Pollution Issues Research Articles

Fully Biodegradable Packaging Films for Fresh Food Storage Based on Oil-Infused Bacterial Cellulose.

Fully biodegradable packaging materials are demanded to resolve the issue of plastic pollution. However, the fresh food storage performance of biodegradable materials is generally much lower than that of plastics due to their high permeability, microbial friendliness, and limited stretchability and transparency. Here a biodegradable packaging material is reported with high fresh food storage performance based on an oil-infused bacterial cellulose (OBC) porous film. The oil infusion significantly improved cellulose's food-keeping performance by reducing its gas permeability, increasing its stretchability and transparency, and enabling the active release of green vapor-phase preservative molecules, while maintaining its intrinsically high degradability. Strawberries stored in a container with the OBC lid at 23°C after 5 days exhibited a moldy rate of 0%, in contrast to the 100% moldy rate of those stored by poly(ethylene). Enhanced storage performance is also obtained on tomatoes, pork, and shrimp. The OBC film is naturally degraded after being buried in wet soil at 30°C for 9 days, identical to the degradation rate of bacterial cellulose. The liquid seal strategy broadly applies to different celluloses, providing a general option for developing cellulose-based biodegradable packaging materials.

Characteristics and health implications of fine particulate matter near urban road site in Islamabad, Pakistan

The escalating issue of air pollution has become a significant concern in urban regions, including Islamabad, Pakistan, due to the rise in air pollutant emissions driven by economic and industrial expansion. To gain a deeper understanding of air pollution, a study was conducted during winter 2022–2023, assessing physical, chemical, and biological factors in Islamabad. The findings revealed that the average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was notably greater than the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, reaching 133.39 μg/m³. Additionally, the average concentration of bacteria (308.64 CFU/m³) was notably greater than that of fungi (203.55 CFU/m³) throughout the study. Analytical analyses, including SEM-EDS and FTIR, showed that the PM2.5 in Islamabad is composed of various particles such as soot aggregates, coal fly ash, minerals, bio-particles, and some unidentified particles. EF analysis distinguished PM2.5 sources, enhancing understanding of pollutants origin, whereas Spearman's correlation analysis elucidated constituent interactions, further explaining air quality impact. The results from the Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) indicated a gradual increase in the total elemental composition of PM2.5 from autumn to winter, maintaining high levels throughout the winter season. Furthermore, a significant variation was found in the mass concentration of PM2.5 when comparing samples collected in the morning and evening. The study also identified the presence of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in PM2.5 samples, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phenolic compounds, with notable variations in their concentrations. Utilizing health risk assessment models developed by the US EPA, we estimated the potential health risks associated with PM2.5 exposure, highlighting the urgency of addressing air quality issues. These findings provide valuable insights into the sources and composition of PM2.5 in Islamabad, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of air quality and its potential environmental and health implications.

Functional bio-foam filters: An effective barrier for microplastic and other emerging pollutant containment

This research focuses on designing functional biopolymer-based foam filter comprising composites of biopolymers, chitosan (CS), and Agar (Ar), in an optimized ratio. These filters are further enhanced by incorporating Al and Zr oxide/oxyhydroxide functional-composites (AZ-FCs) as fillers, with an optimized concentration for improved performance. Comprehensive characterization of the filters' physicochemical properties and structural mechanisms is conducted using advanced analytical techniques, including FE-SEM, XRD, IR, XPS, and Zeta potential analysis. Furthermore, the adsorption behaviour of the bio matrix filters is investigated for emerging pollutants, namely Ciprofloxacin (Cf), Paracetamol (Pr), and Fluoride (F−), wherein the optimized AC (0.5AZ) filter demonstrates exceptional adsorption capacities with maximum values of 308.38 mg g⁻1 for Cf, 67.58 mg g⁻1 for Pr, and 81.3 mg g⁻1 for F−, respectively. The practical applicability of the AC (0.5AZ) filters is evaluated in a continuous flow filtration system operating at 1 bar pressure for large-scale removal of these contaminants. The filters exhibit an impressive flux rate of approximately 618 ± 12 L m⁻2 h⁻1, indicating high filtration efficiency and suitability for high-volume applications. Furthermore, the AC (0.5AZ) filters are also assessed for the removal of microplastics (MPs) of varying sizes within the same filtration module, where they have achieved a rejection rate of around 92%, demonstrating their effectiveness in addressing the pressing issue of micro-plastic pollution.

Structure optimization of ceramic-based metal−organic framework membrane for efficient desalination

To address global water pollution and crisis issue, wastewater recycling, seawater and brackish water desalination have been increasingly utilized to produce clean water. Ceramic membranes have been gaining widespread interest due to their unique physicochemical properties and high stability. Integrating nanoporous MOF (metal organic framework) with ceramic membranes could enable a rational design of ceramic-based MOF membranes with enhance sieving performance. Herein, we report an in-situ method to construct an inter-crystalline defect-free MOF layer on ZrO2 ceramic membranes for efficient desalination application. After optimizing synthesis parameters, an inter-crystalline defect-free and well-intergrown ceramic-based MOF membrane was obtained. The ceramic-based MOF membranes not only demonstrated a near-complete salt rejection, but also exhibited high water flux, which are superior to most of the reported zeolite and MOF membranes. In addition, the MOF membranes exhibited promising performance and structure stability even when exposed to harsh water environments. Our work introduces a protocol for the design of high-performance ceramic-based MOF membrane as a promising candidate for challenging desalination applications under different environments.

Neutrality and impartiality in Midwestern U.S. newspapers: community-oriented newspaper journalists reporting of environmental water problems in agricultural and ranching states

ABSTRACT Background U.S. journalists embedded in rural and agricultural communities could adversely affect the health of residents if they avoid alerting and engaging their readers – farmers, ranchers, and community members – on environmental and health issues. We expected reporters would maintain community status quo and inaction by framing local water pollution and quality issues neutrally deemphasizing threats and solutions to maintain their own credibility as unbiased informational sources. Method In a content analysis of local water quality newspaper articles from five farming and cattle ranching states in the west central U.S. Midwest, we employed seven variables to investigate whether journalists practiced neutral, detached forms of journalism (i.e. dissemination versus interpretative role enactment, government-frame) as well as whether they deemphasized water pollution as a concerning issue (i.e. problem, threat), water pollution solutions, and readers’ efficaciousness. Results The results showed these journalists relied heavily on government-driven narratives presenting water quality issues from an impartial, straight reporting lens in which they primarily followed the journalistic dissemination role enactment, while neglecting to provide readers with interpretative, threat, efficacy, or solution’s information. Conclusions The study seeks to help communicators understand the information diet people living in this part of the country likely receive on environmental and health risks in the context of water pollution. Communicators seeking to reach and affect audiences in this region should understand local information practices to navigate how to craft culturally specific public health messages.

Pembuatan Alat Pengolahan Limbah Tekstil di Kecamatan IV Nagari Bayang Utara Painan, Pesisir Selatan

Batik Jembatan Akar Small and Medium Industry (IKM) endeavors to produce Root Bridge batik fabric, which is a defining feature of the IV Nagari Bayang Utara sub-district. In its production process, IKM Batik Jembatan Akar still relies on rudimentary and traditional equipment and lacks the means to handle textile waste, leading to its disposal in nearby ditches. While the current waste output may not be significant, its continuation poses a threat to the local environment. Insufficient awareness of the environmental impact of textile waste can result in environmental pollution issues and disrupt community harmony around IKM Jembatan Akar. Additionally, IKM Batik Jembatan Akar struggles to stimulate consumer interest in traditional batik amidst the abundance of low-priced printed alternatives. The limited demand for production means that this SME has yet to invest in technology and waste processing equipment for its batik cloth production. Politeknik ATI Padang Community Service initiative seeks to educate all IKM Batik Jembatan Akar employees on the importance of waste processing and online marketing strategies, while providing training on donated textile waste processing equipment to enhance sales value and mitigate environmental harm. The approaches employed in this community service endeavor include (1) comprehensive activity planning, encompassing location surveys, production assessments, and inventory checks; (2) the fabrication and testing of waste processing machinery; (3) educational workshops covering waste management in batik production and its environmental implications, alongside practical training in equipment usage; (4) evaluation of activity outcomes. The outcomes of this Community Service initiative include the provision of textile waste processing equipment and a heightened awareness of environmental conservation, facilitating the integration of waste processing equipment into batik production at IKM Batik Jembatan Akar.

In Vivo Tissue Distribution of Polystyrene or Mixed Polymer Microspheres and Metabolomic Analysis after Oral Exposure in Mice.

