Hasil untuk "Hazardous substances and their disposal"

Li Huiying, Li Xinxin, Wang Yan et al.

As one of the important contaminants of water pollution, the toxic heavy metals have harmful effects on the lives of human beings and the environments. For instance, chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) are listed in the 11 hazardous priority substances of pollutants. Hence, it is of utmost importance to purify water before use. The effective disposal of heavy metals has been arousing worldwide concern in the last few decades. Nano-particles are widely studied as heavy metal adsorbents because of their unique physical and chemical properties. The work purified the contaminated water using the magnetite Fe3O4 nanoparticles with different particle sizes, adsorption time, and pH value. Adsorbents were conveniently separated from the resultant via an external magnetic field due to the magnetic properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Subsequently, a series of characterization methods, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic emission spectrophotometer, were used to characterize the structures of nano-particles obtained before and after the purification process and to test heavy metal content. The main results and conclusions in this work are summarized as follows: the removal of heavy metal ions increased with increasing adsorption time and decreasing particle size. The optimal pH of Cr6+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Cd2+ is 2, 4, and 11, respectively. All the removal rates were above 97%. The experimental results indicate that physical adsorption plays a dominant role in Fe3O4 nanoparticles. It is a promising adsorbent for heavy metal ions.

Claudia A. Ramírez-Valdespino, Marlyn Morales-García, Guillermo Herrera-Pérez et al.

Agriculture is constantly in the search for new alternatives to control phytopathogens and improvement of plant growth. One of its main strategies is the use of biocontrollers, among them, Trichoderma genus stand out for their versatility and broad spectrum phytopatogenic fungi attacked. On the other hand, nanotechnology is positioning itself as an alternative to the use of agrochemicals, especially metal oxide nanoparticles, including ZnO, TiO2 and CuO. Recently, it has been seen that when Trichoderma is put in contact with nanoparticles, it increases its biocontrol and biostimulant activity. Therefore, in this work we performed the characterization of a T. asperellum strain, which was capable to grow in different concentrations of CuO nanoparticles, obtaining that, at 200 ppm, Trichoderma showed no changes in growth and no apparent stress. Moreover, the strain developed a higher biocontrol activity against two Fusarium oxysporum strains, but decreases with F. fujikuroi, as well as changes in the expression of genes associated to biocontrol. Finally, an enhance in alfalfa growth is reported. These results suggest that, at the tested concentrations, CuO-NPs do not interfere with the biocontrol activity of T. asperellum, providing the basis for the development of a bionanoformulation to control F. oxysporum and promotes alfalfa growth.

Zohreh Karimiankakolaki

In a report by  World Health Organization on dengue fever, approximately 390 million infections with the virus are reported annually. Almost 40% of the world's population is in areas at risk of this infection.(Bhatt et al., 2013, WHO, 2024). Dengue fever increased significantly from 2008 to 2015, spreading with widespread travel to various continents, including the Americas, Asia, and parts of the Pacific (WHO, 2024). Dengue fever closely resembles the flu in terms of symptoms and is associated with risks such as severe bleeding and respiratory distress. (WHO, 2009). Symptoms of the disease range from asymptomatic to symptomatic, afebrile to hemorrhagic, and usually begin 5-7 days after the mosquito bite (Sampat, 2021). Clinical features of the disease include fever with rash, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain (Halstead, 2007). In the Eastern Mediterranean region, the World Health Organization has reported multiple outbreaks of dengue in recent years, particularly in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Recently, evidence of the disease has been seen in Iran, in which some patients had traveled to endemic areas, including Malaysia, India, and Thailand, and some had no travel history and were from Sistan and Baluchestan province in southeastern Iran, neighboring Pakistan, and Kurdistan province in western Iran (Ghasemzadeh et al., 2016, Heydari et al., 2018). Iran has a hot and dry climate at which many dengue transmitter mosquitoes can live, for example, stagnant and dirty water in car wheels and flowerpots, etc. Therefore, dengue can be considered as a treat in Iran (Ebrahimi et al., 2016). Dengue fever has heavy economic costs, and controlling it requires improving preventive strategies (Al-Zurfi et al., 2015). It is also necessary to examine the behavior of infected patients in seeking health services (Elsinga et al., 2015). Public education and mass campaigns help control the disease, and the World Health Organization emphasizes encouraging people to cooperate to solve this problem. (Dickinson et al., 2012, WHO, 2015). Mosquito-related education programs can help with population-based management (Stefopoulou et al., 2018). Knowledge, attitude, and performance of health workers are considered important factors that influence the incidence and transmission of dengue disease (Handel et al., 2016). Despite efforts to develop an effective vaccine for all four serotypes of the virus, the only practical solution to prevent and control the disease is health education and reducing the population of carriers. Since health workers interact directly with patients and are known as the front line of diagnosis, information and treatment of the disease, their education can play an important role in preventing, treating and controlling the spread of the disease and promoting community health (Ho et al., 2013). Therefore, educational interventions regarding dengue fever should emphasize increasing the knowledge and attitudes of health workers to lead to appropriate performance and behavior for adequate disease management. Training health workers in the identification, assessment, selection, and implementation of disease prevention and management protocols is essential.(Nikookar et al., 2023, Zida-Compaore et al., 2022). The first line of treatment and prevention of dengue fever in Iran are health workers, which shows the importance of their role. In recent years, educational interventions in the form of continuing medical education for health workers have been held in priority areas regarding dengue fever. (Nikookar et al., 2023). These educational interventions aim to help change the performance of health workers to provide appropriate services. (Guad et al., 2021, Nikookar et al., 2023). Considering the above, • Health system workers are the first line of contact with patients and also provide education on preventive behaviors regarding this disease. • Knowledge, attitude, and performance of health workers are important factors that affect the incidence and transmission of dengue. • Education of health workers regarding this disease can play an important role in preventing, treating, and controlling the spread of the disease and promoting community health.

Миронов, В.В., Пимнева, Л.А., Иванюшин, Ю.А. et al.

Высококонцентрированные солевые растворы (рассолы), образующиеся при добыче полезных ископаемых, опреснении морской воды и в промышленных процессах, представляют серьёзную экологическую проблему. Традиционные методы утилизации, такие как сброс в водоёмы или закачка в подземные пласты, являются дорогостоящими и экологически небезопасными. В связи с этим, актуальным становится поиск альтернативных способов переработки рассолов с получением полезных продуктов. В работе исследуется возможность утилизации рассолов с использованием жидкого стекла (силикатов натрия и калия) и изучение свойств образующихся продуктов реакции. Для проведения экспериментов использовались растворы жидкого стекла с различными модулями. Рассол пропускали через слой жидкого стекла, что приводило к образованию гелеобразных хлопьев. Твердую фазу отделяли от жидкой, после чего анализировали её состав электронной микроскопией и дифракцией. Также изучались процессы гидролиза, полимеризации и формирования пористых структур. Установлено, что при взаимодействии жидкого стекла с рассолами образуются малорастворимые силикатные материалы с развитой пористой структурой. Эти материалы демонстрируют высокую адсорбционную способность по отношению к ионам NaCl и другим примесям. Показано, что свойства образующихся продуктов зависят от типа силиката (натриевый или калиевый), его концентрации и условий проведения реакции. Полученные твёрдые фазы могут быть использованы в строительной индустрии. Исследование подтверждает научную новизну предложенного метода утилизации рассолов, который позволяет не только снизить экологическую нагрузку, но и получить полезные материалы. Результаты работы открывают перспективы для практического применения силикатных продуктов образующихся в результате обработки рассолов жидким стеклом в промышленности.

Labony Khatun, Shah Ehsan Habib

Background: Physician-patient relationships play an important role in the delivery of high-quality medical care. There are many concerns reported by patients about service quality, communication with healthcare providers, and overall hospital experiences in Bangladesh. Despite government efforts to improve public hospital management in Bangladesh, patient-centered care remains overlooked. This study assesses care quality, physician–patient communication, and factors influencing patient satisfaction. Methods: This study used a quantitative approach. Data were collected from 125 outdoor patients from two public hospitals. Survey interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire based on convenience sampling. Chi-square test was used to determine the association of patient satisfaction in relation to care quality and physician–patient communication. Statistical significance is determined by P > 0.05. Results: A total of 125 patients (45.6% male, 54.4% female) were analyzed (mean age = 26.62 years; SD = 5.95 years). The mean score of patients' satisfaction with quality of care and physician-patient communication were 2.56 and 2.49, respectively, indicating lower satisfaction. The majority (60%) of patients reported that doctors did not attentively listen, with 64.8% had consultations lasting less than five minutes. A significant association was found between the number of patients seen together and satisfaction (𝜒2 = 8.82; p = 0.03). Additionally, consultation time had a strong effect (𝜒2 =21.199; p=0.000), where patients with consultations under five minutes (81.63%) were more likely to express dissatisfaction than those who had consultations lasting over 15 minutes (1.02%). Conclusion: The findings call for policies that foster patient-centered care by improving staff attitudes, consultation time, ethical oversight, and access to essential medicines to enhance trust and satisfaction in public healthcare.

