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Missimer TM, MacDonald JH, Tsegaye S, Thomas S, Teaf CM, Covert D, Kassis ZR. Natural Background and the Anthropogenic Enrichment of Mercury in the Southern Florida Environment: A Review with a Discussion on Public Health. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2024; 21:118. [PMID: 38276812 PMCID: PMC10815244 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal that is easily released into the atmosphere as a gas or a particulate. Since Hg has serious health impacts based on human exposure, it is a major concern where it accumulates. Southern Florida is a region of high Hg deposition in the United States. It has entered the southern Florida environment for over 56 MY. For the past 3000 to 8000 years, Hg has accumulated in the Everglades peatlands, where approximately 42.3 metric tons of Hg was deposited. The pre-industrial source of mercury that was deposited into the Everglades was from the atmosphere, consisting of combined Saharan dust and marine evasion. Drainage and the development of the Everglades for agriculture, and other mixed land uses have caused a 65.7% reduction in the quantity of peat, therefore releasing approximately 28 metric tons of Hg into the southern Florida environment over a period of approximately 133 years. Both natural and man-made fires have facilitated the Hg release. The current range in mercury release into the southern Florida environment lies between 994.9 and 1249 kg/yr. The largest source of Hg currently entering the Florida environment is from combined atmospheric sources, including Saharan dust, aerosols, sea spray, and ocean flux/evasion at 257.1-514.2 kg/yr. The remobilization of Hg from the Everglades peatlands and fires is approximately 215 kg/yr. Other large contributors include waste to energy incinerators (204.1 kg/yr), medical waste and crematory incinerators (159.7+ kg/yr), and cement plant stack discharge (150.6 kg/yr). Minor emissions include fuel emissions from motorized vehicles, gas emissions from landfills, asphalt plants, and possible others. No data are available on controlled fires in the Everglades in sugar farming, which is lumped with the overall peatland loss of Hg to the environment. Hg has impacted wildlife in southern Florida with recorded excess concentrations in fish, birds, and apex predators. This bioaccumulation of Hg in animals led to the adoption of regulations (total maximum loads) to reduce the impacts on wildlife and warnings were given to consumers to avoid the consumption of fish that are considered to be contaminated. The deposition of atmospheric Hg in southern Florida has not been studied sufficiently to ascertain where it has had the greatest impacts. Hg has been found to accumulate on willow tree leaves in a natural environment in one recent study. No significant studies of the potential impacts on human health have been conducted in southern Florida, which should be started based on the high rates of Hg fallout in rainfall and known recycling for organic sediments containing high concentrations of Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M. Missimer
- U. A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565, USA;
| | - James H. MacDonald
- Environmental Geology Program & Honors College, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565, USA;
| | - Seneshaw Tsegaye
- Department of Bioengineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565, USA;
| | - Serge Thomas
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Studies, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565, USA;
| | - Christopher M. Teaf
- Institute for Science & Public Affairs, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA;
| | - Douglas Covert
- Hazardous Substance & Waste Management Research, 2976 Wellington Circle West, Tallahassee, FL 32309, USA;
| | - Zoie R. Kassis
- U. A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565, USA;
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Yang J, Yan J, Zhang C, Li S, Yuan M, Zhang C, Shen C, Yang Y, Fu L, Xu G, Shi W, Ma Z, Luo TR, Bi Y. Genetic, biological and epidemiological study on a cluster of H9N2 avian influenza virus infections among chickens, a pet cat, and humans at a backyard farm in Guangxi, China. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:2143282. [PMID: 36328956 PMCID: PMC9769140 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2143282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
During an investigation in October 2018, two people with diarrhoea, mild abdominal pain, and mild arthralgia symptoms in Guangxi, China, were identified as infected by H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV). Four H9N2 AIVs were isolated from one of two patients, a pet cat, and a dead chicken (two respective isolates from its lung and kidney tissues) bred by the patients at a backyard farm. Epidemiological investigation indicated that the newly bought chicken died first, and clinical syndromes appeared subsequently in the two owners and one cat. Furthermore, the two individuals possessed high H9N2-specific hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization antibodies. Shared nucleotide sequence identity (99.9% - 100%) for all genes was detected in the four H9N2 isolates, and hemagglutinin (HA) T138A located on the receptor binding domain (RBD), resulted from nucleotide polymorphisms that were exclusively found in the isolate from the female patient. Moreover, HA K137N on the RBD was found in isolates from these three host species. Importantly, these four H9N2 isolates presented an exclusive binding preference for the human-type receptor (α2-6-SA), and could replicate and cause pathological changes in mice. Phylogenetic analyses showed that these four isolates clustered together and belonged to clade C1.2, lineage Y280. In addition, H9N2 viruses of human origin are genetically divergent and interspersed with the widespread poultry-origin H9N2 AIVs. All these results indicate a high risk of H9N2 AIVs in public health, and effective prevention and control measures against H9N2 AIVs should be considered and performed for both animal and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianhua Yan
- Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases, Medical College & College of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China,College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumchi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shanqin Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Immunity, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Emerging Infectious Diseases, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Second Hospital Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Manhua Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chunge Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chenguang Shen
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Immunity, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Emerging Infectious Diseases, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Second Hospital Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lifeng Fu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guanlong Xu
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weifeng Shi
- Key Laboratory of Etiology and Epidemiology of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Universities of Shandong, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenghai Ma
- College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumchi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ting Rong Luo
- Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases, Medical College & College of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China, Yuhai Bi CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China; Ting Rong Luo Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases, Medical College & College of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530005, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhai Bi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, Yuhai Bi CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China; Ting Rong Luo Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases, Medical College & College of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530005, People's Republic of China
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Gharaibeh MH, Abu-Qatouseh LF, Mashaqbah SA, Assaf SAJ, Al Qudsi FR. Novel spa type and antimicrobial resistance gene profiles of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from bovine mastitis in Jordan. Lett Appl Microbiol 2023:7191844. [PMID: 37286870 DOI: 10.1093/lambio/ovad067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
S. aureus is the most prevalent microorganism associated with mastitis in cattle. This study was designed to determine the spa types of S. aureus and to assess the resistance genes profile of isolated strains in dairy farms in Jordan. In total, 747 milk samples of cattle suffering from subclinical mastitis were collected from 37 dairy farms and tested for S. aureus. To detect antimicrobial resistance genes, all 219 strains of S. aureus were tested. Furthermore, 21 isolates of S. aureus were typed using spa typing. As a result, different proportions of resistance genes were found for S. aureus. High resistance genes were in tetK 100%, blaZ 99%, and tetM 97%. Moderate resistance genes were in aac(6')/aph(2'' 52%, ant(4')-Ia 48%, and ermC 41%. Low resistance genes were in ermA is 24%, aph(3')-III is 15%, and mecA is 15%. The spa typing of 21 isolates revealed six spa types, of which five were previously known. For the first time, a novel spa type (t17158) was identified as the main cause of mastitis in dairy cows in Jordan. The identification of resistance genes and spa types is helpful in determining the most effective treatments for cows and plays a significant role in reducing the transmission of pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H Gharaibeh
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Luay F Abu-Qatouseh
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Petra, Amman, Jordan
| | - Sulieman A Mashaqbah
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Shehab-Aldeen J Assaf
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Farah R Al Qudsi
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 21121, Jordan
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Wang Z, Li H, Li Y, Wu Z, Ai H, Zhang M, Rong L, Blinov ML, Tong Q, Liu L, Sun H, Pu J, Feng W, Liu J, Sun Y. Mixed selling of different poultry species facilitates emergence of public-health-threating avian influenza viruses. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:2214255. [PMID: 37191631 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2214255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Live poultry markets (LPMs) are regarded as hubs for avian influenza virus (AIV) transmission in poultry and are a major risk factor in human AIV infections. We performed an AIV surveillance study at a wholesale LPM, where different poultry species were sold in separate stalls, and nine retail LPMs, which received poultry from the wholesale LPM but where different poultry species were sold in one stall, in Guangdong province from 2017 to 2019. A higher AIV isolation rate was observed at the retail LPMs than the wholesale LPM. H9N2 was the dominant AIV subtype and was mainly present in chickens and quails. The genetic diversity of H9N2 viruses was greater at the retail LPMs, where a complex system of two-way transmission between different poultry species had formed. The isolated H9N2 viruses could be classed into four genotypes: G57 and the three novel genotypes, NG164, NG165, and NG166. The H9N2 AIVs isolated from chickens and quails at the wholesale LPM only belonged to the G57 and NG164 genotypes, respectively. However, the G57, NG164, and NG165 genotypes were identified in both chickens and quails at the retail LPMs. We found that the replication and transmission of the NG165 genotype were more adaptive to both poultry and mammalian models than those of its precursor genotype, NG164. Our findings revealed that mixed poultry selling at retail LPMs has increased the genetic diversity of AIVs, which might facilitate the emergence of novel viruses that threaten public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases and Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratories of Agrobiotechnology, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongkui Li
- Liaoning Agricultural Development Service Center, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhan Li
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases and Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuanli Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases and Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Ai
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases and Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Libin Rong
- Department of Mathematics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Michael L Blinov
- Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Qi Tong
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases and Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Litao Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases and Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Honglei Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases and Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Pu
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases and Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenhai Feng
- State Key Laboratories of Agrobiotechnology, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinhua Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases and Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yipeng Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases and Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Schütt EM, Hundsdörfer MAJ, von Hoyningen-Huene AJE, Lange X, Koschmider A, Oppelt N. First Steps towards a near Real-Time Modelling System of Vibrio vulnificus in the Baltic Sea. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:ijerph20085543. [PMID: 37107825 PMCID: PMC10138452 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, Vibrio vulnificus infections have emerged as an increasingly serious public health threat along the German Baltic coast. To manage related risks, near real-time (NRT) modelling of V. vulnificus quantities has often been proposed. Such models require spatially explicit input data, for example, from remote sensing or numerical model products. We tested if data from a hydrodynamic, a meteorological, and a biogeochemical model are suitable as input for an NRT model system by coupling it with field samples and assessing the models' ability to capture known ecological parameters of V. vulnificus. We also identify the most important predictors for V. vulnificus in the Baltic Sea by leveraging the St. Nicolas House Analysis. Using a 27-year time series of sea surface temperature, we have investigated trends of V. vulnificus season length, which pinpoint hotspots mainly in the east of our study region. Our results underline the importance of water temperature and salinity on V. vulnificus abundance but also highlight the potential of air temperature, oxygen, and precipitation to serve as predictors in a statistical model, albeit their relationship with V. vulnificus may not be causal. The evaluated models cannot be used in an NRT model system due to data availability constraints, but promising alternatives are presented. The results provide a valuable basis for a future NRT model for V. vulnificus in the Baltic Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike M. Schütt
- Earth Observation and Modelling, Department of Geography, Kiel University, 24118 Kiel, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Marie A. J. Hundsdörfer
- Earth Observation and Modelling, Department of Geography, Kiel University, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Xaver Lange
- Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, 18119 Rostock, Germany
| | - Agnes Koschmider
- Business Informatics and Process Analytics, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Natascha Oppelt
- Earth Observation and Modelling, Department of Geography, Kiel University, 24118 Kiel, Germany
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Gomboev BO, Dambueva IK, Khankhareev SS, Batomunkuev VS, Zangeeva NR, Tsydypov VE, Sharaldaev BB, Badmaev AG, Zhamyanov DTD, Bagaeva EE, Madeeva EV, Motoshkina MA, Ayusheeva VG, Rygzynov TS, Tsybikova AB, Ayurzhanaev AA, Sodnomov BV, Banzaraktcaev ZE, Alekseev AV, Lygdenova AB, Norboeva BS. Atmospheric Air Pollution by Stationary Sources in Ulan-Ude (Buryatia, Russia) and Its Impact on Public Health. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph192416385. [PMID: 36554266 PMCID: PMC9779100 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
For the first time in the territory of the Russian Far East, a study related to the establishment of correlations between air quality and public health in Ulan-Ude (Buryatia, Russia) was carried out. This study is based on the analysis of official medical statistics on morbidity over several years, the data on the composition and volume of emissions of harmful substances into the air from various stationary sources, and laboratory measurements of air pollutants in different locations in Ulan-Ude. This study confirmed that the morbidity of the population in Ulan-Ude has been increasing every year and it is largely influenced by air pollutants, the main of which are benzo(a)pyrene, suspended solids, PM2.5, PM10, and nitrogen dioxide. It was found that the greatest contribution to the unfavorable environmental situation is made by three types of stationary sources: large heating networks, autonomous sources (enterprises and small businesses), and individual households. The main air pollutants whose concentrations exceed the limits are benzo(a)pyrene, formaldehyde, suspended particles PM2.5, PM10, and nitrogen dioxide. A comprehensive assessment of the content of various pollutants in the atmospheric air showed that levels of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to public health exceeded allowable levels. Priority pollutants in the atmosphere of Ulan-Ude whose concentrations create unacceptable levels of risk to public health are benzo(a)pyrene, suspended solids, nitrogen dioxide, PM2.5, PM10, formaldehyde, and black carbon. The levels of morbidity in Ulan-Ude were higher than the average for Buryatia by the main disease classes: respiratory organs-by 1.19 times, endocrine system-by 1.25 times, circulatory system-by 1.11 times, eye diseases-by 1.06 times, neoplasms-by 1.47 times, congenital anomalies, and deformations and chromosomal aberrations-by 1.63 times. There is an increase in the incidence of risk-related diseases of respiratory organs and the circulatory system. A strong correlation was found between this growth of morbidity and atmospheric air pollution in Ulan-Ude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bair O. Gomboev
- Baikal Institute of Nature Management SB RAS, 670047 Ulan-Ude, Russia
- Department of Geography and Geoecology Chair, Faculty of Biology, Geography and Land Management, Banzarov Buryat State University, 670000 Ulan-Ude, Russia
- Correspondence:
| | - Irina K. Dambueva
- Institute of Biological Problems of the North FEB RAS, 685000 Magadan, Russia
| | - Sergey S. Khankhareev
- Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare in Buryatia (Rospotrebnadzor), 670045 Ulan-Ude, Russia
| | | | | | | | | | - Aldar G. Badmaev
- Baikal Institute of Nature Management SB RAS, 670047 Ulan-Ude, Russia
| | | | - Elena E. Bagaeva
- Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare in Buryatia (Rospotrebnadzor), 670045 Ulan-Ude, Russia
| | - Ekaterina V. Madeeva
- Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare in Buryatia (Rospotrebnadzor), 670045 Ulan-Ude, Russia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Bator V. Sodnomov
- Baikal Institute of Nature Management SB RAS, 670047 Ulan-Ude, Russia
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Mamat NI, Amil N, Mohd Hanif MH, Zuknik MH, Norashiddin FA, Jaafar MH. Noise Exposure Assessment at a Secondary School in a City of Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Int J Environ Health Res 2022; 32:2547-2561. [PMID: 34520290 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2021.1976735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Schools are considered sensitive areas to noise pollution. The objective of this study is to ascertain the sound level in schools with respect to different sampling time sessions and sampling points. Five sampling points, consisting of two classrooms (Classroom A and Classroom B), a canteen, a staffroom and a field, were chosen to obtain an overview of the noise level within the whole school in three different time sessions (morning, afternoon and evening), as well as 8-h continuous sampling in both classrooms and the staffroom. The average noise level (LAeq,10min) obtained in this school was found to be in the range of 48.8 dBA to 83.7 dBA, where most of the values exceeded the permissible maximum sound pressure level set by the Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE). Classroom B recorded the highest average noise level (LAeq,8h) of 77.9 dBA, which exceeded the maximum value set by the Department of Environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nor Izzati Mamat
- School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
| | - Norhaniza Amil
- School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
| | | | - Mark Harris Zuknik
- School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
| | | | - Mohd Hafiidz Jaafar
- School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
- National Poison Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
