1. Human biomonitoring in support of the Minamata Convention : a case of phasing out dental amalgamVanja Usenik, Adna Alilović Osolin, Janja Snoj Tratnik, Marta Jagodic Hudobivnik, Darja Mazej, David Kocman, Davor Kontić, Milena Horvat, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: This study analysed urinary mercury (U-Hg) concentrations in 1412 Slovenian children across four human biomonitoring campaigns conducted between 2007 and 2024. Median U-Hg levels declined from 0.76 ng mL−1 (0.72 µg g−1 creatinine) in the 2007 PHIME cohort to 0.22 ng mL−1 (0.21 µg g−1 creatinine) in the 2018–2024 SLO-HBM-II cohort, paralleling a decrease in the prevalence (from 65 to 3%) and the average number of dental amalgam fillings in children. Multilevel mixed-effects models showed a consistent temporal decline in U-Hg that persisted after adjustment for demographic and environmental covariates. In contrast, the inclusion of the amalgam number substantially attenuated the time trend, indicating that reduced amalgam use likely contributed to the observed decrease. As amalgam prevalence fell, other sources of exposure, such as fish consumption, became relatively more prominent predictors of U-Hg, while children living in historically Hg-contaminated areas showed persistently higher levels. Although Slovenia had already phased down dental amalgam in children before ratifying the Minamata Convention, these long-term biomonitoring data illustrate how changes in exposure sources are reflected in internal Hg levels. The study demonstrates the value of repeated national HBM programmes for identifying dominant exposure pathways, investigating their evolution over time, and providing evidence relevant to effectiveness-evaluation frameworks under Article 22 of the Minamata Convention.
Ključne besede: concentrations in blood
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 10.02.2026; Ogledov: 362; Prenosov: 55
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2. Urban Cycling Lab : a ǂcitizen science protocol for assessing and reducing exposure to environmental stressors among bike commutersMaria Alejandra Rubio, Rok Novak, Janja Snoj Tratnik, Davor Kontić, Gregor Bučar, David Kocman, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Bike commuters are regularly exposed to environmental stressors that impact their health and well-being. The Urban Cycling Lab in Ljubljana, developed within an Urban Living Lab and citizen science framework, engaged stakeholders in assessing exposure to particulate matter and noise, and in co-creating strategies to reduce it. This citizen science intervention combined sensor-enhanced ICT tools with behaviour change theory to assess both environmental and behavioural aspects of exposure. Exposure assessment included low-cost personal sensors as well as chemical analysis in biological samples to evaluate environmental exposure, while biochemical analysis of biological samples aimed to evaluate potential biological effects of exposure. Participants collected data using portable sensors and accessed real-time exposure comparisons via the Route Exposure Comparator web app. Biological samples (peripheral blood and spot urine) were collected from each participant at the end of data collection period. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, commuting habits, and environmental health literacy were collected via questionnaires. Ethnographic methods captured participants’ perceptions, route choices, and the intervention’s influence on commuting behaviour. This paper presents the methodology used to implement this intervention and provides a transferable model for participatory environmental exposure assessment. 1. Designed and implemented a citizen science intervention to assess cyclists’ exposure to air pollution and noise using sensor-enhanced ICT tools. 2. Promoted environmentally informed route choices through behaviour change strategies and digital feedback. 3. Applied survey and ethnographic methods to explore commuting behaviours and intervention impact.
Ključne besede: personal sensors, environmental exposure assessment
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 03.12.2025; Ogledov: 647; Prenosov: 130
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3. Rewarding organisations for sustainable mobility of their employees : a multi-criteria assessment model and certification frameworkMarko Bohanec, Davor Kontić, Bernard Ženko, Martin Žnidaršič, Karina Sirk, Rok Vodopivec, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The concept of sustainable mobility is aimed at minimising environmental impacts of transportation systems while meeting the needs of individuals and communities. This includes encouraging citizens to choose sustainable modes of transportation: walking, cycling, public transport, carpooling, and telecommuting. We present an approach at rewarding organisations that actively support the sustainable mobility of their employees, and propose a framework for awarding a sustainable mobility certificate to organisations that fulfil sustainable mobility goals and objectives. The assessment is carried out using a qualitative rule-based multi-criteria model, which considers 50 indicators. Other elements of the certification process include methods for assessing the mobility structure of employees in the organisation and its potential for improvement. In this paper, we present the main components of the proposed certification framework and illustrate its application for assessing the status of sustainable mobility of employees at a Slovenian research institute.
Ključne besede: sustainable mobility, mobility certificate, certification framework
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 19.08.2025; Ogledov: 524; Prenosov: 242
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