Environmental Authorities Research Articles

The Reality of Environmental Crimes in the West Bank: Perspectives of Legal Practitioners and Experts

The study aimed to explore the reality of environmental crimes committed in the West Bank from the perspective of specialists. Using a quantitative descriptive approach, the study employed a structured questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 100 respondents, including representatives from the Palestinian Environmental Quality Authority, Environmental Police (Tourism and Antiquities Police), and institutions within the Palestinian Environmental NGOs Network. The sample was drawn from a target population of 182 specialists in environmental affairs using a convenience sampling method. The study also utilized the historical approach by reviewing relevant previous studies and analyzing their findings. The results indicated that the prevalence of environmental crimes in the West Bank is very high. The most common crimes were linked to commercial and industrial practices. The primary driver behind these crimes was the lack of awareness regarding environmental issues. The study found that the main environmental damages included the loss of biodiversity, increased costs of environmental protection, deterioration of water resources, and shrinking vegetation cover. The study recommended implementing awareness campaigns through educational and religious institutions, as well as social media platforms, to foster environmental values in the West Bank.

Evaluation of the water quality monitoring program of Mountain Rivers located in a tropical protected atlantic Forest area (PARNASO, Brazil): are the impacts of the highway really assessed?

Road activities are recognized sources of pollution that affect the hydrochemistry of nearby water bodies. This study evaluated the Water Quality Monitoring Program in the Soberbo and Iconha rivers in the Guapi-Macacu watershed, which is affected by the BR-116 highway. The Rio-Teresópolis Concessionaire from 2009 to 2016 carried out quarterly sampling. The parameters analyzed were: temperature, pH, turbidity, settleable solids, DO, BOD, NO3-, NO2-, NH4+, PO4-3, total and thermotolerant coliforms, Fe, Ni, Cr and Zn. PO4-3, pH, BOD and thermotolerant coliforms sometimes exceed the freshwater limits set by the National Environment Council (CONAMA 357/05, 2005). However, these values did not change the classification of "good" according to the water quality index used by the Brazilian environmental authorities for river waters. Precipitation was an important factor in understanding the hydrochemistry. Monthly precipitation ranged from 779.8 mm in January 2013 to 2.8 mm in July 2010. Temporal analysis using non-parametric tests showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in almost all parameters, indicating a strong influence of precipitation patterns on water quality. On a spatial scale, only coliform was found to differ between rivers (p < 0.01), suggesting an anthropogenic influence. Principal component analysis showed that chemical weathering and mechanical erosion processes predominated in both rivers (PC1: Soberbo River - 20.3%; Iconha River - 26.7%). Rainfall was identified as a secondary factor associated with coliforms and NH4+, especially in the Iconha River (PC2: Soberbo River-10.8%; Iconha River-11.9%), whose altitude indicated the atmospheric contribution of pollution from the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. The reports of the Water Quality Monitoring Program were critically evaluated, resulting in recommendations aimed at optimizing their effectiveness and providing support for decision-making on the management of water resources in environmental protection areas.

Achievement of one health multi-sectoral collaboration in containment of Rift Valley Fever outbreak, Sudan, Red Sea State 2019.

Rift Valley Fever is endemic in Sudan, with a notable outbreak declared in 2019, affecting multiple states. In this study, we examine the Red Sea State, Sudan's experience in applying the One Health approach, to contain Red-Sea RVF outbreak. A retrospective analysis of national and sub-national data and a review of literature were conducted to assess the application of One Health response and to derive lessons learned. The analysis revealed a total of 576 human cases and two deaths, with a case fatality rate of 0.35%, from 25 September 2019 to 25 January 2020. Most cases (99%) were from the Red Sea and River Nile States, and only six sporadic cases were from other five states. The Red Sea State reported 322 human and 74 animal cases, including 74 abortions and 12 animal deaths. Triggers and risk factors include floods, uncontrolled movement of animal, close contact with animals, poor disposal, and unsafe burial practices for animals. One Health approach was utilized all through the defeat of outbreak. A multi-sectoral response plan was implemented, leading to the declaration of the end of the outbreak in 2020 which was reviewed and lessons were derived. One Health approach provided a coordinated action between health, veterinary, and environmental authorities at national and subnational levels. Synergistic efforts have minimized risk of RVF spreading among human and animal. The experience was leveraged to strengthen response approaches for zoonotic diseases. Structural and capacity gaps and financial constraints were identified as implementation challenges.

Dynamics of social media adoption in Chinese municipalities for environmental governance

ABSTRACT Government accountability and regulatory efficiency are improved via social media e-government. However, the adoption of e-government on social media varies across nations and regions. The recent modernisation of Chinese governance, particularly in terms of environmental protection, has made the Chinese government’s microblogs the main platform for environmental protection authorities to communicate with organisations and the public. This paper analyzes the factors influencing the use of social media by local governments in China. An analysis of data from Sina Weibo for 333 Chinese municipalities (2012–2019) reveals that peer competition and the financial and economic capacity of governments positively influence local governments’ adoption of e-government on social platforms, whereas environmental pollution is not significantly correlated. Officials with strong promotional incentives also tend to adopt social media amid peer competition. This research offers insights for advancing e-government in developing countries.

Do Anti-Dumping Measures Count? The Emissions Adjustment in Sustainable Development Policies

Following the economic shocks of recent decades, characterized by the destabilization of markets and pressure on national economies, protectionist policies have seen a significant increase. Thus, anti-dumping has become a convenient and frequently used tool in the political game of trade. In the context of the transition toward a climate-neutral economy, anti-dumping measures have become a topic of great interest due to their indirect effects on CO2 emissions. Often used to protect domestic industries from unfair trade practices, these measures influence trade and the geographical redistribution of production, contributing to the phenomenon of “carbon leakage”. By transferring emissions from countries with strict climate regulations to economies with more permissive standards, anti-dumping measures can undermine global efforts to reduce emissions. Trade policies are becoming, in this context, an important tool in regulating international trade. Consequently, the objective of this paper is to analyze the impacts of anti-dumping measures, primary energy consumption, and urbanization on CO2 emissions in OECD countries for the period 2000–2021. The methodology used is based on dynamic A.R.D.L. models using panel data. Our results suggest that anti-dumping measures and primary energy consumption influence CO2 emissions and are statistically significant, at least at the 10% level. The results of this study are useful to both policymakers and environmental authorities in developing trade policies that support both economic development and emission-reduction targets.

Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Hydrogen Production via Water Electrolysis in South Korea

This study evaluated the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with hydrogen production in South Korea (hereafter referred to as Korea) using water electrolysis. Korea aims to advance hydrogen as a clean fuel for transportation and power generation. To support this goal, we employed a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to evaluate the emissions across the hydrogen supply chain in a well-to-pump framework, using the Korean clean hydrogen certification tiers. Our assessment covered seven stages, from raw material extraction for power plant construction to hydrogen production, liquefaction, storage, and distribution to refueling stations. Our findings revealed that, among the sixteen power sources evaluated, hydroelectric and onshore wind power exhibited the lowest emissions, qualifying as the Tier 2 category of emissions between 0.11 and 1.00 kgCO2e/kg H2 under a well-to-pump framework and Tier 1 category of emissions below 0.10 kgCO2e/kg H2 under a well-to-gate framework. They were followed by photovoltaics, nuclear energy, and offshore wind, all of which are highly dependent on electrolysis efficiency and construction inputs. Additionally, the study uncovered a significant impact of electrolyzer type on GHG emissions, demonstrating that improvements in electrolyzer efficiency could substantially lower GHG outputs. We further explored the potential of future energy mixes for 2036, 2040, and 2050, as projected by Korea’s energy and environmental authorities, in supporting clean hydrogen production. The results suggested that with progressive decarbonization of the power sector, grid electricity could meet Tier 2 certification for hydrogen production through electrolysis, and potentially reach Tier 1 when considering well-to-gate GHG emissions.

Analysis of Synergistic Changes in PM2.5 and O3 Concentrations Based on Structural Equation Model Study

Given the increasing importance of effectively identifying synergistic changes between PM2.5 and O3 and comprehensively analyzing their impact on air quality management in China, we employ the Sen+Mann–Kendall (Sen+M-K) trend test in this study to examine the temporal and spatial variation trends of PM2.5 and O3 in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), from 2003 to 2020. We identified the regions where these pollutants exhibited synergistic changes and established the pathways between the pollutants and their potential drivers, using geographically weighted random forest algorithms and structural equation modeling. The study results revealed as follows: (1) Overall, the PM2.5 concentrations show a decreasing trend, while the O3 concentrations exhibit an increasing trend, in the YRD. Analysis of the combined trends indicates that approximately 95% of the area displays opposing trends for PM2.5 and O3, with only about 4% in the southern region showing synergistic trends for both pollutants. (2) Drought and the average temperature are the main drivers of the changes in PM2.5 and O3 concentrations in areas experiencing synergistic changes. Their combined effects alleviate the aggregation of PM2.5 and reduce the formation of VOCs, indirectly reducing the generation of pollutants. The negative effect of the average temperature on the O3 concentration may indicate the existence of nonlinear effects and complex interaction effects between the drivers. NOx and VOCs play important dual roles in the generation and conversion of pollutants, although their overall impact is smaller than meteorological factors. They produce significant indirect effects through their interaction with meteorological and other human factors, further affecting the concentrations of PM2.5 and O3. In areas without coordinated changes, the main impact of meteorological factors remains unchanged, and the relationship between the two anthropogenic emission sources and their effects on PM2.5 and O3 are complex, with different directions and levels involved. This study provides detailed insights into the drivers of air quality changes in the YRD and offers a scientific basis for environmental management authorities to develop more comprehensive and targeted strategies for balancing the control of PM2.5 and O3 pollution.

A canine onchocercosis report from the portuguese west region in 2024: implications for Public Health

Abstract Issue/problem Onchocerca lupi parasitosis, known as onchocercosis, affects dogs, sporadically cats and humans, posing a public health concern due to possible vectors in the environment. This neglected tropical disease(NTD), has no known human cases outside endemic areas. However, recent reports in non-endemic areas raise concerns about future implications. Climate change has increased the potential risk of disease vectors establishing themselves in previously unaffected areas. Description of the problem A case of canine onchocercosis in the West Region of Portugal, made the pet owner look for medical counselling. Primary health care providers contacted the Public Health Unit(PHU) for guidance and actions. There had been no previous reports in this region. In this case report, we explore the potential public health implications, through a one-health approach. Results History of the disease was collected, and travel history of the dog revealed that he had lived in the Algarve during 11 years with only a one-and-a-half-month travel to Italy in this period. Literature review revealed reports of previous cases of oncochercosis in the Iberian Peninsula. Collaboration between the PHU, research institutes, and veterinary authorities led to the assumption of probable transmission in the Algarve. Lessons Increased vector surveillance is needed, especially in areas associated with animal onchocercosis. Proactive measures reduce transmission risks, protecting both humans and animals. Tracking animal cases is vital for understanding regional environmental factors. PHU’s must conduct thorough risk evaluations and maintain assertive risk communication strategies to address public and pet owner concerns effectively. Adopting a One Health approach improves the understanding of the disease dynamics and enables targeted interventions. Key messages • NTD’s transmitted by vectors pose a potential future challenge. This report underscores the need for a One Health approach, with collaborative multidisciplinary efforts to address these challenges. • Furthermore, systematic interaction and reporting between human, animal, and environmental health authorities are crucial to ensure comprehensive surveillance and mitigation strategies.

Data fraud in the carbon emissions trading market: A tripartite evolutionary game analysis from China

Data fraud affects the carbon emissions trading market order. This paper constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model among environmental authorities, power generation enterprises, and third-party verification agencies; systematically analyzes the evolutionary laws and evolutionary stabilization strategies of the three parties; conducts simulation analysis and parameter impact analysis of four carbon emission accounting scenarios, explores the causes of data fraud and puts forward policy implications. The research can provide the theoretical basis for the Chinese government to improve the carbon emission regulation system and can also be used as a reference for other countries' carbon emission data quality control.

The effect of gamified e-learning on marine ecology education: insights from Iranian maritime students

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a gamified e-learning experience in marine ecology among Iranian maritime students. A pre-test/post-test design was adopted to achieve this purpose, focussing on the gamified experience itself rather than comparing it with traditional instructional approaches. The statistical population consisted of 15 undergraduate students at a maritime institute in Tehran, Iran, who were randomly selected. Reliability tests were conducted to collect data, and the test’s validity was approved by teachers and experts in the field of environmental education. Its reliability was determined to be 0.75 using the Kuder-Richardson methodology. Participants engaged in a gamified learning experience over a 2-week period. The study highlighted the post-test results and participants’ perceptions within the gamified learning environment. The results revealed that e-learning paired with gamification had a positive impact on students’ engagement and understanding of geographically remote ecological topics, including coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass beds and endemic species of the regions. These findings provide valuable insights for environmental teachers, learners, authorities and curriculum developers in maritime educational systems, emphasising the potential benefits of incorporating gamified learning experiences in educational curricula.

De-localization of environmental governance and corporate innovation structure: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China

We examine the impact of the de-localization of environmental governance on corporate innovation structure by analyzing the vertical reform in environmental governance (VREG), which transfers grassroots environmental management authority from local to provincial governments in China. We find that the VREG alters corporate innovation structure, particularly by boosting green innovation and crowding out non-green innovation. Channel analyses reveal that the VREG significantly strengthens environmental enforcement, increases environmental subsidies, and reduces environmental agency costs, asymmetrically influencing green and non-green innovation. Cross-sectional analyses indicate that the effect of the VREG on corporate innovation structure is more pronounced in firms located in regions with lower administrative levels and weaker environmental regulation, firms in pollution-intensive industries, and firms with better green credit support. Overall, our study highlights the significance of environmental governance independence and emphasizes the crucial role of the environmental management system in shaping firms’ innovation decisions.

An efficient water quality index forecasting and categorization using optimized Deep Capsule Crystal Edge Graph neural network.

The world's freshwater supply, predominantly sourced from rivers, faces significant contamination from various economic activities, confirming that the quality of river water is critical for public health, environmental sustainability, and effective pollution control. This research addresses the urgent need for accurate and reliable water quality monitoring by introducing a novel method for estimating the water quality index (WQI). The proposed approach combines cutting-edge optimization techniques with Deep Capsule Crystal Edge Graph neural networks, marking a significant advancement in the field. The innovation lies in the integration of a Hybrid Crested Porcupine Genghis Khan Shark Optimization Algorithm for precise feature selection, ensuring that the most relevant indicators of water quality (WQ) are utilized. Furthermore, the use of the Greylag Goose Optimization Algorithm to fine-tune the neural network's weight parameters enhances the model's predictive accuracy. This dual optimization framework significantly improves WQI prediction, achieving a remarkable mean squared error (MSE) of 6.7 and an accuracy of 99%. By providing a robust and highly accurate method for WQ assessment, this research offers a powerful tool for environmental authorities to proactively manage river WQ, prevent pollution, and evaluate the success of restoration efforts. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Novel method combines optimization and Deep Capsule Crystal Edge Graph for WQI estimation. Preprocessing includes data cleanup and feature selection using advanced algorithms. Deep Capsule Crystal Edge Graph neural network predicts WQI with high accuracy. Greylag Goose Optimization fine-tunes network parameters for precise forecasts. Proposed method achieves low MSE of 6.7 and high accuracy of 99%.

Indoor environment and user perceptions in offices in Greenland compared to Denmark

Most of the Greenlandic building stock comprises residential houses and apartments. Consequently, the indoor environment in Greenlandic office buildings has not been subject to wide-ranging investigations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the indoor environment in office buildings in Greenland and to characterise the buildings, their indoor environment, and occupant well-being, health and self-assessed performance. This was done through a post occupancy evaluation (POE), where 22 office buildings, including 70 offices in Nuuk and Sisimiut, were evaluated based on indoor environment measurements and questionnaires of occupants' perceived indoor environment. This was compared with data and results from a related study in office buildings in Denmark (26 office buildings, including 83 offices) collected in the same period. The Danish office buildings performed slightly better than the Greenlandic office buildings regarding the perceived indoor environment. The measured indoor environment differed in performance between the countries when benchmarking towards the requirements and guidelines of the Danish Working Environment Authority (DWEA). It was concluded that the office buildings in Greenland did not differ much from the office buildings in Denmark regarding the measured and perceived indoor environment.

Application of Supervised Learning Methods and Information Gain Methods in the Determination of Asbestos–Cement Roofs’ Deterioration State

This study introduces an innovative approach to evaluate the condition of asbestos–cement (AC) roofs by integrating field data with five distinct supervised learning models: decision trees, KNN, logistic regression, support vector machine, and random forest. A novel methodology for assessing the importance of 380 reflectance bands was employed, offering fresh insights into the key indicators of AC roof deterioration. The research systematically organized and prioritized reflectance bands based on their information gain, optimizing both the selection of relevant bands and the performance of the models in differentiating between low and high intervention priority (LIP and HIP) roofs. The decision tree model, when applied to the top 10 most relevant bands, achieved the highest cross-validation accuracy of 76.047%, making it the most effective tool for identifying AC roof conditions. Additionally, the random forest model demonstrated strong performance across various band groups, further validating its utility. Utilizing the open-source software Weka (version 3.8.6), this study adeptly executed relevance evaluation and model implementation, providing a practical and scalable solution for material characterization, especially in regions where resources for spectral and hyperspectral image analysis are limited. The findings of this study offer valuable tools for government and environmental authorities, particularly in developing countries, where efficient and cost-effective AC roof assessment is crucial for public health and safety. The methodology is adaptable to different urban environments and climatic conditions, supporting global efforts in asbestos management, especially in countries where asbestos regulations are newly implemented. Organized within the CRISP-DM framework, this paper details the methodological phases, presents compelling results on reflectance band relevance, evaluates machine learning models, and concludes with prospects for future research aimed at enhancing asbestos detection and removal strategies.

China’s Green Finance: new in fiscal and legal regulation

Having embarked on the formation of an “ecological civilization”, the People’s Republic of China pays special attention to environmental legislation, the creation of a modern system of “green” economy and “green” finance. The effectiveness of legal regulation of environmental relations largely depends on the availability of financial guarantees of relevant environmental standards. One of these guarantees is the environmental protection tax, recently introduced in the fiscal system of the People’s Republic of China.The article analyzes the main elements of this tax — taxpayers, the object of taxation, rates, the procedure for calculating and paying, system of tax benefits. Special attention is paid to the specifics of tax administration, the organization of cooperation between tax authorities and environmental protection authorities, the interaction of tax control and environmental monitoring.

Environmental Penalties, Internal and External Governance, and Green Innovation: Does the Deterrence Effect Work?

There is a clear target and roadmap for the peaking of carbon emissions and achievement of carbon neutrality, and prior to this target being reached, penalties have been formulated to supervise enterprises and prompt green innovation. This study aimed to investigate the transmission mechanism between environmental penalties and green innovation using an empirical econometrical model and two sets of samples—punished firms and heavily polluting listed firms—amounting to 520 punished firms and 6043 firm-year observations. The main conclusions were threefold. Firstly, regarding the panel data, of the three parameters, namely, the times of penalties, the number of penalty fines, and the intensity of the penalty, only the number of penalty fines were statistically significant in terms of green innovation, indicating that only the hypothesis that, the higher the number of environmental penalties, the greater the green innovation that could be supported. Secondly, from a longitudinal perspective, there was one spontaneous effect on green patents, but the effect faded quickly in the second year after the punishment, indicating that firms did not seek green innovation as the solution for environmental penalties from a long-term perspective. Thirdly, the case number of external penalties in a province was significantly statistically associated with green innovation under an intertwined effect of the actual controller and shareholders. Therefore, there was a spillover of the deterrence effect from external penalties, with a higher number of penalty cases in a province corresponding to greater green innovation but with a very subtle coefficient. In addition, taking the median as the benchmark for group division, the group smaller than the median was statistically significant, while the group with a higher number of external penalties was not statistically significant, suggesting that firms were used to the penalties issued by environmental authorities.

Citizen Observations as Legal Obligations: (Dis)Associations and Representation at the Swedish Land and Environment Court of Appeal

There is an increasing international trend in environmental activism to use legal institutions and infrastructures for citizen science (CS) to affect policy and regulation. However, knowledge about observations produced in activist CS and their functions at courts is scarce. To address this, we analyze how citizen observations (COs) reported to an established infrastructure for CS assist in producing legal obligations. Sweden provides an exemplary case due to the integration between CS biodiversity infrastructures, environmental regulation, and the increasing number of legal environmental conflicts. Data was gathered from documentation of legal cases argued in front of the Land and Environment Court of Appeal (LECA) from 2012 to 2020, and interviews with civil servants at Swedish environmental public authorities. Through a qualitative analysis, we find several ways that COs get associated to legal obligations, including through civil servants’ decisions, species spatial-temporality, comparisons between different CS reporting systems, the negotiation of species status on red lists, and interpretations of species behavior. We relate our findings to a broader discussion on what forms of representation matter in environmental regulation and who and what can speak for species and entities making up the world.

