1
|
Ezeh CC, Onyema VO, Obi CJ, Moneke AN. A systematic review of the impacts of oil spillage on residents of oil-producing communities in Nigeria. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:34761-34786. [PMID: 38714616 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33468-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/10/2024]
Abstract
Oil spillage is common in oil-producing communities of Nigeria, and it impacts negatively on the residents of these communities. This study analysed available research data on oil spillage incidents in these communities to determine their main causes and impacts on the residents. This study highlights the immediate and long-term consequences of oil spills on residents of oil-host communities in Nigeria. A systematic review of published studies was carried out, and 22 studies were identified from the literature search. The main causes of oil spills were identified as sabotage (87%), leakage from corroded pipelines (62%), and equipment failure (45%). Others were mystery spills and operational failures. Unemployment, abject poverty, marginalization, and inaction of government regulatory agencies are enabling factors for sabotage and vandalism of oil pipelines. It was found that exposure to oil spills impacts directly and indirectly on residents of oil-host communities, with accompanying health, socioeconomic, and environmental implications. Oil spills in these communities impact on all facets of their life, thereby infringing on their rights to existence and survival. The major interventions were targeted at improving health services, education, infrastructure, skill acquisition, and employment. These in turn reduced the occurrence of violence, insurgency, and human trafficking in the oil-producing communities. It is recommended that government regulatory agencies should be revamped and repositioned to effectively perform their duties. Interventions should be targeted at addressing the causes of agitation by indigenes by involving them in the decision-making process. Also, appropriate remediation strategies should be adopted to clean up the oil spills.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chukwuemeka C Ezeh
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
- Centre for Environmental Management and Control, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
- Central Science Laboratory, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Vanessa O Onyema
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Chinonye J Obi
- Centre for Environmental Management and Control, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Anene N Moneke
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
- Centre for Environmental Management and Control, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kadja K, Rodríguez-Arias D. Global Environmental Justice and Bioethics: Overcoming Beneficence and Individual Responsibility. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2024; 24:55-57. [PMID: 38393998 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2024.2303143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
|
3
|
Umar HA, Khanan MFA, Shiru MS, Ahmad A, Rahman MZA, Din AHM. An integrated investigation of hydrocarbon pollution in Ahoada area, Niger Delta Region, Nigeria. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:116848-116859. [PMID: 36633746 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25144-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates hydrocarbon pollution in the Ahoada community of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study uses a geographic information system (GIS) for mapping oil spill hotspots in the region. The resistivity method was used to delineate the extent of hydrocarbon pollution to a depth of 19.7 m in the Ahoada area of the region. Three categories of soil samples, impacted soil (IMS), remediated soil (RS), and control soil (CS), were collected and analyzed for the presence of BTEX, PAH, TPH, TOC, and TOG. The concentrations of the samples from the IMS and RS were compared to that of the CS to determine the extent of pollution. The GIS mapping shows that the most polluted areas in the Niger Delta Region are Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states. Results of the geophysical images revealed contaminants' presence to depths beyond 20 m at some locations in the study area. The highest depth of contaminant travel was at Ukperede. Soil samples' analysis showed that the range of concentrations of TPH in IMS at Oshie was 17.27-58.36 mg/kg; RS was 11.73-50.78 mg/kg which were higher than the concentrations of 0.68 mg/kg in the CS. PAHs are more prevalent in Ukperede, ranging from 54.56 to 77.54 mg/kg. BTEX concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 0.38 mg/kg for IMP and 0.01-2.7 mg/kg for RS against a CS value of 0.01 mg/kg. The study revealed that there are characteristically high resistivity values in the samples which were corroborated by the findings from the resistivity survey. TOC was found to be higher in the IMS and RS than in the CS, demonstrating that a significant quantity of the hydrocarbon has undergone appreciable decomposition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hafiz Aminu Umar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Federal University Dutse, P.M.B 7156, Dutse, Nigeria.
- Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, Baze University Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
| | - Mohd Faisal Abdul Khanan
- Department of Geoinformation, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi, 81310, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Mohammed Sanusi Shiru
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Federal University Dutse, P.M.B 7156, Dutse, Nigeria
| | - Anuar Ahmad
- Department of Geoinformation, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi, 81310, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman
- Department of Geoinformation, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi, 81310, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Ami Hassan Md Din
- Department of Geoinformation, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi, 81310, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ephraim-Emmanuel BC, Enembe O, Ordinioha B. Respiratory Health Effects of Pollution Due to Artisanal Crude-Oil Refining in Bayelsa, Nigeria. Ann Glob Health 2023; 89:74. [PMID: 37899776 PMCID: PMC10607629 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Artisanal refining of crude oil has been associated with the manifestations of various health problems directly related to the release of particulate matter, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), into the environment. This study thus assessed the respiratory health effects associated with being resident in areas where crude oil is artisanally refined in Bayelsa State. Material and methods This study utilized a comparative, cross-sectional design and was conducted in three communities in Bayelsa State. These included Sampou (a mildly exposed community), Nembe, and Gbarain (severely exposed communities). A sample population of 615 adults selected by multistage sampling completed the study instrument, which assessed data on their respiratory health. Environmental monitoring of the PAHs levels of the samples was done, and concentrations were determined using the gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC/FID). The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 was used to conduct descriptive and inferential analyses. Results Findings revealed that the highest number of moderate to severe respiratory disease symptoms was experienced by respondents from Nembe 12 (41.4%), followed by those from Sampou 8 (27.6%), and then by those from Gbarain 9 (31.0%). Also, coughing that occurred mostly when lying down was found to be significantly prevalent among residents of Nembe [35 (47.9%); p-value: 0.016], among other symptoms. Respiratory disease symptoms were more likely to be found among females (p-value: 0.037), smokers (p-value: 0.002), and those having a low health risk perception related to PAHs exposure (p-value: 0.002). Conclusion Respondents from the three study sites had in the past 12 months experienced various respiratory disease symptoms, which could be directly related to their exposure to pollution from artisanal crude oil refining. Artisanal refining of crude oil should be continually dissuaded through unwavering enforcement of environmental health laws in order to further improve public and environmental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Okokon Enembe
