Environmental affairs enforcement report

This is a list of actions taken against businesses that are not in compliance with environmental regulations including underground storage tanks, hazardous waste, drinking water, water pollution and solid waste. It is broken down by enforcement by various divisions of DHEC including the Bureau of Land and Waste Management, Bureau of Water, Bureau of Air Quality, Bureau of Environmental Health Services and Division of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management.

Environmental affairs enforcement report

This is a list of actions taken against businesses that are not in compliance with environmental regulations including underground storage tanks, hazardous waste, drinking water, water pollution and solid waste. It is broken down by enforcement by various divisions of DHEC including the Bureau of Land and Waste Management, Bureau of Water, Bureau of Air Quality, Bureau of Environmental Health Services and Division of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management.

Environmental affairs enforcement report

This is a list of actions taken against businesses that are not in compliance with environmental regulations including underground storage tanks, hazardous waste, drinking water, water pollution and solid waste. It is broken down by enforcement by various divisions of DHEC including the Bureau of Land and Waste Management, Bureau of Water, Bureau of Air Quality, Bureau of Environmental Health Services and Division of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management.

Environmental affairs enforcement report

This is a list of actions taken against businesses that are not in compliance with environmental regulations including underground storage tanks, hazardous waste, drinking water, water pollution and solid waste. It is broken down by enforcement by various divisions of DHEC including the Bureau of Land and Waste Management, Bureau of Water, Bureau of Air Quality, Bureau of Environmental Health Services and Division of Ocean and

Environmental affairs enforcement report

This is a list of actions taken against businesses that are not in compliance with environmental regulations including underground storage tanks, hazardous waste, drinking water, water pollution and solid waste. It is broken down by enforcement by various divisions of DHEC including the Bureau of Land and Waste Management, Bureau of Water, Bureau of Air Quality, Bureau of Environmental Health Services and Division of Ocean and

Lymphocyte Activation In Silica-exposed Workers.

Exposure to silica dust has been examined as a possible risk factor for autoimmune diseases, including systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and ANCA-associated vasculitis. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms resulting in the increased prevalence of autoimmunity remain elusive. To clarify these mechanisms, we studied various markers of immune activation in individuals occupationally exposed to silica dust, i.e., serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), levels of IL-2, other pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and lymphoproliferation. Our results demonstrate that silica-exposed individuals present important alterations in their immune response when compared to controls, as shown by increased serum sIL-2R levels, decreased production of IL-2 and increased levels of the pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ, IL-1α, TNF-α, IL-6) as well as anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and TGF-β) cytokines. Furthermore, silica-exposed individuals presented enhanced lymphoproliferative responses. Our findings provide evidence that the maintenance of immune homeostasis may be disturbed in silica-exposed individuals, possibly resulting in autoimmune disorders.

Hábitos relacionados ao descarte pós-consumo de aparelhos e baterias de telefones celulares em uma comunidade acadêmica

Cada vez mais a sociedade contemporânea incorpora em seu cotidiano equipamentos elétricos e eletrônicos, muitos deles contendo substâncias perigosas, que representam ameaças ao meio ambiente e riscos à saúde humana. Este artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa exploratória com o objetivo de relacionar comportamento de descarte pós-consumo de aparelhos e baterias de celulares, em um grupo de consumidores de telefonia móvel, que tem proximidade em seu cotidiano de trabalho e de estudo com informações sobre saúde pública e ambiental. Os resultados da pesquisa indicam que informação pode aproximar as pessoas do problema, porém não levam por si só à produção de alterações significativas sobre o que e como fazer com o descarte pós-consumo. Os participantes do estudo possibilitaram identificar, que além da informação e acesso a coletores específicos, outros aspectos e critérios pessoais ou coletivos interferem no procedimento de descarte: percepção sobre risco, valor econômico disponibilizado na compra do aparelho e vínculos afetivos, entre outros. Esses fatores podem produzir diferentes respostas dos usuários sobre como lidar com as inovações tecnológicas de uso pessoal.

Riscos e controvérsias na construção social do conceito de alimento saudável: o caso da soja

Riscos e controvérsias na construção social do conceito de alimento saudável são discutidos, tendo a soja como objeto de estudo. Estudos dos impactos da soja sobre a saúde e da sojicultura sobre o meio socioambiental foram revisados para analisar as controvérsias científicas da pesquisa na área de soja e saúde humana, bem como seu contexto político e as repercussões socioambientais da sojicultura. Com base na Sociologia do Conhecimento Científico e na Sociologia Ambiental, argumenta-se que a fronteira entre o alimento saudável e o de risco é tênue e vulnerável a diferentes influências construídas reflexivamente. Destaca-se a importância de ampliar o conceito de alimento saudável para o de alimentação saudável, considerando sua dimensão cultural e socioambiental.

