Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part B-pesticides Food Contaminants and Agricultural Wastes最新文献

Humic substances, formed through the decomposition of plant and animal matter, are prevalent world-wide. These substances primarily consist of humin, humic acid (HA), and fulvic acid (FA). There is existing evidence for antifungal properties of these humic constituents. This study aimed to isolate and determine the humic materials derived from organic materials and vermicompost produced using Perionyx excavatus, and to evaluate their antifungal activity against human fungal pathogens, specifically Candida species. Characterization of the humic and FAs was conducted using various techniques, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The results revealed that HA possesses a honeycomb-like structure with fragments and flakes attached to its surface, along with a lumpy and close-grained physical appearance. SEM and XRD analyses further demonstrated the presence of specific crystalline forms in all humic and FA samples. The absorption peaks observed between 250 and 500 nm were indicative of the significant nature of HA. Additionally, the study identified the presence of hydroxyls, amines, alkyl groups, alcoholic contents, and acidic functional groups. Notably, the growth of Candida species was significantly inhibited by both humic and FAs, suggesting that these natural substances could potentially reduce the reliance on chemical antifungal drugs, which often have adverse side effects. Earthworms play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter to form humic substances, as evidenced in vermicompost, vermicast, and vermiwash. Thus, humic and FAs derived from vermiproducts demonstrate potential as alternative therapies for human fungal pathogens.

Diclosulam is widely used for pre-emergent weed control in soybean crops, but information on its effectiveness against Borreria spp. (Borreria spp., syn. Spermacoce) is limited, especially considering physicochemical attributes of soils. This study evaluated diclosulam efficacy in the pre-emergence control of Borreria spinosa and Borreria verticillata in three soils. Two experiments were conducted using a 9 × 3 + 3 factorial design, with nine diclosulam doses (0.27 to 35 g a.i. ha^-1), with a treatment without herbicide and three different types of soils (Oxisol, Inceptisol, and Sandy Oxisol), with four replications. Injury level (%) was assessed at 21, 35, and 55 days after application (DAA), enabling control calculation rate (C₅₀ and C₉₀) and growth reduction doses (GR₅₀ and GR₉₀) were calculated, representing 50% and 90% of control and reduction shoot dry mass, respectively. Diclosulam effectively controlled Borreria spp. in all soils evaluated. Estimated doses for B. spinosa control, ranged from 6.36 to 23.43 g a.i. ha^-1 (C₉₀) and 0.06 to 4.80 g a.i. ha^-1 (GR₉₀). For B. verticillata, C₉₀ ranged from 0.72 to 30.86 g a.i. ha^-1 and GR₉₀ from 1.06 to 5.30 g a.i. ha^-1. Both species were sensitive to diclosulam, supporting its use for pre-emergence control of Borreria spinosa and Borreria verticillata in soils with different physicochemical attributes.

Agricultural activity can contaminate natural resources, such as soil, surface water and groundwater, depending on the interaction between herbicides and soil physicochemical properties that govern retention and transport within the soil profile. This study evaluates the adsorption, desorption and vertical transport of atrazine in Haplustoll soils under two management systems: continuous soybean monoculture (T1) and intensified rotations with grasses and oilseeds (T2) in southwestern Chaco, Argentina. Results show moderate atrazine retention, dependent on the applied concentration, with no significant differences between treatments. Desorption exhibited positive hysteresis, indicating slow herbicide release in successive stages. However, preferential flow through macropores dominated atrazine transport in both systems, evidencing low retention in the soil profile, with high recovery in leachates. Atrazine displayed a high leaching potential in both systems, particularly in soils with low organic carbon content.

