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Rolling vs. Seasonal PMF: Multi-site and synthetic dataset comparisons
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In Silico Prediction of Chemically Induced Mutagenicity: A Weight of Evidence Approach Integrating Information from QSAR Models and Read-Across Predictions
No full textInternational audienceInformation on genotoxicity is an essential piece of information in the framework of several regulations aimed at evaluating chemical toxicity. In this context, QSAR models that can predict Ames genotoxicity can conveniently provide relevant information. Indeed, they can be straightforwardly and rapidly used for predicting the presence or absence of genotoxic hazards associated with the interactions of chemicals with DNA. Nevertheless, and despite their ease of use, the main interpretative challenge is related to a critical assessment of the information that can be gathered, thanks to these tools. This chapter provides guidance on how to use freely available QSAR and read-across tools provided by VEGA HUB and on how to interpret their predictions according to a weight-of-evidence approach
Sources and processes of organic aerosol in non-refractory PM1 and PM2.5 during foggy and haze episodes in an urban environment of the Yangtze River Delta, China
No full textInternational audienceOrganic aerosol (OA) generally accounts for a large fraction of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the urban atmosphere. Despite significant advances in the understanding their emission sources, transformation processes and optical properties in the submicron aerosol fraction (PM1), larger size fractions - e.g., PM2.5 - still deserve complementary investigations. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis on sources, formation process and optical properties of OA in PM1 and PM2.5 under haze and foggy environments in the Yangtze River Delta (eastern China), using two aerosol chemical speciation monitors, as well as a photoacoustic extinctiometer at 870 nm. Positive matrix factorization analysis - using multilinear engine (ME2) algorithm - was conducted on PM1 and PM2.5 organic mass spectra. Four OA factors were identified, including three primary OA (POA) factors, i.e., hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA), cooking OA (COA), and biomass burning OA (BBOA), and a secondary OA (SOA) factor, i.e., oxidized oxygenated OA (OOA). An enhanced PM1-2.5 COA concentration was clearly observed during cooking peak hours, suggesting important contribution of fresh cooking emissions on large-sized particles (i.e., PM1-2.5). The oxidation state and concentration of PM2.5 HOA were higher than that in PM1, suggesting that large-sized HOA particles might be linked to oxidized POA. High contribution (44%) of large-sized OOA to non-refractory PM2.5 mass was observed during haze episodes. During foggy episodes, PM1 and PM2.5 OOA concentrations increased as a positive relationship over time, along with an exponential increase in the PM2.5-OOA to PM1-OOA ratio. Meanwhile, OOA loadings increased with the aerosol liquid water content (ALWC) during foggy episodes. Random forest cross-validation analysis also supported the important influence of ALWC on OOA variations, supporting substantial impact of aqueous process on SOA formation during haze and/or foggy episodes. Obtained results also indicated high OOA contributions (21%–36%) and low POA contributions (6%–14%) to the PM2.5 scattering coefficient during haze and foggy episodes, respectively. Finally, we could illustrate that atmospheric vertical diffusion and horizontal transport have important but different effects on the concentrations of different primary and secondary OA factors in different particle size fractions
Bioaccumulation of trace metal elements and biomarker responses in caged juvenile flounder at a polluted site: Effects of fish density and time exposure
No full textInternational audienceThis study investigates the effect of fish density and exposure duration on trace metal elements (TME) bioaccumulation and several biomarkers response. Juvenile flounders were caged at low, medium and high densities and exposed during 15 or 30 days in the Seine estuary. The concentrations of the TME measured in the muscle of the caged fish were all in agreement with their bioavailability percentage in the sediments. Higher concentrations of TME were found in flounders' muscle exposed for 15 days compared with those caged for 30 days. For the same exposure time, the density of fish had no effect on the accumulation of the TME in the flounders' muscle. Biomarkers responses varied according to density and duration of exposure. Special care should be taken in their interpretation. We underline that for an optimal assessment of TME pollution in the field, 15 days with low densities of fish per cage are sufficient
The Periodical Review of Safety Report in France for Upper-tier Seveso Establishments
