Toxic Metals Research Articles

Natural Low-Melting Mixture Solvents for Green Recovery of Spent All-Solid-State Sodium-Ion Batteries with Superior Efficiency over Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Spent all-solid-state sodium-ion batteries (ASIBs) containing toxic and precious metal would be produced significantly and lead to resource waste and environmental pollution as the wide application of ASIBs in the near future. Therefore, it is necessary to develop green strategy for recovery of ASIBs. Here, we propose a safe, mild and green strategy to recover toxic and precious metals from cathode/solid electrolyte of ASIBs by using natural low-melting mixture solvents (LoMMSs) with high selectivity and high leaching efficiency. Natural LoMMSs are abundant, natural available, cheap, non-flammable, biodegradable and biocompatible. Results show that natural LoMMSs could leach nearly 100% Na and achieve superhigh Na/Zr selectivity of up to 58 from ASIBs at mild temperature, outperforming the recycling efficiency and selectivity of lithium-ion batteries cathode. More importantly, we find that water could be used as a green and low-cost anti-solvent to precipitate the extracted metal from the leachate with low-energy consumption at room temperature. This work provides a cost-effective, energy-saving, mild, green strategy for the recovery of cathode/solid electrolyte from spent ASIBs with high safety and high selectivity.

Upregulation of caspase-3, oxidative stress, neurobehavioural and histological alterations in mercury chloride-exposed rats: role of aqueous Allium sativum bulb extract.

Mercury is a highly toxic metal that causes a variety of neurological disorders through oxidative stress. Allium sativum, a cooking spice in diverse cultures around the world, has a long history of medicinal use due to its rich antioxidant constituents. This study was designed to evaluate the protective activity of aqueous Allium sativum bulb extract (ASBE) on mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced neurotoxicity. Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups namely I (control), II (HgCl2; 4mg/kg), III (250mg/kg of ASBE and 4mg/kg of HgCl2), IV (500mg/kg of ASBE and 4mg/kg of HgCl2) and V (500mg/kg of Vitamin E and 4mg/kg of HgCl2). At the end of the administration, neurobehavioural, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation and apoptotic activities as well as the histology of the cerebrum, cerebellum and hippocampus were assessed. Body and brain weights, locomotion, exploration, cognition, memory and antioxidant enzymes were significantly impaired (p < 0.05) in HgCl2-exposed rats following comparison to control. Lipid peroxidation, mercury concentration and caspase-3 activity were significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) in HgCl2-exposed rats following comparison to control. In addition, significant alterations to the histology of the cerebrum, cerebellum and hippocampus were observed in the HgCl2-exposed rats. Conversely, the adverse effects induced by HgCl2 were significantly attenuated (p < 0.05) following ASBE and Vitamin E pretreatment. Taken together, these results suggest that ABSE exerts its neuroprotective activity through its potent antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

Morphological and physiological responses of Momordica charantia to heavy metals and nutrient toxicity in contaminated water

This study investigates the impact of industrial wastewater from leather, household, and marble sources on the growth, physiological traits, and biochemical responses of Momordica charantia (bitter melon). Industrial activities often lead to the release of contaminated effluents, which can significantly affect plant health and agricultural productivity. Water analysis revealed that leather effluent contained high concentrations of heavy metals, including cadmium (2.67 mg/L), lead (1.95 mg/L), and nickel (1.02 mg/L), all of which exceeded the recommended safety limits for irrigation. Seed germination was significantly reduced, with only 45% germination in seeds irrigated with leather effluent, compared to 90% in the control group. Similarly, in plants treated with leather wastewater, shoot length, and root length were reduced by 38% and 42%. Chlorophyll content showed a marked decline, with chlorophyll “a” reduced by 25% and chlorophyll “b” by 30% in wastewater-treated plants, indicating impaired photosynthetic activity. Antioxidant enzyme activity, including catalase and superoxide dismutase, increased by up to 40%, reflecting a stress response to heavy metal toxicity. These findings highlight that industrial wastewater severely disrupts plant metabolic processes, leading to stunted growth and physiological stress. To safeguard crop productivity and food security, stringent wastewater treatment protocols must be implemented to mitigate environmental contamination. Future research should focus on developing advanced remediation techniques and sustainable wastewater management practices to reduce heavy metal toxicity and enhance soil health.