The study investigates the transfer of pesticides from crops to the beehive and its individual components. Two categories were examined: bee products (pollen pellets, beebread, and honey) and living biological materials (forager bees, nurse bees, and larvae). Pesticide residues were detected, with varying concentrations across different time points and sample types. Pollen pellets showed the highest initial contamination, rapidly declining thereafter. Beebread displayed gradual and persistent residue accumulation, whereas honey had a delayed contamination peak and slower degradation. In living biological materials, forager and nurse bees showed significant initial contamination, rapidly decreasing over time. Larvae consistently showed minimal residues, indicating effective colony protective mechanisms. Statistical analysis confirmed time as a key factor influencing residue dynamics, highlighting different metabolic and exposure pathways. The results highlight the complexity of pesticide dynamics within bee colonies, emphasizing the importance of continuous environmental monitoring to protect bee health.

Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) have been identified as substances with severe adverse effects, including carcinogenicity, endocrine disruption, and reproductive toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables from Hopelchén to provide evidence for policy recommendations on pesticide regulation. A total of 25 samples were collected and analyzed using the QuEChERS method with GC-MS/MS and LC-MS techniques. Of the 156 pesticides screened, 25 were detected, with tebuconazole, chlorantraniliprole, imidacloprid and carbendazim among the most frequent. Approximately 20% of the pesticides identified qualified as HHPs based on WHO/FAO criteria, while 60% were categorized as HHPs according to the more comprehensive criteria outlined by Pesticide Action Network International. Many of these pesticides exhibited toxicity to bees and high environmental persistence. Furthermore, 33% of the samples exceeded the European Union's Maximum Residue Limits, particularly for pesticides in papayas and bell peppers. Our findings show the presence of HHPs in the region, which represent critical hazards to ecosystem, pollinator populations, and public health. This work may contribute to the development of specific HHPs classification criteria for Mexico, thus advancing the transition toward safer, with special emphasis on vulnerable regions such as the Mayan zone in southeastern Mexico.

Water pollution associated with antibiotic residues and colored organic pollutants leads to various potential risks to human health and the environment. This work develops an economical method that is suitable for removing both antibiotic residues and colored organic pollutants from water. The oxidation process based on a noble metal (Ag)-doped zinc oxide photocatalyst (Ag-ZnO) was selected as a potential strategy for investigation. Besides, tetracycline antibiotic residues (A-Tc) and methylene blue-colored organic pollutants (D-Mb) were selected as target contaminants. With light assistance, Ag-ZnO showed significantly improved degradation efficiency for A-Tc and D-Mb at 90.6 and 97.3%, respectively. The advantages of Ag-ZnO are also confirmed by the faster degradation rate constants, which are more than twice as fast as those of the undoped sample. The mineralization process shows that 93.5% and 98.7% of organic carbon were removed from the A-Tc and D-Mb solutions, respectively. The result suggests that antibiotic residues and colored organic pollutants are being converted into inorganic substances. In addition, the benefits of using Ag-ZnO to enhance human health safety, reduce the negative effects on the environment, and decrease treatment costs are discussed.

This study evaluates the heavy metal and nutritional element content in the reproductive organs of medicinal plants (Helianthus annuus, Matricaria chamomilla, Tilia argentea, Sambucus nigra, Calendula officinalis, Crataegus monogyna, Juniperus communis, Malus sylvestris, and Rosa canina) collected from the "Agroproduct" collection point in Kosovo. The main purpose of this study is to make an elemental analysis of above-mentioned plant species belonging to the Kosovo region and to clearly reveal whether these plants are consumable or safe for human health. Therefore, the parameters specified in the literature were evaluated to determine this, including metal and mineral concentration, correlation studies, and risk assessments using RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance), EDI (Estimated Daily Intake), THQ (Target Hazard Quotient), and HI (Hazard Index). Results showed that C. monogyna had the highest calcium (4863.32 mg/kg) and lead (3.53 mg/kg) levels, M. chamomilla had the highest potassium (15747.64 mg/kg), S. nigra fruits had the highest magnesium (2951.42 mg/kg), and C. officinalis had the highest sodium (1751.34 mg/kg), copper (12.51 mg/kg), and zinc (34.48 mg/kg). T. argentea had elevated manganese (127.30 mg/kg), and H. annuus had the highest iron (134.68 mg/kg) and nickel (9.37 mg/kg). R. canina, J. communis, and M. sylvestris did not exhibit the highest values for any evaluated elements. Comparisons with WHO/FAO allowable limits revealed that S. nigra fruits, T. argentea, H. annuus, C. monogyna, and M. chamomilla had concentrations of chromium, lead, and manganese exceeding permissible levels. Although certain elements exceeded WHO/FAO limits, risk assessment metrics (THQ, HI) suggest that the exposure levels remain within acceptable safety margins. This study addressing a critical gap in regional phytochemical data and evaluating their safety for human consumption through nutritional profiling and toxicological risk assessment.

