Assessing the impact of environmental regulations on environmental performance in Chinese cities: A spatial Stochastic Frontier Model with endogeneity analysis.

The Chinese government has implemented environmental regulations to address the deterioration of air quality associated with rapid industrialization. However, there is no consensus on whether environmental regulations are beneficial to environmental performance. The technical challenges related to endogeneity and spatial correlation may bias the estimation of the emission reduction effect of regulations. In this study, we comprehensively evaluate the environmental performance of sulfur dioxide regulations in Chinese cities using a novel stochastic frontier model that introduces the single control function to correct estimation errors caused by spatial spillovers and endogeneity. Our analysis emphasizes that insufficient resolution of endogeneity or spatial spillovers may lead to underestimation or neglect of the environmental performance improvements achieved by these regulations. On the contrary, our revised research results indicate that regulations aimed at reducing sulfur dioxide emissions not only successfully control sulfur dioxide emissions, but also have a positive impact on reducing carbon emissions. In addition, we conduct in-depth research on the mechanisms by which environmental regulations improve performance by stimulating green technology innovation and promoting industrial structure upgrading. Based on our research findings, we propose policy recommendations to establish a city cooperation mechanism of technology exchange to achieve synergistic emission reduction and strengthen regional factor circulation.

Monitoreo de la vigilancia, prevención y control de las enfermedades transmitidas por el Aedes aegypti / Surveillance monitoring, prevention and control of diseases transmitted by Aedes Aegypti

La actual propuesta metodológica se enmarca en los dos primeros objetivos del Plan Nacional de la Lucha contra el Dengue, que son promover, coordinar y facilitar la implementación de estrategias eficaces y oportunas para el control y tratamiento del dengue, con especial énfasis en las zonas geográficas del país que presentan alto riesgo potencial epidémico de dicha enfermedad, y gestionar la cooperación técnica destinada al control y manejo del dengue. En la fase inicial, se determinaron las actividades y variables sensibles a monitoreo, en base a los objetivos e indicadores identificados dentro del marco técnico y normativo vigente en el Perú y el marco sanitario establecido por la OMS, correspondientes a la vigilancia, prevención y control, pero, además, a la promoción de prácticas saludables. Luego, se definieron los requerimientos no funcionales de la plataforma de monitoreo para el desarrollo de un aplicativo accesible a través de un navegador en cualquier dispositivo con acceso a internet, a ser alojado en la plataforma de Cloud Computing. Posteriomente, se realizó el flujograma para el monitoreo de la clasificación de escenarios epidemiológicos y estratificación de riesgo entomológico de las enfermedades transmitidas por el Aedes aegypti. Finalmente, tanto la estratificación de riesgo como los indicadores obtenidos en cada localidad son escalados a la unidad notificante, encarcada de la ratificación, análisis y toma de desiciones jurisdiccionales. Se realizó una prueba piloto en 50 distritos de la jurisdicción de Lima Metropolitana. Se encontró que once distritos fueron estratificados en escenario II, y cuatro distritos en escenario III(AU)

The current methodological proposal is part of the first two objectives of the National Plan to Fight Dengue, which are to promote, coordinate and facilitate the implementation of effective and timely strategies for the control and treatment of dengue, with special emphasis on geographical areas. of the country that present a high potential epidemic risk of this disease and manage technical cooperation for the control and management of dengue. In the initial phase, the activities and variables sensitive to monitoring were determined, based on the objectives and indicators identified within the technical and regulatory framework in force in Peru and the health framework established by the WHO, corresponding to surveillance, prevention, and control; but also, to the promotion of healthy practices. Then, the non-functional requirements of the monitoring platform were defined for the development of an application accessible through a browser on any device with Internet access, to be hosted on the Cloud Computing platform. Subsequently, the flowchart was made to monitor the classification of epidemiological scenarios and entomological risk stratification of diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti. Finally, both the risk stratification and the indicators obtained in each locality are escalated to the notifying unit, in charge of the ratification, analysis and making of jurisdictional decisions. A pilot test was carried out in 50 districts of the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Lima. It was found that eleven districts were stratified in stage II, and four districts in stage III(AU)

Addressing the environmental and health impacts of microplastics requires open collaboration between diverse sectors.

