桂林市菜地土壤和蔬菜中的镍含量及其健康风险

对桂林市菜地土壤和蔬菜中的镍含量进行大规模调查,评价其污染程度,并用目标危险系数(THQ)评估通过食用蔬菜摄入镍对人体造成的健康风险。采集菜地土壤样品160个,新鲜蔬菜样品566个,样品中镍含量采用石墨炉原子吸收分光光度法测定。结果表明,桂林市菜地土壤镍质量浓度范围、算术平均值和Box-Cox平均值分别为9.01～1 200.00、39.04、25.18mg/kg,其中有14.38%的菜地土壤样品镍含量超过《土壤环境质量标准》(GB 15618—1995)中农田土壤的二级质量标准(pH<6.5);桂林市蔬菜中镍质量浓度范围、中值和几何平均值分别为0.001～0.981、0.035、0.036mg/kg,与其他城市蔬菜镍含量相比,桂林市蔬菜镍含量总体处于较低水平,通过蔬菜摄入镍的健康风险小。蔬菜对镍的富集能力以豆苗和豌豆最高,因而其抗污染能力较差,茄子、西红柿和生菜富集能力低。     

Impact of particle sizes on health risks and source-specific health risks for heavy metals in road dust

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - To analyze the impact of particle sizes on sources and related health risks for heavy metals, road dust samples in Beijing were collected and sifted...     

Determination of potential sources of PCBs and PBDEs in sediments of the Niagara River

Sediments from Niagara River, an important waterway connecting two of the Great Lakes (Lake Erie to Lake Ontario), were analyzed for 14 congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 9 congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) using accelerated solvent extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Total concentrations of PCBs ranged from 1.7 to 124.6 ng/g were PCBs 138 and 153 were found in all samples. All sites but one showed PBDE in sediments with total concentrations as high as 148 ng/g, suggesting that PBDE is becoming an important class of POP. A land-use and coverage map was used to trace potential localized sources of PCB and PBDE contamination. Results indicate that the highest levels of PCBs and PBDEs were found in sediments collected from areas closest to the discharge locations of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and local industries. This is the first study that suggests the importance of WWTP discharges as a potential source of PBDE contamination in the Great Lakes.     

Glyphosate: environmental contamination,toxicity and potential risks to human health via food contamination

Glyphosate has been the most widely used herbicide during the past three decades. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies glyphosate as ‘practically non-toxic and not an irritant’ under the acute toxicity classification system. This classification is based primarily on toxicity data and due to its unique mode of action via a biochemical pathway that only exists in a small number of organisms that utilise the shikimic acid pathway to produce amino acids, most of which are green plants. This classification is supported by the majority of scientific literature on the toxic effects of glyphosate. However, in 2005, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reported that glyphosate and its major metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), are of potential toxicological concern, mainly as a result of accumulation of residues in the food chain. The FAO further states that the dietary risk of glyphosate and AMPA is unlikely if the maximum daily intake of 1 mg kg^?1 body weight (bw) is not exceeded. Research has now established that glyphosate can persist in the environment, and therefore, assessments of the health risks associated with glyphosate are more complicated than suggested by acute toxicity data that relate primarily to accidental high-rate exposure. We have used recent literature to assess the possible risks associated with the presence of glyphosate residues in food and the environment.     

Human health risks of petroleum-contaminated groundwater

BACKGROUND, AIM AND SCOPE: The volatile organic compounds Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene (BTEX) are commonly found in petroleum derivatives and, at relatively high levels, can be associated with human health risks. Due to industrial activities, accidental petroleum spills are the main route of soil and groundwater contamination. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the indoor health risks due to tap water consumption contaminated by BTEX. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BTEX indoor exposure can occur through three principal pathways: inhalation, ingestion and dermal absorption. A multiphase and multicomponent model was used to simulate BTEX transport in groundwater. For evaluation of human risks due to the use of contaminated tap water, a mathematical model was elaborated. RESULTS: BTEX concentrations in a drinking well were obtained as a function over time. These concentrations were used to obtain the exposure due to the use of water from the contaminated drinking well. In addition to showing the highest concentration in water, benzene was the compound that remained for a longer period before being completely degraded. For all the evaluated BTEX, oral ingestion was also the main pathway of exposure for adults, whereas the contribution of inhalation and oral exposition in children were seen to be of the same magnitude. The sensitivity analysis of BTEX total dose for adults showed that direct ingestion was the most significant factor, followed by shower time, volume of the shower room, inhalation rate, and shower flow rate. For children, the most significant variable was also direct ingestion, followed by shower time, volume of the shower room, and body weight. DISCUSSION: In the current design situation, there would not be any health risks by the use of BTEX-contaminated water to the general population living in the neighborhood of the petroleum spill. Therefore, no remediation measures in the area of the spill would be necessary. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that the design of a good scenario can perform an accuracy risk assessment. This model can serve as a useful tool for predicting indoor exposure to substances for which no direct data are available, reducing monitoring efforts and observing how different processes affect outcomes. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: These preliminary data allow the establishment of a basis for further investigations focusing on efficiently recovering petroleum from contaminated sites.     

Bioavailability evaluation,uptake of heavy metals and potential health risks via dietary exposure in urban-industrial areas

A verity of human activities i.e. urbanization and industrialization have been resulted serious environmental contaminations by heavy metals in all over the world. The settlement of populations in urban and nearby industrial areas for economic development has significant share in their exposure to these metallic contaminants. Depending on the nature and type of the pollutants, targeted urban-industrial environments can have harmful and chronic health risk impacts on exposed local inhabitants and may require detoxification, healing and remedial therapy. Consequently, environmental monitoring as well as human health risk assessments of urban environments under industrial influence are key dominant features. We believe this work will provide new insights into the studies of metals exposure and associated health risks in emerging industrials cities of developing countries. Present study aimed to study the bioavailability of metals, quantify the changeability in soil and vegetable metal concentrations and estimation of human health risks via dietary exposure, focusing on urban-industrial environment. Soil and vegetable samples were collected in six random sites within the urban, periurban and industrial areas and analyzed for metal concentrations. In addition, risk assessment model proposed by US-EPA was employed to estimate the potential health risk of heavy metals via dietary intake. Results indicated that the heavy metal concentrations were noteworthy in periurban and urban-industrial areas. However, contamination levels varied with the type of vegetable, and the point source pollution such as traffic, urban wastes and industrial effluent. According to the estimated THQ and HI values for non-carcinogenic risk, little or no negative impact of heavy metals was observed on local inhabitants. However, the concentrations of Cr, Cd, Pb and Ni were nearly closed to the permissible limits described by US-EPA in urban-industrial areas. Conclusively, some efficient remedial strategies should be focus to overcome the increasing levels of Cr, Cd, Pb and Ni in this study area to protect the health of local inhabitants.     

Estimation of health risks due to copper-based nanoagrochemicals

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study estimated health risks due to two types of copper-based nanoagrochemicals (Cu (OH)2 and CuO nanoparticles (NPs)), during inadvertent...     

Environmental toxicology and associated human health risks

Environmental Science and Pollution Research -     

污水再生利用的健康风险评价方法

随着经济发展和人口增加，中国水资源短缺问题日益严重，水资源再生利用成为解决中国水危机的重要途径。再生水对人体健康的风险成为人们关注的焦点。应用风险评价技术评估再生水的健康风险目前再生水回用迫切需要解决的问题，作者论述了再生水风险评价的基本理论和评价方法及存在的问题。     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Mullus surmuletus from the Catania Gulf (Sicily,Italy): distribution and potential health risks

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Different specimens of Mullus surmuletus from the Catania Gulf (Sicily) were sampled and analysed for the quantification of 16 priority polycyclic...     

热处理对土壤重金属形态的影响及健康风险

为探究土壤热修复后的土壤重金属形态以及健康风险的变化,以退役电镀企业地块的污染土壤为研究目标,分别在200、400和600℃下处理土壤15 min,以分析热处理对土壤重金属Cu、Pb、Ni和Cd赋存形态的影响、生物可给性变化以及重金属人体健康风险的差异.结果 表明,经热处理后,土壤Cu、Pb和Ni的酸可提取态增加,增加...     

A screening level examination of the potential risks of acetone in aquatic and terrestrial environments using multi-media modeling

Approximately half of the approximately 40 million tonnes per annum (t/a) of acetone released worldwide arises via natural processes. The remaining releases of acetone are the focus of this assessment and arise either as a photo-degradation by-product of other organic compounds (approximately 20 million t/a) or by entering the environment from manufacturing and end uses (59,000 t/a). Multi-media modeling was used to estimate regional concentrations of acetone in air, water, soil and sediment that may occur based on these anthropogenic releases to the environment. US toxics release inventory data were used to calculate local surface water concentrations. The distributions of all regional and local concentrations in all media were below applicable predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs). Calculated regional and local concentrations of acetone, originating from all anthropogenic sources, appear unlikely to cause adverse risks to the environment.     

Double trouble: health risks of accidental sewage release

Occupational health risks from long-term exposure to sewage are well documented [Am J. Ind. Med. 25 (1994) 59; Ann. Agric. Environ. Med. 81 (2001) 39; Am J. Ind. Med. 40 (2001) 170]. Some studies suggest an increase in the incidence of specific cancers [Am J. Ind. Med. 19 (1991) 75; J. Occup. Med. 36 (1994) 31]. There are also many reports of acute fatalities in confined spaces (sewage chambers and pipes) [H&S at Work 13 (1991), 10; FACE report: sewer worker dies when inflatable sewer plug bursts in Washington, DC, Performer, National Institute For Occupational Safety and Health, 19th July 1990]. In a residential area incidents of sudden sewage release can be regarded as double trouble because both the emergency service personnel and the local residents may be exposed to a galaxy of chemical and microbiological agents present in sewage. However, data on the effects of acute non-occupational exposure due to accidental sewage releases is still very limited. The incidents investigated here took place at two different locations in the southern part of the UK. In both incidents the symptoms experienced by those exposed were more serious than expected by the public health experts.     

Evaluating the distribution and potential ecological risks of heavy metal in coal gangue

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The heavy metals, which derived from accumulated coal gangue, are important source of environmental pollution. In this study, coal gangue dumps,...     

A new perspective to improve the treatment of Lianhuaqingwen on COVID-19 and prevent the environmental health risk of medication

Lianhuaqingwen (LH), one traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used to treat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but its ecotoxicity with potential human health security has not been well investigated. To overcome such adverse effects and improve its medication efficacy, an intelligent multi-method integrated dietary scheme, screening, and performance evaluation approach was developed. Thirteen LH compounds were selected, and the main protease (Mpro) was used as the potential drug target. Resulted information showed that the more compounds of LH added, the higher medication efficacy obtained using multi-method integrated screening system, expert consultation method, and molecular dynamics simulation. Pharmacodynamic mechanism analysis showed that low total energy and polar surface area of LH active compound (i.e., β-sitosterol) will contribute to the best therapeutic effect on COVID-19 using quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) and sensitivity models. Additionally, when mild COVID-19 patients take LH with the optimum dietary scheme (i.e., β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, carotene, and vitamin E), the medication efficacy were significantly improved (23.58%). Pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics results showed that LH had certain human health risks and ecotoxicity. This study revealed the multi-compound interaction mechanism of LH treatment on COVID-19, and provided theoretical guidance for improving therapeutic effect, evaluating TCM safety, and preventing human health risk.

Graphical abstract

     

福州市主栽蔬菜品种对砷的积累及健康风险

为阐明福州市主要蔬菜基地种植的蔬菜中砷积累特征与食用风险水平,对研究区域内蔬菜和对应土壤中砷含量进行了分析检测,采用Monte-Carlo 模型法对蔬菜中砷引起的健康风险进行了评价,并探讨了蔬菜和土壤砷含量之间的相关性及不同品种、不同类别蔬菜之间积累砷的差异。结果表明：研究区内菜地土壤没有明显的砷超标,砷含量均未超出国家土壤二级标准（30 mg·kg-1）;研究区内蔬菜安全状态很好,不存在明显的健康风险;蔬菜中砷与其对应土壤中砷之间无显著相关性;不同类别的蔬菜之间对于砷的累积存在差异性,蔬菜中砷的富集系数顺序为叶菜类 > 根茎类 > 瓜果类,其中茼蒿的富集系数最大,豌豆和辣椒的最小。     

Bioaccumulation of arsenic compounds in aquacultural clams (Meretrix lusoria) and assessment of potential carcinogenic risks to human health by ingestion

