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There have been major advances in the science to predict the likely environmental concentrations of nanomaterials, which is a key component of exposure and subsequent risk assessment. Considerable progress has been since the first Material Flow Analyses (MFAs) in 2008, which were based on very limited information, to more refined current tools that take into account engineered nanoparticle (ENP) size distribution, form, dynamic release, and better-informed release factors. These MFAs provide input for all environmental fate models (EFMs), that generate estimates of particle flows and concentrations in various environmental compartments. While MFA models provide valuable information on the magnitude of ENP release, they do not account for fate processes, such as homo- and heteroaggregation, transformations, dissolution, or corona formation. EFMs account for these processes in differing degrees. EFMs can be divided into multimedia compartment models (e.g., atmosphere, waterbodies and their sediments, soils in various landuses), of which there are currently a handful with varying degrees of complexity and process representation, and spatially-resolved watershed models which focus on the water and sediment compartments. Multimedia models have particular applications for considering predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) in particular regions, or for developing generic "fate factors" (i.e., overall persistence in a given compartment) for life-cycle assessment. Watershed models can track transport and eventual fate of emissions into a flowing river, from multiple sources along the waterway course, providing spatially and temporally resolved PECs. Both types of EFMs can be run with either continuous sources of emissions and environmental conditions, or with dynamic emissions (e.g., temporally varying for example as a new nanomaterial is introduced to the market, or with seasonal applications), to better understand the situations that may lead to peak PECs that are more likely to result in exceedance of a toxicological threshold. In addition, bioaccumulation models have been developed to predict the internal concentrations that may accumulate in exposed organisms, based on the PECs from EFMs. The main challenge for MFA and EFMs is a full validation against observed data. To date there have been no field studies that can provide the kind of dataset(s) needed for a true validation of the PECs. While EFMs have been evaluated against a few observations in a small number of locations, with results that indicate they are in the right order of magnitude, there is a great need for field data. Another major challenge is the input data for the MFAs, which depend on market data to estimate the production of ENPs. The current information has major gaps and large uncertainties. There is also a lack of robust analytical techniques for quantifying ENP properties in complex matrices; machine learning may be able to fill this gap. Nevertheless, there has been major progress in the tools for generating PECs. With the emergence of nano- and microplastics as a leading environmental concern, some EFMs have been adapted to these materials. However, caution is needed, since most nano- and microplastics are not engineered, therefore their characteristics are difficult to generalize, and there are new fate and transport processes to consider.

• Six ensemble learning models and two base learner models were established to predict soil heavy metal chromium content. • Ensemble learning models were found to be superior to the single base learner model. • Kennard-Stone algorithm for dividing datasets demonstrates higher predictive accuracy compared to random dividing. • The stacking-2 model obtained the best prediction performance of soil heavy metal chromium content. Soil heavy metal chromium pollution poses significant threats to human health and ecosystems, necessitating accurate quantitative prediction methods for effective monitoring and management. This study aims to develop robust predictive models for soil chromium content in farmland soils of Mojiang Hani Autonomous County, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province, China. These models utilize ensemble learning techniques based on visible and near-infrared spectroscopy. Operations before model building involved partitioning datasets with the Kennard-Stone algorithm to ensure representative training and testing sets. Visible and near-infrared spectroscopy-data preprocessing was performed using Savitzky-Golay smoothing and first-order derivative transformations to enhance signal quality. Bands selection was achieved through the Successive Projections Algorithm (SPA), effectively reducing data dimensionality and collinearity. Six ensemble learning models were constructed and assessed for their predictive performance: Bagging-DTR, Random Forest (RF), Adaboost-DTR, XGBoost-DTR, Stacking-1, and Stacking-2. These models utilized Decision Trees (DTR) and Linear Regression (LR) as base learners. Results demonstrated that ensemble models significantly outperformed individual base learners. Notably, the Stacking-2 model achieved the highest accuracy with an R^2 of 0.954, RMSE of 125.967 mg/kg, and RPD of 4.667. To validate the model's practical applicability, spatial interpolation of soil Cr content was conducted using the Kriging method based on Stacking-2 model predictions. The spatial distribution maps of measured and predicted values exhibited high congruence, underscoring the model's effectiveness in accurately mapping Cr distribution across the study area. This study underscores the efficacy of integrating ensemble learning with visible and near-infrared spectroscopy-data preprocessing and SPA for precise soil heavy metal prediction. The findings offer valuable insights and a scientific basis for enhanced soil quality monitoring, environmental risk assessment, and informed agricultural land management and pollution control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, as one of the largest sources of environmental pollutants, have different types and levels of pollution depending on the type of input materials, process steps, and output products. Various stages of exploration, extraction and processing of oil and gas have many environmental effects, such as those on soil, air, water, creatures, plants, and even humans. In this paper, a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is employed to identify failures and environmental risks in an oil and gas exploitation plant. Dempster-Shafer (DS) theory of evidence is then proposed for environmental risk assessment due to its effectiveness in dealing with uncertain and subjective information. The assessment of experts and the confidence levels of their responses are employed to construct the Basic Probability Assignments (BPA) in DS theory of evidence. Furthermore, a new weighting method is proposed to obtain the discounted BPA which reduces the uncertainty in the information sources and improves the quality of information before combining different sources of information. Finally, the proposed method is applied to an oil and gas exploitation plant to assess environmental risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute fish toxicity test (AFT) is one of the cornerstones of environmental risk assessment (ERA) of chemicals for the aquatic environment. Despite many efforts to find an alternative able to fully replace the test, there is still lasting pressure from stakeholders for AFT results. Results: Here, we present the results of a case study with eight pharmaceuticals from various pharmaceutical groups with different levels of expected toxicity to fish. Selected compounds were tested in two validated alternative tests—fish embryo toxicity test with zebrafish (Danio rerio) (zFET) and in vitro RTgill-W1 assay according to their corresponding OECD guidelines TG 236 and TG 249, respectively. Data for AFT were collected from PubMed and ECOTOX knowledgebase databases, and acute toxicity to fish was further predicted in silico by the ECOSAR program. Predicted environmental risks (risk quotients, RQ, calculated using the exposure data from NORMAN) from both zFET and RTgill-W1 well correlated with the average RQs based on AFT LC50s. The strongest and most significant correlation was observed while comparing the AFT results with the median of combined alternative methods (zFET, RTgill-W1, ECOSAR). Conclusions: This proposed approach combining experimental data with modeling could serve as a reliable tool for predictions of environmental risks promoting the 3R alternatives to acute fish toxicity testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxicokinetic–toxicodynamic (TKTD) modeling has received increasing attention in terms of the regulatory environmental risk assessment of chemicals. This type of mechanistic model can integrate all available data from individual‐level bioassays into a single framework and enable refined risk assessments by extrapolating from laboratory results to time‐variable exposure scenarios, based, for instance, on surface water exposure modeling (e.g., FOCUS). Dynamic energy budget (DEB) models coupled with TKTD modules (DEB–TKTD) constitute the leading approach to assess and predict sublethal effects of chemicals on individual organisms. However, thorough case studies are rare. We provide a state‐of‐the‐art example with the standard aquatic test species Ceriodaphnia dubia and the fungicide azoxystrobin, including all steps, from bespoke laboratory toxicity tests to model calibration and validation, through to environmental risk assessment. Following the framework proposed in the European Food Safety Authority Scientific Opinion from 2018, we designed bespoke good laboratory practice–compliant laboratory toxicity studies based on test guideline 211 of the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development and then identified robust parameter values from those data for all relevant model parameters through model calibration. The DEB–TKTD model, DEBtox2019, then informed the design of the validation experiment. Once validated, the model was used to perform predictions for a time‐variable exposure scenario generated by FOCUS. A moving time‐window approach was used to perform the environmental risk assessment. This assessment method reduces uncertainty in the risk assessment while maintaining consistency with the traditional measures of risk. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2409–2421. © 2024 Syngenta Crop Protection AG. ibacon GmbH and The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments pose threats to aquatic organisms because of their continuous release and potential accumulation. Monitoring methods for these contaminants are inadequate, with targeted analyses falling short in assessing water quality's impact on biota. The present study advocates for integrated strategies combining suspect and targeted chemical analyses with molecular biomarker approaches to better understand the risks posed by complex chemical mixtures to nontarget organisms. The research aimed to integrate chemical analysis and transcriptome changes in fathead minnows to prioritize contaminants, assess their effects, and apply this strategy in Wascana Creek, Canada. Analysis revealed higher pharmaceutical concentrations downstream of a wastewater‐treatment plant, with clozapine being the most abundant in fathead minnows, showing notable bioavailability from water and sediment sources. Considering the importance of bioaccumulation factor and biota–sediment accumulation factor in risk assessment, these coefficients were calculated based on field data collected during spring, summer, and fall seasons in 2021. Bioaccumulation was classified as very bioaccumulative with values >5000 L kg–1, suggesting the ability of pharmaceuticals to accumulate in aquatic organisms. The study highlighted the intricate relationship between nutrient availability, water quality, and key pathways affected by pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and rubber components. Prioritization of these chemicals was done through suspect analysis, supported by identifying perturbed pathways (specifically signaling and cellular processes) using transcriptomic analysis in exposed fish. This strategy not only aids in environmental risk assessment but also serves as a practical model for other watersheds, streamlining risk‐assessment processes to identify environmental hazards and work toward reducing risks from contaminants of emerging concern. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2252–2273. © 2024 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This research on the marine copepod Acartia tonsa focuses on its application as a bioindicator in ecotoxicological studies. Specifically, it evaluates the effects of a reference toxicant on the survival of A. tonsa to validate an in-house method (protocol) for testing in the Black Sea. By exposing A. tonsa to varying concentrations of the 3,5-dichlorophenol (reference toxicant) in controlled conditions and analyzing survival rates to determine the lethal concentration (LC50), the study provides benchmarks for assessing the environmental impact of effluent discharges. These findings aim to enhance the accuracy and consistency of environmental monitoring and risk assessment in the Black Sea, ensuring data reliability and reducing methodological discrepancies. The marine copepod Acartia tonsa is an important bioindicator in ecotoxicological studies due to its sensitivity to pollutants and ecological importance. This research evaluates the effects of reference toxicant on the survival of A. tonsa, aiming to validate an in-house method that assesses the sensitivity and reliability of the species for testing in the Black Sea. A. tonsa individuals were exposed in controlled laboratory conditions to varying 3,5-dichlorophenol (reference toxicant) concentrations, with their survival rates monitored over 48 h. Survival data were analyzed to determine the lethal concentration (LC50), a metric for assessing toxicity. The derived LC50 values offer important benchmarks for assessing the environmental impact of different effluent discharges in the Black Sea region. The outcomes will contribute to improving the accuracy and consistency of environmental monitoring and risk assessment practices in the Black Sea region, ensuring that variations in toxicity data are attributable to environmental factors rather than methodological discrepancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2019, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) has actively developed pesticide environmental risk assessment (ERA) frameworks adapted to Brazil's specific ecological contexts. This initiative, supported by funding from the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and in partnership with academic institutions, has led to a concerted effort to establish ERA protocols for various taxa, including birds and mammals, soil organisms, aquatic organisms, and reptiles and amphibians. The outcomes of this initiative were disseminated in two distinct workshops held in February and November of 2023, where the agency showcased its research to the technical‐regulatory community. This article synthesizes the proposals for birds and mammals and soil organisms. First, we summarize the agency's proposals for both focal and generic species to be incorporated into the ERA and the methodologies for calculating exposure of these taxa to pesticides through agricultural practices, encompassing seed treatment and foliar applications. On this occasion, IBAMA also disclosed the risk assessment tool that the agency is developing for birds and mammals. IBAMA highlighted the knowledge gaps that must be bridged to progress from preliminary (lower‐tier) to more comprehensive (higher‐tier) assessments. Regarding soil organisms, during the workshop, the presenters shared findings on the most prevalent species of earthworms and enchytraeids in Brazil. They emphasized the need for additional data collection on a regional scale. The agency has also proposed methods for estimating soil organism exposure to pesticides at a screening level and identified specific data gaps that could be addressed to refine assessments at higher tiers. In summary, the workshop communicated the progress in establishing ERA guidelines, which we encapsulate here to benefit the technical‐regulatory community. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1793–1799. © 2024 The Author(s). Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Points: This brief communication summarizes the key messages conveyed at the workshop organized by the Brazilian Environmental Regulatory Agency (IBAMA) on ERA frameworks for birds and mammals in Brazil.This brief communication summarizes the key messages conveyed at the workshop organized by IBAMA on ERA frameworks for soil organisms in Brazil.The information summarized in this brief communication is a part of a very important shift in the Brazilian regulatory paradigm and may serve as a reference to the technical‐regulatory community, not only in Brazil but in Latin America as well.This brief communication may be very useful to the technical‐regulatory community in other regions (e.g., USA and Europe) by helping them to follow up on the regulatory changes in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2019, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) has actively developed pesticide environmental risk assessment (ERA) frameworks adapted to Brazil's specific ecological contexts. This endeavor, supported by funding from the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and in partnership with academic institutions, has led to a concerted effort to establish ERA protocols for various taxa, including birds and mammals, soil organisms, aquatic organisms, and reptiles and amphibians. The outcomes of this initiative were conveyed in two workshops held in February and November 2023, during which the agency communicated its findings to the technical‐regulatory community. This article represents one of two articles that provide more detailed insights into the ERA propositions for all taxa. In this article, we summarize the proposals for aquatic organisms presented and discussed during the workshops, which can be used as an informational source by the technical‐regulatory community. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1787–1792. © 2024 The Author(s). Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Points: This brief communication summarizes the proposals for pesticide environmental risk assessment for aquatic organisms presented during a two‐day workshop held by the Brazilian environmental agency (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) in November 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In environmental risk assessment either for registration purposes or for retrospective assessments of monitoring data, the hazard assessment is predominantly based on effect data from ecotoxicity studies. Most regulatory frameworks require studies used for risk assessment to be evaluated for reliability and relevance. Historically, the Klimisch methodology was used in many regulatory procedures where reliability needed to be evaluated. More recently, the Criteria for Reporting and Evaluating Ecotoxicity Data (CRED) have been developed for aquatic ecotoxicity studies, providing more detailed guidance on the evaluation and reporting of not only the reliability but also the relevance of a scientific study. Here, we discuss the application of the CRED methodology for assessing sediment and soil ecotoxicity studies, addressing important sediment‐ and soil‐specific criteria that should be included as part of the CRED evaluation system. We also provide detailed recommendations for the design and reporting of sediment and soil toxicity studies that can be used by scientists and researchers wishing to contribute ecotoxicological data for effect assessments carried out within regulatory frameworks. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:2162–2174. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Points: The Criteria for Reporting and Evaluating Ecotoxicity Data (CRED) have been adapted to help risk assessors in assessing the relevance and reliability of soil and sediment ecotoxicity studies.Detailed recommendations for the design and reporting of sediment and soil ecotoxicity studies are provided that can be used by scientists and researchers wishing to contribute ecotoxicological data for effect assessments carried out within regulatory frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of the heterogeneous treatment effect (HTE) allows for the assessment of the causal effect of a therapy or intervention while considering heterogeneity in individual factors within a population. Machine learning (ML) methods have previously been employed for HTE evaluation, addressing the limitations associated with modelling complex systems. In this work, three tree-based ML algorithms, causal random forest (CRF), causal Bayesian additive regression trees (CBART), and causal rule ensemble (CRE), are used to analyze the potential causation of benzene exposure to cause childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Data for this analysis is generated by drawing samples from a previously developed model that estimates AML probability given as input demographic information and benzene exposure. Comparison is drawn between the three tree-based algorithms in terms of the predicted average treatment effect (ATE), the regression coefficient of determination, and the computational time of each algorithm. Minimal difference is reported between the three tree-based algorithms in terms of the ATE, as well as the regression coefficient of determination. However, CRF outperforms CBART in terms of algorithm computational time. Moreover, CRF allows for both continuous and binary treatment variables, as opposed to CBART and CRE, making it better suited to environmental health studies, where exposure levels of pollutants shall be considered continuous. Following the comparison of all three algorithms, the influence of adding Gaussian noise to the treatment and outcome variables, as well as outliers, is investigated using CRF. A set of considerations is drawn to guide researchers in using these algorithms. These considerations detail the simulation settings, applications, and results interpretation and aim to provide prompt information in decision-making surrounding the establishment of pollutant exposure thresholds in environmental risk assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental risk assessment (ERA) is critical for protecting life by predicting population responses to contaminants. However, routine toxicity testing often examines only one genotype from surrogate species, potentially leading to inaccurate risk assessments, as natural populations typically consist of genetically diverse