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Inhalation bioaccessibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM 2.5 was assessed in numerous studies, however, the lung cell uptake and penetration of PAHs was seldom taken into account in risk assessment. In the present study, eighteen indoor PM 2.5 samples collected from Guangzhou, China were analyzed for the inhalation bioavailability of PAHs combining the inhalation bioaccessibility and cell absorption of PAHs. Two simulated epithelial lung fluid mimicking the healthy condition (as represented by gamble's solution (GMB), pH = 7.4) and the inflammatory condition (as represented by artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF), pH = 4.5) were employed to evaluate the inhalation bioaccessibility. The results indicated that the bioaccessibility of PAHs under the inflammatory condition (1.28%-87.7%) was higher than that under healthy condition (0.88%-87.6%). Naphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene were selected for absorption assay of lung epithelial cells (A549). The absorption rate of PAHs ranged from 64.7 to 90.7% and it was inversely proportional to the number of aromatic rings. Taken together, the inhalation bioavailability based on the bioaccessibility of PAHs and the lung cell absorption ratio ranged from 9.9 to 56.9% under the healthy state, from 12.7 to 65.6% under inflammatory condition. The correction parameter (F c ) was thus established and can be used to improve the risk assessment of human exposure to PAHs via PM 2.5 inhalation in future work., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declared that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.We declare that we do not have any commercial or associative interest that represents a conflict of interest in connection with the work submitted., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Several studies indicate that human exposure to plasticizers via dermal pathway is not negligible, but the dermal bioaccessibility of phthalates and alternative plasticizers from the important environmental matrix including indoor dust and clothing and the importance weight of dermal exposure to those pollutants have been poorly studied. An in vitro physiologically based extraction test was employed to investigate the dermal bioaccessibility of target phthalates and alternative plasticizers from indoor dust and clothing. Temperature, incubation time, sweat/sebum ratio and solid/liquid ratio were selected to study their effects on the bioaccessibility. The bioaccessibility of Diethyl phthalates (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), bis-2-ethylhexyladipate (DEHA) and bis-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHT) in indoor dust were 66.20 ± 1.93%, 94.27 ± 1.31%, 80.37 ± 8.09%, 75.02 ± 2.12%, 94.50 ± 3.42% and 74.09 ± 3.79%, respectively, under the condition of 1:1 sweat/sebum ratio, 1/100 solid/liquid ratio (indoor dust), 1:1 area/area ratio (1:1, clothing) and 90 min incubation time at 36.3 °C which are chosen based on the experimental results and human physical conditions. DBP showed the highest bioaccessibility in all samples. The time course of the plasticizer release was fitted to a first-order one-compartment model. DBP showed the highest release rate (k 1 ) calculated from the model, which was consistent with the bioaccessibility result. Risk assessment indicated that dermal exposure of DBP was an important exposure route, accounting for about 21.58% of total intake, and indoor dust was an important exposure media when considering the dermal bioaccessibility., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Sorptive sinks are extensively used in the bioaccessibility of organic contaminants, but their suitability for simulating the intestinal cell is seldom reported. In the present study, the sorption efficiency of PAHs by sorptive sinks including silica, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (polyE), tenax, and C18 were compared with that by caco-2 cells. The elimination rate constants of phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene by caco-2 cell were 0.0417 ± 0.006 min -1 , 0.0411 ± 0.0074 min -1 , 0.0362 ± 0.006 min -1 , and 0.0526 ± 0.0037 min -1 , respectively, which were more closely to that of silica and polyE compared to other materials. This indicated that these materials might be the preferable sorptive sinks to simulate absorption of PAHs by intestinal cells. The bioaccessibility of phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene in indoor dust ranged from 15.5-43.5%, 9.10-38.8%, 10.0-37.9%, and 6.00-21.9%, respectively, based on physiologically based extraction test (PBET) and the sorptive sinks added in the intestinal solution led to 1.17 to 8.47-fold enhancement of bioaccessibility. The correlation of in vivo PAHs relative bioavailability (RBA) and in vitro digestion bioaccessibility with or without the sorptive sinks of indoor dust were measured, and