A roadmap for the implementation of a renewable energy community.

Environmental problems due to climate change, that have been affecting our planet for years, are the main issues which prompted European Union to establish the ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This occurrence encouraged all Member States to undergo significant changes of their energy sectors, favouring the extensive use of renewable energy sources. In this scenario, the European Union introduced Renewable Energy Communities, innovative energy systems based on a new model of renewable energy production, consumption and sharing, guaranteeing environmental, economic, energy and social benefits. The objective of this paper is twofold: firstly, to examine the regulatory framework of Member States and, secondly, to present a standardized procedure for the implementation of a Renewable Energy Community, an aspect not yet covered in scientific literature. The roadmap includes four main phases: a feasibility study involving an energy analysis of end users' consumption and a general assessment; the aggregation of members as producers, consumers or prosumers forming a legal entity, considering different funding opportunities; the operating phase, involving plant construction and project validation by national authorities; the technical and economic management phase. The dynamic structure of the roadmap allows for adjustments to accommodate different regulatory contexts, member typologies and project aim.

Sexually transmitted infections and the HPV-related burden: evolution of Italian epidemiology and policy.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health problem worldwide, with a high prevalence between the ages of 15 and 25 in most Western countries. High notification rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are reported in the WHO European Region, with differences between countries. In Italy, the total number of STIs alerts increased by 18% from 2020 to 2021. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection; globally one in seven women is infected by this virus, and certain sexual behaviors are important risk factors for HPV-related cancers, particularly cervical cancer (CC), anogenital cancers and cancers of the head and neck. The burden of CC is relevant worldwide, in particular in Europe CC is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women aged 15-44. This HPV-related tumor is preventable through a combined strategy of vaccination and screening for precursor lesions. In Italy, the coverage of organized screening varies from region to region and the average HPV vaccination rate is still far from the expected optimal threshold of 95% at the age of 12. To address the challenges of health promotion and HPV prevention, priority actions are needed such as: promoting education and information at every level, from schools to healthcare professionals. In Italy, education of adolescents on sexual and reproductive health, still remains critical, regionally inhomogeneous and much lower than in other European countries. Equitable measures need to be taken, and schools are an important place for health promotion activities.

Nationwide Effectiveness and Efficiency of the National Diabetes Prevention Policy Versus the Penny-per-Ounce Excise Tax Policy on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages.

Diabetes has reached epidemic levels in the United States (US). This review compared two nationwide diabetes prevention policies: the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and the Penny-per-Ounce Excise (POE) tax policy on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) based on their efficiency and efficacy in reducing the number of new cases of diabetes in the US. The study made a recommendation for the implementation of one or both policies based on the comparison. The national DPP focuses on screening for prediabetes in overweight/obese individuals and having positive subjects participate in a potentially insured one-year weight loss program with CDC-approved coaches. The POE tax on SSBs on the other hand is based on taxing SSBs with the objective that it will reduce new cases of diabetes due to a lower consumption of these beverages, or a switch to healthier alternatives. Studies that predicted the impact of either policy at the national level were used to compare both policies. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated by dividing the difference in net costs saved by the difference in net effectiveness (diabetes cases prevented per year); thereby comparing both policies in terms of costs saved for each diabetes case prevented per year. Using only nationwide US predictions, it has been estimated that the POE tax on SSB will produce the most cost savings with a greater impact on reducing new cases of diabetes if implemented; therefore, this tax should be recommended, in addition to the already implemented DPP.

Pregnancy and infertility in orthopedics: A review of the current state.

BACKGROUND: Orthopedic surgery continues to have one of the lowest rates of female trainees among all medical specialties in the United States. Barriers to pursuing a surgical residency include the challenges of family planning and work-life balance during training. METHODS: A systematic literature search of articles published between June 2012 and December 2022 in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was performed in January 2023 according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis). Studies were included if they evaluated pregnancy and peripartum experience and/or outcomes amongst orthopedic surgeons or trainees. RESULTS: Eighteen studies were included. Up to 67.3% of female orthopedic surgeons and trainees and 38.7% of their male counterparts delayed childbearing during residency. The most reported reasons for this delay included career choice as an orthopedic surgeon, residency training, and reputational concerns among faculty or co-residents. Infertility ranged from 17.0% to 30.4% in female orthopedic surgeons and up to 31.2% suffered obstetric complications. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) resulted in 12.4%-56.3% of successful pregnancies. Maternity and paternity leaves ranged from 1 to 11 weeks for trainees with more negative attitudes associated with maternal leave. CONCLUSIONS: Female orthopedic trainees and attending delay childbearing, experience higher rates of obstetric complications, and more stigma associated with pregnancy compared to their male colleagues. Program and institutional policies regarding maternity and paternity leave are variable across programs, and therefore, attention should be directed toward standardizing policies.

Moving the Needle: A Qualitative Exploration of the School Nurses' Experience with Virginia's Human Papillomavirus Mandate.

In all US localities, students provide proof of compliance with vaccination requirements to attend school. Despite benefits, vaccine legislation remains contentious. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for adolescents and prevents cancer, but its inclusion in school immunization requirements is challenged. Virginia was the first state to mandate HPV vaccination. HPV is the only required vaccine in VA that allows caregivers to elect out. School nurses are trusted members of communities and enforce vaccine compliance. This study aims to understand Virginia school nurses' practice in implementing the HPV vaccine mandate through the exploration of their subjective experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis using the socioecological model guided data analysis. Factors that influence nursing practice were identified at all socioecological model levels The data from this study is intended to provide an understanding of school nursing practice so that interventions to improve HPV vaccination rates can be developed.

The impact of unmet treatment need on oral health related quality of life: a questionnaire survey.

BACKGROUND: Based on the present global burden of oral diseases, unmet dental needs affect a more significant population worldwide. It is characterised by the need for dental care but receiving delayed or no care. The contributing factors include lack of knowledge about oral health, its consequences, and the availability of dental services. We need to find out the scale of the problem of unmet dental needs for the south Indian population. Therefore, the objective was to determine the relationship between the presence of oral disease and the quality of life-related to oral health using the OHIP-14 tool. METHODS: The unmet dental requirements of the south Indian population were determined using a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Close-ended questions were used to obtain data from two investigators trained to record the answers from the patients. The data was collected using the OHIP-14 questionnaire, which consists of 14 items divided into seven domains with two questions each. Physical pain, psychological impairment, physical disability, psychological disability, social disability, and disability were all considered. An additional analysis of artificial neural network (ANN) was done. RESULTS: The response rate was 100 per cent. N = 1029 people replied to the questionnaire about their unmet dental needs. N = 497 (48.3%) were men, whereas N = 532 (51.7%) were women. The average age was 31.7811.72. As their current occupation, most of the included subjects (60.1%) were students. The respondents had no known personal habits and a mixed diet (94.93%). The average BMI was 24.022.59 (14-30.9). OHIP was present in 62.3% of the population. The average OHIP-14 severity score was 10.97. (8.54). The severity and degree of unmet dental need were substantial (p0.01) due to pain in the mouth/teeth/gums, malocclusion, and gum bleeding. The most common OHIP-14 domains affected by unmet oral needs were psychological discomfort, psychological limitation, social limitation, and feeling handicapped. The analysis of ANN revealed that high OHIP scores were primarily attributed to dental caries, poor oral health, and dental aesthetics. CONCLUSION: The severity and degree of unmet dental needs were significant among the south Indian population. The most common oral health status that impacted OHIP-14 domains were pain, malocclusion, and bleeding gums. These patients were significantly impacted by psychological discomfort and social limitations and felt handicapped.

The Rights of Physicians and Future Physicians Who Are Lactating, Breastfeeding, or Chestfeeding: An American Medical Women's Association Position Article.

Breastfeeding is a fundamental and biologically normal function with well-established benefits for both lactating parents and infants. Despite these benefits, physicians, particularly those in training, often face significant obstacles when attempting to meet their breastfeeding and pumping goals. In response to these challenges, the American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) and a diverse group of health care professionals have come together to advocate for comprehensive lactation support policies in medical learning environments and workplaces. This position article highlights the ethical necessity of comprehensive lactation support in medical educational and workplace settings, emphasizing the importance of not only providing physical accommodations but also fostering a cultural shift, educational initiatives, and policy reforms to empower lactating parents. It offers an examination of the difficulties encountered by lactating parents within medical environments and proposes guidelines for the formulation and enhancement of supportive policies. The position article envisions a future where medical professionals can thrive in both their careers and parenthood through collaborative efforts and a commitment to the key elements of Effective Lactation Support Programs in medical workplaces based on the following: (1) well-equipped lactation facilities, (2) customized work schedules, (3) mentorship and support networks, (4) lactation support in clinical settings, and (5) research and advocacy.

Support for a hypothetical sugar-sweetened beverage tax in Taiwan.

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are drinks that contain added sugar or sweeteners and provide calories with no additional nutrients, and some countries have imposed additional taxes on the SSBs to reduce consumption, which is considered an SSB tax policy. This study used a cross-sectional online survey to examine the patterns of public support for an SSB tax in Taiwan. The sample included 1617 adults aged ≥ 20 years, who answered the survey questionnaire between May 2020 and April 2021. The respondents were recruited using convenience sampling, but sampling weights were applied to represent the Taiwanese population. Generalized ordered logit models with sampling weights were used to examine the correlates of public support for an SSB tax. Results showed that ~60% of the respondents supported the SSB tax and 47% perceived the tax to be effective. The respondents who were aware of the perceived health risks of SSBs or those who believed that one should be partly responsible for the health impact of SSBs were more likely to show support for the SSB tax. In adjusted regression models, both one's perceived risk and perceived responsibility of SSBs were positively associated with the perceived effectiveness of the SSB tax after sociodemographic characteristics were controlled. These research findings show evidence that there is public support for implementing an SSB tax to reduce SSB consumption in Taiwan.

