Hazardous Components Research Articles

Dysprosium-enriched polymer nanocomposites: Assessing radiation shielding and optical properties

This paper includes a comprehensive analysis of the radiation shielding, optical properties, and structural makeup of polymer composites that contain Dy2O3 additions. XRD-pattern investigates the effect of loading Dy2O3 content on PS, with the average crystallite size of Dy2O3 decreases from 39 nm to 30 nm as Dy2O3 increases from 2.5 to 7.5 wt% in the PS matrix. The optical properties of the nanocomposites showed that with the increase in the Dy2O3 content, the transmittance, as well as the direct and indirect band gap, decreased. The EgIndirect bandgap decreased from 3.1 to 2.75 eV with a Dy2O3 increase from 0 to 7.5 wt%, while the Egdirect Bandgap reduced from 4.6 to 4.35 eV. While the Urbach energy Eu and the refractive index increase, Eu rises from 0.48 to 0.60 e V, and n improves from 1.4 to 1.78 from 0 to 7.5 wt%. In order to conduct an accurate analysis of the gamma-ray attenuation capabilities of the selected new polymer composites, these composites were manufactured with varying proportions of the additive components. With the assistance of a Na(Tl) detector, experimental assessments were carried out on the gamma rays throughout a broad spectrum of photon energies, ranging from 81 keV up to 1416 keV. The sample encased in PS/Dy7.5 demonstrates excellent radiation attenuation, and it is important to note that this novel polymer shielding material does not include any hazardous components.

Temporal variability of sinkhole hazard illustrated in the western shore of the Dead Sea

AbstractThe growing economic and societal damage caused by sinkhole activity worldwide requires the development of scientifically sound sinkhole hazard assessment approaches. Currently, there is a striking paucity of quantitative sinkhole hazard studies largely related to the incompleteness of sinkhole inventories and the lack of chronological data. Moreover, the probability of occurrence of sinkholes (i.e., sinkhole hazard) is commonly considered as a steady variable, a concept that may lead to significant hazard over- or under-estimates. The extraordinarily high frequency of sinkhole occurrence of the studied sector of the western shore of the Dead Sea has allowed us to explore for the first time the potential temporal variability of sinkhole hazard parameters. Here, we produced six multi-temporal sinkhole inventories with morphometric data between 2005 and 2021 using remote-sensed imagery. The frequency-size relationships generated for successive time intervals with a total of 667 new sinkholes reveal substantial temporal changes in the sinkhole hazard components (i.e., frequency and size). Moreover, the work illustrates that spatial redundancy (sinkholes nested within or intersecting pre-existing ones) can lead to significant hazard overestimates if not considered, especially in areas with high sinkhole density and clustering. This work discusses the limitations of some widely used methods and concepts for sinkhole hazard assessment and illustrates the advantages of detailed multi-temporal mapping for assessing frequency-size relationships and their temporal trends.

Dissection of genetic architecture of nine hazardous component traits of mainstream smoke in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.).

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) use is the leading cause of preventable death, due to deleterious chemical components and smoke from tobacco products, and therefore reducing harmful chemical components in tobacco is one of the crucial tobacco breeding targets. However, due to complexity of tobacco smoke and unavailability of high-density genetic maps, the genetic architecture of representative hazardous smoke has not been fully dissected. The present study aimed to explore the genetic architecture of nine hazardous component traits of mainstream smoke through QTL mapping using 271 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from K326 and Y3 in multiple environments. The analysis of genotype and genotype by environment interaction (GE) revealed substantially greater heritability over 95% contributed mostly by GE interaction effects. We also observed strong genetic correlations among most studied hazardous smoke traits, with the highest correlation coefficient of 0.84 between carbon monoxide and crotonaldehyde. Based on a published high-density genetic map, a total of 19 novel QTLs were detected for eight traits using a full QTL model, of which 17 QTLs showed significant additive effects, six showed significant additive-by-environment interaction effects, and one pair showed significant epistasis-by-environment interaction effect. Bioinformatics analysis of sequence in QTL region predicted six genes as candidates for four traits, of which Nt21g04598.1, Nt21g04600.1, and Nt21g04601.1 had pleiotropic effects on PHE and TAR.

