Search

BACKGROUND: This study explores the impacts of attacks perpetrated in the context of armed conflict, to female health workers in three Colombian territories. METHODS: We conducted a document review of the reports and databases of the Colombian Truth Commission, 17 in-depth semi-structured interviews with experts on the national and regional armed conflict and the medical mission, and 26 female health workers who were victims of attacks. RESULTS: Experts and female health workers reported attacks to health activities, facilities, equipment, and personnel, including attacks to traditional doctors belonging to indigenous communities. The most frequent attacks were threats and retention of health personnel; theft of supplies and medicines; damage and use of infrastructure and means of transport for purposes other than health care; and hinderance of health service provision. The attacks occurred in a framework of structural violence that intersects with poverty, racism, and gender bias. The impacts of these attacks include gender-based violence, significant disruption of the lives of health workers, and physical, emotional, psychological, social, and economic effects on the victims and their families. The government response to protect victims and populations has been absent or insufficient. CONCLUSIONS: Attacks to health care were reported in all the studied territories obstructing adequate health care. Impacts of these attacks affect negatively the professional and personal life of the workers and are aggravated by structural violence and absent or little institutional response.

When predicting the health impacts of PM2.5 from future air quality changes, it is crucial to consider both air quality improvements and population aging. This study divided future emission scenarios into a base and control scenario to project air quality from 2015 to 2030 and assess health outcomes. The GUIDE model, an Integrated Assessment Model (IAM), was used to estimate future emissions, while the CMAQ (Chemical Transport Model) and BenMAP (Health Impact Model) evaluated health impacts resulting from changes in air quality in Korea. The study focused on the impact of population aging on future health outcomes. Both scenarios showed improved PM2.5 concentrations, with the control scenario showing more substantial improvements due to stronger policy measures. When applying current age patterns, health impacts decreased as PM2.5 concentrations decreased. However, when considering future population aging, health impacts increased despite improved air quality. The results excluding aging show that the number of premature deaths due to cardiovascular disease and all other causes caused by PM2.5 is 18,413 in the base year, while in the future control scenario, the number decreases to 11,729. In contrast, when aging is taken into account, the number of premature deaths increases to 23,037. This finding suggests that, although PM2.5 concentrations are expected to decline, the increasing proportion of elderly individuals will exacerbate health risks. Therefore, accounting for aging population trends is essential when studying the health impacts of future air quality changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, present significant health risks through contaminated food and feed. Despite broad documentation of their general impacts, emerging research highlights the requirement of addressing both sex- and gender-specific differences in the risk of exposure, susceptibility, and health outcomes in mycotoxin screening and mitigation strategies. Distinct biological (sex-based) and sociocultural (gender-based) factors can influence the risk of mycotoxin exposure and subsequent health impacts; women may for example exhibit specific exposures to certain mycotoxins due to physiological and hormonal differences, with increased risks during critical life stages such as pregnancy and lactation. Conversely, men may demonstrate distinct metabolic and immune responses to these toxins. Socioeconomic and cultural factors also contribute to gender-specific exposure risks, including occupational exposures, dietary habits, and healthcare access. Current mycotoxin screening methodologies and regulatory frameworks often disregard these sex and gender disparities, resulting in incomplete risk assessments and suboptimal public health interventions. This review addresses the incorporation of sex- and gender-specific data into mycotoxin research, the development of advanced screening techniques, and the implementation of targeted mitigation strategies. Addressing these sex and gender differences is crucial for enhancing the efficacy of mycotoxin management policies and safeguarding public health. Future research directions and policy recommendations are discussed to promote a more comprehensive and practical approach to mycotoxin risk assessment and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to use workers' compensation (WC) data to explore the impact of the extreme bushfires on injury/disease claim rates amongst first responders (FR) compared with other occupations and off-seasons. Methods: Data on WC claims for FR (ambulance officers, paramedics, firefighters, police) and other occupations were obtained from WorkSafe Victoria 2005–2022. Negative binomial regression models adjusting for age, gender and number of employed people were used to estimate incident rate ratios of all injury/disease, mental, musculoskeletal and respiratory claims among FR in summer and extreme bushfires compared to off-season/summer and other occupations. Results: There were 120,022 claims in 2005–2022; 54% were musculoskeletal injuries. Claims rates were significantly higher for all injuries/diseases, mental, musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions in FR than other occupations across off-season, summers and extreme bushfires. FR were 1.5–3.9 times more likely to claim for mental health conditions during extreme bushfires than off-season compared with other occupations. Firefighters were at increased risk of all injury/disease and mental and musculoskeletal injury claims during summer and extreme bushfires than off-seasons. Ambulance officers and paramedics had the highest claim rates, particularly in off-seasons, with a higher risk of all injury/disease and mental claims in extreme bushfires than in summers. Respiratory and mental claims were increased amongst police and other occupations during extreme bushfires. Conclusion: Extreme bushfire events were associated with increased mental claims rates in all FR, with the highest in firefighters. Strategies to better prevent and manage injury/disease risk in FR are urgently required, particularly for mental health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traffic noise annoyance is considered to be the forerunner for other health problems. Identifying the factors having significant role in increasing the level of annoyance is important to reduce the health effects of traffic noise. Current study investigated the health impacts of traffic noise pollution and at the same time Multinomial Logistic (MNL)Regression model and Artificial Neural Network model were developed to identify the factors (demographic factors, noise exposure factors, environmental factors, road related factors and traffic related factors) responsible for traffic noise annoyance. LAeq was monitored on 31 sites along with common noise descriptors. LAeq values were 68.41 to 81.40 dBA during peak hours and 68.45 to 83.23 dBA during off peak hours, which are above the permissible limits of CPCB and WHO. A questionnaire survey was performed on 400 adult residents (294 males and 106 female), aged 20-70 y. Noise annoyance was measured on a self-rated scale (1-5). Multinomial Logistic Regression model identified significant correlation with regard to seven independent variables (with p < 0.05), including factors like gender (X1), age (X2), income (X3), exposure in years (X6), daily exposure (X7), LAeq (X8) and traffic volume(X9). Pseudo R-Square values suggest that the MNL regression model developed performed well in explaining the variation of the dependent variable, with Nagelkerke's R-Square value 0.95 indicating a strong fit. The ANN model confirmed, income as the most significant variable followed by age and exposure in years. The overall prediction accuracy of 94.3% for MNL regression and 85.7 % for ANN model was achieved. These results can be utilized by the health officials to plan effective measures to reduce the impact of traffic noise on exposed population especially in sensitive/silent zones like educational institutes, schools, hospitals and offices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastics have become ubiquitous in our lives. Due to the ever-increasing population, rapid urbanization, and industrial advancement, the use of plastics has increased manifold. These plastic materials often disintegrate into microplastics (MPs) which are less than 5mm in size. MPs mostly enter aquatic habitats through improper waste management, illegal dumping, and unavoidable and unintentional discharges that take place during construction, manufacturing, farming, domestic consumption, and recreational activities. This review centers on exploring the origin, occurrence, and possible adverse effects of MPs on human well-being. Of the 485 literature reviewed for the study between 2014- 2023, 105 were found to be related to the MPs which were spread over 10 themes. The maximum number of papers were on sources of MPs, followed by MPs in freshwater ecosystems and waste management. The least number of literature was from the themes, transport of MPs and MPs in the soil environment. The literature was published mostly in China, India, Europe, and the Americas. Other countries like Australia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East contribute very little. The literature scan reveals that only 9% of all the generated plastic waste material is recycled, 12% is burned, and 79% of plastic litter is dumped in landfills and oceans. The dumped plastic settles and pollutes a variety of environmental matrices. MPs are intentionally manufactured to be added to personal care products that are washed down the drains through sewage or industrial wastewater. These MPs vary in density and colour, subject to the polymer type, and are present in varying sizes and concentrations in aquatic environments. The characterization of MPs originating from different types of polymer materials, in the reviewed literature, was performed based on the data obtained from Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). MPs have the potential to absorb harmful hydrophobic pollutants from the surroundings resulting in an indirect transfer of contaminants into the food web. Such MPs enter and affect humans, causing problems with the reproductive system, body weight, sex ratio, and live births. MPs pose a serious threat to organisms when ingested since they can obstruct the digestive tract, leading to oxidative and pathological stress, slowing down growth, and interfering with reproduction. Apart from the above, a comprehensive analysis of MP pollution, as well as its effect on human beings and the environment, has been discussed in terms of source identification and abundance. Also, has been discussed is a detailed review of the existing waste material recycled into new materials or reused without alteration or degradation to produce new energy sources. In the end, integrated strategies have been proposed to prevent the input of plastic waste material into the environment, by source control, improved plastic waste management, and techniques for degradation and conversion of MPs.

