mangrove clams Geloina sp. of the family Cyrenidae, which are bivalves with narrow specialization. Currently, the major factors responsible for the OCP pollution in South Vietnam may be agricultural activities and industrial sectors which disregard the recommendations and bans on the use of these hazardous compounds, along with the persisting unfavorable background in the form of DDE being a consequence of the wide application of DDT until 1995. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) have been applied as additives in a wide range of consumer products, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, mining conveyor belts, paints, sealants, adhesives and as flame retardants. Consequently, CPs have been found in many matrices. Of all the CP groups, short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) have raised an alarming concern globally due to their toxicity, persistence and long-range transportation in the environment. As a result, SCCPs were listed in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in May 2017. Additionally, a limit for the presence of SCCPs in other CP mixtures was set at 1% by weight. CPs can be released into the environment throughout their life cycle; therefore, it becomes crucial to assess their effects in different matrices. Although about 199 studies on SCCP concentration in different matrices have been published in other continents; however, there are scarce/or limited studies on SCCP concentration in Africa, particularly on consumer products, landfill leachates and sediment samples. So far, published studies on SCCP concentration in the continent include SCCPs in egg samples, e-waste recycling area and indoor dust in Ghana and South Africa, despite absence of any production of SCCPs in Africa. However, there still remains a huge research gap in the continent of Africa on SCCPs. Consequently, there is a need to develop robust SCCP inventories in Africa since the Stockholm Convention has already developed guidance document in this respect. This review, therefore, examines the state of knowledge pertaining to the levels and trends of these contaminants in Africa and further provides research gaps that need to be considered in order to better understand the global scale of the contaminant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Pesticides in the environment can pose serious risks to aquatic ecosystems. This study focused on the existence of 27 pesticides, including 13 pesticides regulated by the Stockholm Convention as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and 14 commonly used pesticides in three urban rivers in Beijing that receive effluents from three municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs). Among the 27 pesticides, 12 were detected at least once over a period of 4 seasons. Atrazine, aldrin and dieldrin were universally found in the three rivers, with the highest concentrations being 311, 163 and 23.3 ng/L, respectively. HCHs, DDTs, heptachlor and endosulfan, which are POPs, were detected at lower concentrations (ND–16.7 ng/L). Most of the insecticides and some of the herbicides in the rivers originated from MWTP effluents. The risk assessment results showed that aldrin posed medium risk (0.1 ≤ RQ < 1) to fish, and atrazine exhibited medium risk to both fish and algae. Despite the implementation of the Stockholm Convention and the upgrades of MWTPs emitting ozone, high loads of aldrin, atrazine and dieldrin were discharged to the rivers. Efforts should be devoted to identifying POP pesticide sources and upgrading MWTPs with other technologies to ensure the ecological safety of rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were determined in Gymnura altavela liver samples from one of the most impacted estuarine environments in the Atlantic Ocean (Guanabara Bay, Brazil). PCBs were the predominant compounds (91.2%) averaging 6773 ± 4659 ng.g−1 lipid weight (lw). DDT, Mirex, HCH and HCB concentrations were 633 ± 715, 6.2 ± 9.3, 3.4 ± 1.4 and 0.5 ± 0.5 ng.g−1 lw, respectively. Recent DDT input in the estuary was minimum, as verified by the p,p′-DDE/∑DDT ratio (0.67). The prevalence of industrial compounds was highlighted by the ΣDDT/ΣPCB ratio (0.08). A negative correlation detected between disc width and PCBs, Mirex and HCH concentrations may be a consequence of maternal offloading. High POP concentrations in G. altavela liver samples from Guanabara Bay suggests that PCBs, in particular, may pressure the conservation of this threatened with extinction tropical estuarine batoid species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are still globally distributed and can exert different effects on ecosystems. Little is known about the occurrence of these contaminants in terrestrial birds from South America. In this study, POPs were assessed for the first time in a flightless herbivorous species from the Pampas grasslands, the Greater rhea (Rhea americana). Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were determined in 18 samples of feathers from free-ranging and captive individuals inhabiting four sites with different land uses in central Argentina. Among the 16 POPs tested in those feathers, 6 PCBs (28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) and 8 OCPs (α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDT, and HCB) were quantified. No PBDEs were detected. The total concentration of POPs was higher in populations living in an intensive crop production area (agriculture 159 ng g −1 and farm: 97.53 ng g−1) compared with the population in an urban area (zoo 45.86 ng g−1) and an agroecosystem with extensive rearing of livestock (cattle rearing 36.77 ng g−1). PCBs were the most abundant pollutants in all the populations studied. Lower chlorinated CB 52 and CB 101 were the principal PCB congeners detected, representing at least 70% of the total quantified. All populations studied showed a DDE + DDD/DDT ratio > 1, indicating a historical application of this insecticide. This study provides a new contribution to the scarce data on POP concentrations in South American bird species. Further investigations are needed to evaluate their potential effects on the health of individuals and populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mothers' milk is considered a channel by means of which new-borns are exposed to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), environmental pollutants entering food chain and accumulating in fat-rich tissues. In this study, the concentrations of selected PCDDs, PCDFs, and dl-PCBs (a total of 29 substances) in milk samples of 110 breast-feeding women from an urban area were analyzed using the high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry method. Environmental exposure to these substances was expressed by means of the World Health Organization Toxicity Equivalent (WHO-TEQ2005) using the Toxicity Equivalent Factor values from van der Berg et al. (Toxicol. Sci. 93: 223-241, 2006). Concentrations and WHO-TEQ2005 values were then searched for plausible relationships with selected demographic and diet-related factors. The total WHO-TEQ2005 toxicity equivalent for all 29 substances was (mean ± SD) 10.57 ± 4.57 pg/g fat, while the WHO-TEQ2005 levels of PCDDs/PCDFs and dl-PCBs were 7.90 ± 4.17 pg/g fat and 2.67 ± 1.36 pg/g fat, respectively. The concentration and WHO-TEQ2005 toxicity equivalent of dl-PCBs correlated significantly with the mothers' age (rP = 0.3814, p < 0.00005; rP = 0.2817, p < 0.005, respectively). The total WHO-TEQ2005 toxicity equivalent for all analyzed substances was found to be positively associated with the frequency of consumption of fish and dairy products (p < 0.05 for both associations). These outcomes must, however, be interpreted cautiously due to limited size of the study. The results of this paper may provide a basis for further studies on the exposure to PCDDs, PCDFs, and dl-PCBs, and mechanisms underlying their action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously, we demonstrated that maternal exposure to high, intermediate, or lowly contaminated European eels with a mixture of chemicals, during pregnancy and lactation, resulted in adult despair-like behavior, selectively in male offspring mice. Here, we investigate if depression-like behavior in offspring males was transient or permanent by monitoring immobility behavior, a measure of behavioral despair, at three distinct stages of life, including young adult (post-natal day (PND) 55), mature adult (PND 200) and middle (PNDs 335–336) age, in the forced swimming (FST) and the tail suspension (TST) tests. Oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were evaluated in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum of middle-aged animals. Findings showed a significant enhancement of immobility behavior in the TST performed at young adult age (all p < 0.05) in the FST carried out at mature adult age (all p < 0.001) and in both behavioral tests realized at middle age (all p < 0.05, except one p = 0.06) in mice perinatally exposed to eels compared with non-exposed controls. Antioxidant-related enzyme activities, including SOD and CAT, were only elevated in the hippocampus of middle-aged males perinatally exposed to the two more polluted eels (all p < 0.05). Further, lipid peroxidation, assessed by MDA levels, was not found to be differentially regulated in the selected areas of middle-aged brains of exposed mice (all p > 0.05). Collectively, this suggested limited oxidative metabolism disturbances in middle-aged brains exposed to eels. In summary, our results highlighted that offspring males perinatally exposed to naturally contaminated reared and river eels with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals displayed chronic depression-like phenotype. As extrapolation of data to humans should be done with precaution, retrospective and prospective epidemiological studies are needed to clarify this potential relationship, stressed in our animal model, between maternal polluted fish consumption and chronically low mood in offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent organochlorine chemicals (OCs), including chlordane compounds (CHLs), DDTs, PCBs, and chlorinated dioxins and related compounds (DRCs), were examined in the adipose tissue and liver from 33 specimens of habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis), a species of venomous pit viper endemic to the Japanese Southwest Islands. The median concentrations of CHLs, DDTs, and