Antiestrogenicity and estrogenicity in leachates from solid waste deposits
Anders Svenson1, Sofia Sjöholm, Ann-Sofie Allard
1IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Ltd, P. O. Box 210 60, S-100 31 Stockholm, Sweden.
Environmental Toxicology
|December 2, 2009
Summary
Swedish landfill leachates contain estrogenic and antiestrogenic substances. Researchers used a yeast-based in vitro assay to detect and quantify these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), finding bisphenol A and steroids among the estrogenic compounds.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) pose risks to environmental and human health.
- Developing reliable in vitro methods is crucial for identifying EDCs in environmental samples.
- Landfill leachates are potential sources of various chemical contaminants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt and apply an in vitro yeast assay for detecting estrogenic and antiestrogenic substances in Swedish landfill leachates.
- To quantify the levels of estrogenicity and antiestrogenicity in the leachates.
- To identify specific compounds responsible for the observed effects.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a recombinant yeast strain transfected with the human estrogen receptor alpha (hERα).
- Measured estrogenic activity by quantifying the estradiol-induced response.
- Assessed antiestrogenic activity by measuring the inhibition of estradiol-induced response using hydroxytamoxifen as a reference.
Main Results:
- Estrogenic activity in leachates ranged from below detection limits to 29 ng estradiol equivalents/L.
- Antiestrogenic activity was detected in some leachates, ranging from <38 to 3800 μg hydroxytamoxifen equivalents/L.
- Identified bisphenol A, estradiol, and ethinylestradiol as key estrogenic compounds; antiestrogenic activity was linked to a heterogeneous mixture of substances.
Conclusions:
- The in vitro yeast assay is effective for detecting and quantifying estrogenic and antiestrogenic substances in landfill leachates.
- Landfill leachates can be significant sources of EDCs, including bisphenol A and steroid estrogens.
- The complex and variable nature of antiestrogenic compounds in leachates warrants further investigation.
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