Toxics最新文献

The migration and transformation of Cr(VI) are primarily regulated by soil minerals, soil flora and fauna, hydrological conditions, and microbial communities, with these mechanisms being influenced by pH, temperature, and oxygen levels. In terms of single environmental media, relatively extensive research has been conducted on the behaviors of Cr(VI). However, studies on the migration and transformation of Cr(VI) from the perspective of the soil-groundwater multimedia system are rarely published. Therefore, this study comprehensively analyzes the migration and transformation behaviors of Cr(VI) from the perspective of the entire soil-groundwater system. By synthesizing the effects of individual factors, such as pH and organic matter, on Cr(VI) in both soil and groundwater, as well as interactions among these factors, we systematically clarify the patterns governing Cr(VI) migration and transformation under multi-factor coupling. Through the analysis of multiple factors in the complex system, the redox fluctuation zone at the soil-groundwater interface is a hot spot for Cr(VI) transformation, and the synergistic effect among climatic conditions, microbial community structure, and the aquifer interface significantly affects the transport efficiency of Cr(VI). The results of the present study could provide a theoretical framework for future research on the environmental behavioral effects of Cr(VI) at the soil-groundwater interface. Moreover, this study could provide important theoretical bases for the prevention and control of heavy metal pollution.

In southwest China, vegetation restoration is widely used in karst rocky desertification control projects. However, mechanistic evidence explaining how plant community composition and species diversity regulate cadmium (Cd) bioavailability remains limited. Here, the plant community's species diversity, soil properties, Cd, and available Cd contents were evaluated. Four plant community types, NR (natural recovery), PMC (Pistacia weinmannifolia + Medicago sativa + Chrysopogon zizanioides), and PME (Pistacia weinmannifolia + Medicago sativa + Eragrostis curvula), were selected as the research objects. The species composition was recorded, and dominant plant species and soil samples were collected to analyze Cd accumulation characteristics. Relative to NR, composite restorations increased plant diversity and soil nutrient availability and reduced soil compaction, with PMC showing the strongest remediation, decreasing total Cd by 49.4% and available Cd by 59.5%. Model-averaged regression and hierarchical partitioning analyses further identified nitrogen availability and community structure as the dominant drivers. Specifically, available nitrogen (AN), vegetation coverage, Margalef species richness (DMG), ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), and total N (TN) were the main factors of soil total Cd, and BD, TN, nitrate nitrogen (NO₃^--N), mean crown diameter (MCD), and Shannon-Wiener index (H') were the main factors of soil available Cd. The results indicate that PMC provides a plant community structure configuration decisions of a scalable, site-adaptable strategy for durable Cd stabilization and soil conservation in thin, carbonate-rich karst soils.

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is a colorless, pungent gas that is a significant contributor to air pollution, with well-documented environmental and health impacts. It is emitted both naturally (e.g., in volcanic activities) and anthropogenically (e.g., fossil fuel combustion, sulfuric acid production, papermaking, and wine preservation). Inhalation represents the primary route of human exposure, particularly in urban and industrial settings. Acute SO₂ exposure can lead to airway irritation, laryngospasm, bronchoconstriction, pulmonary edema, and death in severe cases. Chronic exposure, even at low concentrations, can contribute to the development of pulmonary and extrapulmonary diseases. Despite its classification as a hazardous air pollutant, a comprehensive understanding of dose-response relationships, exposure thresholds, and mechanisms of toxicity for SO₂ remains limited. This review synthesizes current knowledge on environmental sources, exposure routes, mechanisms of toxicity, and health impacts of SO₂, highlighting findings from epidemiological, toxicological, and mechanistic studies. We also discuss gaps in knowledge regarding SO₂, approaches to monitor and assess SO₂ exposure in ambient environments, the emerging role of SO₂ as a gasotransmitter, and areas where further research is needed to better understand health risks and support evidence-based public health decision-making.

Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive environmental pollutants, widely distributed from aquatic ecosystems to the terrestrial food chain, and represent a potential route of human exposure. Although several reviews have addressed MP contamination, a critical synthesis focusing on pathways through which consumer goods directly enter food and beverages, along with corresponding industry and regulatory responses, is lacking. This review fills this gap by proposing the direct release of MPs from common sources such as food packaging, kitchen utensils, and household appliances, linking the release mechanisms to human health risks. The release mechanisms of MPs under thermal stress, mechanical abrasion, chemical leaching, and environmental factors, as well as a risk-driven framework for MP release, are summarized. Human exposure through ingestion is the predominant route, while inhalation and dermal contact are additional pathways. In vitro and animal studies have associated MP exposure to inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and genomic instability as endpoints, though direct causal evidence in humans remains lacking, and extrapolation from model systems necessitates caution. This review revealed that dietary intake from kitchen sources is the primary pathway for MP exposure, higher than the inhalation pathway. Most importantly, this review critically sheds light on the initiatives that should be taken by industries with respect to global strategies and new policies to alleviate these challenges. However, while there has been an upsurge in research commenced in this area, there are still research gaps that need to be addressed to explore food matrices such as dairy products, meat, and wine in the context of the supply chain. In conclusion, we pointed out the challenges that limit this research with the aim of improving standardization; research approaches and a risk assessment framework to protect health; and the key differences between MP and nanoplastic (NP) detection, toxicity, and regulatory strategies, underscoring the need for size-resolved risk assessments.

During production, storage, and administration, drug products (and their intermediates) are in contact with many different types of materials, which include manufacturing components, container closure systems, and administration materials; therefore, there is a potential for their interactions and the introduction of leachables. The presence of leachables may impact key quality attributes of drug products in many ways. These include potential alterations in drug product stability, resulting in a reduced shelf-life, compromised drug product efficacy due to degradation or inactivation of active pharmaceutical ingredients, and impaired drug product physical acceptability due to precipitation, discolouration and/or change in odour or flavour. Moreover, some leachables may be inherently toxic (mutagenic, carcinogenic, immunogenic, etc.) posing direct risks to patient safety. Comprehensive toxicological evaluation of extractables and leachables is therefore essential. Documented cases demonstrate that presence of leachables can lead to serious and clinically significant adverse effects, underscoring the importance of their identification, quantification, and toxicological assessment during pharmaceutical development. This paper provides an overview of the toxicological limits used in the analyses of extractables and leachables and illustrates how they are translated into analytical limits. It also outlines the workflow for toxicological risk assessment of extractables and/or leachables, including evaluations of mutagenicity and other relevant toxicological endpoints. Special attention is given to the interpretation of the draft ICH Q3E guideline, which represents a pivotal development in harmonizing global expectations for extractables and leachables safety assessments. Understanding and correctly applying ICH Q3E is crucial, as it will shape regulatory strategies, analytical approaches, and risk management practices across the pharmaceutical industry. The paper concludes by highlighting emerging challenges that demand sustained advancements in both scientific methodologies and regulatory frameworks.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of air pollution control measures in Xi'an, China, by investigating long-term changes in the concentrations, optical properties, and sources of black carbon (BC) and brown carbon (BrC). Wintertime observations of PM_2.5 carbonaceous aerosols were conducted over multiple years using a continuous Aethalometer. The data were analyzed using advanced aethalometer models, potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis, and generalized additive models (GAMs) to deconstruct emission sources and formation pathways. Our results revealed a significant decrease in the mass concentration and light absorption coefficient of BC (b_abs-BC) between the earlier and later study periods, indicating successful emission reductions. In contrast, the light absorption from BrC (b_abs-BrC) remained relatively stable, suggesting persistent and distinct emission sources. Source apportionment analysis demonstrated a temporal shift in dominant regional influences, from biomass burning in the initial years to coal combustion in later years. In addition, GAMs showed that the primary driver for liquid fuel-derived BC transitioned from gasoline to diesel vehicle emissions. For solid fuels, residential coal combustion consistently contributed over 50% of BC, highlighting that improvements in coal combustion technology were effective in reducing BC emissions. Furthermore, a substantial fraction of BrC was increased, with nocturnal peaks associated with high relative humidity, emphasizing the aqueous-phase formation influences. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that although certain control strategies successfully mitigated BC, the persistent challenge of BrC pollution necessitates targeted measures addressing secondary formation and primary fossil fuel sources.

Bio-based fertilisers (BBFs) derived from waste streams represent a transformative approach to sustainable agriculture, addressing the dual challenges of waste management and food security. This comprehensive review examines recent advances in BBF production technologies, nutrient recovery mechanisms, soil health impacts, and the benefits of a circular economy. This review, based on an analysis of peer-reviewed studies, demonstrates that BBFs consistently improve the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil while reducing environmental impacts by 15-45% compared to synthetic alternatives. Advanced biological treatment technologies, including anaerobic digestion, vermicomposting, and biochar production, achieve nutrient recovery efficiencies of 60-95% in diverse waste streams. Market analysis reveals a rapidly expanding sector projected to grow from $2.53 billion (2024) to $6.3 billion by 2032, driven by regulatory support and circular economy policies. Critical research gaps remain in standardisation, long-term performance evaluation, and integration with precision agriculture systems. Future developments should focus on AI-driven optimisation, climate-adaptive formulations, and nanobioconjugate technologies.

