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Emerging from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is time to ground ourselves and retrospectively assess the recent achievements of SEGH over the past years. This editorial serves as a comprehensive report on the progress made in comparison to the aspirations and goals set by the society's board in 2019 (Watts et al., Environ Geochem Health 42:343-347, 2019) (Fig. 1) and reflects on the state of the SEGH community as it reached its 50th anniversary at the close of 2021 (Watts et al. Environ Geochem Health 45:1165-1171, 2023). The focus lies on how the SEGH community navigated through the extraordinary challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic since early 2020, and to what extent the 2023 targets have been met.

Novel bio-based plasticisers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are a significant and growing area of interest. These compounds aim to replace toxic and petrochemical additives in commonly used plastic products. Plasticisers can comprise as much as 50% of the total mass of the PVC product. Epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) is a commercially available bio-based plasticizer that is typically used at lower levels than traditional phthalates in PVC compounds because it does not show equivalent performance to existing phthalate plasticisers. Four derivatives of ESBO have been synthesized through reaction at the epoxide rings. These compounds have been evaluated in PVC formulations and compared to current petrochemical plasticisers, as well as ESBO. The product of methoxy polyethylene glycol and ESBO shows good plasticising ability, giving a PVC compound with higher tensile strength and elongation than dioctyl phthalate (DOP) and a lower glass transition temperature (Tg) than with the use of ESBO.

When the SEGH international board released a short editorial paper back in 2019, we described an aim to increase the membership offering, whilst improving the diversity of input regionally, by scientific discipline and to ensure greater and more regular contact across the regions from 2020 onwards. Wider aspirations described in 2019 (Watts et al. 2019) are discussed within this short communication at the end of 2021 to evaluate progress made. In particular, how the SEGH community adapted to the unprecedented circumstances that have challenged each and every one of us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic since early 2020 and are likely to influence our activities for the foreseeable future.

When the SEGH international board released a short editorial paper back in 2019, we described an aim to increase the membership offering, whilst improving the diversity of input regionally, by scientific discipline and to ensure greater and more regular contact across the regions from 2020 onwards. Wider aspirations described in 2019 (Watts et al. 2019) are discussed within this short communication at the end of 2021 to evaluate progress made. In particular, how the SEGH community adapted to the unprecedented circumstances that have challenged each and every one of us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic since early 2020 and are likely to influence our activities for the foreseeable future.

The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry relies heavily on material property testing during the development of a product. Many of these testing procedures are outdated and time-consuming, resulting in high financial input. Non-destructive, fast, easy-to-use testing methods can significantly reduce the time required to quantify raw materials. We explored alternative analysis techniques, Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) and micro-Raman spectroscopy to quantify the main components within a plasticised PVC (pPVC) compound with dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) plasticizer and calcium carbonate filler. This can reduce costs in the testing and development of new products up to 50%. We prepared 36 samples with varying proportions of DOTP and calcium carbonate and analyzed them using a Raman Microscope and FT-IR Spectrometer. We found a strong correlation (R2 = 0.923) between DOTP and FT-IR spectroscopy data, as well as a strong correlation (FT-IR R2 = 0.910; Raman R2 = 0.813) between the calcium carbonate and data obtained with both spectroscopies. We reported for the first-time correlations that could be used to determine the raw material levels within pPVC provided by both techniques. Five samples were then made and tested, showing some success in the quantification. This study provided a solid baseline for reducing the time taken to make a recommendation from >168 h to <1 h and therefore reducing the costs of product development by up to 50%.

When the SEGH international board released a short editorial paper back in 2019, we described an aim to increase the membership offering, whilst improving the diversity of input regionally, by scientific discipline and to ensure greater and more regular contact across the regions from 2020 onwards. Wider aspirations described in 2019 (Watts et al. 2019) are discussed within this short communication at the end of 2021 to evaluate progress made. In particular, how the SEGH community adapted to the unprecedented circumstances that have challenged each and every one of us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic since early 2020 and are likely to influence our activities for the foreseeable future.

When the SEGH international board released a short editorial paper back in 2019, we described an aim to increase the membership offering, whilst improving the diversity of input regionally, by scientific discipline and to ensure greater and more regular contact across the regions from 2020 onwards. Wider aspirations described in 2019 (Watts et al. 2019) are discussed within this short communication at the end of 2021 to evaluate progress made. In particular, how the SEGH community adapted to the unprecedented circumstances that have challenged each and every one of us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic since early 2020 and are likely to influence our activities for the foreseeable future.

Our indoor microbiome consists of a wide range of microbial taxa. Whilst many of these microbes are benign, some are beneficial, some harmful, yet our knowledge of the spatial heterogeneity of bacterial assemblages in our residential environment remains limited. To investigate the existence of a common core house dust bacterial microbiome we selected household vacuum dusts, collected through a citizen science approach, from homes across two bioclimatic regions (UK, Oceanic/Maritime and Greece, Mediterranean). Following the extraction of DNA from each dust sample, we targeted the bacterial 16S rRNA gene using Illumina NextSeq sequencing. PERMANOVA analysis of the microbial communities at family level grouped samples within their distinct bioclimatic region and SIMPER analysis at genus level identified the statistically significant taxa responsible for driving diversity between these groups. A “common to all” core house dust microbiome consisted of Acinetobacter, Massalia, Rubellimicrobium, Sphingomonas and Staphylococcus; genera typically associated with human occupancy and common environmental sources. Additionally, a “unique location specific” microbiome was identified, reflective of the bioclimatic region. The Greek dusts indicated a lower average diversity than the UK house dusts, with a high abundance of Rhizobiaceae in the Greek samples. Our study highlights citizen science as a powerful approach to access the indoor residential environment, at scale, and establishes the existence of a “core” house dust microbiome independent of bioclimatic region.

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. A multi-disciplinary approach, using chemical extraction and analytical structural techniques, has been used to assess the mobility and availability of arsenic in urban soil samples from two current housing sites. Arsenic concentrations in each site varied between 126 and 1660 mg/kg (Site A) and 40–24,900 mg/kg (Site B). Using a non-specific sequential extraction approach, it was possible to identify two distinct, site specific, As-containing fractions i.e. Fe-As-Ca (Site A) and As-Fe (Site B), in the soils. Further investigation using a sequential extraction approach identified the main As component in the reducible fraction, linking As with Fe-oxides in the soils. Further investigation of the crystalline mineral phases, by X-ray diffraction, within the most As-contaminated soils (up to 24,000 mg/kg) identified no As-bearing minerals but identified the major component as quartz (SiO2) with an array of minor and trace minerals. Further mineralogical investigation, using micro-Raman in the major As-contaminated soils (from Site B) as well as re-confirming the presence of the major mineral (quartz) additionally identified the As-bearing minerals pharmacosiderite (KFe4[(H2O)4(AsO4)3].6H2O) and mimetite (Pb5(AsO4)3Cl) in the trace mineral component, alongside amorphous carbon, chromite (FeCr2O4), goethite (α-FeO(OH)), gypsum (CaSO4.H2O), muscovite (KAl2(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2), magnetite (Fe3O4), martite (α-Fe2O3), psilomelane (Ba,H2O)2Mn5O10), pyrrhotite (Fe7S8) and rutile (TiO2). The identification and presence of several Fe-rich minerals could be considered as the major hosts of As in the soil matrix. It is concluded that while the soil contains elevated levels of As, it's lack of mobility in the soil, means that minimal remedial action is required provided the sites are left undisturbed and free of human endeavour and activity.

© 2018, The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration. Complete isolation of chromium (III) from the reference material (SARM 131), Upper Group 2 (UG2) chromite ore, and Merensky Reef mineral ore was achieved using ammonium phosphate salt as flux. Optimum pH (3.2–3.8) conditions and sample to flux ratios (1:25) were some of the factors that were critical for the complete isolation of chromium. Increasing the sample to flux ratio (1:50 excess) however resulted in the conversion of all the elements in the melt into a green solution (pH, 5.8–6.7). A different chromium compound was subsequently isolated from the green solution by allowing this solution to stand in an open vessel in a cupboard for a month during which time the pH decreased to pH 3.5–4.2. Quantitative analyses of chromium from the isolated precipitates of SARM 131, UG2 chromite ore, and Merensky Reef mineral ore indicated chromium contents of 41.87, 60.41, and 23.93% respectively which were very close to the chromium content in the original samples. Analysis of the chromium precipitates using IR indicated the presence of phosphates (1100–1200 cm−1) while SEM-EDX analysis showed the presence of microscopic crystalline particles with Cr, P, and O as the major elements. Further characterization of the chromium precipitates using XRD and Raman successfully identified the product as chromium (III) metaphosphate C-type (Cr(PO3)3, JCPDS no. 01-077-0672), in the isolated chromium precipitates.

© 2018, The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration. Complete isolation of chromium (III) from the reference material (SARM 131), Upper Group 2 (UG2) chromite ore, and Merensky Reef mineral ore was achieved using ammonium phosphate salt as flux. Optimum pH (3.2–3.8) conditions and sample to flux ratios (1:25) were some of the factors that were critical for the complete isolation of chromium. Increasing the sample to flux ratio (1:50 excess) however resulted in the conversion of all the elements in the melt into a green solution (pH, 5.8–6.7). A different chromium compound was subsequently isolated from the green solution by allowing this solution to stand in an open vessel in a cupboard for a month during which time the pH decreased to pH 3.5–4.2. Quantitative analyses of chromium from the isolated precipitates of SARM 131, UG2 chromite ore, and Merensky Reef mineral ore indicated chromium contents of 41.87, 60.41, and 23.93% respectively which were very close to the chromium content in the original samples. Analysis of the chromium precipitates using IR indicated the presence of phosphates (1100–1200 cm−1) while SEM-EDX analysis showed the presence of microscopic crystalline particles with Cr, P, and O as the major elements. Further characterization of the chromium precipitates using XRD and Raman successfully identified the product as chromium (III) metaphosphate C-type (Cr(PO3)3, JCPDS no. 01-077-0672), in the isolated chromium precipitates.

Among the new technologies developed for the heavy-duty fleet, the use of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) aftertreatment system in standard Diesel engines associated with biodiesel/diesel mixtures is an alternative in use to control the legislated pollutants emission. Nevertheless, there is an absence of knowledge about the synergic behaviour of these devices and biodiesel blends regarding the emissions of unregulated substances as the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Nitro-PAHs, both recognized for their carcinogenic and mutagenic effects on humans. Therefore, the goal of this study is the quantification of PAHs and Nitro-PAHs present to total particulate matter (PM) emitted from the Euro V engine fuelled with ultra-low sulphur diesel and soybean biodiesel in different percentages, B5 and B20. PM sampling was performed using a Euro V – SCR engine operating in European Stationary Cycle (ESC). The PAHs and Nitro-PAHs were extracted from PM using an Accelerated Solvent Extractor and quantified by GC–MS. The results indicated that the use of SCR and the largest fraction of biodiesel studied may suppress the emission of total PAHs. The Toxic Equivalent (TEQ) was lower when using 20% biodiesel, in comparison with 5% biodiesel on the SCR system, reaffirming the low toxicity emission using higher percentage biodiesel. The data also reveal that use of SCR, on its own, suppress the Nitro-PAHs compounds. In general, the use of larger fractions of biodiesel (B20) coupled with the SCR aftertreatment showed the lowest PAHs and Nitro-PAHs emissions, meaning lower toxicity and, consequently, a potential lower risk to human health. From the emission point of view, the results of this work also demonstrated the viability of the Biodiesel programs, in combination with the SCR systems, which does not require any engine adaptation and is an economical alternative for the countries (Brazil, China, Russia, India) that have not adopted Euro VI emission standards.

This paper describes the development of analytical methods for the accurate determination of scandium using ICP-OES in both natural scandium-containing and synthetic matrices. Scandium was quantified in different organometallic complexes (form of Sc(acac)3), inorganic salt ScCl3.H2O, Sc2O3, as well as columbite-tantalite ore and tailings from a commercial plant. The organometallic compounds were synthesised from ScCl3.H2O and different acetylacetone liquids as starting materials. Products were purified and characterised by elemental analysis, melting point and IR. Sc recoveries ranging from 75.04(3) to 99.96(4)% were obtained for different organometallic complexes while 99.70(5) and 100.1(5)% recoveries were obtained for ScCl3.H2O and Sc2O3, respectively. Low recoveries obtained for some of the synthesised organometallics were possibly due to the contaminated products and/or incomplete synthesis reactions. Optimum experimental conditions were investigated for the digestion of the ore tailings using NH4F.HF flux. Sc and other elements present in the mineral, namely Nb, Fe, Ti, Al, Mn, Sn, W, Ta, Zr and Y were quantitatively analysed using the newly developed optimum conditions (sample:flux 1:10, 200 degrees C, 60 min., dissolved in water). Sc recovery of ca. 94.23% was obtained., This paper describes the development of analytical methods for the accurate determination of scandium using ICP-OES in both natural scandium-containing and synthetic matrices. Scandium was quantified in different organometallic complexes (form of Sc(acac)3), inorganic salt ScCl3.H2O, Sc2O3, as well as columbite-tantalite ore and tailings from a commercial plant. The organometallic compounds were synthesised from ScCl3.H2O and different acetylacetone liquids as starting materials. Products were purified and characterised by elemental analysis, melting point and IR. Sc recoveries ranging from 75.04(3) to 99.96(4)% were obtained for different organometallic complexes while 99.70(5) and 100.1(5)% recoveries were obtained for ScCl3.H2O and Sc2O3, respectively. Low recoveries obtained for some of the synthesised organometallics were possibly due to the contaminated products and/or incomplete synthesis reactions. Optimum experimental conditions were investigated for the digestion of the ore tailings using NH4F.HF flux. Sc and other elements present in the mineral, namely Nb, Fe, Ti, Al, Mn, Sn, W, Ta, Zr and Y were quantitatively analysed using the newly developed optimum conditions (sample:flux 1:10, 200 degrees C, 60 min., dissolved in water). Sc recovery of ca. 94.23% was obtained.

