tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20272865272195150172024-03-19T00:34:45.809-07:00ECORATORIO - An Ecological Oratorio An Environmental BlogRuth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-25979573267524416452020-05-27T13:57:00.001-07:002020-05-27T14:04:03.067-07:00Ultrafine particles and human health <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9inB0y_6OxGoKSGUxS76ViUGuSEtnEccPr2VRxz5IBPIGD9Re4a4A8Vv3wTOUcdSenFXptllt6ecxMMiXeKplbc6t_VPn_3tw8UyhQ8iuoI3JolGBE_xWrY1WKnFBg9pBJAGyYm1k49lC/s1600/IMG-20190425-WA0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9inB0y_6OxGoKSGUxS76ViUGuSEtnEccPr2VRxz5IBPIGD9Re4a4A8Vv3wTOUcdSenFXptllt6ecxMMiXeKplbc6t_VPn_3tw8UyhQ8iuoI3JolGBE_xWrY1WKnFBg9pBJAGyYm1k49lC/s640/IMG-20190425-WA0001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Sarah Stephen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We recently highlighted a crucial
study that showed the threat posed by ultrafine particles (UFPs) on pregnant
women living near airports. You can access it here in the Medium.<br />
<a href="https://medium.com/@ruthstephen/the-dangers-of-aircraft-emissions-exposure-during-pregnancy-6ee57e9a1331" style="text-align: left;">https://medium.com/@ruthstephen/the-dangers-of-aircraft-emissions-exposure-during-pregnancy-6ee57e9a1331</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Ultrafine particles are the smallest
of atmospheric particles ( ≤0.1 µm in diameter). UFPs show unique physical and
aerodynamic properties that are distinct from larger particles within the PM2.5
size range. Although UFPs account little in terms of particle mass, they
constitute the majority of particles and surface area.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In fact, UFPs on an equal mass
basis may have higher impact on health than PM2.5 and PM10 as unlike the larger
particles that are removed by the body’s usual surveillance and clearance
mechanisms, UFPs have the remarkable ability to escape inbuilt checkpoints.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This is because their small size
facilitates easy entry of the UFPs into the thin membranes of the lung during
inhalation and could enter the circulation and can be carried by the blood to
distant parts of the body, including the placenta. They have even been shown to
be transported to the brain via the olfactory nerve.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Another unique trait of the UFPs
is their ability to trap and transport other harmful chemicals in the
atmosphere, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons that are by products of
automobile emissions, which could then lead to inflammation and associated
detrimental health effects. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-47700962239100815652020-05-08T05:49:00.000-07:002020-05-14T04:36:16.979-07:00They too serve, who plough our lands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsONzjaSjqSliomGEfhrSli5q-y0eslG-gOxy9v-J4Gg3hxqiIHthjs-y1R2eeixj5VH1D9S4WAEHAWbeV64ZDvzdrhbvRlQp8LhR_jmiNIoMNjoLUYeBvL6nhuhRv2-jGmvnrW5a0S2Wu/s1600/WP_20150119_04_35_42_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsONzjaSjqSliomGEfhrSli5q-y0eslG-gOxy9v-J4Gg3hxqiIHthjs-y1R2eeixj5VH1D9S4WAEHAWbeV64ZDvzdrhbvRlQp8LhR_jmiNIoMNjoLUYeBvL6nhuhRv2-jGmvnrW5a0S2Wu/s640/WP_20150119_04_35_42_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For the sweat they put into
farming, farmers get very little rewards.”<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Amidst the pandemic, there is one
group of unsung essential workers - the farmers. They put food on our tables
and keep us moving. Living in rural England, I regularly witness how much they
contribute to our existence. Whilst, the country has almost come to a
standstill, I observe life going on as normal in the fields. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
During my daily walk as part of
my exercise, I see <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>farm machinery
ploughing the fields, yet others sowing, and am hopeful of also seeing the mighty combine harvesters bringing<o:p></o:p></div>
in the crop in the future- a sign that everything will be all right. I see hedgerows that form
beautiful chequered patterns on the fields, and verges on the sides of the
fields faithfully managed, so that wildlife can thrive. In my walks,
I often see pheasants, quails, hares, and rabbits. The scene could be almost from a Constable painting, only with modern implements, set to the tune of
Gerald Finzi’s ‘Eclogue’. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Life can be often tough for the
farmers. In the last two decades, diseases like BSE, foot and mouth disease, and
bovine TB have wreaked great havoc on UK farmers. Farmers are also frequently
victims to adverse weather situations like floods and dry summers. To top it
all, is the lack of profit in farming. For the sweat they put into farming, farmers
get very little rewards. An independent study showed that farmers make more
from subsidies than from profit.Whilst, they may appear to be a steely bunch,
several studies show that farmers worldwide are at severe risk for mental
health disorders.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Farmers not only provide the food we eat, they also manage
wildlife habitats. Farmlands constitute the majority of our countryside. They are stewards of what makes our country ‘green and
pleasant’. We really need to support them during and post-pandemic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
References:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. https://fullfact.org/economy/farming-subsidies-uk/<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Research trends in farmers' mental health: A scoping review
of mental health outcomes and interventions among farming populations
worldwide. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0225661<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-74101872894227180382020-02-28T01:01:00.001-08:002020-02-28T01:01:38.307-08:00COVID -19 outbreak highlights human-wildlife conflict<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Whilst most of the world is
engaged in containing and preventing COVID-19, the coronavirus, infection, a
key question remains unanswered- identifying the original source of the
infection. Early investigations pointed to a fish market in Wuhan province in China,
which also traded in live wildlife. The hypothesis is that the infection arose from
animal X in the market that was traded in the market, a carrier of the virus (1).
The virus had jumped species and then infected humans. Scientists are
scrambling to identify the animal. Recently published research show that coronavirus
in pangolin, the scaly anteater, is 99% identical to that found in the humans (2,
3). Pangolins are prized in Chinese medicine to the extent that they are in the
brink of extinction (4,5). Amongst other wildlife traded in the infamous market
traded also were live pangolins and pangolin parts. However, researchers are unable
to prove conclusively that pangolins are the source of the infection. So the
quest continues.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
COVID-19 outbreak is an example
of what happens when the finely tuned relationship between humans and wildlife
is jeopardized. We have repeatedly highlighted human wildlife conflict in the
pages of Ecoratorio(6,7) . Many animals, particularly wildlife are reservoirs of
viruses and have co-existed in this manner for ages. However, when humans upset
the fragile balance by encroaching the habitats of the wildlife which make either
party enter the abode of the other, or when wildlife/wildlife parts are traded,
these zoonotic viruses can infect humans. Regardless of whether pangolins are
the source of the COVID 19 infection, the outbreak yet again points to the persistent
sore that has remained untreated-wildlife trade. Indisputably, there are environmental
and ethical reasons why wildlife must be respected. A blanket ban on trading
wildlife should be enforced, not only on the trade of wildlife animals for
consumption but also on their use in traditional medicine. Similarly,
encroachment into wildlife habitats and deforestation should be prevented. Otherwise,
calamitous consequences like the current COVID 19 would be commonplace. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
References</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1.<a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses">https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00364-2">https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00364-2</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00548-w<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4.<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/141072b0">https://www.nature.com/articles/141072b0</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="MsoHyperlink">5</span> <span class="MsoHyperlink">https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2019/06/pangolins-poached-for-scales-used-in-chinese-medicine/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. http://ecoratorio.blogspot.com/2011/07/fine-line.html<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. http://ecoratorio.blogspot.com/search?q=virus<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><br />
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-31472188082204136362015-06-10T05:31:00.000-07:002015-06-10T06:44:54.855-07:00Climate change will affect the distribution and diversity of marine organisms<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRKfYXVGbLW12aUIIkGuzPYuA0WWh3itOktl9JmtM0via52pKd-y6VNqzEovtU5s-PA3oLldVWqe2XvCYX9DH1u872BY6k6qc1ei2avK9RvDhf3KUEPDaXfskq6jiNPpE5o9iPVMzymsf/s1600/tvm2005+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRKfYXVGbLW12aUIIkGuzPYuA0WWh3itOktl9JmtM0via52pKd-y6VNqzEovtU5s-PA3oLldVWqe2XvCYX9DH1u872BY6k6qc1ei2avK9RvDhf3KUEPDaXfskq6jiNPpE5o9iPVMzymsf/s400/tvm2005+049.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Climate change will force marine organisms towards
the poles, but would they be safe there? </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Human activities such as emissions from the use of fossil fuels,
rampant urbanisation, deforestation, and modern agricultural practices, are all
altering the earth’s climate in an unprecedented scale. Climate change not only
occurs in the land, but also in water bodies. <a href="http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/oceans/">Studies have indicated that since</a>
the 1950s, the amount of heat stored in the ocean (ocean heat) has increased considerably.
Besides, ocean temperatures have increased
throughout the world since the advent of the twentieth century, with the past three decades recording the highest temperatures
since the measurements began.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A major consequence of increase in ocean temperatures
is the corresponding decrease in dissolved oxygen levels. This phenomenon is
predicted to significantly disturb marine ecosystems. <a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/content/348/6239/1132.abstract">Recent </a>research by a
group of American and German scientists revealed the consequences of oceanic
climate change on a range of fish and crustacean species in the North Atlantic with different levels
of tolerance towards heat and oxygen levels. <b>The researchers' climate models predict substantial warming and deoxygenation throughout most of the upper ocean by the end of this century which in turn will affect the distribution of marine creatures.</b> Their studies reveal that
warming of water and oxygen depletion would force the organisms
to migrate towards the pole due to deficiency of the original native waters to sustain their
energy requirements. The scientists predict that even the waters towards the
pole would have reduced oxygen levels, meaning the survival of the migrants could be
precarious even there. Furthermore, this movement could alter the ecosystems in the
polar waters due to many factors
including competition from the migrants which may alter species ecologies.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
References</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/348/6239/1132.abstract<o:p></o:p></div>
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Science+%28New+York%2C+N.Y.%29&rft_id=info%3Apmid%2F26045435&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Ecophysiology.+Climate+change+tightens+a+metabolic+constraint+on+marine+habitats.&rft.issn=0036-8075&rft.date=2015&rft.volume=348&rft.issue=6239&rft.spage=1132&rft.epage=5&rft.artnum=&rft.au=Deutsch+C&rft.au=Ferrel+A&rft.au=Seibel+B&rft.au=P%C3%B6rtner+HO&rft.au=Huey+RB&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Biology%2CEcology+%2F+Conservation%2CEcology%2C+Climate+Change%2C+Ecology%2C+Environment%2C+Marine+Ecology%2C+Marine+Biology">Deutsch C, Ferrel A, Seibel B, Pörtner HO, & Huey RB (2015). Ecophysiology. Climate change tightens a metabolic constraint on marine habitats. <span style="font-style: italic;">Science (New York, N.Y.), 348</span> (6239), 1132-5 PMID: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26045435" rev="review">26045435</a></span>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-3487594413437977942015-06-04T04:27:00.001-07:002015-06-04T08:38:39.029-07:00 Pesticides Kill Wildlife in India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pesticides-killed-5-tigers-in-3-years-in-up-pilibhit-and-lakhimpur-kheri-forests/article1-1354678.aspx">Media reports from India </a>indicate that the carcasses of 5 tigers found dead between 2012 to 2015 in the Indian state of Uttar
Pradesh between the period were found to
contain organochlorine pesticides notably DDT. It is thought that the tigers consumed
pesticide laced carcasses of dead animals which were used as baits which resulted in their death. Some of
the tiger carcasses were found to lack nails, forelimbs and whiskers. Tiger
parts are used for local occult practices and also have a lucrative market
in Tibet and China. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Precious wildlife like this are killed either intentionally
or unintentionally by pesticides. Pesticides are used by poachers
who illegally trade animal parts. Pesticides are also used by irate
farmers who lose their livestock due to the wild carnivores for taking ‘revenge’ . Sometimes, wildlife
stray into fields and crop estates and unknowingly consume crops laced with
pesticides resulting in debilitation and death.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5 years ago, t<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Poisoned-goats-used-to-kill-Ranthambore-tigers/articleshow/5661249.cms">wo tiger cubs were killed in Ranthmabore NationalPark </a>by villagers who allegedly killed the tigers by baiting them with goat laced
with the deadly pesticide Aldrin in ‘revenge’ of the tigers killing their
cattle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Often wildlife is killed accidentally such as when
they consume crops laden with pesticides. In 2011, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12167318">deaths of two pregnant elephants and other animals in tea estates around Kazinranga </a> national park in Assam was
reported . The park is home to the Indian one horned rhinoceros and about 50 per
cent of the endangered Asiatic wild water
buffalo. The elephants had been killed
by eating insecticide laced grass in the tea gardens outside the confines of the national park. This highlighted serious problems in the area . Tea estates
are sprayed with pesticides, which drifts into the nearby areas onto the grass
and waterways. Wild herbivores and domestic livestock that feed on the grass contaminated
with pesticides often die. The deaths however do not end there though. Scavengers
including vultures that feed on the carcasses of the animals are then exposed to the pesticides which in turn results in more deaths.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Earlier in April of this year, an elephant was found outside the forest area in Mankarai,
Tamilnadu suffering from severe ulcers in and around its mouth, which prevented
it from feeding . <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Injured-jumbo-suffers-due-to-lack-of-care/articleshow/46939688.cms?prtpage=1">Wildlife conservationists attributed this to the consumption of corps laden with pesticides by the hapless</a> animal.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-45658429897215022882015-05-28T16:24:00.002-07:002015-05-29T01:05:17.575-07:00Why we should worry more about the poor during extreme heat events?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3xLx8as6FLr1nk5byojxhVGpSZSpgF9xF4mSrc-D-VoXjCTsc7ZcMcvg3cd_e_6WCOTMWrGtawYtGqxe-QC78SZ35VVxXohn4gCvW7SvQD4e18l2eLBKKzvNlujWYr4a8opbNxLmpp7w/s1600/sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3xLx8as6FLr1nk5byojxhVGpSZSpgF9xF4mSrc-D-VoXjCTsc7ZcMcvg3cd_e_6WCOTMWrGtawYtGqxe-QC78SZ35VVxXohn4gCvW7SvQD4e18l2eLBKKzvNlujWYr4a8opbNxLmpp7w/s640/sun.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The month of May is generally the hottest time of the year
in India. This time it has been unbearable. Certain parts of India are suffering from
extreme heat - soaring temperatures (40C to 50C) have been reported in Andhra
Pradesh, Telangana, Delhi, and Maharashtra resulting in more than 1000 deaths
in less than one week, and the numbers continue to rise. Alarmingly, this is not a rare occurrence. <i><b>Higher peak
temperatures and longer periods of heat waves are becoming increasingly common
in many parts of the world as it does in
India where it seem to be recurring with
regularity<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></b></i>2014 witnessed high temperatures in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and
Odissa. Similarly in 2013, 2012, and 2011, heat wave gripped many parts of the country with 2014 the hottest year on record in India.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Records from the <a href="https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/">National Climatic Data Centre</a> indicate that the
average global temperature across land surfaces was 1.68°C (3.02°F) above the
20th century average of 3.2°C (37.8°F). The Earth's surface temperature has
shown accelerated warming during the last two decades due to the cumulative
effects of human activities in the past 50 years, which have altered the atmosphere’s
chemical composition by the accumulation of greenhouse gasses that trap heat. Exploitation
of our forests and unrestrained development
have led to deforestation resulting in the removal of trees-our planet's natural heat moderators. Rampant
urbanisation has led to increased temperatures due to urban heat islands. When
tree cover is replaced by concrete buildings that naturally absorbs heat and
retains less water, temperatures rise concomitant
with the rise of urban sprawls.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Consequently human activities lead to extreme heat events - weather
that is different from the usual, is abnormally hot and humid, and sustained
over longer periods. Extreme heat events are increasingly being reported in many parts of the world in recent
years often resulting in heat-related illnesses and deaths and </b></i> <b style="font-style: italic;">disproportionately
affects the poor in developing countries.</b><br />
<b style="font-style: italic;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>The casualties in the ongoing Indian heat wave are largely construction workers, elderly and the homeless.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Why are the poor affected more?</span></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Lack of access to drinking water</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In developing countries, people living in poverty generally have poor access to clean drinking water. Extreme heat events often goes hand -in-hand with general water shortage which limits the amount of water available to the poor contributing to severe dehydration. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Inadequate shelter from heat </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Often the poor live in dwellings that lack adequate protection from heat, with many urban poor living in makeshift houses in
slums devoid of heat alleviating devices
such as electric fans.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Occupational exposure to heat </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whilst the advice during extreme heat events is to stay indoors, away from the heat, many poor engage in outdoor manual work for sustenance, often in urban areas where temperatures are higher which makes them increasingly
prone to sunstroke and dehydration. Regardless of the danger posed by outdoor
work in extreme heat, they are forced to labour in potentially lethal conditions, ironically, to survive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Limited access to healthcare</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The poor lack access to healthcare for heat-related illnesses which sometimes
leads to fatal consequences.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Vulnerable elderly</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Increased age (65 and over) is a primary risk factor for heat- related illnesses regardless of socio-economic status, but the elderly poor are adversely affected to the greatest extent. This is due
to the restricted ability of the older people to change their physical environment and their
limited ability to access facilities such as water, re-hydration drinks, and
medical aid, that local authorities might provide during times of extreme heat
events.Additionally the elderly poor may have untreated health conditions like cardiovascular diseases and kidney diseases which predisposes them to heat-related illness and death </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Homeless marginalised</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Homeless people are highly vulnerable to heat -related illnesses
due to a plethora of reasons – Often there is a high prevalence of untreated
physical and mental illnesses, substance dependence, and mental health issues
all of which contributes to their susceptibility. They may be less likely to take
effective precautions from heat and may have poor access to medical help . Further, they may have no place to take
shelter during periods of extreme heat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;">How can we help the poor before and during an extreme
heat event?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The authorities must generate extreme heat event management plans far in advance, detailing how the poor would be taken care of during extreme heat events</li>
<li>Alert the poor using awareness campaigns before an impending
extreme heat event so that they are prepared, can take precautions, and know
what to do to protect themselves.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The points below can be used as a guide in generating extreme
heat event management plan.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Make provisions for water, re-hydration solutions, and food aid to reach the poor</li>
<li>Provide emergency medical camps where the poor can seek
medical aid. Additionally take medical care to the point of need using mobile clinics- to the homeless and the elderly
who may not visit the medical camps </li>
<li>Provide emergency heat refuges where the poor can take
relief from heat. In times of extreme heat events large public outdoor spaces
like stadiums and parks could be adapted to provide shelter from the sweltering
heat.</li>
<li> Provide financial
relief that would help the poor to refrain from outdoor manual labour until the
extreme heat events passes .</li>