- Department of Community Medicine, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Best Ordinioha
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rahman S, Al-Gawati MA, Alfaifi FS, Alenazi WK, Alarifi N, Albrithen H, Alodhayb AN, Georghiou PE. Detection of Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Aqueous Solutions Using Quartz Tuning Fork Sensors Modified with Calix[4]arene Methoxy Ester Self-Assembled Monolayers: Experimental and Density Functional Theory Study. Molecules 2023; 28:6808. [PMID: 37836651 PMCID: PMC10574471 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28196808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Quartz tuning forks (QTFs), which were coated with gold and with self-assembled monolayers (SAM) of a lower-rim functionalized calix[4]arene methoxy ester (CME), were used for the detection of benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene in water samples. The QTF device was tested by measuring the respective frequency shifts obtained using small (100 µL) samples of aqueous benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene at four different concentrations (10-12, 10-10, 10-8, and 10-6 M). The QTFs had lower limits of detection for all three aromatic hydrocarbons in the 10-14 M range, with the highest resonance frequency shifts (±5%) being shown for the corresponding 10-6 M solutions in the following order: benzene (199 Hz) > toluene (191 Hz) > ethylbenzene (149 Hz). The frequency shifts measured with the QTFs relative to that in deionized water were inversely proportional to the concentration/mass of the analytes. Insights into the effects of the alkyl groups of the aromatic hydrocarbons on the electronic interaction energies for their hypothetical 1:1 supramolecular host-guest binding with the CME sensing layer were obtained through density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the electronic interaction energies (ΔIEs) using B3LYP-D3/GenECP with a mixed basis set: LANL2DZ and 6-311++g(d,p), CAM-B3LYP/LANL2DZ, and PBE/LANL2DZ. The magnitudes of the ΔIEs were in the following order: [Au4-CME⊃[benzene] > [Au4-CME]⊃[toluene] > [Au4-CME]⊃[ethylbenzene]. The gas-phase BSSE-uncorrected ΔIE values for these complexes were higher, with values of -96.86, -87.80, and -79.33 kJ mol-1, respectively, and -86.39, -77.23, and -67.63 kJ mol-1, respectively, for the corresponding BSSE-corrected values using B3LYP-D3/GenECP with LANL2dZ and 6-311++g(d,p). The computational findings strongly support the experimental results, revealing the same trend in the ΔIEs for the proposed hypothetical binding modes between the tested analytes with the CME SAMs on the Au-QTF sensing surfaces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shofiur Rahman
- Biological and Environmental Sensing Research Unit, King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud A. Al-Gawati
- Biological and Environmental Sensing Research Unit, King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (F.S.A.)
| | - Fatimah S. Alfaifi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (F.S.A.)
| | - Wadha Khalaf Alenazi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (F.S.A.)
| | - Nahed Alarifi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (F.S.A.)
| | - Hamad Albrithen
- Biological and Environmental Sensing Research Unit, King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (F.S.A.)
| | - Abdullah N. Alodhayb
- Biological and Environmental Sensing Research Unit, King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (F.S.A.)
| | - Paris E. Georghiou
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Deivanayagam TA, Selvarajah S, Hickel J, Guinto RR, de Morais Sato P, Bonifacio J, English S, Huq M, Issa R, Mulindwa H, Nagginda HP, Sharma C, Devakumar D. Climate change, health, and discrimination: action towards racial justice. Lancet 2023; 401:5-7. [PMID: 36343651 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(22)02182-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thilagawathi Abi Deivanayagam
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK; Lancaster Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
| | - Sujitha Selvarajah
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Jason Hickel
- Institute for Environmental Science and Technology and Department of Anthropology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; International Inequalities Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Renzo R Guinto
- Planetary and Global Health Program, St Luke's Medical Center College of Medicine-William H Quasha Memorial, Quezon City, Philippines; Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Jon Bonifacio
- Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Sonora English
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Mita Huq
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Rita Issa
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | | | | | - Chetna Sharma
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Delan Devakumar
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kong EDH, Chau JHF, Lai CW, Khe CS, Sharma G, Kumar A, Siengchin S, Sanjay MR. GO/TiO 2-Related Nanocomposites as Photocatalysts for Pollutant Removal in Wastewater Treatment. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:nano12193536. [PMID: 36234665 PMCID: PMC9565631 DOI: 10.3390/nano12193536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Water pollution has been a prevalent issue globally for some time. Some pollutants are released into the water system without treatment, making the water not suitable for consumption. This problem may lead to more grave problems in the future including the destruction of the ecosystem along with the organisms inhabiting it, and illness and diseases endangering human health. Conventional methods have been implemented to remove hazardous pollutants such as dyes, heavy metals, and oil but are incapable of doing so due to economic restraints and the inability to degrade the pollutants, leading to secondary pollution. Photocatalysis is a more recently applied concept and is proven to be able to completely remove and degrade pollutants into simpler organic compounds. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a fine example of a photocatalyst owing to its cost-effectiveness and superb efficiency. However, issues such as the high recombination rate of photogenerated electrons along with positive holes while being only limited to UV irradiation need to be addressed. Carbonaceous materials such as graphene oxide (GO) can overcome such issues by reducing the recombination rate and providing a platform for adsorption accompanied by photocatalytic degradation of TiO2. The history and development of the synthesis of GO will be discussed, followed by the methods used for GO/TiO2 synthesis. The hybrid of GO/TiO2 as a photocatalyst has received some attention in the application of wastewater treatment due to its efficiency and it being environmentally benign. This review paper thereby aims to identify the origins of different pollutants followed by the sickness they may potentially inflict. Recent findings, including that GO/TiO2-related nanocomposites can remove pollutants from the water system, and on the photodegradation mechanism for pollutants including aromatic dyes, heavy metal and crude oil, will be briefly discussed in this review. Moreover, several crucial factors that affect the performance of photocatalysis in pollutant removal will be discussed as well. Therefore, this paper presents a critical review of recent achievements in the use of GO/TiO2-related nanocomposites and photocatalysis for removing various pollutants in wastewater treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Dern Huang Kong
- Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Seri Iskandar 32610, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (E.D.H.K.); (C.W.L.)
| | - Jenny Hui Foong Chau
- Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Chin Wei Lai
- Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (E.D.H.K.); (C.W.L.)
