Review of health hazards and control strategies of sugar-sweetened beverages / 环境与职业医学

The global production and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been on the rise in recent decades. The intake of SSBs has been increasing in China, and it is more prevalent among children and adolescents. As research continues to intensify, more and more studies have shown that, in addition to the increased risks of dental caries and obesity reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), SSBs intake can also increase risks of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gout, and cancer, and early death, adding to the burden of disease. Due to the health risks associated with the overconsumption of SSBs, many countries around the world have taken measures to control the intake. The main measures currently in place are taxation of SSBs, restrictions on marketing and sales of SSBs, front-of-package labeling and reducing availability of SSBs in schools. In China, the main measures currently in place are to control the sales of beverages in schools, with Shenzhen taking the lead in implementing health warning labeling to alcoholic beverages and carbonated beverages, extending the measures to reduce SSBs intake beyond school grounds.

Raising awareness of health risks of added sugar and limiting its excessive intake / 环境与职业医学

Recently, limiting the excessive intake of added sugar has gradually become an important topic in the field of nutrition. Sugar, sweetened dairy products, and sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) are the three most important contributions of added sugar in China. For children, adolescents, and young adults, the issue of excessive intake of SSBs is not optimistic for now. Although the daily per capita intake of SSBs in China is currently at a low level on a global scale, the overall trend of SSBs production and consumption are rapidly increasing. Excessive intake of added sugar adversely affects glycolipid metabolism and multiple metabolic diseases, which is widely concerned and discussed. For the purpose of limiting added sugar, the gradually popularized use of sugar substitutes poses entirely new challenges. Multiple sugar-restriction strategies have been implemented and validated abroad. Given the rapid growth of consumption of added sugar and increasing evidence of related health hazards in China, there is a great need to improve the awareness of eating less added sugar for Chinese residents by multilevel strategies, and finally reduce the consumption of SSBs. In this article, the definition, history, and development of added sugar, main dietary sources, recommended limits, and both domestic and international consumption trends of added sugar were narrated. Then, the main health risks of added sugar and the global sugar-restriction strategies were briefly described. The article calls for raising awareness among Chinese residents of the health hazards of added sugar and limiting its excessive intake.

Effects of Calcium Carbide Used as a Fruit-Ripening Agent on Fruit Toxicity

Aims: To provide a comprehensive summary of what has been published about the effects of calcium carbide (CaC2) as a fruit-ripening agent and to determine the necessity or not to develop awareness among government agencies, policymakers, farmers, vendors, and scientists in order to best address different aspects of artificial fruit ripening issues and to provide more profitable solutions for global health preservation. Methodology: Scientific information about the effects of CaC2 published elsewhere was reviewed. Online databases of scientific journals which include Wiley Online Library, Science Direct, PubMed, CAS, CABI, AJOL and Google Scholar were used to select valuable studies. Results: Most studies have reported the hazardous potential of CaC2 as a ripening agent. Among other potential effects that were discovered through laboratory investigations are the adulteration of nutritional values of ripened fruits and direct or indirect toxicity in studied living systems such as genotoxicity and cytotoxicity to dividing cells, increase of the cellular oxidative stress, disturbance of the redox balance of the cell, estrogenic disruptions, increase of the white blood cells and Lymphocytes, alteration of hematopoiesis, alteration of sperm cells, a decrease of the fertility rate, weakness of the immune system, etc.). Conclusion: Overall, this review provides comprehensive information on what is known about the effects of CaC2 and showed the necessity to discourage its application as an artificial fruit ripening agent through the establishment of laws and regulations for better control of its use in most developing countries.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic assessment of wastewater on HEK293 cell line

The increasing industrialisation and urbanisation have deteriorated the quality and quantity of water bodies, harming the surrounding flora and fauna. Therefore, in our studies, we have chosen the HEK293 cell line to examine further the level of wastewater toxicity to which living beings are exposed. The water samples were collected from various sites around the Agra Canal in the Faridabad region of Haryana. Furthermore, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity confirmation of wastewater samples were done by MTT and comet assay, respectively. The water quality of the Agra canal is heavily influenced by agricultural, domestic, and industrial waste, which may affect the genetic material of species exposed to contaminated water and the sustainability of the local environment. As a result, continuous environmental monitoring and proper policy formulation are required to minimise the adverse effects of pollutants in waste, which would further enrich India’s preparation to take India a step ahead, and that could be the best possible way to commemorate India’s 75th year of Independence with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Moringa oleifera Plant as potent alternate to Chemical Coagulant in Water Purification

Abstract Quality of groundwater is threatened due to pollution by industrial, domestic and agricultural waste. A large number of populations are residing in rural areas which are unable to afford high cost water purifiers due to their low income as well as limited awareness. However, limited availability of fresh water has become a critical issue in developing countries. Around 1.2 billion population is deprived of affordable and safe water for their domestic need. Additionally, chemical coagulants which are nowadays being used for water purification pose severe and numerous health hazards to human. Thus utilization of easily accessible natural coagulant for water purification might offer a sustainable, practical and cost effective solution to the current alarming situation in developing countries. Several experimental findings have shown strong efficiency of Moringa oleifera plant extracts obtained from different solvents in the improvement of water quality parameters including physicochemical (such as pH, hardness, turbidity, metallic impurities, total dissolved solid) and biological (E.coli count) parameter. We have also highlighted the limitations and advantages of chemical coagulation in water purification. Altogether, this review summarizes one such miracle tree which has shown significant potential as a natural coagulant and its associated underlying mechanism in water purification process.

Recent advances in health hazards of long-term exposure to microwave radiation / 中国辐射卫生

With the development of the global information technology, electromagnetic equipment such as communication devices and new weapons has been widely deployed. Long-term exposure to electromagnetic radiation causes health hazards to people. Microwave is the most widely used electromagnetic wave. The article reviews the health hazards of long-term exposure to microwave radiation, including damages to the nervous, cardiovascular, blood, reproductive, endocrine, and immune systems and tumorigenesis, and summarizes the possible mechanisms of hazards of long-term exposure to microwave radiation, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the mechanism study and the research and development of protection technology.

Research progress of model animal zebrafish in toxicity evaluation of microplastics / 环境与职业医学

With the extensive use of plastic products and the sharp increase of plastic waste, microplastics produced by degradation in the natural environment and artificially added by industry have been detected in food, air, ocean, and even extreme geographical environment. The environmental pollution and the biological health hazards caused by this new type of pollutant has become a global scientific problem to be solved urgently. Zebrafish (Danio rerio), as a typical model organism, has been widely used to evaluate the environmental pollution and health hazards caused by microplastics. This review on the research progress of model animal zebrafish in toxicity evaluation of microplastics mainly emphasized the toxic effects of microplastics on selected organs of zebrafish, briefly introduced the influencing factors of toxicity induced by microplastics, discussed the standardization of experiments for the evaluation of microplastic toxicity using zebrafish, and finally explored the future research directions.

Hygiene risks and management advices for "Room Escape" venues / 环境与职业医学

In recent years, the "Room Escape" industry in China is booming, and this real live game has become popular. However, health threatening events such as fire, trauma, coma, and lung infection in the game venues have been reported at home and abroad. If these venues are not supervised in time, there will be great potential public safety and health hazards. In this review, we summarized the hidden dangers of public safety and health in such venues, including fire and safety hazards, persistent stress state, indoor ventilation problems, risk of contagious infection, non-player characters’ health risk, special film effects of 4D cinemas, mosquito problems, light pollution and noise, and food safety. Meanwhile, health management recommendations for the game venues were proposed from the aspects of formulating health management standards, improving health security measures, and strengthening related health education to players, so as to improve the hygiene levels of such venues and protect players and staff from injuries or diseases.

Enigmatic Domination of Chemical Contaminants and Pollutants in the Measurable Life of Dhaka City

Introduction:Environmental pollution and food contamination are as old as the civilization itself. It is the result of the improvement of civilization, over usage of nature, industrialization, and in certainty a cost for the advancement. It is exceedingly conspicuous in Dhaka city. Air pollution is chiefly due to the vehicle emanation, modern release, and consuming of non-renewable energy source. The water asset of Dhaka turns into a noteworthy well-being danger due to arsenic contamination, insufficient family unit/modern/restorative waste transfer, and mechanical emanating the executives. Food contamination originated from the commercialism of specialists who are doing this purposely to augment benefit. Fundamental advances are to be taken to secure nature for our own reality. This paper uncovers compound pollution and contamination issues of Dhaka city, the capital of Bangladesh. Purpose of the Study: Brief review of chemical-induced pollution and contamination, their consequences and control. Health-care providers/Policy-makers have a major role play to the concerned field. Materials and Methods: Comprehensive literature search followed by consulting healthcare professionals about environmental pollution and food contamination. Hospital, clinic and company personnel, newspaper journalists, non-governmental organization workers given their valuable suggestions and asked help for necessary books, journal, and newsletters. A few western magazine and newspapers also observed to get the necessary concern. Projections were based on public life pattern, their food habits, pollution and contamination sources, waste disposal features of urban life as well as industry and hospital waste disposals. Results and Discussion: Pollution and adulteration are the most notorious enemy of mankind. Civilization has its own drawback that even causing destruction of itself. Very few people raised voice on this but crippled by the facts of commercialism. The scope of this article is limited to chemical pollution of air and water, medical or household waste products, and food contaminants and adulterants. A few discussions based on real-life experience and recent studies or reports from various journals and news articles are summarized here. Findings: Both general people and the old system are responsible for this unlivable condition of Dhaka city. The population is not the sole for this instance. A sense of poor rules and regulation is always found everywhere. Negligence is becoming a widespread disease contaminating illiterate to well educated, all kind of people. Research Limitations: Many articles and documents found in the concerned area of research, but the scope of this research is on its focus point chemical hazards and burdens of Dhaka city. Still, the most important aspect is covered, but the fact is less amount of recent data found in a few areas. Practical Implication: The language of this article is too simple to understand by people with simple literacy. Pharmacists, doctors, nurses, hospital authorities, public representatives, policy-makers, and regulatory authorities have to acquire much from this article. Social Implication:Any article or research is based on the think doing good for mankind, at least going ahead from the present situation, overcoming problems, and measures. The article should create a guideline for the future policy-makers of both government and other sectors to review the alarming situation of chemical pollutions and food contaminants of Dhaka, along with the whole of Bangladesh. Again, world business is moving around Asian countries, Bangladesh will be an important business hub within the next few decades. This article should remind policy-makers that we should not forget mankind, giving places to industrialization and development.

Reproductive Toxic Chemicals at Work and Efforts to Protect Workers' Health: A Literature Review

A huge number of chemicals are produced and used in the world, and some of them can have negative effects on the reproductive health of workers. To date, most chemicals and work environments have not been studied for their potential to have damaging effects on the workers' reproductive system. Because of the lack of information, many workers may not be aware that such problems can be related to occupational exposures. Newly industrialized countries such as Republic of Korea have rapidly amassed chemicals and other toxicants that pose health hazards, especially to the reproductive systems of workers. This literature review provides an overview of peer-reviewed literature regarding the teratogenic impact and need for safe handling of chemicals. Literature searches were performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Search strategies were narrowed based on author expertise and 100 articles were chosen for detailed analysis. A total of 47 articles met prespecified inclusion criteria. The majority of papers contained studies that were descriptive in nature with respect to the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and keywords: “reproductive and heath or hazard and/or workplace or workers or occupations.” In the absence of complete information about the safe occupational handling of chemicals in Republic of Korea (other than a material safety data sheet), this review serves as a valuable reference for identifying and remedying potential gaps in relevant regulations. The review also proposes other public health actions including hazard surveillance and primary prevention activities such as reduction, substitution, ventilation, as well as protective equipment.

Microbial contamination of domestic washing machines / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To investigate the status of microbial contamination in domestic washing machines,and pro-vide basis for strengthening hygiene and health management.Methods On-the-spot sampling,laboratory microbial detection,and questionnaire survey were performed to investigate and analyze the hygiene treatment and microbial contamination of domestic washing machines of Beijing residents.Results Source water of 115 washing machines were collected,no bacteria were detected.The total number of bacteria and fungi in washing water from 115 washing machines was 0-135 000 CFU/mL (13 206 CFU/mL on average)and 0-690 CFU/mL (229 CFU/mL on average) respectively.There was significant difference in bacterial colony forming unit in washing water from washing ma-chines of different length of service (P <0.05).15 specimens of washing water from 15 washing machines were per-formed bacteriological detection,17 kinds of bacteria were detected,most of which were opportunistic pathogenic bacteria.The major detected bacteria was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (66.67%),followed by Staphylococcus aureus (60.00%)and Escherichia coli (53.33%).Survey showed that 32.17% of residents reflected the washing ma-chines had peculiar smell and mildew spots,48.69% of users chose to open the covers for ventilation,38.26%adopted local wiping and cleaning of filter bags,only 10.43% chose to soak with disinfectant,while 24.35% didn’t know how to deal with.Conclusion Microbial contamination of domestic washing machines is serious,improper use and maintenance of washing machine is not conducive to health.

Research on Value Assessment and Compensation for Health Hazards of Urban Air Pollution-A Case Study of Urumqi

ABSTRACT With the acceleration of urbanization and industrialization, urban air pollution has become a serious threat to the health of urban residents. In this study, to investigate health hazards caused by air pollution for urban residents, concentrations of main air pollutants and annual coal consumption amounts during the period from 2000 to 2013 were analyzed. Our results showed that economic losses of Urumqi caused by air pollution amounted to 63.155 million yuan in 2013, accounting for 0.2 ‰ of its GDP and 5.7% of public utility expenditures for that year. The compensation mechanism analysis suggested that it is necessary to further improve the health care system and increase corporate environmental taxes. More environmental health protection taxes should be levied on key monitoredenterprises in Urumqi to achieve effective compensations for urban residents affected by air pollution-related health hazards.

Adverse effects on health posed by consumption of Areca nut (Areca catechu L., family: Palmaceae).

This review paper discusses the impact of areca nut (Betel nut) on human health. Small pieces of betel nut are generally use with betel leaf after meals in a day or on any festival. Areca nut seed contains bioactive components like alkaloids and tannins. It is known as salivary stimulating, digestive agents and act as antimicrobial effect against oral bacteria. Along with the few beneficial effects, it has some adverse effects on the human body. Need to enhance the awareness activities regarding the health concern due to consumption of areca nut.

Sweeping practices, perceptions and knowledge about occupational safety and health hazards of street sweepers in Dhaka city, Bangladesh: a qualitative inquiry.

Background: Street sweepers play important roles for keeping the cities clean. Their works entail removing of debris from streets, collecting solid waste, disposing and recycling waste material. Consequently, they have higher chances to be exposed to numerous risk factors; therefore, their occupational safety and health hazard became crucial. There is little evidence about the sweeping practices, perceptions and knowledge on their occupational safety and health hazards. The objective of the study is to explore current sweeping practices, perceived risk and the level of knowledge of a group of street sweepers of Dhaka city. Methods: An explorative qualitative research design was used. We conducted 15 IDIs, 8 KIIs and 5 FGDs with Telegu street sweepers, community and religious leaders and NGO workers in two different sweeper colonies in Dhaka City. Results: Due to the manual handling process, the street sweepers are often exposed to a variety of risks factors – exhaust fumes, extreme noise, toxic substances and dust particles. Frequent infections and injuries were reported commonly as they lack basic safety equipment’s during works. Low perceived health hazards were prevalent. Strong faith-based explanations were found to rationalize possible health hazards. Conclusions: A number of socio-economic factors influence the level of knowledge and risk perception. Interventions on awareness building program coupled with behaviour change counselling (BCC) activities would be appropriate to address the lack of knowledge on health hazards and low risks perception.

Radiological Health Hazard Indices and Excess Life Timer Cancer Risk of Oil Producing Communities in Nigeria.

The γ radiation exposure due to radioactivity concentration of 40K, 238U and 232Th in soil samples from 250 different locations from 40 communities in the oil – producing region of Nigeria was carried out. The radioactivity concentrations of these radionuclides were used to determine the absorbed dose, annual effective dose equivalent, the health hazard indices and cancer risk using standard analytical methods. The range of values for the absorbed dose are 6.97 nGyh-1 to 33.29 nGyh-1, annual effective dose equivalent (outdoor) are 8.55 μSvy-1 to 40.83 μSvy-1 and (indoor) are 34.19 μSvy-1 to 163.36 μSvy-1. The external hazard index ranges from 0.038 to 0.174 while the internal health hazard index is from 0.045 to 0.191. The cancer risk obtained for the communities ranges from 0.030 x 10-3 to 0.143 x 10-3. All these values are below the standard limits when compared to the world permissible United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) values for such environment. This shows that the exploration and exportation of crude oil in Nigeria did not pose a radioactive health hazard to the oil producing communities.