the results indicated that silica and polyE were more likely to predict PAHs RBA of indoor dust, which was consistent with the results of sorption kinetics assay. The present results indicate that silica and polyE have the potential to simulate caco-2 cell and the inclusion of these materials in the PBET is likely to predict PAHs RBA in indoor dust. Capsule: Silica and polyE were more likely to simulate absorption of PAHs by intestinal cells, and to predict PAHs RBA of indoor dust., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Toxicological effect of freshwater algae co-exposure to Cd and 4-n-nonylphenol (4-n-NP) was seldom reported. In the present study, Chlorella sorokiniana was selected for testing the single and combined effect of Cd and 4-n-NP by detecting the growth inhibition and oxidative stress after exposure for 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h. The combined effects were evaluated by using toxic units (TU) method and concentration addition（CA）model. The synergistic effect of mixture on algal growth inhibition was both observed at 48 h and 72 h, and the additive effect was observed at 96 h. In addition, the significant alterations of superoxide, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and antioxidant defenses (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione) have been detected. It could be observed that the mixture predominantly lead to synergistic effects in superoxide induction, and the antagonistic effects in the GSH induction. A similar trend between the superoxide induction and growth inhibition were observed, which may indicate that the oxidative effects of Chlorella sorokiniana contributed to the growth inhibition after exposure to Cd and 4-n-NP. These findings may have important implications in the risk assessments of heavy metals and endocrine disruptors in the aquatic environment., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The bioaccessibility of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in indoor dust was estimated by a series of in vitro digestion methods. However, the absorption of PBDEs by intestinal cells after in vitro digestion was seldom studied. In the present study, the bioaccessibility of BDE-28, 47, 99 and 153 in indoor dust was firstly investigated by using the in vitro digestion method. Bioaccessibility in intestinal phase (BDE-28: 24.5-30.1%; BDE-47: 6.99-13.0; BDE-99: 1.61-14.2%; and BDE-153 5.97-24.4%.) was higher than that in gastric phase (BDE-28: 38.3-58.0; BDE-47: 9.62-30.9%; BDE-99: 9.71-24.3%; and BDE-153: 13.8-57.4%). The organic matter contents in indoor dust showed variable influence on the bioaccessibility of PBDEs. For the Caco-2 uptake assay, the BDE-28 showed greatest transport rate from medium to cell (K mc : 0.525h -1 ), followed by -47, -99 and -153. The K mc of PBDEs was significantly negative correlated with its corresponding K OW value. Similar pattern was found for the maximum uptake flux (J u, max ) and the transport rate from cell to medium (K cm ). The combination of bioacessibility and the absorption factor by Caco-2 cells could be used to estimate human intake of PBDEs via indoor dust would avoid overestimate the health risk., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

There is limited study focusing on the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in vegetables and human exposure to bioaccessible heavy metals in soil. In the present study, heavy metal concentrations (Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb and Cd) were measured in five types of vegetables, soil, root, and settled air particle samples from two sites (at a domestic waste incinerator and at 20km away from the incinerator) in Guangzhou, South China. Heavy metal concentrations in soil were greater than those in aerial parts of vegetables and roots, which indicated that vegetables bioaccumulated low amount of heavy metals from soil. The similar pattern of heavy metal (Cr, Cd) was found in the settled air particle samples and aerial parts of vegetables from two sites, which may suggest that foliar uptake may be an important pathway of heavy metal from the environment to vegetables. The highest levels of heavy metals were found in leaf lettuce (125.52μg/g, dry weight) and bitter lettuce (71.2μg/g) for sites A and B, respectively, followed by bitter lettuce and leaf lettuce for sites A and B, respectively. Swamp morning glory accumulated the lowest amount of heavy metals (81.02μg/g for site A and 53.2μg/g for site B) at both sites. The bioaccessibility of heavy metals in soil ranged from Cr (2%) to Cu (71.78%). Risk assessment showed that Cd and Pb in soil samples resulted in the highest non-cancer risk and Cd would result in unacceptable cancer risk for children and risk. The non-dietary intake of soil was the most important exposure pathway, when the bioaccessibility of heavy metals was taken into account., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene (1,2,4-TCB) and tetrachloroethene (PCE) were chosen to study their competitive effect on 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene (1,2,4,5-TeCB) sorption by three soils/sediments from South China with different fractions of natural organic matter (NOM) employing a batch technique. Results showed that cosolutes 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene and tetrachloroethene exhibited apparent competition against 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene in all of the three sediments. 