With the fact that there are Novichoks in the list of toxic chemicals by the Chemical Weapons Convention parties, it is necessary to develop methods of effective neutralization of the agents as well as for other organophosphorus toxic substances. However, experimental studies on their persistence in the environment and effective decontamination measures remain scarce. Therefore, here, we investigated the persistence behavior and decontamination methods of A-234 (ethyl N-[1-(diethylamino)ethylidene]phosphoramidofluoridate), a Novichok series, A-type nerve agent to assess its potential risk to the environment. Different analytical methods were implemented, including P solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), liquid P NMR, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and vapor-emission screening using a microchamber/thermal extractor with GC-MS. Our results showed that A-234 is extremely stable in sand and poses a long-lasting risk to the environment even when released in trace quantities. Moreover, the agent is not easily decomposed by water, dichloroisocyanuric acid sodium salt, sodium persulfate, and chlorine-based water-soluble decontaminants. However, it is efficiently decontaminated by Oxone® monopersulfate, calcium hypochlorite, KOH, NaOH, and HCl within 30 min. Our findings provide valuable insights for eliminating the highly dangerous Novichok agents from the environment.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131150 | DOI Listing |
J Environ Manage
January 2025
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29802, USA. Electronic address:
The primary approach to assessing monitored natural attenuation (MNA) is currently based on a conceptual model utilizing the total contaminant concentrations, assuming a single aqueous species. However, many contaminants, such as metals and radionuclide - including iodine, can exist in multiple species that behave chemically differently in the environment and can exist simultaneously. For example, radioiodine often occurs concurrently as three major aqueous species: iodide (I), iodate (IO), and organo-I, which undergo distinct attenuation pathways and exhibit markedly different mobility and geochemical behavior.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Environ Manage
January 2025
Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA; Department of Health, Society, and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA; Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
This study investigates the complexities faced by emergency managers in wildfire-prone areas to uncover pressing issues and potential solutions. Four themes are discerned through three focus group discussions with emergency managers from nine counties across California. First, there is unequal access to resources for both risk assessment and response, with counties that have fewer resources facing significant challenges in effectively managing wildfire risks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Occup Environ Med
November 2024
Industrial Medicine and Occupational Health, Public Health and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess mutagenicity biomarkers among Egyptian textile dyeing workers, their alteration with gene polymorphism, and the changes in plasma proteins' expression.
Methods: Using a detailed questionnaire, a comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 212 workers (106 textile dyeing exposed group and 106 control group). CBMN-Cyt assay, ERCC2 gene polymorphism, and plasma protein fractions were analyzed in workers' blood samples.
J Occup Environ Med
November 2024
Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
Objective: The study investigated the effects of air pollutants on the incidence of acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG) in Hefei, China.Methods: A combination of generalized additive models (GAM) and distributed lag non-linear models (DLNM) was used to explore the relationship between air pollutants and the incidence of AACG.Results: Exposure-response curves showed that exposure to PM2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Occup Environ Med
November 2024
University of Michigan, School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Objective: Hotel workers are at risk for burnout. We tested the association between effort-reward imbalance (ERI) and burnout.
Methods: Participants were recruited through social media and completed an online survey.
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