Public concern over the environmental and public health impacts of the emerging contaminant class "microplastics" has recently prompted government agencies to consider mitigation efforts. Microplastics do not easily fit within traditional risk-based regulatory frameworks because their persistence and extreme diversity (of size, shape, and chemical properties associated with sorbed chemicals) result in high levels of uncertainty in hazard and exposure estimates. Due to these serious complexities, addressing microplastics' impacts requires open collaboration between scientists, regulators, and policymakers. Here we describe ongoing international mitigation efforts, with California as a case study, and draw lessons from a similarly diverse and environmentally persistent class of emerging contaminants (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) that is already disrupting traditional regulatory paradigms, discuss strategies to address challenges associated with developing health-protective regulations and policies related to microplastics, and suggest ways to maximize impacts of research.

Environmental risk assessment in agro-ecosystems: Revisiting the concept of receiving environment after the EFSA guidance document.

The environmental risk assessment (ERA) for genetically modified plants (GMPs) is a prerequisite for commercial approval of these new varieties according to regulatory systems worldwide. The first country to regulate GM crops was the USA and the issue of possible environmental impacts was based on the principles used in risk assessment of pesticides. Two main pillars of this approach are the use of surrogate species for testing effects on non-target organisms using a tiered assessment with clear thresholds to indicate the need to move between tiers. The latest EFSA guidance document on ERA of Genetically Modified Organisms considers specifically the receiving environment in preparation of ERA for commercial cultivation of GMPs. According to existing guidelines in the EU, the receiving environment is defined by three mutually interacting components: the characteristics of the environmental stressor (i.e. the GM plant), the bio-geographical regions where the commercial release of the crop is expected and the agricultural systems therein. Difference in agronomic and ecological conditions (e.g. use of different varieties, vegetation of adjacent areas, non-target species assemblages, sensitivity of local species to the stressors) suggests that explicit considerations of the receiving environments are necessary. Results from field experiments indicate that differences in cultivation practices, e.g. the herbicide regime used on herbicide-tolerant GM crops, may induce direct and indirect effects on wild plant distribution and abundance, with consequent repercussions on food webs based on these plants. Moreover, ecological literature indicates that the concept of surrogate species has clear limitations if applied broadly to any ERA. Starting from case studies regarding GMPs, this paper discusses some ecological and agronomic characteristics of agro-ecosystems, which have implications in the elaboration of both hazard and exposure analyses during ERA. The species selection approach indicated in the EFSA Guidance Document and the consideration of the area(s) of the expected release of the new variety may provide the basis to an ecologically sound ERA for a range of environmental stressors. The quality of the data that become available for risk managers with this approach may support a more transparent and dependable ERA and risk management for GMPs as well as for other potential environmental stressors in agro-ecosystems.

Total Release of 21 Indicator Pharmaceuticals Listed by the Swedish Medical Products Agency from Wastewater Treatment Plants to Surface Water Bodies in the 1.3 Million Populated County Skåne (Scania), Sweden.

In 2017, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency published a report on advanced wastewater treatment for the removal of pharmaceutical residues and stated that advanced treatment should be implemented where it will make the largest difference from an environmental perspective. However, the report also concluded that this need cannot be specified with existing data, but consideration must be made of local conditions. Two considerations are (1) the discharged amount of pharmaceutical into receiving water bodies and (2) the turnover of water in the recipient, where the highest risks are related to recipients with a low water turnover and low dilution. The current project comprised eight different WWTPs distributed throughout the entire County Skåne (Scania) in Sweden, with a population of ca. 1,300,000 persons. In total, 21 of 22 pharmaceuticals were analyzed according to the list proposed by the Swedish Medical Products Agency 2015. The results show that large amounts of pharmaceuticals are released from the WWTPs yearly to Scanian recipients. The total discharge of pharmaceuticals from the eight treatment plants adds up to 71 kg of these 21 substances alone, mainly comprising metoprolol, which is a drug that lowers blood pressure, and the analgesic drug diclofenac. Additionally, carbamazepine, losartan, naproxen and oxazepam were present in significant concentrations. These represented three illnesses that are very common: high blood pressure, inflammation/pain and depression/anxiety. The concentrations were generally in line with previous national Swedish screenings. It was estimated that, when one million cubic meters (1,000,000 m3) of wastewater is discharged, almost 4 kg of the 21 pharmaceuticals is released. The total volume wastewater release by the >90 WWTPs in Scania was estimated to 152,887,000 m3, which corresponded to 590 kg/year. The investigated 21 drugs cover only a small part of many hundred pharmaceuticals that are in use in Sweden. Thus, most likely, one or several tons of pharmaceuticals leak out to the Scanian recipients annually. The analysis of river samples shows that the dilution of wastewater is a key parameter in reducing concentrations. However, some locations have remarkably high concentrations, which occur when the volume wastewater is large in relation to the flow in the river. These kinds of regional results are of importance when selecting where advanced treatment should be prioritized in a first instance, as requested by the Swedish EPA.

