Article
Environmental Sciences
Rui An, Bin Li, Sining Zhong, Guyu Peng, Jie Li, Ruoqi Ma, Qian Chen, Jinren Ni
Summary: Concerns about groundwater contamination in China have increased due to the growing demand for fresh water and economic development. This study examines the vulnerability of aquifers to hazardous substances in a rapidly urbanizing city, Xiong'an New Area. The researchers collected groundwater samples and identified various emerging organic contaminants (EOCs). They found significant aggregation of EOCs along the Tang River, mainly due to historical residue and accumulation from wastewater storage. The study highlights the importance of controlling groundwater pollution and ensuring drinking water safety in rapidly urbanizing cities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shan Niu, Ruiwen Chen, Kimberly J. Hageman, Rebecca M. McMullin, Stephen R. Wing, Carla A. Ng
Summary: As the demand for sustainable marine aquaculture and marine food supply increases worldwide, there is a need for new tools to assess the impact of aquaculture on local ecosystems. This article introduces a model developed for studying the effects of aquaculture in Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. Hallen, J. M. Malmaeus, N. Johansson, O. M. Karlsson
Summary: This article describes the high levels of PCB contamination in Lake Oxundasjon in Sweden and its impact on the drinking water supply. The authors propose a dynamic mass balance model to identify and quantify the main transport processes of PCBs and predict their long-term turnover under different remediation scenarios.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
V Boutet, M. Dominique, K. M. Eccles, M. Branigan, M. Dyck, P. van Coeverden de Groot, S. C. Lougheed, A. Rutter, V. S. Langlois
Summary: Since the industrial era, chemicals have become prevalent in ecosystems worldwide, resulting in the presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Canadian Arctic. These contaminants are a major concern due to their toxicity and ability to accumulate in the food chain, particularly affecting top predators like polar bears. A study investigating the levels of various contaminants in polar bears from the Canadian Arctic confirmed previous findings and emphasized the need for continued monitoring of polar bear health and potential impacts on future generations.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Deepanjan Majumdar, Dipanjali Majumdar
Summary: The concentration of dissolved aromatic and halogenated non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) was studied in the sewage flowing through the open drainage canal network of Kolkata megacity in India. Seasonal variations were observed, with higher concentrations in the summer. Industrial sources, solvent usage, and in situ formation through microbial pathways were identified as the main contributors. The estimated dynamic load in the entire canal network was 182.2 kg in summer and 162.0 kg in the post-monsoon season. The distribution of different NMVOC species in different environmental compartments was simulated, showing varied emission patterns.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta Gabryszewska, Barbara Gworek
Summary: This study investigated the impact of municipal waste landfill on the release of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to the environment in relation to groundwater flow directions. The analysis showed that groundwater flow direction influenced PCB concentration in groundwater due to low solubility of PCBs. Additionally, the strong sorption of PCBs to organic matter prevented the influence of groundwater flow directions on PCB content in soils and plant tissues. The largest PCB deposition zone was found to be located approximately 50 meters from the contamination source.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Helle Vibeke Andersen, Marie Frederiksen
Summary: The study investigated human exposure pathways to PCB in a high-rise estate in Denmark by conducting an experiment on the sorption of PCB from air to settled house dust. Different origin house dust samples were exposed to elevated air concentrations of PCB in a vacant apartment, and most samples reached equilibrium for PCB congeners after 40 days. The measured partition coefficients were in agreement with literature values, and comparisons with predicted estimates showed good correlation with some overestimation. Additionally, dust-air ratios from field investigations confirmed the results from the exposure experiment, indicating near steady state conditions for PCB congeners in the dust.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohd Faizul Hilmi Zulkifli, Nor Syamimi Sufiera Limi Hawari, Mohd Talib Latif, Haris Hafizal Abd Hamid, Anis Asma Ahmad Mohtar, Wan Mohd Razi Wan Idris, Nur Ili Hamizah Mustaffa, Liew Juneng
Summary: This study aims to determine the trends of volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations and their potential contribution to O3 formation. The results showed that Cheras had the highest VOC concentrations, followed by Shah Alam and Seremban. Alkenes and aromatic hydrocarbons were identified as the major contributors to O3 formation.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Qi Pan, Qing-Yu Liu, Jing Zheng, Yan-Hong Li, Song Xiang, Xiao-Jie Sun, Xiao-Song He
