Health Of Local Communities Research Articles

Impact of solid waste dumping on soil quality and its potential risk on human health and environment.

The soil, comprising minerals, organic matter, and living organisms, serves as a critical component of our environment. However, anthropogenic activities, such as uncontrolled sewage disposal and industrial waste, have led to pervasive soil pollution, impacting ecosystems and human health. This comprehensive study scrutinizes the intricate dynamics of soil pollution resulting from open waste dumping, specifically examining its impact on the health of local communities and the environment in Haridwar municipality. In this study, four solid waste dumping sites were meticulously surveyed, with soil samples analyzed for 19 parameters through statistical tools like one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis tests, soil pollution indices, and potential health risk assessment. The Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo) and contamination factor (CF) followed the heavy metals in the order of Zn > Mn > Fe > Cu in all selected sites. Additionally, a potential health risk assessment considered ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure pathways, revealing a high non-carcinogenic risk of metals (Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu) for both children and adults. In the ingestion pathway, the hazard quotient indicated a high risk of metals for both children and adults in the range of 1192.73 to 2066.94 for child and 191.98 to 312.16 for adults. Crucially, the HQ revealed potential health risks, emphasizing the urgency of addressing metal contamination. However, the findings indicate that dumping sites directly or indirectly affects the local people of Haridwar municipality. Therefore, this study provides a baseline framework for minimizing the impact of dumping sites on local population and the environment.

Pemberdayaan Kesehatan Lansia melalui Pemeriksaan Tekanan Darah, dan Senam Lansia di Kelurahan Partali Toruan Hutabarat

The aim of this research is to assess the effectiveness of the elderly health program run by the Partali Toruan Hutabarat Village, with special emphasis on participatory sessions specifically for the elderly and periodic blood pressure. The analytical method used is an intervention study with data collection both before and after the intervention. The results show a significant increase in understanding of the importance of regularly cleaning and using natural materials for the health of local communities. Apart from that, there was also a negative impact seen on the average blood pressure levels in the group of program participants. All of this highlights the important role of community initiatives in improving the health of the elderly through integrated and sustainable efforts, such as health education and promotion of active lifestyles.

COVID-19 Pandemic, Economic Livelihoods, and the Division of Labor in Rural Communities of Delta and Edo States in Nigeria

The COVID-19 pandemic affected economic, social, health, and political aspects of most global, national, and local populations, including urban and rural communities. Government measures like lockdowns resulted in the closure of schools and businesses, while social distancing preventing group gatherings impacted public and private spaces. Based on key informants’ interviews with 36 participants drawn equally from three senatorial districts of Edo and Delta states of Nigeria, we analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the type of work men and women do and division of household activities, such as cooking, child, and family care. The findings show that traditional gender role ideology (GRI) defines and shapes rural men’s and women’s work, with women more engaged in farming, rearing livestock, and trading while men are engaged in farming, rearing livestock, and carrying out skilled jobs like carpentry, plumbing, and blacksmithing. The lockdown of schools and workplaces resulted in women disproportionately bearing the burden of cooking and caring for children, the elderly, and the sick. A few rural men shared childcare, while women spent more time on housework and childcare activities than in the pre-pandemic period when children were in school for 6–7 h daily. During the pandemic, rural men and women spent more time with the children, such that rural women stayed at home or took children to the farms and marketplaces where possible. Older siblings and the elderly also provided support for women. In conclusion, work and family activities during COVID were, to an extent, difficult to manage as parents had to cope with increasing food insecurity, economic and transportation costs, and social deprivation fostered by social norms, values, and practices that perpetuate gender inequality and marginalization of women.

