Aims: Electronic waste (e-waste) is an inorganic pollutant which causes a serious environmental problem since it contains toxic heavy metals, which cannot be removed from contaminated sites easily. The use of biomaterials for removing heavy metals from contaminated soil and wastewater has emerged as a potential alternative method to the conventional techniques. The present study were aimed to isolate efficient lead tolerant fungi from mangrove soil environment and measure its capability for lead removal from aqueous solution. Methodology and results: Lead tolerant fungal strains were isolated from soil samples using PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) supplemented with varied concentrations of lead ions (100-500 mg/L). The most tolerant fungal strain was successfully isolated and identified molecularly as Fusarium equiseti KR706303. The isolated fungus was used for biosorption studies using Potato dextrose broth (PDB) supplemented with lead ions. The effects of pH, temperature, initial metal concentration, biomass dose and age, agitation and contact time to the Pb(II) removal efficiency were monitored in the study. The results showed that the optimal parameters for the removal of lead ions such as heavy metal concentration and pH were 300 mg/L, with a maximum Pb(II) adsorption of 97.9% observed at pH 4 and temperature of 30 °C during the batch biosorption experiments. The optimal parameters for biomass dose, agitation speed, contact time and biomass age were observed at 0.04 g, 150 rpm, 60 min and fifth day; respectively. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The observation in this study revealed that the biomass of the isolated Fusarium equiseti KR706303 has the potential to be used as a biosorbent for heavy metal particularly Pb(II) removal from the contaminated sites. The technology is simple, efficient, cost effective and environmental friendly.
Electronic Waste ; Metals, Heavy ; Hazardous Waste

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine if the collection, treatment and final disposal of hospital hazardous wastes conform to the rules and regulations and standards set by the Philippine Government and the World Health Organization (WHO).
METHODS: Three private and three government tertiary hospitals located in South Manila were randomly chosen and the companies that provides them with hospital waste disposal services were asked to participate in the study to validate their conformity to the national and international hazardous waste disposal standards. Validation was done through the use of observer checklists and photographs.
RESULTS: Results of the study showed that there were four companies who services 6 selected hospitals included in the study. All of these conformed to the standards of the World Health Organization, and to rules and regulations as set by the Philippine government. All of the companies conformed as to standards for Legal Permits, Off-site Transport, Personal Protective Devices and Off-Site Waste Disposal.
CONCLUSION: All of the companies servicing the 6 selected hospitals conformed to the standards set by WHO and the Philippine government.

Checklist ; Government ; Hazardous Waste ; Philippines ; Protective Devices ; Refuse Disposal ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Waste Disposal Facilities

The health impacts of particulate matter (PM) are of global concern, but the implications of the development and exacerbation of bronchial asthma are subject to debate. PM is generated by several sources including vehicle exhaust fumes, the flaring of hydrocarbons at refineries, coal burning at power plants, and thermal treatment of hazardous waste. Recently, the health effects of PM have been documented with increasing frequency due to the greater release of PM from countries such as China. PM is frequently categorized according to mean aerodynamic diameter, with particles ranging in size from coarse (2.5-10 microm in diameter) to fine (< 2.5 microm) to ultrafine (< 0.1 microm). Smaller PM particles are more likely to cause respiratory toxicity and dysfunction due to their propensity to be deposited deep within the lower airways and alveoli. This article briefly reviews the health consequences of PM, with a particular focus on asthma and respiratory disease.
Asthma* ; Burns ; China ; Coal ; Hazardous Waste ; Hydrocarbons ; Particulate Matter* ; Power Plants

