Health impact assessment of pet cats caused by organohalogen contaminants by serum metabolomics and thyroid hormone analysis.

Companion animals are in close contact with the human surroundings, and there is growing concern about the effects of harmful substances on the health of pet cats. In this study, we investigated the potential health effects of organohalogen compounds (OHCs) on thyroid hormone (TH) homeostasis and metabolomics in Japanese pet cats. There was a significant negative correlation between concentrations of several contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs), hydroxylated PBDEs (OH-PBDEs), and THs in cat serum samples. These results suggested that exposure to OHCs causes a decrease in serum TH levels in pet cats. In this metabolomics study, each exposure level of parent compounds (PCBs and PBDEs) and their hydroxylated compounds (OH-PCBs and OH-PBDEs) were associated with their own unique primary metabolic pathways, suggesting that parent and phenolic compounds exhibit different mechanisms of action and biological effects. PCBs were associated with many metabolic pathways, including glutathione and purine metabolism, and the effects were replicated in in-vivo cat PCB administration studies. These results demonstrated that OHC exposure causes chronic oxidative stress in pet cats. PBDEs were positively associated with alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. Due to the chronic exposure of cats to mixtures of these contaminants, the combination of their respective metabolic pathways may have a synergistic effect.

Racial/ethnic and geographic differences in polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels across maternal, placental, and fetal tissues during mid-gestation.

Prenatal polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposures are a public health concern due to their persistence and potential for reproductive and developmental harm. However, we have little information about the extent of fetal exposures during critical developmental periods and the variation in exposures for groups that may be more highly exposed, such as communities of color and lower socioeconomic status (SES). To characterize maternal-fetal PBDE exposures among potentially vulnerable groups, PBDE levels were examined in the largest sample of matched maternal serum, placenta, and fetal liver tissues during mid-gestation among a geographically, racially/ethnically, and socially diverse population of pregnant women from Northern California and the Central Valley (n = 180; 2014-16). Maternal-fetal PBDE levels were compared to population characteristics using censored Kendall's tau correlation and linear regression. PBDEs were commonly detected in all biomatrices. Before lipid adjustment, wet-weight levels of all four PBDE congeners were highest in the fetal liver (p < 0.001), whereas median PBDE levels were significantly higher in maternal serum than in the fetal liver or placenta after lipid-adjustment (p < 0.001). We also found evidence of racial/ethnic disparities in PBDE exposures (Non-Hispanic Black > Latina/Hispanic > Non-Hispanic White > Asian/Pacific Islander/Other; p < 0.01), with higher levels of BDE-100 and BDE-153 among non-Hispanic Black women compared to the referent group (Latina/Hispanic women). In addition, participants living in Fresno/South Central Valley had 34% (95% CI: - 2.4 to 84%, p = 0.07) higher wet-weight levels of BDE-47 than residents living in the San Francisco Bay Area. PBDEs are widely detected and differentially distributed in maternal-fetal compartments. Non-Hispanic Black pregnant women and women from Southern Central Valley geographical populations may be more highly exposed to PBDEs. Further research is needed to identify sources that may be contributing to differential exposures and associated health risks among these vulnerable populations.

Multicenter biomonitoring of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in colostrum from China: Body burden profile and risk assessment.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were listed in the Stockholm Convention due to their persistent and toxic nature. In utero exposure to PBDEs might affect fetal development as it is sensitive when exposed to even low dose of xenobiotic substances during the pregnancy. In this study, a multi-centre human biomonitoring study of tri-to hexa-BDEs was conducted in three Chinese cities using 60 colostrum samples from local residents. The patterns and influencing factors, correlation with the birth outcome, and potential health risks during the breastfeeding of tri-to hexa-BDEs in the colostrum samples were assessed. The median concentration of tri-to hexa-BDEs was 9.1 (Interquartile range: 3.1-19.5) ng g-1 lipid weight, and BDE-153 contributed 68% of the detected PBDEs. The PBDE levels were mostly associated with maternal age and drinking water sources, while correlations with other factors including weight gain, BMI, parity and the number of aborted pregnancies was not significant. The level of BDE-28 was positively correlated with the birth weight, while the BDE-99 was positively correlated with the head circumference, using multilinear regression. For the total hazard quotients, 60% of the infants have an estimated value higher than 1, showed potential chronic hazard for future development and possible adverse health effects to the babies from the exposure to PBDE congeners. Alternative food source seems to have a lower risk for neonates than the colostrum, but the advantages of breastfeeding undoubtedly outweigh the risks and potential adverse health effects caused by environmental PBDEs and other xenobiotic chemical exposure.

Integrated exposure assessment of northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) nestlings to legacy and emerging organic pollutants using non-destructive samples.

In the present study, concentrations of legacy and emerging contaminants were determined in three non-destructive matrices (plasma, preen oil and body feathers) of northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) nestlings. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), together with emerging pollutants, including per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs), novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), phosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) and Dechlorane Plus isomers (DPs) were targeted. Plasma, preen oil and feather samples were collected from 61 goshawk nestlings in Norway (Trøndelag and Troms) in 2015 and 2016, and pollutant concentrations were compared between the three matrices. In plasma, PFASs were detected in the highest concentrations, ranging between 1.37 and 36.0 ng/mL, which suggests that the nestlings were recently and continuously exposed to these emerging contaminants, likely through dietary input. In preen oil, OCPs (169-3560 ng/g) showed the highest concentrations among the investigated compounds, consistent with their high lipophilicity. PFRs (2.60-314 ng/g) were the dominant compounds in feathers and are thought to originate mainly from external deposition, as they were not detected in the other two matrices. NBFRs and DPs were generally not detected in the nestlings, suggesting low presence of these emerging contaminants in their environment and/or low absorption. Strong and significant correlations between matrices were found for all POPs (rs = 0.46-0.95, p < 0.001), except for hexachlorobenzene (HCB, rs = 0.20, p = 0.13). Correlations for PFASs were less conclusive: linear perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnA), perfluorododecanoate (PFDoA) and perfluorotetradecanoate (PFTeA) showed strong and significant correlations between plasma and feathers (rs = 0.42-0.72, p < 0.02), however no correlation was found for perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorononanoate (PFNA) and perfluorotridecanoate (PFTriA) (rs = 0.05-0.33, p = 0.09-0.85). A lack of consistency between the PFAS compounds (contrary to POPs), and between studies, prevents concluding on the suitability of the investigated matrices for PFAS biomonitoring.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and novel brominated flame retardants in human milk from the general population in Beijing, China: Occurrence, temporal trends, nursing infants' exposure and risk assessment.

The levels of eight polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners, and six novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) were determined in human milk collected from Beijing, China in 2014. The tested 111 samples were collected from 37 mothers, and each donor provided one milk sample per month for 3 months after childbirth. Levels of ∑PBDEs (total tri- to deca-BDEs) were in the range of 0.288 to 22.2 ng g-1 lw (lipid weight). BDE-209, with a median level of 2.2 ng g-1 lw, was the predominant congener. Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), as an NBFR and a substitute for deca-BDE, was found to be the most abundant BFR in all tested human milk (median:5.96 ng g-1 lw). This result might suggest that the predominantly consumed BFRs in China have changed from PBDEs to PBDE substitutes. Additionally, a comparison to our previous studies conducted in 2005 and 2011 revealed that levels of tri- to hepta-BDEs showed significant reduction from 2005 to 2014, whereas levels of BDE-209 showed no significant variation from 2011 to 2014. Temporal trends of BFR levels over the three months of lactation were also investigated, and no significant changes were found in concentration with time over the three months lactation. For nursing infants up to 6 months old, the median lower bound of daily BFR intakes via human milk ingestion ranged from zero for 2,3-dibromopropyl-2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether (DPTE) and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)-ethane (BTBPE) to 18.7 ng kg-1 bodyweight day-1 for DBDPE. Although the daily dietary BFR intake for nursing infants was found to be much higher than that for adults, the risk assessment evaluated by the margin of exposure (MOE) approach revealed that dietary BFR intake for nursing infants was unlikely to pose significant health risks.

