Risk Assessment and Bioavailability

Detection of Potential Estrogenic Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals Using The LUMI-Cell
ER Recombinant Bioassay

John D. Gordon, Xenobiotic Detection Systems Inc., Durham, NC
Andrew C. Chu, Xenobiotic Detection Systems Inc., Durham, NC
Charlotte L. Taylor, Xenobiotic Detection Systems Inc, Durham, NC
George C. Clark, Xenobiotic Detection Systems Inc., Durham, NC
Mick Chu, Xenobiotic Detection Systems Inc., Durham, NC
Michael S. Denison, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 

The Presence of NDMA in a Drinking Water Supply in Massachusetts and its Potential Health Risks
Daniel Huber, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Boston, MA 
Christopher Pyott, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Boston, MA 
Diane Manganaro, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Boston, MA

Updated Petroleum Hydrocarbon Fraction Toxicity Values for Use With VPH/EPH/APH Data
Tsedash Zewdie, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Boston, MA

Impact of Aging in Soil on the Dermal Bioavailability of Phenol
Mohamed S. Abdel-Rahman, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 
Gloria A. Skowronski, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey  
Rita M. Turkall, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 

Reducing the Bioavailability of Pb in Soil
Rebecca A. Bevis, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Jonathan L. Subacz, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Jinling Zhuang, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Dongye Zhao, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Mark O. Barnett, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Melanie A. Stewart, Oak Ridge National Lab, Oak Ridge, TN
Phil Jardine, Oak Ridge National Lab, Oak Ridge, TN

Decreasing Arsenic Bioavailability in Soil with Iron Amendment Strategies
Jonathan Subacz, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Jinling Zhuang, Auburn University, Center, Auburn, AL
Dr. Mark O. Barnett, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Melanie A. Stewart, Oak Ridge National Lab, Oak Ridge, TN
Phil Jardine, Oak Ridge National Lab, Oak Ridge, TN
John Drexler, Ph.D., University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO  



Detection of Potential Estrogenic Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals Using The LUMI-Cell
ä
ER Recombinant Bioassay

John D. Gordon, Xenobiotic Detection Systems Inc., 1601 E. Geer St., Suite S, Durham, NC 27612, Tel: 919-688-4804, Fax: 919-688-4404, Email: johngordon@dioxins.com          
Andrew C. Chu, Xenobiotic Detection Systems Inc., 1601 E. Geer St., Suite S, Durham, NC 27612, Tel: 919-688-4804, Fax: 919-688-4404, Email: andrewchu@dioxins.com
Charlotte L. Taylor, Xenobiotic Detection Systems Inc., 1601 E. Geer St., Suite S, Durham, NC 27612, Tel: 919-688-4804, Fax: 919-688-4404, Email: ctaylor@dioxins.com
George C. Clark, Xenobiotic Detection Systems Inc., 1601 E. Geer St., Suite S, Durham, NC 27612, Tel: 919-688-4804, Fax: 919-688-4404, Email: georgeclark@dioxins.com
Mick Chu, Xenobiotic Detection Systems Inc., 1601 E. Geer St., Suite S, Durham, NC 27612, Tel: 919-688-4804, Fax: 919-688-4404, Email: mickchu@dioxins.com
Michael S. Denison, University of California, Davis, Department of Environmental Toxicology, 4241 Meyer Hall, Davis, CA  95616, Tel:
530-752-3879, Fax: 530-752-3394, Email: msdenison@ucdavis.edu

A class of compounds knows as Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals (EDCs), have been shown to have tremendous adverse effects on human and wild life populations.  The association between the exposure, and bioaccumulation in the food chain, of EDCs has raised concern worldwide.  Identification of EDCs requires a relevant bioassay, which can both detect these chemicals, and provide a relevant estimate of their endocrine disrupting potency.  Xenobiotic Detection System (XDS) Inc. developed the LUMI-Cellä ER bioassay in order to detect EDCs using a high-throughput bioassay system.  To detect EDCs, BG-1 cells were stably transfected with an estrogen-responsive luciferase reporter gene plasmid (pGudLuc7ere).  The resulting cell line responds to estrogenic chemicals in a time-, dose dependent- and chemical-specific manner with the induction of luciferase gene expression.  XDS’s LUMI-Cellä ER bioassay system has tested over 110 chemicals, 53 of these chemicals were recommended by ICCVAM for validation of ER binding and transcriptional activation.  Twenty-Eight of the 53 chemicals recommended by ICCVAM have historical data for a positive response, and all of these 28 compounds demonstrated estrogenic activity using the LUMI-Cellä ER bioassay.  Out of the 110 chemicals tested, 69 demonstrated estrogenic activity, while 41 showed no activity.  Of the 57 chemicals tested, which were tested as unknowns, 30 were found to possess’ estrogenic activity, while 27 showed no activity.  The LUMI-Cellä ER bioassay has an EC50 detection of 1.48x10-11 for b-estradiol.  This level of detection is far lower than any limit likely to be imposed by any regulatory agency.  This data clearly demonstrates that XDS’s LUMI-Cellä ER high-throughput bioassay system is a fast, reliable, and relatively inexpensive method for detection of EDCs, meeting many of the requirements mandated by the EPA and ICCVAMs Tier I (screening) requirements for EDC detection assays.  Supported by NIEHS SBIR grant ES10533-03, and Superfund Basic Research Grant ES04699.

