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Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (v.45, #2)

Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Concentrations in Surface Water in Japan by N. Saito; K. Sasaki; K. Nakatome; K. Harada; T. Yoshinaga; A. Koizumi (pp. 149-158).

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a class of specialty chemicals used in a variety of applications, and has been found to be globally distributed in many living organisms including humans. Several analytical methods have been developed for determination of PFOS in environmental samples and biological matrices. However, these methods employ liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), an instrumentation which has limited accessibility because it is expensive to use and maintain. In the present study we present the development of a robust analytical method using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) in combination with solid phase extraction. The high yield and concentration of the present method enabled us to quantify PFOS as low as 0.1 ng/L. This method was applied to the determination of PFOS in 142 surface water samples collected from various geographic locations around Japan. The geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) (ng/L) for river samples (n = 126) was 2.37 (4.13), with a median of 1.68 and a range of 0.3–157 ng/L, and for coastal sea water samples (n = 16) was 1.52 (4.14), with a median of 1.21 and a range of 0.2–25.2 ng/L. However, the concentrations in most of the samples were much lower than the values reported in the US, except for those from the Jinzu (135.0 ng/L) and Tama (157 ng/L) Rivers. Because surface waters in the Ara (13.0–38.5 ng/L), Tama (0.7–157.0ng/L), and Yodo (0.9–27.3 ng/L) Rivers, sources of drinking water for more than eight million people, were moderately contaminated with PFOS, more work is needed to assess exposure to PFOS.

Effects of Copper on Wild and Tolerant Strains of the Lichen Photobiont Trebouxia erici (Chlorophyta) and Possible Tolerance Mechanisms by M. Bačkor; D. Fahselt; R. D. Davidson; C.T. Wu (pp. 159-167).

The influence of copper was assessed on wild and tolerant strains of the lichen photobiont Trebouxia erici and shown to have multiple toxic effects. Addition of 4 mM copper chloride into Trebouxia media reduced growth rates of the wild type to less than 1% of control levels. It also injured cell membranes, inhibited dehydrogenase activity, altered pigment composition, and reduced activity of photosystem II. Membrane damage was assessed through measuring electrical conductivity and potassium content, dehydrogenase activity by degree of conversion of 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride to red triphenylformazan, and functioning of PS II by chlorophyll a fluorescence. In respect to most parameters the tolerant strain was usually less affected by copper than the wild strain and, in some cases, not at all. We demonstrated by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis that enriched copper in the medium resulted in increased uptake by both wild and tolerant photobiont cells, but extracellular concentrations were significantly higher in the tolerant strain. This suggested that, at least in vitro, extracellular deposition was a mechanism of copper tolerance.

Peroxidase and Superoxide Dismutase Activities in Fig Leaves in Response to Ambient Air Pollution in a Subtropical City by M.-H. Li (pp. 168-176).

Urban air pollution is a serious problem in both developing and developed countries, and antioxidant enzyme activities in plants have been suggested as a useful bioindicator of air pollution. In this study, the seasonal and spatial variability of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were measured in leaves of Ficus microcarpa at eight sampling sites in the Taipei metropolitan area and one background site in rural area at each month for a year. The spatial pattern of peroxidase activity in figs collected from the Taipei metropolitan area was similar to the spatial pattern of O₃ concentration in the Taipei metropolitan area. The peroxidase activities of Ficus microcarpa were significantly higher at sampling sites from the outer zone of the metropolitan area than those from the inner zone of the metropolitan area in spring and summer. On the other hand, the spatial pattern of superoxide dismutase activity in fig leaves did not show significant differences between the inner and outer zones of the Taipei metropolitan area. In addition, peroxidase activities, but not superoxide dismutase activities, of Ficus microcarpa were significantly higher in sites with high traffic density than those in low traffic density sites. Even though peroxidase activities in Ficus microcarpa tended to be higher in high traffic density sites or some sites with high ozone concentration, site-specific changes of peroxidase activity in Ficus microcarpa due to O₃ pollution were not clearly observed in this study. Based on these results, neither peroxidase nor superoxide dismutase in Ficus microcarpa is a sensitive bioindicator for O₃ pollution, although peroxidase shows some potential to be used as a general bioindicator of air quality.

