scholarly journals Assessment of Air Pollution and Health Hazard Associated with Selected Sawmills in Port Harcourt Metropolis

2021 ◽  
pp. 17-34
Author(s):  
H. O. Stanley ◽  
O. A. Inuope
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Atmospheric Condition ◽  
World Health ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Sawmill Workers

This study aimed to assess air pollution and health hazards around selected sawmills within Port Harcourt metropolis. The physicochemical parameters of the air at the sawmilling sites were determined using onsite air quality analysers. The microbiological parameters were determined using the settling plate technique and the isolates identified based on their cultural and biochemical characteristics. Results showed that estimates of the monitored physicochemical parameters varied with prevalent human activity, time of exposure and atmospheric conditions. At Rumosi, SO2, VOCs and TSP with a concentration 1.250 ppm, 550.500 ppm, 323.200 µg/m3 respectively exceeded the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEv) & World Health Organization (WHO) limit irrespective of the atmospheric condition, time and day of sampling, while the temperature, PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 with a concentration of 39.450oC, 209 µg/m3, 348.350 µg/m3, 0.181ppm respectively varied and was within the FMEv acceptable standard. At SARS Road Sawmill 1, VOCs, PM10 and TSP exceeded the FMEv limit while at SARS Road Sawmill 2, SO2, NO2, VOCs, PM10 and TSP exceeded the FMEv limits.  Microbiological analysis revealed that the bioaerosols contained 12 bacterial genera (Aeromonas, Citrobacter, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Klebsiella, Serratia, Pseudomonas, Proteus, Providencia, Shigella, Enterobacter and Bacillus) and 7 fungal genera (Penicillium,  Fusarium, Geotrichium, Cladosporium, Rhizopus and Trichophyton and Aspergillus) with total heterotrophic bacterial count (THBC) and total fungal count (TFC) ranging from 2711-26980 CFU/m3 and 373-12851 CFU/m3 respectively. The study also showed that sawmills within Port Harcourt do not pay much attention to the provision and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as they were generally not provided. The sawmill workers commonly reported cough and chest pain which they admitted could be associated with their jobs. This study has shown that air around sawmill sites contains inhalable chemical and biological agents which could cause respiratory problems to workers with prolonged exposure and dose response. Sawmill operators should provide and enforce the use of PPE within their facility. It is recommended that sawmill workers and other visitors wear personal protective gadgets in the processing area of the sawmill factories. Further study to relate workers symptoms with emission is recommended.

Some Physicochemical Parameters of Wastewater from an Oil Industry at Point of Discharge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
O. A. F Wokoma ◽  
◽  
O. S Edori ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
World Health ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Water Association ◽  
Wastewater Samples ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Rivers State

Wastewater samples were collected from an oil industry at the point of discharge for a period of two years, from January 2018 – December 2019. The wastewater samples were analyzed for different physicochemical parameters such as temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), conductivity, pH, alkalinity, salinity, total hydrocarbon content (THC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) to examine their conformity to fulfill requirements as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) and Drinking Water Association (DWA). The results indicated that all the parameters in the discharged wastewater were within acceptable limits of the regulatory bodies. The field data showed that the investigated firm conformed to the law by carrying out proper procedures before discharging the effluents into the public drain and river. Therefore, the release of wastewater from the industry doesn't constitute a danger to the environment as well as aquatic organisms. Keywords: Physicochemical parameter, wastewater discharge, oil industry, environment, contaminants

scholarly journals Bioremediation of Soil Contaminated with Spent Engine Oil using Pig Dung

2021 ◽  
pp. 68-78
Author(s):  
A. A. Ibiene ◽  
O. Aleruchi ◽  
L.C. Nnodim ◽  
R. U. Ihunwo
Keyword(s):  
Contaminated Soil ◽  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Petroleum Hydrocarbon ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon ◽  
Engine Oil ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Spent Engine Oil

Studies were carried out to investigate the bioremediation potential of pig dung in a soil contaminated with spent engine oil. Soil samples were obtained from the Ofrima complex, University of Port Harcourt. The soil samples were contaminated with various concentrations (50 ml and 100 ml) of spent engine oil and allowed for 21 days for proper exposure, mimicking natural spill. This was followed by the addition of the pig dung. The experimental setup was labeled sample A (1 kg soil + 100 g pig dung + 50 ml spent engine oil) and sample B (1 kg soil + 100 g pig dung + 100 ml spent engine oil). The physicochemical parameters and the microbiological analysis were done using standard methods. The total petroleum hydrocarbon was analyzed using gas chromatographic methods. Analyses were carried out at 14 days intervals for 28 days. The physicochemical parameter results showed a reduction in pH values in the contaminated soil samples, ranging from 6.21 - 6.65 in sample A and 6.57 - 6.87 in sample B. Temperature values were constant at 230C from day 1 to day 14 in sample A and increased at day 28 to 24 0C, also for sample B, the temperature was constant at 230C from day 1 to day14 and increased at day 28 to 26 0C. The amount of heavy metal (Lead) content decreased from 4.3645 - 1.93676 (mg/kg) and 6.18361 - 3.89654 (mg/kg) for samples A and B, respectively. There was also a significant reduction in the amount of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon, from 16631.86 - 3280.83 mg/kg for sample A and 18464.73 - 6784.60 mg/kg for sample B. The THB counts for samples A and B ranged from 7.73 - 7.91 and 7.05-8.20 (Log cfu/g), respectively. The fungal counts ranged from 3.99–4.58 and 5.12 - 7.93 (Log cfu/g) for samples A and B respectively. HUB counts ranged from 4.52–5.09 and 4.93- 5.55 (Log cfu/g) for samples A and B, respectively. The HUF counts ranged from 4.12 - 5.49 and 4.13 - 4.70 (Log cfu/g) for samples A and B, respectively. The results clearly showed that microorganisms capable of utilizing total petroleum hydrocarbon were present, also the pig dung showed both bio-stimulation and bio-augmentation tendency to attract high microbial load which supported the bioremediation of the spent engine oil contaminated soil.

The Prevalence of Bacteriospermia in Infertile Men and Association with Semen Quality in Southwestern Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Motamedifar ◽  
Yalda Malekzadegan ◽  
Parisa Namdari ◽  
Behzad Dehghani ◽  
Bahia Namavar Jahromi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
Male Reproductive Function ◽  
Infertile Men ◽  
Southwestern Iran

Introduction: Infertility considered as a social and public health issue and estimated that most of these infertile couples are residents of developing countries. Infectious diseases including the history of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) may impact on male reproductive function. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of bacterial contaminants of semen and probable association with sperm quality of infertile men in Iranian population. Methods: The study population consisted of 200 infertile men and 150 fertile men attending an infertility Center in southwestern Iran during the study period in 2015. The assessment of sperm parameters was according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The presumptive pathogens were identified using standard microbiology tests and confirmed by specific PCR primers. Results: The prevalence of bacteriospermia in the semen of the infertile group was significantly higher than that in the fertile group (48% vs. 26.7%, P <0.001). The microbiological analysis of samples showed that the most abundant species of bacteria in semen of infertile men were Chlamydia trachomatis (12.5%) followed by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (11%). On the other hand, in the control group, Lactobacillus spp. (17.3%) was the most isolated pathogen. Results showed that the presence of N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Haemophilus, and Klebsiella was significantly associated with sperm abnormality. Conclusion: Based on our findings, it seems that bacteriospermia is associated with alterations in the properties of semen which may lead to a decrease in the fertilization potential of sperm. Therefore, immediate and appropriate treatment is necessary before investigating every other possible cause of infertility.

scholarly journals Multiple air pollutant exposure and lung cancer in Tehran, Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Khorrami ◽  
Mohsen Pourkhosravani ◽  
Maysam Rezapour ◽  
Koorosh Etemad ◽  
Seyed Mahmood Taghavi-Shahri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Cancer Incidence ◽  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
World Health ◽  
Lung Cancer Incidence

