Integrated geospatial analysis linking metal contamination among three different compartments of Lake Edku ecosystem in Egypt to human health effects

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study is the first in forming an integrated up-to-date spatial analysis linking heavy metal contamination among three different compartments of...     

Novel Sorbent of Sand Coated with Humic Acid-Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Elimination of Copper and Cadmium Ions from Contaminated Water

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - Nanoparticles of humic acid and iron oxide were impregnated on the inert sand to produce sorbent for treating groundwater contained of cadmium and copper...     

The ameliorative effect of kaempferol against CdCl2- mediated renal damage entails activation of Nrf2 and inhibition of NF-kB

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study evaluated the nephroprotective effect of kaempferol against cadmium chloride (CdCl2) -induced nephropathy in rats. It also investigated if...     

Household bush burning practice and related respiratory symptoms in Grenada,the Caribbean

The practice of household bush burning in Grenada occurs frequently, though it is not well documented. The effects of the emissions from bush burning on respiratory health of the population have never been researched in Grenada. The goal of the study was to measure the frequency of bush burning and to investigate the relationship between bush burning practice and respiratory health in Grenada. In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was used to gather information from households in the parishes of St. George and St. Andrew, Grenada. In total, 225 participants were recruited and their responses on household bush burning and respiratory symptoms were analyzed. Self-reported data showed that the practice of bush burning was conducted by 43% (n = 96) of the participants as a regular practice (every month) and 86% (n = 192) of participants stated that their neighbors burn bush regularly. The most common lower respiratory symptom associated with bush burning was dry cough (31.4%). The participants who engage in the practice of bush burning had a statistically significant, higher prevalence of sinusitis symptoms (OR: 2.1, CI 95%: 1.1–3.9) and had slightly higher prevalence of cough (OR: 1.6, CI 95%: 0.9–2.8). Prevalences of physician-diagnosed asthma and sinusitis were 12.3% and 31.2%, respectively. Conducting studies on the health effects of bush burning in different settings and with different practices, such as the household bush burning in our current study, could help to improve public health in the developing world.

Implications:?Household disposal of waste is a significant issue in the developing world. In particular, residential bush burning is a common practice in tropical regions. This study demonstrates that the common practice of bush burning in the Caribbean is associated with respiratory symptoms and demonstrates the need for better management of residential yard waste. Burning of yard waste results in potentially significant exposures to air pollution and therefore alternative disposal practices need to be available. There is a need to increase awareness of the importance of avoiding exposure to the air pollutants generated during bush burning among communities in the Caribbean.     

Externalities of Fugitive Dust

It is known that fugitive dust can cause human health and environmental problems, alone or in combination with other air pollutants. These problems are referred to as ‘external costs’ that have been traditionally ignored. However, there is a growing interest towards quantifying externalities to assist policy and decision-making. With this in mind, the present study aimed at discussing the environmental regulations that deal with fugitive dust, the impact of fugitive dust on human health and global climate system, and the available methods for calculating fugitive dust externalities. The damage cost associated with human health and global environmental problems was predicted based on the environmental strategy priority model. The damage cost estimated by the model ranged from 40 to 374 EUR/kg of emitted fugitive dust with a mean value of 120 EUR/kg of emitted fugitive dust. It was also found that PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ have contributed to about 60% and 36% of the estimated damage cost, respectively. The remaining 4% was attributed to both nitrate and sulfate aerosols.