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Min XZ, Zhang ZF, Lu XM, Chen JC, Ma WL, Liu LY, Li WL, Li YF, Kallenborn R. Occurrence and fate of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in a wastewater treatment plant with Bacillus bio-reactor treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 924:171589. [PMID: 38461988 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have attracted wide attention due to their environmental impacts and health risks. PPCPs released through wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are estimated to be 80 %. Nevertheless, the occurrence of PPCPs in the WWTPs equipped with Bacillus spec.-based bioreactors (BBR) treatment system remains unclear. In this study, sludge and waste water samples were collected during separate winter and summer sampling campaigns from a typical BBR treatment system. The results indicate that out of 58 target PPCPs, 27 compounds were detected in the waste water (0.06-1900 ng/L), and 23 were found in the sludge (0.6-7755 ng/g dw). Paraxanthine was the chemical of the highest abundance in the influent due to the high consumption of the parent compounds caffeine and theobromine. The profile for PPCPs in the wastewater and sludge exhibited no seasonal variation. Overall, the removal of target PPCPs in summer is more effective than the winter. In the BBR bio-reactor, it was found that selected PPCPs (at ng/L level) can be completely removed. The efficiency for individual PPCP removal was increased from 1.0 % to 50 % in this unit, after target specific adjustments of the process. The effective removal of selected PPCPs by the BBR treatment system is explained by combined sorption and biodegradation processing. The re-occurrence of PPCPs in the wastewater was monitored. Negative removal efficiency was explained by the cleavage of Phase II metabolites after the biotransformation process, and the lack of equilibrium for PPCPs in the sludge of the second clarifier. A compound specific risk quotient (RQ) was calculated and applied for studying the potential environmental risks. Diphenhydramine is found with the highest environmental risk in wastewater, and 15 other PPCPs show negligible risks in sewage sludge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Ze Min
- International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRC-PTS), State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; International Joint Research Center for Arctic Environment and Ecosystem (IJRC-AEE), Polar Academy, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Ecosystem (HPKL-PEE), Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin 150090, China; Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology & Food Sciences (KBM), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Norway
| | - Zi-Feng Zhang
- International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRC-PTS), State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; International Joint Research Center for Arctic Environment and Ecosystem (IJRC-AEE), Polar Academy, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Ecosystem (HPKL-PEE), Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Xi-Mei Lu
- International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRC-PTS), State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; International Joint Research Center for Arctic Environment and Ecosystem (IJRC-AEE), Polar Academy, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Ecosystem (HPKL-PEE), Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin 150090, China
| | - Jia-Cheng Chen
- International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRC-PTS), State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; International Joint Research Center for Arctic Environment and Ecosystem (IJRC-AEE), Polar Academy, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Ecosystem (HPKL-PEE), Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin 150090, China
| | - Wan-Li Ma
- International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRC-PTS), State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; International Joint Research Center for Arctic Environment and Ecosystem (IJRC-AEE), Polar Academy, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Ecosystem (HPKL-PEE), Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin 150090, China
| | - Li-Yan Liu
- International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRC-PTS), State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; International Joint Research Center for Arctic Environment and Ecosystem (IJRC-AEE), Polar Academy, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Ecosystem (HPKL-PEE), Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin 150090, China
| | - Wen-Long Li
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY 12237, United States
| | - Yi-Fan Li
- International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRC-PTS), State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; International Joint Research Center for Arctic Environment and Ecosystem (IJRC-AEE), Polar Academy, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Ecosystem (HPKL-PEE), Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin 150090, China; IJRC-PTS-NA, Toronto M2N 6X9, Canada
| | - Roland Kallenborn
- International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRC-PTS), State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; International Joint Research Center for Arctic Environment and Ecosystem (IJRC-AEE), Polar Academy, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology & Food Sciences (KBM), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Norway
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Liu Z, Wang Y, Zhang G, Yang J, Liu S. Preparation of graphene-based catalysts and combined DBD reactor for VOC degradation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:51717-51731. [PMID: 35246795 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19483-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare the transformation of by-products between single dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) and double dielectric barrier discharge (DDBD), to optimize the preparation of graphene-based catalysts and apply them in combination with DBD for volatile organic compound degradation. We compared the degradation performance of SDBD and DDBD, prepared, and characterized graphene-based catalysts. SEM, BET, XRD, and FTIR analyses showed that the morphologies and internal structures of the three catalysts were the best when 0.25 mL of [BMIM]PF6 was added. When MnOx/rGO, FeOx/rGO, and TiOx/rGO were used in combination with DDBD, the degradation rates of benzene were found to be 83.5%, 77.2%, and 63.8%, respectively, whereas the O3 transformation rates were 60%, 79%, and 40%, respectively. Moreover, the NO2 transformation rates were 70%, 55%, and 42.5%, respectively, whereas the NO transformation rates were 69%, 39%, and 33.5%, respectively. The CO2 selectivity was 62%, 51%, and 49%, respectively. MnOx/rGO exhibited superior performance in the degradation of benzene series, NO transformation, NO2 transformation, CO2 selectivity, and energy efficiency. On the other hand, FeOx/rGO exhibited superior performance for O3 transformation. Based upon the XPS analysis, it was found that Mn3O4 and Fe3O4 played a leading role in promoting the degradation of benzene series and the transformation of by-products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongyang Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, No. 24 Xuefu Road, Southwest Airport Economic Development Zone, Chengdu, 610225, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Gengmeng Zhang
- Sinopec Southwest Oil and Gas Field Branch, Chengdu, 610096, China
| | - Jie Yang
- College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, No. 24 Xuefu Road, Southwest Airport Economic Development Zone, Chengdu, 610225, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Shengyu Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, No. 24 Xuefu Road, Southwest Airport Economic Development Zone, Chengdu, 610225, Sichuan Province, China.
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Villanueva F, Lara S, Notario A, Amo-Salas M, Cabañas B. Formaldehyde, acrolein and other carbonyls in dwellings of university students. Levels and source characterization. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 288:132429. [PMID: 34606894 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fifteen carbonyl compounds were investigated in the living rooms and bedrooms of 25 university student flats in the urban area of Ciudad Real (Central Southern Spain) in wintertime. Carbonyls were sampled using Radiello ® passive samplers refilled in the laboratory according to the method described in ISO 16000-3 Standard. The most abundant carbonyls in the living rooms and bedrooms were formaldehyde, acetone, acetaldehyde, hexaldehyde and butyraldehyde. The median concentration levels in the living rooms and bedrooms were: 28.6 and 34.2 μg m-3 for formaldehyde, 18.3 and 23.1 μg m-3 for acetone, 14.3 and 15.8 μg m-3 for acetaldehyde, 11.4 and 14.1 μg m-3 for hexaldehyde and 10.8 and 12.4 μg m-3 for butyraldehyde. The median concentration of formaldehyde, benzaldehyde, valeraldehyde and hexaldehyde was significantly higher in the bedrooms than in the living rooms. Indoor concentrations were significantly higher than outdoor concentrations for all carbonyl measured, indicating that sources in the indoor environment are prevailing in all flats. Principal component analysis, multiple linear regressions and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to investigate the origin, the indoor pollutants determinants and to establish common sources between carbonyls. Eight components were extracted from the application of PCA to the indoor and outdoor measurements accounting for 97.7% of the total variance. Formaldehyde, acetone, acetaldehyde and acrolein presented different indoor sources. In the multiple linear regression analysis, higher formaldehyde concentrations were found in those living rooms with wood floor and smoking was positively associated to acetone, propionaldehyde, benzaldehyde and isovaleraldehyde. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, acetone, propionaldehyde and benzaldehyde concentrations were compared with relevant international guidelines, being their concentrations below recommended values except acrolein, where all measured flats exceeded the reference levels; it would be important to focus on the characterization of emission sources of acrolein in indoor air in order to minimise the exposure and health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florentina Villanueva
- Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Instituto de Investigación en Combustión y Contaminación Atmosférica, Camino de Moledores S/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain; Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Castilla La Mancha, Paseo de La Innovación 1, 02006, Albacete, Spain.
| | - Sonia Lara
- Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Instituto de Investigación en Combustión y Contaminación Atmosférica, Camino de Moledores S/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Alberto Notario
- Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Instituto de Investigación en Combustión y Contaminación Atmosférica, Camino de Moledores S/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain; Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas, Avenida Camilo José Cela S/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Mariano Amo-Salas
- Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Departamento de Matemáticas, Facultad de Medicina, Camino de Moledores S/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Cabañas
- Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Instituto de Investigación en Combustión y Contaminación Atmosférica, Camino de Moledores S/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain; Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas, Avenida Camilo José Cela S/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain.
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Xuan L, Ma Y, Xing Y, Meng Q, Song J, Chen T, Wang H, Wang P, Zhang Y, Gao P. Source, temporal variation and health risk of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from urban traffic in harbin, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 270:116074. [PMID: 33221086 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The main of this work investigated the levels, emission sources, and associated health risks of ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) closed urban traffic trunk from June 2017 to November 2018. The seasonal variation trend for total VOCs (TVOCs) concentrations was autumn > winter > summer > spring. During the daily fluctuations in summer, the TVOC concentrations appeared to be the highest at midnight and the lowest at 14:00. In spring, autumn, and winter, the concentrations of TVOCs reached the highest levels at 06:00 and dropped to the lowest levels at 14:00 to 15:00; then, the levels increased after 20:00. Aromatics were the most important types of ambient VOCs for the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). The Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) source analysis indicated that the traffic emission accounted for 28.9% of TVOCs, followed by combustion (24.7%), industrial (21.3%), gasoline volatilization (12.4%), and solvent (11.7%) sources. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks via inhalation exposure to the selected 10 toxic VOCs may be of more concern for residents nearby traffic trunk in Harbin in autumn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichun Xuan
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, 150080, PR China
| | - Yuenan Ma
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, 150080, PR China
| | - Yanfeng Xing
- Heilongjiang Province Environmental Monitoring Center, Harbin, 150090, PR China
| | - Qingqing Meng
- Heilongjiang Province Environmental Monitoring Center, Harbin, 150090, PR China
| | - Jie Song
- School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Taihan Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Hao Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Pengjie Wang
- Heilongjiang Province Environmental Monitoring Center, Harbin, 150090, PR China
| | - Yufan Zhang
- Heilongjiang Province Environmental Monitoring Center, Harbin, 150090, PR China
| | - Peng Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.
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Deng Y, Liu NY, Tsow F, Xian X, Forzani ES. Adsorption Thermodynamic Analysis of a Quartz Tuning Fork Based Sensor for Volatile Organic Compounds Detection. ACS Sens 2017; 2:1662-1668. [PMID: 29057647 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.7b00518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A volatile organic compounds (VOC) sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) modified quartz tuning fork (QTF) has been developed. In this paper, the stability of the modified sensor as a function of the MIP composition, and the temperature effect of the analyte adsorption on the sensing transduction mechanism are evaluated. By mixing MIP and PS together, the stability was improved. A target analyte, o-xylene, was chosen as the VOC model to study the sensor response in a temperature range of 6-40 °C. Langmuir model fitted adsorption isotherms were used for thermodynamic analysis. The changes in the sensitivity of the QTF sensor to temperature rendered different behaviors. For a freshly modified QTF sensor, the adsorption response increased with increasing temperature, while for an aged QTF sensor, the adsorption response decreased with increasing temperature. The results indicated that the enthalpy change of the MIP and PS composition sensing material changes from positive to negative over the course of aging. The characterization of the reaction enabled the definition of sensor calibration conditions and stable sensor performance in field testing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Deng
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy and ‡Center for Bioelectronics
and Biosensors, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Nai-Yuan Liu
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy and ‡Center for Bioelectronics
and Biosensors, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Francis Tsow
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy and ‡Center for Bioelectronics
and Biosensors, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Xiaojun Xian
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy and ‡Center for Bioelectronics
and Biosensors, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Erica S. Forzani
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy and ‡Center for Bioelectronics
and Biosensors, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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Cheng Z, Li B, Yu W, Wang H, Zhang T, Xiong J, Bu Z. Risk assessment of inhalation exposure to VOCs in dwellings in Chongqing, China. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2017; 7:59-72. [PMID: 30090563 DOI: 10.1039/c7tx00191f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper investigated the concentrations of eight types of indoor VOCs - benzene, toluene, xylenes, butyl acetate, styrene, isopropylbenzene, undecane and formaldehyde. The tests were carried out in 50 dwellings in the main urban areas of Chongqing, China. According to the detected concentration, toluene was the most predominant among all the targeted compounds. Benzene and formaldehyde concentrations were lower than the reference levels regulated by the Chinese National Standard (GB/T 50325). Based on the activity patterns and exposure factors of adults in urban Chongqing, we used concentration data to estimate adults' inhalation exposures as well as health risks using Monte-Carlo simulations. The results indicated that the exposure doses of benzene and formaldehyde exceeded the benchmark. The highest hazard quotient (HQ) values were found in the case of formaldehyde (median = 0.293 for females and 0.292 for males) and the hazard index (HI) values were 0.326 and 0.325 for females and males, respectively. The highest lifetime cancer risk (LCR) values were found in formaldehyde (median = 7.16 × 10-5 for females; 6.56 × 10-5 for males). Formaldehyde was found to be the most important pollutant with relatively high toxic and carcinogenic risk levels, based on the exposure and health assessment. This was followed by benzene, toluene, xylenes and butyl acetate. This study can help us better understand the concentration levels of VOC contaminants in residential buildings, and help select appropriate decoration materials for buildings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Cheng
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments , Ministry of Education , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China . .,National Center for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China
| | - Baizhan Li
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments , Ministry of Education , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China . .,National Center for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China
| | - Wei Yu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments , Ministry of Education , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China . .,National Center for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China
| | - Han Wang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments , Ministry of Education , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China . .,National Center for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China
| | - Tujingwa Zhang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments , Ministry of Education , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China . .,National Center for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China
| | - Jie Xiong
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments , Ministry of Education , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China . .,National Center for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China
| | - Zhongming Bu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments , Ministry of Education , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China . .,National Center for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China
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Monitoring, Human Health Risk Assessment and Optimized Management for Typical Pollutants in Indoor Air from Random Families of University Staff, Wuhan City, China. SUSTAINABILITY 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/su9071115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Dai H, Jing S, Wang H, Ma Y, Li L, Song W, Kan H. VOC characteristics and inhalation health risks in newly renovated residences in Shanghai, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 577:73-83. [PMID: 27817926 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to indoor VOCs is expected to link to a variety of negative health outcome. The popularity of decorations and refurbishment in homes in China has given rise to indoor elevated VOC levels, potentially posing health threats to residents. METHODS In this study, concentrations of 101 VOC compounds and associated health risks were investigated in newly renovated homes in Shanghai. The potential excess inhalation health risks from home exposure of 17 health-related VOCs were estimated by the Inhalation Unit Risk (IUR) and Reference Concentration (RfC) proposed by US EPA. Monte Carlo simulation and sensitivity analysis were used to assess the uncertainty associated with the estimates of health risks. RESULTS The dominant groups by mass concentration were oxygenated VOCs (o-VOCs), aromatics, alkanes and halogenated VOCs (x-VOCs) .12 VOCs with IARC's confirmed or probable carcinogens ratings were detected with a >60% detection frequency in the total samples. The mean concentrations of BTEX (benzene, toluene, m/p-xylene, o-xylene, ethylbenzene) were 2.32μg/m3, 200.13μg/m3, 39.56μg/m3, 32.59μg/m3 and 26.33μg/m3 respectively, generally higher than those in older homes reported in previous studies except benzene. The mean concentration of methylene chloride (47.43μg/m3) and 1,2-dichloroethane (33.83μg/m3) were noticeably higher than the levels reported in previous studies in Hong Kong, Japan and Canada. Whereas the mean concentration of 1,4-dichlorobenzene (5.53μg/m3) were similar to the results of Canadian national survey but lower than those in Japan. The concentrations of 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, and methylene chloride, ethylbenzene presented a mean cancer risk at 7.39×10-6, 1.95×10-6, 1.62×10-6, 1.04×10-6 respectively, above the US EPA proposed acceptable risk level of 1×10-6. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the VOC exposure concentration have a greater impact than the IUR values on the risk assessment. CONCLUSION This study highlights the characteristics of VOCs in recently renovated homes and has implications for the adverse health effects that result from exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons in indoor air.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Dai
- School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, and Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment of the Ministry of Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Formation and Prevention of Urban Air Pollution Complex, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China.
