Two cases reports: Severe liver injury caused by 1,2,3-trichloropropane poisoning.

Background: 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP) poisoning can induce liver damage in humans and animals, but reports of severe liver injury and its histology are rare. We presented two cases of 1,2,3-TCP inhalation poisoning resulting in severe liver injury confirmed by exposure history, toxicology, biochemical index and pathology. Case description: Two young male presented acute poisoning process with mild to moderate early symptoms, and developed severe jaundice and coagulation dysfunction after exposure to 1,2,3-TCP. The total bilirubin (TBIL) in case 1 and case 2 reached the peak value of 635.8 µmol/L and 437.1 µmol/L on the 25th and 22nd days, respectively. Their liver enzymes and international normalized ratio increased rapidly to peak and fell back, and TBIL remained at a high level. 1,2,3-TCP was detected in their blood, and their liver histology indicated severe necrosis of hepatocytes, infiltration of massive inflammatory cells, and cholestasis. They all finally recovered after a long time of treatment. Conclusion: The two cases in this study demonstrate that 1,2,3-TCP inhalation poisoning without any protective measures can induce severe liver injury in humans.

Organochlorine Pollutants in Human Breast Milk from North of the Far Eastern Region of Russia.

The widespread application of pesticides in the territories of the former USSR still exerts negative impacts on their ecological status. In this regard, dedicated programs for monitoring persistent organic pollutants (POP) in humans are implemented in several countries. Our study aimed to assess the accumulation of organic pollutants in breast milk of women residing the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (CAO). Organochlorine pesticides (OCP) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) concentrations in breast milk samples were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The POP concentrations in the samples varied from 13 ng/g lipid weight (lw) to 620.6 ng/g lw (median 58.3 ng/g lw). An assessment of health risk to infants fed breast milk from CAO women did not show any exceedance of the estimated daily intake (EDI). The results obtained are the indirect evidence of the presence of these compounds in the environment and their negative effects on ecosystems and human health.

Biochemical Effects of Heavy Metals and Organochlorine Compounds Accumulated in Different Tissues of Yellow-Legged Gulls (Larus Michahellis).

In the present study, livers, kidneys and adipose tissue of Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) were collected. Samples were used to determine relationships between heavy metals/metalloids in liver and kidneys (Hg, Cd, Pb, Se and As) or persistent organic pollutants in adipose tissue (7 PCBs and 11 organochlorine pesticides) with biomarkers of oxidative stress (CAT, GPx, GR, GSH, GST, MDA) analysed in both internal organs. Three possible influencing variables have been studied: age, sex and sampling area. As a result, statistically significant differences (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) were only found according to the sampling area, with differences among the three studied areas found in both organs. Significant positive correlations (P < 0.01) were found in liver (Hg vs. GST; Se vs. MDA) and in kidney (As vs. GR; As vs. GPx; PCB52 vs. CAT; PCB138 vs. CAT). The scarcity in correlations suggests that the levels of pollutants found in animals were not high enough to trigger an effect at the oxidative level.

Depth and contaminant-shaped bacterial community structure and assembly at an aged chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon-contaminated site.

Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) are potentially toxic substances that have been detected in various contaminated environments. Biological elimination is the main technique of detoxifying CAHs in the contaminated sites, but the soil bacterial community at CAH-contaminated sites have been little investigated. Here, high-throughput sequencing analysis of soil samples from different depths (to 6 m depth) at an aged CAH-contaminated site has been conducted to investigate the community composition, function, and assembly of soil bacteria. The alpha diversity of the bacterial community significantly increased with increasing depth and bacterial community also became more convergent with increasing depth. Organohalide-respiring bacteria (OHRB) is considered keystone taxa to reduce the environmental stress of CAHs by reductive dechlorinate CAHs into nontoxic products, increases the alpha diversity of bacterial community and improves the stability of bacterial co-occurrence network. The high concentration of CAHs in deep soil and the stable anaerobic environment make deterministic processes dominate bacterial community assembly, while the topsoil is dominated by dispersal limitation. In general, CAHs at contaminated sites have a great impact on bacterial community, but the CAHs metabolic community acclimated in deep soil can reduce the environmental stress of CAHs, which provides foundation for the monitored natural attenuation technology in CAHs-contaminated sites.

