Evaluating the indoor and outdoor environment: using a simple method

Housing is the conjunction of the dwelling, the home, the immediate environment and the community. Between 1960 and 1980, the urban population in developing countries more than doubled and is expected to reach 56% of the total population by the year 2025. In many cities, the development of squatter settlements and shanty towns had grown rapidly causing the destruction of green areas. The number of people living in urban slums and shanty towns is an indicator of conditions in the cities and the United Nations had estimated that about one-third of urban dwellers in developing countries live in such settlements. Poverty is highly prevalent among the residents of these areas. Outdoor environmental degradation, together with the social degradation affects the health of the urban population especially the poor causing a burden of ill-health, disability, poor indoor housing, and high maternal and infant mortality. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the indoor and outdoor environment using a simple method and to assess its reliability and validity. The scoring system, which was developed for the assessment of the indoor and outdoor environmental levels included 36 items [18 for the indoor and 18 for the outdoor] using a questionnaire. Results revealed that the proposed scoring system was able to reveal significance difference between served [water, electricity, and sewerage system were available] and unserved areas when using t-test, z-test, and chi-square testing. The proposed scoring system was reliable and valid especially in indoor assessment. Outdoor scores might need more modifications to improve its reliability

Evaluation of medical waste incinerators in Alexandria

Medical establishments play important roles in different activities by using of modern technology to serve the humans and the environment through different departments in the establishment and its firms. Medical wastes are considered as a hazardous waste because they contain toxic materials, infectious, or non-infectious wastes and they are considered as a hazard to millions of patients, health care workers, and visitors. Treatment processes for medical wastes comprise autoclaving, microwaving, chemical disinfection, irradiation, plasma system, and incineration. Incineration is a thermal process, which destroys most of the waste including microorganisms. Combustion process must be under controlled conditions to convert wastes containing hazardous materials into mineral residues and gases. Hospital waste incinerators may emit a number of pollutants depending on the waste being incinerated. These pollutants include particulate matter, acid gases, toxic metals, and toxic organic compounds products of incomplete combustion, e.g., dioxins, furans, and carbon monoxide, as well as sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides. So, there should be a reduction of emissions of most of these pollutants by air pollution control devices. This study was conducted in 51 medical establishments [ME] in Alexandria. To evaluate its incinerators. It was found that only 31.4% of total ME have their own incinerators to treat their medical waste. Also, the incinerators conditions were poor with incomplete combustion. So, the study recommend handling of all medical wastes of ME in Alexandria by the company which is responsible now for management of domestic solid wastes of the city

Assessment of combustion products of medical waste incinerators in Alexandria

The emissions and ashes from medical waste incinerators might perform a threat to the environment and the public health. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the emissions and ashes of six medical wastes incinerators in six hospitals in Alexandria. Five air pollutants were sampled and analyzed in the emissions comprising smoke, lead, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.Ash samples were analyzed for bacterial count, volatile substances, lead and cadmium. Shape and color of ash were observed visually. The results of the present study have revealed that all the average values of gases in the six incinerators were within the limits stated in Egyptian environmental law, where as carbonaceous particulate [smoke] averages of the six incinerators have exceeded the maximum allowable limit in the law. On the other hand, lead concentration in emissions were far below the maximum allowable limit in the law. Incinerator No6 emissions have been significantly higher in CO, NO 2, SO 2 and smoke concentration than the other five incinerators P<0.001, P<0.0006, P<0.0001, and P<0.002 respectively. There was no significant variation in bacterial count of ash samples at 20°C and 37°C between the six studied incinerators. Volatile substance percentage of ash samples in the six incinerators were much higher than the recommended percentage. There was a highly significant variation between the six incinerators [p<0.005]. Lead and cadmium concentrations in ash samples were much higher than those in developed countries, meanwhile, more or less as those in developing countries. It is recommended to state specific realistic emissions limits for medical waste incinerators and to substitute sporadic incinerators in hospitals by two central incinerators in proper places outside the city

Quality monitoring of composting processes of wastewater sludge in Alexandria

This study aimed to monitor and evaluate the composting process of demitted sludge produced from Alexandria wastewater treatment plants. Ten batches of sludge were composted. During the composting process, the batches were investigated and followed up to three months. Representative samples [ten for each batch] were taken from these batches at the start of windrowing, after each turning [4-15 days] and were analyzed for physical, chemical, bacteriological and parasitological characteristics, heavy metals and plant nutrients. The results revealed that C/N ratio of the final compost product comply with the decree of the Minister of Agriculture No. 100/1967; while moisture, C% and TKN did not. Heavy metals, faecal coliforms and helminthes complied with the decree No. 222/2002 for the Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities. Moisture had positive correlation with both C and VS and negative correlation with pH. Temperature had negative correlation with TKN. Both total and faecal coliforms had negative correlation with temperature and positive correlation with C, N and VS. It was recommended to optimize the quality of the produced sludge compost by using bulking agent rich in carbon and nitrogen as hay or rice straw instead of the matured sludge compost

Effect of environmental sanitation on diarrhoal diseases incidence in pre-school children in urban and rural areas

Effects of environmental conditions and selected demographic factors on the diarrhea of pre-school children were investigated by sampling 2 groups of children, rural and urban, attending El- Shatby Pediatrics Hospital Outpatient Clinic. The relative risk for the abovementioned factors was calculated and the comparison between the 2 groups indicated the importance of interaction of environmental and socioeconomic variables. For instance, the relative risks for male/female ratio, mothers' education, mothers' work, and house ventilation were 7.48, 2.06, 9.4, respectively. Incorporation of the socioeconomic development and environmental sanitation is needed to ensure reduction of morbidity and mortality of pre-school children diarrhea in Egypt and other developing nations

Solid waste management in Alexandria city: Current situation and proposals for improvement

Solid waste management in Alexandria has become one of the urgent environmental health problems. The street and domestic solid waste management systems were evaluated by calculating the present and proposed manpower, equipment, and procedures. Comparison was based on annual running and maintenance cost, and the net present cost. Street cleansing by manual sweeping suffered from severe shortage. Much time is wasted in collecting and direct transporting of street solid wastes to far disposal sites. There are too many collection vehicles' brands. Consequently, enough spare parts cannot be stocked. Scheduled maintenance is not achieved and hence emergency repairs are dominant .As a result, 38% of the vehicles are serviceable. Small quantity of the wastes is composted while the rest is open dumped in and on the banks of water bodies. Domestic solid waste management has been severely degraded due to the vast shortage of collectors. Residents are obliged to throw their wastes into streets and/or communal containers overburdening the public cleansing departments. This is the crux of solid waste problems in Alexandria. To achieve sanitary and efficient solid waste management, the following recommendations are worthwhile: mechanical sweeping of main streets, bridges, tunnels, and public places; keeping a reasonable number of collection vehicles' brands; indirect transfer of street solid wastes: direct transfer of domestic solid wastes; sanitary landfill of solid wastes; and recycling of the savable items in industries

Applicability of Streeter formula of oxygen sag curve to the flows from the waste water treatment plants to lake Mariut

The majority of Alexandria wastewater effluents are discharged into the main basin of Lake Mariut which has been polluted for decades. Consequently, public health hazards have emerged, e.g., mal odours, unsightly landscape, culex mosquito breeding, contamination of the nearby drinking water canal, etc... In addition, fish production, quantitatively and qualitatively, has declined. Application of the Streeter equation for the sag curve was tested in regards of the sewage effluents passing through the Qal'a Drain, New Abis Drain, and Lake Mariut. Samples were collected from different points along the path of these effluents down to the El-Max pump station. This was done for the effluents before and after commissioning of the East and West Sewage Treatment Plants. Owing to the short time, less than 1 day, these effluents have to travel, Streeter formula is not applicable. However, East and West Sewage Treatment Plants have lowered the organic load entering the main basin of Lake Mariut by 39%. As a result, this basin may regain its vitality and the associated environmental pollution phenomenon is being abated. Nonetheless, the sewage effluents have to be diverted away from this lake

Impacts of solid wastes dumping site location on drinking water resources in Alexandria

The New EI-Mansheyya solid waste landfill site, part of the main basin of Lake Mariut, was located along the Western shore of the Drinking Water Canal [DWC] in Alexandria. 's canal is one of two sources for drinking water treatment plants in Alexandria City. To investigate the impacts of the newly created dump site on the DWC, samples were collected. Tithe upstream and down stream sectors of this canal and from landfill leachate for chemical and bacteriological examination. All the examined parameters, except pH, increased significantly in the DWC stretch close to the solid waste landfill site. Parameters which are evidently higher are those of BOD, COD, TS, ammonia-nitrogen, and FC. In addition, .eutrophication of the DWC is a clear evidence of high nitrogen and phosphorus Content as leachate found their way to the canal. The main causes of this mishap were the faulty site selection of the landfill, discharge of the leachate into the DWC, and lack of impervious liner in the landfill site. Although biological agents could be easily detected and inactivated by a conventional water treatment plant, chemical pollutants, as trace organics and heavy metals, are rather difficult and costly to monitor and to remove. Environmental Impact Assessment for solid waste disposal facilities has to be taken into consideration. Presently, to minimize the health and environmental damages on the canal water, diversion of leachate away from the DWC should be immediately practiced

Conventional air conditioning system versus cooling towers: an environmental health assay

The role played by Freon air conditioning systems versus cooling towers on the health of their users was studied. The maximum and minimum temperatures with the relative humidity were measured inside 30 Freon air conditioned houses and 28 houses ventilated with cooling towers in Majma'ah city of Saudi Arabia. The main indoor difference between the two groups of houses was the very low relative humidity, during summer, in the first group [15%] in contrast with 65.3% in the second one. Sick building syndrome was evident among adults in the first group while allergic manifestations were abundant among children living in houses equipped with cooling towers. Proper design and construction of housing environment could relieve most of these effects. In addition, cooling towers cleaning and disinfection would prove effective in decreasing the growth of microorganisms inside these appliances

Comparison between different methods of some biologically important agents in compost

Three different extraction methods were performed to recover some selected microorganisms from compost. These microorganisms include pollution indicators as fecal coliforms, Clostridium welchii, and parasitic ova. 10 g compost samples were mixed with 100 ml of distilled water, normal saline, or petroleum ether. The extracted solutions were examined for the previous pollution indicators in addition to the total viable bacterial count and Staphylococcus aureus to determine the best detection method for each one. The distilled water was found to be efficient for counting the total viable bacteria and fecal coliforms. The isolation of parasitic ova was superior by normal saline or petroleum ether. The extracted solutions were examined for the previous pollution indicators in addition to the total viable bacterial count and staphylococcus to determine the best detection method for each one. The distilled water was found to be efficient for counting the total viable bacteria and fecal coliforms. The isolation of parasitic ova was superior by normal saline. The best suitable method for detection of Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium welchii is by using organic solvent. These results point out also to the importance of health education of compost workers, periodical medical check up of these workers, and the need for safe handling procedures of the final compost. In addition, application of the compost should be restricted to those crops which are not eaten raw

Developing a scoring system for sanitary conditions-evaluation of water roof tanks

This study was carried out to determine the role played by the roof tanks as regards the stored water quality, to develop a suitable scoring system for these tanks, to recommend the optimum tank type, and to suggest a tank maintenance schedule. The structural condition of a tank sample [concrete, steel, and barrel] was examined together with the surrounding pollution sources. In addition, water samples were analyzed for bacteriological, biological, and chemical characteristics. It was found that the barrel tanks were the worst type. To name just a few examples, the clear space was absent underneath all barrel tanks which were provided with neither surplus pipe nor drain. The bacteriological, biological, and chemical analysis of outlet water were unsatisfactory for barrels. The most vital structural factors having direct percussion on the outlet water quality were the cover, inside condition, and the adjacent pollution sources. The defective innate and design characteristics of barrels were attributed to their faulty cover, organic paints/coatings, and small size. These factors enhanced the reduction of RC and thriving of bacterial and biological parameters. A scoring system was developed to detect the sanitary condition of these tanks, and hence their grading. It was found that intrinsic scoring system was far more appropriate than the total crude scoring system. Lastly, a schedule for selecting and maintaining roof tanks was introduced

Relationship between energy costs and heart rate response to isometric quadriceps muscle exercise

The aim of this study was to study the relationship between oxygen consumption and heart rate to isometric and isotonic muscle contraction. Fourty healthy normal volunteers were participated in this study. Every subject was introduced to the testing procedures of static and dynamic muscle exercise for five minutes. Maximum voluntary contraction of the quadriceps muscle group was measured by using a dynamometer, and the oxygen consumption by Ergo-oxyscreen. The applied workload represented 30% mvc for every subject. The data collected of VOz max., VOz max/kg, HRmax., and breathing frequency during both dynamic and static exercises were statistically treated. It was found that there was no significant differences between VOz max/kg., and HRmax., during either static or dynamic type of muscle contraction. However, there was a positive linear correlation between VOz max., and heart rate during static and dynamic exercises. Thus, these findings indicate that the heart rate provides a valuable index of hemodynamic response to exercises, both dynamic and static, as well as determination of exercise intensity

Social and environmental factors related to the prevalence of paramenstrual syndrome among Menoufia women

The paramenstrual syndrome was studied among 220 women in Monoufia governorate of 15-35 years of age. The modified Moos Menstrual Questionnaire was used to record the prevalence rates of the different symptoms. The most common somatic symptom was backache and psychological symptom was irritability. Somatic symptoms rates surpassed the psychological ones. Almost all symptoms subsided during the menstrual phase. Education, occupation, crowding index, high tension field, and menstrual cycle characteristics were associated more with the severity of nearly all symptoms. It was recommended that proper examination of women should be done to detect medical and legal problems related to this syndrome which would benefit from hormonal treatment and assurance. Further investigations have to be done to determine the prevalence rates of paramenstrual syndrome among the Egyptian women and the factors affecting their aggravation

effect of different flap design on periodontal pocket depths after removal of impacted third molar

The effect of different access flap on periodontal pocket depth distal to the second molar after removal of the adjacent third molar was done in this study. The use of envelope flap in group I showed a significant reducation of the pocket depth after removal of both partially and completely impacted teeth. While in group II in which the releasing incision was in contact with the second molar, the pocket depth was significantly increased, but in group III when the releasing incision was placed 2-3 m.m. Distal to the second molar, the pocket depth was minimally improved

effect of different suture techniques on periodontal pocket depth after removal of impacted third molar

An evaluation of the periodontal pocket depth distal to the lower second molar after removal of the impacted third molar was done in this study, comparing three different ways in the closure of the wound after surgery. The interrupted suture was found to be the best suture technique in minimizing the pocket depth after surgery, particularly in cases of completely impacted teeth. The mattress suture resulted in an increase of the pocket depth. The cases of partially impacted teeth in which no suture were used showed better results in comparison to the other two suture techniques