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PubMed2005

The relationship between persistent organic pollutants in maternal and neonatal tissues and immune responses to allergens: A novel exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Modern persistent organic pollutants (POPs) contamination are logical candidates in the investigation of the, as yet, unexplained association between allergic disease and progressive industrialisation. POPs have been detected in human cord blood, placental tissues and breast milk, and the reported association between cord blood IgE levels and cord/placental POP levels has raised concerns about potential immunological effects in early life. METHODS: The initial aim of this study was to determine if POPs were detectable in maternal blood, cord blood, placental tissues, adipose tissue and breast milk samples from randomly selected Western Australian women (n = 31), where allergic disease is epidemic. Gas chromatography was used to detect polychlorinated biphenyl compounds [PCBs] (as Aroclor 1232, 1254, 1260) and organochlorine (OC) pesticides, including p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), lindane, heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin and chlordane. Secondly, we assessed the relationship between POP levels detected in vivo and maternal and neonatal responses (cytokine and lymphoproliferation) to allergens and mitogens. RESULTS: Low level POP contamination was detected in adipose tissue and breast milk (but not in cord blood, maternal blood or placental tissues). The most ubiquitous compound found in over 90% of adipose tissues samples was a OC metabolite of DDT, p,p'-DDE (median 0.07 mg/kg; interquartile range [IQR] 0.05-0.12). However, the majority of other OC compounds were not detectable and PCB were not detectable in any samples. The three main residues detected in breast milk were p,p'-DDE (0.003 mg/l; 0.001-0.009), dieldrin (0.001 mg/l; 0.001-0.046) and HCB (0.001 mg/l; 0.001-0.001). These levels are significantly lower than reported over 20 years ago. There were no consistent relationships between POP levels in vivo and maternal or infant responses, with the exception of a significant inverse association (Spearman rank correlation: r = -0.406, p = 0.049) between maternal adipose tissue levels of OC p,p'-DDE and maternal T helper cell Type 1 interferon [IFN] gamma to mitogens. CONCLUSION: This study provides the first evidence (in Australia) since the early 1990's that adipose OC levels have continued to fall. The negligible levels in this randomly selected group are significantly lower than those previously recorded, suggesting that POP contamination (at biologically relevant levels) is not likely to be a major contributing factor in the increasing rates of allergy in Western Australia. However, the relationship between Th1 immune function and OC contamination is consistent with other reports and is worth investigating as a relevant factor in populations where OC contamination is greater.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2006

Vertical distributions of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) caused from organochlorine pesticides in a sediment core taken from Ariake bay, Japan.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) of organochlorine pesticides such as dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDTs) and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), heptachlor, chlordane compounds (CHLs), aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, mirex and isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs), were analyzed in sediment cores collected from Ariake Bay, Japan. Although Chikugo River has the largest flow in Ariake Bay, the total concentration of POPs in surface sediment was found in St.3, mouth of the Yabe River, where that level was two times higher than St.1, mouth of the Chikugo River. It could be assumed that the potential source of POPs contamination is relatively close to this study area. Relatively high residue levels of HCB, HCHs and DDTs in sediment core were found during the period from 1967 to 1970. In this layer, the HCB concentration investigated in sediment cores of Ariake Bay was maximum, 2.6 ng g(-1) dry weight and higher than that of Tokyo Bay and subsequently detected in deeper sediment cores. The ratio of (DDD+DDE)/SigmaDDTs was high in top sediments (0-2 cm). Although there was a concentration of DDTs in the top sediment, it was noticed that DDT emission did not cause direct input of DDT recently. The HCHs determined in upper sediment cores might be originated from long-range accumulation in environment after dispersing of technical-grade HCH. Moreover, the CHLs, dieldrin and heptachlor concentrations were detected and recently increased in sediment core. POPs in sediment cores of Ariake Bay based on the possibility of PCP contamination during the early 1960s were reflected.

DDT↗
PubMed2006

Determination of endocrine disruptors in Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) samples from the Lochinvar National Park of Zambia.

