Fine-grained dust from tailing storage facilities in abandoned sulfide-ore mining areas represents an important source of environmental contamination. Fine fractions (<48 μm and <10 μm) of tailings from three old mining sites situated along a climatic gradient from hot semiarid to cold desert conditions in Namibia were studied: Kombat (Cu-Pb-Zn; rainfall ∼500 mm), Oamites (Cu; ∼120 mm), Namib Lead & Zinc (Pb-Zn; ∼0 mm). Multi-method mineralogical and geochemical investigations were adopted to assess the binding and gastric bioaccessibility of the metal(loid)s and to evaluate the associated human health risks. The total concentrations of contaminants in the tailings generally increased with the decreasing particle size (up to 134 mg As kg-1, 14 900 mg Cu kg-1, 8880 mg Pb kg-1, 13 300 mg Zn kg-1). The mean bioaccessible fractions varied substantially between the sites and were significantly higher for the tailings from the sites with a higher rainfall (73-82% versus 22%). The mineralogical composition of the tailings, reflecting the original mineralogy and the degree of the weathering process, is the main driver controlling the bioaccessibility of the metal(loid)s. In desert environments, metal(loid)s in tailings are bound in sulfides or sequestered in secondary Fe oxyhydroxides and/or Fe hydroxysulfates, all of which are insoluble in simulated gastric fluid. In contrast, tailings from areas with higher precipitation contain metal(loid)s hosted in carbonate phases (malachite, cerussite), which are highly soluble under gastric conditions. Based on the higher contaminant bioaccessibility, the vicinity of the settlement and farmlands, and a higher percentage of wind-erodible fine particles, a higher risk for human health has thus been identified for the Kombat site, where further remediation of the existing tailings storage facility is highly recommended.

• MeSH
• biologická dostupnost MeSH
• hornictví * MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí * MeSH
• prach analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Namibie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující půdu * MeSH
• prach MeSH

Vehicles are unique indoor environments, with interiors dominated by plastic/synthetic materials and exposure to extremes of temperature and radiation, leading to substantial potential for emissions of plastic additives from vehicle materials and subsequent exposure to drivers and passengers. Flame retardants (FRs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were measured in 30 dust samples collected from dashboards, seats, and trunks of cars of the same make and model (year of manufacture 1996-2021) to evaluate levels in dust and time patterns in additive use across cars of different ages. PFAS were detected in all dust samples at low levels, while FRs were detected in all samples, with some compounds consistently exceeding µg/g levels, especially tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) and decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), substantially higher than in other indoor environments. Although cars were of the same model, large variations were observed in FR concentrations in dust between cars, emphasizing the challenge in generalizing FR exposures from vehicle dust. Concentrations of BDE-209 in vehicle dust did not decrease over the 1996-2021 period, suggesting that restrictions on DecaBDE have had limited impact, likely due to exemptions in regulations for the automotive industry. The high FR levels indicate ongoing use of both organophosphate and brominated FRs in vehicles on the European market, although flammability standards for interior car materials are not mandated by European regulations, and the continued presence of long-restricted FRs suggests the presence of recycled plastics in vehicles; this potential exposure source may be increasing as vehicle producers aim to improve material circularity.

• Klíčová slova
• Cars, Dust exposure, Flame retardants, PFAS, Time trends,
• MeSH
• automobily * statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• halogenované difenylethery analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí * MeSH
• organofosfáty * analýza   MeSH
• prach * analýza   MeSH
• retardanty hoření * analýza   MeSH
• znečištění vzduchu ve vnitřním prostředí * analýza   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• halogenované difenylethery MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• organofosfáty * MeSH
• prach * MeSH
• retardanty hoření * MeSH

Indoor dust contains various endocrine-disrupting contaminants, yet the effect drivers of observed glucocorticoid activity are completely unknown. This study conducted an effect-directed analysis using orthogonal fractionation to identify effect drivers of glucocorticoid activity in indoor dust. After the detection of bioactivity using a human cell line stably transfected with a reporter gene, the sample underwent parallel HPLC fractionations with octadecyl, pentafluorophenyl, and aminopropyl columns to obtain orthogonal fractions. The bioassays were utilized to screen the fractions and guide efforts towards prioritization of the bioactive chemicals using targeted and non-targeted analysis with LC-HRMS. The glucocorticoid activity of the identified potential candidates was confirmed by their testing in the same bioassay. To assess their contribution to the detected mixture effects, we calculated their relative potencies. This approach led to the identification of two pharmaceuticals, clobetasol propionate and mometasone furoate, at concentrations ranging from ng to μg per gram of dust, which together accounted for up to 77% of the observed glucocorticoid activity. This is the first report documenting the effect drivers of glucocorticoid receptor agonism in indoor dust; however, together with previous studies of various environmental samples, it documents that in cases when glucocorticoid receptor-agonistic activity is detected, drugs should be considered as likely relevant contaminants. The discovery of potent drugs in household dust highlights concerns for individuals exposed within domestic environments and emphasizes the need to consider pharmaceuticals as relevant contributors to indoor contamination.

• Klíčová slova
• Effect-directed analysis, Endocrine disrupting compounds, Glucocorticoid activity, In vitro, Indoor dust, Orthogonal fractionation,
• MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory * analýza   MeSH
• glukokortikoidy * analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• prach * analýza   MeSH
• receptory glukokortikoidů MeSH
• znečištění vzduchu ve vnitřním prostředí * analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• endokrinní disruptory * MeSH
• glukokortikoidy * MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• prach * MeSH
• receptory glukokortikoidů MeSH

This study investigated the concentration profiles and geographical variability of contaminants in house dust across Europe. A collaborative trial (CT) was organized by the NORMAN network using pooled dust and advanced chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques combined with suspect screening and non-target screening (NTS). Over 1200 anthropogenic compounds were tentatively identified. Additionally, seventy-five individual samples were subjected to target analysis and NTS. The median concentrations of most contaminants varied <3-fold across Europe, and the contaminant profile of European dust was similar to that of North American dust, which was investigated in a previous CT. This similarity may be attributed to the use of similar consumer articles and building materials throughout the developed world. Multivariate data analysis revealed geographical trends in contaminant distribution, with north-south gradients across Europe. Geographical trends were more frequently found for compounds with rapid release (pharmaceuticals, personal care products, fragrances, pesticides, biocides) and smoke-related compounds. The concentrations of chlorinated paraffins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), perfluorinated alkyl substances and stimulants generally increased from north to south, whereas the biocides levels decreased from north to south. Despite widespread presence of in-use contaminants in dusts, some of the highest risks come from compounds that have been restricted for decades or more. These include di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) 118 and polybrominated diphenyl ethers 47, 99, and 153. DEHP remains the most abundant contaminant in European house dust, while the other compounds are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Moreover, there is a striking lack of reliable toxicity data, particularly for emerging compounds. For instance, although acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) were examined for 202 compounds, only 46 had consensus-based ADI values. The results highlight the need for proactive measures to prevent hazardous chemicals from entering the market and for careful selection of substitute chemicals, when such are needed, to avoid regrettable substitutions.

• Klíčová slova
• Geographical trends, House dust, Human exposome, Mass spectrometry, Organic contaminant profiling, Risk assessment,
• MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí * MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky analýza   MeSH
• prach * analýza   MeSH
• znečištění vzduchu ve vnitřním prostředí analýza   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky MeSH
• prach * MeSH

The antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) limit the susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobials, representing a problem of high importance. Current research on the presence of ARGs in microorganisms focuses mainly on humans, livestock, hospitals, or wastewater. However, the spectrum of ARGs in the dust resistome in workplaces and households has gone relatively unexplored. This pilot study aimed to analyze resistome in indoor dust samples from participants' workplaces (a pediatric hospital, a maternity hospital, and a research center) and households and compare two different approaches to the ARGs analysis; high-throughput quantitative PCR (HT-qPCR) and whole metagenome shotgun sequencing (WMGS). In total, 143 ARGs were detected using HT-qPCR, with ARGs associated with the macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramin B (MLSB) phenotype being the most abundant, followed by MDR (multi-drug resistance) genes, and genes conferring resistance to aminoglycosides. A higher overall relative quantity of ARGs was observed in indoor dust samples from workplaces than from households, with the pediatric hospital being associated with the highest relative quantity of ARGs. WMGS analysis revealed 36 ARGs, of which five were detected by both HT-qPCR and WMGS techniques. Accordingly, the efficacy of the WMGS approach to detect ARGs was lower than that of HT-qPCR. In summary, our pilot data revealed that indoor dust in buildings where people spend most of their time (workplaces, households) can be a significant source of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, which may potentially pose a health risk to both humans and animals.

