An assessment of the toxicity of phthalate esters to freshwater benthos. 2. Sediment exposures

Seven phthalate esters were evaluated for their 10-d toxicity to the freshwater invertebrates Hyalella azteca and Chironomus tentans in sediment. The esters were diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di-n-hexyl phthalate (DHP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), and a commercial mixture of C7, C9, and C11 isophthalate esters (711P). All seven esters were tested in a sediment containing 4.80% total organic carbon (TOC), and DBP alone was tested in two additional sediments with 2.45 and 14.1% TOC. Sediment spiking concentrations for DEP and DBP were based on LC50 (lethal concentration for 50% of the population) values from water-only toxicity tests, sediment organic carbon concentration, and equilibrium partitioning (EqP) theory. The five higher molecular weight phthalate esters (DHP, DEHP, DINP, DIDP, 711P), two of which were tested and found to be nontoxic in water-only tests (i.e., DHP and DEHP), were tested at single concentrations between 2,100 and 3,200 mg/kg dry weight. Preliminary spiking studies were performed to assess phthalate ester stability under test conditions. The five higher molecular weight phthalate esters in sediment had no effect on survival or growth of either C. tentans or H. azteca, consistent with predictions based on water-only tests and EqP theory. The 10-d LC50 values for DBP and H. azteca were >17,400, >29,500, and >71,900 mg/kg dry weight for the low, medium, and high TOC sediments, respectively. These values are more than 30x greater than predicted by EqP theory and may reflect the fact that H. azteca is an epibenthic species and not an obligative burrower. The 10-d LC50 values for DBP and C. tentans were 826, 1,664, and 4.730 mg/kg dry weight for the low, medium, and high TOC sediments, respectively. These values are within a factor of two of the values predicted by EqP theory. Pore-water 10-d LC50 values for DBP (dissolved fraction) and C. tentans in the three sediments were 0.65, 0.89, and 0.66 of the water-only LC50 value of 2.64 mg/L, thereby agreeing with EqP theory predictions to within a factor of 1.5. The LC50 value for DEP and C. tentans was >3,100 mg/kg dry weight, which is approximately 10x that predicted by EqP theory. It is postulated that test chemical loss and reduced organism exposure to pore water may have accounted for the observed discrepancies with EqP calculations for DEP     

环境中邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物的分析测定

该文概述了环境中邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物的存在现状,综述了不同环境中邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物的前处理方法及其分析测定技术.色谱技术是对环境中邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物进行定性和定量分析测定的主要方法.而色谱分析前的样品制备,包括预分离和预浓缩技术.大气环境样品中邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物的预处理主要采用的是索氏提取、溶液提取和填充柱分离;水环境样品中采用的前处理技术较多,但大多数都是萃取技术;底质和生物试样目前用的较多是微波萃取、超声波萃取和索氏提取.     

餐饮环节食品包装材料中塑化剂含量及迁移研究

目的了解餐饮环节食品包装材料中20种邻苯二甲酸酯类塑化剂(PAEs)的含量以及在脂肪性食品模拟物中的迁移情况。方法采集餐饮环节样品100份,测定其中20种PAEs含量,选取其中直接接触脂肪性食品的样品(共62份),研究其在脂肪性食品模拟物(异辛烷)中的迁移量,采用气相色谱串联三重四级杆质谱(GC-MS/MS)法进行测定。结果 100份样品中10种塑化剂有检出,分别为邻苯二甲酸二甲酯(DMP)、邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)、邻苯二甲酸二丙烯酯(DAP)、苯甲酸苄酯(BBZ)、邻苯二甲酸二异丁酯(DIBP)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)、邻苯二甲酸丁基苄基酯(BBP)、邻苯二甲酸二戊酯(DPP)、邻苯二甲酸二己酯(DHXP)和邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯(DEHP),检出率最高的为DBP(84.0%),其次是DIBP(76.0%);检出率最低的为DPP和BBP(1.0%)。迁移试验中,DMP、DEP、DIBP、DBP和DEHP5种塑化剂有检出,其中DEHP和DBP检出率较高,分别为100.0%和93.5%,而DMP的检出率较低,仅为8.1%。从迁移量来看,5种有检出的塑化剂的迁移量均较低。结论餐饮环节食品包装材料中普遍检出邻苯二甲酸酯类塑化剂,但浓度普遍比较低,同时,在脂肪性食品模拟物中的迁移量均未超过国家限值的要求。     

