Environmental Health Insights最新文献

Introduction: The inadequate enforcement and compliance with sanitary regulations and the lack of sanitary regulation resources at street food vending sites may result in the risk of food contamination and outbreaks of foodborne diseases. This study aimed to assess the enforcement and compliance with sanitary regulations at street food vending sites in Oyo State, Nigeria.

Method: A cross-sectional survey research design was used for this study, in which data was collected from 600 street food vending sites in various towns in different senatorial zones in Oyo State, Nigeria. Street food vendors who were available and willing to participate in the study were then sampled conveniently. A structured sanitary compliance checklist was used for data collection at street food vending sites from 2023 to 2024.

Results: Most street food vendors were female (89.7%) and above the age of 46. The vast majority of street food vending sites (75.7%) had low compliance with food safety regulations, 12.5% had moderate compliance, and 11.8% had high compliance. 85.7% of the street food vending sites had not been inspected by the authorities. Regarding enforcement of sanitary requirements by health inspectors, 85.7% of street vended facilities had not been inspected.

Conclusion: The enforcement and compliance with sanitary requirements at street food vending sites were found to be low and therefore, the sanitary conditions and food safety practices at these sites cannot be guaranteed. A positive correlation exists between sanitary compliance and the enforcement of sanitary requirements at street food vending sites. It is recommended that municipal authorities register all the street food vending sites, to enable effective monitoring in ensuring that food safety regulations are implemented at street food vending sites.

Pakistan is experiencing a surge in climate-driven health emergencies, with children facing the most severe consequences. In the aftermath of the 2022 floods and the subsequent droughts, rates of severe and moderate acute malnutrition among children in affected regions rose dramatically, while outbreaks of malaria and dengue overwhelmed fragile health systems. Drawing on recent data and regional studies, this article outlines how hydrologic extremes, both floods and droughts, initiate a cascade of pediatric health crises: malnutrition, infectious disease, and developmental delays. The commentary calls for a realignment in Pakistan's climate response strategy, advocating for child-centered interventions including anticipatory health deployments triggered by climate forecasts, climate-resilient crop cultivation, integrated nutrition-infection-WASH programs, and expanded pediatric climate-health research. By framing climate shocks as pediatric mass-casualty events, this article urges policymakers and public health stakeholders to act swiftly to protect the country's youngest generation from escalating, preventable losses.

Carrying out health research with schools can be both challenging and highly rewarding. Here we describe lessons learned from a research partnership lasting over 5 years, initially with 84 primary schools in London and Luton, and extended to 35 secondary schools, during our children health cohort study. This period included school closures and societal disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating additional challenges to ongoing school participation. Our study involved annual health assessment visits to schools to test over 3000 participants and parental self-report questionnaires, to assess the potential benefits of air quality improvements arising from London Ultra Low Emission Zone (introduced in April 2019) on children's lung development and health. Measures included height, weight, pre- and post- bronchodilator spirometry, physical activity monitoring, cognitive assessment, epigenetic markers of disease risk, SARS-CoV-2 IgE and IgM antibody testing, and heavy metals testing. The average annual participant attrition for our study was 11.6%. The acceptable threshold outlined in the initial protocol was 20%. All schools continued to participate in the study for 5 years. Central to the study success have been: shared agreement on the importance of the research topic; early preparatory work with stakeholders, a parallel engaging and innovative air pollution learning and outreach programme, incentivising school/teacher co-operation and parental questionnaire completion to boost response rates and mitigate non-response bias; and continuity of contact with the accessible and flexible research team. These successes form a template for other health research studies planning long-term engagement with schools.

Antimicrobial use in animal husbandry is a common practice in developing countries as a response to the growing demand for animal-based foods. Veterinary antibiotics account for most of the antibiotics used worldwide. This review aims to provide an overview of the impact of antibiotic usage in livestock production on the environment and its consequences in the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. The global estimate of antibiotic consumption in animals ranges from 63 000 to 106 000 tons annually. The most commonly used antibiotic classes include tetracyclines, sulfonamides, β-lactams, macrolides, and trimethoprim. Most of the antibiotics used in animal treatments are not fully metabolized within the animal's body; instead, they are excreted and can enter the environment. This review also provides a brief overview of the fate of antibiotic residues and their behavior in the environment. In developing countries, in addition to the lack of data on antibiotic use trends, there are limitations in implementing scientific and regulatory frameworks for antibiotic use in livestock. To reduce the projected loss of lives associated with antimicrobial resistant infections, it is recommended to lower antibiotic contamination in the environment by implementing affordable and critical actions related to antibiotic usage and residual waste management. Actions such as rational use of antibiotics in all circumstances, reducing environmental exposure to antibiotics, research, and environmental surveillance are important to tackle the problems of antibiotic resistance, especially in low-income countries.

