1
|
Gautam K, Pandey N, Yadav D, Parthasarathi R, Turner A, Anbumani S, Jha AN. Ecotoxicological impacts of landfill sites: Towards risk assessment, mitigation policies and the role of artificial intelligence. Sci Total Environ 2024; 927:171804. [PMID: 38513865 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Waste disposal in landfills remains a global concern. Despite technological developments, landfill leachate poses a hazard to ecosystems and human health since it acts as a secondary reservoir for legacy and emerging pollutants. This study provides a systematic and scientometric review of the nature and toxicity of pollutants generated by landfills and means of assessing their potential risks. Regarding human health, unregulated waste disposal and pathogens in leachate are the leading causes of diseases reported in local populations. Both in vitro and in vivo approaches have been employed in the ecotoxicological risk assessment of landfill leachate, with model organisms ranging from bacteria to birds. These studies demonstrate a wide range of toxic effects that reflect the complex composition of leachate and geographical variations in climate, resource availability and management practices. Based on bioassay (and other) evidence, categories of persistent chemicals of most concern include brominated flame retardants, per- and polyfluorinated chemicals, pharmaceuticals and alkyl phenol ethoxylates. However, the emerging and more general literature on microplastic toxicity suggests that these particles might also be problematic in leachate. Various mitigation strategies have been identified, with most focussing on improving landfill design or leachate treatment, developing alternative disposal methods and reducing waste volume through recycling or using more sustainable materials. The success of these efforts will rely on policies and practices and their enforcement, which is seen as a particular challenge in developing nations and at the international (and transboundary) level. Artificial intelligence and machine learning afford a wide range of options for evaluating and reducing the risks associated with leachates and gaseous emissions from landfills, and various approaches tested or having potential are discussed. However, addressing the limitations in data collection, model accuracy, real-time monitoring and our understanding of environmental impacts will be critical for realising this potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Gautam
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, REACT Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, CRK Campus, Lucknow 226008, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Namrata Pandey
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, REACT Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, CRK Campus, Lucknow 226008, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Dhvani Yadav
- Computational Toxicology Facility, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ramakrishnan Parthasarathi
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India; Computational Toxicology Facility, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Andrew Turner
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Sadasivam Anbumani
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, REACT Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, CRK Campus, Lucknow 226008, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Awadhesh N Jha
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ingold V, Kämpfe A, Ruhl AS. Screening for 26 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in German drinking waters with support of residents. Eco Environ Health 2023; 2:235-242. [PMID: 38435358 PMCID: PMC10902509 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water cycles poses a challenge to drinking water quality and safety. In order to counteract the large knowledge gap regarding PFAS in German drinking water, 89 drinking water samples from all over Germany were collected with the help of residents and were analyzed for 26 PFAS by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The 20 PFAS recently regulated by sum concentration (PFAS∑20), as well as six other PFAS, were quantified by targeted analysis. In all drinking water samples, PFAS∑20 was below the limit of 0.1 μg/L, but the sum concentrations ranged widely from below the limit of quantification up to 80.2 ng/L. The sum concentrations (PFAS∑4) of perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and perfluorononanoate of 20 ng/L were exceeded in two samples. The most frequently detected individual substances were PFOS (in 52% of the samples), perfluorobutanesulfonate (52%), perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA) (44%), perfluoropentanoate (43%) and PFHxS (35%). The highest single concentrations were 23.5 ng/L for PFHxS, 15.3 ng/L for PFOS, and 10.1 ng/L for PFHxA. No regionally elevated concentrations were identified, but some highly urbanized areas showed elevated levels. Concentrations of substitution PFAS, including 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propanoate and 2,2,3-trifluor-3-[1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluor-3-(trifluormethoxy)propoxy]-propanoate (anion of ADONA), were very low compared to regulated PFAS. The most frequently detected PFAS were examined for co-occurrences, but no definite correlations could be found.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Ingold
- German Environment Agency, Section II 3.3, Schichauweg 58, 12307, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Kämpfe
- German Environment Agency, Section II 3.2, Heinrich-Heine-Straße 12, 08645, Bad Elster, Germany
| | - Aki Sebastian Ruhl
- German Environment Agency, Section II 3.3, Schichauweg 58, 12307, Berlin, Germany
- Technische Universität Berlin, Chair of Water Treatment, KF4, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Harrall KK, Muller KE, Starling AP, Dabelea D, Barton KE, Adgate JL, Glueck DH. Power and sample size analysis for longitudinal mixed models of health in populations exposed to environmental contaminants: a tutorial. BMC Med Res Methodol 2023; 23:12. [PMID: 36635621 PMCID: PMC9835314 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-022-01819-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND When evaluating the impact of environmental exposures on human health, study designs often include a series of repeated measurements. The goal is to determine whether populations have different trajectories of the environmental exposure over time. Power analyses for longitudinal mixed models require multiple inputs, including clinically significant differences, standard deviations, and correlations of measurements. Further, methods for power analyses of longitudinal mixed models are complex and often challenging