Combination of life cycle assessment,risk assessment and human biomonitoring to improve regulatory decisions and policy making for chemicals

Prior to market entry, new chemical substances are assessed for their risk to human health and the environment. Conventional risk assessment (RA) is limited in scope, i.e. it usually does not cover the entire life cycle of a substance, nor does it take into account sustainability aspects such as the amount of raw materials and energy required to produce the substance. Life cycle assessment (LCA) can provide this pivotal information to support an informed decision on the sustainability of a new substance. Unfortunately, LCA has had little regulatory application up to now. We believe that increasing the focus on combined use of LCA and life cycle-based RA could lead to improved regulatory long-term decisions for marketed chemicals. Inclusion of human biomonitoring could increase the robustness of such decisions even further. In addition, the combined use of the three methods allows a robust search for sustainable alternatives of currently marketed chemicals that have an unfavourable risk profile.     

Health risk assessment of fluoride in drinking water from Anhui Province in China

This study analyzes the concentrations and health risks of fluoride in 249 drinking water samples collected from different regions of Anhui Province in China. Results indicated that fluoride content in drinking water ranged from 0.12 to 1.94 mg L^?1 (mean?=?0.57 mg L^?1) in the following order: Huaibei plain region > Jianghuai hill region ≈ Dabieshan mountainous region > plain along the Yangtze River region > southern Anhui mountainous region. The fluoride contents were less than 0.50 mg L^?1 in 66.66 % of the drinking water samples, 0.51–1.0 mg L^?1 in 23.29 %, and higher than 1.0 mg L^?1 in 12.04 %. The fluoride levels in some samples were lower than the recommended values for controlling dental caries (0.50–1.0 mg L^?1). The total fluoride intake from drinking water was between 0.14 and 2.33 mg per day in different regions of the province, supposing an individual consumes 1.2 L of water per day. Therefore, measures should be taken to increase fluoride intake in the Jianghuai hill region, Dabieshan mountainous region, plain along the Yangtze River, and southern Anhui mountainous region to control dental caries. On the other hand, the fluoride levels must be reduced in the Huaibei plain region to decrease endemic fluorosis. The results serve as crucial guidelines for managing fluoride safety in drinking water and controlling endemic fluorosis in different regions of Anhui Province.     

Source and risk assessment of PCBs in sediments of Fenhe reservoir and watershed, China

The concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediments from the Fenhe reservoir and watershed were detected at 28 sites in wet and dry seasons. The ∑(123)PCBs ranged from n.d. to 126.49 ng g(-1) dw. The dominated congeners were tri-PCBs (34.29%) and tetra-PCBs (24.05%). In the Fenhe reservoir, ∑(123)PCBs presented a decreasing trend, while percentages of low chlorinated congeners showed an increasing trend. For the temporal variations, PCBs homologues profiles of sediment samples and spatial distribution of ∑(123)PCBs for the two periods were similar (with CD = 0.021 and r(2) = 0.999 respectively), although PCBs concentrations in the wet season were significantly higher than in the dry season. PCA was applied to analyze the possible sources for PCBs, suggesting that PCBs might be mainly influenced by Aroclor 1016 and 1242. Compared with 3 established sediment quality guidelines, levels of PCBs in sediments of the investigated watershed might have a potential biological impact, especially in the wet season.     

Spatial distribution and potential ecologic risk assessment of heavy metals in the sediments of the Nansi Lake in China

