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There is growing concern regarding the effects of toxic element exposure on the development of children. However, little is known about the level of toxic elements exposure in Japanese children. The purpose of this study was to assess the concentrations of multiple elements (aluminum, cadmium, lead, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, sodium, zinc) in the hair of 118 Japanese young children and to explore the factors associated with their element levels. The element concentration was analyzed by ICP-MS, and children’s food and water intake were assessed by the questionnaire. Results showed that there were no large differences between the level of elements in the hair of Japanese children and those of children in other developed countries. Girls had significantly higher levels of aluminum, copper, and iron (p = 0.000, 0.014, and 0.013, respectively), and boys had a higher level of sodium (p = 0.006). The levels of calcium, iron, magnesium, and sodium in nursery school children were significantly higher than those in kindergarten children (p = 0.024, 0.001, 0.046, and 0.029, respectively). Multiple regression analyses with controlling the confounding variables showed significant negative associations of frequency of yogurt intake with aluminum and lead levels (p = 0.015 and 0.037, respectively). When the children were divided into three groups based on the frequency of yoghurt consumption, viz. L (≤once a week), M (2 or 3 times a week), and H (≥4 to 6 times a week) group, the mean aluminum concentration (µg/g) in the L, M, and H groups was 11.06, 10.13, and 6.85, while the mean lead concentration (µg/g) was 1.76, 1.70, and 0.87, respectively. Our results suggested the validity of hair element concentrations as an exposure measure of essential elements and frequent yogurt intake as a viable measure for protecting children from toxic elements. However, these findings will need to be confirmed in more detailed studies with larger sample sizes in the future.

Water ecosystems are under intense anthropogenic influence, which leads to an increased presence of pollutants, including a large number of toxic substances, primarily heavy metals, which requires constant monitoring. Fish are one of the most indicative factors for assessing water pollution with harmful elements, and this is important not only for environmental protection but also for the assessment of meat quality and the potential risk to the human population. The main goal of this research was to analyze the level of accumulation of heavy metals and metalloids, such as arsenic (As), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in the muscle tissue of commercially important fish species from Ohrid Lake, to compare their concentrations in different fish species, to apply the index of heavy metal pollution in the assessment of water pollution, and to make a comparison of the concentrations of accumulated heavy metals and metalloids in the muscle tissue of the examined fish species with the maximal permitted concentrations prescribed by the legal regulations. The research area was in Ohrid Lake, Macedonia. The most important commercial fish species from Ohrid Lake, i.e. common carp, Ohrid trout, and barbel, were sampled for analysis. Statistical analysis of the data showed significant differences (P < 0.05) and significant variations in iron, chromium, copper, and zinc levels between different fish species and sampling months, highlighting the importance of considering species-specific factors such as feeding, habitat preferences, and metabolic processes in understanding the patterns of element accumulation, but also the temporal dynamics of element accumulation in fish. Based on the data on the concentrations of toxic elements (Fe, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn) in common carp, Ohrid trout, and barbel during the examined months (May, September, December, February), it can be concluded that the obtained values are below the maximum allowed concentrations prescribed on the basis of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1881/2006. This means that the fish species analyzed are safe for consumption and comply with regulatory guidelines, thus ensuring the protection of consumer health.

Mine waste rock and drainage pose lasting environmental, social, and economic threats to the mining industry, regulatory agencies, and society as a whole. Mine drainage can be alkaline, neutral, moderately, or extremely acidic and contains significant levels of sulfate, dissolved iron, and, frequently, a variety of heavy metals and metalloids, such as cadmium, lead, arsenic, and selenium. In acid neutralization by carbonate and silicate minerals, a range of secondary minerals can form and possibly scavenge these potentially harmful elements. Apart from the extensively studied microbial-facilitated sulfide oxidation, the diverse microbial communities present in mine rock and drainage may also participate in the formation, dissolution, and transformation of secondary minerals, influencing the mobilization of these metals and metalloids. This article reviews major microbial-mediated geochemical processes occurring in mine rock piles that affect drainage chemistry, with a focus on the role of microorganisms in the formation, dissolution, and transformation of secondary minerals. Understanding this is crucial for developing biologically-based measures to deal with contaminant release at the source, i.e., source control.

This paper investigated how increased soil temperatures affect soil mineralogy and major and trace element oxide concentrations and the implications of these effects on the mobility of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in heat-affected soils amended with sewage sludge. The aim was to determine the efficiency of sewage sludge as an immobilizer of PTEs in heat-affected PTE-contaminated soils. Soil samples were heated to 150 °C, 300 °C, 500 °C, and 750 °C and later amended with stabilized sewage sludge at different rates. The concentrations of arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) in the different geochemical fractions of the soils were determined before heating, after heating, and after sewage sludge application. Increased soil temperatures affected the mineral assemblage and the concentrations of some major and trace element oxides and the degree of weathering of the soils. These changes were, however, insignificant. The segregation of PTEs into the different soil geochemical fractions before and after heating varied. High soil temperatures resulted in an increase in PTE concentrations in the non-residual fractions of the soil (F1, F2, and F3) with a consequent increase in their mobility. The application of sewage sludge to heated and unheated soils reduced PTE concentrations in the F1 and F2 fractions of both soils, whereas it increased PTE concentrations in the F3 and F4 fractions by up to 30% for As and Cu, 20% for Cd, 25% for Co, 60% for Cr and Ni, 50% for Pb, and 55% for Zn. Significant immobilization of the PTEs was observed in the heat-affected soils that received higher amount of sewage sludge. Fire events could increase the mobility of PTEs in soils, but sewage sludge could still effectively immobilize these PTEs, although it needs to be applied at higher application rates.

Breast cancer (BC) is responsible for a large proportion of incidence of cancer in the world. Identifying the risk factors contributing to the incidence of BC is crucial to find efficient preventive and management strategies for this disease. Several studies have examined Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), and Nickel (Ni) as risk factors for BC. The present study aimed at studying the link between As, Cd, and Ni concentrations and BC by using a meta-analysis. All case-control studies addressing the relationship between As, Cd, and Ni concentrations with BC were identified through electronic search databases (Scopus, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, EmBase, and Cochrane Library). The relevant data obtained from these papers were analyzed by a random-effects model. The heterogeneity of studies was secured by using index. Funnel plots and Egger's test were used to examine publication bias. In the present study, due to different measurement methods used for measuring As, Cd, and Ni, the concentration of these elements was measured in various subgroups (1: plasma, 2: breast tissue, and 3: scalp hair and nail) of individuals with BC and healthy subjects. The overall integration of data from the 3 groups led to the conclusion that there was a significant difference in Cd and Ni statuses between healthy and BC patients; the standard mean difference was 2.65 (95% CI: 1.57-3.73; =0.000) and 2.06 (95% CI: 1.20-3.32; =0.000), respectively. Whereas, there was no significant statistical difference in As status between healthy subjects and BC patients; the standard mean difference between them being 0.52 (95% CI: -0.12-1.16; =0.114). The present study indicates that there is a direct and positive association between Cd and Ni concentrations and BC risk. It is a warning to health care providers and policy makers to find viable solutions and take requisite measures to reduce BC risk in the society.

Mining is an essential activity for obtaining materials necessary for the well-being and development of society. However, this activity produces important environmental impacts that must be controlled. More specifically, there are different soils near new or abandoned mining productions that have been contaminated with potentially toxic elements, and currently represent an important environmental problem. In this research, a contaminated soil from the mining district of Linares was studied for its use as a raw material for the conforming of ceramic materials, bricks, dedicated to construction. Firstly, the contaminated soil was chemically and physically characterized in order to evaluate its suitability. Subsequently, different families of samples were conformed with different percentages of clay and contaminated soil. Finally, the conformed ceramics were physically and mechanically characterized to examine the variation produced in the ceramic material by the incorporation of the contaminated soil. In addition, in this research, leachate tests were performed according to the TCLP method determining whether encapsulation of potentially toxic elements in the soil occurs. The results showed that all families of ceramic materials have acceptable physical properties, with a soil percentage of less than 80% being acceptable to obtain adequate mechanical properties and a maximum of 70% of contaminated soil to obtain acceptable leachate according to EPA regulations. Therefore, the maximum percentage of contaminated soil that can be incorporated into the ceramic material is 70% in order to comply with all standards. Consequently, this research not only avoids the contamination that contaminated soil can produce, but also valorizes this element as a raw material for new materials, avoiding the extraction of clay and reducing the environmental impact.

The construction sector is one of the most demanding sectors of raw materials in existence today. As a consequence, the extraction of these materials has a significant impact on the environment. At the same time, mining activities produce a series of wastes, in some cases with polluting elements, which must be treated to avoid pollution. Therefore, the use of mining waste for the conformation of new construction materials is an important environmental advantage, even more so when such waste is prevented from producing polluting leachates. Therefore, in this research, geopolymers are developed with mine tailings from the Linares lead mines, chemically activated with potassium hydroxide. For this purpose, different percentages of the alkaline activator were tested and the physical and mechanical properties of the conformed materials were evaluated. The analysis of the different conformed geopolymers determined the optimum percentage of potassium hydroxide for conforming the geopolymer with the best mechanical and physical properties. In addition, the concentration in the leachate of potentially contaminating chemical elements in the mining waste was estimated to be lower than those regulated by the regulations. Consequently, this research shows the development of a sustainable material for construction with mining waste and reduction of the environmental impact of traditional products.

Mining activities are essential for a population’s development; however, they also produce negative effects such as the production of waste, an impact on flora and water pollution. On the other hand, construction is one of the sectors which is most demanding of raw materials, with one of the main such materials being water. For this reason, this research evaluates the feasibility of incorporating water contaminated by mining waste into ceramic materials for bricks. In this way, the use of water is reduced and, on the other hand, the contaminating elements of the mining water are encapsulated in the ceramic matrix. To achieve this, the clay used and the contaminated water were first analysed, then different families of samples were conformed with different percentages of contaminated water. These samples were tested to determine their physical and mechanical properties. At the same time, leachate tests were carried out to determine that the ceramic material created did not cause environmental problems. The test results showed that the physical and mechanical properties of the ceramics were not influenced by the addition of contaminated water. On the other hand, the leachate tests showed that encapsulation of most of the potentially toxic elements occurred. However, the use of contaminated water as mixing water for ceramics could only be performed up to 60%, as higher percentages would leach impermissible arsenic concentrations. Accordingly, a new way of reusing water contaminated by mining activities is developed in this study, taking advantage of resources, avoiding environmental pollution and creating economic and environmentally friendly end products.

Mining-induced or enhanced geo-hazards (MGHs) pose significant risks in rural mountainous regions with underground mining operations by harming groundwater layers, water circulation systems, and mountain stability. MGHs occurring in naturally contaminated environments can severely amplify socio-environmental risks. A high correlation was found among undermining development, precipitation, and hazards; however, details of MGHs have yet to be adequately characterized. This study investigated multiple mining-induced/enhanced geo-hazards in a naturally contaminated mountain region in Bone Bolango Regency, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia, in 2020, where a rapidly developing coexisting mining sector was present. We utilized PlanetScope’s CubeSat constellations and Sentinel-1 dataset to assess the volume, distribution, pace, and pattern of MGHs. The findings reveal that severe landslides and floods accelerated the mobilization of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) via the river water system, thus considerably exacerbating socio-environmental risks. These results indicate potential dangers of enhanced PTE contamination for marine ecosystems and humans at a regional level. The study design and data used facilitated a comprehensive assessment of the MGHs and associated risks, providing important information for decision-makers and stakeholders. However, limitations in the methodology should be considered when interpreting the findings. The societal benefits of this study include informing policies and practices that aim to mitigate the negative impacts of mining activities on the environment and society at the local and regional levels.

Due to the elevated levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the environment, we measured the PTE concentration in topsoils at a distance of 500, 1000, and 2000 m from 3 cement production factories (1 = DG Cement, 2 = Bestway Cement, Kallar Kahar, and 3 = Bestway Cement, Chakwal) toward east, west, north, and south direction. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and cobalt (Co) concentrations. It was recorded that the maximum PTE concentrations were found at 500 m distance and in north direction in 93% of the samples. The maximum Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn and Co concentrations were found around Bestway Cement, Chakwal at 4.13, 27.82, 6552.20, 93.47, 99.54, 46.83, and 72.62 mg kg−1, respectively. Similar results were found for the other two industries at same distance and direction. It was also revealed that contamination factor and geo-accumulation index were exceeding in the 84% and 81% of the total samples collected. The findings of the study indicate that there could be toxicity in soil and food crop in vicinity of the area, which should be studied.