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene was more effective competitor than tetrachloroethene because the structure of 1,2,4-TCB is very close to that of 1,2,4,5-TeCB. Furthermore, the extent of competition depended on the rigidity of sediment NOM matrixes. The more reduced and condensed the matrixes are, the larger extent of competitive effect would the corresponding sediment show at a given sorbed volume of competitor., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

TiO(2) was prepared by a hydrothermal method at a low temperature and used to degrade and mineralize dimethyl phthalate (DMP). TiO(2) was characterized by XRD, TEM, BET and UV-vis techniques. The characteristics of TiO(2) prepared by a hydrothermal method (h-t TiO(2)) included a good crystalline anatase phase, greater surface area, stronger absorption to UV light wavelength and lower agglomeration than TiO(2) prepared by a classic sol-gel method (s-g TiO(2)). The photocatalytic activity of h-t TiO(2) prepared under optimal hydrothermal condition (180°C for 10h) was 2.5 times higher than that of s-g TiO(2) in degrading DMP. The process of photocatalysis combined with UV irradiation and ozonation (TiO(2)/UV/O(3)) considerably improved the mineralization and degradation of DMP compared to photocatalysis combined with UV irradiation (TiO(2)/UV), ozonation combined with UV irradiation (UV/O(3)), and ozonation alone (O(3)). A kinetic study showed the mineralization in TiO(2)/UV/O(3) followed the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The sorption of chlorobenzenes (CBs) by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMAB) modified bentonite and kaolinite was investigated. The sorption isotherms for CBs were nearly linear, suggesting that sorption could be described by a distribution process. The distribution coefficient (K(d)) was primarily affected by the amount of sorbed surfactant. The organic carbon normalized sorption coefficient (K(oc)), however, was particularly dependent on arrangement of the surfactant cations. The K(d) of CBs was larger for CTMAB-bentonites than that for CTMAB-kaolinites, while the case for K(oc) was opposite. Thus, the clay mineral structure and morphology had a considerable influence on the surfactant arrangement, which was responsible for the partitioning of CBs. The sorption of CBs onto both CTMAB-bentonites and CTMAB-kaolinites followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The intra-particle diffusion model for sorption was also investigated and compared to identify sorption mechanism. The sorption of CBs both on CTMAB-bentonites and CTMAB-kaolinites was exothermic in nature and accompanied by an increase in entropy and a decrease in Gibbs energy in the temperature range of 15-35 degrees C. The results indicated that CBs strongly interacted with CTMAB modified bentonite and kaolinite.

Cerium supported on activated carbon (Ce/AC), which was prepared by dipping method, was employed to degrade dimethyl phthalate (DMP) in water. The mineral matter present in the activated carbon positively contributes to its activity to enhance DMP ozonation process. A higher dipping Ce(NO(3))(3) concentration and calcination process increase its microporous volume and surface area, and decreases its exterior surface area. The catalytic activity reaches optimal when 0.2% (w/w) cerium is deposited on activated carbon. Ce/AC catalyst was characterized by XRD, SEM and BET. The presence of either activated carbon or Ce/AC catalyst considerably improves their degradation and mineralization in the ozonation of DMP. During the ozonation (50mg/h ozone flow rate) of a 30 mg/L DMP (initial pH 5.0) with the presence of Ce/AC catalyst, TOC removal rate reaches 68% at 60 min oxidation time, 48% using activated carbon as catalyst, only 22% with ozonation alone. The presence of tert-butanol (a well known OH radical scavenger) strongly inhibits DMP degradation by activated carbon or Ce/AC catalytic ozonation. TOC removal rate follows the second-order kinetics model well. In the ozonation of DMP with 50mg/h ozone flow rate, its mineralization rate constant with the presence of Ce/AC catalyst is 2.5 times higher than that of activated carbon, 7.5 times higher than that of O(3) alone. Ce/AC catalyst shows the better catalytic activity and stability based on 780 min sequential reaction in the ozonation of DMP. Ce/AC was a promising catalyst for ozonizing organic pollutants in the aqueous solution.

The aim of this research was to investigate catalytic activity of petroleum coke, activated carbon (AC) prepared from this material, Ni supported catalyst on activated carbon (Ni/AC) in the ozonation of aqueous phase p-chlorobenzoic acid (p-CBA). Activated carbon and Ni/AC catalyst were characterized by XRD and SEM. The presence of petroleum coke did not improve the degradation of p-CBA compared to ozonation alone, but it was advantageous for p-CBA mineralization (total organic carbon, TOC, reduction), indicating the generation of highly oxidant species (*OH) in the medium. The presence of either activated carbon or Ni/AC considerably improves TOC removal during p-CBA ozonation. Ni/AC catalyst shows the better catalytic activity and stability based on five repeated tests during p-CBA ozonation. During the ozonation (50 mg/h ozone flow rate) of a 10 mg/L p-CBA (pH 4.31), it can be more mineralized in the presence of Ni/AC catalyst (5.0 g/L), TOC removal rate is over 60% in 60 min, 43% using activated carbon as catalyst, only 30% with ozonation alone.

Granular activated carbon (AC)/O(3)-biological activated carbon (BAC) process was employed to treat raw water and compared to O(3)-BAC process in its optimum parameters (3 mg/L ozone dosage with 15 min oxidation time and 15 min empty bed contact time in BAC). The results showed that the presence of AC improved ozone utilization and biodegradability of the effluent. For dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal, AC/O(3)-BAC was more efficient than O(3)-BAC and its synergetic effect could be noticed. It was showed that small molecules with molecular weight (MW)<3 kDa predominated in the raw water accounting for more than 56% DOC, and their amount increased after oxidation, accounting for more than 64% DOC. Except for organic pollutants with MW>10 kDa, those of other MW range were decomposed better by AC/O(3) process than by O(3) process alone. GC/MS analysis showed that AC/O(3)-BAC process was effective in removing phthalate esters (PAEs) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). PAEs' removal ratio reached more than 93% and reduced with the increase of the length of the alkyl side chains and the alkyl branch chains. POPs-polybromobiphenyls' removal reached more than 94% except for 2,2',4,5',6-pentabromophenyl and decreased with the substitutional bromines increase except for 2,2',5,5'-tetrabromobiphenyl, which could be completely removed.

TiO2/UV/O3-BAC (biological activated carbon) process was employed to treat raw water and compared to UV/O3-BAC process in its optimum parameters (3 mg/L ozone dosage with 15 min oxidation time and 15 min empty bed contact time in BAC). The results showed that the presence of TiO2 improved ozone utilization and biodegradability of the effluent. For the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal, TiO2/UV/O3-BAC was more efficient than UV/O3-BAC and its synergetic effect is more than that in UV/O(3)-BAC process. It was showed that small molecules with MW<3000 Da predominated in the raw water accounting for more than 56% DOC, they were increased after oxidation, accounting for more than 64% DOC. GC/MS analysis showed that TiO2/UV/O3-BAC process was effective in removing phthalate esters (PAEs) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). PAEs' removal ratio reached more than 94% and reduced with the increase of the length of the alkyl side chains and the alkyl branch chains. TiO2/UV/O3-BAC process was also very effective in removing POPs. Polybromobiphenyls' removal rate reached more than 89% and decreased with the increase of substitutional bromines except for 2,2',5,5'-tetrabromobiphenyl, which can be completely removed.