Determination of Lipid Peroxides in Invertebrates Tissues Using the Fe(III) Xylenol Orange Complex Formation by J. M. Monserrat; L. A. Geracitano; G. L. L. Pinho; T. M. Vinagre; M. Faleiros; J. C. Alciati; A. Bianchini (pp. 177-183).

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are subproducts of the oxidative metabolism known to initiate chain reactions with polyunsaturated fatty acids that generate lipid peroxides (LPO). The objective of this work was to adapt the ferrous oxidation/xylenol orange (FOX) assay to measure LPO in invertebrate tissues i.e.: from polychaeta (Laeonereis acuta) and crab (Chasmagnathus granulata) species. Whole polychaetes were homogenized in methanol 100%, being determined the optimal sample volume and the time required for color development. It was tested five sample volumes (8–30 μl), following color development up to 215 min. Absorbance stabilization was observed after 90 min, being linearly related with sample volume. A similar procedure was adopted for crab tissues (anterior gills, posterior gills, and hepatopancreas). Differences between species and between organs of the same species were observed when analyzed nonspecific absorbance increments after adding the standard cumene hydroperoxide (CHP). In polychaeta and crab anterior gills tissue, absorbance increments were lower (21–25%) than samples without tissue extracts (blanks) that received CHP. In crab posterior gills and hepatopancreas, the nonspecific increment was almost negligible. Correction formulae are given to account for these differences and simplified protocols for each tissue and species are also included. Great differences in the lipid peroxides content was detected between worms (127.05 ± 19.32 nmoles CHP/g of wet tissue) respect to anterior gills, posterior gills, and hepatopancreas from the crab species (52.65 ± 3.59, 30.54 ± 4.73, and 48.51 ± 8.78 nmoles CHP/g of wet tissue, respectively).

Mercury Toxicity in the Aquatic Oligochaete Sparganophilus pearsei: I. Variation in Resistance Among Populations by D. E. Vidal; A. J. Horne (pp. 184-189).

Mercury contamination has become a problem in many San Francisco Bay Area watersheds due to its elevated presence in sediments and aquatic organisms. The present study used laboratory lethal toxicity (LC₅₀) tests to examine the mercury tolerance of aquatic oligochaete worms, Sparganophilus pearsei, from contaminated and uncontaminated areas. The oligochaetes were collected in the following fresh water reservoirs: Sandy Wool (reference area), San Pablo, Lake Anza, Lake Herman, and Guadalupe. These last four reservoirs were contaminated with levels of mercury that ranged from 1.5 to 2 mg/kg (wet weight). Mercury concentrations in sediment and tissue from Sandy Wool were below detection limits and worms from this site were the least tolerant of mercury in laboratory exposures (LC₅₀ = 0.22 mg/L). Worms from the other, more contaminated, reservoirs contained elevated tissue mercury concentrations and were more tolerant in laboratory tests (LC₅₀ = 1.48–2.19 mg/L). The present study demonstrates that different populations of the aquatic oligochaete S. pearsei have developed different tolerances to mercury depending on their previous history of exposure to mercury contamination.

Echinoderms as Bioindicators, Bioassays, and Impact Assessment Tools of Sediment-Associated Metals and PCBs in the North Sea by G. Coteur; P. Gosselin; P. Wantier; Y. Chambost-Manciet; B. Danis; Ph. Pernet; M. Warnau; Ph. Dubois (pp. 190-202).

The study assessed the occurrence, possible toxicity, and impact of sediment-associated metals and PCBs in the coastal zone of the southern North Sea using echinoderms as representatives of the macrobenthos. Metals and PCBs were analyzed in the sediments and in the body compartments of the starfish Asterias rubens from 11 stations. The general toxicity of sediment-associated contaminants was assessed by bioassays using embryonic and larval developments of both A. rubens and the sea urchin Psammechinus miliaris. The impact of contamination was assessed by measuring cellular immune responses of A. rubens collected in the same stations.Contamination of the starfish by metals and PCBs closely reflected that of the sediments. However, bioaccumulation was element-specific for metals and depended on the chlorination pattern for PCBs. The sediment-associated contaminants appeared to be toxic in both the A. rubens and P. miliaris developmental assays. Moreover, metals were shown to affect the immune responses of starfishes living in contaminated stations. The most significant effects on biological responses were recorded in the plumes of the Scheldt/Rhine/North Sea Canal and the Elbe/Weser Rivers.

