Development of a multidimensional housing and environmental quality index (HEQI): application to the American Housing Survey.

BACKGROUND: Substandard housing conditions and hazardous indoor environmental exposures contribute to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Housing indices that capture the multiple dimensions of healthy housing are important for tracking conditions and identifying vulnerable households. However, most indices focus on physical deficiencies and repair costs and omit indoor environmental exposures, as few national data sources routinely collect this information. METHODS: We developed a multidimensional Housing and Environmental Quality Index (HEQI) based on the World Health Organization's Housing and Health Guidelines and applied it to the 2019 American Housing Survey (AHS). The HEQI consisted of ten domains associated with poor health: household fuel combustion, dampness and mold, pests and allergens, lead paint risk, high indoor temperatures, low indoor temperatures, household crowding, injury hazards, inadequate water and sanitation, and ventilation. We evaluated the validity and performance of the HEQI against three housing characteristics (i.e., year built, monthly rent costs, unit satisfaction rating) and two established indices (i.e., Adequacy Index, Poor Quality Index). RESULTS: Approximately 79% (92 million) of U.S. households reported at least one HEQI domain associated with poor health (mean per household: 1.3; range: 0,8). Prevalent domains included household fuel combustion (61.4%), dampness and mold (15.9%), inadequate water and sanitation (14.3%), and injury hazards (11.9%). Pests and allergens, low indoor temperatures, and injury hazards were consistently associated with older homes, lower rent costs, and lower unit satisfaction. Compared to established housing indices, the HEQI captured four new environmental domains which enabled the identification of 57.7 million (63%) more households with environmental risk factors like mold, cockroaches, crowding, household fuel combustion, and higher building leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Indoor environmental exposures are prevalent in U.S. households and not well-captured by existing housing indices. The HEQI is a multidimensional tool that can be used to monitor indoor environmental exposures and housing quality trends in the U.S. Some domains, including radon, pesticides, asbestos, noise, and housing accessibility could not be assessed due to the lack of available data in the AHS. The mounting evidence linking residential environmental exposures with adverse health outcomes underscore the need for this data in the AHS and other national surveys.

Assessment of elevated CO2 concentrations and heat stress episodes in soybean cultivars growing in heavy metal polluted soils: Crop nutritional quality and food safety.

The present study evaluated the interactive effects of global change and heavy metals on the growth and development of three soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] cultivars and the consequences on yield and food safety. Soybean cultivars (Alim 3.14 from Argentina, and ES Mentor and Sigalia, from Germany) were grown until maturity in heavy metals polluted soils from the Rhine Valley, Germany, at two CO2 concentrations (400 and 550 ppm) and heat stress (HS) episodes (9 days with 10 °C higher than maximum regular temperature) during the critical growth period in controlled environmental chambers. Different morpho-physiological parameters, heavy metal concentration in aerial organs, seed quality parameters, and toxicological index were recorded. The results showed that no morphological differences were observed related to CO2. Moreover, Alim 3.14 showed the highest yield under control conditions, but it was more sensitive to climatic conditions than the German cultivars, especially to heat stress which strongly reduces the biomass of the fruits. Heavy metals concentration in soil exceeds the legislation limits for agricultural soils for Cd and Pb, with 1.6 and 487 mg kg-1 respectively. In all cultivars, soybeans accumulated Cd in its aerial organs, and it could be translocated to fruits. Cd concentration in seeds ranged between 0.6 and 2.4 mg kg-1, which exceed legislation limits and with toxicological risk to potential Chinese consumers. Pb levels were lower than Cd in seeds (0.03-0.17 mg kg-1), and the accumulation were concentrated in the vegetative organs, with 93% of the Pb incorporated. Moreover, pods accumulated 11 times more Pb than seeds, which suggests that they act as a barrier to the passage of Pb to their offspring. These results evidence that soybean can easily translocate Cd, but not Pb, to reproductive organs. No regular patterns were observed in relation to climatic influence on heavy metal uptake.

Synthesizing the links between secure housing tenure and health for more equitable cities.

