Article
Environmental Sciences
Alwyn R. Fernandes, Theresa Zwickel, Alexander Schaechtele
Summary: The volume of occurrence data on food and animal feed contaminants is slowly increasing as more laboratories develop analytical capability, allowing evaluation of background levels, health risks, and formulation of control strategies. Guidance on analytical criteria is provided to ensure reliability and comparability of data, with successful proficiency testing schemes showing most laboratories performing within the 95% confidence interval.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Layla Salih Al-Omran, Stuart Harrad, Mohamed Abou-Elwafa Abdallah
Summary: Assessing human exposure to flame retardants via dust ingestion is uncertain due to factors such as spatial and temporal variability, differences in dust particle size fraction, and dust sampling methods. Concentrations of flame retardants in elevated surface dust tend to exceed those in floor dust, potentially resulting in underestimation of exposure for adults and overestimation for toddlers. Significant differences in flame retardant concentrations across different particle size fractions of dust suggest potential implications for exposure assessment.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yulong Ma, Ester Konecna, Reginald Cline-Cole, Stuart Harrad, Mohamed Abou-Elwafa Abdallah
Summary: Investigations into the impacts of e-waste recycling activities on urban environments in Europe are limited. Dust samples from UK e-waste recycling facilities were analyzed for concentrations of PBDEs, NBFRs, and HBCDD. The results showed varying levels of contamination, with one facility identified as a likely source of BFR contamination to UK urban environments. Occupational exposure of UK e-waste recycling workers to BFRs was comparatively low.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Keyang Zheng, Zhijun Zeng, Yucong Lin, Qihua Wang, Qianwen Tian, Xia Huo
Summary: This article reviews the current status of PBDE pollution in indoor dust associated with children, highlighting the epidemiological evidence for physical burden and health risks in children. It finds that PBDEs remain at high levels in indoor dust, with a significant upward trend in cars. The shift in PBDE congener patterns suggests a change in current pollution patterns.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara J. Lupton, Colleen Pfaff, Anuradha Singh, Shubhashis Chakrabarty, Heldur Hakk
Summary: Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a brominated flame retardant labeled as a persistent organic pollutant (POP) and mainly exists as three stereoisomers, alpha-, beta-, and gamma. Dust in homes, offices, and cars is a major source of HBCD exposure, especially for young children. A study showed that HBCD from both dust and oil is bioavailable in rats, with gamma-HBCD being the most dominant in various tissues.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yan Yang, Liu Yang, Haojia Chen, Hongli Tan, Jing Yang, Fengjiang Sun, Jiachen Sun, Xue Gong, Lin Tao, Yichao Huang
Summary: This study found low levels of AHFRs in indoor dust in Adelaide, South Australia, which is different from the trend in other countries over the past two decades. Dust ingestion was identified as the primary pathway of exposure for toddlers, while dermal absorption was dominant for adults.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anh Quoc Hoang, Shin Takahashi, Nguyen Minh Tue, Le Huu Tuyen, Tri Manh Tran, Nguyen Thi Hong Yen, Minh Binh Tu
Summary: This study analyzed settled dust samples from Vietnamese end-of-life vehicle (ELV) processing, urban, and rural areas for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and other brominated flame retardants (BFRs). The results showed that PBDE levels in dust samples from ELV workshops and nearby living areas were generally higher than those in common house dust. The study also found that concentrations of other BFRs decreased in the order urban > rural > ELV dust.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
A. Lestido-Cardama, R. Paseiro-Cerrato, L. K. Ackerman, R. Sendon, A. Rodriguez-Bernaldo de Quiros
Summary: This study investigated the potential contamination of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in several food contact articles (FCAs) purchased in Spain using a combination of DART-HRMS, XRF, and HPLC-MS / MS. The results showed that DART and XRF techniques could effectively screen potential contaminated samples, and the HPLC-MS/MS method was suitable for the determination of TBP, TBBPA, and BDE-209.
FOOD PACKAGING AND SHELF LIFE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Karla Jagic, Marija Dvorscak, Andreja Juric, Toni Safner, Darija Klincic
Summary: Microwave-assisted extraction was utilized for extracting PBDE congeners from house dust samples efficiently. By optimizing the experimental conditions and purification steps, the method proved to be successful in achieving accurate and reliable results for the targeted PBDEs in the samples.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
A. Lestido-Cardama, R. Paseiro-Cerrato, L. K. Ackerman, R. Sendon, A. Rodriguez-Bernaldo De Quiros
Summary: The study investigated potential contamination with brominated flame retardants in food contact articles purchased in Spain using a combination of different techniques to identify contaminated samples and determine the migration of flame retardants.
FOOD PACKAGING AND SHELF LIFE
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yue Lin, Min Zhou, Xiaolin Tai, Hangfei Li, Xiao Han, Jiaguo Yu
Summary: This review introduces the basic principles and functionalities of TEM techniques in characterizing emerging materials, focusing on advanced TEM techniques that provide deep insights from the data. By categorizing prevalent analytical TEM techniques, the review aims to promote the utilization of these techniques in materials research to gain insights into the structure-performance relationships of emerging advanced materials.
