Environmental Quality Management最新文献

{"title":"Evaluating the Reuse Potential of Combined Brewery-Distillery Effluent Through Germination, Growth, and Pigment Responses of Multiple Chickpea Varieties","authors":"Kirti Pandita,&nbsp;Anamika Sharma,&nbsp;Piyush Malaviya","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70319","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70319","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study evaluates the reuse potential of combined brewery-distillery effluent (CBDE) by characterizing its physicochemical properties and assessing its effects on germination behavior, early seedling growth, and pigment content in seven varieties of chickpea (<i>Cicer arietinum</i> L.). Seeds were exposed to four effluent concentrations (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of untreated (UTE), primary treated (PTE), and secondary treated (STE) CBDE, along with a tap-water control under laboratory conditions. Distinct varietal differences were observed in physiological responses to CBDE. Varieties BGM547, CSJK24AVT-2, and GNG1969 exhibited high sensitivity, performing optimally at 25% effluent, while higher effluent concentrations adversely affected their growth and physiological traits. In contrast, GNG1861, PG065, GNG2002, and BGM571 demonstrated tolerance, maintaining higher pigment accumulation and early growth under elevated concentrations of PTE and STE. Secondary-treated effluent consistently led to more favorable responses than UTE, indicating reduced toxicity and improved nutrient availability. Hierarchical cluster analysis corroborated these observations by grouping tolerant varieties with STE treatments, while untreated effluent clustered with reduced growth and pigment values. Overall, the results indicate that varietal selection significantly influences plant responses to CBDE, suggesting that adequately treated and suitably diluted CBDE may serve as a nutrient-enriched irrigation resource for tolerant varieties. However, field validation and long-term soil quality assessments are necessary before implementing large-scale applications.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"35 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147566681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Community Awareness of the Application of Floating Treatment Wetlands Improving of Polluted Canal Environment","authors":"Thi-Viet-Huong Dao,&nbsp;Linh-Thy Le,&nbsp;Quang-Minh-Nhat Ho,&nbsp;Trieu-Vi Vo,&nbsp;Van-Tung Tra,&nbsp;Thi-Kim-Quyen Vo,&nbsp;Ky-Phuong-Ha Huynh,&nbsp;Xuan-Thanh Bui","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70334","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70334","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Canal pollution poses a persistent environmental challenge in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, requiring innovative and sustainable restoration approaches. This study examined residents’ perceptions of the structure, functions, and benefits of Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs)—a nature-based solution implemented in the Hang Bang Canal to enhance water quality and urban landscapes. Data were collected from a survey of 202 residents and visitors between March and April 2024 using questionnaires that assessed demographics, perceptions of canal pollution, and evaluations of FTWs. Results indicated that most participants were aware of the FTW system through direct observation, with 36.6% visiting the site daily. The majority (86.6%) appreciated its landscape function, and 61.9% recognized its role in water filtration. Plants were the most favored component (78.7%), followed by environmentally friendly materials such as bamboo (58.7%). Furthermore, 80.2% identified landscaping and 64.3% identified improved water quality as the main benefits of FTWs, while 17.8% expressed concern about mosquito breeding. Awareness of canal pollution was higher among younger and more educated respondents. Overall, 82.2% were willing to recommend FTWs, and 62.4% showed interest in participating in their management—mainly through garbage collection (87.3%). Logistic regression analysis confirmed associations between awareness and demographic factors, including age, education, and occupation. The findings highlight FTWs’ potential for urban water restoration and underscore the importance of integrating community education and participation to enhance public support and ensure long-term sustainability.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"35 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147566691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Circularity in Plastic Waste Management: A Critical Review of Recycling Challenges","authors":"Riya Kumbukattu Alex,&nbsp;Suja Purushothaman Devipriya","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70329","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70329","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Plastic has become a globally ubiquitous commodity with widespread acceptance and utility. Its durability and affordability have enabled myriad applications. However, unsustainable consumption and poor end-of-life management have led to severe environmental repercussions. Millions of tons of plastic waste that end up in landfills and oceans each year pose a serious threat to the environment. In response to these challenges, the concept of circular economy has gained momentum, upholding the 4Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover as a sustainable solution for the traditional linear economy of “take-make-dispose.” Recycling is the most challenging step among these toward achieving circularity in plastic. This review critically analyses these challenges by identifying technological, market, and regulatory barriers to effective plastic recycling, including hazardous additives, unsustainable design, fragmented value chains, non-transparency in labelling, informal sector dynamics, and market constraints. Thus, an effective implementation of plastic recycling requires upstream reforms in product designing, safer material standards, market-based incentives, technological optimization, recycled-content mandates for manufacturers, integration of informal sector into formal sector, recycle-friendly behavior development among consumers, and harmonized regulatory interventions across regions. The efficient translation of these suggested recommendations needs a coordinated approach from multiple stakeholders such as government, industry, researchers, and consumers.