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The process of development activities in Sukasari Village, Indramayu, produces several environmental contaminants that may cause disruption to the health of the surrounding community. The pollution is in the form of exceeding the Threshold Value of the BOD agent in the water parameter and air pollution in the sound (noise) section. This study aims to determine the concentration and risk level of BOD agent pollution in water parameters and noise pollution. The research was conducted in the Sukasari Village area with a grab sampling method of water and air components (SNI 8995: 2021), based on Indonesian Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021 and KepMenLH No. KEP-48/MENLH/11/11: KEP-48/MENLH/11/1996, as well as Environmental Health Risk Analysis (EHR) conducted on 32 people based on the purposive sampling method. The results showed that the BOD concentration in the residential area was 13 mg.L-1, with a safe risk category for 30 people with body weight criteria of 49 to 81 kg and unsafe for 2 people with body weight criteria ≤ 43 kg. The sound parameter measurement results showed a figure of 68 dB(A), which exceeded the threshold value of 55 dB(A). Decreased BOD quality can cause several diseases, including skin irritation and digestive problems. The impact of noise on hearing can include balance disorders, hearing loss, until permanent hearing loss, increased blood pressure, psychological disorders, and behavioral disorders.

Monitoring heavy metals (HMs) across source distance and depth distribution near coal mining sites is essential for preventing environmental pollution and health risks. This study investigated the distribution of selected HMs, cadmium (Cd 2+ ), chromium (Cr 2+ ), copper (Cu 2+ ), manganese (Mn 2+ ), nickel (Ni 2+ ), lead (Pb 2+ ), and zinc (Zn 2+ ), in soil samples collected from ten sites (S-1–S-10) at two different depths (0–15 and 15–30 cm) and distances of 50, 100, and 200 m from a mining source. Additionally, three plant species, Prosopis spp., Justicia spp., and wheat, were collected to assess HM bioavailability and leaf accumulation. Coal mine activities’ impact on soil properties and their HM associations were also explored. Results reveal HM concentrations except for Cr 2+ exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) limits. In surface soil, Cd 2+ (58%), Cu 2+ (93%), Mn 2+ (68%), Ni 2+ (80%), Pb 2+ (35%), and Zn 2+ (88%) surpassed permissible limits. Subsurface soil also exhibited elevated Cd 2+ (53%), Cu 2+ (83%), Mn 2+ (60%), Ni 2+ (80%), Pb 2+ (35%), and Zn 2+ (77%). Plant species displayed varying HM levels, exceeding permissible limits, with average concentrations of 1.4, 1.34, 1.42, 4.1, 2.74, 2.0, and 1.98 mg kg −1 for Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , Cr 2+ , Cu 2+ , Mn 2+ , Ni 2+ , and Zn 2+ , respectively. Bioaccumulation factors were highest in wheat, Prosopis spp., and Justicia spp. Source distance and depth distribution significantly influenced soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and soil organic carbon (SOC). Soil pH and EC increased with an increase in soil depth, while SOC decreased. Pearson correlation analysis revealed varying relationships between soil properties and HMs, showing a considerably negative correlation. Concentrations of HMs decreased with increasing depth and distance from mining activities, validated by regression analysis. Findings suggest crops from these soils may pose health risks for consumption. Graphical abstract

Background Africa is blessed with vast arable land and enriched with valuable natural resources encompassing both renewable (like water, forests, and fisheries) and non-renewable (such as minerals, coal, gas, and oil). Under the right conditions, a natural resource boom should serve as an important driver for growth, development, and the transition from cottage industry to factory output. However, despite its wealth, Africa is often associated with the notion of a resource curse. Negative outcomes are often linked with mineral wealth. This paper investigates the causes of adverse health outcomes in resource-rich regions. The study provides empirical support for the natural resource curse with particular emphasis on the environmental health risks in Africa. We explore the multifaceted connections among mineral deposits, environmental risks, conflict events and population dynamics, shedding light on the complexities of resource-rich areas. Results We amalgamate georeferenced data pertaining to 22 specific mineral deposits with information on the prevalence of reliance on compromised infrastructures at a spatial resolution of 0.5 ∘ × 0 . 5 ∘ for all of Africa between 2000 and 2017. Through comprehensive econometric analysis of environmental health risk factors, including reliance on contaminated water sources, open defecation, unimproved sanitation, particulate matter concentration, and carbon concentration, we uncover the intricate pathways through which mineral deposits impact public health. Our findings revealed the significant role of in-migration in mediating environmental health risks. Moreover, we found that the activities of extractive companies amplify certain environmental risks including reliance on unimproved sanitation and practices and particulate matter concentration. Conflict events emerge as a key mediator across all environmental health risks, underlining the far-reaching consequences of instability and violence on both local communities and the environment. Conclusion The study contributes to the discourse on sustainable development by unraveling the nuanced associations between mineral wealth and health challenges. By drawing attention to the intricate web of factors at play, we provide a foundation for targeted interventions that address the unique environmental and health challenges faced by mineral-rich communities.

