scholarly journals Occurrence of Phthalates in Bottled Drinks in the Chinese Market and Its Implications for Dietary Exposure

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (19) ◽  
pp. 6054
Author(s):  
Xiaohong Xue ◽  
Yaoming Su ◽  
Hailei Su ◽  
Dongping Fan ◽  
Hongliang Jia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Mineral Water ◽  
Dietary Exposure ◽  
The United States ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Soft Drinks ◽  
Chinese Market ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Limit Of Quantification ◽  
Daily Ingestion

Ubiquitous occurrences of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) or phthalates in a variety of consumer products have been demonstrated. Nevertheless, studies on their occurrence in various types of bottled drinks are limited. In this study, fifteen PAEs were analyzed in six categories of bottled drinks (n = 105) collected from the Chinese market, including mineral water, tea drinks, energy drinks, juice drinks, soft drinks, and beer. Among the 15 PAEs measured, DEHP was the most abundant phthalate with concentrations ranging from below the limit of quantification (LOQ) to 41,000 ng/L at a detection rate (DR) of 96%, followed by DIBP (DR: 88%) and DBP (DR: 84%) with respective concentration ranges of below LOQ to 16,000 and to 4900 ng/L. At least one PAE was detected in each drink sample, and the sum concentrations of 15 PAEs ranged from 770 to 48,004 ng/L (median: 6286 ng/L). Significant differences with respect to both PAE concentrations and composition profiles were observed between different types of bottled drinks. The median sum concentration of 15 PAEs in soft drinks was over five times higher than that detected in mineral water; different from other drink types. Besides DEHP, DBIP, and DBP, a high concentration of BMEP was also detected in a tea drink. The estimated daily dietary intake of phthalates (EDIdrink) through the consumption of bottled drinks was calculated based on the concentrations measured and the daily ingestion rates of bottled drink items. The EDIdrink values for DMP, DEP, DIBP, DBP, BMEP, DAP, BEEP, BBP, DCP, DHP, BMPP, BBEP, DEHP, DOP, and DNP through the consumption of bottled mineral water (based on mean concentrations) were 0.45, 0.33, 12.5, 3.67, 2.10, 0.06, 0.32, 0.16, 0.10, 0.09, 0.05, 0.81, 112, 0.13, and 0.20 ng/kg-bw/d, respectively, for Chinese adults. Overall, the EDIdrink values calculated for phthalates through the consumption of bottled drinks were below the oral reference doses suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA).

scholarly journals Seasonal Variation of Volatile Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Released from Different Sources in South Cairo

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Ashraf A. Zahran ◽  
Mahmoud A. Howaihe ◽  
Mostafa H. Ragab ◽  
Mahmoud M. Nour Eldeen
Keyword(s):  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Heavy Traffic ◽  
The United States ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Total Concentrations ◽  
Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Based on a year-round data-set (from January to November 2014), an intensive air sampling program was conducted during 2014 in four different function sites in South El-Tabbin city to study the temporally and spatially characteristics of Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the gaseous and particulate phases. This area is considered as one of the most polluted areas in Egypt as it includes heavy industrial plants, as well as it is bounded by heavy traffic. A total of 48 atmospheric samples were collected by a high-volume active air sampler. The gaseous and particulate phases of PAHs were extracted and analyzed using Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry together. The total concentrations of the sixteen PAHs (which tagged the United States Environmental Protection Agency priority) in the air of the study area ranged from 76.48 ± 19.44 µg/m3 to 26995.86 ± 2835.91 µg/m3. The average PAHs concentration in the coke production site was ~ 355 times of that in the residential area site. For the whole study area; 4, 5, and 6 rings PAHs were dominant and accounting for ~66% – ~84%. The total concentrations of combustion derived PAHs were ranged from 63.24 ± 17.35 µg/m3 to 17546.97 ± 1848.55 µg/m3 covering 65% − 83% of total PAHs which indicating large amounts of combustion sources existed from them in South El-Tabbin city. Seasonal trends of PAHs concentrations were observed with a high concentration in winter and low in summer where the average concentration of PAHs in winter was ~1.6 times higher than that in summer.

scholarly journals Methylene Chloride

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennan A. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Methylene Chloride ◽  
The United States ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Protection Agency

