Moderate Health Risk Research Articles

Ambient air pollution and cardiovascular disease in Ugandan adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAir pollution is known to induce systemic inflammation and contribute to cardiovascular disease. The effects of ambient air pollution on adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) in Africa has been understudied. In this study, we aim to investigate the relationship between particulate matter, a common proxy indicator for air pollution, and markers of inflammation, monocyte activation, and cardiovascular disease risk. MethodsWe recruited a cohort of PHIV-positive and HIV-negative adolescents who were from around Kampala, aged 10–18 years, had no known active infections, and who lived within 40 km of an PM2·5 monitoring site. Adolescents with PHIV were on ART with HIV-1 RNA concentrations ≤400 copies/mL. Daily ambient concentrations of particulate matter (PM2·5), a proxy for air pollution, were measured with continuous central site monitoring using a Beta Attenuation Monitor or E-Samplers from the GeoHealth Hub. We measured carotid intima media thickness (IMT) using ultrasound, plasma concentrations of soluble CD14 and CD163 as markers of monocyte activation, plasma markers of systemic inflammation (hsCRP, IL6, sTNFRI), oxidised lipids, and intestinal permeability (zonulin). FindingsOne hundred and nineteen participants were included (69 with PHIV, 50 were HIV-negative). Median age was 12·7 years (IQR 11·4–14·2) years, 55% were female and 63% lived below the extreme poverty line (living with <US$1·90 a day). Median CD4+ cell count was 962 cells/μL (643–1313), 82% had viral load <20 copies/mL and median ART duration was 12·1 years (9·7–13·3) years. Overall median daily PM2·5 exposure was 29·08 μg/m3 (23·40–41·70), considered a moderate health risk (WHO definition). There was no significant difference in exposure of PM2·5 between groups (p=0·073), nor between sexes (p=0·099). PM2·5 concentrations significantly correlated with intestinal permeability (zonulin; r=0·43, p<0·001), monocyte activation (soluble CD163: r=0·25, p=0·053), and IMT (r=0·35, p=0·004) in participants with PHIV but not in those who were HIV-negative (p≥0·05 for all three correlations in HIV-negative children). In multivariable quantile regression models, after adjusting for age, sex, and, separately, soluble CD163 and zonulin, daily PM2·5 concentrations remained associated with IMT (β=0·005, 95%CI [0·001–0·009], p=0·007 and β=0·004, 95%CI [0·001–0·008], p=0·014, respectively) in children with PHIV. InterpretationPM2·5 exposure was associated with elevated subclinical vascular disease in adolescents with PHIV but not HIV-negative adolescents, despite there being no significant difference in exposure between these two groups. Our findings suggest the combined effects of HIV infection and air pollution may amplify and contribute to early development of cardiovascular disease. FundingNICHD K23HD088295 (SDF); University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center; The Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Cleveland; and UL1TR002548 from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

Multi-objective optimization of a time-delay compensated ventilation control system in a subway facility – A harmony search strategy

Meeting the high current demand for public mobility requires massive transportation systems with their corresponding infrastructures. An example of this is the subway transportation system with underground public commuting space. However, indoor air quality (IAQ) management in this space is challenging due to these environments' hostile conditions with high ventilation energy demand. This study introduces an adaptive ventilation control system that dynamically regulates the setpoint of the coarse particulate matter (PM10) concentration considering the IAQ level and the ventilation energy consumption through a multi-objective harmony search (MOHS) strategy. Additionally, a time-delay term affects the IAQ model in the subway station. Therefore, a time-delay compensator (TDC), i.e., the Smith predictor (S–P), was introduced into the feedback loop to address this dead-time response. The proposed ventilation control system was compared with two other systems. This comparison is conducted under different outdoor air quality (OAQ) conditions, i.e., good, moderate, and unhealthy. The proposed ventilation control system (SP-VS) yielded an energy-saving potential in the range of 4%–13% under good OAQ conditions compared to the conventional ventilation system. In contrast, the health risk level for the unhealthy OAQ case decreased from an unhealthy to a moderate health risk level.

Lifestyle behaviors among undergraduate nursing students: A latent class analysis.

This is a cross-sectional study whose objective was to identify clustering of lifestyle behaviors among undergraduate nursing students to inform health promotion efforts and improve health outcomes later in life. All 353 undergraduate nursing students from the School of Nursing in a public university, Bahia, Brazil were invited to participate. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were according to the major project. Participants must be enrolled and attending the 1st to 10th semester, with a minimum age of 18 years. Participants were excluded if they had any physical disabilities that limited the collection of anthropometric measures or were completing an internship off-campus. A total of 286 undergraduate nursing students met the criteria and completed the survey. The questionnaires included standardized measures for demographic, academic, and lifestyle behaviors (e.g., tobacco use, alcohol use, physical activity level, sedentary behavior, and fruits and vegetables consumed). Latent class analysis was performed to identify any clustering of lifestyle behaviors. Descriptive analyses indicated that 3.1% of the students were smokers, 23.1% consumed alcohol, 34.3% were inactive, 85.0% were sedentary, and 80.8% did not consume recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. Latent class analysis produced four distinct subtypes of health risk: (a) low-health risk (33.57%); (b) moderate-health risk (27.97%); (c) high-health risk (19.58%); and (d) very high-health risk (18.88%). Approximately 38.5% of students were in the very high or high-risk classes. The proportion of students with very high and high-health risks emphasizes the importance of health promotion programs for university nursing students.

Whole-body Vibration Exposure Experienced by Dumper Operators in Opencast Mining According to ISO 2631-1:1997 and ISO 2631-5:2004: A Case Study.

The study characterizes whole-body vibration exposure (WBV) experienced by dumper operators in opencast mining in India.Objective:Comparison of WBV risk of dumper operators as per ISO 2631-1 and ISO 2631-5 standard which are based on dominant axis RMS acceleration and estimated static compression dose (Sed), respectively.Method:Field study was conducted for 26 dumper operators. Whole Body Vibration signals were recorded using the tri-axial seat pad accelerometer and WBV data logger.Results:The results showed RMS in range 0.47–1.62 m/s2, total vibration dose value (VDVT) 6.91–21.03 m/s1.75, and Sed values 0.13–1.09 MPa for all 26 dumper operators. It was observed that 23% of dumper operators exposed to high health risk, 73% dumper operators exposed to moderate health risk, and minimal health risk was observed for only dumper operators as per ISO 2631-1:1997. While evaluation based on ISO 2631-5:2004 revealed, only one dumper with high health risk, 27% showed moderate health risk, however, 69% of dumper operators were exposed to minimal health risk.Conclusion:The predicted health risk according to the ISO 2631-1 is higher as compared to ISO 2631-5. ISO 2631-1 methodology has the upper hand during the prediction of WBV health risk as compared to ISO 2631-5. The result showed that ISO 2631-1 methodology was more appropriate than ISO 2631-5 for WBV health risk analysis of dumper operators in Indian mines.

High ecological and human health risks from microcystins in vegetable fields in southern China

Frequent cyanobacterial blooms in the eutrophic waters produce a variety of toxins such as the monocyclic heptapeptide microcystins, greatly harming aquatic ecosystems and human health. However, little information of microcystins in agricultural fields is known. This field study of three common microcystin variants (MC-LR, MC-RR, and MC-YR) in vegetables (n = 161), soils (n = 161) and irrigation water samples (n = 23) collected from southern China regions affected by cyanobacteria blooms, shows their prevalence with total concentrations up to 514 μg/L water, 187 μg/kg soil (dry weight) and 382 μg/kg vegetable (fresh weight). MC-RR was the primary variant in all types of samples, accounting for 51.3–100% of total microcystin concentrations. Significant concentration-dependent correlations (p < 0.05) demonstrated that microcystin-contained irrigation waters were the major source of microcystin accumulation in both vegetables and soils. Meanwhile, intracellular-microcystins in irrigation water was found to play an important role in microcystins bioaccumulation in vegetables for the first time. Most vegetable samples (≥60%), particularly celery posed moderate or high human health risk via diet based on toxicity equivalents of the microcystins and reference dose for MC-LR (0.04 μg/kg/d), showing high food safety hidden dangers. Soil microcystins, especially MC-RR in 46.4–88.3% of soils could pose high ecological risks. This study highlights the potential high ecological and human health risks of microcystins in the real soil-vegetable systems of areas affected by cyanobacteria blooms, implying the profound significance and urgent need of investigation on microcystins in terrestrial ecosystems.

