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Schwaebe B, He H, Glaubensklee C, Ogunseitan OA, Schoenung JM. Chemical hazard assessment toward safer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2024. [PMID: 38837720 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Commercialization of rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries has revolutionized the design of portable electronic devices and is facilitating the current transition to electric vehicles. The technological specifications of Li-ion batteries continue to evolve through the introduction of various high-risk liquid electrolyte chemicals, yet critical evaluation of the physical, environmental, and human health hazards of these substances is lacking. Using the GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals approach, we conducted a chemical hazard assessment (CHA) of 103 electrolyte chemicals categorized into seven chemical groups: salts, carbonates, esters, ethers, sulfoxides-sulfites-sulfones, overcharge protection additives, and flame-retardant additives. To minimize data gaps, we focused on six toxicity and hazard data sources, including three empirical and three nonempirical predictive data sources. Furthermore, we investigated the structural similarities among selected electrolyte chemicals using the ChemMine tool and the simplified molecular input line entry system inputs from PubChem to evaluate whether chemicals with similar structures exhibit similar toxicity. The results demonstrate that salts, overcharge protection additives, and flame-retardant additives contain the most toxic components in the electrolyte solutions. Furthermore, carbonates, esters, and ethers account for most flammability hazards in Li-ion batteries. This study supports the complementary use of quantitative structure-activity relationship models to minimize data gaps and inconsistencies in CHA. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-14. © 2024 The Author(s). Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Branden Schwaebe
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Haoyang He
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Christopher Glaubensklee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Oladele A Ogunseitan
- Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
- World Institute for Sustainable Development of Materials (WISDOM), University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Julie M Schoenung
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
- World Institute for Sustainable Development of Materials (WISDOM), University of California, Irvine, California, USA
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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2
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Ruan T, Li P, Wang H, Li T, Jiang G. Identification and Prioritization of Environmental Organic Pollutants: From an Analytical and Toxicological Perspective. Chem Rev 2023; 123:10584-10640. [PMID: 37531601 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to environmental organic pollutants has triggered significant ecological impacts and adverse health outcomes, which have been received substantial and increasing attention. The contribution of unidentified chemical components is considered as the most significant knowledge gap in understanding the combined effects of pollutant mixtures. To address this issue, remarkable analytical breakthroughs have recently been made. In this review, the basic principles on recognition of environmental organic pollutants are overviewed. Complementary analytical methodologies (i.e., quantitative structure-activity relationship prediction, mass spectrometric nontarget screening, and effect-directed analysis) and experimental platforms are briefly described. The stages of technique development and/or essential parts of the analytical workflow for each of the methodologies are then reviewed. Finally, plausible technique paths and applications of the future nontarget screening methods, interdisciplinary techniques for achieving toxicant identification, and burgeoning strategies on risk assessment of chemical cocktails are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Pengyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Haotian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tingyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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3
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Arp HPH, Aurich D, Schymanski EL, Sims K, Hale SE. Avoiding the Next Silent Spring: Our Chemical Past, Present, and Future. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:6355-6359. [PMID: 37053515 PMCID: PMC10134483 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hans Peter H. Arp
- Norwegian
Geotechnical Institute (NGI), P.O. Box
3930, Ullevål Stadion, 0806 Oslo, Norway
- Department
of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science
and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Dagny Aurich
- Luxembourg
Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University
of Luxembourg, 6 avenue
du Swing, 4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Emma L. Schymanski
- Luxembourg
Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University
of Luxembourg, 6 avenue
du Swing, 4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Kerry Sims
- Environment
Agency, Horizon House, Deanery Road, Bristol BS1 5AH, U.K.
