Accumulation features and temporal trends (2002-2015) for legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in finless porpoises bycaught off Korean coasts.

Legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were measured in livers of finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis; n = 167) collected in Korean waters from 2002 to 2015 to investigate their occurrence, bioaccumulation feature, temporal trends, and ecotoxicological implications. Perfulorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA), and perfluorotridecanoate (PFTrDA) were the predominant PFASs found in the porpoises. The concentration of 6:2 chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonate (F-53B), an alternative to PFOS, was comparable to that of PFTrDA. Perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA), a precursor of PFOS, was also detected in all the porpoises examined. All PFASs, including F-53B, accumulated to higher concentrations in immature porpoises compared with mature specimens, implying substantial maternal transfer and limited metabolizing capacity for PFASs. A significant correlation was observed between PFOS and F-53B concentrations, indicating similar bioaccumulation processes. Based on prenatal exposure and toxicity, F-53B is an emerging contaminant in marine ecosystems. Significantly increasing trends were observed in the concentrations of sulfonates, carboxylates, and F-53B between 2002/2003 and 2010, whereas the FOSA concentration significantly decreased. During 2010-2015, decreasing trends were observed in the concentrations of FOSA and sulfonates, whereas concentrations of carboxylate and F-53B increased without statistical significance, likely due to a gap for the implementation of regulatory actions between sulfonates and carboxylates. Although PFOS and PFOA were found to pose little health risk to porpoises, the combined toxicological effects of other contaminants should be considered to protect populations and to mitigate PFAS contamination in marine ecosystems.

Conflicts of Interest in the Assessment of Chemicals, Waste, and Pollution.

Pollution by chemicals and waste impacts human and ecosystem health on regional, national, and global scales, resulting, together with climate change and biodiversity loss, in a triple planetary crisis. Consequently, in 2022, countries agreed to establish an intergovernmental science-policy panel (SPP) on chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention, complementary to the existing intergovernmental science-policy bodies on climate change and biodiversity. To ensure the SPP's success, it is imperative to protect it from conflicts of interest (COI). Here, we (i) define and review the implications of COI, and its relevance for the management of chemicals, waste, and pollution; (ii) summarize established tactics to manufacture doubt in favor of vested interests, i.e., to counter scientific evidence and/or to promote misleading narratives favorable to financial interests; and (iii) illustrate these with selected examples. This analysis leads to a review of arguments for and against chemical industry representation in the SPP's work. We further (iv) rebut an assertion voiced by some that the chemical industry should be directly involved in the panel's work because it possesses data on chemicals essential for the panel's activities. Finally, (v) we present steps that should be taken to prevent the detrimental impacts of COI in the work of the SPP. In particular, we propose to include an independent auditor's role in the SPP to ensure that participation and processes follow clear COI rules. Among others, the auditor should evaluate the content of the assessments produced to ensure unbiased representation of information that underpins the SPP's activities.

Assessment of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in commercially available drinking straws using targeted and suspect screening approaches.

Many food contact materials (FCMs) and reusable plastics in the food industry contain poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of synthetic pollutants that are known to be potentially harmful for wildlife, humans, and the environment. PFAS may migrate from FCMs to food consumed by humans. As a replacement for plastics, often paper and other plant-based materials are used in commercial settings. This also applies to drinking straws, where plant-based and other presumably eco-friendly straws are increasingly used to reduce plastic pollution. In order to make these materials water-repellent, PFAS are added during manufacturing but can also already be present early in the supply chain due to the use of contaminated raw materials. In the present study, we examined the PFAS concentrations in 39 different brands of straws, made from five materials (i.e. paper, bamboo, glass, stainless steel, and plastic) commercially available on the Belgian market. We combined both targeted and suspect-screening approaches to evaluate a wide range of PFAS. PFAS were found to be present in almost all types of straws, except for those made of stainless steel. PFAS were more frequently detected in plant-based materials, such as paper and bamboo. We did not observe many differences between the types of materials, or the continents of origin. The presence of PFAS in plant-based straws shows that they are not necessarily biodegradable and that the use of such straws potentially contributes to human and environmental exposure of PFAS.

