Environmental concerns  about  the massive use of disinfectants during COVID-19 pandemic: an overview on aquatic toxicity

Many public health measures to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 were adopted worldwide, and particularly to the environmental measure of regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, the increased use of disinfectant products raises environmental concerns. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), povidone-iodine (PVP-I), chloroxylenol (PCMX) and chlorhexidine (CHX) are the active ingredients of most disinfectant products due to their effectiveness against various microbiological agents. Although presenting antimicrobial efficacy, these biocides have been associated with impacts on aquatic life. For instance, QACs can induce toxicity to Aliivibrio fischeri and fish (different species). Gill and liver damages are verified in Cyprinus carpio after exposure to PVP-I. CHX induces toxic effects on algae, crustaceans, and fish embryos. PCMX can induce genotoxicity to rainbow trout and malformations on zebrafish embryos, as well as it can reduce the reproduction rate of Caenorhabditis elegans. Thus, the potential to cause negative consequences on human and environmental health has resulted in activities from the U.S. and European agencies to favor the use of safer and greener disinfectant products during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review article summarizes the main findings on the impacts of disinfectants (the most used) on aquatic life. This information may help prioritize disinfectants with lower impacts on the aquatic environment for daily use, and especially for high-frequency use as verified in the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, this review may help identify knowledge gaps on the aquatic hazard of disinfectants, which may drive future studies on this matter and, lastly, contribute to the development of sustainable products.

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Effects of psychological distance perception and psychological factors on pro-environmental behaviors in Taiwan: Application of construal level theory

International Sociology ◽

10.1177/0268580919881870 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 70-89 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mei-Fang Chen

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Psychological Factors ◽

Distance Perception ◽

Psychological Distance ◽

Construal Level Theory ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Environmental Concerns ◽

Construal Level ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Environmental Behaviors

This study applied construal level theory (CLT) to the perceived psychological distance of climate change to investigate Taiwanese people’s psychological distance perception of climate change. It also considered how this psychological distance perception of climate change and other crucial psychological factors (i.e., values, ecological worldviews, and environmental concerns) may influence people’s pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs). A national self-administered questionnaire survey was performed in Taiwan and 733 responses were analyzed empirically. Structural equation modeling analysis indicated that an individual’s altruistic values are positively related to his or her ecological worldviews. An individual’s ecological worldviews are positively related to his or her psychological distance perception of climate change and environmental concerns regarding the negative consequences of climate change. Such environmental concerns positively motivate engagement in PEBs. However, an individual’s psychological distance perception of climate change does not positively relate to his or her PEBs.

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Integrated approach to quality indices and health risk assessment of water in the Bahr Yusuf Canal, Fayoum, Egypt

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies ◽

10.2478/ohs-2019-0031 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 337-354 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mohamed E.M. Hassouna ◽

Mohamed E. Goher ◽

Seliem M. El-Sayed ◽

Reda A.A.A. Hassan

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Health Risk ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Aquatic Toxicity ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Pollution Index ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Potential Health ◽

Aquatic Life

Abstract The Bahr Yusuf Canal is the life artery of the Fayoum Province, which provides the province with two thirds of the freshwater quota from the Nile River. The present work was carried out to assess the suitability of water in the Bahr Yusuf Canal for various purposes and to assess the potential health risk associated with metal content. The results showed that the water quality of Bahr Yusuf was classified as poor and very poor for recreational use according to the Oregon WQI. On the other hand, the Aquatic Toxicity Index indicated the suitability of water for all fish species. The Canadian WQI and the Weighted Arithmetic WQI classified the canal water as good (WQI = 92), fair (WQI = 73) & marginal (WQI = 64) and excellent, poor to good & good to excellent for irrigation, drinking and aquatic life, respectively. Despite the significant contamination of water with heavy metals (as indicated by the Heavy Pollution Index, ranging from 104.44 to 206.32, from 16.81 to 38.48 and from 219.07 to 472.24 μg l−1), the Hazard Quotient (HQ) and the Hazard Index (HI) data indicate that water of Bahr Yusuf does not pose a human health risk through ingestion or dermal contact. In general, the study showed that water in the Bahr Yusuf Canal is characterized by different levels of pollution, which requires rapid and critical intervention by responsible authorities to prevent the discharge of different types of waste and further deterioration of the water quality during the lifetime of the channel and its subsequent rehabilitation.

