scholarly journals Congener specific distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzo-p-furans in ambient air particulates (less than PM10) in Delhi, India

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhupander Kumar ◽  
Satish Kumar Singh ◽  
Ram Bharoshey Lal ◽  
Sanjay Kumar ◽  
Chandra Shekhar Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Pollution Control ◽  
National Level ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Stockholm Convention ◽  
World Health ◽  
Specific Distribution ◽  
Central Pollution Control Board ◽  
Risk Of Exposure ◽  
Health Organization

Polychlorinated dibenzo-<em>p</em>-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-<em>p</em>-furans (PCDFs) are unintentionally formed during inefficient combustions and as a by-product. Due to their resistance to degradation and their toxic effect on health, PCDD/Fs are listed by the Stockholm Convention as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Once released into the atmosphere, most of them are adsorbed to air particles and transported away from sources in atmosphere. India signed the Stockholm Convention India agreeing thereby to reduce and eliminate the use of POPs. The German agency for Technical Cooperation helped develop facilities for monitoring POPs at a national level in Delhi. This paper presents the data generated during a training assignment for Central Pollution Control Board officials at the German laboratory. Air borne particulate matter (&lt;PM<sub>10</sub>) was collected from 6 different locations in Delhi, India and analyzed in a German laboratory for 17 congeners of PCDD/Fs. The concentrations of &Sigma;PCDD/Fs ranged between 1720-9010 fg m<sup>-3</sup> (mean 5559 fg m<sup>-3</sup>) and their toxic equivalency values ranged from 67 to 460 fg I-toxic equivalent quantities (TEQ) m<sup>-3</sup>, with an average of 239 fg I-TEQ m<sup>-3</sup> which was lower than the ambient air standards. The dominant congeners were octachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD), octachlorinated dibenzo-p-furans (OCDF), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorinated dibenzo- p-furans, and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin. The contributions of individual homologs for &Sigma;PCDDs/Fs I-TEQ was in the order of OCDD (31%)&gt;HCDF (21%)&gt;hexachlorodibenzofurans (13%)=OCDF (13%)&gt; HCDF (12%) and other individual congeners contribute less than 5%. High chlorinated congeners contributed with more than 80% for &Sigma;PCDD/Fs I-TEQ. Rough estimates of tolerable daily intake (TDI) shows low health risk of exposure to &Sigma;PCDD/Fs with inhalation of 0.098 pg I-TEQ kg<sup>1</sup>day<sup>1</sup> for adult and 0.152 pg TEQ kg<sup>-1</sup>day<sup>-1</sup> for children, which is much lower than World Health Organization recommended TDI for dioxins.

scholarly journals Biosorption of lead, chromium and cadmium in tannery effluent using indigenous microorganisms

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. P. Abioye ◽  
O. A. Oyewole ◽  
S. B. Oyeleke ◽  
M. O. Adeyemi ◽  
A. A. Orukotan
Keyword(s):  
Pollution Control ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
World Health ◽  
Tannery Effluent ◽  
Indigenous Microorganisms ◽  
Tannery Effluents ◽  
Penicillium Sp ◽  
Central Pollution Control Board ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
National Environmental

This study investigated the biosorption of lead, chromium and cadmium in tannery effluent using indigenous microorganisms. Bacteria isolated from the tannery effluent were Bacillus subtilis and B. megaterium while fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp. The microorganisms were tested for their ability to reduce the concentration of the heavy metals in the tannery effluent using conventional methods. B. megaterium recorded the highest lead reduction (2.13 to 0.03 mg/L), followed by B. subtilis (2.13-0.04 mg/L). A. niger recorded the highest ability to reduce the concentration of chromium (1.38-0.08 mg/L) followed by Penicillium sp. (1.38 0.13 mg/L) while B. subtilis exhibited the highest ability to reduce the concentration of cadmium (0.4-0.03 mg/L) followed by B. megaterium (0.04-0.06 mg/L) after 20 days. When these values were compared to standard limits of Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), World Health Organization (WHO), National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the isolates recorded an acceptable reduction in the concentration of lead, chromium and cadmium in sterile and unsterile tannery effluent. The results of this showed that the isolates reduced the concentration of lead, chromium and cadmium present in the sterile and raw tannery effluent and suggest that the organisms can be used as a possible treatment of tannery effluents.

scholarly journals Treatment of distillery spent wash by combined UF and RO processes

