Ambient particles with aerodynamic diameter <0.1 μm (PM₀.₁) have been suggested to have significant health impact. However, studies on the association between long-term PM₀.₁ exposure and human blood lipid metabolism are still limited. This study was aimed to evaluate such association based on multiple lipid biomarkers and dyslipidemia indicators. We matched the 2006–2009 average PM₀.₁ concentration simulated using the neural-network model following the WRF-Chem model with the clinical and questionnaire data of 15,477 adults randomly recruited from 33 communities in Northeast China in 2009. After controlling for social demographic and behavior confounders, we assessed the association of PM₀.₁ concentration with multiple lipid biomarkers and dyslipidemia indicators using generalized linear mixed-effect models. Effect modification by various social demographic and behavior factors was examined. We found that each interquartile range increase in PM₀.₁ concentration was associated with a 5.75 (95% Confidence interval, 3.24–8.25) mg/dl and a 6.05 (2.85–9.25) mg/dl increase in the serum level of total cholesterol and LDL-C, respectively. This increment was also associated with an odds ratio of 1.25 (1.10–1.42) for overall dyslipidemias, 1.41 (1.16, 1.73) for hypercholesterolemia, and 1.90 (1.39, 2.61) for hyperbetalipoproteinemia. Additionally, we found generally greater effect estimates among the younger participants and those with lower income or with certain behaviors such as high-fat diet. The deleterious effect of long-term PM₀.₁ exposure on lipid metabolism may make it an important toxic chemical to be targeted by future preventive strategies.

This international scale study measured the prevalence of indoor microplastics (MPs) in deposited dust in 108 homes from 29 countries over a 1-month period. Dust borne MPs shape, colour, and length were determined using microscopy and the composition measured using μFTIR. Human health exposure and risk was assessed along with residential factors associated with MPs via a participant questionnaire. Samples were categorised according to each country's gross national income (GNI). Synthetic polymers dominated in low income (LI) (39%) and high income (HI) (46%) while natural fibres were the most prevalent in medium income (MI) (43%) countries. Composition and statistical analysis showed that the main sources of MPs and dust were predominantly from indoor sources. Across all GNI countries, greater vacuuming frequency was associated with lower MPs loading. High income country samples returned higher proportions of polyamides and polyester fibres, whereas in LI countries polyurethane was the most prominent MPs fibre. Exposure modelling showed infants (0–2 years) were exposed to the highest MPs dose through inhalation (4.5 × 10⁻⁵ ± 3 × 10⁻⁵) and ingestion (3.24 × 10⁻² ± 3.14 × 10⁻²) mg/kg-Bw/day. Health risk analysis of constituent monomers of polymers indicates cancer incidence was estimated at 4.1–8.7 per million persons across age groups. This study's analysis showed socio-economic factors and age were dominant variables in determining dose and associated health outcomes of MPs in household dust.

