Environmental Quality Management最新文献

{"title":"Microplastics Toxicity and Life-Threatening Impact on the Arabian Gulf: A Critical Review","authors":"Amr Nasr Fekry,&nbsp;Afnan Mussa,&nbsp;Hazim Qiblawey","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70433","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70433","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a pervasive pollutant in marine environments worldwide, yet the Arabian Gulf remains underrepresented in global assessments despite its ecological and economic significance. The estimated mass of MPs entering the water of the Gulf ranged from 155 to 413.4 kt per year. This review synthesizes peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2024, covering seawater, sediments, and biota. Reported concentrations vary considerably: seawater ranged from 0–3 MPs/m³ in Qatar to 12,000 MPs/m3 in Kuwait, while sediments concentrations reached up to 665 MPs/kg in Oman and as many as 195,104 particles at Iranian hotspots. In biota, MPs were frequently detected in fish and prawns, with up to 828 particles recorded in digestive tracts and 18.5 MPs/10 g in edible muscle tissues. Fibers and fragments dominate across all matrices, with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) as the most common polymers. Furthermore, legislation and regulations available on the regional and national level to reduce the amount of marine litter including plastics and MPs were discussed. Microplastics in the Gulf are examined across four themes: (1) source and pathway, (2) classification, (3) occurrence and fate, and (4) environmental impacts and future risks. Cross-study comparison reveals spatial and temporal variability, contradictory biotic load estimates across countries, and significant methodological inconsistencies that limit data comparability. Critical knowledge gaps persist, including the absence of Gulf-specific studies on lower trophic levels, ecotoxicological thresholds, and quantitative human exposure models. Although Gulf states have introduced measures such as single-use plastic bag bans, legislation remains fragmented, compliance data are scarce, and certain policy approaches (notably the reliance on oxo-degradable plastics) are inconsistent with international best practice. The Gulf's distinctive characteristics including its semi-enclosed hydrology, extreme salinity and temperature, and shared governance challenges position it as both a natural laboratory for studying microplastic fate and transport and a potential testbed for regional policy harmonization. Insights from this region can inform management strategies for other enclosed and semi-enclosed seas worldwide.</p>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/tqem.70433","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148753120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Indoor Air Quality and Associated Public Health Impact in AC and Non-AC Environments: A Case Study on Mymensingh, Bangladesh","authors":"Md. Monabbir Hossain,&nbsp;Md. Rased Hasan Sojib,&nbsp;Md. Azharul Islam,&nbsp;Md. Tariqul Islam,&nbsp;Md. Alim Miah,&nbsp;Maomao Zhang","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70435","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70435","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Indoo air pollution poses a critical public health risk, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions like Bangladesh, where inadequate ventilation and climatic conditions intensify exposure risks. This study investigated seasonal and diurnal variations in indoor air quality (IAQ) across AC and Non-AC environments in Mymensingh, assessing compliance, pollutant correlations, and quantification of health risks (ELCR, HQ). Measurements of PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, TVOCs, HCHO, temperature, and humidity were taken from 56 rooms (28 AC, 28 Non-AC) during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons using real-time monitors. During the post-monsoon season, PM_2.5 levels in Non-AC rooms reached 123.29 µg/m³ in the afternoon, compared to 79.79 µg/m³ in AC rooms, while PM₁₀ concentrations peaked at 145.32 µg/m³ in Non-AC environments and 89.75 µg/m³ in AC rooms. TVOC levels were highest in AC rooms, reaching 884 µg/m³, likely due to limited ventilation, and HCHO concentrations in AC spaces (301.14 µg/m³) consistently exceeded WHO guidelines. Temperature and humidity influenced pollutant dynamics, with PM levels positively correlated with temperature and HCHO negatively correlated. Health risk assessments revealed significant hazards during the post-monsoon season, with children in Non-AC environments facing high estimated lifetime cancer risks (ELCR) from PM₁ (5.16E-03) and PM_2.5 (2.7E-03), while AC environments showed elevated risks from HCHO (8.75E-06). Hazard Quotients (HQ) for PM_2.5 (9.30) and PM₁₀ (3.21) in Non-AC environments reached alarming levels, indicating severe non-carcinogenic risks. Source apportionment using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) identified distinct pollutant sources, underscoring the complex interplay of indoor and outdoor factors. Spatial analysis highlighted central urban zones as high-risk areas due to traffic emissions and commercial activities. These findings emphasize the dual burden of particulate exposure in Non-AC spaces and chemical accumulation in AC environments, influenced by seasonal shifts. Policy reforms focusing on source reduction, improved building codes, and public awareness are crucial to mitigate health disparities in tropical urban settings.