Emerging Contaminants最新文献

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) have been extensively approved for application in agricultural production both in China and globally. Previous studies indicated that human exposure to NEOs would have adverse health effects. However, studies on occurrences of NEOs in kidney injury patients and their association with nephrotoxicity are limited. This study investigates the potential correlation between exposure to NEOs and kidney injury within a subset (n = 224) of the population residing in South China. Levels of 8 NEOs and 5 metabolites were quantified in blood samples obtained from both the 110 healthy and 114 kidney injury cohorts in South China. We found that target analytes were frequently detected in samples from the healthy and kidney injury cohorts (61%–100 %). Dinotefuran is the predominant NEO in the healthy (42.3 %) and kidney injury cohort (49.6 %). Significantly positive (p < 0.05) associations between blood NEO concentrations and kidney injury were found, indicating that these pollutants may increase the odds of human kidney injury prevalence. Through multilinear regression analysis, it was observed that the concentrations of various NEOs exhibited a significant association (p < 0.05) with hematological parameters linked to nephrotoxicity. Our study represents the pioneering investigation examining the relationships between NEOs and kidney injury, thereby offering novel insights into the nephrotoxicity associated with these pollutants. This discovery carries significant implications for public health policies and environmental conservation practices.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) constitute a broad group of fluorinated organic chemicals that are widely used in consumer products and industrial applications due to their excellent physicochemical properties. Given that people spend a significant portion of their time in office environments, our understanding of the environmental presence and human exposure to these chemicals is crucial. In this study, we conducted a targeted analysis of 24 PFASs in office indoor environments. The ΣPFAS concentrations ranged from 51.6 to 219 ng/g with mean (±SE) and median concentrations of 114 (±5.75) and 107 ng/g, respectively. Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) was the most abundant emerging PFAS detected in the dust, with mean and median concentrations of 40.5 (±1.62) and 40.4 ng/g, respectively, comprising 34.2 % of the ΣPFAS concentrations. Notably, HFPO-DA exhibited a positive correlation with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) (r: 0.427, p < 0.01), suggesting a potential common source for these two compounds. Our findings underscore the significant contribution of emerging PFASs to total PFAS concentrations and raise concerns about their chronic toxicity and potential health risks to humans in office indoor environments.

Microplastics (MPs), the emerging contaminants of the present century, are potentially a major threat to human health and ecology. There is currently no comparison of the properties of MPs in indoor and outdoor air. Thus, there is a need a systematic review (SR). The goals of this study were to answer the following questions: (1) what are the geographical distribution, sources, abundances, and characteristics (polymer, type, shape, color, size) of MPs in outdoor and indoor air? (2) What are the limitations of the published studies and recommendations for future research? To achieve these objectives, four electronic databases were searched to find works published before December 31, 2022. In total, 37 publications were selected based on the PRISMA guidelines. The study found that polyester and polyethylene terephthalate were the most dominant polymer types in outdoor and indoor environments, respectively. The most important indoor sources for MPs included synthetic textiles, kitchen plastic utensils, synthetic fiber carpets, detergents, and furniture, while the most important sources for outdoor MPs include industrial emissions, particulate emissions from vehicles, burning of plastic waste, the expulsion of air bubbles and wave action in ocean and decomposition and destruction of plastic materials. Fibers were the dominant shape of airborne MPs in both environments. The predominant colors of the MPs in samples of the indoor air were white and transparent, whereas black was most abundant in the microplastic samples collected from the air outside the building. Finally, given the ubiquitous nature of MPs and their potential for adverse effects, governments should take effective measures to reduce the production of plastic materials and finally increase plastics reuse, and recycling rate.

