Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fahad Ahmed, Benjamin Tscharke, Jake W. O'Brien, Wayne D. Hall, Peter J. Cabot, P. Marcin Sowa, Saer Samanipour, Kevin V. Thomas
Summary: A wastewater-based epidemiology method was used to estimate analgesic consumption and assess pain burden in Australian communities. The concentration of analgesics in wastewater samples from 60 communities was analyzed, and the amount of drug consumed per day per 1000 inhabitants was estimated. The burden of pain treatment was categorized as mild to moderate or strong to severe pain, and a higher burden was observed in regional and remote areas. The correlation analysis showed that pain affects populations across socioeconomic groups. Australians spent approximately US $3.5 per day on analgesics. The study suggests that wastewater-based epidemiology can be an effective tool to estimate analgesic consumption and assess pain burden in communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bethan Davies, Richard Paul, David Osselton
Summary: This research examines the prevalence of new psychoactive substances and various compounds in a prison facility in Northern Ireland. The study found that benzoylecgonine, a primary metabolite of cocaine, was consistently detected in all wastewater samples. Additional analysis revealed the presence of buprenorphine, benzodiazepines, methadone, morphine, and codeine. The study also explored the use of enzymatic beta-glucuronidase hydrolysis, which provided significant findings regarding the presence of certain compounds.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
F. Ivy Carroll, Anita H. Lewin, S. Wayne Mascarella, Herbert H. Seltzman, P. Anantha Reddy
Summary: The review discusses the exponential increase in clandestine manufacture of new psychoactive substances designed to circumvent regulations, which has led to a rise in fatalities. It focuses on three compound classes and highlights the medicinal chemistry approaches used by clandestine laboratories to develop new substances, as well as the chemical methods for treating illicit drug abuse.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kevin F. Boehnke, Owen Dean, Rebecca L. Haffajee, Avinash Hosanagar
Summary: Enrollment in medical cannabis programs in the United States increased approximately 4.5-fold from 2016 to 2020. Enrollment decreased in recreational states but increased in medical-only states. In 2020, 68.2% of patient-reported qualifying conditions had therapeutic value.
ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Samir M. Ahmad, Oriana C. Goncalves, Mariana N. Oliveira, Nuno R. Neng, Jose M. F. Nogueira
Summary: The analysis of controlled drugs in forensic matrices using microextraction-based approaches has gained considerable attention due to its simplicity, cost-benefit, and environmental sustainability. These innovative techniques are becoming increasingly relevant in monitoring priority substances, such as illicit drugs, in the forensic context. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the advantages and future trends in applying microextraction-based techniques for screening-controlled drugs in forensic settings.
Review
Medicine, Legal
Ivan Langa, Ricardo Goncalves, Maria Elizabeth Tiritan, Claudia Ribeiro
Summary: Consumption of psychoactive drugs is a widespread public health problem, and measuring this consumption is essential for healthcare professionals, risk assessment, and policymakers. Wastewater based epidemiology has emerged as a crucial method for estimating drug consumption and monitoring trends in drug use. Chemical analysis using chromatographic methods, including nonenantioselective and enantioselective methods, is used to quantify drugs in wastewater and estimate consumption levels.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Economics
Thomas Lebesmuehlbacher, Rhet A. Smith
Summary: After the introduction of medical cannabis laws, pharmaceutical firms showed a relatively small and delayed strategic response in direct-to-physician marketing, particularly in substitute prescription drugs and opioids. While smaller pharmaceutical firms were more affected, the overall impact on detailing dollars was small, likely due to a low percentage of doctors actively recommending cannabis for medical treatment.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Frank Petzke, Thomas Toelle, Mary-Ann Fitzcharles, Winfried Haeuser
Summary: Neuropathic pain is a challenging condition with current medications providing inadequate relief, leading to the consideration of cannabis-based medicines as a treatment option. However, the evidence supporting the use of cannabis-based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain is of low quality, with conflicting conclusions on their efficacy and potential side effects, indicating the need for further research.