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-240
Keyword(s):  
Pollution Control ◽  
Applied Pressure ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
World Health ◽  
Spent Wash ◽  
Distillery Spent Wash ◽  
Pollutant Level ◽  
Central Pollution Control Board ◽  
Health Organization

The present study deals with the treatment of distillery spent wash by an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane followed by reverse osmosis (RO) membrane on a pilot scale membrane setup. The performance of the system was evaluated by varying applied pressure on the thin-film composite polyamide (TFC-PA) UF and RO membranes. In the first stage, UF experiments are carried out for concentration of effluents by removing the suspended solids (SS). RO has effectively separated the total dissolved solids (TDS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), sulphate and potassium with the rejection efficiency of 97.9%, 96.8%, 97.9%, 99.7% and 94.65%, respectively. UF was effective for the separation of SS with the rejection efficiency of 95.5%. The pollutant level in permeate are below the maximum contaminant level as per the guidelines of the World Health Organization and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India specifications for effluent discharge (less than 1000 ppm of TDS and 500 ppm of COD).

A(H1N1)v cases of the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 influenza seasons in the Medical and Health Sciences Centre of Debrecen University

2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (17) ◽  
pp. 649-654
Author(s):  
Piroska Orosi ◽  
Judit Szidor ◽  
Tünde Tóthné Tóth ◽  
József Kónya
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
National Level ◽  
Organ Transplant ◽  
High Risk Patient ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
World Health ◽  
Transplant Patients ◽  
Health Organization

The swine-origin new influenza variant A(H1N1) emerged in 2009 and changed the epidemiology of the 2009/2010 influenza season globally and at national level. Aims: The aim of the authors was to analyse the cases of two influenza seasons. Methods: The Medical and Health Sciences Centre of Debrecen University has 1690 beds with 85 000 patients admitted per year. The diagnosis of influenza was conducted using real-time polymerase chain reaction in the microbiological laboratories of the University and the National Epidemiological Centre, according to the recommendation of the World Health Organization. Results: The incidence of influenza was not higher than that observed in the previous season, but two high-risk patient groups were identified: pregnant women and patients with immunodeficiency (oncohematological and organ transplant patients). The influenza vaccine, which is free for high-risk groups and health care workers in Hungary, appeared to be effective for prevention, because in the 2010/2011 influenza season none of the 58 patients who were administered the vaccination developed influenza. Conclusion: It is an important task to protect oncohematological and organ transplant patients. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 649–654.

Defining Preterm Birth and Stillbirth in the Western Pacific: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952110260
Author(s):  
Mairead Connolly ◽  
Laura Phung ◽  
Elise Farrington ◽  
Michelle J. L. Scoullar ◽  
Alyce N. Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
National Level ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Western Pacific ◽  
World Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Preterm birth and stillbirth are important global perinatal health indicators. Definitions of these indicators can differ between countries, affecting comparability of preterm birth and stillbirth rates across countries. This study aimed to document national-level adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) definitions of preterm birth and stillbirth in the WHO Western Pacific region. A systematic search of government health websites and 4 electronic databases was conducted. Any official report or published study describing the national definition of preterm birth or stillbirth published between 2000 and 2020 was eligible for inclusion. A total of 58 data sources from 21 countries were identified. There was considerable variation in how preterm birth and stillbirth was defined across the region. The most frequently used lower gestational age threshold for viability of preterm birth was 28 weeks gestation (range 20-28 weeks), and stillbirth was most frequently classified from 20 weeks gestation (range 12-28 weeks). High-income countries more frequently used earlier gestational ages for preterm birth and stillbirth compared with low- to middle-income countries. The findings highlight the importance of clear, standardized, internationally comparable definitions for perinatal indicators. Further research is needed to determine the impact on regional preterm birth and stillbirth rates.

scholarly journals Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Sleep and Self-Regulation in Spanish Preschoolers during the COVID-19 Lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 693
Author(s):  
Alicia M. Alonso-Martínez ◽  
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez ◽  
Yesenia García-Alonso ◽  
Mikel Izquierdo ◽  
Antonio García-Hermoso
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
National Level ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviors ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Health Organization

