Consumption of mushrooms that contain high levels of heavy metals can lead to heavy metal poisoning in humans. This study investigated the concentrations of three heavy metals — arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) — in the cap and stem portions of two tested brands of dried Agaricus blazei Murrill (ABM) and Agaricus bisporus. The cap and stem of these dried mushrooms were isolated, and the levels of heavy metals in each portion were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results revealed no significant differences in the levels of Cd, As, and Pb between the countries where the ABM mushrooms were cultivated. However, compared to the other two areas (Japan and Hong Kong), Agaricus bisporus cultivated in China showed slightly elevated arsenic concentrations that exceeded the World Health Organization regulatory limits. There were significant differences in the concentrations of all three heavy metals between the cap and stem portions of ABM in both brands tested, indicating a tendency for these heavy metals to bioaccumulate in the cap portion. The hazard quotients (HI, CR, THQ), which reflect the health risks associated with consumption, suggest that eating the cap portion from the two tested brands of ABM may pose adverse health risks due to potential arsenic intoxication, and it may be safer to consume the stem portion of Agaricus blazei Murrill. Additionally, the carcinogenic risk (CR) for arsenic (CR = 0.00013) in Agaricus bisporus cultivated in China exceeded the threshold (>10⁻⁴), indicating that chronic consumption of Agaricus bisporus poses a high risk of cancer.

The present study evaluated the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in fresh oysters (Crassostrea sp.) purchased from local wet markets in Hong Kong (HK). The samples were categorized into two origin groups: imported oysters from Chaoshan/Fujian, and local oysters from Lau Fau Shan. Additionally, the samples were separated into three edible parts: the mantle, adductor muscle, and body (viscera, gills and gonad). Heavy metal contents were determined using microwave-assisted digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results indicated that Lau Fau Shan oysters had significantly higher levels of Cd and Pb compared to imported samples (p < 0.05). Notably, two local samples exceeded the maximum permitted concentration (MPC) for Cd. Across both origins, the body (visceral) portion consistently showed the highest accumulation of heavy metals. Health risk assessments based on the target hazard quotient (THQ), total THQ (TTHQ), and carcinogenic risk (CR) revealed potential non-carcinogenic risks (TTHQ > 1) and carcinogenic risks (CR > 10⁻⁴ for Cd) associated with lifelong oyster consumption, especially for Lau Fau Shan oysters. Although most samples complied with HK food safety standards, the presence of outliers exceeding regulatory limits emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring. These findings highlight the importance of regulating oyster consumption in terms of both quantity and frequency, and suggest that further research should investigate seasonal and geographical variations in contamination.

The bioaccumulation of toxic heavy metals in seafood has drawn increasing concern due to rapid industrial development. As shellfish are one of the favorably imported seafoods in Hong Kong (HK), this study compared the levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) in oysters (Crassostrea sp.) imported from China and New Zealand, representing countries with different levels of industrialization. Samples were digested using closed-vessel microwave digestion and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Mean concentrations revealed that Cd and Pb levels were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in Chinese oysters, whereas As level was significantly higher in New Zealand oysters (p ≤ 0.05). Hg was undetectable in both sources. All measured concentrations were below HK’s maximum permitted concentrations (MPCs), except for Cd in Chinese oysters.

Health risk assessments indicated that the target hazard quotients (THQs) for individual metals, as well as the total THQs (TTHQs), exceeded 1 in both sample groups, with Chinese oysters exhibiting significantly higher TTHQs. For carcinogenic risk (CR), the values for As and Cd from both sources surpassed the unacceptable threshold of 10⁻⁴, except for Pb. Based on the results, New Zealand oysters were considered safe for consumption according to HK and international standards. The findings suggest a positive correlation between a country’s level of industrialization and the contamination of seafood with heavy metals. To minimize health risks, it is recommended to consume oysters imported from less industrialized regions occasionally.

