OBJECTIVES We sought to determine differences between concentrations of persistent, lipid-soluble chemical contaminants in breast and abdominal adipose tissues and to explore whether concentrations measured in one tissue could predict concentrations in the other tissue. METHODS We analyzed surgical specimens and measured concentrations of prevalent dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls, ...

The environmental irritant chloroform, a naturally occurring small volatile organohalogen, briefly became the world’s most popular volatile general anesthetic (VGA) before being abandoned because of its low therapeutic index. When chloroform comes in contact with skin or is ingested, it causes a painful burning sensation. The molecular basis for the pain associated with chloroform remains unkno...

The Antarctic ecosystem represents a remote region far from point sources of pollution. Still, marine predators, such as seabirds, are exposed to organohalogen contaminants (OHCs) which may induce adverse health effects. With increasing restrictions and regulations on OHCs, the levels exposure expected decrease over time. We studied south polar skua (Catharacta maccormiciki), top predator seabi...

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and nonand mono-ortho-substituted polychlorinated biphenyls (dioxin-like PCBs) was analyzed in earthworms, plants, insects, field mouse and birds collected in Kanagawa Prefecture and their accumulation in the terrestrial ecosystem was studied. TEQ was highest in raptor species and followed by mouse liver, other bir...

Organic halogens from chlorobleaching of kraft pulp were not as biorecalcitrant as has been assumed. Fifty percent were removed during biotreatment of wastewater, and 50% of the remaining organohalogens faded in fresh water ecosystems in 200 to 400 days. Molecular size seemed not to hinder biodegradation up to sizes of approximately 2000 daltons. Anoxic biodegradation was of prime importance fo...

Human exposure to pollutants from e-waste is an important scientific issue for their health effects. In this study, organohalogen pollutants in human serum sample from an e-waste dismantling site (n=35) and a control site (n=21), both located in Tianjin, Northern China, were analyzed using GC-ECNI-MS. Geometric mean concentrations of tetra- through hexa-BDEs, hepta- through nona-BDEs, PCBs, PBB...

the six elements commonly known as metalloids are boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, and tellurium. metalloid containing compounds have been used as antiprotozoal drugs. boron-based drugs, the benzoxaboroles have been exploited as potential treatments for neglected tropical diseases. arsenic has been used as a medicinal agent and arsphenamine was the main drug used to treat syphilis....

We present an overview of studies of anthropogenic pollutants in East Greenland polar bears over the period of 1999-2011. East Greenland polar bears are among the most polluted species, not just in the Arctic but globally, and represent an excellent biomonitoring species for levels and effects of global pollution in an apex predator. Therefore, an international multidisciplinary team joined to ...