| 1. |
- Alijagic, Andi, 1992-, et al.
(författare)
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Immunotoxic, genotoxic, and endocrine disrupting impacts of polyamide microplastic particles and chemicals
- 2024
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Ingår i: Environment International. - : Elsevier. - 0160-4120 .- 1873-6750. ; 183
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Due to their exceptional properties and cost effectiveness, polyamides or nylons have emerged as widely used materials, revolutionizing diverse industries, including industrial 3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM). Powder-based AM technologies employ tonnes of polyamide microplastics to produce complex components every year. However, the lack of comprehensive toxicity assessment of particulate polyamides and polyamide-associated chemicals, especially in the light of the global microplastics crisis, calls for urgent action. This study investigated the physicochemical properties of polyamide-12 microplastics used in AM, and assessed a number of toxicity endpoints focusing on inflammation, immunometabolism, genotoxicity, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation, endocrine disruption, and cell morphology. Specifically, microplastics examination by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that work flow reuse of material created a fraction of smaller particles with an average size of 1-5 µm, a size range readily available for uptake by human cells. Moreover, chemical analysis by means of gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry detected several polyamide-associated chemicals including starting material, plasticizer, thermal stabilizer/antioxidant, and migrating slip additive. Even if polyamide particles and chemicals did not induce an acute inflammatory response, repeated and prolonged exposure of human primary macrophages disclosed a steady increase in the levels of proinflammatory chemokine Interleukin-8 (IL-8/CXCL-8). Moreover, targeted metabolomics disclosed that polyamide particles modulated the kynurenine pathway and some of its key metabolites. The p53-responsive luciferase reporter gene assay showed that particles per se were able to activate p53, being indicative of a genotoxic stress. Polyamide-associated chemicals triggered moderate activation of AhR and elicited anti-androgenic activity. Finally, a high-throughput and non-targeted morphological profiling by Cell Painting assay outlined major sites of bioactivity of polyamide-associated chemicals and indicated putative mechanisms of toxicity in the cells. These findings reveal that the increasing use of polyamide microplastics may pose a potential health risk for the exposed individuals, and it merits more attention.
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| 2. |
- Kuprijanov, Ivan, et al.
(författare)
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A case study on microlitter and chemical contaminants : Assessing biological effects in the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland (Baltic sea) using the mussel Mytilus trossulus as a bioindicator
- 2024
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Ingår i: Marine Environmental Research. - : Elsevier. - 0141-1136 .- 1879-0291. ; 199
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chemical and microlitter (ML) pollution in three Estonian coastal areas (Baltic Sea) was investigated using mussels (Mytilus trossulus). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in mussel tissues were observed in moderate levels with high bioaccumulation factors for the more hydrophilic and low molecular weight PAH (LMW PAH), namely anthracene and fluorene. Tissue concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and cadmium within mussel populations exceeded the Good Environmental Status thresholds by more than 200% and 60%, respectively. Multiple contamination at the Muuga Harbour site by tributyltin, high molecular weight PAH, including the highly toxic benzo[c]fluorene and PBDE, coincided with the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity and a lower condition index of the mussels. The metabolization and removal of bioaccumulated LMW PAH, reflected in the dominance of oxy-PAH such as anthracene-9,10-dione, is likely associated with the increased activity of glutathione S-transferase in caged mussels. Only a few microplastic particles were observed among the ML in mussel tissues, with coloured cellulose-based microfibers being the most prevalent. The average concentration of ML in mussels was significantly higher at the harbour area than at other sites. The integrated biomarker response index values allowed for the differentiation of pollution levels across studied locations representing high, intermediate, and low pollution levels within the studied area.
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| 3. |
- Roca Rubio, Maria Fernanda, 1989-, et al.