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148753216","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":"Floc and Sink Removal of Cyanobacteria From Koka Reservoir (Ethiopia): Using Natural Coagulants","authors":"Tesfaye Ababu,&nbsp;Hanna Habtemariam,&nbsp;Demeke Kifle","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70442","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70442","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cyanobacteria bloom in freshwater sources such as reservoirs produce harmful toxins that can adversely affect water quality, aquatic environment and public safety. These harmful organisms can be removed from water sources using flock and sink techniques. In this study, we examined the efficacy of a low dose coagulants (<i>Moringa stenopetala</i> seeds (MSS), <i>Aloe barbadensis miller</i> leaf (AVL) and <i>Opuntia ficus-indica</i> leaf (OFIL)) both alone and in combination with local red soil (LRS) as a ballast material to remove the cyanobacterial biomass from Koka Reservoir's water (Ethiopia). The plant extracts obtained from dried biomass treated with NaCl. The results of the experiments determined the lowest dose of coagulants and ballast that effectively coagulate and sediment cyanobacterial biomass from the sample. The removal efficiency was estimated using phycocyanin pigment as surrogate of biomass. The mixed effect model was conducted to assess the effects of coagulant dose, LRS dose, and replication on the measured responses. The results indicated that treatment dose significantly affected the phycocyanin concentrations both at the top and bottom of the test-tubes, whereas the effect of replicates was negligible. MSS extracts proved to be more effective alone (87.64%) or combined with LRS than other treatments. The coagulants, either alone or in combination with natural ballast, provide prominent sustainable alternative for cyanobacterial removal in freshwaters in tropical systems particularly for low-income countries.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148753097","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":"Spatially Replicated eDNA Metabarcoding Detects Conservation-Priority Migratory Waterbirds and Reveals Zone-Level Community Differentiation at Baima Lake, a Ramsar Wetland in Eastern China","authors":"Ziyi Yang,&nbsp;Yunxin Yu,&nbsp;Hongshi Ma,&nbsp;Liang Zhao,&nbsp;Guangli Yang,&nbsp;Yu Shen","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70441","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70441","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding offers a non-invasive approach to wetland bird community monitoring, yet its capacity to detect conservation-priority migratory species at stopover wetlands with no prior systematic baseline remains largely untested. We conducted the first spatially replicated eDNA survey at Baima Lake Wetland (Huai'an, China), a Ramsar site designated in 2023 and an important stopover along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. We sampled 24 sites across three habitat zones during spring migration (March 2024) and the post-breeding period (September 2024) using the 12SV05 primer targeting the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. eDNA detected 49 bird species, including four absent from the published checklist of Baima Lake. Most notably, Baer's Pochard (<i>Aythya baeri</i>; CR, IUCN) and the Oriental Stork (<i>Ciconia boyciana</i>; EN, IUCN), both globally threatened migratory visitors, were detected exclusively in spring at 25% and 8% of sites respectively, illustrating the value of eDNA temporal persistence for capturing evidence of brief stopover events. Despite non-significant alpha diversity differences among zones, community composition differed significantly (PERMANOVA: <i>R</i>² = 0.48–0.52, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.03), with only 2 of 162 OTUs shared across all three lake zones. These findings establish the first molecular avian biodiversity baseline for Baima Lake and demonstrate that spring eDNA surveys can systematically document conservation-priority migratory species and reveal fine-scale zone-level community differentiation at inland Ramsar wetlands, complementing traditional and camera-based monitoring approaches where they are most limited.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148753096","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":"Integrating Nanotechnology With Bioremediation for Antimicrobial Resistance Mitigation: A One Health Framework","authors":"Mohamad Maged,&nbsp;Mohamed Elhabbak,&nbsp;Abdelrahman Hafez,&nbsp;Sameh H. Youseif","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70434","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70434","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an escalating One Health challenge driven by the persistence of antibiotics, resistant microorganisms, and resistance genes across clinical, agricultural, and aquatic environments. Bioremediation offers microbial and enzymatic pathways for degrading antibiotic residues, but its effectiveness is often limited by slow kinetics, environmental heterogeneity, and system instability. Nanotechnology provides complementary capabilities, including enhanced antimicrobial delivery, photocatalytic degradation, enzyme stabilization, biofilm disruption, and damage to extracellular resistance genes, while also introducing concerns related to toxicity, ecological risk, and resistance selection. This review synthesizes primary experimental evidence across nanotechnology and bioremediation to evaluate their integration as an environmental AMR mitigation strategy. The analysis indicates that integrated systems can improve antibiotic removal, antimicrobial performance, and biofilm control, although direct reductions in resistance-gene abundance or transfer have been demonstrated in only a subset of studies. The review further identifies key barriers to implementation, including limited field validation, inconsistent system characterization, and insufficient assessment of transformation products and ecological impacts. Overall, integrated nano-bioremediation represents a promising pre-field approach whose advancement will depend on environmentally informed design, standardized evaluation, and responsible deployment.