Integrated Environmental Risk Research Articles

Building resilience: Insights into ecosystem-based integrated environmental risk reduction approaches for urban environments in coastal Bangladesh

The intricate relationship between environmental quality, ecosystem services, and human well-being underscores the importance of understanding and addressing environmental complexities. Considering these issues, this research aims to propose ecosystem-based approaches for mitigating environmental risks within the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) area, while also elucidating the connection between ecosystem services and these risks. By doing so, it indirectly addresses disaster risk reduction approaches, acknowledging the relationship between environmental degradation and increased disaster occurrences. Leveraging multi-spectral Landsat images from 2001 (Landsat-5), 2011 (Landsat-5), and 2021 (Landsat-8), the study evaluates LULC dynamics and quantifies ecosystem service values (ESVs) using the Benefit Transfer Method. Additionally, seven key indicators, including land use-based carbon emissions, elevation, LST, NDVI, NDWI, NDSI, and NDBI, were analyzed to monitor spatiotemporal changes. The weighted overlay method was employed to integrate raster data and delineate environmental risk zones driven by deteriorating ESVs in KCC. Notably, the study reveals a significant increase in highly environmental risk areas from 7 % to 34 % and a decrease in medium-risk areas from 92 % to 60 % of the total area between 2001 and 2021 due to the decline in ecosystem services resulting from unplanned rapid urbanization. Furthermore, a moderate negative correlation (R2 values of 0.56, 0.67, and 0.69) between ESVs and the environmental risk index underscores the linkage between deteriorating ecosystem services and the expansion of high-risk zones. Furthermore, this study advocates policies such as drought-resistant tree plantations, community involvement, post-disaster resource provision, funding allocation, and stakeholder knowledge dissemination to enhance the resilience of KCC.

An integrated environmental risk assessment framework for coal-fired power plants: A fuzzy logic approach.

This study quantifies the environmental risk of a coal-fired thermal power plant during operation by using environmental monitoring data, site surveys, and documented evidence. The following criteria are assessed: emissions (CO, SO2 , NOx , PM10 ), impact on aquatic ecosystem (fish protection at cooling water intake and cooling water discharge temperature), and waste management (fly ash and bottom ash). Fuzzy sets were defined for each criterion, taking environmental regulatory context as an expert judgment. A survey was conducted with multiple stakeholders to determine the relative importance of risk factors. The survey results showed that the most concerned risks are SO2 and NOx emissions. The proposed method estimates the risk of each environmental criterion separately and then accumulates them into an environmental risk index (ERI). Accordingly, we assessed the Catalagzi coal-fired power plant, which has been in operation on the Black Sea coast in northwestern Turkey. For this case study, the ERI resulted in a value of 0.78 (on a scale of 0-1), showing high environmental risk to the facility. Moreover, the applicability of the proposed framework was tested in several existing coal-fired power plants using simultaneous measurements. All studied coal-fired power plants in Turkey have unacceptable pollutants (PM10 , SO2 , and NOx ) concentration levels indicating high health risk potential. The application of the integrated environmental risk assessment framework showed that new environmental regulations are needed in Turkey to specify more strict emission limits and to monitor CO2 , fine particulate matter emissions, cooling water discharge, and fish protection at cooling water intake.

Wastewater Discharge and Reuse Regulation in Costa Rica: An Opportunity for Improvement

A database was built with the results of the physicochemical analysis of 23,435 samples of wastewater discharges obtained from the operational reports presented and the cross-checks carried out by the Ministry of Health to the operating entities, in accordance with the provisions of Decree 30661-MINAE-S, for the period 2016–2020. Using Bayesian networks, the probabilities of compliance with current regulations were estimated by preparing an acyclic directed graph for three alternative scenarios. At the national level, the BOD and the COD are the variables that record the lowest values, showing important differences between the results obtained for the central region of the country with respect to the other regions. Another determining variable turned out to be the type of final disposal, wherein the reuse of wastewater presents important compliance deficiencies for all regions except for Chorotega. In the case of BOD, COD and TSS, the lowest probabilities are recorded for ISIC codes 3821 (treatment of non-hazardous waste), 1040 (manufacture of animal and vegetable fats) and 145 (pig farming). Additionally, the integrated environmental risk was calculated as a product of the discharges, obtaining that for the evaluated parameters, the BOD and COD represent the highest risk values given their probability of occurrence rate, as well as the magnitude of the environmental impact. The Pacifico Central and Brunca regions recorded the highest integrated environmental risk value for BOD, COD and TSS compared to the other areas of the country. Based on the results obtained, proposals for improvement were generated for the control of wastewater discharges carried out by the environmental authorities in search of achieving a better comprehensive management of the water resource.

