Air pollution is a global threat to public health, especially when considering susceptible populations, such as children. A better understanding of determinants of exposure could help epidemiologists in refining exposure assessment methods, and policy makers in identifying effective mitigation interventions. Through a participatory approach, 73 and 89 schoolchildren were involved in a two-season personal exposure monitoring campaign of equivalent black carbon (EBC) in Milan, Italy. GPS devices, time-activity diaries and a questionnaire were used to collect personal information. Exposure to EBC was 1.3 ± 1.5 μg/m³ and 3.9 ± 3.3 μg/m³ (mean ± sd) during the warm and the cold season, respectively. The highest peaks of exposure were detected during the home-to-school commute. Children received most of their daily dose at school and home (82%), but the highest dose/time intensity was related to transportation and outdoor environments. Linear mixed-effect models showed that meteorological variables were the most influencing predictors of personal exposure and inhaled dose, especially in the cold season. The total time spent in a car, duration of the home-to-school commute, and smoking habits of parents were important predictors as well. Our findings suggest that seasonality, time-activity and mobility patterns play an important role in explaining exposure patterns. Furthermore, by highlighting the contribution of traffic rush hours, transport-related microenvironments and traffic-related predictors, our study suggests that acting on a local scale could be an effective way of lowering personal exposure to EBC and inhaled dose of children in the city of Milan.

The effect of prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on lipid concentrations in newborns is unknown. Using data from the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study, we prospectively assessed the health effects of prenatal exposure to individual and multiple PFAS on cord lipid concentrations. Maternal plasma samples collected at 12–16 weeks of gestation were analyzed for eleven PFAS, and cord blood samples were analyzed for lipids: total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). We used multiple linear regression models to evaluate the associations of each individual PFAS with each lipid parameter, and used Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) models to assess the overall and single-exposure effects of eight PFAS with the detection rate above 80% on cord lipid concentrations. In multiple linear regression models, for each unit increase in ln-transformed maternal concentrations of perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA), and perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA), ln-transformed TC concentration decreased by 0.15 mg/dL (95% confidence interval (CI): −0.25, −0.05), 0.12 mg/dL (95% CI: −0.19, −0.05), 0.12 mg/dL (95% CI: −0.19, −0.05), and 0.05 mg/dL (95% CI: −0.09, −0.01), respectively, and ln-transformed HDL-C concentration decreased by 0.17 mg/dL (95% CI: −0.29, −0.05), 0.12 mg/dL (95% CI: −0.20, −0.03), 0.12 mg/dL (95% CI: −0.20, −0.03), and 0.06 mg/dL (95% CI: −0.11, −0.00), respectively. Statistically significant inverse associations were also observed between ln-transformed concentrations of PFDA, PFUdA, or PFTrDA and ln-transformed cord concentrations of TG and LDL-C. In BKMR models, the mixture of eight PFAS showed suggestively inverse association with all ln-transformed lipid concentrations, such that ln-transformed TC concentration of exposure to the 75th percentile of the mixture was 0.11 units (95% credible interval, −0.21, −0.01) lower than the 25th percentile exposure. Our findings indicated that prenatal exposure to PFAS may disrupt lipid metabolism in newborns.

In order to better understand the environmental risks of the rare earth elements (REEs), it is necessary to determine their fate and biological effects under environmentally relevant conditions (e.g. at low concentrations, REE mixtures). Here, the unicellular freshwater microalga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, was exposed for 2 h to one of three soluble REEs (Ce, Tm, Y) salts at 0.5 μM or to an equimolar mixture of these REEs. RNA sequencing revealed common biological effects among the REEs. Known functions of the differentially expressed genes support effects of REEs on protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, phosphate transport and the homeostasis of Fe and Ca. The only stress response detected was related to protein misfolding in the endoplasmic reticulum. When the REEs were applied as a mixture, antagonistic effects were overwhelmingly observed with transcriptomic results suggesting that the REEs were initially competing with each other for bio-uptake. Metal biouptake results were consistent with this interpretation. These results suggest that the approach of government agencies to regulate the REEs using biological effects data from single metal exposures may be a largely conservative approach.

Despite Australia's high reliance on coal for electricity generation, no study has addressed the extent to which mercury (Hg) deposition has increased since the commissioning of coal-fired power plants. We present stratigraphic data from lake sediments in the Hunter Valley (New South Wales) and Latrobe Valley (Victoria), where a significant proportion of Australia's electricity is generated via coal combustion. Mercury deposition in lake sediments increased in the 1970s with the commissioning of coal-fired power plants, by a factor of 2.9-times in sediments of Lake Glenbawn (Hunter Valley) and 14-times in Traralgon Reservoir (Latrobe Valley). Sediments deposited after the commissioning of power plants have distinct Hg isotope compositions, similar to those of combusted coals. Mercury emission, estimated using an atmospheric model (CALPUFF), was higher in the Latrobe Valley than in the Hunter Valley. This is a result of higher Hg concentrations in lignite coal, lax regulation and older pollution-control technologies adopted by coal-fired power plants in the Latrobe Valley. Near-source deposition of Hg in Australia is significantly higher than North America and Europe, where better emission controls (e.g. wet flue gas desulfurization) have been in effect for decades. The challenge for Australia in years to come will be to ratify the Minamata Convention and develop better regulation policies to reduce Hg emissions.

