International Journal of Environment and Health (11 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• A study on antecedents of household willingness to engage in e-waste recycling: evidence from Vietnam  
  by Hong Thi Thu Nguyen, Chun-Hung Lee, Rern-Jay Hung 
  Abstract: To achieve a good rate of e-waste collection and recycling, it is of great importance to ensure the compliance of end-users. This study aims to seek the determinants that influence household willingness and their favourite collection pattern towards e-waste recycling by using the logistic regression model as an analysis tool. The findings pinpointed that recycling motivations, recycling awareness, and some demographic socio-economic factors are positively correlated to the willingness of recycling involvement. On the contrary, the recycling constraints variable was proved to have a statistically negative effect on household willingness to engage in recycling. Regarding collection method, door-to-door and curbside pick-up services are the most favoured options amongst households for handing their e-waste to formal collectors, while making drop-off at regional collection centres and drop-off at retailer shops are the least preferred choices. The newly explored highlights may be added to currently limited e-waste literature in Vietnam, which emphasise the role of the government in establishing reasonable rules and cooperating with other stakeholders to support households in the recycling process, aiming to gain a higher collection target and a better recycling rate of e-waste.
  Keywords: willingness to engage; e-waste recycling; logistic regression; collection method; Vietnam.
  
  
• Social determinants of access to health care as an indicator of health equity among patients with chronic diseases in Jordan: a cross-sectional study  
  by Rula Al-Rimawi, Jafar Alshraideh, Mahmoud Al-Hussami, Madi Jaghbir 
  Abstract: The purpose of this study is to describe and predict the social determinants of accessing the governmental healthcare system as an indicator of health equity among patients with chronic diseases in Jordan. A cross-sectional structured face-to-face interview survey was performed of 320 patients selected from three hospitals in Amman, Jordan. The collected data, including the social determinants of health (household income, working status, educational level, gender, age, health insurance, and perceived distance to the hospital), access and use of outpatient's clinic, and accessibility factor. Hierarchical regression was used to predict the social determinants of accessing governmental healthcare system in Jordan. The overall regression, including all seven predictors, was statistically significant: R = .368, R2 =.135, adjusted R2 = .116, F (7,309) = 6.91, P <.001. Accessibility could be predicted partly from this set of variables, with approximately 12% of the variance in accessibility scores. The strongest unique predictive contribution was from household income and gender. Higher income and being female predicted higher scores on accessibility. Whereas, faraway distance between place of residency and hospital predicted lower scores on accessibility. There are thus inequities between patients in accessing the public healthcare system in Jordan based on income, gender (being male), and place of residency.
  Keywords: health equity; healthcare access; equity in chronic diseases; non-communicable diseases; Jordan; nursing; social determinants of health equity.
  
  
• Amino acids of milk of Brown Carpathian cattle of Transcarpathian region of Ukraine  
  by Nataliia Rieznykova, Yurii Polupan 
  Abstract: The amino acid content of randomly selected cows of Brown Carpathian cattle (n = 13) of Ukraine was studied. Cows were selected from different altitudes, at meadows with different plant content and different peculiarities of mountainous climate. Results of this investigation on local breed were compared with results of cows of a commercial breed Holstein Red-and-White. Amino acid detection was done by the method of ion-changing columnar chromatography. Brown Carpathian cows from the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine exceeded, though not greatly, the Holstein breed on the majority of amino acids (on 11 out of 17 investigated), including indispensable valine (by 1%), threonine (by 0.09%), lysine (by 0.55%), leucine (by 0.60%) and dispensable glutamine (0.55%). Methionine, cysteine and proline were higher in the milk of the Holstein Red-and-White breed, by 0.03%, 1.83% and 1.98%, respectively. The tendencies became the same when the cattle of different breeds, but in the conditions of one village, were compared. Fluctuations were found in the content of amino acids in the milk of cows from different villages (by 0.03-3.48% between groups on different acids).
  Keywords: Brown Carpathian breed; cattle; AnGR conservation; milk protein; amino acid content; sustainable management.
  
