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The concentration of PTEs in the muscle of crabs, was meta-analyzed using a random-effects model based on countries' subgroups. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks related to the ingestion of PTEs via the consumption of crab fish were estimated. The meta-analysis included one hundred and eight papers with 109 data reports. The rank order of PTEs based on pooled (mean) concentration in the muscle of crabs was Ni (4.490 mg/kg-ww) > Pb (1.891 mg/kg-ww) >As (1.601 mg/kg-ww) > Cd (1.101 mg/kg-ww). The results showed that adults and children consumers in many countries are at risk of non-carcinogenicity due to ingestion of Ni, Pb, As, and Cd and carcinogenicity risk due to As. Therefore, the bioaccumulation of PTEs in the muscle of crabs can be considered a global health risk. Hence, to decrease the health risk of PTEs in the muscle of crabs, continuous monitoring and reducing the emission of PTEs in aquatic environments are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four hundred and sixty-six references with 625 data reports were included in our study. The high frequency of ratio OC/EC for PM0.1 was observed in 3.92–5.93; PM1 in 1.08–3.08; PM2.5, 2.08–4.08; PM10 in 2.70–4.70 and TSP in 2.66–4.66. The rank order of areas based on the pooled concentration of OC bound to PM2.5 was traffic (17.893 µg/m3) > industrial (10.58 µg/m3) > urban (7.696 µg/m3) > rural (4.08 µg/m3). The rank order of areas based on the pooled (mean) concentration of EC in PM2.5 was traffic (17.893 µg/m3) > industrial (2.65 µg/m3) > Urban (1.48 µg/m3) > rural (1.06 µg/m3). The pooled concentrations of OC and EC bound to PM2.5 in traffic areas were higher than in other areas. Therefore, it is recommended that monitoring and effectively reducing concentration plans are carried out, especially in traffic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND In the present work, Hg ( II) is considered as one of the most dangerous elements being released excessively into the environment from various sources. Therefore, the aim of this study is the removal of Hg ( II) from wastewater effluent by synthesizing a magnetic chitosan modified with glutaraldehyde ( MCS-GA) as an adsorbent. The composite structure was characterized using SEM/ EDAX, FTIR, and XRD techniques. The adsorbent was tested by a batch system to determine the optimum conditions for removing Hg ( II) under real conditions. RESULTS The results showed that 0.5% GA effectively enhanced the removal efficiency. The maximum adsorption capacity of MCS-GA was 96 mg g−1 at pH 5.0 and 25 °C. The adsorption isotherm data obeyed the Langmuir model ( R2>0.981) and pseudo-second-order ( R2>0.996) kinetic models. It was also found that Hg ( II) adsorption on MCS-GA is inherently exothermic and occurs spontaneously. The reusability of MCS-GA was approved over 12 sequential cycles of adsorption-desorption. ANOVA analysis showed that the contact time has a synergistic effect on Hg ( II) removal, whereas pH and initial concentration have antagonistic effects. CONCLUSION Overall, the synthesized adsorbent was able to remove Hg ( II) efficiently under both experimental and real conditions. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since the industrial revolution, the rate of industrialization and urbanization has increased dramatically. Regarding this issue, specific regions mostly located in developing countries have been confronted with serious problems, particularly environmental problems among which air pollution is of high importance., Methods: Eleven parameters, including CO, SO2, PM10, PM2.5, O3, NO2, benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, xylene, and 1,3-butadiene, have been accounted over a period of two years (2011-2012) from five monitoring stations located at Tehran, Iran, were assessed by using fuzzy inference system and fuzzy c-mean clustering., Results: These tools showed that the quality of criteria pollutants between the year 2011 and 2012 did not as much effect the public health as the other pollutants did., Conclusion: Using the air EPA AQI, the quality of air, and also the managerial plans required to improve the quality can be misled.

Background: In the past few decades, Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) has become a primary concern to the point. It is increasingly believed to be of equal or greater importance to human health compared to ambient air. However, due to the lack of comprehensive indices for the integrated assessment of indoor air quality (IAQ), we aimed to develop a novel, Fuzzy-Based Indoor Air Quality Index (FIAQI) to bridge the existing gap in this area., Methods: We based our index on fuzzy logic, which enables us to overcome the limitations of traditional methods applied to develop environmental quality indices. Fifteen parameters, including the criteria air pollutants, volatile organic compounds, and bioaerosols were included in the FIAQI due mainly to their significant health effects. Weighting factors were assigned to the parameters based on the medical evidence available in the literature on their health effects. The final FIAQI consisted of 108 rules. In order to demonstrate the performance of the index, data were intentionally generated to cover a variety of quality levels. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the validity of the index., Results: The FIAQI tends to be a comprehensive tool to classify IAQ and produce accurate results., Conclusion: It seems useful and reliable to be considered by authorities to assess IAQ environments.