Blood-Pb and hair-Pb levels in donor-matched samples

Lead concentrations in blood and scalp hair of 200 school boys, aged 6-8 years, were measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean blood-Pb concentration was 6.8 microg dl(-1) and the mean hair-Pb concentration was 9.7 microg g(-1) (dry weight). These values are well within the normal range for the respective tissues, indicating that the children studied are presently at relatively low risk from environmental lead pollution. A correlation analysis carried out on the data failed to show any statistically significant correlation (r = 0.13, p < 0.05) between the blood-Pb and hair-Pb concentrations.     

Adsorption kinetics and modeling of H2S by treated waste oil fly ash

Waste oil fly ash (OFA) collected from disposal of power generation plants was treated by physicochemical activation technique to improve the surface properties of OFA. This synthesized material was further used for potential hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) adsorption from synthetic natural gas. The raw OFA was basically modified with a mixture of acids (20% nitric acid [HNO₃] and 80% phosphoric acid [H₃PO₄]), and it was further treated with 2 M potassium hydroxide (KOH) to enhance the surface affinity as well as surface area of synthesized activated carbon. Correspondingly, it enhanced the adsorption of H₂S. Crystallinity, surface morphology, and pore volume distribution of prepared activated carbon were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyses. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) study was also performed to identify the functional groups during different synthesis stages of modified activated carbon. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips, and dual-site Langmuir (DSL) models were used to study the kinetic and breakthrough behavior of H₂S adsorption over alkali-modified activated carbon. Modeling results of isotherms indicated that OFA has dual sites with high and low affinity for H₂S adsorption. The Clark model, Thomas model, and Yoon-Nelson model were used to examine the effects of flow rate and inlet concentration on the adsorption of H₂S. Maximum uptake capacity of 8.5 mg/g was achieved at 100 ppm inlet concentration and flow rate of 0.2 L/min.

Implications: Utilization of worthless oil fly ash from power plant is important not only for cleaning the environment but also for solid waste minimization. This research scope is to eradicate one pollutant by using another pollutant (waste ash) as a raw material. Chemical functionalization of synthesized activated carbon from oil fly ash would lead to attachment of functional groups of basic nature to attract the acidic H₂S. Such type of treatment can enhance the uptake capacity of sorbent several times.     

Spatial assessment of groundwater quality in Guna Tana landscape

This study focuses on investigating the quality of groundwater for irrigation and drinking water purposes. Spatial distribution of physicochemical and microbiological parameters was assessed from samples collected from springs, hand‐dug wells, and boreholes found the Guna Tana landscape. A total of 70 samples were considered for physical, chemical, and bacteriological water quality determination. The results revealed that most of the groundwater quality index (WQI) values lie between good and excellent. The maximum, minimum, mean, and standard deviation of each water quality parameter were prepared for evaluating groundwater quality. According to the WQI values, more than 83% of the water samples were classified as excellent water for drinking. More than 92% of the water samples showed low sodium hazards for irrigation and about 48% and 46% of the water samples were classified as within the excellent and good water classes for irrigation based on their electrical conductance levels. Therefore, the groundwater that is found in the Guna Tana landscape could be used for drinking and irrigation purposes without any advanced treatment.     

Postural assessment in pen-and-paper-based observational methods and their associated health effects: a review

Introduction. This review describes standardized ergonomics assessment based on pen-and-paper observational methods for assessing ergonomics risk factors. Objective. The three main objectives are to analyze published pen-and-paper observational methods, to extract and understand the risk levels of each method and to identify their associated health effects. Methodology. The authors searched scientific databases and the Internet for materials from 1970 to 2013 using the following keywords: ergo, posture, method, observational, postural angle, health effects, pain and diseases. Postural assessments of upper arms, lower arms, wrists, neck, back and legs in six pen-and-paper-based observational methods are highlighted, extracted in groups and linked with associated adverse health effects. Results. The literature reviewed showed strengths and limitations of published pen-and-paper-based observational methods in determining the work activities, risk levels and related postural angles to adverse health effects. This provided a better understanding of unsafe work postures and how to improve these postures. Conclusion. Many pen-and-paper-based observational methods have been developed. However, there are still many limitations of these methods. There is, therefore, a need to develop a new pen-and-paper-based observational method for assessing postural problems.     

