Disruption of retinoid transport, metabolism and signaling by environmental pollutants

Although the assessment of circulatory levels of retinoids has become a widely used biomarker of exposure to environmental pollutants, the adverse effects caused by imbalance of the retinoid metabolism and signaling in wildlife are not known in detail. Retinoids play an important role in controlling such vital processes as morphogenesis, development, reproduction or apoptosis. Unlike other signaling molecules, retinoids are not strictly endogenous but they are derived from dietary sources of vitamin A or its precursors and thus they are sometimes referred to as 'dietary' hormones. Some environmental pollutants that affect embryogenesis, immunity or epithelial functions were also shown to interfere with retinoid metabolism and signaling in animals. This suggests that at least some of their toxic effects may be related to interaction with the retinoid metabolism, transport or signal transduction. This review summarizes in vivo and in vitro studies on interaction of environmental complex samples, pesticides, polychlorinated dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic compounds and other organic pollutants with physiology of retinoids. It sums up contemporary knowledge about levels of interaction and mechanisms of action of the environmental contaminants.     

The applicability of compost,zeolite and calcium oxide in assisted remediation of acidic soil contaminated with Cr(III) and Cr(VI)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The effect of soil amendments, i.e., compost, zeolite, and calcium oxide, on the chemical properties of soil contaminated with Cr(III) and Cr(VI) and...     

Microplastic Pollution in Agricultural Soils and Abatement Measures – a Model-Based Assessment for Germany

Environmental Modeling & Assessment - Microplastic pollution in soils is a recent environmental problem and the lack of knowledge about the impacts and the extent of the problem are raising...     

The work of Envirowise in driving forward UK industrial waste reduction

Envirowise — formerly the Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme — is an UK Government Programme designed to help businesses to improve environmental performance and reduce costs. It works closely with industry bodies to prepare a strategic approach to producing and promoting tools that help companies take action to reduce waste at source. By September 2000, the Programme had helped UK companies to save £125 million per year by reducing the use of raw materials and the production of waste. The Programme produces practical advice based on existing practices in industry. As well as producing published information, Envirowise runs a free telephone helpline for UK companies. Envirowise undertakes a considerable amount of marketing to help companies overcome the barriers to action. The Government has set the objectives for the Programme's managing contractors; these are based on the impact of its activities in terms of reduced waste production.     

Impact of the FTSE4Good Index on firm price: an event study

This paper examines whether corporate financial performance is affected by public endorsement of environmental and social performance. Event study methodology, which relies on the notion of market efficiency, is used to examine the relationship between positive and negative announcements and changes in share prices or daily returns. Inclusion in and deletion from the FTSE4Good UK Index is used as a proxy measure for good (poor) corporate social responsibility. The abnormal or unexpected daily returns associated with an event are calculated and their significance tested. The results show a trend towards positive and negative announcements having the expected effects on daily returns. But these movements are not significant and the data do not suggest that a firm's presence on the index brings it any significant financial return for signalling its corporate social responsibility.     

The effect of tailored information, goal setting, and tailored feedback on household energy use, energy-related behaviors, and behavioral antecedents

In this multidisciplinary study, an Internet-based tool was used to encourage households (N=189) to reduce their direct (gas, electricity and fuel) and indirect energy use (embedded in the production, transportation and disposal of consumer goods). A combination of tailored information, goal setting (5%), and tailored feedback was used. The purpose of this study was to examine whether this combination of interventions would result in (i) changes in direct and indirect energy use, (ii) changes in energy-related behaviors, and (iii) changes in behavioral antecedents (i.e. knowledge). After 5 months, households exposed to the combination of interventions saved 5.1%, while households in the control group used 0.7% more energy. Households exposed to the interventions saved significantly more direct energy than households in the control group did. No difference in indirect energy savings emerged. Households exposed to the interventions adopted a number of energy-saving behaviors during the course of the study, whereas households in the control group did so to a lesser extent. Households exposed to the interventions had significantly higher knowledge levels of energy conservation than the control group had. It is argued that if the aim is to effectively encourage household energy conservation, it is necessary to examine changes in energy use, energy-related behaviors and behavioral antecedents.     

AN ASSESSMENT OF SEDIMENT PHOSPHORUS INACTWATION,KEZAR LAKE,NEW HAMPSHIRE1

ABSTRACT: Aluminum sulfate and sodium aluminate were utilized as sediment phosphorus inactivants to improve the water quality of a northeastern eutrophic lake. A four-year monitoring program has provided an extensive lake-database utilized to evaluate the short-and long-term effectiveness of sediment phosphorus inactivation as a lake restoration technique. An immediate impact of treatment was marked by a reduction in hypolimnetic BOD and dissolved oxygen deficit, lower chlorophyll-a and phosphorus concentrations, improved transparency, and the elimination of obnoxious blue-green phyto-plankton blooms. For two to three years after treatment, these pa-rameters continued to exhibit both less variability and improved values over the pre-treatment conditions. The improved water quality conditions warranted an upgrade of the lake trophic status from eutrophic to mesotrophic. Four years after the treatment, the mean hypolimnetic total phosphoru.s and chlorophyll-a have increased and transparency has decreased from initial post-treatment levels. Although long-term trends show water quality decreasing since the treatment, the water quality has stabilized at a level suitable for recreation. A major benefit is an increase in the average attendance at the lake by almost 2,000 people per summer.     

Air Quality Management in UK Local Authorities: Public Understanding and Participation

Science and technology are an integral part of informing public policy on air pollution and transport management. Expectations of science and technology by society and their use by air quality policy makers has led to increasing reliance upon this evidence to promote health and well-being. This can be seen, for example, in the setting of the UK national objectives for air pollutants based on exposure and health effects. This paper addresses three questions. It assesses, through the use of focus groups, the public perceptions of air pollution and the atmospheric dispersion model output from the Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling System-Urban. Then it assesses their understanding of this information and its current presentation to the layperson. Finally, it assesses how their perceptions and understanding influence their solutions to local air quality management in the London Borough of Camden. The results show that participants in the study struggled with the concept of air pollution outside their sphere of experience, and they did not understand the scientific basis or modelling used to inform local policy. This is partly a result of the way this information is presented. They did not relate the technological evidence to their opinions of acceptable solutions or they expressed reluctance to suggest specific options. It is proposed that a well-informed public would make comprehensive decisions on air quality based upon a broader range of factors, incorporating the scientific reasoning and technological information as well as emotive and socio-economic factors. A balance between science and technological understanding with the validity of local expertise will improve air quality policy making to the greater satisfaction of all stakeholders.