Planetary health risks in urban agriculture

Urban agriculture is gaining recognition for its potential contributions to environmental resilience and climate change adaptation,providing advantages such as urban greening,reduced heat island effects,and decreased air pollution.Moreover,it indirectly supports communities during weather events and natural disasters,ensuring food security and fostering community cohesion.However,concerns about planetary health risks persist in highly urbanized and climate-affected areas.Employing electronic databases such as Web of Science and PubMed and adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines,we identified 55 relevant papers to comprehend the planetary health risks associated with urban agriculture,The literature review identified five distinct health risks related to urban agriculture:(1)trace metal risks in urban farms;(2)health risks associated with wastewater irrigation;(3)zoonotic risks;(4)other health risks;and(5)social and economic risks.The study highlights that urban agriculture,while emphasizing environmental benefits,particularly raises concerns about trace metal bioaccumulation in soil and vegetables,posing health risks for populations.Other well studied risks included wastewater irrigation and backyard livestock farming.The main limitations in the available literature were in studying infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance associated with urban agriculture.

Identifying the Hydrochemical Characteristics,Genetic Mechanisms and Potential Human Health Risks of Fluoride and Nitrate Enriched Groundwater in the Tongzhou District,Beijing,North China

Fluoride and nitrate enriched groundwater are potential threats to the safety of the groundwater supply that may cause significant effects on human health and public safety,especially in aggregated population areas and economic hubs.This study focuses on the high F^(−)and NO_(3)^(−)concentration groundwater in Tongzhou District,Beijing,North China.A total of 36 groundwater samples were collected to analyze the hydrochemical characteristics,elucidate genetic mechanisms and evaluate the potential human health risks.The results of the analysis indicate:Firstly,most of the groundwater samples are characterized by Mg-HCO_(3) and Na-HCO_(3) with the pH ranging from 7.19 to 8.28 and TDS with a large variation across the range 471-2337 mg/L.The NO_(3)^(−)concentration in 38.89%groundwater samples and the F^(−)concentration in 66.67%groundwater samples exceed the permissible limited value.Secondly,F^(−)in groundwater originates predominantly from water-rock interactions and the fluorite dissolution,which is also regulated by cation exchange,competitive adsorption of HCO_(3)−and an alkaline environment.Thirdly,the effect of sewage disposal and agricultural activities have a significant effect on high NO3-concentration,while the high F^(−)concentration is less influenced by anthropogenic activity.The alkaline environment favors nitrification,thus being conducive to the production of NO_(3)^(−).Finally,the health risk assessment is evaluated for different population groups.The results indicate that high NO_(3)^(−)and F^(−)concentration in groundwater would have the largest threat to children’s health.The findings of this study could contribute to the provision of a scientific basis for groundwater supply policy formulation relating to public health in Tongzhou District.

Arsenic and fluoride co-enrichment of groundwater in the loess areas and associated human health risks:A case study of Dali County in the Guanzhong Basin

This study aims to reveal the occurrence and origin of typical groundwater with high arsenic and fluoride concentrations in the loess area of the Guanzhong Basin—a Neogene faulted basin.Key findings are as follows:(1)Groundwater samples with high arsenic and fluoride concentrations collected from the loess area and the terraces of the Weihe River accounted for 26%and 30%,respectively,of the total samples,with primary hydrochemical type identified as HCO_(3)-Na.The karst and sand areas exhibit relatively high groundwater quality,serving as preferred sources for water supply.It is recommended that local governments fully harness groundwater in these areas;(2)groundwater with high arsenic and fluoride concentrations in the loess area and the alluvial plain of rivers in Dali County is primarily distributed within the Guanzhong Basin,which represents the drainage zone of groundwater;(3)arsenic and fluoride in groundwater originate principally from natural and anthropogenic sources;(4)the human health risk assessments reveal that long-term intake of groundwater with high arsenic and fluoride concentrations pose cancer or non-cancer risks,which are more serious to kids compared to adults.This study provides a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of groundwater with high arsenic and fluoride concentrations in loess areas.

Contamination assessment,source apportionment and associated health risks of PTEs in agricultural soil under five land-use patterns in Sanya,China

To understand the levels of potentially toxic elements(PTEs)contamination in soils and their effects on human health from different agricultural land use in Sanya,China.128 soil samples(64 topsoil samples and corresponding subsoil samples)were collected from the five representative land-use patterns.Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS),Atomic fluorescence spectrometry(AFS),and Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry(ICP-OES)were used to determine the content of PTEs(As,Cd,Hg,Cu,Cr,Ni,Pb,Zn,Co,Mo,Sb,and V).Correlation analysis and factor analysis were used to determine the source of PTEs.Geo-accumulation index(I_(geo)),hazard quotient(HQ),and total carcinogenic risk index(TR)were used to measure the PTEs contamination and its relative health impacts.Results showed that the average values of 12 PTEs in topsoil were higher than the Hainan soil geochemical baseline,showing different degrees of PTEs accumulation effect.The concentration of PTEs in the topsoil was lower than those in the subsoil except for Cd and Hg.The I_(geo)revealed that the major accumulated element in soils was As followed by Mo.Source apportionment suggested that parent materials and agricultural practices were the dominant factors for PTEs accumulation in the topsoil.Noncarcinogenic risks of soil samples from five land-use patterns presented a trend of paddy field>dry field>woodland>orchard>garden plot.However,the HQ values of 12 PTEs were less than the recommended limit of HQ=1,representing that there are no non-carcinogenic risks of PTEs for children and adults in the study area.The TR values are within 6.95×10^(-6)-1.38×10^(-5),which corresponds to the low level.Therefore the PTEs in the agricultural soil of the study area show little influence on the health status of the local population.

Survey of damaging pests and preliminary assessment of forest health risks to the long term success of Pinus radiata introduction in Sichuan, southwest China

Pinus radiata was introduced to the summer rainfall environments of Sichuan Province, China in the 1990s as a part of an afforestation pmgram for soil and water conservation in the arid and semi-arid river valley area of Aba Prefecture. Within this region a total area of 26 000 ha have been identified through climate matching as suitable and a further 63 000 ha potentially suitable for environmental plantings of P. radiata. The plantations are being established in widely separated small patches on steep and degraded slopes along the dry river valley The newly introduced P. radiata are exposed to two kinds of forest health risks： they may be attacked by （a） indigenous pathogens and pests against which they may not possess any resistance or （b） by inadvertently introduced foreign pests or pathogens. This paper presents a survey of the potential damaging pests and a preliminary assessment of forest health risks facing the P. radiata plantations over a much longer timeframe than the initial phase of introduction and early plantation establishment. An empirical appmach was adopted to evaluate forest health risks by a combination of literature review, examination of historical records of pest and disease outbreaks in the surrounding conifemus forests, field surveys and inspections, specimen collection and identification, and most importantly, expert analysis of the likelihood of attack by specific pests and pathogens and the subsequent impact of such attacks. The assessment identified some specific forest health risks to the long-term success of P. radiata introduction in this area. These risks are closely associated with the indigenous pests and pathogens of the two native pine species, P. tabulaeformis and P. armondii since these pests and pathogens are considered more likely to establish on P. radiata over time. Exotic pests and pathogens are of a quarantine concern at present. Based on the results of assessment, recommendations are pmvided to improve forest vigour and to reduce the forest health risks posed by indigenous as well as exotic pests and pathogens to the introduced P. radiata. Ways to increase the ability to manage the forest health risks once a particular pest infestation and disease eventuates are also recommended. Although detrimental to the survival and growth of the introduced P. radiata, the impact of identified forest health risks are not considered to be fatal to the long term success ofP. radiata in this area.

Migration and transfer of chromium in soil-vegetable system and associated health risks in vicinity of ferro-alloy manufactory

Study was carried out to analyze the distribution and migration patterns,soil-to-plant transfer and potential health risks of chromium in soil-vegetable system in areas near a ferro-alloy manufactory in Hunan province.The results show that soils near sewer outlet,sewer channel and in control area are averaged 2 239.5,995.33 and 104.9 mg/kg,respectively.The total Cr has a relative accumulation in soil depth of 200-400 mm near the sewer outlet,mainly enriches in the surface layer（0-200 mm） near the sewer channel and decreases gradually in unpolluted soils.The differential concentration level of enrichment between layers is little.The results also indicate that the three vegetables of celery,lettuce and Chinese cabbage are able to convert the potentially toxic Cr（Ⅵ） species into the non-toxic Cr（Ⅲ） species,and the chromium contents in the edible parts of the vegetables are averaged 11.95 mg/kg.The transfer factors of the three vegetables follow the order：Chinese cabbage lettuce celery.The estimated total daily intake of chromium substantially exceeds the dietary allowable value,which may pose health risks to local population.

Assessment of Health Risks Related to Contamination of Groundwater by Trace Metal Elements (Hg, Pb, Cd, As and Fe) in the Department of Zouan-Hounien (West Côte d’Ivoire)

In the department of Zouan-Hounien, gold mining is booming. This activity, marked by the excavation of rocks and the use of chemicals such as mercury, is likely to contaminate the region’s groundwater resources and expose populations to serious diseases. This study aims to assess the health risks associated with the consumption of this water by the population. To this end, 72 groundwater samples were taken in eight (08) villages of the department at the rate of forty-six (46) well water samples and twenty-six (26) borehole water samples. A total of twenty-twenty-three wells and thirteen boreholes were sampled during two campaigns. An atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) was used to determine the concentrations of metallic trace elements (MTEs), such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As), and iron (Fe) in the different samples. The daily exposure doses for oral ingestion (CDIing) and skin contact (Expderm) were calculated. The non-carcinogenic (HQ) and carcinogenic risks (CR) were estimated. The results show that the mean concentrations of Fe, Pb, Hg, As and Cd are respectively 2233.48 > 3.10 > 0.60 > 1.18 > 0.08 μg·L-1 in the wells and 2427.94 > 4.08 > 1.27 > 1.76 > 0.08 μg·L-1 in boreholes. Evaluating the risks to human health reveals that the mean values of hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk (CR) for all the elements in the wells and boreholes are lower than 1 and 10-4 respectively in children and adults for oral and dermal exposure. However, at the oral exposure level, 9 wells and 6 boreholes recorded HQ and CR above the defined critical limits. These values indicate that the occurrence of non-cancerous and cancerous diseases in populations consuming these waters by contamination with mercury and arsenic is not excluded. Dermal exposure to MTEs also poses no potential health risk to the population.

Groundwater arsenic poisoning in a primary educational institution:health risks to school-going children

This study aimed to estimate arsenic(As)and iron(Fe)content in tubewell water(n=58)in primary educational institutions and subsequently assess the health risks to school-going children.Results described that the As concentration ranged between 0.002 and 0.994 mg L^(-1)with an average value of 0.044 mg L^(-1);which exceeded the World Health Organization(WHO)provisional guideline value of 0.01 mg L^(-1).Similarly,the Fe content varied from 0.05 to 10 mg L^(-1)averaging to 2.84 mg L^(-1).Samples of 55.17%contained a greater As concentration than0.01 mg L^(-1)and 18.97%greater than Bangladesh drinking water quality(BDWQ)standard of 0.05 mg L^(-1),respectively.Meanwhile,75.86%of samples contained a higher Fe concentration than the maximum Bangladesh permissible limit of 1 mg L^(-1).Health risk assessment indicated that girls are more vulnerable than boys are.The average hazard quotients(HQs)for As intake through drinking water were 6.01±17.85 and 7.41±22.03 for boys and girls,respectively,implying non-carcinogenic health risks to both genders.The HQs for Fe intake were less than threshold value of 1 indicating no health issues may arise from Fe intake alone.However,consumption of As and Fe may trigger health risks to students as indicated by the hazard index(HI),which was higher than 1.The average cancer risk(CR)values for both boys(0.0027±0.008)and girls(0.0033±0.0099)exceeded the threshold limit of 10-6-10-4,suggesting a possibility of lifetime cancer risks to the school-going children.Consequently,school authorities should find alternative ways to ensure safe drinking water for school-going children to avoid possible cancer and non-cancer health risks through consumption of As-poisoning water.

