Infants and toddlers are exposed to environmental contaminants and elements also via food. Due to its high proportion in young children’s diet, infant formula can contribute significantly to exposure. The present study describes the exposure to contaminants and elements such as inorganic arsenic (iAs), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) via formula consumption and classifies total dietary exposure in children aged 0.5-3 years in Germany. The assessment of long-term dietary exposure was based on data from the first total diet study (TDS) in Germany, the BfR MEAL Study, and the nutrition survey KiESEL. Results were compared to existing health-based guidance values (HBGV) or the margin of exposure (MoE) approach was used. The exposure of Cr, Ni, and Se was well below the corresponding HBGV. No HBGV was established for Hg, so the results were transformed into inorganic Hg. The Mn and Zn exposures were close to the HBGV in the 95th percentile and the MoE for Pb exposure was close to one. The MoE for iAs was below one for all children, and Cd levels exceeded the HBGV for about 30% of infants and toddlers. These results can support risk managers in continuing and prioritizing reduction strategies to reduce the levels of contaminants in food. Exposure to contaminants, particularly Mn, Zn, Pb, iAs, and Cd, through formula consumption should be further monitored.

Humans have released thousands of antibiotics into the environment, which is a primary driver of the global dissemination of bacterial resistance. Parent compounds can generate various transformation products (TPs), many of which remain unidentified and lack comprehensive microbial risk assessments. The TPs formed during the process may exhibit structural similarities to the parent compounds, and they can induce antibiotic-like resistance transmission despite lacking the bactericidal/antibacterial properties of the parent compounds. However, assessments of antimicrobial resistance hazards predominantly emphasize parent compounds while largely neglecting their TPs. Here, we highlight that TPs warrant greater attention regarding chemical structure identification and the risk of resistance transmission. This perspective summarizes TPs’ potential, mechanisms, and challenges in triggering the risk of resistance transmission.

Chemical composition plays a crucial role in the adverse health effects of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), yet traditional methods fail to comprehensively identify the toxic components. In this study, we developed a non-targeted approach using gas chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry, and obtained a database of 2,138 organic components from PM_2.5 samples collected in urban Beijing between 2016 and 2018. Meanwhile, we exposed PM_2.5 extracts to a human lung epithelial cell line and measured intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and extracellular cytokines as indicators of cellular response. A combination of single pollutant model, partial least squares regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression was applied and filtered 165 robust components in the database. Beyond 110 classic polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), we also identified 14 aromatic anhydrides and 21 nitrated compounds as contributors to toxicity. Molecular features such as unsaturation and volatility were found to be the most significant factors influencing cellular effects. Source apportionment analysis demonstrated distinct seasonal patterns in toxicological impacts. During the heating season, biomass burning emerged as the predominant pollution source, with its two-fold intensity elevation correlating with a significant 2.0% increase in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, accompanied by 6.0% and 7.6% decreases in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin (IL)-8, respectively. In contrast, non-heating season observations revealed vehicular emission as the principal contributor, inducing a pronounced 11.0% elevation in ROS levels. This study introduces an effect-oriented approach for screening toxic components in ambient PM_2.5, offering valuable insights to support the formulation of public health protection strategies.

Background: Bisphenols (BPs), such as BPA, BPS, BPF, and BPAF, are endocrine disruptors associated with metabolic disorders like diabetes mellitus (DM). This study reviews high-caliber research to evaluate BP exposure’s potential link to DM, examining mechanisms, patterns, and demographic differences to inform public health policies.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, studies were sourced from PubMed and Web of Science. Recent human research on bisphenol exposure and diabetes was included, excluding animal and in vitro studies. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool, and three reviewers selected articles. Ethical approval was not required as secondary data were analyzed.

Results: A total of 277 references were retrieved. After removing 55 duplicates, 126 for not meeting criteria, and 76 for irrelevance, 20 studies were selected. The study finds a moderate link between bisphenol exposure and diabetes, stronger in pregnant and obese individuals. Limitations include study design, biomarker variability, and small sample sizes.

Conclusion: This study suggests a potential link between bisphenol exposure and diabetes risk, particularly in obese individuals. Factors like sex, age, and family history may also play a role. However, inconsistencies highlight the need for more rigorous research with standardized methods and better biomarker assessments to confirm these findings.

This study investigated the surface soil of four typical industrial parks involved in crude oil extraction, petroleum refining, and downstream petrochemical manufacturing processes to clarify the emission patterns of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and Dechlorane Plus (DP) in various industrial areas, and reveal their impact on the surrounding environment. The concentrations of PBDEs and DPs in soil from a flame retardant manufacturing park were 4.13 × 10³ and 1.74 × 10³ ng/g, respectively, far exceeding those in three petrochemical parks. Among the 20 PBDE congeners analyzed, BDE209, a Deca-BDE congener, consistently exhibited the highest concentrations across all four sites. However, the relative compositions of syn-DP and anti-DP differed between the flame retardant manufacturing park and the petrochemical parks: the f_anti at the flame retardant manufacturing park was significantly lower than those in the three petrochemical parks. The horizontal spatial distributions of PBDEs and DPs revealed the presence of point source emissions and demonstrated that chemical emissions from the parks influenced surrounding areas. A prolonged emission history contributed to the cumulative concentrations and distinctive composition profiles of these chemicals in soil. Dermal contact-based non-carcinogenic risk assessments indicated that the hazard indices for PBDEs in soil were below 1, suggesting an acceptable health risk. Among PBDE congeners, Tri-BDEs contributed most significantly to non-carcinogenic risks, despite BDE209 being the most abundant. Non-carcinogenic risks associated with DPs were negligible across all four parks.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), particularly phthalates (PAEs), bisphenols, parabens, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), constitute pervasive environmental contaminants with demonstrated potential to adversely affect female reproductive health. Although these compounds are known to exert adverse effects, critical knowledge gaps persist concerning their specific associations with reproductive outcomes. The present study analyzed 144 follicular fluid samples from women undergoing assisted reproductive technology procedures, quantifying concentrations of PAE metabolites (mPAEs), bisphenols, parabens, and hydroxylated PAHs (OH-PAHs). Analytical results demonstrated a descending concentration gradient: mPAEs exhibited the highest median concentration (6.14 ng/mL), followed by parabens (2.17 ng/mL), bisphenols (1.33 ng/mL), and OH-PAHs (0.26 ng/mL). Notably, the study identified a positive correlation between follicular fluid bisphenol concentrations and testosterone levels, along with a potential association between PAE exposure and elevated risk of secondary infertility. Application of Bayesian kernel machine regression and Quantile g-computation models revealed that EDCs predominantly influence hormone levels through mixture effects, with increasing chemical mixture concentrations corresponding to decreased estradiol levels on hCG trigger day and reduced basal progesterone. The models specifically identified bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol P (BPP) as the predominant mediators of these endocrine disruptions, respectively, suggesting that bisphenols may disrupt female reproductive health through endocrine interference mechanisms.

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large-scale multimodal models, are transforming various sectors by surpassing human performance in a wide range of tasks. Although AI is increasingly applied to tackle environmental issues such as air pollution, its use in analyzing the relationship between pollution and human health remains limited. Given AI’s growing capabilities in real-time human-environment monitoring, multimodal data integration, predictive health modeling, and intelligent data processing, this perspective explores AI’s potential in advancing research on the health effects of air pollution. We emphasize the role of AI in enabling personalized risk assessments, supporting informed decision making, and uncovering previously hidden mechanisms linking the environment to health. By synthesizing current research, this article highlights how AI can accelerate scientific discovery and inform targeted public health interventions and policies, offering a paradigm shift in addressing this pressing global challenge.

