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van Leeuwen SPJ, Verschoor AM, van der Fels-Klerx HJ, van de Schans MGM, Berendsen BJA. A novel approach to identify critical knowledge gaps for food safety in circular food systems. NPJ Sci Food 2024; 8:34. [PMID: 38898053 PMCID: PMC11187133 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-024-00265-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The transition from linear production towards a circular agro-food system is an important step towards increasing Europe's sustainability. This requires re-designing the food production systems, which inevitably comes with challenges as regards controlling the safety of our food, animals and the ecosystem. Where in current food production systems many food safety hazards are understood and well-managed, it is anticipated that with the transition towards circular food production systems, known hazards may re-emerge and new hazards will appear or accumulate, leading to new -and less understood- food safety risks. In this perspective paper, we present a simple, yet effective approach, to identify knowledge gaps with regard to food safety in the transition to a circular food system. An approach with five questions is proposed, derived from current food safety management approaches like HACCP. Applying this to two cases shows that risk assessment and management should emphasize more on the exposure to unexpected (with regards to its nature and its origin) hazards, as hazards might circulate and accumulate in the food production system. Five knowledge gaps became apparent: there's a need for (1) risk assessment and management to focus more on unknown hazards and mixtures of hazards, (2) more data on the occurrence of hazards in by-products, (3) better understanding the fate of hazards in the circular food production system, (4) the development of models to adequately perform risk assessments for a broad range of hazards and (5) new ways of valorization of co-products in which a safe-by-design approach should be adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan P J van Leeuwen
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University & Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - A M Verschoor
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University & Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - H J van der Fels-Klerx
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University & Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - M G M van de Schans
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University & Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - B J A Berendsen
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University & Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Sun S, Liang M, Fan D, Gu W, Wang Z, Shi L, Geng N. Occurrence and profiles of perfluoroalkyl substances in wastewaters of chemical industrial parks and receiving river waters: Implications for the environmental impact of wastewater discharge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 945:173993. [PMID: 38879026 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
A total of 17 groups of wastewaters from the chemical industrial parks and matched receiving river waters were collected in the east of China. The measured total concentrations of 21 analyzed PFAS analogues (∑21PFAS) in the influents and effluents of the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were in the range of 0.172-20.6 μg/L (mean: 18.2 μg/L, median: 3.9 μg/L) and 0.167-93.6 μg/L (mean: 10.8 μg/L, median: 1.12 μg/L), respectively, which were significantly higher than those observed in the upstream (range: 0.0158-7.05 μg/L, mean: 1.09 μg/L, median: 0.482 μg/L) and downstream (range: 0.0237-1.82 μg/L, mean: 0.697 μg/L, median: 0.774 μg/L) receiving waters. Despite the concentrations and composition profiles of PFAS varied in the water samples from different sampling sites, PFOA was generally the major PFAS analogue in the research areas, mainly due to the history of PFOA production and usage as well as the specific exemptions. The calculated concentration ratios of the short-chain PFCAs and PFSAs to their respective predecessors (PFOA and PFOS) in most of the samples far exceeded 1, indicating a shift from legacy PFOA and PFOS to short-chain PFAS in the research areas. Correlation network analysis and the calculated concentration ratios of PFAS in the effluents versus influents indicated transformation may have occurred during the water treatment processes and PFAS could not be efficiently removed in the WWTPs. Wastewater discharge of chemical industrial parks is a vital source of PFAS dispersed into the aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Sun
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Mengyuan Liang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Deling Fan
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Wen Gu
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Nanjing 210042, China.
| | - Lili Shi
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Ningbo Geng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China.
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Behnami A, Zoroufchi Benis K, Pourakbar M, Yeganeh M, Esrafili A, Gholami M. Biosolids, an important route for transporting poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances from wastewater treatment plants into the environment: A systematic review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 925:171559. [PMID: 38458438 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171559] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
The pervasive presence of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in diverse products has led to their introduction into wastewater systems, making wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) significant PFAS contributors to the environment. Despite WWTPs' efforts to mitigate PFAS impact through physicochemical and biological means, concerns persist regarding PFAS retention in generated biosolids. While numerous review studies have explored the fate of these compounds within WWTPs, no study has critically reviewed their presence, transformation mechanisms, and partitioning within the sludge. Therefore, the current study has been specifically designed to investigate these aspects. Studies show variations in PFAS concentrations across WWTPs, highlighting the importance of aqueous-to-solid partitioning, with sludge from PFOS and PFOA-rich wastewater showing higher concentrations. Research suggests biological mechanisms such as cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, transamine metabolism, and beta-oxidation are involved in PFAS biotransformation, though the effects of precursor changes require further study. Carbon chain length significantly affects PFAS partitioning, with longer chains leading to greater adsorption in sludge. The wastewater's organic and inorganic content is crucial for PFAS adsorption; for instance, higher sludge protein content and divalent cations like calcium and magnesium promote adsorption, while monovalent cations like sodium impede it. In conclusion, these discoveries shed light on the complex interactions among factors affecting PFAS behavior in biosolids. They underscore the necessity for thorough considerations in managing PFAS presence and its impact on environmental systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Behnami
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khaled Zoroufchi Benis
- Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Mojtaba Pourakbar
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran; Health and Environment Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Yeganeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Esrafili
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mitra Gholami
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Liu J, Yang F, Cai Y, Lu G, Li Y, Li M, Fan L, Gao L. Unveiling the existence and ecological hazards of trace organic pollutants in wastewater treatment plant effluents across China. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH (ONLINE) 2024; 3:21-29. [PMID: 38162869 PMCID: PMC10757255 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2023.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The presence of trace organic pollutants in the effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) poses considerable risks to aquatic organisms and human health. A large-scale survey of 302 trace organic pollutants in the effluent of 46 Chinese WWTPs was conducted to gain an improved understanding of their occurrence and ecological risks. The survey data showed that 216 compounds in 11 chemical classes had been detected in effluents. The sum concentrations of the trace contaminants in effluent ranged from 1,392 ng/L to 35,453 ng/L, with the maximum concentration of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) recorded as the highest (30,573 ng/L), which was markedly less than the reported 185,000 ng/L for the 38 American WWTPs. The concentration of bisphenol analogs (BPs) was up to 4,422 ng/L, significantly higher than those reported in France, Germany, Japan, Korea, and the U.S. PFASs and BPs were the major pollutants, accounting for 59% of the total pollution. Additionally, a total of 119 contaminants were found to have ecological risks (RQ > 0.01). Among these, 23 contaminants (RQ > 1.0) warrant higher attention and should be prioritized for removal. This study lists valuable information for controlling contaminants with higher priority in WWTP effluent in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianchao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development of Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Fang Yang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yuanfei Cai
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development of Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Guanghua Lu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development of Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Yiping Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development of Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Ming Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Linhua Fan
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Li Gao
- Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia
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Li H, Zhu X, Zhang J, Wang Z, Li R. Characterizing the long-term occurrence and anthropogenic drivers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in surface water of the Rhine River. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120528. [PMID: 37742404 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) raise significant concerns due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity to both ecosystems and human health. However, the long-term trends of PFAS in aquatic environments remain inadequately explored. In this study, we systematically assessed the spatiotemporal distribution, periodic fluctuations, source apportionment, and risk evaluation of 12 PFAS in the Rhine River based on the long-term measuring data collected from 2007 to 2019. The study revealed that the mean concentration and mass flux of total PFAS during this period were 32.83 ng L-1 and 6.36 × 104 μg s-1, declining at an annual rate of 3.70% and 3.82%, respectively. Wavelet analysis demonstrated that the most prominent periodic oscillation of PFAS was 40-60 months. Regarding the sources of PFAS, we employed the self-organizing map (SOM) and the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model for source apportionment. The results indicated that the primary sources of PFAS were agrochemical, pharmaceutical and textile industries, accounting for 38.1% of the total concentration. The contribution from household contamination, tannery industry, and coating materials has increased annually. In contrast, the share of electrochemical fluorination and chemical recycling has shown a continuous decline. The risk quotient (RQ) and hazard quotient (HQ) calculations for three age groups indicated that PFAS exposure did not pose a significant risk to ecological or human health. Implementing source-oriented mitigation strategies is crucial to effectively reduce the ecological and human health risks of PFAS in receiving waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xu Zhu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- Institute of Urban and Industrial Water Management, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01062, Germany
| | - Ruifei Li
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
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