Environmental Safety Assessment Research Articles

Applications of Nanomaterials in Food Packaging.

Nanomaterials have drawn great interest in recent years due to their extraordinary properties that make them advantageous in food packaging applications. Specifically, nanoparticles can impart significant barrier properties, as well as mechanical, optical, catalytic, and antimicrobial properties into packaging. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and nanoclay account for the majority of the nano-enabled food packaging on the market, while others, such as nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium, share less of the current market. In current food packaging, these nanomaterials are primarily used to impart antimicrobial function and to improve barrier properties, thereby extending the shelf life and freshness of packaged food. On the other hand, there is growing concern about the migration of nanomaterials from food contact materials to foodstuffs and its associated potential risks. Indeed, insufficient data about environmental and human safety assessments of migration and exposure of nanomaterials are hindering their market growth. To overcome this barrier, the public believes that legislation from government agencies is critical. This review provides an overview of the characteristics and functions of major nanomaterials that are commonly applied to food packaging, including available and near- future products. Migration research, safety issues, and public concerns are also discussed.

AFM measurements of adhesive forces between carbonaceous particles and the substrates

Graphite dust is carbonaceous particles generated during operation of High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors (HTR). Graphite dust resuspension is the key behavior associated with HTR source term analyses and environmental safety assessment. The adhesive force is the key factor that determines the resuspension rate. The present study used an atomic force microscope (AFM) to measure the adhesive force between a single carbonaceous particle and the substrate. The measurements were performed on mica, graphite IG110 and Inconel 800H. The prepared “probe cantilevers” were mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB), fuel element debris from HTR-10 and graphite NBG18. The equivalent work of adhesion was derived from the measured adhesive force and calculated based on substrate profile approximation and the JKR theoretical model. The measured work was smaller than the ideal work of adhesion, most likely due to the rough particle morphology and the rough substrate surface. Additionally, a shape factor imposes a constraint on the lateral deformation of the particles. Furthermore, surface roughness could reduce the adhesive force some depending on the particle size. Once the particle was too small to be trapped into a trough, the adhesive force would not be further reduced.

Environmental Safety Assessment of Krasnoyarsk Krai Based on a Public Health Risk Analysis

The environmental safety of Krasnoyarsk Krai, which possesses a large industrial potential, is evaluated using the methodology of public health risk analysis. It is shown that chemical contamination of the environment is one of the significant factors determining the health of the krai’s population. The effect of the radiation factor associated with the operation of the Mining and Chemical Combine is extremely limited compared with the sources of chemical risk. The radiation risk is 100–100,000 times lower than the chemical risks for public health.

Substrate-induced assembly of PtAu alloy nanostructures at choline functionalized monolayer interface for nitrite sensing

PtAu alloy nanostructures (nanoclusters) with desired surface structure and properties were constructed at choline functionalized monolayer interface. The significance of choline substrate was to provide a suitable local microenvironment with –N+(CH3)3 polar head groups, which was favorable for the progressive nucleation of alloy nanocrystals, as well as the mass transfer of AuCl4− and PtCl62−. The formation process and mechanism of the nanoclusters were investigated, and the physicochemical properties of the nanoclusters were characterized. Electrochemical experimental results demonstrated that the as-prepared nanoclusters exhibited remarkable electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of nitrite due to the ensemble effect and ligand effect of alloy material. Based on the catalytic performance of alloy nanoclusters, the electrode reaction kinetics of nitrite oxidation was studied. Moreover, the analysis of nitrite was realized in real samples including pond water, industrial wastewater, and milk samples, suggesting that the system is beneficial for environmental monitoring and food safety assessment.

Оценка экологической безопасности лесных массивов с помощью циф-ровых технологий

Оценка экологической безопасности лесных массивов с помощью циф-ровых технологий

Physical, chemical, and in vitro toxicological characterization of nanoparticles in chemical mechanical planarization suspensions used in the semiconductor industry: towards environmental health and safety assessments

This tutorial review focuses on aqueous slurries of dispersed engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) used in chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) for polishing wafers during manufacturing of semiconductors.

High-content high-throughput assays for characterizing the viability and morphology of human iPSC-derived neuronal cultures.

