scholarly journals High concentrations of toxic metals in water consumed by the Maxakali indigenous community in Brazil

Author(s):  
Eliseu Miranda de Assis ◽  
Maicon Junior dos Santos Souza ◽  
Márcia Cristina da Silva Faria ◽  
Jairo Lisboa Rodrigues ◽  
Anderson Garcez ◽  
...  

The Maxakali is the second largest indigenous population in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil; and parasitic diseases are its main cause of death. Problems related to the quality of water consumed by this population, added to the absence of public sanitation services, aggravate the risk of illnesses due to several water-borne pathologies. Thus, the main purpose of this paper was to evaluate the water quality consumed in natura by the Maxakali community, quantifying toxic metals in relation to the maximum values allowed by Brazilian law. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with samples of water collected in surfaceand groundwater in the Maxakali villages, including three seasonal periods. Villages with the greatest number of altered measures of metals in water were Aldeias Pradinho (100%) and Água Boa (92%). The smallest number of changes were found in Aldeias Verde and Rafael (27%). The metals that appeared in the largest number of collections with values higher than recommended were Iron (50%), followed by Arsenic (46%), Aluminum (36%), Cadmium (22%) and Mercury (20%), respectively. The study identified high concentrations of toxic metals in the water consumed by the Maxakali indigenous community in Brazil.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasamen Raad ◽  
Saadi Al-Naseri ◽  
Natheer Imran ◽  
Mahdi Jaafar

Abstract The chemical quality of the water used for dialysis fluid is a crucial factor for patients receiving dialysis. Therefore, strict monitoring of the quality of water is necessary in order to prevent complications and to guarantee the safety and health of patients. The current study aimed to determine the chemical water quality used in hemodialysis treatment plants and compare it to standards of the Association for advancement of medical instrumentation (AAMI) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in four hospitals in Baghdad. This cross-sectional study is performed in four seasons in 2019. This research was conducted on samples of dialysis water. Samples were tested by the spectrometry system (AA-7000, Shimadzu, Japan) and colorimeters DR890 for free chlorine. Microsoft 2010 was used for statistical analyses. Based on the results of the research, all concentrations of chemical compounds were within accepted international standards except free chlorine. Also, there were no significant differences between the measured parameters in the dialysis water at four treatment plants during the study period at (P < 0.05). The assessment of water quality hemodialysis showed that these hemodialysis treatment plants were not significantly contaminated and that the quality of the water met the AAMI and ISO standards.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shewayiref Geremew Gebremichael ◽  
Emebet Yismaw ◽  
Belete Dejen ◽  
Adeladilew Dires

AbstractBackgroundClean water is an essential element for human health, wellbeing, and prosperity. Every human being has the right to access safe drinking water. But, in now day, due to rapid population growth, illiteracy, lack of sustainable development, and climate change; it still faces a global challenge for about one billion people in the developing nation. The discontinuity of drinking water supply puts in force households either to use unsafe water storage materials or to use water from unimproved sources. This study aimed to identify the determinants of water source types, use, quality of water, and sanitation perception of physical parameters among urban households in North-West Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among households from February to March 2019. An interview-based pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data collection samples were selected randomly and proportional to each kebeles’ households. MS Excel and R Version 3.6.2 was used to enter and analyze the data; respectively. Descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages were used to explain the sample data concerning the predictor variable. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess the association between the independent and the response variables.ResultsFour hundred eighteen (418) households have participated. Based on the study undertaken, 78.95% of households used improved and 21.05% of households used unimproved drinking water sources. Households drinking water sources are significantly associated with age of participant (x2 = 20.392, df=3), educational status (x2 = 19.358, df=4), source of income (x2 = 21.777, df=3), monthly income (x2 = 13.322, df=3), availability of additional facilities (x2 = 98.144, df=7), cleanness status (x2 =42.979, df=4), scarcity of water (x2 = 5.1388, df=1) and family size (x2 = 9.934, df=2). The logistic regression analysis also indicated as those factors are significantly determined (p 0.05) the water source types used by households. Factors such as availability of toilet facility, household member type, and sex of head of the household are not significantly associated with the drinking water sources.ConclusionThe study showed that being an older age group of the head of the household, being government employer, merchant and self-employed, being a higher income group, the presence of all facilities in the area, lived in a clean surrounding and lower family size are the determinant factors of using drinking water from improved sources. Therefore; the local, regional, and national governments and other supporting organizations shall improve the accessibility and adequacy of drinking water from improved sources through short and long time plans for the well-being of the community in the area.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
Md Zakaria Sarkar ◽  
AHM Ferdows Nur ◽  
Utpal Kumar Dutta ◽  
Muhammad Rafiqul Islam ◽  
Debabrota Roy ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate hearing outcome after stapedotomy in patients with Otosclerosis. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out from July 2017 to January 2019 in National Institute of ENT, Unit V. About 22 patients with Otosclerosis were included in this study. Diagnosis of Otosclerosis was based on the history, medical status with Otoscopy, Tuning fork tests and Audiometric tests. We compiled data on the pre and post operative air-bone gap (ABG) at 0.5, 1, 2 KHZ. The ABG was Calculated using AC and BC thresholds on the same audiogram. Post operative hearing gain was then Calculated from the ABG before the operation minus the ABG of the last follow up examination Results: In this study most of the cases were age group 14-30 years (72.7%), female (54.5%). Most common symptoms was progressive hearing loss, tinnitus (77.8%).The average preoperative hearing loss in this study was (AC) was 48.31±7.68. The average post opt. hearing (AC) at follow up was 28.95±10.30 with an average hearing gain of 15.40±8.53 dB which was significant. The average pre-operative ABG was 28.99 dB ± 8.10. The average post opt. ABG was analyzed at 1 follow up showed ABG 13.18±8.09 dB which was found to be significant. Conclusion: Stapedotomy is an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of otosclerosis which leads to improvement in patient’s quality of life. A favorable hearing outcome can be obtained by the combination of experienced hands with minimal surgical trauma and appropriate surgical technique. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol; April 2020; 26(1): 31-36


