Characterization of fuel-induced water contamination: chemical composition, odor threshold, and ecotoxicological implications Johan Strandberg, Hannes Waldetoft, Liselotte Egelrud, Arvid Backlund, Claudia Cascone, et al. Journal of Environmental Exposure Assessment, 2024 Fuel spills pose significant environmental risks, particularly to drinking water sources and aquatic ecosystems. The composition of fuels has changed over the decades to reduce fossil greenhouse gas emissions. In Sweden, although the number of spill incidents has declined, with around 600 cases reported annually, there remains limited knowledge on the environmental and health impacts of modern fuels. This study aimed to address this gap through comprehensive chemical analysis and ecotoxicological assessments of 31 fuel samples, including petrol, diesel, fuel oil, and marine gas oil. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), we determined 53 substances, including aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, ethers, esters, and 17 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A key focus was on forming a stable water-accommodated fraction (WAF) to isolate non-dissolved fuel elements from water, which is crucial for assessing subsurface aquatic life and drinking water production impacts. Results indicated significant differences in fuel odor profiles, with ethers enhancing odor intensity. Petrol components showed higher water solubility than diesel, partly due to ethanol. Ecotoxicological tests revealed varying toxicity across fuels, with petrol showing the highest toxicity to aquatic organisms, although activated sludge exhibited resilience. Fuels containing water-soluble ethers posed the highest risks to drinking water, while modern diesel was of lower concern due to its low solubility and toxicity. In freshwater ecosystems, petrol and hydrophobic toxins in fuel oil had severe effects during spills. Overall, this study offers critical insights into the environmental impact of common fuels, supporting improved risk assessment and management strategies for spill mitigation and water resource protection.
Squalene Depletion in Skin Following Human Exposure to Ozone under Controlled Chamber Conditions Sarka Langer, Charles J. Weschler, Gabriel Bekö, Glenn Morrison, Ann Sjöblom, et al. Environmental Science and Technology, 2024 A major component of human skin oil is squalene, a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon that protects the skin from atmospheric oxidants. Skin oil, and thus squalene, is continuously replenished on the skin surface. Squalene is also quickly consumed through reactions with ozone and other oxidants. This study examined the extent of squalene depletion in the skin oils of the forearm of human volunteers after exposure to ozone in a climate chamber. Temperature, relative humidity (RH), skin coverage by clothing, and participants' age were varied in a controlled manner. Concentrations of squalene were determined in skin wipe samples collected before and after ozone exposure. Exposures to ozone resulted in statistically significant decreases in post-exposure squalene concentrations compared to pre-exposure squalene concentrations in the skin wipes when squalene concentrations were normalized by concentrations of co-occurring cholesterol but not by co-occurring pyroglutamic acid (PGA). The rate of squalene loss due to ozonolysis was lower than its replenishment on the skin surface. Within the ranges examined, temperature and RH did not significantly affect the difference between normalized squalene levels in post-samples versus pre-samples. Although not statistically significant, skin coverage and age of the volunteers (three young adults, three seniors, and three teenagers) did appear to impact squalene depletion on the skin surfaces.
Hazardous chemicals in non-polar extracts from paper and cardboard food packaging: an effect-based evaluation Erica Selin, Mimmi Wänn, Kettil Svensson, Erik Gravenfors, Georgios Giovanoulis, et al. Environmental Sciences Europe, 2022 Background Food contact articles are used in our everyday life and information regarding the potential health hazards of migrating chemicals for humans is scarce. In this study, an effect-based evaluation of non-polar extracts of food contact articles made of paper and board was conducted with a panel of eight bioassay endpoints. These, health-relevant endpoints, included oxidative stress, inflammation, genotoxicity, xenobiotic metabolism and hormone receptor effects. Results In total, 62 food contact articles were pooled into 19 groups, in which articles intended to be used for similar types of food item(s) were pooled, and extracted with acetone:n-hexane (1:4). These were then tested in the effect-based bioassays. Bioactivities were detected for multiple materials in six out of eight assays, the two assays showing no effects were NFκB and androgen receptor agonistic response. In essence, the detection rates of the tested non-polar extracts were 72% for antagonistic effects on the estrogen receptor, 72% for antagonistic effects on the androgen receptor, 47% for oxidative stress, 28% for agonistic effects on the estrogen receptor and 33% for genotoxicity. The bioequivalent concentrations ranges in extracts of 10 mg food contact article/mL cell culture media were: for oxidative stress from 2.45 to 5.64 µM tBHQ equivalents, estrogen receptor agonistic activity from 1.66 to 6.33 ρM estradiol equivalents, estrogen receptor antagonistic activity from 1.21 × 10–3 to 4.20 × 10–3 μM raloxifene equivalents and androgen antagonistic activity 0.08–0.46 μM hydroxyflutamide equivalents. The extracts that were bioactive in multiple assays were: baking moulds, boxes for popcorn, infant formula/skimmed milk, porridge/flour mixes, pizza, fries’ and hamburgers as well as packages for frozen food. Conclusion Non-polar extracts of food contact articles contain compounds that can activate molecular initiating events in toxicity pathways of high relevance to human health. These events included endocrine-disruptive activities, oxidative stress and genotoxicity. Effect-based methods proved to be a valuable tool for evaluating food package articles, as they can detect potentially hazardous effects of both known and unknown chemicals as well as potential cocktail effects.
