Planetary health risks in urban agriculture / 《全球健康杂志（英文）》

Urban agriculture is gaining recognition for its potential contributions to environmental resilience and climate change adaptation,providing advantages such as urban greening,reduced heat island effects,and decreased air pollution.Moreover,it indirectly supports communities during weather events and natural disasters,ensur-ing food security and fostering community cohesion.However,concerns about planetary health risks persist in highly urbanized and climate-affected areas.Employing electronic databases such as Web of Science and PubMed and adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines,we identified 55 relevant papers to comprehend the planetary health risks associated with urban agriculture.The literature review identified five distinct health risks related to urban agriculture:(1)trace metal risks in urban farms;(2)health risks associated with wastewater irrigation;(3)zoonotic risks;(4)other health risks;and(5)social and eco-nomic risks.The study highlights that urban agriculture,while emphasizing environmental benefits,particularly raises concerns about trace metal bioaccumulation in soil and vegetables,posing health risks for populations.Other well studied risks included wastewater irrigation and backyard livestock farming.The main limitations in the available literature were in studying infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance associated with urban agriculture.

Assessment of particulate matter (PM) in ambient air of different settings and its associated health risk in Haripur city, Pakistan / Avaliação de material particulado (MP) no ar ambiente de diferentes configurações e sua associação com o risco à saúde na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão

Particulate matter (PM) is a major air pollutant causing serious health problems. The aim of the present study was to find out concentration of PM in ambient air and its associated health risk in Haripur city, Pakistan. Twenty-three samples were taken at various educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas and industries in Haripur city. Concentration of PM2.5 (µg/m3) and PM10 (µg/m3) was measured with Youngteng YT-HPC 3000A portable PM counter. The results revealed that values of both PM2.5 and PM10 were above the permissible limits (35 µg/m3 for PM2.5 and 150 µg/m3 for PM10) set by Environmental Protection Agency Pakistan (Pak-EPA) in all the educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas and industries investigated. Furthermore, significant (p<0.05) variation was found in the concentration of both PM2.5 and PM10 in all the educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas, and industries studied. The concentration of PM2.5 was positively correlated with the concentration of PM10 in all the sampling sites. Therefore, from 1-14 scale standard of health index, the values of PM2.5 and PM10 exhibited that the ambient air quality of Haripur city Pakistan is under high risk. If the regulatory authorities such as Environmental Protection Agency, Health Department and Local Government monitor PM pollution in different settings of Haripur city, then a decrease can be possible in the pollution level. The remedies that can be taken to overcome the problem of ambient air pollution such as PM are plantation of trees at the sites where there are higher levels of air pollutants and use of masks on personal protection basis along with implementation of pollution control system in industries of Hattar Industrial Estate Haripur city, Pakistan.

O material particulado (MP) é um importante poluente do ar que causa sérios problemas de saúde. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descobrir a concentração de MP no ar ambiente e sua associação com o risco à saúde na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão. Vinte e três amostras foram coletadas em várias instituições de ensino, hospitais, áreas recreativas e indústrias na cidade de Haripur. A concentração de MP2,5 (µg/m3) e MP10 (µg/m3) foi medida por meio do contador de MP portátil Youngteng YT-HPC 3000A. Os resultados revelaram que os valores de MP2,5 e MP10 estavam acima dos limites permitidos (35 µg/m3 para MP2,5 e 150 µg/m3 para MP10) estabelecidos pela Agência de Proteção Ambiental do Paquistão (Pak-EPA) em todas as instituições de ensino, hospitais, áreas recreativas e indústrias investigadas. Além disso, foi encontrada variação significativa (p < 0,05) na concentração de MP2,5 e MP10 em todos os locais estudados. A concentração de MP2,5 correlacionou-se positivamente com a concentração de MP10 em todos os locais de amostragem. Portanto, a partir da escala padrão 1-14 do índice de saúde, os valores de MP2,5 e MP10 mostraram que a qualidade do ar ambiente na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão, está sob alto risco. Se as autoridades reguladoras, como a Pak-EPA, o Departamento de Saúde e o governo local, monitorarem a poluição por MP em diferentes configurações da cidade de Haripur, pode ser que haja uma diminuição no nível de poluição. As medidas que podem ser tomadas para superar o problema da poluição do ar ambiente, como o MP, são o plantio de árvores nos locais onde há maiores níveis de poluentes atmosféricos, o uso de máscaras e a implantação de sistema de controle de poluição nas propriedades industriais de Hattar, na cidade Haripur, Paquistão.

Assessment of particulate matter (PM) in ambient air of different settings and its associated health risk in Haripur city, Pakistan

Abstract Particulate matter (PM) is a major air pollutant causing serious health problems. The aim of the present study was to find out concentration of PM in ambient air and its associated health risk in Haripur city, Pakistan. Twenty-three samples were taken at various educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas and industries in Haripur city. Concentration of PM2.5 (µg/m3) and PM10 (µg/m3) was measured with Youngteng YT-HPC 3000A portable PM counter. The results revealed that values of both PM2.5 and PM10 were above the permissible limits (35 µg/m3 for PM2.5 and 150 µg/m3 for PM10) set by Environmental Protection Agency Pakistan (Pak-EPA) in all the educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas and industries investigated. Furthermore, significant (p 0.05) variation was found in the concentration of both PM2.5 and PM10 in all the educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas, and industries studied. The concentration of PM2.5 was positively correlated with the concentration of PM10 in all the sampling sites. Therefore, from 1-14 scale standard of health index, the values of PM2.5 and PM10 exhibited that the ambient air quality of Haripur city Pakistan is under high risk. If the regulatory authorities such as Environmental Protection Agency, Health Department and Local Government monitor PM pollution in different settings of Haripur city, then a decrease can be possible in the pollution level. The remedies that can be taken to overcome the problem of ambient air pollution such as PM are plantation of trees at the sites where there are higher levels of air pollutants and use of masks on personal protection basis along with implementation of pollution control system in industries of Hattar Industrial Estate Haripur city, Pakistan.