Summary: Gas emitted from landfills contains a large quantity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), some of which are carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic. The global hazards of VOCs and SVOCs in landfill gas to human health remain unclear. To quantify the global risk distributions of these pollutants, the composition and concentration data of VOCs and SVOCs from 72 landfills in 20 countries were collected and their human health risks were assessed. Organic compounds in landfill gas primarily result from the biodegradation of natural organic waste or the emissions and volatilization of chemical products. The respiratory system, particularly the lung, was found to be the major target organ of VOCs and SVOCs, with additional adverse health impacts ranging from headache and allergies to lung cancer. Aromatic and halogenated compounds were the primary sources of health risk, while ethyl acetate and acetone from the biodegradation of natural organic waste also exceeded the acceptable levels for human health. Overall, VOCs and SVOCs affected residents within 1,000 m of landfills. Air temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, wind direction, and wind speed were the major factors that influenced the health risks of VOCs and SVOCs. Currently, landfill risk assessments of VOCs and SVOCs are primarily based on respiratory inhalation, with health risks due to other exposure routes remaining poorly elucidated. In addition, potential health risks due to the transport and transformation of landfill gas emitted into the atmosphere should be further studied.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiao-Song He, Qi Pan, Bei-Dou Xi, Jing Zheng, Qing-Yu Liu, Yue Sun
Summary: Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs) can enter leachate from landfilled wastes and require appropriate treatment before discharge. Solubility is a key factor driving the entry of VOCs and SVOCs into leachate, and different treatment processes have varying effectiveness in removing these compounds.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yun-Jiao Ma, Tao Zhou, Wei Jiang, Bei-Wei Zhu, Ming Du, Xian-Bing Xu
Summary: In this study, the DLPU-SPME method was proposed as a balanced extraction method for volatile and semi-volatile compounds. The key factors affecting extraction efficiency were confirmed to be pH, temperature, and salt concentration. Theoretical calculations showed that fs is a key factor indicating the extraction position, while the target analytes determined the effect of extraction position on the extracted amount.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marcel Rusca, Tiberiu Rusu, Simona Elena Avram, Doina Prodan, Gertrud Alexandra Paltinean, Miuta Rafila Filip, Irina Ciotlaus, Petru Pascuta, Tudor Andrei Rusu, Ioan Petean
Summary: Vehicle traffic pollution requires complex physicochemical analysis for emission level measurement. This study focuses on two campaigns of emissions measurements in Alba Iulia City, Romania in May and September 2019. The results show significant excess of PM2.5 and PM10, as well as VOC and CO2 emissions during both campaigns. Street dust and air-suspended particle samples reveal highly mineralized particulate matter, with different mineral fractions originating from street dust. Soot and volatile compounds related to combustion gases are also found in the particulate matters. Mitigation strategies for vehicle traffic-related pollutants should involve reducing street dust occurrence and using modern catalyst filters.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mandar Bokare, Nathalie Lombard, Samuel Magee, Dev Murali, Upal Ghosh
Summary: This study used passive samplers to measure the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the air of Washington DC and quantified the air-water exchange by comparing it with measurements in the water phase. The results refute the long-standing understanding that air is a source of PCBs to the river, and the volatilization rate is lower than previously estimated.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Timea Brazova, Dana Miklisova, Daniel Barcak, Dalibor Uhrovic, Peter Salamun, Martina Orosova, Mikulas Oros
Summary: This paper explores the interrelationships of fish, parasites, and hazardous organic compounds in the Zemplinska Sirava water reservoir in eastern Slovakia, where PCB contamination is heavy. It was found that PCB concentrations were highest in the intestine of freshwater bream, followed by the hepatopancreas and muscle tissues, with higher levels in abdominal muscles than dorsal parts. Additionally, the study revealed that PCB levels were much higher in cestodes compared to bream matrices, indicating a mutualistic relationship between the parasite and its host.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Raimon M. Prats, Barend L. van Drooge, Pilar Fernandez, Joan O. Grimalt
Summary: The concentrations of legacy and currently emitted organic pollutants were analyzed in the water from six high-mountain lakes in the Pyrenees. Passive water sampling using LDPE and SR sheets was conducted over a three-year period between 2017 and 2020. The results showed that HCB concentrations remained the same as those measured two decades ago, while PAHs concentrations were reduced by half. PCB concentrations were lower, but variations could be due to differences in sampling methods. OPEs were measured for the first time and found at high concentrations in some sites. The study also revealed the deposition of pollutants from air to water, except for some OPEs and PCBs that reached equilibrium conditions, and HCB with volatilization fluxes. PAHs and OPEs were affected by atmospheric degradation, supporting their diffusive exchange from air to water, while PCBs and organochlorines were not influenced by photodegradation. These remote lakes in the Pyrenees accumulate both emerging and legacy pollutants due to long-range atmospheric transport.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuchao Wan, Michelle L. North, Garthika Navaranjan, Anne K. Ellis, Jeffrey A. Siegel, Miriam L. Diamond
Summary: This study characterized concentrations of eight phthalates and 12 PAHs in floor dust from the bedrooms of 79 children. Some phthalates were associated with product and material use, while some PAHs were associated with household characteristics. No significant increases in risk of atopy was found based on phthalate or PAH dust concentrations.
JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhanyun Wang, Sam Adu-Kumi, Miriam L. Diamond, Ramon Guardans, Tom Harner, Agustin Harte, Natsuko Kajiwara, Jana Klanova, Jianguo Liu, Estefania Gastaldello Moreira, Derek C. G. Muir, Noriyuki Suzuki, Victorine Pinas, Timo Seppala, Roland Weber, Bo Yuan
Summary: The Stockholm Convention is crucial in addressing global threats posed by persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Although it successfully identifies new POPs, implementing the convention at the national level remains challenging, particularly for low- and middle-income countries. This analysis aims to identify and recommend the research and scientific support necessary for the convention's timely implementation, providing practical guidance and recommendations for sustaining scientific support.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Linh Nguyen, Miriam L. Diamond, Sheila Kalenge, Tracy L. Kirkham, D. Linn Holness, Victoria H. Arrandale
Summary: This study assessed the personal exposure of nail salon workers in Toronto, Canada to 10 phthalates and 19 organophosphate esters. The results showed significant correlations between the levels of these compounds detected in passive silicone brooches and wristbands and those in active air samplers. Additionally, the higher concentrations of these compounds on the silicone brooches and wristbands suggest that these passive samplers can be used to measure the exposure of nail salon workers.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jasmine T. Yu, Miriam L. Diamond, Paul A. Helm
Summary: This paper proposes a hierarchical categorization approach for microplastics, which aims to improve consistency and comparability in classification. A literature review reveals significant variations and inconsistencies in the categorization and grouping schemes for microplastic particles, highlighting the need for a fit-for-purpose classification scheme to meet the information needs of scientists and decision-makers in different research and regulatory objectives.
INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chunjie Xia, Miriam L. Diamond, Graham F. Peaslee, Hui Peng, Arlene Blum, Zhanyun Wang, Anna Shalin, Heather D. Whitehead, Megan Green, Heather Schwartz-Narbonne, Diwen Yang, Marta Venier
Summary: This study analyzed 72 children's textile products from US and Canadian stores and found that all products contained PFAS, with 6:2 FTOH being the most abundant compound. School uniforms had higher concentrations of PFAS compared to other items, especially those made of 100% cotton. The estimated potential children's exposure to PFAS through dermal contact with school uniforms was 1.03 ng/kg bw/day.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Engineering, Environmental
Linh Nguyen, Miriam L. Diamond, Sheila Kalenge, Tracy L. Kirkham, D. Linn Holness, Victoria H. Arrandale
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tracey J. Woodruff, Swati D. G. Rayasam, Daniel A. Axelrad, Patricia D. Koman, Nicholas Chartres, Deborah H. Bennett, Linda S. Birnbaum, Phil Brown, Courtney C. Carignan, Courtney Cooper, Carl F. Cranor, Miriam L. Diamond, Shari Franjevic, Eve C. Gartner, Dale Hattis, Russ Hauser, Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Rashmi Joglekar, Juleen Lam, Jonathan I. Levy, Patrick M. MacRoy, Maricel V. Maffini, Emily C. Marquez, Rachel Morello-Frosch, Keeve E. Nachman, Greylin H. Nielsen, Catherine Oksas, Dimitri Panagopoulos Abrahamsson, Heather B. Patisaul, Sharyle Patton, Joshua F. Robinson, Kathryn M. Rodgers, Mark S. Rossi, Ruthann A. Rudel, Jennifer B. Sass, Sheela Sathyanarayana, Ted Schettler, Rachel M. Shaffer, Bhavna Shamasunder, Peggy M. Shepard, Kristin Shrader-Frechette, Gina M. Solomon, Wilma A. Subra, Laura N. Vandenberg, Julia R. Varshavsky, Roberta F. White, Ken Zarker, Lauren Zeise
Summary: The manufacture and production of industrial chemicals continues to increase, leading to widespread population exposures and resultant health impacts. Low-wealth communities and communities of color often bear disproportionate burdens of exposure and impact. Multiple authoritative bodies and scientific consensus groups have called for actions to prevent harmful exposures via improved policy approaches. We developed consensus recommendations for health-protective, scientific approaches to reduce harmful chemical exposures, which can be applied to current US policies governing industrial chemicals and environmental pollutants.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Laura N. Vandenberg, Swati D. G. Rayasam, Daniel A. Axelrad, Deborah H. Bennett, Phil Brown, Courtney C. Carignan, Nicholas Chartres, Miriam L. Diamond, Rashmi Joglekar, Bhavna Shamasunder, Kristin Shrader-Frechette, Wilma A. Subra, Ken Zarker, Tracey J. Woodruff
Summary: Understanding and quantifying human exposures to environmental chemicals is crucial for public health protection. Inadequate exposure assessments conducted by polluting industries or regulatory agencies have led to the disregard of exposure concerns raised by communities and the underestimation of risks, allowing pollutants to go unregulated. Researchers, risk assessors, and policy makers need to address the issues affecting exposure assessments and utilize exposure data to make informed decisions for health protection.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Environmental
