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Human Health Risks of Heavy Metal in Wells and Streams Water in the Vicinity of a Lead Mining in Nasarawa State, North Central, Nigeria
Musa Williams Ombugus,
Wuana Raymond Ahulle,
Itodo Udoji Adams,
Eneji Ishaq Shaibu
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, June 2021
Pages:
76-87
Received:
10 March 2021
Accepted:
23 March 2021
Published:
7 April 2021
Abstract: The quality of surface and ground water in mining communities is uncertain since metals associated with acid mine drainage are known to saturate these waters. A total of two (2) hand dug wells, two (2) stream water and six (6) mine waste water samples were collected in March 2019. The water samples were analyzed in triplicate for As, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr and Cd using AAS. The toxic metals concentration sequence was such that Pb > Zn >Cu > Cd > Cr > Ni > Hg > As. Pb, Cd and Cr concentrations were higher than WHO and NESREA Standard limits. Measured concentrations of these heavy metals were used to calculate the health risk for human population. The Hazard Index (HI) value for all pathways was found to be 236.8 in mine waste water, 23.39 in stream water 1, 12.91 in stream water 2, 11.1 in well water 1 and 45.07 in well water 2. Among all the studied metals, Cr and Cd has the highest chances of cancer risks with ILCR values of 1.8 x 10–3 and 5.17 x 10–3 while Pb and Ni has the lowest chances of cancer risks with ILCR values of 1.69 x 10–4 and 5.9 x 10–4.
Abstract: The quality of surface and ground water in mining communities is uncertain since metals associated with acid mine drainage are known to saturate these waters. A total of two (2) hand dug wells, two (2) stream water and six (6) mine waste water samples were collected in March 2019. The water samples were analyzed in triplicate for As, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn...
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COVID-19 Cannot Sustainably Improve Air Quality: Evidence from Reopening an Economy
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, June 2021
Pages:
88-98
Received:
10 March 2021
Accepted:
26 March 2021
Published:
7 April 2021
Abstract: One “silver lining” of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the reduction in air pollution that followed lockdowns. Unfortunately, this unintended air pollution decline will likely be short-lived. As regions begin to recover their economies, travel and industrial activity will increase the ambient pollutants quickly offsetting the improvement in air quality. Therefore, it is urgent to clarify the causal impact of reopening an economy on air quality during COVID-19. Based on city-level daily air quality data in China, this paper is the first to empirically analyze the causal effect of reopening the economy in the provincial capital Lanzhou on concentrations of four air pollutants using the synthetic control method. The results show that the reopening caused a significant increase in the concentration of NO2 by as much as 30 μg/m3 (an increase of 75% from the lockdown level) and a significant increase in O3 concentrations by 60μg/m3 (a 60% increase) which peaked on the 6th day after the restart. The reopening also led to significant fluctuations in SO2 and CO concentrations. This study contains useful conclusions by providing timely and reliable causal evidence on the lasting impact of COVID-19 on air quality.
Abstract: One “silver lining” of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the reduction in air pollution that followed lockdowns. Unfortunately, this unintended air pollution decline will likely be short-lived. As regions begin to recover their economies, travel and industrial activity will increase the ambient pollutants quickly offsetting the improvement in air qual...
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Heavy Metals and Macronutrients Concentrations in Sewage Sludge Obtained from Decentralized Treatment Facility, Machakos Town, Kenya
Julius Kioko Nzeve,
Sydney Likhumba Ikubano
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, June 2021
Pages:
99-104
Received:
6 April 2021
Accepted:
19 April 2021
Published:
26 April 2021
Abstract: With the increase of global population, wastewater treatment facilities face a major challenge of managing the large quantities of sewage sludge produced in urban areas. Due to this challenge many wastewater treatment plants have opted for use of sewage sludge as organic fertilizer to boost agricultural production. In Machakos Decentralized Treatment Facility (DFT), sewage sludge is usually sold to locals as fertilizer to boost crop production within the municipality. However, sewage sludge produced in municipal wastewater treatment plants is known to contain various heavy metals that may limit its usage as agricultural fertilizer. Studies have shown that sewage sludge has been associated with heavy metals which are linked to harmful effects on humans and environmental health. This study investigated the levels of various heavy metals and macronutrients from sewage sludge obtained from Machakos town wastewater treatment plant to test its suitability for use as fertilizer. Sewage sludge samples were obtained from the treatment plant at Mitheu and transported to Nairobi Agricultural Research Laboratory (NARL) for analysis of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe) and macronutrients (N, P, Ca, Mg and K). The results for the heavy metals were Zn=171.13±237mg/kg; Fe=17,877±15,700mg/kg; Mn=445.67±213mg/kg and Cu=41.1±16.71mg/kg) while the macronutrients were K=0.17±0.09%, P=1.26±1.75%, N=0.74±0.47%, Ca=0.48±0.72% and Mg=0.10±0.06%. The heavy metal concentrations were below Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and international permissible limits for sewage sludge application in agriculture and therefore deemed safe. The study concluded that the sewage sludge from Machakos Decentralized Treatment Facility is rich in nutrients and thus a potential fertilizing agent that can be used to boost plant growth in agricultural farms. However, it was noted that not all the wastewater produced in Machakos town gets into the DFT for treatment. Therefore, the study recommended that the county government of Machakos should endeavor to enlarge the small DFT treatment plant to accommodate the large quantities of wastewater generated within the town.