Amyl salicylate (AS) is a fragrance massively used as a personal care product and following the discharged in wastewaters may end up in the aquatic environment representing a potential threat for the ecosystem and living organisms. AS was recently detected in water of the Venice Lagoon, a vulnerable area continuously subjected to the income of anthropogenic chemicals. The lagoon is a relevant area for mollusc farming, including the Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) having an important economic and ecological role. Despite high levels of AS occurred in water of the Lagoon of Venice, no studies investigated the possible consequences of AS exposures on species inhabiting this ecosystem to date. For the first time, we applied a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the potential effects of the fragrance AS on Mediterranean mussels. To reach such a goal, bioaccumulation, cellular, biochemical, and molecular analyses (RNA-seq and microbiota characterization) were measured in mussels treated for 7 and 14 days with different AS Venice lagoon environmental levels (0.1 and 0.5 μg L⁻¹). Despite chemical investigations suggested low AS bioaccumulation capability, cellular and molecular analyses highlighted the disruption of several key cellular processes after the prolonged exposures to the high AS concentration. Among them, potential immunotoxicity and changes in transcriptional regulation of pathways involved in energy metabolism, stress response, apoptosis and cell death regulations have been observed. Conversely, exposure to the low AS concentration demonstrated weak transcriptional changes and transient increased representation of opportunistic pathogens, as Arcobacter genus and Vibrio aestuarianus. Summarizing, this study provides the first overview on the effects of AS on one of the most widely farmed mollusk species.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading threat to global public health. Although associations between temperature and CVD hospitalization have been suggested for developed countries, limited evidence is available for developing countries or rural residents. Moreover, the effect of apparent temperature (AT) on the spectrum of cause-specific CVDs remains unknown. Based on 2,024,147 CVD hospitalizations for rural residents from eight regions in Fujian Province, China, during 2010–2016, a quasi-Poisson regression with distributed lag non-linear model was fitted to estimate the AT effect on daily CVD hospitalization for each region, and then pooled in a meta-regression that included regional indicators related to rural residents. Stratified analyses were performed according to the cause of hospitalization, sex and age groups. Finally, we calculated the fraction of CVD hospitalizations attributable to AT, as a reflection of the burden associated with AT. The heat effect appeared at lag 0–1 days, with 19% (95% CI, 11–26%) increased risk of CVD hospitalization, which was worse for ischemic heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias and ischemic stroke. The decreased AT was associated with increase of hemorrhagic stroke at lag 0–28 days. People aged 65 and above suffered more from the heat effect on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Regions with a lower gross value of agricultural production, rural residents’ per capita net income, number of air conditioners and water heaters were more susceptible. A large number of hospitalizations were attributable to heat for most subcategories. High AT level increased CVD hospitalization, and the subcategories had different susceptibilities. The effects were modified by individual and regional characteristics. These findings have important implications for the development of targeted interventions and for hospital service planning.

Public health is threatened by air pollution and high temperature, especially in urban areas and areas impacted by climate change. Well-designed urban forms have co-benefits on promoting human health and mediating atmospheric environment-related threats (e.g., high temperature and air pollution). Previous studies overlooked these mediating effects of urban form on suicide mortality. This study used partial least squares modeling and countywide data in Taiwan to identify the crucial influences and pathways of urban environment, socioeconomic status, and diseases on suicide mortality. The model considered the impact of the characteristics of urban form (i.e., urban development intensity, land mix, and urban sprawl), urban industrial status (i.e., industrial level), urban greening (i.e., green coverage), disease (i.e., important diseases morbidity of human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], cerebrovascular disease [CVD], chronic liver disease and cirrhosis [CLDC], nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis [NNSN], malignant tumor [MT]), socioeconomic status (i.e., income level and aging population rate), and the atmospheric environment (i.e., air pollution and high temperature) on suicide mortality. Optimizing land mix and minimizing urban development intensity and urban sprawl have been found to reduce suicide mortality. The mediating effect of urban form on suicide mortality originated from air pollution and high temperature, and mediating air pollution was greater than high temperature. Furthermore, industrial level, important diseases (HIV, CVD, CLDC, NNSN, and MT) morbidity, an aging population rate, air pollution, and high temperature were associated with an increase in suicide mortality, whereas green coverage and income level were associated with a reduction in suicide rates. The findings demonstrate that appropriate urban policy and urban planning may lower suicide mortality, be useful strategies for suicide prevention, and be a foundation for building a healthy city. Moreover, this study provides clarity on the complex relationship of suicide and the urban environment while identifying crucial factors.

Microplastics (MPs) are widely distributed in marine ecosystems, and their ubiquitous presence is raising concern, particularly about possible impacts on fisheries resources. In tropical regions, shellfish fisheries represent an essential source of income and subsistence for traditional communities, and adverse effects on these resources may have severe consequences on human health. In the present study, bivalve molluscs of the species Anomalocardia flexuosa, captured in the region of the Itapessoca estuary in Pernambuco, Brazil, were analysed. A total of 90% of the individuals presented MP particles in their tissue. We observed an average of 5.15 ± 3.80 MP particles per individual, and for each gram of soft tissue, 3.66 ± 2.59 MP particles were found. Our results showed that MPs are present in clams captured on the Pernambuco coast and that the species studied proved to be suitable for monitoring the levels of microplastic pollution.

