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PubMed2005

Oil development and health in the Amazon basin of Ecuador: the popular epidemiology process.

Recent decades have witnessed an increasing corporate access to and control over natural resources resulting in environmental degradation, inequalities and ill health. Since 1972, oil companies have extracted more than two billion barrels of crude oil from the Ecuadorian Amazon. During this process, millions of gallons of untreated toxic wastes, gas and oil have been released into the environment. Indigenous federations, peasant's movements and environmental groups have claimed that contamination has caused widespread damage to both people and the environment. This article tells the story of how the relationship between local organisations and research institutions developed around an epidemiological study constructed to address communities' concerns. Local organisations set the agenda of the research: they were involved in the hypothesis formulation, consulted in each step during the study and responsible of the dissemination of the findings. This process is known as popular epidemiology. Practical and personal issues and dilemmas faced during the research process are discussed with emphasis on the communication and dissemination of the findings. The article concludes the need of alliances between communities and researchers in order to protect health and environment. Popular epidemiology is an essential approach for public health researchers to reaffirm their roots in improving public health as a primary value.

Community-Institutional Relations↗
PubMed2005

Bioleaching with ultrasound.

Application of bioleaching of metals in a large-scale operation is reviewed briefly. Continued technical innovation is vital for the wider utilisation of this extraction process within the mineral industries. Therefore, the use of power ultrasound in combination with bioleaching (referred to as sonobioleaching) has been studied and is shown to be beneficial in the recovery of nickel from lean grade ores. The role of ultrasound in improving the benefits and lowering the drawbacks of bioleaching to an acceptable level are described. A possible mechanism for improving and intensifying this process is hypothesised.

Aspergillus niger↗
PubMed2003

Variations in benthic fauna underneath an effluent mixing zone at a marine oil terminal in Port Valdez, Alaska.

The distributions of hydrocarbons and infauna in sediments below a permitted mixing zone for the disposal of treated ballast waters in Port Valdez, Alaska were examined annually, 1999-2001. The associations of biological measures and the abundance of selected benthic organisms to total aromatic hydrocarbons (TARO) ranged up to large-sized effects, as compared against minimum-effect criteria (/r/> or =0.63). The apparent sensitivity of three polychaete worms to low levels of hydrocarbons makes them particularly useful as indicators of future changes in spatial distributions of hydrocarbons associated with discharged effluent. In 2001, sediment TARO concentrations decreased and the correlation values of TARO to biotic variables were generally less than in 1999 and 2000. Evidence supports a conclusion of a strong but spatially limited association of some fauna with accumulations of petroleum hydrocarbons in these sediments.

Alaska↗
PubMed2001

Experimental exposure of juvenile chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to bleached kraft mill effluent: hepatic CYP1A induction is correlated with DNA adducts but not with organochlorine residues.

Juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were exposed for 28 days to 0-16% treated effluent from an elemental chlorine free (ECF) bleached kraft pulp mill. Fresh effluent was diluted with river water drawn from upstream of the effluent diffuser. Fish were tested for biochemical responses to identify if the effluent would cause significant effects at concentrations spanning those present in the Fraser River, BC, Canada during winter conditions. Hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity was increased significantly at all effluent concentrations and hepatic cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) protein was increased in all but 2% effluent. Hepatic DNA adduct concentrations were increased significantly at 8 and 16% effluent. These data indicate that there is a significant increase in all three responses at concentrations similar to those found in the receiving waters (4%) and that a dose-response relationship exists between BKME concentration and the responses measured. Carcasses contained low (< 0.2 pg g(-1)) concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were at higher concentrations, accounting for 77% of the total contaminant burden, expressed as TEQ, but contaminants do not appear to have bioaccumulated in this study. It is likely that the PCB concentrations were due to contaminated commercial fish feed. Bile did not contain detectable levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as measured by synchronous fluorescence spectrometry.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

A simple extraction procedure for efficient routine detection of pathogenic bacteria in plant material by polymerase chain reaction.