The impacts of COVID-19, meteorology, and emission control policies on PM2.5 drops in Northeast Asia.

In January 2020, anthropogenic emissions in Northeast Asia reduced due to the COVID-19 outbreak. When outdoor activities of the public were limited, PM2.5 concentrations in China and South Korea between February and March 2020 reduced by - 16.8 µg/m3 and - 9.9 µg/m3 respectively, compared with the average over the previous three years. This study uses air quality modeling and observations over the past four years to separate the influence of reductions in anthropogenic emissions from meteorological changes and emission control policies on this PM2.5 concentration change. Here, we show that the impacts of anthropogenic pollution reduction on PM2.5 were found to be approximately - 16% in China and - 21% in South Korea, while those of meteorology and emission policies were - 7% and - 8% in China, and - 5% and - 4% in South Korea, respectively. These results show that the influence on PM2.5 concentration differs across time and region and according to meteorological conditions and emission control policies. Finally, the influence of reductions in anthropogenic emissions was greater than that of meteorological conditions and emission policies during COVID-19 period.

Inadequate Regulation of the Geological Aspects of Shale Exploitation in the UK.

Unconventional oil and gas exploitation, which has developed in the UK since 2009, is regulated by four main agencies: The Oil and Gas Authority, the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive and local Mineral Planning Authorities (usually county councils). The British Geological Survey only has an advisory role, as have ad hoc expert committees. I firstly define terms, and summarise the remits of the regulators and background history. Fourteen case histories are then discussed, comprising most of the unconventional exploitation to date; these cases demonstrate the failure of regulation of the geological aspects of fracking operations in the UK. The regulators let inadequacies in geological understanding, and even mendacious geological interpretations by the hydrocarbon operators slip through the net. There are potentially severe implications for environmental safety-if and when permits are granted. Geological pathways, if not properly understood and mitigated, may lead to long-term pollution of groundwater and surface water; methane and H2S emissions. Induced earthquakes have not been well regulated. The case histories demonstrate a laissez-faire and frequently incompetent regulatory regime, devised for the pre-unconventional era, and which has no geological oversight or insight.

The accessibility of data on environmental risk assessment of pharmaceuticals - are environmental risk assessments information on emissions with respect to international and European environmental information law?

In the pharmaceutical sector, the right of access to environmental information is in most cases not feasible as the authorisation holders refer to commercially/industrial confidential information (CCI). However, CCI can not refuse access to environmental risk assessments (ERAs) if ERAs are to be classified as information on emissions. Pharmaceuticals inevitably enter the environment as a consequence of their intended use. This release is calculated in the ERA as predicted environmental concentration when a pharmaceutical is approved. The release of pharmaceuticals into the environment falls consequently under the term 'emissions into the environment'. In addition, the ERAs assessing the risk of this release are to be classified as 'information on emissions into the environment'. Therefore, the practiced secrecy of ERAs of pharmaceuticals and their official assessment reports is incompatible with Art. 4 Aarhus Convention, and the European and national implementing provisions for this article, which require access to such environmental information on emissions for everyone, irrespective of whether they concern CCI. With this legal disclosure obligation of ERAs, there is an enforceable right of access for everyone, which shows the necessity for establishing a publicly accessible database based on active pharmaceutical ingredients with substantiated information on the ERAs.

Validation of Bioavailability-Based Toxicity Models for Metals.

Regulatory jurisdictions worldwide are increasingly incorporating bioavailability-based toxicity models into development of protective values (PVALs) for freshwater and saltwater aquatic life (e.g., water quality criteria, standards, and/or guidelines) for metals. Use of such models for regulatory purposes should be contingent on their ability to meet performance criteria as specified through a model-validation process. Model validation generally involves an assessment of a model's appropriateness, relevance, and accuracy. We review existing guidance for validation of bioavailability-based toxicity models, recommend questions that should be addressed in model-validation studies, discuss model study type and design considerations, present several new ways to evaluate model performance in validation studies, and suggest a framework for use of model validation in PVAL development. We conclude that model validation should be rigorous but flexible enough to fit the user's purpose. Although a model can never be fully validated to a level of zero uncertainty, it can be sufficiently validated to fit a specific purpose. Therefore, support (or lack of support) for a model should be presented in such a way that users can choose their own level of acceptability. We recommend that models be validated using experimental designs and endpoints consistent with the data sets that were used to parameterize and calibrate the model and validated across a broad range of geographically and ecologically relevant water types. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;39:101-117. © 2019 SETAC.

Metal Bioavailability Models: Current Status, Lessons Learned, Considerations for Regulatory Use, and the Path Forward.

Since the early 2000s, biotic ligand models and related constructs have been a dominant paradigm for risk assessment of aqueous metals in the environment. We critically review 1) the evidence for the mechanistic approach underlying metal bioavailability models; 2) considerations for the use and refinement of bioavailability-based toxicity models; 3) considerations for the incorporation of metal bioavailability models into environmental quality standards; and 4) some consensus recommendations for developing or applying metal bioavailability models. We note that models developed to date have been particularly challenged to accurately incorporate pH effects because they are unique with multiple possible mechanisms. As such, we doubt it is ever appropriate to lump algae/plant and animal bioavailability models; however, it is often reasonable to lump bioavailability models for animals, although aquatic insects may be an exception. Other recommendations include that data generated for model development should consider equilibrium conditions in exposure designs, including food items in combined waterborne-dietary matched chronic exposures. Some potentially important toxicity-modifying factors are currently not represented in bioavailability models and have received insufficient attention in toxicity testing. Temperature is probably of foremost importance; phosphate is likely important in plant and algae models. Acclimation may result in predictions that err on the side of protection. Striking a balance between comprehensive, mechanistically sound models and simplified approaches is a challenge. If empirical bioavailability tools such as multiple-linear regression models and look-up tables are employed in criteria, they should always be informed qualitatively and quantitatively by mechanistic models. If bioavailability models are to be used in environmental regulation, ongoing support and availability for use of the models in the public domain are essential. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;39:60-84. © 2019 SETAC.

Trace elements in sediments and fish from Atrato River: an ecosystem with legal rights impacted by gold mining at the Colombian Pacific.

The Atrato watershed is a rainforest that supports exceptional wildlife species and is considered one of the most biodiversity-rich areas on the planet, currently threatened by massive gold mining. Aimed to protect this natural resource, the Constitutional Court of Colombia declared the river subject to rights. The objective of this study was to quantify trace elements in sediments and fish from Atrato watershed, assessing their environmental and human health risk. Forty-two trace elements were quantified using ICP-MS. Thirty-one elements increased their concentration downstream the river. Concentration Factors (CF) suggest sediments were moderately polluted by Cr, Cu, Cd, and strongly polluted by As. Most stations had Cr (98%) and Ni (78%) concentrations greater than the Probable Effect Concentration (PEC) criteria. Together, toxic elements generate a Pollution Load Index (PLI) and a Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI) that categorized 54% of the sediments as polluted, and 90% as moderate polluted, respectively. Hemiancistrus wilsoni, a low trophic guild fish species, had the greater average levels for Ni, Cu, As and Cd, among other elements. Rubidium and Cs showed a positive correlation with fish trophic level, suggesting these two metals biomagnify in the food chain. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) for As was greater than 1 for several species, indicating a potential risk to human health. Collectively, data suggest gold mining carried out in this biodiversity hotspot releases toxic elements that have abrogated sediment quality in Atrato River, and their incorporation in the trophic chain constitutes a large threat on environmental and human health due to fish consumption. Urgent legal and civil actions should be implemented to halt massive mining-driven deforestation to enforce Atrato River rights.