Squalene in skin wipes: dependence on ozone, indoor climate and skin coverage 17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate Indoor AIR 2022, 2022
The effect of reduction measures on concentrations of hazardous semivolatile organic compounds in indoor air and dust of Swedish preschools Sarka Langer, Cynthia A. de Wit, Georgios Giovanoulis, Jenny Fäldt, Linnéa Karlson Indoor Air, 2021 Young children spend a substantial part of their waking time in preschools. It is therefore important to reduce the load of hazardous semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in the preschools' indoor environment. The presence and levels of five SVOC groups were evaluated (1) in a newly built preschool, (2) before and after renovation of a preschool, and (3) in a preschool where SVOC-containing articles were removed. The new building and the renovation were performed using construction materials that were approved with respect to content of restricted chemicals. SVOC substance groups were measured in indoor air and settled dust and included phthalates and alternative plasticizers, organophosphate esters (OPEs), brominated flame retardants, and bisphenols. The most abundant substance groups in both indoor air and dust were phthalates and alternative plasticizers and OPEs. SVOC concentrations were lower or of the same order of magnitude as those reported in comparable studies. The relative Cumulative Hazard Quotient (HQcum ) was used to assess the effects of the different reduction measures on children's SVOC exposure from indoor air and dust in the preschools. HQcum values were low (1.0-6.1%) in all three preschools and decreased further after renovation and article substitution. The SVOCs concentrations decreased significantly more in the preschool renovated with the approved building materials than in the preschool where the SVOC-containing articles were removed.
Food contact materials: an effect-based evaluation of the presence of hazardous chemicals in paper and cardboard packaging Erica Selin, Kettil Svensson, Erik Gravenfors, Georgios Giovanoulis, Mitsura Iida, et al. Food Additives and Contaminants Part A Chemistry Analysis Control Exposure and Risk Assessment, 2021 Food contact materials (FCMs) can contain hazardous chemicals that may have the potential to migrate into food and pose a health hazard for humans. Previous studies have mainly focused on plastic materials, while data on packaging materials made from paper and cardboard are limited. We used a panel of cell-based bioassays to investigate the presence and impact of bioactive chemicals on human relevant endpoints like oxidative stress, genotoxicity, inflammation, xenobiotic metabolism and endocrine system effects in extracts made from paper and cardboard. In total, 23 methanol extracts of commonly used paper and cardboard available on the Swedish market were extracted as a whole product using methanol to retrieve polar substances, and tested at concentrations 0.3–10 mg/mL and 0.2–6 mg/mL. At the highest concentration bioactivities were observed in a high proportion of the samples: oxidative stress (52%), genotoxicity (100%), xenobiotic metabolism (74%), antiandrogenic- (52%) and antioestrogenic receptor (39%). Packages of potential concern included cake/pastry boxes/mats, boxes for infant formula/skimmed milk, pizza boxes, pizza slice trays and bag of cookies. It should be noted that the extraction for packages like cake/pastry boxes can be considered exaggerated, as the exposure usually is shorter. It can be hypothesised that the observed responses may be explained by inks, coatings, contaminants and/or naturally occurring compounds within the material. To summarise, an effect-based approach enables hazard identification of chemicals within FCMs, which is a valuable tool for ensuring safe use of FCMs. Graphical Abstract
Metodutveckling provtagning inomhusmiljö 2025: Luft och damm från inomhusmiljön på förskolan G Giovanoulis, I Liagkouridis, R Ibrahim, M Adeoye Bello, J Eskhult, ... https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:2039439 , 2026 2026
Assessment of water pollution and environmental impacts in the Pineios river basin before and after extreme flood events in Thessaly, Greece K Kakavas, I Faraslis, R Awad, A Katsafadou, S Mirmigkou, E Providas, ... Environmental Science and Pollution Research , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Upcycling agricultural and industrial side-flows for food development: A risk assessment approach E Moberg, E Molin, J Hultén, A Julander, V Öhrvik, I Strid, G Giovanoulis SETAC Europe 35th annual meeting, 5.11.P-Th366 , 2025 2025
Indoor air quality – materials inside the car cabin A Sebastian, D Bolinius, G Giovanoulis, J Phan, M Bernander https://www.ivl.se/download/18.6d6369f7195b2763b9e389c/1742553092324/Indoor … , 2025 2025