Distribution of Phthalate Esters in Soil of E-Waste Recycling Sites from Taizhou City in China

In recent years, increasing concern has surrounded the consequences of improper electric and electronic waste (e-waste) disposal. In this paper, Phthalate esters (PAEs) including dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) in the e-waste soils were collected and analyzed from sites Fengjiang, Nanshan and Meishu in Taizhou city. The result showed that the total PAEs concentrations ranged from 12.566 to 46.669 mg/kg in these three sites. DEHP, DBP and DEP were the major phthalates accounting for more than 94% of total phthalates studied. Comparing to the results from other studies, the e-waste soils from Taizhou city were severely contaminated with PAEs.     

Effects of hardness, chloride, and acclimation on the acute toxicity of sulfate to freshwater invertebrates

The acute toxicity of sulfate to Ceriodaphnia dubia, Chironomus tentans, Hyalella azteca, and Sphaerium simile was assessed to support potential updates of Illinois (USA) sulfate criteria for the protection of aquatic life. The mean lethal concentrations to 50% of a sample population (LC50s), expressed as mg S04(-2)/L, in moderately hard reconstituted water (MHRW) were as follows: 512 mg/L for H. azteca, 2,050 mg/L for C. dubia, 2,078 mg/L for S. simile, and 14,134 mg/L for C. tentans. At constant sulfate (approximately 2,800 mg/L) and hardness (106 mg/L), survival of H. azteca was positively correlated with chloride concentration. Hardness also was found to ameliorate sodium sulfate toxicity to C. dubia and H. azteca, with LC50s for C. dubia increasing from 2,050 mg SO4(-2)/L at hardness = 90 mg/L to 3,516 mg SO4(-2)/L at hardness = 484 mg/L. Using a reformulated MHRW with a similar hardness but higher chloride concentration and different calcium to magnesium ratio than that in standard MHRW, the mean LC50 for H. azteca increased to 2,855 mg/L, and the LC50 for C. dubia increased to 2,526 mg/L. Acclimation of C. dubia to 500 and 1,000 mg SO4(-2)/L for several generations nominally increased mean LC50 values compared with those cultured in standard MHRW.     

室内降尘中邻苯二甲酸酯污染特征分析

目的 了解邻苯二甲酸酯在室内环境中的污染状况.方法 分别选取北京地区10户家庭住宅、10间办公室和10间学生宿舍进行室内降尘取样,采用高效液相色谱法测定降尘中的7种邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物,利用非参数检验进行统计分析.结果 室内降尘中主要存在邻苯二甲酸(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)和邻苯二甲酸二环己酯(DCHP)污染,其中DEHP的含量范围为28～6073 mg/ks.是检出浓度最高的物质.对不同类型房间进行比较,发现家庭住宅邻苯二甲酸酯污染最严重,办公室次之,学生宿舍污染最小.Kumkal-Wallis H检验分析表明在这3种房间类型中,邻苯二甲酸丁基苄基酯(BBP)、DEHP和DCHP浓度差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).Spearman相关分析表明,DBP与BBP、DBP与DCHP之间均存在正相关关系(P<0.05),但相关关系并不密切(r<0.5).结论 家庭住宅中DEHP污染较为严重,应引起重视.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the pollution of phthalate ester in indoor environment. Methods Settled dust samples from 10 households, 10 offices and 10 student dormitories in Beijing were collected. Seven kinds of phthalate esters in these samples were determined with solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography (SPE-HPLC) .Dates were analyzed statistically by nonparametric tests. Results The main phthalate esters in dust were di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP). Of phthalate esters, DEHP with the range of 28-6 073 mg/kg had the highest concentration in indoor dust. The total level of phthalate esters in households was the highest, offices followed, student dormitories was the last. The Kurskal-Wallis H test showed that the concentrations of BBP, DEHP and DCHP in dust were significantly different in 3 types of rooms (P<0.05). Spearman's correlation analysis showed that significantly positive correlations were found between DBP and both BBP and DCHP (r<0.5, P<0.05). Conclusion DEHP pollution in household environment is heavy. It should be taken into account.     