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Elizabeth S. Norton, Leigha A. MacNeill, Emily M. Harriott, Norrina Allen, Sheila Krogh-Jespersen, Christopher D. Smyser, Cynthia E. Rogers, Tara A. Smyser, Joan Luby, Lauren Wakschlag
Summary: This review discusses the potential of EEG and ERP measures in studying neurodevelopment in infants and young children, highlighting the promises and challenges of using these measures. The ongoing multi-site EEG data harmonization process and preliminary usability data for diverse samples are also presented as important steps in enhancing the quality of research in this field.
DEVELOPMENTAL COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sophie H. van Vreeswijk, Bert M. Weckhuysen
Summary: This paper reviews advanced and emerging analytical methods for studying zeolite properties and working behavior, highlighting the importance of these materials in various applications and the necessity of understanding them for transitioning into a more circular society. New techniques like atom probe tomography and confocal fluorescence microscopy, along with established methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray diffraction, have contributed to a deeper understanding of zeolite materials. In situ/operando analysis has provided new insights into reaction and deactivation mechanisms of zeolites under working conditions.
NATIONAL SCIENCE REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mireia Nunez, Nuria Fontanals, Francesc Borrull, Rosa Maria Marcie
Summary: A multiresidue analytical method was developed to determine 22 compounds in indoor dust. Organophosphate esters and phthalate esters were the most abundant compounds, with DEHP being found at the highest concentrations. Risk assessments showed no risks in most scenarios, except for possible carcinogenic risk from ingestion of DEHP in the worst-case scenario.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Maarten Baes, Peter Camps, Anand Utsav Kapoor
Summary: This study investigates alternative phase functions for describing scattering by interstellar dust grains. The Henyey-Greenstein phase function is shown to be a poor representation of real scattering phase functions, particularly at ultraviolet wavelengths. The Reynolds-McCormick phase function and the TTU2 phase function are proposed as alternatives, with the TTU2 phase function providing a simple and accurate description of dust grain scattering properties over a wide wavelength range. The TTU2 phase function is easily integrated into radiative transfer calculations and has significant potential for astrophysical applications.
ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
(2022)
Correction
Environmental Sciences
Georgios Giovanoulis, Thuy Bui, Fuchao Xu, Eleni Papadopoulou, Juan A. Padilla-Sanchez, Adrian Covaci, Line S. Haug, Anna Palm Cousins, Jorgen Magner, Ian T. Cousins, Cynthia A. de Wit
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bo Yuan, Joo Hui Tay, Juan Antonio Padilla-Sanchez, Eleni Papadopoulou, Line Smastuen Haug, Cynthia A. de Wit
Summary: Different chain lengths of chlorinated paraffins were found in indoor air and dust collected from living rooms of adults in a Norwegian cohort. Relatively volatile chlorinated paraffins showed a greater tendency to transfer from settled dust to indoor air, with inhalation being the predominant exposure pathway.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rahat Riaz, Cynthia A. de Wit, Riffat Naseem Malik
Summary: The study found differences in concentrations and patterns of residual organic pollutants in fish from the Lesser Himalayan Region, indicating the influence of lake types and human activities. Stable isotopes and nutritional characteristics were identified as important factors in explaining the variability of these compounds.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Sarka Langer, Cynthia A. de Wit, Georgios Giovanoulis, Jenny Faldt, Linnea Karlson
Summary: Young children spend a significant amount of their waking time in preschools, so it is crucial to reduce the presence of hazardous SVOCs in their indoor environment. Using approved building materials for renovation can effectively lower SVOC concentrations in preschools.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nadeem Ali, Mohammad W. Kadi, Hussain Mohammed Salem Ali Albar, Muhammad Imtiaz Rashid, Sivaraman Chandrasekaran, Ahmed Saleh Summan, Cynthia A. de Wit, Govindan Malarvannan
Summary: The study found that car dust in Saudi Arabia is mainly contaminated with phthalates, with organophosphate flame retardants as alternative chemicals. While daily exposure levels for drivers were below reference doses, long-term exposure poses a cancer risk. Further extensive studies are needed to confirm these findings.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rahat Riaz, Riffat Naseem Malik, Cynthia A. de Wit
Summary: Despite decades of regulations aimed at reducing primary emissions of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), these pollutants are still found in the environment. This study in the Lesser Himalayan Region (LHR) found varying concentrations of OCPs, PCBs, and PBDEs in soils and air, with soil organic matter playing a role in the distribution of SVOCs. Long range atmospheric transport was identified as a major input source of PBDEs and higher chlorinated PCBs in the LHR.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Linn Persson, Bethanie M. Carney Almroth, Christopher D. Collins, Sarah Cornell, Cynthia A. de Wit, Miriam L. Diamond, Peter Fantke, Martin Hassellov, Matthew MacLeod, Morten W. Ryberg, Peter Sogaard Jorgensen, Patricia Villarrubia-Gomez, Zhanyun Wang, Michael Zwicky Hauschild