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Mitiku BA, Mitiku MA. Organochlorine pesticides residue affinity in fish muscle and their public health risks in North West Ethiopia. Food Sci Nutr 2022; 10:4331-4338. [PMID: 36514750 PMCID: PMC9731529 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pesticides are the parent compounds, their metabolites, and associated impurities of agricultural and health chemical inputs. If they are found at concentration levels higher than the standard limits, they have potential negative impacts on the ecosystem in general and on fish and humans in particular. This study investigates organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residue occurrences in fish muscle and assesses their public health potential risks, in North West Ethiopia. The concentration of OCPs residue under gas chromatography with electron capture detector (GC-ECD) was detected in 37.84% of fish muscle samples. The mean amounts detected were Endosalfan I, 341.50 ± 32.19 μg/kg; Endosalfan II, 36.01 ± 2.3 μg/kg; Endosalfan sulfate, 5.43 ± 4.06 μg/kg; 4, 4, DDE (4,4-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene), 64.01 ± 9.08 μg /kg; 4,4, DDD (4,4-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane), 5.65 ± 3.12 μg/kg; and 4, 4, DDT (4,4-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), 1.58 ± 0.30 μg/kg. The mean concentration of Endosalfan I tested in fish muscle samples was higher than that of the permissible limit of different international standards. However, due to the low per capita consumption rate of fish origin food in Ethiopia, the health risk index (HRI) ranges from 0.002 to 0.1275, which shows there is no public health risk. This study highlights the possibility of chemical residue occurrence in fish food products, and hence pesticide use regulations and monitoring concentration levels should be implemented regularly to avoid human and environmental health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birhan Agmas Mitiku
- Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental ScienceBahir Dar UniversityBahir DarEthiopia
| | - Marshet Adugna Mitiku
- Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural ResearchNational Fishery and Aquatic Life Research CenterSebetaEthiopia,Addis Ababa UniversityAklilu Lemma Institute of PathobiologyAddis AbabaEthiopia
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Betić N, Karabasil N, Djurković-Djaković O, Ćirković V, Bobić B, Branković Lazić I, Djordjević V, Klun I. Seroprevalence, Direct Detection and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Pigs in Serbia, and Influence of Biosecurity Measures. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10051069. [PMID: 35630511 PMCID: PMC9146795 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10051069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Consumption of Toxoplasma gondii contaminated pork is a major risk factor for human infection. We thus conducted a cross-sectional survey on the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in a representative sample of slaughter pigs from throughout Serbia and examined the influence of farm biosecurity-related risk factors on infection. In addition, direct detection of the parasite (by mouse bioassay) or its DNA was performed in the hearts of a subset of seropositive sows. The overall seroprevalence in the sample of 825 pigs as determined by the modified agglutination test (MAT) was 16.5%. Older age and inadequate rodent control were independent infection risk factors for pigs. In a subset of 581 pigs with complete biosecurity-related data, in addition to older age, smallholders’ finishing type farms (as opposed to farrow-to-finish), multispecies farming, and origin from Western and Central and South-Eastern Serbia (vs. the Northern region), all increased the risk of infection, while the absence of disinfection boot-dips in front of each barn and Belgrade district origin (vs. the Northern region) were associated with a 62% and 75% lower risk of infection, respectively. Evidence of viable parasites was obtained in 13 (41.9%) of the 31 bioassayed sow hearts, of which by isolation of brain cysts in seven, by detection of T. gondii DNA in an additional four, and by serology in another two. Recovery of brain cysts mostly (5/7) from sows with a MAT titre of ≥1:100 indicates the risk for consumers. These results highlight the public health risk from pork consumption and point to mandatory use of professional rodent control services, abstaining from multispecies farming, keeping disinfection boot-dips clean and freshly refilled, as well as strict implementation of zoo-hygienic measures on smallholders’ farms as specific farm biosecurity measures needed for its reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Betić
- Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (N.B.); (I.B.L.); (V.D.)
| | - Nedjeljko Karabasil
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Olgica Djurković-Djaković
- Centre of Excellence for Food- and Vector-Borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia; (O.D.-D.); (V.Ć.); (B.B.)
| | - Vladimir Ćirković
- Centre of Excellence for Food- and Vector-Borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia; (O.D.-D.); (V.Ć.); (B.B.)
| | - Branko Bobić
- Centre of Excellence for Food- and Vector-Borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia; (O.D.-D.); (V.Ć.); (B.B.)
| | - Ivana Branković Lazić
- Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (N.B.); (I.B.L.); (V.D.)
| | - Vesna Djordjević
- Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (N.B.); (I.B.L.); (V.D.)
| | - Ivana Klun
- Centre of Excellence for Food- and Vector-Borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia; (O.D.-D.); (V.Ć.); (B.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +381-11-2685-788
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10
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Wang Z, Feng K. WITHDRAWN: Medical assurance system under reliability theory and countermeasures to public health risks. Work 2021:WOR205375. [PMID: 34308890 DOI: 10.3233/wor-205375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Wang
- School of Law, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ke Feng
- School of Law, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Rivera-Gomis J, Marín P, Martínez-Conesa C, Otal J, Jordán MJ, Escudero E, Cubero MJ. Antimicrobial Resistance of Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis Commensal Isolates from Laying Hen Farms in Spain. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1284. [PMID: 33947120 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat for human and animal health. Few studies have been carried out in laying hens. We evaluated the antimicrobial susceptibility of commensal Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis isolates in Spanish laying hens in 2018. C. jejuni was highly resistant, and a medium proportion of the isolates were susceptible to all the antimicrobials studied. E. coli showed medium to high percentages of resistance to the antibiotic categories of highest public health risk concern (A and B). Only a low proportion of the isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobials. The E. faecalis resistance to antimicrobials was variable, and very few isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobials. Novel data on AMR in laying hen commensal isolates in Spain was provided, and the AMR levels differed from those reported for poultry in the EU. High resistance to key drugs used in human medicine was found. Therefore, laying hens could be a source of AMR for humans, thus, representing a public health risk. Abstract Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat for human and animal health. Few studies have been carried out in laying hens. We evaluated the antimicrobial susceptibility of commensal Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis isolates in Spanish laying hens in 2018. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was used to identify any AMR of the studied isolates by means of a broth microdilution method. C. jejuni was highly resistant to the B category antimicrobials, and 52% of the isolates were susceptible to all the antimicrobials tested. E. coli showed medium and high percentages of resistance to the B and A antibiotic categories, respectively, and 33.33% of the isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobials. The E. faecalis resistance to A category antimicrobials was variable, and 4.62% of the isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobials. In our work, novel data on AMR in laying hen commensal isolates in Spain is provided, and the AMR levels differ from those reported for poultry in the EU. A high resistance to key drugs for human medicine was found, representing a public health risk.
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Herman JP, Redfern L, Teaf C, Covert D, Michael PR, Missimer TM. Cumene Contamination in Groundwater: Observed Concentrations, Evaluation of Remediation by Sulfate Enhanced Bioremediation (SEB), and Public Health Issues. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E8380. [PMID: 33198342 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17228380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Isopropylbenzene (cumene) is commonly encountered in groundwater at petroleum release sites due to its natural occurrence in crude oil and historical use as a fuel additive. The cumene concentrations detected at these sites often exceed regulatory guidelines or standards for states with stringent groundwater regulations. Recent laboratory analytical data collected at historical petroleum underground storage tank (UST) release sites have revealed that cumene persists at concentrations exceeding the default cleanup criterion, while other common petroleum constituents are below detection limits or low enough to allow natural attenuation as a remediation strategy. This effectively makes cumene the driver for active remediation at some sites. An insignificant amount of research has been conducted for the in-situ remediation of cumene. Sulfate Enhanced Biodegradation (SEB) is evaluated in a field case study. The results from the field case study show an approximate 92% decrease in plume area following three rounds of SEB injections. An additional objective of this research was to determine the cumene concentration in fuels currently being used to determine future impacts. A review of safety data sheets from several fuel suppliers revealed that cumene concentrations in gasoline are reported typically as wide ranges due to the proprietary formulations. Several fuels from different suppliers were analyzed to determine a baseline of cumene concentration in modern fuels. The results of the analysis indicated that cumene accounts for approximately 0.01% (diesel) to 0.13% (premium gasoline) of the overall fuel composition. Cumene generally is considered to be of low human health toxicity, with the principal concern being eye, skin, and respiratory irritation following inhalation of vapors in an occupational setting, but it has been regulated in Florida at very low concentrations based on organoleptic considerations.