<li> Provide appropriate
clothing, sun hats, umbrellas to provide shade etc.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>With increase in global temperature, extreme heat events
will continue to reappear regularly. Nevertheless,
virtually all of the extreme heat- related illnesses and deaths can be prevented by taking appropriate
measures to ensure that the public stays safe during an extreme heat event, and that
absolutely should include the poor.</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>Authors of this post - Ruth Stephen and Tim Whallett</o:p></div>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-17199578725660061482015-05-19T15:45:00.001-07:002015-05-20T01:46:07.372-07:00Plastic carrier bag tax in the UK- A step in the right direction<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://ecoratorio.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/plastiki-vessel-of-awareness.html" style="font-family: inherit;">Plastic bag pollution</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> is a </span><a href="http://ecoratorio.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/nature-and-nurture-for-future.html" style="font-family: inherit;">grave issue</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> that threatens our </span>environmental<span style="font-family: inherit;"> health . We have covered the potential damages inflicted by plastics in some of our </span><a href="http://ecoratorio.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/waste-lands.html" style="font-family: inherit;">earlier posts </a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most plastic bags are non-biodegradable with an incredibly long life (approximately 300 -1000 years). Consequently they are ubiquitous. Discarded plastic bags often end up on trees or in the waterways where they affect wildlife. They have even been found in remote and pristine areas such as the Arctic and the Antarctic. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">D</span><span style="line-height: 19.2000007629395px;">espite</span><span style="line-height: 1.2em;"> being </span> recyclable, a large proportion of plastic bags end up in land fills. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em;">In the UK, plastic bags are not collected by the local authority for recycling, </span></span><span style="line-height: 19.2000007629395px;">even though </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em;">some supermarkets (especially the larger stores) have collection points. I</span></span><a href="http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/plastics.htm" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.2em;">n the US only 12% of plastics</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em;"> belonging to the category including bags, sacks and wraps was recycled. Additionally, littering causes </span></span><span style="line-height: 19.2000007629395px;">plastic</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em;"> bags to end up in places where they are a big menace. </span></span>In aquatic environments where some discarded plastic bags end up, they have been found to form dangerous bands around the necks of waterfowl and animals such as seals, dolphins, and turtles. Plastic bags are also often mistaken for food by fauna. Even the bio-degradable plastic bags that dissociate into pieces with time, <a href="http://www.plasticsrecyclers.eu/sites/default/files/Press%20Release_Biodegradable%20plastic%20bags%20are%20a%20myth_%20Plastics%20Recyclers%20Europe_0.pdf">are not truly degradable</a>. During the decaying process , they are easily ingested by larger fauna causing morbidity and mortality. They can also be eaten by smaller aquatic fauna including zooplankton; additionally, these bags degrade in the water releasing toxic chemicals that leaches into the waterways- regardless of the means, they enter humans through the food chain.<br />
<br />
Last year the coalition government in the UK confirmed plans to levy a 5 pence tax on single-use plastic carrier bags from 5 October 2015. The tax generated would be used to support charities. However, the charge on plastic bags would only apply to supermarkets and larger stores. A 5 pence tax has already been in
use since 2011 and 2013 in other regions of the United Kingdom such as Wales and Northern Ireland respectively.A clear message from places all over the world where such taxes are implemented is the concomitant reduction in the usage of plastic bags upon tax introduction. In other words, whilst repeated messages to reduce use of plastic bags are ignored by us, taxes catch our attention. Simply put, we do not like to pay for the usage of plastic bags and will resort to other means when penalties are imposed. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23794647">In Northern Ireland, since the implementation of the 5 pence tax, plastic bag usage has declined by 80%.</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_jP6VZvdwb_bk4MJ32YD0rI7XzuZZ_iYbl8AgauF3MllsyhrfrmypEzyW3CAYYr1E9dZ5NZbv_969EMgcnxizq86w05SzxkhHypjkI4CvvEkVDiZMyDbicgKGOSoPSRuOttS7YbAN3Zt/s1600/SANY0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_jP6VZvdwb_bk4MJ32YD0rI7XzuZZ_iYbl8AgauF3MllsyhrfrmypEzyW3CAYYr1E9dZ5NZbv_969EMgcnxizq86w05SzxkhHypjkI4CvvEkVDiZMyDbicgKGOSoPSRuOttS7YbAN3Zt/s320/SANY0380.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">With the advent of the 5p tax, m</span>ore of us will be using reusable bags just like this eco-savvy shopper (Photo:R Stephen)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Figures published by the Waste and Resources Action Programme show that 8.3 billions of plastic bags were distributed in UK shops in 2013 which is an awful lot of plastic bags.<br />
Many stores and supermarkets in the UK already have incentives for reducing the use of plastic bags. As early as 2007, Marks and Spencer started charging 5 pence for every standard food carrier bag (the store still gives away small plastic bags for free), with profits going to support charities such as the World Wildlife Fund, the Marine Conservation Society, and education projects in primary schools to promote marine life awareness. M&S also sells ‘Bag for Life’ bags, which are made of 100% recycled materials which would be replaced free charge by the store when it wears out and would itself be recycled. When the plan started M&S gave such bags for free. I have one of those still in use.<br />
<br />
The legislation in England is a right step and 'every little counts', but should also be extended to
cover other sources of plastic bag pollution such as retail stores currently exempted by the 5 pence tax. On a positive note, many shops have already started selling reusable bags and it is not uncommon to see customers using these for shopping.It is best to use reusable cloth/jute bags instead of reusable plastic bags.The damage inflicted by plastics is colossal and efforts should be made to eliminate the indiscriminate use of these materials from all avenues as much as it is possible.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuM4qe8tFybMBe76ygEOthYgGQVhJW0r9hP8lt3fR4soDhviobmsAOTdpPSZLjTxjpfaTZDl6bucTVkynbVa6036nC9M93_mIJPeIWDxn54U6n1Mhu4KWPHSwK1whbq07ckQ-cETIlG__/s1600/SANY0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuM4qe8tFybMBe76ygEOthYgGQVhJW0r9hP8lt3fR4soDhviobmsAOTdpPSZLjTxjpfaTZDl6bucTVkynbVa6036nC9M93_mIJPeIWDxn54U6n1Mhu4KWPHSwK1whbq07ckQ-cETIlG__/s320/SANY0381.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More shops have started selling reusable bags in the UK.(Photo-R Stephen)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZ__fVjyBjgekyrjcsEYsSmerASk0fq5pALdOktjeQgIb1b3CNWmMMe9xHa-hLT746_DpIMvNSWFhtMpxvGBaT9tJyJqY-QYIT6mQEpdZNesTU9MaZhG3BIzsDkEBBG95rULbJpKcwbHZ/s1600/SANY0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZ__fVjyBjgekyrjcsEYsSmerASk0fq5pALdOktjeQgIb1b3CNWmMMe9xHa-hLT746_DpIMvNSWFhtMpxvGBaT9tJyJqY-QYIT6mQEpdZNesTU9MaZhG3BIzsDkEBBG95rULbJpKcwbHZ/s320/SANY0383.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shopper is using a plastic bag from elsewhere to shop in Tesco supermarket. (Photo-R Stephen) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The question arises as to what to do with the plastic bags that we have lurking around in our houses. Firstly, reusing them as many times as possible is a good start. when it comes to the time, it can no longer be used, take it to your supermarket- many of the larger stores have facilities for recycling not only plastic bags but also other plastic packaging. If your store doesn't have a plastic bag recycling facility, request for one. you might be successful, especially as supermarkets have a commitment towards corporate social responsibility.<br />
<br />
It is not uncommon to find plastic bags littering many of our streets, particularly our cities, where they are not only unsightly but dangerous due to the perils described above. Fixed Penalty Notices for littering exist in the UK , but it seems to be seldom enforced.Similar fines exist for owners of dogs who do not clean up the dog mess in public places. Signs like the one in the figure below are good deterrents, when coupled with the presence of dog wardens doing lightning -patrols in the area .<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrcQd-dHoBIGIdVWPVzin63xZOQ_97cXglxKm18SHGNm96orUmLLPqhJb5e7jBIzLW_ztLOnH9jdKYBa9SnYtA35DGthwXw6NVyrFgAGJ3lxd0YDXXV6GfY2Y_hr7rv7nw_z6v7fW6P70/s1600/SANY0002+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrcQd-dHoBIGIdVWPVzin63xZOQ_97cXglxKm18SHGNm96orUmLLPqhJb5e7jBIzLW_ztLOnH9jdKYBa9SnYtA35DGthwXw6NVyrFgAGJ3lxd0YDXXV6GfY2Y_hr7rv7nw_z6v7fW6P70/s320/SANY0002+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br /></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Our streets should be provided with more signs that clearly convey the penalties of plastic bag littering . This could markedly help in our efforts towards curbing plastic bag litter. Awareness messages that encourage people to take their plastic bag litter home should be conveyed. The Tory party's election manifesto promises to 'review the case for higher Fixed Penalty Notices for littering'. It will be interesting to see whether the new government follows through with its promise in the coming days. Enforcing stricter penalties for plastic bag littering would be yet another step towards our goal of preventing plastic bags from being erroneously dispersed.<br />
<br />
When it comes to plastic bags the following slogan is apt:<br />
<b>Replace, Reduce , Reuse and Recyle </b><br />
<b>Replace</b> plastic bags with Reusable bags ideally cloth/jute bags<br />
<b>Reduce</b> use of plastic bags<br />
<b>Reuse</b> plastic bags that you have as much as possible<br />
<b>Recycle</b> plastic bags in appropriate collection points </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-22841091543958057642015-05-18T03:26:00.001-07:002015-05-30T03:30:08.901-07:00‘Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink’ – Safe drinking water and Adequate sanitation are indispensable for eradicating Cholera<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="float: left; padding: 5px;"><a href="http://www.researchblogging.org/"><img alt="ResearchBlogging.org" src="http://www.researchblogging.org/public/citation_icons/rb2_large_gray.png" style="border: 0;" /></a></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>What has Cholera to do with environment? Absolutely everything! In this post, we look at why clean water and
safe sanitation is essential for eradicating this dreadful disease from our planet.
<o:p></o:p></i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsIFbVwfeuqcnUBGT9o4ookI5fk1_uBYB9hgYzUy2TBwqFDxIj2F0dxxqSXmYvx9wcbaJ1VKQ6Cjj2teHaU79EmXm_YWoJ7CGEPpOlI_vd6e4xI0Mly73fifc2woMPD0Q7VcU22nMJGlf/s1600/IMG_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsIFbVwfeuqcnUBGT9o4ookI5fk1_uBYB9hgYzUy2TBwqFDxIj2F0dxxqSXmYvx9wcbaJ1VKQ6Cjj2teHaU79EmXm_YWoJ7CGEPpOlI_vd6e4xI0Mly73fifc2woMPD0Q7VcU22nMJGlf/s400/IMG_0283.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Access to clean drinking water and safe sanitation could eradicate cholera. (Image - Sam Stephen)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><i></i></b><br />
<b><i></i></b>
<b><i></i></b>
<a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs107/en/">Cholera</a>, an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion
of food or liquids contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, elicits the
same fear today, as it did in the past. Although cholera has affected populations throughout history, the first recorded pandemic was in 1817 starting from South East Asia where it had been endemic. From there it spread globally. A dangerous disease, it affects
children and adults, killing patients within hours. Malnourished children or
HIV infected individuals are at a greater risk of death if infected. <a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs107/en/">WHO figures indicate 3–5 million Cholera cases per year and 100000–120000 deaths. </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A big concern during the recent earthquake in Nepal was that cholera could strike as it remains endemic in that country today. Elsewhere in the world, an outbreak of cholera
has been ongoing in Haiti since the earthquake in 2010 where it has killed over 8000 Haitians, and resulted in hospitalizing of over 600,000s and has also spread to the neighbouring country of Dominican Republic. Although epidemics such as this gains media coverage, in
many parts of the <a href="http://dailypioneer.com/nation/99107-Cholera-makes-a-comeback-in-kerala.html">developing world </a>cholera cases continue to be reported occasionally <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201505121107.html">but in smaller numbers</a> and goes unnoticed globally often peaking during favourable conditions such as <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/04/17/us-haiti-cholera-idUKKBN0N82O220150417">rainy seasons</a> and drought seasons. In the rainy seasons, water and food often gets contaminated with wastes that spill out from faulty sanitation systems. <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201401140827.html">The drought</a> <a href="http://www.irinnews.org/fr/report/99273/drought-contributes-to-cholera-outbreak-in-southern-angola">season</a> brings a different set of problems - people have to survive on very limited water which is often contaminated. Additionally, people are malnourished which makes them more prone to infectious disease including cholera.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Profuse watery diarrhoea is the main symptom of cholera.
Diagnosis is made by the presence of V. cholerae-like organisms microscopically
with a conclusive diagnosis by isolation and identification of V. cholerae from
stool samples. Once infected by cholera, the patient requires immediate
treatment as time is of the essence between life and death. Treatment primarily
includes prompt rehydration through which
lost fluids and electrolytes are replaced
using an Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). Approximately half of the cholera patients
could die without rapid rehydration. Although most people can be helped with this
treatment alone, severely dehydrated people may also need intravenous fluids. In
children suffering from cholera, zinc supplementation can significantly reduce
the duration and severity of diarrhoea. Antibiotics
are also recommended for all patients who are hospitalized and the medication choice determined based on local antibiotic susceptibility patterns where it is used
in parallel with aggressive rehydration therapy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Using the right
antibiotic/antibiotics is very important as bacterial strains that are
resistant to drugs have been reported. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4412219/">In a recent study, </a>researchers studied
all available Vibrio cholerae isolates collected
from major outbreaks in the Democratic republic of Congo during 1997–2012, and found loss of
sensitivity to leading antibiotics over time. Additionally they found spread of
fluoroquinolone-resistant strains. <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1214179">In a 2013</a> article in the New England Journal of Medicine,
Waldman, Mintz and Papowitz offered
recommendations on how cholera can be effectively controlled. Whilst giving due
credit to the current developments in cholera control in the medical arena -
use of antibiotics, treatment procedure,
and use of an improved two-dose oral cholera
vaccine which had success in pilot trials, they importantly presented a lasting solution for prevention of the disease taken from the
pages of the history books - Safe sanitation and clean drinking water
eliminated cholera in North America and Northern Europe and this is the route
for eradication of the disease, the authors proposed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights - General Comment 15, para.2. says "The human right to
water entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible
and affordable water for personal and domestic uses". However, the problem
is that what most of us take for granted-clean water and access to sanitation, is inaccessible to an estimated 1.8 billion people world-wide who
are forced to drink water that is
faecally contaminated, and 2.4 billion
people who do not have access to any
type of<a href="http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/mdg1/en/"> improved sanitation </a>facility (<a href="http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/hygiene/en/">WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme forWater Supply and Sanitation figures)</a>. Sources of water in many parts of the
world are tainted often by human activities- climate change effects,
environmental pollution, and lack of sanitation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Guaranteeing clean water, and
improved sanitation is a difficult proposal complicated by a glut of hurdles which
are technological, societal, behavioural, political and economical to name the
main ones. Cholera, Waldman et al said
in their NEJM article ‘is as much a
symptom as a disease’. It is ‘a symptom of insufficient investment' by the
global development community in offering access to safe water and improved
sanitation for the marginalised. 'Safe
drinking water and adequate sanitation are crucial for poverty reduction,
crucial for sustainable development and crucial for achieving any and every one
of the Millennium Development Goals', <a href="http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/pdf/human_right_to_water_and_sanitation_media_brief.pdf">Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General said in2007</a> referring to the global targets to slash poverty, illiteracy, disease and
other social ills by 2015 collectively known as the <a href="http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/mdgoverview.html">Millenium DevelopmentGoals</a>. It appears that we still have miles to go.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Note: This is an updated version of an article that was first
published in <a href="http://zellula.blogspot.co.uk/">http://zellula.blogspot.co.uk/</a>
entitled -The long term solution for controlling cholera extends beyond
antibiotics and vaccines : History books provide answers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>References:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (originally The Rime of the
Ancyent Marinere) by the Samuel Taylor Coleridge<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs107/en/index.html<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/hygiene/en/<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/mdg1/en/index.html</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/pdf/human_right_to_water_and_sanitation_media_brief.pdf<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/mdgoverview.html<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://dailypioneer.com/nation/99107-Cholera-makes-a-comeback-in-kerala.html<o:p></o:p><br />
http://allafrica.com/stories/201401140827.html<br />
http://www.irinnews.org/fr/report/99273/drought-contributes-to-cholera-outbreak-in-southern-angola<br />
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/04/17/us-haiti-cholera-idUKKBN0N82O220150417</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Emerging+infectious+diseases&rft_id=info%3Apmid%2F25897570&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Antimicrobial+Drug+Resistance+of+Vibrio+cholerae%2C+Democratic+Republic+of+the+Congo.&rft.issn=1080-6040&rft.date=2015&rft.volume=21&rft.issue=5&rft.spage=847&rft.epage=51&rft.artnum=&rft.au=Miwanda+B&rft.au=Moore+S&rft.au=Muyembe+JJ&rft.au=Nguefack-Tsague+G&rft.au=Kabangwa+IK&rft.au=Ndjakani+DY&rft.au=Mutreja+A&rft.au=Thomson+N&rft.au=Thefenne+H&rft.au=Garnotel+E&rft.au=Tshapenda+G&rft.au=Kakongo+DK&rft.au=Kalambayi+G&rft.au=Piarroux+R&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Biology%2CMedicine%2CHealth%2CEcology+%2F+Conservation%2CPathology%2C+Gastroenterology%2C+Public+Health%2C+Environment">Miwanda B, Moore S, Muyembe JJ, Nguefack-Tsague G, Kabangwa IK, Ndjakani DY, Mutreja A, Thomson N, Thefenne H, Garnotel E, Tshapenda G, Kakongo DK, Kalambayi G, & Piarroux R (2015). Antimicrobial Drug Resistance of Vibrio cholerae, Democratic Republic of the Congo. <span style="font-style: italic;">Emerging infectious diseases, 21</span> (5), 847-51 PMID: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25897570" rev="review">25897570</a></span>
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=The+New+England+journal+of+medicine&rft_id=info%3Apmid%2F23301693&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=The+cure+for+cholera--improving+access+to+safe+water+and+sanitation.&rft.issn=0028-4793&rft.date=2013&rft.volume=368&rft.issue=7&rft.spage=592&rft.epage=4&rft.artnum=&rft.au=Waldman+RJ&rft.au=Mintz+ED&rft.au=Papowitz+HE&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Biology%2CMedicine%2CHealth%2CEcology+%2F+Conservation%2CEcology%2C+Environment%2C+Public+Health%2C+Gastroenterology%2C+Pathology">Waldman RJ, Mintz ED, & Papowitz HE (2013). The cure for cholera--improving access to safe water and sanitation. <span style="font-style: italic;">The New England journal of medicine, 368</span> (7), 592-4 PMID: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23301693" rev="review">23301693</a></span>
</div>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-43265872708197877702015-05-11T02:20:00.003-07:002015-05-13T05:13:20.054-07:00Monkey Fever Disease in South India: Some recommendations for its management.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoNNFdLZ0rnnxt5P6SuQflOkG9PlZnXjcb6zuTgO-yUUgGogmAg3gJnqAwWSnEmh9FvIkKfWvls0qBkMFFdVJ1rlcuevbJUqIDddEdntp0zL_XihxMfDgRk0PZe_AfMW3LpGla0rB_wV-/s1600/IMG_0164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoNNFdLZ0rnnxt5P6SuQflOkG9PlZnXjcb6zuTgO-yUUgGogmAg3gJnqAwWSnEmh9FvIkKfWvls0qBkMFFdVJ1rlcuevbJUqIDddEdntp0zL_XihxMfDgRk0PZe_AfMW3LpGla0rB_wV-/s1600/IMG_0164.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Macaca radiata</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Western Ghats is a mountain
range that runs parallel to the western coast of the India starting near the
border of the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra and running through
Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu states ending at Kanya
Kumari, the southern tip of India. The forests in the Western Ghats are unique
in that they are some of the best representatives of non-equatorial tropical
evergreen forests. With an estimated 7,400
species of flowering plants, 139 mammal species, 508 bird species, 179
amphibian species and 288 freshwater fish species Western Ghats is one
of the eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity in the world.
Researchers suspect that even more unidentified species may exist in these forests.
An estimated 325 globally threatened flora, fauna, bird, amphibian, reptile and
fish species make their home in the forests of Western Ghats. I first saw the
majestic Western Ghats as a nine year old when I accompanied my father
Professor Joshua Stephen during his research visits to the forests. In the
early nineties along with my father from whom we imbibed the enthusiasm for
forest conservation, my siblings and I including my sister Sarah, a contributor on Ecoratorio, conducted
voluntary research on the biodiversity in the Western Ghats. Needless to say,
the conservation of flora and the fauna of the Western Ghats is of much interest
to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ApI4mbrFT8hA7HmXzaTlUBYOe2Rul-7cCFfAo-TPt9Q3ifF60KoyWOERowP0h8k7_ft8u4soIc6hO5eAgxKRcORLeOEiUx6YR_q-zIVfr4jqfOYd7QkUkfoRv2JVjW3EUzeZbJfhyphenhypheninL/s1600/IMG_0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ApI4mbrFT8hA7HmXzaTlUBYOe2Rul-7cCFfAo-TPt9Q3ifF60KoyWOERowP0h8k7_ft8u4soIc6hO5eAgxKRcORLeOEiUx6YR_q-zIVfr4jqfOYd7QkUkfoRv2JVjW3EUzeZbJfhyphenhypheninL/s1600/IMG_0065.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Ghats near Ponmudi Hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://wayanad.nic.in/agri.htm">Wayand</a> , a district in the north-east of Kerala state, is
bordered by the Western Ghats on the East and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere
reserve. An estimated 885.92 sq km of Wayanad is under forest cover, but the higher altitude allows the <a href="http://www.pacindia.org/uploads/default/projects/pdf/Wayanad_-_Lives,_Livelihoods_and_the_Environment_-_Report.pdf">cultivation of cash crops and spices</a> (Wayanad is one of the biggest foreign exchange
earners of the state),which has led to
ongoing exploitation of the natural
resources, which scientists have warned could lead to environmental
crises. One such crisis has now come from a rather unsuspecting angle - <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/measures-to-curb-monkey-fever-in-wayanad/article7001691.ece">Monkey fever which has reared its head in Wayanad</a>. First, in December 2014 more than
100 monkey deaths were reported in Wayand wildlife sactuary ; this was followed by cases of Monkey Fever in
humans in Wayanad. Since January 2015 there have been 127 reported
cases including seven deaths in
humans. Most of the affected have been tribals, the indigenous people who live in the forest and mountains of Western Ghats. An outbreak on a
smaller scale has also been reported in Malapurram district of Kerala again
affecting the tribals in that area.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What is Monkey Fever?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/19/9/12-1884_article">Monkey Fever </a>
otherwise known as Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) is caused by Kyasanur forest disease virus
(KFDV), a member of the Flaviviridae family. Other infamous members of this
family include the virus that causes yellow fever and dengue . The disease was
first identified in 1957 by Work and
Trapido , with the observation of deaths in monkeys with heavy mortality in two species of
monkeys namely the black faced langur
(Semnopithecus entellus) and the red faced bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata) followed by
high incidence of illnesses characterised by acute fever and a few
deaths among the villagers in the forested areas of Shimoga district, Karnataka
State. Subsequently the virus was
isolated from monkeys , man, and ticks from the Kyasanur forest in Karnataka,
India and hence the name.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The vector, the main hosts,
and the reservoir hosts<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The vector for Monkey Fever appears to be ticks. The virus-infested
ticks seem to infest diverse areas such as forest (tropical evergreen, semi
evergreen and moist deciduous forests,) cultivated clearings and grasslands.
KFD virus has been isolated from several
species of ticks found in the
Western Ghats , however, Haemaphysalis spinigera is thought to be
the major vector . The main hosts
of Monkey fever are rats, shrews, squirrels and porcupines, but bats and
monkeys also carry the virus. Larger mammals such as goats and cows can become
infected with KFD, but current evidence does not seem to implicate transmission
of the disease though pasteurised milk. Among animals, current evidence shows
that only monkeys seem to die upon exposure to infected ticks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Often the first clue for the prevalence of the disease in
any area is monkey deaths, a gruesome
warning that human cases could soon follow. Humans get Monkey Fever from a tick
bite or by contact with an infected animal either ill or recently dead. Human
to human transmission has not been reported so far.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interestingly, Monkey Fever in humans seems to follow a
seasonal pattern and human cases are usually reported from November until June,
when young ticks or nymphs become active in forests. This time coincides with
the warmer months when humans venture into forests for clearing forests,
herding and for gathering firewood. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Symptoms, d</b><b>iagnosis</b> <b>of the disease, </b><b>and treatment</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like many viral diseases there is an incubation period of
3-8 days with the virus, after which the
symptoms of Monkey Fever Disease manifest suddenly with fever, severe headache, severe muscle
pain, cough , diarrhoea and dehydration.
Sometimes, bleeding from nasal cavity, throat, gums, and gastrointestinal tract
may also occur. Patients often experience abnormally low blood pressure, and low blood counts.
A small fraction of patients
recovers after 1-2 weeks of symptoms without complications. However, most patients present
a biphasic illnesses pattern and begin to experience second wave of symptoms at
the beginning of the third week. These symptoms include fever and signs of
encephalitis. Confirmatory diagnosis can be made by isolation of virus from blood by cell culture methods. Sensitive techniques such as PCR can also be used in the diagnosis in the early stages of the disease. In the later stages of the disease, enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) can be sensitive in detecting the disease.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whilst there is no specific treatment for Monkey Fever so far, rapid
and timely supportive therapy is very important for preventing complications,
hastening recovery, and for reducing
mortality. Treatment depends on the symptoms of the patient and includes hydration,
adequate nutrition, and the usual precautions for patients with other bleeding
disorders. Patients with preexisting diseases such as tuberculosis and liver
cirrhosis maybe more prone to dying. Mortality rate upon infection ranges between 3-5%.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Who is at risk?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tribals (Indigenous people) living in forest areas who may
come across the ticks or infected and dead monkeys during food gathering in the
forest ( the reported cases in Kerala have largely been from the tribal
hamlets), people who earn a living from
working in the forest (cattle grazers, forest officials and health care workers serving the tribal areas), and hikers in the forest are potentially at
risk for infection by contact with infected ticks or infected monkeys. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Monkey fever : Another
example of human -animal conflict ?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been long
argued that clearing of forest area for
cultivation causes changes in tick fauna and is considered as very pertinent to outbreaks. Deforestation could also cause the reservoir
hosts to relocate into human settlements. Additionally, deforestation causes monkeys to come
to human settlements in search of food. Livestock grazing in cleared forested areas
and grasslands also cause the ticks to attach to livestock and herders which in
turn are accidentally introduced to human settlements. <b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Prevalence: Monkey Fever is spreading<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although Monkey Fever Disease was thought to be endemic to specific districts
in Karnataka state, as early as the
late eighties, an antibody survey indicated the possible existence of this disease
in Kerala and <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/another-monkey-fever-outbreak-likely/article7132149.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication">Tamilnadu </a>although there were no reported human deaths or monkey deaths then. Since 2013, Monkey Fever cases has affected Wayanad
(Kerala) and Nilgiris ( Tamilnadu), which
makes it plausible that infections in these areas may have been missed earlier
due to the lack of an organized
surveillance system. The evidence of KFD virus circulation in three southern states
of India presently raises serious concerns for human health. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whilst eliminating the disease is nearly impossible due to
the ability of the virus to hide in the reservoir hosts in the impenetrable
forests, it could be contained effectively. Here are some recommendations:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Recommendations for the management of Monkey Fever Disease<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><b>The need
for creating awareness of Monkey Fever Disease</b>: There should be awareness programs on monkey
fever through different communication channels. Tribal settlements in Western Ghats
often do not have access to modern amenities such as TVs , radios etc. Illiteracy could also be high, therefore awareness
messages using modern modes of communication might not reach the target groups. Therefore awareness
of the disease has to be ensured through health workers visiting the areas and
communicating orally highlighting the need to avoid high risk areas, contact with
dead animals and encouraging people to seek health care promptly on being ill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><b>Health
care centres/mobile health clinics in
tribal areas needed</b>: <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2012/02/28/improving-health-services-for-tribal-populations">Tribal areas are notorious for having poor access to healthcare. </a>Tribals are also the poorest
citizens. There is often lack of/ poor
transportation to nearby towns where hospitals may be located due to lack of
vehicular roads. Even upon reaching health care centres , tribals often
face discrimination and insensitivity
from health care officials. To circumvent this, tribal areas should be provide with accessible health care centres with
adequately trained health workers /doctors who could spot the disease quickly
and give the appropriate treatment. Additionally mobile health clinics could
also be employed that can bring health services to remote and isolated parts. Furthermore,
these health care centres and mobile units could also collect data for researchers who will be able to monitor , the
prevalence, spread, and changing patterns( if any) of the disease.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><b>Vaccination
campaigns in people in the target area and beyond:</b> Current vaccination practice uses formalin-inactivated tissue-culture vaccine
which has been the primary strategy for
controlling KFD in Karnataka . This is a seemingly a good one. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4285264/">However recently published studies from Karnataka shows that the currently adopted vaccination strategy has its own pitfalls. </a>Valuable lessons
can be learned that could be used in the other states to control the disease. Firstly
the strategy in Karnataka involved mass vaccination of persons 7–65 years of age in the high risk regions . But the study
showed that persons outside this range were also infected suggesting
vaccination programmes to include persons
outside this age group . The study also showed that vaccine coverage in
villages selected for vaccination in 2013 was surprisingly low. Further, the
uptake of the vaccine was poor ( the current vaccine is multi-dosed due to the transiency of the vaccine-induced immunity ,requiring two
vaccine doses to be administered with the first booster dose of vaccine recommended
within 6–9 months after primary vaccination after which annual booster doses
are recommended for 5 years after the last confirmed case in the area) . Only
some of the vaccinated persons took the full dose. The study showed that
effectiveness for persons taking full
dose was 82.9%, two doses ( 62.4%)
compared to non-vaccinated individuals. The study also indicated that targeting vaccination to areas
within a 5-km radius of reported KFD activity may not be effective in
preventing KFDV transmission as there have been
occurrence of cases in areas >5 km away from vaccinated villages.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br />
In a nutshell, increased vaccine coverage is needed with
respect to age as well as area (It has to extend beyond the ages of 7-65 years
and has to extend to all persons- pending adequate medical advice for use in
pediatric and elderly persons in the target area, and has
to extend beyond the current limit of 5 km radius<br />
Although cumbersome, full doses of current vaccine might be
the best option currently available until better vaccines are available</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a need for
production of newer vaccines that accounts for drifts and diversity of current strain,
and that which does not require periodic boosters. It is believed that such a
vaccine would lead to increased
effectiveness and increased uptake. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Carcasses of infected dead animals to be disposed appropriately</b>: Forest officials
should be trained adequately in following appropriate biosafety procedures
while handling infected animals and should dispose carcasses appropriately and
expediently. They should also be trained in decontaminating surrounding areas
where infected and dead monkeys are found. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><b>Initiating
Monkey Fever Surveillance Units: </b>There should be active surveillance for
Monkey Fever by instituting Monkey Fever Surveillance Units.<b> </b> Not only target areas, but also regions
outside should be tested in a systematic manner for virus positivity in ticks far in advance of the peak season. This is indispensable
for preventing disease emergence in new
areas. In addition, disease surveillance
systems should be in place to monitor effectiveness of vaccination programmes and
for detecting any hidden niches of infection. Incidences of unusual monkey deaths
and human fever cases should be monitored by the Monkey Fever Surveillance Units
and information rapidly communicated to
forest officials and health authorities so that they can take prompt action. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><b>Use of
Preventive clothing and Tick repellents</b>: Persons living in forests and
those visiting forested areas should be
provided with preventive clothing and tick repellents . Tick repellents are
reported to provide significant protection against tick bites.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b>Cordoning
off the area</b> : During the peak season, the target areas and areas in a wider radius should be off limits for outsiders (apart from health workers and
forest officials dressed in protective clothing) and hikers should
prevented from going to the
infected areas and also high risk areas. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIFrdTKFphA5-NN_FENqfjdANca4JFKI1_OokUQPeNtSCLMp8Xlq9hEzBMc9tbk7xr3sXJW2Pi_dEbeT__piWYoFF-OwEaVV1ZCDyawxo3dD2D5G6nKdyEpF7GX3EG5_17d9qM3T9YKDl/s1600/IMG_0168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIFrdTKFphA5-NN_FENqfjdANca4JFKI1_OokUQPeNtSCLMp8Xlq9hEzBMc9tbk7xr3sXJW2Pi_dEbeT__piWYoFF-OwEaVV1ZCDyawxo3dD2D5G6nKdyEpF7GX3EG5_17d9qM3T9YKDl/s1600/IMG_0168.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tourists encounter Bonnet monkeys near Ponmudi Hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><b>Banning
cattle grazing</b>: In the target areas, livestock grazing must be prohibited.
In this respect it has to be emphasized that tribals are not the culprits, as
they have no agricultural practices but only gather food in the forest. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b></b><br />
<b>Stop
deforestation and slash-burn agricultural practices</b>: Deforestation and
slash -and -burn practices for agriculture forces the vectors from their
natural habitats into human populations. Curtailing deforestation and harmful
agricultural practices in the forests will prevent the spread of Monkey
fever and other such diseases.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b></b><br />
<b>Monkey Fever Disease preparedness and response
plans</b> : Scientists have reiterated that often the official response to an
outbreak is too late. By the time monkey deaths are noticed in an area, the
ticks have already flooded the locality. Therefore, the best approach is to prepare ahead
and to have all containment measures in place much in advance.<br />
<br />
<b>Increased research on Monkey Fever Disease </b>: Increased research is needed on
monkey fever especially on the drift and diversity of the virus, and efforts
should be made towards producing better vaccines. There is also limited
knowledge on the susceptibility and prevalence of monkey fever in other monkey
species ( For example whether the critically endangered species Lion tailed
macaque is susceptible to infection) . A
concerted effort on understanding the natural history of the disease will
enhance the efforts to curtail it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt;">
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b></b><br />
<b></b><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Concluding thoughts</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the Monkey Fever Disease season seemingly coming to an end, the
authorities could easily fall into the trap of complacency and lethargy until new
Monkey fever cases hit the headlines
next year. However, the ease by which the disease is spreading should be a
warning to the authorities that it is a major perennial problem. It is not one of those rare diseases anymore. Timely
measures need to be in place to ensure that the disease does not spread any
further as this could threaten monkey survival as well as cause a major public
health crisis, which with passage of time might be too difficult to contain. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b>Addendum</b><br />
Since publishing this post, I have been contacted by the MCVR Virology Lab , Manipal , India that the disease has now been detected in <a href="http://www.dhsgoa.gov.in/documents/press_kfd.pdf">Goa state</a> also. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">References: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Emerging+Infectious+Diseases&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.3201%2Feid1909.121884&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Spread+of+Kyasanur+Forest+Disease%2C+Bandipur+Tiger+Reserve%2C+India%2C+2012%E2%80%932013&rft.issn=1080-6040&rft.date=2013&rft.volume=19&rft.issue=9&rft.spage=&rft.epage=&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fwwwnc.cdc.gov%2Feid%2Farticle%2F19%2F9%2F12-1884_article.htm&rft.au=Mourya%2C+D.&rft.au=Yadav%2C+P.&rft.au=Sandhya%2C+K.&rft.au=Reddy%2C+S.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Biology%2CEcology+%2F+Conservation%2CEcology%2C+Zoology%2C+Virology%2C+Ecology">Mourya, D., Yadav, P., Sandhya, K., & Reddy, S. (2013). Spread of Kyasanur Forest Disease, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, India, 2012–2013 <span style="font-style: italic;">Emerging Infectious Diseases, 19</span> (9) DOI: <a dx.doi.org="" eid1909.121884="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" quot="" rev="review">10.3201/eid1909.121884</a></span>http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid1909.121884">10.3201/eid1909.121884</div>
</div>
><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Emerging+Infectious+Diseases&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.3201%2Feid2101.141227&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Kyasanur+Forest+Disease+Outbreak+and+Vaccination+Strategy%2C+Shimoga+District%2C+India%2C+2013%E2%80%932014&rft.issn=1080-6040&rft.date=2015&rft.volume=21&rft.issue=1&rft.spage=146&rft.epage=149&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fwwwnc.cdc.gov%2Feid%2Farticle%2F21%2F1%2F14-1227_article.htm&rft.au=Kiran%2C+S.&rft.au=Pasi%2C+A.&rft.au=Kumar%2C+S.&rft.au=Kasabi%2C+G.&rft.au=Gujjarappa%2C+P.&rft.au=Shrivastava%2C+A.&rft.au=Mehendale%2C+S.&rft.au=Chauhan%2C+L.&rft.au=Laserson%2C+K.&rft.au=Murhekar%2C+M.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Biology%2CEcology+%2F+Conservation%2CEcology%2C+Virology%2C+Zoology">Kiran, S., Pasi, A., Kumar, S., Kasabi, G., Gujjarappa, P., Shrivastava, A., Mehendale, S., Chauhan, L., Laserson, K., & Murhekar, M. (2015). Kyasanur Forest Disease Outbreak and Vaccination Strategy, Shimoga District, India, 2013–2014 <span style="font-style: italic;">Emerging Infectious Diseases, 21</span> (1), 146-149 DOI: <a dx.doi.org="" eid2101.141227="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" quot="" rev="review">10.3201/eid2101.141227</a></span>http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2101.141227">10.3201/eid2101.141227<br />
><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-6564642745503965142015-05-08T15:53:00.000-07:002015-05-08T15:53:30.774-07:00Blue meets Green – What does Conservative party’s win mean for UK's environment?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLlCIvZmO69Q_pMF38ubHkJ0BBEKjSRGWye2e2vUlGiQT9AqrmK58ZOUaf-2TktW3L4vM_GieeyVlNr0j-CD_n966yFI_PLhjq8xcXyKVRGGtKCRKxqjRdLaWCoF27NtEkBjDaVnP2-Um/s1600/camlonjan+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLlCIvZmO69Q_pMF38ubHkJ0BBEKjSRGWye2e2vUlGiQT9AqrmK58ZOUaf-2TktW3L4vM_GieeyVlNr0j-CD_n966yFI_PLhjq8xcXyKVRGGtKCRKxqjRdLaWCoF27NtEkBjDaVnP2-Um/s640/camlonjan+022.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The results of the general election are in. David Cameron
will continue to lead the country for the next 5 years. But how does the UK’s environmental
issues fare in the <a href="https://www.conservatives.com/manifesto">2015 election manifesto</a> of the Conservative party? Of the several
promises listed in it, these grabbed my attention. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Creation of Blue
belts for protecting marine environments in the UK and UK ‘s 14 overseas
territories</b>: Following on from the work in the previous term, the manifesto
promises to complete the network of Marine Conservation Zones to create a UK
Blue Belt of protected sites. Last year the coalition government instituted a
Marine Protected Area around the Pitcairn Islands in the South Pacific
–the world’s largest contiguous ocean reserve
with 830,000 square kilometers (3.5 times the landmass of UK). The manifesto promises to extend this programme
around the UK’s 14 Overseas Territories, subject to local approval. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b> Planting 11 million trees</b>: This promise is significant especially because public forests and woodland where supposedly the
trees would be planted are to be kept in trust for the nation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Building new
environmentally sensitive infrastructure</b>s: The conservative manifesto
promises to build roads and railways with reduced environmental impact. It promises to cut light pollution from new roads, build better noise barriers,
include more tunnelling, and help restore habitats lost during construction. A
specific case mentioned is that of the construction of High Speed 2 - the planned
railways connecting London Euston with the Midlands through to the North. The manifesto
promises to ‘replenish locally any biodiversity lost in the construction’. How
they are going to achieve this is not mentioned in the manifesto. Importantly ‘biodiversity’ cannot be easily replenished.
