Search

Abstract The study sought to find out consumers’ perceptions regarding the use of earthenware bowls and plastic bowls to serve hot foods in two most patronized food joints within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. The study adopted a descriptive survey design to gather data from consumers and operators of the selected food joints to assess knowledge of the chemical composition and potential health effects of plastic bowls used in serving foods and to determine the consumer preference to plastic or earthenware bowl. A non-probability sampling technique was purposefully used to select the respondents. A sample of thirty-two (32) respondents comprising thirty (30) consumers and two (2) operators were used for the study. The main data-gathering instruments used were interviews and observation. Data gathered had been analyzed to draw conclusions. The study revealed among others, that most of the customers had inadequate information about the potential health effects on eating from plastic bowls and the health benefits of using earthenware bowls. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others, that responsible authorities like Food and Drug Authority (FDA) should help the consumers to have a more profound knowledge concerning likely health implications of incessantly eating of hot foods in plastic bowls.

Abstract Background Cigar use among adults in the United States has remained relatively stable in the past decade and occupies a growing part of the tobacco marketplace as cigarette use has declined. While studies have established the detrimental respiratory health effects of cigarette use, the effects of cigar use need further characterization. In this study, we evaluate the prospective association between cigar use, with or without cigarettes, and asthma exacerbation. Methods We used data from Waves 1–5 (2013–2019) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study to run generalized estimating equation models examining the association between time-varying, one-wave-lagged cigarette and cigar use and self-reported asthma exacerbation among US adults (18+). We defined our exposure as non-established (reference), former, exclusive cigarette, exclusive cigar, and dual use. We defined an asthma exacerbation event as a reported asthma attack in the past 12 months necessitating oral or injected steroid medication or asthma symptoms disrupting sleep at least once a week in the past 30 days. We adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, household income, health insurance, established electronic nicotine delivery systems use, cigarette pack-years, secondhand smoke exposure, obesity, and baseline asthma exacerbation. Results Exclusive cigarette use (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.54) and dual use (IRR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.08–1.85) were associated with a higher rate of asthma exacerbation compared to non-established use, while former use (IRR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.80–1.28) and exclusive cigar use (IRR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.42–1.17) were not. Conclusion We found no association between exclusive cigar use and self-reported asthma exacerbation. However, exclusive cigarette use and dual cigarette and cigar use were associated with higher incidence rates of self-reported asthma exacerbation compared to non-established use. Studies should evaluate strategies to improve cigarette and cigar smoking cessation among adults with asthma who continue to smoke.

Abstract The present work’s objective is to give a comprehensive overview of the quality of groundwater in Qatar in terms of heavy metals content as well as investigating the cause and effect of the elevation in their levels above the WHO/US-EPA standards. The scope of the study included (1) physical and chemical analysis of 82 groundwater samples collected from various locations around Qatar, (2) development of ArcGIS maps depicting the variations in the levels, (3) assessment of the human health risks associated with the existing levels using three of the most used models which are: Hazard index (HI), Nemerow comprehensive pollution index (NCPI) and Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR). There is no extensive study ever reported to assess the health risks linked with the consumption of groundwater characterized with such heavy metals levels in Qatar. The chronic daily intake (CDI) of the investigated heavy metals (Ag, Mn, Cr, V, Mo and Sr) through ingestion and dermal pathways had a range of 1.4 × 10–5–6.7 × 10–1 mg/kg/day while the NCPI’s range was reported at 0–4.39. Moreover, the HI and ILCR were found to have a range of 0–3.2 and 5.6 × 10–4–5.5 × 10–2, respectively. The assessment of health risks, conducted in the present work, could be beneficial in building the baseline of heavy metals levels in groundwater in Qatar. This will also help in the determination of any future contamination of groundwater.

This work aims to summarize the current evidence on the toxicity and health impact of IQOS, taking into consideration the data source. On 1 June 2022, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases using the terms: ‘heated tobacco product’, ‘heat-not-burn’, ‘IQOS’, and ‘tobacco heating system’. The search was time-restricted to update a previous search conducted on 8 November 2021, on IQOS data from 2010–2021. The data source [independent, Philip Morris International (PMI), or other manufacturers] was retrieved from relevant sections of each publication. Publications were categorized into two general categories: 1) Toxicity assessments included in vitro, in vivo, and systems toxicology studies; and 2) The impact on human health included clinical studies assessing biomarkers of exposure and biomarkers of health effects. Generally, independent studies used classical in vitro and in vivo approaches, but PMI studies combined these with modeling of gene expression (i.e. systems toxicology). Toxicity assessment and health impact studies covered pulmonary, cardiovascular, and other systemic toxicity. PMI studies overall showed reduced toxicity and health risks of IQOS compared to cigarettes, but independent data did not always conform with this conclusion. This review highlights some discrepancies in IQOS risk assessment regarding methods, depth, and breadth of data collection, as well as conclusions based on the data source.

Abstract Air pollution poses a major threat to both the environment and public health. The air quality index (AQI), aggregate AQI, new health risk–based air quality index (NHAQI), and NHAQI-WHO were employed to quantitatively evaluate the characterization of air pollution and the associated health risk in Gansu Province before (P-I) and after (P-II) COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicated that AQI system undervalued the comprehensive health risk impact of the six criteria pollutants compared with the other three indices. The stringent lockdown measures contributed to a considerable reduction in SO2, CO, PM2.5, NO2 and PM10; these concentrations were 43.4%, 34.6%, 21.4%, 17.4%, and 14.2% lower in P-II than P-I, respectively. But the concentration of O3 had no obvious improvement. The higher sandstorm frequency in P-II led to no significant decrease in the ERtotal and even resulted in an increase in the average ERtotal in cities located in northwestern Gansu from 0.78% in P-I to 1.0% in P-II. The cumulative distribution of NHAQI-based population-weighted exposure revealed that 24% of the total population was still exposed to light pollution in spring during P-II, while the air quality in other three seasons had significant improvements and all people were under healthy air quality level.

Abstract Introduction Gender-based violence (GBV) is a major public health problem that disproportionately affects women. In Cameroon, as well as other countries worldwide, GBV has immediate effects on women’s health, with one in three women experiencing physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner, affecting their physical and reproductive health. The objective of this study was to determine the health risks associated with GBV among women in Yaoundé. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Yaoundé (Cameroon), from August to October 2022. Adverse health outcome included mental disorders, physical trauma, gynaecological trauma, behavioral disorders, and any other disorder. Tests of associations were used to establish relationships between qualitative variables. Associations were further quantified using crude odds ratio (OR) for univariate analysis and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for multivariate analysis with 95% confidence interval (CI). Independent variables included: Physical violence, Sexual violence, Economic violence, Emotional violence, Age, Number of children, and Marital status. Variables with p-value˂0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results A total of 404 women aged 17 to 67 years were interviewed. Emotional violence was the most commonly reported violence (78.8%), followed by economic violence (56.9%), physical violence (45.8%) and sexual violence (33.7%). The main reasons for violence were jealousy (25.7%), insolence (19.3%) and the refusal to have sexual intercourse (16.3%). The prevalences of adverse health outcomes were physical trauma (90.9%), followed by mental disorders (70,5%), gynaecological trauma (38.4%), behavioral disorders (29.7%), and other (5.5%). Most victims reported at least one of the above-mentioned conditions (80.2%). Women who were victims of any kind of violence had a higher likelihood of experiencing adverse health outcomes: physical violence [OR = 34.9, CI(10.8-112.9), p

Background: social media consistsof many applications like Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and many more through which people communicate with each other. Over the past few years, the use of social media has increased tremendously. Apart from its advantages in our lives, increased use of social media has many health-related adverse effects like vision problems, sleep problems, depression and anxiety. This study aims to find the relationship between increased use of social media and its various health related adverse effects on the students of Khyber Medical College. Study type,settings & duration: This cross-sectional study conducted atKhyber Medical College, PeshawarfromJanuary to June 2020. Methodology: A sample size of 412 calculated using the WHO calculator for sample size and the sampling technique employed was a random sampling technique. The tool used to collect the data was questionnaire based; representative of each class group from first year to final year. SPSS Microsoft for Windows was used to analyze the data quantitatively. Results: Each variable was quantitatively weighed with a total of 63.8% of the study population exceeding 2 hours of recommended screen time. Of the various variables evaluated; depression, anxiety, disturbed sleep and vision problems showed a positive relationship with prolonged social media usage whereas use of sleep-inducing drugs were not related to prolonged social media usage. Conclusion: We were able to conclude from the comparison with previously conducted studies that health related problems have been on the rise due to increased utilization of social media apps which should be addressed.

Abstract In recent years, the combined pollution of PM2.5 and O3 in China, particularly in economically developed regions such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), has garnered significant attention due to its potential implications. This study systematically investigated the changes of PM2.5 and O3 and their associated human health effects in the GBA, utilizing observational data spanning from 2015 to 2019. The findings revealed a spatial trend indicating a gradual decrease in PM2.5 levels from the northwest to the southeast, while the spatial distribution of MDA8 O3 demonstrated an opposing pattern to that of PM2.5. The monthly fluctuations of PM2.5 and MDA8 O3 exhibited V-shaped and M-shaped patterns, respectively. Higher MDA8 O3 concentrations were observed in autumn, followed by summer and spring. Over the five-year period, PM2.5 concentrations exhibited a general decline, with an annual reduction rate of 1.7 μg m−3/year, while MDA8 O3 concentrations displayed an annual increase of 3.2 μg m−3. Among the GBA regions, Macao, Foshan, Guangzhou, and Jiangmen demonstrated notable decreases in PM2.5, whereas Jiangmen, Zhongshan, and Guangzhou experienced substantial increases in MDA8 O3 levels. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 in 2019 was associated with 21,113 (95% CI 4968–31,048) all-cause deaths (AD), 1333 (95% CI 762–1714) cardiovascular deaths (CD), and 1424 (95% CI 0–2848) respiratory deaths (RD), respectively, reflecting declines of 27.6%, 28.0%, and 28.4%, respectively, compared to 2015. Conversely, in 2019, estimated AD, CD, and RD attributable to O3 were 16,286 (95% CI 8143–32,572), 7321 (95% CI 2440–14,155), and 6314 (95% CI 0–13,576), respectively, representing increases of 45.9%, 46.2%, and 44.2% over 2015, respectively. Taken together, these findings underscored a shifting focus in air pollution control in the GBA, emphasizing the imperative for coordinated control strategies targeting both PM2.5 and O3.

Abstract Resveratrol is a nonflavonoid polyphenolic compound with a chemical structure consisting of two aromatic rings linked by a methylene bridge. It exists in two primary isomers and has a broad range of desirable biological activities, including antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, and antitumor activities. Some antioxidant properties of resveratrol are known with certainty, such as its potential to positively impact cardiovascular health, inflammation, and the metabolism. On the other hand, many uncertainties and controversies plague its efficacy, including issues related to its bioavailability, dosing, human clinical trial results, interactions with other food components and drugs, and individual variability. In brief, although promising results have been observed in in vitro and in vivo studies, the translation of these findings to human health remains uncertain. Many human clinical trials on resveratrol are ongoing or have proven inconclusive, making it challenging to definitively determine its efficacy for specific health conditions and its dose and duration of treatment. Resveratrol may interact with medications and have varying effects on individuals. In conclusion, it is essential to approach resveratrol with a balanced perspective, consulting with healthcare professionals, and considering the evolving scientific evidence when making decisions regarding its clinical use.

Air pollution has long been a major global concern in developing countries, posing serious health and environmental challenges. The awareness of the effects of air pollution on human health and the environment and various ways to mitigate the impact of air pollution was investigated in Awka, Anambra State. The population size was 1000. In carrying out this research, three hypotheses were postulated and tested at a 5% level of agreement. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the subjects, and simple percentages, and weighted mean statistics were used to analyze the data. In contrast, the Chi-square was used in testing the hypotheses. Results reveal that over 50 % of the residents of Awka are fully aware of the air pollution problem in the town and are knowledgeable about the dangers of air pollution. Air pollution is prevalent in Awka town, which is largely caused by heavy traffic resulting in increased vehicular emissions of poisonous gases. The findings show that air pollution significantly negatively impacts human health and the environment. The study recommends awareness creation, enactment of suitable legislation, and activities that promote air pollution, such as open incineration of wastes and bush burning, especially for agricultural purposes, should be discouraged. We underscore the necessity of facilitating more research on the associations between exposure and health in marginalized communities that are disproportionately affected by air pollution yet inadequately represented in existing investigations.

Background: Little is known about the demographic and health correlates of secondhand cannabis smoke (SHCS) exposure, despite increased availability and use of cannabis across the U.S. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of SHCS exposure in a sample of N=5,410 adults living in Oklahoma and the association of SHCS exposure with self-reported respiratory problems. Methods: Data were from a repeated cross-sectional online survey of adults ages 18 and older who completed measurements of past 30-day SHCS exposure in the respondent’s home, in a vehicle, and/or in an indoor setting; harm perceptions of SHCS exposure; frequency of current respiratory symptoms; past 30-day use of cannabis, alcohol, and cigarettes Results: Almost half (42 %) reported past 30-day SHCS exposure. In bivariate tests, those exposed were male, younger, non-Hispanic (NH) black or Hispanic, reported lower educational and financial attainment, had lower harm perceptions of SHCS exposure, endorsed more respiratory symptoms, and reported past 30-day cannabis and cigarette use (all p’s

Noise is ubiquitous in daily life and can cause both auditory and non-auditory health problems. Noise effects involve both direct and indirect pathways through which noise affects human health. A direct pathway encompasses the interactions between the central auditory system and other regions of the brain. The indirect pathway involves the cognitive and emotional response to a noise-exposure.This review begins by summarizing both auditory and non-auditory health effects of occupational and environmental noise exposures. It then guides the reader to adequate mitigation strategies and preventive measures to reduce the consequences of noise nuisance.

BackgroundE-cigarettes are often marketed as a less harmful alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes. Despite their popularity, the evidence regarding their effects on human health remains unclear and is filled with complexities.ObjectivesThis systematic review aims to elucidate the direct effects of electronic cigarette use on human health, carefully distinguishing between the specific characteristics of the populations studied.MethodologyAdhering to the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases without date restrictions, including articles in both Spanish and English. This approach enabled the identification and analysis of primary studies to understand the direct effect of electronic cigarettes on human health.ResultsA total of 33 studies were included that evaluated cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, weight and fertility effects. Only five studies analyzed e-cigarettes in healthy populations and seven studies compared healthy individuals against smokers. The effects evaluated on smokers or former tobacco smokers were apparently positive, however, among healthy individuals, increased heart rate, mean arterial pressure, oxidative stress, alteration of respiratory epithelial cells and increased airflow resistance were found.ConclusionSmokers or former smokers who switch to e-cigarettes may reduce their exposure to carcinogens and lower their risk of developing severe health issues associated with conventional smoking. However, in healthy individuals who have never smoked traditional cigarettes, the use of e-cigarettes introduces several cardiovascular and respiratory adverse effects. These findings suggest that while e-cigarettes can be a strategic harm reduction tool for smokers, they are not a safe option for non-smokers.

Many people still struggle with quitting smoking despite available treatment options, making it one of the most significant public health challenges that our society faces. The use of electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes) has become increasingly popular among people who are seeking to quit smoking. The objective of this review paper is to present a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms, several types, and impact of E-cigarettes, along with supporting evidence indicating their efficacy in aiding smokers to quit tobacco usage. Additionally, the review discusses recent developments in the treatment of smoking cessation, which include conventional smoking cessation methods. Also, the review discusses the challenges, potential risks, ethical considerations, and controversies surrounding the use of E-cigarettes. The present review presents a comprehensive examination of the existing methods and approaches employed in smoking cessation, including the emerging utilization of E-cigarettes as an effective option in smoking cessation. It explores their efficacy as a valuable instrument in promoting smoking cessation.

The ambient air quality standard (AAQS) is a vital policy instrument for protecting the environment and human health. Hainan Province is at the forefront of China's efforts to protect its ecological environment, with an official goal to achieve world-leading air quality by 2035. However, neither the national AAQS nor the World Health Organization guideline offers sufficient guidance for improving air quality in Hainan because Hainan has well met the former while the latter is excessively stringent. Consequently, the establishment of Hainan's local AAQS becomes imperative. Nonetheless, research regarding the development of local AAQS is scarce, especially in comparatively more polluted countries such as China. The relatively high background values and significant interannual fluctuations in air pollutant concentrations in Hainan present challenges in the development of local AAQS. Our research proposes a world-class local AAQS of Hainan Province by reviewing the AAQS in major countries or regions worldwide, analyzing the influence of different statistical forms, and carefully evaluating the attainability of the standard. In the proposed AAQS, the annual mean concentration limit for PM2.5, the annual 95th percentile of daily maximum 8-h mean (MDA8) concentration limit for O3, and the peak season concentration limit for O3 are set at 10, 120, and 85 μg/m3, respectively. Our study indicates that, with effective control policies, Hainan is projected to achieve compliance with the new standard by 2035. The implementation of the local AAQS is estimated to avoid 1,526 (1,253–1,789) and 259 (132–501) premature deaths attributable to long-term exposure to PM2.5 and O3 in Hainan in 2035, respectively.

Benzophenone ultraviolet light filters (BPs) are high-production-volume chemicals extensively used in personal care products, leading to widespread human exposure. Given their estrogenic properties, the potential health risks associated with exposure to BPs have become a public health concern. This review aims to summarize sources and pathways of exposure to BPs and associated health risks. Dermal exposure, primarily through the use of sunscreens, constitutes a major pathway for BP exposure. At a recommended application rate, dermal exposure of BP-3 via the application of sunscreens may reach or exceed the suggested reference dose. Other exposure pathways to BPs, such as drinking water, seafood, and packaged foods, contribute minimal to the overall dose. Inhalation is a minor pathway of exposure; however, its contribution cannot be ignored. Human exposure to BPs is an order of magnitude higher in North America than in Asia and Europe. Studies conducted on laboratory animals and cells have consistently demonstrated the toxic effects of BP exposure. BPs are estrogenic and elicit reproductive and developmental toxicities. Furthermore, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and carcinogenicity have been reported from chronic BP exposure. In addition to animal and cell studies, epidemiological investigations have identified associations between BPs and couples' fecundity and other reproductive disorders, as well as adverse birth outcomes. Further studies are urgently needed to understand the risks posed by BPs on human health.

Wastewater discharges from industrial processes typically include elevated concentrations of contaminants, which largely consist of potentially harmful chemicals such as heavy metals. These contaminants are characterized by their slow rate of decomposition. Hence, the removal of these metallic ions from effluents poses a challenge. Among different treatments, the adsorption approach has considerable potential due to its ability to effectively eliminate both soluble and insoluble pollutants from effluent, even at lower levels of concentration. Of various wastes, fly ash (FA) material has been the subject of attention because it is abundant, has favorable qualities, and contains a high percentage of minerals. This review investigates multiple facets, with a specific focus on the application of FA, an industrial byproduct, as an adsorbent in removing heavy metals. A comprehensive examination was conducted on a range of concerns pertaining to the pollution caused by metallic ions, including the underlying causes, levels of contamination, health implications of heavy metals, and removal methods. Multiple factors were found to affect the adsorption process. Of all the factors, the pH value considerably influences the elimination of heavy metals. An acidic pH range of 2.5–4.5 was found to be optimal for achieving the highest possible elimination of As(V), Cu(II), Hg(II), and Cr(VI). The latter elimination rate reached 89% at the optimal pH level. Most heavy metals’ adsorption isotherms conformed to the Langmuir or Freundlich models, while the pseudo-second-order kinetics provided a satisfactory match for their removal. Using a raw FA, adsorption capacities were achieved in the removal of metallic ions, Ni(II), Pb(II), and Cr(VI), that ranged from 14.0 to 23.9 mg g−1. Meanwhile, the FA-zeolite showed a remarkable capacity to adsorb ions Mn(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), and Pb(II), with values ranging from about 31 to 66 mg g−1. The cost analysis showed that the treatment of FA is economically advantageous and may result in significant cost reductions in comparison to commercial adsorbents. In summary, FA is an inexpensive waste material with potential for water treatment applications and several other purposes due to its excellent chemical and mineralogical composition.

Abstract Background While regular cigar smoking is believed to carry similar health risks as regular cigarette smoking, the impact of cigar use, alone or in combination with cigarettes, on obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been well characterized. The purpose of this study was to examine the prospective association between exclusive and dual cigar and cigarette use and incident self-reported diagnosed COPD. Methods This study used data from Waves 1–5 (2013–2019) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults. Longitudinal data from adults aged 40 to 79 at Wave 1, without a pre-existing COPD diagnosis who participated at follow-up interview were analyzed. A time-varying current tobacco exposure, lagged by one wave and categorized as: (a) never/non-current use; (b) exclusive cigar use; (c) exclusive cigarette use; and (d) dual cigar/cigarette use. Multivariable models adjusted for demographics (age, sex, race or ethnicity, education), clinical risk factors (asthma, obesity), and smoking-related confounders (second-hand smoke exposure, other combustible tobacco product use, e-cigarette use, time since quitting, cigarette pack-years). The incidence of self-reported diagnosed COPD was estimated using discrete-time survival models, using a general linear modeling (GLM) approach with a binomial distribution and a complementary log-log link function. Results The analytic sample consisted of 9,556 adults with a mean (SD) age of 56 (10.4), who were predominately female (52.8%) and Non-Hispanic White (70.8%). A total of 906 respondents reported a diagnosis of COPD at follow-up. In the fully adjusted model, exclusive cigar use (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.57, 95% CI: 0.77, 3.21) was not associated with increased COPD risk compared to non-use, while exclusive cigarette use (aHR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.93) and dual cigar/cigarette use (aHR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.85) were. Conclusions Exclusive cigarette use and dual cigar/cigarette use were associated with diagnosed incident COPD. These results suggest that cigars, when used in combination with cigarettes, may be associated with poorer COPD health outcomes. Dual use may promote a higher likelihood of inhaling cigar smoke, and future research would benefit from examining whether inhalation of cigar smoke increases COPD risk.

In the European Union, the escalating generation of waste, together with the difficulties in finding new places for its disposal, have led to choose for incineration as an alternative to the management of non-reusable or recyclable waste, recovering it and generating energy. The incineration of waste, however, generates a series of contaminants that have been associated with effects on human health and the environment. Several studies have analysed the impact produced by energy recovery plants, by comparing the concentration of pollutants both in air and in biological samples donated by the population living near and far from these facilities. A notable limitation in existing research is the scarcity of baseline data on dioxins, furans, and PCBs in air and in the general population prior to the plant ́s start of operations. Such data facilitates meaningful comparisons with post-start-up levels. This article delineates the methodology employed to assess the impact on air quality and public health resulting from the implementation of an energy recovery facility through an urban waste incineration (waste-to-energy plant) in Gipuzkoa, located in the Basque Country, Spain. This methodology includes the measurement of the levels of contaminants in air, the level of exposure of the population by measuring the body load of contaminants, and the concentrations in soil and locally produced food. Furthermore, the health status of the population has been evaluated in both the short and long term, as well as the assessment of the risk from exposure to air pollution.

IntroductionThe presence of the Penicillium section Aspergilloides (formerly known as Penicillium glabrum) in the cork industry involves the risk of respiratory diseases such as suberosis.MethodsThe aim of this study was to corroborate the predominant fungi present in this occupational environment by performing a mycological analysis of 360 workers’ nasal exudates collected by nasal swabs. Additionally, evaluation of respiratory disorders among the cork workers was also performed by spirometry.ResultsPenicillium section Aspergilloides was detected by qPCR in 37 out of the 360 nasal swabs collected from workers’ samples. From those, 25 remained negative for Penicillium sp. when using culture-based methods. A significant association was found between ventilatory defects and years of work in the cork industry, with those people working for 10 or more years in this industry having an approximately two-fold increased risk of having ventilatory defects compared to those working less time in this setting. Among the workers who detected the presence of Penicillium section Aspergilloides, those with symptoms presented slightly higher average values of CFU.DiscussionOverall, the results obtained in this study show that working in the cork industry may have adverse effects on worker’s respiratory health. Nevertheless, more studies are needed (e.g., using serological assays) to clarify the impact of each risk factor (fungi and dust) on disease etiology.

Fusion energy investigation has stepped to a new stage adopting deuterium and tritium as fuels from the previous stage concentrating hydrogen plasma physics. Special radiation safety issues would be introduced during this stage. In addition to industrial and military uses, tungsten is also regarded as the most promising plasma facing material for fusion reactors. During the operation of fusion reactors, tungsten-based plasma facing materials can be activated via neutron nuclear reaction. Meanwhile, activated tungsten dust can be produced when high-energy plasma interacts with the tungsten-based plasma facing materials, namely plasma wall interaction. Activated tungsten dust would be an emerging environmental pollutant with radiation toxicity containing various radionuclides in addition to the chemical toxicity of tungsten itself. Nonetheless, the historical underestimation of its environmental availability has led to limited research on tungsten compared to other environmental contaminants. This paper presents the first systematic review on the safety issue of emerging activated tungsten dust, encompassing source terms, environmental behaviors, and health effects. The key contents are as follows: 1) to detail the source terms of activated tungsten dust from aspects of tungsten basic properties, generation mechanism, physical morphology and chemical component, radioactivity, as well as potential release pathways, 2) to illustrate the environmental behaviors from aspects of atmospheric dispersion and deposition, transformation and migration in soil, as well as plant absorption and distribution, 3) to identify the toxicity and health effects from aspects of toxicity to plants, distribution in human body, as well as health effects by radiation and chemical toxicity, 4) based on the research progress, research and development issues needed are also pointed out to better knowledge of safety issue of activated tungsten dust, which would be beneficial to the area of fusion energy and ecological impact caused by the routine tungsten related industrial and military applications.

Soil contamination by lead, zinc, iron, manganese, and copper is a widespread environmental issue associated with the mining industry. Primary sources include mining activities, production and processing operations, waste disposal and management practices, and atmospheric sediments. Soil contamination and degradation, water pollution impacting aquatic ecosystems, plant absorption leading to agricultural product contamination, health risks associated with exposure to lead, zinc, iron, manganese, and copper, along with effects on fauna and biodiversity, constitute the primary environmental and health impacts of contamination.In this study, diverse sampling and analysis methods, geographic information systems, and remote sensing techniques are investigated for monitoring and assessing soil contamination with these metals. Soil modification techniques, phytoremediation, and other strategies for reduction and modification are considered among the most crucial, alongside health protection and risk management strategies. Finally, the article explores innovative methods and solutions for mineral waste management and remediation, the application of green chemistry and sustainable practices in the mining industry, and the utilization of artificial intelligence for controlling heavy metal ion pollution.

Traditional environmental epidemiology has consistently focused on studying the impact of single exposures on specific health outcomes, considering concurrent exposures as variables to be controlled. However, with the continuous changes in environment, humans are increasingly facing more complex exposures to multi-pollutant mixtures. In this context, accurately assessing the impact of multi-pollutant mixtures on health has become a central concern in current environmental research. Simultaneously, the continuous development and optimization of statistical methods offer robust support for handling large datasets, strengthening the capability to conduct in-depth research on the effects of multiple exposures on health. In order to examine complicated exposure mixtures, we introduce commonly used statistical methods and their developments, such as weighted quantile sum, bayesian kernel machine regression, toxic equivalency analysis, and others. Delineating their applications, advantages, weaknesses, and interpretability of results. It also provides guidance for researchers involved in studying multi-pollutant mixtures, aiding them in selecting appropriate statistical methods and utilizing R software for more accurate and comprehensive assessments of the impact of multi-pollutant mixtures on human health.

The Maillard reaction during the production of brown sugar is critical to the color, flavor and functional characteristics of brown sugar, but it also produces substances potentially harmful to human health such as glyoxal (GO), methylglyoxal (MGO), 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), and acrylamide. This paper introduces the Maillard reaction at the key stages of the brown sugar production process, its influential factors, its possible harmful products and their effects on human health, and it puts forward some suggestions for controlling the production of harmful products from Maillard reaction during brown sugar production in order to provide a theoretical reference for improving the safety of brown sugar for consumption.

Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) pollution has become a pressing global environmental issue, with growing concerns regarding its impact on human health. However, evidence on the effects of MNPs on human health remains limited. This paper reviews the three routes of human exposure to MNPs, which include ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. It further discusses the potential routes of translocation of MNPs in human lungs, intestines, and skin, analyses the potential impact of MNPs on the homeostasis of human organ systems, and provides an outlook on future research priorities for MNPs in human health. There is growing evidence that MNPs are present in human tissues or fluids. Lab studies, including in vivo animal models and in vitro human-derived cell cultures, revealed that MNPs exposure could negatively affect human health. MNPs exposure could cause oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, disruption of internal barriers like the intestinal, the air–blood and the placental barrier, tissue damage, as well as immune homeostasis imbalance, endocrine disruption, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. Limitedly available epidemiological studies suggest that disorders like lung nodules, asthma, and blood thrombus might be caused or exacerbated by MNPs exposure. However, direct evidence for the effects of MNPs on human health is still scarce, and future research in this area is needed to provide quantitative support for assessing the risk of MNPs to human health.

Pesticides are chemicals used to control pests with sometime harmful effects on human health. This paper presents results of self-reported health effects experienced by cotton farmers in the Central-West region of Burkina Faso. It was a cross-sectional survey conducted from October to December 2021 among 585 consenting conventional and organic cotton farmers. Data collected included pesticides used, they use conditions, farming practices, experienced health effects. Binary logistic regression was used to find relationships between self-reported health effects and the type of cotton produced. Results showed that all conventional cotton farmers (100%) reported using synthetic pesticides compared to organic ones who using only natural insecticides. Both conventional and organic farmers reported health effects that occurred at least once since they started using pesticides, involving skin effects (85.27% conventional, 65.52% organic), nervous (88.95% conventional, 48,71% organic), respiratory (88.10% conventional, 67.67% organic) systems. 99.72% of conventional farmers vs 46.98% of organic ones reported skin irritation following pesticide use. 69.97% of conventional vs 35.34% of organic cotton farmers reported acute signs such as severe headaches. In univariate and multivariate logistic regressions, severe headaches, dizziness, skin, and ocular effects were significantly associated with conventional farmers compared to organic ones (p

Abstract Background This study aimed to assess the impact of the increased prevalence of sanitary toilets in rural areas on the health of rural residents, and whether the popularity thereof has a positive externality. This study investigates whether the broader use of sanitary toilets has had a positive effect on the health of people who do not have access to them. Methods Data from the China Family Panel Studies from 2012 to 2014 and a two-way fixed effect model were used to investigate the relationship between the prevalence of village sanitary toilets and the health of rural residents of all ages. Results The results showed that: (1) the increase in the prevalence of sanitary toilets in villages is conducive to improving the health level of rural residents; (2) the widespread adoption of sanitary toilets in rural areas has improved the health of not only residents with access to these toilets but also residents without access; (3) the health of children is more sensitive to improvements in sanitary conditions of toilets; and (4) there are significant regional differences in the impact of the popularity of sanitary toilets on the health of rural residents. Conclusions This study found that the popularity of sanitary toilets has externalities, improving not only the health of residents who use them but also the health of other residents. This study enriches the literature in the field of health effects of sanitation improvement, while providing a reference for developing countries to further enhance the living environment in rural areas. In the future, the popularization of sanitary toilets should be vigorously promoted to reduce the incidence of diseases.

Mustafa Ghanim,1 Rami Mosleh,2 Anas Hamdan,3 Johnny Amer,4 Malik Alqub,4 Yazun Jarrar,5 Majdi Dwikat4 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; 2Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; 3Department of Anesthesia and Resuscitation Technology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; 4Department of Allied and Applied Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; 5Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt, JordanCorrespondence: Mustafa Ghanim, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, P.O Box: 7, Nablus, Palestine, Email mustafa.ghanim@najah.edu Malik Alqub, Department of Allied and Applied Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, P.O Box: 7, Nablus, Palestine, Email m.alqub@najah.eduBackground/Aim: Consanguinity represents a biological relationship between two individuals. In clinical genetics, it specifically refers to the marriage between individuals who are second cousins or closer. The aim of the study is to assess perceptions and their predictors among the Palestinian population towards consanguinity.Methods: A survey-based cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample was collected using convenience and snowball sampling methods, yielding a sample of 1008 participants. The perceptions towards consanguinity and its predictors were assessed using Chi-square test.Results: The prevalence of consanguinity among married participants was 18.7% (N = 81/432), while it was 28.8% among their parents. Consanguinity rate was significantly low among the young age group (ie, < 47 years old) and among participants whose mothers have undergraduate educational levels (P < 0.05). Other factors like parental consanguinity, educational level of participants, their father’s educational level, and residency place showed no significant associations (P > 0.05). Rejection of consanguinity was significantly noted among young age participants, absence of parental consanguinity, the presence of children or family members with genetic disorders and female gender (P < 0.001). Furthermore, participants who indicated that they are governmental employees, those with 2000– 5000 ILS monthly income, those who are married (P < 0.01), and those who indicated that their mothers are holders of postgraduate degree were significantly more likely to reject the idea of consanguinity (P < 0.05). Also, medical and/or scientific reasons were significantly associated with rejecting the idea of consanguinity (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Consanguinity prevalence has decreased among recent generations in Palestine, but it remains a significant challenge in Palestine. Therefore, educational and awareness programs about consanguinity and its health effects are effective strategies for reducing the consanguinity rate, especially for persons who are at the age of marriage.Keywords: consanguinity, perceptions, awareness, genetics, health effects

Noise pollution in the mining industry has become a serious concern in recent years and has aroused extensive health complaints for the mine workers. Despite the increasing knowledge of the association between noise exposure and health effects, only a few studies have investigated the adverse health effects due to noise pollution in the mining industry. The present study aims to determine the interrelationship of mining noise (MN), demographic characteristics (DC), noise sensitivity and noise annoyance (NA) with subjective health complaints (SHC). A PLS-SEM approach has been used to assess the direct and indirect relationship between the influencing factors on the SHC of 272 people in the mines. Field measurements were made using a sound level meter to evaluate the ambient noise levels for 1 h duration during day and night hour shifts in Dhansar and Bastacolla mining areas of the Jharia coalfield. The noise maps revealed that most of the locations have noise levels higher than 70 dB(A). The statistical model suggests that NA is the most important predictor of SHC. Besides, DC and MN induce only indirect effect on SHC. The study shall facilitate in developing a decision support tool for the assessment of noise levels, induced annoyance, SHC, and suitable policy interventions for controlling noise exposure among mine workers in the coalfield.