  
• A multicriteria analysis of the environmental dimension associated with hydropower in Parana State, Brazil  
  by Andrea Souza, Christian Luiz Da Silva, Alain Hernandez Santoyo, Weimar Freire Da Rocha Junior 
  Abstract: The aim of this study was to structure a multicriteria decision matrix for supporting the decision-making process in new hydropower ventures. Methodological proceedings were used combining a Delphi method, analytic hierarchy process, and aggregation procedures. As a result, the relevant variables regarding possible investments in hydroelectric power were defined, especially when comparing hydroelectric plants and small hydroelectric plants. In this article, the analysis concentrates on the variables of the environmental dimension of energy that may or may not impact decisions on such investments. Local energy safety was identified as one of the main critical factors that could influence decisions to increase electricity supplies through hydroelectric plants. As a contribution to the field, this tool enables an understanding of the relevant variables and respective weights in the decision-making process to help managers in the electricity sector of Parana State to draft more realistic public policies to meet the actual needs of the state.
  Keywords: multicriteria decision matrix; Delphi method; analytic hierarchy process; hydropower.
  
  
• NGO reporting in the European context: practices in the health sector  
  by Eva Cerioni, Alessia D'Andrea, Stefano Marasca 
  Abstract: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports are a strategic approach and communication tool adopted by NGOs to legitimise their activities in the eyes of their stakeholders. The present paper investigates how widely diffused reporting practices are within NGOs, also delving into the content of NGO reports, the presence of external assurance, and the categories of stakeholders involved in the accountability process. A content analysis method was applied to the report published by NGOs operating in the Health and Nutrition sector in Europe. These organisations play a relevant role in the health sector, managing funds for research and action, and working in medical assistance. Our findings reveal a lack of comparability and standardisation in frameworks and structures used in reporting practices by NGOs. The available reports show that NGOs follow both an 'upward' and a 'downward' accountability approach. Further research can focus on investigating the reporting practices in other healthcare settings as well as exploring them from a temporal perspective.
  Keywords: non-governmental organisations; NGO accountability; stakeholders; reporting; social audit.
  
  
• Restoration scenario analysis of Hindon River in India using water quality model, WASP8  
  by Vasker Sharma, Himanshu Joshi 
  Abstract: The river restoration scenario analysis was carried out using steady-state US-EPA Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP8) for the Hindon River in India which has been classified as Class E by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Restoration scenarios for load reduction, flow augmentation, reaeration and dredging were generated after fairly calibrating and validating the model. The scenario analysis indicated that reductions in municipal waste load and reduction in sediment oxygen demand would significantly improve the water quality along the river. Flow augmentation scenario also seemed to improve the water quality to some extent; however, it does not fulfil the criteria set by CPCB for the propagation of wildlife and fisheries. However, it may prevent stagnation of water along the river stretch. Therefore, high levels of sewage treatment work are required to strengthen the restoration activities and render the water quality better.
  Keywords: pollution; river restoration; water quality modelling; scenario analysis.
  
  

Special Issue on: AA2019 Environment and Sustainable Development A Multidisciplinary Approach

• Location of areas of emission of pollutants when poor urban air quality is detected  
  by Daniela Mellado, María A. Gutiérrez, Jorge E. Colman Lerner, Pablo M. Demetrio, Andrés A. Porta, Pablo M. Jacovkis, Erica Y. Sanchez 
  Abstract: Air pollution constitutes an environmental risk, evidenced in large urban centres. This work applies a methodology capable of detecting the areas of emission of pollutants when episodes of poor urban air quality are observed. This is carried out by coupling air quality indices proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency with the receptor model known as Nonparametric Trajectory Analysis. As a control case, observed concentrations (2013-2015) in Bahia Blanca (Argentina) were analysed, highlighting particulate matter as a dominant pollutant for episodes of poor air quality. Likewise, the application of the methodology allowed to reduce the number of possible stationary emission sources by 75%, and to highlight the implication of nearby linear sources. The strength of the methodology lies in visualising in real time, or in diagnostic mode, the potential areas of emission and their significance.
  Keywords: air quality indicators; criteria pollutants; receptor model; episodes of high concentrations.
  
