The presence of arsenic (As) in drinking water poses a significant threat to public health and results in increased costs of water purification. Water phytofiltration using the As hyper-accumulator fern Pteris vittata is a promising green technology. However, for large-scale application, a fast uptake of As and the reuse of ferns in multiple cycles is necessary for an efficient As removal from drinking water at sustainable cost. This study investigated the efficacy of P. vittata in the treatment of spring water contaminated with about 60 mu g L-1 of geogenic As which is usually treated using costly chemical-physical filtration systems. To enhance the efficiency and reproducibility of P. vittata-mediated As phytofiltration, different key parameters were optimized including: i) ferns age, ii) phosphate (Pi) supply during ferns propagation, iii) As removal during subsequent phytofiltration cycles. Thus, As concentration in water and ferns grown individually was monitored over time. Our results indicate that As removal using old ferns was faster than using young ferns. Pre-treating the ferns with a phosphorus (P)-free solution enhanced As uptake and using a P-free solution in conjunction with old ferns allowed 98 % of As removal within 1 day. Moreover, As uptake further increased in subsequent phytofiltration cycles, and this efficiency was maintained when growing multiple ferns in the same tank. Altogether, these results definitively show that this strategy is an effective solution for treating spring water contaminated with geogenic As and opens the way for the scalability of this plant-based As phytofiltration technology.

The accurate determination of trace elements in seawater is essential for environmental monitoring and the study of oceanic biogeochemical processes. However, traditional analytical techniques often face limitations due to the ultra-trace concentrations of metals and the high salinity of seawater, which introduces significant matrix effects. In this study, a novel flow injection-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (FI-ICP-MS) method coupled with an ultrasonic nebulizer was developed and optimized for the direct quantification of cadmium, cobalt, lead, manganese, molybdenum, tin, uranium, and vanadium in seawater samples. The method was optimized by evaluating the effects of eluent concentration (0.05-0.20% HNO3, with 0.05% selected as the minimum effective value to ensure analyte stability, prevent precipitation, and minimize salt-related stress on the FI system), flow rate (0.4-1.0 mL/min), and sodium chloride matrix composition, ensuring minimal spectral interferences while maintaining high sensitivity. The selected operating conditions (0.05% HNO3 eluent at 0.70 mL/min with 103Rhodium and 193Iridium as internal standards) provided a robust analytical performance with low procedural limits of detection and quantification (ranging from 0.003 to 0.2 µg/L for LoDs and from 0.01 to 0.7 µg/L for LoQs) and excellent instrumental repeatability (1.2%-6.6%). The overall method was validated using the IAEA-443 seawater certified reference material, yielding recoveries between 104%-118% and procedural reproducibility ranging from 3.8% to 15%. The optimized FI-ICP-MS method was applied to real seawater samples collected from two distinct Mediterranean transects: offshore Livorno, a site influenced by intense maritime and industrial activities, and Montecristo Island, a protected marine reserve with minimal anthropogenic impact. Results indicated no significant differences in trace metal concentrations between the two areas, suggesting that natural geochemical processes predominantly regulate elemental distributions. Most elements followed a conservative vertical distribution, with localized anomalies observed for manganese and cadmium. Furthermore, all measured cadmium and lead concentrations were well below the regulatory thresholds set by Directive 2013/39/EU, confirming compliance with environmental quality standards.

Per- and poly- fluorinated substances (PFASs) are industrial chemicals which may exert toxic effects on humans. Widespread use, environmental mobility and persistence enabled these substances to spread and accumulate in the environment. In this paper, we investigated the determinants of human exposure in a hotspot area characterized by PFAS water contamination. The area covers approximately 600 km2 and is inhabited by about 150000 people. We examined the relationship between water and serum PFAS concentrations. We estimated PFAS weekly intakes, serum to public drinking water ratios, and clearance factors, and analysed the influence of individual characteristics of participants in PFAS elimination. Our results confirmed that water was a major source of PFAS exposure in the study area. For most participants, weekly PFAS intakes from water exceeded the tolerable weekly intake set by the European Food Safety Authority. Median serum to public drinking water ratios ranged from 5.3 to 1086 for the considered PFASs. Clearance rates were lower in males than in females, even after accounting for potential confounding factors. This sex difference in clearance rates supports the hypothesis that lower PFAS levels in females may be due to faster elimination. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of human exposure to PFASs through water and can support the refinement of prevention and remediation strategies.