| | - Sarah E. Hale
- Norwegian
Geotechnical Institute (NGI), P.O. Box
3930, Ullevål Stadion, 0806 Oslo, Norway
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4
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Arp HPH, Hale SE. Assessing the Persistence and Mobility of Organic Substances to Protect Freshwater Resources. ACS ENVIRONMENTAL AU 2022; 2:482-509. [PMID: 36411866 PMCID: PMC9673533 DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.2c00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Persistent and mobile organic substances are those with the highest propensity to be widely distributed in groundwater and thereby, when emitted at low-levels, to contaminate drinking water extraction points and freshwater environments. To prevent such contamination, the European Commission is in the process of introducing new hazard classes for persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) and very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances within its key chemical regulations CLP and REACH. The assessment of persistence in these regulations will likely be based on simulated half-life, t 1/2, thresholds; the assessment of mobility will likely be based on organic carbon-water distribution coefficient, K OC, thresholds. This study reviews the use of t 1/2 and K OC to describe persistence and mobility, considering the theory, history, suitability, data limitations, estimation methods, and alternative parameters. For this purpose, t 1/2, K OC, and alternative parameters were compiled for substances registered under REACH, known transformation products, and substances detected in wastewater treatment plant effluent, surface water, bank filtrate, groundwater, raw water, and drinking water. Experimental t 1/2 values were rare and only available for 2.2% of the 14 203 unique chemicals identified. K OC data were only available for a fifth of the substances. Therefore, the usage of alternative screening parameters was investigated to predict t 1/2 and K OC values, to assist weight-of-evidence based PMT/vPvM hazard assessments. Even when considering screening parameters, for 41% of substances, PMT/vPvM assessments could not be made due to data gaps; for 23% of substances, PMT/vPvM assessments were ambiguous. Further effort is needed to close these substantial data gaps. However, when data is available, the use of t 1/2 and K OC is considered fit-for-purpose for defining PMT/vPvM thresholds. Using currently discussed threshold values, between 1.9 and 2.6% of REACH registered substances were identified as PMT/vPvM. Among the REACH registered substances detected in drinking water sources, 24-30% were PMT/vPvM substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Peter H. Arp
- Norwegian
Geotechnical Institute (NGI), P.O. Box
3930, Ullevål Stadion, NO-0806 Oslo, Norway
- Department
of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science
and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
- . Tel: +47 950 20 667
| | - Sarah E. Hale
- Norwegian
Geotechnical Institute (NGI), P.O. Box
3930, Ullevål Stadion, NO-0806 Oslo, Norway
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5
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He H, Tian S, Glaubensklee C, Tarroja B, Samuelsen S, Ogunseitan OA, Schoenung JM. Advancing chemical hazard assessment with decision analysis: A case study on lithium-ion and redox flow batteries used for energy storage. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 437:129301. [PMID: 35716560 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Batteries are important for promoting renewable energy, but, like most engineered products, they contain multiple hazardous materials. The purpose of this study is to evaluate industrial-scale batteries using GreenScreen® for Safer Chemicals, an established chemical hazard assessment (CHA) framework, and to develop a systematic, transparent methodology to quantify the CHA results, harmonize them, and aggregate them into single-value hazard scores, which can facilitate quantitative comparison and a robust evaluation of data gaps, inconsistencies, and uncertainty through the implementation of carefully selected scenarios and stochastic multicriteria acceptability analysis (SMAA). Using multiple authoritative toxicity data sources, six battery products are evaluated: three lithium-ion batteries (lithium iron phosphate, lithium nickel cobalt manganese hydroxide, and lithium manganese oxide), and three redox flow batteries (vanadium redox, zinc-bromine, and all-iron). The CHA results indicate that many materials in these batteries, including reagents and intermediates, inherently exhibit high hazard; therefore, safer materials should be identified and considered in future designs. The scenario analysis and SMAA, combined, provide a quantitative evaluation framework to support the decision-making needed to compare alternative technologies. Thus, this study highlights specific strategies to reduce the use of hazardous materials in complex engineered products before they are widely used in this rapidly-expanding industry sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyang He
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Shan Tian
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States; Advanced Power and Energy Program, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Chris Glaubensklee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Brian Tarroja
- Advanced Power and Energy Program, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Scott Samuelsen
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States; Advanced Power and Energy Program, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Oladele A Ogunseitan
- Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Julie M Schoenung
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States.
