Effect-orientated analysis of endocrine disruptors in diesel exhaust

ENVR 182

Daniela Wenger, Daniele.wenger@empa.ch1, Andreas C. Gereckel1, Norbert V. Heeb1, Markus Zennegg1, Hanspeter Naegeli2, and Renato Zenobi, zenobi@org.chem.ethz.ch3. (1) Department of Analytical Chemistry, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA), Ueberlandstrasse 129, Dübendorf, CH-8600, Switzerland, (2) Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, CH-8057, (3) Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Hoenggerberg, Zurich, CH-8093, Switzerland
Diesel engines emit a complex mixture of carbonaceous soot particles and thousands of gaseous and particle-sorbed combustion products or unburned fuel ingredients. Some of these diesel exhaust constituents are potential endocrine disruptors that may show different modes of action such as triggering receptor mediated pathways. In our study, we focused on the detection and quantification of estrogen receptor (ER) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) mediated activity. We used in vitro reporter gene assays (ER- and DR-CALUX®) in combination with gas chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS) to conduct effect-orientated analysis on exhaust samples generated by a heavy duty diesel engine. Exhaust samples comprised particulate matter, as well as non- and semi-volatile compounds. To assess effects of diesel particulate filters on receptor agonists, we also analyzed samples treated by fuel additive-regenerated filters. Our results showed that diesel engines are a source of potential endocrine disruptors in the air. All analyzed diesel exhaust samples contained ER and AhR agonists, whose emissions were decreased by employment of diesel particulate filters.
 

Symposium Honoring Dr. Walter Giger
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Wednesday, August 22, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster

Sci-Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Sci-Mix

Division of Environmental Chemistry

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007