Yes trees can be planted, some animals introduced, however ‘ biodiversity’ refers to the variety of living organisms in
different ecosystems starting with microbes and is complex. Thus, ‘replenishing biodiversity’
is not easily achievable, at least not in totality, though conservation is possible and must
be pursued .Therefore the 25 years plan that the Conservatives will
develop to restore UK’s biodiversity is
commendable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pocket Parks in urban
areas</b>: The manifesto promises to launch a programme of ‘pocket parks’ - small green spaces that town and city
dwellers can enjoy .This is an excellent idea. Here in Ecoratorio, we have repeatedly
highlighted the need for more green spaces in the cities.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One omission in the manifesto is the lack of any mention of
how they plan to tackle pesticide overuse in the crops, which has been blamed for
declining bee numbers. This is a lapse as the manifesto says that they ‘will
help our bees to thrive’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the days ahead, we will see whether the new government
remains committed to its promises.But one fact is clear that a green Britain will assuredly contribute to
a ‘greater Britain’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reference: Conservative Party Manifesto 2015 https://www.conservatives.com/manifesto</div>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-562309464306842222015-04-20T13:18:00.003-07:002015-06-05T08:38:46.547-07:00Urban green spaces: Insights from Valencia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Visiting the city of Valencia in Spain for the first time,
we were pleasantly greeted by the subtle aroma of orange blossoms in the air and
the sight of beautiful oranges dangling from the orange trees that line the street
pavements. Whilst many parts of the city are bordered with trees,
there are also other green spaces,
such as beautiful small parks (like the one in the picture shown below),</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
complete with Mediterranean flora such as palms, ficus, cycas, and orange trees. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrdo-Jt2EPi0mnoqgCllMp69uIFTZa2Dx6dlj_aSqBsyYUIDrbRbgqSKIksUepZ8ftbFq1eUMT9iF7c2lUdp-HiKBTO3FOUQV3KGKxJTP2jUEIiYRN2Z4H7mheFcPVPPbP4zTFE8C9rev/s1600/SANY0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrdo-Jt2EPi0mnoqgCllMp69uIFTZa2Dx6dlj_aSqBsyYUIDrbRbgqSKIksUepZ8ftbFq1eUMT9iF7c2lUdp-HiKBTO3FOUQV3KGKxJTP2jUEIiYRN2Z4H7mheFcPVPPbP4zTFE8C9rev/s1600/SANY0255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most impressive green space is perhaps the 9 km green belt that runs through the city- the <a href="http://www.valenciavalencia.com/sights-guide/turia.htm">Jardi delTuria (Garden of the Turia)</a>, which is a credit to the city. The Turia is a Spanish river that
empties into the Mediterranean near the city of Valencia. In 1957, it flooded and devastated Valencia. Consequently, the course of the river was artifically changed- now running
along
the city edge before meeting the Mediterranean. The original course of
the river continues has been
converted into an enormous green space resplendent with beautiful trees with
pedestrian paths, cycle paths, and occasionally dotted with football grounds, cafes,
athletics tracks, and gardens within the garden. Here city dwellers relax, play, or just get about their business, avoiding the traffic that plies overhead on the
many bridges that cross the river bed. Buildings
tower over either side of the Turia garden, comprising largely of apartment
blocks and businesses. Our walk along the Turia garden in sweltering sunny
April was very pleasant which made me realize the importance of green spaces in
cities. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8h7ttcq2L7GeJ5zDQYOeTp1SFZmfWn2S6_3vSjH5JDP6DdZnnuMzZEmx9W8Iqd7c1aLbsQJwA7okTxf_U97NSX4pYuGiCUUuPXwXmDfhLKFeLGthcgZC80WguybjLASujW9pbbnucidY/s1600/SANY0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8h7ttcq2L7GeJ5zDQYOeTp1SFZmfWn2S6_3vSjH5JDP6DdZnnuMzZEmx9W8Iqd7c1aLbsQJwA7okTxf_U97NSX4pYuGiCUUuPXwXmDfhLKFeLGthcgZC80WguybjLASujW9pbbnucidY/s1600/SANY0075.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Urban heat islands and
global warming<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cities have their own micro-climates. Human activities-
buildings made of concrete, asphalt roads , vehicular emissions, heat generated by
people, and heat arising from equipment use, all contribute to temperature
increases in the urban areas to levels that
are significantly higher from the
adjoining rural areas where temperatures remains close to air temperatures. Such
urban areas are called ‘Urban heat islands’, a concept described over 200 years
ago by Luke Howard, the father of meteorology. The term has been coined as the
warmer urban air lies in a ‘sea’ of cooler rural air. According to
the EPA, the annual mean air temperature of a city with 1 million
people or more can be 1.8–5.4°F (1–3°C) warmer than its surroundings, going up
to temperature difference as much as 22°F (12°C) on a clear, calm night.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Heat islands could not only affect the health of the urban
inhabitants by causing heat -related illnesses (a topic discussed in the
earlier post), but also contribute to
global warming in general, and must not be ignored particularly as
predictions indicate that by 2050 about
64% of the developing world and 86% of the developed world will be urbanised
- leading to amplification of the issue. Whilst
urbanisation cannot be halted, it must be made sustainable. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Mitigation strategies
for urban heat island effects <o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Among the four major strategies <a href="http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/about/index.htm">United States EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA)</a> has suggested for mitigating the effects of urban heat
islands, the first one is increasing tree and vegetation cover. The others are the installation of green
roofs (roofs with plants grown over a waterproof membrane), installation of
cool and reflective roofs (built from materials with high solar reflectance and
high heat emittance), and building cool pavements (made of material with high
solar reflectivity and good water permeability). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In this post, we will look at the EPA’s primary recommendation.
This, in my opinion, is the one with the
maximum impact and the least costliest. The major benefits of increasing trees
and vegetation covers are the following:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They reduce surface and air temperatures by providing shade and
by the process of evapotranspiration. Estimates indicate that evapotranspiration, alone or in combination with shading, can help
reduce peak summer temperatures by 2–9°F (1–5°C). By providing shade to buildings, trees
decrease the demand for air conditioning and indirectly decrease the need for
energy use which, in turn, lowers greenhouse gas emissions and provides better air
quality. Trees also function as ‘sinks’ for air pollutants and carbon dioxide.
Trees improve the quality of life of city dwellers by enhancing the aesthetic value
of their surroundings and promote biodiversity by providing habitats for diverse
species.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interestingly, it also appears that for some trees living in an urban environment
might not be bad after all. <a href="http://treephys.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2012/04/05/treephys.tps027.full">In a study in 2012,</a> seedlings of oak were grown for
one season at four sites along an urban–rural transect from Central Park in New
York City to the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York with a difference in average maximum
temperatures of 2.4 °C and difference in
minimum temperatures of 4.6 °C.
Additionally, seedlings were cultured in growth cabinets
simulating the seasonal differential between
the city and rural sites. The
researchers found that warmer temperatures associated with the urban
environment, especially high night-time temperatures, lead to enhanced growth in
these seedlings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The necessity for a Green
Channel Programme for our cities <o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coming back to our example - Valencia- it appears that the
city is going in the right direction with its tree and vegetation cover
initiatives. The green spaces and the green belts are not only aesthetically
pleasing, but also reduce the heat (personal experience). Increasing the vegetation cover in
cities is something where more is less. Thus, Valencia and other cities who have such initiatives cannot rest on their laurels. We really need to have green channels
through our cities to cool the urban heat islands. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0F3kkUw-zBY_rV5OH43zfaaSJsv2h0Hj-M2JV22nRjkFVv8yoQiDCcH-0s47hC1M0NjXfDz55XDgd33ontZTOja6TavwkxygFCj9nOs0S9H1GqqX5u-2yMqV9wVGOSH9RvfzgjnkNASP/s1600/SANY0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0F3kkUw-zBY_rV5OH43zfaaSJsv2h0Hj-M2JV22nRjkFVv8yoQiDCcH-0s47hC1M0NjXfDz55XDgd33ontZTOja6TavwkxygFCj9nOs0S9H1GqqX5u-2yMqV9wVGOSH9RvfzgjnkNASP/s1600/SANY0079.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><b><br /></b></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>References</b><o:p></o:p><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.valenciavalencia.com/sights-guide/turia.htm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/about/index.htm">http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/about/index.htm</a><br />
<br />
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Tree+Physiology&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1093%2Ftreephys%2Ftps027&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Urban+environment+of+New+York+City+promotes+growth+in+northern+red+oak+seedlings&rft.issn=0829-318X&rft.date=2012&rft.volume=32&rft.issue=4&rft.spage=389&rft.epage=400&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Ftreephys.oxfordjournals.org%2Fcgi%2Fdoi%2F10.1093%2Ftreephys%2Ftps027&rft.au=Searle%2C+S.&rft.au=Turnbull%2C+M.&rft.au=Boelman%2C+N.&rft.au=Schuster%2C+W.&rft.au=Yakir%2C+D.&rft.au=Griffin%2C+K.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Biology%2CGeosciences%2CEcology+%2F+Conservation%2CEcology%2C+Botany%2C+Sustainability%2C+Climate+Change%2C+Ecology%2C+Environment%2C+Energy%2C+Sustainability">Searle, S., Turnbull, M., Boelman, N., Schuster, W., Yakir, D., & Griffin, K. (2012). Urban environment of New York City promotes growth in northern red oak seedlings <span style="font-style: italic;">Tree Physiology, 32</span> (4), 389-400 DOI: <a dx.doi.org="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" quot="" rev="review" tps027="" treephys="">10.1093/treephys/tps027</a></span>http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tps027">10.1093/treephys/tps027</div>
><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-40153459957757504392015-04-14T09:48:00.001-07:002015-04-15T00:41:32.211-07:00Global Temperature Rise and Human Health - How is the World Coping?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfp63b6G2P1e0rTx2ibkaiyTckqoVBuMGmcO1HX75RS0KqDV5InfuzQTxz2x9EgHgN6LR2xBxYFAKpYVRTffD4P_P94fJy3VrqBFieqbxTQOS_FCRgQLpTrje9TXt4g45fF4lErrqGYai/s1600/IMG_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfp63b6G2P1e0rTx2ibkaiyTckqoVBuMGmcO1HX75RS0KqDV5InfuzQTxz2x9EgHgN6LR2xBxYFAKpYVRTffD4P_P94fJy3VrqBFieqbxTQOS_FCRgQLpTrje9TXt4g45fF4lErrqGYai/s1600/IMG_0015.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Global temperatures
have been on the rise since the Industrial Age due to human activity such as the emissions
of greenhouse gases from fossil fuel burning, large-scale deforestation, expansion
of urban areas where vegetation cover is replaced by artificial heat retaining
materials such as asphalt and concrete, some agricultural practices, and waste
management activities. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/1.http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/">Data from the National Climatic Data Centre </a>that maintains the world's largest climate data
archive indicate that the average global temperature across land surfaces was
1.68°C (3.02°F) above the 20th century average of 3.2°C (37.8°F) .
To put things in perspective, February 2015 was much warmer than February 2014.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/4.http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/1408178/">Epidemiological studies in different parts of the world</a> have
unequivocally shown a strong link <a href="https://www.blogger.com/5.http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0118577">between high temperature and mortality</a>, which
is a public health concern. The magnitude of the problem will only escalate as
the global mean temperature continues to increase causing extreme heat events
in large geographical areas. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/1.http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5529a2.htm">Approximately 650 deaths</a> per year occur in United States due to heat events, which account for more fatalities than any other weather hazard.
Males outnumber females in deaths cause by extreme heat events.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Vulnerable population for heat-related
deaths</b><b></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<div>
</div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div>
Although the
human body can tolerate changes in temperature by the process of
thermoregulation, whereby it can protect itself from extremes in ambient
temperature, there are limits. Importantly, infants and the elderly particularly
those with health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular
disease, neurological diseases, diabetes, renal disease and respiratory disease
are particularly vulnerable to mortality due to increase in ambient temperature.
However, many studies indicate that there is a lack of risk perception among
the population to heat-related deaths.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><br /></b>
<b>Global disparity in knowledge
pertaining to extreme heat, its consequences, and public health responses </b><b></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<div>
</div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div>
In many
developed nations, data on temperature rise and its consequences on health are often
readily available due to good documentation of historical temperature records and
epidemiological research in these areas. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/2.http://monash.edu/news/show/heatwave-map-reveals-melbournes-most-vulnerable-postcodes">Heat vulnerability maps</a> (Heatwave maps) now exist
for many areas in
developed countries- particularly cities, that help identify regions that are at
risk for extreme heat events. In many such places, Heat response plans that
help prepare communities for heath rated illnesses exist.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
However,
developing nations lag behind both in research as well as public health
strategies to mitigate extreme heat events. A plethora of factors such as knowledge gaps, defective record
keeping and poor research (death
records, which list causes of death are often unreliable particularly in rural
areas), archaic technology, lack of funds, corruption, poor public health initiatives, all
lead to poor knowledge or ignorance pertaining to the health effects of extreme temperature.
