Article
Environmental Sciences
Athanasios Besis, Domniki Gallou, Anna Avgenikou, Eleni Serafeim, Constantini Samara
Summary: This study collected and analyzed samples of atmospheric particulate matter pollution in Greece, finding that organic pollutant concentrations were significantly lower in the warm period compared to the cold period. The highest concentrations of these compounds were found in particles with a size fraction smaller than 0.49 μm. The results also showed no clear correlation between particle size and bioaccessibility, but the bioaccessibility of PAHs and PAH derivatives was higher in coarse particles.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ke Zhao, Guosong Peng, Kaixuan Wang, Fengxiang Li
Summary: PAHs and SPAHs are persistent organic pollutants found globally. SPAHs have attracted more attention recently due to their higher toxicity and carcinogenicity compared to PAHs. However, there is a lack of systematic examination of these compounds in watersheds. This study aimed to investigate the current status, possible sources, and potential risks of PAHs and their derivatives in the Yitong River, China. The results revealed petroleum sources, agricultural waste, and coal combustion as the main contributors to PAHs, while liquid combustion sources and petroleum emissions accounted for NPAHs and OPAHs, respectively. The exposure risk model indicated a significant carcinogenic risk in 86% of the studied sites after dermal contact, primarily due to the presence of DahA. Despite this, non-carcinogenic risks were not observed, and some surface waters showed potential carcinogenic risks from NPAHs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ke Zhao, Guosong Peng, Kaixuan Wang, Fengxiang Li
Summary: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and substituted PAHs (SPAHs) are persistent organic pollutants that are prevalent globally. SPAHs, in particular, have received widespread attention due to their stronger toxicity and carcinogenicity compared to PAHs. However, there is a lack of systematic examination of the current status, sources, and risks of PAHs and their derivatives in watersheds.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Athanasios Besis, Elisavet Botsaropoulou, Dimitra Balla, Dimitra Voutsa, Constantini Samara
Summary: The study found various organic contaminants in indoor dust, but the risk level of exposure to these chemicals is low, posing no significant health hazards to humans.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuan Zeng, Hui-Min Ma, Qian-Yu Zhang, Lin Tao, Tao Wang, Cong Wan, She-Jun Chen, Bi-Xian Mai
Summary: This study investigated the spatial-temporal variations of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and their toxicity. The results found that high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MW302 PAHs) played a significant role in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and industrial sources were identified as important contributors to PM2.5 toxicity in the studied city.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tong Zhao, Shengzeng Li, Houyong Zhang, Qi Huang, Anan Qi, Wan Zhang, Hongliang Gao, Shengfei Duan, Lingxiao Yang, Wenxing Wang
Summary: PM2.5 samples were collected in urban and suburban roadside environments in Qingdao, China, during different traffic flow periods. The analysis of PAHs, NPAHs, and OPAHs in PM2.5 revealed that concentrations were slightly higher in the suburban site and winter compared to the urban site and summer. Peak concentrations for PAHs and NPAHs occurred during morning and evening rush hours in the urban site, while in the suburban site, the highest peak occurred in the morning rush hour and the second highest peak appeared at night. Three major sources, coal combustion, gasoline vehicle emissions, and diesel vehicle emissions, were identified. Diesel vehicle emissions, despite having fewer vehicles, contributed significantly to the pollution of PAHs and their derivatives in the roadside environments. Traffic sources greatly impacted the toxicity of PAHs and NPAHs.
