The extensive production and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) over recent decades have resulted in their pervasive distribution in environmental compartments worldwide. PFAS concentrations in soil and biota near fluorochemical manufacturing facilities tend to be typically higher near hotspots, which suggests that the consumption of home-produced foods near such hotspots most likely results in higher human exposure. One prominent European hotspot is located near the 3M fluorochemical production facility in Zwijndrecht (Belgium), where the relative contributions of different exposure pathways remain insufficiently characterised. This study therefore aimed to assess the PFAS concentrations and compositional profiles in serum, dwellings and gardens of teenagers residing near this hotspot. Serum samples from teenagers, along with multiple environmental matrices (i.e., soil, compost, vegetables/fruits/nuts, chicken eggs, rainwater and indoor house dust) were analysed for 21 selected PFAS. Additionally, potential determinants of PFAS occurrence and distribution across matrices were investigated using detailed questionnaire data. We found perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) to be the predominant compound in both soil and serum, while perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) was most dominant in rainwater, compost, house dust and pods. Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) was most abundant in fruits and chicken eggs, while perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA) was predominant in rooting vegetables and nuts. N-methylperfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetic acid (MePFOSAA) was the dominant compound in fruiting, stem, and leafy vegetables. These results indicate differences in accumulation pathways among the different media and/or differences in affinities of different PFAS in the matrices. Additionally, several environmental and behavioural factors were identified as determinants for PFAS in soil, compost, tree fruits, fruiting vegetables, chicken eggs and house dust, providing insight into potential drivers of exposure variability. The most important factors were related to the soil characteristics, the composting of grass and weeds, the chicken feed (i.e., bread, commercial feed), the type and frequency of ventilation and the frequency of cleaning.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals implicated in reproductive dysfunction. Epidemiologic evidence examining their association with endometriosis remains inconsistent. Thus, we conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis using PubMed, Embase, EBSCO Host, and Google Scholar databases. RStudio software was used for all analyses. Random-effects or fixed-effects model was applied to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and standardized mean difference (SMD) in PFAS levels between endometriosis patients and controls. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots, and Egger's and Begg's tests. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review and eleven were included in the quantitative synthesis. Overall, PFSAs (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.12-2.00) and PFCAs (OR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.12-1.90) were significantly associated with increased odds of endometriosis, particularly PFOS and PFOA. However, analyses of pooled SMD did not demonstrate consistent concentration differences between endometriosis cases and controls. Heterogeneity was moderate to high for most compounds. Funnel plot symmetry and Egger's and Begg's tests suggest no publication bias. Exposure to PFASs, particularly PFOS and PFOA, may be associated with increased odds of endometriosis. Further prospective studies incorporating mixture modeling and emerging PFASs are warranted.

Phosphorus release from sediments significantly influences eutrophication in shallow lakes; however, its dynamics in drawdown zones under alternating inundation and drying cycles remain understudied. This study investigates the mechanisms of phosphorus release from sediments in the drawdown zone of Nansi Lake, a key reservoir along the eastern route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. Through field sampling and laboratory simulations, we analyzed the impact of inundation duration, physicochemical properties, and organic matter decomposition on phosphorus release. In Container a (first inundation period), phosphorus was rapidly released at the beginning of inundation, with total phosphorus (TP) in the overlying water increasing from 1.92 mg/L to 2.68 mg/L, and in the interstitial water from 8.45 mg/L to 15.24 mg/L. The second inundation period showed the highest phosphorus release, with TP reaching 3.61 mg/L in the overlying water and 21.51 mg/L in the interstitial water. Inorganic phosphorus dominated the release, with dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) accounting for a higher proportion of TP than dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP). Changes in pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), dissolved oxygen (DO), and total organic carbon (TOC) significantly influenced phosphorus distribution. The decomposition of organic matter during inundation increased dissolved organic matter levels, thereby affecting phosphorus release. These findings provide valuable insights into phosphorus dynamics and highlight the need for integrated management strategies to mitigate internal phosphorus loading and prevent eutrophication in Nansi Lake, offering guidance for water quality management and ecological protection in similar shallow lake systems.

Zinc oxide (ZnO), silver (Ag) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs), are three of the most widely manufactured NPs, while composite NPs have gained popularity due to their enhanced properties. NP release in environmental matrices increases chances of bioavailability and subsequent impact on human health. The current study focuses on manufacturing, characterization and cyto-genotoxic assessment of Ag, ZnO/Ag, TiO2 and TiO2/Ag NPs with and without humic acids (HAs), aiming for a holistic approach that leads to a comprehensive profile of said NPs. It entails (a) the synthesis of the aforementioned NPs via single-nozzle Flame Spray Pyrolysis (SN-FSP); (b) the characterization of NPs (in powder form and in dispersion media) using Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS); and (c) the assessment of their genotoxicity and cytotoxicity against human lymphocytes in presence of two HAs, thus simulating actual environmental conditions, and without HAs, through the cytokinesis block micronucleus assay (CBMN) with cytochalasin-B. No genotoxicity was observed in any case, whereas cytotoxicity induction varied depending on the NP and the presence or absence of the two HAs. Therefore, it is indispensable to evaluate the toxic profile of NPs considering different environmental scenarios, while conducting an integrated characterization of NPs.

Although alcohol consumption is prohibited in Saudi Arabia, methanol poisoning outbreaks continue to occur, largely through surrogate or non-beverage alcohols. To date, systematic forensic documentation of methanol-related fatalities in Saudi Arabia remains limited. This study presents a comprehensive post-mortem series of methanol-related deaths investigated in Jeddah and characterizes the demographic patterns, circumstances of death, post-mortem interval (PMI), and methanol distribution across multiple biological matrices. In total, 34 post-mortem cases with toxicologically confirmed methanol exposure were retrospectively examined. Methanol and ethanol levels in blood, urine, vitreous humor, bile, gastric contents, and selected tissues were quantified using a validated headspace gas chromatography-flame ionization detection method. Decedents were aged 18-73 years (median, 34.5 years), with a marked predominance of young-to-middle-aged men. PMI ranged 1-15 days (median, 2 days), and evidence of putrefaction was present in approximately one-third of the cases. Most deaths were classified as accidental and primarily occurred in private residences. Two distinct outbreak periods (2018 and 2022) were identified; values tended to be higher in 2018, but the differences were not statistically significant. NaF-preserved blood, urine, and vitreous humor were informative in non-decomposed cases, whereas vitreous humor and solid organs, particularly the liver and kidneys, retained quantifiable methanol in putrefied bodies. Ethanol was detected in a minority of cases and was considered a secondary or contributory finding. This study provides an important forensic baseline dataset for methanol-related fatalities in Saudi Arabia and underscores the need for continued surveillance and preventive measures.

We report the case of a 58-year-old man who experienced moderate renal and liver impairment after accidental poisoning with Colchicum autumnale, which he confused with wild garlic (Allium ursinum). Colchicum autumnale contains colchicine, a toxic compound that disrupts cell division. The patient received intensive care therapy, intravenous lipid emulsion, vitamin K supplementation, and N-acetylcysteine replacement. After seven days of hospitalisation, he was discharged in good health. This case highlights the importance of patients presenting at the emergency department with uncertain anamnesis, gastrointestinal symptoms or recent consumption of perennial plants before symptom onset, which should raise the suspicion of intoxication. Early diagnosis, organ-specific supportive therapy, and timely initiation of disease-specific therapy are crucial for improving patients' outcomes.

Microplastics can bind with toxic metals via surface complexation and chelation, forming combined pollutants. However, research regarding the toxicological impacts of these combined pollutants on soil fauna remains limited. This study employed Folsomia candida in a 28-day incubation experiment to investigate the ecotoxicological effects of combined pollution by polylactic acid microplastics (PLA-MPs) and thallium (Tl) on the functional traits of Folsomia candida, including biology, morphology, and gut microbiota. The results showed that the combined effects of PLA-MPs and Tl on these functional traits were characterized by amplified toxicity and trait-specific responses. Morphological traits exhibited lower sensitivity to the pollution treatments compared to other indicators. Exposure to high-concentration PLA-MPs (10%) significantly affected mortality and fecundity, and reduced gut bacterial diversity. Conversely, low-concentration Tl (1 mg/kg) significantly inhibited body length and antenna length while increasing gut bacterial diversity. Structured equation modeling further revealed that the pollution treatments exerted significant negative effects on the functional traits of Folsomia candida, both directly and indirectly by altering soil properties and soil microbiota. These findings provide valuable insights into the ecotoxicological effects of combined PLA-MPs and Tl pollution on soil fauna, contributing to ecological health risk assessments of microplastics and toxic metals in terrestrial ecosystems.

