International Journal of Environmental Health Research最新文献

The evaluation of radon concentration in meal cooking plates is crucial, as radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. For this purpose, 65 meal dish samples were collected in Erbil city. The radon concentration, surface exhalation rate, mass exhalation rate, and effective radon content, as well as the annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk, were measured using a RAD-7 detector. The results demonstrate that the range of radon concentration, surface and mass exhalation rates, effective radon content, annual effective dose, and excess lifetime cancer risk in the studied samples are 14.2-80.1 Bq/m³, 0.027-0.151 Bq/m². h, 0.86-3.83 mBq/kg. h, 0.114-0.508 Bq/kg, 0.356-2.021 mSv/y, and (1.25-7.07)×10^-3 respectively. Radon concentrations in all samples fell below the ICRP's recommended activity range of 200-600 Bq/m³. The results indicated that the rate of radon release was less than the global average of 57.600 Bq/m².h. Additionally, the annual effective dose for a minority of the samples (15 out of 65, or 23%) exceeded the global average value of 1.2 mSv/y. The study reveals a strong correlation between radon activity concentration, surface exhalation rate, and mass exhalation rate, suggesting that certain ceramic plate dishes in kitchens increase radon pollution levels.

Amid rapid urbanization and rising health challenges, nature-based interventions (NBI) have emerged as a multidisciplinary focus for enhancing well-being and environmental sustainability. This study analyzed 35,418 publications from the Web of Science (1985-2023) using bibliometric tools (CiteSpace, VOSviewer) to map trends in NBI research. The annual number of publications, research institutions, and keywords were systematically analyzed. The conclusions drawn from this analysis are as follows: (1) The annual publication volume in the field of nature-based interventions has been steadily growing, reflecting the rising interest and recognition of its importance within the research community; (2) The research direction is gradually exhibiting diverse characteristics, spanning multiple disciplinary fields; (3) The current research predominantly emphasizes on four dimensions of nature-based interventions: physiological therapy, mental health, rehabilitation effects of physical activity, and the enhancement of quality of life across various population group. However, systematic exploration of the benefits of nature-based interventions for the sub-healthy population remains limited particularly concerning their impact on social health. Therefore, future research should place greater emphasis on examining the interactive relationship between nature-based interventions and the social health of sub-healthy populations, offering valuable references and inspiration for further research.

This study investigates the spatial distribution of dengue incidence in Bangladesh and its correlation with climate factors at the district level. Data from the Institute for Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), and Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) were used. Poisson, zero-inflated, and negative binomial models were employed, with the negative binomial regression model selected based on Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) values. Spatial mapping revealed varying dengue incidence across districts, with higher transmission in specific areas. Temperature and rainfall significantly influenced dengue incidence. Notably, increases in minimum temperature were associated with higher dengue cases in districts such as Kurigram and Chapainawabganj. A negative relation was observed between maximum temperature and dengue cases (e.g. for Dhaka District, Exp(β) = 0.24, (95% CI: 0.14, 0.40)), while rainfall's impact varied by region, with notably increasing cases in Khulna (Exp(β) = 1.05, (95% CI: 1.04, 1.06)), Madaripur (Exp(β) = 1.28, (95% CI: 1.25, 1.31)), and Satkhira (Exp(β) = 1.15, (95% CI: 1.14, 1.16)). The study highlights the importance of incorporating spatial and climate factors into prevention efforts, aiding in proactive district-level strategies to mitigate dengue's public health burden in Bangladesh.

