Pilot Project on Environment and Health Rapid Risk Assessment in Secondary Rivers of the Mean and Lower Danube Basin

Author(s):  
Bruno Frattini ◽  
Neil Manning
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Zexing Kuang ◽  
Yangguang Gu ◽  
Yiyong Rao ◽  
Honghui Huang

The concentrations of heavy metals in sediments and marine organisms in Daya Bay were investigated, and the Monte Carlo method was used to analyze the uncertainty of the results of geo-accumulation characteristics and ecological and health risks. The mean concentrations of metal elements in sediments were in the following order: Zn > Cr > Cu > As > Cd > Hg, while those in marine organisms were Zn > Cu > As > Cr ≈ Cd > Hg. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) indicated that the primary pollutant was Hg, with 5.46% moderately polluted, and 39.52% for unpolluted to moderately polluted. Potential ecological risks (RI) were between low and high risks, and the contributions of Hg, Cd, and As to ecological risks were 50.85%, 33.92%, and 11.47%, respectively. The total hazard coefficients (THQ) were less than 1, but on the basis of total carcinogenic risks (TCR), the probability of children and adults exceeded the unacceptable risk threshold of 22.27% and 11.19%, respectively. Sensitivity analysis results showed that the concentrations of carcinogenic elements contributed to risk in the order of As > Cd > Cr. Therefore, in order to effectively control heavy metals contamination in Daya Bay, it is necessary to strengthen the management of Hg, Cd, and As emissions.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirin Akter ◽  
Mohammad Obidur Rahman ◽  
Mehedi Hasan ◽  
Saiful Islam Tushar ◽  
Mottalib Hossain Sarkar ◽  
...  

Abstract The mean concentrations of heavy metals viz: K, Ca, Mg, Ti, Fe, Co, Cu, As, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, Pb and Th were measured in soil samples using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) technique and sampling sites as a whole were found highly contaminated by Zn, considerably contaminated by Mg and Pb, while moderately contaminated by Fe, Co, Cu, Rb, Sr, As, Rb, Y, Th. The sampling sites are moderate to strongly polluted by heavy metals according to Enrichment factors value, whereas, Pollution Load Index values for 95% of the sample sites were ≥ 1.5, indicating deterioration of soil quality. Potential Ecological risk (RI) value followed the increasing sequence of Pb > As > Co > Zn > Cu. Non-carcinogenic exposure found higher in children compared to adults,however carcinogenic risk assessment revealed that both groups (adult and children) lied within Grade II category (10− 5 to 10− 6) and considered to be at no risk.


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-126
Author(s):  
Emil El Faisal ◽  
Sulkipani Sulkipani

This research aimed at (1) developing teaching materials based on local content for Civic Education in University; and (2) describing the potential impact of local content on student consciousness on local culture. It was a developmental research. The subject were student registered in Civic Education Course (Mata Kuliah PKn) at History Department. Pilot project was validated through one to one, small group, and field evaluation. The analyzed result indicates that the developed instrument was valid and has potential impact. Supported data shows that the mean score prior to implementation was 6.86 and after implementation was 7.73. In other words, there was an increasing student achievement before and after its implementation. Accordingly, we suggest that this developed material could be implemented widely.


Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1021
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Ji ◽  
Linghong Xu ◽  
Hong Li ◽  
Chuhan Wang ◽  
Dongyao Xu ◽  
...  

Twenty-three atmospheric volatile halogenated hydrocarbons (VHHs) were detected in a typical urban area of Beijing, China from 24 August to 4 September, 2012. The mean and range in daily mass concentrations of the 23 VHHs were 30.53 and 13.45–76.33 µg/m3, respectively. Seven of those VHHs were controlled ozone-depleting substances in China, with a mean of 12.95 µg/m3, accounting for 42.43% of the total. Compared with other national and international cities, the concentrations of the selected 11 VHHs in this study were relatively higher. Dichloroethane had the highest mass concentration, followed by difluorochloromethane. Maxima of total VHHs occurred within the period 8:30–9:00 a.m., while minima occurred during 1:30–2:00 p.m. Source apportionment suggested that the main sources of VHHs in the study area were solvents usage and industrial processes, leakage of chlorofluorocarbons banks, refrigerants, and fumigant usage. Among the selected 7 VHHs, trichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and 1,4-dichlorobenzene posed potential carcinogenic risks to exposed populations, while none of the selected 11 VHHs posed appreciable non-carcinogenic risks to exposed populations. The carcinogenic risks from atmospheric VHHs in Beijing are higher than in other Chinese cities, indicating that it is necessary to implement immediate control measures for atmospheric VHHs in Beijing.


Author(s):  
Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska

The presence of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in popularly consumed fruits in Poland was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Sb, Tl, and Zn contents were investigated in 21 fruit species grouped as berry, pome, stone, and shell fruits. The PHE contents belonged to the following ranges (mg/kg wet weight): Cd < limit of detection (LOD)–0.116, Co < LOD–0.062, Cu < LOD–15.5, Ni < LOD–2.23, Pb < LOD–2.07, Sb < LOD–0.240, Tl < LOD–0.110, and Zn 0.37–37.7. Their concentrations exceeded the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) set by European Union regulation for Pb only. Bioconcentration coefficient (BC) values, calculated in accordance to the PHE contents in exchangeable and acid soluble forms in soil after first step of the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction procedure, revealed that berry fruits had potential for accumulation of Cu, Ni, Sb, and Tl; stone fruits—Cu, Sb, and Tl; pome fruits—Cu, Ni, and Sb, and shell fruit (walnut)—Cu. Human health risk assessment associated with the intake of PHEs in fruits was evaluated in terms of daily intake rates (DIR), and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk by cancer risk (CR) and hazard quotient (HQ), respectively. For Pb margin of exposure (MOE) approach was used for health risk evaluation. Daily intake rates for all PHEs were below the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) values. The mean total non-carcinogenic risk values were the following: berry fruits HQ = 0.47, pome fruits HQ = 0.36, stone fruits HQ = 0.42, and shell fruits (walnut) HQ = 0.22, indicating no health hazards. The carcinogenic risk for As in walnut only under an adult intake scenario (CR = 1.98 × 10−6) was found to be above the acceptable risk level. The mean Pb health risk, according to Polish statistical intake rates, was acceptable low as the MOE value was equal to 15.7 for adults. In reference to the intake rates recommended by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), MOE values for Pb indicated acceptable low risk both for adults (MOE = 14.0) and children (MOE = 1.64). In general, the finding of this research revealed no health risk arising from PHE consumption with fruits for the population of Poland.


Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Andreea Borlea ◽  
Florin Borcan ◽  
Ioan Sporea ◽  
Cristina Dehelean ◽  
Romeo Negrea ◽  
...  

Given the increased prevalence of thyroid nodules in the general population (~50%), the real challenge resides in correctly recognizing the suspicious ones. This study proposes to compare four important Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data Systems (TI-RADS) and evaluate the contribution of elastography and 4D Color Doppler assessment of vascularity in estimating the risk of malignancy. In the study, 133 nodules with histopathological examination were included. Of these, 35 (26.31%) proved to be malignant. All nodules were classified using the four selected systems and our proposed improved score. The American College of Radiology (ACR) and EU TI-RADS had good sensitivity (94.28%, 97.14%) and NPV (93.33%, 95.83%), but fairly poor specificity (31.81%, 23.46%) and PPV (35.48%, 31.19%), with an accuracy of 42.8% and 45.8%, respectively. Horvath TI-RADS had better accuracy of 66.9% and somewhat improved specificity (62.24%), but poorer sensitivity (80%). Russ’ French TI-RADS includes elastography in the risk assessment strategy. This classification proved superior in all aspects (Se: 91.42%, Sp:82.65%, NPV:96.42%, PPV:65.30%, and Acc of 84.96%). The mean strain ratio (SR) value for malignant lesions was 5.56, while the mean SR value for benign ones was significantly lower, 2.54 (p < 0.05). It also correlated well with the response variable: histopathological result (p < 0.001). Although, adding 4D vascularity to the French score generated a similar calculated accuracy and from a statistical point of view, the parameter itself proved beneficial for predicting the malignancy risk (p < 0.001) and may add important knowledge in uncertain situations. Advanced ultrasound techniques definitely improved the risk estimation and should be used more extensively.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 3374-3387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Yang ◽  
Silu Ma ◽  
Jingcheng Zhou ◽  
Yongwei Song ◽  
Fei Li

Objective This study was performed to evaluate the state of heavy metal contamination in soil and vegetables and assess the health risk of inhabitants in the mine-affected area and area far from the mine (reference area) in Daye, China. Methods The heavy metal concentrations in soil and vegetable samples were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Residents’ exposure parameters were obtained through a questionnaire survey. A health risk assessment model recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency was used to evaluate the residents’ risk of oral exposure. Results The copper, lead, cadmium, and arsenic concentrations in soil and in vegetables were higher in the mine-affected area than in the reference area. The health risk of residents in the reference area was within the acceptable range (hazard index < 1, carcinogen risk < 10−4). In the contaminated area, however, the mean hazard index was 2.25 for children and 3.00 for adults, and the mean carcinogen risk was 4.749 × 10−4 for children and 0.587 × 10−4 for adults. Conclusions Potential health risks exist for inhabitants near the mine area. Cadmium and arsenic should be paid more attention as risk sources.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia K. Denissen ◽  
Brandon Reyneke ◽  
Monique Waso ◽  
Sehaam Khan ◽  
Wesaal Khan

Roof-harvested rainwater (RHRW) was investigated for the presence of the human pathogenic bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), Yersinia spp. and Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). While Yersinia spp. were detected in 92% (n = 25) of the RHRW samples, and L. monocytogenes and M. tuberculosis were detected in 100% (n = 25) of the samples, a significantly higher mean concentration (1.4 × 103 cells/100 mL) was recorded for L. monocytogenes over the sampling period. As the identification of appropriate water quality indicators is crucial to ensure access to safe water sources, correlation of the pathogens to traditional indicator organisms [Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Enterococcus spp.] and microbial source tracking (MST) markers (Bacteroides HF183, adenovirus and Lachnospiraceae) was conducted. A significant positive correlation was then recorded for E. coli versus L. monocytogenes (r = 0.6738; p = 0.000), and Enterococcus spp. versus the Bacteroides HF183 marker (r = 0.4071; p = 0.043), while a significant negative correlation was observed for M. tuberculosis versus the Bacteroides HF183 marker (r = −0.4558; p = 0.022). Quantitative microbial risk assessment indicated that the mean annual risk of infection posed by L. monocytogenes in the RHRW samples exceeded the annual infection risk benchmark limit (1 × 10–4 infections per person per year) for intentional drinking (∼10–4). In comparison, the mean annual risk of infection posed by E. coli was exceeded for intentional drinking (∼10–1), accidental consumption (∼10–3) and cleaning of the home (∼10–3). However, while the risk posed by M. tuberculosis for the two relevant exposure scenarios [garden hosing (∼10–5) and washing laundry by hand (∼10–5)] was below the benchmark limit, the risk posed by adenovirus for garden hosing (∼10–3) and washing laundry by hand (∼10–3) exceeded the benchmark limit. Thus, while the correlation analysis confirms that traditional indicators and MST markers should be used in combination to accurately monitor the pathogen-associated risk linked to the utilisation of RHRW, the integration of QMRA offers a more site-specific approach to monitor and estimate the human health risks associated with the use of RHRW.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (SP1) ◽  
pp. 103-116
Author(s):  
Khadijeh Jafari ◽  
Ayub Ebadi Fathabad ◽  
Yadolah Fakhri ◽  
Maryam Shamsaei ◽  
Mohammad Miri ◽  
...  

In this study, the aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) concentration in traditional and industrial milk and risk assessment due to AFM1 exposure using the Monte Carlo simulations technique was investigated. The mean concentration of AFM1 in traditional and industrial milk samples was 53.00 ± 11.49 and 54.33 ± 12.22 ng/L, respectively, which was higher than European Union and Codex standards. Percentile 95% of hazard quotient (HQ) adults and children due to industrial ingestion milk was 1.056 and 4.956, and traditional milk was 1.031 and 5.116, respectively. Hazard quotient in all age consumers was higher than 1. Therefore, consumers are at a considerable health risk.


Author(s):  
E. D. Bondareva ◽  
K. E. Borovkova ◽  
M. N. Makarova

The paper discusses the system of managing risks arising during preclinical studies (risks for the health of personnel and laboratory animals, as well as risks associated with sanitation of premises) as a way to improve and control the efficiency of processes and the safety of facilities involved in preclinical studies.The aim of the study was to analyse the risk assessment system’s efficiency for improvement of drug safety assessment during preclinical studies in the context of animal care and use programmes.Materials and methods: the Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) method was used to assess the sanitary and hygienic conditions in laboratory animal facilities, as well as health status and welfare of laboratory animals and the attending personnel. The study checked the presence of pathogenic and opportunistic microflora as the main potential inconsistencies.Results: the risk assessment performed during monitoring of laboratory animal health, monitoring of surface cleanliness, and assessment of personnel health, helped to establish a list of the most dangerous pathogens that require stricter control. In order to reduce risks arising during preclinical studies, the following set of measures was proposed: monitoring of the living environment and health of laboratory animals, revision of therapeutic and preventive measures for laboratory animals (including adjustment of antibiotic treatment depending on antimicrobial resistance of microorganisms), monitoring of the personnel health status, taking measures to enhance the personnel vigilance with respect to their own health, prohibition to work at the premises for employees showing symptoms, control of how the employees showing symptoms observe the prohibition to work at the premises, organisation of periodic medical examinations for personnel having contact with laboratory animals.Conclusions: the risk-based assessment helped to identify the most dangerous potential inconsistencies (pathogenic and opportunistic microflora) and the necessary preventive measures to control and manage potential risk consequences.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document