Recent studies have demonstrated the negative impacts of microplastics on wildlife. Therefore, the presence of microplastics in marine species for human consumption and the high intake of seafood (fish and shellfish) in some countries cause concern about the potential effects of microplastics on human health. In this brief review, the evidence of seafood contamination by microplastics is reviewed, and the potential consequences of the presence of microplastics in the marine environment for human food security, food safety and health are discussed. Furthermore, challenges and gaps in knowledge are identified. The knowledge on the adverse effects on human health due to the consumption of marine organisms containing microplastics is very limited, difficult to assess and still controversial. Thus, assessment of the risk posed to humans is challenging. Research is urgently needed, especially regarding the potential exposure and associated health risk to micro- and nano-sized plastics. | publishedVersion

Recent studies have demonstrated the negative impacts of microplastics on wildlife. Therefore, the presence of microplastics in marine species for human consumption and the high intake of seafood (fish and shellfish) in some countries cause concern about the potential effects of microplastics on human health. In this brief review, the evidence of seafood contamination by microplastics is reviewed, and the potential consequences of the presence of microplastics in the marine environment for human food security, food safety and health are discussed. Furthermore, challenges and gaps in knowledge are identified. The knowledge on the adverse effects on human health due to the consumption of marine organisms containing microplastics is very limited, difficult to assess and still controversial. Thus, assessment of the risk posed to humans is challenging. Research is urgently needed, especially regarding the potential exposure and associated health risk to micro- and nano-sized plastics.

The primary aim of this research was to identify the physicochemical properties of the oil and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions used during a NOFO Oil-on-Water field trials that reduced the performance of the skimmers recovery efficacy during the trials. Extensive studies were performed at SINTEF laboratories with the residues of oil topped (i.e. evaporative loss of crude oil components by distillation process at large scale) for the field trial and compared it with different residues of oil topped by bench scale laboratory procedures. In order to obtain a sufficient stable W/O emulsion for the field trial, bunker fuel oil (IFO380) and various concentrations of an emulsifier (Paramul®) were also added to the residues of oil topped on large scale and investigated through interfacial tension, contact angle, droplet adhesion and “dip and withdraw” tests. The investigations revealed that the addition of an emulsifier lowered the interfacial tension of oil residues, which consequently reduced the adherence properties of the oil and emulsions to the surface of the skimmer material. Too high concentration of an emulsifier (>0,5%) also had a negative effect on the stability of W/O emulsion. | Study of the oil interaction towards oil spill recovery skimmer material: Effect of the oil weathering and emulsification properties | acceptedVersion

The primary aim of this research was to identify the physicochemical properties of the oil and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions used during a NOFO Oil-on-Water field trials that reduced the performance of the skimmers recovery efficacy during the trials. Extensive studies were performed at SINTEF laboratories with the residues of oil topped (i.e. evaporative loss of crude oil components by distillation process at large scale) for the field trial and compared it with different residues of oil topped by bench scale laboratory procedures. In order to obtain a sufficient stable W/O emulsion for the field trial, bunker fuel oil (IFO380) and various concentrations of an emulsifier (Paramul®) were also added to the residues of oil topped on large scale and investigated through interfacial tension, contact angle, droplet adhesion and “dip and withdraw” tests. The investigations revealed that the addition of an emulsifier lowered the interfacial tension of oil residues, which consequently reduced the adherence properties of the oil and emulsions to the surface of the skimmer material. Too high concentration of an emulsifier (>0,5%) also had a negative effect on the stability of W/O emulsion.

Les territoires périurbains, zones de transition entre les zones urbaines et rurales, sont soumis à de nombreuses pollutions à la fois gazeuses et particulaires. Ces pollutions proviennent de sources locales comme les activités résidentielles, le trafic routier et les activités agricoles, mais également de sources régionales issues des activités urbaines et des émissions des zones (pseudo-)naturelles adjacentes. Cet article présente une synthèse des différentes sources de pollution affectant la qualité de l’air en milieu périurbain. Il est évident que les pollutions purement anthropiques ne peuvent être dissociées de celles issues du fonctionnement des écosystèmes (pseudo-)naturels dans ces espaces. Enfin, les enjeux vis-à-vis de l’agriculture périurbaine, fortement présente et en développement du fait d’une volonté de consommer des productions locales, sont discutés. | Periurban areas, zone of transition between urban and rural areas, are submitted to several sources of pollution, both gaseous and particulate. These pollutions originate from local sources such as residential sector, traffic road and agricultural activities, but also from regional ones from adjacent urban and (pseudo-)natural areas. This paper presents a synthesis of the different sources affecting air quality in periurban areas. It is clear that pollutions from anthropogenic activities cannot be fully dissociated to those from (pseudo-)natural ecosystem functioning in these areas. Finally, the atmospheric pollution issues are discussed in emphasis with periurban agriculture, already present and under development in these areas due to the development of short food supply chains and local food consumptions.

