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Toxics
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Fate, Bioaccumulation and Risk Assessments of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
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Fate, Bioaccumulation and Risk Assessments of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Emerging Contaminants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2022) | Viewed by 21820

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Yunsun Jeong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Interests: analytical chemistry; POPs; bioaccumulation; exposure and risk assessment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Persistent organic compounds (POPs) are anthropogenic chemicals that are characterized by persistence, bioaccumulation, long-range transportability and toxicity. Based on these properties and public concern, the production and use of POPs have been restricted under the Stockholm Convention since 2001. Understanding the fate, bioaccumulation and risk assessment of POPs is one of the principal approaches to evaluate their environmental distribution, transport and potential toxic impact. Importantly, bioaccumulation of POPs can lead to biomagnification, resulting in a higher accumulation level in the organisms at the top of the food chain. Considering the ubiquitous distribution and alarming potential health impact of POPs, on-going scientific research on the fate, bioaccumulation and risk assessment of POPs is necessary. In addition, experimental results from this line of study will provide a basis for the rational implantation of regulative measures.

This Special Issue aims to contribute to the scientific community by broadening the research area of fate, bioaccumulation and risk assessment of POPs. To this end, we invite you to submit your research (original research articles and reviews) addressing any aspects of this field of study. We particularly welcome contributions that consider the following topics:

1) Distribution, transport and fate of POPs in various environmental matrices (e.g., atmosphere, freshwater);
2) Bioaccumulation of POPs in biota, including lab animals, wildlife and humans;
3) Exposure and risk assessment of POPs with (novel) scientific approaches.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Yunsun Jeong
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
  • environmental fate
  • bioaccumulation
  • exposure assessment
  • risk assessment

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 833 KiB  
Article
Legacy Chemical Pollutants in House Dust of Homes of Pregnant African Americans in Atlanta
by Kathryn J. Barr, Cierra L. Johnson, Jordan Cohen, Priya D’Souza, Estefani Ignacio Gallegos, Chia-Chen Tsai, Anne L. Dunlop, Elizabeth J. Corwin, Dana Boyd Barr, P. Barry Ryan and Parinya Panuwet
Toxics 2022, 10(12), 755; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120755 - 3 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2052
Abstract
We developed and applied a method for measuring selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (i.e., polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organochlorine pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) in dust collected from pregnant African Americans (AAs) in Atlanta using isotope dilution gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Limits of [...] Read more.
We developed and applied a method for measuring selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (i.e., polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organochlorine pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) in dust collected from pregnant African Americans (AAs) in Atlanta using isotope dilution gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Limits of quantification were ranged from 0.10 to 2.50 ng/g dust. NIST standard reference material measurements demonstrated the robustness of our method. Our accuracies ranged from 82 to 108%, relative standard deviations ranged from 2 to 16%, and extraction recoveries ranged from 76 to 102%. We measured POPs in dust collected from 34 homes of pregnant AAs participating in the Atlanta AA birth cohort study who were enrolled from 2016 to 2019. Concentrations of POPs were detected in all samples with the frequencies of detection ranging from 8 to 100%. Concentrations of PBDE congeners 99 and 47, p,p’-DDT, and PCB153 were detected at some of the highest concentrations with geometric means of 1270, 730, 63.4 and 240 ng/g, respectively. The ratio of DDT/DDE was quite large (~2.7) indicating that p,p’-DDT remains intact in homes for long periods of time. These data demonstrate that care should be taken to remediate POPs in indoor dust, especially in vulnerable, disparate segments of the population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate, Bioaccumulation and Risk Assessments of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs))
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20 pages, 2486 KiB  
Article
Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment of Actellic 50 EC Insecticide on Non-Target Organisms in Parallel with the Application of Standardized Tests
by Alina Paunescu, Cristina Maria Ponepal, Lucica Tofan, Gheorghita Brinzea, Monica Marilena Tantu, Cristina Florina Mihaescu, Oana Alexandra Draghiceanu, Dan Razvan Popoviciu, Marius Mirodon Fagaras, Daniela Vasile and Liliana Cristina Soare
Toxics 2022, 10(12), 745; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120745 - 30 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2300
Abstract
This paper contributes to the ecotoxicological risk assessment of the Actellic 50 EC insecticide (with 50% pirimiphos-methyl as the active substance) tested on non-target organisms. The insecticide concentrations tested were the same for all organisms (0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 mg L−1 of [...] Read more.