The health implications of extreme heat
is likely to be far more
pronounced in the developing countries, which are often subject to extreme
climate change compared to the developed countries, but is likely staying under
the radar.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here through
the pages of Ecoratorio, we have often highlighted the dangers of human
activities on the environment and the need for global, personal, and corporate
environmental stewardship. Specifically in the context of heat-related illnesses
and deaths, a cohesive understanding of the environmental impact on human
health, identification of vulnerable populations, expert recommendations on public
behaviour and timely
communication of these recommendations, generating public awareness through mass media of health-related
illnesses and deaths, and
enforcement of mitigation steps in the general public is critical. With extreme
heath events anticipated to rise in the coming years due to climate change, population
increase, and increase in ageing population, it is crucial that scientific, political and public health action
should take place to manage this important issue.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwuYIofDvQo1bLHyv_aadKOOmGhd6Oz-5oxdoe2R1AliU-4Fh1YyOk7J-HRjY-oz07rLTIFrJqlmt2Nx-M5sE4FL7CuWJvckiUk4VtV1hZhU8baRzHQOW-skXJlEnuuoiZ5Blf2QFXAH6/s1600/tvm2005+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwuYIofDvQo1bLHyv_aadKOOmGhd6Oz-5oxdoe2R1AliU-4Fh1YyOk7J-HRjY-oz07rLTIFrJqlmt2Nx-M5sE4FL7CuWJvckiUk4VtV1hZhU8baRzHQOW-skXJlEnuuoiZ5Blf2QFXAH6/s1600/tvm2005+004.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<strong>Useful Facts about Heat-related illnesses</strong> <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Although many studies have stressed infants and elderly as being most vulnerable to heat –related illnesses and death, other high-risk groups include young children, older adults (people over 65 years) and people who engage in strenuous activities outdoors. </li>
<li>Extreme heat events disproportionately harm vulnerable populations.</li>
<li>The majority of heat-related deaths are preventable.</li>
<li>During periods of extreme heat, heat-related illnesses can be prevented by using air-conditioning, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, drinking adequate amounts of fluid, wearing lightweight clothing, and avoiding alcohol consumption. </li>
<li> Heat Response plans should be in place before extreme heat events occur. </li>
<li>Major inequalities exist between developed and the developing nations in the awareness of heat- related illnesses, the contributory factors, and public health initiatives.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>References: </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong></strong><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/">http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/</a></li>
<li> <a href="http://monash.edu/news/show/heatwave-map-reveals-melbournes-most-vulnerable-postcodes">http://monash.edu/news/show/heatwave-map-reveals-melbournes-most-vulnerable-postcodes</a></li>
<li> <span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Environmental+Health+Perspectives&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1408178&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=A+Case-Only+Study+of+Vulnerability+to+Heat+Wave%E2%80%93Related+Mortality+in+New+York+City+%282000%E2%80%932011%29&rft.issn=0091-6765&rft.date=2015&rft.volume=&rft.issue=&rft.spage=&rft.epage=&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fehp.niehs.nih.gov%2F1408178&rft.au=Madrigano%2C+J.&rft.au=Ito%2C+K.&rft.au=Johnson%2C+S.&rft.au=Kinney%2C+P.&rft.au=Matte%2C+T.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Medicine%2CHealth%2CEpidemiology%2C+Public+Health">Madrigano, J., Ito, K., Johnson, S., Kinney, P., & Matte, T. (2015). A Case-Only Study of Vulnerability to Heat Wave–Related Mortality in New York City (2000–2011) <span style="font-style: italic;">Environmental Health Perspectives</span> DOI: <a dx.doi.org="" ehp.1408178="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" quot="" rev="review">10.1289/ehp.1408178</a></span>http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408178">10.1289/ehp.1408178> <span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=PLOS+ONE&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0118577&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Heat-Attributable+Deaths+between+1992+and+2009+in+Seoul%2C+South+Korea&rft.issn=1932-6203&rft.date=2015&rft.volume=10&rft.issue=2&rft.spage=0&rft.epage=&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.plos.org%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0118577&rft.au=Kim%2C+C.&rft.au=Lim%2C+Y.&rft.au=Woodward%2C+A.&rft.au=Kim%2C+H.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Medicine%2CHealth%2CPublic+Health%2C+Epidemiology"></span></li>
<li><span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=PLOS+ONE&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0118577&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Heat-Attributable+Deaths+between+1992+and+2009+in+Seoul%2C+South+Korea&rft.issn=1932-6203&rft.date=2015&rft.volume=10&rft.issue=2&rft.spage=0&rft.epage=&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.plos.org%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0118577&rft.au=Kim%2C+C.&rft.au=Lim%2C+Y.&rft.au=Woodward%2C+A.&rft.au=Kim%2C+H.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Medicine%2CHealth%2CPublic+Health%2C+Epidemiology">Kim, C., Lim, Y., Woodward, A., & Kim, H. (2015). Heat-Attributable Deaths between 1992 and 2009 in Seoul, South Korea <span style="font-style: italic;">PLOS ONE, 10</span> (2) DOI: <a dx.doi.org="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" journal.pone.0118577="" quot="" rev="review">10.1371/journal.pone.0118577</a></span>http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0118577">10.1371/journal.pone.0118577> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/health-society/heat-deaths.html">http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/health-society/heat-deaths.html<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Environmental+Health+Perspectives&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1307392&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Heat-Related+Mortality+and+Adaptation+to+Heat+in+the+United+States&rft.issn=0091-6765&rft.date=2014&rft.volume=&rft.issue=&rft.spage=&rft.epage=&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fehp.niehs.nih.gov%2F1307392%2F&rft.au=Bobb%2C+J.&rft.au=Peng%2C+R.&rft.au=Bell%2C+M.&rft.au=Dominici%2C+F.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Medicine%2CHealth"></span></a></li>
<li><span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Environmental+Health+Perspectives&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1307392&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Heat-Related+Mortality+and+Adaptation+to+Heat+in+the+United+States&rft.issn=0091-6765&rft.date=2014&rft.volume=&rft.issue=&rft.spage=&rft.epage=&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fehp.niehs.nih.gov%2F1307392%2F&rft.au=Bobb%2C+J.&rft.au=Peng%2C+R.&rft.au=Bell%2C+M.&rft.au=Dominici%2C+F.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Medicine%2CHealth">Bobb, J., Peng, R., Bell, M., & Dominici, F. (2014). Heat-Related Mortality and Adaptation to Heat in the United States <span style="font-style: italic;">Environmental Health Perspectives</span> DOI: <a dx.doi.org="" ehp.1307392="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" quot="" rev="review">10.1289/ehp.1307392</a></span>http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307392">10.1289/ehp.1307392> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/806947">http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/806947</a></li>
</ol>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" dir="ltr" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;" trbidi="on">
</div>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-86075071304289795912013-07-08T12:41:00.000-07:002013-07-08T12:41:15.957-07:00Humans vs Tigers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlwe8Ja91kvHc5dxqELTsjJfLq-W4GpEEns_iueBc2noqdpfc2o8pzr_NbL2gIBqt80lOC3uKO9Xn1l3c5fCnrdDuKdYXeK63onDjNvoCX0kktfWZIPLcDm2skBGgaa6vKEPY-jtw6KQ/s1600/stock-photo-2885355-b-w-sumatran-tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlwe8Ja91kvHc5dxqELTsjJfLq-W4GpEEns_iueBc2noqdpfc2o8pzr_NbL2gIBqt80lOC3uKO9Xn1l3c5fCnrdDuKdYXeK63onDjNvoCX0kktfWZIPLcDm2skBGgaa6vKEPY-jtw6KQ/s320/stock-photo-2885355-b-w-sumatran-tiger.jpg" /></a></div>
I have been following an <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23177322">interesting news</a> of a match of Humans vs Tigers. The eventual outcome was a draw: one man and a tiger cub killed on each side.<br />
<br />
The story is that six men from Simpang Kiri village in Aceh Tamiang district went to the Mount Leuser National Park on Sumatra Island for harvesting agarwood (used in incense and perfume). I am assuming that this was probably illegal since national parks does have restricted entry and harvesting this precious material is probably regulated. Nonetheless, they set traps to catch deer (again, I am unsure about whether this amounts to poaching) and caught a Sumatran tiger (<i>Panthera tigris sumatrae</i>) cub instead (which eventually died). This action attracted 5-7 tigers in the vicinity who, quite notably, chased the men. The men climbed up some trees and hung on to dear life for five days, subsisting on rainwater. The tigers, equally persistent, remained at the base. One man was mauled to death when he fell down after a branch snapped. The others contacted nearby villagers via the cell phones. The villagers were helpless, but eventually "tamers" and the rescue team drove the tigers away.<br />
<br />
I could debate at length about whether the men deserved the plight they faced, but more interesting is the behaviour of the tigers. The Sumatran tiger is the smallest (75-140 kg - Prothero et al, 2012) and is critically endangered (Sunarto et al, 2013). It is endemic to, well, Sumatra and the population is around 350. The low numbers are due to deforestation and conversion of lands into acacia and oil palm plantations, fires, and poaching (O'Brien et al, 2003; Sunarto et al, 2012; Johnson, 2013) . This plight was recently highlighted by Sunarto et al, 2013, who calculated that numbers were much lower in the Riau province which was believed to have the highest concentration of tigers (Banerjee, 2012, state that the population had declined by 70%; from 640 in 1982, the numbers fell to 192 in 2007). In a previous paper, the same authors proved that tigers are not particularly fond of plantations and settlements, preferring large contiguous and undisturbed forests and higher altitudes. However, the authors also encourage using the plantations as "corridors, stepping stones, or mosaics of connectivity facilitating animal movement"- which, in my humble opinion, is a recipe for disaster for both tigers and humans.<br />
<br />
Indeed, it is sad that a human life and a tiger life were lost. But it could have gone in a few different ways. Five other humans could have been killed. So could have 5-6 critically endangered tigers. We very seldom recognise how our lifestyle preferences (I too have found agarwood to be particularly heady) might be only aggravating human-animal conflict elsewhere...<br />
<br />
Image source: http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-2885355-b-w-sumatran-tiger.php<br />
<br />
References
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Environmental+Policy+is+Social+Policy+%E2%80%93+Social+Policy+is+Environmental+Policy&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1007%2F978-1-4614-6723-6_4&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Living+Off+the+Fat+of+Another+Land%3A+Trans+Fat+Social+Policy+and+Environmental+Externalities&rft.issn=&rft.date=2013&rft.volume=&rft.issue=&rft.spage=37&rft.epage=50&rft.artnum=&rft.au=Kimberly+Elizabeth+Johnson&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Ecology+%2F+Conservation%2CEnvironment%2C+Public+Policy">Kimberly Elizabeth Johnson (2013). Living Off the Fat of Another Land: Trans Fat Social Policy and Environmental Externalities <span style="font-style: italic;">Environmental Policy is Social Policy – Social Policy is Environmental Policy</span>, 37-50 DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6723-6_4" rev="review">10.1007/978-1-4614-6723-6_4</a></span>
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Animal+Conservation&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1017%2FS1367943003003172&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Crouching+tigers%2C+hidden+prey%3A+Sumatran+tiger+and+prey+populations+in+a+tropical+forest+landscape&rft.issn=&rft.date=2003&rft.volume=6&rft.issue=&rft.spage=131&rft.epage=139&rft.artnum=&rft.au=Timothy+G.+O%27Brien&rft.au=Margaret+F.+Kinnaird&rft.au=Hariyo+T.+Wibisono&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Ecology+%2F+Conservation%2CEcology%2C+Conservation"> </span><br />
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Animal+Conservation&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1017%2FS1367943003003172&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Crouching+tigers%2C+hidden+prey%3A+Sumatran+tiger+and+prey+populations+in+a+tropical+forest+landscape&rft.issn=&rft.date=2003&rft.volume=6&rft.issue=&rft.spage=131&rft.epage=139&rft.artnum=&rft.au=Timothy+G.+O%27Brien&rft.au=Margaret+F.+Kinnaird&rft.au=Hariyo+T.+Wibisono&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Ecology+%2F+Conservation%2CEcology%2C+Conservation">Timothy G. O'Brien, Margaret F. Kinnaird, Hariyo T. Wibisono (2003). Crouching tigers, hidden prey: Sumatran tiger and prey populations in a tropical forest landscape <span style="font-style: italic;">Animal Conservation, 6</span>, 131-139 DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1367943003003172" rev="review">10.1017/S1367943003003172</a></span><br />
Donald R. Prothero, Valerie J. Syverson, Kristina R. Raymond, Meena Madan, Sarah Molina, Ashley Fragomeni, Sylvana DeSantis, Anastasiya Sutyagina, Gina L. Gage, Size and shape stasis in late Pleistocene mammals and birds from Rancho La Brea during the Last Glacial–Interglacial cycle, Quaternary Science Reviews, Volume 56, 21 November 2012, Pages 1-10, ISSN 0277-3791, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2012.08.015.<br />
<br />
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=PLoS+One&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0030859&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Tigers+Need+Cover%3A+Multi-Scale+Occupancy+Study+of+the+Big+Cat+in+Sumatran+Forest+and+Plantation+Landscapes&rft.issn=&rft.date=2012&rft.volume=&rft.issue=&rft.spage=&rft.epage=&rft.artnum=&rft.au=Sunarto+Sunarto&rft.au=Marcella+J.+Kelly&rft.au=Karmila+Parakkasi&rft.au=Sybille+Klenzendorf&rft.au=Eka+Septayuda&rft.au=Harry+Kurniawan&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Ecology+%2F+Conservation%2CEcology">Sunarto Sunarto, Marcella J. Kelly, Karmila Parakkasi, Sybille Klenzendorf, Eka Septayuda, & Harry Kurniawan (2012). Tigers Need Cover: Multi-Scale Occupancy Study of the Big Cat in Sumatran Forest and Plantation Landscapes <span style="font-style: italic;">PLoS One</span> DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0030859" rev="review">10.1371/journal.pone.0030859</a></span>
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Oryx&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1017%2FS0030605311001530&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Threatened+predator+on+the+equator%3A+multi-point+abundance+estimates+of+the+tiger+Panthera+tigris+in+central+Sumatra&rft.issn=&rft.date=2013&rft.volume=47&rft.issue=2&rft.spage=211&rft.epage=220&rft.artnum=&rft.au=S+Sunarto&rft.au=Marcella+J.+Kelly&rft.au=Sybille+Klenzendorf&rft.au=Michael+R.+Vaughan&rft.au=Zulfahmi%2C+M.B.+Hutajulu&rft.au=Karmila+Parakkasi&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Ecology+%2F+Conservation%2CEcology%2C+Conservation"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Oryx&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1017%2FS0030605311001530&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Threatened+predator+on+the+equator%3A+multi-point+abundance+estimates+of+the+tiger+Panthera+tigris+in+central+Sumatra&rft.issn=&rft.date=2013&rft.volume=47&rft.issue=2&rft.spage=211&rft.epage=220&rft.artnum=&rft.au=S+Sunarto&rft.au=Marcella+J.+Kelly&rft.au=Sybille+Klenzendorf&rft.au=Michael+R.+Vaughan&rft.au=Zulfahmi%2C+M.B.+Hutajulu&rft.au=Karmila+Parakkasi&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Ecology+%2F+Conservation%2CEcology%2C+Conservation">S Sunarto, Marcella J. Kelly, Sybille Klenzendorf, Michael R. Vaughan, Zulfahmi, M.B. Hutajulu, & Karmila Parakkasi (2013). Threatened predator on the equator: multi-point abundance estimates of the tiger Panthera tigris in central Sumatra <span style="font-style: italic;">Oryx, 47</span> (2), 211-220 DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0030605311001530" rev="review">10.1017/S0030605311001530</a></span>
Sarah Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03305130267142945205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-72420078344416231802013-02-05T22:33:00.001-08:002013-02-05T22:38:09.122-08:00Automobile exhausts and heart disease: Is the link an inflammatory molecule?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB9ZYvGt6oRRuimG2Iu_A6XQjZIVo-9CiGamNaE1yAW-ZYBd5NEhk86wcPnkY5Oae10Hfgxwo3b7RbsCHE9xuvFj8FkpbVaynSBp9jEmVmZETedQ5vo2JjFB4X7i8_knVHj7-lxajFQa3/s1600/SANY0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB9ZYvGt6oRRuimG2Iu_A6XQjZIVo-9CiGamNaE1yAW-ZYBd5NEhk86wcPnkY5Oae10Hfgxwo3b7RbsCHE9xuvFj8FkpbVaynSBp9jEmVmZETedQ5vo2JjFB4X7i8_knVHj7-lxajFQa3/s400/SANY0052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23356649">recent study</a> in America found evidence for increased levels of IL-1 beta, a marker associated with inflammation in the blood of people who lived near the highways and had high exposures to vehicular exhausts.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As our consumption and usage of vehicles increases, our roads constantly
brew more particulate matter, black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur-di-oxide and carbon monoxide, all emitted from automobile exhausts. The danger about these emissions is that they don’t just stay there, but
drift. Our busy highway and motorways, which have high traffic volume, are the worst offenders. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17688699">Studies in</a>dicate
that people living/working in such areas and spending significant time within
approximately 200m of highways are exposed heavily to these pollutants compared
to people who are based further away. Unsurprisingly, the exposures at
highways are higher when compared to people living on busy urban streets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A plethora of studies have linked vehicular emission
exposure to heart disease. We had<a href="http://ecoratorio.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/matter-of-heart.html"> highlighted</a><a href="http://ecoratorio.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/stuck-in-traffic.html"> a couple of them</a> in this blog. The
closer people live or work near highways/motorways, the greater is their exposure to the harmful effluents. However, many of the studies in this field of research are epidemiological in nature which are population based and subject to the criticism that the observed
correlation in the studies might not really signify causality. A recent study
by researchers from Tufts School of Medicine, Boston, attempts to close the gulf and provides a molecular basis of the effects of vehicular
emission exposure on human health and offers an explanation on how automobile exhausts could cause heart diseases. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The study was conducted in the Somerville area of Massachusetts, USA. The scientists compared blood samples from 20 people who lived less than 100m from the Interstate-93( a highway that connects Massachusetts to Vermont) and those residing a km away from the highway in urban backgrounds. To ensure that the two groups were as similar as possible, the subjects in both groups were matched to age, gender and education. Though there were no significant differences between two groups in terms of body measurements (height, weight) and education, the group who lived in urban backgrounds were more likely to earn less, had higher exposure to vehicle exhausts that was occupationally related and high
levels of bad cholesterols (LDL). The researchers
factored the job related vehicle emission exposure in their calculations and
found that the levels of IL-1 beta was increased significantly in those people who lived near
the highway.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/117/20/2577.full">Inflammation plays a crucial role in the development </a>and progression of a variety of heart diseases importantly atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure. Inflammatory molecules linked to these processes includes interleukin-1 (IL-1), but this American study is the first of its kind where such a link has been shown to occur in humans with proximity to heavy traffic. The results are notable as it also recapitulates the trend shown by particulate matter in increasing the levels of IL -1 family in animal models and cells in culture. In their paper, the researchers also point out that IL-1 beta itself could have application as a biological marker of air pollution exposure. However, one thing to note is that IL-1 family is also influenced by diet and this is a factor that has to be controlled for in further experiments. Cumulatively, the study by Professor Brugge and his colleagues is a very interesting preliminary work which warrants larger carefully controlled follow up studies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">References:</span></div>
</div>
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Circulation&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1161%2FCIRCULATIONAHA.108.772491&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Inflammation+and+Cardiovascular+Disease%3A+Role+of+the+Interleukin-1+Receptor+Antagonist&rft.issn=0009-7322&rft.date=2008&rft.volume=117&rft.issue=20&rft.spage=2577&rft.epage=2579&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fcirc.ahajournals.org%2Fcgi%2Fdoi%2F10.1161%2FCIRCULATIONAHA.108.772491&rft.au=Fearon%2C+W.&rft.au=Fearon%2C+D.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Medicine%2CHealth%2CEcology%2C+Cardiovascular">Fearon, W., & Fearon, D. (2008). Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease: Role of the Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist <span style="font-style: italic;">Circulation, 117</span> (20), 2577-2579 DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.772491" rev="review">10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.772491</a></span>
<span style="float: left; padding: 5px;"><a href="http://www.researchblogging.org/"><img alt="ResearchBlogging.org" src="http://www.researchblogging.org/public/citation_icons/rb2_large_gray.png" style="border: 0;" /></a></span>
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Environmental+Health&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1186%2F1476-069X-6-23&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Near-highway+pollutants+in+motor+vehicle+exhaust%3A+A+review+of+epidemiologic+evidence+of+cardiac+and+pulmonary+health+risks&rft.issn=1476069X&rft.date=2007&rft.volume=6&rft.issue=1&rft.spage=23&rft.epage=&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehjournal.net%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F23&rft.au=Brugge%2C+D.&rft.au=Durant%2C+J.&rft.au=Rioux%2C+C.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Medicine%2CHealth%2CEcology%2C+Epidemiology%2C+Cardiovascular%2C+Public+Health">Brugge, D., Durant, J., & Rioux, C. (2007). Near-highway pollutants in motor vehicle exhaust: A review of epidemiologic evidence of cardiac and pulmonary health risks <span style="font-style: italic;">Environmental Health, 6</span> (1) DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-6-23" rev="review">10.1186/1476-069X-6-23</a></span>
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Journal+of+Toxicology+and+Environmental+Health%2C+Part+A&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1080%2F15287394.2013.752325&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Highway+Proximity+Associations+with+Blood+Markers+of+Inflammation%3A+Evidence+for+a+Role+for+IL-1%CE%B2&rft.issn=1528-7394&rft.date=2013&rft.volume=76&rft.issue=3&rft.spage=201&rft.epage=205&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tandfonline.com%2Fdoi%2Fabs%2F10.1080%2F15287394.2013.752325&rft.au=Brugge%2C+D.&rft.au=Lane%2C+K.&rft.au=Stewart%2C+A.&rft.au=Tai%2C+A.&rft.au=Woodin%2C+M.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Medicine%2CHealth%2CEcology+%2F+Conservation%2CEnvironment%2C+Public+Health%2C+Cardiovascular">Brugge, D., Lane, K., Stewart, A., Tai, A., & Woodin, M. (2013). Highway Proximity Associations with Blood Markers of Inflammation: Evidence for a Role for IL-1β <span style="font-style: italic;">Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 76</span> (3), 201-205 DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15287394.2013.752325" rev="review">10.1080/15287394.2013.752325</a></span>Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-18113829905704862512013-01-30T23:46:00.002-08:002013-01-31T01:36:41.683-08:00Pussy Cat, Pussy cat, what have you killed?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOn_RrhPbqG-BYpR3te-7hoDGMVi8N6UMy_RH1MUB2ZHUOJAFc7VmQYiBLTmve2rjhsJELuK7yAGqtN9CQgMXam5FxtmjMUnFvvgJASONsLfeiFuwQmF6zUXeNVP52zEmEiqRzL7K29uxC/s1600/Ruth's+pictures+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOn_RrhPbqG-BYpR3te-7hoDGMVi8N6UMy_RH1MUB2ZHUOJAFc7VmQYiBLTmve2rjhsJELuK7yAGqtN9CQgMXam5FxtmjMUnFvvgJASONsLfeiFuwQmF6zUXeNVP52zEmEiqRzL7K29uxC/s400/Ruth's+pictures+052.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the early eighties, our parents rescued two abandoned
stray kittens from the road, which started a long line of cat dynasty in our
house and the neighbourhood. Our house gained the reputation of being a
sanctuary for abandoned cats, that we had people stealthily abandoning their
cats outside our house gates. At one point, we had about 12 cats in the house. We
loved these animals dearly; but despite being fed adequately, we were horrified
to note that they killed squirrels, birds, bats, bandicoots, rats and mice. We
lamented their notorious habit of murdering birds and squirrels, particularly
as we fed them too, and could never comprehend how our adorable pets could
turn into merciless masochistic killers, particularly as they never ate their
kill. The carcass was presented for us to see almost very time. I remember one time when my mother was inconsolable,
when a cat killed one of ‘her’ doves that she had grown so attached to. Our repeated efforts to teach the cats 'good behaviour' was not fruitful. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The results presented in recent paper in Nature Communications by Loss and his colleagues on the '<span style="font-family: inherit;">The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States' </span>was not a surprise in one respect ,as we all know that cats kill birds and
smaller mammals. However, what was surprising was the magnitude of the effects. Domestic
cats have been introduced globally by man and are linked to the extinction of
several animals on islands, whilst their effect on other places had not been scientifically
estimated. In their study, the authors estimate that in the US, domestic cats alone
kill 1.4-3.7 billion birds and 6.9-20.7 billion mammals every year, and that cats
that are not owned (feral cats) as opposed to owned pets, cause the majority of the killing.
