Assessing the current state of plastic pollution research in Antarctica: Knowledge gaps and recommendations.

Antarctica stands as one of the most isolated and pristine regions on our planet. Regardless, recent studies have evidenced the presence of plastic pollution in Antarctic environments and biota. While these findings are alarming and put into perspective the reach of plastic pollution, it is necessary to assess the current knowledge of plastic pollution in Antarctica. In the present review, an updated literature review of plastic pollution in multiple Antarctic environmental compartments and biota was conducted. Studies were cataloged based on environmental compartments (e.g., sediments, seawater, soil, atmosphere) and biota from different ecological niches. A detailed analysis of the main findings, as well as the flaws and shortcomings across studies, was conducted. In general terms, several studies have shown a lack of adequate sampling and analytical procedures for plastic research (particularly in the case of microplastics) and standard procedures; thus, compromising the reliability of the data reported and comparability across studies. Aiming to guide future studies and highlight research needs, a list of knowledge gaps and recommendations were provided based on the analysis and discussion of the literature and following standardized procedures.

Mono and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in waterpipe wastewater: Level and ecotoxicological risk assessment.

Increasing of tobacco consumption around the world has led to the production of a large volume of waterpipe wastewater that enter the environment (e.g., coastal areas)and threaten aquatic creatures. However, until now, no research has been carried out on the amounts of monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in hookah wastewater. In the current study, the levels of PAHs and BTEX compounds in waterpipe wastewater resulting from the use of different tobacco brands were determined and their eco-toxicological effects were also evaluated. The mean levels of Æ©PAHs in waterpipe wastewater of Al Tawareg, Al-Fakher, Nakhla, Tangiers and traditional tobacco brands samples were 3.48 ± 1.65, 3.33 ± 1.52, 3.08 ± 1.25, 2.41 ± 0.87 and 0.70 ± 0.13 µg/L, respectively. The mean levels of Æ©BTEX in waterpipe wastewater of Al Tawareg, Al-Fakher, Nakhla, Tangiers and traditional tobacco brands samples were also 2.53 ± 0.61, 2.65 ± 0.78, 2.51 ± 0.72, 2.35 ± 0.56, and 0.78 ± 0.12 µg/L, respectively. The maximum level of PAHs and BTEX compounds in all brands/flavors samples were for naphthalene (Naph) and toluene, respectively. The concentrations of some PAHs (fluoranthene (Flrt), anthracene (Ant), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BkF), benzo (g,h,i)perylene (BghiP) and dibenzo (a, h) anthracene (DahA)) and BTEX compounds (benzene) in the waterpipe wastewater samples were more than recommended guidelines and standards by the international reputable organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO) for water quality. Waterpipe wastewater can be introduced as an important origin for the release of these dangerous contaminants into the environmental matrixes. Therefore, more stringent regulations should be considered for the safe disposal of such hazardous wastes including waterpipe wastewater.

Risk control of heavy metal in waste incinerator ash by available solidification scenarios in cement production based on waste flow analysis.

Incineration is a common method in municipal solid waste management, which has several advantages such as reducing the volume of waste, but with concerns about exhaust gas and ash management. In this study, heavy metals in bottom ash, secondary furnace ash and fly ash of two waste incinerators in Tehran and Nowshahr were analyzed and its control in cement production was investigated. For this purpose, twelve monthly samples of three types of incinerator ash were analyzed. By combining the studied ashes in the raw materials, the quantity of metals in the cement was analyzed. Finally, by investigating four scenarios based on quantitative variations in the routes of municipal solid waste, ash quantity and the related risk caused by its heavy metals were studied. The results showed that the concentration of heavy metals in the three ash samples of the studied incinerators was 19,513-23,972 µg/g and the composition of the metals included Hg (less than 0.01%), Pb (2.93%), Cd (0.59%), Cu (21.51%), Zn (58.7%), As (less than 0.01%), Cr (15.88%), and Ni (0.91%). The best quality of produced cement included 20% ash and 10% zeolite, which was the basis of the next calculations. It was estimated that the reduction of the release of metals into the environment includes 37 gr/day in best scenario equal to 10.6 tons/year. Ash solidification can be considered as a complementary solution in waste incinerator management.

A review of endocrine disrupting chemicals migration from food contact materials into beverages.

