Publications by authors named "Mariana Furio Franco Bernardes"

Brominated flame retardants are used in consumer goods to increase product resistance to fire and/or high temperatures. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are the most commonly employed class of brominated flame retardants because they are inexpensive and can effectively prevent flame from spreading. PBDEs are persistent, can bioaccumulate, are transported over long distances, and display toxicity.

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Nanotechnology is a growing branch of science that deals with the development of structural features bearing at least one dimension in the nano range. More specifically, nanomaterials are defined as objects with dimensions that range from 1 to 100 nm, which give rise to interesting properties. In particular, silver and titanium nanoparticles (AgNPs and TiNPs, respectively) are known for their biological and biomedical properties and are often used in consumer products such as cosmetics, food additives, kitchen utensils, and toys.

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Brazil has been the largest world consumer of pesticides since 2008, followed by the USA. The herbicides trifluralin and tebuthiuron have been widely applied in agriculture. These herbicides are selective for some plant species, and their use brings various benefits.

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Indiscriminate use of synthetic substances has led to environmental contamination and increasing human and animal exposure to harmful chemicals. Polybrominated flame retardants (PBDEs), which serve as non-covalent additives that enhance the safety of a variety of commercial and consumer goods, are an important class among potentially damaging synthetic substances. Its use is very common in developing countries, including Brazil.

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Technological, agricultural, and medical advances have improved the lifestyle of humankind. However, these advances have caused new problems that affect the environment and future generations. Emerging contaminants display properties such as low degradation potential and environmental persistence.

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