Environmental Sciences Europe最新文献

Background

For use in cosmetic products, 32 substances have been authorised in the EU as UV-filters as of August 2022 (Annex VI of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009). Although these substances can enter the aquatic environment directly through bathing, authorisation for use in cosmetic products does not require a specific environmental risk assessment, whereas risks to human health are specifically assessed. Furthermore, no environmental quality standards have been proposed at EU level. For the current review, data on freshwater ecotoxicity, physicochemical properties, environmental fate and measured exposure were retrieved from ECHA registration information and public databases and assessed for reliability and relevance. Environmental quality standards (EQS) were proposed based on the EU technical guidance for EQS for the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Results

From a WFD perspective, there were significant or complete gaps for acute and chronic effects data, sediment organisms and rarely tested organisms at the time of data retrieval, as well as gaps for measured environmental concentrations in the assessed databases. The reliability of the reported data could not always be verified due to missing information. As expected from the heterogeneity of molecular structures, ecotoxicity data and environmental fate parameters vary considerably between the different substances. Our assessments indicate that the use of some of the substances in direct contact with surface water may pose a repeated risk to aquatic organisms.

Conclusions

We recommend a revision of the process for the inclusion of UV-filters in the EU Cosmetics Product Regulation, taking into account the potential environmental risks. A full assessment of all UV-filters using standard test organisms as well as rarely tested species for acute and chronic effects and bioaccumulation would require, among other things, a large number of fish tests. Therefore, new assessment methods (NAMs) are recommended, including the use of fish cell lines for acute toxicity testing and alternatives for the assessment of chronic toxicity.

Background

Lead is a prevalent heavy metal pollutant in the environment, and chronic lead exposure in occupational settings has been linked to cognitive decline. Our objective was to delineate lead-induced changes in brain functional activity through the assessment of regional homogeneity (ReHo), degree centrality (DC) and seed-based functional connectivity (FC) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 76 participants from a smelting company. Based on their blood lead levels, 26 participants were assigned to the lead exposure group (≥ 300 μg/L), whereas 23 were assigned to the control group (≤ 100 μg/L). Neuropsychological assessments included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and Self-rating Depression Scale. Participants underwent rs-fMRI for ReHo, DC, and FC analyses. Brain regions demonstrating significant differences in ReHo and DC were identified as regions of interest for subsequent FC analysis. We also examined the relationships between lead levels, FC values, and neuropsychological scores.

Results

Compared to the control group, individuals with high lead exposure exhibited increased ReHo in the bilateral insula and vermis and elevated DC in the left olfactory cortex. Notably, the left insula demonstrated reduced FC with the right cerebellar crus I, left fusiform gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, and left middle frontal gyrus. The right insula also displayed reduced FC with the right middle frontal gyrus but increased FC between the left olfactory cortex and right insula. Furthermore, negative correlations were observed between lead levels and FC of the left insula with the left fusiform gyrus (r = − 0.586), left superior frontal gyrus (r = − 0.556), and left middle frontal gyrus (r = − 0.626), as well as between FC of the right insula and the right middle frontal gyrus (r = − 0.587). Conversely, there was a positive association between FC of the left olfactory cortex with the right insula and lead levels (r = 0.609), whereas an inverse relationship was noted with neurocognitive assessments.

Conclusions

The disruption in insula coordination may significantly impair long-range FC and contribute to cognitive deficits resulting from lead exposure. The insula appears to be a pivotal region in lead-associated neurocognitive impairment.

Continuous cropping obstacles are significant factors that limit the yield and quality of tobacco. Thus, the selection and breeding of varieties is a crucial strategy for mitigating these challenges. However, the effects and mechanisms by which different tobacco varieties influence the structural composition of soil microbial remain unclear. To address this, we conducted a field experiment involving five tobacco varieties (K326, K394, XL, Y87, and Y97) and two types of soil (continuous cropping obstacle soil and normal soil). We examined microbial responses to different tobacco varieties in each soil type. Our results revealed that soil available nutrients and organic matter were decreased in obstacle soil compared to normal soil. The fresh biomass decreased by 18.05–27.92% in obstacle soil (except K394 and Y97). The microbial community composition in the rhizosphere soil remained consistent in various tobacco varieties in obstacle soil. The connections between soil fertility nutrients and microbial communities were reduced in obstacle soil compared to normal soil. The alteration of bacterial community composition was a stochastic process, whereas the modification of fungal community composition was a deterministic process in obstacle soil. Furthermore, the abundance of differential fungi (Zoopagomycota) was notably higher in obstacle soil. Overall, our results revealed that the disturbance of microbial communities and soil degradation in the obstacle soil are primary factors contributing to reduced crop yields. Therefore, it is an economical strategy for overcoming continuous cropping obstacles by utilizing rhizosphere microecology through multi-variety planting.

Background

As a kind of emerging contaminant, psychoactive substances (PSs) have been detected in different types of freshwater ecosystems; however, their occurrence in coastal shore areas is seldom reported. In this study, surface water samples from the mangrove ecosystems across 6 cities and counties in Hainan Island, 68 water samples were collected from August to December 2022, for assessment of the occurrence, spatial distribution, and potential ecological risks of PSs in the mangrove ecosystem in Hainan Island, South China.

Results

A total of 13 PSs were determined by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), with 7 of them at high frequency (> 50%). Amphetamine (AMP) was detected with the highest concentration of 12.0 ng/L, followed by ephedrine (EPH) of 8.31 ng/L. The spatial distribution showed that PSs concentrations in mangroves in the Eastern Route were higher than those in the Western Route, similar to the level of regional development, which may be influenced by seasonal tourism. The risk quotients (RQs) of the PSs ranged from 0 to 0.0055, suggesting the low risk of PSs in Hainan mangrove ecosystems.

Conclusions

Generally, this study provided valuable insights into the environmental occurrence, spatial variations, and ecological risks of PSs in mangrove wetlands systems for the first time, serving as a foundation for understanding their influence on the mangrove ecosystem, which may aid in protection of those unique and vulnerable areas.

Introduction

The European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) is a 7-year multinational partnership aimed at consolidating and strengthening European Union’s (EU) research and innovation capacity for chemical risk assessment (RA) to protect human health and the environment. It consists of nine work packages (WP) involving more than 200 participating organisations from 29 countries. PARC is currently mapping the most relevant needs in the field of European chemical RA to steer PARC’s future activities in the coming years. The present study aims to gather the perspectives of WP/Task/Project Leaders of PARC to understand their experience during the first prioritisation round of PARC activities and to identify potential points of improvement for future rounds.

Methods

Three online 90-min focus group discussion (FGD) sessions were conducted between the 3rd and 9th of May 2023. Each session was attended by 4-5 participants with at least one representative from each PARC WPs 4, 5 and 6 (n = 13). The sessions were recorded and transcribed, then analysed in NVivo 12 software using thematic analysis.

Results

Some important aspects for the prioritisation of activities that were mentioned include: (1) having a transparent prioritisation process even though each WP might need different prioritisation criteria, (2) balancing the fulfilment of short-term regulatory needs and anticipating long-term needs in chemical RA, (3) maintaining alignment and synergy between the WPs and with other relevant EU initiatives to avoid duplication and to ensure continuity of work and (4) making sure that PARC can effectively respond to requests from different PARC stakeholders.

Conclusions

The next round of PARC research activity steering process will provide an opportunity to implement the various improvements identified. PARC should utilise the advantage of having stakeholders from different backgrounds (e.g., risk assessors, policymakers, regulatory bodies, academia, etc.) within its consortium and its advising bodies to prioritise projects and activities that will support its overall objectives. These recommendations could also be of interest outside PARC in the context of prioritising research and innovation needs related to chemical RA.

Background

Environmental nanoplastics pose a potential health risk due to human exposure, necessitating studies on their cellular effects. This study aims to assess the toxic and antibacterial properties of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NH₂) on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and HFF-2 fibroblast cells, while also evaluating their oxidative stress responses. Additionally, the study explores the anti-tumor effects and apoptosis induction by PS-NH₂. The primary objectives were to determine the cytotoxicity, antibacterial efficacy, and oxidative stress response of PS-NH₂ at different concentrations and sizes. The study also aimed to investigate the mechanism of cell death, including apoptosis, necrosis, cell cycle arrest, and changes in antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD and GPx).

Methods

Nanoplastic properties were characterized using FTIR, FESEM, and zeta potential analysis. Antibacterial effects were assessed using the agar dilution method, while the MTT assay determined cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 and HFF-2 cells. Apoptosis, necrosis, cell cycle arrest, and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GPx) were also evaluated.

Results

FTIR analysis confirmed the amino-functionalization of PS-NH₂ with a wide peak at 3386 cm-1, and zeta potential indicated a neutral charge. PS-NH₂ showed no antibacterial activity against E. coli or Staphylococcus aureus at sizes of 90, 200, and 300 nm. Cytotoxicity assays revealed dose-dependent decreases in cell viability for both cell lines. SOD and GPx activity decreased significantly with increasing PS-NH₂ concentrations. Both cell lines underwent apoptosis, with cell accumulation in the G1 and sub-G1 phases, indicating apoptotic cell death.

Conclusions

PS-NH₂ exhibits dose- and size-dependent cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 and HFF-2 cells. Smaller particle sizes and higher concentrations of PS-NH₂ enhance oxidative stress, leading to apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

Graphical Abstract

Background

Pesticide application is one of the factors reported to contribute to the decline of pollinators, such as honey bees and bumble bees, and guidelines for risk assessment have been established recently. We collected a total of 1720 data sets of pesticide residue levels in pollen and nectar from EFSA documents and from the scientific literature, covering 71 different chemicals and 20 different crops. Out of this data set, 164 events for nectar with 27 different chemicals and 161 events for pollen with 32 different chemicals were chosen that describe the initial (t = 0–1 day) residue per unit dose (RUD) after spray application. Median RUD values were calculated to describe the typical realistic initial applied dose.

Results

Overall, we can confirm earlier findings found in the frame of risk assessment of plant protection products on bees. RUD pollen is higher than RUD nectar, and there is a wide variability of results. Polar pesticides had higher median RUD values, in particular in nectar, but the explained variability of substance properties is generally small (≤10%). There are clear indications that the setup and the conditions during the experiment override substance-specific differences. Factors contributing to the observed differences in RUD were identified: spray direction (up/sideward > downward), sampling method of nectar and pollen (from flower > by traps > from bees), experimental setting (greenhouse > field or tunnel) and geometry of flowers (Fabaceae had highest RUD nectar).

Conclusions

A goal of the study was to find a prediction method for initial pesticide residues in nectar and pollen after spray application to flowers and plants. Thus, median RUD values for the different conditions were provided. However, nothing can be said about how combinations of the mentioned factors affect RUD values.