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The rampant misuse of organic dyes has exacerbated environmental pollution to an alarming degree. SrBi 4 Ti 4 O 15 , a layered perovskite semiconductor material, demonstrates considerable potential in the degradation of organic dyes, and efforts have been made to enhance its photocatalytic efficiency. In this study, La3+ doping was utilized to synthesize SrBi 4-x La x Ti 4 O 15 (x = 0, 0.10, 0.15, 0.25, 0.40) nanosheet photocatalysts, and their photocatalytic performance and underlying mechanisms were comprehensively investigated. XRD and Raman spectroscopy revealed that La3+ doping replaced Bi3+ at the A-site, resulting in a reduction of the interlayer spacing of [TiO 6 ] octahedra. Combined with DFT calculations, La3+ doping was found to widen the band gap of SrBi 4 Ti 4 O 15 and raise the Fermi level. Additionally, La3+ doping significantly increased the ratio of the Ti 3d component at the bottom of the conduction band, favoring the migration of photogenerated electrons along the [TiO 6 ] octahedra and accelerating the separation of photogenerated carriers. SEM and BET analyses revealed that La3+ doping not only increased the size of the nanosheets but also significantly enhanced their specific surface area, thereby exposing more active sites. Degradation experiments of Rhodamine B (Rh B) under UV light demonstrated that the photocatalytic efficiency of SrBi 3.75 La 0.25 Ti 4 O 15 (k = 0.0514 min-1) was 2.66 times higher than that of the original SrBi 4 Ti 4 O 15 (k = 0.0193 min-1). The theoretical degradation pathway of Rh B was elucidated using LC-MS analysis and the developmental toxicity of potential intermediates was analyzed. Moreover, the SrBi 3.75 La 0.25 Ti 4 O 15 photocatalyst also exhibited excellent degradation efficacy against Methylene Blue (MB), Crystal Violet (CV), and Methyl Orange (MO). This study provides both theoretical and experimental insights into improving the photocatalytic performance of SrBi 4 Ti 4 O 15 , thereby enhancing its potential for industrial application. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study discusses the metal concentrations and sedimentological data from Lake L55, a dried, land-locked lake from Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica. Toxic metals in sediments are a major threat to the environment. Twenty-five surface sediment samples were analyzed for the presence of fifteen metals. The sedimentological data indicates that the sediments are predominantly sandy with low concentrations of silt and clay. The chemical weathering index for the sediments reflects low degree of weathering. Negligible concentrations of organic content were present in the sediments owing to the cold and dry conditions of the study area. The environmental pollution indices indicate elevated concentrations of Ba, Zn, As and Pb in the sediments. Barium could be supplied by the weathering of the quartzofeldspathic catchment rocks, while Zn, As and Pb could be supplied from the fuel burning for power generation and logistical activities, paint residue, and battery waste. The sediment quality guidelines were calculated for the sediments, and they indicate that the sediments have a 21% risk of being toxic. The pollution load index, potential ecological risk index (PERI) and toxic risk index (TRI) values suggest low toxic risk in the sediments of the lake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of cyanide compounds in soil can lead to the formation and evaporation of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), while some of these compounds can undergo conversion by microorganisms present in the soil. However, high concentrations of cyanide can be toxic to soil microorganisms. During the gold extraction of mines, sodium cyanide (NaCN) solution is commonly used which results in a significant amount of cyanide waste that is regarded as an environmental pollutant. Previous studies have proposed physical, chemical, and biological methods to eliminate cyanide, but they have not achieved optimal efficiency. Unfortunately, the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in this domain has been overlooked. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models, specifically the multilayer perceptron (MLP) and simple linear regression, can significantly enhance and expedite the cyanide remediation process due to their remarkable predictive capabilities. In this study, an MLP and simple linear regression were employed to predict the biodegradation procedures of cyanide in soil. The study focused on cyanide waste generated by gold extraction factories and utilized environmental factors such as initial waste cyanide concentration, pH, soil and environmental temperature, humidity, chloride concentration, alkaline, electrical conductivity, precipitation, evaporation intensity, cyanide concentration, and initial pH as input data for the artificial neural network. The results of the MLP model revealed that electrical conductivity is the most influential factor in predicting the cyanide rate and initial pH of the waste soil. Conversely, the results of the simple linear regression indicated that the variables with the greatest impact on cyanide concentration are electrical conductivity (0.881), time (0.862), and alkalinity (0.724). By leveraging AI techniques such as ANN, this study demonstrates the potential for improved cyanide remediation. The integration of environmental factors and predictive models can contribute to more effective strategies for addressing cyanide pollution in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental problems caused by coal goaf collapse and coal chemical solid waste pollution urgently need to be solved in China. This paper introduces the solution of technical problems encountered in preparing goaf filling materials from coal chemical solid waste to solve their environmental problems. An adhesive curing agent (ACA) for solid waste surface coating was prepared by free-polymerization of acrylic acid, 2-vinyl-4,6-diamino -1,3,5-triazine and hydroxyethyl acrylate. Then it was mixed into cement paste containing graphene oxide (GO) for surface coating of the coal chemical solid waste. The main influencing factors of the concrete strength were studied by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The test results indicated the surface morphology, internal microstructure, water absorption, bulk density and porosity of treated solid waste have met the requirements of replacing gravel in preparing goaf filling concrete. The microstructure show that the concrete contained GO has dense and uniform structures compared with the control samples. The strength results indicated that this technology can increase the solid waste content in goaf filling concrete, C30 and C40 strength grade building concrete to 80%, 66% and 51%, respectively. The results of dry shrinkage and durability also show that the solid waste concrete containing GO has little dry shrinkage value and good durability. This technology can maximize the use of solid waste of coal chemical industry to prepare goaf filling and construction concrete, and has significant economic and environmental benefits. Therefore, the technology can minimize the environmental problems caused by goaf and solid waste of coal chemical industry. The application of the results of this study will produce a huge circular economy and ecological environment effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of 'pollution for promotion' has been addressed in the literature from the perspective of tax competition or local protection, but the underlying institutional causes have not been thoroughly discussed. In this study, we put forward the theoretical hypothesis of 'industrial pollution as a last resort due to reliance on commodity taxes' and empirically tested this hypothesis using data on commodity taxes and industrial pollution in prefecture-level cities from 2003 to 2019. Our findings indicate that a 1% increase in the share of GST (Goods and Services Tax) is associated with a significant average increase of approximately 0.51% in industrial pollution. The primary channels through which GST affects industrial pollution include the expansion of production scale amongst heavy polluters, reduced environmental requirements for large taxpayers and increased land development. Commodity tax dependence creates a barrier for local governments to adopt more sustainable economic development models, leading to increased industrial pollution. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the institutional barriers during China's economic transformation, shed light on the responses of firms and governments within existing institutional frameworks, and provide policy insights for transitioning towards high-quality economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) is a universally used industrial material with exponential growth in production and consumption worldwide. The frequently reported occupational DMF poisoning cases in some countries and the gradually recognized unavoidable health risks to the general population highlight that DMF should still be a matter of concern. Previous studies have demonstrated that the liver is the primary target organ of DMF exposure and multiple mechanisms have been revealed. However, most of these studies investigate the detrimental effects of acute and subacute DMF exposure, while the effects of chronic DMF exposure are rarely studied. Furthermore, the key mechanism for the acute hepatotoxicity of DMF remains to be elucidated. Future research may focus on the identification of efficient preventive measures against the toxicity of DMF to occupational workers, the investigation of the detrimental effects of DMF at environmentally relevant doses, and the studies on the elimination and recycling of DMF in industrial wastes. Herein, we present an updated review of the metabolism of DMF, the biomarker of DMF exposure, underlying molecular mechanisms of DMF‐induced hepatotoxicity, and the toxicity of DMF to both occupational workers and general populations and discuss the possible directions in future studies. N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) should still be a matter of concern due to the frequently reported occupational DMF poisoning cases in some countries and the gradually recognized unavoidable health risks to the general population. This review summarizes the knowledge of the metabolism, exposure biomarkers, molecular mechanisms underlying hepatotoxicity, and the toxicity to both occupational workers and general populations of DMF and discusses the possible directions in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the relentless exploitation of nonrenewable resources, humanity is faced with a resource depletion crisis in the coming decades and serious environmental issues. Achieving efficient removal and upcycling of pollutants (ERUP) may become a potential strategy to address these issues. Wastewater, characterized by its large production volume and fluidity, can easily cause widespread environmental pollution through natural water networks. Due to solubility constraints, pollutants in wastewater typically exhibit low concentrations and complex compositions, thereby impeding effective recovery. Therefore, achieving ERUP in wastewater is both highly significant and extremely challenging. Unlike conventional wastewater treatment strategies that are focused on removing pollutants, ERUP strategies can not only realize the efficient removal of pollutants from water but also convert pollutants into valuable and functional products. Herein, we enumerated the latest research progress on ERUP in wastewater and highlighted studies that demonstrate the simultaneous achievement of pollutant removal and the direct conversion of these contaminants into high-efficiency catalysts, hydrogen energy, electrical energy, and other high-value chemicals. Finally, we identified the problems and challenges in the development of ERUP in wastewater and outlined potential research directions for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims forward to explain the effect of freight transportation on environmental pollution and to investigate the role played by the usage rates of road and railway transportation modes in this relationship. As an auxiliary problem of the research, it was tried to determine whether there is a threshold value for these types of transportation and what consequences will arise in terms of environmental pollution below and above this threshold. For this purpose, the data of OECD countries for the period 2000–2018 were analyzed with the PSTR method. Analysis results showed a non-linear relationship between freight transportation and environmental pollution and that the road/rail transportation ratio plays an important role in this relationship. The determined threshold value is 68.18% for road freight transport and 29.55% for rail freight transport. Below the determined threshold values, as the amount of cargo transported increases, the rate of carbon emission increase gradually increases in both types of transport. Above the threshold values, road transport increases the rate of increase even more, while rail transport decreases this rate of increase. Within the scope of these results, countries should develop policies to increase the use of railways in freight transport while reducing the use of roads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae causing severe infection resulting in morbidity and mortality have become a global health concern. K. pneumoniae with sequence type ST147 is an international high-risk clonal lineage, genomic studies have been done on K. pneumoniae ST147 isolated from clinical origin but genomic data for environmental K. pneumoniae ST147 is very scarce. Herein, K. pneumoniae IITR008, an extensively drug resistant and potentially hypervirulent bacterium, was isolated from Triveni Sangam, the confluence of three rivers where religious congregations are organized. Phenotypic, genomic and comparative genomic analysis of strain IITR008 was performed. Antibiotic susceptibility profiling revealed resistance to 9 different classes of antibiotics including ß-lactams, ß-lactam combination agents, carbapenem, aminoglycoside, macrolide, quinolones, cephams, phenicol, and folate pathway antagonists and was found to be susceptible to only tetracycline. The strain IITR008 possesses hypervirulence genes namely, iutA and iroN in addition to numerous virulence factors coding for adherence, regulation, iron uptake, secretion system and toxin. Both the IITR008 chromosome and plasmid pIITR008_75 possess a plethora of clinically relevant antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) including blaCTX-M-15, blaTEM-1, and blaSHV-11, corroborating the phenotypic resistance. Comparative genomic analysis with other ST147 K. pneumoniae provided insights on the phylogenetic clustering of IITR008 with a clinical strain isolated from a patient in Czech with recent travel history in India and other clinical strains isolated from India and Pakistan. According to the 'One Health' perspective, surveillance of antibiotic resistance in the environment is crucial to impede its accelerated development in diverse ecological niches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated concentrations of metals in rivers can pose significant risks to human health. Consequently, it is essential to monitor metal levels in river water to minimize human exposure, particularly through consumption of harvested fish and other uses. This study examined the water quality of the Ona River in Ibadan, Nigeria. Seven potentially toxic elements (PTEs), namely Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr and four macronutrients: Mg, Na, K, Ca were investigated. Surface and pore water samples were collected from six sampling points during the peak of the dry and the rainy seasons. These were analyzed according to standard procedures and processed using the Simple Fuzzy Classification (SFC) model with four classes. The results revealed that the PTEs: Fe, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Mn were detected above guideline limits in several sampling points, indicating possible contamination from anthropogenic sources. Simple fuzzy classification puts the quality of water in the investigated portion of the river in the range of 67.4–88.5% in the C1 (pristine) category during the dry season and 61.9–88.6% in C1 (pristine) during rainy season. However, there were membership functions of up to 58.7 and 63.2; 61.2 and 75.4 as well as 44.3 and 43.5% in C2, C3, and C4 categories (contaminated, polluted and extremely polluted, respectively) during the first and second sampling, respectively. Due to the high concentrations of toxic and bioaccumulative metals in the river, efforts should be made to control the discharge of pollutants into the river. These will prevent human health exposure risks tendencies for various uses, including fish production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noise pollution is an important environmental problem and in comparison, to other pollutants, the control of environmental noise has been hampered by insufficient knowledge as well as a lack of criteria. Power Plant industries have worldwide substantial progress and noise pollution is one of the considerable environmental impacts of various processes of these industries. This cross-sectional research aimed to study the sound levels to control noise pollution at different sections of the Mazandaran Thermal Power Plant in Iran. Sound pressure level measurements and frequency analysis were performed using the net" method where the results were compared with ACGIH Threshold Limit Values. It was found that inside the factory most of the measuring stations have high sound levels in comparison to industrial standards of 85 dB(A). Office buildings have the lowest sound pressure among measured areas. As 43% of measured stations are located in danger areas. Also, environmental noise measurements around Mazandaran Power Plant as an industrial residential area have revealed that sound levels were not higher than the admissible standards in Iran. The electricity generator's fan and Feed Water Pump section produce high levels of noise; therefore, a silencer and an enclosure were designed respectively. The amount of noise reduction for the enclosure was 38.7 dB(A) while the values of insertion loss and for the silencer 63.9 dB(A) reduction has been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive use of polymeric materials has resulted in significant environmental pollution, prompting the need for a deeper understanding of their degradation processes and impacts. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the degradation of polymeric materials in the environment and their impact on the health of experimental animals. It identifies common polymers, delineates their degradation pathways, and describes the resulting products under different environmental conditions. The review covers physical, chemical, and biological degradation mechanisms, highlighting the complex interplay of factors influencing these processes. Furthermore, it examines the health implications of degradation products, using experimental animals as proxies for assessing potential risks to human health. By synthesizing current research, the review focuses on studies related to small organisms (primarily rodents and invertebrates, supplemented by fish and mollusks) to explore the effects of polymer materials on living organisms and underscores the urgency of developing and implementing effective polymer waste management strategies. These strategies are crucial for mitigating the adverse environmental and health impacts of polymer degradation, thus promoting a more sustainable interaction between human activities and the natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG) and the European Network of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ENTOG) express their concerns on the effect of climate change and environmental pollution. This paper reviews the impact on reproductive health and the contribution to climate change by the field of obstetrics and gynaecology. It concludes that its contributors and the effects of climate change cause definite adverse consequences to fertility and adverse obstetric outcomes. Mankind, and obstetrics and gynaecology personnel as well, must be aware and responsible of its contribution to climate change and consider the impact of their actions and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the impact of digital finance on environmental pollution is of great significance for realising regional sustainable development and promoting digital finance strategies. This paper uses the balanced panel data of 274 prefecture-level cities in China collected between 2011 and 2018, empirically studies the impact of digital finance on environmental pollution, and analyses its direct, mediating, nonlinear and heterogeneity effects. The results show that digital finance reduces environmental pollution and the effect gradually increases with time. The sub-indicators of digital finance significantly reduce environmental pollution, among which the usage-depth has the greatest impact on environmental pollution, while digitalisation level has the least. Digital finance reduces environmental pollution through production technology and industrial structure, while pollution control technology does not play an intermediary role. The pollution control effect of digital finance is more prominent in cities with a high level of Internet development and human capital. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect is more significant in western region and medium-small sized cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pollution caused by the mining and smelting of heavy metals is becoming an increasingly severe environmental problem. In this study, the environmental risks of mine tailings were explored using typical antimony tailings (the depth of the sample taken from the ground to the deepest position of 120 cm) from the Zuoxiguo mine in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The tailings were examined to explore the geological background, distribution characteristics, and release characteristics of heavy metals. Additionally, stabilizer treatments for heavy metals were investigated in consideration of waste treatment. The results showed that the contents of Sb and As (8.93×103 and 425 mg/kg, respectively) in the tailings were considerably higher than the local soil background values, suggesting that these metals pose a considerable threat to the surrounding environment. The geological background values of Cr, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn were relatively low. The results of static release showed that Sb, As, Cd, and Cr leached from the tailings more easily than Cu, Zn, and Pb under acidic conditions (pH=2.98). Geo-accumulation indices and potential ecological risk indices showed that Sb, As, Cd, and Pb were highly enriched in the tailings, whereas Cu, Cr, and Zn contents were relatively low. The single factor ecological risk index of the mining area showed that Sb and As are high ecological risk factors, whereas Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb are not. The results of the orthogonal test results showed that by adding 15.0% (m/m) fly ash and 15.0% (m/m) zeolite powder to the quicklime and curing for 28 d, a significant stabilization effect was observed for Sb, As, and Pb. This study helps determine the priority control components for characteristic heavy metals in antimony tailings, and provides valuable insights regarding the formulation of appropriate mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in global temperatures over the past few decades due to greenhouse gas emissions has raised concerns and necessitated further research in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Methane is a prominent greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to climate change, with a substantial amount generated through fermentation processes occurring in the rumen of ruminant animals. The potential of plant secondary metabolites, especially those derived from tannin-rich plants, warrants investigation to modify rumen fermentation and mitigate methane emissions in livestock diets. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of extracts obtained from green and black tea waste on rumen fermentation dynamics and gas (methane) production, utilizing in vitro methods. For this purpose, rumen fluid was collected from two fistulated sheep and subjected to three treatments: (1) a basal diet (control), (2) a basal diet + green tea waste extract (5% of dry matter), (3) a basal diet + black tea waste extract (5% of dry matter). The study assessed the effects of incorporating extracts from green and black tea waste on various parameters, including digestibility, protozoa population, ammonia nitrogen levels, volatile fatty acids, and methane gas production following a 24-h incubation period. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using SAS software within a completely randomized design framework. The findings indicated that the addition of green and black tea waste extracts significantly decreased methane gas production (p < 0.05), protozoa count (p < 0.05), and ammonia nitrogen concentrations in rumen fluid (p < 0.05) when compared to the control group. The addition of green and black tea waste extracts has significantly altered the concentration of VFAs in rumen fluid (p < 0.05). Specifically, the addition of green tea waste extract has led to a highly significant reduction in acetic acid, (p < 0.01) and the addition of both extracts has resulted in a significant increase in propionic acid (p < 0.05). Consequently, the results suggest that the inclusion of green and black tea waste extracts in livestock diets may effectively mitigate methane emissions in the rumen, thereby reducing feed costs and reducing environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic (MP) pollution in agricultural ecosystems is an emerging environmental concern, with limited knowledge of its transport and accumulation in rural waterbodies. This study investigates the distribution and sources of MP in drainage ditches influenced by pond connectivity, land use, and soil properties within a small catchment in Nanjing, East China. Sediment was collected from ditches in 18 sites across forest, agricultural, horticultural, and urban areas. Using laser-directed infrared spectroscopy (LDIR), 922 MP particles were identified. Six materials were dominant: fluororubber (FR), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane (PU), acrylonitrile (ACR), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), and polyethylene (PE). MP concentrations varied by land use and pond connectivity, with ditches above ponds exhibiting higher counts (1700 particles/kg) than those below (1050 particles/kg), indicating that ponds act as MP sinks. The analysis revealed site-specific MP sources, with FR linked to road runoff and PET associated with agricultural practices. Correlations between MP shape and soil properties showed that more compact and filled shapes were more commonly associated with coarser soils. PE particle size was negatively correlated with organic matter. This study highlights the need for targeted strategies to reduce MP pollution in rural landscapes, such as reducing plastic use, ditch maintenance, and improved road runoff management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan are urban rivers in Haikou City, Hainan Island. They are vital water sources, serving various purposes, from farmland irrigation to domestic and industrial use. Unfortunately, anthropogenic activities have influenced these "rivers," negatively impacting water quality and ecological functions; however, there is limited research on their ecological status. Thus, this study assessed the zooplankton community structure and developed the zooplankton index of biotic integrity (Z-IBI) to evaluate the ecological status. Samples were collected and analyzed seasonally in 2019. Generally, 159 zooplankton species belonging to 85 genera, 55 families, and 3 phyla were identified, dominated by Rotifer and Protozoa, followed by Arthropoda (groups of Copepod and Cladocera). The zooplankton density varied from 0.00 to 126.04 ind L−1, with averages of 19.49 ind L−1, 31.40 ind L−1, and 20.38 ind L−1 in Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan, respectively. The zooplankton density varied seasonally as summer > spring > winter > autumn. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) indicated a significant seasonal difference (R = 0.070, p < 0.001) in zooplankton community but not spatially (R = 0.004, p = 0.413). Thus, SIMPER revealed that Brachionus forficula, Didinium nasutum, Keratella valga, Nauplius, and Polyarthra vulgaris contributed to the seasonal differences. The redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed environmental factors, including total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), chemical oxygen demand (CODMn), dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, pH, Chl-a, and electrical conductivity (EC) influenced zooplankton species. The Z-IBI was established using Zooplankton abundance, Protozoa abundance, Copepod abundance, Cladoceran biomass %, and Shannon–Wiener diversity index. Based on Z-IBI evaluation, ecological status was "moderate" in Changwang and Wuyuan, while it was "low" in Meishe. Seasonally, the ecological status in autumn was better than in summer and spring. The Z-IBI showed that parameters, including pH, EC, CODMn, TN, TP, and Chl-a, decreased with improving water quality, while water transparency increased with improved water quality. Thus, the "rivers" ecological status could be adequately assessed using the Z-IBI to guide their water quality monitoring and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of financial development (FD) and green investments (GIs) on environmental pollution in Eastern and Southern African countries from 1990 to 2020. The research not only investigates the direct impacts of FD and green finance on environmental pollution but also examines the moderating role of institutional quality (IQ) and possible nonlinear effects of FD and green finance. Our analysis from the Panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) long‐run PMG reveals a negative association between FD, green investment, and environmental pollution, indicating that a well‐developed financial sector supports sustainable initiatives, leading to improved environmental outcomes. IQ moderates this relationship, with strong governance enhancing the positive effects of FD and green finance on environmental preservation. Interestingly, the study identifies nonlinear impacts, suggesting that beyond a certain threshold, the contributions of FD and GIs to environmental preservation may diminish. Recognizing these nonlinearities and the role of IQ can inform more targeted policies for maximizing efforts toward environmental conservation in African economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public demand is an important factor influencing government decisions, and research on theoretical modelling of the impact of public demand for environmental quality on environmental regulation has been limited. In this paper, by constructing a dynamic optimization model, we derive the dynamic change mechanism of the impact of public demand for environmental quality on environmental regulation, and solve the optimal decision of environmental regulation. Further numerical simulation results show that public demand for environmental quality positively influences environmental regulation, and the influence coefficient curve between the two tends to be upwardly convex as the level of economic development increases, i.e. public demand for environmental quality influences environmental regulation to a greater extent. The research results provide theoretical model support for related studies, and the government should smooth the feedback channel of public demand for environmental quality and further optimize environmental regulations with the development of economic development level to achieve sustainable economic and environmental development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are tiny plastic particles ranging from 1 to 5000 μm in size and are of particular concern nowadays because of their ecological risk & health concerns. MPs are prevalent environmental contaminants and have been reported in various ecosystems such as soil, air, water, and road dust. However, a thorough understanding of their distribution across various environmental matrices remains elusive. Therefore, this review aims to fill this knowledge gap by examining the abundance of MPs and different techniques utilized for their identification and characterization including sampling, extraction, identification, characterization, and quantification methods. MPs possess a large surface area and exhibit hydrophobic properties, providing a substrate for environmental pollutants such as Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The primary mechanisms through which pollutants attached to MPs are hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, halogen bonding, and π-π interactions. Therefore, a better understanding of these interactions is crucial for determining the fate and transport of MPs and co-contaminants in the environment. Researchers commonly deploy techniques such as stereomicroscopy and spectroscopy for the characterization and quantification of MPs. However, size and chemical properties of MPs pose a challenge in their quantification, thereby necessitating the development of standardized analytical methods. Use of bio-indicators for MPs biomonitoring has gained popularity in recent years as an affordable option over conventional techniques however research in this area is limited. With this intention, the present review is designed to provide information about the status of the field and advance our knowledge of MPs in various environmental matrices. Highlights: • Soil and road dust are one of the major sources of MPs for aquatic ecosystem. • Fibers of polypropylene & polyethylene are the most abundant MPs in soil & aquatic systems and show pollutant adsorption. • Biomonitoring of MPs emerges as a new alternative for their quantification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the spatiotemporal distribution and the factors influencing recent spatial distribution trends of international students in China (ISSC) from 1999 to 2018. We analyze the ISSC response to environmental pollution and policy regulations using an OLS fixed effect model. ISSC is divided into four sub-groups: self-funded, degree-seeking, non-degree-seeking, and those under the Chinese government scholarship (ISSCG). Our findings reveal that the spatial distribution of the total ISSC, self-funded, and non-degree-seeking students has significantly expanded and continuously moved southward, with the spatial autocorrelation exhibiting patterns of initial concentration of destinations (namely universities attended by international students tend to be spatially close to each other), then dispersion, and re-concentration. In contrast, the ISSCG once greatly expanded before it slightly contracted and shifted westward and slightly moved eastward over the years. The most important contribution of our paper is to identify environmental pollution (such as high industrial wastewater discharge and PM2.5 levels) as a determinant in selecting ISSC destinations. We highlight findings that the worse the environmental pollution, the fewer international students are enrolled in universities in these locations. In addition, we also find that self-funded international students are significantly deterred by environmental pollution. Conversely, ISSCG’s choices are restricted by scholarship policies, diminishing their sensitivity to environmental pollution in destination decisions. We provide explanations for the differences in the decision-making process between ISSCG and self-funded students from the perspectives of the policies of the Ministry of Education in China and the economic development of international students’ home countries. Our findings shed light on the opportunities and challenges faced by China’s global education and contribute to theoretical insights into international migration issues and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the variables that might affect the ecological footprint by using 1992–2015 data of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). The common correlated effects' mean group test was employed under the assumption of cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneity. In Brazil, an increase in energy consumption, technological development, and globalization decreased the ecological footprint by 0.043, 0.031, and 0.050 units, respectively, while an increase in urbanization increased the ecological footprint by 0.716 units. In Russia, on the other hand, no interpretation could be made because the coefficients were meaningless. In India, it had been observed that an increase of one unit in urbanization reduced the ecological footprint by 0.269 units. In China, it had been determined that a 1-unit increase in energy consumption reduced the ecological footprint by 0.043 units. In South Africa, the results could not be interpreted because the coefficients were insignificant. The results obtained vary according to the countries that revealed that local policies can also be effective on these variables. Therefore, countries have to act by examining the structures on their own to implement the policies they needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to analyze the threshold effect (nonlinear regression) of the impact of economic growth, foreign direct investment inflow, and trade on the environmental degradation in China from 2007 to 2019 by using panel data at the province level. The results of threshold effect regression show that China's economic growth and trade have a single threshold effect on carbon dioxide emissions, but foreign