PCBs in adipose tissue of 22 habus collected from an urban area were 4400 ng g−1 lipid weight (lw), 610 ng g−1 lw, and 1600 ng g−1 lw, respectively. Their DDT and PCB concentrations were higher in comparison with the specimens from a rural area. Liver of 10 specimens from the urban area were subjected to DRCs analysis, and PCDDs, PCDFs, and DL-PCBs were detected with median values of 1300, 350, and 150,000 pg g−1 lw, respectively. Among PCDD/F congeners, octa-CDD was detected at the highest concentrations in seven liver samples, but considerable concentrations of penta- and hexa-CDD/Fs were found in two samples. Relatively higher concentrations of PCB, DDTs, and PCDD/Fs were found in habus collected within 1 km of the boundary of military facilities, suggesting that OCs from some unknown sources of these OCs inside and/or around some of the facilities accumulated in habus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface sediments from the Danshui River basin were collected and analyzed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethanes (DDTs). The total concentrations of each category ranged from 96 to 3803 ng g−1 for PAHs, 0.02 to 54.9 ng g−1 for PCBs, and from below the detection limit to 10.3 ng g−1 for DDTs. These values are within the ranges observed for river and estuarine sediments of industrial and urbanized areas in Taiwan and worldwide. A decreasing trend of POP levels was observed in comparison with the levels reported in previous studies. Significant correlations between the levels of compounds and black carbon (BC) were found, suggesting that these POPs and BC may have similar transport processes. Based on sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), the ecological risk posed by these POPs toward sediment-dwelling organisms in the Danshui River basin is relatively low. Long-term monitoring of contaminant levels is necessary to develop appropriate management tools due to the importance of the Danshui river basin as a water source for metropolitan areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine pollution has increased reaching the entire marine environment, from the surface to the deepest sediment, and has become more concerning in the last 70 years. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a fraction of ocean waste that includes, among the others, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and plastic polymers. These chemicals have an extremely long half-life, and (bio)accumulate and damage the marine flora and fauna, and, ultimately, human health. Some organisms have evolved enzymes to attack POPs in the environment and transform them into biomass and CO2. Several microorganisms degrade many POPs in relatively short time. A wide variety of bacteria has been isolated with different techniques, and key catabolic enzymes used to degrade the most persistent oil hydrocarbon fractions have been identified. For plastic waste, there is less evidence of microbial degradation, but a few recent studies are revealing that a biodegradation potential exists for some of the most recalcitrant plastic polymers as well. The scientific community is focusing on microorganisms and their enzymes for POP uptake and removal from the environment, while searching novel biopolymers (also from microbiological origin) to substitute oil-derived plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), present in the environment, animals, and humans. Their levels, distribution, and human exposure have been studied extensively, and over the last decade, various legal measures have been taken to prohibit or minimize their production and use due to the increasing amount of evidence of their harmful effects on human and animal health.Our aim here was to make a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the levels and distribution of PBDEs in the aquatic environment, air, and soil, in indoor dust, and in humans. To fulfill this, we searched through Web of Science for literature data reported in the last five years (2015–2019) on levels of at least six key PBDE congeners in abovementioned matrices. According to our summarized data, significant PBDE mass concentrations/fractions are still being detected in various sample types across the world, which implies that PBDE contamination is an ongoing problem. Secondary sources of PBDEs like contaminated soils and landfills, especially those with electronic and electrical waste (e-waste), represent a particular risk to the future and therefore require a special attention of scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amendment of biochar in soils contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is an environmentally friendly in situ remediation measure. Numerous studies focused on the application of biochars to reduce the uptake of POPs by plants in soils. In this review, we summarized the role of biochar in reducing the migration of POPs in soil–plant systems. The mechanisms of biochar reducing the bioavailability of POPs in the soil, i.e. immobilization and promoted biodegradation, and the influencing factors are fully discussed. Especially in rhizosphere amended with biochar, the synergistic effect of POPs–root exudates–microorganisms on the reduced bioavailability