Think before you flush! A sustainable aquatic eco-system's relation to human health.
(74/79)
What we do every day at work and in our home lives can make a difference in the quality of our environment. Consider, for example, the flushing of pharmaceuticals into the sewer system can lead to water pollution resulting in a threat to aquatic and human life. In contrast, keeping aquatic life healthy may contribute to human health. Some aquatic-based medications are currently on the market. Others are in various stages of development. In this article the authors argue that, for the benefit of both human and marine life, it is time to implement safer disposal methods for unwanted medications. The authors begin by sharing nursing's guiding principles for environmental health; after which they review research related to pharmaceutical pollution of water resources; describe health care treatments derived from marine life; and discuss suggestions for promoting aquatic health. They conclude that by taking care to preserve aquatic life, we contribute to the quality of our own human lives. (+info)
Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Pseudomonas spp. isolated from a swine slaughterhouse in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil.
(75/79)
The present work sought to detect the presence of Pseudomonas spp. at different stages of an effluent treatment plant using the Australian system of stabilization ponds, and to determine the susceptibility of those isolates to different antimicrobials. Thirty-four isolates of Pseudomonas spp. derived from effluent treatment station water samples were collected near the transfer ducts between the ponds in November/2008 and december/2009. Among the Pseudomonas spp. isolates, 47.05 % showed susceptibility to all antimicrobials tested, 20.58 % were resistant to cefepime, and 24 % showed intermediate resistance to streptomycin. No Pseudomonas spp. isolates were found in the final pond, or in post-treatment effluents. The Pseudomonas spp. isolates did not exhibit multiresistance to the antimicrobials tested. (+info)
Study of the production of alkaline keratinases in submerged cultures as an alternative for solid waste treatment generated in leather technology.
(76/79)
Six nonpathogenic fungal strains isolated from alkaline soils of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina (Acremonium murorum, Aspergillus sidowii, Cladosporium cladosporoides, Neurospora tetrasperma, Purpureocillium lilacinum (formerly Paecilomyces lilacinus), and Westerdikella dispersa) were tested for their ability to produce keratinolytic enzymes. Strains were grown on feather meal agar as well as in solid-state and submerged cultures, using a basal mineral medium and "hair waste" as sole sources of carbon and nitrogen. All the tested fungi grew on feather meal agar, but only three of them were capable of hydrolyzing keratin, producing clear zones. Among these strains, P. lilacinum produced the highest proteolytic and keratinolytic activities, both in solid-state and submerged fermentations. The medium composition and culture conditions for the keratinases production by P. lilacinum were optimized. Addition of glucose (5 g/l) and yeast extract (2.23 g/l) to the basal hair medium increased keratinases production. The optimum temperature and initial pH for the enzyme production were 28 and 6.0, respectively. A beneficial effect was observed when the original concentration of four metal ions, present in the basal mineral medium, was reduced up to 1:10. The maximum yield of the enzyme was 15.96 Uc/ml in the optimal hair medium; this value was about 6.5-fold higher than the yield in the basal hair medium. These results suggest that keratinases from P. lilacinum can be useful for biotechnological purposes such as biodegradation (or bioconversion) of hair waste, leading to a reduction of the environmental pollution caused by leather technology with the concomitant production of proteolytic enzymes and protein hydrolyzates. (+info)
The management of dental waste in dental offices and clinics in Shiraz, Southern Iran.
(77/79)
BACKGROUND: Dental waste can be hazardous to humans and the environment. OBJECTIVE: To determine the current status of dental waste management in private and public dental clinics and private dental offices in Shiraz, southern Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from February through June 2013. A stratified random sampling method was used to study 86 private offices, 14 private clinics and 10 public clinics. Types of waste studied included mercury and amalgam, lead foil packets, sharps, infectious tissues and fluids, pharmaceuticals and domestic waste materials. Compliance with established standards by the monitored dental offices and clinics and public clinics were compared. RESULTS: 89.1% of dental offices and clinics disposed their infectious waste with domestic waste. Only 60% of centers used standard method for sharps disposal. None of the dental centers disposed their pharmaceutical waste and x-ray fixer waste by standard methods. Less than 10% of centers recycled the amalgam and lead foil pockets waste to the manufacture. CONCLUSION: Government agencies should establish monitoring programs for all dental offices and clinics to identify noncompliant activity and enforce recommended regulations. (+info)
Hospitals and plastics. Dioxin prevention and medical waste incinerators.
(78/79)
CHLORINATED DIOXINS and related compounds are extremely potent toxic substances, producing effects in humans and animals at extremely low doses. Because these compounds are persistent in the environment and accumulate in the food chain, they are now distributed globally, and every member of the human population is exposed to them, primarily through the food supply and mothers' milk. An emerging body of information suggests that dioxin contamination has reached a level that may pose a large-scale, long-term public health risk. Of particular concern are dioxin's effects on reproduction, development, immune system function, and carcinogenesis. Medical waste incineration is a major source of dioxins. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, as the dominant source of organically bound chlorine in the medical waste stream, is the primary cause of "iatrogenic" dioxin produced by the incineration of medical wastes. Health professionals have a responsibility to work to reduce dioxin exposure from medical sources. Health care institutions should implement policies to reduce the use of PVC plastics, thus achieving major reductions in medically related dioxin formation. (+info)
Control of infection: a survey of general medical practices.
(79/79)
BACKGROUND: The aims of the study were (1) to assess current infection control practice within general medical practices and establish a base line; (2) to identify potential infection control problems; (3) to assess the need for local infection control guidelines or standards related to general medical practice; (4) to assess the need for educational provision. METHODS: A survey was carried out, using questionnaire and structured interviews, of all general practices (92) within a Health Board area with a patient population of 561,300. RESULTS: Forty two (46 per cent) practices participated, serving 67 per cent of the patient population. Only three (7 per cent) practices had written infection control policies and only six (14 per cent) provided training on the subject. Thirty (71 per cent) practices had autoclaves; however, performance monitoring was poor. The majority of high-risk instruments were adequately decontaminated; of the medium-risk instruments, the auriscope speculum was the item most frequently inadequately treated [36 practices (88 per cent)]. Deficiencies were identified in treatment of blood spillage, and protective clothing provision was variable. The majority, 40 (95 per cent) practices, had systems to deal with clinical waste; however, only two (5 per cent) reported use of BS7320 sharps containers on domiciliary visits. Despite the recognized dangers, 23 (55 per cent) practices resheathed needles and only six (14 per cent) had first aid guidance for needlestick injuries. Only eight (19 per cent) practices knew and recorded staff immunity to hepatitis B following vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Some deficiencies in infection control practice were identified and the need for policy guidance and staff training was highlighted. (+info)