Analysis of serum, whole blood and liver tissue samples from Kafue lechwe in the Lochinvar National Park of Zambia for suspected endocrine disrupting compounds revealed high concentrations for some of the compounds. 45 samples of serum, whole blood and liver tissue were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction followed by an analysis using Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detection (GC-ECD). The following endocrine disruptors were analyzed: deltamethrin, aldrin, endosulfan, dieldrin, pp-DDD, heptachlor, d-t-allethrin, pp-DDE, endrin and pp-DDT. For all the samples, dieldrin showed the highest concentration ranging from 1.7 to 44.4 microg/ml in serum and whole blood sample extracts and 0.10-5.1 microg/g wet weight in liver sample extracts. The most frequently detected was deltamethrin in 62% of the samples. Percent recoveries in spiked laboratory blanks ranged between 60% and 100% while calculated detection limits ranged from 0.004 to 0.21 microg/ml for all the endocrine disruptors evaluated. Where endocrine disruptors were detected, the concentrations of most of them far exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) and the extraneous maximum residue limits (EMRLs) set by the Codex Alimentarius of the United Nations (UN), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in California sea lions.

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDTs, chlordanes, HCHs, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, tris(4-chlorophenyl)methane (TCPMe), and tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol (TCPMOH) were measured in the blubber of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) collected in 2000. DDTs were the most predominant contaminants, followed by PCBs, chlordanes, TCPMe, HCHs, TCPMOH, dieldrin, and heptachlor epoxide. Concentrations of PCBs and DDTs varied from a few microg/g to several hundreds of microg/g on a lipid weight basis. Concentrations of DDTs have declined by an order of magnitude over the last three decades in California sea lions; nevertheless, the measured concentrations of PCBs and DDTs in California sea lions are still some of the highest values reported for marine mammals in recent years. Concentrations of organochlorines were highly correlated with one another. Concentrations of PCBs and DDTs in the blubber of gray whale, humpback whale, northern elephant seal, and harbor seal, and in the adipose fat of sea otter, were lower than the levels found in California sea lions, and were in the range of a few to several microg/g on a lipid weight basis.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2004

Exposure of women to organochlorine pesticides in Southern Spain.

Organochlorine pesticides are lipophilic compounds that persist in the environment. Because of their lipid solubility and resistance to metabolism, some of these chemicals accumulate in human tissues. The largest area of intensive greenhouse agriculture in Europe is near the Mediterranean coast of Southern Spain, where this type of farming has greatly expanded since the 1960s. We determined and compared the levels of 15 organochlorine pesticides in the adipose tissue and blood of 200 women living in Southern Spain. Aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, lindane, methoxychlor, endosulfans, and DDT and its metabolites were identified. Detectable concentrations of p,p'-DDE were found in 100% of adipose tissue and serum samples. Among the remaining DDTs, p,p'-DDT was the most common, being detected in 39% of adipose tissue and 76.5% of serum samples, followed by endosulfans I and II, which also were found in both adipose tissue and serum samples but at lower concentrations. Endosulfans were followed in frequency by lindane, aldrin, and dieldrin. Endrin and methoxychlor were present at a much lower frequency compared to those of the other organochlorines. Serum concentrations of p,p'-DDE o,p'-DDD, and endosulfan -I, -sulfate, -lactone, and -diol were significantly correlated with their adipose tissue concentrations. No significant relationships were found between the serum and adipose tissue concentrations of the remaining nine compounds determined, raising doubts about the equivalent use of fat/serum samples for the exposure assessment of some pesticides in epidemiological studies. The results suggested that women of reproductive age in Southern Spain have been and are currently exposed to organochlorine pesticides. Because many of these chemicals can mobilize during pregnancy and lactation, further research is warranted to interpret the health consequences for the children of such exposure.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2005

Polychlorinated biphenyls and chlorinated pesticides in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina concolor) from the northwestern Atlantic coast.

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, chlordane-related compounds (CHLs), mirex, hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), dieldrin, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were determined in blubber of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina concolor) from the northwestern Atlantic coast. PCBs, DDTs, and CHLs were the major persistent organochlorines in harbor seal blubber, while mirex, HCHs, dieldrin, and HCB were minor contaminants. Highest concentrations were found in the adult males, followed by the pups, yearlings, adult females, and fetuses. DDT and PCB concentrations have declined from the high levels reported in the early 1970s, but no declines were observed in our samples over the ten-year period 1991-2001. DDT/PCB ratios were indicative of a more rapid decline of DDTs than PCBs, while ratios of p,p'-DDE/DDT were indicative of a metabolic "weathering" of DDT. The population appears to be susceptible to disease outbreaks, as evidenced by a recurrence of viral epizootics since the late 1970s. The PCB burdens in these seals are similar to levels reported in seals from polluted regions of Europe and Asia, and exceed the estimated threshold levels for adverse reproductive and immune system effects in the species.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2004

Human exposure to contaminants in the traditional Greenland diet.