Dispersal of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and toxic metals: a probable influence of inorganic fluoride and ionic strength in the Shiqi River Basin of Nanjing City, South-Eastern China

Dispersal of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and toxic metals: a probable influence of inorganic fluoride and ionic strength in the Shiqi River Basin of Nanjing City, South-Eastern China

An Electrochemical Sensor for Detection of Lead (II) Ions Using Biochar of Spent Coffee Grounds Modified by TiO2 Nanoparticles

Toxic heavy metal ions, such as lead ions, significantly threaten human health and the environment. This work introduces a novel method for the simple and sensitive detection of lead ions based on biochar-loaded titanium dioxide nanoparticles (BC@TiO2NPs) nanocomposites. Eco-friendly biochar samples were prepared from spent coffee grounds (500 °C, 1 h) that were chemically activated with TiO2 nanoparticles (150 °C, 24 h) to improve their conductivity. Structural characterizations showed that BC@TiO2NPs have a porous structure. The BC@TiO2NPs material was evaluated for lead ion determination by assembling glassy carbon electrodes. Under optimal conditions, the sensor was immersed in a solution containing the analyte (0.1 M NaAc-HAc buffer, pH = 4.5) for the detection of lead ions via differential pulse voltammetry. A linear dynamic range from 1 pM to 10 μMwas achieved, with a detection limit of 0.6268 pM. Additionally, the analyte was determined in tap water samples, and a satisfactory recovery rate was achieved.

Measurement the levels of toxic metals by using cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy technique and measurement of Vit A by using HPLC in autistic children

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by stereotypic/repetitive behavior, impaired communication, imagination, and social interactions. Recently, studies have investigated the possible association between the etiology of autism and the potential roles of various environmental agents, especially heavy metals. The present study aimed to examine levels of toxic metals in serum samples of autism. The levels of arsenic, cadmium and lead in serum of this child were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry and compared with those of healthy children who had been assessed in previous studies. The autism had higher levels of Arsenic (65.32 ±7.89) cadmium (10.36±1.06 μg/g) and lead (7.6±0.86 μg/g), as well as significant decrease in the concentration of vitamin A (4.29± 0.66) as comparison with control group.

Effect of Ononis angustissima extract on the Aluminium alterations in intestinal histology

Ononis angustissima (Oa) is an endemic desert plant with medicinal qualities. Nevertheless, aluminum (Al) is a poisonous metal found in large quantities in nature. This investigation seeks to assess the impact of an aqueous Oa extract on adult rats intoxicated with AlCl3 at a dose of 100 mg/kg. The findings show that Al significantly reduced organ weight (p &lt; 0.001), perturbed biochemical parameters, and caused histological changes in the intestine, including lymphoid tissue hyperplasia, villi erosion, and an increase in the number of goblet cells. However, treatment with the aqueous Oa extract exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, epithelial regeneration, and control of goblet cells. It is concluded that Al causes structural and metabolic alterations in intestinal tissue, but Oa has limited this damage.

Single/joint effects of pyrene and heavy metals in contaminated soils on the growth and physiological response of maize (Zea mays L.)

