Apr 23 2021 Read 2 Times
A new pan-European study has found that as many as 34,000 people could be dying prematurely as a result of exposure to the emissions produced by coal plants throughout the continent. Although the official findings of the research say that concentrations of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) are responsible for at least 16,800 deaths each year, it’s feared that air quality is actually far worse than the estimations given by regional monitoring stations, hence the revised higher figure.
The study is yet more proof that coal-fired power plants have a disastrous impact on the lungs of both those living in their vicinity and even people hundreds of miles away, due to the travelling abilities of PM2.5. What’s more, coal plants are also the single biggest driver of global warming, which is why it’s imperative that governments follow the lead of scientists to slow climate change by transitioning to cleaner sources of energy generation as quickly as possible.
Apr 23 2021 Read 2 Times
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to claim millions of lives around the globe, the scientific community have turned to wastewater as a means of analysing its prevalence in a certain segment of society. Thanks to the efforts of countless researchers involved in myriad projects in many countries, our knowledge of how COVID-19 behaves in wastewater has steadily increased in the last 12 months.
One crucial concept over which scientists are yet to reach a definitive conclusion, however, is the virus’s ability to spread through sewage. Although it appears unlikely that the virus remains active once it has been excreted in the faeces of a sufferer, various different studies have failed to definitively rule out the possibility of faecal-oral infection occurring at some point in the future.
Apr 21 2021 Read 2 Times
The analysis of wastewater has become common practice in countries around the globe over the last few decades. Beginning with the monitoring of household waste in wastewater influents, the discipline has since expanded to encompass a wide variety of purposes and interests.
The basis of all types of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), however, is analysing consumption of (or exposure) to certain chemicals, pathogens or contaminants in a segment of society. Today, it is most commonly used to determine concentrations of polioviruses, bacteria and other pathogens in a community, thereby gaining an approximate idea of infection levels without the need for individual screening. It is also used to quantify drug consumption rates in society.
Apr 20 2021 Read 5 Times
While laboratories are generally considered safe workplaces, hazard exposure is exceptionally high. To ensure the safety of themselves and others, personnel must adhere to strict guidelines when coming into contact with hazardous materials. Below, we take a look at some of the most common types of laboratory hazards and how they’re managed.
Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases and viruses, particularly those with high R0 ratings, are considered major hazards. When handling these types of pathogens laboratories must comply with strict health and safety protocols, often enforced by government agencies. For example, in the United States all laboratories experimenting with genuine samples of coronavirus must have Biosafety Level 3 certification and be equipped with special airflow systems.
Apr 19 2021 Read 6 Times
Taking samples from a wastewater treatment facility on a regular basis is a crucial step in verifying that the filtration techniques employed onsite are having the desired effect of removing contaminants from the influent before it is discharged as effluent. It’s also useful for monitoring the concentrations of polioviruses, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other pathogens in sewage, thus giving an approximation of infection levels in the general populace.
This kind of sample analysis is known as wastewater-based epidemiology and can be highly beneficial to medical bodies, research institutions and local authorities for staying abreast of the healthiness of the residents of the areas in question. It has become especially important with regard to COVID-19, as it can give a kind of early warning system of the imminent outbreak of a hotspot of cases before hospitalisations occur. These samples are generally collected in one of two ways: via a grab sample or a composite sample.
Apr 19 2021 Read 3 Times
Almost two-thirds of the world’s arable land is in danger of pesticide pollution, according to new research carried out by the University of Sydney in Australia. 64% of the land currently used for cultivating crops for consumption by humans and animals is at risk of contamination of the soil as a direct result of excessive pesticide use.
The study presents a thorny dilemma for farmers and environmental scientists alike. On the one hand, the world’s ballooning population means that maintaining a steady supply of food to feed it is a priority concern – and appropriate use of pesticides is a big factor in achieving that goal. On the other hand, the propagation of those very same pesticides can lead to a build-up of harmful bacteria and other contaminants in the soil, compromising its quality and potentially polluting water supplies, as well.
Apr 18 2021 Read 2 Times
Most laboratories are considered safe and responsible workplaces, though to maintain these standards it’s critical to have rigorous hazard containment strategies in place. What does this mean? Read on as we explore the definition of hazard containment, why it matters and how laboratories manage the risks.
Defining hazard containment
Hazard containment is an umbrella term that refers to the responsible handling and disposal of dangerous materials and substances. Hazards can describe anything from a vial of a corrosive chemical such as sulfuric acid or hydrogen peroxide, to a sample of a highly infectious virus such as SARS-CoV-2 or Ebola. Hazard containment guidelines dictate not only how contaminated materials are handles within the laboratory, but also how they’re disposed of or destroyed.
According to the most up-to-date scientific and medical knowledge, COVID-19 is most commonly spread from person-to-person, via droplets in the air which are expelled from a person’s body when they cough, sneeze or speak. Click to read more...