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"35 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147566462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effect of Sustainable Development Awareness on Solid Waste Management Attitudes among Healthcare Workers","authors":"Beyzanur Yücegöğ,&nbsp;Cevriye Özdemir","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70316","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70316","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p><b>Objective:</b> The aim of this study is to examine the association between sustainable development awareness and attitudes toward solid waste management among healthcare workers. <b>Method:</b> This study was conducted as a cross-sectional descriptive study. Institutional approval was obtained from the local university ethics committee and the hospital where the study was conducted. The data for the study were collected face-to-face at a public hospital in a province in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. Data were collected between July and August 2024, and 380 healthcare workers employed at the hospital were included in the study. Research data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Information Form, the Sustainable Development Awareness Scale, and the Solid Waste Management Scale in Healthcare Institutions. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used in the analysis of the data. <b>Results:</b> A statistically significant positive association was found between participants’ awareness of sustainable development and their attitudes toward solid waste management. Work schedule was significantly associated with sustainable development awareness, with daytime workers demonstrating higher awareness levels than shift workers (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Regarding attitudes toward solid waste management, marital status, voluntary choice of profession, department worked, and total professional experience were significantly associated with scale scores (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Weekly working hours, education level, and department worked were not significantly associated with sustainable development awareness (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> The findings indicate that healthcare workers’ awareness of sustainable development is associated with more positive attitudes toward solid waste management. Although causal relationships cannot be established due to the cross-sectional design, the results suggest that educational and organizational strategies aimed at enhancing sustainability awareness may support environmentally responsible practices in healthcare institutions.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"35 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147288234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Land-Use Change Simulation and Municipal Solid Waste Forecasting Through Hybrid Geospatial-Statistical Methods","authors":"Porush Kumar,&nbsp;Mahendra Pratap Choudhary,&nbsp;Anil K. Mathur","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70317","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70317","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Rapid urbanization in mid-sized Indian cities is intensifying pressure on land resources and municipal solid waste (MSW) management, highlighting the need for integrated forecasting frameworks to guide sustainable urban development. This study presents a hybrid geospatial-statistical approach to simulate long-term land use change and forecast MSW generation in Kota City, India, over the period 2000–2050. Multitemporal Landsat images were classified using the Random Forest algorithm on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, while future land transitions were simulated using Cellular Automata-Artificial Neural Network (CA-ANN) model in QGIS. Population was projected using the geometric growth model, and MSW generation was estimated through Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) in R, employing population and built-up area as predictors. Results indicate a 129.5% increase in built-up area between 2000 and 2025, largely driven by the conversion of vegetated and barren land. By 2050, built-up area is projected to increase by 215.3%, with the population reaching approximately 2.89 million and daily MSW generation increasing to 1399.66 tons. Strong Pearson correlations (<i>r</i> &gt; 0.98) among population, built-up area, and MSW confirm their interdependence, validating their use as forecasting variables. The proposed framework demonstrates the potential of integrating remote sensing, spatial simulation, and statistical modeling for anticipatory infrastructure planning. It provides a scalable, data-efficient tool for SDG-aligned urban sustainability strategies, particularly in data-scarce regions of the Global South.