The widespread presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and toxic heavy metals in soils is having harmful effects on food crops and the environment. However, the defense mechanisms and capacity of plants to counteract these substances have not been comprehensively explored, necessitating a systematic categorization of their inhibitory effects. Accordingly, an experimental investigation was conducted to examine the growth and physiological response of maize (Zea mays L.) to different concentrations and combinations of pyrene, copper (Cu), and cadmium (Cd), with an indicator developed to assess the joint stress. The results showed that 57-day culture with contaminations significantly inhibited the plant biomass via causing root cell necrosis, inducing lipid peroxidation, and damaging photosynthesis. Cd (50-100 mg/kg) induced stronger inhibition than Cu (800-1000 mg/kg) under both single and joint stress, and their co-existence further aggravated the adverse effects and generated synergetic inhibition. Although the presence of pyrene at a low concentration (5-50 mg/kg) can somewhat diminish the metal stress, the elevated pollutant concentrations (400-750 mg/kg pyrene, 50-100 mg/kg Cd, and 800-1000 mg/kg Cu) switched the antagonistic effect to additive inhibition on maize growth. A satisfactory tolerance of a low-level pyrene and/or metal stress was determined, associated with a relative stability of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) content and antioxidant enzymes activity. Nevertheless, the photosynthesis and antioxidant system were significantly damaged with increasing contaminant concentrations, resulting in chlorosis and biomass reduction. These findings could provide valuable knowledge for ensuring crop yield and food quality as well as implementing soil phytoremediation.

Elemental composition and health risks of indoor PM2.5 in Taiyuan, China: Associations with fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in preschoolers

The adverse health effects of indoor PM2.5 are considerably influenced by its elemental composition. Here, we evaluated indoor PM2.5 elements in preschools in Taiyuan, China, and assessed the lifetime carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of 11 selected elements in children. Additionally, we assessed the association between these elements and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a non-invasive biomarker of respiratory symptoms. We randomly selected 10 preschools in Taiyuan and measured FeNO levels in 507 5-year-old children. Elemental analysis of the PM2.5 samples was conducted using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Associations between PM2.5-bound elements and FeNO were calculated using linear mixed models. Health risk assessments revealed that Cr and Mn have hazard quotient > 1, indicating they pose a non-carcinogenic risk in the study area. Meanwhile, Cr, Ni, As, Cd, and Co presented carcinogenic health risks with Ri > 10−6. The risks of other toxic heavy metals were within acceptable limits. The indoor levels of most elements in PM2.5 correlated with elevated FeNO levels. This study provides novel insights into the associations between PM2.5-bound elements in classrooms and FeNO among children. It is crucial to implement strategies controlling heavy-metal pollution in preschools and ensuring the protection of children who may be exposed.

Assessment of toxic metals contamination, co-occurrence, and health hazards in rice grains and soils irrigated with wastewater

Assessment of toxic metals contamination, co-occurrence, and health hazards in rice grains and soils irrigated with wastewater

Spatial Distribution, Source Apportionment, and Pollution Assessment of Toxic Metals Around Agricultural Soils Based on APCS-MLR Receptor Modelling: A Case Study of the Northern Slope of Tianshan Mountains

To investigate the contamination status and analyze the sources of soil toxic metal contamination on the northern slopes of the East Tianshan mountain industrial belt in Xinjiang, northwest China, this study measured the contents of six common toxic metals such as Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Hg and As in 82 surface soil (0–20 cm), and using the ground accumulation index, pollution load index, and improved weighted index assessed the contamination characteristics of the soil and using a semi-variance function and APCS-MLR model the identified the potential sources of contamination. The results indicate that the average concentrations of Pb, Hg, and As are significantly higher than the background values in Xinjiang. The average ranking of toxic metal content is as follows: Zn &gt; Cr &gt; Pb &gt; Cu &gt; Hg &gt; as. A single-factor pollution index analysis shows that As and Pb pollution are severe, while Hg and Cu pollution are moderate. The improved weighted index shows that moderate lead pollution accounts for 6.1% and severe lead pollution accounts for 54.88%; 98.88% of arsenic is severely contaminated. The APCS-MLR model identified three main sources of heavy metals: Cu and Cr as industrial production sources, Pb and Zn as transportation and agricultural activity sources, and As, Cr, Cu, Hg, and Zn as natural and mixed pollution sources. This study provides a solid scientific basis for the prevention and control of toxic metal pollution in agricultural soils, thus ensuring food security and sustainable development in the region.