Tejas Oza, Pooja Patel, Vrinda S. Thaker

Heavy metal pollution is consistently a critical issue in many parts of the world, affecting living systems remarkably. Many microorganisms possess such toxic metals utilizing capacities that can be explored for remediation. The present study demonstrates a comparative analysis of Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Cobalt (Co), Zinc (Zn), and Magnesium (Mg) resistance genes in genomes of 11 different Georgenia sps. and confirmation of this gene pool in Georgenia sp. SUBG003 by growth on HgCl2, CdCl2, CoCl2, and ZnCl2 with varying concentrations and periods of up to 144hrs in a liquid medium and on a solid medium. Over a period HgCl2 initial concentrations 0.01 mM, 0.03 mM, and 0.05 mM showed controlled growth, at interim concentrations of 0.07 mM, 0.09 mM were found to be an interim effect while 0.11 mM, 0.13 mM and 0.15 mM higher concentrations showed increased growth. While CdCl2, CoCl2, and ZnCl2 showed growth inhibition upon increasing concentration from 0.01 mM to 0.5 mM. The concentrations tested are in a higher range than the polluted sources observed and the probable role in remediation is discussed.

Yoshiyuki Kobayashi, Takumi Uchida, Takahiro Inoue et al.

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been widely used in various industrial applications due to their unique properties. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of PFAS research trends using a novel approach combining text mining techniques and large-scale language models (LLMs). PFAS-related scientific literature published from 1980 to 2024 was gathered from Scopus, and KH Coder and Claude 3 were used to perform the analysis. The results showed a significant increase in research output and a clear shift in research topics over the past 40 years. Whereas in the past, the focus was on analytical methods, more recently, the emphasis has been on environmental fate, toxicity assessment, alternative compounds, and regulation. With Claude 3, research areas can now be identified without reviewing the results of expert text mining. Comparisons of AI-extracted trends with insights from traditional review articles showed strong agreement, confirming the effectiveness of this approach. These findings suggest the need for continued interdisciplinary research on PFAS such as the development of remediation strategies, elucidation of health effects, and evidence-based policymaking. This study showed the possibility of integrating text mining and LLM for a comprehensive analysis of research trends, which will accelerate future research and development strategies.

Mehrdad Sadri, Alia Shakiba, Hamed Amiri Fard et al.

Background: Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a condition where there are changes in muscle tone during REM sleep, leading to abnormal movements. This disorder is typically diagnosed using video polysomnography (VPSG), which is considered the gold standard test. However, a screening questionnaire for RBD (RBDSQ) has been developed, translated, and validated in various languages, and could be used as a low-cost alternative to VPSG. In this study, we followed a standard multi-step process to translate the RBDSQ into Persian. Methods: As per the guidelines suggested by Mapi Research Trust, we followed a four-step process for translation. The process included forward translation, backward translation, cognitive interviews with fifteen patients, and proofreading. We collaborated with Mapi Research Trust in each step of the process. Also, we conducted discussion and revision sessions for each step to ensure that the final translation was accurate. Results: After reviewing the forward and backward translations, some of the items were rephrased. Patients who participated in cognitive interviews found the translation to be generally clear, but some improvements were necessary to make it more expressive. The final proofreading process involved correcting some typing and spelling errors. Conclusions: The Persian translation of RBDSQ was approved by Mapi Research Trust through a standard translation process. This translation is now compatible with the original English version and is available for a future clinical validation study.

Ravidarshdeep kaur, Atul Garkal, Lopmudra Sarode et al.

Arsenic is a trace element and a metalloid which is prominently known as an environmental hazard. At present, rising health apprehensions are linked to emanating from a wide array of industrial, chemical, residential, agricultural, and technological sources, leading to extensive pollution of water, soil, and air ecosystems including flora, fauna and humans. It poses significant harm to biological organisms upon acute and chronic exposure. In this review, we delve into the reported experimental data that elaborates on arsenic as a toxicant, with particular emphasis on its occurrence, metabolism and diverse molecular mechanisms involved. It also includes the major molecular mechanisms leading to systemic toxicity with special emphasis on shedding light on the intricate ways it disrupts the nervous system.

Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Proshanta Guha, Prem Prakash Srivastav

Nanomaterials (NMs) have revolutionized food packaging by offering unique properties such as enhanced barrier functions, antimicrobial activity, and prolonged shelf life. However, concerns over the potential adverse effects of these materials on human health and the environment have prompted extensive research. This review explores the toxicological implications of NMs used in food packaging, focusing on their migration mechanisms, interactions with biological systems, and environmental impact. NMs, due to their small size and high surface area-to-volume ratio, can migrate from packaging materials into food under various conditions, potentially leading to human exposure through ingestion. Studies have highlighted the ability of certain NMs, such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), to induce oxidative stress, inflammation, genotoxicity, and cellular dysfunction in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the environmental release of NMs during manufacturing, use, and disposal stages poses risks to ecosystems and human health. This review synthesizes current knowledge, identifies research gaps, and discusses regulatory challenges associated with the safe use of NMs in food packaging. Future research directions are proposed to enhance the understanding of NM toxicity, improve risk assessment methodologies, and develop sustainable packaging alternatives. By addressing these issues, stakeholders can effectively manage the risks while harnessing the benefits of nanotechnology in food packaging innovation.

Rosemary Thomas, Sagnik Ghosh, Bhanu Nandan et al.

Handling hot oil spillage, particularly from oil refineries, petrochemical industry and automobiles is challenging and there have been limited solutions to address the issue. Polyetherimide (PEI) electrospun fibrous membranes were developed in this study by leveraging PEI's high-temperature stability to serve as promising materials for hot oil sorption. The morphology of the membrane forming fibers varied from circular to dumbbell shaped, by judicious choice of solvents of varying boiling points, to study the effect of fiber morphology on oil sorption capacity. Crosslinking of PEI membranes was carried out using ethylenediamine (EDA) to impart structural integrity and resiliency to the membranes. The PEI membrane composed of dumbbell-shaped fibers demonstrated an oil-sorption capacity of 25.4 ±1.5 g/g for engine oil at 150°C within one hour, outperforming a commercial polypropylene (PP) nonwoven absorbent, which failed and collapsed under the same high-temperature conditions. Enhanced oil sorption in the dumbbell-shaped fibrous membrane was achieved due to its lower tortuosity, aligned inter-fiber channels, and higher capillary pressure. Usefulness and sorption capacity of PEI based electrospun membranes may further be explored for controlling the oil spillage through introduction of specific surface features and functionalization.

Phong H.N. Vo, Christian Vogel, Hong T.M. Nguyen et al.

An improved understanding of the distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in PFAS-impacted concrete is important for risk management and decontamination of PFAS. This study incorporates µ-X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) and fluorine K-edge µ-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (µ-XANES) spectroscopy to gain non-destructive insights into PFAS distribution in the impacted concrete. The μ-XRF and μ-XANES spectroscopy provided additional details on the detection of PFAS, which were not detected by the desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) imaging method conducted previously. The shorter chain PFAS were found on the top part of the concrete core (0.5 cm), and longer chain PFAS were mostly at the bottom part of the concrete core (5 cm). The inorganic fluorine fraction was also detected, and it likely hampered the detection of organic fluorine such as PFAS in the concrete. Thus, this non-destructive technique is an complementary approach to detect PFAS in contaminated concrete.

