Publications by authors named "M E Penrose"

Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used as fire suppressants. Due to rising health and environmental concerns, fluorine-free foams (F3) are being developed and tested as safer alternatives. However, the impact of these replacement products on ecologically important earthworms has not been adequately studied.

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Parabens are alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid that are commonly used as preservatives in personal care products such as cosmetics. Recent studies have revealed the presence of parabens in surface and tap water because of their use as disinfection products; however, little is known about their occurrence in biological samples and their bioaccumulation potential, particularly in raptor birds known as sentinels for pollutant detection. We examined the occurrence and tissue distribution of parabens, their metabolites, and halogenated byproducts in the liver, kidney, brain, and muscle of birds of prey from Texas and North Carolina (USA).

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Parabens are ubiquitous, being found in surface waters around the world. Although little is known about the release of paraben transformation products and fate of transformation products in surface water. This study evaluates both parabens and paraben transformation products in the Brazos River upstream and downstream of a wastewater facility located in Waco, Texas.

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Parabens are commonly used preservatives that are weakly estrogenic. Wastewater effluent is the greatest contributor to the spread of parabens into rivers and other surface water. While previous studies indicate parabens are well removed in wastewater treatment by way of transformation, not much is known about the paraben transformation products.

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Urban-living wildlife can be exposed to metal contaminants dispersed into the environment through industrial, residential, and agricultural applications. Metal exposure carries lethal and sublethal consequences for animals; in particular, heavy metals (e.g.

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