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: 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.

Environmental health is practiced primarily at the local level; however, many of the skills held by environmental health practitioners (EHPs) are transferable globally. There is currently a shortage of EHPs in many parts of the world and formally recognizing the transferability of skills and knowledge within the profession might encourage people to consider environmental health as a profession, helping to address the shortage. To facilitate this transferability, our global community of practice has mapped the environmental health practice requirements of the U.S., UK, and Australia to enable comparison of each one to the others and demonstrate the level of similarity in practice requirements. Our ultimate goal is to facilitate memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between the various professional bodies that oversee environmental health practice, which would allow qualified EHPs to practice in any of these countries. This flexibility would benefit the profession, professional practice, and individuals. MOUs are a way to recognize the similarities and differences between practices in these countries and provide pathways to address differences when they exist, such as via short courses and work experience. We present data to illustrate our argument that there is much overlap in the practice of EHPs. We see our research as a first step to engage with professional bodies in other countries and to facilitate MOUs between many countries, both to raise the profile of environmental health globally and to provide an attractive pathway for people to consider environmental health as a profession. Keywords: cross-country recognition, environmental health practice, United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Introduction Environmental health is a multifaceted discipline, and practitioner skill sets include assessment of risk, interpretation of legislation, implementation of policy, and application of regulatory tools (Friis, 2018; Frumkin, 2016). [...]

Our Government Affairs program advocates for support of environmental health programs and professionals at federal, state, and local levels of government. We function as a liaison between environmental health professionals [...]

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 [...]

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).

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 (

Editor's Note: The National Environmental Health Association strives to provide up-to-date and relevant information on environmental health and to build partnerships in the profession. In pursuit of these goals, we [...]

The extensive application of neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) has resulted in its worldwide detection in waters, leading to risks to human health and ecology safety. Presently, various remediation techniques for NNIs have been developed. However, the critical reviews concerning the remediation approaches for the elimination of NNIs from water are limited. Considering tremendous efforts have been made in the research topic of NNIs removal recently, this study systematacially reviewed the current advances on NNIs remediation approaches, including adsorption, Fenton, ozonation, photodegradation, sulfate radicals based-advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), electrochemical AOPs, percarbonate-based AOPs, periodate-based AOPs, microbial remediation, and phytoremediation. Moreover, NNIs removal by these methods have been critically discussed, compared, and analyzed. Furthermore, mechanisms of different treatment processes have been summarized in detail. Finally, the challenges and perspectives have been proposed. This study highlights the current progresses on NNIs removal technologies and proposes the future research needs in this area, which will provide support to further researches to halt the NNIs contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollution of air, water, and soil is a pressing global issue with significant implications for environmental and human health. This research paper explores the various methods and technologies employed for the monitoring and remediation of pollutants in these three crucial environmental compartments. It discusses the challenges associated with pollution, the importance of effective monitoring, and the diverse strategies available for pollutant remediation. By synthesizing current research and technologies, this paper aims to provide insights into the state-of-the-art approaches for addressing pollution and promoting environmental sustainability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out to evaluate phytodiversity along with the metal accumulation potential of native plants growing in the vicinity of a thermal power plant (TPP). We documented 26 tree species, six shrubs, and 35 herbs. Importance value index (IVI), which measures the extent to which a species dominates in an area, was found highest for Senna siamea (95.7) followed by Tectona grandis (56.5), and Pithecellobium dulce (19.6). Soil was acidic (pH 5.4) in nature with higher concentrations of Al and Fe. The pH of ground water was found acidic while pH of nearby river was found slightly alkaline. Values of PM2.5 and PM10 were slightly higher than NAAQS standards for industrial areas. The concentration of metals was found higher in aquatic plants than in terrestrial plants. In general, herbs and shrubs showed more metal accumulation potential than trees. Our results suggest that Senna siamea could be used for revegetation purposes in FA landfills. Further, terrestrial and aquatic plants such as Ageratina adenophora and Stuckenia pectinata could be used for reclamation of Mn, Zn, Al, and Fe from contaminated soils. Hydrilla verticillata (Ni and Mn), Nelumbo nucifera, and Ipomoea aquatica (Cr) can be used for metal removal from contaminated water. Novelty statement: The study focuses on the assessment of phytodiversity, soil and water analysis, ambient air quality, and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in plants growing in and around a thermal power plant. The study assumes significance as more than 65% of India's electricity generation is still by coal-fired power plants, having major implications for air, soil, and water pollution. By selecting native plant species adapted to the region, we can enhance biodiversity, restore habitats, and contribute to the overall ecological health of the area surrounding the power plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil contamination with chromium (Cr) is becoming a primary ecological and health concern, specifically in the Kasur and Sialkot regions of Pakistan. The main objective of the current study was to evaluate the impact of foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) (0, 25, 50, 100 mg L−1) and Fe NPs (0, 5, 10, 20 mg L−1) in red sails lettuce plants grown in Cr-contaminated soil. Our results showed that both ZnO and Fe NPs improved plant growth, and photosynthetic attributes by minimizing oxidative stress in lettuce plants through the stimulation of antioxidant enzyme activities. At ZnO NPs (100 mgL−1), dry weights of shoots and roots and fresh weights of shoots and roots were improved by 53%, 58%, 34%, and 45%, respectively, as compared to the respective control plants. The Fe NPs treatment (20 mgL−1) increased the dry weight of shoots and the roots and fresh weights of shoots and roots by 53%, 76%, 42%, and 70%, respectively. Application of both NPs reduced the oxidative stress caused by Cr, as evident by the findings of the current study, i.e., at the ZnO NPs (100 mgL−1) and Fe NPs (20 mgL−1), the EL declined by 32% and 44%, respectively, in comparison with respective control plants. Moreover, Fe and ZnO NPs enhanced the Fe and Zn contents in red sails lettuce plants. Application of ZnO NPs at 100 mg L−1 and Fe NPs at 20 mg L−1, improved the Zn and Fe contents in plant leaves by 86%, and 68%, respectively, as compared to the control plants. This showed that the exogenous application of these NPs helped in Zn and Fe fortification in plants. At similar of concenteration ZnO NPs, CAT and APX activities were improved by 52% and 53%, respectively. Similarly, the POD contents were improved by 17% and 45% at 5 and 10 mg/L of Fe NPs. Furthermore, ZnO and Fe NPs limited the Cr uptake by plants, and the concentration of Cr in the leaves of lettuce was under the threshold limit. The exogenous application of ZnO NPs (100 mg L−1) and Fe NPs (20 mg L−1) reduced the Cr uptake in the leaves of red sails lettuce by 57% and 51%, respectively. In conclusion, ZnO and Fe NPs could be used for the improvement of plant growth and biomass as well as nutrient fortification in stressed environments. These findings not only underscore the efficacy of nanoparticle-assisted phytoremediation but also highlight its broader implications for sustainable agriculture and environmental health. However, future studies on other crops with molecular-level investigations are recommended for the validation of the results. HIGHLIGHTS: ZnO and Fe NPs improved the growth and photosynthesis of red sails lettuce plants Both NPs enhanced antioxidants enzymes activities in stressed plants NPs mediated response reduced the oxidative stress and Cr uptake in red sails lettuce ZnO and Fe NPs resulted in Zn and Fe fortification, respectively, in red sails lettuce [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-engaged research (CEnR) is becoming more prevalent in environmental health. With a spectrum of community involvement characterizing this research, it has the potential to foster a diverse set of collaborative dynamics. Our research team has facilitated a regional CEnR effort focusing on the effects of drought driven by climate change. Specifically, the CEnR is focusing on regional water quality by analyzing samples from privately owned groundwater wells and examining the samples for heavy metal contaminants. This special report outlines lessons learned and project management strategies used to facilitate largescale community-engaged environmental science. Recruitment methods evolved in response to obstacles and included direct mailings, listservs and social media promotion, direct recruitment by local leaders, and local newspaper coverage. Participant onboarding evolved as new recruitment methods were implemented but was standardized to achieve process effeciency. External