Background: A better understanding of the effects of the lockdown on lifestyle behaviors may help to guide the public health response to COVID-19 at a national level and to update the global strategy to respond COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on device-measured physical activity (PA), sedentary time, sleep and self-regulation; and to determine whether PA and sleep are related to self-regulation problems during the lockdown. Methods: PA, sedentary time and sleep were assessed using accelerometry in the week in which the Spanish national state of alarm was declared (n = 21). Parents reported preschooler’s self-regulation difficulties (internalizing and externalizing) before (n = 268) and during the lockdown (n = 157) by a validated questionnaire. Results: Preschoolers showed a decrease in total PA (mean difference [MD] = −43.3 min per day, 95% CI −68.1 to −18.5), sleep efficiency (MD = −2.09%, 95% CI −4.12 to −0.05), an increase in sedentary time (MD = 50.2 min per day, 95% CI 17.1 to 83.3) internalizing (MD = 0.17, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.28) and externalizing (MD = 0.33, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.44) problems. Preschoolers who met the World Health Organization recommendations for PA had lower internalizing scores than non-active peers (MD = −1.28, 95% CI −2.53 to −0.03). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of meeting PA recommendations to reduce psychosocial difficulties during a lockdown situation.

scholarly journals An analysis of heavy metals contamination and estimating the daily intakes of vegetables from Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 239784732098525
Author(s):  
Keneth Iceland Kasozi ◽  
Eric Oloya Otim ◽  
Herbert Izo Ninsiima ◽  
Gerald Zirintunda ◽  
Andrew Tamale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Absorption Spectrometry ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Daily Intakes

Background: Environmental contamination with elevated levels of copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr6+), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni)—all states of which are found in Uganda—raises health risk to the public. Pb, Cr6+, Cd, and Ni for instance are generally considered nonessential to cellular functions, notwithstanding the importance of the oxidative state of the metals in bioavailability. As such, we aimed in this study (i) to evaluate heavy metal concentrations in four vegetables from a typical open-air market in Uganda, (ii) to assess the safety of consuming these vegetables against the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits of heavy metals consumption, and (iii) to formulate a model of estimated daily intake (EDI) among consumers in the country. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in five georeferenced markets of Bushenyi district in January 2020. Amaranthus, cabbages, scarlet eggplants, and tomatoes were collected from open markets, processed, and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Modeled EDI, principal component (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were conducted to identify relationships in the samples. Results: The levels of essential elements in the four vegetables were found to fall from Co > Cu > Fe > Zn. Those of non-essential metals were significantly higher and followed the pattern Cd > Cr > Pb > Ni. The highest EDI values were those of Cu in scarlet eggplants, Zn in amaranthus, Fe in amaranthus, Co in amaranthus, Pb in cabbages, total Cr in scarlet eggplant, Cd in cabbages and tomatoes, and Ni in cabbages. In comparison to international limits, EDIs for Zn, Cu, Co and Fe were low while Ni in cabbages were high. PCA showed high variations in scarlet eggplant and amaranthus. The study vegetables were found to be related with each other, not according to the location of the markets from where they were obtained, but according to their species by CA. Conclusion: The presence of non-essential elements above WHO limits raises policy challenges for the consumption and marketing of vegetables in the study area. Furthermore, low EDIs of essential elements in the vegetables create demand for nutritious foods to promote healthy communities.

scholarly journals Geographic Inequalities in Accessing Improved Water and Sanitation Facilities in Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Wang ◽  
Jing Pan ◽  
Sanni Yaya ◽  
Ram Bilash Yadav ◽  
Dechao Yao
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Wash Water ◽  
World Health ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Water And Sanitation ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Health Organization

In this study, we aimed to assess the geographic inequalities in access to improved water and sanitation facilities among Nepalese households. We conducted this study based on cross-sectional data obtained from Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys. The quality of water sources and sanitation were defined by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The geographic categories used in the analyses included developmental region, ecological zone, and urbanicity. Percentages of households having access to improved toilet (5.6% in 1996 vs. 40.5% in 2016) and water (19.3% in 1996 vs. 27% in 2016) facilities has been increasing steadily since 1996 with a great proportion of the households still lacking access to these services. The number of households sharing the same toilet and traveling time to reach water sources have also decreased at the same time. Households in Far Western and Mountains had the lowest odds of having access to improved toilet and water facilities. Noticeable progress has been achieved in improving WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) coverage at national level, however, it is uneven across developmental and ecological zones. Households in the Far Western and Mountain regions appeared to be the most geographically disadvantaged in terms of having access to improved water and sanitation facilities.

scholarly journals Implementation of a national electronic reporting system in Lithuania

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Domeika ◽  
G Kligys ◽  
O Ivanauskiene ◽  
J Mereckiene ◽  
V Bakasenas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reporting System ◽  
National Level ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
World Health ◽  
Aggregated Data ◽  
Electronic Reporting ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
And Control ◽  
Further Development

Electronic reporting systems improve the quality and timeliness of the surveillance of communicable diseases. The aim of this paper is to present the process of the implementation and introduction of an electronic reporting system for the surveillance of communicable diseases in Lithuania. The project which started in 2002 was performed in collaboration between Lithuania and Sweden and was facilitated by the parallel process of adapting the surveillance system to European Union (EU) standards. The Lotus-based software, SmittAdm, was acquired from the Department of Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention of Stockholm County in Sweden and adopted for Lithuania, resulting in the Lithuanian software, ULISAS. A major advantage of this program for Lithuania was the possibility to work offline. The project was initiated in the two largest counties in Lithuania where ULISAS had been installed and put in use by January 2005. The introduction was gradual, the national level was connected to the system during late 2005, and all remaining counties were included during 2006 and 2007. The reporting system remains to be evaluated concerning timeliness and completeness of the surveillance. Further development is needed, for example the inclusion of all physicians and laboratories and an alert system for outbreaks. The introduction of this case-based, timely electronic reporting system in Lithuania allows better reporting of data to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) compared to the former reporting system with paper-based, aggregated data.

Bioethics in Unani medicine: Relevant quotes from Kamilussanah, a 10th century manuscript

2022 ◽  
Vol 07 (01) ◽  
pp. 33-36
Author(s):  
Ghazala Javed ◽  
Nandini Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
National Level ◽  
Codes Of Conduct ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Systems ◽  
Unani Medicine ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) in its Alma Ata Declaration, 1978, focuses on the development, promotion and recognition of the traditional medical systems. India has taken steps in this direction by recognising Unani medicine with other traditional medical systems practised in India. Presently, Government is promoting integration of the recognised traditional medical systems with conventional medicine at the national level, as an interdisciplinary approach to providing better patient-centred care. Bioethics is a field of enquiry that examines ethical issues and dilemmas emerging from medical care and research involving humans. Although the term ‘bioethics’ was first mentioned in 1927 and later established as a distinct discipline in 1970s, the ethical principles in various contexts had been described centuries ago in the classical texts pertaining to traditional medical systems. Since ethics as a code of conduct was followed by ancient Unani physicians to safeguard the interests of humanity when providing healthcare, it was felt that a review of classical Unani manuscripts should be attempted to give an insight into codes of conduct described by various Unani physicians. In this paper, a 10th century book, “Kamilussanah” authored by Ali ibn Abbas al-Majoosi, also known as Majoosi (930-994 CE), is reviewed through the prism of ethics.

scholarly journals Trends in tuberculosis incidence rates in the Region of Sousse (Tunisia) from 1992 to 2016

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Sahli ◽  
M Mellouli ◽  
M Limam ◽  
M El Ghardallou ◽  
A Mtiraoui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Trend ◽  
National Level ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
World Health ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Tuberculosis Control ◽  
Tuberculosis Incidence ◽  
Significant Downward Trend ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Introduction In 1993, the World Health Organization declared that tuberculosis is a public health emergency of global concern. All efforts were made in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce the burden of Tuberculosis. The MDG framework built into national priorities and development strategies has, in fact, strengthened epidemiological surveillance and the use of reliable data to make decisions based on objective data. These data are essential for planning, managing the activities of the National Tuberculosis program, monitoring and ongoing evaluation of its performance. In this context, we conducted this study to trace the trend of Tuberculosis incidence rate recorded in the Sousse Region between 1992 and 2016. Methods This is a longitudinal study of the registered data of tuberculosis cases in Sousse between 1992 and 2016. For the trend analysis the software JOINPOINT version 4.5.0.1 was used. This software offers the closest possible regression model of the different points and gives an annual percentage change (APC) with a 95% confidence interval. Results The highest TB incidence rates was recorded in 1993 (85.66 cases per 100 000 inhabitants). Between 1992 and 1997, there was a significant downward trend of TB incidence (APC = -23.2; 95% CI [-28.8, 1]). Between 1997 and 2004 the trend was stable. Between 2004 and 2016, there was a significant upward trend (APC = 8.3; 95% CI: [4.3, 12.4]). Conclusions At the national level, between 1992 and 2002, tuberculosis experienced a fall in incidence rates, as a result of an improvement in the socio-economic level and the organization of tuberculosis control. Since 2004, the trend has been rising. Increased tuberculosis control is advocated to end tuberculosis by 2030 in line with sustainable development goals. Key messages After a significant decrease, the tuberculosis incidence has increased significantly since 2004. The tuberculosis prevention efforts should be intensified to reverse the current trend.

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