Fuzzy health risk assessment and integrated management of toxic elements exposure through soil-vegetables-farmer pathway near urban industrial complexes

Urban industrial areas were being built globally, which decreased key geographical separation between agriculture and industrial areas, especially in developing countries. Now, limited studies concerned coordinated the vegetables and soil management for toxic elements (TEs) in this mixed land system. To fill this gap, an integrated environmental multi-media risk management method was explored based on laboratory analysis, health risk assessment, uncertainty control, and source apportionment. The Chinese Beihu area of Wuhan City was selected as a typical case and the measurements of Zn, Cr, Cu, Pb, As, and Cd in soil revealed that TEs pollution was slight and concentrations met the Chinese standards. Meanwhile, some vegetables exceeded corresponding standard limits. To further quantify negative health effects posed by the studied TEs both in soils and vegetables, an established fuzzy health risk assessment for farmers was employed and the results indicated that the soil exposure of As and the vegetable consumption needed the priority control. The carcinogenic risk (CR) of As in soil was [4.60E-6, 1.45E-5] and the cumulative CR (sum of CRAs, CRPb and CRCd) in leafy vegetables was [1.08E-4, 1.38E-4], which was higher than that of the other vegetables. Preventing soil oral exposure and reducing self-grown vegetable consumption (30%–50%) were proven as effective risk interventions via uncertainty control methods. Spatially, the risk grades under maximum membership principle decreased from south to north in the Beihu area, and the south area was identified as the priority control area. Source apportionment identified four source patterns (Zn-Cr-Cu, Pb, As, and Cd) for soil, and the probable bioaccumulation mechanisms for leafy vegetables by multivariate statistical analyses. Finally, the integrated management strategies were formulated from perspectives of the risk sources, exposure pathways and the scenario.

Environmental Risk Assessment in Agriculture: The Example of Pistacia vera L. Cultivation in Greece

In this study, an integrated environmental risk assessment (ERA) study involving frequent monitoring of both water and soil parameters (24 on total), was carried out to assess and compare the environmental risk quality of three pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) fields (two in Aegina island and one in Kilkis) based upon risk categories identified and assessed in terms of quality and quantity. In this context, vertical profiles and risk matrices were created for a 60-month period for the most important soil and water parameters i.e., soil pH, soil organic matter, soil salinity, heavy metals, and irrigation water quality. According to the obtained results, the two pistachio fields in Aegina exhibited reduced overall risk values, i.e., 17% and 27%, respectively after the adoption of sustainable cultivation practices, thus reflecting a transition from “medium to high risk” to “low to medium risk” environmental quality. On the other hand, overall risk values for the pistachio field in Kilkis were reduced by 34% and were lower compared to the ones obtained for the pistachio fields in Aegina. The better environmental profile identified for the entire period in Kilkis ranging from “medium risk” to “low risk” was the result of lower inherent risk associated with irrigation water quality and soil salinity. The proposed methodology can be easily applied in other agricultural areas and for similar cultivations in Greece and other Mediterranean countries.

Integrated characterization and risk management of marine sediments: The case study of the industrialized Bagnoli area (Naples, Italy)