The Presence of NDMA in a Drinking Water Supply in Massachusetts and its Potential Health Risks

Daniel Huber, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Research and Standards, 1 Winter Street, 9th floor, Boston, MA 02108, Tel: 617-556-1052, Fax: 617-556-1006, Email: Daniel.Huber@state.ma.us
Christopher Pyott, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup-Northeast Regional Office, 1 Winter Street, 9th floor, Boston, MA 02108, Tel: 617-654-6654, Fax: 617-556-6685, Email: Christopher.Pyott@state.ma.us
Diane Manganaro, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Research and Standards, 1 Winter Street, 9th floor, Boston, MA 02108, Tel: 617-556-1158, Fax: 617-556-1006, Email: Diane.Manganaro@state.ma.us

N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a chemical used in the production of rubber products and rocket fuel.  NDMA is also formed in water treatment processes as a byproduct of chloramination.  It has been identified in a number of consumer products and foods.  In one community in Massachusetts, NDMA has been detected in four off-line water supply production wells.   When the wells were on-line, they supplied up to 50% of the drinking water to the town.  Since the detection of NDMA, use of the wells in the affected aquifer has been suspended indefinitely.  The presence of NDMA in the aquifer may be linked to the disposal activities associated with several chemical companies that operated at a location near the water supply for many years, beginning as early as 1953 and ending approximately in the mid 1970’s.  The end result of these disposal practices is approximately 9.2 million gallons of Dense Aqueous Phase Liquid (DAPL) contaminating the aquifer.  The DAPL is being investigated as a possible source of the NDMA.  The US EPA has classified NDMA as a probable human carcinogen at extremely low concentrations.  In the November of 2002, DEP’s Office of Research and Standards completed a critical review of the toxicity of NDMA, and developed a drinking water guideline of 0.01 micrograms per liter.  This presentation will discuss the fate and transport of NDMA in groundwater, and the risk from exposure to NDMA in drinking water. 

Updated Petroleum Hydrocarbon Fraction Toxicity Values for Use With VPH/EPH/APH Data

Tsedash Zewdie, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Research and Standards, 1 Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108, Tel: 617-292-5842, Fax: 617-556-1006, Email: tsedash.zewdie@state.ma.us

The MA DEP (1994) and the TPH Criteria Working Group (TPHCWG) (1999)  developed toxicity values for hydrocarbon fractions for use in assessing human health risks from exposures to complex mixtures of petroleum hydrocarbons. An updated set of oral and inhalation non-cancer toxicity values for these fractions has been developed after review of the original supporting laboratory studies for the TPHCWG toxicity values and newer studies.  Toxicity values for the MA DEP-defined aliphatic and aromatic fractions will be presented along with rationales for the choices of each of these values.

Impact of Aging in Soil on the Dermal Bioavailability of Phenol

Mohamed S. Abdel-Rahman, Ph.D., Pharmacology and Physiology Department, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Room I-681, 185 South Orange Avenue, P.O. Box 1709, Newark, New Jersey  07101-1709, Tel: 973-972-6568, Email: abdelrms@umdnj.edu
Gloria A. Skowronski, Ph.D., Pharmacology and Physiology Department, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Room I-624, 185 South Orange Avenue, P.O. Box 1709, Newark, New Jersey  07101-1709, Tel: 973-972-6690, Email: skowroga@umdnj.edu
Rita M. Turkall, Ph.D., Pharmacology and Physiology Department, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Room I-683, 185 South Orange Avenue, P.O. Box 1709, Newark, New Jersey  07101-1709, Tel: 973-972-5096, Email: turkalrm@umdnj.edu

Phenol is released to soil through accidental spills, manufacturing processes, and waste disposal.  Skin is the body’s primary route of entry for phenol. In order to assess the potential health risk from dermal exposure to phenol in soil, bioavailability studies were conducted. In vitro studies were performed on dermatomed male pig skin with flow-through diffusion cell methodology and radiolabeled phenol. The rate of penetration and the amount of chemical that penetrated skin into receptor fluid were measured for phenol aged in Atsion and Keyport soils. Total penetration was calculated as the sum of radioactivity in receptor fluid and skin.  Bioavailability  (total penetration) decreased from 84% for pure phenol to 15% and  8%, respectively, after 3 and 6 months of aging in the Atsion soil while the bioavailability of phenol aged in the Keyport soil was reduced to 22% and 17%,respectively, compared to pure  compound.  Since less phenol penetrated skin after soil sorption, more phenol was removed from the skin surface by soap and water wash compared to the pure chemical.  Decreased bioavailability reduces the potential for toxicity. Therefore, the data indicate that the potential health risk from dermal exposure to soil-sorbed phenol decreases with aging.  Furthermore, reduced bioavailability increases the environmentally acceptable endpoints for phenol which can result in less soil cleanup at contaminated sites.  (Supported through funding from the Hazardous Substance Management Research Center and the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology).

