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There is a strong link between pesticide exposure risk and farmers’ safety behavior. However, there is a lack of understanding of farmers’ safety behavior in pesticide use and the psychological factors that influence it, especially in Nigeria. This study aimed to identify safety behaviors in pesticide use and their determinants among cocoa farmers in Nigeria using the Health Belief Model (HBM). We used a suitable questionnaire to retrieve data from 391 cocoa farmers across three major cocoa-producing belts in Nigeria. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings showed that cocoa farmers in this study sprayed insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides on their cocoa farms. The study revealed that most pesticides were not approved for cocoa production by the authority, but the farmers were still using them. The study participants overused surveyed pesticides as the quantities applied were beyond the recommended dosage by the manufacturers. Correlation analysis showed a relationship between education status, pesticide training, perceived susceptibility and cue to action, and the farmers’ pesticide overuse. In all, 42.7% of the farmers showed unsafe behaviors, 49.1% showed intermediate behaviors, and just 8.2% reported safe behaviors in pesticide use. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that perceived barriers, susceptibility, self-efficacy, and cue to action were related to age, education status, and farm experience and accounted for 59.3% of the total variance in the farmers’ pesticide safety behaviors. Perceived barriers had the most significant negative influence on the farmers’ behaviors, while perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and cue to action positively influenced the farmers’ behavior. Future intervention programs in Nigeria incorporating significant variables, especially perceived barriers, in their designs with proper implementation could be more effective.

Chlorpyrifos is a widely used agricultural insecticide. Chlorpyrifos exposure affects brain development and children’s overall health. The objective of this study was to assess the health risks fro...

Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) has emerged agricultural population. This study aimed to obtain a prevalence of cholinesterase activity and CKDu, and evaluate factors associated w...

The study aimed to determine the levels of selected polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in human milk and characterize the risk for breastfed infants using EFSA and U.S. EPA methodologies. The p...

Oluseye O Oludoye,1,2 Mark G Robson,3,4 Wattasit Siriwong5 1International Postgraduate Program in Hazardous Substance and Environmental Management, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; 2Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; 3Office of Continuing Professional Education, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA; 4Department of Plant Biology,School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA; 5College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, ThailandCorrespondence: Wattasit Siriwong Email wattasit.s@chula.ac.thPurpose: The aim of this study was to explore the roles of stakeholders on cocoa farmers’ safe pesticide use in Nigeria using the socio-ecological model as the theoretical framework.Methods: This was a cross-sectional qualitative study where participants were purposefully selected based on some criteria. Then, they were interviewed in-depth using a semi-structured interview approach. The interview guide was designed based on other literature and the study objectives. The interview transcripts were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the content analysis technique.Results: In all, 57 participants were involved in the interview process across all the study locations. Five layers of influence (cocoa farmers, pesticide retailers, extension officers, pesticide importers and government agencies) were considered. At individual level, cocoa farmers complained about lack of information from other stakeholders regarding pesticide use except retailers due to the farmers’ proximity to their stores. However, pesticide safety information from the retailers were found to be inadequate due to their interest in financial gains rather than a focus on human health and the environment. Additionally, most retailers had no understanding about the characteristics of products they sold as they could not read pesticide labels. Furthermore, lack of motivations, human resources and facilities hindered effective extension education in the rural communities. Also, pesticide importers took efforts to train the farmers within their network, but majority of these trainings focused on lead farmers who were expected to disseminate the information to others. Besides, the agencies did organize training or workshop sometimes, but it was inadequate due to budget constraint. Lastly, environmental or agri-policies relating to Nigerian cocoa farmers concerning safe pesticide use and disposal were also inadequate.Conclusion: Generally, there was a large information gap with respect to pesticide safety between cocoa farmers and other stakeholders which undermined pesticide use safety. This study highlighted the need for government agencies in Nigeria to develop mechanisms to monitor information exchange among other stakeholders and cocoa farmers with respect to safe pesticide use and disposal.Keywords: pesticide retailers, extension officers, pesticide importers, agri-policies, in-depth interview

Thailand is known for its agricultural productivity and rice exportation. Most farms use small machines and manual labor, creating potential exposure to multiple health hazards. A cross-sectional study was conducted to measure pollutants liberated during preparation, pesticide application, and harvesting. Thirty rice farmers, mostly males from 41 to 50 years old, participated. The participant survey data showed that 53.3% of the respondents spent &gt, 2 h per crop on preparation, &lt, 1 h on pesticide application, and about 1–2 h harvesting, 86.7% of the respondents maintained and stored mechanical applicators at home, suggesting possible after-work exposures. Gloves, fabric masks, boots, and hats were worn during all activities, and &gt, 90% wore long sleeved shirts and pants. VOCs and SVOCs were collected using charcoal tubes and solid phase micro sample extraction (SPME). An analysis of the charcoal and SPME samplers found that 30 compounds were detected overall and that 10 were in both the charcoal tubes and SPME samplers. The chemicals most often detected were 1, 1, 1 Trichloro ethane and xylene. Additionally, farmers experienced the highest exposure to particulates during harvesting. These results demonstrated that farmers experience multiple exposures while farming and that risk communication with education or training programs may mitigate exposure.

Prolonged low-lead exposure of communication radio-repair workers working routinely for soldering may have adverse health. This study aims to investigate health effects of lead exposure among worke...

Histological observation has always been important in the study of sentinels. In this research, histological differences in the liver and kidney of two wild populations of Fejervarya limnocharis exposed to different environmental cadmium levels were observed. Liver and kidney samples from 30 rice frogs caught from reference site (Mae Pa) and contaminated site (Mae Tao) were sectioned and stained with Haemotoxylin and Eosin and then observed under light microscope. It was found that liver sections from frogs caught from Mae Tao had higher hepatic macro-melanophage count (MMC) (0.949 ± 0.267 cells/1000 µm2) as compared to those from Mae Pa (0.672 ± 0.299 cells/1000 µm2 ). Other observable histological features found in frog’s liver from Mae Tao include possible necrotic areas, cellular swellings and chromatin margination. The kidney sections from frogs caught from Mae Tao showed the presence of tumor-like cell aggregation and hemorrhage. However, the proportion of tumor-like cell aggregation and hemorrhage were not significantly different than were expected from random occurrences. The result of the histological study revealed that F. limnocharis caught from Mae Tao had higher hepatic MMC and higher prevalence of renal tumor-like aggregation and renal hemorrhage than the rice frogs caught from Mae Pa. Cellular swelling, possible necrotic area and possible apoptotic cell could also be observed in the liver of contaminated frogs.

Exposure to pyrethroids (PYR) commonly used in households affects nervous system in children. Data on pyrethroids exposure related to neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is unknown. Thi...

Organohalogen compounds constitute one of the important groups of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Among them, due to their long-term health effects, one should pay attention on polychlorinate...

Agriculture in Thailand, which employs over 30 percent of the workforce and contributes significantly to the country's gross domestic product, is a key sector of its economy. Import and use of pesticides has increased over the past decade due to Thailand's major role as a leading exporter of food and agricultural products. The widespread and poorly regulated use of pesticides presents a potential risk to the health of farmers, farm families, the general population including children and the environment. This article is a result of the Southeast Asia GEOHealth Network Meeting of February 2019. It summarizes the current situation on pesticide use and regulation in Thailand and reports research findings on the potential health and environmental impacts of pesticide use, as well as highlighting gaps in research that could play an important and influential role in future policy initiatives on pesticides. Although Thailand has made remarkable progress in improving agricultural health and safety and similarly strong research and policy programs are being developed in other countries in the region, there are still significant gaps in research and policy that need to be filled.

Human biomarkers were used to evaluate the lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) exposure of local people who lived in an agricultural area with intense agrochemical usage and who consumed groundwater. Although the heavy metals/metalloids in the groundwater were at low concentrations, they could cause adverse effects due to a high daily water intake rate over the long term. Biomarkers (hair, fingernails and urine) were collected from 100 subjects along with the local shallow groundwater and tap water, which is the treated deep groundwater, and investigated for the concentrations of As and Pb. Shallow groundwater had an average pH of 5.21 ± 1.90, ranging from 3.77 to 8.34, with average concentrations of As and Pb of 1.311 µg/L and 6.882 µg/L, respectively. Tap water had an average pH of 5.24 ± 1.63, ranging from 3.86 to 8.89, with the average concentrations of As and Pb of 0.77 µg/L and 0.004 µg/L, respectively. The levels of both As and Pb in the hair, fingernails and urine of shallow groundwater-consuming residents were greater than those in the hair, fingernails and urine of tap water-consuming residents. Interestingly, the As level in urine showed a linear relationship with the As concentration in groundwater (R2 = 0.91). The average water consumption rate was approximately two-fold higher than the standard; thus, its consumption posed a health risk even at the low As and Pb levels in the groundwater. The hazard index (HI) ranged from 0.01 to 16.34 (average of 1.20 ± 2.50), which was higher than the acceptable level. Finally, the concomitant factors for As and Pb in the urine, hair and nails from both binary logistic regression and odds ratio (OR) analysis indicated that groundwater consumption was the major concomitant risk factor. This study suggested that direct consumption of this groundwater should be avoided and that the groundwater should be treated, especially before consumption. In conclusion, urine is suggested to be a biomarker of daily exposure to As and Pb, while for long-term exposure to these metals, fingernails are suggested as a better biomarker than hair.

Background Prenatal exposure to pesticides has been linked to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Gaps exist in the current literature about the timing and magnitude of exposures that result in these adverse outcomes. Objective The Study of Asian Women and their Offspring’s Development and Environmental Exposures (SAWASDEE) cohort was established to investigate the impact of prenatal exposure to pesticides on early indicators of cognitive and motor skills, inhibitory control, emotion regulation, and memory that have been found to be important in the development of subsequent neurobehavioral and neurodevelopmental diseases. The overarching goal is to find earlier predictors of potential adverse neurologic outcomes in order to enable earlier interventions that could result in better outcome prognoses. Methods Recruitment of this prospective, longitudinal birth cohort began in July 2017 and was completed in June 2019 in Chom Thong and Fang, 2 farming districts in Chiang Mai Province in northern Thailand. Follow-up of the study participants is ongoing. During pregnancy, 7 questionnaires were administered. Time-resolved biospecimen samples were collected monthly (for urine) and during each trimester (for blood) during antenatal care visits. Medical records were abstracted. Infants were administered the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) test at 1 month of age. A total of 322 mother-child pairs completed the NNNS test. All children will be followed until 3 years of age and undergo a series of neurodevelopmental tests. We will complete several additional exposure related analyses. Results A total of 1298 women were screened, and of those, 394 (30.35%) women were enrolled. The mean gestational age at enrollment was 9.9 weeks (SD 2.6). Differences in literacy were observed between Chom Thong and Fang participants. In Fang, about 54 of 105 (51.4%) participants reported being able to read in Thai compared to about 206 of 217 (94.9%) participants in Chom Thong. The percentages were comparable for reporting to be able to write in Thai. Conclusions This longitudinal birth cohort study will inform risk assessment standards for pregnant women in Thailand and other countries. Building awareness of how insecticide exposure during specific windows of pregnancy affects the neurodevelopmental trajectories of children in developing countries is a specific need recognized by the World Health Organization. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/31696

BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to pesticides has been linked to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Gaps exist in the current literature about the timing and magnitude of exposures that result in these adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVE The Study of Asian Women and their Offspring’s Development and Environmental Exposures (SAWASDEE) cohort was established to investigate the impact of prenatal exposure to pesticides on early indicators of cognitive and motor skills, inhibitory control, emotion regulation, and memory that have been found to be important in the development of subsequent neurobehavioral and neurodevelopmental diseases. The overarching goal is to find earlier predictors of potential adverse neurologic outcomes in order to enable earlier interventions that could result in better outcome prognoses. METHODS Recruitment of this prospective, longitudinal birth cohort began in July 2017 and was completed in June 2019 in Chom Thong and Fang, 2 farming districts in Chiang Mai Province in northern Thailand. Follow-up of the study participants is ongoing. During pregnancy, 7 questionnaires were administered. Time-resolved biospecimen samples were collected monthly (for urine) and during each trimester (for blood) during antenatal care visits. Medical records were abstracted. Infants were administered the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) test at 1 month of age. A total of 322 mother-child pairs completed the NNNS test. All children will be followed until 3 years of age and undergo a series of neurodevelopmental tests. We will complete several additional exposure related analyses. RESULTS A total of 1298 women were screened, and of those, 394 (30.35%) women were enrolled. The mean gestational age at enrollment was 9.9 weeks (SD 2.6). Differences in literacy were observed between Chom Thong and Fang participants. In Fang, about 54 of 105 (51.4%) participants reported being able to read in Thai compared to about 206 of 217 (94.9%) participants in Chom Thong. The percentages were comparable for reporting to be able to write in Thai. CONCLUSIONS This longitudinal birth cohort study will inform risk assessment standards for pregnant women in Thailand and other countries. Building awareness of how insecticide exposure during specific windows of pregnancy affects the neurodevelopmental trajectories of children in developing countries is a specific need recognized by the World Health Organization. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/31696

This study aims to determine the anthropometric dimensions of farmers in Thailand. The anthropometric survey study was carried out in 156 farmers who have been using poorly designed equipment. Thirty-six anthropometric measurements were collected from participants using a commercial anthropometer set. T-tests were used to compare the different mean between male and female anthropometric measurements. The participants were comprised of 78 males (age range 18–64 years, mean: 45.82, ±SD: 10.73 years) and 78 females (age range 18–65 years, mean: 47.85, ±SD: ±11.37 years). The mean (±SD) of anthropometric measurement consisted of stature at 163.70 (±6.30) cm and 153.72 (±19.09) cm, and the body weight at 64.71 (±11.76) kg and 61.32 (±9.95) kg for male and female participants, respectively. However, the comparison of anthropometry in this study within Thai regions and other foreign countries suggests there is a significant difference among anthropometric measurements in Thai farmers and other populations. Therefore, this database of anthropometric measurements among Thai farmers will be helpful in the design process of various agricultural machinery to enhance the ergonomics operation of tools for farmers in this region.

Sugarcane farmers and cutters have been reported to be at high risk of acute kidney injury. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess acute kidney injury biomarkers, and cross-shift change among 150 sugarcane cutters and 98 sugarcane farmers in Thailand. Physical health examination, environmental measurements, and measured urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were assessed. Cross-shift change of urine creatinine (uCr), albumin creatinine ratio (ACR), and NGAL between sugarcane farmers and cutters was compared. Factors influencing abnormal post-shift ACR and NGAL were analyzed by binary logistic regression adjusted with covariates. Sugarcane cutters were significantly more likely to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and herbs to relieve pain than sugarcane farmers. Males were more likely to be current smokers and drinkers although 62% of cutters and 56% of farmers were female. Sugarcane farmers and cutters had similar post-shift estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and ACR levels. Cross-shift measurements showed that both sugarcane cutters and sugarcane farmers had significantly higher post-shift geometric mean (GM) urinary NGAL, but that the cross-shift changes of NGAL were significantly higher for sugarcane cutters (182%) vs. sugarcane farmers (112%). Water intake less than recommendation of subjects was a significant predictor of a higher risk for an abnormal post-shift ACR after controlling for covariates, while being a sugarcane cutter was a predictor of a lower risk of an abnormal risk of a post-shift NGAL after controlling for covariates. Measurements of heat stress (WBGT plus workload) found that sugarcane cutters exceeded recommended exposures while sugarcane farmers were compliance to the TLV. These findings suggest that to protect sugarcane farmers and cutters, preventative measures are needed.

This study aimed to identify factors associated with dermal exposure to cypermethrin and assess the health risks among young children in an agricultural community in Thailand. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the parents/caregivers of 58 children (aged 1–3 years). Wipe samples were analyzed for cypermethrin by gas chromatography-microelectron capture detection (GC-µECD). Health risk assessments were based on the cypermethrin concentration on the children’s hands and feet. Spearman’s correlation indicated significant associations among cypermethrin concentrations on the hands, feet, floors/wooden beds, and toys (rho = 0.438–0.613, p-value

The objective of this study was to determine whether rotational grazing generates horse, pasture, or cost benefits over continuous grazing. The study established two replicates (1.57 ha each) of rotational (R; four grazing sections and a stress lot per replicate, where horses were fed a moderate quality grass hay at 2% of body weight when not grazing) and continuous (C) grazing systems (treatments). Twelve Standardbred mares were grazed for an overall stocking rate of 0.52 ha/horse (n = 3 in each pasture). Recommended management practices for each grazing system were followed for 27 mo including three grazing seasons. Samples were collected monthly between 0800 and 1000. Results were analyzed in SAS (V9.4) using mixed model repeated-measures analysis of covariance, chi-square tests of association, and two-sample t-tests. Alpha level was set at P < 0.05. The C horses were maintained on pasture for 100% of the study duration (844 d; August 1, 2014 to November 22, 2016), while R horses had access to pasture for approximately half of this time (408 ± 33 d). The average length of grazing bout per rotational grazing section during the grazing season increased numerically each year from 7.88 ± 0.76 d in 2014, 10.0 ± 0.61 d in 2015, and 10.9 ± 0.80 d in 2016. Average horse body condition score (BCS) and body fat differed by treatment, with C horses (BCS 6.3 ± 0.05, 17.9 ± 0.15% body fat) greater than R horses (BCS 5.9 ± 0.05, 16.8 ± 0.15% body fat). Both sward height and herbage mass were greater in R (11.8 ± 0.1 cm tall; 1,513 ± 41 kg/ha) than C pastures (6.9 ± 0.1 cm tall; 781 ± 35 kg/ha). The R pastures had higher proportions of vegetative and total cover, planted grasses (tall fescue and orchardgrass), and weeds but lower proportions of grass weeds (nonplanted grasses) and other (rocks, litter, bare ground, etc.) as compared with C pastures. Digestible energy, acid detergent fiber, and calcium were higher in R vs. C pastures; however, crude protein was lower in R vs. C pastures. There were no significant differences between treatments for average monthly amount of hay fed (C, 597 ± 34.1 vs. R, 659 ± 34.1 kg) or average monthly pasture maintenance cost (C, $17.55 ± 3.14 vs. R, $20.50 ± 3.14). This study is one of few replicated experiments comparing the effects of rotational and continuous grazing for horses on pasture quality, horse condition, and production costs. The results here support the recommendation of rotational grazing for production, environmental, and ecological purposes.

Background: Mercury occurs naturally in environment; thus, retention of fossil fuels used as feedstock in petrochemical plants is commonly found. The purpose of this study was to assess mer...

Greengrocers are occupationally exposed to pesticide residues (PRs) on vegetables via dermal contact, especially organophosphates (OPs). The study's aim was to explore health effects from exposure ...

Bird eggs can often be used as a bioindicator of potential effects in environment pollutions. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) lays the eggs around wastewater treatment ponds, Khon Kaen Univer...

Background: Crude oil and natural gas are often contaminated with arsenic. As a carcinogen, arsenic contamination in the workplace is of concern, particularly when urinary arsenic levels are higher...

Pesticide residues (PRs) in market vegetables have been reported regularly. Greengrocers may be exposed to several sorts of PRs on vegetables through hand contact. Health risk assessment from occup...

The presence of synthetic glucocorticosteroids (GCs) in surface water and their potential endocrine disruption (ED) activity at environmental concentrations has not been fully investigated. Synthetic GCs may interfere with endogenous receptors within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and disruptions of this pathway can result in decreased reproduction and/or adverse developmental effects. Betamethasone, a synthetic GC, has been on the market in the United States since the 1980's. The Pharmaceutical Assessment and Transport Evaluation model estimated betamethasone concentrations to be

This study aimed to assess change in school-based food waste after training and implementing the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement (SLM) strategies with school food service workers. This non-controlled trial was implemented in a random sample of 15 elementary and middle schools in a Community Eligibility Program school district in the Northeast, the United States. Baseline and post-intervention food waste measurements were collected at two different time points in each school (n = 9258 total trays measured). Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and regression analyses were used to assess SLM strategies’ impact on changes in percent food waste. The mean number of strategies schools implemented consistently was 7.40 ± 6.97 SD, with a range of 0 to 28 consistent strategies. Independent t-tests revealed that at post-test, there was a significant (p &lt, 0.001) percent reduction (7.0%) in total student food waste and for each food component: fruit (13.6%), vegetable (7.1%), and milk (4.3%). Overall, a training session on food waste and the SLM strategies with school-based food service workers reduced school food waste. However, the extent of the training and SLM strategies to reduce food waste varied on the basis of the consistency and type of strategies implemented.

Urine used as a biomarker was collected and compared between two groups of participants: (1) a groundwater-drinking group and (2) a non-groundwater-drinking group in intensively agricultural areas in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand. The statistical relationship with the metal concentration in shallow groundwater wells was established with urine data. According to the groundwater data, the health risk assessment results for four metals appeared to be higher for participants who drank groundwater than for the other group. The carcinogenic risk and non-carcinogenic risk of arsenic (As) were found in 25.86 and 31.03% of participants, respectively. For lead (Pb), 13.79% of the participants had a non-carcinogenic risk. Moreover, 30 of the 58 participants in the groundwater-drinking group had As urine higher than the standard, and 26, 2 and 9 of the 58 participants had above-standard levels for cadmium (Cd), Pb and mercury (Hg) in urine, respectively. Both the risk assessment and biomarker level of groundwater-drinking participants were higher than in the other group. The results showed an average drinking rate of approximately 4.21 ± 2.73 L/day, which is twice as high as the standard. Interestingly, the As levels in the groundwater correlated with those in the urine of the groundwater-drinking participants, but not in the non-groundwater-drinking participants, as well as with the As-related cancer and non-carcinogenic risks. The hazard index (HI) of the 100 participants ranged from 0.00 to 25.86, with an average of 1.51 ± 3.63 higher than the acceptable level, revealing that 28 people appeared to have non-carcinogenic risk levels (24 and 4 people for groundwater-drinking participants and non-groundwater-drinking participants, respectively). Finally, the associated factors of heavy metals in urine were the drinking water source, body weight, smoking, sex and use of personal protective equipment.

Decontamination during turnaround (TA) can lead to high exposure to toxic chemicals among workers. The decontamination process in refinery plants usually comprises two types, i.e. steam and chemical decontamination. No matter the method used, concentrations of toxic chemicals must be measured using the direct reading instrument at the end of each decontamination cycle, which maybe repeated several times until the readings are in acceptable level. To evaluate mercury exposure of decontamination workers during decontamination procedure in comprehensive turnaround of a refinery plant. Thirty personal and 16 area air samples were collected using passive dosimeters and absorbent tubes, respectively, during 8 days of the decontamination in comprehensive turnaround. All samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Good practices and standard procedures for air sampling and analysis were performed. The TWA concentrations were calculated and compared between steam and chemical decontamination workers. All area samples were well below TLV (ND – 0.0016 mg/m3) while 5 of 14 samples collected at the steam team and 1 of 16 samples taken from the chemical team exceeded the TLV. The geometric mean (GSD) of TWA concentration of the steam team was 0.0057(10.4906) mg/m3, which is about twice as high as that of the chemical team, 0.0031(6.9422) mg/m3. The highest mercury concentration, 0.1037 mg/m3, was collected from a steam decontamination worker. According to the activities and observation, the steam team may have high exposure while reading the chemical concentrations at the end of the decontamination cycle.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentrations of toxic metals in the edible portion of fish tissue obtained from the Raritan River in New Brunswick, New Jersey (NJ) between April and May of 2014. Species collected for this study included commonly caught fish such as bluegill, small and large mouth bass, brown and rainbow trout, bullhead catfish, and white perch. Samples were filleted and the muscle tissue subsequently dehydrated and then chemically digested. Samples were analyzed using Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Levels of 28 different metals were quantified for each specimen. In general, metal contamination in fish tissues was below the recommended limits. However, lead was found in one sample at a tissue concentration of 88 µg per 225 g fillet, which is above the recommended daily consumption limit as set by the Food and Safety Authority of Ireland. The maximum level found for arsenic was 23 µg per 225 g fillet. The fish samples taken from the Raritan River in...

Background: The poor sanitation and small numbers of households who own toilet in Sekotong regency may relate to the diarrheal events due to the fecal coliform contamination in drinking water. Aim: This paper aims to provide the concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria in shallow well waters and the factors associated to its growth. Method: Fifteen groundwater samples were collected from 5 shallow wells to provide the concentrations of total fecal coliform bacteria (FC), mercury concentration, inorganic nitrogen compounds (represent as ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved oxygen (D), pH, and salinity. The concentration of the parameters was then compared to the safe limit set by World Health Organization (WHO). Results: The results indicated that the drinking water resources at the Sekotong regency were contaminated by coliform and mercury. One location with low mercury concentration was recorded with E. coli contamination. Residence, agriculture, and animal livestock were subjected as the sources of coliform contamination. Mercury concentrations may inverse the growth of FC. No apparent relationship was found between total phosphorous and inorganic nitrogen compounds to FC growth. However, we recognized the FC growth responded positively to the level of phosphorous in waters, but associated negatively to nitrate concentration. An inverse correlation was also found between coliform survival and salinity in this study. The pH range at 6.05 – 6.50 supported FC survival. Conclusion: The drinking water resources at the Sekotong shallow wells were contaminated by coliform and mercury. It is important for local government to inform drinking water protection and treatment.

This article presents the investigation of how far multinationals and other large state-owned companies in Pakistan practice corporate social responsibility. The authors compared the corporate social responsibility initiatives of the companies with the10 principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) to look at the corporate social responsibility aspects covered and to find what elements are yet to be complied with. The content analysis of these companies' official Websites was carried out to explore the issue under investigation. The sample included40 companies that received second CSR Business Excellence Awards in 2014 to see if individual companies' CSR policies and practices were globally driven and to assess the level of commitment with UNGC principles

Thant Zaw Lwin,1,2 Aye Aye Than,3 Aung Zaw Min,4 Mark Gregory Robson,5 Wattasit Siriwong2,6 1Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar; 2Center for Risk Analysis and Health Surveillance (C-RAHS), College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; 3Defence Services Orthopedics Hospital, Yangon, Myanmar; 4Military Institute of Nursing and Paramedical Sciences, Yangon, Myanmar; 5School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA; 6College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand Introduction: Kyauk Kan village of Nyaung-U, Mandalay region, Myanmar is one of the most famous groundnut-growing zones and has been exposed to pesticides. Methods: This study design provided evaluation of within-person changes in the season across growing and nongrowing periods. A cross-sectional study was performed to identify health problems related to organophosphate pesticide (OP) exposure, to explore the protected use of this pesticide among 400 participants in the community by face-to-face interviews, and to determine the reproductive effects of OP exposure by using biomarkers of 100 male groundnut farmers aged 18–49 years. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.5±9.45 years. Analysis revealed statistically significant differences in seminal parameters (P

Anthropometry is the science of human body measurement which is carried out for designing tools and equipment, not only to achieve performance and productivity but also providing safety and comfort. This study presents anthropometric dimensions of agricultural workers in North-eastern Thailand that carried out in 139 agricultural workers with 15 anthropometric dimensions of standing posture by using the commercial anthropometer set. Statistical analysis were analyzed by mean (±SD). The 5th, 50th and 95th percentile values were calculated accordingly. However, the t-tests were used to compare different mean between male and female anthropometric dimensions. The agricultural workers were comprised of 71 males (aged 18–59 years, mean (±SD)) at 44.11 years (±10.02) and 68 females (aged 18–59 years, mean (±SD)) at 45.87 years (±10.83). In addition, there are significant different between male and female agricultural workers in all of anthropometric dimensions (p < 0.01) except body weight. Similarly, the comparison mean of anthropometric dimensions in Thai, Taiwanese, Chinese and Singaporean that found Thai male and female are relatively smaller than other countries. Therefore, the finding of this study concluded that anthropometric data were evidently difference between male and female within the region and difference countries which are absolutely necessary for designing of ergonomically machines/tools/equipment of the target users.

In this study, morphometric and gravimetric indices were used to determine the impact of cadmium exposure on a sentinel species. Scaling coefficient, condition factor (CF), hepatosomatic index (HSI), renosomatic index (RSI) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were compared between rice frogs (Fejervarya limnocharis) exposed to different environmental cadmium levels. The result showed that frogs caught from the contaminated site had significantly higher CF (10.296), RSI (0.413) and female GSI (7.594) than frogs from the contaminated site (7.594, 0.380 and 1.594, respectively). For Scaling Coefficient and HSI, albeit being statistically insignificant, these indices showed a similar trend. On the other hand, the male GSI showed a reverse trend where frogs from contaminated site showed higher values than their counterpart from the reference site. However, the differences were not statistically significant. This research concluded that there is a relationship between cadmium contamination with morphometric and gravimetric indices. Therefore, it is suggested that the use of these data could give an idea on the effect of cadmium exposure on the rice frog. DOI : http://dx.doi.org./10.17576/JSKM-2016-1402-07

Electronic cigarettes, battery-powered nicotine delivery devices, have been increasingly used in the past decade. This critical review provides a qualitative research synthesis of the human health risks associated with E-vapor inhalation in the peer-reviewed literature and our own preliminary experimental results. E-cigarettes may be as efficient as traditional cigarettes in nicotine delivery, especially for experienced users, and studies suggest lower emissions of air toxics from E-cigarette vapor and lower second- and third-hand vapor exposures. Some toxic emissions may however surpass those of traditional cigarettes, especially under high voltage vaping conditions. Experimentally, E-vapor/E-liquid exposures reduce cell viability and promote pro-inflammatory cytokine release. User vulnerability to concomitant environmental agent exposures, such as viruses and bacteria, may potentially be increased. While evidence to date suggests that E-cigarettes release fewer toxins and carcinogens compared to...

Black flies are a perennial pest problem in New Jersey, and paramount among them are the S. jenningsi group species. Pollution tolerance values are reported for the 39 species of black flies known in New Jersey. Morphologically similar species were identified chromosomally to ensure accurate identification. Species of the same genus varied markedly in tolerance values, questioning the accuracy of generic-level tolerance values for the Simuliidae. An index for predicting the colonization and spread in New Jersey of the Simulium jenningsi group, which includes the major pest species of black flies in the eastern United States, is proposed, with implications for control programs worldwide.

Background: Traditional Thai tobacco (Nicotiana abacus L.) is known as a non-Virginia type whose mature leaf contains three to four times more nicotine than that of a Virginia type. As such, the process of Thai traditional tobacco production may lead to adverse health effects such as green tobacco sickness (GTS). Objective: To investigate the prevalence of GTS and risk factors related to GTS among Thai traditional tobacco farmers in Nan province, northern Thailand. Methods: 473 Thai traditional tobacco farmers from rural areas in Nan province were randomly selected and interviewed in person by means of questionnaires and environmental survey. Statistical analyses were used to identify potential risk factors for GTS. Results: The prevalence of GTS was 22.6% (95% CI 19.1% to 26.6%). Multivariate analysis showed various risk factors associated with GTS including gender of the farmer (OR adj 0.44, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.73), smoking (OR adj 4.36, 95% CI 1.41 to 13.47), skin rash (OR adj 0.36, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.68), wearing a wet suit (OR adj 1.91, 95% CI 1.12 to 3.23), process of curing tobacco leaves (OR adj 0.06, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.16), and watering tobacco plants (OR adj 0.42, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.72). Conclusion: The process of traditional Thai tobacco production can result in increased dermal exposure and can be considered a major risk factor for GTS. Body soaking during watering may further increase adverse health effects related to GTS.

Arsenic, a known human carcinogen, occurs naturally in groundwater in New Jersey and many other states and countries. A number of municipalities in the Piedmont, Highlands, and Valley and Ridge Physiographic Provinces of New Jersey have a high proportion of wells that exceed the New Jersey maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 5 µg/L. Hopewell Township, located in Mercer County and the Piedmont Province, has a progressive local ordinance which requires the installation of dual-tank, point-of-entry treatment systems on affected wells.Thisprovided a unique study opportunity. Of the 55 homes with dual-tank POE treatment systems recruited into this study, 51 homes (93%) had arsenic levels under the MCL at the kitchen sink, regardless of years in service and/or maintenance schedule adherence. Based on the study participants' water consumption and arsenic concentrations, we estimate that Hopewell's arsenic water treatment ordinance, requiring POE dual-tank arsenic treatment, reduced the incidence of excess lifetime (70-year) bladder and lung cancers from 121 (1.7 cancer cases/year) to 16 (0.2 cancer cases/year) preventing 105 lifetime cancer cases (1.5 cases/year). Because the high risk of cancer from arsenic can be mitigated with effective arsenic water treatment systems, this ordinance should be considered a model for other municipalities.

A comparison of the effectiveness of whole house (point-of-entry) and point-of-use arsenic water treatment systems in reducing arsenic exposure from well water was conducted. The non-randomized observational study recruited 49 subjects having elevated arsenic in their residential home well water in New Jersey. The subjects obtained either point-of-entry or point-of-use arsenic water treatment. Prior ingestion exposure to arsenic in well water was calculated by measuring arsenic concentrations in the well water and obtaining water-use histories for each subject, including years of residence with the current well and amount of water consumed from the well per day. A series of urine samples were collected from the subjects, some starting before water treatment was installed and continuing for at least nine months after treatment had begun. Urine samples were analyzed and speciated for inorganic-related arsenic concentrations. A two-phase clearance of inorganic-related arsenic from urine and the likelihood of a significant body burden from chronic exposure to arsenic in drinking water were identified. After nine months of water treatment the adjusted mean of the urinary inorganic-related arsenic concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.0005) in the point-of-entry treatment group (2.5 μg/g creatinine) than in the point-of-use treatment group (7.2 μg/g creatinine). The results suggest that whole house arsenic water treatment systems provide a more effective reduction of arsenic exposure from well water than that obtained by point-of-use treatment.

