Environmental Health Insights最新文献

This research aimed to assess the levels of AFM1 and evaluate the associated health risks from raw milk samples collected randomly from four selected towns. Ninety (n = 90) raw milk samples were randomly collected from smallholder dairy farmers in the North Shewa Zone, with 23 samples from Fiche, 23 from G/Gurracha, 22 from Dagem, and 22 from Sululta. The concentrations of AFM1 in the raw milk samples were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) after purification via an immunoaffinity column (IAC). AFM1 was detected in 76 (84.4%) raw milk samples, with 53 (58.9%) exceeding the maximum permissible limit established by the European Commission, 0.0500 µg/L. The highest AFM1 content was 2.00 µg/L and the lowest was 0.0100 µg/L. Additionally, risk assessment was performed using the margin of exposure (MOE), estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR). The results indicated that based on the average contamination levels of the milk during the study period and typical consumption rates, the average EDI of the adult population to AFM1 ranged from 0.374 to 0.852 ng/kg body weight (bw) per day. The calculated MOE values were less than 10,000, indicating potential health concerns. The mean HI value determined in this study was 2.70, which also suggests adverse health effects. Furthermore, the estimated risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to AFM1 exposure from milk consumption among adults was calculated to be 0.00170 cases per 100 000 individuals yearly. This finding indicates a significant risk of HCC, which justifies its continuous monitoring of dairy products throughout the entire supply chain, from production to consumption. Furthermore, our research highlights the need for further investigation into the risks posed by AFM1 in children, given their higher levels of milk consumption relative to adults.

This systematic review investigates the association between environmental pollutants and the risk of diarrhea, a critical public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The review synthesizes findings from various studies that highlight the impact of contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), microplastics, and parabens on gastrointestinal health. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search across databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar yielded 496 articles, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria for detailed analysis. The results indicate a significant correlation between exposure to specific pollutants-particularly pesticides like dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), PAHs, arsenic, cadmium, and microplastics-and increased incidences of diarrhea. Notably, studies revealed that prenatal exposure to DDT is linked to higher diarrhea rates among boys in urban settings, while pesticide exposure in childhood correlates with inflammatory bowel disease in adulthood. Mechanistically, these pollutants may disrupt gastrointestinal function through cholinergic effects and endocrine disruption, leading to altered gut motility and microbiome imbalances. Moreover, the review emphasizes the immunosuppressive effects of heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium, which compromise the immune response and increase susceptibility to gastrointestinal infections. Despite the identified associations, there is a notable gap in research regarding geographic distribution and pollutant impacts on health outcomes. The review underscores the necessity for public health interventions aimed at reducing exposure to these environmental pollutants to mitigate their adverse health effects. In conclusion, this systematic review highlights the urgent need for further epidemiological studies in underrepresented areas to enhance our understanding of how environmental pollutants influence public health globally. Recommendations include rigorous monitoring of pollutant levels, public health initiatives to reduce exposure, and policies that restrict emissions of harmful substances. Addressing environmental pollution is crucial for mitigating diarrheal diseases and protecting vulnerable populations from its detrimental effects.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate Solid Waste Collectors' (SWCs) knowledge of occupational hazards, their views on personal protective equipment (PPE), strategies for PPE use, and challenges in managing occupational risks. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of protective measures in addressing occupational hazards, but there is a need for further research to assess the knowledge levels of waste collectors regarding these hazards and PPE practices. This study used a qualitative research technique, particularly, a phenomenological research design to capture the living experiences from SWCs. Focused group discussions and in-depth interviews were employed to gather data. Subgroups of topics were created by coding the data using a predefined codebook as part of the content analysis process. SWCs demonstrated that they were aware of the risks they face in their work environments. The risks include which can range from long-term health issues brought by repetitive exposure to harmful substances and sharp objects. The lack of PPE accessibility and availability has become a significant issue, exposing waste collectors to various diseases and accidents, forcing them to work without necessary safeguards. Efforts to increase PPEs through public-private partnerships (PPPs) should be promoted. The city council should provide on-the-job training on health risks, occupational hazards related to waste collection, and PPE usage regularly; and establish efficient channels for SWCs to report problems and ensure that their grievances are properly addressed.

