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Environmental Science & Technology Jul 2023Exposure pathways to the carcinogen benzene are well-established from tobacco smoke, oil and gas development, refining, gasoline pumping, and gasoline and diesel...
Exposure pathways to the carcinogen benzene are well-established from tobacco smoke, oil and gas development, refining, gasoline pumping, and gasoline and diesel combustion. Combustion has also been linked to the formation of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde indoors from gas stoves. To our knowledge, however, no research has quantified the formation of benzene indoors from gas combustion by stoves. Across 87 homes in California and Colorado, natural gas and propane combustion emitted detectable and repeatable levels of benzene that in some homes raised indoor benzene concentrations above well-established health benchmarks. Mean benzene emissions from gas and propane burners on high and ovens set to 350 °F ranged from 2.8 to 6.5 μg min, 10 to 25 times higher than emissions from electric coil and radiant alternatives; neither induction stoves nor the food being cooked emitted detectable benzene. Benzene produced by gas and propane stoves also migrated throughout homes, in some cases elevating bedroom benzene concentrations above chronic health benchmarks for hours after the stove was turned off. Combustion of gas and propane from stoves may be a substantial benzene exposure pathway and can reduce indoor air quality.
Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Benzene; Propane; Gasoline; Household Products; Cooking; Air Pollutants
PubMed: 37319002
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09289 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Feb 2024Aureobasidium is omnipresent and can be isolated from air, water bodies, soil, wood, and other plant materials, as well as inorganic materials such as rocks and marble.... (Review)
Review
Aureobasidium is omnipresent and can be isolated from air, water bodies, soil, wood, and other plant materials, as well as inorganic materials such as rocks and marble. A total of 32 species of this fungal genus have been identified at the level of DNA, of which Aureobasidium pullulans is best known. Aureobasidium is of interest for a sustainable economy because it can be used to produce a wide variety of compounds, including enzymes, polysaccharides, and biosurfactants. Moreover, it can be used to promote plant growth and protect wood and crops. To this end, Aureobasidium cells adhere to wood or plants by producing extracellular polysaccharides, thereby forming a biofilm. This biofilm provides a sustainable alternative to petrol-based coatings and toxic chemicals. This and the fact that Aureobasidium biofilms have the potential of self-repair make them a potential engineered living material avant la lettre. KEY POINTS: •Aureobasidium produces products of interest to the industry •Aureobasidium can stimulate plant growth and protect crops •Biofinish of A. pullulans is a sustainable alternative to petrol-based coatings •Aureobasidium biofilms have the potential to function as engineered living materials.
Topics: Aureobasidium; Biofilms; Calcium Carbonate; Crops, Agricultural; Gasoline
PubMed: 38349550
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13025-5 -
Current Opinion in Biotechnology Jun 2017Advances in retooling microorganisms have enabled bioproduction of 'drop-in' biofuels, fuels that are compatible with existing spark-ignition, compression-ignition, and... (Review)
Review
Advances in retooling microorganisms have enabled bioproduction of 'drop-in' biofuels, fuels that are compatible with existing spark-ignition, compression-ignition, and gas-turbine engines. As the majority of petroleum consumption in the United States consists of gasoline (47%), diesel fuel and heating oil (21%), and jet fuel (8%), 'drop-in' biofuels that replace these petrochemical sources are particularly attractive. In this review, we discuss the application of aldehyde decarbonylases to produce gasoline substitutes from fatty acid products, a recently crystallized reductase that could hydrogenate jet fuel precursors from terpene synthases, and the exquisite control of polyketide synthases to produce biofuels with desired physical properties (e.g., lower freezing points). With our increased understanding of biosynthetic logic of metabolic pathways, we discuss the unique advantages of fatty acid, terpene, and polyketide synthases for the production of bio-based gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
Topics: Bacteria; Biofuels; Biosynthetic Pathways; Gasoline; Hydrocarbons; Petroleum; Polyketide Synthases; Terpenes
PubMed: 28427010
DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2017.03.004 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2021The pollution of arable lands and water with petroleum-derived products is still a valid problem, mainly due the extensive works aimed to improve their production...
