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Abstract Micropollutants, especially pharmaceutical compounds, are of significant concern owing to their ngL− 1 to µgL− 1 concentration, making them difficult for conventional treatment plants to remove from wastewater. Despite municipal wastewater treatment plant being a primary source of these compounds to be released into the wastewater, on comparison little attention has been given to hospital wastewater. The major focus of studies addressing pharmaceutical compounds is based on synthetic wastewater. This study addresses this research gap by treating wastewater to remove micropollutants (Fluvastatin, ketoprofen, paracetamol, ciprofloxacin, carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, and lorazepam) by employing a fluidized aerobic bioreactor. Tubesettler was attached to a fluidized-bed bioreactor to see if it could be used as a polishing unit rather than a secondary clarifier. The environmental risk from the effluent discharge into the environment was assessed regarding the hazard quotient. The paracetamol and ketoprofen were removed at an efficiency of 51% and 60%, respectively, followed by carbamazepine at 50%, ciprofloxacin at 40%, fluvastatin at 47%, sulfamethoxazole at 31%, and lorazepam at 20%. The influent posed moderate environmental risk with (Hazard Quotient) HQ > 0.5, while in effluent the risk was reduced with HQ value 0.4. For effluent from fluidized bed bioreactors (HQ 0.13) and tube setters (HQ 0.15). The associated tube settler was found suitable for polishing units with additional removal efficiencies of 15–43% for all the targeted pharmaceutical compounds. Further studies are required to explore disinfectants’ effect on the reactor’s biodegradation efficiency. Also, further modification and a hybrid version of the fluidized bed bioreactor can be used.

This research presents a novel approach to setting up a sustainable Closed-Loop Supply Chain (CLSC) network for used solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, addressing end-of-life product waste from solar panel installations and manufacturing centers. The model accounts for uncertainties in PV systems and aims to efficiently collect, refurbish, and recycle used solar PV systems, promoting a circular and environmentally responsible waste management strategy. The supply chain network comprises vendors, collection centers, hybrid centers, distribution centers, and manufacturing centers, with objectives to maximize total profit, minimize environmental risk, and maximize service levels by demonstrating the profitable reuse of used solar photovoltaic systems by manufacturers. The epsilon-constraint method is utilized to handle the model's multi-objectiveness and identify Pareto optimal solutions. A case study in Iran is conducted to validate the methodology's performance, comparing results obtained from three meta-heuristic methods: Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II), Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO), and Multi-Objective Gray Wolf Optimization (MOGWO). The average error rates are 0.0358 for MOGWO, 0.1248 for MOPSO, and 0.2066 for NSGA-II. Sensitivity analysis highlights the significant impact of demand variations on all objective functions. Lastly, the numerical results are discussed to provide managerial insights for informed decision-making.

Abstract Background Human reproductive dynamics in the post-industrial world are typically explained by economic, technological, and social factors including the prevalence of contraception and increasing numbers of women in higher education and the workforce. These factors have been targeted by multiple world governments as part of family policies, yet those policies have had limited success. The current work adopts a life history perspective from evolutionary biology: like most species, human populations may respond to safer environments marked by lower morbidity and mortality by slowing their reproduction and reducing their number of offspring. We test this association on three levels of analysis using global, local, and individual data from publicly available databases. Results Data from over 200 world nations, 3,000 U.S. counties and 2,800 individuals confirm an association between human reproductive outcomes and local mortality risk. Lower local mortality risk predicts “slower” reproduction in humans (lower adolescent fertility, lower total fertility rates, later age of childbearing) on all levels of analyses, even while controlling for socioeconomic variables (female employment, education, contraception). Conclusions The association between extrinsic mortality risk and reproductive outcomes, suggested by life history theory and previously supported by both animal and human data, is now supported by novel evidence in humans. Social and health policies governing human reproduction, whether they seek to boost or constrain fertility, may benefit from incorporating a focus on mortality risk.

Abstract mRNA vaccines have played a massive role during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now being developed for numerous other human and animal applications. Nevertheless, their potential ramifications on the environment lack scrutiny and regulation. On 14 July 2020, the EU decided to temporarily exclude the clinical trials with COVID-19 vaccines from prior environmental risk assessment. Even though billions of doses have been administered and large-scale agricultural and wildlife RNA applications are fast-tracked, there is no knowledge of their environmental impact via the dispersion of vaccine-derived material or their wastage. This knowledge gap is targeted here via a critical assessment of (1) the pharmacokinetic properties of these products; (2) their impact on the human microbiota; (3) novel risk factors exemplified by the human gut bacterium Escherichia coli resulting in pathogen evolution in the guts of wild animals, (4) findings on mRNA-LNP platforms that implicate extracellular vesicles (EVs) as superior carriers, and (5) potentials of exogenous regulatory RNAs. This analysis results in the first extrapolation of (a) the magnitude and likelihood of environmental risk as characterized by the FDA in 2015 for products that facilitate their action by transcription and/or translation of transferred genetic material or related processes, and (b) additional risks facilitated by the horizontal transfer of exogenous short RNAs. The arguments provided here establish the rationale for vaccine-derived bioactive material dispersed by EVs, impacted microbiota, and other exposed organisms to foster pathogen evolution, cross-species transfer of biological function, and driving widespread ecosystem disturbances. Evidence is emerging that vaccine-derived molecules, when ingested, could survive digestion and mediate gene expression regulation, host–parasite defense, immunity, and other responses in the consuming animals. Highlighting further unresolved questions, the comprehensive assessment provided here calls for open dialogue and more in-depth studies to get a clear picture in the EU and globally to most effectively gauge the environmental impact of existing and emerging human, livestock, and wildlife mRNA technologies or their potential as biological weapons or for other forms of misuse. Regulatory measures are urgently needed to mitigate potentially large-scale damage to public and ecosystem health as well as adverse societal, economic, and legal implications.

ABSTRACTBackground Adolescents’ risk-taking behaviors can have profound impacts on their future health. Few studies have established a relationship between multiple social environmental factors and adolescent risk behaviors. We used structural equation modeling to examine the role of parental monitoring and environmental risks on adolescents’ behavioral intentions and risk behaviors.Methods Data were collected through the baseline survey of a national implementation project among 2205 Grade 6 students in 24 government schools in The Bahamas in 2019. Structural equation modeling examined relations among parental monitoring, environmental risk factors, behavioral intentions, and risk behaviors.Results Students had engaged in various delinquent, substance use, and sexual risks. In the structural equation model, parental monitoring demonstrated direct negative (protective) effects on behavioral intentions and risk behaviors, whereas environmental risk factors had a direct positive effect on adolescent behavioral intentions and risk behaviors. The model had an R2 value of 0.57 for adolescent risk behaviors.Conclusion Parental monitoring and environmental risk factors had strong influences on risk-taking behaviors of early adolescents. Future adolescent health behavior interventions should consider offering additional prevention resources to early adolescents who are exposed to multiple environmental risk factors.

IntroductionChronic wasting disease (CWD) among cervids in Kansas has seen a consistent rise over the years, both in terms of the number of infections and its geographical spread. In this study, we assessed the occupancy patterns of CWD among white-tailed deer and mule deer across the state.MethodsUsing surveillance data collected since 2005, we applied a dynamic patch occupancy model within a Bayesian framework, incorporating various environmental covariates. Using principal components analysis, 13 fully orthogonal components representing cervid habitat, soil, and elevation were derived. Competing models with different temporal patterns were fit, and the best model selected based on Watanabe-AIC values and AUC value of 0.89.ResultsThe occupancy pattern produced by this model revealed a steady progression of the disease toward the east and southeast of the state. A random forest analysis of covariates at annual intervals indicated that geographic location, elevation, areas occupied by mixed forests, and several soil attributes (pH, clay content, depth to restrictive layer, available water content, and bulk density) explained most of the variability in the surveillance data (R2 = 0.96).DiscussionThe findings reported in this study are the first for the state of Kansas but are consistent with previous findings from other geographic jurisdictions in the US and Canada. This consistency underscores their value in designing surveillance and management programs.

