Unmasking Spatial Heterogeneity in Phytotoxicology Mechanisms Induced by Carbamazepine by Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Multiomics Analyses.

Previous studies have highlighted the toxicity of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in plants, yet understanding their spatial distribution within plant tissues and specific toxic effects remains limited. This study investigates the spatial-specific toxic effects of carbamazepine (CBZ), a prevalent PPCP, in plants. Utilizing desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI), CBZ and its transformation products were observed predominantly at the leaf edges, with 2.3-fold higher concentrations than inner regions, which was confirmed by LC-MS. Transcriptomic and metabolic analyses revealed significant differences in gene expression and metabolite levels between the inner and outer leaf regions, emphasizing the spatial location's role in CBZ response. Notably, photosynthesis-related genes were markedly downregulated, and photosynthetic efficiency was reduced at leaf edges. Additionally, elevated oxidative stress at leaf edges was indicated by higher antioxidant enzyme activity, cell membrane impairment, and increased free fatty acids. Given the increased oxidative stress at the leaf margins, the study suggests using in situ Raman spectroscopy for early detection of CBZ-induced damage by monitoring reactive oxygen species levels. These findings provide crucial insights into the spatial toxicological mechanisms of CBZ in plants, forming a basis for future spatial toxicology research of PPCPs.

De facto Water Reuse: Investigating the Fate and Transport of Chemicals of Emerging Concern from Wastewater Discharge through Drinking Water Treatment Using Non-targeted Analysis and Suspect Screening.

Wastewater is a source for many contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), and surface waters receiving wastewater discharge often serve as source water for downstream drinking water treatment plants. Nontargeted analysis and suspect screening methods were used to characterize chemicals in residence-time-weighted grab samples and companion polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) collected on three separate hydrologic sampling events along a surface water flow path representative of de facto water reuse. The goal of this work was to examine the fate of CECs along the study flow path as water is transported from wastewater effluent through drinking water treatment. Grab and POCIS samples provided a comparison between residence-time-weighted single-point and integrative sample results. This unique and rigorous study design, coupled with advanced analytical chemistry tools, provided important insights into chemicals found in drinking water and their potential sources, which can be used to help prioritize chemicals for further study. K-means clustering analysis was used to identify patterns in chemical occurrences across both sampling sites and sampling events. Chemical features that occurred frequently or survived drinking water treatment were prioritized for identification, resulting in the probable identification of over 100 CECs in the watershed and 28 CECs in treated drinking water.

Origin, types, and contribution of emerging pollutants to environmental degradation and their remediation by physical and chemical techniques.

The growing presence of emerging pollutants (EPs) in aquatic environments, as well as their harmful impacts on the biosphere and humans, has become a global concern. Recent developments and advancements in pharmaceuticals, agricultural practices, industrial activities, and human personal care substances have paved the way for drastic changes in EP concentrations and impacts on the ecosystem. As a result, it is critical to mitigate EP's harmful effects before they jeopardize the ecological equilibrium of the overall ecosystem and the sustainable existence of life on Earth. This review comprehensively documented the types, origins, and remediation strategies of EPs, and underscored the significance of this study in the current context. We briefly stated the major classification of EPs based on their organic and inorganic nature. Furthermore, this review systematically evaluates the occurrence of EPs due to the fast-changing ecological scenarios and their impact on human health. Recent studies have critically discussed the emerging physical and chemical processes for EP removal, highlighting the limitations of conventional remediation technologies. We reviewed and presented the challenges associated with EP remediation and degradation using several methods, including physical and chemical methods, with the application of recent technologies. The EP types and various methods discussed in this review help the researchers understand the nature of present-day EPs and utilize an efficient method of choice for EP removal and management in the future for sustainable life and development activities on the planet.

Female offspring of mice perinatally exposed to benzophenone-3 showed early subfertility linked to a poor oocyte stockpile.