Global plastic use has consistently increased over the past century with several different types of plastics now being produced. Much of these plastics end up in oceans or landfills leading to a substantial accumulation of plastics in the environment. Plastic debris slowly degrades into microplastics (MPs) that can ultimately be inhaled or ingested by both animals and humans. A growing body of evidence indicates that MPs can cross the gut barrier and enter into the lymphatic and systemic circulation leading to accumulation in tissues such as the lungs, liver, kidney, and brain. The impacts of mixed MPs exposure on tissue function through metabolism remains largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate the impacts of polymer microspheres on tissue metabolism in mice by assessing the microspheres ability to translocate across the gut barrier and enter into systemic circulation. Specifically, we wanted to examine microsphere accumulation in different organ systems, identify concentration-dependent metabolic changes, and evaluate the effects of mixed microsphere exposures on health outcomes. To investigate the impact of ingested microspheres on target metabolic pathways, mice were exposed to either polystyrene () microspheres or a mixture of polymer microspheres consisting of polystyrene (), polyethylene (), and the biodegradability and biocompatible plastic, poly-(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (). Exposures were performed twice a week for 4 weeks at a concentration of either 0, 2, or via oral gastric gavage. Tissues were collected to examine microsphere ingress and changes in metabolites. In mice that ingested microspheres, we detected polystyrene microspheres in distant tissues including the brain, liver, and kidney. Additionally, we report on the metabolic differences that occurred in the colon, liver, and brain, which showed differential responses that were dependent on concentration and type of microsphere exposure. This study uses a mouse model to provide critical insight into the potential health implications of the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. These findings demonstrate that orally consumed polystyrene or mixed polymer microspheres can accumulate in tissues such as the brain, liver, and kidney. Furthermore, this study highlights concentration-dependent and polymer type-specific metabolic changes in the colon, liver, and brain after plastic microsphere exposure. These results underline the mobility within and between biological tissues of MPs after exposure and emphasize the importance of understanding their metabolic impact. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13435.

Enhanced photocatalytic activities of LaCoO3 perovskite nanostructures for degrading cationic and anionic dyes

Sustainable and cost-effective technologies are crucial for addressing environmental pollution issues. Perovskite photocatalysts have gained increased attention as a potential solution which could be accounted to their tuneable structural characteristics, flexible bandgap, and superior catalytic properties. In this study, we synthesized Lanthanum Cobaltite (LaCoO3) perovskite nanostructures via co-precipitation for photocatalytic purposes. Morphological analysis revealed LaCoO3 nanoparticles with an average size of ∼33 nm whose crystalline characteristics were investigated as a function of annealing temperatures. We found that the pure and crystalline LaCoO3 phase formed after the post-annealing process at 600°C. Photocatalytic studies showed that the degradation potential of LaCoO3 was significantly improved when hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was added as co-catalyst system. We achieved degradation efficiencies of up to 91% and 85% for MB and methyl orange (MO), respectively. LaCoO3/H2O2 exhibited excellent photocatalytic potential for degrading both anionic and cationic organic dyes for environmental remediation applications.

A novel IFN-CSM-CoCoSo approach for multiple-attribute group decision-making with intuitionistic fuzzy sets: An application in assessing corporate social responsibility performance

With the rapid growth of the economy, enterprises have encountered a series of problems while pursuing economic benefits, such as food safety and environmental pollution issues, resource shortages and energy consumption issues, which affect the sustainable development of enterprises. Establishing a corporate performance evaluation system from the perspective of social responsibility, based on stakeholder theory and the importance of overall goals reflected in the weight of social responsibility indicators, is a very effective measure to achieve corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals through CSR motivation and stakeholders. The performance evaluation of CSR from the perspective of environmental accounting is a MAGDM. Recently, the CoCoSo technique and cosine similarity measure (CSM) technique was utilized to conduct the MAGDM. The intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) are utilized as a technique for conducting uncertain information during the performance evaluation of CSR from the perspective of environmental accounting. In this study, the intuitionistic fuzzy CoCoSo based on the CSM (IFN-CSM-CoCoSo) technique is built for MAGDM with IFSs. Finally, a numerical example for performance evaluation of CSR from the perspective of environmental accounting is conducted to verify the IFN-CSM-CoCoSo technique.

