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Properties of the substitutes of the regulated brominated flame retardants (additives of plastics) in their European registration dossier (80)
No full textInternational audienceSome plastic constituents of products include flame retardant compounds to protect the users against fire. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are numerous. Some of them are now banned or restricted due to their POP properties (persistent organic pollutants). So far, the regulated BFRs are polybromobiphenyls, polybromodiphenylethers hexabromocyclododecane and tetrabromobisphenol A. These substances are largely substituted by other (sometimes chemically similar) substances. For instance, 88% of a data set of 216 samples of product and waste samples contained BFR(s) other than the regulated ones (Hennebert 2020). As the substitution is going faster than the classification and regulation, and as homologous substances are used (for instance decabromodiphenylethane / decabromodiphenylether), all these new BFRs should be investigated and their properties assessed and published. This paper investigates the declared chemical properties about human health and the environment of the substitutes in ECHA registration dossier. 59 preparations using 33 BFR substances (other than the regulated ones) can be found in the catalogs of the three main producers. The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) dossier of these substances show that: - 11 substances have a dossier and hazard statements (see below): however, ECHA placed 1 of these substances on the PBT list (“under evaluation as persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic”); - 10 substances have a dossier without hazard statements and therefore not classified: ECHA has however placed 4 of these substances on the PBT and ED list (“being assessed as an endocrine disruptor”); - 12 substances have no dossier. As a conclusion, out of a total of 33 substances, 10 do not have a CAS number and dossier, 2 others have no dossier on the ECHA website, and 5 others are being assessed by ECHA for PBT and / or ED, which means that potentially 17 substances could be re-evaluated in the future, and eventually restricted
Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown policies on reducing air pollution levels and related deaths in Europe
No full textInternational audienceBACKGROUND AND AIM: Previous studies have reported a decrease in air pollution following the enforcement of lockdown measures during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these investigations were mostly based on simple pre-post comparisons using past years as a reference, and did not assess the role of different policy interventions. In this contribution, we quantitatively evaluated the association between various lockdown measures and the decrease in NO2, O3, PM2.5, and PM10 levels across 47 European cities and the associated short-term mortality in the period of February-July 2020. METHODS: We used data from several chemical transport models developed by the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) to define trends in air pollution under business-as-usual and lockdown scenarios, thus removing differences due to weather conditions and other differences affecting pre-post comparisons. We then applied an advanced spatio-temporal Bayesian non-linear mixed effect model to determine the association with stringency indices of individual policy measures, allowing non-linear relationships and geographical correlations. RESULTS: The findings indicate evidence of non-linear relationships, with a stronger decrease in NO2 and to a lesser extent PMs under very strict lockdown regimes. The effects of lockdown measures vary geographically, with a stronger decline in pollution in Southern and Central Europe. The comparative analysis of separate lockdown policies suggests important differences across interventions. Specifically, actions linked to school/workplace closure, limitations on gatherings, and stay-at-home requirements had strong effects, while restrictions on internal movement and international travels showed little impact. The observed decrease in pollution potentially resulted in hundreds of avoided deaths across the European cities. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides important evidence on the differential impacts of various policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in decreasing the level of pollutants in urban areas across Europe
Representativeness of airborne brake wear emission for the automotive industry: A review
No full textInternational audienceBrake wear gives 16%–55% by mass to total non-exhaust traffic related PM10 emissions in urban environments. While engines have become cleaner in the past decades, few improvements were made to lower non-exhaust emission until recently. Researchers have developed several experimental methods over the past years to assess brake emissions. However, observations tend to differ from a method to another with respect to many disciplines, ranging from particle system characterization to brake cycles, and it remains difficult to compare results of different research groups. It is so crucial to get a consensus on the standard experimental method. The following article lists limits which influence measurements and has to be taken into account when comparing works from different laboratories. This article also discusses how to design tests to get a relevant braking particle system characterization
Elucidation of the photoinduced transformations of Aliskiren in river water using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry
No full textInternational audienceAliskiren was selected as a compound of potential concern among a suspect screening list of more than 40,000 substances on a basis of high occurrence, potential risk and the absence of information about its environmental fate. This study investigated the photoinduced degradation of aliskiren in river water samples spiked at trace levels exposed to simulated sunlight. A half-life time of 24 h was observed with both direct and indirect photolysis playing a role on pollutant degradation. Its photo-induced transformation involved the formation of six transformation products (TPs), elucidated by LC-HRMS - resulted from the drug hydroxylation, oxidation and moieties loss with subsequent cyclization structurally. The retrospective suspected analysis performed on a total of 754 environmental matrices evidenced the environmental occurrence of aliskiren and two TPs in surface waters (river and seawater), fresh water, sediments and biota. In silico bioassays suggested that aliskiren degradation undergoes thought the formation of TPs with distinct toxicity comparing with the parent compound
Role of ecosystem-atmosphere exchanges of semi-volatile organic compounds in organic aerosol formation
No full textInternational audienceDeposition of the gas fraction of Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC) may be an important removal pathway and may strongly influence concentrations of organic aerosols due to the gas-particle partitioning of SVOC. All the studies on this process are based on the classic Wesely resistance approach that uses Henry's law constants to calculate a deposition rate scaled on the deposition rate of SO2. However, even highly hydrophobic SVOC could be efficiently removed by the vegetation and soils as shown by numerous studies on Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP) modeling. Moreover, the re-volatilization of deposited SVOC is possible and could influence organic aerosol concentrations. An atmosphere-soil-vegetation module was developed and implemented in the 3D air quality model CHIMERE 2017 beta to represent the accumulation of compounds in the different compartments of the biosphere and the exchanges between them. The soil compartment was represented with a multi-layer approach (the layers corresponding to different in-soil depths) to simulate the multiphase diffusion of compounds inside the soil. Exchanges of SVOC between the air, soil and vegetation compartments were simulated using bi-directional approaches based on R-g (the gas-phase partitioning in the soil compartment) and K-va the vegetation-air partitioning coefficient. Parameters were estimated based on the physical properties of the compounds and their molecular structure. Simulations performed over Europe show that air-vegetation-soil exchanges may be a more efficient removal pathway than dry deposition of particles for SVOC with a gas-phase fraction above 10%. Considering airvegetation-soil exchanges in the simulations lead to a decrease of organic aerosol concentrations by 15% and primary SVOC (considered as hydrophobic compounds) may be efficiently removed by those pathways (contrary to what is calculated with the Wesely approach). This decrease of concentrations is mainly due to air-vegetation exchanges. During summer, the use of the Wesely approach may lead to a slight overestimation of deposition fluxes (leading to an underestimation of concentration by 1%). Re-volatilization may limit the amount of deposited SVOC. Depending on assumptions, simulations showed that re-emissions (inversion of exchanges toward the emissions) in summer of SVOC accumulated during winter is theoretically possible and may be a minor source of organic aerosol
Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields: Comparison of exposimeters with a novel body-worn distributed meter
No full textInternational audienceBackground: Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) is often measured with personal exposimeters, but the accuracy of measurements can be hampered as carrying the devices on-body may result in body shielding. Further, the compact design may compromise the frequency selectivity of the sensor. The aim of this study was to compare measurements obtained using a multi-band body-worn distributed-exposimeter (BWDM) with two commercially available personal exposimeters (ExpoM-RF and EmeSpy 200) under real-life conditions.Methods: The BWDM measured power density in 10 frequency bands (800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2600 MHz, DECT 1900 MHz, WiFi 2.4 GHz; with separate uplink/downlink bands for 900, 1800 and 2100 MHz); using 20 separate antennas integrated in a vest and placed on diametrically opposite locations on the body, to minimize bodyshielding. RF-EMF exposure data were collected from several microenvironments (e.g. shopping areas, train stations, outdoor rural/ urban residential environments, etc.) by walking around pre-defined areas/routes in Belgium, Spain, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Measurements were taken every 1-4 s with the BWDM in parallel with an ExpoM-RF and an EmeSpy 200 exposimeter. We calculated medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs) and compared difference, ratios and correlations of geometric mean RF-EMF exposure levels per microenvironment as measured with the exposimeters and the BWDM.Results: Across 267 microenvimnments, medians and IQR of total BWDM measured RF-EMF exposure was 0.13 (0.05-0.33) mW/m(2). Difference: IQR of exposimeters minus BWDM exposure levels was -0.011 (-0.049 to 0.0095) mW/m(2) for the ExpoM-RF and -0.056 (-0.14 to -0.017) for the EmeSpy 200; ratios (exposimeter/BWDM) of total exposure had an IQR of 0.79 (0.55-1.1) for the ExpoM-RF and 0.29 (0.22-0.38) for the EmeSpy 200. Spearman correlations were 0.93 for the ExpoM-RF vs the BWDM and 0.96 for the EmeSpy 200 vs the BWDM.Discussion and conclusions: Results indicate that exposimeters worn on-body provide somewhat lower total RF-EMF exposure as compared to measurements conducted with the BWDM, in line with effects from body shielding. Ranking of exposure levels of microenvironments showed high correspondence between the different device types. Our results are informative for the interpretation of existing epidemiological research results
Source apportionment of atmospheric PM10 oxidative potential: synthesis of 15 year-round urban datasets in France
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Water quality of the Meuse watershed : Assessment using a multi-biomarker approach with caged three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.)