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6
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Kim T, Lee C, Lee J, Bae H, Noh J, Hong S, Kwon BO, Kim JJ, Yim UH, Chang GS, Giesy JP, Khim JS. Best available technique for the recovery of marine benthic communities in a gravel shore after the oil spill: A mesocosm-based sediment triad assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 435:128945. [PMID: 35500340 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128945] [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: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ecotoxicological effects of spilled oils are well documented, but study of recovery of marine benthic communities is limited. Long-term recovery of hard bottom communities during physical and biological remediations after a spill was monitored. A 60-day experiment was conducted using a mesocosm with monitoring of eight endpoints by use of the sediment quality triad (SQT). First, physical treatment of hot water + high pressure flushing maximally removed residual oils (max=93%), showing the greatest recovery among SQT variables (mean=72%). Physical cleanup generally involved adverse effects such as depression of the microphytobenthic community during the initial period. Next, biological treatments, such as fertilizer, emulsifier, enzyme and augmentation of the microbes, all facilitated removal of oil (max=66%) enhancing ecological recovery. Analysis of the microbiome confirmed that oil-degrading bacteria, such as Dietzia sp. and Rosevarius sp. were present. A mixed bioremediation, including fertilizer + multi-enzyme + microbes (FMeM) maximized efficacy of remediation as indicated by SQT parameters (mean=47%). Natural attenuation with "no treatment" showed comparable recovery to other remediations. Considering economic availability, environmental performance, and technical applicability, of currently available techniques, combined treatments of physical removal via hand wiping followed by FMeM could be most effective for recovery of the rocky shore benthic community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taewoo Kim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Changkeun Lee
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Junghyun Lee
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hanna Bae
- GeoSystem Research Corporation, Gunpo 15807, Republic of Korea
| | - Junsung Noh
- Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongjin Hong
- Department of Ocean Environmental Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong-Oh Kwon
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Kunsan National University, Kunsan 54150, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Jin Kim
- Division of Environmental Science & Ecological Engineering, College of Life Science & Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Un Hyuk Yim
- Oil and POPs Research Group, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea
| | - Gap Soo Chang
- Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N5E2, Canada
| | - John P Giesy
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences & Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan,Saskatoon, SK S7N5B3, Canada; Environmental Sciences Department, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798-7266, United States
| | - Jong Seong Khim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Sustainable Treatment Techniques for Emerging Pollutants—The Case of Personal Hygiene Products. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12136330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Personal care products (PCPs) enter wastewater primarily through greywater. Treatment plants have not been able to remove this type of contaminant, although PCP abatement techniques have been developed in recent years. The objective of the current study has been to encounter the sustainable technique that keeps the optimal balance between the criteria considered in the comparison. Therefore, a bibliographic review was conducted in scientific databases of the last eight years, demonstrating that co-composting, anaerobic–aerobic sequencing bioreactors and contaminant absorption through the use of carbon nanotubes are the ones with the least environmental impact. Subsequently, the Saaty and Modified Saaty methods were applied, with a comparative criteria of construction costs, maintenance costs, efficiency and the stage of development. The results indicated that the co-composting technique is the best sustainable technique of those studied, with a score of 0.86/1, which means that the criteria analyzed maintain very close values between them. The co-composting technique yields a low environmental impact in eliminating personal care products. This research work constitutes a practical and easy-to-use tool for decision makers, since it allows finding an optimal elimination treatment for PCPs.