The aim of the present work is to demonstrate the practical importance of a multidisciplinary approach and weighted criteria to synthesize and integrate different typologies of data (or lines of evidence, LOEs), including chemical levels in marine sediments, their bioavailability to specific indicator species, ecotoxicological effects measured through subcellular biomarkers and batteries of bioassays, and potential impacts of pollution on local benthic communities. The area of Bagnoli (Gulf of Naples, Southern Italy) was selected as a model case-study, as it is a coastal area chronically impacted by massive industrial contamination (trace metals and hydrocarbons), and dismissed decades ago without any subsequent remediation or habitat restoration. The results of each LOE were elaborated to provide specific hazard indices before their overall integration in a weight of evidence (WOE) evaluation. Levels of some trace metals and PAHs revealed a severe contamination in the entire study area. Bioavailability of hydrocarbons was evident particularly for high molecular weight PAHs, which also caused significant variations of cellular biomarkers, such as cytochrome P450 metabolization in fish, lysosomal membrane destabilization in mussels, genotoxic effects both in fish and molluscs. The results of a battery of bioassays indicated less marked responses compared to those obtained from chemical and biomarkers analyses, with acute toxicity still present in sediments close to the source of contamination. The analysis of benthic assemblages showed limited evidence of impact in the whole area, indicating a good functioning of local ecosystems at chronic contamination. Overall, the results of this study confirm the need of combining chemical and biological data, the quantitative characterization of various typologies of hazard and the importance of assessing an integrated environmental WOE risk, to orientate specific and scientifically-supported management options in industrialized areas.

The effects of hexaconazole and epoxiconazole enantiomers on metabolic profile following exposure to zebrafish (Danio rerio) as well as the histopathological changes

Hexaconazole and epoxiconazole are the worldwidely used fungicides. However, limited information is known about the toxicological effects of their enantiomers on aquatic organisms. In this study, zebrafish were separately exposed to 100 and 1000 μgL−1 hexaconazole and epoxiconazole enantiomers for 21 d 1H NMR-based metabolomics analysis showed that the exposure of low and high dose of hexaconazole enantiomers altered energy metabolism, lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism of zebrafish, with the different metabolic profiles resulted from the same dose of (+)-hexaconazole and (−)-hexaconazole. Similar to hexaconazole enantiomers, the metabolic profiles, including the changes related to energy metabolism, lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism, were demonstrated in low and high dose epoxiconazole enantiomers treatment groups. There are differences in the metabolic profiles of zebrafish between exposed to (+)-epoxiconazole and (−)-epoxiconazole of the same dose. The results of histological examination revealed that the exposure of both enantiomers for hexaconazole and epoxiconazole resulted in the similar histopathological changes. The exposure of hexaconazole and epoxiconazole enantiomers at low and high dose resulted the vacuolization and swell in the liver of the female and male zebrafish. Compared to female zebrafish, more liver damage was found in male zebrafish in the hexaconazole enantiomers exposure groups. The reduction of spermatids was observed in hexaconazole and epoxiconazole enantiomers treatment groups of both doses. Hexaconazole enantiomers exposure of low and high dose resulted the increase in the number of mature eggs, while such effect was not observed in epoxiconazole enantiomers exposure groups. Hexaconazole and epoxiconazole enantiomers exposure resulted in no changes in brains of female and male zebrafish. As a result, both triazole-based chiral bactericides, hexaconazole and epoxiconazole, have similar toxicological effects but their mechanisms of action are not exactly the same. The above results will play an important part in making the differences in toxic effects of hexaconazole and epoxiconazole enantiomers clear. What's more, it is an indispensable part for an integrated environmental risk assessment.

Integrated environmental risk assessment approach for transportation modes

The main aim of this study is to develop and implement new integrated environmental risk assessment for transportation activities. With this purpose, environmental risks occur from transportation activities from different transportation modes which are air, road, sea and rail are determined. Transportation modes are compared with the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach in order to obtain importance weights and impact categories of air, soil and water are used as criteria where the weights are determined with Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). For the risk assessment process, Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) has been used and prioritizations of risks are calculated with weights of the calculated transportation modes. In the study, integrated multi-criteria decision-making methods with the classic FMEA method with different categories of impacts reveal new multidimensional perspective to classic environmental risk assessment methods.

