Guy L. LeBel

Determination of mutagenic potential and organic contaminants of Great Lakes drinking water

Abstract Extracts of organic compounds were obtained, using XAD-2 macroreticular resin, from drinking water supplies in 12 Great Lakes municipalities. The extracts were tested for mutagenic potential using the Salmonella/mammalian-microsome assay and analysed for organochlorine pesticides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, organophosphorous pesticides and trialkyl-arylphosphates. Grab samples of drinking water were also analysed for volatile organic compounds. Dose-related increases in mutagenicity were found in extracts from 11 of the drinking water supplies.

Chlorinated naphthalenes in human adipose tissue from Ontario municipalities

Abstract Human adipose tissue samples obtained during autopsies in Canadian municipalities within the Great Lakes basin were analysed for chlorinated naphthalenes using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for identification and quantification. 1,2,3,4,6,7- and 1,2,3,5,6,7-hexachloronaphthalenes were found in all tissue samples together with an unidentified pentachloronaphthalene. The residue levels for the hexa congeners ranged from 0.1 to 2.4 ng/g fat and for the penta congener they ranged from 0.1 to 25 ng/g fat. For male and female donors there was no significant difference in tissue levels of any of the chloronaphthalenes. These results were comparable with previously reported Japanese data.

A comparison of organochlorine residues in human adipose tissue autopsy samples from two Ontario municipalities

Human adipose tissue samples obtained during autopsies in a Canadian Great Lakes community, Kingston, Ontario, and a second community, Ottawa, Ontario, were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides, polychlorobiphenyls, chlorobenzenes, and chlorophenols. Significantly different levels of Dichlorodiphenyl -dichloroethane, mirex, hexachlorobenzene, and 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol were found in Kingston adipose tissues compared to Ottawa tissues. Residue levels of oxychlordane , mirex, and polychlorinated biphenyls were significantly different in Kingston males versus Kingston females. The means and ranges of residue levels were contrasted with those reported in previous Canadian surveys.

Polychlorodibenzodioxins and polychlorodibenzofurans in dioxazine dyes and pigments

Abstract A method for the extraction and analysis of polychlorodibenzodioxins (PCDD) and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDF) in dioxazine dyes and pigments has been developed. The dye or pigment was dissolved-dispersed in sulfuric acid and the PCDD/PCDF extracted with hexane. After Florisil and carbopack column clean-up the PCDD/PCDF were analysed by high resolution gas chromatography - high resolution mass spectrometry. Direct Blue 106 dyes and Violet 23 pigments contained ug/g levels of octachlorodibenzodioxin and octachlorodibenzofuran. The dyes and pigments also contained ng/g levels of hepta-, hexa- and penta congeners.

Chlorinated diphenyl ethers in human adipose tissue. Part 2

Abstract Human adipose tissue samples were analysed for chlorinated diphenylethers using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Nonachlorodiphenylether and decachlorodiphenylether were detected at overall mean values of 1.53 ng/g and 0.38 ng/g, respectively, calculated on an extracted fat basis. Males had a significantly higher mean value of nonachlorodiphenylether compared to females; there was no significant difference between males and females for mean values of decachlorodiphenylether.

Coplanar polychlorinated biphenyl residues in human adipose tissue samples from Ontario municipalities

Abstract Human adipose tissue samples obtained during autopsies in 5 Canadian municipalities within the Great Lakes basin were analysed for coplanar PCB congeners #77, #126 and #169 using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mean residue levels for male and female donors in each municipality for congeners #126 and #169 were comparable with previously reported Japanese data but were higher than limited results from North America. Significant differences in congener residue levels between municipalities were seldom detected, however, residue levels for congener #126 were significantly higher in females compared to males.

Polychlorinated biphenyl congener residues in human adipose tissue samples from five Ontario municipalities

Abstract Human adipose tissue samples obtained during autopsies in 5 Canadian municipalities were analysed for 16 specific congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The congener levels and means are reported for male and female donors in each municipality.

Chlorinated diphenyl ethers in human adipose tissue

Abstract Human adipose tissue samples were analysed for chlorinated diphenyl ethers using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; none of these compounds were found at a detection limit of 20 ng/g.

The determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at the ng/L level in Ottawa tap water.

Samples of Ottawa drinking water, collected in January and February 1978 were analysed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) for fifty polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and five oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (O-PAH), following extraction of the organic species using Amberlite XAD-2 macroreticular resin. In the January sample, thirty PAHs, ranging in concentration from 0.05 to 14 ng/L with a mean value of 3.8 ng/L and a total weight of 114 ng/L and four O-PAHs, ranging in concentration from 0.10 to 1.8 ng/L with a mean value of 0.91 ng/L and a total weight of 3.7 ng/L, were detected. In the February sample, thirty-six PAHs, ranging in concentration from 0.05 to 8.1 ng/L with a mean value of 1.4 ng/L and a total weight of 50.4 ng/L and five O-PAHs, ranging in concentration from 0.20 to 2.4 ng/L with a mean value of 1.0 ng/L and a total weight of 5.2 ng/L, were detected. Twenty-eight PAHs and four O-pahs were common to the two samples. The use of Amberlite XAD-2 macroreticular resin to extract PAHs from drinking water is shown to be effective, although the recovery of individual PAHs from artificially loaded XAD-2 resin varied from 57 to 100%.

A survey of drinking water supplies in the Province of Ontario for dioxins and furans

Abstract A survey of drinking water supplies in the Province of Ontario was initiated in 1983 to determine the extent of their contamination by polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). This drinking water survey arose from concerns regarding the discovery of PCDDs and PCDFs in sport fish from western Lake Ontario in the early 1980s. A total of 49 water supplies throughout all Regions of Ontario have been examined to date. Water supplies in the vicinity of chemical industries and pulp and paper mills were sampled more frequently; as many as 20 times. Detection limits were in the low parts per quadrillion (ppq) range for all tetra- to octachlorinated PCDDs and PCDFs. As of February 1989, 4, 347 results were received for 399 raw and treated water samples. Only 37 positive results were reported, constituting less than 1 percent of the total number of results. The O8CDD congener accounted for 36 of the 37 positive results. The 2,3,7,8- TCDD isomer was not detected in any sample.