The current study provides a comprehensive analysis of toxic heavy metal concentrations, specifically lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As), in various commonly consumed food categories in Egypt, including beverages, processed cereals, milk/dairy products, canned fish/meat products, and table salt. The results indicate that Pb levels were the highest among the metals analyzed, with the highest level found in canned fish/meat products (average: 221.5 ± 39.9µg/kg). Cd, Cr, and As were present in lower amounts, also with the highest levels detected in canned fish/meat products (averaging 45.8 ± 52.8, 36.2 ± 41.3, and 8.5 ± 1.8µg/kg, respectively), which raises concerns regarding dietary exposure. Dietary exposures were quantified using estimated daily intake (EDI), with values reaching up to 0.688µg/kg body weight/day for Pb, 0.112µg/kg/day for Cd, 0.035µg/kg/day for Cr, and 0.004µg/kg/day for As. Health risks were evaluated using hazard quotients (HQ) and carcinogenic risks (CR) in accordance with guidelines from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). All HQ values were below 1, indicating no significant non-carcinogenic health risk, while CR values ranged from 2.16 × 10⁻⁹ to 4.37 × 10⁻⁵, which are within the US EPA's acceptable lifetime cancer risk range of 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁴. Specifically, an HQ of less than 1 suggests no significant health concern, and CR values within this range indicate acceptable cancer risk levels. Pb consumption may lead to a minor increase in systolic blood pressure (0.53 mmHg), while urinary cadmium levels in adults (1.06µg/g creatinine) were found to be safe. Although these results suggest no significant health risks from heavy metal consumption for the local population, ongoing monitoring and regulatory actions are essential to mitigate potential health risks associated with heavy metal exposure through food.

Monitoring of natural radionuclides in water samples from LASU aquaculture and water plant.

Machine learning-assisted fluorescence/smartphone dual-mode platform for lead ion detection using the novel polyimide covalent organic framework.

Radiometric profile of foods commercialized in a high natural radiation area and cancer risk assessment through computational simulation and experimental data.

The role of ammonia in virus inactivation: A systematic and meta-analysis review.

Evaluation of an anti-thyroid mode of action for thyroid follicular cell adenomas in female mice exposed to tertiary butyl alcohol.

Abstract Growing evidence suggests that rapid population growth, urban and industrial expansion, and advancements in various social sectors have led to increased levels of air pollution. The Environment Public Authority in Kuwait has reported that both natural sources, such as dust storms, and anthropogenic sources, such as vehicular emissions, have contributed to this rise in pollution, which can result in severe health issues, including cancer and respiratory diseases. This study evaluated indoor air quality in four public high schools across different governorates in Kuwait over 3 weeks by using AirVisual Pro devices to measure particulate matter (PM), specifically PM 2.5 and PM 10 . The results were compared to the standards and recommendations set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization. The findings reveal that indoor levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in Kuwaiti public high schools are notably higher than international levels. This study underscores the necessity for interventions to improve indoor air quality in schools and other indoor settings throughout Kuwait. This study assessed indoor PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels in four public high schools across Kuwait and examined factors such as school location, proximity to roads, and pollution sources. Mubarak Al-Kabeer showed the highest PM 2.5 levels (35.69 µg/m 3 ), while Hawalli had the highest PM 10 levels (66.18 µg/m 3 ), mainly due to industrial and traffic emissions. Afternoon peaks were linked to reduced wind dispersion and increased human activity. Graphical abstract