Resumo O material particulado (MP) é um importante poluente do ar que causa sérios problemas de saúde. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descobrir a concentração de MP no ar ambiente e sua associação com o risco à saúde na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão. Vinte e três amostras foram coletadas em várias instituições de ensino, hospitais, áreas recreativas e indústrias na cidade de Haripur. A concentração de MP2,5 (µg/m3) e MP10 (µg/m3) foi medida por meio do contador de MP portátil Youngteng YT-HPC 3000A. Os resultados revelaram que os valores de MP2,5 e MP10 estavam acima dos limites permitidos (35 µg/m3 para MP2,5 e 150 µg/m3 para MP10) estabelecidos pela Agência de Proteção Ambiental do Paquistão (Pak-EPA) em todas as instituições de ensino, hospitais, áreas recreativas e indústrias investigadas. Além disso, foi encontrada variação significativa (p 0,05) na concentração de MP2,5 e MP10 em todos os locais estudados. A concentração de MP2,5 correlacionou-se positivamente com a concentração de MP10 em todos os locais de amostragem. Portanto, a partir da escala padrão 1-14 do índice de saúde, os valores de MP2,5 e MP10 mostraram que a qualidade do ar ambiente na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão, está sob alto risco. Se as autoridades reguladoras, como a Pak-EPA, o Departamento de Saúde e o governo local, monitorarem a poluição por MP em diferentes configurações da cidade de Haripur, pode ser que haja uma diminuição no nível de poluição. As medidas que podem ser tomadas para superar o problema da poluição do ar ambiente, como o MP, são o plantio de árvores nos locais onde há maiores níveis de poluentes atmosféricos, o uso de máscaras e a implantação de sistema de controle de poluição nas propriedades industriais de Hattar, na cidade Haripur, Paquistão.

Efecto bioconservante del propóleo y su aplicación en la conservación de matrices cárnicas / Bioconservative Effect of Propolis and its Application in the Conservation of Meat Matrices

Resumen: Antecedentes: los conservantes de origen sintético, como nitratos y nitritos, empleados en la industria alimentaria para la conservación de matrices cárnicas, han reportado efectos desfavorables a largo plazo en la salud de los consumidores recurrentes. Objetivo: conocer las características fisicoquímicas y antimicrobianas del propóleo como potencial bioconservante en matrices cárnicas de alto consumo. Materiales y métodos: se desarrolló una revisión bibliográfica de literatura acorde a la pregunta problema planteada por el grupo de investigación, y se llevó a cabo una búsqueda en las bases de datos Scopus, NCBI, SciELO, ScienceDirect y Google Scholar de artículos de revisión, artículos científicos, libros y trabajos de grado. Resultados: el propóleo es un compuesto natural con una variedad amplia de elementos útiles para la conservación de matrices cárnicas, por sus propiedades antimicrobianas y antioxidantes. Conclusiones: el propóleo presenta propiedades antimicrobianas y antioxidantes útiles en el campo de la industria alimentaria, por lo que se considera una de las alternativas más viables para la conservación de productos cárnicos y la disminución del uso de conservantes sintéticos en producción cárnica. No obstante, es fundamental el desarrollo de más investigaciones que permitan evaluar el comportamiento de los compuestos activos del propóleo en las diversas matrices cárnicas

Abstract: Background: Preservatives of synthetic origin, such as nitrates and nitrites, used in the food industry for the preservation of meat matrices, have reported long-term unfavorable effects on the health of recurrent consumers. Objective: To know the physicochemical and antimicrobial characteristics of propolis as a potential biopreservative in high consumption meat matrices. Materials and Methods: A bibliographic review of literature was developed according to the problem question posed by the research group, carrying out a search in the Scopus, NCBI, SciELO, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases of review articles, scientific articles, books and works degree. Results: Propolis is a natural compound with a wide variety of useful elements for the conservation of meat matrices, due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Conclusions: Propolis has useful antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in the field of the food industry, being considered one of the most viable alternatives for the preservation of meat products and the reduction of the use of synthetic preservatives in meat production. However, it is essential to develop more research to evaluate the behavior of the active compounds of propolis in the various meat matrices

Assessment of health impacts of noise pollution in the Tarkwa Mining Community of Ghana using noise mapping techniques / 《全球健康杂志（英文）》

Background:Noise pollution is increasing across the world due to the increase in human activities in the urban areas.The main causes of noise pollution are man-made and environmental noise.However,long exposure to noise pollution could lead to dire health consequences like cardiovascular diseases,hearing impairment,sleep disturbances,and adverse social behavior etc.,which is rarely documented in the study area.Objective:Communities in the developing countries such as Ghana have little knowledge of effects of noise pollution on human health,which is demonstrated by their attitude towards this menace.This study assessed the health impacts of noise pollution and its spatial distribution in the Tarkwa Mining Community(TMC)of Ghana.Methods:To achieve the study objective,questionnaires were administered;as well as collation of health data from major health centers in the study area.Noise levels were measured and noise map produced using geographic information system(GIS)techniques.Overlay maps of some diseases were done using overlay techniques in GIS.The noise exposure and corresponding noise doses for churches,working sites and social centers were also calculated using the respective formulae.Results:The noise levels were found to be high above the prescribed Ghana Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)standards,with traffic noise levels ranging from 65.00 dBA to 98 dBA,while that of churches ranged from 73.10 dBA to 107.00 dBA and that of working sites from 74.4 dBA to 115.2 dBA.The calculated noise exposure and corresponding noise dose for churches ranged from 75.1 dBA to 104.6 dBA(i.e.,10％-8 000％),while that for workers'sites were from 75.8 dBA to 115 dBA(i.e.,12％-90 000％).Statistical regression and correlation analyses were done for diseases such as hypertension,ear problems and sleep disturbances.Conclusion:The study has therefore revealed that the noise levels in the study area are very high and correspond-ing health impacts are prominent.Stakeholders and authorities should devise mitigating measures to combat this rising menace.The results revealed a strong positive correlation between noise and corresponding health impacts.Despite the positive correlation there are other causes and effects to the mentioned diseases.

Intersectional Discrimination Index: Initial stages of cross-cultural adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese / Etapas iniciais da adaptação transcultural do Intersectional Discrimination Index para o português do Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To perform the cross-cultural adaptation of Intersectional Discrimination Index (InDI) into Brazilian Portuguese. InDI assesses the health impacts of intersectional experiences with anticipated (InDI-A), day-to-day (InDI-D), and major (InDI-M) discrimination. Methods: The following steps were taken: (1) independent translations; (2) synthesis of translations; (3) evaluation by an expert committee; (4) analysis by members of the target population; (5) back translation; and (6) pre-test. Based on the evaluation by the expert committee, the content validity coefficient (CVC) was calculated for each item and for the entire instrument. CVC helped identify which items needed adjustments according to the criteria of language clarity, theoretical relevance, and practical relevance. Results: Of the 31 items, 24 were considered adequate and seven required further language adjustments. CVC values were satisfactory for clarity (CVCt=0.86), practical relevance (CVCt=0.87), and theoretical pertinence (CVCt=0.87); a good level of understanding was reported by the target population (mean=4.44; standard deviation=1.36). The average response time was 15.5 minutes, and no additional difficulties in interpreting the items were reported. The back-translated InDI was approved by the original authors of the instrument. Conclusion: The initial stages of the cross-cultural adaptation process showed that the use of InDI looks promising in Brazil. Further studies still need to examine the psychometric properties of the instrument to confirm the positive results of our work, as well as its usefulness for assessing the health impacts of intersectional experiences with discrimination.

RESUMO Objetivo: O presente estudo realizou a adaptação transcultural do Intersectional Discrimination Index (InDI) para o português do Brasil. Trata-se de um instrumento composto de 31 itens, que visa mensurar os impactos para a saúde de experiências interseccionais com discriminação antecipada (InDI-A), cotidiana (InDI-D) e maior (InDI-M). Métodos: Foram percorridas as seguintes etapas: (1) traduções independentes; (2) síntese das traduções; (3) avaliação por comitê de especialistas; (4) análise por membros da população-alvo; (5) tradução reversa; e (6) pré-teste. Calculou-se igualmente o coeficiente de validade de conteúdo (CVC) de cada um dos itens e de todo o instrumento. O CVC foi empregado por permitir identificar quais itens necessitavam de ajustes de acordo com os critérios de clareza de linguagem, relevância teórica e pertinência prática. Resultados: Dos 31 itens do instrumento, 24 foram considerados adequados e sete necessitaram de ajustes de linguagem. Os valores dos CVC foram satisfatórios para os critérios de clareza de linguagem (CVCt=0,86), pertinência prática (CVCt=0,87) e relevância teórica (CVCt=0,87), e o público-alvo considerou satisfatória a compreensão do instrumento (média=4,44; desvio padrão=1,36). O tempo médio de resposta foi de 15,5 minutos e não foram registradas dúvidas adicionais. A tradução reversa foi aprovada pelos autores originais do instrumento. Conclusão: As etapas iniciais do processo de adaptação transcultural mostraram que o InDI parece promissor para uso no Brasil. Estudos futuros ainda precisam examinar as propriedades psicométricas do instrumento para confirmar os resultados positivos do presente trabalho, bem como sua utilidade para a avaliação dos impactos para a saúde de experiências interseccionais com discriminação.

Desafío del cambio climático y la contaminación del aire / Challenge of climate change and air pollution

Se describen impactos sobre la salud poblacional debido a la contaminación atmosférica y a la temperatura producto del cambio climático. Se ilustra la situación en Chile respecto de algunos indicadores como son los días de altas temperaturas u olas de calor, y la superficie de terreno afectado por incendios forestales. También se sistematizan los principales resultados de estudios ecológicos multicéntricos en los que se ha incorporado información nacional. Estos tuvieron como finalidad estimar el impacto de la temperatura y la contaminación atmosférica por material particulado, monóxido de carbono y dióxido de nitrógeno mediante un enfoque multicéntrico que abarcó varios continentes, países y localidades.

Impacts on population health due to air pollution and temperature caused by climate change are described. The situation in Chile is illustrated with respect to some indicators such as days of high temperatures or heat waves, and the area of land affected by forest fires. The main results of multicenter ecological studies in which national information has been incorporated are also systematized. These were aimed at estimating the impact of temperature and air pollution by particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide through a multicenter approach that spanned several continents, countries, and localities.