• Klíčová slova
• antibiotic resistance gene, antimicrobial resistance, hospital, indoor environment, microbiome,
• MeSH
• antibakteriální látky farmakologie   MeSH
• Bacteria genetika   izolace a purifikace   účinky léků   klasifikace   MeSH
• bakteriální geny genetika   MeSH
• bakteriální léková rezistence genetika   MeSH
• charakteristiky rodiny MeSH
• kvantitativní polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metagenom MeSH
• mikrobiologie vzduchu MeSH
• pilotní projekty MeSH
• prach * analýza   MeSH
• pracoviště * MeSH
• vysoce účinné nukleotidové sekvenování MeSH
• znečištění vzduchu ve vnitřním prostředí MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antibakteriální látky MeSH
• prach * MeSH

Electronic waste (e-waste) poses significant environmental and health risks in Thailand due to both domestic production and international imports. A notable portion of this waste is processed in small-scale, community-based workshops, often located in poorer regions, where safety regulations are improperly enforced or entirely ignored. This study focuses on the Kalasin province in Northern Thailand, a region with numerous such workshops, where no comprehensive analysis of exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dechlorane plus (DP) has been conducted. The study's objective was to quantify these toxic substances in environmental and biological samples to assess its contamination and human health risks. Environmental samples, including soil, dust, sediment, ash, eggs, crabs, snails, fish, and rice, were collected from e-waste processing sites and compared with control areas. Blood samples from e-waste workers and a control group were also analysed. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry operated in negative ion chemical ionization (GC-NCI-MS) was used to quantify PBDEs and DP isomers. Results showed significantly higher concentrations of these toxic compounds in e-waste sites compared to control areas. E-waste workers also had elevated levels of these substances in their blood, suggesting exposure through contaminated dust and food. These findings underscore the severe environmental contamination and health risks associated with improper e-waste management, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory measures and improved recycling practices to safeguard both environmental and public health.

• Klíčová slova
• Dechlorane plus, E-waste, Environmental pollution, Human health impact, POPs, Polybrominated diphenyl ethers,
• MeSH
• chlorované uhlovodíky * analýza   krev   MeSH
• elektronický odpad * analýza   MeSH
• halogenované difenylethery * analýza   toxicita   krev   MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí analýza   krev   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• polycyklické sloučeniny * analýza   MeSH
• prach analýza   MeSH
• pracovní expozice analýza   MeSH
• recyklace * MeSH
• vystavení vlivu životního prostředí škodlivé účinky   analýza   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Thajsko MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chlorované uhlovodíky * MeSH
• dechlorane plus MeSH Prohlížeč
• halogenované difenylethery * MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí MeSH
• polycyklické sloučeniny * MeSH
• prach MeSH

UNLABELLED: Contact with environmental microbial communities primes the human immune system. Factors determining the distribution of microorganisms, such as dispersal, are thus important for human health. Here, we used the relative number of bacteria shared between environmental and human samples as a measure of bacterial dispersal and studied these associations with living environment and lifestyles. We analyzed amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of the V4 region of 16S rDNA gene from 347 samples of doormat dust as well as samples of saliva, skin swabs, and feces from 53 elderly people in urban and rural areas in Finland at three timepoints. We first enumerated the ASVs shared between doormat and one of the human sample types (i.e., saliva, skin swab, or feces) of each individual subject and calculated the shared ASVs as a proportion of all ASVs in the given sample type of that individual. We observed that the patterns for the proportions of shared ASVs differed among seasons and human sample type. In skin samples, there was a negative association between the proportion of shared ASVs and the coverage of built environment (a proxy for degree of urbanization), whereas in saliva data, this association was positive. We discuss these findings in the context of differing species pools in urban and rural environments. IMPORTANCE: Understanding how environmental microorganisms reach and interact with humans is a key question when aiming to increase human contacts with natural microbiota. Few methods are suitable for studying microbial dispersal at relatively large spatial scales. Thus, we tested an indirect method and studied patterns of bacterial taxa that are shared between humans and their living environment.

• Klíčová slova
• bacteria, biodiversity hypothesis, dispersal, hygiene hypothesis, land cover,
• MeSH
• Bacteria * klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• DNA bakterií genetika   MeSH
• feces * mikrobiologie   MeSH
• kůže mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• městské obyvatelstvo MeSH
• mikrobiologie životního prostředí MeSH
• mikrobiota * MeSH
• prach analýza   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S * genetika   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• sliny * mikrobiologie   MeSH
• venkovské obyvatelstvo MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Finsko MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA bakterií MeSH
• prach MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S * MeSH

The concentrations, sources, and risk of twenty organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in soils and dusts from a typical urban setting in the Niger Delta of Nigeria were examined. The Σ20 OCP concentrations (ng g-1) varied from 4.49 to 150 with an average value of 32.6 for soil, 4.67 to 21.5 with an average of 11.7 for indoor dust, and 1.6 to 96.7 with an average value of 23.5 for outdoor dust. The Σ20 OCP concentrations in these media were in the order: soil > outdoor dust > indoor dust, which was in contrast with the order of the detection frequency, i.e., indoor dust (95 to 100 %) > soil (60 to 90 %) > outdoor dust (30 to 80 %). The concentrations of the different OCP classes in these media followed the order: aldrin + dieldrin + endrin and its isomers (Drins) > chlordanes > dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs) > hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs) > endosulfans for outdoor dust and soil, while that of the indoor dust followed the order: Drins > chlordanes > endosulfans > DDTs > HCHs. The cancer risk values for human exposure to OCPs in these sites exceeded 10-6 which indicates possible carcinogenic risks. The sources of OCPs in these media reflected both past use and recent inputs.

