Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhong-Min Li, Vineet Kumar Pal, Pranav Kannan, Wenlong Li, Kurunthachalam Kannan
Summary: This study investigated the occurrence of DPGs, BTHs, and BTRs and their derivatives in roadside soils in the northeastern United States. The results showed widespread presence of these chemicals, with detection frequencies >= 71% and median concentrations ranging from 0.38-380 ng/g (dry weight). DPGs were the most abundant chemicals, followed by BTHs and BTRs. Higher concentrations of these chemicals were found in soils from highways, rubberized playgrounds, and indoor parking lots compared to gardens, parks, and residential areas. The findings suggest that these chemicals are released from rubber products, especially automobile tires.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yifan Li, Qingqing Zhu, Shihao Bi, Qunfang Zhou, Yong Liang, Sijin Liu, Chunyang Liao
Summary: This study investigates the concentration profiles of BP-3 and its derivatives in indoor dust and human hair samples across China. The study reveals a positive correlation between BP concentrations in indoor dust and human hair samples, as well as higher BP concentrations in dust from urban regions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tian Zhou, Xiaowen Zhou, Zining Yang, Carmen Cordoba-Jabonero, Yufei Wang, Zhongwei Huang, Pengbo Da, Qiju Luo, Zhijuan Zhang, Jinsen Shi, Jianrong Bi, Hocine Alikhodja
Summary: This study investigated the long-range transport and effects of North African and Middle Eastern dust in East Asia using lidar observations and model simulations. The results showed that the dust originated from multiple sources and had a long transport time. The vertical distribution of the dust was found to be crucial for assessing its impacts.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qingqing Zhu, Chunyang Liao, Guibin Jiang
Summary: The concentrations and composition profiles of benzothiazoles (BTHs) and benzotriazoles (BTRs) in indoor dust from Suizhou and Beijing, China, were investigated in this study. The results showed that the median concentrations of S(6)BTHs were 133 and 439 ng/g dw, and the concentrations of S(5)BTRs were 28.4 and 40.1 ng/g dw in Suizhou and Beijing, respectively. Human exposure to these chemicals was found to be minor, with intake levels ranging from 0.163-0.939 ng/kg bw/day in Suizhou and 0.0347-0.200 ng/kg bw/day in Beijing.
CHEMICAL RESEARCH IN CHINESE UNIVERSITIES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hua Zhang, Jingxia Li, Yanfang Chen, Desheng Wang, Weiguo Xu, Yunfei Gao
Summary: This study simultaneously analyzed the concentrations of parabens, BP-type UV filters, TCS, and TCC in paired urine and indoor samples from university students in South China for the first time. Females had higher levels of most target compounds, and positive correlations were found in the levels of some compounds between urine and indoor dust samples.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sridhar Chinthakindi, Kurunthachalam Kannan
Summary: Primary aromatic amines (AAs) and tobacco smoke markers were found to be prevalent in indoor house dust samples from 10 countries, with concentrations varying significantly between countries. Aniline was identified as the most abundant contaminant among AAs, while nicotine was consistently detected in all indoor samples. Concentrations of AAs in house dust were strongly correlated with nicotine levels.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jingchuan Chen, Zhijun Wu, Jie Chen, Naama Reicher, Xin Fang, Yinon Rudich, Min Hu
Summary: Asian dust is an important source of atmospheric ice-nucleating particles (INPs), but the freezing activity and sensitivity to particle size are poorly understood. This study reports the first size-resolved INP measurement of airborne mineral dust during East Asian dust events. The nucleation efficiency of dust particles increases with particle size, while the INP concentration first increases rapidly and then levels off due to a decrease in the number concentration of larger particles. New parameterizations for INP activity based on the size-resolved nucleation properties of Asian mineral dust particles were developed for a wider temperature range and can be easily applied in models.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Chenglai Wu, Zhaohui Lin, Xiaohong Liu, Duoying Ji, He Zhang, Chao Li, Guangxing Lin
