Lead Emissions Research Articles

Estimation of atmospheric lead emissions from coal in China: from past to the future under China’s Dual-Carbon policy

Lead, known for its widespread application and high toxicity, has long been a focus of research. Since the prohibition of leaded gasoline in 2000, China has witnessed a shift in the primary sources of atmospheric lead emissions towards coal consumption. We conducted a systematic study on the abundance and distribution of lead in Chinese coal and used model analysis to predict atmospheric lead emissions from different sources. Provincially, the lead content in coal exhibited considerable variation, ranging from 5.27 μg/g to 128.94 μg/g. When incorporating coal reserves in distinct regions as weighting factors, the weighted average lead content in Chinese coal was calculated to be 14.03 μg/g, exceeding the global average by over 80%, which has resulted in substantial atmospheric lead emissions through coal combustion in China. Among the sectors utilizing coal, industrial activities emerged as the foremost contributor to atmospheric lead emissions, accounting for over 90% of the overall release. Considering China's Dual-Carbon Policy, it is expected that lead emissions from coal consumption will decrease by 15%-20% from the peak in 2014 to 2030 but will still approach 10,000 tons. Considering various technologies and carbon emission targets based on China's published policies, the most optimistic emission reduction scenario envisions a decline in coal usage to 190 million tons by 2060, resulting in atmospheric lead emissions of a mere 517.01 tons—a noteworthy reduction to one-twentieth of the present level. Therefore, by controlling coal consumption, especially the use of coal in industrial production processes, and implementing pollution control measures, it is possible to effectively reduce atmospheric lead emissions in the near future under China's two-carbon goal.

Historical exposure to metals in contaminated areas and its impact on cardio- and cerebrovascular health

Environmental pollution is of global concern. In Southeast Sweden, historical glass production has contaminated communities with toxic metals. Long-term residency in these communities and high consumption of local foods may constitute a risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) or stroke.The current study investigates if residency in these contaminated sites and long-term consumption of local foods is associated with self-reported CVD and stroke. In addition, the body burden of the toxic metals arsenic, cadmium, and lead, as well as inflammatory protein markers, were studied for association with CVD and stroke.From an existing questionnaire cohort and biomonitoring sub cohort (n = 2290/882) of people living in the contaminated areas, self-reported CVD cases (n = 366/166) and stroke cases (n = 78/25) were identified. Individuals were grouped based on their residency within a 2 km radius of glassworks with historical high, moderate, or low air-borne lead emissions. Body burden of arsenic, cadmium, and lead was analyzed using ICP-MS. Inflammatory markers were investigated using electrochemiluminescence.Long-term residency near glassworks with historically high levels of lead emissions, and high consumption of local foods, were associated with CVD. The risk was increasing for each year of residency in high emission areas. Increased body burden of arsenic in blood, and lead in urine, were associated with stroke. Five and two inflammatory markers, respectively, were elevated in CVD and stroke cases after adjusting for confounders.An increased risk for CVD was found in areas with historically high emissions of lead but possibly also other toxic metals. Interestingly, there was an indication of a dose-response relationship with increasing risk for CVD per year of residency time. Inhalation and consumption of local food may constitute major pathways for this association. The study shows that long-term exposure to toxic metals in these contaminated areas is associated with CVD and that there is a need to limit exposure in the general population.

Evaluation of Airborne Lead Pollution and Its Association with Children's Urinary Lead Levels

Despite the measures taken by most countries, lead pollution still poses an environmental and health risk to humans, especially children. Therefore, the current study aims to evaluate lead in the air and its impact on children's health. Lead samples from the air and children's urine were collected from three different areas within Kerbala Governorate: the urban city center residential areas, and rural areas as a reference area for comparison. A suspended dust collector was used to collect lead samples, and then the lead concentration was measured using an atomic spectrometer after digesting them with acids. The results of the study showed that the highest concentration of lead was in the center of the urban area (3.150 ?g/m3) and its mean concentration in the air was 1.703 (?g/m3), which is higher than the US Environmental Protection Agency limits, with statistically significant differences between the study areas p < 0.01. The mean concentration of lead in children's urine was 0.622 (?g/dL) with statistically significant differences between the areas p < 0.01. Pearson's correlation coefficient indicated a significant positive correlation between the concentration of lead in the air and children's urine (r = 0.651; p < 0.05). This means that high lead concentrations in children's urine are due to lead air pollution and are an indicator of lead pollution in the environment and warn of potential risks to children's health. Therefore, the study recommends reducing lead emission sources and conducting periodic examinations.