individuals. To evaluate the importance of intraspecific variation in translating toxicity testing to natural populations, we quantified the magnitude of phenotypic variation between 20 Daphnia magna clones exposed to two levels of microcystins, a cosmopolitan cyanobacterial toxin. We observed significant genetic variation in survival, growth, and reproduction, which increased under microcystins exposure. Simulations of survival showed that using a single genotype for toxicity tolerance estimates on average failed to produce accurate predictions within the 95% confidence interval over half of the time. Whole genome sequencing of the 20 clones tested for correlations between toxicological responses and genomic divergence, including candidate loci from prior gene expression studies. We found no overall correlations, indicating that clonal variation, rather than variation at candidate genes, predicts population-level responses to toxins. These results highlight the importance of incorporating broad intraspecific genetic variation, without focusing specifically on variation in candidate genes, into ERAs to more reliably predict how local populations will respond to contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degradation half-life (DegT50) of a substance in soil plays an important role in the approval process of a plant protection product and is a sensitive input parameter for regulatory models. It is usually derived through least squares optimizations of mathematical models to measured degradation data according to EU FOCUS degradation kinetics guidance. A strong consensus on degradation parameters provides a solid foundation for parts of the environmental risk assessment. The DegT50 of a substance for regulatory modeling is preferably derived from a single first-order (SFO) model as this is currently the only kinetic model implemented in EU regulatory models of the environmental fate of pesticides. However, kinetic optimisation tools do not always provide a regulatory acceptable SFO fit even though a visual inspection of the data suggests it may be possible. It was therefore hypothesized that more acceptable SFO fits might be achieved by adapting the objective function that is minimized during the optimization. Eight objective functions with varying weightings were tested on 29 laboratory soil degradation datasets. A web-based app was developed to allow experts in environmental safety of plant protection products to visually assess the goodness of fits resulting from different objective functions. The visual assessments and a quantitative metric, newly introduced in the proposed update of the FOCUS guidance, show that the acceptability of SFO fits can be increased, but no single objective function exclusively improves all fits. The assessment reveals that expert judgment is very subjective. Participants tended to change their mind when judging the acceptance of a fit, assumingly caused by a learning curve or a period of calibration. It is concluded that different objective functions could be considered in the kinetic assessment as it can improve the acceptability of SFO fits and hence endpoints for regulatory modeling. This study reveals that various qualitative factors influence the visual judgment of experts when performing a kinetic modeling assessment. The proposed quantitative metric seems to be in alignment with the visual assessment of fits to derive modeling endpoints and a promising step toward less subjective kinetic modeling assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Behavioural analysis has been attracting significant attention as a broad indicator of sub‐lethal toxicity and has secured a place as an important subdiscipline in ecotoxicology. Among the most notable characteristics of behavioural research, compared to other established approaches in sub‐lethal ecotoxicology (e.g. reproductive and developmental bioassays), are the wide range of study designs being used and the diversity of endpoints considered. At the same time, environmental hazard and risk assessment, which underpins regulatory decisions to protect the environment from potentially harmful chemicals, often recommends that ecotoxicological data be produced following accepted and validated test guidelines. These guidelines typically do not address behavioural changes, meaning that these, often sensitive, effects are not represented in hazard and risk assessments. Here, we propose a new tool, the EthoCRED evaluation method, for assessing the relevance and reliability of behavioural ecotoxicity data, which considers the unique requirements and challenges encountered in this field. This method and accompanying reporting recommendations are designed to serve as an extension of the “Criteria for Reporting and Evaluating Ecotoxicity Data (CRED)” project. As such, EthoCRED can both accommodate the wide array of experimental design approaches seen in behavioural ecotoxicology, and could be readily implemented into regulatory frameworks as deemed appropriate by policy makers of different jurisdictions to allow better integration of knowledge gained from behavioural testing into environmental protection. Furthermore, through our reporting recommendations, we aim to improve the reporting of behavioural studies in the peer‐reviewed literature, and thereby increase their usefulness to inform chemical regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antifungal substances are essential for managing fungal infections in humans, animals, and plants, and their usage has significantly increased due to the global rise in fungal infections. However, the extensive application of antifungal agents in pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and agriculture has led to their widespread environmental dissemination through various pathways, such as excretion, improper disposal, and agricultural runoff. Despite advances in wastewater treatment, many antifungal compounds persist in the environment, affecting non-target organisms and contributing to resistance development. This study investigates the environmental impact of two novel antifungal agents, VT-1161 and T-2307, recently introduced as alternatives for treating resistant Candida spp. We assessed their ecotoxicity and mutagenicity using multiple bioassays: immobilization of Daphnia magna, growth inhibition of Raphidocelis subcapitata, luminescence inhibition of Aliivibrio fischeri, and mutagenicity on Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100. Results indicate that both VT-1161 and T-2307 exhibit lower toxicity compared to existing antifungal compounds, with effective concentrations (EC50) causing 50% response ranging from 14.34 to 27.92 mg L−1. Furthermore, both agents were classified as less hazardous based on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Despite these favorable results, further research is needed to understand their environmental behavior, interactions, and potential resistance development among non-target species. Our findings highlight the importance of comprehensive environmental risk assessments to ensure the sustainable use of new antifungal agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with an attack rate of 55% (22/40 workers) occurred at a public-facing office in England from August to September 2021. Published evidence regarding outbreaks in office workplaces remains limited. Aims To describe an investigation of workplace- and worker-related risk factors following an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in a public-facing office. Methods The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) Outbreak Investigation to Understand Transmission (COVID-OUT) study undertook an investigation of the outbreak. This included surface sampling, occupational environmental assessment, molecular and serological testing of workers, and detailed questionnaires. Results Despite existing COVID-19 control measures, surface sampling conducted during a self-imposed 2-week temporary office closure identified viral contamination (10/60 samples, 17% positive), particularly in a small, shared security office (6/9, 67% positive) and on a window handle in one open-plan office. Targeted enhanced cleaning was, therefore, undertaken before the office reopened. Repeat surface sampling after this identified only one positive (2%) sample. Ventilation was deemed adequate using carbon dioxide monitoring (typically ≤1000 ppm). Twelve workers (30%) responded to the COVID-OUT questionnaire, and all had been vaccinated with two doses. One-third of respondents (4/12) reported direct physical or close contact with members of the public; of these, 75% (3/4) reported a divider/screen between themselves and members of the public. Conclusions The results highlight the potential utility of surface sampling to identify SARS-CoV-2 control deficiencies and the importance of evolving, site-specific risk assessments with layered COVID-19 mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the occurrence and the environmental risk of eight contaminants of emerging concern (CECs; acetaminophen, naproxen, diclofenac, methylparaben, 17β‐estradiol, sulfathiazole, sulfadimethoxine, and sulfamethazine) in three Brazilian water bodies, namely, the Monjolinho River Basin (São Paulo State), the Mogi Guaçu River (São Paulo State), and the Itapecuru River (Maranhão State) in three sampling campaigns. The CECs were only quantified in surface water samples collected at the Monjolinho River Basin. Acetaminophen, naproxen, and methylparaben were detected in the range of <200 to 575.9 ng L−1, <200 to 224.7 ng L−1, and <200 to 303.6 ng L−1, respectively. The detection frequencies of the three measured compounds were between 33% and 67%. The highest concentrations of CECs were associated with intense urbanization and untreated sewage discharge. Furthermore, CEC concentrations were significantly correlated with total organic carbon, electrical conductivity, and dissolved oxygen levels, suggesting that domestic pollution from urban areas is an important source in the distribution of CECs in the Monjolinho River Basin. The environmental risk assessment indicated a high risk for acetaminophen (risk quotient [RQ] values between 2.1 and 5.8), a medium risk for naproxen (RQs between 0.6 and 0.7), and a low risk for methylparaben (RQs < 0.1) to the freshwater biota of the Monjolinho River Basin. Our findings show potential threats of CECs in Brazilian water bodies, especially in vulnerable areas, and reinforce the need for improvements in environmental regulations to include monitoring and control of these compounds in aquatic systems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2199–2210. © 2024 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1,4-Dioxane (DX), an emerging water contaminant, is classified as a Group 2B liver carcinogen based on animal studies. Understanding of the mechanisms of action of DX liver carcinogenicity is important for the risk assessment and control of this environmental pollution. Previous studies demonstrate that high-dose DX exposure in mice through drinking water for up to 3 months caused liver mild cytotoxicity and oxidative DNA damage, a process correlating with hepatic CYP2E1 induction and elevated oxidative stress. To access the role of CYP2E1 in DX metabolism and liver toxicity, in the current study, male and female Cyp2e1-null mice were exposed to DX in drinking water (5000 ppm) for 1 week or 3 months. DX metabolism, redox and molecular investigations were subsequently performed on male