Identification and characterization of quaternary ammonium compounds in Flemish indoor dust by ion-mobility high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are a class of surfactants commonly used in disinfecting and cleaning products. Their use has substantially increased during the COVID-19 pandemic leading to increasing human exposure. QACs have been associated with hypersensitivity reactions and an increased risk of asthma. This study introduces the first identification, characterization and semi-quantification of QACs in European indoor dust using ion-mobility high-resolution mass spectrometry (IM-HRMS), including the acquisition of collision cross section values (DTCCSN2) for targeted and suspect QACs. A total of 46 indoor dust samples collected in Belgium were analyzed using target and suspect screening. Targeted QACs (n = 21) were detected with detection frequencies ranging between 4.2 and 100 %, while 15 QACs showed detection frequencies > 90 %. Semi-quantified concentrations of individual QACs showed a maximum of 32.23 µg/g with a median ∑QAC concentration of 13.05 µg/g and allowed the calculation of Estimated Daily Intakes for adults and toddlers. Most abundant QACs matched the patterns reported in indoor dust collected in the United States. Suspect screening allowed the identification of 17 additional QACs. A dialkyl dimethyl ammonium compound with mixed chain lengths (C16:C18) was characterized as a major QAC homologue with a maximum semi-quantified concentration of 24.90 µg/g. The high detection frequencies and structural variabilities observed call for more European studies on potential human exposure to these compounds. For all targeted QACs, drift tube IM-HRMS derived collision cross section values (DTCCSN2) are reported. Reference DTCCSN2 values allowed the characterization of CCS-m/z trendlines for each of the targeted QAC classes. Experimental CCS-m/z ratios of suspect QACs were compared with the CCS-m/z trendlines. The alignment between the two datasets served as an additional confirmation of the assigned suspect QACs. The use of the 4bit multiplexing acquisition mode with consecutive high-resolution demultiplexing confirmed the presence of isomers for two of the suspect QACs.

Comprehensive investigation of persistent and mobile chemicals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in urine of flemish adolescents using a suspect screening approach.

Persistent and mobile chemicals (PMs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are groups of chemicals that have received recent global attention due to their potential health effects on the environment and humans. In this study, exposure to a broad range of PMs and PFAS was investigated in Flemish adolescents' urine samples (n = 83) using a suspect screening approach. For this purpose, three sample preparation methods were evaluated, and a basic liquid-liquid extraction was optimized for urine analysis based on the extraction efficiency of PMs (53-80%) and PFAS (>70%). In total, 9 PMs were identified in urine samples at confidence levels (CL) 1-3 and, among them, acetaminophen, 4-aminophenol, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone, trifluoroacetic acid (TFAA), sulisobenzone, ethyl sulfate, and 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one 1,1-dioxide were confirmed at CL 1 and 2. In addition, the detection and identification of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone, 4-aminophenol, TFAA, and m-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-N,N-bis(2,3-epoxypropyl) aniline (CL 3), has been reported for the first time in human urine in this study. For PFAS, only 2 compounds were identified at CL 4, implying that urine is not a suitable matrix for suspect screening of such compounds. A significant difference between sexes was observed in the detection rate of identified PMs, in particular for acetaminophen, 4-aminophenol, and sulisobenzone. The findings of this study can be used in future human biomonitoring programs, such as by including the newly identified compounds in quantitative methods or monitoring in other human matrices (e.g., serum).

Comprehensive suspect screening for the identification of contaminants of emerging concern in urine of Flemish adolescents by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry.

The increasing human exposure to contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) cannot be fully assessed by targeted biomonitoring methods alone as these are limited to a subset of known analytes. On the contrary, suspect screening approaches based on liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) allow the simultaneous detection of a high number of CECs and/or their (predicted) metabolites leading to a more comprehensive assessment of possible human exposure to these compounds. Within this study, 83 urine samples of Flemish adolescents (47 males, 36 females) collected in the frame of the 4th cycle of the Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHS IV) were selected with the aim of including a high and a low exposure group based on the overall exposure of 45 known contaminants. Samples were analyzed using a previously developed method involving a suspect screening approach to annotate CECs and their metabolites. The applied suspect list contained a total of >12,500 CECs and their known and predicted metabolites resulting from metabolization reactions, such as hydroxylation, glucuronidation and methylation. In total, 63 compounds were annotated at a confidence level of 3 or better, with most of the detected compounds not included in current biomonitoring programs. 5 out of the 63 compounds could be assigned with confidence level 2. Five compounds could unequivocally be identified (confidence level 1) through the comparison with reference standards. Personal care products were the main detected compound class (42% of detected compounds). Additionally, a detailed literature search indicated potential toxic effects for several of the detected CECs. Lastly, in the urine samples, a significantly higher number (p < 0.05) of compounds was detected in the high exposure group as opposed to the low exposure group. This difference could only be observed between high and low exposure load samples of female participants (p < 0.01).

Urinary paraben concentrations of adult women by fasting status: Comparison between Korea and the United States.

Personal care products (PCPs) are considered as a major source of paraben exposure; however, the dietary contribution is not well known. We compared the urinary levels of methyl-, ethyl-, and propyl-paraben (MeP, EtP, and PrP), and investigated their associations with fasting status and contacts with other potential exposure sources among Korea and the US adult women. A group of fasting, non-pregnant adult women (n = 469) was recruited from Seoul, Ansan/Incheon, and Jeju, Korea in 2015-2016, and their urine was measured for parabens. Non-fasting Korean women of matching age (25-45 years) were chosen from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) Cycle 3 (n = 579). For the US women, both fasting (n = 154) and non-fasting (n = 201) females were chosen from the NHANES 2015-2016 participants. In fasting Korean women, the urinary MeP, EtP, and PrP concentrations (median) were measured at 47.30, 17.90, and 2.30 ng/mL, respectively. Urinary EtP and PrP levels in fasting Korean women were significantly lower than those in non-fasting women (EtP and PrP median of 26.40 and 3.57 ng/mL). On average, the difference in urinary EtP levels by fasting status was greater among the highly exposed groups. In the US population, EtP levels were significantly lower (median ranged 1.55-1.80 ng/mL depending on fasting status), but MeP levels were higher (67.90-84.35 ng/mL) than those of the Korean population. When only fasting women were considered, the median EtP levels of Korean women were 11.5-fold greater than those of US women, suggesting that the non-dietary contributions of EtP exposure could not be ignored among Korean women. Regardless of fasting status, MeP and PrP were significantly correlated, and their urinary levels in fasting Korean women were correlated with the use of several personal care products. The major dietary and non-dietary sources that may explain EtP exposure in Korean women warrant further investigation.

Levels of Short- and Medium-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins in Edible Insects and Implications for Human Exposure.

This study reports on the occurrence and distribution of short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs, respectively) in edible insects purchased from Asia and Europe. A total of 36 edible insect samples (n = 24 from Asia, n = 12 from Europe) authorized and prepared for human consumption were purchased and analyzed for SCCPs and MCCPs via gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. SCCPs were detected in 83% of all edible insect samples with an overall median ∑SCCP concentration of 8.7 ng/g dry weight (dw) and a range of <2.0 to 410 ng/g dw, while MCCPs were present in 92% of samples with a median ∑MCCP concentration of 51 ng/g dw and a range of <6.0 to 380 ng/g dw. Median ∑SCCP and ∑MCCP levels in edible insects purchased in Asia were approximately two- and four-times higher, respectively, than those from Europe, while the difference was statistically significant for ∑MCCPs (p < 0.001). Differences in homologue patterns were also observed between Asian and European samples to suggest diverse sources of CP contamination to insects which may include environmental accumulation, industrial processing equipment and food additives. Estimated daily intake of SCCPs and MCCPs via consumption of edible insects suggested that adverse health outcomes were very unlikely, but that continued monitoring of insect farming and processing practices are warranted.