Chlorinated paraffins and dechloranes in free-range chicken eggs and soil around waste disposal sites in Tanzania.

Electronic waste is a source of both legacy and emerging flame retardants to the environment, especially in regions where sufficient waste handling systems are lacking. In the present study, we quantified the occurrence of short- and medium chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs) and dechloranes in household chicken (Gallus domesticus) eggs and soil collected near waste disposal sites on Zanzibar and the Tanzanian mainland. Sampling locations included an e-waste facility and the active dumpsite of Dar es Salaam, a historical dumpsite in Dar es Salaam, and an informal dumpsite on Zanzibar. We compared concentrations and contaminant profiles between soil and eggs, as free-range chickens ingest a considerable amount of soil during foraging, with potential for maternal transfer to the eggs. We found no correlation between soil and egg concentrations or patterns of dechloranes or CPs. CPs with shorter chain lengths and higher chlorination degree were associated with soil, while longer chain lengths and lower chlorination degree were associated with eggs. MCCPs dominated the CP profile in eggs, with median concentrations ranging from 500 to 900 ng/g lipid weight (lw) among locations. SCCP concentrations in eggs ranged from below the detection limit (LOD) to 370 ng/g lw. Dechlorane Plus was the dominating dechlorane compound in all egg samples, with median concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 2.8 ng/g lw. SCCPs dominated in the soil samples (400-21300 ng/g soil organic matter, SOM), except at the official dumpsite where MCCPs were highest (65000 ng/g SOM). Concentrations of dechloranes in soil ranged from below LOD to 240 ng/g SOM, and the dominating compounds were Dechlorane Plus and Dechlorane 603. Risk assessment of CP levels gave margins of exposure (MOE) close to or below 1000 for SCCPs at one location.

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in raw bovine milk from various dairy farms in Beja, Tunisia: contamination status, dietary intake, and health risk assessment for the consumers.

We determined organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in raw bovine milk taken directly from the milking equipment for different animals and various farms in Béja region, which is one of the largest milk producing areas in Tunisia. All milk samples were contaminated with one or more pesticides and exhibited measurable concentrations of some PCB congeners. The residue levels are generally marked by the predominance of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) (median: 17.60 ng g-1 fat), followed by hexachlorobenzene (HCB) (median: 14.31 ng g-1 fat), PCBs (median: 4.71 ng g-1 fat), and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) (median: 0.77 ng g-1 fat). DDT/DDE ratios across the samples vary between 0.09 to 32.24 and exhibit the hypothesis of sustaining illegal use of the banned pesticide. The historical or recent use of OCPs and possible emission sources of PCBs identified near studied farms may lead to increased levels of these contaminants in produced milk. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values were several orders of magnitude below the tolerable daily intake (TDI) fixed by FAO/WHO, though recorded concentration in some samples exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) fixed by the EU, especially for OCPs. According to health risk assessments, consumption of raw milk did not pose an obvious cancer risk or other health problems for local inhabitants.

