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Cassandra Rauert

Bio: Cassandra Rauert is an academic researcher from University of Queensland. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Environmental science. The author has an hindex of 19, co-authored 35 publications receiving 870 citations. Previous affiliations of Cassandra Rauert include Environment Canada & University of Birmingham.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that for higher molecular weight PBDEs like BDE-209; direct dust:source contact is the principal pathway via which source-to-dust transfer occurs.

114 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an extensive dataset exists for long-term trends of long-chain PFCAs that have been reported in Arctic biota with some datasets including archived samples from the 1970s and 1980s.

102 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study presents the first data on global distributions of OPEs in the atmosphere, obtained from a single passive sampling monitoring network, suggesting global background atmospheric concentrations of PBDEs have not declined since regulatory measures were implemented.
Abstract: Polyurethane foam (PUF) disk passive air samples, deployed during 2014 in the Global Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) Network, were analyzed for a range of flame retardants (FRs) including polyb...

98 citations

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TL;DR: This is the first study to measure airborne emissions of microplastic fibres from mechanical drying, confirming that it is an emission source of micro Plastics fibres into air - particularly indoor air.

86 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of studies investigating correlations between concentrations detected in indoor air/dust and possible sources in the microenvironment is included along with efforts to model contamination of indoor environments.

79 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There is potential for microplastics to impact human health, and assessing current exposure levels and burdens is key to guide future research into the potential mechanisms of toxicity and hence therein possible health effects.
Abstract: Microplastics are a pollutant of environmental concern Their presence in food destined for human consumption and in air samples has been reported Thus, microplastic exposure via diet or inhalation could occur, the human health effects of which are unknown The current review article draws upon cross-disciplinary scientific literature to discuss and evaluate the potential human health impacts of microplastics and outlines urgent areas for future research Key literature up to September 2016 relating to accumulation, particle toxicity, and chemical and microbial contaminants was critically examined Although microplastics and human health is an emerging field, complementary existing fields indicate potential particle, chemical and microbial hazards If inhaled or ingested, microplastics may accumulate and exert localized particle toxicity by inducing or enhancing an immune response Chemical toxicity could occur due to the localized leaching of component monomers, endogenous additives, and adsorbed enviro

1,515 citations

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TL;DR: The annual production of plastic textile fibers has increased by more than 6% per year, reaching 60 million metric tons, about 16% of world plastic production as discussed by the authors, and the degradation of these fibers produces fibrous microplastics (MPs) which have been observed in atmospheric fallouts, as well as in indoor and outdoor environments.

590 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The prevalence of fluorinated chemicals in fast food packaging demonstrates their potentially significant contribution to dietary PFAS exposure and environmental contamination during production and disposal.
Abstract: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are highly persistent synthetic chemicals, some of which have been associated with cancer, developmental toxicity, immunotoxicity, and other health effects. PFASs in grease-resistant food packaging can leach into food and increase dietary exposure. We collected ∼400 samples of food contact papers, paperboard containers, and beverage containers from fast food restaurants throughout the United States and measured total fluorine using particle-induced γ-ray emission (PIGE) spectroscopy. PIGE can rapidly and inexpensively measure total fluorine in solid-phase samples. We found that 46% of food contact papers and 20% of paperboard samples contained detectable fluorine (>16 nmol/cm2). Liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis of a subset of 20 samples found perfluorocarboxylates, perfluorosulfonates, and other known PFASs and/or unidentified polyfluorinated compounds (based on nontargeted analysis). The total peak area for PFASs was higher in 70...

335 citations

Journal Article
TL;DR: Data will be presented on the types of perfluoro chemicals that are used in food packaging and cookware and the migration or potential for migration of these chemicals into foods or food simulating liquids.
Abstract: Perfluorochemicals are widely used in the manufacturing and processing of a vast array of consumer goods, including electrical wiring, clothing, household and automotive products. Furthermore, relatively small quantities of perfluorochemicals are also used in the manufacturing of food-contact substances that represent potential sources of oral exposure to these chemicals. The most recognizable products to consumers are the uses of perfluorochemicals in non-stick coatings (polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)) for cookware and also their use in paper coatings for oil and moisture resistance. Recent epidemiology studies have demonstrated the presence of two particular perfluorochemicals, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in human serum at very low part per billion levels. These perfluorochemicals are biopersistent and are the subject of numerous studies investigating the many possible sources of human exposure. Among the various uses of these two chemicals, PFOS is a residual impurity in some paper coatings used for food contact and PFOA is a processing aid in the manufacture of PTFE used for many purposes including non-stick cookware. Little information is available on the types of perfluorochemicals that have the potential to migrate from perfluoro coatings into food. One obstacle to studying migration is the difficulty in measuring perfluorochemicals by routine conventional analytical techniques such as GC/MS or LC-UV. Many perfluorochemicals used in food-contact substances are not detectable by these conventional methods. As liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) develops into a routine analytical technique, potential migrants from perfluoro coatings can be more easily characterized. In this paper, data will be presented on the types of perfluoro chemicals that are used in food packaging and cookware. Additionally, research will be presented on the migration or potential for migration of these chemicals into foods or food simulating liquids. Results from migration tests show mg kg(-1) amounts of perfluoro paper additives/coatings transfer to food oil. Analysis of PTFE cookware shows residual amounts of PFOA in the low microgram kg(-1) range. PFOA is present in microwave popcorn bag paper at amounts as high as 300 microgram kg(-1).

303 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Information on microfibers in seawater and sediments from available scientific information is summarized to show an heterogeneous approach is observed, with regard to sampling methodologies and units.

266 citations