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Smoke-free government(SFG), as a key tobacco control measure, has been added in Healthy China 2030 blueprint and Qingdao started the establishment of the demonstrative SFG in 2020.This study examined the effects of SFG policy on smoking and smoke-free(SF) environment after establishing the demonstrative SFG. This cross-sectional survey selected participants by simple random sampling from party and government agencies in Qingdao (N = 3625) and the participants filled in questionnaires online from November 31 to December 15, 2020. We utilized AMOS to set up models to analyze the direct and indirect effects of SFG policy. The findings showed that knowledge of SFG policy was positively associated with SF environment(β = 0.29, P<0.001) and negatively associated with smoking(β = -0.14,P<0.001). Knowledge of SFG policy had indirect effects on SF environment through four channels: independent mediation of discouraging smoking and attitude towards SFG policy, as well as chain mediation of these two factors, and perception of tobacco hazards and discouraging smoking, with indirect effects accounting for 33.5% of the total effect. Knowledge of SFG policy had indirect effects on smoking reduction via SF environment and two chain mediation: SF environment and attitude towards SFG policy, perception of tobacco hazards and intention to quit smoking, with indirect effects accounting for 50.2% of the total effect. The results provided the evidence that SFG policy not only had positive effects on creating SF environment but also on reducing smoking. The efficient policy infiltration to individuals played a vital role in the establishment of SFG. Attitude towards SFG policy, discouraging smoking and SF environment were the potential mediators for SFG policy. Findings in this study added more evidence related to effect mechanism of SFG policy and had a positive influence on promoting the implementation SFG policies for China and other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was conducted to describe secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among non-smoking employees in the workplace, and identify factors related to SHS exposure in Qingdao. Methods: The study participants covered key non-smoking places stipulated in the "Qingdao City Smoking Control Regulations," which included three categories: restaurants, bars, and office buildings. Airborne nicotine concentration in the workplace and saliva cotinine concentration of employees were measured. The questionnaire included employees' demographic factors, smoke-free measures in the workplace, employers' tobacco hazard knowledge, and attitudes towards smoke-free policy. Results: A total of 222 non-smoking employees and 46 non-smoking employers were included in the study. The median concentrations of airborne nicotine and salivary cotinine were 0.389 μg/m3 and 0.575 ng/mL, respectively. Educational status, average number of workplace smokers per day, exposure time to SHS in the workplace, and whether smoking and non-smoking areas were divided significantly related to airborne nicotine concentration. Age, educational status, exposure time to SHS in the workplace, tobacco control training and publicity, and whether the employers support the "Qingdao Tobacco Control Regulation" were significantly related to salivary cotinine concentration. Conclusions: Despite the implementation of the "Qingdao Smoking Control Regulations" in 2013, the workplace remains an important location for SHS exposure. Interventions such as raising workers' awareness of the risks associated with SHS exposure through health education and developing smoking prevention and cessation programs to reduce SHS exposure in the workplace are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method of Mn-coated biochar production was developed, which showed great removal ability of trivalent antimony (Sb(III)) (0.94 mg g−1) and pentavalent antimony (Sb(V)) (0.73 mg g−1), and the adsorption capacity was stable under different pH. According to the adsorption kinetics and isotherm, the adsorption process of both Sb(III) and Sb(V) was chemisorption, which was both monolayer and poly layers heterogeneous chemisorption process. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy analyses indicated that the main oxides and functional groups involved in the adsorption were manganese oxides (MnO x), carboxyl and hydroxyl groups and Sb(V) was combined with Mn-coated biochar by inner-sphere complexation. Sb(III) was oxidized by oxygen and MnO x which was both on the surface of biochar and dissolved in solution. Furthermore, X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) showed that Sb(V) was the main species after Sb(III) and Sb(V) adsorbed on the Mn-coated biochar. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis indicated that Sb(III) and MnO x formed the monodentate mononuclear and corner-sharing complexes with a structure of Mn-O-Sb on Mn-coated biochar. While Sb(V) and MnO x formed inner-sphere complexes including edge-sharing and corner-sharing complexes. The new synthetic material can contribute to develop new remediation strategies for treating Sb-contaminated water. Unlabelled Image • Biochar modified with MnSO 4 is firstly used for Sb removal. • Mn oxides, carboxyl and hydroxyl groups are involved in Sb removal. • Sb(III) is oxidized by oxygen and Mn oxides. • Sb XANES analyses show Sb(V) is the main species after removal. • Sb EXAFS analyses show Sb is in Sb-O-Mn form in Mn-coated biochar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Xikuangshan (XKS) mine, an antimony mine that has been active for more than a century, was chosen for a detailed antimony hydrogeochemical study because of the historical antimony contamination in local bedrock aquifers. Hydrochemical data, δ34S values of dissolved SO 4 2−, and δ98Mo values were analyzed to identify the predominant geochemical processes affecting Sb attenuation within the aquifers. Groundwater from the adits at the XKS Sb mine reflects an oxidizing environment and has pH values between 6.81 and 8.89 because of the sufficient acid-neutralizing effect of carbonates. The decrease in Sb concentrations along the groundwater flow direction and the highly coloured deposits in the adits indicate Fe and Mn oxides have a significant capacity for Sb sorption. The δ34S values of the groundwater indicate that reductive dissolution of Fe(III) hydroxides is not the dominant process controlling Sb mobilization. Furthermore, the δ34S values and weak-alkaline groundwater corporately suggest that Sb adsorption on and desorption from Fe/Mn (hydr)oxides may both occur, with adsorption being more significant than desorption with respect to Sb attenuation in groundwater. The δ98Mo values of the groundwater further demonstrate that this adsorption is relatively significant in terms of Sb attenuation, and that competitive adsorption may occur between Sb and As in groundwater at the XKS Sb mine. Overall, the hydrochemistry analysis, especially the S and Mo isotope evidences collectively elucidate that the attenuation of Sb in groundwater from the XKS Sb mine are influenced by several geochemical processes, including: (1) more adsorption on than desorption from Fe/Mn (hydr)oxides; (2) competitive adsorption of arsenic; and (3) dilution with low-Sb groundwaters. This study demonstrates that hydrochemical analyses, particularly S and Mo isotope studies, are useful for tracking Sb attenuation in groundwater from antimony-contaminated mine areas. [Display omitted] • S and Mo isotopes were used to elucidate the attenuation of Sb in bedrock aquifer. • Adsorption on Fe/Mn (hydr)oxides is relatively significant in terms of Sb attenuation. • A competitive adsorption may occur between Sb and As. • A conceptual model of Sb attenuation in bedrock aquifer system was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]