Bioaccessibility of platinum group elements in automotive catalytic converter particulates

Distribution and transformation of organophosphate esters in moving bed biofilm reactor

A moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) process in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) uses plastic carriers, called biofilm carrier, to increase their treatment efficiency. Biofilm carrier is made up of plastic, containing the OPEs as flame retardants or plasticizers, so OPEs in biofilm carrier are possible to release from WWTPs to the river. This study investigated the effect of the MBBR process in WWTP on aquatic environments, focusing on OPEs. OPE eluted from the biofilm carrier by leaching test was tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), and the concentration of the effluent compared to the influent was increased in the WWTP of the MBBR process. 3609 mg/day of TCEP would be discharged into the water using the second-order model with rate constant [Formula: see text] = 0.000451 (ng L-1)-1 h-1, which is the most suitable for the leaching concentration of TCEP. It was identified that TCEP in biofilm carrier was transformed into oxidative dechlorinated compounds and oxidative compounds by microorganisms in the bioreactor. As a result of the study, it was confirmed that not only TCEP but also transformation products of TCEP emitted into the water from the MBBR process of WWTP.

Cycling of Pt, Pd, and Rh Derived from Catalytic Converters: Potential Pathways and Biogeochemical Processes

The present study is an integrated approach to the Pt, Pd, and Rh cycling derived from catalytic converters along highway roadsides of the Athens Basin, including their contents, the dispersed Pt- and Pd-bearing nano- and microparticles in dust and bioaccumulation in plants, aiming to assess the auto-catalyst-derived environmental impact to the large city of Athens and the potential human health risk. The determined mean values of 314 Pt, 510 Pd, and 23 Rh (all in μg/kg) in dust samples are much lower than the 2070 μg/kg Pt and 1985 μg/kg Pd contents in gully pots in the Katechaki peripheral highway and higher than the mean values of 230 Pt, 300 Pd, and 13 Rh (all in μg/kg) in the soil samples. With the exception of two samples from gully pots, from 51% to 70% of the samples (for the Pd and Pt, respectively) fall in the range from 100 to 400 μg/kg. The calculated accumulation factors showed means of 3.88 μg/kg Pd and 2.95 μg/kg Pt for plants and tree leaves, but any significant difference (t-test) is lacking, and they are much lower than those reported for roots of plants (literature data). Although the Pt, Pd, and Rh bioaccumulation factors for shoots of plants/crops are relatively low, the increasing number of cars with catalytic converters in Greece and the relatively high bioaccumulation in the food chain may highlight a potential risk for human health and ecosystems, and the need for special attention on their bioaccumulation and bioaccessibility on a global scale.

Urban Soils and Road Dust—Civilization Effects and Metal Pollution—A Review

Urban soils have been changed much by human impacts in terms of structure, composition and use. This review paper gives a general introduction into changes from compaction, mixing, water retention, nutrient inputs, sealing, gardening, and pollution. Because pollutions in particular have caused concerns in the past, metal pollutions and platinum group metal inputs have been treated in more detail. Though it is not possible to cover the entire literature done on this field, it has been tried to give examples from all continents, regarding geochemical background levels. Urban metal soil pollution depends on the age of the settlement, current emissions from traffic and industry, and washout. It seems that in regions of high precipitation, pollutants are swept away to the watershed, leaving the soils less polluted than in Europe. Health hazards, however, are caused by ingestion and inhalation, which are higher in 3rd world countries, and not by concentrations met in urban soils as such; these are not treated within this paper in detail. With respect to pollutants, this paper is focused on metals. Contrary to many reviews of the past, which mix all data into one column, like sampling depth, sieved grain sizes, digestion and determination methods, these have been considered, because this might lead to considerable interpretation changes. Because many datasets are not Gaussian distributed, medians and concentration ranges are given, wherever possible. Urban dust contains about two to three fold the hazardous metal concentrations met in urban soils. Some data about metal mobilities obtained from selective and sequential leaching procedures, are also added. Soil compaction, pollution, sealings and run-offs cause stress situations for green plants growing at roadside locations, which is discussed in the Section 5. Environmental protection measures have led to decrease metal pollutions within the last decade in many places.

Arsenic concentrations, distributions and bioaccessibilities at a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Devon Great Consols, Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape)

Devon Great Consols (DGC) is a region in south west England where extensive mining for Cu, Sn and As took place in the nineteenth century. Because of its historical and geological significance, DGC has protected status and is part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape UNESCO World Heritage Site. Recently, the region was opened up to the public with the construction or redevelopment of various trails, tracks and facilities for walking, cycling and field visits. We used portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometry to measure, in situ, the concentrations of As in soils and dusts in areas that are accessible to the public. Concentrations ranged from about 140 to 75,000 μg g^-1 (n = 98), and in all but one case exceeded a Category 4 Screening Level for park-type soil of 179 μg g^-1. Samples returned to the laboratory and fractionated to <63 μm were subjected to an in vitro assessment of both oral and inhalable bioaccessibility, with concentrations ranging from <10 to 25,500 μg g^-1 and dependent on the precise nature and origin of the sample and the physiological fluid applied. Concentrations of As in PM₁₀ collected along various transects of the region averaged over 30 ng m^-3 compared with a typical concentration in UK air of <1 ng m^-3. Calculations using default EPA and CLEA estimates and that factor in for bioaccessibility suggest a 6-h visit to the region results in exposure to As well in excess of that of minimum risk. The overall risk is exacerbated for frequent visitors to the region and for workers employed at the site. Based on our observations, we recommend that the remodelling or repurposing of historical mine sites require more stringent management and mitigation measures.

Leaching of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) from BFRs-incorporated plastics in digestive fluids and the influence of bird diets

Leaching kinetics of additive-derived brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in different sizes (100 μm-2 mm) of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) plastics were investigated in water, simulated gastric fluids, and simulated gastrointestinal fluids. The influences of bird diets (fish, clam, and rice) on the leaching of BFRs from plastics were also explored. The leaching kinetics of BFRs were best fitted with the second-order diffusion model. The leaching rates of BFRs increased for the less lipophilic BFRs in finer sizes of ABS. The log-transformed leached proportions of BFRs at equilibrium were significantly correlated with logK_OW of BFRs (p < 0.05). BFRs migrated from ABS to digestive fluids and diet residues at equilibrium, since elevated concentrations of BFRs were observed in diet residues than virgin diet samples. Leached proportions of BFRs in gut fluids from mixture of ABS and diets were lower than those from only ABS. The logK_OW of BFRs and the migration proportions of BFRs from ABS to digestive fluids and diet residues were fitted with linear regression analysis. The results indicate that more lipophilic BFRs are preferentially leached from BFRs-incorporated plastics into fluids and are further adsorbed by diet residues.

Palladium release from catalytic converter materials induced by road de-icer components chloride and ferrocyanide

Environmental levels of platinum group elements (PGEs) are rising due to emissions of vehicle catalytic converter (VCC) materials containing palladium, platinum and rhodium. When these PGE-containing VCC materials are exposed to soil and water, coordination complex formation with ligands present in the environment may mobilize PGEs into solution, particularly Pd. Road de-icing salt contains two ligands with high affinities for Pd²⁺: chloride (Cl^-) from NaCl and cyanide (CN^-) from ferrocyanide (Fe(CN)₆^4-) anti-caking agents. Batch leaching studies of VCC materials were conducted with solutions representative of de-icer-contaminated road runoff at pH 8 and room temperature for 48 h. Ferrocyanide (FC) concentrations of 0 μM, 1 μM, 2 μM and 10 μM were tested with background electrolyte concentrations of 0.028 M NaCl (1000 mg/L Cl^-) or 0.028 M NaClO₄. Palladium release increased with FC concentration, ranging from 0.014 ± 0.002 μM Pd without FC to 5.013 ± 0.002 μM Pd at 10 μM FC. At 0 μM, 1 μM and 2 μM FC, chloride induced further Pd release, but had no effect at 10 μM FC. PHREEQC modeling predicted that the predominant species present in equilibrium with Pd(OH)₂(s) were Pd(OH)₂⁰ and Pd(CN)₄^2-, and that PdCl_x^2-x complexes had only a minor effect on the total concentration of dissolved palladium. The effect of FC on Pd release was predicted but not the effect of Cl^-, indicating possible kinetic control. Platinum was measured above limits of detection (LODs) only at 10 μM FC, and rhodium levels were below LODs, consistent with their slower complexation kinetics.