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Pan Y, Zeng J, Li L, Yang J, Tang Z, Xiong W, Li Y, Chen S, Zeng Z. Coexistence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Virulence Factors Deciphered by Large-Scale Complete Genome Analysis. mSystems 2020; 5:e00821-19. [PMID: 32487745 DOI: 10.1128/mSystems.00821-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Widespread use of antibiotics has enhanced the evolution of highly resilient pathogens and poses a severe risk to human health via coselection of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors (VFs). In this study, we rigorously evaluate the abundance relationship and physical linkage between ARGs and VFs by performing a comprehensive analysis of 9,070 bacterial genomes isolated from multiple species and hosts. The coexistence of ARGs and VFs was observed in bacteria across distinct phyla, pathogenicities, and habitats, especially among human-associated pathogens. The coexistence patterns of gene elements in different habitats and pathogenicity groups were similar, presumably due to frequent gene transfer. A shorter intergenic distance between mobile genetic elements and ARGs/VFs was detected in human/animal-associated bacteria, indicating a higher transfer potential. Increased accumulation of exogenous ARGs/VFs in human pathogens highlights the importance of gene acquisition in the evolution of human commensal bacteria. Overall, the findings provide insights into the genic features of combinations of ARG-VF and expand our understanding of ARG-VF coexistence in bacteria.IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance has become a serious global health concern. Despite numerous case studies, a comprehensive analysis of ARG and VF coexistence in bacteria is lacking. In this study, we explore the coexistence profiles of ARGs and VFs in diverse categories of bacteria by using a high-resolution bioinformatics approach. We also provide compelling evidence of unique ARG-VF gene pairs coexisting in specific bacterial genomes and reveal the potential risk associated with the coexistence of ARGs and VFs in organisms in both clinical settings and environments.
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Koutsoumanis K, Alvarez‐Ordóñez A, Bolton D, Bover‐Cid S, Chemaly M, Davies R, De Cesare A, Herman L, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Jordan K, Sampers I, Wagner M, Da Silva Felicio MT, Georgiadis M, Messens W, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Allende A. The public health risk posed by Listeria monocytogenes in frozen fruit and vegetables including herbs, blanched during processing. EFSA J 2020; 18:e06092. [PMID: 32874300 PMCID: PMC7448082 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A multi-country outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes ST6 linked to blanched frozen vegetables (bfV) took place in the EU (2015-2018). Evidence of food-borne outbreaks shows that L. monocytogenes is the most relevant pathogen associated with bfV. The probability of illness per serving of uncooked bfV, for the elderly (65-74 years old) population, is up to 3,600 times greater than cooked bfV and very likely lower than any of the evaluated ready-to-eat food categories. The main factors affecting contamination and growth of L. monocytogenes in bfV during processing are the hygiene of the raw materials and process water; the hygienic conditions of the food processing environment (FPE); and the time/Temperature (t/T) combinations used for storage and processing (e.g. blanching, cooling). Relevant factors after processing are the intrinsic characteristics of the bfV, the t/T combinations used for thawing and storage and subsequent cooking conditions, unless eaten uncooked. Analysis of the possible control options suggests that application of a complete HACCP plan is either not possible or would not further enhance food safety. Instead, specific prerequisite programmes (PRP) and operational PRP activities should be applied such as cleaning and disinfection of the FPE, water control, t/T control and product information and consumer awareness. The occurrence of low levels of L. monocytogenes at the end of the production process (e.g. < 10 CFU/g) would be compatible with the limit of 100 CFU/g at the moment of consumption if any labelling recommendations are strictly followed (i.e. 24 h at 5°C). Under reasonably foreseeable conditions of use (i.e. 48 h at 12°C), L. monocytogenes levels need to be considerably lower (not detected in 25 g). Routine monitoring programmes for L. monocytogenes should be designed following a risk-based approach and regularly revised based on trend analysis, being FPE monitoring a key activity in the frozen vegetable industry.
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15
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Nicolaides C, Avraam D, Cueto-Felgueroso L, González MC, Juanes R. Hand-Hygiene Mitigation Strategies Against Global Disease Spreading through the Air Transportation Network. Risk Anal 2020; 40:723-740. [PMID: 31872479 DOI: 10.1111/risa.13438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The risk for a global transmission of flu-type viruses is strengthened by the physical contact between humans and accelerated through individual mobility patterns. The Air Transportation System plays a critical role in such transmissions because it is responsible for fast and long-range human travel, while its building components-the airports-are crowded, confined areas with usually poor hygiene. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) consider hand hygiene as the most efficient and cost-effective way to limit disease propagation. Results from clinical studies reveal the effect of hand washing on individual transmissibility of infectious diseases. However, its potential as a mitigation strategy against the global risk for a pandemic has not been fully explored. Here, we use epidemiological modeling and data-driven simulations to elucidate the role of individual engagement with hand hygiene inside airports in conjunction with human travel on the global spread of epidemics. We find that, by increasing travelers engagement with hand hygiene at all airports, a potential pandemic can be inhibited by 24% to 69%. In addition, we identify 10 airports at the core of a cost-optimal deployment of the hand-washing mitigation strategy. Increasing hand-washing rate at only those 10 influential locations, the risk of a pandemic could potentially drop by up to 37%. Our results provide evidence for the effectiveness of hand hygiene in airports on the global spread of infections that could shape the way public-health policy is implemented with respect to the overall objective of mitigating potential population health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Nicolaides
- Department of Business and Public Administration, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Demetris Avraam
- Department of Business and Public Administration, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Luis Cueto-Felgueroso
- Departamento de Ingeniería Civil: Hidráulica, Energía y Medio Ambiente, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Marta C González
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of City and Regional Planning, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ruben Juanes
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Benkerroum N. Retrospective and Prospective Look at Aflatoxin Research and Development from a Practical Standpoint. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:E3633. [PMID: 31569703 PMCID: PMC6801849 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16193633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Among the array of structurally and toxicologically diverse mycotoxins, aflatoxins have attracted the most interest of scientific research due to their high toxicity and incidence in foods and feeds. Despite the undeniable progress made in various aspects related to aflatoxins, the ultimate goal consisting of reducing the associated public health risks worldwide is far from being reached due to multiplicity of social, political, economic, geographic, climatic, and development factors. However, a reasonable degree of health protection is attained in industrialized countries owing to their scientific, administrative, and financial capacities allowing them to use high-tech agricultural management systems. Less fortunate situations exist in equatorial and sub-equatorial developing countries mainly practicing traditional agriculture managed by smallholders for subsistence, and where the climate is suitable for mould growth and aflatoxin production. This situation worsens due to climatic change producing conditions increasingly suitable for aflatoxigenic mould growth and toxin production. Accordingly, it is difficult to harmonize the regulatory standards of aflatoxins worldwide, which prevents agri-foods of developing countries from accessing the markets of industrialized countries. To tackle the multi-faceted aflatoxin problem, actions should be taken collectively by the international community involving scientific research, technological and social development, environment protection, awareness promotion, etc. International cooperation should foster technology transfer and exchange of pertinent technical information. This review presents the main historical discoveries leading to our present knowledge on aflatoxins and the challenges that should be addressed presently and in the future at various levels to ensure higher health protection for everybody. In short, it aims to elucidate where we come from and where we should go in terms of aflatoxin research/development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noreddine Benkerroum
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Macdonald-Stewart Building, McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21,111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada.