Diagnosis of Nutrient Discharges and Management Alternatives in Developing Countries and the Use of Microalgae as a Potential Solution: A Case Study from Different Provinces in Antioquia, Colombia

This research aims to propose management strategies to mitigate eutrophication caused by inefficient wastewater treatment plants in Colombia. The information analyzed was provided by environmental authorities such as IDEAM, CORANTIOQUIA, and CORNARE in Antioquia, where the average concentrations of phosphorus in wastewater from municipal, livestock, and industrial activities are 5.1, 30.6, and 29.1 mg P/L. The total nitrogen concentrations are 77, 143, and 121 mg N/L, respectively, surpassing the limit concentrations stated by the European Union, the United States, and Mexico, among others, while Colombia has not established its own limits. Including limitations for nutrient concentrations will align Colombia with the 2050 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where microalgae species like Chlorella or Scenedesmus could be used in wastewater treatment systems for municipalities and industries. These microalgae can capture organic matter, nutrients, and greenhouse emissions and reduce the concentrations observed in natural water. They could also be an alternative for capturing heavy metals and some pollutants of emerging concern. In addition to the ecological and social benefits, the algal biomass could be valorized by transforming it into biological products such as fuels, fertilizers, and pigments when micropollutants are not present, reducing operational costs for treatment systems.

Digital transformation and synergistic reduction in pollution and carbon Emissions——An analysis from a dynamic capability perspective

Pollution control and carbon emission reduction pose significant challenges for developing countries, and achieving synergistic reductions in pollution and carbon emissions (SRPCs) has emerged as the optimal choice. Digitization, a prevailing trend in the current era, presents new opportunities for realizing the SRPC. We utilize data from Chinese A-share listed companies from 2007 to 2022 to investigate the impact of corporate digital transformation on the SRPC. The research reveals the following. (1) Enterprise digital transformation significantly promotes the SRPC, a conclusion validated through a series of robustness tests. However, the SRPC resulting from digital transformation is characterized by weak synergy, which is primarily observed in the coordinated reduction in air pollution and carbon emissions. (2) This effect is notably stronger for companies near environmental regulatory authorities, those receiving government environmental subsidies, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). (3) Enhancing managerial collaborative management capabilities, promoting corporate technological innovation capabilities, and alleviating financing pressure are the primary mechanisms at play. This research provides important policy and practical insights for promoting the SRPC in the context of digitization, fostering sustainable development.

Reliability of toxicokinetic modelling for PFAS exposure assessment in contaminated water in northern Italy

IntroductionLong-term contamination of tap water and groundwater by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has been documented in the Veneto region of northern Italy. This study aimed to assess the exposure of individuals residing in the contaminated area and to test several toxicokinetic (TK) models of varying complexities to identify an efficient method for predicting perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) concentrations in human serum using observed data.The ultimate goal is to provide public health officials with guidance on selecting the appropriate TK model for specific contexts, a reliable and rapid tool to support human bio-monitoring (HBM) studies. MethodsTwo simpler empirical TK models and a more complex multi-compartment physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model were compared with individual and aggregate data from an HBM study. In addition, the PBPK model was modified by adjusting input parameters and introducing new terms into the equations within the original model code. These modifications aimed to optimize the results compared to the original model, with some versions incorporating adjustments to account for the influence of menstruation in women. All models were evaluated to understand their strengths and weaknesses, providing guidance on the appropriate model to use according to specific scenarios. ResultsThe results obtained from the tested models were quite similar, with significant improvements observed only in the modified models. Simpler models also provided satisfactory results in scenarios involving low PFOS serum concentrations and recent exposure cessation. In many cases, predictions demonstrated high accuracy, particularly at the aggregate level and for women. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that environmental protection agencies and health authorities may benefit from employing the tested models at the aggregate level as an initial step in HBM studies, rather than conducting more invasive and expensive screening campaigns.