Short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins in fish from an anthropized south-western Atlantic estuary, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are synthetic organic compounds of growing environmental and social concern. Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) were listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in 2017. Further, in 2021, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) were proposed to be listed as POPs. We investigated SCCP and MCCP amounts and homolog profiles in four wild fish species from Bahía Blanca Estuary, a South Atlantic Ocean coastal habitat in Argentina. SCCPs and MCCPs were detected in 41% and 36% of the samples, respectively. SCCP amounts ranged from <12 to 29 ng g-1 wet weight and <750-5887 ng g-1 lipid weight, whereas MCCP amounts ranged from <7 to 19 ng g-1 wet weight and <440-2848 ng g-1 lipid weight. Amounts were equivalent to those found in fish from the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans and from some North American and Tibetan Plateau lakes. We performed a human health risk assessment and found no direct risks to human health for SCCP or MCCP ingestion, according to present knowledge. Regarding their environmental behavior, no significant differences were observed among SCCP amounts, sampling locations, species, sizes, lipid content, and age of the specimens. However, there were significant differences in MCCP amounts across species, which could be attributed to fish size and feeding habits. Homolog profiles in all fish were dominated by the medium-chlorinated (Cl6 and Cl7) CPs and shorter chain length CPs were the most abundant, with C10Cl6 (12.8%) and C11Cl6 (10.1%) being the predominant SCCPs and C14Cl6 (19.2%) and C14Cl7 (12.4%) the predominant MCCPs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the presence of CPs in the environment in Argentina and the South Atlantic Ocean. CP occurrence in the environment, particularly in the food chain, promotes the need for further research on their occurrence and behavior, and the impact of CPs in marine ecosystems in Argentina.

Trends of legacy and emerging organic contaminants in a sediment core from Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba, from 1990 to 2015.

Legacy and emerging organic pollutants pose an ever-expanding challenge for the marine environment. This study analysed a dated sediment core from Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba, to assess the occurrence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), alternative halogenated flame retardants (aHFRs), organophosphate esters (OPEs), and phthalates (PAEs) from 1990 to 2015. The results evidence the continuing presence of historical regulated contaminants (PCBs, OCPs, and PBDEs) in the southern basin of Cienfuegos Bay. PCB contamination declined since 2007, likely in response to the gradual global phasing out of PCB containing materials. There have been relatively consistent low accumulation rates for OCPs and PBDEs at this location (in 2015 approximately 1.9 and 0.26ng/cm2/year, respectively, with 2.8ng/cm2/year for Σ6PCBs), with indications of recent local DDT use in response to public health emergencies. In contrast, sharp increases are observed between 2012 and 2015 for the contaminants of emerging concern (PAEs, OPEs, and aHFRs), and in the case of two PAEs (DEHP and DnBP) the concentrations were above the established environmental effect limits for sediment dwelling organisms. These increasing trends reflect the growing global usage of both alternative flame retardants and plasticizer additives. Local drivers for these trends include nearby industrial sources such as a plastic recycling plant, multiple urban waste outfalls, and a cement factory. The limited capacity for solid waste management may also contribute to the high concentrations of emerging contaminants, especially plastic additives. For the most recent year (2015), the accumulation rates for Σ17aHFRs, Σ19PAEs, and Σ17OPEs into sediment at this location were estimated to be 10, 46 000, and 750ng/cm2/year, respectively. This data provides an initial survey of emerging organic contaminants within this understudied region of the world. The increasing temporal trends observed for aHFRs, OPEs, and PAEs highlights the need for further research concerning the rapid influx of these emerging contaminants.

First evidence of legacy chlorinated POPs bioaccumulation in Antarctic sponges from the Ross sea and the South Shetland Islands.

