Use Of Personal Care Products Research Articles

Personal care product use and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in pregnant and lactating people in the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals study

BackgroundPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous chemicals routinely detected in personal care products (PCPs). However, few studies have evaluated the impact of PCP use on PFAS concentrations in pregnant and lactating populations. ObjectiveWe investigated associations between PCP use and PFAS concentrations in prenatal plasma and human milk. MethodsWe leveraged the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study to evaluate the contribution of PCP use on PFAS concentrations in prenatal plasma (6–13 weeks’ gestation; n = 1,940) and human-milk (2–10 weeks’ postpartum; n = 664). Participants reported frequency of use across 8 PCP categories during the 1st and 3rd trimesters, 1–2 days postpartum, and 2–10 weeks’ postpartum. We used linear regression models to quantify covariate-adjusted percent differences and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals. ResultsIn 1st trimester pregnant people, we found higher use of nailcare products (≥once a week vs never: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA): 21 % [9.7 %, 32 %]; perfluorooctane-sulfonic acid (PFOS): 11 % [0.3 %, 23 %]), fragrances (daily vs never: PFOA: 14 % [7.8 %, 21 %]; PFOS: 7.8 % [1.3 %, 15 %]), makeup (daily vs. never: PFOA: 14 % [5.8 %, 23 %]), hair dyes (never vs. > twice during pregnancy: PFOA: 8.3 % [2.4 %, 15 %]), and hair sprays or gels (daily vs. never: PFOA: 12 % [5.0 %, 19 %], PFOS: 7.1 % [0.2 %, 15 %], PFHxS: 9.9 % [0.6 %, 20 %]) were associated with higher plasma PFAS concentrations. Similar results were observed for 3rd trimester PCP use and 2–10 weeks’ postpartum human-milk PFAS concentrations. In addition, we found that people using colored-permanent dye 1 to 2 days postpartum had higher Sm-PFOS (18 % [ 2.7, 35]), PFOA (16 % [4.3 %, 29 %]), and perfluorononanoic acid (17 % [3.6 %, 33 %]) postpartum human-milk concentrations. ConclusionsOur results show that PCP use may be a modifiable source of PFAS exposure in pregnant and lactating populations. These results along with growing scientific evidence can help inform PFAS regulation and guide individual choices to reduce PFAS exposure.

Phthalate Exposure and Pediatric Asthma: A Case Control Study Among Egyptian Children

Background: Phthalates, which are diesters of phthalic acid, are commonly used as plasticizers and additives in various consumer products. Several phthalates have been identified as substances of high concern. Exposure to phthalate esters (PAEs) has been linked to asthma in children, but the specific impacts of PAEs on asthmatic children were not well understood. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare urinary phthalate concentrations in asthmatic and non-asthmatic children and to identify potential sources of exposure as risk factors for asthma. Methods: A case control study was conducted for 100 Egyptian children aged 8-16 years (50 asthmatics and 50 healthy controls). Asthma was identified using GINA guidelines. Socio-demographic and probable risk factors were assessed, in addition to measuring phthalate levels in urine samples using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results and conclusion: Mean urinary Mono-methyl as well as Mono-benzyl levels were highly significant in asthmatic children compared to control group (895.26ng/ mL vs 548.55 ng/mL and 13.5 ng/mL vs 2.07 ng/mL respectively) (p= 0.001). The number of asthmatic children living in houses painted with non-plastic paint was significantly lower (P<0.05) than children living in houses painted with other paints. No association between floor type and asthma was reported. The frequent use of personal care products and plastic painting of walls were identified by multiple logistic regression analysis as the highly significant predictors of asthma in the studied subjects. The declared higher levels of urinary phthalate metabolites (Mono-methyl and Mono-benzyl) in Egyptian asthmatic children may reveal the probable risk of phthalate exposure in triggering bronchial asthma.

Characteristics and functional bacteria of an efficient benzocaine-mineralizing bacterial consortium

The extensive use of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) has led to widespread residual pollution, which increases the risk of the development of drug resistance in pathogenic microorganisms. Benzocaine is a PPCP that is widely used medical anesthesia and in sunscreen. Microorganisms are essential for the degradation of residual PPCPs. However, no studies have reported the microbial degradation of benzocaine. In this study, through continuous enrichment of the initial consortium HJ1, the highly efficient benzocaine-degrading consortium HJ7 was obtained, HJ7 exhibited a degradation rate that was 1.92 times greater than that of HJ1. Methyl 4-aminobenzoate and 4-aminobenzoic acid were identified as major intermediate products during benzocaine biodegradation by consortium HJ1 or HJ7. Methylobacillus (57.8 % ± 0.9 %) and Pseudomonas (22.1 % ± 0.7 %), which are thought to harbor essential species for benzocaine degradation, were significantly enriched in consortium HJ7. Two benzocaine-degrading strains, Pseudomonas sp. A8 and Microbacterium sp. A741, and one methyl 4-aminobenzoate-degrading strain, Achromobacter sp. A5, were isolated from consortium HJ7, and they synergistically mineralized benzocaine. These findings not only provide new insights into the biotransformation of benzocaine but also provide strain resources for the bioremediation of residual benzocaine in the environment.

Phthalate and DINCH metabolites in the urine of Hungarian schoolchildren: Cumulative risk assessment and exposure determinants

A human biomonitoring study was conducted to assess the exposure of Hungarian children aged 8–11 years to ten phthalate esters (PEs) and DINCH between 2017 and 2018. In addition to collecting urine samples from 262 participants, a questionnaire was completed by the parents or legal guardians to identify potential determinants of exposure.The highest geometric mean concentration was observed for MiBP, followed by MBP, cx- MEHP, OH-MEHP and MEP. Three out of the four DINCH metabolites were detected in more than 90% of the samples. The comparison of the urinary concentrations measured in this study with those observed in the DEMOCOPHES study revealed a significant decreasing trend in all PE metabolites investigated in both studies between 2011/2012 and 2017/2018. Different approaches were used to assess the health risks associated with the exposure to PEs and DINCH. Our results highlighted that the hazard index (HI) values were higher than 1 in 17.6% of the children when the human biomonitoring guidance values were applied. In contrast, less than 3% of the children had HI values exceeding 1 when other sources of reference values were used. By applying a safety factor of 10 for the risk assessment, 17.6–91.6% of the children were characterized by HI values higher than 0.1, indicating the need for risk reduction measures. Overall, DnBP, DiBP and DEHP were identified as the main drivers of the mixture risk. Although PEs and DINCH are ubiquitous contaminants, there are still inconsistencies and gaps in our understanding of the determinants of exposure. The results of the multivariate regression analysis showed significant associations between PE or DINCH metabolite concentrations and certain individual characteristics, use of personal care products, home and school environment and food and beverages consumption 24 h prior to sample collection.

Exposure to biocides and their potential exposure sources among adults: A nationwide population-based study in South Korea

Biocides are present in personal care (including preservatives or antibacterials), pest control, and disinfectant products (including non-agricultural insecticides, fungicides, and disinfectants), and their long-term exposure may induce adverse health effects in humans. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the exposure levels and major exposure predictors of biocides among nationally representative Korean adults. The target group included adults (≥19 years) participating in the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2015–2020. We employed survey-weighted multiple regression analysis and conditional inference trees analysis to assess the associations between demographic characteristics, behavioral sources (including personal care product use, pesticide use, and dietary patterns), and urinary levels of phenol (triclosan [TCS]), parabens (methyl paraben [MP], ethyl paraben [EP], propyl paraben [PP], and butyl paraben [BP]), and the pyrethroid insecticide metabolite (3-phenoxybenzoic acid [3-PBA]). Urinary EP, BP, and 3-PBA levels were higher in South Korean adults compared with those in Western countries. Major exposure predictors for MP, EP, and PP included the use of personal care products such as sunscreen, makeup, and hair care products in KoNEHS 2018–2020. Major exposure predictors for TCS and BP were vegetable consumption, and those for 3-PBA were mosquitocide use during summer in KoNEHS 2018–2020. However, these predictors were not observed in KoNEHS 2015–2017. Collectively, our findings suggest that biocide exposure predictors vary according to changes in product use and diet habits of individuals. Therefore, developing strategies to mitigate biocide exposure based on the demographic and behavioral characteristics of the general population is imperative.

The bench to community initiative: community-based participatory research model for translating research discoveries into community solutions.