Previously, we found that the ultraviolet filter benzophenone-3 (BP3) causes fetal growth restriction in mice when is applied when implantation occurs (first week of gestation). However, whether BP3 can affect gestation and fertility after implantation period is unknown. We aimed to study the effects on reproductive physiology of the offspring caused by perinatal exposure to BP3. C57BL/6 pregnant mice were dermally exposed to 50 mg BP3/kg bw.day or olive oil (vehicle) from gestation day 9 (gd9) to postnatal day 21 (pnd1). We observed no differences in mother's weights, duration of gestation, number of pups per mother, onset of puberty or sex ratio. The weights of the pups exposed to benzophenone-3 were transiently lower than those of the control. Estrous cycle was not affected by perinatal exposure to BP3. Besides, we performed a fertility assessment by continuous breeding protocol: at 10 weeks of age, one F1 female and one F1 male mouse from each group was randomly chosen from each litter and housed together for a period of 6 months. We noticed a reduction in the number of deliveries per mother among dams exposed to BP3 during the perinatal period. To see if this decreased fertility could be associated to an early onset of oocytes depletion, we estimated the ovarian reserve of germ cells. We found reduced number of oocytes and primordial follicles in BP3. In conclusion, perinatal exposure to BP3 leads to a decline in the reproductive capacity of female mice in a continuous breeding protocol linked to oocyte depletion.

Urinary phenols and parabens exposure in relation to urinary incontinence in the US population.

BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to investigate the impact of urinary concentrations of personal care products (PCPs)-related phenols (PNs) and parabens (PBs), including Triclosan (TCS), Bisphenol A (BPA), Benzophenone-3 (BP-3), Butylparaben (BPB), Ethylparaben (EPB), Methylparaben (MPB), and Propylparaben (PPB), on urinary incontinence (UI) occurrence. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning the years 2007 to 2016. Regression analysis was employed to investigate the relationship between exposure to PCPs-related substances, various levels of exposure, and UI within both the general population and the female demographic. Additionally, the Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) model was used to assess the effects of mixtures on UI. RESULTS: Our analysis comprised 7,690 participants who self-reported their diagnosis. Among them, 12.80% experienced stress urinary incontinence (SUI), 11.80% reported urge urinary incontinence (UUI), and 10.22% exhibited mixed urinary incontinence (MUI). In our fully adjusted multivariable models, BP-3 exposure exhibited a positive association with SUI (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.14, p = 0.045). BPA exposure correlated with an increased risk of UUI (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.01-1.44, p = 0.046) and MUI (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.02-1.54, p = 0.029). TCS exposure displayed a negative correlation with the incidence of MUI (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79-0.97, p = 0.009). No significant links were observed between parabens and urinary incontinence. Notably, among the female population, our investigation revealed that BPA exposure heightened the risk of MUI (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.01-1.63, p = 0.043). Participants in the highest tertile of BP-3 exposure demonstrated elevated likelihoods of SUI and MUI compared to those in the lowest tertile. In the BKMR analysis, negative trends were observed between the mixture and the risks of UUI and MUI when the mixture ranged from the 25th to the 40th and 35th to the 40th percentiles or above, respectively. Additionally, a positive trend was identified between the mixture and MUI when it was in the 40th to 55th percentile. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our findings suggest that exposure to BPA, TCS, and BP-3 may contribute to the development of urinary incontinence.

Prioritization of chemicals in personal care products based on persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) potential: An Indian perspective.

Numerous organic ingredients present in Personal care products (PCPs) are being detected in sewage which has a high potential to impact the environment. These compounds are called as Emerging contaminants (ECs) or Contaminants of emerging concern. However, the information on the source and occurrence of ECs present in PCPs is very minimal. Specifically, information on the persistence (P), bioaccumulation (B) and toxicity (T) is very scarce. The determination of PBT properties is a complex task given the magnitude of chemicals, thus it is necessary to have a tool to quickly screen and prioritize the most important compounds. Estimation Program Interface (EPI) Suite™ is one such tool authorized by United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) for screening purposes. In the present study, several organic compounds present in the PCPs viz. body lotion, sunscreens, moisturizers, hair dyes, and some hair care products were identified and their PBT property was estimated. The results from the study indicate that the order of increasing occurrence of PBT chemicals is sunscreens > moisturizers > body lotion > hair care products > hair dyes. The prioritized compounds were given rank 1 (maximum concern) to rank 4 (minimum concern). From the results, the compounds octocrylene in sunscreens and butylphenyl methylpropional in body lotions were prioritized as Rank 1.

