Search Results (510)

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has emerged as a transformative tool in environmental monitoring, enabling non-invasive detection of species and microbial communities across diverse ecosystems. This study systematically reviews the role of bioinformation technology in eDNA analysis, focusing on methodologies and applications across air, soil, groundwater, sediment, and aquatic environments. Advances in molecular biology, high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics tools, and field-deployable detection systems have significantly improved eDNA detection sensitivity, allowing for early identification of invasive species, monitoring ecosystem health, and tracking pollutant degradation processes. Airborne eDNA monitoring has demonstrated potential for assessing microbial shifts due to air pollution and tracking pathogen transmission. In terrestrial environments, eDNA facilitates soil and groundwater pollution assessments and enhances understanding of biodegradation processes. In aquatic ecosystems, eDNA serves as a powerful tool for biodiversity assessment, invasive species monitoring, and wastewater-based epidemiology. Despite its growing applicability, challenges remain, including DNA degradation, contamination risks, and standardization of sampling protocols. Future research should focus on integrating eDNA data with remote sensing, machine learning, and ecological modeling to enhance predictive environmental monitoring frameworks. As technological advancements continue, eDNA-based approaches are poised to revolutionize environmental assessment, conservation strategies, and public health surveillance. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a planetary health emergency, driven not only by the clinical misuse of antibiotics but also by diverse environmental dissemination pathways. This review critically examines the role of environmental compartments—water, soil, and air—as dynamic reservoirs and transmission routes for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and resistance genes (ARGs). Recent metagenomic, epidemiological, and mechanistic evidence demonstrates that anthropogenic pressures—including pharmaceutical effluents, agricultural runoff, untreated sewage, and airborne emissions—amplify resistance evolution and interspecies gene transfer via horizontal gene transfer mechanisms, biofilms, and mobile genetic elements. Importantly, it is not only highly polluted rivers such as the Ganges that contribute to the spread of AMR; even low concentrations of antibiotics and their metabolites, formed during or after treatment, can significantly promote the selection and dissemination of resistance. Environmental hotspots such as European agricultural soils and airborne particulate zones near wastewater treatment plants further illustrate the complexity and global scope of pollution-driven AMR. The synergistic roles of co-selective agents, including heavy metals, disinfectants, and microplastics, are highlighted for their impact in exacerbating resistance gene propagation across ecological and geographical boundaries. The efficacy and limitations of current mitigation strategies, including advanced wastewater treatments, thermophilic composting, biosensor-based surveillance, and emerging regulatory frameworks, are evaluated. By integrating a One Health perspective, this review underscores the imperative of including environmental considerations in global AMR containment policies and proposes a multidisciplinary roadmap to mitigate resistance spread across interconnected human, animal, and environmental domains. Full article

Algal and cyanobacterial blooms are anticipated to increase in frequency, duration, and geographic extent as a result of environmental changes, including climate warming, elevated nutrient concentrations, and increased runoff in both marine and freshwater ecosystems. The eutrophication of aquatic environments represents a substantial threat to human health. As eutrophication progresses, airborne algae and cyanobacteria, particularly harmful genera originating from aquatic environments, are released into the atmosphere and may pose potential risks to human health. Furthermore, respiratory distress has been documented in individuals exposed to aerosols containing harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. This review investigates the generation of aerosolised harmful algal blooms, their responses to environmental factors, and their associated health risks. Evidence suggests that airborne algae, cyanobacteria, and their toxins are widespread. When these are aerosolised into micrometre-sized particles, they become susceptible to atmospheric processing, which may degrade the HAB toxins and produce byproducts with differing potencies compared to the parent compounds. Inhalation of aerosolised HAB toxins, especially when combined with co-morbid factors such as exposure to air pollutants, could present a significant health risk to a considerable proportion of the global population. A more comprehensive understanding of the chemical transformations of these toxins and the composition of harmful algal and cyanobacterial communities can improve public safety. Full article

