scholarly journals Marine Debris and Human Health: An Exposure Pathway of POPs?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Conlon
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Marine Debris ◽  
Exposure Pathway

Marine Debris: Sources, Impacts and Reduction Programs

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Marine Debris ◽  
Fishing Gear ◽  
Ecological Economic ◽  
Monitoring Programs ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Glass Metal

Marine debris is a major problem worldwide with ecological, economic, and human health impacts.Plastics, glass, metal, Styrofoam, rubber, and old fishing gear form the majority of the debris. Thepollution comes largely from land sources, although a portion of it is released by vessels. The litter affectswildlife, habitats, fisheries, and vessels that travel through the polluted areas. Recently, the severity ofthe problem is being recognized, and governments are acting. Monitoring programs have beenestablished to examine the extent of the problem, and management plans have been introduced to cleanup affected areas and to reduce the sources of the debris. Governments face technical, political, andfinancial barriers when tackling this issue. This report reviews the sources and impacts of the marinelitter, and examines the methods adopted by various countries and regions to tackle the problem.  

scholarly journals The Bioaccumulation and Tissue Distribution of Arsenic Species in Tilapia

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Pei ◽  
Jinxing Zuo ◽  
Xiaoyan Wang ◽  
Jingyu Yin ◽  
Liping Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Arsenic Concentration ◽  
Inorganic Arsenic ◽  
Arsenic Species ◽  
Total Arsenic ◽  
Organic Form ◽  
Exposure Pathway ◽  
Organic Arsenic

Arsenic is a public concern due to its widespread occurrence and carcinogenicity. Consumption of arsenic-contaminated fish is an important exposure pathway for human health. This study focused on understanding how exposure to arsenic-contaminated fish is informative to human health risk assessment. While the bioaccumulation and tissue distributions of total arsenic concentration in fish are commonly reported, there are limited studies related to the time-course of arsenic species in various tissues. Using the Tilapia as a case, this study aimed to investigate the bioaccumulation and tissue distributions (liver, gastrointestinal (GI), muscle, and gill) of arsenic species in freshwater fish via diet-borne inorganic arsenic exposure. In particular, the Tilapia were exposed to arsenic (III) and As(V) for 32 days. The accumulation of arsenic in all tissues linearly increased with time in the first 10 days’ exposure, while the arsenic levels remained stable in the following 20 days’ exposure. The accumulation of arsenic in tissue followed the sequence of intestine > liver > gill > muscle. Meanwhile, more than 90% of arsenic was converted into organic form in liver, gill, and muscle, while organic arsenic contributed about 30–80% to the total arsenic in the GI. The percentage of organic form in muscle is the highest, followed by gill, liver, and intestine, and arsenobetaine is the main form of organic arsenic. While the exposure profiles of As(III) and As(V) are quite similar, the absorption rate of As(V) is relatively higher than that of As(III). Information provided here can be instrumental for exposure assessment and risk management for arsenic in aquatic environment.

Investigating the potential human health impacts of coal seam gas development at a study site in the Surat Basin in southern Queensland

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 455
Author(s):  
Cameron R Huddlestone-Holmes ◽  
Siobhan Rigby ◽  
Sean Van Niekerk ◽  
Rachel Mackie ◽  
Andrea Walton
Keyword(s):  
Coal Seam ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Coal Seam Gas ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Gas Treatment ◽  
Exposure Pathway ◽  
Human Health Impacts ◽  
Potential Human Health

This paper reports on an ongoing study of the potential human health impacts of coal seam gas (CSG) development at a study site in the Surat Basin in Queensland. This study follows the methodology established in GISERA’s human health effects of CSG activity study design project and focuses on potential physical (dust, noise, light) and chemical stressors. The study will focus on an area bounded by the Warrego Highway to north, between Chinchilla and Miles, extending south towards Tara. This area contains a diverse range of CSG activities involving two operators, over 2300 wells, 70 water storage ponds, four water treatment plants and over 20 gas treatment or compression stations. The area has a range of land uses with low to moderate population densities. These activities have been characterised to determine the physical and chemical stressors present and an exposure pathway assessment is being conducted to determine whether any of the stressors identified have a complete exposure pathway to humans. This assessment considers controls and other strategies already in place to mitigate and alleviate the impacts of stressors. The project involves a high degree of engagement with stakeholders, including the local community, industry and government, with the aim of ensuring the research is independent and trustworthy. The results of this research will assist government and industry in the regulation and conduct of CSG activities by providing an evidence base on potential health impacts, allowing the development of risk mitigation actions to reduce the potential for human health impacts, should any be identified.

scholarly journals Impacts of plastic debris on biota and implications for human health: A South African perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 116 (5/6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trishan Naidoo ◽  
Anusha Rajkaran ◽  
Sershen Not available
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Marine Debris ◽  
Marine Biota ◽  
Lethal Effects ◽  
Plastic Debris ◽  
Marine Plastic Debris

Entanglement and ingestion of plastics are the main ecological impacts of marine plastic debris on marine biota, but indirect effects such as the transport of alien species and benthic smothering are also important to note. Entanglement of invertebrates, sharks, turtles, birds and marine mammals is mainly caused by macroplastics (>5 mm), and leads to reduced mobility, ineffective foraging and subsequent mortality. The main plastic types associated with entanglement are improperly discarded fishing nets, lines, ropes and straps. In South Africa and surrounding waters, plastic ingestion has been reported in a number of marine species: sharks (n=10), fish (n>=7), turtles (n=1) and birds (n=36). Lethal (macroplastic) and sub-lethal effects (microplastic ≤5 mm) of marine debris on biota have been noted, but at the time of this review there were no published reports on impacts at the population level. Consumed shellfish are possible vectors for the introduction of microplastics into humans. The specific impacts of microplastic ingestion on human health are largely unknown, but additives associated with plastics represent a threat. The research infrastructure in South Africa is insufficient to monitor and characterise marine plastic debris and, in many cases, not in line with global standards. More research effort is needed to understand the impacts of marine plastic debris on humans and marine biota in South Africa, particularly at the population level. Significance • Macroplastics affect marine biota mainly via entanglement and microplastics largely through ingestion. • Macro- and microplastic interactions with biota can result in sub-lethal effects and mortality but no population effects have been reported for South Africa. • Consumed shellfish are a potential source of microplastics for humans but their potential effects in humans remain unknown. • Better infrastructure is needed for improved monitoring and research on the effects of marine debris in South Africa.

scholarly journals Ecological and Health Risks Assessment of Potentially Toxic Metals and Metalloids Contaminants: A Case Study of Agricultural Soils in Qatar

Toxics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Mohammed Alsafran ◽  
Kamal Usman ◽  
Hareb Al Jabri ◽  
Muhammad Rizwan
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Toxic Metals ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
The United States ◽  
Carcinogenic Risk ◽  
Potentially Toxic Metals ◽  
Metals And Metalloids ◽  
Exposure Pathway ◽  
Adults And Children

In recent years, Qatar has witnessed exponential growth in the human population, urbanization, and increased anthropogenic activities, including agriculture. Potentially toxic environmental contaminants, including metals and metalloids, are commonly found in emerging economies. At high concentrations, elements such as As, Cr, and Ni can be hazardous and may lead to various health problems in humans, including cancer. The current study measured As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn concentrations in agricultural soils. Pollution levels and potential negative impacts on human and environmental health were determined using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standard methodologies. According to the study’s findings, the studied element concentrations descended in the following order: Zn > Cr > V > Ni > As > Cu > Pb > Cd. Of these, As (27.6 mg/kg), Cr (85.7 mg/kg), Ni (61.9 mg/kg), and Zn (92.3 mg/kg) concentrations were higher than average world background levels. Each of these elements also had an enrichment factor (EF > 1), indicating their anthropogenic origin. The combined pollution load index (PLI > 1) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) range values of −0.2–2.5 further indicated that the soil was up to 58% polluted. However, the ecological risk factor (Er ≤ 40.6) and potential ecological risk index (PERI = 79.6) suggested low ecological risk. A human health risk evaluation showed that only As, with a hazard index (HI) of 1.3, posed a noncarcinogenic risk to infants. Additionally, As, Cr, and Ni, with total carcinogenic risk (TCR) values of 1.18 × 10−4 and 2.06 × 10−4 for adults and children, respectively, proved carcinogenic to both age groups. The elements’ carcinogenic risk (CR) potential descended in the following order: Ni > As > Cr. Additionally, for both adults and children, oral ingestion is the most likely exposure pathway. Our findings support the need for closer monitoring of potentially toxic metals and metalloids levels in cultivated soils and farm produce in Qatar. Reducing the elements’ bioavailability in soil and developing innovative remediation technologies is needed to limit potential risks to human health. Further studies on As, Cr, and Ni gastrointestinal bioaccessibilities are needed to fully understand the effects after long-term exposure and the cancer-causing potential of these elements over a lifetime.

scholarly journals Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Soil of Major Cities in Mongolia

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (14) ◽  
pp. 2552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonomdagva Chonokhuu ◽  
Chultem Batbold ◽  
Byambatseren Chuluunpurev ◽  
Enkhchimeg Battsengel ◽  
Batsuren Dorjsuren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risk Assessment ◽  
Inhalation Exposure ◽  
Moderate Level ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Risk ◽  
Exposure Pathway

Using the case of Ulaanbaatar, Erdenet, and Darkhan cities from Mongolia, the study aimed to assess the contamination level and health risk assessment of heavy metals (As, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Zn) in urban soil. A total of 78 samples was collected from a variety of functional areas. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and integrated pollution index (IPI) were used in pollution assessment, while the health risk was scored using a hazard quotient (HQ) and health index (HI) for non-carcinogenic heavy metals, as well as a lifetime average daily dose (LADD) for carcinogenic heavy metals. The results show that the concentration of heavy metals in the soil samples taken from Darkhan city, which presented “uncontaminated” values in terms of Igeo for all metals, was relatively lower than other cities within the contamination assessment. Furthermore, the Igeo value signified “uncontimated to heavily contaminated” soil in the Ulaanbaatar and Erdenet cities. Typically, as for the IPI that observed similar trends with Igeo, the mean IPI values in Ulaanbaatar, Erdenet, and Darkhan were 1.33 (moderate level of pollution), 1.83 (moderate level of pollution), and 0.94 (low level of pollution), respectively. In terms of the assessment of potential health risk, there was a particular or different level of ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation exposure pathway for human health. Among these three different pathways, the ingestion was estimated by the main contributor for health risk. Each value of HQ and HI indicated that soil heavy metals of studied cities were at a safe level (<1) or had the absence of a significant health risk there. In addition, the potential health risk for children was greater than for adults, where heavy metal values of HI for children had a high value compared to adults. We estimated carcinogenic risks through the inhalation exposure, and as a result, there were no significant risks for human health in the studied cities from three elements (As, Cr, and Ni).

scholarly journals Pollution Characteristics and Human Health Risks of Elements in Road Dust in Changchun, China

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 1843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Li ◽  
Weizheng Han ◽  
Jie Tang ◽  
Jianmin Bian ◽  
Siyue Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Hazard Quotient ◽  
Optical Emission ◽  
Road Dust ◽  
Pollution Level ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Exposure Pathway

Road dust, which contains trace elements and certain organic matter that can be harmful to human health, plays an important role in atmospheric pollution. In this paper, concentrations of 16 elements in the road dust of Changchun, China were determined experimentally. A total of 100 samples were collected using plastic brushes and dustpans, and the elements were analyzed by an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). It was indicated that the elements could be divided into major and trace elements. The concentration of trace elements followed the trend: mercury (Hg) > manganese (Mn) > zinc (Zn) > lead (Pb) > chromium (Cr) > copper (Cu) > vanadium (V) > arsenic (As) > nickel (Ni) > cobalt (Co) > cadmium (Cd). Contamination-level-assessment calculated by the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) showed that the pollution-level ranged from non-contaminated to extreme contamination, while the calculations of enrichment factor (EF) showed that EF values exhibited a decreasing trend: Cd > Hg > As > Pb > Cu > Co > Zn > Ni > Cr > V > Mn > Mg > Fe > Sr > Ba. In our study, ingestion was the greatest exposure pathway for humans to intake trace elements by calculating the average daily dose (ADD) from three routes (ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact). According to the health risk assessment results, the non-carcinogenic risks that human beings suffered from these elements were insignificant. Additionally, the hazard quotient (HQ) values were approximately one-tenth in the case of children. Meanwhile, the total excess cancer risk (ECR) was also lower than the acceptable level (10−6–10−4) for both adults and children.

scholarly journals Vehicle-Derived Heavy Metals and Human Health Risk Assessment of Exposure to Communities along Mubi-Yola Highway in Adamawa State (Nigeria)

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
I. B. Bwatanglang ◽  
P. Alexander ◽  
N. A. Timothy
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Heavy Traffic ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Carcinogenic Risk ◽  
Exposure Pathways ◽  
Exposure Pathway

In this study, the health risk caused by heavy metals exposure to communities along Mubi-Yola highways was evaluated. Samples from Mubi, Hong, Gombi, Song, and Gerei were collected and analyzed for Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn), Cupper (Cu), and Nickel (Ni) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean concentrations of the metals used for the risk assessment were observed to fall in this order Zn>Pb>Ni>Cu>Cd>Cr. The non-carcinogenic risk based on the target hazard quotient (THQ) and human health index (HI) values for each exposure pathway and for each metal were observed to be less than (<) 1 which means, exposure to the heavy metals has no immediate risks for both the adults and children in the settlements. The lifetime cancer risk (CRI) for the metals for both the ingestion (CRIIng) and inhalation (CRIInh) exposure pathways were observed to pose no lifetime carcinogenic risk. The CRI for all the exposure pathways and for all age categories were <10-4. Similarly, the combine effect or total cancer risk (TCRI) for each exposure pathway show high probability for carcinogenic risk by ingestion route compared to exposure by inhalation. The order of exposure were observed to be adults<children. Though the CRI and TCRI results were observed to be within the acceptable range for developing cancer, the result  however suggest that children could be more susceptible to potential carcinogenic risk following continual exposure to heavy metals from vehicular activity. Indicating some concern about the expansion of unregulated settlements along heavy traffic highways.

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