scholarly journals Estimation and validation of mercury intake associated with fish consumption in an EPIC cohort of Spain

2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 981-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Sanzo ◽  
M Dorronsoro ◽  
P Amiano ◽  
A Amurrio ◽  
FX Aguinagalde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Fish Consumption ◽  
Mercury Level ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mercury Content ◽  
World Health ◽  
Average Risk ◽  
Tolerable Weekly Intake

AbstractObjective:To estimate mercury intake due to fish consumption among the individuals from Gipuzkoa participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC), and to validate the estimation of mercury exposure through diet, by measuring blood mercury level.Design and setting:The population for the EPIC Gipuzkoa cohort was recruited from 1992 to 1995. Each individual's diet was assessed regarding habitual intake over the previous year, using the diet history method. Blood samples were taken at the time of the interview. The mercury content of the fish species consumed was supplied by the Food Chemical Surveillance Programme in the Basque Country.Subjects:For the estimation, 8417 volunteers, men and women, aged 35–65 years, of the EPIC cohort; for the validation, a random sample of 120 individuals stratified by fish intake was taken.Results:The validation study confirmed the relationship between fish consumption and mercury intake, as well as between fish consumption and mercury in erythrocytes. 99.9% of individuals have intakes below 75% of the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) of mercury established by the World Health Organization. But the limit dosage recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, measured by the average risk index, would be exceeded often.Conclusions:No individual from the cohort would exceed the PTWI of mercury. Nevertheless, owing to the amount of fish consumed, certain individuals would have mercury intakes approaching the recommended limits. With a view to the future, we believe mercury in fish must continue to be monitored closely in order to assess the risks for the population.

scholarly journals Carbonaceous Aerosols in Fine Particulate Matter of Santiago Metropolitan Area, Chile

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Toro Araya ◽  
Robert Flocchini ◽  
Rául G. E. Morales Segura ◽  
Manuel A. Leiva Guzmán
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
The United States ◽  
Carbonaceous Aerosol ◽  
World Health ◽  
Carbonaceous Aerosols ◽  
Fine Particulate

Measurements of carbonaceous aerosols in South American cities are limited, and most existing data are of short term and limited to only a few locations. For 6 years (2002–2007), concentrations of fine particulate matter and organic and elemental carbon were measured continuously in the capital of Chile. The contribution of carbonaceous aerosols to the primary and secondary fractions was estimated at three different sampling sites and in the warm and cool seasons. The results demonstrate that there are significant differences in the levels in both the cold (March to August) and warm (September to February) seasons at all sites studied. The percent contribution of total carbonaceous aerosol fine particulate matter was greater in the cool season (53 ± 41%) than in the warm season (44 ± 18%). On average, the secondary organic carbon in the city corresponded to 29% of the total organic carbon. In cold periods, this proportion may reach an average of 38%. A comparison of the results with the air quality standards for fine particulate matter indicates that the total carbonaceous fraction alone exceeds the World Health Organization standard (10 µg/m3) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency standard (15 µg/m3) for fine particulate matter.

Investigating disinfectant by-products in Harare potable water supply, Zimbabwe

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuitakwashe Nhongo ◽  
Zvikomborero Hoko ◽  
Jameson Kugara
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Residual Chlorine ◽  
By Products ◽  
Trihalomethanes Formation

Abstract Formation of disinfectant by-products was investigated in the Harare water supply system from February to April 2015. Sampling sites were selected from the lake, Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Works and critical points in the distribution system. The spatial variations of trihalomethanes and selected water quality parameters were investigated for 15 sampling points in 5 sampling campaigns to assess suitability for drinking. All trihalomethane species were measured, namely chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform. Only chloroform and bromodichloromethane were detected. The study confirmed that there is trihalomethanes formation in the Harare water distribution system and that it is affected by the residence time and presence of organic matter in the system. However, the levels of trihalomethanes are generally within the levels suggested by the World Health Organization. Only bromodichloromethane presents a risk for long-term exposure as it had levels that exceeded the limit for long-term exposure suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Bromodichloromethane, turbidity and free residual chlorine levels were not suitable for drinking in some of the zones. Boosting of chlorine residuals is necessary especially in areas with free chlorine less than 0.2 mg/L. Injection of ammonia, periodic cleaning of storage reservoirs, and flushing of lines will reduce trihalomethanes formation.