Assessing the Viability of Smaller Municipalities: The Alberta Model

A confluence of economic and social trends has created significant challenges for smaller municipalities in jurisdictions across the advanced industrial societies. Population stagnation or decline and the concentration of major industries in metropolitan centres have weakened the economies of smaller communities and frequently triggered fiscal crises. This leads to serious challenges not only for the local communities but for other levels of government. Responses to this challenge from provincial and national governments have followed a variety of paths. In some cases, governments have opted for major reorganization. This may entail a shift to regional forms of government or support for amalgamations or annexations by larger, financially stronger municipalities. In Canada, Manitoba and New Brunswick provide two recent examples of provincial governments that have chosen sweeping changes to their systems of local government. Alberta, by contrast, has elected a case-by case approach to municipal reorganization. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs has developed a process for viability reviews of municipalities facing serious fiscal challenges. This approach reflects the stronger economic state of most municipalities in the province; at this point, there is no need for a sweeping reorganization of municipal government. To date, 24 municipalities have undergone a viability review and 14 have elected to dissolve. In doing so, they become hamlets in the surrounding County or Municipal District. This process has worked well for Alberta, but challenges remain. Dissolution does not solve all of the problems that communities are facing; the problems that led to dissolution remain and become the responsibility of the absorbing entity. And more municipalities are likely to experience the difficulties that have led others to dissolve. Monitoring the health of local communities and providing support to both struggling municipalities and the counties and districts that may assume responsibility for them will be needed to ensure the sustainability of Alberta’s existing municipal framework.

Impacts of rainfall on peat fire during the dry season and wet dry season on degraded tropical peatland in South Sumatra, Indonesia

Peat fires on cleared and drained tropical peatlands continue to cause tremendous damage to their ecological functions, contribute to global warming, and reduce in health of local communities, where the fire incidents in 2019 and 2020 correlated with weather conditions. The research aims to determine and clarify the correlation between rainfall dynamics and the occurrence and severity of peat fires in degraded tropical peatlands in South Sumatra, Indonesia. The research was conducted by recording rainfall Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) data, surface and peat fuel, and peat fire area primer data from 2019 to 2020. The results show that two types of weather correlate with the size of the burned area in the Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) regency. Temporal rainfall distribution, quantity, and duration a determining factor for the transition of surface fires to peat fires, especially in the role they play in the hydrology and moisture conditions of peat and surface fuels. This study will present the effect of rainfall in the dry and wet dry seasons on peatland fires and the extent of peat fires that occurred in two years.

The Role of Community Health Nurses in Promoting Occupational Health and Safety Awareness within Facilities by Embracing Modern Distance Learning Techniques

Overall, accessibility, engagement, and cost-effectiveness can all be significantly impacted by the use of remote learning for occupational health and safety training. In order to make significant progress toward raising occupational health and safety awareness within facilities, it is critical to deal with any potential roadblocks and implement plans that will optimize its effectiveness. Using remote learning for occupational health and safety training of facility staff presents both potential benefits and challenges with regard to raising safety awareness and improving occupational health. Community health nurses play a critical role in improving health and wellness in local communities (CHNs). Workplace health and safety is another area where this is pertinent, particularly for smaller businesses located in impoverished areas where access to occupational health professionals may be limited. By utilizing contemporary remote learning technology, CHNs can serve as effective advocates for and teachers of personnel on critical safety procedures. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the role of community health nurses in promoting occupational health and safety awareness within facilities by embracing modern distance learning techniques.

Some Aspects of Research on the Problems of Ensuring Environmental Safety of the Aral Region During the Years of Independence of Uzbekistan

Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to comprehensively examine the challenges associated with ensuring environmental safety in the Aral region during the years of Uzbekistan's independence. The focus is on understanding the multifaceted issues arising from the Aral Sea crisis, including its historical context, socio-economic implications, and ecological impact on communities.
 
 Methods: The research methodology involves a detailed analysis of the historical background of the Aral Sea crisis, investigating the root causes related to extensive irrigation projects and natural factors. The study assesses the effectiveness of environmental conservation and rehabilitation efforts by examining policies and initiatives implemented by the Uzbek government and international organizations. Additionally, it explores the contributions of local communities, scientific institutions, and non-governmental organizations in sustainable development and environmental protection initiatives.
 
 Results: The findings of the study reveal the severity of the environmental degradation in the Aral region, emphasizing the adverse effects on the health and livelihoods of local communities. The analysis of government and international initiatives provides insights into the ongoing challenges and successes in addressing the Aral Sea crisis. The role of local communities, scientific institutions, and non-governmental organizations in sustainable development and environmental protection is highlighted, showcasing the complexities surrounding these efforts.
 