Cyp2e1-null mice for cross-study comparisons to similarly treated male wildtype (WT) and glutathione (GSH)-deficient Gclm-null mice. Our results show that Cyp2e1-null mice of both genders were resistant to DX-induced hepatocellular cytotoxicity. In male Cyp2e1-null mice exposed to DX for 3 months, firstly, DX metabolism to β-hydroxyethoxyacetic acid was reduced to ~ 36% of WT levels; secondly, DX-induced hepatic redox dysregulation (lipid peroxidation, GSH oxidation, and activation of NRF2 antioxidant response) was substantially attenuated; thirdly, liver oxidative DNA damage was at a comparable level to DX-exposed WT mice, accompanied by suppression of DNA damage repair response; lastly, no aberrant proliferative or preneoplastic lesions were noted in DX-exposed livers. Overall, this study reveals, for the first time, that CYP2E1 is the main enzyme for DX metabolism at high dose and a primary contributor to DX-induced liver oxidative stress and associated cytotoxicity. High dose DX-induced genotoxicity may occur via CYP2E1-independent pathway(s), potentially involving impaired DNA damage repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial facilities that participate significantly in the production of many human needs and are useful in various activities. This study evaluates the impact of an electric power generation station, an oil refinery, and a brick factory on emissions and liquid waste that pollute soil and plants with lead and cadmium in the surrounding areas. Soil samples were taken in four dimensions, with a distance of 500 m between each sample. the results showed that the levels of heavy metals analyzed were high for both lead and cadmium, as the lead concentration ranged between 150.30–22.15, 240.40–30.20, and 250.33–21.91. The results indicated the total concentration of cadmium, which ranged between (0.50–2.20) and (0.9–2.51) and (0.55–1.66) mg·Cd·kg-1 soil for each of the electric power generation station, oil refinery, and brick factories, respectively. The highest value of the pollution factor was recorded at distance of 500 m, which amounted to 11.42, which is within the range of CF ˃ 6. This indicates very high pollution. As for the distance of 2000 m, it reached 3.65, which indicates high pollution. The highest value for the environmental risk index Er with lead in the soil of brick factories was at the distance of 500 and 1000 m, as it reached 57.10 and 41.10 respectively. It was with low limits to Moderately toxic to lead and moderate to highly toxic to cadmium. However, a mechanism must be developed to reduce the concentrations of these elements, which are enriched by these industrial facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing demand for mineral resources, mining operations are gradually moving into deeper levels, leading to a rise in the severity of the high-temperature thermal hazard caused by geothermal heat in mines. To understand the distribution and characteristics of the temperature field in the surrounding rock of metal mines, this study derived a non-steady-state heat conduction differential equation suitable for the surrounding rock of underground metal mines based on the thermal property changes of rocks at high temperatures, thereby obtaining the distribution characteristics of the thermal insulation ring in the surrounding rock. However, the monitoring technology of the underground rock temperature field is constrained by factors such as long-term power supply of equipment and complex data collection. Therefore, based on high-precision temperature acquisition devices, this study developed and constructed a cloud monitoring system for the temperature field of the surrounding rock, realizing long-term online temperature field monitoring of the 930 m and 945 m horizontal underground roadway in the West Mountain mining area of Sanshandao. The monitoring data indicate that the system has stable data transmission and smooth operation, achieving remote long-term data collection and transmission. This has improved the efficiency of monitoring the temperature field of surrounding rocks in mines, providing a basis for the risk assessment of thermal environmental conditions in deep high-temperature areas of metal mines and the control of the thermal hazard in deep underground engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen (H 2) emerges as a pivotal player in the transition to renewable energy sources. To address the seasonal fluctuations in energy dynamics, underground storage emerges as the most efficient approach, and saline aquifers within sedimentary basins as promising repositories for substantial H 2 volumes. However, this potential storage solution remains relatively unexplored. Conducting a comprehensive health, safety, and environment (HSE) risk assessment is vital for the technological advancement and public acceptance of geological H 2 storage sites. This study introduces a methodology designed to select and classify potential formations based on their HSE risks, offering a safety-oriented approach to identifying suitable storage sites. The proposed methodology underwent testing in two deep saline aquifers located in distinct geological contexts within the Iberian Peninsula. The aim of this study is to establish a foundation for further investigations and implementation of geological H 2 storage sites while ensuring safety and adhering to environmental and health standards. [Display omitted] • The proposed methodology is a useful risk assessment tool for site selection. • The tool addresses the early stages of the decision process. • The risk assessment of a site is carried out through a qualitative evaluation. • Uncertainties associated with the state of knowledge are incorporated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbitrary use of urea fertilizer reduces nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and increases the risk of environmental pollution. An experiment was conducted at the Universiti Putra Malaysia from November 2019 to March 2020 to evaluate the application methods and rates of liquid urea (LU) on the yield performance of corn. The treatments were, U0 = control, GU100 = Granular urea (GU) 100%, LU100 = LU 100%, LU50 = LU 50% and LU33 = LU 33%, in two equal splits at 10th and 28th days after sowing (DAS) in randomized completely block design, replicates four. Results showed that plant height (206.99 cm, 216.92 cm, 214.61 cm), ear height (88.13 cm, 88.63 cm, 86.00 cm), days of maturity (88.75, 89.00, 86.75 days), number of grains per kernel row (32.25, 34.50, 33.75), fresh cob weight (10,886.60 kg ha−1, 10,946.60 kg ha−1, 10,927.93 kg ha−1) and 100-grain weight (20.51 g, 22.50 g, 21.39 g) of corn were not different significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in GU100, LU100 and LU50 treatments, respectively. The highest yield of corn was found with LU100 (6249.03 kg ha−1) treatment whereas the yield in LU50 (5666.50 kg ha−1) and GU100 (5746.64 kg ha−1) were not different significantly. Nitrogen (%) in plants was the highest in LU100 followed by LU50 treatment which was significantly higher than GU100 treatment. The total N content was also the highest in LU100 (102.83 kg ha−1) though the total N content was not different significantly in LU50 (77.62 kg ha−1) and GU100 (83.84 kg ha−1) treatments. The NUE was the highest in LU50 (66.92%) treatment followed by LU100 (51.47%) treatment. The results of the study suggested that LU was superior to GU and the LU100 was the best application rate while LU50 treatment was comparable to GU100 in corn cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical usage in both human and veterinary medicine contributes substantially to societal wellbeing. However, concerns regarding its environmental impacts are increasing. Despite global awareness, a substantial knowledge gap exists in Germany and several other countries regarding pharmaceutical residues, hindering comprehensive environmental risk assessments. This study aims to bridge this gap by analyzing veterinary pharmaceutical consumption in livestock farming in Germany and comparing itwith human pharmaceutical usage, subsequently correlating these findingswith environmental data on pharmaceutical residues to conduct a straightforward analysis of the environmental risk posed on non-target entities such as soil, water bodies, and microorganisms. Data from 129 agricultural farms in Germany were utilized to comprehensively analyze veterinary pharmaceutical usage. Extrapolation to national levels estimates a substantial quantity of active substances used, particularly antibiotics and electrolytes. Comparison with human pharmaceutical usage highlights differences in substance prevalence and usage patterns. Environmental correlations indicate a considerable presence of pharmaceutical residues in Germany, with notable distinctions between human and veterinary sources. In the environmental risk analysis, significant differences are evident between individual active substances within the same substance group. The study underscores the importance of addressing pharmaceutical residue impacts on the environment and emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive data for informed decision-making and environmental management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (ILs) are widely used in various fields due to their excellent properties. Despite their utility, there is limited knowledge regarding the phytotoxic properties of ILs and the mechanisms by which plants develop resistance to them. This is particularly true when considering the role of nitric oxide (NO) in response to ILs stress. Herein, we investigated the mechanism by which endogenous NO reduces the ILs’ phytotoxicity in Arabidopsis from the perspective of rhizosphere microorganisms. We investigated the impact of 1,3-dibutyl imidazole bromide (DIB) on microbial diversity and community in the rhizosphere of Arabidopsis lines with varying endogenous NO levels, using a high throughput sequencing method. DIB did not affect microbial taxon numbers, richness, or evenness; however, it did alter microbial beta diversity and community structure in the rhizosphere of Arabidopsis. Elevated endogenous NO increased fungal richness and evenness, shifted DIB’s impact on microbial community structure, and enriched more resistant species and toxin-decomposing species. These findings suggest a potential mechanism for plants to resist IL stress. Our study not only elucidates the toxicological mechanisms of ILs but also reveals the involvement of NO in plant responses to IL stress, providing valuable insights for future environmental risk assessments and mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixteen PAHs in ambient air samples collected from residential and roadside areas in the Hanoi metropolitan were investigated. Total PAH concentrations in the ambient air samples ranged from 45.0 to 451 ng/m3. Among PAHs, phenanthrene was found at the most abundant and highest levels. The distributions of PAHs in the ambient air collected in the dry season were on average 26% higher than in the wet season. The PAH concentrations in the air samples collected from the traffic areas were significantly higher (about 2.7 times) than those in the residential areas, indicating that these chemicals originated from motor vehicles. According to vertical, the PAH concentrations found in the ambient air samples collected from the ground floor were significantly higher than on the upper level, however, there was not much difference when going higher (from 24 m (8th floor) to 111 m (37th floor)). The human exposure doses were estimated for two age groups (adults and children) based on the measured PAH concentrations, the inhalation rates, and body weights. The estimated exposure doses to PAHs through inhalation for adults/children were 1.13/2.86 (ng/kg-bw/d) (residential areas) and 3.24/8.18 (ng/kg-bw/d) (traffic areas), respectively. The average lifetime excess cancer risk (ECR) from inhalation exposure to PAHs was 3.0 × 10–4 at the traffic areas and 1.4 × 10–4 at the residential areas. These estimated exposure doses were above the acceptable level of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (1*10–6). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manure application is the primary input route for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in farmland soil. This study investigated the effects of varying the rates of five chicken manure applications on the accumulation and distribution of ARGs across different soil depths (0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm) using metagenomic sequencing. The results revealed that the distribution of ARGs in farmland soil was closely linked to soil depth and influenced to some extent by the fertilizer quantity after 30 days of fertilization. ARGs were predominantly concentrated in the surface soil and exhibited a significant decrease in type and abundance with an increased soil depth. Compared with soil treated with chemical fertilizers alone, chicken manure-treated surface soil presented a higher diversity and abundance of ARGs. However, the diversity and abundance of ARGs did not increase proportionally with the increasing ratios of chicken manure application (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%). ARGs in soil primarily conferred resistance to host bacteria through antibiotic efflux pumps (~33%), antibiotic target alteration (~31%), antibiotic inactivation (~20%), and antibiotic target protection (~8%). Correlation analysis involving ARGs and soil microorganisms revealed widespread multidrug resistance among soil microorganisms. Furthermore, two genera of human pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas sp. and Listeria sp.) were identified as potential microbial hosts of ARGs in all treatments. Correlation analysis involving ARGs and environmental factors indicated that soil ARGs are predominantly influenced by heavy metals and microorganisms. This paper offers valuable insights for environmental risk assessments regarding the utilization of livestock manure resources. Additionally, it furnishes a scientific foundation for farmland application strategies pertaining to livestock manure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study used the adult earthworm Aporrectodea trapezoides as a bioindicator species to look into the possible dangers of ammonium sulfate (AS) fertilizer. Two complementary toxicity tests were conducted to determine the LC50values, growth rate inhibition, morphological alterations, and histopathological texture of worms. The lethality test included four increasing concentrations of AS fertilizer (ranging from 2500 to 7500 mg/kg of dry soil weight (d.w.)), while sub-lethal concentrations were based on 10%, 30%, 40%, and 50% of the 14-day median lethal concentration (LC50), with a control group included for both tests. The LC(50) values for AS fertilizer were significantly higher at 7 days (4831.13 mg/kg d.w.) than at 14 days (2698.67 mg/kg d.w.) of exposure. Notably, earthworms exhibited significant growth rate inhibition under exposure to various concentrations and time durations (14/28 exposure days). Morphological alterations such as clitellar swelling, bloody lesions, whole body coiling and constriction, body strangulation, and fragmentation were accentuated steadily, with higher concentrations. Histopathological manifestations included severe injuries to the circular and longitudinal muscular layers, vacuolation, muscle layer atrophy, degradation of the chloragogenous tissue in the intestine, collapsed digestive epithelium of the pharynx with weak reserve inclusion, and fibrosis of blood vessels. These effects were primarily influenced by increasing concentrations of fertilizer and time exposure. The study highlights the strong relationship between concentration and exposure time responses and underscores the potential of A. trapezoides earthworms as valuable biological control agents against acidic ammonium sulfate fertilizer. Importantly, this research contributes to the use of such biomarkers in evaluating soil toxicity and the biological control of environmental risk assessment associated with chemical fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aviation industry, which has an important place in the world economy, has a much higher growth rate compared to many other sectors. Considering that today, approximately 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions originate from this sector and that these emissions will increase in parallel with the growth rates of the sector in the coming years, it would be appropriate to take the necessary measures without delay. While the ecosystem is negatively affected during the construction activities of airports, high energy needs of airport infrastructures, significant amounts of waste materials generated during the operation phase, noise emissions resulting from airport operations, etc. These reasons can significantly affect the well-being of local people. Considering that the practices carried out at airports affect the environment and local people, corrective measures should be implemented by airport managements without using economic reasons as an excuse. By evaluating the environmental problems mentioned in this study, it is aimed to make a risk assessment and determine the environmental effects during the operation of Erzurum Airport. In the study, environmental risk factors were determined and the possible effects of the risks on the environment were tried to be revealed by using the L-type matrix method and Fine-Kinney method. In this regard, offices, kitchens, carpentry shops, warehouses, maintenance and repairs etc. within the airport. Environmental risk factors that are thought to cause environmental damage in the units were evaluated. As a result of the evaluations made at the airport, 11 medium, 243 tolerable and 39 insignificant level risks were identified with the L-type matrix method, while 7 high, 31 important, 136 possible and 119 insignificant environmental risks were identified with the Fine-Kinney method. It shows that the measures to be taken will greatly reduce the possible environmental impacts of the airport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technological and environmental challenges promoted by the European Commission (EC) follow its objectives to minimise waste, ensure the rational use of resources and energy, use raw materials more efficiently, and increase recovery and recycling. The new hierarchy of handling products and waste has been a key challenge of the circular economy, enhancing the involvement of both businesses and consumers. The life cycle assessment (LCA) is an environmental management technique that makes it possible to assess the environmental impact of a product, a process, an industry, or even an entire sector of the economy. It is used worldwide with great success to study the various stages of technology, ensuring environmental safety. The experience of Polish and foreign research centres confirms the possibility of using the LCA technique to support the environmental risk assessment of technological innovations, therefore the LCA technique has been used to study the environmental impact of potential technologies for producing flocculants from polymer waste. LCA of newly synthesised flocculants has shown that sourcing flocculants from waste phenol–formaldehyde resins is highly beneficial to the environment due to the high toxicity of waste resins that produce phenol when exposed to physical factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge about cold tolerance of non‐native biological control agents is critical to avoid permanently establishing them in new temperate areas outside of their native range. The cold tolerance of the predatory mites, Amblydromalus limonicus and Iphiseius degenerans, was investigated in the laboratory to assess their establishment potential in northern Europe, particularly Sweden. The lethal time of I. degenerans (the number of days until 100% mortality was reached) declined steeply from 5°C to 0°C and was almost zero at −5°C. The lethal time of A. limonicus did not differ between 5°C and 0°C, but was reduced at −5°C. For both species, LTime50 (the number of days until 50% of the mites died) was longer for fed than for unfed mites. The lethal temperature of A. limonicus (the temperature at which 100% mortality was reached) was −17.75°C, whereas most I. degenerans died at −8.5°C. LTemp50 (the temperature at which 50% of the mites died) was lower for A. limonicus (−9.8°C) than for I. degenerans (−0.1°C). Collectively, these findings suggest that I. degenerans is unlikely to establish in Sweden but that A. limonicus is more cold tolerant. This highlights the risk associated with releasing A. limonicus in Sweden due to concerns about potential establishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic risk assessment is essential to guarantee the sustainable use of pesticides and the conservation of water resources near agricultural fields. This article discusses a proposal for a tiered regulatory framework for the aquatic risk assessment of pesticides in Brazil. The first step is problem formulation, which includes establishing general and specific protection goals. In the exposure assessment, the Estimated Environmental Concentrations in water should be calculated based on realistic worst‐case assumptions regarding application rate and frequency, the entry into the edge‐of‐field water body, and fate in the water body, using scenario‐dependent models suggested by the Brazilian Environmental Agency. These calculations can be refined by including Efate studies with variable exposures to reflect realistic environmental conditions accurately and include mitigation measures that impact the modeling. In the hazard assessment, ecotoxicological data for toxicity to fish, aquatic invertebrates, algae, and aquatic plants should be required for all pesticides based on standardized protocols and species. Tier 2 has several refinement options, including incorporating toxicity data from additional test species and effect modeling. In Tier 3, population‐ and community‐level effects are evaluated using semi‐field studies. Considering the case study in Brazil, Tier 1 demonstrated that, from the 12 pesticides that were assessed, seven (58%) failed based on the value of the Risk Quotient. In Tier 2, when exposure refinement options and mitigation measures such as buffer zones are considered, all seven pesticides, for which Tier 1 indicated risk, still failed the assessment. The risk for four of these seven pesticides could be refined by considering toxicity information from additional species. Refinement options and mitigation measures that could be applied to the agricultural scenario in Brazil were discussed. In conclusion, the proposed tiered risk assessment is a feasible way to evaluate whether a pesticide will pose an unacceptable risk to aquatic organisms. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1514–1528. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Points: This article proposes a tiered regulatory framework for aquatic risk assessment of pesticides in Brazil; the framework involves problem formulation, exposure assessment, and hazard assessment, focusing on realistic worst‐case scenarios and refined calculations.The application of the proposed tiered approach in a Brazilian case study revealed that 58% of assessed pesticides failed the Tier 1 assessment.Refinement options and mitigation measures that could be applied to the agricultural scenario in Brazil were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to use polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) 18‐88 as a case study to evaluate the environmental fate, ecotoxicity, and overall safety profile of water‐soluble, nonmodified PVOH polymers used in detergent films. An OECD 303A Wastewater Treatment Plant Simulation Study was conducted with dissolved organic carbon as the analytical endpoint to evaluate the removal of PVOH 18‐88 during wastewater treatment. During the plateau phase, high levels of removal due to biodegradation were observed (average 97.4 ± 7.1, range: 88%–116%). The OECD 303A study quantitatively verified that surface water is the dominant receiving compartment for PVOH 18‐88 post wastewater treatment. Acute algae, invertebrate, and fish embryo (fish embryo acute toxicity test [FET]) ecotoxicity studies quanitified the 50% lethal/effect concentration (L/EC50) for PVOH 18‐88. Due to the potential for the chorion to impact PVOH 18‐88 bioavailability, both chorionated and dechorionated FET tests were conducted. L/EC50 > 1000 mg/L for FET (chorionated and dechorionated), invertebrate, and algae were observed. The Sustainable Futures (US) and REACH (EU) frameworks were used to evaluate environmental risk. For the US assessment, the Exposure and Fate Assessment Screening Tool was used to predict the single day lowest flow over a 10‐year period (1Q10) surface water concentration and the seven consecutive days of lowest flow over a 10‐year period (7Q10) surface water concentration and compared with acute and chronic concentrations of concern. For the EU assessment, the European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances was used to predict local and regional exposure concentrations and compared to the predicted no effect concentration. For both regulatory assessments, the exposure concentrations were >2 orders of magnitude below the effect concentrations. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1693–1705. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Points: Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) 18‐88 was used as a case study to evaluate the environmental fate, ecotoxicity, and overall safety profile of water‐soluble, nonmodified PVOH polymers used in detergent films.Polyvinyl alcohol 18‐88 was biodegraded extensively during wastewater treatment.Low ecotoxicity was observed with measured LC/EC50s > 1000 mg/L.The US and EU environmental risk assessments predicted exposure concentrations were >2 orders of magnitude below effect concentrations, providing significant assurance of safety for PVOH 18‐88 as a representative test substance for nonmodified PVOH polymers used in detergent films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparing for future environmental pressures requires projections of how relevant risks will change over time. Current regulatory models of environmental risk assessment (ERA) of pollutants such as pharmaceuticals could be improved by considering the influence of global change factors (e.g., population growth) and by presenting uncertainty more transparently. In this article, we present the development of a prototype object‐oriented Bayesian network (BN) for the prediction of environmental risk for six high‐priority pharmaceuticals across 36 scenarios: current and three future population scenarios, combined with infrastructure scenarios, in three Norwegian counties. We compare the risk, characterized by probability distributions of risk quotients (RQs), across scenarios and pharmaceuticals. Our results suggest that RQs would be greatest in rural counties, due to the lower development of current wastewater treatment facilities, but that these areas consequently have the most potential for risk mitigation. This pattern intensifies under higher population growth scenarios. With this prototype, we developed a hierarchical probabilistic model and demonstrated its potential in forecasting the environmental risk of chemical stressors under plausible demographic and management scenarios, contributing to the further development of BNs for ERA. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1715–1735. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Points: We constructed a prototype object‐oriented Bayesian network to predict the environmental risks of six key pharmaceuticals in Norwegian surface waters under 36 plausible future scenarios.Object‐oriented design paradigms allowed efficient modular construction of a pharmaceutical consumption‐to‐pollution probabilistic environmental risk assessment (ERA) network.Our initial predictions indicated that, of the pharmaceuticals considered, ethinylestradiol presented by far the highest risk quotients, followed by ibuprofen; risk was greatest in rural areas, without effective wastewater treatment, and under high population growth scenarios.Our prototype sets the stage for Bayesian network‐based ERA of pharmaceuticals; however, there are several technical limitations that still hold the approach back. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In risk assessment, numerous subfactors influence the probabilities of the main factors. These main factors reflect adverse outcomes, which are essential in risk assessment. A Bayesian network can model the entire set of subfactors and their interconnections. To assess the probabilities of all possible states of the main factors (adverse consequences), complete information about the probabilities of all relevant subfactor states in the network nodes must be utilized. This is a typical task of probabilistic inference. The algorithm proposed by J. Pearl is widely used for point estimates of relevant probabilities. However, in many practical problems, including environmental risk assessment, it is not possible to assign crisp probabilities for relevant events due to the lack of sufficient statistical data. In such situations, expert assignment of probabilities is widely used. Uncertainty in expert assessments can be successfully modeled using triangular fuzzy numbers. That is why this article proposes a fuzzy version of this algorithm, which can solve the problem of probabilistic inference on a Bayesian network when the initial probability values are given as triangular fuzzy numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper examined the global landscape of research on continental flood early warning systems (EWS), shedding light on key trends, geographic disparities, and research priorities. Continental floods stand as one of the most pervasive and devastating disasters worldwide, necessitating proactive measures to mitigate their impact. Drawing upon a comprehensive analysis of the scholarly literature indexed in the Web of Science repository, this study unveiled significant patterns in EWS research. While the emphasis on flooding is evident, a considerable portion of research focuses on precipitation as a variable and modeling approaches. Furthermore, the influence of climate change emerges as a prominent theme, though distinguishing between climate change and variability remains a crucial area for exploration. Geographically, Europe, particularly England and Italy, dominates research efforts in flood related EWS. Conversely, the limited representation of Central America and other regions such as Asia and Oceania, underscores the need for greater attention to regions facing significant flood risks. Importantly, the concept of total link strength emerges as a valuable metric, highlighting collaborative networks established by European countries and the United States. Based on these findings, recommendations are proposed to enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of flood related EWS research, including a broader consideration of socio-economic factors, fostering collaboration among researchers from diverse regions, and prioritizing initiatives to strengthen research capacities in vulnerable areas. Ultimately, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to advance flood risk management strategies on a global scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study quantified the concentrations of trace and heavy elements, including Al, K, Ca, Mg, Zr, Ti, La, Ce, Mn, Cr, Zn, and Nd, in soil samples from Tukwikwi. It also assesses the potential human health risks posed by exposure to these metals through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption for both children and adults. The study area lies in Hadejia flood plain between latitudes 12°10′ N to 13°0′ N and longitudes 10°15′ E to 11°30′ E. The result showed that the mean concentrations of Al (47,140 mg/kg), K (23,110 mg/kg), Fe (18,020 mg/kg), Mg (7810 mg/kg), Zr (404 mg/kg), and La (64 mg/kg) exceeded the crustal values of Al (25,000 mg/kg), K (10,700 mg/kg), Fe (9800 mg/kg), Mg (7000 mg/kg), Zr (220 mg/kg), and La (30 mg/kg). By contrast, the concentrations of Ca, Cr, Ce, Mn, Ti, Zn, and Nd were lower than the crustal values. These crustal values were used, as there were no regional values that could be used for comparison. The result of the noncarcinogenic health risk assessment showed that Al exhibited the highest value ranging from 5.52×10−1$5.52 \times {{10}^{ - 1}}$ to 7.51×10−1$7.51 \times {{10}^{ - 1}}$ for children and 7.3×10−1$7.3 \times {{10}^{ - 1}}$ to 9.9×10−1$9.9 \times {{10}^{ - 1}}$ for adults. The results also revealed that adults have a higher potential risk than children. The results for the carcinogenic risk (CR) showed that the total CR (TCR) values for Cr ranged from 0 to 3.20×10−4$3.20 \times {{10}^{ - 4}}$ for children and 0 to 4.29×10−4$4.29 \times {{10}^{ - 4}}$ for adults, which are higher than the acceptable limit of 1×10−4$1 \times {{10}^{ - 4}}$. These suggest that there are health concerns for adults and children in the research area. This necessitates the need for monitoring the soil in the study area to reduce potential environmental issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental risk assessment (ERA) of plant protection products (PPPs) is commonly conducted for a number of standard laboratory species, though its scope includes all species, especially those that are vulnerable or endangered. This begs the question of how the eco-physiological and life history traits of those data-rich species compare to those of less documented species. This paper investigates the utility of a database of such traits, the Add-my-Pet collection of Dynamic Energy Budget theory, for the ERA of North American birds. We identified 72 bird species in the collection that have a federal listing status or are otherwise of interest for the ERA of PPPs and compared their eco-physiological and life history traits in relation to body size, feeding guild, and taxonomic identity to those of 446 terrestrial Holarctic birds, as well as those of standard lab species, notably the northern bobwhite, mallard, and zebra finch. The properties of standard lab species generally align with those of a similar taxonomy and size, with the notable exception of the relatively high reproductive capacity of the northern bobwhite and mallard due to the unique properties of laboratory study data. In addition, taxonomy appears to be a better predictor of eco-physiological traits than feeding guild. We conclude that, to identify representative species for the ERA of PPPs, more traits need to be included, such as those directly linked to the likelihood of exposure and those related to reproductive behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trace element (TEs) contamination in groundwater is a key factor for health risk assessment and one of the environmental challenges linked with Ghana's sustainable development. This study aims to investigate TE concentrations in groundwater used for drinking and domestic purposes and their potential health risk in the Kumasi Metropolis using multivariate statistics. In the study, 23 groundwater samples were analyzed for 32 TEs using Perkin Elmer Nexion 2000 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). Levels of TEs recorded in the study were in order of Na > Si > Ca > K > Mg > S > Ba > Cu > Zn > Al > Sr > Li > Mn > P > Fe > B > Pb > Ni > Co > Bi > Se > Sb > Cr > As > Ti > Be > V > U > C d > T l > Mo > Hg. The study revealed that the concentration of trace and toxic elements like Al, Cu, and Pb exceeded their corresponding WHO permissible standards. Hazard index (HI) values and total likely cancer risk (TLCR) values for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks indicate that 91.3% of the total sampling sites presented health concerns to adults and children. The mean TLCR values associated with exposure to carcinogenic metals via ingestion of groundwater samples were estimated to be 2.09 × 10−4 and 4.44 × 10−4 for adults and children respectively. Exposure through the ingestion pathway was found to be more risky compared to dermal contacts. Children are particularly vulnerable to these health hazards. Pearson correlation (PC) matrix, principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) suggested that sources of TEs in the groundwater are attributed to both anthropogenic and geogenic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The levels of three phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), NP, BPA and 4-t-OP were determined in water and sediment collected from sites along the Xiangjiang River, Zunyi, China. The NP, BPA and 4-t-OP concentrations ranged from 18.02 to 311.79 ng/L in the surface water, 16.04–408.12 ng/L in the submerged water, and 21.13–892.37 μg/kg dw in the sediment. NP contamination was most severe in both the river water and sediment. The ranges of the three phenolic EDCs were slightly greater in the submerged water than in the surface water (p > 0.05). The concentrations in the middle reaches were greater than those in the upstream and downstream reaches in both the water and sediment, and significant differences in content were detected in some reaches. The levels of three phenolic EDCs in the water and sediment had a positive correlation. In addition, the distribution coefficient (Kd) indicated that NP was more likely to adsorb to the sediment, and BPA and 4-t-OP were more likely to adsorb to river water. Moreover, the risk quotient (RQ) and hazard quotients (HQ) were used to reveal the environmental and health risks caused by coexposure to the three phenolic pollutants. The results showed that the current pollution is a threat to the environment of the study area and not a threat to the health of the local population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury (Hg) pollution around artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) areas has been of much concern. Many studies have reported elevated Hg concentrations in environmental media, but studies on dust relating to inhalation exposure of Hg around ASGM area are limited. In this study, we investigated Hg in indoor and outdoor dust to reveal environmental and human health risk around ASGM in Amansie West district, Ghana. Indoor and outdoor dust samples were collected from Manso Abore and Manso Nkwanta in Ashanti Region. Concentration of Hg in the samples were analyzed using a direct Hg analyzer. The mean and median value of Hg concentration in the indoor dust (n = 31) were 2.2 ± 3.6 mg/kg and 0.72 mg/kg respectively while that of the outdoor dust (n = 60) were 0.19 ± 0.48 mg/kg and 0.042 mg/kg, respectively. The mean and median Hg concentration in indoor dust were about 11 and 17 times higher respectively than that in the outdoor dust. The Hg concentration in the indoor dust was statistically significantly higher than that of the non-miner in Manso Abore (p < 0.05) but was not significant in Manso Nkwanta, probably due to higher mining activity. The geo-accumulation index of the outdoor dust ranged from unpolluted to extremely polluted while that of the indoor dust ranged from moderately polluted to extremely polluted. Health risk assessments suggested that there was no potential non-carcinogenic health effect for Hg exposure relating to the dust to residents living in rooms of miners and non-miners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban faces numerous challenges around the world due to its complexity, rapid urbanization, and diverse urban contexts. Bekasi City facing flood many years as an impact this problem. In early 2020, flooding points in Bekasi City reached 58 points with an area of around 15.37 ha or 73% of the city area with a depth of 1-4 meters. Looking at its history, the longer the flooding, the wider and depth. In 2005 the inundation area ranged from 164 ha, then in 2018, the inundation area increased to 12353 ha. The funds spent on flood management almost one-third of regional budget. The question that should be asked is why flooding still occurs, even though the efforts that have been made are not small. The social, economic and environmental impacts of flooding are significant. If it continues uncontrol, it is feared that the sustainability of Bekasi City is threatened. Therefore, a big picture of the current flood control system in Bekasi City is needed. This study identified that the critical gap in urban environmental risk management strategies in Bekasi City, Indonesia, is the necessity of incorporating community participation and non-structural measures to establish flood-resilient communities and mitigate risk. Addressing this management deficiency will contribute to the realization of a resilient and sustainable Bekasi City. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate identification and quantification of pollens (e.g., pollen of a flower, airborne pollens) is essential to understand plant pollination and reproductive biology, pollen aerobiology, and plant–insect interactions. Currently, a couple of methods are available for pollen counting, such as manual counting, flow cytometry-based and image software-based counting. However, due to inconsistent results and experimental repeatability, a more accurate, consistent, and high-throughput quantification approach is required. This study evaluated and compared the performance between a proposed Swin-transformer-YOLOv5 (S-T-YOLOv5) and common YOLO models in pollen detection and quantification. The present study demonstrated that the S-T-YOLOv5 outperformed other YOLO models, including YOLOv3, YOLOv4, YOLOR, and YOLOv5 for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) pollen detection and quantification, with excellent precision (99.6%), recall (99.4%), F1-score (0.995), mAP50 (99.4%), and mAP50-95 (76.2%) values. The mAP50-95 (mAP at an IoU of 0.5–0.95) of S-T-YOLOv5 was 9.9, 58.7, 25.3 and 8.2% higher than those of YOLOv3, YOLOv4, YOLOR, and YOLOv5, respectively. Additionally, the S-T-YOLOv5 showed a good transferability in quantifying pollen with varied sizes and shapes in different plant species, including annual fleabane, camelina, Canadian goldenrod, Indian lettuce, mustard, and oilseed rape. In summary, our results showed that the S-T-YOLOv5 is an accurate, robust, and widely adaptable pollen quantification approach, with minimizing errors and labor expense. We would like to highlight the potential application of S-T-YOLOv5 in quantifying samples of airborne pollens from a known pollen source or insect-dispersed pollens (e.g., alfalfa) in supporting the environmental risk assessment of genetically engineered (GE) plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract As the first ladder of China, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has always been known as the “roof of the world”. Its environmental carrying capacity can be estimated more accurately than other regions because of its harsh natural environment, low population density, limited industrial and agricultural development, and low human activities. However, the current ecological risks of Co and threshold research are limited, and there is a lack of awareness of W’s environmental risks. Hence, this study assessed the ecological support potential of the Bardawu region within Dulan County, Qinghai Province, using 7373 soil specimens, determined regional soil baseline measures, and applied the substance equilibrium linear technique along with the ecological aggregate indicator technique to examine the heavy metal content of the soil. A comprehensive evaluation of the environmental capacity and health risks was conducted to provide a reference for pastoral planning. The findings indicated that the cumulative static ecological capacity of the six trace heavy elements in the soil was ranked as follows: Cr > Li > Ni > Cu > W > Co, with W and Co positioned as the final pair. The remaining areas with a high environmental capacity were predominantly found in the study zone. The central sector exhibited diminished environmental capacity in the southwest and northeast and presented a contamination hazard. Land use, soil type, and geological type considerably affected the six elements in the study area at the p

Abstract Groundwater harbours unique species adapted to perpetual darkness. Groundwater fauna plays a crucial role in global ecosystem services, but contamination poses a threat to this keystone ecosystem. Diclofenac is a common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of particular concern, due to its presence in both surface and groundwater. We assess the environmental risk of diclofenac in European groundwaters using different scenarios, analyzing Measured Environmental Concentrations (MECs) of diclofenac and estimating the Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNECs) through two approaches: considering the sensitivity of the groundwater crustacean Proasellus lusitanicus (Isopoda: Asellidae), and using surface water species as proxies. Our results show that scenarios based on surrogate species predict that groundwater ecosystems are at risk due to diclofenac contamination. On the other hand, the MECs of diclofenac were consistently lower than the PNEC of P. lusitanicus, suggesting that the current MECs do not pose a significant threat to this groundwater-adapted species. However, risk scenarios differ considering the sensitivity of other groundwater species, emphasizing the importance of considering multiple species’ sensitivities in risk assessment. Therefore, we recommend establishing an environmental quality standard for diclofenac in groundwater at 5 ng/L, a value that accounts the need for precautionary measures to safeguard groundwater ecosystems, essential for preserving their unique biota and services.

This research aimed to analyze the level of flood vulnerability in Masamba urban area, using quantitative and qualitative descriptive approaches. Data analysis techniques were carried out by weighting, scoring, and overlaying for each flood-causing parameter map, including; slope map, rainfall, land elevation, soil type, and land use. Delineation of flood-prone areas is determined based on spatial analysis between the detailed spatial plan map of Masamba urban area and the maps of these parameters, obtaining the area and classification of the level of vulnerability to flood disasters in the Masamba urban area. The results of the analysis show that the low flood vulnerability level is located in the Kamiri village, Masamba village and part of the Kappuna village with an area of 83.39 Ha or 7.22%, the medium flood vulnerability level covers the Radda and Baliase villages with an area of 824.75 Ha or 71.58%, while the Bone and Bone Tua Villages are included in the high vulnerability classification category with an area of 244.07 Ha or 21.18% of the Masamba urban detailed spatial plan (RDTR) area. On the basis of the research findings, mitigation efforts are needed in spatial planning in North Luwu Regency. Directions for spatial utilization in the flood-prone Masamba urban area, including; development of a flood disaster mitigation system with structural and non-structural methods. Recommendations for spatial utilization in Masamba urban area to minimize similar flash flood events in the future are reviewing the RDTR of Masamba urban area, revising the urban drainage system master plan, and modeling the classification of flood-prone areas. With the availability of flood vulnerability data in North Luwu Regency, it can be an input for the government and the community as a basis for decision making in spatial planning, spatial utilization and spatial control to create a resilient and sustainable Masamba City. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising production of sewage sludge, characterized by high organic content and excessive heavy metals, necessitates an effective treatment method. This study investigated the production of syngas and the migration and transformation behavior of heavy metals such as Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu, and As during supercritical water gasification (SCWG) of sewage sludge. The experiments were conducted without or with alkaline additives at temperatures between 380 to 420 °C and retention time from 15 to 60 min. The results revealed that the highest syngas yield reached 10.9 mol/kg with an H2 concentration of 44.7% at 420 °C and 60 min. In this process, heavy metals were effectively immobilized and converted into a more stable form, whereas higher temperatures and longer retention time enhanced this effect. The introduction of alkaline additives (NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH)2, Na2CO3, and K2CO3) led to the redistribution of heavy metals, further promoting the stabilization of Zn, Cr, and Cu. An environmental risk assessment showed that SCWG could significantly lower the risk associated with heavy metals to a low or negligible level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental risk assessment (ERA) of plant protection products (PPPs) is commonly conducted for a number of standard laboratory species, though its scope includes all species, especially those that are vulnerable or endangered. This begs the question of how the eco-physiological and life history traits of those data-rich species compare to those of less documented species. This paper investigates the utility of a database of such traits, the Add-my-Pet collection of Dynamic Energy Budget theory, for the ERA of North American birds. We identified 72 bird species in the collection that have a federal listing status or are otherwise of interest for the ERA of PPPs and compared their eco-physiological and life history traits in relation to body size, feeding guild, and taxonomic identity to those of 446 terrestrial Holarctic birds, as well as those of standard lab species, notably the northern bobwhite, mallard, and zebra finch. The properties of standard lab species generally align with those of a similar taxonomy and size, with the notable exception of the relatively high reproductive capacity of the northern bobwhite and mallard due to the unique properties of laboratory study data. In addition, taxonomy appears to be a better predictor of eco-physiological traits than feeding guild. We conclude that, to identify representative species for the ERA of PPPs, more traits need to be included, such as those directly linked to the likelihood of exposure and those related to reproductive behavior.

Abstract Background Prioritisation of chemical pollutants is a major challenge for environmental managers and decision-makers alike, which is essential to help focus the limited resources available for monitoring and mitigation actions on the most relevant chemicals. This study extends the original NORMAN prioritisation scheme beyond target chemicals, presenting the integration of semi-quantitative data from retrospective suspect screening and expansion of existing exposure and risk indicators. The scheme utilises data retrieved automatically from the NORMAN Database System (NDS), including candidate substances for prioritisation, target and suspect screening data, ecotoxicological effect data, physico-chemical data and other properties. Two complementary workflows using target and suspect screening monitoring data are applied to first group the substances into six action categories and then rank the substances using exposure, hazard and risk indicators. The results from the ‘target’ and ‘suspect screening’ workflows can then be combined as multiple lines of evidence to support decision-making on regulatory and research actions. Results As a proof-of-concept, the new scheme was applied to a combined dataset of target and suspect screening data. To this end, > 65,000 substances on the NDS, of which 2579 substances supported by target wastewater monitoring data, were retrospectively screened in 84 effluent wastewater samples, totalling > 11 million data points. The final prioritisation results identified 677 substances as high priority for further actions, 7455 as medium priority and 326 with potentially lower priority for actions. Among the remaining substances, ca. 37,000 substances should be considered of medium priority with uncertainty, while it was not possible to conclude for 19,000 substances due to insufficient information from target monitoring and uncertainty in the identification from suspect screening. A high degree of agreement was observed between the categories assigned via target analysis and suspect screening-based prioritisation. Suspect screening was a valuable complementary approach to target analysis, helping to prioritise thousands of substances that are insufficiently investigated in current monitoring programmes. Conclusions This updated prioritisation workflow responds to the increasing use of suspect screening techniques. It can be adapted to different environmental compartments and can support regulatory obligations, including the identification of specific pollutants in river basins and the marine environments, as well as the confirmation of environmental occurrence levels predicted by modelling tools. Graphical Abstract

Background: Several antibiotics are partially metabolized by patients after administration and end up in municipal sewage systems. The fate of biodegradation in aquatic environments and the role of biodegradation in the development of bacterial resistance are poorly understood. Thus, as a crucial step in an environmental risk assessment, the biodegradability of many therapeutically significant antibiotics was investigated. Results: A marine halophilic bacteria that degrades penicillin G (PEN-G) was isolated and identified based on morphology, physio-biochemical characteristics, and 16S rDNA sequences as Bacillus pseudomycoides AH1 (accession no. MF037698). The effects of various concentrations of PEN-G and carbon and nitrogen sources on the biotransformation ability at 30°C and pH 7.0 were evaluated. Cells grown in medium supplemented with glucose as an additional carbon source and yeast extract as a nitrogen source exhibited maximal PEN-G biotransformation efficiency and rate (71.678% ±1.28 and 2.99 mg/h, respectively). The culture conditions for B. pseudomycoides AH1 cells were optimized using a Plackett–Burman design (PBD). Six key determinants (p < 0.05) significantly affected the process outcome, as deduced by regression analysis of the PBD data, and modified MSM broth achieved PEN-G biotransformation efficiency (100%) under aerobic shaking conditions at 35°C, irrespective of HPLC analysis. Additionally, the present investigation could strongly support the application of immobilization approaches for the removal of PEN-G-contaminated environmental sites. Conclusion: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first detailed study on the efficient biotransformation of PEN-G by an alginate-bacteria system as a simple, green, and inexpensive process, as well as a promising method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]