Although cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that reportedly causes liver injury, few studies have investigated biomarkers of Cd-induced liver injury. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of bile acid (BA) in Cd-induced liver injury and determine reliable and sensitive biochemical parameters for the diagnosis of Cd-induced liver injury. In this study, 48 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups and administered either normal saline or 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg/d cadmium chloride for 12 weeks. A total of 403 subjects living in either a control area (n = 135) or Cd polluted area (n = 268) of Dongdagou-Xinglong (DDGXL) cohort were included, a population with long-term low Cd exposure. The BA profiles in rats' liver, serum, caecal contents, faeces, and subjects' serum were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS). Changes in rats' and subjects' liver injury indices, rats' liver pathological degeneration, and rats' liver and subjects’ blood Cd levels were also measured. Cadmium exposure caused cholestasis and an increase in toxic BAs, leading to liver injury in rats. Among them, glycoursodeoxycholic acid (GUDCA), glycolithocholic acid (GLCA), taurolithocholic acid (TLCA), and taurodeoxycholate acid (TDCA) are expected to be potential biomarkers for the early detect of Cd-induced liver injury. Serum BAs can be used to assess Cd-induced liver injury as a simple, feasible, and suitable method in rats. Serum GUDCA, GLCA, TDCA, and TLCA were verified to be of value to evaluate Cd-induced liver injury and Cd exposure in humans. These findings provided evidence for screening and validation of additional biomarkers for Cd-induced liver injury based on targeted BA metabolomics.

Incessant release of a large spectrum of agro-industrial pollutants into environmental matrices remains a serious concern due to their potential health risks to humans and aquatic animals. Existing remediation techniques are unable to remove these pollutants, necessitating the development of novel treatment approaches. Due to its unique structure, physicochemical properties, and broad application potential, graphene has attracted a lot of attention as a new type of two-dimensional nanostructure. Given its chemical stability, large surface area, electron mobility, superior thermal conductivity, and two-dimensional structure, tremendous research has been conducted on graphene and its derived composites for environmental remediation and pollution mitigation. Various methods for graphene functionalization have facilitated the development of different graphene derivatives such as graphene oxide (GO), functional reduced graphene oxide (frGO), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with novel attributes for multiple applications. This review provides a comprehensive read on the recent progress of multifunctional graphene-based nanocomposites and nanohybrids as a promising way of removing emerging contaminants from aqueous environments. First, a succinct overview of the fundamental structure, fabrication techniques, and features of graphene-based composites is presented. Following that, graphene and GO functionalization, i.e., covalent bonding, non-covalent, and elemental doping, are discussed. Finally, the environmental potentials of a plethora of graphene-based hybrid nanocomposites for the abatement of organic and inorganic contaminants are thoroughly covered.

Inhalation exposure to fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) represents a global concern due to the adverse effects in human health. In the last years, scientific community has been adopted the assessment of the PM₂.₅-bound pollutant fraction that could be released (bioaccessible fraction) in simulated lung fluids (SLFs) to achieve a better understanding of PM risk assessment and toxicological studies. Thus, bioaccessibility of 49 organic pollutants, including 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 12 phthalate esters (PAEs), 11 organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs), 6 synthetic musk compounds (SMCs) and 2 bisphenols in PM₂.₅ samples was evaluated. The proposed method consists of a physiologically based extraction test (PBET) by using artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF) to obtain bioaccessible fractions, followed by a vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction (VALLME) and a final analysis by programmed temperature vaporization-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (PTV-GC-MS/MS). The highest inhalation bioaccessibility ratio was found for bisphenol A (BPA) with an average of 83%, followed by OPFRs, PAEs and PAHs (with average bioaccessibilities of 68%, 41% and 34%, respectively). Correlations between PM₂.₅ composition (major ions, trace metals, equivalent black carbon (eBC) and UV-absorbing particulate matter (UVPM)) and bioaccessibility ratios were also assessed. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) suggested that PAHs, PAES and OPFRs bioaccessibility ratios could be positively correlated with PM₂.₅ carbonaceous content. Furthermore, both inverse and positive correlations on PAHs, PAEs and OPFRs bioaccessibilites could be accounted for some major ions and metal (oid)s associated to PM₂.₅, whereas no correlations comprising considered PM₂.₅ major ions and metal (oid)s contents and BPA bioaccessibility was observed. In addition, health risk assessment of target PM₂.₅-associated PAHs via inhalation was assessed in the study area considering both total and bioaccessible concentrations, being averaged human health risks within the safe carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic levels.