Purpose: This study examines changes in the volume and specificity of environmental risk factor disclosures in the 10-K reports of U.S. energy companies between 2017 and 2021. Methodology/approach: A total of 210 reports were analyzed using the content analysis method, a specificity index, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Pearson correlation coefficient. Findings: Starting from the 2019 reports, the volume of environmental risk factor disclosures increased significantly year on year. In the 2021 reports, energy companies provided, on average, 31% more information than in 2017 reports (measured by word count). This growth was due to changes in the volume of disclosures on climate-related risk factors. However, the increase was not accompanied by an increase in detail. The level of specificity in the disclosure of both climate-related and other environmental risk factors was low (with the former being higher) and did not change significantly over the period considered. In general, boilerplate language was often used when dis-cussing environmental risk factors. Research limitations/implications: The findings suggest the need for regulators to detail requirements for specific disclosures on environmental risk factors. Originality/value: Previous studies based on 10-K reports examined the disclosures regarding any risk, tax risk, mergers and acquisitions risk, and security risk. This pa-per is the first to analyze the volume and specificity of disclosures devoted to environ-mental risk factors. In addition, it provides a more complete picture of environmental risk reporting practices by considering climate-related and non-climate-related risk factors separately.

Abstract Thallium (Tl), vanadium (V) and arsenic (As) are considered as typical toxic elements of increased interest. Their accumulation in soils can pose a substantial health threat to human beings. In this study, Fe–Mn modified biochar (FMBC) was chemically constructed to immobilize Tl, V and As in contaminated soils. The results showed that compared with pristine biochar (BC), FMBC can achieve significantly higher passivation effects for the studied contaminated soils, which reduced the bioavailable Tl, V and As contents by 83.9%, 71.09% and 71.92%, respectively. The passivation of Tl, As, and V via FMBC application was partially attributed to a notable increase in pH, which enhances the availability of adsorptive sites. Further, the newly formed minerals, including cancrinite, gibbsite and Fe–Mn (hydr)oxides, serve as additional adsorbents, substantially reducing the mobility of Tl, V and As. Additionally, the oxidation of Tl(I) to Tl(III) by the Fe–Mn (hydr)oxide of FMBC significantly enhanced Tl immobilization, consequently diminishing its bioavailability. The findings suggest that significant environmental threats could be alleviated through the potential application of FMBC in treating Tl-As-V dominated contamination in soils, providing a new perspective for the sustainable utilization of industrially polluted soils. Graphical Abstract

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a prevalent air pollutant in urban areas, originating from outdoor sources, household gas consumption, and secondhand smoke. The limited evaluation of the disease burden attributable to NO2, encompassing different health effects and contributions from various sources, impedes our understanding from a public health perspective. Based on modeled NO2 exposure concentrations, their exposure–response relationships with lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes mellitus, and baseline disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), we estimated that 1,675 (655–2,624) thousand DALYs were attributable to NO2 in urban China in 2019 [138 (54–216) billion Chinese yuan (CNY) economic losses]. The transition from gas to electricity for household cooking was estimated to reduce the attributable economic losses by 35%. This reduction falls within the range of reductions achieved when outdoor air meets the World Health Organization interim target 3 and air quality guidelines for annual NO2, highlighting the significance of raising awareness of gas as a polluting household energy for cooking. These findings align with global sustainable development initiatives, providing a sustainable solution to promote public health while potentially mitigating climate change.

Abstract Background Overuse of pesticides is a major worldwide problem for the environment and human health. Atrazine (ATR) is a synthetic triazine herbicide that is typically used to manage crops and although it was banned many years ago, it was detected frequently with a high persistence in the aquatic environments. This study assesses the human and environment health risks, temporal patterns and spatial distribution of ATR and its degradation products (DPs) in the Sele River estuary within the Southern European context.. It specifically investigates their occurrence in the water dissolved phase (WDP), suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediment. Results Sampling was conducted across 10 sites throughout the year’s four seasons. Amounts of ATR and its DPs detected ranged from 20.1 to 96.5 ng L−1 in WDP, from 5.4 to 60.2 ng L−1 in SPM, and from 4.7 to 19.8 ng g−1 in sediment samples, signifying some pollution levels. Spatial distribution mechanisms revealed a southward movement of ATR and its DPs pollution from the Sele River mouth, intensifying during the rainy season. In this study area, a risk evaluation was also carried out. No sample contained ATR or its DPs in concentrations above the recommended limits, which pose a Non-carcinogenic and Carcinogenic risk. The environmental risk was low. Additionally, the determined Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) value was within the allowable range. Conclusion Despite its long-standing prohibition, this study investigate ATR levels in the water and sediments of Sele River in Southern Europe. Beyond simply delineating the pollution status of Sele River, this research delineates its ecological repercussions on the Thyrrenian Sea, providing essential data for norms and laws related to water contamination. Graphical Abstract

Abstract To assess the concentration characteristics and ecological risks of potential toxic elements (PTEs) in water and sediment, 17 water samples and 17 sediment samples were collected in the Xiyu River to analyze the content of Cr, Ni, As, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Hg, and the environmental risks of PTEs was evaluated by single-factor pollution index, Nemerow comprehensive pollution index, potential ecological risk, and human health risk assessment. The results indicated that Hg in water and Pb, Cu, Cd in sediments exceeded the corresponding environmental quality standards. In the gold mining factories distribution river section (X8-X10), there was a significant increase in PTEs in water and sediments, indicating that the arbitrary discharge of tailings during gold mining flotation is the main cause of PTEs pollution. The increase in PTEs concentration at the end of the Xiyu River may be related to the increased sedimentation rate, caused by the slowing of the riverbed, and the active chemical reactions at the estuary. The single-factor pollution index and Nemerow pollution index indicated that the river water was severely polluted by Hg. Potential ecological risk index indicated that the risk of Hg in sediments was extremely high, the risk of Cd was high, and the risk of Pb and Cu was moderate. The human health risk assessment indicated that As in water at point X10 and Hg in water at point X9 may pose non-carcinogenic risk to children through ingestion, and As at X8–X10 and Cd at X14 may pose carcinogenic risk to adults through ingestion. The average HQingestion value of Pb in sediments was 1.96, indicating that the ingestion of the sediments may poses a non-carcinogenic risk to children, As in the sediments at X8–X10 and X15–X17 may pose non-carcinogenic risk to children through ingestion.

