No description available.

No description available.

Background: Workers in outdoor occupations are expected to be at high risk of increased morbidity and mortality, and diminished productivity, as a result of global warming in the 21st century. A previous modelling study of geographic variations in heat-related mortality risk in projected U.S. populations mid-century showed the states of Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina to be highly vulnerable. Methods: Under both the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emissions scenarios of IPCC AR5, we evaluate the effect of future warming on estimated Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer (WBGT) temperatures using model-simulated future climate variables that were dynamically downscaled by a regional meteorology model for years 2049-2052. Select Appalachian counties in the three states that are presently dependent upon agricultural crop production are the focus of this analysis. Results: Using predicted WBGT temperatures, together with estimated work loads for hand harvesting of crops, alterations in work-rest routines under heat stress prevention guidelines are presented. Conclusions: Assumptions needed to translate these altered work-rest routines into measures of productivity and economic loss are discussed. Issues in extending the modelling to heat-related morbidity and mortality in outdoor worker populations are considered in terms of data gaps and major sources of uncertainty.

Heat stress is an environmental and occupational hazard exacerbated by climate change. Rural populations and sub-populations continue to experience disproportionate risks of heat-related impacts due to their low adaptive capacities in terms of infrastructure, information and other resources which are critical in dealing with heat. The study goals were to determine heat-related mortality risks in rural populations globally, explore the contribution of the outdoor work environment and other factors in association with occupational heat-related illnesses (HRI), and assess the risk of heat stress among crop workers using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). Published peer-reviewed scientific literature on heat-related mortality in rural areas was used to assess heat-related risks among rural populations worldwide. Excess risks of both all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities were found although temperature had a stronger impact on cardiovascular deaths than for all-cause mortality. Also, using cross-sectional data from health screening clinics conducted during the summers of 2014, 2015, and 2016, a total of 425 patient encounters were analyzed using chi-square and logistic regression analyses to determine the role of the outdoor work environment and other factors associated with heat stress. As expected, the outdoor work environment was significantly associated with HRI. Out of the total of 67 HRI cases that were self-reported or diagnosed, 82% (55 cases) worked outdoors. There were nonsignificant elevations in HRI prevalence reported in males, workers below 40 years of age, individuals who have worked in agriculture for ten years or less, and those trained on heat safety. Further, a comprehensive evaluation of heat stress among crop workers was conducted using the four thermal climate factors-- air temperature, humidity, wind speed and solar radiation-- as well as work load and clothing factors. It found both acclimatized and non-acclimatized workers at risk of HRI. Regression analysis revealed that HRI prevalence was strongly correlated with the daily maximum WBGT (R2= 0.89; p= 0.03). Thus, effective heat safety precautions are needed, in addition to acclimatization, to protect vulnerable outdoor workers.

First, this study examined the association of perfluorinated chemicals with 1) cardio-metabolic health outcomes and 2) the association of phthalates with cardiometabolic health outcomes, and 3) cardio-metabolic health outcomes while assessing the possibility of additive interactions between perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) and phthalates. Second, association with markers of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress were explored. Finally, this study examined the association of these chemicals with estrogenic cancers- Breast cancer, prostate cancer, uterine cancer and ovarian cancer. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between PFCs and the cardio-metabolic health outcomes adjusting for covariates. An interaction term between PFCs and phthalates was added to the main effect model to assess the possibility of effect modification. Generalized linear models were used to examine associations between PFCs and inflammatory and oxidative stress markers per unit increase in exposure to PFCs while adjusting for covariates. Binomial logistic regression was used in investigating the association between quartiles of PFCs and presence or absence of cancer while also adjusting for covariates. Discriminant analysis was used to assess the correlation between individual PFCs compounds and individual cancer categories. Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) was associated with increased odds of central obesity in females, odds ratio (OR): 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.01, 1.21). Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHS), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDE) were all significantly associated with lymphocyte counts. Beta (95% CI); 0.03(0.02,0.05), 0.04(0.02,0.05), 0.05(0.03, 0.07), 0.04(0.03,0.05), 0.03(0.01,0.04) and with serum iron 0.07(0.05,0.09), 0.04(0.02,0.07), 0.10(0.07,0.12), 0.05(0.03,0.07), 0.04(0.02,0.06) and serum albumin 0.02(0.02,0.02), 0.02(0.02,0.03), 0.03(0.03,0.04), 0.02(0.02, 0.023), 0.01 (0.01, 0.05). Only PFHS, PFNA, PFOA and PFOS were associated with serum total bilirubin 0.04(0.03,0.05), 0.02(0.00,0.03), 0.06(0.04,0.08), 0.03(0.02,0.05). PFCs studied were associated with increased odds of breast, prostate, uterine and ovarian cancers, p

No description available.

No description available.