Antarctica is no longer pristine due to the confirmed presence of anthropogenic contaminants like Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Benthic organisms are poorly represented in contamination studies in Antarctica although they are known to bioaccumulate contaminants. Sponges (Phylum Porifera) are dominant members in Antarctic benthos, both in terms of abundance and biomass, and are an important feeding source for other organisms, playing key functional roles in benthic communities. To the best of our knowledge, legacy chlorinated POPs such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and their metabolites have never been investigated in this Phylum in Antarctica. The aim of this work was to evaluate the bioaccumulation of PCBs, HCB, o,p'- and p,p'-DDT and their DDE and DDD isomers in 35 sponge samples, belonging to 17 different species, collected along the coast of Terra Nova Bay (Adèlie Cove and Tethys Bay, Ross Sea), and at Whalers Bay (Deception Island, South Shetland Islands) in Antarctica. Lipid content showed a significant correlation with the three pollutant classes. The overall observed pattern in the three study sites was ΣPCBs>ΣDDTs>HCB and it was found in almost every species. The ΣPCBs, ΣDDTs, and HCB ranged from 54.2 to 133.7 ng/g lipid weight (lw), from 17.5 to 38.6 ng/g lw and from 4.8 to 8.5 ng/g lw, respectively. Sponges showed contamination levels comparable to other Antarctic benthic organisms from previous studies. The comparison among sponges of the same species from different sites showed diverse patterns for PCBs only in one out of four cases. The concentration of POPs did not vary significantly among the three sites. The predominance of lower chlorinated organochlorines in the samples suggested that long-range atmospheric transportation (LRAT) could be the major driver of contamination as molecules with a high long range transport potential (e.g. low chlorinated PCBs, HCB) prevails on heavier ones.

A retrospective investigation of feather corticosterone in a highly contaminated white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) population.

Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as organochlorines (OCs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), is associated with adverse health effects in wildlife. Many POPs have been banned and consequently their environmental concentrations have declined. To assess both temporal trends of POPs and their detrimental impacts, raptors are extensively used as biomonitors due to their high food web position and high contaminant levels. White-tailed eagles (WTEs; Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Baltic ecosystem represent a sentinel species of environmental pollution, as they have suffered population declines due to reproductive failure caused by severe exposure to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) during the 1960s through 1980s. However, there is a lack of long-term studies that cover a wide range of environmental contaminants and their effects at the individual level. In this study, we used 135 pooled samples of shed body feathers collected in 1968-2012 from breeding WTE pairs in Sweden. Feathers constitute a temporal archive for substances incorporated into the feather during growth, including corticosterone, which is the primary avian glucocorticoid and a stress-associated hormone. Here, we analysed the WTE feather pools to investigate annual variations in feather corticosterone (fCORT), POPs (OCs and PBDEs), and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (SIs; dietary proxies). We examined whether the expected fluctuations in POPs affected fCORT (8-94 pg. mm-1) in the WTE pairs. Despite clear temporal declining trends in POP concentrations (p < 0.01), we found no significant associations between fCORT and POPs or SIs (p > 0.05 in all cases). Our results do not support fCORT as a relevant biomarker of contaminant-mediated effects in WTEs despite studying a highly contaminated population. However, although not detecting a relationship between fCORT, POP contamination and diet, fCORT represents a non-destructive and retrospective assessment of long-term stress physiology in wild raptors otherwise not readily available.

Characterization of short-, medium- and long-chain chlorinated paraffins in ambient PM2.5 from the Pearl River Delta, China.

Research on the environmental occurrence of long-chain chlorinated paraffins (LCCPs) in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is still scarce. In the present study, short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) and LCCPs were simultaneously quantified and profiled in PM2.5 samples collected from 96 primary or secondary schools in the Pearl River Delta of South China. SCCPs, MCCPs and LCCPs were detected in higher than 90% samples with concentrations in the range of 0.832-109, 1.02-110, and 0.173-17.4 ng/m3, respectively. The dominant congener groups of SCCPs, MCCPs and LCCPs were C13Cl6-8, C14Cl7-8, and C18Cl7-9, respectively. The concentrations of SCCPs and MCCPs were higher in summer than in winter, while an opposite seasonal trend was observed for LCCPs. Principal components analysis showed there were seasonal variations in the congener group patterns with C13Cl6-7 and C14Cl7 more abundant in summer than in winter. Concentrations of CPs also exhibited slight spatial variations. Exposure risk assessment based on different age groups suggested exposure to PM2.5-associated CPs would not pose significant health risk. The present study expands the existing knowledge of CPs contamination in atmospheric environment.

Nationwide assessment of atmospheric organochlorine pesticides over a decade during 2008-2017 in South Korea.