 Conclusion: In conclusion, this study underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach to tackle the multifaceted challenges of environmental safety in the Aral region. It acknowledges the historical and ongoing efforts by the Uzbek government, international organizations, and local stakeholders. The study offers recommendations for future strategies to mitigate the environmental crisis, emphasizing sustainable development as a key component in ensuring the long-term well-being of the Aral region.

Prosocial Interventions and Health Outcomes

Prosocial interventions encourage voluntary actions that benefit others. Community solidarity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding mutual aid programs, and health workforce issues have accelerated prosocial health interventions. To investigate the association of prosocial interventions with health outcomes in clinical trials and observational studies. In this systematic review and meta-analysis informed by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, 5 databases (MEDLINE [via PubMed], Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Scopus) were searched from database inception through February 23, 2023. The search included terms for altruism and prosocial behaviors, health outcomes, and study type. Included studies, determined by multiple reviewers, compared health outcomes in a prosocial intervention group with a nonintervention group. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guideline, data extraction and synthesis captured quantitative and qualitative data. To pool data from quantitative studies, random-effects meta-analyses were used to estimate the impact of prosocial interventions. To combine data from quantitative and qualitive studies, data were transformed into qualitative narratives using meta-aggregation. The main outcome was whether prosocial interventions were associated with improved health outcomes. Barriers to and facilitators of implementation of these interventions were assessed. The search identified 5229 citations; 30 studies were included in the synthesis. Studies indicated that prosocial interventions were associated with positive health outcomes for givers (17 studies [56.7]) and recipients (8 [26.7%]). Prosocial interventions included acts of kindness (12 studies [40.0%]), cash gifts (7 [23.3%]), pay-it-forward approaches (6 [20.0%]), and expressions of kindness (5 [16.7%]). Improvements were reported in depression, testing for sexually transmitted diseases, vaccine uptake, physical activity, and individual biomarkers. Data from 6 studies (20.0%) demonstrated that pay-it-forward approaches were associated with increased uptake of diagnostic tests or vaccines among vulnerable groups (moderate certainty of evidence). Data from 14 studies (46.7%) suggested that community connectedness facilitated prosocial interventions. Shared vulnerabilities among groups (eg, sexual minority individuals, older adults) may provide a context for collective mobilization to improve health in local communities. This systematic review and meta-analysis found that prosocial interventions were associated with improved health outcomes among vulnerable groups and have been useful for addressing health disparities. Further research is needed to develop and evaluate prosocial interventions.

Edukasi Pemanfaatan Tanaman Obat Keluarga (TOGA) di Pekarangan Taman Dasawisma RT 37 Perumahan Green View Regency Malang

This community service activity focuses on introducing education and the use of Family Medicinal Plants (FMP) in the garden of Taman Dasawisma RT 37 Green View Regency Malang. The implementation method for this program consists of five stages which include initial survey and preparation, training and education, FMP garden development, monitoring, and evaluation, as well as dissemination of results and sustainability. Through this activity, the community gains an in-depth understanding of FMP, selecting types of medicinal plants, processing, and utilization. This program has succeeded in making a significant positive contribution to the community. The direct impacts obtained include increasing knowledge about FMP, independence in health care, reducing health expenditure, developing a shared FMP garden, increasing environmental awareness, and improving quality of life. The success of this activity can become a role model for other communities to adopt a similar approach to improve the health and well-being of local communities.

