Diesel emissions have a significant impact on the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution, smog and global warming. As a result, diesel exhaust is dangerous to human health. While emissions reduction efforts have often focused on changing engine design or improving aftertreatment, diesel fuel modifications can also play an important role in improving engine efficiency and reducing exhaust emissions. The aim of this work was to examine the potential for emissions reductions under real-world conditions when employing fuel additives. Three different additives were examined, consisting of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and two commercial additives containing nanoparticles of cerium dioxide and ferrocene. HVO was selected as a renewable fuel, an alternative to commonly used biodiesels with competitive advantages. The new European driving cycle (NEDC) procedure was used to measure emissions of regulated compounds: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and particulates (by mass and number) from an 11-year-old passenger car equipped with a diesel engine powered by fuel blends. The fuel blends prepared met the quality requirements for diesel fuel. The results obtained confirm that the application of both HVO and nano-additives to diesel can achieve a significant reduction of carbon monoxide (52%) and hydrocarbon (47%) emissions compared to the B7 base fuel. Particulate emissions (up to 10% by mass of particulates and 7% by number of particulates) were found to be best reduced by adding nanoparticles of cerium dioxide to the B7 fuel (with 30% HVO), while the best results in reducing nitrogen oxide emissions were obtained by adding ferrocene nanoparticles to the B7 fuel with 30% HVO.

The interest in chlorinated volatile organic compounds is not a new task but still draws the attention of scientists. The role they play in human organism, is an important aspect to consider, since the development of analytical techniques and instrumental solutions gives new possibilities of their application in the analytics of volatile compounds and recognition of properties, so far impossible to achieve. Regarded mostly as xenobiotics, these compounds become a challenge for analysts aiming at sample preparation, which will ensure a high value of the analyte's enrichment factor, its determination on the lowest possible concentration level, without excluding the quality of analytical results. Current contributions review issues of environmental fate of halogenated compounds with a special emphasis on chlorinated volatiles, their toxicity, and bioaccumulation in living organisms. Focusing on analytical techniques, overviews include several sampling, preconcentration, and detection methods exemplified by measurements in air, water, and other matrices, including living organisms (e.g., human breath).

Additive manufacturing, enabling rapid prototyping and so-called on-demand production, has become a common method of creating parts or whole devices. On a 3D printer, real objects are produced layer by layer, thus creating extraordinary possibilities as to the number of applications for this type of devices. The opportunities offered by this technique seem to be pushing new boundaries when it comes to both the use of 3D printing in practice and new materials from which the 3D objects can be printed. However, the question arises whether, at the same time, this solution is safe enough to be used without limitations, wherever and by everyone. According to the scientific reports, three-dimensional printing can pose a threat to the user, not only in terms of physical or mechanical hazards, but also through the potential emissions of chemical substances and fine particles. Thus, the presented publication collects information on the additive manufacturing, different techniques, and ways of printing with application of diverse raw materials. It presents an overview of the last 5 years’ publications focusing on 3D printing, especially regarding the potential chemical and particle emission resulting from the use of such printers in both the working environment and private spaces.

The paper presents the results of phthalates measurements in 4 companies producing or processing materials made of rubber and plastics. Six priority phthalates were determined in air samples both in the respirable and inhalable particle fractions. For the determination of phthalates, GC/MS was applied, which ensures the determination of the method at the level of 0.066 µg/m³ for fibreglass filter and polyurethane foam and 0.022 µg/m³ for Amberlite resin XAD-2, while taking 720 L of air samples. The results of the measurements showed that dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) dominated in all the investigated companies in the gaseous phase of air sampling. For example, in a company producing rubber details for car accessories, the concentration of DBP ranged from 54 to 74% of the total phthalate concentration determined in the gaseous phase. The inhalable particle fraction was dominated by two compounds, i.e. DBP and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP, and their total concentration was a significant percentage, on average over 83% of the sum of all phthalates determined in the inhalable fraction in the investigated companies. As particle size affects the location of phthalate deposition in the respiratory tract, the determination of concentration levels of individual phthalates in the gaseous phase and in inhalable and respirable fractions can provide valuable information that can be used to improve the health and safety of workers at work.

The widespread production and application of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have created a global environmental and public health crisis. This review aimed to consolidate the foundational knowledge on PFASs by synthesizing research on their environmental fate, human health impact, analytical methods, and regulatory status and by highlighting their critical challenges. A comprehensive literature search focusing on publications from the last five years (2020–2025) was conducted using global scientific databases (e.g., PubMed, Web of Science) and regulatory reports (e.g., EPA, ECHA). The persistent and pervasive nature of PFASs stems from the highly stable carbon–fluorine (C-F) bond, leading to their widespread release from diverse industrial and consumer products into water, soil, and air. Key outcomes reveal significant analytical challenges in their detection, including sample matrix complexity, widespread laboratory contamination, and a lack of standards for the vast number of specific compounds. Critical research gaps were identified, particularly the limited data on PFAS concentrations in air and dust, the need for standardized analytical methods and reporting units, and the urgent necessity for developing scalable, sustainable remediation strategies. The ongoing environmental contamination and associated health risks necessitate continued, focused interdisciplinary research to improve detection, risk assessment, and the effective management of this complex class of pollutants.