for the non-statistician. We discuss methods for extracting clinically relevant inputs from literature, and explain how to conduct a power analysis that appropriately accounts for longitudinal repeated measures. Finally, we provide careful recommendations for describing complex power analyses in a concise and clear manner. METHODS For longitudinal studies of health outcomes from environmental exposures, we show how to [1] conduct a power analysis that aligns with the planned mixed model data analysis, [2] gather the inputs required for the power analysis, and [3] conduct repeated measures power analysis with a highly-cited, validated, free, point-and-click, web-based, open source software platform which was developed specifically for scientists. RESULTS As an example, we describe the power analysis for a proposed study of repeated measures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human blood. We show how to align data analysis and power analysis plan to account for within-participant correlation across repeated measures. We illustrate how to perform a literature review to find inputs for the power analysis. We emphasize the need to examine the sensitivity of the power values by considering standard deviations and differences in means that are smaller and larger than the speculated, literature-based values. Finally, we provide an example power calculation and a summary checklist for describing power and sample size analysis. CONCLUSIONS This paper provides a detailed roadmap for conducting and describing power analyses for longitudinal studies of environmental exposures. It provides a template and checklist for those seeking to write power analyses for grant applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kylie K Harrall
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Keith E Muller
- Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Anne P Starling
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dana Dabelea
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kelsey E Barton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Deborah H Glueck
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tansel B. PFAS use in electronic products and exposure risks during handling and processing of e-waste: A review. J Environ Manage 2022; 316:115291. [PMID: 35584593 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) have been and are used in electronic products due to their unique properties that improve product quality and performance. Ubiquities and persistence of some PFAS detected in environmental samples (water, soil, air) have attracted much attention and regulatory actions in recent years. This review provides an overview of PFAS use in electronic components; trends in quantities of e-waste generation; PFAS exposure pathways during e-waste handling and processing; reported PFAS in environmental samples and samples of serum, blood, and hair collected from people living near and working at e-waste processing sites. Processes used for manufacturing electronic components (e.g., embedded processes, additive manufacturing) make recycling or materials recovery from discarded electronic units and components very difficult and unfeasible. Exposure during numerous processing steps for materials recovery and scavenging at disposal sites can result in PFAS intake through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal routes. Chemical risk assessment approaches have been continuously evolving to consider chemical-specific dosimetric and mechanistic information. While the metabolic fate of PFAS is not well understood, some PFAS bioaccumulate and bind to proteins (but not to lipids) in biota and humans due to their surface-active characteristics and very low solubility in water and fat. It is difficult to associate the adverse health effects due to exposure to e-waste directly to PFAS as there are other factors that could contribute to the observed adverse effects. However, PFAS have been detected in the samples collected from different environmental compartments (e.g., water, soil, leachate, blood sera, rainwater) at and near e-waste processing sites, landfills, and near electronics and optoelectronics industries indicating that e-waste collection, processing, and disposal sites are potential PFAS exposure locations. Better monitoring of e-waste handling sites and detailed epidemiological studies for at risk populations are needed for assessing potential health risks due to PFAS exposure at these sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Berrin Tansel
- Florida International University, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Florida, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gabbert S, Scheringer M, Ng CA, Stolzenberg HC. Socio-economic analysis for the authorisation of chemicals under REACH: a case of very high concern? Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2014; 70:564-71. [PMID: 25220186 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Under the European chemicals' legislation, REACH, substances that are identified to be of "very high concern" will de facto be removed from the market unless the European Commission grants authorisations permitting specific uses. Companies who apply for an authorisation without demonstrating "adequate control" of the risks have to show by means of a socio-economic analysis (SEA) that positive impacts of use outweigh negative impacts for human health and ecosystems. This paper identifies core challenges where further in-depth guidance is urgently required in order to ensure that a SEA can deliver meaningful results and that it can effectively support decision-making on authorisation. In particular, we emphasise the need (i) to better guide the selection of tools for impact assessment, (ii) to explicitly account for stock pollution effects in impact assessments for persistent and very persistent chemicals, (iii) to define suitable impact indicators for PBT/vPvB chemicals given the lack of reliable information about safe concentration levels, (iv) to guide how impacts can be transformed into values for decision-making, and (v) to provide a well-balanced discussion of discounting of long-term impacts of chemicals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silke Gabbert
- Wageningen University, Department of Social Sciences, Environmental Economics and Natural Resources Group, Hollandseweg 1, 6700 EW Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Martin Scheringer
- ETH Zürich, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Carla A Ng
- ETH Zürich, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hans-Christian Stolzenberg
- Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), International Chemicals Management (Section IV1.1), Wörlitzer Pl. 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| |
Collapse
|