This present study investigated the presence, levels and health impact of some trace elements in rice sold on some Ghanaian markets using an Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Analysis with the ICP-MS revealed that, the concentration of essential and non-essential metals followed the order: S > K > P > Mg > Ca > Si > Na > Zn > Mn > Al > Fe > Bi > Cu > Sn > B > Mo > As > Ba > Sb > Ni > Sr > Co > V > Ti > Be > Pb > Cd > Li > Zr > Ag > Y respectively. The results showed that rice for sale on Ghanaian markets are rich sources of S, K, Mg and Ca with moderate levels of essential minerals like Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu. The health impact assessment revealed all samples for population categories recorded hazard quotients greater than 1 for As and P. This implies that As and P could accumulate and adversely affect the health of Ghanaian children, adolescents, adults and the aged. The likely cancer risk (LCR) estimated from this study revealed that in children, adolescents, adults and the aged, As, Pb, Ni and Cd could individually and in combined accumulated concentrations induce carcinogenicity to consumers in Ghana overtime, since their LCR and Total Likely Cancer Risk (TLCR) exceeded the maximum safe limit of 1 × 10^-4. A bioavailability study is recommended to determine the exact levels of these toxic substances in the body system of consumers to help formulate policies to protect the health of rice consumers in Ghana. Future studies could incorporate a broader dietary exposure assessment and investigate potential mitigating factors, such as rice preparation methods, that could reduce toxic metal concentrations.

Animal encounters are often positive but can result in serious injury, illness, or death, posing a global public health concern. Over 60% of human infectious diseases are zoonotic, contributing to millions of illnesses and deaths annually. Non-infectious injuries, including bites and stings, are also common, with snakebites alone causing over 100 000 deaths each year. The primary goal of this study was to describe fatal, animal-related encounters and assess trends from 2018 to 2023 in the United States. This was a secondary data analysis, using aggregate, population-level data obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER). Data was analyzed on 1604 total animal-related deaths, averaging 267 annually (crude death rate: 0.808 per 1 million population). Fatalities were stratified by cause, animal type (venomous vs nonvenomous), age, sex, race, ethnicity, and region. Overall, the major causes of death were from hornets, wasps, and bees (31.0%), "other mammals" (28.6%) and dogs (26.2%). Most decedents were male (67.6%), white (87.2%) and between 55 and 64 years old (22.8%). The Southern U.S. had the highest number (46.8%) and rate (0.984 per 1 million) of deaths. We observed an upward trend in animal-related fatalities, including a notable increase in human deaths caused by dogs during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. This rise is likely associated with the surge in pet adoptions and increased time spent at home during this period. Public health strategies that promote safe animal interactions, increased awareness, and responsible pet ownership may help mitigate these fatalities. Future research should aim to capture contextual factors, such as household dynamics, animal behavior, and environmental conditions to better inform targeted prevention efforts.

The environmental radiation levels in Anambra South Senatorial District were evaluated through in situ measurements using a well-calibrated nuclear radiation meter (Radalert-100TM). A Global Positioning System (GPS) was utilized to record the exact coordinates of the selected locations. A total of 170 sampling locations were surveyed across the district. The average exposure rate across the district was measured as 0.0123 ± 0.0003 mRh^-1. The overall average values for the absorbed dose rate (ADR), equivalent dose rate (EDR), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were 106.35 ± 2.82 nGyh^-1, 1.03 ± 0.03, 0.131 ± 0.004 mSvy^-1, and 0.459 ± 0.003 × 10^-3, respectively. The findings indicate that the average exposure rates in the district were within the international threshold of 0.013 mRh^-1 established by the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP), suggesting that the region is generally safe for human habitation. However, the calculated radiological hazard indices, particularly ADR and ELCR, exceeded the permissible limits of 84 nGyh^-1 and 0.29 × 10^-3, respectively. While these elevated values do not pose an immediate radiological health threat, continuous exposure over a lifetime may present a significant risk to the population.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic organic compound commonly utilized in the manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Its widespread presence in everyday items, including water bottles, food containers, and thermal paper, has raised considerable health concerns due to its potential as an endocrine disruptor. BPA has the ability to mimic estrogen and bind to estrogen receptors, which can lead to disruptions in hormonal signaling pathways. This interference poses risks to reproductive health, especially among younger individuals, as it may result in irregular menstrual cycles, ovulation issues, and compromised spermatogenesis. Research indicates that BPA exposure can adversely affect ovarian function, diminish sperm quality, and induce oxidative stress and inflammation, further compromising fertility. The potential for BPA to cause long-term health effects through epigenetic modifications, alongside its prevalence in food contact materials, underscores the urgent need for strategies to minimize exposure. Recommended approaches include the use of BPA-free products, choosing fresh foods over canned items, and advocating for stricter regulations. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying BPA's reproductive toxicity is essential for developing effective interventions. Additionally, research is needed to address critical gaps in knowledge regarding the cumulative effects of low-dose exposure, transgenerational impacts, and the specific effects on male fertility. Investigating epigenetic mechanisms, variability in susceptibility, and the safety of BPA alternatives is paramount. Furthermore, exploring effective interventions, increasing public awareness, and implementing regulatory measures are crucial steps in mitigating BPA's adverse effects on reproductive health.