Awareness and health risk protection behaviours of scavengers in the Gbalahi landfill site, Ghana, in the era of sustainable development

AbstractWaste picking is a pivotal in achieving sustainable waste management, environment health and economic development in the era of sustainable development. The study assessed the practices, knowledge, perception and health risk protection behaviours of waste scavengers in the Gbalahi landfill site. A total of 60 scavengers were conveniently sampled and interviewed. The study revealed that 93% of the waste scavengers sort waste using hooks and their bare hands. The study also showed 62% of the respondents have ever been physically abused by other scavengers. A good number of scavengers believed they have been fortified against “dirt diseases” during their childhood and have developed natural immunity against diseases. The knowledge of scavengers was skewed towards economic benefits as they viewed waste picking as a survival strategy. Discrimination and physical abuse posed a seemingly significant psychological health risk to majority of them. Safety and protection practices are limited to the use of pieces of clothes to cover the nose, wearing of multiple clothes and worn-out boots recovered from the landfill. Most of the respondents risk being exposed to the virus and pathogens. It is recommended that education and increased sensitisation should be encouraged and implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ghana Health Service and other allied institutions in order to regularise and ensure the health and safety of waste scavengers.

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Awareness and Health Risk Protection Behaviours of Scavengers in the Gbalahi Landfill Site in the Era of Sustainable Development, Ghana

10.21203/rs.3.rs-948709/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Joseph Gyea Nuripuoh ◽

Abudu Ballu Duwiejuah ◽

Noel Bakobie

Keyword(s):

Health Risk ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Landfill Site ◽

Natural Immunity ◽

Monthly Income ◽

Physically Abused ◽

Average Monthly Income ◽

Health And Economic Development ◽

Risk Protection

Abstract Scavenging is a pivotal in achieving sustainable waste management, environment health and economic development. The purpose of the study was to assess the practices, knowledge, perception and health risk protection behaviours of waste scavengers in the Gbalahi landfill site. A total of 60 scavengers were conveniently sampled and interviewed. The study showed 83% of the respondents had an average monthly income between GH¢ 1.00 to GH¢ 100.00 whereas 17% had between GH¢ 101.00 to GH¢ 300.00. The study also revealed 93% of the respondents sort waste using hooks and their bare hands. The respondents that have ever been physically abused by other scavengers were 62%. A significant number of scavengers believed they have been fortified against “dirt diseases” during their childhood and have developed natural immunity against diseases. The knowledge of scavengers was skewed towards economic benefits as they viewed scavenging as a survival strategy. Safety and protection practices are limited to the use of pieces of clothes to cover the nose, wearing of multiple clothes and worn-out boots recovered from the landfill. Discrimination and physical abuse posed a seemingly significant psychological health risk to majority of them. Covid-19 health risks behaviours, majority of the respondents risk being exposed to the virus and pathogens. Scavengers should be provided with personal protective equipment and / or strictly made to obey safety and protection protocols.

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Drivers of sustainability practices and contributions to sustainable development evident in sustainability reports of European mining companies

Discover Sustainability ◽

10.1007/s43621-021-00025-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anđela Ivic ◽

Nína María Saviolidis ◽

Lara Johannsdottir

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Mining Activities ◽

Low Carbon ◽

The European Union ◽

Mining Companies ◽

Social License ◽

Sustainability Reports ◽

Sustainability Practices

AbstractMining activities cause negative environmental impacts and social conflicts but also provide economic benefits to communities and secure the minerals necessary for low-carbon technology. The aim of this multiple case study is to analyze, compare and critically evaluate sustainability reports of 10 European mining companies for the 2016–2018 period to determine the drivers for implementation of sustainability practices and their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The findings suggest that European mining companies act under pressures from international initiatives and industry associations, the European Union, governments, stakeholders, and maintaining social license to operate. The companies report on the core subjects of corporate governance, employees, the environment, stakeholders’ engagement and occupational health and safety. Positive trends were observed in stakeholders’ engagement and health and safety, while air emissions and water and energy usage increased for most companies. Furthermore, there was an absence of improvement in gender diversity, utilization of renewable energy, and waste recycling. Even though all analyzed companies mentioned SDGs in the reports, the reports lacked a comprehensive explanation of mining activities’ contribution to the SDGs. This study addresses a gap in the existing literature on the European mining context of sustainable development and SDGs relevant for researchers, policymakers, and other impacted stakeholders and adds new theoretical knowledge on the external drivers of CSR activities based on institutional theory.

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Drivers of sustainability practices and contributions to sustainable development evident in sustainability reports of European mining companies

10.21203/rs.3.rs-208876/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anđela Ivic ◽

Nína María Saviolidis ◽

Lara Johannsdottir

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Gender Diversity ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Mining Activities ◽

Low Carbon ◽

The European Union ◽

Mining Companies ◽

Sustainability Reports ◽

Sustainability Practices

Abstract Mining activities cause negative environmental impacts, and social conflicts, but also provide economic benefits to communities and secure minerals necessary for low-carbon technology. The aim of this multiple case study is to analyze, compare and critically evaluate sustainability reports of 10 European mining companies for the 2016–2018 period to determine the drivers for implementation of sustainability practices and their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The findings suggest that European mining companies act under pressures from international initiatives and industry associations, the European Union, governments, stakeholders, and partnerships. The companies report on the core subjects of corporate governance, employees, the environment, stakeholders’ engagement and occupational health and safety. Positive trends were observed in stakeholder’s engagement, and health and safety, while air emissions, water and energy usage increased for most companies. Furthermore, there was an absence of improvement in gender diversity, utilization of renewable energy, and waste recycling. Even though all analyzed companies mentioned SDGs in the reports, the reports lacked a comprehensive explanation of mining activities’ contribution to the SDGs. This study addresses a gap in the existing literature on the European mining context of sustainable development and SDGs relevant for researchers, policymakers, and other impacted stakeholders and adds new theoretical knowledge on the external drivers for CSR activities based on institutional theory.

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Factors Affecting the Prevalence of Fecal Pathogen Infections: Approaches for Health Risk Protection

Environment and Natural Resources Journal ◽

10.32526/ennrj/19/2020243 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 239-245

Author(s):

Thammarat Koottatep ◽

◽

Achara Taweesan ◽

Thongchai Kanabkaew ◽

Chongrak Polprasert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Health Risk ◽

Liver Fluke ◽

Septic Tank ◽

Development Goal ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

The North ◽

Public Areas ◽

Risk Protection

Septic tank sludge or fecal sludge (FS) is often discharged on public areas without any treatment, causing environmental and adverse public health effects. Millennium Development Goal 7c (MDG 7c) targets improved access to water and sanitation because 85% of the world’s total FS is often discharged on public areas. Like other countries, Thailand faces fecal slugde management (FSM) problems leading to significant fecal pathogen infections, especially in the north and northeastern regions. This study assessed the effects of unsafely-managed FS on human health risks in two cities, Natan City and Tham Lod City in Thailand, that have relatively high liver fluke and diarrhea infections, and identified the factors relating to FSM practices that affect the prevalence of liver fluke and diarrhea infections due to FS. Specific measures were proposed in delivering integrated FSM solutions and health risk protection toward the Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 (SDG6) targets of safely managed sanitation and hygiene services. Based on data collected from these cities from February to May 2019, factors relating to FSM practices that affect the prevalence of liver fluke and diarrhea infections were identified and analysed using multiple regression analysis. Based on the findings, specific measures in delivering integrated FSM solutions and health risk protection toward the Sustainable Development Goals 6 (SDG 6) are proposed. Because no FS treatment facilities operate in Natan City and Tham Lod City, almost 100% of FS is discharged directly into open drains, resulting in diarrhea and liver fluke infections among local people. The findings identified the factors relating to FSM practices that affect the prevalence of liver fluke and diarrhea infections and proposed specific measures in delivering integrated FSM solutions and health risk protection, such as promoting education programmes, avoiding direct FS discharges into open drains and nearby streams, and providing innovative FSM technologies to eradicate fecal pathogen infections.

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A Study on Liquid Leak Rates in Packing Seals

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11041936 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 1936

Author(s):

Abdel-Hakim Bouzid

Keyword(s):

Environmental Protection ◽

Liquid Flow ◽

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

Gas Flow ◽

Outer Boundary ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Toxic Substances ◽

Packing Materials ◽

Thickness Change ◽

Flow Through

The accurate prediction of liquid leak rates in packing seals is an important step in the design of stuffing boxes, in order to comply with environmental protection laws and health and safety regulations regarding the release of toxic substances or fugitive emissions, such as those implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Technische Anleitung zur Reinhaltung der Luft (TA Luft). Most recent studies conducted on seals have concentrated on the prediction of gas flow, with little to no effort put toward predicting liquid flow. As a result, there is a need to simulate liquid flow through sealing materials in order to predict leakage into the outer boundary. Modelling of liquid flow through porous packing materials was addressed in this work. Characterization of their porous structure was determined to be a key parameter in the prediction of liquid flow through packing materials; the relationship between gland stress and leak rate was also acknowledged. The proposed methodology started by conducting experimental leak measurements with helium gas to characterize the number and size of capillaries. Liquid leak tests with water and kerosene were then conducted in order to validate the predictions. This study showed that liquid leak rates in packed stuffing boxes could be predicted with reasonable accuracy for low gland stresses. It was found that internal pressure and compression stress had an effect on leakage, as did the thickness change and the type of fluid. The measured leak rates were in the range of 0.062 to 5.7 mg/s for gases and 0.0013 and 5.5 mg/s for liquids.

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Sustainability of Regional Agroecological Economic System Based on Emergy Theory: A Case Study of Anhui Province, China

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13158317 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (15) ◽

pp. 8317

Author(s):

Xue Wu ◽

Yaliu Yang ◽

Conghu Liu ◽

Guowei Xu ◽

Yuxia Guo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Economic System ◽

Agricultural Development ◽

Evaluation Method ◽

Measurement Model ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Anhui Province ◽

Human Beings ◽

Emergy Theory ◽

Operation Status

The agroecological economic system is the basic system on which human beings depend for survival. In order to better evaluate the operation status of a regional agroecological economic system and deepen the cognition of the input and output of the regional agroecological economic system from the angle of emergy, the evaluation method of sustainable development of the regional agroecological economic system with comprehensive consideration of resources, economy, and environment was proposed by constructing a unified dimensional measurement model. This paper analyzed and evaluated the data of the agroecological economic system in Anhui Province from 2010 to 2019. The results showed that the agroecological economic system in Anhui Province bore less environmental pressure and gradually decreased, and had a good system efficiency and economic benefits. The average emergy sustainability index (ESI) was 3.12, indicating that the agroecological economic system in Anhui Province had certain vitality of sustainable development. Based on this, the paper puts forward some suggestions on sustainable and high-quality agricultural development in Anhui Province, which provides theoretical and methodical support for sustainable development of a regional agricultural economy.

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Multi-Use of the Sea as a Sustainable Development Instrument in Five EU Sea Basins

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13158159 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (15) ◽

pp. 8159

Author(s):

Joanna Przedrzymirska ◽

Jacek Zaucha ◽

Helena Calado ◽

Ivana Lukic ◽

Martina Bocci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Baltic Sea ◽

Spatial Planning ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

The Black Sea ◽

The North ◽

The North Sea ◽

Maritime Spatial Planning ◽

Definition Of ◽

The Impact

This paper examines the concept of maritime multi-use as a territorial/SPATIAL governance instrument for the enhancement of sustainable development in five EU sea basins. Multi-use (MU) is expected to enhance the productivity of blue economy sectors, as well as deliver additional socio-economic benefits related to the environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development. The paper provides a definition of maritime multi-use and identifies the multi-uses with the highest potential in EU sea basins. In each sea basin, multi-use plays a different role as concerns sustainable development. For the Eastern Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, the MU focus should remain on the environmental pillar of sustainable development. In the North Sea, North Atlantic and Western Baltic Sea, addressing social sustainability seems a key precondition for success of MU in enhancement of sustainable spatial development at sea. Moreover, it has been suggested to introduce MU key global strategies such as SDGs or Macroregional strategies and action plans and to supplement maritime spatial planning with sectoral incentives and educational efforts as key vehicles supporting MU. The paper concludes by identifying aspects which, in order to inform maritime spatial planning and maritime governance regarding a more conscious application of the aforementioned concept, require further investigation. Key tasks are related to: more profound evaluation of performance of policies supporting MUs, researching the impact of MU on societal goals and on the MU costs and benefits, including external ones, and finally identifying the impact of MU on the development of various sectors and regions on land.

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Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Sensors for Priority Pollutants

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21072406 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (7) ◽

pp. 2406

Author(s):

Mashaalah Zarejousheghani ◽

Parvaneh Rahimi ◽

Helko Borsdorf ◽

Stefan Zimmermann ◽

Yvonne Joseph

Keyword(s):

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

Selective Adsorption ◽

Low Cost ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Priority Pollutants ◽

Molecularly Imprinted ◽

Innovative Strategies ◽

Safety Issues ◽

Long Term Stability ◽

Wide Range

Globally, there is growing concern about the health risks of water and air pollution. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a list of priority pollutants containing 129 different chemical compounds. All of these chemicals are of significant interest due to their serious health and safety issues. Permanent exposure to some concentrations of these chemicals can cause severe and irrecoverable health effects, which can be easily prevented by their early identification. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) offer great potential for selective adsorption of chemicals from water and air samples. These selective artificial bio(mimetic) receptors are promising candidates for modification of sensors, especially disposable sensors, due to their low-cost, long-term stability, ease of engineering, simplicity of production and their applicability for a wide range of targets. Herein, innovative strategies used to develop MIP-based sensors for EPA priority pollutants will be reviewed.

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