人体生物样品中邻苯二甲酸酯类的含量

目的　研究和探讨环境内分泌干扰物邻苯二甲酸酯类在人体生物样品中的含量水平。方法　运用反相高效液相色谱分析法测定了人体生物样品 (6 0份血清、36份精液、11份脂肪 )中 3种邻苯二甲酸酯类物质 (phthalates) [邻苯二甲酸二乙酯 (DEP)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯 (DBP)和邻苯二甲酸 2 乙基己酯 (DEHP) ]的含量水平 ,同时测定了血清中有关激素水平和精液常规指标 ,并运用SPSS分析软件中的非参数统计方法对测定结果进行了相关性分析。结果　上述 3种人体生物样品中均可检测到 phthalates,脂肪中的phthalates含量范围在ND～ 2 19mg/kg ,血清中为ND～ 37 91mg/L ,精液中为 0 0 8～ 1 32mg/L ;Spearman相关分析显示 ,女性血清中DBP与E2 呈正相关 (r =0 4 4 2 ) ,DEP与T呈负相关 (r =- 0 4 86 ) ;精液中phthalates与液化时间呈显著正相关关系 (P <0 0 1) ,DBP与精液量、活力分级中的c级精子活力呈显著负相关 ,与b级精子活力呈显著正相关 (P <0 0 5 ) ,DEHP与精液量、活力分级中的c级精子活力呈显著负相关 ,与精子畸形率、b级精子活力呈显著正相关 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　邻苯二甲酸酯类物质存在于人体组织中 ,并可影响人类的精液质量.     

Toxicity of aqueous and sediment-associated fluoride to freshwater organisms

Inorganic fluorides were declared toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act in 1993 based on their potential to cause long-term harmful effects in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but information on the toxicity of sediment-associated fluoride to freshwater benthic organisms was considered incomplete. The purpose of this study was to determine the toxicity of aqueous and sediment-associated fluoride to several species of freshwater organisms and to determine if toxic effects could be expected under environmentally realistic exposures. Toxicity of fluoride (as NaF) in short-term (48-96-h) lethality tests was greatest for the amphipod Hyalella azteca (median lethal concentration [LC50] = 14.6 mg F-/L), followed by the mayfly Hexagenia limbata (32.3), the midge Chironomus tentans (124.1), the fathead minnow Pimephales promelas (262.4), and the cladoceran Daphnia magna (282.8). Relative toxicity in long-term (10-28-d) growth and survival tests in spiked sediment was similar. Hyalella azteca was the most sensitive species for growth (25% inhibitory concentration [IC25] = 290.2 microg F-/g), followed by C. tentans (661.4), H. limbata (1,221.3), and P. promelas (>5,600); H. azteca was also the most sensitive species for survival (LC50 = 1,114.6 microg F-/g), followed by H. limbata (1,652.2) and P. promelas and C. tentans (>5,600 for both). Concentrations of fluoride measured in sediments near some industrial point sources exceed some of these toxicity thresholds. Fluoride is highly mobile in aquatic systems and could potentially reach toxic levels in the water column during dredging to remove fluoride-contaminated sediment.     