Urban food-waste treatment plants (FWTPs) provide favorable niches for pathogen proliferation, yet the characteristics of airborne pathogens and associated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) risks within these systems remain poorly understood. Using amplicon sequencing, metagenomic analyses, and culture-based assays, we collected indoor and outdoor air samples from two large-scale FWTPs to characterize the composition, dynamics, and risks of airborne pathogens and the resistome. Airborne pathogens were highly prevalent in FWTP air, with significantly greater abundance and diversity than in urban ambient air. Although processing stages exhibited distinct community structures, key pathogens were consistently dominated by Acinetobacter johnsonii and Ralstonia pickettii, likely owing to their high aerosolization potential. Stochastic processes primarily governed pathogen community assembly—particularly indoors, where frequent industrial operations weakened deterministic selection imposed by environmental variables. Notably, PM2.5 from FWTPs carried total antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) loads comparable to those of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) PM2.5, but harbored a richer repertoire of multidrug-resistance (MDR) genes; the high prevalence of MDR genes serves as an effective indicator for defining the FWTP resistome. Source-tracking analyses, metagenome-assembled genomes, and culture experiments provided convergent evidence that Acinetobacter-dominated pathogens play pivotal roles in the emergence and dissemination of MDR genes, warranting priority attention when designing strategies to mitigate airborne ARGs. This work underscores the importance of urban food waste in disseminating pathogens and MDR genes and calls for a reassessment of food-waste-related air pollution from a public-health perspective.

The degradation pattern of BPA in the sludge anaerobic acidogenic system was obtained in this study. The alkaline acidogenic system (pH 10) demonstrated the highest BPA degradation efficiency (69.9%), which was 4.5 times higher than that in the blank acidogenic system (15.7%). Simultaneously, the acid production increased by 2.43 times (2,082 mg COD/L vs. 856 mg COD/L). The core taxa of the BPA-degrading microbiome in the acidogenic system were identified. Amplicon sequencing and metagenomic binning revealed that Gram-positive bacteria (Actinomycetota and Firmicutes) were the core taxa of the BPA-degrading microbiome in the alkaline acidogenic system. The representative strains Corynebacterium and Bhargavaea were enriched by 441-fold and 670-fold, respectively, during fermentation, while the abundance of Gram-negative bacteria significantly decreased as fermentation progressed. The BPA degradation characteristics of acidogenic functional strains were elucidated. The acidogenic strains Corynebacterium pollutisoli and Bhargavaea beijingensis achieved a BPA degradation rate of over 51% within 8 days without an external carbon source. Further studies found that polysaccharides and monosaccharides, as co-metabolic substrates, significantly enhanced degradation efficiency, increasing the 4-day BPA degradation rate by more than 47%. A dual-pathway model of "metabolism-co-metabolism" for BPA degradation by acidogenic bacteria was proposed. Acidogenic bacteria can directly metabolize and degrade BPA, while also hydrolyzing macromolecular organic matter to produce small molecules (e.g., glucose) that promote co-metabolism, forming an efficient BPA degradation network. A BPA anaerobic degradation process based on the enhancement of functional microorganisms was developed. Inoculating C. pollutisoli and B. beijingensis into the sludge anaerobic acidogenic system increased BPA degradation efficiency by more than 2.8 times and simultaneously enhanced VFA production by 2.1 times, providing an innovative solution for controlling emerging contaminants during sludge treatment.

The cement industry accounts for a significant share of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to the calcination of limestone and fossil fuel combustion during clinker production. To mitigate these emissions, carbon mineralization using Cement Kiln Bypass Dust (CBPD) offers a promising solution, as capturing CO₂ while enabling potassium chloride (KCl) recovery. This study aims to assess the environmental and economic feasibility of a CBPD-based carbon mineralization and KCl recovery process as an alternative to landfilling. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) following the IPCC (2021) GWP 100 method was conducted to estimate CO₂ reduction, and a Benefit–Cost (B/C) analysis was performed using process data derived from pilot-scale operation and mass balance modeling. The results indicate that the developed process achieves a net GHG reduction of –0.156 kg CO₂-eq per kg of CBPD, confirming its carbon-negative performance. In addition, the process was found to be economically viable, yielding a net profit of 315,041 KRW per ton of CBPD and a B/C ratio exceeding 3.0, primarily due to revenue from CaCO₃ and KCl recovery and carbon credit trading. Overall, the proposed technology demonstrates strong potential for industrial-scale decarbonization in the cement sector by transforming a landfill-bound by-product into valuable mineral and chemical resources. Future research should focus on scaling up, LCA–TEA integration, and policy linkage to promote commercialization and inclusion within circular economy and carbon neutrality frameworks.

This study aims to analyze the trends and types of CBPD recycling technology based on domestic and internationally published papers and patent applications, and to suggest future directions for technology development. To this end, we collected and constructed CBPD-related papers and patent data, and quantitatively analyzed technology trends by year, country, and research field. Through this, we identified the flow of CBPD resource technology and major research trends.