This study surveyed the total arsenic (As) and As species contents in clams (Meretrix lusoria) farmed in areas of hyperendemic blackfoot disease (BFD) in southwestern Taiwan. Total As and As species in sediment and pond water were also analyzed to examine the bioaccumulation of As in clams in their exposure environment. Moreover, potential carcinogenic risks associated with the ingestion of As in aquacultural clams were evaluated probabilistically. The average total As contents in medium-sized and small clams were 7.62 and 10.71 microg/g (dry wt), respectively. The content of the As species in this study was approximately 61% of the total As content. The other unquantified As species are possibly arsenocholine, arsenosugar and arsenolipid. The average ratios of inorganic As contents to total As contents in clams ranged from 12.3% to 14.0% which are much higher than that found in the farmed oyster (Crassostrea gigas), indicating that humans may expose to larger quantities of inorganic As by ingesting the same amount of clam as oyster. Using different ingestion rates derived by the average consumption method and the questionnaire method, the estimated risks to human health associated with consuming clams from the BFD area ranging from slightly to largely exceed the standard target risk. Based on the estimation of the TR model, a 0.18g/day-person of the safe ingestion rate of clams in the BFD region is recommended.     

Human health risks in megacities due to air pollution

This study evaluates the health risks in megacities in terms of mortality and morbidity due to air pollution. A new spreadsheet model, Risk of Mortality/Morbidity due to Air Pollution (Ri-MAP), is used to estimate the excess numbers of deaths and illnesses. By adopting the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline concentrations for the air pollutants SO₂, NO₂ and total suspended particles (TSP), concentration-response relationships and a population attributable-risk proportion concept are employed. Results suggest that some megacities like Los Angeles, New York, Osaka Kobe, Sao Paulo and Tokyo have very low excess cases in total mortality from these pollutants. In contrast, the approximate numbers of cases is highest in Karachi (15,000/yr) characterized by a very high concentration of total TSP (～670 μg m^?3). Dhaka (7000/yr), Beijing (5500/yr), Karachi (5200/yr), Cairo (5000/yr) and Delhi (3500/yr) rank highest with cardiovascular mortality. The morbidity (hospital admissions) due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) follows the tendency of cardiovascular mortality. Dhaka and Karachi lead the rankings, having about 2100/yr excess cases, while Osaka-Kobe (～20/yr) and Sao Paulo (～50/yr) are at the low end of all megacities considered. Since air pollution is increasing in many megacities, and our database of measured pollutants is limited to the period up to 2000 and does not include all relevant components (e.g. O₃), these numbers should be interpreted as lower limits. South Asian megacities most urgently need improvement of air quality to prevent excess mortality and morbidity due to exceptionally high levels of air pollution. The risk estimates obtained from Ri-MAP present a realistic baseline evaluation for the consequences of ambient air pollution in comparison to simple air quality indices, and can be expanded and improved in parallel with the development of air pollution monitoring networks.     

Changes in extreme events and the potential impacts on human health

Extreme weather and climate-related events affect human health by causing death, injury, and illness, as well as having large socioeconomic impacts. Climate change has caused changes in extreme event frequency, intensity, and geographic distribution, and will continue to be a driver for change in the future. Some of these events include heat waves, droughts, wildfires, dust storms, flooding rains, coastal flooding, storm surges, and hurricanes. The pathways connecting extreme events to health outcomes and economic losses can be diverse and complex. The difficulty in predicting these relationships comes from the local societal and environmental factors that affect disease burden. More information is needed about the impacts of climate change on public health and economies to effectively plan for and adapt to climate change. This paper describes some of the ways extreme events are changing and provides examples of the potential impacts on human health and infrastructure. It also identifies key research gaps to be addressed to improve the resilience of public health to extreme events in the future.

Implications: Extreme weather and climate events affect human health by causing death, injury, and illness, as well as having large socioeconomic impacts. Climate change has caused changes in extreme event frequency, intensity, and geographic distribution, and will continue to be a driver for change in the future. Some of these events include heat waves, droughts, wildfires, flooding rains, coastal flooding, surges, and hurricanes. The pathways connecting extreme events to health outcomes and economic losses can be diverse and complex. The difficulty in predicting these relationships comes from the local societal and environmental factors that affect disease burden.