The BCI program was established to understand sociocultural determinants of personal care product use, evaluate the biological impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals, and develop community interventions. The three pillars of the program include research, outreach and engagement as well as advocacy activities. The research pillar of the BCI includes development of multidisciplinary partnerships to understand the sociocultural and biological determinants of harmful chemical (e.g., endocrine disrupting chemicals) exposures from personal care products and to implement community interventions. The outreach and engagement pillar includes education and translation of research into behavioral practice. The research conducted through the initiative provides the foundation for advocacy engagement with applicable community-based organizations. Essential to the mission of the BCI is the participation of community members and trainees from underrepresented backgrounds who are affected by breast cancer disparities. Two behavioral interventions will be developed building on prior research on environmental exposures with the focus on personal care products including findings from the BCI. In person and virtual education activities include tabling at community events with do-it-yourself product demonstrations, Salon Conversations-a virtual platform used to bring awareness, education, and pilot behavior change interventions, biennial symposiums, and social media engagement. BCI's community advisory board members support activities across the three pillars, while trainees participate in personal and professional activities that enhance their skills in research translation. This paper highlights the three pillars of the BCI, lessons learned, testimonies from community advisory board members and trainees on the impact of the initiative, as well as BCI's mission driven approaches to achieving health equity.

Ecotoxicological risk assessment of triclosan, an emerging pollutant in a riverine and estuarine ecosystems: A comparative study

Triclosan (TCS), an antibacterial biocide, pervades water and sediment matrices globally, posing a threat to aquatic life. In densely populated cities like Mumbai, rivers and coastal bodies demand baseline TCS data for ecotoxicological assessment due to the excessive use of personal care products comprising TCS. This pioneering study compares spatiotemporal TCS variations and risks in freshwater and marine ecosystems employing multivariate analysis of physicochemical parameters. Over five months (January to May 2022), Mithi River exhibited higher TCS concentrations (water: 1.68 μg/L, sediment: 3.19 μg/kg) than Versova Creek (water: 0.49 μg/L, sediment: 0.69 μg/kg). Principal component analysis revealed positive correlations between TCS and physicochemical parameters. High-risk quotients (>1) underscore TCS threats in both water bodies. This study furnishes crucial baseline data, emphasizing the need for effective treatment plans for TCS in effluent waters released into the adjacent aquatic systems.

A sustainable and innovative method to determine parabens in body creams for exposure and risk assessment

Methylparaben (MeP), ethylparaben (EtP), propylparaben (PrP), and butylparaben (BuP) are among the most widely used preservatives in cosmetics, drugs, and foods. These compounds have been associated with toxic effects due to the overuse of products with parabens in their formulation. The toxicity of parabens may be correlated to endocrine disruption, owing to their ability to mimic the actions of estradiol. In this paper, a simple, sustainable, robust, and innovative dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) technique was developed and employed to extract these xenobiotics from body cream samples, aiming to calculate the margin of safety (MoS) to assess the risk of exposure. The validated method presented suitable linearity (r > 0.99), lower limits of detection (ranging from 0.01 to 0.04 % w/w), and satisfactory precision and accuracy (ranging from 4.33 to 10.47, and from −14.25 to 13.85, respectively). Seven of the ten analysed samples presented paraben contents within the acceptable concentration according to European legislation. The MoS value obtained for PrP (37.58) suggested its reduced safety, indicating that PrP may significantly contribute to systemic exposure resulting from the use of personal care products.

Recent use of consumer and personal care products and exposures to select endocrine disrupting chemicals among urban children with asthma.

