Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health最新文献

Antifouling paints have a lengthy history of environmental controversies and efforts toward developing safer formulations. However, recent attention from researchers has been directed toward the particles that detach from these paint coatings, known as antifouling paint particles (APPs). These APPs share similarities with other anthropogenic particles, such as microplastics, but exhibit distinct behaviors and comprise a more complex mixture of chemical components, including highly toxic biocides. Given the composition of APPs and their prevalence in marinas and boatyards, several environmental implications may arise. Nevertheless, field and ecotoxicological studies on this subject are still scarce. In this contribution, we examine the current state of knowledge regarding APPs and endeavor to address the following question: Should APPs be a subject of concern?

Despite several advances in the field of ecotoxicology, the implication of the effects of xenobiotics on species’ macroecological responses can only be inferred. Almost a decade ago Beketov & Liess (2012) [1] called for the integration of the fields of ecotoxicology and macroecology as a way to unravel the global impacts of environmental pollution on biodiversity patterns. In this mini-review, we dig into the literature from the last three years on the responses of marine invertebrates to microplastics (MPs) as a study case to assess the challenges and opportunities for the emerging field of macroecotoxicology. We discuss 1) to what extent the recent studies on the marine invertebrate species responses to MPs have applied the principles of macroecotoxicology and 2) how macroecotoxicology can be used to evaluate the shifts in expected species diversity patterns, and so to define priorities for investigating global effects of MPs on marine invertebrate species.

In many applications, light emitting diode (LED) based gas sensors are becoming more and more significant. Absorption, transmission, and fluorescence spectroscopy LED-based sensing methods provide outstanding stability, selectivity, and sensitivity for the wide range of applications anticipated for sensors built into mobile and wearable technology. Furthermore, the activation of metal oxide semiconductors with UV-LEDs improves the efficiency of semiconductor gas sensors. Some of the current developments in the integration and shrinking of optical gas sensors with an emphasis on low-cost and low-power gadgets are discussed.

Being inexpensive, non-invasive, and easy to use, silicone wristbands are well suited to passive sampling for environmental contaminants in population studies, including children. Silicone has shown the capacity to absorb and retain organic chemical pollutants that humans are frequently exposed to through inhalation and dermal exposure. Concentrations of pollutants captured in the wristbands can be quantified through optimized sample extraction and analysis. In this brief review, we summarized silicone wristband studies conducted between 2016 and 2022 that measured children's exposure to pollutants, such as pesticides, flame retardants and other persistent environmental pollutants. Recent advances in the use of wristbands for monitoring contaminant exposure in children include novel detections of phenols, nicotine, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the use of polydimethylsiloxane bars for streamlined extraction, and high-resolution mass spectrometry for broad-spectrum evaluation of chemical exposures. Wristbands will continue to gain traction as passive samplers for assessing body burdens of organic pollutants in children, hence we propose future research directions, including additional methodological and validation studies, and long-term studies that investigate patterns, levels, and effects of exposure to organic pollutants in larger cohorts.

Anthropogenic micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) contaminate global terrestrial ecosystems. Interactions between MNPs and soil–plant systems are attracting increasing concerns and should be fully explored. Recent studies have indicated that many terrestrial plant species can take up and transport MNPs to the aboveground tissues. Plants exposed to MNPs have exhibited multiple adverse effects on plant morphology and physiology. Moreover, MNPs can be furtherly transferred through the food chain and finally may ingested by humans. This study reviews the current progress in the study of the characteristics, environmental processes, and ecological effects of MNPs in soils, with the focusing on the uptake, transport, and toxicity of MNPs by plants. In addition, future research directions in the field of MNPs in soil–plant systems are also discussed in this review.

Due to the mass production and extensive use in clinical application and livestock breeding, antibiotics have been detected frequently in soil and water, where a range of abiotic and biotic processes can jointly determine their environmental fate. The continuous accumulation of antibiotics in the environment has raised great concerns because both the residual antibiotics and their transformation products (TPs) could pose potential risks to the ecosystem and human health. Herein, based on summarizing and analyzing the literature in recent three years, we review the occurrence, adsorption and degradation processes of antibiotics in soil and water. Furthermore, the risks associated with environmental toxicity, antibiotic resistance triggered by both antibiotics and TPs, as well as antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) through food chains are also addressed. Finally, future research perspectives are proposed including plant uptake of antibiotics and ARGs, TPs and their risks associated with food chains.

The possible health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on children have become a public concern due to biological vulnerability of developing children. To evaluate the evidence for possible adverse health effects on children, we systematically reviewed epidemiological studies, and briefly reviewed the experimental animal or mechanistic studies. Using a search strategy and risk-of-bias assessment, we summarized the existing data on cancer, birth outcome, neurocognitive development, and behavioral problems. There was no sufficient evidence to determine the adverse effects. Recent large-scale animal studies have shown carcinogenic findings, but the biological mechanism has not yet been elucidated. A well-designed future study is needed to produce high-quality scientific evidence of the possible harmful effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation exposure in children.

The evidence on the beneficial association of greenspace exposure and mental and physical health and wellbeing of children and adolescents is accumulating. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses on health, developmental, and behavioral outcomes in children and adolescents related to greenspace exposure, published until August 2022. Most of the available reviews are on mental health and behavioral outcomes. The evidence is mainly cross-sectional and conducted in high-income countries. Exposure assessment has been reported as the main methodological challenge in pooling the studies together. Outcome assessment and population characteristics are also among the reported sources of heterogeneity. Overall, reviews are suggestive of a beneficial association of greenspace with a range of outcomes (e.g., birth, neurodevelopmental, cognitive, behavioral, weight-related, mental health and wellbeing, school performance, and physical and outdoor activities), except for allergic and respiratory outcomes for which the evidence is not conclusive.

Leachate from landfills is considered an important point source of contamination, which poses significant threat to the receiving ecosystems and their resources. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the occurrence of contaminants, and develop effective treatment processes, and to achieve this, target, suspect and non-target screening must be employed. The most recent publications describing the chemical composition of landfill leachates and groundwater wells were reviewed. The steps of sample preparation, instrumental analysis, data acquisition, and data processing are thoroughly described, and critically discussed. Finally, an overview of the limitations, research gaps and future perspectives is discussed and recent non-target screening advances in future studies are proposed, aiming to achieve an in-depth chemical characterization of landfill samples.

The ubiquity of emerging contaminants (ECs) has led to increased public concerns due to their potential adverse effects on human and environmental health. Phytoremediation is a viable strategy for managing pollution as it offers a sustainable, cost-efficient, and in situ option and is especially amenable for addressing EC contamination that occurs at low levels and in a diffused manner. This short review summarizes phytoremediation processes and propounds its potential application to address ECs under different scenarios. Plants in green infrastructures such as wetlands and in agricultural fields receiving wastewater/biosolids play a critical role in attenuating ECs. Our knowledge of plant interactions with other man-made chemicals, such as pesticides, may be transferred to mitigating EC pollution. Future research should explore metabolism potentials of plants and rhizospheres, identify hyperaccumulating plants for high-risk ECs, and use advanced modeling to prescreen ECs and predict the efficiency of plant-based systems in addressing ECs contamination issues.