Showing papers in "Journal of Health and Pollution in 2019"
TL;DR: The present work briefly outlines the environmental occurrence of heavy metals and strategies for using microorganisms for bioremediation processes as reported in the scientific literature.
Abstract: Background. Rapid industrialization and anthropogenic activities such as the unmanaged use of agro-chemicals, fossil fuel burning and dumping of sewage sludge have caused soils and waterways to be ...
150 citations
TL;DR: There is a need for a regulatory framework including specific legislation, infrastructure and protocols to safely recycle and dispose of e-waste in sub-Saharan African countries.
Abstract: Background. Environmental impacts from informal e-waste recycling are increasing in Africa. E-waste handling and disposal exposes people to highly toxic cocktails of heavy metals, brominated flame ...
50 citations
TL;DR: The study concluded that Zea mays is capable of accumulating high amounts of heavy metals, although accumulation of these heavy metals is influenced by multiple factors including soil texture, cation exchange capacity, root exudation and especially soil pH and chemical forms of the heavy metals.
Abstract: Background. Health risks arising from heavy metal pollution have attracted global attention. As a result, many studies on the accumulation of heavy metals in soil-plant systems have performed human...
44 citations
TL;DR: The ecological risk index of heavy metals for soil samples in all the e-waste sites indicated a very high risk of serious health risks, and further investigations are needed.
Abstract: Background. Recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) in developing nations poses a risk to the environment and human health through the release of heavy metals. Objectives. The aim of the present st...
28 citations
TL;DR: The concentrations of PAHs in analyzed sediment and organisms were higher than the maximum permissible limit of the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), which is an indication that anthropogenic activities were influencing PAH concentrations.
Abstract: Background. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic contaminants and pose health risks to humans and the ecosystem due to their persistence in the environment. Objectives. This study dete...
26 citations
TL;DR: Dental amalgam represents a significant, but understudied area of global mercury pollution that includes cremation, sewage sludge, burial, and small-scale gold mining, which is a global pollutant.
Abstract: Background. Mercury in dental amalgam is a hidden source of global mercury pollution, resulting from the illegal diversion of dental mercury into the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector, t...
22 citations
TL;DR: Cd concentration in the local diet and river water is within the World Health Organization and Bangladesh Standard Testing Institute guidelines, and the concentration of Cd in sediments is comparatively higher than in river water in Bangladesh.
Abstract: Background. Exposure to cadmium (Cd) is a global public health concern. The primary Cd exposure pathways are inhalation and ingestion. Globally, Cd production and consumption has increased, along w...
21 citations
TL;DR: Elevated levels of As, Cr, Ni, and Zn were found to emanate from anthropogenic origins, whereas Fe, Mn, and Cu levels were attributed mainly to geological and atmospheric depositions.
Abstract: Background. Anthropogenic activities such as artisanal mining pose a major environmental health concern due to the potential for discharge of toxic metals into the environment. Objectives. To deter...
21 citations
TL;DR: Increasing pollution of urban soil may contribute to the occurrence of some health risk for residents in the study area, and there was high spatial variation in the distribution patterns of the heavy metals.
Abstract: Background. Soil pollution by heavy metals in urban areas is of major concern to city planners and policy makers because of the potential threat to human health. Hence, an investigation of soil pol...
20 citations
TL;DR: The results showed that 83% of the respondents were aware that hazardous fractions in e-waste require special treatment, while 76.7% were aware of the possible negative impact on their health and the authors recommend the use of protective clothing, sensitization visits and awareness campaigns on the safe disposal of hazardous components.
Abstract: Background. Electronic waste (e-waste) contains both valuable and hazardous materials. E-waste scavengers specialize in the collection and crude recycling of waste electronics to retrieve valuable ...
20 citations
TL;DR: The findings of the present study confirm the need to address these hazards to provide a safe working environment for waste pickers and confirm Recyclable collectors were aware of occupational hazards, but lacked education on the risks and consequences associated with exposure to medical hazards.
Abstract: Background. Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, currently has the largest dumpsite of the Americas at Estrutural, with over 30 million tons of waste accumulated. Recyclable waste collectors are a grou...
TL;DR: Five heavy metals (iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were investigated and Concentrations of heavy metals were higher than control values and the World Health Organization's specifications for ambient air.
Abstract: Background. Port Harcourt is an oil-rich city in Nigeria's Niger delta region. For over two years, Port Harcourt experienced black soot deposition in the environment. In November 2016, residents wo...
TL;DR: The geoaccumulation index revealed Pb to be moderately to highly contaminated in groundwater, which can cause deleterious health effects that can lead to short- and long-term diseases such as keratosis, lung cancer, bladder cancer and ultimately death if proactive steps are not taken.
Abstract: Background. Groundwater quality can be poor in Nigeria due to indiscriminate refuse dumping. Exposed dumps serve as point source pollution that discharge potentially toxic heavy metals into the env...
TL;DR: Findings of this study indicate that the problem of lead poisoning is ongoing in Dareta village and Zamfara State authorities should address the challenge through sustained periodic assessment and cleanup of affected areas.
Abstract: Background. Acute widespread lead poisoning took place in Zamfara State, Nigeria in 2010. Over 735 children were reported dead and thousands sickened by the neurotoxin. The source was traced to art...
TL;DR: The present study identified fish species from the studied ASGM sites that had high mercury concentrations above the maximum permissible mercury concentration in edible fish tissue, and warned of the risks associated with mercury exposure from fish consumption threaten community health.