| | - Cheng Seong Khe
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Seri Iskandar 32610, Malaysia
| | - Gaurav Sharma
- Nanshan District Key Lab for Biopolymer and Safety Evaluation, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, College of Material Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- International Research Center of Nanotechnology for Himalayan Sustainability (IRCNHS), Shoolini University, Solan 173229, India
- School of Science and Technology, Global University, Saharanpur 247001, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- International Research Center of Nanotechnology for Himalayan Sustainability (IRCNHS), Shoolini University, Solan 173229, India
- School of Science and Technology, Global University, Saharanpur 247001, India
| | - Suchart Siengchin
- Natural Composites Research Group Lab, Department of Materials and Production Engineering, The Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS), King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB), Bangkok 10800, Thailand
| | - Mavinkere Rangappa Sanjay
- Natural Composites Research Group Lab, Department of Materials and Production Engineering, The Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS), King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB), Bangkok 10800, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Si H, Liu Q, Fan Z, Wang B, Tong Q, Lin M. A Durable Magnetic Superhydrophobic Melamine Sponge: For Solving Complex Marine Oil Spills. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12142488. [PMID: 35889712 PMCID: PMC9322805 DOI: 10.3390/nano12142488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
The problem of offshore oil leakage has wreaked havoc on the environment and people’s health. A simple and environmentally friendly impregnation method combined with marine mussel bionics was used to address this issue. Using the viscosity of polydopamine (PDA), nano- Fe3O4 and WS2 adhered to the framework of the melamine sponge (MS), and then the magnetic sponge was modified with n-octadecanethiol (OTD), and finally the superhydrophobic magnetic melamine sponge (mMS) was prepared. The modified sponge has superhydrophobicity (WCA, 156.8° ± 1.18°), high adsorbability (40~100 g°g−1), recyclability (oil adsorbability remains essentially unchanged after 25 cycles), efficient oil−water separation performance (>98%), and can quickly separate oil on the water’s surface and underwater. Furthermore, the modified sponge exhibits excellent stability and durability under harsh operating conditions such as strong sunlight, strong acid, strong alkali, and high salt, and can control the direction of the sponge’s movement by loading a magnetic field. To summarize, mMS has many potential applications as a new magnetic adsorption material for dealing with complex offshore oil spill events.
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang S, Pei J, Zhang K, Gong D, Rokpelnis K, Yang W, Yu X. Does Individuals' Perception of Wastewater Pollution Decrease Their Self-Rated Health? Evidence from China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127291. [PMID: 35742549 PMCID: PMC9223579 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Background: This study used original survey data to quantitatively investigate the associations between individuals’ perception of locally present wastewater pollution and their self-rated health. Methods: This research used the data from large-scale surveys covering all the 31 provinces and equivalent administrative units in mainland China and interviewed 6112 participants. The ordered logit method was employed to estimate the models. Results: The results indicated that individuals’ perceptions of local industrial and domestic wastewater pollution significantly decrease their self-rated health. If industrial wastewater pollution was reported, the possibility of the observers indicating lower levels of self-rated current health, comparing to the past year, and comparing with peers, all increased by 26% (p < 0.001), 23% (p = 0.005), and 18% (p = 0.006), respectively. Likewise, perceived domestic wastewater pollution led to the increase by 21% (p = 0.012), 17% (p = 0.034), and 33% (p = 0.000), respectively. Meanwhile, reported industrial wastewater pollution also has an obvious negative effect on individuals’ health performance, such as being more fatigued and upset. Conclusions: The survey clearly shows that Chinese individuals who are aware of water pollution in their living environment tend to experience more negative health outcomes, which adds additional urgency to improving wastewater treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shu Wang
- School of Economics, Minzu University of China, 27 Zhongguancun South Avenue, Beijing 100081, China; (S.W.); (J.P.); (K.Z.); (W.Y.)
- China Institute for Vitalizing Border Areas and Enriching the People, Minzu University of China, 27 Zhongguancun South Avenue, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jipeng Pei
- School of Economics, Minzu University of China, 27 Zhongguancun South Avenue, Beijing 100081, China; (S.W.); (J.P.); (K.Z.); (W.Y.)
| | - Kuo Zhang
- School of Economics, Minzu University of China, 27 Zhongguancun South Avenue, Beijing 100081, China; (S.W.); (J.P.); (K.Z.); (W.Y.)
| | - Dawei Gong
- School of Environment & Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, 59 Zhongguancun Avenue, Beijing 100872, China;
| | - Karlis Rokpelnis
- Council on International Educational Exchange, 600 Southborough Drive, Suite 104, South Portland, ME 04106, USA;
| | - Weicheng Yang
- School of Economics, Minzu University of China, 27 Zhongguancun South Avenue, Beijing 100081, China; (S.W.); (J.P.); (K.Z.); (W.Y.)
| | - Xiao Yu
- School of Economics, Minzu University of China, 27 Zhongguancun South Avenue, Beijing 100081, China; (S.W.); (J.P.); (K.Z.); (W.Y.)
- China Institute for Vitalizing Border Areas and Enriching the People, Minzu University of China, 27 Zhongguancun South Avenue, Beijing 100081, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-15210595097
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Okoye OC, Carnegie E, Mora L. Air Pollution and Chronic Kidney Disease Risk in Oil and Gas- Situated Communities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Public Health 2022; 67:1604522. [PMID: 35479765 PMCID: PMC9035494 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1604522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at synthesising epidemiological data on the association between long-term air pollution and kidney-related outcomes in oil and natural gas (ONG) situated communities. Methods: We synthesised studies using the PRISMA 2020 guideline. We searched databases including Medline, Cochrane Library, CIHANL, CAB Abstracts, Greenlife, African Journal Online, Google Scholar and Web of Science, from inception to April 2021. Heterogeneity across studies and publication bias were assessed. Results: Twenty-five studies were systematically reviewed but only 14 were included in the meta-analysis and categorised based on the outcome studied. Residents of exposed communities have increased risk for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) (OR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.44–2.01), lower eGFR (OR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.48–0.67) and higher serum creatinine (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.06–1.82) compared to less exposed or unexposed populations. The risks for hypertension and kidney cancer between the two populations were not significantly different. Conclusion: We report an increased risk for CKD and kidney dysfunction in populations residing near petrochemical plants, although from a limited number of studies. The scientific community needs to explore this environment and non-communicable disease relationship, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ogochukwu Chinedum Okoye
- Department of Internal Medicine, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
- School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Ogochukwu Chinedum Okoye,
| | - Elaine Carnegie
- School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Mora
- Urban Innovation, Business School, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Do Leadership, Organizational Communication, and Work Environment Impact Employees' Psychosocial Hazards in the Oil and Gas Industry? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084432. [PMID: 35457300 PMCID: PMC9027864 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Workplace hazards can have a significant influence on a worker's physical and mental health, reducing an organization's effectiveness in terms of safety. However, psychosocial hazards are being recognized as a crucial component that must be addressed for the individual's and organization's safety. The purpose of this research was to propose and statistically evaluate a brief theoretical framework based on leadership, organizational communication, work environment, and psychosocial hazards in Malaysia's upstream oil and gas sector. The framework was tested on 380 Malaysian upstream oil and gas workers. The collected data were analyzed using partial least squares and structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The study's findings revealed that in the Malaysian oil and gas industry, leadership, communication, and work environment negatively influenced the psychosocial hazards. This negative association between predictors and psychosocial hazards, particularly job expectations, control, role, and relationships, indicates new grounds for research. It is discussed how the findings could be used to track employees' well-being over time and generate focused treatments.