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17
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Ahmed T, Hyder MZ, Liaqat I, Scholz M. Climatic Conditions: Conventional and Nanotechnology-Based Methods for the Control of Mosquito Vectors Causing Human Health Issues. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:E3165. [PMID: 31480254 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16173165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Climate variability is highly impacting on mosquito-borne diseases causing malaria and dengue fever across the globe. Seasonal variability change in temperature and rainfall patterns are impacting on human health. Mosquitoes cause diseases like dengue fever, yellow fever, malaria, Chikungunya, West Nile and Japanese encephalitis. According to estimations by health organizations, annually one million human deaths are caused by vector-borne diseases, and dengue fever has increased about 30-fold over the past 50 years. Similarly, over 200 million cases of malaria are being reported annually. Mosquito-borne diseases are sensitive to temperature, humidity and seasonal variability. Both conventional (environmental, chemical, mechanical, biological etc.) and nanotechnology-based (Liposomes, nano-suspensions and polymer-based nanoparticles) approaches are used for the eradication of Malaria and dengue fever. Now green approaches are used to eradicate mosquitoes to save human health without harming the environment. In this review, the impact of climatic conditions on mosquito-borne diseases along with conventional and nanotechnology-based approaches used for controlling malaria and dengue fever have been discussed. Important recommendations have been made for people to stay healthy.
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18
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Missimer TM, Teaf C, Maliva RG, Danley-Thomson A, Covert D, Hegy M. Natural Radiation in the Rocks, Soils, and Groundwater of Southern Florida with a Discussion on Potential Health Impacts. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16101793. [PMID: 31117171 PMCID: PMC6572226 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16101793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Southern Florida is underlain by rocks and sediments that naturally contain radioactive isotopes. The primary origin of the radioactive isotopes is Miocene-aged phosphate deposits that can be enriched in uranium-238 and its daughter isotopes. Nodular phosphate containing radionuclides from the Miocene has been reworked into younger formations and is ubiquitous in southern Florida. When the nodular phosphate is exposed to groundwater with geochemical conditions favorable for its dissolution, uranium, radium, and radon may be released into the groundwater system. Uranium concentrations have been measured above the 30 µg/L drinking water standard at only one location in Lee County. Radium226/228 exceedances of the drinking water standard have been documented in numerous wells in Sarasota County. Indoor radon activities have exceeded the 4 piC/L guideline in five southern Florida counties. The exceedance of radioactivity standards in drinking water does not occur in municipal drinking water supplies, but rather only in some domestic self-supply wells. Health risks for exposure to radiation from domestic self-supply wells could be mitigated by testing of well water and, if necessary, switching to the use of a different aquifer or treatment process. While the risk of exposure to radon in indoor air in southern Florida is generally low, some areas are enriched in soil radon that migrates into structures, which could be addressed by improved ventilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Missimer
- Emergent Technologies Institute, U. A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 16301 Innovation Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA.
| | - Christopher Teaf
- Center for Biomedical and Toxicological Research, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA.
| | - Robert G Maliva
- Emergent Technologies Institute, U. A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 16301 Innovation Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA.
- WSP USA Inc., 1567 Hayley Lane, Suite 202, Fort Myers, FL 33907, USA.
| | - Ashley Danley-Thomson
- U. A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565, USA.
| | - Douglas Covert
- Hazardous Substance and Waste Management Research, 2976 Wellington Circle West, Tallahassee, FL 32309, USA.
| | - Michael Hegy
- Emergent Technologies Institute, U. A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 16301 Innovation Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA.
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Zeng YB, Xiong LG, Tan MF, Li HQ, Yan H, Zhang L, Yin DF, Kang ZF, Wei QP, Luo LG. Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella in Pork, Chicken, and Duck from Retail Markets of China. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2019; 16:339-345. [PMID: 31013442 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2018.2510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Salmonella is one of the most important foodborne pathogens associated with animal and human diseases. In this study, 672 samples of fresh meat (pork, 347; chicken, 196; and duck, 129) were collected from retail markets in different provinces of China from 2010 to 2014. We identified 10 different serotypes among 80 Salmonella isolates, whereas 12 isolates were nonmotile precluding conventional identification of complete serotype. Among these 92 isolates, Salmonella enterica serovar Derby (n = 21) was the most prevalent serotype, followed by Salmonella Enteritidis (n = 17), Salmonella Typhimurium (n = 15), Salmonella Indiana (n = 9), Salmonella Agona (n = 7), and Salmonella Assinie (n = 5). Antimicrobial resistance testing for 18 antimicrobial agents revealed that all 92 isolates were resistant to at least 1 antimicrobial agent, and 39 different resistance profiles were identified. The highest resistance was to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (n = 87), followed by tetracycline (n = 51), carbenicillin (n = 38), amoxicillin/A.clav (n = 30), and piperacillin (n = 24). Our results demonstrated that meats presented a potential public health risk, thereby underlining the necessity for local regulatory enforcement agencies in China to monitor salmonellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Bing Zeng
- 1 Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, China
| | - Li-Gen Xiong
- 1 Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, China
| | - Mei-Fang Tan
- 1 Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, China
| | - Hai-Qin Li
- 1 Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, China
| | - Han Yan
- 2 Agricultural Product Quality Safety and Standards Institute, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, China
| | - Li Zhang
- 2 Agricultural Product Quality Safety and Standards Institute, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, China
| | - De-Feng Yin
- 2 Agricultural Product Quality Safety and Standards Institute, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhao-Feng Kang
- 1 Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, China
| | - Qi-Peng Wei
- 1 Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, China
| | - Lin-Guang Luo
- 2 Agricultural Product Quality Safety and Standards Institute, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, China
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Arai Y, Ibrahim MS, Elgendy EM, Daidoji T, Ono T, Suzuki Y, Nakaya T, Matsumoto K, Watanabe Y. Genetic Compatibility of Reassortants between Avian H5N1 and H9N2 Influenza Viruses with Higher Pathogenicity in Mammals. J Virol 2019; 93:e01969-18. [PMID: 30463961 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01969-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Close interaction between avian influenza (AI) viruses and humans in Egypt appears to have resulted in many of the worldwide cases of human infections by both H5N1 and H9N2 AI viruses. Egypt is regarded as a hot spot of AI virus evolution. Although no natural reassortant of H5N1 and H9N2 AI viruses has been reported so far, their cocirculation in Egypt may allow emergence of reassortants that may present a significant public health risk. Using reverse genetics, we report here the first comprehensive data showing that H5N1-N9N2 reassortants have fairly high genetic compatibility and possibly higher pathogenicity in mammals, including humans, than the parental viruses. Our results provide insight into the emergence potential of avian H5N1-H9N2 reassortants that may pose a high public health risk. The cocirculation of H5N1 and H9N2 avian influenza viruses in birds in Egypt provides reassortment opportunities between these two viruses. However, little is known about the emergence potential of reassortants derived from Egyptian H5N1 and H9N2 viruses and about the biological properties of such reassortants. To evaluate the potential public health risk of reassortants of these viruses, we used reverse genetics to generate the 63 possible reassortants derived from contemporary Egyptian H5N1 and H9N2 viruses, containing the H5N1 surface gene segments and combinations of the H5N1 and H9N2 internal gene segments, and analyzed their genetic compatibility, replication ability, and virulence in mice. Genes in the reassortants showed remarkably high compatibility. The replication of most reassortants was higher than the parental H5N1 virus in human cells. Six reassortants were thought to emerge in birds under neutral or positive selective pressure, and four of them had higher pathogenicity in vivo than the parental H5N1 and H9N2 viruses. Our results indicated that H5N1-H9N2 reassortants could be transmitted efficiently to mammals with significant public health risk if they emerge in Egypt, although the viruses might not emerge frequently in birds. IMPORTANCE Close interaction between avian influenza (AI) viruses and humans in Egypt appears to have resulted in many of the worldwide cases of human infections by both H5N1 and H9N2 AI viruses. Egypt is regarded as a hot spot of AI virus evolution. Although no natural reassortant of H5N1 and H9N2 AI viruses has been reported so far, their cocirculation in Egypt may allow emergence of reassortants that may present a significant public health risk. Using reverse genetics, we report here the first comprehensive data showing that H5N1-N9N2 reassortants have fairly high genetic compatibility and possibly higher pathogenicity in mammals, including humans, than the parental viruses. Our results provide insight into the emergence potential of avian H5N1-H9N2 reassortants that may pose a high public health risk.