Air pollution caused by pesticide residues is an emerging concern in urban environments influenced by nearby agricultural activities. In this study, weekly air samples were collected between May 2018 and March 2020 in Strasbourg, France, to quantify 104 pesticides in both gas and particle phases using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS. Herbicides and fungicides were the most frequently detected classes, appearing in 98% of both phases followed by insecticides. Key compounds such as metalaxyl-M, diphenylamine, and bifenthrin were present in over 90% of samples. Concentrations ranged from 2.5 to 63 ng m⁻³ weekly, with cumulative annual loads exceeding 1200 ng m⁻³. Gas–particle partitioning revealed that highly volatile compounds like azinphos-ethyl favored the gas phase, while less volatile ones like bifenthrin and tebuconazole partitioned >95% into particles. A third-degree polynomial regression (R² of 0.74) revealed a nonlinear relationship between Kₚ and particle-phase concentrations, highlighting a threshold above Kₚ of 0.025 beyond which compounds accumulate disproportionately in the particulate phase. Seasonal variability showed that 36% of the annual pesticide load occurred in autumn, with total airborne levels peaking near 400 ng m⁻³, while the lowest load occurred during summer. Principal component analysis identified rainfall and total suspended particles as major drivers of pesticide phase distribution. The inhalation health risk assessed yielded hazard index values < 1 × 10⁻⁷ for all population groups, suggesting negligible non-cancer risk. This study highlights the prevalence, seasonal dynamics, and partition behavior of airborne pesticides in urban air and underscores the need for regulatory attention to this overlooked exposure route. Full article

Particulate matter (PM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals (HMs) present in polluted air are strongly associated with an increased risk of respiratory diseases. In our study, we grouped cities based on their pollution levels using a method called Ward’s cluster analysis and looked at the increased cancer risk from PM₁₀-bound harmful substances for adult men and women living in Polish cities. The analysis was based on data from 8 monitoring stations where concentrations of PM₁₀, PAHs, and HMs were measured simultaneously between 2018 and 2022. The cluster analysis made it possible to distinguish three separate agglomeration clusters: cluster I (Upper Silesia, Wroclaw) with the highest concentrations of heavy metals and PAHs, with mean levels of lead 14.97 ± 7.27 ng·m⁻³, arsenic 1.73 ± 0.60 ng·m⁻³, nickel 1.77 ± 0.95 ng·m⁻³, cadmium 0.49 ± 0.28 ng·m⁻³, and ∑PAHs 15.53 ± 6.44 ng·m⁻³, cluster II (Warsaw, Łódź, Lublin, Cracow) with dominant road traffic emissions and low emissions, with average levels of lead 8.00 ± 3.14 ng·m⁻³, arsenic 0.70 ± 0.17 ng·m⁻³, nickel 1.64 ± 0.96 ng·m⁻³, and cadmium 0.49 ± 0.28 ng·m⁻³, and cluster III (Szczecin, Tricity) with the lowest concentration levels with favourable ventilation conditions. All calculated ILCR values were in the range of 1.20 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.11 × 10⁻⁵, indicating a potential cancer risk associated with long-term exposure. The highest ILCR values were reached in Upper Silesia and Wroclaw (cluster I), and the lowest in Tricity, which was classified in cluster III. Our findings suggest that there are continued preventive actions and stricter air quality control. The results confirm that PM₁₀ is a significant carrier of airborne carcinogens and should remain a priority in both environmental and public health policy. Full article

Since airborne microplastics (AMPs) are a recent and unexplored field of study, there are several unresolved issues regarding their effects on plants. The accumulating potential of AMPs and their effect on the biochemical parameters of ten different plant species in an Indian city environment were assessed. The four types of AMPs deposited in the phyllosphere—fragment (30.76%), film (28.95%), fiber (22.61%), and pellet (17.68%)—were examined using stereomicroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. The air pollution tolerance index (APTI) was determined, and other biochemical parameters such as proline, phenol, malondialdehyde, carotenoids, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase were also measured. The findings showed that in the case of polymers type, PE (30%) was more abundant than others, followed by PET (17%), PP (15%), PVC (13%), PVA (10%), PS (7%), ABS (5%), and PMMA (3%). Clerodendrum infortunatum L., Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton, and Mangifera indica L. all showed a strong APTI and also exhibited significantly higher amounts of AMP accumulation. Principal component analysis showed a stronger association between phyllospheric AMPs and biochemical parameters. Additionally, the correlation analysis revealed that the presence of accumulated AMPs may significantly influence the biochemical parameters of the plants. Thus, it can be concluded that the different plant species are uniquely specialized in AMP accumulation, which is significantly impacted by the plants’ APTI as well as other biochemical parameters. Full article