Riscos à saúde em áreas contaminadas: contribuições da teoria social

Este artigo versa sobre contribuições da teoria social a um estudo sobre o risco à saúde humana e ao ambiente, desenvolvido entre 2003 e 2005 em área urbana contaminada, localizada no bairro Vila Carioca, no sudeste do município de São Paulo, Brasil. Resíduos perigosos provenientes de processo produtivo do setor químico, dispostos inadequadamente na localidade ao longo do tempo, resultaram em contaminação ambiental, cujos efeitos representam riscos à saúde da população local. A investigação foi realizada com o objetivo de identificar interpretações sociais sobre o conceito de situação de risco, condizentes com concepções incorporadoras da dimensão social do risco e voltadas à melhoria das condições de saúde ambiental. Utilizou-se metodologia qualitativa de pesquisa, alicerçada na teoria social, e instrumentos variados de coleta de dados. Os resultados apontaram interpretações sociais diferenciadas sobre o conceito de situação de risco, sugerindo diversidade de concepções entre a população pesquisada a respeito dos problemas ambientais e de saúde que os atingiam. Neste artigo, apresentam-se fundamentos do enfoque do risco, na teoria social e na obra de Ulrick Beck sobre sociedade de risco, a fim de conferir suporte teórico à interpretação dos dados coletados em campo. Tais contribuições da teoria social, em contraponto com abordagens multidisciplinares e ecossistêmicas em saúde e ambiente, são discutidas como forma de incorporar a diversidade de interpretações sociais expressadas pela população, no sentido de favorecer a inter-relação entre portadores de risco e decisões políticas locais sobre a questão do risco, ampliar o escopo dos fenômenos observados e propiciar a busca de melhores condições de saúde dos indivíduos e da qualidade do seu ambiente

Queimadas nos canaviais e perspectivas dos cortadores de cana-de-açúcar em Macatuba, São Paulo

A lei nº 11.241/2002 do estado de São Paulo proíbe a queima de cana-de-açúcar pré-colheita devido ao alto impacto que a fumaça desse processo causa na saúde coletiva e no meio ambiente. De modo gradativo, a previsão inicial era de que a proibição fosse efetiva em 2031. Posteriormente, acordo entre governo do Estado e União da Indústria de Cana-de-açúcar (Unica), estabeleceu redução do prazo para 2017. A cana-de-açúcar, quando não queimada, exige muito mais esforço dos cortadores, diminuindo a produtividade do corte manual em comparação às máquinas colheitadeiras. A ausência das queimadas traz benefícios à saúde e ao meio ambiente, no entanto, pouco ainda se sabe a respeito das consequências da mecanização para a mão de obra rural nos canaviais. Este artigo busca analisar esse quadro de incerteza sobre o que ocorrerá do ponto de vista dos cortadores de cana e o reconhecimento das consequências da lei em suas vidas. Durante a safra de cana de 2006, foram aplicados questionários a 40 cortadores de cana, de diferentes idades e gênero, no bairro Jardim América, em Macatuba-SP, em suas casas ou na rua. Perguntas qualitativas e quantitativas que abordavam temas socioeconômicos, de saúde, reconhecimento da lei e perspectivas de trabalho. Os entrevistados apresentaram um dilema entre o ar limpo e a perspectiva de trabalho. Muitos se apresentaram indecisos e sem incentivos a trabalhar em outros setores, apesar de grande parte gostar do local onde vive e se interessar por continuar a trabalhar na agricultura

Working at night and work ability among nursing personnel: when precarious employment makes the diVerence

Purpose To test the association between night work and work ability, and verify whether the type of contractual employment has any inXuence over this association. Methods Permanent workers (N = 642) and workers with precarious jobs (temporary contract or outsourced; N = 552) were interviewed and Wlled out questionnaires concerning work hours and work ability index. They were classiWed into: never worked at night, ex-night workers, currently working up to Wve nights, and currently working at least six nights/2-week span. Results After adjusting for socio-demography and work variables, current night work was signiWcantly associated with inadequate WAI (vs. day work with no experience in night work) only for precarious workers (OR 2.00, CI 1.01- 3.95 and OR 1.85, CI 1.09-3.13 for those working up to Wve nights and those working at least six nights in 2 weeks, respectively). Conclusions Unequal opportunities at work and little experience in night work among precarious workers may explain their higher susceptibility to night work

Work and excessive sleepiness among Brazilian evening high school students: effects on days off

Previous studies have revealed that students who work and study build up sleep deficits during the wrkweek, which can trigger a sleep rebound during days off. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of working on sleepiness during days off working / non-working on sleepiness days off among high school students. The study population, aged 14-21 years, attended evening classes in São Paulo, Brazil. For the study, the students completed questionaires on living conditions, health, and work; wore actigraphs; and completed the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS). To predict sleepiness, a logistic regression analysis was performed. Excessive sleepiness was observed on the first day off among working students. Results suggest that working is a significant predictor for sleepiness and that two shifts of daily systematic activities, study and work, might lead to excessive daytime sleepiness on the first day off. Further, this observed excessive sleepiness may reflect the sleep debt accumulated during the workweek