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Panti-May JA, Palomo-Arjona EE, Gurubel-González YM, Barrientos-Medina RC, Digiani MC, Robles MR, Hernández-Betancourt SF, Machain-Williams C. Patterns of helminth infections in Rattus rattus and Mus musculus from two Mayan communities in Mexico. J Helminthol 2019; 94:e30. [PMID: 30714552 DOI: 10.1017/S0022149X19000063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The black rat Rattus rattus and the house mouse Mus musculus are two commensal rodent species that harbour and shed zoonotic pathogens, including helminths. The aim of this survey was to study the helminth community and the patterns of infections in R. rattus and M. musculus from two Mayan communities in Mexico. Gastrointestinal helminths were isolated from 322 M. musculus and 124 R. rattus, including Gongylonema neoplasticum, Hassalstrongylus aduncus, Hassalstrongylus musculi, Hydatigera taeniaeformis metacestode, Hymenolepis diminuta, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Oligacanthorhynchidae gen. sp., Syphacia muris, Syphacia obvelata, Rodentolepis microstoma and Trichuris muris. The overall richness of helminths was seven in R. rattus and six in M. musculus. The results of generalized linear models showed that juvenile rodents had lower probabilities of being infected with G. neoplasticum, H. taeniaeformis and H. musculi than adult rodents. A positive association between the prevalence of S. muris and rat abundance was found. The intensity of infection with S. muris was higher in the rainy season than in the dry season; the opposite result was found for H. musculi infection. Male R. rattus harboured more S. muris specimens. The intensity of infection with T. muris was inversely associated with mouse abundance. The presence of the zoonotic H. diminuta, as well as H. taeniaeformis and R. microstoma in rodent populations indicates that there is risk of transmission, and that their entire life cycle occurs in the study area.
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Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Alvarez-Ordóñez A, Bolton D, Bover-Cid S, Chemaly M, Davies R, De Cesare A, Herman L, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Cacciò S, Chalmers R, Deplazes P, Devleesschauwer B, Innes E, Romig T, van der Giessen J, Hempen M, Van der Stede Y, Robertson L. Public health risks associated with food-borne parasites. EFSA J 2018; 16:e05495. [PMID: 32625781 PMCID: PMC7009631 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites are important food‐borne pathogens. Their complex lifecycles, varied transmission routes, and prolonged periods between infection and symptoms mean that the public health burden and relative importance of different transmission routes are often difficult to assess. Furthermore, there are challenges in detection and diagnostics, and variations in reporting. A Europe‐focused ranking exercise, using multicriteria decision analysis, identified potentially food‐borne parasites of importance, and that are currently not routinely controlled in food. These are Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Echinococcus spp. Infection with these parasites in humans and animals, or their occurrence in food, is not notifiable in all Member States. This Opinion reviews current methods for detection, identification and tracing of these parasites in relevant foods, reviews literature on food‐borne pathways, examines information on their occurrence and persistence in foods, and investigates possible control measures along the food chain. The differences between these three parasites are substantial, but for all there is a paucity of well‐established, standardised, validated methods that can be applied across the range of relevant foods. Furthermore, the prolonged period between infection and clinical symptoms (from several days for Cryptosporidium to years for Echinococcus spp.) means that source attribution studies are very difficult. Nevertheless, our knowledge of the domestic animal lifecycle (involving dogs and livestock) for Echinoccocus granulosus means that this parasite is controllable. For Echinococcus multilocularis, for which the lifecycle involves wildlife (foxes and rodents), control would be expensive and complicated, but could be achieved in targeted areas with sufficient commitment and resources. Quantitative risk assessments have been described for Toxoplasma in meat. However, for T. gondii and Cryptosporidium as faecal contaminants, development of validated detection methods, including survival/infectivity assays and consensus molecular typing protocols, are required for the development of quantitative risk assessments and efficient control measures.
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Missimer TM, Teaf CM, Beeson WT, Maliva RG, Woolschlager J, Covert DJ. Natural Background and Anthropogenic Arsenic Enrichment in Florida Soils, Surface Water, and Groundwater: A Review with a Discussion on Public Health Risk. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018; 15:E2278. [PMID: 30336588 PMCID: PMC6210428 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15102278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Florida geologic units and soils contain a wide range in concentrations of naturally-occurring arsenic. The average range of bulk rock concentrations is 1 to 13.1 mg/kg with concentrations in accessary minerals being over 1000 mg/kg. Florida soils contain natural arsenic concentrations which can exceed 10 mg/kg in some circumstances, with organic-rich soils often having the highest concentrations. Anthropogenic sources of arsenic have added about 610,000 metric tons of arsenic into the Florida environment since 1970, thereby increasing background concentrations in soils. The anthropogenic sources of arsenic in soils include: pesticides (used in Florida beginning in the 1890's), fertilizers, chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood, soil amendments, cattle-dipping vats, chicken litter, sludges from water treatment plants, and others. The default Soil Cleanup Target Level (SCTL) in Florida for arsenic in residential soils is 2.1 mg/kg which is below some naturally-occurring background concentrations in soils and anthropogenic concentrations in agricultural soils. A review of risk considerations shows that adverse health impacts associated with exposure to arsenic is dependent on many factors and that the Florida cleanup levels are very conservative. Exposure to arsenic in soils at concentrations that exceed the Florida default cleanup level set specifically for residential environments does not necessarily pose a meaningful a priori public health risk, given important considerations such as the form of arsenic present, the route(s) of exposure, and the actual circumstances of exposure (e.g., frequency, duration, and magnitude).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Missimer
- Emergent Technologies Institute, U. A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 16301 Innovation Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33913, USA.
| | - Christopher M Teaf
- Center for Biomedical & Toxicological Research, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA.
| | - William T Beeson
- Beeson Consulting, Inc., 12836 Kedleston Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33912, USA.
| | - Robert G Maliva
- Emergent Technologies Institute, U. A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 16301 Innovation Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33913, USA.
- WSP USA Inc., 1567 Hayley Lane, Suite 202, Fort Myers, FL 33907, USA.
| | - John Woolschlager
- Emergent Technologies Institute, U. A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 16301 Innovation Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33913, USA.
| | - Douglas J Covert
- Hazardous Substance & Waste Management Research, 2976 Wellington Circle West, Tallahassee, FL 32309, USA.
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Shin HH, Burr WS, Stieb D, Haque L, Kalayci H, Jovic B, Smith-Doiron M. Air Health Trend Indicator: Association between Short-Term Exposure to Ground Ozone and Circulatory Hospitalizations in Canada for 17 Years, 1996⁻2012. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018; 15:E1566. [PMID: 30042335 PMCID: PMC6121235 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15081566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The Air Health Trend Indicator is designed to estimate the public health risk related to short-term exposure to air pollution and to detect trends in the annual health risks. Daily ozone, circulatory hospitalizations and weather data for 24 cities (about 54% of Canadians) for 17 years (1996⁻2012) were used. This study examined three circulatory causes: ischemic heart disease (IHD, 40% of cases), other heart disease (OHD, 31%) and cerebrovascular disease (CEV, 14%). A Bayesian hierarchical model using a 7-year estimator was employed to find trends in the annual national associations by season, lag of effect, sex and age group (≤65 vs. >65). Warm season 1-day lagged ozone returned higher national risk per 10 ppb: 0.4% (95% credible interval, -0.3⁻1.1%) for IHD, 0.4% (-0.2⁻1.0%) for OHD, and 0.2% (-0.8⁻1.2%) for CEV. Overall mixed trends in annual associations were observed for IHD and CEV, but a decreasing trend for OHD. While little age effect was identified, some sex-specific difference was detected, with males seemingly more vulnerable to ozone for CEV, although this finding needs further investigation. The study findings could reduce a knowledge gap by identifying trends in risk over time as well as sub-populations susceptible to ozone by age and sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwashin Hyun Shin
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada.