A sustainable and innovative method to determine parabens in body creams for exposure and risk assessment.

Methylparaben (MeP), ethylparaben (EtP), propylparaben (PrP), and butylparaben (BuP) are among the most widely used preservatives in cosmetics, drugs, and foods. These compounds have been associated with toxic effects due to the overuse of products with parabens in their formulation. The toxicity of parabens may be correlated to endocrine disruption, owing to their ability to mimic the actions of estradiol. In this paper, a simple, sustainable, robust, and innovative dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) technique was developed and employed to extract these xenobiotics from body cream samples, aiming to calculate the margin of safety (MoS) to assess the risk of exposure. The validated method presented suitable linearity (r > 0.99), lower limits of detection (ranging from 0.01 to 0.04 % w/w), and satisfactory precision and accuracy (ranging from 4.33 to 10.47, and from -14.25 to 13.85, respectively). Seven of the ten analysed samples presented paraben contents within the acceptable concentration according to European legislation. The MoS value obtained for PrP (37.58) suggested its reduced safety, indicating that PrP may significantly contribute to systemic exposure resulting from the use of personal care products.

Laccase immobilization and its degradation of emerging pollutants: A comprehensive review.

The chronic lack of effective disposal of pollutants has resulted in the detection of a wide variety of EPs in the environment, with concentrations high enough to affect ecological health. Laccase, as a versatile oxidase capable of catalyzing a wide range of substrates and without producing toxic by-products, is a potential candidate for the biodegradation of pollutants. Immobilization can provide favorable protection for free laccase, improve the stability of laccase in complex environments, and greatly enhance the reusability of laccase, which is significant in reducing the cost of industrial applications. This study introduces the properties of laccase and subsequently elaborate on the different support materials for laccase immobilization. The research advances in the degradation of EDs, PPCPs, and PAHs by immobilized laccase are then reviewed. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of laccase immobilization, as well as the advantages of various support materials, facilitating the development of more economical and efficient immobilization systems that can be put into practice to achieve the green degradation of EPs.

Decoding Cosmetic Complexities: A Comprehensive Guide to Matrix Composition and Pretreatment Technology.

Despite advancements in analytical technologies, the complex nature of cosmetic matrices, coupled with the presence of diverse and trace unauthorized additives, hinders the application of these technologies in cosmetics analysis. This not only impedes effective regulation of cosmetics but also leads to the continual infiltration of illegal products into the market, posing serious health risks to consumers. The establishment of cosmetic regulations is often based on extensive scientific experiments, resulting in a certain degree of latency. Therefore, timely advancement in laboratory research is crucial to ensure the timely update and adaptability of regulations. A comprehensive understanding of the composition of cosmetic matrices and their pretreatment technologies is vital for enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of cosmetic detection. Drawing upon the China National Medical Products Administration's 2021 Cosmetic Classification Rules and Classification Catalogue, we streamline the wide array of cosmetics into four principal categories based on the following compositions: emulsified, liquid, powdered, and wax-based cosmetics. In this review, the characteristics, compositional elements, and physicochemical properties inherent to each category, as well as an extensive overview of the evolution of pretreatment methods for different categories, will be explored. Our objective is to provide a clear and comprehensive guide, equipping researchers with profound insights into the core compositions and pretreatment methods of cosmetics, which will in turn advance cosmetic analysis and improve detection and regulatory approaches in the industry.

Determination and risk assessment of UV filters and benzotriazole UV stabilizers in wastewater from a wastewater treatment plant in Lüneburg, Germany.

