Exposure and effects of bioaccumulative contaminants of emerging concern in tree swallows nesting across the Laurentian Great Lakes

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA); Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI);
By: , and 

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Abstract

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are a loosely defined group of chemicals whose wide-spread usage or presence in the environment has occurred more recently or for which there has been relatively little research done until recently. Many of these CECs are not currently regulated. The National Toxicology Program within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that about 2000 CECs are introduced each year (https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/about/). An unknown number may pose a risk to human or animal health. The Phase 1 (2010 – 2014) CEC work in birds, which is the subject of this report, assessed exposure across the Great Lakes to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), perfluorinated compounds (PFASs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and put those exposures into context with data from biologically relevant endpoints such as reproductive success, as well as, physiological response indicators (bioindicators) to assess possible effects. The group of chemicals included in Phase 1 were mainly those chemicals that bioaccumulate in tissues. Phase 2 (2015 – 2019) CEC work with tree swallows was expanded to include CECs whose occurrence in the environment is more temporary or seasonal, and that do not necessarily bioaccumulate. These are often called pseudo-persistent, because, while they are not long-lived in the environment, there are often daily inputs via waste water treatment plants, and run-off from farm fields and storm drainages, thereby making them available to biota year-round. These include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and newer pesticides including herbicides. Tree swallow work on these less persistent CECs will be reported in the future, however see other Appendices in this report for information on some of these types of CECs (Appendices A, B, D).

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype Federal Government Series
Title Exposure and effects of bioaccumulative contaminants of emerging concern in tree swallows nesting across the Laurentian Great Lakes
DOI 10.23645/epacomptox.21044455
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Contributing office(s) Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Description 16 p.
Larger Work Type Report
Larger Work Subtype Federal Government Series
Larger Work Title Contaminants of emerging concern in the Great Lakes: Science to inform management practices for protecting the health and integrity of wildlife populations from adverse effects
First page 77
Last page 92
Country Canada, United States
Other Geospatial Laurentian Great Lakes
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