Assessment Of Environmental Effects Research Articles

The Impact of Mother's Living Environment Exposure on Genome Damage, Immunological Status, and Sex Hormone Levels in Newborns.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare for the first time IL-6 (Interleukin 6), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E) levels, their ratio (E/T), micronucleus (MN), and nuclear bridge (NB) frequency between newborns with regard to their mother’s residency and diet. Our results should enable an assessment of the possible environmental endocrine effects and interaction between biomarkers, pointing to possible associated health risks. Methods: Fifty full-term newborns of both sexes, whose mothers were healthy and not occupationally exposed to any known carcinogen, were analyzed. All of the mothers filled in a detailed questionnaire. Results: The results showed significantly higher levels of E in newborns of mothers with agricultural residency than those born by mothers with urban residency. Significantly, lower levels of E were measured in newborns of mothers who drank milk and carbonated beverages more frequently. Testosterone was significantly higher in boys of mothers with agricultural residency than from mothers with urban residency. Residence and other parameters had no impact on the difference in MN frequency. IL-6 levels were higher in newborns of mothers with agricultural residency. NB levels were significantly associated with E. A significant association between E levels and IL-6 was found. Conclusion: Our results were the first to show a significant impact of the mother’s agricultural residency and diet on their newborns’ sex hormone and IL-6 levels and their association.

Environmental effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation and interactions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, update 2019.

This assessment, by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP), one of three Panels informing the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, provides an update, since our previous extensive assessment (Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2019, 18, 595-828), of recent findings of current and projected interactive environmental effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, stratospheric ozone, and climate change. These effects include those on human health, air quality, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, and materials used in construction and other services. The present update evaluates further evidence of the consequences of human activity on climate change that are altering the exposure of organisms and ecosystems to UV radiation. This in turn reveals the interactive effects of many climate change factors with UV radiation that have implications for the atmosphere, feedbacks, contaminant fate and transport, organismal responses, and many outdoor materials including plastics, wood, and fabrics. The universal ratification of the Montreal Protocol, signed by 197 countries, has led to the regulation and phase-out of chemicals that deplete the stratospheric ozone layer. Although this treaty has had unprecedented success in protecting the ozone layer, and hence all life on Earth from damaging UV radiation, it is also making a substantial contribution to reducing climate warming because many of the chemicals under this treaty are greenhouse gases.

Human-induced load on the environment when using geothermal heat pump wells

The research is aimed to study the process of change in temperature mode dynamics for the Earth subsurface layer when heat is extracted with geothermal heat pump systems, reveal and disclose specifics of effect on the ecology caused by technologies using geothermal resources and give practical recommendations regarding further development of methods for designing heat pumps using low potential heat energy of soil based on the long-term forecast and efficacy assessment. Mathematical statistics and mathematical model methods were applied for assessment of economic and environmental effects. Methods based on principles of the theory of thermal conductivity, hydromechanics, theory of differential equations and mathematical analysis were applied for calculation of proposed systems and review of field observation findings. The authors had developed for research purposes an experimental geothermal heat pump system consisting of four structurally connected geothermal wells, each with installed U-shaped twin collectors of 200 m overall length, and a heat pump of 14 kW capacity with a heat energy battery for 300 L connected to the building heat-supply system. They also created a computer data archivation and visualisation system and devised a research procedure. The paper provides assessment of the effect caused by changes in the process operation mode of the heat pump system on the soil temperature near the geothermal well. As a result, the authors have found that the higher the intensity of heat energy extraction, the lower the soil temperature near the geothermal heat exchanger, in proportion to the load on the system. Moreover, it has been determined by experimental means that at critical loads on the geothermal heat exchanger the soil temperature is unable to keep up with regeneration and may reach negative values. The research also determined relation between inservice time and season of the system operation and temperature fluctuations of geothermal field. For example, it has been found by experimental means that the heat flow from the well is spread radially, from the well axis to its borders. Additionally, it has been proved that depending on the heat load value, the bed temperature is changed after the time of the first launch. For example, the geothermal field temperature has changed from the time of the first launch during 1-year operation by 0.5 °С in average. The research has proved that depending on the heat load value, under seasonal operation (heating only or cooling only) of the system, the soil temperature has decreased for five years by 2.5 °С and switched to quasi-steady state, meanwhile, stabilisation of the geothermal field in the state under 1-year operation (heating and cooling) occurred yet in the 2nd year of operation. In conclusion, the paper reasonably states that geothermal heat pump systems using vertical heat exchangers installed into the wells put no significant human-induced load on the environment. At the same time, still relevant are issues of scientific approach to development of the required configuration of the geothermal collector, methodology for its optimal placement and determination of efficacy depending on operation conditions.

Wind tunnel Assessment of Wind Environment and Dust Suppression Effect of Windbreak in Port Bulk Storage Yards

Windbreaks projects are constructed in order to reduce the dusting in port bulk storage yards. The assessment of wind environment and dust suppression effects are important in the planning or preliminary design of such projects. This paper takes a large port bulk storage yard with 853m x 966m area as an example, velocity measurement wind tunnel tests were carried out. The wind velocity reduction ratio and dust suppression rate were used to access the wind environment and the dust suppression effect. The influence of windbreak height was investigated. The comprehensive wind speed reduction rate and dust suppression rate vary with windbreak height nearly linearly. And combined with spraying system, the dust suppression rate can reach beyond 95%, which provides reference and assessment method for relative engineering applications.

Assessment of resource-saving and environmental effects in the system «boiler room – heat consumers – environment» from insulation of external walls of houses

Assessment of resource-saving and environmental effects in the system «boiler room – heat consumers – environment» from insulation of external walls of houses

The study of indoor concentrations of organic compounds in school classrooms and accumulated blood xenobiotic levels in children

The analysis of multicomponent chemical composition of atmospheric air and the air of residential and public premises, including school indoor air, is an urgent task of modern hygienic studies devoted to environmental quality and risk assessment of adverse health effects of dangerous chemicals. The priority sources of air pollution inside classrooms are finishing materials (linoleum, wallpaper, varnishes, paints, etc.) and emissions of monomers from furniture made of chipboards processed with polymer resins. The article demonstrates the results of screening tests establishing the levels of airborne toxic organic compounds (phenol, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) both inside and outside educational premises affected by various environmental exposures (conditional areas of observation and comparison). To assess the chemical body burden, blood levels of certain chemicals were measured in schoolchildren dwelling in the observation (study) and comparison (control) areas. Blood tests were accompanied by indoor and outdoor air monitoring in the educational establishments. We examined the total of 424 children including 231 students from primary, secondary and high schools of the city of Perm (observation area) and 193 schoolchildren of grades 1–11 living in the town of Kungur (comparison area). We established that the average daily concentrations of phenol and formaldehyde in indoor air in Perm were 2.4 and 5.6 times higher (р < 0.05) than those in Kungur. Outdoor concentrations of phenol and formaldehyde in Perm were 2.6 and 3.7 times higher than those in Kungur. The analysis of blood levels of certain organic compounds in the primary, secondary and high school children in Perm showed significantly higher concentrations of phenol, benzene, and toluene (p < 0.05) (1.5, 1.1, and 1.2 times, respectively). The average blood concentration of formaldehyde in the study group was 1.3 times higher (p < 0.05) than that in children of the comparison area. No significant differences between the comparison and observation groups (p < 0.05) were found in blood levels of xylene and ethylbenzene. Children’s blood concentrations of the identified organic compounds indicate the presence of external sources of exposure to these toxicants.

Life cycle assessment on metal supply from environmental perspective

Metal supply is very important for economic development and the environmental effect on metal supply has become a serious problem. The main challenge is to decide how to quantify the environmental effect. A series of researches have promoted different methods. This paper promotes an improved approach for assessment of environmental effect on metal supply. LCA method was used and system steps of the mining and processing during LCA method of a specific metal was first identified. The midpoint and endpoint data were derived separately for Al and Cu as case study. Then normalization was applied to the endpoint data and the section with biggest value was considered most serious environmental effect. And the endpoint value for this section is chosen as environmental implication for a specific metal. We hope this approach can be a convenient and practical method for the environmental effect assessment.

Evaluation of the bioaccumulation of octocrylene after dietary and aqueous exposure

Octocrylene is used as UV filter in personal care products with a high production volume and can be detected in surface water and biota. It is liquid at ambient temperature, highly lipophilic, has a high adsorption capacity to organic material and is considered as persistent in the environment. The very low water solubility complicates the evaluation of potential long-term effects in aquatic toxicity testing, since effect thresholds are often above the water solubility limit. Thus, the evaluation of the bioaccumulation potential becomes highly relevant for the assessment of long-term environmental effects. However, even the determination of the water solubility limit for a substance with such difficult properties is challenging. The following experiments are described, and results compared to available environmental monitoring data: A bioconcentration study with aqueous exposure (BCF) in zebrafish and a biomagnification study with dietary exposure (BMF) in rainbow trout, as well as supporting experiments to evaluate the water solubility. The growth and lipid corrected BCF determined by aqueous exposure was 858 L kg−1 while the corrected BMF was 0.0335. The model-based estimation of the BCF from BMF (152–1182 L kg−1) is in good agreement with the measured BCF value. Environmental monitoring data provide only limited information on the bioaccumulation potential of octocrylene, as only few investigations were made in biota and water in parallel and concentrations of octocrylene vary by several orders of magnitude during seasons. Based on the determined fish BCF data, we conclude that OCR is not bioaccumulative according to the criteria as laid down by ECHA, 2017. Furthermore, the low BMF value indicates no accumulation along the food chain.

Assessment of spatial, environmental, and management effects on lameness prevalence in UK sheep flocks

Assessment of spatial, environmental, and management effects on lameness prevalence in UK sheep flocks

Review of environmental and air pollution impacts on built heritage: 10 questions on corrosion and soiling effects for urban intervention

Abstract For many decades, countless studies have been performed regarding the effects of the environment on traditional building materials, presenting methods to mostly quantify phenomena such as the corrosion of metals, stone degradation and soiling. Driven by concerning levels of air pollution in the late 1980's, many large international programmes such as the ICP-Materials, MICAT and ISOCORRAG have been testing worldwide material behaviour when exposed to acidifying pollutants, causing corrosion of metals and stone recession. Numerous individual studies have also contributed to a higher understanding of pollution effects on materials, including soiling studies. The methodologies mostly consist of open exposure of standard samples, either for short, mid or long periods, followed by a statistical analysis of the results, in order to develop accurate prediction formulations used for mapping exercises and to determine areas at risk. Considering all the available information, the contribution of this work is to perform an extensive bibliographic review, organized in the form of 10 basic questions that attempt to present and describe the effects of pollution on materials and practical ways to determine risk areas at urban scales and implement well-supported pollution mitigation strategies. The answers to these questions always take into consideration a more practical approach towards the identification of potential risk and subsequent intervention. Additionally, a new methodology regarding the assessment of environmental effects on actual buildings is discussed for the preservation of historic city centres, through the identification of potentially vulnerable buildings regarding deterioration effects by atmospheric corrosion, soiling and stone degradation.

Field sampling is biased against small-ranged species of high conservation value: a case study on the sphingid moths of East Africa

The range size of species co-occurring in local assemblages is a pivotal variable in assessments of a site’s conservation value. Assemblages featuring many small-ranged species are given more priority than assemblages consisting mainly of wide-ranging species. However, the assembly of relevant information can be challenging and local range size distributions of tropical invertebrates are rarely available for conservation planning. We present such data for sphingid moths in East Africa, a highly diverse region of high conservation value. We compare geographic range size distributions based on field samples with predictions from modelled range map data. Using this system as a case study, we provide evidence for a systematic sampling bias when inferring average local range sizes from field data. Unseen species (i.e., species present but missed in local sampling) are often those with small ranges (hence, of high conservation value). Using an elevational gradient, we illustrate how this bias can lead to false, counterintuitive assessments of environmental effects on local range size distributions. Furthermore, with particular reference to sphingid moths in the study region, we show that current protected areas appear unrelated to the spatial distribution of species richness or average geographic range sizes at a local scale. We discuss the need to treat field sampled data with caution and in concert with other data sources such as probabilistic models.

Assessing Indirect Environmental Effects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT): A Systematic Literature Review

Indirect environmental effects of information and communication technology (ICT) are those effects of ICT that change patterns of production or consumption in domains other than ICT, or more precisely, the environmental consequences of these changes. Digitalization as the societal process of ICT-driven change has created increasing interest in the indirect environmental effects of this technology. Assessments of indirect effects face various methodological challenges, such as the definition of the system boundary, the definition of a baseline as a reference or the occurrence of rebound effects. Existing studies use various approaches or methods to assess a spectrum of ICT use cases in several application domains. In view of the large number of assessments that have been conducted, the choices made when applying assessment methods, and the variety of ICT use cases in different application domains investigated, we present a systematic literature review of existing assessments of indirect environmental effects of ICT. The review provides a state-of-the-art overview of the methods used in the research field and is intended to support researchers in designing sound assessments which yield significant results. We identified 54 studies in seven main application domains using 15 different assessment approaches. The most common application domains are virtual mobility (e.g., telecommuting), virtual goods (e.g., digital media), and smart transport (e.g., route optimization). Life-cycle assessment, partial footprint, and the “ICT enablement method” are the most common approaches. The major part of the assessments focuses on patterns of production (e.g., production of paper-based books vs. e-books), a smaller part on patterns of consumption (e.g., changes in media consumption). Based on these results, we identify as a research gap the investigation of ICT impacts on consumer behavior, which could, for example, focus on social practices, and account for the dynamic implications of change. Elaborating such an approach could provide valuable insights into ICT’s impact on society and the resulting environmental consequences.

Assessment of Environmental Effects of Post-Blasted Explosive on the Ecosystem of Old Netim Village in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

The study investigated the effects of post-blast explosive residues on ecosystems around Prodeco Quarry industry in Calabar Nigeria by collecting explosives residues and air/fumes samples. The variation between the intensity and temperature of explosive dissolution in the mine environment shows that TNT appears at the lowest temperature of 10oC and PETN reflected at about 35oC and NG shows almost at 58oC. Consequently, 5-15 kg of ANFO produced 10-30 lit/kg of nitrogen oxide compound (NOx) fumes while 20 kg ANFO produced 40 lit/kg of carbon monoxide fume. Also, 0.2 μg/L concentration of explosive in water recorded the highest mean recovery of 116.0 % while 1.0 μg/L recorded the highest values of 99.0 %. The mean recovery in soil sample is range between 105.0-126.0 % while that of forest is range between 91.0-107.0 % with the 50.0 μg/L concentration of explosive. The study concluded that the contaminating effects of the explosives residues have direct and indirect influences on the growth and development of the ecosystems.

Carlos L. Ballaré.

Carlos L. Ballaré.

Estimating chemical footprint: contamination with mercury and its compounds

Abstract Chemical pollution is a problem of global importance. However, there are currently no agreed approaches for integrated environmental impact assessment (EIA) of chemical effects at global scale. We present a new systems-based approach to EIA of chemicals. Our methodology considers propagation of chemical pollutants in the environment, in conjunction with the approach followed in the Russian regulatory system. To estimate chemical footprints related to environmental contamination by potentially toxic substances, measured environmental concentrations were combined with results from the UNEP-SETAC scientific consensus model USEtox, which is recommended for and widely applied in life cycle impact assessment. Our approach was tested using the example of mercury, which has been shown to be a hazardous pollutant at regional and global scales. Results show that the main contribution to the overall chemical footprint of mercury and its compounds is related to releases into aqueous bodies from human activities. Estimations of Maximum Available Concentration overrun show that calculated and experimental data agree to a good extent, particularly for mercury contamination in freshwater bodies. Discrepancies between calculated and actual data are mainly due to extrapolated data used for model validation, averaged data applied to entire Russian Federation districts, the omission of industrial soil as a separate model compartment, and not accounting for cumulative damage from emissions in previous years. These aspects will inform future efforts to refine the methodology. The results of this study were presented to the Ministry of the Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation. It is planned to use these results as one basis for prioritizing action on sources of environmental mercury contamination and as a benchmark for minimizing such impacts.

Geochemistry of the No. 6 coal seam of the Guanzigou Mine, Inner Mongolia, Northern China

To study the geochemical characteristics of the No. 6 Coal of the Guanzigou Mine, the contents of major and trace elements were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results showed that the contents of SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, Li, Ga, In, and Pb in the No. 6 Coal are higher than the common contents of the average values in Chinese coal, whereas those of other elements, such as Co, Ni, Rb, Cs, and Ba, are lower. The SiO2/Al2O3 ratio (1.22) is close to the ratio in pure kaolinite (1.18) because of the lower proportion of quartz or boehmite in the coal. In the vertical section, all major and most trace elements in the samples are enriched near the parting and floor. The contents of Al2O3, Li, and Ga have reached their minimum mining grade, supporting their recovery as by-products. The high content of Pb should be paid attention to during coal mining and utilizing. The geochemical associations of the elements were assessed according to correlation and cluster analyses. It was found that Al2O3, SiO2, Li, Na2O, Bi, MgO, K2O, Rb, Cs, and Ga are associated with clay minerals. Cd, Pb, TiO2, and Cu are associated with unidentified traces of sulfide minerals or organic matter. In, Tl, MnO, Co, Std, Fe2O3, and CaO are associated with sulfides, carbonates, or organic matter. P2O5, Sr, Be, Ba, Ni, and U are associated with gorceixite or goyazite. These results not only provide fundamental information on coal seam formation, but also favor the comprehensive utilization of the coal and the assessment of environmental and health-related effects of the coal during mining and utilizing processes.