Selenium and Mercury in the Brazilian Amazon: Opposing Influences on Age-Related Cataracts

BACKGROUND: Age-related cataracts (ARCs) are an important cause of blindness in developing countries. Although antioxidants may be part of the body's defense to prevent ARC, environmental contaminants may contribute to cataractogenesis. In fish-eating populations of the lower Tapajos region, elevated exposure to mercury (Hg) has been reported, and blood levels of selenium (Se) range from normal to very high (> 1,000 mu g/L). OBJECTIVES: We examined ARCs in relation to these elements among adults (>= 40 years of age) from 12 riverside communities. METHODS: Participants (n = 211) provided blood samples and underwent an extensive ocular examination. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to assess Hg and Se in blood and plasma. RESULTS: One-third (n = 69; 32.7%) of the participants had ARC. Lower plasma Se (P-Se; < 25th percentile, 110 mu g/L) and higher blood Hg (B-Hg; >= 25th percentile, 25 mu g/L) were associated with a higher prevalence odds ratio (POR) of ARC [adjusted POR (95% confidence interval), 2.69 (1.11-6.56) and 4.45 (1.43-13.83), respectively]. Among participants with high P-Se, we observed a positive but nonsignificant association with high B-Hg exposure, whereas among those with low B-Hg, we observed no association for P-Se. However, compared with the optimum situation (high P-Se, low B-Hg), the POR for those with low P-Se and high B-Hg was 16.4 (3.0-87.9). This finding suggests a synergistic effect. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that persons in this population with elevated Hg, the cataractogenic effects of Hg may be offset by Se. Because of the relatively small sample size and possible confounding by other dietary nutrients, additional studies with sufficient power to assess multiple nutrient and toxic interactions are required to confirm these findings.

The International Collaboration on Air Pollution and Pregnancy Outcomes: Initial Results

BACKGROUND: The findings of prior studies of air pollution effects on adverse birth outcomes are difficult to synthesize because of differences in study design. OBJECTIVES: The International Collaboration on Air Pollution and Pregnancy Outcomes was formed to understand how differences in research methods contribute to variations in findings. We initiated a feasibility study to a) assess the ability of geographically diverse research groups to analyze their data sets using a common protocol and b) perform location-specific analyses of air pollution effects on birth weight using a standardized statistical approach. METHODS: Fourteen research groups from nine countries participated. We developed a protocol to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for the association between particulate matter <= 10 mu m in aerodynamic diameter (PM(10)) and low birth weight (LBW) among term births, adjusted first for socioeconomic status (SES) and second for additional location-specific variables. RESULTS: Among locations with data for the PM(10) analysis, ORs estimating the relative risk of term LBW associated with a 10-mu g/m(3) increase in average PM(10) concentration during pregnancy, adjusted for SES, ranged from 0.63 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.30-1.35] for the Netherlands to 1.15 (95% CI, 0.61-2.18) for Vancouver, with six research groups reporting statistically significant adverse associations. We found evidence of statistically significant heterogeneity in estimated effects among locations. CONCLUSIONS: Variability in PM(10)-LBW relationships among study locations remained despite use of a common statistical approach. A more detailed meta-analysis and use of more complex protocols for future analysis may uncover reasons for heterogeneity across locations. However, our findings confirm the potential for a diverse group of researchers to analyze their data in a standardized way to improve understanding of air pollution effects on birth outcomes.

Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Perinatal Mortality: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND: Ambient levels of air pollution may affect the health of children, as indicated by studies of infant and perinatal mortality. Scientific evidence has also correlated low birth weight and preterm birth, which are important determinants of perinatal death, with air pollution. However, most of these studies used ambient concentrations measured at monitoring sites, which may not consider differential exposure to pollutants found at elevated concentrations near heavy-traffic roadways. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to examine the association between traffic-related pollution and perinatal mortality. METHODS: We used the information collected for a case-control study conducted in 14 districts in the City of Sao Paulo, Brazil, regarding risk factors for perinatal deaths. We geocoded the residential addresses of cases (fetal and early neonatal deaths) and controls (children who survived the 28th day of life) and calculated a distance-weighted traffic density (DWTD) measure considering all roads contained in a buffer surrounding these homes. RESULTS: Logistic regression revealed a gradient of increasing risk of early neonatal death with higher exposure to traffic-related air pollution. Mothers exposed to the highest quartile of the DWTD compared with those less exposed exhibited approximately 50% increased risk (adjusted odds ratio = 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-3.19). Associations for fetal mortality were less consistent. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that motor vehicle exhaust exposures may be a risk factor for perinatal mortality.