Enhanced release of palladium and platinum from catalytic converter materials exposed to ammonia and chloride bearing solutions

The environmental levels of platinum group elements (PGEs) are steadily rising, primarily due to exhaust emissions of vehicle catalytic converter (VCC) materials containing solid PGEs. Once these VCC materials reach soil and water, the PGEs may be transported in the form of nanoparticles (dimensions 1-100 nm) or they may be mobilized by forming coordination complexes with ligands in the environment. Chloride (Cl-) and ammonia (NH3) are two ligands of particular concern due to their ubiquity as well as their potential to form the chemotherapy drug cisplatin (Pt(NH3)2Cl2) or other potentially bioactive complexes. This initial study examines the release of Pd and Pt into solutions exposed to VCC materials at pH 8 and 25 °C, using elemental analysis of metal content in post-exposure extracts. The solutions had total ammonia nitrogen concentrations (TAN, [NH4+] + [NH3]) of 0 μM, 5.56 μM, 55.6 μM and 1.13 × 105 μM (0 ppm, 0.1 ppm, 1 ppm, and 2147 ppm). The former three represent background environmental levels had a minimal effect on release. However, when combined with 1.13 × 105 μM Cl- (4000 ppm Cl-), 55.6 μM TAN induced a marked increase in metal release (∼41× for Pd). High TAN solutions induced more Pd and Pt release than equimolar NaCl solutions. Materials characterization revealed that ∼4 nm palladium-containing nanoparticles were present, spatially associated with nanoparticles of γ-Al2O3; ceria-zirconia nanoparticles were also present but did not have any metal associated with them. Platinum-containing nanoparticles were not observed.

Mobilisation kinetics of hazardous elements in marine plastics subject to an avian physiologically-based extraction test

Samples of plastic collected from two beaches in southwest England (n = 185) have been analysed by XRF spectrometry for elements that are hazardous or restricted in synthetic polymers (namely, As, Ba, Br, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Sb and Se). Overall, one or more restricted element was detected in 151 samples, with 15 cases exhibiting non-compliance with respect to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive. Twelve plastics that were RoHS-non-compliant were subsequently processed into microplastic-sized fragments and subjected to an avian physiologically-based extraction test (PBET) that simulates the chemical conditions in the gizzard-proventriculus of the northern fulmar. Kinetic profiles of metal and metalloid mobilisation in the PBET were fitted using a pseudo-first-order diffusion model with rate constants ranging from ∼0.02 to 0.5 h^-1, while profiles for Br were better fitted with a parabolic diffusion model and rate constants of 7.4-9.5 (μg L^-1)^-1h^-1/2. Bioaccessibilities, based on maximum or equilibrium concentrations mobilised relative to total (XRF) concentrations, ranged from <1% for Cd and Se in polyethylene and polypropylene to over 10% for Br in a sample of expanded polystyrene and Pb in a sample of PVC. Calculations suggest that ingested plastic could contribute about 6% and 30% of a seabird's exposure to and accumulation of Pb and brominated compounds, respectively.

Assessing the potential of inorganic anions (Cl-, NO3-, SO42- and PO43-) to increase the bioaccessibility of emitted palladium in the environment: Experimental studies with soils and a Pd model substance

Palladium (Pd) emitted from vehicles equipped with exhaust catalytic converters has been accumulating at a greater rate relative to other platinum group elements (PGE) in the last 10-20 years. Little is known, however, regarding the various environmental factors and conditions which are likely to modulate the chemical behavior and bioaccessibility of this element post-emission. To meet data needs, soils and a Pd model substance were treated with solutions containing common anions (Cl^-, NO₃^-, SO₄^2- und PO₄^3-) to shed light on the geochemical behavior of emitted Pd under ambient conditions. As part of this, the particle surface chemistry of treated residues (insoluble phase) and solutions (soluble phase) was examined using XPS to assess the chemical transformation of Pd in the presence of inorganic anions. The results show that Pd is the most soluble in the presence of anionic species, followed by rhodium (Rh) and platinum (Pt). Pd in field-collected samples was found to be considerably more soluble than the metallic Pd in the model substance, Pd black, when treated with anionic species. The results also demonstrate that the solubility of Pd black is strongly dependent on solution pH, concentration and the duration of reaction. The outer 3-4 atomic layers of metallic Pd was determined via XPS to be partially oxidized when treated with anion solutions, with the degree being dependent on anion type. The concentration of dissolved O₂ in solution was found to have little impact on the transformation of metallic Pd. Given the ubiquitous nature of the anions examined, we can expect that Pd will become more bioaccessible post-emission.

The pH-dependent release of platinum group elements (PGEs) from gasoline and diesel fuel catalysts: Implication for weathering in soils

Powdered samples of new and old gasoline catalysts (Pt, Pd, Rh) and new and old diesel (Pt) catalysts were subjected to a pH-static leaching procedure (pH 2-9) coupled with thermodynamic modeling using PHREEQC-3 to verify the release and mobility of PGEs (platinum group elements). PGEs were released under acidic conditions, mostly exhibiting L-shaped leaching patterns: diesel old: 5.47, 0.005, 0.02; diesel new: 68.5, 0.23, 0.11; gasoline old: 0.1, 11.8, 4.79; gasoline new 2.6, 25.2, 35.9 in mg kg(-1) for Pt, Pd and Rh, respectively. Only the new diesel catalyst had a strikingly different leaching pattern with elevated concentrations at pH 4, probably influenced by the dissolution of the catalyst carrier and washcoat. The pH-static experiment coupled with thermodynamic modeling was found to be an effective instrument for understanding the leaching behavior of PGEs under various environmental conditions, and indicated that charged Pt and Rh species may be adsorbed on the negatively charged surface of kaolinite or Mn oxides in the soil system, whereas uncharged Pd and Rh species may remain mobile in soil solutions.

Geochemical behaviour of palladium in soils and Pd/PdO model substances in the presence of the organic complexing agents L-methionine and citric acid

Risk assessments of platinum group metal (PGE) emissions, notably those of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rh), have been mostly based on data regarding the metallic forms used in vehicular exhaust converters, known to be virtually biologically inert and immobile. To adequately assess the potential impacts of PGE, however, data on the chemical behaviour of these metals under ambient conditions post-emission is needed. Complexing agents with a high affinity for metals in the environment are hypothesized to contribute to an increased bioaccessibility of PGE. The purpose of this study is to examine the modulating effects of the organic complexing agents, L-methionine and citric acid, on the geochemical behavior of Pd in soils and model substances (Pd black and PdO). Batch experimental tests were conducted with soils and model substances to examine the impacts of the concentration of complexing agents, pH and length of extraction period on Pd solubility and its chemical transformation. Particle surface chemistry was examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) on samples treated with solutions under various conditions, including low and high O2 levels. Pd was observed to be more soluble in the presence of organic complexing agents, compared to Pt and Rh. Pd in soils was more readily solubilized with organic complexing agents compared to the model substances. After 7 days of extraction, L-methionine (0.1 M) treated soil and Pd black samples, for instance, had mean soluble Pd fractions of 12.4 ± 5.9% and 0.554 ± 0.024%, respectively. Surface chemistry analyses (XPS) confirmed the oxidation of metallic Pd surfaces when treated with organic complexing agents. The type of organic complexing agent used for experimental purposes was observed to be the most important factor influencing solubility, followed by solution pH and time of extraction. The results demonstrate that metallic Pd can be transformed into more bioaccessible species in the presence of organic complexing agents which are ubiquitous in the environment.

The influence of ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) on the transformation and solubility of metallic palladium and palladium(II) oxide in the environment

The environmental occurrence of elevated concentrations of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rh) from automotive catalytic converters has been well-documented. Limited information exists regarding their chemical behavior post-emission, however, especially in the presence of commonly occurring complexing agents. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) on the possible environmental transformation and solubility of Pd by conducting batch experiments using metallic palladium (Pd black) and palladium(ii) oxide (PdO). Changes in the particle surface chemistry of treated samples were analyzed using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Transition Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (TEM/EDX) techniques. Metallic palladium was partially transformed into PdOx (x < 1), while PdO remained largely unaffected. The pH of EDTA solutions was observed to modulate Pd solubility, with Pd black demonstrating a higher solubility compared to PdO. Solubility was also found to increase with a corresponding increase in the strength of EDTA solution concentrations, as well as with the length of extraction time. The overall solubility of Pd remained relatively low for most samples (<1 wt%). A dissolution rate of 2.01 ± 0.17 nmol m(-2) h(-1) was calculated for Pd black in 0.1 M EDTA (pH 7). In contrast to previously held assumptions about the environmental immobility of Pd, small amounts of this element emitted in metallic form are likely to be soluble in the presence of complexing agents such as EDTA.

Methodological aspects of in vitro assessment of bio-accessible risk element pool in urban particulate matter

In vitro tests simulating the elements release from inhaled urban particulate matter (PM) with artificial lung fluids (Gamble's and Hatch's solutions) and simulated gastric and pancreatic solutions were applied for an estimation of hazardous element (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) bio-accessibility in this material. An inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were employed for the element determination in extracted solutions. The effect of the extraction agent used, extraction time, sample-to-extractant ratio, sample particle size and/or individual element properties was evaluated. Different patterns of individual elements were observed, comparing Hatch's solution vs. simulated gastric and pancreatic solutions. For Hatch's solution, a decreasing sample-to-extractant ratio in a PM size fraction of <0.063 mm resulted in increasing leached contents of all investigated elements. As already proved for other operationally defined extraction procedures, the extractable element portions are affected not only by their mobility in the particulate matter itself but also by the sample preparation procedure. Results of simulated in vitro tests can be applied for the reasonable estimation of bio-accessible element portions in the particulate matter as an alternative method, which, consequently, initiates further examinations including potential in vivo assessments.

Fate of platinum metals in the environment

For many years now automotive exhaust catalysts have been used to reduce the significant amounts of harmful chemical substances generated by car engines, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Although they considerably decrease environmental contamination with the above-mentioned compounds, it is known that catalysts contribute to the environmental load of platinum metals (essential components of catalysts), which are released with exhaust fumes. Contamination with platinum metals stems mainly from automotive exhaust converters, but other major sources also exist. Since platinum group elements (PGEs): platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru) and iridium (Ir) seem to spread in the environment and accumulate in living organisms, they may pose a threat to animals and humans. This paper discusses the modes and forms of PGE emission as well as their impact on the environment and living organisms.

Bioavailability of arsenic, cadmium, iron and zinc in leafy vegetables amended with urban particulate matter suspension

BACKGROUND

Urban particulate matter (PM) can affect green plants either via deposition on the above-ground biomass, where the contaminants can penetrate the leaf surface, or indirectly via soil-root interaction. This experiment assessed the potential risk of PM-derived risk elements contained in vegetables. The bioavailable portions of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in leafy vegetables amended by PM via soil and/or foliar application were investigated in a model pot experiment, in which lettuce and chard were cultivated.

RESULTS

By using the physiologically based extraction test simulating in vitro human digestive processes in the stomach and small intestine, the bioavailable portions of toxic elements from PM-amended plant biomass were extracted. Extractable portions of elements by a simulated gastric solution from biomass decreased for lettuce in the order Zn > Cd > As > Fe; while for chard, the order was As > Zn > Cd > Fe. No significant effects of PM physical fractions or soil were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the bioavailable element portions in the PM samples were lower compared to plants, the bioavailable element contents in foliar PM-amended plant leaves exceeded the control and soil PM amendment levels, even after biomass washing.