data sources were used to align contextual information of sampled wells to the submitted samples. Open-source tools were used to streamline reporting of results to participants. Scalability, project management, bidirectional involvement with community members and organizations, and accountability are important themes to consider when facilitating environmental CEnR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the issue of marine plastic pollution and its impact on coastal communities in Maryland, Florida, Hawai'i, and Alaska. These communities, which rely heavily on the marine environment, are disproportionately affected by plastic pollution. The article emphasizes the importance of involving local communities in addressing this issue, as they possess valuable knowledge and practices that can complement scientific research. It also highlights the historical and cultural significance of these communities' connections to the ocean and the need for environmental justice and community involvement in conservation efforts. [Extracted from the article]

The methanol extract of Inula viscosa (IVM) was investigated for its antioxidant potential using the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging as well as iron chelating assays (ICA). The total phenol (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC) of IVM were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum trichloride methods, respectively. Antimicrobial activity of different concentrations of I. viscosa methanol extract was investigated by disc diffusion and broth microdilution method. The IVM extract was found to be containing TPC (236.78 ± 7.63 mg GAE/g) and TFC (94.36 ± 1.86 mg QE/g). Antioxidant activity IC50 values for the DPPH, ABTS and ICA assays were found to be 277.7 ± 3.68, 2.44 ± 0.02, and 222.1 ± 0.71 µg/mL, respectively. The MIC values of the IVM on the tested microorganisms ranged from 0.48 to 7.81 mg/mL. Furthermore, IVM extract was demonstrated 18.32 ± 1.37%, 23.06 ± 1.05%, 4.72 ± 0.13%, 15.13 ± 0.37% and 37.64 ± 4.02% inhibition against tyrosinase, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, AChE and BChE, respectively. In the results of LC-MS/MS analysis, acacetin, quercetin, chlorogenic acid and protocatechuic acid were determined as most dominant compounds. These findings suggested that this plant may be a natural resource for creating novel medicinal compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change affects the spread of waterborne infectious diseases, yet research on vulnerability to outbreaks remains limited. This integrative review examines how climate variables (temperature and precipitation) relate to human vulnerability factors in Pakistan. By 2060, mean temperatures are projected to rise from 21.68°C (2021) to 30°C, with relatively stable precipitation. The epidemiological investigation in Pakistan identified Diarrhea (119,000 cases/year), Malaria (2.6 million cases/year), and Hepatitis (A and E) as the most prevalent infections. This research highlighted vulnerability factors, including poverty (52% of the population), illiteracy (59% of the population), limited healthcare accessibility (55% of the population), malnutrition (38% of the population), dietary challenges (48% of the population), as well as exposure to water pollution (80% of the population) and air pollution (55% of the population). The findings suggest that the coordinated strategies are vital across health, environmental, meteorological, and social sectors, considering climatic variability patterns and population vulnerability determinants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of firing pulverized coal in thermal power plants, enormous amounts of fly ash (FA) are produced as industrial waste. The release into the atmosphere and storage of this industrial waste remains one of the major environmental problems that threaten human health by contributing to air, water, and soil pollution. The recovery and reuse of FA in the construction industry is the only economic solution to the existing problem. In this study, the potential radiological risk caused by the usage of FA in concrete and cement production as a main component and its storage in landfill sites was evaluated for people and works by estimating radiological parameters (activity concentration and alpha index, annual effective doses, and the corresponding excess lifetime cancer risks) based on activity concentrations of terrestrial radionuclides in FA. Also, the radiological risk to the workers working in the FA landfill site was evaluated using the Residual Radioactivity Onsite 7.2 code. The average activity concentrations of terrestrial radionuclides in FA samples from the Tunçbilek lignite coal-fired thermal power plant at Kütahya province of Turkey were measured as 417, 156 and 454 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. When using up to 35% by mass of FA in cement and concrete, the average values of the radiological parameters revealed that they were within the recommended safety limits. However, code estimations showed that a regular worker in FA storage would be exposed to a total effective dose rate greater than 3 mSv y−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing evidence suggested that the risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection was associated to the variations in temperature and PM2.5. A total of 9,111 cases of TB were reported in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China from 2013 to 2015 on a daily basis, and 57.2% of them were male. The TB risk was more prominent for a lower temperature in males (RR of 1.724, 95% CI: 1.241, 2.394), the aged over 64 years (RR of 2.241, 95% CI: 1.554, 3.231), and the high mobility occupation subpopulation (RR of 2.758, 95% CI: 1.745, 4.359). High concentration of PM2.5 showed a short-term effect and was only associated with an increased risk in the early stages of exposure for the female, and aged 36–64 years group. There were 15.06% (1370 cases) of cases of TB may be attributable to the temperature, and 2.94% (268 cases) may be attributable to the increase of PM2.5 exposures. Low temperatures may be associated with significantly increase in the risk of TB, and high PM2.5 concentrations have a short-term association on increasing the risk of TB. Strengthening the monitoring and regular prevention and control of high risk groups will provide scientific guidance to reduce the incidence of TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to examine the spatial characteristics of myopia and identify the socioeconomic and environmental factors influencing its prevalence. Myopia prevalence among children of school age of Han ethnicity in China was 56.6% in 2019, with the highest and lowest prevalence's in Shandong (66.8%) and Guizhou (47.3%), respectively. There was a spatial aggregation of myopia prevalence in China. Environmental factors (atmospheric PM2.5 concentration and forest coverage) and socioeconomic factors (gross domestic product per capita, per capita disposable income, hospital beds per thousand people, and Engel coefficient) have significant influences on myopia prevalence. The interaction of each factor on myopia showed nonlinear enhancement. Myopia prevalence among children of school age was spatially clustered, and environmental and socioeconomic conditions are associated with myopia prevalence. Our findings provide novel perspectives for the comprehensive prevention and control of myopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated factors related to subjective outdoor thermal comfort in the Ancient Ming Dynasty Walled City in Xi'an, China. Environmental data were collected from study sites by microclimate monitoring. Survey locations, demographics, psychological characteristics, thermal sensation vote (TSV), and thermal comfort vote (TCV) data were collected from 639 individuals in a questionnaire survey. Generalized linear regression analysis and path analysis were used to understand the associations between the TSV, environmental and psychological factors, and TCV. We found that green space locations, higher age, and greater subjective well-being and environmental satisfaction were associated with increased TCV. The universal thermal climate index was associated with TCV, and this association could have been affected by the individual's psychological state. Our findings suggest that environmental factors and psychological factors had non-negligible effects on the subjective thermal comfort of individuals located in an open urban area with historical and cultural significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although family and school experiences play an important role in adolescents' adjustment during the transition to high school, most prior studies investigated the effects of these experiences in isolation; their joint implications for both adolescents' concurrent and long-term adjustment outcomes are less clear, and the potential role of individual characteristics within such associations remains understudied. Based on 525 10th graders (Mage = 15.48, SDage = 0.71, 43.6% boys) who participated in a longitudinal study, the present research aimed to identify distinct family and school experience profiles among first-year high school students and examine their associations with adolescents' internalizing problems and externalizing problems, both concurrently and 18 months later. Latent profile analysis revealed four distinctive profiles: thriving, low resources—moderate family risk, developmental stress—high parental conflicts, and developmental stress—high peer victimization profiles. The other three profiles (vs. the thriving profile) reported significantly higher levels of concurrent internalizing problems; while these differences diminished after 18 months. However, the enduring impacts of these profiles on internalizing problems persisted among adolescents with higher levels of environmental sensitivity. Additionally, adolescents characterized by two developmental stress profiles (vs. the thriving profile) exhibited significantly higher levels of externalizing problems both currently and longitudinally. Findings underscore the importance of identifying at-risk populations among adolescents during the transition to high school by including both family and school experiences when examining environmental influence on their adjustment, as well as the necessity to take individual environmental sensitivity into account when examining these associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focused on quantifying hazardous heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Zn) in soil-rice systems near the Buriganga River in Bangladesh to assess their impact on human health and the environment. The mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn in soil exceeded FAO/WHO acceptable limits, and the metal pollution index (MPI) indicated that all soil samples collected from the rice fields were severely polluted (MPI˃30) than water and rice grain samples. According to the sum of pollution index (SPI) by studied metals, rice grains collected from Kamrangirchor (29.36), Dhakauddan (28.75), and Bosila (18.08) were severely polluted. Mean Bio-concentration factors (BCFs) and Transfer factors (TFgrain/soil) in rice grains were in the following order: Cd (6.034) > Zn (1.752) > Pb (0.697) ˃ Ni (0.666) > Cr (0.135) > As (0.037), and Cd (1.150) > Zn (0.421) > Ni (0.112) ˃ Pb (0.072) > Cr (0.015) > As (0.034) respectively indicating higher accumulation of Cd in rice grain than others toxic heavy metal. The potential ecological risk index (RI) showed that except for water in Kamrangirchar and Keraniganj rice fields, all other rice fields soil and water samples did not pose severe ecological pollution (RI˂110) by different toxic heavy metals. Health risk assessment showed that rice grains are unsafe for human consumption as the carcinogenic health risk (CHR˃10-3) and non-carcinogenic health risk (HI ˃1) quotients seem more than the safe level in all samples collected from rice fields surrounding the Buriganga River. Findings show that heavy metal concentrations are high in rice fields near the Buriganga River, endangering the environment and consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the putative role of nature in human well-being has typically been operationalized and measured within a quantitative paradigm of research. However, such approaches are limited in the extent to which they can capture the full range of how natural experiences support well-being. The aim of the study was to explore personal experiences in nature and consider how they might be important to human health and well-being. Based on a descriptive phenomenological analysis of fifty descriptions of memorable moments in nature from England, Indonesia, and Norway, our findings illustrate a common structure presented under three themes: 1. serenity that gives rise to a growing awareness of how the body is stimulated by the senses; 2. admiration and appreciation for the sensation of beauty; 3. an emerging sense of togetherness and deep emotional bonding. The findings are discussed using the concepts of ecological time and the ecological body, which foreground being in nature as constituted as an interdependent and dynamic human process. We conclude by understanding well-being in terms of human responsiveness to their surroundings and thus as rooted in the human condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millets are a group of small, drought-resistant grains that have been grown for more than thousands of years. They are highly nutritious, rich in essential vitamins and minerals, and have gained attention in recent years due to their potential to address global food security and environmental challenges. This review article provides an overview of millets, their nutritional benefits, environmental advantages, and their role in promoting sustainable agriculture and processing of millets. The article also discusses the various types of millets, their cultivation, and their potential to improve human health and combat malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community health workers (CHWs) have been playing a crucial role in improving community health for over a century. Their roles have evolved to address changing community needs, and now they must also address environmental injustice to mitigate health and population damage. CHWs, who have deep ties to the communities they serve, can contribute to environmental justice work by improving environmental health outcomes and addressing the healthcare worker shortage. By involving CHWs in community-based participatory environmental health research, they can strengthen environmental health literacy and collaborate with residents to inform environmental health and justice policy. CHWs can also promote pro-environmental health behaviors and act as trusted peer listeners for community members who have experienced environmental injustices. Incorporating environmental justice into CHWs' agendas can help community members understand the impact of environmental injustice on their health and provide them with tools to cope with traumatic experiences. Additionally, increasing reliance on CHWs in environmental health and justice endeavors can help address the deepening health workforce shortage in the US. Overall, CHWs can serve as a multi-purpose solution for healthcare and environmental justice by addressing social, structural, and environmental determinants of health. [Extracted from the article]

The incidence of skin cancer is increasing worldwide even though its main risk factor is preventable. This study evaluated the impact of the Distintivo Soludable pilot intervention on implementation of photoprotection policies and practices in preschool and primary schools in Andalusia, Spain. We completed two rounds of a Sun Protection Policies and Practices Survey (SPPPS) nine months apart. At baseline, 67 Andalusian schools earned a median score of 3/12 points (range 0–8; IQR: 2). Ten schools involved in Distintivo Soludable intervention group significantly increased their scores from 4 to 7.5/12 points (p = 0.014). We also detected a modest positive effect in 57 control group schools, an increase from 2 to 3 points (p = 0.002). This pilot study demonstrated that the main achievement of the Distintivo Soludable intervention was implementation of organizational policies regarding sun protection, an essential starting point for establishing positive attitudes toward sun protection in school communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the crucial factors in changing behaviour towards pro‐environmental actions is climate change perception. The latest measurement tool for assessing this variable is the Climate Change Perception Scale (CCPS). However, CCPS has not gained widespread adoption and usage across different cultures, including Indonesia, and no analyses have been conducted to adapt and validate CCPS in the Indonesian context. Therefore, this study aimed to adapt, validate, and assess the measurement tool's consistency in Indonesia's cultural context. To investigate the instrument's psychometric properties, two studies (n = 358, 415) were conducted in Indonesia to provide evidence of the internal consistency, convergent validity, and predictive validity of CCPS. The results of a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that the Indonesian version of CCPS, which consists of 15 items, with three for each dimension, accurately and reliably measured perception of climate change. CCPS also demonstrated good convergent validity, as indicated by the significant correlations with a nature relatedness (r = 0.425, p < 0.01) and biospheric value (r = 0.341, p < 0.01) construct. Furthermore, it exhibited predictive validity by predicting pro‐environmental behaviour, β = 0.243, b = 0.176, t(413) = 5.10, p < 0.01. However, the Indonesian version of CCPS still needs to be tested and confirmed through various studies, considering the poor validity of the temporal dimension and the weak factor loading of the consequence dimension in Study 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the scope of environmental education given in schools and establishing environmental awareness among students are the most important steps to be taken to transfer this awareness to the next generations. The aim of this study is to examine the knowledge, emotions and behaviours of secondary school students ranging from 11 to 13 for environmental health and environmental protection. The study was carried out in the district of Karaköprü, a metropolitan settlement in Şanlıurfa for the 2020–2021 academic year, regarding environmental health and environmental protection, which has decreased with the effect of the pandemic. In this study, a questionnaire was applied to students and their attitudes were evaluated according to a 5‐point Likert scale. The attitudes of the students were detailed on the basis of 'gender' and 'mother education level' factors. It was found that the male students in the study group had more knowledge about environmental health and protection compared to the female students. However, no relationship was detected between students' environmental awareness and their mothers' educational levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the Youth Tackling Climate Emergency Educational Proposal (YTCEEP) is to involve secondary students in addressing climate action‐related subjects from a local context and in a proactive way. We present an evaluation of its third edition, based on the answers from final surveys assessing knowledge, perceptions and attitudes. Main results show that YTCEEP promotes reflection on environmental and social problems; although knowledge slightly improved on the subthemes researched, moderate–low knowledge on climate change in general was detected. Students do positively consider YTCEEP and the programme provides an educational opportunity to address several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to SDG13. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Walking to school promotes the health of school‐aged children. The safety and comfort of the walking environment are lacking in China due to the prioritization of motorized traffic. This paper focuses on the choice of walking routes for school‐aged children commuting in old urban areas of China. A walking route choice model is constructed by combining a weighted Voronoi diagram and the closest facility analysis in ArcMap. The walking route choices of school‐aged children from home to school and the flows along routes are analysed. Based on the model results, targeted design suggestions for updating existing street spaces are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary goals of this study are to outline the elements involved in implementing the substantive and procedural parts of the right to live in a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as well as some of the factors involved in recognizing that right.In this study, we examined how state policy, legal regulations, environmental concerns, citizen laws, and ecological education affect people's health and safety in the environment. There were 1235 participants who work in Mongolia's public, private, education, health, small business, and international sectors provided the data. This study is noteworthy for its consideration of theoretical and practical issues, as well as for Mongolian practices. Based on the survey's factors, the overall results indicated that employees possessed leadership qualities. The ramifications of the aforementioned findings for theory and practice, as well as the research's limitations and opportunities for future investigation, were also covered in our analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Inorganic Analytical Chemistry / Zhongguo Wuji Fenxi Huaxue is the property of Beijing Research Institute of Mining & Metallurgy Technology Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Plastics are ubiquitous in modern society due to their cost‐effectiveness, lightweight nature, and versatility. However, their extensive use and inadequate recycling have led to a significant environmental challenge, with plastic waste accumulating rapidly and causing ecological and health problems, especially in aquatic environments. Nanoplastics, particles ranging from 1 to 100 nm, have emerged as a particularly concerning subset due to their ability to easily penetrate biological barriers and accumulate in tissues. In this study, we investigated the toxicity of carboxylate‐modified polystyrene nanoplastics (PS‐NPs) on common carp (Cyprinus carpio), a species often used in ecotoxicology research due to its ability to accumulate pollutants. The PS‐NPs were characterized, and their effects on DNA damage gene expression related to oxidative stress and immunity were examined. PS‐NPs with a diameter of 20–30 nm were found to possess a spherical shape and negatively charged surfaces. Exposure to PS‐NPs led to significant DNA damage in the blood and brain cells of common carp, with higher concentrations resulting in more severe damage. Additionally, PS‐NP exposure influenced the expression of genes related to antioxidative defense and stress response in the liver. Specifically, genes encoding superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) showed upregulation, while glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S‐transferase (GST) exhibited downregulation at higher PS‐NP concentrations. Furthermore, the immune‐related genes interleukin‐1ß (IL‐1ß), interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) displayed dose‐dependent downregulation in the liver tissue. These findings suggest that exposure to PS‐NPs induces oxidative stress, disrupts immune responses, and causes DNA damage in common carp. The results highlight the need for further research on the environmental impacts of PS‐NPs and underscore the importance of proper waste management and recycling practices to mitigate plastic pollution. Plastics are widely used because of their affordability, versatility, and lightness. However, their inadequate recycling has led to environmental challenges, notably in aquatic ecosystems. Nanoplastics pose significant concerns due to their ability to accumulate in tissues. In this study on common carp, exposure to PS‐NPs resulted in DNA damage, altered gene expression related to oxidative stress and immunity, and disrupted immune responses. These findings emphasize the urgent need for better waste management and recycling practices to combat plastic pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury (Hg) pollution around artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) areas has been of much concern. Many studies have reported elevated Hg concentrations in environmental media, but studies on dust relating to inhalation exposure of Hg around ASGM area are limited. In this study, we investigated Hg in indoor and outdoor dust to reveal environmental and human health risk around ASGM in Amansie West district, Ghana. Indoor and outdoor dust samples were collected from Manso Abore and Manso Nkwanta in Ashanti Region. Concentration of Hg in the samples were analyzed using a direct Hg analyzer. The mean and median value of Hg concentration in the indoor dust (n = 31) were 2.2 ± 3.6 mg/kg and 0.72 mg/kg respectively while that of the outdoor dust (n = 60) were 0.19 ± 0.48 mg/kg and 0.042 mg/kg, respectively. The mean and median Hg concentration in indoor dust were about 11 and 17 times higher respectively than that in the outdoor dust. The Hg concentration in the indoor dust was statistically significantly higher than that of the non-miner in Manso Abore (p < 0.05) but was not significant in Manso Nkwanta, probably due to higher mining activity. The geo-accumulation index of the outdoor dust ranged from unpolluted to extremely polluted while that of the indoor dust ranged from moderately polluted to extremely polluted. Health risk assessments suggested that there was no potential non-carcinogenic health effect for Hg exposure relating to the dust to residents living in rooms of miners and non-miners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)