Introduction: The risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and Parkinson’s disease and atypical parkinsonism (PDAP), has been alluded to arise predominantly from the interplay between environmental exposures and genetic variability. The contributions of these factors to NDD in Black sub-Saharan Africans are largely unknown. The broad aim of SERGEND is to investigate the effect of specific environmental exposures and genetic variability on the risk of developing ADRD and PDAP in our population. Methods: The SERGEND, a national, multi-center, cross-sectional, descriptive study, will be conducted in Nigeria, within academic hospitals located in all six geopolitical zones of the country. The study population will comprise 3000 consenting adult Nigerians aged 18 years and above, residing within the recruiting geopolitical zone in the preceding 12 months. Cases will be persons with ADRD or PDAP and age-matched healthy controls. Assessments will include dementia and parkinsonism-specific case ascertainment, disease severity, functional status, and environmental risk factors assessment. Genotyping for APOE and SNCA REP1 polymorphic variability will be conducted. Future analyses will be performed on biobanked samples. Ethics and Dissemination: The study protocol was approved by the National Health Research Ethics Committee in Nigeria, with institutional HREC concordant approval for all participating sites before enrollment of the study participants. Written informed consent was obtained from all study participants or identified proxies. The study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and as conference abstracts. Trial Registration: International Standard Registered Clinical/soCial sTudy Number (ISRCTN) registry (www.isrctn.com). Trial registration number: ISRCTN10548575. Locator ID: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10548575

Cadmium (Cd) presents a significant environmental threat due to its toxic nature and propensity to accumulate in various organs, posing serious health risks upon human exposure. This study focuses on the Sugovushan reservoir in Azerbaijan, aiming to comprehensively understand Cd behavior in soils subjected to varying water levels, shedding light on the intricate interplay between water quality and soil Cd content. Soil samples with distinct textures were collected from a agricultural area in Azerbaijan and subjected to an incubation experiment. The experiment, conducted at 20±0.5°C for 10 days, involved four water levels (%100, %75, %50, and %25 of field capacity) in a randomized complete block design. Cd-contaminated water from Sugovushan reservoir was applied, and inorganic Cd fractions were determined after incubation. The sequential extraction method, as per Shuman's procedure, was employed to assess Cd distribution in exchangeable (EX-Cd), organic (OM-Cd), Mn oxide (MnO-Cd), amorphous Fe oxide (AFeO-Cd), and crystalline Fe oxide (CFeO-Cd) fractions. The soils exhibited varying textures (Sandy Clay Loam, Silty Loam, and Clay) with alkaline reactions, differing salinity, and low organic matter content. Despite somewhat elevated total Cd levels (1.75–2.66 mg/kg), the soils remained below the 3 mg/kg contamination threshold. Water from Sugovushan reservoir, though alkaline, contained Cd concentrations exceeding agricultural use limits. Incubation with Cd-contaminated water increased total Cd content in all soils, with SaCL exhibiting the highest susceptibility. Notably, the SaCL soil showed a significant increase in the exchangeable Cd fraction, emphasizing its environmental risk. This study underscores the importance of soil texture in influencing Cd mobility, especially in low-clay-content soils. The heightened susceptibility observed in SaCL soil highlights the potential threat to food safety, emphasizing the need for sustainable agricultural practices and water management.

Informal e-waste recycling poses substantial environmental and human health risks due to contamination by flame retardants (FRs) and related chemical additives. This study systematically reviews the status of research on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organophosphate esters (OPEs) in e-waste recycling sites, with a particular focus on concentration levels and geographic disparities in data availability. Only a few studies have been conducted in Africa and South America and there are significant gaps. This geographic imbalance and other factors impede accurate assessment and comprehensive understanding of global e-waste pollution and associated risks. In examining the concentrations of PCBs and FRs, the study finds notable variations across different countries. For instance, high levels of these toxic chemicals were reported in China and India, which are major hubs for e-waste recycling in Asia. Concentrations in these regions often exceed international safety standards, posing severe risks for workers and local communities. Conversely, data from Africa and South America are sparse, despite the growing presence of informal e-waste recycling activities in these continents. Factors driving these differences include the prevalence of informal recycling practices, variations in waste import volumes, regulatory gaps, and disparities in technological capacity for safe waste management. In developing countries, weaker enforcement of environmental laws and reliance on rudimentary recycling methods lead to higher levels of contamination. However, developed nations with stricter regulations and advanced technologies exhibit lower concentrations of these pollutants. While high concentrations of FRs are documented in environmental matrices, human biomonitoring and epidemiological studies are needed to correlate environmental concentrations with health outcomes, particularly for workers at e-waste sites. In summary, this review emphasizes the critical need for broader geographical coverage, standardized methodologies, and robust regulatory frameworks to mitigate the significant health and environmental risks associated with FRs and PCBs in e-waste recycling sites.

Abstracts: Hazardous waste from industrial production has become a global concern because of its impact on the environment and human health. However, studies on heavy metals in regional hazardous waste are rare. Thus, this study examined 93 hazardous waste samples in Beijing in 2019, to assess the distribution, occurrence, and potential eco-environmental risks of heavy metals in such waste. The results indicated high concentrations of Zn, Cu, and Ni in hazardous waste, and the leaching toxicity of Ni (270.60 mg/L), Cu (524.1 mg/L), and Pb (136.23 mg/L) exceeded Chinese identification standards for hazardous waste. Heavy metals in hazardous waste have been primarily found in remote counties around the locations of industrial enterprises. The total amount of the heavy metals followed the order: Zn > Cu > Ni > Ba > Mn > Pb. Based on the migration abilities of their detected forms, heavy metals were classified into three categories (high, middle, and low migration abilities) to characterize their potential to enter the environment. The detected amounts of heavy metals with high and middle migration ability followed the order: Zn > Cu > Ni > Mn > Pb > Ba. The potential environmental risk of heavy metals was evaluated using the potential environmental risk index, resulting in the following ranking: Ni > Pb > Mn > Zn > Cu > Ba. Daxing District exhibited the highest total environmental risk and environmental risk per unit area, whereas Miyun District showed the highest environmental risk per secondary sector of the economy and unit of GDP. This was attributed to Beijing's industrial structure. The results of this study provide fundamental data for the management and control of hazardous waste in Beijing and are expected to aid in preventing and managing environmental risks caused by such waste.

Microgreens are young plants used as ingredients and flavoring in various dishes. Their production time is short, and their production methods can be altered to enhance the nutritional content. To date, consumers’ preferences for microgreens that display different esthetic and nonesthetic traits have not been addressed. Additionally, consumers’ perceived risk of production methods used to enhance nutrition has not been investigated. An online survey and choice experiment involving a sample of 821 consumers in Tennessee were performed to investigate these topics. A mixed logit model was used to analyze the data. Both esthetic and nonesthetic traits influenced the consumers’ preferences. Green microgreens were preferred and valued more than light or dark purple microgreens. When fertilizer was used during production to enhance nutrients, consumers perceived the microgreens as riskier to the environment and for personal consumption relative to microgreens with light-induced nutrient enhancement. Using lighting during production to enhance nutrients generated a $0.47 to $0.79 premium relative to no nutrient enhancement. In general, if participants’ perceived risk aligned with the nutrient enhancement attribute (i.e., light, fertilizer), then their willingness to pay for the microgreens decreased. This was amplified for the fertilizer nutrient enhancement attribute more than it was for the light enhancement attribute. In-state production and microgreen height also impacted consumer preferences for microgreens.

Xanthates, derivatives of xanthic acid, are widely utilized across industries such as agrochemicals, rubber processing, pharmaceuticals, metallurgical, paper and mining to help separate metals from ore. Despite their prevalent use, many registered xanthates lack comprehensive information on potential risks to human health and the environment. The mining sector, a significant consumer of xanthates, drives demand. However, emissions into the environment remain poorly understood, especially concerning water quality. A recent EU parliamentary voting on water legislation highlights the urgency to address water pollution and the potential toxicity of xanthates. While limited data exist on xanthate presence in the environment, existing studies indicate their toxicity and contribution to environmental pollution, primarily due to carbon disulfide, a decomposition product. Concerns are mounting over the release of xanthates and carbon disulfide, particularly in mining areas near populated regions and river tributaries, raising questions about downstream impacts and public health risks. Proposed expansions of xanthate-reliant mining activities in Europe, heighten concerns about emissions and water quality impacts. Current databases lack xanthate-related monitoring data, hindering environmental and health risk assessments. Addressing this gap requires water sampling and chemical analysis and investigations into the use, occurrence, and potential impacts of xanthates from industrial activities on water bodies, including those used for drinking water production is imperative.

Assessing the risk of human pathogens in the environment is crucial for controlling the spread of diseases and safeguarding human health. However, conducting a thorough assessment of low-abundance pathogens in highly complex environmental microbial communities remains challenging. This study compiled a comprehensive catalog of 247 human-pathogenic bacterial taxa from global biosafety agencies and identified more than 78 million genome-specific markers (GSMs) from their 17,470 sequenced genomes. Subsequently, we analyzed these pathogens’ types, abundance, and diversity within 474 shotgun metagenomic sequences obtained from diverse environmental sources. The results revealed that among the four habitats studied (air, water, soil, and sediment), the detection rate, diversity, and abundance of detectable pathogens in the air all exceeded those in the other three habitats. Air, sediment, and water environments exhibited identical dominant taxa, indicating that these human pathogens may have unique environmental vectors for their transmission or survival. Furthermore, we observed the impact of human activities on the environmental risk posed by these pathogens, where greater amounts of human activities significantly increased the abundance of human pathogenic bacteria, especially in water and air. These findings have remarkable implications for the environmental risk assessment of human pathogens, providing valuable insights into their presence and distribution across different habitats.

Abstract The historical perspective on the rapid biodegradation of pesticides as a mitigating factor in environmental risk assessment is reexamined through the example of glyphosate and its implications for freshwater biodiversity. Commonly employed standardized methods by national agencies for assessing the environmental risk of pesticides predominantly rely on single-species tests, overlooking the intricate nature of ecosystems. Glyphosate, one of the most widely used pesticides marketed for its purported rapid biodegradability, is often perceived as relatively innocuous. However, its degradation releases phosphorus into the environment, inducing a trophic state shift in water systems towards more eutrophic conditions, consequently affecting water quality. These findings highlight the cascading ecological repercussions of glyphosate biodegradation, driving the proliferation of specific aquatic organisms, such as picocyanobacteria and metaphyton, resulting in the alteration of ecosystem structure and dynamics. The study explores challenges posed by commercial pesticide formulations and investigates the consequences of pesticide interactions with specific anthropogenic factors. A case in point is the interaction of glyphosate with the invasive mussel Limnoperna fortunei, exacerbating the overall scenario. The ecological framework analyzed challenges the conventional notion that pesticide biodegradation is inherently a neutral or positive event. The results underscore the necessity of reassessing the role of biodegradation itself in environmental impact assessments for pesticides.

Abstract The microelectronics industry wastewater is attracting the scientific community and industry attention due to the high amount of organic and inorganic pollutants produced. Pollutants in microelectronic wastewater are considered qualitative contaminants, found in low concentrations but present with high risks to the environment and public health. The current paper highlights the most common pollutants in microelectronics wastewater and discusses the recent treatment technologies used to remove these contaminates. The review process was conducted based on the identification and screening of microelectronic wastewater and the principle of contaminant detection reported in previous research literature. It appears that tetramethylammonium hydroxide and ammonium are the major organic compounds in microelectronic wastewater, while heavy metals are among the inorganic pollutants with high environmental toxicity. The membrane filtration is the most efficient method for removing the pollutants (more than 90%) and producing ultrapure water. However, wastewater should be subjected to primary treatment using chemical and biological methods before undergoing the ultrafiltration process. The zero-discharge concept is more applicable in the microelectronics industries due to the stringent regulations associated with these industries. Microelectronic sludge represents the main challenge in wastewater recycling, while advanced treatment methods have been suggested for sludge treatment. More effort is required to recycle microelectronics owing to the high prices related to the disposal of these solids’ wastes.

This study investigated the effects of food culture on the economic and ecological development of rural rivers and adolescents’ intentions toward tourism in high-risk leisure environments. The study applied a mixed-methods design. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to recruited participants, and 900 responses were collected and analyzed, with SPSS 26.0 used to perform basic statistical validation and Pearson’s correlation analysis. Structured interviews were conducted to collect the opinions of experts, tourists, and residents of the investigated areas. A multivariate analysis was used to analyze the results, which revealed that superior economic, societal, and ecological development is associated with greater leisure, tourism, and consumption intentions. However, varying levels of environmental literacy among tourists can present challenges. Problems such as tourism waste; overdevelopment; loss of historic architectural features; and pollution of water, forests, and air may deter young tourists from revisiting an area and diminish their willingness to engage in and share leisure experiences.

Mine closure is a growing concern in mining countries around the world due to the associated environmental and social impacts. This is particularly true in developing countries like South Africa where poverty, social deprivation and unemployment are widespread and environmental governance is not strong. South Africa has 230 operating mines located in diverse natural and social settings. Over 6 million people live in urban and rural mining host communities who will be significantly affected by mine closure. The national, provincial and local governments need guidance in identifying high-risk areas and relevant policy and programmatic interventions. This paper describes the development of a quantitative mine closure risk rating system that assesses the likelihood of mine closure, the risk of social impact and the risk of environmental impact of mine closure for every operating mine in the country. The paper visualises the high likelihood of closure and environmental impacts for numerous coal and gold mines, and the significant social risks in the deprived rural platinum and chrome mining areas. The rating system was tested with 10 mines and 19 experts, and the resulting maps are communicated in an online South African Mine Closure Risk and Opportunity Atlas. The risk ratings could be used in mine closure planning and management by mining companies, consultancies, governments and affected communities. While this risk rating system has been designed for South Africa, the methodology and framework could be applied to any mining country in the world.

The purpose of this study was the environmental pollution risk assessment of urban underground public space development in Tehran (Iran). This applied research was conducted by survey and mixed methods in two phases: estimating risk potentials using Environmental Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (EFMEA), and Delphi Technique. The results identified 12 different environmental risks for the underground public space development. Among these, three risks showed high level, including sewage discharge (Risk Priority Number (RPN=504), inappropriate ventilation (RPN=567) and seismic hazard (RPN=640). Moreover, five cases were classified as medium level risks, including Construction waste accumulation of (RPN = 294), Land subsidence (RPN = 250), Municipal waste accumulation (RPN = 441), Non-renewable energy consumption (RPN = 256) and Thermal pollution (RPN = 210). In addition, three items were among high-level risks, including Sewage discharge (RPN = 504), Inappropriate ventilation (RPN = 567) and Seismic hazard (RPN = 640). The development of urban underground public space in Tehran can be a solution to improve the level of services and urban per capita, which is a great help in the urban management of a metropolis like Tehran. Meanwhile, it is important to pay attention to the environmental, health and safety polices.

The interaction between microplastics (MPs) and cadmium (Cd) poses a threat to agricultural soil environments, and their effects on plant growth and rhizosphere microbial community functions are not yet clear. In this study, energy sorghum was used as a test plant to investigate the effects of two types of MPs, polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE), at different particle sizes (13 μm, 550 μm) and concentrations (0.1%, 1% w/w), and Cd, as well as their interactions, on the growth of sorghum in a soil-cultivation pot experiment. The results showed that the combined effects of MP and Cd pollution on the dry weight and Cd accumulation rate in sorghum varied depending on the type, concentration, and particle size of the MPs, with an overall trend of increasing stress from combined pollution with increasing Cd content and accumulation. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that combined MP and Cd pollution increased bacterial diversity, and the most significant increase was observed in the abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE), Shannon, and Sobs indices in the 13 μm 1% PS+Cd treatment group. Metagenomic analysis based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathways revealed that 19 groups of metabolic pathways, including microbial metabolism and methane metabolism, differed significantly under combined MP and Cd pollution. Hierarchical clustering results indicated that Cd treatment and combined MP and Cd treatment affected the abundances of sorghum rhizosphere soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling genes and that the type of MP present was an important factor affecting N and P cycling genes. The results of this study provide a basis for exploring the toxic effects of combined MP and Cd pollution and for conducting soil environmental risk assessments.

Various indicators can be used to assess threats from chronic diseases. This study presented new indicators of quantitative evaluation and prediction of threats from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and lung cancer and assessed relevant changes in these indicators occurring with environmental improvements. Age at zero mortality (AM0) and age at average mortality (AMa) values were calculated based on the regression of the linear relationship of age with mortality for COPD or lung cancer. The lower the AM0 or AMa of a chronic disease, the greater the threats from the disease to a population were considered to be. AM0 values of both diseases were higher in 2019 than in 2004. Moreover, AM0 was lower for lung cancer than for COPD (0.365 vs. 41.643); however, lung cancer and COPD demonstrated almost identical values for age-standardized mortality. AMa values of both the diseases in 2004 and 2019 were within the range of the median age group (70–74 years). In recent years, the overall mortality risk for lung cancer and COPD has decreased with environmental improvement, and aging has played a major role in lung cancer and COPD development. AM0 and AMa values may be used as a theoretical basis for further research on chronic diseases, particularly lung cancer and COPD.

Organophosphate ester flame retardants (OPFRs) are ubiquitous organic pollutants in the environment and present an important preoccupation due to their potential toxicity to humans and biota. They can be found in various sources, including consumer products, building materials, transportation industry, electronic devices, textiles and clothing, and recycling and waste management. This paper presents the first survey of its kind in Romania, investigating the composition, distribution, possible sources, and environmental risks of OPFRs in five wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and the rivers receiving their effluents. Samples from WWTPs and surface waters were collected and subjected to extraction processes to determine the OPFRs using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. All the target OPFRs were found in all the matrices, with the average concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 1422 ng/L in wastewater, 0.88 to 1851 ng/g dry weight (d.w.) in sewage sludge, and 0.73 to 1036 ng/L in surface waters. The dominant compound in all the cases was tri(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP). This study observed that the wastewater treatment process was inefficient, with removal efficiencies below 50% for all five WWTPs. The environmental risk assessment indicated that almost all the targeted OPFRs pose a low risk, while TDCPP, TCPP, and TMPP could pose a moderate risk to certain aquatic species. These findings provide valuable information for international pollution research and enable the development of pollution control strategies.

Rapid disruption simplifies company performance improvement. Instead, businesses must be conscious of environmental risks. Innovation in green technology is a business strategy for preventing environmental damage. However, few studies have investigated the internal mechanisms and underlying factors that link ecological innovation to corporate financial performance. The methodology of this research used content analysis to examine companies listed on the IDX in the manufacturing sector with heavy pollution. In addition, it is important to learn that developing more eco-friendly processes and merchandise can boost a business's bottom line. In addition, the company's green reputation could mitigate the effects of innovative green products and new green processes on the bottom line. The results can provide valuable input and recommendations for effectively implementing green technology in Indonesia.

Environmental health impact assessment (EHIA) is a planning and decision-making process, which aims to predict, analyzes and evaluate the population health impact of the proposed project. In recent years, China has paid more and more attention to the impact of environment on human health, and actively promoted the environmental health impact assessment. In this paper, we systematically summarize the main contents of EHIA and its development process and current situation in China and foreign countries, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and implementation strategies for improving China's EHIA system, and provide a reference for environmental health impact assessment to solve human health problems in practice.

Introduction: In recent years, environmental problems have attracted the attention of many policymakers. In many developing countries, foreign direct investment and environmental risk play a vital role for economic growth and development. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the relationship between foreign direct investment and environmental risk. In this regard, the present study examines the role of financial development in the relationship between foreign direct investment and environmental risk.Materials and Methods: In the present study, the stationary ​​of the variables was first evaluated by using the ADF test and then by applying Kao cointegration, the long-run relationship between the variables of the model has been examined. Finally, the effect of financial development, foreign direct investment, GDP per capita and urbanization on environmental risk for 35 countries during the period of 1990-2021 was investigated using generalized panel moments. For the analysis and estimation of the model, Eviews_12 software has been used.Results: According to the ADF unit root test, some variables are stationary at the level and some are stationary at the first order difference, to avoid false regression in estimations, co-accumulation between variables was investigated. The results of the Kao cointegration test confirmed the long-term relationship between the variables. Also, the results of generalized method of moments model show that foreign direct investment has a negative and significant effect on environmental risk. Most foreign direct investment comes from developed countries with strict environmental regulations; hence, they can transfer superior environmental technologies to the host country. Finally, foreign direct investment paves the way for promoting environmental sustainability in the host country. Also, the development of the financial sector reduces the environmental risk in both models because financial development helps to provide more information about the importance of the environment, especially in developing countries, due to the provision of financial resources and the possibility of accessing more efficient technologies and in model 2, there is a non-linear U-shaped relationship between financial sector development and environmental risk. The FD × FDI interaction term also has no significant effect on environmental risk. The results also show that economic growth and urbanization reduce environmental risk.Discussion: This study states that the development of the financial sector in developing countries can increase the quality of the environment. However, the results may be different in a developed financial sector. Most foreign direct investment comes from developed countries with strict environmental regulations; hence, they can transfer superior environmental technologies to the host country. Finally, foreign direct investment paves the way for promoting environmental sustainability in the host country. On the other hand, with the increase in real income, people have more ability to allocate resources to protect the environment and reduce environmental risk. Also, economic growth resulting from improved technology can provide higher returns with lower environmental risk. Urbanization is also beneficial for the environment due to higher living standards, increased public health, positive external effects and economy of scale.

A triple environmental crisis marks the current century: the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergencies that challenge¡ societies around the world and require global dialogue. Consequently, it seems worth assessing across international strata, whether young adults living in different regions would share social representations of the environmental crisis. Built on findings from 16 focus group discussions held in Ireland and Uruguay, comprising 109 participants, the objective of this article is to uncover and compare between countries: which environmental issues remain crucial for young citizens of diverse backgrounds and affiliations; how coincidental issues of concern are articulated across countries; and how structural factors are perceived as key to an environmentally unsustainable system. Let alone the case of Climate Change, the main findings point to shared topics of concern, such as Waste Generation and Disposal or Food Production and Consumption, with contrasting social representations of them between the two regions, which shed light on how environmental risk is socially built in dialogue with the context despite global discursive trends, in a highly mediatized and glocal era. Unlike university students focused studies, the paper offers a qualitative approach to the perceptions of young adults of diverse backgrounds in both countries.