No full textInternational audienceThe Seveso III Directive, adopted by the European authorities in 2012, has updated the European regulationon industrial risks and on the prevention of industrial accidents. Among the prescriptions, there is theperiodical review of the safety report for upper-tier establishments at least every five years (Article 10-5). InFrance, this prescription has been transposed in national regulation by the obligation, for operators of theseestablishments, to write a “review notice” five years after the last safety report has been submitted andaccepted by the Competent Authority. This notice must study 11 points to determine if the facilities are still inadequation with their environment and if new technologies or new safety measures may be implemented toimprove risk management. Following this notice and depending on its conclusion two options are available. Incase of strong changes / modifications (of the facilities, environment, regulation), a revision / new version ofthe safety report has to be submitted to the Competent Authority. The second option, in case of no majormodification and if the conclusions of the existing safety report are still valid, is to update this existing safetyreport. Contrarily to this last option, the revision of the safety report implies that the French authorities willprocess it and new prescriptions may be added to the establishment. This paper describes the requirementsand contents (the 11 points) of a French review notice of the safety report for an upper-tier Sevesoestablishment, and its advantages / drawbacks compared to the automatic revision of the safety report everyfive years
Nearly five-year continuous atmospheric measurements of black carbon over a suburban area in central France
No full textInternational audienceAtmospheric black carbon (BC) concentration over a nearly 5 year period (mid-2017–2021) was continuously monitored over a suburban area of Orléans city (France). Annual mean atmospheric BC concentration were 0.75 ± 0.65, 0.58 ± 0.44, 0.54 ± 0.64, 0.48 ± 0.46 and 0.50 ± 0.72 μg m−3, respectively, for the year of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Seasonal pattern was also observed with maximum concentration (0.70 ± 0.18 μg m−3) in winter and minimum concentration (0.38 ± 0.04 μg m−3) in summer. We found a different diurnal pattern between cold (winter and fall) and warm (spring and summer) seasons. Further, fossil fuel burning contributed >90 % of atmospheric BC in the summer and biomass burning had a contribution equivalent to that of the fossil fuel in the winter. Significant week days effect on BC concentrations was observed, indicating the important role of local emissions such as car exhaust in BC level at this site. The behavior of atmospheric BC level with COVID-19 lockdown was also analyzed. We found that during the lockdown in warm season (first lockdown: 27 March–10 May 2020 and third lockdown 17 March–3 May 2021) BC concentration were lower than in cold season (second lockdown: 29 October–15 December 2020), which could be mainly related to the BC emission from biomass burning for heating. This study provides a long-term BC measurement database input for air quality and climate models. The analysis of especially weekend and lockdown effect showed implications on future policymaking toward improving local and regional air quality as well
Mist can explode, but still no standard! Proposal of a combustible sprays test method
No full textInternational audienceHydrocarbon mists can explode even at temperatures well below their flashpoints. Nevertheless, fuel mist hazards are often disregarded and improperly classified due to the lack of tools and standards to assess and investigate their occurrence. The aim of this study is to propose a new test method to determine the ignition sensitivity and the explosion severity of fuel mists using a single existing standard equipment already available in laboratories or industries. The standardized 20L explosion sphere was selected and modified: a Venturi mist generation set-up and an automated system controlling the inlet concentrations and allowing an optimum evaluation of explosion results were implemented. Once the technical feasibility was established, seven fluids (ethanol, isooctane, kerosene, diesel, lube oil, light fuel oil, and biodiesel) of both industrial interest and different physicochemical properties were chosen to be tested under a wide range of conditions. Extensive studies were performed on their droplet size distribution (DSD), turbulence level, flammability, and explosion severity. To study the behaviour of the mist before ignition, particle image velocimetry and in-situ DSD measurements were performed. Then, sensitivity studies were carried out to examine the influence of parameters, such as the ignition source (spark or chemical igniters), the ignition energy, the DSD, the initial turbulence, the chemical nature of the fuel, the liquid temperature, and the sphere temperature, on the thermo-kinetic explosion parameters Pmax and dP/dtmax. Results showed that this new procedure permits to measure sensitivity parameters such as minimum ignition energy and lower explosive limit, in addition to the above-mentioned severity parameters. This study establishes that it is indeed possible to assess fuel mist flammability and explosibility using a standardized apparatus based on the 20L explosion sphere, and thus allows a comparative ranking of hydrocarbon mists
