Human health Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

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- Sociology, Cultural Studies, Emotion, Climate Change
- by Dr. P.B. Dharmasena
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- Landscape Ecology, Ecosystem Services, Sri Lanka, Human health

This article presents the theory and method informing an ongoing study of environmental change and human distress in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The nature of environmental change in the Upper Hunter landscape over the past two centuries is first described, followed by the preliminary results of a long-term study that aims to investigate the nature of residents' understanding of, and responses to, environmental change. Data from in-depth interviews found that the transformation of the environment from mining and power station activities was associated with significant expressions of distress linked to negative changes to interviewees' sense of place, well-being, and control. A new concept, ''solastalgia,'' is introduced to help explain the relationship between ecosystem health, human health, and powerlessness. We claim that solastalgia, as opposed to nostalgia, is a type of homesickness (distress) that one gets when one is still ''at home.'' Future research will aim to validate a questionnaire to test the hypothesis that environmental distress is associated with levels of depression, quality of life, and rates of stress-related disease, as well as activism and environmental rehabilitation.

- by Glenn Albrecht and +1
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- Ecohealth, Quality of life, Ecology, Sense of Place

A biosensor is an analytical device that consists of an immobilized biocomponent in conjunction with a transducer, and represents a synergistic combination of biotechnology and microelectronics. This review summarizes the use of biosensors for detecting and quantifying heavy metal ions. Heavy metal contamination is of serious concern to human health since these substances are non-biodegradable and retained by the ecological system. Conventional analytical techniques for heavy metals (such as cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) are precise but suffer from the disadvantages of high cost, the need for trained personnel and the fact that they are mostly laboratory bound. Biosensors have the advantages of specificity, low cost, ease of use, portability and the ability to furnish continuous real time signals. The analysis of heavy metal ions can be carried out with biosensors by using both protein (enzyme, metal-binding protein and antibody)-based and whole-cell (natural and genetically engineered microorganism)-based approaches.

- by Minni Singh
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- Electronics, Biotechnology, Environmental Monitoring, Genetic Engineering
- by Paola Vitaglione
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- Nutrition and Dietetics, Free Radicals, Metabolomics, Diet

Plastics are used widely everywhere in our life and without plastic, modern civilization would indeed look very diverse. This study fo-cuses on the toxic effects of plastic on human health and environment and possible consequences of health risk assessment in Bangladesh. Plastics are essential materials in modern civilization, and many products manufactured from plastics and in numerous cases, they promote risks to human health and the environment. Plastics are contained many chemical and hazardous substances such as Bisphenol A (BPA), thalates, antiminitroxide, brominated flame retardants, and poly-fluorinated chemicals etc. which are a serious risk factor for human health and environment. Plastics are being used by Bangladeshi people without knowing the toxic effects of plastic on human health and environment. Different human health problems like irritation in the eye, vision failure, breathing difficulties, respiratory problems , liver dysfunction, cancers, skin diseases, lungs problems, headache, dizziness, birth effect, reproductive, cardiovascular, genotoxic, and gastrointestinal causes for using toxic plastics. Plastics occur serious environment pollution such as soil pollution, water pollution, and air pollution. Application of proper rules and regulations for the production and use of plastics can reduce toxic effects of plastics on human health and environment.

- by Ram Proshad
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- Human health, Plastic pollution

Medical Geology, the study of the impacts of geologic materials and processes on animal and human health, is a dynamic emerging discipline bringing together the geoscience, biomedical, and public health communities to solve a wide range of environmental health problems. Among the Medical Geology described in this review are examples of both deficiency and toxicity of trace element exposure. Goiter is a widespread and potentially serious health problem caused by deficiency of iodine. In many locations the deficiency is attributable to low concentrations of iodine in the bedrock. Similarly, deficiency of selenium in the soil has been cited as the principal cause of juvenile cardiomyopathy and muscular abnormalities. Overexposure to arsenic is one of the most widespread Medical Geology problems affecting more than one hundred million people in Bangladesh, India, China, Europe, Africa and North and South America. The arsenic exposure is primarily due to naturally high levels in groundwa...

- by Robert Finkelman
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- Geology, Arsenic, Environmental Health, Public Health

One of the primary tools for raising awareness on biological invasions has been the publication of species accounts of the most prominent alien invaders. Until now such compilations have been available only for particular taxa, biomes and/or regions (Cronk and Fuller 2001; Weber 2003; Weidema 2000). In Europe, species accounts for selected invasive species have been published for a few countries or

- by Melanie Josefsson
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- Geography, Environmental Management, Invasive Species, Czech Republic

The use of the 14-d earthworm toxicity test to aid in the evaluation of the ecological impact of contaminated soils is becoming increasingly widespread. However, the method is in need of further standardization. As part of this continuing process, the choice of reference toxicants was evaluated. Reference toxicants were rated in relation to the following criteria: (a) reproducibility, (b) low human health hazard, (c) feasibility of measurement, and (d) chemical stability. Potassium chloride (KCl) and ammonium chloride (NH,CI) were evaluated as possible alternatives to the one currently in common use, 2-chloroacetamide. Potassium chloride rated the best for the combination of the four criteria, followed by NH4C1 and 2-chloroacetamide. Coefficients of variation (C.V.s) from control charts of six definitive tests were used to measure reproducibility. The best reproducibility (lowest C.V.) was shown by KC1, followed by NH4C1 and 2-chloroacetamide. Toxicants ranked KCl < NH4C1 << 2-chloroacetamide in terms of health hazard; and KC1 = NH,Cl> 2-chloroacetamide in terms of measurement feasibility. Both 2-chloroacetamide and NH,Cl changed in concentration during testing. Evidence is also presented that 2-chloroacetamide degrades rapidly during testing, and that, as dead worms decay, ammonification may be adding another toxicant, ammonia, to tests.

- by Roger Yeardley
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- Environmental Science, Comparative Study, Soil Pollution, Biological Sciences

. Miral 500 CS CASa 42509-80-8 , an organophosphorus insecticide, has been widely used in Colombia to fumigate coffee plantations. Therefore, there is extensive human exposure to this pesticide. Miral's mutagenic and genotoxic activities, however, are not known. In this study, such activities of the pesticide were evaluated using the Salmonella TA98rS9 test and the chromosome aberration assay in bone marrow cells of Swiss albino CD1 male mice. All doses tested Ž . with Salmonella in the presence of S9 mix 3.2, 16, 80, 400 and 2000 mgrplate induced a mutagenic response that was three times the spontaneous mutation frequency. The mutagenic response without S9 was twice the spontaneous frequency.

- by Alonso Mirales
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- Colombia, Genetic Toxicology, Cell Cycle, Cytotoxicity

Anthropogenically-derived increases in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations have been implicated in recent climate change, and are projected to substantially impact the climate on a global scale in the future. For marine and freshwater systems, increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases are expected to increase surface temperatures, lower pH, and cause changes to vertical mixing, upwelling, precipitation, and evaporation patterns. The potential consequences of these changes for harmful algal blooms (HABs) have received relatively little attention and are not well understood. Given the apparent increase in HABs around the world and the potential for greater problems as a result of climate change and ocean acidification, substantial research is needed to evaluate the direct and indirect associations between HABs, climate change, ocean acidification, and human health. This research will require a multidisciplinary approach utilizing expertise in climatology, oceanography, biology, epidemiology, and other disciplines. We review the interactions between selected patterns of large-scale climate variability and climate change, oceanic conditions, and harmful algae.

- by Lora Fleming
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- Climate Change, Climate variability, Environmental Health, Eutrophication

Abstract: As a group, heavy metals include both those essential for normal biological functioning (e.g., Cu and Zn), and nonessential metals (e.g., Cd, Hg, and Pb). Both essential and nonessential metals can be present at concentrations that disturb normal biological functions, and which evoke cellular stress responses. The cellular targets for metal toxicity include tissues of the kidney, liver, heart, and the immune response and nervous systems. Intriguingly, manipulations of specific metals, their reservoirs, and the cellular stress response can have therapeutic effects on certain diseases. In this minireview, we will consider both the biological responses to stressful levels of heavy metal cations, and experimental and clinical manipulations of these cations as a means to improve human health parameters.

- by Lawrence Hightower
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- Immune response, Vascular Surgery, Multidisciplinary, Heavy metals

High-altitude populations using biofuels for household energy may be at health risk due to a combination of altitudinal stress and indoor exposures to biomass smoke. In this article, the authors measure indoor and outdoor breathing level concentrations of PM 2.5 and CO during periods of meal preparation in a convenience sample of homes above 3000 m in Cusco, Peru. From July 10 to 21, 2005, 237 measurements were taken during a pilot study at 41 residences. Results show the highest levels of PM 2.5 and CO occurred during the early morning in the kitchen when dung and wood were used. Additionally, findings suggest that residential biomass fuel combustion in Cusco results in elevated indoor PM 2.5 and CO exposure levels that are of potential human health concern, an issue that may be exacerbated by the physiological impact of living in a high-altitude environment.

- by Stephen Rathbun
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- Housing, Developing Countries, Peru, Air pollution

Plastic pollution is a global concern, leading to the abundance of macro-and microplastics (MPs) in the marine environment and subsequent accumulation in many marine organisms, particularly small pelagic and oceanic fish species. These small fishes are usually considered as the non-target catch or by-products of marine capture fisheries. However, these by-catch fishes convert into fishmeal due to their excellent nutritional value, and thereby, it used as the primary ingredient of artificial feeds for aquaculture and livestock animal production. The fishmeal and fish feed facilitates MPs' entry into the aquaculture systems when the MPs− contaminated feeds are supplied to cultured fish for regular feeding. Thus, MPs get access to interact with the elements of the culture pond ecosystem and leading to subsequent alterations in the physiological and behavioral attributes of cultured fishes. Consequently, MPs may accumulate in the edible portions of cultured fishes, which may cause severe physiological disorders in fish consumers. Thus, human exposure to MPs becomes a significant threat to global public health. Therefore, this review discussed the factors associated with MPs' introduction to the aquaculture systems via fishmeal. In addition, this article enlightened the possible consequences of MPs on the pond ecosystem, cultured fish physiology, and consumer health. We hypothesized that the growing concern among people about MPs might be impacted the demand for aquaculture goods. This study recommended taking necessary steps towards improving the MPs' screening process during fish feed production and focusing on more exclusive studies to elucidate the impacts of MPs on sustainable aquaculture production.

- by A G M Sofi Uddin Mahamud
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- Aquatic Ecology, Fish Health, Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Human health

Treated sewage effluent is one of the most common types of pollution found in urban rivers. Both the quality and quantity of effluent result in various impacts on the receiving freshwater as well as marine environment. This paper outlines these impacts from an ecological, social and economic perspective, and provides some suggestions on the way forward with regards prioritising wastewater

- by Cate Brown
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- Wastewater Treatment, Social impact, Aquatic Ecosystem, Economic Impact

The production of coca and poppy as well as the processing and production of cocaine and heroin involve significant environmental impacts. Both coca and poppy are grown intensively in a process that involves the clearing of land in remote areas, the planting of the crop, and protection against pests such as weeds, insects, and pathogens. The aerial spray program to control coca and poppy production in Colombia with the herbicide glyphosate is conducted with modern state-of-the-art aircraft and spray equipment. As a result of the use of best available spray and navigation technology, the likelihood of accidental off-target spraying is small and is estimated to be less than 1% of the total area sprayed. Estimated exposures in humans resulting from direct overspray, contact with treated foliage after reentry to fields, inhalation, diet, and drinking water were small and infrequent. Analyses of surface waters in five watersheds showed that, on most occasions, glyphosate was not present ...

- by Arturo Anadón
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- Business, Colombia, Environmental Monitoring, Public Health

This is the first publication on arsenic contamination of the Red River alluvial tract in the city of Hanoi and in the surrounding rural districts. Due to naturally occurring organic matter in the sediments, the groundwaters are anoxic... more

- by Chuyen Nguyen
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- Geochemistry, Arsenic, Environmental Monitoring, Public Health

Today’s life style and food habits are aligned to readymade fast food with challenges in human health safety causing ailments and disorders
such as blood pressure, blood sugar, constipation, gastric, weight gain, mental strain etc. They are all responsible to imbalance the life styles.
As a result, humans are suffering from varying types of health hazards. Type specific clays are tested at different levels for recovery from
such ailments. However, many of such tests are not validated medically, but evidences, being the witnesses of truth, necessitate systematic
investigations of type specific clays in soils for their clinical relevance for curing of human ailments and disorders. Clay eating followed by
detoxifying potential of clays deserves attention for clinical validation. Ethiopian soils are rich resources for type specific clays that could be
tested for clinical uses.

- by BJSTR Angela Roy
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- Clinical Relevance, Clays, Human health, Ailments

Rye bran contains a high content not only of dietary fibre, but also of plant lignans and other bioactive compounds in the so-called dietary fibre complex. Blood concentrations of lignans such as enterolactone have been used as biomarkers of intake of lignan-rich plant food. At present, evidence from studies in human subjects does not warrant the conclusion that rye, whole grains or phyto-oestrogens protect against cancer. Some studies, however, have pointed in that direction, especially in relation to cancers of the upper digestive tract. A number of prospective epidemiological studies have clearly shown a protective effect of whole-grain cereals against myocardial infarctions. A corresponding protective effect against diabetes and ischaemic stroke (brain infarct) has also been demonstrated. It seems reasonable to assume that these protective effects are associated with one or more factors in the dietary fibre complex.

- by Eva Lundin
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- Nutrition and Dietetics, Lignans, Human health, Dietary fiber

Since the conclusion of the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations in 1994, there has been increasing debate about the implications of freer trade for domestic or "nontrade" objectives in agriculture. These range from traditional concerns, such as food security and rural development, to more recent issues such as the relationship between agriculture and the environment, and the effects of agricultural practices on human health and animal welfare. For countries reluctant to reduce agricultural protection, a key issue is the extent to which domestic policy objectives would need to be sacrificed under freer trade. For countries espousing trade liberalization, the issue is whether domestic policy objectives will be used as a guise to undermine freer trade in agricultural products.

- by Linda Fulponi
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- Animal Welfare, Agricultural trade, Applied Economics, Food Security

Isolation of carrot fruit (Daucus carrota L., cultivar ''Chanteney") essential oil by supercritical carbon dioxide was investigated from the pretreatment of herbaceous matrix and extraction conditions to the chemical composition of obtained extract and its antimicrobial activity. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of the supercritical extract, as well as of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation, were done by GC/FID and GC/MS methods. Antimicrobial properties of both samples were investigated against ten species of microorganisms. Experimental results showed that the particle size had no influence on the extraction process. The highest yield was obtained at 40°C and 10 MPa. The main component of the supercritical extract, as well as of the essential oil was carotol. The supercritical extract was characterized by the presence of heavier molecular weight compounds, while some lighter compounds, e.g. pinenes, were not detected. The supercritical extract and the essential oil were the most effective against Gram-positive bacteria.

- by Giovanni Mita
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- Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Genetics

Proposals for revising the principal United States law governing industrial chemicals, the Toxic Substances Control Act, have been under consideration in the US Congress for the past several years, and some version of such legislation may be passed in the near future. Concurrently, a desire to move away from current testing methods for ethical, scientific, and practical reasons has led to multi-million dollar investments in in vitro and computational toxicology methods and programs. Legislative language has the potential to endorse this transition and facilitate its fruition, or conversely enshrine in vivo testing methods for the foreseeable future. New legislation also has the potential to substantially increase the numbers of animals used in toxicity tests in the near term. However, there are a number of policies that, used effectively, can reduce the overall number of animals used in new toxicity tests. We present recent legislative proposals in the context of current testing programs and discuss their potential impacts on animal use, test method innovation, and achievement of desired legislative objectives. Discussions like these are essential to judiciously select policies that reduce the use of animals in toxicity testing and protect human health and the environment.

- by Kristie Sullivan
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- Computational Biology, Toxicology, Animal Welfare, Practical Reasoning

Fifteen species of introduced ants, including eight cosmopolitan or tramp species, are recorded for the first time in the United Arab Emirates. They are Cardiocondyla emeryi, Camponotus compressus, Iridomyrmex anceps, Linepithema humile, Monomorium destructor, Monomorium indicum, Pachycondyla sennaarensis, Paratrechina flavipes, Paratrechina jaegerskioeldi, Paratrechina longicornis, Pheidole teneriffana, Solenopsis geminata, Tapinoma melanocephalum, Tapinoma simrothi and Tetramorium bicarinatum. A synopsis of their distribution, biology and pest status is given. Introduced species contribute an unusually high proportion of local ants and the ecological implications of their presence are discussed, including displacement of native fauna and impact upon human health. These ants abound in man-made, mesic environments and do not reach the characteristic sandy deserts of the region. Most invasive species are probably benign, but P.sennaarensis, M.destructor and S.geminata pose potential problems as public health and nuisance pests. The highly competitive S. geminata and L. humile may also threaten the local entomofauna and biodiversity.

- by barbara Tigar
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- Earth Sciences, Arid environments, Invasive Species, Public Health
- by Arti Bhatia
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- Plant Biology, Bioremediation, Multidisciplinary, Toxicity

AbstractÐAlthough the presence of hepatotoxins in surface and drinking water is regarded as an ecotoxicological and human health problem, limited knowledge exists on the fate of these compounds. Therefore the n-octanol/water distribution ratio (D ow ) of the hepatotoxin microcystin-LR (MC-LR) was determined in order to enable the prediction of the fate of this compound in the aquatic environment. The presence of two free ionizable carboxyl groups and one free ionizable amino group in MC-LR suggest that its speciation and partitioning between octanol and water is pH dependent. This was experimentally studied and con®rmed in the present study. The log D ow of MC-LR decreased from 2.18 at pH = 1 to À1.76 at pH = 10. From the low log D ow values, especially at the basic pH region at which the toxin producing cyanobacteria¯ourish, a low tendency to bioconcentrate from water in biota can be expected. #

- by Dick Sijm
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- Water, Multidisciplinary, Ph, Drinking Water

The present study is to assess the main causes of illness in the coal mining areas and to study the impact of pollution due to coal mining on human health. India is a tropical country which is zasa rich in mineral resources. Coal is one the main mineral resource of India. India is one of five countries with largest coal reserves. Largest amount in our GDP is contributed by coal. Many industries like iron and steel company, power sector, Cement Company and may other industries are dependent on coal. Coal sector plays an important role in electricity generation in our country. But on the other side its adverse effect on human health and environment has also become a main concern of our country. Environmental and health hazards due to air and water borne pollution of coal mining is making our lives miserable.

- by IERJ Journal
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- Coal Mining, Pollution, Human health, Water Borne Diseases

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS) Waste water Sewage treatment plant (STP) Surface water a b s t r a c t Aim of this study was to provide an up-to-date assessment of the antibiotics contaminating the aqueous environment in Italy, for a better understanding of risks for the ecosystem and human health. Antibiotics were first listed in order of their theoretical environmental loads, then were measured in wastewater of some sewage treatment plants (STPs) and in rivers in Italy. Macrolides, particularly clarithromycin and spiramycin, and quinolones, particularly ciprofloxacin and l-floxacin/ofloxacin, were the most abundant antibiotics in untreated wastewater. Several of them were not removed in STPs and still remained in the treated wastewater, and a total estimate of 7-14 tons of active principles were discharged annually into the aqueous environment in Italy through this route. Results of the analysis of rivers in northern Italy agreed with these figures, with an average load of 5 kg/day, or about 1.8 tons/year, of antibiotics flowing in the River Po, at sampling sites covering a basin comprising about one-fifth of the Italian population. In conclusion, antibiotics, particularly macrolides and quinolones, are widespread environmental contaminants, and urban STPs are confirmed a major source of the contamination.

- by Roberto Fanelli
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- Engineering, Mass Spectrometry, Water Purification, Risk

The decline in vulture populations due to diclofenac poisoning has become an issue of some concern in India. This paper conducts a cost benefit analysis of policy options to mitigate these damages. Vultures compete for food with feral dogs, a major source of rabies and bites. These human health impacts are found to be significant and may outweigh costs of moving to alternative veterinary drugs. A preliminary survey of the Parsi community finds no spiritual values, though further work needs to be done on this issue. Even with a number of key benefits not valued -notably tourism and existence values -the net benefits of policies driven by vulture protection are found to be positive.

- by Kishore Dhavala
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- Human health, Cost Benefit Analysis

Scientific literature may be biased because of the internal validity of studies being compromised by different forms of measurement error, and/or because of the selective reporting of positive and 'statistically significant' results. While the first source of bias might be prevented, and in some cases corrected to a degree, the second represents a pervasive problem afflicting the medical literature; a situation that can only be 'corrected' by a change in the mindset of authors, reviewers, and editors. This review focuses on the concepts of confounding, selection bias and information bias, utilising explanatory examples and simple rules to recognise and, when possible, to correct for them. Confounding is a mixing of effects resulting from an imbalance of some of the causes of disease across the compared groups. It can be prevented by randomization and restriction, and controlled by stratification, standardization or by using multivariable techniques. Selection bias stems from an absence of comparability among the groups being studied, while information bias arises from distorted information collection techniques. Publication bias of medical research results can invalidate evidence-based medicine, when a researcher attempting to collect all the published studies on a specific topic actually gathers only a proportion of them, usually the ones reporting 'positive' results. The selective publication of 'statistically significant' results represents a problem that researchers and readers have to be aware of in order to face the entire body of published medical evidence with a degree of scepticism.

- by Gary Weckman
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- Bioinformatics, Evidence Based Medicine, Human Factors, Life Sciences

Phenols and plasticizers are widely used in the plastic industry, in food packaging and to impart softness and flexibility to normally rigid plastic medical devices and children's toys. The effects on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and the androgen receptor (AR) were assessed using luciferase reporter gene assays of the following compounds: bisphenol A (BPA), 4-n-nonylphenol (nNP), 4-tert-octylphenol (tOP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-isononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), 4-chloro-3-methylphenol (CMP), 2-phenylphenol (2-PP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP), resorcinol and bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA). Furthermore, a mixture of selected compounds was tested at the no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC), the low-observed-effect concentration (LOEC) and the half-maximum-effect/inhibitory concentration (EC 50 /IC 50 ) of the single chemicals.