The pollution of arable lands and water with petroleum-derived products is still a valid problem, mainly due the extensive works aimed to improve their production technology to reduce fuel consumption and protect engines. An example of the upgraded fuels is the BP 98 unleaded petrol with Active technology. A pot experiment was carried out in which Eutric Cambisol soil was polluted with petrol to determine its effect on the microbiological and biochemical properties of this soil. Analyses were carried out to determine soil microbiome composition-with the incubation and metagenomic methods, the activity of seven enzymes, and cocksfoot effect on hydrocarbon degradation. The following indices were determined: colony development index (CD); ecophysiological diversity index (EP); index of cocksfoot effect on soil microorganisms and enzymes (IF); index of petrol effect on soil microorganisms and enzymes (IF); index of the resistance of microorganisms, enzymes, and cocksfoot to soil pollution with petrol (RS); Shannon-Weaver's index of bacterial taxa diversity (H); and Shannon-Weaver's index of hydrocarbon degradation (ID). The soil pollution with petrol was found to increase population numbers of bacteria and fungi, and phylum abundance as well as to decrease the abundance of and phyla. The cultivation of cocksfoot on the petrol-polluted soil had an especially beneficial effect mainly on the bacteria belonging to the , , , and genera. The least susceptible to the soil pollution with petrol and cocksfoot cultivation were the bacteria of the following genera: , , , , , , and . Cocksfoot proved effective in the phytoremediation of petrol-polluted soil, as it accelerated hydrocarbon degradation and increased the genetic diversity of bacteria. It additionally enhanced the activities of soil enzymes.
Topics: Actinobacteria; Actinomycetales; Biodegradation, Environmental; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Gasoline; Hydrocarbons; Metagenome; Microbiota; Petroleum Pollution; Soil Microbiology; Soil Pollutants
PubMed: 34062889
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092664 -
Toxicology Oct 2021Outdoor air pollution is classified as carcinogenic to humans and exposure to it contributes to increased incidence of various diseases, including cardiovascular,... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
Outdoor air pollution is classified as carcinogenic to humans and exposure to it contributes to increased incidence of various diseases, including cardiovascular, neurological or pulmonary disorders. Vehicle engine emissions represent a significant part of outdoor air pollutants, particularly in large cities with high population density. Considering the potentially negative health impacts of engine emissions exposure, the application of reliable test systems allowing assessment of the biological effects of these pollutants is crucial. The exposure systems should use relevant, preferably multicellular, cell models that are treated with the complete engine exhaust (i.e. a realistic mixture of particles, chemical compounds bound to them and gaseous phase) at the air-liquid interface. The controlled delivery and characterization of chemical and/or particle composition of the exhaust should be possible. In this mini-review we report on such exposure systems that have been developed to date. We focus on a brief description and technical characterization of the systems, and discuss the biological parameters detected following exposure to a gasoline/diesel exhaust. Finally, we summarize and compare findings from the individual systems, including their advantages/limitations.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Animals; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Gasoline; Humans; Vehicle Emissions
PubMed: 34537260
DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152953 -
The Journal of Thoracic and... Apr 2022
Topics: Fires; Gasoline; Humans; Immunotherapy; Interleukin-2
PubMed: 33422309
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2020.11.139 -
Ultrasonics Sonochemistry Feb 2022Recently, environmental pollution has increased significantly due to petroleum-based fuels widely used in vehicles. This environmental pollution is mainly due to the... (Review)
Review
Recently, environmental pollution has increased significantly due to petroleum-based fuels widely used in vehicles. This environmental pollution is mainly due to the acidic SO gas generated by the combustion of fuels and emitted into the atmosphere. SO gas causes not only acid rain but also corrosion of metal parts of engines in vehicles. In addition, it functions as a catalyst poison in catalytic converters in exhaust system. Due to these damages, strict regulations have been introduced to reduce the amount of sulfur in fuels. As of 2005, the permissible amount of sulfur in diesel fuels in Europe and America has been limited to 10 and 15 ppm by weight, respectively. Due to the decreasing oil reserves in the world, high viscosity petroleums containing high sulfur and heavier fractions (i.e., low-quality oils) are increasing, thus making desulfurization difficult and leading to high costly process. Since time and economic loss are very important today, these two terms have to be reduced to a minimum. Recently, ultrasound wave in ODS shown as an alternative to HDS is utilized to further increase desulfurization in shorter times. Ultrasound wave locally creates high temperatures and high pressures (hot-spot theory) in liquid, causing the desulfurization reaction to accelerate further. In this review, the advantages and difficulties of oxidative desulfurization, the economics of ultrasound-assisted oxidative desulfurization are summarized and recommendations for improving the process are presented.
