Environmental Health Insights最新文献

In Africa, the growing population and industrial growth have resulted in a notable increase in wastewater generation, affecting the quality of water in the region. Wastewater treatment plays a crucial role in safeguarding the environment, public health, aquatic organisms, and water resources, reducing environmental impact, and adhering to regulations. However, the current methods for treating wastewater in Africa fall short of these goals, resulting in substantially poor environmental and health outcomes and inadequate provision of safe water and essential sanitation. Poor wastewater management in several African countries has led to severe health risks for humans, animals, and aquatic ecosystems. This poses a particular threat to vulnerable groups like children, women, and the disabled residing in rural and remote areas with limited access to healthcare. Hence, this article aims to shine a spotlight on the difficulties in managing wastewater in Africa and to recommend several plausible strategies to tackle this issue. A literature search to find the most recent and relevant research papers from various databases, such as Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, along with resources from the World Health Organization, was conducted. The selection criteria focused on including the most recent and relevant publications published in English to facilitate comprehension, analysis, and interpretation of the secondary data. Essentially, addressing the challenge of wastewater management in Africa requires developing indigenous innovative technologies, transitioning to a sustainable economy, establishing wastewater treatment infrastructures in rural and remote areas, enhancing operation and maintenance practices, training treatment facility workers, improving electricity supply, strengthening government participation and support, encouraging public involvement, setting local water quality benchmarks, and international financial and technical support. By tackling the problem of insufficient wastewater treatment in Africa, it is possible to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6, which centers on ensuring clean water and sanitation for all.

Foodborne pathogens (FBPs) are transmitted principally through the consumption of contaminated food or drinking water and pose a remarkable public health risk, particularly in low-income countries. A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2021 and January 2023 to estimate the prevalence, co-occurrence, and monthly patterns of FBPs in the physical exposures of children with diarrhea in Harar town and Kersa district, Ethiopia. Animal, food, and environmental samples were collected from direct or indirect contact sites of children with diarrhea. The isolation and identification of FBPs, including nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS), diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC), and Shigella, was performed using selective and deferential culture media and a series of biochemical tests. Among the 438 analyzed samples, the overall prevalence of these pathogens was 18.3%, with 3.9% co-occurrence and 14.4% single pathogen occurrence rates. The highest prevalence was observed in wastewater (40.9%; AOR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.1-10.1). The pathogen detection rate in food was 17.9% (AOR = 1.2; 95% CI: 0.4-3.6), with no significant difference between animal-sourced and other food categories. The occurrence rates of NTS, DEC, and Shigella in the meat samples were 13.9%, 5.4%, and 6.5%, respectively. Interestingly, DEC and Shigella were detected in cooked food. Moreover, Shigella was detected in drinking water (5%) and other water sources (10%). A significantly higher prevalence of FBPs was detected in poultry than in cattle and camel feces. This study revealed fluctuations in the monthly occurrence patterns of FBPs, with a peak of 37.1% during the dry season. In conclusion, the study revealed a high prevalence of FBPs, with no significant differences between rural and urban areas or food and water sources, highlighting the need for food safety measures in both settings. Further studies with larger sample sizes and advanced diagnostics are recommended to determine the relative contribution of each source.

Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNe) disasters have historically caused significant fatalities and posed global threats. The inadequate preparedness of hospital equipment for CBRNe incidents underscores the urgent need for hospitals to modernize and standardize their equipment to effectively manage these high-risk situations. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine hospital-based preparedness measures for CBRNe incidents. The PRISMA guidelines were followed for this review. A comprehensive search of English-language peer-reviewed literature from January 2010 to 2023 was conducted, identifying 2191 items from PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, and Google Scholar. The modified ROBINS-I instrument was used to assess bias, ensuring the reliability and validity of the studies. Data synthesis was conducted jointly by both authors. After eliminating duplicates and reviewing abstracts, 124 studies remained. Upon full-text examination, only 20 studies met the criteria for inclusion in this review. The review identified three key interrelated domains of preparedness: personal, technological, and structural measures. Most studies emphasized decontamination, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and detection, while the management of deceased bodies, transportation, and Points of Dispensing (PODs) were largely overlooked. These findings may assist hospital administrators and policymakers in enhancing their facilities' readiness for CBRNe emergencies.