of POPs is analyzed. This paper suggests that future researches should focus on the long-term environmental fate of POPs sorbed on high-temperature biochars and the long-term impacts of low-temperature biochars on the interaction of POPs–root exudates–rhizosphere microorganisms. All the above are necessary for efficient and safe use of biochar for remediating POP-contaminated farmland soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in eggshells and feathers of Little Egret (Egratta Garzetta) as well as in environmental compartments were investigated to assess the bioindication potential of non-destructive tissues of predatory birds for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in wetlands. Higher concentrations of PAHs were detected in both feathers and eggshells than OCPs, which was consistent with the residue patterns in water, soil and food samples. Bioaccumulation was observed for both OCPs and PAHs in eggshells and feathers showing OCPs were more readily bioaccumulated than PAHs, mainly attributed to the bioconcentration route from water. Both eggshells and feathers of Little Egret could be used to predict the POP pollution in Poyang Lake wetlands, especially for PAHs. The higher bioaccumulation potential of feathers than eggshells suggests the wide application of feathers as non-destructive biomonitoring tool for particular POP pollution in wetland ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the presence and effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in Puerto Rico's waters. Four coastal aquatic systems were investigated using low-density polyethylene passive sampling for PCBs and OCPs in water and its overlying air. The highest total freely dissolved and gaseous concentrations of PCBs were found in Guánica Bay, with 4000 pg/L and 270 pg/m3, respectively. Five OCPs were detected, mainly in water, with greatest concentrations (pg/L) in Guánica Bay: α-HCH (7400), p,pʹ-DDE (390), aldrin (2000), dieldrin (420), and endrin (77). The compound α-HCH was also measured at elevated water concentrations in Condado Lagoon (5700 pg/L) and Laguna Grande (2900 pg/L). Jobos Bay did not show values of concern for these persistence organic pollutants. Levels of PCBs and OCPs in water, particularly in Guánica Bay, exceeded USEPA ambient water quality criteria values representing a human health risk regarding consumption of aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prediction of pEC50 values of dioxins binding with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is of great significance for exploring how dioxins induce toxicity in human body and evaluating their environmental behaviors and risks. To reveal the factors that influence the toxicity of dioxins, provide more accurate mathematical models for predicting the pEC50 values of dioxins, and supplement the toxicity database of persistent organic pollutants, qualitative structure–activity relationship (SAR) and two-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (2D-QSAR) were used in this study. The research objects in this study were 60 organic compounds with pEC50 values and 162 compounds without pEC50 values, which included polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs). The qualitative structure–activity relationship (SAR) was performed first and concluded that halogen substitutions at any of the 2, 3, 7, and 8 sites increased the pEC50 value of the compound. Moreover, two-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (2D-QSAR) models were established by employing multiple linear regression (MLR) method and artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm to investigate the factors affecting the pEC50 values of dioxins molecules. MLR was used to establish the well-understood linear model and ANN was used to establish a more accurate non-linear model. Both models have good fitting, robustness, and predictive ability. Importantly, the ability of dioxins binding to AhR is mainly determined by molecular descriptors including E1m, SM09_AEA (dm), RDF065u, F05 [Cl–Cl], and Neoplastic-80. In addition, the pEC50 values of the 162 dioxins without toxicity data were predicted by MLR and ANN models, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing evidence indicates that developmental exposure to nonylphenol (NP) causes damage to the central nervous system (CNS). As the most unique and primary component of neuron, axon is an essential structure for the CNS function. Here, we investigated whether developmental exposure to NP affected rat axonal development in vivo and in vitro. Our results showed that developmental exposure to NP 10, 50, and 100 mg/(kg day) caused an obvious decrease in axonal length and density in the hippocampus. Developmental exposure to NP also altered the expression of CRMP-2 and p-CRMP-2, and activated Wnt-Dvl-GSK-3β cascade in the hippocampus, the crucial signaling that regulates axonal development. Even months after the exposure, impairment of axonal growth and alteration of this cascade were not fully restored. In the primary cultured neurons, 30, 50, and 70 μM NP treatment decreased axonal length and impaired axonal function. Similar to in vivo results, it also activated Wnt-Dvl-GSK-3β cascade in cultured neurons. SB-216763, a