Methylene chloride is an industrial solvent used in commercial paint strippers and degreasing agents. This chemical is widely used in consumer products, yet without appropriate protections, exposure may lead to death. Already banned in some countries, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed limiting its use in the United States.

scholarly journals An Efficient Radiochemical Method for Extraction of 226Ra From the Soil Samples

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-60
Author(s):  
Amir Mehdizadeh ◽  
Sedigheh Sina ◽  
Reza Faghihi ◽  
Mohammad Hosein Sadeghi
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Hpge Detector ◽  
Background Radiation ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Radiochemical Method ◽  
High Background ◽  
Radon Gas

Background: Radium-226 is a radioactive element, with a very long half-life of 1600 years, producing radon gas. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, radon gas is the second most important factor causing lung cancer. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to separate 226Ra from the soil of high background radiation area by a radiochemical method for using in radon calibration chamber. Methods: 226Ra can be used in standard calibration chambers for calibration of radon detection systems. For this purpose, radiochemical method was used to extract radium from the soil with a high concentration of 226Ra. Four soil samples used in this study were selected from high background radiation areas of Ramsar, north of Iran. Equal amounts of samples were gathered from each region and ground. The specific activity of radium-226 was measured with HPGe detector. The highest specific activity of radium-226 (44.8 Bq/g) belonged to Talesh-Mahaleh. After radiochemical separation of 226Ra, the specific activity of extracted radium crystals was measured with the HPGe detector. Results: According to the results, the specific activity of 226Ra was found to be 94.97 Bq/g. Therefore, the specific activity of 226Ra was 2.12 times greater in the extracted crystals than in the original soil samples. Conclusion: The results indicate that using the radiochemical method proposed in this study, 226Ra can be extracted with an efficiency of 42%

scholarly journals Baby, Bye, Bye, Bye

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-566
Author(s):  
Jojuan F. Gross
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
European Union ◽  
The United States ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Chinese Market ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Counterfeit Goods ◽  
Laws And Regulations

Christian Louboutin. Manchester United. Agent Provocateur. In a world where trademarks have become more than brand identifiers, counterfeit versions of brands should be easily identifiable. Yet counterfeiting regimes from Asian countries continue to funnel counterfeit goods through the United States and European Union borders. Both regions continue to impose stricter anti-counterfeiting laws and regulations. Nevertheless, companies in the United States, Italy, and France are drastically affected by counterfeiting, losing billions per year in revenue. The International Chamber of Commerce’s (“ICC”) Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (“BASCAP”) and the International Trademark Association (“INTA”) estimate that the value of international and domestic trade in counterfeit and pirated goods in 2013 ranged from $710–$917 billion. BASCAP and INTA predict that by 2022, the value of business in counterfeit and pirated goods could reach $991 billion. Asian countries produce more than 70% of all counterfeit goods with the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) and Hong Kong as the leading provenance economies for counterfeiting. China’s proliferation of counterfeit goods stems from economic, social, and political forces that influence China’s socialist market economy. On average, 20% of consumer products in the Chinese market are counterfeit goods. The counterfeiting industry continues to cripple various countries including the United States, Italy, and France, costing corporations billions in revenue and placing consumers in significant financial and health risk. The substantial impact of counterfeiting on the global economy has spurred the United States, Italy, and France to impose strict anti-counterfeiting laws and regulations. The United States anti-counterfeiting arsenal to protect trademark owners includes civil enforcement under the Lanham Act 15 U.S.C. § 1051 and criminal enforcement under 18 U.S.C. § 2320. Italy and France impose similar laws and regulations but also take their anti-counterfeiting mechanism further by seeking stricter criminal penalties for manufacturers, distributors, and consumers. This Article explains the regulatory and legal anti-counterfeiting mechanisms adopted by the United States and the European Union, specifically Italy and France, to illustrate the international legal and regulatory tools used to reduce the economic hardships of counterfeiting.