O trabalho no trânsito e a saúde dos motoristas de ônibus: estudo fenomenológico / Traffic work and health in bus drivers: phenomenological study

Resumo Objetivo: compreender as percepções dos motoristas de ônibus quanto às vivências no trabalho e aos impactos em seu corpo. Métodos: estudo descritivo pautado no pensamento do fenomenólogo Maurice Merleau-Ponty, realizado em uma garagem de ônibus, de julho 2017 a janeiro de 2018. Foram entrevistados 24 motoristas de ônibus, com mais de dois anos de profissão. As perguntas abertas do roteiro de entrevista fenomenológica possibilitaram a livre expressão dos significados do trabalho sobre a saúde. Resultados: as relações interpessoais no trânsito impactam diretamente o estado físico e psicológico, e a relação com o tempo influencia o comportamento dos condutores. Conclusão: melhorias no trabalho e nas relações interpessoais são necessárias a fim de garantir a preservação da saúde do motorista de ônibus, que é parte essencial no processo de deslocamento da população, e atenção à saúde mental dos motoristas é pouco valorizada, mas indispensável para o trabalho com pessoas.

Resumen Objetivo: entender las percepciones de los conductores de autobuses en cuanto a las experiencias en el trabajo y los impactos en sus cuerpos. Métodos: estudio descriptivo basado en el pensamiento de fenomenólogo Maurice Merleau-Ponty, realizado en un garaje de autobuses de julio de 2017 a enero de 2018. Se entrevistaron 24 conductores de autobuses, con más de dos años en la ocupación. Las preguntas abiertas del guion de la entrevista fenomenológica permitieron la libre expresión del significado del trabajo sobre la salud. Resultados: las relaciones interpersonales en el tránsito afectan directamente el estado físico y psicológico, y la relación con el tiempo influye en el comportamiento de los conductores. Conclusión: mejoras en el trabajo y en las relaciones interpersonales son necesarias para garantizar la preservación de la salud del conductor de autobús, que es una parte esencial en el proceso de desplazamiento de la población, y la atención a la salud mental de los conductores es poco valorada, pero indispensable para el trabajo con personas.

Abstract Objective: To understand the perceptions of bus drivers as to the experiences at work and the impacts on their bodies. Methods: Descriptive study based on the phenomenological approach by scholar Maurice Merleau-Ponty, held at a bus garage in the period from July 2017 to January 2018. Twenty-four bus drivers with more than two years of occupation were interviewed. Open-ended questions in the interview script allowed free expression of the phenomenological meanings of work on health. Results: Interpersonal relations directly affect bus drivers' physical and psychological state. Besides, the relationship with time in traffic influences their behavior. Conclusion: Improvements in work and interpersonal relations are necessary in order to ensure the preservation of bus drivers' health, as an essential part for the displacement of the population. Attention to drivers' mental health is little valued, although it becomes essential for a people-related type of work, such as this.

Health impacts of environmental contamination of micro- and nanoplastics: a review

Plastics are extensively used in our daily life. However, a significant amount of plastic waste is discharged to the environment directly or via improper reuse or recycling. Degradation of plastic waste generates micro- or nano-sized plastic particles that are defined as micro- or nanoplastics (MNPs). Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles with a diameter less than 5 mm, while nanoplastics (NPs) range in diameter from 1 to 100 or 1000 nm. In the current review, we first briefly summarized the environmental contamination of MNPs and then discussed their health impacts based on existing MNP research. Our review indicates that MNPs can be detected in both marine and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide and be ingested and accumulated by animals along the food chain. Evidence has suggested the harmful health impacts of MNPs on marine and freshwater animals. Recent studies found MPs in human stool samples, suggesting that humans are exposed to MPs through food and/or drinking water. However, the effect of MNPs on human health is scarcely researched. In addition to the MNPs themselves, these tiny plastic particles can release plastic additives and/or adsorb other environmental chemicals, many of which have been shown to exhibit endocrine disrupting and other toxic effects. In summary, we conclude that more studies are necessary to provide a comprehensive understanding of MNP pollution hazards and also provide a basis for the subsequent pollution management and control.

Impact of gas flaring in Ubeji metropolis of Delta State Nigeria: a comparative survey of environment health effects

Background:The impact of gas flaring in Ubeji metropolis, relative to other communities of Delta is of interest. This study assessed the environmental impact of gas flaring in Ubeji metropolis of Delta State. The objective of this study is to study the comparative assessment of the environmental impacts of gas flaring on five communities of unequal distance from gas flaring site. Methods:Questionnaire survey was used to evaluate three research questions that included the level of knowledge in the survey communities regarding health impact of gas flaring; prevalence level of assessed health conditions in Ubeji metropolis relative to communities farther from or nearer to Warri gas flaring site; and perceived impact of gas flaring on air quality indicated by health and environmental toxicity indices.Results:Descriptive evaluation of data shows Ubeji appears to have the highest proportion of persons suffering respiratory problems, but the figure for family members is less than some other communities. The respondents nearer flaring site show more awareness compared to those farther away. Critical evaluation showed no directional change in prevalence of disease linked to gas flaring. There is linear relationship between „distance to gas flare site‟ and „toxic impact on air quality‟.Conclusions:This report submits further data to the discourse that, on the basis of nearness to gas flaring site, there is significant difference between communities experience of environmental and health impact.