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THE ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF NANOMATERIALS: A FOCUS ON AQUATIC LIFE

NANO ◽

10.1142/s1793292008001106 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 03 (04) ◽

pp. 251-255 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

LINDA ZICCARDI ◽

MARGARET MCARDLE ◽

YVETTE LOWNEY

Keyword(s):

Current Knowledge ◽

Aquatic Toxicity ◽

Behavioral Changes ◽

Future Research ◽

Ecological Processes ◽

Aquatic Life ◽

Toxicological Research ◽

Oxide Particles ◽

Aquatic Effects ◽

New Research

This paper provides an overview of current knowledge regarding the aquatic effects of nanomaterials. Aquatic receptors can potentially be exposed to nanoparticles through ingestion, movement across gills, passive transport, and cellular absorption. Our review indicates that the toxicological research on nanomaterials is still relatively narrow. The present research has been targeted primarily at understanding potential effects to humans, and relatively few ecotoxicity studies have been conducted; however, new research is evolving rapidly. The studies that are currently available focus on metal oxide particles, carbon nanotubes, and fullerenes. Aquatic tests have examined the uptake of these nanoparticles by fish and filter feeders, and have provided evidence of toxicity or behavioral changes. Some of these studies conclude that nanoparticles can be taken up by or produce effects in biota, and that dose-response relationships and patterns of relative toxicity among types of particles are emerging. Caution should be used in designing and interpreting studies on nanoparticles, because factors such as the particle medium preparation method, the presence of other chemicals, and particle behavior such as agglomeration can influence exposure and aquatic toxicity. Ultimately, the objectives of this review are to expand our knowledge of the effects of nanomaterials on ecological processes and aquatic receptor populations, as well as help guide future research.

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Influence of temperature on the development, reproduction and regeneration in the flatworm model organism Macrostomum lignano

10.1101/389478 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jakub Wudarski ◽

Kirill Ustyantsev ◽

Lisa Glazenburg ◽

Eugene Berezikov

Keyword(s):

Heat Shock ◽

Heat Shock Response ◽

Elevated Temperatures ◽

Model Organism ◽

Response Threshold ◽

Reproduction Rate ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Time Reproduction ◽

Shock Response ◽

Macrostomum Lignano

AbstractThe free-living marine flatworm Macrostomum lignano is a powerful model organism to study mechanisms of regeneration and stem cell regulation due to its convenient combination of biological and experimental properties, including the availability of transgenesis methods, which is unique among flatworm models. However, due to its relatively recent introduction in research, there are still many biological aspects of the animal that are not known. One of such questions is the influence of the culturing temperature on Macrostomum biology. Here we systematically investigated how different culturing temperatures affect the development time, reproduction rate, regeneration, heat shock response, and gene knockdown efficiency by RNA interference in M. lignano. We used marker transgenic lines of the flatworm to accurately measure the regeneration endpoint and to establish the stress response threshold for temperature shock. We found that compared to the culturing temperature of 20°C commonly used for M. lignano, elevated temperatures of 25°C-30°C substantially speed-up the development and regeneration time and increase reproduction rate without detectable negative consequences for the animal, while temperatures above 30°C elicit a heat shock response.We show that altering the temperature conditions can be used to shorten the time required to establish M. lignano cultures, store important lines and optimize the microinjection procedures for transgenesis. Our findings will help to optimize the design of experiments in M. lignano and thus facilitate future research in this model organism.

