Exposure guideline values as prevention tool

Efforts to provide water to developing communities in South Africa have resulted in various types of water supplies being used. This study examined the relationship between the type of water supply and the quality of water used. Source (communal taps, private outdoor and indoor taps) and point-of-use water samples were examined for heterotrophic plate counts (HPC), total and faecal coliforms, E. coli, and coliphages. Ten percent of samples were also analysed for enteric viruses, Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Approximately 320 households were included in a case-control study. In addition, a cross-sectional study was conducted. Both studies examined the relationship between different types of water facilities and diarrhoea among pre-school children. The source water was of good microbial quality, but water quality was found to have deteriorated significantly after handling and storage in both case and control households, exceeding drinking water quality guideline values by 1-6 orders of magnitude. Coliphage counts were low for all water samples tested. Enteric viruses and Cryptosporidium oocysts were not detected. Giardia cysts were detected on one occasion in case and control in-house samples. Comparisons of whether in-house water, after handling and storage, complied with water quality guideline values demonstrated households using communal taps to have significantly poorer quality than households using private outdoor or indoor taps for HPC and E. coli (χ2 = 14.9, P = 0.001; χ2 = 6.6, P = 0.04 respectively). A similar trend (although not statistically significant) was observed for the other microbial indicators. The cross-sectional study demonstrated an apparent decrease in health risk associated with private outdoor taps in comparison to communal taps. This study suggests that a private outdoor tap is the minimum level of water supply in order to ensure the supply of safe water to developing communities.

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Indoor Air Quality: Assessment of Dangerous Substances in Incense Products

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18158086 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 8086

Author(s):

Gabriela Ventura Silva ◽

Anabela O. Martins ◽

Susana D. S. Martins

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Indoor Air Pollution ◽

Gaseous Emissions ◽

Limit Values ◽

Cone Type ◽

Guideline Values ◽

Taking Action ◽

At Home

Indoor air pollution has obtained more attention in a moment where “stay at home” is a maximum repeated for the entire world. It is urgent to know the sources of pollutants indoors, to improve the indoor air quality. This study presents some results obtained for twelve incense products, used indoors, at home, and in temples, but also in spa centers or yoga gymnasiums, where the respiratory intensity is high, and the consequences on health could be more severe. The focus of this study was the gaseous emissions of different types of incense, performing a VOC screening and identifying some specific VOCs different from the usual ones, which are known or suspected to cause severe chronic health effects: carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic. Thirteen compounds were selected: benzene, toluene, styrene, naphthalene, furfural, furan, isoprene, 2-butenal, phenol, 2-furyl methyl ketone, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein. The study also indicated that incense cone type shows a higher probability of being more pollutant than incense stick type, as from the 12 products tested, four were cone type, and three of them were in the group of the four higher polluters. Benzene and formaldehyde presented worrying levels in the major part of the products, above guideline values established by the WHO. Unfortunately, there are no limit values established for indoor air for all the compounds studied, but this fact should not exempt us from taking action to alert the population to the potential dangers of using those products. From this study, acetaldehyde, acrolein, furfural, and furan emerge as compounds with levels to deserve attention.

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DISTRIBUTION AND PREDICTION ON HEAVY METALS POLLUTION LEVEL (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni) IN SEDIMENT IN BANGKA ISLAND WATERS USING LOAD POLLUTION INDEX AND GEOACCUMULATION INDEX

Jurnal Ilmu dan Teknologi Kelautan Tropis ◽

10.28930/jitkt.v5i1.7763 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fasmi Ahmad

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Marine Organism ◽

Geoaccumulation Index ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Pollution Index ◽

Pollution Load Index ◽

Pollution Level ◽

Pollution Load ◽

Toxic Heavy Metals ◽

Guideline Values

<p>Bangka Island is rich in natural resources particularly tin minerals. The increasing of tin mining has elevated various wastes such as tailings, oil, and fuel coming from the sand scraper tin boat. These wastes containing toxic heavy metals may harmful to marine organism. Measurement of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni were carried out in September 2010. The purpose of this research was to predict the pollution degree of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni in sediment using two different methods namely geoaccumulation index (I_geo) and pollution load index (PLI). The samples of sediments were collected at 20 stations using Gravity Core. The content of heavy metals in all samples was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer with a mixture of air and acetylene flame. The results showed that there was a different of prediction on sediment pollution level between Load Pollution Index with Geoaccumulation Index. According to Load Pollution Index, sediments in this waters were not polluted by Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni (PLI<1). Based on Geoaccumulation Index, sediment were also not polluted by Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni (Igeo<0). While for Cd, sediments divided into three categories, namely not polluted (Igeo<0), light polluted (0<Igeo<1), and medium pollued (1<Igeo<2). The concentration of the heavy metals still lower than that sediment quality guideline values.</p> <p>Keywords: Bangka Island, heavy metals, geoaccumulation index, pollution load index.</p>

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Estimation of the Concentration of Some Heavy Metals in Groundwater in Rutba City

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/904/1/012009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 904 (1) ◽

pp. 012009

Author(s):

A W Abd Byty ◽

M A Gharbi ◽

A H Assaf

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Metal Ions ◽

Heavy Metal Ions ◽

Large Scale ◽

Toxic Metal ◽

Scale Production ◽

Future Health ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

Guideline Values

Abstract Toxic metal pollutants in groundwater should be identified to prevent future health risks. In this paper, the presence of heavy metals in groundwater in the western region of Iraq was investigated. The heavy metals concentrations, including Ni2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Cr3+, Cd2+, As3+ and Hg2+ were explored in twenty selected aquifers near Rutba City and the results were presented as spatial distribution maps. Findings indicate that contamination with the investigated heavy metal ions possesses a serious threat to the study area’s groundwater quality when compared to WHO and IEPA guideline values. Thus, a new approach to remove or adsorb heavy metal ions can be developed for large-scale production and the safe use of these aquifers water. Results revealed that the highest concentrations in mg/L1 of 2.312 in w19, 1.098 in w2, 5.78 in w17, 0.292 in w9, 3.349 in w5, 0.32 in w13, 0.074 in w11 and 5.622 in w1 for Zn2+, Cr3+, As3+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ were recorded, respectively.

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Distribution characteristics and potential risk assessment of heavy metals in seawater and sediment of Liaodong Bay

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202020602004 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 206 ◽

pp. 02004

Author(s):

Nianting Si ◽

Liang Qu

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Good Condition ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

National Guideline ◽

Liaodong Bay ◽

Guideline Values ◽

Contaminant Metals ◽

Ecological Risk Analysis

Distribution of heavy metals (Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cr) in the seawater and sediments were studied based on data from two oceanographic surveys carried out in Liaodong Bay in May and October 2016. The results showed that the values of heavy metals in seawater represent a uniform distribution, while no trends were detected for spatial distribution. High values of heavy metals in sediment were generally distributed nearshore areas in October. Concentrations of Pb, Zn, Hg in seawater were higher than the national guideline values of Mar. sediment quality of China. Values of Cu, Zn, Cd and Hg were higher than the national guideline values of Mar. sediment quality of China in October, while quality was in good condition in May. Correlation analysis showed that TOC was mainly contributed for the variations of heavy metals. The potential ecological risk analysis of heavy metals indicates that Hg, Cd and Cu should be listed as the priority contaminant metals in Liaodong Bay.

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GEOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF TRACE METALS IN SOIL, STREAM WATER AND SELECTED FOOD CROPS AT KIBI GOLDFIELDS ENVIRONMENT, GHANA

Earth Science Malaysia ◽

10.26480/esmy.01.2020.71.76 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 71-76

Author(s):

Douglas Baah Siaw ◽

Solomon S.R. Gidigasu ◽

Anthony Andrews ◽

Emmanuel Gikunoo ◽

Gordon Foli

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Stream Water ◽

Control Site ◽

Food Crops ◽

Eastern Region ◽

Conservative Tracer ◽

Guideline Values ◽

Alluvial Gold ◽

Translocation Factors ◽

Impacted Site

This study assesses environmental receptors impacted by alluvial gold mining at Kibi Goldfields Limited in the Eastern region of Ghana to establish trace metals contamination risk. Specific objectives are to determine concentrations of (1) As, Cr, Ni and Pb in soils, drainage and food crops, using X-ray fluorescence, (2) Cl- in drainage using standard methods. Mean concentrations of As, Cr and Ni in soils are higher at impacted sites than control sites; while Pb and As concentrations in drainage exceeds the maximum contamination guideline values in drinking water. Using Cl- as a conservative tracer, As and Pb are adsorbing from water, while Cr and Ni are desorbing into water. In the food crops, bioaccumulation factors of As and Ni are profound at the impacted site than control sites; Except Cr in cocoyam at impacted sites, translocation factors are negligible in the food crops. Cr bioaccumulates in in cocoyam and plantain at the control site, while Ni bioaccumulates in only plantain at the impacted sites. Overall, the metal contamination is of concern in the receptors, except Pd in plants. Results from this study can be used for trace metals risk assessment in the environment.

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Assessing and managing fluorosis risk in children and adults in rural Madhya Pradesh, India

Journal of Water Sanitation and Hygiene for Development ◽

10.2166/washdev.2011.101 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 136-143 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sam Godfrey ◽

Pawan Labhasetwar ◽

Tapas Chakma ◽

Satish Wate ◽

Aditya Swami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Madhya Pradesh ◽

Fluoride Content ◽

Baseline Survey ◽

Nutritional Interventions ◽

Chemical Risk Assessment ◽

Guideline Value ◽

Guideline Values ◽

The Impact

This paper presents the application of quantitative chemical risk assessment for assessing and managing fluorosis in 19 schools and 6 villages in Madhya Pradesh, India. A longitudinal study was undertaken with a baseline survey in 2005 and an endline in 2007. Household surveys, water quality and food analysis were undertaken to measure the impact of an Integrated Fluorosis Mitigation programme that included water and nutritional interventions. The baseline survey indicated a maximum fluoride content of 7.8 mg/l in food and 3.7 mg/l in water, equating to a maximum fluoride uptake of 4.8 and 3.7 mg/l in food and water respectively. Mean (actual) daily intake of fluoride for all exposure routes was 0.4 mg/kg of combined adult and child body weight. Intake of fluoride through food was more than 40% of total intake. Calculated guideline values for age groups <18 years and >18 years were 1.7 and 1.9 mg/l respectively. Using WHO methodology, the Guideline Value would be 1.7 mg/l. Fluoride dilution was implemented to reduce the fluoride content to below this level. The endline survey indicated reduction in the prevalence of grade 1 fluorosis of 86%, of grade 2 of 77%, of grade 4 of 60% in all children examined.

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Guideline Values for Minimum Nasal Cross-Sectional Area in Children

The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal ◽

10.1177/1055665618767107 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 55 (8) ◽

pp. 1043-1050

Author(s):

Maija T. Laine-Alava ◽

Siiri Murtolahti ◽

Ulla K. Crouse ◽

Donald W. Warren

Keyword(s):

Cleft Lip ◽

Cross Sectional Area ◽

Adult Size ◽

Nasal Airway ◽

Sectional Area ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Cohorts ◽

Guideline Values ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Research Criteria

Objective: The purpose was to determine age-specific values of the minimum cross-sectional area of the nasal airway in children without cleft lip or palate and to assess whether gender differences occur with growth in order to develop guidelines for assessment in children with clefts. Participants: All schoolchildren aged 8 to 17 years who met the research criteria were studied during rest breathing using the pressure-flow technique. The children came from a rural area of 3800 inhabitants. Consecutive age cohorts were used for comparisons. Results: Nasal cross-sectional area increased in females from 0.38 cm2 in 8-year-olds to 0.58 cm2 in 17-year-olds. There was a decrease in size at ages 10 to 11 and 14 to 15 years. In males, the area increased from 0.40 to 0.68 cm2 and decreased slightly from 9 to 10 and 14 to 15 years. The annual changes were statistically significant in females between 8 and 9 and 11 to 13 years of age, and in males from 11 to 12, 13 to 14, and 15 to 17 years of age. Across gender, the only significant difference occurred at age 16. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the increase in nasal airway size is not consistent during growth. Nasal airway size showed almost equal values for both genders in young children but was systematically larger in boys from 14 years of age on. The results refer that by 17 years of age nasal airway may not have reached adult size in males.

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Toxicity thresholds of nine herbicides to coral symbionts (Symbiodiniaceae)

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-00921-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Magena Marzonie ◽

Florita Flores ◽

Nora Sadoun ◽

Marie C. Thomas ◽

Anais Valada-Mennuni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Specific Growth ◽

Tropical Species ◽

Biologically Relevant ◽

Guideline Values ◽

The Family ◽

Effect Concentration ◽

Quality Guideline ◽

Current Water ◽

Endosymbiotic Algae ◽

Water Quality Guideline

AbstractOver 30 herbicides have been detected in catchments and waters of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and their toxicity to key tropical species, including the coral endosymbiotic algae Symbiodiniaceae, is not generally considered in current water quality guideline values (WQGVs). Mutualistic symbionts of the family Symbiodiniaceae are essential for the survival of scleractinian corals. We tested the effects of nine GBR-relevant herbicides on photosynthetic efficiency (ΔF/Fm′) and specific growth rate (SGR) over 14 days of cultured coral endosymbiont Cladocopium goreaui (formerly Symbiodinium clade C1). All seven Photosystem II (PSII) herbicides tested inhibited ΔF/Fm′ and SGR, with toxicity thresholds for SGR ranging between 2.75 and 320 µg L−1 (no effect concentration) and 2.54–257 µg L−1 (EC10). There was a strong correlation between EC50s for ΔF/Fm′ and SGR for all PSII herbicides indicating that inhibition of ΔF/Fm′ can be considered a biologically relevant toxicity endpoint for PSII herbicides to this species. The non-PSII herbicides haloxyfop and imazapic did not affect ΔF/Fm′ or SGR at the highest concentrations tested. The inclusion of this toxicity data for Symbiodiniaceae will contribute to improving WQGVs to adequately inform risk assessments and the management of herbicides in tropical marine ecosystems.

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Abstract 3000: Epidemiology of Cerebrovascular Diseases Among Chinese with Diabetes Mellitus in Toronto: A Retrospective Ten Years Case-mix Study

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.43.suppl_1.a3000 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Susy Lam ◽

Joseph Y Chu

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Specific Treatment ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Stroke Incidence ◽

Small Vessels ◽

Guideline Values ◽

Co Morbidity ◽

Stroke Type

BACKGROUND: An article published in Neurology Asia(2006;11:13-18) by Chu etal provided essential data to investigate whether specific genetic or environmental differences exist within the diabetic-Chinese stroke community. Insight into distinctive epidemiologic and cerebrovascular patterns will bring forth effectively focused treatment and prevention. From that basis, we hypothesized: Chinese who had stroke-history within 15 years are more commonly diabetic than Europeans, and Chinese more frequently have small vessels disease (SVD) than Europeans. METHODS: Patients seen during 2001-2011 at the Toronto Queensway Professional Center Neurology clinic and at William Osler Health System, Brampton Site, were investigated. Chinese diabetic stroke patients were selected by last name and birth country; similarly diagnosed European patients were age-sex matched correspondingly. Risk factors were acknowledged if patients were given explicit medical treatments. Otherwise, guideline values were obtained from the WHO criteria. Data was collected through screening patient charts for the following: diabetic prevalence through screening stroke patients (122 Chinese, 880 European) excluding TIAs, subarachnoid and subdural haemorrhages; etiology and stroke type comparison in patients with DM (48 Chinese, 127 European); risk factors differences between Chinese and Europeans with DM. Odds ratios and unpaired two-sample t-testing were used to confirm significance. RESULTS: Significance confirmed (P<0.05): Chinese had higher DM and stroke incidence than Europeans (28.7% vs. 23.2%). Diabetic Chinese more frequently had SVD (51.1% vs. 44.1%), specifically lacunar stroke (47.9% vs. 36.4%). The co-morbidity of SVD risk factors of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and overweight were more frequent in Chinese (Table 1.0). Furthermore, SVD frequency dominated over large vessels disease (LVD) in the Chinese (Table 1.1). Table 1.0 - RISK FACTOR INCIDENCE Overweight HBP HPL Chinese, SVD 26.9% 53.8% 36.5% European, SVD 16.5% 33.1% 23.6% OR Chinese/Euro.1.86 2.36 1.86 Table 1.1 - STROKE TYPE AND RISK Overweight, SVD Overweight, LVD Hyperlipidemia, SVD Hyperlipidemia, LVD Hypertension, SVD Hypertension, LVD : Chinese 26.9% 7.7% 36.5% 15.0% 53.8% 25.0% OR SVD/LVD 4.42 3.26 3.50 European 16.5% 7.9% 23.6% 15.0% 33.1% 26.0% OR SVD/LVD 2.32 1.76 1.41 CONCLUSIONS: Chinese with stroke are more frequently diabetic than Europeans. Diabetic Chinese are especially susceptible to small vessels disease and certain stroke risk factors are more frequent compared to the Europeans. Risk factor prevalence and stroke types differ considerably between Chinese and Europeans within Toronto, which may imply that specific treatment strategies are required to target towards each population.

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