Magnetic response and bioaccessibility of toxic metal pollution in outdoor dustfall in Shanghai, China

Toxic metal content testing, environmental magnetic monitoring and in vitro bioaccessibility experiments each have their own advantages and are often used independently for environmental monitoring, but there are few studies that combine the three to evaluate the hazards of toxic metals to humans. This paper investigated the total content, magnetic properties and bioaccessibility of nine potentially toxic metal elements (Zn, Sn, Pb, Cu, Fe, Ni, Cr, Sr, Mn) in dustfall from different functional zones in Shanghai, China, and systematically compared the related results. The results show that these nine metal elements have different degrees of contamination and enrichment in outdoor dustfall, and their content distribution shows the following trend: Zn>Sn>Pb>Cu>Fe>Ni>Cr>Sr>Mn. Magnetic characteristics χlf and SIRM are mostly positively correlated with the metal elements, indicating that the higher the content of magnetic minerals in the sample, the higher the concentration of metal elements. It was also found that χlf, SIRM, and χARM can well reflect the characteristics of dustfall pollution. The magnetic minerals have a certain degree of enrichment, and the particle size of the magnetic minerals is relatively coarse, mainly in the form of coarse multi-domain and pseudo-single-domain particles, which are largely derived from anthropogenic pollution. The χlf and PM10 concentrations in the precipitation show relatively similar spatial trends, so χlf, SIRM, and χARM can be used as air pollution indices to facilitate the evaluation of metal elements pollution in dustfall. The overall trend in gastric bioaccessibility is Pb>Zn>Mn>Cu>Cr. Due to the increase in the pH of digestive fluid, the bioavailability of toxic metals decreases significantly from the gastric stage to the intestinal stage. χlf, SIRM, and χARM/SIRM are all related to the bioaccessibility of toxic metals in the intestinal stage, so they can be used as toxicity indicators to evaluate the bioaccessibility of toxic metals in dustfall.

TREATMENT METHODS FOR BITUMEN POLLUTED WATER(BPW) - A REVIEW

This review is set to answer the question about current and alternative treatment methods available for treating Bitumen000. 12021Polluted Water (BPW). Bitumen is a complex form of hydrocarbon with a higher viscosity than crude oil preventing it from flowing under natural conditions. BPW is formed due to bitumen seepage from underground reservoirs causing contamination of land and waterbodies in areas where the deposit is untapped. Another wastewater from bitumen is the Bitumen Wastewater (BWW) which is formed from bitumen extraction and processing, though this review centered on bitumen-polluted water BPW, studies revealed that BWW exhibits similar characteristics of floatable solids, high levels of salt and taste, colour, hardness of water, high Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) levels, toxic metals: lead, cadmium and dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons: Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene (BTEX). It has been reported that these pollutants were recalcitrant, persistent in biodegradation, and required many years to denature. This review summarized treatment methods for bitumen polluted water and by extension BWW from five aspects, which contain flotation, filtration, coagulation, biological treatment, and combined technology. Further, it addressed modifying the existing Bitumen Polluted Water Treatment System (BPWTS) with the possibility of scaling it up to treat more volume of BPW to meet water treatment demand in the bitumen-rich areas.

Precisely controlled electrostatically sprayed sodium alginate/carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel microbeads as super-adsorbent for adsorption of cationic dye.

In this pioneering study, electrostatic spraying (ES) technology with high voltages is proposed to reduce the size of hydrogel microbeads further, aiming to enhance the adsorption rate of cationic methylene blue (MB) dye. The increased voltages, ranging from 0.0 to 13.0 kV, further decreased the size of electrostatically sprayed hydrogel microbeads crosslinked by hydrogen bonds between sodium alginate (SA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) in hydrochloric acid. The size of SA/CMCS hydrogel microbeads was successfully reduced from 2000 ± 121 μm (SC-2000) to 400 ± 15 μm (SC-400). Notably, SC-400 exhibits the highest maximum adsorption capacity (qm) and rate constant (k2) at 840.3 mg/g and 0.0598 g/mg/min, respectively, at pH 9.0 and a temperature of 25 °C in the absence of ionic compounds, which is three times higher than that of SC-2000, due to their high specific surface area and pore volume. Through a series of adsorption studies and characterization analyses, SA/CMCS hydrogel microbeads displayed heterogeneous adsorption behaviors towards MB dye through electrostatic interactions between the deprotonated carboxylic groups and cationic MB molecules, where MB adsorption efficiency could be significantly influenced by pH and ionic strength. These findings suggest that ES technology is effective in synthesizing smaller SA/CMCS hydrogel microbeads with enhanced MB removal rates and stable adsorption capacities and their applications could be further explored for removing other organic dyes and toxic metals in subsequent research studies.