specific GSK-3β inhibitor, recovered the shortening of axon and the impairment of axonal function induced by NP. Taken together, our results support the idea that exposure to NP induces axonal injury in the developing neurons. Furthermore, the activation of Wnt-Dvl-GSK-3β cascade contributes to the axonal injury induced by NP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are ubiquitous and toxic contaminants. Their atmospheric deposition fluxes on the regional scale were quantified based on simultaneous sampling during 1 to 5 years at 1 to 6 background/rural sites in the Czech Republic and Austria. The samples were extracted and analysed by means of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. For all seasons and sites, total deposition fluxes for Σ15PAHs ranged 23–1100 ng m−2 d−1, while those for Σ6PCBs and Σ12OCPs ranged 64–4400 and 410–7800 pg m−2 d−1, respectively. Fluoranthene and pyrene were the main contributors to the PAH deposition fluxes, accounting on average for 19% each, while deposition fluxes of PCBs and OCPs were dominated by PCB153 (26%) and γ-hexachlorobenzene (30%), respectively. The highest deposition flux of Σ15PAHs was generally found in spring, while no seasonality was found for PCB deposition. For deposition fluxes for Σ12OCPs, no clear spatial trend was found, confirming the perception of long-lived regional pollutants. Although most OCPs and PCBs hardly partition to the particulate phase in ambient air, on average, 42% of their deposition fluxes were found on filters, confirming the perception that particle deposition is more efficient than dry gaseous deposition. Due to methodological constraints, fluxes derived from bulk deposition samplers should be understood as lower estimates, in particular with regard to those substances which in ambient aerosols mostly partition to the particulate phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the temporal change of atmospheric deposition patterns of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Switzerland between 1995 and 2014 by a passive biomonitoring with lichens. Lichen tissues sampled at 16 representative sites in the same season of 1995 and 2014 were analyzed for a total of 94 individual and 27 sum parameters of POPs and PAHs by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The comparative analyses showed a decrease of 40 to 80% (medians) for most of the POPs and PAHs concentration in lichens at all site categories. Reduction in tissue concentration of the polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/PCDFs), such as the highly toxic 2,3,7,8-TetraCDD and the TEQ according to WHO (2005) were 66% and 73%, respectively. For the dioxin- and non-dioxin-like PCBs, a decrease of 67% and 58% was found. The average decrease of 30 organochlorine pesticides and insecticides (OCPs) was 65%, with a 94% decrease for lindane. For the 27 PAHs and for benzo(a)pyrene, an average decrease of 58% and 59% was found. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) showed reduced concentrations in lichens at rural and agglomeration sites, but an increase of contamination was observed at industrial and road traffic sites. The direct comparison of changes of POPs and PAHs concentrations in lichens and of emissions between 1995 and 2014 revealed consistent results. The results of this study highlight for the first time in biota the positive effect of emission regulation of POPs in Switzerland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) constitute a wide range of chemicals. Their release into the environment has raised great concern due to their potentially harmful impact in humans and wildlife species. The aim of this current study was to detect selected POPs in hair samples of wild terrestrial mammals from Primorsky Krai, Russia, so as to assess potential environmental exposure. The tested wild species were leopard cat, musk deer, wolf, amur hedgehog, and raccoon dog. The targeted organochlorines were hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and DDTs (opDDE, ppDDE, and opDDD), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, and 180), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (acenaphylene (ACEN), fluorene (FLU), anthracene (ANTH) phenathrene (PHEN), and pyrene (PYR)). The detection of POPs was conducted in hair samples by a one-step hair extraction method, by using a headspace solid-phase microextraction technique (HS-SPME) and analyzed then by GC-MS. The majority of the wild animal hair samples were found positive in all tested pollutants. More specifically, the percentage of positive hair samples for HCB was 93.3% and for DDTs, PCBs, and PAHs, 20.0 to 100.0%, 6.7 to 100.0%, and 75.0 to 100.0%, respectively. DDT, PCB, and PAH detection ranged from 1.26 to 52.06 pg mg−1, 0.73 to 31.34 pg mg−1, and 2.59 to 35.00 pg mg−1, respectively. The highest mean concentration levels of all tested pollutants were found for musk deer (PCBs 12.41 pg mg−1, DDTs 21.87 pg mg−1, PAHs 22.12 pg mg−1) compared to the other wild species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides results regarding contamination in different terrestrial mammals by POP exposure. The use of hair as a matrix is proven to be an effective tool for nondestructive biological