Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrey Ethan Rubin, Rima Gnaim, Shiri Levi, Ines Zucker
Summary: Constantly increasing microplastic contamination poses a direct threat to the marine environment. This study evaluates the hazard of conventional and alternative plastics based on factors such as abundance, surface oxidation, fragmentation, and bacterial growth inhibition. The research finds that PE-based plastics are the most abundant microplastics in water samples, while PP-based plastics show the highest acidification potential and growth inhibition towards marine microorganisms. Overall, PP-based plastics are considered the most hazardous among the examined plastic types.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
C. Mahammedi, L. Mahdjoubi, C. A. Booth, T. E. Butt
Summary: The study aims to design a framework that not only identifies potential hazards in brownfield sites but also exposes their presence level. Through literature review and questionnaire survey, 65 potential hazards were identified and ranked using the Analytic Hierarchy Process, leading to the development of the framework.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chih-Wen Wang, Po-Keng Cheng, Vinoth Kumar Ponnusamy, Hung-Che Chiang, Wan-Ting Chang, Po-Chin Huang
Summary: The study found that school-aged children living near plastics-producing factories are at a higher risk of exposure to phthalates, especially DEHP, DiBP, and DnBP.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Catalina Yepes-Estrada, Alejandro Calderon, Catarina Costa, Helen Crowley, Jamal Dabbeek, Maria Camila Hoyos, Luis Martins, Nicole Paul, Anirudh Rao, Vitor Silva
Summary: The global building exposure model is a mosaic of local and regional models that provide detailed information about the residential, commercial, and industrial buildings in each administrative division of countries. This model can be used to assess seismic risk and scenarios, and it offers information at the global, regional, and national levels.
EARTHQUAKE SPECTRA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shunhao Ai, Xiangyun Gao, Xiaonan Wang, Ji Li, Bo Fan, Shiqing Zhao, Zhengtao Liu
Summary: Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely produced and used in China as endocrine disruptors, with a significant amount entering aquatic systems annually. A study in Poyang Lake found that concentrations of PAEs nearly doubled in the dry season compared to the wet season, with DBP and DEHP being the most abundant congeners. The ecological risk assessment revealed that while DEP and BBP posed no risk in the lake, DBP had a potential risk and DEHP had an unacceptable risk that requires further action.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Peng Sun, Xiaomeng Hou, Wenzhong Zheng, Haiyang Qin, Guotao Shao
Summary: The paper proposes a fuzzy-based framework for assessing the impact of blast incidents caused by dangerous goods on bridges, and validates the effectiveness of the framework through examples.
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Tommaso Lazzarin, Daniele P. Viero, Daniela Molinari, Francesco Ballio, Andrea Defina
Summary: Commonly adopted procedures for flood damage assessment have limitations in describing the time evolution of hazard and exposure during the flood event. This study proposes a new framework that considers how flood damage evolves in time, showing potential for flood risk assessment and management.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Palash Kumar Dhar, Shishir Kumar Dey, Asifur Rahman, Md Abu Sayed, Mosummath Hosna Ara
Summary: In this study, the iodine concentrations in household salt samples in Bangladesh were measured, and the health risks were assessed. Most samples met the standard fortification level, but at high consumption rates, excessive exposure to iodine may cause health issues. Adults were relatively safe, but children may face non-carcinogenic health effects. Regular monitoring of iodine concentration in iodized salts is needed.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lingling Bin, Kui Xu, Hao Pan, Yunchao Zhuang, Ruozhu Shen
Summary: This study develops an urban flood risk assessment approach that focuses on the inter-relationship among the components of risk hazard-exposure-vulnerability (H-E-V). Eleven flood risk indicators are selected to establish the urban flood risk assessment index system, and the weight of each indicator is determined using an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy weight method. The coupling coordination degree model (CCDM) is used to reveal the relationship among H-E-V. The results show that the comprehensive effect and the coupling coordination degrees among H-E-V have a multidimensional impact on urban flood risk.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qianqian Li, Bei Li, Dawei Chen, Rong Zhang, Shuyan Liu, Shupeng Yang, Yi Li, Jianxun Li
Summary: This study investigated 1720 samples of primary fruits and vegetables collected around China to assess the health risk of eight pyrethroids (PYRs) for adults and children. The results showed that the hazard index (HI) for chronic and acute cumulative dietary exposure ranged from 0.004 to 0.200% and 11.85 to 99.19%, respectively. The nationwide investigation indicated that the cumulative assessments were not hazardous. However, attention should be paid to the acute intake of pear, grape, and lettuce. This study provides compelling evidence for the development of policies and regulations to improve food quality and safety.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Annick D. van den Brand, Bas G. H. Bokkers, Jan Dirk te Biesebeek, Marcel J. B. Mengelers
