Many organophosphorus (OP) based compounds are highly toxic and powerful inhibitors of cholinesterases that generate serious environmental and human health concerns. Organothiophosphates with a thiophosphoryl (P=S) functional group constitute a broad class of these widely used pesticides. They are related to the more reactive phosphoryl (P=O) organophosphates, which include very lethal nerve ag...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented a program to identify tailpipe emissions of criteria and air-toxic contaminants from in-use, light-duty low-emission vehicles (LEVs). EPA recruited 25 LEVs in 2002 and measured emissions on a chassis dynamometer using the cold-start urban dynamometer driving schedule of the Federal Test Procedure. The emissions measured included regulat...

High resolution structures and computational methods have been used to identify compounds that prevent amyloid fibrils associated with Alzheimer's disease from dissociating into toxic species.

Disinfection by-products (DBPs) are potentially toxic compounds formed when drinking water is treated with disinfectants, such as chlorine or chloramine. A large proportion of the exposure to DBPs ...

The use of microbial catalysts in the biodegradation of organic compounds has advanced significantly during the past three decades. It has been found that large numbers of microbes co-exist in almost all natural environments, particularly in soils. Many natural and synthetic organic chemicals are readily biodegradable in natural environment. Biodegradation of materials involve initial proximity...

An opto-electronic tongue, prepared using porphyrins, pH indicators, and their mixtures, has been tested for the analysis of toxic compounds in potable water. The color changes of sensitive dyes immersed in a water solution containing the target analytes were measured with an optical platform made by four LEDs (as light sources) and a digital camera (detector). We demonstrate that blends of dye...

Indoor air pollution results in mortalities worldwide, burdening especially the low- and middle-income countries. The volatile semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs SVOCs) emitted from indoor structures furniture materials are important sources of pollution. Exposure to VOCs, such as formaldehyde benzene, has been associated with higher risk reproductive problems, respiratory complications, imm...