Temporal trend of polychlorinated biphenyls contamination in the northwestern Arabian Gulf - Evidence from sediment records.

This study provides an insight into the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) inventories in the sediments of the northwestern Arabian/Persian Gulf. PCBs can be used as chemical markers that correlate with historical events in the region, to estimate the sedimentation rates in the northern Gulf, and to determine the sources of pollutants in the study area. The concentrations of PCBs were generally patchy in sediments.

Baseline concentrations of pharmaceuticals in Kuwait's coastal marine environment.

This study was carried out to provide baseline information on the concentrations of pharmaceuticals in Kuwait's coastal waters. Samples were collected over four sampling campaigns from various outfalls that occasionally discharged water into the marine environment and analyzed for a range of pharmaceuticals including analgesic/anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, anticoagulant, antidiabetic, antihelmintics, antihypertensives, antiplatelet agent, asthma medication, β-blocking agent, calcium channel blocker, diuretic, histamine H1 and H2 receptor antagonist, lipid regulators/cholesterol-lowering, prostatic hyperplasia, psychiatric drug, sedation and muscle relaxant, synthetic glucocorticoid, tranquilizer and x-ray contrast media. The levels varied between the detection limits of the method and a maximum of 28,183 ng/L for analgesics/anti-inflammatories.

Depositional time trends of phosphorous accumulation in a dated sediment core from the northwestern Arabian Gulf: Can phosphorous be used to support Pb chronologies in coastal aquatic sediments?

The use of Pb dating for the reconstruction of contaminant profiles in undisturbed sediments is the most widely acceptable technique historically. Due to the uncertainties associated with the technique, dating of sediments have often been supported by ancillary evidence such as an alternative historical marker in the catchment that is preserved in the sedimentary records. The most widely used verification marker is Cs, which is attributed to global fallout from past nuclear weapons testing, and the Chernobyl accident.

Organophosphate esters in indoor dust from 12 countries: Concentrations, composition profiles, and human exposure.

A total of 20 organophosphate triesters (OPEs), including seven alkyl-OPEs, three chlorinated (Cl)-OPEs, seven aryl-OPEs, and three oligomeric-OPEs were measured in 341 house dust samples collected from 12 countries during the period 2010-2014. OPEs were ubiquitous in indoor dust, and the total concentrations of OPEs (∑OPEs; sum of 20 OPEs) ranged from 49.4 to 249,000 ng/g dry weight (dw).

Spatial and temporal variations in the atmospheric concentrations of "Stockholm Convention" organochlorine pesticides in Kuwait.

The study reports fortnightly atmospheric concentrations of organochlorine pesticides concomitantly measured at an urban, "industrial" and a remote location over a twelve month period in Kuwait to examine seasonal variability and urban-rural concentration gradients. The average±SD (and range) of the ΣOC concentrations measured throughout the study period in decreasing order were urban, 505±305 (range, 33-1352) pgm, remote, 204±124 (4.5-556) pgm, and "industrial" 155±103 (8.

Seasonal variations in the atmospheric concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls in Kuwait.

The spatial and temporal variations in the atmospheric concentrations of PCBs were concomitantly measured at several sites over a twelve-month period in Kuwait to examine seasonal variability and urban-rural concentration gradients using two sampling methods. The annual mean (and range) of ∑PCB concentrations measured using high volume samplers was 10.8 (1.

Atmospheric concentration of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) at Umm-Al-Aish oil field-Kuwait.

A sampling campaign was carried out to assess the impact of the oil field activities on the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) in ambient air at Umm Al-Aish oil field in northern Kuwait. Sixteen samples were collected from March 2014 to January 2015. The concentrations of ΣPCDD/Fs were relatively high (33.

Spatial and temporal distributions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Northern Arabian Gulf sediments.

Surficial sediment samples were collected from 25 locations within Kuwait Bay and outside the Bay, in the Northwestern Arabian Gulf, to access recent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollution in Kuwait. Time trends in the depositional history of PAHs to this portion of the Arabian Gulf was reconstructed from the analysis of a dated sediment core. Intersite differences in concentration exist although these differences were not statistically significant (p=0.

Depositional time trends of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in a dated sediment core from the Northern Arabian Gulf.

The historical record of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) deposition was reconstructed from the analysis of a dated sediment core collected from a remote area in the northwestern Arabian Gulf not influenced by any point sources of contamination. The sedimentary record showed that PCDD/F concentrations started to increase above pre-industrial background levels in the mid-1960s. This was followed by an exponential increase in concentrations attaining a maximum of 7.

Synthetic Phenolic Antioxidants and Their Metabolites in Indoor Dust from Homes and Microenvironments.

Synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs), including 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT), are extensively used in food, cosmetic and plastic industries. Nevertheless, limited information is available on human exposures, other than the dietary sources, to SPAs. In this study, occurrence of 9 SPAs and their metabolites/degradation products was determined in 339 indoor dust collected from 12 countries.

A comparative assessment of human exposure to tetrabromobisphenol A and eight bisphenols including bisphenol A via indoor dust ingestion in twelve countries.

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and eight bisphenol analogues (BPs) including bisphenol A (BPA) were determined in 388 indoor (including homes and microenvironments) dust samples collected from 12 countries (China, Colombia, Greece, India, Japan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, U.S., and Vietnam).

A survey of cyclic and linear siloxanes in indoor dust and their implications for human exposures in twelve countries.