  
• Bentonite/carbon composite development for the treatment of agroindustrial effluents  
  by M. Celeste Legarto, Alberto Scian, M. Bárbara Lombardi 
  Abstract: The diphenylamine antiscale (n-phenylbencenamine) is an agrochemical widely used in the post-harvest treatment of stone fruits in the Upper Rio Negro Valley, Argentina, and the discharge exceeds the allowable limits in the water courses. Removal was evaluated using a composite whose matrix allows bentonite to maintain its adsorbent capacity without thereby reducing the porosity of the bed. This was formed in self-supporting, porous and adsorbent monoliths, emulating the operation in fixed bed columns with the advantage over a conventional fixed bed filled column of reducing the packing variables being the pressure drop, bed height, porosity, and others. Compared with batch operation, what is proposed requires less adsorbent material and reduces the generation of liquid waste. Also, removal was evaluated and compared using a bentonite composite with carbon added. The composites had a maximum adsorption capacity of 80% and desorption of 15% in 1 hour.
  Keywords: composite; bentonite; carbon; sol-gel; TEOS; resin; adsorption; desorption; agrochemical; diphenylamine.
  
  
• Development of modified kaolins for the removal of As(III) in waters  
  by Estefanía Baigorria, Leonardo Cano, Karim Sapag, Vera Alvarez 
  Abstract: Arsenic (As) present in waters is highly dangerous for human health. Adsorption technique is considered a promising technology for the selective elimination of As from aqueous systems. Iron (Fe), and iron-containing clays are adsorbents commonly used for the elimination of arsenic owing to their strong affinity for As inorganic species. Kaolinites, from natural and acid-treated kaolinites, impregnated with iron oxides (30% and 20% of Fe(III)) were developed in the present work. The as-prepared clays were physicochemically characterised, and the As adsorption capability was tested. Arsenic removal studies showed 97% effectiveness for the 30% iron sedimented kaolinite at 1 h of treatment, being the most effective developed material. These preliminary results showed that the Fe(III) impregnated kaolinites could be considered as promising adsorbent materials for As removal from aqueous systems.
  Keywords: arsenic; kaolinite; remediation; waters; iron; removal; pollution; aqueous systems; kaolins; adsorption.
  
  
• Development of eco-compatible polymers with cyclodextrins for the treatment of wastewater from the textile industry  
  by Micaela Parra, Laura Guadalupe Lima, Ana Lía Rossi, Mónica G. Parisi, Adriana M. Rosso, Jorgelina A. Rodriguez Gaston 
  Abstract: Textile industries generate polluting effluents that affect both soil and water quality. Dyes present in wastewater are considered important contaminants; these are not biodegradable. Indigo dye in fabric dyeing generates contaminated wastewater, which is the case in Luj
  Keywords: Sepharose; cyclodextrin; indigo dye; removal; polymers; inclusion complexes; textile industry; wastewater; polluting effluents; starch; cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase; adsorption.
  
  
• Enhancement of methane production and wastewater treatment from algae  
  by Marcos Astorga, Margarita Cesano, Marcela Noemí Gatti, Alberto Camacho 
  Abstract: In this study, the synergy between wastewater treatment and anaerobic co-digestion (AC) was evaluated. To fulfil this objective, urban wastewater and pig effluents were treated by means of microalgae and macroalgae sampled from Limay River, Neuquen, Argentina. Comparison between macroalgae, aquatic and terrestrial plants to find the best co-substrate in the AC process was performed, using the Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) method. To understand their contributions to methane production, Biological Nutrient Removal Model N
  Keywords: co-digestion; biochemical methane potential; pig slurry; macroalgae; microalgae; BNRM2; wastewater depuration.