- by Eva Bonefeld-jørgensen
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- Toxicology, Risk assessment, Gene expression, bisphenol A

A preliminary assessment of the potential environmental and human health impact of UDMH as a result of space activities has been carried out applying a theoretical approach in comparison with selected experimental data. The theoretical framework includes QSAR, ADME and PASS modelling as well as studies on the possible atmospheric dispersion of UDMH as calculated applying the OML-Multi model. The possible impact on the environment and the human health has been elucidated and it has been concluded that UDMH especially inside the fall region of burned-out rocket stages constitute a significant threat to both environmental and human health, the latter as a results of the carcinogenic, mutagenic, convulsant, teratogenic and embryotoxic characteristics of UDMH in addition to the general toxic characteristics of the compound.

- by Lars Carlsen and +1
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- Environmental Health, Environmental Chemistry, Risk assessment, Multidisciplinary

The beneficial effect of vegetation on particle deposition is often stated in arboricultural literature but has rarely been researched in detail. To quantify these filtering effects of faç ade greening, it is necessary to study the accumulation properties of leaf surfaces on particle adsorption. In this paper attention will be given to a measure technique for particle adsorption on vegetation. The presented preliminary study aims to classify the total amount of particles by counting of particles on ESEM photographs. In the PhD research more attention will be given on the relation between particle reduction and the effect of vegetation on air quality improvements. Two locations were investigated, namely: leaves from near a traffic road and from a woodland. A difference in the particle amount was found at the underside and upper side of the leaves. For example, in a sampling at early autumn for the road location roughly 7000 particles (per 1275 × 950 m) were counted for the upper side, and, roughly 3200 particles for the underside. Also a difference in particle amount was found between the two different locations, respectively roughly 7000 particles for the upper side of the leaf at the road location and roughly 3300 for the woodland location. The comparison must give more insight into the sink capacity of vegetation, but also between the environments. In the paper, results of counting particles on leaves from both locations are provided via a factorial design approach with four independent factors at two levels (height, leaf, time and environment). The outcome of the factorial design shows that there is a difference between the collecting capacity of the leaf (upper side/underside) and between the environments (road/woodland). Fine and ultra-fine particles (i.e., the fractions that are potentially the most harmful to human health) were more abundantly found on the leaves than coarser particles. Also some energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) of the adhered particles is provided. As the main conclusion of this research, it can be said that counting particles instead of weighing particles on a specific leaf area seems to be a proper way to classify aerosol deposition on vegetation.

- by M. Ottelé
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- Engineering, Ecological Engineering, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science

Air quality crisis in cities is mainly due to vehicular emissions. Transportation systems are increasing everywhere and the improvements in technology are insufficient to counteract growth. This paper examines the effect of vehicular emission on urban air quality and human health, and focuses on the unique features of an Indian mega city regarding its air pollution. A fact-finding survey was conducted to evaluate the status of air pollution at traffic intersections and the problem arising out of vehicular emissions in the study area. All the key pollutants are in excess of permitted levels. The severe detrimental effects of this pollution are reviewed. The problems have reached threatening dimensions. Vulnerable analysis (VA) has been carried out to evaluate the air pollution stress at different locations within the study area. Options for controlling mobile sources emissions are discussed and a strategic motor vehicle control strategy has been proposed to mitigate the air pollution in the city. Replacement of old vehicles, reformulating diesel fuel, introduction of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG), massive improvements in infrastructure and radical traffic management measures are among the actions that will need to be brought together to achieve this objective.

- by Rahul Paul
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- Air Quality, IT Management, Air pollution, Traffic Management

It is always a question whether sensory and nutritional properties of walnut are being affected by drying methods and harvesting date or not. In this study, effect of three drying methods (sun drying and drying at 20 and 30°C) and four maturity stage (harvested weekly from 15 days after initiation of browning of packing tissue around the kernels until hull dehiscence) were tested on quality of two walnut cultivars (‘Chandler’ and ‘Jamal’). Our results revealed that the walnut kernels dried at 20°C have notably higher content of protein (13.1 gr/100 gr), saturated (palmitic [6.62%] and stearic acid [3.98%]) and polyunsaturated (linoleic [62%] and linolenic acid [14.59%]) fatty acids, higher walnut kernel color (85.33%) and lower walnut kernel shrivel (16.38%). Drying at 20°C also caused the lowest peroxide value (0.33 meq/ kg oil). Kernels of the Persian walnuts harvested later had a meaningful higher protein (14.49 gr/100 gr), oil (54.53%), saturated (9.37%) and unsaturated (96.36) fatty acid content, and lower shrivel index (13.46%) but with darker walnut kernel color (37.83%) and higher peroxide value (1.33 meq/kg oil) in comparison with the walnut kernels harvested earlier. Practical applications Nutritional and sensory quality of walnut kernel during postharvest life is determined by various factors. According to our results, from sensory and nutritional quality viewpoint, ‘Chandler’ is considered to be a more suitable cultivar than ‘Jamal’ and drying walnut kernels at 20°C better preserved its sensory and nutritional quality than drying at 30°C and sun drying method. Moreover, a positive correlation of walnut kernels color index and polyunsaturated fatty acid plus a negative correlation between shrivel index and nutraceutical properties of walnut kernels indicates that walnut kernel color and shrivel can simply reflect the nutritional quality of walnut kernels.