The awareness of citizens concerning the health risks caused by environmental pollution is growing, but studies on determinants of pro-environmental behaviors have rarely examined health-related aspects. In this study, we investigated these determinants using data from a large survey among Italian university students (15 Universities: 4778 filled questionnaires). Besides the health-related aspects, represented by environmental health risk perception and functional health literacy, we considered social and demographic characteristics (gender, area of residence, sources of information, trust in institutional and non-institutional subjects, and students’ capacity of positive actions, indicated as internal locus of control). The attitudes towards pro-environmental behaviors were positive for more than 70% of students and positively related with health risk perception, internal locus of control, and health literacy. The correspondence between the positive attitudes towards pro-environmental behaviors and the real adoption of such behaviors was approximately 20% for most behaviors, except for the separate collection of waste (60%). Such a discrepancy can be attributable to external obstacles (i.e., lack of time, costs, lack of support). The health-related aspects were linked to the pro-environmental attitudes, but to a lesser extent to pro-environmental behaviors, owing to the complexity of their determinants. However, they should be taken in account in planning education interventions.

This research introduces a practical and innovative approach for real-time air quality assessment and health risk prediction, focusing on urban, industrial, suburban, rural, and traffic-heavy environments. The framework integrates data from multiple sources, including fixed and mobile air quality sensors, meteorological inputs, satellite data, and localised demographic information. Using a combination of machine learning techniques such as Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, XGBoost, and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks the system predicts pollutant concentrations and classifies air quality levels with high temporal accuracy. Interpretability is achieved through SHAP analysis, which provides insight into the most influential environmental and demographic variables behind each prediction. A cloud-based architecture enables continuous data flow and live updates through a web dashboard and mobile alert system. Visual risk maps and health advisories are generated every five minutes to support timely decision-making. The framework not only forecasts pollution trends but also identifies vulnerable populations through spatial overlays. Future validation will include real-world sensor deployment and comparison with health impact records to ensure both scientific accuracy and community relevance.

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria, followed by a 7.6-magnitude earthquake, caused over 50 000 deaths and over 100 000 injuries. The immediate physical injuries were severe, but the health repercussions, including the strain on healthcare services and the possibility of disease outbreaks, were equally concerning. Infections due to multidrug resistant microbes were also a matter of concern. Earthquake has caused not only loss of property and physical damage but also has a great negative impact on the mental health of the people. It is associated with serious psychological trauma. Moreover, the risk of malnutrition also became evident. Food aid and nutritional supplements can reduce the risk of malnutrition, but they are not a long-term solution. Establishment of sustainable food systems and restoration of agricultural productions are essential. Other demanding issues like derth of access to essential services related to health care, chances of child birth related complications following earthquake also need to be addressed. Emerging crises and disasters (conflicts, pandemics, epidemics), in addition to pre-existing conditions (collapsed health facilities, cold winter conditions, destruction of lifeline infrastructures, overcrowding in emergency shelters, poor sanitation, and unfavorable socio-economic conditions), may further exacerbate the already precarious public health situation and significantly delay the recovery process. The early warning and protection against the development of infectious diseases in earthquake-affected areas depend on good disease surveillance at the local and regional levels, which has been proposed as one of several techniques for prevention and management of infectious diseases in these areas. Our article outlines high-level approaches to reduce the risk of health issues among victims of Turkey and Syria.