This paper contributes to the ecotoxicological risk assessment of the Actellic 50 EC insecticide (with 50% pirimiphos-methyl as the active substance) tested on non-target organisms. The insecticide concentrations tested were the same for all organisms (0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 mg L−1 of Actellic 50 EC), with an exposure of 3–5–21 days for plants and 4–5–14 days for animals. The non-target organisms tested were both plants (wheat and two ferns) and animals (the Prussian carp and marsh frog tadpoles). The tested insecticide significantly inhibited the growth of roots in wheat, a result that was also confirmed by a microbiotest application (62% root growth inhibition in sorghum and 100% germination inhibition in white mustard and garden cress). In ferns, even for the lowest concentration, the percentage of germinated spores was inhibited by 40% for Asplenium scolopendrium. The recorded toxicological effects of Actellic 50 EC upon the Prussian carp included a decrease in the respiratory rate and oxygen consumption, an increase in the number of erythrocytes and leukocytes, and an increase in blood glucose levels. The highest concentration (0.1 mg L−1 of Actellic 50 EC) caused a 50% decrease in the survival rate of marsh frog tadpoles after 5 days of exposure, negatively affecting body volume and length. Given the high degree of toxicity of the insecticide Actellic 50 EC, we recommend continuing investigations on non-target species, including both plants and animals, as the sub-chronic effects are quite little known in the scientific literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate, Bioaccumulation and Risk Assessments of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs))
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15 pages, 2144 KiB  
Article
Perfluoroalkyl Mixture Exposure in Relation to Fetal Growth: Potential Roles of Maternal Characteristics and Associations with Birth Outcomes
by Chensi Shen, Jiaxin Ding, Chenye Xu, Long Zhang, Shuren Liu and Yonghong Tian
Toxics 2022, 10(11), 650; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10110650 - 28 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2012
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposure is suggested to interfere with fetal growth. However, limited investigations considered the roles of parity and delivery on PFASs distributions and the joint effects of PFASs mixture on birth outcomes. In this study, 506 birth cohorts were investigated in [...] Read more.
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposure is suggested to interfere with fetal growth. However, limited investigations considered the roles of parity and delivery on PFASs distributions and the joint effects of PFASs mixture on birth outcomes. In this study, 506 birth cohorts were investigated in Hangzhou, China with 14 PFASs measured in maternal serum. Mothers with higher maternal ages who underwent cesarean section were associated with elevated PFASs burden, while parity showed a significant but diverse influence. A logarithmic unit increment in perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorononane sulfonate (PFNS) was significantly associated with a reduced birth weight of 0.153 kg (95% confidence interval (CI): −0.274, −0.031, p = 0.014), 0.217 kg (95% CI: −0.385, −0.049, p = 0.012), and 0.137 kg (95% CI: −0.270, −0.003, p = 0.044), respectively. Higher perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and perfluoroheptane sulphonate (PFHpS) were associated with increased Apgar-1 scores. PFOA (Odds ratio (OR): 2.17, 95% CI: 1.27, 3.71, p = 0.004) and PFNS (OR:1.59, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.50, p = 0.043) were also risk factors to preterm birth. In addition, the quantile-based g-computation showed that PFASs mixture exposure was significantly associated with Apgar-1 (OR: 0.324, 95%CI: 0.068, 0.579, p = 0.013) and preterm birth (OR: 0.356, 95% CI: 0.149, 0.845, p = 0.019). In conclusion, PFASs were widely distributed in the maternal serum, which was influenced by maternal characteristics and significantly associated with several birth outcomes. Further investigation should focus on the placenta transfer and toxicities of PFASs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate, Bioaccumulation and Risk Assessments of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs))
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17 pages, 2122 KiB  
Article
Bioaccumulation of PCBs and PBDEs in Fish from a Tropical Lake Chapala, Mexico
by Ernesto Oregel-Zamudio, Dioselina Alvarez-Bernal, Marina Olivia Franco-Hernandez, Hector Rene Buelna-Osben and Miguel Mora
Toxics 2021, 9(10), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9100241 - 29 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3579
Abstract
Lake Chapala is the largest natural freshwater reservoir in Mexico and the third largest lake in Latin America. Lakes are often considered the final deposit of polluting materials; they can be concentrated in the organisms that inhabit them, the water, and the sediments. [...] Read more.