Emerging studies suggest that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in personal care and other consumer products are linked with various adverse health effects, including respiratory and reproductive effects. Despite Black persons using more personal care products than other demographic groups and having a high asthma burden, little is known regarding their consumer product use patterns and associated EDC exposures. To examine the association between recent exposure to select EDCs with specific consumer products and behaviors in a cohort of 110 predominantly Black children with asthma, ages 8-17 years, living in Baltimore City, Maryland. We quantified concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F, two dichlorophenols, four parabens, triclosan, benzophenone-3, and triclocarban in spot urine samples. Questionnaires were used to capture recent (last 24-h) consumer product use and behaviors. Associations between EDCs and consumer product uses/behaviors were assessed using multivariable linear regression, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and caregiver income level. Effect estimates were expressed as geometric mean ratios of biomarker concentrations of product-users vs non-users. Increased concentrations to select EDCs were associated with recent use of air freshener (ratios; BPA: 1.9, 95%CI 1.4-2; BPS 1.7, 95%CI 1-2.97; propyl paraben: 3.0, 95%CI 1.6-5.6), scented candles (methyl paraben: 2.6, 95%CI 1.1-6.1), and scented carpet powder (2,5-dichlorophenol: 2.8, 95%CI 1.2-6.3). Additionally, consuming canned food was associated with some increased biomarker concentrations (ratios: BPA: 1.7, 95%CI 1.2-2.4; BPS: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2-3.6). These findings add to the body of evidence suggesting that recent use of select consumer products in Black children contributes to exposure of chemicals of concern and could potentially inform exposure mitigation interventions. Findings have broad potential health implications for pediatric populations and Black children who may face exposure and health disparities. Little is known about how children's personal care product use and consumer behaviors affect their exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This is particularly true for Black children who often experience a disparate exposure burden to many EDCs. This is a significant knowledge gap among children that are uniquely vulnerable to EDCs as they undergo critical windows of growth and development. Our findings show associations between consumer products and EDC exposures in predominantly Black children in low-income settings. Identifying EDC exposure determinants has broad health implications as many of these chemicals have been associated with adverse health risks.

Frequency of personal care product use among reproductive-aged Black individuals and associations with socio-demographic characteristics

BackgroundCompared to White women, Black women in the United States are more likely to use personal care products (PCPs) with higher concentrations of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and harsher chemical formulations. This may contribute to differential health outcomes in Black women such as increased risk of breast cancer, cardiometabolic outcomes, adverse birth outcomes, and uterine fibroids.ObjectiveClassify distinct PCP use patterns across multiple types of products and examine how patterns vary by socio-demographic characteristics.MethodsThe Study of Environment, Lifestyle and Fibroids is a cohort study of reproductive-aged Black individuals living around Detroit, Michigan. Using self-reported data on frequency of PCP collected between 2013–2018, we employed latent class analysis to identify distinct groups of participants with similar PCP use. Socio-demographic characteristics were compared across latent classes.ResultsAmong 1562 participants, we identified 6 latent classes: Lower Overall; Higher Nailcare; Higher Skincare; Moderate Overall; Higher Makeup/Haircare/Skincare; Higher Overall. Makeup and nailcare usage were the most predictive for classifying participants into groups. Participants in classes with less frequent use of all PCPs and those with only high use of nailcare products, were more likely to report lower socio-economic status (SES), be current smokers, have a body mass index of ≥35 kg/m2, and have ≥3 births. In comparison, participants in classes with average and more frequent use of PCPs were more likely to report higher SES, be non-smokers, be nulliparous, and have ever used oral contraceptives.Impact statementThis study is one of the first detailed assessments of PCP usage among a large cohort of young adult Black women that considers multiple product categories including makeup, hair, skin, nail, and vaginal products. Latent class analysis was used to capture complex patterns of PCP use and identify distinct groups of individuals with similar product use. Although the latent classes are specific to this study population, the identified socio-demographic characteristics or behaviors associated with latent classes may inform targeted and impactful exposure reduction strategies in similar populations.

#2550 Micro(nano)plastics in human urine: a surprising contrast between Chongqing's urban and rural regions

Abstract Background and Aims Microplastics (100 nm-5 mm) and nanoplastics (<100 nm) collectively referred to as micro(nano)plastics (MNPs), which are emerging pollutants all over the world. Environmental differences affect its distribution. The content of MNPs differs between urban and rural environments, according to previous studies. Method To understand the actual situation of human exposure to MNPs in various environments, this study collected 12 urine samples from volunteers in urban and rural regions of Chongqing and used pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and laser direct infrared spectroscopy (LDIR) to detect and analyze MNPs in urine. Results With an average abundance of 1.50 (2.31) mg/kg, MNPs were found in 9 samples by Py-GC/MS. Polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyamide 66 (PA66), three different types of MNPs were found, with PE content being the highest among them. By using LDIR, MNPs were found in 7 samples, with an average abundance of 15.17 (23.13) particles/kg. Five different types of MNPs were found, with acrylates (ACR) being the main type, followed by polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Conclusion The findings demonstrated that urban region had much greater levels and more types of MNPs in human urine than rural. Additionally, regular contact with plastic toys and the use of personal care products are linked to the presence of MNPs. The influence of environmental factors on the actual exposure of the human body to MNPs was preliminary explored in this study, and two different methods were used for the first time to simultaneously detect and analyze MNPs in human urine. This allowed for the feasibility of comprehensively and effectively quantitatively analyzing the actual exposure of the human body to MNPs, and also provided the theoretical foundation for further research on the harm of MNPs to human health in different environments.

Risk perception and use of personal care products by race and ethnicity among a diverse population.

Personal care products can contain phthalates, parabens and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals. However, information on perception of risks from personal care product use and how use varies by race and ethnicity is limited. We evaluated differences in personal care product use and risk perception in a diverse sample of participants recruited from a US college campus and online. A self-administered questionnaire captured information on sociodemographic factors, personal care product use trends and perception of risk associated with them. Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to determine differences in personal care product use and risk perception by race and ethnicity. Ordered logistic regressions were performed to measure associations between personal care product use frequency across racial/ethnic categories. Participant (n = 770) mean age was 22.8 years [standard deviation ± 6.0]. Daily use of make-up (eye = 29.3%; other = 38.0%; all = 33.7%) and skincare products (55%) was most frequently reported among Middle Eastern and North African participants. Non-Hispanic Black participants reported the highest daily use of hairstyling products (52%) and lotion (78%). Daily make-up use was more frequently reported among females (41%) than males (24.6%). Levels of agreement were similar across racial and ethnic groups, that personal care product manufacturers should be required to list all ingredients (≥87%). There were significant associations between the frequency of use of some personal care products and racial/ethnic categories when the use frequencies of participants from other racial/ethnic categories were compared to the use frequency of non-Hispanic White participants. There were significant differences in daily use frequency, levels of trust, perception of safety and health risks associated with personal care products by race and ethnicity, underscoring that there may be different sources of exposure to chemicals in personal care products by race and ethnicity.

Concentrations of Volatile Methyl Siloxanes in New York City Reflect Emissions from Personal Care and Industrial Use.

Volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS) are a group of organosilicon compounds of interest because of their potential health effects, their ability to form secondary organic aerosols, and their use as tracer compounds. VMS are emitted in the gas-phase from using consumer and personal care products, including deodorants, lotions, and hair conditioners. Because of this emission route, airborne concentrations are expected to increase with population density, although there are few studies in large urban centers. Here, we report summertime concentrations and daily variations of VMS congeners measured in New York City. Median concentrations of the 6 studied congeners, D3 (20 ng m-3), D4 (57 ng m-3), D5 (230 ng m-3), D6 (11 ng m-3), L5 (2.5 ng m-3), and L7 (1.3 ng m-3) are among the highest reported outdoor concentrations in the literature to date. Average congener ratios of D5:D4 and D5:D6 were consistent with previously reported emissions ratios, suggesting that concentrations were dominated by local emissions. Measured concentrations agree with previously published results from a Community Multiscale Air Quality model and support commonly accepted emissions rates for D4, D5, and D6 of 32.8, 135, and 6.1 mg per capita per day. Concentrations of D4, D5, D6, L5, and L7 and total VMS were significantly lower during the day than during the night, consistent with daytime oxidation reactivity. Concentrations of D3 did not show the same diurnal trend but exhibited a strong directional dependence, suggesting that it may be emitted by industrial point sources in the area rather than personal care product use. Concentrations of all congeners had large temporal variations but showed relatively weak relationships with wind speed, temperature, and mixing height.

Contamination of ultraviolet absorbers in food: toxicity, analytical methods, occurrence and risk assessments.

Ultraviolet (UV) absorbers are chemical substances that are widely used as defenses against the damaging effects of solar radiations. UV absorbers, despite their benefits, are categorized as emerging pollutants because they have been demonstrated to be mutagenic, toxic, pseudo-persistent, bio-accumulative, and to have strong estrogenic effects. Because of their common use in personal care products, they continue to enter the environment. Several food samples, particularly those derived from aquatic sources, have been found to be contaminated with these compounds. Toxic effects on aquatic life, such as metabolic imbalance and developmental toxicity, result from the continued presence of UV absorbers in aquatic bodies. In addition, the degree of exposure to these pollutants in foods should be examined because there are certain risks associated with their consumption by humans. Therefore, this review focuses on the toxicity, analytical techniques, occurrence, and risk assessments of UV absorbers found in food.

