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Synthetic polymers with additives are used in the manufacturing of face masks (FMs); hence, FMs could be a potential source of exposure to phthalic acid esters (PAEs). India stands second in the world in terms of the FMs usage since the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic. However, little is known about the PAEs content of FMs used in India. Some PAEs, such as DEHP and DBP are suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs); hence, wearing FM may increase the risk of exposure to these EDCs. In this study, we collected 91 samples of FMs from eight Indian cities and analyzed for five PAEs viz. DMP, DEP, DBP, BBP, and DEHP. The PAEs contents in FMs ranged from 101.79 to 27,948.64 ng/g. The carcinogenic risk of N 95 with filter, N-95, and cloth masks was higher than the threshold levels. The findings indicate the need to control PAEs in FMs through regulatory actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platinum (Pt) nanoparticles decorated titanium dioxide (Pt/TiO 2) is considered a multifaceted catalyst owing to its wide applicability from photo to thermo-catalysis, as compared to other engineered materials i.e., noble metals supported metal oxide. In this context, the present article provides an in-depth discussion for application of Pt 2.5 /TiO 2 for photocatalytic hydrogen (H 2) production under stimulated laboratory (indoor) and natural sunlight (outdoor) condition. It demonstrated the promising method for utilising the light and heat of full solar energy spectrum in tandem with photocatalyst (photo-thermocatalysis) to create hydrogen from waste water. However, its underlying mechanism remains elusive and contentious. The discussion is covered in more details to address the effects of various factors on its performance, including physicochemical characteristics of as-synthesized photocatalyst (e.g., optical absorptivity, morphology, and surface functionalities), water splitting evaluation parameters (e.g., catalyst dose, concentration of sacrificial donors, effect of various sacrificial donors, and illumination sources), and underlying mechanisms. The as-synthesized Pt 2.5 /TiO 2 photocatalyst have shown promising hydrogen production rate of 9 mmol h−1 and exhibited unprecedented stability of 24h using Na 2 S/Na 2 SO 3 as sacrificial agent. This study will aid in the search for stable photocatalysts to recover hydrogen from sulphide wastewater. [Display omitted] • Pt 2.5 /TiO 2 photocatalyst used for photocatalytic (PC) and photothermal H 2 production. • Sulphides based donor was screened for photo-thermocatalytic (PTC) H 2 production. • HER of 9 (PC) and 5.5 (PTC) mmols.h−1 obtained with Pt 2.5 /TiO 2 – S2−/SO 3 2− system. • Photolysis of S2−/SO 3 2− shuttle showed HER of 4.2 (PC) and 3.1 (PTC) mmols.h−1. • Pt 2.5 /TiO 2 catalyst exhibited stability of 24 h for water splitting reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]