Siloxanes are used widely in a variety of consumer products, including cosmetics, personal care products, medical and electrical devices, cookware, and building materials. Nevertheless, little is known on the occurrence of siloxanes in indoor dust. In this survey, five cyclic (D3-D7) and 11 linear (L4-L14) siloxanes were determined in 310 indoor dust samples collected from 12 countries.

Occurrence of perchlorate in indoor dust from the United States and eleven other countries: implications for human exposure.

Perchlorate is a widespread environmental contaminant and potent thyroid hormone disrupting compound. Despite this, very little is known with regard to the occurrence of this compound in indoor dust and the exposure of humans to perchlorate through dust ingestion. In this study, 366 indoor dust samples were collected from 12 countries, the USA, Colombia, Greece, Romania, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, India, Vietnam, and China, during 2010-2014.

Polybrominated diphenyl ether concentrations in sediments from the Northern Arabian Gulf: spatial and temporal trends.

Surficial sediment samples were obtained from 25 locations within Kuwait Bay and outside the Bay, in the Northwestern Arabian Gulf, to access recent pollution in Kuwait. The historical deposition of PBDEs to this portion of the Arabian Gulf was reconstructed by collecting a sediment core at the entrance of Kuwait Bay. The mean (and range) in concentrations of ∑11PBDEs in surficial sediments was 0.

Screening for PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in local and imported food and feed products available across the State of Kuwait and assessment of dietary intake.

A total of 318 local and imported meat, milk, eggs, fish, and animal feed samples collected in Kuwait were analyzed by cell-based reporter gene assay (Dioxin-Responsive Chemical Activated LUciferase gene eXpression DR-CALUX) for PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs. The bioanalytical equivalents (BEQs) obtained by DR-CALUX bioassay were compared with the official maximum limits according to the European Commission (EC) regulations. Suspected and randomly chosen negative samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS).

Seasonal variations in the atmospheric concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Kuwait.

The study reports fortnightly atmospheric concentrations of PBDEs concomitantly measured at an urban and a remote location over a twelve-month period in Kuwait to examine seasonal variability and urban-rural concentration gradients. The annual mean (and range) of ∑PBDE concentrations was 32 (3-208) pgm(-3) at the remote site and 57 (0.3-445) pgm(-3) at the urban site.

Depositional history of polychlorinated biphenyls in a dated sediment core from the northwestern Arabian Gulf.

The vertical distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was measured in a dated sediment core from the northwestern Arabian Gulf to reconstruct their depositional history. The downcore profile showed an increase in concentrations from depth to a subsurface maximum of approximately 1,500 pg g(-1) in approximately 1991, followed by an exponential decrease to the sediment-water interface. Current concentrations of ΣPCBs are similar to levels predating the episodic input of PCBs in sediments dated coincident with the 1991 Arabian Gulf war.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in soils along a rural-urban-rural transect: sources, concentration gradients, and profiles.

This study reports concentrations of PBDEs in surface soil samples collected along a 140 km transect across Kuwait to assess the role of urban centers as sources of persistent organic pollutants to the surrounding environment. The ΣPBDE concentrations varied by a factor of ~250 and ranged from 289 to 80,078 pgg (-1)d.w.

Diurnal fluctuations in polybrominated diphenyl ether concentrations during and after a severe dust storm episode in Kuwait City, Kuwait.

Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were quantified in four-hour integrated air samples obtained serially over a five day period in May 2007 in Kuwait City during and after a severe dust storm. The ∑PBDE concentrations ranged from 51 to 1307 pg m(-3) for the first two days of sampling and 20 to 148 pg m(-3) for the rest of the sampling period. The first two days of sampling occurred during a severe dust storm episode when the total suspended particulates (TSP) in air exceeded 1000 μg/m(3) with concentrations peaking during the day and decreasing at night.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in three commercially important fish from the northwestern Arabian Gulf: occurrence, concentration, and profiles.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in three species of fish (yellowfin seabream [Acanthopagrus latus, a predatory fish]; Klunzinger's mullet [Liza klunzingeri, a pelagic fish]; and large-scaled tonguesole [Cynoglossus arel, a demersal fish]) collected from two sites in the northwestern part of the Arabian Gulf, a marginal sea of the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean. Concentrations of ΣPBDEs ranged from 11 to 57 ng g(-1) lipid weight (lw) for mullet, 5.0-38 ng g(-1) lw for tonguesole, and 2.

Benzo[a]pyrene and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) levels in vegetable oils and fats do not reflect the occurrence of the eight genotoxic PAHs.

Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in 115 samples of olive oil (extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, olive oil, pomace olive oil and blended olive oil), cooking oil (corn oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, palm olein oil, soya oil, canola oil, mustard oil, peanut oil and mixed vegetable oil) and fat (butter and table margarine) collected from retail stores in Kuwait. Carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was detected in 43% of the samples analyzed. Benz[a]anthracene and chrysene were detected in 37 and 45% of the samples, respectively, that did not contain BaP.

Occurrence and concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sewage sludge from three wastewater treatment plants in Kuwait.

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations were measured in sewage sludge samples collected from three wastewater treatment plants in Kuwait over a six month period. PBDEs were detected in all samples analyzed and there were significant differences between the three wastewater treatment plants. The mean (and range) of summation PBDEs concentrations measured are as follows: Jahra 52.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in indoor air and dust in Kuwait: implications for sources and nondietary human exposure.

This study reports concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in indoor air and dust samples collected from 24 homes in Kuwait. Mean SigmaPAHs in indoor air ranged from 1.3 to 16 ng/m(3) with a geometric mean of 5.