Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Electronic Waste (e-waste) Management Among Users of Electronic Equipments Living in Lucknow City

Background: Contemporary society has led to the increasing use of electronic equipment that is very much responsible for the burden of electronic waste (e-waste). E-waste contains very hazardous substance that harms health and environmental conditions. There is no delicate mechanism for the management of e-waste in Lucknow city, Uttar Pradesh. This study assessed knowledge, practice, and awareness of e-waste management among residents of this city. Material and methods: The study was conducted amongst users of electronic equipment living in the Lucknow City of Uttar Pradesh. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Multi-stage random sampling was done for the selection of participants for the study. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire was administered in a single setting for all phases. The total optimum sample size is 700 individuals who participated in the study. Data were entered in MS Excel 2016 and descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were calculated, applying the chi-square test for association using R-4.2.1 Statistical software. Aim and objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding the management of electronic waste among users of electronic equipment residing in Lucknow city. Results: Only 37% of users are aware that e-waste adversely affects health. Only 34.3% of users knew that e-waste should be given to the seller or manufacturer for recycling while rest told that it should be stored at home, sold to a scrap dealer, or disposed with normal waste. 87.3% users are not aware about e-waste govt guidelines. In the current study electronic and print media like television, radio and news paper were not found to be source of information for e-waste disposal. Conclusion: Education regarding the ill effects of e-waste is essential for people and awareness of proper disposal of e-waste is the need of the hour. Electronic and print media as well as companies producing electronic equipment should play a significant role to awaken the respondent about the disposal of e-waste

Research progress of occupational hazards in plywood manufacturing / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Occupational disease hazards in plywood manufacturing mainly include wood dust, formaldehyde, phenol, ammonia, noise, terpene, microorganisms, etc. The exposure is complex with multiple factors accompanied or coexisted. In the production process, these factors are exceeded, and mass occupational disease hazard events occurred among workers. Exposure to wood dust, formaldehyde, terpene, etc., put workers at increased risk of cancer. This article provides a review of this issue in order to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of occupational disease hazards in plywood manufacturing.

Satisfacción con la introducción del nuevo procedimiento de evaluación de riesgo biológico en laboratorios clínicos

Introducción: La evaluación de la satisfacción respecto al cambio introducido en el procedimiento de evaluación de riesgo biológico, aporta elementos para valorar su efectividad. Objetivo: Evaluar mediante la Técnica de Iadov el nivel de satisfacción como usuario del procedimiento de evaluación del riesgo biológico en laboratorios clínicos con enfoque en defensa en profundidad. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal desde julio a diciembre del año 2021. El universo estuvo constituido por los 82 laboratorios clínicos de atención primaria de salud de La Habana y se trabajó con una muestra no probabilística de tres laboratorios con un total de 37 trabajadores; a partir de los criterios de inclusión: ser trabajador del laboratorio y aceptar participar en la investigación, como criterios de exclusión: personal de otros centros en prestación de servicio y alumnos en formación. Se utilizó el método de investigación empíricos (encuesta) y como método estadístico se utilizó el análisis porcentual. El procesamiento de la información se realizó mediante la Técnica de Iadov. Resultados: La encuesta de satisfacción reveló que el 78,6 % de la muestra expresó una máxima satisfacción, el 24,3 % más satisfecho que insatisfecho. Las preguntas abiertas (dos y cuatro de la encuesta) identificaron como aspecto que más gustaron, el propósito e interés de mejorar la etapa evaluación y gestión de riesgo, las etapas sucesivas del procedimiento permiten obtener una información detallada del estado de la bioseguridad y entre los aspectos que no gustaron se describe el análisis matemático. El índice de satisfacción grupal obtenido fue de 0,87. Conclusiones: El índice de satisfacción grupal de trabajadores de los laboratorios clínicos donde se aplicó el procedimiento de evaluación de riesgo biológico fue alto, lo que refleja la aceptación de la propuesta y reconocimiento de su pertinencia en el proceso de evaluación del riesgo biológico.

Introduction: The evaluation of satisfaction regarding the change introduced in the biological risk assessment procedure provides elements to assess its effectiveness. Objective: To evaluate through the Ladov technique the level of satisfaction as a user of the biological risk assessment procedure in clinical laboratories with a focus on defense in depth. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the period from July to December 2021. The universe consisted of the 82 clinical laboratories of primary health care in Havana and a non-probabilistic sample of 3 laboratories with a total of 37 workers; based on the inclusion criteria: being a laboratory worker and agreeing to participate in the research, as exclusion criteria: personnel from other centers providing services and students in training. The empirical research method (survey) was used and the percentage analysis was used as a statistical method. The processing of the information was carried out using the V.A. Iadov. Results: The satisfaction survey revealed that 78.6% of the sample expressed maximum satisfaction, 24.3% more satisfied than dissatisfied. The open questions (2 and 4 of the survey) identified as the aspect that they liked the most, the purpose and interest of improving the risk assessment and management stage, the successive stages of the procedure that allow obtaining detailed information on the state of biosafety y and among the aspects that they did not like, the mathematical analysis is described. The group satisfaction index obtained was 0.87. Conclusions: The group satisfaction index of clinical laboratory workers where the biological risk assessment procedure was applied was high, reflecting acceptance of the proposal and recognition of its relevance in the biological risk assessment process.

Saúde Socioambiental na Atenção Básica: conhecimento, formação e prática / Socio-environmental Health in primary care: knowledge, training and practice

RESUMO A exposição humana às substâncias e aos compostos químicos nocivos é uma realidade global que torna cada vez mais necessária a promoção da saúde às pessoas e comunidades expostas em seus territórios. Considerando que a Saúde Socioambiental observa o movimento dos agentes nocivos na interface ambiente-saúde-sociedade, buscou-se analisar o conhecimento, a formação e a prática das equipes da Atenção Básica com relação à Saúde Socioambiental, com foco na redução do adoecimento devido à exposição e à intoxicação por esses agentes. Utilizou-se a escala do tipo Likert sem ponto central validada por um grupo de 11 especialistas e 3 profissionais da Atenção Básica. Garantiu-se a existência de mínima dispersão com a administração do estudo e o cálculo do coeficiente de correção linear de Pearson; e boa confiabilidade por meio do teste de coeficiente de confiabilidade de Spearman-Brown, em que foi usado o Split-Half Method. A pesquisa revelou haver situação de conforto na dimensão conhecimento, perigo na dimensão formação, e atenção na dimensão prática. A formação é a única dimensão que, no resultado geral, demanda mudanças imediatas. Ainda que as dimensões conhecimento e prática profissional se apresentem, respectivamente, em situação de manutenção e aprimoramento, essas não se originam de instituições formais de ensino.

ABSTRACT Human exposure to harmful chemical substances and compounds is a global reality that makes health promotion increasingly necessary for the people and communities exposed in their area. Considering that socio-environmental health observes the movement of pollutants at the environment-health-society interface, an attempt was made to analyze the knowledge, training, and practice of primary care teams in relation to socio-environmental health, focusing on the reduction of diseases due to exposure and poisoning by these substances. A Likert-type scale without a central point was used, validated by a group of 11 specialists and 3 primary care professionals. Minimal dispersion was ensured by the application of the survey and the calculation of Pearson's linear correction coefficient and reliability was assessed by the Spearman-Brown's reliability coefficient, using the split-half method. The survey showed that the knowledge dimension was generally classified as in a safe situation, the training dimension as in a danger situation, and the practical dimension as in an alert situation. Training was the only dimension that required immediate change in the overall results. Although the knowledge and professional practice dimensions were in a situation of maintenance and improvement, respectively, they are not acquired in formal educational institutions.

Availability and storage of hazardous products in households in the metropolitan region of manaus: a population-based survey, 2015 / Disponibilidade e armazenamento de produtos perigosos em domicílios da região metropolitana de manaus: estudo de base populacional, 2015

ABSTRACT Objective: The availability of hazardous products in households increases the risks of poisoning. The present study aimed to assess the frequency and associated factors of the availability and storage of hazardous products in residences in the metropolitan region of Manaus. Methods: Population-based and cross-sectional study conducted in 2015 with adults selected with three-stage probabilistic sampling. Participants were interviewed face-to-face. Prevalence ratio (PR) of the presence of hazardous products (presence of chumbinho [illegal anti-cholinesterase rodenticide], artisanal cleaning products, and unsafe storage of these products and medications) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated with Poisson regression with robust variance, weighted by the complex sampling method adopted. Results: A total of 4,001 participants was included, of which 53.0% (95%CI 51.5-54.6) reported presence of hazardous products in their households, 36.3% (95%CI 34.8-37.8) had unsafe storage, 16.2% (95%CI 15.1-17.4) had artisanal cleaning products, and 8.2% (95%CI 7.4-9.1) had chumbinho. Households with children ≤5 years old had safer storage (PR=0.78; 95%CI 0.71-0.86) and more artisanal products (PR=1.30; 95%CI 1.11-1.51). Presence of artisanal products was higher in lower educational levels (PR=2.20; 95%CI 1.36-3.57) and lower economic classifications (PR=1.63; 95%CI 1.25-2.13). Conclusions: Over half of the households in the metropolitan region of Manaus kept hazardous products; one-third stored them unsafely. Artisanal cleaning products and chumbinho were frequently present. Households with children had safer storage of products, and socioeconomic factors affected the availability of such hazardous products.