Article
Substance Abuse
Hudson Reddon, Stephanie Lake, Maria Eugenia Socias, Kanna Hayashi, Kora DeBeck, Zach Walsh, M-j Milloy
Summary: This study investigated the association between cannabis use to manage opioid cravings and self-reported changes in opioid use among structurally marginalized opioid users. The results showed that using cannabis to manage opioid cravings was significantly associated with self-reported reductions in opioid use, particularly among individuals living with moderate to severe pain and females.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Anne Line Bretteville-Jensen, Ellen J. Amundsen, Jane Mounteney
Summary: Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a timely, non-invasive, and cost-effective indicator of illicit drug consumption. However, there are important methodological issues and potential shortcomings that need to be considered when designing sampling procedures and interpreting the analytical results.
EUROPEAN ADDICTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chris Douvris, Edward Bentil, Isaac Ayensu, Clement Osei Akoto, Isaac Kingsley Amponsah, Joseph Adu, Derek Bussan
Summary: Cannabis has been a widely cultivated plant for centuries for its various uses, including as a psychoactive drug and for medicinal purposes. Despite the prohibition of cannabis products in many African countries, the continent is actually the largest producer of cannabis globally. Law enforcement authorities in Africa are highly interested in using chemical analyses to trace the origin of seized cannabis samples. In a study focused on Ghana, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine 12 elements in cannabis seized by authorities and soils of cannabis farms. Multivariate analysis was then applied to distinguish different cannabis farms and match them with the samples, revealing high concentrations of elements like As and Pb in the cannabis samples.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Yan Mao, Xiaoxin Liu, Yu Bao, Li Niu
Summary: Toxic pollutants in the environment pose a major threat to human health and ecosystem security. Developing simple, low-cost, sensitive, and reliable techniques for their detection is highly desirable. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensors, with low background noise and high sensitivity, show potential in this area. This review summarizes the engineered photoactive materials, such as semiconductors and semiconductor-based heterojunctions, and their applications in PEC sensors for the analysis of toxins and abused drugs in the environment, with a focus on sensing mechanisms. Future research perspectives in this field are also discussed.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Katherine E. Gray, Chris Delcher, Eugene Shin, Tyler A. Whitt, Andrew M. Windhorst, Gopal Nath, Bikram Subedi
Summary: Polysubstance use and the associated adverse consequences, such as drug overdose deaths, are significant public health threats in the United States. This study analyzed wastewater samples collected from rest areas and a commercial truck service facility in Kentucky to measure the presence of 26 drugs. The results showed the widespread detection of stimulants, opioids, and antipsychotics, with methamphetamine, amphetamine, and cocaine appearing in all samples. The study also found variations in drug discharge between locations, with methamphetamine being higher in rest areas and prescription opioids and veterinary sedatives being higher in the commercial truck service facility.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carrie Cuttler, Emily M. LaFrance, Amanda Stueber
Summary: Statewide legislation has increased access to high-potency cannabis, but federal restrictions limit access to research on low-potency whole-plant cannabis. This study examined the acute cognitive effects of high-potency cannabis, finding that high-potency flower with CBD impaired free recall, flower without CBD and concentrates affected source memory, and all three products increased susceptibility to false memories.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Emma E. McGinty, Kayla N. Tormohlen, Nicholas J. Seewald, Mark C. Bicket, Alexander D. McCourt, Lainie Rutkow, Sarah A. White, Elizabeth A. Stuart
Summary: This study found that state medical cannabis laws did not have significant effects on the receipt of opioid or nonopioid pain treatment among patients with chronic noncancer pain.
ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alejandro Rodriguez-Sanchez, Barbara Munoz-Palazon, Miguel Hurtado-Martinez, Anna Mikola, Jesus Gonzalez-Lopez, Riku Vahala, Alejandro Gonzalez-Martinez
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Suvi Ahopelto, Riku Vahala
Article
Engineering, Environmental
S. Eerikainen, H. Haimi, A. Mikola, R. Vahala
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhe Zhang, Tuija Laakso, Zeyu Wang, Seppo Pulkkinen, Suvi Ahopelto, Kirsi Virrantaus, Yu Li, Ximing Cai, Chi Zhang, Riku Vahala, Zhuping Sheng
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonina Kruglova, Jenni Kesulahti, Khoi Minh Le, Alejandro Gonzalez-Martinez, Anna Mikola, Riku Vahala
Article
Environmental Sciences
Barbara Munoz-Palazon, Alejandro Rodriguez-Sanchez, Miguel Hurtado-Martinez, Jesus Gonzalez-Lopez, Riku Vahala, Alejandro Gonzalez-Martinez
Summary: The study suggests that denitrifying granular sludge technology is a viable solution for treating nitrogen-contaminated groundwater, with influent organic matter playing a crucial role in shaping microbial communities and overall system efficiency.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Oleksii Tomin, Riku Vahala, Maryam Roza Yazdani
Summary: This study focuses on how the production process of metal impregnated biochars affects their selectivity in the adsorption of organic matter and dissolved phosphorus. The results show that by tailoring the production process, biochars with selective adsorption capabilities for specific pollutants can be produced.
MICROPOROUS AND MESOPOROUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anni Juvakoski, Gaurav Singhal, Manuel A. Manzano, Miguel Angel Morinigo, Riku Vahala, Irina Levchuk
Summary: Solar disinfection (SODIS) is an affordable method for treating drinking water, and this study found that it can be effective even in colder climates. The experiments showed that in a humid continental climate, the lowest water temperature (8-11 degrees C) achieved the best disinfection results. Additionally, higher water temperatures and UV intensities increased the required disinfection doses.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Elena Villar-Navarro, Irina Levchuk, Juan Jose Rueda-Marquez, Tomas Homola, Miguel Angel Morinigo, Riku Vahala, Manuel Manzano
Summary: This study investigated the impact of water temperature on bacterial inactivation in simulated aquaculture streams using various advanced oxidation processes. Results showed that addition of hydrogen peroxide during UVA disinfection and photocatalysis enhanced inactivation rates, with higher efficiency observed at higher temperatures and with different AOPs. The study suggests that temperature and the presence of hydrogen peroxide play critical roles in bacterial disinfection processes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonina Kruglova, Barbara Munoz-Palazon, Alejandro Gonzalez-Martinez, Anna Mikola, Riku Vahala, Julia Talvitie
Summary: Microplastics can provide a stable habitat for diverse bacteria, including pathogens and antibiotic-resistant species, and facilitate their transport through wastewater treatment processes to the environment. This study found a high diversity of bacteria attached to microplastics at different stages of treatment, and these bacteria, including pathogenic strains, were able to escape into the effluent water of the treatment plant.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna Vilen, Panu Laurell, Riku Vahala
Summary: This study conducted a life cycle assessment to quantify the environmental impacts of different types of activated carbon (AC). It found that the choice of raw materials and production method significantly affected the environmental impact of AC. Coal AC had the highest impact in most categories, while reactivated coal and coconut AC had lower impacts. Reactivated coal AC had 72-80% lower Global Warming Potential compared to virgin AC when including biogenic carbon emissions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Panu Laurell, Heikki Poutanen, Mehrdad Hesampour, Tanja Tuutijarvi, Riku Vahala
Summary: Low-pressure membranes, such as microfiltration and ultrafiltration, have gained popularity in the Nordic countries for the removal of natural organic matter in drinking water treatment. Microfiltration, in particular, offers stable water quality and requires less space compared to conventional treatment methods. A Finnish surface water treatment plant tested the feasibility and environmental impact of hollow fibre microfiltration coupled with chemical coagulation, and found that it improved water quality while performing similarly to conventional treatment in terms of organic matter removal. However, membrane treatment increases operational costs due to chemical usage in membrane cleaning, and is an energy-intensive process. Nonetheless, using renewable energy sources and reducing chemical consumption could help decrease total emissions.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Anni Juvakoski, Henrik Rantanen, Michela Mulas, Francesco Corona, Riku Vahala, Olli Varis, Ilkka Mellin
