Environmental Health Problems Research Articles

Effective methods for population control of dogs and cats in the municipality of Salinópolis, Pará

In Brazil, the overpopulation of dogs and cats is growing exponentially, causing adverse public and environmental health problems. The multiplication of these stray animal’s results in an increase in abandonment and mistreatment, also facilitating the proliferation of zoonoses, causing impacts on human health. Surgical sterilization, linked to educational programs aimed at the population, promotes awareness among owners regarding responsible ownership and can largely solve these problems, especially through greater incentives from public policies. In view of the above, this study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of neutering programs for dogs and cats with the aim of controlling this population, focusing on the One Health approach. On November 15th, 16th and 17th, 2019, the Veterinários da Amazônia group carried out a free surgical sterilization action in the municipality of Salinópolis, Pará, using the minimally invasive technique with a snook hook for ovariohysterectomy in female felines and canines, and pre-scrotal orchiectomy in male canines, and scrotal in male felines, resulting in 98 sterilizations, 55.1% canines and 46.9% felines, demonstrating a greater demand for the castration of female animals. Based on this, it is estimated that approximately 1,152 births of puppies and kittens were presented annually by the sterilization campaign in the municipality of Salinópolis - PA, of which 576 were felines and 576 were dogs, representing an impact of approximately 16.52% on the feline community and approximately 6.27% on the canine community of the municipality. These data indicate that the campaign was of great importance in reducing the birth rate, contributing significantly to the control of the stray animal population and to the promotion of animal welfare in the region. However, for effective birth control, greater awareness of the population regarding responsible guardianship as a predominant factor in animal welfare and subsequently the reduction of abandoned dogs and cats is required.

Removal of Methylene Blue dye from aqueous solution using Fenton-modified submerged aquatic plant Schoenoplectus species (Bulrush)

When dumping coloured effluent into the ecosystem, methylene blue dye contributes significantly to environmental health problems. In this investigation, Schoenoplectus species, commonly known as Bulrush, underwent modification using a Fenton reagent to enhance its effectiveness in adsorbing methylene blue (MB) from effluent. The Fenton-treated Bulrush was analysed using SEM, FTIR, BET, and TGA techniques, while various operational parameters were systematically explored to optimise the adsorbent. The FTIR results revealed an increase in the intensity of chemical compounds (–OH, C=C, and C–O, etc.) The FTIR data showed an increase in the intensity of chemical compounds (-OH, C=C, and C-O, among others) and aromatic structures on the exterior of the adsorbent, which aided in MB removal. The results exhibited conformity with the Langmuir model, with an R2 value of 0.9904 with an optimal adsorption capacity of 41.23 mg/g achieved for the Fenton-treated Bulrush. Kinetic analysis indicated adherence to the pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 1), with chemical bonding adsorption primarily governing the adsorption rate. Optimal adsorption conditions were determined to be 26°C, pH 8, a reaction time of 60 minutes, a dosing amount of 2 g, and a preliminary concentration of 100 mg/L. Enhanced pH and increased dosing of Fenton-treated Bulrush led to improved adsorption capacity. Crystal structural characteristics and surface functional groupings of Fenton-treated Bulrush emerged as crucial factors influencing adsorption, describing the three main processes that control MB absorption by the adsorbent: physical adsorption, electrostatic attraction, and π-π interaction. These processes demonstrated the economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly attributes of Fenton-treated Bulrush, which shows promise for eliminating dye contaminants from aquatic environments.

Catalyzing progress: Unveiling the impact of metallic improved cooking stoves on energy security and sustainable development

