SHORT COMMUNICATION Realistic Assessment of Health Hazards of Chemicals

INTRODUCTION The general public is exposed to a variety of chemicals, including food additives,contaminants, and pesticides. To protect the public from any health hazards associ ated with these chemicals, toxicities are assessed by national regulatory agencies andat an international level by the World Health Organization (WHO) in conjunctionwith the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). A briefdescription of the work in this field conducted jointly by WHO and FAO has been

Occupational exposure to flour dust among bakery workers:prevalence,potential hazards and promising interventions

Occupational exposure to flour dust within bakery environments presents significant health hazards to bakery personnel.Flour dust,generated as a byproduct during baking,becomes airborne during the baking process,thus constituting a respiratory threat.Adverse health consequences include respiratory diseases,skin irritation,allergic reactions,and potential long-term health impacts.Data indicates that a broad segment of bakery workers encounters exposure to flour dust,with specific subgroups,such as bakers and dough mixers,being particularly susceptible.Contributing factors to this exposure encompass insufficient ventilation and a lack of awareness.It is vital to assess exposure levels through air quality monitoring and health surveillance.Efficient interventions encompass engineering solutions(e.g.,ventilation systems,dust extraction),administrative measures(including training and the use of personal protective equipment),and the implementation of occupational health and safety programs.Collaborative efforts with healthcare professionals and regulatory authorities are paramount for achieving success.Case studies underscore the effectiveness of such interventions,resulting in improved worker health,thus underscoring the advantages of protective measures.Challenges in this endeavor include industry resistance to change,financial considerations,and issues related to compliance.Future recommendations entail further research,policy enhancements,and the involvement of industry stakeholders and labor unions in advocating for worker safety.

Physico-chemical,bacteriological and health hazard effect analysis of the water in Taladanda Canal,Paradip area,Odisha,India

The physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of the water in Taladanda canal and associated water-borne diseases,from which the dwellers have suffered,were studied,by using statistical method.Overuse and the addition of the wastes with sources from urbane industrial sectors,as well as the decrease in water level have caused the canal water quality declined drastically and subsequently led to extensive eutrophication and bacterial contamination.According to the water sample analytical results,the water is lightly acidic with the pH value of 4.5~6.7.The measured indexes,such as total dissolved solid(TDS),electrical conductivity(EC),total suspended solid(TSS),Mn,Zn,Al,Fe,Cu,Cr,and Hg etc,mostly have very high concentrations which are higher than permissible limit,indicating that the canal water is completely unsuitable for human consumption.Furthermore,the biological analysis shows that the total coliform(TC)is in the range of 45.9~30.2 in per 100 mL water in April,30.5~25.3/100 mL in July and 52.9~35.4/100 mL in December,respectively.Similarly,fecal coliform(FC)ranges from 12.8 to 10.1,10.5~7.5 and 13.1~6.4 per 100 mL water in the months of April,July and December respectively.As a result,people who use the water have suffered from different water-borne diseases.On the basis of disease data derived from hospital observations in a period of three years,there had been 4284 people affected by different waterborne diseases from 2016 to 2018.

Pollution Health Hazard

BEIJING＇S winter of 2011 has been a bad time for Guo Changyan. As a frail girl, who often falls ill, the capital＇s serious air pollution is playing havoc on her health. ＂I have been coughing since the beginning of the hazy weather, but have to work outside every day even though I know long-term exposure to the pollution will exacerbate my cough,＂ Guo, an employee of a non-profit organization in Beijing, told ChinAfrica.

Does Chitosan Extend the Shelf Life of Fruits?

The use of hazardous formalin in increasing shelf life of fruits and protecting them from microbial decay by unscrupulous traders is a big health concern for the consumers in Bangladesh. Chitosan is a natural biopolymer produced from the exoskeletons of shrimp and crab, which slows antimicrobial activities and induces immunity of plants against microbial pests. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of chitosan on the shelf life extension of some local ripened fruits compared to untreated control. Three doses of chitosan solution viz. 0, 500 and 1000 ppm were sprayed in alternate day on banana (cvs. Shabri and Champa), strawberry, tomato, and oranges. It revealed that chitosan extended shelf life of all fruits by delaying the decay;however, level of protection varied in different kinds of fruits as well as in doses of the chitosan used. Among the tested fruits, decay of tomatoes was most delayed by chitosan. Spraying of both 500 and 1000 ppm of chitosan equally protected 100% decay in tomatoes until 8 days of treatments at room temperature. More than 80% protection of other fruits viz. banana, orange and strawberries by chitosan were recorded at 8, 8 and 4 day after treatment, respectively, which were remarkably higher than the untreated control. Interestingly, 500 ppm of chitosan spray gave better protection than 1000 ppm in all the tested fruits. These results suggest that lower doses of chitosan can be utilized as a natural preservative of fruits alternative to hazardous formalin. A further study with higher number of fruits, and at varying temperature and chitosan doses are needed for recommending it for practical application as a fruit preservative.

A study of commonly occurring fungal diseases on stored tomatoes of Kathmandu Valley

Fungal pathogens destruct the quality and quantity of tomato production and cause health hazards to the consumers as well as economic loss to the traders.This study was carried out to identify some fungal diseases associated with post-harvest deterioration of stored tomato fruits in three vegetable markets of Lagankhel,Balkhu and Kalimati of Kathmandu Valley.The samples were collected from selected sites in three separate trials and cultured in Potato Dextrose Agar.During investigation,16 species belonging to 15 genera of fungi were identified.They were Alternaria alternata,A.solani,Aspergillus niger,Botrytis cinerea,Cladosporium fulvum,Colletotrichum truncatum,Curvularia tetramera,Fusarium oxysporum,Geotrichum candidum,Mucor mucedo,Penicillium notatum,Phytophthora infestans,Phoma exigua,Pullularia pullulans,Pythium aphanidermatum and Rhizopus stolonifer.These were responsible for 15 different diseases of Alternaria fruit rot,Anthracnose,Black mold rot,Botrytis Bunch Rot,Damping off/fruit rot,Drechslera mold,Fusarium rot,Mucor rot,Penicillium rot,Phoma blight,Phytophthora rot,Rhizopus rot,Russet,Scab and Sour rot.The presence of these fungi and corresponding rot diseases on stored tomato indicate the need for management of fungi,farm sanitation and improved market in order to prevent field-to-storage transmission of pathogens.

Measuring Traffic Induced Air Pollution in Onne Port’s Environment

Maritime shipping has been a major facilitator of economic prosperity throughout the world and it is likely to grow to meet continued and growing transport needs in both developed and developing countries. However, global emissions from maritime shipping have increased considerably, causing depletion of the ozone layer and most importantly posing threat to lives and coastal environment through air pollution. This study investigated the constituents of ambient air in Onne port’s environment in Rivers State of Nigeria. Six air pollutants (O3 CO, NO2, PM2.5, PM10, and SO2) were critically monitored with hand-held mobile Aeroqual gas monitors, series 500, at strategic locations within the port’s environment and Eleme Junction (the control). We found that mean concentrations (μg·m3) of the following pollutants: O3 (71.776 ± 0.726), CO, (19.145 ± 0.275) NO2 (28.145 ± 0.965) and SO2 (36.913 ± 0.378) were significantly high. The particulates (PM10, PM2.5) also showed higher mean concentrations of 48.400 ± 0.197 and 29.676 ± 0.352 respectively. The observed values were found to be significantly higher than those observed in the control group and also exceeded the safe permissible limits for gaseous pollutants when compared to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standards. This exceedance raises questions on Nigeria’s commitments to implementations of (Annex VI) International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution (MARPOL 73/78) from Ships. Again, the findings portend ecological hazards to residents, flora and fauna as elevated levels of these gaseous pollutants have been associated with chronic respiratory diseases. The policy implications of the findings were discussed.

Potential Health Impact of Microplastics:A Review of Environmental Distribution,Human Exposure,and Toxic Effects

Microplastics are ubiquitous in the global environment.As a typical emerging pollutant,its potential health hazards have been widely concerning.In this brief paper,we introduce the source,identification,toxicity,and health hazard of microplastics in the human.The literature review shows that microplastics are frequently detected in environmental and human samples.Humans are potentially exposed to microplastics through oral intake,inhalation,and skin contact.We summarize the toxic effects of microplastics in experimental models like cells,organoids,and animals.These effects consist of oxidative stress,DNA damage,organ dysfunction,metabolic disorder,immune response,neurotoxicity,as well as reproductive and developmental toxicity.In addition,the epidemiological evidence suggests that a variety of chronic diseases may be related to microplastics exposure.Finally,we put forward the gaps in toxicity research of microplastics and their future development directions.This review will be helpful to the understanding of the exposure risk and potential health hazards of microplastics.

Lead Accumulation in Surface Soils and Components of Balenites Aegyptica Specie in a Katsina Urban Area, Nigeria

The main objective of this paper is to assess the impact of various vehicular traffic densities on lead (Pb) accumulations in some environmental components in Katsina, a semi-arid urban area of Nigeria. Methods This was achieved by collecting and analyzing samples of surface soils, fruits, kernels, leaves, and barks of Balenites aegyptica from locations of different vehicular traffic densities in the area, and analyzing them for lead, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results The results obtained revealed that the Pb concentration in the high, medium, low, and zero traffic density areas are, 75, 53, 35, and 12 μg·g-1 respectively for the fruit pulp. They are also16, 13, 8, and 6 μg·g-1 for fruit kernel and 44, 28, 17, and 9μg·g-1 respectively for leaves. For tree barks, the values are 138, 97, 64, and 18 μg·g-1 respectively while for under-tree-canopy soil samples the mean values are 99, 74, 44, and 17 μg·g-1. In the case of outside-canopy soil samples, the mean values are 113, 91, 50, and 18 μg·g-1 respectively for the various classes of vehicular traffic density. Conclusion These results indicate a strong influence of vehicular traffic density on Pb emission into surrounding atmosphere and its subsequent precipitation on soil and components of B. aegyptica specie in the area. Of all the samples, tree bark should be the best index of assessing Pb pollution in the area, as it maintains the closest contact with the surrounding atmosphere. Since Pb has no known lower limit for human tolerance, there is an urgent need for Pb pollution control in the area to be effectively enforced.

Fluoride contamination in groundwater resources of Alleppey,southern India

Alleppey is one of the thickly populated coastal towns of the Kerala state in southern India.Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for the 240,991 people living in this region.The groundwater is being extracted from a multi-layer aquifer system of unconsolidated to semi-consolidated sedimentary formations,which range in age from Recent to Tertiary.The public water distribution system uses dug and tube wells.Though there were reports on fluoride contamination,this study reports for the first time excess fluoride and excess salinity in the drinking water of the region.The quality parameters,like Electrical Conductivity（EC） ranges from 266 to 3900 μs/cm,the fluoride content ranges from 0.68 to2.88 mg/L,and the chloride ranges between the 5.7 to 1253 mg/L.The main water types are Na-HC03,NaCO3 and Na-Cl.The aqueous concentrations of F- and CO32- show positive correlation whereas F- and Ca2＋ show negative correlation.The source of fluoride in the groundwater could be from dissolution of fluorapatite,which is a common mineral in the Tertiary sediments of the area.Long residence time,sediment-groundwater interaction and facies changes（Ca-HCO3 to Na-HCO3） during groundwater flow regime are the major factors responsible for the high fluoride content in the groundwater of the area.High strontium content and high EC in some of the wells indicate saline water intrusion that could be due to the excess pumping from the deeper aquifers of the area.The water quality index computation has revealed that 62%of groundwater belongs to poor quality and is not suitable for domestic purposes as per BIS and WHO standards.Since the groundwater is the only source of drinking water in the area,proper treatment strategies and regulating the groundwater extraction are required as the quality deterioration poses serious threat to human health.

Submicron particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Polish teaching rooms： Concentrations, origin and health hazard

The goal of the work was to investigate the concentrations of the 16 US EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons（PAH） bound to submicrometer particles（particulate matter, PM1） suspended in the air of university teaching rooms and in the atmospheric air outside. Two teaching rooms were selected in two Polish cities, Gliwice, southern Poland,and Warsaw, central Poland, differing with regard to the ambient concentrations and major sources of PM and PAH. The variabilities of indoor and outdoor 24-hr concentrations of PM1-bound PAH, the ratio（I/O） of the indoor to outdoor 24-hr concentrations of PM1-bound PAH, probable sources of PAH and the level of the hazard from the mixture of the 16 PAH（ΣPAH） to humans at both sites were analyzed. In both Warsaw and Gliwice, the mean concentrations of PM1-bound ΣPAH were slightly higher in the atmospheric air than in the rooms. The indoor and outdoor concentrations of individual PAH in Gliwice were correlated,in Warsaw – they were not. Most probably, the lack of the correlations in Warsaw was due to the existence of an unidentified indoor source of gaseous PAH enriching PM1 in phenanthrene, fluorene, and pyrene. Although the ambient concentrations of PM1-bound PAH were low compared to the ones observed earlier at both sites, they were much higher than in other urbanized European areas. However, because of low mass share of heavy PAH in ΣPAH, the various indicators of the health hazard from the 16 PAH mixture were low compared to other regions.

