Distribution of persistent organic pollutants in two different fat compartments from obese individuals.

There are only few studies defining persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations in various fat compartments from living obese individuals. The present study has therefore determined the concentrations of various classes of organohalogenated compounds, such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), chlordane compounds (CHLs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in visceral fat (VF: n=52) and subcutaneous abdominal fat (SF: n=52) samples collected in 2010-2012 from obese individuals in Belgium. Organohalogen compounds were detected in all fat samples in the decreasing order of their concentrations: PCBs>DDTs>HCHs>CHLs>HCB>HBCDs>PBDEs, suggesting that Belgians have been widely exposed to these contaminants. The levels and the patterns of POP distribution in VF and SF tissue depots were not significantly different. Concentrations of PCBs (VF/SF; median: 285/275ng/g lw) and DDTs (VF/SF; median: 150/155ng/g lw) were the major POPs in all fat samples. Concerning PCBs, PCB 153 (VF/SF: 27/26%) was the most dominant congener, followed by PCB 180 (VF/SF: 17/18%), PCB 138 (VF/SF: 15/14.5%) and PCB 170 (VF/SF: 8.1/8.4%) to the sum PCBs, respectively. Levels of HBCDs (VF/SF; median: 4.0/3.7ng/g lw) and PBDEs (VF/SF; median: 2.6/2.7ng/g lw) were 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than those of PCBs and DDTs. Among PBDEs, BDE 153 (VF/SF: 31/34%) was the dominant congener, followed by BDE 47 (VF/SF: 26/23%), BDE 154 (VF/SF: 16/16%), BDE 100 (VF/SF: 10/11%) and BDE 99 (VF/SF: 9/9%). To our knowledge, this is the first report on HBCD concentrations in Belgian human fat tissues. Total PBDE and HBCD levels in human fat samples could not be correlated with age. In agreement with the literature, a significant correlation (p<0.05) between age and the concentration of PCBs (r=0.828), DDTs (r=0.640), HCHs (r=0.666), CHLs (r=0.534) and HCB (r=0.754), was observed in the present study. Levels of DDTs, HCHs, HCB and CHLs were also significantly correlated to each other, suggesting that they share similar exposure routes. Correlation with computed tomography (CT) scan data revealed that VF and VF/SF ratios are positive for most of the POPs, such as PCBs, PBDEs, p,p'DDE, CHLs, β-HCH, and HCB. To our knowledge, this study is the first to assess the relationship between POP levels in adipose tissue and markers of abdominal adiposity, determined by CT.

Malarvannan G ，Dirinck E ，Dirtu AC ，Pereira-Fernandes A ，Neels H ，Jorens PG ，Gaal LV ，Blust R ，Covaci A ... -  《-》

Dynamics of persistent organic pollutants in obese adolescents during weight loss.

Malarvannan G ，Van Hoorenbeeck K ，Deguchtenaere A ，Verhulst SL ，Dirinck E ，Van Gaal L ，Jorens PG ，Covaci A ... -  《-》

Levels and profiles of brominated and chlorinated contaminants in human breast milk from Thessaloniki, Greece.

Human breast milk samples (n=87) collected between July 2004 and July 2005 from primipara and multipara mothers from Thessaloniki, Greece were analysed for six groups of persistent organic pollutants (POPs): polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), chlordane compounds (CHLs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). DDTs [median: 410ng/g lipid weight (lw)], PCBs (median: 90ng/g lw) and HCHs (median: 40ng/g lw) were the predominantly identified compounds in all the breast milk samples. Levels of PBDEs (median: 1.5ng/g lw) in human breast milk samples from Thessaloniki, Greece were lower compared to other countries. Maternal age had a positive correlation with most compounds, but not with PBDEs. Women with a higher occupational exposure to PBDEs (i.e., working in office environments) had higher PBDE concentrations than all others and showed strong correlations, especially for BDE 47 and BDE 153. None of the analysed compounds showed any correlation with parity. Based on these levels, the daily intake of each group of POPs via human milk was calculated and compared with the tolerable daily intakes (TDI) or the reference doses (RfD). For the majority of samples (85 out of 87) a higher daily intake of PCBs than the TDI was calculated, while 11 out of 87 samples had a higher HCB intake than the TDI. The TDI and the RfD were not exceeded for DDTs and PBDEs, respectively. This is the first report of brominated flame retardants in human breast milk from Greece.

