Assessment Of Environmental Effects Research Articles

Assessment of Socioeconomic Vulnerability in Selected Villages of Gosaba Block, Sundarban, India Using an Artificial Neural Network

The Indian Sundarban represent an endangered ecosystem with a distinct biogeographical composition. It is susceptible to natural disasters like storms, floods, and cyclones, hence jeopardizing its socioeconomic systems due to environmental stresses. This study aimed to evaluate the present socioeconomic vulnerability, identify key factors that exacerbate this vulnerability, and validate these factors using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) prediction model. Researchers also wanted to validate this evaluation with ANN to promote substantive discussions between researchers, local authorities, and stakeholders. Comprehensive reviews and successful adaption plans will improve. The study conducted in selected villages with 160 households in the Gosaba Block, located on the periphery of the Sundarban. The present study employed an integrated vulnerability approach, calculating the exposure, adaptive capacity, and sensitivity index by weighting the initial eigenvalues of each indicator with a variance percentage through principal components analysis (PCA). Based on this criterion, 156 households (97.5%) exhibited an extremely high vulnerability score, while 4 households (2.5%) displayed a moderate vulnerability grade. The villages of Pakhiralay and Lahiripur exhibit significant vulnerability, with a markedly deficient adaptive capacity. The villages of Mathurakhand, Kumirmari, and Satjelia exhibit vulnerability alongside moderate adaptation capacity. All are priority villages, however, Villages with moderate adaptive capacity may become less vulnerable with adequate interventions Proximity to market strongly affects MLP neural networks' assessment of environmental, economic, and social variables' effects on exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Respondent age, family size, social network, storm surges, supplementary sources of household income Dwelling years, temperature, embankment failure, and income greatly affect model performance. A policy initiative should prioritize the enhancement existing social and financial capital, facilitate access to local government, and promote community-oriented activities. National disaster, social welfare, and resource management strategies need separate action plans. The national government is also encouraged to decentralize governance to enable local governments to achieve their goals.

The assessment of environmental effect and economic benefit for apple orchard under different stand ages in the Loess Plateau, China

The assessment of environmental effect and economic benefit for apple orchard under different stand ages in the Loess Plateau, China

Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Leaf Spring Using Guided Elastic Waves

The integration of advanced materials, such as fiber-reinforced composites, has transformed numerous industries by offering lightweight and high-performance solutions. In the context of automotive applications, these composites enable producing more efficient vehicles. Nevertheless, there are still uncertainties regarding operational safety. Potential emergence of barely visible damages such as fiber fracture, delamination, and debonding accounts for a limited lifespan of the composite components. To address these concerns, permanent monitoring offers a compelling solution, enabling the early detection of damage, thus reducing maintenance costs and the risk of failures regarding human life. In this sense, guided waves based Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) has demonstrated promising results. However, it has so far primarily remained in laboratory settings with limited real-life applications due to some challenges, such as the costs involved and the transparency of results. This contribution focuses on the development of permanent monitoring of a novel spring leaf component manufactured of a carbon and glass fiber-reinforced composite. To establish permanent structural monitoring, piezoelectric transducer arrays have been integrated into the composite spring leaf structure during manufacturing. The placement of these transducers is determined through sensitivity analysis, considering ultrasound wave propagation characteristics. After a series of measurements, state-of-the-art damage identification methods customized to designed SHM setup are employed and compared. Outcomes are discussed with an emphasis on the efficient detection of narrow body composite structures. Additionally, damage detection evaluation of low-sensitive areas in such structures are explored in particular. While reliability assessment and compensation of environmental effects have been left for future research, this study presents tested methods and results, aiming to contribute to the advancement of SHM techniques in practical applications.

Community Perceptions on Environmental Impact Assessments in the Construction of the Toll Road between Solo and New Yogyakarta International Airport, in Indonesia

