• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.201-211
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• 2008

The treatment efficiency of PCBs containing wastes has been investigated. The samples treated by electron beam and de-chlorination method were analyzed to verify the byproducts before treatment and after treatment. In the treated samples by electron beam irradiation, PCBs were not detected by comparing the peak matching using the Korean official waste test method. On the other hand, PCBs congeners were detected by analyzing individual isotope method using HRGC/HRMS. Most of PCB congeners in waste were decomposed to 3-chlorobiphenyls, lower chlorinated congener produced during the treatment of electron beam. In the chemical dechlorination treatment, it was found that the concentrations of PCBs in treated samples were lower than those of regulation criteria in Waste & POPs management law and the after treatment concentration were satisfied to the regulation criteria. Also, dioxins were not observed after the physio-chemical treatment processes of PCBs containing wastes.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.88-93
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• 2001

To measure the levels of dioxins in food selling at local markets, meat was analyzed by high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution ass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). The food samples were obtained from 5 large cities of Seoul, Chunchon, Daejon, Kwangju and Busan in Korea. All the samples were minced and extracted with Soxhlet extractor for 18 hours. After extraction, extracts were cleaned up by sulfuric acid impregnated silica gel, purified on a series of silica gel, alumina, carbon column chromatography and then analyzed by HRGC/HRMS. The contaminated levels were calculated as the TEQs by multiplying with the corresponding WHO-TEFs for each congeners. The overall recoveries were ranged from 80% to 153% and the limit of detection was about 0.01 ppt at S/N>3. The levels of PCDD/Fs for beef, pork and chicken were 0.018, 0.008 and <0.001 pgTEQ/g, respectively. In addition, the levels of non-ortho-co-planar PCBs for beef, pork and chicken were 0.008, 0.002 and 0.001 pgTEQ/g, respectively. Among food samples analyzed, chicken showed the lowest level of dioxin-like compounds. Regarding congener pattern, OCDD and PCB #77 were the highest contributing congeners.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22
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• pp.30-37
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• 2004

Peysistent oyganochlorine compounds (OCs) weve determined in sediments and bivalves from Gwangyang Bay. The concentrations of ∑PCB, ∑DDT, ∑HCH and ∑CHL in sediments were in the range of f 2.25∼11.4 ng g$\^$-1/, 0.16∼1.16 ng g$\^$-1/, nd∼0.51 ng g$\^$-1/, and 0.05∼0.79 ng g$\^$-1/, respectively. The overall OCs concentrations in sediments were below the effect range -median (ER-M) values toy benthic organisms suggested by NOAA (1991). Levels of PCB compounds a re relatively lower than other industrialized bays (Pusan Bay, Ulsan Bay, and Youngil Bay). OCs accumulated in bivalves were higher than those in sediments. In bivalves, the concentration ranges of ∑PCB, ∑DDT, ∑HCH and ∑CHL were 9.97∼31.7 ng g$\^$-1/, 7.54∼22.6 ng g$\^$-1/, 0.49∼2.0 ng g$\^$-1/, and 0.82∼7.32 ng g$\^$-1/, respectively. Relatively high PCB concentrations in both environmental matrices are found at the inner bay than the outer part, indicating that the sources of PCBs were located inside the bay. DDT compound showed relatively high concentrations in the vicinity of the mouth of river and urban area, whereas other organochlorine pesticides show homogeneous distributions over the bay. Homologue profile of PCB compounds shows that low-chlorinated congeners (especially, di-, tyi- and tetra-) are abundant in Gwangynng Bay, which is diferent from other areas in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.360-368
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• 2012

Objective: This study was carried out to use pine needles as a passive air sampler (PAS) of atmospheric Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). Methods: PCB concentrations in ambient air ($C_a$, ng/$m^3$) and deposited on pine needles ($C_p$, ng/g dry) were analyzed simultaneously from June 1 to December 31. Air samples were taken using a low volume PUF active air sampler and the overall average air volume was about 900-1,000 $m^3$. Pine needles were collected at the end of August and December near the air sampler. Results: $C_a$ were higher at higher air temperature and lower chlorinated PCB congeners, but $C_p$ showed irregular distribution. The average PCB sampling rates from air to pine needles were 0.116 (0.002-0.389) $m^3$/day - g dry. Conclusions: A poor correlation was shown between $C_a$ and $C_p$. However, a good correlation was shown between the logarithm of octanol-air partitioning coefficient ($logK_{oa}$) and log ($C_p/C_a$), and the interrelation was better with longer sampling time (June to December) than shorter sampling time (June to August). The average PCB sampling rates from air to pine needles were the lowest with respect to PUF disk, XAD-2 resin and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) PAS. The average ratio ($C_{a-calc}/C_{a-meas}$) of calculated ($C_{a-calc}$) and measured ($C_{a-meas}$) PCB concentration was 0.69 with a shorter sampling time and 1.24 with a longer, so $C_{a-calc}$ was close to $C_{a-meas}$. It was found that pine needles can be used as PAS of atmospheric PCBs, and are especially suitable for long-time PAS.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.115-123
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• 2019

Among the environmental chemicals that may be able to disrupt the endocrine systems of animals and humans are polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a chemical class of considerable concern. PCB consists of two six-carbon rings linked by a single carbon bond, and theoretically, 209 congeners can form, depending on the number of chlorines and their location on the biphenyl rings. Furthermore, 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) exposure also increases nitric oxide production and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells binding activity in chondrocytes, thus contributing as an initiator of chondrocyte apoptosis and resulting in thymic atrophy and immunosuppression. This study identified whether cardiac and immune abnormalities from PCB126 were caused by the Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 channels. PCB126 did not affect either the steady-state current or peak current of the Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 channels. However, PCB126 right-shifted the steady-state activation curves of human Kv1.3 channels. These results suggest that PCBs can affect the heart in a way that does not block voltage-dependent potassium channels including Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 directly.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.10-16
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• 2003

Atmospheric samples were conducted from September 2001 to July 2002 with GPS-l PUF sampler in rural site to concentration distributions of gas/particle PCBs and to calculate dry deposition flux of PCBs. $\Sigma$PCBs concentrations of gas/particle PCBs were 59.29$\pm$48.83, 6.56$\pm$6.59 pg/㎥, respectively. Gas contribution (%) of total PCBs (gas + particle) was 90% which existed gas phase in the atmosphere. The particle contribution (%) of PCB congeners increased relatively more of the less volatile congeners with the highest chlorine number. The correlation coefficients (r) between total PCBs and temperature ($^{\circ}C$) showed negative correlation in - 0.62 (p<0.0l) for particle phase, positive correlation in 0.63 (p<0.01) for gas phase. In other word, particle phase PCBs is enriched in colder weather which could be due to greater in corporation of condensed gas phase at low temperature. The calculated dry deposition of total PCBs (gas + particle) was 0.008, 0.008 $\mu\textrm{g}$ $m^{-2}$ da $y^{-l}$ which showed maximum dry deposition flux in December, minimum data in July Bs in the atmosphere. The calculated dry deposition fluxes of total PCBs were influenced by particle phase PCBs even though PCBs in the atmosphere were present primarily in the gas phase.e.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2006

Among poly aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxin and PCBs are the most controversial environmental pollutants in our modern life. These pollutants are known as human carcinogens, and liver is the most sensitive target in animal cancer models. Specific aims of the study were focused on the mechanism of carcinogenesis in hepatocytes and the structure-activity relation among these diverse environmental chemicals. Because key mechanisms of dioxin-induced carcinogenesis in human epithelial cell model are the alteration of signal transduction pathway and PKC isoforms, the alteration of the signal transduction pathways and other factors associated with carcinogenesis were studied. Rat hepatocytes cultured under the sandwich protocols were exposed with the various concentration of dioxins and PCBs, and signal transduction pathway, protein kinase C isoforms, oxidant stress, and apoptotic nuclei were evaluated. Since it is important to understand the structure-activity relation among these chemicals to properly assess the carcinogenic potentials, the study analyzed the parameters associated with carcinogenic processes, based on their structural characteristics. In addition, signal transduction pathways and PKC isoforms involved in inhibition of UV-induced apoptosis were also analyzed to elaborate the tumor promotion mechanism of these chemicals. Induction of apoptosis by UV irradiation was optimal at $60\;J/m^2$ in primary hepatocyte in culture. Compared to non coplanar PCBs such as PCB 114 and PCB 153, coplanar PCBs such as PCB 77 and PCB126 showed a stronger inhibition of apoptosis induced by UV irradiation. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was more stimulated by non-coplanar PCBs than coplanar PCBs with the most potent induction of ROS by chlorinated non-coplanar PCB. As compared to the level of induction by PCB126, non-coplanar PCB153 showed a higher increase of intracellular concentrations. Besides the alteration of intracellular calcium concentration, translocation of PKC from cytosolic fraction to membrane fraction was clearly observed upon the exposure of non-coplanar PCB. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that there is a potent structure-activity relationship among PCB congeners and the mechanism of PAH-induced carcinogenesis is structure-specific. The study suggested that more diverse pathways of PAH-induced carcinogenesis should be taken into account beyond the boundary of Ah receptor dogma to assess the health impact of PAH with more accuracy.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.07a
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• pp.1-20
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• 2004

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), one a group of persistent and widespread environmental pollutants, have been considered to be involved in immunotoxicity, carcinogenesis, and apoptosis. However, the toxic effects and physical properties of a PCB congener are dependent on the structure. In the present study, we investigate the toxic effects and action mechanisms of PCBs In cells. Among the various congeners tested, 2,2',4,6,6'-PeCB-pentachlorobiphenyl (PeCB), a highly ortho-substituted congener having negligible binding affinity for aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), caused the most potent toxicity and specific effects in several cell types. 2,2',4,6,6'-PeCB induced apoptotic cell death of human monocytic cells, suggesting that PCB-induced apoptosis may be linked to immunotoxicity. In addition, 2,2',4,6,6'-PeCB induced mitotic arrest by interfering with mitotic spindle assembly in NIH3T3 fibroblasts, followed by genetic instability which triggers p53 activation. Which suggests that 2,2',4,6,6'-PeCB may be involved in cancer development by causing genetic instability through mitotic spindle damage. On the other hand, 2,2',4,6,6'-PeCB increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) involved in cell survival through ERK1/2 MAPK and p53 in Rat-1 fibroblasts and mouse embryonic fibroblasts, triggering compensatory mechanism for abating its toxicity. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PCB congeners of different structure have distinct mechanism of action and 2,2',4,6,6'-PeCB causes several toxicity as well as compensatory mechanism in cells.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.995-1000
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• 2010

To investigate the relationship between polychlorinated byphenyls (PCBs) sources and concentration level in sediment, total 63 sediment samples with three-time sampling at one site were measured at 21 sites in Nakdong River. As a result of analysis, total concentrations and toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentration of Dioxin-like PCBs were ranged from 3.0 to 6,600 pg/g-dry with a mean value of 440 pg/g-dry and

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.283.2-283.2
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• 2002

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been used intensively in agriculture and industry for a long time. They belong to a group of contaminants whose occurrence in the environment is a serious concern to environmental chemists and toxicologists due to their resistance to degradation in the environment as well as their potential toxicity. Also. the lipophilic characteristics of these substances are responsible for their ability to bioaccumulate in tissues and organs rich in lipids of men and animals through food chain. Therefore, the measure of the levels of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in human tissues are good markers in detemining the extent to exposure and evaluating the hazards. This study was preformed to compare concentrations of organochlorine pesticides(${\alpha}-BHC, {\beta}-BHC, {\gamma}-BHC, {\delta}-BHC$, p.p'-DDT,p.p'-DDD,p.p.'-DDE. endrin. dieldrin. aldrin) and seven marker PCBs(PCB nos. 28. 52. 101. 118. 138. 153. 180) in liver. kidney cortex, lung blood and adipose tissue collected at autopsies of 10men and 10 women using gas chromatography equipped with electron capture detector to express the data on a lipid adjusted basis. From the results, the significant differences in the levels of organochlorines of PCBs between sexes, districts where they had lived and ages were also investigated.