Summary: This article suggests that the safe operating space of the planetary boundary for novel entities is exceeded due to the increasing production and releases exceeding the global capacity for assessment and monitoring. Plastic pollution is highlighted as a major concern. The article presents an impact pathway from the production of novel entities to their impacts on Earth system processes and proposes several criteria for control variables. Urgent action is recommended to reduce the harm associated with exceeding the boundary by reducing the production and releases of novel entities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Cynthia A. de Wit, Katrin Vorkamp, Derek Muir
Summary: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have accumulated in polar environments due to long-range transport. Climate change has been identified as a factor influencing POP levels and trends, and recent studies have found correlations between climate indices and POP temporal trends. Temperature, precipitation, and sea-ice have also been recognized as important climate parameters affecting POP levels. However, the complexity of physical, chemical, and biological processes requires greater interdisciplinary scientific exchange and collaboration.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Environmental
Linn Persson, Bethanie M. Carney Almroth, Christopher D. Collins, Sarah Cornell, Cynthia A. de Wit, Miriam L. Diamond, Peter Fantke, Martin Hassellov, Matthew MacLeod, Morten W. Ryberg, Peter Sogaard Jorgensen, Patricia Villarrubia-Gomez, Zhanyun Wang, Michael Zwicky Hauschild
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bo Yuan, Cynthia A. de Wit
Summary: A study found relatively high concentrations of chlorinated paraffins (CPs) in moose from Grimso'', Sweden compared to other wildlife in Scandinavia. The study examined the temporal trends of CP concentrations in moose calves over the past 40 years. The results showed increasing CP concentrations from 1982 to the 1990s, high levels in 1993 and 2008, and decreasing concentrations after 2012. Male moose had exponentially increasing CP levels with age, while females had exponentially decreasing CP levels. The accumulation of CPs in moose suggests additional stress on males of this long-lived terrestrial mammal.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bo Yuan, Line Smastuen Haug, Joo Hui Tay, Juan Antonio Padilla-Sanchez, Eleni Papadopoulou, Cynthia A. de Wit
Summary: This study quantified the internal and external exposure of chlorinated paraffins (CPs) in a defined human cohort, finding that dietary intake contributed the most to body burden of CPs. Different chain lengths of CPs showed different exposure pathways and contribution rates, highlighting the need for enhanced biomonitoring and exposure data collection for CPs in regions beyond China and European countries.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kyra M. Spaan, Fredric Seilitz, Merle M. Plassmann, Cynthia A. de Wit, Jonathan P. Benskin
Summary: Fluorine mass balance studies in municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sludge showed that conventional per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) account for only a small fraction (approximately 2%) of the extractable organic fluorine (EOF). The remaining EOF, which includes fluorine-containing pharmaceuticals and pesticides, was identified using high resolution mass spectrometry-based suspect screening. The presence of various pharmaceutical substances, pesticides, and conventional PFAS was confirmed, expanding the known EOF percentage from 2% to 27%. These findings highlight the importance of considering unconventional and non-PFAS organofluorine substances in addition to conventional PFAS when assessing the organofluorine mass balance in WWTP sludge.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Katrin Vorkamp, Pernilla Carlsson, Simonetta Corsolini, Cynthia A. de Wit, Rune Dietz, Matthew O. Gribble, Magali Houde, Vrinda Kalia, Robert J. Letcher, Adam Morris, Frank F. Riget, Heli Routti, Derek C. G. Muir
Summary: Time series of contaminants in the Arctic are important for detecting emerging issues and monitoring the effectiveness of chemicals regulation. Climate change could influence these time trends, but the mechanisms are not well understood. Biological data indicate changes in diet and trophic level of some species, while physical climate parameters show correlations with POP temporal trends.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Anna Karrman, Leo W. Y. Yeung, Kyra M. Spaan, Frank Thomas Lange, Minh Anh Nguyen, Merle Plassmann, Cynthia A. de Wit, Marco Scheurer, Raed Awad, Jonathan P. Benskin
Summary: The study demonstrated the widespread occurrence of unknown PFAS substances globally and assessed the reproducibility of EOF methods, showing variability between different laboratories and within laboratories. The research also found that the contribution of the sum concentrations of 16 individual PFAS to EOF ranged from 2.2-60%.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cynthia A. de Wit, Rossana Bossi, Rune Dietz, Annekatrin Dreyer, Suzanne Faxneld, Svend Erik Garbus, Peter Hellstrom, Jan Koschorreck, Nina Lohmann, Anna Roos, Ulla Sellstrom, Christian Sonne, Gabriele Treu, Katrin Vorkamp, Bo Yuan, Igor Eulaers
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2020)