A perspective on tools for assessing the building sector’s greenhouse gas emissions and beyond

Increasing impacts from anthropogenic climate change, coupled with the rising need to provide safe and healthy buildings in which people can live, work, and play, necessitates methods and tools for decarbonizing the building sector. Governments, industry, and others are interested in assessing both the embodied and operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of buildings. Stakeholders have embraced whole building life-cycle assessment (WBLCA) as a framework for quantifying the life-cycle impacts of buildings, from raw material extraction to the building’s end of life. The purpose of this perspective is to offer an analysis on prominently used WBLCA tools, focusing on how well the tools are suited for assessing the embodied and operational GHG emissions from all phases of a building’s life cycle, and to suggest recommendations for improving the tools. Existing WBLCA tools can provide a detailed assessment of most materials used in the building’s core and shell but lack the capability to quantify impacts accurately and comprehensively from all building systems as well as from the construction, transportation, operation, and end-of-life phases. Suggested short term improvements for the tools include: (1) increased standardization among tools and environmental product declarations (EPDs) to allow for detailed comparison among different material options earlier in the design process; (2) incorporation of verified, local-manufacturer EPDs for all building materials, components, and systems and of specific on-site conditions; and (3) integration of tradeoffs between embodied and operational design decisions. We need to move beyond the prevailing approach of using WBLCA tools to select building materials that have the lowest embodied footprint. Future WBLCA tools need to be able to assess, in detail, how different design, construction, transportation, operation, and end-of-life decisions for a building not only affect GHG emissions, but other key sustainability goals including resilience to climate change, environmental justice, and human health of local communities.

Ciguatera poisoning in French Polynesia: A review of the distribution and toxicity of Gambierdiscus spp., and related impacts on food web components and human health

Ciguatera Poisoning (CP) is a seafood poisoning highly prevalent in French Polynesia. This illness results from the consumption of seafood contaminated with ciguatoxins (CTXs) produced by Gambierdiscus, a benthic dinoflagellate. Ciguatera significantly degrades the health and economic well-being of local communities largely dependent on reef fisheries for their subsistence. French Polynesia has been the site of rich and active CP research since the 1960′s. The environmental, toxicological, and epidemiological data obtained in the frame of large-scale field surveys and a country-wide CP case reporting program conducted over the past three decades in the five island groups of French Polynesia are reviewed. Results show toxin production in Gambierdiscus in the natural environment may vary considerably at a temporal and spatial scale, and that several locales clearly represent Gambierdiscus spp. “biodiversity hotspots”. Current data also suggest the “hot” species G. polynesiensis could be the primary source of CTXs in local ciguateric biotopes, pending formal confirmation. The prevalence of ciguatoxic fish and the CTX levels observed in several locales were remarkably high, with herbivores and omnivores often as toxic as carnivores. Results also confirm the strong local influence of Gambierdiscus spp. on the CTX toxin profiles characterized across multiple food web components including in CP-prone marine invertebrates. The statistics, obtained in the frame of a long-term epidemiological surveillance program established in 2007, point towards an apparent decline in the number of CP cases in French Polynesia as a whole; however, incidence rates remain dangerously high in some islands. Several of the challenges and opportunities, most notably those linked to the strong cultural ramifications of CP among local communities, that need to be considered to define effective risk management strategies are addressed.

Assessing the impact of a 6-year health sciences enrichment program for underrepresented minority youth on healthcare workforce diversity, career path, and public health.

Improving the quality of care for a diverse population requires a diverse healthcare workforce which necessitates high educational attainment among underrepresented communities. Programs aimed to address healthcare workforce diversity gaps also serve as a public health intervention by offering avenues to improve the health of local communities by providing students with the knowledge and skills to promote healthy behaviors, foster scientific literacy, and inspire future public health professionals - who in turn serve their local communities to advance health outcomes. We interviewed alumni of the New York Presbyterian Hospital Lang Youth Medical Program (LYMP), a high school health sciences mentoring and enrichment program for underrepresented minority youth in Upper Manhattan, from graduating classes between 2012 and 2021 to explore their perspectives on what aspects of the program had the most impact on their academic and career paths. This is a qualitative study using in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews. All interviews were analyzed using the constant comparative method for developing grounded theory, following a convenience sampling method. 106 codes were organized into 24 themes, which were further arranged into 4 topic areas: demonstrated program success, intangible program drivers, improvement opportunities, and barriers to program participation. Topic areas captured participants' perspectives on how the program is designed to foster an environment of personal, academic, and professional development; ways aspects of the program organically worked together to provide unanticipated positive facilitators; opportunities for program improvements, and external factors that influenced decision-making. Through this study, we found that the LYMP had a positive influence in helping participants set and achieve personal, academic, and professional goals. Alumni reported activities and experiences offered by the program that foster key youth development constructs linked to healthier and more resilient communities. Importantly, the vast majority of participants described how the synergism between program features, staff support, family involvement, and professional development and networking created an environment of achievement that went beyond the scope of the program design. Findings from this study offer a blueprint for other organizations to craft a similarly successful enrichment program that improves health outcomes, reduces health disparities, and promotes overall population health.

The Apaguen los Mecheros campaign: Supporting climate justice in the Amazonian cities of Ecuador by estimating the health risks of gas flaring

On 26 January 2021, the Court of Nueva Loja banned oil-related gas flaring (GF) activities in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region (EAR), establishing a term of 18 months for GF sites ‘near populated centres’ and until 2030 for those remaining. However, it is still unclear how the ruling will be applied.The present study investigates the impact of GF sites on Amazonian settlements to support the application of the ban. This research is part of the Extreme Citizen Science process carried out by the Apaguen los Mecheros campaign—one of the main claimants in the trial.To estimate the impacts on populated centres and four Amazonian cities, literature data on GF impacts were used to create three risk scenarios: very high-risk scenarios (VHR) within 0.65 km, high-risk scenarios (HR) within 2.25 km and moderate-risk scenarios (MR) within 5 km.The results highlighted that 294 of 295 GF sites affect at least one populated centre in the MR and should thus be shut off. Additionally, 92 populated centres are affected in the VHR, 318 populated centres are affected in the HR and 711 populated centres are affected in the MR, while 180 populated centres are affected simultaneously by 6–18 GF sites in the MR. The results also show that 99,918 people in Amazonian cities may be currently affected by the MR, and more than 12,000 are affected in VHR areas.By applying different metrics found in literature, the research provides the first assessment of the risk posed to the health of local communities for GF in the EAR. The results are being used from members of campaign in the trial, showing how participatory processes can support the grassroots and indigenous movements taking action to shape just futures.

ANALYSIS OF SUSPENDED SOLIDS CONTENT IN RICE FIELD STREAM WATER CONSUMED BY PANTE KUYUN VILLAGE COMMUNITY ACEH JAYA DISTRICT

Water is vital to life and ecosystems on Earth. It supports important ecological functions, such as providing resources for flora and fauna, regulating climate, and various biogeochemical processes that affect the environment as a whole. All living organisms, including humans, depend on water for their survival and well-being. This research is a descriptive analysis that aims to reveal the content of suspended solids in the water of rice field streams in Pante Kuyun Village. Conducted since November 2023, this research took place in Aceh Jaya District, with the analysis of suspended solids levels carried out at the Aceh Health Research and Development Center Laboratory. The research subjects included the people of Pante Kuyun Village and the water of the rice fields in the area. The sampling method was representative, where one sample was taken from the water of the Pante Kuyun Village rice field. The results showed that the level of suspended solids (TSS) in the rice paddy stream water reached 6.4 mg/L. These findings provide an important snapshot of the water quality in the area, which can serve as a foundation for further policies and actions to maintain the sustainability of the ecosystem and the health of local communities.

Ethnomedicinal Plant Resources of Tamang Community in the Konjyosom Rural Municipility, Lalitpur District, Nepal

Background: In Nepal, plant resources play an important role in the health of local communities. However, in many parts of the country, this role and its patterns are understudied. The purpose of this study was to document medicinal plant species and assess their use among the Tamang community in Lalitpur district, Central Nepal. Methods: Ethnomedicinal information was collected through focus group discussions, semi structured interviews with local peoples and key informants from the Tamang community using rapid rural appraisal tools (RRA) across the five wards vz. Nallu, Chaughare, Bhardew, Dalchoki and Sankhu of the Konjyosom rural municipality. Botanical voucher samples were collected for scientific identification. The quantitative data were analyzed for informants consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL) and relative frequency of citation (RFC). Results: A total of 176 plant species were recorded under 82 families and 158 genera as medicinal to treat different ailments. Among them, 169 species were angiosperms, one gymnosperm and six pteridophytes. Herbs (78 spp.) occurred most frequently in the study area, and the leaves (38 spp.) were commonly foraged. The most common route of consumption was oral (98 spp.) and the paste (36 spp.) was frequently administered. The majority of the species (58%) were collected from the forest. The ICF value ranged from 0.26 (digestive) to 0.97 (respiratory). The RFC value ranged from 0.01 to 0.87. Curcuma longa had the highest frequency of citation index of 0.87. is this RFC? Merge these 2 sentences The FL index ranged from 42.86% to 100%. The most preferred medicinal plant species was Curcuma longa which was used to treat cuts and wounds and common cold (51%). Conclusion: Medicinal plants have played a significant role in the health care of local people. This study provides a comprehensive documentation of ethnomedicinal plant species using among the Tamang community of Konjyosom rural municipality, Lalitpur district. This study concluded that it is necessary to document and preserve biodiversity and its associated knowledge, which may lead to additional research activities. Keywords: Ethnic people; Ethnobotanical, Informants, Interview

Reviving Smallholder Hill Farming by Involving Rural Youth in Food System Transformation and Promoting Community-Based Agri-Ecotourism: A Case of Uttarakhand State in North-Western India

Until recent decades, labour-intensive subsistence farming was a way of life and livelihood in the hill communities of Uttarakhand, India. However, the nature of agriculture falls far short of the expectations of the main labour force, the rural youth, leading to their mass migration to non-agricultural occupations. The large-scale youth migration has left many hill farming landscapes depopulated and farmlands abandoned. As youth have special stakes in food systems, they must be included in the sustainable transformation of food systems. By doing so, the migration-prone hill region may be transformed into a place where rural youth have more options for work and income. Therefore, the agriculture sector needs to change and develop into a more engaging and youthful workplace. There are opportunities to explore and barriers to be removed. Besides identifying priority research areas on local food systems, in this exploratory research, we investigate opportunities to involve rural young people in the transformation of the food system. We document information by conducting focus group discussion (FGD) meetings in about 100 villages in the Uttarakhand hills, representing all major farming landscapes. This study mainly focuses on improving the production and consumption aspects of local food, which not only benefits the health and wellbeing of local communities but also has many positive economic, social, and environmental effects. In addition, we explore opportunities for reviving mountain agriculture through agri-ecotourism, which is a symbiotic relationship between tourism and agriculture. Making home- or farm stays in agri-ecotourism a subsistence strategy for local youth will contribute to a more prosperous rural economy. Recognising Uttarakhand’s rich culture and heritage while exploring the culinary travel opportunities in homestays will provide opportunities to focus more on traditional food systems, exposing various tangible and intangible aspects of the host region’s food culture to tourists. The findings of this study will aid in identifying specific policy issues for consideration by planners and policymakers at the local and state levels. Additionally, this exploratory study will assist young, motivated researchers in conducting follow-up, in-depth investigations and producing empirical data in their specialised fields.

The effect of perceived control on local consumption

AbstractLocal consumption improves the economic health of local communities and reduces the environmental impact of marketing activities, and hence it is important to understand factors that increase the likelihood of local consumption. Across eight studies in the laboratory and field, we show that the likelihood of local consumption increases as consumers' perceived control decreases with this effect being mediated by feelings of anticipated warm glow. We also identify two boundary conditions of this effect, namely perceived quality of the product and public self‐consciousness of the consumer. This research contributes to the literature in the following ways. First, it identifies perceived control as a novel self‐discrepancy‐based antecedent of the likelihood of local consumption. Second, it identifies anticipated warm glow as a novel affective mechanism underlying the effect of perceived control on the likelihood of local consumption. Third, it identifies perceived quality of the local product as a novel moderator of the effect of perceived control on the likelihood of local consumption. Fourth, it identifies public self‐consciousness of the consumer as another novel moderator of the effect of perceived control on the likelihood of local consumption. This research also contributes methodologically by demonstrating robustness of effects across a range of manipulations and measures including incentive‐compatible behavior and online behavior.

Exposure to heavy metals in oil and gas wastes: A systematic review on health hazards assessment and mitigation in Nigeria

Heavy metals are toxic elements that are known to pose a significant threat to human health and the environment. In the oil and gas industry, heavy metals can be found in various waste streams, including drilling muds, production fluids, and produced waters. It is important to assess the health hazards associated with these wastes to ensure the safety of workers and the public. This systematic review aimed to assess the health hazards of heavy metals present in oil and gas waste in Nigeria. The study analyzed the levels of heavy metals in the waste, their sources, and the potential health risks associated with exposure. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies published. The results of the study showed that high levels of heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury were present in the oil and gas waste in Nigeria. The exposure to these heavy metals can lead to serious health issues such as respiratory problems, kidney damage, and cancer. Based on the literature, there are several methods that can be used to mitigate the health hazards of heavy metals in oil and gas waste. These methods include incineration, treatment with chemicals, proper landfill management, and recycling. To ensure the safety of workers and the surrounding communities, it is essential that these methods be implemented and monitored properly. The findings of these studies call for increased public health interventions and the implementation of effective measures to prevent and mitigate the toxic impacts of petroleum waste on the health of local communities. The study also highlighted the need for effective regulations and more management strategies to minimize the exposure of the population to these hazardous substances and protect public health.

Trace element contamination in soils surrounding the open-cast coal mines of eastern Raniganj basin, India.

Trace element pollution of soils surrounding coal-mining areas affects the health of local communities. The increasing coal-mining and associated activities in the Raniganj basin (east India) have led to increased soil concentration of certain trace elements. To quantify the elevated trace element (TE) concentrations in the soil surrounding coal-mining areas, 83 surface soil, coal, and shale samples were collected from open-cast mining areas of the eastern Raniganj basin. The soils present are sandy silt, silty sand, and silty in nature, but almost no clay. They are acidic (pH = 4.3) to slightly alkaline (pH = 7.9) with a mean electrical conductivity (EC) of 340.45µS/cm and a mean total organic carbon (TOC) of 1.80%. The northern and western parts of the study area were found to be highly polluted by certain metallic trace elements. The relevant environmental indices, geoaccumulation index (Igeo), contamination factors (CF), enrichment factors (EF), and pollution load index (PLI) were calculated and assessed. Analysis revealed that Cr was highly enriched in these soil samples, followed by Pb, Co, Cu, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Zn, As, and Al. Geostatistical analyses (correlation coefficients and principal component analysis) indicated that the occurrence of some trace elements (Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) is most likely linked to the various coal-mining operations in the study area. However, the anomalous Cr and Pb distributions are likely influenced by other anthropogenic, mainly industrial, inputs besides coal mining. These results justify the adoption of rigorous soil monitoring programs in the vicinity of coal-mining areas, to identify pollution hotspots and to develop strategies to reduce or mitigate such environmentally damaging pollution.

Airport operations with electric-powered towing alternatives under stochastic conditions

Air transportation has become a common travelling medium for ordinary public in most regions around the world since the deregulation of civil aviation in the US in 1978. While the global economy and the ordinary people have benefited from the growing air-transportation, the negative impacts of such change have not gone unnoticed. Today, civil aviation is a significant contributor to several environmental issues such as conflict with wildlife, noise pollution, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GGE). The civil aviation industry is responsible for 2–3% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Moreover, the emissions at airports have an even more significant impact on the local population and the surrounding environment. It is estimated that a typical airplane consumes between 4% and 7% of its fuel for ground operations. The GGE released by airports is not only contributing to global warming, but also impacting the health of local communities living next to airports. Accordingly, this paper discusses operational and technological improvements at airports with the objective of minimizing the negative impact of airports on the environment. First, electrification of taxiing operations is discussed. Next, a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model which aims at assigning electric powered tow-tractors for airplanes to complete taxiing operations with minimum jet-fuel usage is introduced. The impact of stochastic conditions on the taxiing operations has been discussed and the impact of traffic density has been incorporated in the model. Finally, an optimum number of tow-tractor purchase strategy is recommended for airports.