Risk Assessment Of Exposure Research Articles

Wind tunnel experiments on bioaerosol dispersion and exposure risk assessment in wastewater treatment plants under natural ventilation

Natural ventilation in wastewater treatment plants can introduce bioaerosols into uncontaminated environment, which poses significant threats on susceptible human health. In this study, the dispersion and deposition of bioaerosols in two different plants were comparatively investigated with wind tunnel experiments. Quantitative risk assessment was conducted to evaluate exposure to Escherichia coli using dose-response modeling under two distinct meteorological conditions. The results indicated the predominant influence of thermal buoyancy on natural ventilation pattern between outdoor and indoor circulation. And the exposure risk was significantly elevated under unstable thermal stratification conditions. The removal and migration of the airborne bioaerosols generated during the indoor implementation of effluent treatment were accelerated with stronger air circulation. Deposition of bioaerosol particles were primarily found on the vertical surface below 2 m and at the corner of the leeward side. A notable finding was that the likelihood of infection at the surrounding area was much higher than that within the plant. The study's findings can serve as scientific references for the design and layout of industrial buildings that release infectious bioaerosols, and also offers valuable recommendations for mitigating bioaerosol concentrations in industrial plants.

Inhalation Exposure to Airborne Prothioconazole Caused by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Application and Potential Lung Health Effects.

The use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has greatly improved pesticide effectiveness and control efficiency; however, the risk of inhalation exposure to pesticides caused by spray drift requires urgent attention. This study is the first to investigate residue distribution and inhalation exposure risk of airborne prothioconazole and its metabolite prothioconazole-desthio during UAV application. The maximum detected unit exposure of prothioconazole and prothioconazole-desthio in airborne particulate matter was 0.40 and 20.09 ng/m3, respectively. For exposure risk assessment, in vivo inhalation bioavailability (BAinvivo) was incorporated to adjust the inhalation exposure level, and the corresponding values measured were 37.58 and 73.99%, respectively. Moreover, we observed pesticide accumulation in rat lungs and its cause of histological damage via oxidative stress following 10-day exposure. The margin of exposure for propiconazole and prothioconazole-desthio was calculated to be within an acceptable level; however, the values might be overestimated by 40 and 70% without considering inhalation bioavailability.

Comparative Analysis of Growth Media for Cultivating Acanthamoeba: Implications for Laboratory Diagnostics

Background Acanthamoeba, a genus of free-living amoebae found in soil, freshwater, and marine habitats, is crucial in environmental studies and medical microbiology due to its potential to cause severe human infections. Cultivating Acanthamoeba is crucial for diagnosing infections, guiding treatment, and assessing exposure risks to pathogenic strains. This study aims to compare different culture media for cultivating Acanthamoeba under laboratory conditions. Materials and Methods The study examined ten culture media for Acanthamoeba growth, including TSB, Trypticase soy agar (TSA), Trypticase soy yeast (TSY), Trypticase yeast iron-extracted (TYI), Trypticase, yeast maltose extract (TYM), Pepton Yeast Glucose Extract (PYG), Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM), RPMI 1640, Serum Casein Glucose Yeast Extract (SCGY), Coconut powder suspension in NNA medium, as well as non-nutrient agar (NNA) as the primary & control culture. Results The results showed varied growth rates of Acanthamoeba when cultured in different media, highlighting important trends in their adaptability and growth based on the nutritional composition of the media provided. In TSB, TSA, DMEM/F12 and SCGY media, no growth was observed, suggesting that the combination may lack essential nutrients or conditions necessary for fostering Acanthamoeba proliferation. TYI showed an excellent growth rate for Acanthamoeba, particularly notable during the first 24-72 hours. The use of maltose as a carbon source and FBS in the NNA environment appears to promote rapid proliferation of Acanthamoeba. Coconut powder suspension in NNA medium led to excellent growth rates of Acanthamoeba. Conclusion The effective cultivation of Acanthamoeba in TYI, TYM, and coconut powder highlights the significance of refining nutrient composition to enhance culturing methods.

Urban flood risk assessment and evacuation planning: a bi-level optimization model for sustainable high-density coastal areas

ABSTRACT Flooding caused by extreme climate change is becoming increasingly severe, especially in high-density coastal areas worldwide. Although many studies have conducted risk assessments of urban floods, most have not formed a comprehensive evacuation plan considering population distribution and flood disaster risk. To further enhance urban flood planning and emergency management for coastal areas, this study uses Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, a typical flood-prone region, as a research area. The study first conducts a flood exposure risk assessment and classifies different regions according to flood risk levels. Then, by combining evacuation ability with the changing flood disaster and road evacuation flows, a novel bi-level optimization model is proposed to allocate zones for the citizens day and night. With the upper level using a genetic algorithm to minimize the total system evacuation time and the lower level applying a user equilibrium model for evacuee allocation, this model forms an evacuation that considers the distribution of population hotspots and the impact of flood risks on the road network. The findings of the study show that functional urban areas with high pedestrian flow, tourist spots, commercial centres, and schools are exposed to higher flood risk. Besides, the evacuation simulation of the bi-level optimization model proposed in this study matches the zoning results of actual urban activities and can effectively achieve the goal of evacuating 480,000 people within 12–18 minutes. This study innovatively proposes an effective evacuation plan that can reference the government’s emergency evacuation planning work.

Hexafluoropropylene Oxide Trimer Acid Is an Unsafe Substitute to Perfluorooctanoic Acid Due to Its Remarkable Liver Accumulation in Mice Disclosed by Comprehensive Toxicokinetic Models.

Hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA, C2F5(CF2OCF(CF3))2COOH) is widely used as an alternative to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), but whether it is a safe alternative requires further evaluation. In this study, male mice were exposed to three dosages (0.56, 2.8, and 14 mg/kg) of HFPO-TA via single oral gavage or intravenous injection for 28 days. HFPO-TA was rapidly absorbed into the blood and tissues within 15 min postexposure, with a volume of distribution approximately 3 times higher than PFOA, indicating a greater propensity for tissue distribution. Notably, HFPO-TA was distinctly more accumulated in liver compared to plasma and other tissues and very poorly excreted, with only 2.23% in urine and 7.26% in feces on the 21st day after oral exposure. A physiologically based toxicokinetic model, extrapolated to long-term low-dose exposure, revealed a lower bile clearance rate (8-fold) and higher liver partition coefficient (7-fold) than PFOA, and a higher hepatic first-pass effect of HFPO-TA (5-fold) than PFOA, contributing to its remarkable liver accumulation (5-fold). Molecular docking analysis reveals strong binding affinity of HFPO-TA with typical enterohepatic circulation transport proteins due to its strong hydrophobicity, flexible chain structure, and formation of additional hydrogen bonds, favoring HFPO-TA accumulation in the liver. The results suggest that HFPO-TA may not be a safe substitute for legacy PFAS, and further human exposure risk assessments are warranted.

Demystifying furan formation in foods: Implications for human health, detection, and control measures: A review.

Furan (C₄H₄O), an unintended hazardous compound, is formed in various thermally processed foods through multiple pathways, raising concerns due to its potential carcinogenicity in humans. The aim of this comprehensive review was to synthesize and evaluate the latest research on furan, from its formation by different precursors to its presence in diverse food matrices, as well as the emerging methods for its detection and mitigation. Emphasizing the toxicity of furan, it explored evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies, including reproductive toxicity, carcinogenic effects, and related biomarkers. Additionally, this review focused on human risk assessments of furan exposure and discussed innovative research approaches to better understand its health risks. By consolidating current knowledge, this review provided a comprehensive perspective on furan's impact on human health and suggested future research directions to further research on furan.

Experimental and Computational Investigation of the Emission and Dispersion of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) During Domestic Cooking

As the wealth of evidence grows as to the negative impact of indoor air quality on human health, it has become increasingly urgent to investigate and characterise sources of air pollution within the home. Fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5) is a key cause for concern, and cooking is known to be one of the most significant sources of domestic PM2.5. In this study, the aim was to demonstrate the efficacy of combining experimental techniques and cutting-edge High-Performance Computing (HPC) to characterise the dispersion of PM2.5 during stir-frying within a kitchen laboratory. This was carried out using both experimental measurement with low-cost sensors and high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling, in which Lagrangian Stochastic Methods were used to model particle dispersion. Experimental results showed considerable spatio-temporal variation across the kitchen, with PM2.5 mass concentrations in some regions elevated over 1000g/m3 above the baseline. This demonstrated both the impact that even a short-term cooking event can have on indoor air quality and the need to factor in such strong spatio-temporal variations when assessing exposure risk in such settings. The computational results were promising, with a reasonable approximation of the experimental data shown at the majority of monitoring points, and future improvements to and applications of the model are suggested.

Health risk assessment of aflatoxin M1 exposure through traditional dairy products in Fasa, Iran.

Milk and dairy products are an important source of essential nutrients for human health. However, contamination of these foods poses a significant public health concern. In this study, risk assessment of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) exposure associated with the consumption of traditional milk and dairy products in Fasa, Fars Province, Iran, was carried out. A total of 180 samples, comprising raw milk, boiled milk, cheese, yoghurt, as well as Doogh and Kashk, two traditional fermented milk-based products, were collected during two seasons of summer and winter and then analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The findings indicated that 85.55% of all samples were contaminated with AFM1 with the mean concentration of positive samples as 251.15 ± 71.97ng/kg (1.10-453.50ng/kg). The results also showed that in 68.88% of tested samples, the toxin concentration exceeded the limit set by the national standard of Iran and the European Union standard. Dietary exposure value calculated for the study population was 0.13ng/kg BW/day. Based on calculations resulting from risk characterization, hazard index (HI), liver cancer risk (LCR), and margin of exposure (MOE) for AFM1 were 0.67, 7.6 × 10-4, and 15,291, respectively. For yoghurt consumers, results showed a significant risk for the study population regarding non-carcinogenic and carcinogenicity hazard (HI > 1, LCR > 10-4, MOE < 10,000). Yoghurt showed the highest contribution rate for AFM1 exposure in various dairy products due to its higher consumption rates, followed by milk. Based on these results, there are needs for rigorous monitoring and control of cattle feeds to decrease the risk of contamination with aflatoxins.

Health risk assessment of dietary aflatoxin B1 exposure in common food matrices in Vietnam

AbstractAflatoxins, potent carcinogenic mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus species, persist in various foods, posing significant health risks upon consumption. This study assesses dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure in Vietnam using Margin of Exposure (MOE) and Hazard Index (HI) to evaluate risk levels in peanuts, chili powder, corn, and raisins. AFB1 levels were quantified by UPLC-FLD. AFB1 was detected in 71.5% of chili powder, 29.3% of peanuts, and 26.0% of corn samples, with no detectable levels in raisins. Peanuts and corn kernels were classified as high-risk, with MOE values below 10,000 (peanuts: 25.8–56.6; corn: 42.3–92.6) and HI values exceeding 1, potentially contributing to 20.4–44.7 and 12.5–27.3 liver cancer cases per 100,000 adults, respectively. In contrast, chili powder had MOE values between 3,208 and 7,021 and HI below 1, indicating a low public health risk. Raisins were deemed safe with MOE over 200,000 and HI at 0.01. Results also indicated higher cancer risk for women and lean individuals consuming the same AFB1 levels. These findings underscore the need for focused risk management strategies to mitigate AFB1 exposure and protect public health in Vietnam.

Assessing Wildfire Impact on Diffusive Flux of Parent and Alkylated PAHs: A Pilot Study of Soil-Air Chemical Movement before, during, and after Wildfires.

The global wildfire risk is predicted to rise due to contributing factors of historical fire management strategies and increases in extreme weather conditions. Thus, there is a need to better understand contaminant movement and human exposure to wildfire smoke. Vapor-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are elevated during wildfires, but little is known about how these chemicals move during and after wildfire events for exposure risk assessment. Paired air and soil pore air passive samplers were deployed before, during, and after wildfires to determine diffusive flux of vapor-phase parent (p-PAH) and alkylated (a-PAH) PAHs in the Western United States. Naphthalene and 2-methylnaphthalene contributed to most of the volatilization and deposition (6.3-89%) before and after a wildfire. Retene (41%) and phenanthrene (27%) contributed substantially to deposition during a wildfire. During wildfires, the number of PAHs in deposition increased at sites with worse air quality. Most p-PAHs and a-PAHs were either depositing or near equilibrium after a wildfire, except for retene at several locations. A majority (≥50%) of PAHs had a 50% magnitude difference between flux before and after a wildfire. This study increases the understanding of PAH movement and exposure during each stage of the wildfire cycle.

