Identification of hydroxylated PCB metabolites and other phenolic halogenated pollutants in human blood plasma.
A growing number of studies have reported phenolic halogenated compounds (PHCs) that are retained in the blood of humans and wildlife. These PHCs may be industrial chemicals; metabolites thereof, as in the case with polychlorobiphenylols (OH-PCBs); or of natural origin. The present study was aimed to identify hitherto unknown PHCs in human plasma with chemical structures that are consistent to PHCs known to possess endocrine-disrupting activity. For this purpose, samples of blood plasma from 10 randomly selected male blood donors from Sweden were pooled and analyzed by GC/ECD and GC/MS. Brominated, bromochlorinated, and chlorinated methyl derivatives of phenols and OH-PCBs were synthesized to be used as authentic reference standards. More than 100 PHCs were indicated in the plasma, and among those a total of 9 monocyclic brominated or chlorinated phenol-, guaiacol-, and/or catechol-type compounds were identified as their methylated derivatives. The two major compounds were 2,4,6-tribromophenol and pentachlorophenol. Thirty-eight OH-PCB congeners were structurally identified on two GC columns of different polarity. The origin of the OH-PCB metabolites in the context of their parent PCB congeners are suggested. Other PHCs identified in the male plasma were Triclosan (5-chloro-2-[2,4-dichlorophenoxy] phenol), a common bactericide; 4-hydroxy-heptachlorostyrene, a metabolite of octachlorostyrene; and 3,5-dibromo-2-(2,4-dibromophenoxy)phenol, a natural compound and a potential metabolite of polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
Hovander
L
L
Department of Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden. lotta.hovander@mk.su.se
Malmberg
T
T
Athanasiadou
M
M
Athanassiadis
I
I
Rahm
S
S
Bergman
A
A
Wehler
E Klasson
EK
D000328:Adult; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010636:Phenols / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010636:Phenols; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls