• 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.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.61-70
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• 2002

Direct electron beam irradiation experiments on artificially contaminated soil by polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were performed to evaluate applicability of direct electron beam irradiation process for contaminated soil remediation. The removal efficiency of PAHs was about 97 % at 600 kGy and PCBs about 70 % at 800 kGy. PAHs were removed 27 % more, compared to PCBs although the absorbed dose was as low as 200 kGy. The contaminants decomposition was due predominantly to direct interaction of high-energy electrons and the target compounds rather than due to oxidation/reduction reaction by reactive intermediates. Radiolysis of electron beam may be able to decontaminate contaminated soil by toxic and recalcitrant organic compounds like as PAHs and PCBs effectively, but it may be economically uncompetitive. Thus, developments of post-treatment process of conventional site remediation technologies may be more practical and economical than direct radiolysis.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2001

The aim of this study was to examine how plant terpenoids, as natural growth substrates or inducers, would affect the biodegradation of PCB congeners. Various PCB degraders that could grow on biphenyl and several terpenoids were tested for their PCB degradation capabilities. Degradation activities of the PCB congeners, 4,4-dichlorobiphenyl (4,4-DCBp) and 2,2-dichlorobiphenyl (2,2-DCBp), were initially monitored through a resting cell assay technique that could detect their degradation products. The PCB degraders, Pseudomonas ((S)-(-) limonene, p-cymene and $\alpha$-terpinene) whereas Arthrobacter sp. B1B could not grow on the terpenoids as a sole carbon source. The B1B strain grown on biphenyl exhibited good degradation activity for 4,4-DCBp and 2,2-DCBp, while the activity of strains P166 and T104 was about 25% that of the B1B strain, respectively. Concomitant GC analysis, however, demonstrated that strain T104, grown on (S)-(-) limonene, p-cymene and $\alpha$-terpinene, could degrade 4,4-DCBp up to 30%, equivalent to 50% of the biphenyl induction level. Moreover, strain T104 grown on (S)-(-) limonene, could also degrade 2,2-DCBp up to 30%. This indicates that terpenoids, widely distributed in nature, could be utilized as both growth and/or inducer substrate(s) for PCB biodegradation in the environment.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2001

PCBs(Polychlorinated biphenyls) in air and plants were measured every two weeks at Hankyong University located in Ansung, Kyoung ki province from July to November in 1999. The percentage of tri-CBs(PCB 28) and tetra-CBs(PCB 52) is 49% of the total PCBs in air, which shows these two components are the major congeners. A correlation coefficient(r) of PCB congeners detected in two plants is 0.83 (p<0.01), indicating that the plants can be used as a passive sampler to indirectly estimate the pollution levels of residual PCBs in the environmental even if they have different physicochemical properties. The average ratio of PCB 110/PCB 52 is higher in plants as 0.5, 2.9 and 2.5 respectively in the air and mulberry leaves as well as scallions, which comes from the higher lipophilicity of PCB 110 rather than the ratio of PCB 110/PCB 52 in the air.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 1998

In the study to reduce the error on the method of sampling pine needles to monitor the atmospheric concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls(PBCs),it was found that: 1. Concentration of PCBs almost linearly increased from new to three-years-old pine needles, so that the biomonitoring method using pine needles canbe applied to measuring long-term contamination from air in a local area. Needles of differernt age should not be mixed in sampling but be seperately analysed .It no good idea comparing PCB concentrations of differently aged needles. 2. Concentratio n of PCBs on pine needles had nothing to do whit the indivisual and age of the pine tree. 3. Concentration of PCBs on pine needles growing avobe was lower than that on needke below. 4. Concentration of PCBs on pine needles locatied in poorly ventilative places such as needle of a forest was lower than that on needles in well-ventilated areas.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Biology Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.123-126
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• 2002

Pollutants that are persistent, bioaccurnulative, and toxic have been linked to numerous adverse effects in human and animals, PBTs include heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in addition to pesticides. This study focuses on toxic effects of the PBTs except pesticides on insects. Eight PBTs were selected from subgroups: three heavy metals (Pb, Hg, and Cd), two PCB mixtures (Aroclor mixtures 1 and 2), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, two monophenols (4-octylphenol and 4-nonylphenol), and tetrabutyltin, Beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, was used as test target insect species. Three physiological markers (metamorphosis, immune reaction, and follicle patency) were assessed in each exposure to different doses of the PCBs. Heat-shock proteins as molecular markers were also analyzed in response to the PCBs. All tested PBTs were toxic to metamorphosis from larvae to pupae when they were applied with diet. Two PCB mixtures were the most toxic compounds in this assay by giving significant toxicity at 0.005 ppm, while others had from 10 to 1000 ppm. Dioxin (0.1 ppb), tetrabutyltin (0.1 ppb), Pb (10 ppb), and Hg (0,01 ppb) were potent to inhibit immune reactions analyzed by inducing phenoloxidase activity and blocked phospholipase $A_2$ enzyme, Tetrabutyltin and dioxin significantly induced follicle cell patency, but their effects were lower than that of endogenous juvenile hormone, Dioxin, Pb, Hg, and Cd could induce the expression of heat shock proteins that were detected by immunoblotting against human HSP70 monoclonal antibody. HSP78 and HSP80 were upregulated in response to the PBTs. This expression was detected from the fat body and epidermis at as fast as 4h after injection. All these results clearly suggest that PBTs give significant ecotoxicity to insects that are valuable organisms in our environment.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.257-267
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• 2012

Occupational neurotoxic diseases have become increasingly common in Taiwan due to industrialization. Over the past 40 years, Taiwan has transformed from an agricultural society to an industrial society. The most common neurotoxic diseases also changed from organophosphate poisoning to heavy metal intoxication, and then to organic solvent and semiconductor agent poisoning. The nervous system is particularly vulnerable to toxic agents because of its high metabolic rate. Neurological manifestations may be transient or permanent, and may range from cognitive dysfunction, cerebellar ataxia, Parkinsonism, sensorimotor neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction to neuromuscular junction disorders. This study attempts to provide a review of the major outbreaks of occupational neurotoxins from 1968 to 2012. A total of 16 occupational neurotoxins, including organophosphates, toxic gases, heavy metals, organic solvents, and other toxic chemicals, were reviewed. Peer-reviewed articles related to the electrophysiology, neuroimaging, treatment and long-term follow up of these neurotoxic diseases were also obtained. The heavy metals involved consisted of lead, manganese, organic tin, mercury, arsenic, and thallium. The organic solvents included n-hexane, toluene, mixed solvents and carbon disulfide. Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide were also included, along with toxic chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, organophosphates, and dimethylamine borane. In addition we attempted to correlate these events to the timeline of industrial development in Taiwan. By researching this topic, the hope is that it may help other developing countries to improve industrial hygiene and promote occupational safety and health care during the process of industrialization.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.520-528
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• 2007

A practical and efficient disposal of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in waste transformer oil by a chemical dechlorination process has been reported. The transformer oil containing commercial PCB mixtures (Aroclor 1242, 1254 and 1260) was treated by the required amounts of PEG 600 (polyethylene glycol 600), potassium hydroxide (KOH) and aluminum (Al), along with different reaction temperatures and times. The reaction of PEG with PCBs under basic condition produces arylpolyglycols, the products of nucleophilic aromatic substitution. The relative efficiencies of PCB treatment process were assessed in terms of destruction and removal efficiency (DRE, %). Under the experimental conditions of PEG600/KOH/Al/100 oC/2hr, average DRE of PCBs was approximately 78%, showing completely removal of PCBs containing 7-9 chlorines on two rings of biphenyl which appear later than PCB no. 183 (2,2',3,4,4',5',6-heptaCB) in retention time of GC/ECD. However, when increasing the reaction temperature and time to 150 oC and 240 min, average DRE of PCBs including the most toxic PCBs (PCB no. 77, 105, 118, 123 and 169) in PCB family reached 99.99% or better, with the exception of PCB no. 5 and 8 (2,3-diCB and 2,4'-diCB). In studying the reaction of PEG with PCBs, it confirmed that the process led to less chlorinated PCBs through a stepwise process with the successive elimination of chlorines. The process also permits complete recovery of treated transformer oil through simple segregating procedures.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.247-257
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• 2002

Persistent organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been used intensively in agriculture or industry for a long time. The occurrence of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in the environment and subsequently in parts of the food chain, resulting in the intake of these compounds by man and animal. The measure of the levels of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in tissues or blood of human populations are good markers in determining the extent of exposure and in the evaluating the hazards. So, most countriess have conducted initial monitoring programs to determine organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in human tissues. But a few report has been presented in Korea. In this study, $\alpha$-BHC, $\beta$-BHC, ${\gamma}$-BHC, $\delta$-BHC, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, endrin, dieldein, aldrin and 7 marker PCBs (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) were determined in human blood, adipose tissue and liver tissues collected at autopsy of 10 men and 10 women, 13-79 year of age. Significant differences in the levels of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs between districts where they had lived were found in the following chemicals: total PCB in the blood : $\beta$-BHC, total BHC, p,p'-DDE and total DDT in the adipose tissue : p,p'-DDE, total DDT and PCB 118 in the liver. No significant difference was found in the levels of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs between sexes and ages. Though the levels of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs were relatively lower than that of other countries, we could know that organochlorine pesticides and PCBs have been widely distributed in Korean human body.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1499-1507
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• 2011

Practical disposal of transformer insulation oil laden with PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) by a chemical treatment has been studied in field work. The transformer insulation oil containing PCBs was treated by the required amounts of PEG (polyethylene glycol) and KOH, along with different reaction conditions such as temperatures and times. The reaction of PEG with PCBs under basic condition produces arylpolyglycols, the products of nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Removal efficiencies of PCBs in insulation oil before and after chemical treatment were examined. The removal efficiency of PCBs was very low at lower temperatures of 25 and $50^{\circ}C$. Under the reaction condition of PEG 600/KOH/$100^{\circ}C$/2hr, removal efficiency of PCBs was approximately 70%, showing completely removal of PCBs containing 7~9 chlorines on biphenyl frame which appear later than PCB IUPAC Number 183 (2,2',3,4,4',5',6-heptaCB) in retention time of GC/ECD. However, when increasing the reaction temperature and time to $150^{\circ}C$ and 4 hours, removal efficiency of PCBs reached 99.99% without any formation of PCDDS/PCDFs during the process. Such reaction conditions were verified by several official analytical institutions. In studying the reaction of PEG with PCBs, it confirmed that the process of chemical treatment led to less chlorinated PCBs through a stepwise process with the successive elimination of chlorines.