The development of inherently environmentally friendly chemical process plants is one approach to reduce or avoid potential harmful environmental consequences that could occur due to chemical plant accidents. This can be achieved by selecting the chemical process route involving the least environmental risk, during preliminary design stage. To assist the route selection process a risk-based index called Inherent Environmental Risk Index for Fires and Explosions (F&E-IERI) is proposed. The F&E-IERI assesses and ranks chemical process routes considering environmental impacts caused by accidental fires and explosions that could occur in a chemical plant. This index considers the environmental impact magnitude, fire or explosion event occurrence frequency, and the environmental element vulnerability. A higher index associated with the route indicates a higher environmental risk. The proposed index has been applied in four possible routes to produce acetone. The p-diisopropyl benzene oxidation process route to produce acetone showed the lowest F&E-IERI value indicating the route having the lowest environmental risk.

Humans are exposed to environmental risks owing to the broad usage of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). However, the subjective evaluation of risk levels and characteristics, as well as the variation in risk processing, have not been thoroughly examined. The objective was to understand the public's perception of the risk associated with human exposure to environmental EDCs and identify any variations in risk perception. In this pioneering study conducted within the distinctive social and cultural context of Malaysia, a developing nation, a quantitative analysis approach was employed to assess the subjective evaluation of risk levels and characteristics among the public while developing a risk perception model. Data gathered from surveys and questionnaires were analyzed to gather information on the public's perception of environmental and health issues pertaining to pesticides, hormones, plastics, medicines, and cosmetics. The analysis revealed that the majority of the public assessed the level of human exposure to environmental risks based on experiential processing, which was influenced by cognitive and affective variables. Interestingly, a higher proportion of individuals in the community had a low risk perception of environmental EDCs, surpassing the overall risk perception by 19.3%. Furthermore, the public showed significant awareness of environmental and health issues related to pesticides, hormones, and plastics but had a lesser inclination to acknowledge the vulnerability of humans to risks associated with medicines and cosmetics. These findings suggest that the public is likely to be exposed to environmental EDCs based on their current perceived risks, and that sociopsychological factors play a significant role in shaping perceptions and judgments. This understanding can inform the development of targeted risk management strategies and interventions to mitigate the potential harm caused by environmental EDCs.

The study’s relevance consists in the need to determine the prospects for achieving a good environmental condition of Ukrainian water bodies in accordance with the Water Framework Directive of the European Union on establishing the framework of the Community's activities in the field of water policies. The question on ability to achieve the set goals is related to assessment of the environmental risks of surface water pollution by chemical substances. The purpose of the research is to develop new approaches to identification of the risks of surface rivers' water pollution across industrially developed territories. The study was carried out using the data of hydrochemical observations of the Lopan and the Kharkiv rivers. The rivers are located inside City of Kharkiv and exposed to pollution both by industrial discharges and municipal wastes. The work is based on application of a probabilistic approach aimed at determining quantitative indicators of the environmental risks using statistical distribution of such indicators. The scientific novelty consists in offering a method to determine modified water pollution indices and pollution risk indicators specifically for biogenic substances and heavy metals. This allows evaluating the prospects of ensuring a good environmental condition despite surface water pollution from various sources. The research results in presenting a method of building a scale for qualitative and quantitative assessment of environmental risks and their consequences. It relies upon semantical match of the gradations of aquatic environment quality indicators and chemical contamination risk indicators. The study that covers the Kharkiv and the Lopan rivers showed a close relationship between environmental risk indicators and water pollution indices. The revealed dependencies made it possible to harmonize the semantic gradation of aquatic environment quality scales and risk scales. Practical application of the developed methodology implies only calculation of the modified index of pollution by heavy metals or biogenic substances based on the observation data and establishing a possible risk zone and a corresponding environmental situation according to the environmental risk scale. The proposed approaches are recommended for use when determining environmental pollution risks across industrially developed territories of different countries.

Abstract Introduction The aim of this study was to examine the clinical features of hypersensitivity pneumonia (HP) cases, diagnostic methods, and related conditions in our hospital, which is a reference clinic in Turkey for chest disease. Methods The population of this retrospective cross‐sectional study consists of all hypersensitivity pneumonia patients followed in a tertiary hospital between 2010 and 2019. The data of 78 patients were included in the analysis. Data were grouped by source of exposure (occupational, environmental, and cryptogenic) by examining the files of the patients. Results Occupational risk factors were detected in 29 (37.2%) of the cases, environmental risk factors were found in 24 (30.8%) cases, neither occupational nor environmental risk factors were detected in 25 (32%) cases, and they were evaluated as cryptogenic. The time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 15.8 ± 26.6 months. The time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was found to be longer in the group with occupational risk factors compared with the other groups and was statistically significant (0.044). Conclusion HP is a immune‐mediated interstitial lung disease induced by repeated exposure to environmental and occupational antigens. Etiological agent can be detected in HP patients by detailed questioning of occupational and environmental exposure that may be associated with the onset of symptoms in cases with suspected HP.

This study investigates the process of long-term (bio)degradation of polyethylene (PE) in an old municipal waste landfill (MWL) and its implications for environmental and human health. Advanced techniques, such as ICP–ES/MS and IC–LC, were used to analyze heavy metals and anions/cations, demonstrating significant concentration deviations from control samples. The soil’s chemical composition revealed numerous hazardous organic compounds, further indicating the migration of additives from PE to the soil. Toxicological assessments, including Phytotoxkit FTM, Microtox® bioassay, and Ostracodtoxkit®, demonstrated phytotoxicity, acute toxicity, and high mortality in living organisms (over 85% for Heterocypris Incongruens). An unusual concentration of contaminants in the MWL’s middle layers, linked to Poland’s economic changes during the 1980s and 1990s, suggests increased risks of pollutant migration, posing additional environmental and health threats. Moreover, the infiltration capability of microorganisms, including pathogens, into PE structures raises concerns about potential groundwater contamination through the landfill bottom. This research underscores the need for vigilant management and updated strategies to protect the environment and public health, particularly in older landfill sites.

The fast development of China’s urbanization has led to a notable release of emerging pollutants, including microplastics (MPs) and endocrine disruptors (EDCs). Generally, these pollutants enter the coastal environment through the discharge of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and finally threaten the organisms in the receiving waterbody. The study investigated the environmental behavior of MPs and EDCs in two typical WWTPs in one of the megacities in China, Shanghai. The abundance of MPs in the influent ranged from 321 to 976 items/L. Four shapes (films, fragments, fibers, and microbead) were found, while fibers and films dominated. Transparent (31–63%) and white (20–47%) MPs were more frequently observed, while polyethylene terephthalate, cellulose, and cellophane were the main polymetric materials. The size of the MPs fell between 15.8 μm and 2220 μm, and the smaller one (500 μm). For EDCs, total concentrations in the influent were detected, ranging from 113 to 2780 ng/L. Two groups, including phenolic estrogens (PEs) and steroid estrogens (SEs), were detected, and PEs, especially bisphenol A (BPA), were the predominant individuals among the studied EDCs. Specifically, PEs ranged from 82.8 to 2637 ng/L, while SEs ranged from 27.3 to 143 ng/L. The removal efficiencies of the WWTPs for EDCs varied (82.8–100%) as well, possibly due to the different treatment compartments and contamination load in the influent. Seasonal variations for both MPs and EDCs were observed. Specifically, concentrations of MPs and EDCs in WWTPs influent were higher in the wet season, as well as the removal efficiency. Furthermore, there was a correlation observed between the concentrations of MPs and EDCs, suggesting that MPs and EDCs may originate from the same source and that EDCs released by MPs cannot be ignored during treatment. Finally, the study evaluated the environmental risk of the effluents. MPs led to a minor risk (Level I), while EDCs might lead to an adverse impact on algae (RQs = 0.0014–0.024) and fish (RQs = 3.4–30.2). In summary, WWTPs received considerable amounts of MPs and EDCs. Although the WWTPs removed the contaminants efficiently, the environmental risk of the effluent needs to be noted.