Collapse
|
12
|
Exposure to oil pollution and maternal outcomes: The Niger Delta prospective cohort study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263495. [PMID: 35235569 PMCID: PMC9090450 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Maternal exposure to oil pollution is an important public health concern.
However, there is a dearth of literature on the effects of maternal exposure
to oil pollution on maternal outcomes in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
This study was therefore designed to determine the effect of maternal
exposure to oil pollution on maternal outcomes in the Niger Delta region of
Nigeria. Methods Prospective cohort study design involving 1720 pregnant women followed from
pregnancy to delivery was conducted. The participants were 18–45 years old
at a gestational age of less than 17 weeks, who attended randomly selected
health facilities in the areas with high exposure and low exposure to oil
pollution in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Data were collected using an
interviewer-administered questionnaire and review of medical records from
April 2018 to April 2019. Multivariate log-binomial model was used to
examine the effect of maternal exposure to oil pollution on the risk of
adverse maternal outcomes adjusting for sociodemographic, maternal and
lifestyle characteristics. Results A total of 1418 women completed the follow-up and were included in the
analysis. Women in high exposure areas had a higher incidence of premature
rupture of membrane (PROM), caesarean section (CS) and postpartum
haemorrhage (PPH) compared to women in areas with low exposure to oil
pollution. After adjusting for cofounders, women in high exposure areas also
had a higher risk of PROM (ARR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.24–3.10) and PPH (ARR =
2.12; 95% CI: 1.28–3.36) in Model I–III when compared to women in areas with
low exposure to oil pollution. However, pregnancy-induced hypertension and
CS had no association with maternal exposure area status to oil
pollution. Conclusion Women in high exposure areas are at a higher risk of PROM and PPH. This calls
for policies and intervention toward reducing maternal exposure to oil
pollution in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Collapse
|
13
|
Alexander M, Eissa M, McDermott-Levy R, Osborne R, Pleuss E, Prabhakaran P, Sorensen C. COP26: Looking forward from Glasgow by placing health at the center of climate action. THE JOURNAL OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH 2022; 5:None. [PMID: 35265938 PMCID: PMC8895507 DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2022.100117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcalee Alexander
- Sustain Our Abilities, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard School of Medicine, United States
| | - Mohamed Eissa
- Liaison Officer for Public Health Issues, International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations, Denmark
| | - Ruth McDermott-Levy
- M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, United States
| | - Rhiannon Osborne
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Students for Global Health, United Kingdom
| | | | - Poornima Prabhakaran
- Head-Environmental Health and Additional Professor; Deputy Director, Centre for Environmental Health, Public Health Foundation of India, India
- Senior Research Scientist, Centre for Chronic Disease Control, India
| | - Cecilia Sorensen
- Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, Columbia University, United States
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, United States
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, United States
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ghorbani Z, Behzadan AH. Monitoring offshore oil pollution using multi-class convolutional neural networks. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 289:117884. [PMID: 34364118 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Oil and gas production operations are a major source of environmental pollution that expose people and habitats in many coastal communities around the world to adverse health effects. Detecting oil spills in a timely and precise manner can help improve the oil spill response process and channel required resources more effectively to affected regions. In this research, convolutional neural networks, a branch of artificial intelligence (AI), are trained on a visual dataset of oil spills containing images from different altitudes and geographical locations. In particular, a VGG16 model is adopted through transfer learning for oil spill classification (i.e., detecting if there is oil spill in an image) with an accuracy of 92%. Next, Mask R-CNN and PSPNet models are used for oil spill segmentation (i.e., pixel-level detection of oil spill boundaries) with a mean intersection over union (IoU) of 49% and 68%, respectively. Lastly, to determine if there is an oil rig or vessel in the vicinity of a detected oil spill and provide a holistic view of the oil spill surroundings, a YOLOv3 model is trained and used, yielding a maximum mean average precision (mAP) of ~71%. Findings of this research can improve the current practices of oil pollution cleanup and predictive maintenance, ultimately leading to more resilient and healthy coastal communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Ghorbani
- Department of Construction Science, Texas A&M University, 3137 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - Amir H Behzadan
- Department of Construction Science, Texas A&M University, 3137 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
McLoone P, Dyussupov O, Nurtlessov Z, Kenessariyev U, Kenessary D. The effect of exposure to crude oil on the immune system. Health implications for people living near oil exploration activities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2021; 31:762-787. [PMID: 31709802 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2019.1689232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
People who reside near oil exploration activities may be exposed to toxins from gas flares or oil spills. The impact of such exposures on the human immune system has not been fully investigated. In this review, research investigating the effects of crude oil on the immune system is evaluated. The aim was to obtain a greater understanding of the possible immunological impact of living near oil exploration activities. In animals, the effect of exposure to crude oil on the immune system depends on the species, dose, exposure route, and type of oil. Important observations included; hematological changes resulting in anemia and alterations in white blood cell numbers, lymph node and splenic atrophy, genotoxicity in immune cells, modulation of cytokine gene expression and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. In humans, there are reports that exposure to crude oil can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer and cause immunomodulation.Abbreviations: A1AT: alpha-1 antitrypsin; ACH50: hemolytic activity of the alternative pathway; AHR: aryl hydrocarbon receptor; BALF: bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CYP: cytochrome P450; DNFB: 2, 4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene; G-CSF: granulocyte-colony stimulating factor; IFN: interferon; IL: interleukin; 8-IP: 8-isoprostane; ISG15: interferon stimulated gene; LPO: lipid peroxidation; LTB4: leukotriene B4; M-CSF: macrophage-colony stimulating factor; MMC: melanomacrophage center; MPV: mean platelet volume; NK: natural killer; OSPM: oil sail particulate matter; PAH: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; PBMC: peripheral blood mononuclear cell; PCV: packed cell volume; RBC: red blood cell; ROS: reactive oxygen species; RR: relative risk; TH: T helper; TNF: tumour necrosis factor; UV: ultraviolet; VNNV: Viral Nervous Necrosis Virus; WBC: white blood cell.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pauline McLoone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Olzhas Dyussupov
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Zhaxybek Nurtlessov
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Ussen Kenessariyev
- Department of General Hygiene and Ecology, Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Dinara Kenessary