Comparative acute toxicity of potassium permanganate to nontarget aquatic organisms

Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) is used worldwide in freshwater pond aquaculture for treatment and prevention of waterborne external parasitic, bacterial, and fungal diseases. Nevertheless, KMnO4 has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and insufficient information exists to allow evaluation of the environmental risk of KMnO4 exposures. Limited data exist concerning KMnO4 toxicity to nontarget species in systems receiving aquaculture effluent from treated ponds. The goal of this research is to generate effects data for use in developing an ecological risk assessment of KMnO4. Toxicity tests were used to compare the relative sensitivities of five standard aquatic test species to KMnO4. Acute toxicity test results using synthetic moderately hard water show static 96-h mean median lethal concentration (LC50) values +/- standard deviation (SD) of 0.058 +/- 0.006 mg/L for Ceriodaphnia dubia, 0.053 +/- 0.009 mg/L for Daphnia magna, 2.13 +/- 0.07 mg/L for Pimephales promelas, 4.74 +/- 1.05 mg/L for Hyalella azteca, and 4.43 +/- 0.79 mg/L for Chironomus tentans. Most of these values are below the recommended KMnO4 treatment rate of at least 2.0 mg/L or 2.5 times the water's potassium permanganate demand (PPD; an estimation of the available reducing agents in the exposure water), suggesting significant environmental risk. However, repeating these laboratory tests using pond water resulted in significantly reduced toxicity, with static 96-h mean LC50 values (+/-SD) of 2.39 +/- 0.36 mg/L for C. dubia, 1.98 +/- 0.12 mg/L for D. magna, 11.22 +/- 1.07 mg/L for P. promelas, 13.55 +/- 2.24 mg/L for H. azteca, and 12.30 +/- 2.83 mg/L for C. tentans. The PPD of synthetic moderately hard water was 0.329 +/- 0.114 mg/L; however, pond water PPD was 5.357 +/- 0.967 mg/L. The effective disease-treating dose based on 2.5 times the PPD would thus be 0.823 and 13.392 mg KMnO4/L, respectively, exceeding the LC50 for most of these nontarget organisms, even in pond water, immediately after treatment.     

Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Imidacloprid to the Aquatic Invertebrates <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chironomus tentans</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyalella azteca</Emphasis> under Constant- and Pulse-Exposure Conditions

The toxicity of imidacloprid, a nicotinic mimic insecticide, to the aquatic invertebrates Chironomus tentans and Hyalella azteca, was first evaluated in static 96-hour tests using both technical material (99.2% pure) and Admire, a commercially available formulated product (240 g a.i. L(-1)). The 96-h lethal concentration (LC)50 values for technical imidacloprid and Admire were 65.43 and 17.44 microg/L, respectively, for H. azteca, and 5.75 and 5.40 microg/L, respectively, for C. tentans. Admire was subsequently used in 28-day chronic tests with both species. Exposure scenarios consisted of a constant- and a pulse-exposure regime. The pulse exposure lasted for four days, after which time the animals were transferred to clean water for the remaining 24 days of the study. Assessments were made on both day 10 and day 28. In the C. tentans under constant exposure, larval growth on day 10 was significantly reduced at 3.57 microg/L imidacloprid, the lowest-observed-effect concentration (LOEC). The no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC) and LOEC for the 28-day exposure duration (adult survival and emergence) were 1.14 and greater than 1.14 mug/L, respectively; the associated LC50 and LC25 were 0.91 and 0.59 microg/L, respectively. The LOEC for the pulse treatment was greater than 3.47 microg/L, but the day 10 LC25 was 3.03 microg/L. In the H. azteca tests, the day 10 and 28 constant exposure, as well as the day 28 pulse exposure, LOEC (survival) values were similar at 11.95, 11.46, and 11.93 microg/L, respectively. The day 10 and 28 constant exposure effective concentration (EC)25s (dry weight) were also similar, at 6.22 and 8.72 microg/L, respectively, but were higher than the pulse-exposure day 10 LOEC and EC25 (dry weight) values of 3.53 and 2.22 microg/L, respectively. Overall, C. tentans was more sensitive to acute and chronic imidacloprid exposure, but less sensitive to a single pulse, than H. azteca. Chronic, low-level exposure to imidacloprid may therefore reduce invertebrate survival and growth, but organisms are able to recover from short-term pulse exposure to similar imidacloprid concentrations if the stressor is removed after four days.     

