Few studies have analyzed the health effects of temperature variability (TV) accounting for both interday and intraday variations in ambient temperature. In this study, TV was defined as the standard deviations of the daily minimum and maximum temperature during different exposure days. Distributed lag non-linear Poisson regression model was used to examine the city-specific effect of TV on mortality in 31 Chinese municipalities and provincial capital cities. The national estimate was pooled through a meta-analysis based on the restricted maximum likelihood estimation. To assess effect modification on TV-mortality association by individual characteristics, stratified analyses were further fitted. Potential effect modification by city characteristics was performed through a meta-regression analysis. In total, 259 million permanent residents and 4,481,090 non-accidental deaths were covered in this study. The effect estimates of TV on mortality were generally increased by longer exposure days. A 1 °C increase in TV at 0–7 days' exposure was associated with a 0.60% (95% CI: 0.25–0.94%), 0.65% (0.24–1.05%), 0.82% (0.29–1.36%), 0.86% (0.42–1.31%), 0.98% (0.57–1.39%) and 0.54% (−0.11-1.20%) increase in non-accidental, cardiovascular, IHD, stroke, respiratory and COPD mortalities, respectively. Those with lower levels of educational attainment were significantly susceptible to TV. Cities with dense population, higher mean temperatures, and relative humidity and lower diurnal temperature ranges also had higher mortality risks caused by TV. This study demonstrated that TV had considerable health effects. An early warning system to alert residents about large temperature variations is recommended, which may have a significant impact on the community awareness and public health.

Asian dust storms occur often and have a great impact on East Asia and the western Pacific in spring. Early warnings based on reliable forecasts of dust storms thus are crucial for protecting human health and industry. Here we explore the efficacy of 4-D variational method-based data assimilation in a chemical transport model for dust storm forecasts in East Asia. We use a 3-D global chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) and its adjoint model with surface PM₁₀ mass concentration observations. We evaluate the model for several severe dust storm events, which occurred in May 2007 and March 2011 in East Asia. First of all, simulated the PM₁₀ mass concentrations with the forward model showed large discrepancies compared with PM₁₀ mass concentrations observed in China, Korea, and Japan, implying large uncertainties of simulated dust emission fluxes in the source regions. Based on our adjoint model constrained by observations for the whole period of each event, the reproduction of the spatial and temporal distributions of observations over East Asia was substantially improved (regression slopes from 0.15 to 2.81 to 0.85–1.02 and normalized mean biases from −74%–151% to −34%–1%). We then examine the efficacy of the data assimilation system for daily dust storm forecasts based on the adjoint model including previous day observations to update the initial condition of the forward model simulation for the next day. The forecast results successfully captured the spatial and temporal variations of ground-based observations in downwind regions, indicating that the data assimilation system with ground-based observations effectively forecasts dust storms, especially in downwind regions. However, the efficacy is limited in nearby the dust source regions, including Mongolia and North China, due to the lack of observations for constraining the model.

Fine sediment transport in rivers is exacerbated during flood events. These particles may convey various contaminants (i.e. metals, pathogens, industrial chemicals, etc.), and significantly impact water quality. The exceptional June 2016 flood of the Seine River (catchment area: 65 000 km2, France), potentially mobilized and deposited contaminated materials throughout the Paris region. Flood sediment deposits (n = 29) were collected along the Seine River and its main tributaries upstream (Yonne, Loing and Marne Rivers) and downstream of Paris (Oise and Eure Rivers). Fallout radionuclides (137Cs, 7Be) were measured to characterize the sources of the material transiting the river, while trace elements (e.g. Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, As, Cd, Sb, Pb, Tl, Ag) and stable lead isotopes (206Pb/207Pb) were analyzed to quantify the contamination of sediment transported during the flood. In upper sections of the Seine River, sediment mainly originated from the remobilization of particles with a well-balanced contribution of surface and subsurface sources. In the upstream tributaries, sediment almost exclusively originated from the remobilization of subsurface particles. In Paris and downstream of Paris, recently eroded particles and surface sources dominated, suggesting particles were mainly supplied by urban runoff and the erosion of agricultural soils. The highest metal concentrations and Enrichment Factors (EF) were found in the sediment collected in the Loing, Orge and Yvette upstream tributaries. Although these inputs were diluted in the Seine River, an increase in elemental concentrations was observed, progressing downstream through Paris. However, EFs in sediment collected along the Seine River were lower or in the same range of values sampled over the last several decades, reflecting the progressive decontamination of the urbanized Seine River basin.