The analysis results showed that recently, there has been an increase in papers and patent applications on technologies for recycling CBPD in its original form in other industries or chemically recovering useful resources such as potassium chloride (KCl). Initially, research and development was focused on circular recycling centered on resource circulation and improvement of chlorine bypass facilities, but recently, carbon reduction-type recycling technology development has been actively conducted to respond to strengthened environmental regulations. This can be interpreted as an attempt to utilize calcium and silica, which are major components of CBPD, as raw materials for cement manufacturing. In addition, advanced technologies that simultaneously absorb greenhouse gases and produce KCl are being proposed to achieve the carbon neutrality goal. CBPD is washed and the sludge is used to absorb carbon dioxide through carbonation reaction, and KCl is extracted and purified from the residue. In addition to replacing raw materials and fuels, it can be applied as an additional means for reducing carbon in the cement industry where direct greenhouse gas reduction is difficult.

The recycling of CBPD is evaluated as an important opportunity to create industrial added value while improving environmental sustainability. If a practical R&D strategy is established and promoted based on the results of the technology trend analysis presented in this study, it is expected to contribute to the establishment of a circular economy system in the cement industry.

This study investigated compliance with food irradiation labeling regulations and the detection of irradiated products in 474 processed food samples collected from retail markets in Seoul between 2020 and 2025. Thermoluminescence (TL) analysis was applied to identify irradiation treatments, and four samples (0.8%) were found to be irradiated without proper labeling, indicating that the domestic labeling system is generally well enforced.

Additionally, regulatory frameworks and the scope of approved irradiated foods were compared across major regions. Globally, most countries adhere to international guidelines, but the range of authorized commodities and applications varies considerably. The United States approves a wide range of products, including meat, seafood, fresh produce, and spices, all requiring explicit labeling under FDA and USDA regulations. EU-wide approvals are limited, but individual member states may expand authorized items: Belgium and France focus mainly on spices and frog legs, with Belgium leading EU irradiation volumes, while the Netherlands operates on a smaller scale. Japan maintains the most restrictive policy, permitting only potatoes. China authorizes a wide spectrum of commodities, including meat, seafood, grains, vegetables, fruits, teas, spices, and medicinal plants, and has rapidly expanded industrial applications. Vietnam, supported by the IAEA, increasingly applies irradiation for tropical fruit exports to markets such as the U.S. and Australia. Australia and New Zealand primarily approve irradiation for tropical fruits and herbs to meet export-related phytosanitary requirements. South Africa serves as a regional hub, focusing on spices, cereals, and seafood to enhance safety and shelf life. Korea authorizes irradiation for selected items, including cereals, vegetables, fruits, and specific processed foods, under a regulatory framework aligned with international standards.

Recent IAEA reports (2020–2023) highlight evolving trends in food irradiation technologies, demonstrating their growing importance beyond food preservation and safety, extending to international agricultural trade. Electron-beam (E-beam) and X-ray irradiation have been emphasized as cost-effective and efficient alternatives to traditional gamma-ray processing, with increasing adoption for microbial reduction, shelf-life extension, and phytosanitary treatments. These advancements have facilitated exports of tropical fruits and meat products in several countries while promoting the concept of “cold pasteurization” to enhance consumer acceptance.

The findings of this study provide valuable insights into domestic labeling practices within a global context and contribute baseline information for future discussions on harmonizing international labeling standards, reducing trade barriers, and supporting consumer confidence.

Efficient recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics is crucial for mitigating environmental pollution and regenerating fossil resources. However, current PET recycling technologies predominantly rely on substantial quantities of unrecyclable chemical reagents, noble metal catalysts, or stringent conditions. Here we report an effective method of depolymerizing PET to terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG) by hydrolysis in green ionic liquid cholinium phosphate ([Ch]₃[PO₄]) under mild conditions. Traditional hydrolysis methods only activate one oxygen atom in PET's ethanediylester group, whereas our approach uses both ends of one choline cation to activate two oxygen atoms of the ethanediylester group simultaneously. This synchronized dual activation significantly enhances the electrophilicity of carbonyl carbons, thus accelerating the hydrolysis process. Theoretical calculation and experimental results show the PET conversion of simultaneous two carbonyl oxygen atoms activation was much higher than that of one carbonyl oxygen atom activation. Concurrently, phosphate anions increase the nucleophilicity of water, making it easier to attack the carbonyl groups, thus facilitating the efficient depolymerization of PET. Meanwhile, [Ch]₃[PO₄] is recyclable, low in corrosiveness, and harmless, making it highly promising for industrial applications. This work proposes a groundbreaking mechanistic paradigm to effectively depolymerize PET by simultaneously activating the ethanediylester group between its two benzene rings.