Reduction in the Sex Ratio of the Progeny of a Parasitoid Wasp (Trichogramma brassicae) Surviving the Insecticide Chlorpyrifos by J. M. Delpuech; J. Meyet (pp. 203-208).

Due to the wide use of insecticides and their contribution to environmental pollution, the determination of their sublethal effects on the reproduction of parasitoids regulating pest populations is a necessity. In this work, sublethal effects of a lethal dose 20% of chlorpyrifos on the reproduction and the sex ratio of Trichogramma brassicae were assessed. The organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos is one of the most used insecticides for agricultural and domestic purposes in a worldwide market. A decrease in the number of parasitized hosts was observed for females surviving the insecticide. Furthermore, while untreated females presented a very biased sex ratio in favor of daughters, the offspring of treated females surviving the insecticide presented an almost balanced sex ratio due to a decrease in the number of daughters. This decrease in sex ratio was interpreted to be resulting from a decrease in fertilized eggs due to the perturbation of nerve transmissions induced by the insecticide. These results highlight the need for considering not only the direct mortality induced by insecticides but also sublethal effects liable to modify important fitness traits involved in the dynamic of beneficial insect populations.

Influences of a Laboratory Diet and Natural Seston on the Bioavailability of Carbaryl, Chlorpyrifos, and Malathion to Black Fly Larvae (Diptera: Simuliidae) in an Acute Toxicity Test by J. P. Overmyer; R. Noblet (pp. 209-215).

To determine the effects organic food particles can have on insecticide bioavailability, two food types, a laboratory diet and dried, natural seston, were evaluated using black fly larvae, Simulium vittatum Zetterstedt cytospecies IS-7, in a 24-h orbital shaker toxicity test. The bioavailability of all three insecticides was significantly altered when diet concentrations in the flasks were ≥150 mg/L. Chlorpyrifos availability decreased, whereas carbaryl and malathion availability increased. Dried, natural seston had little effect on the bioavailability of these insecticides except in carbaryl-dosed larvae where mortality was significantly increased when seston concentrations were 150 mg/L in the flasks. Differences in insecticide bioavailability between the two food types in these experiments might have been related to the particle size and organic carbon content of the two materials. Laboratory diet particles were significantly smaller (11.7 ± 0.5 μm) and had a significantly greater organic carbon content (26.4%) than the seston particles (30.9 ± 3.3 μm; 1.1%). These results suggest that the concentration, as well as the physical and chemical component of the food source, are important factors in determining the effects of food on insecticide bioavailability in aquatic systems.

Impact of Naled on Honey Bee Apis mellifera L. Survival and Productivity: Aerial ULV Application Using a Flat-Fan Nozzle System by H. Zhong; M. Latham; P. G. Hester; R. L. Frommer; C. Brock (pp. 216-220).

A study was conducted to evaluate the impact of naled on honey bees as a result of their exposure to aerial ULV applications of this insecticide during three routine mosquito spray missions by Manatee County Mosquito Control District in Florida during the summer of 1999. Naled deposits were collected on filter paper and subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography. Mortality of adult honey bees Apis mellifera L. was estimated based on numbers from dead bee collectors placed in front of the entrance of the beehives. We found that honey bees clustering outside of the beehives were subject to naled exposure. Bee mortality increased when higher naled residues were found around the hives. The highest average naled deposit was 6,227 ± 696 μg/m² at the site 1 forest area following the mosquito spray mission on July 15, 1999. The range of naled deposition for this application was 2,818–7,101 μg/m². The range of dead bees per hive was 0–39 prior to spraying and 9–200 within 24 h following this spray mission. The average yield of honey per hive was significantly lower (p < 0.05) for naled-exposed hives compared with unexposed hives. Because reduction of honey yield also may be affected by other factors, such as location of the hives relative to a food source and vigor of the queen bee, the final assessment of honey yield was complicated.

Effects of the Insecticide Endosulfan and Presence of Congeneric Tadpoles on Australian Treefrog (Litoria freycineti) Tadpoles by S. Broomhall; R. Shine (pp. 221-226).