Lake Chapala is the largest natural freshwater reservoir in Mexico and the third largest lake in Latin America. Lakes are often considered the final deposit of polluting materials; they can be concentrated in the organisms that inhabit them, the water, and the sediments. The PCBs and PBDEs are environmental pollutants highly studied for their known carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. PCB and PBDE bioaccumulation levels were determined in Chirostoma spp., Cyprinus carpio, and Oreochromis aureus. In addition, we monitored the concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs in sediment and water from Lake Chapala were monitored. Samples were collected during two periods, in October 2018 and May 2019. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Two bioaccumulation factors were determined in fish, one in relation to the concentration of PCBs and PBDEs in sediments and the other in relation to the concentration of PCBs and PBDEs in water. The PCB levels were 0.55–3.29 ng/g dry weight (dw) in sediments, 1.43–2.98 ng/mL in water, 0.30–5.31 ng/g dw in Chirostoma spp., 1.06–6.07 ng/g dw in Cyprinus carpio, and 0.55–7.20 ng/g dw in Oreochromis aureus. The levels of PBDEs were 0.17–0.35 ng/g dw in sediments, 0.13–0.32 ng/mL in water, 0.01–0.23 ng/g dw in Chirostoma spp., 0–0.31 ng/g dw in Cyprinus carpio, and 0.1–0.22 ng/g dw in Oreochromis aureus. This study provides information for a better understanding of the movement, global distribution, and bioaccumulation of PCBs and PBDEs. The results show that the fish, water, and sediments of Lake Chapala are potential risks to the biota and the local human population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate, Bioaccumulation and Risk Assessments of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs))
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16 pages, 321 KiB  
Article
A Review of the Impact of Selected Anthropogenic Chemicals from the Group of Endocrine Disruptors on Human Health
by Katarzyna Goralczyk
Toxics 2021, 9(7), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9070146 - 24 Jun 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3402
Abstract
Background: The aim of the study was to review data on the impact of anthropogenic chemicals (endocrine disruptors) on various diseases, which, consequently, may facilitate their prevention and be used as a tool for managing public healthcare. Every day, humans are exposed to [...] Read more.
Background: The aim of the study was to review data on the impact of anthropogenic chemicals (endocrine disruptors) on various diseases, which, consequently, may facilitate their prevention and be used as a tool for managing public healthcare. Every day, humans are exposed to chemicals, including xenoestrogens, which are similar to female hormones. Methods: This manuscript was prepared based on a meta-analysis of research on the impacts of selected EDCs on human health. Results: Special attention should be paid to bisphenol A (BPA), benzo-α-pyrene, and phthalates due to their proven endocrine activity and presence in our daily lives. Xenoestrogens are absorbed by human organisms through the digestive system since they can migrate to food from food packages and drinks as well as from plastic products used daily. The presence of these chemicals in human organisms is considered a potential cause for some diseases commonly referred to as ‘diseases of civilization’. Conclusions: The biomonitoring of xenoestrogens, which are chemicals with unfavorable impacts on human health, is a crucial tool for assessing the risk from the pollution of the environment. The novelty is a holistic approach to assessing the occurrence of risk factors for civilization diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate, Bioaccumulation and Risk Assessments of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs))
12 pages, 1824 KiB  
Article
Tissue-Specific Distribution of Legacy and Emerging Organophosphorus Flame Retardants and Plasticizers in Frogs
by Yin-E Liu, Xiao-Jun Luo, Ke-Lan Guan, Chen-Chen Huang, Xue-Meng Qi, Yan-Hong Zeng and Bi-Xian Mai
Toxics 2021, 9(6), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9060124 - 31 May 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3021
Abstract
Five types of tissues, including the liver, kidney, intestine, lung, and heart, were collected from black-spotted frogs and bullfrogs to study the tissue-specific accumulation of organophosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) and plasticizers. Thirteen PFRs and nine plasticizers were detected, with average total concentrations of [...] Read more.
Five types of tissues, including the liver, kidney, intestine, lung, and heart, were collected from black-spotted frogs and bullfrogs to study the tissue-specific accumulation of organophosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) and plasticizers. Thirteen PFRs and nine plasticizers were detected, with average total concentrations of 1.4–13 ng/g ww and 858–5503 ng/g ww in black-spotted frogs, 3.6–46 ng/g ww and 355–3504 ng/g ww in bullfrogs. Significant differences in pollutant concentrations among different tissues in the two frog species were found, indicating the specific selectivity distribution of PFRs and plasticizers. Overall, liver tissues exhibited significantly higher pollutant concentrations. The pollutant concentration ratios of other tissue to the sum of liver tissue and other tissues (OLR, Cother/(Cother + Cliver)) corresponding to male frogs were significantly greater than those of females, suggesting that male frogs could have higher metabolic potentials for PFRs and plasticizers. No obvious correlations between OLR and log KOW were found, indicating that the other factors (e.g., bioaccumulation pathway and metabolism) besides lipophicity could influence the deposition of PFRs and plasticizers in frog livers. Different parental transfer patterns for PFRs and plasticizers were observed in frogs when using different tissues as parental tissues. Moreover, the liver tissues had similar parental transfer mechanism with muscle tissues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate, Bioaccumulation and Risk Assessments of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs))
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Review

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17 pages, 1188 KiB  
Review
Bioaccumulation and Biotransformation of Chlorinated Paraffins
by Liujun Chen, Bixian Mai and Xiaojun Luo
Toxics 2022, 10(12), 778; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120778 - 12 Dec 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3519
Abstract
Chlorinated paraffins (CPs), a class of persistent, toxic, and bioaccumulated compounds, have received increasing attention for their environmental occurrence and ecological and human health risks worldwide in the past decades. Understanding the environmental behavior and fate of CPs faces a huge challenge owing [...] Read more.
Chlorinated paraffins (CPs), a class of persistent, toxic, and bioaccumulated compounds, have received increasing attention for their environmental occurrence and ecological and human health risks worldwide in the past decades. Understanding the environmental behavior and fate of CPs faces a huge challenge owing to the extremely complex CP congeners. Consequently, the aims of the present study are to summarize and integrate the bioaccumulation and biotransformation of CPs, including the occurrence of CPs in biota, tissue distribution, biomagnification, and trophic transfer, and biotransformation of CPs in plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates in detail. Biota samples collected in China showed higher CP concentrations than other regions, which is consistent with their huge production and usage. The lipid content is the major factor that determines the physical burden of CPs in tissues or organs. Regarding the bioaccumulation of CPs and their influence factors, inconsistent results were obtained. Biotransformation is an important reason for this variable. Some CP congeners are readily biodegradable in plants, animals, and microorganisms. Hydroxylation, dechlorination, chlorine rearrangement, and carbon chain decomposition are potential biotransformation pathways for the CP congeners. Knowledge of the influence of chain length, chlorination degree, constitution, and stereochemistry on the tissue distribution, bioaccumulation, and biotransformation is still scarce. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate, Bioaccumulation and Risk Assessments of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs))
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