Solid Particle Number (SPN) Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS) in the European Legislation: A Review.

Portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) for gaseous pollutants were firstly introduced in the United States regulation to check the in-use compliance of heavy-duty engines, avoiding the high costs of removing the engine and testing it on a dynamometer in the laboratory. In Europe, the in-service conformity of heavy-duty engines has been checked with PEMS for gaseous pollutants since 2014. To strengthen emissions regulations with a view to minimise the differences between on-road and laboratory emission levels in some cases, PEMS testing, including solid particle number (SPN), was introduced for the type-approval of light-duty vehicles in Europe in 2017 and for in-service conformity in 2019. SPN-PEMS for heavy-duty engines will be introduced in 2021. This paper gives an overview of the studies for SPN-PEMS from early 2013 with the first prototypes until the latest testing and improvements in 2019. The first prototype diffusion charger (DC) based systems had high differences from the reference laboratory systems at the first light-duty vehicles campaign. Tightening of the technical requirements and improvements from the instrument manufacturers resulted in differences of around 50%. Similar differences were found in an inter-laboratory comparison exercise with the best performing DC- and CPC- (condensation particle counter) based system. The heavy-duty evaluation phase at a single lab and later at various European laboratories revealed higher differences due to the small size of the urea generated particles and their high charge at elevated temperatures. This issue, along with robustness at low ambient temperatures, was addressed by the instrument manufacturers bringing the measurement uncertainty to the 50% levels. This measurement uncertainty needs to be considered at the on-road emission results measured with PEMS.

A Study of Different Types of Air Pollutants on the Efficiency of China's Hotel Industry.

This study focuses on visible and invisible air pollutants and their impacts on China's hotel industry. Overall, visible air pollutants may block the sights and sceneries and worsen the quality of visitors' sensory experiences, and invisible air pollutants are unlikely to result in the same perceptions and sensations. Hence, different types of air pollutants may have various impacts on the hotel industry's operational performance. We employed a bootstrapped truncated regression model to investigate whether different types of air pollutants had distinctive impacts on the hotel industry. The dataset consisted of 31 provinces of China for the period 2012-2015. Empirical results indicate that visible air pollutants significantly decrease the operational efficiency of China's hotel industry, while invisible air pollutants insignificantly affect the hotel industry.

REGULATORY-LEGISLATIVE AND ECOLOGICAL-HYGIENIC ISSUES ON THE LOCATION OF MODERN MOTOR VEHICLE FILLING STATIONS.

The article presents the results of the comprehensive hygienic studies of ambient air pollution (based on calculated and actual concentrations of main pollutants) in a zone of influence of modern filling stations (FS) of small and medium capacity, taking into account compliance with the fire-prevention requirements. Sanitary protection zones (SPZ) for filling stations were substantiated taking into account the capacity: for the filling stations of low and medium capacity - not less than 50 m, and for filling stations of large capacity - not less than 100 m at the equipping with the ecologically safe outfit, introduction of the effective air protection measures, and introduction of risk approach to sanitary-and-epidemiological assessment of the location of filling stations. Sanitary classification of the enterprises and industries was proved to require a revision and rationing of differentiated sanitary protection zones (minimum and maximum SPZ) for filling stations taking into account the capacity, implementation of the effective air protection measures and introduction of risk approach to sanitary- and-epidemiological assessment of the location of filling stations. A necessity of the introduction of the equipment to contain the carcinogenic fumes at vehicle refueling at existing and projected filling stations has been demonstrated, which will reduce air pollution in the working area for the filling stations workers and the environment of adjacent residential buildings, which will meet the EU directives (2008/50 / EC, 21.05, 2008; 2004/42 / EU, April 21, 2004; 1999/32 / EU, April 26, 1999; 98/70 / EU, May 21, 1998; 94/63 / EU, December 20, 1994) to the quality of gasoline, diesel fuel and control of the emissions from the filling stations, and the national legislation of Ukraine (SHR №173-96)..

Mitigation pathways towards national ambient air quality standards in India.