UV filters and benzotriazole UV stabilizers are considered emerging contaminants in the environment. LC-MS/MS and GC-MS methods, involving a single solid phase extraction protocol, were developed and validated to determine eight UV filters and seven UV stabilizers, respectively in wastewater from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Lüneburg, Germany. The LC-MS/MS method exhibited extraction recoveries of ≥ 71% at six different fortification levels with limits of detection (LODs) range of 0.02 ng mL-1 - 0.09 ng mL-1. Extraction recoveries of 47 to 119% at six different fortification levels were obtained for the GC-MS method with LODs range of 0.01 - 0.09 ng mL-1. Among the UV filters, the highest mean concentration was determined for octocrylene (OCR) in influent (3.49 ng mL-1) while the highest mean concentration was measured for 2-hydroxy-4-octyloxybenzophenone (UV 531) in influent (0.44 ng mL-1) among the UV stabilizers. Potential risk to aquatic organisms was assessed by the risk quotient approach. Only OCR presented a high risk to aquatic invertebrates whereas 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate (EHMC) and 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS) posed high risks to algae. Benzotriazole UV stabilizers presented negligible risks to aquatic invertebrates and fish. This work reports the detection of rarely studied 4-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and UV 531 in WWTP influent and effluent. The occurrence and risk assessment of target benzotriazole UV stabilizers in wastewater from a German WWTP was demonstrated for the first time.

Occurrence and risks of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and endocrine-disrupting compounds in Chinese surface waters.

The continuous and rapid increase of chemical pollution in surface waters has become a pressing and widely recognized global concern. As emerging contaminants (ECs) in surface waters, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), and endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) have attracted considerable attention due to their wide occurrence and potential threat to human health. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the occurrence and risks of ECs in Chinese surface waters is urgently required. This study summarizes and assesses the environmental occurrence concentrations and ecological risks of 42 pharmaceuticals, 15 personal care products (PCPs), and 20 EDCs frequently detected in Chinese surface waters. The ECs were primarily detected in China's densely populated and highly industrialized regions. Most detected PPCPs and EDCs had concentrations between ng/L to µg/L, whereas norfloxacin, caffeine, and erythromycin had relatively high contamination levels, even exceeding 2000 ng/L. Risk evaluation based on the risk quotient method revealed that 34 PPCPs and EDCs in Chinese surface waters did not pose a significant risk, whereas 4-nonylphenol, 4-tert-octylphenol, 17α-ethinyl estradiol, 17ß-estradiol, and triclocarban did. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the occurrence and associated hazards of typical PPCPs and EDCs in Chinese surface waters over the past decade, and will aid in the regulation and control of these ECs in Chinese surface waters.

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds: A Chemical Class of Emerging Concern.

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), a large class of chemicals that includes high production volume substances, have been used for decades as antimicrobials, preservatives, and antistatic agents and for other functions in cleaning, disinfecting, personal care products, and durable consumer goods. QAC use has accelerated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the banning of 19 antimicrobials from several personal care products by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2016. Studies conducted before and after the onset of the pandemic indicate increased human exposure to QACs. Environmental releases of these chemicals have also increased. Emerging information on adverse environmental and human health impacts of QACs is motivating a reconsideration of the risks and benefits across the life cycle of their production, use, and disposal. This work presents a critical review of the literature and scientific perspective developed by a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional team of authors from academia, governmental, and nonprofit organizations. The review evaluates currently available information on the ecological and human health profile of QACs and identifies multiple areas of potential concern. Adverse ecological effects include acute and chronic toxicity to susceptible aquatic organisms, with concentrations of some QACs approaching levels of concern. Suspected or known adverse health outcomes include dermal and respiratory effects, developmental and reproductive toxicity, disruption of metabolic function such as lipid homeostasis, and impairment of mitochondrial function. QACs' role in antimicrobial resistance has also been demonstrated. In the US regulatory system, how a QAC is managed depends on how it is used, for example in pesticides or personal care products. This can result in the same QACs receiving different degrees of scrutiny depending on the use and the agency regulating it. Further, the US Environmental Protection Agency's current method of grouping QACs based on structure, first proposed in 1988, is insufficient to address the wide range of QAC chemistries, potential toxicities, and exposure scenarios. Consequently, exposures to common mixtures of QACs and from multiple sources remain largely unassessed. Some restrictions on the use of QACs have been implemented in the US and elsewhere, primarily focused on personal care products. Assessing the risks posed by QACs is hampered by their vast structural diversity and a lack of quantitative data on exposure and toxicity for the majority of these compounds. This review identifies important data gaps and provides research and policy recommendations for preserving the utility of QAC chemistries while also seeking to limit adverse environmental and human health effects.