- by Kourosh Vahdati
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- Biochemistry, Food Science, Nutrition, Drying Technology

Social attachment is vital for human health and welfare. Recent experimental evidence in humans has identified the role of neuroactive hormones, especially the peptide oxytocin, in mediating trusting behaviors. Herein, we test if the endocrinological basis for trust between humans scales up to the country level. Trust pervades nearly every aspect of our daily lives, yet survey data on trust show substantial variation across countries. Using 31 measures of biological, social, and environmental factors associated with hormone levels for a sample of 41 countries, we find that two classes of factors are related to trust: consumption of plant-based estrogens (phytoestrogens), and the presence of environmental conditions that include measures of estrogen-like molecules. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that interpersonal trust at the country level may be related to the intake of neuroactive hormones. #

- by Paul Zak
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- Neuroeconomics, Trust, Economics and Human Biology, Global Health

The potential impact on human health from antibiotic-resistant bacteria selected by use of antibiotics in food animals has resulted in many reports and recommended actions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine has issued Guidance Document 152, which advises veterinary drug sponsors of one potential process for conducting a qualitative risk assessment of drug use in food animals. Using this guideline, we developed a deterministic model to assess the risk from two macrolide antibiotics, tylosin and tilmicosin. The scope of modeling included all label claim uses of both macrolides in poultry, swine, and beef cattle. The Guidance Document was followed to de ne the hazard, which is illness (i) caused by foodborne bacteria with a resistance determinant, (ii) attributed to a speci ed animal-derived meat commodity, and (iii) treated with a human use drug of the same class. Risk was de ned as the probability of this hazard combined with the consequence of treatment failure due to resistant Campylobacter spp. or Enterococcus faecium. A binomial event model was applied to estimate the annual risk for the U.S. general population. Parameters were derived from industry drug use surveys, scienti c literature, medical guidelines, and government documents. This unique farm-to-patient risk assessment demonstrated that use of tylosin and tilmicosin in food animals presents a very low risk of human treatment failure, with an approximate annual probability of less than 1 in 10 million Campylobacter-derived and approximately 1 in 3 billion E. faecium-derived risk.

- by Alan Mathew
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- Veterinary Medicine, Public Health, Risk assessment, Multidisciplinary
- by Christos Gallis and +1
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- Human health, Curriculum and Pedagogy

Uncultivated foods have received little attention in the scientific literature and nutrition programs of Mexico because they are usually seen as complementary to agricultural activities, i.e., corn planting and harvesting. Using an ecosystem approach to human health, this article examines the availability, nutritional contribution, and consumption patterns by gender and age of such foods in Ixhuapan and Ocozotepec, two native communities of southern Veracruz, Mexico. The research shows important differences between both communities. Ixhuapan has a more uniform environment and its people have opted for commercial activities and land parceling. Land use changes have led to a decrease in the number of people engaged in subsistence agriculture, environmental degradation, lower corn yields, and the loss of traditional, uncultivated foods. These changes have had a negative impact on the nutritional status of Ixhuapan children and adults, particularly women. Within each community, however, there are also important differences in terms of access to resources based on gender and age. Men catch game and large fish while women catch shrimp. Men gather seasonal plants in the forest while women gather wild weeds in the cornfields and spices in their backyards. Boys, more often than girls, obtain fruits from trees located in their backyard or the town's public spaces. The article shows that women's food resources are frequently consumed and constitute good sources of micronutrients.

- by Verónica Vázquez García
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- Ecohealth, Ecology, Ecosystem health, Public Space

Alignment of serial epidemiological, physiological, including electrocardiographic data with variations in galactic cosmic rays, geomagnetic activity, and atmospheric pressure suggests the possibility of links among these physical environmental variations and health risks, such as myocardial infarctions and ischemic strokes, among others. An increase in the incidence of myocardial infarction in association with magnetic storms, reported by several investigators from Russia, Israel, Italy and Mexico, accounts in Minnesota for a 5% (220 cases=year) increase in mortality during years of maximal solar activity by comparison with years of minimal solar activity. Magnetic storms are also found to decrease heart rate variability (HRV), indicating a possible mechanism since a reduced HRV is a prognostic factor for coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. Longitudinal electrocardiographic monitoring for a week or much longer spans in di erent geographic locations, notably in the auroral oval, further suggests that the decrease in HRV a ects spectral regions other than that around 3:6 s (0.15 -0:40 Hz), reportedly associated with the parasympathetic nervous system. Di erences in some associations are observed from solar cycle to solar cycle, and as a function of solar cycle stage, a ÿnding resolving controversies. Coordinated physiological and physical monitoring, the scope of an international project on the Biosphere and the Cosmos, seeks reference values for a better understanding of environmental e ects on human health and for testing the merit of space weather reports that could prompt countermeasures in space and on earth. Physiological data being collected systematically worldwide and morbidity=mortality statistics from causes such as myocardial infarction and stroke constitute invaluable data bases for assessing changes within the physiological range, for detecting environmental e ects and for recognizing endogenous as well as exogenous disease-risk syndromes. Timely and timed intervention may then be instituted to lower risk, in preference to exclusive current focus on treating overt disease. These chronodiagnostics are particularly important for those venturing into regions away from hospitals, such as astronauts in space.