Occurrence and contamination profile of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Belgian wastewater using target, suspect and non-target screening approaches.

With the growing concern regarding the health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), there is an increasing demand for the identification of emerging PFAS. This study provides a comprehensive investigation of legacy and emerging PFAS in 16 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Belgium using target, suspect, and non-target screening methods. Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) were the dominant compounds in most locations, whereas perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the most predominant PFAS in WWTP Deurne (Antwerp region). Using a suspect screening approach, 14 PFAS were annotated as confidence level (CL) of 4 or higher and 4 PFAS were annotated as CL 2a and 2b, including aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)-derived PFAS. The compound group of n:3 unsaturated fluorotelomer carboxylic acid was found using non-target screening in the wastewater from WWTP Deurne. Population exposure in a catchment area estimated using population-normalized mass loads (PNML) showed the highest value in the catchment area of WWTP Deurne, implying a potentially higher exposure to PFAS in this community.

Occurrence, patterns, and sources of hazardous organic chemicals in edible insects and insect-based food from the Japanese market.

Due to the growth of the world's population, edible insects have been considered a valuable alternative food source for humans. Japan has a long-lasting traditional culture of eating wild insects, a practice that has recently evolved towards farming and selling reared edible insects. In this study, we investigated the contamination loads, profiles, and possible sources of organophosphorus flame retardants (PFRs), plasticizers, and selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in insect foods available on the Japanese market. Medians of selected POPs in the dataset were up to 1.3 ng/g lw, while medians of PFRs and plasticizers were 12 and 486 ng/g ww, respectively. CB-153, p,p'-DDE, BDE-47, tris(1-chloro-2-propyl)-phosphate (TCIPP), and bis(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) were the dominant compounds in the analyzed samples, a pattern comparable to previous investigations on organic chemicals in edible insects. Our overall results suggest that POPs were likely accumulated by the insects during rearing or from the wild environment, while PFRs and plasticizers derived from post-harvesting industrial handling and seasoning. Differences in pollution patterns and the absence of correlations between PFR and plasticizer loads in insects and in food packaging suggest that the transfer of contaminants from food contact materials is not a main source of contamination.

A rapid method for the detection and quantification of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in bird feathers using UPLC-MS/MS.

The bioaccumulation and toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have raised scientific and public concern in recent decades, leading to regulatory measures for some PFAS (e.g. perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)). In addition, the discovery of new PFAS alternatives in the environment has led to growing concern about the presence of numerous other PFAS that are used unrestricted. Feathers have been successfully applied as non-destructive indicators for various contaminants, mostly metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), whereas their suitability as an indicator for PFAS is still discussed. Previous studies on PFAS in feathers have focused primarily on perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs); analytical methods for other groups of PFAS or PFAS alternatives in feathers are still lacking. Hence, this study aimed to develop a rapid, sensitive and reliable analytical method for determining a broad range of PFAS (N = 32) in feathers, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). An extraction duration of 24 h was found to be sufficient to extract the majority of PFAS from the feathers. The extraction recovery of the internal standards ranged on average from 68% (PFBA) to 97% (PFOS). The spike recovery was within an acceptable range of at least 70% for most of the target analytes and the precision was often > 80%. A further extract clean-up using weak anion exchange (WAX) solid phase extraction (SPE), was proven unnecessary, as it resulted in a similar or lower spike recovery, and, as a consequence, a lower precision and higher quantification limit. The analytical method allows detection of low PFAS concentrations in a low quantity of matrix (i.e. small feathers). The developed LC-MS/MS method was validated and shown to be a fast, sensitive and reliable method for determining a broad range of legacy and emerging PFAS in feathers.