Background and Objective: The development of toll roads between Solo and New Yogyakarta International Airport of Indonesia is part of the government's endeavor to improve the accessibility, connectivity, and capacity of inter-regional transportation networks in order to considerably boost economic growth through increased regional links. The research will analyze at the socio-cultural circumstances, social conflict, public health, and community views and attitudes about toll road building. Research Methods: This study employs a qualitative and quantitative technique, which involves in-depth interview observation processes. The data analysis comprises the identification, categorization, and interpretation of community opinions as perceived by 200 respondents from impacted communities. Results: The majority of respondents were male, 106 (53%), with the highest degree of education being senior high school a total of 118 respondents (59.50%). The majority of their jobs were as private employees number 84 respondents (42%), with an average salary of Rp. 3,195,000. The surrounding community is religious, with 106 respondents (84%) actively engaged in Islamic studies in a mutually beneficial atmosphere, and 171 respondents (88.5%). Conflicts in society are always addressed pleasantly, according to 198 respondents (99%). Theoretical and Practical Implications: The community does not oppose toll road building, according to 188 respondents (94%) since they feel it would serve regional interests. Environmental impact analysis is carried out in a proportionate manner by incorporating the community through public engagement. Implementation of public consultation throughout ten time periods. The outcomes of public consultations are utilized to provide supporting and critical comments. 42 community figures were chosen as members of the Environmental effect Assessment technical team, which was in charge of overseeing the execution of environmental effect management and monitoring. Changes in public views and attitudes about toll road development must be regulated and monitored to ensure that the public impression of toll roads remains favorable throughout construction. Recommendations: Project implementers are responsible for the impacts caused and comply with all detailed provisions in accordance with management and monitoring plan documents that have been approved by the Ministry of Environment.

Continuing benefits of the Montreal Protocol and protection of the stratospheric ozone layer for human health and the environment

The protection of Earth’s stratospheric ozone (O3) is an ongoing process under the auspices of the universally ratified Montreal Protocol and its Amendments and adjustments. A critical part of this process is the assessment of the environmental issues related to changes in O3. The United Nations Environment Programme’s Environmental Effects Assessment Panel provides annual scientific evaluations of some of the key issues arising in the recent collective knowledge base. This current update includes a comprehensive assessment of the incidence rates of skin cancer, cataract and other skin and eye diseases observed worldwide; the effects of UV radiation on tropospheric oxidants, and air and water quality; trends in breakdown products of fluorinated chemicals and recent information of their toxicity; and recent technological innovations of building materials for greater resistance to UV radiation. These issues span a wide range of topics, including both harmful and beneficial effects of exposure to UV radiation, and complex interactions with climate change. While the Montreal Protocol has succeeded in preventing large reductions in stratospheric O3, future changes may occur due to a number of natural and anthropogenic factors. Thus, frequent assessments of potential environmental impacts are essential to ensure that policies remain based on the best available scientific knowledge.Graphical abstract

Plastics in the environment in the context of UV radiation, climate change and the Montreal Protocol: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2023

This Assessment Update by the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) considers the interactive effects of solar UV radiation, global warming, and other weathering factors on plastics. The Assessment illustrates the significance of solar UV radiation in decreasing the durability of plastic materials, degradation of plastic debris, formation of micro- and nanoplastic particles and accompanying leaching of potential toxic compounds. Micro- and nanoplastics have been found in all ecosystems, the atmosphere, and in humans. While the potential biological risks are not yet well-established, the widespread and increasing occurrence of plastic pollution is reason for continuing research and monitoring. Plastic debris persists after its intended life in soils, water bodies and the atmosphere as well as in living organisms. To counteract accumulation of plastics in the environment, the lifetime of novel plastics or plastic alternatives should better match the functional life of products, with eventual breakdown releasing harmless substances to the environment.

Environmental life cycle costs of steel moment frames utilizing endurance time method

This study aims to compare the Ordinary Moment Frame (OMF), Intermediate Moment Frame (IMF), and Special Moment Frame (SMF) systems in terms of life cycle cost, taking into account the environmental effects associated with the buildings. Minimizing environmental impacts is essential for achieving sustainable design. The assessment of environmental effects includes both the initial impacts related to building construction and the costs resulting from environmental damage caused by earthquakes over the building's lifespan. These environmental effects are quantified and translated into economic costs. To calculate life cycle cost while considering environmental effects, the proposed framework utilizes the Endurance Time (ET) method as the structural response model. The ET method allows for efficient analysis, facilitating multiple assessments and the exploration of different options. To conduct a case study, the OMF, IMF, and SMF systems are compared in 4, 8, and 12-story structures. Findings reveal that in the 4-story structure, the SMF system incurs higher environmental and life cycle costs, in addition to the initial cost. Conversely, the OMF system results in a lower total cost in the 4-story structure. However, for the 8 and 12-story structures, despite the SMF system's higher initial cost, it exhibits lower life cycle and environmental costs, ultimately leading to a lower overall total cost compared to the other two systems.

