A review on pesticides in flower production: A push to reduce human exposure and environmental contamination

Smartcard: an integrated approach for contaminant monitoring, from field to laboratory

Effective food safety monitoring requires a multi-step approach from farm to fork, involving different methods, ranging from convenient screening devices to sophisticated laboratory confirmatory testing. However, sample transportation to routine laboratories is time-consuming and expensive. Simplified on-site sampling followed by laboratory analysis offers a potential solution. Dried blood spot (DBS) cards ensure stability and ease of sample transportation and are used in clinical testing. However, the applicability of such an approach could be broader and include the storage of dried extract from more complex (solid) matrices. Therefore, a simplified approach is presented here, using DBS cards for on-site sampling and subsequent laboratory confirmation for food contaminants. To achieve this, an analytical tool (Smartcard) was designed using 3D-printing technology. As a proof of concept, the approach was applied to detect the pesticide fipronil, which is widely used in ornamental flower production to limit pests and on poultry farms. The Smartcard can securely store the sample extracts on a DBS card (dried extract spot (DExS) card), incorporate the lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) and immediately provide an estimate of contamination levels. After simplified in-syringe extraction of the sample, the LFIA allows direct screening of fipronil (half maximum inhibitory concentration of 6.5 µg/l with calibration standards), and the same sample extract can be directly applied to the DExS card for storage and transport to the laboratory, where analyte re-extraction and instrumental analysis is performed using ultra high-pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) detecting fipronil down to 0.8 µg/kg.

In Vitro Assessment of Metarhizium Anisopliae Pathogenicity Against Aedes Aegypti Life Stages

Aedes aegypti transmits the arboviruses that cause dengue, zika, and chikungunya. Entomopathogenic fungi are beneficial microorganisms that can be incorporated into current strategies against mosquitoes of public health concern. This study molecularly identified the Metarhizium anisopliae CG 153 isolate and evaluated its virulence against larvae, pupae, and adults (both males and females) of Ae. aegypti. Different concentrations of conidia were used (1 × 104-8 conidia mL-1). Larval and pupal survival was monitored daily for seven and three days, respectively, while adults were monitored for 15 days. The efficacy of M. anisopliae sensu stricto was concentration-dependent, with higher concentrations achieving better results, demonstrating greater virulence against larval and adult stages of Ae. aegypti. The fungus reduced the larval survival by 95,5% (1 × 108 con.mL-1), 94,4% (1 × 107 con.mL-1), 78,9% (1 × 106 con.mL-1), 62,2% (1 × 105 con.mL-1), and 41,1% (1 × 104 con.mL-1) after seven days. Adults also showed susceptibility to the fungus, with no observed difference in susceptibility between males and females. Over 15 days of monitoring, adult survival rates ranged from approximately 6.7% to 72%. Pupae exhibited lower susceptibility to the fungus across different concentrations, with survival rates ranging from approximately 87.8% to 100%. This study highlights the high effectiveness of M. anisopliae CG 153 against both Ae. aegypti larvae and adults (male and female) under controlled conditions, suggesting its promising potential for further evaluation and application in field conditions.

First report on regression-based QSAR addressing pesticide dissipation half-life in plants: A step towards sustainable public health

The excessive use of pesticides (an important group of chemicals) in the agricultural as well as public sectors raises a health concern. Pesticides affect humans and other living organisms via the food chain. Therefore, it is very necessary to calculate the dissipation half-life of pesticides in plants. Experimental prediction of pesticide dissipation half-lives requires complex environmental conditions, high cost, and a long time. Thus, in-silico half-life predictions are suitable and the best alternative. Herein, a total of six PLS (partial least squares) models namely, M1 (overall), M2 (fruit), M3 (plant interior), M4 (leaf), M5 (plant surface), and M6 (whole plant) alongside two MLR (multiple linear regression) models i.e. M7 (fruit surface) and model M8 (straw) were generated using dissipation half-lives (log10(T1/2)) of pesticides in plants and their different parts. Models were constructed in strict accordance with the guidelines outlined by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and extensively validated using globally accepted validation metrics (determination coefficient (R2) = 0.610-0.795, leave-one-out (LOO) cross-validated correlation coefficient (Q2LOO) = 0.520-0.660, MAE-FITTED TRAIN (mean absolute error fitted train) = 0.119-0.148, MAE-LOOTRAIN = 0.132-0.177, predictive R2 or Q2F1 = 0.538-0.567, Q2F2 = 0.500-0.565, MAETEST = 0.122-0.232), confirming their accuracy, reliability, predictivity, and robustness. Lipophilicity, the presence of a cyclomatic ring, suphur, aromatic amine fragments, and chlorine atom fragments are responsible (+ve contribution) for high dissipation half-lives of pesticides in plants. In contrast, hydrophilicity, pyrazine fragments, and rotatable bonds reduce (-ve negative contribution) the dissipation half-lives of pesticides in plants. To address the real-world applicability, the models were employed to screen the PPDB (Pesticide Properties Database) database, which revealed the top 10 pesticides with the highest log(T1/2) in the whole plant and respective parts of the plant body. The present work will aid in developing safer and novel pesticides, regulatory risk assessment, various risk assessments for the sustenance of public health, screening of databases, and data-gap filling.

From Flourish to Nourish: Cultivating Soil Health for Sustainable Floriculture

Despite its rapid growth and economic success, the sustainability of the floriculture industry as it is presently conducted is debatable, due to the huge environmental impacts it initiates and incurs. Achieving sustainability requires joint efforts from all stakeholders, a fact that is often neglected in discussions that frequently focus upon economically driven management concerns. This review attempts to raise awareness and collective responsibility among the key practitioners in floriculture by discussing its sustainability in the context of soil health, as soil is the foundation of agriculture systems. Major challenges posed to soil health arise from soil acidification and salinization stimulated by the abusive use of fertilizers. The poisoning of soil biota by pesticide residues and plastic debris due to the excessive application of pesticides and disposal of plastics is another significant issue and concern. The consequence of continuous cropping obstacles are further elucidated by the concept of plant-soil feedback. Based on these challenges, we propose the adoption and implementation of several sustainable practices including breeding stress-resistant and nutrient-efficient cultivars, making sustainable soil management a goal of floriculture production, and the recycling of plastics to overcome and mitigate the decline in soil health. The problems created by flower waste materials are highlighted and efficient treatment by biochar synthesis is suggested. We acknowledge the complexity of developing and implementing the proposed practices in floriculture as there is limited collaboration among the research and operational communities, and the policymakers. Additional research examining the impacts the floriculture industry has upon soils is needed to develop more sustainable production practices that can help resolve the current threats and to bridge the understanding gap between researchers and stakeholders in floriculture.

A geo-gender-based analysis of human health: The presence of cut flower farms can attenuate pesticide exposure in African communities, with women being the most vulnerable

Background

The rapid expansion of the cut flower industry in Africa has led to pervasive use and potential exposure of pesticides, raising concerns for local communities. Whether the risks associated with pesticide applications are localised or have broader implications remains unclear.

Methods

We measured biomarkers of real and perceived pesticide exposure in two Kenyan communities: Naivasha, where the cut flower industry is present, and Mogotio, where the cut flower industry is absent. We measured real exposure by the percentage of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and perceived exposure by assessing hair cortisol levels, a biomarker of stress. Additionally, we conducted a demographic survey to evaluate the health and socioeconomic status of participants, as well as their perceptions of pesticide risks associated with the cut flower industry.