Biodegradation of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) using a novel microbial consortium GY1: Cells viability, pathway, toxicity assessment, and microbial function prediction.

GY1, a novel microbial consortium with efficient ability to degrade decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) has been isolated and the sequencing analysis has been conducted. The results revealed that Hyphomicrobium, Pseudomonas, Aminobacter, Sphingopyxis, Chryseobacterium, Bacillus, Pseudaminobacter, Stenotrophomonas, Sphingobacterium and Microbacterium were the dominant genera, and the function genes involved in BDE-209 conversion were predicted by PICRUSt. When BDE-209 concentration increased from 0.5 to 10mg/L, its degradation efficiency declined from 57.2% to 22.3%. Various kinds of debrominated metabolites were detected during the biodegradation process, including BDE-208, BDE-207, BDE-206, BDE-205, BDE-190, BDE-181, BDE-155, BDE-154, BDE-99, BDE-47, BDE-17 and BDE-7. Also, the proportion of necrotic cells was observed during GY1 mediated degradation of BDE-209 to reveal the changes of cells viability under BDE-209 stress. Subsequent analysis showed that the reaction of BDE-209 with GY1 was a detoxification process and bioaugmentation with GY1 effectively enhanced BDE-209 degradation in actual water and water-sediment system.

First assessment of persistent organic pollutant contamination in blubber of Chilean blue whales from Isla de Chiloé, southern Chile.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were assessed for the first time in blue whales from the South Pacific Ocean. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its main metabolites (DDTs), were determined in 40 blubber samples from 36 free-ranging individuals and one stranded, dead animal along the coast of southern Chile between 2011 and 2013. PCBs were the most abundant pollutants (2.97-975 ng/g l.w.), followed by DDTs (3.50-537 ng/g l.w.), HCB (nd-77.5 ng/g l.w.) and PBDEs (nd-33.4 ng/g l.w). There was evidence of differences between sexes, with lower loads in females potentially due to pollutants passing to calves. POP concentrations were higher in specimens sampled in 2013; yet, between-year differences were only statistically significant for HCB and PBDEs. Lower chlorinated (penta > tetra > tri) and brominated (tetra > tri) congeners were the most prevalent among PCBs and PBDEs, respectively, mostly in agreement with findings previously reported in blue and other baleen whales. The present study provides evidence of lower levels of contamination by POPs in eastern South Pacific blue whales in comparison to those reported for the Northern Hemisphere.

A Human Mixture Risk Assessment for Neurodevelopmental Toxicity Associated with Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Used as Flame Retardants.

BACKGROUND: The European Food Safety Authority recently concluded that the exposure of small children (1-3 y old) to brominated diphenyl ether (BDE)-99 may exceed acceptable levels defined in relation to neurodevelopmental toxicity in rodents. The flame retardant BDE-209 may release BDE-99 and other lower brominated BDEs through biotic and abiotic degradation, and all age groups are exposed not only to BDE-209 and -99 but also to a cocktail of BDE congeners with evidence of neurodevelopmental toxicity. The possible risks from combined exposures to these substances have not been evaluated. OBJECTIVES: We performed a congener-specific mixture risk assessment (MRA) of human exposure to combinations of BDE-209 and other BDEs based on estimated exposures via diet and dust intake and on measured levels in biologic samples. METHODS: We employed the Hazard Index (HI) method by using BDE congener-specific reference doses for neurodevelopmental toxicity. RESULTS: Our HI analysis suggests that combined exposures to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) may exceed acceptable levels in breastfeeding infants (0-3 mo old) and in small children (1-3 y old), even for moderate (vs. high) exposure scenarios. Our estimates also suggest that acceptable levels of combined PBDEs may be exceeded in adults whose diets are high in fish. Small children had the highest combined exposures, with some estimated body burdens that were similar to body burdens associated with developmental neurotoxicity in rodents. CONCLUSIONS: Our estimates corroborate reports from several recent epidemiological studies of associations between PBDE exposures and neurobehavioral outcomes, and they support the inclusion of BDE-209 in the persistent organic pollutant (POP) convention as well as the need for strategies to reduce exposures to PBDE mixtures, including maximum residue limits for PBDEs in food and measures for limiting the release of PBDEs from consumer waste. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP826.

Dietary exposure assessment of Chinese population to tetrabromobisphenol-A, hexabromocyclododecane and decabrominated diphenyl ether: Results of the 5th Chinese Total Diet Study.

Based on the 5th Chinese Total Diet Study (TDS) carried out in 2011, the dietary exposure of Chinese population to three currently used brominated flame retardants (BFRs), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and decabrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-209), was estimated and the related health risks were assessed. Levels of the three BFRs were determined in 80 composite samples from four animal-origin food groups. The average levels of BFRs in various food groups ranged from 0.671 to 5.76 ng/g lipid weight (lw). The levels of TBBPA were lower than those of HBCD but higher than those of BDE-209. Moreover, average contamination levels of TBBPA and HBCD in TDS 2011 were found to be 3 to 30 times higher than those observed in TDS 2007 in the four food groups, indicating an increase in TBBPA and HBCD in the environment during 2007-2011. The average estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of TBBPA, HBCD and BDE-209 via food consumption for a "standard Chinese man" were 1.34, 1.51 and 0.96 ng/kg bw/day, respectively. Meat and meat products were found to be the major contributor to the daily dietary intake because the consumption of meat and meat products were significantly higher than that of other food groups in China. In comparison, the levels and EDIs of BFRs in this study were found to be higher than those in most studies worldwide. However, the large margin of exposure (MOE), with at least 1.1 × 105 calculated following the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) approach, indicates that the estimated dietary exposure to these three BFRs is unlikely to raise significant health concerns. In addition, a comparison between the contamination levels of TBBPA, HBCD, BDE-209 and some novel BFRs in food samples from TDS 2011 indicated an obvious shift in the industrial production and usage pattern between PBDE and non-PBDE BFRs in China.

Preliminary assessment on the bioaccessibility of contaminants of emerging concern in raw and cooked seafood.

A preliminary assessment of the bioaccessibility of contaminants of emerging concern (CeCs), including perfluorinated compounds (PFCs; i.e. PFOS and PFUnA), brominated flame retardants (BFRs; i.e. BDE47, BDE100, α-HBCD) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs; i.e. venlafaxine, methylparaben and UV-filter OC) was performed in seafood species available in the European markets. Additionally, the effect of steaming on CeCs bioaccessibility was also investigated for the first time. Overall, steaming affected differentially contaminants' concentrations, for instance, decreasing PFOS levels in flounder, but increasing both BDE47 and BDE100. CeCs bioaccessibility varied according to seafood species and contaminant group, i.e. in general, lower bioaccessibility values were obtained for PBDEs (<70%, except for mackerel), while PFCs and PPCPs revealed higher bioaccessibility percentages (between 71 and 95%). The lowest bioaccessibility value was obtained for α-HBCD (mussel; 14%), whereas the highest percentage was observed in venlafaxine (mullet; 95%). Our preliminary study reports also, for the first time, the effects of steaming on CeCs bioaccessibility. In most cases, bioaccessibility was not affected by cooking, however, a decrease was observed in PBDEs and venlafaxine bioaccessibility in steamed mussels and mullet, respectively, thus lowering the potential health risks associated with seafood consumption.

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Human Milk and Serum from the U.S. EPA MAMA Study: Modeled Predictions of Infant Exposure and Considerations for Risk Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Serum concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in U.S. women are believed to be among the world's highest; however, little information exists on the partitioning of PBDEs between serum and breast milk and how this may affect infant exposure. OBJECTIVES: Paired milk and serum samples were measured for PBDE concentrations in 34 women who participated in the U.S. EPA MAMA Study. Computational models for predicting milk PBDE concentrations from serum were evaluated. METHODS: Samples were analyzed using gas chromatography isotope-dilution high-resolution mass spectrometry. Observed milk PBDE concentrations were compared with model predictions, and models were applied to NHANES serum data to predict milk PBDE concentrations and infant intakes for the U.S. population. RESULTS: Serum and milk samples had detectable concentrations of most PBDEs. BDE-47 was found in the highest concentrations (median serum: 18.6; milk: 31.5 ng/g lipid) and BDE-28 had the highest milk:serum partitioning ratio (2.1 ± 0.2). No evidence of depuration was found. Models demonstrated high reliability and, as of 2007-2008, predicted U.S. milk concentrations of BDE-47, BDE-99, and BDE-100 appear to be declining but BDE-153 may be rising. Predicted infant intakes (ng/kg/day) were below threshold reference doses (RfDs) for BDE-99 and BDE-153 but above the suggested RfD for BDE-47. CONCLUSIONS: Concentrations and partitioning ratios of PBDEs in milk and serum from women in the U.S. EPA MAMA Study are presented for the first time; modeled predictions of milk PBDE concentrations using serum concentrations appear to be a valid method for estimating PBDE exposure in U.S. infants.

The first exposure assessment of legacy and unrestricted brominated flame retardants in predatory birds of Pakistan.

The exposure to legacy polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) and unrestricted 1,2-bis (2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), bis (2-ethylhexyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrabromophthalate (BEH-TEBP) and 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromo-benzoate (EH-TBB) was examined in tail feathers of 76 birds belonging to ten predatory species inhabiting Pakistan. In addition, different feather types of six individuals of Black kite (Milvus migrans) were compared for their brominated flame retardant (BFR) levels. Black kite was found to be the most contaminated species with a median (minimum-maximum) tail feather concentration of 2.4 (0.70-7.5) ng g-1 dw for ∑PBDEs, 1.5 (0.5-8.1) ng g-1 dw for ∑HBCDDs and 0.10 ( 0.05 for both). Similarly, no significant concentration differences were observed among different feather types (all P > 0.05) suggesting their similar exposure. While variables such as species, trophic guild and δ15N values were evaluated as major predictors for BFR accumulation in the studied species, we predict that combined effects of just mentioned factors may govern the intra- and interspecific differences in BFR contamination profiles. We urge for further investigation of BFR exposure and potential toxicological effects in predatory birds from Asia with a more extensive sample size per species and location.

Regional assessment of persistent organic pollutants in resident mussels from New Jersey and New York estuaries following Hurricane Sandy.

Resident mussels are effective indicators of ecosystem health and have been utilized in national assessment and monitoring studies for over two decades. Mussels were chosen because contaminant concentrations in their tissues respond to changes in ambient environmental levels, accumulation occurs with little metabolic transformation and a substantial amount of historic data were available. Mussels were collected from 10 previously studied locations approximately a year after Hurricane Sandy. Regionally, concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) decreased significantly, while concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) remained unchanged, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) increased compared to historic concentrations. Although concentrations of PCBs, OCPs and PAHs were at or near record low concentrations, long-term trends did not change after Hurricane Sandy. To effectively measure storm-induced impacts it is necessary to understand the factors influencing changes in mussel body burdens and have a long-term monitoring network and an ability to mobilize post event.

An assessment of PCB and PBDE contamination in two tropical dolphin species from the Southeastern Brazilian coast.

PCBs and PBDEs were determined in two dolphin species, Sotalia guianensis and Steno bredanensis, from an upwelling system off the Central-northern coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. PCB levels varied from 0.040 to 0.75 µg g(-1) lw in muscles and from 0.022 to 1.32 µg g(-1)lw in liver samples from S. guianensis. In S. bredanensis, values varied from 0.085 to 11.3 µg g(-1) lw in muscles and from 0.024 to 18.6 µg g(-1) lw in livers. PCB-138, -153 and -180 were the major PCB congeners detected in both species, while BDE-47 was the predominant PBDE congener found in both species. Higher concentrations in S. bredanensis were possibly related to the different feeding habits for both delphinid species. These results contribute to extend the database on organic contamination in cetaceans from the southern hemisphere, understanding their distribution and environmental fate in Southeastern Brazil.

Organobromine compound profiling in human adipose: Assessment of sources of bromophenol.

Bromophenols (BRPs) have been widely detected in human tissues, however, relative proportions from natural products and/or anthropogenic flame retardants are not clear. 21 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 15 MeO/OH-PBDEs, and 10 BRPs were simultaneously quantified in adipose collected from people from New York City, USA. An in vitro assay utilizing human liver microsomes was performed for detected predominant organobromine. High concentrations of 2,4,6-triBRP and PBDEs were observed, and extremely low concentrations of naturally occurring MeO/OH-PBDEs were detected. Similar biotransformatioin rates of BRPs and MeO/OH-PBDEs indicated that the relative high concentration of 2,4,6-triBRP in humans was not of natural origin. Significant correlation observed between concentrations of 2,4,6-triBRP and BDE-209 suggested that the two chemicals may share a common source. Both 2,4,6-triBRP and BDE-209 were detected in commercial ABS resins, suggesting that plastic products made from ABS resins could be potential sources of co-exposure of the two compounds for humans.

Levels of PBDEs in plasma of juvenile starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) from British Columbia, Canada and assessment of PBDE metabolism by avian liver microsomes.

In this study, the levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), HO-PBDEs, and bromophenols were monitored in starling chick plasma samples collected in Delta (British Columbia, Canada) close to the Vancouver municipal landfill and in Glen Valley, a rural area in British Columbia. The in vitro formation of hydroxylated metabolites of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) and 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99) was also investigated using starling chick liver microsomes. Total PBDE plasma levels were approximately 60 times higher in starling chicks from Delta than from Glen Valley, suggesting that the Delta site is a major source of PBDEs for the local population of starlings and that PBDEs previously measured in starling eggs are bioavailable to chicks. In both locations, BDE-47 and BDE-99 were the two major congeners present at similar concentrations, suggesting contamination with the Penta-BDE mixture. Among the several possible hydroxylated metabolites of PBDEs monitored in starling plasma, only 2,4,5-tribromophenol was detected and its levels did not exceed 18±7 pg/mL. Also, several hydroxylated metabolites of BDE-47 and BDE-99 were formed by starling chick liver microsomes, but in low amounts. Therefore, our data consistently suggest that oxidative metabolism of PBDEs in starling chicks proceeds at low rate in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, the landfill located in Delta is a relevant source of bioavailable PBDEs for the local starling population. Because of the limited ability of starling chicks to metabolize PBDEs, these compounds are likely to bioaccumulate in starlings over time. The possible toxicological implications of PBDEs bioaccumulation in starlings are currently unknown and require further research.

Dietary exposure and screening-level risk assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dechloran plus (DP) in wheat, rice, soil and air along two tributaries of the River Chenab, Pakistan.

No scientific report is available for screening level-risk assessment of newly emerging contaminants, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dechloran plus (DP) in food crops and environmental compartments of Pakistan. Dietary exposure of PBDEs and DP via food crops; screening levels, spatial distribution pattern of PBDEs and DP in air, soil, wheat and rice were assessed along the stretch of upstream feeding tributaries (Nullah Aik and Nullah Palkhu), River Chenab, Pakistan. ∑PBDE levels in air, soil, wheat and rice ranged between 0.59 and 7.80pgm(-3), 6.88 and 37.7ngg(-1), 0.30ngg(-1) and 1.43ngg(-1) and 0.07 and 46.0ngg(-1), respectively. ∑DP concentrations calculated in air, soil, wheat and rice ranged between 0.80 and 0.10pgm(-3), 0.17 and 2.61ngg(-1), 0.90 and 0.49ngg(-1) and 0.00 and 12.5ngg(-1), respectively. The trend of PBDEs and DP distribution pattern was found as follows; industrial/urban areas>industrial/peri-urban areas>agricultural/rural areas. Estimated daily intake (EDI) for wheat and rice was ranged between 0.002 and 0.035pgkg(-1)d(-1) and 0.033 and 0.680pgkg(-1)d(-1). Human health risks for adults on the basis of EDI were lower than the recommended MRL (minimal risk level) and lowest observed adverse effect of level (LOAEL).

Polybrominated biphenyl ethers in breast milk and infant formula from Shanghai, China: temporal trends, daily intake, and risk assessment.