Context: The intensifying utilization of glyphosate has provoked global scientific concern due to the potential large-scale impact on ecosystems. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reclassified glyphosate and its degradation byproduct, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), as Category 2A, indicating probable human carcinogenicity. Knowledge Gap: A review of the existing literature reveals a relative scarcity of information on the aquatic impact of glyphosate and its degradation products. Purpose: To determine the scope and implications of the impact of glyphosate and its degradation products on aquatic ecosystems, in order to better understand their ecotoxicological effects and provide a foundation for future research and policy decisions in this area. Methodology: A systematic review of ecotoxicological studies published in Spanish and English over the last 12 years was conducted to assess the effects of glyphosate and its degradation products on aquatic ecosystems and the risks to various species. Approximately 95 documents were reviewed, including data from 69, addressing toxicity, biodegradation, contamination, and international regulations. Results: Studies have shown that chronic exposure to glyphosate can alter the metabolism in fish and affect the life cycle of organisms such as Daphnia Magna. The composition of glyphosate, along with its adjuvants, can increase its toxicity and pose risks to the aquatic ecosystem, making it crucial to understand the specific formulations and their concentrations. Conclusions: The increased use of glyphosate raised global scientific concerns due to its potential impact on ecosystems, with the IARC classifying it as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Studies showed acute toxicity to aquatic organisms and highlighted the need for risk assessment methodologies for long-term impacts on ecosystems and human.

The paper describes radioactivity monitoring and radiological risk assessment procedures for the population and the environment in three villages located around the coal-fired power plant. The dose assessments were performed after long-term radioactivity monitoring that was carried out in the production process and in the vicinity of the coal-fired power plant Kakanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina.The estimated annual effective doses for the population living in the observed villages were in the range of 1.89–2.13 mSv. The most significant contributions were delivered from ingestion of food and water (0.55–0.63 mSv y−1); external exposure from building materials (0.44–0.62 mSv y−1) and inhalation of radon (222Rn) progeny (0.29–0.62 mSv y−1).The inhalation doses from flying radionuclide particles were not significant with values in the range of 0.0056–0.0062 mSv y−1 for inhalation of 235U, 238U, 226Ra, and 232Th. External terrestrial doses were in the range of average world values (0.070–0.094 mSv y−1).Environmental risk was estimated using the ERICA tool which did not highlight any threatened species. A conservative approach with a lower dose screening value (10 nGy h−1) indicated the risk for lichens and bryophytes as terrestrial organisms with high accumulation capacity for natural radionuclides.

IntroductionThe impact of plastics on terrestrial ecosystems is receiving increasing attention. Although of great importance to soil biogeochemical processes, how plastics influence soil microbes have yet to be systematically studied. The primary objectives of this study are to evaluate whether plastics lead to divergent responses of soil microbial community parameters, and explore the potential driving factors.MethodsWe performed a meta-analysis of 710 paired observations from 48 published articles to quantify the impact of plastic on the diversity, biomass, and functionality of soil microbial communities.Results and discussionThis study indicated that plastics accelerated soil organic carbon loss (effect size = −0.05, p = 0.004) and increased microbial functionality (effect size = 0.04, p = 0.003), but also reduced microbial biomass (effect size = −0.07, p

A distributional multimedia model was developed based on one-box model and applied to the Lake Biwa-Yodo River basin in Japan to assess the risk of heavy metal lead. As a useful approach to evaluate the environmental risks, the one-box model could predict the lead concentration by assuming the target area as a homogenies box and calculating mass balance between four environmental media. However, the homogeneity of such wide area assumed by the one-box model is inappropriate. The result of one-box model was not accurate, which cannot show the spatial distribution of pollutants or show the internal transfer of pollutants over time. In this study, the distributional model improved the previous model by incorporating spatial gradients, internal advections and finer meshes. The model was applied to the region from 1957 to 2016 based on the amount of pollutant emission data from the Ministry of Economy's official report, measured meteorological data from the Japan Meteorological Agency, land-use data from the Ministry of Transport, and the river discharge of the hydrology model. The calculated lead concentrations were compared to the observed concentrations at several monitoring stations. The results of this study indicated that the simulated concentration had a gradient inside the region. The area near the emission point and downstream of the river showed relatively high concentrations. For any location, the pollutant concentration is affected by direct emissions, and by adjacent areas due to wind and river discharge. The sediment and water media accumulated more pollutants, and the atmospheric concentration was underestimated in the major pollutant discharge area. This was attributed to underestimation of the distribution of lead emissions in urban areas.

This research uses the Python language to model the Gaussian Plume equation in Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) to estimate the contaminants released from the cement plant. Spline interpolation and the maximum likelihood (ML) classification process are used to extract wind speeds and land cover classes. The primary and secondary directions were weighed in perspective of their exposure to cement plant emissions in all seasons of 2020 using an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The values of wind speeds of all seasons were between 3.07 and 4.35 (m/s). Sand (barren land) is the most common land category with 75.75 % of the studied area. Water has the lowest amount, accounting for only 4.67 % study area. Approximately 13.35 % area was covered by vegetation. Finally, the urban class, which compose 7.97 % of the sample area. The overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient of ML were 98.2143 % and 0.9736 respectively. The outcomes of risk pollution are classified into four classes: very high, high medium, and low. Very high risk pollution records the highest value from 52.428 to 1264.332 µg/m3 in spring season and lowest value ranged between 0 and 0.017 µg/m3 for winter season 2020. The most polluted urban areas were 8.573 km2 in the summer. Plantation areas with the highest levels of pollution were 5 km2 in the summer. Summer contaminated sand areas were 60.974 km2. Water body contaminated areas were 2.667 km2 in the summer. The created tool identifies the contaminants emitted from the cement plant in high-resolution distribution pattern.

Lead blast furnace slag (LBFS) generated during lead smelting is a hazardous solid waste containing potentially toxic elements (Pb, Zn, As, and Cd) with high mobility and solubility. In this study, a process for the utilization of LBFS by carbothermic reduction-magnetic separation method is proposed. Leaching toxicity and Tessier sequential extraction experiments were conducted on LBFS and magnetic separation tailings (TS), and the environmental risk was evaluated using the risk assessment coding index and potential ecological risk index. The obtained results showed that the potentially toxic elements in the TS were solidified in the spinel phase or silicate phase. In addition, the XRD, SEM-EDS, and FTIR results showed the formation of PbCa2Si3O9, ZnAl2O4, and Ca3(AsO4)2 phases. The leaching concentrations of Pb, Zn, As, and Cd in TS were much lower than the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and China standard leaching test (CSLT) limits. The results of Tessier sequential extraction procedure confirmed that the proportions of the stable residual state of the potentially toxic elements in TS were significantly higher than in LBFS. Furthermore, the ecological environmental risk level for the TS decreased significantly compared to that of LBFS.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an epidemic in China. Ozone is a possible risk factor of COPD, with ozone concentrations increasing in China, despite air pollution mitigation measures that reduced particulate matter. The WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) recommendations in 2021 are a turning point that formally recognizes the crucial role of indoor air pollution. We aimed to investigate the premature COPD deaths attributable to ozone in 2019, taking the WHO AQG 2021 level into account to determine the gap to bridge ozone control in China. First, we assessed ozone exposures initiated from indoor and outdoor sources by gender and age groups in 344 cities under four scenarios: 2019 as a baseline, and outdoor ozone at WHO AQG 2021 level in 2019, 2030, and 2050, respectively. Subsequently, we estimated COPD deaths attributable to ozone. The results show that the COPD deaths attributable to ozone are 77,737 in 2019, and 527, 872, 1355 if the outdoor ozone concentration is reduced to the WHO AQG 2021 level in 2019 (counterfactual scenario), 2030, and 2050, respectively in urban China. The indoor ozone sources only contribute to less than 5% of COPD deaths. A gap of 68.5 μg/m3 for the highest seasonal ozone concentration should be bridged to meet the WHO AQG 2021 and avoid over 76 thousand (98%) COPD deaths in 2019 in urban China.