The traditional diet is a significant source of contaminants to people in Greenland, although contaminant levels vary widely among species and tissue from very low in many to very high in a few. Our study has included cadmium, mercury, selenium, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), dichlorophenyltrichloroethane (DDT), chlordane, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH), chlorobenzenes, dieldrin and toxaphene in the major species and tissues consumed by Greenlanders. In general, the levels of these are very low in terrestrial species and in muscle of many marine species. High organochlorines concentrations are typically found in blubber of marine mammals and high metal levels in liver and kidney of seals and whales. In this study, the mean intakes of cadmium, chlordanes and toxaphene significantly exceed 'acceptable/tolerable intakes' (ADI/TDI) by a factor between 2.5 and 6. Mean intakes of mercury, PCB and dieldrin also exceed ADI/TDI by up to approximately 50%. However as these figures are mean intakes and as variation in both food intake and contaminant levels is large, the variation of contaminant intake among individuals is also large, and some individuals will be exposed to significantly higher intakes. The mean intakes of DDT, HCH and chlorobenzenes are well below the ADI/TDI values, and it seems unlikely that the TDI for these contaminants normally is exceeded in the Greenland population. The evaluation of contaminant intake in this study points to seal muscle, seal liver, seal kidney, seal blubber and whale blubber as the dominant contributors of contaminants in the traditional diet. Levels in liver from Greenland halibut, snow crab, king eider, kittiwake, beluga and narwhal and kidney of beluga and narwhal are also high but were, with the exception of toxaphene in Greenland halibut liver, not important sources in this study, because they were eaten in low quantities. A way to minimize contaminant intake would be to avoid or limit the consumption of diet items with high contaminant levels. If we assume a traditional diet composition in this study without fish liver, bird liver, seal liver, seal kidney, seal blubber, whale liver, whale kidney and whale blubber, the intake of all contaminants would be below the TDIs for these. This will result in a reduction of the intake of the amount of traditional food of only 24-25%, and it is not likely that this changed diet will result in deficiency of minerals, vitamins or other nutritional compounds.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Seasonal, interannual, and long-term variation in sport fish contamination, San Francisco Bay.

This study documents changes in contamination over time at seasonal, interannual, and decadal time scales for sport fish collected in San Francisco Bay. Samples from seven fish species were prepared according to common consumption practices (muscle fillets either with or without skin) and analyzed for trace metals (mercury and selenium) and trace organochlorine contaminants (PCBs, DDTs, chlordanes, and dieldrin). In 2000, sport fish samples exceeded human health screening values for mercury, PCBs, DDTs, selenium, and dieldrin but did not exceed screening values for chlordanes. On a seasonal time scale, white croaker (Genyonemus lineatus) exhibited significantly lower PCB and lipid concentrations in spring, and a general increase in concentrations in other seasons. When monitoring data were compared among 1994, 1997, and 2000, analysis of variance indicated that concentrations of mercury, PCBs, DDTs, and chlordanes varied significantly among years for several fish species. Interannual variation in DDTs often correlated to changes in sampled fish size or lipid content among years. Interannual variation in mercury and PCBs was evident in striped bass (Morone saxatilis) but absent in shiner surfperch (Cymatogaster aggregata), leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata), and white croaker. The higher interannual variability of striped bass contaminant concentrations may result from migratory behavior and wide home ranges. Chlordanes significantly declined between 1994 and 2000 in white croaker and striped bass. Of the historical data analyzed (1986-2000), only DDT concentrations in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) showed evidence of a significant decline. Neither PCBs nor selenium showed evidence of a trend in white sturgeon. Between 1970 and 2000, mercury concentrations in striped bass showed no evidence of a trend. The absence of recent trends in mercury may result from the presence of widespread and historic sources, with use reductions occurring in the early 20th century. In contrast to mercury, apparent recent declines in fish tissue DDT and chlordane concentrations may result from use curtailment in the 1970s and 1980s.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Effect of in vitro estrogenic pesticides on human oestrogen receptor alpha and beta mRNA levels.