A major concern from the scientific community has been raised since evidence of Bisphenol A (BP-A) can leach out from the products where they are incorporated as well as its endocrine disrupting effects observed in animals and humans. BP-A and several related chemicals such as Bisphenol AP (BP-AP), Bisphenol B (BP–B), Bisphenol S (BP–S), Bisphenol AF (BP-AF), Bisphenol (BP–P), Bisphenol Z (BP-Z) were analyzed in this study. BP-A and BP-S were the only bisphenols detected in the samples analyzed in this study. The median (range; mean) concentrations of BP-A found in this study was 321 ng/g (11–200932; 4893 ng/g). The analysis was carried out by sonicating 0.1 g of a cryo-milled sample aliquot in methanol followed by UPLC-MS/MS determination. High concentrations of BP-A were found in several products labeled as BP-A free such as nursing bottles which are particularly problematic from the children's exposure point of view. This study presents the first reliable bisphenols in children's toys and baby products commercialized in the Middle East. There is, however, a need to continue monitoring these compounds, especially in low-cost toys, and the so-called BP-A-free products, which appear to have high levels of target contaminants and can pose an exposure risk for infants and children in the region.

Biotechnology has limited effectiveness in terms of removing mixed antibiotics at low temperatures, leading to ecological risks arising from the presence of antibiotics in environmental waters. In this study, the removal of tetracycline (TCs) and sulfonamide (SAs) from antibiotic wastewater was improved by the intermittent electrical stimulation of anaerobic-aerobic-coupled upflow bioelectrochemical reactors (AO-UBERs) at low temperatures. The removal effects of oxytetracycline and tetracycline were 48.6 ± 3.5 % and 71.5 ± 2.9 %, respectively. Under 0.9V, the removal rates of oxytetracycline, tetracycline, and trimethoprim were significantly increased in both the aerobic-cathodic and anaerobic anodic chambers, with a more obvious increase at low temperatures. Compared with the blank control group, the removal efficiency of oxytetracycline, trimethoprim and tetracycline in the electric group was increased by 11.8 ± 2.5 %, 27.8 ± 10.5 % and 11.2 ± 5.8 %. The anaerobic chamber contributed more to the removal of TCs and trimethoprim than the aerobic chamber. Furthermore, electrical stimulation selectively enriched electroactive bacteria (Methylophage and Pleuromonas), drug-resistant bacteria (Proteobacteria), and nitrifying bacteria associated with biodegradation. The abundance of antibiotic-resistance genes is related to the distribution of potential hosts and mobile genetic elements (sul1), and electrical stimulation induces the enrichment of both. This suggests that while potentially effective for treating TCs- and SAs-containing wastewater at low temperatures, AO-UBERs may lead to the accumulation of antibiotic-resistance genes.

Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) are widely used in medical treatments but pose risks to ecosystems and human health when present in the environment. Understanding their fate in nature is complex and influenced by various factors. Phototransformation, where PhACs change chemically upon light exposure, offers the potential for reducing their environmental levels. Studying this process is crucial for understanding risks, developing safe disposal strategies, and innovating removal methods to mitigate adverse effects. This review delves into the major factors influencing the transformation of PhACs under natural conditions. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms involved in the photochemical activity of PhACs, shedding light on their behavior upon exposure to sunlight. Special attention is given to delineating the differences in the phototransformation processes among 13 major pharmaceutical classes. By examining the various factors influencing PhAC transformation and elucidating their mechanisms, this review aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the fate of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Such insights are invaluable for developing effective strategies to mitigate the risks posed by PhAC contamination and safeguarding environmental and human health.

Microplastic (MP) contamination has become a pervasive global issue, affecting terrestrial and aquatic environments, and its potential health hazards are of widespread concern. This review examined the intricate relationship between animal exposure to MPs and their health effects, revealing that MP contamination affects a broad spectrum of animal species across terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Crucially, interspecies differences in ingestion, accumulation, and responses to MPs emerge as central themes arising from various factors, including feeding behavior, physiology, and ecological niches. The health implications of MP exposure are multifarious; animals may suffer physical harm, endure chemical exposure to adsorbed contaminants, provoke inflammatory responses, and undergo behavioral modifications. Chronic exposure to MPs raises concerns about their long-term health consequences, and the ability of MPs to adsorb and transport chemicals has implications for the bioaccumulation of pollutants within food webs. The ecological ramifications of MP contamination are profound, impacting animal behavior, population dynamics, and ecosystem processes. The intricate interplay between animals and MPs underscores the need for interdisciplinary research that unites fields such as biology, ecology, chemistry, and toxicology. Recognizing the relationship between animal exposure to MPs and their health effects has significant implications, particularly as the potential for MPs to enter the human food chain through animals underscores the need for research on human health risks.