Physicochemical Properties and Health Risks of Informal E-Waste Processing at Alaba International Market in Lagos, Nigeria

This study investigated the groundwater quality and health risks associated with informal e-waste processing in the Alaba International Market in Lagos, Nigeria. Twenty-two groundwater samples were collected from hand-dug wells in the market area and analyzed for physicochemical properties and heavy metal concentrations. The results showed that the groundwater quality was poor, with high levels of heavy metals, including cadmium, lead, and chromium. The health index (HI) for children and adults was above the tolerable threshold levels, indicating a potential health risk to the population. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to identify the sources of metals in groundwater, and the results showed that informal e-waste processing was a significant source of contamination. The study highlights the need for effective management strategies to mitigate the potential health risks associated with informal e-waste processing and ensure public health and environmental safety.

Children＇s Problem Behaviors During Free Time as an Incentive for the Increase in Social Risks and Health Risks

Since children, as a rule, have more free time than adults, it is adults＇ responsibility to provide children with a chance to spend the time of relaxation, play, and fun in a beneficial way. Unfortunately, children＇s spare time is nowadays very frequently organized for the sake of brushing up children＇s knowledge, skills, and competences, which is accomplished by means of escalating extra-curriculum activities. When expressed by teacher and parents, these ambition-related attitudes pave the way for the disappearance of children＇s personal interests and motivations to perform complicated tasks which are perceived as unwanted or obscure by the affected children themselves. This form of adults＇ behavior may lead to the feelings of frustration, stress, demotivation, or rebellion on behalf of their children. The said emotional states, especially in relation to the lack of spontaneous play, give rise to serious psychic dysfunctions, and the instability of children＇s psychic balance. It may also pave the way for various forms of destructive behavior that mostly characterize children of younger school age who are about to start schooling.

Microbial Quality of Wastewater Used in Urban Truck Farming and Health Risks Issues in Developing Countries:Case Study of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso

Urban truck farming in developing countries appears of great importance to overcome unemployment and poverty. However, the quality of wastewater used for such activity could expose populations to waterborne diseases. The microbial quality of wastewaters used for truck farming in Ouagadougou city, was examined for the presence of bacterial and parasitological fecal indicators during the dry-hot season (May) and the wet season (July) in 2012. The wastewaters of three water reservoirs and two canals intensively used for truck farming were analyzed throughout the study. These indicators were also monitored in waste stabilization ponds during wastewater treatment in 3 plants of the city. For all the selected sampling sites, the concentrations of microbial indicators in water were significantly higher in the dry-hot season compared to the wet one (p - 53,800 CFU/100ml for Escherichia coli, 8200 - 108,400 CFU/100ml for fecal coliforms, 650 - 45,000 CFU/100ml) for fecal streptococcus, and 0 - 2.4 eggs/l for helminthes during the study periods. For wastewater under treatment in waste stabilization ponds, significant microbial concentration drops (p 0.0001) in the range of 82% - 100%, 78% - 98%, 60% - 100% and 82% - 88%, respectively were recorded between the anaerobic and the maturation ponds. The later results highlighted that improving the refining performances of the waste stabilization ponds technology could help decreasing health risks related to wastewater reuse in urban agriculture for a sustainable development of cities in developing countries.

Effects of livestock and poultry breeding pollution on health risks:Evidence from a hog breeding case in rural China

With the rapid development of livestock and poultry breeding industries,pollution problems caused by the discharge of wastewater and manure have become increasingly severe.However,studies on the impacts of this pollution on rural residents'health are lacking.Based on data from the Peking University's China Family Panel Studies in 2010 and 2014,this paper uses a cross-sectional and panel data probit model to estimate the probability of breeding industry development in rural areas increasing the health risks of local villagers.First,the study found that the more households engaged in breeding in the region or the larger the scale of regional breeding,the higher the health risks to local villagers,particularly in areas where pigs are raised.Second,compared with individual farming,the greater the proportion of large-scale farming,the higher the health risks to villagers.Third,the development of the breeding industry seldom includes the ecological recycling of wastes and fails to reduce the use of local pesticides and fertilizers,thereby increasing the health risks to villagers.Therefore,this paper argues that providing technology to process breeding industry waste and establish an organic industrial production chain will be crucial to reducing the impact of breeding industry pollution on human health.