Adaptive geospatial modeling of soil contamination by selected heavy metals in the industrial area of Sheikhupura, Pakistan

The growing industrial tendency and waste generation has become a major carcinogenic source of soil pollution in the developing countries like Pakistan, with no implantation of policies and pollution standards. The main aim of this study was to analyze the integrated environmental risk of heavy metals in soil of the industrial area, district Sheikhupura, Pakistan. The concentration of three heavy metals chromium, cadmium, lead and physiochemical parameters was evaluated at three soil depths using empirical Bayesian kriging, geospatial and spatial autocorrelation Moran’s I techniques. The factor analysis and principal component analysis identified the heavy metals as a major carcinogenic source in the soil. The heavy metal contamination severity was assessed through the geoaccumulation index and Nemerow integrated pollution index at the scale of six classes, and significant (p > 0.05) pollution areas were delineated. The percolation of effluent by irrigation and rainfall is the primary carrier of metal pollutants to lower depths of soil. The heavy metals contamination in the soil causes food and human body accumulation which is carcinogenic for the human health. The research signifies an adaptive and comprehensive approach in analyzing the pollution sources, their distribution pattern and quantification of contamination at a spatial scale.

Animal biomonitoring in environmental risk assessment: application of good practices

Introduction This study aims to demonstrate the field application of good practices for animal biomonitoring used within integrated environmental health risk assessment of potential polluted areas. Methods A standardised risk-based approach was applied in Northern and Central Italy focusing three risk areas (RAs) i.e. a waste dump (RA1), an incinerator (RA2) and a secondary aluminum smelter (RA3). Based on GIS techniques, a nine-step procedure was developed to target pollutants, farms and animal products. Putative source, species and number of farmed animals, prevalent type of food production and origin of the feed were used as inputs. Control areas (CA) were added for comparison. Results Ruminants and/or free-range laying hens were targeted to identify risk farms (8 in RA1, 3 in RA2 and 18 in RA3, respectively). Dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated byphenils (DL-PCBs) were considered of main concern and quantified in milk and free-range eggs. In CAs sampling was restricted to free-range eggs. All milk samples were compliant with maximum levels (ML) and action levels (AL) whereas PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs exceeded ML in eggs from all RAs: in RA1 and RA2 a single farm was contaminated, in RA3 the contamination was diffused with a clear spatial trend decreasing from the source. Both ML and AL were exceeded in eggs from farms in the CAs. Conclusion Our standardized procedure allowed an effective and efficient environmental risk assessment, providing data on human exposure through the diet as well. However, findings from eggs require caution in the interpretation due to the high sensitivity to the pollutant point sources existing at farm level (e.g. fires of domestic waste, presence of asphalt/plastic/bitumen, etc). In the RAs used as case studies, our findings were used to inform specific mitigation measures.

A HIVE model for regional integrated environmental risk assessment: A case study in China

ABSTRACTRegional environmental risk assessment has been a significant means of environmental management and decision-making. To assess the regional integrated environmental risk at a nationwide scale, a new index system named the Hazard, Intensity, Vulnerability, and Effectiveness (HIVE) model was designed and evolved from previous researches. The HIVE model consisted of a relatively complete framework with accessible indexes related to environment and social economy, and it considered different risk sources, pathways, and receptors as well as the influence of the risk control. As an important segment of the assessment process, a simple gridding information diffusion method was also proposed to assess the diffusion effect of risk factors in nationwide rivers. Taking China as a case study, this study calculated the environmental risk value of every sub-unit. Through the clustering function of Statistical Package for Social Sciences and the visual representation of a geographic information system, the study area was divided into nine zones that were visualized on maps according to their different risk levels and risk characteristics. This study also identified the dominant factors of each zone, which could provide the foundation for regional environmental management. Moreover, the results implied some significant correlations between risk system components and the regional social economy in China.

Sources, impacts and trends of pharmaceuticals in the marine and coastal environment.

There has been a significant investment in research to define exposures and potential hazards of pharmaceuticals in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. A substantial number of integrated environmental risk assessments have been developed in Europe, North America and many other regions for these situations. In contrast, comparatively few empirical studies have been conducted for human and veterinary pharmaceuticals that are likely to enter coastal and marine ecosystems. This is a critical knowledge gap given the significant increase in coastal human populations around the globe and the growth of coastal megacities, together with the increasing importance of coastal aquaculture around the world. There is increasing evidence that pharmaceuticals are present and are impacting on marine and coastal environments. This paper reviews the sources, impacts and concentrations of pharmaceuticals in marine and coastal environments to identify knowledge gaps and suggests focused case studies as a priority for future research.

An integrated environmental risk assessment and management framework for enhancing the sustainability of marine protected areas: The Cape d'Aguilar Marine Reserve case study in Hong Kong

Marine protected areas (MPAs), such as marine parks and reserves, contain natural resources of immense value to the environment and mankind. Since MPAs may be situated in close proximity to urbanized areas and influenced by anthropogenic activities (e.g. continuous discharges of contaminated waters), the marine organisms contained in such waters are probably at risk. This study aimed at developing an integrated environmental risk assessment and management (IERAM) framework for enhancing the sustainability of such MPAs. The IERAM framework integrates conventional environmental risk assessment methods with a multi-layer-DPSIR (Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response) conceptual approach, which can simplify the complex issues embraced by environmental management strategies and provide logical and concise management information. The IERAM process can generate a useful database, offer timely update on the status of MPAs, and assist in the prioritization of management options. We use the Cape d'Aguilar Marine Reserve in Hong Kong as an example to illustrate the IERAM framework. A comprehensive set of indicators were selected, aggregated and analyzed using this framework. Effects of management practices and programs were also assessed by comparing the temporal distributions of these indicators over a certain timeframe. Based on the obtained results, we have identified the most significant components for safeguarding the integrity of the marine reserve, and indicated the existing information gaps concerned with the management of the reserve. Apart from assessing the MPA's present condition, a successful implementation of the IERAM framework as evocated here would also facilitate better-informed decision-making and, hence, indirectly enhance the protection and conservation of the MPA's marine biodiversity.

Towards an integrated environmental risk assessment of multiple stressors on bees: review of research projects in Europe, knowledge gaps and recommendations

Towards an integrated environmental risk assessment of multiple stressors on bees: review of research projects in Europe, knowledge gaps and recommendations

Towards an integrated environmental risk assessment of emissions from ships' propulsion systems

Large ships, particularly container ships, tankers, bulk carriers and cruise ships are significant individual contributors to air pollution. The European Environment Agency recognizes that air pollution in Europe is a local, regional and transborder problem caused by the emission of specific pollutants, which either directly or through chemical reactions lead to negative impacts, such as damage to human health and ecosystems. In the Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament emissions from ships are mentioned explicitly in the list of pressures and impacts that should be reduced or minimized to maintain or obtain a good ecological status. While SOx and NOx contribute mainly to ocean and soil acidification and climate change, PM (particularly ultrafine particles in the range of nanoparticles) has the potential to act more directly on human and ecosystem health. Thus, in terms of risk assessment, one of the most dangerous atmospheric aerosols for environmental and human health is in the size range of nanoparticles. To our knowledge, no study has been carried out on the effects of the fraction that ends up in the water column and to which aquatic and sediment-dwelling organisms are exposed. Therefore, an integrated environmental risk assessment of the effects of emissions from oceangoing ships including the aquatic compartment is necessary. Research should focus on the quantitative and qualitative determination of pollutant emissions from ships and their distribution and fate. This will include the in situ measurement of emissions in ships in order to derive realistic emission factors, and the application of atmospheric and oceanographic transportation and chemistry models.

The Establishment of Dynamic and Integrated Environmental Risk Control System for Residential Projects

The paper divides environmental risk control modes of residential projects into four types: static and non-integrated mode, static and integrated mode, dynamic and non-integrated mode, and dynamic and integrated mode. The paper elicits that the dynamic and integrated environmental risk control mode for residential projects is better than other three kinds of modes by comparing four kinds of dissimilarity modes of environmental risk control system. The Dynamic and Integrated Environmental Risk Control System (DIERCS) for residential projects is established.

A dynamic multimedia fuzzy-stochastic integrated environmental risk assessment approach for contaminated sites management

A dynamic multimedia fuzzy-stochastic integrated environmental risk assessment approach was developed for contaminated sites management. The contaminant concentrations were simulated by a validated interval dynamic multimedia fugacity model, and different guideline values for the same contaminant were represented as a fuzzy environmental guideline. Then, the probability of violating environmental guideline (Pv) can be determined by comparison between the modeled concentrations and the fuzzy environmental guideline, and the constructed relationship between the Pvs and environmental risk levels was used to assess the environmental risk level. The developed approach was applied to assess the integrated environmental risk at a case study site in China, simulated from 1985 to 2020. Four scenarios were analyzed, including “residential land” and “industrial land” environmental guidelines under “strict” and “loose” strictness. It was found that PAH concentrations will increase steadily over time, with soil found to be the dominant sink. Source emission in soil was the leading input and atmospheric sedimentation was the dominant transfer process. The integrated environmental risks primarily resulted from petroleum spills and coke ovens, while the soil environmental risks came from coal combustion. The developed approach offers an effective tool for quantifying variability and uncertainty in the dynamic multimedia integrated environmental risk assessment and the contaminated site management.