- Department of General Hygiene and Ecology, Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Harville EW, Shankar A, Buekens P, Wickliffe JK, Lichtveld MY. Self-reported oil spill exposure and birth outcomes among southern Louisiana women at the time of the Gulf oil spill: The GROWH study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 237:113829. [PMID: 34450543 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The chemical, physical, economic, and social effects of a major oil spill might adversely affect pregnancy health. OBJECTIVES To examine the relationship between oil spill exposure and birth outcomes in a cohort of women living near the Gulf of Mexico at the time of the 2010 oil spill. METHODS Between 2012 and 2016, 1375 women reported their exposure to the oil spill, and at least one livebirth. Five hundred and three had births both before and after the oil spill. Indicators of oil spill exposure included self-reported financial consequences, direct contact with oil, traumatic experiences, loss of use of the coast, and involvement in litigation. Birth outcomes were low birthweight (LBW; birthweight <2500 g) and preterm birth (PTB; >3 weeks early). Women who were not pregnant at the time of the interview (n = 1001) self-reported outcomes, while women who were pregnant (n = 374) primarily had them abstracted from medical records (n = 374). All pregnancies prior to the oil spill were considered unexposed; those after the oil spill were considered exposed or unexposed depending on interview responses. Generalized estimating equations were used to control for clustering within women, with control for confounders. RESULTS The most common type of exposure was economic (49%), but 302 women (22.0%) reported some degree of direct contact with the oil. Associations between most indicators of oil spill exposure and pregnancy outcomes were null, although when all pregnancies were examined, associations were seen with high levels of contact with oil for LBW (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 2.19, 95% CI, 1.29-3.71) and PTB (aOR 2.27, 1.34-3.87). DISCUSSION In this community-based cohort, we did not find associations between report of exposure to the oil spill, with the possible exception of high oil contact in some analyses, and birth outcomes. Research incorporating specific biomarkers of oil spill exposure and stress biomarkers would be valuable, to allow for assessing both perceived and actual exposure, especially when direct toxicant exposure is minimal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily W Harville
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
| | - Arti Shankar
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Pierre Buekens
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jeffrey K Wickliffe
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Maureen Y Lichtveld
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Nwosisi M, Oguntoke O, Taiwo A, Agbozu I, Noragbon E. Spatial patterns of gas flaring stations and the risk to the respiratory and dermal health of residents of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
|
18
|
Ephraim-Emmanuel BC, Ordinioha B. Exposure and Public Health Effects of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Compounds in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review. Int J Toxicol 2021; 40:250-269. [PMID: 33813922 DOI: 10.1177/10915818211002487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM In order to achieve improved global health, environmental health risks that could affect this goal have to be reduced as much as possible. This review thus aimed at determining the exposure levels, health risk assessments, and public health effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This review was developed using guidelines provided for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Search was done on Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed databases. A study was included if it was carried out in SSA from 2000 to 2020 and written in English language. Fifty-two studies were finally retained and used for the review. Extracted data included the concentrations of 8 selected priority PAHs (including the PAHs prioritized for their carcinogenic potentials), their sources and reported outcomes. In SSA, PAHs exposure has been linked to the use of unprocessed biomass fuels for cooking, release of poorly treated petrochemical effluents into water bodies, and so on. Related public health effects included the occurrence of respiratory, cardiovascular abnormalities, and so on. Others included destruction of natural biodiversity in soil, water, and atmospheric environmental media. Health risk assessments also buttressed the occurrence of these public health effects of PAHs. In SSA, the region is exposed to a substantial amount of PAHs pollution which is associated with deleterious environmental and epidemiological effects. The adoption of healthier forms of energy, a change of attitude to one that favors environmental sustainability, and proper enforcement of environmental regulations are, however, necessary for attaining environmental sanity in SSA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benson Chukwunweike Ephraim-Emmanuel
- Environmental Health Department, World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence, Centre for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), 54716University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
| | - Best Ordinioha
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, 327041University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Okedere OO, Elehinafe FB, Oyelami S, Ayeni AO. Drivers of anthropogenic air emissions in Nigeria - A review. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06398. [PMID: 33732932 PMCID: PMC7938250 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This study presents a review of sources and atmospheric levels of anthropogenic air emissions in Nigeria with a view to reviewing the existence or otherwise of national coordination aimed at mitigating the continued increase. According to individual researcher's reports, the atmospheric loading of anthropogenic air pollutants is currently on an alarming increase in Nigeria. Greater concerns are premised on the inadequacy existing emission inventories, continuous assessment, political will and development of policy plans for effective mitigation of these pollutants. The identified key drivers of these emissions include gas flaring, petroleum product refining, thermal plants for electricity generation, transportation, manufacturing sector, land use changes, proliferation of small and medium enterprises, medical wastes incineration, municipal waste disposal, domestic cooking, bush burning and agricultural activities such as land cultivation and animal rearing. Having identified the key sources of anthropogenic air emissions and established the rise in their atmospheric levels through aggregation of literature reports, this study calls for a review of energy policy, adoption of best practices in the management air emissions and solid wastes as well as agriculture and land use pattern which appear to be the rallying points of all identified sources of emission. The study concluded that the adoption of cleaner energy policies and initiatives in energy generation and usage as against pursuit of thermal plants and heavy dependence on fossil fuels will assist to ameliorate the atmospheric loadings of these pollutants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oyetunji O Okedere
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Osun State University, Nigeria
| | - Francis B Elehinafe
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, College of Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Seun Oyelami
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Osun State University, Nigeria
| | - Augustine O Ayeni
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, College of Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Orisakwe OE. Crude oil and public health issues in Niger Delta, Nigeria: Much ado about the inevitable. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 194:110725. [PMID: 33428909 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The importance of crude oil has come at a great cost. In many developing economies of the world, it can be described as the bitter-sweet crude for its double-edged impacts on the welfare, wellness and wellness of the people. Agitations and restiveness remain characteristic features of Niger Delta following claims of exploitation and neglect of the local population by the multinationals. Literature on the environmental and public health impacts of crude oil was searched from relevant databases such as google scholar, Science Direct, Scopus and PubMed. This paper is a translational scientific and toxicological insight on what should be done by the major players rather than casting unending aspersions. Since living near oil spills and crude oil production sites is an environmental stressor occasioned by exposure to both chemical pollutants and physical menace that are all detrimental to health, cumulative risk assessment CRA is proposed as a viable approach for a comprehensive understanding of the size of this problem. Multinational oil companies should support development of Environmental Medicine Research which will in turn generate data on both how to harness the natural resources to combat the public health issues associated with oil exploration and the mitigation and remediation of the environment. This endeavor will create a waste-to-wealth program that will pacify the restiveness in oil exploring communities. It will be interesting to know that in the same environment that breeds the elephant-in-the-parlor lies the natural antidotes to check-mate the public health malady.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Orish Ebere Orisakwe