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148752832","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":"Assessment of Microplastic Ingestion in Commercial Marine Fish From Cities of Sibu and Kuching, Eastern Sarawak, Malaysia","authors":"Ryan Bing Xian Wong,&nbsp; Rubiyatno,&nbsp;Tony Hadibarata","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70408","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70408","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Microplastic (MP) pollution is an ever-growing issue in the marine ecosystem around the world. However, the study on MP pollution in marine fish remains limited, particularly those conducted in Eastern Sarawak, Malaysia. Hence, this study investigated the occurrence of MP on the marine fish, collected from local fish market in the city of Sibu and Kuching, Eastern Sarawak, Malaysia. The MP samples were examined from 5 g of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) across 22 species of fish. The samples were extracted by digesting (KOH solution), followed by density separation (NaCl solution) and filtration. Then, the samples were identified and characterized under stereomicroscope and Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). As the result, an estimated of 6107 particles of MP were found on GIT from all species. The highest abundance was found in Pacific Sardine (<i>Sardinops Sagax</i>) with 383.24 particles, while the lowest abundance was found in Japanese Sea Bass (<i>Lateolabrax Japonicus</i>) with 181.22 particles. The most dominant shape was fiber with 61.46%, the dominant size of MP was less than 1000 µm with 87%, and the blue was the most prevalent color, with a proportion of 65.83%. The FTIR analysis detected polyester (PES) and polyamide (PA) in the sample. This study investigates the occurrence of MP ingestion in commercial marine fish and indicates the potential for human exposure to contaminated fish. Moreover, this study provides additional data references, to support long-term monitoring program, as well as the development and implementation of standardized sampling and analytical protocols for local policymakers and stakeholders, which could help improve the understanding of MP pollution and protect marine ecosystem in the cities of Sibu and Kuching, Eastern Sarawak, Malaysia.</p>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/tqem.70408","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148752799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Probabilistic Health Risks of Indoor BTEX and Indoor/Outdoor NO2 in Preschools in Pretoria, South Africa","authors":"Mandla Bhuda,&nbsp;Kemisetso D. Malatji,&nbsp;Mamagase S. Nchabeleng,&nbsp;Joyce Shirinde","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70440","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70440","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Air pollution is a major environmental health risk. The study aimed to evaluate the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks of indoor BTEX and indoor/outdoor NO₂ in preschools at Melusi informal settlement. Materials and Methods Eight preschools in Melusi, City of Tshwane, were included. A total of 36 Radiello passive samplers measured indoor BTEX and indoor/outdoor NO₂ over 14 consecutive days. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) human health risk assessment model was used to estimate non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. Mean indoor concentrations were 7.4 µg/m³ (benzene), 7.7 µg/m³ (toluene), 2.8 µg/m³ (ethylbenzene), and 2.3 µg/m³ (xylenes). Mean NO₂ levels were 15.6 µg/m³ indoors and 17.8 µg/m³ outdoors. Hazard quotient values were below the safe threshold of 1 for all BTEX among the subgroups (range: 0.002–0.267), when U.S. EPA reference values were applied. The cancer risks were 5.8 × 10⁻⁵ for benzene and 6.9 × 10⁻⁶ for ethylbenzene. Indoor BTEX and indoor/outdoor NO₂ health risks were evaluated across different subgroups, indicating both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks in preschools at Melusi informal settlement. These findings underscore the urgent need for air pollution mitigation strategies in informal settlements and similar settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/tqem.70440","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148752800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Supply Chain and Economic Analysis of Baler-Based Paddy Residue Management in Punjab, India","authors":"Lovepreet Singh,&nbsp;Vasu Mehta,&nbsp;Khushwinder Singh","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70438","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70438","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Paddy residue burning has emerged as a major environmental challenge in north-western India, highlighting the need for sustainable and economically viable residue management alternatives. In this context, baler technology has gained importance as an effective ex-situ crop residue management practice that supports biomass utilization and reduces open-field burning. The study aimed to evaluate the supply chain dynamics, economics, farmers' perceptions, and constraints associated with baler-based paddy residue management. The study was conducted in the south-western zone of Punjab during 2025–26. Primary data were collected from 10 paddy residue aggregators selected using the snowball sampling technique and 60 farmers selected through simple random sampling from the Bathinda and Mansa districts of Punjab. The study revealed that the average baling operation covered 2676.67 acres per season and handled approximately 70,400 quintals of paddy residue with an effective field capacity of 3.60 acres per hour. Economic analysis indicated that the total cost of baling was INR 150.69 per quintal, while the net return was INR 36.56 per quintal with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.22 and a payback period of 1.37 years, indicating the economic viability of the technology. Transportation cost emerged as the major component of operational expenditure. Farmers showed a generally favorable perception towards baler technology, particularly regarding its economic and environmental benefits. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that education (β = 1.4127), farm size (β = 1.1371), and extension contact (β = 17.3939) positively and significantly influenced farmers' perceptions, whereas age (β = −0.5790) had a significant negative effect. Major constraints faced by residue collectors included high initial investment, poor transportation infrastructure, low residue prices, and labor shortages. The study concludes that baler technology offers a sustainable and economically feasible solution for paddy residue management; however, improved policy support, institutional interventions, infrastructure development, and awareness programs are essential for its wider adoption and long-term success.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148752970","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":"Initial Assessment of Lignin Recovery From Sugarcane Bagasse and Its Potential Use in Sunscreen Formulations","authors":"Edward Quek Jun Jie,&nbsp;Alia Sabrina Zulkornain,&nbsp;Ida Madiha Yusoff,&nbsp;Rohaida Che Man,&nbsp;Daniel Joe Dailin,&nbsp;Nur Izyan Wan Azelee","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70437","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70437","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Saccharum officinarum</i> (sugarcane) is a perennial tropical crop grown in Malaysia for its raw cane sugar production. Sugarcane bagasse, which is the fibrous part left after the cane juice extraction has an average amount of lignin content (17%–25%) which has previously shown to have anti-UV properties. The limited valorization of sugarcane bagasse and the ongoing ozone layer depletion have led to the study of lignin extraction and its efficacy in blocking UV radiation. This study aims to optimize organosolv lignin extraction method from sugarcane bagasse for high lignin recovery. The sugarcane bagasse used in the study has been characterized to contain 16.7% lignin and the organosolv lignin extraction method was further optimized using Box-Behnken design (BBD) to achieve the highest lignin yield. The lignin was extracted under reflux with three manipulated parameters of reaction time (2–6 h), concentration of catalyst (0–0.4 M), and liquid/solid ratio (10/1–50/1 v/w). The lignin extracted from the optimized parameters was characterized for its surface morphology (VPSEM), functional groups (FTIR), thermal stability (TGA) and sun protection properties (SPF). Through this study, it is determined that the best extraction condition yielded 42.95% of lignin when performed at 5.75 h of reflux duration, 0.357 M of catalyst concentration and 27/1 of liquid/solid ratio. Remarkably, when 10% (w/w) of the extracted organosolv lignin is incorporated, the SPF value of a base cream increased by more than seven folds to 104.58 which highlight its potential as a biobased UV filter in sunscreen. This study shows that biomass lignin is highly potential as a UV protection agent which can be incorporated into sunscreens.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148752606","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":"Reward and Penalty Policies in Construction and Demolition Waste Management: A Systematic Review and Cause-and-Effect Diagram Analysis","authors":"Carolina Ozorio Carriço,&nbsp;Renato Ribeiro Siman,&nbsp;Gisele de Lorena Diniz Chaves,&nbsp;Rodrigo Pratte Santos","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70431","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70431","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Construction and demolition waste (CDW) management depends on the interaction among economic, operational, and behavioral factors, with reward and penalty policies acting as central instruments that remain comparatively underexplored from a systemic perspective for influencing generator behavior. This study conducted a systematic literature review in the Scopus and Web of Science databases (2018–2024), following the ProKnow-C approach, from which a portfolio of 101 articles was selected from 498 initially identified records. Based on the reviewed literature, a conceptual Cause-and-Effect Diagram (CED) grounded in System Dynamics principles was developed, comprising eight feedback loops (five reinforcing and three balancing). The results show that the effectiveness of reward and penalty policies depends less on the isolated intensity of each instrument and more on its combination with source separation practices and the availability of adequate infrastructure, such as Voluntary Drop-off Points, to reduce improper disposal. The contribution of this study lies in the systemic integration of these policy instruments within a single causal framework and in the identification of seven recurring practical challenges in the implementation of these policies, for which operational solutions grounded in the reviewed literature are proposed, aimed at supporting the formulation of municipal solid waste management plans.</p>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/tqem.70431","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148752666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}