Spatial and vertical distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the water columns of the regional seas of South Korea.

This study focused on analyzing the spatial and vertical distributions of 28 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which comprised five precursors and three alternatives, in the water columns of the regional seas surrounding South Korea, such as the Yellow Sea (YS, Y1-Y10), East China Sea (ECS, EC1-EC6), South Sea (SS, S1-S5), and East Sea (ES, E1-E7). The concentrations of these PFASs detected in 204 seawater samples varied from below the limit of detection ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Nationwide human biomonitoring strategy in Korea: Prioritization of novel contaminants using GC/TOF-MS with suspect and non-target screening.

According to global regulations on hazardous chemicals, numerous alternatives have been manufactured and used in various consumer products. Suspect and non-target analyses are advanced analytical techniques used for identifying novel contaminants. In the present study, suspect and non-target analytical approaches using a gas chromatography coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer were applied to identify novel contaminants in 40 pooled serum samples from a sub-population (n = 400) of the 2015-2017 national biomonitoring program.

Comparison of urinary exposure profiles to phthalates and bisphenol analogues in kindergartens in Korea: Impact of environmental choices on children's health.

Phthalates and bisphenols (BPs) are well-known endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that are widely used in diverse consumer and personal care products. Despite their vulnerability, children are frequently exposed to phthalates and BPs in their surrounding environments. Although pre-school children spend most of their time in kindergarten, no comprehensive assessment of children' exposure to EDCs has been conducted according to the type of kindergarten.

Legacy and alternative plasticizers in sediment from artificial lakes and coastal waters near high-tech industrial complexes in Korea: Contamination, ecological risk, mass inventory, and dilution factor.

Few studies have been conducted on the occurrence and distribution of alternative plasticizers (APs) in aquatic environments. Legacy plasticizers (LPs) and APs were measured in sediments collected from four artificial lakes and a bay surrounded by high-tech industrial complexes. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate were major plasticizers.

Exploring micropollutants in polar environments based on non-target analysis using LC-HRMS.

The routine use of chemicals in polar regions contributes to unexpected occurrence of micropollutants, with sewage discharge as a prominent pollution source. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify micropollutants in polar environments near potential point sources using non-target analysis (NTA) with liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry. Seawater samples were collected from Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard and Marian Cove, King George Island, in 2023.

Thyroid and neurobehavioral effects of DiNP on GH3 cells and larval zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) has been used to replace bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and is frequently found in the environment and humans. DiNP is reported for its anti-androgenic activity; however, little is known about its effects on thyroid function and neurodevelopment. In the present study, the thyroid disruption and neurobehavioral alteration potential of DiNP and its major metabolites were assessed in a rat pituitary carcinoma cell line (GH3) and embryo-larval zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Thyroid and sex hormone disrupting effects of DEHTP at different life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP) is an alternative plasticizer widely used in numerous consumer products, replacing di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Hence, DEHTP has been frequently detected in the environment and humans. As a structural isomer and functional analog of DEHP, DEHTP is a suspected endocrine disruptor.

Accumulation features and temporal trends (2002-2015) for legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in finless porpoises bycaught off Korean coasts.

Legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were measured in livers of finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis; n = 167) collected in Korean waters from 2002 to 2015 to investigate their occurrence, bioaccumulation feature, temporal trends, and ecotoxicological implications. Perfulorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA), and perfluorotridecanoate (PFTrDA) were the predominant PFASs found in the porpoises. The concentration of 6:2 chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonate (F-53B), an alternative to PFOS, was comparable to that of PFTrDA.

Homemade weaning foods as a source of lead and mercury exposure in Korean infants - A dietary risk assessment study.

Lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are neurodevelopmental toxicants that pose risks to cognitive and behavioral health. Given early childhood's vulnerability to these metals, understanding their sources and pathways of exposure during infancy is crucial for public health. During the weaning process, infants may be exposed to metals through the baby food they consume.

Developing a Novel Read-Across Concept for Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment of Phosphate Chemicals: A Case Study.

