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Jiang Y, Yang Y. Environmental Justice in Greater Los Angeles: Impacts of Spatial and Ethnic Factors on Residents' Socioeconomic and Health Status. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095311. [PMID: 35564705 PMCID: PMC9105631 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Environmental justice advocates that all people are protected from disproportionate impacts of environmental hazards. Despite this ideal aspiration, social and environmental inequalities exist throughout greater Los Angeles. Previous research has identified and mapped pollutant levels, demographic information, and the population’s socioeconomic status and health issues. Nevertheless, the complex interrelationships between these factors remain unclear. To close this knowledge gap, we first measured the spatial centrality using sDNA software. These data were then integrated with other socioeconomic and health data collected from CalEnvironScreen, with census tract as the unit of analysis. Finally, structural equation modeling (SEM) was executed to explore direct, indirect, and total effects among variables. The results show that the White population tends to reside in the more segregated areas and lives closer to green space, contributing to higher housing stability, financial security, and more education attainment. In contrast, people of color, especially Latinx, experience the opposite of the environmental benefits. Spatial centrality exhibits a significant indirect effect on environmental justice by influencing ethnicity composition and pollution levels. Moreover, green space accessibility significantly influences environmental justice via pollution. These findings can assist decision-makers to create a more inclusive society and curtail social segregation for all individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliang Jiang
- Landscape Justice Initiative, School of Architecture, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA;
- Stillwater Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA
| | - Yufeng Yang
- Space Syntax Laboratory, The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, London WC1H 0AY, UK
- Correspondence:
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Montaño-López F, Biswas A. Are heavy metals in urban garden soils linked to vulnerable populations? A case study from Guelph, Canada. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11286. [PMID: 34050202 PMCID: PMC8163869 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90368-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
With increasing population, there is growing concern for food security in urban areas. Though, urban gardening has gained popularity, several studies have found higher concentrations of contaminants in urban soils, especially heavy metals, often at toxic levels, which pose a potential risk for human health. Moreover, heavy metal polluted sites have been strongly associated with areas populated by low-income families, newcomers and racial minorities. In this study, heavy metals in the soils of community gardens in the city of Guelph, ON were examined as a case study and their relationship with vulnerable populations. We analyzed soil samples at two depths for a range of heavy metals and characterized their spatial patterns to see if they were related to disadvantaged communities. We estimated the pollution levels using two index-based approaches and assessed their potential risk for human health, although concentrations of most heavy metals were below the limits established by Canadian regulations, metals like Cd, Pb, Se and Zn exhibited a mild degree of pollution, whereas As exhibited a severe degree. Their association with vulnerable populations were weak, but hotspots were mainly located in low-income areas. This case study provides scientific evidence that could help to expand our understanding around the interconnection between pollution and poverty/racial inequality. Also the importance of generating strategies for the protection of human health and sustainable soil management practices in urban areas where food for human consumption is grown.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Asim Biswas
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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Salgado M, Madureira J, Mendes AS, Torres A, Teixeira JP, Oliveira MD. Environmental determinants of population health in urban settings. A systematic review. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:853. [PMID: 32493328 PMCID: PMC7271472 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08905-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Population health is influenced by interactions between environmental determinants, which are captured by dimensions and indicators. This study aims to systematically review key environmental determinants and respective dimensions and indicators, relevant to evaluate population health in urban settings, and to understand their potential implications into policies. Methods A search of literature published between 2008 and 2018 was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and SciELO Portugal databases, on studies with evidence on association between an environmental determinant and a health outcome in urban contexts. Health determinants, dimensions and indicators researched in the selected studies were synthetized, and associations analyzed. An independent assessment of quality of the studies was performed. Key conclusions and policy recommendations were extracted to build a framework to analyze environment related population health and policies in urban settings. Results Ninety four studies of varied methodological approaches and quality met the inclusion criteria. The review identified positive associations between all environmental determinants -socioeconomic, built environment, natural environment, healthcare, behaviors, and health outcomes - overall mortality and morbidity, in urban settings. Improvements in income, education, air quality, occupation status, mobility and smoking habits indicators have positive impact in overall mortality and chronic diseases morbidity indicators. Initiatives to improve population health in which policymakers can be more evidence-informed include socioeconomic, natural environment and built environment determinants. Conclusions There is scope and need to further explore which environmental determinants and dimensions most contribute to population health to create a series of robust evidence-based measures to better inform urban planning policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Salgado