Neonicotinoid insecticides are environmentally persistent and highly water-soluble, and thus are prone to leaching into surface waters where they may negatively affect non-target aquatic insects. Most of the research to date has focused on imidacloprid, and few data are available regarding the effects of other neonicotinoids or their proposed replacements (butenolide insecticides). The objective of this study was to assess the toxicity of six neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, clothianidin, thiacloprid, and dinotefuran) and one butenolide (flupyradifurone) to Hexagenia spp. (mayfly larvae). Acute (96-h), water-only tests were conducted, and survival and behaviour (number of surviving mayflies inhabiting artificial burrows) were assessed. Acute sublethal tests were also conducted with imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiacloprid, and in addition to survival and behaviour, mobility (ability to burrow into sediment) and recovery (survival and growth following 21 d in clean sediment) were measured. Sublethal effects occurred at much lower concentrations than survival: 96-h LC50s ranged from 780 μg/L (acetamiprid) to >10,000 μg/L (dinotefuran), whereas 96-h EC50s ranged from 4.0 μg/L (acetamiprid) to 630 μg/L (thiamethoxam). Flupyradifurone was intermediate in toxicity, with a 96-h LC50 of 2000 μg/L and a 96-h EC50 of 81 μg/L. Behaviour and mobility were impaired significantly and to a similar degree in sublethal exposures to 10 μg/L imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiacloprid, and survival and growth following the recovery period were significantly lower in mayflies exposed to 10 μg/L acetamiprid and thiacloprid, respectively. A suite of effects on mayfly swimming behaviour/ability and respiration were also observed, but not quantified, following exposures to imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiacloprid at 1 μg/L and higher. Imidacloprid concentrations measured in North American surface waters have been found to meet or exceed those causing toxicity to Hexagenia, indicating that environmental concentrations may adversely affect Hexagenia and similarly sensitive non-target aquatic species.

Magnetic biochar (MBC) has been used to remove hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from water, but the roles of Fe₃O₄ and persistent free radicals (PFRs) in MBC in Cr(VI) removal are still less investigated. In this work, the MBC synthesized by microwave co-pyrolysis of solid-state FeSO₄ and rice husk was employed to remove Cr(VI) from water. In comparison to the rice husk biochar (BC), the MBC exhibits the 3.2- and 11.7-fold higher adsorption and reduction efficiency of Cr(VI), resulting in the higher Cr(VI) removal efficiency (84.3%) and equilibrium adsorption capacity of MBC (8.35 mg g⁻¹) than that (26.5% and 2.63 mg g⁻¹) of BC. Multiple characterization results revealed that the high Cr(VI) removal performance of MBC was mainly attributed to the presence of active Fe₃O₄ and carbon-centered PFRs in the porous and graphitic MBC. The Fe₃O₄ not only provided active chemisorption/reduction sites for Cr(VI) via its Fe(II)ₒcₜ and Fe(III)ₒcₜ coordination, but also facilitated the generation of more active electron donating carbon-centered PFRs than carbon-centered PFRs with an oxygen atom in the graphitic structure to reduce Cr(VI). The presence of Fe₃O₄ also elevated 36.7 m² g⁻¹ of BET-surface area and 0.043 cm² g⁻¹ of pore volume of MBC, promoting the Cr(VI) removal. The Fe₃O₄ and carbon-centered PFRs contributed to ∼81.8% and ∼18.2% of total Cr(III) generation, respectively. In addition, the initial solution pH was responsible for determining the relative significance of Cr(VI) adsorption and reduction. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of Cr(VI) removal from water by the MBC.

Rapid industrialization in China in recent decades has resulted in soil contamination in some areas, raising the concern about food safety. Consumption of rice represents a major exposure route for the toxic elements cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As). We collected 160 polished rice from local markets in 20 provinces in China and determined total Cd and As concentrations and As speciation. Total Cd concentration ranged from below the detection limit to 0.77 mg kg−1, with 10% of the samples exceeding the Chinese limit (0.2 mg kg−1). Rice Cd concentration showed a distinct geographical pattern, increasing from low levels in the north to high levels in the south of China. Median daily Cd intake from rice varied from 0.01 μg kg−1 body weight in the north to 0.61 μg kg−1 body weight in the south of China, representing between 1% and 73% of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) recommended by FAO/WHO. The highest median Cd intake from rice was in Hunan province with 2 times TDI. Total As concentration ranged from 0.011 to 0.186 mg kg−1, with inorganic As (iAs) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAs) on average accounting for 69% and 31%, respectively. All samples were below the Chinese limit for iAs in rice (0.2 mg kg−1). There was no clear geographical pattern in rice total As concentration, but rice produced in northeastern China contained higher percentages of DMAs and lower percentages of iAs. This study highlights a high risk of Cd exposure from rice consumption for the population of southern China and suggested strategies for reducing Cd accumulation in rice crop.