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8
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Bevington C, Williams AJ, Guider C, Baker NC, Meyer B, Babich MA, Robinson S, Jones A, Phillips KA. Development of a Flame Retardant and an Organohalogen Flame Retardant Chemical Inventory. Sci Data 2022. [PMCID: PMC9192637 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01351-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been many attempts to compile comprehensive lists of flame retardants. However, this goal has proven challenging due to the heterogeneity of compounds that can be used as flame retardants coupled with changes in formulation chemistry over time. Flame retardants have been the focus of many recent existing hazard, exposure, and risk assessments. These assessments have been class-based or for individual chemical substances. Here, diverse sets of publicly available data sources from governmental organizations and the open literature were compiled to develop an inventory of chemicals used as flame retardants and organohalogen flame retardants. The chemical substances from these data sources were mapped to appropriate chemical identifiers via manual curation and deduplicated. Despite different data sources containing a large number of overlapping chemical substances, compiling information from multiple data sources was found to increase the breadth of potential flame retardant chemistries. The flame retardant and organohalogen flame retardant inventories were developed as a resource for scientists interested in better understanding properties of flame retardant and organohalogen flame retardant classes. Measurement(s) | chemical use information | Technology Type(s) | manual and automated literature collection |
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Jin B, Han M, Huang C, Arp HPH, Zhang G. Towards improved characterization of the fate and impact of hydraulic fracturing chemicals to better secure regional water quality. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:497-503. [PMID: 35404376 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00034b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Hydraulic fracturing (HF) of shale and other permeable rock formations to extract gas and oil is a water-intensive process that returns a significant amount of flowback and produced water (FPW). Due to the complex chemical composition of HF fluids and FPW, this process has led to public concern on the impacts of FPW disposal, spillage and spreading to regional freshwater resources, in particular to shallow groundwater aquifers. To address this, a better understanding of the chemical composition of HF fluid and FPW is needed, as well as the environmental fate properties of the chemical constituents, such as their persistence, mobility and toxicity (PMT) properties. Such research would support risk-based management strategies for the protection of regional water quality, including both the phase-out of problematic chemicals and better hydraulic safeguards against FPW contamination. This article presents recent strategies to advance the assessment and analysis of HF and FPW associated organic chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou, 510640, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10069, China
| | - Min Han
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou, 510640, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10069, China
| | - Chen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou, 510640, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10069, China
| | - Hans Peter H Arp
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), P.O. Box 3930 Ullevaal Stadion, N-0806 Oslo, Norway.
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Gan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou, 510640, China
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10
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Uncovering global-scale risks from commercial chemicals in air. Nature 2021; 600:456-461. [PMID: 34912090 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04134-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Commercial chemicals are used extensively across urban centres worldwide1, posing a potential exposure risk to 4.2 billion people2. Harmful chemicals are often assessed on the basis of their environmental persistence, accumulation in biological organisms and toxic properties, under international and national initiatives such as the Stockholm Convention3. However, existing regulatory frameworks rely largely upon knowledge of the properties of the parent chemicals, with minimal consideration given to the products of their transformation in the atmosphere. This is mainly due to a dearth of experimental data, as identifying transformation products in complex mixtures of airborne chemicals is an immense analytical challenge4. Here we develop a new framework-combining laboratory and field experiments, advanced techniques for screening suspect chemicals, and in silico modelling-to assess the risks of airborne chemicals, while accounting for atmospheric chemical reactions. By applying this framework to organophosphate flame retardants, as representative chemicals of emerging concern5, we find that their transformation products are globally distributed across 18 megacities, representing a previously unrecognized exposure risk for the world's urban populations. More importantly, individual transformation products can be more toxic and up to an order-of-magnitude more persistent than the parent chemicals, such that the overall risks associated with the mixture of transformation products are also higher than those of the parent flame retardants. Together our results highlight the need to consider atmospheric transformations when assessing the risks of commercial chemicals.