Abstract: Background. The primary environmental risk associated with artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities in Sekotong and Taliwang is waste discharged directly into the environment. This waste...
TL;DR: Conclusions Concentrations of heavy metals in the Olosuru stream were above acceptable limits, and can have negative impacts on the stream and health implications for local residents.
Abstract: Background. Water supplies can be contaminated by anthropogenic activities. The poultry industry uses a variety of heavy metals as additives in chicken feed, but excretion, runoff and dumping of he...
TL;DR: Based on the total mercury (THg) levels analyzed in the biological media, artisanal gold mining activities in Amansie West District are on the increase with a potential risk of developing chronic effects.
Abstract: Background. Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal that can cause several adverse health effects based on its form (organic, inorganic or elemental), duration and pathway of exposure. Measurement of mercury...
TL;DR: There is a need for continuous monitoring of the Niger River due to the environmental/human risk and potential danger of the elevated levels of OCPs, and high values of ∑OCPs were higher during the dry season compared to the rainy season.
Abstract: Background. Pollution in aquatic ecosystems is a serious environmental concern. There is a great need for constant assessment and monitoring of hazardous substances, particularly in aquatic environ...
TL;DR: Investigation of pesticides available in the market, as well as handling and usage by farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana found the mode of disposal of used pesticides containers and storage of pesticides by the respondents contribute to human health and environmental hazards.
Abstract: Background. Over and improper use of chemical pesticides can have adverse effects on the environment, human health, and social capital. Objectives. The present study investigated pesticides availab...
TL;DR: The data provide strong evidence of a statistical threshold for semen samples containing 30% sperm DNA fragmentation resulting in a reduced level of pregnancy success, leading to oxidative stress in the infertile group.
Abstract: Background. Biological mechanisms contribute to the relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure and infertility in males by altering semen quality. Objectives. The aim of th...
TL;DR: The presence of multidrug resistant bacteria, antibiotics and mobile genetic elements may be a health hazard for the surrounding populations of this binational border region and policies need to be developed for the appropriate management of the environmental natural resources in this border region.
Abstract: Background. The worldwide emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria has become a health crisis, as fewer or sometimes no antimicrobial agents are effective against these bacteria. The Rio Grande R...
TL;DR: Although the lead immobilization in soil was positive for both cases, the use of soil with high concentrations of lead does not indicate biochar's effectiveness for purposes of comparison with the current United States Environmental Protection Agency limit value (400 ppm for bare soil in urban play areas).
Abstract: Background. Recent studies have explored the potential for using biochar as a soil amendment in agriculture. However, it can also be used as a gentle remediation option for contaminant reduction. B...
TL;DR: The results of the present study suggest that chronic exposure to Cr is associated with impaired immune function in male tannery workers.
Abstract: Background. Occupational exposures to chromium (Cr), which can have adverse effects on immune function, have not yet been extensively investigated. Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)), used in mineral ta...
TL;DR: The present study validated that Typha angustifolia and Echhornia crassipus could be used for bioremediation purposes in cases of urban waterbodies receiving varying amounts of domestic wastewaters which have relatively limited concentrations of toxic metals.
Abstract: Background. India's rapidly increasing population and growing urbanization pose a great challenge for wastewater treatment efforts, leading to increased pollution of surrounding waterbodies. Object...
TL;DR: The results reveal a significant association between solid fuel use and respiratory diseases in India, where more than 60% of the population uses firewood and cow dung as their primary source of energy for cooking and are at a higher risk of TB, COPD and bronchial asthma.
Abstract: Background. The use of solid fuels in household cooking contributes to indoor air pollution and is the cause of more than 4 million deaths around the world annually. Solid fuel use varies with the ...
TL;DR: The Philippine mercury-free method is a viable alternative to amalgamation, using borax for smelting under standardized conditions, and recovered 40% more gold than the amalgamation method but took 9 minutes longer.
Abstract: Background. The amalgamation method used by artisanal small-scale miners is the single largest source of global mercury emission. The goal of the ‘Free Your Mine’ project is to stop mercury use in ...
TL;DR: The results obtained from the present study indicate that consumption of amaranth contaminated with alpha-HCH could pose a carcinogenic risk for adult consumers and there is need for strict enforcement of regulations on pesticide usage to minimize human health risks.
Abstract: Background. Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) and amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) are common leafy vegetables produced and consumed in southwestern Nigeria. These vegetables attract insect pests w...
TL;DR: There is likely no current need for risk mitigation activities in the Owino Uhuru community and the results could inform discussions on the allocation of public health spending, according to the authors.
Abstract: Background. The informal settlement of Owino Uhuru near an abandoned lead smelter attracted international attention due to an apparent lead poisoning event. Despite this attention, the environmenta...
TL;DR: Shopkeepers working in heavily trafficked roadside shops suffer from respiratory morbidity and the risk increases with higher TEP, and total exposure period is a valuable indicator to estimate the effects of long-term TRAP exposure.
Abstract: Background. Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is a major source of ambient air pollution in urban areas. Shopkeepers of heavily trafficked roadside shops are persistently exposed to high levels ...
TL;DR: The bioaccumulation level ofheavy metals in selected organs and tissues of African catfish in Asa River, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria was very high and the level of accumulation of heavy metals increased downstream, and therefore fish from the AsA River are not fit for human consumption.
Abstract: Background. Harmful wastes and other dangerous industrial by-products constitute major sources of environmental pollutants in Nigeria. Industrial pollutants discharged into the environment contain ...