Probabilistic estimation of the source component of seismic hazard in North-Eastern Brazil

Stable continental regions pose unique challenges for conducting Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis because the earthquake activity driving mechanisms are poorly understood. For instance, the lower seismicity (hence the paucity of data) and the absence of well-defined active fault systems complicate accurately determining seismic source parameters. Northeastern Brazil is a stable continental region exhibiting moderate-size events recorded with significant seismic intensities and provoking the collapse of poorly constructed buildings in the last century. Thus, assessing the seismic hazard is critical for seismic risk mitigation. The seismic hazard depends on three components: source, path, and site, and here, we present the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis of the source component for NE Brazil. Spatial aggregation of earthquake sources outlined four areal seismic zones. A goodness-of-fit test rejected the Gutenberg-Richter model of magnitude frequency distribution in one of the studied seismic zones. For this reason, we estimated the magnitude probability distribution function in that zone using a nonparametric adaptive kernel estimator. In other zones the Gutenberg-Richter magnitude frequency model was applied. In either way of the magnitude probability distribution modelling we considered the upper bound for magnitude equal to 6.6 mR, based on the upper bound of a 95 % confidence interval for the standard normal distribution of palaeoearthquake sizes. Our findings suggests that potentially damaging events are likely to occur, and we cannot neglect chances for the occurrence of earthquakes exceeding 5.2 mR. The calculated mean return periods indicate significantly shorter intervals between consecutive large events than palaeoseismic records.

FIRE SAFETY DESIGN OF A 5 STOREY OFFICE BUILDING: FIRE SUPPRESSION

A design of fire suppression system for Asha Office Building was conducted. It is a proposed 5 storey administrative building with a width, length and height of 65m, 47m and 17m respectively as well as a ceiling heights of 3m throughout except ground floor which is 4m. A fire risk assessment of the building was conducted and the outcome revealed a restaurant as the most hazardous component of the building and hence a worst case scenario. A detailed design of a wet sprinkler system installation and operation in the restaurant showed that 15 sprinkler heads are required in 5 range pipes. The spacing between sprinkler heads (S) and sprinkler range pipes (D) are 3.67m and 3.0m respectively. However, only 6 sprinklers will be required to operate in a fire. A total water flow rate and the total pressure required for the operation of the six sprinklers are 444.49 lit/min and 1.7723 bar. Equally, a suction pump pressure of 7.7 bar is required to provide the necessary water volume and pressure to the sprinkler system. A CFAST simulation for a restaurant that is sprinklered revealed a peak temperature of about 400oC at 350 seconds and began to drop as a result of the effect of sprinklers. But, for an unsprinklered restaurant, a peak temperature of about 900oC at 700 seconds was attained. Therefore, it can be deduced that flashover will not occur in a sprinklered restaurant since it is less than the recommended temperature for...

3-Methyl-phenanthrene (3-MP) disrupts the electrical and contractile activity of the heart of the polar fish, navaga cod (Eleginus nawaga)

Alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are abundant in crude oil and are enriched during petroleum refinement but knowledge of their cardiotoxicity remains limited. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered the main hazardous components in crude oil and the tricyclic PAH phenanthrene has been singled out for its direct effects on cardiac tissue in mammals and fish. Here we test the impact of the monomethylated phenanthrene, 3-methylphenanthrene (3-MP), on the contractile and electrical function of the atrium and ventricle of a polar fish, the navaga cod (Eleginus nawaga). Using patch-clamp electrophysiology in atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes we show that 3-MP is a potent inhibitor of the delayed rectifier current IKr (IC50 = 0.25 μM) and prolongs ventricular action potential duration. Unlike the parent compound phenanthrene, 3-MP did not reduce the amplitude of the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) but it accelerated current inactivation thus reducing charge transfer across the myocyte membrane and compromising pressure development of the whole heart. 3-MP was a potent inhibitor (IC50 = 4.7 μM) of the sodium current (INa), slowing the upstroke of the action potential in isolated cells, slowing conduction velocity across the atrium measured with optical mapping, and increasing atrio-ventricular delay in a working whole heart preparation. Together, these findings reveal the strong cardiotoxic potential of this phenanthrene derivative on the fish heart. As 3-MP and other alkylated phenanthrenes comprise a large fraction of the PAHs in crude oil mixtures, these findings are worrisome for Arctic species facing increasing incidence of spills and leaks from the petroleum industry. 3-MP is also a major component of polluted air but is not routinely measured. This is also of concern if the hearts of humans and other terrestrial animals respond to this PAH in a similar manner to fish.