Evaluating the Health Risks of Pneumonia from Airborne Bacterial Communities Using 16S rDNA Sequences of Pneumonia-related Pathogens

Objective Airborne microbial communities include a significant number of uncultured and poorly characterized bacteria.No effective method currently exists to evaluate the health risks of such complex bacterial populations,particularly for pneumonia.Methods We developed a method to evaluate risks from airborne microorganisms,guided by the principle that closer evolutionary relationships reflect similar biological characteristics,and thus used16 S rDNA sequences of 10 common pneumonia-related bacterial pathogens.We calculated a risk of breath-related(Rbr)index of airborne bacterial communities and verified effectiveness with artificial flora and a clinical project.Results We suggested applying Rbr80 to evaluate the health risks of airborne bacterial communities that comprise 80% of dominant operational taxonomic units(OTUs).The feasibility of Rbr80 was confirmed by artificial flora and by pneumonia data from a hospital.A high Rbr80 value indicated a high risk of pneumonia from airborne bacterial communities.Conclusion Rbr80 is an effective index to evaluate the pneumonia-associated risk from airborne bacteria.Values of Rbr80 greater than 15.40 are considered high risk.

Health Risks Assessment Due to Exposure to Vinyl Chloride in Groundwater from a Closed Landfill： A Case Study as a Contaminant of Concern and Effect of Subsurface Characteristics

The purpose of this study was to analyze the migration pathways of contaminants from closed landfills and to estimate health risks based on soil characteristics. The health risks were estimated using Framework for Risk Analysis Multimedia Environmental Systems （FRAMES） software. The sensitivity of human health risks and hazard indices due to vinyl chloride contamination in groundwater were performed in relation to soil characteristics such as Darcy velocity, thickness of soil layer, mass of contaminant present in the aquifer. Based on the analysis, Darcy velocity showed no effect on estimated risks. Since soil layer thickness had a significant effect on the estimated health risks, effects of different soil types on estimated risks were analyzed. The results showed that soils from the least appropriate to the most appropriate for risk management due to groundwater contamination were sand, sandy clay, sandy loam, loam and clay loam. FRAMES model was suitable for assessing the health risks due to vinyl chloride contamination in groundwater originating from a municipal solid waste landfill. The model showed the changes in both carcinogenic and non carcinogenic risks over time. The estimated health risks were directly correlated with the levels of vinyl chloride detected in groundwater.

Vulnerability and everyday health risks of urban informal settlements in Sub-Saharan Africa

More than half of the world population lives in the cities and around one billion in poor urban areas.These numbers are projected to increase,while Sub-Saharan Africa is the region with the highest rate of informal settlements due his rapid urbanization.The urban informal settlements of Sub-Saharan Africa house everyday health risks.These risks have considerable cumulative impacts on the wellbeing and health of the urban vulnerable group.Despite the public health consequences of urbanization and the increase of informal settlements number in African cities,there is a paucity in data about the risks at small scale and the vulnerability in poor urban areas.Through the database search engine of MEDLINE,WHO Library and Information Networks for Knowledge and website of Urban Africa Risk Knowledge;from information of the existing literature,this paper tried to analyse the everyday health risks,and vulnerabilities in urban informal settlement in Sub-Saharan Africa region.A search combining keywords associated with health risks and informal settlement in Sub-Saharan Africa were used to identify the relevant documents,and this search yielded 86 articles,of which 15 met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis.The risks of communicable diseases due to inadequate sanitation have been the most frequent subjects of study.Informal settlers in Sub-Saharan Africa face everyday health risks arising from lack of clean water,adequate sanitation,and life in overcrowding houses.Consequently,there is a burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases,undernourishment and injuries.The most vulnerable group is children under five with a high rate of mortality.Everyday health risks in urban informal settlements must be taken into account for a better understanding of the full spectrum of urban risks.This is essential in the establishment of efficient public health policies and intervention in urban areas.