Certain viruses and parasites can cause persistent infections that often co-occur and have been associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Separate lines of research indicate exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) suppress the immune system. We hypothesized that PFAS exposures might systematically increase susceptibility to persistent infections resulting in a higher pathogen burden. We used data from 8778 individuals (3189 adolescents, 5589 adults) in the nationally-representative U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2016 to examine cross-sectional associations between serum concentrations of four highly detected PFAS (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA) with the presence of antibodies to cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus, hepatitis C and E, herpes simplex 1 and 2, HIV, T. gondii, and Toxocara spp. Seropositivity was summed to calculate a pathogen burden score reflecting the total number of infections. Separate survey-weighted multivariable regression models were fitted to analyze PFAS individually and quantile g-computation was used to analyze PFAS mixtures. Among adolescents, 38.7% had at least one persistent infection while 14.9% had two or more; among adults, these percentages were 48.0% and 19.7%. Each PFAS was individually associated with significantly higher pathogen burdens and the most pronounced associations were observed in adolescents [e.g., among adolescents, a doubling of PFOS was associated with 30% (95% CI: 25–36%) higher pathogen burden]. Quantile g-computation revealed PFAS mixtures as a whole were also associated with higher pathogen burdens. Taken together, these results suggest PFAS exposure may increase susceptibility to and foster the clustering of persistent infections, particularly among adolescents. Since persistent infections are important contributors to long-term health, prospective data are needed to confirm these findings.

This study characterizes the impacts of transported peat-forest (PF) burning smoke on an urban environment and evaluates associated source burning conditions based on carbon properties of PM₂.₅ at the receptor site. We developed and validated a three-step classification that enables systematic and more rapid identification of PF smoke impacts on a tropical urban environment with diverse emissions and complex atmospheric processes. This approach was used to characterize over 300 daily PM₂.₅ data collected during 2011–2013, 2015 and 2019 in Singapore. A levoglucosan concentration of ≥0.1 μg/m³ criterion indicates dominant impacts of transported PF smoke on urban fine aerosols. This approach can be used in other ambient environments for practical and location-dependent applications. Organic carbon (OC) concentrations (as OC indicator) can be an alternate to levoglucosan for assessing smoke impacts on urban environments. Applying the OC concentration indicator identifies smoke impacts on ∼80% of daily samples in 2019 and shows an accuracy of 51–86% for hourly evaluation. Following the systematic identification of urban PM₂.₅ predominantly affected by PF smoke in 2011–2013, 2015 and 2019, we assessed the concentration ratio of char-EC/soot-EC as an indicator of smoldering- or flaming-dominated burning emissions. When under the influence of transported PF smoke, the mean concentration ratio of char-EC to soot-EC in urban PM₂.₅ decreased by >70% from 8.2 in 2011 to 2.3 in 2015 but increased to 3.8 in 2019 (p < 0.05). The reversed trend with a 65% increase from 2015 to 2019 shows stronger smoldering relative to flaming, indicating a higher level of soil moisture at smoke origins, possibly associated with rewetting and revegetating peatlands since 2016.

Fish is an important source of nutritional omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids, but it also readily accumulates toxic mercury (Hg) and microcystins (MC) in eutrophic aquatic systems. In China, farmed fish was widely consumed, and aquaculture has caused pervasive eutrophication of freshwater lakes, resulting in the increasing accumulation of MC in fish tissue. To assess the risk-benefit of consuming farmed fish, 205 fish samples of 10 primary species were collected from the eutrophic Wujiangdu (WJD) Reservoir, SW China. The contents of Hg, microcystin-RR (MC-RR), microcystin-LR (MC-LR), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in fish were analyzed. The results showed that THg and MeHg concentrations in all fish sampls were well below the safety limit (500 ng/g w.w) established by the Standardization Administration of China, with average values of 22.9 ± 22.8 and 6.0 ± 6.6 ng/g wet weight (w.w.), respectively. Average concentrations of MC-RR and MC-LR were 40 ± 80 and 50 ± 80 ng/g w.w., respectively. MC-RR and MC-LR concentrations in fish were significantly higher in silver carp and black carp than in perch and catfish (p < 0.05). In nutritional terms, average concentrations of n-3 PUFA and the eicosapentaenoic (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) of fish were 2.0 ± 2.5 and 1.4 ± 0.5 mg/g w.w., respectively. The risk-benefit assessment suggests that the n-3 PUFA benefits from consuming all farmed fish species in the WJD Reservoir outweigh the adverse effects of MeHg. However, except for perch, most fish species still pose a high MC-LR exposure risk that created a requirement for fish consumption advisories and monitoring. Consequently, more attention should be paid on the health risk of combined exposure to pollutants by aquatic product consumption.