Prenatal exposures to phthalates among women in New York City and Krakow, Poland

Experimental evidence has shown that certain phthalates can disrupt endocrine function and induce reproductive and developmental toxicity. However, few data are available on the extent of human exposure to phthalates during pregnancy. As part of the research being conducted by the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, we have measured levels of phthalates in 48-hr personal air samples collected from parallel cohorts of pregnant women in New York, New York, (n = 30) and in Krakow, Poland (n = 30). Spot urine samples were collected during the same 48-hr period from the New York women (n = 25). The following four phthalates or their metabolites were measured in both personal air and urine: diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP). All were present in 100% of the air and urine samples. Ranges in personal air samples were as follows: DEP (0.26-7.12 microg/m3), DBP (0.11-14.76 microg/m3), DEHP (0.05-1.08 microg/m3), and BBzP (0.00-0.63 microg/m3). The mean personal air concentrations of DBP, di-isobutyl phthalate, and DEHP are higher in Krakow, whereas the mean personal air concentration of DEP is higher in New York. Statistically significant correlations between personal air and urinary levels were found for DEP and monoethyl phthalate (r = 0.42, p < 0.05), DBP and monobutyl phthalate (r = 0.58, p < 0.01), and BBzP and monobenzyl phthalate (r = 0.65, p < 0.01). These results demonstrate considerable phthalate exposures during pregnancy among women in these two cohorts and indicate that inhalation is an important route of exposure.     

Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations among workers in selected industries: a pilot biomonitoring study

Phthalates are used as plasticizers and solvents in industrial, medical and consumer products; however, occupational exposure information is limited. We sought to obtain preliminary information on occupational exposures to diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) by analyzing for their metabolites in urine samples collected from workers in a cross-section of industries. We also obtained data on metabolites of dimethyl phthalate (DMP), benzylbutyl phthalate (BzBP), di-isobutyl phthalate and di-isononyl phthalate. We recruited 156 workers in 2003-2005 from eight industry sectors. We assessed occupational contribution by comparing end-shift metabolite concentrations to the US general population. Evidence of occupational exposure to DEHP was strongest in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film manufacturing, PVC compounding and rubber boot manufacturing where geometric mean (GM) end-shift concentrations of DEHP metabolites exceeded general population levels by 8-, 6- and 3-fold, respectively. Occupational exposure to DBP was most evident in rubber gasket, phthalate (raw material) and rubber hose manufacturing, with DBP metabolite concentrations exceeding general population levels by 26-, 25- and 10-fold, respectively, whereas DBP exposure in nail-only salons (manicurists) was only 2-fold higher than in the general population. Concentrations of DEP and DMP metabolites in phthalate manufacturing exceeded general population levels by 4- and >1000-fold, respectively. We also found instances where GM end-shift concentrations of some metabolites exceeded general population concentrations even when no workplace use was reported, e.g. BzBP in rubber hose and rubber boot manufacturing. In summary, using urinary metabolites, we successfully identified workplaces with likely occupational phthalate exposure. Additional work is needed to distinguish occupational from non-occupational sources in low-exposure workplaces.     

