Persistent Organic Pollutants (dioxins) + Pesticides (TOX 4)
18 important questions on Persistent Organic Pollutants (dioxins) + Pesticides (TOX 4)
What are persistent organic pollutants (POPs)?
- Remain intact for exceptionally long periods of time (many years);
- Become widely distributed throughout the environment as a result of natural processes involving soil, water and, most notably, air;
- Accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms including humans, and are found at higher concentrations at higher levels in the food chain; and
- Are toxic to both humans and wildlife.
What are examples of dioxin-like compounds?
- Dioxins (PCDDs)
- Furans (PCDFs)
- Dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs)
What are sources of PCDDs and PCDFs?
- Burning processes
- Production of organochlorine compounds
- Leaded gasoline
- Metal industry
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What is the problem with PCBs?
What are the toxic effects of non-dioxin-like PCBs?
- Reproduction
- Development
- Thyroid hormone
- Immune system
- Nervous system
- Carcinogenic
How are we exposed to dioxin-like compounds?
- Intentional poisoning
- Illegal activities
- Natural origin
- Disaster
- Background levels
What is the grasshopper effect of POPs?
What is the mechanism of dioxin-like compounds?
What is the TEF value?
What is the TEQ value?
What are requirements for a compound to be included in the TEF concept?
- Persistent against breakdown
- Bioaccumulative (hydrophobic)
- Toxicity
These are all PBT properties.
What are other names for pesticides?
- Plant protection products (PPP)
- Phytopharmaceuticals
- Biocides (non-agricultural use)
Why was DDT useful to use against malaria in Europe and the USA but not in tropical regions?
What is the mechanism of DDT?
What do other organochlorinated (OC) insecticides inhibit?
What is the mechanism of pyrethroids?
- Increased Na-influx in the cell
- Negative after-potential as with DDT
- Type I: Hyperexcitable state > Repetitive firing
- Type II: Loss of membrane potential > Action potential impossible
What is an advantage of pyrethroids?
- Degradable by sun light
- Degradable in water
What is a disadvantage of pyrethroids?
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