State of knowledge and future research needs on microplastics in groundwater
No full textInternational audienceMicroplastics (MPs) are widespread in aquatic and soil environments. This study targets the issue of MPs’ transfer from soil to groundwater. Scientific papers were collected and analyzed using a text-mining approach that classifies text segments. This allowed the identification of four research topics and the organization of the results into a summarizing table. Those four topics are sources of groundwater MPs, main types of MPs (physico-chemical properties, polymer units, shapes, and size), human exposure (mainly drinking water), and potential environmental and human effects. Compared to the research of MP on aquatic or soil compartments, scientific data on MP in groundwater are less substantial. Current results show a divergence due to differences in context (alluvial aquifer, fractured rock aquifer, karst aquifer, etc), collecting, sampling, and analytical methods. This divergence requires further research with standardized analytic protocols and reference materials. The associated research gaps were identified by using the same approach. The following five topics emerged: (1) the transfer of MPs from soil to underground, (2) the contribution of groundwater to drinking water microplastic pollution, (3) the interaction with other contaminants, (4) the human and environmental effects, and (5) the protective and remediation solutions
Association between air pollution levels and drug sales for asthma and allergy in 63 million people in metropolitan France
No full textInternational audienceIntroduction: Air pollution is known to have an impact on respiratory health. However, the assessment of this relationship is far from complete and is rarely extended to the country level. We used drug sales data, both Over-The-Counter (OTC) and prescription drugs, to assess exhaustively the impact of air pollution on asthma and allergy at the national level in France.Methods: The WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system was used to describe the distribution of sales of drugs of class R03 (Drugs for obstructive airways diseases, overall for asthma) and R06 (Antihistamines for systemic use). We performed a Quasi-Poisson regression model with a generalized additive model (GAM) to estimate the relationship (Relative Risks and 95% Confidence Interval) between drug sales and air pollutants, that is Particulate Matter with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) and less than 10 micrometers (PM10) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), as assessed using the high-resolution CHIMERE dispersion model. We designed unadjusted and adjusted single-pollutant models as well as two-pollutant models.Results: PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 were significantly and positively associated with sales of R03 and R06 class drugs, after adjustment for potential confounders. Results were confirmed in the two-pollutant model for PM10 and NO2 but not for PM2.5.Conclusions: Our study confirms the presence of an association between major air pollutants and the sales of drugs against asthma and allergies. Further studies on larger databases and over several years are necessary to confirm and better understand these results
A novel method to calculate the size of representative waste samples based on particles size
No full textInternational audienceA novel approach to determine the size of samples of granular wastes is proposed, forwarding the concept of the “number of particles”, as previously introduced by the authors. To be representative with a minimum error, it was demonstrated that at least 100 particles showing the presence of the measurand, shall be collected in the sample. Waste particles are usually characterized by size-concentration relationships. However, in waste sampling standards they are not explicitly considered when estimating the size of the sample. In this context, this paper extends this requirement to the number of particles “rare is size”, belonging to the less represented size fraction in the waste to be characterized. The number of particles is then transformed into a mass by a formulation that avoids using unrealistic assumptions on particles features. Results derived from the application of the two formulations on 5 different types of waste show that their equivalency relies on how similar are, the proportions of particles rare in concentration and rare in size in the batch to analyse. Here, preliminary knowledge on particles physical features and distribution of the measurand is key to derive coherent values for mass of samples. Finally, the need to perform on-site size reduction is discussed for cases where the application of both the conventional and novel approaches could have leaded to unpractical management of too large-sized waste samples