Antimony in paints and enamels of everyday items

Toward an interdisciplinary approach to assess the adverse health effects of dust-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metal(loid)s on preschool children

Settled dust can function as a pollutant sink for compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metal(loid)s (MMs), which may lead to health issues. Thus, dust represents a hazard specifically for young children, because of their vulnerability and hand-to-mouth behavior favoring dust ingestion. The aim of the present study was to explore the influence of the season and the microenvironment on the concentrations of 15 PAHs and 17 MMs in indoor and outdoor settled dust in three preschools (suburban, urban, and industrial). Second, the potential sources and health risks among children associated with dust PAHs and MMs were assessed. Third, domestic factors (risk perception, knowledge and parental style) were described to explore protective parental behaviors toward dust hazards. The suburban preschool had the lowest concentrations of dust PAHs and MMs, while the industrial and urban preschools had higher but similar concentrations. Seasonal tendencies were not clearly observed. Indoor dusts reflected the outdoor environment, even if specific indoor sources were noted. Source analysis indicated mainly vehicular emissions, material release, and pyrogenic or industrial sources. The non-cancer health risks were non-existent, but potential cancer health risks (between 1.10-6 and 1.10-4) occurred at all sampling locations. Notably, the highest cancer risk was observed in a playground area (>1.10-4) and material release should be further addressed. Whereas we assessed higher risk indoors, parents perceived a higher risk in the open-air environment and at the preschool than at home. They also perceived a lower risk for their own children, revealing an optimism bias, which reduces parental anxiety.

Distributions of trace elements within MSWI bottom and combined ash components: Implications for reuse practices

Concentrations of 25 inorganic elements were measured in both bulk ash and individual ash components from residuals at three municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) facilities in the US (two combined ash (CA) and one bottom ash (BA)). Concentrations were assessed based on particle size and component to understand the contribution from each fraction. The results found that among facilities, the finer size fractions contained elevated concentrations of trace elements of concern (As, Pb, Sb) when compared to the coarse fraction, but concentrations varied among facilities depending on the type of ash and differences in advanced metals recovery processes. This study focused on several constituents of potential concern, As, Ba, Cu, Pb, and Sb, and found that the main components of MSWI ash (glass, ceramic, concrete, and slag) are sources of these elements in the ash streams. For many elements, concentrations were significantly higher in CA bulk and component fractions opposed to BA streams. An acid treatment procedure and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that some elements, such as As in concrete, are result of the inherent properties of the component, but other elements, such as Sb, form on the surface during or after incineration and can be removed. Some Pb and Cu concentrations were attributed to inclusions in the glass or slag introduced into the material during the incineration process. Understanding the contributions of each ash component provides critical information for developing strategies to reduce trace element concentrations in ash streams to promote reuse opportunities.

Comparing the quantity and quality of glass, metals, and minerals present in waste incineration bottom ashes from a fluidized bed and a grate incinerator

Bottom ash is the primary solid residue arising from municipal solid waste incineration. It consists of valuable materials such as minerals, metals and glass. Recovering these materials from bottom ash becomes evident when integrating Waste-to-Energy within the circular economy strategy. To assess the recycling potential from bottom ash, detailed knowledge of its characteristics and composition is required. The study at hand aims to compare the quantity and quality of recyclable materials present in bottom ash from a fluidized bed combustion plant and a grate incinerator, both located in the same city in Austria and receiving mainly municipal solid waste. The investigated properties of the bottom ash are grain-size distribution, contents of recyclable metals, glass, and minerals in different grain size fractions, and the total and leaching contents of substances in minerals. The study results reveal that most recyclables present are of better quality for the bottom ash arising at the fluidized bed combustion plant. Metals are less corroded, glass contains fewer impurities, minerals contain fewer heavy metals, and their leaching behavior is also favorable. Furthermore, recoverable materials, such as metals and glass are more isolated and not incorporated into agglomerates as observed in grate incineration bottom ash. Based on the input to the incinerators more aluminum and significantly more glass can potentially be recovered from bottom ash from fluidized bed combustion. On the downside, fluidized bed combustion produces about five times more fly ash per unit of waste incinerated, which is currently disposed of in landfills.

Quantitative analysis of restricted metals and metalloids in tattoo inks: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The various ingredients and impurities that can be detected within tattoo inks have been associated with a myriad of dermatologic complications. Legislation regarding these antigenic substances varies widely around the world, with Europe serving as both the research and regulatory center on these intradermal formulations. Although industry is said to be moving away from metallic and metalloid pigments in exchange for organic or organometallic dyes, surveys of commercially available inks continue to detect these elements at concentrations considered unsafe for application into the dermis. In order to better assess the formulation and safety of tattoo ink, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies quantifying restricted metals and metalloids in commercially available tattoo ink products. Among the papers selected, inconsistencies were noted in the degree of specificity by which ink products were identified and the elements sampled for. In addition, the analytical targets' valency and/or solubility were not always considered in accordance with regulation criteria. Of note, chromium, by total content and that of its regulated +6 valency, exceeded its maximum allowed concentration in nearly every sample tested. Total copper content exceeded the limit for soluble copper in half of inks sampled. In descending order, concentrations of cadmium, barium, mercury, soluble copper, arsenic, zinc, antimony, and lead violated regulations in one-sixth or fewer of samples tested. Cobalt and tin levels never violated regulation. Overall, our findings indicate that unsafe levels of restricted elements continue to be detected across studies, warranting further investigation under a regulatory lens.