The treatment of effluents from the pharmaceutical industry currently remains a major challenge due to their impact on the environment and public health along with the cost of treatments. Considering these issues, our work focused on the development of materials with effective adsorption properties to treat industrial effluents based on locally available and inexpensive clays and zeolite. Local Algerian kaolin (Djebel Debbagh), palygorskite (Ghoufi) and zeolite (Tinbdar) were treated thermally and chemically prior to synthesis into mesoporous materials of hexagonal structure using pluronic P123 as surfactant. The raw and synthesized materials were tested in the adsorption of pharmaceutical effluents from industries producing antihistamine and diuretic-type drugs. Analyses of physicochemical parameters (chemical and biological oxygen demand) as well as measurement of the concentrations of PO₄³^-, NO₂^-, NH₄⁺ of effluents were done before and after the adsorption process by the raw and mesoporous clays and zeolite. The results showed a reduction of all parameters with greater efficiency of mesoporous DD3 which indicated that it is a promising mesoporous adsorbent for treating pharmaceutical effluents. Reduced rates of these three physical parameters (PO₄³^-, NO₂^-, NH₄⁺) in the case of NEUROVIT^® by mesoporous DD3 are 61%, 98% and 77%. However, PO₄³^-, NO₂^- elimination percentages DIAPHAG^® onto DD3 are 79% and 87%, respectively.

This study presents effective methods for utilizing the TiO₂ photocatalyst in environmental remediation, with a particular focus on the removal of the carbofuran pesticide (CBFP) from wastewater. Silver (Ag) was selected as a potential dopant to improve the optical properties as well as the electron-hole pair separation efficiency of TiO₂. Ag-doped TiO₂ (Ag-TiO₂) effectively decomposed 92.8% CBFP under solar light, which was significantly higher than that of TiO₂ (21.3%). Ag-TiO₂ also exhibited good reusability for CBFP degradation, with a reduction in removal efficiency of less than 3% after three cycles. In practical applications, Ag-TiO₂ successfully degraded 89.3% of CBFP in wastewater and 98.7% in surface water. The findings of this work bring an effective method for removing pesticide pollutants using Ag-TiO₂ photocatalyst.

Mato Grosso is the largest consumer of pesticides in Brazil, and although their role in phytosanitary control is evident, environmental contamination is a concern due to their intensive use. Therefore, identifying the behavior of pesticides in the environment can assist in risk management, and the Environmental Risk Index (ERI) is an indirect way of knowing the potential of these compounds. This study was aimed at evaluating the ERI of the most sold insecticides in Mato Grosso used for the control of lepidopteran pests. The parameters evaluated were persistence in the soil, leaching, volatility, toxicological profile and recommended dose. Our findings reported on 24 insecticides, which totaled an annual amount of 23,046,348 kg of active ingredients, with acephate at the top of the ranking with 8,974,413 kg sold in 2020. This insecticide, despite being widely used, had the lowest ERI due to low persistence, leaching and volatility, and its critical factor was animal toxicity. Malathion, methoxyphenozide, chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide, and beta-cyfluthrin had the highest ERI, with toxicological profile and persistence in the environment as critical factors. In general, all compounds exhibited medium to very high levels of toxicity, indicating the need to manage risks associated with insecticide use and select those with lower impact, to minimize damage to agroecosystems.