“Light battery” role of long afterglow phosphor for round-the-clock environmental photocatalysis

Owing to its convenient, sustainable and green process, photocatalysis has become a feasible technique for solving environmental pollution issues. So far, significant achievements have been realized in photocatalytic pollutant elimination. Nevertheless, photocatalytic processes require a continuous external light illumination to drive photoredox reactions, seriously prohibiting their applications in darkness. In this context, exploring a photocatalyst with reliable photocatalytic activity in dark condition is therefore highly meaningful and an ultimate target of photocatalysis technique. Recently, long afterglow phosphor has aroused great attention due to its “light battery” role for driving catalytic reactions in dark conditions. To be specific, long-afterglow phosphor or long-afterglow phosphor/semiconductor composite can be used as a photocatalyst to simultaneously promote the photoredox processes and store extra photoexcited charges in the trapping states upon light irradiation. When the light illumination terminates, a gradual release of the charges from trapping states occurs in long-afterglow phosphor, which can continuously spur photoredox reactions under the dark environment and even maintains the photocatalysis around the clock. In this work, we comprehensively reviewed the recent advances of long afterglow phosphor based round-the-clock photocatalysts in environmental pollutant elimination. Meanwhile, the inherent mechanism of long afterglow photocatalysis was discussed in depth. More importantly, the relationship between the improved long afterglow photocatalytic capability and the engineering of long afterglow system is correlated systematically. Finally, the ongoing challenges and future prospects for the mass production and commercial utilization of round-the-clock photocatalysts are analyzed and outlooked.

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE STRATEGY: NEW APPROACHES TO COMPETITIVE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The energy independence impact on the competitive and sustainable development of the country has been researched in the article. Key challenges and problems related to maintaining the stability and the energy system efficiency are identified, including insufficient generation facilities capacity, dependence on energy imports, and environmental pollution issues. Energy problems have been examined at the individual, household, and national levels, as well as their interrelation. Attention has been paid to the fact that the issues in the country’s energy system affect the quality and reliability of energy supply to the population, limiting their freedom of choice and interaction with energy management systems. Dependence on energy imports complicates the country’s energy situation and puts it in a vulnerable position in the global energy market. The development trends of crude oil market have been considered, its production in different regions of the world was analyzed, as well as the role of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (hereinafter – OPEC) in regulating the prices and volumes of the oil market. In connection with the increase in world needs for energy resources, there is an increase in oil production, particularly, in 2022, a historical record for the production of this resource has been observed. This is by 1.6% higher than in 2021. The leaders in terms of crude oil production are primarily the countries of the Middle East, where the production of this resource in 2022 increased by 13%, in particular at the expense of countries such as Saudi Arabia (16%), United Arab Emirates (15%), Kuwait (8.1%) and Iran (5.9%). Information about the largest oil producers and their contribution to the overall extraction volume has been provided. Attention is paid to the problems of oligopoly in the world oil market, noting the significant influence of several large companies and exporting countries on this market. The first place in terms of crude oil production in the world is occupied by the USA – 762 Mt, the second – Saudi Arabia – 601 Mt, the third – russia (539 Mt), significant volumes of oil are also produced in such countries as Canada, Iraq, China, United Arab Emirates (hereinafter – UAE), Iran, Brazil, Kuwait, Mexico and Norway. Attention is focused on the challenges of oligopoly in the global oil market, noting the significant influence of several major companies and exporting countries on this market. Attention has been drawn to the difficulties of unmonopolization of the energy market because of the peculiarities of the natural resources’ placement and existing technological and economic developments. It has been proven that the development of a competitive environment and the increase in energy independence and security are strategic tasks necessary for sustainable economic development. The achieving competitive and sustainable development of countries economy possibilities through the alternative energy sources use and the energy cooperatives creation have been justified, which will contribute in providing access to sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly energy, thereby promoting the development of local communities and competitive and resilient development of socio-economic systems. Suggestions are made for the development of alternative energy sources and energy-efficient technologies as key directions of the strategy for energy independence. The necessity of innovative solutions and international cooperation has been emphasized to ensure energy security and stimulate sustainable economic growth of Ukraine.