Biomonitoring of aquatic environments requires new tools to characterize the effects of pollutants on living organisms. Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) from the same site in north-eastern France were caged for two months, upstream and downstream of three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the international watershed of the Meuse (Charleville-Mézières “CM” in France, Namur “Nam” and Charleroi “Cr” in Belgium). The aim was to test ¹H-NMR metabolomics for the assessment of water bodies’ quality. The metabolomic approach was combined with a more “classical” one, i.e., the measurement of a range of energy biomarkers: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lipase, acid phosphatase (ACP) and amylase activities, condition index (CI), total reserves, electron transport system (ETS) activity and cellular energy allocation (CEA). Five of the eight energy biomarkers were significantly impacted (LDH, ACP, lipase, total reserves and ETS), without a clear pattern between sites (Up and Down) and stations (CM, Nam and Cr). The metabolomic approach revealed variations among the three stations, and also between the upstream and downstream of Nam and CM WWTPs. A total of 28 known metabolites was detected, among which four (lactate, glycine, maltose and glutamate) explained the observed metabolome variations between sites and stations, in accordance with chemical exposure levels. Metabolome changes suggest that zebra mussel exposure to field contamination could alter their osmoregulation and anaerobic metabolism capacities. This study reveals that lactate is a potential biomarker of interest, and ¹H-NMR metabolomics can be an efficient approach to assess the health status of zebra mussels in the biomonitoring of aquatic environments.

Valorisation of food waste offers an economical and environmental opportunity, which can reduce the problems of its conventional disposal. Food waste is commonly disposed of in landfills or incinerated, causing many environmental, social, and economic issues. Large amounts of food waste are produced in the food supply chain of agriculture: production, post-harvest, distribution (transport), processing, and consumption. Food waste can be valorised into a range of products, including biofertilisers, bioplastics, biofuels, chemicals, and nutraceuticals. Conversion of food waste into these products can reduce the demand of fossil-derived products, which have historically contributed to large amounts of pollution. The variety of food chain suppliers offers a wide range of feedstocks that can be physically, chemically, or biologically altered to form an array of biofertilisers and soil amendments. Composting and anaerobic digestion are the main large-scale conversion methods used today to valorise food waste products to biofertilisers and soil amendments. However, emerging conversion methods such as dehydration, biochar production, and chemical hydrolysis have promising characteristics, which can be utilised in agriculture as well as for soil remediation. Valorising food waste into biofertilisers and soil amendments has great potential to combat land degradation in agricultural areas. Biofertilisers are rich in nutrients that can reduce the dependability of using conventional mineral fertilisers. Food waste products, unlike mineral fertilisers, can also be used as soil amendments to improve productivity. These characteristics of food wastes assist in the remediation of contaminated soils. This paper reviews the volume of food waste within the food chain and types of food waste feedstocks that can be valorised into various products, including the conversion methods. Unintended consequences of the utilisation of food waste as biofertilisers and soil-amendment products resulting from their relatively low concentrations of trace element nutrients and presence of potentially toxic elements are also evaluated.

Photosensitization of natural organic matter (NOM) is an important natural source of reactive bromine species (RBrS) in the environment. Up to now, quantitative information about RBrS was mainly based on model sensitizers. Whether the behavior of model compounds could represent those of complex NOM remains unknown. In this study, we employed a chemical probe (3,5-dimethyl-1-H-pyrazole) to measure RBrS in humic acid (HA)-containing solutions and investigated their influential factors. The formation rate, decay rate constant, steady-state concentration, and lifetimes of RBrS were 3.87(±0.16) × 10⁻¹³ mol L⁻¹·s⁻¹, 1.99(±0.20) × 10⁴ s⁻¹, 2.04(±0.13) × 10⁻¹⁷ mol L⁻¹, and 5.06(±1.05) × 10⁻⁵ s, respectively. Measured steady-state concentrations of RBrS were 3–5 orders of magnitude lower than those in model sensitizer system. Results showed that HA drove the RBrS generation, and about 0.12–0.70% of triplet-state HA (³HA*) would be transformed into RBrS. HA structures strongly affected this process. Phenolic-like groups suppressed the formation, while aromatic ketone-like moieties facilitated it. Last, HA also altered the transformation pathways. The contribution of ·OH dependent and direct oxidation pathways was almost equal, while the direct oxidation was predominant in the model system. Thus, careful consideration should be taken into photochemical formation of RBrS in NOM-involved solution, due to their complexity and multiple roles.