Nine widely distributed pesticides were recently demonstrated to possess potential estrogenic properties in oestrogen receptor (ER) transactivation and/or E-screen assays. We tested the effect of these nine pesticides on the human ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA steady state levels in the mamma cancer fibroblast MCF-7BUS cells using on-line RT-PCR. Like 17beta-oestradiol (E2), fenarimol significantly decreased the ERalpha and increased the ERbeta mRNA level. Endosulfan and pirimicarb alone decreased the ERalpha mRNA level weakly. After co-exposure with E2, all the tested pesticides counteracted the E2-induced decrease of the ERalpha mRNA level, but only significantly for prochloraz, dieldrin, and tolchlofos-methyl. Alone no pesticides affected the ERbeta mRNA level significantly, but chlorpyrifos increased the mRNA level weakly. Co-exposure with E2 elicited a significant increased ERbeta mRNA level by prochloraz, fenarimol, endosulfan, dieldrin, and tolchlofos-methyl, whereas no significant effect of the carbamate pesticides on the ERbeta mRNA level was observed. This study demonstrated that organochlor and organophosphorous pesticides possess the ability to interfere with the ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA steady state levels.

Cell Line, Tumor↗
PubMed1997

Modulation of the hepatic expression of the estrogen-regulated mRNA stabilizing factor by estrogenic and antiestrogenic nonsteroidal xenobiotics.

Estrogen-mediated accumulation of apolipoprotein II (apoII) mRNA in the avian liver is due, in part, to its stabilization. This stabilization appears to be due to the estrogen-regulated mRNA stabilizing factor (E-RmRNASF) that is expressed in response to estrogen. The E-RmRNASF protects the mRNA from targeted endonucleolytic degradation (Ratnasabapathy, Cell Mol Biol Res 41: 583-594, 1995). To determine whether certain environmental xenobiotics altered the expression of the gene encoding E-RmRNASF by mimicking estrogen, roosters were given estrogen, tamoxifen, clomiphene, hexachlorophene, lindane, rotenone, chlordecone, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT); Araclor, methoxychlor, dieldrin, toxaphene, or bisphenol-A parenterally. Uniformly radiolabeled, capped, and polyadenylated apoII mRNA, incubated in vitro in the presence of liver cytosolic extracts from birds that received estrogen, tamoxifen, hexachlorophene, chlordecone, or Araclor, remained stable, indicating that these agents were estrogenic and stimulated the expression of E-RmRNASF. However, the same mRNA was degraded in similar extracts from control roosters and those treated with clomiphene, DDT, methoxychlor, dieldrin, rotenone, toxaphene, lindane, or bisphenol-A. To determine whether the latter agents were antiestrogenic, roosters were given a 1:5 molar combination of estrogen and each of the xenobiotics. ApoII mRNA showed degradation in liver extracts from roosters that received clomiphene, toxaphene, or bisphenol-A, indicating that these agents prevented estrogenic stimulation of expression of the E-RmRNASF and were antiestrogenic. However, the rest of the xenobiotics failed to antagonize estrogenic stimulation of E-RmRNASF gene expression. These results set a precedent in showing the estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects in vivo of environmental xenobiotics on the expression of a regulatory protein involved in estrogen-mediated mRNA stabilization.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Levels of organochlorine pesticide residues in some organs of the Ganges perch, Lates calcarifer, from the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Estuary, Bangladesh.

Levels of organochlorine pesticide residues (p,p' DDT, DDD, DDE, Aldrin, Dieldrin, Lindane, Heptachlor and BHC) were analysed in the dry and wet seasons in four organs (muscle, liver, gut and egg samples) of Ganges Perch, Lates calcarifer, collected during October-November-December, 1996 and May-June-July, 1997 from the Ganges-Brahmaputtra-Meghna estuary. The residues were analysed by using gas-chromatography (GC) in electron capture detector (ECD) mode and were verified by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Among the four organs analysed, the residues were found in the order egg > gut > muscle > liver. The pesticide residues were found in the order sigmaDDT > Heptachlor > Dieldrin > Aldrin. Higher levels of residues were found during the dry season due to high lipid content in fishes. A positive correlation was observed between the pesticide residues (sigmaDDT and sigmaOCs) and lipid contents of fish, and the correlation was found to be linear. The concentrations of pesticide residues in muscle, liver and gut were below the FAO/WHO (1993) recommended permissible limit except in eggs.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spatial differences in persistent organochlorine pollutant concentrations between the Bering and Chukchi Seas (1993).