Scanning electron microscopy of asbestos-containing material where the asbestos fibers are considered locked in a binder

1993 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 472-473
Author(s):  
J. R. Millette ◽  
R. S. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
The United States ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Asbestos Fibers ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Binder Material ◽  
Scanning Electron

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has labeled as “friable” those building materials that are likely to readily release fibers. Friable materials when dry, can easily be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder using hand pressure. Other asbestos containing building materials (ACBM) where the asbestos fibers are in a matrix of cement or bituminous or resinous binders are considered non-friable. However, when subjected to sanding, grinding, cutting or other forms of abrasion, these non-friable materials are to be treated as friable asbestos material. There has been a hypothesis that all raw asbestos fibers are encapsulated in solvents and binders and are not released as individual fibers if the material is cut or abraded. Examination of a number of different types of non-friable materials under the SEM show that after cutting or abrasion, tuffs or bundles of fibers are evident on the surfaces of the materials. When these tuffs or bundles are examined, they are shown to contain asbestos fibers which are free from binder material. These free fibers may be released into the air upon further cutting or abrasion.

Russian-Japanese Relations: Long-Term Development Factors

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 68-85
Author(s):  
D. V. Streltsov
Keyword(s):  
Security Policy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Peace Treaty ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Chinese Market ◽  
External Energy ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Bilateral Relations ◽  
Personal Diplomacy

The article analyzes long-term external and internal factors determining the course of development of Russian-Japanese relations in 2019-2020. On the one hand, the anti-Russian component in Tokyo's foreign policy is shaped by its membership in the Security Treaty with the United States and its solidarity with the sanctions policy of the Group of Seven towards Russia. On the other hand, Japan and Russia are both interested interest in political cooperation in creating multilateral dialog mechanisms of international security in East Asia, resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and easing tensions around territorial disputes in the East China and South China seas. Among the economic factors, the author focuses on the significant place of Russia in the context of Japan's task of diversifying sources of external energy supplies, as well as on Russia's desire to avoid unilateral dependence on the Chinese market while reorienting the system of foreign economic relations from the West to the East. Personal diplomacy of political leaders plays a significant role in relations between Russia and Japan, and, above all, close personal relationships and frequent meetings between Prime Minister Abe and President Putin, which make it possible to partially compensate the unfavorable image of the partner country in the public opinion of both Russia and Japan. Against the background of a deadlock in the Peace Treaty talks which emerged in 2019, the search for a way out of the diplomatic impasse is on the agenda. In the author's opinion, it would be appropriate at the first stage to proceed to the conclusion of a basic agreement on the basis bilateral relations, which would be "untied" from the Peace Treaty. In addition, Russia could stop criticizing Japan for its security policy and show greater understanding of the Japanese initiative in the field of quality infrastructure. In turn, Japan could take a number of strategic decisions on cooperation with Russia and announce them in the Prime Minister's keynote speech. In addition, Tokyo could stop positioning the issue of the peace Treaty as the main issue in relations with Russia, which would allow our countries to "untie" bilateral relations from the problem of border demarcation and focus on their positive agenda.

Municipal Wastewater Treatment Technology Transfer Activities of the United States Environmental Protection Agency

1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 685-698
Author(s):  
J. J. Convery ◽  
J. F. Kreissl ◽  
A. D. Venosa ◽  
J. H. Bender ◽  
D. J. Lussier
Keyword(s):  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
The United States ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
Outreach Program ◽  
Small Community ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Transfer Programs

Technology transfer is an important activity within the ll.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Specific technology transfer programs such as the activities of the Center for Environmental Research Information, the Innovative and Alternative Technology Program, as well as the Small Community Outreach Program are used to encourage the utilization of cost-effective municipal pollution control technology. Case studies of three technologies including a plant operations diagnostic/remediation methodology, alternative sewer technologies and ultraviolet disinfection are presented. These case studies are presented retrospectively in the context of a generalized concept of how technology flows from science to utilization which was developed in a study by Allen (1977). Additional insights from this study are presented on the information gathering characteristics of engineers and scientists which may be useful in designing technology transfer programs. The recognition of the need for a technology or a deficiency in current practice are important stimuli other than technology transfer for accelerating the utilization of new technology.

Health risk assessment of occupational exposure to heavy metals in a steel casting unit of a steelmaking plant using Monte–Carlo simulation technique

2021 ◽  
pp. 074823372110195
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Dehghani ◽  
Fariborz Omidi ◽  
Reza Ali Fallahzadeh ◽  
Bahman Pourhassan
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Steel Casting ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
The United States ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Monte Carlo Simulation Technique ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Casting Unit

The present work aimed to evaluate the health risks of occupational exposure to heavy metals in a steel casting unit of a steel plant. To determine occupational exposure to heavy metals, personal air samples were taken from the workers’ breathing zones using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health method. Noncancer and cancer risks due to the measured metals were calculated according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency procedures. The results indicated that the noncancer risks owing to occupational exposure to lead (Pb) and manganese were higher than the recommended value in most of the workstations. The estimated cancer risk of Pb was also higher than the allowable value. Moreover, the results of sensitivity analysis indicated that the concentration, inhalation rate, and exposure duration were the most influencing variables contributing to the calculated risks. It was thus concluded that the present control measures were not adequate and further improvements were required for reducing the exposure levels.

scholarly journals Picking Up Where the TMDL Leaves Off: Using the Partnership Wild and Scenic River Framework for Collaborative River Restoration

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1878
Author(s):  
Alan R. Hunt ◽  
Meiyin Wu ◽  
Tsung-Ta David Hsu ◽  
Nancy Roberts-Lawler ◽  
Jessica Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Clean Water Act ◽  
The United States ◽  
Clean Water ◽  
Private Land ◽  
The Public ◽  
Wild And Scenic Rivers

The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects less than ¼ of a percent of the United States’ river miles, focusing on free-flowing rivers of good water quality with outstandingly remarkable values for recreation, scenery, and other unique river attributes. It predates the enactment of the Clean Water Act, yet includes a clear anti-degradation principle, that pollution should be reduced and eliminated on designated rivers, in cooperation with the federal Environmental Protection Agency and state pollution control agencies. However, the federal Clean Water Act lacks a clear management framework for implementing restoration activities to reduce non-point source pollution, of which bacterial contamination impacts nearly 40% of the Wild and Scenic Rivers. A case study of the Musconetcong River, in rural mountainous New Jersey, indicates that the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act can be utilized to mobilize and align non-governmental, governmental, philanthropic, and private land-owner resources for restoring river water quality. For example, coordinated restoration efforts on one tributary reduced bacterial contamination by 95%, surpassing the TMDL goal of a 93% reduction. Stakeholder interviews and focus groups indicated widespread knowledge and motivation to improve water quality, but resource constraints limited the scale and scope of restoration efforts. The authors postulate that the Partnership framework, enabled in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, facilitated neo-endogenous rural development through improving water quality for recreational usage, whereby bottom-up restoration activities were catalyzed via federal designation and resource provision. However, further efforts to address water quality via voluntary participatory frameworks were ultimately limited by the public sector’s inadequate funding and inaction with regard to water and wildlife resources in the public trust.

scholarly journals Assessing clarity of message communication for mandated USEPA drinking water quality reports

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Phetxumphou ◽  
Siddhartha Roy ◽  
Brenda M. Davy ◽  
Paul A. Estabrooks ◽  
Wen You ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Water System ◽  
System Size ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
Index Index ◽  
State Of The Science

The United States Environmental Protection Agency mandates that community water systems (CWSs), or drinking water utilities, provide annual consumer confidence reports (CCRs) reporting on water quality, compliance with regulations, source water, and consumer education. While certain report formats are prescribed, there are no criteria ensuring that consumers understand messages in these reports. To assess clarity of message, trained raters evaluated a national sample of 30 CCRs using the Centers for Disease Control Clear Communication Index (Index) indices: (1) Main Message/Call to Action; (2) Language; (3) Information Design; (4) State of the Science; (5) Behavioral Recommendations; (6) Numbers; and (7) Risk. Communication materials are considered qualifying if they achieve a 90% Index score. Overall mean score across CCRs was 50 ± 14% and none scored 90% or higher. CCRs did not differ significantly by water system size. State of the Science (3 ± 15%) and Behavioral Recommendations (77 ± 36%) indices were the lowest and highest, respectively. Only 63% of CCRs explicitly stated if the water was safe to drink according to federal and state standards and regulations. None of the CCRs had passing Index scores, signaling that CWSs are not effectively communicating with their consumers; thus, the Index can serve as an evaluation tool for CCR effectiveness and a guide to improve water quality communications.

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