- by Jarmila Siegelova and +1
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- Atmospheric Science, Heart rate variability, Space Weather, Solar Activity

The recent movement of regulatory agencies toward probabilistic analyses of human health and environmental risks has focused greater attention on the quality of the estimates of variability and uncertainty that underlie them. Of particular concern is how uncertainty -a measure of what is not known -is characterized, as uncertainty can play an influential role in analyses of the need for regulatory controls or in estimates of the economic value of additional research. This paper reports the second phase of a study, conducted as an element of the National Human Exposure Assessment Survey ( NHEXAS ), to obtain and calibrate exposure assessment experts' judgments about uncertainty in residential ambient, residential indoor, and personal air benzene concentrations experienced by the nonsmoking, nonoccupationally exposed population in U.S. EPA's Region V. Subjective judgments ( i.e., the median, interquartile range, and 90% confidence interval ) about the means and 90th percentiles of each of the benzene distributions were elicited from the seven experts participating in the study. The calibration or quality of the experts' judgments was assessed by comparing them to the actual measurements from the NHEXAS Region V study using graphical techniques, a quadratic scoring rule, and surprise and interquartile indices. The results from both quantitative scoring methods suggested that, considered collectively, the experts' judgments were relatively well calibrated although on balance, underconfident. The calibration of individual expert judgments appeared variable, highlighting potential pitfalls in reliance on individual experts. In a surprising finding, the experts' judgments about the 90th percentiles of the benzene distributions were better calibrated than their predictions about the means; the experts tended to be overconfident in their ability to predict the means. This paper is also one of the first calibration studies to demonstrate the importance of taking into account intraexpert correlation on the statistical significance of the findings. When the judgments were assumed to be independent, analysis of the surprise and interquartile indices found evidence of poor calibration ( P < 0.05 ). However, when the intraexpert correlation in the study was taken into account, these findings were no longer statistically significant. The analysis further found that the experts' judgments scored better than estimates of Region V benzene concentrations simply drawn from earlier studies of ambient, indoor and personal benzene levels in other U.S. cities. These results suggest the value of careful elicitation of expert judgments in characterizing exposures in probabilistic form. Additional calibration studies need to be undertaken to corroborate and extend these findings.

- by James Hammitt
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- Perception, Forecasting, Risk Management, Public Health

Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites that can be produced in crops and other food commodities both pre-and post-harvest. When ingested, mycotoxins may cause a mycotoxicosis which can result in an acute or chronic disease episode. Chronic conditions have a much greater impact, numerically, on human health globally. Reduced growth and development, immunosupression and cancer are chronic effects that have a higher incidence following continual exposure to low level mycotoxin ingestion as is experienced in many developing countries. It has been estimated that 25% of the world's crops are affected by mould or fungal growth and as stable, natural contaminants of the food chain, mycotoxin reduction requires a multifaceted approach, including farmers, government agencies, food processors and scientists. This can have a significant impact on the cost of food production. International regulatory standards for mycotoxins in food commodities determines the extent of global trade in contaminated commodities.

- by Rashmi Ramakrishna
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- Fungi, Human health, Mycotoxin, Mycotoxicosis

J Korean Med Assoc 2008; 51(8): 764 -769 C limate changes, particularly global warming, are attributable to human activities, mainly fossil fuel burning which releases greenhouse gases such as CO 2 . The emissions of CO 2 continue to rise, and climate models project 1.1°C to 6.4°C rise of average surface temperature over the 21 st century. Health effects from global warming range from increased mortality by extreme weather, floods, and storms to increase of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and diarrhea. Korea is not immune to health impacts from global warming. Data on daily temperature of Seoul in 1994 showed a clear association with daily mortality. Rise of sea and surface temperatures also indicates possibility of increase in infectious diseases in Korea. Concentrations of ambient pollutants, particularly ozone, were shown to be associated with surface temperature. Therefore, we are already in the influence of climate change. Adaptation strategy to climate changes is basically a matter of public health. Well-prepared programs for responding to climate changes will minimize health risks. The most effective responses are strengthening of the key functions of environmental management, surveillance, and response to natural disasters and changes of disease patterns associated with global warming. We need to intensify our efforts in preventive public health, and ensure sustainable development and protection of ecosystem for human health.

- by Bimal Lama
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- Human Geography, Demography, Health Promotion, Epidemiology

In an age when vector-borne diseases are emerging worldwide, personal protective measures are essential for shielding soldiers and other exposed persons from arthropod attack. The development of permethrin-impregnated clothing has been one recent advance in protecting persons at-risk. However, to date risk assessment has not been performed related to wearing permethrin-impregnated clothing over longer time periods. Therefore, this paper describes relevant toxicological aspects of permethrin and estimates the extent of dermal permethrin uptake by soldiers wearing impregnated uniforms by determining urine metabolites of permethrin.

- by Ursula Gundert-remy
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- Government, Toxicology, Risk, Public Health

Dioksin ve benzeri bileşikler hemen her yerde bulunabilen insan ve hayvan sağlığını tehdit eden toksik çevre kirleticileridir. En çok bilinen dioksinler poliklorlu-ρ-dioksinler (PCDD), poliklorludibenzofuranlar (PCDF) ve poliklorlubifeniller (PCB)'dir. Dioksinler suda az çözünmeleri ve lipofilik olmaları nedeniyle gıdalarda birikebilir ve çok uzun bir süre kararlı durumda bulunabilirler. Bitkisel gıdalarda oldukça düşük miktarlarda bulunan dioksinler daha çok et ve ürünleri, süt ve ürünleri ile deniz ürünleri gibi hayvansal gıdalarda bulunmaktadırlar. Dolayısıyla insanlar dioksine daha çok besin zinciriyle maruz kalmaktadırlar. Dioksine maruz kalan insanlarda başta kanser olmak üzere kloroakne, wasting sendromu, kusurlu böbrek gelişimi gibi doğuma ait bozukluklar ile immunotoksisite, nörotoksisite, kardiyotoksisite, üreme bozuklukları, çocuklarda gelişim bozukluğu, yüksek tansiyon ve astım gibi birçok olumsuz etkiler gözlenmektedir. Sonuç olarak, insan sağlığı ve gıda güvenliği açısından dioksin kontaminasyonunun önlenmesi veya en aza indirgenmesi çok büyük önem taşımaktadır.

