Development of a safety analysis method for volatile organic compounds using 2-phenoxyethanol as solvent.

Indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are usually sampled using active carbon samplers and subsequently analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to assess the exposure risk to workers. Therefore, selection of a suitable solvent for VOC extraction is crucial. However, reports on the use of 2-phenoxyethanol-known for its low vapor pressure and low toxicity-as a solvent for extracting VOCs from activated carbon are lacking.

Development of an analytical method for indoor polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their halogenated derivatives by using thermal separation probe coupled to gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their halogenated derivatives (XPAHs) have been a concern because of their high toxicity. Monitoring indoor PAHs and XPAHs concentrations is important for risk assessment because humans typically spend >90 % of their time indoors. However, the background levels of indoor PAHs and XPAHs concentrations are unknown because of the low sensitivity of conventional analytical methods.

Enhancement of photodegradation of polyethylene with adsorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons under artificial sunlight irradiation.

The photodegradation of plastic waste produces microplastics (MPs) in marine environments. Plastics can adsorb hydrophobic organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and can be transported over long distances. However, the impact of adsorbed pollutants on the photodegradation remains unknown.

TRIAC disrupts cerebral thyroid hormone action via negative feedback and heterogenous distribution among organs.

As 3,3',5-triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC), a metabolite of thyroid hormones (THs), was previously detected in sewage effluent, we aimed to investigate exogenous TRIAC's potential for endocrine disruption. We administered either TRIAC or 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (LT3) to euthyroid mice and 6-propyl-2-thiouracil-induced hypothyroid mice. In hypothyroid mice, TRIAC administration suppressed the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis and upregulated TH-responsive genes in the pituitary gland, the liver, and the heart.

Identification by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry of the Contributor to the Thyroid Hormone Receptor Agonist Activity in Effluents from Sewage Treatment Plants.

3,3',5-Triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC) was identified as a major contributor to the activity of thyroid hormone receptor (TR) agonists in environmental water. TRIAC contributed 60-148% of the TR-agonist activity in effluents from sewage treatment plants (STPs). Meanwhile, the contributions of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), 3,3',5,5'-tetraiodothyronine (T4), and analogues were <1%.

Evaluation of human thyroid hormone receptor-antagonist activity in 691 chemical compounds using a yeast two-hybrid assay with Y190.

The human thyroid receptor (hTR)-antagonist activities of 691 compounds were evaluated using a yeast two-hybrid assay with Y190 introduced hTRα and coactivator. In parallel, those YTOX tests were conducted to evaluate whether those compounds affected either antagonism or toxicity. This is the first report that focuses on the hTR-antagonist activity of many chemical compounds suspected to be endocrine disruptor.

Application of rapid air sampling and non-targeted analysis using thermal desorption comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry to accidental fire.

To be able to gauge the health risks and biological effects of e-waste fires, it is of key importance to know what types and amounts of chemicals are released when they occur. In this case study, we pumped 6-24 L of air from an accidental fire at a recycling depot through a Tenax-TA tube and conducted comprehensive (non-targeted) analysis by thermal desorption/comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TD/GC × GC/ToFMS). A special focus was placed on the search for halogenated compounds.

The rapid survey method of chemical contamination in floods caused by Typhoon Hagibis by combining in vitro bioassay and comprehensive analysis.

A novel comprehensive assessment system, consisting of a bioassay and chemical analysis, was developed to quickly evaluate the human health risk posed by toxic chemicals discharged due to natural disasters. To analyze samples quickly, a yeast-two-hybrid assay (Y2H) and GC-MS equipped with an automated identification and quantification system (AIQS-GC) were employed for the bioassay and chemical analysis, respectively. Since the analysis of 1000 substances by AIQS could be finished within two days following the Y2H assay for screening, this method would complete the risk assessment within three days.

Evaluation of identification accuracy using AIQS for GC-MS for measuring heavily contaminated samples.

Automated identification and quantification systems with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (i.e., AIQS-GC) are used as a simple and comprehensive method for screening chemicals existing in the environment and are expected to be useful for emergency surveys in the event of a disaster.