Summary: The study describes the dust emission parameterization in the Chinese Academy of Sciences Earth System Model version 2 (CAS-ESM2) with an emphasis on the implementation process and simulations of global dust cycle and East Asia dust event statistics. The model performs well in simulating global dust distribution and East Asian dust events, yet underestimates the frequency of strong dust events due to weaker surface winds simulated by the model. Further improvements are needed to address biases in the model simulation.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN MODELING EARTH SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Usman Mehmood, Amal Mansoor
Summary: The study found that urbanization has varying effects on CO2 emissions in different countries, suggesting that Singapore, Macao, and South Korea should promote green energy in urban areas for sustainable development. Policy makers should reconsider trade and urbanization policies in the region to achieve a healthy and sustainable environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amos P. K. Tai, Perry H. L. Ma, Yuk-Chun Chan, Ming-Keung Chow, David A. Ridley, Jasper F. Kok
Summary: The study showed that the interannual variability and trends of East Asian dust emission are largely shaped by climatic factors, with the land cover playing secondary but locally important roles, especially in the semiarid and non-desert regions undergoing rapid land cover change and desertification.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Dake Zhang, Robert S. Siegler
Summary: This study examines the intended and implemented curricula of East Asian countries and the United States to understand the gap in fraction learning between high-achieving East Asian countries and the United States. The findings reveal that while there are similarities in standards and textbooks, U.S. students start learning fractions earlier and study them for more grades, whereas East Asian instruction is more focused and includes more challenging math problems. The study also highlights the difference in contextualizing problems and emphasizing different models of fractions between the two regions.
CURRENT OPINION IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Liu Yang, Zhengguo Shi, Xiaoning Xie, Xinzhou Li, Xiaodong Liu, Zhisheng An
Summary: The study found that the snow-darkening forcing of dust affects temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric circulation over East Asia, leading to temperature increases, anomalous cooling, and changes in wind direction and precipitation.
ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chenyang Bi, Xinke Wang, Hongwan Li, Xiaofeng Li, Ying Xu
Summary: Phthalate and alternative plasticizers are among the most abundant indoor pollutants and can directly transfer from source products to dust, with various factors such as Koa, emission parameter and dust layer characteristics influencing the concentration and kinetics of this transfer. Minimizing the use of SVOC-containing products and regular vacuuming are effective strategies to reduce young children's exposure to SVOCs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Moomtahin Sultana, Jeff Gow, Parvez Mosharaf, Habibur Rahman, Kamrun N. Koly, Md Ashfikur Rahman, Nafisa Huq, Lal B. Rawal, Manasi Kumar, Rashidul Alam Mahumud
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of suicidal behaviors among adolescents in eight Southeast Asian countries and found that being female, engaging in sedentary behavior, involvement in physical fighting, feeling lonely, lacking parental support, and not having close friends were associated with suicidal behaviors. The study highlights the importance of strengthening parental and peer support and addressing physical activity, bullying, loneliness, and mental health in adolescents.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Perla Alalam, Lise Deschutter, Antoine Al Choueiry, Denis Petitprez, Herve Herbin
Summary: This study investigates mineral dust during East Asian dust events using laboratory measurements and satellite remote sensing. A new method to correct land surface emissivity is developed, and mineral weights are determined based on experimental data. Mineralogical evolution maps are obtained, and spatial variability is linked to possible dust sources.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yumeng Shi, Shucong Chen, Mengqi Yan, Zhipeng Cheng, Leicheng Zhao, Yarui Liu, Bo Zhang, Hongkai Zhu, Tao Zhang, Kurunthachalam Kannan