(författare)
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Associations between various markers of intestinal barrier and immune function after a high-intensity exercise challenge
- 2024
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Ingår i: Physiological Reports. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2051-817X. ; 12:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Strenuous exercise can result in disruption of intestinal barrier function and occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms. The aim of this exploratory study was to elucidate systemic effects of increased intestinal permeability after high-intensity exercise. Forty-one endurance-trained subjects performed a 60-min treadmill run at 80% VO2max. Small intestinal permeability was measured as urinary excretion ratio of lactulose/rhamnose (L/R). Blood, saliva and feces were analyzed for gut barrier and immune-related biomarkers. The exercise challenge increased several markers of intestinal barrier disruption, immune function and oxidative stress. We found a negative correlation between L/R ratio and uric acid (r = -0.480), as well as a positive correlation between the L/R ratio and fecal chromogranin A in male participants (r = 0.555). No significant correlations were found between any of the markers and gastrointestinal symptoms, however, perceived exertion correlated with the combination of IL-6, IL-10 and salivary cortisol (r = 0.492). The lack of correlation between intestinal permeability and gastrointestinal symptoms could be due to minor symptoms experienced in lab settings compared to real-life competitions. The correlation between L/R ratio and uric acid might imply a barrier-protective effect of uric acid, and inflammatory processes due to strenuous exercise seem to play an important role regarding physical exhaustion.
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| 4. |
- Fredriksson, Felicia, 1993-
(författare)
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Analysis of fluoroalkyl sulfonamide (FASA) based copolymers : An indirect source of non-polymeric PFAS
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an extensive group of anthropogenic compounds and are of global concern due to their negative effects on the environment and humans. Most environmental research reports non-polymeric PFAS, leading to a scarce understanding of polymeric PFAS, despite their large share on the global market.In this thesis, two fluoroalkyl sulfonamide (FASA)-based copolymers were studied to gain knowledge regarding their chemical characterization, occurrence, and fate. The main objectives were to provide analytical methods to analyze the FASA-based copolymers in sludge in relation to non-polymeric PFAS and extractable organo-fluorine (EOF) and to study their fate to the arable land when sludge is used as a fertilizer.The results revealed that the FASA-based copolymers were present in all sludge samples and their levels contributed to between 2 and 6 % of the total PFAS. Using two complementary extraction methods, both polymeric and non-polymeric PFAS were captured. However, more than 90% of the EOF belongs to unidentified origin. These results indicate the importance of extending the analysis of polymeric PFAS in environmental research.Further, elevated levels in sludge-amended soil of the C8-FASA-based copolymer were seen, illustrating sludge to be a potential source of C8-FASA-based copolymer to the environment. Both copolymers were transformed into non-polymeric PFAS in earthworms. This thesis provides evidence that these FASA-based copolymers are of concern, both as a direct emission and indirect source of non-polymeric PFAS to the environment.
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| 5. |
- Aro, Rudolf, 1992-, et al.
(författare)
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Extractable organofluorine analysis: A way to screen for elevated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination in humans?
- 2022
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Ingår i: Environment International. - : Elsevier BV. - 0160-4120 .- 1873-6750. ; 159
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ubiquitous occurrence of a few per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in humans and the environment has been previously reported. However, the number of PFAS humans and the environment are potentially exposed to is much higher, making it difficult to investigate every sample in detail. More importantly, recent studies have shown an increasing fraction of potentially unknown PFAS in human samples. A screening tool for identifying samples of concern that may contain high PFAS levels, to be studied more thoroughly, is needed. This study presents a simplified workflow to detect elevated PFAS levels using extractable organofluorine (EOF) analysis. A fluorine mass balance analysis on samples with high EOF, targeting 63 PFAS, can then confirm the PFAS contamination. Whole blood samples from a cohort of individuals with historical drinking water contamination from firefighting foams (n = 20) in Ronneby (Sweden) and a control group (n = 9) with background exposure were used as a case study. The average EOF concentration in the Ronneby group was 234 ng/ mL F (<107-592 ng/mL F) vs 24.8 ng/mL F (17.6-37.8 ng/mL F) in the control group. The large difference (statistically significant, p < 0.05) in the EOF levels between the exposed and control groups would have made it possible to identify samples with high PFAS exposure only using EOF data. This was confirmed by target analysis, which found an average n-ary sumation PFAS concentration of 346 ng/mL in the exposed group and 7.9 ng/mL in the control group. The limit of quantification for EOF analysis (up to 107 ng/mL F using 0.5 mL whole blood) did not allow for the detection of PFAS levels in low or sub parts per billion (ng/mL) concentrations, but the results indicate that EOF analysis is a suitable screening method sensitive enough to detect elevated/significant/exposure above background levels by known or unknown PFAS.
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| 6. |
- Ekezie, Promise E., et al.
(författare)
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Is the mental health of older adults receiving care from their children related to their children's dual burden of caregiving and work stress? A linked lives perspective
- 2022
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Ingår i: Aging & Mental Health. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1360-7863 .- 1364-6915. ; 27:9, s. 1796-1802
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: Mental health problems are a major concern in the older population in Sweden, as is the growing number of older adults aging alone in their homes and in need of informal care. Using a linked lives perspective, this study explored if older parents' mental health is related to their children's dual burden of informal caregiving and job strain.Methods: Data from a nationally representative Swedish survey, SWEOLD, were used. Mental health problems in older age (mean age 88) were measured with self-reported 'mild' or 'severe' anxiety and depressive symptoms. A primary caregiving adult child was linked to each older parent, and this child's occupation was matched with a job exposure matrix to assess job strain. Logistic regression analyses were conducted with an analytic sample of 334.Results: After adjusting for covariates, caregiving children's lower job control and greater job strain were each associated with mental health problems in their older parents (OR 2.52, p = 0.008 and OR 2.56, p = 0.044, respectively). No association was found between caregiving children's job demands and their older parents' mental health (OR 1.08, p = 0.799).Conclusion: In line with the linked lives perspective, results highlight that the work-life balance of informal caregiving adult children may play a role in their older parent's mental health.
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| 7. |
- Eriksson, Ulrika, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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Examination of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities, and levels of polyaromatic compounds (PACs) in tire granulates using in vitro bioassays and chemical analysis
- 2022
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Ingår i: Chemosphere. - : Pergamon Press. - 0045-6535 .- 1879-1298. ; 298
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tire granulates recovered from end-of-life tires contain a complex mixture of chemicals, amongst them polyaromatic compounds (PACs), of which many are recognized to be toxic and persistent in the environment. Only a few of these PACs are regularly monitored. In this study a combined approach of chemical analysis and a battery of CALUX® in vitro bioassays was used to determine PAC concentrations and estrogenic, (anti)-androgenic and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activities in tire granulates. Tire granulates from a recycling company was analyzed for PAHs, alkyl-PAHs, oxy-PAHs and heterocyclic PACs (NSO-PACs), in total 85 PACs. The concentrations of PACs were between 42 and 144 mg/kg, with major contribution from PAHs (74-88%) followed by alkyl-PAHs (6.6-20%) and NSO-PACs (1.8-7.0%). The sum of eight priority PAHs were between 2.3 and 8.6 mg/kg, contributing with 4.7-8.2% of ∑PACs. Bioassay analysis showed presence of AhR agonists, estrogen receptor (ERα) agonists, and androgen receptor (AR) antagonists in the tire granulate samples. Only 0.8-2.4% of AhR-mediated activities could be explained by the chemical analysis. Benzo[k+j]fluoranthenes, benzo[b]fluoranthene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, 2-methylchrysene, and 3-methylchrysene were the major contributors to the AhR-mediated activities. The high contribution (98-99%) of unknown bioactive compounds to the bioassay effects in this study raises concerns and urges for further investigations of toxicants identification and source apportionment.
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| 8. |
- Fredriksson, Felicia, 1993-, et al.