RESUMO Objetivo: A disponibilidade de produtos perigosos em domicílios aumenta os riscos de intoxicações. Este estudo objetivou avaliar a frequência e os fatores associados à disponibilidade e armazenamento de produtos perigosos em residências da Região Metropolitana de Manaus. Métodos: Estudo transversal de base populacional realizado em 2015 com adultos selecionados por amostragem probabilística em três estágios. Os participantes foram entrevistados pessoalmente. A razão de prevalência (RP) da presença de produtos perigosos (presença de chumbinho [rodenticida anticolinesterase ilegal], produtos de limpeza artesanais e armazenamento inseguro desses produtos e de medicamentos) e intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%) foram calculados por regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, ponderada pela amostragem complexa adotada. Resultados: 4.001 participantes foram incluídos, dos quais 53,0% (IC95% 51,5-54,6) reportaram a presença de produtos perigosos em seus domicílios, 36,3% (IC95% 34,8-37,8) apresentaram armazenamento inseguro, 16,2% (IC95% 15,1-17,4) possuíam produtos de limpeza artesanais e 8,2% (IC95% 7,4-9,1) possuíam chumbinho. Os domicílios com crianças menores de 5 anos apresentaram armazenamento mais seguro (RP=0,78; IC95% 0,71-0,86) e mais produtos artesanais (RP=1,30; IC95% 1,11-1,51). Presença de produtos artesanais foi maior em menores níveis de escolaridade (RP=2,20; IC95% 1,36-3,57) e menores classificações econômicas (RP=1,63; IC95% 1,25-2,13). Conclusões: Mais da metade dos domicílios da Região Metropolitana de Manaus possuía produtos perigosos; um terço os armazenava sem segurança. Produtos de limpeza artesanais e chumbinho estavam frequentemente presentes. Os domicílios com crianças apresentaram armazenamento mais seguro de produtos e fatores socioeconômicos afetaram a disponibilidade de tais produtos perigosos.

Knowledge and use of personal protective equipment by nursing professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic / Conocimiento y uso de equipo de protección individual por profesionales de enfermería durante la Pandemia de COVID-19 / Conhecimento e uso de equipamentos de proteção individual por profissionais de enfermagem durante pandemia da Covid-19

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the knowledge and use of personal protective equipment by nursing professionals of Primary Health Care during the Covid-19 pandemic. Method: This is an exploratory study of a non-probabilistic sample developed in Basic Health Units in the city of Picos, Piauí, Brazil. Data were collected between June and August 2020, by phone call, following a semi-structured script, with responses recording and transcription. For material analysis, the software IRaMuTeQ was used for statistical textual analyses: Descending Hierarchical Classification, similarity analysis, and word cloud. Results: From the corpus of 6,873 words and 832 lexical units, three categories were created: (1) motivations and barriers for use (20.9%); (2) handling of personal protective equipment (classes 5 and 4) with 25% and 21.6%, respectively, and (3) measures to protect users and health professionals (classes 3 and 5) with 17.6% and 14.9%. Conclusion: The nursing professionals interviewed demonstrated that they did not have sufficient knowledge for the proper use of the equipment, which could compromise their integrity and that of the patient as a subject who receives unsafe care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Explotar el conocimiento y el uso de equipos de protección individual por profesionales de enfermería de la Atención Básica durante la pandemia de Covid-19. Método: Estudio exploratorio de muestreo no probabilístico desarrollado en Unidades Básicas de Salud del municipio de Picos, Piauí, Brasil. Los datos fueron recolectados entre junio y agosto de 2020, por llamadas telefónicas, siguió texto semiestructurado, con grabación y transcripción de las respuestas. Para el análisis del material, se utilizó el software IRaMuTeQ para los análisis textuales estadísticos: Clasificación Descendente Jerárquica, análisis de similitud y nube de palabras. Resultados: Del corpus de 6.873 palabras y 832 unidades lexicales fueron constituidas tres clases: (1) motivaciones y barreras para el uso (20,9%); (2) manipulación de los equipos de protección individual (clases 5 y 4) con 25% y 21,6%, respectivamente, y (3) medidas para protección de usuarios y profesionales de salud (clases 3 y 5) con 17,6% y 14,9%. Conclusión: Los profesionales de enfermería entrevistados demostraron no poseer conocimiento suficiente para el uso adecuado de los equipos, lo que puede comprometer su integridad y la del paciente como sujeto que recibe el cuidado no seguro.

RESUMO Objetivo: Explorar o conhecimento e o uso de equipamentos de proteção individual por profissionais de enfermagem da Atenção Básica durante pandemia da Covid-19. Método: Estudo exploratório de amostra não probabilística desenvolvido em Unidades Básicas de Saúde do município de Picos, Piauí, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados entre junho e agosto de 2020, por ligação telefônica, seguindo roteiro semiestruturado, com gravação e transcrição das respostas. Para análise do material, utilizou-se o software IRaMuTeQ para as análises textuais estatísticas: Classificação Hierárquica Descendente, análise de similitude e nuvem de palavras. Resultados: Do corpus de 6.873 palavras e 832 unidades lexicais foram constituídas três categorias: (1) motivações e barreiras para o uso (20,9%); (2) manipulação dos equipamentos de proteção individual (classes 5 e 4) com 25% e 21,6%, respectivamente, e (3) medidas para proteção de usuários e profissionais de saúde (classes 3 e 5) com 17,6% e 14,9%. Conclusão: Os profissionais de enfermagem entrevistados demonstraram não possuir conhecimento suficiente para o uso adequado dos equipamentos, o que pode comprometer sua integridade e a do paciente como sujeito que recebe o cuidado não seguro.

Research progress on health effects of aniline / 中华预防医学杂志

Aniline is one of the important chemical raw materials in daily life and the chemical industry. Aniline exposure might occur through intact skin, respiratory tract and digestive tract. It could pose negative impacts on many organs and systems of the human body, including toxicity or carcinogenicity to blood, liver, and spleen. This paper summarized the direct effects of aniline on human health and the indirect hazards of aniline on human health through environmental pollution and discussed the future research directions of aniline-induced health hazards.

Research progress on health effects of aniline / 中华预防医学杂志

Aniline is one of the important chemical raw materials in daily life and the chemical industry. Aniline exposure might occur through intact skin, respiratory tract and digestive tract. It could pose negative impacts on many organs and systems of the human body, including toxicity or carcinogenicity to blood, liver, and spleen. This paper summarized the direct effects of aniline on human health and the indirect hazards of aniline on human health through environmental pollution and discussed the future research directions of aniline-induced health hazards.

The development of computational toxicology and application in risk assessment of chemicals / 中华预防医学杂志

The number of new chemicals increases tremendously annually, while traditional time-and cost-consuming toxicity tests based on animals with the uncertainty of extrapolation could not meet the demand of hazard identification and risk assessment. Thus,the evolution of methodology for toxicity tests is desired to fill up the huge data gap. With the rapid development of life science and technology,the insights into the nature of life and pathology of diseases have changed and systematic toxicology has emerged. Equipping with the advantages of multi-disciplinary study,systematic toxicology expands the research fields of toxicology and accelerates the speed of illustrating molecular mechanism of environmental xenobiotics, biomarkers screening and validation, and the development of new methods for risk assessment. Toxicogenomics and computational toxicology analysis are the major technology of systematic toxicology. Computational toxicology integrates data from toxicogenomics to construct multi-levels and multi-dimensional models for quantitative exposure risk assessment. This research summarized the research progress of computational toxicology from the aspects of research strategies, common databases, analytical tools, research methods and application, so as to provide references for the risk assessment of chemical substances.

Environmental chemicals exposure and abnormal expression of non-coding RNAs / 中华预防医学杂志

Environmental chemicals exposure is closely related to occurrence and development of diseases. The abnormal expression of non-coding RNAs is a key factor in biological effects of environmental chemicals. Non-coding RNAs play an important role in the normal function of cells and the occurrence and development of diseases. In addition, non-coding RNAs, as a biomarker, could be widely used in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases. This paper outlines the relationship between environmental chemical exposure and non-coding RNAs and the function and mechanism of non-coding RNAs. It also presents existing issues and future research directions.

Impact of informal e-waste recycling on human health / 中华预防医学杂志

Increasing e-waste has become a major problem for global environment and public health. In the process of dismantling and recycling of disordered electronic waste, heavy metals such as lead and brominated flame retardants and organic substances are released into environmental media such as air, soil, dust and water, which is harmful to the health of local residents. Taking an e-waste dismantling area in Guangdong Province as an example, this paper reviews exposure levels of heavy metals and organic matters in e-waste recycling areas in China, as well as the health effects of local residents. Previous studies have found that e-waste recycling activities led to serious environmental pollution and high exposure levels of heavy metals and organic matters in local residents, which has a certain impact on the physiological functions of various human systems. The establishment of a centralized dismantling zone can effectively reduce the load level of various pollutants.

Vulnerabilidade ambiental, social e viária em acidentes com transporte de produtos perigosos: estudo de caso na BR-101 entre Osório e Torres, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Environmental, social, and roadway vulnerability in accidents involving transportation of hazardous products: a case study of the BR-101 highway between Osório and Torres in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil / Vulnerabilidad ambiental, social y vial en accidentes con transporte de productos peligrosos: estudio de caso en la BR-101 entre Osório y Torres, Río Grande do Sul, Brasil

Resumo: O presente estudo objetiva avaliar a vulnerabilidade ambiental e social e identificar trechos críticos, na ocorrência de acidentes com o transporte de produtos perigosos na BR-101, entre os municípios de Osório e Torres, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. A abordagem proposta e aplicada neste trabalho consiste de uma análise multicriterial que integra metodologias de análise de segurança viária, análise de vulnerabilidade ambiental e social na ocorrência de acidentes com produtos perigosos, e técnicas de análise de mapas. Os resultados apontaram que 38 quilômetros da rodovia apresentam vulnerabilidade elevada, sendo 8 quilômetros com vulnerabilidade crítica, vinculada à presença de pontes sobre rios, pontos de captação de água, túnel, áreas de preservação ambiental e zona urbana. Esses trechos devem ser priorizados no desenvolvimento de planos de ação para a mitigação de acidentes e definição de políticas públicas na rodovia em estudo. A abordagem utilizada constitui um enfoque inédito em relação aos estudos existentes e uma ferramenta que pode auxiliar no processo de tomada de decisões em operações de emergência.

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the environmental and social vulnerability and identify critical highway stretches for accidents involving transportation of hazardous products on the BR-101 highway between the cities of Osório and Torres in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The study's approach consisted of a multiple-criteria analysis combining highway safety analysis and environmental and social vulnerability analysis in the occurrence of accidents with hazardous products, plus cartographic analysis techniques. Thirty-eight kilometers of the highway showed high vulnerability, of which 8 kilometers with critical vulnerability, associated with bridges over rivers, water uptake points, a tunnel, environmental preservation areas, and an urban area. These stretches should be prioritized when developing action plans for accident mitigation and development of public policies for this highway. This proved to be an unprecedented approach when compared to existing studies and a potentially useful tool for decision-making in emergency operations.

Resumen: El presente estudio tiene por objetivo evaluar la vulnerabilidad ambiental social e identificar puntos críticos en la ocurrencia de accidentes, con el transporte de productos peligrosos, en la BR-101 entre los municipios de Osório y Torres, Río Grande do Sul, Brasil. El enfoque propuesta que se aplica en este estudio consiste en un análisis multicriterio que integra metodologías de análisis de seguridad viaria, análisis de vulnerabilidad ambiental y social en la ocurrencia de accidentes con productos peligrosos y técnicas de análisis de mapas. Los resultados señalaron que 38 kilómetros de la autopista presentan vulnerabilidad elevada, existiendo 8 kilómetros con vulnerabilidad crítica, vinculados a la presencia de puentes sobre ríos, puntos de captación de agua, túnel, áreas de preservación ambiental y zona urbana. Esos puntos deben ser priorizados en el desarrollo de planes de acción para la mitigación de accidentes y definición de políticas públicas en la autopista en estudio. El enfoque utilizado constituye un enfoque inédito, en relación con los estudios existentes, y una herramienta que puede auxiliar en el proceso de toma de decisiones en operaciones de emergencia.