Rice production in Southeast Vietnam generates a large amount of straw, which is often burnt directly in fields, causing air pollution and affecting community health. This study aims to assess the awareness of the environmental and health impacts of straw burning among farmers, students, and managers in the provinces of Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc, and Dong Nai, Vietnam. We conducted a survey of 686 individuals, divided into 3 main groups: 349 farmers, 250 students, and 87 local government officials. The survey results, analyzed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), indicate that 55.2% of farmers never engage in straw burning, while 24.4% report infrequent burning. Awareness of the negative impacts, such as ecological imbalance, air pollution, and soil degradation, is prevalent, particularly among students and managers. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in perception and behavior toward straw burning among the groups. Despite the willingness of farmers to adopt sustainable straw management practices, they require low-cost solutions that do not significantly alter their farming practices. This study proposes a policy framework that includes educational initiatives, community participation, and government support to promote sustainable straw management. By guiding farmers away from straw burning, the framework aims to reduce air pollution and contribute to environmental protection and sustainable agricultural development.

The safety of borehole water is highly questionable, yet most people in the African continent still depend on borehole water as the primary source for everyday use. To investigate the potential health risk of borehole water on the community, this study analyzed the presence and levels of various chemical parameters in borehole water of Ga-Matlala area in Limpopo province, South Africa. Twenty-four water samples were collected from selected eight villages of ga-Matlala during both the dry and rainy seasons. Techniques such as UV/vis spectrophotometric method, EDTA titrimetric method, Cl^- argentometric method and FAAS were used to determine fluoride, nitrate, hardness, calcium, chloride ion and magnesium. In the rainy season, hardness ranged from 146.10 to 1136.49 mg/L, calcium ranged between 252.54 to 448.2 mg/L. In the dry season, hardness ranged between 157.69 to 1003.80 mg/L, calcium concentration ranged between 183.43 and 385.37 mg/L. The recommended limits set by regulatory authorities were exceeded in both seasons. Fewer samples recorded chloride concentration ⩾ 100 mg/L in both seasons. Magnesium concentrations were between 0.72 and 1.35 mg/L in both seasons. Fluoride concentration exceeded the maximum permissible level by regulatory bodies in most samples. In the rainy season, the lowest concentration was 1.94 mg/L, and a maximum was 3.22 mg/L. The nitrate concentration in both seasons was around 0.3 mg/L. Magnesium concentrations were within the acceptable levels. The elevated levels of chemicals in borehole may lead to dental fluorosis, risk of kidney stones and cancer in human beings. It is therefore recommended that risk awareness action should be undertaken, and treatment interventions should be considered.

During anatomy dissection, the release of formaldehyde (FA) from cadavers and embalming fluids can negatively affect the well-being of students and staff. The exposure of students, staff, and technicians to FA in the dissection hall is a concern. To address this issue, a study measured the FA and air quality (CO₂ and Total Volatile Organic Compounds- TVOC) with different ventilation setups: natural, fan-based, and air-conditioned. The FA levels and the indoor air quality at the breathing zone were estimated using an air conditioning (AC), fan-based, and naturally ventilated setup. The FA, CO₂, and TVOC levels were calculated at the cadavers' head and toe ends, in the pathway, and between the dissection tables. The FA, CO₂, and TVOC levels were higher near the cadaver and lower in the pathway and between the tables, regardless of the type of ventilation used. Fan-based ventilation had the lowest mean FA, CO₂, and TVOC levels compared to AC and natural ventilation. However, there was no significant difference in these levels between the ventilation types, except for the toe-ends of the cadavers (P < .05), where the toe-end farther from the AC vents had higher levels. The study suggests that areas away from the source of ventilation in the anatomy dissection hall are at risk of having lower air quality. Therefore, in addition to selecting an appropriate ventilation system, placing the donor bodies near the source of ventilation would help optimize FA levels and improve indoor air quality for better working conditions suitable for students and staff.

Rising summer temperatures pose significant challenges to healthcare systems, particularly in low-resource settings. This article examines the impact of heatwaves on government sector tertiary care emergency centers in Karachi, Pakistan and addresses the alarming increases in heatstroke cases and associated mortality during extreme heat events. The study signifies the urgent need for adaptive measures to enhance emergency preparedness, public awareness, and heat mitigation strategies. Addressing heat-related illnesses requires collaborative efforts from healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders. Effective interventions can mitigate the impact of rising temperatures on vulnerable populations and reduce heat-associated mortality.

Background: Antibiotic resistance (ABR) poses a critical global health challenge, necessitating its surveillance across both human and animal health sectors. This study evaluated ABR in bacteria harboured in reared inland fishes sold in Accra and the pond water from which they originated.