A simple and rapid method for extracting DNA from plants based on the use of an extraction buffer and precipitation with isopropanol was assayed to see its usefulness in detecting pathogenic bacteria in plant material. The method was compared with a phenol-chloroform standard procedure obtaining higher sensitivity levels of detection. The protocol developed was efficient for detecting a Gram-positive bacterium, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and several Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria (Ralstonia solanacearum, Erwinia amylovora, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri) with a sensitivity of 10(2)-10(3) cfu/ml in spiked samples. It was also efficient to specifically identify such bacteria in naturally infected plant material. This procedure is proposed as a routine tool for detection of plant pathogenic bacteria, as well as in environmental microbiology and biotechnology studies.

2-Propanol↗
PubMed2002

Community reappraisal of the perceived health effects of a petroleum refinery.

This paper presents results from a study of the community health impacts of a petroleum refinery in Oakville, Ontario in Canada. The research is informed by the environmental stress and coping literatures and the focus is on community reappraisal of the refinery's impacts before and after the implementation of a substantive odour reduction initiative on the part of the refinery operators. Community health surveys were conducted in 1992 (n = 391) and 1997 (n = 427) to examine changes in odour perception and annoyance and self-reported health status attributable to the odour reduction plan. The findings reported here suggest an on-going process of cognitive reappraisal, whereby negative perceptions and concerns decreased between 1992 and 1997. Irrespective of this positive reappraisal of the refinery efforts, those living close to the refinery continue to report negative health impacts. A strong mediating effect of odours on the refinery exposure-symptom reporting relationship was confirmed by our results. While the relationship between odour perception and symptom reporting indicates the importance of odour perception and annoyance as the principal mechanism mediating ill-health reporting, the plausibility of other causal pathways is recognized. Residents' sensitivity to the negative effects of the refinery on their health and the health of their children suggests a psychosocial reaction to the environmental stress associated with perceived and actual refinery emissions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Sickness absence and early retirement at two workplaces--effects of organisational intervention in Sweden.

This study sought to compare sickness absence and early retirement at two workplaces in Sweden before and after they had received financial support from the Working Life Fund and implemented vocational rehabilitation activities. Two paper and pulp manufacturing plants were compared and a cohort study was set up. The cohort included everyone born in 1934 or later who was employed in December 1988 (918 employees at Plant A and 1543 at Plant B). For 10 years (1989-98), sick leave and disability pensions were monitored. The periods before and after the intervention (1989-93 and 1994-98, respectively) were compared. Cumulative incidence was calculated for short-, long-term and very long-term sick leave, company pension and early retirement. There was no difference between the plants in terms of the three different outcomes when sick leave was measured before and after the intervention. Sick leave in Period 1 was strongly correlated with an elevated risk of sick leave in Period 2. The cumulative incidence of short-term sick leave decreased from 0.92 (95% CI, 0.91-0.93) in Period 1 to 0.79 (95% CI, 0.77-0.80) in Period 2. For employees in the upper age groups, relative risk for long-term and very long-term sick leave was elevated in both periods. The incidence of early retirement and company pension differed between the companies. We conclude that the size of financial investments in rehabilitation programmes has no significant impact on sickness absence or disability pension, based on a comparison between two paper and pulp manufacturing plants in Sweden during the early 1990s.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A longitudinal study of the health impacts of a petroleum refinery.

Emissions from a petroleum refinery in Oakville, Ont., have been the source of longstanding health concerns among residents in the surrounding community. Between 1992 and 1997, the refinery implemented extensive odour reduction measures through improvements in waste water treatment, in sulphur recovery and combustion. In this paper, we present the main findings of a recent longitudinal analysis using data from community health surveys conducted in 1992 and 1997, before and after implementation of the odour reduction plan. The results show a decline in the frequency of odour perception and annoyance by residents whereas the reporting of cardinal and general symptoms among adults and children was virtually unchanged. Odour perception and annoyance were strongly related to symptom reporting in both years supporting the hypothesis that the effect of refinery emissions on residents' health is odour mediated. The findings extend our understanding of the psychosocial basis of symptom reporting in the vicinity of refineries.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Effects of occupational lead and cadmium exposure on some immunoregulatory cytokine levels in man.

The levels of serum interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) were assessed in the workers who were occupationally exposed to lead and cadmium. The values were compared with the age-matched control group. Blood lead and cadmium levels were significantly raised. Our findings suggest that chronic lead and cadmium exposure in humans resulted in significant suppression of the serum IL-1beta level, but did not alter IL-2 and TNF-alpha levels. The gamma-IFN level was also reduced in lead workers. In contrast, a significant enhancement was observed in the cadmium-exposed group. We conclude from these results that lead and cadmium exposure at chronically high level may affect some cytokine levels in humans.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Risk-informed selection of a highway trajectory in the neighborhood of an oil-refinery.

A methodology for characterizing alternative trajectories of a new highway in the neighborhood of an oil-refinery with respect to the risk to public health is presented. The approach is based on a quantitative assessment of the risk that the storage facilities of flammable materials of the refinery pose to the users of the highway. Physical phenomena with a potential for detrimental consequences to public health such as BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion), Unconfined Vapor Cloud Explosion, flash fire and pool fire are considered. Methodological and procedural steps for assessing the individual risk around the tank farm of the oil-refinery are presented. Based on the individual risk, group risk for each alternative highway trajectory is determined.

Decision Support Techniques↗
PubMed2000

Impact of oestrogenic substances from oil production at sea.

The possibility that chemicals present in the environment may mimic hormones, causing deleterious physiological effects to wildlife, has been given considerable attention. Although the question of ecological significance of 'endocrine disrupters' is not yet settled, and standard assessment procedures have not yet been established, proposals to control these chemicals into the marine environment are now being made under the Oslo and Paris Commission (OSPAR) and the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM). A possible source of such emissions is offshore-drilling, where applications containing polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkylphenols, indicated as environmental oestrogens, historically have been used. This paper examines available evidence regarding the potential impact of these substances on aquatic organisms living around offshore platforms.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Microflora of technogenous wastes characterised by fatty acid profiling.

Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles obtained directly in situ have been used to estimate microbial community structure in different technogenous wastes. The effect of nutrients added, simulating the effect of plant-derived exudates on the indigenous microflora in the heaps during the reclamation process, was also studied in microcosms. The wastes such as coal-mine spoil, non-ferrous metallurgical slag and coal fly-ash were characterised by a poorly developed microflora as compared to a typical sandy loam soil. However, the most similar to the soil was the community structure in the coalmine spoil. The high content of 18: 2omega6,9 found in the metallurgical slag indicated the domination of fungi in this waste. In contrast, representatives of the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium group dominated the coal fly-ash, for which 16:1omega5c was used as the marker acid. The waste amendment resulted in changes of FAME profiles obtained. However, the changes were site-specific, indicating response of particular microbial groups to the added nutrients.

Ecology↗
PubMed2001

Health findings from a mortality and morbidity surveillance of refinery employees.

PURPOSE: To present results from a prospective mortality (1973-1998) and morbidity (1990-1998) surveillance of a refinery population in California. METHODS: Mortality and illness-absence data were extracted from the Shell Oil Company's Health Surveillance System (HSS). Mortality data were compared to the United States, the state of California, and Contra Costa County, where the refinery is located. Morbidity data were compared to other company manufacturing employees. The standardized mortality/morbidity ratio (SMR/SMbR) was used as a measure of risk. Morbidity frequency and duration of absence were calculated by age, sex, and four health risk factors (smoking, high blood pressure, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity). RESULTS: With the United States as a comparison, the all causes combined SMR was 0.84 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.78-0.90], and the SMR for all cancer was 0.75 (95% CI = 0.64-0.88). Statistically significant deficits in mortality were found for lung cancer (SMR = 0.60) and leukemia (SMR = 0.26). Morbidity frequency and duration of absence among smokers were substantially higher than those of nonsmokers. Similar results were also noted for obese employees when compared to those of normal weight. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the comparison population, significantly fewer deaths were seen for all causes combined, all cancer, lung cancer, and leukemia. The study also showed no increased mortality from cancer of the stomach, kidney, skin, prostate, and brain. The increased morbidity frequency and duration of absence were associated with the presence of known health risk factors. These study findings are useful in setting priorities for medical programs and directing efforts such as health promotion and disease prevention strategies.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Modeling and analysis of biooxidation of gold bearing pyrite-arsenopyrite concentrates by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans.

The results of modeling the biooxidation of a mixed sulfidic concentrate by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans is reported here. A kinetic model, which accounts for the dissolution of sulfide matrix due to both bacterial attachment onto the mineral surface and indirect leaching, has been proposed. A comprehensive system approach is employed for modeling the complex biooxidation process by (a) the decomposition of the complete system into several subsystems, (b) modeling individual systems, and (c) integrating the subsystems model in a final system model. The model for subsystems was developed by writing mass balance equations for the different species involved. The bacterial balance accounts for its growth, both on solid substrate and in solution, and for the attachment to and detachment from the surface. The kinetic parameters of the model were determined by designing the experiments in such a manner that only one subsystem was operational. This model was tested in both laboratory scale batch and continuous biooxidation processes. The model predictions agreed with the experimental data reasonably well. A further analysis of the model was carried out to predict the conditions for efficient biooxidation. Studies on the effect of residence time and pulp density on steady-state behavior showed that there is a critical residence time and pulp density below which washout conditions occur. Operation at pulp densities lower than 5% and residence times lower than 72 h was found unfavorable for efficient leaching.

Arsenicals↗
PubMed2006

Using chemical and isotopic data to quantify ionic trapping of injected carbon dioxide in oil field brines.

Injection of carbon dioxide into depleted oil fields or deep saline aquifers represents one of the most promising means of long-term storage of this greenhouse gas. While the ultimate goal of CO2 injection in the subsurface is mineral storage of CO2 as carbonates, short-term (<50 year) storage of injected CO2 is most likely to be accomplished by ionic trapping of CO2 as bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) and hydrogeological trapping of molecular CO2. Here, we demonstrate a technique for quantifying ionic trapping of injected CO2 as HCO3- using geochemical data collected prior to and during 40 months of CO2 injection into a hydrocarbon reservoir at the International Energy Agency (IEA) Weyburn CO2 Monitoring and Storage Project, Saskatchewan, Canada. As a result of injection of CO2 with a low carbon isotope ratio (delta13C value), fluid and gas samples from four selected production wells showed an increase in HCO3- concentration and a decrease in delta13C values of HCO3- and CO2 over the observation period. Isotope and mass balance calculations indicate that, after 40 months of injection, approximately 80% of the HCO3- in the reservoir brines sampled from the four wells formed via dissolution and dissociation of injected CO2. This chemical and isotopic technique should be applicable to CO2 injection and storage in oil fields and in deep saline aquifers, provided there is sufficient carbon isotopic distinction between injected CO2 and baseline aquifer HCO3- and CO2.

Bicarbonates↗
PubMed2001

An assessment of people's satisfaction with the public hearing on the Yadana Natural Gas Pipeline project.

Many public and large-scale construction projects in Thailand have been faced with environmental and social conflict problems. The major cause is that project sponsors do not address concerns of the public in a proper manner during EIA study. The Yadana Natural Gas Pipeline (YNGP) project is an example of a project which suffered the effects of public demonstration. A public hearing, one technique of public participation, is a good mechanism to solve conflict problems in a non-violent way which the Thai Government usually adopts to settle conflict in construction projects. In the case of the YNGP, even after the conflict was 'resolved' hostility towards the project was not eliminated, as the opponents were not satisfied with the decision. Therefore, this article examines the hearing on the YNGP project. The study found that it was too late to make any significant changes to the project after the hearing was held, most respondents were not satisfied with the project. In other words, this hearing did not improve their perception of environmental soundness of the project. The study showed that the project's impact on the environment was not properly addressed. The project sponsors did not provide sufficient publicity for the meeting and the stage at which the hearing was conducted. Suggestions are made for improving participation in future hearings.

Community Participation↗