6PPD-Quinone (6PPD-Q) is a tire derivative formed by the oxidation of N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD), a commonly used antioxidant and ozone stabilizer in rubber products, and has emerged as a significant environmental concern in recent years. It is widely present in the atmosphere, surface lakes, and soil. The primary routes of exposure to 6PPD-Q are the digestive tract and respiratory tract. Studies indicate that it is a major factor causing acute mortality in coastal coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Reports indicate that 6PPD-Q exhibits greater chemical stability and stronger biological toxicity than 6PPD, demonstrating toxic effects across multiple species. 6PPD-Q has been detected in human urine samples, indicating a need for heightened attention to its potential health risks. 6PPD-Q exhibits multi-organ toxicity in organisms, including intestinal, hepatic, neurotoxic, and reproductive toxicity. Its potential toxic mechanisms are associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, and it can disrupt amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and lipid metabolism while interfering with signal transduction pathways by binding to specific receptors. This paper reviews the environmental contamination of 6PPD-Q, explores its potential toxic effects on organisms and underlying mechanisms, analyzes gaps in the current research and future trends, and contributes to a better understanding of its environmental occurrence and biological hazards.

Air pollution has been associated with dysregulated metabolism. However, evidence linking prenatal air pollution exposure to gestational weight gain (GWG) pattern remains limited. This retrospective cohort study of 47,793 pregnant women in Guiyang (2013-2022) assessed associations between air pollutants and GWG pattern. Positive associations were observed between excessive GWG and CO (per 1 μg/m3 increase), NO2, O3, PM10, PM2.5, and SO2 (per 10 μg/m3 increase) throughout the whole pregnancy period. Specifically, early-pregnancy exposure to CO (OR = 1.377, 95% CI: 1.201, 1.578) and NO2 (OR = 1.098, 95% CI: 1.068, 1.130), along with exposure to PM10 (OR = 1.058, 95% CI: 1.043, 1.073), PM2.5 (OR = 1.095, 95% CI: 1.073, 1.118), and SO2 (OR = 1.135, 95% CI: 1.102, 1.169) during late pregnancy significantly increased excessive GWG risk. Conversely, O3 exposure was inversely associated with excessive GWG. For insufficient GWG, only early-pregnancy exposures to PM10 (OR = 1.016, 95% CI: 1.001, 1.032), PM2.5 (OR = 1.022, 95% CI: 1.001, 1.043), and SO2 (OR = 1.031, 95% CI: 1.004, 1.058) showed significant positive associations. Furthermore, the restricted cubic spline (RCS) model revealed a nonlinear relationship between pollutant exposure and the risk of excessive GWG. Stratified analyses revealed that the air pollution and GWG (continuous) association was stronger among women with pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 and aged ≥ 30 years. This study confirms that, even at lower concentrations, exposure to air pollutants during pregnancy is significantly associated with an increased risk of abnormal GWG. Compared to previous studies focusing on high-concentration areas, this finding provides additional evidence for assessing the health risks of air pollution exposure during pregnancy, suggesting that the potential metabolic effects of low-level, long-term exposure should be considered when developing maternal health strategies.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) perturb hormonal homeostasis, dysregulating multiple biological pathways and subsequently resulting in adverse health outcomes, including impaired reproductive function. Bisphenols represent an important subclass of EDCs with widespread use in polycarbonate plastics, thermal paper formulations, epoxy resins, and various everyday consumer products. Bisphenol A (BPA) was the first bisphenol to be synthesized, with extensive industrial applications. However, the concerns over its potential health risks, most notably reproductive dysfunction, prompted the development and introduction of several structurally related BPA analogues. That said, studies on the potential hormonal effects of these BPA analogues remain limited. Therefore, strengthening the evidence base on their reproductive safety evaluation remains an essential priority for ensuring their safe application, and this study contributes to that broader objective. The study aimed to explore the potential endocrine-disrupting activity of two commonly used BPA analogues, bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS), on reproductive hormone signalling, contributing to ongoing safety assessment efforts. The molecular interactions of these analogues with the estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and estrogen receptor-β (ERβ) were analyzed through structural binding characterization employing the induced fit docking (IFD) approach using the Schrödinger 2019 suite. The overall results revealed that the two indicated BPA analogues were placed successfully in the ligand-binding pockets of ERα and ERβ. Their binding pattern and molecular interactions showed certain similarities; however, they did not fully replicate the amino acid residue environment of the native ligands of ERα and ERβ, estradiol. Notably, the binding energy estimations revealed that BPF and BPS showed substantially lower values than those calculated for native ligands of ERα and ERβ. In summary, this study suggests that BPF and BPS exhibit lower predicted binding affinity toward ERα and ERβ under the applied molecular docking conditions. However, these computational findings do not establish receptor activation, endocrine potency, or safety outcomes, and the potential involvement of other reproductive signalling pathways warrants further investigation.