Climate change and air pollution are reshaping viral circulation patterns and increasing host vulnerability, amplifying the burden of respiratory illness in early childhood. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on how environmental exposures, particularly to nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and fine particulate matter, contribute to the incidence and severity of bronchiolitis, with a focus on biological mechanisms, epidemiological trends, and public health implications. Bronchiolitis remains one of the leading causes of hospitalization in infancy, with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) being responsible for the majority of severe cases. Airborne pollutants penetrate deep into the airways, triggering inflammation, compromising mucosal defenses, and impairing immune function, especially in infants with pre-existing vulnerabilities. These interactions can intensify the clinical course of viral infections and contribute to more severe disease presentations. Children in urban areas exposed to high levels of traffic-related emissions are disproportionately affected, underscoring the need for integrated public health interventions. These include stricter emission controls, urban design strategies to reduce exposure, and real-time health alerts during pollution peaks. Prevention strategies should also address indoor air quality and promote risk awareness among families and caregivers. Further research is needed to standardize exposure assessments, clarify dose–response relationships, and deepen our understanding of how pollution interacts with viral immunity. Bronchiolitis emerges as a sentinel condition at the crossroads of climate, environment, and pediatric health, highlighting the urgent need for collaboration across clinical medicine, epidemiology, and environmental science. Full article

In recent years, heavy metal pollution in farmland soil has become a crisis due to human activities or natural impacts, with particular emphasis on cases from China, where this issue is prominent, greatly affecting crop production and food safety. In the context of a low heavy metal (HM) content in farmland soil, which is difficult to monitor in real time, effective and rapid monitoring of soil plays a decisive role in subsequent targeted protection measures. To this end, this paper provides a narrative review of the application of spectral sensing technology on the basis of the quantitative inversion of heavy metal content in farmland soil using different platforms (ground, airborne, and spaceborne). The sensing process evaluates the mechanism by which soil produces different weak spectral features from the perspective of the heterogeneity of farmland soil. Different methods used for the quantitative inversion of heavy metals (by studying the correlation between soil heavy metals and organic matter, clay minerals, metal oxides, crop vegetation index, etc.) and their feasibility were clarified. At the same time, relevant research on key technologies used in various processes—such as follow-up pretreatment, spectral feature extraction, and the establishment of inversion models for spectral data of different farmland soil types—was summarized, with a primary focus on cases in China. Finally, the challenges, applications, and research directions related to heavy metal spectral inversion in farmland soil were discussed. Full article

This paper addresses the growing concern surrounding microplastic pollution, particularly within the textile industry, and the associated potential health risks linked to the inhalation and ingestion of microplastic particles. Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than five millimeters, are increasingly found not only in aquatic environments, but also in soils, air, and food. Although research on the health impacts of microplastics is still emerging, early studies indicate that these particles could contribute to health issues, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases. Notably, individuals with higher concentrations of plastics in arterial plaques are more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes. In the textile industry, synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic release microplastics into the air during production. The paper discusses a study conducted in a textile company that processes polyester yarns, where airborne microplastic concentrations were measured at various locations throughout the day. Particle sizes ranging from 0.3 nm to 10 nm were analyzed, revealing the presence of polyester polymers in the particulate matter. These findings underscore the widespread nature of microplastic pollution, particularly in industrial settings, and raise concerns about the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to airborne microplastics. While further research is necessary to fully understand the extent of these health impacts, preliminary data suggest a troubling link between microplastic inhalation and cardiovascular conditions. Full article

There is a profound interdependence between biodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Biodiversity underpins the functioning of global ecosystems and human welfare, and the achievement of numerous SDGs is directly or indirectly linked to protecting and sustainably managing biodiversity. In recent years, environmental DNA (eDNA) technology has exerted a great impact in the field of biodiversity monitoring. Airborne eDNA plays a significant role due to its non-invasive nature and the ability to monitor multiple taxonomic groups simultaneously. This review summarizes the technical principles, sampling methods, data analysis strategies of airborne eDNA and its application in biodiversity monitoring. In addition, it discusses the current technical challenges (e.g., pollution control, degradation mechanisms, and quantitative analysis) in the field, as well as future development directions, including optimizing sampling strategies, developing specific primers, integrating environmental RNA (eRNA), and establishing standardized monitoring systems. This review aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of airborne eDNA technology to promote airborne wide application of eDNA in global biodiversity monitoring. Full article

The rapid production and disposal of synthetic textiles, driven by fast fashion and overconsumption, contribute significantly to environmental pollution and human health risks. Functional finishes often contain toxic substances that leach into aquatic systems. Laundering and abrasion release microplastic fibers (MPFs), commonly called microplastics, and anthropogenic microfibers (MFs) which degrade into nanoplastics (NPs) through mechanical stress, heat, and UV radiation. These particles bypass wastewater treatment and accumulate in human organs, including the liver, lungs, and brain. This review highlights the limitations of current waste management systems, the role of textile design in particle release, and the need for further research on airborne emissions and environmental interactions. Mitigating textile-derived plastic pollution will require biodegradable finishes, pre-consumer filtration systems, and circular consumption models supported by interdisciplinary collaboration. Full article