N2O emission reduction in the biological nitrogen removal process for wastewater with low C/N ratios: mechanisms and strategies

Urban wastewater, as the main influent type of Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs), has the characteristic of low carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N). In the biological nitrogen removal (BNR) process, insufficient carbon source often affects the nitrogen removal efficiency and leads to more N2O emissions. We review recent researches on N2O emissions in the BNR process of wastewater with low C/N. The availability of carbon sources affects heterotrophic denitrification (HD) and autotrophic nitrification/denitrification processes, which are the main reasons for N2O emissions in BNR. For the sustainable development of BNR in WWTPs, we introduce strategies suitable for reducing N2O emissions in the BNR process of low C/N wastewater from two aspects: traditional process innovation and new process development. These strategies mainly include carbon source addition, adjustment of aeration strategy, optimization of oxidation ditch and biofilm facilities, and application of Anammox related processes. In the future, it is still necessary to further deepen this research direction through the normalization of N2O emission quantification standards, exploration of N2O metabolism mechanisms, assessment of environmental effects of emission reduction strategies, and practical application of new processes.

Ecotourism: A Holistic Assessment of Environmental and Socioeconomic Effects towards Sustainable Development

Ecotourism has garnered substantial scholarly and public interest as an environmentally conscious and sustainable variant of tourism with the primary objectives of fostering conservation efforts, facilitating community advancement, and safeguarding cultural heritage. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of ecotourism on sustainable development, specifically focusing on the environment, economy, and society. The results reveal that ecotourism can have both positive and negative impacts on these three dimensions of sustainability. Positive impacts include environmental conservation, local economic development, and community involvement, while negative impacts include environmental degradation, economic leakage, and social disruption The study emphasizes the importance of carefully planning and managing ecotourism activities to reduce negative effects and enhance positive outcomes. Community involvement, environmental education, and long-term monitoring and evaluation are identified as key strategies for enhancing the sustainability of ecotourism projects. The study also identifies areas for future research, including the long-term impacts of ecotourism, social and cultural dynamics, and the integration of technology into ecotourism activities. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of the complex relationships between ecotourism and sustainable development and provides insights for policymakers and practitioners to develop and manage ecotourism projects in a way that maximizes their potential to contribute to sustainable development. The significance of ecotourism stems from its capacity to facilitate sustainable development through the concurrent pursuit of biodiversity conservation, education, awareness enhancement, community empowerment, cultural heritage preservation, adoption of sustainable methodologies, provision of alternative livelihoods, allocation of resources for conservation initiatives, and cultivation of global consciousness. Through a comprehensive evaluation of both environmental and socioeconomic impacts, ecotourism assumes a pivotal role in the attainment of a more sustainable future. It is imperative for ecotourism endeavors to encompass a comprehensive approach that acknowledges the intricate facets elucidated in the present discourse, thus enabling the establishment of sustainable paradigms that can advantageous to local populations, environmental integrity, and economic viability. Given ecotourism's prominence, assessing its effectiveness for sustainable development and refining practices and legislation is imperative. While not a universal solution, it’s potential to foster sustainability merits careful attention.

Key drivers to heterogeneity evolution of black carbon-containing particles in real atmosphere

The evolution of black carbon (BC) particles during atmospheric aging led to the complexity of their environmental and climate effect assessment. This study simultaneously measured the heterogeneous distribution of multi-level microphysical properties of BC-containing particles (i.e., BC mass concentration, coating amounts, and morphology) by a suite of state-of-the-art instruments, and investigated how atmospheric processing influence these heterogeneities. Our field measurements show that the mixing states of atmospheric BC-containing particles exhibit a clear dependence on BC core diameters. The particles with small BC core sizes (80–160 nm) are coated and reshaped more rapidly in real atmosphere, with coating-to-BC mass ratios (MR) and non-spherical fractions of 5.1 ± 1.2 and 61 ± 19 %, respectively. Conversely, the particles with large core sizes (240–320 nm) are thinly coated and fractal, with MR and non-spherical fractions of 4.0 ± 0.3 and 74 ± 15 %, respectively. Furthermore, primary emissions result in low heterogeneity in coating amount but great heterogeneity in morphology between BC-containing particles of different sizes, while photochemical processing would enhance heterogeneity in coating amount but weaken the heterogeneity in morphology. Overall, our field measurement of multi-level microphysical properties highlights that BC core size and atmospheric processing are the key factors that drive the heterogeneity evolution of BC-containing particles in real atmosphere.

