Publications by authors named "Cassandra Brinovcar"

Article Synopsis
  • The chronic toxicity of perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs), particularly PFBS and PFHxS, is becoming a concern as their presence in the environment increases, but their effects are largely unexplored.
  • Researchers exposed northern leopard frog tadpoles to various concentrations of PFBS and PFHxS and monitored their growth, development, stress levels, and immune responses, finding that high concentrations (1000 μg/L) significantly impacted liver health and altered fatty acid profiles.
  • Notably, exposure to PFHxS at lower environmentally relevant levels (0.1 μg/L) increased the likelihood of tadpoles developing as females, indicating potential endocrine disruption during early development.
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Short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) have been detected in the environment globally. The presence and persistence of these compounds in the environment may lead to chronic wildlife exposure. We used northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) tadpoles to investigate the chronic toxicity and the bioconcentration of two short-chain PFCAs, perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA).

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Many chemicals in commonly used household and industrial products are being released into the environment, yet their toxicity is poorly understood. The synthetic phenolic antioxidant, 4,4'-thiobis(6-t-butyl-m-cresol) (CAS 96-69-5; TBBC) is present in many common products made of rubber and plastic. Yet, this phenolic antioxidant has not been tested for potential toxicity and developmental disruption in amphibians, a sensitive and susceptible class.

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Restrictions on the production and use of some highly toxic and persistent flame retardants has resulted in the increased use of alternative phosphate flame retardants that are less-well characterized. The brominated organophosphate ester flame retardant, tris(tribromoneopentyl) phosphate (CAS 19186-97-1, molecular formula C15H24Br9O4P, molecular weight 1018.47 g/mol, acronym TTBrNP) is a compound with potential to bioaccumulate and disrupt endocrine functions.

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