direct investment does not have any. The results reveal that when economic development increases and reaches a threshold value, its impact on carbon dioxide emissions weakens. When trade volume increases to a threshold value, its negative impact on carbon dioxide emissions strengthens. Both methods find that foreign direct investment and trade have a slightly negative relation with carbon dioxide emissions, which may indicate that in recent years of economic development, China's technological and industrial upgrading has been decoupling foreign investment and trade from carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover, this research finds that China's eastern provinces have reached the threshold, yet its middle and western provinces have not. Based on our empirical results, it is suggested that the Chinese government needs to pay more attention to the unbalanced economic development and environment governance between east and middle & western areas, and take measures to prevent the transfer of polluting industries from China's developed provinces to undeveloped middle and western provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The most harmful atmospheric pollutant for human health is particulate matter (PM). We analyzed the correlation between short-term lag exposure to PM10 and PM2.5, salivary cortisol and TNF-α level, and methylation levels of the TNF-α promoter. Methods: A pilot study including 20 subjects. Eight salivary samples for each subject at various times of the day were collected for comparing cortisol levels and TNFα detection. TNFα promoter methylation levels on salivary DNA were analyzed. Regression analyses were performed using generalized linear mixed models between the different outcomes and 4, 3, 2 and 1 day's lag values of PM10/PM2.5.Generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) was used to evaluate any potential deviation from linearity. Results: Area under the curve with respect to the ground (AUCg) showed a statistically positive association with 4-, 3-, 2-, and 1-day lag of exposure to PM10. Area under the curve with respect to the increase (AUCi) showed a statistically negative association with 4-, 3- and 1-day lag of exposure to PM10. TNFα showed statistically significant association with both exposures, PM10 and PM2.5, at 4-, 3-, 2-, and 1-day lag. Conclusions: Regarding cortisol levels there is an increase of overall hormone levels but a less dynamism of the system to answer to external stressors. Increase of TNF-α may reflect increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation due to pollution exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging contaminants (ECs), such as polyfluorinated compounds, antibiotics, microplastics, and nonylphenol, continue to challenge environmental management practices due to their persistence and bioaccumulation potential. This reviewarticulates the critical pathways and environmental risks posed by these contaminants, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of innovative removal technologies. We spotlight groundbreaking methods that are reshaping the landscape of ECs remediation: membrane filtration technology, constructed wetlands, adsorptive materials, algae-based systems, biological treatments, and advanced oxidation processes. Each method is evaluated for its efficacy in removing ECs, with particular emphasis on sustainability and economic viability. Our findings reveal that integrating these technologies can significantly enhance removal efficiency, offering new directions for environmental policy and practical applications. This article positions these advanced removal technologies at the forefront of the fight against ECs, advocating for their broader adoption to safeguard environmental and public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farming is the primary source of livelihood in India. A variety of crops (cereals, fibers, oil seeds, sugarcane, and others) are grown for food and other consumable products. This results in the production of a large amount of agricultural waste, also known as crop residue. The disposal of crop residue is a major problem in India. Farmers often burn it in open fields (in-situ burning) due to a lack of farmer-friendly options. This has led to increased air pollution in the Indo-Gangetic plains, the loss of beneficial soil microbes and nutrients, and other health risks. This review paper discusses the current status of agricultural residual production in India. It examines waste-to-energy production technologies and assesses the potential for second-generation fuel production in the country. The paper also discusses in-situ management practices (such as happy seeder, rotary mulcher, shrub master, and paddy straw chopper/shredder) and ex-situ energy recovery technologies (such as biogas, biochar, bioethanol plants, and vermicomposting) for sustainable energy production. Highlights: This review focused on Agricultural waste generation. Majorly focused on the current status of agricultural residue production. Discussed waste to energy production technologies. It evaluated the second-generation fuels production possibilities in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study quantified hazardous heavy metals (Cu, Cr, and Pb) in soil and vegetables (potato, tomato, pepper, cauliflower, and cabbage) across six upazilas (Kahaloo, Bogura Sadar, Shajahanpur, Shibganj, Nandigram, and Dupchanchia) in Bogura district, Bangladesh, assessing their health and environmental impacts. The detection method was validated for its accuracy and precision with QC samples. Results indicated that Cu levels in all samples were within safe limits set by BFSA and FAO/WHO, whereas Cr and Pb in vegetables exceeded permissible levels, though soil concentrations remained within limits. Pb contamination was particularly severe in vegetables (CF > 6), and all vegetables showed significant contamination degrees (CD), highlighting extensive heavy metal pollution. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) identified Kahaloo and Bogura Sadar as the most polluted, whereas Nandigram and Dupchanchia were the least. Bioaccumulation factors (BF) for all metals were <1, suggesting minimal transfer to edible parts. However, the ecological risk index (ERi) and potential ecological risk index (PERI) suggested low ecological risks, but health risk assessments indicated that vegetable consumption poses significant carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks (CHR > 10−4, HI > 1) across all upazilas. The findings underscore the urgent need for measures to mitigate heavy metal pollution in these areas to safeguard environmental and public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saudi Arabia is known for its dry climate. This arid climate of the region makes its ecosystems highly susceptible, with limited water resources and vulnerable agricultural fields. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend the public's awareness and perceptions of environmental issues and climate change that have an impact on their health and immune system. This study employed a cross-sectional survey to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and related health impact of environmental pollutants and climate change in Saudi Arabia. The participants were chosen randomly from various regions across the kingdom. In this study, a total of 437 respondents were selected using convenience sampling (80.78% female and 19.22% male). Participants have fair knowledge on immunological and health effect of environmental pollution and climate change (94.3% and 87.5%, respectively). Participants are well aware of influence of environmental pollutants and climate change on spread of infectious diseases 51–94%. Significant correlation exists between participants of private sector in attitude domain of KAP (P = 0.003, χ2 = 5.139). Significant correlation exists between participants of private sector in attitude domain of KAP (P = 0.003, χ2 = 5.139. Participants are well aware of influence of environmental pollutants and climate change on spread of infectious diseases (51–94%). In conclusion, the health mission in Saudi Arabia has integrated order to manage the diseases that are related to climate change. It is crucial to enhance the knowledge and skills of general public regarding climate change and its impact on health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methanotrophs are bacteria that consume methane (CH4) as their sole carbon and energy source. These microorganisms play a crucial role in the carbon cycle by metabolizing CH4 (the greenhouse gas), into cellular biomass and carbon dioxide (CO2). Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biopolymers produced by various microorganisms, including methanotrophs. PHA production using methanotrophs is a promising strategy to address growing concerns regarding plastic pollution and the need for sustainable, biodegradable materials. Various factors, including nutrient availability, environmental conditions, and metabolic engineering strategies, influence methanotrophic production. Nutrient limitations, particularly those of nitrogen or phosphorus, enhance PHA production by methanotrophs. Metabolic engineering approaches, such as the overexpression of key enzymes involved in PHA biosynthesis or the disruption of competing pathways, can also enhance PHA yields by methanotrophs. Overall, PHA production by methanotrophs represents a sustainable and versatile approach for developing biomedical materials with numerous potential applications. Additionally, alternative feedstocks, such as industrial waste streams or byproducts can be explored to improve the economic feasibility of PHA production. This review briefly describes the potential of methanotrophs to produce PHAs, with recent updates and perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) persist for long periods in the environment, causing adverse effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The accumulation of MPs in various trophic levels mostly depends on weathering phenomena, their reduced dimensions and the improved bioavailability; this ultimately causes their ingestion by organisms living in different niches. The modern concern about MPs toxicity collides with the current unavailability of standardized and reliable methodologies to assess the risks associated with the exposure of organisms from different habitats. Hence, the identification and selection of appropriate biomonitors for MPs pollution risk assessment should focus on the identification of easy-to-implement assays, rapidly interpretable results (e.g., based on the MPs bioaccumulation capabilities in their tissues) and standardizable methodologies. The present review analyzed some emerging biomonitors exploited for MPs evaluation, selected and examined according to their potential use as specific biological indicators for diverse environments. The research was focused on plants, as biological models for airborne microfibers toxicity evaluation; mussels, as key organisms for the establishment of MPs accumulation in marine environments; land snails, representing emerging organisms selected for studies of MPs' impact on soil. Furthermore, recent findings evidenced the influence of microplastics on the composition of environmental microbiota, enhancing pathogenic biofilms formation, leading to increased water, soil, food, crops and waste contamination. Disposing of harmonized and validated methods to study MPs' impact on the environment, integrated with promising machine learning tools, might sensibly support the risk management strategies protecting human and animal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution of livestock and poultry breeding (LPB) has always been a global hot topic. This study has introduced a bayesian network model to explore factors influencing the LPB farmers' willingness to environmental management based on 121 questionnaires obtained from coastal China. This study revealed that: (1) Educational level, breeding scale, annual income of breeding, farmers' environmental awareness, the availability of technical guidance, environmental perception, policy publicity and the completeness of relevant social policies all positively affected farmers' willingness to environmental management. However, farmer's age and subsidies for dead animal showed an opposite effect. (2) Among all factors, acting pathway of "technical guidance → enhancing environmental awareness/increasing breeding income → promoting willingness to prevent environmental pollution" may likely play a dominating role in the LPB environmental management, which deserved to be focused closely in the future. (3) For local government, enhancing perceptions on changes of surrounding soils and air, strengthening the LPB training, and accurately adopting subsidy policies can effectively rise farmers' willingness to the LPB environmental management. This study will be helpful to accurately promote the LPB management in coastal areas. Article Highlights: Bayesian network model adopted in this study identified the contributions of non-structural factors affecting farmer's willingness. Subsidies for dead animal and farmer's age all showed a negative impact on farmer's willingness to the LPB environmental management. A dominant acting pathway affecting farmer's willingness has been determined which benefited to sustainable development of the future LPB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial titled "Pharmaceutically active micropollutants - how serious is the problem and is there a microbial way out?" published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology. The editorial discusses the issue of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) as pollutants in the environment, particularly in water bodies. It highlights the increasing consumption of medications globally and the resulting discharge of PhACs into the environment. The editorial emphasizes the need for rigorous risk assessments and explores microbial strategies for mitigating the environmental impact of PhACs. It also provides an overview of several studies included in the research topic, which address different aspects of this complex issue. The text discusses the issue of pharmaceutical contamination in the environment and explores various strategies for mitigating its impact. It emphasizes the importance of optimizing factors such as membrane selection, reactor design, and operational parameters to enhance the effectiveness of remediation methods. The text also highlights the need for long-term studies on the health effects of pharmaceutical contaminants and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Additionally, it discusses the prevalence of pharmaceutical micropollutants in low-to-middle-income countries and the urgent need for improved waste management systems. The integration of molecular approaches and advances in bioremediation techniques are also discussed as potential solutions to the problem. The text concludes by emphasizing the importance of strict regulations, advanced detection technologies, and public awareness in managing pharmaceutical contaminants and protecting public health and ecosystems. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Operators in the obituary and necropsy sectors are exposed to various environmental hazards during specific tasks. Despite this exposure, occupational risks have often been underestimated, resulting in a lack of substantial evidence. The primary objectives of this study were to identify sources of chemical risk, establish procedures for monitoring and quantifying exposure during necropsy activities, and recommend adjustments to regulatory guidelines to protect the health of the operators. The study was conducted at the Legal Medicine Unit of the Umberto I General Hospital in Rome, focusing on the quantitative measurement of particulate matter (PM) exposure among at-risk operators during necropsy activities. Environmental levels of total suspended particles, PM10, PM4, PM2.5, and PM1 were assessed by evaluating the average, minimum, and maximum instantaneous indoor concentrations using an airborne analyzer. Results: The monitoring activities revealed that the PM concentrations were significantly lower than the recognized reference values. However, bone sawing, body removal, and cleaning were identified as high-risk maneuvers for dust suspension. Conclusions: Our study highlighted specific risks associated with necropsy activities, particularly concerning timing and certain maneuvers. These results may lead to interventions for improving current prevention procedures, implementing good practices, and developing specific guidelines to enhance operator safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents an integrated overview of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons' (PAHs) ubiquity comprising environmental contamination in the air, aquatic ecosystems, and soils; characterizes the contamination in biota; and identifies main biomonitors and human exposure to PAHs and associated health risks. Urban centers and industrial areas present increased concentrations in the air (1344.4–12,300 versus 0.03–0.60 ng/m3 in industrial/urban and rural zones) and soils (0.14–1.77 × 106 versus 2.00–9.04 × 103 versus 1.59–5.87 × 103 ng/g in urban, forest, and rural soils), respectively. Increased concentrations were found in coastal zones and superficial waters as well as in sediments (7.00 × 104–1.00 × 109 ng/g). Benzo(a)pyrene, a carcinogenic PAH, was found in all environmental media. Mosses, lichens, tree leaves, bivalves, cephalopods, terrestrials' snails, and honeybees are good biomonitors of biota contamination. More studies are needed to improve characterization of PAHs' levels, distribution, and bioaccumulation in the environmental media and assess the associated risks for biota and human health. Actions and strategies to mitigate and prevent the bioaccumulation of PAHs in the environment and trophic chains toward the WHO's One-Health Perspective to promote the health of all ecosystems and human life are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the nonlinear contagion, tail dependence, and Granger causality relations with TAR-TR-GARCH–copula causality methods for daily Bitcoin, Fintech, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions in addition to examining these series for entropy, long-range dependence, fractionality, complexity, chaos, and nonlinearity with a dataset spanning from 25 June 2012 to 22 June 2024. Empirical results from Shannon, Rényi, and Tsallis entropy measures; Kolmogorov–Sinai complexity; Hurst–Mandelbrot and Lo's R/S tests; and Phillips' and Geweke and Porter-Hudak's fractionality tests confirm the presence of entropy, complexity, fractionality, and long-range dependence. Further, the largest Lyapunov exponents and Hurst exponents confirm chaos across all series. The BDS test confirms nonlinearity, and ARCH-type heteroskedasticity test results support the basis for the use of novel TAR-TR-GARCH–copula causality. The model estimation results indicate moderate to strong levels of positive and asymmetric tail dependence and contagion under distinct regimes. The novel method captures nonlinear causality dynamics from Bitcoin and Fintech to energy consumption and CO2 emissions as well as causality from energy consumption to CO2 emissions and bidirectional feedback between Bitcoin and Fintech. These findings underscore the need to take the chaotic and complex dynamics seriously in policy and decision formulation and the necessity of eco-friendly technologies for Bitcoin and Fintech. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contact of aquatic microbiocenoses with antibiotics present in the environment can cause the former to develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Therefore, the search for methods to detect antibiotics and drug-resistant microorganisms in the environment is important. The presented paper proposes a simple procedure to assess environmental exposure to antibiotics and the presence of non-susceptible microorganisms. Medium solutions with selected antibiotics and a microbial growth indicator were applied to test plates, and were inoculated with water samples from various ecosystems. After incubation, the susceptibility of the microorganisms to antibiotics was determined and presented in chronic microbial toxic concentration (MTC) values. It was confirmed that the presented procedure enables the assessment of the antibiotic susceptibility and adaptation potential of unselected microorganisms from different aquatic ecosystems. However, the MTC values depend on the inoculum volume, the density and seasonal activity of the microorganisms, the method of inoculum preparation, and the incubation time of the test plate. The described procedure may be practically applied as a screening test to identify the presence of drug-resistant microorganisms. Additionally, it may also be suitable as a method to assess environmental exposure to antibiotics. However, prior standardisation is required before implementing this procedure in quantitative studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Properly managing aquatic organisms is crucial, including protecting endemic species and controlling invasive species. From a circular economy perspective, the sustainable use of aquatic species as a source of bioactive molecules is an area that is increasingly being explored. This includes the use of non-edible portions of seafood, which could pose considerable risks to the environment due to current methods of disposal. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to ensure that the exploitation of these resources does not result in the transfer of pollutants to the final product. This study analyzed two types of non-edible parts from the crayfish Procambarus clarkii: the abdominal portion of the exoskeleton (AbE) and the whole exoskeleton (WE), including the cephalothorax. These portions could potentially be utilized in the context of eradication activities regulated by local authorities. A screening analysis of four classes of pollutants, including pesticides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalic acid esters (PAEs), and trace elements (TEs), was performed. The only analytes detected were TEs, and significant differences in the contamination profile were found between AbE and WE. Nevertheless, the levels recorded were comparable to or lower than those reported in the literature and below the maximum levels allowed in the current European legislation for food, suggesting that their potential use is legally permitted. In terms of scalability, the utilization of the entire non-edible P. clarkii portion would represent a sustainable solution for the reuse of waste products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a crucial role in emission control, being one of the most important sources of odor while also serving as significant precursors to secondary organic aerosols and ozone formation. Appropriate sampling methods are essential for accurately assessing the concentration and composition of VOCs within swine barns. In this study, the effects of both passive air sampling and active air sampling on VOCs were evaluated, and the influence of storage time on the VOC stability in sampling canisters for both methods was investigated. SUMMA canisters, which are electropolished and passivated with silanization, offer excellent corrosion protection and resistance to high pressure and temperature and were used in this study. The predominant component categories prevailing within the pig house were found to be oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) and volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), with ethanol emerging as the most abundant component of VOCs detected. Notably, the statistical analysis results revealed no significant differences between passive and active sampling regarding the impact of storage time on substance concentration. Changes in canister pressure also did not significantly affect substance stability. The results showed that the C2–C3 compounds remained relatively stable, especially within 3 days, with recoveries above 80% within 20 days. Methyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, and ethanol were more stable within the first week, but their recoveries significantly dropped by day 20, with methyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide at 62.3% and 65.3%, respectively. This study contributes to the development of a foundation for selecting appropriate VOC sampling methods in swine facilities for conducting a rational analysis of VOC samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) alter immune function increasing infectious diseases risk. We examined the relationship between PFAS and chlamydia. Methods: A total of 3965 nonpregnant adults ages 18-39 years from the National Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2016 cycles were included. Poisson regression with robust error variance estimated the prevalence ratio and 95% confidence intervals for the association between PFAS and chlamydia. Ag computationmodelwas used to examine PFASmixtures and chlamydia. Results: In adjusted age and sex-stratifiedmodels, an increase in PFASmixtures by one quintilewas associated with chlamydia in oldermales and younger females. Associationswere not observed before stratification. Conclusions: PFAS exposure associated with higher chlamydia prevalence, but only in stratified models suggesting biological differences by gender and age. However, small sample sizes could have affected the precision of our models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The macroeconomic dimensions of health production function in Greece were studied, by linking doctors’ number, per capita health expenditures, population percentage living in material deprivation conditions, pollutant emissions and alcohol consumption with health indicators. Articles were searched, by recording data from databases (Hellenic-European Statistical Service, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD]) and medical personnel number, per capita health expenditures, population segment living in poverty, pollutant emissions (expressed as CO2/capita) and alcohol use variation were correlated with changes in infant mortality, healthy life years and life expectancy. By above methodology, strong negative correlation of doctors’ number with infant mortality (0.90% approximately) (1960–2015) and significantly positive corresponding in life expectancy change (0.94% approximately) (2000–2015) were captured. The strong negative association of per capita health expenditure on infant mortality (84% for years 2000–2015 and 96% for years 1989–2011), 90% negative correlation of people living in material deprivation conditions with healthy life years were highlighted (2008–2015), as well as negative correlation (about 95%) of environmental pollution, expressed as per capita CO2 emitted amount, with life expectancy change (2007–2015) and the 95% approximate connection of alcohol consumption with life expectancy (2005–2014). The studied cases and correlation with longitudinal health indicators’ modification document macroeconomic dimensions of health production function and measures to mitigate negative consequences/enhance beneficial effects on life quality are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Environmental Pollutants Particulate Matter PM2.5, PM10, Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and Ozone (O3) on lung airway inflammation by assessing the Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) in students studying in schools located in or away from airpolluted areas. Methods: This matched case-control cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from August 2022 to July 2023. In this study, two schools were selected, one was located near a traffic-polluted area (School #1), and the second was located away from the traffic-polluted area (School #2). A total of 300 students were recruited, 150 (75 male and 75 female) students from the school located in a traffic-polluted area, and 150 students (75 male and 75 female) from the school located away from a traffic-polluted area. Environmental pollutants PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO2, O3, and SO2, were recorded. The Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) was measured using a Niox Mino. Results: The mean concentration of PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO2, O3, and SO2 were 35.00±0.65 significantly higher in a school located in motor vehicle polluted area compared to a school located away from a motor vehicle-polluted area (29.95±0.32) (p=0.001). The mean values for FeNO were significantly higher (18.75±0.90) among students studying in a school located in the motor vehicle-polluted area compared to students studying in a school located away from the motor vehicle-polluted area (11.26±0.56) (p=0.001). Conclusions: Environmental pollution can cause lung inflammation among students in schools located in trafficpolluted areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is widely used in plastic bottles, packaging, and textile fibers. However, PET is difficult to degrade in nature and rapidly accumulates into the environment, causing serious environmental pollution and threatening human health. At present, the recycling methods for PET mainly focus on physical recycling and chemical degradation, but these methods have severe limitations, resulting in the great loss of valuable materials and secondary pollution. In contrast, the biodegradation of PET is gradually attracting attention because of its environmental friendliness, high efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Several PET-degrading enzymes (PDEs) have been previously identified, such as cutinase, IsPETase, lipase, and esterase. Thereafter, many efforts have been made to push the boundaries of evolution schemes, attempting to create stronger PDEs with improved activity and stability. Nevertheless, most of these enzymes show preferences toward low-crystallinity (<10%) PET, while in situ enzymatic degradation of high-crystallinity PET (30%–50%) remains a major challenge. Exploring and engineering PDEs that can efficiently degrade bottle-grade PET plastics has recently become a research hotspot. This review systematically introduces the current advances in PDEs and emphasizes the role of metagenomics in screening and identifying new PDEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study aims to investigate whether and how the development of the digital economy can reduce air pollutant emissions in China. Specifically, using a fixed effect model and an empirical test that exploits pollutant emissions in 30 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2020, we explore the impact of digital economy development on air pollution through three mechanisms: public attention to environmental pollution, production efficiency, and environmental governance efficiency. Additionally, we provide heterogeneity analysis based on regions, industrial structure, and years of schooling. Findings are crucial for policymakers and environmentalists concerned about economic development's effects on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence and prevalence of breast cancer in Iraq are alarming. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among Iraqi women, and its rates have been steadily increasing over the years. The exact reasons for the high incidence are not yet fully understood, but it is believed to be influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The research objectives of this study revolve around two main goals. Firstly, the study aims to establish baseline values for the amount of uranium present in blood samples. Secondly, the study aims to assess the potential relationship between uranium levels in blood and the development of cancer. The investigation includes 16 blood samples from women diagnosed with breast cancer and 20 blood samples from women without breast cancer. The nuclear fission track analysis method using CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors will be employed to analyze the uranium contents in women's cancer blood (CB) samples. The methodology adopted for this study involved utilizing the SPSS program to conduct a comprehensive statistical analysis. The results of the study indicate that there is a variation in uranium concentration among both the patient women and healthy women. The uranium concentration among patient women ranged from 3.259 ppb to 1.918 ppb, while among healthy women, it varied from 2.105 ppb to 0.59 ppb. These findings suggest that there may be a correlation between the presence of certain health issues and higher uranium levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focused on quantifying hazardous heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Zn) in soil-rice systems near the Buriganga River in Bangladesh to assess their impact on human health and the environment. The mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn in soil exceeded FAO/WHO acceptable limits, and the metal pollution index (MPI) indicated that all soil samples collected from the rice fields were severely polluted (MPI˃30) than water and rice grain samples. According to the sum of pollution index (SPI) by studied metals, rice grains collected from Kamrangirchor (29.36), Dhakauddan (28.75), and Bosila (18.08) were severely polluted. Mean Bio-concentration factors (BCFs) and Transfer factors (TFgrain/soil) in rice grains were in the following order: Cd (6.034) > Zn (1.752) > Pb (0.697) ˃ Ni (0.666) > Cr (0.135) > As (0.037), and Cd (1.150) > Zn (0.421) > Ni (0.112) ˃ Pb (0.072) > Cr (0.015) > As (0.034) respectively indicating higher accumulation of Cd in rice grain than others toxic heavy metal. The potential ecological risk index (RI) showed that except for water in Kamrangirchar and Keraniganj rice fields, all other rice fields soil and water samples did not pose severe ecological pollution (RI˂110) by different toxic heavy metals. Health risk assessment showed that rice grains are unsafe for human consumption as the carcinogenic health risk (CHR˃10-3) and non-carcinogenic health risk (HI ˃1) quotients seem more than the safe level in all samples collected from rice fields surrounding the Buriganga River. Findings show that heavy metal concentrations are high in rice fields near the Buriganga River, endangering the environment and consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snow cover is an important source of data for the study of environmental pollution due to its ability to accumulate atmospheric dust particles. A total reflection x‐ray fluorescence method (TXRF) was applied to assess the concentration levels of potentially toxic elements (As, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr, V, Mn, and Sr) in samples of snow cover solid phase collected in suburban areas of the Irkutsk region with industrial activity. Suspension was chosen as an optimal sample preparation procedure for solid phases of snow samples obtained after melting and filtration. Results were compared with those obtained by wavelength‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry. Precision of TXRF results expressed by repeatability values was not exceeded 15% (n = 3) for most of the elements, and the trueness of the TXRF method expressed by recovery values was in the range of 87%–115% for concentration levels of 5.0–350 μg/g. Forty samples of snow cover solid phase were analyzed by TXRF method and results were compared with the background values. The investigation showed low contamination of the studied area by Pb, Cu, V, Mn, and Sr, medium contamination by Ni, As, and Cr, and high contamination by Zn. TXRF is advantageous in being rapid, cost‐efficient, and simple and can be used as a promising method for an assessment of environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the perception and adoption of environmental management system in small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing sector in Lagos and Ogun States, Southwestern Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques. The paper posits that environmental management literacy and advocacy should be carried out in SMEs. Environmental management practices involve engaging both industries and product end-users in sustainable practices. The paper concludes that the implementation of environmental management practices and culture by SMEs will abate environmental pollution and its concomitant health risks to humans, the environment, flora, and fauna. Mandatory and voluntary environmental measures 3 are suggested as a means of engendering eco-friendly innovation for sustainable development, triggering employment, job security, and gross domestic product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban pollution governance requires the joint participation of government, society, and enterprises, with the environmental information disclosure policy serving as a novel tool to promote multi-stakeholder engagement. This study aims to delve into the impact of the environmental information disclosure policy on regional environmental quality by using data from Chinese cities. Through analysis, the study gets the following conclusions. Firstly, the environmental information disclosure policy not only effectively reduces urban environmental pollution but also exhibits an apparent spatial spillover effect. The impact of this policy on air pollution in neighboring cities shows an inverted U-shaped pattern of first rising and then falling, with the optimal radius of this external effect estimated at 250 km. Secondly, the results of the mechanism test indicate that government regulatory efforts and clean industry alternatives are essential channels for curbing urban environmental pollution. Lastly, the heterogeneity test shows that the inhibitory effect of the environmental information disclosure policy on environmental pollution is more pronounced in civilized cities, cities in the "two control zones", sulfur dioxide control zones, and cities with high Pollution Information Transparency Index scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]