Publications_Hereon (Photo: J.R. Lippels / Hereon)
Following publications have been announced by our department Organic Environmental Chemistry. For further information please contact the marked co-authors of the publications:
Yang, Y., Li, C., Yang, L., Zhu, H., Xie, Z.Falandysz, J., Weber, R., Qin, L., & Liu, G. (2024): Linking industrial emissions and dietary exposure to human burdens of polychlorinated naphthalenes. Science of The Total Environment, Vol 951, 175733, doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175733
Abstract:
Relationships between toxic pollutant emissions during industrial processes and toxic pollutant dietary intakes and adverse health burdens have not yet been quantitatively clarified. Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) are typical industrial pollutants that are carcinogenic and of increasing concern. In this study, we established an interpretable machine learning model for quantifying the contributions of industrial emissions and dietary intakes of PCNs to health effects. We used the SHapley Additive exPlanations model to achieve individualized interpretability, enabling us to evaluate the specific contributions of individual feature values towards PCNs concentration levels. A strong relationship between PCN dietary intake and body burden was found using a robust large-scale PCN diet survey database for China containing the results of the analyses of 17,280 dietary samples and 4480 breast milk samples. Industrial emissions and dietary intake contributed 12 % and 52 %, respectively, of the PCN burden in breast milk. The model quantified the contributions of food consumption and industrial emissions to PCN exposure, which will be useful for performing accurate health risk assessments and developing reduction strategies of PCNs.
Celma, I., Alygizakis, N., Belova, L., Bijlsma, L., Fabregat-Safont, D., Menger, F., & Gil-Solsona, R. (2024): Ion mobility separation coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry in environmental analysis – Current state and future potential. Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Volume 43,
Abstract:
The hyphenation of ion mobility separation (IMS) with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) presents a milestone in the screening of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in complex environmental matrices. Its use has become progressively more widespread in environmental analysis and has led to the development of novel analytical strategies. This work provides a comprehensive overview of the advantages of using IMS-HRMS instrumentation, with a special focus on environmental screening studies. IMS provides an additional parameter for OMP identification, a reduction of spectral background noise and the power to resolve isomeric/isobaric coeluting interferences. These advantages lead to a reduction of false positive identifications. By describing the fundamentals and rationale behind the observed advancements, we highlight areas for further development that will unlock new potential of IMS-HRMS. For example, an enhanced availability of empirical IMS data following the FAIR principles, a better standardization of IMS-HRMS data processing workflows and a higher IMS resolving power are possible ways to advance the use of IMS-HRMS instruments for the analysis of complex environmental samples.
Heavy metal pollution in the environment and their toxicological effects on humans
Table of Contents
Organic Environmental Chemistry: Understanding the Impact of Industrial Emissions and Dietary Intake on Human Health
Organic environmental chemistry is a crucial field of study that examines the physical-chemical properties of organic compounds in the environment and their impact on human health. As the world grapples with the effects of industrialization and climate change, understanding the relationship between toxic pollutant emissions and dietary intakes is essential for developing effective health risk assessments and reduction strategies.
Linking Industrial Emissions and Dietary Exposure to Human Burdens of Polychlorinated Naphthalenes
A recent study published in Science of The Total Environment has shed light on the quantitative relationships between industrial emissions and dietary intakes of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), a typical industrial pollutant that is carcinogenic and of increasing concern [[3]]. The study established an interpretable machine learning model to quantify the contributions of industrial emissions and dietary intakes of PCNs to health effects. The results showed that industrial emissions and dietary intake contributed 12% and 52%, respectively, of the PCN burden in breast milk.
Ion Mobility Separation Coupled to High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry in Environmental Analysis
Another significant advancement in the field of organic environmental chemistry is the use of ion mobility separation (IMS) coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) in environmental analysis [[4]]. This technique has become increasingly popular in environmental screening studies, providing an additional parameter for organic micropollutant (OMP) identification and reducing spectral background noise.
Comprehensive Overview of Environmental Organic Chemistry
A comprehensive textbook on environmental organic chemistry provides an in-depth understanding of the physical-chemical properties of organic compounds in the environment [[1]]. The book covers a wide range of topics, including the behavior of organic pollutants in air, water, and soil, and the impact of human activities on the environment.
Holistic View on Physical-Chemical Properties of Organic Compounds
A more holistic view on physical-chemical properties of organic compounds is essential for understanding their behavior in the environment [[2]]. This approach considers the complex interactions between organic compounds and environmental matrices, providing a comprehensive understanding of the fate and transport of organic pollutants.
Understanding Organic Pollutants
The study of organic pollutants is a critical aspect of environmental organic chemistry. A section of an innovative journal exploring anthropogenic and natural pollutants across all environmental matrices focuses on the understanding of organic pollutants [[5]]. This platform provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research and findings in the field of organic pollutants, highlighting the impact of human activities on the environment.
organic environmental chemistry plays a vital role in understanding the impact of industrial emissions and dietary intake on human health. The field is rapidly advancing, with new techniques and approaches being developed to combat the growing threat of organic pollutants. A comprehensive understanding of the physical-chemical properties of organic compounds, combined with advanced analytical techniques, is essential for developing effective health risk assessments and reduction strategies.
References:
[1] Schwarzenbach, Rene. Environmental Organic Chemistry.
[2] Environmental Organic Chemistry | Wiley Online Books.
[3] Yang, Y., Li, C., Yang, L., Zhu, H., Xie, Z., Falandysz, J., Weber, R., Qin, L., & Liu, G. (2024). Linking industrial emissions and dietary exposure to human burdens of polychlorinated naphthalenes. Science of The Total Environment, Vol 951, 175733.
[4] Celma, I., Alygizakis, N., Belova, L., Bijlsma, L., Fabregat-Safont, D., Menger, F., & Gil-Solsona, R. (2024). Ion mobility separation coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry in environmental analysis – Current state and future potential. Trends in Environmental
Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCNs): Understanding the Risks and Challenges of these Carcinogenic Pollutants
Introduction
Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) are a group of industrial chemicals that have been linked to various environmental and health issues. Despite not being commercially used in Canada for over twenty years, PCNs continue to be a concern due to their persistence in the environment and potential to cause harm to humans and wildlife[[1]. This article aims to provide an overview of PCNs, their risks, and the challenges associated with their detection and mitigation.
What are Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCNs)?
Polychlorinated naphthalenes are a group of theoretically 75 possible chlorinated naphthalenes, containing one to eight chlorine atoms bound to the naphthalene di-benzene ring[[3]. They are formed through the treatment of naphthalene with chlorine, resulting in a generic chemical formula of C10H8−(m+n)Cl(m+n)[<ahref="https://enwikipediaorg/wiki/Polychlorinated[<ahref="https://enwikipediaorg/wiki/Polychlorinatednaphthalene”>2].
Risks Associated with PCNs
PCNs are known to be carcinogenic and have been linked to various health issues, including cancer, reproductive problems, and neurotoxicity. Exposure to PCNs can occur through contaminated food, water, and air, as well as through direct contact with PCN-containing materials. Industrial emissions and dietary intake are significant contributors to PCN exposure, with a recent study finding that industrial emissions and dietary intake contributed 12% and 52%, respectively, of the PCN burden in breast milk[[Yang et al., 2024].
Challenges in Detecting and Mitigating PCNs
The detection and mitigation of PCNs are complex tasks due to their persistence in the environment and the lack of effective analytical strategies. Ion mobility separation coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (IMS-HRMS) has been identified as a promising technique for the screening of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in complex environmental matrices[<ahref="//"target="[<ahref="//"target="blank” rel=”noopener”>Celma et al., 2024]. However, further development is needed to unlock the full potential of IMS-HRMS and other analytical strategies.
Conclusion
Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) are a group of carcinogenic pollutants that pose significant risks to human health and the environment. Understanding the risks associated with PCNs and developing effective strategies for their detection and mitigation are crucial for reducing exposure and protecting public health. Further research is needed to address the challenges associated with PCNs and to develop effective