Physicochemical properties of acid sulphate soil profoundly influence the composition of rhizobacterial community of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The soils of kari lands of Kuttanad, the ‘Rice bowl’ of Kerala, India are characterized as acid sulphate as they comprise of pyrite deposits. Productivity in these soils is at stake due to several constraints like high acidity and salinity, metal toxicity, nutrient unavailability, redox fluctuations, besides seasonal flooding. Sustainable management of acid sulphate soil is a critical priority to improve the rice output from these areas. Such soils would harbor unique innate microbial communities with definite abilities which could be exploited further for their sustainable amelioration. Development of inoculant technology with soil and crop specific beneficial microbial agents is expected to boost the production potential of kari soils. However, the soil parameters would impose a great influence on the rhizobacterial community development in these geologically distinct soils. We studied the rhizobacterial communities (at the family level), associated with rice grown in five acid sulphate (Purakkad, Vaikom, Ambalappuzha, Thakazhi and Kallara) as well as one non-acid sulphate (Muhamma) soil series of geographically unique Kuttanad region. We also examined the effects of soil physicochemical attributes on shaping the rhizosphere bacterial community assemblage. The soil physicochemical attributes were analyzed using standard procedures and correlations existing amongst them were also determined. A metagenomic approach was adopted to study the rhizobacterial communities (family level) and were correlated with soil parameters using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Compared to other acid sulphate regions, Thakazhi and Kallara soils indicated higher electrical conductivity, available nitrogen, potassium, organic carbon, aluminium as well as iron and lowest pH and available phosphorus. Intense significant relationships were exhibited amongst the acid sulphate properties and soil nutrient contents. The taxa summary after the Illumina MiSeq sequencing revealed the abundant rhizobacterial families in the soil samples as Anaerolineaceae, Ktedonobacteriaceae, Acidothermaceae, Acidimicrobiaceae, Clostridiaceae, Nocardioidaceae, Xanthobacteraceae, Methanobacteriaceae, Sphingomonadaceae and Peptostreptococcaceae. Acidothermaceae (14%) and Acidimicrobiaceae (12%) were found abundant exclusively in highly acid sulphate soil samples. Moreover, only a few shared taxa were observed between the soil samples, which denoted the uniqueness of each sample in terms of rhizobacterial communities. The shared taxa between highly acidic sampling areas include members of Acidothermaceae, Ktedonobacteraceae, Acidimicrobiaceae, Micrococcaceae, Stellaceae and Anaerolineaceae. CCA showed that pH, EC and Al content were the soil properties governing the bacterial assembly in the rhizosphere of actively tillering rice grown in acid sulphate soil followed by P and K. The data generated in the present study are considered to be of use in developing consortia of kari soil specific rice rhizosphere microbial agents which could be used as inoculants in future.

A novel amidoxime-functionalized covalent organic framework adsorbent for efficient lead ion removal: synthesis and adsorption mechanism

