High Emission Levels Research Articles

Spatial Temporal Differences in Carbon Emissions from Land-Use Change and Carbon Compensation in Gansu Province, China

This study employs land use and energy consumption data from Gansu Province spanning the years 2005 to 2020 and utilizes models to estimate carbon emissions and the corresponding carbon compensation values. The research calculated the carbon emissions and compensation for various administrative regions over different time periods, revealing the following insights: (1) There is a notable increasing trend in net carbon emissions due to land-use changes in Gansu Province, characterized by an initial swift rise, followed by a more gradual growth pattern. Construction land is identified as the primary contributor to carbon emissions, increasing from 26 million tons in 2005 to 55.3 million tons in 2020, which is an increase of 1.80 times; meanwhile, forested areas, as significant carbon sinks, show a slight increase in carbon absorption from 2.33 million tons in 2005 to 2.35 million tons in 2020. (2) The municipalities with high net carbon emissions are predominantly Lanzhou, Qingyang City, and Jiuquan City, which are marked by high levels of carbon emissions and low compensation rates. In contrast, regions with lower net carbon emissions are mainly found in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, where emissions are minimal and compensation rates are relatively high. A similarity in the spatial distribution patterns of both net carbon emission intensity and total net carbon emissions is observed among these cities. Alterations in land use have a significant impact on regional carbon emissions. Investigating the spatiotemporal variations of land-use change and carbon compensation in Gansu Province is essential for comprehending the dynamics of regional carbon emissions, developing effective emission reduction strategies, and fostering low-carbon development.

Clean energy development and low-carbon transition in China’s power industry

IntroductionChina is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the world, with its power industry being the primary source of these emissions. The high emission levels are primarily attributed to the extensive consumption of fossil resources during thermal power generation. Developing clean energy power generation to replace thermal power generation is one of the main strategies to mitigate the high level of carbon emissions in the power industry and thus promoting its low-carbon transition.MethodTo explore the relationship between China’s development level of clean electricity and carbon emissions from thermal power, this paper conducts an empirical study using provincial data from 2008 to 2021, while employing fixed-effects models, mediation effect tests, and heterogeneity tests.Results and discussionThe results indicate that an increase in the level of clean electricity development reduces CO2 emissions from thermal power, and this effect exhibits a trend of diminishing from the eastern economic zone to the western economic zone in China. In the eastern regions with higher levels of urbanization, the development of clean electricity has a more significant effect on mitigating CO2 emissions from thermal power, whereas upgrading industrial structure in central and western regions contributes more in decreasing CO2 emissions from thermal power. Research and development (R&D) investment plays a significant mediating role and thus helps to improve the level of clean electricity development and reduce carbon emissions. Finally, the policy implications are proposed to intensify R&D investment, promote crossregional cooperation in sharing of clean energy, implement differentiated clean energy development policies, and establish a sustainable monitoring and evaluation system.

Technologies for the reuse of demolition waste in the production of geopolymer-based building materials: prospects and opportunities

In a climate change scenario that is increasingly affecting our daily lives, it is essential to rethink the reuse of existing resources and avoid the exploitation of raw materials. If we consider the stock of existing buildings in Italy, we cannot ignore the fact that most of them are in a state of decay or in need of major maintenance; the recovery or demolition of these buildings generates a considerable amount of waste that has a negative impact on the environment, from transport to disposal. A sustainable design approach can achieve interesting results in terms of economic, environmental and social impact. Starting from the final phase of the life cycle of buildings, this paper aims to show the possibilities of recovering traditional building materials such as cement, brick and tuff. The use of innovative production technologies will allow the reintroduction of these materials to the market, with consequent benefits in all aspects of the ‘sustainability triad'. The aim of the work is to identify a practical, easy-to-use process for the production of eco-sustainable materials that, while retaining their intrinsic chemical-mineralogical characteristics, can be easily used in the context of the existing built heritage thanks to the compatibility between these new materials and the pre-existing substrate. The innovative results obtained as part of an international research project show how the use of demolition waste for the composition of geopolymer mixtures allows the reuse of large percentages of construction waste, while guaranteeing the mechanical performance of materials produced with traditional techniques, which have a high level of emissions; the production of geopolymers allows an 80% reduction in emissions compared to the production of Portland cement. The paper is intended to serve as a starting point for further in-depth application of the mixtures produced and to provide reflections and future research directions.