Fine particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) exposure leads to the progress of pulmonary disease. It has been reported that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification was involved in various biological processes and diseases. However, the critical role of m6A modification in pulmonary disease during PM2.5 exposure remains elusive. Here, we revealed that lung inflammation and mucus production caused by PM2.5 were associated with m6A modification. Both in vivo and in vitro assays demonstrated that PM2.5 exposure elevated the total level of m6A modification as well as the methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3) expression. Integration analysis of m6A RNA immunoprecipitation-seq (meRIP-seq) and RNA-seq discovered that METTL3 up-regulated the expression level and the m6A modification of Interleukin 24 (IL24). Importantly, we explored that the stability of IL24 mRNA was enhanced due to the increased m6A modification. Moreover, the data from qRT-PCR showed that PM2.5 also increased YTH N6-Methyladenosine RNA Binding Protein 1 (YTHDF1) expression, and the up-regulated YTHDF1 augmented IL24 mRNA translation efficiency. Down-regulation of Mettl3 reduced Il24 expression and ameliorated the pulmonary inflammation and mucus secretion in mice exposed to PM2.5. Taken together, our finding provided a comprehensive insight for revealing the significant role of m6A regulators in the lung injury via METTL3/YTHDF1-coupled epitranscriptomal regulation of IL24.

Individual-level studies with adjustment for important COVID-19 risk factors suggest positive associations of long-term air pollution exposure (particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide) with COVID-19 infection, hospitalisations and mortality. The evidence, however, remains limited and mechanisms unclear. We aimed to investigate these associations within UK Biobank, and to examine the role of underlying chronic disease as a potential mechanism. UK Biobank COVID-19 positive laboratory test results were ascertained via Public Health England and general practitioner record linkage, COVID-19 hospitalisations via Hospital Episode Statistics, and COVID-19 mortality via Office for National Statistics mortality records from March–December 2020. We used annual average outdoor air pollution modelled at 2010 residential addresses of UK Biobank participants who resided in England (n = 424,721). We obtained important COVID-19 risk factors from baseline UK Biobank questionnaire responses (2006–2010) and general practitioner record linkage. We used logistic regression models to assess associations of air pollution with COVID-19 outcomes, adjusted for relevant confounders, and conducted sensitivity analyses. We found positive associations of fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) with COVID-19 positive test result after adjustment for confounders and COVID-19 risk factors, with odds ratios of 1.05 (95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.02, 1.08), and 1.05 (95% CI = 1.01, 1.08), respectively. PM 2.5 and NO 2 were positively associated with COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths in minimally adjusted models, but not in fully adjusted models. No associations for PM₁₀ were found. In analyses with additional adjustment for pre-existing chronic disease, effect estimates were not substantially attenuated, indicating that underlying chronic disease may not fully explain associations. We found some evidence that long-term exposure to PM₂.₅ and NO₂ was associated with a COVID-19 positive test result in UK Biobank, though not with COVID-19 hospitalisations or deaths.

A biochar (BC) harbored Ag₃PO₄/α-Fe₂O₃ type-Ⅰ heterojunction (Ag-Fe-BC) was prepared by a hydrothermal-impregnation method to transfer active center of heterojunctions. The electrochemical and spectroscopic tests demonstrated that BC enhanced the catalytic performance of the heterojunction by enhancing photocurrent, reducing fluorescence intensity, and facilitating separation of electron-hole pairs. The photocatalytic activity showed the Ag-Fe-BC (5:1:3) could degrade Rhodamine B (20 mg/L) by up to 92.7%, which was 3.35 times higher than Ag₃PO₄/α-Fe₂O₃. Tetracycline and ciprofloxacin (20 mg/L) were degraded efficiently by 58.3% and 79.4% within 2 h, respectively. Electron paramagnetic resonance and scavenging experiments confirmed the major reactive oxygen species (ROS) consisted of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and superoxide (·O₂⁻). Excellent RhB adsorption and electrons capturing capacity of BC facilitated electron-hole pairs separation and ROS transferring to target organics followed by elevated degradation. Thus, a facile method was proposed to synthesize a highly efficient visible-light responsive photocatalyst for degradation of various organics in water.

The carcinogenic attribute of arsenic (As) has turned the world to focus more on the decontamination and declining the present level of As from the environment especially from the soil and water bodies. Phytoremediation has achieved a status of sustainable and eco-friendly approach of decontaminating pollutants, and in the present study, an attempt has been made to reveal the potential of As remediation by a halophyte plant, Acanthus ilicifolius L. Special attention has given to analyse the morphological, physiological and anatomical modulations in A. ilicifolius, developed in response to altering concentrations of Na₂AsO₄.7H₂O (0, 70, 80 and 90 μM). Growth of A. ilicifolius under As treatments were diminished as assessed from the reduction in leaf area, root length, dry matter accumulation, and tissue water status. However, the plants exhibited a comparatively higher tolerance index (44%) even when grown in the higher concentrations of As (90 μM). Arsenic treatment induced reduction in the photochemical activities as revealed by the pigment content, chlorophyll stability index (CSI) and Chlorophyll a fluorescence parameter. Interestingly, the thickness and diameter of the xylem walls in the leaf as well as root tissues of As treated samples increased upon increasing the As concentration. The adaptive strategies exhibited by A. ilicifolius towards varying concentrations of As is the result of coordinated responses of morpho-physiological and anatomical attributes, which make the plant a promising candidate for As remediation, especially in wetlands.