Millions of households in rich and poor countries alike are at risk of being unwilfully displaced from their homes or the land on which they live (i.e., lack secure tenure), and the urban poor are most vulnerable. Improving housing tenure security may be an intervention to improve housing and environmental conditions and reduce urban health inequalities. Building on stakeholder workshops and a narrative review of the literature, we developed a conceptual model that infers the mechanisms through which more secure housing tenure can improve housing, environmental quality, and health. Empirical studies show that more secure urban housing tenure can boost economic mobility, improve housing and environmental conditions including reduced exposure to pollution, create safer and more resourced communities, and improve physical and mental health. These links are shared across tenure renters and owners and different economic settings. Broader support is needed for context-appropriate policies and actions to improve tenure security as a catalyst for cultivating healthier homes and neighbourhoods and reducing urban health inequalities in cities.

Assessment of lead tolerance on Glycine max (L.) Merr. at early growth stages.

Lead (Pb) contamination of agricultural soils, and subsequently of crops, has been widely reported. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) has been indicated as a plant that accumulates Pb, even in soils that do not exceed the maximum permissible levels. Considering the toxicity of this heavy metal, the aim of the present study was to assess different concentrations of Pb, from low to extremely high (0.25 mM, 1 mM, and 2.5 mM), in soybean seedlings and their tolerance by analyzing morpho-physiological parameters in hydroponic experiments. Soybean seedlings were exposed to control and Pb treatments during 8 days, coinciding with the early growth stages, and the following variables were analyzed: biomass, Pb content in roots, stems and leaves, photosynthetic efficiency, leaf area, biochemical response (antioxidant power, chlorophylls, malondialdehyde), and relative water content of leaves. Results showed that roots accumulated much more Pb than the other organs, with Pb accumulation in roots being saturated even at the lowest Pb concentration, which was reflected in root biomass. Moreover, absorption of culture solutions was lower in Pb treatments, which was also reflected in the lower leaf relative water content. Lead toxicity symptoms in leaves (chlorosis and dark spots, and a decrease of biomass and leaf area, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic efficiency), and an increase of the oxidative defense system were associated only with the highest Pb concentration (2.5 mM). Our findings support the evidence of soybean as a species tolerant to Pb, showing the effects of toxicity at very high concentrations.

Assessment of the root system of Brassica juncea (L.) czern. and Bidens pilosa L. exposed to lead polluted soils using rhizobox systems.

The purpose of this study was to compare the behavior of the root system of one of the most frequently cited species in phytoremediation Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] and a representative perennial herb (Bidens pilosa L.) native of Argentina, for different concentrations of lead in soils through chemical and visualization techniques of the rhizosphere. Lead polluted soils from the vicinity of a lead recycling plant in the locality of Bouwer, were used in juxtaposed rhizobox systems planted with seedlings of B. juncea and B. pilosa with homogeneous and heterogeneous soil treatments. Root development, pH changes in the rhizosphere, dry weight biomass, lead content of root and aerial parts and potential extraction of lead by rhizosphere exudates were determined. In both species lead was mainly accumulated in roots. However, although B. juncea accumulated more lead than B. pilosa at elevated concentrations in soils, the latter achieved greater root and aerial development. No changes in the pH of the rhizosphere associated to lead were observed, despite different extractive potentials of lead in the exudates of the species analyzed. Our results indicated that Indian mustard did not behave as a hyperaccumulator in the conditions of the present study.

Prevalence of internal parasites in beef cows in the United States: Results of the National Animal Health Monitoring System's (NAHMS) beef study, 2007-2008.

During the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Animal Health Monitoring System's (NAHMS) 2007-2008 beef study, 567 producers from 24 US States were offered the opportunity to collect fecal samples from weaned beef calves and have them evaluated for the presence of parasite eggs (Phase 1). Participating producers were provided with instructions and materials for sample collection. Up to 20 fresh fecal samples were collected from each of the 99 participating operations. Fresh fecal samples were submitted to one of 3 randomly assigned laboratories for evaluation. Upon arrival at the laboratories, all samples were processed for the enumeration of strongyle, Nematodirus, and Trichuris eggs using the modified Wisconsin technique. The presence or absence of coccidian oocysts and tapeworm eggs was also noted. In submissions where the strongyle eggs per gram exceeded 30, aliquots from 2 to 6 animals were pooled for DNA extraction. Extracted DNA was subjected to genus level polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification for the presence of Ostertagia, Cooperia, Haemonchus, Oesophagostomum, and Trichostrongylus. In this study, 85.6% of the samples had strongyle type, Nematodirus, and Trichuris eggs. Among the samples evaluated, 91% had Cooperia, 79% Ostertagia, 53% Haemonchus, 38% Oesophagostomum, 18% Nematodirus, 7% Trichuris, and 3% Trichostrongylus. The prevalence of coccidia and tapeworm eggs was 59.9% and 13.7%, respectively.