Legal response to environmental health risks in a risky society

The protection of public health is one of the legislative purposes of China’s environmental legal system.Article 39 of the Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China establishes an environmental and health risk assessment system.The health risk assessment system has biases in understanding,and it fails to face up to the functional transformation from the ex-post relief of environmental damage to the pre-prevention prevention of health risks in the environmental legal system;lack of a complete environmental and health legal system,unclear environmental and health risk assessment framework,and unclear environmental and health risk assessment frameworks.Health risk management capabilities need to be improved,there is a lack of specialized environmental and health risk assessment institutions,and there is a lack of supporting risk assessment technical standard system construction.It is necessary to combine practical experience with China’s national conditions and actual needs,construct an environmental health risk assessment system with Chinese characteristics from both the entity and the procedure,strengthen legislative support,and improve my country’s environmental and health laws on the basis of objective and scientific protection of the assessment process.Institutional system,establish a national environmental health risk assessment expert committee as soon as possible,improve my country’s environmental and health risk assessment framework,strengthen environmental and health management capacity building,improve the environmental and health risk assessment technical system,and promote the development of China’s environmental and health risk assessment system develop and give play to the institutional mission of safeguarding public health.

Spatial Investigation of Nilüfer Stream Arsenic Pollution in Previous and Post COVID-19 Pandemic and Evaluation of Health Risks for Adult People

This study was carried out in Nilüfer Stream in Bursa City,where intensive industrial,agricultural and mining activities are existed.The temporal and spatial variation of arsenic was evaluated by examining its concentrations between March 2015 and December 2021.Values between March 2015 and December 2019 were evaluated as pre-pandemic,and values between March 2020 and December 2021 were evaluated as post-pandemic.The results were compared with national and international standards and the chronic and cancer risks were calculated for adults.When the 7-year general averages were examined,it was seen that the highest concentration was 0.0256 mg/L at the 8th Station,and the lowest concentration was 0.0182 mg/L at the 1st Station.The reason why the highest value is at the 8th station was that the wastewater of Nilüfer and Bursa Organized Industrial Zones was discharged to Bursa West Wastewater Treatment Plant before this station.After the pandemic the raises in concentrations were observed at all stations,except for the 3rd Station.This shows that the pollution load had increased in general during the pandemic.However,it was estimated that there was a decrease in the pollution load of the industrial wastewater coming to the 3rd Station,which was located after the Eastern Wastewater Treatment Plant of the City.It was observed that all stations examined were higher than drinking water standards and lower than irrigation water standards according to WHO and Turkish National Standards.All measuring stations were greater than 1 of the hazard quotient(HQ)values.In terms of human consumption risk,all stations had a chronic and carcinogenic risk according to the values before and after the pandemic.After the pandemic conditions,the HQ order of the stations was 8>10>7>9>2>6>4>1>3.In general,post-pandemic HQ values had generally increased and the risk of cancer had increased.

Assessment of Arsenic in Rice and Cooked Rice in Meherpur, Bangladesh: Associated Health Risks Implications