Colon capsule endoscopy: Can it contribute to green endoscopy?

Climate change due to sustained carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions poses a serious threat to human existence, such as extreme weather events that must be addressed in all sectors of society. Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a healthcare sector that produces high levels of CO2 emissions. Colonoscopy (CS) is the gold standard for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening that reduces the number of CRC-related deaths. However, vast amounts of cleaning solutions used to disinfect the colonoscope are disposed of, and multiple nonrenewable wastes are generated in performing CS, which significantly impact the environment. Currently, colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) retains good accuracy and has excellent potential to reduce CO2 emission through a simple procedure. However, to date, colon capsules are single-use and lack a clear collection pathway. In addition, there is a lack of specific data regarding the environmental impact of CCE. Further research is needed to prove that CCE is a more environmentally friendly tool than CS.

Estimating the environmental Kuznets curve and its influencing factors of CO2 emissions: Insights from development stages and rebound effects

Revealing the heterogeneity in Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) is crucial for tackling environmental challenges while fostering sustainable development. Anchored in the EKC hypothesis and using quantile regression approaches, this study explores the varied effects of socioeconomic factors on CO2 emissions for cities at different development stages in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region from 2000 to 2020. In addition, the impact of rebound effects of technological advancements on CO2 emissions are also explored across cities. We find that an N-shaped relationship exists between GDP per capita and CO2 emissions, supporting the EKC hypothesis in the PRD urban clusters. Urbanization significantly increases CO₂ emissions in cities with low to moderate emissions (e.g., a 1% increase in urbanization leads to a 0.963% rise in emissions in cities at the 25th quantile), while its impact diminishes in high-emission cities (e.g., resulting in a 0.199% reduction in cities at the 95th quantile).Additionally, openness and foreign trade exert a significant inhibitory effect on CO2 emissions in all cities; and a rebound effect is identified in cities with medium and high emission levels (above the 50th percentile) in the PRD region. By analyzing the drivers of CO2 emissions, taking into account development stages and rebound effects, this study highlights the heterogeneity in how different factors impact CO2 emissions across cities at varying stages of development within the PRD urban cluster. These findings emphasize that policymakers must recognize this heterogeneity when formulating emission reduction and development strategies. Tailoring policies to the specific economic, spatial, and industrial dynamics of cities at different stages within urban agglomerations is essential to effectively address the sustainable development.

Co-combustion of straw and waste rubber thermolysis char in a moving grate boiler

The study investigates the co-combustion of straw with waste rubber thermolysis char and the addition of 4% lime in a small-scale pellet-fired boiler. Char content in the fuel was set at 10, 15, 25, and 49%. During combustion tests, flame visual were inspected, gas and particulate emissions were measured, individual losses and boiler efficiency were determined, and the amount and chemical composition of particulate depositions on boiler surfaces were estimated. Results indicate that burning fuel with char requires burner design modification to increase primary air relative to secondary air. Blends with up to 25% char content can be combusted while maintaining high boiler efficiency of approximately 87%, comparable to straw-only combustion. Significant fly ash deposits on boiler walls were observed, with K, Zn, Ca, and Si being predominant in the composition. Although there are risks of slagging and corrosion during co-combustion, these risks decrease with a higher char proportion. SO2 was detected in the flue gases, with high levels of particulate emissions, while NOx emissions stayed within permissible limits for small boilers. A marked increase in unburned carbon in bottom ash suggests the need for grate modifications and an extended combustion zone when co-combusting biomass with waste rubber thermolysis char.