What is different about the study when compared to previous ones, is the actual quantification the authors conducted, which suggest that cats cause significant
and substantial wildlife mortality than previously thought. Interestingly, these
cute and cuddly creatures which are the most popular pets in the world are the primary
and greatest source of anthropogenic (caused by humans- in this case indirectly) mortality for US birds and mammals. This
makes me wonder, whether their new found notoriety would affect their
popularity as pets. For some reason, I doubt it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
References: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. <a href="http://www.tau.ac.il/lifesci/zoology/members/yom-tov/inbal/cats.pdf">http://www.tau.ac.il/lifesci/zoology/members/yom-tov/inbal/cats.pdf</a><br />
2. <span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Nature+Communications&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1038%2Fncomms2380&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=The+impact+of+free-ranging+domestic+cats+on+wildlife+of+the+United+States&rft.issn=2041-1723&rft.date=2013&rft.volume=4&rft.issue=&rft.spage=1396&rft.epage=&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Fdoifinder%2F10.1038%2Fncomms2380&rft.au=Loss%2C+S.&rft.au=Will%2C+T.&rft.au=Marra%2C+P.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Biology%2CEcology+%2F+Conservation%2CEcology%2C+Zoology">Loss, S., Will, T., & Marra, P. (2013). The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States <span style="font-style: italic;">Nature Communications, 4</span> DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms2380" rev="review">10.1038/ncomms2380</a></span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-68789169369991483542013-01-20T09:38:00.001-08:002013-01-20T09:38:35.208-08:00Snow in Britain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Britain has had an onslaught of snow since last Friday. Here are some snaps from the Midlands.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0s6zl1fdukLR6dBObob19ImCJA4zzJdnuVkJywcX3eikg23fSlccqVjecWDX-9rQLydw8BT-rEAiOoEasc8J1v_DDl0yPHkVQWtHezeYoifuAD2fi-NlWK-Io3MAs3QWXl6JeW2lXhs0/s1600/SANY0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0s6zl1fdukLR6dBObob19ImCJA4zzJdnuVkJywcX3eikg23fSlccqVjecWDX-9rQLydw8BT-rEAiOoEasc8J1v_DDl0yPHkVQWtHezeYoifuAD2fi-NlWK-Io3MAs3QWXl6JeW2lXhs0/s640/SANY0018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_cXACCQZFzw-hqxeIzvcgxvOPXruT8I4d3OoiRBwSV4rXb4iPkaRpr01JrCFqYXp0f8HBtpiFTgS_qAVAkKI0nhOpQ5yTS6cbbN9mAikPiC0ZcDpPsYYX-j9rlaYoMtAdbLeoIPcLzsB/s1600/SANY0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_cXACCQZFzw-hqxeIzvcgxvOPXruT8I4d3OoiRBwSV4rXb4iPkaRpr01JrCFqYXp0f8HBtpiFTgS_qAVAkKI0nhOpQ5yTS6cbbN9mAikPiC0ZcDpPsYYX-j9rlaYoMtAdbLeoIPcLzsB/s640/SANY0028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBaueMOIOr1P_NmEeyIjE_yixsy3-v5FKHbKH1Ipxe0knyGVc9-KtW5INeHrLYbmsOVzKEdo-85PX96WXGeuf0ZGjrHCOk1_a8L0TjsLLl98ekS0ZgAUxnc4rjfMsMWyXIpcakcnrwJOX/s1600/SANY0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBaueMOIOr1P_NmEeyIjE_yixsy3-v5FKHbKH1Ipxe0knyGVc9-KtW5INeHrLYbmsOVzKEdo-85PX96WXGeuf0ZGjrHCOk1_a8L0TjsLLl98ekS0ZgAUxnc4rjfMsMWyXIpcakcnrwJOX/s640/SANY0037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2BYqmhUZLMhYiQXzkPTbn1X9PnXxADjHx0N43dMpMpj4ESWyWkUyxo5nukvl-qkSmnwZ2chnHgzM8U9i1CalPg2JsZIOsLv8hEy6cOUAEAgdDu3oia4LG6wgIKukPfelluui8tyqMbdM/s1600/SANY0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2BYqmhUZLMhYiQXzkPTbn1X9PnXxADjHx0N43dMpMpj4ESWyWkUyxo5nukvl-qkSmnwZ2chnHgzM8U9i1CalPg2JsZIOsLv8hEy6cOUAEAgdDu3oia4LG6wgIKukPfelluui8tyqMbdM/s640/SANY0045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-39672798289224814482013-01-19T00:14:00.000-08:002013-01-19T00:14:37.712-08:00A dangerous cocktail brews in our towns and cities- How tobacco smoke and vehicular emissions together contribute to wheezing in young children<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKziA-evCViXavru4YpVofR-wmJmixuLT_MYyMrWEpSV-ILD6PgkPYVo_7-bFleHkPH-oGirFAxM1hq9bSHVosAlSOmJJ6JfLGmtM7W-bNHv_MW6huvlGlMnutNUjKn9ltvi63kNAIlOG/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKziA-evCViXavru4YpVofR-wmJmixuLT_MYyMrWEpSV-ILD6PgkPYVo_7-bFleHkPH-oGirFAxM1hq9bSHVosAlSOmJJ6JfLGmtM7W-bNHv_MW6huvlGlMnutNUjKn9ltvi63kNAIlOG/s400/IMG_0008.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vehicular emissions and tobacco smoke are harming the lungs of young children in our cities</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it comes to the evidence against tobacco and vehicular emissions
on harming human respiratory health, it does not rain but it pours. And it keeps on coming. We have extensive evidence to show that
vehicular emissions as well as tobacco smoke exposure are bad for health and it
seems to start right from the fetal stage. <a href="http://www.ehjournal.net/content/11/1/91">A new study</a> presented in the journal Environmental Health shows that exposure to traffic-related air pollutants is
associated with increased risks of wheezing in children who are exposed to
tobacco smoke in fetal life and infancy
indicating an axis of villains who co-operate to exert their harmful effects.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The study was a large prospective cohort study involving 4,634
children in Rotterdam, the second largest city in the Netherlands. One of the largest ports in the world, it is also
<a href="http://www.umwelt.nrw.de/umwelt/pdf/pronet/factsheets/16.pdf">one of the most polluted place</a>s in the Netherlands and an apt location for
pollution studies. A prospective cohort study is one that monitors a group of
similar individuals –cohorts- who differ in certain factors under study over a
time period in order to understand how these factors affect rates of a certain
outcome- in this study, how effects of vehicular emissions, tobacco smoke
exposure (in any stage starting from fetal life to the age of 3 years) affect
wheezing in children.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1a2rODPXGBM233p88rhVQqzKMKpSLbaW6wTASDOH-_9jNNK-Xg6Hhqb0SrxuJZvtPodMQhk5063o2fPgngJ12Szbb81RxTtHX37aYyMTjhPqZ4EeLf0cTagBCqcO9qocSwmx7CzLPaRl/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1a2rODPXGBM233p88rhVQqzKMKpSLbaW6wTASDOH-_9jNNK-Xg6Hhqb0SrxuJZvtPodMQhk5063o2fPgngJ12Szbb81RxTtHX37aYyMTjhPqZ4EeLf0cTagBCqcO9qocSwmx7CzLPaRl/s400/IMG_0006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">
Many cities, like this one, has air pollution monitors that helps scientist understand how air pollutants affect human health .</blockquote>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Particulate matter (PM) of the size of 10 microns or less can penetrate the deepest part of the lungs
such as the bronchioles or alveoli. Domestic coal combustion was once the major
source of particulate emissions, but recently other sources such as road transport
are important sources with diesel vehicles notably emitting increased levels. Road
vehicle exhausts, off road equipment, and power plants are important sources of NO2. In addition to contributing to the formation
of ground-level ozone, and fine particle pollution, NO2 is linked with a number
of adverse effects on the respiratory system. In this study, the exposure of children
to particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were assessed by analysing
emission data at the home address. Parents were asked to fill questionnaires
that indicated whether their children had wheezing until the age of 3 years. Parents were also asked to provide
information on whether the fetus or the baby had been exposed to tobacco smoke
either through the mother or the partner smoking tobacco.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Results from the study indicated that average annual PM10 or NO2 exposure
levels per year were not associated with wheezing in the same year. Even though there were trends showing a link
with PM10 or NO2 exposure levels and wheezing during the first 3 years of life,
the results were not statistically significant. The researchers did not observe
associations of traffic-related air pollutants with wheezing among children who
were exposed to smoke during fetal life only or during infancy only. But in children
who were exposed to tobacco smoke in both fetal and infant stage, PM10 or NO2
exposure levels was associated with wheezing during the first 3 years of life. The
scientists did not observe associations of traffic-related air pollutants with
wheezing among children who were not exposed to tobacco smoke.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are limitations in the study, one of which the researchers have noted viz. the
possibility of ‘misclassification of air pollution assessment’ owing to the analysis
only involving exposure levels at home addresses and not at
the day care centers or other places where the child may spend days and nights.
One factor that could have further added value to the study is blatantly
missing- work addresses of mothers and PM 10, NO2 levels - and whether when analysed together with
air pollution exposure at home had any links to wheezing in children.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nevertheless the study extends our understanding on how air
pollution and tobacco smoke exposure contribute to the health of younger
children. The results suggest that long
term exposure to traffic-related air pollutants is associated with increased
risks of wheezing in children exposed to tobacco smoke in fetal life and
infancy. Tobacco smoke exposure in early
life might lead to increased vulnerability of the lungs to air pollution. The
evidence appears to show that exposure of
fetus and infant lung to tobacco smoke
primes it for damage by air pollutants leading to wheezing suggesting that the
dangerous cocktail is made more potent by the ingredients together.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
References<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.umwelt.nrw.de/umwelt/pdf/pronet/factsheets/16.pdf">http://www.umwelt.nrw.de/umwelt/pdf/pronet/factsheets/16.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div><span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Environmental+Health&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1186%2F1476-069X-11-91&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Air+pollution%2C+fetal+and+infant+tobacco+smoke+exposure%2C+and+wheezing+in+preschool+children%3A+a+population-based+prospective+birth+cohort&rft.issn=1476-069X&rft.date=2012&rft.volume=11&rft.issue=1&rft.spage=91&rft.epage=&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehjournal.net%2Fcontent%2F11%2F1%2F91&rft.au=Sonnenschein-van+der+Voort%2C+A.&rft.au=de+Kluizenaar%2C+Y.&rft.au=Jaddoe%2C+V.&rft.au=Gabriele%2C+C.&rft.au=Raat%2C+H.&rft.au=Moll%2C+H.&rft.au=Hofman%2C+A.&rft.au=Pierik%2C+F.&rft.au=Miedema%2C+H.&rft.au=de+Jongste%2C+J.&rft.au=Duijts%2C+L.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Medicine%2CHealth%2CEcology+%2F+Conservation%2CEnvironment%2C+Environmental+Health%2C+Public+Health%2C+Epidemiology">Sonnenschein-van der Voort, A., de Kluizenaar, Y., Jaddoe, V., Gabriele, C., Raat, H., Moll, H., Hofman, A., Pierik, F., Miedema, H., de Jongste, J., & Duijts, L. (2012). Air pollution, fetal and infant tobacco smoke exposure, and wheezing in preschool children: a population-based prospective birth cohort <span style="font-style: italic;">Environmental Health, 11</span> (1) DOI: <a rev="review" href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-11-91">10.1186/1476-069X-11-91</a></span>Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-78513849207177508492013-01-09T13:36:00.001-08:002013-01-09T13:36:57.847-08:00Exposure to air pollutants during pregnancy linked to autism in children<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OGXh7yQGkb_bzEcXAOWdonvgsCyJtl0Feyqs4DmCw8d-nl-j4Jk18tkvV8DlaqnWmqSsVlfBd4j2aRWgr3KA-qXgJhYw4HQ0s4GPy_PAw-Ap0KIFSMuEhn66usO0H1-wncu0T4TA0_4V/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OGXh7yQGkb_bzEcXAOWdonvgsCyJtl0Feyqs4DmCw8d-nl-j4Jk18tkvV8DlaqnWmqSsVlfBd4j2aRWgr3KA-qXgJhYw4HQ0s4GPy_PAw-Ap0KIFSMuEhn66usO0H1-wncu0T4TA0_4V/s400/IMG_0021.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vehicular air pollution could cause autism - Photo by Sarah Stephen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
A recent <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23249813">study</a> by Californian researchers indicates
increased odds for developing autism in children whose mothers were exposed to ozone
and particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5). Ozone and PM2.5 are associated with
vehicular pollution and this study emphasizes the dangers posed by traffic
pollutants to health in utero.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The researchers used Los Angeles as a sample population. Mothers of over 7600 children between ages of 3-5, diagnosed with autism during
1998-2009, were identified and their addresses at the time of pregnancy established. For each case, 10 controls were used in the analysis, and the addresses of
the mothers were linked with air monitoring stations in the vicinity. The
researchers then used using data from air monitoring stations and a land use
regression (LUR) model to estimate exposures and came to the conclusion that
ambient air pollution is linked to autism. Though LA is much cleaner than it
used to be, it frequently has the highest levels of ozone within the country. According
to the authors, theirs is the first study to show a link between autism and
ozone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the increase in the prevalence of autism in the recent years,
such an association is of relevance, yet calls for further detailed and stringent studies. Exposure to air pollutants in pregnant
mothers has been linked to several diseases in children. In fact, <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=autism%20chlorinated%20solvents">a previous study</a> linked ambient concentration of solvents and heavy metals near
maternal residences to autism in children. The findings of the recent study cannot be taken lightly. However, the problem with many population
based studies is that an association doesn't always signify causality, an
argument touted by skeptics, and often the hardest to prove otherwise.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
References:<br />
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Environmental+Health+Perspectives&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1205827&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Ambient+Air+Pollution+and+Autism+in+Los+Angeles+County%2C+California&rft.issn=0091-6765&rft.date=2012&rft.volume=&rft.issue=&rft.spage=&rft.epage=&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fehp.niehs.nih.gov%2F2012%2F12%2F1205827%2F&rft.au=Becerra%2C+T.&rft.au=Wilhelm%2C+M.&rft.au=Olsen%2C+J.&rft.au=Cockburn%2C+M.&rft.au=Ritz%2C+B.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Medicine%2CHealth%2CEcology+%2F+Conservation%2CEnvironment%2C+Environmental+Health%2C+Epidemiology%2C+Public+Health">Becerra, T., Wilhelm, M., Olsen, J., Cockburn, M., & Ritz, B. (2012). Ambient Air Pollution and Autism in Los Angeles County, California <span style="font-style: italic;">Environmental Health Perspectives</span> DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1205827" rev="review">10.1289/ehp.1205827</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Environmental+Health+Perspectives&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.9120&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Autism+Spectrum+Disorders+in+Relation+to+Distribution+of+Hazardous+Air+Pollutants+in+the+San+Francisco+Bay+Area&rft.issn=0091-6765&rft.date=2006&rft.volume=114&rft.issue=9&rft.spage=1438&rft.epage=1444&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehponline.org%2Fambra-doi-resolver%2F10.1289%2Fehp.9120&rft.au=Windham%2C+G.&rft.au=Zhang%2C+L.&rft.au=Gunier%2C+R.&rft.au=Croen%2C+L.&rft.au=Grether%2C+J.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Medicine%2CHealth%2CEcology+%2F+Conservation%2CEcology%2C+Environment%2C+Environmental+Health%2C+Epidemiology%2C+Public+Health">Windham, G., Zhang, L., Gunier, R., Croen, L., & Grether, J. (2006). Autism Spectrum Disorders in Relation to Distribution of Hazardous Air Pollutants in the San Francisco Bay Area <span style="font-style: italic;">Environmental Health Perspectives, 114</span> (9), 1438-1444 DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.9120" rev="review">10.1289/ehp.9120</a></span></div>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-11719013262427939382012-12-21T04:09:00.001-08:002012-12-21T04:09:14.888-08:00Ecoratorio’s article on Human-Animal Conflicts in ‘The Ship’ , a 100th anniversary publication of St. Anne’s College, University Of Oxford, UK.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6sqH0UtnqX7SW-JgI62SHPGUdNL69rSsuyOx15IuG66S22yyXcGxobU8Z8qirzir53Oji1QS2G7G7Eebeo6H0scaIhTbIs9loBM7rLh3amPr98P0iT6quIihEqvd6kDnNhj5Hgn4ERxb/s1600/ship2.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6sqH0UtnqX7SW-JgI62SHPGUdNL69rSsuyOx15IuG66S22yyXcGxobU8Z8qirzir53Oji1QS2G7G7Eebeo6H0scaIhTbIs9loBM7rLh3amPr98P0iT6quIihEqvd6kDnNhj5Hgn4ERxb/s320/ship2.1.jpg" width="320" /></a>We came to know that Sarah Stephen’s article exploring Human-Animal Conflicts
was published in the 100th anniversary edition of ‘The Ship<sup>', a </sup>publication
of St. Anne’s College, University of
Oxford, UK, where she had been a student. You can read it <a href="http://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk/fileadmin/sta/documents/Alumnae___Friends/Publication_PDFs/The_Ship_2011-LB.pdf">here</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk/fileadmin/sta/documents/Alumnae___Friends/Publication_PDFs/The_Ship_2011-LB.pdf">http://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk/fileadmin/sta/documents/Alumnae___Friends/Publication_PDFs/The_Ship_2011-LB.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbOUyGKyyqVKAMc1hOgEpjD3ICglVUPCi3lvMGFYqFzch3g3joQXwiFt738JGt-zDIMGJ5lNeQDg9B40QZcKDCVFgkqChgGsbTRj2bZQS6JfMN8UkIQRCeN1zYwMufVxLjmF61Kr_lW1b/s1600/Ship1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbOUyGKyyqVKAMc1hOgEpjD3ICglVUPCi3lvMGFYqFzch3g3joQXwiFt738JGt-zDIMGJ5lNeQDg9B40QZcKDCVFgkqChgGsbTRj2bZQS6JfMN8UkIQRCeN1zYwMufVxLjmF61Kr_lW1b/s320/Ship1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-88979015847181589832012-12-19T09:09:00.002-08:002012-12-20T15:14:38.705-08:00Why where you work could influence risk of breast cancer <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6iYz_ED5fIghOOtKcWpL_32630UnqBScF2S3i6WKVi5sZkUji8PLIL6nUt-dG_-Z7nZsNr9lDErz9I1BoM0P_WjjmdhjqRsHc6e6meiJ0r_-nH9goBVfN1z1pQdlLJiwYv_UCJPeLhhS/s1600/work+envt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6iYz_ED5fIghOOtKcWpL_32630UnqBScF2S3i6WKVi5sZkUji8PLIL6nUt-dG_-Z7nZsNr9lDErz9I1BoM0P_WjjmdhjqRsHc6e6meiJ0r_-nH9goBVfN1z1pQdlLJiwYv_UCJPeLhhS/s400/work+envt.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Workplace plays a pivotal role in influencing cancer risk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs350/en/index.html">WHO statistic</a>s show that 19% of all cancers are attributable
to the environment including work settings, and result in 1.3 million deaths
annually worldwide. In reality, the actual figure could be much higher than this,
as an individual’s genetics, physiology, exposure to environmental cancer
causing agents (carcinogens) and life style invariably crisscross and therefore
it is seldom possible to study environmental exposure and cancer in isolation. One
thing is clear, that cumulative exposure to certain environmental agents, could
either initiate cancer, or be involved in its progression. Breast cancer is the
most common cancer among women in many industrialised nations. Roughly 48,000
women in the<a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-breast-female/Pages/Introduction.aspx"> UK</a> and 226, 870 women in the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast.">US </a>get breast cancer each year.
