Health risk assessment by consumption of commercial biota contaminated with heavy metals in Tampamachoco coastal lagoon, Gulf of Mexico.

Metal pollution is a significant environmental and health problem in aquatic ecosystems worldwide, particularly in coastal systems impacted by emissions from thermoelectric plants, as is the case of the Tampamachoco lagoon. To evaluate the seasonal contamination levels of Cd, Pb, Cr, and Cu in species of commercial interest in the Tampamachoco lagoon and estimate the health risk associated with their consumption, a total of 180 fish, 90 oysters (Crassostrea virginica), 27 crabs (Callinectes sapidus), and 24 shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) were sampled. Metal concentrations in the species analyzed were Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd. According to the Target Hazard Quotient and the health risk index, consumption of the marine species examined should be considered safe for human health, as both values are <1. However, Carcinogenic risk values for Pb and Cr indicated that consumers may be at risk of cancer (10-3), due to exposure from the thermoelectric emissions.

Characterization of inorganic elements in common consumer plastics using handheld X-ray fluorescence analyzer.

Plastics are increasingly being used in consumer products due to its versatility in many applications. However, these plastics may contain inorganic elements that may be harmful to humans. To determine any potential health risk of plastics, it was important to characterize elemental composition of plastics and assess usage patterns. To investigate plastic usage in a typical Jamaican household and to characterize the inorganic elements in consumer plastics using XRF analyzer. About 200 questionnaires were distributed to households to determine the types and quantity of plastics. A total of 130 plastic samples from 7 categories were collected and measured for inorganic elements using handheld XRF. Household plastics were mainly used for storage and personal hygiene products. On average, 10% of plastics were recycled, while 30% were burned. Inorganic elements present in plastic samples were Cl > Ti > Ba > Fe > Zn > Sb > Cr > Br > Cu > V > Pb > As. Elemental concentrations varied based on the category of plastics. Green plastics had the highest concentrations of each type of elements. This study provided useful information on characterizing the different types of elements present in common household plastics. Results from the survey were used to assess participants' attitude and behaviors towards plastics usage and disposal. It was important to obtain a profile of plastics waste from a typical household. This will allow for more targeted strategies to reduce plastics pollution.

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.

Assessment of trace metal accumulation in native mussels (Brachidontes rodriguezii) from a South American temperate estuary.

The present work provides the first results in heavy metal bioaccumulation in the autochthonous mussel Brachidontes rodriguezii from the Bahía Blanca Estuary (Argentina), one of the most important coastal environments of South America, subjected to different anthropogenic pressure. The study is based on the detection of Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, and Fe in mussels' soft tissue and sediments' fine fraction by means of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), in order to analyze the potential relationship between both components of the aquatic system. Additionally, different indices are calculated with the purpose of obtaining detailed data. The heavy metal burden in mussels varied seasonally, showing a clearer pattern for the stations located in the internal area of the estuary. Metals exhibited maximum values in summer and to a lesser extent in winter, followed by a decrease during spring. Multiple international guideline assessment allowed classifying the area as moderately polluted, including a low range for Cd and medium for Cu and Pb. Moreover, the average detected levels were within the measured ranges in other coastal areas. Regarding human health, trace metal content in mussels met the national and international standards for safe consumption.

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.