Ecologo-geographic modelling of distribution of abundant acridid species (Orthoptera, Acrididae) over South Siberia and adjacent regions

Two abundant acridid species (Chorthippus apricarius and Locusta migratoria) are widely distributed over South Siberia. Estimations of suitability conditions on the basis of the MaxEnt algorithm well correspond to the known localities of each species for the contemporary period. The main bioclimatic variables explaining these species distribution are associated with temperatures, especially those of the cold season. Predicted distribution patterns for 2021–2040 and 2041–2060 and for the scenarios of the high levels of the greenhouse gas emission show serious significant differences between the two model species. These forecasts demonstrate the explicit worsening of conditions for Chorthippus apricarius in South Siberia, and the significant expansion of territories applicable for Locusta migratoria in the southern parts of West Siberia and in Northern Kazakhstan. This trend looks like enhancing in the second half of the 21st century. The optimal areas for the migratory locust may cover the huge territories between 50° and 62° N and between the Ural Mts. and the north-western parts of the Altai-Sayan Mts. where a new area of possible outbreaks of L. migratoria may emerge. In the adjacent regions, the areas with suitable conditions for this species can expand significantly as well, including Primorskii Territory. Hence, the general continuation of global warming will most likely lead to some significant shifts in the distribution of some possible acridid pests across South Siberia.

Analysis of enablers within environmental policy frameworks for facilitating circular economy practices in the sports products industry

The sports products industry has been associated with significant environmental challenges, including high levels of waste, resource depletion, and carbon emissions throughout the product lifecycle. These challenges necessitate a transformative approach, particularly the adoption of circular economy (CE) practices, to mitigate adverse impacts and promote sustainability in the sector. This research aims to identify and evaluate the important enablers, sub-enablers, and scenarios for the adoption of CE practices to enhance environmental sustainability in sports industry. This study used the Delphi method to identify the key enablers, sub-enablers, and scenarios. Later, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method is used to evaluate and prioritize these pertinent enablers and sub-enablers to the sports sector. Finally, the fuzzy Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) method is used to rank the six important scenarios for the adoption of CE practices in the sports industry. The results of AHP shows that regulatory pressures, consumer demand, and corporate social responsibility are the most dominant enablers that affects the adoption of CE practices. The fuzzy WASPAS findings showed that standardization and certification schemes, CE roadmaps and action plans, and extended producer responsibility are the key scenarios in adopting CE practices and environmental policy frameworks in sports products industry. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers and industry leaders to encourage the adoption of the CE implementation and environmental sustainability within sports sector.

Western Blot Characterization of Human Serum Prestin, an Outer Hair Cell Biomarker.

Western blot analysis of human prestin in the blood reveals multiple bands, rather than a single band. Previously, using the ELISA method, prestin was shown to be a good biomarker of outer hair cell (OHC) health and sensorineural hearing loss that could be measured in the blood. Recently, we found that a Western blot approach in an experimental model demonstrated three prestin bands providing greater insights into prestin in the blood and its origins. This approach has not yet been explored in humans. Serum samples from 25 healthy human subjects were analyzed. An automated Western blot for each sample was generated, and bands were analyzed and compared with transient evoked otoacoustic emission levels (TEOAE). There were five bands at ~32, ~50, ~94, ~139, and ~171 kDa, respectively. Notably, the ~50-kDa band consistently was the most prominent. When the subjects were divided based on TEOAE level, those with high emission levels had a significantly larger ~94-kDa band than those with low emission levels. Western blot characterization of OHC biomarker prestin in humans shows that the band closest to the previously estimated molecular weight of prestin (81 kDa) is related to a functional measure of OHCs. This finding increases confidence in the value of serum prestin as a biomarker. The Western blot method appears to offer higher-resolution information on serum prestin. Future work will be carried out under pathological conditions to inform on the application of this quantitative method in clinical settings.

Significance of sustainable management practices and policy robustness in achieving carbon neutrality in KSA and UAE

Countries are under significant pressure from climate change due to high levels of carbon emissions, and they are working towards carbon neutrality (CN). This is particularly relevant for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which heavily rely on fossil fuels. Therefore, this study aims to suggest solutions for these countries. Specifically, it examines how sustainable management practices (SMP) impact CN. Additionally, it explores the moderating role of strong policies in the relationship between SMP and CN. To strengthen the study's findings, data were collected from 795 respondents across 244 firms in industries like oil, gas, iron, and copper extraction, selected based on their carbon emissions and potential for adopting sustainable practices. Using ordinary least squares regression, the study found that SMP has a significant positive effect on CN. Moreover, strong policies significantly enhance the relationship between sustainable practices and CN in both countries. Policymakers are encouraged to reinforce environmental regulations and offer incentives for adopting green technologies and practices. Effective policies can ensure the consistent use of SMP, leading to a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

FROM ENERGY INTENSITY TO SUSTAINABILITY: AN ANALYSIS OF TRENDS IN THE ALUMINIUM INDUSTRY

The article analyses trends in the aluminium industry from the point of view of sustainable development and energy efficiency. The significant impact of industrial enterprises on the environment is discussed, particularly, the high level of greenhouse gas emissions caused by energy consumption in aluminium smelting. Possibilities of reducing the negative impact due to the use of renewable energy sources, such as hydropower, as well as the implementation of energy-efficient practices, have been identified. A taxonomic analysis was used to assess the sustainable development of aluminium enterprises due to its advantage in identifying problems and directions for production improvement. The proposed method of analysis is based on the system of factors that influence the development of the industry and correspond to the concept of sustainable development. Based on the available data of the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), the analysis was carried out using the following factors: economic (volume of production, energy intensity of primary aluminium smelting, total energy consumption of production, labour productivity, impact of energy intensity on emissions), environmental (emissions of greenhouse gases and energy consumption of aluminium smelting using different energy sources), social (million hours reported worked, lost time accident rate, restricted work/medical treatment accident rate). Approbation of the proposed methodology on the example of international statistical data makes it possible to determine the biggest gaps in ensuring the sustainable development of aluminium industry production, including the use of various energy sources. Based on the results of the analysis, it was found that none of the factors used in monitoring the activities of aluminium producers reach the reference values. In the block of economic factors, the taxonomic indicator varies between 0.18 and 0.38 (the worst efficiency is observed in terms of total production volumes). Environmental factors have taxonomic values in the range of 0.07–0.36 (the largest reserves exist in ensuring the efficiency of energy consumption using hydropower, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the process of primary aluminium production). Among the social factors, the biggest problems are labour safety and lost working hours; as a result, the taxonomic indicator for this block is in the range of 0.04 - 0.33. The obtained results indicate the need for constant improvements in the production of aluminium, which is one of the main producers of greenhouse gases due to the high energy intensity of production. The proposed approach for conducting an analysis can be improved depending on the available statistical data and the goals of the analysis. In any case, it is valuable for obtaining information on the most critical areas in supporting the sustainable development of the industry.

Environmental chamber analysis of objective volatile organic compounds emissions and subjective olfactory perception from main automotive interior components

This study examined the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their associated odors from five key automotive interior components: door panels, weatherstrips, seats, headliners, and carpets. Objective VOC emissions and subjective odor evaluations were conducted in an environmental chamber with controlled temperature, humidity, and ventilation rates. VOC analysis revealed that alkanes and aromatic compounds were the predominant emissions, together accounting for 43 %–61 % of the total number of emission types. Other notable emissions included aldehydes and ketones. The overlap in the emitted compounds was substantial, with 13 % of the compounds being universally emitted, 42 % emitted by two or more components, and 45 % unique to individual components. Subjective odor evaluations identified distinct odor fingerprints for each component, with weatherstrips having the highest odor intensity and headliners having the lowest. Perceived pleasantness (PP) ratings were generally negative, indicating the unappealing nature of the odors. Odor activity value (OAV) analysis showed a weak linear relationship with odor intensity, particularly because of the negative correlation in weatherstrips, suggesting significant masking or enhancement effects among odor molecules. Aldehydes and acids were the major contributors to OAV, whereas alkanes, which are often overlooked, were also significant because of their high emission levels.

Developing a comprehensive account of embodied emissions within the Canadian construction sector

AbstractConstruction activities are a major driver of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. However, the majority of construction‐driven emissions are indirect, meaning that these emissions occur during the manufacturing and transport of construction materials. This is in contrast with direct emissions, which are directly emitted from construction machinery. These indirect impacts are represented as embodied emissions and are difficult to quantify at scale, limiting the effectiveness of climate policymaking in the building sector. This paper presents results from a comprehensive account of embodied emissions within the Canadian construction sector, at a resolution far higher than existing global accounts, as well as novel analyses of flows and intensities of embodied emissions. It has the specific goal of serving as a baseline for future analyses of decarbonization scenarios and the more general goal of highlighting the importance of a consumption‐based approach to climate policymaking in the sector. The accounts are produced via an environmentally extended input–output analysis based on Canadian supply–use tables for the year 2018, and results are presented for the 13 provinces and territories as well as 19 categories of buildings and infrastructure. Results show that demand from construction drives 13% of Canada's consumption‐based emissions, residential construction is by far the largest driver of emissions, and at 0.28 kgCO2eq per Canadian dollar of GDP, the efficiency of Canadian construction is roughly in line with the OECD average. A disproportionate share of emissions is driven by construction in provinces that are growing fast in terms of their populations, feature significant extractive industries, and feature higher emissions intensities. The construction sectors of western provinces are highly interconnected and receive a disproportionate proportion of embodied emissions from Alberta, whose high level of emissions promises to complicate decarbonization efforts. This article met the requirements for a gold‐gold JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges

Effect of Separating Air into Primary and Secondary in an Integrated Burner Housing on Biomass Combustion

Pellet burners, although they are commonly used devices, require high-quality fuels and yet are characterized by relatively high levels of CO and NO emissions and their variability. This article presents a combustion study of an original biomass burner that separates air into primary for biomass gasification and secondary for oxidizing the gasification products, with ducts placed in the housing of the burner. This study introduces a new burner design that separates air into primary and secondary streams within an integrated burner housing, aiming to optimize biomass combustion efficiency and reduce harmful emissions. Two burner designs were proposed, with a high secondary air nozzle (HCrown) and a low secondary air nozzle (LCrown). These two burners were compared with a typical retort burner (Ret). The LCrown burner reduced particulate matter emissions by 36% and CO emissions by 74% with respect to a typical retort burner. This study showed that the distance of the secondary air nozzles from the gasifying part has a significant impact on the operation of the burner and the possibility of reducing emissions of CO and NO. These results highlight the potential of the innovation to significantly improve combustion quality while simultaneously reducing environmental impact.

Historical exposure to metals in contaminated areas and its impact on cardio- and cerebrovascular health

Environmental pollution is of global concern. In Southeast Sweden, historical glass production has contaminated communities with toxic metals. Long-term residency in these communities and high consumption of local foods may constitute a risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) or stroke.The current study investigates if residency in these contaminated sites and long-term consumption of local foods is associated with self-reported CVD and stroke. In addition, the body burden of the toxic metals arsenic, cadmium, and lead, as well as inflammatory protein markers, were studied for association with CVD and stroke.From an existing questionnaire cohort and biomonitoring sub cohort (n = 2290/882) of people living in the contaminated areas, self-reported CVD cases (n = 366/166) and stroke cases (n = 78/25) were identified. Individuals were grouped based on their residency within a 2 km radius of glassworks with historical high, moderate, or low air-borne lead emissions. Body burden of arsenic, cadmium, and lead was analyzed using ICP-MS. Inflammatory markers were investigated using electrochemiluminescence.Long-term residency near glassworks with historically high levels of lead emissions, and high consumption of local foods, were associated with CVD. The risk was increasing for each year of residency in high emission areas. Increased body burden of arsenic in blood, and lead in urine, were associated with stroke. Five and two inflammatory markers, respectively, were elevated in CVD and stroke cases after adjusting for confounders.An increased risk for CVD was found in areas with historically high emissions of lead but possibly also other toxic metals. Interestingly, there was an indication of a dose-response relationship with increasing risk for CVD per year of residency time. Inhalation and consumption of local food may constitute major pathways for this association. The study shows that long-term exposure to toxic metals in these contaminated areas is associated with CVD and that there is a need to limit exposure in the general population.