Fariba Kiani, Mosa Amiryan Farsani

Background: The rate of substance abuse by women is growing over last several decades. However, most addiction studies have been conducted on men with a quantitative approach. Methods: The present study examined the risk factors of addiction among women through qualitative research. This research was a content analysis. Sampling was done in a targeted manner from addicted women referred to substance abuse treatment centers in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in 2022. The research tool was an in-depth interview. The research data were analyzed by open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. Results: The research findings showed that the main categories are individual factors, family factors, socio-cultural factors and economic factors were effective in the incidence of substance abuse among women. In terms of priority, individual factors (41%), family factors (29%), socio-cultural factors (21%) and economic factors (9%) were effective in the incidence of substance addiction among women. Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that individual, family, socio-cultural and economic factors play a significant role in women's tendency to substance abuse. This requires providing training and solutions about these factors.

Monika Motaghi, Lida Gholizade, Mehdi Eslami

Background: Shift work is a job stressor. Health service is one of the centers where shift work is an integral part, and the level of job commitment in staff has a significant impact on service delivery. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between shift work and job commitment, and the mediating role of work-life balance among emergency medical personnel of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in 1400. Methods: This was a correlational study. The statistical community included emergency medical personnel of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, and the statistical sample was selected by stratified random sampling method. The research tool consisted of 3 questionnaires: a: survey of shift workers (SOS) (@ = 0.8), b: job commitment (@ = 0.9), and c: work-life balance (WLB) (@ = 0.9).  Findings were analyzed using spss21 software (p ≤ 0.05). Results: The level of work-life balance in these personnel was very desirable. The job score was slightly higher than average. The score of the work shift status questionnaire was lower than the average. In almost all cases, there was a positive and significant correlation between shift scores and work-life balance. There was no significant correlation between job commitment score and work-life balance in all cases. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between shift score and job commitment. Conclusion: There is a correlation between shift work and work commitment and the mediating correlation of work-life balance (workplace support component). The adjustment of personnel shift work should be seriously considered by managers and of health organizations in particular and policymakers of the health system in general need to address this correlation.

Ali Sadeghi, Azam Alavi

Background: Understanding the factors affecting turnover intention as one of the challenges of health care organizations is vital to retain employees. This study aims to investigate the relationship between organizational happiness and job motivation with turnover intention of health centers staff. Methods: This descriptive-analytical correlational study was conducted on 148 employees of health centers according to Cochran formula by convenience sampling method in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in the first half of 2020. Data were collected using three standard questionnaires including organizational happiness, Herzberg's job motivation questionnaire (1959), and turnover intention. Statistical analyses were done by descriptive and analytical statistics using SPSS v.24. Results: There was a significant relationship between the mean score of organizational happiness and job motivation with turnover intention (P < 0.001). A significant relationship was also found between the mean score of employees' organizational happiness and turnover intention (r = 0.506 ،p > 0.001). The results showed a significant relationship between the mean score of employees' job motivation with turnover intention (r = 0.506 ، p > 0.001). Conclusion: Organizational happiness and job motivation are directly and positively related to turnover intention. It is suggested that relevant authorities strengthen the areas of fostering organizational happiness and job motivation of health workers to provide a stronger basis to reduce their turnover intention.

Sina V. Moghadam, Kiran Kumar Vadde, Duc C. Phan et al.

Hurricanes and extreme stormwater events can transport fecal contaminants and a wide range of bacterial pathogens to receiving rivers and streams, threatening public health. This study investigated the impact of flooding on bacterial diversity and the occurrence of fecal and potential bacterial pathogens in Texas Rivers over a short (3 weeks and 3 months) and long time (12 months) after Hurricane Harvey. Water samples were collected from 8 sampling sites of Guadalupe and San Antonio Rivers during three sampling events and bacterial community structure was evaluated using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results showed that Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria were the predominant phyla in the water samples. Hierarchal cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis indicated that bacterial community structure was significantly different in the water samples collected from flooded and non-flooded sites. At genus level, eight fecal-associated and twelve potentially pathogenic bacterial genera were detected in water samples, mainly from flooded sites collected during short-term sampling events. Overall, results suggest that NGS-based microbial water quality monitoring of environmental samples after flooding events could provide critical information about the wide range of pathogens, which can be further assessed by specific methods to identify the risk of exposure.

Phong K. Thai, Jeffrey T. McDonough, Trent A. Key et al.