Chronic toxicity of the synthetic hormone 17alpha-ethinylestradiol to Chironomus tentans and Hyalella azteca

The chronic toxicity of the synthetic hormone 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) was investigated in two benthic invertebrates, the midge Chironomus tentans and the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca, in life-cycle water-only assays. In C. tentans, a 50% decrease in emergence was observed at a concentration of 1.5 mg/L; emergence was a more sensitive endpoint than survival, growth, or biomass. Reproduction was not significantly affected by EE2 exposure until a concentration of 3.1 mg/L, where emergence, and therefore reproduction, did not occur. In contrast, reproduction was the most sensitive endpoint in H. azteca (50% decrease in reproduction observed at a concentration of 0.36 mg/L). The sensitivity of the F1 generation to EE2 was also investigated with H. azteca, but was not different from the F0 generation. The data from the present study were combined with those from previous 10-d toxicity assays, to derive acute to chronic toxicity ratios (ACRs) for EE2. The ACRs calculated for EE2 were 13 for C. tentans and 16 for H. azteca, indicating that the application factors currently used in ecological risk assessment for the derivation of chronic toxicity are protective and conservative for these organisms. The results of the present study suggest that chronic toxicity was not mediated by disruption of endocrine pathways. Using a hazard quotient approach, the risk associated with sublethal exposure to EE2 was <1 for H. azteca and C. tentans, indicating that adverse effects are not expected, and that environmental exposure to EE2 likely poses a low risk to benthic invertebrates.     

塑料瓶装饮料中邻苯二甲酸酯的含量分析

[目的]了解塑料瓶装饮料中邻苯二甲酸酯类（phthalates）化合物的污染水平及其影响因素。[方法]随机购买市售49种不同品牌的饮料作为研究对象,采用气相色谱法检测饮料中的邻苯二甲酸酯含量。[结果]饮料中的邻苯S-甲酸二丁酯（di-butylphthalate,DBP）和邻苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基）酯[di-（2-ethylhexyl）phthalate,DEHP]的检出率分别为98．O％和100．O％,平均含量分别为0．038mg／L和0．071mg／L,邻苯二甲酸二乙酯（di-ethyl phthalate,DEP）未检出;其中,茶饮料中DBP和DEHP的检出浓度范围分别为0—0．047mg／L和0．045—0．146mg／L;果汁饮料中DBP的最高检出浓度达0．127mg／L,DEHP的检出浓度范围为0．060～0．371mg／L;咖啡乳饮料中检出DBP和DEHP的最大值分别为0．081mg／L和0．089mg／L,最小值分别为0．032mg／L和0．033mg／L。果汁饮料和咖啡乳类饮料中DBP的含量均高于茶饮料（P=0．003和P=0．002）,果汁饮料中DEHP的含量高于茶饮料和咖啡乳类饮料（P=0．001和P=O．002）;拟合的线性回归模型结果显示,与茶饮料相比,果汁饮料和咖啡乳饮料中DBP浓度的对数值分别高出0．36个单位和0．50个单位;果汁饮料中DEHP浓度的对数值高于茶饮料0．47个单位,酸性组饮料中DEHP浓度的对数值比弱酸性组饮料高0．30个单位。[结论]塑料瓶装饮料中DBP、DEHP检出率均很高,不同种类饮料中其含量差异有统计学意义,饮料中邻苯二甲酸酯均在国家规定限值内;但在饮料种类和存储时间固定的条件下,饮料中DEHP含量水平随着pH值变小而增大。     

The association between phthalates in dust and allergic diseases among Bulgarian children

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have identified associations between the concentration of phthalates in indoor dust and allergic symptoms in the airways, nose, and skin. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to investigate the associations between allergic symptoms in children and the concentration of phthalate esters in settled dust collected from children's homes in Sofia and Burgas, Bulgaria. METHODS: Dust samples from the child's bedroom were collected. A total of 102 children (2-7 years of age) had symptoms of wheezing, rhinitis, and/or eczema in preceding 12 months (cases), and 82 were nonsymptomatic (controls). The dust samples were analyzed for their content of dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP). RESULTS: A higher concentration of DEHP was found in homes of case children than in those of controls (1.24 vs. 0.86 mg/g dust). The concentration of DEHP was significantly associated with wheezing in the preceding 12 months (p = 0.035) as reported by parents. We found a dose-response relationship between DEHP concentration and case status and between DEHP concentration and wheezing in the preceding 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows an association between concentration of DEHP in indoor dust and wheezing among preschool children in Bulgaria.     