Rising nitrate levels in groundwater have emerged as a major global concern due to their adverse health impacts through multiple exposure pathways. This study assessed the nitrate concentrations and associated non-carcinogenic health risks for different population groups (males, females, and children) in the Munneru Basin, India. A total of 175 groundwater samples were analysed for nitrate and physicochemical parameters. Nitrate concentrations ranged from 0 to 493mg/L, with 71 samples (41%) exceeding the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) permissible limit of 45mg/L. Oral ingestion poses a substantially higher risk of exposure than dermal contact. The mean total Hazard Index (HI) values were 1.373 for males, 1.622 for females, and 2.385 for children, with 42.28%, 47.42%, and 60% of samples exceeding the safe limit (HI > 1), respectively. Children were identified as the most susceptible group because of their higher exposure potential and lower body weight relative to adults. Monte Carlo Simulations (MCS) were conducted to assess the probabilistic distribution of nitrate-related health risks. A robust simulation framework was implemented in Python, incorporating the exposure parameters recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The probabilistic model produced slightly higher HI estimates and indicated a high probability of HI > 1 across all population groups-57.96% for males, 61.01% for females, and 65.96% for children. Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) plots and MCS histograms were used to visualise the probabilistic distribution and variability of health risk outcomes. Sensitivity analysis identified the nitrate concentration and water ingestion rate as the most influential parameters controlling health risk outcomes. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed strong positive loadings for NO3-, Cl-, and SO42- in PC2, indicating anthropogenic contributions from agricultural runoff and untreated sewage effluents. These findings highlight the critical need for targeted nitrate management strategies and public health interventions, particularly to protect vulnerable populations, such as children, in nitrate-affected regions.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic, highly stable compounds widely used in industrial and consumer products. Among them, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are of particular concern and were regulated under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) established in 2024, with enforceable limits set at 4.0 ng/l for each compound, due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential toxicity. While high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) is widely used for PFAS detection, its high cost, complexity, and lack of portability pose challenges for widespread environmental monitoring. To address this challenge, we have developed an electrochemical sensing platform utilizing a polymer-coated glassy carbon electrode. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was employed as the detection technique, with ferrocenemethanol (FeMeOH) acting as the redox species. Results indicated that the polymer coating exhibited significant cross-sensitivity for structurally similar PFAS, which complicated accurate detection. However, employing machine learning techniques allowed an accurate interpretation of the experimental data and enhanced the accuracy of detection up to 95%. This strategy was designed to achieve sensitive and selective detection of PFAS at low nanogram-per-liter (ng/L) concentrations, and enabled the identification of both long- and short-chain PFAS with varying functional groups, supporting early-stage contamination monitoring through a portable and cost-effective sensing system.

This scientific review is dedicated to analytical methods for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in milk and dairy products. The primary focus is placed on the accuracy, reliability, and accessibility of the methodologies employed for food quality control. A comprehensive examination of various analytical techniques is provided, including liquid and gas chromatography, spectroscopy, and micro-fluorescence. It is noted that existing technologies ensure sufficient accuracy and reproducibility of results, thereby enhancing the safety of dairy products. Despite the complexity of the procedures, modern instrumentation delivers reliable outcomes and supports effective food quality control. PAHs are classified based on their molecular weight and origin, differing in their toxicity levels and capacity for bioaccumulation in living organisms. The review offers a detailed assessment of extraction and purification methods, encompassing liquid and gas chromatography, Raman microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. International guidelines and regulatory limits for PAH content in foodstuffs, as established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), are presented. The prospects for the application of various analytical methods in real-world settings are evaluated, emphasizing the critical importance of precise monitoring of PAH levels in dairy products. This review underscores the necessity for the continued refinement of PAH analysis and control methods, as well as the significance of collaboration between the dairy industry and specialized laboratories to minimize contamination risks.

Abstract This study employs recent US Environmental Protection Agency off‐site manufacturing wastewater disposal data and a socioenvironmental assessment tool for the United States to understand the characteristics of such disposal in terms of geography, major contributing sectors and pollutants, and environmental impacts. Environmental impact analyses of manufacturing are insufficient without encompassing the extended physical boundary of waste management. Our analysis reveals that off‐site manufacturing wastewater disposal occurs disproportionately in populations residing in census tracts already negatively impacted by environmental hazards (impacted populations, or IPs) with 44% of transfers and 55% of Risk Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) Hazard going to these areas, compared to their national share of 37%. Disposal hazard is concentrated in a small number of populations, with a Gini coefficient of 0.99 for RSEI Hazard. Four manufacturing sub‐sectors are significant generators: Chemicals, Fabricated Metals, Primary Metals, and Transportation Equipment, with Chemicals off‐site wastewater disposal largely occurring in IPs. For individual contaminants, chromium compounds and chromium represent more than 85% of the hazard but less than 10% of transfers. We explore transfer distances and waste generation and disposal hotspots, finding that the Midwest hosts a disproportionate share of off‐site wastewater disposal. Further, RSEI Hazard steeply rises at shorter distances and plateaus over distances >500 miles, revealing opportunities to reduce hazard by reducing 20–500‐mile transfers. Our findings strongly support targeted mitigation strategies like process substitutions, control technologies, on‐site recycling and treatment, and minimizing transfer distances. This article met the requirements for a gold‐gold JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges .

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a leading cause of infertility in reproductive-aged women, exhibits complex etiology involving environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs). Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and bisphenol A (BPA) are implicated in PCOS pathogenesis, though their molecular mechanisms remain incompletely characterized. To address this, network toxicology was employed to systematically investigate DEHP/BPA-induced toxicity and associated mechanisms in PCOS. Through comprehensive queries of public databases—including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ToxCast, Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCards, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM)—we identified 26 and 21 putative targets for DEHP/BPA, respectively, with established links to PCOS. Subsequent protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis using STRING (v11.0) and Cytoscape (v3.9) identified six hub proteins: PTGER3, SOX15, TOP2A, CCNB1, BCL2, and CYP19A1. Functional enrichment analysis via ClusterProfiler package (version 4.14.6) revealed these targets are significantly enriched in endocrine disruption pathways and ovarian folliculogenesis processes. Molecular docking simulations further validated high-affinity binding between DEHP/BPA and the hub proteins indicating stable interactions. Our results suggest that DEHP/BPA may contribute to PCOS through potential disruption of endocrine signaling, alterations in ovarian hormone regulation, and interference with follicular development and steroidogenesis. These disturbances are predictive of hormonal imbalances, inflammation, and reduced ovarian function, which represent established features of PCOS pathogenesis. The network toxicology approach provides insights into toxicity pathways and could assist in managing risks associated with endocrine-disrupting substances.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13048-025-01866-1.

Analysis of long-term leachate from pavement constructed with recycled concrete aggregates.

This study investigated sachet hair dyes in black and dark shades, widely used by consumers. Contamination levels of metal(loid)s, including arsenic, chromium, cadmium, copper, nickel, iron, lead, and zinc, were analyzed in products purchased from online platforms, and the associated health risks were evaluated through dermal exposure. Hair dye samples were digested using a mixture of hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, and hydrogen peroxide through microwave-assisted acid digestion. Metal(loid) concentrations were quantified using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry in accordance with United States Environmental Protection Agency Method 6010D. Health risk assessment was conducted based on the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and United States Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. The results indicated that the average concentrations of all analyzed metal(loid)s were within the permissible limits established by international and national standards, except for nickel, which was detected at 64.34 mg/kg, exceeding the World Health Organization limit. The calculated Margin of Safety values for all metals exceeded 100, indicating that the products are safe for use. Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were assessed using the Hazard Index and Total Lifetime Cancer Risk, respectively. The average Hazard Index was , remaining below the acceptable limit (Hazard Index ), while the Total Lifetime Cancer Risk was , exceeding the acceptable limit (Total Lifetime Cancer Risk ). These findings emphasize the necessity for stricter surveillance and revisions of regulatory standards concerning carcinogenic metal(loid)s in sachet hair dyes. Furthermore, it is recommended that the permissible limits be expanded to comprehensively cover all metal(loid)s.

ABSTRACT Climate change adaptation has become a topical issue in global discourse in recent times due to its potential impact on food and water security. Mitigating the impact of climate change and building resilience of vulnerable farmers to adapt effectively have drawn the attention of international, regional, and national policy‐making. This study investigates climate change adaptation in the Upper East Region, assessing government policies in water conservation and dry season irrigation to promote food security. The study adopted a case study design from which eight communities were selected from four administrative districts in the Sudan agro‐ecological zone. Both primary and secondary data were collected. The instruments used for the primary data collection included focus group discussions and Key Informant Interviews, while the secondary data was obtained from key government institutions such as the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The data was analyzed using content analysis. The findings of the study indicate that several policies exist in the country to deal with the impact of climate change. However, the implementation of these policies at the local levels was marred by challenges such as credit, sociocultural practices, and inadequate dissemination of climate information. The study recommends that in order to adapt to climate change, reduce rural poverty, and promote food security, investments should be geared towards promoting water conservation for dry‐season irrigation farming. This would bring about diversification of the rural economy and sustain livelihoods.