Arsenic is a toxic element. Chronic exposure to arsenic can pose a variety of health problems including cancers, lung disease, skin lesions, diabetes, gangrene, reproductive disorders, hypertension, and heart disease. Globally the concern of arsenic is growing day by day. Addressing this concern, the study aimed to assess the arsenic level in raw rice grain and rice cooked with tubewell water and rainwater. The study was conducted at the Sholotaka Union of Gangni Upazila in Meherpur District of Khulna Division, Bangladesh in 2023. For this purpose, seven raw samples including rice grain, rainwater and tubewell water samples and six cooked rice samples were analyzed. Rice and water samples were digested using the USEPA method-3050B in Arsenic Center Jashore, under Asia Arsenic Network, Japan. The arsenic level in the samples was tested using the HG-AAS method using a Shimadzu model AA7000 (Japan) Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The study’s findings revealed that arsenic concentration in rainwater samples consistently displays 0 mg/l indicating the absence of arsenic in this sample. Three (03) tube well water samples and three (03) raw rice grain samples showed a significant variation in arsenic concentration. The mean value of tubewell water samples T1, T2, and T3 was found 0.53 ± 0.003 mg/l, 0.31 ± 0.003 mg/l, and 0.65 ± 0.002 mg/l, respectively. Whereas raw rice grain samples RG1 showed a mean of 0.607 ± 0.007 mg/kg, RG2 at 0.458 ± 0.008 mg/kg, and RG3 at 0.7145 ± 0.001 mg/kg. The study found that rice cooked with tubewell water contained a higher arsenic concentration than rice cooked with rainwater. The most prominent finding of this study was that cooked rice using rainwater had a lower amount of arsenic than the raw rice grain. So, it is clearly said that using rainwater can minimize the amount of arsenic. Furthermore, the study indicates that the health risks associated with arsenic exposure have increased. Estimated daily intake (EDI) values for cooked rice samples ranged from 3.07 to 5.47 μg/kg body weight/day, exceeding safe limits. Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values varied from 10.2 to 18.2, indicating significant potential for non-carcinogenic health effects. Lifetime Cancer Risk (LCR) values ranged from 0.461% to 0.821% exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s acceptable risk threshold of 0.01%, which reflects a heightened cancer risk. The study suggests that people in the study area should use rainwater instead of tubewell water for their cooking purposes. Furthermore, rainwater harvesting should be prioritized in this area to address arsenic issues.

Assessment of Health Risks Associated with Nitrate in Drinking Well Water: Case Study, M’Bahiakro (Central-Eastern Côte d’Ivoire)

Nitrate contamination of groundwater is a worldwide problem, particularly in agricultural countries. Exposure to high levels of nitrates in groundwater can have adverse effects on the health of residents who use groundwater for drinking. This study aims to assess the health risk associated with the ingestion of nitrates in well water in the town of M’bahiakro. Health risk maps were created on the basis of hazard quotients (HQ) using the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) health risk assessment model. The results indicate that residents of the Koko, Dougouba and Baoulekro neighbourhoods, whatever their age, are potentially exposed to the toxic effects of NO3−during their daily intake of nitrate-contaminated well water, with reference to hazard quotients (HQ) greater than 1. Nitrate concentrations in the groundwater should therefore be controlled in order to prevent their harmful effects on the health of the population and guarantee its use in rice-growing activities in M’Bahiakro.

Sources appointment and health risks of PM_(2.5)-bound trace elements in a coastal city of southeastern China

To gain a comprehensive understanding of sources and health risks of trace elements in an area of China with high population densities and low PM_(2.5)concentrations,15 trace elements(Al,K,Ca,Ti,V,Cr,Mn,Fe,Ni,Cu,Zn,As,Sn,Ba,Pb)in PM_(2.5)were monitored from December 2020 to November 2021 in a representative city,Xiamen.The concentrations of trace elements in Xiamen displayed an obvious seasonal variation and were dominated by K,Fe,Al,Ca and Zn.Based on Positive Matrix Factorization analysis,source appointment revealed that the major sources of trace elements in Xiamen were traffic,dust,biomass and firework combustion,industrial manufacture and shipping emission.According to health risk assessment combined with the source appointment results,it indicated that the average noncarcinogenic risk was below the threshold and cancer risk of four hazardous metals(Cr,Ni,As,Pb)exceeded the threshold(10^(-6)).Traffic-related source had almost half amount of contribution to the health risk induced by PM_(2.5)-bound trace elements.During the dust transport period or Spring Festival period,the health risks exceeded an acceptable threshold even an order of magnitude higher,suggesting that the serious health risks still existed in low PM_(2.5)environment at certain times.Health risk assessment reminded that the health risk reduction in PM_(2.5)at southeastern China should prioritize traffic-related hazardous trace elements and highlighted the importance of controlling vehicles emissions in the future.