Exposure to phthalates and bisphenol analogues among childbearing-aged women in Korea: Influencing factors and potential health risks.

Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), widely applied in industrial and consumer products, can affect hormones associated with the human reproductive system. Because the incidence of reproductive diseases is increasing, a comprehensive exposure assessment of phthalates and bisphenol analogues (BPs) is required for childbearing-aged women. Phthalate metabolites and BPs were measured in urine samples collected from 509 childbearing-aged women (20-48 years) in Korea to investigate their current exposure status, profiles, influencing factors, and potential health risks. DEHP metabolites and BPA were the dominant compounds found, indicating that they are highly consumed in daily life. Bisphenol S (BPS), as an alternative to BPA, was detected in most urine samples. Total concentrations of phthalate metabolites and BPs ranged from 3.42 to 3570 (GM: 45.6) ng/mL and from

Associations of exposure to phthalates and environmental phenols with gynecological disorders.

Phthalates and environmental phenols might be associated with some benign diseases that have been found to be hormone-sensitive. Current knowledge on adverse effects of these chemicals among reproductive women is limited and often controversial. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the urinary concentration of phthalates and environmental phenols and gynecological disorders from 512 women of reproductive age. The association between chemical concentration and disease in the control and case groups was statistically determined with the questionnaire survey data and measurements using the LC-MS/MS. The results have shown that DEHP metabolites, ethyl paraben and 3,4-DHB showed significant direct associations with leiomyoma and benign ovarian tumors (p < 0.05). We found statistically significant positive relationships between exposure to chemicals (some DEHP metabolites, DHB) and prevalence of gynecologic disorders (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the ORs for leiomyoma associated with these compounds in always user for personal care products (PCPs) was higher than those of sometimes user. High levels of urinary concentrations of these compounds such as DEHP metabolites and parabens and their metabolites showed significant associations with leiomyoma and benign ovarian tumors.

Accumulation and time trends (2003-2015) of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in blubber of finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) from Korean coastal waters.

Accumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in marine mammals is of great concern and is associated with declining populations. The concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in blubber of finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) collected from Korean coastal waters in 2010 and 2015, to assess the concentrations, time trends, and ecotoxicological effects. Among the POPs measured, DDTs were detected at the highest concentrations, followed by PCBs and PBDEs. Significant age- and sex-dependent accumulation of POPs was evident for porpoises collected in 2010, but not for those collected in 2015. This finding may be a function of stabilization of POP concentrations over time. In our study, accumulation patterns of POPs were dependent on consumption patterns and physico-chemical properties of the contaminants, and on the metabolism in the porpoises. Significant reductions of POPs were found between 2003 and 2010, likely reflecting the impact of domestic and global regulation of POPs. However, no changes in most POPs were found between 2010 and 2015, suggesting a trend toward stabilization. Approximately 10 % and 27 % of porpoises exceeded previously proposed threshold levels for PCBs and DDTs, respectively, implying a potential health risk.

Association of urinary phthalate metabolites and phenolics with adipokines and insulin resistance related markers among women of reproductive age.