Accumulation Characteristics, Tolerance Differences and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Sugarcane

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 420-429
Author(s):  
Guiping Xu ◽  
Chaobing Deng ◽  
Wei Guo ◽  
Hongxiang Zhu ◽  
Xiaofei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Risk Index ◽  
Root Cells ◽  
Sugarcane Varieties ◽  
Economic Output

Seven varieties of sugarcane were grown on soil polluted with heavy metals, including Pb, Cd, and As. Sugarcane growth, the heavy metal contents in different sugarcane tissues, and the subcellular distributions of the heavy metals in the roots and leaves were analyzed. The purpose of this investigation was to study sugarcane growth tolerance, the accumulation of heavy metals and the mechanism of sugarcane tolerance to heavy metals at the subcellular level. Health risk assessments were performed according to the models recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The patterns of heavy metal storage were demonstrated to differ among different tissues in all sugarcane varieties investigated. Most of the heavy metals that were absorbed accumulated in the roots of the sugarcane, and the heavy metals in the root cells were mostly located in the cell wall. The health risk index was used to analyze the juice and indicated that the consumption of sugarcane juice by adults and children posed no significant health risks. This study shows that sugarcane grown on heavy metal-contaminated farmland is safe for consumption. The results of this study revealed an important and positive implication regarding the cultivation of sugarcane on farmland that is polluted by heavy metals and the potential to simultaneously achieve sustainable economic output and potential environmental restoration.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Pollutants Along the National Road N2 in Togo using the AERMOD Dispersion Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (27) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yawovi Mignanou Amouzouvi ◽  
Milohum Mikesokpo Dzagli ◽  
Koffi Sagna ◽  
Zoltán Török ◽  
Carmen Andreea Roba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
The United States ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
World Health ◽  
Pollutant Emission ◽  
Permissible Limits ◽  
European Environmental Agency ◽  
The World ◽  
National Road

Background. Air pollution has become a major problem around the world and is increasingly an issue in Togo due to increased vehicular traffic. Gaseous pollutants are released by engines and are very harmful to human health and the environment. The fuels used on the major road in Togo, the N2, are adulterated with unknown contents and are of poor quality. Many of the vehicles come from neighboring countries, such as Benin, Ghana and Nigeria. Objectives. The present study aims to evaluate the pollution rate in Togo through the estimation of the concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particular matter (PM) on the international road, the National Road N2, in Lomé, compared to the World Health Organization's (WHO) standard limit. Methods. The simulations of pollutant concentration were performed using the Industrial Source Complex Short Term Version 3 model, which is included in the United States Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (USEPA) AERMOD View software. The meteorological averages data were obtained from the local station near the National Road N2 in Togo in 2018. Hourly averages were calculated according to the European Monitoring Evaluation Programme/European Environmental Agency air pollutant emission inventory guidebook 2016 and were processed using AERMET View and a terrain pre-processor, AERMAP. For the model, the sources of pollution were the vehicles traveling on the road segment. The source was a line volume with 20 m of width and 2 m of height. The estimation methodology covered exhaust emissions of NOx, SO2 and PM contained in the fuel. Results. The simulations provided average hourly, daily and annual concentrations of the different pollutants: 71.91 μg/m3, 42.41 μg/m3,11.23 μg/m3 for SO2; 16.78 μg/m3, 9.89 μg/m3, 2.46 μg/m3 for NOx and below the detection limit, 0.62 μg/m3, 0.15 μg/m3 for PM, respectively. These results indicate that on the National Road N2 in Togo, the concentrations of SO2 were high compared to those of NOx and PM. The daily average concentration of SO2 was twice the permissible limits set by the WHO. Conclusions. Emissions obtained from the AERMOD for NOx and PM were less than the permissible limits set by the WHO, while the rate of SO2 was twice the permissible limit. The fuels used on this road were very rich in sulfur. The sulfur level in fuels must be monitored by stakeholders in Togo. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

scholarly journals UV Index for Public Health Awareness Based on OMI/NASA Satellite Data at King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Abdullah Addas ◽  
Mahmoud Ragab ◽  
Ahmad Maghrabi ◽  
S. M. Abo-Dahab ◽  
Eman F. El-Nobi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Uv Index ◽  
Solar Uv Radiation ◽  
King Abdulaziz University ◽  
Solar Uv