The contamination levels and ecological risks of heavy metals in the sediments of the Nansi Lake were investigated. The contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Co in the surface sediments collected at 20 sites ranged from 0.08 to 1.12, 58.92 to 135.62, 38.09 to 78.65, 24.51 to 53.95, 110.51 to 235.36, 11.30 to 65.40, and 4.12 to 20.14 mg/kg, respectively. The results of partitioning analysis revealed that the proportions of soluble and exchangeable fraction were less than 1 %, the proportions of carbonate, amorphous oxides, organic matter, and crystalline oxides fraction were less than 10 %, and 10.52 % of Cd was associated with carbonate. The average proportions in the residual fraction ranged from 48.62 % for Cu to 73.76 % for Ni, indicating low mobility and bioavailability. The geoaccumulation index (I _geo), relative enrichment factor (REF), sediment pollution index (SPI), and potential effect concentration quotient (PECQ) values of the heavy metals in the sediments were not in agreement with each another. The average REF values of Cd and Zn were higher than those of other metals. However, the average PECQ values were higher for Cr and Ni than those of other metals, indicating that these two metals would cause higher adverse biological effects. Therefore, it is suggested that future management and pollution control might focus on Cd, Zn, Cr, and Ni in the sediments of the Nansi Lake.     

A GIS-based spatial multi-index model for flood risk assessment in the Yangtze River Basin,China

This paper developed a GIS-based spatial multi-index model for large basin-scale flood risk assessment. In terms of the risk definition proposed by the IPCC, the flood risk in the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) was classified into indexes of hazard, vulnerability, and exposure. The model systematically accounts for various flood risk indicators related to the economic, social and ecological environment of the YRB. Using the robust data space analysis and processing capabilities of ArcGIS, these flood risk indicators were superimposed and analyzed to generate an integrated flood risk spatial distribution map for the YRB. The modeling results were verified reasonably well using observation data from the YRB floods in 1998, 2008, and 2016. We found that 24.90% of the study area was at very high and high risk in 1998, and the risk in these areas decreased to 15.95% and 17.61% in 2008 and 2016, respectively. We believe that the GIS-based spatial multi-index model can be applied to other areas where basin-scale flood risk assessment is desired and contribute to further scientific research on flood forecasting and mitigation.     

Comprehensive analysis of an ecological risk assessment of the Daliao River estuary, China

At present, most estuarine ecological risk studies are based on terrestrial ecosystem models, which ignore spatial heterogeneity. The Daliao River estuary has representative characteristics of many estuaries in China, and we used this estuary as the study area to formulate an estuarine ecological risk evaluation model. Targeting the estuary's special hydrodynamic condition, this model incorporated variables that were under the influence of human activities and used them as the major factors for partitioning sections of the river according to risk values. It also explored the spatial and temporal distribution laws of estuarine ecological risk. The results showed that, on the whole, the ecological risk of the Daliao River estuary area was relatively high. At a temporal level, runoff was the main factor resulting in differences in ecological risk, while at the spatial level, the ecological risk index was affected by pollutants carried by runoff from upstream, as well as downstream pollution emissions and dilution by seawater at the mouth of the sea. The characteristics of this model make it possible to simulate the spatial and temporal risk distribution in different regions and under different rainfall regimes. This model can thus be applied in other estuarine areas and provides some technical support for analysis and control of ecological destruction in estuary areas.     

Levels,distribution and risk assessment of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in fish in Xiamen,China

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment - An accidental or intentional contamination event can raise health and sociopolitical concerns, erode public trust, and affect the operation of water...     

China's water risk assessment and industrial source analysis based on the localization of WWF water risk assessment tools

The WWF water risk assessment tool is a universal methodology, as the establishment of its indicators fully consider various types of natural and social environments. When this tool is applied to China, a large country with a complex water situation in a period of rapid development, appropriate localization adjustment is necessary to ensure that indicators are generally stable and assessment results are internationally comparable. Based on the localization of WWF water risk assessment tools, this is the first application assessing water risk in China in terms of physical risks, regulatory risks and reputation risks. It explores the sources of China's water risk from industrial sectors and constructs a classification index system according to the degree of water dependence and the level of water pollution. Using the classification index system and relevant data, we find the key industrial sectors, enterprises and production processes to reduce water risk in China's ten major water valleys and offer some effective and practical management suggestions. Due to the large regional differences of water risk-bearing capacity in China, the assessment results should be interpreted in combination with specific national conditions of China and emphasis should be laid on key areas and industries.     