Evaluation of novel copper-based antimicrobial admixtures for biocorrosion mitigation of cement paste

Copper-based antimicrobial admixtures have been favoured for mitigating microbially induced concrete corrosion (MICC) owing to their practical bactericidal abilities. However, concerns regarding the leachability of hazardous components and the long-term efficacy of these admixtures have hindered their industrial application, with limited understanding of their comparative antimicrobial performance and mechanisms. In this work, three conventional copper compounds (copper sulphate, copper acetate, and copper oxide) and two newly synthesized copper-modified admixtures (copper-exchanged montmorillonite and copper-chelated chitosan) were evaluated and compared in terms of their impact on the properties, biocorrosion resistance, and environmental impact of cement paste. The findings revealed that the inclusion of copper-containing admixtures led to increased slump flow, extended setting time, improved compressive strength, lowered porosity, and reduced corrosion depth in the cement paste. Compared with copper sulphate and copper oxide, copper acetate exhibited superior engineering properties, antimicrobial performance, and reduced copper ion leaching. Cu-modified montmorillonite emerged as the most effective copper-based antimicrobial agent, considerably reducing the corrosion depth of cement paste by 32.8 % with the lowest copper leaching, suggesting its potential as a sustainable solution for antimicrobial concrete applications. In contrast, adding chitosan led to poor mechanical and adverse antimicrobial performance, indicating its limited potential as a carrier for synthesized antimicrobial agents.

Metropolitan Flood Risk Characterization Using Remote Sensing, GIS, and Fuzzy Logic (RS-GIS-Fl) Approach: Suleja, Nigeria

Climate change exacerbates extreme events like floods, droughts, heatwaves, cyclones, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires, affecting human populations and environments worldwide. Despite varying impacts across regions, no area is immune to climate change consequences. To mitigate these effects, this study employs Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing, and Fuzzy Logic System to map flood vulnerability zones in Suleja Local Government, Niger State, North Central Nigeria. The research integrates satellite and GIS datasets to prepare Suleja's Flood Zonation Mapping. Rainfall data from Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station Data (CHRPS), Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP), and parameters like Slope, Elevation, Nearness to Water Bodies, Land Use Land Cover, and Drainage Density are utilized to identify flood vulnerability. The flood vulnerability map categorizes the area into five zones: Very Low Risk (40.9%), Low Risk (18.9%), Medium Risk (27.6%), High Risk (7.1%), and Very High Risk (5.5%). Considering the stochastic nature of flood characteristics, this study emphasizes the importance of integrating hydro-climatic and physical catchment parameters, leveraging bias-adjusted satellite data to minimize uncertainty. Effective flood management requires quantifying risk, susceptibility, and hazard components to establish a robust control framework. This research contributes to the development of data-driven flood mitigation strategies in vulnerable regions like Suleja. By harnessing GIS, Remote Sensing, and Fuzzy Logic System, policymakers and stakeholders can make informed decisions to protect communities and infrastructure from flood risks.

The Analysis of Natural Disaster Risk Impact on Labor Market Outcomes: Does It Lead to Middle-Class Workers Decrease?

Indonesia, as a country that is progressing towards an upper middle-income country, is facing a high incidence of disasters. Understanding how disasters impact living standards is still relatively difficult due to the lack of relevant studies in the literature. Therefore, the study aims to analyze the likelihood of individuals who were in areas with a high risk of disaster becoming middle-class workers. In this study, the incidence of disasters is represented by the disaster risk index, which comprises three components, namely the hazard, vulnerability, and capacity components in each province and regency/city based on the definition carried out by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). By using logistics methods, this study found that individuals living in areas with a high risk of disaster tend to have a lower chance of becoming middle-class workers. In overcoming the labor market challenges faced by regions with high disaster risk, careful policy steps are needed that focus on strengthening capacity and reducing the risk of high investment costs. Enhancing disaster-resistant infrastructure and community networks as well as improving access to social protection services and promoting economic recovery are priorities.