Photocatalytic dye degradation by synergistically Cu LSPR and Schottky barrier enhanced Cu/g[sbnd]C3N4

The issue of water pollution has emerged as a formidable challenge, prompting a pressing need for solutions. The utilization of metal nanoparticles with surface plasmon resonance and semiconductor composite photocatalysts is regarded as a highly effective approach to solve this problem. gC3N4 is an effective catalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants. Its photocatalytic performance could be enhanced by the use of the metal such as Au, Ag, and Cu. However, the Schottky barrier is generally believed to be the reason that Cu can enhances the photocatalytic performance of gC3N4. In fact, the plasmonic of Cu will also have an effect on the photocatalytic effect of gC3N4, like Au and Ag. In this study, it is first proposed that the photocatalytic performance of gC3N4 can be enhanced by combining the plasmonic of Cu and the Schottky barrier. Cug/C3N4 nanocomposites with stable crystal structure, with Cu as the core and gC3N4 as surface coating, were synthesized and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Xray diffractometer (XRD) and ultravioletvisible spectroscopy (UVVis) and Xray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Then, it is optimized that the Cu/gC3N4 composite material which were prepared with 200 nm Cu particles, GSH as the ligand bridge, and a Cu: gC3N4 ratio of 5:1, have the best photocatalytic property, which is 16.7 times of the photocatalytic property of gC3N4. Besides, the transfer efficiency of hot electrons of 33% (from Cu to gC3N4) under the influence of the Schottky barrier (0.58 eV) is calculated theoretically. On this basis, the mechanism of Cu nanoparticles enhancing the photocatalytic performance of gC3N4 was also been proved through the calculation result and transient photocurrent spectroscopy (TPC), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and steadystate transient fluorescence spectroscopy (PL) characterization. The excellent photocatalytic performance of the Cu/gC3N4 composites is due to the simultaneous influence of Schottky barrier and LSPR of Cu.

Nanoplastic toxicity induces metabolic shifts in Populus × euramericana cv. '74/76' revealed by multi-omics analysis

There is increasing global concern regarding the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. We investigated the response of Populus × euramericana cv. ‘74/76’ to nanoplastic toxicity via phenotypic, microanatomical, physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic approaches. Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) were distributed throughout the test plants after the application of PS-NPs. Nanoplastics principally accumulated in the roots; minimal fractions were translocated to the leaves. In leaves, however, PS-NPs easily penetrated membranes and became concentrated in chloroplasts, causing thylakoid disintegration and chlorophyll degradation. Finally, oxidant damage from the influx of PS-NPs led to diminished photosynthesis, stunted growth, and etiolation and/or wilting. By integrating dual-omics data, we found that plants could counteract mild PS-NP-induced oxidative stress through the antioxidant enzyme system without initiating secondary metabolic defense mechanisms. In contrast, severe PS-NP treatments promoted a shift in metabolic pattern from primary metabolism to secondary metabolic defense mechanisms, an effect that was particularly pronounced during the upregulation of flavonoid biosynthesis. Our findings provide a useful framework from which to further clarify the roles of key biochemical pathways in plant responses to nanoplastic toxicity. Our work also supports the development of effective strategies to mitigate the environmental risks of nanoplastics by biologically immobilizing them in contaminated lands.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND GREENWASHING: AN ANALYSIS OF SUFFICIENT CONSUMPTION IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY

The article examines how the fashion industry has been exploiting marketing tactics that encourage overconsumption and generate a mass consciousness among consumers, where a person's social status is determined by the clothes and accessories they use. However, these tactics have contributed significantly to global environmental pollution and socio-economic issues. The fashion industry has been driven by profit-first interests that rely on cheap materials, accelerated aging of products, aggressive advertising, and an offshoring strategy that provides cheap labor and low tax rates. It is high time that companies reassess their marketing strategies and focus on sustainable development. The current climate crisis demands that companies make informed decisions and take proactive measures toward sustainability. This article revealed the impact of fast fashion marketing on consumer behavior and the environment, highlighting the need for sustainable fashion practices. The article analyzes the initiatives fashion companies take to incorporate sustainability into their core business strategies, for instance, innovative raw materials, recycling, and repair services. The article examines the practice of greenwashing, where companies make false or exaggerated claims about their environmental efforts to appear more sustainable. The article emphasizes the need for companies to encourage consumers to sufficient consumption to stay sustainable and achieve zero emissions to solve climate problems. Achieving and maintaining consumer well-being and social equity are critical goals in today's global business environment. One strategy for achieving these goals is through sufficient consumption, which involves optimizing resource use and reducing waste. Sufficient consumption can be realized by revaluing personal needs and desires, limiting excessive consumption, and minimizing waste. By adopting a mindful and responsible approach to consumption, consumers and companies can promote social equity and cultivate a sustainable business environment.