In vitro investigations of platinum, palladium, and rhodium mobility in urban airborne particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1) using simulated lung fluids

Environmental concentrations of platinum group elements (PGE) have been increasing since the introduction of automotive catalytic converters to control harmful emissions. Assessments of the human health risks of exposures to these elements, especially through the inhalation of PGE-associated airborne particulate matter (PM), have been hampered by a lack of data on their bioaccessibility. The purpose of this study is to apply in vitro methods using simulated human lung fluids [artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF) and Gamble's solution] to assess the mobility of the PGE, platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), and rhodium (Rh) in airborne PM of human health concern. Airborne PM samples (PM(10), PM(2.5), and PM(1)) were collected in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. For comparison, the same extraction experiments were conducted using the standard reference material, Used Auto Catalyst (monolith) (NIST 2557). Pt and Pd concentrations were measured using isotope dilution ICP-Q-MS, while Rh was measured directly with ICP-Q-MS (in collision mode with He), following established matrix separation and enrichment procedures, for both solid (filtered residues) and extracted sample phases. The mobilized fractions measured for PGE in PM(10), PM(2.5), and PM(1) were highly variable, which can be attributed to the heterogenic nature of airborne PM and its composition. Overall, the mobility of PGE in airborne PM samples was notable, with a mean of 51% Rh, 22% Pt, and 29% Pd present in PM(1) being mobilized by ALF after 24 h. For PM(1) exposed to Gamble's solution, a mean of 44% Rh, 18% Pt, and 17% Pd was measured in solution after 24 h. The mobility of PGE associated with airborne PM was also determined to be much higher compared to that measured for the auto catalyst standard reference material. The results suggest that PGE emitted from automotive catalytic converters are likely to undergo chemical transformations during and/or after being emitted in the environment. This study highlights the need to conduct bioaccessibility experiments using samples collected in the field to enable an adequate assessment of risk.

Platinum group elements (Pt, Pd, Rh) in airborne particulate matter in rural vs. urban areas of Germany: concentrations and spatial patterns of distribution

This study examines platinum group element concentrations (PGE) (i.e. platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rh)) and their spatial distribution in airborne particulate matter fractions (PM) of human health concern in urban and rural areas of Germany. Fractionated airborne dust and PM(10), PM(2.5) and PM(1) samples were collected along a busy road in Frankfurt am Main from July 2008 to April 2010. PM(10) was also sampled in Deuselbach and Neuglobsow between January 2008 and July 2009 to examine their concentrations at rural locations and potential for long-range transport. Pt, Pd and Rh were isolated and pre-enriched in samples using a combination of Te and Hg co-precipitation methods. Concentrations were determined using isotope dilution ICP-Q-MS (in collision mode with He). The highest airborne PGE concentrations were measured in PM(10) from Frankfurt (e.g. 12.4pg Pt/m(3) (mean)), while the rural locations of Deuselbach and Neuglobsow exhibited the lowest levels (e.g. 2pg Pt/m(3) (mean)). PGE concentrations were observed to decline with increasingly smaller PM size fractions from PM(10) to PM(1). All size fractions generally contained higher levels of Pd compared to Pt and Rh, an element of greater concern due to its solubility. PM(2.5) collected in Frankfurt had a mean of 16.1pg Pd/m(3), compared to 9.4pg/m(3) for Pt. PGE concentrations also demonstrated a distinct seasonal relationship, with the greatest levels occurring in winter. Compared to a previous study in 2002, PGE concentrations in fractionated airborne dust have significantly increased over time. Elevated PGE levels were also measured for PM(10) sampled in Neuglobsow and Deuselbach, which could not be attributed to local emission sources. Using the diagnostic meteorological model, CALMET, trajectory analyses confirmed our hypothesis that PGE are being transported over longer distances from other areas of Europe.