Microbial contaminants in water are a major public health concern. Pathogens have been identified as a primary threat to river water quality in the United States, potentially impacting drinking and irrigation water sources and recreational waters. Agricultural runoff, feedlot operations, wastewater effluents, swimming activities, domestic and wild animals are potential sources of microbial contamination. This thesis presents Massachusetts as a case study for linking public health data of waterborne gastrointestinal diseases with sources of drinking water, potential recreational exposures, as well as hydrologic, climatic, and land use data. Giardia sp. has been chosen as a model organism. Information of reported human Giardiasis cases has been synthesized. Using Geological Information system and statistical software (SPSS and SAS) relationships of confirmed Giardiasis have been compared with available climate and hydrologic data. In this thesis the research finding suggest that there is no visible difference in disease occurrence related with amount of precipitation or extreme rain event. However human giardiasis in Massachusetts has been found related with temperature thus shows a seasonal trend in disease occurrence. Seasonal water related human activity likely have played a role in disease occurrence.

Many immunization programs in developing countries arr now undergoing a period of rapid utilization. Innovative strategies, such as immunization holidays, are being tried. Political commitment and enthusiasm are high. There is a strong desire by health professionals to protect the lives of many children from the untimely death and/or disability resulting from infectious diseases preventable by vaccination. Evaluation of an immunization program can benefit other elements of the health system, particularly those that are not amenable to objective evaluation as immunization. In this case, immunization can serve as an indicator of the overall performance of the health system. The problems revealed by evaluation of the immunization program could therefore be taken as problems generic to the health services as a whole. In remedying the problems for immunization, approaches that would improve the health services as a whole should be sought. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the intrinsic and extrinsic factors contributing to coverage and participation rates of the vaccination program in Arssi, Ethiopia. vaccination program participation is relatively easy to estimate, although its importance should not be overemphasized as the primary goal of immunization programs is the reduction in mortality, morbidity, and disability resulting from infectious diseases preventable by vaccination. The survey questionnaire, adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO), was one of the instruments used for this project. Results of the evaluation in 1988 showed that only 66.5% of the children surveyed were fully vaccinated, while 26.9% were partially vaccinated, and 16.6% were not vaccinated at all. Comparisons of the survey results between the years 1983, 1985, and 1988 was made to determine whether or not there was improvement in vaccination coverage between the years. Decisions about the differences of the survey results in population proportions between the years were based on whether or not the differences were scientifically significant, leading us to the rejection of the null hypothesis of no difference (zero), and whether or not the results were scientifically important (whether or not the results showed an increase in vaccination coverage). An increase in usage rate was noticed more in 1988 than the previous survey results of 1985 and 1983. Mothers or guardians were asked about the possible reasons of immunization failures when their children or themselves were found partially or not-vaccinated. The reasons included such facts as lack of information, lack of motivation, obstacles/barriers, and wrong/improper vaccination techniques. Based on the literature review and the survey results, recommendations were made to help correct the observed problems and achieve a higher level of vaccination coverage.

Estrogenic chemicals are common pollutants in wastewater and current methods used in wastewater treatment processes are not typically effective in removing these compounds. Thus, many estrogenic chemicals, as well as other pharmaceuticals, are detected in drinking water supplies, contributing to human exposures. This concerning public health situation has led some green chemists to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of tetra-amido macrocyclic ligands (TAML), which have been proposed to be environmentally friendly catalysts that can be used to treat wastewater. TAML works by catalyzing the oxidation of micropollutants, breaking pollutants down into substances that can be assimilated by bacteria. These breakdown products are anticipated to no longer pose an environmental or health concern. Prior to their use in environmental matrices, TAML must first be evaluated to ensure that these compounds pose a low environmental and human-health hazard. Here, we exposed adult female mice to one of three doses of New-TAML 7 (NT7), or an estrogen receptor agonist (ethinyl estradiol, EE2) or an androgen receptor antagonist (flutamide), for two weeks prior to mating, throughout pregnancy, and throughout the lactational period. Male mice used for breeding purposes, the F0 males, were also exposed to the drinking water during the 2-week mating period. Following this acute exposure, the F0 males were necropsied and evaluated for signs of overt toxicity and repro-endocrine disruption. There was a statistically significant decrease in the F0 males spleen weight. Male offspring, the F1 generation, were evaluated at weaning (postnatal day 21), in puberty (postnatal day 32), and in adulthood. We first evaluated organs known to be sensitive to toxic effects. In male mice developmentally exposed, we have discovered that all treatments decreased spleen size at postnatal day (PND) 21 but not in early adulthood. At PND 16, no significant effects were observed. At PND21, no effects were observed on the weight of the kidney, liver, testes, or seminal vesicles; however, spleen weight was significantly decreased in the positive controls and the mid-NT7 group. In early adulthood, no effects have been observed on organ weights of the flutamide group; however, the size of both testes is significantly affected by the mid-NT7 dose and the EE2 treatment. By six months of age, there were no statistically significant effects, although this is likely in part due to inadequate statistical power. We also evaluated the effect of NT7, EE2, and flutamide on the male mouse mammary gland. Because of the conserved role hormones play in mouse development, a mammary gland is a valuable tool for identifying endocrine disruptors. We found that EE2 increased the size and number of branching points starting at PND21 and continuing until nine weeks of age. TAML had little effect on the morphology of the male mammary gland, with the exception of increased ductal branching at PND21. This, along with the change in testes weight, may suggest TAML can affect estrogen-mediated outcomes; many of our observed effects warrant additional study.