International audience | Periurban areas, zone of transition between urban and rural areas, are submitted to several sources of pollution, both gaseous and particulate. These pollutions originate from local sources such as residential sector, traffic road and agricultural activities, but also from regional ones from adjacent urban and (pseudo-)natural areas. This paper presents a synthesis of the different sources affecting air quality in periurban areas. It is clear that pollutions from anthropogenic activities cannot be fully dissociated to those from (pseudo-)natural ecosystem functioning in these areas. Finally, the atmospheric pollution issues are discussed in emphasis with periurban agriculture, already present and under development in these areas due to the development of short food supply chains and local food consumptions. | Les territoires périurbains, zones de transition entre les zones urbaines et rurales, sont soumis à de nombreuses pollutions à la fois gazeuses et particulaires. Ces pollutions proviennent de sources locales comme les activités résidentielles, le trafic routier et les activités agricoles, mais également de sources régionales issues des activités urbaines et des émissions des zones (pseudo-)naturelles adjacentes. Cet article présente une synthèse des différentes sources de pollution affectant la qualité de l’air en milieu périurbain. Il est évident que les pollutions purement anthropiques ne peuvent être dissociées de celles issues du fonctionnement des écosystèmes (pseudo-)naturels dans ces espaces. Enfin, les enjeux vis-à-vis de l’agriculture périurbaine, fortement présente et en développement du fait d’une volonté de consommer des productions locales, sont discutés.

peer reviewed | Recently, the World Health Organization’s International Association for Research on Cancer classified outdoor air pollution as carcinogenic to humans and puts air pollution in the same category as tobacco smoke, UV radiation, and plutonium. The ambient air is polluted by emissions from motor vehicles, industrial processes, power generation, household combustion of solid fuel, and other sources. Dust storms lead to particulate levels that exceed internationally recommended levels, especially near the Sahara. However, this source of air pollution appears to be under-studied, particularly in the literature devoted to human health impacts in West Africa. More than 50 % of the total dust emitted into the atmosphere comes from the Sahara. These aerosols contribute to increase the concentrations of particles smaller than 10 μm (PM10), which are breathable particles. This study is the first designed to assess the real impact of Saharan dust on air quality and respiratory health of children in a region of West Africa. Dust events having affected the Northern Benin during the dry seasons between 2003 and 2007 were determined. The analyzed health data are the monthly rates of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI). Over the entire study period, 61 days of dust events were observed in the region. They recorded on average a daily PM10 concentration of 1017 μg m−3, more than 18 times higher than that calculated on all days without dust events. The study also highlighted a mean increase of 12.5 % of ALRI rates during the months recording dust events. The use of daily health data should help to refine these initial results in the future.

Recently, the World Health Organization’s International Association for Research on Cancer classified outdoor air pollution as carcinogenic to humans and puts air pollution in the same category as tobacco smoke, UV radiation, and plutonium. The ambient air is polluted by emissions from motor vehicles, industrial processes, power generation, household combustion of solid fuel, and other sources. Dust storms lead to particulate levels that exceed internationally recommended levels, especially near the Sahara. However, this source of air pollution appears to be under-studied, particularly in the literature devoted to human health impacts in West Africa. More than 50 % of the total dust emitted into the atmosphere comes from the Sahara. These aerosols contribute to increase the concentrations of particles smaller than 10 μm (PM₁₀), which are breathable particles. This study is the first designed to assess the real impact of Saharan dust on air quality and respiratory health of children in a region of West Africa. Dust events having affected the Northern Benin during the dry seasons between 2003 and 2007 were determined. The analyzed health data are the monthly rates of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI). Over the entire study period, 61 days of dust events were observed in the region. They recorded on average a daily PM₁₀concentration of 1017 μg m⁻³, more than 18 times higher than that calculated on all days without dust events. The study also highlighted a mean increase of 12.5 % of ALRI rates during the months recording dust events. The use of daily health data should help to refine these initial results in the future.