Results

Perceived pesticide exposure was more common in Naivasha (n = 36, 56%) compared to Mogotio (n = 0, 0%), according to community surveys. However, Mogotio residents had significantly higher mean hair cortisol levels (mean (x̄) = 790 ng/g, standard deviation (SD) = 233) and percentage of AChE inhibition (x̄ = 28.5%, SD = 7.3) compared to Naivasha residents, who had lower mean hair cortisol levels (x̄ = 548 ng/g, SD = 187) and percentage of AChE inhibition (x̄ = 14.5%, SD = 10.1). Location (proximity to cut flower farms) and gender were significant factors influencing pesticide exposure, with individuals living outside the cut flower industrial complexes being at higher risk. Women in both communities were the most vulnerable demographic, showing significantly higher mean hair cortisol levels (x̄ = 646 ng/g, SD = 267.4) and percentage of AChE inhibition (x̄ = 22.5%, SD = 12.4) compared to men hair cortisol levels (x̄ = 558.2 ng/g, SD = 208.2) and percentage of AChE inhibition (x̄ = 10.4%, SD = 13.1).

Conclusions

A heightened awareness of the potential risks of pesticide exposure was widespread within cut flower industrial complexes. This may have led to a reduction in exposure of both workers and non-workers living within or close to these complexes. In contrast, communities living outside these complexes showed higher levels of exposure, possibly due to limited chemical awareness and a lack of precautionary measures. Despite this contrast between communities, women remained the most vulnerable members, likely due to their socioeconomic roles in African society. Monitoring women's pesticide exposure is crucial for providing an early warning system for community exposure.

Contamination risk by heavy metals and enzymatic stoichiometry in agricultural soils under intense use of pesticides

Soil contamination by heavy metals (HM) from pesticides poses a serious environmental threat, affecting sustainability and agricultural productivity. Soil enzymes are essential for biochemical reactions such as organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling and are vital for maintaining soil health. However, the effects of HM on soil enzyme activity are not yet well understood. This study examined the impact of HM contamination on enzymatic stoichiometry in regions with intensive pesticide use. We selected flower cultivation areas with 5 years (CA1) and 10 years (CA2) of pesticide exposure and a native forest area (NFA) as a reference during the dry and rainy seasons. We measured Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn levels and employed ecological risk indices to assess contamination levels. We also analyzed enzyme activities (arylsulfatase, β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase, urease) and enzymatic stoichiometry. CA2 exhibited the highest concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Mn in both periods, while Zn was highest in both CA1 and CA2. CA2 had higher values for all indices, indicating significant contamination. Compared with NFA, arylsulfatase activity was lower in cultivated areas during both periods, suggesting decreased soil quality. We found negative correlations between Cu, Mn, Zn, and arylsulfatase, as well as a reduction in urease with Cd; these elements also increased microbial C limitation. Our findings show that continuous pesticide input increases HM levels and that enzyme activity and stoichiometry are effective bioindicator of soil contamination. This study underscores the urgent need for guidelines to protect soils from prolonged HM buildup.

Ornamental plants as vectors of pesticide exposure and potential threat to biodiversity and human health

The production of conventional ornamental plants is pesticide-intensive. We investigated whether pesticide active ingredients (AIs) are still present in ornamentals at the time of purchase and assessed their potential ecotoxicity to non-target organisms. We purchased 1000 pot plants and 237 cut flowers of different species from garden centers in Austria and Germany between 2011 and 2021 and analyzed them for up to 646 AIs. Ecotoxicological risks of AIs were assessed by calculating toxic loads for honeybees (Apis mellifera), earthworms (Eisenia fetida), birds (Passer domesticus), and mammals (Rattus norvegicus) based on the LD50 values of the detected AIs. Human health risks of AIs were assessed on the basis of the hazard statements of the Globally Harmonized System. Over the years, a total of 202 AIs were detected in pot plants and 128 AIs in cut flowers. Pesticide residues were found in 94% of pot plants and 97% of cut flowers, with cut flowers containing about twice as many AIs (11.0 ± 6.2 AIs) as pot plants (5.8 ± 4.0 AIs). Fungicides and insecticides were found most frequently. The ecotoxicity assessment showed that 47% of the AIs in pot plants and 63% of the AIs in cut flowers were moderately toxic to the considered non-target organisms. AIs found were mainly toxic to honeybees; their toxicity to earthworms, birds, and mammals was about 105 times lower. Remarkably, 39% of the plants labeled as "bee-friendly" contained AIs that were toxic to bees. More than 40% of pot plants and 72% of cut flowers contained AIs classified as harmful to human health. These results suggest that ornamental plants are vectors for potential pesticide exposure of consumers and non-target organisms in home gardens.

Identification and genomic insights into a strain of Bacillus velezensis with phytopathogen-inhibiting and plant growth-promoting properties

The use of biological agents offers a sustainable alternative to chemical control in managing plant diseases. In this study, Bacillus velezensis IFST-221 was isolated from the rhizosphere of a healthy maize plant amidst a population showing severe disease symptoms. The investigation demonstrated a broad-spectrum antagonistic activity of IFST-221 against eight species of pathogenic ascomycetes and oomycetes, suggesting its potential utility in combating plant diseases like maize ear rot and cotton Verticillium wilt. Additionally, our study unveiled that IFST-221 has demonstrated significant plant growth-promoting properties, particularly in maize, cotton, tomato, and broccoli seedlings. This growth promotion was linked to its ability to produce indole-3-acetic acid, nitrogen fixation, phosphate and potassium solubilization, and biofilm formation in laboratory conditions. A complete genome sequencing of IFST-221 yielded a genome size of 3.858 M bp and a GC content of 46.71%. The genome analysis identified 3659 protein-coding genes, among which were nine secondary metabolite clusters with known antimicrobial properties. Additionally, three unknown compounds with potentially novel properties were also predicted from the genomic data. Genome mining also identified several key genes associated with plant growth regulation, colonization, and biofilm formation. These findings provide a compelling case for the application of B. velezensis IFST-221 in agricultural practices. The isolate's combined capabilities of plant growth promotion and antagonistic activity against common plant pathogens suggest its promise as an integrated biological agent in disease management and plant productivity enhancement.

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survival and spatial analysis of socio-environmental risks in Mexico

Background

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) etiology remains largely unknown; incidence patterns by age, sex, and geographical distribution suggest a potential environmental role.

Aim

To identify ALL clusters from four contrasting urban areas of Mexico and to characterize the sources of environmental carcinogens.

Methods

Hospital-based ALL cases (n = 443) diagnosed in children <19 years old from the Metropolitan Zones of Merida and San Luis Potosi, the State of Mexico, and Tijuana were analyzed (2015-2020). ALL cases were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology. ALL clusters were identified by Kernel Density, and excess risk was estimated. Data of particulate matter ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) concentrations measured by community-monitoring stations were analyzed. Geocoded datasets of benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and PM2.5 sources were analyzed to characterize patterns of exposure in ALL clusters.

Results

The survival rate for ALL ranged from 61.5% to 78.6%. Seven ALL clusters with excess risk (RR 1.4-2.3, p < 0.05) were identified. The carcinogen sources included artisanal brick kilns, gas stations, cement works, carpentry, paint, and chemical manufacturing establishments. PM2.5 levels ranged from 15 µg/m3 to 37 µg/m3 among study areas.

Conclusion

ALL clusters were identified at the community level; the excess risk could be explained by small-scale carcinogen sources. The levels of PM2.5 in outdoor air ranged from 3 to 6 times above the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines. Healthcare providers must raise awareness of the increased risk of ALL in children living near sources of environmental carcinogens; cancer control and prevention strategies must be steered from a multi-sectoral and multi-action perspective to protect children's health.

Pharmaceutical-contaminated irrigation water: implications for ornamental plant production and phytoremediation using enrofloxacin-accumulating species

Enrofloxacin (Enro) has been widely encountered in natural water sources, and that water is often used for irrigation in crop production systems. Due to its phytotoxicity and accumulation in plant tissues, the presence of Enro in water used for crop irrigation may represent economical and toxicological concerns. Here, we irrigated two ornamental plant species (Zantedeschia rehmannii Engl. and Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel.) with water artificially contaminated with the antimicrobial enrofloxacin (Enro; 0, 5, 10, 100, and 1000 μg L-1) to evaluate its effects on ornamental plant production, as well as its accumulation and distribution among different plant organs (roots, leaves, bulbs, and flower stems), and examined the economic and environmental safety of commercializing plants produced under conditions of pharmaceutical contamination. The presence of Enro in irrigation water was not found to disrupt plant growth (biomass) or flower production. Both species accumulated Enro, with its internal concentrations distributed as the following: roots > leaves > bulbs > flower stems. In addition to plant tolerance, the content of Enro in plant organs indicated that both Z. rehmannii and S. wallisii could be safety produced under Enro-contaminated conditions and would not significantly contribute to contaminant transfer. The high capacity of those plants to accumulate Enro in their tissues, associated with their tolerance to it, indicates them for use in Enro-phytoremediation programs.

Effects of Corsi-Rosenthal boxes on indoor air contaminants: non-targeted analysis using high resolution mass spectrometry

BACKGROUND

In response to COVID-19, attention was drawn to indoor air quality and interventions to mitigate airborne COVID-19 transmission. Of developed interventions, Corsi-Rosenthal (CR) boxes, a do-it-yourself indoor air filter, may have potential co-benefits of reducing indoor air contaminant levels.

OBJECTIVE

We employed non-targeted and suspect screening analysis (NTA and SSA) to detect and identify volatile and semi-volatile organic contaminants (VOCs and SVOCs) that decreased in indoor air following installation of CR boxes.

METHODS

Using a natural experiment, we sampled indoor air before and during installation of CR boxes in 17 rooms inside an occupied office building. We measured VOCs and SVOCs using gas chromatography (GC) high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) with electron ionization (EI) and liquid chromatography (LC) HRMS in negative and positive electrospray ionization (ESI). We examined area count changes during vs. before operation of the CR boxes using linear mixed models.

RESULTS

Transformed (log2) area counts of 71 features significantly decreased by 50-100% after CR boxes were installed (False Discovery Rate (FDR) p-value < 0.2). Of the significantly decreased features, four chemicals were identified with Level 1 confidence, 45 were putatively identified with Level 2-4 confidence, and 22 could not be identified (Level 5). Identified and putatively identified features (Level ≥4) that declined included disinfectants (n = 1), fragrance and/or food chemicals (n = 9), nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (n = 4), organophosphate esters (n = 1), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (n = 8), polychlorinated biphenyls (n = 1), pesticides/herbicides/insecticides (n = 18), per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (n = 2), phthalates (n = 3), and plasticizers (n = 2).

IMPACT STATEMENT

We used SSA and NTA to demonstrate that do-it-yourself Corsi-Rosenthal boxes are an effective means for improving indoor air quality by reducing a wide range of volatile and semi-volatile organic contaminants.

Mitigating Ecotoxicity Risks of Pesticides on Ornamental Plants Based on Life Cycle Assessment

Ornamental plants such as floriculture and nurseries, have become increasingly popular, but their growth relies heavily on the use of many different types of pesticides. The widespread and inefficient use of these pesticides causes environmental pollution and damage to non-target organisms. Despite these impacts, there has been little research conducted on potential agrochemical pollution in the ornamental plant industry. To address this gap, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to evaluate the pesticide-related freshwater ecotoxicity impact of the US ornamental plant industry in comparison to that of major field crops. The study analyzed 195 pesticide active ingredients used in 15 major ornamental plant and four field crops. Results showed that the freshwater ecotoxicity per area (PAF m³ d/ha) of ornamental plants was significantly higher than that of field crops due to the high pesticide intensity (kg/ha) and ecotoxicity of insecticides and fungicides used in floriculture and nurseries. To mitigate environmental stress, minimizing the use of highly toxic pesticides is recommended. A ban on low-dose, high-toxicity pesticides could reduce pesticide-driven ecotoxicity by 34% and 49% for floriculture and nursery plants, respectively. This study is among the first to quantify the pesticide-driven ecotoxicity impacts of horticultural ornamental plants and proposes feasible ways to reduce these impacts, thus making the world more sustainable while still preserving its beauty.

New insights into the effects of chlorpyrifos on soil microbes: Carbon and nitrogen cycle related microbes in wheat/maize rotation agricultural field

Chlorpyrifos, a broad-spectrum organophosphorus insecticide, has been widely detected worldwide and is a potential neurotoxin and endocrine disruptor. Besides, chlorpyrifos has been proven that have a negative effect on soil microbes. In the present study, chlorpyrifos formulation (LORSBAN®, 45% emulsifiable concentrate) was applied in an agricultural field at the recommended dose (R dose, 270.0 and 337.5 g a.i. ha^-1 for wheat and maize respectively) and double recommended (DR) dose. Chlorpyrifos residue level and effect on soil microbes related to soil carbon and nitrogen cycle function were analyzed. Results showed that the half-lives of chlorpyrifos in wheat and maize field soil were 7.23-8.23 and 1.45-1.77 d, respectively. Application of chlorpyrifos at even DR dose did not result in unacceptable residual chlorpyrifos, where the final residual chlorpyrifos in wheat/maize (leaf, stem, and grain) was meet the requirement of the maximum residual limit (0.5 mg kg^-1 for wheat and 0.05 mg kg^-1 for maize) in China. Chlorpyrifos enhanced the activity of β-glucosidase by increasing the relative abundance of Sphingosinicella and promoted the carbon cycle in wheat field. The changes of cbbLR and cbbLG gene abundance also confirmed that chlorpyrifos could affect the import and export of soil carbon pool. The effect of chlorpyrifos on soil N cycle was determined by changes in the abundance of the bacterial genus Gemmatimonas, which is associated with denitrification. Further analysis of N-cycle functional genes and urease activity showed that chlorpyrifos inhibited nitrogen fixation in wheat field, but promoted nitrogen fixation in maize field. In general, bacterial abundance, urease, and AOA-amoA gene could be early warning markers of chlorpyrifos contamination. The results demonstrated the negative effects of chlorpyrifos on soil microbes especially on soil C and N cycle in actual agricultural field. It provides new insights about chlorpyrifos environmental pollution and its effect on soil ecosystems.

Respiratory Health among Pesticide Sprayers at Flower Farms in Ethiopia

Background: Pesticide use in Ethiopia has become a common practice in which large-scale flower farms are the main consumers. Workers on flower farms might be exposed to pesticides while spraying or while performing other tasks related to pesticide use and management. It is unclear whether working as a flower farm sprayer is associated with respiratory health problems. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare respiratory symptoms and lung function indices between pesticide sprayers and non-spraying workers. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 15 flower farms, involving all-male sprayers as the pesticide-exposed group and all other male workers as a control group. Data were collected using a standard questionnaire for respiratory symptoms developed by the British Medical Research Council and the American Thoracic Society. Lung function tests were performed to determine forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV₁), mid 50 expiratory flow, and the ratio of FEV₁ to FVC. Chi-squared tests and Poisson regression analyses were used to compare respiratory symptoms between the two working groups. General linear regression models were used to compare lung function test indices between spraying and non-spraying working groups. The significance level was set to 0.05. Results: A total of 285 male workers participated (152 sprayers and 133 non-spraying workers). The mean age of the workers was 25 years for sprayers and 24 years for non-sprayers. The proportions of cough, cough with sputum, breathlessness, and wheezing were similar in the two groups, while chest tightness was significantly high in the non-spraying group. Sprayers had significantly higher FVC and FEV1 than the non-spraying group. Conclusions: Respiratory symptoms were not different between the sprayers and non-spraying workers except that the non-spraying workers had increased chest tightness. FVC and FEV1 were significantly higher among sprayers relative to non-sprayers. The results must be interpreted with caution, as the sprayers used respiratory protective equipment, which probably reduced their exposure to the pesticides. Also, the workers were young, and a healthy worker effect might be present among the sprayers.