(författare)
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Analysis and characterization of novel fluorinated compounds used in surface treatments products
- 2022
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Ingår i: Chemosphere. - : Pergamon Press. - 0045-6535 .- 1879-1298. ; 302
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Side-chain fluorinated polymers are speculated to be potential precursors to other non-polymeric aliphatic per- and polyfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). Limited knowledge of environmental occurrence of this compound class is partly due to lack of structural information and authentic standards. In this study, two novel fluorinated compounds, suspected to be side-chain fluorinated copolymers used in two commercial technical mixtures (Scotchgard™ Pre-2002 formulation and Scotchgard™ Post-2002 formulation) were analyzed and characterized in order to provide information to facilitate detection and quantification. The commercial mixtures were analyzed using tandem mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry; besides already reported C4- and C8-fluoroalkylsulfonamido (FASA) side-chains, a proposed structure was determined for the perfluorooctane (C8) sulfonamide-urethane copolymer in the Pre-2002 formulation. Structural isomers were also observed for C4- and C8-FASA-based copolymers. Total fluorine analysis revealed that the Scotchgard™ Pre-2002 Formulation contained a fluorine content of 0.5% and 1.8% for the Scotchgard™ Post-2002 Formulation. The equivalent FASA side-chain content was determined to be 0.8% for Pre-2002 and 3.1% for Post-2002. Both C4- and C8-FASA-based copolymers underwent hydrolysis and oxidation and were transformed to their respective perfluoroalkyl side chain, which suggest that transformation products can be analyzed for example after total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. Both compounds were shown to strongly sorb to sediment particles, which also gives indications about their environmental fate and transport pathways.
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| 9. |
- Fredriksson, Felicia, 1993-, et al.
(författare)
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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sludge from wastewater treatment plants in Sweden : First findings of novel fluorinated copolymers in Europe including temporal analysis
- 2022
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Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 846
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Thousands of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are on the global market, while only a minor proportion is monitored regularly in the environment. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been suggested to be a point source for PFAS to the environment due to emission of effluent and sludge. In this study, 81 PFAS including two rarely studied perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide-based (FASA) copolymers were analyzed in sludge samples to understand the usage of PFAS in the society. Sludge samples (n = 28) were collected at four WWTPs in Sweden between 2004 and 2017. The total levels of 79 measured PFAS were between 50 and 1124 ng/g d.w. All sludge samples showed detectable levels of both C8- and C4-FASA-based copolymers. The concentrations of the FASA-based copolymers were proposed to be reported in fluorinated side-chain equivalents (FSC eq.), in order to compare the levels of the copolymers with the other neutral and anionic PFAS, as no authentic standards were available. The concentrations of the FASA-based copolymers in sludge were between 1.4 and 22 ng FSC eq./g d.w. A general predomination of precursor and intermediate compounds was observed. A lower contribution of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids was noted for the WWTPs more influenced by domestic emission when compared with more influenced by industrial emission. An overall declining trend in the total PFAS concentration was seen between the years 2004 and 2017. The present study observed a shift from the C8-based chemistry toward shorter chain lengths, included a declining trend for C8-FASA-based copolymer over the entire study period. These findings further demonstrate the occurrence of side-chain fluorinated copolymers in Sweden and that sludge is a useful matrix to reflect the usage of PFAS in society and the potential for environmental exposure.
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| 10. |
- Aro, Rudolf, 1992-, et al.
(författare)
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Combustion ion chromatography for extractable organofluorine analysis
- 2021
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Ingår i: iScience. - : Cell Press. - 2589-0042. ; 24:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Combustion ion chromatography (CIC) has found a role in environmental analytical chemistry for fluorine content analysis. It is used for extractable organofluorine (EOF) analysis to evaluate perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and other organofluorine burden. The prevailing assumption has been that all PFASs are incinerated in CIC and matrix components have no impact on this process, but this has not been experimentally evaluated. In this work, the combustion efficiencies of 13 different PFASs were determined (66-110%). A notable difference was observed between calibrating the CIC with inorganic fluorine or organofluorine. Potential interferences from cations and coextracted matrix components from whole blood and surface water samples were evaluated. These observations should be acknowledged when performing EOF analysis using CIC, overlooking either non-100% combustion efficiencies or the differences in calibrating the CIC with inorganic fluorine or organofluorine could lead to underestimating EOF content and through that to misguide policy decisions.
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