Pollution characteristics and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in three land-use types on the southern Loess Plateau,China

The accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils has been the subject of great concern because these metals have the potential to be transferred to soil solutions and subsequently accumulate in the food chain. To study the persistence of trace metals in crop and orchard soils, representative surface soil samples were collected from terrace farmland that had been cultivated for various numbers of years (3, 8, 12, 15, and >20 years), terrace orchard land that had been cultivated for various numbers of years (4, 7, 10, 12, 15, 18, 25, and >30 years), and slope farmland with various gradients (3°, 5°, 8°, 12°, 15°, and 25°) and analyzed for heavy metals (As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Zn). These samples were collected from Nihegou catchment of Chunhua county in the southern Loess Plateau of China. The six heavy metals demonstrated different trends with time or gradient in the three land-use types. The Cu and Zn contents of the soil were higher than the referee background values of the loessal soil, and the contents of Cr and Ni, and especially those of As and Hg, were lower. Cu was the only heavy metal that just met the Grade III Environmental Quality Standard for Soils of China, while the others reached grade I. Cu and Hg were considered contaminant factors and Hg was a moderate potential ecological risk factor in the catchment. Of the sites investigated, 89.5% fell into the category with a low degree of contamination (C _d ) and rest were moderate, while all three land-use types had low potential ecological risk (RI). Changes of C _d and RI were consistent with the cultivated time in the terrace farmland and terrace orchard land. Values of RI increased while C _d decreased with the increasing of slope gradient in the slope farmland. Evaluating the ecological risk posed by heavy metals using more soil samples in a larger study area is necessary on the Loess Plateau of China.     

Air pollution in Athens basin and health risk assessment

An inventory of air pollution sources within the Athens basin is carried out for the years 1989, 1992 and 1998 and the results areinputted in a climatological model for predicting ambient concentrations. Despite of the significant growth in the numberof road vehicles and the deteriorating traffic, the emissions andambient concentrations of fine particulates, CO, NO_x and VOCappear to remain reasonably constant over for the period 1989 to 1998, while these of SO₂ and Pb are reduced, mainly due to the renewal of vehicle fleet, the use of catalytic technologies and the improved quality of the used fuel. The results further indicate that for CO, NO_x and VOC the major source is road traffic, while for PM_2.5 and SO₂ both space heating andtraffic share responsibility. The air pollutant concentrations monitored by the network of 11 stations are reviewed and statistics related to air quality guidelines are presented. As fine particulate levels are not monitored, approximate PM_2.5and PM₁₀ concentrations are derived from black smoke ones on basis of experimentally determined conversion factors. The computed and monitored air pollution levels are compared and found in reasonable agreement. The results of the above analysisshow that the levels of all `classical' pollutants, with the exception of SO₂ and Pb, exceed significantly the WHO guidelines and are thus expected to exert a significant healthimpact. The latter could be quantified in relation to the PM_2.5 or PM₁₀ levels on the basis of risk assessment information developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The results show that the existing levels of fine particle concentrations in Athens increase significantly the mortality and morbidity, and reduce the average longevity of the entirepopulation from 1.3 to 1.7 years.     

Spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metals in sediments from a hypertrophic plateau lake Dianchi, China