Pronounced declines in heavy metal burdens of Minnesotan mammals over the last century

Humans have drastically altered the ecology of heavy metals, which can have negative effects on animal development and neural functioning. Many species have shown the ability to adapt to anthropogenic increases in metal pollution, but such evolutionary responses will depend on the extent of metal variation over space and time. For terrestrial vertebrates, it is unclear how metal exposure has changed over time: some studies suggest metal content peaked with the enactment of policies controlling lead emissions, while other studies suggest metal levels peaked at least a century earlier. We used 162 specimens of four mammal species (a mouse, shrew, bat, and squirrel) to ask how metal content of the fur and skin has changed over a 90-year time period, and impacts on individual performance (body size and cranial capacity). Using ICP-MS, we show that for lead, cadmium, copper, and chromium, there were significant declines in metal content in mammal tissue over the 90-year time period, with lead levels five times lower now than in the early 1900s. Importantly, metal content began to drop well before the pollution regulation of the 1970s. Effects of time greatly outweighed any effects of an individual living near a human population center. Surprisingly, there were no effects of body metal content on body size, and only manganese was negatively related to relative cranial capacity. Taken together, these results suggest that present day populations of mammals are experiencing levels of heavy metal exposure that are less stressful than they were 100 years ago. In addition, temporal decreases in metal loads likely partly reflect global patterns of pollution decline that affect atmospheric metal deposition rather than local point sources of exposure.

Mathematical-model Analysis of the Potential Exposure to Lead, Zinc and Iron Emissions from Consumption of Premium Motor Spirit in Nigeria

Environmental pollution has been on the increase due to emission from vehicles using fossil fuels. This research investigated the exposure of air, soil and water bodies to trace metal emissions: Pb, Zn and Fe, as a result of the consumption of premium motor spirit (PMS) in Nigeria. The exposure of air, soil, and water bodies to these emissions also lead to exposure of humans, food and animals to the emissions. This was done to estimate the emission rates, emission rate per capita, and emission rates per land areas (or land distribution). The results showed that: the annual emission rates ranged between 4.66 kg/y for Pb in 2012 in Jigawa State and 5.050∙103 kg/y for Fe in 2015 in Lagos State; the emission rates per capita ranged between 0.52∙10−6 kg/(y∙person) for Pb in 2012 in Kwara State and 2.33∙10−3 kg/(y∙person) and this was recorded in Lagos State in the year 2015; while the rate per land area ranged between 0.093∙10−3 kg/(y∙km2) for Pb in 2012 in Taraba State and 1.38 kg/(y∙km2) for Fe in 2015 in Lagos State. Results showed that residents of Lagos are at the highest risk of trace metal poisoning because they had the highest emission rates per capita, followed by Abuja, Osun, and Ogun. The states at the lowest risk are Yobe and Taraba, with Yobe as the lowest. It is recommended that regulations concerning the trace metal contents of fuels imported and distributed in Nigeria should be created and implemented to curb these risks.

The association between childhood blood lead levels and proximity to airports in Colorado

BackgroundIn October 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a final endangerment finding that leaded aviation gasoline (avgas) contributes to air pollution that is harmful to public health. This study evaluates the evidence for a link between living in proximity to airports and children’s blood lead levels in Colorado.MethodsWe analyzed the association between childhood blood lead levels (BLLs) and proximity to airport point locations in children tested for lead in Colorado over a 10-year study period (2011–2020) using a correlated random effects model with bootstrapped standard errors (N = 56,002 observations, 47,322 individuals). Along with distance from airport point locations, we identified the number of days sampled children lived downwind of their nearest airport during the 60 days prior to their test date. We also adjusted the model for age, sex, detection limit, test type, sample order, seasonality, time, proximity to lead-releasing facilities, estimated monthly aircraft traffic, and demographic characteristics of the surrounding neighborhood.ResultsOur primary model estimates that living one mile (1.6 km) further from airport point locations decreases mean blood lead levels by 0.068 µg/dL. Additional analysis estimates that living one mile further from airport point locations decreases the odds of having a blood lead level ≥ 3.5 µg/dL by 13.2%.ConclusionOur results suggest that lead emissions from aircraft using leaded avgas have a small but statistically significant effect on the BLLs of children living near airport point locations in Colorado. While the risk from proximity to airports is likely less than the risks associated with deteriorating lead paint and dust, our findings highlight the value of lead testing in children who may be at risk of exposure from all sources, including those who live near airports.

Spatial and temporal variations in environmental impacts of heavy metal emissions from China's non-ferrous industry: An enterprise-specific assessment

In China, the non-ferrous metal industry is the sector with the highest emissions of arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead, causing serious impacts on human health and the ecosystem. However, current heavy metal emission inventories are inadequate for figuring out their exposures and associated environmental impacts due to the lack of detailed data. Here, we constructed a high-resolution, enterprise-specific, and long-term dataset detailing heavy metal emissions from the non-ferrous industry in China from 1981 to 2020, using comprehensive enterprise information. Furthermore, an environmental impact assessment was performed using the characterization factors of the IMPACT World + model. Results show that: (1) from 1981 to 2020, the total heavy metal emissions of China's non-ferrous industry reached 144,697 tons (t), with atmospheric emissions (104,524 t) exceeding aquatic ones (40,173 t). (2) The industry's emissions showed a rising and then declining trend, with significant spatial heterogeneity, where heavy metal emissions concentrated in the central and western parts of Yunnan, the southern part of Hunan, the northern part of Guangxi, Henan along the Yellow River, the intersection of Gansu and Shaanxi, the central and eastern parts of Liaoning, and the eastern part of Inner Mongolia. (3) The environmental impact on human health was 1.19 × 107 DALY, and the value of ecosystem quality was 7.26 × 109 species·yr. The top 10 % of enterprises with the largest environmental impacts contributed over 60 % of human health risks and 62 % of ecosystem quality impacts. Improving the removal efficiency of heavy metals by 10 % within the four major industry classes could lead to a 9.92 % reduction in human health impacts and a 9.77 % reduction in ecosystem quality impacts within the non-ferrous metals industry. The findings of this study can provide insights for pollution control, environmental risk reduction, and sustainable development in the non-ferrous metals industry.

Exploring Environmental Injustice in Exposure to Airborne Lead Released from Industrial Facilities in Kentucky, United States

ABSTRACT Exposure to lead remains a critical public health concern due to its toxic nature and widespread distribution in the environment. Limited research has investigated the risks of lead emissions to the environment by many operating industrial facilities. Using geospatial analysis and multiple regression methods, this article examines racial and class inequalities in proximity to industrial facilities and the concomitant lead exposure. We observe significant positive associations between the proportion of Black residents in census tracts and proximity to lead-emitting facilities and lead exposure after adjusting for other socioeconomic factors. Likewise, median household income was negatively associated with proximity to lead-emitting facilities. Moreover, Black residents and the below-poverty group had larger mean population-weighted lead exposures than white and the above-poverty group respectively. The findings of this study provided further evidence supporting the environmental injustice literature and can inform policies to reduce ambient lead releases from industrial facilities and eliminate health disparities.