Wastewater treatment from a science faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic by using ammonium-oxidising and heterotrophic bacteria

During and after the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the use of personal care products and disinfectants increased in universities worldwide. Among these, quaternary ammonium-based products stand out; these compounds and their intermediates caused substantial changes in the chemical composition of the wastewater produced by these institutions. For this reason, improvements and environmentally sustainable biological alternatives were introduced in the existing treatment systems so that these institutions could continue their research and teaching activities. For this reason, the objective of this study was to develop an improved culture medium to cultivate ammonium oxidising bacteria (AOB) to increase the biomass and use them in the treatment of wastewater produced in a faculty of sciences in Bogotá, D.C., Colombia. A Plackett Burman Experimental Design (PBED) and growth curves served for oligotrophic culture medium, and production conditions improved for the AOB. Finally, these bacteria were used with total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) for wastewater treatment in a pilot plant. Modification of base ammonium broth and culture conditions (6607 mg L−1 of (NH4)2SO4, 84 mg L−1 CaCO3, 40 mg L−1 MgSO4·7H2O, 40 mg L−1 CaCl2·2H2O and 200 mg L−1 KH2PO4, 10% (w/v) inoculum, no copper addition, pH 7.0 ± 0.2, 200 r.p.m., 30 days) favoured the growth of Nitrosomonas europea, Nitrosococcus oceani, and Nitrosospira multiformis with values of 8.23 ± 1.9, 7.56 ± 0.7 and 4.2 ± 0.4 Log10 CFU mL−1, respectively. NO2− production was 0.396 ± 0.0264, 0.247 ± 0.013 and 0.185 ± 0.003 mg L−1 for Nitrosomonas europea, Nitrosococcus oceani and Nitrosospira multiformis. After the 5-day wastewater treatment (WW) by co-inoculating the three studied bacteria in the wastewater (with their self-microorganisms), the concentrations of AOB and THB were 5.92 and 9.3 Log10 CFU mL−1, respectively. These values were related to the oxidative decrease of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), (39.5 mg L−1), Ammonium ion (NH4+), (6.5 mg L−1) Nitrite (NO2−), (2.0 mg L−1) and Nitrate (NO3−), (1.5 mg L−1), respectively in the five days of treatment. It was concluded, with the improvement of a culture medium and production conditions for three AOB through biotechnological strategies at the laboratory scale, being a promising alternative to bio-augment of the biomass of the studied bacteria under controlled conditions that allow the aerobic removal of COD and nitrogen cycle intermediates present in the studied wastewater.

Development of a novel hybrid POSS nanocomposite for the detection of parabens in environmental samples

The daily use of personal care products exposes us to various chemicals, including parabens. Parabens are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics due to their strong antimicrobial properties. Excessive exposure to parabens from multiple products can have negative side effects on human health. Additionally, it poses a significant environmental concern as high concentrations of parabens have been found in environmental samples, leading to pollution and toxicity in aquatic species through indirect exposure. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the presence of parabens in cosmetics and water samples. In this study, an electrochemical sensor was developed using a hybrid nanocomposite composed of vinyl functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (V-POSS) embedded multi-layer graphene (MLG). The combination of these materials resulted in excellent charge transferability and conductivity, making them suitable for the sensor. The nanocomposite was characterized using various techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), water contact angle measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical characterization of the V-POSS: MLG nano-interfacing element demonstrated a detection limit (S/N:3) of 0.29 nM for methylparaben (MP), 0.11 nM for ethylparaben (EP) and 0.2 nM for propylparaben (PP). Finally, the sensor was successfully applied to the analysis of cosmetics and water samples, showing good recovery rates (95–110 %) with minimal interference.

Construction of bismuth based MOF for efficient removal of sodium diclofenac via adsorption and photocatalysis

The mass production and widespread use of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) have posed a serious threat to the water environment and public health. In this work, a green metal-based Metal Organic Framework (MOF) Bi-NH2-BDC was prepared and characterized, and the adsorption characteristics of Bi-NH2-BDC were investigated with typical PPCPs—diclofenac sodium (DCF). It was found that DCF mainly covered the adsorbent surface as a single molecular layer, the adsorption reaction was a spontaneous, entropy-increasing exothermic process and the adsorption mechanisms between Bi-NH2-BDC and DCF were hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions and electrostatic interactions. In addition, Bi-NH2-BDC also had considerable photocatalytic properties, and its application in adsorbent desorption treatment effectively solved the problem of secondary pollution, achieving a green and sustainable adsorption desorption cycle.