Managing Electronic Waste: A Comprehensive Review of Current State and Challenges

This research study examines e-waste management methods and suggests sustainable solutions. Growing e-waste and its hazardous components demand robust management solutions to reduce environmental and health dangers. This report reviews the literature and analyses current processes to summarise e-waste management’s key issues. The article covers policy, regulation, collection and recycling infrastructure, technology, and public awareness. Policies and regulations shape e-waste management. EPR programs, recycling targets, and import/export laws are covered. These policies are assessed to promote responsible e-waste disposal and producer accountability. E-waste collection and recycling require effective infrastructure. Municipal collection facilities, store take-back, and recycling partnerships are compared. E-waste recycling technologies like mechanical and hydrometallurgical processes are evaluated for efficiency, environmental effect, and resource recovery. The study also evaluates how public awareness campaigns promote e-waste disposal. Effective educational, communal, and digital venues for e-waste recycling are assessed. According to the analysis, e-waste management could be improved. Policy frameworks, stakeholder participation, collecting infrastructure, sustainable recycling technologies, and public awareness are improved. This study paper helps policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers understand e-waste management systems and find ways to lessen their environmental and health impacts.

Highlights in Interface of Wastewater Treatment by Utilizing Metal Organic Frameworks: Purification and Adsorption Kinetics.

Polluted water has become a concern for the scientific community as it causes many severe threats to living beings. Detection or removal of contaminants present in wastewater and attaining purity of water that can be used for various purposes are a primary responsibility. Different treatment methods have already been used for the purification of sewage. There is a need for low-cost, highly selective, and reusable materials that can efficiently remove pollutants or purify contaminated water. In this regard, MOFs have shown significant potential for applications such as supercapacitors, drug delivery, gas storage, pollutant adsorption, etc. The outstanding structural diversity, substantial surface areas, and adjustable pore sizes of MOFs make them superior candidates for wastewater treatment. This Review provides an overview of the interaction science and engineering (kinetic and thermodynamic aspects with interactions) underpinning MOFs for water purification. First, fundamental strategies for the synthesis methods of MOFs, different categories, and their applicability in wastewater treatment are summarized, followed by a detailed explanation of various interaction mechanisms. Finally, current challenges and future outlooks for research on MOF materials toward the adsorption of hazardous components are discussed. A new avenue for modifying their structural characteristics for the adsorption and separation of hazardous materials, which will undoubtedly direct future work, is also summarized.

Recent Development of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Water Purification.

Water contamination is an increasing concern to mankind because of the increasing amount of pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. To purify the polluted water, various techniques have been used to remove hazardous components. Unfortunately, traditional cleanup techniques with a low uptake capacity are unable to achieve water purification. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently shown potential in effective water pollutant isolation in terms of selectivity and adsorption capacity over traditional porous materials. The high surface area and versatile functionality of MOFs allow for the development of new adsorbents. The development of MOFs in a range of water treatments in the recent five years will be highlighted in this review, along with assessments of the adsorption performance relevant to the particular task. Moreover, the outlook on future opportunities for water purification using MOFs is also provided.

A multi-scenario risk assessment strategy applied to mixtures of chemicals of emerging concern in the River Aconcagua basin in Central Chile

Environmental risk assessments strategies that account for the complexity of exposures are needed in order to evaluate the toxic pressure of emerging chemicals, which also provide suggestions for risk mitigation and management, if necessary. Currently, most studies on the co-occurrence and environmental impacts of chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) are conducted in countries of the Global North, leaving massive knowledge gaps in countries of the Global South.In this study, we implement a multi-scenario risk assessment strategy to improve the assessment of both the exposure and hazard components in the chemical risk assessment process. Our strategy incorporates a systematic consideration and weighting of CECs that were not detected, as well as an evaluation of the uncertainties associated with Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSARs) predictions for chronic ecotoxicity. Furthermore, we present a novel approach to identifying mixture risk drivers. To expand our knowledge beyond well-studied aquatic ecosystems, we applied this multi-scenario strategy to the River Aconcagua basin of Central Chile. The analysis revealed that the concentrations of CECs exceeded acceptable risk thresholds for selected organism groups and the most vulnerable taxonomic groups. Streams flowing through agricultural areas and sites near the river mouth exhibited the highest risks. Notably, the eight risk drivers among the 153 co-occurring chemicals accounted for 66–92 % of the observed risks in the river basin. Six of them are pesticides and pharmaceuticals, chemical classes known for their high biological activity in specific target organisms.