城乡儿童血清中3种邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物的浓度

目的了解10～12岁城市和农村儿童血清中邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物的含量。方法于2007年1月运用反相高效液相色谱分析法(RP-HPLC)测定36名10～12岁城市儿童和38名10～12岁农村儿童血清中3种邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物[邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)和邻苯二甲酸二异辛酯(DEHP)]含量。结果城市儿童血清中DEP、DBP、DEHP含量(中位数)分别为0.0026、0.0359、0.10625mg/L,农村儿童血清中DEP、DBP、DEHP含量(中位数)分别为0.0000、0.0406、0.05245mg/L。城市儿童血清中DEP和DEHP的含量高于农村儿童,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论该地区城市儿童血清中DEP和DEHP的含量水平高于农村儿童。     

Lethal and sublethal effects of low dissolved oxygen condition on two aquatic invertebrates, Chironomus tentans and Hyalella azteca

Low dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions occur frequently during sediment toxicity testing, with potentially adverse effects on test organisms. The present study addressed the current lack of good information regarding low DO thresholds for toxicity tests using two common test species, juvenile Hyalella azteca and Chironomus tentans larvae. Results indicated that H. azteca was less tolerant of hypoxia than C. tentans. The 10-d highest- and no-observed-effect concentrations (HOEC and NOEC, respectively) for H. azteca were 1.2 +/- 0.1 and 2.9 +/- 0.1 mg/L DO, respectively. The 10-d NOEC for C. tentans was 1.2 +/- 0.1 mg/L DO, the lowest test concentration. Mortality was the predominant response of H. azteca to low DO exposure, with changes in growth and positioning behavior only evident at lethal DO concentrations. Although exposure to 1.2 +/- 0.1 mg/L DO for 10 d did not affect C. tentans survival or growth, significant behavioral changes were evident at 2.0 +/- 0.1 mg/L DO or less. Overall, the present results indicate that the North American guidelines for low DO thresholds during 10-d toxicity tests seem reasonable for juvenile H. azteca. However, the Environment Canada Guideline (3.4 mg/L DO at 23 degrees C) may be considered to be conservative for 10-d toxicity testing with C. tentans if only short-term effects on survival and growth are considered.     

Chronic Effects of the Herbicide Diuron on Freshwater Cladocerans, Amphipods, Midges, Minnows, Worms, and Snails

The chronic effects of the herbicide diuron on survival and reproduction of Daphnia pulex, and survival and growth of the amphipod Hyalella azteca, the midge Chironomus tentans, juvenile and embryo/larval fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas, annelid worms, Lumbriculus variegatus, and snails, Physa gyrina, were determined in laboratory static and static-renewal tests. D. pulex 96-h and 7-day LC50 values were 17.9 and 7.1 mg/L; 7-day LOAEL and NOAEL values based on mortality and reproduction were 7.7 and 4.0 mg/L. H. azteca 96-h and 10-day LC50 values were 19.4 and 18.4 mg/L; 10-day LOAEL and NOAEL values based on survival and reduced weight were 15.7 and 7.9 mg/L. C. tentans 10-day LC50 value was 3.3 mg/L; 10-day LOAEL and NOAEL values based on growth were 7.1 and 3.4 mg/L, and 3.4 and 1.9 mg/L based on mortality. Juvenile fathead minnows had a 10-day LC50 of 27.1 mg/L and 10-day LOAEL and NOAEL values based on growth of 3.4 and <3.4 mg/L. The fathead minnow embryo-larval test had a 7-day LC50 value of 11.7 mg/L and 7-day LOAEL and NOAEL values based on reduced growth of 8.3 and 4.2 mg/L. L. variegatus had 10-day LOAEL and NOAEL values based on reduced weight of 3.5 and 1.8 mg/L. P. gyrina had 10-day LOAEL and NOAEL values based on reduced weight of 22.8 and 13.4 mg/L. Laboratory effects concentrations were higher that those found in normal field application situations, except in areas of localized pooling after recent herbicide applications, indicating that there would probably be little harm to these fish and invertebrates from diuron exposure in the field. Received: 18 January 1998/Accepted: 28 March 1998     

