Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): A Primer for Practicing Clinicians

Current environmental health reports

Volumn 1, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 123-131

  Haffner, Darrah ^a   Schecter, Arnold ^b  

^a CHILDREN S MEDICAL CENTER   (United States)

^b UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH   (United States)

Author keywords

Bisphenol A; BPA; Dioxin; HBCD; Hexabromocyclododecane; PBDEs; PCBs; Persistent organic pollutants; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers; Polychlorinated biphenyl ethers; POPs; Stockholm Convention

Indexed keywords

EID: 84937970100     PISSN: None     EISSN: 21965412     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1007/s40572-014-0009-9     Document Type: Review

References (87)

1. Carson R. Silent spring. Boston: Houghton Mifflin; 1962.
2. Sheer RaM, Doug. How important was Rachel Carson's Silent Spring in the recovery of bald eagles and other bird species? Scientific American, 2012.
3. Kuratsune M et al. Epidemiologic study on Yusho, a poisoning caused by ingestion of rice oil contaminated with a commercial brand of polychlorinated biphenyls. Environ Health Perspect. 1972;1:119–28.
4. Ryan JJ. In: Schecter A, editor. The Yushchenko dioxin poisoning: chronology and pharmacokinetics, in dioxins and health: including other persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors. NJ: John Wiley and Sons; 2012.
5. Sorg O et al. 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) poisoning in Victor Yushchenko: identification and measurement of TCDD metabolites. Lancet. 2009;374(9696):1179–85.
6. Program SCotUNE. The 12 initial POPs under the Stockholm Convention. 2008 [cited 2013 December 28, 2013]. Available from: http://chm.pops.int/TheConvention/ThePOPs/The12InitialPOPs/tabid/296/Default.aspx.
7. Registry AfTSaD. Toxicological profile for Aldrin/Dieldrin. September 2002 March 3, 2011 February 14, 2014]. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/TP.asp?id=317&tid=56-bookmark07.
8. Registry AfTSaD. Toxicological profile for Chlordane. 1994 March 3, 2011 February 14, 2014]. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/TP.asp?id=355&tid=62.
9. Registry AfTSaD. Toxicological profile for DDT, DDE, and DDD. 2002 March 3, 2011 February 14, 2014]. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp.asp?id=81&tid=20.
10. Registry AfTSaD. Toxicological profile for Chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs). 1988 March 3, 2011 February 14, 2014]. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/TP.asp?id=366&tid=63.
11. Registry AfTSaD. Toxicological profile for Endrin. 1996 March 3, 2011 February 14, 2014]. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp.asp?id=617&tid=114.
12. Registry AfTSaD. Toxicological profile for Heptachlor and Heptachlor epoxide. 2007 March 3, 2011 February 15, 2014]. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp.asp?id=746&tid=135.
13. Registry AfTSaD. Toxicological profile for Mirex and Chlordecone. 1995 March 3, 2011 February 15, 2014]. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/TP.asp?id=643&tid=118.
14. Registry AfTSaD. Toxicological profile for Toxaphene. 2010 March 3, 2011 February 15, 2014]. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp.asp?id=548&tid=99.
15. Registry AfTSaD. Toxicological profile for Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). 2000 March 3, 2011 February 15, 2014]. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/TP.asp?id=142&tid=26.
16. Registry AfTSaD. Toxicological profile for Hexachlorobenzene. 2013 March 3, 2011 February 15, 2014]. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp.asp?id=627&tid=115.
17. Registry AfTSaD. Toxicological profile for Hexachlorocyclohexane. 2005 March 13, 2011 February 15, 2014]. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=753&tid=138.
18. Registry AfTSaD. Toxicological profile for Polybromintaed biphenyls and Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBBs and PBDEs). 2004 February 15, 2014]. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/TP.asp?id=529&tid=94.
19. Agency EP. Draft risk assessment of the potential human health effects associated with exposure to Perflouroctanoic acids and its salts. 2005 February 15, 2014]. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp200-c6.pdf.