The organochlorine insecticide endosulfan is extensively used in Australia and can often contaminate aquatic environments. However, its effects on Australian frog species are unknown. We exposed tadpoles of the Australian treefrog Litoria freycineti to endosulfan for 96 hours. Tadpoles exposed to 0.03 or 1.3 μg/L endosulfan grew more slowly than control tadpoles. Furthermore, feeding was inhibited in L. freycineti when the animals were observed halfway through their exposure to a concentration of 1.3 μg/L endosulfan for 96 h. This concentration (which periodically occurs in natural water bodies and rivers) also caused 17% tadpole mortality, and the survivors were more vulnerable to invertebrate (odonate) predation when tested 15 days after transfer to clean water. The presence of a sympatric species of tadpole, Litoria peronii, did not affect survivorship of L. freycineti, but reduced growth rates. Thus, short-term exposure to endosulfan in natural water bodies may influence tadpole viability either immediately or over an extended period.

Comparing Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Bioaccumulation in a Food Web in Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan by H. M. Stapleton; J. E. Baker (pp. 227-234).

Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) in Great Lakes salmonids and ambient air have been recently reported, but few studies worldwide have examined the accumulation of BDEs within aquatic food webs. Here we report some of the first measurements of six BDE congeners that are common components of the pentaBDE commercial mixture within an entire Lake Michigan food web. BDEs were detected in all samples and the dominant BDE congener was 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 47). BDE 47 levels were consistently greater than those of the 2,2′,4,4′,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 99), despite similar levels of these two compounds in commercial mixtures, suggesting differences in the bioavailability of the BDE congeners or differences in their ability to be metabolized. Additionally, congener composition was significantly different among deepwater sculpin, bloater chub, and lake trout, indicating differences in exposure or differences in biotransformation capacities. Total BDE concentrations in this food web were positively correlated (r = 0.94) with levels of PCBs previously measured in these samples (Stapleton et al. 2001a). Levels of BDE 47 and PCB 153, compounds with similar physicochemical properties, were compared to examine the relative exposure and bioaccumulation of these two classes of chemicals that have different environmental loading histories. Food web magnification factors calculated for these two congeners were 3.2 and 4.0 for BDE 47 and PCB 153, respectively, indicating a comparable potential for biomagnification in food webs.

Mercury Biomagnification in a Tropical Black Water, Rio Negro, Brazil by A. C. Barbosa; J. de Souza; J. G. Dórea; W. F. Jardim; P. S. Fadini (pp. 235-246).

The population living along the riverbanks of the Amazon basin depends heavily on fish for nutritional support. Mono-methyl-mercury (MMHg) concentrates in fish, which can contaminate humans, the risk depending not only on fish MMHg concentration but also on the amount of fish consumed. We sampled nine locations of the Rio Negro basin, differing in water pH, Hg concentrations, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and determined total Hg from 951 fish samples of species representative of the food web: herbivorous, detritivorous, omnivorous, and piscivorous. Mercury concentrations varied widely in all species but showed a trend that depended on fish feeding strategies. The highest mean concentration was found in the piscivorous species (688.90 ng/g⁻¹), followed by omnivorous (190.30 ng/g⁻¹), detritivorous (136.04 ng/g⁻¹), and herbivorous (70.39 ng/g⁻¹). Fish Hg concentrations exceeding current safe limits (500 ng/g⁻¹) for human consumption were found mainly in the piscivorous species (60%). Significant positive correlation between fish weight and Hg concentration was seen for the piscivorous Serrasalmus spp. (n = 326; r = 0.3977; p < 0.0001), Cichla spp. (n = 125; r = 0.4600; p < 0.0001), and Pimelodus spp. (n = 12; r = 0.8299; p = 0.0008), known locally as Piranha, Tucunaré, and Mandi, respectively. However, a negative correlation was seen for nonpiscivorous Potamorhina latior (n = 30; r −0.3763; p = 0.0404) and Leporinus spp. (n = 44; r = −3987; p = 0.0073), known as Branquinha (detritivorous) and Aracu (omnivorous). Fish-Hg concentrations in the acidic waters (pH range, 4.09–6.31) of the Rio Negro habitat, with its wide gradient of Hg concentrations (3.4–11.9 μg/L⁻¹) and DOC (1.85–15.3 mg/L⁻¹)—but no history of gold mining activity—are comparable to other Amazonian rivers. Opportunity fish catches in the Rio Negro habitat show high muscle-Hg derived from natural sources, but no systematic association with site-dependent geochemistry.