Provtagning och kemisk analys inom hälsorelaterad miljögiftsövervakning 2024: Kemikaliebelastning i 21 förskolors innemiljö G Giovanoulis, R Ibrahim, I Liagkouridis, L Egelrud, R Awad, N Shaheen, ... IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet , 2025 2025
Comprehensive characterization of European house dust contaminants: Concentrations and profiles, geographical variability, and implications for chemical regulation and health risk P Haglund, NA Alygizakis, A Covaci, L Melymuk, P Bohlin Nizzetto, ... Science of The Total Environment 957 , 2024 2024 Citations: 13
Assessing the environmental transformation of alternative chemicals using in silico tools, (bio)degradation testing and suspect screening – a case study of emerging alternative … I Liagkouridis, G Georgios, T Gunnar Emerging Contaminants , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Characterization of fuel-induced water contamination: chemical composition, odor threshold, and ecotoxicological implications J Strandberg, H Waldetoft, L Egelrud, A Backlund, C Cascone, G Thorsén, ... Journal of Environmental Exposure Assessment 3 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Squalene depletion in skin following human exposure to ozone under controlled chamber conditions S Langer, CJ Weschler, G Beko, G Morrison, A Sjoblom, G Giovanoulis, ... Environmental Science & Technology 58 (15), 6693-6703 , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
[Dataset] Comprehensive characterization of European house dust contaminants: Concentrations and profiles, geographical variability, and implications for chemical regulation … P Haglund, NA Alygizakis, A Covaci, L Melymuk, PB Nizzetto, ... Elsevier , 2024 2024
Fuels as contaminants in water: chemical content, odour thresholds, ecotoxicological data and evaporation of VOC: s to air J Strandberg, O Abdalal, A Backlund, N Bornold, C Cascone, L Egelrud, ... IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet , 2024 2024
Global environmental and toxicological data of emerging plasticizers: current knowledge, regrettable substitution dilemma, green solution and future perspectives A Qadeer, M Anis, GR Warner, C Potts, G Giovanoulis, S Nasr, ... Green Chemistry 26 (10), 5635-5683 , 2024 2024 Citations: 99
Hazardous chemicals in non-polar extracts from paper and cardboard food packaging: an effect-based evaluation E Selin, M Wänn, K Svensson, E Gravenfors, G Giovanoulis, A Oskarsson, ... Environmental Sciences Europe 34 (1), 85 , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
Odour and ecotoxicity in water from fuels of varying content of non-fossil components: Odour threshold values, predictive modelling and ecotox data J Strandberg, H Waldetoft, G Giovanoulis, L Egelrud, G Thorsén, A Potter IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet , 2022 2022 Citations: 1
Squalene in skin wipes: dependence on ozone, indoor climate and skin coverage S Langer, A Sjöblom, G Giovanoulis, G Bekö, P Wargocki, G Morrison, ... 17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2022 , 2022 2022 Citations: 1
Food contact materials: an effect-based evaluation of the presence of hazardous chemicals in paper and cardboard packaging E Selin, K Svensson, E Gravenfors, G Giovanoulis, M Iida, A Oskarsson, ... Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 38 (9), 1594-1607 , 2021 2021 Citations: 22
The effect of reduction measures on concentrations of hazardous semivolatile organic compounds in indoor air and dust of Swedish preschools S Langer, CA de Wit, G Giovanoulis, J Fäldt, L Karlson Indoor Air 31 (5), 1673-1682 , 2021 2021 Citations: 22
Corrigendum to “Multi-pathway human exposure assessment of phthalate esters and DINCH”[Environ. Int. 112 (2018) 115–126] G Giovanoulis, T Bui, F Xu, E Papadopoulou, JA Padilla-Sanchez, ... Environment International 143, 106071 , 2020 2020 Citations: 6
Kemikaliesmart förskola-Kemikaliebelastning i tre förskolors innemiljö S Langer, H Fridén, G Giovanoulis, G Thorsén IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet , 2020 2020
Analysis of PFAS, phthalates, alternative plasticizers and organophosphate esters in sludge G Giovanoulis, J Aasa, M Nguyen, R Vestergren 2020 Citations: 2
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Human exposure, hazard and risk of alternative plasticizers to phthalate esters TT Bui, G Giovanoulis, AP Cousins, J Magnér, IT Cousins, CA de Wit Science of the total environment 541, 451-467 , 2016 2016 Citations: 524
Comprehensive study of human external exposure to organophosphate flame retardants via air, dust, and hand wipes: the importance of sampling and assessment strategy F Xu, G Giovanoulis, S Van Waes, JA Padilla-Sanchez, E Papadopoulou, ... Environmental science & technology 50 (14), 7752-7760 , 2016 2016 Citations: 258
