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The purpose of this study was to develop a rapid and cost efficient hair extraction method, using the headspace solid phase microextraction (HSSPME) technique for the simultaneous determination and biomonitoring of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane) (DDT) and its isomers/metabolites and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in hair samples. A total of 72 head hair samples were collected from children living in urban and rural regions of the island of Crete. Two hundred milligrams of hair were digested under alkaline conditions and thermostated for 30 min at 90°C while a 65 µm PDMS/DVB fibre was exposed into the headspace of the vial. Analytical parameters of the method (time of incubation, agitation speed, recovery, precision, accuracy, carry over, matrix effect, linearity, and selectivity) were examined. Recoveries of the DDTs in the spiked hair samples were calculated from 42.3% for opDDD to 87.1% for opDDE, while recoveries for PCB congeners were from 52.6% for PCB138 to 96.6 % for PCB28. The method was applied for the analysis of authentic hair samples. Significant differences (p=0.001) of the burden to total DDTs (sumDDTs) as well as of the frequencies of detection of positive samples (p=0.020) were observed between the examined regions. Moreover, significant differences in the detected concentrations of PCB congeners were observed for PCB52 (p<0.001) and PCB28 (p=0.017) as well for their prevalence between urban and rural regions. Application of HSSPME for the biomonitoring of DDTs and PCBs biomarkers in hair was tested and successfully applied to the analysis of spiked and authentic hair samples. HSSPME was found to be substantially simpler and faster procedure than previous reported sample treatment procedures., (Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The coastal lagoon system of Laguna de Terminos, Campeche, Mexico, a natural reserve since 1994, was investigated for contamination by agricultural and industrial chemical residues. Water, sediment and biota samples were analyzed for a wide variety of organochlorine and organophosphorus compounds. Chlorpyrifos was detected in water in concentrations up to 72 pgL(-1) and, amongst organochlorine compounds, summation operator PCB were measured averaging 1177 pgL(-1) and summation operator DDT 279 pgL(-1). Residues of chlorinated compounds were present in sediments and in biota with summation operator DDT averaging 190 pg g(-1) and 5876 pg g(-1) in sediment and oysters, respectively. Results show that the more widespread contaminants in the Laguna were residues of chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as DDTs, PCBs, endosulfan, and lindane. Concentrations of residues were not at an alarming level and were even lower than reported for other costal lagoons of the region. Still there is a need to implement control measures on persistent and bioaccumulative compounds that may reach the aquatic system of Laguna de Terminos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate sediments of the Dniester River, in the former Soviet republic of Moldova, for the occurrence of agricultural pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy metals. In October 2001, sediment samples were collected at three locations of the Dniester River: upstream, downstream, and at the tributary of the River Byk. DDT and its metabolites were observed most frequently. Total DDT sediment concentrations ranged from 8.2 to 34.7 ng/g dry weight with the highest average concentration detected at the tributary location. Heptachlor epoxide (< 0.2-3.0 ng/g dry weight), chlordane (< 0.1-6.1 ng/g dry weight), endrin (< 0.2-2.5 ng/g dry weight), phosalone (< 0.2-1.1 ng/g dry weight), and methylparathion (< 0.2-16.8 ng/g dry weight) were also detected. Total PCB concentrations observed in sediments ranged from 68 to 763 ng/g dry wt. Total average PCB concentrations were significantly (p < or = 0.004) higher for sediments from the downstream sampling sites compared to the upstream samples. Tetra- and trichlorobiphenyls accounted for 84 and 88% of the total residues measured in the downstream and tributary locations, respectively. In contrast, heptachlorobiphenyls were the prevailing homologues in sediments from the upstream sampling site, contributing 51% of the total PCB concentration. Predominant PCB homologues were: trichlorobiphenyl congener 28 and 37, tetrachlorobiphenyl congeners 44, 49, 52, 74, 77, and 81, and heptachlorobiphenyl congener 170. Sediment concentrations of SigmaDDE (19.7 ng/g dry weight) in the tributary, heptachlor epoxide (3.0 ng/g dry weight) in the downstream, and nickel (128-170 microg/g dry weight) in all locations exceeded Probable Effect Levels (PELs) established for sediment quality in fresh water, indicating probable environmental stress and the potential for adverse effects to benthic organisms in the Dniester River.

DDT homologues and PCBs were determined in eggs of two stationary species, great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), in three breeding areas of Lake Maggiore in 1998. As expected, much higher contamination levels of both DDTs and PCBs were found in the fish-eating great crested grebe than in the mallard. In many eggs these values exceeded the safety thresholds proposed for aquatic bird protection. However, no significant correlation could be found between the two classes of pollutants and shell thickness in great crested grebe eggs. While a DDT manufacturer was detected as the main source of DDT pollution in the Lake Maggiore environment, the reason for the surprisingly high PCB level remains unknown.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT-related substances and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers were analysed in fish from Estonian coastal waters. The content of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in fish (perch (Perca fluviatilis) and flounder (Platichtys flesus)) from the coastal waters of Estonia is not a danger to human health. Even the maximum concentrations that we have determined are lower than the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The results do not exclude the need to monitor toxicants in fish also in the future, because the use of hazardous chemicals in the Baltic Sea region will probably continue.

The effects of in vitro exposure to different organochlorines were evaluated on immune functions of beluga whale peripheral blood leukocytes and splenocytes. The effects of different concentrations of four different congeners of PCBs (138, 153, 180, and 169) as well as two DDT metabolites (p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE) were evaluated on phagocytosis and cell proliferation. The effects of dioxins and mixtures of organochlorines were also evaluated on cell proliferation. The different compounds tested had no marked effect on phagocytosis. PCB 138 and p,p'-DDT, but not PCB 153, PCB 180, PCB 169, and p,p'-DDE, reduced significantly the proliferative response of beluga splenocytes cultured either with or without phytohemagglutinin A (PHA). Proliferation of beluga splenocytes was not markedly affected by exposure to 5 ppm of PCB 138, 153, 180, and 169 separately. Exposure to a mixture of congeners 138, 153, and 180 (5 ppm each) significantly reduced splenocytes proliferation, but not the mixture of congeners 138, 153, 180, and 169 (5 ppm each). TCDD did not affect cell proliferation in our study. The reduced proliferation of beluga cells exposed in vitro to mixtures of organochlorines at concentrations in the range of those observed in tissues of St. Lawrence belugas might provide a basis to support the hypothesis that contaminants induce immunosuppression in these animals.

The Teton Dam in Southeastern Idaho collapsed on June 5, 1976. The resulting flood damaged a large area and caused the release of toxicants into the Snake River. A pesticide recovery team in a helicopter worked the flooded area for three weeks and collected 1,104 containers, about 35% of which contained toxicants. It was estimated that less than 60% of the lost pesticide containers were recovered. This paper addresses the results of a one-time sampling effort designed to determine the magnitude of the chemical contamination. Over 300 samples of fish, plankton, waterfowl, sediments, water, stream drift, aquatic plants, and soil were taken. Pesticide residues were measured as microgram/kg (ppb) wet weight, whole animal basis. Rainbow trout had as much as 1432 micrograms/kg total DDT plus analogs, 66 micrograms/kg dieldrin, and 1010 micrograms/kg PCBs. Utah suckers had up to 1420 micrograms/kg total DDT plus analogs, 32 micrograms/kg dieldrin, and 1800 micrograms/kg PCB. Rocky Mountain whitefish had as much as 2650 micrograms/kg total DDT and analogs, 30 micrograms/kg dieldrin and 1400 micrograms/kg PCBs. These PCB and DDT levels were high, approaching the 2,000 micrograms/kg FDA proposed tolerance, but were below the 5,000 micrograms/kg present tolerance. Dieldrin levels were low and organophosphates were undetectable. An undeveloped area (the Fort Hall Bottoms) showed higher levels of contaminants than did an industrialized area (the lower Portneuf River). This apparent discrepancy remains unexplained. Very little pre-flood data on a whole fish basis were available for comparison (Johnson et al 1977). However, it does not appear that any human health hazard due to pesticide levels exists in this portion of the Snake River.

Pennsylvania streams, community water supplies, and open water reservoirs were analyzed for PCB mixtures, DDT, and DDT metabolites. Streams were sampled in 1974 and again in 1975. Only 4 of 19 stream locations were contaminated. Maximum concentrations in community supplies of Aroclor 1242 (2 locations), Aroclor 1254 (3 locations), and sigmaDDT (2 locations) were 350, 260, and 620 ng/kg, respectively. Of the 110 community water supplies sampled in 1975 and 1976, only 7 contained residues. Maximum concentrations in community supplies of Aroclor 1242 (4 locations) and sigmaDDT (2 locations) were 460 ng/kg and 75 ng/kg, respectively. The seventh contained 0.7 ng/kg of dieldrin. None of the three open water reservoirs contained detectable residues of the compounds of interest. Essentially no correlation was found between PCB and DDT analogs in streams and those in fish from streams which had been samples at similar locations in a related study in 1976.

Water and sediment samples collected during 1977-78 from the Indian River lagoon between Vero Beach, Indian River County, and Fort Pierce, Saint Lucie County, Florida were analyzed for PCBs and DDT. Sample locations were chosen on the basis of proximity to major tributaries, sewage outfalls, or municipal area. Concentrations in water samples were below 0.01 ppb sigma DDT and 0.5 ppb PCBs. Small amounts of PCBs and DDT were found in most sediment samples, ranging from less than 1.0 ppb to 0.63 ppm Aroclor 1254 and from less than 0.1 ppb to 0.081 ppm sigma DDT. Samples from the Taylor Creek tributary and from the Fort Pierce power plant and municipal docking area contained higher PCB concentrations then did samples from other locations. DDT and PCB levels in most samples indicate little contamination by these compounds of the Indian River Waterway between Vero Beach and Fort Pierce.