A significant and pressing issue revolves around the potential human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which pose a substantial risk primarily through contaminated beverages. However, a comprehensive review for comparison of the migration rates of EDCs into these matrixes is currently lacking. This study reviews the beverages contamination with EDCs, including phthalates (PAEs), bisphenol A (BPA), hormone-like compounds, elements, and other organic EDCs. Also, the EDCs migration into milk and other dairy products, coffee, tea, and cold beverages related to their release from contact materials, preparation components, and storage conditions are briefly summarized. The data illustrates that besides the contamination of raw materials, the presence of EDCs associated with the type of food contact materials (FCMs)and their migration rate is increased with acidity, temperature, and storage time. The highest concentration of PAEs was detected from plastic and synthetic polymer films, while BPA strongly leaches from epoxy resins and canned metal. Furthermore, the presence of elements with endocrine disrupting characteristics was confirmed in cold beverages, soft drinks, hot drink and milk. Moreover, hormone-like compounds have been found to be released from coffee preparation components. Despite the few data about the migration rate of other EDCs including UV-stabilizers, surfactants, and antibacterial compounds into beverages, their presence was reported into milk, coffee, and different beverages, especially in packed samples. Studies on the EDCs leaching have primarily focused on PAEs and BPA, while other compounds require further investigation. Regardless, the possible risk that EDCs pose to humans through beverage consumption cannot be overlooked.

Occurrence of microplastics in edible tissues of livestock (cow and sheep).

Plastic contamination is widely recognized as a major environmental concern due to the entry of small plastic particles into the food chain, thereby posing potential hazards to human health. However, the current understanding of microplastic (MP; < 5 mm) particles in livestock, which serve as an important food source, is limited. This study aims to investigate the concentration and characteristics of MPs in edible tissues of cow and sheep, namely liver, meat, and tripe, obtained from butcher shops in five areas of Bushehr port, Iran. The mean concentration of MPs in different tissues of cow and sheep were 0.14 and 0.13 items/g, respectively. Among the examined tissues, cow meat exhibited the highest concentration of MPs, with a concentration of 0.19 items/g. Nylon and fiber were identified as the predominant polymer types and shapes of MPs found in cow and sheep tissues, respectively. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was observed in MP concentration across different tissues of cow and sheep. Significantly, this study highlights the elevated hazards associated with exposure to MPs through the consumption of edible cow and sheep tissues, particularly for children who consume meat. The results underscore the potential transfer of MPs from the environment to livestock bodies through their food, contamination during meat processing, and subsequent health hazards for consumers.

Phthalate esters pollution in the leachate, soil, and water around a landfill near the sea, Iran.

This investigation aimed to scrutinize the level of phthalate esters (PEs) in the landfill leachate of a coastal city in the north of the Persian Gulf and the sensitive ecosystem (soil and water) around it. Soil (two depths) and water samples were prepared from 5 stations in wet and dry seasons. The studied landfill leachate contained 114-303 µg/L of phthalates. The highest concentration of phthalates was related to bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (3257 ng/g) in the wet season at surface soil (0-5 cm) in the landfill site, while the lowest one (6 ng/g) belonged to dimethyl phthalate at sub-surface soil at 700 m from the landfill in the dry season. A significant change in the level of Σ6PEs in the dry (303 µg/L) and wet (114 µg/L) seasons (P ≤ 0.05) was observed for water samples. The PE concentrations in wet times were higher in all soil depths than in dry times. With increasing depth, the content of phthalates decreased in all studied environments. A direct relationship was observed between the phthalates concentration and the pH value of leachate/water and soil. The PEs concentration was linked to electrical conductivity (leachate: R2 = 0.65, P < 0.01 and surface soil: R2 = 0.77, P < 0.05) and the soil organic content. The ecological risk of di-n-butyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and di-n-octyl phthalate in the wet season was greater than one. The results showed that significant levels of phthalate esters are released from landfills to the surrounding environment, which requires adequate measures to maintain the health of the ecosystem and nearby residents.

Lactational Exposure of Human Infants to Metal (loid)s: A Comparison of Industrial and Urban Inhabitants in North of the Persian Gulf.