Abstract Background While there have been many previous studies focusing on the adverse effects of khat chewing, attempts to investigate the protective behavioural strategies (PBS) employed by the khat using population are rare. PBS are strategies that substance users employ to minimize or alleviate the possible negative consequences related to the behaviour. This study focuses on the harms that chewers associate with khat use, and the behavioural strategies they practise to prevent or minimize these harms. Methods A community-based qualitative study was conducted using a snowball sampling technique to recruit a diverse sample of khat chewing participants (N = 102) in Jimma city, Ethiopia. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were carried out with the participants. Results Participants identified a variety of harms likely to result from chewing khat. These include impacts on their finances, work, social life and health. The PBS that participants employed to avoid or minimize the risks were classified into four themes based on their temporal sequence with khat chewing sessions: prior to chewing, during chewing, after chewing and general PBS covering the whole of their khat chewing career. The PBS enable khat chewers to prevent or minimize the adverse health consequences of chewing, socialize and work without or with fewer difficulties and manage their economy successfully. Conclusion The study participants believe that khat-related harms are avoidable if khat users implement appropriate strategies prior to, during and after chewing, and if they apply PBS to khat-related factors (e.g. type, amount and frequency), set factors (e.g. reason for using and health behaviour) and setting factors (e.g. place of use, when used, with whom used and social norms) covering the whole of their khat chewing career.

Abstract Background Particulate matter (PM) is known to contain heavy metals and be harmful to the tissues and organs of the human body including the eyes. As such, in this study, the deposition of heavy metals from PM on soft contact lenses was examined, and changes in the lens parameters were further investigated. Methods Six types of soft contact lenses were exposed to captured PM10 for eight hours. The central thickness, water content, refractive power, and oxygen transmissibility of each contact lens were measured after analyzing the amounts of six heavy metals adsorbed on the contact lenses. Results Lead, manganese, barium, arsenic, vanadium, and cadmium were detected in the captured PM, and only lead was adsorbed on all soft contact lenses except senofilcon C. The largest deposition was 23.21 ± 0.70 (10− 3)µg/lens of the lead on lotrafilcon B. The oxygen transmissibility of nelfilcon A exhibited statistically significant changes, however, it was within the ISO standard tolerance. Nevertheless, changes in the central thickness, water content, and refractive power of each soft contact lens were not statistically significant. Conclusions This study revealed that a considerable amount of lead in PM10 was adsorbed on soft contact lenses. Amongst lens parameters, only oxygen transmissibility changed significantly. Thus, wearing soft contact lenses under high PM10 concentration might affect the physiology of the eyes.

Abstract Background It is still uncertain whether and how formal long-term care (LTC) systems affect the health status of family members. This paper examines the health effects of long-term care insurance (LTCI) on spouses of disabled people in China. Methods The data is from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS), a longitudinal survey of a nationally representative sample of Chinese residents aged 45 or older and their spouses, and China City Statistical Yearbook. Exploiting the regional variation in the implementation of LTCI in the first round of pilot cities in China, a difference-in-difference (DID) strategy is applied to identify the causal effects of LTCI on the health status of spouses of disabled people. We carefully identify the causal effects by controlling for city-level covariates, testing common trends between the treatment and control groups, combining propensity score matching (PSM) with DID, selecting the second round of pilot cities as the control group, controlling for city fixed effects (FE) instead of individual FE, and evaluating selection bias from omitted observable and unobservable factors. Results The introduction of LTCI in China reduces the number of painful body parts and the self-reported health score significantly, indicating that spouses of disabled people get physical health benefits from LTCI coverage. However, the impact of LTCI on the depression index remains ambiguous and needs to be analyzed further. LTCI improves the physical health status of spouses of disabled individuals mainly through the time reallocation channel, while the impact of the consumption promotion channel has not been verified. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of LTCI on physical health are stronger for spouse caregivers and spouses with lower-level education and lower household income. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that LTCI not only improves the health status of family caregivers by reducing their caregiving burden but also has beneficial health effects on non-caregiver family members. Policy designs of LTCI should emphasize the orientation of home and community-based care services (HCBS), which can not only satisfy the care preferences of disabled individuals, reduce the care burden on family caregivers, promote the health of all family members, but also prevent a large number of disabled individuals from choosing high-cost institutional care and reduce the financial burden of the LTCI Fund.

This study assessed workers’ exposure to vehicle exhaust emissions and its health effects at the Lebombo Port of Entry. A quantitative cross-sectional design was adopted, and a structured questionnaire was administered on 209 adult workers to measure their knowledge on vehicle exhaust emissions exposures. Air samples were also collected from the participants using air sampling pumps. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 27. Logistic regression was performed to examine the association between dependent variables and some sociodemographic factors. Vocational certificates and associate degrees were attributed to workers in the South African Police Services and those in Agriculture: (Odds Ratio) = 2.83%, Confidence Interval (1.41–5.65) and (Odds Ratio) = 4.58%, Confidence Interval (2.10–9.99), respectively. Divorced males had a high level of knowledge and awareness of vehicle exhaust emission and their health effects: (Adjusted Odds Ratio) = 5.31%, Confidence Interval (1.08–26.14). Males had better knowledge of vehicle exhaust emission with carcinogenic effects: (Adjusted Odds Ratio) = 3.28%, Confidence Interval (1.11–9.67). Having an associate’s degree as the highest level of education and irritation of nose and eyes were associated with lower awareness of vehicle exhaust emissions: (Adjusted Odds Ratio) = 0.42%, Confidence Interval (0.19–0.97) and (Adjusted Odds Ratio) = 0.31%, Confidence Interval (0.13–0.76), respectively. The diesel particulate matter concentration was higher during day shifts (0.027 mg/m3) compared to night shifts (0.021 mg/m3), p = 0.001. Seventy-one workers (34%) reported experiencing acute headaches often, and fewer workers (n = 31, 14.8%) reported to have never suffered from an acute headache. A majority of workers (71 (34%)) experienced acute irritation of nose and eyes often compared to a few (33 (16%)) workers who experienced the same less often. In addition, a majority of workers (84 (40.2%)) experienced acute fatigue and nausea often, while fewer workers (37 (17.7%)) experienced fatigue and nausea very often. The majority of workers (n = 116, 55.5%) suffered cough and sneezing more often compared to others. There is an urgent need for improved and effective controls to reduce workers’ exposure to vehicle exhaust emissions.

Introduction: Pesticides cause short-term as well as long-term health effects. Agriculture workers are at high risk of effect. So, this study aimed to identify the health effects of pesticides among small-scale farmers in the municipality of Bhaktapur, Nepal. Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in all wards of Changunarayan Municipality, Bhaktapur, Nepal. Farmers of selected households who adopted agriculture as their main occupation were included in this study. The sample size for the study was 132. Proportionate stratified sampling was used to determine the farmer from each ward and simple random sampling was used to reach every respondent. Face-to-face interview technique and semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test was applied to measure an association between selected variables. Results: All of the farmers used pesticides and about two-thirds 74(64.9%) experienced both immediate as well as delayed symptoms due to the use of pesticides. Majority of them showed general symptoms such as eye irritation 87(76.3%), difficulty in breathing 70(61.4%) and fatigue 55(48.2%). There was an association between the frequency of exposure and health effects due to pesticide use which was found to be statistically significant at a significance level with p-value 0.042. Conclusion: Health effects such as skin rashes, effects on the eyes, and respiratory system were reported. The most prevalent effects were eye irritation, difficulty in breathing, and itching of the skin. Training on pesticide use and awareness should be conducted by municipalities to reduce the effects.