Scenario analysis of livestock-related PM2.5 pollution based on a new heteroskedastic spatiotemporal model

The air in the Lombardy Plain, Italy, is one of the most polluted in Europe due to limited atmosphere circulation and high emission levels. There is broad scientific consensus that ammonia (NH3) emissions have a primary impact on air quality, and in Lombardy, the agricultural sector and livestock activities are widely recognised as being responsible for approximately 97% of regional ammonia emissions due to the high density of livestock.In this paper, we quantify the relationship between ammonia emissions and PM2.5 concentrations in the Lombardy Plain and evaluate PM2.5 changes due to the reduction of ammonia emissions through a ‘what-if’ scenario analysis. The information in the data is exploited using a spatiotemporal statistical model capable of handling spatial and temporal correlation as well as missing data. To do this, we propose a new heteroskedastic extension of the well-established Hidden Dynamic Geostatistical Model. Maximum likelihood parameter estimates are obtained by the expectation–maximisation algorithm and implemented in a new version of the D-STEM software.Considering the years between 2016 and 2020, the scenario analysis is carried out on high-resolution PM2.5 maps of the Lombardy Plain. As a result, it is shown that a 26% reduction in NH3 emissions in the wintertime could reduce the PM2.5 average by 1.44 μg/m3 while a 50% reduction could reduce the PM2.5 average by 2.76 μg/m3 which corresponds to a reduction close to 3.6% and 7% respectively. Finally, results are detailed by province and land type.

Seasonal Variation of (Benzo[a]Pyrene) in Ambient Air of Urban to Peri-urban Areas of Panvel Municipal Corporation, Raigad with Reference to Particulate Matter

Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment have been linked to severe health effects. This study aims to assess the atmospheric pollutant and analyze the variation in PAHs, focussed on benzo[a]pyrene [B(a)P]. Among all PAHs, B(a)P is regarded as a marker for human carcinogenicity. This study reflects the B(a)P concentration and its correlation with the particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in rural, peri-urban, and urban areas of Panvel Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra, India. Samples were collected during the pre & post-monsoon season for two consecutive years (Yr. 2020 and Yr. 2021). B(a)P level was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector. It was observed that PM2.5 and PM10 show a strong positive correlation (r=0.8-0.9) with B(a)P. It is observed that B(a)P concentrations were high in pre-monsoon w.r.t. post-monsoon, and this concentration increased spatially as we moved from rural to urban areas. Pre-monsoon B(a)P concentration varies somewhat by 5% between rural to urban areas as compared to post-monsoon. High levels of vehicular emissions and industry were associated with the distribution of B(a)P in urban areas, whereas a combination of local emissions and metropolitan area diffusion was responsible for the presence of B(a)P in peri-urban and rural areas. Also, this study captures the variation of B(a)P levels during the period of COVID-19. In future studies, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can augment the determination of PAHs in soil by improving the accuracy and speed of analysis using predictive modeling based on different input parameters to determine outliers in soil PAH data, building sensor networks for real-time monitoring of PAH levels, leverage robotics for automated sample preparations, and rapid testing of samples to identify hotspots.

