Complementary DNA encoding the IgG1 induction factor, the first lymphokine directed to B lymphocytes, from a murine T-cell line has been cloned using a new strategy. The putative primary amino-acid sequence was deduced from the nucleotide sequence determined. The lymphokine synthesized by the direction of this cloned cDNA has many other functions, such as production of B-cell growth factor-1 and induction of Ia on B cells.

Concentrations and congener compositions of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were determined in seven Halowax (HW) preparations. In HW 1000 and 1031, low-chlorinated naphthalenes (CNs) and in HW 1051, highly chlorinated naphthalenes were dominant, whereas tri- through penta-CNs were major homologues in other Halowaxes. Concentrations of Co-PCBs were in the range of 2.0-2600 ng/g. CB 105 and 118 were dominant in all Halowaxes. Concentrations of PCDDs/DFs were in the range of 92-5900 ng/g. The 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQs) in Halowaxes calculated from the amounts of PCNs, Co-PCBs, and PCDDs/DFs were in the range of 2800-220,000 ng-TEQ/g. PCNs accounted for most of the total TEQs in Halowaxes, and the contribution of PCDDs/DFs and Co-PCBs to total TEQs was less than 1/1000 that of PCNs. Congeners that most significantly contributed to TEQs were CN 69, 73, 70, and 63. Total TEQs roughly estimated from the Japanese production of technical PCNs, 210 kg-TEQ, was about half from technical PCBs, 440 kg-TEQ on average.

Photodebromination of technical decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE) incorporated into high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and TV casings was compared under natural sunlight conditions with that of technical decabromodiphenyl ethane (DeBDethane). BDE 209 in pulverized HIPS+DecaBDE samples degraded with a half-life of 51 days. In contrast, no marked loss of DeBDethane occurred throughout the experimental period of 224 days. During BDE 209 photolysis in HIPS+DecaBDE samples, partly debromination to nona- and octa-BDE was observed, however, environmentally relevant polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners such as BDE 47, 99, and 100 were not formed. Formation of polybrominated dibenzofurans (PBDFs) was clearly apparent in the flame-retarded plastics that we investigated. In the HIPS+DecaBDE samples, the PBDF concentration increased by about 40 times after 1 week of exposure, with a concomitant decrease in BDE 209. In the TV casing, tetra- to octa-BDF congener concentrations increased continuously during the experiment Although the concentrations of PBDFs found in the plastic matrices tested were 1 to 4 orders of magnitude lower than those of PBDEs, more attention should be paid to the fact that PBDFs are formed by sunlight exposure during normal use as well as disposal/recycling processes of flame-retarded consumer products.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is the environmentally concerned compound because of its persistence and bioaccumulative properties. Since photodegradation of PFOS is not yet experimentally confirmed, photodegradation study of PFOS in water and alkaline 2-propanol solution was conducted. Aqueous and alkaline 2-propanol solution of PFOS (40 microM) was irradiated with a low-pressure mercury lamp (254 nm, 32 W) by internal irradiation for 10 d, and then PFOS, fluoride and sulfate ions, and the other degradation products were analyzed. Photodegradation of PFOS was confirmed in both media. PFOS was degraded by 8% after 1 day and by 68% after 10 days irradiation compared to the initial concentration in water. In alkaline 2-propanol, 76 and 92% of PFOS was degraded after 1 and 10 days irradiation, respectively. Photodegradation of PFOS in alkaline 2-propanol was much faster and effective than in water, as the photodegradation rate constants were 0.93 days(-1) in alkaline 2-propanol and 0.13 days(-1) in water, respectively. Formation of fluoride and sulfate was also confirmed by ion chromatography and X-ray diffraction analysis. From observation of the degradation products, two major degradation pathways of PFOS were considered: via C8HF17 and C8F17OH, respectively, resulting in short-chain fluorinated compounds such as C7HF15 and C7F15OH by stepwise removal of CF2. Formation of short-chain fluorocarbons such as CF4, C2F6, and C3F8 were also confirmed. This is the first study to confirm photodegradation of PFOS in water and alkaline 2-propanol.