| | - Wesley S Burr
- Department of Mathematics, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada.
| | - Dave Stieb
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Lani Haque
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
| | - Harun Kalayci
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
| | - Branka Jovic
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
| | - Marc Smith-Doiron
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
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Diawara MM, Shrestha S, Carsella J, Farmer S. Smelting Remains a Public Health Risk Nearly a Century Later: A Case Study in Pueblo, Colorado, USA. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018; 15:E932. [PMID: 29735921 PMCID: PMC5981971 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15050932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Pueblo, Colorado has a long history of smelting activities, and recent studies raised concerns about lead exposure. This study tested 240 children in Pueblo for blood lead levels (BLLs) and found a significant association between distance from old smelters and children BLLs. Around 7.5% of Pueblo children had BLLs above the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reference level of 5 µg/dL for elevated BLL, and 18.3% had BLLs between 3.3⁻4.9 µg/dL. Out of the 36 children who lived near former smelters, 13.9% had BLLs above 5 µg/dL vs. 6.37% for children living away from old smelters. The proportion of Pueblo children with elevated BLL was nearly three times the 2007⁻2010 United States national average (7.5% vs. 2.6%), and this was higher in the immediate vicinity of old smelters (13.9% vs. 2.6%). Genetic polymorphisms for ALAD-1 or ALAD-2 alleles, which play a role in susceptibility to lead toxicity, were not associated with children BBLs. Around 38.5% of houses sampled near the smelters had topsoil lead levels higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s benchmark of 400 mg/kg. Our study resulted in the addition of areas of Pueblo to the EPA Superfund National Priorities List in December 2014, and cleanup is currently underway to minimize the public health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moussa M Diawara
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO 81001, USA.
| | - Sofy Shrestha
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO 81001, USA.
| | - Jim Carsella
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO 81001, USA.
| | - Shanna Farmer
- Regional Access to Graduate Education, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO 81001, USA.
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Crabbe H, Fletcher T, Close R, Watts MJ, Ander EL, Smedley PL, Verlander NQ, Gregory M, Middleton DRS, Polya DA, Studden M, Leonardi GS. Hazard Ranking Method for Populations Exposed to Arsenic in Private Water Supplies: Relation to Bedrock Geology. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017; 14:E1490. [PMID: 29194429 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14121490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Approximately one million people in the UK are served by private water supplies (PWS) where main municipal water supply system connection is not practical or where PWS is the preferred option. Chronic exposure to contaminants in PWS may have adverse effects on health. South West England is an area with elevated arsenic concentrations in groundwater and over 9000 domestic dwellings here are supplied by PWS. There remains uncertainty as to the extent of the population exposed to arsenic (As), and the factors predicting such exposure. We describe a hazard assessment model based on simplified geology with the potential to predict exposure to As in PWS. Households with a recorded PWS in Cornwall were recruited to take part in a water sampling programme from 2011 to 2013. Bedrock geologies were aggregated and classified into nine Simplified Bedrock Geological Categories (SBGC), plus a cross-cutting “mineralized” area. PWS were sampled by random selection within SBGCs and some 508 households volunteered for the study. Transformations of the data were explored to estimate the distribution of As concentrations for PWS by SBGC. Using the distribution per SBGC, we predict the proportion of dwellings that would be affected by high concentrations and rank the geologies according to hazard. Within most SBGCs, As concentrations were found to have log-normal distributions. Across these areas, the proportion of dwellings predicted to have drinking water over the prescribed concentration value (PCV) for As ranged from 0% to 20%. From these results, a pilot predictive model was developed calculating the proportion of PWS above the PCV for As and hazard ranking supports local decision making and prioritization. With further development and testing, this can help local authorities predict the number of dwellings that might fail the PCV for As, based on bedrock geology. The model presented here for Cornwall could be applied in areas with similar geologies. Application of the method requires independent validation and further groundwater-derived PWS sampling on other geological formations.
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Abia ALK, James C, Ubomba-Jaswa E, Benteke Momba MN. Microbial Remobilisation on Riverbed Sediment Disturbance in Experimental Flumes and a Human-Impacted River: Implication for Water Resource Management and Public Health in Developing Sub-Saharan African Countries. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017; 14:E306. [PMID: 28295001 PMCID: PMC5369142 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14030306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Resuspension of sediment-borne microorganisms (including pathogens) into the water column could increase the health risk for those using river water for different purposes. In the present work, we (1) investigated the effect of sediment disturbance on microbial resuspension from riverbed sediments in laboratory flow-chambers and in the Apies River, Gauteng, South Africa; and (2) estimated flow conditions for sediment-borne microorganism entrainment/resuspension in the river. For mechanical disturbance, the top 2 cm of the sediment in flow-chambers was manually stirred. Simulating sudden discharge into the river, water (3 L) was poured within 30 s into the chambers at a 45° angle to the chamber width. In the field, sediment was disturbed by raking the riverbed and by cows crossing in the river. Water samples before and after sediment disturbance were analysed for Escherichia coli. Sediment disturbance caused an increase in water E. coli counts by up to 7.9-35.8 times original values. Using Shields criterion, river-flow of 0.15-0.69 m³/s could cause bed particle entrainment; while ~1.57-7.23 m³/s would cause resuspension. Thus, sediment disturbance in the Apies River would resuspend E. coli (and pathogens), with possible negative health implications for communities using such water. Therefore, monitoring surface water bodies should include microbial sediment quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akebe Luther King Abia
- Departments of Biotechnology, Vaal university of Technology, Private Bag X021, Andries Potgieter Blvd, Vanderbijlpark 1911, South Africa.
| | - Chris James
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa.
| | - Eunice Ubomba-Jaswa
- Natural Resources and the Environment, CSIR, P.O. Box 395, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
| | - Maggy Ndombo Benteke Momba
- Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Arcadia Campus, 175 Nelson Mandela Drive, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
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Bier N, Jäckel C, Dieckmann R, Brennholt N, Böer SI, Strauch E. Virulence Profiles of Vibrio vulnificus in German Coastal Waters, a Comparison of North Sea and Baltic Sea Isolates. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2015; 12:15943-59. [PMID: 26694432 PMCID: PMC4690967 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph121215031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Revised: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Vibrio vulnificus is a halophilic bacterium of coastal environments known for sporadically causing severe foodborne or wound infections. Global warming is expected to lead to a rising occurrence of V. vulnificus and an increasing incidence of human infections in Northern Europe. So far, infections in Germany were exclusively documented for the Baltic Sea coast, while no cases from the North Sea region have been reported. Regional variations in the prevalence of infections may be influenced by differences in the pathogenicity of V. vulnificus populations in both areas. This study aimed to compare the distribution of virulence-associated traits and genotypes among 101 V. vulnificus isolates from the Baltic Sea and North Sea in order to assess their pathogenicity potential. Furthermore, genetic relationships were examined by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). A high diversity of MLST sequences (74 sequence types) and differences regarding the presence of six potential pathogenicity markers were observed in the V. vulnificus populations of both areas. Strains with genotypes and markers associated with pathogenicity are not restricted to a particular geographic region. This indicates that lack of reported cases in the North Sea region is not caused by the absence of potentially pathogenic strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Bier
- National Reference Laboratory for Monitoring Bacteriological Contamination of Bivalve Mollusks, Department of Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, Berlin D-10589, Germany.
| | - Claudia Jäckel
- National Reference Laboratory for Monitoring Bacteriological Contamination of Bivalve Mollusks, Department of Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, Berlin D-10589, Germany.
| | - Ralf Dieckmann
- National Reference Laboratory for Monitoring Bacteriological Contamination of Bivalve Mollusks, Department of Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, Berlin D-10589, Germany.
| | - Nicole Brennholt
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, Koblenz D-56068, Germany.
| | - Simone I Böer
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, Koblenz D-56068, Germany.
| | - Eckhard Strauch
- National Reference Laboratory for Monitoring Bacteriological Contamination of Bivalve Mollusks, Department of Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, Berlin D-10589, Germany.
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Chandran A, Mazumder A. Investigation on the temporal variation and source tracking of faecal bacteria in a forest dominated watershed (Comox Lake), British Columbia, Canada. J Appl Microbiol 2015; 119:1718-28. [PMID: 26456882 DOI: 10.1111/jam.12969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Revised: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The aims of this study were to investigate the temporal variation in Escherichia coli density and its sources at the drinking water intake of Comox Lake for a period of 3 years (2011-2013). METHODS AND RESULTS Density of E. coli was assessed by standard membrane filtration method. Source tracking of E. coli were done by using BOX-A1R-based rep-PCR DNA fingerprinting method. Over the years, the mean E. coli density ranged from nondetectable to 9·8 CFU 100 ml(-1) . The density of E. coli in each of the years did not show any significant difference (P > 0·05); however, a comparatively higher density was observed during the fall. Wildlife was (64·28%, 153/238) identified as the major contributing source of E. coli, followed by human (18·06%, 43/238) and unknown sources (17·64%, 42/238). Although the sources were varied by year and season, over all, the predominant contributing sources were black bear, human, unknown, elk, horse and gull. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this investigation identified the multiple animal sources contributing faecal bacteria into the drinking water intake of Comox Lake and their varying temporal occurrence. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The results of this study can reliably inform the authorities about the most vulnerable period (season) of faecal bacterial loading and their potential sources in the lake for improving risk assessment and pollution mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Chandran
- Department of Biology, Water and Aquatic Sciences Research Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - A Mazumder
- Department of Biology, Water and Aquatic Sciences Research Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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Ahmed W, Yusuf R, Hasan I, Ashraf W, Goonetilleke A, Toze S, Gardner T. Fecal indicators and bacterial pathogens in bottled water from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Braz J Microbiol 2013; 44:97-103. [PMID: 24159289 PMCID: PMC3804183 DOI: 10.1590/s1517-83822013005000026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2011] [Accepted: 07/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Forty-six bottled water samples representing 16 brands from Dhaka, Bangladesh were tested for the numbers of total coliforms, fecal indicator bacteria (i.e., thermotolerant Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp.) and potential bacterial pathogens (i.e., Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp.). Among the 16 brands tested, 14 (86%), ten (63%) and seven (44%) were positive for total coliforms, E. coil and Enterococcus spp., respectively. Additionally, a further nine (56%), eight (50%), six (37%), and four (25%) brands were PCR positive for A. hydrophila lip, P. aeruginosa ETA, Salmonella spp. invA, and Shigella spp. ipaH genes, respectively. The numbers of bacterial pathogens in bottled water samples ranged from 28 ± 12 to 600 ± 45 (A. hydrophila lip gene), 180 ± 40 to 900 ± 200 (Salmonella spp. invA gene), 180 ± 40 to 1,300 ± 400 (P. aeruginosa ETA gene) genomic units per L of water. Shigella spp. ipaH gene was not quantifiable. Discrepancies were observed in terms of the occurrence of fecal indicators and bacterial pathogens. No correlations were observed between fecal indicators numbers and presence/absence of A. hydrophila lip (p = 0.245), Salmonella spp. invA (p = 0.433), Shigella spp. ipaH gene (p = 0.078), and P. aeruginosa ETA (p = 0.059) genes. Our results suggest that microbiological quality of bottled waters sold in Dhaka, Bangladesh is highly variable. To protect public health, stringent quality control is recommended for the bottled water industry in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, Boggo Road, Brisbane, Australia. ; Department of Environment and Resource Management, Indooroopilly, Brisbane, Australia
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Peyre M, Samaha H, Makonnen YJ, Saad A, Abd-Elnabi A, Galal S, Ettel T, Dauphin G, Lubroth J, Roger F, Domenech J. Avian influenza vaccination in Egypt: Limitations of the current strategy. J Mol Genet Med 2009; 3:198-204. [PMID: 20076791 PMCID: PMC2805840 DOI: 10.4172/1747-0862.1000035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2009] [Revised: 11/12/2009] [Accepted: 11/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination of domestic poultry against avian influenza (AI) has been used on a large-scale in South East Asia since 2003 and in Egypt since 2006 to fight H5N1 highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemics. The decision to use mass vaccination against HPAI in Egypt was taken as an emergency measure based on positive impact of such control measures in Vietnam and the People's Republic of China. However, three years on, the impact on disease control of AI vaccination in Egypt has been very limited. Despite the continuous vaccination of poultry against HPAI, poultry outbreaks and human cases are reported regularly. A recent assessment study highlighted substantial weaknesses in the current immunisation programme and its lack of positive impact on the spread of infection or the maintenance of public health safety. The shortcomings of the vaccination strategy may be attributed in part to a lack of sufficient support in terms of funding and communication, the absence of an efficient monitoring system, and inadequate training of field technicians. The difficulties of blanket vaccinations in semi-commercial farms and household poultry sectors are well known, however, improvements in the industrial sector should be possible though better government controls and greater collaboration with the private sector. AI vaccination should be regarded as just one control tool within a broader disease control program integrating surveillance, outbreak investigation, disease management systems, and the rigorous implementation of bio-security measures. If incorrectly implemented, AI vaccination has a limited impact as a disease control measure. Moreover, without strict bio-security precautions undertaken during its application, farm visits to vaccinate poultry could facilitate the spread of the virus and therefore become a risk factor with important implications on the maintenance of the virus and potential risk for human exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Peyre
- French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD), Animal and Integrated Risk Management Research Unit, Baillarguet Campus, 34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Cairo, Egypt
- Correspondance to: Marisa Peyre, , Tel: +33 467593868
| | - Hamid Samaha
- General Organisation for Veterinary Services, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yilma Jobre Makonnen
- Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Saad
- Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Saber Galal
- General Organisation for Veterinary Services, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Toni Ettel
- Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Gwenaelle Dauphin
- Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, Italy
| | - Juan Lubroth
- Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, Italy
| | - François Roger
- French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD), Animal and Integrated Risk Management Research Unit, Baillarguet Campus, 34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Joseph Domenech
- Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, Italy
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Wu F, Jacobs D, Mitchell C, Miller D, Karol MH. Improving indoor environmental quality for public health: impediments and policy recommendations. Environ Health Perspect 2007; 115:953-7. [PMID: 17589606 PMCID: PMC1892115 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.8986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2006] [Accepted: 07/13/2006] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People in modern societies spend more than 90% of their time indoors. Hence, indoor environmental quality (IEQ) has a significant impact on public health. In this article we describe health risks associated with indoor environments, illuminate barriers to overcoming these risks, and provide policy recommendations to achieve healthier indoor environments. OBJECTIVES The weight of evidence suggests that indoor environmental contaminants pose significant public health risks, particularly among children and the poor, and the societal costs of illnesses related to indoor environments are considerable. Despite the evidence of harm to human health, poor indoor environments are generally difficult to regulate and not of sufficient concern to the general public. We discuss several reasons for this lack of concern about IEQ, focusing specifically on home environments. DISCUSSION Economics plays a large role both in political inaction and individual-level indifference. Because little effort has been made to quantify the value of the societal and individual costs of poor housing quality, as well as the benefits achievable by simple interventions, policymakers lack motivation to act on IEQ. Similarly, individual homeowners lack the incentive to remediate homes, as other problems may be more pressing than home environmental quality. CONCLUSIONS Although the problem of IEQ involves multiple stakeholders and multiple levels of governance, it is possible to establish economic incentives that would set the wheels in motion for action at all levels to achieve healthy home environments. Also important are education and information dissemination on the public health risks associated with indoor environments. These recommendations are intended for all decision makers who have an influence in developing policy to improve indoor environmental quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Wu
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.
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