The global energy crisis, characterized by shortages of fossil fuels, increasing energy needs, and climate change, requires sustainable energy solutions. Renewable energy technologies provide important options to reduce GHG emission and improve energy security. In developing nations, the use of traditional biomass-fueled cooking stoves contributes to environmental damage, deforestation, and health problems. This research evaluates the impact of MICS on Energy Security and Sustainable Development in Bajura District, Nepal, where firewood is the main source of cooking and heating fuel. Employing an Explanatory Sequential Research Design, the study integrated quantitative survey followed by qualitative approach. A household survey was carried out using KoBo Toolbox among 507 households, followed by focus group discussion and in-depth interviews among 63 people. Survey data was analyzed in SPSS to see the impacts of MICS usage. Findings demonstrated significant reduction of firewood by 693.78 tons (33.85 %) and CO2 emissions by 1247.4 tons (60.93 %) per annum improving energy security, and positive socio-economic and environmental impacts. Research emphasizes the significance of MICS on Energy Security and SD, offering valuable insights for decision-makers. Despite the benefits of MICS, only 44 % of households had adopted them due to high costs, lack of awareness, and maintenance challenges as barriers, advocating for policies to increase adoption through subsidies, awareness campaign, and maintenance assistance as 94.5 % of the surveyed population still use firewood for cooking and heating.

Do Chinese Residents’ Perceptions of Air Pollution Affect Their Pro-Environmental Behaviors: The Moderating Role of Environmental Knowledge

Air pollution has become an important environmental and public health problem in China; improving air quality has become one of the most important tasks of the Chinese central government in recent years. In all aspects of environmental governance, the public’s pro-environmental behavior is crucial to comprehensively improve air quality. This study used data provided by the 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS) to explore the relationship between air pollution perception, environmental knowledge, and pro-environmental behavior. The results of the study indicated that: (1) Residents’ subjective perception of air pollution has a significant positive impact on residents’ pro-environmental behaviors. The more serious the air pollution in the surrounding area is, the more likely residents are to adopt more pro-environmental behaviors; (2) Environmental knowledge also has a positive impact on residents’ pro-environmental behaviors and individuals with higher environmental knowledge are more likely to adopt more pro-environment behaviors; and (3) Environmental knowledge plays a positive regulating role in the relationship between air pollution perception and pro-environmental behavior. Individuals with higher environmental knowledge are more willing to engage in more pro-environmental behaviors when they perceive air pollution. To promote the residents’ pro-environmental behaviors, we should further strengthen the education of environmental knowledge and strengthen the disclosure of environmental information. This study provides valuable insights for China to formulate environmental governance policies, enrich the research on pro-environmental behavior to a certain extent, and provide lessons for other developing countries and high-polluting countries to find environmental governance methods.

Strategies for Removing Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) from Wastewater.

Endocrine-disrupting drugs, also called endocrine disruptors or micropollutants, cause serious environmental and public health problems due to their ability to disrupt the endocrine functions of organisms and humans, even at low concentrations. This report provides a summary of current removal techniques, such as activated sludge processes, membrane filtration, adsorption, and membrane bioreactor techniques for endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including their efficiency, limitations, and practical implementation. This review evaluates these methods by considering their treatment efficiency, costs, and environmental impact. To curb this menace, several developed countries have distinct strategies, such as physical remediation techniques, biological processes, phytoremediation, and chemical processes to remove endocrine disruptors. In developing nations, most conventional wastewater treatment plants do not even monitor those contaminants due to the low biodegradability and high complexity of such compounds. Hence, in this review work, potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals, their impacts, mechanisms of action, consequences for human health, and bio-mitigation strategies reported so far have been discussed in the context of the relevant literature.

A Preliminary Analysis of the Basic Principle and Research Value of Mud Volcano Formation

The global plastic usage and production issue during the COVID-19 Pandemic requires strategic, solid controls. In this passage, under the COVID-19 background, we summarize the factors that cause increasing production and usage of plastic, highlight the effects of producing and using a large amount of plastic, and propose some ways to deaden the environmental problems caused by the mass production of plastic products under the epidemic. Several factors are pushing the production and usage of plastics, including changes in people's behavior, demand for protective equipment, and laws and regulations. These factors drive the production of plastic substances, bringing with them a series of serious environmental, economic, and human health problems. Thus, we propose three ways, including the government leadership, social participation, and individual responsibility, to de-escalate the detriment caused by the plastic matter.

Development and performance investigation of coffee husk-derived carbon-based nanofluid for solar thermal applications

Managing agricultural waste effectively is a serious concern, particularly in agrarian economies, where poor disposal practices cause environmental and public health problems. This paper discusses the synthesis of a carbon-based nanofluid from coffee husk char for solar thermal applications, utilising pyrolysis as an effective method for valorising agro-residue. The synthesis used the left-over solid residue during coffee husk pyrolysis after gaseous product extraction. The feasibility of the synthesized fluid for solar thermal application is studied by physical, chemical and optical characterisations. The synthesized fluid had a thermal conductivity of 0.87 W/mK and a pH of 10.26. The fluid was stable with a zeta potential value of −59.4 mV. The mean size of particles in the synthesized fluid was 6.24 nm. The optical characteristics of the synthesized fluid were studied from UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. The solar-weighted absorption fraction of carbon-based nanofluid was 62.6 %, and that of deionised water was 12.3 %. When investigated with a solar simulator (at irradiance values of 700, 800, 900, 1000 and 1100 W/m2), the maximum improvement in photothermal conversion efficiency was 14.35 % at 1100 W/m2. At all irradiance levels, the sensible heat gain and the photothermal conversion efficiency were found to be greater than those of deionised water.

Analisis Pengelolaan Sampah Rumah Tangga di Permukiman Sekitar Daerah Aliran Sungai (DAS) Desa Ibul Besar II

 The problem of household waste in Ogan Ilir Regency is increasingly complex due to the characteristics of the area which is a wetland. Poor management of household waste around the watershed can cause various problems, both environmental and public health problems. The purpose of this study is to analyze household management in settlements around the watershed of Ibul Besar II Village. This study is a qualitative study. The informants in this study consisted of 7 key informants and 5 ordinary informants who were selected using the purposive sampling method. Data collection was carried out by in-depth interview, observation and documentation (photovoice). The study results show that efforts to eliminate household waste are still very minimal. Four out of six housewives reuse used buckets. However, only two out of six housewives doing recycle. Household waste is not sorted into five types. The collection and transportation of household waste doesn’t meet the requirements due to the unavailability of TPS or TPS 3R, waste cart and limited waste transportation. The household waste is burned and also the waste is not processed. It can be concluded that household waste management in settelements around the watershed of Ibul Besar II Village has not met the requirements in accordance with Republic of Indonesia Law Number 18 of 2008 and Republic of Indonesia Government Regulation Number 81 of 2012. Â

Applications of machine learning & Internet of Things for outdoor air pollution monitoring and prediction: A systematic literature review

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills seven million people every year. Outdoor air pollution is a major environmental health problem affecting low, middle, and high-income countries. In the past few years, the research community has explored IoT-enabled machine learning applications for outdoor air pollution prediction. The general objective of this paper is to systematically review applications of machine learning and Internet of Things (IoT) for outdoor air pollution prediction and the combination of monitoring sensors and input features used. Two research questions were formulated for this review. 1086 publications were collected in the initial PRISMA stage. After the screening and eligibility phases, 37 papers were selected for inclusion. A cost-based analysis was conducted on the findings to highlight high-cost monitoring, low-cost IoT and hybrid enabled prediction. Three methods of prediction were identified: time series, feature-based and spatio-temporal. This review’s findings identify major limitations in applications found in the literature, namely lack of coverage, lack of diversity of data and lack of inclusion of context-specific features. This review proposes directions for future research and underlines practical implications in healthcare, urban planning, global synergy and smart cities.

Photocatalytic Activity of the Sb2O3/Ca5Al6O14 Nanoscale Composites for Crystal Violet Degradation

Background: The discharging of crystal violet dye can contaminate water and soil, which causes serious environmental pollution and health problems for human beings. Sb2O3/Ca5Al6O14 nanoscale composites possess good catalytic performance for crystal violet removal. This study aimed to research the effects of the Sb2O3 content, content of the nanoscale composites, and metallic cations on the photocatalytic activity of the Sb2O3/Ca5Al6O14 nanoscale composites. Objective: The objective was to synthesize Sb2O3/Ca5Al6O14 nanoscale composites by a simple route and research the photocatalytic activity for crystal violet degradation. Methods: Sb2O3/Ca5Al6O14 nanoscale composites were obtained via a simple route using Ca aluminate nanosheets and Sb acetate. The photocatalytic activity of the Sb2O3/Ca5Al6O14 nanoscale composites was evaluated using crystal violet as a model pollutant. Results: The obtained nanoscale composites consisted of orthorhombic Ca5Al6O14 and orthorhombic Sb2O3 phases, nanosheets with a thickness of about 50 nm, and nanoparticles with a size of less than 100 nm. Sb2O3 enhanced the light absorption ability of the Ca aluminate nanosheets. The nanoscale composites with the Sb2O3 content of 20wt.% decreased to 3.03 eV, which is beneficial for improving the photo-degradation ability of the organic pollutants. The reaction ratio constant k for crystal violet (CV) degradation was 0.045 min-1 and 0.055 min-1 using the nanoscale composites with Sb2O3 content of 10wt.% and 20wt.%, respectively, which was 1.4 and 1.7 times higher than that of the Ca aluminate nanosheets (0.032 min-1). Hydroxyl radicals (●OH), hole (h+), and superoxide radicals (●O2 −) were reaction-active species for CV removal. Sb2O3/Ca5Al6O14 nanoscale composites exhibited fast interfacial charge transfer and efficient separation ability of photo-induced electron-hole pairs, which enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the Ca aluminate nanosheets for CV degradation. Conclusion: The Sb2O3/Ca5Al6O14 nanoscale composites can be easily separated and reused, showing great potential for practical application in wastewater treatment.

Microbial assessment of the ecological linkage between a red tide of Karenia brevis and bottom water anoxia off the coast of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island, Florida

Coastal ecosystem management necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological components and their interplay with socio-economic activities. Red tides of Karenia brevis reoccur almost annually on the West Florida Shelf and cause significant human and environmental health problems that often result in negative economic impacts. It is crucial that we understand the processes and dynamics of both phytoplankton and microbial communities as conditions necessary for the formation of hypoxia and anoxia in the coastal ecosystem. With the aim of identifying key microbial communities responsible for anoxia, we investigated the 2017–2018 Karenia bloom. Various water quality parameters, phytoplankton, and microbial community compositions were studied at eight sites on the West Florida Shelf. K. brevis densities were highest at the site of the plume of the Caloosahatchee River. At the site with the highest K. brevis abundance (6.3 ×106 cells/L), dissolved oxygen (DO) was supersaturated (303 %) at the surface, and the chlorophyll a concentration was 118 µg/L. The highest bacterial cell count (9.0 ×106 cells/mL) and the lowest bacterial diversity were also observed at this site. The bacterial community determined by high-throughput amplicon sequencing at this bloom site was unique and dominated by Bacteroidetes, which occupied 65 % of the relative abundance of the microbial community. The bottom water was generally hypoxic (mean ± SD: 0.98 ± 1.13 mg/L), with select stations having DO as low as 0.06 mg/L (anoxic). The anoxic bottom water harbored unique microbial taxa that were associated with the low oxygen conditions. Significant negative correlations were found between DO and the relative abundance of Deltaproteobacteria, Firmicutes, Spirochaetes, and unclassified Proteobacteria. Our investigation lays the groundwork for subsequent studies delving into the responses of phytoplankton and microbial communities to disturbances caused by Karenia blooms, as well as future strategies for mitigation and ecosystem restoration.

Development of Hematite Nano Ellipsoids/Pectin Composite Films for Green Packaging Applications.

Synthetic packaging materials are known to cause serious environmental and human health problems. Among the eco-friendly biopolymers from nonfood sources that are suitable for packaging applications, pectin is a promising candidate. However, native pectin films (NPF) exhibit poor mechanical strength, high hydrophilicity, and poor gas diffusion barrier properties. These shortcomings offset the advantages of pectin as a potential packaging material. To address these limitations, in this study, hematite nano ellipsoids (HNEs) were incorporated as fillers to reinforce native pectin films. This reinforcement resulted in substantial improvements in the mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, thermal stability, barrier properties, and optical attributes of pectin films. Compared to NPF, the pectin-hematite composite film exhibited a 35% increase in tensile strength, a 30° increase in contact angle, a 6-fold increase in the oxygen diffusion barrier properties, and a 20% increase in the water vapor barrier properties. This study presents a sustainable, biocompatible, and biodegradable packaging solution by capitalizing on eco-friendly biopolymer and nanoparticle engineering.

Accurate PM2.5 urban air pollution forecasting using multivariate ensemble learning Accounting for evolving target distributions

Over the past decades, air pollution has caused severe environmental and public health problems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a key component reflecting air quality, is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide after cardiovascular disease, smoking, and diet. Various research efforts have aimed to develop PM2.5 forecasting models that can be integrated into a solution to mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution. However, PM2.5 forecasting is challenging because air pollution data are non-stationary and influenced by multiple random effects. This paper proposes an effective multivariate multi-step ensemble machine learning model for predicting continuous 24-h PM2.5 concentrations, considering meteorological conditions, the rolling mean of PM2.5 time series, and temporal features. PM2.5 is strongly correlated with space and time. Therefore, forecasting results from one location are insufficient to represent the level of air pollution for an entire city. In this study, we established six real-time air quality monitoring sites in different regions, including traffic, residential, and industrial areas in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), and generated forecasting results for each station. Various statistical methods are incorporated to evaluate the performance of the model. The experimental results confirm that the model performs well, substantially improving its forecasting accuracy compared to existing PM2.5 forecasting models developed for HCMC. In addition, we analyze to determine the contribution of different feature groups to model performance. The model can serve as a reference for citizens scheduling local travel and for healthcare providers to provide early warnings.

Analysis of Samarinda City Waste Generation and Management towards a Sustainable City

Samarinda City, as the capital of East Kalimantan, has experienced a significant increase in waste generation in line with population growth and economic activity. This gives rise to various environmental and public health problems. This case study aims to analyze waste generation in Samarinda City and evaluate the existing waste management system in Samarinda City. The research method used is a case study. The research location is Samarinda City, East Kalimantan. Data collection techniques include literature studies, visits to the Samarinda City Environmental Service for field observations, interviews with stakeholders. The data analysis technique used is SWOT Analysis. Waste management in Samarinda City needs to be improved to achieve a sustainable city. Educational efforts, community participation and the development of an integrated waste management system are the main keys in overcoming the waste problem in Samarinda City.

Analysis of Traffic Noise on the Sutan Soripada Mulia Road, Padang Sidimpuan City

Highways are infrastructure for smooth traffic, both in cities and in regions. Noise and vibration are one of the environmental health problems in large and developing cities, such as Padangsidimpuan City. The transportation sector is the main cause of environmental problems today, according to Minister of Health Regulation No.78/Men.Kes/Per/XI/1987, which is called Noise is the occurrence of unwanted sounds that disturb and/or endanger health. The noise level quality standard is used as a reference standard that ensures that a certain area/region does not cause disturbances, especially to human health and environmental comfort. (Ruly Asmarani, 2017) said that noise is a type of environmental stimulus to which each individual can respond differently. Based on the noise level captured by the SLM (Sound Level Meter), the highest noise level occurs at 07:00 - 08:00 WIB at 72.80 dB compared to other hours and is reviewed based on the characteristics of land use for the school area. The noise level limit value is 55 d.B(A) and the highest noise occurs at 07-08 am with a noise level of 72.8 decibels and the lowest noise occurs at 10-11 WIB with a noise level of 47.8 decibels. From the results of this research, it is recommended that schools close windows during the learning process to reduce the noise caused by passing vehicles.

Ventilation and Public Health: A Fraught History.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a vigorous public health discussion has arisen over indoor air quality and ventilation. In popular press articles, bestselling books, and the US Environmental Protection Agency's recently announced Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, scholars and policy experts have claimed that improved ventilation systems can lead to better productivity and performance. By reevaluating those claims in light of the history of public health in Great Britain and the United States, we found that better ventilation has frequently been proposed as a cost-effective and nonintrusive means of improving health in institutions experiencing structural and environmental public health problems. Furthermore, our examination of efforts to provide ventilation for enslaved people, incarcerated people, and the urban poor revealed a consistent lack of government regulation and a disassociation of air quality concerns from broader environmental, social, and economic realities. By continuing to ignore these broader contexts, current ventilation efforts risk repeating this pattern. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(8):798-804. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307670).

Application of the theory of planned behavior to model the intention and behavior of tomato growers in pesticide exposure

Widespread and indiscriminate use of pesticides has become one of the most important environmental and public health problems around the world. This study was conducted with the aim of applying the theory of planned behavior model to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of tomato growers in the face of pesticides in agricultural lands located in Kurdistan province, western Iran. We included 300 tomato growers in this study and they filled up a standard TPB questionnaire containing questions about basic information, knowledge, attitude and behavior about pesticides and their actions for disposing of the residual spray solution, washing place of pesticide sprayer, and the disposal of water from washing the equipment. Most of the respondents, 86.7 %, had not participated in promotional classes on how to dispose of the residual solution. Approximately 46.15, 38.46, and 15.39 % of pesticides contained moderately toxic, slightly toxic and practically non-toxic compounds, respectively. More than two-thirds (89 %) of the tomato growers stated that they leave the water from washing the equipment in the field. In addition, among the three variables of TPB, attitudes had the highest score (3.38), which indicated the positive to relatively neutral attitude of farmers towards the safe use of pesticides. These findings can be useful for planners and environmental organizations to make effective interventions to reduce environmental pollution caused by pesticides. Since the incorrect use of pesticides is one of the important environmental and health factors, education and awareness programs can help farmers to consider the correct use of pesticides and environmental protection more.

Fix workforce problems in environmental health or risk further outbreaks of foodborne disease

Fix workforce problems in environmental health or risk further outbreaks of foodborne disease

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of solid waste management system among households of Darge sub-city, east Wollega Zone, Oromia, Western Ethiopia

Background: Inappropriate solid waste management produced in the course of human activities has serious problems for the environment that adversely affect the health of the human population. Thus, towns and cities in developing countries like Ethiopia face environmental health and aesthetic problems resulting from improper management of solid waste disposal. Uncontrolled waste management may also contribute to the transmission of communicable diseases from different systems as well as encourage fly breading, which has nuisance effects in addition to disease transmission. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of solid waste management systems in households in Darge sub-city, East Wollega Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using systematic random sampling techniques from February 1st to February 15th, 2022. Data was collected from 278 households using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. After data collection, data analysis was performed using SPSS computer software version 22.0. Results: The study showed that 67.3% had good knowledge, 65.86% had a positive attitude, and 63.3% had good practice in solid waste management (SWM). Among the households, 12.6% and 42.1% dispose of solid waste in open fields and open disposal pits, respectively. The perceived reason for improper solid waste disposal was a lack of awareness (55.4%) and a shortage of a place for solid waste disposal (30.6%). Conclusion: The knowledge, attitude, and practice of households in the study area need improvement according to standards for towns and sub-cities. Increasing knowledge, changing attitudes, and improving practice in SWM using the existing structure are recommended.

Epidemiological association between water salinity and blood pressure in coastal populations: ambient temperature’s role as a confounder

Due to global climate change and anthropogenic activities, many low-lying coastal communities experience high sodium in drinking water as a result of saltwater intrusion, an emerging environmental health problem in many coastal regions. Drinking saline water is associated with higher sodium intake and hypertension. Exposure to higher ambient temperatures is common in many regions affected by saltwater intrusion, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Little attention has been given to the role of ambient temperature in the epidemiological association between drinking saline water and population blood pressure. We argue that high ambient temperatures increase water salinity and influence communities' sodium intake, urinary sodium excretion, and blood pressure. Hence, we hypothesize that ambient temperature is a potential confounder for the relationship between drinking saline water and population blood pressure. Testing the hypothesis requires a detailed measurement of urinary, blood, and sweat biomarkers (e.g., sodium), the population's blood pressure, and their drinking water’s salinity. An increasing number of coastal regions and islands will face the dual burden of high ambient heat exposure and saltwater intrusion in the future. Future studies are needed to determine the association between drinking saline water and blood pressure after adjusting for ambient temperature in saltwater intrusion-affected regions.