Chemicals such as phthalates and phenolics have been associated with metabolic markers in humans. However, most studies have only looked at a limited number of chemicals, and little is known about their potential effects on adipokines in humans. In the present study, the associations between dozens of urinary chemicals, including phthalate metabolites and phenolics, and markers related to insulin resistance as well as major adipokines, were assessed among the women of reproductive age (n = 459, between 20 and 48 years of age) recruited from major cities in Korea between 2015 and 2016. Adipokines such as adiponectin and leptin, and insulin resistance related markers such as glucose and insulin, were analyzed in serum. Associations between urinary chemicals and the adipokines or insulin resistance related markers were assessed in two steps. First, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was used to assess the association of each urinary chemical with the adipokines or insulin resistance related markers (single-pollutant model). Second, several chemicals were selected using elastic net regression and were subsequently analyzed with OLS regression model (multi-pollutant model), considering simultaneous exposure to multiple chemicals. In both single- and multi-pollutant models, several urinary chemicals consistently showed significant associations with adipokines or the insulin resistance related markers. The sum of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (ΣDEHPm) and ethyl paraben (EtP) were associated with increased serum adiponectin levels. Urinary ΣDEHPm levels also showed positive associations with fasting glucose. Moreover, urinary mono-methyl phthalate (MMP), mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), and bisphenol S (BPS) levels showed positive associations with the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Interestingly, urinary propyl paraben (PrP) levels showed a negative association with HOMA-IR, in both models. Our observations show that among many consumer chemicals, phthalates may affect serum adipokines, and thus glucose, and insulin resistance in adult females. Further confirmation is warranted in other populations.

Tissue-Specific Accumulation and Body Burden of Parabens and Their Metabolites in Small Cetaceans.

Parabens have been of global concern due to their endocrine disrupting properties. However, few studies have reported tissue-specific distribution of parabens in wildlife. In this study, we measured parabens and their metabolites in organs and tissues (blubber, muscle, melon, stomach, kidney, liver, gonad, brain, uterus, and umbilical cord, total n = 94) of common dolphins ( Delphinus capensis) and finless porpoises ( Neophocaena asiaeorientalis), to investigate tissue-specific accumulation and body burden. Among the target compounds, methyl paraben (MeP) and para-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HB) were detected in all organs. Compared to common dolphins, finless porpoises had significantly higher concentrations of MeP and 4-HB due to their near-shore habitat. Higher concentrations of MeP and 4-HB were found in the kidney, liver, and stomach than in other organs, indicating selective accumulation of parabens in certain organs. Significant correlations between MeP and 4-HB in liver/kidney suggested metabolic transformation of the former to the latter. Detection of parabens in brains, umbilical cords, and uteri suggests that these chemicals cross biological barriers such as the blood-brain and placental barriers. The body burdens of total parabens were in the ranges of 13000-90600 µg and 19800-81500 µg for common dolphins and finless porpoises, respectively.

Accumulation and exposure assessment of persistent chlorinated and fluorinated contaminants in Korean birds.

To date, information is scarce on the accumulation and potential risks of persistent chlorinated and fluorinated contaminants in birds. In this study, organohalogen contaminants (OHCs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), were measured in the liver tissues of 10 bird species (n = 69) from Korea. Among the OHCs, PFASs showed the highest concentration, ranging from 5.40 to 11,300 (median: 294) ng/g wet weight. The median concentrations of OCPs and PCBs in all the bird samples were 147 and 81.9 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. The maximum concentration of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) observed in our bird samples was highest reported so far. Concentrations of OHCs in predatory birds were significantly greater than those measured in non-predatory birds, indicating the importance of diet and trophic position for bioaccumulation of these contaminants. In addition, different accumulation patterns of OHCs were found between predatory and non-predatory birds. Significant correlations were found between organochlorine concentrations and stable nitrogen isotope ratio (δ15N) measurements, whereas no correlation was found between PFASs and δ15N. Although the concentrations of PCBs and DDTs in birds were lower than the threshold levels, 25% and 49% of birds exceeded the toxicity reference value and predicted no effect concentration for PFOS, respectively, implying potential health risks to Korean birds.