To investigate the temporal trend of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in breast milk and assess the risks to breast- and formula-fed infants, breast milk and infant formula samples were collected from Shanghai, China. The PBDE concentrations decreased from 14.8 to 4.85 pmol/g lipid weight during 2006-2012, with a rate of decrease by half approximately every four years. Although there were no significant correlations between the total PBDEs in breast milk and age, parity, and pre-pregnant BMI of mothers, there were significant differences between primiparous and multiparous mothers for tri- to hepta-BDEs. PBDEs in breast milk were much higher than those in infant formula (equivalent to 91.9 vs. 5.25 pg/mL). Among the different brand infant formulas, there were no significant differences in their PBDE concentrations. The estimated daily intake of PBDEs by breast- and formula-fed infants suggested that breast-fed infants are exposed to much more PBDEs than formula-fed ones (12.9 vs. 0.72 ng/kg-bw/day). However, the hazard quotient values were much smaller than one, indicating that the ingested PBDEs did not exert obvious adverse effects on both breast- and formula-fed infants considering non-carcinogenic effect endpoint. This is the first report on temporal trend of PBDEs in breast milk from China.

An assessment of contaminant concentrations in toothed whale species of the NW Iberian Peninsula: part I. Persistent organic pollutants.

Concentrations and patterns of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the blubber of the five most common toothed whales off the Northwest Iberian Peninsula (NWIP), specifically common dolphin, long-finned pilot whale, harbour porpoise, striped dolphin and bottlenose dolphin, were investigated. The study revealed that differences in PCB and PBDE concentrations among the species are highly dependent on age and sex but also on ecological factors such as trophic level, prey type and habitat. Of the five species studied, bottlenose dolphin and harbour porpoise showed the greatest concentrations of PCBs. Both species exceed the toxic threshold of 17µgg(-1) lipid weight (PCB Aroclor equivalent) for health effects on marine mammals, for 100% and 75% of the individuals tested, respectively. Overall, the PCB and PBDE levels observed in the NWIP toothed whales were of the same order of magnitude or lower than those reported by previous studies in areas of the NE Atlantic. However, they are often higher than those for toothed whales from the southern Atlantic and Pacific Ocean.

Assessment of persistent brominated and chlorinated organic contaminants in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) in Flanders, Belgium: Levels, profiles and health risk.

Pooled yellow European eel (Anguilla anguilla (L.)) samples, consisting of 3-10 eels, collected between 2000 and 2009 from 60 locations in Flanders (Belgium) were investigated for persistent contaminants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs). The current study expands the knowledge regarding these contaminant concentrations, their patterns and distribution profiles in aquatic ecosystems. PBDEs, HBCDs, PCBs, and DDTs were detected in all eel samples and some samples had high concentrations (up to 1400, 9500, 41,600 and 7000ng/g lw, respectively). PCB levels accounted for the majority of the contamination in most samples. The high variability in PBDE, HBCD, PCB and DDT concentrations reported here is likely due to the variety in sampling locations demonstrating variable local pollution pressures, from highly industrialised areas to small rural creeks. Among PBDEs, BDE-47 (57% contribution to the sum PBDEs), -100 (19%) and -99 (15%) were the predominant congeners, similar to the composition reported in the literature in eel samples. For HBCDs, α-HBCD (74%) was predominant followed by γ-(22%) and ß-HBCD (4%) isomers in almost all eel samples. CB-153 (19%) was the most dominant PCB congener, closely followed by CB-138 (11%), CB-180 (9%), CB-187 (8%) and CB-149 (7%). The contribution to the total human exposure through local wild eel consumption was also highly variable. Intake of PBDEs and HBCDs, through consumption of wild eel, was below the RfD values for the average population (consuming on average 2.9g eel/day). At 16 out 60 sites, eels exceeded largely the new EU consumption threshold for PCBs (300ng/g ww for the sum of 6 indicator PCBs). The current data shows an on-going exposure of Flemish eels to PBDEs, HBCDs, PCBs and DDTs through indirect release from contaminated sediments or direct releases from various industries.