BACKGROUND: Sharps waste is a special kind of health care waste that needs to undergo certain processes before its final disposal. These processes are guided by international policies, national laws and memoranda, the implementation of which is under the jurisdiction of certain agencies.
OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to document the health care sector's adherence to proper waste management practices, especially for hazardous sharps waste. It specifically documented the adherence to government regulations of six tertiary hospitals in the Manila and Pasay City areas. The study was undertaken to identify if these six hospitals adhere to the guidelines set by the World Health Organization as adapted by the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The first specific objective is to document if these hospitals are complying with the documentary requirements of such regulations as required by law. The second specific objective is to document the presence of facilities and resources in the hospital that will ensure proper implementation of regulations regarding sharps waste disposal.
METHODS: The study was conducted in six tertiary hospitals, three of which are government/public and three are private hospitals. An observation checklist was constructed to identify in a detailed manner if the said hospitals were adhering to the standards set by the government. This checklist was validated by photographs for documentation. Specific areas, people and equipment of interest were earmarked for observation. Nurses stations and the laboratory for example, were singled out due to the high volume of sharps waste produced and temporarily stored in these areas. Chart reviews were also done to check if permits and policies were in place to oversee proper hospital waste management. Results. The study showed that all six hospitals were not strictly adhering to all the prescribed requirements by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Health.
CONCLUSION: Even with rules and policies in place, it has been documented that all of the study hospitals have not been adhering to documentary requirements. Furthermore, the facilities and resources needed for waste management in the hospital are not available. Recommendation: The responsible agencies should closely monitor the sharps waste management practices of hospitals to ensure safety and protect the health of health care workers, patients, their companions and visitors.

Checklist ; Government ; Government Regulation ; Hazardous Waste ; Health Care Sector ; Health Personnel ; Hospital Administration ; Hospitals, Private ; Natural Resources ; Nursing Stations ; Philippines ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Waste Management ; ;

OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine mercury levels in urine samples from garbage workers in Southern Thailand, and 2) to describe the association between work characteristics, work positions, behavioral factors, and acute symptoms; and levels of mercury in urine samples. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted by interviewing 60 workers in 5 hazardous-waste-management factories, and 60 matched non-exposed persons living in the same area of Southern Thailand. Urine samples were collected to determine mercury levels by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometer mercury analyzer. RESULTS: The hazardous-waste workers' urinary mercury levels (10.07 microg/g creatinine) were significantly higher than the control group (1.33 microg/g creatinine) (p < 0.001). Work position, duration of work, personal protective equipment (PPE), and personal hygiene, were significantly associated with urinary mercury level (p < 0.001). The workers developed acute symptoms - of headaches, nausea, chest tightness, fatigue, and loss of consciousness at least once a week - and those who developed symptoms had significantly higher urinary mercury levels than those who did not, at p < 0.05. A multiple regression model was constructed. Significant predictors of urinary mercury levels included hours worked per day, days worked per week, duration of work (years), work position, use of PPE (mask, trousers, and gloves), and personal hygiene behavior (ate snacks or drank water at work, washed hands before lunch, and washed hands after work). CONCLUSION: Changing garbage workers' hygiene habits can reduce urinary mercury levels. Personal hygiene is important, and should be stressed in education programs. Employers should institute engineering controls to reduce urinary mercury levels among garbage workers.
Absorption ; Case-Control Studies ; Fatigue ; Garbage ; Hand ; Hazardous Waste ; Headache ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Lunch ; Nausea ; Snacks ; Thailand ; Thorax ; Unconsciousness ; Water

OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine mercury levels in urine samples from garbage workers in Southern Thailand, and 2) to describe the association between work characteristics, work positions, behavioral factors, and acute symptoms; and levels of mercury in urine samples. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted by interviewing 60 workers in 5 hazardous-waste-management factories, and 60 matched non-exposed persons living in the same area of Southern Thailand. Urine samples were collected to determine mercury levels by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometer mercury analyzer. RESULTS: The hazardous-waste workers' urinary mercury levels (10.07 microg/g creatinine) were significantly higher than the control group (1.33 microg/g creatinine) (p < 0.001). Work position, duration of work, personal protective equipment (PPE), and personal hygiene, were significantly associated with urinary mercury level (p < 0.001). The workers developed acute symptoms - of headaches, nausea, chest tightness, fatigue, and loss of consciousness at least once a week - and those who developed symptoms had significantly higher urinary mercury levels than those who did not, at p < 0.05. A multiple regression model was constructed. Significant predictors of urinary mercury levels included hours worked per day, days worked per week, duration of work (years), work position, use of PPE (mask, trousers, and gloves), and personal hygiene behavior (ate snacks or drank water at work, washed hands before lunch, and washed hands after work). CONCLUSION: Changing garbage workers' hygiene habits can reduce urinary mercury levels. Personal hygiene is important, and should be stressed in education programs. Employers should institute engineering controls to reduce urinary mercury levels among garbage workers.
Absorption ; Case-Control Studies ; Fatigue ; Garbage ; Hand ; Hazardous Waste ; Headache ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Lunch ; Nausea ; Snacks ; Thailand ; Thorax ; Unconsciousness ; Water

OBJECTIVEThis paper aims to investigate the impact of anthracene addition on microbial community in agricultural soil irrigated with tap water or reclaimed wastewater.

METHODSThe changes of microbial community were characterized by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism in combination with 16S rRNA gene clone library analysis.

RESULTSA significant change in microbial community composition was observed during the biodegradation of anthracene, with dominantly enriched members from the genus Methylophilus.

CONCLUSIONThis work might be useful for developing techniques for the isolation of novel putative PAH degrader.

Anthracenes ; analysis ; Bacteria ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Hazardous Waste ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Soil Microbiology ; Soil Pollutants ; analysis ; Waste Disposal, Fluid ; methods

OBJECTIVES: In this study, the exposure status of the hazardous substances from incinerators, such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), were studied, and the relationship between the exposure of these hazardous substances and their heath effects on the workers and residents near municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerators and an industrial incinerator investigated. METHODS: Between July 2001 and June 2002, 13 workers at two MSW incinerators, 16 residents from the area around the two MSW incinerators, 6 residents from the control area, and further 10 residents near an industrial incinerator, estimated to emit higher levels of hazardous substances, were interviewed. Information, including sociodemographic information, personal habits, and work history, detailed gynecologic and other medical history were collected through interviews. Blood samples were also collected from 45 subjects, and analyzed for PCDD/DFs, by high resolution gas chromatography - high resolution mass spectrometry, using the US EPA 1613 method. In addition to the questionnaire survey, urinary concentrations of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured as oxidative injury biomarkers. The urinary concentrations of 8-OH-dG were determined by in vitro ELISA, and the MDA by HPLC, using an adduct with thiobarbituric acid. RESULTS: The PCDD/DFs concentrations in the residents near the industrial incinerator were higher than those in the controls, workers and residents near the MSW incinerators. The average TEQ (Toxic Equivalencies) concentrations of the PCDD/DFs in residents near the industrial incinerator were 53.4pg I-TEQs/g lipid. The estimated daily intakes were within the tolerable daily intake range (1-4 pg I-TEQ/Kg bw/day) suggested by WHO (1997) in only 30% to the people near the industrial incinerator. Animal studies have already shown that even a low body burden of PCDD/DFs, such as 10ng TEQ/kg bw, can cause oxidative damage in laboratory animals. Our study also showed that the same body burden of PCDD/DFs can cause oxidative damage to humans. CONCLUSIONS: The exposures to PCDD/DFs and the oxidative stress of residents near the industrial incinerator, were higher than those in the controls, workers and residents near the MSW incinerators. Proper protection strategies against these hazardous chemicals are needed. Because a lower body burden of PCDD/Fs, such as 10ng TEQ/kg bw, can cause oxidative damage, the tolerable daily intake range should be restrictedly limited to 1pg I-TEQ/kg bw/day.
Animals ; Animals, Laboratory ; Biomarkers ; Body Burden ; Chromatography, Gas ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hazardous Substances ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Korea* ; Malondialdehyde ; Mass Spectrometry ; Methods ; No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level ; Oxidative Stress ; Solid Waste