搜索结果：Journal of water and health

This study investigates global and regional trends in the burden of malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) from 1990 to 2021, focusing on their changing patterns and influencing factors. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021 (GBD study 2021), we analyzed the incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of malaria and NTDs at both regional and global levels. A vector autoregression (VAR) model was employed to explore the effects of the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI), environmental risks, and behavioral risks and to predict the disease burden over the next 15 years. The study highlights the geographical distribution and variations in risk factors associated with malaria and NTDs, offering public health recommendations for their elimination. This research used data from the GBD study 2021 to examine annual incidence rates (age-standardized incidence rate, ASIR), mortality rates (age-standardized death rate, ASDR), and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) for malaria and NTDs by region, age, and sex. Joinpoint software was applied to analyze time trends from 1990 to 2021. A VAR model incorporating factors such as the SDI, unsafe water sources, sanitation, and handwashing practices was employed to identify significant risk factors influencing disease burden and to project future trends. From 1990 to 2021, the global burden of malaria decreased, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, while the incidence of NTDs increased until 2016 and then decreased. Age-standardized DALYs and ASDR for NTDs showed a steady decline, reflecting the impact of effective interventions. The VAR model showed that the SDI influenced both malaria and NTD burdens, especially in low-SDI regions, with environmental sanitation and unsafe behavioral factors significantly impacting malaria. Strengthening environmental sanitation and international cooperation can reduce the burden of malaria and NTDs. Future public health efforts should focus on enhancing infrastructure, particularly in low-SDI regions, to combat challenges posed by climate change and to support the ongoing elimination of malaria and NTDs.

Water pollution from agricultural, industrial, and urban activities threatens aquatic ecosystems and the essential services they provide. Excess nitrogen has been identified as a key driver of water quality degradation, impacting biodiversity, food security, and human health. One approach to mitigating nitrogen pollution is water quality offsetting, compensating for pollution impacts by implementing nitrogen reduction measures elsewhere to achieve no net decline in water quality. Selecting and implementing suitable nitrogen offset types remains challenging. This study presents a framework for identifying, selecting, and implementing effective nitrogen offset strategies in tropical and subtropical regions globally, using the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Area (GBRCA) as an example. This framework is based on the premise that effective nitrogen offset design requires integrating evidence on nitrogen mitigation performance, appropriate criteria for selecting offset types, and adaptive management to address uncertainty in environmental outcomes. Accordingly, the framework comprises three interrelated components: (1) assessment of water quality improvement methods for nitrogen reduction in the GBRCA and other tropical and subtropical regions based on performance (i.e., efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency); (2) selection of suitable offset types based on their performance, co-benefits, and spatial and technical feasibility; and (3) integration of adaptive management strategies, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools, and monitoring systems to strengthen the effectiveness of nitrogen offsetting. This is the first global assessment of nitrogen offset performance in tropical and subtropical regions, offering insights to improve water quality management through offsetting. This framework is adaptable to other regions and pollutants, guiding effective offset implementation to enhance watershed resilience.

Coal combustion contributes greatly to the level of CO2 emissions, air pollution, and health burdens. International trade classifies coal extraction, coal combustion, and the consumption of goods and services separately. A lack of comprehensive analyses of trade-embodied CO2 emissions and health damages limits our understanding of the regional responsibilities of these impacts across the chain of coal supply and use. Here we developed an integrated framework combining global coal trade matrices, a multiregional input-output model, GEOS-Chem simulations, and exposure-response modeling to trace coal-related impacts embodied in trade. We show that international coal trade accounted for 45.4 Gt of cumulative CO2 emissions and an annual average of 74,700 deaths attributable to fine particle exposure during 1992-2020, while international goods and services trade contributed more, at 60.6 Gt and 166,600 annual cases, respectively. Major exporters of coal (Australia and South and Southeast Asia) and importers of associated goods and services (the United States and Western Europe) are responsible for substantial impacts outside their territories. Although imported emissions and associated mortality have peaked in developed regions and China, they keep growing in emerging economies. Expanding South-South trade may further intensify these risks. The findings support equitable international cooperation on phasing out coal to achieve climate and environmental health objectives.