This study introduces a novel concept approach for a read-across assessment, considering species sensitivity differences among phosphate chemicals within structurally similar compound groups. Twenty-five organic chemicals, with a log Kow of 5 or less, were categorized into three functional groups based on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition as a specific mode of action (MOA). The short-term aquatic toxicity data (LC) for fish, crustaceans, and insects were collected from the U.

Factors determining contamination and time trends in cyclic and linear siloxanes in sediments from an industrialized lake in Korea.

Siloxanes, widely used in various consumer and industrial products, are emerging concerns of contaminants. Despite this, limited studies have been conducted on contamination and time trends on siloxanes in coastal environments. In the present study, four cyclic and 15 linear siloxanes were measured in sediments collected from an artificial saltwater lake in Korea during 2001-2016 to investigate contamination, time trends, and ecotoxicological concerns.

Cyclic and linear siloxane contamination in sediment and invertebrates around a thermal power plant in Korea: Source impact, distribution, seasonal variation, and potential for bioaccumulation.

Siloxanes have been commonly used as additives in a variety of industrial and consumer products. Media and government investigations have revealed that defoamers containing siloxanes are used in the effluent of thermal power plants in Korea. However, investigations of the source impact of siloxane contamination from the discharge of thermal power plants into coastal environments are scarce.

Occurrence, time trends, and human exposure of siloxanes and synthetic musk compounds in indoor dust from Korean homes.

Siloxanes and synthetic musk compounds (SMCs) have been widely used as additives in household and personal care products. Humans are easily exposed to siloxanes and SMCs originating from these products through ingestion and dermal absorption of indoor dust. In the present study, indoor dust samples were analyzed for 19 siloxanes (cyclic and linear) and 12 SMCs (polycyclic, macrocyclic, and nitro musks) to assess their occurrence, time trends over time, source, and health risks.

Effects of postnatal exposure to phthalate, bisphenol a, triclosan, parabens, and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances on maternal postpartum depression and infant neurodevelopment: a korean mother-infant pair cohort study.

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can promote infant neurodevelopmental impairment and maternal postpartum depression (PPD). However, the associations between lactation exposure to EDCs, maternal PPD, and infant neurodevelopment are unclear. Hence, we investigated these relationships in infants aged 36-42 months.

Urinary concentrations of organophosphate esters and associated health outcomes in Korean firefighters.

Although firefighters are at an increased risk of occupational exposure to chemicals, such as flame retardants, research on the exposure of Korean firefighters to organophosphate esters (OPEs)-a group of emerging flame retardants-remains limited. Therefore, in the present study, OPE metabolite concentrations in the urine samples of 149 former and current Korean firefighters were measured. Based on the data obtained, the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of OPEs were calculated.

Adverse thyroid hormone and behavioral alterations induced by three frequently used synthetic musk compounds in embryo-larval zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Synthetic musk compounds (SMCs) have been extensively used in numerous consumer products, such as perfumes, cosmetics, soap, and fabric softener. Due to their bioaccumulative nature, these compounds have often been detected in the aquatic ecosystem. However, their effects on endocrine and behavioral effects in freshwater fish have rarely been investigated.

Characteristics of metal pollution and multi-isotopic signatures for C, Cu, Zn, and Pb in coastal sediments from special management areas in Korea.

The concentrations and isotopic compositions of carbon (C), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) in coastal sediments were analyzed to identify potential pollution sources. High concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC) and metals were found close to cities and industrial areas. The isotopic compositions of C, Cu, Zn, and Pb tended to decrease as their concentrations increased.

Effects of mercury exposure on fetal body burden and its association with infant growth.

Several studies have been conducted among South Korean to investigate effects of high blood mercury (Hg) levels. In this study fetal body burden of Hg in 344 pregnant women were estimated using a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK) and its associative effects on the growth of infants were analyzed. The association between cord blood Hg and growth variables at birth was analyzed based on parameters such as the sex of the newborn, living area, maternal age group, gestation day, maternal body mass index .