Abstract Development of quantitative high-throughput in vitro assays that enable assessment of viability and morphological changes in neuronal cells is an active area of investigation in drug discovery and environmental chemical safety assessment. High-content imaging is an emerging and efficient tool for generating multidimensional quantitative cellular readouts; in addition, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons are a promising in vitro model system that emulates both the functionality and behavior of mature neurons, and they are available in quantities sufficient for screening workflows. The goal of this study was to develop high-content imaging and analysis methods to assess multiple phenotypes in human iPSC-derived neuronal cells. Specifically, we optimized cell culture, staining, and imaging protocols in a 384-well assay format and improved laboratory workflow by designing a one-step procedure to reduce assay time and minimize cell disturbance. Phenotypic readouts include quantitative characterization of neurite outgrowth and branching, cell number and viability, as well as measures of adverse effects on mitochondrial integrity and membrane potential. To verify the robustness of the workflow, we tested a series of compounds that are established toxicants. We report concentration-response effects of selected test compounds on human iPSC-derived neuronal cells and illustrate how the proposed methods may be used for high-content high-throughput compound toxicity screening and safety evaluation of drugs and environmental chemicals.

Development of realistic environmental release factors based on measured data: approach and lessons from the EU metal industry.

The assessment of environmental exposure and risks associated with the production or use of a substance on an industrial site includes the estimation of the releases to the environment. In the absence of measured release data on the specific substance, a risk assessor would rely on default release factors to the environmental compartments as developed in international, national, or regional context. Because a wide variety of substances, processes, and uses has to be covered, default release factors are as a rule conservative, usually leading to significant overprediction of releases and hence to overpredicted environmental exposure concentrations and risks. In practice, unrealistic and worst-case predictions do not support a more efficient management of releases and risk. The objective of this article is to propose a more realistic approach to characterize the environmental releases from manufacture, processing, and downstream uses of the metals and their compounds. Although developed in the European Union (EU), this approach can also be used in other regions and in other chemical management systems addressing metals. A database consisting of more than 1300 recent (1993-2010), site-specific measured release factors to air and water of 18 different metals from various EU Member States was compiled and used to calculate average and reasonable worst-case release factors for multiple metal manufacture and industrial use processes. The parameters influencing releases to water were found to depend predominantly on life cycle step (manufacture and/or use), the sector and/or the solid-water partition coefficient (K(d)). The release factors can be used as advanced tier instrument in environmental safety assessments, increasing the realism of the estimates while still keeping a sufficient level of conservatism.

Nanoparticle surface characterization and clustering through concentration-dependent surface adsorption modeling.

Quantitative characterization of nanoparticle interactions with their surrounding environment is vital for safe nanotechnological development and standardization. A recent quantitative measure, the biological surface adsorption index (BSAI), has demonstrated promising applications in nanomaterial surface characterization and biological/environmental prediction. This paper further advances the approach beyond the application of five descriptors in the original BSAI to address the concentration dependence of the descriptors, enabling better prediction of the adsorption profile and more accurate categorization of nanomaterials based on their surface properties. Statistical analysis on the obtained adsorption data was performed based on three different models: the original BSAI, a concentration-dependent polynomial model, and an infinite dilution model. These advancements in BSAI modeling showed a promising development in the application of quantitative predictive modeling in biological applications, nanomedicine, and environmental safety assessment of nanomaterials.

Safety aspects of genetically modified crops with abiotic stress tolerance

Abiotic stress, such as drought, salinity, and temperature extremes, significantly reduce crop yields. Hence, development of abiotic stress-tolerant crops by modern biotechnology may contribute to global food security. Prior to introducing genetically modified crops with abiotic stress tolerance to the market, a food and environmental safety assessment is generally required. Although worldwide harmonised comparative approach is currently provided, risk assessors still face challenges to assess genetically modified crops with abiotic stress-tolerance. Here, we discuss current developments of abiotic stress tolerance as well as issues concerning food and environmental safety assessment of these crops, including current approaches, challenges and future directions.

Aquatic environmental safety assessment and inhibition mechanism of chemicals for targeting Microcystis aeruginosa.

Cyanobacteria are a diverse group of Gram-negative bacteria that produce an array of secondary compounds with selective bioactivity against vertebrates, invertebrates, fungi, bacteria and cell lines. Recently the main methods of controlling cyanobacteria are using chemicals, medicinal plants and microorganism but fewer involved the safety research in hydrophytic ecosystems. In search of an environmentally safe compound, 53 chemicals were screened against the developed heavy cyanobacteria bloom Microcystis aeruginosa using coexistence culture system assay. The results of the coexistence assay showed that 9 chemicals inhibited M. aeruginosa effectively at 20 mg L(-1) after 7 days of exposure. Among them dimethomorph, propineb, and paraquat were identified that they are safe for Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus obliquus, Carassius auratus (Goldfish) and Bacillus subtilis within half maximal effective concentration (EC50) values 5.2, 4.2 and 0.06 mg L(-1) after 7 days, respectively. Paraquat as the positive control observed to be more efficient than the other compounds with the inhibitory rate (IR) of 92% at 0.5 mg L(-1). For the potential inhibition mechanism, the chemicals could destroy the cell ultrastructure in different speed. The safety assay proved dimethomorph, propineb and paraquat as harmless formulations or products having potential value in M. aeruginosa controlling, with the advantage of its cell morphology degrading ability.

Saving two birds with one stone: using active substance avian acute toxicity data to predict formulated plant protection product toxicity

Environmental safety assessments for exposure of birds require the provision of acute avian toxicity data for both the pesticidal active substance and formulated products. As an example, testing on the formulated product is waived in Europe using an assessment of data for the constituent active substance(s). This is often not the case globally, because some countries require acute toxicity tests with every formulated product, thereby triggering animal welfare concerns through unnecessary testing. A database of 383 formulated products was compiled from acute toxicity studies conducted with northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) or Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) (unpublished regulatory literature). Of the 383 formulated products studied, 159 contained only active substances considered functionally nontoxic (median lethal dose [LD50] > highest dose tested). Of these, 97% had formulated product LD50 values of >2000 mg formulated product/kg (limit dose), indicating that no new information was obtained in the formulated product study. Furthermore, defined (point estimated) LD50 values for formulated products were compared with LD50 values predicted from toxicity of the active substance(s). This demonstrated that predicted LD50 values were within 2-fold and 5-fold of the measured formulated product LD50 values in 90% and 98% of cases, respectively. This analysis demonstrates that avian acute toxicity testing of formulated products is largely unnecessary and should not be routinely required to assess avian acute toxicity. In particular, when active substances are known to be functionally nontoxic, further formulated product testing adds no further information and unnecessarily increases bird usage in testing. A further analysis highlights the fact that significant reductions (61% in this dataset) could be achieved by using a sequential testing design (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development test guideline 223), as opposed to established single-stage designs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1578–1583.

RNA-seq profiling the transcriptome of secondary seed dormancy in canola (Brassica napus L.)

Secondary seed dormancy (SSD) is responsible for volunteer plants in canola fields, which causes a series of problems in canola production and serves as an important trait for the environmental safety assessment of transgenic canola. A canola cultivar with strong SSD was used to establish insight into seed transcriptomes in its secondarily dormant seeds and control seeds without dormancy by RNA-seq analysis, aiming to determine the molecular ecological characterizations of SSD. A dataset (more than 4 Gb) of valid sequences was obtained from each sample, which was combined to carry out the de novo assembling. The assembled sequences consisted of 314,261 fragments with length > 100 bp, including 29,740 long transcripts of length ≥ 500 bp. Functional annotation indicated that 1,641 long transcripts could be categorized into 24 cluster of orthologous groups of proteins (COGs) and 16,515 transcripts were linked to 2,648 gene ontology (GO) terms. There were 452 long transcripts with significantly different expression identified by a threshold of > 2-fold expression change (P < 0.001) between samples, among which 343 transcripts were unambiguously homologous to Arabidopsis genes. The plant hormones abscisic acid and gibberellins were known as the pivotal regulators of seed dormancy and germination. Although genes responsible for either biosynthesis or signaling of each hormone could be widely verified from the SSD transcriptome, theirs expression evidences failed to correlate with the induction of SSD. Based on the enriched terms of gene ontology and KEGG orthology, as well as the expression models of candidate genes of SSD, we proposed that fatty acid metabolism might implicate in SSD in canola. The information reported here may play a significant role in further understanding of environmental safety assessment of SSD in transgenic canola.

Applying accelerator mass spectrometry for low-level detection of complex engineered nanoparticles in biological media

Complex engineered nanoparticles (CENPs), which have different core and surface components, are being developed for medicinal, pharmaceutical and industrial applications. One of the key challenges for environmental health and safety assessments of CENPs is to identify and quantity their transformations in biological environments. This study reports the effects of in vivo exposure of citrate-coated nanoalumina with different rare isotope labels on each component. This CENP was dosed to the rat and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) was used to quantify 26Al, 14C, and their ratio in the dosing material and tissue samples. For CENPs detected in the liver, the rare isotope ratio, 14C/26Al, was 87% of the dosing material's ratio. The citrate coating on the nanoalumina in the liver was stable or, if it degraded, its metabolites were incorporated with nearby tissues. However, in brain and bone where little alumina was detected, the rare isotope ratio greatly exceeded that of the dosing material. Therefore, in the animal, citrate dissociated from CENPs and redistributed to brain and bone. Tracking both the core and surface components by AMS presents a new approach for characterizing transformations of CENPs components in biological milieu or environments.