Fecal-oral diseases remain a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, where sanitation infrastructure is limited and cultural barriers hinder improved practices. Compost latrines are promoted as ecological solutions, but their acceptability is uncertain. This study assessed household knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding fecal-oral disease prevention in Nyamugo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and explored perceptions of compost latrine acceptability. The aim was to identify enabling factors and barriers, including cultural and economic determinants, to inform integrated interventions. A mixed methods cross-sectional design was used. Quantitative data were collected from 432 households through structured questionnaires, and qualitative insights were obtained via focus groups and key informant interviews. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses examined associations between knowledge, attitudes, and practices indicators and sociodemographic variables. Both significant and nonsignificant results were reported for transparency. Households demonstrated partial knowledge of fecal-oral diseases. Cholera was widely recognized (367/412, 88.9%), while hookworm and poliomyelitis were rarely mentioned. Preventive methods such as sanitation (285/412, 69.2%) and hand hygiene (224/412, 54.4%) were the most frequently cited, with education significantly increasing the odds of sanitation knowledge (odds ratio [OR] 2.1, 95% CI 1.4-3.2). Attitudes revealed strong recognition of fecal hazard prevention (397/422, 94.2%), yet compost latrine acceptability remained low (178/422, 42.2%). Regression confirmed that higher education increased favorable attitudes (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3.0). Qualitative findings highlighted persistent cultural taboos, with latrines described as "impure" or "shameful." Practices were inconsistent. Although 88% (380/432) of the households owned latrines, only 30.3% (115/380) maintained them hygienically, and open defecation persisted in 31.7% (137/432). Larger household size predicted open defecation (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7), while education was associated with improved hygiene (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4-3.6). Compost latrines were not used. Diarrheal episodes in children younger than 5 years were reported in 38.7% (167/432) of the households, with unimproved water sources significantly increasing risk (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.5-3.8). Qualitative testimonies reinforced these findings, emphasizing poverty, lack of infrastructure, and cultural resistance as barriers. This study confirms a persistent gap between knowledge and practice in fecal-oral disease prevention. Cultural taboos and economic constraints limit compost latrine adoption, even among educated households. Nevertheless, participants expressed openness to adoption if external support-through subsidies, training, and sensitization-was provided. Public health interventions should integrate financial support, cultural dialogue, and infrastructure strengthening to sustainably reduce diarrheal disease burden. Future research should assess the long-term impacts of compost latrine adoption, explore cost-effectiveness, and evaluate behavior change strategies.

Bottled water consumption is rising, influenced by perceptions of taste, convenience, safety, and concerns about other drinking water sources. However, bottled water use raises quality, environmental, and economic concerns. Despite poorer economic and health outcomes in Central Appalachia, there is a severe lack of research about drinking water in the region. This small-scale study explored predictors of bottled water usage among 27 households with utility-supplied water in Virginia. Logistic regression analyses considered the following as potential predictors of bottled water use: income, level of education, marital status, and tap water quality perceptions. About 78% of households reported using bottled water as a primary or secondary source, for reasons including perceptions of taste (43%), convenience (29%), safety (15%), and other reasons (13%). In this study, socioeconomic indicators were not significantly associated with bottled water use, but the perceived quality of households' tap water was a significant predictor of primary bottled water use. This study contributes to our understanding drivers of bottled water use with a focus on the under-studied region of central Appalachia.

