Environmental Health Insights最新文献

The growing use of artificial turf in place of natural turf in residential, recreational and commercial settings has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on human health. A systematic review of databases revealed 5673 articles of which, 30 were deemed eligible. Those performing total concentration analyses, bioaccessibility analyses or human health risk assessments (HHRAs) of artificial turf fibres or crumb rubber infill were of interest. Health hazards and risks were explored in relation to three groups of chemicals of concern: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), heavy metals and other rubber additives. Twenty-five studies performed total concentration analyses on samples of artificial turf infill and/or turf fibres. Of these studies, median reported concentrations of eight PAHs, cadmium, mercury and zinc exceeded the European limits used. Eight studies performed bioaccessibility assays using synthetic biofluids and simulated organ systems. PAHs were not found to be bioaccessible except for benzo[a]pyrene in gastric fluid; heavy metals were bioaccessible except arsenic, and rubber additives were mostly bioaccessible except for three plasticisers: diisobutyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate. Fourteen studies performed HHRAs to determine non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk. Cancer risks were identified for ingestion exposure to PAH in children with pica and heavy metal exposure via dermal, inhalation and ingestion pathways. Non-carcinogenic risks were identified for the ingestion of cobalt in a child spectator and the ingestion of arsenic, cobalt, thallium and zinc. Potentially hazardous concentrations of chemicals were found across both artificial turf infill and artificial turf fibre samples; bioaccessibility of these chemicals varied. Definitive conclusions were unable to be derived on the human health risks posed to users of artificial turf under real-world exposure scenarios. Future studies are recommended to explore the risks associated with the potential synergistic toxicities of chemical mixtures found in artificial turf.

This study examines how EC, FF use, RC, POP growth, trade, GDP, and CO₂ emissions are interrelated in China. It aims to clarify how these factors together impact environmental pollution and economic sustainability. The motivation stems from China's dual challenge of sustaining economic growth while mitigating environmental degradation, particularly CO₂ emissions. Understanding the intricate relationships among these variables is critical for shaping adequate energy and environmental policies in the context of China's growing role as a global economic power. The empirical methodology utilizes time-series data from 2000 to 2023 and applies econometric techniques, including Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL). These methods allow for exploring both long-term and short-term dynamics among the variables and identifying causal relationships. The key findings reveal a significant long-term relationship between EC, FF use, GDP, and CO₂ emissions, with RC increasingly crucial in mitigating carbon emissions. In the short term, there is bidirectional causality between energy utilization and economic growth, indicating mutual feedback between energy demand and economic development. POP growth and trade activities also significantly influence energy utilization patterns and emissions. The policy implications are profound: China must prioritize promoting RC, enhancing energy efficiency, and strengthening environmental regulations to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation. Policies should also integrate sustainable urban planning and international cooperation to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. These strategies ensure China can meet its economic goals without compromising environmental sustainability.

Background: Despite its significant application, DDT and its metabolites pose a potential threat to the environment. Therefore, data on environmental and health concerns must thus be investigated.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the environmental and human health risks posed by DDT and its metabolites in Ethiopian surface waters.

Methods: The total amount of DDT and its metabolites consumed as a sum (∑DDT) is calculated by considering their equivalent toxicity. To calculate the human risk from drinking contaminated water, the maximum concentrations in all of Ethiopia's surface waterways were pooled. The average concentration values were added to calculate the human risk from consuming fish contaminated with ∑DDT. Similarly, ∑DDT residues in water can be used to predict the potential environmental risk.

Results: A higher level of ∑DDT in surface water was detected in Gilgel Gibe I hydroelectric dam reservoir and its tributaries with an average concentration of 640 ng/l. There is no health risk associated with drinking these surface waters because the concentrations of ∑DDT were below the WHO's recommended level. In fish samples, B. intermedius accumulated a higher level of ∑DDT (21.47 ng/g ww). With the exception of local infants, ∑DDT does not pose a non-carcinogenic risk to any age group. However, consuming fish contaminated with ∑DDT poses an unacceptable risk of cancer to all age categories. The risk posed by ∑DDT on aquatic species is highly likely. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) value indicates that fish tissue does not absorb ∑DDT directly from the water.

Conclusion: The prevalence of ∑DDT would link to both historical pollution and their current application in vector control. Ecosystems are frequently exposed to chemical mixes later in life; thus, rather than focusing on the ideal case of exposure to a single toxin, future studies can examine the mixture toxicity of numerous organic contaminants.

Background: Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, particularly impacting the poorest nations, including Ethiopia.

