Environmental science. Advances最新文献

{"title":"On thin ice – a review of multi-level governance regarding Chemicals of Emerging Arctic Concern (CEAC)","authors":"Emily Cowan, Jen Iris Allan, Timo Seppälä, Eva M. Krümmel, Fe de Leon and Thomas Maes","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00369A","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4VA00369A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The Arctic is a vital and unique ecosystem facing significant threats from climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Recently, Chemicals of Emerging Arctic Concern (CEAC) have been identified as an area that requires further study by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme. Understanding and improving existing regulatory systems is crucial to preventing the adverse effects of CEAC. This review concentrates on chemical pollution and the Arctic's vulnerability to long-range chemical transport and local pollution sources, as well as existing national, regional, and global measures to regulate and mitigate these pollution sources. Our review underscores three challenges to effective chemical governance in the Arctic. First, there is a lack of a holistic approach in this area. Second, global and national governance fragmentation means many CEAC fall through regulatory cracks. Third, very few global or national regulations or rules consider the unique vulnerabilities and socioeconomic conditions of the Arctic and its Indigenous Peoples.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 4","pages":" 584-594"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/va/d4va00369a?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143740442","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":"Aquatic quality watch informed by communities (AQWIC) facilitating the adoption of low-cost sensor systems for underserved communities: a review and tutorial†","authors":"Josiah Hacker, Fatima Iqbal, Matías Osuna, Osely Perea, Keiner Sánchez, Christopher Page, Jamie Torres, Md. Nizam Uddin, Hannah Walden, Mikko Westerbeke, Astana Woody, Nazly Enith Rubio Murillo, Francisco Cubas, Farith A. Díaz-Arriaga and Lewis S. Rowles","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00332B","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4VA00332B","url":null,"abstract":"<p >This tutorial review addresses the growing need for accessible water quality monitoring in rivers, lakes, and other surface waters. While commercial monitoring systems effectively serve water utilities and regulatory agencies, many communities lack the resources for regular water quality assessment. We present approaches for developing low-cost monitoring systems specifically designed for community-based environmental monitoring programs, citizen science initiatives, and educational applications. Through systematic analysis of 84 peer-reviewed papers on low-cost water quality monitoring, we identify key implementation approaches, common challenges, and successful design strategies. This analysis informs our tutorial recommendations and provides evidence-based guidance for system development. Specifically, we introduce a web-based portal AQWIC – Aquatic Quality Watch Informed by Communities. This open-source portal includes (1) tutorials on how to construct, program, and deploy water quality sensor systems using commercially available, low-cost components; and (2) an interactive water quality database where users can input their collected water quality data with geolocation. We highlight the functionality of AQWIC and review a set of commercially available low-cost water sensors through several deployments both in the United States and Colombia. The sensor module used is capable of measuring conductivity, temperature, pH, and turbidity, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional testing methods. Our findings demonstrate that the conductivity, temperature, and pH sensors offer reliable and consistent results, aligning with conventional testing methods over several week periods. However, we also observed limitations in the accuracy of the turbidity sensor, emphasizing the need for improved precision at lower turbidity levels. By offering a cost-effective and user-friendly approach to real-time water quality monitoring, this work aims to empower communities to monitor and characterize their water quality and makes significant strides toward ensuring equitable access to safe water for all.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 4","pages":" 512-529"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/va/d4va00332b?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143740439","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":"Local sources versus long-range transport of organic contaminants in the Arctic: future developments related to climate change†","authors":"Derek Muir, Maria J. Gunnarsdóttir, Krystyna Koziol, Frank A. von Hippel, Danuta Szumińska, Nicoletta Ademollo, Simonetta Corsolini, Amila De Silva, Geir Gabrielsen, Roland Kallenborn, Żaneta Polkowska, Eva Krümmel and Katrin Vorkamp","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00240G","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4VA00240G","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Local sources of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and Chemicals of Emerging Arctic Concern (CEACs) from use in communities, shipping, and industrial activity contribute to contamination as does long-range environmental transport. Increased human activity in the Arctic as the climate warms may enhance the significance of local sources. Furthermore, climate change may lead to secondary sources of POPs and CEACs from existing reservoirs in the Arctic. This review examines the emerging evidence for releases from these secondary sources of formerly deposited POPs and CEACs as the Arctic climate warms and the potential for future releases with increased infrastructure development and economic activity. Arctic permafrost degradation represents an important source of natural and anthropogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and indications exist of releases of POPs related to permafrost thaw, from previous deposition as well as waste sites. Deposition of POPs and some CEACs to Arctic glaciers is relatively well studied while fewer studies explore the impacts of remobilization. Expansion of economic development has the potential for increasing emissions or creating new sources of CEACs in the Arctic. The predicted northward expansion of agriculture, aquaculture, and ship traffic could bring increased emissions of CEACs to northern waters, including pesticides not previously used in the Arctic. Increased industrial chemical use, <em>e.g.