Bisphenol A exposure through receipt handling and its association with insulin resistance among female cashiers.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most widely used chemicals in various consumer products. In thermal papers such as receipts and tickets, BPA is used as a heat-activated developer. Cashiers are therefore suspected to be a vulnerable group of exposure to BPA, but neither contribution of receipt handling to the total body burden of BPA among cashiers, nor related health effects are well characterized. Female cashiers (n = 54) were recruited from seven retail shops of a major supermarket chain in Korea, and urinary levels of BPA and metabolic syndrome (MetS) related biomarkers were measured. In order to estimate the contribution of receipt handling to the body burden of BPA, an intervention was designed on the use of gloves: the subjects were asked not to wear gloves during the work for one week, and in the following week, to wear gloves. Urine samples were collected at pre-shift and post-shift for the first two consecutive days in each week, and urinary BPA concentrations were measured. In cashiers without gloves, about a two-fold increase in urinary BPA concentrations was observed after work-shift. When the cashiers wore gloves, however, urinary BPA levels showed no changes. Higher urinary BPA concentrations were associated with greater levels of fasting insulin and insulin resistance. Our observation shows that receipt handling among the cashiers could double the BPA exposure levels at post-shift compared to those at pre-shift, and use of simple protective equipment such as gloves could effectively reduce the BPA exposure levels.

Placental transfer of persistent organic pollutants and feasibility using the placenta as a non-invasive biomonitoring matrix.

The placenta is a crucial organ for the supply of oxygen and nutritional elements from mother to fetus. Several studies have reported evidence of the placental transfer of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Despite the importance of prenatal exposure to POPs, the transport process of POPs via the human placenta is not well understood. To investigate the transport processes of these contaminants and to assess the feasibility of the placenta as a non-invasive biological matrix, we measured 19 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 18 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and 24 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in placenta tissues. The total concentrations of PCBs, OCPs, and PBDEs in placental tissues ranged from 0.36 to 75.2 (median: 5.85) ng/g lipid wt, 1.37 to 250 (63.5) ng/g lipid wt, and 1.21 to 427 (11.7) ng/g lipid wt, respectively. The BDE 209 concentrations were higher than those reported in previous studies presumably because of the high consumption of deca-BDE technical mixtures in Korea. The concentrations of all of the POPs in placental tissues correlated significantly with each other, but BDE 209 concentration did not correlate with that of any other contaminants possibly because of different exposure sources and kinetics. Maternal age, body mass index, and parity were contributors to the accumulation of several POPs in the placenta. Partitioning ratios between maternal blood-placenta-cord blood showed that lower molecular-weight and hydrophobic POPs were preferentially transported from maternal blood to the placenta and that higher molecular-weight and hydrophobic contaminants tended to remain in placental tissues. Regression analysis showed significant relationships between the POP concentrations in multiple biological matrices such as maternal blood, placenta, cord blood, and meconium. These relationships suggest that the placenta can be used as a non-invasive matrix for biomonitoring prenatal exposure to several POPs.

Species-specific accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and other emerging flame retardants in several species of birds from Korea.

Few studies have been conducted on the alternatives to legacy flame retardants in avian species worldwide. In this study, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and alternative flame retardants such as novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and dechlorane plus (DP) were determined in livers of 10 species of birds from Korea to elucidate species-specific accumulation, biological factors that affect accumulation, and bioaccumulation potentials of these contaminants. Among the emerging alternative flame retardants, the highest occurrence was found for bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-phthalate (BEHTBP), syn-DP, anti-DP, and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE). PBDE concentrations (median: 17.1 ng/g lipid wt) measured in our study were within the ranges reported in previous studies, while the concentrations of BEHTBP, BTBPE and DP were greater than those reported earlier. Residential predatory birds showed significantly greater concentrations of PBDEs and NBFRs than migratory predators and passerine birds. The concentrations of PBDEs, BEHTBP, and DP in residential predatory birds were significantly correlated with increasing stable nitrogen isotope ratio (δ15N), which indicated biomagnification potentials of these contaminants. Our results suggest that the concentrations and accumulation patterns of PBDEs, NBFRs, and DP depend on the feeding habits and migration patterns of avian species. This is the first report on the accumulation of emerging alternatives to PBDEs in birds from Korea.