养殖鱼体邻苯二甲酸酯含量与分布特征

目的调查珠江三角洲及香港地区的养殖池塘3种淡水养殖鱼类(草鱼、鲫鱼和罗非鱼)体内6种邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)的含量与分布特征。方法于2005年11月在珠江三角洲和香港地区采集草鱼、鲫鱼、罗非鱼,鱼肉样品经冻干处理,索氏抽提,氧化铝-硅胶柱净化,气相色谱-氢火焰离子化检测器(GC-FID)检测。结果珠江三角洲地区鲫鱼、草鱼、罗非鱼体内邻苯二甲酸二异辛酯(DEHP)含量分别高达16.10、19.81和11.03 mg/kg(体重,干重);邻苯二甲酸二正丁酯(DBP)和邻苯二甲酸丁辛酯(BOP)在3种鱼类体内的含量在3～10 mg/kg之间。邻苯二甲酸二甲酯(DMP)的含量最低(0.54 mg/kg)。香港地区鲫鱼、草鱼、罗非鱼体内DEHP含量高达35.97、37.98、26.12 mg/kg,而DMP和DEP含量较低。结论养殖鱼类受PAEs的污染情况随地域的不同有较大差异,来自香港地区的养殖鱼类样品中6种PAEs含量高于珠江三角洲地区样品。     

The estrogenic activity of phthalate esters in vitro.

A large number of phthalate esters were screened for estrogenic activity using a recombinant yeast screen. a selection of these was also tested for mitogenic effect on estrogen-responsive human breast cancer cells. A small number of the commercially available phthalates tested showed extremely weak estrogenic activity. The relative potencies of these descended in the order butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) > dibutyl phthalate (DBP) > diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) > diethyl phthalate (DEP) > diisiononyl phthalate (DINP). Potencies ranged from approximately 1 x 10(6) to 5 x 10(7) times less than 17beta-estradiol. The phthalates that were estrogenic in the yeast screen were also mitogenic on the human breast cancer cells. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) showed no estrogenic activity in these in vitro assays. A number of metabolites were tested, including mono-butyl phthalate, mono-benzyl phthalate, mono-ethylhexyl phthalate, mon-n-octyl phthalate; all were wound to be inactive. One of the phthalates, ditridecyl phthalate (DTDP), produced inconsistent results; one sample was weakly estrogenic, whereas another, obtained from a different source, was inactive. analysis by gel chromatography-mass spectometry showed that the preparation exhibiting estrogenic activity contained 0.5% of the ortho-isomer of bisphenol A. It is likely that the presence of this antioxidant in the phthalate standard was responsible for the generation of a dose-response curve--which was not observed with an alternative sample that had not been supplemented with o,p''-bisphenol A--in the yeast screen; hence, DTDP is probably not weakly estrogenic. The activities of simple mixtures of BBP, DBP, and 17beta-estradiol were assessed in the yeast screen. No synergism was observed, although the activities of the mixtures were approximately additive. In summary, a small number of phthalates are weakly estrogenic in vitro. No data has yet been published on whether these are also estrogenic in vitro. No data has yet been published on whether these are also estrogenic in vivo; this will require tests using different classes of vertebrates and different routes of exposure.