Exposure to Water from the Lower Rhine Induces a Stress Response in the Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss by D. T. Nolan; F. A. T. Spanings; N. M. Ruane; R. H. Hadderingh; H. A. Jenner; S. E. Wendelaar Bonga (pp. 247-257).

The water quality of the river Rhine has improved in recent years and populations of salmonids are increasing. Nevertheless at present, the water from the lower Rhine still contains a complex mixture of low levels of many pollutants and it is not known whether exposure to such water is stressful to salmonid fish. For 31 days we continuously exposed the trout Oncorhynchus mykiss to water from the lower Rhine in the Netherlands and measured a variety of physiological, biochemical, and histological parameters, including the stress parameters cortisol and glucose. Exposure to Rhine water significantly increased cortisol and glucose after 3 h. At 21 and 31 days, cortisol was lower in exposed fish, indicating inhibition or exhaustion of the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis. Electron microscopical analysis of the skin and gill epithelia revealed stressor-related effects that reflected disruption of the skin epithelium, the interface between the fish and the environment. This had little influence on hydromineral balance, as neither gill Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity nor plasma Na⁺ and Cl⁻ were altered, although intestine- and kidney-specific Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activities were affected. Analysis of heavy metal concentrations in the liver, kidney, and intestine indicated no bioaccumulation. Immunostimulation was reflected by increased respiratory burst activity of the head kidney leukocytes. From 7 days onwards, the body weight of the Rhine water fish was significantly lower than that of control fish. Overall, the data show that acute exposure to present day water from the lower Rhine induced a stress response in the fish that, during chronic exposure, was followed by impairment of the HPI axis, reduced growth, and prolonged immunostimulation.

Toxicity of Chlorpyrifos Adsorbed on Humic Colloids to Larval Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) by T. A. Phillips; R. C. Summerfelt; J. Wu; D. A. Laird (pp. 258-263).

After application, organophosphorus insecticides (OPs) are often strongly adsorbed to soil constituents. Because of their relatively low water solubility, OPs may be transferred from field to stream adsorbed on suspended solids. However, we are not aware of research done to evaluate the bioavailability (i.e., toxicity) of OPs transported on suspended solids to fish. We conducted 48-h static toxicity tests to determine the toxicity of chlorpyrifos in aqueous solution and adsorbed on calcium-saturated humic acid (HA) to three larval stages of walleye (Stizostedion vitreum). Three concentrations of chlorpyrifos adsorbed on HA, a HA control, and a chlorpyrifos-only treatment were tested. Fish that survived the 48-h static toxicity tests were analyzed to determine total cholinesterase (ChE) activity. In general, survival of all larval stages of walleye exposed to chlorpyrifos–HA complexes was less than that of walleye exposed to HA controls and the chlorpyrifos-only treatment, which were not toxic to walleye. Cholinesterase inhibition of larval walleye exposed to chlorpyrifos–HA complexes was similar to the ChE inhibition observed in larval walleye exposed to chlorpyrifos in the aqueous phase. These laboratory experiments indicate potential toxicity of chlorpyrifos–soil complexes to larval fish.

Assessment of Human Health Risks for Arsenic Bioaccumulation in Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and Large-Scale Mullet (Liza macrolepis) from Blackfoot Disease Area in Taiwan by C. M. Liao; M. P. Ling (pp. 264-272).

This paper carries out probabilistic risk analysis methods to quantify arsenic (As) bioaccumulation in cultured fish of tilapia (Orechromis mossambicus) and large-scale mullet (Liza macrolepis) at blackfoot disease (BFD) area in Taiwan and to assess the range of exposures for the people who eat the contaminated fish. The models implemented include a probabilistic bioaccumulation model to account for As accumulation in fish and a human health exposure and risk model that accounts for hazard quotient and lifetime risk for humans consuming contaminated fish. Results demonstrate that the ninety-fifth percentile of hazard quotient for inorganic As ranged from 0.77–2.35 for Taipei city residents with fish consumption rates of 10–70 g/d, whereas it ranged 1.86–6.09 for subsistence fishers in the BFD area with 48–143 g/d, consumption rates. The highest ninety-fifth percentile of potential health risk for inorganic As ranged from 1.92 × 10⁻⁴–5.25 × 10⁻⁴ for Taipei city residents eating tilapia harvested from Hsuehchia fish farms, with consumption rates of 10–70 g/d, whereas for subsistence fishers it was 7.36 × 10⁻⁴–1.12 × 10⁻³ with 48–143 g/d consumption rates. These findings indicate that As exposure poses risks to residents and subsistence fishers, yet these results occur under highly conservative conditions. We calculate the maximum allowable inorganic As residues associated to a standard unit risk, resulting in the maximum target residues, are 0.0019–0.0175 and 0.0023–0.0053 μg/g dry weight for tilapia and large-scale mullet, respectively, with consumption rates of 70–10 g/d, or 0.0009–0.0029 and 0.0011–0.0013 μg/g dry weight for consumption rates of 169−48 g/d.