The paper deals with the process of environmental risk assessment from exposure to noise from tram traffic. As part of the monitoring of the acoustic situation, measurements of sound pressure levels A were made and evaluated. The survey confirmed the existence of an acoustic risk in the form of a disturbing wailing sound when a tram vehicle passes through a directional curve with a radius of less than 50m. In addition to causing annoyance, the tonal variation of sound above 65 dB causes frostiness, cardiovascular, psychological and auditory problems, thereby damaging the health of people living and moving around the transport routes.

Spinning industries in India are labor-intensive traditional industries that are crucial in attracting unskilled labor from rural areas. The hazards and risks associated with the spinning sector are severe in comparison to other industries, although they receive less attention. The majority of accidents do not result in legal repercussions. The workers are unaware of the necessity of health and safety procedures since they are illiterate. Also, owing of the difficulties in adopting OHS (occupational health and safety), the management does not place a high priority on promoting it. The spinning industries are involved with a number of safety and health concerns. This article aims to review each of these difficulties in connection to the spinning industries in India along with potential solutions to these challenges.

Today Russian companies have a low level of compliance with the principles of sustainable economy, which can be largely determined by a weak interest of some corporate stakeholders to ESG (environmental, social and governance) indicators. It determines the relevance of studying the individual groups of stakeholders and determine the measure of their interest in ESG-strategy.The purpose of this work is to determine which shareholders are most interested in ESG indicators of companies whose securities are traded on the Russian stock market. The research is based on the data from Yahoo Finance and the website of the Sustainalytics, Inc. company as of the end of 2021.Cluster, variance, regression and correlation analyses were carried out and methods of descriptive statistics were used.Results of this work have revealed the presence of the features of ownership structure of Russian companies in comparison with companies of developed countries. The lack of insiders’ interest in corporate ESG characteristics has been confirmed. At the same time, the increase in the share of institutional shareholders leads to decrease in the assessed risk of ESG but its rate is less than the change in the shares of institutional owners. The different importance of individual components of the ESG assessment for institutional shareholders has been noted.The novelty of this research is the study of Russian investors and issuers that have not been systematically studied before as well as the ascertainment of complex influence of insiders/outsiders and institutional/private investors. The scientific significance is determined by the development of a new approach to study the influence of the degree of investor responsibility on corporate characteristics. The practical significance of the results lies in obtaining the possibility of developing targeted incentive tools for company shareholders to increase their interest in corporate ESG-indicators and to increase the sustainability of the company and territories. This research will be of interest to investors, company managers, authorities, non-profit organizations and specialists in the field of ESG investment.

Education is a right to every child, but Sokoto is suffering from many issues ravaging education, therewith, a major issue is the Almajiri school. Because the Almajiri schools are abandoned there is every tendency that their drinking water is contaminated considering the rising pattern of pollution across the globe. The aim of the study was to carry out an analysis of heavy metal content in well water and propel some predictive insights for students well-being in Almajiri schools in Sokoto, Nigeria. Samples of well water were collected from Almajiri schools in Sokoto state and metals were analyzed using atomic abortion spectroscopy. 60.10 ± 5.1 to 600.1± 0.01, 100.1 ± 0.5 to 600.0 ± 0.02, are the ranges of calcium, and magnesium macroelements determined. The ranges for essential heavy metals zinc, and iron are as follows; 2.34 ± 0.05 to 5.00 ± 0.02 (zinc), and 0.54± 0.05 to 10.43 ± 0.5 (iron) respectively. The ranges of Pb, Hg, and Cd assessed are as follows: lead (0.0 to 1.06 ± 0.005), mercury (0.10 ± 0.002 to 2.501 ± 0.01), and cadmium (0.00122 ±0.0004 to 0.0761 ± 0.0001). The HI for the heavy metals determined are in the order of schools B>D>A>C. The metals determined are either excess or little (with respect to essential heavy metals) in many cases. In one school, the HI is far above 1 and therefore risk the population with effects. Thus, can elicit harm to the consumers. They can affect the academic, cognitive capacity of the Alamjiri children. There is need to take proper measures to save the health and future development of the Almajiri child against heavy metals poisoning possibility.

Biochar (BC) is a carbonaceous material obtained by pyrolysis at 200–1000 °C in the limited presence of O2 from different vegetable and animal biomass feedstocks. BC has demonstrated great potential, mainly in environmental applications, due to its high sorption ability and persistent free radicals (PFRs) content. These characteristics enable BC to carry out the direct and PFRs-mediated removal/degradation of environmental organic and inorganic contaminants. The types of PFRs that are possibly present in BC depend mainly on the pyrolysis temperature and the kind of pristine biomass. Since they can also cause ecological and human damage, a systematic evaluation of the environmental behavior, risks, or management techniques of BC-derived PFRs is urgent. PFRs generally consist of a mixture of carbon- and oxygen-centered radicals and of oxygenated carbon-centered radicals, depending on the pyrolytic conditions. Here, to promote the more productive and beneficial use of BC and the related PFRs and to stimulate further studies to make them environmentally safer and less hazardous to humans, we have first reviewed the most common methods used to produce BC, its main environmental applications, and the primary mechanisms by which BC remove xenobiotics, as well as the reported mechanisms for PFR formation in BC. Secondly, we have discussed the environmental migration and transformation of PFRs; we have reported the main PFR-mediated application of BC to degrade inorganic and organic pollutants, the potential correlated environmental risks, and the possible strategies to limit them.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute lethality and chronic sublethal effects of lithium (Li) on Rhinella arenarum tadpoles as model organisms. First a 96 h toxicity assay was performed by exposing tadpoles to Li concentrations from 44.08 to 412.5 mg L−1 to estimate the mortality, and lethal and sublethal effects. Another bioassay was carried out by exposing tadpoles to two environmentally relevant Li concentrations (2.5 and 20 mg L−1) for one and two weeks. The sublethal effects of Li on tadpoles were evaluated by analyzing biochemical, genotoxic, and physiological biomarkers. The mortality in Li-exposed tadpoles increased over time. The median lethal concentration (LC50) ranged from 319.52 (281.21–363.05) mg L−1 at 48 h to 66.92 (52.76–84.89) mg L−1 at 96 h. Exposure to Li at 2.5 and 20 mg L−1 induced alterations in enzymes related to detoxification, antioxidant, and hepatic mechanisms, endocrine disruption of thyroid hormones, genotoxicity, and effects on the physiology of the heart and gastrointestinal systems. Tadpoles exposed to the highest concentration in the chronic bioassay (20 mg L−1 Li), which is the concentration commonly recorded in Li mining sites, showed significant mortality after one week of exposure. These results warn about the high ecotoxicological risk of Li as a contaminant of emerging concern for amphibians.