Demonstrating a Natural Origin of Chloroform in Groundwater Using Stable Carbon Isotopes

Chloroform has been for a long time considered only as an anthropogenic contaminant. The presence of chloroform in forest soil and groundwater has been widely demonstrated. The frequent detection of chloroform in groundwater in absence of other contaminants suggests that chloroform is likely produced naturally. Compound-specific isotope analysis of chloroform was performed on soil-gas and groundwater samples to elucidate whether its source is natural or anthropogenic. The δ13C values of chloroform (−22.8 to −26.2‰) present in soil gas collected in a forested area are within the same range as the soil organic matter (−22.6 to −28.2‰) but are more enriched in 13C compared to industrial chloroform (−43.2 to −63.6‰). The δ13C values of chloroform at the water table (−22.0‰) corresponded well to the δ13C of soil gas chloroform, demonstrating that the isotope signature of chloroform is maintained during transport through the unsaturated zone. Generally, the isotope signature of chloroform is conserved also during longer range transport in the aquifer. These δ13C data support the hypothesis that chloroform is naturally formed in some forest soils. These results may be particularly relevant for authorities’ regulation of chloroform which in the case of Denmark was very strict for groundwater (<1 µg/L)

Adaptation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to constant sub-inhibitory concentrations of quaternary ammonium compounds

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are widely used in consumer products for disinfection purposes. QACs are frequently detected in aquatic systems at sub-inhibitory concentrations and were found to affect the development of antimicrobial resistance if bacteria are exposed to increasing concentrations. However, the effect of a constant sub-inhibitory concentration on the development of bacterial resistance is unknown. A constant exposure to 88% of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) led to an increase of the MIC of P. aeruginosa. It increased from 80 mg l(-1) to 150 mg l(-1) after 10 cycles of exposure and remained stable after removal of BAC. When exposed to cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (CTMA), P. aeruginosa's MIC increased from 110 mg l(-1) to 160 mg l(-1) after 10 cycles of exposure and decreased to 120 mg l(-1) after removal of CTMA. Additionally, cross-resistance between the QACs was observed. When exposed to BAC, the MIC for CTMA increased from 110 mg l(-1) to 200 mg l(-1), and when exposed to CTMA, the MIC for BAC increased from 80 mg l(-1) to 160 mg l(-1). In contrast, the susceptibility to 16 antibiotics was not significantly affected by exposure to QACs. Finally, analyses of the membranes' nanomechanical properties of P. aeruginosa with atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed increases in cell roughness, adhesion and stiffness after treatment with CTMA. Since sub-inhibitory concentrations of QACs can be detected in (technical) aquatic systems including sediments, this may lead to a dissemination of bacteria with higher QAC resistance in the environmen

Bio accessibility of tire-associated organic chemicals in fish gut (Oncorhynchus mykiss): insights from an in vitro digestion model

Tire and Road Wear Particles (TRWP) account for an important part of the anthropogenic particles released into the environment. There are scientific knowledge gaps as to the potential bio accessibility of chemicals associated with TRWP to aquatic organisms. This study aimed to investigate the solubilization of five tire-associated chemicals into fish gut using an in vitro digestion model (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Our results show that the targeted compounds were partly and rapidly solubilized into simulated fluids (SF) present in the gastrointestinal tract within a typical gut transit time for fish (3h in SFGASTRIC and 24h in SFINTESTINAL). The effects of food co-ingestion on the solubilization of tire-associated chemicals was compound-specific and either lowered or stimulated their solubilization into the gut fluids. Therefore, the uptake of the tire associated chemicals by the epithelial cells and related toxicity to fish need to be investigated

Repeated Human Exposure to Semivolatile Organic Compounds by Inhalation: Novel Protocol for a Nonrandomized Study.

peer reviewed[en] BACKGROUND: Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) comprise several different chemical families used mainly as additives in many everyday products. SVOCs can be released into the air as aerosols and deposit on particulate matter during use by dispersion, evaporation, or abrasion. Phthalates are SVOCs of growing concern due to their endocrine-disrupting effects. Human data on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of these compounds upon inhalation are almost nonexistent. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to develop a method for repeated inhalation exposures to SVOCs to characterize their ADME in humans. METHODS: We will use diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a major indoor air pollutant, as a model SVOC in this novel protocol. The Swiss official Commission on Ethics in Human Research, Canton de Vaud, approved the study on October 14, 2020 (project-ID 2020-01095). Participants (n=10) will be repeatedly exposed (2 short daily exposures over 4 days) to isotope-labeled DEHP (DEHP-d4) to distinguish administered exposures from background exposures. DEHP-d4 aerosols will be generated with a small, portable, aerosol-generating device. Participants will inhale DEHP-d4-containing aerosols themselves with this device at home. Air concentrations of the airborne phthalates will be less than or equal to their occupational exposure limit (OEL). DEHP-d4 and its metabolites will be quantified in urine and blood before, during, and after exposure. RESULTS: Our developed device can generate DEHP-d4 aerosols with diameters of 2.5 μm or smaller and a mean DEHP-d4 mass of 1.4 (SD 0.2) μg per puff (n=6). As of May 2023, we have enrolled 5 participants. CONCLUSIONS: The portable device can be used to generate phthalate aerosols for repeated exposure in human studies. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/51020