Exploring the impact of renewable energy, green taxes and trade openness on carbon neutrality: New insights from BRICS countries

The world faces two significant challenges: promoting sustainable economic growth and reaching carbon neutrality. In BRICS countries, these challenges are shaped by renewable energy, green taxes, and trade openness. These countries were selected for their strategic location and the abundance of relevant data collected over the period of 1990–2021, providing a distinctive window into the energy and economic dynamics of the area. The link between renewable energy consumption, green taxes, trade openness, and natural resources and their effects on carbon emissions in BRICS countries is examined in this study using the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square Method (FMOLS) estimator and the Drisc Kraay estimator for the robustness test. The findings indicate that using renewable energy and green taxes primarily contribute to reducing emissions, particularly at higher emissions levels. The study reveals that various factors, namely financial globalization, trade openness, efficient resource management, and population growth, substantially impact carbon neutrality. Population growth positively impacts carbon neutrality, while using renewable energy sources mitigates it. Furthermore, the empirical findings show a statistically significant positive association between financial globalization, efficient resource management, and carbon neutrality in BRICS nations. Therefore, it is necessary to implement an integrated ecological governance strategy to control and direct financial resources towards sustainable development and green energy.

Carcinogenic industrial air pollution and postmenopausal breast cancer risk in the National Institutes of Health AARP Diet and Health Study

BackgroundChemicals emitted from industrial facilities include known or suspected mammary carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, but epidemiologic studies are limited. We evaluated associations between air emissions of multiple carcinogenic chemicals and postmenopausal breast cancer risk in a large prospective U.S. cohort. MethodsWe used the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxics Release Inventory to estimate historical airborne emissions (1987–1995) of 19 known and probable carcinogens for participants enrolled (1995–1996) in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. Among 170,402 women, 15,124 breast cancers were diagnosed through 2018. We constructed inverse distance- and wind-weighted average emissions metrics within 1, 2, 5, and 10 km of the enrollment address for each chemical. We estimated multivariable adjusted HRs and 95 % CIs for categories (quartiles, tertiles, medians) of each chemical in association with breast cancer overall and separately by type (invasive, ductal carcinoma in situ) and estrogen receptor (ER) status. ResultsWe observed an association between benzene emissions and breast cancer risk that was strongest at 1 km (HRQ4 vs. non-exposed = 2.06, 95 %CI: 1.34–3.17; p-trend = 0.001). The magnitude of the association weakened with increasing distance (2 km HRQ4 vs. non-exposed = 1.17, 95 %CI=0.92–1.49; p-trend = 0.19; 5 km HRQ4 vs. non-exposed = 1.05, 95 %CI=0.94–1.16; p-trend = 0.37; 10 km HRQ4 vs. non-exposed = 0.95, 95 %CI=0.89–1.02; p-trend = 0.19) and appeared to be most relevant for invasive rather than intraductal disease. Overall risk was also elevated for vinyl chloride at 5 km (HR≥median vs. non-exposed = 1.20, 95 %CI=1.01–1.43; p-trend = 0.04), but not 2 km or 10 km. We observed suggestive associations for asbestos, trichloroethylene, and styrene in different subgroup analyses, but risk patterns were not clear across distances. Associations with other chemicals were generally null, with limited evidence of heterogeneity by disease type or ER status. ConclusionsAn increased risk of breast cancer associated with relatively high levels of industrial benzene emissions warrants additional study, particularly among participants with diverse sociodemographic characteristics that live in areas with higher density of industrial facilities.

The impact of digital carbon communication on market response to carbon disclosure: The moderating effects of external supervision

This study investigates the influence of digital carbon communication quality (DCC) on market response to carbon disclosure within the reality of government environmental regulation and media attention, employing a DCC index constructed by an Autoencoder model. Using Chinese data from 2015 to 2022, we find that DCC mitigates negative market response to carbon disclosure by alleviating information asymmetry and enhancing corporate environmental performance, especially when government environmental regulation or media attention is insufficient. Moreover, DCC exhibits a stronger impact on the carbon disclosure market responses in firms with low institutional shareholdings, non-state-owned firms, and firms with high emission levels.