Hormones, notably estrogen, play an
important role in breast cancer progression. Several studies have shown that environmental
agents exist, that interfere with hormones by mimicking them or by disrupting them
called endocrine disruptors. Those that
mimic the effects of estrogens are called xenoestrogens. Well known synthetic xenoestrogens include Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), BPA (Bisphenol
A)and phthalates, which are widely used industrial compounds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whilst several laboratory studies implicate a link between environmental
exposure and breast cancer, large scale population studies have been inconclusive.
This is understandable as the laboratory systems are simplistic and can study
factors in question in isolation. In the 1990s, NIEHS and the NCI conducted <a href="http://epi.grants.cancer.gov/LIBCSP/Overview.html">a large study on the environmental causes of breast cancer, to investigate the increased breast cancer rate in Long Island, New York</a> .
In the study, scientists focused their investigation on three widespread
pollutants - organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), to which many of the Long Island
residents had been exposed. Whilst a small increase in breast cancer risk was
due to PAH exposure the researchers were unable to identify any environmental
factor that could be responsible for the high incidence of breast cancer area. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Approximately the same time as the Long Island studies,
across the border, in Essex and Kent counties of Southern Ontario, Canada, the
local cancer hospital staff raised alarm about industrial workers developing breast
cancer. This area then became the subject for studies which showed a link
between cancer and industrial/agricultural work settings, but the questions explored
in the study were not complete. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23164221">A subsequent study in this region </a>( recently published) which has a
stable population and diverse modern agriculture and industry was used for more
thorough investigations and provided interesting observations. Cases were recruited over a six year period from mid
2002 through to mid 2008 and the occupations of 1006 women who had breast
cancer and 1146 randomly selected women from the community without this disease
were analysed . The results showed that
women working in environments with risk of high exposure to carcinogens and
endocrine disruptors had a high risk of developing breast cancer. Notable
sectors with high risk were the agricultural sectors (where pesticides are
used), automotive plastics manufacturing sector, food canning industry,
metalworking industry and bars/gambling industry (second hand smoke exposure
risk). The researchers also found that premenopausal breast risk was highest in
those women working in the plastics industry and food canning industry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The study provides resounding evidence for linking
occupational exposure of endocrine disruptors/ carcinogens and breast cancer
risk warranting further studies. With
people generally spending an average of 8 hours at work, working
environments are major influences of cancer risk. <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Employees</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">are often not made aware of</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">their risks of harmful exposures at work
and</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">how they could reduce exposures. </span>Evidently, most of the
exposure risks for occupational cancers are preventable. A clean working environment should be the basic
right of a worker. A resolution by the World Health Assembly in 2005 on cancer
prevention and control urged countries to develop programmes aimed at reducing
cancer incidence and mortality. This resolution advocated for special attention
to cancers prevention by avoiding exposure to chemicals at the workplace and
in the environment. Though, it remains
to be seen what cancer prevention
programmes have been developed or implemented in the workplace, to what extent, and how it compares between different countries.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
References:<br />
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Environmental+Health&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1186%2F1476-069X-11-87&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Breast+cancer+risk+in+relation+to+occupations+with+exposure+to+carcinogens+and+endocrine+disruptors%3A+a+Canadian+case--control+study&rft.issn=1476-069X&rft.date=2012&rft.volume=11&rft.issue=1&rft.spage=87&rft.epage=&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehjournal.net%2Fcontent%2F11%2F1%2F87&rft.au=Brophy%2C+J.&rft.au=Keith%2C+M.&rft.au=Watterson%2C+A.&rft.au=Park%2C+R.&rft.au=Gilbertson%2C+M.&rft.au=Maticka-Tyndale%2C+E.&rft.au=Beck%2C+M.&rft.au=Abu-Zahra%2C+H.&rft.au=Schneider%2C+K.&rft.au=Reinhartz%2C+A.&rft.au=DeMatteo%2C+R.&rft.au=Luginaah%2C+I.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Biology%2CMedicine%2CHealth%2CEcology+%2F+Conservation%2CEnvironmental+Health%2C+Environment%2C+Cancer">Brophy, J., Keith, M., Watterson, A., Park, R., Gilbertson, M., Maticka-Tyndale, E., Beck, M., Abu-Zahra, H., Schneider, K., Reinhartz, A., DeMatteo, R., & Luginaah, I. (2012). Breast cancer risk in relation to occupations with exposure to carcinogens and endocrine disruptors: a Canadian case--control study <span style="font-style: italic;">Environmental Health, 11</span> (1) DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-11-87" rev="review">10.1186/1476-069X-11-87</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=NEW+SOLUTIONS%3A+A+Journal+of+Environmental+and+Occupational+Health+Policy&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.2190%2FNS.22.4.d&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Chemical+Exposures+of+Women+Workers+in+the+Plastics+Industry+with+Particular+Reference+to+Breast+Cancer+and+Reproductive+Hazards&rft.issn=1048-2911&rft.date=2012&rft.volume=1&rft.issue=-1&rft.spage=427&rft.epage=448&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fbaywood.metapress.com%2Fopenurl.asp%3Fgenre%3Darticle%26id%3Ddoi%3A10.2190%2FNS.22.4.d&rft.au=DeMatteo%2C+R.&rft.au=Keith%2C+M.&rft.au=Brophy%2C+J.&rft.au=Wordsworth%2C+A.&rft.au=Watterson%2C+A.&rft.au=Beck%2C+M.&rft.au=Ford%2C+A.&rft.au=Gilbertson%2C+M.&rft.au=Pharityal%2C+J.&rft.au=Rootham%2C+M.&rft.au=Scott%2C+D.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Medicine%2CHealth%2CEcology+%2F+Conservation%2CEnvironmental+Health%2C+Environment%2C+Cancer%2C+Public+Health">DeMatteo, R., Keith, M., Brophy, J., Wordsworth, A., Watterson, A., Beck, M., Ford, A., Gilbertson, M., Pharityal, J., Rootham, M., & Scott, D. (2012). Chemical Exposures of Women Workers in the Plastics Industry with Particular Reference to Breast Cancer and Reproductive Hazards <span style="font-style: italic;">NEW SOLUTIONS: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy, 1</span> (-1), 427-448 DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2190/NS.22.4.d" rev="review">10.2190/NS.22.4.d</a></span><br />
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23164221">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23164221</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23207955<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-85326714662256230842012-12-13T09:18:00.000-08:002012-12-16T04:20:09.285-08:00A common fungicide used on leafy vegetables could make people fat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIY7e6QyieSoEDMo20ZFi-7mOn4MQUq4-hL_L2m_mrMUaemsUsoYp5dcoeUae4XlJT5g4BMzGMe9XX9stMAfMjnLQyuxXZ2dYFvMXRdjeLyhD5urZOoMZsA02wHMT1KI_1sgCfIkWoTCi/s1600/SANY0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIY7e6QyieSoEDMo20ZFi-7mOn4MQUq4-hL_L2m_mrMUaemsUsoYp5dcoeUae4XlJT5g4BMzGMe9XX9stMAfMjnLQyuxXZ2dYFvMXRdjeLyhD5urZOoMZsA02wHMT1KI_1sgCfIkWoTCi/s400/SANY0090.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Obesity is on the rise globally. <a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/index.html" target="_blank">World Health Organization</a> forecasts 2.3 billion overweight adults in the world by
2015 and greater than 700 million of them to be obese. In the UK, as in most industrialised nations, obesity
is increasing. <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7151813.stm" target="_blank">Figures show</a> that 62.8% of UK adults (aged 16 or over) were
overweight or obese as are 30.3% of children (aged 2-15).
<a href="http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/003_Health_Lifestyles/ncmp%202011_12/nati_chil_meas_prog_eng_2011_2012_rep.pdf." target="_blank">A recent report released by the NHS</a> (National Child Measurement Programme)
indicates that in the UK 1 in 3 of primary school children in the last year are
overweight/obese. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The health implications of obesity are enormous. <a href="ttp://www.dh.gov.uk/health/category/policy-areas/public-health/obesity-healthy-living/" target="_blank">Studies</a> suggest that obesity
could have a causal effect or increases the risk of several diseases, notably type 2
diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, and selected cancers.
Three major factors that influence obesity are diet, environmental factors and
physical activity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Several studies have shown that
maternal diet and exposure to environmental agents has a crucial effect not
only on the health of the woman, but also on foetal and child health. <a href="http://ecoratorio.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/exposure-of-mothers-to-pesticides-could.html" target="_blank">Our earlier post looked at how exposure of pregnant mothers to pesticides can leadto obesity in children and put them at risk for heart disease</a>.
We also discussed <a href="http://ecoratorio.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/paper-of-week-effects-of-prenatal.html" target="_blank">one study where maternal exposure of phthalates make their way to the offspring and can have detrimental effects</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Chemicals that increase either
the number of fat cells in an organism or the amount of fat stored in those
cells and promote weight gain are called obesogens. Notable culprits are
environmental agents such as bisphenol A, phthalates, organophosphate pesticides
etc. Some scientists hypothesise that the obesity epidemic that is seen could
have links to the increased exposure to
pesticides.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Triflumizole (TFZ) is an
imidazole fungicide that is used during the cultivation of many green leafy vegetables.Whilst TFZ is
not classified as toxic, its effect on development is unknown. <a href="http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/2012/12/1205383/" target="_blank">A recent study by researchers</a> in California
shows that this fungicide promotes adipogenesis (the process by which
precursors of fat cells become fat cells) in laboratory experiments with human
and mouse cells in culture and also in animal models. They found that stem cells
that have the potential to develop into bone, cartilage, or fat cells, upon treatment
with the fungicide, ended up as fat cells. The researchers also observed that levels
of genes related to obesity increased with treatment of both human and mouse
cells. Exposure with the fungicide also resulted in fat accumulation. More
interestingly, exposure of pregnant mice with the fungicide at very low doses
(roughly 400 fold below the levels that show no observed adverse effect )
increased mass of fat depot (where fat tissue is stored) but were not shown to
increase body weights. The study further showed that blocking PPAR gamma (Peroxisome
Proliferator Activated Receptor gamma) pathway using a specific antagonistic drug, stopped
the differentiation into fat cells suggesting that that TFZ acts through this receptor. PPAR is found
in the nucleus of the cell ( hence called nuclear receptor)and functions as a transcription
factor (that which switches on genes and
controls the levels). Interestingly other nuclear receptors include the
receptors for estrogen, thyroid hormone, retinoic acid, Vitamin D etc. These
receptors have also been shown to interact with each other. It appears that TFZ could also
be grouped under ‘endocrine disruptor’
(hormone disruptor). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Very little information exists
about the exposure and the levels of TFZ in humans. The scientists suggest that
further studies that monitor the levels of TFZ and its metabolites in humans
must be carried out to decipher the role of the chemical’s potential influence
on obesity. However one fact is clear that TFZ is now in the list of potential new
obesogens. Eating green
leafy vegetables is good for health, but this maxim only holds true when it is pesticide/fungicide
free. <br />
<br />
PS- TFZ is also licensed for used on a variety of fruits and vegetables in the US (Personal communication with <a href="http://www.faculty.uci.edu/profile.cfm?faculty_id=4539">Dr. Blumberg</a>, one of the authors of this study). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Reference:<br />
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Environmental+Health+Perspectives&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1205383&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=Triflumizole+is+an+Obesogen+in+Mice+that+Acts+through+Peroxisome+Proliferator+Activated+Receptor+Gamma+%28PPAR%CE%B3%29&rft.issn=0091-6765&rft.date=2012&rft.volume=&rft.issue=&rft.spage=&rft.epage=&rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Fehp.niehs.nih.gov%2F2012%2F10%2F1205383%2F&rft.au=Li%2C+X.&rft.au=Pham%2C+H.&rft.au=Janesick%2C+A.&rft.au=Blumberg%2C+B.&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Biology%2CMedicine%2CHealth%2CMolecular+Biology%2C+Public+Health%2C+Cardiovascular%2C+Physiology%2C+Metabolism">Li, X., Pham, H., Janesick, A., & Blumberg, B. (2012). Triflumizole is an Obesogen in Mice that Acts through Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARγ) <span style="font-style: italic;">Environmental Health Perspectives</span> DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1205383" rev="review">10.1289/ehp.1205383</a></span> </div>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-66490147512529709962012-12-10T04:05:00.000-08:002012-12-14T00:32:12.463-08:00When two worlds collide : Tales from two continents<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2n3dITNHR0dtOddIO_SmD1DwUFrOPEjCWqd5lvj2I4WEF26gNvEKx-q9PV19VWcSsJSEQBgA_48meyx-ye1J5uGFwBZ4ULa3H8PfUWZLrUPIJcM1CT9ooEoiQfoJrIQeaZQSl7tTelaq/s1600/IMG_0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2n3dITNHR0dtOddIO_SmD1DwUFrOPEjCWqd5lvj2I4WEF26gNvEKx-q9PV19VWcSsJSEQBgA_48meyx-ye1J5uGFwBZ4ULa3H8PfUWZLrUPIJcM1CT9ooEoiQfoJrIQeaZQSl7tTelaq/s640/IMG_0065.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Ghats- A hotspot of biodiversity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With advances in health care, eradication and effective
control of fatal diseases, the world population is on the rise. One collateral
effect is the enormous consequence of such an increase on natural resources
including land. Humans with their might are encroaching into the forests- the
natural habitat of wild animals. Consequently, whilst human inhabited lands
increase, the forests decrease proportionally. As has been highlighted
repeatedly, the areas in the world that are maximally impacted are the tropics,
which are the areas of highest human population density. Here, forest areas are
cleared, making way for habitable land (legal and illegal), agricultural land (be
it subsistence farming, large scale crop cultivation, or as land for livestock
grazing), stone quarrying, or the wood from the forest is used for fuel and furniture. The consequences of all
these actions are colossal, and have led to brutally endangering the existence of
flora and fauna. One group of animals that are gravely affected are the larger
mammals, whose territory encompasses larger areas. The Royal Bengal Tiger, a
subspecies of Tiger, is in the IUCN’s list of endangered species with only
about 2500 animals alive today. A census report released in, 2011 by the
National Tiger Conservation Authority, estimates the current tiger number in
India at 1,706. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kerala, one of the most densely populated states in India
and at 859 persons per sq km, is thrice as settled as the rest of India. Once
blessed with luxuriant forests; nearly three quarters of the geographical area
of Kerala was under dense forest cover at the middle of nineteenth century, human
activities have restricted the forest cover to 20 to 24 % area, based on the source
for the facts. The Western Ghats comprise a range of mountains along the
western side of India extending to Kerala and is abundantly diverse and is the
habitat of at least 325 endangered flora and fauna species. When the Western
Ghats was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as one of the eight hotspots
of biological diversity in the world, the Kerala minister of forests highlighted
the enormous challenge of protecting this fragile yet diverse landscape citing the
pressures of development and population growth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcFTnousBts9zXI4Lrj7HjR88r-d7DuHEKnJYUytE3SQLemBvfmozVniUN-9pgy9U0BaB3atiBx0ynCG-dsBn2ekbxTCBofBkNHmpFa-0CIun-96UDOWHF6BcFTsxeV7ctkWSw8_axzf7/s1600/SANY0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcFTnousBts9zXI4Lrj7HjR88r-d7DuHEKnJYUytE3SQLemBvfmozVniUN-9pgy9U0BaB3atiBx0ynCG-dsBn2ekbxTCBofBkNHmpFa-0CIun-96UDOWHF6BcFTsxeV7ctkWSw8_axzf7/s320/SANY0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The forests in Kerala in the Western Ghats are of different
types, depending on the area, elevation, proximity and other environmental
factors, consisting of tropical rain forests, tropical moist deciduous forests,
tropical dry deciduous forests, montane sub tropical forests, sholas, reed
brakes, grass lands, pockets of
temperate forests and barren hillocks. The diverse forests promote diversity
of animals and are home to endemic species. Estimates suggest that 17% of the
world’s tigers live in the Western Ghats. There are 17 wildlife sanctuaries and
5 national parks, and 1 community reserve – areas that are legally protected,
in Kerala. However human- animal conflicts occur as have been previously discussed
in our blog (<a href="http://ecoratorio.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/fine-line.html">http://ecoratorio.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/fine-line.html</a>) in areas where the activities of the parties
overlap, and that is not that difficult in Kerala with such high population density.
Occasionally cases are reported in the
press, where a tiger, leopard, bear or elephant strays into the human communities.