Environmental public health hazards present unique challenges for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities due to their close cultural, physical, and spiritual associations with the environment. To raise visibility of these challenges among environmental public health professionals, this report summarizes findings from studies, news articles, and case studies. We categorized five major environmental public health challenges that affect AI/AN communities: climate change, environmental health hazards, air quality, water quality, and environmental prenatal exposures. A general explanation of each environmental health issue is articulated with contextual history, statistics, and reports. Discussion of these categories is followed by case studies of AI/AN communities affected by these environmental health challenges. Lastly, we point to efforts by Indigenous communities and allies who are working to improve AI/AN environmental public health within the U.S.

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are increasingly recognized as emerging contaminants of concern for human health. Their small size, diverse composition, and reactive surface enable interactions with biological barriers and cellular systems. This comprehensive narrative review synthesizes and critically evaluates current evidence on the mechanistic effects of MNPs in humans and experimental models. Systemic mechanisms, including oxidative stress, inflammation, barrier disruption, and immune dysregulation, may underlie reported adverse effects in the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular, nervous and reproductive systems, as well as the placenta. Omics studies further reveal alterations in metabolic and stress-response pathways, providing systems-level insights and candidate biomarkers. Human data remain limited to biomonitoring studies, and causality has not yet been established. Toxicological data, though informative, often rely on pristine particles and high-dose, short-term exposures that exceed environmental estimates, highlighting the need for chronic, low-dose models. Major challenges include difficulties in detecting and quantifying MNPs in tissues, limited attribution of effects to polymers versus additives or adsorbed contaminants, and lack of standardized characterization and reporting. Emerging advances, such as reference materials, omics profiling, and organ-on-chip technologies, offer opportunities to close these gaps. Overall, the available data suggest biologically plausible pathways for health risks, but methodological refinement and harmonized research strategies are essential for robust human health assessment.

In Zimbabwe, management of medical solid waste is emerging as a visible dilemma. This is attributed to population explosion as well as outbreak of diseases and spread of already existing diseases which accelerate volume of medical solid waste generated by medical facilities. Consequently, the overarching objective of this paper was to review medical solid waste management status in Zimbabwe utilising published documents. The literature demonstrated that medical solid waste generated in Zimbabwe encompasses pathological, pharmaceutical, chemical, infectious, cytotoxic, sharps and general waste. Management approaches used by medical facilities are marred with inappropriateness as shown by storage, collection, conveyance and disposal of non-segregated waste. Verdicts of the study depict that open pit dumping, landfills, incineration, burying, open burning, ottoway pits and open dumpsites are discarding strategies used. However, these strategies pose water, air and soil pollution, therefore, impacting the ecosystem and humanity. Findings indicated that infectious diseases, respiratory diseases, gastro-intestinal problems and injuries emanate due to poor management of medical waste. The roots of unsafe management of medical solid waste include inadequate finance, weak enforcement of legislation, ignorance among health workers and waste workers as well as non-participatory approach in decision making. Zimbabwe is recommended to direct funds to medical solid waste, increase awareness of health workers through trainings and education and reinforcing enforcement of legislation linked to medical solid waste among others.

Urban community gardens are valued for promoting sustainable food production, yet the accumulation of toxic heavy metals in city soils can present both ecological and public health risks. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the environmental and health risks of toxic heavy metals in community gardens soil contaminated by an industrial fire hazard in New Brunswick, Canada. Both top and subsoil soil samples were collected at Carleton community garden. The collected samples were examined for toxic heavy metals using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Ecological risks were evaluated through the ecological risk factor and the potential ecological risk index, while human health risks were determined using a standard human health risk assessment approach. The mean concentration of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Sn exceeded permissible limits when compared to the Canadian soil quality guidelines and upper continental crust values. Findings from the ecological risk assessment showed that all metals were associated with low risk, except for nickel, which posed a high ecological risk across both soil layers. PERI results revealed a low overall ecological threat. The human health risk analysis indicated that children could face non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks from As exposure, while adults were not at risk from any of the studied metals. These findings identify arsenic as the primary contaminant of concern, with children representing the most vulnerable population, emphasizing the necessity for targeted mitigation strategies and protective measures to reduce their exposure. The results of this study can inform interventions aimed at safeguarding both environmental and public health, while also raising awareness about the presence and risks of toxic heavy metals, ultimately contributing to the protection of human health and the broader ecosystem.