Background: Wildfires in 2020 ravaged California to set the annual record of area burned to date. Clusters of wildfires in Northern California surrounded the Bay Area covering the skies with smoke and raising the air pollutant concentrations to hazardous levels. This study uses the Fire Inventory from the National Center for Atmospheric Research database and the Community Multiscale Air Quality model to estimate the effects of wildfire emissions on air quality during the period from August 16 to October 28 of 2020. In addition, low-cost sensor data for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from the PurpleAir network is used to enhance modeled PM2.5 concentrations. The resulting impacts on ozone and PM2.5 are used to quantify the health impacts caused by wildfires using the Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program – Community Edition. Results: Wildfire activity significantly increased direct PM2.5 emissions and emissions of PM2.5 and ozone precursors. Direct PM2.5 emissions surged up to 38 times compared to an average day. Modeling results indicated that wildfires alone led to a rise in ozone daily maximum 8-h average by up to 10 ppb and exceeded PM2.5 air quality standards in numerous locations by up to 10 times. While modeled PM2.5 concentrations were lower than measurements, correcting these with PurpleAir data improved the accuracy. The correction using PurpleAir data increased estimates of wildfire-induced mortality due to PM2.5 exposure by up to 16%. Conclusions: The increased hospital admissions and premature mortality attributed to wildfires were found to be comparable to the health impacts avoided by strategies aimed at meeting ozone and PM2.5 air quality standards. This suggests that widespread wildfire emissions can negate years of efforts dedicated to controlling air pollution. The integration of low-cost sensor data proved invaluable in refining the estimates of health impacts from PM2.5 resulting from wildfires.

Abstract There has been limited research on the health impacts of extreme bushfire exposure among emergency responders (ER) involved in suppressing extreme bushfires. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between extreme bushfires and ER’s compensated injury and illness in Victoria, Australia. State-wide ER compensation claims from January 2005 to April 2023 were analysed. Logistic regression modelling was used to identify factors associated with compensation claims during the extreme bushfire periods in 2009 and 2019/20, compared to all other claims, adjusting for seasonality (summer). Of the 44,164 included claims, 1105 (2.5%) had recorded injury/disease onset dates within extreme bushfire periods, and 11,642 (26.4%) occurred in summer months. Over half of claims were made by police (52.4%), followed by ambulance officers/paramedics (27.2%) and firefighters (20.5%). Extreme bushfire period claims were associated with older workers (odds ratio/OR = 1.58,95%CI = 1.30–1.92, ages ≥ 55 vs. 35–44 years). Mental disorders (OR = 1.61,95%CI = 1.25–2.07), intracranial injuries (OR = 3.04,95%CI = 1.69–5.48) and infections/parasites (OR = 3.11,95%CI = 1.61–5.98) vs. wounds were associated with extreme bushfire period claims. Given the expected increase in extreme bushfire events and the ageing workforce, study findings underscore the importance of primary and secondary prevention in ER. This can include periodic health surveillance for older workers, access to early treatment, and ongoing support for mental health conditions.