Dissolution kinetics of Pd and Pt from automobile catalysts by naturally occurring complexing agents

Powder samples prepared from gasoline (Pt, Pd, Rh, new GN/old GO) and diesel (Pt, new DN/old DO) catalysts and recycled catalyst NIST 2556 were tested using kinetic leaching experiments following 1, 12, 24, 48, 168, 360, 720 and 1440-h interactions with solutions of 20mM citric acid (CA), 20 mM Na(2)P(4)O(7) (NaPyr), 1 g L(-1) NaCl (NaCl), a fulvic acid solution (FA-DOC 50 mg L(-1)) and 20 mM CA at pH 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The mobilisation of platinum group elements (PGEs) was fastest in solutions of CA and NaPyr. In the other interactions (NaCl, FA), the release of PGEs was probably followed by immobilisation processes, and the interactions were not found to correspond to the simple release of PGEs into solution. Because of their low concentrations, the individual complexing agents did not have any effect on the speciation of Pd and Pt in the extracts; both metals are present in solution as the complexes Me(OH)(2), Me(OH)(+). Immobilisation can take place through the adsorption of the positively charged hydroxyl complexes or flocculation of fulvic acid, complexing the PGEs on the surface of the extracted catalysts. The calculated normalised bulk released NRi values are similar to the reaction rate highest in the solutions of CA and NaPyr.

Oral bioaccessibility of trace metals in household dust: a review

Because household dust is a heterogeneous assortment of particles derived from a multitude of diverse sources, concentrations of toxicants, like trace metals, vary widely among sample populations. For risk assessment purposes, the bioaccessibility of a trace metal, or its degree of solubilization in the human lung or digestive environment, provides a better metric of its potential health impact than its total concentration. In this paper, the relatively little direct information that exists on the in vitro oral bioaccessibilities of metals in household dust is reviewed. Data and mechanisms from studies involving better characterized geosolids, like soil and street dust, or metal-rich components thereof, such as paints, are also extrapolated to the household setting, although use of these solids as surrogates of household dust is not recommended. The bioaccessibility of a given metal is highly variable in the household setting; for instance, reported accessibilities of Pb in fluids that mimic the human stomach range from 25 to 80%, and accessibility is usually, but not always, reduced when conditions are altered to mimic the intestine. While part of this variation reflects the inherent heterogeneity of samples arising from local to regional differences in geology, industrial emissions, and domestic (and cultural) practices, considerable variation results from the precise means by which bioaccessibility is determined in vitro. It is recommended, therefore, that the effects of physicochemical variables, and in particular, the solid to fluid ratio and the pH of the stomach phase, are studied systematically such that appropriate algorithms or corrections may be factored into measures of bioaccessibility obtained under operationally defined default conditions.

Solution-engineered palladium nanoparticles: model for health effect studies of automotive particulate pollution

Palladium (Pd) nanoparticles are recognized as components of airborne automotive pollution produced by abrasion of catalyst materials in the car exhaust system. Here we produced dispersions of hydrophilic spherical Pd nanoparticles (Pd-NP) of uniform shape and size (10.4 ± 2.7 nm) in one step by Bradley's reaction (solvothermal decomposition in an alcohol or ketone solvent) as a model particle for experimental studies of the Pd particles in air pollution. The same approach provided mixtures of Pd-NP and nanoparticles of non-redox-active metal oxides, such as Al(2)O(3). Particle aggregation in applied media was studied by DLS and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The putative health effects of the produced Pd nanoparticles and nanocomposite mixtures were evaluated in vitro, using human primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC) and a human alveolar carcinoma cell line (A549). Viability of these cells was tracked by vital dye exclusion, and apoptosis was also assessed. In addition, we monitored the release of IL-8 and PGE(2) in response to noncytotoxic doses of the nanoparticles. Our studies demonstrate cellular uptake of Pd nanoparticles only in PBEC, as determined by TEM, with pronounced and dose-dependent effects on cellular secretion of soluble biomarkers in both cell types and a decreased responsiveness of human epithelial cells to the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. When cells were incubated with higher doses of the Pd nanoparticles, apoptosis induction and caspase activation were apparent in PBEC but not in A549 cells. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of using engineered Pd nanoparticles to assess the health effects of airborne automotive pollution.

