Pollutants, Volume 5, Issue 3

The aim of this study was to devise a methodology for the on-site evaluation of the potential presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in incoming waste materials. A novel approach to POP screening was developed, integrating an excitation&nda...

Plastics have been widely used in agriculture, particularly as mulching materials, due to their ability to improve soil conditions and enhance productivity. However, their degradation into microplastics (MPs) raises significant environmental and agro...

Milk and dairy products play a key role in the human diet but may also be vehicles for toxic contaminants, particularly heavy metals and metalloids (HMs), such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As). This integrative review examin...

Lead (Pb) is a naturally occurring metal that is environmentally ubiquitous due to industrial activities, such as mining, smelting, and fossil fuel combustion. Exposure to Pb adversely affects the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, lungs...

This study investigated the extent to which the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) modulated daily surface-level concentrations of ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) on São Miguel Island, Azores, between 2017 and 2021....

Exposure to potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in commonly used substances remains a serious public health concern, especially in low-regulation environments. This study assessed and compared the concentrations of five PTEs, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), z...

(1) Background: Dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), characterized by high toxicity and strong lipophilicity, which promote their bioaccumulation in human tissues. Their detection in br...

Environmental risk assessment (ERA) for pesticide approval in the context of predatory insects remains inadequate as it often overlooks the influence of agricultural practices. An increasing number of studies have shown that prolonged and synergistic...

Seafood contamination by heavy metals is a growing public health concern, particularly in regions like Tunisia where seafood is a major dietary component. This study assessed concentrations of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in th...

The application of animal manure and organic soil amendments as an alternative to expensive inorganic fertilizers is becoming more prevalent in the USA and worldwide. A field experiment was conducted on Bluegrass–Maury silty loam soil at the Ke...

Agriculture relies on the widespread application of nitrogen fertilisers to improve crop yields and meet the demands of a growing population. However, the excessive use of these fertilisers has led to significant water quality challenges, posing risk...

4-Aminodiphenylamine (4-ADPA) is a common additive in rubber tires, known for its antioxidant properties. It plays a crucial role in enhancing tire durability by preventing issues such as drying, cracking, and degradation from prolonged exposure to e...

Karst aquifer systems are highly vulnerable due to their unique underground water flow characteristics, making them prone to contamination and abandonment. This study compares an active karst water source (Ljubija) with a previously abandoned one (Re...

The metalloid arsenic (As) and the metals lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg), which together we call the “Toxic Triad”, are among the pollutants of greatest global concern, harming the health of millions of people and contributing to biodiversity...

Air quality management concerns the assessment, analysis and mitigation strategies associated with ensuring that air is breathable and non-toxic. Successful management is a cognitively intensive task, knowledge-focused and converges multiple sources...