No full textInternational audienceThe use of a multi-biomarker approach with three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) through an active biomonitoring strategy appears to be a promising tool in water quality assessment. The present work proposes to assess the efficiency of these tools in the discrimination of some sites in a large scale on the Meuse basin in Europe. The study was part of an EU program which aims to assess water quality in the Meuse across the French-Belgian border. Sticklebacks were caged 21 days upstream and downstream from the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) of Namur (Belgium), Charleville-Mézières (France), Bouillon (Belgium) and Avesnes-sur-Helpe (France). First, the state of a variety of physiological functions was assessed using a battery of biomarkers that represented innate immunity (leucocyte mortality and distribution, phagocytosis activity, respiratory burst), antioxidant system (GPx, CAT, SOD and total GSH content), oxidative damages to the membrane lipids (TBARS), biotransformation enzymes (EROD, GST), synaptic transmission (AChE) and reproduction system (spiggin and vitellogenin concentration). The impacts of the effluents were first analysed for each biomarker using a mixed model ANOVA followed by post-hoc analyses. Secondly, the global river contamination was assessed using a principal component analysis (PCA) followed by a hierarchical agglomerative clustering (HAC). The results highlighted a small number of effects of WWTP effluents on the physiological parameters in caged sticklebacks. Despite a significant effect of the “localisation” factor (upstream/downstream) in the mixed ANOVA for several biomarkers, post-hoc analyses revealed few differences between upstream and downstream of the WWTPs. Only a significant decrease of innate immune responses was observed downstream from the WWTPs of Avesnes-sur-Helpe and Namur. Other biomarker responses were not impacted by WWTP effluents. However, the multivariate analyses (PCA and HAC) of the biomarker responses helped to clearly discriminate the different study sites from the reference but also amongst themselves. Thus, a reduction of general condition (condition index and HSI) was observed in all groups of caged sticklebacks, associated with a weaker AChE activity in comparison with the reference population. A strong oxidative stress was highlighted in fish caged in the Meuse river at Charleville-Mézières whereas sticklebacks caged in the Meuse river at Namur exhibited weaker innate immune responses than others. Conversely, sticklebacks caged in the Helpe-Majeure river at Avesnes-sur-Helpe exhibited higher immune responses. Furthermore, weak defence capacities were recorded in fish caged in the Semois river at Bouillon. This experiment was the first to propose an active biomonitoring approach using three-spined stickleback to assess such varied environments. Low mortality and encouraging results in site discrimination support the use of this tool to assess the quality of a large number of water bodies
Quels effets du confinement sur la qualité de l’air : retour sur le printemps 2020
No full textInternational audienceThis article presents an analysis of the impact on air quality of lockdown measures implemented throughout Europe for nearly two months in spring 2020 to combat the Covid-19 health crisis. These measures have resulted in a drastic and unprecedented reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions, mainly emitted by road traffic. Several European teams have conducted studies with the same objective, but with possibly different methods. Here, we applied two approaches based on the implementation of the CHIMERE chemistry-transport model to France and to Europe. One is based on the use of air quality simulations in which measurement data from in-situ monitoring networks are adjusted to correspond closely to observations. The other interprets emission reduction scenarios typical of lockdown measures. The advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed. However, they lead to conclusions that are consistent with each other, and with most of the studies identified on the subject: lockdown naturally decreased nitrogen dioxide concentrations by up