Exposure to ambient particulate matter is a leading risk factor for environmental public health in India. While Indian authorities implemented several measures to reduce emissions from the power, industry and transportation sectors over the last years, such strategies appear to be insufficient to reduce the ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration below the Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 40 µg/m3 across the country. This study explores pathways towards achieving the NAAQS in India in the context of the dynamics of social and economic development. In addition, to inform action at the subnational levels in India, we estimate the exposure to ambient air pollution in the current legislations and alternative policy scenarios based on simulations with the GAINS integrated assessment model. The analysis reveals that in many of the Indian States emission sources that are outside of their immediate jurisdictions make the dominating contributions to (population-weighted) ambient pollution levels of PM2.5. Consequently, most of the States cannot achieve significant improvements in their air quality and population exposure on their own without emission reductions in the surrounding regions, and any cost-effective strategy requires regionally coordinated approaches. Advanced technical emission control measures could provide NAAQS-compliant air quality for 60% of the Indian population. However, if combined with national sustainable development strategies, an additional 25% population will be provided with clean air, which appears to be a significant co-benefit on air quality (totaling 85%).

[Presence of microplastics in water and the potential impact on public health]. / Presencia de microplásticos en aguas y su potencial impacto en la salud pública.

The use of plastics has increased exponentially over recent years. Difficulties in their recycling and their low degradability result in their accumulation in the environment. Despite their great stability, they are subject to physical and chemical erosion resulting in smaller fragments. Although there is no standard definition of microplastics, the maximum limit of 5 mm has been accepted as a criterion. Plastics, in addition to the consequences on the environment, have a direct effect on living beings, either by ingestion or toxicity. They may also act as a vehicle for invasive species and adsorb other contaminants on their surface such as PCBs, PAHs or DDT. This, increases the toxic effect of their own components such as plasticizers, additives, heavy metals, etc. There is disparity in the published results regarding the presence of microplastics in both water supplies and drinking water and bottled water. There are no standard analytical methods, nor a consensus in the definition and description of microplastics that allow an appropriate comparison of results. In the absence of scientific evidence, it is necessary to study in depth the presence of microplastics in water and the potential effects on health, in order to be able to consider microplastics as a monitoring parameter in drinking water.

El uso de plásticos se ha visto incrementado de manera exponencial en los últimos años. Su difícil reciclaje y su baja capacidad de degradación tienen como consecuencia una acumulación de estos en el medio ambiente. Pese a su gran estabilidad, se ven sometidos a erosión física y química, dando lugar a fragmentos más pequeños. Aunque no hay una definición estandarizada del concepto de microplástico, se ha aceptado el límite máximo de 5 mm como criterio. Los plásticos, además de las consecuencias sobre el medio ambiente, tienen un efecto directo sobre los seres vivos, ya sea por ingestión o por toxicidad. También, pueden actuar como vehículos de especies invasoras y adsorber en su superficie otros contaminantes como los BPCs, los HAPs o el DDT, incrementando así el efecto tóxico propio debido a los componentes que poseen tales como plastificantes, aditivos, metales pesados, etc. Existe disparidad en los resultados publicados en cuanto a la presencia de microplásticos tanto en abastecimientos como en agua de consumo y embotellada. No existe una metodología normalizada de métodos analíticos, como tampoco rigor en la definición y descripción de los microplásticos que permitan la comparación de resultados. Ante la falta de evidencia científica, es necesario profundizar en el estudio sobre la presencia de estos y sus efectos potenciales en la salud, para ser considerado como un parámetro a vigilar en las aguas de consumo humano.

Shades of grey: Marine litter research developments in Europe.

European research efforts to address concerns in relation to increasing levels of marine litter and potential effects on ecosystems and human health have been launched. We assessed a total of 52 European projects which researched or contributed to the implementation of European marine litter legislation. These projects ranged from national initiatives, to large scale programmes involving multiple EU member states. The best represented topics within those European projects were 'Policy, Governance and Management' and 'Monitoring'. Comparatively 'Risk Assessment', 'Fragmentation' and 'Assessment Tools' were underrepresented. The analyses showed that West-European countries have contributed more to marine litter research and therefore received more funding. As a result, thematic hotspots were present, and scientific capacity is concentrated by topic and countries. The results indicate the need to continue to support initiatives to cover clearly identified gaps, either geographic or thematic, to deliver risk assessments and recommendations to address the marine litter issue.