Abstract: With the increase of global population, wastewater treatment facilities face a major challenge of managing the large quantities of sewage sludge produced in urban areas. Due to this challenge many wastewater treatment plants have opted for use of sewage sludge as organic fertilizer to boost agricultural production. In Machakos Decentralized Treatme...
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Health Hazard Associated with Water and Mosquito Borne Diseases: A Case Study in the Barak Valley Along Silchar Town of Assam, Northeast India
Mohit Kumar,
Bhanu Prakash Mishra
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, June 2021
Pages:
105-111
Received:
6 April 2021
Accepted:
22 April 2021
Published:
30 April 2021
Abstract: Objective (s): The current investigation has been carried out to determine the health hazard caused by water and mosquito borne diseases in the valley of river Barak along Silchar city (Assam); which has been recognized as a vulnerable area in terms of various kinds of hazards. Materials and Methods: In this study, the data analysis for several water and mosquito borne diseases viz., Acute diarrhoea, Bacillary dysentery, Enteric fever and Malaria has been accomplished proficiently on monthly as well as annually interval for a period of 5 successive years (i.e. 2015 to 2019). Results: The data demonstrates that the concentration of patients affected by Acute diarrhoea and Malaria was found to be decreased irrespective of years. On the other hand, in the cases of Bacillary dysentery and Enteric fever, the concentration of patients has been observed to be continue increasing within due course of the five years. Conclusion: On the basis of the results, It can be argued that Bacillary Dysentery and Enteric fever illustrated the similar and increasing trend; On the contrary, Acute diarrhoea and Malaria has been showed the drastically decreasing trend throughout the study period i.e., from 2015 to 2019.
Abstract: Objective (s): The current investigation has been carried out to determine the health hazard caused by water and mosquito borne diseases in the valley of river Barak along Silchar city (Assam); which has been recognized as a vulnerable area in terms of various kinds of hazards. Materials and Methods: In this study, the data analysis for several wat...
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Rate of Soil Contamination by Soil Transmitted Helminths in Relation to the Awareness Status of Pupils in Primary Schools of Penka-Michel, West-Cameroon
Atiokeng Tatang Rostand Joël,
Yondo Jeannette,
Tsila Henri Gabriel,
Nguemfo Tchankugni Arlette,
Nkouayep Vanessa Rosine,
Mpoame Mbida
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, June 2021
Pages:
112-121
Received:
17 March 2021
Accepted:
2 April 2021
Published:
14 May 2021
Abstract: Background: Soil transmitted helminth (STH) infections disproportionately affect poor populations in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. They contaminate soil and pupils are mostly at risk of these infections due to their soil related habits. Aims: to assess pupils’ knowledge, attitude and practice in relation to the rate of soil contamination in public primary schools. Methods: Structured questionnaires were administered to 729 consenting participants to obtain information on their awareness status of STH infections. A total of 552 soil samples were collected around toilets, classrooms backyards and playground in 23 public schools randomly selected in Penka-Michel subdivision and examined for the presence of STH eggs using the sucrose flotation method. Results: up to 80% of respondents do not actually know how to avoid getting infected with worms. About 50% of pupils do not actually wash their hands after defecating or wash their fruits/vegetables before eating. Pupil’s nails were mostly untrimmed (74.1%). 77.1% declared they always defecate out of the toilets when they are in school. Out of 552 soil samples examined, 97 (17.6%) were contaminated by Ascaris sp, Trichuris sp, Toxocara sp, Capillaria sp, Cooperia sp, hokworms and Nematodirus sp. Soil from around toilets were significantly more contaminated with Ascaris sp and Trichuris sp eggs. Soil contamination was also significantly associated with absence of water during class hours, unhygienic conditions of toilets, and lack of school perimeter fence. Overall 65% of schools selected showed a low level of hygiene. Conclusion: Pupils of these schools played a major role in the contamination of their environment. Therefore, in order to prevent the STHs transmission cycles in school environment and possibly in pupils, it is necessary to develop specific sustainable intervention programs.
Abstract: Background: Soil transmitted helminth (STH) infections disproportionately affect poor populations in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. They contaminate soil and pupils are mostly at risk of these infections due to their soil related habits. Aims: to assess pupils’ knowledge, attitude and practice in relation to the rate of soil contamina...
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