20. Steenland K, Fletcher T, Savitz DA. Epidemiologic evidence on the health effects of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Environ Health Perspect. 2010;118(8):1100–8.
21. Registry AfTSaD. Toxicological profile for Endosulfan. 2013 March 3, 2011 February 15, 2014]. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp.asp?id=609&tid=113.
22. Program SCotUNE. The new POPs under the Stockholm Convention. 2009 [cited 2014 February 14, 2014]. Available from: http://chm.pops.int/TheConvention/ThePOPs/TheNewPOPs/tabid/2511/Default.aspx.
23. Program SCotUNE. SC-5/3: Listing of technical endosulfan and its related isomers. Switzerland: United Nations Environmental Program; 2011.
24. Program SCotUNE. Listing of hexabromocyclododecane 2013, United Nations Environmental Program: Switzerland. Report from the most recent Stockholm Convention, May 2013
25. Wikoff D, Fitzgerald L, Birnbaum L. Persistent organic pollutants: An overview, in Dioxins and Health: Including other persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors. In: Schecter A, editor. The introduction to the book Dioxins and Health by Arnold Schecter, which is an in depth overview of current research on persistent organic pollutants. NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2012.
26. Mrema EJ et al. Persistent organochlorinated pesticides and mechanisms of their toxicity. Toxicology. 2013;307:74–88.
27. Perera FP et al. A summary of recent findings on birth outcomes and developmental effects of prenatal ETS, PAH, and pesticide exposures. Neurotoxicology. 2005;26(4):573–87.
28. Schecter A et al. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in U.S. mothers' milk. Environ Health Perspect. 2003;111(14):1723–9.
29. La Merrill M et al. Toxicological function of adipose tissue: focus on persistent organic pollutants. Environ Health Perspect. 2013;121(2):162–9.
30. Kim MJ et al. Inflammatory pathway genes belong to major targets of persistent organic pollutants in adipose cells. Environ Health Perspect. 2012;120(4):508–14. Primary research investigating the link between dioxin and PCB exposure and inflammation, mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in adipose tissue.
31. Lim JS et al. Inverse associations between long-term weight change and serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants. Int J Obes (Lond). 2011;35(5):744–7.
32. Zeliger HI. Lipophilic chemical exposure as a cause of cardiovascular disease. Interdiscip Toxicol. 2013;6(2):55–62.
33. Taylor KW et al. Evaluation of the association between persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and diabetes in epidemiological studies: a national toxicology program workshop review. Environ Health Perspect. 2013;121(7):774–83.
34. Tang-Peronard JL et al. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and obesity development in humans: a review. Obes Rev. 2011;12(8):622–36.
35. Zeliger HI. Lipophilic chemical exposure as a cause of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Rev Environ Health. 2013;28(1):9–20.
36. Lind PM et al. Circulating levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and carotid atherosclerosis in the elderly. Environ Health Perspect. 2012;120(1):38–43.
37. Lee DH et al. Relationship between serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among non-diabetic adults: results from the national health and nutrition examination survey 1999-2002. Diabetologia. 2007;50(9):1841–51.
38. Lind L, Lind PM. Can persistent organic pollutants and plastic-associated chemicals cause cardiovascular disease? J Intern Med. 2012;271(6):537–53.
39. Hammond SaS, Arnold. Agent Orange: health and environmental issues in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. In: A. Schecter, editor. Dioxins and Health: Including other persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors. NJ: John Wiley and Sons; 2012.
40. Kvalem HE et al. Development and validation of prediction models for blood concentrations of dioxins and PCBs using dietary intakes. Environ Int. 2012;50:15–21.
41. Liem AK, Furst P, Rappe C. Exposure of populations to dioxins and related compounds. Food Addit Contam. 2000;17(4):241–59.
42. Vogt R et al. Cancer and non-cancer health effects from food contaminant exposures for children and adults in California: a risk assessment. Environ Health. 2012;11:83.
