To Make the Water Safer

Abstract

Water quality affects human health and ecological biodiversity, as water ingestion is the primary exposure pathway of human health risk, and water is the most active natural element participating in the transformation of ecological system. In this paper, the background of editing this special issue was outlined, and the main contents and contributions of papers published in this special issue were introduced. Several research directions that are important to guarantee the water safety in the Yellow River basin were proposed. This special issue provides a platform for researchers to share their latest research results, which will not only be helpful for enhancing water protection and management in the Yellow River basin, but also benefit the international community in addressing similar issues.

Sources and Consequences of Groundwater Contamination

“…However, urbanization, agricultural practices, industrial activities, and climate change all pose significant threats to groundwater quality. Contaminants, such as toxic metals, hydrocarbons, trace organic contaminants, pesticides, nanoparticles, microplastics, and other emerging contaminants, are a threat to human health, ecological services, and sustainable socioeconomic development (Li 2020 ; Li and Wu 2019 ).…”

Emerging Chemicals of Health Concern in Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems

“…However, previous epidemiological and toxicological studies have shown that many of those measured ECCs are potentially endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which can mimic or interfere with the hormone functions even at low levels, consequently resulting in many adverse health consequences, including carcinogenic activity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and reproductive and developmental abnormalities. 14 − 24 Previously, we observed that there are significant associations between exposure to ECCs and the sex hormone levels in the general US population. 24 For instance, we observed that the adjusted geometric means of serum sex-hormone-binding globulin increased by more than 36% in female children and female adolescents from the first to fourth quartiles of the urinary levels of diphenyl phosphate (DPhP), a metabolite of TPhP, bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP), a metabolite of TDCPP, and dibutyl phosphate (DBuP), a metabolite of TBP.…”

“… 14 − 24 Previously, we observed that there are significant associations between exposure to ECCs and the sex hormone levels in the general US population. 24 For instance, we observed that the adjusted geometric means of serum sex-hormone-binding globulin increased by more than 36% in female children and female adolescents from the first to fourth quartiles of the urinary levels of diphenyl phosphate (DPhP), a metabolite of TPhP, bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP), a metabolite of TDCPP, and dibutyl phosphate (DBuP), a metabolite of TBP. We also found that the adjusted GMs of serum estradiol (EST) decreased by more than 64% in female children and adolescents from the first to fourth quartiles of the urinary DBuP levels.…”

“…Identification of ECCs in consumable goods has prompted concerns about subsequent human exposure, and a number of studies have documented that ECC exposures are associated with adverse health outcomes, including carcinogenic activity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and reproductive and developmental abnormalities. 14 − 24 To date, information regarding the presence of ECCs in ENDS is limited to only a few studies. 25 − 29 Chung et al 27 detected moderate to elevated levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a class of flame retardants, in 5 out of the 13 ENDS aerosol samples.…”

Hydrogeochemical Features and Genesis of Confined Groundwater and Health Perspectives for Sustainable Development in Urban Hengshui, North China Plain

“…ese drastic changes of the hydraulic and geological environment also caused the evolution of the hydrogeochemical environment in confined aquifers and finally threatened the hydrochemical quality of groundwater [57], for example, the releasing of iodine into groundwater [58]. us, it is significantly necessary to perform targeted works to get insight into the hydrochemical quality, genesis, and potential quality issues of confined groundwater [59].…”