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolanta Majer ◽  
Sandra Pyda ◽  
Jerzy Robert Ladny ◽  
Antonio Rodriguez-Nunez ◽  
Lukasz Szarpak

2015 ◽  
pp. 50-58
Author(s):  
Thi Dung Nguyen ◽  
Tam Vo

Background: The patients on hemodialysis have a significantly decreased quality of life. One of many problems which reduce the quality of life and increase the mortality in these patients is osteoporosis and osteoporosis associated fractures. Objectives: To assess the bone density of those on hemodialysis by dual energy X ray absorptiometry and to examine the risk factors of bone density reduction in these patients. Patients and Method: This is a cross-sectional study, including 93 patients on chronic hemodialysis at the department of Hemodialysis at Cho Ray Hospital. Results: Mean bone densities at the region of interest (ROI) neck, trochanter, Ward triangle, intertrochanter and total neck are 0.603 ± 0.105; 0.583 ± 0.121; 0.811 ± 0.166; 0.489 ± 0.146; 0.723 ± 0.138 g/cm2 respectively. The prevalences of osteoporosis at those ROI are 39.8%, 15.1%; 28%; 38.7%; and 26.9% respectively. The prevalences of osteopenia at those ROI are 54.8%; 46.3%; 60.2%; 45.2% and 62.7% respectively. The prevalence of osteopososis in at least one ROI is 52.7% and the prevalence of osteopenia in at least one ROI is 47.3%. There are relations between the bone density at the neck and the gender of the patient and the albuminemia. Bone density at the trochanter is influenced by gender, albuminemia, calcemia and phosphoremia. Bone density at the intertrochanter is affected by the gender. Bone density at the Ward triangle is influenced by age and albuminemia. Total neck bone density is influenced by gender, albuminemia and phosphoremia. Conclusion: Osteoporosis in patients on chronic hemodialysis is an issue that requires our attention. There are many interventionable risk factors of bone density decrease in these patients. Key words: Osteoporosis, DEXA, chronic renal failure, chronic hemodialysis


2019 ◽  
pp. 55-62
Author(s):  
Vuong Diem Khanh Doan ◽  
Ngoc Minh Chau Ho ◽  
Thi Van Ngo ◽  
Thi Bao Nga Phan ◽  
Thi Hong Phan Nguyen

Background: Vietnam is entering the stage of aging population; as a result, the quality of life (QOL) of the elderly is really a matter of concern. There is a great deal of research on the quality of life of the elderly while Vietnam witnesses a lack of research on this topic, especially on how physical and social activities have impact on QOL of the elderly. Objectives: (1) To describe the situation of participation in physical, social activities and QOL of the elderly residing in Truong An Ward, Hue city. (2) To examine the association between physical, social activities and QOL among participants. Methodology: This study used cross-sectional study design. A total sample of 420 people aged 60 and above in Truong An Ward, Hue city were interviewd. The SF36 was used to measure the QOL of participants. Results: Percentage of the elderly taking part in physical activity were 66%. 49% reported having the habit of taking part in social activities. The majority of the elderly get their QOL level in three health fields, namely physical, mental and general health at above average. (56.0, 60.7 and 60.8 respectively). There were significant associations between physical activities, social activities and QOL among participants. Conclusion: The percentage of the elderly taking part in physical and social activities were still low. Besides, QOL of the elderly at the research location was not really high. It’s important to encourage the elderly taking part in physical and social activities to improve their quality of life. Key words: Physical activities, social activities, QOL, the elderly


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