Reducing the Bioavailability of Pb in Soil

Rebecca A. Bevis, Auburn University, 238 Harbert Engineering Center, Auburn, AL 36849, Tel:  334-844-9356, Fax:  334-844-6290, Email: bevisra@auburn.edu
Jonathan L. Subacz, Auburn University, 238 Harbert Engineering Center, Auburn, AL 36849, Tel:  334-844-6258, Fax:  334-844-6290, Email: subacjl@auburn.edu
Jinling Zhuang, Auburn University, 238 Harbert Engineering Center, Auburn, AL 36849, Tel:  334-844-6204, Fax:  334-844-6290, Email: zhuanji@auburn.edu
Dongye Zhao, Auburn University, 238 Harbert Engineering Center, Auburn, AL 36849, Tel:  334-844-6277, Fax:  334-844-6290, Email: dzhao@eng.auburn.edu
Mark O. Barnett, Auburn University, 208 Harbert Engineering Center, Auburn, AL 36849, Tel:  334-844-6291, Fax:  334-844-6290, Email: barnettm@eng.auburn.edu
Melanie A. Stewart, Oak Ridge National Lab, PO Box 2008, Bldg 1505, MS 6038, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, Tel:  865-574-1902, Fax:  865-576-8646, Email: stewartm@ornl.gov
Phil Jardine, Oak Ridge National Lab, PO Box 2008, Bldg 1505, MS 6038, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, Tel:  865-574-8058, Fax:  865-576-8646, Email: jardinepm@ornl.gov

Human health concerns have motivated site remediation efforts throughout the United States and elsewhere. The hazard to children by direct soil ingestion is usually acknowledged as the greatest concern at numerous sites containing high concentrations of toxic metals such as lead (Pb). 

The objective of this research is to investigate the use of simple, inexpensive amendments to be incorporated into contaminated soils to reduce the bioavailability of Pb to children who ingest the soil.  The results of three phosphate-containing amendments are very promising.  There is a significant (up to 37%) decrease in the Pb bioaccessibility (a surrogate for oral bioavailability) in all soils amended with 5% by mass phosphate fertilizers and aged up to 200 days.  Sulfur-rich materials and organic matter have been found to immobilize Pb in soils.  Other possible amendments including pyrite and compost material are also being investigated.

Antimony (Sb) is a known hardening agent used in lead ammunition and is thus a potential contaminant. Measurements of Sb and Pb concentrations in firing range soils reveal a strong linear correlation between the two.  Sb is much more mobile than Pb in soil, and the movement of Sb in groundwater could be another important human-health exposure pathway from Pb contaminated soils.

Decreasing Arsenic Bioavailability in Soil with Iron Amendment Strategies

Jonathan L. Subacz, Auburn University, Department of Civil Engineering, 238 Harbert Engineering Center, Auburn University, AL 36849, Tel: 334-844-6258, Fax: 334-844-6290
Jinling Zhuang, Auburn University, Department of Civil Engineering, 238 Harbert Engineering Center, Auburn University, AL 36849, Tel: 334-844-6204, Fax: 334-844-6290
Mark O. Barnett, Ph.D., Auburn University, Department of Civil Engineering, 208 Harbert Engineering Center, Auburn University, AL 36849, Tel: 334-844-6291, Fax: 334-844-6290
Melanie A. Stewart, Oak Ridge National Lab, PO Box 2008, Bldg 1505, MS 6038, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, Tel:  865-574-1902, Fax:  865-576-8646
Phil Jardine, Ph.D., Oak Ridge National Lab, PO Box 2008, Bldg 1505, MS 6038, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, Tel:  865-574-8058, Fax:  865-576-8646
John Drexler, Ph.D., University of Colorado at Boulder, Department of Geological Sciences, 2200 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, CO 80309-0399, Tel: 303-492-5251, Fax: 303-492-2606

Human health risks associated with toxic metals have lead to the need for site remediation across the United States and the rest of the globe. Direct soil ingestion poses a health hazard for small children at contaminated sites containing high concentrations of toxic metals, such as arsenic (As). The influence of soil physical and chemical properties (Fe and Mn oxides, pH, cation exchange capacity, total inorganic and organic carbon, and particle size) on As(V) adsorption, sequestration, and relative bioaccessibility (as a surrogate for oral bioavailability) were previously studied. These results indicate the primary soil characteristics responsible for minimizing As(V) bioaccessibility are DCB extractable Fe oxides and pH. Arsenic bioaccessibility in soils generally decreases with Fe oxide content and increases with pH. Soils are usually reasonably well buffered at their natural pH, but it is possible to add relatively simple Fe amendments to reduce As bioavailability. By increasing the Fe oxide concentrations in soil, it was shown to decrease the relative bioaccessibility of As. Variables such as Fe source, method of addition, and aging period were examined. This research investigates amendment technologies that increase iron oxides in soil providing a means for As adsorption, sequestration, and an overall decrease in relative bioaccessibility.

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