Maternal Transfer of Contaminants to Eggs in Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscala) Nesting on Coal Fly Ash Basins by A. L. Bryan Jr.; W. A. Hopkins; J. A. Baionno; B. P. Jackson (pp. 273-277).

Coal combustion is a major source of trace elements to the environment. Aquatic disposal of wastes from this process can result in reproductive failure in many wildlife species, but little is known regarding impacts on avian fauna. Individual eggs were collected from common grackles (Quiscalus quiscala) nesting in association with coal fly ash settling basins and a reference site to determine if females from the contaminated site transfered trace elements to their eggs. Whole clutches were also collected from both sites to examine inter- and intra-clutch variability of maternally transferred contaminants. Selenium was the only trace element found in significantly higher concentrations in ash basin eggs (x¯ = 5.88 ± 0.44 μg/g DW) than in reference eggs (x¯ = 2.69 ± 0.13 μg/g DW). Selenium concentrations in eggs from the ash basins were above background levels, but did not exceed higher proposed Se toxicity thresholds. Inter- and intra-clutch variation was higher for ash basin clutches than reference clutches. The relationship between selenium concentrations and laying order (estimated by egg mass) was not statistically significant, but increased Se concentration in the second egg of most ash basin clutches followed by declining concentrations in subsequent eggs suggested that further examination of this pattern might be warranted.

Placental Cadmium and Lipid Peroxidation in Smoking Women Related to Newborn Anthropometric Measurements by M. Falcón; P. Viñas; M. D. Perez-Cárceles; A. Luna (pp. 278-282).

Smoking during pregnancy is known to be harmful for fetal growth, and cigarette smoke is the major source of cadmium exposure in the general population. Some authors suggest that cadmium accumulated in placenta may be the main cause of the decreased fetal growth shown by infants born to smoking mothers. The aim of our study was to assess any relationship between smoking during pregnancy, placental cadmium levels, placental lipid peroxidation, and anthropometric measurements of newly born babies.The mean values of placental cadmium were significantly higher in smoking mothers, who also produced offspring with reduced neonatal weight, length, head and abdominal circumferences. Lipid peroxidation correlated negatively with birth weight and abdominal circumference.Our results suggest that the cadmium accumulated in placenta is not the reason for reduced fetal growth in smoking mothers and that placental peroxidation is not enhanced by smoking, although the outcome of pregnancy seems to be negatively influenced by lipid peroxidation.

Kinetic Transport of Pesticide from Contaminated Fabric Through a Model Skin by S. K. Obendorf; E. Csiszár; D. Maneefuangfoo; J. Borsa (pp. 283-288).

Most protective clothing research for workers exposed to pesticides has focused on the primary dermal exposure that results from direct contact with the pesticide and on the penetration, versus repellency, of protective materials. The role of absorption and retention in the function of traditional clothing materials to limit pesticide exposure has received less attention. This project investigates the transfer of pesticides from contaminated work clothing in the dry state to human skin with the goal of furthering our understanding of the role of absorption and retention in the function of traditional clothing materials. Our objective was to study the use of synthetic membrane to evaluate the kinetic transport of pesticide from contaminated clothing through human skin. Transport of pesticide through the test system with and without the presence of fabric was characterized by a three-parameter single exponential rise to maximum equation. The synthetic membrane system was an appropriate model for human skin in this situation. Starching applied to the fabric gave additional absorption and retention, reducing pesticide transport from the fabric to the skin, and heavier weight fabric, such as denim, provided protection through absorption and retention of the pesticide.

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Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (v.45, #2)