- by Hasan Yetim
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- Electronic, Animal health, Milk products, Human health

Environmental scientists play a key role in society's responses to environmental problems, and many of the studies they perform are intended ultimately to affect policy. The precautionary principle, proposed as a new guideline in environmental decision making, has four central components: taking preventive action in the face of uncertainty; shifting the burden of proof to the proponents of an activity; exploring a wide range of alternatives to possibly harmful actions; and increasing public participation in decision making. In this paper we examine the implications of the precautionary principle for environmental scientists, whose work often involves studying highly complex, poorly understood systems, while at the same time facing conflicting pressures from those who seek to balance economic growth and environmental protection. In this complicated and contested terrain, it is useful to examine the methodologies of science and to consider ways that, without compromising integrity and objectivity, research can be more or less helpful to those who would act with precaution. We argue that a shift to more precautionary policies creates opportunities and challenges for scientists to think differently about the ways they conduct studies and communicate results. There is a complicated feedback relation between the discoveries of science and the setting of policy. While maintaining their objectivity and focus on understanding the world, environmental scientists should be aware of the policy uses of their work and of their social responsibility to do science that protects human health and the environment. The precautionary principle highlights this tight, challenging linkage between science and policy.

- by Margaret Quinn
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- Environmental Science, Science Policy, Decision Making, Economic Growth
- by Oluyomi Sowemimo
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- Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Health Education, Nigeria

Iceland may be said to have become part of the Danish kingdom in 1536, although it was not formally subject to Danish laws until 1662. In 1904 the union with Denmark began to dissolve when home rule was granted, and since 1944 Iceland has been a self-governing republic. For the period ca. 1700 to 1894 a valuable historical legacy from Danish rule exists in the form of official reports describing conditions in Iceland. The reports or letters were written one to three times a year by Icelandic officials known as S slumenn (Sheriffs) and Amtmenn (District Governors) and sent to the Stiftamtma ur or Landshöf ingja (Governors of Iceland). The letters were produced for all of the counties of Iceland (23) thus enabling comparison of conditions in different areas. These letters form a goldmine of climatic, environmental, and historical information. They are located in the National Archives in Reykjavík, are unpublished, and are mainly written in Gothic handwriting in Danish. The reports contain information on climate (especially temperature and precipitation), sea-ice variations, comments on glacial phenomena, environmental impacts such as the occurrence of volcanic eruptions and avalanches, as well as information on fisheries, livestock, grass-growth and hay yield, and human health. In this paper, the focus is on environmental images of Iceland during the nineteenth century, as seen through the eyes of the S slumenn and Amtmenn. . This map shows the 23 traditional counties or districts (s slur) of Iceland. It should be noted that this is to give a general guideline only. Nineteenth-century boundaries varied slightly from the present. Also shown are the residences of the District Governor and the Governor, as mentioned in the text.

- by Astrid Ogilvie
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- Nineteenth Century, Sea Ice, Environmental Impact, Human health

Polyphenolic compounds present in wine have a high antioxidant capacity providing a protective effect on human health. There is a worldwide agreement on this assertion. However, there is no agreement on the method of assessing the antioxidant capacity of wines. The purpose of this study was to emphasize the ability of the laccase-based biosensor developed by our group to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of several types of wine in relation to their polyphenolic content. The values of total antioxidant activity of the investigated wine samples were well correlated with the corresponding bioelectrochemical polyphenol-estimated values, the correlation coefficient obtained being r = 0.9795 (p \ 0.05). The linear relationship between total antioxidant activity and bioelectrochemical polyphenol index determined by laccase-based biosensor enabled the calculation of the TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity) of a wine from its bioelectrochemical polyphenol index.

- by Dulce Gil
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- Industrial Biotechnology, Human health, Food Sciences, Correlation coefficient

Berries contain powerful antioxidants, potential allergens, and other bioactive compounds. Genetic and environmental factors affect production and storage of such compounds. For this reason breeding and biotechnological approaches are currently used to control or to increase the content of specific health-related compounds in fruits. This work reviews the main bioactive compounds determining the nutritional quality of berries, the major factors affecting their content and activity, and the genetic options currently available to achieve new genotypes able to provide, under controlled cultivation conditions, berries with the proper balance of bioactive compounds for improving consumer health.

- by Jules Beekwilder
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- Genetics, Nutrition, Biotechnology, Life Sciences

Various berries and fruit types of less common fruit species are known to contain antioxidants. Consumption of high amounts of antioxidant flavonoids, which display a variety of biological properties, including antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activity, may have a positive impact on human health, particularly for the prevention of cancer and other inflammatory diseases. In these studies, based on the hypothesis that the fruit extract with the highest content would possess significantly higher health benefits, flavonoid-rich extracts were obtained from some less common fruit species -Blue Honeysuckles (Lonicera Kamtschatica and Lonicera edulis, Turcz. ex. Freyn), Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) and Chinese Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida BUNGE) -grown from germplasm held at the Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic and then characterized in terms of biological value based on the results from a relative antioxidant capacity assessment. The antioxidant content

- by Alberto Rojas-hernández
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- Analytical Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Water, Biosensors