Neural networks applications for environmental safety assessment of roads in Ukraine

The analysis of problems and of approaches for ensuring the environmental safety of roads in Ukraine has been performed. The proposed mathematical model on the basis of neural networks allows numerical evaluation of quality of road area in the conditions of incomplete and fuzzy information. The proposed approach allows the determination of roads’ environmental safety level, the indica­tion of necessity for arrangement of environmental monitoring stations, and allows the development of a number of activities for environmental protection on the road sections as well.

Gill cell culture systems as models for aquatic environmental monitoring

A vast number of chemicals require environmental safety assessments for market authorisation. To ensure acceptable water quality, effluents and natural waters are monitored for their potential harmful effects. Tests for market authorisation and environmental monitoring usually involve the use of large numbers of organisms and, for ethical, cost and logistic reasons, there is a drive to develop alternative methods that can predict toxicity to fish without the need to expose any animals. There is therefore a great interest in the potential to use cultured fish cells in chemical toxicity testing. This review summarises the advances made in the area and focuses in particular on a system of cultured fish gill cells grown into an epithelium that permits direct treatment with water samples.

Ретроспектива изучения растительного покрова Крайнего Севера в Ботаническом институте им. В. Л. Комарова РАН за полтора века и перспективы в XXI веке

Ретроспектива изучения растительного покрова Крайнего Севера в Ботаническом институте им. В. Л. Комарова РАН за полтора века и перспективы в XXI веке

가혹한 조건에서 열화된 콘크리트의 중금속 용출에 대한 환경 안전성 평가

Cement industry in 1997 began to use industrial waste in cement factory for purpose of resource recycling. However recently, environmental hazard of the cement in accordance with recycling of industrial waste have been raised a problem by contamination around the cement factory and heavy metal leaching in cement. In particular, the presence of Cr 6+ in cement has become a critical issue, the studies for minimizing of Cr 6+ in cement have been performed. But, in domestic, most of the research on heavy metal leaching was carried out from the perspective of the cement. Environmental safety assessment in terms of concrete is needed because cement is used to the concrete material. Therefore, this paper was evaluated heavy metals leaching of deteriorated concrete by severe conditions. test result showed that Cr 6+ were not detected from all the variables.

Epigenetic memory of environmental organisms: A reflection of lifetime stressor exposures

Both genetic and epigenetic responses of organisms to environmental factors, including chemical exposures, influence adaptation, susceptibility to toxicity and biodiversity. In model organisms, it is established that epigenetic alterations, including changes to the methylome, can create a memory of the received signal. This is partly evidenced through the analysis of epigenetic differences that develop between identical twins throughout their lifetime. The epigenetic marks induce alterations to the gene expression profile, which, in addition to mediating homeostatic responses, have the potential to promote an abnormal physiology either immediately or at a later stage of development, for example leading to an adult onset of disease. Although this has been well established, epigenetic mechanisms are not considered in chemical risk assessment or utilised in the monitoring of the exposure and effects of chemicals and environmental change. In this review, epigenetic factors, specifically DNA methylation, are highlighted as mechanisms of adaptation and response to environmental factors and which, if persistent, have the potential, retrospectively, to reflect previous stress exposures. Thus, it is proposed that epigenetic “foot-printing” of organisms could identify classes of chemical contaminants to which they have been exposed throughout their lifetime. In some cases, the potential for persistent transgenerational modification of the epigenome may also inform on parental germ cell exposures. It is recommended that epigenetic mechanisms, alongside genetic mechanisms, should eventually be considered in environmental toxicity safety assessments and in biomonitoring studies. This will assist in determining the mode of action of toxicants, no observed adverse effect level and identification of biomarkers of toxicity for early detection and risk assessment in toxicology but there are critical areas that remain to be explored before this can be achieved.

Study on the Characteristics of Shock Wave Pressure Caused by Underwater Blasting

By analyzing the characteristics of shock waves in underwater blasting of two bridge piers and monitoring their pressures, this paper found the rule that shock wave pressure varies with different distances from the explosion source. The method of comparison was applied in this study. Based on the characteristic parameters such as pressure amplitude and positive action time, the attenuation formula of shock wave in shallow water was proposed. The results of this paper are of great importance to the engineering design and construction as well as environmental safety assessment.