Optimized Design for Vibration Reduction in a Residual Film Recovery Machine Frame Based on Modal Analysis

The technology of plastic film mulching is widely applied in Xinjiang, but it also brings about serious issues of residual film pollution. Currently, the 1MSF-2.0 residual film recovery machine can effectively address the problem. However, it faces challenges such as high overall machine weight and noticeable frame vibrations, which affect the stability of the entire machine operation. The frame, as the installation foundation, needs to bear loads and impact. Therefore, the reliability of the frame is crucial for the stability of the entire machine. Improving the frame’s vibration is of great importance. In response to the significant vibration issues during the operation of the 1MSF-2.0 residual film recovery machine, this paper utilized Workbench 2020 R2 to establish a finite element model of the machine frame and conducted static analysis to obtain strength information, thereby initially understanding the optimization space of the frame. Building upon this, Mechanical was employed to solve the first 14 natural frequencies and mode shapes of the frame, and the accuracy of the theoretical analysis was verified through modal testing. After analyzing the frequency characteristics of external excitation forces, it was found that the fourth-order natural frequency of the frame fell within the frequency range of the excitation force of the shaft of the straw grinder, causing resonance in the frame and necessitating structural optimization. The optimal results indicated that the optimized frame increased in mass by 4.41%, reduced the maximum stress value by 2.56 MPa, and increased the fourth-order natural frequency to 22.7 Hz, avoiding the frequency range of the excitation force of the shaft of the straw grinder, thus improving the resonance issue. This paper provides a reference for optimizing the design of the frame of the residual film recovery machine.

Concomitant determination of PAH, PCBs, and phthalates in indoor air and dust from residential houses in the Strasbourg region of France

Global attention is drawn to the significant issue of indoor pollution, given its direct negative impact on human health and wellness. Typically, individuals can nowadays spend 80% or more of their time in enclosed built locations where they can be prone to a multitude of harmful toxic chemicals distributed in particulate and gas phases. Therefore, a systematic efficient monitoring of such chemicals in indoor environments is urgently required to devise and implement various measures that allow their control. The objective of this study is to evaluate the concomitance occurrence of phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) within the indoor settings of residential homes in Strasbourg. It focused on both the indoor air and dust samples collected in nine residential homes in Strasbourg for a one-year sampling period, February 2016 - February 2017. For this, Radiello®, SiC© foams, and Tenax-TA® were successfully introduced and used as reliable passive samplers for the aforementioned matrices. Extractions were carried out using pressurized solvent extraction (PSE) followed by ATD-GC/MSMS analysis. The findings of the presented study revealed that 12 PAHs, 18 PCBs, and 7 phthalates were regularly perceived in the indoor environments of the houses under assessment. In gaseous samples, the average concentrations of the detected pollutant were approximately 3,919, 4.3, and 601.6 ng/sampler for PAHs, PCBs, and phthalates, respectively. As for dust samples, the average concentrations of the detected pollutant were approximately 3,438, 6.2, and 1,816.2 ng/g, respectively. The obtained results showed that PCBs exhibited the lowest concentration in both matrices. However, air samples were mostly contaminated by PAHs, while dust samples showed higher levels of phthalates. These results are correlated to the physico-chemical properties of these compounds and to their origin and source of emission. The findings of this study stress the importance of indoor pollution assessment so that the risks associated with it could be controlled.

Learning from Moped Crash Data: Identifying Risk Factors Contributing to the Severity of Injuries Sustained by Moped Riders

Mopeds are light vehicles that provide solutions for short-distance travel, traffic congestion, and environmental pollution issues. However, because of the limited physical protection they offer, moped riders are more likely to sustain severe injuries in a crash than vehicle passengers. This study aims to investigate the features and patterns associated with recent moped crashes and analyzed the severity of injuries sustained by riders and related risk factors in 1,657 moped crashes in Michigan during a five-year period (2017–2021). A multinomial logit model was built to examine the association between crash injury severity levels and 13 variables from three main categories: crash features; rider behaviors/cognitive status; and environmental conditions. The descriptive statistics showed that 79% of injuries sustained by moped riders in crashes were minor, and the injured riders tended to be younger, male, and not wearing helmets. The findings indicate a significant correlation between the severity of injuries sustained by riders and several factors: the type of crash (whether single, head-on, or angle collision); the age of the riders (with older riders being more susceptible), visibility conditions (especially during nighttime); and helmet usage. Notably, single and head-on crashes were the primary causes of injuries. These results highlight the importance of heightened vigilance among moped riders, particularly when navigating poorly maintained surfaces or riding under low-light conditions. It is imperative that riders consistently use helmets to minimize risks. Additionally, setting guidelines or restrictions on helmet use, rider age, riding hours, and permissible areas in which to ride could further contribute to improving overall safety for moped riders.