Considerable investigations have been carried out to address the relationship between ambient fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) and blood pressure (BP) in patients with hypertension. However, few studies have explored the influence of PM₂.₅ and its constituents on Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), an established risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly in severely air-polluted areas. To explore the potential impact of PM₂.₅ constituents on BP, plasma hormones, and TMAO, a panel study was conducted to investigate changes in BP, plasma hormones, and TMAO in response to ambient air pollution exposure in stage 1 hypertensive young adults. Linear mixed effect models were used to estimate the cumulative effects of fine particulate matters (PM₂.₅) and its constituents on BP, plasma hormones and TMAO. We found that one interquartile range (IQR) (35 μg/m³) increase in 0–1 day moving-average PM₂.₅ concentrations was statistically significantly associated with elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) with estimated values of 0.13 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03 to 0.23) mmHg, 0.18 (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.28) mmHg, and 0.17 (95% CI: 0.09 to 0.26) mmHg, respectively. Hormone disturbance in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was also associated with PM₂.₅ exposure. Elevated TMAO levels with an IQR increase for 0–4, 0–5, 0–6 moving-average concentrations of PM₂.₅ were found, and the increased values ranged from 26.28 (95% CI: 2.92 to 49.64) to 60.78 (31.95–89.61) ng/ml. More importantly, the PM₂.₅-bound metal constituents, such as manganese (Mn), titanium (Ti), and selenium (Se) showed robust associations with elevated BP and plasma TMAO levels. This study demonstrates associations between PM₂.₅ metal constituents and increased BP, changes in plasma hormones and TMAO, in stage 1 hypertensive young adults. Source control, aiming to reduce the emission of PM₂.₅-bound metals should be implemented to reduce the risk of hypertension and CVD.

India struggles with frequent exceedances of the ambient air quality standard for particulate matter and benzene. In the past two decades, India has made considerable progress in tackling indoor air pollution, by phasing out kerosene lamps, and pushing biofuel using households towards Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage. In this study, we use updated emission inventories and trends in residential fuel consumption, to explore changes in the contribution of different sectors towards India's largest air pollution problem. We find that residential fuel usage is still the largest air pollution source, and that the <10% households using cow dung as cooking fuel contribute ∼50% of the residential PM₂.₅ emissions. However, if current trends persist, residential biofuel usage in India is likely to be phased out by 2035. India's renewable energy policies are likely to reduce emissions in the heat and electricity sector, and manufacturing industries, in the mid-term. PM₂.₅ emissions from open waste burning, on the other hand, hardly changed in the decade from 2010 to 2020. We conclude that without strong policies to promote recycling and upcycling of non-biodegradable waste, and the conversion of biodegradable waste to biogas, open waste burning is likely to become India's largest source of air pollution by 2035. While our study is limited to India, our findings are of relevance for other countries in the global South suffering from similar waste management challenges.

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are used as additives in metal processing in the metal smelting industry. Data on CPs in the environment near metal smelting plants are limited. The objectives of this study were to investigate the concentrations and congener profiles of CPs in soil around factories in a non-ferrous metal recycling park located in Hebei, China, and to investigate human exposure to CPs in the soil. The concentrations of short-chain CPs (SCCPs) and medium-chain CPs (MCCPs) were determined by two-dimensional gas chromatography with electron capture negative ionization mass spectrometry. The SCCP and MCCP concentrations in the soil samples were 121–5159 ng/g and 47–6079 ng/g, respectively. Generally, the CP concentrations in soils around the factories were relatively high compared with those near other contaminated sites and in rural and urban areas. There were significant correlations between the MCCP concentrations, some SCCP carbon homologs, and the total organic carbon content (p < 0.05). The major SCCP and MCCP congener groups were C₁₀Cl₆–₇ and C₁₅–₁₆Cl₅, respectively. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis indicated that SCCPs and MCCPs in the soil might originate from extreme pressure additives containing CP-42 and CP-52 and CP-containing waste material from the factories. The concentrations in two samples collected near a metal recycling factory posed a moderate risk according to a risk assessment conducted using risk quotients. Further risk assessment showed that the CPs concentrations in soil did not pose significant health risks to either children or adults.