Marlene Agerstrand, Kenneth Arinaitwe, Thomas Backhaus, Ricardo O. Barra, Miriam L. Diamond, Joan O. Grimalt, Ksenia Groh, Faith Kandie, Perihan Binnur Kurt-Karakus, Robert J. Letcher, Rainer Lohmann, Rodrigo O. Meire, Temilola Oluseyi, Andreas Schaeffer, Mochamad Septiono, Gabriel Sigmund, Anna Soehl, Temitope O. Sogbanmu, Noriyuki Suzuki, Marta Venier, Penny Vlahos, Martin Scheringer
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Simona A. Balan, David Q. Andrews, Arlene Blum, Miriam L. Diamond, Seth Rojello Fernandez, Elizabeth Harriman, Andrew B. Lindstrom, Anna Reade, Lauren Richter, Rebecca Sutton, Zhanyun Wang, Carol F. Kwiatkowski
Summary: Chemicals have been used to improve industrial and consumer products, but their negative impact on human and ecological health calls for an urgent need to address this issue. The essential-use approach suggests that chemicals should only be used if necessary for health, safety, or society and if there are no viable alternatives. To implement this approach effectively, it is important to identify chemicals of concern, expedite decision-making, apply it early in the development process, and involve experts in making essentiality determinations and sharing information. By optimizing and expanding this approach, it can lead to better chemicals management and encourage the use of safer alternatives for human and ecological health.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Environmental
James R. Mihelcic, Ricardo O. Barra, Bryan W. Brooks, Miriam L. Diamond, Matthew J. Eckelman, Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson, Sunny Guidotti, Atsuko Ikeda-Araki, Manish Kumar, Ynoussa Maiga, Jennifer McConville, Shelly L. Miller, Valeria Pizarro, Fernando Rosario-Ortiz, Shuxiao Wang, Julie B. Zimmerman
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gabriel Sigmund, Marlene Agerstrand, Alexandre Antonelli, Thomas Backhaus, Tomas Brodin, Miriam L. Diamond, Walter R. Erdelen, David C. Evers, Thilo Hofmann, Thorsten Hueffer, Adelene Lai, Joao P. M. Torres, Leonie Mueller, Allison L. Perrigo, Matthias C. Rillig, Andreas Schaeffer, Martin Scheringer, Kristin Schirmer, Ahmed Tlili, Anna Soehl, Rita Triebskorn, Penny Vlahos, Colette vom Berg, Zhanyun Wang, Ksenia J. Groh
Summary: Climate change, biodiversity loss, and chemical pollution are urgent global emergencies that require immediate actions to mitigate. While climate change and biodiversity are often studied together, chemical pollution's contribution to biodiversity loss has been largely overlooked. Failure to address pollution effects may undermine biodiversity protection efforts, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations in understanding and countering the negative impact of chemical pollution on ecosystems.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Environmental
James R. Mihelcic, Ricardo O. Barra, Bryan W. Brooks, Miriam L. Diamond, Matthew J. Eckelman, Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson, Sunny Guidotti Atsuko Ikeda-Araki, Manish Kumar, Ynoussa Maiga, Jennifer McConville, Shelly L. Miller, Valeria Pizarro Fernando Rosario-Ortiz, Shuxiao Wang, Julie B. Zimmerman
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Simona A. Balan, David Q. Andrews, Arlene Blum, Miriam L. Diamond, Seth Rojello Fernandez, Elizabeth Harriman, Andrew B. Lindstrom, Anna Reade, Lauren Richter, Rebecca Sutton, Zhanyun Wang, Carol F. Kwiatkowski
Summary: Chemicals have brought improvements to industrial and consumer products, but their use has sometimes caused harm to human and ecological health. The current regulatory systems are insufficient for managing the large number of chemicals in commerce, requiring a new approach. The essential-use approach proposes using chemicals of concern only when necessary for health, safety, or societal functioning, and when no feasible alternatives exist. To implement this approach, governments and businesses should identify chemicals for assessment, streamline decision-making, integrate essential-use considerations early in chemical development, and involve diverse experts. If expanded, this approach can enhance chemicals management and promote safer chemistries, benefiting human and ecological health.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Steven Kutarna, Xuan Du, Miriam L. Diamond, Arlene Blum, Hui Peng
Summary: Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) were classified as substances to be eliminated under the Stockholm Convention due to their persistence and toxicity. Despite their ban in Canada since 2013, SCCPs can still be found at high concentrations in indoor dust. A study found SCCPs in a wide range of products purchased in Canada after 2013, including electronic devices, clothing, plastics (toys), and paintings, indicating ongoing exposure to SCCPs indoors.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2023)