43. Wang W et al. Exposure assessment and distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contained in indoor and outdoor dusts and the impacts of particle size and bioaccessibility. Sci Total Environ. 2013;463–464:1201–9.
44. Kerger BD et al. An adaptable internal dose model for risk assessment of dietary and soil dioxin exposures in young children. Toxicol Sci. 2007;100(1):224–37.
45. DeVito M. Toxicity equivalence factors for Dioxin and related compounds, in Dioxins and Health: Including other persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors, A. Schecter, Editor. 2012, John Wiley and Sons: NJ.
46. Schecter A et al. Dioxins: an overview. Environ Res. 2006;101(3):419–28.
47. Van den Berg M et al. The 2005 World Health Organization reevaluation of human and mammalian toxic equivalency factors for dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. Toxicol Sci. 2006;93(2):223–41.
48. van den Berg M et al. Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls: inclusion in the toxicity equivalency factor concept for dioxin-like compounds. Toxicol Sci. 2013;133(2):197–208.
49. Dingemans MM, Van den Berg M, Westerink RH. Neurotoxicity of brominated flame retardants: (in)direct effects of parent and hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers on the (developing) nervous system. Environ Health Perspect. 2011;119(7):900–7. Overview of the effect of PBDEs and hydroxylated PBDEs on neural development, and the interaction between PBDEs and other environmental contaminants on neurotoxicity.
50. Schecter A et al. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclodecane (HBCD) in composite U.S. food samples. Environ Health Perspect. 2010;118(3):357–62.
51. Lee S, Kannan K, Moon HB. Assessment of exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) via seafood consumption and dust ingestion in Korea. Sci Total Environ. 2013;443:24–30.
52. Lorber M. Exposure of Americans to polybrominated diphenyl ethers. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2008;18(1):2–19.
53. Dirtu AC, Covaci A. Estimation of daily intake of organohalogenated contaminants from food consumption and indoor dust ingestion in Romania. Environ Sci Technol. 2010;44(16):6297–304.
54. Sjodin A et al. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, and persistent pesticides in serum from the national health and nutrition examination survey: 2003-2008. Environ Sci Technol. 2014;48(1):753–60. An account of American exposure to persistent organic pollutants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
55. Hallgren S, Darnerud PO. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chlorinated paraffins (CPs) in rats-testing interactions and mechanisms for thyroid hormone effects. Toxicology. 2002;177(2–3):227–43.
56. Hallgren S et al. Effects of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on thyroid hormone and vitamin A levels in rats and mice. Arch Toxicol. 2001;75(4):200–8.
57. Chevrier J et al. Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants and thyroid hormone during pregnancy. Environ Health Perspect. 2010;118(10):1444–9.
58. Bloom M et al. Environmental exposure to PBDEs and thyroid function among New York anglers. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2008;25(3):386–92.
59. Dallaire R et al. Thyroid function and plasma concentrations of polyhalogenated compounds in Inuit adults. Environ Health Perspect. 2009;117(9):1380–6.
60. Dallaire R et al. Thyroid hormone levels of pregnant inuit women and their infants exposed to environmental contaminants. Environ Health Perspect. 2009;117(6):1014–20.
61. Lilienthal H et al. Effects of developmental exposure to 2,2,4,4,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-99) on sex steroids, sexual development, and sexually dimorphic behavior in rats. Environ Health Perspect. 2006;114(2):194–201.
62. Stoker TE et al. Assessment of DE-71, a commercial polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) mixture, in the EDSP male and female pubertal protocols. Toxicol Sci. 2004;78(1):144–55.
63. Harley KG et al. PBDE concentrations in women's serum and fecundability. Environ Health Perspect. 2010;118(5):699–704.
64. Herbstman JB et al. Prenatal exposure to PBDEs and neurodevelopment. Environ Health Perspect. 2010;118(5):712–9.