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"35 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147320829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bioremediation of Polluted Soils Using Environmental Bacterial Isolates: An Updated Review on Recent Trends and Future Opportunities","authors":"Zeenat Haq,&nbsp;Muhammad Sohail Asghar,&nbsp;Muhammad Umair,&nbsp;Sadia Kanwal,&nbsp;Uzma Ghazanfar,&nbsp;Muhammad Idrees","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70309","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70309","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In recent years, many natural and anthropogenic activities have increased the concentration of pollutants in the environment, especially in soil. Pollutants or contaminants released from agricultural activities, industries, and our households, ultimately unconstrained in open ground where they remain present for many years, cause air, soil, and water pollution. Incineration and chemical treatments are commonly used for pollutant removal; however, these methods have several drawbacks. Recent trends in contaminant removal focus on utilizing natural microbial populations to remediate soil through bioremediation. The safer, less costly, and sustainable bioremediation approach restores a typical, healthy environment, making it the preferred choice. We reviewed phytoremediation, nano-bioremediation, bioventing, biosparging, bioslurping, biosurfactants, and biofilms, which utilize bacteria to remediate soil. In suitable environments, certain bacteria naturally break down pollutants, and genetically modified bacteria improve the bioremediation process. For successful bioremediation of contaminated soil, sophisticated methods such as proteomics, transcriptomics, and genomics have aided in the identification, profiling, and optimization of microbial communities. This review examines the sources of pollution and identifies promising possibilities for bioremediation of contaminated soils using environmental bacterial isolates and nanomaterials. These techniques have gained popularity recently because of their economical and eco-friendly qualities. These approaches provide environmentally friendly ways to lessen the negative effects of pollutants, support ecosystem health, and cut expenses associated with traditional remediation methods.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"35 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146217207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recovery of Bioactive Fractions From Citrus sinensis L. Epicarp Wastes by Bioguided Assays","authors":"Laura María Solís-Salas,&nbsp;Solange I. Mussatto,&nbsp;Ruth Elizabeth Belmares-Cerda,&nbsp;Mario Alberto Cruz-Hernández,&nbsp;Lluvia Itzel López-López,&nbsp;Crystel Aleyvick Sierra-Rivera,&nbsp;Sonia Yesenia Silva-Belmares","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70301","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70301","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The epicarp of <i>Citrus sinensis</i> L. is an agro-industrial waste, containing compounds that may be beneficial to health. The study focused on the extraction and fractionation of epicarp waste, as well as its biological effects using bioguided assays. The epicarp was extracted in sequence using hexane, acetone, and methanol. The hexane extract demonstrated the highest activity against <i>Artemia salina</i> and was fractionated through vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC), inverted column chromatography (ICC), and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Fractionation was bioguided by the effect on <i>A. salina</i>. The most active fractions were then evaluated on B16F10, L5178Y cancer cells lines and also in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from healthy volunteers. The isolated VLC fractions were analyzed through qualitative phytochemical analysis. The TLC fractions underwent assays for total phenols, flavonoids, DPPH, and FRAP content. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of sugars, phenolic compounds, coumarins, and saponins. TLC₃ 2 showed the highest total polyphenol content with 128.01 ± 0.90 mg GAE/g, as well as an antioxidant effect with 236.95 ± 0.78 mg Trolox/g and 641.54 ± 1.40 mM FE(II)/g. EHX, TLC₂ 3, TLC₃ 2, and TLC₃ 6 induced an LC₅₀ of 11.63 ± 0.01, 50.54 ± 1.34, 50.54 ± 1.34, and 50.55 ± 1.33 µg/respectively on B16F10 cell line, compared to with doxorubicin showing an LC₅₀ of 30.72 ± 0.27 µg/mL. On the other hand, EHX, TLC₂ 3, TLC₃ 2_, and TLC₃ 6 showed an LC₅₀ of 418.2 ± 40.84, 482.5 ± 68.02, y 266 ± 23.04 µg/mL on L5178Y cell line, while doxorubicin presented an LC₅₀ in 24.25 ± 0.00 µg/mL. The LC₅₀ of EHX, TLC₂ 3, TLC₃ 2 and TLC₃ 6 in PBMC were 11.64 ± 0.02, 611.95 ± 0.01, 247.55 ± 0.00 and 171.42 ± 0.02, µg/mL, while doxorubicin showed LC₅₀ of 30.72 ± 0.48 µg/mL. Additionally, EHX induces greater effect on cancer cells without affecting PBMC viability, compared to the fractions tested. This could be related to a synergistic effect between the EHX compounds. Furthermore, the TLC fractions demonstrate selectivity for cancer cells with minimal impact on healthy cells. Therefore, the study demonstrated the potential of <i>C. sinensis</i> agro-industrial waste for the recovery of bioactive fractions and the design of anticancer products.