Insights into the mechanisms of organic pollutant toxicity to earthworms: Advances and perspectives

Earthworms play positive ecological roles in soil formation, structure, and fertility, environmental protection, and terrestrial food chains. For this review, we searched the Web of Science database for articles published from 2011 to 2021 using the keywords "toxic" and "earthworm" and retrieved 632 publications. From the perspective of bibliometric analysis, we conducted a co-occurrence network analysis using the keywords "toxic" and "earthworm" to identify the most and least reported topics. "Eisenia fetida," "bioaccumulation," "heavy metals," "oxidative stress," and "pesticides" were the most common terms, and "microbial community," "bacteria," "PFOS," "bioaugmentation," "potentially toxic elements," "celomic fluid," "neurotoxicity," "joint toxicity," "apoptosis," and "nanoparticles" were uncommon terms. Additionally, in this review we highlight the main routes of organic pollutant entry into soil, and discuss the adverse effects on the soil ecosystem. We then systematically review the mechanisms underlying organic pollutant toxicity to earthworms, including oxidative stress, energy and lipid metabolism disturbances, neurological toxicity, intestinal inflammation and injury, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and reproductive toxicity. We conclude by discussing future research perspectives, focusing on environmentally relevant concentrations and conditions, novel data processing approaches, technologies, and detoxification and mitigation methods. This review has implications for soil management in the context of environmental pollution.

Mixed Contaminants: Occurrence, Interactions, Toxicity, Detection, and Remediation

The ever-increasing rate of pollution has attracted considerable interest in research. Several anthropogenic activities have diminished soil, air, and water quality and have led to complex chemical pollutants. This review aims to provide a clear idea about the latest and most prevalent pollutants such as heavy metals, PAHs, pesticides, hydrocarbons, and pharmaceuticals—their occurrence in various complex mixtures and how several environmental factors influence their interaction. The mechanism adopted by these contaminants to form the complex mixtures leading to the rise of a new class of contaminants, and thus resulting in severe threats to human health and the environment, has also been exhibited. Additionally, this review provides an in-depth idea of various in vivo, in vitro, and trending biomarkers used for risk assessment and identifies the occurrence of mixed contaminants even at very minute concentrations. Much importance has been given to remediation technologies to understand our current position in handling these contaminants and how the technologies can be improved. This paper aims to create awareness among readers about the most ubiquitous contaminants and how simple ways can be adopted to tackle the same.

The Ethically Conscious Flower Consumer: Understanding Fair Trade Cut Flower Purchase Behavior in Germany

Fair trade flowers are an important niche product relevant to ethically conscious consumers. The study proposes a model that investigates key factors affecting the behavior of these cut flower consumers in Germany. The study serves to complement the existing studies dedicated to preferences for flower attributes and products, as well as consumers’ willingness to pay. It builds on an online survey with a representative sample of 772 German cut-flower consumers. Partial least squares structural equation modelling shows that concern for the treatment of workers from countries with poor environmental and labor reputations, the breadth of fair trade cut flower information sources, and familiarity with the fair trade concept and its influence on flower production issues positively impact the relative importance that consumers dedicate to fair trade certification as a cut flower attribute. The same factors also positively impact fair trade cut flower buying behavior. Socio-demographic factors did not show any impact. The study concludes with best practice recommendations for retailers and horticultural marketers on how to address the needs and wants of ethically conscious consumers.