65. Roze E et al. Prenatal exposure to organohalogens, including brominated flame retardants, influences motor, cognitive, and behavioral performance at school age. Environ Health Perspect. 2009;117(12):1953–8.
66. Auso E et al. A moderate and transient deficiency of maternal thyroid function at the beginning of fetal neocorticogenesis alters neuronal migration. Endocrinology. 2004;145(9):4037–47.
67. Eriksson P, Jakobsson E, Fredriksson A. Brominated flame retardants: a novel class of developmental neurotoxicants in our environment? Environ Health Perspect. 2001;109(9):903–8.
68. Viberg H et al. Neurobehavioral derangements in adult mice receiving decabrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE 209) during a defined period of neonatal brain development. Toxicol Sci. 2003;76(1):112–20.
69. Viberg H et al. Neonatal exposure to higher brominated diphenyl ethers, hepta-, octa-, or nonabromodiphenyl ether, impairs spontaneous behavior and learning and memory functions of adult mice. Toxicol Sci. 2006;92(1):211–8.
70. Eriksson P et al. A brominated flame retardant, 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether: uptake, retention, and induction of neurobehavioral alterations in mice during a critical phase of neonatal brain development. Toxicol Sci. 2002;67(1):98–103.
71. Covaci A et al. Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in the environment and humans: a review. Environ Sci Technol. 2006;40(12):3679–88.
72. Schecter A et al. Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) stereoisomers in U.S. food from Dallas, Texas. Environ Health Perspect. 2012;120(9):1260–4.
73. Palace V et al. Altered thyroxine metabolism in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). Chemosphere. 2010;80(2):165–9.
74. Schug T, Vogel S, Vandeberg L, Braun J, Hauser R, Taylor J, et al. Dioxins and Health: including other persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors. In: Schecter A, editor. Dioxins and Health: including other persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors. NJ: John Wiley and Sons; 2012.
75. Ikezuki Y et al. Determination of bisphenol A concentrations in human biological fluids reveals significant early prenatal exposure. Hum Reprod. 2002;17(11):2839–41.
76. Geens T et al. A review of dietary and non-dietary exposure to bisphenol-A. Food Chem Toxicol. 2012;50(10):3725–40.
77. Kang JH, Kondo F, Katayama Y. Human exposure to bisphenol A. Toxicology. 2006;226(2–3):79–89.
78. Calafat AM et al. Exposure of the U.S. population to bisphenol A and 4-tertiary-octylphenol: 2003-2004. Environ Health Perspect. 2008;116(1):39–44.
79. Loganathan SN, Kannan K. Occurrence of bisphenol A in indoor dust from two locations in the eastern United States and implications for human exposures. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2011;61(1):68–73.
80. Nachman R, Hartle JC, Lees PSJ, Groopman JD. Early life metabolism of bisphenol A: a systematic review of the literature. Curr Envir Health Reports, 2014
81. Braun JM et al. Variability and predictors of urinary bisphenol A concentrations during pregnancy. Environ Health Perspect. 2011;119(1):131–7.
82. Safety IPoC. In: Damstra T, Barlow S, Bergman A, Kavlock R, Van der Kraak G, editors. Global Assessment of the State-of-the-Science of Endocrine Disruptors. Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2002.
83. vom Saal FS et al. Chapel Hill bisphenol A expert panel consensus statement: integration of mechanisms, effects in animals and potential to impact human health at current levels of exposure. Reprod Toxicol. 2007;24(2):131–8.
84. de Cock M, Maas YG, van de Bor M. Does perinatal exposure to endocrine disruptors induce autism spectrum and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders? Rev Acta Paediatr. 2012;101(8):811–8.
85. Alonso-Magdalena P et al. Bisphenol A exposure during pregnancy disrupts glucose homeostasis in mothers and adult male offspring. Environ Health Perspect. 2010;118(9):1243–50.
86. Lang IA et al. Association of urinary bisphenol A concentration with medical disorders and laboratory abnormalities in adults. Jama. 2008;300(11):1303–10.
87. Keri RA et al. An evaluation of evidence for the carcinogenic activity of bisphenol A. Reprod Toxicol. 2007;24(2):240–52.