Toxicity of tire wear particle leachate to the marine macroalga, Ulva lactuca

Tire wear particles filed from the treads of end-of-life vehicle tires have been added to sea water to examine the release of Zn and the toxicity of the resulting leachate and dilutions thereof to the marine macroalga, Ulva lactuca. Zinc release appeared to be diffusion-controlled, with a conditional rate constant of 5.4 μg[L(h)(1/2)](-1), and about 1.6% of total Zn was released after 120 h incubation. Exposure to increasing concentrations of leachate resulted in a non-linear reduction in the efficiency of photochemical energy conversion of U. lactuca and, with the exception of the undiluted leachate, increasing accumulation of Zn. Phototoxicity was significantly lower on exposure to equivalent concentrations of Zn added as Zn(NO(3))(2), suggesting that organic components of leachate are largely responsible for the overall toxicity to the alga. Given the ubiquity and abundance of TWP in urban coastal sediments, the generation, biogeochemistry and toxicity of tire leachate in the marine setting merit further attention.

Bioaccessibility of trace metals in boat paint particles

A ground composite of paint fragments collected from a leisure boatyard has been analysed for total and bioaccessible trace metal concentrations. The sample contained concentrations of Cu and Zn of about 1% due to their use in antifouling formulations, and significant quantities of Ba, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sb and Sn. In a simulated stomach phase (pH 2.5), bioaccessible concentrations relative to respective total concentrations ranged from <or=10% for Ba, Cr, Ni and Sn to 80-90% for Cu and Zn. Under subsequently simulated intestinal conditions (pH 7), metal accessibility was either reduced or maintained. Increasing pH of the stomach phase from 1 to 4.5 resulted in a reduction in bioaccessibility, an effect that was propagated, in most cases, into the intestinal phase. These results are critical to the formulation of risk assessments for individuals exposed to paint particles during vessel maintenance or in home environments subjected to particulate track-in.

Speciation and reactivity of Cisplatin in river water and seawater

The adsorption of the cytostatic anticancer drug, cisplatin (cis-PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2)), has been studied after its addition to suspensions of estuarine sediment in river water and seawater. After a 16 h reaction period, adsorption was significantly greater in river water (sediment-water distribution coefficient, K(D), of 400 mL g(-1)) than that in seawater (K(D) approximately 150 mL g(-1)) because of the ready aquation of cisplatin to the more reactive monoaquacisplatin (cis-PtCl(OH(2))(NH(3))(2)(+)) at low chloride ion concentrations. Adsorption in river water was enhanced (K(D) approximately 2000 mL g(-1)) by a 24 h period of preincubation in the aqueous phase in which aquation proceeded further. The effects of pH on adsorption were relatively small, presumably because protonation-deprotonation of the particle surface was accompanied by near-equivalent shifts in the charge of hydrolysis products of aquated cisplatin. Kinetic experiments revealed a period of slow protracted uptake (up to about 60 h), followed by gradual desorption in both river water and seawater. Results were interpreted in terms of the formation of monoaquacisplatin, its adsorption to the particle surface, and the subsequent desorption of undefined, unreactive species. Kinetic data were modeled with a sequence of pseudofirst-order reactions and fits were obtained with forward and reverse rate constants for aquation of 1.79 x 10(-5) and 1.84 x 10(-5) s(-1) in river water and 5.50 x 10(-6) and 5.84 x 10(-6) s(-1) in seawater, and adsorption and desorption rate constants of 1.75 x 10(-5) and 0.20 x 10(-5) s(-1) in river water and 0.98 x 10(-5) and 2.8 x 10(-5) s(-1) in seawater. Environmental conditions favoring the retention of cisplatin and its degradation products are low chloride ion concentrations, high turbidities, and long residence or transit times; dispersion of the drug is favored in saline, coastal waters.