Korean research project on the integrated exposure assessment of hazardous substances for food safety

OBJECTIVES: This survey was designed to conduct the first nationwide dietary exposure assessment on hazardous substances including the intakes of functional food and herbal medicine. In this paper, we introduced the survey design and the results of the dietary exposure status and internal exposure levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg). METHODS: We selected 4867 subjects of all ages throughout Korea. We conducted a food survey, dietary survey, biomonitoring, and health survey. RESULTS: Pb and Cd were the highest (median value) in the seaweed (94.2 mug/kg for Pb; 594 mug/kg for Cd), and Hg was the highest in the fish (46.4 mug/kg). The dietary exposure level (median value) of Pb was 0.14 mug/kg body weight (bw)/d, 0.18 mug/kg bw/d for Cd, and 0.07 mug/kg bw/d for Hg. Those with a blood Pb level of less than 5.00 mug/dL (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reference value for those 1 to 5 years of age) were 99.0% of all the subjects. Those with a blood Cd level with less than 0.30 mug/L (German Federal Environmental Agency, reference value for non-smoking children) were 24.5%. For those with a blood Hg level with less than 5.00 mug/L (human biomonitoring I, references value for children and adults, German Federal Environmental Agency) was 81.0 % of all the subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The main dietary exposure of heavy metals occurs through food consumed in a large quantity and high frequency. The blood Hg level and dietary exposure level of Hg were both higher than those in the European Union.

Korean research project on the integrated exposure assessment of hazardous substances for food safety

OBJECTIVES: This survey was designed to conduct the first nationwide dietary exposure assessment on hazardous substances including the intakes of functional food and herbal medicine. In this paper, we introduced the survey design and the results of the dietary exposure status and internal exposure levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg). METHODS: We selected 4867 subjects of all ages throughout Korea. We conducted a food survey, dietary survey, biomonitoring, and health survey. RESULTS: Pb and Cd were the highest (median value) in the seaweed (94.2 mug/kg for Pb; 594 mug/kg for Cd), and Hg was the highest in the fish (46.4 mug/kg). The dietary exposure level (median value) of Pb was 0.14 mug/kg body weight (bw)/d, 0.18 mug/kg bw/d for Cd, and 0.07 mug/kg bw/d for Hg. Those with a blood Pb level of less than 5.00 mug/dL (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reference value for those 1 to 5 years of age) were 99.0% of all the subjects. Those with a blood Cd level with less than 0.30 mug/L (German Federal Environmental Agency, reference value for non-smoking children) were 24.5%. For those with a blood Hg level with less than 5.00 mug/L (human biomonitoring I, references value for children and adults, German Federal Environmental Agency) was 81.0 % of all the subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The main dietary exposure of heavy metals occurs through food consumed in a large quantity and high frequency. The blood Hg level and dietary exposure level of Hg were both higher than those in the European Union.

Propuestas para mejorar el manejo de sustancias peligrosas en los Laboratorios del Departamento de Biología de la Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnología de la Universidad de Carabobo / Proposals for improving the handling of hazardous substances in laboratories at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Carabobo University

El presente trabajo de investigación tiene como finalidad proponer el manejo adecuado de sustancias peligrosas en los laboratorios del Departamento de Biología de la Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología de la Universidad de Carabobo, de acuerdo a la norma ambiental vigente. El tipo de investigación que se implementó fue documental y de campo. El tiempo de recolección de datos fue de cuatro meses y las herramientas utilizadas para la recolección de los mismos fueron la entrevista, la aplicación de encuesta y el muestreo; se trabajó con una muestra de 54 estudiantes y un técnico y un profesor para cada laboratorio. Se caracterizaron los efluentes una vez tomadas las muestras y también luego de la aplicación de los tratamientos fisicoquímicos (oxidación química para remover la DBO y la DQO) según el parámetro en estudio. Luego de la recolección de datos y el análisis de los resultados se determinó que los laboratorios no están tomando en cuenta un plan de manejo de las sustancias peligrosas que se deben manipular de acuerdo a lo establecido por la normativa legal vigente (Decreto 2635) y que algunos de los efluentes no cumple con los límites máximos permisibles para las descarga a redes cloacales según el Decreto 883. Finalmente se propone mejorar el plan de manejo de sustancias peligrosas mediante el acondicionamiento del depósito de desechos, la elaboración de hojas de seguridad y etiquetas para todos los reactivos, la señalización adecuada dentro de las instalaciones, la incineración de los desechos almacenados en el deposito destinado para ello y el reúso del formol y etanol.

The aim of this study was to propose ways to ensure the correct handling of hazardous substances in laboratories at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Carabobo University. Both documentary and field data were collected. The survey was completed in four months and consisted of interviews, questionnaires and sampling. A total of 54 students, and one technician and one professor for each laboratory were surveyed. Samples were taken of all effluents and these were characterized before and after physiochemical treatments were implemented (chemical oxidation to remove BDO and CDO) when applicable. The laboratories surveyed did not follow pre-set procedures for the handling of hazardous substances, which should be manipulated according to the provisions of the current legislation (Decree No. 2635). In addition, the concentrations of some of the effluents were higher than the maximum permitted limits for discharge into the sewage system according to Decree No 883. The handling of hazardous substances could be greatly improved by: refurbishing the waste reservoir, drawing up safety data sheets, labelling chemical substances, the use of adequate signage within the facilities, incinerating waste materials stored in the designated warehouse and the reuse of formaldehyde and ethanol.

Different Characteristics of Toxic Substance/poison Exposure Data that Collected from Pre-hospital Telephone Response and Emergency Department

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find differences in the demographics of toxic exposed patients and substance between call based poison information data and hospital based poison information data. METHODS: Seoul 1339 call-response data were used as call based poison data and toxic related injury surveillance data of the Korean center for disease control and prevention (KCDC) were used as hospital based poison data. Age, sex, the kind of exposed substance, reasons for exposure, and exposure routes were compared between two data sets. We analyzed the presence or not of documentation on the name and amount of exposed substance, symptoms after exposure in call based poison data. RESULTS: Seoul1339 poison data included a total of 2260 information related to toxic exposure and KCDC poison data included 5650 poison cases. There was no difference in sexual distribution. Pediatric exposure and accidental exposure were more common in call based poison data. The most common exposed substances were household products in call based poison data and medicines in hospital based poison data, respectively. Documents regarding amount and time of toxic exposure and symptoms after toxic exposure were not recorded exactly in call based poison data. CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in age, reasons for toxic exposure, and the kinds of exposed substances. Poison information data from both pre-hospital and hospital must be considered.

Different Characteristics of Toxic Substance/poison Exposure Data that Collected from Pre-hospital Telephone Response and Emergency Department

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find differences in the demographics of toxic exposed patients and substance between call based poison information data and hospital based poison information data. METHODS: Seoul 1339 call-response data were used as call based poison data and toxic related injury surveillance data of the Korean center for disease control and prevention (KCDC) were used as hospital based poison data. Age, sex, the kind of exposed substance, reasons for exposure, and exposure routes were compared between two data sets. We analyzed the presence or not of documentation on the name and amount of exposed substance, symptoms after exposure in call based poison data. RESULTS: Seoul1339 poison data included a total of 2260 information related to toxic exposure and KCDC poison data included 5650 poison cases. There was no difference in sexual distribution. Pediatric exposure and accidental exposure were more common in call based poison data. The most common exposed substances were household products in call based poison data and medicines in hospital based poison data, respectively. Documents regarding amount and time of toxic exposure and symptoms after toxic exposure were not recorded exactly in call based poison data. CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in age, reasons for toxic exposure, and the kinds of exposed substances. Poison information data from both pre-hospital and hospital must be considered.

Heavy Metal Risk Management: Case Analysis

To prepare measures for practical policy utilization and the control of heavy metals, hazard control related institutions by country, present states of control by country, and present states of control by heavy metals were examined. Hazard control cases by heavy metals in various countries were compared and analyzed. In certain countries (e.g., the U.S., the U.K., and Japan), hazardous substances found in foods (e.g., arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury) are controlled. In addition, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) recommends calculating the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of individual heavy metals instead of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) to compare their pollution levels considering their toxicity accumulated in the human body. In Korea, exposure assessments have been conducted, and in other countries, hazardous substances are controlled by various governing bodies. As such, in Korea and other countries, diverse food heavy metal monitoring and human body exposure assessments are conducted, and reducing measures are prepared accordingly. To reduce the danger of hazardous substances, many countries provide leaflets and guidelines, develop hazardous heavy metal intake recommendations, and take necessary actions. Hazard control case analyses can assist in securing consumer safety by establishing systematic and reliable hazard control methods.

Pediatria ambiental: um tema emergente / Environmental pediatrics: an emerging issue

OBJETIVO: Revisar os artigos mais relevantes sobre a pediatria ambiental, seus efeitos potenciais para a saúde e, especialmente, seus avanços na prevenção. FONTES DOS DADOS: Foi realizada uma pesquisa utilizando as bases de dados MEDLINE/PubMed e SciELO. Foram revisados artigos de 1990 a 2010, além de capítulos de livros relacionados à pediatria ambiental. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: Há uma variedade significativa de fatores que tornam as crianças altamente vulneráveis à exposição a riscos ambientais, associados principalmente ao consumo comparativamente maior de água, comida e ar por parte da criança, em relação ao seu peso corporal. De acordo com a Organização Mundial de Saúde, mais de 3 milhões de crianças menores de 5 anos morrem devido a doenças relacionadas ao meio ambiente. Aproximadamente 30-40 por cento das doenças pediátricas estão relacionadas a fatores ambientais. As crianças estão constantemente expostas a vários riscos ambientais para a saúde, dentre os quais se destacam: água contaminada, falta de condições adequadas de saneamento, poluição do ar, vetores de doenças, perigos químicos, injúrias e acidentes. CONCLUSÕES: Atualmente, os pediatras são desafiados a tratar das necessidades de saúde ligadas à pediatria ambiental. A história pediátrica deve ser mais abrangente, acrescentando-se questões pontuais que ajudem a identificar potenciais riscos ambientais. A conscientização e o entendimento sobre os efeitos nocivos das várias condições ambientais e o conhecimento sobre as medidas de prevenção relacionadas resultarão em intervenções oportunas e adequadas que melhorarão a saúde e o desenvolvimento das nossas crianças.

OBJECTIVE: To review the most relevant articles regarding environmental pediatrics, its potential effects on health, and especially its advances in prevention. SOURCES: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE/PubMed and SciELO databases. Articles from 1990 to 2010 were reviewed, in addition to book chapters related to environmental pediatrics. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: There is a significant variety of factors that make children highly vulnerable to environmental hazard exposure, which are mainly associated with children’s comparatively greater consumption of water, food, and air in relation to body weight. According to the World Health Organization, every year more than 3 million children under the age of 5 die because of environment-related conditions. Approximately 30 to 40 percent of pediatric diseases are related to environmental factors. Children are constantly exposed to various environmental health hazards, among which the following stand out: contaminated water, lack of adequate sanitation facilities, air pollution, disease vectors, chemical hazards, injuries, and accidents. CONCLUSIONS: Nowadays, pediatricians are challenged to address environmental pediatrics health care needs. The pediatric health history needs to be more comprehensive by adding pointed questions to help identify potential environmental risks. Awareness and understanding of the noxious effects of various environmental conditions and knowledge of the related prevention measures will result in timely and adequate interventions that will improve our children’s health and development.

Empleo de los ensayos con plantas en el control de contaminantes tóxicos ambientales

El creciente desarrollo industrial y urbano ha traído consigo la aparición de una cantidad apreciable de sustancias químicas tóxicas, lo cual afecta tanto la salud humana como la de los ecosistemas en países desarrollados y en vías de desarrollo. Recientemente se han instrumentado bioensayos rápidos con el empleo de plantas como organismos de prueba, los que funcionan como buenas herramientas de pesquisa inicial. Se señalan las ventajas que tienen las plantas para ser incorporadas en baterías de ensayo para medir alarma de peligro ambiental. Se destaca la importancia del empleo de bioensayos con plantas en la detección y control de los contaminantes tóxicos ambientales. Se hace referencia a dos de los bioensayos con plantas que pueden resultar disponibles y de utilidad en la evaluación toxicológica de muestras ambientales.

The increasing industrial and urban development has brought about the appearance of a considerable number of toxic chemicals, which affect not only human health, but that of the ecosystems in developed and developing countries, too. Rapid bioassays have been implemented with the use of plants as testing organisms that work as good tools in the initial screening. The advantages of the plants to be incorporated in batteries of assays in the detection and control of the environmental toxic pollutants are stressed. Reference is made to two of the bioassays with plants that may be useful and available in the toxicological evaluation of environmental samples.