Phthalates, non-phthalate plasticizers and bisphenols in Swedish preschool dust in relation to children's exposure K Larsson, CH Lindh, BAG Jönsson, G Giovanoulis, M Bibi, M Bottai, ... Environment international 102, 114-124 , 2017 2017 Citations: 257
Multi-pathway human exposure assessment of phthalate esters and DINCH G Giovanoulis, T Bui, F Xu, E Papadopoulou, JA Padilla-Sanchez, ... Environment international 112, 115-126 , 2018 2018 Citations: 232
Perfluoroalkyl acids and their precursors in floor dust of children's bedrooms–Implications for indoor exposure K Winkens, G Giovanoulis, J Koponen, R Vestergren, U Berger, ... Environment International 119, 493-502 , 2018 2018 Citations: 152
Evaluation of exposure to phthalate esters and DINCH in urine and nails from a Norwegian study population G Giovanoulis, A Alves, E Papadopoulou, AP Cousins, A Schütze, ... Environmental research 151, 80-90 , 2016 2016 Citations: 101
Global environmental and toxicological data of emerging plasticizers: current knowledge, regrettable substitution dilemma, green solution and future perspectives A Qadeer, M Anis, GR Warner, C Potts, G Giovanoulis, S Nasr, ... Green Chemistry 26 (10), 5635-5683 , 2024 2024 Citations: 99
Hand wipes: a useful tool for assessing human exposure to poly-and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) through hand-to-mouth and dermal contacts S Poothong, JA Padilla-Sánchez, E Papadopoulou, G Giovanoulis, ... Environmental science & technology 53 (4), 1985-1993 , 2019 2019 Citations: 92
Reduction of hazardous chemicals in Swedish preschool dust through article substitution actions G Giovanoulis, MA Nguyen, M Arwidsson, S Langer, R Vestergren, ... Environment international 130, 104921 , 2019 2019 Citations: 57
In Vitro Inhalation Bioaccessibility of Phthalate Esters and Alternative Plasticizers Present in Indoor Dust Using Artificial Lung Fluids K Kademoglou, G Giovanoulis, A Palm-Cousins, JA Padilla-Sanchez, ... Environmental Science & Technology Letters 5 (6), 329-334 , 2018 2018 Citations: 51
Case study on screening emerging pollutants in urine and nails A Alves, G Giovanoulis, U Nilsson, C Erratico, L Lucattini, LS Haug, ... Environmental science & technology 51 (7), 4046-4053 , 2017 2017 Citations: 36
Mass transfer of an organophosphate flame retardant between product source and dust in direct contact I Liagkouridis, B Lazarov, G Giovanoulis, IT Cousins Emerging Contaminants 3 (3), 115-120 , 2017 2017 Citations: 23
Food contact materials: an effect-based evaluation of the presence of hazardous chemicals in paper and cardboard packaging E Selin, K Svensson, E Gravenfors, G Giovanoulis, M Iida, A Oskarsson, ... Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 38 (9), 1594-1607 , 2021 2021 Citations: 22
The effect of reduction measures on concentrations of hazardous semivolatile organic compounds in indoor air and dust of Swedish preschools S Langer, CA de Wit, G Giovanoulis, J Fäldt, L Karlson Indoor Air 31 (5), 1673-1682 , 2021 2021 Citations: 22
Comprehensive characterization of European house dust contaminants: Concentrations and profiles, geographical variability, and implications for chemical regulation and health risk P Haglund, NA Alygizakis, A Covaci, L Melymuk, P Bohlin Nizzetto, ... Science of The Total Environment 957 , 2024 2024 Citations: 13
Squalene depletion in skin following human exposure to ozone under controlled chamber conditions S Langer, CJ Weschler, G Beko, G Morrison, A Sjoblom, G Giovanoulis, ... Environmental Science & Technology 58 (15), 6693-6703 , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
Characterization of fuel-induced water contamination: chemical composition, odor threshold, and ecotoxicological implications J Strandberg, H Waldetoft, L Egelrud, A Backlund, C Cascone, G Thorsén, ... Journal of Environmental Exposure Assessment 3 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Corrigendum to “Multi-pathway human exposure assessment of phthalate esters and DINCH”[Environ. Int. 112 (2018) 115–126] G Giovanoulis, T Bui, F Xu, E Papadopoulou, JA Padilla-Sanchez, ... Environment International 143, 106071 , 2020 2020 Citations: 6
What contributes to human body burdens of phthalate esters G Giovanoulis Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry. Stockhol m … , 2017 2017 Citations: 5
Assessing the environmental transformation of alternative chemicals using in silico tools, (bio)degradation testing and suspect screening – a case study of emerging alternative … I Liagkouridis, G Georgios, T Gunnar Emerging Contaminants , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
