Persistent toxic substances: sources, fates and effects

Rev Environ Health. 2012;27(4):207-13. doi: 10.1515/reveh-2012-0040.

Abstract

Persistent toxic substances (PTS) include the Stockholm persistent organic pollutants, like dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxin/furan, etc., and organometallic compounds, like organomercury, organotin, and organolead, which all share the same characteristics of being persistent, toxic, bioaccumulative, and able to travel long distances through different media. The adverse health effects of some of the emerging chemicals like pentabromodiphenyl ether, bisphenol A, and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, which are widely used in daily appliances (e.g., TVs, computers, mobile phones, plastic baby bottles), have become a public health concern due to more evidence now available showing their adverse effects like disturbance of the endocrine system and cancer. This article is an attempt to review the current status of PTS in our environment, citing case studies in China and North America, and whether our existing drinking water treatment and wastewater treatment processes are adequate in removing them from water. Some management issues of these emerging chemicals of concern are also discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alberta
  • China
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation
  • Hazardous Substances*
  • Humans
  • North America
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*

Substances

  • Hazardous Substances
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical