Health Risk Assessment For Population Research Articles

Total mercury and methylmercury levels in Brazilian Amazon fish: A scope review with meta-analysis and local population health risk assessment

IntroductionThe Brazilian Amazon has one of the richest biomes and the largest source of freshwater on the planet. However, anthropogenic activities have also turned this region into one of the highest points of human exposure to mercury ever recorded. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to perform a scope review with meta-analysis in order to evaluate the total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) levels in Brazilian Amazon fish, as well as to carry out a local population health risk assessment. MethodsA literature search was systematically performed in research databases and gray literature, remaining 14 studies from 2017 to 2022 for final analysis. The studies were submitted to raw mean and subgroup meta-analysis, followed by a risk characterization and the calculation of a maximum safe consumption of fish for the Amazonian population. ResultsThe selected studies covered 4 Amazonian states, as well as included the analysis of >30 fish species of different trophic levels and sampling in >15 cities. The overall total mercury mean obtained for Brazilian Amazon fish was 0.29 ug g⁻¹. Significant difference was observed between THg levels according to fish trophic level (p < 0.05), which reinforces the MeHg biomagnification. When THg levels from all fish samples were pooled, it was not observed a significant difference among the Amazonian states and the fish sampling season. However, significant variations between microregions and species-specific variations over the seasons should not be discarded. All estimated daily methylmercury intake exceeded the reference dose of 0.1 ug kg BW⁻¹ day⁻¹, resulting in a hazard quotient (HQ) greater than 1 and indicating a risk of chronic exposure by the local population. The maximum safe consumption of fish calculated based on the overall total mercury mean was set as 31, 147 and 173 g week⁻¹ for children, adult women and adult men, respectively, which is much lower than the reality of consumption by the riverside communities (2870 g week⁻¹). ConclusionThere is an urgent need to reduce Hg exposure levels in the region as well as to recommend other protective nutritional strategies to the local population such as defining the fish species with lower mercury contamination levels and their safe weekly consumption.

Ambient Air Pollution and Population Health Risks in a Contaminated Area of a Large Industrial Center

Background: People living in the vicinity of large industrial enterprises are known to be exposed to adverse anthropogenic fac­ tors. Ambient air pollution is one of the main health risks for the population residing in the areas of oil refining and petrochemical industries. In the study district of the city of Samara, the priority air contaminants, principally emitted by motor vehicles and industrial premises, include sulfur dioxide, sulfuric acid, nitrogen dioxide, hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulfide, and benzene. Objective: To assess health risks for the population heavily exposed to airborne chemicals in the city of Samara. Methods: The study was conducted in 2018–2020 in the Kuybyshevsky district of Samara, Russian Federation. Its first stage included hazard identification, i.e. detection of potentially adverse factors, ranking of priority air pollutants having both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects and subject to subsequent risk characterization, and the analysis of xenobiotic con­ centrations in 7,568 ambient air samples. The next stage included population health risk assessment, the results of which were summarized to group the levels of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks by pollutants, routes and pathways of exposure, and target organs. Results: We established that the total carcinogenic risk for the population of the industrial district lay within the second rangeof reference limits and was mainly attributed to inhalation exposure to hexavalent chromium and benzene. The total non-car­ cinogenic hazard index in the community was &lt; 3 for the group of priority pollutants consisting of sulfur oxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrocarbons, and benzene emitted by local oil refineries and petrochemical plants. Conclusions: We obtained permissible risk values for all ambient air contaminants of the industrial district of Samara taken separately. In view of multiplicity of airborne pollutants, however, it is expedient to consider health risks from their combined exposure.

Recommendations of Controlling and Preventing Acute Health Risks of Fine Particulate Matter Pollution - China, 2021.

The task force has comprehensively reviewed efforts for air pollution prevention and control, the acute health effects of fine particles (PM2.5), and the health benefits of air pollution prevention and control in China. It has been found that the overall prevention and control of ambient PM2.5 pollution in China has made remarkable progress in recent years. However, it still remains at a relatively high level. Short-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 significantly increases the mortality and morbidity risk of Chinese residents, resulting in changes to levels of relevant biological markers. Prolonged PM2.5 heavily polluted weather greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Among chemical composition of PM2.5, carbon-containing components, some inorganic salts, and heavy metals are linked with the health impacts. The health risks of PM2.5 pollution are higher for children, the elderly, and patients with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases than for the general population because the former groups are vulnerable subpopulations. The implementation of air pollution prevention and control policies has significantly improved human health. The implementation of personal protective equipment can significantly reduce the health damage caused by short-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 pollution. Based on scientific evidence of PM2.5 pollution and acute health risks in China, the following three recommendations are proposed. 1) The policy recommendations for the prevention and control of ambient PM2.5 pollution include the following: to continuously strengthen the widespread use and efficient development of clean energy; to further promote industrial upgrading; to focus on the control of transportation pollution; to keep improving the modernization system of air pollution control; to formulate and refine relevant standards for air quality gradually; and to estimate the effects and health benefits after the implementation of clean air actions, and relevant policies. 2) Prevention of ambient PM2.5 pollution and protection of public health recommendations include the following: to strengthen the release of air pollution monitoring and relevant information; to strengthen awareness of air pollution hazards; to clarify the guidance and recommendations for protecting population health from air pollution; and to strengthen the health protection of population vulnerable to ambient air pollution. 3) Recommendations for research on health risks of air pollution include the following: to strengthen research on air pollutant monitoring technology and monitoring system based on the promotion of accurate exposure assessment; to systematically carry out full-spectrum identification and correlation studies of air pollutants and health effects; to conduct studies on key toxic components and early biomarker inventory of air pollution health effects; to discover the toxicity mechanisms of the key toxic components of air pollutants; to carry out research on population health risk assessment and early warning of combined exposure to air pollutants; and to execute comprehensive studies on the health and economic benefits of pollution and carbon reduction under the national strategies of carbon neutrality and beautiful China.

Assessment of Health Risks Posed by Water Quality in the Centralized Supply Network of Private Sector Housing in Ufa

Background: At present, high-quality drinking water supply is challenging due to natural and anthropogenic pollution of the environment and remains a priority. The Federal Clean Water Project is aimed at improving the communal infrastructure in order to ensure chemical and microbiological safety of supplied water and to inform the public. Objective: To assess priority health risk factors for the population of Ufa associated with tap water quality within the implementation of the Federal Clean Water Project in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Materials and methods: We used data of the regional information fund of public health monitoring on eight street water pumps located in six administrative districts of the city for 2016–2018. The organoleptic risk associated with drinking water quality was assessed according to Method Recommendations MR 2.1.4.0032–11. Population health risk assessment was carried out in compliance with conditions and requirements of Guidelines R 2.1.10.1920–04. Results: We established that chemical and microbiological quality indices of drinking water in street water pumps in 2016–2018 were below the permissible limits for all samples. Both organoleptic and non-carcinogenic risk estimates were within the acceptable range. The carcinogenic risk for the population was less than a case. Yet, the presence of trihalomethanes and herbicides in tap water sampled in Olimpiyskaya Street posed unacceptable total carcinogenic health risk. Conclusion: The study results were used to develop recommendations for appropriate preventive measures aimed to reduce chemical exposure of the population of Ufa through drinking water.

WITHDRAWN: Medical assurance system under reliability theory and countermeasures to public health risks.

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher.

WITHDRAWN: Investigation of drinking water quality and population health risk assessment in a poor rural area.

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher.

Mental readiness: focusing on the cutting edge

Several intriguing questions were raised during my presentation on Mental readiness and pediatric neurosurgery at the Brazil Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery (BSPN) Scientific Meeting–Webinar on April 15, 2020. Does arrogance disturb mental readiness techniques? Can mindfulness techniques improve surgical readiness? Can simulation models improve mindfulness? How do you stay focused on routine procedures you’ve done 800 times? The University of Ottawa (Canada)—where I am a research scientist in at the McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment in the Faculty of Medicine—has conducted extensive studies on a new discipline called operational readiness. It correlates research with the performances of Olympic athletes and people in high-risk occupations, like surgeons, air traffic controllers and police, whose standards of excellence have life-and-death consequences. So, what can we learn from the best in these fields? Plenty. Our ongoing work makes it clear that effective focusing practices impact one’s performance. But, it is not always easy to “be there for the task-at-hand with all your attention on the right things for the duration of the event without distracting thoughts.” Here are five focusing techniques used by elite surgeons and other peak performers compiled by researchers at the University of Ottawa.

Population health risk assessment associated with air pollution in the area of natural chalk industrial processing complex influence

Increased air pollution in the areas where large mining complexes are located poses a risk to public health. The article examines harmful substances atmosphere emissions’ impact on the population health living near an industrial mining enterprise of the Kopanishchensky natural chalk deposit in the Ostrogozhsky district of the Voronezh region. Environmental risks calculations showed that out of 36 chemical substances that pollute the atmosphere, 5 substances have a carcinogenic effect. The maximum values of the total carcinogenic risk do not exceed the dangerous threshold, however, they need to be carefully monitored. The main contributor to the total risk is carbon soot – 99.9%. Calculations results of non-carcinogenic risks due to inhalation exposure showed that the respiratory organs which are negatively affected by 8 out of 10 priority chemicals, are most potentially affected.

Urban population health risk assessment from traffic noise exposure

The aim of research was to identify health damage probability when traffic noise exposed. Instrumental noise measurements were carried out at 4 control points on the street highways of Voronezh city. The equivalent level of day, evening and night noise was determined. MR 2.1.10.0059-12 “Public health risk assessment from the traffic noise impact” was used as a methodological basis. It was found that the equivalent level of daytime noise varied from 45 to 65 dB, evening – from 40 to 49 dB, night – from 34 to 46 dB. According to the level of diseases reduced risk the cardiovascular system from noise load exposure for time exposure of 70-85 years the risk indicators (0.6861-1.0) refer to the level of “extreme risk”, 60-67 years (0.3551-0, 5594) – to the “high risk” level. The diseases reduced risk of the nervous system and hearing organs from traffic noise exposure is classified as “low”.

Health Outcomes from Home Hospitalization: Multisource Predictive Modeling.

BackgroundHome hospitalization is widely accepted as a cost-effective alternative to conventional hospitalization for selected patients. A recent analysis of the home hospitalization and early discharge (HH/ED) program at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona over a 10-year period demonstrated high levels of acceptance by patients and professionals, as well as health value-based generation at the provider and health-system levels. However, health risk assessment was identified as an unmet need with the potential to enhance clinical decision making.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to generate and assess predictive models of mortality and in-hospital admission at entry and at HH/ED discharge.MethodsPredictive modeling of mortality and in-hospital admission was done in 2 different scenarios: at entry into the HH/ED program and at discharge, from January 2009 to December 2015. Multisource predictive variables, including standard clinical data, patients’ functional features, and population health risk assessment, were considered.ResultsWe studied 1925 HH/ED patients by applying a random forest classifier, as it showed the best performance. Average results of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC; sensitivity/specificity) for the prediction of mortality were 0.88 (0.81/0.76) and 0.89 (0.81/0.81) at entry and at home hospitalization discharge, respectively; the AUROC (sensitivity/specificity) values for in-hospital admission were 0.71 (0.67/0.64) and 0.70 (0.71/0.61) at entry and at home hospitalization discharge, respectively.ConclusionsThe results showed potential for feeding clinical decision support systems aimed at supporting health professionals for inclusion of candidates into the HH/ED program, and have the capacity to guide transitions toward community-based care at HH discharge.

Substantiation of Drinking Water Quality Testing Methods of Choice for the Goals and Objectives of Sanitary and Epidemiologic Expert Examination and Health Risk Assessment

Summary. Introduction: As the most important environmental factor having multiple effects on human vital activities and health, drinking water often becomes the subject of predicting adverse health effects. With the purpose of establishing quantitative and/or qualitative characteristics of harmful effects of drinking water chemicals for human health, an integral assessment of drinking water quality with subsequent health risk assessment is carried out. It is based on estimating the risk posed by chronic (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) exposures that shows probability of developing a disease. Results: Practical activities of departments and institutions of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) on assessing health effects of environmental factors have demonstrated that, even in concentrations equaling their detection limits in quite a number of test methods, most chemical water pollutants pose unacceptable carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks both for the general population and occupational cohorts. Thus, the results of some laboratory methods of testing are inappropriate for an objective human health risk assessment. Conclusions: We describe criteria for selecting methods of the quantitative chemical analysis of drinking water fit for the purposes of sanitary and epidemiologic expert examination combined with a population health risk assessment. The criteria of choice have been elaborated based on the review of regulatory and method documents and results of analytical testing of drinking water quality.

Health benefits of on-road transportation pollution control programs in China

China started to implement comprehensive measures to mitigate traffic pollution at the end of 1990s, but the comprehensive effects, especially on ambient air quality and public health, have not yet been systematically evaluated. In this study, we analyze the effects of vehicle emission control measures on ambient air pollution and associated deaths attributable to long-term exposures of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and O3 based on an integrated research framework that combines scenario analysis, air quality modeling, and population health risk assessment. We find that the total impact of these control measures was substantial. Vehicular emissions during 1998-2015 would have been 2-3 times as large as they actually were, had those measures not been implemented. The national population-weighted annual average concentrations of PM2.5 and O3 in 2015 would have been higher by 11.7 μg/m3 and 8.3 parts per billion, respectively, and the number of deaths attributable to 2015 air pollution would have been higher by 510 thousand (95% confidence interval: 360 thousand to 730 thousand) without these controls. Our analysis shows a concentration of mortality impacts in densely populated urban areas, motivating local policymakers to design stringent vehicle emission control policies. The results imply that vehicle emission control will require policy designs that are more multifaceted than traditional controls, primarily represented by the strict emission standards, with careful consideration of the challenges in coordinated mitigation of both PM2.5 and O3 in different regions, to sustain improvement in air quality and public health given continuing swift growth in China's vehicle population.

Legal analysis of the use of health risk assessment in the field of sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population

In recent years, when regulating relations in the field of ensuring the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population, risk-oriented supervision, and the population health risk assessment have been increasingly applied. The usage of these effective tools requires a clear legal framework. The article represents the analysis of the legal aspects of the usage of public health risk assessment and risk-based control (surveillance) in the field of the sanitary-epidemiological well-being of the population in the Russian Federation. Special attention is drawn to the problems of applying the methods for state sanitary-epidemiological surveillance. The analysis of draft laws related to this area and the legislation and experience of other countries is performed. The analysis of modern legislative changes regarding the application of risk-based supervision and the application of public health risk assessment allows concluding that the methodology for health risk assessment is an important tool in regulating relations in the field of ensuring the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population. Currently, there is a certain legal and regulatory framework for its use. But it needs improvement. As the experience of the “regulatory guillotine” carried out in many countries shows, this procedure allows eliminating many contradictions existing in regulatory legal acts. A risk-based approach is enshrined in the legislation of all EAEU member countries. At the same time, an analysis of the regulatory framework showed that a risk-oriented model was formed to a greater extent and is functioning in terms of classification (categorization) by the risk of harm to the health of legal entities (LE), individual entrepreneurs (IP) or their activities than risk-based supervision of products traded in the consumer market. The transition to a new model of state control (supervision) requires legal consolidation of the risk management system in the law on sanitary and epidemiological well-being and taking into account the experience of the EU and EAEU countries in this area.