China is actively encouraging households to replace traditional solid fuels with clean energy. Based on the Chinese Families Panel Survey (CFPS) data, this paper uses propensity scores matching with the difference-in-differences model to examine the impact of clean energy in the household sector on residents’ health status, and whether such an energy transition promotes health equity by favoring relatively disadvantaged social groups. The results show that: (1) The use of cleaner cooking fuels can significantly improve residents’ health status; (2) The older adult and women have higher health returns from the clean energy transition, demonstrating that, from the perspective of age and gender, the energy transition contributes to the promotion of health equity; (3) The clean energy transition has a lower or insignificant health impact on residents who cannot easily obtain clean energy or replace non-clean energy at an affordable price. Most of these individuals live in low-income, energy-poor, or rural households. Thus, the energy transition exacerbates health inequalities. This paper suggests that to reduce the cost of using clean energy and help address key issues in health inequality, Chinese government efforts should focus on improving the affordability, accessibility, and reliability of clean energy.

Introduction: Biomass Fuels (BMF) used for daily cooking in developing countries inside home is the highest exposures to air pollutants. Inhalation of these pollutants causes harmful health effects. This study aims to assess the health effects with the indoor air pollutants generated BMF. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted in a rural village of India. 450 households were divided into two groups based on the cooking fuel, the BMF group and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) clean fuel group. Socioeconomic and respiratory symptoms information was obtained using a standard questionnaire. Indoor air concentration for PM10 and PM2.5 was measured during cooking hours. Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) were conducted for the women inhabitants using spirometer. Results: Respiratory symptoms like chest pain, breathlessness, eye irritation, and blackout found to be significantly higher in biomass users (P

Energy drinks are carbonated or non-carbonated beverages containing stimulants designed to improve energy and concentration. These drinks are gaining popularity, specifically among teenagers and young adults. However, despite their easy availability on store shelves, there is growing concern about the safety and health effects of consuming energy drinks in particular. Energy drinks appear to have the greatest impact on the cardiovascular system, leading to increased blood pressure and increased heart rate, and on the mental state of consumers, in the long term causing increased levels of anxiety. The paper also addresses the effects of energy drinks on the nervous and gastrointestinal systems. Despite many studies, the health effects of energy drinks have still not been fully investigated, so there is a need for further research on the subject and for age-appropriate regulation of consumers and their education.

With the rapid development of the social economy and the innovation of educational theories, college students’ physical and mental health has gradually become a hot spot of social concern. This paper proposes three research hypotheses based on health beliefs, social support, and cognitive psychological models and uses the SRHMS scale as a health assessment tool. Using data statistics, double-difference modeling, and other methods, according to whether or not they participate in martial arts in sports they take part in, they are divided into martial arts sports group and general sports group, and compare and analyze the health effects of martial arts on college students for assessment. The experimental results showed that the net effect values of X college martial arts sports on the physiological, psychological, and social health of the students in the class of 2023 were 1.558, 0.587, and 0.623, respectively, all showing significant differences with traditional physical education. This indicates that Wushu sports have positive promotional effects on individual physiological, psychological, and social health.

Summary: Humans are exposed to micro-and-nano plastics (MNPs) through various routes, but the adverse health effects of MNPs on different organ systems are not yet fully understood. This review aims to provide an overview of the potential impacts of MNPs on various organ systems and identify knowledge gaps in current research. The summarized results suggest that exposure to MNPs can lead to health effects through oxidative stress, inflammation, immune dysfunction, altered biochemical and energy metabolism, impaired cell proliferation, disrupted microbial metabolic pathways, abnormal organ development, and carcinogenicity. There is limited human data on the health effects of MNPs, despite evidence from animal and cellular studies. Most of the published research has focused on specific types of MNPs to assess their toxicity, while other types of plastic particles commonly found in the environment remain unstudied. Future studies should investigate MNPs exposure by considering realistic concentrations, dose-dependent effects, individual susceptibility, and confounding factors.

The study considers the impact on the person’s health and psycho-emotional state of unpleasant odors arising from the storage and accumulation of bioorganic waste, including food waste (meat, poultry, fruits and vegetables) and bird droppings. The survey data of poultry and livestock farms’ employees in Serbia are given. The impact of unpleasant odors on the Waste sorting complex (Moscow region) employees’ vital signs is assessed. The impact of high-intensity odor groups for individual components of food waste (pork meat, poultry meat, vegetables and fruits) and bird droppings was studied by interviewing volunteers and measuring their vital signs.

Abstract Guiyu has been one of the world’s largest destinations for electronic waste (e-waste) recycling for decades. The recyling process in Guiyu relied on informal and family-based activities, which have led to severe environmental pollution and associated extensive health problems. This review examines the connections between exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and health outcomes, particularly in neonates, children and pregnant women. The residents in Guiyu exhibit high levels of contamination from POPs, especially PBDEs, PAHs and PCBs. Excessive exposure to these compounds have been associated with multi-system and long-term effects in children, changes in gestational age in pregnant mothers, and adverse birth outcomes in neonates. The findings raise concerns about the impact of POPs stemming from e-waste recycling on human health, and contribute to a better understanding of the need for monitoring sources, distribution, and effects of e-waste related-POPs in other regions of China and similar sites worldwide.

ABSTRACTMoringa oleifera Lam. (Moringa) plant, which belongs to the Moringaceae family, is an important crop in Asia and Africa. Moringa has been investigated for its health benefits, which are related to several bioactive components found in the plant, including flavonoids, vitamins, phenolic acids, isothiocyanates, saponins, and tannins. The leaves of moringa have been researched extensively and hence proven to be effective in various chronic illnesses such as insulin resistance, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, cancer, nonalcoholic liver disease, high blood pressure, and general inflammation. Moringa includes a variety of dietary phytonutrients, notably flavonoids, the secondary plant metabolites which have health-enhancing effects, such as avoiding damage to normal cellular DNA and stimulating the death of cancer cells, therefore reducing the prevalence of non-communicable disorders (NCDs). Flavonoids are phenolic chemicals, which are plant elements that correlate to the non-energy portion of a person’s diet. Flavonoids are often removed chemically using solvents and conventional techniques that, in addition to being costly, take a long time and have an impact on the bioactivity of these substances. As a consequence, there is no universally applicable extraction procedure, and each best practice is adapted to the specific plants involved. To be selective, an extraction technique must have combined an ideal solvent or mixture of solvents with an optimum procedure. In this study, we provide information on the improved and standardized extraction process from Moringa leaf extract concerning flavonoids and its good consequences on immune system efficacy that have been documented.

Abstract High consumption of delicious foods, such as chocolates, is considered excellent snacks, capable of converting from health‐threatening to great functional foods. The fortification of chocolates with high‐value‐added plant‐based substances might improve their healthful effects, nutritional properties, and shelf life. Chocolate could be an effective carrier for plant‐based substances delivery, and it could be an effective vehicle to treat and reduce the indications of disease, such as obesity, overweight, hypertension, stress, cardiovascular failure, congestive heart failure, and diabetes. Referring to the recent studies in chocolate fortification with high‐value‐added plant‐based substances, it seems that the recent trends are toward its therapeutic effects against noncommunicable diseases. Despite the undeniable functional effects of fortified chocolates, there are some challenges in the fortification way of chocolates. In other words, their functional characteristics, such as rheological and sensory attributes, may undesirably change. It seems that encapsulation techniques, such as spray drying, antisolvent precipitation, nanoemulsification, and liposomal encapsulation, could almost overcome these challenges. Thus, several studies focused on designing and fabricating nanoscale delivery systems with the aim of chocolate fortification, which is discussed.