IntroductionThis study provides a comprehensive analysis of the microbial communities in marine environments across different geographical regions, including the Mediterranean Sea (Northwest and Southwest), the Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. The goal of this research is to examine the diversity and composition of microbial life in these ecosystems and investigate the impact of environmental factors on microbial communities.Materials and methodsHigh-throughput NGS sequencing techniques of the V3-V4 variable region of the 16S rRNA gene was employed to identify bacterial composition of the epipelagic communities in 45 water samples, using the MiSeq rRNA amplicon sequencing protocol (Illumina). Shannon index was used to described population diversity in samples.ResultsWe identified significant differences in the bacterial composition of these ecosystems, highlighting the dominance of Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and specific genera such as SAR11, Alteromonas, and Synechococcus. Variations in microbial communities were strongly influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and salinity. Notably, the Mediterranean exhibited the highest microbial diversity, while the Atlantic displayed thelowest.DiscussionOur results reveal the complex interplay between microbial life and environmental conditions, emphasizing the need for long-term monitoring of these communities. These baseline data are essential for understanding the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic pollution on marine ecosystems. By improving our understanding of microbial biodiversity and its connection to ecological and human health, this study contributes to the broader goal of planetary health, offering a foundation for future efforts to mitigate the effects of environmental alterations.

Hexavalent chromium is a potent carcinogen occasionally detected in cosmetics as a trace impurity originating from raw materials or manufacturing processes. Its presence in children’s toy eyeshadows poses serious health concerns due to potential dermal or mucosal absorption. Accurate Cr (VI) quantification is hampered by interconversion with Cr (III), especially during extraction and chromatographic analysis. This study presents a robust and sensitive analytical method for selective Cr (VI) determination in complex cosmetic matrices using ion chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, enhanced by ultrasonic nebulization. An optimized extraction protocol was developed employing a weakly alkaline buffer containing 2 mM tetrabutylammonium hydroxide to stabilize Cr (VI) and prevent reduction. The final method achieved a limit of detection of 0.3 μg/L and limit of quantification of 0.9 μg/L. Recovery experiments demonstrated that more than 99% of Cr (VI) could be efficiently extracted after two mild extraction cycles, whereas Cr (III) exhibited poor recoverability, even when subjected to harsh extraction conditions. Consequently, Cr (III) was quantified by subtracting Cr (VI) from total chromium, determined after microwave-assisted digestion. Method validation using in-house prepared reference materials confirmed satisfactory trueness (11-15%) and precision (CV ≤ 7.9%). Application to seven commercial toy eyeshadows revealed Cr (VI) levels below the regulatory limit (1.0 mg/kg), although total chromium concentrations indicated the prevalent presence of Cr (III). This methodology provides a reliable and regulatory-compliant approach for Cr (VI) speciation in cosmetic products, supporting consumer safety, particularly in paediatric populations.

Understanding the connection between ocean health and human health is currently limited and fragmented, calling for transdisciplinary research and strategic action. The contribution of public health experts alongside marine scientists are essential for a comprehensive understanding of the health-environment-climate nexus in a Planetary Health perspective. This paper proposes a novel Model for a standing Global Partnership, the SeA Care project. This initiative aims to align efforts within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals merging the principles of Planetary Health with the “One Water” approach. By doing so it seek to foster the development and assessment of new strategies for oceanwide surveillance focusing on adaptation, mitigation and prevention.

In recent years, microplastic pollution has been a hot topic as these compounds have been used in various production contexts such as health, food or technology due to their chemical and physical properties and “shelf-life,” making them almost indispensable products in daily life. On the other hand, they have a negative impact on the environment and, consequently, on biota and human health. It is therefore necessary to assess the actual presence of microplastics in drinking water by analysing real samples in order to estimate the possible exposure through drinking water consumption. In this pilot study, drinking water from different aqueous matrices was examined for the presence of microplastics and characterized in terms of shape, size, abundance and polymer type by Raman microspectroscopy analysis. Not all samples analysed were found to be contaminated with microplastics, indeed, some, as in the case of water kiosk samples, were found to be free of such contaminants. The results for the various matrices showed that the microplastics content ranged from less than 2 particles/L to a maximum of 5 + 1.5 particles/L, with sizes ranging from 30 to 100 μm and consisted of the most common polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate.

The spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in humans, animals and environment is a growing threat to public health. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are crucial in mitigating the risk of environmental contamination by effectively removing contaminants before discharge. However, the persistence of ARB and ARGs even after treatment is a challenge for the management of water system. To comprehensively assess antimicrobial resistance dynamics, we conducted a one-year monitoring study in three WWTPs in central Italy, both influents and effluents. We used seasonal sampling to analyze microbial communities by 16S rRNA, as well as to determine the prevalence and behaviour of major ARGs (sul1, sul 1, tet A, bla TEM , bla OXA-48 , bla CTX-M-1 group, , bla KPC ) and the class 1 Integron (int1). int 1). Predominant genera included in order: Arcobacter, , Acinetobacter, , Flavobacterium, , Pseudarcobacter, , Bacteroides, , Aeromonas, , Trichococcus, , Cloacibacterium, , Pseudomonas and Streptococcus. . A higher diversity of bacterial communities was observed in the effluents compared to the influents. Within these communities, we also identified bacteria that may be associated with antibiotic resistance and pose a significant threat to human health. The mean concentrations (in gene copies per liter, gc/L) of ARGs and int1 1 in untreated wastewater (absolute abundance) were as follows: sul1 1 (4.1 x 109), 9 ), tetA A (5.2 x 108), 8 ), bla TEM (1.1 x 108), 8 ), bla OXA-48 (2.1 x 107), 7 ), bla CTX-M-1 group (1.1 x 107), 7 ), bla KPC (9.4 x 105), 5 ), and int1 1 (5.5 x 109). 9 ). The mean values in treated effluents showed reductions ranging from one to three log. However, after normalizing to the 16S rRNA gene (relative abundance), it was observed that in 37.5 % (42/112) of measurements, the relative abundance of ARGs increased in effluents compared to influents. Furthermore, correlations were identified between ARGs and bacterial genera including priority pathogens. This study improves our understanding of the dynamics of ARGs and provides insights to develop more effective strategies to reduce their spread, protecting public health and preserving the future efficacy of antibiotics.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater monitoring has been used to monitor the levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA entering the sewerage system. In Italy, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità coordinated the SARI project (Sorveglianza Ambientale Reflue in Italia) to detect SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. In this study, the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in raw wastewater against COVID-19 cases was evaluated together with the effect of temperature and precipitation on virus spread. We validated a predictive model, proposed by De Giglio et al., 2021, to establish the number of COVID-19 cases/100,000 inhabitants. A receiver operating characteristic curve model was applied to predict the number of COVID-19 cases and Poisson regression was applied to study the effect of temperature and rainfall on viral load. In Apulia, from October 2021 to December 2022, we analyzed 1041 samples, of which 985 (94.6%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Median atmospheric temperature was inversely proportional to viral load in wastewater; no correlation was found with precipitation. The predictive model confirmed that at least 11 cases/100,000 inhabitants would occur in the 15 days following the detection of the virus in wastewater. Environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 can be used to map the virus and its variants.

In recent years, microplastic pollution has become increasingly important in the eyes of public opinion.

Microplastics are "emerging" heterogeneous contaminants with a complex toxicological profile. Extremely widespread in different water bodies, microplastics have been studied for some time due to the possible effects on human and animal health.

Population Medicine considers the following types of articles:• Research Papers -reports of data from original research or secondary dataset analyses.• Review Papers -comprehensive, authoritative, reviews within the journal's scope.These include both systematic reviews and narrative reviews.• Short Reports -brief reports of data from original research.• Policy Case Studies -brief articles on policy development at a regional or national level.• Study Protocols -articles describing a research protocol of a study.• Methodology Papers -papers that present different methodological approaches that can be used to investigate problems in a relevant scientific field and to encourage innovation.• Methodology Papers -papers that present different methodological approaches that can be used to investigate problems in a relevant scientific field and to encourage innovation.

Wastewater-based epidemiology is a well-established tool for detecting and monitoring the spread of enteric pathogens and the use of illegal drugs in communities in real time. Since only a few studies in Italy have investigated the correlation between SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and the prevalence of COVID-19 cases from clinical testing, we conducted a one-year wastewater surveillance study in Sicily to correlate the load of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and the reported cumulative prevalence of COVID-19 in 14 cities from October 2021 to September 2022. Furthermore, we investigated the role of SARS-CoV-2 variants and subvariants in the increase in the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Our findings showed a significant correlation between SARS-CoV-2 RNA load in wastewater and the number of active cases reported by syndromic surveillance in the population. Moreover, the correlation between SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and the active cases remained high when a lag of 7 or 14 days was considered. Finally, we attributed the epidemic waves observed to the rapid emergence of the Omicron variant and the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. We confirmed the effectiveness of wastewater monitoring as a powerful epidemiological proxy for viral variant spread and an efficient complementary method for surveillance.