- World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Toxicological Research (PUTOR), University of Port Harcourt, PMB,5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Khatatbeh M, Alzoubi K, Khabour O, Al-Delaimy W. Adverse Health Impacts of Living Near an Oil Refinery in Jordan. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2020; 14:1178630220985794. [PMID: 33488089 PMCID: PMC7768879 DOI: 10.1177/1178630220985794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Air pollution can adversely affect the health of communities and manifest as a variety of symptoms. OBJECTIVE This study aimed at assessing health symptoms among populations living near an oil refinery in Jordan. METHODS A cross-sectional survey study was conducted utilizing convenient random sampling at Al-Hashimeya town (where the refinery is located) and Bal'ma town (about 12 km further away from refinery). A total of 486 participants were recruited for the study. The data were checked, coded, and entered to excel sheet and exported to the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 20 for further analysis. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify associated factors. Variables having a P ⩽ 0.25 were fitted to multivariate logistic regression so as to assess the presence and strength of associations between socio-demographic characteristics and health symptoms and outcomes. A P value < 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. RESULTS In the cross tabulation analysis, there were significant differences in the reported respiratory health problems and history of abortions in the family between residents in the 2 towns (P < 0.05). Only 4.7% of Al-Hashimeya residents were extremely enjoying their town compared to 32.9% among Bal'ma residents (P < 0.001). In addition, residents of Al-Hashimeya were at several folds higher risk to have phlegm and about 3 times more likely to have skin problems compared to participants from Bal'ma (P < 0.001). Furthermore, reporting asthma was substantially higher among Al-Hashimeya residents (odds ratio [OR] = 5.20; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.11-12.84), and they were more likely to perceive the neighboring oil refinery industry as the leading cause of their health problems than Bal'ma residents (OR = 86.40; 95%CI: 45.95-162.44). CONCLUSION Residents living close to the oil refinery industry in Jordan report adverse impacts on their health, including respiratory problems, skin diseases, and perception of poor health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moawiah Khatatbeh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Karem Alzoubi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Omar Khabour
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Wael Al-Delaimy
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Dandajeh HA, Ladommatos N, Hellier P. Influence of unsaturation of hydrocarbons on the characteristics and carcinogenicity of soot particles. JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS 2020; 151:104900. [PMID: 32836580 PMCID: PMC7419260 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaap.2020.104900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This paper concerns the effect of unsaturation of hydrocarbons (single, double, and triple bonds) on soot particle characteristics (mass, number, and size) and on the carcinogenicity of soot particles. The soot particles were produced from oxygen-free pyrolysis of five hydrocarbons, namely: propane, propylene, ethane, ethylene, and acetylene. The characteristics of soot particles were measured with the aid of a differential mobility spectrometer (Cambustion-DMS-500) and measurement of soot mass concentration was confirmed using gravimetric filter measurements. The soot particle carcinogenicity was estimated from the emission quantities of total polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the toxicity equivalent factor (TEF) of each PAH. Oxygen-free pyrolysis of the hydrocarbon fuels was conducted in a laminar tube reactor within the temperature range of 1050 -1350oC at a constant nitrogen flow rate of 20 L/min and constant fuel flow rate of 1% (vol) on carbon-1 basis. The experimental results showed that increasing unsaturation of fuels from single to double and to triple bonds increased the mass concentration, particle size, number concentration, and carcinogenicity of soot particle notably at the initial temperature of 1050 oC. Increase in the pyrolysis temperature of the tube reactor from 1050 - 1350oC, increased the mass concentration and sizes of the soot particle while the number concentration and carcinogenicity of the soot particle decreased. There was a positive correlation between the soot particle number and the corresponding soot particle carcinogenicity, while a negative correlation was observed between the soot particle mass and size with soot particle carcinogenicity regardless of the pyrolysis temperature examined. The potential implication of these observations is that, low-temperature combustion (LTC) applications, aimed at reducing emissions of soot and NOx, could produce higher soot particle number concentration of higher carcinogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamisu Adamu Dandajeh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, PMB 1045, Nigeria
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
| | - Nicos Ladommatos
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Hellier
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Musibau HO, Shittu WO, Ogunlana FO. The relationship between environmental degradation, energy use and economic growth in Nigeria: new evidence from non-linear ARDL. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY SECTOR MANAGEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1108/ijesm-04-2019-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship among environmental degradation, energy use and economic growth, thus lending a voice to testing the relevance, or otherwise, of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors rely on the secondary data obtained from World Bank’s World Development Indicators for Nigeria, between 1981 and 2014. The non-linear autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) technique is used after examining the unit root properties – using the augmented Dickey–Fuller and Phillips–Perron methods – and the long-run relationship – using the ARDL bounds approach to estimate the asymmetries in the effects of economic growth on the environment.
Findings
The findings of this study uphold the relevance of the EKC hypothesis in Nigeria, as the growth of GDP first reduces the environmental quality but raises it over time. Furthermore, the use of energy is found to deteriorate environmental quality, given that CO2 rises by 0.002% for a unit increase in the consumption of energy in Nigeria.
Research limitations/implications
A limitation to this research is the data coverage, which is just between 1981 and 2014, based on availability. One other limitation is the use of electric power consumption as a proxy for energy use (because of the difficulty in obtaining accurate data on energy consumption in Nigeria). Future research should, therefore, test different other proxies, to either agree with the findings or justify any deviation therefrom. Also, the use of up-to-date data is recommended as an improvement to this study, while a non-linear technique should be used on studies involving the panel of countries.
Originality/value
Many studies have examined this relationship by simply taking the square of GDP as a measure of its non-linear effect on the environment. The authors are one of the first who consider the asymmetric effect of economic growth on the environment through the non-linear ARDL technique. With this, the partial sums of positive and negative changes in economic growth on the environment are easily established.
Collapse
|
24
|
Ikhajiagbe B, Ogwu MC. Hazard quotient, microbial diversity, and plant composition of spent crude oil-polluted soil. BENI-SUEF UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s43088-020-00052-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The present work assesses the concentration of some heavy metal, plant species composition, and microbial diversity of spent crude oil-polluted soil from electric generator plant house, auto mechanic workshop, bakery, and auto spare part shops in four local governments areas (Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Oredo, and Ovia North) in Edo State, Southern Nigeria.
Results
Hazard quotient (HQ) of heavy metals varied in all the spent crude oil-polluted soil evaluated in the study. The HQ of heavy metals from auto mechanic workshop had the highest values for Cr (2.19), Mn (0.0965), Zn (4.1108), Fe (9.32015), and Cd (0.0155). The most frequent bacterial and fungal species found in all 16 sites were Bacillus subtilis (93.75%) and Aspergillus niger (100.0%) respectively. Auto spare part shops in Oredo had a bacterial count of 1.0 × 105 CFU/g while the bacteria count around power generator plants in Egor had a bacteria count of 1.71 × 105 CFU/g. Some of the plant species identified around all the sites include Acanthospermum hispidum, Alternanthera repens, Axonopus compressus, Cyperus esculentus, Eleusine indica, Paspalum scrobiculatum, and Tridax procumbens.
