The accumulation of Cadmium (Cd) and microplastics (MPs) in agricultural soils poses a serious threat to plant growth, crop productivity, and food safety. This study investigates the combined effect of Cd and MPs on growth, antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxidation of Raphanus sativus, as well as the potential of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in alleviating the combined Cd and MPs stress. Seeds were primed with different doses of ZnO NPs (40, 80, and 160 mg L-1). The findings depicted that MPs and Cd significantly reduced the growth attributes and photosynthetic pigments, while increasing the oxidative stress markers, biochemical content, and antioxidant activity in R. sativus. In contrast, ZnO NPs application improved growth attributes, photosynthetic efficiency, and antioxidant enzymes activity of R. sativus. Seed priming with ZnO NPs (160 mg L-1) showed significant improvement in growth and physiological attributes while reducing oxidative stress and Cd accumulation in radish plant tissues. These findings indicate that ZnO NPs application enhances plant tolerance to combined Cd and MP stress by improving the antioxidant defense system and reducing Cd uptake. Therefore, ZnO NPs seed priming represents a promising strategy for enhancing crop resilience and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in multi-contaminated soil.

Soil pollution due to heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), has become an alarming issue worldwide. Micronutrients, especially Zinc (Zn), have shown enormous capacity to improve growth and oxidative stress tolerance of plants under co-stressed conditions. The current study evaluated the capability of zinc to reduce Chromium (Cr) uptake in Tagetes erecta L exposed to PHCs toxicity. The pot experiment was carried out using soil amended with chromium (150 mg kg-1) and PHCs (2 g crude oil/kg soil). Results demonstrated that Cr and PHCs stress significantly reduced growth metrics and photosynthetic pigments but substantially increased the contents of antioxidant enzymes, phenols, flavonoids, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents in T. erecta. However, zinc application at various doses (3, 6, 12 mg kg-1) ameliorated the toxicity of PHCs and Cr in T erecta. Specifically, Zn3 (12 mg kg-1) treatment increased shoot weight, total chlorophyll, antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD), by 17.2, 18.3, 56, 49, and 67%, respectively in T. erecta under Cr + PHCs treatment. Additionally, the Zn3 application lowered MDA, H2O2, and Cr uptake in root and shoot by 23.5, 31.9, 36 and 42% respectively in T. erect subjected to Cr + PHCs stress.

Heavy metal contamination has become a major environmental concern in today’s world. This study focuses for the removal of Pb(II) ions from wastewater using Jhelum sand as a natural adsorbent. The sand was characterized through Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for the identification of functional groups and adsorption sites before and after the adsorption process. Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the adsorption behavior of Pb(II), optimizing key parameters such as shaking speed (120 rpm), adsorbent dose (2.5 g/100 ml), pH (5), and contact time (20 minutes) for a 30 ppm Pb(II) solution. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied on adsorption data, showing a good fit that indicates the efficiency and feasibility of the adsorption process. The negative Gibbs free energy and positive enthalpy values further confirm that the process is spontaneous and endothermic. Overall, Jhelum sand proves to be an effective, eco-friendly, and low-cost material for Pb(II) ions removal from wastewater and industrial effluents

Corn, rice, and wheat are the basic and fundamental foods among Pakistan's widely consumed crops. Total aflatoxins (B1+B2+G1+G2) are carcinogenic fungal species that badly deteriorate food crops. The current study is aimed to identify total aflatoxins in different samples of corn, rice, and wheat consumed in the Punjab province of Pakistan and to assess various low-cost and practical detoxification techniques for lowering aflatoxin levels found in these crops. To achieve this, 80 samples each of corn, rice, and wheat products (n = 240) were collected. The collected crop samples underwent analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the quantification of aflatoxins. Results showed that 69.58% of the crop samples were suitable, while 30.42% were not suitable for human consumption. The majority of corn samples in the Punjab province were discovered to be contaminated and unsuitable for consumption. The highest level of contamination (amounting 545 mu g/kg) was detected in a corn sample from district Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The highly contaminated crop sample was subjected to different detoxification methods, such as physical, chemical, and biological/natural means. After treatment with different detoxifiers, reduction in total aflatoxins was quantified by using HPLC. Results showed that maximum detoxification was obtained by cooking (physical method), by using 20% citric acid (chemical method), and by using probiotics (biological method).

Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites generated by various fungal species. Mycotoxins in wheat may pose dangers for the health of consumers as most of them are potent carcinogens. The objective of this study was to check the level of contamination by multiple mycotoxins in wheat samples obtained from local stores in Lahore, during the summer and winter seasons. HPLC coupled with the diode array detector (DAD) was utilized for the quantification of multiple mycotoxins. In total, 50% of wheat samples were contaminated with multiple mycotoxins. This exceeds the allowable limit set by the European Union. The highest levels of total aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxins (OTAs), deoxynivalenol (DON), and fumonisins (FUMs) were found to be 115.19 mu g/kg, 24.13 mu g/kg, 112.00 mg/kg, and 2.81 mg/kg, respectively. The contamination levels in wheat samples were as follows: AF (0.56-115.19 mu g/kg), OTA (0.12-24.13 mu g/kg), DON (0.01-112.00 mg/kg), and FUMs (0.02-2.81 mg/kg). The presence of multiple mycotoxins was observed to be more rampant in wheat gathered during summer compared to winter. Nonetheless, a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was observed among AF, OTA, and DON in both seasons, whereas no significant difference (p>0.05) was detected for FUM. This research highlighted the geospatial distribution of contamination by multiple mycotoxins in wheat, and the results are quite alarming. It is essential to actively monitor contamination by multiple mycotoxins in wheat crops to ensure safety and safeguard consumer health.

In this cross-sectional study, relationship of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) with breast cancer incidence is assessed by investigating their levels in tumor and blood serum of breast cancer patients and comparing them with blood serum of control subjects. A total of forty breast cancer patients and ten control individuals were recruited from different districts of Punjab, Pakistan. All the samples were analyzed for α- β- and γ-HCH, HCB, cis- and trans-Chlordane, α- and β-endosulfan, o,p- and p,p-DDE, o,p- and p,p-DDD and o,p-and p,p-DDT. In addition, sociodemographic along with some haematological and clinical parameters were obtained from patients to assess their possible relationship with breast cancer. Our results showed tumor with highest mean (min–max) concentrations (ng g−1 lw) of ƩOCPs at 114.01 (0.67–23.85) followed by blood serum of patients 90.08 (0.14–18.62) compared to blood serum of control 5.71 (ND-1.46) respectively. In this study p,p-DDE was dominant congeners in tumor, o,p-DDE in blood serum of patients and α-endosulfan in blood serum of control individuals. Haematological parameters such as chloride, sodium and potassium ions in blood were moderately associated with ∑DDD concentration in tumor. Similarly, sociodemographic as well as clinical variables reflects limited relationship with OCPs level in patients and control. It is concluded that the elevated concentrations of OCPs in tumor and blood serum of breast cancer patients compared to control subjects illustrate potential association of OCPs with breast cancer in Pakistan. However, in addition to pollutants exposure certain confounding factors including clinical and sociodemographic parameters may also contribute in breast cancer incidence which should be elucidated in future intensive investigations.

Decoloration of textile effluents is an environmental problem. This study deals with the application of MgO nanoparticle for the elimination of Reactive Blue 250 from wastewater of textile industry. MgO nanoparticle were synthesized by Co-precipitation method of and characterization is done by FT-IR and XRD. The adsorption pattern of these magnesium oxide nanoparticles was studied in batch experiments setup for the elimination of Reactive Blue 250 synthetic dye from textile effluent. It was evaluated that optimum dose of adsorbent is 0.35g, optimum shaking speed is 200rpm, 90 minutes is the optimum contact time of adsorbent with dye solution and optimum pH is 7 for this adsorption setup. The adsorption data obtained from batch setup was then applied to adsorption isotherms and it was observed that data is well fitted to the Langmuir and Fruendlich isotherms which shows the feasibility of adsorption phenomenon.

The feasibility of using modified activated carbon (AC) obtained from discarded agricultural waste, including carrot residues, sawdust and orange pulp for phenol removal from aqueous solution was studied. The results showed maximum removal was found in sawdust AC compared to orange pulp AC and carrot waste AC, 76%, 73% and 72% respectively. The maximum result of sawdust AC was achieved at concentration of 10 mg/L, pH 4.5, 1.5 h and 2 g dose whereas for orange pulp AC and concentration of 10 mg/L, pH 7.5, 2 h and 2 g dose of orange pulp AC. The ANOVA analysis was performed to check the suitability of central composite design and the quadratic model was found to be appropriate. This study concluded that natural, low-cost bio-sorbent derived from sawdust, orange pulp and carrot residues may be useful for phenol removal.

Chronic exposure to arsenic from drinking well-water in Bangladesh has taken an immense toll. After an initial campaign to blanket test all wells in the country, mitigation efforts have faltered over the past decade. The government's new resolve to address the As problem is a unique opportunity for impactful mitigation by combining smartphone technology with the approaches that have been most effective in the past: blanket testing and using this information for the targeting of low As aquifers for private and truly public well installations.

Phenols in industrial wastewater are a great threat to human and aquatic life. For removing such a hazardous pollutant, adsorption is one of the efficient techniques. The current study highlights the preparation of Dracaena sanderiana based activated carbon and its characterization, physical and chemical activation and application. At the lab scale variable doses of activated carbon (AC) and its modified forms such as acid treated and furnace treated were applied for the removal of phenol from synthetic solution. The highest removal efficiency was observed at a dose of 0.2 g, 120 rpm and neutral pH (7) with a contact time of 1 h for acid treated AC. For optimization of this process, the addition of anthracite coal to acid treated AC resulted in the enhancement of its adsorbability. The FT-IR spectrum has provided ample information regarding functional groups responsible for the adsorbent after treatment. This study concludes that the adsorption of phenol through AC in combination with anthracite coal is an effective treatment option.

A large volume of atmospheric microplastics (MPs) has been observed worldwide and is considered an emerging global environmental issue. Nevertheless, no significant assessment of the atmospheric deposition of MPs in Pakistan has been reported yet. The present study was designed to highlight the source, type, and spatial distribution of MPs in atmospheric fallout in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 23 sites were sampled in Lahore with a heterogeneous background of human activities. All samples were collected in a box with a one-foot depth fitted with a steel tray of 0.1 m2 at the bottom. Fenton’s reagent and hydrogen peroxide were used to remove organic matter, and sodium chloride for density separation, while the MPs were quantified through a stereomicroscope, and polymers were identified through ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The highest deposition rate (particles/m2/day) was observed at Badami Bagh, i.e., 6819, followed by Mall Road 4414, and Chung 4263, while the lowest was in Sabzazaar (i.e., 524) and Township (1047) with an average deposition rate of 2340 ± 1392. Among the MPs, the major portion was fiber, i.e., 96

Electric and electronic waste termed as e-waste which is significant contributor of environmental pollution. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are emitted from e-waste activities and affect the human health and soil quality, so PCBs removal from the soil has become a global concern. Phytoremediation provides sustainable solution to treat PCBs contaminated soils. Current study was conducted to investigate the abilities of several promising wetland plants for their PCBs removal efficiency. The soils samples were collected from PCB-contaminated sites at Layyari, Karachi Pakistan. Alternanthera sessilis ( L. ), Bacopa moneiri ( L. ) Pennell , Centella asiatica ( L. ) Urban , Juncus articulatus L. , and Cyperus arenarius Retz were grown under floody conditions. Further, two conditions floody and dry systems without plants were also simultaneously studied. The results indicated that Bacopa moneiri ( L .) Pennell showed more degradation of total PCBs; Cyperus arenarius Retz was effective for high chlorinated PCBs and Uncus articulates for the low chlorinated PCBs. The highest removal efficiency of total PCBs, high chlorinated PCBs, and low chlorinated PCBs was in range 30–34%. Floody condition facilitated higher degradation of high chlorinated PCBs and dry soil condition facilitated the degradation of low chlorinated PCBs. This is the first study using these plants for PCBs removal. The results suggest that these wetland plants could be used in future for the removal of PCBs contaminated soils.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are banned toxic contaminants according to the Stockholm Convention of persistent pollutants (2001); however, they continue to be prevalent in the environment of Pakistan. The current study evaluates the risk to infants exposed to PCBs in breast milk from urban centers of Pakistan. The n-ary sumation 14PCB concentrations ranged from ND to 118.36 ng/g lipid weight (l.w.) with a mean of 11.76. +/- 4.88 ng/g l.w. These levels are greater than concentrations previously reported from Asia. The quantified PCB profile was also significantly (p < .05) related to the age of the mother while a negative correlation was observed with diet pattern (-0.26), fat content (-0.63), number of children (-0.185), and lactation (-0.19). There were significant differences among test locations with greater bioaccumulation observed in breast milk collected from urbanized Rawalpindi compared to less urbanized Jhang. The calculated estimated daily intakes of dioxin-like PCBs for infants were considerably higher than the recommended daily intake suggested by different organizations. The calculated hazard ratio (HR > 1) indicates health risks to infants in selected study regions.

Electronic waste is termed as e-waste and on recycling it produces environmental pollution. Among these e-waste pollutants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are significantly important due to ubiquitous, organic in nature and serious health and environmental hazards. PCBs are used in different electrical equipment such as in transformers and capacitors for the purposes of exchange of heat and hydraulic fluids. Bioremediation is a reassuring technology for the elimination of the PCBs from the environment. In spite of their chemical stability, there are several microbes which can bio-transform or mineralize the PCBs aerobically or anaerobically. In this review paper, our objective was to summarize the information regarding PCB-degrading enzymes and microbes. The review suggested that the most proficient PCB degraders during anaerobic condition are Dehalobacter, Dehalococcoides, and Desulfitobacterium and in aerobic condition are Burkholderia, Achromobacter, Comamonas, Ralstonia, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Alcaligenes etc., showing the broadest substrate among bacterial strains. Enzymes found in soil such as dehydrogenases and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) esterases have the capability to breakdown PCBs. Biphenyl upper pathway involves four enzymes: dehydrogenase (bphB), multicomponent dioxygenase (bphA, E, F, and G), second dioxygenase (bphC), hydrolase, and (bphD). Biphenyl dioxygenase is considered as the foremost enzyme used for aerobic degradation of PCBs in metabolic pathway. It has been proved that several micro-organisms are responsible for the PCB metabolization. The review provides novel strategies for e-waste-contaminated soil management.

This preliminary investigation highlights the occurrence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the indoor environment of a megacity, Lahore, Pakistan using the dust ensnared by air-conditioner filters. The sigma(16)OCPs concentration ranged from 7.53 to 1272.87 ng/g with the highest percent contribution by sigma DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; 87.21%) and aldrin (6.58%). The spatial variation of OCPs profile revealed relatively higher concentration from homes near to agricultural and abandoned DDT manufacturing sites. Calculated isomer ratios revealed historic sources of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and the fresh input of technical DDT and chlordane by the dwellers. The air conditioner dust was helpful to better understand the health risk in the indoor environment. So far a high lifetime cancer risk (10(-3)) was predicted for toddlers via accidental ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. Similarly, the non-carcinogenic risk-based hazard quotient was found to be high for toddlers (6.94) and within the permissible limit (<1) for adults.

Soil pollution due to electric and electronic waste (e-waste) has become a major problem that is degrading environment and drawing worldwide attention. PCBs are widespread and have potential health risk so their removal from the environment has become an international priority. Phytoremediation is considered as highly accepted and good method for treatment of contaminated soils. Current study was conducted to investigate the abilities of several promising wetland plants to degrade and dechlorinate PCBs and demonstrate their advantages in disappearance of polychlorinated biphenyls. The soils samples were collected from PCB-contaminated sites at Layyari, Karachi Pakistan. Under both floody and dry condition plants including Alternanthera sessilis (L.), Bacopa moneiri (L.) Pennell, Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, Juncus articulatus L., Cyperus arenarius Retz were grown. For dechlorination of PCBs three treatments were set up in a fully randomized layout of greenhouse pots. Soil from those pots was extracted and further analyzed by Gas chromatography equipped with a 63Ni electron capture detector. The detection limits of PCBs ranged from 0.009 to 0.082 µg/kg. In total PCBs degradation ratio was 22.44% while in high chlorinated PCBs almost 15.26% of the high polychlorinated biphenyls were removed from the soil after 2 month in the wetland planted soil, while only 4.64% was removed in the drowned control and 6.54% in the unplanted control. Present study concludes that this method only has high efficiency in removal of low chlorinated biphenyls, while low efficiency even nothing in removal of high components.

Triazole is an imperative heterocycle renowned for its broad-spectrum biological significance. In this manuscript, facile microwave-assisted synthesis of a series of 4-(benzylideneamino)-3-(1-(2-fluoro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)ethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione 6(a–m) derivatives along with their in vivo analgesic activity is reported. 2-(2-Fluoro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)propanoic acid (flurbiprofen) was converted to methyl 2-(2-fluoro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)propanoate using microwave irradiation, followed by its hydrazinolysis with hydrazine monohydrate. 2-(2-Fluoro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)propanehydrazide thus obtained was converted to 4-amino-3-(1-(2-fluoro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)ethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione, followed by its condensation with different aromatic aldehydes to get the title compounds. Structures of all the synthesized compounds were established using different methods (1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis) and evaluated for their potential as analgesic agents by tail flick, hot plate, and writhing methods. The results of this in vivo study revealed several compounds as potent analgesic agents among which compound 6e showed significant analgesic effect for all the three assays employed.

