Hygiene and environmental health advances最新文献

{"title":"Lack of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples collected from September 2020-February 2021 in a university that followed CDC reopening guidance","authors":"Hongwan Li ,&nbsp;Sripriya Nannu Shankar ,&nbsp;Chiran T. Witanachchi ,&nbsp;John A. Lednicky ,&nbsp;Julia C. Loeb ,&nbsp;Md. Mahbubul Alam ,&nbsp;Z. Hugh Fan ,&nbsp;Michael Lauzardo ,&nbsp;Karim Mohamed ,&nbsp;Arantzazu Eiguren-Fernandez ,&nbsp;Chang-Yu Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100061","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100061","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study aimed to provide environmental surveillance data for evaluating the risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 in public areas with high foot traffic in a university. Air and surface samples were collected at a university that had the second highest number of COVID-19 cases among public higher education institutions in the U.S. during Fall 2020. A total of 60 samples were collected in 16 sampling events performed during Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. Nearly 9800 students traversed the sites during the study period. SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in any air or surface samples. The university followed CDC guidance, including COVID-19 testing, case investigations, and contact tracing. Students, faculty, and staff were asked to maintain physical distancing and wear face coverings. Although COVID-19 cases were relatively high at the university, the possibility of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infections at the sites tested was low.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":73269,"journal":{"name":"Hygiene and environmental health advances","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100061"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10198740/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10065218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Water quality in rural Greenland - acceptability and safety","authors":"Judith Y.A. Maréchal ,&nbsp;Lisbeth Truelstrup Hansen ,&nbsp;Pernille Erland Jensen","doi":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heha.2023.100065","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The low proportion of households with piped drinking water in Greenlandic settlements – and elsewhere in the Arctic, leads to improvised methods of household water storage and water saving practices that could present a risk for public health.</p><p>This interview-based study investigated the perceptions of safety and acceptability of the water supply in rural Greenlandic households. The bacterial quality of the water distributed by the public supply before and after storage in the homes, of alternative water sourced from nature by the users themselves, and of shared handwash basins used in un-piped homes, was analyzed.</p><p>The treated water distributed by the rural Greenlandic water supply was acceptable to most users, although half of them expressed concerns about its quality, and distrusted the state of the infrastructure delivering piped water. For drinking, most respondents preferred untreated water from nature, but a majority used mainly piped water for practical reasons of access. The microbial quality of the public water supply met legislative requirements in most cases, but was found to deteriorate during both distribution to some taps, and storage in the homes, which constitutes a challenge to the reliable provision of safe water to users. Water from alternative sources showed slightly higher heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) than piped water, but no <em>Escherichia coli</em>. As for washbasins, they were found to have high levels of contamination in all three bacterial parameters investigated (HPC, coliforms and <em>E. coli</em>), indicating a possible transmission route for pathogens.</p><p>In conclusion, while the quality of treated water was overall good at distribution, the water saving and storage practices developed to compensate for the lack of piping may threaten public health. Alternative water sources are culturally important and trusted by users, although the possible impact of changes in climate and land use on the reliability of their quality is unknown.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":73269,"journal":{"name":"Hygiene and environmental health advances","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100065"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49857789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-term air pollution exposures on type 2 diabetes prevalence and medication use","authors":"Ying-Ying Meng ,&nbsp;Yu Yu ,&nbsp;Susan H. Babey ,&nbsp;Jason Su","doi":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100062","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100062","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Type 2 diabetes has raised great public health concerns due to its association with the increased risk of several adverse health outcomes. We aimed to investigate the association of criteria air pollutants and traffic density with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and antidiabetic medication use in California.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A cross-sectional study was conducted using 2005 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data, linked with criteria air pollutant exposure measures, including government-monitored ozone (O₃), particulate matter (PM₁₀, PM_2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), residential traffic density, and land use regression modeled NO_X, NO, and NO₂ estimates for Los Angeles County only based on the respondents’ geocoded residential addresses. Weighted logistic regression models were used to examine the influences of 36-month average exposures to each air pollutant and traffic density on diabetes prevalence and medication use.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Among 31,483 CHIS 2005 state-wide respondents, 6.7% of adults reported having been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. We observed type 2 diabetes prevalence was positively associated with exposures to O₃, PM_10, and PM_2.5, and with NO, NO_2, and NOx only in Los Angeles County. For each 10ppb increase in O₃ or 10ug/m³ increase in PM₁₀ or PM_2.5, the odds of taking any medication increased by 40%, 56%, and 50%; taking pills increased by 33%, 31%, and 41%; taking insulin increased by 43%, 53%, and 46%; and taking both insulin and pills increased by 70%, 60%, and 88%, respectively. When traffic density within 750 feet of a respondent's home increased by one interquartile, 7% increase in odds of using any medication and taking pills was also observed.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>This study adds to evidence indicating greater air pollution exposure is associated with increased diabetes prevalence. It also provides new evidence demonstrating a strong association between pollutant exposure and antidiabetic medication use in adult Californians.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":73269,"journal":{"name":"Hygiene and environmental health advances","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100062"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41755139","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Artificial intelligence in heavy metals detection: Methodological and ethical challenges","authors":"Nidhi Yadav ,&nbsp;Brij Mohan Maurya ,&nbsp;Dewan Chettri ,&nbsp;Pooja ,&nbsp;Chirag Pulwani ,&nbsp;Mahesh Jajula ,&nbsp;Savleen Singh kanda ,&nbsp;Harysh Winster Suresh babu ,&nbsp;Ajay Elangovan ,&nbsp;Parthasarathy Velusamy ,&nbsp;Mahalaxmi Iyer ,&nbsp;Balachandar Vellingiri","doi":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100071","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100071","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Heavy metals (HMs) are metallic substances. They enter biotic and abiotic systems through natural and human activities. These HMs have an impact on the atmosphere, soil, and groundwater, and they also affect all living things, especially humans, when they enter the food chain. Therefore, monitoring and removing HMs from the environment and humans are crucial for maintaining HMs-based toxicity. The detection of HMs from environmental and human samples has been performed by techniques such as atomic adsorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). With the advancement of AI-based technology, HMs are now detected and removed from the environment and human systems. This review discusses the impact of HMs on the environment and human health, their detection and removal techniques, and the integration of recent advancements in AI-based technology for the detection and removal of HMs from environmental and human samples.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":73269,"journal":{"name":"Hygiene and environmental health advances","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100071"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44500946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Potential use of faecal sludge derived char briquettes as an alternative cooking energy source in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania","authors":"Petro Mwamlima ,&nbsp;Aloyce W. Mayo ,&nbsp;Sara Gabrielsson ,&nbsp;Richard Kimwaga","doi":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100068","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100068","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Coprophobia characterizes faecal sludge (FS) as an unpleasing raw or partially digested faecal waste with no recycling value. However, this so-called waste is claimed to have tremendous recycling values after being pyrolyzed. This study hypothesized that char briquettes made from FS might have the potential of replacing charcoal consumption in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Quantitative methods were used to examine the proximate, emissions and environmental benefits of faecal sludge char briquettes in comparison to wood charcoal from <em>Dalbergia melanoxylon</em> (locally known as Mpingo). Results revealed that FS collected during the dry season exhibited a higher total solids content (26%) compared to that collected during the rainy season (20%). This difference was statistically significant (p = 6.12405E-14 at α=0.05). Dewatering and further drying the FS to a minimum of 90% total solids yielded an energy value of 11-12 MJ/kg, which was lower than that of uncarbonized wood (firewood) at 19 MJ/kg. Production of FS char briquettes bonded by paper waste has a lower energy value (13 MJ/kg) than that bonded by cassava starch (14.6 MJ/kg). The average energy value of FS char briquettes is almost half that of wood charcoal (26 MJ/kg), meaning that the replacement of 1 kg of charcoal consumption would require 2 kg of FS char briquettes is required. Nevertheless, due to an ineffective collection of FS to be used in the production of char briquettes, only 8% of charcoal consumption in the city can be replaced. It is recommended to use the produced briquettes in open kitchens with ample oxygen circulation, as they emit carbon monoxide levels exceeding the allowable limits set by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":73269,"journal":{"name":"Hygiene and environmental health advances","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100068"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43193290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Let smart wearable-generated health data speak for elders","authors":"Chengjun Li ,&nbsp;Huan Zhong ,&nbsp;Mengjie Wu ,&nbsp;Xiliang Yan ,&nbsp;Christian Sonne","doi":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100069","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100069","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73269,"journal":{"name":"Hygiene and environmental health advances","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100069"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41508465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The influence of environmental conditions and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) fogging on the infectivity of H1N1 influenza virus","authors":"Kuan-Che Feng ,&nbsp;Haijiao Liu ,&nbsp;Anish Ghai ,&nbsp;Juyi Li ,&nbsp;Huiting Luo ,&nbsp;Won-Il Lee ,&nbsp;Steffen Mueller ,&nbsp;Jerome Cymerman ,&nbsp;Marcia Simon ,&nbsp;Miriam Rafailovich","doi":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100077","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heha.2023.100077","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The influence of different environmental factors on the infectivity of H1N1 influenza virus was measured. We found less than 1-log reduction when viruses were exposed to NaCl solutions up to 5 M or solutions with pH = 4 through 11 for one hour. The infectivity of the virus was sensitive to the solution temperature. A log reduction ranging from 2 to more than 6 was observed starting at 50 °C and spanning just 3 or 5 for 10- or 30 min exposures, respectively. Drying the virus in media on aluminum or polymer coupons for 48 h resulted in a log reduction of 4 when kept at room temperature, but less than one when kept at 4 °C or -20 °C. Log reduction greater than 6 occurred at room temperature after 3 days, but only 1-log reduction occurred at 4 and -20 °C after 6 days. Drying on different coinage achieved similar results, except for pennies, where more than 6-log reduction was observed after 24 h. HOCl was used to fog the aluminum and polymer surfaces, placed vertically, for 5 and 7.5 min to achieve a log reduction of 4 and for 6.5 respectively. Storage of opened solution containers for 9 months at ambient resulted in a decrease in chlorine concentration from 550 ppm to 240 ppm. Fogging with the old solution was still able to achieve a log reduction of 6.5 after 7.5 min fogging. The study indicates that exposure to common environmental conditions such as a wide pH range, high salinity, and low temperatures has only a minor effect on infectivity. which can persist for more than 5 days when dried on commonly encountered surfaces, allowing accumulation of infectious viral titre. Fogging with HOCl is an effective method of delivering disinfectants to large areas, achieving complete reduction of the viral titer on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":73269,"journal":{"name":"Hygiene and environmental health advances","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100077"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49891248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Iron- and protein rich diets may boost hemoglobin levels among informal electronic waste recyclers exposed to metals at Agbogbloshie, Ghana","authors":"Sylvia A. Takyi ,&nbsp;John Arko-Mensah ,&nbsp;Niladri Basu ,&nbsp;Serwaa Bawuah ,&nbsp;Duah Dwomoh ,&nbsp;Julius N. Fobil","doi":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100073","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100073","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>While human exposure to metals may play a role in the pathogenesis of anemia, consumption of balanced diets may boost blood hemoglobin (Hb) levels in humans. Although informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling processes have recently drawn attention as an important source of pollution, there is almost no empirical evidence on the relationship between diet, metals exposure and anemia among e-waste recyclers. Therefore, we evaluated possible ameliorating effects of diet on metal exposure related anemia, as measured by Hb levels of e-waste recyclers and a reference population in Ghana.</p><p>This repeated measure study used data collected from e-waste recyclers (<em>n</em>=142) and a reference population (<em>n</em>=65) between March 2017 and October 2018. Stored whole blood samples were analyzed for the following metals; Cd, Pb, Rb, Tb, Tl, and Eu. Next, Hb levels were analysed using the URIT-810® semiautomatic biochemistry analyzer. Furthermore, a 48-hour dietary recall questionnaire was administered to assess dietary intake parameters such as protein, folate, carbohydrates, Fe, Ca, Mg, Se, Zn, and Cu. Ordinary regression models were used to estimate joint effects of metals and nutrients on Hb levels.</p><p>At baseline, the mean Hb was lower among recyclers (12.99 ± 3.17 g/dL) than the reference group (13.02±2.37 g/dL). Blood Pb, Cd, Rb, Eu and Tb were associated with significant decreases in Hb levels of e-waste recyclers. Dietary intake of proteins and Fe was associated with concomitant increase in Hb levels of both groups as well as when analysis was restricted to recyclers. Despite the high exposure of e-waste recyclers to a myriad of metals, consumption of Fe-rich diets appears to ameliorate anemia and improved Hb levels (β=0.229; 95% CI: 0.013, 0.445; <em>p</em>=0.04). Therefore, the consumption of Fe and protein-rich foods may boost blood Hb levels in e-waste recyclers, even though exposure to high levels of metals is a predictor of anemia among this worker-group.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":73269,"journal":{"name":"Hygiene and environmental health advances","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100073"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44741288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Atmospheric halogenated hydrocarbons emitted from a flame retardant production base and the influence on ozone formation potential and health risks","authors":"Qinhao Lin ,&nbsp;Wei Kang ,&nbsp;Shuo Lin ,&nbsp;Yingxin Yu ,&nbsp;Taicheng An","doi":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100070","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100070","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The flame retardant industrial park is a significant source of atmospheric volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. A flame retardant factory is generally associated with abundant salt pans, which facilitate brine raw materials for flame retardant production. However, the concentrations and compositions of these VOCs from the factories and the surrounding salt pans are still unclear. Therefore, this study characterized the VOCs from various production areas in a flame retardants factory and its surrounding salt pans. We investigated five VOC types: alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons (AHs), halogenated hydrocarbons (HHs), halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, and halogenated olefin. AHs (41.0 ± 26.3 µg/m³) were the dominant VOC type in the factory, followed by HHs (7.64 ± 6.52 µg/m³). As for the surrounding salt pans, HHs (89.6 ± 55.9 µg/m³), followed by AHs (20.9 ± 13.8 µg/m³). Generally, HHs and AHs were found to be potential cancer risks, especially 1,2-dichlorothane, 1,2-trichlorothane, and benzene. Furthermore, the diffusion of AHs or HHs from the study areas may affect the local residential area and school. AHs were the study region's most significant contributor to ozone formation potential. Consequently, this study provides detailed characteristics of VOCs in flame retardant industrial parks and contributes to developing targeted control strategies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":73269,"journal":{"name":"Hygiene and environmental health advances","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100070"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44178209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Driving Force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) tool to help waste pickers' cooperatives self-evaluate their environmental and economic performance","authors":"Jéssica Patrícia Corrêa Brunhara ,&nbsp;Karla Gonçalves Macedo ,&nbsp;Tapas K. Das ,&nbsp;Murilo Daniel de Mello Innocentini","doi":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100054","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heha.2023.100054","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cooperatives of waste pickers play a critical role in municipal solid waste management, contributing to public health, sanitation, and the environment by promoting resource circulation and reducing the amount of recyclable waste disposed of in landfills. Despite this, the majority of cooperatives lack an organized physical infrastructure and operational protocols for integrated waste management, which includes the stages of sorting, classification, processing, and marketing recyclable waste. In this work, an optimized survey was developed to assist waste pickers’ cooperatives in self-assessing their social, environmental, and economic performances. A questionnaire with nine dimensions was developed and automated to connect 16 driving forces (D), 74 pressure indicators (P), 23 states (S), 35 impacts (I), and 38 responses (R). The only action required was to choose each pressure indicator and apply the appropriate score level based on the cooperative's data analysis. The procedure eliminates subjective interpretation and identifies all indicators that require further consideration and discussion. As a result, the cooperative is able to propose highly targeted improvement measures. To demonstrate the benefits of the tool, the survey was applied in a waste picker's cooperative in a municipality in Brazil.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":73269,"journal":{"name":"Hygiene and environmental health advances","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100054"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43346927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}