Environmental effects of ozone depletion, UV radiation and interactions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, update 2017.

The Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP) is one of three Panels of experts that inform the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. The EEAP focuses on the effects of UV radiation on human health, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, air quality, and materials, as well as on the interactive effects of UV radiation and global climate change. When considering the effects of climate change, it has become clear that processes resulting in changes in stratospheric ozone are more complex than previously held. Because of the Montreal Protocol, there are now indications of the beginnings of a recovery of stratospheric ozone, although the time required to reach levels like those before the 1960s is still uncertain, particularly as the effects of stratospheric ozone on climate change and vice versa, are not yet fully understood. Some regions will likely receive enhanced levels of UV radiation, while other areas will likely experience a reduction in UV radiation as ozone- and climate-driven changes affect the amounts of UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Like the other Panels, the EEAP produces detailed Quadrennial Reports every four years; the most recent was published as a series of seven papers in 2015 (Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2015, 14, 1-184). In the years in between, the EEAP produces less detailed and shorter Update Reports of recent and relevant scientific findings. The most recent of these was for 2016 (Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2017, 16, 107-145). The present 2017 Update Report assesses some of the highlights and new insights about the interactive nature of the direct and indirect effects of UV radiation, atmospheric processes, and climate change. A full 2018 Quadrennial Assessment, will be made available in 2018/2019.

Assessment of environmental risk factors effects on hypothyroidism in pregnant women

Assessment of environmental risk factors effects on hypothyroidism in pregnant women

Green Net Value Added as a sustainability metric based on life cycle assessment: An application to Bounty® paper towel

Sustainability measurement in economics includes assessment of environmental and economic effects in an integrated manner. In this study, system level economic data are integrated with environmental impacts determined from a life cycle assessment (LCA) of a common product. We adopt a costing methodology that captures conventional costs, but additionally incorporates externality costs to present a convenient, easily interpretable metric. Green Net Value Added (GNVA) is a type of full cost accounting that incorporates total revenue, the cost of production, depreciation, and environmental externalities. We present externality costs disaggregated by upstream sectors, full cost of production, and GNVA to evaluate the relative sustainability of Bounty® paper towels manufactured at two production facilities. We found that the longer running, more established line had a higher GNVA. The predominant components contributing to externality costs come from the stationary sources in the supply chain: electricity generation (27–35%), refineries (20–21%), pulp and paper making (15–23%). Health-related externalities from Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Carbon Dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions are to a great extent driven by electricity usage and emissions by the facilities, followed by pulp processing and transport. Supply chains for other facility purchases, product distribution, and end-of-life management contribute the least to the environmental health-related costs.

Concentration levels of new-generation fungicides in throughfall released by foliar wash-off from vineyards

The presence of agricultural pesticides in the environment and their effects on ecosystems are major concerns addressed in a significant number of articles. However, limited information is available on the pesticide concentrations released from crops. This study reports losses of new-generation fungicides by foliar wash-off from vineyards and their potential impact on the concentrations of their main active substances (AS) in surface waters.Two experimental plots devoted to vineyards were treated with various combinations of commercial new-generation fungicide formulations. Then, up to sixteen throughfall collectors were installed under the canopy. Concentrations of sixteen different AS in throughfall were determined along nine rainfall episodes. Concentrations in throughfall far exceeded the maximum permissible levels for drinking water established by the European Union regulations. Dynamics of fungicide release indicated a first-flush effect in the wash-off founding the highest concentrations of AS in the first rain episodes after application of the fungicides.This article shows that foliar spray application of commercial formulations of new-generation fungicides does not prevent the release of their AS to soil or the runoff. Concentration data obtained in this research can be valuable in supporting the assessment of environmental effects of new-generation fungicides and modeling their environmental fate.