AIR QUALITY ATMOSPHERE AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anan Qi, Pengcheng Wang, Jianhua Lv, Tong Zhao, Qi Huang, Yiming Wang, Xiongfei Zhang, Miao Wang, Yang Xiao, Lingxiao Yang, Yaqin Ji, Wenxing Wang
Summary: A systematic study of PAHs and their derivatives movement in air, soil, and water is crucial for improving environmental quality. The study found that the concentrations of these compounds vary in different seasons and regions, with significant urban-rural gradients. Compounds that volatilize from soil to air mainly include 2-3 ring PAHs, BrPAHs, and ClPAHs, while those deposited from air to soil are mainly 4-7 ring PAHs, OPAHs, and NPAHs. PAHs and their derivatives in water have lower characteristic travel distances and persistence in atmospheric transport, which may have a significant impact on marine pollution.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qiqi Li, Yuan Zeng, Yun Fan, Siqi Fu, Yufeng Guan, Yuxin Sun, Shejun Chen
Summary: This study investigated the spatial variations, compositional profiles, sources, and health risks of PM-bound PACs in two large-scale petrochemical bases in South China. The primary sources of PACs were found to be vehicle traffic exhaust, coking activities, and the aromatic industry. The health risks associated with PM-bound PACs were found to be low.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zuzana Novakova, Jiri Novak, Michal Bittner, Pavel Cupr, Petra Pribylova, Petr Kukuca, Marie Smutna, Beate I. Escher, Hale Demirtepe, Ana Miralles-Marco, Klara Hilscherova
Summary: The study analyzed the complex mixtures of pollutants in indoor environments and evaluated their potential impacts on human health. It revealed the presence of endocrine-disrupting potentials in indoor environments, raising concerns about associated health risks.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sijie Feng, Xianbao Shen, Xuewei Hao, Xinyue Cao, Xin Li, Xiaolong Yao, Yue Shi, Tiantian Lv, Zhiliang Yao
Summary: Medium-flow atmospheric samplers were used to collect particulate (PM2.5) and gaseous samples from indoor kitchens in 35 randomly selected rural houses in North China. Analysis showed that cooking with coal resulted in significantly higher PAH and NPAH concentrations compared to cooking with LPG or electricity, while the use of range hoods and proper ventilation can reduce the levels of PAH and NPAH during cooking.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sagi Enicole A. Gillera, William P. Marinello, Kevin T. Cao, Brian M. Horman, Heather M. Stapleton, Heather B. Patisaul
Summary: The study found that developmental exposure to the common FR mixture Firemaster 550 has gender-specific effects on social behaviors and neuronal populations in prairie voles. Exposed females showed changes in AVP neurons while exposed males had alterations in dopaminergic neurons, indicating potential endocrine disruption on OT/AVP pathways and coordination of behaviors.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pengcheng Wang, Anan Qi, Qi Huang, Yiming Wang, Xiong Tuo, Tong Zhao, Shengfei Duan, Hongliang Gao, Wan Zhang, Peng Xu, Tianqi Zhang, Xiongfei Zhang, Wenxing Wang, Lingxiao Yang
Summary: The pollution levels and spatial distributions of derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) near industrial complexes were monitored and their formation mechanisms and sources were discussed. The concentrations of these toxic chemicals were higher during the heating period and mainly originated from industrial and combustion sources, with the steel industry being the major contributor.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yueh-Hsiu Mathilda Chiu, Ander Wilson, Hsiao-Hsien Leon Hsu, Harris Jamal, Nicole Mathews, Itai Kloog, Joel Schwartz, David C. Bellinger, Naim Xhani, Robert O. Wright, Brent A. Coull, Rosalind J. Wright
Summary: This study investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to multiple air pollutants on cognitive functioning in school-age children. The results showed that prenatal exposure to air pollution was associated with decreased memory functioning and increased attention problems in children. The effects were more significant in girls and traffic-related pollutants were major contributors.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yongwei Guo, Wei Shi, Zhiwei Liu, Xian Sun, Yuping Wu
Summary: The global surge in disinfection practices during the COVID-19 response has raised concerns about marine exposure to hazardous ingredients in disinfectant products, such as triclosan and triclocarban. Limited studies have focused on the response of marine triclosan and triclocarban loading to the pandemic. This study used cetaceans as bio-indicators and found increased concentrations of triclosan in certain dolphin species and fish after the pandemic, suggesting a profound impact on marine ecosystems.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lu Wei, Yuxi Liu, Suping Cui, Can Wang, Hsing-Cheng Hsi, Erhong Duan, Yue Peng, Hongxing Dai, Guangsheng Guo, Jiguang Deng
Summary: A stepwise synthesis strategy is employed to disperse dual Ru/Cu Lewis acid sites inside and outside the zeolite channel for efficient selective catalytic oxidation of chlorobenzene and reduction of NOx. The mutual interference between the two reactions is successfully avoided, leading to high selectivity and conversion rates.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pritam Kumar Panda, Puja Kumari, Paritosh Patel, Shailesh Kumar Samal, Suman Mishra, Murtaza M. Tambuwala, Ateet Dutt, Klara Hilscherova, Yogendra Kumar Mishra, Rajender S. Varma, Mrutyunjay Suar, Rajeev Ahuja, Suresh K. Verma
Summary: The rapid development of nanotechnology may pose higher risks of exposure to humans and the environment through manufactured nanomaterials, necessitating further investigation into the impact on biological interfaces and biocompatibility. This study presents a novel green synthesis strategy for antibacterial AgNPs with higher biocompatibility and elucidates the in vivo biocompatibility mechanism at the cellular and molecular levels. Through detailed analyses, the research provides insights into a diverse range of AgNPs-protein interactions, paving a new pathway for understanding their intrinsic properties and usage.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zuzana Novakova, Jiri Novak, Michal Bittner, Pavel Cupr, Petra Pribylova, Petr Kukuca, Marie Smutna, Beate I. Escher, Hale Demirtepe, Ana Miralles-Marco, Klara Hilscherova
Summary: The study analyzed the complex mixtures of pollutants in indoor environments and evaluated their potential impacts on human health. It revealed the presence of endocrine-disrupting potentials in indoor environments, raising concerns about associated health risks.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Eliska Sychrova, Marie Smutna, Katerina Novakova, Klara Hilscherova
Summary: Aquatic biotests are important in ecotoxicology for studying various effects, including endocrine disruption. The unintentional exposure of bioassay organisms to endocrine disruptors during cultivation or testing can interfere with the results. In this study on laboratory phytoplankton cultivation, it was found that the growth medium and substances released from plastic materials can contribute to estrogenicity. These potential sources should be considered in aquatic cultivations and biotests, as they can affect the outcomes.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Marek Pipal, Jiri Novak, Aneta Rafajova, Marie Smutna, Klara Hilscherova
Summary: Retinoids associated with cyanobacterial water blooms are newly detected compounds in aquatic ecosystems. These compounds have potential health risks and can interfere with retinoid signaling and cause teratogenic effects. These findings are important for developmental organisms.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Werner Brack, Damia Barcelo Culleres, Alistair B. A. Boxall, Helene Budzinski, Sara Castiglioni, Adrian Covaci, Valeria Dulio, Beate I. Escher, Peter Fantke, Faith Kandie, Despo Fatta-Kassinos, Felix J. Hernandez, Klara Hilscherova, Juliane Hollender, Henner Hollert, Annika Jahnke, Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern, Stuart J. Khan, Andreas Kortenkamp, Klaus Kuemmerer, Brice Lalonde, Marja H. Lamoree, Yves Levi, Pablo Antonio Lara Martin, Cassiana C. Montagner, Christian Mougin, Titus Msagati, Joerg Oehlmann, Leo Posthuma, Malcolm Reid, Martin Reinhard, Susan D. Richardson, Pawel Rostkowski, Emma Schymanski, Flurina Schneider, Jaroslav Slobodnik, Yasuyuki Shibata, Shane Allen Snyder, Fernando Fabriz Sodre, Ivana Teodorovic, Kevin V. Thomas, Gisela A. Umbuzeiro, Pham Hung Viet, Karina Gin Yew-Hoong, Xiaowei Zhang, Ettore Zuccato
Summary: A suggestion to establish an international science-policy body has been made to address the severe threats of chemical pollution crisis. Immediate action is crucial and should be informed by reliable scientific knowledge and data. Challenges for such a body include global knowledge production, coverage of all hazardous chemicals, a one-health perspective, and solution-oriented assessments based on systems thinking.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aliaksandra Shuliakevich, Katja Schroeder, Laura Nagengast, Melis Muz, Marek Pipal, Ira Brueckner, Klara Hilscherova, Werner Brack, Sabrina Schiwy, Henner Hollert
Summary: Wastewater treatment plants are the primary source of micropollutants in aquatic ecosystems. Advanced effluent treatment using ozonation has been proven effective in eliminating most micropollutants. This study focuses on the toxic potential of sediments in relation to zebrafish embryo development and behavior. Sublethal effects and neurotoxic substances were observed even at low pollutant concentrations. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and nitroaromatic compounds were identified as potential drivers of toxicity.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Lola Bajard, Ondrej Adamovsky, Karine Audouze, Kirsten Baken, Robert Barouki, Joost B. Beltman, Anna Beronius, Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jorgensen, German Cano-Sancho, Milo L. de Baat, Filippo Di Tillio, Mariana F. Fernandez, Rex E. FitzGerald, Claudia Gundacker, Antonio F. Hernandez, Klara Hilscherova, Spyros Karakitsios, Eliska Kuchovska, Manhai Long, Mirjam Luijten, Sanah Majid, Philip Marx-Stoelting, Vicente Mustieles, Chander K. Negi, Dimosthenis Sarigiannis, Stefan Scholz, Iva Sovadinova, Rob Stierum, Shihori Tanabe, Knut Erik Tollefsen, Annick D. van den Brand, Carolina Vogs, Maria Wielsoe, Clemens Wittwehr, Ludek Blaha
Summary: Human regulatory risk assessment heavily relies on animal studies, but new approach methodologies and human epidemiological studies are increasingly used. Establishing bridges between these methods and standard approaches is crucial for advancing risk assessment. The Adverse Outcome Pathway framework is a valuable tool, but its usage in chemical risk assessment is limited.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ludek Sehnal, Marie Smutna, Lucie Blahova, Pavel Babica, Petra Splichalova, Klara Hilscherova
