Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD BMJ Publishing Group
Résumé : International audience
We read with interest the report by Desrosiers et al 1 on the association between maternal occupational exposure to organic solvents and some birth defects. Their case-control study examined occupational exposure to three classes of solvents (chlorinated, aromatic and Stoddard) and found one association--between neural tube defects (mainly spinal bifida) and maternal occupational exposure to chlorinated solvents, but no association with the other solvent classes or with oral clefts. In their discussion, the authors noted that previous findings on maternal occupational exposure to solvents and oral clefts were from European, mainly French, populations and they hypothesised that the inconsistency between their results and these previous studies might be due to different exposure profiles (eg, intensity and solvent formulation). Although this explanation is plausible, another explanation must be discussed: differences in the definition of exposure. Our research team conducted four of the five studies with positive results cited by Desrosiers et al.2-5 All four were population based and included, in addition to the solvent classes considered by Desrosiers et al, oxygenated solvents, for example, alcohols or glycol ethers. Exposure limited to only oxygenated solvents appears to be very frequent among working women: more than half of the solvent exposure group in Chevrier et al 4 were exposed only to that solvent class. Because previous studies found an increased risk of oral clefts to be associated principally with that specific exposure, failure to consider this association could explain the negative findings for oral clefts. Moreover, women who were exposed only to oxygenated solvents are included in the reference ('non-exposed') group here, which would result in underestimating associations with chlorinated and petroleum solvents. For both these reasons, we believe that the failure to consider oxygenated solvents led to underestimating the risk estimates for oral clefts.
ISSN: 1351-0711

hal-00875943
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00875943
DOI : 10.1136/oemed-2012-100999
PUBMED : 22843438

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD BMJ Publishing Group
Résumé : International audience
BACKGROUND: The association between lung cancer and occupational exposure to organic solvents is discussed. Since different solvents are often used simultaneously, it is difficult to assess the role of individual substances. OBJECTIVES: The present study is focused on an in-depth investigation of the potential association between lung cancer risk and occupational exposure to a large group of organic solvents, taking into account the well-known risk factors for lung cancer, tobacco smoking and occupational exposure to asbestos. METHODS: We analysed data from the Investigation of occupational and environmental causes of respiratory cancers (ICARE) study, a large French population-based case-control study, set up between 2001 and 2007. A total of 2276 male cases and 2780 male controls were interviewed, and long-life occupational history was collected. In order to overcome the analytical difficulties created by multiple correlated exposures, we carried out a novel type of analysis based on Bayesian profile regression. RESULTS: After analysis with conventional logistic regression methods, none of the 11 solvents examined were associated with lung cancer risk. Through a profile regression approach, we did not observe any significant association between solvent exposure and lung cancer. However, we identified clusters at high risk that are related to occupations known to be at risk of developing lung cancer, such as painters. CONCLUSIONS: Organic solvents do not appear to be substantial contributors to the occupational risk of lung cancer for the occupations known to be at risk
ISSN: 1351-0711

hal-01282444
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01282444
DOI : 10.1136/oemed-2015-103177
PUBMED : 26911986

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
This paper proposes a new approach for the on-site detection of micropollutants in water in case of accidental or intentional contamination (characterized by high concentration). The technique is based on the use of an automatic multiple solid phase extraction step (MSPE) followed by direct or indirect UV spectrometry (MSPE/UV) for the detection of organic contaminants in water (such as regulated molecules (pesticides ...) as well as emerging pollutants (pharmaceutical products, endocrine disruptors ...)). The development of the system supposes firstly the choice of the most appropriate sorbent(s) and secondly conditions for the detection of targeted micropollutants, from several solid phase extraction cartridges and eluting solvents. Two different extraction sorbents were chosen. These sorbents and several eluting solvents allow the first separation of the compounds based on the physico-chemical properties of each substance (pKa, log Kow) and on the specific interactions with the sorbent. Finally, a UV analysis (either at the maximum of absorbance using a calibration curve or from the whole spectrum using a multicomponent (deconvolution) exploitation method) of each fraction allows a determination and a quantification of each compound. The method is rapid (less than 2 h), sensitive enough for an accidental/intentional contamination (between 5 and 40 μg*L− 1 according to the substances) and with a good precision (between 4 and 14%).
ISSN: 0026-265X

hal-00878024
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00878024
DOI : 10.1016/j.microc.2012.10.025

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Résumé : International audience
Background: Glycol ethers (GE) are widely used organic solvents. Despite the potential neurotoxicity of several families of organic solvents, little is known about the impact of GE on the neurodevelopment of infants and children. Objectives: We investigated the relation between urinary concentrations of GE metabolites in pregnant women and neurocognitive abilities in their 6-year-old children in the PELAGIE mother-child cohort. Methods: Five GE metabolites were measured in first morning void urine samples of 204 French pregnant women in early pregnancy (<19 weeks of gestation). Psychologists assessed the neurocognitive abilities of their 6-year-old children with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children IV (WISC) and the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment (NEPSY). We analyzed the results with linear (WISC) and Poisson regression models (NEPSY), adjusted for potential confounders, including child's stimulation at home. Results: GE metabolites were detected in 90-100% of maternal urine samples. The WISC Verbal Comprehension score was significantly lower for children with the highest tertile of urinary phenoxyacetic acid (PhAA) [beta (third vs. first tertile)=-6.53; 95% CI: -11.44, -1.62]. Similarly, the NEPSY Design Copying subtest score was lower in those with the highest tertile of urinary ethoxyacetic acid (EAA) [beta (third vs. first tertile)=-0.11; 95% CI: -0.21, 0.00]. The other GE metabolites we studied were not significantly associated with WISC or NEPSY scores. Conclusions: Prenatal urine concentrations of two GE metabolites were associated with lower WISC Verbal Comprehension Index scores and NEPSY Design Copying subscale scores, respectively, at age 6 years. PhAA is the primary metabolite of 2-phenoxyethanol (EGPhE), which is commonly found in cosmetics, and precursors of EAA are frequently used in cleaning agents. Additional research is needed to confirm our findings and further explore potential effects of prenatal GE exposures on neurocognitive performance in children.
ISSN: 0091-6765

hal-01519256
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01519256
DOI : 10.1289/EHP39
PUBMED : 27740510