A Study for Health Hazard Evaluation of Methylene Chloride Evaporated from the Tear Gas Mixture

This study explored the health hazard of those exposed to methylene chloride by assessing its atmospheric concentration when a tear gas mixture was aerially dispersed. The concentration of methylene chloride ranged from 311.1-980.3 ppm (geometric mean, 555.8 ppm), 30 seconds after the dispersion started. However, the concentration fell rapidly to below 10 ppm after dispersion was completed. The concentration during the dispersion did not surpass the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 'immediately dangerous to life or health' value of 2,300 ppm, but did exceed the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists excursion limit of 250 ppm. Since methylene chloride is highly volatile (vapor pressure, 349 mmHg at 20degrees C), the postdispersion atmospheric concentration can rise instantaneously. Moreover, the o-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile formulation of tear gas (CS gas) is an acute upper respiratory tract irritant. Therefore, tear gas mixtures should be handled with delicate care.

On Discriminant Criteria for Health Hazard Caused by Environment / 环境与健康杂志

The descriminant criteria for health hazard caused by environment is a norm to determie if a cerrtain factor in environental pollution area might constitute reasons for some health hazard of local population.That is one of the hygienic standard series for environmental health is China.This article dscribes the basic concept and content of the above-mentioned discriminant criteria.

Cleaning and Health / 环境与健康杂志

The sanitary habitation and office are very important for human health, so cleaning is an absolutely necessary part in our living. Although cleaning presents a substantial perceived benefits for our living, there are still some risks for our health. Except for the exposures to dust and other particulate matter suspended during cleaning activities, the main health problem caused by cleaning is the cleaning products. The main hazard composition of cleaning products, air pollution, inhalation pathways, health adverse effects and the measures for reducing the exposures to indoor air pollution caused by cleaning were reviewed in this paper.

Study on health hazard due to methyl bromide among librarians.

Fumigation of Book and document for pest control was firstly applied in Thailand ten years ago. Methyl bromide, one of the fumigants, has been used for such purpose, but this process provided a potential health hazard from inhalation exposure of readily vapourized poisonous gas. There were 60 librarians included in the study. In spite of no methyl bromide being detected in the air in the working environment, all of librarians possessed the toxic material in the blood at a level of 1.02-8.13 mg./100 ml. It was probably due to inhalation of toxic gas that formerly penetrated the books and instantly vapourized when the books were opened or rearranged. 91.7% of the workers reported abnormal feelings. The rate of spontaneous recovery was 70.9% in mild category. The remainder needed self-medication or physician consultation. Special investigations were made to evaluate health status. The results showed 13.3% with dangerous methyl bromide blood levels, 28 with mild degree impairment of pulmonary functions, 6.7% with abnormal EEG, slightly elevated enzymes SGPT (ALT) in 13.3%, alkaline phosphatase in 1.7% and slightly decreased leucocyte counts in 10.0%. Recommendations were introduced to carry out annual medical examinations and relevant investigations to all concerned. For those who previously had abnormalities needed periodic check-ups at 6 month intervals. Whenever abnormal feelings occur, methyl bromide in the blood must be considered.

Epidemiological study on the health hazard of castor bean dust.

Castor bean is one of the agricultural cash crops of economic importance, the health hazards of castor bean dust that recently made headlines in the mass media alerted many governmental agencies concerned to take action. The castor oil mill started operation in 1979, at Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prokan 50 km east of Bangkok. A few months after the operation, people who lived within 2 kilometres of the mill began to develop respiratory ailments: cough, sneezing, headache, nasal blockage, wheezing, violent attacks of asthma. An epidemiological survey carried out showed that castor bean dust was the major health hazards in the villages within 2 kilometres of the castor oil mill in Phra Pradaeng. The patients suffering from asthma due to castor bean had no further attacks after closure of the factory. The study indicated that to minimize the health hazard problem, the castor bean oil mill should improve its method of collecting the castor bean pomace.