Summary: This study confirmed that certain species of cyanobacteria are important producers of retinoid-like compounds, and non-enzymatic free radical oxidation is one of the mechanisms involved. These retinoid compounds are widely present in cyanobacteria and environmental water blooms, and may have adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Karsten Baumann, Marco Wietzoreck, Pourya Shahpoury, Alexander Filippi, Stefanie Hildmann, Steven Lelieveld, Thomas Berkemeier, Haijie Tong, Ulrich Poeschl, Gerhard Lammel
Summary: The redox-active substances in fine particulate matter (PM) can generate reactive oxygen species in epithelial lung lining fluid (ELF), which pose inhalation health risks. The air-liquid interface (ALI) in the ELF plays a crucial role in the phase transfer and multi-phase reactions of redox-active PM constituents. Our study investigated the influence of interfacial processes and properties on the oxidative potential (OP) of PM components and found that the OP can exceed that resulting from bulk mixing, suggesting that OP measurements based on bulk mixing may not accurately represent the effective OP in the human lung.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Barbara Kubickova, Sarka Martinkova, Dasa Bohaciakova, Marketa Nezvedova, Runze Liu, Ondrej Brozman, Zdenek Spacil, Klara Hilscherova
Summary: Cyanobacterial blooms are known to produce retinoid compounds, which can be harmful to aquatic organisms. This study used a human neural stem cell model to investigate the effects of retinoic acids (RAs) on neural differentiation. The results showed that RA exposure promoted glial cell fates over neural differentiation and also had significant effects on cell morphology. These findings contribute to the understanding of the potential health hazards of environmentally-occurring RAs.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuxiang Sun, Lili Yang, Minghui Zheng, Roland Weber, Jerzy Falandysz, Gerhard Lammel, Chenyan Zhao, Changzhi Chen, Qiuting Yang, Guorui Liu
Summary: Polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs) are emerging global pollutants found in environmental matrices. This study identifies and quantifies PHCZ emissions from 13 large-scale industries, most of which have no previous data. China, Australia, Japan, India, USA, and Russia are major emitters of PHCZs through industrial activities. PHCZ pollution potentially poses a global threat to human health and the environment.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Huimin Yu, Tian Lin, Limin Hu, Gerhard Lammel, Shizhen Zhao, Xueshi Sun, Xiao Wu, Zhigang Guo
Summary: The production and use of intentionally-produced polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in China have a short history compared with other countries. This study evaluated PCB congeners in surface sediments of the East China Marginal Seas (ECMSs) and identified their sources. It found that non-technical PCBs were dominant in most areas of the ECMSs and highlighted the role of riverine input, atmospheric transport, and muddy shelf deposition on PCB source and sink in marginal seas.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marco Wietzoreck, Marios Kyprianou, Benjamin A. Musa Bandowe, Siddika Celik, John N. Crowley, Frank Drewnick, Philipp Eger, Nils Friedrich, Minas Iakovides, Petr Kukucka, Jan Kuta, Barbora Nezikova, Petra Pokorna, Petra Pribylova, Roman Prokes, Roland Rohloff, Ivan Tadic, Sebastian Tauer, Jake Wilson, Hartwig Harder, Jos Lelieveld, Ulrich Poeschl, Euripides G. Stephanou, Gerhard Lammel
Summary: This study reports the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives in the air over the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf. The Arabian Sea region has the lowest pollutant concentrations, while the Mediterranean Sea region has the highest burden of PAHs and OPAHs, and the Arabian Gulf has the highest abundance of NPAHs.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Roger Sheu, Tori Hass-Mitchell, Akima Ringsdorf, Thomas Berkemeier, Jo Machesky, Achim Edtbauer, Thomas Klupfel, Alexander Filippi, Benjamin A. Musa Bandowe, Marco Wietzoreck, Petr Kukucka, Haijie Tong, Gerhard Lammel, Ulrich Poschl, Jonathan Williams, Drew R. Gentner
Summary: Thirdhand smoke (THS), the residual smoke left in a location where smoking has occurred, can persist and expose non-smokers to harmful substances. Laboratory experiments have shown that deposited particulate matter and smoke-exposed surrogate lung lining fluid are reservoirs of gas-phase THS emissions containing hazardous air pollutants and other harmful compounds. These reservoirs can transport and emit reactive pollutants and their byproducts, increasing their overall persistence. The off-gassing of THS from deposited particulate matter and lung lining fluid can also contribute to indoor air pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-ATMOSPHERES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jiri Kalina, Kevin B. White, Martin Scheringer, Petra Pribylova, Petr Kukucka, Ondrej Audy, Jakub Martinik, Jana Klanova
Summary: Passive air sampling (PAS) has been widely used to monitor semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), but there are limitations and uncertainties in deriving effective sampling volumes, rates, and concentrations. By comparing PAS and active air sampling (AAS) data from six monitoring sites in Europe, it is found that there is good agreement between the two methods for most SVOCs, but corrections are needed for particle-associated SVOCs and high wind speed conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2022)