Adhesives are substances that increase the surface adhesion of bonded items. Unfortunately, they also emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which negatively impact upon human and animal health. VOCs have carcinogenic and mutagenic properties and can cause migraines, irritation to the eyes, nasal passages, mouth, and lungs, and respiratory problems. Wastewater from adhesive production is characterized by high levels of pollutants and contains high concentrations of compounds including formaldehyde that are toxic to water biocenoses. Moreover, its purification causes many problems and requires the application of specific methods. This review presents data concerning the toxicity and ecotoxicity of selected adhesives components. VOC emission rates from adhesives and wooden construction elements with adhesives are also discussed and assessed. Current knowledge on the treatment methods for wastewater containing adhesive components is reviewed. Finally, the treatment and disposal methods for solid wooden waste containing adhesives are also analyzed and discussed.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the toxicity of spent metalworking fluids (MWFs) and two different effluents obtained by biologic and electrochemical treatment of spent MWFs toward aquatic organisms of different trophic levels. The obtained toxicity data was used to calculate safe concentrations of both effluents. The spent MWFs without treatment showed the highest toxicity among the tested samples and should be classified as "extremely toxic" (toward invertebrates) or "very toxic" (toward other test organisms). Both methods applied for MWFs treatment resulted in a significant decrease in toxicity of the treated MWFs, but the obtained effluents had still to be regarded as "toxic". The ranges of the values of acute toxic units for both effluents were significantly narrower than for the untreated spent MWFs. The values of the safe concentrations of the spent MWFs, the biologic effluent, and the water phase resulting from electrochemical emulsion breaking were equal to 0.013%, l.8%, and 1.3%, respectively, corresponding to chemical oxygen demand concentrations of 1.8%, 32, and 34 mg O(2)*L(-1). These values are far lower than the discharging limit of 125 mg O(2)*L(-1) for industrial effluents, according to the relevant Polish regulations. It is therefore recommended to include toxicity bioassay parameters into guidelines for wastewater discharges to surface waters because the existing chemical and physical parameters are not sufficient to describe the environmental impact of industrial wastewater. Toxicity bioassays can be a promising tool for evaluating the efficacy of unit operations in industrial wastewater treatment (toxicity reduction evaluation) as well as identification of toxic substances in effluents (toxicity identification evaluation).

Abstract. Production and wide application of nanomaterials have led to nanotechnology development but their release to environment and the induction of toxic reactions, affects the natural microbial communities. Therefore, studies on the impact of nanoparticles on microorganisms and environment are required and needed. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of aluminium oxide nanoparticles on the growth of Pseudomonas putida. To compare the harmfulness of different forms of aluminium oxide, the ecotoxicity of its macro-forms was also evaluated in the study. Research showed that the exposure to nanoparticles can negatively influence microorganisms. The EC 50 -16h determined in this study was 0.5 mg/l, and NOEC equaled 0.19 mg/l. Nano-Al 2 O 3 proved to be more toxic to P. putida than aluminium oxide. This indicates that the nano-form of a given substance demonstrates different properties and may constitute a far greater danger for the environment than the same substance in the large form. According to EU and US EPA criteria, nano-Al 2 O 3 proved to be very toxic and highly toxic, respectively. Changes in bacterial communities caused by nanoparticles may affect the normal biological, chemical and nutrient cycle in the ecosystem and the effect triggered by nanomaterials in relation to other organisms is unpredictable.

The aim of this research was to observe the relationship between zeta potential, morphology, surface area, porosity, chemical composition, and ecotoxicity of nanocomposite powders such as were exhibiting good antimicrobial properties. It was observed, that nanomaterials characterized by similar morphology and zeta potential revealed the similar toxic behavior. The samples of higher agglomeration and higher zeta potential, especially Ag/TiO 2 /SiO 2 xerogel and TiO 2 /SiO 2 aerogel were generally less ecotoxic to water organisms and plants. They were also not genotoxic in concentrations up to 500 and 250 mg/L, respectively.where g = 8.90 9 10 À4 [Pa s] is the viscosity of the electrolyte solution (water at 25°C), l is the particle velocity [m/s], and e 0 = 8.85 [pF/m] is the vacuum permittivity, e r = 78.54 is the relative permittivity of the *agsolgala@gmail.com