• Klíčová slova
• Carcinogenic risk, Human exposure, Niger Delta, Nigeria, OCPs, Urban environment,
• MeSH
• chlorované uhlovodíky * analýza   MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí * MeSH
• pesticidy * analýza   MeSH
• prach * analýza   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• vystavení vlivu životního prostředí analýza   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Nigérie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chlorované uhlovodíky * MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * MeSH
• pesticidy * MeSH
• prach * MeSH
• půda MeSH

Information on the indoor environment as a source of exposure with potential adverse health effects is mostly limited to a few pollutant groups and indoor types. This study provides a comprehensive toxicological profile of chemical mixtures associated with dust from various types of indoor environments, namely cars, houses, prefabricated apartments, kindergartens, offices, public spaces, and schools. Organic extracts of two different polarities and bioaccessible extracts mimicking the gastrointestinal conditions were prepared from two different particle size fractions of dust. These extracts were tested on a battery of human cell-based bioassays to assess endocrine disrupting potentials. Furthermore, 155 chemicals from different pollutant groups were measured and their relevance for the bioactivity was determined using concentration addition modelling. The exhaustive and bioaccessible extracts of dust from the different microenvironments interfered with aryl hydrocarbon receptor, estrogen, androgen, glucocorticoid, and thyroid hormone (TH) receptor signalling, and with TH transport. Noteably, bioaccessible extracts from offices and public spaces showed higher estrogenic effects than the organic solvent extracts. 114 of the 155 targeted chemicals were detectable, but the observed bioactivity could be only marginally explained by the detected chemicals. Diverse toxicity patterns across different microenvironments that people inhabit throughout their lifetime indicate potential health and developmental risks, especially for children. Limited data on the endocrine disrupting potency of relevant chemical classes, especially those deployed as replacements for legacy contaminants, requires further study.

• Klíčová slova
• Bioaccessibility, Endocrine disrupting chemicals, Human risk assessment, In vitro, Indoor dust,
• MeSH
• androgeny MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• endokrinní systém MeSH
• estrogeny MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• prach analýza   MeSH
• znečištění vzduchu ve vnitřním prostředí * analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• androgeny MeSH
• estrogeny MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí * MeSH
• prach MeSH

The remoteness and low population in the Arctic allow us to study global environmental processes, where the analysis of indicators can provide useful information about local and distant pollution sources. Fresh snow represents a convenient indicator of regional and transboundary atmospheric contamination sources, entrapping aerosols, and particulates like a natural autosampler of the environment. Lead stable isotopes are widely used to trace and monitor local and distant pollution sources. However, the behavior of Pb within different snow components is still not thoroughly studied, and its significance could be underestimated if only larger particulates are accounted for. We collected snow and samples from potential sources (fuel, rocks, coal) in three Arctic localities: Nuuk (Greenland), Reykjavik (Iceland), and Longyearbyen (Svalbard). We separated the filtrate from the filter residue through 0.45 μm nitrocellulose membranes to isolate the low-diameter particles associated with long-range transport from larger particles of mostly local natural origin. Filtrates yielded higher EFs (enrichment factor as the Pb/Al ratio relative to the upper crust) than filtration residues (80 ± 104 and 2.1 ± 1.1, respectively), and Pb isotope signals similar to fuel and coal (206Pb/207Pb are 1.199 ± 0.028 in coal, 1.168 ± 0.029 in filtrates, 1.163 ± 0.013 in fuel, 1.137 ± 0.045 in residues, and 0.985 ± 0.020 in rocks). In contrast to filtrates, the filter residues present wider ranges of Pb isotope compositions and crustal contributions and lower EFs, so we suggest that filtrate contains Pb from fuel combustion more selectively, while the residue carries a more considerable contribution of local mineral dust that can mask the contribution of other anthropogenic or distant natural sources. These findings add weight to the notion that filtrates are a more selective measure of metal deposition from long-range anthropogenic emissions compared to analyzing bulk melted snow or only filter residues.

• Klíčová slova
• Arctic, Atmospheric pollution, Lead isotopes, Pollution tracing, Snow,
• MeSH
• izotopy analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• olovo * analýza   MeSH
• prach analýza   MeSH
• sníh * chemie   MeSH
• uhlí analýza   MeSH
• znečištění životního prostředí analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• izotopy MeSH
• olovo * MeSH
• prach MeSH
• uhlí MeSH