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11
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Zheng Z, Arp HPH, Peters G, Andersson PL. Combining In Silico Tools with Multicriteria Analysis for Alternatives Assessment of Hazardous Chemicals: Accounting for the Transformation Products of decaBDE and Its Alternatives. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:1088-1098. [PMID: 33381962 PMCID: PMC7871322 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Transformation products ought to be an important consideration in chemical alternatives assessment. In this study, a recently established hazard ranking tool for alternatives assessment based on in silico data and multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods was further developed to include chemical transformation products. Decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) and five proposed alternatives were selected as case chemicals; biotic and abiotic transformation reactions were considered using five in silico tools. A workflow was developed to select transformation products with the highest occurrence potential. The most probable transformation products of the alternative chemicals were often similarly persistent but more mobile in aquatic environments, which implies an increasing exposure potential. When persistence (P), bioaccumulation (B), mobility in the aquatic environment (M), and toxicity (T) are considered (via PBT, PMT, or PBMT composite scoring), all six flame retardants have at least one transformation product that can be considered more hazardous, across diverse MCDA. Even when considering transformation products, the considered alternatives remain less hazardous than decaBDE, though the range of hazard of the five alternatives was reduced. The least hazardous of the considered alternatives were melamine and bis(2-ethylhexyl)-tetrabromophthalate. This developed tool could be integrated within holistic alternatives assessments considering use and life cycle impacts or additionally prioritizing transformation products within (bio)monitoring screening studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziye Zheng
- Department
of Chemistry, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hans Peter H. Arp
- Department
of Environmental Engineering, Norwegian
Geotechnical Institute, Ullevaal
Stadion NO-0806, Oslo, Norway
- Department
of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science
and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Gregory Peters
- Division
of Environmental Systems Analysis, Chalmers
University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
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12
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Beaudrie C, Corbett CJ, Lewandowski TA, Malloy T, Zhou X. Evaluating the Application of Decision Analysis Methods in Simulated Alternatives Assessment Case Studies: Potential Benefits and Challenges of Using MCDA. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2021; 17:27-41. [PMID: 32681741 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4316] [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: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
We compare how several forms of multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) can enhance the practice of alternatives assessment (AA). We report on a workshop in which 12 practitioners from US corporations, government agencies, NGOs, and consulting organizations applied different MCDA techniques to 3 AA case studies to understand how they improved the decision process. Participants were asked to select a preferred alternative in each case using a different decision analysis approach: their unaided decision-making method, individual or lightly facilitated group multiattribute value theory (MAVT), and more extensively facilitated group structured decision making (SDM). Surveys conducted after each exercise revealed that participants were positive toward the use of formal decision-making methods for AA, reporting meaningful increases in their understanding of the trade-offs involved and their own values. Participants also reported challenges with each approach. While the MCDA techniques were reported to enhance transparency and communication, they did not consistently lead to higher satisfaction with a decision and/or outcome, and they were not more likely to be adopted within their organizations than unaided approaches. More formal decision-making methods have promise in the context of AA, but practitioners will need more guidance to use such tools successfully. Practitioners will also need to define what "success" constitutes; different approaches may be called for depending on whether the objective is increased understanding, satisfaction with the outcome, satisfaction with the process, or something else. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:27-41. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Xiaoying Zhou
- California Department of Toxic Substances Control, Sacramento, California, USA
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13
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Xiao L, Zheng Z, Irgum K, Andersson PL. Studies of Emission Processes of Polymer Additives into Water Using Quartz Crystal Microbalance-A Case Study on Organophosphate Esters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:4876-4885. [PMID: 32186175 PMCID: PMC7884016 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b07607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Plastic materials contain various additives, which can be released during the entire lifespan of plastics and pose a threat to the environment and human health. Despite our knowledge on leakage of additives from products, accurate and rapid approaches to study emission kinetics are largely lacking, in particular, methodologies that can provide in-depth understanding of polymer/additive interactions. Here, we report on a novel approach using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to measure emissions of additives to water from polymer films spin-coated on quartz crystals. The methodology, being accurate and reproducible with a standard error of ±2.4%, was applied to a range of organophosphate esters (OPEs) and polymers with varying physicochemical properties. The release of most OPEs reached an apparent steady-state within 10 h. The release curves for the studied OPEs could be fitted using a Weibull model, which shows that the release is a two-phase process with an initial fast phase driven by partitioning of OPEs readily available at or close to the polymer film surface, and a slower phase dominated by diffusion in the polymer. The kinetics of the first emission phase was mainly correlated with the hydrophobicity of the OPEs, whereas the diffusion phase was weakly correlated with molecular size. The developed QCM-based method for assessing and studying release of organic chemicals from a polymeric matrix is well suited for rapid screening of additives in efforts to identify more sustainable replacement polymer additives with lower emission potential.
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