AbstractLung cancer is the most rapidly increasing malignancy worldwide with an estimated 2.1 million cancer cases in the latest, 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) report. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of air pollution and lung cancer, in Tehran, Iran. Residential area information of the latest registered lung cancer cases that were diagnosed between 2014 and 2016 (N = 1,850) were inquired from the population-based cancer registry of Tehran. Long-term average exposure to PM10, SO2, NO, NO2, NOX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, p-xylene, o-xylene (BTEX), and BTEX in 22 districts of Tehran were estimated using land use regression models. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to generate multi-pollutant exposure profiles. Negative binomial regression analysis was used to examine the association between air pollutants and lung cancer incidence. The districts with higher concentrations for all pollutants were mostly in downtown and around the railway station. Districts with a higher concentration for NOx (IRR = 1.05, for each 10 unit increase in air pollutant), benzene (IRR = 3.86), toluene (IRR = 1.50), ethylbenzene (IRR = 5.16), p-xylene (IRR = 9.41), o-xylene (IRR = 7.93), m-xylene (IRR = 2.63) and TBTEX (IRR = 1.21) were significantly associated with higher lung cancer incidence. Districts with a higher multiple air-pollution profile were also associated with more lung cancer incidence (IRR = 1.01). Our study shows a positive association between air pollution and lung cancer incidence. This association was stronger for, respectively, p-xylene, o-xylene, ethylbenzene, benzene, m-xylene and toluene.

scholarly journals Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and pattern of antimicrobial resistance in mastitis milk of cattle in Chitwan, Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asmita Shrestha ◽  
Rebanta Kumar Bhattarai ◽  
Himal Luitel ◽  
Surendra Karki ◽  
Hom Bahadur Basnet
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Subclinical Mastitis ◽  
World Health ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
Biochemical Tests ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Milk Samples

Abstract Background The threat of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) exists globally and has been listed as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization. One of the sources of MRSA emergence is livestock and its products, often raised in poor husbandry conditions. There are limited studies in Nepal to understand the prevalence of MRSA in dairy animals and its antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Chitwan, one of the major milk-producing districts of Nepal, from February 2018 to September 2019 to estimate the prevalence of MRSA in milk samples and its AMR profile. The collected milk samples (n = 460) were screened using the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and positive samples were subjected to microbiological analysis to isolate and identify S. aureus. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to identify the presence of the mecA gene and screen for MRSA. Results In total, 41.5% (191/460) of milk samples were positive in the CMT test. Out of 191 CMT positive milk samples, the biochemical tests showed that the prevalence of S. aureus was 15.2% (29/191). Among the 29 S. aureus isolates, 6.9% (2/29) were identified as MRSA based on the detection of a mecA gene. This indicates that that 1.05% (2/191) of mastitis milk samples had MRSA. The antibiotic sensitivity test showed that 75.9% (22/29) and 48.3% (14/29) S. aureus isolates were found to be sensitive to Cefazolin and Tetracycline respectively (48.3%), whereas 100% of the isolates were resistant to Ampicillin. In total 96.6% (28/29) of S. aureus isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Conclusions This study revealed a high prevalence of S. aureus-mediated subclinical mastitis in dairy herds in Chitwan, Nepal, with a small proportion of it being MRSA carrying a mecA gene. This S. aureus, CoNS, and MRSA contaminated milk poses a public health risk due to the presence of a phenotype that is resistant to very commonly used antibiotics. It is suggested that dairy herds be screened for subclinical mastitis and treatments for the animals be based on antibiotic susceptibility tests to reduce the prevalence of AMR. Furthermore, future studies should focus on the Staphylococcus spp. to explore the antibiotic resistance genes in addition to the mecA gene to ensure public health.

scholarly journals Public Health Considerations for PM10 in a High-Pollution Megacity: Influences of Atmospheric Condition and Land Coverage

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
Carlos Zafra ◽  
Joaquín Suárez ◽  
Jorge E. Pachón
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mixing Layer ◽  
Atmospheric Condition ◽  
World Health ◽  
Measuring Devices ◽  
Reference Limits ◽  
High Pollution ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Daily Pm10 ◽  
Research Period