Method: The study was cross-sectional, involving fishes and water sampled from 80 ponds. The gastrointestinal organs of the fishes were homogenised and cultured for bacteria, as were the water samples. The bacteria were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Antimicrobial susceptibility test was done using the Kirby-Bauer method. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria were selected for further testing. The double disc diffusion method was used to detect extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production in isolates that were resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. Whole genome sequencing was performed on the ESBL-positive isolates using the Illumina Miseq platform.

Results: In total, 39 different bacterial species, with their individual numbers totalling 391, were isolated. The bacteria were predominantly Escherichia coli (17%), Aeromonas veronii (11%), Citrobacter freundii (8%), Bacillus cereus (5%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (5%). The overall ABR rates were cefotaxime (32%), gentamicin (1%), ciprofloxacin (4%), chloramphenicol (19%), tetracycline (37%), meropenem (0%), and ertapenem (0%). Overall MDR and ESBL bacteria prevalence were 13.6% and 1.3%, respectively. The sequence types of the ESBL isolates were ST4684 (80%, n = 4) and ST2005 (20%, n = 1), and the serotypes were H34:09 (80%, n = 4) and H7 (20%, n = 1); the ABR genes were blaCTX-M-15, fosA7, and qnrS1.

Conclusion: The fishes and the pond water were contaminated with a diverse range of bacteria, mainly Escherichia coli and Aeromonas veronii. The ABR, MDR, and ESBL rates were low to moderate. Moreover, the main sequence type and serotype of the ESBL isolates were ST4684 and H34:09, respectively, and the ABR genes were blaCTX-M-15, fosA7, and qnrS1.

Background: The increasing cases of chronic kidney disease is a global public health concern. The potential link between consumption of food contaminated with heavy metals and development of end stage renal disease is becoming an emerging challenge. This study aimed to identify heavy metal contaminants in food and environmental risk factors for development of chronic kidney disease in Nigeria.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey in 4 high burden local government areas of Jigawa state, northwest Nigeria.

Results: The median age of the respondents was 45 years (interquartile range = 30-80) years. All the households had normal values of cadmium in the food analyzed. The majority of households (97.8%) had elevated mercury levels in analyzed food. Approximately 4.2% of households had increased lead levels. Elevated mercury levels were significantly higher in households that did not cultivate the food they consumed (median = 2.503 mg/kg, P = .05), those that did not use fertilizer on their farms (median = 2.522 mg/kg, P = .02), and those whose farms were located outside their communities (median = 2.733 mg/kg, P = .020). Households that did not use fertilizer on the farm (median = 0.027 mg/kg, P = .007), and those that primarily consumed rice (median = 0.023 mg/kg, P = .005) had significantly higher lead concentrations.

Conclusions: We identified high levels of mercury in food samples of the majority of the households studied. Elevated levels of mercury were associated with food cultivation practices and fertilizer use. We recommend future studies that will identify points of food contamination and inform the development of appropriate environmental remediation measures.

Introduction: Foodborne infections are caused by a wide spectrum of microbial pathogens, and they pose a significant global health threat, resulting in millions of cases and thousands of fatalities annually. Among these pathogens, human viruses, including Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV), play a significant role in foodborne viral outbreaks, especially in Africa. This systematic review determined the prevalence of these viruses in livestock and produce in Africa.

Method: A systematic search strategy was implemented following the PRISMA guidelines. Databases such as African Journal Online, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed were searched from their inception until November 30, 2023. Descriptive statistics and a proportional meta-analysis utilising a random-effects model with a 95% confidence interval were employed in the data analysis. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (ROB2) was utilised to evaluate the potential for bias in each study.

Results: The search identified 27 articles that met the inclusion criteria, among which seven focused on HAV, comprising a total of 309 samples, whereas 20 studies focused on HEV, comprising a total of 4238 samples. Egypt had the highest number of studies, followed by Cameroon and Nigeria. The meta-analysis revealed an overall prevalence of 33.8% (95% CI: 17.0-50.6) for HAV in ducks and shellfish and 22.0% (95% CI: 12.1-31.8) for HEV in various livestock. Genotype 3 was identified as the predominant genotype, for both HAV and HEV.

Conclusion: This review revealed a high prevalence of HAV and HEV in livestock populations in Africa, shedding light on the potential risks associated with zoonotic and/or food-related infections. There is a need for continued surveillance and monitoring of these viruses in both animals and food products to mitigate the risk of foodborne outbreaks and protect human health.