Distribution, sources, and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Kaokaowusu river sediments near a coal industrial zone.

This study systematically analyzed the contents, compositions, and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in river sediments near an important energy and chemical base in northwest China. In addition, their possible adverse effects on the ecology and human health were assessed. The PAH concentrations in this study area ranged from 2641.28 to 16783.72 (ng/g dw). PAHs of medium molecular weight (3-ring and 4-ring) showed the largest proportion, followed by PAHs of higher molecular weight (5-ring and 6-ring). The results of molecular diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis revealed that PAHs in the region have complex sources, with incomplete combustion of local fossil fuels and traffic exhaust factors being the main sources. The total toxic equivalent concentration of PAHs varied from 10.05 to 760.26 ng/g, and according to the sediment quality guidelines, PAHs have high potential ecological risk in the lower reaches of the river. The mean effect range-median quotient for the region was 0.46, and the combined ecological risk was at moderate to high levels (21% probability of toxicity). The lifetime carcinogenic risks for adults and children exposed to PAHs were 2.95 × 10-3 and 1.87 × 10-2, respectively, which are much higher than the limit of 10-4, indicating moderate to high potential cancer risks. Therefore, the local government should consider taking some environmental remediation measures. This study can provide theoretical support for pollution prevention measures and ecological restoration strategies for rivers in resource-rich areas.

Latent classes of resilience and psychological response among only-child loss parents in China.

Only-child loss parents in China recently gained extensive attention as a newly defined social group. Resilience could be a probable solution out of the psychological dilemma. Using a sample of 185 only-child loss people, this study employed latent class analysis (a) to explore whether different classes of resilience could be identified, (b) to determine socio-demographic characteristics of each class, and (c) to compare the depression and the subjective well-being of each class. The results supported a three-class solution, defined as 'high tenacity-strength but moderate optimism class', 'moderate resilience but low self-efficacy class' and 'low tenacity but moderate adaption-dependence class'. Parents with low income and medical insurance of low reimbursement type and without endowment insurance occupied more proportions in the latter two classes. The latter two classes also had a significant higher depression scores and lower subjective well-being scores than high tenacity-strength but moderate optimism class. Future work should care those socio-economically vulnerable bereaved parents, and an elastic economic assistance policy was needed. To develop targeted resilience interventions, the emphasis of high tenacity-strength but moderate optimism class should be the optimism. Moderate resilience but low self-efficacy class should be self-efficacy, and low tenacity but moderate adaption-dependence class should be tenacity.

[The burden caused by injury in countryside residents in Dongying, Shandong Province].

OBJECTIVE: To make clear the burden of injury in residents living in countryside of Dongying, Shandong Province. METHODS: A retrospective questionnaire survey was conducted among 15,276 residents in 20 villages of Dongying Municipality of Shandong Province with a multiphase cluster randomly sampling on cases of injury from March 1, 2002 to February 28, 2003. The injury was decided with three principles which had been carried out through the nation. The standardized incidence and mortality rates were calculated on base of the population data of Shandong Province in 2000. The burden of injury was evaluated by incidence rate, mortality rate, years of potential life lost (YPLL) system, disability adjusted life year (DALY), direct and indirect economic costs, et al. RESULTS: Totally 902 were injured cases in which the crude incidence rate was 5.90%, and the standardized incidence rate was 5.93%. It was shown higher in men (7.79%) than in women (4.03%). The crude death rate was 12.438 per million. And the standardized death rate was 11.257 per million. 27 cases were crippled. The years, the working years and the valued years of the potential life lost were 24, 19.6 and 8.7 years respectively for each death case. Disability adjusted life years was 566.61 years. Direct economic cost for medical expenses of all cases was 816.3 thousand RMB Yuan and 200.1 thousand RMB Yuan for else costs. Indirect economic cost was 5,492.9 thousand RMB Yuan according to DALY. CONCLUSION: Injury was common incidence in rural residents in Dongying which caused a heavy burden on them. Prevention and control of injuries would be enhanced.

[A cross-sectional study on injuries in residents from the countryside of Huanghe Delta rural areas].

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of injuries among residents living in the countryside of Huanghe delta area. METHODS: A household questionnaire survey was conducted to 15 276 residents in 20 villages of Dongying municipality of Shandong province with a stratified-cluster sampling on their injuries from March 1, 2002 to February 28, 2003. Data were analyzed with Excel 2000 and SPSS 11.0 software. RESULTS: The crude incidence of injuries was 5.90% in total, and the standardized incidence was 5.93%. It was higher in men (7.79%) than in women (4.03%). There were 19 deaths with 20 cripples. The standardized death rate was 122.56 per 100 000 with leading causes of injuries was blunt or by sharp articles (24.61%), traffic accident (24.17%), falls (22.62%) and animal bites (13.08%). Peak incidence of age group was high in 25 - 54 age group and 0 - 4 age group (> 6.0%). 267 cases (29.60%) inpatients had had about 15.89 days hospitalization for each case. Rest of each case with injury had 19.20 days of rest. Direct economic loss for treatment would cost 904.85 RMB Yuan and 10.15 days with care takers and 221.88 RMB for other cost. The potential years of life lost was 24 years, the working years of life lost was 19.6 year, the valued years of life lost was 8.7 year, and the standardized period expected years of life lost was 31.73 year. CONCLUSION: Injury was common and frequently occurred among residents in the countryside of rural Huanghe delta areas, that seriously endangered the health care systems and burden on families.