Cancer risk assessment from exposure to trihalomethanes in tap water and swimming pool water

We investigated the concentration of trihalomethanes （THMs） in tap water and swimming pool water in the area of the Nakhon Path- om Municipality during the period April 2005-March 2006. The concentrations of total THMs, chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform in tap water were 12.70-41.74, 6.72-29.19, 1.12-11.75, 0.63-3.55 and 0.08-3.40 μg/L, respectively, whereas those in swimming pool water were 26.15-65.09, 9.50-36.97, 8.90-18.01, 5.19-22.78 and ND-6.56 μg/L, respectively. It implied that the concentration of THMs in swimming pool water was higher than those in tap water, particularly, brominated-THMs. Both tap water and swimming pool water contained concentrations of total THMs below the standards of the World Health Organization （WHO）, European Union （EU） and the United States Environmental Protection Agency （USEPA） phase Ⅰ, but 1 out of 60 tap water samples and 60 out of 72 swimming pool water samples contained those over the Standard of the USEPA phase Ⅱ. From the two cases of cancer risk assessment including Case Ⅰ Non-Swimmer and Case Ⅱ Swimmer, assessment of cancer risk of nonswimmers from exposure to THMs at the highest and the average concentrations was 4.43×10^-5 and 2.19×10^-5, respectively, which can be classified as acceptable risk according to the Standard of USEPA. Assessment of cancer risk of swimmers from exposure to THMs at the highest and the average concentrations was 1.47×10^-3 and 7.99×10^-4, respectively, which can be classified as unacceptable risk and needs to be improved. Risk of THMs exposure from swimming was 93.9%-94.2% of the total risk. Cancer risk of THMs concluded from various routes in descending order was： skin exposure while swimming, gastro-intestinal exposure from tap water intake, and skin exposure to tap water and gastro-intestinal exposure while swimming. Cancer risk from skin exposure while swimming was 94.18% of the total cancer risk.

Land use and above-ground biomass changes in a mountain ecosystem,northern Thailand

The conversion of forests into agricultural lands is a major cause of deforestation,particularly in the mountain ecosystems of northern Thailand.It results in a rapid loss of biological diversity of both flora and fauna.In addition,the above-ground biomass(AGB),which can be a major source of carbon storage,is also decreased.This study aimed to predict the AGB in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park,Chiang Mai province,based on land-use/land cover(LULC)changes from 2000 to 2030.Landsat-5 TM(2000)and Landsat-8 TM(2015)satellite images were analyzed to predict LULC changes to 2030.Temporary plots(30 m 930 m)were established in each LULC type for AGB analysis;trees with diameters at breast height≥4.5 cm were identified and measured.AGB of all LULC types were analyzed based on specific allometric equations of each type.The results show that area of forest and nonforested areas fluctuated during the study period.Through the first 15 years(2000–2015),5%(2.9 km^2)of forest changed to either agriculture or urban lands,especially mixed deciduous forest and lower montane forest.There was a similar trend in the 2030 prediction,showing the effect of forest fragmentation and the resultant high number of patches.Total AGB tended to decrease over the 30-year period from 12.5 to 10.6 t ha^-1 in the first and second periods,respectively.Deforestation was the main factor influencing the loss of AGB(30.6 t ha^-1)related to LULC changes.Furthermore,habitat loss would be expected to result in decreased biological diversity.Consequently,a management plan should be developed to avoid unsustainable land use changes,which may adversely affect human well-being.

Five Success Factors in Elite Interviewing for Qualitative Research

The purpose of this paper is to describe the challenges of elite interviewing and identify key factors that ensure success for qualitative researchers. The authors draw on their own experiences of interviewing powerful and influential members of government and various professions as well as tips from experienced researchers from the fields of social sciences and health. They identify five essential steps to successful interviewing： （1） identifying the key informants; （2） negotiating access; （3） background research and preparation; （4） site selection, presentation questioning approach, and execution; and （5） follow-up. Each of them is discussed in detail. The authors argue that the most important quality for the elite interviewer is self-management which involves developing an individual style of interviewing that is responsive to setbacks and unexpected opportunities

Strategies for Successful Ageing Living Alone

The purpose of this qualitative study, conducted in Thailand, was to identify strategies for older adults to live alone happily, with dignity, security, and independence. Purposive sampling techniques were used to recruit participants from 12 provinces throughout Thailand. The sample included three groups： older Thai people living alone （n = 1,087）, clinician who working with Thai older adults （n = 149）, and administrators working in aged care and support services in Thailand （n = 83）. Data were collected using structured interview guides. Content analysis was used to identify and develop the study findings. Most of the older Thai people living alone were single, widowed or divorced with few wanting to remain living alone. The large majority of participants needed government assistance to manage their activities of daily living including access to health and public services. Participants wanted aged care and support services to assist with their living arrangements, organise community activities, and provide home visits. Moreover, they wanted their families to visit them and provide financial support and care for them when they were ill. These older adults experienced living alone positively and negatively. Some participants felt proud, dignified, and independent. Other participants felt that living alone resulted in poorer health status, particularly emotional problems, especially for those who were not living alone by choice. These participants reported feeling lonely, bored, irritated, sad, and sorrowful. This group of older Thai adults had limited interaction with their families and the wider community. From this study, four strategies were identified to assist older Thai adults to live alone happily, safely and with a sense of dignity, security, and value. These strategies are： ensuring individual choice, maintaining family support, developing community value, and advocating for over-arching government policy support of aged care. A high number of older adults live alone in Thailand and this presents a big challenge for both these individuals and the community in which they live. If this important group in Thai society is to live alone happily and successfully, it needs to be additional assistance to ensure they are supported by families, communities, and government departments.

Television Programs Development for Elderly in Thailand

The objective of this research was to study the current situation of TV programs aimed at elderly viewers on free TV channels in Thailand. To investigate this topic, a qualitative research approach was applied. The researcher interviewed 30 key informants, consisting of TV administrators, professional experts, academic experts, experts on the elderly, and TV program advertising sponsors. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and analyzed descriptively. This was an interdisciplinary research, drawing from the fields of communication arts, sociology, demography, psychology, management science, and government media policy studies to develop a broad picture of the future of TV programs for the elderly. The major finding was that TV programs aimed specifically at elderly viewers are likely to appear in the near future as Thai society becomes an aging society. The three major factors that will lead to suitable approaches to the development of TV programs for the elderly are： （1） the external factors of the rising numbers of elderly people in the population, CSR （Corporation Social Responsibility） marketing, and government policies; （2） the internal factors of the free TV channels＇ policies and the TV producers＇ policies; and （3） the program-related factors of the value of the elderly in Thai culture, the forms of TV programs for senior viewers, the psychology of the aged, and expansion of target viewer age groups.