Ochratoxin (OTA) is a potent carcinogen which may pose a tremendous threat to human health when found beyond permissible levels. This study aims at evaluating ochratoxin contamination in corn. The corn samples (n=80) were collected from 4 major districts (Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi) of Punjab Pakistan. The quantification of OTA in collected corn samples was carried out by High Performance Liquid Chromatographic technique. Different methods (physical, chemical and natural/biological) were used for the detoxification of contaminated corn. It was found that 59% of total 80 samples were contaminated with ochratoxin. Among contaminated samples, 26% samples were beyond permissible levels i.e. 5 mu g/kg OTA in corn samples as set by European Commission Regulation while 33% samples were found contaminated within permissible levels. However, 41% samples were not contaminated with OTA. Highest level 231.49 +/- 29.39 mu g/kg of OTA was found in corn sample of Faisalabad. The corn samples collected during summer season were found more contaminated than winter season. OTA contamination in corn seems to be a very serious issue in Punjab, Pakistan. Different environment-friendly, easy and cheap detoxification approaches were adopted to decontaminate OTA contaminated corn. Maximum detoxification of OTA in corn was found 48.17% by cooking, 64.25% by 0.5% hydrochloric acid and 52.38% by probiotic among physical, chemical and biological methods respectively. Proper handling, suitable storage conditions and proper management may be helpful to avoid ochratoxin contamination in corn and corn products.

This study assessed the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels in human milk and its associated health risk to infants from rural and urban settings of five districts of Punjab Province, Pakistan. The ∑ 34 PCB concentrations ranged from 30.9 to 68.3 ng g −1 on lipid weight (l.w.) basis. The ∑ 8 DL-PCB concentrations were ranged from 0.29 to 1.35 ng g −1 l.w., (mean 6.2 ± 8.7 ng g −1 l.w.), with toxicity equivalent to polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) ranging from 8.58 × 10 −6 to 0.05 ng TEQ g −1 l.w. The spatial trend of PCB levels in human milk revealed higher bioaccumulative levels for urban mothers as compared with rural counterparts. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values of DL-PCBs to infants through trans-mammary transfer were considerably higher than tolerable daily intake limits established by WHO (i.e., 1–4 pg TEQ kg −1 bw) and other globally recognized organizations. Similarly, the hazard quotient values for TEQ ∑ 8 DL-PCBs (range 1.21 to 79.87) were far above the benchmark value of 1 at all the sampling sites, indicating the high levels of adverse health risks to infants in the region through breast milk consumption. The ∑ 34 PCB levels were found to be negatively correlated with mother’ age ( r = −0.31; p = 0.02), parity ( r = − 0.85; p = 0.001), and infant’ birth weight ( r = − 0.73; p = 0.01). The present study suggests undertaking comprehensive public health risk assessment studies and firm regulatory measures to safeguard human health risks.

The present study was carried out to estimate the residual level of preservatives and active whitening agents from personal care products (PCPs) wastewater by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) along with characterization of wastewater. Diverse types of pollutants are being detected in aqueous environment with PCPs and related compounds containing large variety of groups, including parent molecules and their respective metabolites. Intensive research is required on this subject to gain reliable information about their occurrence, fate and adverse effects on health. For this purpose, development of extremely sensitive analytical methods of determination in industrial wastewater samples are not only need of the hour but also a challenge. Liquid chromatography is an advanced analytical method for such pollutants. In this study, samples were collected from industrial sites located at distant points of Lahore and characterization was done through different parameters to illustrate wastewater quality. It has been found that values were within limits of National Environmental Quality Standard (NEQS) except for turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS) in some samples. Six preservatives including methylparaben, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, sodium benzoate, propylene glycol and formic acid along with five whitening agents like kojic acid, arbutin, ascorbic acid, nicotinamide and hydroquinone were quantified. It was interpreted that residues are present in almost all collected PCPs wastewater samples. The concentration of selected preservatives and active whitening agents in wastewater was ranged between 0.91–4.17 and 1.13–15.65 mg/L respectively. The most quantified concentrations were of methylparaben and sodium benzoate among preservative residues. In whitening agents, kojic acid and ascorbic acid were quantified in the highest concentrations.