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) is essential for good health and formation of vitamin D while overexposure poses a risk to public health. Therefore, it is important to provide information to the public about the level of solar UV radiation. The ultraviolet index (UVI) is used to help avoid the negative effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on humans and to optimize individual exposure. There is limited ground measurement of solar UV radiation, but satellite Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMIs) satellite products with a spatial resolution of 1 ° × 1 ° can be used to create UV index climatology at local noon time. In this study, we utilize OMI satellite products collected over the campus of King Abdulaziz University (KAU) (21.5° North and 39.1° East), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to estimate changes in exposure to UV over a period of 15 years (2004-2020). The results indicate a significantly increasing trend in UV index over this period. Between 2004 and 2020, daily “extreme” UV ( UVI > 11 , as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO)) occurred on 46.60% of days. The frequency of low UVI ( UVI < 2 ) was only about 0.06%. These results imply dangerous exposure levels to solar UV radiation on the KAU campus and call for safety measures to increase awareness and decrease direct exposure; for example, by implementing the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) general guidelines.

scholarly journals Distribution of polychlorinated biphenyl along the course of the Buffalo River, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, and possible health risks

Water SA ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (4 October) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Yahaya ◽  
OA Adeniji ◽  
OO Okoh ◽  
SP Songca ◽  
AI Okoh
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Polychlorinated Biphenyl ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Electron Capture Detection ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Buffalo River

Humans and wildlife are vulnerable to the toxicity of semi-volatile and persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Neither the distribution of these pollutants nor their seasonal variation has ever been determined in the Buffalo River. Thus, the occurrence and concentration of 19 PCBs was assessed in King William’s Town (KWT), Izele (IZ), Zwelitsha (ZW), Maden (MD), Mdantsane (MSN) and Buffalo River estuary (BRE), all on the Buffalo River in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Water samples were subjected to liquid-liquid extraction for PCBs, after which the compounds were separated and quantified on gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The PCBs differ in concentration from below detection limit (BDL) to 482 ng·L−1 in summer and BDL to 2 383 ng·L−1 in autumn. While the order of congeners increases during the summer from KWT > IZ > ZW > MD > MSN > BRE, the distribution in autumn followed the order BRE > IZ > ZW > KWT > MSN > MD. The total levels of PCBs at all the sites during summer were below the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible level of 500 ng·L−1 recommended for humans, but were exceeded at all the sampling sites in autumn except at MD. The evaluated risk with respect to cancer was lower than the acceptable threshold (10-6), whereas hazard quotients were slightly higher than the maximum threshold (of 1) stated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The compounds are known to be toxic to humans and animals. The results appear to show that the exposure levels of the compounds were safe for humans and animals. Further studies are recommended in order to make a definitive conclusion.

scholarly journals Assessment of Radon Levels in Drinking Water Wells in St. Catherine, Jamaica

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (16) ◽  
pp. 31-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard Smith ◽  
Mitko Voutchkov
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
The United States ◽  
Drinking Water Quality ◽  
World Health ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Water Wells ◽  
Study Results

Background. Radon is a known carcinogen and contaminant in drinking water wells, but is not monitored in drinking water quality programs in Jamaica. Objective. The present study was conducted to obtain radon data in local drinking water and evaluate potential health risks. The data will contribute to determining the level of compliance to public health criteria for radon and to develop a monitoring program based on the identified risks. Methods. This study assesses the concentration of radon in 22 drinking water wells in the parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica. Samples were collected for radon, with 12 other measurements gathered including pH, conductivity, TDS, alkalinity, hardness, phosphates, nitrates, chloride, sulfates, turbidity, well depth and geological features. The data were analyzed for compliance to international limits and association with geological and other parameters. Results. The average radon level was 18 Bq/L ± 2 Bq/L and varied from a low of 11 Bq/L ± 1 Bq/L to a high of 41 Bq/L ± 1 Bq/L. There was a positive correlation between radon levels and both alkalinity and turbidity. No relationship of any significance, however, was identified with the other physicochemical parameters. All the study results fell within the European Union (EU) limit of 100 Bq/L, and well within the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limit of 147 Bq/L. Most of the wells in this parish have radon levels exceeding the proposed USEPA limit of 11 Bq/L. The proposed limits are intended to support radon mitigation programs to manage radon in air. No limits are provided in the newest edition of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Guidelines for Safe Drinking Water Quality. Conclusions. Most wells in the study area met existing international limits. Almost all, however, did not meet the proposed USEPA limit for locations without radon mitigation programs. This indicates the need to establish national screening levels for radon, consistent with WHO and USEPA recommendations. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

scholarly journals Estudio de la calidad del agua en la región centro de la meseta p´urhépecha