As an exogenous pollutant, the microplastics accumulated in soil could alter microbial activity. The use of plastic mulch in greenhouse vegetable planting not only enhances vegetable yield and quality, but also leads to the formation and accumulation of microplastics in the soil over time. It is essential to determine the characteristics of microplastics and microorganisms in soils with varying years of planting is crucial for ensuring vegetable quality and quantity. Therefore, this study investigated the abundance and particle size of microplastics, the concentration of phthalates (PAEs), and the dynamics of soil microbial activity in greenhouse soils with different planting years (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years). Results showed that microplastics increased in abundance, particle size, and PAEs concentration as planting years progressed. Specifically, the abundance of microplastics rose from 70.0 ± 8.7 to 224.0 ± 10.4 items/kg, with the proportion of microplastics sized 0–2 mm increasing from 14.02 to 69.11 %, and the total PAEs concentration in the soil escalating from 0.31 to 1.89 mg/kg. Additionally, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria levels increased, correlating with organic matter degradation. Metabolic pathway linked to degradation were enriched according to KEGG analysis. Correlation analysis revealed that microplastics notably decreased soil pH, creating an acidic environment that boosted urease activity and the relative abundance of Nitrospirae. This study sheds light on the accumulation characteristics of microplastics and their impact on soil microbial activity following prolonged planting.

The current understanding of the legacy and emerging organic pollutants in the soil of Bangladesh remains limited. Inadequate disposal practices, particularly in e-waste, landfills, and industrial operations, may lead to the pervasive presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the country. This study aimed to systematically investigate the concentrations, sources, and risk assessment of halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), chlorinated paraffins (CPs), and PAHs in the contaminated soil of Dhaka's dumpsites, e-waste, and industrial areas collected in 2017. The total concentration of investigated pollutants averaged at 4790 ± 4040 ng g⁻¹ dw, with the following order: ∑₄₄CPs (4110 ± 4140 ng g⁻¹ dw) > ∑₁₆PAHs (422 ± 491 ng g⁻¹ dw) > ∑₁₆HFRs (190 ± 538 ng g⁻¹ dw) > ∑₂₀₉PCBs (43.5 ± 73.5 ng g⁻¹ dw) > ∑₅₀PCNs (17.7 ± 21.0 ng g⁻¹ dw) > ∑₂₇OCPs (9.41 ± 9.61 ng g⁻¹ dw). The e-waste site exhibited the highest total concentration of the target pollutants, reaching 12,700 ng g⁻¹ dw. CPs were the predominant contributors, accounting for averages of 81.8%, 70.5%, and 68.5% to waste landfills, e-waste, and industrial sites, respectively. A comprehensive analysis of 209 PCB congeners revealed their primary origin from Aroclor PCBs, with minor contributions from unintentionally produced PCBs. The highest incremental lifetime carcinogenic risk (ILCR) occurred in e-waste sites, contributed by dioxin-like PCBs, with a maximum value of 5.9 × 10⁻⁵ for adults, exceeding the limit 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ set by the U.S. EPA. The non-carcinogenic hazard quotients (HQs) were much lower, suggesting no significant risk from the investigated pollutants. Our findings highlight the importance of proper waste management and regulated e-waste recycling to mitigate potential hazardous risks to the Bangladeshi population.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present a growing environmental and health concern globally. This study examines the state of PFAS research and management in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Sultanate of Oman. A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, including English-language literature without temporal constraints up until November 2023. The search specifically targeted primary research studies employing descriptive or observational methodologies that were published in peer-reviewed journals. The review focused on studies investigating PFAS in both human and environmental contexts within the GCC region. The NIH Quality Assessment Tools and PRISMA guidelines were employed to evaluate the quality of the included studies and report the results. Despite some progress in understanding PFAS, considerable knowledge gaps exist, particularly in wastewater treatment processes and environmental monitoring. The study underscores the need for enhanced research, monitoring, and regulatory strategies to address the environmental sustainability challenges posed by PFAS, ensuring the protection of public health and ecosystems in the GCC region.