Objective: To assess knowledge, practice, and associated factors of trachoma transmission and prevention among primary school students in Addis Zemen town, South Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022.

Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 407 randomly selected primary school students (grades 5-8), aged 10 to 24 years. Data collection included face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires and an observation checklist. Epi-data version 4.2.0.0 and SPSS version 20 were used to enter and analyze the collected data, respectively. The data were analyzed using the descriptive statistical method and using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Variables with a P-value <.05 with a 95% CI were considered to have statistical significance.

Result: The study has a response rate of 98.25%, with a total of 400 respondents. 74.00% of the respondents knew about trachoma transmission and prevention, and 71.50% practiced preventive measures, such as face washing. Respondents in Grades 7 and 8, aged 12 to 24 years (AOR: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.93, 4.64), information about trachoma (AOR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.56, 4.21), and urban residence (AOR: 3.42, 95% CI: 2.56, 5.23) were determinants of knowledge regarding trachoma transmission and prevention. Meanwhile, the mother's occupation (government employee) (AOR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.83, 6.91) and overall knowledge about trachoma (AOR: 4.87, 95% CI: 2.95, 8.53) were significant predictors of the practice of trachoma transmission prevention.

Conclusion: While the level of knowledge and practice regarding trachoma transmission and prevention was relatively high, 26.00% of respondents still lacked adequate knowledge, and 28.50% did not practice prevention measures. To reduce the spread of trachoma and enhance public health outcomes, targeted interventions focusing on education about transmission and prevention strategies such as promoting face washing and proper sanitation should be prioritized in this area.

The Middle East is facing serious climate change challenges, rendering it as one of the most affected regions worldwide. This paper aimed to investigate the outcomes of climate change in the Middle East. In 2024, a qualitative study was conducted employing a methodology that integrated systematic review for data collection and thematic analysis for data analysis. Such integration of the approaches provided valuable insights into the findings within the literature in a comprehensive and categorized format. PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for relevant studies published between 2000 and 2024. The quality of these studies was assessed using the AACODS (Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, Significance) checklist. The data extracted from the included studies underwent a thematic analysis utilizing Braun and Clarke's methodology. After completing the screening process, a total of 93 papers were deemed suitable for inclusion in the study. The quality assessment of these selected studies demonstrated a notably high standard, particularly in terms of authority, accuracy, coverage, objectivity, and significance. Moreover, minimal levels of bias were observed within the included studies. Subsequent thematic analysis of the findings from the systematic review identified 6 overarching themes: "Human Health Outcomes," "Animal Health Outcomes," "Plant Health Outcomes," "Ecological Outcomes," "Economic Outcomes," and "Political Outcomes." The study revealed ecological outcomes as the most prevalent consequences of climate change in the Middle East, including alterations in habitat distribution, temperature increase, water scarcity, and more. The outcomes seemed to be interconnected, exacerbating each other. Yemen and Syria had faced severe consequences, leading to political unrest and humanitarian crises in which Yemen ranking among the most water-stressed nations globally, while Syria contending with millions of displaced individuals living in dire conditions.

This article empirically analyzes the influence of green finance (GF) on ocean health. Employing 10 indicators and a composite Ocean Health Index (OHI) to measure the efficiency and sustainability of ocean economies, the study spans 9 years across 35 countries. Multiple econometric methodologies, including Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS), Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE), and the 2-step Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), demonstrate a substantial negative association between GF and ocean health. An extensive analysis of GF's relationship to the Ocean Health Index (OHI) components indicates that GF negatively impacts each of the 6 aspects of OHI. In the long run, however, when a Pooled Mean Group Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PMG-ARDL) model is used to assess the short- and long-term impacts, the results show a substantial positive association between GF and the ocean health. JEL code: J4; C12.

The role healthcare systems can play in surmounting global challenges like climatic change and resource scarcity is large, considering the major social and environmental impact. The research investigates the role of organizational behavior in influencing the adoption of sustainability initiatives in Greek healthcare organizations in regard to climate change. The research surveys 379 healthcare professionals from the public and private sectors with regard to organizational attitudes toward climate change, the adoption of sustainable practices, and individual environmental perspectives. Results underline that health care administration is still cut off from environmental considerations, with limited employee involvement in such initiatives of sustainability. The major barriers were poor communication, lack of education, and inadequate awareness across institutions. The study also emphasized that healthcare organizations need to align their values with environmental strategy so they can work in unison toward seeking sustainability. These would be stimulating initiatives for more leadership and active staff who become involved in making meaningful contributions toward global sustainability from the healthcare sector.

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.