Download or read book Environmental Heavy Metal Pollution and Effects on Child Mental Development written by Lubomir I. Simeonov and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2010-11-19 with total page 357 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Heavy metals can be emitted into environment by both natural and anthropogenic sources, mainly mining and industrial activity. Human exposure occurs through all environmental media. Infants are more susceptible to the adverse effects of exposure. Increasing attention is now being paid to the mental development of children exposed to heavy metals. The purpose of this book is to evaluate the existing knowledge on intellectual impairment in children exposed to heavy metals in their living environment and to identify the research needs in order to obtain a clearer picture of the situation in countries and regions at risk, in which the economy is closely related to metallurgy and heavy metals emission, and to recommend a strategy for human protection. In greater detail the main objectives could be formulated as follows: to review the principal sources of single, and complex mixtures of, heavy metal pollutants in the environment; to identify suitable methodology for chemical analyses in the environment and in humans; to evaluate the existing methods for measuring mental impairment, including their reliability and validity; to recommend a standard testing protocol to be used in future research; to assess the future role of environmental heavy metal pollution in countries and regions at risk and its effects on children’s neurological development; to recommend a prevention strategy for protecting children’s health and development.

Download or read book Heavy Metals in the Environment written by Vinod Kumar and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2020-11-21 with total page 246 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Heavy Metals in the Environment: Impact, Assessment, and Remediation synthesizes both fundamental concepts of heavy metal pollutants and state-of-the-art techniques and technologies for assessment and remediation. The book discusses the sources, origin and health risk assessment of heavy metals as well as the application of GIS, remote sensing and multivariate techniques in the assessment of heavy metals. The various contamination indices like contamination factor, geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, and pollution index ecological risk index are also included to provide further context on the state of heavy metals in the environment. Covering a variety of approaches, techniques, and scenarios, this book is a key resource for environmental scientists and policymakers working to address environmental pollutants. - Covers state-of-the-art techniques for the assessment and remediation of heavy metals - Presents the interdisciplinary impacts of heavy metals, including human health, ecosystems and water quality - Includes various contamination indices, such as contamination factor, geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, pollution index and ecological risk index

Download or read book Pediatric Neurotoxicology written by Cynthia A. Riccio and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-08-10 with total page 205 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book focuses on children and the impact of neurotoxins on the developing brain to guide the practice of psychologists working with children in clinical and school settings. Each chapter covers a distinct neurotoxin or group of neurotoxins, with particular emphasis on the impact of the neurotoxin exposure on the developing brain and long-term cognitive and psychosocial outcomes. This is more complex than studying neurotoxins with adults because of the rapid development occurring in the child's brain. Further, children are more susceptible than adults to the effects of neurotoxins due to their developmental status. Many of the effects discussed in this volume occur in utero, thus setting the stage for an altered developmental trajectory.

Download or read book Aquatic Physiology Environmental Pollution Nanotoxicology and Phytoremediation written by Alaa El-Din Hamid Sayed and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2021-01-22 with total page 183 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This Research Topic is part of the Aquatic Physiology, Environmental Pollution, Nanotoxicology and Phytoremediation series: Aquatic Physiology, Environmental Pollution, Nanotoxicology and Phytoremediation, Volume II Environmental pollution as a result of increasing industrialization is a major problem worldwide. The toxicity of the chemicals, hazards, radiation, and environmental stressor to the aquatic fauna was studied. Although, recently, the excess levels of wastes discharged in water caused severe toxicity in aquatic environments and their fauna, still there is some shortage in the nanotoxicology and phytoremediation studies. So, the aim of this Research Topic is to create some knowledge about the environmental pollution and remediation in aquatic environment in collaboration with experts in physiology, biochemistry, endocrinology, morpho-histology of aquatic fauna. The relation between physiology and other research fields is strong enough as all researchers in biology field use some extent physiological parameters to evaluate the organisms’ health status in normal and stressful conditions. In addition, physiology with endocrinology and neurology can provide a contribution on the endocrine stress response of aquatic vertebrates and regulate the responses of vertebrates to stressors. Whilst the physiology of most aquatic animals has been well studied, not many articles provide sufficient data that helps understanding the common bases of the stress response after exposure to environmental pollutants and mechanisms of action. Such approach needs to be taken both in terms of comparative responses among vertebrates but also among classes or orders within groups of vertebrates. Another aspect that has not been sufficiently approached so far is physiological stress response in relation to immunity, growth, reproduction or behavior and embryology of the aquatic organisms, which expands the knowledge on the interactions between physiological systems to build an overall stress response.

Download or read book Biomarkers of Toxic Metals written by Vanda Maria Falcão Espada Lopes de Andrade and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2023-08-04 with total page 302 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The current exposure of human populations to toxic metals makes the prevention and control of such exposures crucial. Biomarkers are undoubtably recognized as vital tools to achieve these goals. This book is for researchers, toxicologists, physicians, pharmacologists and those working in governmental regulatory agencies and other public health fields. The first part of this book covers general aspects of biomarkers of toxic metals, while parts 2 and 3 cover biomarkers of xenobiotic metals and essential metals with potential for toxicity, respectively. In part 4, novel approaches to metal biomarkers are focused.

Download or read book Microbial Strategies for Vegetable Production written by Almas Zaidi and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-06-13 with total page 233 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ​This book provides a comprehensive information on basic and applied concepts of microbesial strategies adopted for the improvement of vegetables grown in various production systems. The beneficial role of soil microbes including plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), nitrogen fixers, and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in the improvement of vegetables grown both in normal and contaminated soils is discussed. The role of PGPR in tomato production is dealt separately. The impact of heavy metals on different vegetables and abatement of metal toxicity following metal tolerant PGPR and their consequential impact on vegetables grown in metal polluted soil is discussed. Moreover, recent advances in the management of vegetable diseases employing PGPR are addressed. This volume is therefore of special interest to both academics, professionals and practitioners working in the field of vegetable farming/horticulture, microbiology and plant protection sciences.

Download or read book Phytoremediation for Environmental Sustainability written by Ram Prasad and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2022-03-11 with total page 543 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This edited book details the plant-assisted remediation methods, which involves the interaction of plant roots with associated rhizospheric microorganisms for the remediation of soil and water contaminated with high levels of heavy metals, pesticides, radionuclides, agricultural by-products, municipal wastes, industrial solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, organic compounds, and various other contaminants. Each chapter highlights and compares the beneficial and economical alternatives of phytoremediation to currently practiced soil, water, and air removal. This book covers state-of-the-art approaches in phytoremediation contributed by leading and eminent scientists from across the world. Phytoremediation approaches for environmental sustainability dealing the readers with a cutting-edge of multidisciplinary understanding in the principal and practical approaches of phytoremediation from laboratory research to field application. This book is of interest to researchers, teachers, environmental scientists, environmental engineers, environmentalists, and policy makers. Also, the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of environmental microbiology, biotechnology, eco-toxicology, environmental remediation, waste management, and environmental sciences as well as the general audience.

Download or read book Environmental Health written by Jacques Oosthuizen and published by BoD – Books on Demand. This book was released on 2012-02-03 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Environmental health practitioners worldwide are frequently presented with issues that require further investigating and acting upon so that exposed populations can be protected from ill-health consequences. These environmental factors can be broadly classified according to their relation to air, water or food contamination. However, there are also work-related, occupational health exposures that need to be considered as a subset of this dynamic academic field. This book presents a review of the current practice and emerging research in the three broadly defined domains, but also provides reference for new emerging technologies, health effects associated with particular exposures and environmental justice issues. The contributing authors themselves display a range of backgrounds and they present a developing as well as a developed world perspective. This book will assist environmental health professionals to develop best practice protocols for monitoring a range of environmental exposure scenarios.

Download or read book Climate Change and Crop Stress written by Arun K.Shanker and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2021-11-19 with total page 601 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Climate Change and Crop Stress: Molecules to Ecosystems expounds on the transitional period where science has progressed to 'post-genomics' and the gene editing era, putting field performance of crops to the forefront and challenging the production of practical applicability vs. theoretical possibility. Researchers have concentrated efforts on the effects of environmental stress conditions such as drought, heat, salinity, cold, or pathogen infection which can have a devastating impact on plant growth and yield. Designed to deliver information to combat stress both in isolation and through simultaneous crop stresses, this edited compilation provides a comprehensive view on the challenges and impacts of simultaneous stresses. - Presents a multidisciplinary view of crop stresses, empowering readers to quickly align their individual experience and perspective with the broader context - Combines the mechanistic aspects of stresses with the strategic aspects - Presents both abiotic and biotic stresses in a single volume

Download or read book Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria for Sustainable Stress Management written by R. Z. Sayyed and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2019-08-28 with total page 372 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Increasing agro productivity to feed a growing global population under the present climate scenario requires optimizing the use of resources and adopting sustainable agricultural production. This can be achieved by using plant beneficial bacteria, i.e., those bacteria that enhance plant growth under abiotic stress conditions, and more specifically, microorganisms such as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), which are the most promising candidates in this regard. Attaining sustainable agricultural production while preserving environmental quality, agro-ecosystem functions and biodiversity represents a major challenge for current agricultural practices; further, the traditional use of chemical inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, nutrients etc.) poses serious threats to crop productivity, soil fertility and the nutritional value of farm produce. Given these risks, managing pests and diseases, maintaining agro-ecosystem health, and avoiding health issues for humans and animals have now become key priorities. The use of PGPR as biofertilizers, plant growth promoters, biopesticides, and soil and plant health managers has attracted considerable attention among researchers, agriculturists, farmers, policymakers and consumers alike. Using PGPR can help meet the expected demand for global agricultural productivity to feed the world’s booming population, which is predicted to reach roughly 9 billion by 2050. However, to do so, PGPR strains must be safe for the environment, offer considerable plant growth promotion and biocontrol potential, be compatible with useful soil rhizobacteria, and be able to withstand various biotic and abiotic stresses. Accordingly, the book also highlights the need for better strains of PGPR to complement increasing agro-productivity.

Download or read book Bioremediation and Biotechnology written by Khalid Rehman Hakeem and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-01-26 with total page 334 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Toxic substances threatens aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and ultimately human health. The book is a thoughtful effort in bringing forth the role of biotechnology for bioremediation and restoration of the ecosystems degraded by toxic and heavy metal pollution. The introductory chapters of the book deal with the understanding of the issues concerned with the pollution caused by toxic elements and heavy metals and their impacts on the different ecosystems followed by the techniques involved in monitoring of the pollution. These techniques include use of bio-indicators as well as modern techniques for the assessment and monitoring of toxicants in the environment. Detailed chapters discussing the role of microbial biota, aquatic plants, terrestrial plants to enhance the accumulation efficiency of these toxic and heavy metals are followed by remediation techniques involving myco-remediation, bio-pesticides, bio-fertilizers, phyto-remediation and rhizo-filtration. A sizable portion of the book has been dedicated to the advanced bio-remediation techniques which are finding their way from the laboratory to the field for revival of the degraded ecosystems. These involve bio-films, micro-algae, genetically modified plants and filter feeders. Furthermore, the book is a detailed comprehensive account for the treatment technologies from unsustainable to sustainable. We believe academicians, researchers and students will find this book informative as a complete reference for biotechnological intervention for sustainable treatment of pollution.

Download or read book Recycling of Used Lead Acid Batteries written by Katherine von Stackelberg and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2022-06-30 with total page 121 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This document includes a pragmatic framework for designing representative studies and developing uniform sampling guidelines to support estimates of morbidity that are explicitly linked to exposure to land-based contaminants from used lead acid battery recycling (ULAB) activities. A primary goal is to support environmental burden of disease evaluations, which attempt to attribute health outcomes to specific sources of pollution. The guidelines provide recommendations on the most appropriate and cost-effective sampling and analysis methods to ensure the collection of representative population-level data, sample size recommendations for each contaminant and environmental media, biological sampling data, household survey data, and health outcome data. These guidelines focus on small-scale ULABs that are known to generate significant amounts of lead waste through the smelting process, as well as other metals including arsenic and cadmium. A primary concern with lead exposure is the documented association with neurodevelopmental outcomes in children as demonstrated by statistically significant reduced performance on a variety of cognitive tests. These associations are evident even in the youngest children, and toxicological and epidemiologic data indicate these effects have no threshold. Other potential exposures include arsenic and cadmium, and exposure to these contaminants is also associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in children, as well as arsenicosis; bladder, lung, and skin cancers; and renal outcomes. The primary objective of this document is to guide research to assess the relationship between environmental contamination, exposures, and health outcomes related to a subset of contaminants originating from ULAB activities for particularly vulnerable populations (such as children) and the general population within a single household in the vicinity of ULAB sites in low- and middle-income countries. To achieve this objective, biomonitoring and health outcome data are linked to household survey and environmental data (for example, soil, dust, water, and agricultural products) at the individual level from an exposed population compared to individuals from an unexposed (reference) population. Data on exposures and health outcomes in the same individual, across a representative set of individuals, is required to support an understanding of the potential impact of ULAB activities on local populations. The guidelines can also assist in building local capacity toconduct environmental assessments following a consistent methodology to facilitate comparability across ULAB sites in different geographic areas. Sampling strategies and methods are prioritized given information needs, resource availability, and other constraints or considerations. The document includes a number of supporting appendixes that provide additional resources and references on relevant topics. Data obtained following these recommendations can be used to support consistent, comparable, and standardized community risk and health impact assessments at contaminated sites in low- and middle-income countries. These data can also be used to support economic analyses and risk management decision-making for evaluating site cleanup and risk mitigation options in the most cost-effective and efficient manner. Following these recommendations will facilitate comparisons and meta-analyses across studies by standardizing data collection efforts at the community level.

Download or read book Approaches to the Remediation of Inorganic Pollutants written by Mirza Hasanuzzaman and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-02-08 with total page 413 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this comprehensive book, plant biologists and environmental scientists present the latest information on different approaches to the remediation of inorganic pollutants. Highlighting remediation techniques for a broad range of pollutants, the book offers a timely compilation to help readers understand injury and tolerance mechanisms, and the subsequent improvements that can be achieved by plant-based remediation. Gathering contributions by respected experts in the field, the book represents a valuable asset for students and researchers, particularly plant physiologists, environmental scientists, biotechnologists, botanists, soil chemists and agronomists.

Download or read book Artisanal Small Scale Gold Mining written by Katherine von Stackelberg and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2022-06-13 with total page 125 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This framework document provides a pragmatic approach for designing representative studies and developing uniform sampling guidelines to support estimates of morbidity that are explicitly linked to exposure to land-based contaminants from small-scale artisanal gold mining activities. A primary goal is to support environmental burden of disease evaluations, which attempt to attribute health outcomes to specific sources of pollution. The guidelines provide recommendations on the most appropriate and cost-effective sampling and analysis methods to ensure the collection of representative population-level data, sample size recommendations for each contaminant and environmental media, biological sampling data, household survey data, and health outcome data. This framework focuses on small-scale artisanal gold mining (ASGM) activities that are known to use and generate mercury (Hg) as well as other metals, such as arsenic (As) and lead (Pb), depending on the specific ores being mined. A particular concern with Hg is the conversion to methylmercury (MeHg) in aquatic environments, leading to bioaccumulation and biomagnification in fish that may be locally consumed. Exposure to Hg, MeHg, and Pb are strongly associated with neurodevelopmental health outcomes in children. Exposure to Hg and MeHg are also associated with neurological illnesses in adults. Exposures to Pb are associated with renal outcomes in children and adults, and cardiovascular outcomes in adults. Exposure to As are associated with neurodevelopmental health outcomes in children, arsenicosis and skin disorders in children and adults, and potential cancers in adults, including skin, bladder, and lung. The primary objective of this framework is to guide research to assess the relationship between environmental contamination, exposures, and health outcomes related to a subset of contaminants originating from ASGM activities for particularly vulnerable populations (such as children) and the general population within a single household in the vicinity of ASGM sites in low- and medium-income countries. To achieve this objective, biomonitoring and health outcome data are linked to household survey and environmental data (for example, soil, dust, water, agricultural products, fish) at the individual level from an exposed population compared to individuals from an unexposed (reference) population. Data on exposures and health outcomes in the same individual across a representative set of individuals is required to support an understanding of the potential impact of ASGM activities on local populations. These guidelines can also assist in building local capacity to conduct environmental assessments following a consistent methodology to facilitate comparability across ASGM sites in different geographic areas. Sampling strategies and methods are prioritized given information needs, resource availability, and other constraints or considerations. The framework includes a number of supporting appendixes that provide additional resources and references on relevant topics.