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a growing health problem characterized by neurocognitive and cardiovascular dysfunction. Although parental obesity programs adverse cardiometabolic complications, including obesity, hypertension, and cardiorenal dysfunction in their offspring, whether parental obesity worsens cardiac, metabolic, and cognitive function in lean offspring that are susceptible to AD (3xTg-AD mice) remains unclear. Male and female offspring from control diet-fed or high-fat diet (HFD)-fed parents were examined at 26-28 wk of age. Cognitive function was assessed by Morris water maze and New Object Recognition (NOR) tests, cardiac function by echocardiography and invasive hemodynamic measurements, and mitochondrial (MT) function by high-resolution respirometry in isolated cardiac fibers and brain cortex. AD offspring from obese parents (HFD-Offs) exhibited worse memory retention compared with AD offspring from lean parents [normal diet (ND)-Offs], whereas recognition memory assessed by NOR was not significantly different between groups, although there was greater variability in HFD-Offs. Although systolic function by echocardiography was similar between groups, male HFD-Offs showed impaired diastolic relaxation with prolonged isovolumetric relaxation time, whereas E/e' remained unchanged. Left ventricular catheterization showed reduced indices of contractility and relaxation, including maximal and minimal rates of pressure changes: dP/dtmax (8,038 ± 1,011 vs. 18,704 ± 183 mmHg/s), dP/dtmin (-7,724 ± 471 vs. -13,634 ± 1,139), and prolonged Tau (4.0 ± 0.1 vs. 2.9 ± 0.1) in HFD-Offs compared with ND-Offs. Male HFD-Offs exhibited reduced MT glucose and fatty acid oxidation in the heart and brain. These findings indicate that parental obesity exacerbates AD-related cognitive decline and cardiac dysfunction in a sex-specific manner, suggesting parental metabolic status as an important determinant of AD-related cardiometabolic vulnerability.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Parental obesity is associated with worsened cognitive performance and male-specific impairments in cardiac metabolism and function in AD-susceptible offspring, highlighting developmental programming as a modifier of heart-brain vulnerability.

Environmental pollution is a major global issue. Ports, heavy traffic, and the presence of industries increase this pollution in some megacities like Abidjan. This study assessed potentially toxic elements in aerosols and rainwater and estimated associated health risks in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Aerosol and rainwater samples were collected in the communes of Cocody and Treichville during 2019 and 2020, taking into account the two main climatic seasons. Analysis of trace metal element (TME) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels revealed a dual origin both natural and anthropogenic for these pollutants in the environments studied with concentration between not determined (nd) and 0.056 ng·m-3 in aerosol and between nd and 0.0805 meq·L-1 in rainwater for TME. PAH concentrations vary from nd to 0.0798 ng·m-3 in aerosols. The ILCR values for inhaling BaP calculated are between nd and 4.02 × 10-16 and from nd to 1.44 × 10-15, respectively, for adult and children. The cancer risk levels calculated in rainwater for TMEs through oral and dermal pathways were all below 1 × 10-6 in rainwater. The results show that children are more vulnerable than adults and highlight the importance of continuous monitoring to anticipate and mitigate health risks, especially for the most vulnerable groups.

Since the pandemic, interest in Wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES) has expanded rapidly, alongside advances in PCR-based detection and the need for reliable normalization strategies. One widely adopted approach to quantification in WES involves normalizing pathogen measurements using human-associated fecal biomarkers such as tobamoviruses. While pepper mild mottle virus and tomato brown rugose fruit virus have been extensively studied and utilized in hundreds of WES studies, the broader tobamovirus genus remains relatively underexplored. We reviewed over 270 published studies, assessed the suitability of 43 tobamoviruses for application as indicators of human fecal contamination or for normalization biomarkers for WES applications. Tobamoviruses were systematically evaluated based on host range, likelihood of human dietary exposure and gastrointestinal passage, environmental persistence, and evidence of detection in wastewater. This analysis identifies 11 tobamoviruses with significant potential as current or emerging biomarkers across diverse geographic and dietary contexts. Our analyses identify 11 tobamoviruses with significant potential as biomarkers across global wastewater contexts. Tobamoviruses have proven suitable for wastewater and environmental surveillance normalization due to their frequent and high-volume introduction into the human food chain through staple crops, in which they induce only mild or asymptomatic infections. This results in reliable, high-abundance measurements in municipal wastewater.

BackgroundTraditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) is an evolving field in oncology focused on managing cancer symptoms. Hydrogen water (HW) has gained attention for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, yet its clinical effectiveness needs further exploration. This randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the impact of gargling with HW on oral mucositis severity, pain levels, oral frailty, and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy or concurrent chemo-radiotherapy.MethodsIn this single-center, single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, patients were randomly assigned to receive either HW or distilled water (DW) for gargling. Oral mucositis (OM) severity, pain, oral frailty, and quality of life (QoL) were assessed using the World Health Organization Oral Mucositis Grading Criteria (WHO-OMGC), the Brief Pain Inventory-Taiwan (BPI-T), the Oral Frailty Checklist (OFC), and the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire. Assessments were conducted at baseline (T0) and on Days 1 (T1), 3 (T2), 7 (T3), and 14 (T4) post-treatment.ResultsThe HW group showed significant OM improvement at Day 7 (p = 0.04) and Day 14 (p = 0.002). Pain decreased significantly in the HW group at Day 14 (p = 0.02). QoL improved in the HW group (p = 0.03), while OFC scores showed no significant difference between groups (p = 0.74).ConclusionHW gargling significantly alleviated OM severity and pain and improved QoL in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiotherapy or CCRT. HW gargling may serve as a simple, well-tolerated, and effective complementary and integrative therapy during cancer treatment.

Water quality deterioration remains a critical global environmental challenge, with inland watersheds across most regions worldwide affected by varying pollution levels. However, a systematic and in-depth review of the key issues, treatment technologies, and strategic approaches for watershed pollution control is still lacking. The health of watershed ecosystems is shaped by multiple interrelated factors, including external and internal pollution sources, in-stream contamination, and limited self-purification capacity, which interact to determine pollution severity and remediation complexity. Although a wide array of technologies is available to address different types of pollution, traditional classification systems based on physical, chemical, or biological approaches do not adequately correspond to specific pollution scenarios. Unlike conventional process-based classifications, this study proposes a problem-oriented, function-based classification system encompassing five major categories of technology: non-point source control, point source control, internal source remediation, in-stream treatment, and enhancement of self-purification. This technology system offers more targeted solutions for watershed pollution control. Technological choices and implementation strategies vary significantly across countries at different development stages, highlighting the importance of context-specific and scientifically informed decision-making. It further discusses the role of integrated, multi-objective strategies and examines the evolution of decision-making methods in watershed management. Future efforts should focus on building multi-objective, multi-criteria, and multi-stakeholder decision support systems, such as those integrating participatory modeling with scenario simulation and multi-criteria decision-making, to advance more scientific, precise, and systematic watershed governance.