French Polynesia atolls are spread on a vast 2300 by 1200 km Central Pacific Ocean area exposed to spatially and temporally dependent wave forcing. They also have a wide range of closed to open morphologies and several have been suitable to develop from black-lipped pearl oysters a substantial pearl farming activity in the past 30 years, representing nowadays the 2nd source of income for French Polynesia. Considering here only the component of lagoon renewal that is driven by waves, we investigate for 74 atolls different lagoon renewal metrics using 20 years of wave model data at 0.05° spatial resolution. Wavelet spectral analyses highlight that atolls, even in close vicinity, can be exposed to different and characteristic periodicities in wave-driven flows and water renewal. These characteristics are discussed in relation to pearl farming atolls, including atolls known to be efficient oyster spat producers, a critical activity for pearl farming sustainability.

There is scarce information on the current importance of oyster beds as fishing grounds in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aims to understand the socio-economic value of oyster bed fisheries through questionnaire-based surveys with fishers. Of 106 Emirati fishers interviewed, 67 % use oyster beds due to the proximity to shore, better catch quality, and species abundance. Oyster bed fisheries are recreational and commercial, with handline and fish traps the most common used gears. They provide food for local consumption and cash income. All respondents noticed a fish abundance and size decrease throughout the last decade. Fishers suggest establishing marine protected areas and updating fishing regulations to improve fishing stock status. During the Covid-19 pandemic, oyster fisheries increased, highlighting the value of these fishing grounds for food availability. These fisheries support the local economy and heritage, and urgently need management to ensure the protection of these often-overlooked habitats.

Worldwide degradation of the ecological environment could be the cause of poverty. The poverty-stricken areas may face the dilemma of a “vicious circle of poverty.” The complex ecological conditions have intertwined with poverty alleviation, which makes the demand for ecological poverty alleviation particularly prominent in these areas. However, the research on the relationship between agro-ecological efficiency and poverty are limited. It is far from clear what is the impact of the agro-ecological efficiency on poverty. To explore the impact of agro-ecological efficiency on poverty reduction, we adopt the panel data model based on cross-correlation and regression coefficient, using the data from 25 counties/districts in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (TGRR) from 2006 to 2017. The results show that (1) there is significant heterogeneity in agro-ecological efficiency in the TGRR, and the agro-ecological efficiency in the middle area is significantly lower than that of the head and tail areas of the TGRR; (2) the improvement of regional agro-ecological efficiency could accelerate the alleviation of poverty; and (3) the widening of urban–rural income disparity is not conducive to poverty alleviation and eradication. This study would provide basis for further policy recommendations aimed at improving agro-ecological efficiency and alleviating poverty.

This study explores the relationship between economic growth and carbon dioxide and the moderating effect of institutional quality in Nigeria from 1990 to 2020, by employing long-run and short-run dynamic ARDL regression, quartile regression and Granger causality test for the estimation. Utilizing CO₂ per capita emissions; GDP per capita, a proxy for economic growth; capital stock (CAPSTK), proxy for capital investment in Nigeria and control of corruption and regulatory quality (COC and RGQ) which represent the effective environmental regulations and laws put in place for the control and prevention of environmental degradation, the study found a significant cointegration between CO₂ emissions and economic growth (lnGDP) in Nigeria. Furthermore, an N-shaped nexus exists between CO₂ emissions and economic growth in the long-run and short-run instead of the inverted U-shape curve postulated by the EKC hypothesis. This was confirmed by both ARDL and quartile regression results. Similarly, InCAPSTK contributed significantly to the growth of CO₂ emissions in Nigeria both in the long run and short run; although, the short run did so at 10% significant level. Contrary to expectations, control of corruption (COC) contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions in the long run, but when it interacts with income (InGDP [Formula: see text] COC), it significantly contributes to the reduction of CO₂ emissions. More so, regulatory quality (RGQ) had no significant impact on CO₂ emissions in Nigeria either in the long run or short run, even when it interacts with InGDP. This finding is further supported by the quartile regression outcomes and Granger causality. The study therefore concludes that CO₂ emissions–economic growth nexus in Nigeria assumes an N-shape both in the long run and short run. Based on the results, the study recommends that Government should pursue industrialisation policy with sophisticated method of production that will bring about rapid economic progress and at the same time support environmental sustainability.