This paper analyzes the PM10 concentrations and influences of atmospheric condition (AC) and land coverage (LC) on a high-pollution megacity (Bogota, Colombia) from a public health viewpoint. Information of monitoring stations equipped with measuring devices for PM10/temperature/solar-radiation/wind-speed were used. The research period lasted eight years (2007–2014). AC and LC were determined after comparing daily PM10 concentrations (DPM10) to reference limits published by the World Health Organization (WHO). ARIMA models for DPM10 were also developed. The results indicated that urban sectors with lower atmospheric instability (AI) had a 2.85% increase in daily mortality (DM) in relation to sectors with greater AI. In these sectors of lower AI, impervious LC predominated, instead of vegetated LC. An ARIMA analysis revealed that a greater extent of impervious LC around a station led to a greater effect on previous days’ DPM10 concentrations. Extreme PM10 episodes persisted for up to two days. Extreme pollution episodes were probably also preceded by low mixing-layer heights (between 722–1085 m). The findings showed a 13.0% increase in WHO standard excesses (PE) for each 10 µg/m3 increase in DPM10, and a 0.313% increase in DM for each 10% increase in PE. The observed average reduction of 14.8% in DPM10 (−0.79% in DM) was probably due to 40% restriction of the traffic at peak hours.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Association between Air Pollution and Daily Mortality in the Capital of the Green Lungs of Poland–Population-Based Study with 2,953,000 Person-Years of Follow-Up

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 2351
Author(s):  
Łukasz Kuźma ◽  
Krzysztof Struniawski ◽  
Szymon Pogorzelski ◽  
Hanna Bachórzewska-Gajewska ◽  
Sławomir Dobrzycki
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
World Health ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Daily Mortality ◽  
Male Population ◽  
The Impact

(1) Introduction: air pollution is considered to be one of the main risk factors for public health. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of approximately 500,000 citizens of the European Union (EU), including almost 5000 inhabitants of Poland every year. (2) Purpose: to assess the gender differences in the impact of air pollution on the mortality in the population of the city of Bialystok—the capital of the Green Lungs of Poland. (3) Materials and Methods: based on the data from the Central Statistical Office, the number—and causes of death—of Białystok residents in the period 2008–2017 were analyzed. The study utilized the data recorded by the Provincial Inspectorate for Environmental Protection station and the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management during the analysis period. Time series regression with Poisson distribution was used in statistical analysis. (4) Results: A total of 34,005 deaths had been recorded, in which women accounted for 47.5%. The proportion of cardiovascular-related deaths was 48% (n = 16,370). An increase of SO2 concentration by 1-µg/m3 (relative risk (RR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.12; p = 0.005) and a 10 °C decrease of temperature (RR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.05; p = 0.005) were related to an increase in the number of daily deaths. No gender differences in the impact of air pollution on mortality were observed. In the analysis of the subgroup of cardiovascular deaths, the main pollutant that was found to have an effect on daily mortality was particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5); the RR for 10-µg/m3 increase of PM2.5 was 1.07 (95% CI 1.02–1.12; p = 0.01), and this effect was noted only in the male population. (5) Conclusions: air quality and atmospheric conditions had an impact on the mortality of Bialystok residents. The main air pollutant that influenced the mortality rate was SO2, and there were no gender differences in the impact of this pollutant. In the male population, an increased exposure to PM2.5 concentration was associated with significantly higher cardiovascular mortality. These findings suggest that improving air quality, in particular, even with lower SO2 levels than currently allowed by the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, may benefit public health. Further studies on this topic are needed, but our results bring questions whether the recommendations concerning acceptable concentrations of air pollutants should be stricter, or is there a safe concentration of SO2 in the air at all.

scholarly journals Assessing viability of a minimally invasive autopsy technique in ascertaining the probable cause of death in patients who were SARS CoV19 positive at the time of their demise