Conclusion
Spent crude oil pollution of the soil led to high amounts of heavy metal in the soil. However, the presence of higher plants and variable diversity and richness of microorganisms found in the soil are likely contributing to the remediation of the polluted soil.
Collapse
|
25
|
Oghenetega OB, Ana GREE, Okunlola MA, Ojengbede OA. Miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death in an oil-polluted region of the Niger Delta, Nigeria: A retrospective cohort study. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2020; 150:361-367. [PMID: 32503082 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.13259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the association between oil pollution and miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was undertaken of pregnant women (aged 18-45 years) who attended selected health facilities in regions with high and low exposure to oil pollution from May 14, 2018, to September 27, 2018. A multistage sampling technique was used to randomly select a representative of women with high and low exposure to oil pollution. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to adjust for confounding factors of miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death. RESULTS In total, 1564 pregnant women were included in the study. Women with high exposure to oil pollution were more likely to experience stillbirth (odds ratio [OR] 1.806; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.177-2.770) and infant death (OR 2.162; 95% CI 1.409-3.317). However, after adjusting for potential confounders, only infant death was associated with high exposure (adjusted OR 1.843; 95% CI 1.146-2.962). No association was found between miscarriage and high exposure to oil pollution. CONCLUSION Women with high exposure to oil pollution are at higher risk of infant death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Onome B Oghenetega
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institutes, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Godson R E E Ana
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Michael A Okunlola
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University College Hospital, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Oladosu A Ojengbede
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University College Hospital, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Zaidouny L, Abou‐Daher M, Tehrani‐Bagha AR, Ghali K, Ghaddar N. Electrospun nanofibrous polyvinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene membranes for
oil–water
separation. J Appl Polym Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/app.49394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lamiss Zaidouny
- B. & W. Bassatne Department of Chemical Engineering and Advanced EnergyAmerican University of Beirut Beirut Lebanon
| | - Mohamad Abou‐Daher
- B. & W. Bassatne Department of Chemical Engineering and Advanced EnergyAmerican University of Beirut Beirut Lebanon
| | - Ali R. Tehrani‐Bagha
- B. & W. Bassatne Department of Chemical Engineering and Advanced EnergyAmerican University of Beirut Beirut Lebanon
| | - Kamel Ghali
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringAmerican University of Beirut Beirut Lebanon
| | - Nesreen Ghaddar
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringAmerican University of Beirut Beirut Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Fernández‐Llamazares Á, Garteizgogeascoa M, Basu N, Brondizio ES, Cabeza M, Martínez‐Alier J, McElwee P, Reyes‐García V. A State-of-the-Art Review of Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Pollution. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2020; 16:324-341. [PMID: 31863549 PMCID: PMC7187223 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Indigenous peoples (IPs) worldwide are confronted by the increasing threat of pollution. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature (n = 686 studies), we present the current state of knowledge on: 1) the exposure and vulnerability of IPs to pollution; 2) the environmental, health, and cultural impacts of pollution upon IPs; and 3) IPs' contributions to prevent, control, limit, and abate pollution from local to global scales. Indigenous peoples experience large burdens of environmental pollution linked to the expansion of commodity frontiers and industrial development, including agricultural, mining, and extractive industries, as well as urban growth, waste dumping, and infrastructure and energy development. Nevertheless, IPs are contributing to limit pollution in different ways, including through environmental monitoring and global policy advocacy, as well as through local resistance toward polluting activities. This work adds to growing evidence of the breadth and depth of environmental injustices faced by IPs worldwide, and we conclude by highlighting the need to increase IPs' engagement in environmental decision-making regarding pollution control. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:324-341. © 2019 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Fernández‐Llamazares
- Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, Faculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Global Change and Conservation, Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - María Garteizgogeascoa
- Global Change and Conservation, Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Artec Forschungszentrum NachhaltigkeitUniversity of BremenBremenGermany
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental SciencesMcGill UniversityMontreal, QuebecCanada
| | | | - Mar Cabeza
- Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, Faculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Global Change and Conservation, Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Joan Martínez‐Alier
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia AmbientalsUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBellatera, BarcelonaSpain
| | - Pamela McElwee
- Department of Human Ecology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, RutgersThe State University of New JerseyNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
| | - Victoria Reyes‐García
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia AmbientalsUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBellatera, BarcelonaSpain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, BarcelonaSpain
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Effect of Elaeis guineensis (Jacq) leaf extracts on crude oil-induced genotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
|
29
|
Elevated Indoor Volatile Organic Compound Exposure in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15091939. [PMID: 30200602 PMCID: PMC6164300 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15091939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The implications of environmental contamination on human health in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria remain a topic of growing international public health interest. To better understand ongoing air pollution and initiate remediation efforts, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report recommended the monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) across different media (water, soil, and air) in Ogoniland, an at-risk population in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. In this pilot study, we measured indoor VOC concentrations in the indoor air of 20 households in Ogale, an Ogoniland community whose groundwater system is contaminated with benzene at levels 900 times the World Health Organization guidelines and evaluated self-reported health conditions and predicted cancer risks and hazards from inhalation exposure to VOCs. We detected higher concentrations of benzene (mean = 25.7 μg/m3, SD = 23.2 μg/m3) and naphthalene (mean = 7.6 μg/m3, SD = 13.8 μg/m3) than has been reported in other regions. Although study participants reported health symptoms consistent with VOC exposure, we were underpowered to detect a significant association between select indoor VOCs and these self-reported health symptoms using univariate logistic regression models. These findings suggest that that the health symptoms reported by participants may be poor proxies for the underlying disease processes associated with adverse health outcomes due to VOC exposure in this community and that the burden of adverse health effects due to VOC exposure may stem from the contaminated groundwater system. We estimated a non-cancer hazard quotient of 3 from exposure to naphthalene and lifetime excess cancer risks from exposure to naphthalene, benzene, p-dichlorobenzene, carbon tetrachloride, and ethylbenzene of 3 × 10−4, 2 × 10−4, 6 × 10−5, 6 × 10−6, and 1 × 10−5, respectively. These results exceed common risk benchmarks in the United States, suggesting a need for further studies to characterize VOC exposures, sources, and associated health risks in the Niger Delta.
Collapse
|
30
|
Simple yet powerful nanofilters with tunable pore sizes and superhydrophilicity-underwater superoleophobicity for oil spill treatment. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2018.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
31
|
Obida CB, Alan Blackburn G, Duncan Whyatt J, Semple KT. Quantifying the exposure of humans and the environment to oil pollution in the Niger Delta using advanced geostatistical techniques. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 111:32-42. [PMID: 29169077 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The Niger Delta is one of the largest oil producing regions of the world. Large numbers and volumes of oil spills have been reported in this region. What has not been quantified is the putative exposure of humans and/or the environment to this hydrocarbon pollution. In this novel study, advanced geostatistical techniques were applied to an extensive database of oil spill incidents from 2007 to 2015. The aims were to (i) identify and analyse spill hotspots along the oil pipeline network and (ii) estimate the exposure of the hydrocarbon pollution to the human population and the environment within the Niger Delta. Over the study period almost 90millionlitres of oil were released. Approximately 29% of the human population living in proximity to the pipeline network has been potentially exposed to oil contamination, of which 565,000 people live within high or very high spill intensity sectors. Over 1000km2 of land has been contaminated by oil pollution, with broadleaved forest, mangroves and agricultural land the most heavily impacted land cover types. Proximity to the coast, roads and cities are the strongest spatial factors contributing to spill occurrence, which largely determine the accessibility of sites for pipeline sabotage and oil theft. Overall, the findings demonstrate the high levels of environmental and human exposure to hydrocarbon pollutants in the Niger Delta. These results provide evidence with which to spatially target interventions to reduce future spill incidents and mitigate the impacts of previous spills on human communities and ecosystem health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B Obida
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - G Alan Blackburn
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - J Duncan Whyatt
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - Kirk T Semple
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Understanding changes in a Tropical Delta: A multi-method narrative of landuse/landcover change in the Niger Delta. Ecol Modell 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2017.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
33
|
Murphy D, Gemmell B, Vaccari L, Li C, Bacosa H, Evans M, Gemmell C, Harvey T, Jalali M, Niepa THR. An in-depth survey of the oil spill literature since 1968: Long term trends and changes since Deepwater Horizon. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2016; 113:371-379. [PMID: 27773534 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In order to characterize the state of oil spill research and describe how the field has changed since its inception in the 1960s and since the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010, we examined approximately 10% of oil spill literature (1255 of over 11,000 publications) published from 1968 to 2015. We find that, despite its episodic nature, oil spill research is a rapidly expanding field with a growth rate faster than that of science as a whole. There is a massive post-Deepwater Horizon shift of research attention to the Gulf of Mexico, from 2% of studies in 2004-2008 to 61% in 2014-2015, thus ranking Deepwater Horizon as the most studied oil spill. There is, however, a longstanding gap in research in that only 1% of studies deal with the effects of oil spills on human health. These results provide a better understanding of the current trends and gaps within the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Murphy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, United States.
| | - Brad Gemmell
- Department of Marine Science, University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States; Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, United States
| | - Liana Vaccari
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Cheng Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
| | - Hernando Bacosa
- Department of Marine Science, University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States
| | - Meredith Evans
- Department of Marine Science, University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States
| | - Colbi Gemmell
- Department of Marine Science, University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States
| | - Tracy Harvey
- Department of Marine Science, University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States
| | - Maryam Jalali
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, United States
| | - Tagbo H R Niepa
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ovadje L, Nriagu J. Multi-dimensional knowledge of malaria among Nigerian caregivers: implications for insecticide-treated net use by children. Malar J 2016; 15:516. [PMID: 27769249 PMCID: PMC5073728 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1557-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Poor malaria knowledge can negatively impact malaria control programmes. This study evaluates knowledge distribution in the domains of causation, transmission, vulnerability, symptoms, and treatment of malaria. It assesses the association between a caregiver’s knowledge about malaria and ownership and use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) by children. Methods Some 1939 caregivers of young children were recruited through a school-based survey in two Nigerian states. A 20-item, multi-dimensional survey instrument was developed and used to rank each caregiver’s knowledge in five dimensions (cause, transmission, vulnerability, symptoms, treatment of malaria). Scores for each domain were used to create an aggregate knowledge score for each caregiver. The outcome measures were ITN ownership, and ITN use the night and week before the study. Regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between caregiver’s knowledge (individual domains and aggregate score) and ownership and use of ITN after controlling for likely confounders. Results The main predictor of ITN use was ITN ownership (r = 0.653; p < 0.001); however, ownership only explains 43 % of variance in net use. Total knowledge index for the study population was significantly associated with both ITN ownership (r = 0.122; p = 0.001) and use (r = 0.095; p = 0.014). The spectrum of caregiver’s knowledge of malaria and its causes captured in the various domains was, however, found to be poor. Fifty percent of the respondents knew that malaria is transmitted by female mosquitoes and 65 % still believe that too much exposure to the sun is a risk factor for malaria. Knowledge of populations most vulnerable to malaria (83 %) and knowledge of malaria transmission (32 %) were the domains with the highest and lowest average correct answers. Conclusions There is a need to improve ITN coverage in Nigeria as ITN ownership was associated with ITN use. Additionally, treating knowledge as a multi-dimensional phenomenon revealed that a lot of misperceptions about malaria still exist. Distribution of ITNs through the public/private sector may need to be augmented with tailored behavioural change communication to dispel myths and improve the multi-dimensional knowledge of malaria in the local population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauretta Ovadje
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Jerome Nriagu
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Xu N, Cao J, Lu Y. The electrospinning of the copolymer of styrene and butyl acrylate for its application as oil absorbent. SPRINGERPLUS 2016; 5:1383. [PMID: 27610302 PMCID: PMC4993723 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2845-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Electrospun polystyrene materials have been employed as oil absorbents, but they have visible drawbacks such as poor strength at low temperature and unreliable integrity because of brittleness and insufficient cohesive force among fibers. Butyl acrylate can polymerize into flexible chains, and its polymer can be used as elastomer and adhesive material. Thereby it is possible to obtain the material that has better performance in comparison with electrospun polystyrene material through the electrospinning of the copolymer of styrene and butyl acrylate. In this work, a polymer was synthesized through suspension polymerization by using styrene and butyl acrylate as comonomers. The synthesis of the copolymer of styrene and butyl acrylate was verified through dissolution and hydrolysis experimental data; as well through nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. The viscous flow activation energy of the solution consisting of copolymer and N, N-dimethylformamide was determined via viscosity method and then adopted to establish the entanglement characteristics of butyl acrylate’s chain segments. Finally, in order to electrospin the copolymer solution into fibrous membrane, the effects of monomer feed ratio and spinning parameters were investigated. The prepared fibrous membrane was found to have a potential use as oil absorbent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naiku Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Material Science and Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, 300387 China
| | - Jipeng Cao
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Functional Textile Materials, School of Clothing & Textiles, Eastern Liaoning University, Dandong, 118003 China
| | - Yuyao Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Material Science and Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, 300387 China
| |
Collapse
|