Fate of antimony contamination generated by road traffic - A focus on Sb geochemistry and speciation in stormwater ponds

Although antimony (Sb) contamination has been documented in urban areas, knowledge gaps remain concerning the contributions of the different sources to the Sb urban biogeochemical cycle, including non-exhaust road traffic emissions, urban materials leaching/erosion and waste incineration. Additionally, details are lacking about Sb chemical forms involved in urban soils, sediments and water bodies. Here, with the aim to document the fate of metallic contaminants emitted through non-exhaust traffic emissions in urban aquatic systems, we studied trace element contamination, with a particular focus on Sb geochemistry, in three highway stormwater pond systems, standing as models of surface environments receiving road-water runoff. In all systems, differentiated on the basis of lead isotopic signatures, Sb shows the higher enrichment factor with respect to the geochemical background, up to 130, compared to other traffic-related inorganic contaminants (Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb). Measurements of Sb isotopic composition (δ¹²³Sb) performed on solid samples, including air-exposed dusts and underwater sediments, show an average signature of 0.07 ± 0.05‰ (n = 25, all sites), close to the δ¹²³Sb value measured previously in certified reference material of road dust (BCR 723, δ¹²³Sb = 0.03 ± 0.05‰). Moreover, a fractionation of Sb isotopes is observed between solid and dissolved phases in one sample, which might result from Sb (bio)reduction and/or adsorption processes. SEM-EDXS investigations show the presence of discrete submicrometric particles concentrating Sb in all the systems, interpreted as friction residues of Sb-containing brake pads. Sb solid speciation determined by linear combination fitting of X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) spectra at the Sb K-edge shows an important spatial variability in the ponds, with Sb chemical forms likely driven by local redox conditions: "dry" samples exposed to air exhibited contributions from Sb(V)-O (52% to 100%) and Sb(III)-O (<10% to 48%) species whereas only underwater samples, representative of suboxic/anoxic conditions, showed an additional contribution from Sb(III)-S (41% to 80%) species. Altogether, these results confirm the traffic emission as a specific source of Sb emission in surface environments. The spatial variations of Sb speciation observed along the road-to-pond continuum likely reflect a high geochemical reactivity, which could have important implications on Sb transfer properties in (sub)surface hydrosystems.

Toxic elements in children’s crayons and colored pencils: Bioaccessibility assessment

Crayons and colored pencils for children may contain toxic elements (TEs) exhibiting potential risk for children?s health including cognitive development, after their ingestion, through mouthing and chewing and eventually, their accumulation. The aim of this study was to determine total content of As, Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni and Sb and estimate their bioaccessibility conducting artificial saliva extraction. Sixty samples of colored pencils and crayons from 10 manufacturers were analyzed. Microwave acid assisted digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma optical spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was performed for determination of total content of TEs. Simulation of extraction by artificial saliva was applied to get more reliable data when bioavailability is concerned. The total concentrations of TEs were higher in colored pencils than in crayons and their maximum levels were: 5.78, 9.36, 9.97, 0.615, and 6.63 mg kg-1 for As, Pb, Cr, Cd and Ni, respectively. Concentration of Sb was below the detection limit for all investigated samples. This study showed that concentration of As and Pb in several samples did not comply with European Union regulative. Bioaccessibility study showed the high degree of leaching of Cr and As from pencils, but regardless of extracted portions, concentrations of selected investigated TEs were below allowed levels.

Removal of Sb(III) by 3D-reduced graphene oxide/sodium alginate double-network composites from an aqueous batch and fixed-bed system

We created 3D-reduced graphene oxide/sodium alginate double network (GAD) beads to address the problem of local water pollution by antimony. GAD is a novel material with the high specific surface area of graphene and biosecurity of sodium alginate. Due to the introduction of graphene, the thermal stability and specific surface area of GAD are enhanced, as shown from the FTIR, TGA, BET, Raman, and XRD characterizations. The influence of different environmental variables-such as the pH, dosage, temperature, contact time, and sodium chloride concentration on the Sb(III) sorption with GAD-was investigated. The adsorption results fit well with both the pseudo-second order (R² > 0.99) and Freundlich (R² > 0.99) isotherm models. The temperature rise has a negative influence on the adsorption. The Langmuir adsorption capacity is 7.67 mg/g, which is higher than many adsorbents. The GAD results from the fixed-bed adsorption experiment were a good fit with the Thomas model (R² > 0.99). In addition, GAD appears to be a renewable and ideal adsorbent for the treatment of antimony pollution in aqueous systems.

Antimony and PET bottles: Checking facts

Over the last 30 years, bottled water has gained in popularity reaching high sales world-wide. Most of this water is sold in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. About 15 years ago, the presence of antimony in water in those PET bottles raised concerns and studies on the subject have been regularly published since then. This review aims to evaluate whether the use of good analytical practices and the correct design of these studies support the accepted facts (i.e., PET is the origin of antimony presence in bottled waters, antimony concentrations are usually below regulated values, temperature increasing favours antimony leaching). The detailed analysis of published data has confirmed these facts but has also revealed frequency of faulty analytical practices and a lack of well-designed studies. A better understanding of the structure of PET polymer in the bottles, coupled with statistically-robust antimony release experiments, is required to progress in the field.