Development of demolition project hazard index using the possibility approach

Hazard assessment is the most crucial criterion for demolition projects’ safety due to its dynamics and characteristics. This study presents a framework to assess demolition hazards by developing the demolition project hazard index (DPHI), which represents hazard level of the demolition project’s using the possibility approach. The three-level hierarchical framework consisting of eight components and 29 attributes was adopted to evaluate DPHI. The evaluation methodology and weight determination of the hazardous components and their attributes were carried out using fuzzy measures, fuzzy integrals, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with cosine maximization (CM), and Weighted Sum Method (WSM). This study was validated by establishing the correlation between DPHI and safety budget of several demolition projects. In addition, the sensitivity analysis was presented to examine the influence of variation in components’ weights over DPHI. The DPHI will help distinguish the demolition projects based on their hazard level, which allows the stakeholders to understand a more realistic view of the hazard levels and, accordingly, the necessary resources can be assigned to expand the safety management in demolition projects. Application of possibility approach, AHP with CM, and consideration of the three-level hierarchical framework are some of the key contributions and highlights of this study.

Biochar from phytoremediation plant residues: a review of its characteristics and potential applications.

Phytoremediation is a cost-effective and eco-friendly plant-based approach promising technique to repair heavy metal-contaminated soils. However, a significant quantity of plant residues needs to be properly treated and utilized. Pyrolysis is an effective technology for converting residues to biochar, which can solve the problem and avoid secondary contamination. This paper reviews the generation, and physicochemical properties of biochar from phytoremediation residues, and its application in soil improvement, environmental remediation, and carbon sequestration. In spite of this, it is important to be aware of the potential toxicity of heavy metals in biochar and the environmental risks of biochar before applying it to practical applications. Future challenges in the production and application of residue-derived biochar include the rational selection of pyrolysis parameters and proper handling of potentially hazardous components in the biochar.

Enhanced Irradiance Levels using Synergistically Engineered Monochromatic Wavelength Ultraviolet-C Arrays Configuration

Contamination in healthcare environment poses risk of microbial transmission to healthy people. Recently, conventional ultraviolet (UV) technologies, particularly low-pressure mercury lamps have caught researcher’s attention for disinfection. Nonetheless, drawbacks such as hazardous components, limited lifespan, warm-up time, maintenance and fragility have driven researchers to delve into light emitting diode (LED) technologies as an appealing alternative. However, due to the diminishing intensity exhibited by LEDs over extended distances, prior studies primarily focused on short-distance investigations. Consequently, the phenomenon remained insufficient owing to the limited exploration in this field. Furthermore, frequently investigated LEDs in ambient settings, potentially created a gap in completely understanding the capability for irradiance attainability. Hence, this study aimed to overcome this limitation by evaluating the effectiveness of UV-C LEDs with synergistic arrangements within an enclosed chamber, offering optimum settings for examining irradiance performance. The analyzed recorded data aimed to identify trends in emission performance over different distances (5 to 60 cm), providing insights into how the arrangement of LEDs could influence irradiance output. The study unveiled that the synergistic effects of 6, 8, and 10-LED, when strategically engineered, significantly contributed to enhanced intensity. Notably, 10-SEMW LEDs exhibited a remarkable ability to maintain significant irradiance levels across extended distances. This was evident in the range between 0.037 and 0.016 mW.cm⁻² observed at 5 and 60 cm, respectively. In conclusion, the findings stress the importance of strategically arranging LEDs in a synergistic configuration to achieve optimal irradiance levels across a diverse range of spatial parameters for effective long-range disinfection.

Earthquake Risk Analysis for Disaster Management and Mitigation in Central Lombok

This research focuses on analyzing the risk of earthquake disasters in Central Lombok Regency for disaster management and mitigation purposes that can be implemented in the future. This disaster risk analysis has been prepared using a methodology adapted to the Regulation of the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency Number 02 of 2012 concerning General Guidelines for Disaster Risk Analysis, as well as referring to other guidelines applicable at national level ministries/institutions. Central Lombok Regency faces significant risks related to earthquakes, especially in the coastal, southern and central areas. The risk index value is obtained from data analysis related to the hazard, vulnerability and capacity components for each potential disaster grouped into 3 (three) levels/classes, namely 0-0.333 for low class, > 0.333-0.666 for medium class, and >0.666-1 for high class. The index values are different for each disaster, except for the regional capacity index which applies the same to all regions. The Central Lombok Regency disaster risk assessment was carried out at the village/sub-district level. Detailed results of the analysis of each disaster risk assessment index for all potential disasters in Central Lombok Regency are described for each component determining disaster risk assessment. The results of this research show that the highest risk of earthquake disasters is in East Praya at 31%, then the moderate disaster risk is in the Jonggat and Pringgarata areas at 65%, and the low risk is in the North Batuliang area at 68%.