Lead ions are highly toxic heavy metal ions and Pb(Ⅱ) in wastewater threatened seriously human health and environment. Therefore, an effective adsorbent must be developed to remove lead ions from wastewater. In this study, a polycrystalline amidoxime covalent organic framework (DBCC-NHOH) is synthesized by a post-modification method for the elimination of lead (II) from wastewater. The successful preparation of adsorbent (DBCC-NHOH) is demonstrated by the oxygen appearance in SEM-EDS pattern and conversion of -CN to C=N-O and C-N in the FT-IR pattern. DBCC-NHOH is a crystalline porous material and its pore size, specific surface area and pore volume are 3.419nm, 28.154 m2/g and 4.2ⅹ10-8 m3/g respectively. The optimum conditions for the adsorption of Pb(II) by DBCC-NHOH are temperature 298K, time 180min, and pH 5. The maximum adsorption of DBCC-NHOH was 221.37mg/g. Kinetic and thermodynamic investigations indicate that adsorption of Pb(II) by DBCC-NHOH is a monolayer chemisorption and exothermic process. Selectivity experiments indicate that DBCC-NHOH can adsorb Pb(II) efficiently and selectively in complex multi-ion systems. In addition, the adsorption percentage of DBCC-NHOH remained up to 83.20% after five adsorption-desorption experiments. The XPS and FT-IR analyses and DFT results indicated that DBCC-NHOH utilized amidoxime function group to realize the high efficiency of Pb(II) adsorption by electrostatic attraction and chelation.

Using diatom chain length as a bioindicator of heavy-metals contamination in marine environments

The increasing release of toxic heavy metals into marine environments poses significant risks due to their persistence and bioaccumulation. Diatoms are ideal bioindicators because of their sensitivity to environmental changes. Despite traditional methods for detecting these persistent pollutants effectively identify composition and concentration, they are time-consuming, they often require the use of harmful reagents, and do not allow a fast assessment of detrimental impacts on marine organisms. To fill this gap, we have successfully investigated the toxicity of different heavy metals in the marine diatom Skeletonema pseudocostatum thanks to a newly developed high-power terahertz (THz) spectrometer. By combining THz spectroscopy, microscopy and ecotoxicological assays, we found that the formation of long diatom chains is significantly inhibited by the presence of lead, copper, and chromium, which disrupt their metabolism. Although the THz absorption and refractive index spectra were not affected by diatom concentration in undoped samples, THz frequencies were highly sensitive to changes in diatom chain length due to heavy metals exposure. These findings suggest that this approach allows to investigate the biochemical processes involved in chain formation in S. pseudocostatum and related algae. THz spectroscopy could therefore provide deeper insights into the microscopic metabolic activity of diatoms, addressing key biochemical questions surrounding these organisms. Furthermore, we propose this novel approach for environmental pollution monitoring, since it could provide a rapid, harmless and sensitive detection method to assess heavy metal toxicity in marine diatoms, key organisms at the basis of the trophic chain.

An electrochemical biosensor for mercury(II) detection based on DNA-Au bio-bar codes coupled with enzymatic dual signal amplification

Mercury ion (Hg2+) is one of the most toxic heavy metal pollutants, which not only causes enormous damage and pollution to environment, but also results in numerous irreversible impairments to the human health. Herein, a novel amperometric DNA biosensor was constructed for Hg2+ detection based on DNA-Au bio-bar codes coupled with enzymatic dual signal amplification. Carboxylated graphene oxide (GO − COOH) was selected as electrode modified material to provide anchoring sites for attachment DNA oligonucleotides. Substrate DNA was attached on the GO − COOH surface via covalent coupling interaction between amine (–NH2) groups on DNA and carboxyl (–COOH) groups on GO. AuNPs co-linked with bio-bar code DNA and target DNA via Au-S bonds were utilized as DNA-Au bio-bar codes, which labeled with HRP through avidin/biotin interaction. In the presence of object Hg2+, the target DNA on HRP-labeled DNA-Au bio-bar codes (HRP-DNA-Au bio-bar codes) hybridized with substrate DNA on GO − COOH via thymine-Hg2+-thymine (T-Hg2+-T) coordination chemistry. HRP-DNA-Au bio-bar codes catalyze hydroquinone oxidation to benzoquinone in presence of by hydrogen peroxide, generating an enhanced amperometric response signal. The current signal of biosensor is proportional to the logarithm of Hg2+ concentrations ranging from 25 pM to 10 μM with a detection limit of 10 pM (S/N = 3). Furthermore, without the need for target amplification, the prepared electrochemical DNA biosensor exhibited superior selectivity against other interfering metal ions, providing a facile and sensitive platform for Hg2+ detection in real environmental samples.