Preliminary investigation on the influencing factors and health impacts of hookworm infection in South Mountain area of Zhejiang Province / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective To understand the demographic characteristics and clinical features of hookworm infectors in high infection area in South Mountain area of Zhejiang Province,and to find the risk factors of infection,so as to provide the evidence for formulating prevention and control measures.Methods In 2018,according to the soil-borne nematode monitoring results of the previous year in Zhejiang Province,three villages with relatively more hookworm infections were selected from Qingtian County in South Mountain area of Zhejiang Province,and more than 10 cases of hookworm infection were selected from each survey site.A face to face questionnaire survey was conducted by all investigators using a questionnaire designed by the Center for Infectious Disease Control and Prevention,Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention,and information on the general condition,past diagnosis history,clinical symptoms and risk factors of infection of infected persons were collected.The stool samples were collected and tested for infection by modified Kato-Katz method to evaluate the drug deworming effect in the previous year.Results A total of 33 cases of hookworm infection were investigated,including 18 males and 15 females;the age ranged from 33-85 years old,mainly concentrated in 60-79 years old,a total of 23 cases (69.7％).Ten cases (30.3％) had been diagnosed with hookworm disease;19 cases (57.6％) had similar symptoms of hooky dermatitis;and 12 cases (36.4％) had gastrointestinal symptoms in the past three years.There were 31 cases (93.9％) worked in the field for more than one month each year,18 cases (54.5％) used fresh manure directly at home,6 cases (18.2％) were used to working barefoot in the field,and 30 cases (90.9％) used to wearing slippers in the field.A total of 32 eligible stool samples were examined,and 4 case (12.5％) were still positive for hookworm eggs.Conclusions Among the infectors,fertilizing with fresh stool,working barefoot or wearing slippers in the field may serve as the risk factors.There is a certain failure proportion to eliminate the infection status when adopting only one round anthelminthic treatment.For prevention and control hookworm infections,comprehensive intervention measures including infection source management,harmless treatment of stools,individual behavior intervention and environment improvement are suggested.

Earthquakes and their environmental, medical and public health impacts / Los terremotos y sus impactos ambientales, médicos y de salud pública

Abstract Earthquakes are probably the scariest among the natural disasters that teach us about the forces of nature and their unpredictability. Knowing that there is nothing we can do to prevent the occurrence of an earthquake, we are forced to learn from our own experience. This paper systematizes the environmental, medical and public health impacts of earthquakes. Each is presented in a structured way, highlighting its most important aspects. The relationship between them and the affected environment and population; as well as the connection between these are emphasized during earthquakes. The environment at the place of occurrence of an earthquake is important for the survival of victims and also defines the particular medical and public health needs arising from its specificity. Every country needs good disaster management with specific protocols for the expected type of disaster. These protocols must incorporate environmental, medical and public health aspects and their implementation must be very efficient; they must include educating the inhabit- ants; training teams involved in rescue, (eventual) migration/ evacuation, medical treatments and public health actions, and training and educating leaders.

Resumen Los sismos son, probablemente, los desastres naturales que más nos asustan entre todos los que nos enseñan sobre las fuerzas de la naturaleza y su impredecibilidad. Puesto que sabemos que no podemos hacer nada para evitar que ocurra un sismo, nos vemos obligados a aprender de nuestra propia experiencia. Este trabajo sistematiza los impactos de los sismos sobre el medio ambiente, la atención médica y la salud pública. Presentamos cada uno de ellos en una forma estructurada, destacando sus aspectos más importantes. Su relación con el entorno afectado y la población afectada y la conexión entre éstos se enfatizan durante los sismos. El entorno en el sitio donde ocurre un sismo es importante para la supervivencia de las víctimas y asimismo define las necesidades particulares en materia de salud pública y atención médica que surgen de su especificidad. Cada país requiere de un buen manejo de los desastres, con protocolos específicos para el tipo de desastre esperado. Dichos protocolos deben incorporar aspectos ambientales, médicos y de salud pública, y su implementación debe ser sumamente eficiente; deben incluir la educación de los habitantes, la capacitación de los equipos que participen en las labores de rescate, migración o evacuación (eventual), tratamientos médicos y acciones de salud pública, y la capacitación y educación de líderes.

Cambio climático y salud humana: una revisión desde la perspectiva colombiana / Climate change and human health: a review from the Colombian perspective

Resumen Este trabajo tiene como objetivo recoger la evidencia científica sobre los efectos del cambio climático sobre la salud humana con énfasis en Colombia. Se llevó a cabo una revisión en bases de datos y repositorios de revistas por medio de un algoritmo de términos MeSH. Fueron incluidos artículos originales, revisiones sistemáticas o metaanálisis que estuvieran disponibles en texto completo o disponible en las bases de datos y repositorios consultados. Se usaron restrictores de idioma, tiempo e idioma. Fueron elegidos 268 títulos en las bases de datos, repositorios de revistas y trabajos de literatura gris: 29 % correspondió a trabajos sobre seguridad alimentaria, 25 % a publicaciones sobre enfermedades transmisibles, 35 % a efectos sobre la calidad del aire y enfermedades respiratorias y 11 % a publicaciones que abordaban varios temas. Solo fueron encontradas 17 publicaciones sobre trabajos colombianos. La evidencia científica revisada permite afirmar que el cambio climático tiene una afectación transversal a la población mundial a distintos niveles y escenarios. El cambio climático afecta la salud humana de forma directa e indirecta. Por otro lado, es importante resaltar que las publicaciones que dan cuenta de los efectos del cambio climático en Colombia se centran en las enfermedades transmitidas por vectores.