The increasing global consumption of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs, particularly new psychoactive substances, has resulted in their continuous release into aquatic environments, raising concerns regarding potential adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. In this study, a dispersive micro-solid-phase extraction using customized extraction devices was developed in combination with liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry for target and suspect screening, followed by sensitive quantification by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The extraction procedure was optimized using experimental design. Optimal conditions comprised 50 mg of Oasis MCX sorbent, 100 mL of sample (pH 2, containing 7.5% NaCl, w v⁻1), and an extraction time of 30 min. Under these conditions, limits of quantification ranged from 4.67 to 29.3 ng L⁻1, and extraction recoveries varied between 73.0% and 108% for most target analytes. Application to real wastewater samples included an initial suspect screening step by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry using data-dependent acquisition and an untargeted data-mining workflow. The screening results revealed a broad range of compounds, including central nervous system stimulants, cardiovascular drugs, opioid analgesics, and sedatives. Quantification of selected target analytes was subsequently performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Among the investigated illicit drugs, THC and cocaine were the predominant compounds detected, whereas fentanyl was present at trace levels (6.17-14.4 ng L⁻1). The proposed workflow enables robust, sensitive monitoring of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals in wastewater for epidemiological and environmental surveillance applications.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis remains a significant public health challenge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). While the current control efforts rely on mass drug administration, understanding community knowledge and perceptions of the disease is essential for sustainable control. This study explored the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to schistosomiasis in a hyper-endemic region of the DRC. METHODS: Between August and November 2022, a mixed-methods approach consisting of a structured questionnaire administered to 349 household heads and eight focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted in Kasaï-Oriental Province. Descriptive statistics were performed on the quantitative data using Stata 12.0 software, while the FGDs were analyzed using Atlas.ti with a thematic content approach. RESULTS: Of the 349 household heads surveyed (193 males and 156 females), 97.7% had heard of schistosomiasis, mainly from community members (55.1%). The majority of respondents (93.3%) attributed the disease to worms, and 92.4% correctly identified at least one symptom. Although 97% considered schistosomiasis a serious disease, only 41% believed it could be prevented, and just 26% thought it could be treated. However, only 17.3% would seek a diagnosis and treatment at a health facility, while 78.9% would self-medicate at home using traditional medicine. While 62.2% demonstrated good knowledge of schistosomiasis, only 9.1% had positive attitudes, and 19.4% engaged in good practices. Focus group discussions confirmed awareness of the disease, but also revealed persistent misconceptions and structural barriers, notably a lack of access to clean water. CONCLUSION: Despite a relatively good knowledge of the disease, misconceptions and sanitation issues continue to sustain transmission of schistosomes. Strengthened health education program and improved access to WASH could be essential to deal with schistosomes’ transmission in this area.

The accumulation of bisphenols through the food chain could cause severe harm to human health. Therefore, the sensitive detection of trace bisphenols in environment is very important for environmental monitoring and public health. Compared with offline extraction methods, online solid-phase extraction (SPE) displayed the advantages of convenient operation and high precision. Furthermore, extraction materials with satisfactory enrichment performance are the most important for online SPE. Covalent organic framework (COF) aerogels represent a novel class of advanced materials, and the introduction of functional groups can improve their properties. Hence, this work prepared a fluorinated COF aerogel (COF-ATFTA), a fluorine-free COF aerogel (COF-APDA) and a fluorinated COF powder (COF-PTFTA) at room temperature, which were characterized with SEM, XRD, XPS and other means. Some model analytes were selected to investigate these materials through online SPE, COF-ATFTA displayed highest enrichment factors (1130-2271) than other two materials, based on large surface area, hierarchical pore structure, and multiple interactions (π-stacking, hydrophobic, hydrogen-bonding and F-F interactions). Subsequently, COF-ATFTA was used as adsorbent to study adsorption performance toward bisphenols, and displayed the adsorption capacity of 157-195 mg/g for four bisphenols. The adsorption process was dominated by chemical adsorption according to the adsorption kinetics model. By coupling COF-ATFTA-based online SPE with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), an online SPE-HPLC-DAD analytical method was established to detect bisphenols in water samples. Compared with other methods, the analytical method had lower detection limits (0.01-0.05 μg/L) and broad linear ranges (0.033-20.0 μg/L). The research introduced the COF-ATFTA for online enrichment and analysis of bisphenols, which broadened the application of COF aerogels in the sample preparation and environmental detection fields.