Summary: This study aimed to quantify the relationship between severe diarrhea and housing features in Brazilian municipalities, and found that waste management had a stronger association with diarrhea than WASH.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
A. Toivettula, O. Varis, R. Vahala, A. Juvakoski
Summary: The harmful impacts of poor drinking water services on physical and mental health have been widely recognized. This review summarizes the findings of existing research and policy documents in the water sector, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health aspects in water service delivery. The review also emphasizes the need for further research and attention to the negative mental health impacts of unequal service provision.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pirjo-Liisa Rantanen, Minna M. Keinanen-Toivola, Merja Ahonen, Alejandro Gonzalez-Martinez, Ilkka Mellin, Riku Vahala
Article
Environmental Sciences
Toshimi Nakajima, Mao Kuragano, Makoto Yamada, Ryo Sugimoto
Summary: This study compared the contribution of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to river nutrient budgets at nearshore and embayment scales, and found that SGD-derived nutrients become more important at larger spatial scales.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fan Liu, Lei Zhang, Chongyang Zhang, Ziguang Chen, Jingguang Li
Summary: NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves used for household heating have become a significant source of indoor pollution in Chinese urban areas. The high indoor concentration of NO2 poses potential health risks to residents. It is urgently necessary to establish relevant regulations and implement emission reduction technologies to reduce NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Hans Peter H. Arp, Raoul Wolf, Sarah E. Hale, Sivani Baskaran, Juliane Gluege, Martin Scheringer, Xenia Trier, Ian T. Cousins, Harrie Timmer, Roberta Hofman-Caris, Anna Lennquist, Andre D. Bannink, Gerard J. Stroomberg, Rosa M. A. Sjerps, Rosa Montes, Rosario Rodil, Jose Benito Quintana, Daniel Zahn, Herve Gallard, Tobias Mohr, Ivo Schliebner, Michael Neumann
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philomina Onyedikachi Peter, Binessi Edouard Ifon, Francois Nkinahamira, Kayode Hassan Lasisi, Jiangwei Li, Anyi Hu, Chang-Ping Yu
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in sediments from Yundang Lagoon, China. The results show four distinct fluorescent components, with protein-like substances being the most prevalent. Additionally, the total fluorescence intensity and LREE concentrations exhibit a synchronized increase from Outer to Inner to Songbai Lake core sediments. The findings demonstrate a strong correlation between DOM content and pollution levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Surya Gupta, Pasquale Borrelli, Panos Panagos, Christine Alewell
Summary: The objective of this study is to incorporate soil hydraulic properties into the erodibility factor (K) of USLE-type models. By modifying and improving the existing equations for soil texture and permeability, the study successfully included information on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) into the calculation of K factor. Using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm, two independent K factor maps with different spatial resolutions were generated. The results show that the decrease in K factor values has a positive impact on the modeling of soil erosion rates.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jesmin Akter, Wendy J. M. Smith, Yawen Liu, Ilho Kim, Stuart L. Simpson, Phong Thai, Asja Korajkic, Warish Ahmed
Summary: The choice of workflow in wastewater surveillance has a significant impact on SARS-CoV-2 concentrations, while having minimal effects on HF183 and no effect on HAdV 40/41 concentrations. Certain components in the workflow can be interchangeable, but factors such as buffer type, chloroform, and homogenization speed can affect the recovery of viruses and bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Luo, Xueting Yang, Diwei Wang, Hongmei Xu, Hongai Zhang, Shasha Huang, Qiyuan Wang, Ningning Zhang, Junji Cao, Zhenxing Shen
Summary: Atmospheric PM2.5, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), is associated with cardiorespiratory morbidity and mortality. The study found that both the mass concentration of PM2.5 and the DTT activity were higher during the heating season than during the nonheating season. Combustion sources were the primary contributors to DTT activity during the heating season, while secondary formation dominated during the nonheating season. The study also revealed that biomass burning had the highest inherent oxidation potential among all sources investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin L. Murphy, Leah R. Gerber, Chelsea M. Rochman, Beth Polidoro