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
The aim of this study was to optimize the extraction and characterization of lycopene, a carotenoid, from a tropical fruit, Psidium guajava L. and to demonstrate its health benefits. Deionised water, mixed with organic solvents, was used for extraction, and the depletion stage was reached in order to define the number of extractions needed to extract most of the lycopene. Optimum extraction was achieved with petroleum ether combined with guava puree:deionised water ratio of 40% using 15 ml of water. Four extractions were a satisfactory compromise to maximize the amount of lycopene recovered and to minimize the use of organic solvent. Excellent purification of lycopene was obtained by HPLC-VIS detection (470 nm) with acetonitrile/methanol/tetrahydrofuran mobile phase. Characterization was confirmed by FTIR analysis. A modification of the DPPH test made it possible to assess the EC50, thereby ranking lycopene among good antioxidants. As Psidium guajava is already widely used in the food industry, these results support claims for health benefits for products derived from guava.
ISSN: 23192399

hal-01672063
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-01672063
DOI : 10.9790/2402-1104016773

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Experimentally Assisted Molecular Modelling (EAMM) is an original approach for predicting the structure of organic micro-crystals and deducing their habit in the presence of various solvents and additives. It is applied here in the case of n-octylamino-nitrobenzoxadiazole (nOA-NBD), a fluorescent compound. This general approach is first of all described and validated by its blind application to three known and closely-related crystals. Then, the whole process is applied to predict the molecular crystal generated by n-octylamino-NBD, including the molecule conformation, its structure (cell parameters, molecular packing, X-ray powder diagrams) and its theoretical plus actual habits in the presence of a solvent (p-xylene) and two additives (acetic acid and n-dodecane). The conformation of the predicted molecule is validated by comparison with two similar molecules embedded in observable crystals. Then, the choice between two proposed structures (with the same energy and two equiprobable packings) is based on the comparison between experimental and re-computed X-ray powder diffraction diagrams, and also on the interpretation of an actual TEM image in the light of the proposed cell parameters. This choice is confirmed by the comparison between the vapour-grown face development (proposed by the BFDH or the attachment energy models) and the actual face development in a pure solvent. Finally, the actual habit deduced from comparing the crystal attachment energy with the adsorption energy of solvent or additive molecules is validated by SEM images of NBD micro-crystals in presence of the solvent alone or in presence of both additives. In conclusion, the EAMM approach appears to be a decisive tool for quickly simulating structural and habit properties of the molecular crystals, accessible or not by experimentation. Thus, a numerical selection of molecules becomes possible in view of deriving organic materials with predetermined properties, such as the fluorescence properties of the compound considered in the present study.
ISSN: 0022-0248

hal-00857894
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00857894
DOI : 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2011.07.035

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Springer Verlag
Résumé : International audience
Meconium is the earliest stool of newborns, and is a complex matrix that reflects the degree of exposure of the fetus to xenobiotics. To investigate fetal exposure to volatile organic compounds, an analytical method was developed to identify and quantify BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and o,m,p-xylene) and two chlorinated solvents (trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene) in meconium. Headspace-solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was selected because it is simple, sensitive, can be automated, and requires no extensive sample preparation. Several extraction variables were optimized (fiber type, incubation time, temperature of fiber, and use of salt). Because meconium is a complex matrix, quantification by SPME was considered carefully because of potential interference, for example competitive adsorption. Calibration in water was compared with calibration in meconium using external and internal methods (with isotope-labeled compounds). In meconium, limits of quantification were determined to be in the range 0.064-0.096 ng g(-1) for the investigated compounds. All target compounds were determined in "real-case" meconium samples.
ISSN: 1618-2642

hal-01064967
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01064967
DOI : 10.1007/s00216-014-7836-2
PUBMED : 24838489

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
Environmental context The safeguarding of water supplies and drinking water is a major issue when considering human health risk management. In this context, an automatic and on-site fractionation system for the detection of organic contaminants has been developed. The main goal of this system is to establish an initial diagnosis by identifying a class of substances involved in a case of pollution. Abstract This paper proposes a new approach for the preconcentration, fractionation, prediction and detection of organic micropollutants in water. The main aim of this study was to implement an innovative fractionation method and a prediction model based on the physicochemical properties of compounds and interactions with the sorbent of solid-phase extraction cartridges. Two sorbents (Strata-SAX and Oasis-HLB) and three specific eluting solvents (mixture of methanol and sodium chloride and mixtures of acetonitrile and ultrapure water) were used to separate organic compounds into five specific fractions according to their physicochemical properties (anionic and cationic or neutral compounds with various polarity). More than 75 molecules (43 molecules individually studied and a mixture with 43 molecules, including 11 molecules individually studied) including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, with various properties were studied, and the results showed that the elution fraction can be predicted for more than 85% of the compounds. This methodology could simplify the analytical chain by reducing detailed analysis on limited categories of compounds, and could be used for a rapid and on-site screening of organic compounds. © CSIRO 2016.
Environmental Chemistry

hal-01373945
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01373945
DOI : 10.1071/EN15135