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Dialysis water quality is one of the most important factors for ensuring the safe and effective delivery of hemodialysis. It has been known for over a decade that there might be hazardous contaminants in the water and concentrates used to prepare dialysis fluid. Rigorous international standards for the purification of dialysis fluids have been established, which were used in the present study to compare the quality of dialysis water as there is no national standard for dialysis water quality in Iraq.
There are more than 20 dialysis centers in Iraq, most of which contain similar units for the processing of dialysis water. The present study evaluated the quality of water used for dialysis in four dialysis centers located within Baghdad hospitals.
Physical and chemical tests were carried out in the laboratory after sampling water from each dialysis center. Water samples were collected from three locations in each dialysis center. learn more Hospital municipal water samples were collected from the tanks feeding dialysis units; samples of dialysis water were collected from the dialysis water treatment unit outlets; and samples of dialysis water were collected from the distribution network in dialysis rooms.
The results showed a fluctuation in the quality of the dialysis water (dialysis water and water from the dialysis distribution network), indicating that it is unacceptable compared to international standards. Chemical analysis showed that 75% of the dialysis water had elevated aluminum concentrations. Chemical analysis also found that dialysis water had elevated concentrations of free residual chlorine at some dialysis centers.
All hemodialysis centers need careful monitoring and preventive maintenance to ensure good water quality. In addition, it is important to revise the design of the water treatment units according to water quality.
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Lead (Pb(II)) exposure from drinking water consumption is a serious concern due to its negative health effect on human physiology. A commercially available filter uses the adsorption potential of activated carbon for removing heavy metals like Pb(II). However, it has some constraints since it uses only surface area for the adsorption of these contaminants. Biochar produced via slow pyrolysis of biomass shows the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups on its surface that take part in the adsorption process, with higher removal potential compared to activated carbon.
The current study examined the adsorption kinetics and mechanisms of Pb(II) removing potential of biochar from water using a fixed-bed continuous flow adsorption system.
The effect of initial Pb(II) concentration, mass of adsorbent (bed depth), and flow rate on adsorption potential were evaluated. The Adams-Bohart model, Thomas model, and Yoon-Nelson model were applied to the adsorption data.
The maximum removal efficiency of Pb(II) was 88.86 mg/g. The result illustrated that the Yoon-Nelson model is the best fit to analyze the adsorption phenomena of Pb(II) in a fixed-bed biochar column.
The breakthrough data obtained from this study can be utilized to design a point of use filter that would be able to effectively remove Pb(II) from drinking water.
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is one of the largest sources of mercury (Hg) pollution in Indonesia. In West Java Province, ASGM is found in Bogor, Cianjur, and Sukabumi Regencies.
The present study aimed to evaluate Hg contamination effects and socioeconomic factors in communities living around ASGM operations in Sukabumi Regency.
A quantitative method was used to describe socioeconomic ASGM communities. The concentrations of total mercury (T-Hg) in hair were measured in 71 respondents. This study also assessed perception of the use of Hg in the gold ore processing and their impact on the environment.
The population of gold miners in the studied three villages was 1300 households (25.77% from a total of 5044 households). Artisanal and small-scale gold mining involves both men and women employed as miners and gold amalgam processors, respectively. The average monthly income generated as much as Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) 272 000-2 000 000 (about 19-140 USD). Total Hg analysis was conducted for hair samples of 71 respondents (38 men, 33 women). The results showed an average T-Hg in men of 3.27±2.89 ppm, and women of 5.91±4.69 ppm. The level of T-Hg in the respondents was associated with distance to the ball mills and not related to distance to the mine site.
Obtained.
This study was approved by Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia.
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Automobile spray painters in Nigeria are exposed to organic solvents due to the hazardous nature of their work. Inadequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may intensify exposure to high levels of chemical hazards with resultant health problems.
The present study assessed PPE use and work practices and compared work-related health problems of spray painters and controls in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 spray painters and 120 controls (electronic technicians). Data on socio-demographics, work practices, knowledge about organic solvent-related hazards and self-reported health symptoms were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. Clinical examinations were performed for all respondents and the composition of organic solvents in paints and paint products were derived from material safety data sheets.
All respondents were male, and the mean age was 32.7±13.8 years for painters and 33.9±15.5 years for controls. Few (7.5%) painters perceived their use of ained from the Health Research and Ethics Committee of the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Nigeria (HREC No IPHOAU/12/463).
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