This research aims to evaluate the economic valuation of lead air pollution in the AA.HH. Virgen de Guadalupe, Callao, Peru. A survey was conducted with 182 residents, focusing on air quality, temporary exposure to pollution, aesthetic appreciation of the environment, willingness to accept (WTA) economic compensation, and willingness to pay (WTP) to mitigate lead air pollution. The data were analyzed using the logit model through STATA16 software. The results revealed that 62.09% of respondents were willing to accept economic compensation, while 56.04% expressed willingness to pay for reducing lead pollution. Furthermore, it was determined that the average monthly WTP is PEN 62.48 (USD 16.47), amounting to PEN 1,201,865.28 (USD 329,103.16) annually for the entire population of 1603 residents. In contrast, the average monthly WTA per resident is PEN 153.59 (USD 40.48), totaling PEN 2,954,457.24 (USD 809,010.16) annually due to lead air pollution. The study concluded that environmental perception, awareness, the desire to maximize present utility, and uncertainty about the future significantly influence the economic valuation of lead air pollution in this community. Full article

Soldering is a common engineering practice that releases airborne particulate matter (PM), contributing to significant long-term respiratory risk. The health impact of this exposure is significant, with up to 22% of soldering workers worldwide being diagnosed with conditions such as occupational asthma, restrictive lung disease, and bronchial obstruction. Studies have reported that soldering can produce PM_2.5 concentrations up to 10 times higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 24 h exposure limit of 35.0 μg/m³—posing significant respiratory and cognitive health risks under chronic exposure. These hazards remain underappreciated by novice engineers in academic and entry-level industrial environments, where safety practices are often informal or inconsistently applied. Air purification systems offer a mitigation approach; however, performance varies significantly with model and placement, and independent validation is limited. This study uses an indoor air quality monitoring system consisting of six AeroSpec sensors to measure PM_2.5–10 concentrations during soldering sessions conducted with and without commercial air purifiers. Tests were conducted with and without a selection of commercial air purifiers, and measurements were recorded under consistent spatial and temporal conditions. Datasets were analyzed to evaluate purifier effectiveness and the influence of placement on pollutant distribution. The findings provide independent validation of air purifier capabilities and offer evidence-based suggestions for minimizing particulate exposure and improving safety in laboratory soldering environments. Full article

Air pollution is an escalating global concern with significant implications for human health and athletic performance. This narrative review synthesizes and critically compares the current literature on the impact of air pollution on health and football performance, elucidates the physiological mechanisms involved, and evaluates available mitigation strategies. Comparative studies consistently demonstrate that football players—who frequently engage in high-intensity outdoor exercise—are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of airborne pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and carbon monoxide (CO). These pollutants bypass natural respiratory defenses due to increased pulmonary ventilation during exercise, reaching deeper lung regions and triggering oxidative stress, inflammation, and impaired lung function. Evidence across studies indicates that poor air quality is associated with decreased football performance, including reduced distance covered, fewer high-intensity efforts, elevated physiological strain, and diminished training adaptation. Long-term exposure exacerbates respiratory conditions, suppresses immune function, and heightens the risk of illness and injury. Furthermore, comparative genetic research highlights inter-individual variability in pollution sensitivity, with specific gene variants conferring either increased vulnerability or resilience to adverse effects. This review also explores practical and emerging mitigation strategies—such as timing training to avoid peak pollution, utilizing air quality monitoring and antioxidant-rich diets, and promoting sustainable infrastructure—to safeguard athlete health and optimize performance. Novel approaches including respiratory training, anti-smog masks, indoor sessions, and personalized recovery protocols offer additional protection and recovery support. Full article

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is crucial for occupant health and sustainable urban living. Given the significant time spent indoors in urban areas, maintaining IAQ mitigates health risks and enhances quality of life. This study evaluates the effectiveness of installing a UV air-cleaning device at the outlet of an existing air-conditioning system. The experiments involved measuring the colony-forming units (CFUs) of airborne microorganisms before and after the installation of the UV device. Results demonstrated a significant reduction in CFUs, confirming the device’s efficacy in improving IAQ. Using the UV air-cleaning device for 30 min could reduce bacterial concentration by more than 70.7%. Furthermore, using a model from the literature, the time required to achieve a 90% reduction in pollutant concentration was calculated, providing a quantitative measure of the device’s performance. Using the energy recovery ventilators only requires 25.3 to 49.6 min to achieve a 90% reduction, whereas configurations incorporating UV lamps can reach 90% reduction in 7.1 min. Based on these findings, recommendations for the optimal use of UV air-cleaning devices are proposed, offering valuable insights for future designs of air purification systems. Full article