Summary: Plastic pollution has devastating consequences for marine organisms. This study uses a trait-based framework to develop a vulnerability index for marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles in Hawai'i. The index ranks 63 study species based on their vulnerability to macroplastic pollution, providing valuable information for species monitoring and management priorities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kenji Maurice, Amelia Bourceret, Sami Youssef, Stephane Boivin, Liam Laurent-Webb, Coraline Damasio, Hassan Boukcim, Marc-Andre Selosse, Marc Ducousso
Summary: Growing pressure from climate change and agricultural land use is destabilizing soil microbial community interactions. Little is known about microbial community resistance and adaptation to disturbances, hindering our understanding of recovery latency and implications for ecosystem functioning. This study found that anthropic disturbance and natural disturbance have different effects on the topology and stability of soil microbial networks.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yunhao Li, Yali Feng, Haoran Li, Yisong Yao, Chenglong Xu, Jinrong Ju, Ruiyu Ma, Haoyu Wang, Shiwei Jiang
Summary: Deep-sea mining poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems and human health by disturbing sediment and transmitting metal ions through the food chain. This study developed a new regenerative adsorption material, OMN@SA, which effectively removes metal ions. The adsorption mechanism and performance of the material for metal ion fixation were investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio Medici, Margherita Lavorgna, Marina Isidori, Chiara Russo, Elena Orlo, Giovanni Luongo, Giovanni Di Fabio, Armando Zarrelli
Summary: Valsartan, a widely used antihypertensive drug, has been detected in high concentrations in surface waters due to its unchanged excretion and incomplete degradation in wastewater treatment plants. This study investigated the degradation of valsartan and identified 14 degradation byproducts. The acute and chronic toxicity of these byproducts were evaluated in key organisms in the freshwater trophic chain.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiang Lin, Lianbao Chi, Qing Yuan, Busu Li, Mingbao Feng
Summary: This study investigated the photodegradation behavior and product formation of two representative pharmaceuticals in simulated estuary water. The study found that the formed transformation products of these pharmaceuticals have potential toxicity on marine organisms, including oxidative stress and damage to cellular components.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hua Fang, Dongdong Jiang, Ye He, Siyi Wu, Yuehong Li, Ziqi Zhang, Haoting Chen, Zixin Zheng, Yan Sun, Wenxiang Wang
Summary: This study revealed that exposure to lower levels of air pollutants led to decreased pregnancy rates, with PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO emerging as the four most prominent pollutants. Individuals aged 35 and above exhibited heightened susceptibility to pollutants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ali Shaan Manzoor Ghumman, Rashid Shamsuddin, Amin Abbasi, Mohaira Ahmad, Yoshiaki Yoshida, Abdul Sami, Hamad Almohamadi
Summary: In this study, inverse vulcanized polysulfides (IVP) were synthesized by reacting molten sulfur with 4-vinyl benzyl chloride, and then functionalized using N-methyl D-glucamine (NMDG). The functionalized IVP showed a high mercury adsorption capacity and a machine learning model was developed to predict the amount of mercury removed. Furthermore, the functionalized IVP can be regenerated and reused, providing a sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rita Bonfiglio, Renata Sisto, Stefano Casciardi, Valeria Palumbo, Maria Paola Scioli, Erica Giacobbi, Francesca Servadei, Gerry Melino, Alessandro Mauriello, Manuel Scimeca
Summary: This study investigated the presence of aluminum in human colon cancer samples and its potential association with biological processes involved in cancer progression. Aluminum was found in tumor areas of 24% of patients and was associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell death. Additional analyses revealed higher tumor mutational burden and mutations in genes related to EMT and apoptosis in aluminum-positive colon cancers. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of aluminum toxicity may improve strategies for the management of colon cancer patients.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)