Long-term nationwide atmospheric monitoring of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was performed in South Korea during 2008-2017. Their occurrences, seasonal and temporal variability, sources, and effect of ambient temperature were investigated. The OCPs are pronounced with a mean concentration of total OCPs ranging from 5.2 to 256 pg/Sm3. However, a decrease of 54 % was observed in the mean concentration of total OCPs from 2008 to 2017 associated with regulatory actions. OCP concentrations did not show any variations between the different site types, and OCPs were ubiquitously present at all site types. The mean concentration of total OCPs in summer was two-fold higher than in winter. The concentrations of DRINs, DDTs, ENDOs, and HCHs were significantly higher in summer, but the concentrations of chlordane and heptachlor were higher in winter. The diagnostic ratios identified major sources as ongoing sources, past use, and atmospheric transport. Clausius Clapeyron plots strongly suggested the re-emission of α-endosulfan, ß-endosulfan, α-HCH, and ß-HCH, and ΔHsa (enthalpy of surface air exchange) values suggested the influence of the transport and/or new sources on aldrin, dieldrin, and chlordane. The occurrence of OCPs due to re-emissions, ongoing sources, and long-range atmospheric transport could be a challenge towards the complete phase-out of OCPs in South Korea.

Individual and mixtures of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides exposure in relation to metabolic syndrome among Chinese adults.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are commonly detected in humans due to their persistence and bioaccumulation, and are suspected risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, most studies have focused on individual rather than combined exposure. We explored the associations between individual and combined PCBs/OCPs exposure and MetS to better assess the health effects of PCBs and OCPs. This cross-sectional study included 1996 adults from Wuhan, China. A total of 338 participants fulfilled criteria for MetS. Eight PCBs and OCPs were detected in >50 % of the samples. Most of the hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in the serum were derived from the recent environmental input of lindane, while the high levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs) were mainly due to historical use. Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that ß-HCH, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), PCB-52, PCB-153, and PCB-180 were positively correlated with increased odds of MetS. The profiles of the PCBs and OCPs associated with the different components of MetS were distinct. Furthermore, quantile-based g computation (qgcomp) analyses showed that PCB and OCP mixtures were positively associated with the risk of MetS, and p,p'-DDE was the largest contributor to our model. These findings suggest that PCB and OCP concentrations, both individually and as mixtures, are associated with MetS risk. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.

Spatiotemporal characteristics and dynamic risk assessment of a multi-solvents abandoned pesticide-contaminated site with a long history, in China.

With the development of the economy and the adjustment of urban planning and layout, abandoned pesticide sites are widely distributed in major and medium cities in China. Groundwater pollution of a large number of abandoned pesticide-contaminated sites has caused great potential risks to human health. Up to now, few relevant studies concerned the spatiotemporal variation of risks exposure to multi-pollutants in groundwater using probabilistic methods. In our study, the spatiotemporal characteristics of organics contamination and corresponding health risks in the groundwater of a closed pesticide site were systematically assessed. A total of 152 pollutants were targeted for monitoring over a time span up to five years (i.e., June 2016-June 2020). BTEX, phenols, chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons were the main contaminants. The metadata was subjected to health risk assessments using the deterministic and probabilistic methods for four age groups, and the results showed that the risks were highly unacceptable. Both methods showed that children (0-5 years old) and adults (19-70 years old) were the age groups with the highest carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, respectively. Compared with inhalation and dermal contact, oral ingestion was the predominant exposure pathway that contributed 98.41%-99.69% of overall health risks. Spatiotemporal analysis further revealed that the overall risks first increased then decreased within five years. The risk contributions of different pollutants were also found to vary substantially with time, indicating that dynamic risk assessment is necessary. Compared with the probabilistic method, the deterministic approach relatively overestimated the true risks of OPs. The results provide a scientific basis and practical experience for scientific management and governance of abandoned pesticide sites.