Summary: Nitrogenous flame retardants (NFRs) have raised global concern due to their nephrotoxic effect, but the mechanism of exposure-induced kidney injury remains unknown. This study measured eight NFRs, four oxidative stress biomarkers (OSBs), and one kidney injury biomarker (NGAL) in urine samples collected from residents in e-waste disassembly and reference areas. Higher concentrations of NFRs and biomarkers were found in the urine of e-waste site residents, indicating that chronic exposure to NFRs can induce oxidative stress and kidney damage. Structure equation modeling revealed that oxidative stress mediated a significant portion of the effect of NFRs on NGAL in e-waste related people. Overall, this study suggests the long-term chronic exposure to NFRs can lead to oxidative stress and renal injury in humans, but the pathogenesis may be scenario-specific.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qian Zhao, Rui Zhang, Lei Wang, Hongwen Sun, Chunguang Liu
Summary: This study investigates the accumulation of boron in soils, sediments, and plants in wastewater irrigation farmlands. The results show that long-term irrigation of wastewater leads to excessive accumulation of boron in soils and sediments, which may pose a toxicity risk to plants.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zorimar Rivera-Nunez, Carolyn W. Kinkade, Leena Khoury, Jessica Brunner, Hannah Murphy, Christina Wang, Kurunthachalam Kannan, Richard K. Miller, Thomas G. O'Connor, Emily S. Barrett
Summary: The study found that maternal serum levels of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with sex steroid hormone levels during pregnancy. Specifically, PFHxS is associated with increased testosterone levels in male fetuses, while PFNA and PFDA are associated with increased free testosterone levels in male fetuses. For female fetuses, PFHxS is associated with increased levels of estradiol and estriol. No associations were found for PFOS and PFOA.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Abigail Gaylord, Emily S. Barrett, Sheela Sathyanarayana, Shanna H. Swan, Ruby H. N. Nguyen, Nicole R. Bush, Kecia Carroll, Drew B. Day, Kurunthachalam Kannank, Leonardo Trasande
Summary: This study investigated the influence of prenatal exposure to the endocrine disrupting chemical bisphenol A on childhood atopic disease. The results showed that there were inverse associations between first trimester bisphenol A concentration and food allergy, while second trimester bisphenol A concentration was positively associated with food allergy. Additionally, prenatal exposure to bisphenol S was found to increase the risk of asthma among males.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wei Wang, Kurunthachalam Kannan
Summary: This study collected 72 single-use medical products of four categories from a hospital in New York State in 2015 and analyzed their migration of 10 phthalates in an ethanol/water mixture. The results showed that the leached phthalate concentration ranged from 0.04 to 54,600 μg, with DEHP being the major phthalate found in 99% of the samples. DEHP was also found in notable concentrations in products labeled as DEHP-free. The study calculated the direct exposure to phthalates from medical devices and first aid supplies, as well as dermal intake from creams/lotions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Henglin Zhang, You Wang, Huimin Zhu, Shaoyou Lu, Yu Wang, Jingchuan Xue, Tao Zhang, Kurunthachalam Kannan, Hongwen Sun
Summary: This study investigated the exposure of infants in South China to neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs). The results showed that infants had detectable levels of NEOs in urine and blood samples, breast milk, infant formula, and tap water. The concentrations of specific NEOs varied in different samples, with dinotefuran and imidacloprid being the most abundant in urine, blood, breast milk, infant formula, and tap water. Older infants had higher NEO exposure than younger infants. Blood samples had higher concentrations of NEOs compared to urine samples, indicating that NEOs readily enter the bloodstream. Breast-fed infants had higher exposure levels than formula-fed infants. The study also found that external sources contributed to the majority of NEO exposure in infants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Junjie Zhang, Miao Peng, Enkui Lian, Lu Xia, Alexandros G. Asimakopoulos, Sihai Luo, Lei Wang
Summary: Micro/nanoplastics are a global pollutant that poses serious concerns to human and ecosystem health. However, the identification and visualization of these plastics, especially nanoplastics, have been challenging due to the lack of reliable analytical methods. This study reports an efficient surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate that can detect trace nanoplastics with high sensitivity and reliability in an aquatic environment. It was successfully used to detect nanoplastics in commercially bottled drinking water, estimating an annual consumption of 10^14 particles by humans.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhong-Min Li, Kurunthachalam Kannan
