Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in the Canadian environment: A review of sampling techniques, strategies and instrumentation.

A wide variety of sampling techniques and strategies are needed to analyze polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and interpret their distributions in various environmental media (i.e., air, water, snow, soils, sediments, peat and biological material).

Use of an epiphytic lichen and a novel geostatistical approach to evaluate spatial and temporal changes in atmospheric deposition in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Alberta, Canada.

Temporal and spatial atmospheric deposition trends of elements to the boreal forest surrounding bitumen production operations in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR), Alberta, Canada were investigated as part of a long-term lichen bioindicator study. The study focused on eight elements (sulfur, nitrogen, aluminum, calcium, iron, nickel, strontium, vanadium) that were previously identified as tracers for the major oil sand production sources. Samples of the in situ epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes were collected in 2002, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2017 within a ~150 km radius from the center of surface oil sand production operations in the AOSR.

Source apportionment of an epiphytic lichen biomonitor to elucidate the sources and spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Alberta, Canada.

The sources and spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) atmospheric deposition in the boreal forests surrounding bitumen production operations in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR), Alberta, Canada were investigated as part of a 2014 passive in-situ bioindicator source apportionment study. Epiphytic lichen species Hypogymnia physodes samples (n = 127) were collected within a 150 km radius of the main surface oil sand production operations and analyzed for total sulfur, total nitrogen, forty-three elements, twenty-two PAHs, ten groups of C1-C2-alkyl PAHs and dibenzothiophenes (polycyclic aromatic compounds; PACs), five C1- and C2-alkyldibenzothiophenes, and retene. The ΣPAH + PAC in H.

Source apportionment of ambient fine and coarse particulate matter polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at the Bertha Ganter-Fort McKay community site in the Oil Sands Region of Alberta, Canada.

A comprehensive filter-based particulate matter polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) source apportionment study was conducted at the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association Bertha Ganter-Fort McKay (BGFM) community monitoring station from 2014 to 2015 to quantify ambient concentrations and identify major sources. The BGFM station is located in close proximity to several surface oil sands production facilities and was previously found to be impacted by their air emissions. 24-hour integrated PM and PM samples were collected on a 1-in-3-day schedule yielding 108 complete organic/inorganic filter sets for source apportionment modeling.

Association of brain heptachlor epoxide and other organochlorine compounds with lewy pathology.

Background: Organochlorine pesticides are associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. A preliminary analysis from the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study suggested that heptachlor epoxide, a metabolite from an organochlorine pesticide extensively used in Hawaii, may be especially important. This was a cross sectional analysis to evaluate the association of heptachlor epoxide and other organochlorine compounds with Lewy pathology in an expanded survey of brain organochlorine residues from the longitudinal Honolulu-Asia Aging Study.

Differential accumulation of PAHs, elements, and Pb isotopes by five lichen species from the Athabasca Oil Sands Region in Alberta, Canada.

A 2014 case study investigated the relative accumulation efficiency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), total sulfur (S), total nitrogen (N), major and minor elements and Pb isotopes in five common lichen species at three boreal forest sites in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) in northeastern Alberta, Canada to identify the optimum lichen species for future biomonitoring. Differences in concentrations of PAHs, multiple elements, and Pb isotopes in fruticose (Bryoria furcellata, Cladina mitis, Evernia mesomorpha) and foliose (Hypogymnia physodes and Tuckermannopsis americana) lichens were found along a 100 km distance gradient from the primary oil sands operations. Integration of insights from emission source samples and oil sands mineralogy in consort with aerosol collection indicates incorporation of more fine particulate matter (PM) into foliose than fruticose lichen biomass.

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dibenzothiophene, and alkylated homologs in the lichen Hypogymnia physodes by gas chromatography using single quadrupole mass spectrometry and time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Development of the Athabasca Oil Sands Region in northeastern Alberta, Canada has contributed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), which include alkyl PAHs and dibenzothiophenes, to the regional environment. A new analytical method was developed for quantification of PAHs and PACs in the epiphytic lichen bioindicator species Hypogymnia physodes for use in the development of receptor models for attribution of PAH and PAC concentrations to anthropogenic and natural emission sources. Milled lichens were extracted with cyclohexane, and extracts were cleaned on silica gel using automated solid phase extraction techniques.

Concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and their associations with human semen quality measurements.

A total of 256 men were studied to evaluate whether serum concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) impacted semen quality or reproductive hormones. Blood and semen were collected and analyzed for perfluorochemicals and reproductive and thyroid hormones. Semen quality was assessed using standard clinical methods.

Field turbidity method for the determination of lead in acid extracts of dried paint.

Lead, which can be found in old paint, soil, and dust, has been clearly shown to have adverse health effects on the neurological systems of both children and adults. As part of an ongoing effort to reduce childhood lead poisoning, the US Environmental Protection Agency promulgated the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program (RRP) rule requiring that paint in target housing built prior to 1978 be tested for lead before any renovation, repair, or painting activities are initiated. This rule has led to a need for a rapid, relatively easy, and an inexpensive method for measuring lead in paint.

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for developmental exposure to BDE-47 in rats.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used commercially as additive flame retardants and have been shown to transfer into environmental compartments, where they have the potential to bioaccumulate in wildlife and humans. Of the 209 possible PBDEs, 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) is usually the dominant congener found in human blood and milk samples. BDE-47 has been shown to have endocrine activity and produce developmental, reproductive, and neurotoxic effects.

Rapid new methods for paint collection and lead extraction.

Chronic exposure of children to lead can result in permanent physiological impairment. In adults, it can cause irritability, poor muscle coordination, and nerve damage to the sense organs and nerves controlling the body. Surfaces coated with lead-containing paints are potential sources of exposure to lead.

An interlaboratory study of perfluorinated alkyl compound levels in human plasma.

We conducted an interlaboratory study which differed from the typical study of this type because of its emphasis on comparing intralaboratory variability in results. We sent specimens to six laboratories experienced in the analysis of perfluorinated alkyl compounds in blood matrices and that use stringent procedures to control and assure accuracy and precision. Each received an identical set of 60 plasma specimens that were analyzed in six completely independent batches.