Dimitriadou L ，Malarvannan G ，Covaci A ，Iossifidou E ，Tzafettas J ，Zournatzi-Koiou V ，Kalantzi OI ... -  《-》

Assessment of persistent brominated and chlorinated organic contaminants in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) in Flanders, Belgium: Levels, profiles and health risk.

Pooled yellow European eel (Anguilla anguilla (L.)) samples, consisting of 3-10 eels, collected between 2000 and 2009 from 60 locations in Flanders (Belgium) were investigated for persistent contaminants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs). The current study expands the knowledge regarding these contaminant concentrations, their patterns and distribution profiles in aquatic ecosystems. PBDEs, HBCDs, PCBs, and DDTs were detected in all eel samples and some samples had high concentrations (up to 1400, 9500, 41,600 and 7000ng/g lw, respectively). PCB levels accounted for the majority of the contamination in most samples. The high variability in PBDE, HBCD, PCB and DDT concentrations reported here is likely due to the variety in sampling locations demonstrating variable local pollution pressures, from highly industrialised areas to small rural creeks. Among PBDEs, BDE-47 (57% contribution to the sum PBDEs), -100 (19%) and -99 (15%) were the predominant congeners, similar to the composition reported in the literature in eel samples. For HBCDs, α-HBCD (74%) was predominant followed by γ-(22%) and β-HBCD (4%) isomers in almost all eel samples. CB-153 (19%) was the most dominant PCB congener, closely followed by CB-138 (11%), CB-180 (9%), CB-187 (8%) and CB-149 (7%). The contribution to the total human exposure through local wild eel consumption was also highly variable. Intake of PBDEs and HBCDs, through consumption of wild eel, was below the RfD values for the average population (consuming on average 2.9g eel/day). At 16 out 60 sites, eels exceeded largely the new EU consumption threshold for PCBs (300ng/g ww for the sum of 6 indicator PCBs). The current data shows an on-going exposure of Flemish eels to PBDEs, HBCDs, PCBs and DDTs through indirect release from contaminated sediments or direct releases from various industries.

Malarvannan G ，Belpaire C ，Geeraerts C ，Eulaers I ，Neels H ，Covaci A ... -  《-》

Interspecies comparison of the residue levels and profiles of persistent organic pollutants in terrestrial top predators.

Serum samples from three species of living terrestrial top predators were analysed for six groups of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), chlordane compounds (CHLs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The study included three carnivore species: lion (Panthera leo), hyena (Hyena brunnea) and cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). All samples were collected from healthy living animals between 2004 and 2005. Most of the samples (wild lions (n = 50) and hyenas (n = 11)) were collected from various locations within the Kruger National Park and Addo National Park (South Africa), while captive lions (n = 6) and cheetahs (n = 3) were collected from the Antwerp Zoo (Belgium). In general, relatively low levels of POPs were found in the studied species, varying widely within species and locations. Median concentrations of POPs were higher in captive lions (PCBs: 505 pg/mL; DDTs: 270 pg/mL; HCHs: 72 pg/mL; HCB: 34 pg/mL; CHLs: 24 pg/mL; PBDEs: 8 pg/mL) compared to wild lions (DDTs: 274 pg/mL; HCHs: 44 pg/mL; CHLs: 7.9 pg/mL; PCBs: 2.1 pg/mL; HCB: < LOQ; PBDEs: < LOQ). In the wild animals, POPs accumulated in the following order: DDTs > HCHs > CHLs > HCB > PCBs > PBDEs, while in the captive animals, the order was: PCBs > DDTs > CHLs > HCHs > HCB > PBDEs, suggesting differences in the diet of these animals. Furthermore, wild hyena contained significantly higher (p < 0.05) median levels of POPs compared to wild lions, possibly reflecting differences in metabolic capacity and/or feeding habits, together with an uneven distribution of POPs in the area where the animals lived. No previous data are available to compare for similar terrestrial top predators, such as lion, hyena and cheetah. To our knowledge, this is first study on POPs in these three species. The low POP levels found in this study were several orders of magnitude lower than those for other carnivore species, such as polar bears, grizzly bears, brown bears and wolves worldwide. The present study has revealed the need for expanding research and monitoring on occurrence, levels and disposition of POPs in the top predators of the terrestrial environment.

Malarvannan G ，Poma G ，Covaci A 《-》