Studies on the effect of temperature variation on the number of hospitalizations for stroke-related diseases in rural Northwest China are rare, and there is a gap in related studies in Pingliang, a less developed city located in Northwest China. We collected hospitalization data for stroke patients covered by the New Rural Cooperative Medical Insurance in Pingliang City and meteorological data from the Gansu Meteorological Bureau. Using quasi-Poisson regression combined with distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNM), we compared the effects of temperature change between neighboring days (TCN) and diurnal temperature range (DTR) on stroke-related hospitalizations in rural areas. The analysis indicated that DTR exerted a significantly greater impact on stroke incidence than TCN (RR = 1.267, 95% CI: 1.193-1.346 vs. RR = 1.168, 95% CI: 1.055-1.293). Both DTR and TCN exhibited a nonlinear U-shaped relationship. Sex-stratified analysis revealed that men were more adversely affected by low TCN and DTR levels than women, whereas women exhibited a greater susceptibility to high TCN levels. An age-stratified analysis indicated that adults were more vulnerable to the effects of DTR than elderly, who were more affected by high TCN. No significant differences were observed across the age groups under low TCN conditions.

Bioprinting is an advanced technology that enables the fabrication of complex three-dimensional (3D) biological structures by layering bio-inks embedded with cells to replicate natural tissues. Environmental bioprinting, an emerging field at the intersection of biotechnology and forensic science, presents new possibilities for forensic pathology by recreating biological tissues under specific environmental conditions. This narrative review explores how environmental bioprinting can enhance forensic investigations by generating tissue models that mimic real-world environmental influences such as temperature fluctuations, chemical exposure, and decomposition processes. Special attention is given to the resilience of dental pulp DNA, which remains intact under extreme environmental conditions, making it a crucial element in forensic identification. The review also examines how early childhood diet and dental structures contribute to forensic profiling by providing insights into an individual's nutritional background and regional influences. By leveraging bioprinting technology, forensic scientists can improve the accuracy of tissue reconstruction, DNA preservation, and forensic biometrics, especially in challenging cases involving mass disasters and unidentified mortal remains. This narrative review synthesizes existing literature on environmental bioprinting's forensic applications, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize forensic pathology by offering a controlled, replicable model for biological tissue analysis.

Toothpaste, an indispensable oral care aid, has been the focal point of environmental and health concerns due to its composition, especially for the presence of microplastics, one of the many contentious components needing scrutiny. However, there is an immense dearth of studies in this context in India. Hence, this study was conceptualised to determine the presence of microplastics in over-the-counter toothpastes from India using the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy-Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) technique. The 20 most popular toothpastes available on the Indian market were selected and examined to identify the presence of microplastics. The absorbance peaks corresponding to functional groups indicative of the compounds, polyamides, polyethene and polypropylenes were identified at different ranges in all 20 toothpastes examined. The polyamides presented characteristic absorbance peaks at 3268-3342 cm^-1, 1639-1643 cm^-1, 1200-1218 cm^-1, 1090-1109 cm^-1 and 870-929 cm^-1, whereas for polyethylene and polypropylene the characteristic absorbance peaks were observed at 2854-2945 cm^-1 and 1402-1415 cm^-1, respectively. The presence of microplastics in all 20 samples of toothpastes indicates a pressing need for scrutiny at the premarket phase and for stringent implementation of the rules to ensure their complete elimination, thus safeguarding the health of the public and the environment.

Waterborne illnesses caused by contaminated water are increasing due to lack of accessibility to clean drinking water. This study investigates the microbial safety and antibiotic resistance profiles of waterborne microbes in different drinking water sources of Ludhiana, Punjab. Using most probable number as the selection criteria, 66% samples showed the presence of coliforms and other microbes with count ranging from 3 to 2600/100 mL. Overall, 50% of tap water samples were found to be unacceptable, followed by submersible (25%) and filters/RO systems (20%). The results revealed the presence of microbial contaminants, including Pseudomonas spp. Staphylococcus spp. E. coli, Klebsiella spp. Salmonella spp. Enterococcus spp. Citrobacter spp. and Proteus spp. Furthermore, antibiotic susceptibility testing by well diffusion method showed high levels of resistance, particularly to β-lactams, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, monobactam and cephalosporins, highlighting the critical issue of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in water systems. Maximum multiple drug resistance index was seen in Enterococcus spp. (0.916), followed by Proteus spp. (0.83), Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus spp. (0.58). The study underscores the importance of stringent necessity for water quality monitoring to mitigate the risks posed by ARB. Further, advanced molecular detection of antibiotic resistance genes is required to enable targeted interventions and prevent their spread.

