OPFRs in e-waste sites: Integrating in silico approaches, selective bioremediation, and health risk management of residents surrounding

Abstract

A multilevel index system of organophosphate flame retardant bioremediation effect in an e-waste handling area was established under three bioremediation scenarios (scenario I, plant absorption; scenario II, plant–microbial combined remediation; scenario III, microbial degradation). Directional modification of OPFR substitutes with high selective bioremediation was performed. The virtual amino acid mutation approach was utilised to generate high-efficiency selective absorption/degradation mutant proteins (MPs) in a plant–microbial system under varying conditions. In scenario III, the MP's microbial degrading ability to replace molecules was increased to the greatest degree (165.82%). Appropriate foods such as corn, pig liver, and yam should be consumed, whereas the simultaneous consumption of high protein foods such as pig liver and walnut should be avoided; sweet potato and yam are believed to be prevent OPFRs and substitute molecules from entering the human body through multiple pathways for reduced genotoxicity of OPFRs in the populations of e-waste handling areas (the reduction degree can reach 85.12%). The study provides a theoretical basis for the development of ecologically acceptable OPFR substitutes and innovative high-efficiency bioremediation MPs, as well as for the reduction of the joint toxicity risk of multiple ingestion route exposure/gene damage of OPFRs in high OPFR exposure sites.