We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the relationship between pesticide exposures and testosterone levels in 133 male Thai farmers. Urine and serum samples were collected concurrently from participants. Urine was analyzed for levels of specific- and non-specific metabolites of organophosphates (OPs), pyrethroids, select herbicides, and fungicides. Serum was analyzed for total and free testosterone. Linear regression analyses revealed significant negative relationships between total testosterone and the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) after controlling for covariates (e.g., age, BMI, smoking status). Positive significant associations were found between some OP pesticides and total testosterone. Due to the small sample size and the observational nature of the study, future investigation is needed to confirm our results and to elucidate the biological mechanisms.

Background Organochlorine insecticides (OCs) have historically been used worldwide to control insects, although most have now been banned in developed countries. Evidence for an association between OC exposures and cancer predominantly comes from occupational and population based-studies among men. We evaluated the association between the use of specific OCs and cancer among the female spouses of pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study. Methods At enrollment (1993–1997), spouses of private applicators in the cohort provided information about their own use of pesticides, including seven OCs (aldrin, chlordane, dieldrin, DDT, heptachlor, lindane, and toxaphene), and information on potential confounders. We used Poisson regression to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cancers (n ≥ 3 exposed cases) reported to state cancer registries from enrollment through 2012 (North Carolina) and 2013 (Iowa), and use of the individual OCs, as well as use of any of the specific OCs. Results Among 28,909 female spouses, 2191 (7.58%) reported ever use of at least one OC, of whom 287 were diagnosed with cancer. Most cancers were not associated with OC use. Risk of glioma was increased among users of at least one OC (Nexposed = 11, RR = 3.52, 95% CI 1.72–7.21) and specifically among lindane users (Nexposed = 3, RR = 4.45, 95% CI 1.36–14.55). Multiple myeloma was associated with chlordane (Nexposed = 6, RR = 2.71, 95% CI 1.12–6.55). Based on 3 exposed cases each, there were also positive associations between pancreatic cancer and lindane, and ER-PR- breast cancer and dieldrin. No other associations with breast cancer were found. Conclusions Overall, there were some associations with OC use and cancer incidence, however we were limited by the small number of exposed cancer cases. Future research should attempt to expand on these findings by assessing environmental sources of OC exposures, to fully evaluate the role of OC exposures on cancer risk in women.

Many methods exist for estimating species composition, but few studies compare those useful in improved horse pastures. The objective of this study was to examine 4 techniques for estimating desirable forage species composition in 2 cool-season horse pastures based on prevalence estimates, repeatability, bias, and practicality, and to select a method for use in a subsequent grazing study. The techniques included Equine Pasture Evaluation Disc (EPED), Line-Point Intercept with 3 transects of 50 observations each (LPI 3–50), LPI with 5 transects of 30 observations each (LPI 5–30), and Step Point (StPt). A generalized linear-mixed effects model procedure of SAS (GLIMMIX) with a logit link was used to test for differences among each species separately. When methods were significantly different (α = 0.05), pairwise comparisons were performed using a paired t-test. The methods did not differ in detecting creeping bentgrass (P = 0.3334) or orchardgrass (P = 0.4207), but there were differences for Kentucky bluegrass (P = 0.0082), tall fescue (P = 0.0314), and other (P = 0.0448). Repeatability plots displayed lower method repeatability as species prevalence increased. Agreement was analyzed between pairs of methods by grass species. Five out of 30 pairs showed significant overall bias (P = 0.0114, 0.0045, 0.0170, 0.0328, and 0.0404), and 3 of them were between LPI 3–50 and EPED. The LPI 3–50 and LPI 5–30 techniques agreed perfectly in prevalence and bias, as did StPt and EPED, meaning they can be used interchangeably. The techniques LPI 3–50 and EPED were the most dissimilar methods. In conclusion, StPt can be used interchangeably with LPI, but StPt was selected due to its thorough representation of the pastures and ease of use.

In this study, the hair and fingernails of the local people in an intensively cultivated agricultural area in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand, were used as biomarkers of exposure to arsenic (As) and heavy metals. The study area has shallow acidic groundwater that is contaminated with As and heavy metals. The local people often consume this shallow groundwater; thus, they are exposed to As and heavy metals. Hair and fingernail samples were collected to characterize the differences between shallow groundwater drinking (SGWD) and tap water drinking (TWD) residents. The concentrations of As and the heavy metals Cd, Pb and Hg were significantly higher in the hair samples from the SGWD group than those from the TWD group, especially for As (0.020-0.571 vs. 0.024-0.359µg/g) and Cd (0.009-0.575 vs. 0.013-0.230µg/g). Similarly, the concentrations of As and the heavy metals in the fingernail samples collected from the SGWD group were larger than those of the TWD group, especially for As (0.039-2.440µg/g vs. 0.049-0.806µg/g). The χ2 statistic and binary logistic regression were used to find the associated factors and assess the associated probabilities. The regression results show that the factors associated with the concentrations of As and the heavy metals in the hair samples were drinking water source, rate of water consumption, gender, bathing water source, education, smoking and underlying disease, whereas the factors associated with the concentrations of these species in the fingernail samples were drinking water source, gender, occupation, work hours per day, alcohol consumption, and the use of pesticides.