Whole-body vibration exposure of roller compactor operators: characteristics and effect of waste rubber in damping the vibration

Whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure of 12 roller compactor operators were measured to investigate the characteristics of WBV transmitted to the roller compactor operators and to assess their level of exposure to WBV. All of the subjects were in the seated position and vibration transmission at the interface between the operator and seat was measured. Operators showed a dominant WBV transmission in the vertical direction. Eight-hour exposure and the vibration dose value were used to assess operators’ exposure to WBV. In total, 75% of operators had high or moderate potential health risk defined in the health guidance caution zone specified in Standard No. ISO 2631-1:1997. A rubber mat produced with waste rubber sludge was used to investigate the effect of damping the vibration transmitted to the operator. The rubber mat damped the WBV transmission in all three directions: 18% in vertical, 5% in lateral and 2% in fore-and-aft directions.

77. Check Yourself: A Randomized Trial of Electronic Screening And Personalized Feedback For Adolescent Health Risk Behaviors In Primary Care

Health risk behaviors increase during adolescence and are associated with significant morbidity. Screening and counseling are recommended as part of routine care but are infrequently performed. The goal of this study was to test the efficacy of an electronic multiple risk behavior screening and personalized motivational feedback tool, “Check Yourself”, on the delivery of provider counseling during well visits and subsequent teen behaviors. We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing electronic screening and personalized feedback with usual care at five pediatric clinics. Three hundred 13-18 years old participants who were scheduled for a well visit between February, 2015 and August, 2017 were recruited. Age and sex stratified randomization was conducted prior to baseline assessment. Of the original sample, 293 (98%) and 292 (97%) completed follow-up surveys at 1 day and 3 months, respectively. Intervention youth received the Check Yourself tool including screening questions and personalized feedback based on a HEADSS framework. The providers received a summary report of risk behaviors rated as high, moderate or low risk based on pre-determined criteria. Control youth received usual care. Two main outcomes, determined a priori, included receipt of counseling during the well-visit and change in a summary score of all risk behaviors from baseline to 3 months. Among participating youth, 52% were female and the mean age was 14.5 (SD 1.42) years. 95% of the study sample had at least one moderate or high health risk behavior at baseline. The mean number of moderate-risk behaviors at baseline was 2.18 (SD 1.27, IQR 1-3) and high-risk behaviors was 0.68 (SD 0.95, IQR: 0-1). There were no significant differences in demographics or baseline rates of risk behaviors between control and intervention youth. After adjusting for age, sex, and random effect of clinic, intervention youth were 1.32 times more likely to receive counseling for each of their endorsed moderate and high risk behaviors than control youth (RR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.07,1.63). Intervention youth had a significantly greater reduction (β=-0.48, p=0.02) in their risk behavior scores at 3 months when compared to control youth, with sub-analyses showing that the intervention had a greater effect on high risk behaviors than on moderate risk behaviors. The Check Yourself tool increased provider counseling for health risk behaviors and was associated with a reduction in youth reported risk behaviors at 3 months. Given the importance of screening for health risk behaviors and the current lack of a consistent practice in primary care, integrated electronic screening and personalized feedback approaches could be an effective method for increasing detection of and intervention to reduce risk behaviors during adolescence.

Monitoring and Evaluation of Whole-Body Vibration Exposure of Equipment Operators and Assessment of Associated Health Risk in an Indian Underground Pb-Zn Mine

Exposure to whole-body vibration (1-80 Hz) manifest in higher incidences of low back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders among the workforce in mining industry. The aim of the study was to determine the vibration intensity of twelve mining equipments which are regularly deployed in an underground mine and to evaluate the long term health risk of their operators as per ISO 2631-1:1997 guidelines. It was observed that the low profile dump trucks (LPDT) and load haul dumpers (LHD) had x axis (front-back) as dominant axis of vibration. The operators of LPDTs and LHDs had moderate health risk considering frequency weighted root mean square (r.m.s.) acceleration values of vibration (0.46 – 1.01 m/s2) and corresponding daily exposure of about 6 hours in a shift. Operators of three equipments i.e. water sprinkler, utility vehicle and backfill material carrier had high health risk with z (vertical) as dominant axis of vibration. RMS acceleration values were comparatively high (1.30- 1.96 m/s2) even though their duration of exposure was less (2.5-5.0 hours). Motor grader operator had minimal health risk from vibration exposure while rest two operators of explosive and personnel carrier had moderate health risk. Additional assessment of health risk was carried out using total vibration dose values wherever applicable. High health risks were attributed to fast and harsh driving, poor seat condition and absence of independent seat suspension. Besides technical and operational modifications, training programs should be organised to improve the awareness of this hazard among miners in India.

Impact of the uncontrolled leakage of leachate from a municipal solid waste landfill on soil in a cultivated-calcareous environment

The heavy metal pollution generated by landfill leachate becomes increasingly concerning due to its potential to impact human health through the food chain. In the present study, the accumulation and potential health risk of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Ni) were investigated in a calcareous soil -wheat system affected by an uncontrolled landfill leachate. The results showed soils were significantly enriched by both the available and total fractions of the metals in the sequences of Zn > Pb > Ni > Cd > Cu and Cd > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cu, respectively. Nevertheless, only the Cd content exceeded the standard levels. For the various population groups, the mean hazard quotient (HQ) was lower than the unity, implying a lack of non-carcinogenic health risk for the local residents, while the average hazard index (HI) was 2.3 and 1.1 for people aged 0–5 and 6–18 years, respectively, illustrating a moderate non-carcinogenic health risk for the two groups. Cd and Pb contributed the most to HI, followed by Cu, Zn, and Ni. In addition, the carcinogenic health risk of Cd, ranging from 1 × 10−5 to 1 × 10−6, showed a low potential risk in the different population groups exposed to wheat grains and decreased in the sequence of adult > population 6–18 years > population 0–5 years. The findings of the study, which can be used in regions under similar environmental conditions, provide a valuable benchmark for the design of appropriate strategies to manage these agroecosystems by both local and national managers of such macrosystems.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Run Deep: Toxic Early Life Stress, Telomeres, and Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number, the Biological Markers of Cumulative Stress.

This manuscript reviews recent evidence supporting the utility of telomeres and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) in detecting the biological impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and outlines mechanisms that may mediate the connection between early stress and poor physical and mental health. Critical to interrupting the health sequelae of ACEs such as abuse, neglect, and neighborhood disorder, is the discovery of biomarkers of risk and resilience. The molecular markers of chronic stress exposure, telomere length and mtDNAcn, represent critical biological links between ACEs and poor health outcomes. We examine how telomeres and mtDNAcn may exacerbate health disparities and contribute to the intergenerational transmission of trauma. Finally, we explore how these molecular markers of early stress exposure may help define the role of resilience and develop effective interventions to moderate ACE health risk impact.

Assessment of trace elements in terminal tap water of Hunan Province, South China, and the potential health risks

A total of 116 terminal tap water (TTW) samples from Xiangjiang, Zijiang, Yuanjiang, and Lishui river basins of Hunan province were collected and concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Mn, Zn, Fe, Al, and Cu were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results showed that 10% of the water samples exceeded the limit level of Cd established by World Health Organization (WHO) of 0.003mgL-1. Three percent of the samples had Fe level and 1% had As level above the WHO limits of 0.3 and 0.01mgL-1, respectively. Multivariate statistic approach (cluster analysis and principal component analysis) results revealed that anthropogenic activities and pipeline corrosion were major sources of TTW contamination in Hunan province. The individual and total hazard quotient values estimated by deterministic and probabilistic approaches were both less than 1. However, the mean cancer risk values of Cd were 2.2 × 10-4 and 1.4 × 10-4 for Xiangjiang and Yuanjiang river basin, respectively, both greater than 10-4. The 95th percentile value of cancer risk for Cr was slightly greater than 10-4 in Xiangjiang river basins. Long-term exposure to Cd and Cr through tap water consumption poses moderate carcinogenic health risks to the local residents.

Non-cancer risk assessment of the atmospheric air pollution effect on the population health on the basis of evolutionary models

Aim and Scope: The aim of this study is to assess the non-carcinogenic risk and determine the accumulation of additional risks of health response for the cardiovascular and respiratory systems based on building the evolutionary models on chronic exposure to chemicals in the atmospheric air. Materials and Methods: The testing of the proposed methodological approaches was carried out by the example of a model scenario, according to the observation results based on systematic supervision within the social-hygienic monitoring. Result and Discussion: The results of calculation with the application of the evolutionary deterministic risk models in case of two scenarios (the background and the studied ones) allowed determining that the risk of respiratory diseases was formed earlier. It was established based on the indices of additional risk and presented risk index that the unacceptable (moderate) health risk was formed by the age of 27 years, and after the age of 40 years, it could be classified as high. Conclusion: We carried out the testing of the non-cancer risk assessment for the population health in the city of Kazan on exposure to chemicals coming with the atmospheric air (PM10, СО, NO2, and SO2) on the basis of evolutionary model. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems were found to be the critical organs for exposure to mentioned major pollutants.

Occupational exposure assessment of phthalate esters in indoor and outdoor microenvironments

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely used as plasticizers in consumer products. PAEs are a group of environmental hormone which disrupts human and animals' endocrine systems. Different occupational groups are exposed to various levels of PAEs. In the present study, four typical occupational groups were chosen, including doctors, college teachers, college students, and drivers who worked in public traffic system. In order to understand the exposure levels to PAEs via inhalation, air samples were collected from multiple microenvironments including indoor and outdoor in Hangzhou to measure the gas and particle concentrations of six PAEs, together with time spent in different microenvironments of these four groups. A comprehensive PAEs exposure model was built to estimate the daily PAEs exposure through inhalation, oral and dermal pathways. The Monte Carlo simulation results show that doctors were exposed to the highest level of PAEs, and consequently had the highest health risk among these four occupational groups. In contrast, college students had the lowest health risk. By setting the exposure level of staying in residences as the baseline, doctors and drivers were two occupations exposed to high PAEs health risk. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was the largest contributor among the six phthalates, posing moderate health risk (10−5–10−6) to every occupation. For traffic microenvironments alone, the total exposure levels for different transportation modes were in the descending order of busses, cars, cabs, tubes, motor bikes, and walking.

Risk Assessment for Public Health from Transportation Noise (on the example of the city of Belgorod)

In this paper, an assessment, modelling and calculation of risks for the health of the population of the Southern district of Belgorod was carried out. The study included acoustic calculations carried out on the territory of the assessment within the boundaries of the settlement area of the rectangle with the square 6.72 km2, where about 80000 residents live. As a result of computational and instrumental data 4 zones with different levels of potential chronic acoustic impact on the population were allocated. With the use of mathematical models of risk the trend of the formation of moderate and high risk was determined in certain areas within the boundaries of the territory. It is shown that 65% of the residents of the district live in conditions of moderate health risks and about 9% – in conditions of a high risk of developing health disorders from the effects of noise (disorders of the nervous system, hearing and the cardiovascular system).

Dynamics of Total Microcystin LR Concentration in Three Subtropical Hydroelectric Generation Reservoirs in Uruguay, South America.

This study analyzed the temporal dynamics of total microcystin LR concentrations between the years of 2012 and 2015 in the Bonete, Baygorria and Palmar hydroelectric generation reservoirs in the central region of the Negro River, Uruguay. The three reservoirs showed differents total microcystin LR concentration, with no significant differences among them. Over 20 sampling dates, the three reservoirs exhibited total microcystin LR concentrations on eight occasions that corresponded to a slight to moderate human health risk according to WHO guideline values for recreational waters. By determining the concentration of microcystin LR in cyanobacterial biomass, we identified cyanobacterial populations that occurred over time with varying degrees of toxin production (maximal 85.4µg/mm3). The microcystin LR concentration in Bonete was positively correlated with temperature (r = 0.587) and cyanobacterial biomass (r = 0.736), in Baygorria with cyanobacterial biomass (r = 0.521), and in Palmar with temperature (r = 0.500) and negatively correlated with ammonia (r = -0.492). Action is needed to reduce the presence of toxic cyanobacteria in these systems. A decrease in the use of agrochemicals and management changes in the reservoir basins could be successful long-term measures.

Reeling in the damages: Harmful algal blooms' impact on Lake Erie's recreational fishing industry

Lake Erie is one of the most valuable natural resources in the United States, providing billions of dollars in benefits each year to recreationalists, homeowners and local governments. The ecosystem services provided by Lake Erie, however, are under threat due to harmful algal blooms. This paper provides recreational damage estimates using spatially and temporally varying algae measures and monthly fishing permit sales collected between 2011 and 2014. Results indicate that fishing license sales drop between 10% and 13% when algal conditions surpass the World Health's Organization's moderate health risk advisory threshold of 20,000 cyanobacteria cells/mL. For Lake Erie adjacent counties experiencing a large, summer-long algal bloom, this would result in approximately 3600 fewer fishing licenses issued and approximately $2.25 million to $5.58 million in lost fishing expenditures. Our results show a discrete jump in reduced angling activity upon crossing this threshold, with limited additional impacts associated with more severe algal blooms. This suggests that policies aimed at eliminating, rather than mitigating, algal levels are most beneficial to the Ohio angling industry.

Depression screening for prescribed medications with mental health risk: Considerations for clinical decision support, workflow redesign, and health information exchange arrangements.

Depression screening should be increased when prevailing knowledge underscoring medication-associated mental health risk is highest. Depression screening in primary care practices when medications with mental health risk were prescribed was estimated while considering the absence and presence of clinical decision support systems. A cross-sectional, descriptive study using the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) data from 2008 to 2010 was conducted. Primary care physician visits were classified based on whether a medication prescribed had a contraindication, severe warning, moderate warning, adverse event only, or no documented mental health risk. Adjusted odds of depression screening for each risk warning level were estimated while controlling for important sociodemographic factors and presence of computerized systems for medication warnings and guideline recommendations. Depression screening at primary care practice visits when medications were prescribed was 2.1% and increased to 2.8% or higher when medications had a moderate or severe mental health risk warning ormedication-disease contraindication. Depression screening was increased at visits when at least one medication was prescribed that had a contraindication (AOR=6.31, P<0.001), severe warning (AOR=2.04, P=0.003), or moderate warning (AOR=2.50, P=0.012) for mental health risk, but not for mental health adverse event only warnings alone (AOR=1.54, P=0.074). Depression screening is increased when medications were prescribed with a documented mental health risk. Presence of clinical decision support systems may help discern between minor and major medication-associated mental health risks. Appropriately, positioned warning systems with targeted content, workflow redesign, and health information exchange may improve depression screening in at-risk patients.

Prevalence and Correlates of Alcohol Use among a Sample of Nigerian Semirural Community Dwellers in Nigeria.

Objective. To determine the prevalence and correlates of alcohol use among a sample of Nigerian semirural community dwellers in Nigeria. Methods. In a single arm nonrandomized intervention study, the assessment of baseline hazardous and harmful alcohol use and associated risk factors was conducted in two semirural local government areas of Oyo State, Nigeria, with the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Participants included 1203 subjects 15 years and older, recruited between October 2010 and April 2011. ASSIST score of 0–10 was classified as lower risk scores, 11–26 as moderate risk, and 27+ as high risk. Results. Prevalence of lifetime alcohol use was 57.9% and current alcohol use was 23.7%. Current alcohol use was more prevalent among the younger age group p = 0.02, male gender p = 0.003, unmarried p < 0.01, low educational level p = 0.003, low socioeconomic class p = 0.01, unemployed p < 0.001, and the Christians p < 0.01. Of the current drinkers, the majority (69.1%) were at either moderate or high health risk from alcohol use. Conclusion. Alcohol consumption is prevalent in semirural communities in Nigeria and the majority of these drinkers are at moderate or high health risk. Screening, brief intervention, and referral for treatment for unhealthy alcohol use should be integrated into community care services in Nigerian rural communities.

Effect through inhalation on human health of PM1 bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons collected from foggy days in northern part of India

We investigated the health risk from 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed on submicron particles and also reported their concentrations, spatial distribution and possible sources during foggy days at Kanpur. Twenty-four urban foggy day’s samples gathered from Kanpur, an urban center in North India and most densely populated city in the Indo-Gangetic plain of India, were examined for 16 PAHs (2–6 rings).The mean concentration of PM1 was found to be 160.16±37.70μg/m3. ∑16PAHs concentrations were 529.17ng/m3 with a mean of 33.07ng/m3. The compounds of higher molecular weight (4–6 rings) added to 70.67% of ∑PAHs mass concentration in the foggy day’s samples. The results of source identification by using principle component analysis (PCA) and diagnostic ratios proposed that the primary sources of PAHs were vehicular emission (primarily driven by diesel fuel) and coal combustion and the secondary source. Exposure to total PAHs in the ambient air resulted in, 95% probability total Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (TILCR) 3.57×10−5 for adults and 2.08×10−5 for children or (∼35 cancer case per million in adults and ∼20 cancer case per million in children) due to inhalation in terms of ILCR were higher than the baseline value of acceptable risk (one cancer case per million people) suggesting moderate health risk to resident human population.

Demystifying the air quality health index.

Demystifying the air quality health index.