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 7579-7589
Author(s):  
Silvano Velázquez Roque ◽  
Miguel Ángel Madrigal Cardiel ◽  
Ulises Zurita Luna ◽  
Juan Damián Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Research Work ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
A Site

In the present research work, a study was carried out on the quality of water for human consumption, in the central region of the P'urhépecha plateau of the state of Michoacán, Mexico, monitoring the variables of hardness, TDS, temperature, pH and concentration. of As and Pb in different sampling sites and in different seasons of the year, which were compared with parameters established by the Official Mexican Standard NOM-127-SSA1-1994, NOM-250-SSA1-2014, Environmental Protection Agency of the United States of America (USEPA) and those established by the World Health Organization (WHO). The results obtained show a pH that is 7 ± 0.5, the temperature oscillates between 18 and 22 ° C, the hardness between 60 and 200 ppm, unlike a site that shows 600 ppm. SDT between 40 and 220 ppm and a sample site of 400 ppm. On the other hand, the Pb concentration range was found between 0.15 and 0.5 ppm, while As concentrations ranged between 0.01 and 0.1 ppm, depending on the study site.

scholarly journals Health Risk Assessment of Different Heavy Metals Dissolved in Drinking Water

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajjad Hussain ◽  
Muhammad Habib-Ur-Rehman ◽  
Tasawar Khanam ◽  
Abbas Sheer ◽  
Zhang Kebin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Risk Indicators ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Risk Index ◽  
Permissible Limits

Water pollution is a major threat to public health worldwide. The health risks of ingesting trace elements in drinking water were assessed in the provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Eight trace elements were measured in drinking water, using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and compared with permissible limits established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak EPA). In addition, health risk indicators such as the chronic daily intake (CDI) and the health risk index (HRI) were calculated. Our results showed that the concentrations of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn) were 2593, 1306, and 695 ng/g, respectively, in Lahore and Jhang, while the concentrations of arsenic (As) in Lahore, Vehari, Multan, and Jhang were 51, 50.4, 24, and 22 ng/g, respectively, which were higher than the permissible limits suggested by the WHO. The values of CDI were found to be in the order of Cr > Ni > Mn > Cu > As > Pb > Co > Cd. Similarly, the health risk index (HRI) values exceeded the safe limits (>1) in many cities (eg, Cr and Ni in Lahore and As in Vehari, Jhang, Lahore, and Multan). The aforementioned analysis shows that consumption of trace element-contaminated water poses an emerging health danger to the populations of these localities. Furthermore, inter-metal correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) showed that both anthropogenic and geologic activities were primary sources of drinking water contamination in the investigated areas.

scholarly journals Worldwide Regulations and Guidelines for Agricultural Water Reuse: A Critical Review

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farshid Shoushtarian ◽  
Masoud Negahban-Azar
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Agricultural Water ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Regulations And Guidelines

Water reuse is gaining momentum as a beneficial practice to address the water crisis, especially in the agricultural sector as the largest water consumer worldwide. With recent advancements in wastewater treatment technologies, it is possible to produce almost any water quality. However, the main human and environmental concerns are still to determine what constituents must be removed and to what extent. The main objectives of this study were to compile, evaluate, and compare the current agricultural water reuse regulations and guidelines worldwide, and identify the gaps. In total, 70 regulations and guidelines, including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), the United States (state by state), European Commission, Canada (all provinces), Australia, Mexico, Iran, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Palestine, Oman, China, Kuwait, Israel, Saudi Arabia, France, Cyprus, Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Italy were investigated in this study. These regulations and guidelines were examined to compile a comprehensive database, including all of the water quality monitoring parameters, and necessary treatment processes. In summary, results showed that the regulations and guidelines are mainly human-health centered, insufficient regarding some of the potentially dangerous pollutants such as emerging constituents, and with large discrepancies when compared with each other. In addition, some of the important water quality parameters such as some of the pathogens, heavy metals, and salinity are only included in a small group of regulations and guidelines investigated in this study. Finally, specific treatment processes have been only mentioned in some of the regulations and guidelines, and with high levels of discrepancy.

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