Exploring the existence of aviation Kuznets curve in the context of environmental pollution for OECD nations

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Environmental degradation has put significant consequences at both the national and global levels. Economic development and ecological sustainability...     

克拉玛依市地表灰尘重金属污染及潜在生态风险评估

城市地表灰尘作为城市环境污染物载体,影响城市生态环境和人体健康.为探究绿洲城市地表灰尘重金属污染风险,从新疆克拉玛依市克拉玛依区采集52个地表灰尘样品,分析其中Hg、Cd、Cu、Pb、Cr和As等6种重金属元素含量,采用内梅罗综合污染指数(NPI)、潜在生态风险指数(RI)和生态风险预警指数(IER),对地表灰尘重金属...     

Assessing spatio-temporal trend of vector breeding and dengue fever incidence in association with meteorological conditions

Th aim of this study is to investigate spatio-temporal trends of dengue vector breeding and epidemic (disease incidence) influenced by climatic factors. The spatio-temporal (low-, medium-, and high-intensity periods) evaluation of entomological and epidemiological investigations along with climatic factors like rainfall (RF), temperature (T_max), relative humidity (RH), and larval indexing was conducted to develop correlations in the area of Lahore, Pakistan. The vector abundance and disease transmission trend was geo-tagged for spatial insight. The sufficient rainfall events and optimum temperature and relative humidity supported dengue vector breeding with high larval indices for water-related containers (27–37%). Among temporal analysis, the high-intensity period exponentially projected disease incidence followed by post-rainfall impacts. The high larval incidence that was observed in early high-intensity periods effected the dengue incidence. The disease incidence had a strong association with RF (r = 0.940, α = 0.01). The vector larva occurrence (r = 0.017, α = 0.05) influenced the disease incidence. Similarly, RH (r = 0.674, α = 0.05) and average T_max (r = 0.307, α = 0.05) also induced impact on the disease incidence. In this study, the vulnerability to dengue fever highly correlates with meteorological factors during high-intensity period. It provides area-specific understanding of vector behavior, key containers, and seasonal patterns of dengue vector breeding and disease transmission which is essential for preparing an effective prevention plan against the vector.     

Scavenging demeanor in Bahawalpur,Pakistan: social and health perspective

Social and health issues are now considered as an integral part of waste management system. Scavengers or waste pickers are the main victims in waste management sector. Objective of the cross sectional study carried out for a group of scavengers living in huts was to highlight the socio-demographic characteristic, working conditions and occupational health risks with main emphasis on relation of infectious disease prevalence and waste picking activity in Bahawalpur area. Of the 100 waste pickers and 100 non-waste pickers HIV was not detected in any participant, HBV was detected in 4 and 2 % and HCV in 28 and 6 % respectively. Considerable differences were observed in the detection rates of HCV (OR: 6.09, 95 % CI 2.4, 15.5; p = 0.000) and either markers (OR: 5.4, 95 % CI 2.35, 12.5; p = 0.000) in waste pickers compared to general population. The higher incidence of Hepatitis among waste pickers compared to non waste pickers is a function of their occupation, unhygienic living conditions, lack of immunization, ignorance and need of training regarding waste handling.     

Using GIS tools to detect the land use/land cover changes during forty years in Lodhran District of Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Land use/land cover (LULC) change has serious implications for environment as LULC is directly related to land degradation over a period of time and...     

Health risk assessment and oxidative stress in workers exposed to welding fumes

The aim of this study was designed to determine the influence of welding fumes on oxidative stress in humans and the role of metals. A questionnaire was designed to collect information regarding personal characteristics, including age, weight, height, and medical history; life style such as smoking status and exercise habits; and occupational history such as working history, working environment, employment duration, and use of protective equipment. Body mass index (BMI) in kg/m² was then calculated for each participant. Blood samples were also drawn to determine malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and various metals in plasma. Significantly higher plasma MDA (4.08 µg/L) was observed as compared to controls (1.61 µg/L). Blood metal analysis also showed elevated level of metals in welders for cadmium, chromium, lead,and nickel. Data indicated that workers occupationally exposed to welding fumes for prolong periods possessed higher metal levels associated with increased oxidative stress as evidenced by elevated MDA levels.     

Organochlorine pesticides in the surrounding soils of POPs destruction facility: source fingerprinting,human health,and ecological risks assessment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The elimination of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) obsolete pesticides stockpiles, particularly the organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), is one of...     

克拉玛依市地表灰尘重金属空间分布特征与来源解析

从新疆典型石油城市-克拉玛依市采集52个地表灰尘样品,分析其中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb和Hg等6种重金属元素的含量,采用污染负荷指数法（PLI）评价地表灰尘中重金属元素污染水平,基于GIS技术与地统学理论,分析重金属元素含量空间分布格局,利用多元统计分析法,讨论地表灰尘中重金属元素的主要来源。结果表明：克拉玛依市地表灰尘中As、Cd、Cu、Pb和Hg等元素平均含量分别为新疆土壤背景值的1.61、1.75、1.50、1.23和2.94倍。地表灰尘中Hg呈现中度污染,As、Cu、Cr和Pb呈现轻度污染,Cd呈现轻微污染。从空间分布结果来看,克拉玛依市地表灰尘重金属元素含量及污染高值区主要分布于研究区西北部。从污染来源来看,研究区地表灰尘中Hg、As、Pb和Cd等元素主要受到人为污染源的影响,Cu与Cr主要受到土壤地球化学特征的控制。     

Assessment of key parameters in municipal solid waste management: a prerequisite for sustainability

Municipal solid waste management was studied for 1 year in a representative urban area of Lahore city for environmental sustainability. The effects of financial status of the household and the seasonal variations on generation rate and compositions of municipal solid waste (MSW) were determined. MSW generation rate and the economic status of the households were positively correlated (p < 0.05). Seasonal variations observed were significant only for organics (p = 0.001), plastics (p = 0.008) and food waste fractions (p = 0.009) in MSW. Response surface regression model developed and analysed by Minitab-15® showed that the interaction of season and different economic zones of the town on the MSW generation rate was non-significant (p = 0.334). Elemental and heating value analyses of the mixed organic fractions in kitchen waste had carbon 47.93%, hydrogen 6.20%, nitrogen 2.24%, sulphur 0.23%, oxygen 39.01%, and C and N ratio 27.78. Findings concluded that food waste was 56% of total MSW with 71.03% moisture content and a modest heating value of 5566 J/g. Existing temporary storage capacity of MSW is 51% of the total MSW generated considering the weighted MSW generation rate of 0.57 kg/person/day calculated in this study. Composting could be a possible final disposal option due to high moisture and organic content and can be studied in future research. Development of a transfer station, introduction of home composting programmes and awareness towards proper segregation and reduction of waste at the household level is suggested to attain sustainability in the MSW management system.     

Sustainable isolation of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.)-based yellow natural colorant for dyeing of bio-mordanted cotton

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Sustainability in the utilization of products in all fields particularly food textiles, solar cells, etc. is of prime concern to the global community....