Estimation of natural radionuclide and exhalation rates of environmental radioactive pollutants from the soil of northern India

The estimation of radioactivity level is vital for population health risk assessment and geological point of view and can be evaluated as rate of exhalation and source concentration (226Ra, 232Th and 40K). The present study deals with the soil samples for investigation of radionuclides content and exhalation rates of radon –thoron gas from different sites in northern Haryana, India. Absorbed dose and associated index estimated in the present study are the measures of environmental radioactivity to inhalation dose. Effective doses received by different tissues and organs by considering different occupancy and conditions are also measured. Exhalation rates of radon and thoron are measured with active scintillation monitors based on alpha spectroscopy namely scintillation radon (SRM) and thoron (STM) monitors respectively. Sample height was optimized before measurement of thoron exhalation rate using STM. Average values of radon and thoron exhalation are found 16.6 ± 0.7 mBqkg−1h−1 and 132.1 ± 2.6 mBqm−2s−1 respectively. Also, a simple approach was also adopted, to evaluate the thoron exhalation which accomplished a lot of challenges, the results are compared with the data obtained experimentally. The study is useful in the nationwide mapping of radon and thoron exhalation rates for understanding the environmental radioactivity status.

Analysis of the impact of organochlorine compounds contained in the water network of the domestic water supply on the health of population in cities of the Perm Krai

The article presents the analysis of the impact of drinking water organochlorine compounds on the population health (Perm region). Results of the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk assessment for population of the city of Perm and the Perm region under the chronic oral exposure of organochlorine compounds in drinking water are presented. Real concentrations of organochlorine compounds in drinking water were determined to be potent of emerging an unacceptable risk of diseases of the digestive system, endocrine system, hormone system, excretory system, central nervous system and the blood system. According to the results of epidemiological studies there was established the statistically significant relation between the consumption of water containing organochlorine compounds and the development of diseases of the digestive system, endocrine system, central nervous system, and excretory system.

STUDY OF 50 HZ ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND EXPERT ASSESSMENT OF THE POPULATION HEALTH STATUS

Introduction. The real electromagnetic situation in a residential area in the process of power supply network operation and health status assessment of population living in the vicinity of overhead transmission lines (OTL) of various voltages and transformer substations (TS) are of current interest. The effect of 50 Hz electric fields (EF) and magnetic fields (MF) on human health has not been sufficiently studied. Material and Methods. Measurement and assessment of 50 Hz EF and MF levels generated by 35, 110 and 220 kV OTL and by 6 kinds of closed-type transformer substations were carried out. Chronic overstrain index was used to assess population health status. Questionnaire study data among residents in the vicinity of 110-220 kV OTL were used for calculation of chronic overstrain index. Results. Closed-type transformer plants don’t generate EMF or exceed 50 Hz EF or MF health standards (HS). Electric field intensity levels exceeding HS were registered under 110 and 220 kV OTL. EMF health standards were not exceeded at a distance of 2 m from 110 kV OTL and 10 m from 220 kV OTL. Magnetic field induction levels did not exceed maximum allowable levels. Significant levels of chronic overstrain were revealed in residents living at a distance of under 300 m from 110-220 kV OTL. Conclusions. Closed-type transformer substations do not generate 50-Hz EMF exceeding health standards. Compliance with the electrical safety requirements of overhead transmission lines (overhead line safety zones) provides compliance with the maximum allowable levels of 50 Hz electric and magnetic fields. Population health risk assessment study among the population in the vicinity of OTL is relevant.

Health impact assessment of PM2.5 from a planned coal-fired power plant in Taiwan

To investigate the impact of a planned coal-fired power plant (CFPPT) in Shenao on air quality and health at subnational levels in Taiwan. We applied the Gaussian trajectory transfer-coefficient (GTx) model to estimate annual average PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5μm) increments in 19 Taiwanese cities and counties caused by CFPPT operation. A population health risk assessment was performed by incorporating evidence of the health effects of PM2.5 provided by prospective studies and estimating long-term PM2.5 exposure. Additionally, we considered ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and chronic obstruct pulmonary disease as the primary outcomes. The population-attributable fraction was used to estimate the county-level mortality burden attributable to CFPPT-generated PM2.5 in 2025. The estimated annual PM2.5 increments ranged from 0.004μg/m3 (Taitung County) to 0.28μg/m3 (Hsinchu County) due to the Shenao CFPPT. The total and premature deaths attributable to PM2.5 from Shenao CFPPT operation in Taiwan during 2025-2040 would be 576 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 537-619) and 145 (95% CI: 136-155), respectively. Notably, we estimated 198 (95% CI: 169-234) deaths and 58 (95% CI: 51-66) premature deaths, respectively, in New Taipei City, which accounted for over a quarter of the total deaths. Overall, the mortality rate attributable to the Shenao CFPPT in Taiwan was 6 per 10,000. A scientific approach should be adopted for assessing the impacts of CFPPT operation on population health, which can serve as a valuable policymaking reference for the government.

An Estimation of Endogenous Formaldehyde Exposure due to Consumption of Indonesian Opah Fish (Lampris guttatus) in Three Major Export Destination Countries

The demand for Indonesian opah fish as an export product is increasing in the international market. Three countries (Malaysia, Mauritius, and Taiwan) recorded as the leading export destination of Indonesian opah fish. However, as the fish kept in a frozen state during export transportation, the endogenous formaldehyde may increase over time. This research presented the health risk assessment of population in the leading export destination countries that consumed opah fish from Indonesia. The study aimed to reveal the most potential export destination country that may accept an increasing volume of opah fish supply from Indonesia. The potency was determined from current export volume, the amount of endogenous formaldehyde content, and fish consumption at each country. The data were calculated with @Risk®7.0 software. The results showed opah fish consumed by Malaysian can be categorized as safe. Increasing the number of opah fish imported by Malaysian as much as six times, 12 times, 18 times, 27 and 36 times relatively does not cause health risks related to the presence of its endogenous formaldehyde. Moreover, opah fish consumed by Taiwanese is also safe, but with increasing the number of consumptions by more than 26 times is suspected to be potentially causing a health problem. However, opah fish consumed in Mauritius was categorized as unsafe and potentially caused health risks. Based on these results, Indonesia may consider to increase the opah fish export to Malaysia and Taiwan in the future.

Assessment of the physical, chemical and microbiological quality of packaged water sold in Nnewi, South-East Nigeria: a population health risk assessment and preventive care study

Background: Global statistics show that over 1.2 billion people do not have access to potable water and 70% of Nigerians lack access to potable water. Non-availability and/or lack of access to potable water predispose people to preventable life-threatening conditions. This study assessed the physical, chemical, and microbiological quality of sachet and bottled water to generate evidence for planning, policy, and intervention.Methods: The study was a cross-sectional analytic study of the quality of packaged (sachet and bottled) drinking water obtained from consumer households. The potability status of the water samples was assessed by means of qualitative assessments and quantitative laboratory tests. The results were compared to guideline values stipulated by the Nigerian Industrial Standard for Potable Water, NIS 306:2008. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A p-value of &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study period was from April 2016 to June 2016.Results: Of the 35.0 bottled water samples, 18.0 (51.4%), 21.0 (60.0%) and 17.0 (48.6%) had their production dates, expiry dates and batch numbers. All 65.0 (100.0%) samples appeared colourless to the naked eye and visible particles were present in 3.0 (4.6%) of the total water samples. The lead content of 7.0 (23.3%) sachet and 1.0 (2.9%) bottled sample exceeded the guideline value for lead. The pH of 16.0 (53.3%) sachet samples and 27.0 (77.1%) bottled samples fell below the recommended limits for pH. Escherichia coli was found in 4.0 (13.3%) and 15.0 (42.9%) of sachet and bottled water samples.Conclusions: The study suggested that sachet and bottled water sold in Nnewi have good physical qualities, but poor chemical and microbiological qualities. More of the microbiological contaminant (E. coli) was present in the bottled water than the sachet water.

Health Risk Assessment for Population via Consumption of Vegetables Grown in Soils Artificially Contaminated with Arsenic

Health Risk Assessment for Population via Consumption of Vegetables Grown in Soils Artificially Contaminated with Arsenic