Preliminary trends over ten years of persistent organic pollutants in air - Comparison of two sets of data in the same countries.

In two series of ambient air measurement campaigns to support the implementation of the global monitoring plan (GMP) component of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), passive air samplers (PAS) using polyurethane foams were implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). With the same laboratories responsible for the chemical analyses of the different groups of POPs, a total of 423 PUFs were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) including hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB); 242 for dioxin-like POPs. For trend analysis, to compare amounts of POPs in the PUFs during the first phase in 2010/2011 and the second phase from 2017 to 2019, only results were assessed that were generated in the same country and for the same POP in both campaigns. Finally, there were 194 PUFs available for OCPs (GMP1 = 67 and GMP2 = 127), 297 for PCB (GMP1 = 103, GMP2 = 194), 158 for polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD, PCDF) (GMP1 = 39, GMP2 = 119), and 153 for dl-PCB (GMP1 = 34, GMP2 = 119). Indicator PCB and dioxin-like POPs were quantified in all countries at all times; decreases of about 30% based on median values were determined. A 50% increase was found for HCB. By scale, DDT remained with the highest values, although more than 60% decrease was found; mainly due to smaller values in the Pacific Islands region. Our assessment showed that on relative scale - per PUF - trend analysis was achieved and that such approach should be undertaken at regular intervals, not necessarily on an annual basis.

Persistent organic pollutants in air from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific.

In support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) global monitoring plan under the Stockholm Convention concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were determined during two years in air from 42 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific by using polyurethane foams installed in passive samplers. The compounds included were polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), one polybrominated biphenyl and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) diastereomers. Total-DDT and PCBs were the highest in concentrations in about 50% of the samples, which shows their high persistency. Total DDT in air from the Solomon Islands ranged from 200 to 600 ng/polyurethane foam disk (PUF). However, at most locations, a decreasing trend is observed for PCBs, DDT and most other OCPs. Patterns varied per country with e.g. elevated dieldrin in air from Barbados and chlordane in air from the Philippines. A number of OCPs, such as heptachlor and its epoxides, some other chlordanes, mirex and toxaphene have decreased down to almost undetectable levels. PBB153 was hardly found and penta and octa--mix related PBDEs were also relatively low at most locations. HBCD and the decabromodiphenylether were more prominent at many locations and may even still increase. To draw more holistic conclusions more colder climate countries should be included in this program.

Target and non-target analysis of organochlorine pesticides and their transformation products in an agrochemical-contaminated area.

Organochlorine pesticides show biological toxicity and their degradation typically takes many years. Previous studies of agrochemical-contaminated areas have mainly focused on limited target compounds, and emerging pollutants in soil have been overlooked. In this study, we collected soil samples from an abandoned agrochemical-contaminated area. Target analysis and non-target suspect screening by gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry were combined for qualitative and quantitative analysis of organochlorine pollutants. Target analysis showed that dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) were the main pollutants. With concentrations between 3.96 × 106 and 1.38 × 107 ng/g, these compounds posed significant health risks at the contaminated site. Non-target suspect screening identified 126 organochlorine compounds, most of which were chlorinated hydrocarbons and 90% of the compounds contained a benzene ring structure. The possible transformation pathways of DDT were inferred from proven pathways and the compounds identified by non-target suspect screening that had similar structures to DDT. This study will be useful for studies of the degradation mechanism of DDT. Semi-quantitative and hierarchical cluster analysis of compounds in soil showed that the distribution of contaminants in soil was influenced by the types of pollution sources and distance to them. Twenty-two contaminants were found in the soil at relatively high concentrations. The toxicities of 17 of these compounds are currently not known. These results improve our understanding of the environmental behavior of organochlorine contaminants in soil and are useful for further risk assessments of agrochemical-contaminated areas.