Genotoxicity of ferric oxide nanoparticles in Raphanus sativus: Deciphering the role of signaling factors, oxidative stress and cell death

We have studied the genotoxic and apoptotic potential of ferric oxide nanoparticles(Fe_2O_3-NPs) in Raphanus sativus(radish).Fe_2O_3-NPs retarded the root length and seed germination in radish.Ultrathin sections of treated roots showed subcellular localization of Fe_2O_3-NPs,along with the appearance of damaged mitochondria and excessive vacuolization.Flow cytometric analysis of Fe_2O_3-NPs(1.0 mg/m L) treated groups exhibited 219.5%,161%,120.4% and 161.4% increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS),mitochondrial membrane potential(ΔΨm),nitric oxide(NO) and Ca2+influx in radish protoplasts.A concentration dependent increase in the antioxidative enzymes glutathione(GSH),catalase(CAT),superoxide dismutase(SOD) and lipid peroxidation(LPO) has been recorded.Comet assay showed a concentration dependent increase in deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA) strand breaks in Fe_2O_3-NPs treated groups.Cell cycle analysis revealed 88.4% of cells in sub-G1 apoptotic phase,suggesting cell death in Fe_2O_3-NPs(2.0 mg/m L) treated group.Taking together,the genotoxicity induced by Fe_2O_3-NPs highlights the importance of environmental risk associated with improper disposal of nanoparticles(NPs) and radish can serve as a good indicator for measuring the phytotoxicity of NPs grown in NP-polluted environment.     

The nexus of environment-related technologies and consumption-based carbon emissions in top five emitters: empirical analysis through dynamic common correlated effects estimator

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Climate action got attention from the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although a large number of studies are investigating...     

Use of different soft tissues of Perna viridis a s biomonitors of bioavailability and contamination by heavy metals (Cd,Cu, Fe,Pb, Ni,and Zn) in a semi-enclosed intertidal water,the Johore Straits

Green-lipped mussels, Perna viridis, were collected from the eastern and western parts of the Johore Straits in September 2004 and January 2005. Based on the heavy metal concentrations in the different soft tissues (gonad, foot, mantle, gills, muscle, and remaining soft tissues) of these mussel samples, the eastern part of the Johore Straits (which is divided into two portions by a causeway), recorded higher levels of bioavailability and contamination by Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Zn when compared to the western part, while Kg. Pasir Puteh in the eastern part was found to record the highest bioavailability and contamination by heavy metals. The use of different soft tissues of P. viridis as biomonitors of bioavailability and contamination by Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, and Zn in the semi-enclosed Johore Straits is proposed, since erroneous results due to spawning and the problem of defecation before dissection could be overcome. Hence, a more accurate interpretation of the bioavailability and contamination by heavy metals in coastal waters could be obtained. To our knowledge, this is the most detailed study on the bioavailability and contamination of heavy metals in the Johore Straits on the Malaysian side of the waterway carried out by using the different soft tissues and metal distribution based on the Mussel Watch approach.     

Screening the methanolic extracts of some plants for tyrosinase inhibitory activity

Melanin is responsible for pigmentation of skin and hair. It protects the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation; however, its abnormal production may lead to different diseases such as hyper-pigmentation or vitiligo. Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in melanin production, therefore inhibitors of this enzyme should have broad application. Due to the adverse effects of synthetic inhibitors currently being used, the search for new inhibitors, especially natural ones, is needed. The methanolic extracts of 80 plants were tested for their tyrosinase inhibitory activities by spectrophotometry at 492?nm. The inhibition mode of effective plant extracts was determined using the Lineweaver-Burk plots. Among these plant extracts, Alhagi camelorum (camel thorn), Camelia sinensis (green tea), Cuminum cyminum (Cumin), Lawsonia inermis (henna), Quercus infectoria (masso), and Vaccinium arctostaphylos (Caucasian whortleberry) were identified as tyrosinase inhibitors with inhibitory effect of more than 50% at concentrations of 1.14?g?L^?1. The inhibition mode of four newly found effective plant extracts showed that A. camelorum and V. arctostaphylos inhibit the enzyme in a competitive manner whereas L. inermis and Q. infectoria have mixed inhibitory effect. To recommend these plant extracts for hyper-pigmentation disorders and other applications, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed.