Publications by authors named "E Orlo"

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for high-quality sunscreens that combine high efficacy with ecological characteristics. This trend has led to an increased use of triazine compounds, which represent an emerging class of UV filters. While it is well-established that sunscreens can have significant environmental impacts, there is limited data on the degradation of triazine UV filters, despite available information on their environmental persistence, particularly in relation to disinfection processes.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on the eco-geno-toxicological effects of common antiviral drugs used against SARS-CoV2 (ribavirin, ritonavir, nirmatrelvir, and tenofovir) on freshwater organisms.
  • Ribavirin and tenofovir were found to be the most toxic, especially to the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus and the crustacean Ceriodaphnia dubia, while some organisms like Thamnocephalus platyurus showed resilience with no sublethal effects.
  • Chronic exposure to these drugs resulted in significant toxicity and genotoxicity at low environmental concentrations, with risk assessments indicating serious environmental threats from ribavirin, ritonavir, and tenofovir
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This study explores the eco-geno-toxic impact of Acyclovir (ACV), a widely used antiviral drug, on various freshwater organisms, given its increasing detection in surface waters. The research focused on non-target organisms, including the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata, the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus, the cladoceran crustacean Ceriodaphnia dubia, and the benthic ostracod Heterocypris incongruens, exposed to ACV to assess both acute and chronic toxicity. The results indicate that while acute toxicity occurs at environmentally not-relevant concentrations, a significant chronic toxicity for C.

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  • Diclofenac (DCF) is a widespread contaminant in water that poses significant toxicity risks to aquatic life, necessitating its removal through effective treatment methods.
  • Traditional treatment techniques are ineffective for DCF, but electrochemical oxidation (EO) shows over 98% removal efficiency while also disinfecting pathogens found in water.
  • However, the study reveals that by-products formed during the EO process can still be harmful to freshwater ecosystems, indicating a need for careful assessment of potential environmental impacts.
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In recent years, the antihypertensive drug Valsartan (VAL) has been detected in surface waters up to concentrations of 6300 ng/L, due to its high consumption and its mostly unchanged excretion. Moreover, wastewater treatment plants fail to completely mineralize/transform it, as evidenced by findings of up to 3800 ng/L in some effluents. In this paper, the possible degradation of VAL was evaluated through Fenton-like reaction with activation of peroxymonosulfate in the presence of Fe(II) under neutral conditions.

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