Summary: Humans are regularly exposed to mycotoxins, and exposure to a combination of mycotoxins may lead to exacerbated adverse effects. Therefore, the assessment of combined risk from multiple mycotoxins is important. This study used different approaches to assess the risks associated with combined exposure to mycotoxins and evaluated the combined risk using toxicological reference values.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chieh-An Cheng, Ting-Chun Ching, Shih-Wei Tsai, Kai-Jen Chuang, Hsiao-Chi Chuang, Ta-Yuan Chang
Summary: This study investigated the indoor concentrations of five volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in different locations on a medical university campus. The study found that dichloromethane was the most detected compound, and the Department of Medicine had the highest concentration of the total VOCs. The carcinogenic risks of dichloromethane and benzene were classified as possible for faculty members, and the noncarcinogenic risks were relatively low.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lok R. Pokhrel, Kisha D. Grady
Summary: This study assessed occupational exposure to isoflurane among clinicians and veterinary professionals, finding significant non-carcinogenic risks and the need to reduce isoflurane release to protect workers' health in hospital and veterinary settings.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Muhammad Wafiy Adli Ramli, Nor Eliza Alias, Halimah Mohd Yusof, Zulkifli Yusop, Shazwin Mat Taib
Summary: The study proposed an integrated disaster risk assessment framework for measuring and analyzing disaster risk at the local level in Malaysia, aiming to enhance disaster risk reduction efforts and guide decision makers in evaluating and mitigating risks. The framework includes multiple hazards and vulnerability dimensions, developed through various stages to reduce vulnerability indicators effectively and assess potential disaster impacts accurately.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Danping Shan, Tao Zhang, Ludi Li, Yuqing Sun, Di Wang, Yingzi Li, Zheng Yang, Kanglong Cui, Shaowei Wu, Lei Jin, Bo Hong, Xuejun Shang, Qi Wang
Summary: This study assessed the exposure to phthalates in the diet of pregnant women in Beijing and found that the cumulative dietary exposure posed low health risks for the pregnant women.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Suzanne E. Fenton, Alan Ducatman, Alan Boobis, Jamie C. DeWitt, Christopher Lau, Carla Ng, James S. Smith, Stephen M. Roberts
Summary: Reports on the impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on the environment and human health have increased substantially in peer-reviewed literature. Epidemiological studies have shown associations between exposure to specific PFAS and various health effects, and further research is needed to understand differences in responses between sexes, species, and life stages. More contemporary approaches such as read-across, molecular dynamics, and protein modeling are proposed to accelerate the development of toxicity information on PFAS, as well as the need for precaution to protect human health given the known effects of certain PFAS compounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Maria Battistoni, Renato Bacchetta, Francesca Di Renzo, Francesca Metruccio, Angelo Moretto, Elena Menegola
Summary: In this study, a refined alternative amphibian method (R-FETAX) was proposed to evaluate chemical induced embryotoxicity. Using the amphibian Xenopus laevis as the model, which has more comparable organ development and morphology to mammalian systems, the study found that different effects of valproate were observed depending on the exposure window, including embryo-lethal and teratogenic effects, as well as neurobehavioral deficits.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Daniela Basso, Ada Aita, Filippo Navaglia, Paola Mason, Stefania Moz, Alessio Pinato, Barbara Melloni, Luca Iannelli, Andrea Padoan, Chiara Cosma, Angelo Moretto, Alberto Scuttari, Daniela Mapelli, Rosario Rizzuto, Mario Plebani
Summary: Salivary-based surveillance with contact tracing effectively allowed to limit SARS-CoV-2 contagion, also in a population with a high incidence.
Article
Medicine, Legal
Gina M. Hilton, Catherine Adcock, Gregory Akerman, James Baldassari, Michael Battalora, Warren Casey, Amy J. Clippinger, Rhian Cope, Amber Goetz, A. Wallace Hayes, Sabitha Papineni, Richard C. Peffer, Deborah Ramsingh, Brandy Williamson Riffle, Mitscheli Sanches da Rocha, Natalia Ryan, Edward Scollon, Nicolo Visconti, Douglas C. Wolf, Zhongyu Yan, Anna Lowit
Summary: Rodent cancer bioassays have long been required for assessing human cancer hazard and risk, but new technologies have emerged in the past decade that can effectively evaluate these factors while reducing animal use. To facilitate the adoption of these technologies, a group of scientists developed a framework for waiver rationales for rodent cancer bioassays in agrochemical safety assessment. This framework considers various factors, such as use patterns, exposure scenarios, mode-of-action, and chemical properties, and can be applied to other chemicals and endpoints as well.