Pesticide exposure of operators during mixing and loading a drone: towards a stratified exposure assessment.

This study evaluated operator exposure during mixing and loading phases of drone-based pesticide application, specifically examining potential and actual exposure during handling of concentrated and diluted pesticide products. It aims to clarify the differences in exposure levels between these two scenarios with implications for exposure risk assessment. Results demonstrate that mixing concentrated products poses the primary exposure, while transferring diluted mixtures to the drone tank results in significantly lower exposure figures. Personal protective equipment (PPE) significantly mitigates potential exposure, particularly during mixing. Hand exposure contributes to 50-75% of total exposure. These data facilitate refined exposure and risk assessments by distinguishing between handling concentrated and diluted products, allowing a stratification of exposure for these scenarios and enabling the application of appropriate dermal absorption rates for each scenario. The results also confirm that one layer of work clothing and protective gloves significantly reduce the operator exposure, which highlights the importance of wearing adequate protective clothing and gloves by operators, especially during the mixing phase. These insights contribute to the development of novel science-based safety assessments and improved operator protection in drone-assisted pesticide application. © 2024 Bayer AG. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Antibiotic resistance in the Ganga River: Investigation of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes, and public health risk assessment

The Ganga River, sacred to India and supporting 440 million people, faces a severe threat from antibiotic resistance. Here, we have investigated the abundance of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs), and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in water and sediment samples at 16 different sites across the Ganga River biannually. Furthermore, we investigated the presence of potentially pathogenic ARB at genus level in the Ganga River and conducted a risk assessment for human exposure to ESKAPE pathogens during swimming activities. Among the sites studied, a notably higher abundance of ARB, ARGs, and MGEs was observed downstream of the pristine sites (G1 and G2) due to anthropogenic inputs. A significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between ARB, ARGs, MGEs, and coliforms, suggesting a close association between faecal contamination and MGEs in the spread of antibiotic resistance in the river. Of the identified, 10,340 isolates, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Pseudoxanthomonas, and Aeromonas were the top five most abundant genera. The dominant potentially pathogenic ARB were Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Stenotrophomonas, and Brevundimonas. The results of the Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) and the analysis of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) indicated that Enterobacter cloacae posed the highest risk, followed by Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Overall, this study provides quantitative data on antibiotic resistance and human health risks in the Ganga River. The data from this study can serve as a foundational basis for guiding crucial actions and policy recommendations for safeguarding the Ganga River and the well-being of its users.

Risk assessment of dietary exposure due to Cyromazine and Melamine residues in poultry eggs from layer farms of Haryana, India

The practice of using Cyromazine (CYR) as feed additive larvicide at layer farms leads to occurrence of residues of CYR and its metabolite Melamine (MEL) in eggs and can cause public health problem. Therefore, the present research work was carried out to estimate the dietary exposure risk to consumers in Haryana, India where CYR is routinely used at layer farms as a measure of fly control. For this purpose, 110 egg samples were collected from layer farms located in selected districts of Haryana (Panchkula, Hisar, Ambala, Sirsa and Panipat). Samples were analyzed using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC-UV). CYR concentration was found to be above LOQ in 25 samples. The mean concentration of the CYR was found to be 42.71 µg kg−1 with a range of 16.88 -112.61 µg kg−1. MEL was not detected in any of the sample analyzed. Estimates of dietary exposure of CYR was found to be 33.40 µg per kg body weight per day. The results indicated that poultry farmers are using CYR as feed additive in layer birds for the purpose of fly control by following good agricultural practices and there is no risk of dietary exposure of CYR and MEL through consumption of eggs to the consumers.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons within the vicinity of a scrap-iron smelting plant: indoor-outdoor and seasonal pattern, source, and exposure risk assessment

ABSTRACT The growing demand for ferrous metals and abundant scrap materials has fueled Nigeria’s scrap-iron smelting industry, leading to hazardous pollutant emissions. This study investigated the concentrations, seasonal and indoor-outdoor variations, origins, and health impacts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in dust samples around a scrap-iron smelting facility. Analyses of dust samples revealed that high molecular weight PAHs (HMWPAHs) dominated during both seasons, with 5-ring PAHs (34%) contributing most during the rainy season and 3-ring PAHs (36%) during the dry season. Carcinogenic PAHs were more prevalent in the rainy season compared to the dry season. Seven PAH sources were identified, with gasoline combustion being the dominant source during the rainy season and iron and steel production during the dry season. Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) assessments showed PAH concentrations within safe limits, with dermal contact identified as the primary exposure pathway for both children and adults in the study area.

High-resolution mass spectrometry-based suspect and nontarget screening of natural toxins in foodstuffs and risk assessment of dietary exposure

Daily dietary intake inevitably exposes individuals to various natural toxins, which may pose potential health threats. Focusing only on specific toxins could underestimate dietary risks. Therefore, we have developed a suspect and nontarget method based on ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) to screen both known and unknown natural toxins in various foodstuffs. An in-house database containing 2952 natural toxins including fungal toxins, phytotoxins, animal toxins and cyanotoxins was established, facilitating suspect screening. Predicted retention time and mass spectrometry data were employed to enhance the confidence levels. Subsequently, Nontarget screening method was conducted based on molecular network analysis, annotating the edges and nodes through modified types and fragmentation characteristics. Finally, we analyzed 102 foodstuff samples and identified a total of 90 natural toxins, including mycotoxins and phytotoxins, with 65 identified by suspect screening and 25 by nontarget screening. Based on measured concentrations, the daily per capita dietary intake of total natural toxins was estimated, it was below risk doses for natural toxins with available reference values. Overall, this work established a novel method for the comprehensive identification of natural toxins in foodstuffs and emphasized the importance of dietary risk assessment for natural toxins.

Application of ionic wind in sampling of bioaerosols: collection efficiency, ROS/RNS production, and viability assessment

Studies of bioaerosol particles in airborne particulate matter have revealed their omnipresence. Therefore, spot-on sampling and identification are pivotal for assessing exposure risks. Corona discharge-based sampling has been utilized for the bioaerosol sampling. However, one of the issues regarding corona discharge-based samplers is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), which can alter the viability of bioaerosols and damage nucleic acids. Herein, the use of ionic wind as a possible alternative to reduce ROS/RNS damage to microorganisms was studied. An aerosol-to-hydrosol (ATH) ionic wind (IW) sampler was developed and compared with an ATH electrostatic precipitation (ESP) sampler having the exact physical dimensions in terms of collection efficiency, ROS/RNS production, ozone generation, viability of collected biological particles, and damage to the nucleic acids of the particles. Overall, the ESP sampler showed a higher collection efficiency and less damage to the reproducibility of the sampled bioaerosols than the IW sampler. However, polymerase chain reaction analysis of the sampled bioaerosol nucleic acids showed similar results for both devices. The IW sampler has the potential for both bioaerosol sampling and deactivation, as well as for scenarios requiring neutralized sampled particles or particle deposition on any nonmetallic surface.

Applicability of monitoring data of Hg soil-atmosphere transport in an old mining area for exposure risk assessment

Mercury (Hg) is a widespread pollutant that poses significant risks to both ecosystems and human health. While previous studies have evaluated Hg concentrations in soils, few have measured Hg emissions in areas with high Hg concentrations or related these measurements to estimates of exposure via air inhalation based on Hg flux values. This study addresses this gap by proposing the use of gaseous elemental Hg (GEM) flux measurements for exposure risk assessments, with a particular focus on the importance of inhalation exposure, which has implications for future risk management strategies. Sensitivity analysis of the site-specific exposure and risk estimation model revealed that the fraction of land area in surface water significantly impacted the estimated exposure through air inhalation. Additionally, the analysis showed that the GEM flux measured in situ in a high-Hg concentration area of Itomuka was not directly proportional to the Hg concentration, although the risk estimation model treated it as a function of concentration. Furthermore, we found that the flux values are influenced by both the fraction of land area in surface water and Hg concentration, indicating that this new flux-based indicator should be integrated into exposure risk assessments.

Dietary Risk Assessment of Cadmium Exposure Through Commonly Consumed Foodstuffs in Mexico.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal widely distributed in foodstuffs. In Mexico, few studies have evaluated Cd content in foods. This study aimed to determine Cd concentrations in foodstuffs that are highly consumed and bought in Mexico City to identify foods exceeding the Maximum Level (ML) and to assess the health risks of theoretical Cd intake from a diet following the Mexican Dietary Guidelines. A total of 143 foodstuffs were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Theoretical Cd intake was estimated in portions per week and compared with the Cd Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI = 2.5 μg/kg per body weight). A total of 68.5% of the foodstuffs had detectable Cd concentrations. Higher concentrations were found in oyster mushrooms (0.575 mg/kg), romaine lettuce (0.335 mg/kg), and cocoa powder (0.289 mg/kg). Food groups with higher mean concentrations were vegetables (0.084 mg/kg) and snacks, sweets, and desserts (0.049 mg/kg). Ancho chili and romaine lettuce exceed the ML. The theoretical Cd intake estimation was 1.80, 2.05, and 3.82 μg/kg per body weight for adults, adolescents, and school-age children, respectively. This theoretical Cd intake represents a health risk only for school children exceeding the TWI by 53.2%. Our study confirms the presence and risk of Cd in Mexican foodstuffs and highlights the importance of monitoring programs.

Multi-residue analytical method development and dietary exposure risk assessment of 345 pesticides in mango by LC-Q-TOF/MS

Mango is attracting increasing global attention for its superior flavor and nutritional benefits. However, the use of pesticides has resulted in a threat to its quality, safety, and human health due to their inevitable residue. There is an urgent need for advanced technologies that can efficiently and sensitively analyze a wide range of pesticides. In this study, a high-throughput screening and quantification method for 345 pesticides in mango was established by applying a modified QuEChERS method combined with liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF/MS). A response surface methodology (RSM) optimized the critical parameters for extracting various pesticides in 1% acetic acid-acetonitrile (v/v) using MgSO4, PSA, C18, and GCB as the adsorbents. The proposed method was successfully validated and applied to the quantitative detection of pesticide residues in 73 mango samples from Hainan. The study found pesticide residues in 95.9% of mango samples, of which 3 samples had residue concentrations in excess of the Chinese maximum residue limit. A total of 24 pesticides were detected, with detection percentages ranging from 1.4% (Thiabendazole) to 41.1% (Pyraclostrobin). Considering the possible health risks related to pesticide residues, risk assessment of human exposure to pesticides via intake of mango was evaluated. The acute and chronic dietary exposure risks related to pesticide residues in mango were accepted. In conclusion, this study provides a powerful platform for monitoring multiple pesticides in mango. First, it can promote the rational use of pesticides, and second, it can help consumers to assess the risk of dietary exposure to pesticide residues.

Bioavailability of trace metals in sediments from Daya bay nature reserve: Spatial variation, controlling factors and the exposure risk assessment for aquatic biota

Determining the ecological risk and environmental significance of trace metal bioavailability is critical for the sustainability of the marine environment and bioresources. The spatial variation, controlling factors and ecological risks of the bioavailability of trace metals (V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb) in Daya Bay sediments were analyzed using BCR sequential extraction and diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT). Differences in concentration distributions between the anthropogenic impact zone (AIZ) and the marine disturbance zone (MDZ) revealed the accumulation of anthropogenic metals in sediments, and that the ocean dynamic conditions promoted the release of bioavailable metals from nature sediments. Fine-grained sediments rich in organic matter possessed more bioavailable metals on the surface. The negative correlations between salinity and the non-residual fractions (F123) suggests that salinity has the potential to inhibit the bioavailability of trace metals. Risk assessment based on total concentrations and acid soluble fractions (F1) showed that Cd was the dominant contributing element to the potential ecological risks with 55.8 %. The evaluation via DGT-labile concentrations indicated that Cu was the element of priority concern for aquatic exposure risk with a risk probability of 7.45 %, and the joint risk probability for metal mixture toxicity was 12.27 %. The exposure risk for aquatic biota was shown as molluscs (9.37 %) > algae (6.82 %) > crustaceans (6.21 %) > invertebrates (6.07 %) > fish (2.61 %). The results provide new clues for risk assessment and management of trace metals in coastal sediments.