Prenatal and early-life exposure to lead (Pb) is hypothesized to have adverse effects on childhood health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prenatal exposure to Pb and its adverse effects on mothers and their infants who are residents of industrial (exposed) and domestic areas (referents) in Karachi, Pakistan. The biological samples (scalp hair and blood) of mother–infants pairs were analyzed for Pb levels by atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave-assisted acid digestion method. The Pb levels in scalp hair and blood samples of exposed mothers were found in the range of 7.52–8.70 μg/g and 115–270 μg/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than those values obtained for referent mothers (p?<?0.001). The Pb levels in the blood (umbilical cord) and hair of neonates of exposed mother that were found in the range of 83–178 μg/L and 4.95–7.23 μg/g, respectively, were significantly higher than the obtained values of referent neonates (p?>?0.001). The correlation between maternal and cord blood of both groups was found in the range of 0.708–0.724 (p?<?0.01). It was observed that there were higher Pb burdens in exposed mothers and their infants as compared to referent mothers–neonates. 相似文献
On-road emission and fuel consumption (FC) levels for Euro III and IV buses fueled on diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG)
were compared, and emission and FC characteristics of buses were analyzed based on approximately 28,700 groups of instantaneous
data obtained in Beijing using a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS). The experimental results revealed that NOx and
PM emissions from CNG buses were decreased by 72.0% and 82.3% respectively, compared with Euro IV diesel buses. Similarly,
these emissions were reduced by 75.2% and 96.3% respectively, compared with Euro III diesel buses. In addition, CO2, CO, HC,
NOx, PM emissions and FC of Euro IV diesel buses were reduced by 26.4%, 75.2%, 73.6%, 11.4%, 79.1%, and 26.0%, respectively,
relative to Euro III diesel buses. The CO2, CO, HC, NOx, PM emissions and FC factors all decreased with bus speed increased, while
increased as bus acceleration increased. At the same time, the emission/FC rates as well as the emission/FC factors exhibited a strong
positive correlation with the vehicle specific power (VSP). They all were the lowest when VSP < 0, and then rapidly increased as VSP
increased. Furthermore, both the emission/FC rates and emission/FC factors were the highest at accelerations, higher at cruise speeds,
and the lowest at decelerations for non-idling buses. These results can provide a base reference to further estimate bus emission and FC
inventories in Beijing. 相似文献
The scalp hair samples of benign tumour patients (n = 77) and normal donors (n = 86) were analysed for selected trace metal contents using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In the scalp hair of benign tumour patients, highest average levels were found for Ca (1,401 microg/g), followed by Na (476.9 microg/g), Mg (441.6 microg/g), Zn (438.3 microg/g), K (119.2 microg/g) and Fe (96.38 microg/g) while in comparison, the maximum mean levels in the scalp hair of normal donors were shown by Ca (556.5 microg/g), followed by Zn (154.2 microg/g), Mg (153.4 microg/g), Na (97.45 microg/g) and Fe (81.68 microg/g). Almost all metal levels revealed higher dispersion and asymmetry in the scalp hair of benign tumour patients compared with the normal donors. The average concentrations of Ca, Cd, Co, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr and Zn were significantly higher in the hair of benign tumour patients compared with the normal donors. Significant gender-based differences were also observed in the scalp hair metal contents of benign tumour patients. Strong positive correlations were found between Cd-Cr (0.547) and Cd-Co (0.507) in the hair of benign tumour patients whereas Ca-Mg, Mg-Sr, Co-Cd, Cr-Cd, Li-Cr, Li-Co, Li-Cd, Na-Cd, Na-Co and Na-Li exhibited strong relationships (r > 0.50) in the hair of normal donors. Cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used for the source identification and apportionment of scalp hair trace metals in the two donor groups. The scalp hair of benign tumour patients and normal donors revealed six and five main clusters of trace metals, respectively. PCA extracted seven principal components of trace metals in the scalp hair of benign tumour patients while six principal components were observed in the case of normal donors. The study evidenced significantly different patterns of metal distribution in the hair of benign tumour patients in comparison with normal donors. 相似文献
In the present study, the tube well water quality and the associated health risks, emphasizing on arsenic contamination, were investigated in rural and urban samples from Tehsil Mailsi located in Punjab, Pakistan. Arsenic concentrations (μg/L) were ranged from 12 to 448.5 and which exceeded the WHO recommended limit (10 μg/L) in all cases. The calculated average daily dose (3.3 × 10?0.4 to 1.2 × 10?0.2 mg/kg day) and hazard quotient (1.1–40) reflected the potential health risk to local population due to tube well water consumption as drinking purpose. Sodium percent (Na%), sodium absorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, Kelly’s index and magnesium absorption ratio were also determined to assess the suitability of tube well water for irrigation purpose. The resulting piper plot revealed the Na–Ca–HCO3 type water chemistry of the area and generally alkaline environment. The spatial distribution of arsenic in the tube well waters pinpoints the significant contribution of anthropogenic activities to arsenic pollution. Nevertheless, different statistical tools, including principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis and correlation matrices, revealed the contribution of both natural and anthropogenic activities and alkaline type of aquifers toward the high level of arsenic contamination. 相似文献
Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are among the life-threatening issues facing rural as well as sub-/urban communities. Several factors contribute to RTAs ranging from human to technical and natural/environmental impacts. Anthropogenic air pollution and corresponding environmental factors also increase the probability of RTAs. Current study reports the relationship of the weather conditions to RTAs. The study establishes the relevancy of different weather conditions like rainfall, temperature, fog, and wind storm with the incidences of RTAs in rural and urban settings of Vehari, Punjab—Pakistan. The results of the study showed that rainfall, severe coldness, fog, and heat conditions were directly related with the occurrence of RTAs. The percentage of RTAs which occurred due to fog, rainfall, temperature, and other weather-related factors was 34, 25, 21, and 20%, respectively. The age of the driver significantly correlated (R2?=?0.60) with RTAs; the drivers in the age group 40–60 years caused the least RTAs during their drive. Since the smaller vehicles were involved in maximum RTAs, it relates negatively (R2?=?0.82) to vehicles power. Among different vehicles motor bikes were involved in most (42%) of the reported RTAs. Therefore, during severe weather conditions, vehicles with smaller size and young drivers must be dealt with carefully while interacting (crossing, overtaking, and maneuvering) on the roads regardless of rural or urban conditions. Factors including civic sense, traffic education, vehicle size, drivers’ maturity, road conditions, and environmental impacts may be considered while designing traffic rules and traffic aware campaigns specific for developing countries such as Pakistan.
Global warming and greenhouse gas emissions pose severe threats to environmental sustainability. A sustainable environment is a prerequisite for long-term socioeconomic growth and human survival. Green technology is brought about by a country's economic and financial openness, and education provides knowledge to the public and labor, contributing to environmental sustainability. Thus, this research aims to unveil the liaison between human capital, trade openness, and environmental quality for Russia, Brazil, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) countries from 1998 to 2018. Several econometric methods, including the Driscoll–Kraay standard errors and the Dumitrescu–Hurlin causality approaches, reveal long-run and causal relationships among the modelled indicators. The Driscoll–Kraay standard error results show that human capital is negatively related to carbon dioxide emissions (CO2 emissions). Imposing high tariffs and excise duties, changing tax structures, discouraging the inflow of polluted commodities, and encouraging green trade can help BRICS combat high environmental pollution. The results show that a one-point increase in human capital in models 1 and 2 can reduce CO2 emissions by 1.5279 and 0.1538 points, respectively. In contrast, a 1% growth in trade can lead to a rise in CO2 emissions of 0.3731% and 0.2384%, respectively. Similarly, financial development and energy consumption result in high CO2 emissions in the long run. Moreover, a feedback effect of the human capital index on CO2 emissions is discovered. As a result of the findings, the government and responsible authorities should provide financial support and encourage investments in the region's energy-resourceful and sustainable green projects. 相似文献
Effluents originating from pesticides, agro-chemicals, textile dyes and dyestuffs industries are always associated with high
turbidity, colour, nutrient load, and heavy metals, toxic and persistent compounds. But even with such an anthropogenic nature,
these effluents contain dynamic cyanobacterial communities. Documentation of cyanobacterial cultures along the water channels
of effluents discharged by above mentioned industries along the west coast of India and their relationship with water quality
is reported in this study. Intensity of pollution was evaluated by physico-chemical analysis of water. Higher load of solids,
carbon and nutrients were found to be persistent throughout the analysis. Sediment and water samples were found to be colored
in nature. Cyanobacterial community structure was found to be influenced by the anthropogenic pollution. 40 different cyanobacterial
species were recorded from 14 genera of 5 families and an elevated occurrence of Phormidium, Oscillatoria and Chroococcus genera was observed in all the sampling sites. 相似文献