Climate change affects patient health through an array of exposures, including increasing heatwaves, extreme weather events, poor air quality, and expanding vector-borne illnesses. Physicians are at the forefront of addressing the health consequences of these exposures with patients, and environmental sustainability has become a priority for health care organizations. Accordingly, climate change and health is becoming a critical area for graduate medical education (GME). As GME leaders design and drive education in residency and fellowship programs, understanding those leaders’ baseline knowledge on this topic and its alignment with their organizations’ priorities is an essential step in the development of climate and health education programs. A search of existing climate and health knowledge assessments revealed an array of tools, yet most had limited applicability for physicians. We systematically created a brief GME climate and health baseline assessment requiring less than 10 minutes of users’ time. The assessment was administered anonymously via an online survey tool to GME leaders at three sponsoring institutions across three states within our health care system. Responses from 115 of 155 individuals (74% response rate) yielded an average 62% correct (standard deviation = 16%) and a score range of 10% to 90%. This baseline assessment identifies GME leaders’ knowledge gaps about climate change and its impacts on health, the role of health care organizations in producing planet-warming pollution accelerating climate change, and the prioritization of these issues within our organization.

Airborne microplastics are emerging pollutants originating from disposable tableware, packaging materials, textiles, and other consumer goods. Microplastics vary in shape and size and exposed to external factors break down into even smaller fractions. Airborne microplastics are abundant in both urban and natural environments, including water bodies and glaciers, as particles can travel long distances. The potential toxicity of airborne microplastics cannot be underestimated. Microparticles, especially those < 10 µm, entering the human body through inhalation or ingestion have been shown to cause serious adverse health effects, such as chronic inflammation, oxidation stress, physical damage to tissues, etc. Microplastics adsorb toxic chemicals and biopolymers, forming a polymer corona on their surface, affecting their overall toxicity. In addition, microplastics can also affect carbon dynamics in ecosystems and have a serious impact on biochemical cycles. The approaches to improve sampling techniques and develop standardized methods to assess airborne microplastics are still far from being perfect. The mechanisms of microplastic intracellular and tissue transport are still not clear, and the impact of airborne microplastics on human health is not understood well. Reduced consumption followed by collection, reuse, and recycling of microplastics can contribute to solving the microplastic problem. Combinations of different filtration techniques and membrane bioreactors can be used to optimize the removal of microplastic contaminants from wastewater. In this review we critically summarize the existing body of literature on airborne microplastics, including their distribution, identification, and safety assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic pollutants create health crises like physical damage to tissues, upset reproductive processes, altered behaviour, oxidative stress, neurological disorders, DNA damage, gene expression, and disrupt physiological functions, as the biosphere accumulates them inadvertently through the food web. Water resources have become the generic host of plastic wastes irrespective of their particle size, resulting in widespread distribution in aquatic environments. The pre-treatment step of the traditional water treatment process can easily remove coarse-sized plastic wastes. However, the fine plastic particles, with sizes ranging from nanometres to millimetres, are indifferent to the traditional water treatment. To address the escalating problems, the upgradation of different traditional physical, chemical, and biological remediation techniques offers a promising avenue for tackling tiny plastic particles from the water environment. Further, new techniques and hybrid incorporations to the existing water treatment techniques have been explored, specifically removing tiny plastic debris. A detailed understanding of the sources, fate, and impact of plastic wastes in the environment, as well as an evaluation of the above treatment techniques and their limitations and challenges, can only show the way for their upgradation, hybridization, and development of new techniques. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge and techniques for the remediation of nanoplastics and microplastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a dynamic perspective to quantify the air quality–related health impacts of the electrification of light-duty vehicles in the United States between 2022 and 2050. Using a fleet turnover model and future electricity generation mix scenarios, we compare ambitious vehicle electrification to fleet renewal relying on newer internal combustion engine vehicles, without electric vehicles. The model includes vehicle-level pollutant emission factors and a reduced complexity air quality and valuation model and covers direct (tailpipe, brake wear, and tire wear) and indirect (production of electricity and liquid fuels) emissions of NOx, SO2, PM2.5, NH3, and VOCs, with a breakdown at the county level to identify geographical disparities in the distribution of health impacts. Short-term health benefits are mostly generated by reductions in NOx emissions from newer gasoline vehicles, while fleet electrification generates further benefits in the long term. The electricity mix plays a crucial role in the success of electrification policies. With continued grid decarbonization, electrification would reduce harmful air quality– related health impacts cumulatively by 84 to 188 billion USD over the study period, compared with fleet renewal without electric vehicles. In contrast, artificially freezing the 2022 grid would make electrification responsible for 32 to 71 billion USD additional health disbenefits compared with fleet renewal. Finally, we show that while fleet electrification achieves most of its benefits over fleet renewal in the long term, delaying the implementation of such policies would sacrifice meaningful cumulative benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been limited research on the health impacts of extreme bushfire exposure among emergency responders (ER) involved in suppressing extreme bushfires. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between extreme bushfires and ER's compensated injury and illness in Victoria, Australia. State-wide ER compensation claims from January 2005 to April 2023 were analysed. Logistic regression modelling was used to identify factors associated with compensation claims during the extreme bushfire periods in 2009 and 2019/20, compared to all other claims, adjusting for seasonality (summer). Of the 44,164 included claims, 1105 (2.5%) had recorded injury/disease onset dates within extreme bushfire periods, and 11,642 (26.4%) occurred in summer months. Over half of claims were made by police (52.4%), followed by ambulance officers/paramedics (27.2%) and firefighters (20.5%). Extreme bushfire period claims were associated with older workers (odds ratio/OR = 1.58,95%CI = 1.30–1.92, ages ≥ 55 vs. 35–44 years). Mental disorders (OR = 1.61,95%CI = 1.25–2.07), intracranial injuries (OR = 3.04,95%CI = 1.69–5.48) and infections/parasites (OR = 3.11,95%CI = 1.61–5.98) vs. wounds were associated with extreme bushfire period claims. Given the expected increase in extreme bushfire events and the ageing workforce, study findings underscore the importance of primary and secondary prevention in ER. This can include periodic health surveillance for older workers, access to early treatment, and ongoing support for mental health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have suggested that universal basic income (UBI) has the capacity to have substantial health benefits across the population at national level. Multiple impact pathways have recently been theorized and there are calls for trials to explore these pathways empirically. However, very limited research has taken place at local levels to explore potential context-specific effects, or how these effects could play out in economic, social, and behavioral changes. In order to examine these effects and to think through potential issues and unintended consequences, we brought together citizen engagement groups in Jarrow, South Tyneside, in the northeast of England to explore local people's expectations and positions on the development of UBI policies and pilots prior to their implementation. We found that people's expectations regarding the potential beneficial health impacts of UBI on their communities mapped strongly onto academically theorized impact pathways. They also extended understanding of these pathways in meaningful ways. Our findings add to the literature about UBI and health and provide important insights for the future development of empirical, health focused, UBI research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: the community of the El Salvador village lacks a sewage system, which leads to the direct discharge of untreated wastewater into the Río Hondo. The inhabitants are unaware of the environmental impacts and health risks associated with this practice. Objective: the purpose of this study was to identify environmental impacts and health symptoms in the area surrounding the Río Hondo that crosses through the village. Methods: two methodological phases were established for data collection. In the first phase, environmental aspects related to the water quality of the Río Hondo were identified using a checklist and a Leopold matrix. The second phase involved determining health symptoms related to environmental factors in the area, for which a survey was conducted with a sample population of 60 people. Results: an 87.5% non-compliance rate was observed compared to a 12.5% compliance rate regarding environmental factors, indicating a higher percentage of environmental impact concerning water quality, land use, biodiversity, pollution sources, regulations, and human health impacts. Poor waste disposal and the lack of sewage management exacerbate the environmental and health issues faced by the inhabitants of the area. The most frequently reported symptoms in the survey were stomach pain and intestinal infections (46.7%), followed by dengue (43.3%), chikungunya (3.3%), and malaria (3.3%). Conclusion: the absence of an adequate sewage system and improper waste disposal significantly contribute to environmental and health problems in the El Salvador village community. It is crucial to implement environmental management and public health measures to mitigate these adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escalating transportation demands have mandated extensive construction of highways in proximity to residential zones, culminating in heightened vehicular noise levels. This investigation centered on the assessment of noise pollution across diverse sites in Lahore, Pakistan, with a specific focus on the Lahore Ring Road (LRR) and surrounding regions. Variables including land utilization, road categorization, arboreal presence, physical impediments, and distances between noise sources and receivers were meticulously analyzed. Utilizing a UNI-T-MS6700 sound level meter, measurements spanning LA99, LA90, LA50, LA10, and LA1 exposed concerning findings, notably recording 80.5 dB from motorcycles in Township (Ali Road) and peaking at 86.5 dB from trucks in Model Town (Ferozepur Road) and Township (Ali Road). While Sui Gas Society demonstrated an 8 dB(A) noise reduction via purposeful tree planting (15 feet), DHA Phase V exhibited a marginal 3 dB(A) decrease due to the absence of such interventions (20 feet). Strikingly, Ashiana-E-Quaid displayed a substantial 19 dB(A) reduction attributed to a considerable distance between noise sources and receivers (300 feet), notwithstanding the absence of trees and barriers. All surveyed locations surpassed the Punjab EPD-prescribed limit of 45-55 dBA, resulting in stress (62.5%) and sleep disruptions (43.3%) among residents. This study underscores the critical roles of tree plantation and source-receiver distance in noise abatement, underscoring the necessity for urban architecture designed with noise barriers to efficaciously manage traffic-related noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ochratoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi, often contaminating staple grains such as corn, wheat, and barley. These toxins pose significant health risks through dietary exposure. This study aimed to assess the effects of ochratoxins on the growth and development of broiler chickens, especially in the context of the ongoing global food crisis. We evaluated key growth parameters, including body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and mortality rate, using 30-day-old chicks separated into three (3) different groups including the control. The chicks were administered feeds contaminated with ochratoxins at concentrations of 0 ml, 0.6 ml, and 1.2 ml. Our analysis showed that as the concentration of ochratoxins increased, there was a notable decrease in weight gain and feed intake, accompanied by a deterioration in the feed conversion ratio and an increase in mortality rate. Specifically, significant variations (p<0.05) were observed across all parameters, with the highest concentrations of ochratoxins (0.6 ml and 1.2 ml) leading to adverse effects on the growth performance of the broiler birds. Mortality rates were recorded at treatment levels of 0.6 ml and 1.2 ml, highlighting the detrimental impact of higher ochratoxin levels on broiler health and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the recognition of the importance of air pollution in Morocco, current scientific studies are predominantly descriptive and limited. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of air pollution in Morocco, delineating the research status and identifying gaps. Searches conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus from 2016 to May 2023 yielded over 3200 articles. From these, 64 original studies are deemed eligible and selected, focusing on air pollution in Moroccan regions or cities. Review articles and those dealing with indoor air quality are excluded, with no restriction on specific pollutant. Research highlights road traffic as the primary contributor to air pollution in Morocco, followed by industrial activities. Exposure to air pollutants is associated with adverse health effects, including mortality, lung disease, respiratory disorders, asthma attacks, and cardiovascular disease. Pollution levels vary among cities, with Casablanca, Kenitra, and Essaouira consistently facing higher pollution levels due to transportation and industrial emissions. Altitude also influences air quality, with higher‐altitude areas generally experiencing lower pollutant concentrations. The review highlights the need for extensive research on air pollution's health and economic effects, improved air quality modeling, and broader pollutant focus beyond just regulated ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban environment and air quality are changing primarily due to land use land cover (LULC) changes, economic activity, and urbanization. Air pollution has been increasingly acknowledged as a major issue for cities due to its extensive effects on health and well-being. As the second most populous city in the country, Lahore faces alarming levels of air pollutants, which induced this study to focus on the pervasive issue of air pollution in Lahore. For this, the study collected air pollutants data from the Environmental Protection Department of Punjab and analyzed them using the ARIMA model. In the research results, both the observed data and predictive models uncovered concerning trends in pollutant concentrations, ultimately portraying a concerning picture for air quality management. Carbon monoxide (CO) levels show a consistent rise, surpassing Pakistan's environmental standards by 2025. Similarly, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations escalate, exceeding prescribed standards. Ground-level ozone (O3) also demonstrates a substantial increase, surpassing standards by 2025. Both PM2.5 and PM10 exhibit marked upward trends, projected to exceed recommended limits, particularly PM10 throughout the study year. The Air Quality Index exhibits an observable upward trend, fluctuating between 70 and 442 from 2015 to 2020. Similarly, a positive correlation was found between population growth and land use conversion into residential areas. Projections suggest a continuous increase, potentially hitting a severe level of 500 during winter by 2025. These findings point to an impending air pollution crisis, demanding urgent action to address the hazardous situation in the city. The study recommends that urban air pollution should be reduced, and the negative health effects of air pollution should be minimized using vegetation barriers, screens, and greening initiatives. Strict regulations and monitoring initiatives need to be put in place in big cities to monitor pollution and vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air quality is one of the most important public health problems faced by the inhabitants of the European Union. The negative effects of air pollution include an increased incidence of various diseases and conditions, primarily respiratory, cardiovascular, and malignant diseases. Various measures are designed and implemented in all sectors to reduce the harmful consequences of air pollution. Maritime transport, when contrasted with other methods of moving people and goods, has a lesser environmental impact and its utilization is steadily increasing. To avoid a concomitant significant increase in the negative impact on the quality of the atmosphere, it is important to continuously reduce emissions of harmful substances from ships. The paper describes the most important harmful substances and their effects on human health. Based on the results of research conducted in the last five years, the effects of pollutants emitted into the air from ships on the mortality and morbidity of European Union residents are listed, with an emphasis on the effectiveness of the implemented preventive measures.

This research evaluates the environmental conditions in the Harfiyin neighborhood of Najaf, Iraq, focusing on solid, liquid, and gaseous pollutants from industries. A field survey revealed significant waste, particularly solid waste from factories, and a large landfill contributing to air pollution. The presence of smoke, fumes, and toxic gases affects residents' health. Laboratory tests confirmed high levels of pollutants in the soil. Four samples were collected to assess the environmental impact. The results show a significant presence of solid waste, in line with international standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearables like the Apple Watch, Fitbit Charge 6, Garmin vivoactive 4S, and the Samsung Galaxy Sport are popular devices that tell time, monitor sleep, count calories, and track steps. These devices are increasingly expanding their features to include a more specialized focus on fitness goals, health monitoring and management, and promoting physical activity in various ways. The question is: What is their impact on increasing physical activity? Comparing the features and costs of the most popular wearables helps determine whether users should invest in these devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of microplastics in different ecosystems has been intensively studied since the beginning of the 21st century. They have since been found in all components of the environment as well as in a number of organisms. Microplastics (MPs) is a term for particles whose size is 1 µm-5 mm that are formed during the breakdown of larger plastic products or are produced in microsizes for various industrial and cosmetic products. The distribution of these particles is due to their rapid transportation over large distances which is facilitated mainly by their small size and low density. There are still no uniform methods and standardised procedures for sampling and analysis. Therefore, the facts about the occurrence, distribution and threats to ecosystems and human health from MPs are not yet fully understood. This literature review is a broad presentation of the state of knowledge on the distribution of MPs in the atmosphere, water, soil and organisms. In addition, this document describes the most widely used methods for separation, identification and characterisation of MPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor air pollution arising from burning of biomass fuels poses a significant threat to child health in rural areas of Pakistan. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess health implications associated with indoor air pollution resulting from biomass burning among children under 12 years of age in rural Punjab. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in six randomly selected rural districts of Punjab, characterized by their primary reliance on biomass fuels. The findings revealed that several characteristics, such as monthly household income, number of living rooms, secondary use of solid fuels, kitchen type, type of cooking stove, and presence of child in the kitchen with their mother, exhibited significant associations (p < 0.05) with negative health impacts among children. Reported health effects among the children included coughing (18.7%), watery eyes (17.7%), eye irritation (12.3%), runny nose (11.8%), breathing difficulties (8.5%), phlegm (38%), headache (25%), nausea (20.1%), dizziness (6.7%), asthma (6.4%), tuberculosis (1.8%), and pneumonia (1.5%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]