monitoring of POP contamination in terrestrial ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in atmosphere of an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling town, Guiyu, in Southeast China, focusing on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We assess the evidence for the association between air pollution and human body burden, to provide an indication of the severity of respiratory exposure. Compared with standards and available existing data for other areas, it clearly shows that four typical POPs, derived from recycling processes, lead to serious atmospheric pollution and heavy body burden. From published data, the estimated respiratory exposure doses of Guiyu adults and children, varied between 2.48-10.37 and 3.25-13.6 ng kg−1 body weight (bw) day−1 for PBDEs, 2.31-7.6 and 4.09-13.58 pg World Health Organization-Toxic Equivalent Quantity (WHO-TEQ) kg−1 bw day−1 for PCDD/Fs, 5.57 and 20.52 ng kg−1 bw day−1 for PCBs, and 8.59-50.01 and 31.64-184.14 ng kg−1 bw day−1 for PAHs, respectively. These results show that air pollution is more harmful to children. Furthermore, except for PBDEs, the hazard quotient (HQ) of the other three pollutants was rated more than 1 by respiratory exposure only, and all of them are at risk of carcinogenesis. So we speculate these pollutants enter the body mainly through air inhalation, making respiratory exposure may be more important than dietary exposure in the Guiyu e-waste recycling area. Effective management policies and remediation techniques are urgently needed to prevent the deterioration of ambient air quality in the e-waste recycling area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), well-known as an important scientific achievement, are now considered as one of the most persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that need to be strictly controlled and forbidden worldwide (the Stockholm convention on POPs). Vietnam is one of the countries that encounters with serious issues from PCB contamination. This study presented a comprehensive review on the status and contamination of PCBs along the coast of Vietnam. The contaminated PCBs data in the water, sediment and biological samples from 18 provinces along Vietnam coastline were collected from various sources. A comparison in PCBs contamination between Vietnam and other Asian countries was included. The status on PCBs contamination in Vietnam since participated as a party of the Stockholm convention on POPs in 2002 was also assessed. The results showed that Vietnam is facing serious PCBs contamination problems as it evidences the spread and accumulation of PCBs in the marine environment. The implementation of the Stockholm convention on POPs (PCBs in particular) has not yet demonstrated significant effect on the reduction in PCBs contamination in the environment. This information on PCBs contamination in Vietnam urges government to strengthen the mechanism, policy and legislation, the management capacity for PCBs as well as applying advanced and modern technologies in reducing, disposing and eliminating PCBs from the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl (dl-PCB) are groups of toxic compounds released into the environment as unintentional by-products of combustion. They persist, bioaccumulate through the food chain, and cause adverse health effects. This review attempts to collate available information on the release of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs and other critical data relevant to their monitoring in Africa during the existence of the Stockholm Convention (SC). Much as the implementation of the SC may be lagging, literature showed that there has been encouraging efforts that have been made with respect to PCDDs/Fs and dl-PCBs monitoring in Africa. Results from a global monitoring study showed that PCDD/Fs released to air in Africa stood at 18-532 fg WHO98 TEQ/M3 while dl-PCBs were 7-278 fg WHO98 TEQ/m3. In human milk, the total concentration of PCDD/Fs, i.e., WHO 2005 TEQ LB has been reported to range from 0.5 ng/g fat to 12 ng/g fat. Fourteen laboratories in Africa participated in inter-laboratory assessments of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with two specifically for PCDD/Fs analysis. This shows that some efforts are being made to boost capacity in Africa. Levels of PCDDs/Fs and dl-PCBs in clay consumed by pregnant women have been reported in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ĉote d'Ivoire, and Uganda with a maximum concentration of 103 pg TEQ/g. This finding was very significant since women are the most impacted through exposure to POPs, a fact that is acknowledged by the SC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study describes the preliminary assessment and securing activities of the largest and most hazardous POPs-contaminated sites in Kyrgyzstan. In 2010, cattle died and population were found with high pesticide levels in blood, human milk, and placenta. In the first phase of the study, a historic assessment of the pesticide dumping at the landfill/dump sites have been conducted. In the second phase, soil analysis for organochlorine pesticides in the areas of the pesticide disposal sites, the former pesticides storehouses, agro-air