Download or read book Genetic Diversity and Erosion in Plants written by M. R. Ahuja and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-11-06 with total page 327 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Genetic erosion is the loss of genetic diversity within a species. It can happen very quickly, due to catastrophic events, or changes in land use leading to habitat loss. But it can also occur more gradually and remain unnoticed for a long time. One of the main causes of genetic erosion is the replacement of local varieties by modern varieties. Other causes include environmental degradation, urbanization, and land clearing through deforestation and brush fires. In order to conserve biodiversity in plants, it is important to targets three independent levels that include ecosystems, species and genes. Genetic diversity is important to a species’ fitness, long-term viability, and ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Chapters in this book are written by leading geneticists, molecular biologists and other specialists on relevant topics on genetic erosion and conservation genetic diversity in plants. This divisible set of two volumes deals with a broad spectrum of topics on genetic erosion, and approaches to biodiversity conservation in crop plants and trees. Volume 1 deals with indicators and prevention of genetic erosion, while volume 2 covers genetic diversity and erosion in a number of plants species. These two volumes will also be useful to botanists, biotechnologists, environmentalists, policy makers, conservationists, and NGOs working to manage genetic erosion and biodiversity.

Download or read book Perennial Biomass Crops for a Resource Constrained World written by Susanne Barth and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-11-18 with total page 313 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents a flavour of activities focussed on the need for sustainably produced biomass to support European strategic objectives for the developing bioeconomy. The chapters cover five broad topic areas relating to the use of perennial biomass crops in Europe. These are: ‘Bioenergy Resources from Perennial Crops in Europe’, ‘European Regional Examples for the Use of Perennial Crops for Bioenergy’, ‘Genotypic Selection of Perennial Biomass Crops for Crop Improvement’, ‘Ecophysiology of Perennial Biomass Crops’ and ‘Examples of End-Use of Perennial Biomass Crops’. Two major issues relating to the future use of biomass energy are the identification of the most suitable second generation biomass crops and the need to utilise land not under intensive agricultural production, broadly referred to as ‘marginal land’. The two main categories of plants that fit these needs are perennial rhizomatous grasses and trees that can be coppiced. The overarching questions that are addressed in the book relate to the suitability of perennial crops for providing feedstocks for a European bioeconomy and the need to exploit environments for biomass crops which do not compete with food crops. Bioenergy is the subject of a wide range of national and European policy measures. New developments covered are, for example, the use of perennial grasses to produce protein for animal feed and concepts to use perennial biomass crops to mitigate carbon emissions through soil carbon sequestration. Several chapters also show how prudent selection of suitable genotypes and breeding are essential to develop high yielding and sustainable second generation biomass crops which are adapted to a wide range of unfavourable conditions like chilling and freezing, drought, flooding and salinity. The final chapters also emphasise the need to be kept an eye out for potential new end-uses of perennial biomass crops that will contribute further to the developing bioeconomy.

Download or read book Preventing Autism written by Jay Gordon, M.D. and published by Turner Publishing Company. This book was released on 2013-03-01 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A groundbreaking approach to preventing autism—from a renowned pediatrician. Something is happening to our children, and Dr. Jay Gordon is determined to stop it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in eighty-eight children in the United States is being diagnosed with developmental disorders on the autism spectrum (ASD). The accelerating ASD epidemic parallels industry’s increased use of untested chemicals in manufacturing and our food supply. Preventing Autism identifies the toxic environmental triggers that can cause autism in susceptible children. Dr. Gordon presents a practical plan for safeguarding the neurological development of your children, from pre-pregnancy preparation through your baby’s first twenty-four months. When you are pregnant, everything you experience—the air you breathe, what you eat and drink, the chemicals to which you are exposed, your emotions—is shared with your baby. Your child’s health depends on creating an optimal environment for growth before and after birth. Preventing Autism presents a comprehensive program that covers: The latest research on the causes of ASD and the relationship between genetic factors and toxins that trigger developmental delays. How to reduce toxic exposure from your food, home, clothing, and cleaning and personal care products. The male biological clock. Recent research shows that mutations in older sperm contribute significantly to the incidence of autism. The book includes advice on keeping sperm healthy. Planning a nursery that is a healthy nest. Dietary guidance for moms-to-be, babies, and nursing mothers. Dr. Gordon’s sensible approach to decisions about vaccinations. Preventing Autism offers a plan for eliminating harmful chemicals from your everyday life that can disrupt the development of your baby. Dr. Gordon believes we can combat autism one family at a time.