</em> fire-fighting foams, flame retardants, lubricant and plastic additives, is likely to occur following the expansion of infrastructure such as airports, seaports, mining, and oil and gas development. While PAHs are relatively well-studied, there is an urgent need for environmental measurements and modelling of emissions of CEACs associated with the expansion of economic activity in the Arctic as well as to predict the future release of legacy POPs from secondary sources, particularly from permafrost.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 3","pages":" 355-408"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/va/d4va00240g?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143535672","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":"Functionalized 3D polyurethane foams with microwave-synthesized TiO2 nanostructures for solar light-driven degradation of tetracycline†","authors":"Maria Leonor Matias, Ana Pimentel, Ana S. Reis Machado, Joana Rodrigues, Auguste Fernandes, Teresa Monteiro, Patrícia Almeida Carvalho, Mariana N. Amaral, Catarina Pinto Reis, Jonas Deuermeier, Elvira Fortunato, Rodrigo Martins and Daniela Nunes","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00110A","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4VA00110A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Pharmaceutical substances present in soils and water supplies pose a significant risk to the ecosystem. Solar light-driven photocatalysis with titanium dioxide (TiO<small>₂</small>) nanophotocatalysts has been widely explored for the degradation of these substances in aquatic resources. However, the lack of reported sustainable methods to produce TiO<small>₂</small> nanophotocatalysts and the challenges associated with their use in powder form during photocatalytic experiments further limit their scale-up. Herein, we show an eco-friendly approach to synthesize TiO<small>₂</small> nanopowders using a fast microwave method (10 min) and their further incorporation on polyurethane (PU) foams by a simple dip-coating process. Ethanol, isopropanol (IPA), and water were employed for the microwave synthesis of TiO<small>₂</small> nanophotocatalysts, unveiling distinct structural and optical properties for the material synthesized in each solvent. When ethanol was used as a solvent, TiO<small>₂</small> anatase nanocrystals were obtained, which exhibited high-index {012}/{102} facets with surface steps and bulk defects. These defects together with the superior specific surface area and higher capacity for surface oxygen adsorption contributed to a significant adsorption capacity (about 58% in 240 min) of tetracycline (TC) and overall TC removal of ∼90% after 30 min of simulated solar light exposure. Reusable TiO<small>₂</small>-PU foams achieved ∼80% of TC removal in 180 min of light exposure. This study showcases the successful surface modification of PU foams with TiO<small>₂</small> nanostructures highlighting their potential for an efficient removal of tetracycline from water while ensuring ecological safety, as demonstrated by the ecotoxicity assays using the <em>Artemia salina</em> model.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 5","pages":" 713-738"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/va/d4va00110a?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143883544","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":"Emerging membrane technologies for sustainable water treatment: a review on recent advances†","authors":"Sahar Foorginezhad, Mohammad Mahdi Zerafat, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail and Pei Sean Goh","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00378K","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4VA00378K","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The growing scarcity of freshwater resources, coupled with industrial pollution, necessitates the development of efficient and sustainable water treatment technologies. Membrane-based desalination and heavy metal removal processes are at the forefront of these technologies, providing efficient and reliable solutions to meet the growing demand for clean water. This study provides a comprehensive review on recent advancements in desalination technologies, focusing on emerging materials that have significantly influenced desalination and heavy metal removal performances. A meticulous screening of recent review papers on both along with experimental studies published within the last year is provided, thereby offering an updated perspective on the ongoing experiments dedicated to water treatment using membranes. Notably, this review considers various membrane types, including nanocomposites, biomimetic, thin-film composites, hybrids, and membranes associated with forward osmosis. Results indicate that nanocomposite membranes, thin-film composite membranes, and forward osmosis membranes are widely used for desalination and heavy metal removal compared to hybrid and biomimetic membranes. This widespread utilization can be attributed to their well-established fabrication techniques, robust mechanical properties, high removal%, and better scalability for industrial applications. In contrast, while hybrid and biomimetic membranes are promising, they are still under development and facing challenges pertaining to material synthesis, cost, and integration into existing systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 4","pages":" 530-570"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/va/d4va00378k?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143740440","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":"Exploration of biodegradable polymeric particles in agriculture: a holistic approach for sustainable farming","authors":"Kunal Verma, Chandrani Sarkar and Sampa Saha","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00350K","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4VA00350K","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Conventional agricultural methodologies often rely on excessive application of fertilizers, pesticides, and water, resulting in adverse environmental consequences such as air/water/soil pollution, soil degradation, <em>etc.</em>, thereby diminishing farming efficiency and profitability. The growing demand for sustainable agricultural practices has intensified researchers' interest in exploring biodegradable polymeric particles (BPPs) due to their ability to improve agrochemical delivery, enhance soil health, and mitigate environmental impacts. This review critically examines the state of the art in the design, fabrication, and application of BPPs for agriculture to accomplish sustainable farming. It highlights their significance in enabling controlled release systems, soil improvement, and plant stress tolerance. Key fabrication techniques such as emulsion solvent evaporation, anti-solvent nanoprecipitation, ionotropic gelation, and spray drying are compared based on their scalability, cost-efficiency, and suitability for producing particles with tailored properties. The influence of particle size, shape, and morphology on application efficiency and their biological interactions are thoroughly analyzed, emphasizing the importance of design in optimizing performance. This review also explores the challenges associated with adopting BPPs, including scalability, cost, regulatory compliance, <em>etc.</em>, and proposes future directions for advancing their development. By addressing critical gaps and presenting innovative strategies, this review provides a comprehensive framework for integrating biodegradable polymeric particles into sustainable agricultural practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 3","pages":" 409-431"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/va/d4va00350k?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143535673","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":"An assessment of VOC emissions and human strength perception of liquid electric fragrance diffusers†","authors":"Thomas Warburton, Alastair C. Lewis, James R. Hopkins, Stephen J. Andrews, Amber M. Yeoman, Neil Owen, Caroline Jordan, Greg Adamson and Bin Xia","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00388H","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4VA00388H","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Fragrance products are commonplace in everyday life and their air quality effects extensively studied. In this study the use of multiple plug-in diffusers (liquid electricals/LEs) was assessed by quantifying air concentrations in controlled test rooms (‘toilet booth’ and ‘large booth’) with up to 5 LEs of known formulation in concurrent use. Olfactive strength tests were completed under the same conditions in blind assessments. Air samples were analysed using thermal desorption – (TD) gas chromatography (GC) coupled to flame ionisation (FID) and mass spectrometry (MS) detectors. Significant positive linearities were found for several VOCs (<em>e.g.</em> α-pinene toilet booth and large booth <em>R</em> = 1 and <em>p</em> = 0.0028, <em>p</em>-cymene toilet booth <em>R</em> = 0.94 and <em>p</em> = 0.017, large booth <em>R</em> = 0.89 and <em>p</em> = 0.033), with α-pinene presenting the highest measurable gas-phase concentration (mean 25 μg m<small>⁻³</small>, toilet booth with 5 LEs present). All measurable linearities for fragrance species in toilet booths were significant. However, olfactive intensity assessment showed a plateauing in fragrance perception after the addition of 2 LEs. Only very volatile fragrance ingredients such as α-pinene and benzaldehyde could be detected in the gas phase, but at ambient concentrations that were always lower than literature values for their individual odour detection thresholds. The plateauing of the perception of fragrance strength may aid in limiting potential off-instruction use, thereby limiting end-user exposure to potentially high concentrations of emitted VOCs. The drivers of human fragrance perception here appeared to be lower vapour pressure constituents of fragrance formulations like sesquiterpenes. Moderation of the concentration of monoterpenes used in room fragrance formulations may be a practical solution in limiting possible air quality impacts of product use, whilst still maintaining end-user fragrance perception.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 5","pages":" 739-752"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/va/d4va00388h?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143883545","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":"Tropospheric alkene ozonolysis chemistry: an extended computational chemistry assessment of structural effects†","authors":"Nathan A. I. Watson, Mike J. Newland, Beth S. Nelson, Andrew R. Rickard and Joseph M. Beames","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00298A","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4VA00298A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Nineteen structurally different alkene ozonolysis reactions studied herein proceed <em>via</em> a 1,3-cycloaddition step to produce a short-lived primary ozonide, which then breaks down to form a Criegee intermediate (CI) and an aldehyde/ketone co-product. Both steps of each ozonolysis reaction are examined here using a high-level computational chemistry approach (DF-HF/DF-LCCSD(T)-F12a//B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ), and a rate constant and product branching ratio are produced for each reaction. The reactions are then categorized into broadly defined taxonomic groups on the basis of how the ozonolysis chemistry is affected by functional groups, steric bulk and the spatial arrangement of the substituent groups. The five alkene taxonomic groups used for classification are monosubstituted alkenes, trisubstituted alkenes, <em>E</em>-2-alkenes, <em>Z</em>-2-alkenes and haloalkenes. The general cycloaddition reactivity trend identified for these alkene groups is <em>k</em><small>_THEO</small> (haloalkenes) &lt; <em>k</em><small>_THEO</small> (monosubstituted alkenes) &lt; <em>k</em><small>_THEO</small> (<em>E</em>-2-alkenes) ∼ <em>k</em><small>_THEO</small> (<em>Z</em>-2-alkenes) &lt; <em>k</em><small>_THEO</small> (trisubstituted alkenes). Within these categories, one secondary trend was that if one or more substituents was small and rich in hyperconjugative α-H atoms, such as a methyl group, a higher alkene rate and a higher CI yield would be induced, compared to a bulky and α-H-poor substituent, such as a <em>tert</em>-butyl (<small>^<em>t</em></small>Bu) group. Furthermore, bulky or electronegative substituents were also shown to prompt a reduction in <em>syn</em>-CI yields. Also highlighted in the study is the theoretical mechanism of how the ozonolysis of haloalkenes generates significant yields of tropospheric CF<small>₃</small>CHO, a species which can undergo photolysis to produce the strong greenhouse gas fluoroform (CHF<small>₃</small>).</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 4","pages":" 619-647"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/va/d4va00298a?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143740493","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":"Quantification and modelling of methane and carbon dioxide surface emissions from a South African landfill†","authors":"P. O. Njoku, S. Piketh, R. Makungo and J. N. Edokpayi","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00302K","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4VA00302K","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Landfill gas (LFG) emissions, primarily CH<small>₄</small> and CO<small>₂</small>, result from decomposing organic waste in landfills. South Africa faces challenges in managing LFG emissions and effectively handling landfill sites. For this study, a static flux chamber was used to sample CH<small>₄</small> and CO<small>₂</small> emissions. The study showed that CH<small>₄</small> emissions in the capped area had a concentration of 360 819.80 mg m<small>⁻³</small>, with an average emission rate of 433.00 g per m<small>²</small> per day, resulting in 6363.43 Mg per year during the wet season. The active area was observed to have emitted the highest CH<small>₄</small> concentration (419 863 mg m<small>⁻³</small>) when compared to other areas of the landfill. The lowest CH<small>₄</small> concentration (45 922.52 mg m<small>⁻³</small>) was emitted from the virgin area. From the virgin area, an average emission rate of 55.11 g per m<small>²</small> per day, resulting in 605.72 Mg per year, was recorded. Similar results based on the sample area variations were also observed during the dry season. Specifically, the active and capped sample area experienced higher CH<small>₄</small> emissions than the leachate and virgin sample areas. Furthermore, it was observed that the concentrations and emission rates of LFGs emitted during the dry season were lower when compared to the wet season. Similarly, the concentration of CO<small>₂</small> emissions was higher during the wet season than during the dry season. Enhanced control methods are recommended to improve LFG management practices, especially during the wet season when emissions are higher. Highlighting seasonal variability in emissions underscores the need for targeted strategies to mitigate environmental and health risks. Quantifying LFG emissions from the Thohoyandou landfill in this study sheds light on the environmental and health risks involved. The data presented are crucial for improving landfill management practices in South Africa and for validating the LandGEM model with field-measured and laboratory-analyzed data.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 4","pages":" 648-662"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/va/d4va00302k?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143740494","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":"BPA and its analogues in thermal papers: an assessment of presence and dermal exposure†","authors":"Merve Ozkaleli Akcetin, Hatice Kubra Gul, Ismail Ethem Goren, Nebile Daglioglu and Perihan Binnur Kurt-Karakus","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00132J","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4VA00132J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Thermal papers are a significant source of exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and other phenolic compounds (PCs), absorbed through the skin <em>via</em> dermal contact. This study analyzed thermal paper receipts from various commercial settings in Türkiye to assess BPA and its structural analogs. For both deterministic and probabilistic risk assessments, the estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and hazard index (HI) were calculated for the general population and workers exposed <em>via</em> dermal contact from handling thermal receipts. The results showed that BPA and bisphenol S (BPS) were the most frequently detected chemicals (detected in 99% and 100% of samples, respectively) with concentrations ranging from 1.98–1061 μg per g paper and 0.070–210 μg per g paper in thermal paper receipts in Türkiye, respectively. The EDI of PCs based on the mean concentration determined in the samples for the general population ranged between 0.00000184 μg per kg per day and 0.000445 μg per kg per day, whereas it ranged between 0.0000919 μg per kg per day and 0.022 μg per kg per day for occupational exposure of workers. The EDI value based on the mean concentration detected in samples was 0.000445 μg per kg per day and 0.00223 μg per kg per day for the general population and occupational exposure, respectively. Exposure to BPS was lower, resulting in exposure values of 0.000039 μg per kg per day and 0.002 μg per kg per day for the general population and occupational exposure, respectively. Although these mean concentration based exposure levels are below the U.S. EPA reference dose (50 μg per kg per day for BPA), they exceed the more stringent European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) total daily intake (TDI) limits set for BPA (0.0002 μg per kg per day) in some cases, indicating potential health risks. The HQ and HI analyses further underscore the risks, particularly for workers, with HI values surpassing safe thresholds. The study calls for stricter regulations on BPA and its analogs in thermal papers due to the significant risks, even from BPA-free products that use BPS as a substitute.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 3","pages":" 489-502"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/va/d4va00132j?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143535710","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}