Whilst sometimes, the animals are coaxed into retreating from the human settlements,
often their foray has disastrous consequences. The Western Ghats run throughWayanad which has a wildlife sanctuary that is shared by the neighbouring
states and has a high tiger and elephant density. Earlier this year, a tiger
strayed into coffee plantation in Wayanad district in Kerala. The tiger that
had strayed into the plantation was reported to have preyed on domestic animals,
was successfully trapped by officials and then released back into the wild ; an
example of a situation which had gone according to plan. But such stories are exceptions
as exemplified by the recent tragic incident. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGwqIr3Phcc" target="_blank">Recently, a tiger strayed into avillage area, again in Wayanad, reportedly preying on domestic animals</a>. The wildlife
authorities, attempted to tranquilize the animal. The first ‘tranquilizing’ did
not affect the animal and the animal escaped. Meanwhile an ‘uncontrollable
crowd’ had surrounded the forest officials on the witch hunt. After some time, the
authorities and the mob found the agitated animal. The officials tried to tranquilize it again.
The animal was understandably violently aggressive,
and was this time was repeatedly shot at and killed by the forest officials. It
was a 10 year old male tiger. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaSfU9w0rhiorFsVwJcgU86cXyKYKWBU-ZXPjibxVUmYx9k3OsSZYTQi98VqtNXn3YOAI7NmbfRqP6NOql7DLiGOzOFzV3pSmkiyCFYC8u6WHizJ50tXTXsZtn4YqAG7_CDWr-nmO0mqg/s1600/Tiger+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaSfU9w0rhiorFsVwJcgU86cXyKYKWBU-ZXPjibxVUmYx9k3OsSZYTQi98VqtNXn3YOAI7NmbfRqP6NOql7DLiGOzOFzV3pSmkiyCFYC8u6WHizJ50tXTXsZtn4YqAG7_CDWr-nmO0mqg/s640/Tiger+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Tiger at the London Zoo. Are tigers only going to be safe in captivity? (Photo : Sarah Stephen)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Environmentalists and environmental enthusiasts are bitter
and distressed at the outcome. One environmentalist who has worked extensively on biodiversity in the Western Ghats condemned what had
happened as ‘barbaric and insane’. He commented, ‘The hunting of this tiger was
carried out by creating panic and insecurity among the public, that this tiger
which had killed so many livestock, will eventually become a man eater.’ Several questions remain as to why the authorities resorted
to the cold blooded killing of the tiger in broad daylight. It has been alleged
that when the tiger embarked on the cattle hunt; the people were infuriated,
blocking roads, setting ablaze the forest office, and demanding that the tiger
be shot dead and that the authorities appeased the people by killing the animal. The environmentalist added, ‘The mass search of the forest areas with gunmen and a huge uncontrollable crowd
following them was not the way to tranquilize an animal.’ Some sections of the media say that the
story is much more complicated than what it appears to be and that illegal land mafia
gangs are behind this. Allegations are rife that these unscrupulous cliques, who wanted the
forests to be cleared for land, incited scare among the people in the pretext
of the tiger menace, and that the animal paid a heavy price.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A task force will now
conduct an independent enquiry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite such incidents, some hope remains, a wildlife survey
of 2011 indicates that in the state, the elephant population is growing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Closer to home, a few weeks ago, one peaceful Sunday afternoon
was interrupted by the sound of a gunshot. As the hunting season has started in
the county, it is not uncommon to see people dressed in hunting attire, en
route hunts and distant sounds of shots being fired are not uncommon. But this time,
the deafening noise was closer to our house. It transpired that someone had
shot two squirrels. For some time, it had been a common sight seeing squirrels scurrying
up and down with nuts and burying them in the gardens. They had provided unlimited entertainment to the enclave where we live. Brown squirrels are classified as
vermin and can be legally shot. However, I will never comprehend the mentality
of macabre recreational shooting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PS: If you witnessed the tiger incident or have comments on
the issue, please use the comments field to voice your opinions. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
References:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.fao.org/docrep/v5200e/v5200e0b.htm">http://www.fao.org/docrep/v5200e/v5200e0b.htm</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/critical_regions/western_ghats/">http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/critical_regions/western_ghats/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/western_ghats/">http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/western_ghats/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1342<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://animals.nationalgeographic.co.uk/animals/mammals/bengal-tiger/">http://animals.nationalgeographic.co.uk/animals/mammals/bengal-tiger/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.iucn.org/?6481/IUCN-Council-statement-on-the-tiger.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://keralaforest.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=534&Itemid=327">http://keralaforest.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=534&Itemid=327</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/kerala-welcomes-unesco-s-decision-to-give-western-ghats-world-heritage-status-240826">http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/kerala-welcomes-unesco-s-decision-to-give-western-ghats-world-heritage-status-240826</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/NTCA-to-conduct-independent-probe-into-Wayanad-tiger-killing/articleshow/17484167.cms<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/straying-tiger-meets-with-a-bloody-end/article4159420.ece<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/tiger-killed-in-wayanad-was-not-a-maneater-maneka/article4160564.ece<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=12949143&programId=1073753760&tabId=11&contentType=EDITORIAL&BV_ID=@@@<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article3240036.ece<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.coplac.be/Tropical-Forests.1713.0.html?&MP=1627-169">http://www.coplac.be/Tropical-Forests.1713.0.html?&MP=1627-169</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.forest.kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43&Itemid=273">http://www.forest.kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43&Itemid=273</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">http://keralaforest.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article</span><br />
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/forest-officials-blame-land-mafia-for-protests/article4118109.ece.<br />
<br /></div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-91672684938547360852012-09-26T16:03:00.001-07:002012-09-26T16:03:32.019-07:00You've drunk from this can before<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIljLNnQDgYT7quxj7R9QZXgnItMdTU2PnJsz0MpV3bRZ2G0-l72gDHIjE_NngDvFPmb9IHGjwVH5-stW8DY7Qji_4HevvSaHkWD3gs0SOMQQyp-XghUrjUy-w1RNs8ru1d39YxFJ5RQ/s1600/DSC00145+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIljLNnQDgYT7quxj7R9QZXgnItMdTU2PnJsz0MpV3bRZ2G0-l72gDHIjE_NngDvFPmb9IHGjwVH5-stW8DY7Qji_4HevvSaHkWD3gs0SOMQQyp-XghUrjUy-w1RNs8ru1d39YxFJ5RQ/s400/DSC00145+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Aluminium recycling has many advantages for the environment, in reducing the need for mining (see http://ecoratorio.blogspot.com.br/2011/06/dams-on-xingu.html) and waste disposal. Aluminium is found in all sorts of things, but because of their rapid turnover and ease of handling, recycling normally means drinks cans. Of course, for it to be meaningful recycling has to be done on a large scale. A very large scale.<br /><br />In 2009, according to the Associação Brasileira do Alumínio, Brazil recycled 98,800 tonnes of cans for their aluminium content, that's about 14 billion units. Much of this recycling is done at the Novelis plant in Pindamonhangaba (owned by the Indian Adytia Birla company), conveniently located on the main road between the two largest cities in Latin America, Sao Paulo and Rio.<br /><br />What's driving all this is simple economics. Brazil produces aluminium ore (bauxite), in fact Brazilian production is 3rd in the world (28,000 tons in 2009) behind Australia and China. But actually getting the aluminium out of the ore is a complicated and energy intensive process, whilst recycling of aluminium cans involves, more or less, just melting them. Well, there is of course more to it than that, but still the process uses about 5% of the energy needed to produce "fresh" aluminium, with equivalent savings in production costs.<br /><br />You still need a raw material. Brazil has the highest can recovery rate in the world at 85%, ahead of even Japan at 82.5%. This in turn is helped by low labour costs. Many of these cans are separated by hand, either at waste disposal sites or directly from bins, and men pulling carts of crushed cans are not uncommon. The Inter Press news agency quoted a can collector in Rio in 2010 who collected 15 kilograms of aluminium cans a day, selling them to the collection center for about 30 reals (17 dollars at the time). This isn´t much, but supports many thousands of people around the country. Even then, supply cannot meet demand. Every day trucks arrive at Pindamonhangaba loaded with crushed cans from all over South America, and the world. Over 42,000 tonnes were imported last year, from countries as far afield as Albania and Saudi Arabia.<br /><br />So, for recycling to really work it has to make, not lose, money, which pays for the infrastructure. The difference in cost between recycled and ore-derived aluminium ensures that, in this case, can collection is well worth the effort.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Inter Press news agency.<br />http://www.ipsnews.net/2010/08/brazil-world-leader-in-recycling-aluminium-cans/ </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Globo News Brasil <br />http://g1.globo.com/jornal-nacional/noticia/2012/09/empresas-brasileiras-ganham-dinheiro-reciclando-aluminio.html </span>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17196473529075505697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-82220868529957273962012-09-22T04:19:00.001-07:002012-09-22T04:19:22.744-07:00The future of the Dead SeaYou could say that Ein Gedi is literally after miles of endless highway, past scattered kibbutzim. This windy beach on the western coast of the Dead Sea was teeming with hordes of tourists plastering themselves with mud and floating on the water to the backdrop of Cutting Crew’s “(I just) died in your arms tonight” and lots of human poo on the beach and on the sea itself (which dissuaded us from getting more adventurous). Although it was late autumn, it was warm (around 24-25 deg C); the sun shone in all his glory, but (incongruously) we noticed the lack of searing heat (explained by being located in the lowest altitude in the world at around 415 m below sea level- due to the high barometric pressure, UV radiation is low).<br />
<br />A misnomer, Dead Sea is a saline lake, extending for approx. 60 kms, located in the Jordan Rift Valley and sandwiched between Lake Tiberias in the North and the formidable Red Sea in the south and surrounded by hostile hills and mountains. The adjective 'dead' illustrates that the lake is practically devoid of life due to its extreme saline content (nearly 9 times more saline than the oceans). There were some exceptions (the Dunaliella algae which nourished halobacteria) when the salinity dropped due to flooding. The surrounding barren terrain has wildlife (hares, ibex, jackals, etc). The water is supposedly curative and therapeutic and there is a booming mineral/salts/mud industry (I too have a hand cream of Dead Sea salts- and I must admit that it does its job). <br />
<br />The Dead Sea is historically significant. The Bible refers to it as the Sea of Salt (Genesis 14:3) or the Eastern Sea. More significantly, the destroyed towns of Sodom & Gomorrah ("the cities of the plain") are said to be under the lake (others maintain that the towns were in Mt Sodom); indeed, overlooking the lake is a rock formation considered to be Lot's wife who was transformed into a pillar of salt when she disobeyed the angels' instructions and turned back to look at the cities being destroyed by God. David hid from Saul in the wilderness surrounding the lake and several centuries later, people used to hide in the caves by the hills bordering the lake.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJoVBgmI0F-cp4LcZOWvUlkWx2L1FrnGxI6gVBmWGbB5yn_xJsdG2xlFC9VFOf7f8RXw3164GgXRSa_wB6G_NApv1176pp27-wqZ039QpHO4OmIKdFXeKPUic4pAcFRfbuTLyHHSHJuw/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJoVBgmI0F-cp4LcZOWvUlkWx2L1FrnGxI6gVBmWGbB5yn_xJsdG2xlFC9VFOf7f8RXw3164GgXRSa_wB6G_NApv1176pp27-wqZ039QpHO4OmIKdFXeKPUic4pAcFRfbuTLyHHSHJuw/s320/Untitled.jpg" width="123" /></a><br />The major sources of the lake are the Jordan River itself and the Dead Sea wadis. However, the river water is now predominantly diverted for human purposes by three countries (Israel, Jordan, and Syria). Since the lake is in the rain shadow area, rainfall is negligible (2-4 inches per annum). Compounding this is the high evaporation rate due to high temperatures and low humidity. All of this has contributed to a rather grave situation- the shrinking of the lake (more popularly known as the Death of the Dead Sea). Some sources state that the lake has lost a third of its surface area, with the water level falling by more than 80 ft in the past 8-9 decades (and a fall of around 2-3 ft each year). Indeed, as seen in the satellite map, the southern half of the Dead Sea is separated from the northern half, connected by a canal, which prevents the southern part from drying up completely. <br />
<br />On the flip side, many industries depend on the lake for their profits (and even existence). Many are the hotels and resorts by the Dead Sea with customers keen on either floating in water (due to the high salt concentration) or taking advantage of the supposedly therapeutic nature of the mud and water. And there is also a lucrative trade on Dead Sea minerals and chemicals (who are also identified as one of the banes of the lake since they evaporate the waters to obtain the products).<br />
<br />Some preventive measures have been proposed: <br />1. Siphoning water via a canal (specifically, from the Gulf of Eilat): The intention is to desaline the waters from the Red Sea and diverting the desalinated water towards Jordan and discharging the brine in the Dead Sea. Proponents justify this by pointing out how the waters in the lake would be replenished and surrounding countries address water and electricity problems. However, this does not consider the impacts (and consequences) on the lake's limnology, geochemistry, and ecology (Gavrieli et al, 2005). For instance, there would be increased evaporation due to the relative dilution- which could also result in blooming; another consequence is the change in composition and the accumulation of sea salts- one outcome of this would be a reduction in the therapeutic qualities. <br />2. A sustainable method of harvesting the Dead Sea minerals (instead of evaporation)<br />3. Efficient harvesting of the even-if-minimal rainwater. This would decrease the dependency on Jordan River.<br />4. Increasing the flow of water from Jordan River which might be achieved by reducing farming in the region<br />
<br />Any thoughts on what else could be done?<br />
<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.jtitle=Hydrological+Processes&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1002%2F%28SICI%291099-1085%28200001%2914%3A1&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&rft.atitle=The+water+balance+of+the+Dead+Sea%3A+an+integrated+approach&rft.issn=&rft.date=2000&rft.volume=14&rft.issue=1&rft.spage=145&rft.epage=154&rft.artnum=&rft.au=Radwan+A.+Al-Weshah&rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Geosciences%2CHydrology">Radwan A. Al-Weshah (2000). The water balance of the Dead Sea: an integrated approach <span style="font-style: italic;">Hydrological Processes, 14</span> (1), 145-154 DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1085(200001)14:1" rev="review">10.1002/(SICI)1099-1085(200001)14:1</a></span><br />Gertman, I., Hecht, A (2002). The Dead Sea hydrography from 1992 to 2000. Journal of Marine Systems, 35, 3–4, 169–181. <br />Gavrieli, I, Bein, A., Oren, A. (2005). The Expected Impact of the Peace Conduit Project (The Red Sea – Dead Sea Pipeline) on the Dead Sea. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 10, 1, 3-22,<br /><br />
References: <br />
<br />
Image source: Google mapsSarah Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03305130267142945205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-20062831680101634672012-09-21T10:13:00.001-07:002012-09-22T03:20:14.094-07:00Country tales: A game of tennis, a newt and a country estate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Living in the English countryside has several disadvantages such as no
Starbucks in the vicinity, few buses to the nearest town (which is not really a
town, but, shhhh, don’t tell the locals!), no cinema, no book store, no supermarket, etc. But there are also advantages: miles and miles of beautiful countryside, clear air, less populated, less polluted, and being in close communion with
nature, which includes having
pheasants stray into your garden, having
wild ducklings visit your garden, a glass
snake slowly sneaking through the conservatory door, swarms of insects invading
your kitchen when combined harvesters plough through the fields. The countryside
can also be brutal- you realise that the innocent and cuddly lambs grazing on
the fields are destined for the slaughterhouse and then would be neatly
packaged for the shelves in Sainsbury’s or Tescos. You see
dead pheasants, foxes, rabbits, pigeons, doves, cats, and badgers on the road –
unsuspecting causalities that have strayed into the country roads that have 60
mph speed limit.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of Saturdays ago, being one of the rare sunny days in the part
of Britain where we live, we decided to play tennis in our village tennis
court. Now the net is secured in a huge wooden box with a padlock. As we were
unfurling the net, we noticed an 8 cm long brightly coloured reptile-like thing.
The reason, I say ‘thing’ is because it was immobile and it looked so unreal that at
first glance we mistook it for a prank by one of the children. Surely a rubber
toy, we thought. A close inspection proved to tell a different story. It was a
newt, an amphibian, barely alive, but surely not dead. Somehow the poor creature had made
its way to the padlocked net box, which had a crack at the top, and had
got entangled inside the net once it was there.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY0aMPRxMijvqdcoawyJpQ-418LJJwFpV6lPlSfEfka-l1ugdZ9LeTGxG-tW9H-TzMqx9XzExUr-IwN6XPwVKYqwlwu3TXj7MAfS2C9z7gyo3O-YsXlsCNEukHG-TIl1XAAeRixUuLgUI/s1600/newt+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY0aMPRxMijvqdcoawyJpQ-418LJJwFpV6lPlSfEfka-l1ugdZ9LeTGxG-tW9H-TzMqx9XzExUr-IwN6XPwVKYqwlwu3TXj7MAfS2C9z7gyo3O-YsXlsCNEukHG-TIl1XAAeRixUuLgUI/s400/newt+final.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newt in the plastic bag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We gently transferred the newt to small plastic bag we
luckily had with us and sprinkled some water from our water bottle. Within
minutes the amphibian became alert. Now the question remained as to where to leave
it. A quick pow-wow led us to two options: i. we could just release it on the grass or ii. take it to one of the ponds about 4 km away in one of the country estates
where we had seen newts before. We opted for the latter. A quick drive and
brisk walk later we came to our destination by which time, the newt was very
alert. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We found the ditch which had a supply of clean water and
could also see several newt larvae. As we gently lowered the newt into the surrounding
grass, it quickly darted off into the water , swimming off elegantly into the
undergrowth. It had finally come home and we left, content, back to our tennis
court.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4qRmFrER85iK2kH3_XCUSRrcRrOKrQNYfC3rC1PUWOGhmiCK46Yurg4dg2HzNmGhyphenhyphenuUtdZDvf8sxXwig5hIqZ74ujtl76gjIRRpShmoEindmmGoVHXmEIPAlP1wKNSfEywwVUzQii5MR/s1600/newt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4qRmFrER85iK2kH3_XCUSRrcRrOKrQNYfC3rC1PUWOGhmiCK46Yurg4dg2HzNmGhyphenhyphenuUtdZDvf8sxXwig5hIqZ74ujtl76gjIRRpShmoEindmmGoVHXmEIPAlP1wKNSfEywwVUzQii5MR/s320/newt2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIuhIG0XTOBc52Uxs80fBMI3S9tEtILXlYVPLUGQOlnaj1PJoKv47jP90FOgZr-OoD_DclDAYo5WNgpvn3wSTJGD_qENVD1KmruX3HKMxwoOe86-0ueH00BVnQMnnv9RiI3BUseo3bZDD/s1600/Newt+Habitat+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIuhIG0XTOBc52Uxs80fBMI3S9tEtILXlYVPLUGQOlnaj1PJoKv47jP90FOgZr-OoD_DclDAYo5WNgpvn3wSTJGD_qENVD1KmruX3HKMxwoOe86-0ueH00BVnQMnnv9RiI3BUseo3bZDD/s320/Newt+Habitat+(1).jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The permanently waterlogged ditch where the newt was released</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The parish Councillor was alerted to the fact. Good thing
in the villages is that the Councillors do listen. They take public service far more seriously
in small villages. But that is a topic for another day.....<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PS- If anyone can identify the species, please comment in
the post <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Photos: Courtesy Tim Whallett</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Ruth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.com0