- Institute of Environmental Health (ISAMB), Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (FMUL), Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Joana Madureira
- Environmental Health Department, National Institute of Health, R. de Alexandre Herculano 321, 4000-055, Porto, Portugal.,EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, 135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Sofia Mendes
- Environmental Health Department, National Institute of Health, R. de Alexandre Herculano 321, 4000-055, Porto, Portugal.,EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, 135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Anália Torres
- VALORSUL, Estação Mercadorias Bobadela, Plataforma Ribeirinha CP, 2696-801, Lisbon, São João da Talha, Portugal
| | - João Paulo Teixeira
- Environmental Health Department, National Institute of Health, R. de Alexandre Herculano 321, 4000-055, Porto, Portugal.,EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, 135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mónica Duarte Oliveira
- CEG-IST, Centro de Estudos de Gestão do Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
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Xu JW, Martin RV, Henderson BH, Meng J, Oztaner B, Hand JL, Hakami A, Strum M, Phillips SB. Simulation of airborne trace metals in fine particulate matter over North America. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT (OXFORD, ENGLAND : 1994) 2019; 214:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2019.116883. [PMID: 32665763 PMCID: PMC7359884 DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2019.116883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Trace metal distributions are of relevance to understand sources of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), PM2.5-related health effects, and atmospheric chemistry. However, knowledge of trace metal distributions is lacking due to limited ground-based measurements and model simulations. This study develops a simulation of 12 trace metal concentrations (Si, Ca, Al, Fe, Ti, Mn, K, Mg, As, Cd, Ni and Pb) over continental North America for 2013 using the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model. Evaluation of modeled trace metal concentrations with observations indicates a spatial consistency within a factor of 2, an improvement over previous studies that were within a factor of 3-6. The spatial distribution of trace metal concentrations reflects their primary emission sources. Crustal element (Si, Ca, Al, Fe, Ti, Mn, K) concentrations are enhanced over the central US from anthropogenic fugitive dust and over the southwestern U.S. due to natural mineral dust. Heavy metal (As, Cd, Ni and Pb) concentrations are high over the eastern U.S. from industry. K is abundance in the southeast from biomass burning and high concentrations of Mg is observed along the coast from sea spray. The spatial pattern of PM2.5 mass is most strongly correlated with Pb, Ni, As and K due to their signature emission sources. Challenges remain in accurately simulating observed trace metal concentrations. Halving anthropogenic fugitive dust emissions in the 2011 National Air Toxic Assessment (NATA) inventory and doubling natural dust emissions in the default GEOS-Chem simulation was necessary to reduce biases in crustal element concentrations. A fivefold increase of anthropogenic emissions of As and Pb was necessary in the NATA inventory to reduce the national-scale bias versus observations by more than 80 %, potentially reflecting missing sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Wei Xu
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Randall V Martin
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
- Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Jun Meng
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Burak Oztaner
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jenny L Hand
- Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Amir Hakami
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Madeleine Strum
- Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Fairburn J, Schüle SA, Dreger S, Karla Hilz L, Bolte G. Social Inequalities in Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution: A Systematic Review in the WHO European Region. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16173127. [PMID: 31466272 PMCID: PMC6747075 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16173127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Ambient air pollution is a long-standing and significant public health issue. The aim of this review is to systematically examine the peer-reviewed evidence on social inequalities and ambient air pollution in the World Health Organization European Region. Articles published between 2010 and 2017 were analyzed in the review. In total 31 articles were included in the review. There is good evidence from ecological studies that higher deprivation indices and low economic position are usually linked with higher levels of pollutants such as particulate matter (particulate matter under 2.5 and 10 microns in diameter, PM2.5, PM10) and oxides of nitrogen (e.g., NO2, and NOx). There is also evidence that ethnic minorities experience a mixed exposure in comparison to the majority population being sometimes higher and sometimes lower depending on the ethnic minority under consideration. The studies using data at the individual level in this review are mainly focused on pregnant women or new mothers, in these studies deprivation and ethnicity are more likely to be linked to higher exposures of poor air quality. Therefore, there is evidence in this review that the burden of higher pollutants falls disproportionally on different social groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Fairburn
- Staffordshire Business School, Staffordshire University, Stoke on Trent ST4 2DF, UK.
| | - Steffen Andreas Schüle
- Department of Social Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dreger
- Department of Social Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Lisa Karla Hilz
- Department of Social Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Bolte
- Department of Social Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
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Pasetto R, Mattioli B, Marsili D. Environmental Justice in Industrially Contaminated Sites. A Review of Scientific Evidence in the WHO European Region. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E998. [PMID: 30893943 PMCID: PMC6466395 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16060998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In the WHO European Region the topic of contaminated sites is considered a priority among environment and health themes. Communities living in or close to contaminated sites tend to be characterized by a high prevalence of ethnic minorities and by an unfavorable socioeconomic status so rising issues of environmental justice. A structured review was undertaken to describe the contents of original scientific studies analyzing distributive and procedural justice in industrially contaminated sites carried out in the WHO European Region in the period 2010⁻2017. A systematic search of the literature was performed. In total, 14 articles were identified. Wherever assessments on environmental inequalities were carried out, an overburden of socioeconomic deprivation or vulnerability, with very few exemptions, was observed. The combined effects of environmental and socioeconomic pressures on health were rarely addressed. Results show that the studies on environmental and health inequalities and mechanisms of their generation in areas affected by industrially contaminated sites in the WHO European Region are in their early stages, with exemption of UK. Future efforts should be directed to improve study strategies with national and local assessments in order to provide evidence for equity-oriented interventions to reduce environmental exposure and related health risks caused by industrial contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Pasetto
- Department of Environment and Health, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy.
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Benedetta Mattioli
- National Centre for Global Health, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Daniela Marsili
- Department of Environment and Health, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy.
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Taraškevičius R, Zinkutė R, Gedminienė L, Stankevičius Ž. Hair geochemical composition of children from Vilnius kindergartens as an indicator of environmental conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2018; 40:1817-1840. [PMID: 28536963 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-017-9977-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The research is based on analysis data of Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, V, Zn (metals) and S in the hair of 47 girls and 63 boys from eight Vilnius kindergartens and the distribution pattern of high metal concentrations and bioavailability in snow-cover dust, also dust samples from vents of characteristic pollution sources. The kindergartens were selected according to topsoil total contamination index and dust-related indices. Significantly higher Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn concentrations in the hair of girls (means are 1.1, 1.9, 1.3, 1.2 times higher) and the differences between hair of genders according to inter-element correlation and clustering were found. Analysis of Spearman correlation coefficients between metal concentrations in hair of each gender and dust metal concentrations or metal loading rates at their residence sites revealed that for Mn, Cu and Zn, they are insignificant, while for Cr, Ni, Pb and V, they are mainly significant positive (except V in female hair). The correlation of the contents of Cr, Ni and V in dust with respective concentrations in hair was more significant for boys (p < 0.001) than for girls. Only a few cases with a significant Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb and Zn increase were revealed in hair of children attending polluted kindergartens in comparison with control. It was concluded that relationship between metal concentrations in hair and dust-related indices is more expressed for children's residence sites than for their kindergarten sites. The gender-based grouping and site-by-site study design are recommended in the studies of reflection of environmental exposure in hair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ričardas Taraškevičius
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania.
- Klaipėda University, Herkaus Manto 84, LT-92294, Klaipėda, Lithuania.
| | - Rimantė Zinkutė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Laura Gedminienė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Spatial Variability of Geriatric Depression Risk in a High-Density City: A Data-Driven Socio-Environmental Vulnerability Mapping Approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14090994. [PMID: 28858265 PMCID: PMC5615531 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14090994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies found a relationship between geriatric depression and social deprivation. However, most studies did not include environmental factors in the statistical models, introducing a bias to estimate geriatric depression risk because the urban environment was found to have significant associations with mental health. We developed a cross-sectional study with a binomial logistic regression to examine the geriatric depression risk of a high-density city based on five social vulnerability factors and four environmental measures. We constructed a socio-environmental vulnerability index by including the significant variables to map the geriatric depression risk in Hong Kong, a high-density city characterized by compact urban environment and high-rise buildings. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of the variables were significantly different, indicating that both social and environmental variables should be included as confounding factors. For the comprehensive model controlled by all confounding factors, older adults who were of lower education had the highest geriatric depression risks (OR: 1.60 (1.21, 2.12)). Higher percentage of residential area and greater variation in building height within the neighborhood also contributed to geriatric depression risk in Hong Kong, while average building height had negative association with geriatric depression risk. In addition, the socio-environmental vulnerability index showed that higher scores were associated with higher geriatric depression risk at neighborhood scale. The results of mapping and cross-section model suggested that geriatric depression risk was associated with a compact living environment with low socio-economic conditions in historical urban areas in Hong Kong. In conclusion, our study found a significant difference in geriatric depression risk between unadjusted and adjusted models, suggesting the importance of including environmental factors in estimating geriatric depression risk. We also developed a framework to map geriatric depression risk across a city, which can be used for identifying neighborhoods with higher risk for public health surveillance and sustainable urban planning.
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Bardos RP, Jones S, Stephenson I, Menger P, Beumer V, Neonato F, Maring L, Ferber U, Track T, Wendler K. Optimising value from the soft re-use of brownfield sites. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 563-564:769-782. [PMID: 26746674 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Soft re-use of brownfields describes intended temporary or final re-uses of brownfield sites which are not based on built constructions or infrastructure ('hard' re-use). Examples of soft re-uses include the creation of public green space. These are essentially uses where the soil is not sealed. Often the case for soft re-use of brownfields has not been easy to demonstrate in strictly financial terms. The purpose of this paper is to describe a value based approach to identify and optimise services provided by the restoration of brownfields to soft re-uses, on a permanent or interim basis. A 'Brownfield Opportunity Matrix' is suggested as means of identifying and discussing soft restoration opportunities. The use of 'sustainability linkages' is suggested as a means of understanding the sustainability of the services under consideration and providing a structure for the overall valuation of restoration work, for example as part of design or option appraisal processes, or to support the solicitation of interest in a project.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Paul Bardos
- r(3) environmental technology Ltd, H9 TOB1, University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Reading, UK; School of Environment and Technology, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.
| | - Sarah Jones
- r(3) environmental technology Ltd, H9 TOB1, University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Reading, UK
| | - Ian Stephenson
- VERTASE-FLI, 19 Napier Court, Barlborough Links, Barlborough, Sheffield S43 4PZ, UK.
| | - Pierre Menger
- Tecnalia Research and Innovation Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Derio, E-48160, Bizkaia, Spain.
| | - Victor Beumer
- Deltares, Rotterdamseweg 185, Delft 2629HD, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Linda Maring
- Deltares, Rotterdamseweg 185, Delft 2629HD, The Netherlands.
| | - Uwe Ferber
- PROJEKTGRUPPE STADT+ENTWICKUNG, Ferber, Graumann und Partner, Stieglitzstrasse 84, 04229 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Thomas Track
- DECHEMA e.V., Theodor-Heuss-Allee 25, D-60486 Frankfurt a.M., Germany.
| | - Katja Wendler
- DECHEMA e.V., Theodor-Heuss-Allee 25, D-60486 Frankfurt a.M., Germany.
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Rothwell KA, Cooke MP. A comparison of methods used to calculate normal background concentrations of potentially toxic elements for urban soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 532:625-634. [PMID: 26119377 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.06.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 06/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
To meet the requirements of regulation and to provide realistic remedial targets there is a need for the background concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soils to be considered when assessing contaminated land. In England, normal background concentrations (NBCs) have been published for several priority contaminants for a number of spatial domains however updated regulatory guidance places the responsibility on Local Authorities to set NBCs for their jurisdiction. Due to the unique geochemical nature of urban areas, Local Authorities need to define NBC values specific to their area, which the national data is unable to provide. This study aims to calculate NBC levels for Gateshead, an urban Metropolitan Borough in the North East of England, using freely available data. The 'median + 2MAD', boxplot upper whisker and English NBC (according to the method adopted by the British Geological Survey) methods were compared for test PTEs lead, arsenic and cadmium. Due to the lack of systematically collected data for Gateshead in the national soil chemistry database, the use of site investigation (SI) data collected during the planning process was investigated. 12,087 SI soil chemistry data points were incorporated into a database and 27 comparison samples were taken from undisturbed locations across Gateshead. The SI data gave high resolution coverage of the area and Mann-Whitney tests confirmed statistical similarity for the undisturbed comparison samples and the SI data. SI data was successfully used to calculate NBCs for Gateshead and the median+2MAD method was selected as most appropriate by the Local Authority according to the precautionary principle as it consistently provided the most conservative NBC values. The use of this data set provides a freely available, high resolution source of data that can be used for a range of environmental applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Rothwell
- School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.
| | - Martin P Cooke
- School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.
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Logan AC. Dysbiotic drift: mental health, environmental grey space, and microbiota. J Physiol Anthropol 2015; 34:23. [PMID: 25947328 PMCID: PMC4438628 DOI: 10.1186/s40101-015-0061-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in research concerning the mental health implications of dietary patterns and select nutrients have been remarkable. At the same time, there have been rapid increases in the understanding of the ways in which non-pathogenic microbes can potentially influence many aspects of human health, including those in the mental realm. Discussions of nutrition and microbiota are often overlapping. A separate, yet equally connected, avenue of research is that related to natural (for example, green space) and built environments, and in particular, how they are connected to human cognition and behaviors. It is argued here that in Western industrial nations a ‘disparity of microbiota’ might be expected among the socioeconomically disadvantaged, those whom face more profound environmental forces. Many of the environmental forces pushing against the vulnerable are at the neighborhood level. Matching the developing microbiome research with existing environmental justice research suggests that grey space may promote dysbiosis by default. In addition, the influence of Westernized lifestyle patterns, and the marketing forces that drive unhealthy behaviors in deprived communities, might allow dysbiosis to be the norm rather than the exception in those already at high risk of depression, subthreshold (subsyndromal) conditions, and subpar mental health. If microbiota are indeed at the intersection of nutrition, environmental health, and lifestyle medicine (as these avenues pertain to mental health), then perhaps the rapidly evolving gut-brain-microbiota conversation needs to operate through a wider lens. In contrast to the more narrowly defined psychobiotic, the term eco-psychotropic is introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan C Logan
- CAMNR, 23679 Calabasas Road Suite 542, Calabasas, CA, 91302, USA.
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12
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Natural environments, ancestral diets, and microbial ecology: is there a modern "paleo-deficit disorder"? Part II. J Physiol Anthropol 2015; 34:9. [PMID: 25889196 PMCID: PMC4353476 DOI: 10.1186/s40101-014-0040-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Famed microbiologist René J. Dubos (1901–1982) was an early pioneer in the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) construct. In the 1960s, he conducted groundbreaking research concerning the ways in which early-life experience with nutrition, microbiota, stress, and other environmental variables could influence later-life health outcomes. He recognized the co-evolutionary relationship between microbiota and the human host. Almost 2 decades before the hygiene hypothesis, he suggested that children in developed nations were becoming too sanitized (vs. our ancestral past) and that scientists should determine whether the childhood environment should be “dirtied up in a controlled manner.” He also argued that oft-celebrated growth chart increases via changes in the global food supply and dietary patterns should not be equated to quality of life and mental health. Here in the second part of our review, we reflect the words of Dubos off contemporary research findings in the areas of diet, the gut-brain-axis (microbiota and anxiety and depression) and microbial ecology. Finally, we argue, as Dubos did 40 years ago, that researchers should more closely examine the relevancy of silo-sequestered, reductionist findings in the larger picture of human quality of life. In the context of global climate change and the epidemiological transition, an allergy epidemic and psychosocial stress, our review suggests that discussions of natural environments, urbanization, biodiversity, microbiota, nutrition, and mental health, are often one in the same.
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