Mancozeb, a broad-spectrum contact fungicide, is under regulatory pressure in the United States and elsewhere. In Georgia, mancozeb has been utilized extensively for early-season management of grape diseases. The removal of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mancozeb tolerance for usage in grape production would necessitate the application of numerous low rates of captan and increased use of copper to provide broad-spectrum fungicides throughout as much of the season as possible. There are also biological materials with purported activity on many grape diseases. In a field trial, Captan 4L, Kocide 3000 (copper), and Howler Evo ( Pseudomonas chlororaphis) were reviewed for control of black rot and downy mildew. Mancozeb consistently provided lower disease levels than other treatments, but Captan 4L provided statistically equivalent control of both black rot and downy mildew. Kocide 3000, though providing efficacy against both pathogens, was not as efficacious as mancozeb. The biological product, Howler Evo, did not provide efficacy against either pathogen. Results from this trial will help growers determine which products are best to use for management strategies for these diseases in the future.

ABSTRACT Flaring serves as an important safety and emissions compliance tool in industries such as oil and gas production, refineries, and landfills. Nonassisted, low-flow (≤100 thousand cubic feet per day (MSCFD)), utility (pipe) flares are widely used in practice, yet there are limited studies of real-world conditions. Additionally, while shrouds (windshields) are commonly used to mitigate wind effects, their impact on flare performance is previously undocumented. This study introduces a novel outdoor testing facility designed to evaluate low-flow flares and quantitatively assess their performance with and without shrouds. Experiments were conducted at flare-gas flow rates of 5 to 75 MSCFD using natural gas and an 80% natural gas/20% propane blend (by volume) under crosswind speeds from 0 to over 35 miles per hour (MPH). Combustion efficiency (CE) and methane destruction removal efficiency (DRECH4) were determined for all operating conditions. While CE for a baseline utility flare (3-inch diameter pipe equipped with a pilot ignition system) was over 96.5% for crosswinds below 10 MPH, the CE decreased rapidly for crosswinds above 10 MPH, with CE <70% for crosswinds above 30 MPH. The utility flare results were compared with results of prior wind-tunnel studies and prior proposed scaling relationships and incorporated into machine learning (ML) models. The scaling relationships show poor correlation with the body of data, but the ML models yielded good agreement (R2 = 0.84) when crosswind turbulence intensity was incorporated as an input parameter. The current work investigated retrofitting a utility flare with different shroud designs, which increased CE ≥96.5% for all conditions, demonstrating the effectiveness of shrouds as practical and cost-effective strategies to improve utility flare performance. The results showed low sensitivity to different shroud designs. Implications: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), industry and other monitoring organizations commonly assume flares operate at 98% destruction efficiency; however, recent aerial surveys have revealed efficiencies as low as 91.1%, resulting in up to five times more methane emissions than expected. Low-flow (≤100 MSCFD) utility flares, widely deployed at oil and gas production sites, have limited performance data under real world conditions. This study addresses that gap by providing new experimental data on low-flow utility flares, identifying a new parameter important for predicting flare efficiency and demonstrating a practical solution for significantly reducing emissions.