Assessment of environmental parameters effect on potentially toxic elements mobility in foreshore sediments to support marine-coastal contamination prediction

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) presence in marine sediments can significantly affect the environmental quality and negatively influence economy and recreational activities in related areas. Accordingly, contamination monitoring and control in the marine environment is a fundamental task. In this work, four PTEs behavior (i.e. As, Hg, Pb, and Zn) in sandy foreshore sediments (SFSs) was thoroughly investigated at different pH, redox potential and temperature conditions of the marine water. For all the tests, the released As was 2.7–6 times higher than its initial concentration in water. Nonetheless, final mass balances showed that preferential release in the liquid phase occurred for Pb and Hg (up to 10 % and 9.1 %, respectively). Moreover, final Zn and Hg content increase in SFSs labile fractions indicated their higher bioavailability after the tests. The obtained results outline an approach useful to predict the contaminants behavior in marine matrices and support environmental monitoring and preservation strategies.

Geospatial Analysis and Molecular Epidemiologic Study of Emerging Pulmonary Lophomoniasis in Iran: A National Registry-Based Study.

Bronchopulmonary lophomoniasis (BPL) is a protozoan pulmonary disease that has been reported sporadically, but its incidence has been increasing. However, the epidemiology and risk factors of the disease have not been clearly identified. The current study aims to identify BPL cases molecularly and assess the demographic and some environmental factors for the first time on the prevalence of BPL as a national registry-based study in Iran. Methodology. The study tested 960 patients with lower respiratory tract symptoms whose bronchoalveolar lavage samples were submitted from seven provinces of Iran to the Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis. They were tested for BPL by a newly developed polymerase chain reaction test. The study assessed the association of Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), digital elevation model (DEM), and geographic latitude as environmental factors and sex and age as demographic factors on the prevalence of BPL. Geospatial information systems methods and chi-squared and Pearson's correlation tests were used for the assessment of geographical and environmental factor effects and statistical analysis, respectively. Of the 960 patients, 218 (22.7%) tested positive for BPL; the highest and lowest prevalence rates were reported from the south and northeast of Iran, respectively. The study found a correlation between geographic latitude and age with BPL prevalence, but no association was found for gender, NDVI, or DEM. Most patients were over 40 years old, and the rate of disease was higher in southern latitudes. Age and geographical latitude were found to be risk factors for BPL. More exposure to dust and/or chronic pulmonary problems may explain the higher prevalence of the disease in older adults. Higher rates of BPL in lower latitudes may be due to warmer weather and longer days, which can confine individual activities indoors and result in more contact with domestic insects and infected dust.

A spatial interpolation approach for environmental assessment of aquaculture effects on water quality of Pagasitikos Gulf (Eastern Mediterranean)

The impact of fish farming on the physicochemical and biological parameters of the water column was investigated between July and October 2021, in Pagasitikos Gulf. For this purpose, a sampling strategy based on Geographical Information System (GIS) was developed and a grid of 28 sampling stations was created for in situ measurements. The method of spatial interpolation and especially the Radial Basis Function (RBF) was used to estimate the spatial distribution of DO, chl α and nutrients by means of GIS. General Linear Model (GLM) analysis showed significant differences for all measured parameters except for NO3. Nutrients remained at low concentrations without exceeding the permitted limits for eutrophication and welfare of cultivated organisms. GIS exhibited high usefulness for data analysis, with further studies warranted for its optimization on applications related to the environmental impact of fish farming.

An assessment of the potential environmental effects of bridge construction in Boga, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority announced a plan to build a bridge over the Lohalia River in Boga, Patuakhali, which will significantly modify the entire communication system and lead to significant economic empowerment in the southeastern part of Bangladesh. This study was designed to help decision-makers through the identification and evaluation of all potential social and environmental consequences of this proposed project using an integrated methodology combining GIS mapping, environmental impact value assessment, and critical evaluation of the environmental impact through the Leopold matrix. The necessary information required for this study has been collected through questionnaire surveys, participatory community risk assessments (CRA), focused group discussions, key informant interviews, and reviews of previously published documents. According to this study, the proposed Boga Bridge construction will have some adverse environmental consequences including agricultural land and productivity loss, the decline of ecosystem health, extinction of endangered species, deterioration of water, air and soil quality, sedimentation and changes in river flow. Despite these adverse impacts this project will improve the life and livelihood of the coastal community and foster economic growth and industrialization over the long run through easily assessable road transportation. Additionally, the estimated overall environmental impact value (−2) and Leopold matrix's impact value (−1.51) revealed that this project has low adverse effects on the surrounding environment. Moreover, the majority of the environmental consequences were found to be transient because they were only limited to the construction phase which makes it simple to control with the proper implementation of appropriate mitigation strategies. Therefore, this study furnished some effective mitigation strategies incorporating mitigation hierarchy principals to avoid and minimize adverse impacts as well as enhance the positive impacts of this project. Finally, this study recommends constructing the proposed Boga Bridge after ensuring rigorous implementation and monitoring of all impact mitigation strategies proposed in this study.

Recommendations for the Assessment of Potential Environmental Effects of Genome-Editing Applications in Plants in the EU.

The current initiative of the European Commission (EC) concerning plants produced using certain new genomic techniques, in particular, targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis, underlines that a high level of protection for human and animal health and the environment needs to be maintained when using such applications. The current EU biosafety regulation framework ensures a high level of protection with a mandatory environmental risk assessment (ERA) of genetically modified (GM) products prior to the authorization of individual GMOs for environmental release or marketing. However, the guidance available from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for conducting such an ERA is not specific enough regarding the techniques under discussion and needs to be further developed to support the policy goals towards ERA, i.e., a case-by-case assessment approach proportionate to the respective risks, currently put forward by the EC. This review identifies important elements for the case-by-case approach for the ERA that need to be taken into account in the framework for a risk-oriented regulatory approach. We also discuss that the comparison of genome-edited plants with plants developed using conventional breeding methods should be conducted at the level of a scientific case-by-case assessment of individual applications rather than at a general, technology-based level. Our considerations aim to support the development of further specific guidance for the ERA of genome-edited plants.

A Review of Quantitative Evaluation of Electromagnetic Environmental Effects: Research Progress and Trend Analysis.

With the increasing complexity of the electromagnetic environment, existing electronic systems and various equipment are greatly threatened. The study of the assessment of the effects of the electromagnetic environment has attracted more and more attention in the academic field and industry. In this review, the definition of the electromagnetic environmental effects assessment could be classified into two categories: objective and subjective equipment electromagnetic environmental effect assessments. Studies on both are comprehensively reviewed. The electromagnetic environmental effect assessment models are described and analyzed. The effects evaluation models mainly calculate the electromagnetic environmental effect index by various weighting, probability, and normalized interference level methods. However, each proposed model has certain limitations, so it cannot deal with all the electromagnetic interference effects. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation model for complex electromagnetic environmental effects has not yet been established. Recent studies have shown that neural networks can be used to improve the adaptability of evaluation models in electromagnetic environments. The evaluation result of the normalized interference level method is more consistent with the actual work efficiency. The combination of the two can unify the objective and subjective assessments, which is of great significance to the improvement of the consistency and accuracy of the results of the effects evaluation of the electromagnetic environment. Accordingly, challenges for future research are revealed, which plays a vital role in the development of electromagnetic environmental effects research and provides a reference for researchers.

Integrated Assessment of Economic Supply and Environmental Effects of Biomass Co-Firing in Coal Power Plants: A Case Study of Jiangsu, China

The technical supply potential of biomass and the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are widely studied in the literature. However, relatively few studies have examined the role of biomass co-firing for future electricity in China by integratedly considering the economic supply potential and GHG effects. To fill this gap, we choose the Jiangsu Province in China as a case study and build up a partial equilibrium model with multiple agricultural commodities. Using this model combined with a life cycle assessment, we jointly determine the economic potential of the biomass supply for a biomass co-firing purpose and social benefits, including the agricultural producers’ surplus and GHG mitigation potential. The simulation incorporates the county-level biomass market of various crop residues as well as endogenous crop prices and transportation costs. We find that 0.7–12.5 M MT of residue-based biomass are economically viable for co-firing in coal-based power plants (up to 20%) at biomass prices between USD 50 and USD 100/MT. The net GHG savings achieved at these biomass prices are from 3.2 to 59 M MTCO2e. Our findings indicate that biomass co-firing with coal in power plants would be a feasible low-carbon energy transition pathway if the biomass price is above USD 50/MT. In addition to biomass prices, other factors such as crop yields, production costs of residues, and transportation costs are found to be impactful on the economic viability of biomass and GHG savings. Our results can inform policy to develop localized carbon reduction strategies in provinces with abundant biomass resources and a high share of coal-fired electricity.