Experimental studies suggest that prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals interferes with developmental processes in the fetal brain. Yet, epidemiological evidence is inconclusive.In a birth cohort (2008–2010, upstate New York), we quantified concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and bisphenol A (BPA) in stored newborn dried blood spots using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Mothers reported on children's behavior using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at age 7 (650 singletons and 138 twins). Difficulties in total behavior (i.e., emotional, conduct, hyperactivity, and peer problems) and prosocial behavior were classified using validated cut-offs. We used logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to estimate the odds of having difficulties per exposure category.In total, 111 children (12.1%) had total behavioral difficulties and 60 (6.5%) had difficulties in prosocial behavior. The median (interquartile range) of PFOS, PFOA, and BPA were 1.74 ng/ml (1.33), 1.12 ng/ml (0.96), and 7.93 ng/ml (10.79), respectively. Higher PFOS levels were associated with increased odds of having behavioral difficulties (OR per SD of log PFOS = 1.30, 95%CI: 1.03–1.65). We observed associations between PFOS in the highest relative to the lowest quartile and behavioral difficulties (OR for PFOS₁.₁₄₋₁.₇₄ = 1.65, 95%CI: 0.84–3.34; PFOS₁.₇₅₋₂.₄₇ = 1.73, 95%CI: 0.87–3.43; and PFOS>₂.₄₇ = 2.47, 95%CI: 1.29–4.72 compared to PFOS<₁.₄₁). The associations between higher concentrations of PFOS and behavioral difficulties at age 7 years were driven by problems in conduct and emotional symptoms. Higher PFOA levels were associated with difficulties in prosocial behavior (OR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.03–1.75). There was an inverse association between BPA concentrations and difficulties in prosocial behavior but only in the 2nd and 4th quartiles. We found no interactions between sex and chemical concentrations.Increasing prenatal exposure to PFOS and PFOA, as reflected in neonatal concentrations, may pose risk for child behavioral difficulties.

Toxicoproteomic analysis of steel industry ambient particulate matter (PM) that contain high concentrations of PAHs and metals was done by treating human lung cancer cell-line, A549 and the cell lysates were analysed using quantitative label-free nano LC-MS/MS. A total of 18,562 peptides representing 1576 proteins were identified and quantified, with 196 proteins had significantly altered expression in the treated cells. Enrichment analyses revealed that proteins associated to redox homeostsis, metabolism, and cellular energy generation were inhibited while, proteins related to DNA damage and repair and other stresses were over expressed. Altered activities of several tumor associated proteins were observed. Protein-protein interaction network and biological pathway analysis of these differentially expressed proteins were carried out to obtain a systems level view of proteome changes. Together it could be inferred that PM exposure induced oxidative stress which could have lead into DNA damage and tumor related changes. However, lowering of cellular metabolism, and energy production could reduce its ability to overcome these stress. This kind of disequilibrium between the DNA damage and ability of the cells to repair the DNA damage may lead into genomic instability that is capable of acting as the driving force during PM induced carcinogenesis.

This paper evaluates the UV photodegradation of 17β-estradiol (E2) on silica gel and in natural soil with different soil components. Silica gel was chosen as a stable and pure support to simulate the photochemical behavior of E2 on the surface of natural soil. Ultraviolet light, rather than visible light, was confirmed to play a decisive role in the photodegradation of E2 on silica gel. The effect of three soil components, including humic acid (HA), inorganic salts, and relative humidity (RH), on the photochemical behavior of E2 on silica gel or soil under UV irradiation was then evaluated. Two HA concentrations (10 and 20 mg g⁻¹) and three salts (ferric sulfate, copper sulfate and sodium carbonate) were observed to obviously inhibit the degradation of E2 on silica gel. Interestingly, nitrate was found to obviously improve the removal efficiency of E2. Both too-dry and too-wet conditions obviously reduced the removal rate of E2, and the optimum relative humidity (RH) value was found to be approximately about 35% (30 °C). Furthermore, twenty intermediate products and two major pathways were proposed to describe the transformation processes of E2 treated by UV irradiation, among which oligomers were found to be the major intermediate products before complete mineralization. The efficient UV removal of E2 on silica gel and natural soil suggested a feasible strategy to remediate E2 contaminated soil.

Lijiang is a high-altitude city located on the eastern fringe of the Tibetan Plateau, with complex seasonal atmospheric circulations (i.e. westerly wind, Indian Monsoon, and East Asia Monsoon). Very few previous studies have focused on seasonal variations and sources of organic pollutants in Lijiang. In this study, a four-year air campaign from June 2009 to July 2013 was conducted to investigate the temporal trends and the sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine compounds [including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)]. The atmospheric PAH concentrations in winter are 2–3 times of those in summer, probably because of the combined result of enhanced local emission and long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT) during winter. Traffic pollution was the primary local source of PAHs, while biomass burning is the dominant LRAT source. OCPs and PCBs also mainly underwent LRAT to reach Lijiang. The peak concentrations of most of OCPs occurred in pre-monsoon season and winter, which were carried by air masses from Myanmar and India through westerly winds. As compared with other sites of the Tibetan Plateau, without the direct barrier of the Himalaya, Lijiang is easily contaminated by the incursion of polluted air masses.