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Incorrect Methodology for Agri-Environmental Measure - Multifunctional Field Margins - As Limitation for Enhancement of Environment in Slovakia

EU agrarian Law ◽

10.2478/eual-2018-0003 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 12-16

Author(s):

Lucia Palšová

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Policy ◽

Arable Land ◽

Environmental Concerns ◽

Environmental Services ◽

Field Margins ◽

Rural Development Programme ◽

Calculation Methodology ◽

The Common ◽

Environmental Measure ◽

On Farm

AbstractAgri-environment measures are a key element for the integration of environmental concerns into the Common Agricultural Policy. They are designed to encourage farmers to protect and enhance the environment on their farmland by paying them for the provision of environmental services. Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020 introduced an agri-environmental measure for multifunctional field margins (biostrips on arable land), which contributes to increasing biodiversity, to protection of basic environmental elements and it also serves as prevention for climate change. Since so far no farmer asked the Agricultural Paying Agency for commitment, the objective of the paper was to assess the design and accuracy of calculation of the agri-environmental and climatic measure - the multifunctional field margins in the conditions of Slovakia. The research results show that the calculation methodology is incorrectly set and it does not compensate for the farmer’s loss on farm yields.

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Mitigation of Infectious Disease Outbreaks: Considerations for the Marine and Offshore Industries

10.5957/tos-2021-16 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Martin Petricic ◽

Gareth Burton ◽

Libin Miao

Keyword(s):

Infectious Disease ◽

Infectious Diseases ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Exhaust System ◽

Design Stage ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Indirect Contact ◽

Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽

Pressure Independent ◽

Cleaning And Disinfection

Similar to land-based facilities, marine and offshore assets can be exposed to outbreaks of infectious diseases. This is exemplified by the recent COVID-19 outbreak which has had a significant impact on both personnel health and normal operations of the assets. The occurrence and transmission of infectious diseases on marine and offshore assets can, however, be mitigated by appropriate physical arrangements on board and having operational procedures in place. This paper addresses the former. The effectiveness of operational measures can be significantly increased if infectious diseases are considered at the asset’s design stage. ABS has identified a lack of available technical guidance regarding physical arrangements that can help make marine and offshore assets safer for crews and reduce the spread of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. This paper presents the best practices and recommendations for physical arrangements drawn mainly from the recognized standards for land-based medical facilities and applied to marine and offshore assets. The recommendations focus on specific spaces inside the accommodation block, their number, location, layout, ventilation, and interior surfaces. Isolation cabins with their associated anterooms are proposed as the most reliable way of isolating suspected or confirmed cases of an infectious disease from the rest of the personnel on board. Negative pressure, independent exhaust system, and easy to clean surfaces that are accessible and resistant to deterioration from frequent cleaning and disinfection are effective measures in containing the transmission of infectious diseases that are spread through the air or direct and indirect contact. The paper also emphasizes the need to promote segregation of the visitors from crew and passengers by providing designated spaces for the visitors and gives recommendations on the communication equipment needed for receiving medical advice from land-based medical specialists. If properly implemented and if augmented with robust operational measures, physical arrangement measures have the potential to significantly improve the safety of the crew, passengers, and visitors, as well as minimize the negative consequences of disruptions to normal asset operations.

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The development of an aquatic toxicity index as a tool in the operational management of water quality in the Olifants River (Knsger National Park)

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v35i2.400 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

V. Wepener ◽

N. Euler ◽

J.H.J. Van Vuren ◽

H.H. Du Preez ◽

Astri Kohler

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Aquatic Toxicity ◽

Health Indicators ◽

Index Score ◽

Toxic Effects ◽

Quality Information ◽

Aquatic Life ◽

Toxicity Index ◽

Water Quality Variable ◽

Minimum Operator

The development of an aquatic toxicity index and its application is described. In this index the protection of aquatic life is always referred to in terms of toxic effects of different water quality variables to fish, as health indicators of the aquatic ecosystem. The final index score is produced by means of standard additive techniques as well as by using the water quality variable giving the lowest index score (minimum operator). The minimum operator is employed in order not to conceal important water quality information. The aquatic toxicity index development has been linked to toxicological data, international water quality standards and South African guidelines. The index provides valuable information concerning toxic effects of a specific variable on fish should the threshold level for normal maintanence of aquatic life be exceeded. This index is intended as an aid in the interpretation of water quality information in order to facilitate management decisions.