Water hyacinth is among the world's most damaging aquatic invasive plants, forming dense mats that disrupt ecosystem functioning, fisheries, navigation, and livelihoods across tropical and subtropical freshwater systems. Its rapid spread is driven by clonal propagation, short life cycles, and prolific seed production, particularly under nutrient-enriched conditions. Although mechanical, chemical, and biological control methods are widely applied, their long-term effectiveness remains uncertain when underlying eutrophication persists. Here, we present a large-scale, one-time water hyacinth removal campaign in Lake Tana, Ethiopia's largest lake and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, as a representative nutrient-rich tropical freshwater system. Using high-resolution satellite imagery, we quantified coverage one month before removal, one month after removal, and one year later. We integrated SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis with a socio-ecological system map to assess mitigation mechanisms and identify sustainable management pathways capable of providing long-term solutions to halt water hyacinth proliferation in freshwater bodies. The campaign removed over 75% (~1271 ha) of water hyacinth, yet within one year the plant resurged to levels ~18% higher than pre-removal. This rebound highlights the ecological resilience of water hyacinth and the limitations of short term, noncontinuous control strategies. Our analysis identifies unmanaged catchment nutrient inputs as the primary driver of proliferation. Lake Tana serves as a model system demonstrating that water hyacinth functions less as a traditional invader and more as a bioindicator of eutrophication. We propose a transferable conceptual and methodological framework combining continuous removal, catchment-based nutrient management, and circular bioeconomy approaches, offering globally relevant lessons for sustainable management of nutrient-enriched tropical freshwater systems.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a microorganism commonly found in water and food matrices, and its rapid and accurate detection is crucial for maintaining public health and ensuring food safety. However, traditional molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensors often face challenges such as tedious template removal and prolonged sensing times. This study develops a label-free bacterial molecularly imprinted sensor that utilizes the synergistic effect of polypyrrole (PPy) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to achieve highly sensitive detection of E. coli. Based on the large specific surface area and superior conductivity of MWCNTs, as well as the favorable electrochemical polymerization properties of PPy, a PPy/MWCNTs composite film was fabricated via a one-step electropolymerization process. The prepared sensor exhibited excellent kinetic characteristics, with a template removal time of only 15 min, and could be regenerated and used for subsequent detection within 30 min. Under optimized conditions, the biosensor showed a satisfactory linear response over the concentration range of 102-108 CFU/mL, with a low detection limit of 65 CFU/mL (3σ/S). Furthermore, recovery experiments conducted in tap water and lemon juice samples yielded satisfactory recoveries ranging from 87.1% to 114.8%, demonstrating the reliability and practical applicability of the proposed sensor for bacterial detection in real samples. This sensor offers advantages such as simple preparation, low material cost, and high sensitivity, providing a reliable and practical analytical platform for the rapid and reliable detection of bacteria.

SUMMARYInfection prevention and control (IPC) programs are essential for safe healthcare; yet, implementation across sub-Saharan Africa remains constrained by chronic underfunding, weak water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems, limited laboratory capacity, and shortages of trained staff. Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are presumed common, underreported, and often severe, with a disproportionate burden among hospitalized neonates and postpartum women, and they pose substantial risks to healthcare workers during outbreaks. Gram-negative pathogens such as Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter predominate, alongside methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, with widespread resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and other key antibiotics linking HCAIs directly to the region's antimicrobial resistance crisis. National and regional IPC policy frameworks have expanded, but facility-level implementation lags, reflected in patchy surveillance, weak accountability, and unreliable supplies of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR), personal protective equipment, environmental cleaning materials, and core WASH and ventilation infrastructure. Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa shows that pragmatic multimodal strategies, locally produced ABHR, infrastructure designed to facilitate hand hygiene, role-specific training for clinical and non-clinical staff, and inclusive approaches involving families can improve practices and outcomes when supplies and supervision are sustained. A whole-system approach is required, prioritizing fit-for-purpose surveillance, stronger WASH and waste management services, development of an IPC workforce, and support for African-led innovation, including local manufacturing and context-specific decision-support tools. Implementing these actions through community engagement, empowered leadership at all levels, and sustainable financing is critical to reducing HCAIs, slowing antimicrobial resistance, and strengthening healthcare quality and resilience in sub-Saharan Africa.

Antibiotics are among the most concerning pharmaceutical contaminants released from municipal sewage treatment plants (STPs), occurring both in treated effluents and in dewatered biosolids. This study examines key analytical challenges during the determination of ten antibiotics in sewage wastes using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Furthermore, results of their distribution in dewatered biosolids from different STPs are presented. Fluoroquinolones were identified as the most problematic compounds due to sorption on glassware, strong interaction with sample matrix, and signal suppression effects during LC-MS/MS analysis. Optimized extraction, based on sonication of freeze-dried samples with a buffered acetonitrile-water solution (pH 4.4, 1:1), yielded average recoveries between 74% and 108%, with moderate variability across sludge types. During simultaneous quantification of multiclass antibiotics, fluoroquinolones exhibited moderate to high signal attenuation depending on the matrix. For this group of compounds, signal suppression could be mitigated by fractionating extracts using mixed-mode (reversed phase and cation exchange) sorbents. Combined with isotopically labelled surrogate standards, solvent based calibration enabled accurate quantification of all targeted compounds, achieving limits of quantification below 5 ng g⁻¹. Azithromycin, clarithromycin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin were ubiquitous in dewatered biosolids, with median concentrations ranging from 7 ng g-1 (clarithromycin) to 1761 ng g-1 (ofloxacin). A mass balance assessment of emissions through treated wastewater and biosolids highlighted azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin as the priority antibiotics for monitoring in final dewatered solid waste streams (biosolids) from STPs.

The extensive use of sulfonamide antibiotics (SAs) has led to their pervasive presence in environmental and food matrices, posing potential risks to ecosystems and human health. Consequently, there is a pressing need for robust analytical techniques capable of their sensitive determination. To address this challenge, we herein report a novel porous organic polymer (POP) incorporating porphyrin units and rich hydroxyl groups. A series of POPs were synthesized via a facile aqueous route under compelling mild conditions by varying the molar ratio of 5,10,15,20-Tetra(3-hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin to 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone (1:2, 1:4, and 1:6), among which the 1:6 formulation exhibited optimal extraction performance, surpassing both other ratios and a control POP prepared with benzidine. The prepared POPs demonstrated 8 to 486-fold higher extraction efficiency than commercial fibers, attributed to the synergistic combination of multiple hydrogen bonds, π-π stacking interactions, and electrostatic attractions between the hydrophilic coating and the target analytes. To achieve optimal analytical performance, key solid-phase microextraction (SPME) parameters were systematically investigated, with optimal conditions established as follows: extraction time of 30 min, desorption time of 20 min, extraction temperature of 30 °C, stirring rate of 700 rpm, ionic strength of 15%, and pH 8. Under these conditions, the developed SPME-HPLC-MS/MS method exhibited wide linear ranges (0.1-500 ng mL-1, R2 > 0.9991), low limits of detection (LODs: 0.01-0.06 ng mL-1), and satisfactory precision (relative standard deviations: 3.0-8.3%). The obtained LODs are substantially lower than those of the Chinese national standard method (HJ 1398-2024, 3-6 μg mL-1). The practical applicability of the method was further validated through the analysis of river, lake, and rainwater samples, yielding satisfactory recoveries ranging from 80.6% to 114%.

Bhutan has no established system for monitoring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in waterborne bacteria. Bhutan's National Food Testing Laboratory (NFTL) analyses regulatory, commercial, and private food and water samples and conducts testing for key microorganisms, including Escherichia coli. We analysed NFTL's data to provide a baseline estimate of E. coli in water samples received and the role NFTL could play in AMR surveillance. NFTL tested 186 water samples from Thimphu in 2024 for E. coli, of which 67 (36%) were positive. E. coli was not detected in commercially packaged drinking water, filtered water, or treated water samples, but was present in all stream water (n = 25) and some raw (15/51, 29%) and tap water (27/71, 38%) samples. No seasonal patterns were observed, though sampling was not conducted systematically. There are limited data from Bhutan and low- and middle-income settings on AMR in waterborne bacteria. As Bhutan implements a One Health approach to AMR, establishing AMR surveillance in bacteria from environmental sources requires consideration of the role NFTL could play to complement existing drinking water surveillance. Key questions include which water sources will be included, where additional laboratory techniques will be implemented, and how sampling, methodologies, and data will be standardised.