Abstract This paper aims to collect the scientific evidence on the effects of climate change on human health with emphasis in Colombia. A review was performed on databases and journal repositories using a MeSH algorithm. Included were original articles, systematic reviews or meta-analyses, which were available in full text or available in databases and repositories consulted. Language, time and language constraints were used. 268 titles were selected from the databases, journal repository and websites. 29 % corresponded to work on food safety, 25 % to publications on communicable diseases, 35 % effects on air quality and respiratory diseases and 11 % about multiple issues. Only 17 papers came from Colombian researches. The revised scientific evidence to suggest that climate change has a cross to the world population affected at different levels and stages. Climate change affects human health directly and indirectly. Furthermore, it is important to highlight the discrete number of publications found to document the effects of climate change in Colombia.

Um olhar sistêmico sobre famílias de jovens vítimas de homicídio / A systemic look at families of young murder victims

presente dissertação tem como objetivo investigar os impactos do homicídio de um jovem na família, através das narrativas de familiares que vivenciaram esta perda violenta. A partir dos pressupostos da metodologia de história de vida, em particular da história de vida temática, a entrevista semiestruturada foi utilizada como instrumento de pesquisa, tendo como foco principal a trajetória de vida e morte do jovem e a vivência da família diante da perda. A abordagem sistêmica do pensamento científico se apresenta como o pilar de sustentação teórica desta pesquisa, principalmente, as enunciações de Maria José Esteves de Vasconcellos. Integra ainda às ações da pesquisa uma revisão não sistemática da literatura sobre o tema em questão. A partir da análise das entrevistas foram identificados os seguintes temas: a vivência da perda, o impacto do homicídio na saúde dos familiares, o impacto do homicídio na dinâmica familiar, justiça versus impunidade, redes sociais de apoio e enfrentamento da perda. A discussão desses temas centrais permitiu as seguintes considerações: a morte de um jovem por homicídio é sempre um evento trágico e doloroso para a família, independente da trajetória de vida do jovem; desperta sentimentos de raiva, angústia e, principalmente, de inconformismo diante de uma morte considerada prematura, violenta e fora do lugar; as ressonâncias da perda atingem a dinâmica familiar, impactando os seus membros no âmbito físico, emocional, financeiro e social; a justiça, enquanto mecanismo regulador da convivência coletiva, falha em sua função...

This work aims to investigate the impact of murder of young people on family through family’s narratives that experienced this violent loss. From the assumptions of the life history approach, in particular the thematic life history, the semi- structured interview was used as a research tool, focusing mainly on young’s life and death trajectory and the loss experience of the family. The systemic approach of scientific thinking is presented as the base of theoretical support of this research mainly assertions of Maria José Esteves de Vasconcellos. The research actions also includes a non-systematic review of the literature on the subject. The interviews’ analysis identified the following themes: the experience of loss, the impact of the murder on family’s heath, the impact of the murder on family’s dynamics, justice versus impunity, social support networks and coping with loss. The discussion of these central themes led to the following considerations: the death of a young person for murder is always a tragic and painful event for the family, regardless of the young’s life trajectory. Arouses feelings of anger, anxiety, and especially nonconformity toward a death considered premature, violent and out of place; the resonances of loss affect family dynamics, impacting its members in the physical, emotional, financial and social ambit; justice, as a regulatory mechanism of collective life, fails in its function...

Mineral nitrogen in soil leachate after pig slurry application / Nitrogênio mineral em percolado de solos após aplicações de dejetos líquidos de suínos

Pig slurry is used as a fertilizer in agricultural soil. The intensification of swine breeding, along with high concentration of animals in small properties, generates great volumes of manure. Pig slurry has high nitrate content, which may contaminate surface and subsurface waters. This study aims to evaluate the environmental impact of pig slurry application in Ultisol and Alfisol samples. For this purpose, pig slurry doses obtained from distinct production systems (farrowing and finishing units) were applied in the following amounts: 0 m3.ha-1 (Control Treatment), 75 m3.ha-1 (T2), 150 m3.ha-1 (T3) and 300 m3.ha-1 (T4). Results showed presence of N-NO3 - + N-NO2 - in Alfisol and Ultisol leachates, and the pig slurry originated from farrowing units showed lower concentration of N-NO3 - + N-NO2 - for both soil leachates. The higher concentration of N-NO3 -+ N-NO2 - in the leachate for both soils was at 19 days after the pig slurry application. Before using pig slurry as a fertilizer it is mandatory to establish criteria for the elaboration of management and provision strategies, in order to reduce environmental and health impacts.

Os dejetos líquidos de suínos (DLS) são utilizados como fertilizante em solos agrícolas. A intensificação de criações de suínos com alta concentração de animais em pequenas propriedades tem gerado grande volume de dejetos. Os DLS podem conter altos teores de nitrato, podendo contaminar águas superficiais e subsuperficiais. Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar o impacto ambiental resultante da aplicação de DLS em amostras de um Argissolo Vermelho Distrófico e de um Nitossolo Vermelho Distrófico. Para tal, aplicaram-se doses equivalentes a 0 (Testemunha), 25 (T2), 50 (T3) e 100 (T4) m3.ha-1 de dejetos líquidos de suínos provenientes de dois sistemas de criação denominados de "creche" e "terminação". Foi detectada a presença de N-NO3 - + N-NO2 - no percolado do Nitossolo e do Argissolo; o dejeto líquido proveniente do sistema de criação "creche" resultou em menores concentrações de N-NO3 - + N-NO2 - no percolado de ambos os solos. A maior concentração de N-NO3 - + N-NO2 - no percolado ocorreu aos 19 dias após a aplicação dos DLS. Para a utilização dos DLS como fertilizante há necessidade que se estabeleçam critérios adequados para definir estratégias de seu manejo e disposição para reduzir seu impacto no ambiente e à saúde.

Resíduos sólidos urbanos: impactos socioambientais e perspectiva de manejo sustentável com inclusão social / Solid urban waste: socio-environmental impacts and prospects for sustainable management with social inclusion

Com a Rio+20 retoma-se a discussão de estratégias para conciliar desenvolvimento com proteção dos ecossistemas. Um tema apenas tangenciado nessas discussões é o gerenciamento dos resíduos sólidos urbanos. Diante da institucionalização da Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos, busca-se contribuir para esse debate, bem como apontar caminhos para o enfrentamento dessa questão, privilegiando a inclusão social. Para isso, foram utilizados documentos e informações sobre a gestão de resíduos sólidos, e a literatura científica especializada. Observa-se que o inadequado gerenciamento dos resíduos sólidos gera impactos imediatos no ambiente e na saúde, assim como contribui para mudanças climáticas. Considerando as limitações das opções de destinação final para os resíduos, é imprescindível minimizar as quantidades produzidas por meio da redução, reutilização e reciclagem. Nesse contexto, destaca-se o papel dos catadores, que vêm realizando um trabalho de grande importância ambiental. Dadas as fragilidades desse segmento populacional, é preciso delinear políticas públicas que tornem a atividade de catação mais digna e com menos riscos e que, ao mesmo tempo, garantam renda, para assim caminhar rumo a um desenvolvimento mais saudável, justo e sustentável.

Strategies to reconcile development with the protection of ecosystems will yet again be discussed at the forthcoming Rio +20 Summit. The management of solid urban waste is an issue which has barely been touched upon in such discussions. Given the institutionalization of the National Solid Waste Policy, this paper seeks to contribute to this debate and to single out alternatives to tackle this issue with an emphasis on social inclusion. For this purpose, specialized scientific literature was consulted as well as information on solid waste management. It is clearly seen that inadequate management of solid waste has immediate impacts on the environment and health, and contributes to climate change. Considering the limitations of the current options for waste disposal, it is essential to minimize the quantities produced by reducing, reusing and recycling. In this context, the role of independent waste gatherers who have been conducting work of great environmental importance is highlighted. Given the vulnerabilities of this population, it is necessary to devise public policies to ensure that waste gathering is a more respected and less risky activity that guarantees an income, so as to move towards more healthy, equitable and sustainable development.

Policy Directions Addressing the Public Health Impact of Climate Change in South Korea: The Climate-change Health Adaptation and Mitigation Program

Climate change, caused by global warming, is increasingly recognized as a major threat to mankind's survival. Climate change concurrently has both direct and modifying influences on environmental, social, and public health systems undermining human health as a whole. Environmental health policy-makers need to make use of political and technological alternatives to address these ramifying effects. The objective of this paper is to review public health policy in Korea, as well as internationally, particularly as it relates to climate change health adaptation and mitigation programs (such as C-CHAMP of Korea), in order to assess and elicit directions for a robust environmental health policy that is adaptive to the health impacts of climate change. In Korea, comprehensive measures to prevent or mitigate overall health effects are limited, and the diffusion of responsibility among various government departments makes consistency in policy execution very difficult. This paper proposes integration, synergy, and utilization as the three core principles of policy direction for the assessment and adaptation to the health impacts of climate change. For specific action plans, we suggest policy making based on scientifically integrated health impact assessments and the prioritization of environmental factors in climate change; the development of practical and technological tools that support policy decisions by making their political implementation more efficient; and customized policy development that deals with the vulnerability of local communities.

Climate change, tropospheric ozone and particulate matter, and health impacts / Mudanças climáticas, ozônio troposférico e partículas suspensas: impactos na saúde

We review how climate change could affect future concentrations of tropospheric ozone and particulate matter (PM), and what changing concentrations could mean for population health, as well as studies projecting the impacts of climate change on air quality and the impacts of these changes on morbidity/mortality. Climate change could affect local to regional air quality through changes in chemical reaction rates, boundary layer heights that affect vertical mixing of pollutants, and changes in synoptic airflow patterns that govern pollutant transport. Sources of uncertainty are the degree of future climate change, future emissions of air pollutants and their precursors, and how population vulnerability may change in the future. Given the uncertainties, projections suggest that climate change will increase concentrations of tropospheric ozone, at least in high-income countries when precursor emissions are held constant, increasing morbidity/mortality. There are few projections for low- and middle-income countries. The evidence is less robust for PM, because few studies have been conducted. More research is needed to better understand the possible impacts of climate change on air pollution-related health impacts.

Examinamos como as mudanças climáticas podem afetar o futuro das concentrações de ozônio troposférico e de partículas suspensas (PS), e o que uma mudança nas concentrações significaria para a saúde da população. Analisaram-se estudos que projetam os impactos das mudanças climáticas na qualidade do ar e morbidade/mortalidade. A mudança climática pode afetar a qualidade do ar local e regional com mudanças nas taxas de reações químicas, altura das camadas limite que afetam a mistura vertical de poluentes e mudanças nos padrões sinóticos de circulação atmosférica que gerenciam o transporte de poluentes. Dentre as fontes de incerteza, a mudança climática futura, emissões de poluentes do ar e seus precursores e como a vulnerabilidade da população poderá ser modificada no futuro. Devido às incertezas, as projeções sugerem que as mudanças climáticas aumentarão as concentrações de ozônio troposférico pelo menos nos países de alta renda, onde as emissões precursoras de ozônio são constantes, resultando em maior morbidade/mortalidade. Para os países de baixa e média renda, há poucas projeções. A evidência é menor para PS, pois há poucos estudos. É preciso mais pesquisa para compreender os possíveis impactos da mudança climática nos impactos à saúde relacionados à poluição do ar.

Development of Elderly Quality of Life Index - EqoLI: item reduction and distribution into dimensions

OBJECTIVE: To describe item reduction and its distribution into dimensions in the construction process of a quality of life evaluation instrument for the elderly. METHODS: The sampling method was chosen by convenience through quotas, with selection of elderly subjects from four programs to achieve heterogeneity in the "health status", "functional capacity", "gender", and "age" variables. The Clinical Impact Method was used, consisting of the spontaneous and elicited selection by the respondents of relevant items to the construct Quality of Life in Old Age from a previously elaborated item pool. The respondents rated each item’s importance using a 5-point Likert scale. The product of the proportion of elderly selecting the item as relevant (frequency) and the mean importance score they attributed to it (importance) represented the overall impact of that item in their quality of life (impact). The items were ordered according to their impact scores and the top 46 scoring items were grouped in dimensions by three experts. A review of the negative items was performed. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety three people (122 women and 71 men) were interviewed. Experts distributed the 46 items into eight dimensions. Closely related items were grouped and dimensions not reaching the minimum expected number of items received additional items resulting in eight dimensions and 43 items. DISCUSSION: The sample was heterogeneous and similar to what was expected. The dimensions and items demonstrated the multidimensionality of the construct. The Clinical Impact Method was appropriate to construct the instrument, which was named Elderly Quality of Life Index - EQoLI. An accuracy process will be examined in the future.

A Preliminary Epidemiologic Study on Korean Veterans Exposed to Herbicides in Vietnam War / 예방의학회지

Among chemical agents in herbicides, dioxin(2,3,7,8-tetrachloro dibenzo-rho-dioxin: a chemical contaminant in herbicides sprayed during the vietnam war has been known to be the major agent causing toxic effects. Approximately 320,000 korean soldiers participated the vietnam war from 1964 to 1974. Although the potential hazards of the herbicides among Korean veterans exposed were implicated, the problem had not been a public issue until 1991 when Korean veterans were informed U. S. companies, the herbicides manufacturer payed fund, from which a trust fund for New Zealand and Australian Class members were established in 1985. After a series of appeals and demonstration by the korean veterans demanding medical care and compensation for their serious health damages, a bill of medical care and compensation for herbicides victims was promulgated in March 1993 and become effective from May 1993. This study was carried out with two major objectives: the first to understand the health problems caused from the herbicides by reviewing literatures published, and the second to examine the nature and extent of health impacts among Korean veterans exposed and to develop valid study methods for the major study by interviewing and reviewing records on a part of veterans (638 persons) registered and completed medical examination in Seoul Veterans Administration Hospital from June to october 1993. The results obtained are as follows: 1. The literature review of 107 papers revealed that: l) Dioxin is teratogenic, carcinogenic and affects almost all organs including nertous, endocrine, and reproductive systems in animal experiments. 2) The diseases showing evidence of causal association were Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's disease, lung cancer, lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma, chloroacne and polyneuropathy when judged on the basis of consistency in study results and biological plausibility. 2. Interview and medical record review study on 638 veterans, though limited validity owing to lack of control group, crude estimates of dioxin exposure levels (no biomarkers measurable), and uncertainty of diagnosis, showed that: 1) Most of the study subject's were in their 40's of age and had been dispatched to vietnam during the period from 1965-1970 around one year. 2) Most frequently complained symptoms in medical examination were motor weakness(32%), sensory abnormalities in extremities(23%), skin diseases(22%), and pain in extremities(20%) whereas in interview they were more frequent in order of skin problem(44%), motor weakness (38%), sensory abnormalities and pain in extremities(l7% and 19% each). Kappa indices on the same category of complaints between two sources of information were variable and relatively low. 3) On medical examination, only a part of the 638 subjects had initial impression (442 pts) and final diagnosis (218 pts) suggesting decision making on diagnosis appeared to be difficult even with all available modern medical technologies; in initial impression disorders from peripheral and central neuropathy were predominant whereas in final diagnosis various types of skin disorder were most frequent. 4) when dose-response relationship between several conditions (from questionnaire) and arbitrary exposure scores were examined by CMH linear trend test, spontaneous abortion, sexual problems and health problem of offsprings showed statistically significant linear trends. However, pregnancy, accident and suicidal attempts did not show any relationship in this study capacity. 5) Among complaints, psychosis and neurosis(anxiety, phobia) in interview study, and memory disorder and psychosis in medical record study revealed linear trend. 6) Skin disorder was the only condition showing linear trend in initial impression and none in final diagnosis on medical examination. Even though objective to select out dioxin-related disease or group of diseases from this study was not achieved the research experiences provided firm basis for developing various methodological approaches. 3. From this preliminary study we concluded that a larger scale major epidemiologic study on health impacts of herbicides among Korean veterans exposed is not only indispensible but also well designed study with more valid exposure information and diagnosis may be able to establish causal relationship between certain groups of diseases and exposure to the herbicides among Korean veterans.