to 60% in all large European cities. These studies make it possible to set an upper limit of these levels which will be difficult to lower. On the other hand, the levels of particulate matter, which is influenced by sources other than road traffic and by complex physicochemical phenomena, decreased less and followed a different curve, as the lockdown effect was felt a few days later. These results provide essential insights for decision-makers designing public policies for air quality.Cet article présente une analyse de l’impact sur la qualité de l’air des mesures de confinement généralisées à toute l’Europe pendant près de deux mois au printemps 2020, pour faire face à la crise sanitaire de la Covid-19. Ces mesures ont abouti à une réduction drastique et inédite des émissions d’oxydes d’azote, principalement émis par le trafic routier. De nombreuses études ont été menées par plusieurs équipes européennes avec le même objectif, mais les méthodes d’analyse peuvent différer. Dans le cas présent, deux approches basées sur la mise en œuvre du modèle de chimie-Transport CHIMERE sont appliquées à l’échelle de la France et de l’Europe. L’une repose sur l’exploitation de simulations de la qualité de l’air dans lesquelles les données de mesures des réseaux de surveillance in situ sont assimilées pour coller au mieux à l’observation. L’autre interprète des scénarios de réduction d’émissions représentatifs des mesures de confinement. Les avantages et inconvénients de chacune sont commentés. Elles aboutissent cependant à des conclusions cohérentes entre elles, et avec la plupart des études recensées sur le sujet : le confinement fut logiquement à l’origine d’une forte baisse des concentrations de dioxyde d’azote (jusqu’à 60 %) dans toutes les grandes villes européennes et ces travaux permettent d’appréhender une limite supérieure de ces niveaux qu’il sera difficile d’abaisser. En revanche, les niveaux de particules influencés par d’autres sources que le trafic routier et par des phénomènes physico-chimiques complexes ont diminué dans une moindre mesure et selon une dynamique différente, l’effet du confinement ayant été ressenti avec quelques jours de décalage. Ces résultats constituent une source de réflexion essentielle pour les décideurs en charge de la définition de politiques publiques pour la qualité de l’air
Impact of fuel composition on primary and secondary aeronautic emissions: gaseous and particulate chemical characterization at molecular level
No full textInternational audienceOne of the actual concerns of aviation industry is to reduce its impact on climate and air quality using for example Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF, [1]). As part of the UNREAL Project [2], the objective of this work was to study and compare chemically, at a molecular level, gaseous and particulate phases of primary and secondary emissions from various aircraft fuels, from the standard Jet A-1 to 100 % SAF (Alcohol to Jet). Related emissions from a liquid CAST burner [3] were injected into an atmospheric chamber (CESAM), and in parallel, into a Potential Aerosol Mass Oxidation Flow Reactor (PAM-OFR) to age the emissions (OH reactivity in both cases). To collect these fresh and aged particles, a system with two quartz fiber filters was used: the Front Filter (FF) traps the particulate phase while the Back Filter (BF) is coated with activated carbon to retain the gas phase [4]. Samples were analyzed with a Two-Step Laser Mass Spectrometry (L2MS) technique to study the chemical composition of emissions, in particular Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PAC) and sulfur such as SO2, SO3 or H2SO4. The chemical composition of the filter-deposited samples is compared to on-line measurements performed by an Aerosol Mass Spectrometer and an Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor for particles, and a Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometer (PTRMS) for gaseous species. A comparison of the primary and aged emission molecular chemical fingerprints obtained, as well as between both atmospheric reactors (CESAM vs PAM-OFR), will be proposed. This work benefited from the support of the project UNREAL ANR-18-CE22-0019 of the French National Research Agency (ANR)