Testing the Aquatic Toxicity of 2D Few-Layer Graphene Inks Using Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): In Vivo and In Vitro Approaches to Support an SSbD Assessment.

Graphene-based conductive inks offer attractive possibilities in many printing technology applications. Often, these inks contain a mixture of compounds, such as solvents and stabilizers. For the safe(r) and sustainable use of such materials in products, potentially hazardous components must be identified and considered in the design stage. In this study, the hazards of few-layer graphene (FLG)-based ink formulations were tested in fish using in vitro (RTL-W1 cell line) and in vivo aquatic ecotoxicity tests (OECD TG 203). Five ink formulations were produced using different processing steps, containing varying amounts of solvents and stabilizers, with the end products formulated either in aqueous solutions or in powder form. The FLG ink formulations with the highest contents of the stabilizer sodium deoxycholate showed greater in vitro cytotoxic effects, but they did not provoke mortality in juvenile rainbow trout. However, exposure led to increased activities of the cytochrome P450 1a (Cyp1a) and Cyp3a enzymes in the liver, which play an essential role in the detoxification of xenobiotics, suggesting that any effects will be enhanced by the presence of the stabilizers. These results highlight the importance of an SSbD approach together with the use of appropriate testing tools and strategies. By incorporating additional processing steps to remove identified cytotoxic residual solvents and stabilizers, the hazard profile of the FLG inks improved, demonstrating that, by following the principles of the European Commission's safe(r) and sustainable by design (SSbD) framework, one can contribute to the safe(r) and sustainable use of functional and advanced 2D materials in products.

Utilizing Hydrodynamic Cavitation with Variable Orifice Patterns for Textile Wastewater Treatment

The presence of hazardous metals, such as nickel and copper, has been identified in the effluents of the textile industries. Due to such hazardous components, this waste water exhibits a significant chemical oxygen demand (COD). Various methods are used to reduce the COD presence in the effluents. This investigation employs hydrodynamic cavitation, to decrease COD levels potentially. This reduction is achieved by implementing different orifice plate designs, including 3-star pattern, 3-circular hole pattern, 5-star pattern, and 5-circular hole pattern, as part of an innovative strategy. According to current investigations, implementing the 5-circular hole layout significantly reduced of COD by 49.14%. In contrast, using the 5-star design yielded a low drop of 34.15% COD. These experimental findings indicated that the most effective orifice plate for removing COD from textile wastewater was a circular design with 5- holes.

An overview of agro-industrial wastewater treatment using microbial fuel cells: Recent advancements

Discharge of agro-industrial wastewater causes severe damage to the environment due to the various hazardous components it contains. Progressive circular agriculture and industry involve closed cycles and zero-waste principles; therefore, waste treatment for subsequent reuse is of great interest. The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a promising sustainable technology capable of treating wastewater at low cost without greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while simultaneously producing electricity. The principle behind MFCs is based on the conversion of chemical energy into electricity using electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) as a biocatalyst. This article presents an overview of the progress and recent advancements in MFCs as a pivotal technology for agro-industrial wastewater treatment with production of sustainable electricity, compared to conventional treatment processes. Furthermore, the fundamental aspects of the design, configuration, operation, and application of MFCs in wastewater treatment (i.e., removal of inorganic nutrients, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, sulfide, ammonium, organics, dyes, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and petroleum) are comprehensively discussed. Despite the viability and potential of MFCs in treating agro-industrial wastewater and producing electricity, they face various limitations and significant challenges, which are highlighted in this review. Future opportunities and perspectives on MFC applications are also discussed. Further research is required to address MFC limitations, which could make them feasible and practicable for real-world applications. However, MFC technology is clearly an excellent option for simultaneous wastewater treatment and electricity production without the need for external energy sources.