Siloxane Emissions and Exposures during the Use of Hair Care Products in Buildings.

Cyclic volatile methyl siloxanes (cVMS) are ubiquitous in hair care products (HCPs). cVMS emissions from HCPs are of concern, given the potential adverse impact of siloxanes on the environment and human health. To characterize cVMS emissions and exposures during the use of HCPs, realistic hair care experiments were conducted in a residential building. Siloxane-based HCPs were tested using common hair styling techniques, including straightening, curling, waving, and oiling. VOC concentrations were measured via proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry. HCP use drove rapid changes in the chemical composition of the indoor atmosphere. cVMS dominated VOC emissions from HCP use, and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) contributed the most to cVMS emissions. cVMS emission factors (EFs) during hair care routines ranged from 110-1500 mg/person and were influenced by HCP type, styling tools, operation temperatures, and hair length. The high temperature of styling tools and the high surface area of hair enhanced VOC emissions. Increasing the hair straightener temperature from room temperature to 210 °C increased cVMS EFs by 50-310%. Elevated indoor cVMS concentrations can result in substantial indoor-to-outdoor transport of cVMS via ventilation (0.4-6 tons D5/year in the U.S.); thus, hair care routines may augment the abundance of cVMS in the outdoor atmosphere.

Use of personal care products during pregnancy and birth outcomes - A pilot study.

Prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from personal care products may be associated with birth outcomes including preterm birth and low birth weight. There is limited research examining the role of personal care product use during pregnancy on birth outcomes. Our pilot study consisted of 164 participants in the Environmental Reproductive and Glucose Outcomes (ERGO) study (Boston, MA), with data on self-reported personal care product use at four study visits throughout pregnancy (product use in the 48 h before a study visit and hair product use in the month before a study visit). We used covariate-adjusted linear regression models to estimate differences in mean gestational age at delivery, birth length, and sex-specific birth weight-for-gestational age (BW-for-GA) Z-score based on personal care product use. Hair product use in the past month prior to certain study visits was associated with decreased mean sex-specific BW-for-GA Z-scores. Notably, hair oil use in the month prior to study visit 1 was associated with a lower mean BW-for-GA Z-score (V1: -0.71, 95% confidence interval: -1.12, -0.29) compared to non-use. Across all study visits (V1-V4), increased mean birth length was observed among nail polish users vs. non-users. In comparison, decreased mean birth length was observed among shave cream users vs. non-users. Liquid soap, shampoo, and conditioner use at certain study visits were significantly associated with higher mean birth length. Suggestive associations were observed across study visits for other products including hair gel/spray with BW-for-GA Z-score and liquid/bar soap with gestational age. Overall, use of a variety of personal care products throughout pregnancy was observed to be associated with our birth outcomes of interest, notably hair oil use during early pregnancy. These findings may help inform future interventions/clinical recommendations to reduce exposures linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Comparison of aggregated exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from diet and personal care products with concentrations in blood using a PBPK model - Results from the Norwegian biomonitoring study in EuroMix.

BACKGROUND: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitute a large group of compounds that are water, stain, and oil repellent. Numerous sources contribute to the blood levels of PFAS in the European population. The main contributor for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is food, house dust, consumer products and personal care products (PCPs). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present work is to calculate the dietary and dermal external exposure to PFOA, estimate the aggregated internal exposure from diet and PCPs using a PBPK model, and compare estimates with measured concentrations. METHODS: Detailed information on diet and PCP use from the EuroMix study is combined with concentration data of PFOA in food and PCPs in a probabilistic exposure assessment. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK) was further refined by incorporating a dermal exposure pathway, and changes in the kidney and faecal excretion. RESULTS: The aggregated internal exposure using the PBPK model shows that the major contributor to the internal exposure is diet for both males and females. The estimated internal exposure of PFOA for the EuroMix population was in the same range but lower than the measured blood concentrations using the lower bound (LB) external exposure estimates, showing that the LB estimates are underestimations. For seven females the internal exposure of PFOA were higher from PCPs than from diet. CONCLUSION: PCPs and diet contributed in the same range to the internal PFOA exposure for several women participating in EuroMix. This calls for additional studies on exposure to PFOA and possibly other PFAS from PCPs, especially for women. Overall, PBPK modelling was shown as valuable tool in understanding the sources of PFOA exposure and in guiding risk assessments and regulatory decisions.