Historical use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at firefighting training grounds (FTGs) has prompted questions regarding possible PFAS retention within concrete and subsequent releases to the environment. This investigation seeks to better understand the release of five PFAS from concrete cores collected from a legacy FTG. The vertical profile of cores were assessed, then surface ponding and rainfall simulations were conducted on the cores. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) had the highest concentrations in both the core (up to 10,000 μg kg−1) and in ponded water on their surface (up to 100 μg L−1), followed by 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). The maximum concentrations of PFAS in runoff water of five rainfall simulations were similar, suggesting recurring release of PFAS from AFFF impacted concrete, which could be sustained by upward transport of PFAS in the concrete subsurface layers through a potential “wicking” effect. The estimated mass of PFAS released during a simulated rainfall of 60 mm was approximately 1% of the total PFAS mass estimated within the top 1 cm of the concrete core. The results of the study suggest that concrete at FTGs may present an ongoing secondary source of PFAS in runoff water events.

Manoj Silva, Jonas Baltrusaitis

Organophosphates have been identified as an emerging group of contaminants in wastewater with significant negative human health effects. Due to their persistence in the watershed, soil, and the food chain, their degradation during wastewater treatment and before the release has garnered significant interest. Advanced oxidation processes enable the degradation of organophosphates with high conversion and fast kinetics. Photo-Fenton and photo-Fenton-like processes utilize a light source to initiate the Fenton reaction and produce reactive oxygen species that are required for the reaction propagation. While homogeneous catalysts have been studied extensively, heterogeneous catalysts are emerging due to their ease of use, separation, and recycling. This review provides a summary of the current progress made in the field of organophosphate degradation using a heterogeneous photo-Fenton-like process when compared to the homogeneous process and highlights the need for the rational photocatalyst design as well as suggests future directions of research, including utilizing wastewater feeds that represent real-world compositional complexity as well as providing molecular-level catalytic process insights to better understand limitations of these catalysts.

Minjung Jeon, Byung-Moon Jun, Sewoon Kim et al.

This study, which investigated the sonodegradation of selected pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) (amitriptyline (AMT) and ibuprofen (IBP)) with MXene, was carried out in an aqueous solution. To investigate the practicality of the degradation process, the experiments were conducted in various water quality conditions, including pH, temperature, natural organic matter, and ionic strength. Based on the experimental results, the produced hydrogen peroxide, which could be a representative of the produced OH radicals, was a vital factor that affected the degradation performance of both PhACs. To confirm the importance of OH radicals, the effect of a OH radical promoter (H2O2) and scavenger (t-BuOH) was also studied. In addition, the synergism between ultrasonication (US) and MXene was evaluated with the rate constants of US only, MXene only, and a US/MXene combined system. Mineralization of the PhACs was also investigated, and removal of AMT was higher than that of IBP, which could be attributed to the physicochemical properties of the compounds and enhanced adsorption by the well-dispersed MXene. Overall, utilization of MXene by means of ultrasonication could enhance the removal performance of PhACs in water.

Jinglin Jiang, Xiaosu Ding, Kristofer P. Isaacson et al.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased usage of ethanol-based disinfectants for surface inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in buildings. Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particles from ethanol-based disinfectant sprays were characterized in real-time (1 Hz) via a proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS) and a high-resolution electrical low-pressure impactor (HR-ELPI+), respectively. Ethanol-based disinfectants drove sudden changes in the chemical composition of indoor air. VOC and particle concentrations increased immediately after application of the disinfectants, remained elevated during surface contact time, and gradually decreased after wiping. The disinfectants produced a broad spectrum of VOCs with mixing ratios spanning the sub-ppb to ppm range. Ethanol was the dominant VOC emitted by mass, with concentrations exceeding 103 μg m−3 and emission factors ranging from 101 to 102 mg g−1. Listed and unlisted diols, monoterpenes, and monoterpenoids were also abundant. The pressurized sprays released significant quantities (104–105 cm−3) of nano-sized particles smaller than 100 nm, resulting in large deposited doses in the tracheobronchial and pulmonary regions of the respiratory system. Inhalation exposure to VOCs varied with time during the building disinfection events. Much of the VOC inhalation intake (>60 %) occurred after the disinfectant was sprayed and wiped off the surface. Routine building disinfection with ethanol-based sprays during the COVID-19 pandemic may present a human health risk given the elevated production of volatile chemicals and nano-sized particles.