A holistic investigation of legacy persistent organic pollutants and contaminants of emerging concern was conducted for 14 biota samples collected from Antarctica between 2018 and 2020. The sample set included sea stars, sea urchins, macrophytes, fish muscle, seal muscle and placenta, and penguin muscle and eggs. The four Water Framework Directive heavy metals (lead, cadmium, nickel, and mercury) were present in all samples. Organophosphorus flame retardants and brominated flame retardants were detected sporadically at low concentration levels (below 0.7 ng/g ww). Isomers of Dechlorane Plus were not detected (< 0.01 ng/g ww). In contrast, dioxins, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated bisphenols (PCBs) were frequently detected. The highest concentration was observed for PCBs, specifically PCB118 (up to 2,478 ng/g ww) and PCB105 (up to 977 ng/g ww). Wide-scope target screening of 2,236 compounds and suspect screening of 65,591 compounds were performed. Thirty-three contaminants from various chemical classes were detected through wide-scope target screening, of which 42% were pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and 30% were industrial chemicals (ICs) and their transformation products. An additional 55 compounds were identified through suspect screening, with PPCPs and ICs each accounting for 26 compounds. Most of the identified compounds are registered as REACH substances by the European Chemicals Agency, with some produced in very high volumes, exceeding 1,000,000 tonnes. Contaminant levels in Antarctic biota samples were lower than those reported in similar European studies, such as those conducted in the Danube River Basin.

Rice is a staple food consumed globally. In Nigeria, a ban on rice importation was implemented in 2022 to reduce overdependence on foreign rice and boost local production. This policy shift led to increased cultivation of local rice and the introduction of new products into the Nigerian markets. However, despite this increase, the availability of a variety of locally processed rice products in Bayelsa State remains limited, posing a challenge for comprehensive sampling. Hence, this preliminary study - based on five rice products purchased from Swali Market, Bayelsa State - assessed the level of organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues and associated health risks. Sixteen target OCPs were analyzed, and the detected concentration ranged from 2.11-4.78 µg·kg^-1, with the average levels following the order: endrin > endrin aldehyde > heptachlor epoxide > dieldrin > β-HCH > aldrin. β-HCH was the only detected hexachlorocyclohexane, while dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its degradation products were not detected. All detected OCPs were within their respective maximum residue limits (MRLs) for cereals. Deterministic health risk assessments revealed that non-cancer risks were negligible (HQ and HI < 1), and total cancer risk values were within the acceptable range (10^-6-10^-4). The Monte Carlo simulation showed that simulated exposures were within the recommended safety thresholds. Although the findings suggest that locally processed rice is relatively safe regarding OCP contamination, the small sample size limits the generalization of the results. Future large-scale studies are recommended to provide a more comprehensive evaluation. Additionally, promoting non-chemical pest control methods, such as biological control and organic farming, can help reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides and further enhance food safety.

Microplastics (MPs) are recognized as a global environmental problem with wide-ranging ecological and human health implications. This study evaluated the occurrence, composition, and potential ecological risks of MPs in two fishery harbors in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, comparing data collected before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. MP concentrations generally declined in most sampling sites during the lockdown, yet localized spikes at sampling sites Zhuwei Fishing Harbor (FA)1 and Yongan Fishing Harbor 4 highlight the influence of site-specific activities. Additionally, we observed a shift toward smaller size fractions (25-50 µm) and a predominance of white/transparent fragments, suggesting ongoing plastic weathering and continuous MP inputs. Notably, rayon abundance decreased significantly, indicating reduced textile-related discharges, whereas polyethylene and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) emerged as key polymers, presumably linked to heightened reliance on delivery services and protective materials. A hazard-based risk assessment revealed that the emergence of PMMA elevated ecological risk at FA, underscoring the complex relationship between anthropogenic behaviors and MP pollution. Our findings emphasize the intricate dynamics of MP distribution and composition under altered socioeconomic conditions, demonstrating that even short-term shifts in human activity can reshape MP assemblages and associated risks. Targeted management strategies, particularly those addressing industrial, fishing, and consumer-sourced plastic inputs, are critical to mitigating the environmental impacts of MP contamination. Further work is needed to pinpoint specific MP sources, refine risk assessments for varying polymer types and sizes, and explore the long-term efficacy of interventions aimed at curbing plastic pollution. Collectively, these results reinforce the urgency of integrated policies and research to safeguard ecosystems.