Pendant l'étude de 2007­2008 chez les bovins effectuée par le Système national de surveillance des maladies animales (NAHMS) du Département de l'agriculture des États-Unis (USDA), 567 producteurs provenant de 24 états américains se sont vus offrir l'opportunité de prélever des échantillons de fèces de veaux sevrés et de les faire analyser pour la présence d'oeufs de parasite (Phase 1). On a fourni aux producteurs participants les instructions et le matériel pour le prélèvement d'échantillon. Jusqu'à 20 échantillons de fèces fraiches furent prélevés de chacune des 99 opérations participantes. Les échantillons de fèces fraiches furent soumis de manière aléatoire pour évaluation à l'un des trois laboratoires participants. Suite à l'arrivée au laboratoire, tous les échantillons étaient traités pour énumération des strongles, de Nematodirus, et d'oeufs de Trichuris en utilisant la technique de Wisconsin modifiée. La présence ou l'absence d'ookystes de coccidie et d'oeufs de vers plats furent également notées. Dans les échantillons soumis et dont le nombre d'oeufs de strongles par gramme dépassait 30, des aliquots de 2 à 6 animaux étaient regroupés pour extraction de l'ADN. L'ADN extrait était soumis à une réaction d'amplification en chaine par la polymérase (PCR) pour une identification au genre de la présence d'Ostertagia, de Cooperia, d'Haemonchus, d'Oesophagostomum, et de Trichostrongylus. Dans la présente étude, 85,6 % des échantillons avaient des strongles, du Nematodirus, et des oeufs de Trichuris. Parmi les échantillons évalués, 91 % avaient du Cooperia, 79 % de l'Ostertagia, 53 % de l'Haemoncus, 38 % de l'Oesophagostomum, 18 % du Nematodirus, 7 % du Trichuris, et 3 % du Trichostrongylus. Les prévalences de coccidies et d'oeufs de vers plats étaient respectivement de 59,9 % et 13,7 %.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Obesity prevalence odds ratios in four Puerto Rican towns: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: Obesity is a major public health problem associated with major mortality causes. It is the second leading cause of preventable diseases in the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico (PR). The purpose of the study is to estimate the Obesity Prevalence Odds Ratios in Four Puerto Rican Towns. Obesity prevalence in PR has been estimated by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 2005 (23%) for both sexes. The obesity estimation of the BRFSS was used in order to relate it with our sample and compare results. METHOD: This is a descriptive-observational cross sectional study, based on a sample of 801 subjects selected from four major Puerto Rican municipalities (Loiza, Rio Grande, Luquillo and Canovanas). A valid questionnaire with main questions to obtain health/nutrition and sociodemographic information were administered. An obesity prevalence odds ratio (OPOR) was calculated. RESULTS: The obesity prevalence of the whole sample under study was higher (mean prevalence rate 42%) than the reported prevalence rate in the 2005 BRFSS. Canóvanas have the highest obesity prevalence (49%) followed by Loiza (41 %), Rio Grande (39 %) and Luquillo (37 %). Luquillo and Canovanas are the areas with higher possibility for obesity taking into consideration waist circumference as a risk factor for obesity (OPOR= 1.49 and 1.36, respectively; 95% CI). CONCLUSIONS: The sample under study has a higher OPOR as related to the BRFSS. These individuals may have a higher risk for chronic diseases associate to obesity. Future studies needs to address lifestyle prevention modifications and socioeconomic disparities in addition to evaluate intervention(s) that modify environmental factors in order to prevent obesity.