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Synthesis, Characterisation, Photocatalytic Activity, and Aquatic Toxicity Evaluation of TiO2 Nanoparticles

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano11123197 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 3197

Author(s):

Luminita Andronic ◽

Alina Vladescu ◽

Alexandru Enesca

Keyword(s):

Photocatalytic Activity ◽

Toxic Effect ◽

Tio2 Nanoparticles ◽

Chlorella Vulgaris ◽

Aquatic Environment ◽

Aquatic Toxicity ◽

Heterogeneous Photocatalysis ◽

Aquatic Life ◽

Low Concentrations ◽

Hole Charge

Imidacloprid (IMD) is a toxic pesticide, and is one of the eight most widely used pesticides globally. Heterogeneous photocatalysis has often been investigated in recent years and can be successfully applied to remove imidacloprid from water. However, less investigated is the toxic effect of both the photocatalyst and the pesticide on aquatic life. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) remains the most effective photocatalyst, provided it is not toxic to the aquatic environment. This study investigated the TiO2 synthesis, characterisation, and photocatalytic activity on imidacloprid degradation and the toxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles and imidacloprid on the green algae Chlorella vulgaris. In the photodegradation process of IMD (initial concentration of 20 mg/L), electrons play an essential role; the degradation efficiency of IMD after 6 h increased from 69 to 90% under UV irradiation when holes (h+) scavengers were added, which allowed the electrons to react with the pollutant, resulting in lowering the recombination rate of electron-hole charge carriers. Growth inhibition of Chlorella vulgaris and effective concentration (EC50) were determined to study the toxic effect of TiO2 nanoparticles and imidacloprid. The EC50 increased from 289.338 mg/L in the first 24 h to 1126.75 mg/L after 96 h Chlorella vulgaris algal age, when the toxicant was TiO2. When IMD was the aquatic toxicant, a decrease in EC50 was observed from 22.8 mg/L (24 h) to 0.00777 mg/L (120 h), suggesting a long-term high toxicity level when pesticides in low concentrations are present in an aquatic environment.

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Towards standard methods for the classification of aquatic toxicity for biologically active household chemicals (BAHC) present in plastics, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic products

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment ◽

10.1007/s10661-021-09436-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 193 (10) ◽

Author(s):

Ricardo Beiras

Keyword(s):

Water Solubility ◽

Aquatic Toxicity ◽

Quality Criteria ◽

Paracentrotus Lividus ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Butylated Hydroxytoluene ◽

Water Quality Criteria ◽

Aquatic Life ◽

Household Chemicals

AbstractA standard method to test the aquatic toxicity of biologically active household chemicals (BAHC), including those with very low water solubility, is proposed. The method uses the common marine models Paracentrotus lividus embryos and Acartia clausi larvae, in order to advance towards derivation of water quality criteria for these emerging pollutants that currently lack environmental standards. Depending on the water solubility and octanol–water partition coefficient (Kow) of the substance, the protocol consists of testing the toxicity of the substances by serial dilutions of water stocks, dimethyl-sulfoxide stocks, or 100 mg/L lixiviates in seawater. When this method is applied to eleven model BAHC, the pharmaceutical fluoxetine, the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene, and the UV filters broadly present in cosmetics octocrylene and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, are classified as very toxic to aquatic life, since their EC50 values are < 1 mg/L. In general, both biological models, P. lividus and A. clausi, yield the same classification of the substances tested, but variations in the classification of aquatic toxicity depending on methodological aspects are discussed. The use of A. clausi nauplii provides more protecting value to the toxicity parameters obtained by using this protocol. Graphic abstract

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