Polychlorinated Diphenyl Sulfides: An Emerging Class of Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Substances (PBTs) in the Environment.

Recently, polychlorinated diphenyl sulfides (PCDPSs) have attracted increasing attention due to their potential adverse effects on human and ecosystem health. Herein, we present a review regarding their environmental occurrence, persistence, bioaccumulation, toxicity and biotransformation. The existing literature demonstrated that PCDPSs are ubiquitous in various environmental matrices, persistent in the environment and have long-range transport potential. In addition, the high bioaccumulation potential of these emerging pollutants, especially the low chlorinated PCDPS congeners, has been confirmed based on both theoretical calculations and experimental investigations. Moreover, a spectrum of adverse effects, such as acute liver injury, retardation of development, reproductive disorders, and increased mortality have been widely reported in vertebrates. These adverse outcomes were associated with oxidative stress and activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptors. Given these findings, PCDPSs represent candidate persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances (PBTs) and thus, deserve further research to fully elucidate their environmental behavior and fate, and evaluate the risks to human and ecosystem health. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.