Understanding the structure of zooplankton communities in water contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is essential to the conservation of aquatic biodiversity. This study focused on the Weihe River and systematically characterized the PFAS pollution. By employing environmental DNA metabarcoding, multivariate statistics, and Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS-PM), we systematically analyzed the associations between PFAS and zooplankton within the context of water parameters. The results showed that short-chain PFAS were the dominant PFAS compounds in the Weihe River (accounting for 70.89% of ΣPFAS), and that both PFAS and the zooplankton community exhibited similar spatial patterns. PLS-PM identified a key pathway: water chemistry promoted PFAS accumulation, which in turn exerted taxon-specific effects. Short-chain PFAS were primarily associated with Cercozoa, and path analysis indicated negative relationships, whereas long-chain PFAS were correlated with Ciliophora and Rotifera. Specific taxon within Ciliophora showed potential as bioindicators. Additionally, higher community relative abundance was associated with reduced diversity loss under anthropogenic stress, indicating a potential buffering response. Overall, short-chain PFAS, in combination with water parameters, were associated with higher ecological risk to zooplankton communities. This study highlights the importance of including indirect pathways and taxon-specific responses into risk assessments of emerging contaminants.

Dilovasi district of Kocaeli is one of the largest industrial regions, and due to its high production capacity and industrial waste, the soil heavy metal levels in this region are exceptionally high. Consequently, this study focuses on essential elements (B, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Zn) and non-essential elements that are considered toxic to humans (Al, Cd, Pb), covering a total of thirteen elements. Accordingly, this study aims to highlight the degree of pollution in a Turkish Organized Industrial Zone located in the Dilovasi district of Kocaeli by quantifying the concentrations of the aforementioned elements in Calamintha nepeta subsp. glandulosa plants and soil samples, and by assessing their potential implications for human health. Significant accumulation of heavy metals in both soils and plant parts suggests that metal contamination, especially that of Fe (up to 1009.2 mg kg^-1), is a matter of great concern in the Dilovasi district. The results revealed that the concentrations (mg kg^-1) of Cr (23.0 ± 0.1), Fe (1292.5 ± 5.6), Pb (36.9 ± 0.1), Zn (151.2 ± 0.8), and Cd (3.6 ± 0.1) were considerably higher. However, the concentrations of Cu, Mn, and Ni were found to be within the permissible limits in accordance with the American Herbal Products Association and the World Health Organization referenced guideline values. Furthermore, heavy metal concentrations in C. nepeta subsp. glandulosa were generally higher in areas characterized by elevated soil metal levels, indicating a clear correspondence between soil contamination and plant metal content. Based on these findings, C. nepeta subsp. glandulosa, a plant with culinary and medicinal value, can be considered a useful bioindicator for assessing local heavy metal contamination.

Even a decade after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident on 11 March 2011, fluctuations in atmospheric ¹³⁷Cs were still observed, and explanations for the fluctuations and their carriers remained elusive. In this study, small fluctuations within 0.0002 Bq∙m^-3 were still detected in aerosol samples obtained from January to April, and slightly higher levels of atmospheric ¹³⁷Cs were observed from May to September in a heavily contaminated area of Fukushima prefecture. Specifically, it is demonstrated that the ¹³⁷Cs carriers in the aerosol samples were a combination of carbon-containing particles and aluminum-containing particles (Al particles dominated, with the percentage being 68%) in early May, whereas the main ¹³⁷Cs carriers were carbonaceous particles, with the average percentage being 88% in September and at the end of May, using fluorescent upright microscope and scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer quantitatively. Additionally, small particles (less than 2 μm) and medium particles (2-8 μm) of carbonaceous particles had a higher level in the aerosol samples of May and September. Specifically, bacteria (1-1.8 μm) and spores (1.8-10 μm) had a linear relationship with the distribution of atmospheric ¹³⁷Cs in the aerosol samples of September. In addition, temperature and precipitation were the main impact factors affecting the distribution of ¹³⁷Cs and their carriers. This observation further suggests that there is still a need for long-term monitoring of atmospheric ¹³⁷Cs.