Environmental risk source management system for the petrochemical industry

We identify environmental risk sources within the petrochemical industry with a bow-tie analysis, evaluate environmental risk sources with an integrated environmental risk assessment index, and classify environmental risk sources considering both environmental consequences and management costs. Furthermore, we develop a routine management system for environmental risk sources based on browser/server model and web-GIS technology. The system has four main functions: petrochemical enterprise registration and declaration, environmental risk source information correction and confirmation, environmental risk source evaluation and classification, and environmental risk source management. The system runs with the following sequential steps. (1) Petrochemical enterprises register and declare their environmental risk source information. (2) The registered environmental risk source information is checked, corrected and confirmed by local environmental officials. (3) The probability and intensity of environmental risk are calculated for all registered petrochemical factories. (4) All environmental risk sources are classified into high, medium and low risk sections based on their potential regional environmental and ecological impacts. (5) The system provides recommendations on the routine risk management based on empirical expert opinions. The software provides an effective tool for safety production of petrochemical enterprises and can be applied by local governments for environmental risk source management.

From Quantitative Risk and Oil Spill Assessment to Strategic Environmental Oil Spill Response Plan

ABSTRACT Reducing the consequences for the environment is the main purpose of oil spill response. In many areas of the world, there is a wealth of information on vulnerable resources. Combining this with sophisticated tools for oil drift simulations and environmental damage assessment allows quantitative risk assessments to be transformed to an oil strategic oil response plan that can be used to manage a range of possible outcomes of an oil release scenario, but there is a challenge when all the data generated through these analyses are to be used in practical oil spill response plans. This paper presents how the results from a tiered, systematic and integrated environmental risk assessment can be translated into a strategic environmental oil spill response plan, including net environmental benefit assessments of alternative strategies and priorities. The approach is presented through a case study from the drilling of an exploration well on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). Geographical areas of reso...

QUANTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND RISK INDUCED BY INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES ON GROUND WATERQUALITY: CASE STUDY CORDUN - ROMAN AREA, ROMANIA

The question of whether environmental assessment has achieved its goal of helping to reach better decisions has continually engaged the attention of academics, policy makers and environmental impact assessment practitioners. Answering this question requires several different groups working together and/or in sequence, and examining the effectiveness of environmental impact and risk assessment. EIA has tended to focus on the identification of impacts associated with planned activities or projects, whereas ERA involves a rigorous analysis of those impacts: the calculation of the probability, and magnitude of effects. The integrated method described herein for environmental impact and risk assessment has the advantages that it is very easy to be used by non environmental experts: it calculates the impacts and risks, correlated with measured concentrations of quality indicators for environmental component, considered representative in assessment process; it is not a subjective method because several mathematical steps are applied. Also, the lack of experience of evaluator doesn’t influence the results of assessment process, and it will reflect in a very objective way the real situation. The purpose of this work was to propose a new method for integrated environmental impact and risk assessment and apply it on a case study in order to make the right decision concerning the quality of ground water from evaluated area. Thus, groundwater from ten drillings was sampled and analyzed over the period 1995-2006 (exception years 1997, 1998 and 1999). From each drilling over the period 1995-2006, eight quality indicators considered representative for evaluated situation were analyzed. The results showed that, in period 1995 – 2006, the ground water quality was highly negative influenced by industrial activities developed on studied area. The maximum value for impact and risk induced in ground water is in 1995 year, when the industrial activities from this area were working at maximum capacity. Thus, it is absolutely necessary to apply the measures for remediation to improve the quality of ground water and control the pollution, considering the fact that the ground water quality needs to be at optimum parameters, required by national legislation.