Influence of breastfeeding in the accumulation of polybromodiphenyl ethers during the first years of child growth.

The concentrations of polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in children at birth (cord blood sera, n = 92) and at the age of 4 years (sera, n = 244) from a cohort established in Menorca Island (Balearic Island, Spain) were studied. This cohort is representative of a general European population that is fed a typical Mediterranean diet. Among the 13 congeners analyzed, BDE #47 was the most abundant in both types of samples, with mean values of 2.

In utero and post-natal accumulation of organochlorine compounds in children under different environmental conditions.

A study of intake of organochlorine compounds (OCs) in children both in utero and at the age of four years has been performed in two cohorts. One encompasses children born in Menorca Island between 1997 and 1998, and the other those born between 1997-1999 in Ribera d'Ebre, an in-land industrial-agricultural area of Catalonia. Comparison of the OC concentrations in serum samples from both populations, including those obtained from cord blood and blood collected at four years, provides information on the influence of local pollution sources in the accumulation of these compounds.

Physical-chemical and maternal determinants of the accumulation of organochlorine compounds in four-year-old children.

A cohort study representing a general population (Minorca Island, birth year 1997-1998) showed that in utero transfer of organochlorine compounds (OCs) in children was strongly correlated with the age of the mother and, in the case of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), 4,4'-DDE, and 4,4'-DDT, with the maternal body mass index. Some of these correlations remained significant for the serum concentrations collected in these children at four years. No significant correlations with length of gestation were observed.

Reassessment of the structural composition of the alkenone distributions in natural environments using an improved method for double bond location based on GC-MS analysis of cyclopropylimines.

The usefulness of n-propyl-, iso-propyl-, and cyclopropylamines for the location of double bonds positions in C37-C40 alkenones after formation of imino derivatives has been evaluated. Cyclopropylamine is the best reagent for its high reaction yields, GC retention time difference between derivatives and precursor compounds, and absence of generation of byproducts. The use of this C3 amine involves higher sensitivity and ease of application than previously reported C5 amines.

Identification and quantification of n-octyl esters of alkanoic and hexanedioic acids and phthalates as urban wastewater markers in biota and sediments from estuarine areas.

A gas chromatographic method for the identification and quantification of n-octyl esters (from n-octyl tetradecanoate to n-octyl hexa-cosanoate including dioctyl hexanedioate) and phthalates [dibutyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate] in sediments and biota from estuarine environments is described. Standards used for identification and quantification of some n-octyl esters were synthesized. The method has allowed the analysis of these compounds in polychaeta (Nereis diversicolor), oysters (Crassostea angulata), crabs (Carcinus maenas) and fish (Chelon labrosus, Platichtys flesus and Chondostroma polylepis) that were collected at different locations of the Urdaibai estuary (Bizkaia, Basque Country, Spain).