Substance flow analysis of non-intentional lead use in China from 1980 to 2050

As a heavy metal element abundant in the earth's crust, lead is released into the environment through the use of fossil fuels and minerals, resulting in environmental pollution. This study conducted a substance flow analysis to explore the evolution of China's non-intentional use of lead from 1980 to 2050. Results showed that the main sources of lead inflow from the fossil fuel, metal, and phosphorus systems were coal mining, imported ores, and phosphorus fertilizers, respectively. In 2019, intentional and non-intentional lead use introduced lead flows of 3034 and 616 kt/yr, resulting in 1.1 and 8 kt/yr of lead emissions, respectively. A scenario analysis indicated that lead emissions will be 2, 1.3, and 0.9 kt/yr under the high-resource, baseline, and low-resource consumption scenarios in 2050, respectively. It is necessary to reduce the lead inflow from resource consumption and the risk of lead overflow during the accumulation or recycling of lead-containing waste.

Hemispheric-scale heavy metal pollution from South American and Australian mining and metallurgy during the Common Era

Records from polar and alpine ice reflect past changes in background and industrial toxic heavy metal emissions. While Northern Hemisphere records have been used to evaluate environmental effects and linkages to historical events such as foreign conquests, plagues, economic downturns, and technological developments during the past three millennia, little is known about the magnitude and environmental effects of such emissions in the Southern Hemisphere or their historical linkages, especially prior to late 19th century industrialization. Here we used detailed measurements of the toxic heavy metals lead, cadmium, and thallium, as well as non-toxic bismuth, cerium, and sulfur in an array of five East Antarctic ice cores to investigate hemispheric-scale pollution during the Common Era. While thallium showed no anthropogenic increases, the other three metals increased by orders of magnitude in recent centuries after accounting for crustal and volcanic components. These first detailed records indicate that East Antarctic lead pollution started in the 13th century coincident with Late Intermediate Period metallurgy in the Andes and was pervasive during the Spanish Colonial period in parallel with large-scale exploitation of Andean silver and other ore deposits. Lead isotopic variations suggest that 19th-century increases in lead, cadmium, and bismuth resulted from Australian lead and Bolivian tin mining emissions, with 20th century pollution largely the result of the latter. As in the Northern Hemisphere, variations in heavy metal pollution coincided with plagues, cultural and technological developments, as well as global economic and political events including the Great Depression and the World Wars. Estimated atmospheric heavy metal emissions from Spanish Colonial-era mining and smelting during the late 16th and early 17th century were comparable to estimated European emissions during the 1st-century apex of the Roman Empire, with atmospheric model simulations suggesting hemispheric-scale toxic heavy metal pollution during the past five centuries as a result.

Reusing blended leach residue by flash sintering method

AbstractIn this study, the effects of different sintering methodology on grain formation, density, and hardness of blended leach residue (B‐LR) pellets is investigated. For the first time, the flash sintering (FS) method, an environmentally friendly process, is used to make multiphase ceramic composites using B‐LR under 100 V/mm at 675C. The outcomes of this study revealed that the FS process is faster and more energy‐efficient than the conventional sintering (CS) methods performed at 800°C for 4 h. The formation of abnormal grain growth is prevented by FS in B‐LR material composition after it is exposed to a max power absorption 61.4 mW/mm3 and whole FS is completed less than 100 s. Besides, FS method does not lead to any melting on grain boundaries due to excessive joule heating, compared with the CS sample. It is noted that FS also provides better density and hardness values for this material system along with compositional integrity in this multiphase system. The significant outcome of this study is reducing lead volatility and emission by decrement on the sintering temperature. Ultimately, this study has planned the practicality of reusage and recycle of this material with green, safe, and eco‐friendly methods.