FRESHWATER POLLUTION BY MICROPLASTICS: SOURCES, CONSEQUENCES AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES (LITERATURE REVIEW)

The ubiquitous presence of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems has become a serious environmental problem with far-reaching consequences for both aquatic life and human well-being. This comprehensive review examines the multifaceted problem of microplastic pollution in freshwater, delving into its diverse sources, transport mechanisms, environmental impacts, detection methods, and mitigation strategies. The environmental impacts of microplastic pollution are many and varied, affecting aquatic organisms, food webs and biodiversity in general. Additionally, microplastic pollution raises human health concerns due to the potential risks associated with consuming contaminated freshwater resources.The review also highlights environmental factors that influence the abundance and distribution of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems, such as hydrological conditions, human activities and biological interactions. The transport routes and fate of microplastics, including sedimentation, adsorption and bioaccumulation, are considered. The article concludes by highlighting the urgent need for global awareness, research and coordinated action to address the critical issue of microplastic pollution in freshwater.

Prediction of Air Pollution with Machine Learning Algorithms

Air pollution has become an important problem due to its threats. Air pollutants are in complex interaction with atmosphere and environment. For this reason, it is important to study air pollution issues. In recent years, studies on prediction of air pollutants with machine learning methods have gained momentum. In this study, some air pollutants are predicted with various machine learning algorithms considering meteorological factors. In machine learning phase, a separate study is conducted with various machine learning algorithms (multilayer perceptron neural network, stochastic gradient descent, ridge regression, cross decomposition) considering temperature, relative humidity, wind, pressure and air pollutant measurements of previous hour. Consistencies of these algorithms in estimating pollutant concentrations are compared. Various statistical metrics are used to analyze the consistencies. As a result, the coefficient of determination of all algorithms are found above 0.67, considering the test section. It is found that the coefficient of determination of the multilayer perceptron neural network algorithm provides better results than other algorithms.

СТРАТЕГІЧНЕ УПРАВЛІННЯ ІНВЕСТИЦІЙНОЮ ДІЯЛЬНІСТЮ НА ПІДПРИЄМСТВАХ З ПЕРЕРОБКИ ТВЕРДИХ ПОБУТОВИХ ВІДХОДІВ

The article demonstrates that Ukraine faces significant challenges in the management of solid household waste. These issues include the absence of a clear waste disposal strategy and insufficient attention to environmental safety. Most landfills in Ukraine fail to meet safety standards and environmental norms, posing a threat to the surrounding environment. Effective resolution of these problems involves the implementation of advanced solid household waste processing technologies and the improvement of waste management systems to ensure sustainable resource utilization and reduce negative environmental impact. The prospects for the development of enterprises involved in solid household waste processing are discussed, including societal awareness of environmental pollution issues and the need for protection, legislative initiatives aimed at reducing waste volumes, and technological progress enabling the creation of new products from recycled waste while minimizing environmental impact. It is argued that the development of this sector can stimulate investments and contribute to the creation of new jobs in the environmental economy. It is argued that effective strategic management of investment activities in enterprises dealing with solid household waste processing is a crucial factor in their successful development and achieving competitive advantage in the market. It is demonstrated that based on the analysis of the enterprise’s needs and opportunities, an investment strategy should be developed to align with strategic goals and enhance its competitiveness. This strategy involves optimal resource utilization to ensure sustainable development and maximize financial results. The main stages of developing and implementing the investment management strategy in enterprises dealing with solid household waste processing include market and needs analysis, selection of investment directions, evaluation of investment projects, development of an investment plan, implementation of investment projects, monitoring and control, evaluation of results, and strategy adjustment. It is proposed that for maximum effectiveness, these stages of the strategy should be implemented comprehensively.