Geochemical and environmental assessment of potential effects of trace elements in soils, water, and sediments around abandoned mining sites in the northern Iberian Peninsula (NW Spain)

The mineral deposits and traces in the Iberian Peninsula are very numerous and of varied mineralogy. This study aimed to analyze the geochemical and environmental changes detected in soil, water, and sediments around the La Sierre mine, and to determine if contamination persists over time. The concentrations of ten trace elements (As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, Zn) were measured in 20 soil samples, 10 water samples, and 6 sediment samples, sampling at the most affected points. Soil and sediment samples were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and water samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). From the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), soil samples SOI-6, 7, and 20 presented high amounts ranging from 14489.86a±7 to 3031.72b ± 1 mg/kg of Co, Cu, Ni, and As, respectively. Water samples WAT-6, 8, and 10 presented high contents of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn, being sample WAT-8 with high values of As, Co, Cu, Fe, and Ni with 48.1 ± 0.82, 368 ± 4, 68.3 ± 0.1, 97.5 ± 1.2, and 152 ± 2 μg/L, respectively, exceeding the regulation given by R.D 314/2016 (Water for human consumption). The sediment samples were compared with the IInterim Sediment Quality Guideline (ISQG) and Probable Effect Level (PEL) values given by the Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life. When presenting a high ISQG value, but low PEL, they partially comply with the regulations, which happens with samples SED-1, 2, and 8 for As and SED-5, 6, and 7 for Pb. On the contrary, Cr and Cu do not comply with what is established in samples SED-8 and SED-1 and 8, respectively, whereas, in samples SED-2 and 5, Cu partially complies with the established regulations. The values found for the trace elements present in the abandoned traditional mining area with abundant epithermal deposits prevail over time in soil, water, and sediments.

The effects of exposure to solar radiation on human health

This assessment by the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP) of the Montreal Protocol under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) evaluates the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on human health within the context of the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments. We assess work published since our last comprehensive assessment in 2018. Over the last four years gains have been made in knowledge of the links between sun exposure and health outcomes, mechanisms, and estimates of disease burden, including economic impacts. Of particular note, there is new information about the way in which exposure to UV radiation modulates the immune system, causing both harms and benefits for health. The burden of skin cancer remains high, with many lives lost to melanoma and many more people treated for keratinocyte cancer, but it has been estimated that the Montreal Protocol will prevent 11 million cases of melanoma and 432 million cases of keratinocyte cancer that would otherwise have occurred in the United States in people born between 1890 and 2100. While the incidence of skin cancer continues to rise, rates have stabilised in younger populations in some countries. Mortality has also plateaued, partly due to the use of systemic therapies for advanced disease. However, these therapies are very expensive, contributing to the extremely high economic burden of skin cancer, and emphasising the importance and comparative cost-effectiveness of prevention. Photodermatoses, inflammatory skin conditions induced by exposure to UV radiation, can have a marked detrimental impact on the quality of life of sufferers. More information is emerging about their potential link with commonly used drugs, particularly anti-hypertensives. The eyes are also harmed by over-exposure to UV radiation. The incidence of cataract and pterygium is continuing to rise, and there is now evidence of a link between intraocular melanoma and sun exposure. It has been estimated that the Montreal Protocol will prevent 63 million cases of cataract that would otherwise have occurred in the United States in people born between 1890 and 2100. Despite the clearly established harms, exposure to UV radiation also has benefits for human health. While the best recognised benefit is production of vitamin D, beneficial effects mediated by factors other than vitamin D are emerging. For both sun exposure and vitamin D, there is increasingly convincing evidence of a positive role in diseases related to immune function, including both autoimmune diseases and infection. With its influence on the intensity of UV radiation and global warming, the Montreal Protocol has, and will have, both direct and indirect effects on human health, potentially changing the balance of the risks and benefits of spending time outdoors.Graphical abstract

Bicycle-sharing in Beijing: An Assessment of Economic, Environmental, and Health Effects, and Identification of Key Drivers of Environmental Performance

Bicycle-sharing in Beijing: An Assessment of Economic, Environmental, and Health Effects, and Identification of Key Drivers of Environmental Performance