The world’s climate, particularly in Africa, has changed substantially during the past few decades, contributed by several human activities. Africa is one of the continents that is most vulnerable to climate change globally. Since the beginning of 2022, extreme weather events in Africa have affected about 19 million people and killed at least 4,000 individuals. Cyclones, floods, heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and famine were among the severe weather occurrences. Natural disasters and extreme weather events brought on by climate change may compromise access to clean water, sanitation systems, and healthcare facilities, making people more vulnerable to a number of illnesses. Floods and drought can lead to both communicable and non-communicable diseases. The African population is more likely to experience more mental health disorders than before because of natural disasters, which result in the loss of property and sometimes loss of lives more frequently. We, therefore, call for an improved implementation of strategies to prevent the health effects of climate change so that the health of the people in Africa can be maintained.

Working conditions in most of the developing nations are not as per the guidelines. Government is changing the guidelines as per the benefit of the employers and side-lining the employees regarding many issues. With many occupations requiring heavy work and taking a lot of physical strength from manual labourers, the working time per day also affects the health of such workers. We investigated the different health impacts of increasing the working hours on labourers, and did a literature review on the same. We recommend that the workers in every occupational sector should work not more than 8-9 hours per day. They should get at least 30 minutes lunch break and one or two 15 minutes tea brakes during their shift to avoid exhaustion and fatigue from prolonged working.

Introduction: Previous studies found that young children, children, pregnant women, and farmers are at risk of pesticide exposure. Organophosphate pesticides are detected in children’s urine, but other types of pesticides, their toxicity classification, and their toxicity level have not been identified. Hence, this study aims to identify types and toxicity levels of pesticides that are possible causes of health problems in an agricultural area. Methods: The population of the study were 1,017 households in two villages of an agricultural area of Brebes Regency, Indonesia. The data were collected from 166 participants using a cross-sectional design involving questionnaires to identify the characteristics of the respondents and observations to identify the pesticide, pesticide packaging, and pesticide residue in their houses. The toxicity levels of the pesticides were identified based on the pesticide toxicity classification recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Potential health problems due to pesticides were subsequently identified based on literature reviews. Results and Discussion: According to the results, organophosphate, carbamate, and pyrethroid pesticides were found in 30.7% of the respondents’ houses. The toxicity levels of the pesticides ranged from highly hazardous (Ib) to unlikely presenting acute hazard (U). The potential health problems due to pesticides varied from poisoning symptoms to genetic disorders and polymorphisms. Conclusion: There were three types of pesticides with toxicity levels ranging from highly hazardous to unlikely presenting acute hazard in the agricultural area in Brebes Regency

The poultry industry decreases unemployment and delivers protein worldwide. Due to economic concerns, urbanization, and population increase, developing nations have embraced the 23-billion-person global chicken industry. Poultry workers get exposed to dust, allergens, endotoxins, pathogens, chemical contaminants, and organic fumes. Workers in this region may get asthma, skin allergies, and respiratory issues from these exposures. Thus, this study examined poultry market employees in Savar, Dhaka's risk variables and occupational diseases. This industrial area was studied for demographics, lifestyle, and respiratory complaints. This study examined poultry worker demographics and respiratory disorders to enhance farm management and environmental conditions. The cross-sectional study included 100 chicken industry workers. The European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire and SPSS were used to collect and analyze data. In the poll, 41 % of workers had shortness of breath and 22 % have asthma. PM2.5 averaged 136.7 μg per cubic meter, while PM10 averaged 162 μg in the workplace. These measures show poor workplace condition. Demographics, occupational diseases, poultry sector waste environmental fate and impact, greenhouse gas consequences, and poultry dust heavy metals need further investigation.

AbstractHeavy metal pollution is a growing problem in the world. Regardless of the amount of heavy metal concentration in the soil, heavy metals can be easily absorbed by vegetable roots and accumulate in high concentration in the edible parts of plants. Studies have been conducted to associate the application of electromagnetic fields to treat fruits and vegetables contaminated with heavy metals. Primarily, this paper provides knowledge on the use of electromagnetic fields to remove heavy metals from contaminated fruits and vegetables and subsequently to highlight health effects associated with consumption of fruits and vegetables contaminated with heavy metals. In this paper, Google Scholar, PubMed, NCBI Science Direct, and Research Gate were utilized to conduct a literature search. Out of 72 articles, 51 were selected and used to compile this paper. A comparison of studies was conducted on the possible health effects of consuming fruits and vegetables contaminated with heavy metals. The application of electromagnetic fields to treat fruits and vegetables contaminated with heavy metals should be implemented as one of the methods necessary to remove heavy metals, as they are environmentally friendly and do not use chemical agents or microbiota.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that have been widely utilized in various industries since the 1940s, and have now emerged as environmental contaminants. In recent years, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been restricted and replaced with several alternatives. The high persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of these substances have contributed to their emergence as environmental contaminants, and several aspects of their behavior remain largely unknown and require further investigation. The trace level of PFAS makes the development of a monitoring database challenging. Additionally, the potential health issues associated with PFAS are not yet fully understood due to ongoing research and inadequate evidence (experimental and epidemiological studies), especially with regard to the combined effects of exposure to PFAS mixtures and human health risks from drinking water consumption. This in-depth review offers unprecedented insights into the exposure pathways and toxicological impacts of PFAS, addressing critical knowledge gaps in their behaviors and health implications. It presents a comprehensive NABC—Needs, Approach, Benefits, and Challenges—analysis to guide future strategies for the sustainable monitoring and management of these pervasive environmental contaminants.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the ingestion of toothpaste and its sequelae. The study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in the PROSPERO database. A comprehensive search strategy was conducted across multiple databases, resulting in the inclusion of 18 relevant publications. Eligible studies encompassed various designs and included both children and adults as the study population. Data extraction was carried out systematically, and relevant information on study characteristics, interventions, and outcomes were collected. The assessment of bias was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s Critical Appraisal Tools showing variations of bias among the included studies. The overall risk of systemic toxicity was found to be low, and no severe or life-threatening events were reported in the included studies. Furthermore, some toothpaste formulations containing higher concentrations of fluoride were associated with an increased risk of dental fluorosis. These findings have several implications for practice and policy. Healthcare providers and dental professionals should emphasize the importance of promoting safe toothpaste use, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children who are more prone to accidental ingestion. Public health campaigns and educational initiatives should aim to raise awareness about appropriate toothpaste usage and the potential risks. In addition, toothpaste manufacturers and regulatory bodies should consider revising guidelines and regulations to ensure the safety of oral care products, including the appropriate concentration of active ingredients. Future research should focus on investigating the long-term effects of toothpaste ingestion, exploring potential interactions between different active ingredients, and evaluating the efficacy of current preventive measures.