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"35 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146217155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Valorization of Papaya Peel Waste: Optimizing Acid Hydrolysis for Enhanced Pectin Recovery and Comprehensive Functional Characterization","authors":"Saiful Irwan Zubairi,&nbsp;Tuan Nurfariha Izzaty Tuan Azlan,&nbsp;Nur Izzatun Nasriah Nasruddin","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70305","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70305","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The growing demand for sustainable, plant-based biopolymers has increased interest in valorizing fruit-processing by-products like papaya peel, a nutrient-rich waste. This study optimized acid hydrolysis conditions to extract pectin from papaya peel and characterized the recovered biopolymer. Using a 3² factorial design, pH (2.0 and 2.5), temperature (70 and 80°C), and extraction time (45 and 60 mins) were varied to evaluate effects on yield, galacturonic acid content, and functional groups. Optimal conditions (pH 2.0, 80°C, and 60 mins) yielded 12.82 ± 2.68% (w/w), pectin with high galacturonic acid content, indicating preserved structural integrity. FTIR analysis confirmed key hydroxyl, alkane, and ester groups, while HPLC-RI validated compositional purity. A brine shrimp lethality bioassay showed low acute toxicity (LC₅₀ = 847 ppm), supporting safe food applications. SEM analysis was omitted to prioritize chemical and functional characterization. These findings position papaya peel as a promising alternative pectin source, contributing to circular bioeconomy and food waste reduction efforts.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"35 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146216977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Air Quality Dynamics in Higher Learning Environments: Evidence From Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania","authors":"Esmiralda Mapunda,&nbsp;Enock Chambile","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70313","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70313","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Poor ambient air quality threatens public health, ecosystem integrity, and the learning environment in higher education settings. This study addresses the limited understanding of the spatial and temporal variability of air pollution within university campuses. It explores how significantly air quality relates across Sokoine University of Agriculture campuses to evaluate its compliance with established standards. The study applies a correlational design to quantify mass concentrations (µg/m³) of particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm (PM_2.5), PM ≤10 µm (PM₁₀), formaldehyde (HCHO), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) using a WP6930S-100 portable detector. HCHO, TVOCs, and PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ were selected as key monitoring indicators due to their diverse emission sources and well-documented adverse impacts on human health and the environment. Air pollutants have been measured across 13 indoor and outdoor emission-prone microenvironments at the Solomon Mahlangu and Edward Moringe campuses. The device has been pre-checked under stable indoor conditions to verify repeatability, with stabilization periods of 3–10 min observed before logging at a height of 1.5 m. Results show that measured pollutant mass concentrations at all monitored sites comply with limits set by Tanzania, the East African Community (EAC), and the World Health Organization (WHO), with minor exceedances in PM_2.5 concentrations at the Edward Moringe campuse's canteen relative to WHO guidelines. Pearson's correlation reveals a very strong weekday-weekend afternoon relationship (<i>r</i> ≤ 0.97), indicating consistent PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, HCHO, and TVOCs patterns across different days and therefore rejecting significant campus-level variability. The study enhances understanding of Sustainable Development Goal 11 by providing evidence-based insights to air pollution monitoring in university-built environments. Results carry uncertainty due to the limitations; co-location with reference instruments is recommended.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"35 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146216978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microplastic and Potentially Toxic Element Contamination in Indoor Household Dust in Kielce, Poland","authors":"Mansoor Ahmad Bhat,&nbsp;Sumaira Rashid,&nbsp;Agata Janaszek","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70306","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70306","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This research investigates the presence and concentrations of microplastics and potentially toxic elements in dust from homes in urban and rural environments, revealing their hidden threats to human health and indoor air quality. Stereomicroscopic analysis showed that the fiber was dominant, and the nonfiber was less abundant. The average number of fibers and nonfibers in house dust samples in the city center was 61 ± 39 and 16 ± 8 per milligram, having an average size of 1206 ± 276 µm. While the average fibers and nonfibers count in house dust samples in rural areas was 57 ± 26 and 9 ± 3 per milligram, with an average size of microplastics in house dust samples in rural areas of 1068 ± 130 µm. The identified microplastics revealed different colours, mainly bright ones. The EDX analysis of microplastics revealed the existence of different elements (Ne, Na, C, S, Cl, O, Ca, Zn, Al, and Si). Seven potentially toxic elements (Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Co) and Zn had the highest concentrations in all houses in the city center (1247.948 ± 907.904 mg/kg) and in rural areas (1164.394 ± 181.149 mg/kg). Average daily inhalation dose indices were calculated to assess the harmfulness of potentially toxic elements to human health via inhalation. Cd showed the lowest inhalation metal concentration, whereas Zn showed the highest. The findings show no significant differences in microplastics and potentially toxic elements' concentrations between urban and rural areas. The results emphasise the urgent need for better air quality management and pollution control strategies in residential settings.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"35 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146216996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}