China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Analysis of Key Topics—Environmental Significance
Published in Steven J. Larson, Paul D. Capel, Michael S. Majewski, Pesticides in Surface Waters, 2019
Steven J. Larson, Paul D. Capel, Michael S. Majewski
Several studies have raised additional concerns about potential effects of pesticides in surface waters on aquatic (and terrestrial) organisms (Colborn and Clement, 1992). These concerns are based on evidence of adverse effects of certain pesticides and other chemicals on the endocrine systems of a number of different organisms. Effects observed in various species include thyroid dysfunction, decreased fertility, decreased hatching success, birth deformities, compromised immune systems, feminization of males, and defeminization of females (Colborn and Clement, 1992). The effects appear to be related to hormone imbalances and may be due to exposure to chemicals that mimic or block the action of hormones such as estrogen. Effects may be evident in the exposed organism or manifested in the next generation, and, in some cases, not until the progeny reach sexual maturity (Fox, 1992). In addition, the effects of exposure may be different for developing organisms than for adults, so the timing of exposure can be critical in determining the actual effects (Colborn and Clement, 1992). Many of these effects are not accounted for in established criteria, particularly effects on development and reproductive success of future generations of relatively long-lived organisms. Pesticides that have been shown to disrupt endocrine systems of organisms include many of the OCs, such as chlordane, dicofol, dieldrin, DDT and its metabolites, endosulfan, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, lindane, methoxychlor, mirex, and toxaphene (Hileman, 1993). Most of these compounds are no longer used in the United States, but some still are detected frequently in surface waters, as discussed in Section 3.3. Several pesticides commonly used in United States agriculture in recent years have also been shown (in laboratory testing) to disrupt the endocrine systems of certain organisms, including the herbicides alachlor, atrazine, 2,4-D, metribuzin, and trifluralin; the insecticides aldicarb, carbaryl, parathion, and synthetic pyrethroids; the fungicides benomyl, mancozeb, maneb, zineb, and ziram; and the marine biocide tributyltin, or TBT (Hileman, 1993).
Estrogenic hazards of short chain phthalates and bisphenols found in cosmetic products
Published in International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 2022
Manel Chebbi, Asma Beltifa, Sana Alibi, Giuseppa Di Bella, Vincenzo Loturco, Olivier Sire, Hedi Ben Mansour, Véronique Le Tilly
These short-chain phthalates can, therefore, originate serious health hazards for humans (hormonal disruption, reproductive and nervous system dysfunction, cancer, etc.) and fauna (malformations, the feminization of males, etc.) by activating estrogen receptors. Our results are consistent with toxicity studies of the DBP, conducted in female rats, that reported some adverse effects as reproductive alterations (Gray et al. 2006). Besides, hazard associated with two bisphenols, BPA and BPS were considered. As a whole, among the finished products tested in the present study, only the face cream and the perfume exhibited an estrogenic activity measurable by the YES system. This finding should encourage international regulations to ban or at least set strict constrains for the use of these molecules in the formulation of cosmetics.
Low toxicity and high efficacy in use of novel approaches to control Aedes aegypti
Published in Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 2020
Vanessa Santana Vieira Santos, Boscolli Barbosa Pereira
The Wolbachia-based incompatible insect technique (IIT) is a notable microbe-mediated infertility technique which emerged as an alternative to overcome obstacles of traditional methods, such as reduction of overall fitness and mating competitiveness of released males, and has been used both in lab and field experiments in different countries (Panagiotis and Bourtzis 2007). The Gram negative bacteria Wolbachia establishes symbiotic relationships with a wide range of species, and produces reproductive alterations in the hosts, such as parthenogenesis, feminization, male killing and cytoplasmic incompatibility. IIT consists of sustained release of Wolbachia-infected incompatible males in order to sterilize the targeted female population (Papathanos et al. 2018). It is noteworthy that cytoplasmic incompatibility is a form of male sterility was effectively employed as a pest population suppression tool and underlying mechanism against Aedes aegypti (Moretti et al. 2018).
Neuromuscular anomalies following oral exposure to 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) in a one-generation study with Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)
Published in Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 2018
Allison M. Jackovitz, Keith A. Koistinen, Emily M. Lent, Desmond I. Bannon, Michael J. Quinn, Mark S. Johnson
Although birds and mammals exhibit differing sensitivities to estrogen and testosterone, exposure to NTO did not grossly alter sexual development in birds or mammals (i.e., no hypospadias, gonadal feminization). However, development of accessory sex organs was altered in both rats and birds. The cloacal gland is an androgen-dependent tissue unique to the genus Coturnix that is used as an indicator of circulating testosterone levels (Balthazart and Ottinger 1984; Ottinger and Brinkley 1979). The reduction in cloacal gland size (8–24%) in the 100 mg/kg-day group in the present study is similar to the reduction in androgen-dependent accessory sex organ weights found in rats at doses of 500 mg/kg-d and 3600 mg/L (~335mg/kg-d) NTO (Lent et al. 2016, 2015). Although timing of reproductive maturity in males is controlled by circulating testosterone levels in both birds and mammals, NTO did not affect the time to reproductive maturity in birds in the present study but produced a delay in preputial separation in male F1 rats exposed to NTO in drinking water at 3600 mg/L (approximately 335 mg/kg-d) (2016; Lent et al. 2015).