Environmental analysis, health and toxicology最新文献

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been extensively used as surfactants, surface protectors, food packaging materials, and fire-retardants. Due to serious adverse effects on human and environment, they are now considered as legacy compounds. In this study, the effects of PFOA and PFOS on endocrine disruption were assessed using the Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA) methodology based on the adverse outcome pathway (AOP). PFOA/PFOS in vitro data for enzyme activities for steroidogenesis, hormone levels of 17β-estradiol and testosterone, receptor binding capacity, receptor transcriptional activation, cell proliferation and differentiation were collated and assessed to elucidate the association between the data with the human adverse outcomes. Multiple studies indicate that PFOA/PFOS alter enzyme activities, hormone levels, receptor transcription, and cell proliferation. Moreover, associations were found between in vitro data and human outcomes including semen quality, menarche, menopause, menstrual cycle, infertility, miscarriage, cancer, and birth weight. This study effectively links toxic mechanisms to human adverse outcomes of PFOA and PFOS. However, in vitro data based on the molecular initial events (MIEs) and key events (KEs) in AOP frame works are not enough and often inconsistent for integrated assessment, which suggest that more data for endocrine disruption are required for clear and complete IATA of PFOA and PFOS.

Landfills are increasingly acknowledged as significant sources of microplastic contamination. Landfills received huge amounts of plastic waste daily, which can degrade into microplastics over time and subsequently accumulate in soil or leach into surrounding environments through leachate. This study investigates the abundance and characteristics of microplastics (MPs) present in soil and leachate across various zones within a landfill., focusing on their size, shape, and polymer composition in young, middle-aged, and old landfill zones. The comprehensive approach involved sample collection, and laboratory analysis. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identified the dominant polymers, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) were used to explore factors influencing MP distribution and grouping patterns between soil and leachate samples. The results showed that the abundance of MPs in leachate was significantly lower in middle-aged landfills compared to young and old zones (P < 0.05). Fiber-shaped MPs were most common, with particle sizes ranging from 0.1 mm to 1.6 mm. FTIR spectroscopy identified polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) as dominant polymer types. PCA indicated that landfill aging and environmental degradation influenced MP distribution, with HCA showing distinct patterns between soil and leachate. Smaller MPs were more mobile and found more often in leachate, while larger MPs were retained in soil. This study highlights the critical role landfills play as sources of MP pollution, emphasizing the need for improved waste management to reduce contamination and mitigate ecological and health risks. Effective strategies are essential to addressing the environmental impact of MPs in landfills.

Human health has improved dramatically, but biodiversity is in crisis, with over 1 million species at risk of extinction. Human activities, such as deforestation and resource overuse, have accelerated environmental changes, known as Anthropocene Acceleration. The Planetary Boundaries framework identifies nine ecological limits, including climate change and biodiversity loss. By 2023, six of these boundaries had been exceeded, threatening human survival. Climate change, driven by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is causing extreme weather, rising sea levels, and ecosystem disruptions. The IPCC warns that surpassing 1.5°C will have severe consequences. Climate inequality is worsening, as the wealthiest 10% produce nearly half of global emissions, while low-income populations bear most climate-related economic and health burdens. Biodiversity loss further increases infectious disease risks, necessitating a One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health. The healthcare sector contributes 4.6% of global emissions, requiring urgent action to become carbon-neutral. South Korea's climate-health policies need to expand beyond infectious diseases to chronic conditions and vulnerable populations including future generations. While WHO advocates integrating climate resilience with emission reductions, ensuring a sustainable, health-centered response to the climate crisis, South Korea lacks GHG reduction targets for healthcare sectors. To address this, South Korea should mandate carbon reporting for healthcare, integrate emissions reduction in hospital accreditation, provide sustainability incentives. Improving high-emission medical practices requires healthcare awareness, behavioral change, and scientific evidence for safety.

This study investigates the correlations among urinary metals, the effects of co-exposure to multiple metals, and the relative importance of each metal in renal tubular damage (RTD) among residents of a metal-contaminated area. Urine sampling and health surveys were conducted for 120 participants living near a smelter for the Forensic Research via Omics Markers (FROM) study. Nine urinary metals (V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Mo, Cd, Sb, Pb, and Hg) and RTD markers such as beta-2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were analyzed. The effects of multiple metals on RTD and the relative importance of each metal were investigated using Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). The nine metals were highly correlated with each other, suggesting co-exposure to multiple metals. In the results of BKMR, co-exposure to multiple metals significantly affected NAG levels across the entire urinary metal concentration range. Although β2-MG levels increased with rising urinary metal concentrations, the increase was not statistically significant. V and Cd were the highest contributors to β2-MG (posterior inclusion probability, PIP=0.853) and NAG (PIP=0.983), respectively. This study demonstrates co-exposure to metals among residents living in the metal-contaminated area and that co-exposure to multiple metals significantly increased NAG levels. Additionally, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that V is the highest contributor to the increase inβ2-MG. This study extends previous research by evaluating co-exposure to a more comprehensive array of metals, there by offering a broader perspective on the potential health impacts of RTD among residents in metal-contaminated areas.

Carbendazim is a widely used fungicide in agriculture, poses significant environmental risks due to its persistence in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. To investigate the potential for bioremediation of carbendazim, three bacterial strains, Bacillus aureus PPH1, Bacillus paralicheniformis PPH2, and Bacillus stercoris PPH3, were isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of Glyphidrilus sp. earthworms, a common inhabitant of paddy fields. In a controlled laboratory experiment, all the strains were incubated with 100 mg/L carbendazim in minimal salt medium for five days. The HPLC analysis revealed that B. aureus PPH1, B. paralicheniformis PPH2, and B. stercoris PPH3 degraded 87.18%, 89.66%, and 91.21% of carbendazim, respectively. LC-MS/MS analysis subsequently confirmed the existence of 2-aminobenzimidazole and 2-hydroxybenzimidazole as major metabolites, suggesting a potential biotransformation pathway for carbendazim degradation. This investigation offers novel insights into the biodegradation mechanisms of carbendazim facilitated by gut bacteria of paddy field earthworms.

Sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) and high fat diet (HFD) are already documented to provoke oxidative stress, neuro inflammation and learning and memory deficits. This work aimed to determine the possible neuroprotection of the root extract of Nauclea latifolia (NlREq) against NaAsO2/HFD induced neurotoxicity in Wistar rats. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups: groups include control; NaAsO2/HFD treated; NaAsO2/HFD + NlREq at 200 mg /kg and 400 mg/kg; and NaAsO2/HFD treated with silymar in at the dose of 50 mg/kg. The behavioral assessments (elevated plus maze and T-maze), biochemical analysis and histological investigations were performed. As shown in the present study, NaAsO2/HFD group exhibited enhanced anxiety related behaviour, memory deficit, oxidative stress (MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β) and decreased antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH) activity. The histological examination revealed significant neuronal loss and remarkable architectural alteration in hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. These effects were ameliorated by NlREq administered in a dose-dependent manner, with the 400 mg/kg dose enhancing memory in the affected animals, reducing inflammation, replenishing antioxidant defence systems, and maintaining integrity of neurons. These results indicate that Nauclea latifolia root extract has strong neuroprotective potential and may be used as a phytochemical for managing neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment due to exposure to toxins in the environment and poor diet.

The persistence of chemical and radioactive contaminants in Nigeria's environment presents a critical public health issue, primarily due to their bioaccumulation potential and associated toxic effects on the country's growing population via food crop consumption. This systematic review consolidates studies that assess environmental contaminant levels, specifically radionuclides, pesticides, and heavy metals, in commonly consumed Nigerian food crops and evaluates the associated carcinogenic (CR) and non-carcinogenic (NCR) health risks using established health risk assessment models, including estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), hazard ratio (HR), and carcinogenic risk (CR). Reports of quantitative levels of metals and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), as well as information on radionuclides in Nigerian food crops, were sourced from SCOPUS, DOAJ, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Of the 568 articles retrieved, 66 met the inclusion criteria. The reviewed studies indicate increasing levels of both natural and artificial radionuclides in food crops, with isotopes such as 226Ra and 232Th posing higher carcinogenic risks and genetic-related syndromes. Findings also show that, among the heavy metals and OCPs, Cd and lindane were present at the lowest average concentrations, while iron (Fe) and p,p'-DDT had the highest. The HQ-based NCR estimates for Pb, Cd, Cu, and Mn exceeded 1 in both adults and children, while 92% of OCPs had HQ >1 across both age groups. The estimated CR suggests that lifetime exposure to carcinogenic heavy metals and OCP through contaminated food crops could present a significant carcinogenic risk to both children and adults, as estimated values exceeded the acceptable risk threshold of 1x10-4.

This work was aimed at assessing the potential human health risk of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) due to consumption of five different species of fish from Dandaru River and Eleyele Lake in Ibadan, Nigeria. Five OCPs (aldrin, beta-lindane, beta-endosulfan, endosulfan ether and heptachlor epoxide) were investigated. Extraction was carried out by a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) procedure; extract was cleaned-up using solid phase extraction while instrumental analysis was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Health risk assessment (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic) to adult, children and infants was carried out using standard models and indices. Target OCPs were measured up to 0.013 mg/kg for heptachlor epoxide in Oreochromis niloticus from Dandaru River. Lowest concentrations for most of the OCPs were determined in Clarias gariepinus from Eleyele River. Hazard indices (HI) indicate that non-carcinogenic risk to adult and children was not apparent by consuming all investigated fish species from Dandaru River and Eleyele Lake. However, a high non-carcinogenic risk to infants was expected by consuming Oreochromis niloticus and Oreochromis lidole from Eleyele Lake as well as all investigated fish species (except Oreochromis aureas) from Dandaru River, apparently due to the contribution of heptachlor epoxide. Although carcinogenic risk was not expected in adult due to consumption of all investigated fish species from both Eleyele Lake and Dandaru River, consumption of Oreochromis niloticus from Eleyele Lake by infants and children, Oreochromis lidole from Eleyele Lake by infants, as well as all investigated fish species (except Oreochromis aureas) from Dandaru River by infants poses possible carcinogenic effects. Regular health risk assessment of target OCPs for the investigated fish species from the two water bodies is necessary to safeguard the safety and health of consumers, especially infants.

This study developed and validated a simultaneous LC-MS/MS method to quantify cotinine and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in urine, biomarkers for smoking exposure and oxidative DNA damage. The method demonstrated high specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility, with detection limits of 0.23 ng/mL for cotinine and 0.5 ng/mL for 8-OHdG. Cross-laboratory validation showed strong agreement between institutions, with Pearson correlation coefficients and intraclass correlation coefficients exceeding 0.9. Analysis of urine samples from children and adults revealed that cotinine and 8-OHdG levels were significantly higher in smokers, and also influenced by age, gender, and alcohol consumption. The findings underscore the potential of these biomarkers for assessing smoking-related oxidative stress and health risks.

This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of benzoic acid (BA) as a preservative and additive with a particular focus on its utilization in the pharmaceutical sector, its lifespan, and its environmental impact. The key aspects of this review offer significant additional perspectives on the relevant subject matter. The review suggests a thorough and organized analysis, likely incorporating multiple studies and sources, to provide a complete understanding of the subject. It suggests an in-depth study of BA's involvement and evolution in the pharmaceutical sector, spanning from the early stages of production to the final phases. It highlights the long-standing use of BA in pharmaceuticals, despite its associated toxicity issues. The review emphasizes its role as a versatile compound in the synthesis of more complex medicinal products, such as benzoyl peroxide. The review provides a lifecycle analysis through a comprehensive exploration of BA's lifecycle, from manufacturing processes to its various applications and eventual disposal. This involves evaluating its environmental consequences and emphasizing the significance of sustainability in its utilization. In terms of environmental considerations, the review offers a critical evaluation of how BA affects the environment; under certain conditions, it can form other compounds that become persistent organic pollutants. The review aims to provide insights and make a significant contribution to understanding the implications of BA in pharmaceuticals and its environmental footprint. Therefore, this study provides a comprehensive assessment that not only addresses the scientific and treatment aspects of BA but also evaluates the larger environmental consequences, making it relevant to ecology and environment experts.