Assessment of personal care product use and perceptions of use in a sample of US adults affiliated with a university in the Northeast.

Evidence supports unequal burdens of chemical exposures from personal care products (PCPs) among some groups, namely femme-identifying and racial and ethnic minorities. In this study, we implemented an online questionnaire to assess PCP purchasing and usage behaviors and perceptions of use among a sample of US adults recruited at a Northeastern university. We collected PCP use across seven product categories (hair, beauty, skincare, perfumes/colognes, feminine hygiene, oral care, other), and behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions of use and safety across sociodemographic factors to evaluate relationships between sociodemographic factors and the total number of products used within the prior 24-48 h using multivariable models. We also summarized participants' perceptions and attitudes. Among 591 adults (20.0% Asian American/Pacific Islander [AAPI], 5.9% Hispanic, 9.6% non-Hispanic Black [NHB], 54.6% non-Hispanic White [NHW], and 9.9% multiracial or other), the average number of PCPs used within the prior 24-48 h was 15.6 ± 7.7. PCP use was greater among females than males (19.0 vs. 7.9, P < 0.01) and varied by race and ethnicity among females. Relative to NHWs, AAPI females used fewer hair products (2.5 vs. 3.1) and more feminine hygiene products (1.5 vs. 1.1), NHB females used more hair products (3.8 vs. 3.1), perfumes (1.0 vs. 0.6), oral care (2.3 vs. 1.9), and feminine hygiene products (1.8 vs. 1.1), and multiracial or other females used more oral care (2.2 vs. 1.9) and feminine hygiene products (1.5 vs. 1.1) (P-values <0.05). Generally, study participants reported moderate concern about exposures and health effects from using PCPs, with few differences by gender, race, and ethnicity. These findings add to the extant literature on PCP use across sociodemographic characteristics. Improving the understanding of patterns of use for specific products and their chemical ingredients is critical for developing interventions to reduce these exposures, especially in vulnerable groups with an unequal burden of exposure.

Factors driving PPCPs uptake by crops after wastewater irrigation and human health implications.

Currently, water scarcity affects more than three billion people. Nevertheless, the volume of treated wastewater discharged into the environment is estimated to exceed 100 m3 per inhabitant/year. These water resources are regularly used in agriculture worldwide to overcome water shortages. Such a practice, however, entails the uptake of waterborne pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), by crops and their further access to the food web, constituting an additional route of human exposure to PPCPs, with potential health outcomes. In this study, the occurrence of 56 PPCPs in tomatoes, lettuce, and carrot, together with soil and irrigation water, was evaluated using a QuEChERS-based methodology for extraction and LC-MS/MS for analysis. The influence of the selected cultivation conditions on the plant uptake levels of PPCPs was assessed. Two irrigation water qualities (secondary and tertiary treatment effluents), two soil compositions (sandy and clayey), two irrigation systems (dripping and sprinkling), and three crop types (lettuce, tomato, and carrot) were tested. Carrots showed the highest load of PPCPs (7787 ng/g dw), followed by tomatoes (1692 ng/g dw) and lettuces (1248 ng/g dw). The most translocated PPCPs were norfluoxetine (fluoxetine antidepressant main metabolite) (521 ng/g dw), and the anti-inflammatory diclofenac (360 ng/g dw). Nine PPCPs, are reported to be accumulated in crops for the first time. Water quality was the most important factor for reducing PPCPs' plant uptake. Overall, the best conditions for reducing PPCP uptake by crops were irrigation with reclaimed water by sprinkling in soils with higher clay content. The risk assessment performed revealed that the crops' consumption posed no risk to human health. This study serves as the first comprehensive assessment of the relevance of diverse cultivation factors on PPCPs' plant uptake under field agricultural practices.