strips, and the cotton-growing fields were conducted. By this assessment, a first overview of the types and sources of pollution and of the scale of the problem is compiled including information gaps. From major pesticides used, DDT, DDE, and HCH were measured in the highest concentrations. With the limited analytical capacity present, a reasonable risk assessment could be performed. This paper also reports on practical risk reduction measures that have been carried out recently at the two major pesticide disposal sites with support of a Dutch environmental engineering company, an international NGO (Green Cross Switzerland) and local authorities from the Suzak region within an UN project. Local population living near the sites of the former pesticide storehouses and agro-airstrips are advised not to cultivate vegetables and melons or to raise cattle on these areas. Instead, it is recommended to grow technical crops or plant trees. Further recommendations on monitoring and assessment is given including the suggestion to consider the findings in the National Implementation Plan of Kyrgyzstan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, certain polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been listed as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Stockholm Convention. In this study, a preliminary material and substance flow analysis of commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether (c-PentaBDE) was conducted for motor vehicles—a major use sector for POP-PBDE in polyurethane (PUR) foam—for Nigeria. The methodology of the Stockholm Convention PBDE inventory guidance was used for the calculation of c-PentaBDE. Material/substance flow analysis was conducted applying the STAN software. The time frame for this analysis was 1980-2010, considering that this was the period when POP-PBDE-containing vehicles were largely imported into Nigeria.It is estimated that the approximately 19 million passenger cars imported from 1980 to 2010 contained ca. 270 t of POP-PBDEs in ca. 401,000 t of PUR foam. A major share of cars from the USA and only a small share of cars from Europe and Asia were impacted. This simplified material and substance flow of PUR foams and POP-PBDEs in motor vehicles demonstrated the potential for environmental/human contamination and pollution of recycling/reuse for Nigeria and other developing countries.The study developed the first preliminary inventory of end-of-life vehicles for Nigeria, following which the environment ministry has taken up the important issue of end-of-life vehicles management. Considering that a range of other pollutants are contained in vehicles (e.g. heavy metals, flame retardants, PCBs, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons and waste oil), this initiated activity should finally lead to an integrated management of pollutants and resources from the transport sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) report was published in 1998 and followed by three assessment reports of human health (AMAP 2003, 2009 and 2015). The focus area of the AMAP reports was to monitor levels of environmental contaminants in the Arctic and to assess the health effects connected with detected levels in Arctic countries. This review gives an overview of temporal trends of contaminants and their health effects in humans of the Arctic based on data published by AMAP, as well as Russian scientific literature. Several time series of 31 contaminants in humans of the Arctic from different cohorts are reported. The lengths of time series and periods covered differ from each other. International restrictions have decreased the levels of most persistent organic pollutants in humans and food webs. Percentage changes for contaminants in human biological matrices (blood samples from children, mothers and males and breast milk samples) for the period of sampling showed declining trends in most of the monitored Arctic locations, with the exception of oxychlordane, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE153) and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organochlorine compounds (OCs) pose a serious threat towards the wildlife due to their well-known adverse effects. India is the second largest producer of pesticides in Asia, with DDT production still ongoing, and is ranked amongst the leading countries of pesticide consumption. However, a significant data gap in avian biomonitoring studies has been identified in Asia. The objective of this review is to compile and discuss the available literature on concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in Indian birds. The review of 18 articles showed that DDTs were the OCs most frequently analysed, followed by HCHs and PCBs (highest hepatic mean values: 11.6, 1.8 and 1.03 µg/g ww, respectively). The most frequently analysed matrix was whole body homogenates, followed by internal tissues. Plasma, eggs, feathers and guano were poorly sampled. The range of sampling years was 1980-2007. In general, hepatic OC concentrations were below the level known to cause adverse effects, although p,p’-DDE in eggs was found in concentrations associated with eggshell thinning. Most of the studies were carried out in Southern India (Tamil Nadu). Out of 106 