Lipophilic contaminants, detection

Johnson, B.T. Petty, J.D. Huckins, J.N. 2000, Collection and detection of lipophilic chemical contaminants in water, sediment, soil, and air. Environ. Toxicol. 15 248-252. 

Synthetic musks have been detected in human tissues (Table 8) due to their lipophilic nature and their low biodegradability. The occurrence of these fragrance-related chemicals is subjected to a variable pattern with substantial interindividual differences, opposed to other environmental contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or pesticides [165]. 

Farm animals are exposed to PCDD/F via the ingestion of contaminated forage, grains and soil. Owing to its high lipophilicity, dioxin readily bioaccumulates in cattle and has been detected in beef, milk and dairy products. Several studies point out that meat and dairy products account for up to 60% of the total daily human intake of PCDD/Fs in industrialized nations.39,46 PCDD/F levels in beef... 

Polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDE) are common impurities in chlorophenol formulations, which were earlier used as fungicides, slimicides, and as wood preservatives. PCDEs are structurally and by physical properties similar to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). They have low water solubility and are lipophilic. PCDEs are quite resistant to degradation and are persistent in the environment. In the aquatic environment, PCDEs bioaccumulate. These compounds are found in sediment, mussel, fish, bird, and seal. PCDEs show biomagnification potential, since levels of PCDEs increase in species at higher trophic levels. PCDEs are also detected in human tissue. Despite the persistence and bio accumulation, the significance of PCDEs as environmental contaminants is uncertain. The acute toxicity and Ah-receptor-me-diated (aryl hydrocarbon) activity of PCDEs is low compared to those of polychlorinated di-benzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF). Due to structural similarity to thyroid hormone, PCDEs could bind to thyroid hormone receptor and alter thyroid function. Furthermore, PCDEs might be metabolized to toxic metabolites. In the environment, it is possible that photolysis converts PCDEs to toxic PCDDs and PCDFs. 

Aquatic particulate matter is an important sink for numerous lipophilic anthropogenic contaminants as the result of adsorption and accumulation processes. In the adsorbed state organic contaminants can be subject to transformation as well as to transportation processes within the river system. The anthropogenic contribution to the organic load of river systems can be attributed mainly to sewage effluents derived from industrial and domestic point sources, to agricultural emissions or to shipping activities. Numerous specific compounds reflect the different sources of pollution and, therefore, are frequently detected in river systems. 

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