Korean dioxin risk patterns: Modulation by dietary-socio-demographic and behavioral factors.

New model of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash treatment and its comprehensive benefits.

Secondary raw materials, such as ashes from the combustion of various fuels, are frequently used as alternatives to virgin raw materials. Among these, oil shale ash, a residue from oil shale power production and the shale oil industry, presents significant potential for use in sectors such as construction and agriculture. However, these materials might contain hazardous substances, such as dioxins, which are by-products of thermal treatment and other industrial processes. To date, the dioxin content in oil shale ash has been insufficiently examined. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the dioxin content in oil shale ash from both a pilot unit and full-scale facilities. Additionally, the study compares the dioxin concentrations in oil shale ash with those in other types of ash and evaluates compliance with regulatory limits. The results showed that dioxin concentrations in the ash were below the limit of detection, regardless of the combustion technology, plant capacity, use of supplementary fuels, or utilisation of wastewater. The findings contribute new knowledge by highlighting the environmental advantages of oil shale ash as a secondary raw material, particularly due to its comparatively lower dioxin content relative to other types of ash.

Thermal co-treatment of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash with industrial waste slag: standard evaluation and energy consumption analysis of treated products.

The treatment of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in incineration fly ash presents a significant challenge in solid hazardous waste management. This study systematically analyzed the influence mechanisms of multiple factors on the removal efficiency of PCDD/Fs during fly ash pyrolysis. It integrated 4068 datasets conducted between 2010 and 2025 through meta-analysis. Results show that Al2O3, CaO, SiO2, and Cl in fly ash components enhance the removal efficiency by 14.0%, while Fe2O3 (Content greater than 5.7%) exhibits inhibitory effects. Cd and Cr demonstrate a bimodal response pattern: low/high concentrations promote removal, while medium concentrations inhibit it. Process optimization identified the optimal parameter combination as pyrolysis temperatures of 500–900 °C, residence time of 50–90 min, and a gas flow rate greater than or equal to 400 mL/min. A significant negative correlation was observed between the initial dioxin concentration and removal efficiency. This study established a structural equation modeling (SEM) model to describe how metallic and nonmetallic components, fly ash components, and pyrolysis conditions determine removal efficiency. Fly ash composition was confirmed as the most influential factor (total effect = 0.3194), with fixed carbon and ash content being the most reliable indicators. Among pyrolysis conditions, gas conditions (flow rate, gas type) also significantly affected removal efficiency (total effect = 0.2357). Conversely, nonmetallic components and excessively prolonged pyrolysis time (beyond the window) consistently reduced removal efficiency. These findings provide theoretical support for upgrading fly ash pyrolysis processes toward low-carbon and resource-efficient operations.

Separation of Zn/Pb/Cu from municipal waste incineration fly ash: A phase change-driven method with molten salt assistance.

IntroductionPolychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of undesirable chemical substances classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). They enter the bodies of humans and animals mainly through the digestive tract. Therefore, the safety of the food chain with specific regard to keeping out these POPs depends heavily upon their elimination from animal feed. The aim of this study was to determine trends in PCDD/PCDF/PCB concentrations in three feed matrices over a six-year period.Material and MethodsAltogether, 360 feed samples were analysed using the isotope-dilution technique with high resolution gas chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry. Analysis of the variability of PCDD/PCDF, dioxin-like-PCB and non-dioxin-like-PCB concentrations by Mann–Kendall test and regression analysis for mean and median values was performed for the three most common feed categories (plant materials, fishmeal and feed mixtures).ResultsFor two of the three types of feed materials analysed, changes in trends in the concentrations of the tested compounds over time were observed.ConclusionConsidering the very limited amount of feed material analysis data on which to assess trends in dioxin concentrations, it is necessary to continue research on a wider group of feed types.

Darwin's theory of precopulatory intrasexual selection states that individuals compete for access to mates and resources for reproductive success. Size advantage is a critical factor in male-male competition across animal species, determining dominance, access to resources, the outcome of physical contests, and reproductive opportunity. As a result, this body size becomes exaggerated over evolutionary time. Despite extensive research on the physiological effects of metals, there has been less focus on how these contaminants impact behaviours critical for reproduction and sexual selection, particularly in Semaphore crabs. Crabs were collected from a control location, Swansea, and three contaminated locations (Powells Creek, Badu Mangrove and Bicentennial Park) and were paired in size-matched and size-asymmetric male-male competition contests for access to a burrow, a critical resource for reproduction. The results showed that individuals from locations with elevated contamination were less successful in competitive interactions, spending less time in the burrow than individuals from the control location. Additionally, while larger males from the control location consistently outcompeted smaller males in dyadic interactions, this size advantage was significantly reduced at contaminated locations, where smaller males more often won burrow ownership. Furthermore, morphological measurements revealed elevated concentrations of Pb, Dioxins, and PCBs at contaminated locations were correlated negatively with male body size and chela size, especially in mature purple males. The results demonstrated that selection pressure on large size may be relaxed in males under contaminant stress. This research also provides field evidence supporting our previous laboratory findings, which highlight the influence of exposure to lead(Pb) contamination on the outcome of male-male competition, a component of intrasexual selection in Semaphore crabs.

This study examines the impact of an unintended fire at the Drava International plastic processing facility near Osijek, Croatia, on soil quality and the potential human health risks associated with agricultural soils within a 10 and 20 km radius. Surface soil samples (0–5 cm) were collected from ten locations within 10 km three days after the incident, and eight composite samples were taken from sites 10–20 km away 17 days’ post-event. Additionally, 18 control samples previously collected for soil fertility or quality monitoring were included for comparative analysis. In total, 36 agricultural soil samples were analyzed for pH, organic matter, total phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and trace elements (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Pb). Eighteen post-fire samples were also analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Ecological risk was assessed using the pollution load index (PLI) and enrichment factor (EF), while human health risk was evaluated through the estimation of incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) and individual carcinogenic risks (CRi) for As, Cr, Ni, and Pb. Results showed that concentrations of dioxins (TEQ LB and UB), dioxin-like PCBs, and non-dioxin-like PCBs in samples within 10 km were either below detection limits or present in trace amounts (4.0 × 10−6 mg/kg). PFAS compounds were not detected (<0.0005 mg/kg). The total concentration of non-dioxin-like PCBs ranged from 0.0023 to 0.0047 mg/kg, well below the maximum permissible levels. Post-fire contamination profiles revealed consistently higher PAH concentrations in the 0–10 km zone (mean 0.100 mg/kg) compared to the 10–20 km zone (mean 0.062 mg/kg). Twenty PLI values exceeded the threshold of 1 (range: 1.00–1.26), indicating moderate pollution, while the remaining values (PLI 0.82–0.99) suggested no pollution. EF values indicated minimal to moderate enrichment (EF < 2), supporting the conclusion that metal presence was predominantly geological with limited anthropogenic influence. All ILCR values for adults and children remained below the acceptable threshold of 1 × 10−4, indicating low carcinogenic risk under both pre- and post-fire conditions. CRi values followed a consistent decreasing trend across exposure pathways: ingestion > dermal absorption > inhalation.

Urban soils are often affected by long-term deposition of persistent organic pollutants, including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs). This study evaluated the biodegradation potential of indigenous bacterial strains isolated from chronically contaminated soils in Lausanne, Switzerland. Using selective enrichment techniques, five strains were isolated, with no biosafety concerns for human health and environmental applications. These isolates were screened for their ability to degrade dibenzofuran (DBF) and 2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,7-DD) under mineral medium conditions. A simplified two-strain consortium (Acinetobacter bohemicus and Bacillus velezensis) and a broader five-strain co-culture were then applied to real soil microcosms over a 24-week period. This work provides the first experimental evidence that A. bohemicus and B. velezensis can degrade DBF and 2,7-DD under controlled conditions. Dioxin concentrations were monitored at 4, 8, and 24 weeks using a Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). In laboratory conditions, co-cultures showed enhanced degradation compared to individual strains, likely due to metabolic complementarity. In soil, the simplified two-strain consortium performed better at dioxin degradation, especially at earlier time points. Although no statistically significant reductions were observed due to high variability and limited sample size, consistent trends emerged, particularly at the most contaminated site. These findings support the relevance of testing bioremediation strategies under realistic environmental conditions.

The effects of environmental changes on contaminant fate in the ecosystem are poorly understood, even in the otherwise well-studied Baltic Sea. This area is considered one of the most polluted in the world and is currently undergoing rapid shifts related to climate change and eutrophication. In this study, we focus on the effects of an altered productivity base and changes in food web structure on contaminant concentrations in the commercially important Baltic herring, which is also a key-species in the ecosystem. In herring of known size and age, collected within the Swedish National Monitoring Program for Contaminants in Marine Biota during the past two to three decades, retrospective analyses of contaminant concentrations and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen including amino acid-specific isotope analyses were performed. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were applied to dioxins, PCBs, and mercury time series to examine how biological, ecological, and environmental factors (i.e., age, trophic diversity and position, temperature, salinity, proxies of cyanobacterial blooms and ultimate nutrient sources, abundance of relevant benthic fauna as well as biomass and size structure of the zooplankton community) contribute in explaining contaminant concentrations in herring, beyond atmospheric deposition (the main contaminant input in the Central Baltic basin). Our results emphasize that the contaminant burden in Baltic herring is significantly influenced by factors other than atmospheric deposition. Primarily, changes in herring's trophic ecology, together with nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterial blooms (supporting both growth biodilution and bloom-induced dilution), were linked to dioxin, PCB, and mercury concentrations in fish. Our results support the need to consider all potential ecological synergies and linkages when managing a rapidly changing system such as the Baltic Sea, in order to minimize noxious blooms without compromising the positive impact on contaminant concentrations in fish.

(1) Background: Dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), characterized by high toxicity and strong lipophilicity, which promote their bioaccumulation in human tissues. Their detection in breast milk raises concerns about early-life exposure during lactation. Although dietary intake is the primary route of maternal exposure, environmental pathways—including inhalation, dermal absorption, and residential proximity to contaminated sites—may also significantly contribute to the maternal body burden. (2) Methods: This narrative review examined peer-reviewed studies investigating maternal and environmental determinants of dioxin and dl-PCB concentrations in human breast milk. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2000–2024), identifying a total of 325 records. Following eligibility screening and full-text assessment, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. (3) Results: The included studies consistently identified key exposure determinants, such as high consumption of animal-based foods (e.g., meat, fish, dairy), living near industrial facilities or waste sites, and maternal characteristics including age, parity, and body mass index (BMI). Substantial geographic variability was observed, with higher concentrations reported in regions affected by industrial activity, military pollution, or inadequate waste management. One longitudinal study from Japan demonstrated a declining trend in dioxin levels in breast milk, suggesting the potential effectiveness of regulatory interventions. (4) Conclusions: These findings highlight that maternal exposure to dioxins is influenced by identifiable environmental and behavioral factors, which can be mitigated through public health policies, targeted dietary guidance, and environmental remediation. Breast milk remains a critical bioindicator of human exposure. Harmonized, long-term research is needed to clarify health implications and minimize contaminant transfer to infants, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Single-cell sequencing and machine learning reveal the role of dioxin-interacting genes in HCC prognosis and immune microenvironment.

Fifty-nine samples of wild caught fishery products and crustaceans were collected between March 2023 – February 2024 from Kilkeel Fish Market in Northern Ireland. Forty-four of the samples were analysed for the contaminants: mercury, lead and cadmium (heavy metals). The other fifteen samples were tested for dioxins and PCBs: • 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HeptaCDD • 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HeptaCDF • 1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HeptaCDF • 1,2,3,4,7,8-HexaCDD • 1,2,3,4,7,8-HexaCDF • 1,2,3,6,7,8-HexaCDD • 1,2,3,6,7,8-HexaCDF • 1,2,3,7,8,9-HexaCDD • 1,2,3,7,8,9-HexaCDF • 1,2,3,7,8-PentaCDD • 1,2,3,7,8-PentaCDF • 2,3,4,6,7,8-HexaCDF • 2,3,4,7,8-PentaCDF • 2,3,7,8-TetraCDD • 2,3,7,8-TetraCDF • OctaCDD • OctaCDF and PCBs (dioxin-like and non-dioxin-like PCBs included for analysis) • PCB 28 (2,4,4′-Trichlorobiphenyl) * • PCB 52 (2,2′,5,5′-Tetrachlorobiphenyl) * • PCB 77 (3,3′,4,4′-Tetrachlorobiphenyl, 3,3′,4,4′-PCB) • PCB 81 (3,4,4’,5-Tetrachlorobiphenyl) • PCB 101 (2,2′,4,5,5′-Pentachlorobiphenyl) * • PCB 105 (2,3,3′,4,4′-Pentachlorobiphenyl) • PCB 114 (2,3,4,4’,5-Pentachlorobiphenyl) • PCB 118 • PCB 123 • PCB 126 • PCB 138 (2,2′,3,4,4′,5′-Hexachlorobiphenyl) * • PCB 153 (2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-Hexachlorobiphenyl) * • PCB 156 (2,3,3′,4,4′,5-Hexachlorobiphenyl) • PCB 157 • PCB 167 • PCB 169 • PCB 180 (2,2′,3,4,4′,5,5′-Heptachlorobiphenyl) * • PCB 189 *non-dioxin-like PCBs. Concentrations of mercury, lead and cadmium were less than the maximum EU regulatory limits for all samples tested. Concentrations of dioxins and PCBs were below the EU regulatory limits for these compounds.

Dioxin and PCB levels in sea trout with ulcerative disease syndrome.

Disposal of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash through synergistic in-plant dechlorination and sintering.

Abstract This study was designed at Tikrit University and conducted on samples taken from a polluted area. We studied the changes resulting from the effect of using thermal treatments on the concentration of dioxins and furans in milk. In this study, 17 homologues of these compounds were identified. These congeners include 7 dioxin congeners and 10 furan congeners. These compounds were determined in raw milk, then heat treated (boiling for 5 minutes) and re-examined after boiling. The results for fresh milk were compared with those for heat-treated milk. The study’s findings show that rising temperatures lower milk concentrations of dioxins and furans, and that there are statistically significant differences between the groups (P ≤ 0.05).

Introduction: The practice of using tyres to singed hide has been a daily occurrence in most of the abattoirs in Nigeria including Sokoto. This practice exposes meat/hide to hazardous toxic compounds such as heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins and furans. This study aimed to determine the baseline concentrations of dioxins in the hide of slaughtered cattle, and also to determine the contributions of processing methods to dioxins content in cattle hide. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out involving the collection of 160 cattle hide samples through systematic random sampling.: The samples were evenly distributed across the three groups: Tyre, Plastic, and Firewood. Each group was further divided into two subgroups: Control and Test. The sample allocation was as follows: - Tyre group: 54 samples (27 Control, 27 Test), Plastic group: 53 samples (26 Control, 27 Test) and Firewood group: 53 samples (26 Control, 27 Test). These were then processed using a variety of materials, specifically tyres, plastic or nylon bags, and firewood, to evaluate the differential effects of each. An Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to analyse samples from the processed hides. Results: The concentration of dioxin in the control groups was found to be 0.679ppt , 0.263ppt and 0.501ppt for tyres, plastics and firewoods respectively which were all within the normal range set by WHO/FAO at 0.0001 to 1.0parts per trillion, while for the other groups, it was above, with those processed using tyres having the highest concentration ranging from 1.30- 25.62ppt. The level of concentration of dioxin was compared using the Paired T-test statistical method and the concentration was statistically significant for hide processed using tyres at p=0.004. The result was also statistically significant using ANOVA at a p-value of 0.015, and a post-hoc test shows that it was significant between tyres and plastics at a p-value of 0.017. Conclusion: The concentration of dioxins significantly increased in hide samples processed using tires beyond the WHO/FAO acceptable levels. And therefore there is need for Government regulatory agencies to enforce food safety laws that will protect the public from the practices of using tires to singe hides.

Carbonation pretreatment enhance the hydrothermal detoxification of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash

The Norfolk Southern train derailment on February 3, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio, prompted concerns about the health impacts from the chemical spills and open-air combustion. We hypothesize that the combustion of chemicals, including vinyl chloride, in the presence of transition-metal oxides from the train, tracks, and soil minerals were conducive to the formation of hazardous byproducts including environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs), dioxins, and furans. We also hypothesize that these harmful byproducts of combustion have a shared origin and thus will have elevated concentrations in soil samples collected close to the derailment site when compared to concentrations in background soils. This study examined the co-occurrence of these soil contaminants from samples collected August 14-17, 2023, within a two-mile radius of the incident site to assess the concentration of EPFRs, dioxins, and furans. We measured elevated levels of EPFRs (average: 3.00 × 1017 spins per g) and dioxin/furan toxic equivalence (TEQ) (average: 32.8 pg g-1) near the derailment area compared to background levels (EPFRs: 1.33 × 1017 spins per g; TEQ: 10.7 pg g-1). Significant positive correlations (p < 0.002) between EPFRs and specific dioxin/furan congener concentrations (0.63-0.74) indicated robust associations between EPFRs and dioxin/furan congeners, the first such observations in field-collected soil samples. These results highlight the environmental health impact of the derailment and associated combustion, underscoring the need for comprehensive longitudinal monitoring and remediation efforts in the affected area and similar industrial accident sites. This study also offers insights into the formation mechanisms and persistence of EPFRs, dioxins, and furans.