Objective: Despite exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and gases on the fire ground, little is known about the impact of wildfire smoke on the eye surface of wildland firefighters. This field study investigated the impact of smoke exposure at prescribed burns on the eye surface of Australian wildland firefighters.

Methods: Twenty-three firefighters (19-60 years, 78% male) were evaluated before and after four prescribed burns for eye symptoms and clinical signs of eye surface damage. Types of protective eyewear used were recorded and a subset of firefighters wore PM2.5 personal monitors.

Results: Symptoms of eye discomfort, dryness and foreign body sensation increased after the burns, along with epithelial staining scores, eye surface redness and palpebral conjunctival roughness. Tear film stability reduced after the burns. Group mean PM2.5 exposure during the burns ranged from 130 to 480 µg/m³. All firefighters reported wearing sunglasses or goggles 40% to 100% of the time during the burns. Four firefighters (17%) wore no eye protection for 20% to 90% of the time.

Conclusion: Wildland firefighters experience increased eye irritation and display eye surface clinical changes consistent with eye surface damage. Evidence-based recommendations on how to prevent and manage eye surface complications in firefighters are urgently needed.

Infections caused by Escherichiacoli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes are linked to contaminated food or water, while antibiotic resistance limits treatment options. Plant extracts are considered potential alternatives, and deep eutectic solvents and natural deep eutectic solvents (DES and NADES) offer a sustainable approach to metabolite extraction. Yucca schidigera powder was extracted using butanol (YSBE) and a NADES composed of choline chloride and lactic acid at a 1:1 molar ratio (YS-NADES). Bromatological composition, saponin content, total phenols and flavonoids, emulsifying and foaming capacities, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties were analyzed. YSBE contained 25.43% saponins, while YS-NADES had 0.093%. YSBE had higher protein (0.73%) and carbohydrate (77.5%) content than YS-NADES (0.03% and 0.95%, respectively). Antioxidant activity (DPPH, TEAC, ORAC) was significantly higher in YSBE than in YS-NADES. Phenol and flavonoid concentrations were also greater in YSBE. E. coli showed less sensitivity to both extracts than S. Typhimurium, S. aureus, and L. monocytogenes, while S. Typhimurium was less sensitive to YS-NADES. This study provides insights into the bromatological composition, antioxidant potential, and antibacterial properties of Y. schidigera extracted with NADES, highlighting its potential applications.

Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a common plasticizer, has been associated with hormone disruption and carcinogenesis, but its molecular impact on uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) remains unclear. This study aims to computationally identify a gene signature based on known DEHP-associated toxic targets and evaluates their clinical and immunological relevance in UCEC. DEGs were intersected with DEHP targets from CTD and TargetNet databases. PPI networks, functional enrichment, and survival analyses were conducted. Prognostic genes were identified using Cox and LASSO regression. DEHP risk score models and nomograms were constructed. Immune infiltration was analyzed using ESTIMATE and ssGSEA algorithms. Molecular docking was performed via CB-Dock2. Seventy-five genetic targets linked to DEHP in toxicological databases were identified, and enrichment analyses revealed DEHP-related genes enriched in neurotransmission and hormone signaling pathways. Seven prognostic genes (HTR3A, GRM2, HTR6, THRB, TUBB2B, FOLH1, PGR) correlated with overall survival and histologic grade. The DEHP risk score effectively stratified patients. DEHP-THRB showed strongest binding affinity, suggesting direct toxicological interaction. This study characterizes a computationally derived gene signature associated with DEHP toxicity in UCEC, highlighting their prognostic and immunological significance as potential molecular footprints, while acknowledging that direct exposure inference requires future validation with measured biomonitoring data.