Current strategies on bioremediation of personal care products and detergents: Sustainability and life cycle assessment

The increased use of personal care products and detergents in modern society has raised concerns about their potential adverse effects on the environment. These products contain various chemical compounds that can persist in water bodies, leading to water pollution and ecological disturbances. Bioremediation has emerged as a promising approach to address these challenges, utilizing the natural capabilities of microorganisms to degrade or remove these contaminants. This review examines the current strategies employed in the bioremediation of personal care products and detergents, with a specific focus on their sustainability and environmental impact. This bioremediation is essential for environmental rejuvenation, as it uses living organisms to detergents and other daily used products. Its distinctiveness stems from sustainable, nature-centric ways that provide eco-friendly solutions for pollution eradication and nurturing a healthy planet, all while avoiding copying. Explores the use of microbial consortia, enzyme-based treatments, and novel biotechnological approaches in the context of environmental remediation. Additionally, the ecological implications and long-term sustainability of these strategies are assessed. Understanding the strengths and limitations of these bioremediation techniques is essential for developing effective and environmentally friendly solutions to mitigate the impact of personal care products and detergents on ecosystems.

Associations of concentrations of eight urinary phthalate metabolites with the frequency of use of common adult consumer and personal-care products

This study analyzed the relationship between urine concentrations of phthalate metabolites (UCOM) and personal care products (PCPs) used in adults and examined the change in UCOM according to the usage frequency of PCPs based on raw data from the 3rd Korean National Environmental Health Survey conducted between 2015 and 2017. The relationship between PCP use frequency and UCOM was analyzed using multiple regression analysis, adjusting for baseline factors. The regression model consisted of a Crude Model with log-transformed UCOM before and after adjustment for urine creatinine concentrations. Model 1 was additionally adjusted for age, sex, and obesity, while Model 2 was additionally adjusted for smoking, alcohol consumption, pregnancy history, average monthly income of the household, and PCP exposure within the past 2 days. PCP usage frequency was significantly associated with the UCOM without adjustment for urine creatinine and correlated with demographic characteristics, urine creatinine concentration, and PCP exposure within the past 2 days. This study on exposure to urinary phthalates will play a crucial role in Korean public health by aligning with the fundamentals of research priorities and providing representative data on phthalate exposure for conducting population-level studies.

Influence of Biochar on Plant Uptake of Personal Care Products: Caffeine and Triclosan

The use of personal care products (PCPs) extends a person's longevity. Nonetheless, because of its uncontrolled burden on the environment, it is regarded as an emerging contaminant. The goal of this research is to determine the influence of cinnamon wood biochar (CWBC) on plant uptake of caffeine (CFN) and triclosan (TRI) from the soil. Ipomeoa aquatica was cultivated for 4 weeks in soil with a 2.5% CWBC amendment and spiked with 100 mg/kg CFN and 200 mg/kg TRI. Ultra- High-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) was used to quantify the CFN and TRI in the plant. The surface morphology of CWBC was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area. The gasification of biomass which increased the CWBC's surface area to 589 m2/g, due to the development of a porous structure. The CFN accumulated more in the shoot of the plant whereas TRI accumulated in the root. The addition of 2.5% CWBC significantly (p<0.05) decreased the root and shoot accumulation of CFN by 40.4% and 70.9%, whilst those for TRI by 38.9% and 19.9%, respectively. The relative bioconcentration factors (RBF) of CFN and TRI in shoot and root was calculated by the ratio of bioconcentration factor (BCF) using RBF=〖BCF(CWBC amended soil)⁄〖BCF_soil and the results suggested that the addition of 2.5% CWBC decrease the RBF below the one indicating the effectiveness of CWBC towards mitigating the plant uptake of PCPs. Overall, the present study suggested the application of biochar to soil significantly decreased the plant uptake of PCPs, thus, can reduce the potential risk caused by the unintentional consumption of contaminated vegetables. 
 Keywords: Personal Care Products, Soil amendment, Health risk, Plant uptake