Association between household solid fuel use and tuberculosis: cross-sectional data from the Mongolian National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey

BACKGROUND@#Tuberculosis (TB) and indoor air pollution (IAP) are equally critical public health issues in the developing world. Mongolia is experiencing the double burden of TB and IAP due to solid fuel combustion. However, no study has assessed the relationship between household solid fuel use and TB in Mongolia. The present study aimed to assess the association between household solid fuel use and TB based on data from the Mongolian National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey (MNTP Survey).@*METHOD@#The MNTP Survey was a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional survey targeting households in Mongolia from 2014 to 2015, with the aim of evaluating the prevalence of TB. The survey adopted a multistage cluster sampling design in accordance with the World Health Organization prevalence survey guidelines. Clusters with at least 500 residents were selected by random sampling. A sample size of 98 clusters with 54,100 participants was estimated to be required for the survey, and 41,450 participants were included in the final analysis of the present study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on environmental and individual factors related to TB. Physical examination, chest X-ray, and sputum examinations were also performed to diagnose TB.@*RESULTS@#The use of solid fuels for heating (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-2.1), male gender (aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.6-3.2), divorced or widowed (aOR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.7-3.8), daily smoker (aOR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3-2.5), contact with an active TB case (aOR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2-2.3), being underweight (aOR: 3.7; 95% CI: 2.4-5.7), and previous history of TB (aOR: 4.3; 95% CI: 3.0-6.1) were significantly associated with bacteriologically confirmed TB after adjusting for confounding variables.@*CONCLUSION@#The use of solid fuels for heating was significantly associated with active TB in Mongolian adults. Increased public awareness is needed on the use of household solid fuels, a source of IAP.

Efeito da forma de aquecimento em parâmetros de qualidade e identidade de óleos vegetais / Effect of the heating means in quality and identity parameters of vegetable oils

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar parâmetros de identidade e qualidade de óleo de abacate produzido nacionalmente, comparativamente a azeite de oliva e óleo de arroz, após aquecimento em bloco digestor ou micro-ondas. Avaliaram-se amostras sem aquecimento (controle) e aquecidas por 1:30 h em bloco digestor ou 3 min em micro-ondas. Determinaram-se a acidez e os índices iodo e refração. Os resultados indicaram que houve aumento de acidez, redução no índice de iodo e índice de refração após o aquecimento. Apesar do maior valor de acidez após o aquecimento, o óleo de abacate sofreu menor elevação em relação ao controle (cerca de 4 vezes) do que as demais amostras. O impacto do aquecimento foi maior no óleo de arroz, seguido do azeite de oliva. O aquecimento por micro-ondas afetou mais a qualidade das amostras que o aquecimento em bloco digestor.

Estabilidade térmica de pigmentos em óleo de abacate, arroz e azeite de oliva / Thermal stability of pigments in avocado, rice and olive oil

Sabe-se que o aquecimento do óleo pode alterar sua composição, degradando ácidos graxos e compostos minoritários. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a estabilidade térmica dos pigmentos carotenoides e clorofilas no óleo de abacate produzido nacionalmente, em comparação com óleo de arroz e azeite de oliva após aquecimento a 180 ºC em micro-ondas, por 3, 6, 9 e 12 minutos. Observaram-se diferenças significativas entre as amostras em todos os tempos de análise, tanto para clorofilas quanto para carotenoides. Na avaliação ao longo do tempo de aquecimento somente foi verificada alteração significativa no teor de clorofilas do azeite de oliva, ainda que no óleo de abacate os percentuais de perda tenham sido maiores. Verificou-se que os teores dos pigmentos avaliados foram significativamente maiores no óleo de abacate em relação ao azeite de oliva e o óleo de arroz, mesmo após o aquecimento por 12 minutos. Destaca-se a importância destas informações para estimular o consumo do óleo de abacate.

Radiator-induced erythema ab igne in 8-year-old girl

The cutaneous lesion of erythema ab Igne are characterized by a reticulate erythema, hyperpigmentation, fine scaling, epidermal atrophy and telangiectasias, and reticulated erythema. We report a case of erythema ab igne on the hands of a 8-year-old girl, induced by classic homemade radiator.

Fuentes de contaminación intradomiciliaria y enfermedad respiratoria en jardines infantiles y salas cunas de Temuco y Padre Las Casas, Chile / Association between indoor contamination and respiratory diseases in children living in Temuco and Padre Las Casas, Chile

Background: Indoor air pollution, is the main cause of population exposure to polluting agents. Aim: To establish an environmental profile of indoor contamination emission sources in families of children under 5years that assist to kindergartens in Temuco and Padre Las Casas. To associate respiratory disease episodes in children with indoor contamination. Material and methods: Cross sectional analysis of 355 family groups subjected to questionnaires about indoor contamination and number of respiratory disease episodes. Results: Forty six percent of mothers or caregivers smoked, 37 percent smoked at home and 93 percent smoked one to two cigarettes per day. There was a significant association between respiratory diseases in children and drying clothes in the kitchen, using firewood for heating and the presence of humidity in the dwelling. Mothers identified as indoor contaminants the use of braziers in 76 percent of cases and firewood stoves in 24 percent. Ninety seven percent considered that these appliances were detrimental for respiratory health. Conclusions: The lack of awareness about indoor contamination among subjects of low socioeconomic status, should prompt educational campaigns to modify behaviors in their dwellings.

Effect of antioxidants on rats fed on thermally oxidized oil [fried oil]

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of different concentration of antioxidants on oxidative stress in rats fed on an oxidized oil. Sunflower oil was submitted to fryer treatments at temperature between [180-190 °C] on intermittent periods for 24 hrs. The changes in chemical properties of frying oil compared to fresh sunflower oil were investigated. Data illustrate the presence of an increase in acid value, peroxide value, polymers and a decrease in iodine number. Fatty acids constituents of this tested oil were also investigated. Fifty-four rats weighing approximately 100 grams each were divided into nine groups, each group containing six rats. Groups S2 and S3 fed on diets containing oxidized oil [15%] and the other groups S4, S5, S6, S7, S8 and S9 fed on the same diet used in group S2 and supplemented with different concentration of antioxidants BHT [.02 gm/100gm oil], sodium selenite [1.5 mg / kg diet], beta-carotene [10 mg/200gm rat/day], anthocyanin [1.43mg/200gm rat/day], cinnamon essential oil [0.9 gm/100 gm oil] and clove essential oil [0.9 gm/100 gm oil] respectively. Rats fed oxidized oil [S2 and S3] had higher concentrations of cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. Although, the concentration of total thyroxine in plasma of rats fed oxidized diet [S2 and S3] was higher than rats fed the oxidized oil and supplemented with different concentrations of antioxidants. The damage caused by the oxidized oil was revealed by a significantly rise in lactic acid dehydrogenase activity [LDH] and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARs] in plasma of rats in groups S2 and S3. Compared to other groups [S4, S5, S6, S7, S8 and S9]. On the other hand, BHT as synthetic antioxidant at 200 ppm induced significant decrease in TBARs and increase in the LDH activity and function [liver and kidney]. Microscopical examinations of thyroid gland, heart, liver and kidney tissues of rats treated with natural antioxidants had the histological characters as that of the control rats whilst, the treatment of BHT at 200 ppm altered the features of rat liver, kidney, thyroid gland and severely damaged rat heart tissues

Contaminación intradomiciliaria en un sector de extrema pobreza de la comuna de La Pintana / Indoor air pollution in a zone of extreme poverty at La Pintana community, Santiago

Background: Indoor pollution can be an important risk factor for human health, considering that people spend more than 60 percent of their time in their houses. Aim: To investigate indoor pollution in a zone of extreme poverty in Metropolitan Santiago. Material and methods: During 24h, carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), respirable particulate matter (PM10), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons absorbed in PM5, temperature and humidity, were measured in the interior of 24 houses in La Pintana, Santiago. Results: The higher pollutant concentrations were observed during hours when heating was used, in houses that used coal (mean PM10 250 µg/m3, CO 42 ppm, SO2 192 ppb) or firewood (mean PM10 489 µg/m3, CO 57 ppm, SO2 295 ppb). In all houses, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected and they came from the interior of the house and not from external filtered air. Coal, firewood and cigarette smoke were important sources of carcinogenic and kerosene and gas were sources of non carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Conclusions: In the houses studied, the population was exposed to an accumulation of highly toxic pollutants, caused by a lack of ventilation. A high relative humidity also contributed to the growth of biological pollutants

Elección de la mejor alternativa de energía para calefacción intradomiciliaria: aplicabilidad de los métodos de decisión multicriterio en problemáticas ambientales / Selecting the most convenient energy alternative for heating system: applied judgement parameters for complex multicriteria environmental problems

Actualmente se sabe que la calidad del aire intradomiciliario puede ser un factor tanto o más importante que la contaminación exterior en términos de salud de la población, lo que se debe principalmente al uso de fuentes de energía altamente contaminantes. Problema que adquiere gran importancia en aquellas ciudades con clima frío y lluvioso en donde las personas permanecen preferentemente en lugares cerrados. Por lo tanto, la elección de una determinada alternativa energética para calefacción debe considerar variables cualitativas y cuantitativas tales como: el beneficio entregado, el costo y los potenciales riesgos en salud y medioambiente. Con el objetivo de integrar la mayoría de los criterios de decisión, definidos sobre la base de su importancia relativa, se aplicó a 10 usuarios (incluidos los autores) una moderna y flexible herramienta de análisis multicriterio usada en la toma de decisiones denominada Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Las alternativas energéticas analizadas fueron: gas, parafina, leña CL (combustión lenta), Leña N (combustión normal), electricidad (sistema oleolítico) y carbón. El análisi del conjunto de los criterios muestra que la electricidad es la mejor alternativa (49 por ciento) seguida del gas (30 por ciento), ambos sistemas fueron significativamente mejores que los otros. este estudio sugiere que el uso de herramientas modernas aplicadas como apoyo en la toma de decisiones en gestión ambiental, permiten evaluar objetivamente un importante problema de salud pública

Contaminación aérea intradomiciliaria en el área sur-oriente de Santiago / Indoor air pollution in south east Santiago

Background: Indoor air pollution could play an important role in the susceptibility to respiratory diseases of vulnerable individuals, such as elders and infants. Aim: To evaluate indoor air pollution in a low income population of South East Santiago. Subjects and methods: A domiciliary survey of contaminant sources was carried out in the houses of a cohort of 522 children less than one year old. Using a case-control design, 121 children consulting for respiratory diseases were considered as cases and 131 healthy infants of the same age and sex were considered as controls. In the houses of both groups, active monitors for particulate matter (PM10) and passive monitors for NO2 were installed. Results: Forty two percent of fathers and 30 percent of mothers were smokers, and in two thirds of the families there was at least one smoker. Eighty five percent used portable heaters in winter. Of these, 77 percent used kerosene as fuel. Only 27 percent had water heating appliances. The rest heated water on the kitchen stove or on bonfires. Most kitchen stoves used liquid gas as fuel. Twenty four hour PM10 was 109 ñ 3.2 µg/m3. Mean indoor and outdoor NO2 in 24 h was 108 ñ 76.3 and 84 ñ 53.6 µg/m3 respectively. Indoor NO2 levels were related to the use of heating devices and smoking. No differences in PM10 and NO2 levels were observed between cases and controls. Conclusions: There is a clear relationship between indoor pollution and contaminating sources. Indoor NO2 levels are higher than outdoors

effect of chronic occupational heat exposure in the baking industry in Assiut governorate

The aim was to study heat effects on bakers and determine the prevalence of respiratory, eye skin and musculoskeletal affections in the two groups of workers. The study revealed that there is a high prevalence of respiratory, eye, skin and muscle affections in the group of bakers examined compared to the control group of workers. The differences were statistically significant with regard to respiratory and skin affections [P <0.05]

Effect of intermittent heating in the laboratory on some of the physical and chemical properties of different types of refined oils

The heating performance of refined, bleached and deodorised sunflower oil, corn oil, cottonseed and sunflower oils were assessed. The quality changes in oils during intermittemt heating at 190 +/- 5°C for 10 hours per day for 5 consecutive days were determined. The change occurring in these oils as a result of thermal and oxidative decomposition during heating were evaluated. Refractive indices, viscosity free fatty acid content, p-anisidine and% polymers of both oils increased during heating, however, peroxide value, smoke point and iodine value decreases, color of oil changed gradually to dark brown from light yellow with increased heating time. Overall, the results indicated that both oils had reached the end of its useful life after 30 hours

A survey of the thermal environment, sound and illuminance in an iron and a steel foundry and related health effects.

The thermal environment and the workers' physiological response to heat were monitored throughout the casting process in two foundries. Of the 86 thermal observations in the iron foundry, 25 (29%) exceeded the heat stress index set by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advisory committee in 1974. In the steel foundry during a steel casting the environmental thermal measurements remained above the standard. The workers' physiological indices of heat strain as measured by pulse rate and body temperature rarely showed excursions above limits recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) in 1969. The environmental noise levels exceeded the standard in certain foundry operations. A significant hearing threshold shift was observed at 4 kHz among the foundry workers when compared with non-exposed controls. The illuminance in both foundries was below values recommended by the illuminating Engineering Society, in 1977. The prevalence of lens and corneal opacities among workers in the iron foundry was 32.5% and 30.0% respectively, which was significantly higher than that of the workers in the steel foundry and non-exposed controls.