Abstract Water scarcity threatens global health and development, prompting increased adoption of recycled water. However, recycled water introduces potential health risks due to pathogenic microorganisms. Aerosol-generating applications of recycled water are particularly concerning yet understudied. This systematic literature review examined the human health risks associated with aerosols generated from non-potable applications of recycled water. Ten peer-reviewed articles from the United States, France, China, and Israel assessed infection risk using quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). These studies focused on aerosolised exposure to four pathogens: Legionella pneumophila , Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , and norovirus genogroup I and II through inhalation and dermal contact. Infection risks for L. pneumophila and E. coli from toilet flushing ranged from 2.95 × 10 −6 to 8.52 × 10 −5 and 8.8 × 10 –15 to 8.3 × 10 –11 infections per person-year (ippy), respectively, all within the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limit of 10 −4 ippy. For irrigation, risks for L. pneumophila ranged from 1 × 10 –12 to 1.3 × 10 −2 ippy and for norovirus from 1 × 10 −3 to 8.1 × 10 −3 ippy. Other applications included fountains (≥ 7.96 × 10 −4 ), cooling towers (1 × 10 −4 − 1 × 10 −2 ), dust control (1.71 × 10 −5 − 8.78 × 10 −4 ), and S. aureus through dermal contact (2.7 × 10 −7 ). Most studies estimated aerosol dose indirectly using source water pathogen concentrations and exposure scenarios, contributing to variability in predicted risks. These findings highlight the need for microbial risk assessment models incorporating direct exposure measurements to estimate pathogen concentrations in aerosols across applications.

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) contribute to global warming and climate change by trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that transportation accounted for 28.4% of the total GHG emissions in 2022, making it a significant contributor. Decreasing personal vehicle travels can help reduce GHG emissions, and using public transportation is a viable way to achieve it. This study evaluates the impact of public transportation on reducing GHG emissions in the U.S. This study included 292 urban areas with public transportation services, divided into two groups based on whether the metropolitan population is over or under one million. The data for GHG emissions was based on the Road Transportation sector of the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR), with a 0.1° by 0.1° resolution. Public transportation usage was based on passenger miles traveled (PMT) via public transportation in the National Transit Database (NTD) published by the Federal Transit Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation. This study also considers workers commuting to work using private vehicles from the American Community Survey (ACS) of the U.S. Census. The findings from regression analysis indicate that: (1) public transportation usage reduces GHG emissions, although the effect is minimal; (2) commuting to work using private vehicles increases GHG emissions, which has a greater impact than public transportation usage; and (3) both factors explain more variance in GHG emissions in urban areas with populations over one million compared to those with populations under one million. These findings align with existing literature, demonstrating that public transportation usage can decrease GHG emissions by 0.77% in urban areas with populations over one million and by 1.03% in those with populations under one million.

Background: Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is increasingly recognized as a cardiovascular risk factor, with both short- and long-term exposure associated with higher rates of atrial fibrillation (Afib). However, few studies have assessed its relationship with Afib using comprehensive burden metrics such as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) at the population level. Aim: To evaluate the association between long-term PM2.5 exposure and the burden of Afib, measured in DALYs, across U.S. states from 2000 to 2021. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal ecological analysis using state-level data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Afib-related DALYs, deaths, and prevalence were age-standardized and sex-combined. Annual PM2.5 concentrations were averaged across the study period. Covariates included summary exposure values for obesity, smoking, hypertension, high fasting plasma glucose, high LDL cholesterol, and kidney dysfunction. Multivariable linear regression assessed the independent association between PM2.5 and Afib DALYs, adjusted for all covariates. Interaction terms between PM2.5 and both obesity and smoking were tested in secondary models. Choropleth maps and trend plots were used to visualize spatial and temporal patterns. Results: Afib DALY rates varied across states, with the largest increase in California (+46%) and the largest decrease in Pennsylvania (–5%). Higher long-term PM2.5 exposure was independently associated with increased Afib DALY rates (β = 1.21, p &lt; 0.0001; 95% CI: 0.89–1.53). PM2.5 was also associated with Afib prevalence (β = 13.47, p &lt; 0.0001), but not with deaths (β = 0.011, p = 0.16). No significant interactions were observed with obesity or smoking. While PM2.5 declined nationally, Afib burden increased or plateaued in most states. Conclusions: Ambient air pollution is independently associated with Afib burden and prevalence across U.S. states, even after adjustment for cardiometabolic and renal risk factors. These findings align with recent international research linking PM2.5 to increased Afib incidence and provide new evidence of its contribution to population-level disease burden in the U.S. This highlights air quality as a potential modifiable contributor to the growing Afib epidemic and underscores the importance of environmental health policy in arrhythmia prevention.