species studied, house crow (Corvus splendens) was the most frequently monitored. However, the number of individuals sampled per species is generally low and different sample types are used, thus, huge limitations to compare OC exposure exist. This review shows that there is a clear deficit of data on OC concentrations and sublethal effects that needs to be addressed to understand the status of OC exposure, spatio-temporal trends and potential impacts in Indian avifauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions are engaged in a path-breaking “synergies” initiative that coordinates and even integrates parts of their administration, operation, and implementation. This includes holding TripleCOPs during which their Conference of the Parties meet together in sequential and simultaneous sessions. This article provides a preliminary analysis of this unprecedented experimentation. We find several important positive and negative procedural, political, and policy consequences of the new format, including: countries with large delegations hold a variety of advantages; developing countries can potentially leverage negotiating strength in one convention to advance concerns in another; it is easier to address the environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes holistically as well as specific technical issues that involve two or more of the treaties; and new opportunities exist for brinkmanship, obstruction, and cross-treaty negotiating that can make reaching agreement on some issues more difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of the Anthropocene, that humans are now re-engineering global ecosystems, is in part evidenced by the pervasive pollution by persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Certain POPs are hormone mimics and can disrupt endocrine and hence reproductive processes, shown mainly by laboratory studies with model species. There are, in contrast, fewer confirmations of such disruption from eco-epidemiological studies of wild mammals. Here we used the American mink (Neovison vison) as a sentinel species for such a study. Over the period 1998-2006, 161 mink carcasses were obtained from commercial trappers in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Ontario. Mink were aged, sexed, measured, and body condition assessed. Livers were analyzed either individually or pooled for organochlorine (OC) pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and subsets for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). We primarily addressed whether contaminants affected male reproductive development by measuring baculum size and assessing the influences of age and body condition. We also considered the influence of spatial variation on relative exposure and size of baculum. Statistical models separated by age class revealed that significant relationships between baculum length or mass and juvenile mink were mostly positive, whereas for adults and first year mink they were mostly negative. A significant negative relationship for adult mink was determined between DDE and both baculum length and mass. For juvenile mink we found significant positive relationships between ∑PCBs, DDE and ∑PBDEs with baculum length. Our results provide some indication of negative effects of halogenated contaminants on male reproductive development in wild mink, and the most likely candidate chemical is the confirmed anti-androgenic compound, DDE, rather than PCBs or other compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are anthropogenic contaminants of environmental concern due to their persistence in the environment and capacity to accumulate in biota. Many of these contaminants have been found to have ill effects over wildlife and humans. Birds are known to be particularly affected through endocrine disruption and eggshell thinning. POPs have been banned or restricted through the Stockholm Convention (2001), making monitoring essential for tracking effects of regulation. Seabirds have been used as monitoring tools for being top predators and consuming a diverse array of prey in different trophic levels. Non-destructive sampling has become widely popular using feathers and preen oil, as opposed to carcasses and internal organs. This study aimed to set baseline levels of POP and PAH concentration in a highly pelagic and abundant seabird in Ireland and the Atlantic, the European storm petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus, and to investigate the profiles of contaminant congeners in preen oil and feathers, comparatively. Mean concentrations in preen oil followed: PCB (10.1 ng/g ww) > PAH (7.1 ng/g ww) > OCP (5.4 ng/g ww) > PBDE (3.9 ng/g ww), whilst mean concentrations in feathers followed the order: PAH (38.9 ng/g ww) > PCB (27.2 ng/g ww) > OCP (17.9 ng/g ww) > PBDE (4.5 ng/g ww). Congener profiles highly differed between preen oil and feathers, and little correlation was found between the matrices. These results demonstrate that the sampling of a single matrix alone (preen oil or feathers) might produce confounding results on contamination in seabirds and that more than one matrix is recommended to obtain a full picture of contamination by persistent organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]