Godswill J. Udom; Oluchi F. Obilor; Uduak P. Ise; Nkechi J. Onyeukwu; Anwanabasi E. Udoh; Ayodeji Aturamu; Omoniyi K. Yemitan
Abstract
Background: Heavy metal contaminations of herbal formulations have constituted a public health challenge in the sub-Saharan Africa region and even in some developed nations. The study aimed to evaluate the public health concerns of chronic exposure to a polyherbal drug suspected to contain heavy metals. ...
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Background: Heavy metal contaminations of herbal formulations have constituted a public health challenge in the sub-Saharan Africa region and even in some developed nations. The study aimed to evaluate the public health concerns of chronic exposure to a polyherbal drug suspected to contain heavy metals. Methods: This is an experimental study. Heavy metals were measured using Solaar-Thermo-Elemental Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Human health risk assessment was estimated by calculating the estimated daily intake, target, hazard quotient (THQ), health index (HI), carcinogenic risk (CR) of exposure to the polyherbal drug. Results: The results showed the presence of metals in this order: Cd<Hg<As<Pb<Zn<Mn<Cu<Ni<Cr 1; HI for adolescents, adults, and geriatrics were >1. Ni and Cr had the highest cancer risk; total cancer risk was above the safe limit. Conclusion: Since herbal medicines/dietary supplements are not under compulsory regulation by international, national, and local health regulatory authorities, these products must be manufactured using the highest manufacturing standards to ensure their safety among the end-users. Our findings suggest the likelihood of significant non-carcinogenic adverse health effects among adolescents, adults, and the geriatric population due to exposure to a mix of toxic metals, necessitating utmost caution on its chronic use. If policy formulations and implementations regarding the safety of herbal medicines and associated products prior to their circulation are ensured, public health will be protected and significantly improved.
Samad Jalilian; Sima Sabzalipour; Maryam Mohammadi Rouzbahani; Ebrahim Rajabzadeh Ghatrami; Leila Ibrahimy Ghavamabadi
Abstract
Background: Specific improvements in the risk assessment of chemicals have been recently considered by many national and international expert groups. This study aimed to identify the highest occupational exposure levels in Abadan Oil Refining Company, Iran, to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and ...
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Background: Specific improvements in the risk assessment of chemicals have been recently considered by many national and international expert groups. This study aimed to identify the highest occupational exposure levels in Abadan Oil Refining Company, Iran, to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) in 2020. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study carried out in several units (ten units) in Abadan Oil Refining Company. Air sampling and BTEX analysis were conducted according to NIOSH method number 1501. To determine the risk of exposure to BTEX pollutants, we used the method proposed by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health of Malaysia. Then, the hazard rate, exposure rate, and health risk level caused by exposure to chemicals were determined. Spss20 software was used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed the employees studied in this research were exposed to the pollutants of BTEX during their work. Comparing total BTEX concentrations with the recommended standard level showed that BTEX concentrations in Abadan Oil Refining Company Workers’ breathing zone were lower than the TLV-TWA recommended by ACGIH; also, the findings of this risk assessment study showed benzene had the highest risk ranking in seven operating units and a low risk ranking in three other units. Moreover, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene had a very low risk in all operating units. Conclusion: Corrective and preventive measures should be taken to eliminate or minimize the exposure rate due to the significant effects of benzene exposure.
Vahid Gharibi; Mohammad Ghaedi Jahromi; Mohammad Reza Mohammadnia; Seyedeh Mahsa Hosseini Gharbi
Abstract
Background: Environmental risk assessment, the process of qualitative analysis of potential hazards and coefficients of potential risks in the project, as well as the vulnerability of a peripheral environment need to be taken into account. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to identify and investigate ...
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Background: Environmental risk assessment, the process of qualitative analysis of potential hazards and coefficients of potential risks in the project, as well as the vulnerability of a peripheral environment need to be taken into account. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to identify and investigate the potential hazards and make practical suggestions in order to eliminate or reduce the environmental hazards related to gas wells drilling effluents and wastewater in southern cities. Methods: This is an applied research using descriptive-analytical method. The required data were categorized into two groups including: a review of written sources and a field study of one of the oil and gas wells based on the available components and variables. Data analysis was done using EFMEA (Environmental Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and the components and variables were analyzed using Analytic Network Process model (ANP). Analysis of variance and correlation coefficients were also used to investigate the relationship between the components. Finally, a strategy model was developed based on the studies conducted to determine the effectiveness of corrective and control measures. Results: Research findings based on EFMEA environmental risk assessment of oil and gas drilling effluents and wastewater showed that 83.4% of the risk scores, in this case, were placed at the medium risk level and 16.6% at the low-risk level. The results of the network analysis model also showed that drilling effluents and wastewater caused by drilling wells of Oil and Gas had the highest impact (0.124) on the degradation of vegetation and also on the destruction of the natural habitats in this region. Conclusion: Accordingly, some strategies such as integration of EFMEA and ANP Models which were developed to reduce the environmental crises in oil and gas drilling have been very useful and appropriate.