During August-September 1993, a joint Russian-United States expedition to the Bering and Chukchi Seas took place. Surface water samples were collected from 21 sites and separated into dissolved (duplicates) and suspended solids; 19 sediment and 6 air samples were also collected. These samples were analysed for 19 organochlorine pesticides, 11 chlorobenzenes and 113 PCB congeners. The report provides data on selected compounds which occured in > or = 75% of the water samples. Highest water concentrations were observed for HCH in open waters north and south of the Bering Strait, both regions being similar (alpha-HCH; 2.2 ng/L and lindane: 0.35 ng/L). Air levels observed were also constant (alpha-HCH; 0.041 ng/m3, lindane: 0.0093 ng/m3). Suspended solids and air particulares contributed little to the concentrations in their respective media, an observation common to all analytes except for the PCBs and the DDT residues. The sum of PCB concentrations in water were higher in the Bering Sea area compared to the Chukchi Sea (1.0 vrs 0.67 ng/L) and lower for air (0.46 vrs 0.23 ng/m3). Sum of DDT in water was higher in the Bering Sea than in the Chukchi Sea (0.23 vrs 0.15 ng/L) while in sediments and air, the Bering Sea concentrations were lower (0.95 vrs 1.6 ng/g and 36 vrs 56 pg/m3, respectively). Other organochlorine compounds for which data are presented include: pp'-DDE, pp'-DDT, dieldrin, HCB, 3 chlorobenzenes and 3 PCB congeners. Fluxes of all these chemicals through the Berin Strait are estimated; they ranged from 57 t/a (alpha-HCH) through 26 t/a (for sum of PCBs) to 0.2 t/a (pp'-DDE, dieldrin and 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene). Fugacity ratios for the HCHs and PCBs indicate the alpha-HCH is degassing in both the Bering and Chukchi Seas and that the gamma-isomer is degassing in the Bering Sea and is close to equilibrium (weakly absorbing) in the Chuchi Sea; the sum of PCBs are strongly absorbing in both areas.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2002

Contaminant concentrations in sport fish from San Francisco Bay, 1997.

In 1997, seven sport fish species were sampled from seven popular fishing areas in San Francisco Bay. Mercury exceeded a human health screening value in 44 of 84 (52%) samples. All collected samples of leopard shark and striped bass exceeded the mercury screening value of 0.23 microg/g wet weight. PCBs exceeded the screening value in 51 of 72 (71%) samples. DDT, chlordane, and dieldrin, had lower numbers of samples above screening values: 16 of 72 (22%) for DDT, 11 of 72 (15%) for chlordanes, and 27 of 72 (37%) for dieldrin. Concentrations of PCBs and other trace organics were highest in white croaker and shiner surfperch, the two species with the highest fat content in their muscle tissue. Fish from one location, Oakland Harbor, had significantly elevated wet weight concentrations of mercury, PCBs, DDTs, and chlordanes compared to other locations. Removal of skin from white croaker fillets reduced lipid concentrations by 27-49% and concentrations of trace organics by 33-40%.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Contamination by organochlorine compounds in sturgeons from Caspian Sea during 2001 and 2002.

Organochlorine compounds (OCs) were determined in the five species of sturgeons collected from coastal waters of Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iran during 2001 and 2002 to understand their status of contamination and accumulation features. Among OCs examined, concentrations of DDTs (DDT and its metabolites) were predominant in all the sturgeon samples with concentrations ranging from 73 to 31,000 ng/g on lipid weight basis, followed by PCBs, CHLs, HCHs, HCB, dieldrin, TCPMOH, and heptachlor epoxide in order. The concentrations of OCs in beluga (Huso huso) were the highest among all the five species. When comparing residue levels among same species, OC residues were highest in sturgeons from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan and lowest in Turkmenistan. However, the concentrations of HCHs, dieldrin, and heptachlor epoxide in sturgeons showed less geographical variability.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Organochlorine contaminants in eggs: the influence of contaminated nest material.

Snake eggs were placed in a synthetic nest contaminated with known concentrations of six organochlorines (OCs) to evaluate whether OCs from contaminated nest material accumulate in eggs. It was hypothesized that contaminated nest material may have contributed to OC burdens in eggs observed previously. The six OCs tested included lindane, heptachlor, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, and DDT. Eggs were removed at 0, 4, and 6 weeks and analyzed using gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Lindane was found at the highest concentration (153 ng/g at 4 weeks and 162 ng/g at 6 weeks). The next highest uptake was for endrin (25 ng/g at 4 weeks and 106 ng/g at 6 weeks). Heptachlor, aldrin, and dieldrin were also taken up into the eggs, but DDT was not detected in any of the eggs at any sampling period. The concentration of OCs increased from week 4 to week 6 for all the OCs except DDT. Structure-activity relationships were examined to determine which physicochemical properties of the OCs tested could be used as predictors of uptake into the eggs. A variety of physicochemical properties were evaluated including vapor pressure and molecular connectivity (a numerical description of topology). Octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow) was a good predictor (r2 = 0.63, p = 0.06) of OC uptake into the eggs using this limited data set.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2003

Concentrations and hazard assessment of PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and mercury in fish species from the Upper Thames: river pollution and its potential effects on top predators.