This paper examines the nexus between carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, electricity consumption, fossil fuels, foreign direct investment (FDI), gross domestic product (GDP), and renewable energy in the Philippines. This paper also explores the intricate relationships between carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, electricity consumption, fossil fuel use, foreign direct investment (FDI), gross domestic product (GDP), and renewable energy in the Philippines. Utilizing time-series data from 1990 to 2022 and applying advanced econometric techniques such as vector error correction modeling (VECM) and Granger causality tests, the study reveals the significant impacts of economic growth and energy consumption on CO₂ emissions. The findings highlight the crucial role of renewable energy in mitigating environmental degradation. Policy implications are discussed in the context of the Philippines' commitment to sustainable development and climate change mitigation, emphasizing the need for integrated policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency alongside economic growth. We use a comprehensive econometric analysis to understand these variables' dynamic interactions and causal relationships. The study employs time-series data from 1990 to 2022 and applies advanced econometric techniques, including vector error correction modeling (VECM) and Granger causality tests. The results highlight the significant impact of economic growth and energy consumption on CO₂ emissions while also underscoring the critical role of renewable energy in mitigating environmental degradation. Policy implications are discussed considering the Philippines' commitment to sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

Introduction: Foodborne diseases pose a significant global public health threat, often originating from improper food handling practices. Given the crucial role of food handlers in preventing transmission of foodborne diseases, this study assessed the food safety knowledge, attitudes, and hygiene practices related to foodborne diseases among food handlers in food service establishments in Yeka Sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 373 randomly selected food handlers. Data collection involved observing the kitchen hygiene practices and food handling practices through an observational checklist, and administering structured/standardized questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20, with associations examined using the linear by linear association test. Spearman's correlation assessed relationships between knowledge, attitude, and practice cut points. Pre-testing and Cronbach's alpha were used to ensure the reproducibility, and reliability of the questionnaire.

Results: Majority of food handlers (50.1%) were aged less than 25 years, with 78.8% being female, and attended secondary school (46.4%). The overall knowledge (65%), positive attitude (92.2%), and hygiene practices (44%) of the food handlers toward food safety were good. Regarding the knowledge perspective, gaps existed in understanding disease transmission, notably Hepatitis A and tuberculosis. Although positive attitudes toward food safety were reported, observed practices were inconsistent, with a significant proportion admitting to working while ill. Compliance with uniform and protective gear was lacking. Marital status, Experience in food safety, and Work satisfaction has been shown to affect the knowledge, attitude, and hygiene practices of food handlers in this study.

Conclusion: This study highlights critical gaps in understanding disease transmission, and hygiene practices of food handlers in Yeka sub-city. Addressing these gaps will necessitate targeted interventions, including continuous education and training programs. Enhanced regulatory oversight is also needed to ensure compliance with food safety standards in public food establishments.

Brucellosis is an important neglected bacterial zoonotic disease in sub-Saharan Africa, including Somalia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Garowe district, Nugal region, Somalia, from May 2022 to January 2023 to estimate the seroprevalence of small ruminant brucellosis and assess owners' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward brucellosis. A total of 384 sheep and goats were selected using a simple random sampling technique and screened for Brucella antibodies by the Modified Rose Bengal Plate Test, and positive samples were then further confirmed using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For the questionnaire survey, 384 households were selected randomly, and a structured questionnaire was used to assess owners' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward brucellosis. The overall brucellosis seroprevalence was 4.7% in small ruminants (95% CI: 2.8-7.3), and the true seroprevalence was calculated as 5.2%. According to the multivariable logistic regression analysis, sex was found to be a potential risk factor for small ruminant brucellosis (P < .05). More specifically, female sheep and goats were 9.13 times (aOR 9.13, 95% CI: 1.18-70.33) more likely to become seropositive than males. The owners' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward brucellosis were found to be low, and education level was associated with owners' knowledge (χ² = 16.78; P < .001), attitudes (χ² = 19.4; P < .001) and practices (χ² = 34.0; P < .001). There is also a significant association between owner knowledge, attitudes, and practices and seropositivity of brucellosis in sheep and goats. Moderate seroprevalence, together with insufficient knowledge, attitudes, and practices of owners, makes brucellosis a threat to animals and the entire community. Hence, raising community awareness of the disease is essential to reduce the impact on small ruminant productivity and the risks to public health.

Introduction: The demand and consumption of vegetables are significantly increasing worldwide, which has resulted in urban farming on anthropogenic sites. This study assessed the concentrations of some selected heavy metals in lettuce and spring onion in line with the WHO/FAO required standard and its implications on human health.

Methods: The study was carried out in Kumasi, within moist semi-deciduous forest vegetation, Ghana. The digested samples were analyzed for heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Fe, Mg, Ni, and Zn) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS Model AA 400p). Analysis of variance was used to test the level of significance at α = .05.