The sediment in Dianchi Lake, a hypereutrophic plateau lake in southwest China, was investigated and the concentration of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb, Fe, Mn, and Cd) in the sediment and sediment properties were determined. Their spatial distribution and sources were analyzed using multivariate statistics. The result indicated that the studied metals exhibited three distinct spatial patterns; that is, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ni had a similar distribution, with a concentration gradient from the north to the south part of the lake; Cd and Cr presented a similar distribution; Fe and Mn presented a quite different distribution than other metals, which indicated their different sources and geochemistry processes. Correlation and cluster analysis (CA) provided origin information on these metals and the CA result was observed corresponding to those three spatial patterns. Principal component analysis further displayed metal source and driving factors; that is, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, and Cr were mainly derived from anthropogenic sources, and Fe and Mn were mainly the result of natural processes. Sediment assessment was conducted using geoaccumulation index (Igeo), potential ecological risk indices, and USEPA guidelines. The result indicated that, generally, Cd was the most serious risk metal; Pb and Cu posed moderate potential ecological risk; Cr, Zn, and Ni had slight ecological risk; Fe and Mn had little risk. Comparison of the assessment tools showed that each of the methods had its limitation and could bias the result, and the combined use of the methodologies and local knowledge on lithology or metal background value of soil in the practice would give a more comprehensive understanding of the metal risk or pollution. Statistical analysis also indicated that nutrients had different impacts on Fe, Mn, and trace elements, which implied that in the assessment of metal risk, nutrients impact should be taken into consideration especially for eutrophic waters.     

Tree-ring analysis for the assessment of anthropogenic changes and trends

Investigation of Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)annual radial increment (width of annual tree rings) was carriedout in the surroundings of one of the largest pollution sources inLithuania – Jonava Nitrogen Fertilizers Plant. The main objectiveof investigation was to analyse different sides of anthropogenictransformations of tree-ring series in the polluted environment:changes in tree growth intensity; variance changes in tree-ringseries; changes in the relations with natural external factors.Three different periods of tree reaction to the environmentalpollution were singled out – fertilization period, depressionperiod and recovery period since annual emissions were essentiallyreduced. The variance of tree-ring series has increased severaltimes in the polluted environment. Reaction of trees to the impactof climatic factors (temperature, precipitation) has changedsignificantly in the polluted environment and their sensitivity hasalso increased.     

Exposure and inhalation risk assessment in an aluminium cast-house

To date the exposure, absorption and respiratory health effects of cast-house workers have not been described since most studies performed in the aluminium industry are focused on exposure and health effects of potroom personnel. In the present study, we assessed the external exposure and the absorbed dose of metals in personnel from the aluminium cast house. This was combined with an evaluation of respiratory complaints and the lung function of the personnel. 30 workers from an aluminium casting plant participated and 17 individuals of the packaging and distribution departments were selected as controls. The exposure was assessed by the quantification of total inhalable fume with metal fraction and by the determination of urinary aluminium, chromium, beryllium, manganese and lead concentration. Carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), aldehydes and polyaromatic hydrocarbons and man-made mineral fibres concentration were assessed as well. In order to evaluate their respiratory status each participant filled out a questionnaire and their lung function was tested by forced spirometry. Total inhalable fume exposure was maximum 4.37 mg m(-3). Exposure to the combustion gases, man-made mineral fibres and metal fume was well below the exposure limits. Beryllium could not be detected in the urine. The values of aluminium, manganese and lead in the urine were all under the respective reference value. One individual had a urinary chromium excretion above the ACGIH defined biological exposure index (BEI) of 30 microg g(-1) creatinine. There was no significant difference in any of the categories of the respiratory questionnaire and in the results of the spirometry between cast house personnel and referents (Chi-square, all p > 0.05). Exposure in cast houses seem to be acceptable under these conditions. However, peak exposure to fumes cannot be excluded and the potential risk of chromium and beryllium exposure due to the recycling of aluminium requires further attention.     

Probabilistic risk assessment and risk mapping of metals in tropical estuarine sediments using the 1 quarisk model