Whilst vehicular and industrial contributions to the airborne particulate budget are well explored, the input due to building demolition is relatively unknown. Air quality is of importance to human health, and it is well known that composition of airborne particles can have a significant influence on both chronic and acute health effects. Road dust (RD) was collected before and after the demolition of a large building to elucidate changes in elemental profile. Rainfall and PM10 mass concentration data aided interpretation of the elemental data. Quantification of Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Rh, S, Si, Sn, Ti, V and Zn was carried out. It was found that only Al, K, Mg, Si and S increased in concentration across all size fractions after the building demolition. Risk assessment was then carried out on elements with applicable reference dose values to assess the potential health risks due to the demolition. Significant risk to children was observed for chromium and aluminium exposure. PM10, monitored 40 metres from the demolition site, indicated no abnormal concentrations during the demolition; however, rainfall data were shown to affect the concentration of PM10. The elemental data observed in this study could possibly indicate the role of increased sulphur concentrations (in this case as a result of the demolition) on the buffer capacity of RD, hence leaching metals into rainwater.

Many studies probing the link between air quality and health have pointed towards associations between particulate matter (PM) exposure and decreased lung function, aggravation of respiratory diseases like asthma, premature death and increased hospitalisation admissions for the elderly and individuals with cardiopulmonary diseases. Of recent, it is believed that the chemical composition and physical properties of PM may contribute significantly to these adverse health effects. As part of a Belgian Science Policy project (“Health effects of particulate matter in relation to physical–chemical characteristics and meteorology”), the chemical composition (elemental and ionic compositions) and physical properties (PM mass concentrations) of PM were investigated, indoors and outdoors of old age homes in Antwerp. The case reported here specifically relates to high versus normal/low pollution event periods. PM mass concentrations for PM1 and PM2.5 fractions were determined gravimetrically after collection via impaction. These same samples were hence analysed by EDXRF spectrometry and IC for their elemental and ionic compositions, respectively. During high pollution event days, PM mass concentrations inside the old age home reached 53 μg m− 3 and 32 μg m− 3 whilst outside concentrations were 101 μg m− 3 and 46 μg m− 3 for PM2.5 and PM1, respectively. The sum of nss-sulphate, nitrate and ammonium, dominate the composition of PM, and contribute the most towards an increase in the PM during the episode days constituting 64% of ambient PM2.5 (52 μg m− 3) compared to 39% on non-episode days (10 μg m− 3). Other PM components, such as mineral dust, sea salt or heavy metals were found to be considerably higher during PM episodes but relatively less important. Amongst heavy metals Zn and Pb were found at the highest concentrations in both PM2.5 and PM1. Acid–base ionic balance equations were calculated and point to acidic aerosols during event days and acidic to alkaline aerosols duri

Affordable coal often means utilisation of lower-grade coals with inevitably high content of mineral matter. The ash content and its chemical composition and structure give at best an approximation of the mineral/inorganic matter in the coal, as the high temperature ashing transforms the mineralogical structure and volatilises some of the elements, but additional low-temperature ashing results in minimal conversion of some of the minerals. XRD and QEMSCAN are limited in terms of detection limits as well as the problem of dealing with amorphous materials, so the structural information of the inorganic matter (amorphous or crystalline) can easily be provided by using micro-Raman Spectroscopy (mRS). It would be beneficial if this could be performed on the raw coal, on individual particles, and correlated with computer controlled scanning electron microscopy with X-ray detection (EPXMA). In this way, the association between the organic and inorganic matter of the coal could be probed on a single particle basis. The results of mRS and EPXMA of four different types of South African coals and their high- and low-temperature ashes showed that inorganic matter identified was quartz (mostly a), kaolinite (dominant in the low-temperature ashes), haematite, clays, and minor quantities of rutile, anatase, brookite, marcasite, pyrite and anhydrite., Affordable coal often means utilisation of lower-grade coals with inevitably high content of mineral matter. The ash content and its chemical composition and structure give at best an approximation of the mineral/inorganic matter in the coal, as the high temperature ashing transforms the mineralogical structure and volatilises some of the elements, but additional low-temperature ashing results in minimal conversion of some of the minerals. XRD and QEMSCAN are limited in terms of detection limits as well as the problem of dealing with amorphous materials, so the structural information of the inorganic matter (amorphous or crystalline) can easily be provided by using micro-Raman Spectroscopy (mRS). It would be beneficial if this could be performed on the raw coal, on individual particles, and correlated with computer controlled scanning electron microscopy with X-ray detection (EPXMA). In this way, the association between the organic and inorganic matter of the coal could be probed on a single particle basis. The results of mRS and EPXMA of four different types of South African coals and their high- and low-temperature ashes showed that inorganic matter identified was quartz (mostly a), kaolinite (dominant in the low-temperature ashes), haematite, clays, and minor quantities of rutile, anatase, brookite, marcasite, pyrite and anhydrite.