Journal of Human Environment and Health Promotion
Year:2022 | Volume:8 | Issue:3|Papers Count:8

Background: The study aimed at evaluating the plasmid profile and characterization of E. coli isolated from chronic diabetic foot ulcers among patients in Imo State, South East Nigeria. Methods: A total of 150 wound swab samples were collected and analyzed. Standard microbiological methods processed samples. Antibiogram was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Tests were conducted to determine biofilm potential, ESBL and AmpC production. Plasmid profiling was done by the alkaline lysis method and Gel electrophoresis. Results: Based on the results, out of the 150 swab samples, 61(40. 6%) E. coli isolates were recovered. 57. 8%, 32. 8%, and 8. 2% of the E. coli isolates were positive for biofilm formation, ESBL, and AmpC production, respectively. Further, the study revealed a pattern of multiple-drug resistance of E. coli to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (96. 7%), septrin (95. 1%), and ampicillin (93. 4%). Conclusion: Analysis of the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index showed that the organism had MAR index values above the low-risk region (≤, 0. 2) for all the tested antibiotics. Post-curring antibiogram tests revealed that nine isolates carried plasmids, suggesting that the mode of resistance may be plasmid-mediated. Findings could act as a therapeutic guide for antibiotic prescriptions in this environment.

Background: Good sanitation and hygiene are prerequisites for economic development and health. Sanitary practices among beggars within Ilorin is becoming a challenge and is being explored. This study was quantitative and qualitative regarding the employed approach for the case study as a research design. Methods: 200 beggars across the three local government areas that made up the metropolis were randomly selected for the interview. The data were analyzed using statistical tools and results were measured against key sanitary metrics. Results: 200 beggars were enrolled, comprising 133 (66. 5%) males. 71 respondents (35. 5%) had no access to toilet facilities. The remaining 129 (64. 5 %) had a shared one toilet seat for households between 15-20 people. 106 (53%) of the respondents resort to urinating or defecating in the open drains. The women use a can or polythene for urine or feces before disposing to open drains, resulting in foul-smelling environments. Contributing to unsanitary practices were attitude, ignorance, and poor educational background, 135 (67. 5%) never attended school. Conclusion: The need for intensive public education, providing basic sanitary facilities, and strengthening and enforcement of the existing environmental sanitation bye-laws to make every individual responsible for good environmental sanitation in the metropolis were recommended.

Background: Warri, the hub of Nigeria’, s Niger Delta Region, has witnessed mass immigration of people since the advent of oil and gas. Therefore, this study examined the impact of gas flaring in Warri Refinery, Nigeria. Methods: A noise dosimeter was used to determine the noise levels at the designated points. Air Quality Index was estimated for the concentration of PM10, SOx, NOx, and CO in air measured for three months using standard methods prescribed by USEPA. Results: The noise level reported 100% compliance with the Department of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria but violated World Health Organisation regulations at 60 and 200m respectively. The average values of PM10 at 60 and 200m from the flare were above the limits while the value at 350m from the flare complied only with the Department of Petroleum Resources regulation. Air Quality Index indicated that human exposure to the flared gas at 60, 200, and 350m from Warri Refinery be hazardous and unhealthy for sensitive groups respectively. A close observation of the locals exposes the prevalence of rampant health problems relating to gas flaring such as skin and respiratory ailments. Conclusion: The results revealed that oil and gas production adversely impacted the environment and also reduced the quality of life and means of livelihood of the people.

Background: Remediation of heavy metals contaminated soils is a crucial issue. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of nano Fe-oxide and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNs) on diesel oil bio-degradation in the soil polluted with Pb and Cd and enriched with vermicompost under ornamental sunflower cultivation. Methods: Treatments were soil application of MWCNs at the rates of 0, 1, and 2 % (W/W),0, 15, and 30 t/ha vermicompost,0 and 0. 5 % (W/W) nano Fe-oxide in soils polluted with Pb and Cd as well as 0, 4, and 8 % (W/W) diesel oil. After harvesting, the Pb and Cd concentrations of plant and soil were determined using AAS. Furthermore, the diesel oil bio-degradation in the soil was measured. Results: Using 1 and 2 % (W/W) MWCNs significantly increased the diesel oil bio-degradation by 15. 3 and 17. 4%, while the Pb concentration in soil decreased by 13. 1 and 15. 8%. In addition, the Cd concentration, decreased by 14. 2 and 16. 1%, respectively. The Pb and Cd concentrations in plant showed the similar trends. Using vermicompost significantly increased the diesel oil bio-degradation. Conclusion: Using nano-Fe oxide and MWCNs significantly increased the biodegradation of diesel oil in soils polluted with Pb and Cd.

Background: Chemical industries in southern Tehran are one of the largest ones in Iran, requiring organized environmental risk management. Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) can effectively decrease the risk of failure in industrial systems and processes. This case study aimed to apply the fuzzy logic approach for assessing environmental risks in chemical industries. Methods: The present cross-sectional analytical study formed an assessment team to use their expert opinion collected as Z number. Each identified risk factor (severity, occurrence, detection) was weighted using the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process and prioritized the failure modes. Results: Based on the results, 52. 94 % of the identified environmental risks were moderate, 35. 29 % were high-level, and 11. 76 % were low-level risks. The main risks were occupational, health, safety, and environmental, leading to a decrease in the quality of environmental parameters, including air, water, and soil. Conclusion: The proposed fuzzy and FMEA methods removed the problem of homogeneity of risk factor weights, data uncertainty, and prioritization of failure modes, which had a higher potential in prioritizing risks compared to the conventional FMEA methods. Additionally, the proposed model can identify risks and their roots, leading to accurate risk control tools.

Background: The newfound pollutant perchlorate, with global distribution, long-term stability in the environment, and solubility in water, is the most crucial health threat of the present era by causing changes in the level of thyroid hormones. Perchlorate enters the body by drinking water or contaminated food with perchlorate. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has provided a guideline of 15 μ, g/L in drinking water. This study aims to determine the relationship between the concentration of perchlorate in drinking water and the frequency of hypothyroidism in newborns. Methods: 238 samples were collected from the water supply network of the study area. The samples were analyzed according to the standard water and wastewater tests and ion chromatography methods. Results: The results showed that the quality characteristics of drinking water in the water supply systems of the studied area are within the normal range and in accordance with the standard. Drinking water is classified as hard water in Damavand city. Perchlorate concentration of drinking water was detected to be 0. 002-0. 009 mg/liter. Conclusion: The concentration of perchlorate in the drinking water of the study area is according to the guidelines of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and does not threaten consumers’,health.

Background: The present study aims to assess the amounts of Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co, Mn, and Fe by analyzing the particle composition of the surficial sediments in Ghezel Ozan River located in Zanjan, Iran. Methods: 18 sediment samples were collected from Ghezel Ozan River. After Aqua Regia Digestion, the studied heavy metals in sediment samples were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Several pollution indices, such as Enrichment Factor (EF), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Pollution Factor (Cd), and Pollution Load Index (PLI), were calculated. Results: Observed average values (in unit mg kg−, 1) were in the range of Zn: 480. 0-34294. 0, Cu: 7. 8-32. 00, Cd: not detected-100. 0, Pb: 22. 0-256. 0, Ni: 2. 50-60. 00, Co: 7. 60-34. 0, Mn: 144. 0-31600. 0 and Fe: 9320. 0-62300. 0. The Igeo index confirmed that the average values of Zn, Pb, and Cd are in the heavily contaminated levels. The mean EF index suggested minimal enrichment for Cu, Ni, Mn, and Co, whereas Zn, Cd, and Pb indicated severe enrichment. Conclusion: The average Cd, RI, and PLI indices for all investigated heavy metals confirmed a considerable contamination level.

Background: War threatens the Middle East region's access to essential and highly needed resources. However, some countries are more vulnerable than others to food shortages and unrest. The present study investigates the impact of the Ukraine war and the bread crisis in the Middle East. Methods: Search engines including PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google scholar were applied with keywords such as Ukraine, war, bread, crisis, Russia, and the Middle East to find related articles published up to 2022. Results: The war in Ukraine was a full-scale crisis since the two countries involved in the war supplied 30% of the world's grain production. About 75% of the world's sunflower oil is also produced in Russia and Ukraine, which has caused the risk of a food crisis in the world and can increase the level of hunger and malnutrition in the Middle East, Central Asia, and its surroundings. Conclusion: According to the mentioned cases, it can be said that there is not a very clear future for the Middle East countries in terms of food supply, which have been severely affected by the war in Ukraine in the current situation.