Aquatic environmental contamination levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals in the Upper Thames catchment area, UK were assessed on the basis of fish muscle analysis in wet weight, and their effects on top predators were assessed. The contamination levels of lead, cadmium, dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites were found to be low (undetectable) in the area. Average mercury contamination level varied between 55 and 342 microg/kg, dieldrin between less than 0.09 and 36.8, lindane between < 0.08 and 4.94, and PCBs between < 0.77 and 3.32. Eels (Anguilla anguilla) had always much higher concentration of OCPs compared to the other fishes from the same monitoring sites. The environmental contamination level of PCBs may be partly associated with industrial and human activities, however, it was difficult to find such associations for mercury level. The hazard indices (HI) of both dieldrin and PCBs were below 1 for mink (Mustela vison). However, the HI of mercury of the all fish species from all monitoring sites are above 1 for mink. These contamination levels may be less harmful to polecats (Mustela putorius), but more so to otters (Lutra lutra) as their diets are dominated by aquatic prey.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

A preliminary investigation of persistent organic pollutants in ambient air in Hong Kong.

Air samples were collected for characterisation of PCDD/Fs and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as aldrin, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, delta-HCH, gamma-HCH, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDD, dieldrin, endrin, endosulfan I and II, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide and hexachlorobenzene during the winter of 2000/2001 at the weather station of the Hong Kong Observatory at Tai Mo Shan (TMS), which is the highest point (approximately 957 m) in Hong Kong, besides the routine monitoring of PCDD/Fs and 200 other toxic air pollutants (TAPs) at two urban TAPs stations at Tsuen Wan and Central & Western. Concentrations of the pollutants detected at TMS station were evaluated and compared to those recorded at the urban stations. Though pesticides including alpha-HCH, hexachlorobenzene, DDT, DDE, heptachlor, and endosulfan I were detected, these pesticides were found at relatively low concentrations of about 0.02-0.23 ng/m3 and should not have any significant health effects. Concentrations of some of the monitored POPs were found to be higher whilst most of the monitored TAPs were at comparable levels to those measured at the urban stations during the same period. According to the Stockholm Convention on POPs (May 2001), the 12 chemicals labelled by the United Nations as the most dangerous are: aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex, toxaphene, hexachlorobenzene, PCBs and dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDDs)/(PCDFs). Given that there has not been any large scale use of organo-chlorine pesticides recorded since the decline of local farming activities in recent years, the results of the present study again show that pesticides and POPs such as PCDDs/PCDFs are ubiquitous environmental contaminants present in the atmosphere of Hong Kong. The findings also indicate that organo-chlorine pesticides and PCDDs/PCDFs are among the most prevalent chlorinated semi-volatile pollutants present in Hong Kong. Results obtained in the present study suggest that selected pesticides may be used as tracers for transport of pollutants for regional air quality study.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Concentrations and biomagnification of 17 chlordane compounds and other organochlorines in harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and herring from the southern Baltic Sea.

Four species of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and one herring (Clupea harengus) sample from the southern Baltic Sea were analysed in an attempt to study the concentration and biomagnification of 17 chlordane related compounds (CHLs) including 12 components present in technical chlordane, the toxic metabolites oxychlordane and cis-hepatchlorepoxide and the photoconversion products photoheptachlor and two photo-cis-chlordanes. The concentration and biomagnification ability of CHLs were also compared to other organochlorines such as HCHs (hexachlorocyclohexanes), hexachlorobenzene, DDTs, dieldrin, mirex and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). Of the CHLs analysed, 16 were detected in porpoise and 15 in herring including the photoconversion products. In both species the highest concentrations were found for PCBs and DDTs. The concentration of PCBs and CHLs in porpoise varied from 5700-16,000 and 470-1250 ng/g lipid, and in herring from 1300 and 49 ng/g lipid, respectively. The biomagnification factor (BMF: concentration in organism/concentration in food; all lipid normalized) in porpoise was found to be high for CHLs followed by dieldrin and lowest for HCHs. Among the CHLs, a big variation of BMF (BMF range approximately 1-50) was found e.g., the nonachlorinated compounds biomagnified to the highest degree followed by cis-heptachlorepoxide, photoheptachlor and oxychlordane.

Animals↗