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Microplastic contamination of the marine environment is widespread, but the extent to which the marine food web is contaminated is not yet known. The aims of this study were to go beyond visual identification techniques and develop and apply a simple seafood sample cleanup, extraction, and quantitative analysis method using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry to improve the detection of plastic contamination. This method allows the identification and quantification of polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and poly­(methyl methacrylate) in the edible portion of five different seafood organisms: oysters, prawns, squid, crabs, and sardines. Polyvinyl chloride was detected in all samples and polyethylene at the highest total concentration of between 0.04 and 2.4 mg g–1 of tissue. Sardines contained the highest total plastic mass concentration (0.3 mg g–1 tissue) and squid the lowest (0.04 mg g–1 tissue). Our findings show that the total concentration of plastics is highly variable among species and that microplastic concentration differs between organisms of the same species. The sources of microplastic exposure, such as packaging and handling with consequent transference and adherence to the tissues, are discussed. This method is a major development in the standardization of plastic quantification techniques used in seafood.

Background: The hazards of pesticide exposure have been a growing concern globally. The increase of susceptibility of farmers to pesticide intoxication is due to lack of knowledge regarding safe and proper pesticide handling. The aim of this study was to evaluate cocoa farmers' pesticide exposure by assessing the ways in which they store pesticides, operational habits exhibited during and after pesticide application and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during pesticide application in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana.Methods: Two hundred and forty (240) cocoa farmers were randomly selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire.Results: Majority of the farmers were aware of the negative effects of pesticides on their health and the environment if not well handled. Despite the awareness, most farmers did not handle pesticides with care and do not adhere to the use of PPE, hence, increasing their risks to danger of exposure to pesticides. Storage of pesticides in bedrooms was reported by 22.5 % of farmers; an indication of a high risk of pesticides exposure through direct inhalation. Cocoa farmers' in the study area exhibited operational habits such as eating, drinking water and alcohol, smoking cigarette and tobacco pipes, chewing gum and sticks, talking, using the mouth to remove blockages from sprayer nozzles, stirring pesticides with bare hands, among others during pesticides application. The survey revealed that only 35 % of farmers put on full PPE while 45 % put on partial PPE [which is any or combination of the following; cap/hat, respirator, goggle, rubber glove, overall and wellington boot (rubber boot)] during pesticides application. On the other hand, 20 % of farmers in the study area applied pesticides without wearing PPE. These practices expose farmers to adverse health risks. Factors that influenced farmers' decision to use PPE included farming experience, age of farmer, access to extension service, availability of a chemical shop, farm size and educational level. Conclusion:The results indicate high risks of exposure of cocoa farmers in the study area to toxicity and health hazards of pesticides due to mishandling and habits exhibited during pesticide application. There is a need to improve habits of safe use and handling of pesticides among farmers through education and training. There is also a need for education on the use of PPE during pesticides application to avoid exposure and health hazards.

Tire road wear particles (TRWPs) are one of the largest sources of microplastics to the urban environment with recent concerns as they also provide a pathway for additive chemicals to leach into the environment. Stormwater is a major source of TRWPs and associated additives to urban surface water, with additives including the antioxidant derivative N-(1,3dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine-quinone (6PPDquinone) demonstrating links to aquatic toxicity at environmentally relevant concentrations. The present study used complementary analysis methods to quantify both TRWPs and a suite of known tire additive chemicals (including 6PPD-quinone) to an urban tributary in Australia during severe storm events. Concentrations of additives increased more than 40 times during storms, with a maximum concentration of 2760 ng/L for ∑ 15 additives, 88 ng/L for 6PPD-quinone, and a similar profile observed in each storm. TRWPs were detected during storm peaks with a maximum concentration between 6.4 and 18 mg/L, and concentrations of TRWPs and all additives were highly correlated. Contaminant mass loads to this catchment were estimated as up to 100 g/storm for ∑ 15 additives, 3 g/storm for 6PPD-quinone, and between 252 and 730 kg of TRWPs/storm. While 6PPD-quinone concentrations in this catchment were lower than previous studies, elevated concentrations post storm suggest prolonged aquatic exposure.