Results: The study found mean concentrations of chromium and iron in lettuce and spring onion to be below detection level (BDL) in all study sites based on WHO/FAO permissible level. Also, while copper in lettuce was BDL at all the sites, there were higher mean concentration of copper in spring onion at BSGS (131.5 ± 0.31 mg/kg) and BSG (120.8 ± 0.01 mg/kg). The mean concentration of nickel in lettuce (137.15 ± 0.0231) and spring onion (173.55 ± 0.02 mg/kg) at BSGS were higher than WHO/FAO permissible level. Mean concentration of zinc in both lettuce and spring onion were higher than WHO/FAO permissible level in all the study sites, except zinc in spring onion at KT. The ANOVA test statistics showed no significant difference among the concentrations of heavy metals in all sites, except zinc in lettuce and nickel in spring onion. The study found cancer risk factor for nickel, which exceeded the benchmark of 1 × 10^-6 for both lettuce and spring onion, indicating that long-term consumption could increase the risk of cancer in consumers.

Conclusion: The study's findings call for strict regulation and regular monitoring of heavy metals in vegetables cultivated at anthropogenic sites in urban areas to ensure food safety and consumer health.

This study develops a model to raise public awareness about the consequences of burning rice straw after harvest, including environmental pollution, soil degradation, and increased CO₂ emissions that contribute to the greenhouse effect. The distinctive feature of the research is the introduction of a post-harvest rice straw treatment process using microbial products capable of secreting cellulase enzymes, which can break down the cellulose in the straw. This process shortens the decomposition time and produces natural organic fertilizer, thus reducing cultivation costs by 60% and increasing crop yields by 20%. The experimental model was carried out in Cam My district, Dong Nai province, Vietnam, including 4 models: no microbial products; using Bio Decomposer; using NTT-01; and using NTT-02. Each experimental field had an area of 650 m². The results showed a significant reduction in straw decomposition time after 14 days of use of the products, with a decomposition rate of up to 80%, nearly twice as fast as without the products. This helps save time, produce natural organic fertilizers, reduce care costs, and increase rice yields, resulting in more income for local residents. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of microbial treatments in sustainable agriculture and their potential for a broader application in the management of agricultural waste.

This study aims to explore the origin effects of imported fruits, with a particular focus on environmental sustainability. Data were collected in 2021 through in-person surveys administered to primary food shoppers in Taipei. Total valid samples were 199. SAS software was used in analytics in this study. Multivariate analysis was employed to analyze the influences of various origin effects-advertising, environment, technology, pollution, image, and economy-on purchasing decisions. Major findings indicate that production technology has the most substantial positive influence on purchasing decisions, followed by country image and environmental aspects. Kernel density estimation further revealed that perceptions of environmental sustainability are multifaceted, with pollution being a more consistently understood factor compared to the broader environmental impacts. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring marketing strategies and policies to align with consumer perceptions regarding environmental sustainability, fostering trust, and promoting sustainable practices within the fruit import industry. The study provides valuable insights but is limited by its geographic focus on Taipei, the cross-sectional nature of the data, and the specific origin effects examined. Future research should consider broader geographic areas and additional product categories to enhance generalizability.

This study quantified hazardous heavy metals (Cu, Cr, and Pb) in soil and vegetables (potato, tomato, pepper, cauliflower, and cabbage) across six upazilas (Kahaloo, Bogura Sadar, Shajahanpur, Shibganj, Nandigram, and Dupchanchia) in Bogura district, Bangladesh, assessing their health and environmental impacts. The detection method was validated for its accuracy and precision with QC samples. Results indicated that Cu levels in all samples were within safe limits set by BFSA and FAO/WHO, whereas Cr and Pb in vegetables exceeded permissible levels, though soil concentrations remained within limits. Pb contamination was particularly severe in vegetables (CF > 6), and all vegetables showed significant contamination degrees (CD), highlighting extensive heavy metal pollution. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) identified Kahaloo and Bogura Sadar as the most polluted, whereas Nandigram and Dupchanchia were the least. Bioaccumulation factors (BF) for all metals were <1, suggesting minimal transfer to edible parts. However, the ecological risk index (ERi) and potential ecological risk index (PERI) suggested low ecological risks, but health risk assessments indicated that vegetable consumption poses significant carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks (CHR > 10^-4, HI > 1) across all upazilas. The findings underscore the urgent need for measures to mitigate heavy metal pollution in these areas to safeguard environmental and public health.