In this study, postnatal metal (loid)s (MLs) exposure was compared between the petrochemical and gas area of Asaluyeh (PGA) and urban area of Kaki (UA) in Bushehr province, Iran. Two hundred human breast milk (BM) samples from the industrial and urban areas were analyzed for MLs using Inductivity Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and nickel (Ni) were found at the highest levels in both study areas. Adjusted multiple linear regression models revealed that the mean concentration of total MLs in BM samples collected from the PGA was statistically significantly greater than that of the UA (655.85 vs. 338.17 µg/L). Also, the mean concentrations of all detected MLs in BM samples collected from the PGA were statistically significantly higher than those collected from the UA. The hazard index (HI) of combined MLs in the PGA and UA illustrated non-cancer risk for infants. Lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) in the PGA and Cr in the UA showed the risk of cancer. So it can be concluded that nursing infants from an industrial area are most at risk for MLs exposure during entire lactation course than those from an urban area.

Analysis of microplastics in ships ballast water and its ecological risk assessment studies from the Persian Gulf.

Transport of ballast water is considered a significant vector for dispersion of different pollutants, including microplastics (MPs), throughout the world's oceans. However, there is limited information on MPs in ballast water. Size distribution, polymer type, and ecological risks of MPs in ballast water were investigated for the first time in this study. The mean levels of MPs in ballast water and seawater samples were 12.53 and 11.80 items/L, respectively. MPs with a size category of 50-300 µm was the most abundant. Fiber, black, and polycarbonate (PC) were the predominant shape, color, and polymer type of identified MPs in ballast water and seawater, respectively. The pollution load index (PLI), hazard index (HI), and risk quotient (RQ) indicated high levels of MP pollution, potentially indicating an ecological risk. These findings increase our understanding of the major sources (such as ballast water), transportation routes, and related ecological risks of MPs to marine ecosystems.

Elucidating nicotine transfer into water environments via cigarette butt remaining parts.

Nicotine, the main alkaloid in tobacco, enters water environments through discarded cigarette butts (CBs), possibly causing detrimental effects. However, there is no comprehensive investigation on the long-term leaching of nicotine from the different CBs parts. Therefore, in the present study, the ecological risk and the leachate levels of nicotine from different CBs parts were investigated. Freshly smoked CBs, aged CBs collected from streets, remaining tobacco and ash of freshly smoked CBs, and filter plus paper of freshly smoked CBs were evaluated for the leachate experiments. The order of nicotine leachate from different types of CBs and parts investigated were as remaining tobacco plus ash of freshly smoked CBs > freshly smoked CBs > aged CBs > filter plus paper of freshly smoked CBs with the ranges of 5.73-17.34, 0.36-8.6, 0.31-4.12, and 0.17-2.79 mg of nicotine per g of CB or remaining parts (mg g-1), respectively. The ecological risk assessment revealed that nicotine leachates from all the CBs types or their remaining parts could be highly hazardous to fish, cladocerans, algae, and Daphnia magna. Based on the mean leachate levels of nicotine via freshly smoked CBs at exposure times of 1 min to 1 month and the estimated number of littered CBs every year on a worldwide scale, freshly smoked CBs may release 380-7065 tons of nicotine into water environments.

Accumulation, sources, and health risks of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in road dust from heavily industrialized, urban and rural areas in southern Iran.

In this research, a total of 51 road dust samples were collected from three districts (Asaluyeh, Bushehr, and Goshoui) in the south of Iran from April to June 2022 and analyzed for the concentration of 7 phthalic acid esters (PAEs) compounds. Asaluyeh was considered as an industrial area (near gas and petrochemical industries), Bushehr as an urban area, and Goshoui as a rural area (far from pollution sources). The PAEs concentration of the street dust samples was determined using a mass detection gas chromatography (GC/MS). The mean ± SD levels of Æ©PAEs in samples from industrial, urban, and rural sources were 56.9 ± 11.5, 18.3 ± 9.64, and 5.68 ± 1.85 µg/g, respectively. The mean concentration levels of Æ©PAEs was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in samples from the industrial area than urban and rural areas. The mean levels of di(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in industrial, urban, and rural areas were 20.3 ± 8.76, 4.59 ± 1.71, and 2.35 ± 0.98 µg/g, respectively. The results of the PCA analysis indicate that the likely major sources of PAEs in the road dust in the studied areas are the application of various plasticizers in industry, solvents, chemical fertilizers, waste disposal, wastewater (e.g., agricultural, domestic, and industrial), and the use of plastic films and plastic-based irrigation pipes in greenhouses. As well as, it was found that the non-cancer risk of exposure to dust-bound PAEs was higher for children than for adults. These values were <1 for both age groups (children and adults) and the exposure of inhabitants to PAEs in road dust did not pose a notable non-cancer risk. The cancer risk from exposure to DEHP in road dust was below the standard range of 10-6 in all three areas. Further studies that consider different routes of exposure to these contaminants are needed for an accurate risk assessment. Moreover, since higher PAEs level was found in industrial area, decision-makers should adopt strict strategies to control the discharging of pollution from industries to the environment and human societies.