Экологические аспекты инициирующих взрывчатых веществ и перспективы их совершенствования

The main primers in the mining industry are blasting caps with highly toxic energy-intensive priming materials based on lead compounds. Unfortunately, behind the detailed complexity of modern approaches to calculate the environmental damage, it is rather difficult to assess the specific indicators of lead emissions from the blasting caps, therefore, an alternative option is presented, which allows to demonstrate a more explicit equivalent of the negative consequences. Analysis of statistical data on production and consumption of lead-containing primers indicates their significant contribution to the total and annually increasing pollution of the environment with lead, emphasizing the need to seek alternative energy-intensive priming materials. The current stage of global engineering and technological development has witnessed alternative primers already introduced into production and use, but still somewhat controversial in terms of some performance specifications and manufacturing technologies, which are utilizing new compounds that do not contain heavy metals. They are also based on fundamentally new methods of blast initiation in energy-intensive materials, in particular, using the effects of radiation from optical quantum generators (lasers). The combination of the presented environmental factors and scientific and technological achievements point to the need to intensify domestic research and development to replace highly toxic primers.

Crisis? What crisis? Recycling of silver for Roman Republican coinage

Dated measurements of lead pollution in deep Greenland ice have become a useful proxy to monitor historical events because interruptions in lead-silver production result in fluctuations in lead emissions. However, the application of the lead emission record has not perhaps received the attention it deserves because of the difficulty in connecting macroscale events, such as wars and plagues, to their economic repercussions. For instance, although debasement of silver coinage with copper has been proposed as a reasonable response to interruptions in silver production, reductions in fineness of the silver denarius, the backbone of Roman coinage from the late third century BC, are not always coincident with decreases in lead deposited in Greenland. We propose that extensive recycling of silver that is evident in the numismatic record can better explain drops in lead emissions and, thereby, the responses to major historical events, such as warfare in the silver-producing areas of the Iberian Peninsula and southern France during the middle and late Roman Republic.

An optimization-based methodology equipped with lean tools to strengthen medical supply chain resilience during a pandemic: A case study from Turkey

Drawing upon economic and environmental sustainability, this study explores how developing the operational resilience of the medical supply chain (MSC) contributes to maintaining healthcare in the face of disruption risks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, an optimization-based roadmap is proposed by employing lean tools to achieve and realize MSC resilience. A novel two-stage stochastic optimization model and robust counterpart are developed with the objective of overall cost minimization to cope with the unknowable demand uncertainty represented by scenarios. The reason behind proposing a scenario-based stochastic model is to implement preparedness strategies during the (re)design phase by making strategic and operational level decisions. That being the case, seven cases are generated based on the demand uncertainty intervals along with seven different reliability levels for sensitivity analysis. Computational experiments are conducted through a real case study to compare the centralized and decentralized distribution models in terms of efficiency and responsiveness. The results obtained by the stochastic model and robust counterpart are compared to demonstrate how strong the proposed model is. On top of that, lean tools are used to visualize and analyze the improvement opportunities to contribute to the methodology. By doing so, this paper presents novel theoretical and empirical insights regarding MSC resilience. The computational results emphasize the importance of employing a pre-disruption strategy via the proposed methodology to design a resilient MSC to be prepared for pandemic-related risk. The findings from the sensitivity analysis also verify that regardless of the disruption degree, the developed roadmap with the centralized distribution model leads to up to 40% improvements in terms of the overall cost, order lead time, emission amount, and inventory shortage metrics.

Positive outcomes from U.S. lead regulations, continued challenges, and lessons learned for regulating emerging contaminants

Albeit slow and not without its challenges, lead (Pb) emissions and sources in the United States (U.S.) have decreased immensely over the past several decades. Despite the prevalence of childhood Pb poisoning throughout the twentieth century, most U.S. children born in the last two decades are significantly better off than their predecessors in regard to Pb exposure. However, this is not equal across demographic groups and challenges remain. Modern atmospheric emissions of Pb in the U.S. are nearly negligible since the banning of leaded gasoline in vehicles and regulatory controls on Pb smelting plants and refineries. This is evident in the rapid decrease of atmospheric Pb concentrations across the U.S. over the last four decades. One of the most significant remaining contributors to air Pb is aviation gasoline (avgas), which is minor compared to former Pb emissions. However, continual exposure risks to Pb exist in older homes and urban centers, where leaded paint and/or historically contaminated soils + dusts can still harm children. Thus, while effective in eliminating nearly all primary sources of Pb in the environment, the slow rate of U.S. Pb regulation has led to legacy sources of Pb in the environment. More proactive planning, communication, and research of commonly used emerging contaminants of concern that can persist in the environment long after their initial use (i.e., PFAS) should be prioritized so that the same mistakes are not made again.

Managing lead (Pb) emissions in China from the perspective of final demand

Lead (Pb) pollution is a serious environmental and health risk and remains a major challenge for China. This study analyzes China’s atmospheric Pb emissions from the dual perspectives of production and final demand, by integrating localized emission factors and a Multi-Regional Input – Output model. Our results show that Shandong, Hebei, and Hubei directly contribute over 36% of the national emissions. However, from the final demand perspective, some developed provinces, such as Jiangsu, Guangdong, and Zhejiang, induce a considerable proportion (29%) of the national emissions by relocating emissions to other provinces through inter-provincial trade. Trade-embodied emissions typically flow from interior regions to more affluent coastal regions (e.g. Henan-Jiangsu, Anhui-Jiangsu, Hunan-Guangdong). Considering both production and final demand, we identify different roles for provinces in Pb emission management. Prosperous beneficiary provinces should take more responsibilities by transferring advanced technologies, especially those in industries such as coal dressing, to sacrificial provinces.

Leaded aviation gasoline exposure risk and child blood lead levels.

Lead-formulated aviation gasoline (avgas) is the primary source of lead emissions in the United States today, consumed by over 170,000 piston-engine aircraft (PEA). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that four million people reside within 500m of a PEA-servicing airport. The disposition of avgas around such airports may be an independent source of child lead exposure. We analyze over 14,000 blood lead samples of children (≤5y of age) residing near one such airport-Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV) in Santa Clara County, California. Across an ensemble of tests, we find that the blood lead levels (BLLs) of sampled children increase in proximity to RHV, are higher among children east and predominantly downwind of the airport, and increase with the volume of PEA traffic and quantities of avgas sold at the airport. The BLLs of airport-proximate children are especially responsive to an increase in PEA traffic, increasing by about 0.72 μg/dL under periods of maximum PEA traffic. We also observe a significant reduction in child BLLs from a series of pandemic-related interventions in Santa Clara County that contracted PEA traffic at the airport. Finally, we find that children's BLLs increase with measured concentrations of atmospheric lead at the airport. In support of the scientific adjudication of the EPAs recently announced endangerment finding, this in-depth case study indicates that the deposition of avgas significantly elevates the BLLs of at-risk children.

Перспективні напрямки розробки засобів, що здатні підвищувати адаптаційні можливості організму людини в умовах негативного впливу середовища життєдіяльності