| | - Shengao Jing
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Formation and Prevention of Urban Air Pollution Complex, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Hongli Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Formation and Prevention of Urban Air Pollution Complex, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yingge Ma
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Formation and Prevention of Urban Air Pollution Complex, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Li Li
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Formation and Prevention of Urban Air Pollution Complex, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Weimin Song
- School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, and Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment of the Ministry of Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haidong Kan
- School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, and Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment of the Ministry of Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Nielsen GD, Larsen ST, Wolkoff P. Re-evaluation of the WHO (2010) formaldehyde indoor air quality guideline for cancer risk assessment. Arch Toxicol 2017; 91:35-61. [PMID: 27209488 PMCID: PMC5225186 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-016-1733-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) established an indoor air quality guideline for short- and long-term exposures to formaldehyde (FA) of 0.1 mg/m3 (0.08 ppm) for all 30-min periods at lifelong exposure. This guideline was supported by studies from 2010 to 2013. Since 2013, new key studies have been published and key cancer cohorts have been updated, which we have evaluated and compared with the WHO guideline. FA is genotoxic, causing DNA adduct formation, and has a clastogenic effect; exposure-response relationships were nonlinear. Relevant genetic polymorphisms were not identified. Normal indoor air FA concentrations do not pass beyond the respiratory epithelium, and therefore FA's direct effects are limited to portal-of-entry effects. However, systemic effects have been observed in rats and mice, which may be due to secondary effects as airway inflammation and (sensory) irritation of eyes and the upper airways, which inter alia decreases respiratory ventilation. Both secondary effects are prevented at the guideline level. Nasopharyngeal cancer and leukaemia were observed inconsistently among studies; new updates of the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) cohort confirmed that the relative risk was not increased with mean FA exposures below 1 ppm and peak exposures below 4 ppm. Hodgkin's lymphoma, not observed in the other studies reviewed and not considered FA dependent, was increased in the NCI cohort at a mean concentration ≥0.6 mg/m3 and at peak exposures ≥2.5 mg/m3; both levels are above the WHO guideline. Overall, the credibility of the WHO guideline has not been challenged by new studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar Damgård Nielsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Søren Thor Larsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peder Wolkoff
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Rovira J, Roig N, Nadal M, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL. Human health risks of formaldehyde indoor levels: An issue of concern. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2016; 51:357-363. [PMID: 26785855 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2015.1109411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Formaldehyde is a carcinogenic substance for humans. Exposure to formaldehyde may also cause eye and respiratory tract irritation, as well as skin sensitization. The main indoor sources of formaldehyde are wood-pressed products, insulation materials, paints, varnishes, household cleaning products and cigarettes, among others. Although this chemical is a well-known indoor pollutant, data on indoor concentrations of formaldehyde are still scarce in some countries. In February 2014, 10 homes in Catalonia, Spain, were randomly selected to collect indoor (bedroom and living room) and outdoor air samples. Ten additional samples were also collected at different workplaces (e.g., offices, shops, classrooms, etc.). Formaldehyde air levels found in homes ranged from 10.7 to 47.7 μg m(-3), from 9.65 to 37.2 μg m(-3), and from 0.96 to 3.37 μg m(-3) in bedrooms, living rooms, and outdoors, respectively. Meanwhile, at workplaces, indoor air levels ranged from 5.86 to 40.4 μg m(-3). These levels are in agreement with data found in the scientific literature. Non-carcinogenic risks were above the threshold limit (HQ > 1), and carcinogenic risks were not acceptable either (>10(-4)). Despite the current study limitations, the results confirm that formaldehyde indoor levels are a matter of health concern, which must be taken into account by policymakers and regulatory bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquim Rovira
- a Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili , Reus , Catalonia , Spain
- b Environmental Engineering Laboratory , Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili , Tarragona , Catalonia , Spain
| | - Neus Roig
- a Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili , Reus , Catalonia , Spain
- b Environmental Engineering Laboratory , Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili , Tarragona , Catalonia , Spain
| | - Martí Nadal
- a Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili , Reus , Catalonia , Spain
| | - Marta Schuhmacher
- a Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili , Reus , Catalonia , Spain
- b Environmental Engineering Laboratory , Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili , Tarragona , Catalonia , Spain
| | - José L Domingo
- a Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili , Reus , Catalonia , Spain
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The mystery of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): Why is it absent in Asians and what does this tell us about etiology, pathogenesis and biology? Blood Rev 2014; 29:205-13. [PMID: 25541495 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2014.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma is common in persons of predominately European descent but rare in Asians. Why is unknown but is likely genetically-determined. Environmental factors may also operate but are likely to be less important. When CLL occurs in Asians it has different features than CLL in persons of predominately European descent. The reason(s) for this is also not understood. We reviewed data on CLL in Asians (mostly Han Chinese but also other ethnic groups) and compared these data with those from persons of predominately European descent with CLL. CLL incidence was about 5-10-fold less in Asians. Asians with CLL are younger, have atypical morphologic and immunologic features, an increased proportion of IGHV mutations and rearrangements and briefer freedom-from-progression than persons of predominately European descent with CLL. These observations provide clues to the etiology and biology of CLL. But the mystery continues; more research is needed.
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