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay H. Bhandarwar ◽  
Girish D. Bakhshi ◽  
Eham Arora ◽  
Nikhil Dhimole ◽  
Sanjay R. Bijwe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
World Health ◽  
Invasive Technique ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Conventional Autopsy ◽  
Minimally Invasive Autopsy ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background SARS CoV-19 was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), raising up challenges on various levels ranging from therapeutics to diagnostics. The conventional autopsy technique may pose a health hazard to health care workers. A minimally invasive autopsy technique can diminish this hazard. Materials and methods Between August and November 2020, 51 patients who were suffering from Covid-19 at the time of their demise were included. A novel minimally invasive ultrasound-guided technique for procuring tissue samples of major organs was employed which were thereafter subject to histopathological examination. A detailed review of the course in hospital was noted. An analysis was performed to correlate the cause of death ascertained from our minimally invasive technique with the cause of death ascertained clinically. Results There was adequate tissue sampling in 45 cases, where the minimally invasive autopsy technique confirmed the cause of death in all 45 cases (100%) and made it more specific in 5 cases (11.11%). Conclusion Minimally Invasive Autopsy is an easily reproducible technique which has the potential to strengthen the probable the cause of death with reasonable certainty while ensuring safety and ethics.

“Air pollution arrested not imprisoned”: The impact of laws invoked on Covid-19 city lockdowns

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Mensah Aboagye ◽  
◽  
Nana Osei Owusu ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Environmental Problem ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
World Health ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

Air pollution continues to be an environmental problem that poses a lot of health risks to the young and aged. Developed countries have invested heavily to curb this environmental problem, causing severe threats to human lives, yet the results do not look convincing. In developing countries, the situation is difficult than they can imagine, resulting in governments borrowing to fight what looks like a lost battle [1-3]. The in-depth study of this environmental menace - air pollution, suggests that the government enacts stringent measures to help fight this battle. This is because air pollution has natural (volcanic eruption) and anthropogenic (human activities) causes. In December 2019, the deadly Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak was soon declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) [4]. Majority of countries have had their share of the impact of this outbreak. Many countries resorted to city lockdown to strictly control the movement of people and economic activities as recommended by WHO.

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons Categories Concentration in Soils Within the Vicinity Housing Heavy-Duty Diesel Generators in Three Universities in Port Harcourt South-South Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Petroleum Hydrocarbons ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Soxhlet Extraction ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons ◽  
Heavy Duty ◽  
Flame Ionization ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Diesel Generators ◽  
Heavy Duty Diesel

Total petroleum hydrocarbons pollution of soil samples randomly collected from three Nigeria Universities in Port Harcourt due to the use of heavy-duty diesel generators was studied to ascertains the level of concentration of the different hydrocarbons’ categories. The soil samples were collected at two different depths of 0.00-0.50m and 0.50-1.00m. The Universities were Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rivers State University (RSU) and University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT). The different total petroleum hydrocarbons categories were Gasoline Range Organics (GRO), Diesel Range Organics (DRO) and Lube Oil Range. Soxhlet extraction method was used in extracting the samples and due column clean-up was performed for chromatographic analysis. Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector was used to determine the level of concentrations of the different categories of total petroleum hydrocarbons. The results showed that at 0.00-0.50m depth, IAUE was 4.42145, 945.4784, and 525.66919 mg/Kg for GRO, DRO and lube oil range respectively, RSU was not detected, 494.44799 and 458.6715 mg/Kg for GRO, DRO and lube oil range respectively and UNIPORT was 4.40920, 501.2246 and 467.71426 mg/Kg for GRO, DRO and lube oil range respectively. At 0.50-1.00m depth IAUE was 2.75132, 596.35126, and 311.84451 mg/Kg for GRO, DRO and lube oil range respectively, RSU was not detected, 298.06899 and 270.61619 mg/Kg for GRO, DRO and lube oil range respectively and UNIPORT was 2.77780, 301.74701 and 276.88684 mg/Kg for GRO, DRO and lube oil range respectively. The level of soil contamination Showed that GRO > DRO > lube oil range. The observation showed that hydrocarbon pollution decreased with increase in depth. The level of DRO and lube oil range in the studied areas exceeded the limit acceptable and therefore adequate steps should be taken to remedy the situation so that it will not pose any health hazard to the workers operating the heavy-duty generators.

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