Abstract. The ever-increasing anthropogenic chemical load throughout the world prompts the search for sources of biologically active substances (BAS) capable of increasing the adaptive capabilities of a person exposed to the harmful effects of the environment. Aim. Scientific substantiation of the optimal composition of recipes and features of the production technology of products with immunomodulating and adaptogenic effects (dietary supplements, detoxification products for external use, including cosmetic preventive products for hand skin disinfection), based on technologically processed vegetable waste used in the production of pharmaceutical products Proteflazidum®". Material and Methods. The chemical composition of the ethanol extract of the plant raw material "Proteflazidum®" and the waste of its production - meal was studied. The mass fraction of flavonoid compounds aglycones of tricin, apigenin, luteolin, amino acids, sugars, carboxylic acids, natural polymers (pectin substances, chlorophylls and hemicellulose), ethanol (%, vol) was determined. The methods of ultra-high-performance high-speed liquid chromatography with diode-matrix detection (UPLCPDA, Waters, USA) were used; method of ultra-high-performance mass spectrometric high-speed liquid chromatography with electron spray ionization (UPLC-MC/MC, Waters, USA). A study of the dietary supplements "Immunoflazid Light" (syrup) and "Immunoflazid Pro" (capsules), manufactured in accordance with TU U 10.8-25589583-001:2020, was conducted according to safety indicators: the content of heavy metals, pesticides and radionuclides for compliance with the requirements of GN 4.4.8.073 -2001 "Temporary hygienic standards for the content of chemical and biological contaminants in biologically active supplements", approved by the resolution of the chief state sanitary doctor of Ukraine dated 04.20.2001. No. 131 and GN 6.6.1.1-130-2006 "Permissible levels of the content of radionuclides 137Cs, 90Sr in food and drinking water", approved by the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 05.03.2006 under No. 256. A spectrometer was used to determine the content of lead, cadmium, and mercury atomic emission "SHIMADSU ICPE - 9820"; for the determination of radionuclides, the spectrometer "SEG-001", "AKP-S" and the spectrometer "SEB-01-70" were used. Methods of measuring pesticides according to DSTU EN 12393-1:2003, DSTU EN 12393-2:2003, DSTU EN 12393-3:2003 and GOST 30349-96. Results. The waste of vegetable raw materials, which is formed as a result of the production of the "Proteflazidum®", is a valuable source of BAS, which allows you to consider them as raw materials for creating recipes of products with an adaptogenic effect - dietary supplements and raw materials for the production of products for external use, including cosmetic prophylactic and means for hand skin disinfection. According to safety indicators, the new products belong to low-hazard substances when applied to the skin (hazard class 4), do not show skin-irritating, skin-resorptive and sensitizing properties, alcohol-free products do not irritate the mucous membrane of the eyes. Conclusions. Proteflazidum® production waste is a valuable raw material for the creation of a wide range of products with an adaptogenic effect (dietary supplements, raw materials for the production of products for external use, including cosmetic prophylactics and products for hand skin disinfection). Key Words: Proteflazidum®, Herba Deschampsia Сaespitosa L., Herba Calamagrostis Epigeios L., bioflavonoids, pectin substances.

The Role of Physician Advocacy in Supporting Policy Change That Reduces Leaded Aviation Gasoline Emissions.

Leaded aviation gasoline (AvGas) accounts for 70%, or 935,082 pounds, of total lead emissions in the United States and has been repeatedly linked to elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in those living in the vicinity of airports using AvGas. The well-established link between lead exposure and adverse health outcomes provided a platform ripe for environmental health advocates and pediatric health experts to assist a local environmental health organization in addressing lead waste from a local airport, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF). We detail the steps we took, as a physician clean-air advocacy group. We provide a qualitative analysis of our efforts in addressing leaded air pollution through targeted and creative environmental health advocacy through three main avenues: government, public awareness, and academia. Our actions were taken to ensure the City of San Diego installed an unleaded fuel tank at MYF to reduce leaded aviation gasoline usage and subsequently lead air pollution in the surrounding area. Ultimately, the identified objective of an unleaded fuel tank was added to the San Diego City budget and scheduled for construction. We hope our actions can serve as a framework to provide concrete steps for clinicians and other advocates to enact change in their communities.

Insight into the Burden of Malignant Respiratory Tumors and their Relationship with Smoking Rates and Lead Contamination in Mexico.

We aimed to report the results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 related to respiratory malignant tumors (tracheal, bronchial, and lung) in Mexico. We also evaluated the relationship between the burden of these neoplasms and the proportion of daily smokers and total lead emissions in 2019. A cross-sectional analysis of ecological data was performed. The burden of these tumors was 152,189 disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and years of life lost (YLL) contributed to 99% of them. The highest DALYs rates (per 100,000) were observed in the states of Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Baja California Sur, Sonora, and Nayarit. We documented a linear relationship between the DALYs rates and the prevalence of daily smokers (β = 8.50, 95% CI 1.58-15.38) and the total lead emissions (tons/year: β = 4.04, 95% CI 0.07-8.01). If later replicated, our study would provide insight into the major relevance of regulating tobacco use and the activities associated with the production of lead dust and other hazardous contaminants.