Assessment of radioactivity levels in some cement produced locally in Iraq

Purpose Due to the rapid expansion of the construction industries,cement production is ever-increasing worldwide and maintaining the qualities of the local cement became vital for safe and durable structures.In this regard,the radiometric assessment of cement plays a significant role.Method The specific activities of the naturally occurring radionuclides present in ten Portland cement samples that can cause possible health hazards were determined using a gamma-ray spectrometer equipped with(3×3)inch NaI(Tl)detector with 1024 channels.Result and conclusion The measured activity concentrations of Ra-226,Th-232,and K-40 were found in the range of 12.38–55.75(average of 31.29 Bq/kg),6.29–57.54(average of 15.97 Bq/kg),and 112.63–266.37(average of 168.24 Bq/kg),respectively.The recorded average activity concentration of these radionuclides in the cement was below the stipulated world standard by UNSCEAR(Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation,United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation UNSCEAR 2000 Report to the General Assembly,with Scientific Annexes,vol.I,2000).The obtained mean activity concentration of Raeq in the cement(67.101 Bq/kg)was much lower than the recommended guideline of 370 Bq/kg.In addition,the mean value of the calculated absorbed dose rate(59.947 nGy·h^(−1)),annual effective dose(0.220 mSv·y^(−1)),activity concentration index(0.240),alpha index(0.156),excess lifetime cancer risk(0.771×10^(−3))external(0.084)and internal(0.300)hazard index of the studied samples were much below the recommended safety limits.It is affirmed that the cement sold in the local market can safely be used for building constructions.

Dietary incorporation of jojoba extract eliminates oxidative damage in livers of rats fed fumonisin-contaminated diet

Aim:This study aimed to determine the composition of ethanol extract of jojoba seeds,and to evaluate its hepatoprotective effects in rats fed fumonisin B1(FB1)-contaminated diet.Methods:Jojoba seeds were extracted in 95%ethanol,and the chemical composition was determined.Male rats were divided into six groups and treated for 8 weeks as follows:(1)Untreated control;(2)FB1-contaminated diet(80 mg/kg diet);(3)low dose(0.5 mg/kg b.w.)jojoba extract;(4)high dose(1.0 mg/kg b.w.)jojoba extract;(5)low dose jojoba extract plus FB1;and(6)high dose jojoba extract plus FB1.Blood and liver samples were collected for different biochemical analyses and histological examinations.Results:The results indicated that the ethanolic extract of jojoba is rich in protein,phenolic compounds,phytic acid,and considerable amounts of simmondsin.Animals fed FB1-contaminated diet showed severe biochemical and histological changes typical to those reported in literature.Treatment with jojoba seed extract alone at the two tested doses did not induce significant alterations in all parameters tested.Combined treatment of jojoba seed extract with FB1 eliminated hepatotoxicity induced by FB1,especially at low dose of jojoba seed extract.Conclusion:The authors concluded that jojoba seed extract can be incorporated in FB1-contaminated feed to eliminate FB1-induced hepatotoxicity.

An analysis of land use development city using imagery pattern in the industrial high resolution satellite

The spatial differentiation of land use changes of Tuticorin is studied using high resolution LISS III satellite imagery and Maximum Likelihood algorithms. The classification accuracy of 95.2% was obtained. In this study,the land use of Tuticorin is classified as settlement,salt pan,agricultural land,wasteland,water bodies and shrubs. The settlement area is increased to 4.6 km2 during the year 2001 and 2006. The settlement area change is mainly driven by growth of industries and migration of people from peripheral villages. Shrub is increased to 3.63 km2 in the six year period. Water logging due to growth of shrubs in Tuticorin leads to several environmental and health hazard. This study warrants proper urban planning for Tuticorin for sustainable use of resource and environment.