First report on BTEX leaching from waterpipe tobacco wastes (WTWs) into aquatic environment.

Waterpipe tobacco wastes (WTWs) may contain considerable levels of hazardous contaminants such as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, and m/p-xylene). However, no research has been carried out on BTEX levels in WTWs and the release of these pollutants into the water environment. This research examined the levels of BTEX in WTWs of flavored/local tobacco and also the release rate of these toxins into three kinds of water, including seawater (SW), tap water (TW), and distilled water (DW) with different leaching times (15, 30 min, 1.2, 4, 8 h, and 1, 2, and 4 days). The mean contents of BTEX in WTW samples of Al-Mahmoud, Al-Fakher, Mazaya, Al-Ayan brands, and local tobacco samples were 17.0 ± 4.14, 19.1 ± 4.65, 19.6 ± 4.19, 18.8 ± 4.14, and 3.16 ± 0.63 µg/kg, respectively. The mean BTEX levels in flavored tobacco samples were considerably greater than that of local tobacco (p < 0.05). The WTWs leaching experiments showed that the levels of BTEX ranged from 5.26 to 6.12, 5.02-5.60, and 3.83-5.46 µg/L in DW, TW, and SW, respectively. All target compounds were found for all exposure times in DW, TW, and SW samples. After adding sodium azide as an antibacterial agent to water samples (simulating biodegradation processes), higher levels of BTEX compounds were detected in SW. Further research is needed to address the potential environmental hazards due to WTWs leaching into aquatic environments.

Occurrence and risk characterization of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in seafood from the Persian Gulf.

Potential exposure to 14 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through seafood consumption was investigated in widely consumed seafood (Platycephalus indicus, Lethrinus nebulosus, and Penaeus semisulcatus) from the Persian Gulf. A total of 61 samples of fish and prawns were purchased from local fishers at Bushehr port (Persian Gulf, South-West of Iran) and were analyzed for PFAS compounds. In addition, potential factors influencing factor of PFAS bioaccumulation in fish and invertebrates such as age, sex, and habitat, were investigated. Æ©PFAS concentrations were in the range of 2.3- 6.1 ng/g-d.w (mean = 3.9 ± 1.9) in studied species which are equal to 0.46-1.2 ng/g-w.w according to their conversion factor. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was the most abundant perfluorinated compound in studied organisms and tissues. The results of correlation analysis showed that the bioaccumulation of PFAS in aquatic organisms is significantly correlated to the length of the compound's carbon chain, the identity of anionic group, and organism's age, sex, and habitant. The risk assessment using hazard index calculation and Monte-Carlo simulation indicated that weekly consumption of prawn and fish fillets does not pose a health risk to adults but might threaten children's health. However, the risk posed by PFAS exposure via entire fish or fish liver intake is an important issue for wild marine mammals (i.e., dolphins). So, accurate and routine monitoring of PFAS in aquatic environments seems mandatory to preserve wildlife and human health in the Persian Gulf.

Microplastics and phthalate esters release from teabags into tea drink: occurrence, human exposure, and health risks.

Tea, the most common infusion worldwide, is usually sold in teabags due to the ease of usage. The increase in the use of plastic materials in the food packaging industry has led to an increase in released contaminants, such as microplastics (MPs) and phthalates (PAEs), in various food products including teabags. In this research, the abundance and features of MPs as well as PAEs concentration were investigated in 45 teabag samples of different Persian and German brands. The abundance of MPs in the Persian and German teabag samples was averagely 412.32 and 147.28 items/single teabag, respectively. Also, average PAEs levels in the Persian and German teabag samples were 2.87 and 2.37 mg/g, respectively. The predominant size category of MPs was related to 100-250 µm. Fibers and transparent were the dominant shape and color of detected MPs in teabags, respectively. Polyethylene (PE) and nylon were the most common MP polymer types. The most prominent PAEs congeners in teabag samples were diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP). Furthermore, MP exposure hazard through tea ingestion was analyzed for children and adults. DEHP showed the cancer risk (CR) for children and adults. The findings of this research indicated that high MPs and PAEs levels are released from teabags into tea drinks. Considering a daily drinking of a volume of 150 and 250 mL tea by children and adults, 486 and 810 MPs may enter their bodies, respectively. Thus, tea prepared with teabag-packed herbs may pose a significant health risk for consumers.