Summary: This study investigated the occurrence of synthetic chemicals including DPG, DTG, and TPG in indoor dust samples from 332 locations in 11 countries. DPG was detected in all dust samples, with varying concentrations among the countries. DPG accounted for over 87% of the total concentrations of the three compounds in all countries.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhong-Min Li, Kurunthachalam Kannan
Summary: A method using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the quantification of Diphenylguanidine, 1,3-di-o-tolylguanidine, and 1,2,3-triphenylguanidine in human urine. The method had detection and quantification limits ranging from 0.002 to 0.02 ng/mL and 0.005 to 0.05 ng/mL, respectively. The method was applied to real human urine samples, revealing a detection frequency of 73% and a median concentration of 0.05 ng/mL for Diphenylguanidine in children's urine samples, and a detection frequency of 20% in adults' urine samples.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Katinka M. Krahn, Gerard Cornelissen, Gabriela Castro, Hans Peter H. Arp, Alexandros G. Asimakopoulos, Raoul Wolf, Rune Holmstad, Andrew R. Zimmerman, Erlend Sormo
Summary: The use of sewage sludge biochars (SSBCs) as sorbents for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal from water and soil was compared to wood chip biochar (WCBC). The sorption of PFCAs by SSBCs showed similar performance to commercial activated carbons. These findings could promote the use of SSBCs in soil remediation and water filtration solutions.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michel Hubert, Hans Peter H. Arp, Mona Cecilie Hansen, Gabriela Castro, Thomas Meyn, Alexandros G. Asimakopoulos, Sarah E. Hale
Summary: This study investigated the sorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in different size fractions of soil that was historically contaminated with Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). The results showed that the smaller size fractions with higher organic carbon content had higher sorption coefficients (Kd values) for PFAS.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gabriela Castro, Erlend Sormo, Guanhua Yu, Shannen T. L. Sait, Susana Gonzalez, Hans Peter H. Arp, Alexandros G. Asimakopoulos
Summary: A simple and reliable sample preparation method, combined with UPLC-MS/MS, was developed to determine the occurrence and removal efficiency of 21 OPFRs in sewage sludge. The optimized method showed good repeatability and the analysis can be completed within 20 minutes. The method was applied to sludge samples from waste treatment plants in Norway, where 16 out of 21 OPFRs were detected, and the highest concentration found was 2186 ng/g in digested sludge.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shannen Thora Lea Sait, Vaida Surviliene, Mart Jussi, Susana Gonzalez, Tomasz Maciej Ciesielski, Bjorn Munro Jenssen, Alexandros G. Asimakopoulos
Summary: A HybridSPE protocol tailored to UPC2-MS/MS was developed for the determination of 19 steroid hormones in grey seal blood plasma. The protocol showed acceptable recoveries ranging from 33 to 90% and a total run time of 5 min. The method exhibited good repeatability and low limits of quantification for most target analytes.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Vishal Midya, Cecilia Sara Alcala, Elza Rechtman, Jill K. Gregory, Kurunthachalam Kannan, Irva Hertz-Picciotto, Susan L. Teitelbaum, Chris Gennings, Maria J. Rosa, Damaskini Valvi
Summary: A study investigates the interactions between environmental chemicals (ECs) and their association with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By combining weighted quantile sum regression and machine learning methods, two potential interactions between specific ECs and ASD diagnosis are identified.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Erlend Sormo, Gabriela Castro, Michel Hubert, Viktoria Licul-Kucera, Marjorie Quintanilla, Alexandros G. Asimakopoulos, Gerard Cornelissen, Hans Peter H. Arp
Summary: The current treatment options for organic waste contaminated with PFAS include incineration, composting, and landfilling, all of which result in emissions. Dry pyrolysis is a promising alternative, but the fate of PFAS during this process is uncertain. This study developed a robust method for determining PFAS in complex matrices and established a mass balance for 56 different PFAS during full-scale pyrolysis of various wastes. PFAS were present in all wastes but were removed by at least 96.9% through pyrolysis. Residual PFAS were detected in biochars obtained at temperatures up to 750 degrees C, with emissions consisting mainly of short chain PFAS.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)