Topics: Catalysis; Gasoline; Oils; Oxidation-Reduction; Sulfur
PubMed: 35151195
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105845 -
BioMed Research International 2015In recent decades, because of significant progress in the analysis and detection of trace pollutants, emerging contaminants have been discovered and quantified in living... (Review)
Review
In recent decades, because of significant progress in the analysis and detection of trace pollutants, emerging contaminants have been discovered and quantified in living beings and diverse environmental substances; however, the adverse effects of environmental exposure on the general population are largely unknown. This review summarizes the conclusions of the comprehensive epidemic literature and representative case reports relevant to emerging contaminants and the human body to address concerns about potential harmful health effects in the general population. The most prevalent emerging contaminants include perfluorinated compounds, water disinfection byproducts, gasoline additives, manufactured nanomaterials, human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, and UV-filters. Rare but statistically meaningful connections have been reported for a number of contaminants and cancer and reproductive risks. Because of contradictions in the outcomes of some investigations and the limited number of articles, no significant conclusions regarding the relationship between adverse effects on humans and extents of exposure can be drawn at this time. Here, we report that the current evidence is not conclusive and comprehensive and suggest prospective cohort studies in the future to evaluate the associations between human health outcomes and emerging environmental contaminants.
Topics: Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Fluorocarbons; Gasoline; Health; Humans; Nanostructures; Population Groups
PubMed: 26713315
DOI: 10.1155/2015/404796 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Jan 2023
Topics: Electric Power Supplies; Electricity; Gasoline; Motor Vehicles; Vehicle Emissions
PubMed: 36630449
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2220923120 -
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology... Nov 2014Significant efforts have been made to characterize the toxicological properties of gasoline. There have been both mandatory and voluntary toxicology testing programs to... (Review)
Review
Significant efforts have been made to characterize the toxicological properties of gasoline. There have been both mandatory and voluntary toxicology testing programs to generate hazard characterization data for gasoline, the refinery process streams used to blend gasoline, and individual chemical constituents found in gasoline. The Clean Air Act (CAA) (Clean Air Act, 2012: § 7401, et seq.) is the primary tool for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate gasoline and this supplement presents the results of the Section 211(b) Alternative Tier 2 studies required for CAA Fuel and Fuel Additive registration. Gasoline blending streams have also been evaluated by EPA under the voluntary High Production Volume (HPV) Challenge Program through which the petroleum industry provide data on over 80 refinery streams used in gasoline. Product stewardship efforts by companies and associations such as the American Petroleum Institute (API), Conservation of Clean Air and Water Europe (CONCAWE), and the Petroleum Product Stewardship Council (PPSC) have contributed a significant amount of hazard characterization data on gasoline and related substances. The hazard of gasoline and anticipated exposure to gasoline vapor has been well characterized for risk assessment purposes.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Animals; Gasoline; Government Regulation; Humans; Petroleum; Risk Assessment; United States; United States Environmental Protection Agency
PubMed: 24956589
DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.06.016