Total sediment concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, and Hg obtained from the Ankobra, Sakumo II, and Volta estuaries in Ghana were used to generate contaminant probability density distributions and species sensitivity distributions in AQUARISK. Results of the tier 1 assessment showed Cu, Cd, Zn, and Pb were not of concern in the Ankobra as their measured values and the 99th percentile of the fitted distributions were lower than the SQG low-trigger values. Mercury (Hg) and As were however, identified to be of concern in this estuary. In the Sakumo II estuary, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Hg have been identified to be of concern because their concentrations are higher than the SQG low-trigger values. Hg has been identified as the only metal of concern in the Volta estuary. The total proportion of species likely to be affected by the combined concentration of Cd, Cu, and Zn measured from Ankobra, Sakumo II, and Volta were 14%, 16%, and 12%, respectively, according to the Bur III distributional analysis of the ecotoxicology data. The measured median sediment concentrations of As and Hg in the Ankobra estuary greatly exceeded the median sediment concentration targets to achieve a 5% or less exceedence of the SQG low value. Similarly, in the Sakumo II estuary, the measured median sediment concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Hg greatly exceeded the median sediment concentration targets to achieve a 5% or less exceedence of the SQG low. For the Volta estuary however, other metals except Hg fall below the target values.     

A review of EIAs on trade policy in China: Exploring the way for economic policy EIAs

During the discussion on the “Environmental Protection Law Amendment (draft)” in 2011, it was decided to drop the proposed clauses related to environmental impact assessments (EIAs) on policy, which means that there remained no provisions for policy EIAs, and China's strategic environmental assessment system stayed limited to the planning level. However, considering that economic policy making is causing significant direct and indirect environmental problems and that almost every aspect of governmental policy has an economic aspect, EIAs on economic policies are of the utmost urgency. The purpose of this study is to review the EIA work that has been carried out on trade policy in China through four case studies, and illustrate how trade policy EIAs can be helpful in achieving better environmental outcomes in the area of trade. Through the trade policy EIA case studies we try to argue for the feasibility of conducting EIAs on economic policies in China. We also discuss the implications of the case studies from the point of view of how to proceed with EIAs on economic policy and how to promote their practice.     

Potential health risk of arsenic and cadmium in groundwater near Xiangjiang River, China: a case study for risk assessment and management of toxic substances

As part of our efforts to find effective methods to the drinking water risk management, the health risk assessment of arsenic and cadmium in groundwater near Xiangjiang River was analyzed. The results suggest that although the arsenic and cadmium concentrations in 97% of groundwater sources are less than the requirement of Water Quality Standards for Drinking Water (GB5749-2006) in China, the residents served by almost all of the investigated centralized drinking water sources have a significant potential health risk by consumption, especially cancer risk. It is justified through analyses that risk assessment is an effective tool for risk management, and the maximum permissible concentration of arsenic and cadmium in drinking water (0.01 and 0.005?mg L^-1, respectively) is suitable for China at present, considering the current economic status of China. Risk managers develop cleanup standards designed to protect against all possible adverse effects, which should take into account highly exposed individuals, effects of mixtures of toxic substances, attendant uncertainties, and other factors such as site-specific (or generic) criteria, technical feasibility, cost?Cbenefit analyses, and sociopolitical concerns.     

Comparison of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon uptake pathways and risk assessment of vegetables from waste-water irrigated areas in northern China

Atmospheric deposition is the dominant pathway for PAH uptake by vegetables grown in peri-urban areas. Different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) uptake pathways and the associated health risk were investigated in vegetable samples collected from the Beijing-Tianjin city cluster, China, where irrigation with waste or reclaimed water has been practised for many decades. Sampling comprised 23 diverse sites and the roots and shoots of six types of vegetables. Among the different edible vegetable parts, the highest PAH concentrations were found in radish roots and the lowest in cauliflower heads. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for individual PAHs showed a weakly decreasing trend with increasing log K(OW). To investigate whether the air-leaf or soil-root-shoot uptake dominates, the measured values were compared with estimations from a generic one-compartment model. The results and related observations are more consistent with an atmospheric uptake pathway than a soil-uptake pathway. The PAH isomeric ratios are consistent with pyrogenic sources (from combustion of fossil fuel and biomass). A health risk assessment on the consumption of the edible parts of vegetables revealed that all studied vegetables, except for 16% of Chinese cabbage samples, are safe for consumption. The results of this study indicate the potential health risk of consuming vegetables from waste-water irrigated areas of this city cluster and provide new insights regarding the transfer of PAHs in vegetables grown in this region.