REGULATORY TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
John E. Doe, Alan R. Boobis, Samuel M. Cohen, Vicki L. Dellarco, Penelope A. Fenner-Crisp, Angelo Moretto, Timothy P. Pastoor, Rita S. Schoeny, Jennifer G. Seed, Douglas C. Wolf
Summary: Concerns over potentially carcinogenic substances have led to various classification schemes, but binary choices are not effective in managing these substances. Hence, we propose a new classification scheme that categorizes carcinogens based on their mode of action and potency, providing better guidance in their regulation and management.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giancarlo Ottaviano, Alfonso Luca Pendolino, Gino Marioni, Maria Angiola Crivellaro, Bruno Scarpa, Ennio Nardello, Chiara Pavone, Maria Vittoria Trimarchi, Enrico Alexandre, Clervie Genovois, Angelo Moretto, Marco Marani, Peter James Andrews, Rosario Marchese-Ragona
Summary: This study reveals the relationship between air pollution, allergen concentration, and upper airway diseases. PM10 concentrations on specific days are associated with certain upper airway disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Tharacad Ramanarayanan, Arpad Szarka, Sheila Flack, Paul Hinderliter, Richard Corley, Alex Charlton, Sharlyne Pyles, Douglas Wolf
Summary: The USEPA and other regulatory authorities are using in vitro studies and in silico modeling to reduce the use of vertebrate animals in chemical risk assessment. A novel mathematical procedure was developed to estimate human equivalent concentration (HEC) for inhalation risk assessment based on aerosol characterization and respiratory dosimetry modeling using human respiratory epithelial tissue. The procedure incorporates external and internal exposure metrics along with toxicity pathways and can be applied to assess the risk for agricultural operators exposed to chlorothalonil.
REGULATORY TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Douglas C. Wolf, Yadvinder Bhuller, Rhian Cope, Marco Corvaro, Richard A. Currie, John Doe, Adriana Doi, Gina Hilton, Jyotigna Mehta, David Saltmiras, Fiona Sewell, Maria Trainer, Sandrine E. Deglin
Summary: The current agrochemical safety evaluation paradigm is outdated and does not address the challenges posed by population growth, food insecurity, and climate change. To support sustainable agriculture, the Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI) has formed a technical committee consisting of international experts to establish a framework for modernizing the safety evaluation of crop-protection products. This framework aims to incorporate evolving science and meet the changing global and local needs and regulatory decisions.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Gina M. Hilton, Raffaella Corvi, Mirjam Luijten, Jyotigna Mehta, Douglas C. Wolf
Summary: The rodent cancer bioassay is the standard method for assessing the human carcinogenic potential of various chemicals. However, it has limitations, leading to international initiatives to find alternatives. Biologically relevant approaches can provide mechanistic information and improve efficiency in evaluating chemical carcinogenicity. This work outlines the challenges and opportunities in developing new, scientifically defensible approaches for human-relevant carcinogenicity assessment of agrochemicals.
REGULATORY TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Sofia Pavanello, Angelo Moretto, Carlo La Vecchia, Gianfranco Alicandro
Summary: Many studies have been conducted on the relationship between non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) and cancer in the past five decades, but the issue still remains of interest. In this comprehensive review, both toxicological and epidemiological evidence on the possible link between NSS consumption and cancer risk were quantitatively evaluated. The majority of studies showed no associations between NSS consumption and cancer, and the risks found in a few studies were not confirmed by others. Based on the review of both experimental and epidemiological data, it can be concluded that there is no evidence of cancer risk associated with NSS consumption.
REGULATORY TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Paola Mason, Rosario Rizzuto, Luca Iannelli, Flavio Baccaglini, Valerio Rizzolo, Andrea Baraldo, Barbara Melloni, Francesca Maffione, Camilla Pezzoli, Maria Laura Chiozza, Giampietro Rupolo, Marco Biasioli, Filippo Liviero, Maria Luisa Scapellato, Andrea Trevisan, Stefano Merigliano, Alberto Scuttari, Angelo Moretto, Bruno Scarpa
Summary: This study investigated the adverse effects of two SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in a real-life preventive setting at the University of Padova in Italy. It was found that the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine caused more adverse effects after the first dose, while the BNT162b2 vaccine caused more adverse effects after the second dose.
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Ellen Dyson, Rachel Helbig, Tessa Avermaete, Kate Halliwell, Philip C. Calder, Lynn R. Brown, John Ingram, Bert Popping, Hans Verhagen, Alan R. Boobis, Isabelle Guelinckx, Louise Dye, Neil Boyle
Summary: The reverberations of the Ukraine-Russia conflict have had a profound global impact in 2022, exacerbating existing pressures on global systems. The vulnerabilities of the global food system have been exposed, resulting in disruptions to food supply chains and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations in the Global South.
Meeting Abstract
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Angelo Moretto
SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK
(2022)