Contaminant occurrence, distribution and ecological risk assessment of phthalate esters in the Persian Gulf.

Due to the increasing population of the world, the presence of harmful compounds, especially phthalate esters (PAEs), are one of the important problems of environmental pollution. These compounds are known as carcinogenic compounds and Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) for humans. In this study, the occurrence of PAEs and the evaluation of its ecological risks were carried out in the Persian Gulf. Water samples were collected from two industrial sites, a rural site and an urban site. Samples were analyzed using magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technique to measure seven PAEs including Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), and Di-iso-butyl phthalate (DIBP). The BBP was not detected in any of the samples. The total concentration of six PAEs (Σ6PAEs) ranged from 7.23 to 23.7 µg/L, with a mean concentration of 13.7µg/L. The potential ecological risk of each target PAEs was evaluated by using the risk quotient (RQ) method in seawater samples, and the relative results declined in the sequence of DEHP >DIBP > DBP > DEP > DMP in examined water samples. DEHP had a high risk to algae, crustaceans and fish at all sites. While DMP and DEP showed lower risk for all mentioned trophic levels. The results of this study will be helpful for the implementation of effective control measures and remedial strategies for PAEs pollution in the Persian Gulf.

Plastic and paint debris in marine protected areas of Peru.

Contamination with anthropogenic debris, such as plastic and paint particles, has been widely investigated in the global marine environment. However, there is a lack of information regarding their presence in marine protected areas (MPAs). In the present study, the abundance, distribution, and chemical characteristics of microplastics (MPs; <5 mm), mesoplastics (MePs; 5-25 mm), and paint particles were investigated in multiple environmental compartments of two MPAs from Peru. The characteristics of MPs across surface water, bottom sediments, and fish guts were similar, primarily dominated by blue fibers. On the other hand, MePs and large MPs (1-5 mm) were similar across sandy beaches. Several particles were composite materials consisting of multiple layers confirmed as alkyd resins by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, which were typical indicators of marine coatings. The microstructure of paint particles showed differentiated topography across layers, as well as different elemental compositions. Some layers displayed amorphous structures with Ba-, Cr-, and Ti-based additives. However, the leaching and impact of potentially toxic additives in paint particles require further investigation. The accumulation of multiple types of plastic and paint debris in MPAs could pose a threat to conservation goals. The current study contributed to the knowledge regarding anthropogenic debris contamination in MPAs and further elucidated the physical and chemical properties of paint particles in marine environments. While paint particles may look similar to MPs and MePs, more attention should be given to these contaminants in places where intense maritime activity takes place.

Occurrence and ecological risks of microplastics and phthalate esters in organic solid wastes: In a landfill located nearby the Persian Gulf.

Landfill sites are the main source of plastic waste. Thus, municipal solid waste (MSW) in landfills may act as a reservior of microplastics (MPs) and related pollutants such as phthalate esters (PAEs) into surrounding environment. However, there is limited information on MPs and PAEs in landfill sites. Levels of MPs and PAEs in organic solid waste disposed in a landfill of Bushehr port were investigated for the first time in this study. The mean MPs and PAEs levels in organic MSW samples were 12.3 items/g and 7.99 µg/g, respectively, and the mean PAEs concentration in MPs was 87.5 µg/g. The highest number of MPs was related to the size classes of >1000 µm and <25 µm. The highest dominant type, color, and shape of MPs in organic MSW were nylon, white/transparent, and fragments, respectively. Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) were the dominant compounds of PAEs in organic MSW. Based on the finding of present study, MPs showed a high hazard index (HI). DEHP, dioctyl phthalate (DOP), and DiBP demonstrated high-level hazards for sensitive organisms in water. This work illustrated considerable MPs and PAEs levels from an uncontrolled landfill without adequate protection, possibly contributing to their release into the environment. The sites of landfill located near marine environments, such as Bushehr port landfill adjacent to the Persian Gulf, may indicate critical threats to marine organisms and the food chain. Continuous landfills control and monitoring, especially the ones near the coastal area, is highly recommended to prevent further environmental pollution.