Cadmium-induced lung injury disrupts immune cell homeostasis in the secondary lymphoid organs in mice

Cadmium is a well-known toxic heavy metal that poses significant health risks, particularly through inhalation, smoking, and the consumption of contaminated food. Exposure to cadmium is linked to the development and exacerbation of chronic lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study investigated the systemic effects of intratracheal cadmium chloride (0.5mg/kg) instillation in C57BL/6 mice. All parameters, including inflammation assessment, lung function evaluation (using Flexi-vent), and immunophenotyping of T-cells in secondary lymphoid organs (spleen and mediastinal lymph nodes), were analyzed 14 days after Cd exposure. The results demonstrated that cadmium exposure led to significant immune cell infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, altered pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and was associated with impaired lung function, characterized by increased lung resistance and Newtonian resistance. Analysis of T-cell populations revealed no significant changes in total T-cells in mediastinal lymph nodes and spleen, but a decrease in CD4+ T-cells and an increase in CD8+ T-cells were observed. These findings suggest that cadmium disrupts T-cell homeostasis in secondary lymphoid organs. Further research is crucial to elucidate the mechanisms underlying cadmium-induced lung injury and immune dysregulation, essential for developing effective therapeutic interventions against chronic lung diseases caused by cadmium exposure.

Evaluation of some physicochemical parameters and health risks associated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in agricultural soils from the southwest region of Ethiopia

In this study, soil samples collected from Burusa and Bure agricultural sectors were analyzed for their physicochemical parameters and potentially toxic elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, B, Se, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, As, and Hg). Physicochemical parameters were analyzed according to AOAC methods. For quantification of PTEs, the soil samples were digested by using aquaregia (HCl: HNO3; 3:1) and 5 mL of H2O2 (30%) at a digestion temperature of 250°C for 3 hours prior to ICP-OES analysis. The percent recoveries (%R) and relative standard deviation (%RSD) of this method ranged from 83 to 106% and 0.39 to 9.2%, respectively. The LODs and LOQ values were in the range of 4.3 × 10-4-5.3 × 10-2 mg/L and 1.4 × 10-3-1.76 × 10-1 mg/L, respectively. The analyzed mean values of physicochemical parameter including pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, moisture, organic matter and nitrogen content were found in the range of 4.85-6.47, 20.5-21.4°C, 101.6-230.7 µS/cm, 8.67-20.7%, 0.677-1.81% and 5.81-6.85%, respectively. The average amount of potentially toxic elements found in the soil samples were ranged as 57073-81279, 1185-3255, 41.0-72.2, 12.6-29.2, 18.8-50.8, 25.0-40.5, 42.2-60.8, 13.6-34.5, 41.9- 67.2, 25.0-59.4, 9.92-13.3, 0.933-1.12 and 4.97-8.63 in mg/kg for Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, B, Se, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, As and Hg, respectively. The highest concentrations of among the entire PTEs were recorded for Fe, followed by Mn, in the analyzed soil samples. All the studied elements are below the FAO/WHO permissible limit except Fe, Se, Cd, and Hg for all analyzed soil samples and Mn for the Bure soil sample. The target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) values are <1, suggesting an insignificant non-carcinogenic risk of the heavy metals to the adults via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact exposure of agricultural soils. Likewise, the individual element incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) occurrence for all studied soil samples is below 1 × 10-4. The total ILCR of potentially toxic heavy metals (Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd and As) resulting from ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact exposure of agricultural soil by an adult population indicate a slightly higher potential cancer risk (> 1 × 10-4) for soil samples obtained from Bure S1, Bure S2, and Bure S3. Therefore, continuous monitoring of these harmful elements should be made by agricultural sectors and responsible government regulatory authorities are crucial to prevent PTEs related to agricultural soils in Ethiopia.