Enhancing membrane separation performance in the conditions of different water electrical conductivity and fouling types via surface grafting modification of a nanofiltration membrane, NF90.

A commercialized and widely applied nanofiltration membrane, NF90, was in-situ modified through a surface grafting modification method by using 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt and initiators. The effects of water electrical conductivity (EC) and fouling types on membrane separation efficiency were examined before and after membrane modification. Results reveal that both the pristine membrane (PTM) and surface grafting modification membrane (SGMM) had a declining permeate flux and salt (NaCl) removal efficiency but an increasing trend of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) removal with increasing water EC from 250 to 10,000 µs cm-1. However, SGMM exhibited a slightly declining permeate flux but 13%-17% and 1%-42% higher rejection of salt and PPCPs, respectively, compared with PTM, due to electrostatic repulsion and size exclusion provided by the grafted polymer. After sodium alginate (SA) and humic acid (HA) fouling, SGMM had 17%-26% and 16%-32% higher salt rejection and 1%-12% and 1%-51% greater PPCP removal, respectively, compared with PTM due to the additional steric barrier layer contributed by the foulants. The successful grafting and increasing hydrophilicity of the SGMM were confirmed by contact angle analysis, which was beneficial for mitigating membrane fouling. Overall, the proposed in-situ surface grafting modification of NF90 can considerably mitigate organic and biological fouling while raising the rejection of salt and PPCPs at different background water EC, which is beneficial for practical applications in producing clean and high quality water for consumers.

Bifunctional catalytic degradation of diclofenac over Cu-Pd co-modified sponge iron-based trimetal: Parameter optimization.

Currently, the pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) have posed great challenge to advanced oxidation techniques (AOTs). In this study, we decorated sponge iron (s-Fe0) with Cu and Pd (s-Fe0-Cu-Pd) and further optimized the synthesis parameters with a response surface method (RSM) to rapidly degrade diclofenac sodium (DCF). Under the RSM-optimized conditions of Fe: Cu: Pd = 100: 4.23: 0.10, initial solution pH of 5.13, and input dosage of 38.8 g/L, 99% removal of DCF could be obtained after 60 min of reaction. Moreover, the morphological structure of trimetal was characterized with high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). Electron spin resonance (ESR) signals have also been applied to capture reactive hydrogen atoms (H*), superoxygen anions, hydroxyl radicals, and single state oxygen (1O2). Furthermore, the variations of DCF and its selective degradation products over a series of s-Fe0-based bi(tri)metals have been compared. Additionally, the degradation mechanism of DCF has also been explored. To our best knowledge, this is the first report revealing the selective dechlorination of DCF with low toxicity over Pd-Cu co-doped s-Fe0 trimetal.

Emerging environmental health risks associated with the land application of biosolids: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Over 40% of the six million dry metric tons of sewage sludge, often referred to as biosolids, produced annually in the United States is land applied. Biosolids serve as a sink for emerging pollutants which can be toxic and persist in the environment, yet their fate after land application and their impacts on human health have not been well studied. These gaps in our understanding are exacerbated by the absence of systematic monitoring programs and defined standards for human health protection. METHODS: The purpose of this paper is to call critical attention to the knowledge gaps that currently exist regarding emerging pollutants in biosolids and to underscore the need for evidence-based testing standards and regulatory frameworks for human health protection when biosolids are land applied. A scoping review methodology was used to identify research conducted within the last decade, current regulatory standards, and government publications regarding emerging pollutants in land applied biosolids. RESULTS: Current research indicates that persistent organic compounds, or emerging pollutants, found in pharmaceuticals and personal care products, microplastics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have the potential to contaminate ground and surface water, and the uptake of these substances from soil amended by the land application of biosolids can result in contamination of food sources. Advanced technologies to remove these contaminants from wastewater treatment plant influent, effluent, and biosolids destined for land application along with tools to detect and quantify emerging pollutants are critical for human health protection. CONCLUSIONS: To address these current risks, there needs to be a significant investment in ongoing research and infrastructure support for advancements in wastewater treatment; expanded manufacture and use of sustainable products; increased public communication of the risks associated with overuse of pharmaceuticals and plastics; and development and implementation of regulations that are protective of health and the environment.