A robust and ultra-high-surface hydrogen-bonded organic framework promoting high-efficiency solid phase microextraction of multiple persistent organic pollutants from beverage and tea.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are widely distributed in the environment and are toxic, even at low concentrations. In this study, we first used hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) to enrich POPs, based on solid phase microextraction (SPME). The HOF called PFC-1 (self-assembled by 1,3,6,8-tetra(4-carboxylphenyl)pyrene) has an ultra-high specific surface area, excellent thermochemical stability, and abundant functional groups, making it potential to be an excellent coating in SPME. And the as-prepared PFC-1 fiber have demonstrated outstanding enrichment abilities for nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) and POPs. Furthermore, the PFC-1 fiber was coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to develop an ultrasensitive and practical analytical method with wide linearity (0.2-200 ng·L-1), low detection limits for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) (0.070-0.082 ng·L-1) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (0.030-0.084 ng·L-1), good repeatability (6.7-9.9%), and satisfactory reproducibility (4.1-8.2%). Trace concentrations of OCPs and PCBs in drinking water, tea beverage, and tea were also determined precisely with the proposed analytical method.

Analysis of the Degradation of OCPs Contaminated Soil by the BC/nZVI Combined with Indigenous Microorganisms.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were typical persistent organic pollutants that posed great hazards and high risks in soil. In this study, a peanut shell biochar-loaded nano zero-valent iron (BC/nZVI) material was prepared in combination with soil indigenous microorganisms to enhance the degradation of α-hexachlorocyclohexane(α-HCH) and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane(γ-HCH) in water and soil. The effects of BC/nZVI on indigenous microorganisms in soil were investigated based on the changes in redox potential and dehydrogenase activity in the soil. The results showed as follows: (1) The specific surface area of peanut shell biochar loaded with nano-zero-valent iron was large, and the nano-zero-valent iron particles were evenly distributed on the peanut shell biochar; (2) peanut shell BC/nZVI had a good degradation effect on α-HCH and γ-HCH in water, with degradation rates of 64.18% for α-HCH and 91.87% for γ-HCH in 24 h; (3) peanut shell BC/nZVI also had a good degradation effect on α-HCH and γ-HCH in soil, and the degradation rates of α-HCH and γ-HCH in the 1% BC/nZVI reached 55.2% and 85.4%, second only to 1% zero-valent iron. The degradation rate was the fastest from 0 to 7 days, while the soil oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) increased sharply. (4) The addition of BC/nZVI to the soil resulted in a significant increase in dehydrogenase activity, which further promoted the degradation of HCHs; the amount of HCHs degradation was significantly negatively correlated with dehydrogenase activity. This study provides a remediation strategy for HCH-contaminated sites, reducing the human health risk of HCHs in the soil while helping to improve the soil and increase the activity of soil microorganisms.

Health Risks Posed by Dermal and Inhalation Exposure to High Concentrations of Chlorinated Paraffins Found in Soft Poly(vinyl chloride) Curtains.

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are used in many products, including soft poly(vinyl chloride) curtains, which are used in many indoor environments. Health hazards posed by CPs in curtains are poorly understood. Here, chamber tests and an indoor fugacity model were used to predict CP emissions from soft poly(vinyl chloride) curtains, and dermal uptake through direct contact was assessed using surface wipes. Short-chain and medium-chain CPs accounted for 30% by weight of the curtains. Evaporation drives CP migration, like for other semivolatile organic plasticizers, at room temperature. The CP emission rate to air was 7.09 ng/(cm2 h), and the estimated short-chain and medium-chain CP concentrations were 583 and 95.3 ng/m3 in indoor air 21.2 and 172 µg/g in dust, respectively. Curtains could be important indoor sources of CPs to dust and air. The calculated total daily CP intakes from air and dust were 165 ng/(kg day) for an adult and 514 ng/(kg day) for a toddler, and an assessment of dermal intake through direct contact indicated that touching just once could increase intake by 274 µg. The results indicated that curtains, which are common in houses, could pose considerable health risks through inhalation of and dermal contact with CPs.