Population Medicine considers the following types of articles:• Research Papers -reports of data from original research or secondary dataset analyses.• Review Papers -comprehensive, authoritative, reviews within the journal's scope.These include both systematic reviews and narrative reviews.• Short Reports -brief reports of data from original research.• Policy Case Studies -brief articles on policy development at a regional or national level.• Study Protocols -articles describing a research protocol of a study.• Methodology Papers -papers that present different methodological approaches that can be used to investigate problems in a relevant scientific field and to encourage innovation.• Methodology Papers -papers that present different methodological approaches that can be used to investigate problems in a relevant scientific field and to encourage innovation.

Population Medicine considers the following types of articles:• Research Papers -reports of data from original research or secondary dataset analyses.• Review Papers -comprehensive, authoritative, reviews within the journal's scope.These include both systematic reviews and narrative reviews.• Short Reports -brief reports of data from original research.• Policy Case Studies -brief articles on policy development at a regional or national level.• Study Protocols -articles describing a research protocol of a study.• Methodology Papers -papers that present different methodological approaches that can be used to investigate problems in a relevant scientific field and to encourage innovation.• Methodology Papers -papers that present different methodological approaches that can be used to investigate problems in a relevant scientific field and to encourage innovation.

Environmental surveillance can be a complementary tool for detecting pathogens circulating in communities. We detected monkeypox virus DNA in wastewater from Italy's largest airport by using real-time PCR assays targeting the G2R region and F3L and N3R genes and sequencing. Wastewater surveillance can be quickly adapted to investigate emerging threats.

The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewaters was demonstrated early into the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in urban wastewater can be exploited for different aims, including: i) description of outbreaks trends, ii) early warning system for new COVID-19 outbreaks or for the spread of the virus in new territories, iii) study of SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity and detection of its variants, and iv) estimating the prevalence of COVID-19 infections. Therefore, wastewater surveillance (known as Wastewater Based Epidemiology, WBE) can be a powerful tool to support the decision-making process on public health measures. Italy was among the first EU countries investigating the occurrence and concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in urban wastewaters, virus detection being accomplished at an early phase of the epidemic, between February and May 2020 in north and central Italy. The present study reports on the methodological issues, related to sample data collection and management, encountered in establishing the systematic, wastewater-based SARS-CoV-2 surveillance, and describes the results of the first six months of surveillance.

There is increasing evidence of the use of wastewater-based epidemiology to integrate conventional monitoring assessing disease symptoms and signs of viruses in a specific territory. We present the results of SARS-CoV-2 environmental surveillance activity in wastewater samples collected between September 2020 and July 2021 in 9 wastewater treatment plants (WTPs) located in central and western Sicily, serving over 570,000 residents. The presence of SARS-CoV-2, determined in 206 wastewater samples using RT-qPCR assays, was correlated with the notified and geo-referenced cases on the areas served by the WTPs in the same study period. Overall, 51% of wastewater samples were positive. Samples were correlated with 33,807 SARS-CoV-2 cases, reported in 4 epidemic waves, with a cumulative prevalence of 5.9% among Sicilian residents. The results suggest that the daily prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 active cases was statistically significant and higher in areas with SARS-CoV-2 positive wastewater samples. According to these findings, the proposed method achieves a good sensitivity profile (78.3%) in areas with moderate or high viral circulation (≥133 cases/100,000 residents) and may represent a useful tool in the management of epidemics based on an environmental approach, although it is necessary to improve the accuracy of the process.

The Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) is a group of rapidly growing, nontuberculous mycobacteria that are ubiquitous in soil, urban water pipes, swimming pools, and drinking water. Members of the MABC are considered opportunistic pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the origins of MABC detected in broncho-lavage (BL) samples from asymptomatic cancer patients. We turned our attention to washing and disinfection procedures for bronchoscopes; we also assessed water and disinfectant samples. Of 10 BL and 34 environmental samples tested, four BL samples (40%) and seven environmental samples (20.6%) tested positive for MABC. We hypothesized that contamination could arise from the prewashing machine and/or the water used because no patient had clinical or radiological signs consistent with MABC respiratory tract infection. Our study highlights the importance of evaluating cleaning and disinfection procedures for endoscope channels to reduce the potential spread of microorganisms and artefactual results arising from contamination.