Assessment of health risk and burden of disease induced by exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene in the outdoor air in Tehran, Iran.

The health risk and burden of disease induced by exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) in the outdoor air in Tehran, 2019 were assessed based on the data of five fixed stations with weekly BTEX measurements. The non-carcinogenic risk, carcinogenic risk, and disease burden from exposure to BTEX compounds were determined by hazard index (HI), incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), and disability-adjusted life year (DALY), respectively. The average annual concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene in the outdoor air in Tehran were 6.59, 21.62, 4.68, and 20.88 µg/m3, respectively. The lowest seasonal BTEX concentrations were observed in spring and the highest ones occurred in summer. The HI values of BTEX in the outdoor air in Tehran by district ranged from 0.34 to 0.58 (less than one). The average ILCR values of benzene and ethylbenzene were 5.37 × 10-5 and 1.23 × 10-5, respectively (in the range of probable increased cancer risk). The DALYs, death, DALY rate (per 100,000 people) and death rate (per 100,000 people) induced by BTEX exposure in the outdoor air in Tehran were determined to be 180.21, 3.51, 2.07, and 0.04, respectively. The five highest attributable DALY rates in Tehran by district were observed in the districts 10 (2.60), 11 (2.43), 17 (2.41), 20 (2.32), and 9 (2.32), respectively. The corrective measures such as controlling road traffic and improving the quality of vehicles and gasoline in Tehran could reduce the burden of disease from BTEX along with the health effects of other outdoor air pollutants.

Micro- and mesoplastic pollution along the coast of Peru.

Peru suffers from poor solid waste and coastal management, as well as evidenced plastic pollution in various forms. However, studies in Peru focusing on small plastic debris (i.e., meso- and microplastics) are still limited and inconclusive. Thus, the present study investigated the abundance, characteristics, seasonality, and distribution of small plastic debris along the coast of Peru. The abundance of small plastic debris is predominantly driven by specific locations, where a source of contamination is present, rather than presenting seasonal patterns. Meso- and microplastics were strongly correlated in both seasons (summer and winter), suggesting meso-plastic constantly breaking down as microplastic sources. Additionally, heavy metals (e.g., Cu, Pb) were found in low concentrations (mean concentrations < 0.4%) on the surface of some mesoplastics. Here, we provided a baseline on the multiple factors involving small plastic debris on the Peruvian coast and preliminarily identify associated contaminants.

Post-consumption waterpipe tobacco waste as an unrecognized source of toxic metal(loid)s leachates into aquatic environments.

Waterpipe is a common form of tobacco smoking, and recently, its use has been increasing globally. Therefore, concern arises regarding the large quantity of post-consumption waterpipe tobacco waste produced and released into the environment and which can contain high levels of dangerous pollutants such as toxic meta(loid)s. This study reports the concentrations of meta(loid)s in waste from fruit-flavoured and traditional tobacco smoking as well as the release rate of these pollutants from waterpipe tobacco waste into three types of water. These include distilled water, tap water, and seawater and contact times ranging from 15 min to 70 days. The mean concentration levels of Æ©metal(loid)s in waste samples of Al-mahmoud, Al-Fakher, Mazaya, Al-Ayan brands and traditional tobacco brands were 212 ± 92.8, 198 ± 94.4, 197 ± 75.7, 214 ± 85.8 and 40.6 ± 16.1 µg/g, respectively. The concentration levels of Æ©metal(loid)s in fruit-flavoured tobacco samples were significantly higher than for traditional tobacco samples (p < 0.05). It was found that waterpipe tobacco wastes leached toxic metal(loid)s into different water samples with similar trends. In addition distribution coefficients showed that most metal(loid)s are highly likely to enter the liquid phase. The concentration levels of these pollutants (except Ni and As) in deionized water and tap water exceeded the surface fresh water standards for sustaining aquatic life during long contact time (up to 70 days). In seawater, concentration levels of Cu and Zn exceeded the recommended standards for maintaining aquatic life in the sea. Therefore, due to the possibility of contamination by soluble metal(loid)s through disposal of waterpipe tobacco waste in wastewater, there is concern that these toxic chemicals might enter the human food chain. Appropriate regulatory measures for disposal of waterpipe tobacco waste are necessary to prevent environmental pollution due to discarded wastes into aquatic ecosystems.