Search

Although supply chain ecosystem health (SCE Health) is receiving attention in relation to environmental uncertainty, its conception and measurement are largely undocumented, and how to pursue SCE Health under environmental turbulence is unclear. Supply chain learning (SCL) is an important way to build dynamic capabilities, and whether it can empower the achievement of SCE Health is worthy of investigative study. Therefore, grounded in the dynamic capabilities theory, a survey data-based structural equation modelling (SEM) approach is employed. Based on four experts' opinions and an in-depth literature review, 47 measurement items (11 for SCL, 28 for SCE Health, and 8 for environmental turbulence) were identified in the questionnaire design. Further, 208 valid questionnaires from the field survey of supply chain management (SCM)-related firms in China were collected and used for SEM analysis. The results show that the internal learning of SCL stimulates its external learning. SCL empowers the pursuit of SCE Health, which is strengthened under higher environmental turbulence. The theoretical framework and results also derive practical insights and support from 11 interviewees of five companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to further explore the relationship between travel time and frequency of visits to collegiate recreation facilities. After surveying all students using collegiate recreation facilities at a large public southeastern US university, the local address of the 559 respondents was converted into travel time to their preferred facility using their preferred transportation method. This travel time was compared with swipe data on visits to the facility over a semester. A multinomial logistic regression was conducted to analyze the relationship between collegiate recreation facility usage level and travel time. Results support past research and ecological models of health behaviors demonstrating that proximity of recreation facilities is positively associated with higher usage by college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND AIM[|]Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TrAP) adversely impacts human health, disproportionately harming disadvantaged communities. New technologies and infrastructure offer opportunities to reduce TrAP, but the health outcomes of individuals are not fully understood due to a lack of high-resolution models that grasp the complexities of transportation systems and their health implications amid evolving policies and technologies.[¤]METHOD[|]We introduce BEAM CORE (beam.lbl.gov), a high-resolution, agent-based transportation framework that simulates detailed passenger and freight activities. It captures interactions between transportation, land use, demographic and vehicle ownership changes at various scales. Validating crucial factors of emission modeling, including link-level VMT, speed and regional fleet in the San Francisco Bay Area’s nine counties, demonstrates its potential to be extended for assessing health outcomes from changes in TrAP.[¤]RESULTS[|]All major outputs from the BEAM CORE 2018 baseline have been calibrated and validated. Mode split and demographics align closely with census and survey data. Passenger and freight activities were validated against public and private data, with CO2 emissions corresponding to 3.67Mt/yr for medium/heavy-duty (MHD) and 22.79Mt/yr for all vehicles, demonstrating the model’s alignment with empirical data. The NOx, PM2.5 and PM10 from MHD exhaust, PM brake and tire wear are 14.8kt/yr, 424t/yr and 606.9t/yr under the 2018 baseline with high fractions of conventional vehicles, while the wide adoption of clean truck technologies under 2050 resulted in 87\%, 75\% and 56\% reductions respectively. BEAM CORE generates detailed fleet and activity data at high spatiotemporal resolution, enabling the integration with air quality models, including InMAP/AERMOD, to explore the causal pathway of health impacts from transport policy changes.[¤]CONCLUSIONS[|]We developed a sophisticated multi-dimensional transportation model for integration with advanced air quality, and health assessment models. It enables a thorough analysis of health impacts of transportation policies and technologies across diverse communities. It supports similar analyses in any area using local data.[¤]

BACKGROUND: Interventions are needed to help people reduce exposure to harmful chemicals from everyday products and lifestyle habits. Report-back of individual exposures is a potential pathway to increasing environmental health literacy (EHL) and readiness to reduce exposures. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to determine if report-back of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can reduce EDC exposure, increase EHL, and increase readiness to change (i.e., to implement EDC exposure-reduction behaviors). METHODS: Participants in the Healthy Nevada Project completed EHL and readiness-to-change surveys before (n = 424) and after (n = 174) a report-back intervention. Participants used mail-in kits to measure urinary biomarkers of EDCs. The report-back of results included urinary levels, information about health effects, sources of exposure, and personalized recommendations to reduce exposure. RESULTS: EHL was generally very high at baseline, especially for questions related to the general pollution. For questions related to chemical exposures, responses varied across several demographics. Statistically reliable improvements in EHL responses were seen after report-back. For readiness to change, 72% were already or planning to change their behaviors. Post-intervention, women increased their readiness (p = 0.053), while men decreased (p = 0.007). When asked what challenges they faced in reducing exposure, 79% cited not knowing what to do. This dropped to 35% after report-back. Participants with higher propylparaben were younger (p = 0.03) and women and participants who rated themselves in better health had higher levels of some phthalates (p = 0.02-0.003 and p = 0.001-0.003, respectively). After report-back, monobutyl phthalate decreased among the 48 participants who had valid urine tests before and after the intervention (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The report-back intervention was successful as evidenced by increased EHL behaviors, increased readiness to change among women, and a decrease in monobutyl phthalate. An EHL questionnaire more sensitive to chemical exposures would help differentiate high and low literacy. Future research will focus on understanding why men decreased their readiness to change and how the intervention can be improved for all participants.

Differential participation in observational cohorts may lead to biased or even reversed estimates. In this article, we describe the potential for differential participation in cohorts studying the etiologic effects of long-term environmental exposures. Such cohorts are prone to differential participation because only those who survived until the start of follow-up and were healthy enough before enrollment will participate, and many environmental exposures are prevalent in the target population and connected to participation via factors such as geography or frailty. The relatively modest effect sizes of most environmental exposures also make any bias induced by differential participation particularly important to understand and account for. We discuss key points to consider for evaluating differential participation and use causal graphs to describe two example mechanisms through which differential participation can occur in health studies of long-term environmental exposures. We use a real-life example, the Canadian Community Health Survey cohort, to illustrate the non-negligible bias due to differential participation. We also demonstrate that implementing a simple washout period may reduce the bias and recover more valid results if the effect of interest is constant over time. Furthermore, we implement simulation scenarios to confirm the plausibility of the two mechanisms causing bias and the utility of the washout method. Since the existence of differential participation can be difficult to diagnose with traditional analytical approaches that calculate a summary effect estimate, we encourage researchers to systematically investigate the presence of time-varying effect estimates and potential spurious patterns (especially in initial periods in the setting of differential participation).

We support your continuing education (CE) needs by providing educational opportunities to complement your credentials and life-long learning. We have improved and expanded our virtual CE offerings, which are available [...]

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between light at night (LAN) and multiple sleep health dimensions. METHODS: Among 47 765 Sister Study participants, indoor LAN (TV on in the room, light(s) on in room, light from outside the room, nightlight, no light) and sleep dimensions were self-reported at baseline (2003-2009). We used Poisson regression with robust variance to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the cross-sectional associations between LAN and short sleep duration (

The concentration of harmful metal ions is growing globally, which raises the risk to both human and ecological health. The use of "adsorption" technique has been found to be very effective, for the removal of toxic metal ions. Among other things, hydrogels as an adsorbent work effectively for the removal of toxic metal ions and other aquatic pollutants. The newly designed potato starch‐xanthate (SX) based hydrogel (SX‐modified hydrogel) has been synthesized using a mixture of acrylamide (AAm) and acrylic acid (AA) monomers, with the help of free‐radical graft copolymerization technique. The synthesized SX‐modified hydrogel has been characterized by several analytical techniques, namely, UV–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, point of zero charge (ΔpHPZC) analysis, x‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. The main objective of the current work is to remove the Cu2+ and Co2+ ions from wastewater using SX‐modified hydrogel as well as to study the swelling and water retention properties of the SX‐modified hydrogel. The swelling ratio of SX‐modified hydrogel has been found to be 312.31, 374.01, and 410.20 g/g at optimum pH 10, temperature 35°C, time 675 min in gray wastewater, tap water, and distilled water, respectively. The maximum percentage removal of Cu2+ and Co2+ ions by SX‐modified hydrogel has been found as 97.7% and 94.2%, respectively, at optimum conditions. The Langmuir isotherm model fits best with the experimental data, with maximum adsorption capacity of 515.46 mg/g for Cu2+ and 483.09 mg/g for Co2+ ions, respectively. The kinetic studies suggest that the adsorption process is governed by the second order kinetic model with rate constant of 2.06 × 10−4 g/(mg min) for Cu2+ and 1.79 × 10−4 g/(mg min) for Co2+ ions, respectively. The negative ΔG values suggest the adsorption process is spontaneous in nature. In addition, the positive ΔH values support the adsorption process is endothermic in nature. The SX‐modified hydrogel showed a remarkable desorption efficiency with 96.7% for Cu2+ and 92.5% for Co2+ ions and reusability for four consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles. It can be concluded that the SX‐modified hydrogel has showed an effective, economical, easy, low energy consuming, and significant potential in the treatment of wastewater containing heavy metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of climate change communication, this study explores the process through which exposure to media messages about a risk leads to recommended behavioral intentions. We propose a model of this process based on the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) and the Risk Perception Attitude (RPA) framework. Our model analyzes how risk perception, negative emotion, and efficacy beliefs mediate and moderate the effects of media messages on people's intention to engage in pro-environmental behaviors. A national survey among 1,000 adults in South Korea was analyzed, and the fitting of PROCESS Models 4 and 15 yielded four main findings. First, media exposure was directly and positively related to risk perception, negative emotion, and pro-environmental behavioral intention. However, the significant relation between media exposure and behavioral intention was partly conditional upon efficacy beliefs. Second, risk perception and negative emotion were also significantly related to behavioral intention conditional upon efficacy beliefs. Third, efficacy beliefs significantly moderated the relation between risk perception and behavioral intention, but not between negative emotion and behavioral intention. Fourth, efficacy beliefs served as a moderator for the indirect effect of media exposure on behavioral intention via risk perception and negative emotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial conjugation, wherein DNA is transferred between cells through direct contact, is highly prevalent in complex microbial communities and is responsible for spreading myriad genes related to human and environmental health. Despite their importance, much remains unknown regarding the mechanisms driving the spread and persistence of these plasmids in situ. Studies have demonstrated that transferring, acquiring, and maintaining a plasmid imposes a significant metabolic burden on the host. Simultaneously, emerging evidence suggests that the presence of a conjugative plasmid can also provide both obvious and unexpected benefits to their host and local community. Combined, this highlights a continuous cost‐benefit tradeoff at the population level, likely contributing to overall plasmid abundance and long‐term persistence. Yet, while the metabolic burdens of plasmid conjugation, and their causes, are widely studied, their attendant potential advantages are less clear. Here, we summarize current perspectives on conjugative plasmids’ metabolic burden and then highlight the lesser‐appreciated yet critical benefits that plasmid‐mediated metabolic burdens may provide. We argue that this largely unexplored tradeoff is critical to both a fundamental theory of microbial populations and engineering applications and therefore warrants further detailed study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accidents in the workplace are critical issues that necessitate attention from environmental safety and health perspectives to enhance operational safety. The elevated rate of workplace accidents in Turkey underscores deficiencies in reliability analysis studies. Effective planning of preventive measures, considering factors such as location and timing, is pivotal in accident prevention. Sociological and regional disparities, alongside technical factors such as service type, working hours, and age, contribute significantly to accident causation. Reliability analysis studies aim to identify potential causes of accidents, enabling early detection of hazardous situations and combinations. This proactive approach allows responsible personnel to implement measures that mitigate or eliminate specific types of accidents, thereby safeguarding both lives and business assets. This study utilizes Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to forecast potential occupational accidents in the shipbuilding industry before they occur. Analyzing data from 146 occupational accidents involving ship electricians between 2012 and 2016, out of a total of 1165 occupational accidents in the industry, the study estimates potential accidents for 2017. The results demonstrate that ANN achieves high accuracy in predicting occupational accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Related Articles For over a decade, members of the Aamjiwnaang Nation have continued to fight for the recognition and redress of their unique environmental health concerns in a region known as Canada's Chemical Valley. From a critical policy studies lens, this article addresses the discursive policy challenges faced by those who are most affected by the toxic policy assemblage of enduring pollution exposure. In response to the research question: how can the voices and lived experiences of those living in pollution hotspots like Chemical Valley contribute to the theory and practice of environmental justice, this article draws upon findings from extensive field‐work in the surrounding region of Lambton County as well as policy advocacy including participation in Senate of Canada hearings. This analysis examines how the omission of community‐based knowledge and expertise reproduces inequities. The article concludes with strategies for improved environmental justice and lessons learned for policy justice in Canada and beyond.Al‐Kohlani, Sumaia A., Heather E. Campbell, and Stephen Omar El‐Khatib. 2023. “Minority Faith and Environmental Justice.” Politics & Policy 51(6): 1069–96. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12564.Ash, John. 2010. “New Nuclear Energy, Risk, and Justice: Regulatory Strategies for an Era of Limited Trust.” Politics & Policy 38(2): 255–84. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00237.x.Dilmaghani, Maryam, and Jeremy Dias. 2023. “In or Out? Citizenship Outcomes of Working Sexual and Gender Minority People of Canada.” Politics & Policy 51(5): 868–97. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12557. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising presence of drug-related contaminants in water sources is a major environmental and public health concern. Several studies have addressed the hazardous influence of these pollutants on the lives of over 400 million people worldwide. In this study, we used molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate the efficacy of two promising composite materials for the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants by using the adsorption technique. Graphitic carbon nitride/graphene (g-C3N4/graphene) and metal-organic framework (MIL-101(Fe))/graphene have been simulated for the first time for the removal of three of the most common pollutants (acetaminophen (AC), caffeine (CAF), and sulfamethoxazole (SMZ)). The nanocomposite structure has been created and optimized using the geometry optimization task in the DFTB Modules in the Amsterdam Modeling Suite. We summarized the condition of the essential parameters (Temperature, pressure, and density) of the simulation box during the MD-simulation to ensure the accuracy of our MD-simulation results. The adsorption process, van der Waals interactions, and the adsorption capacity have been calculated by using the Reactive Forcefield (ReaxFF) software. We found that the combination of MIL-101(Fe)/graphene had a higher adsorption capacity for the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants than g-C3N4/graphene. At 40 Picosecond (Ps), 80 molecules of each pharmaceutical contaminants (AC, CAF and SMZ) have been adsorbed by MIL-101(Fe)/graphene with higher exothermic energy equated to (−1174, −1630, and − 2347) MJ/mol respectively. While for g-C3N4/graphene at 40 Ps, 70 molecules of each pharmaceutical contaminants have been adsorbed with exothermic energy equated to (−924, −966, and − 1268) MJ/mol respectively. Also, our results showed that the combination of g-C₃N₄/graphene and MIL-101(Fe)/graphene both have remarkable properties that make them effective at resisting surface clogging. Finally, the results showed that the adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-first order model, while the adsorption isotherms for AC, CAF and SMZ adhered to Freundlich model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Though the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is no more of a public health emergency, the experiences from burying SARS-CoV-2 infectious dead bodies may remain with the workers. For Environmental Health Officers (EHOs), dealing with decedents during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak may arouse strong feelings of pity, horror, repulsion, disgust, and anger at the tragedy. Therefore, this study aims to explore the experiences of EHOs in disposing off of confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2 fatalities in Ghana. Methods: Using an 18-item interview guide, we gathered data from 27 EHOs from three regions of Ghana. We followed the steps in Descriptive Phenomenology in conducting the data analysis. Results: i. EHOs were confronted with several occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards like physical and chemical injuries, threat of harm, and psychological harm, ii. The officers also faced severe shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). Unfortunately, they were not provided with any form of psychological support during the period. Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Ghana exposed major fault lines in the health and safety/disaster and emergency preparedness of EHOs towards the burial of infectious disease dead bodies. Clearly, the disposal exercise failed to uphold the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4.4, 8.3, and 8.5, which advocate for the promotion of decent jobs for all. Recommendation: Ghana's Ministries of Health, Local Government, and Sanitation and Water Resources need to attach Clinical Psychologists and security personnel to the disposal teams in future exercises to provide psychological support and security to the team. Though studies on the disposal of infectious bodies in Africa exist, very little is known about the experiences of EHOs in the disposal of SARS-CoV-2 dead bodies during the outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As part of the UK government's obesity strategy, the Food (Promotion and Placement) (England) Regulations 2021 were implemented in October 2022 to restrict the prominent placement of products high in fat, sugar, or salt (HFSS) in most retail settings. Local authority (LA) officers have been tasked with enforcement of these regulations. This qualitative study examined the perspectives of LA officers including, trading standards, environmental health, and public health officers to understand enforcement approaches and requirements to optimise business compliance with the regulations. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted via MS Teams with a purposive sample of LA officers across England. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: The 22 participants comprised 13 officers from Trading Standards, six from Environmental Health, and three from Public Health teams. The key messages include the following: (i) the regulations are complex and do not align with existing enforcement approaches, (ii) officers' professional background will result in variable enforcement practices, and (iii) compliance assessment is an arduous task. LAs are facing resource and workforce constraints and have to prioritise regulations addressing high health risks (e.g., allergens). Therefore, officers will mostly apply a light touch approach to enforcement, raising awareness and engaging with businesses rather than issuing notices. To develop a consistent enforcement approach across LAs, officers asked for (i) further leadership from central government in the form of funding, training, and tools to determine in-scope businesses and products, (ii) cross-departmental collaboration to raise the regulations' priority at local and regional levels, and (iii) greater consumer demand for healthier retail environments. Conclusion: It is crucial to address both structural challenges such as resource allocation, workforce, and prioritisation issues as well as the inherent complexity of the regulations to strengthen enforcement efforts. Our findings highlight the necessity of supporting enforcement activities at national and regional government levels to avoid potential false conclusions about ineffectiveness of regulations. Highlights: • The UK Food (Promotion and Placement) regulations are perceived as complex and low priority by LA officers • A light touch enforcement approach could undermine effective implementation of the regulations • Funding is required to enable officers to conduct business support visits and encourage compliance • Accredited training for officers is required to facilitate common understanding of regulations • Qualitative methods provided novel insights about enforcement concerns of the pioneering Food (Promotions and Placement) regulations to reduce obesity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is crucial to environmental health significantly impacting on the well-being and productivity of building occupants. Several studies have explored various aspects of IAQ in non-tropical regions but there is limited information on how seasonal variations affect IAQ in hot-humid climates like Enugu, Nigeria. This study investigated seasonal changes in key indoor air parameters including CO, CO2, HCHO, TVOC, temperature, RH, PM2.5, and AQI across rainy and dry seasons in 58 government offices in Enugu, and evaluated how these fluctuations relate to architectural features of the offices. Using a mixed-methods approach, data collection involved qualitative assessments of building design attributes alongside quantitative IAQ measurements taken with the BOSEAN T-Z01Pro detector. Seasonal variations were analyzed using paired T-tests, ANOVA, and regression models. The results revealed a marked increase in pollutant concentrations during the dry season (p < 0.001–0.005), resulting in a poorer air quality index compared to the rainy season. Architectural features accounted for 68.5% of the variability in AQI (R2 = 0.685, p = 0.000), with casement windows being significantly associated with better air quality (Exp B = -4.217, p = 0.013) These shows that the dry season poses a greater risk to IAQ which is worsened in offices where projecting windows were used, potentially impacting health and productivity. The study emphasizes the need to address seasonal IAQ differences when designing office buildings in tropical regions. Design architects can help reduce seasonal air quality challenges and support healthier, more productive indoor environments by incorporating ventilation strategies, such as the use of casement windows. Further research should include long-term monitoring across various settings and additional IAQ parameters for better understanding of IAQ dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) receive wastewater from various sources. Despite wastewater treatment aiming to remove contaminants, microplastics persist. Plastic surfaces are quickly colonized by microbial biofilm ("plastispheres"). Plastisphere communities are suggested to promote the spread and survival of potential human pathogens, suggesting that the transfer of plastispheres from wastewater to the environment could pose a risk to human and environmental health. The study aimed to identify pathogens in wastewater plastispheres, specifically food-borne pathogens, in addition to characterizing the taxonomic diversity and composition of the wastewater plastispheres. Plastispheres that accumulated on polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and high-density polyethylene propylene (HDPE) surfaces exposed to raw and treated wastewater were analyzed via cultivation methods, quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT‒qPCR) and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. RT‒qPCR revealed the presence of potential foodborne pathogenic bacteria and viruses, such as Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, norovirus, and adenovirus. Viable isolates of the emerging pathogenic species Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter spp. were identified in the plastispheres from raw and treated wastewater, indicating that potential pathogenic bacteria might survive in the plastispheres during the wastewater treatment. These findings underscore the potential of plastispheres to harbor and disseminate pathogenic species, posing challenges to water reuse initiatives. The taxonomic diversity and composition of the plastispheres, as explored through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, were significantly influenced by the wastewater environment and the duration of time the plastic spent in the wastewater. In contrast, the specific plastic material did not influence the bacterial composition, while the bacterial diversity was affected. Without efficient wastewater treatment and proper plastic waste management, wastewater could act as a source of transferring plastic-associated pathogens into the food chain and possibly pose a threat to human health. Continued research and innovation are essential to improve the removal of microplastics and associated pathogenic microorganisms in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absence of trace amounts of natural bioactive compounds with important biological activities in traditional dietary models for global farm animals, coupled with an incomplete theoretical system for animal nutrition, has led to unbalanced and inadequate animal nutrition. This deficiency has adversely impacted animal health and the ecological environment, presenting formidable challenges to the advancement of the swine breeding industry in various countries around the world toward high-quality development. Recently, due to the ban of antibiotics for growth promotion in swine diets, botanical active compounds have been extensively investigated as feed additives. Polyphenols represent a broad group of plant secondary metabolites. They are natural, non-toxic, pollution-free, and highly reproducible compounds that have a wide range of physiological functions, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and metabolic activities. Accordingly, polyphenols have been widely studied and used as feed additives in swine production. This review summarizes the structural characteristics, classification, current application situation, general properties of polyphenols, and the latest research advances on their use in swine production. Additionally, the research and application bottlenecks and future development of plant polyphenols in the animal feed industry are reviewed and prospected. This review aims to stimulate the in-depth study of natural plant polyphenols and the research and development of related products in order to promote the green, healthy, and high-quality development of swine production, while also providing ideas for the innovation and development in the theoretical system of animal nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of cosmetic products is expanding globally, and with it, so is the range of chemical substances employed in their production. As a result, there is also a higher risk of intoxication, allergic reactions, prolonged chemical exposure, adverse effects, and indiscriminate use. Cosmetic products can contain more than 10,000 ingredients. Most users of synthetic cosmetics are unaware of the harmful effects if they even are. However, it is linked to many diseases like cancer, congenital disabilities, reproductive impairments, developmental systems, contact dermatitis, hair loss, lung damage, old age, skin diseases and reactions, allergies, and harm to human nails. Many beauty products also create a high demand for natural oils, leading to extensive and intensive cultivation, harming natural habitats through deforestation, and contaminating soil and water through pesticides and fertilizers. The adverse effects of hazardous substances in synthetic cosmetics extend beyond human health and influence ecosystems, air quality, and oceans. Thus, this review aims to assess the environmental and health impacts of cosmetics using published scientific articles. The study used a systematic review based on Scopus, Science Direct, Web databases, Scholar Google, and PubMed. The results of this review showed that the formulation of cosmetics until the disposal of their containers could adversely affect environmental and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Environmental pollution seriously endangers people's physical and mental health, especially the health of middle-aged and elderly people. Environmental pollution, trade openness, and population health are interconnected. Environmental pollution may have a nonlinear impact on health, and the impact of trade openness on the health effects of environmental pollution may not be a simple strengthening or weakening effect. However, few studies have used threshold effects model to explore the nonlinear mechanisms of environmental pollution's impact on health in China. As a result, this study incorporates trade openness into the research framework on the health effects of environmental pollution, aiming to study the mechanism of environmental pollution on health. Methods: Using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) data from 2013 to 2020 and the data of 111 prefecture-level cities in China, we combine two-way fixed-effects models and threshold models to explore the effects of environmental pollution on the health of middle-aged and elderly people and the role of trade openness in the path of environmental pollution affecting health. Results: Environmental pollution impairs the health of middle-aged and elderly people, and there is a single threshold effect and regional heterogeneity in this negative impact. Trade openness has the effect of first weakening and then strengthening in the inhibitory effect of environmental pollution on health. Conclusion: The negative impact of environmental pollution on health has regional heterogeneity, and there is a nonlinear relationship between environmental pollution and the health of middle-aged and elderly people. The health effect of environmental pollution is mainly long-term effect, and trade openness has a threshold effect on the impact of environmental pollution on health. Therefore, instead of adopting a one-size-fits-all policy, environmental and economic policies should be customized according to the degree of environmental pollution, trade openness, and regional variations, so as to safeguard the health of middle-aged and elderly individuals through effective environmental governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is intensifying heat events, and local governments are working to absorb and mitigate the associated costs. To develop effective responses, local data on the relationship between climate and health are crucial. This study investigates the impact of heat events on unexpected mortality, focusing on deaths investigated by the Medical Examiner in Los Angeles County. A retrospective observational study. We estimate the associations between the National Weather Service's HeatRisk index and deaths investigated by the Medical Examiner in Los Angeles County using negative binomial count models with controls for time trends and seasonality. In subgroup analyses, we explore how these effects vary for those who are homeless or living in care facilities. Compared to days with no HeatRisk, days with moderate, major, or extreme HeatRisk were associated with death increases of 6.7% [CI: 1.9–11.7%], 15.3% [CI: 2.9–29.1%], and 65.5% [CI: 34.9–102.1%], respectively. Effects were more pronounced for individuals who were homeless or in care facilities. Major or extreme heat days were associated with a 59.3% [CI: 19.8–109.4%] increase in deaths among homeless individuals and a 91.4% [CI: 19.0–198.6%] increase in deaths among those in care facilities. Heat events have a significant impact on mortality investigated by the Medical Examiner, especially among vulnerable groups. Local governments may consider using the warning tools provided by the National Weather Service to focus their resources on the most intense heat events, especially to target those living in care facilities or who are homeless. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today there is a wealth of data available detailing the climate impact of our actions, including the ${\rm CO}_2$ CO 2 emissions from academic flying. Despite this, such data is hard to engage with in the abstract, leading to little practical action. In this paper, we investigate how to support processes of collectively working through and making sense of environmental data about academic flying through data physicalisation. Drawing on the results from a series of workshops with stakeholders at our own university, in which we have designed and deployed a data physicalisation of flight data, we describe this process and discuss lessons learned with a focus on material, engagement with data and ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Technological disasters in Asia have significant public health and environmental implications, but there is limited epidemiological analysis of these events. This study aims to characterize the epidemiological profile of technological disasters in Asia from 2000 to 2021, focusing on morbidity and mortality trends. Methods: A retrospective descriptive observational analysis was conducted using data from emergency events database (EM‐DAT), DesInventar, NatCAt, and Sigma. The study categorized disasters into transport, industrial, and miscellaneous accidents. Statistical analyses were used to examine frequencies, trends, and correlations among the different disaster types. Results: From 2000 to 2021, Asia experienced 2333 technological disasters, with transport accidents being the most frequent (55.77%), followed by industrial (26.10%) and miscellaneous accidents (18.13%). The overall trend showed a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of these disasters and in average mortality and injury rates. The study highlighted the varying impact of different disaster types, with industrial accidents causing the highest fatality and affected rates despite being less frequent than transport accidents. Conclusions: The study indicates a declining trend in the frequency and severity of technological disasters in Asia, reflecting improved safety measures and disaster management. However, the high impact of industrial accidents underscores the need for targeted prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon footprint of devices to deliver inhaled respiratory medications has come into focus as climate change has been identified as a worldwide emergency. Metered dose inhalers (MDIs) contain hydrofluorocarbons that have significant global warming potential compared to dry powder inhalers (DPIs) and soft mist inhalers (SMIs), which do not use a propellant gas. A 12‐month pharmacy inpatient dispensing audit demonstrated that inpatient MDI use significantly outweighed that of DPIs and SMIs and accounted for approximately 99% of inhaler‐related greenhouse gas emissions at our hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This article reports on research exploring the perspectives of Australian social work and human service professionals about environmental practice. An online survey consisting of quantitative and qualitative questions was conducted, recruiting 303 participants from the human services sector. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS and qualitative data analyzed thematically using NVivo. Findings: Overall, results indicated that participants strongly supported an environmental focus in human services at personal and professional levels of practice. However, while participants expressed values supporting environmental practice, its implementation was less frequently reported. The adverse impacts of climate change were reported as strongly impacting the well-being of service users, and a general lack of support from employing organizations to facilitate environmental practice was evident. Despite a strong belief in the value of Australian First Nations knowledges, limited engagement with Australian First Nations peoples was practiced. Applications: Implications suggest the need to examine the practical realities of environmental practice including the disconnect between values and action. Given that participants reported adverse impacts of climate change on people and communities, but faced significant challenges implementing environmental action, the need to disrupt barriers caused by the dominant neoliberal discourse is critical. Likewise, disrupting the prevailing colonialist discourse by working alongside First Nations peoples to decolonize society and the profession is essential for enacting principles of environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mapping health outcomes related to environmental health hazards at the county level can lead to a simplification of risks experienced by populations in that county. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program has developed sub-county geographies that aggregate census tracts to allow for stable, minimally suppressed data to be displayed. This helps to highlight more local variation in environmental health outcomes and risk data. However, we wanted to understand whether the aggregation method used was aggregating sociodemographically similar or dissimilar areas with one another. This analysis attempts to explore whether the distributions of select people who may be at increased risk for exposure to environmental health hazards as identified by the Tracking Program are preserved in these sub-county geographies with the census tracts used as the foundation to create them. Methods: Mean values of three sociodemographic characteristics (persons aged 65 years and older, people from racial and ethnic minority groups, and population below the poverty level) for each sub-county geography in five states were calculated and placed into five break groups. Differences in break groups were determined and compared for each sub-county geography and census tract. Results: The sociodemographic characteristics among the census tracts and two aggregated sub-county geographies were similar. In some instances, census tracts with a low population or a highly skewed population (e.g., very high percentage of population aged 65 years and older) were aggregated with dissimilar census tracts out of necessity to meet the requirements set by the Tracking Program's aggregation methodology. This pattern was detected in 2.41-6.59% of census tracts within the study area, depending on the sociodemographic variable and aggregation level. Conclusions: The Tracking Program's sub-county aggregation methodology aggregates census tracts with similar characteristics. The two new sub-county geographies can serve as a potential option for health officials and policymakers to develop targeted interventions using finer resolution health outcome and environmental hazard data compared to coarser resolution county-level data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal waste is a potential pollution hazard as it can harbour contaminants, such as antimicrobial residues, mycotoxins, and pesticides, becoming a risk to the public, animal, and environmental health. To assess this risk, 15 experimental broiler chickens orally received contaminants to evaluate excretion levels. An analytical method was previously developed to detect 18 substances in poultry droppings using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS/MS). Contaminants including tetracycline, 4-epi-tetracycline, oxytetracycline, 4-epi-oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, 4-epi-chlortetracycline, tylosin, erythromycin, enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, flumequine, florfenicol, sulfachloropyridazine, sulfadiazine, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, zearalenone, alpha- and beta-zearalenol, were extracted with EDTA-McIlvain and acetonitrile. This method showed a p-value < 0.05, RSD < 25%, and R2 > 0.95 in the calibration curves linearity for all analytes. The limit of quantification, selectivity, decision limit for confirmation, matrix effect, precision, and recovery parameters were validated according to European Union document 2021/808/EC, technical report CEN/TR 16059, SANTE/11813/2017 and according to the Veterinary International Conference on Harmonization: VICH GL2 and GL49. This method confirmed the detection of most analytes 12–36 h post-administration and simultaneously detected and quantified mixed contaminants. Thereby, poultry droppings are a potential matrix for spreading contaminants in animal production before slaughter and their control will minimize environmental impacts and mitigate antimicrobial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the potential of soil amendment-assisted phytoremediation using ryegrass in reclaiming abandoned gold mine soil in southwestern Ghana, with a specific focus on the soil contamination hazards associated with metals and metalloids. A pot experiment lasting 60 days was carried out to assess the efficacy of soil amendments, such as compost, iron oxide, and poultry manure, in mitigating environmental hazards. Three soil contamination indices (soil contamination = CF, enrichment factor = ER, and pollution load index = PLI) were used to calculate the extent of soil contamination, enrichment, and pollution of the sites with Co, Hg, Ni, Mo, Se, Sb, and Pb. The findings show that Hg made the greatest contribution (with a maximum soil CF of 18.0) to the overall PLI, with a maximum value of 74.4. The sites were averagely and consequently enriched with toxic elements in the decreasing order: Ni (ER = 33.3) > Mo (20.5) > Sb (14.1) > Pb (11.0) > Hg (7.9) > Se (2.1). The bioaccumulation factor (BCF > 1) suggests that ryegrass has the ability to phytostabilize Co, Hg, Mo, and Ni. This means that the plant may store these elements in its roots, potentially decreasing their negative effects on the environment and human health. Ultimately, the addition of combined manure with iron oxides might have augmented the sequestration of these metals in the root. The elements may have accumulated through sorption on manure or Fe surfaces, dissolution from watering the plants in the pot, or mineralization of organic manure. Thus, ryegrass has shown potential for phytostabilisation of Co, Hg, Mo, and Ni when assisted with a combination of manure and iron oxides; and can consequently mitigate the environmental and human health impacts. NOVELTY OF WORK: Gold mining in Ghana has caused significant environmental damage and political unrest. Research on environmentally friendly solutions to land degradation is crucial for restoring degraded lands, preserving ecosystem integrity, restoring livelihoods, and protecting public health in gold mining hotspots. However, previous studies have often overemphasized the use of trees in improving soil quality. Other past studies have merely collected plant species for heavy metal analysis without concrete pots or field experiments. Ryegrass has only been limited to arsenic remediation, and its phytoremediation ability for other toxic elements like Co, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Se has not been investigated. This work reports for the first time the phytostabilisation ability of ryegrass for potentially toxic elements in a Ghanaian context. Consequently, recommendations are made for reclaiming gold-mine-affected sites while at the same time providing evidence for widening the choice of plant species available for restoring mine-derelict lands. Ultimately, the study fills the gap in phytoremediation research within the global scientific community and Ghana in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the occurrence and distribution of chemical pollutants, including total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), anionic surfactants, and total organic carbon (TOC), in the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) waters in the northern Persian Gulf. Water samples were collected from five MPAs during the winter and summer of 2022. The study identified significant seasonal variations, with higher pollutant levels recorded in winter compared to summer. Concentrations of ∑19PCBs (ng/L), anionic surfactants (µg/L), TPHs (mg/L), and TOC (mg/L) ranged from 0.72 to 4.66, 10 to 79, ND to 134.63, and 0.5 to 114.58 in winter, and from 2.49 to 5.05, 11 to 30, ND to 20.26, and 0.15 to 5.27 in summer, respectively. The pollution patterns revealed the Mond protected area as a major pollution hotspot, compromising its ecological health. The results highlight the critical need for targeted pollution control and enhanced conservation measures in the region's MPAs to protect biodiversity and marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the computational modeling approaches used by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) for toxicity assessments to evaluate the impact of environmental pollutants on public health. It describes the different approaches, including Computational Systems Biology Modeling and Benchmark Dose Modeling, and their applications, such as toxicity prediction and exposure level assessment. It explains the role of the Simulation Section within the ATSDR.

Macroinvertebrates are bio-indicators of environmental health. A study on spatiotemporal diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrates was conducted in two rivers of Adwa, Ethiopia. Samples were collected from each river following the multi-habitat sampling approach. Moreover, physicochemical measurements were also taken. A total of 892 specimens of macroinvertebrates belonging to three phyla, eight orders and 17 families were identified. Higher (98%) and lower (2%) taxonomic abundance was recorded during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Family Physidae (48.65%) was the most dominant followed by Planorbidae (21.74%). During the dry and wet season Adi Haki river AD1 had the highest (H = 1.615) and lowest (H = 0.651) diversity index, respectively. Physicochemical measurements showed no significant difference between the two rivers (p > 0.05). The results of the study shows that the study rivers have moderate environmental health status. Therefore, watershed management is important to keep the area healthy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate-induced health hazards are increasingly evident and frequent, with mental health emerging as a critical concern. Our study focuses on assessing mental health challenges related to climate variability in Northeastern Thailand. Using descriptive cross-sectional analysis and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10), we analyzed mental health morbidity from 2018 to 2022. High average monthly temperatures exceeding 30°C and exposure to floods or droughts elevate the risk of mental health challenges. To address these risks, a holistic approach integrating Sustainable Development Goals and mental health initiatives is essential. This approach should prioritize understanding the impacts of climate change on the environment and human health. Supporting marginalized communities with indigenous knowledge and evidence-based programs can effectively prioritize sustainable mental health support, especially for vulnerable populations, fostering progress in human development and wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl(PFAS) substances are the most common environmental pollutants, which has an inconsistent association with hyperuricemia across different populations. This study explored the relationship between hyperuricemia and different gender PFAS and PFAS mixtures, using data from two cycles of the NHANES from 2015-2018. Weighted logistic regression results showed that the correlation between individual PFAS and hyperuricemia was significant only in men. Compared to the reference quartile, the fourth quartile of n-PFOA increased the risk of hyperuricemia in men (OR: 2.79, 95% CI: 1.50, 5.18). The Qgcomp model results showed that each quartile increase in the serum concentration of PFAS mixtures was associated with an increased likelihood of hyperuricemia in the total population, with odds ratios (OR) for men and women being 1.74 (95% CI: 1.26, 2.40), and 2.04 (95% CI: 1.35, 3.16), respectively. we concluded that PFAS might increase the risk of hyperuricemia in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite-based exposure of fine particulate matters has been seldom used as a predictor of mortality. PM2.5 was predicted using Aerosol Optical Depths (AOD) through a two-stage regression model. The predicted PM2.5 was corrected for the bias using two approaches. We estimated the impact by two different scenarios of PM2.5 in the model. We statistically found different distributions of the predicted PM2.5 over the region. Compared to the reference value (5 µg/m3), 90th and 95th percentiles had significant adverse effect on total mortality (RR 90th percentile:1.45; CI 95%: 1.08–1.95 and RR 95th percentile:1.53; CI 95%: 1.11–2.1). Nearly 1050 deaths were attributed to any range of the air pollution (unhealthy range), of which more than half were attributed to high concentration range. Given the adverse effect of extreme values compared to the both scenarios, more efforts are suggested to define local-specific reference values and preventive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) in Tibetans is higher than that in Han, while Tibetans have a habit of drinking brick tea with high fluoride. A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the association between fluoride exposure in drinking brick tea and OA. All subjects were divided into four groups by the quartiles (Q) of tea fluoride (TF) and urine fluoride (UF). ROC was plotted and OR were obtained using logistic regression model. The prevalence of OA in the Q3 and Q4 group of TF were 2.2 and 2.7 times higher than in the Q1 group, and the prevalence of OA in the Q2, Q3 and Q4 group of UF were 3.2, 3.5, and 4.1 times higher than in the Q1 group. ROC analysis showed the cutoff values were 4.523 mg/day (TF) and 1.666 mg/L (UF). In conclusion, excessive fluoride in drinking brick tea could be a risk factor for developing OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To test the Triangle of Human Ecology by examining associations between unipolar depression and different measures of human biological factors, health behaviour, and the physical environment. Methods: Data originate from the third wave of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (2006–2008). The survey was based on a random sample of 50,000 Norwegians (response rate: 54%). Logistic regression was performed, using unipolar depression, measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score, as outcome variable and 38 explanatory variables. Results: Biological factors including older age and male gender were associated with higher odds of depression, as were behavioural factors including drinking behaviour and having a neurotic personality. Reduced odds were associated with units of alcohol consumed, extrovert personality and physical activity. Social networks were an environmental factor with reduced odds at both personal and neighbourhood levels, as was warmer outdoor temperatures. Conclusions: Using the Triangle of Human Ecology provides a holistic insight into how behaviour, biology and the environment influence mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]