"Because We Are Afraid": voices of the undocumented in a new immigrant destination in the United States.

The purpose of this study is to explore immigrants' perceptions of their daily lives in a state with anti-immigrant policies in the United States. Using snowball sampling, researchers recruited a sample of 30 Latino immigrants in southwest Montana. The research team conducted semi-structured interviews in Spanish and analyzed the data using thematic analysis. We identified four themes: difficulty accessing healthcare, frustration over the inability to obtain driver's licenses, challenges related to employment, and desire to make a life in Montana. Fear permeated all topics. Lack of documentation presents complex economic, health, and social challenges that prevent immigrants from fully integrating into their communities. These are exacerbated in states that employ anti-immigrant policies. As Western states continue to experience growth in immigrant populations, it is critical to develop policies to support integration and equitable access to health and social services.

Barriers and Opportunities for WHO "Best Buys" Non-communicable Disease Policy Adoption and Implementation From a Political Economy Perspective: A Complexity Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Improving the adoption and implementation of policies to curb non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a major challenge for better global health. The adoption and implementation of such policies remain deficient in various contexts, with limited insights into the facilitating and inhibiting factors. These policies have traditionally been treated as technical solutions, neglecting the critical influence of political economy dynamics. Moreover, the complex nature of these interventions is often not adequately incorporated into evidence for policy-makers. This study aims to systematically review and evaluate the factors affecting NCD policy adoption and implementation. METHODS: We conducted a complex systematic review of articles discussing the adoption and implementation of World Health Organization's (WHO's) "best buys" NCD policies. We identified political economy factors and constructed a causal loop diagram (CLD) program theory to elucidate the interplay between factors influencing NCD policy adoption and implementation. A total of 157 papers met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Our CLD highlights a central feedback loop encompassing three vital variables: (1) the ability to define, (re)shape, and pass appropriate policy into law; (2) the ability to implement the policy (linked to the enforceability of the policy and to addressing NCD local burden); and (3) ability to monitor progress, evaluate and correct the course. Insufficient context-specific data impedes the formulation and enactment of suitable policies, particularly in areas facing multiple disease burdens. Multisectoral collaboration plays a pivotal role in both policy adoption and implementation. Effective monitoring and accountability systems significantly impact policy implementation. The commercial determinants of health (CDoH) serve as a major barrier to defining, adopting, and implementing tobacco, alcohol, and diet-related policies. CONCLUSION: To advance global efforts, we recommend focusing on the development of robust accountability, monitoring, and evaluation systems, ensuring transparency in private sector engagement, supporting context-specific data collection, and effectively managing the CDoH. A system thinking approach can enhance the implementation of complex public health interventions.

National public health institutes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Insights from experts in the field.

National public health institutes (NPHIs) are crucial to the effectiveness of public health systems, including delivering essential public health functions and generating evidence for national health policies, strategies and plans. Currently, there is a significant lack of information regarding NPHI or NPHI-like organisations in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries, including how they fit into their broader health systems governance landscape. NPHIs exist in 12 out of 22 EMR countries, yet there is no official International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI) regional network for the EMR, despite established IANPHI networks in four other regions. In 2022, the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office led a study comprising an online survey and key informant interviews, which synthesised expert insights and summarised recommendations to strengthen the health systems governance-related role of NPHIs in EMR countries. Study participants included current and former high-level representatives of NPHIs, the government (eg, Ministries of Health, health regulatory authorities), multilateral organisations or non-governmental organisations focusing on health, and others identified as senior health systems governance experts from EMR. Insights and recommendations from experts varied widely, but there were also many common elements and overlaps. These included the need for enhancing NPHI functionalities and collaborative efforts with the public health sector (eg, Ministry of Health, Health Council) in health policy and decision-making formulation and implementation. This, in turn, requires advancing NPHI's fit-for-purpose and sustainable governance and financing arrangements, improving the accessibility and transparency of health data for NPHIs, strengthening engagement and collaboration between NPHIs and other health system actors (including the private sector), and promoting a more prominent role for NPHIs in the development and implementation of public health-related policies and legislation. While many excellent insights and thoughtful strategic guidance are provided, further adaptation may be needed to implement the proposed recommendations in different EMR country contexts going forward.

Tobacco Control in Denmark - How the Ugly Duckling Turned into a Swan.

INTRODUCTION: The implementation of tobacco control policies has been a neglected topic in tobacco research. A comprehensive Tobacco Action Plan including plain packaging, point-of-sale display ban, a ban on characterizing flavours (in products other than cigarettes), a strengthening of the promotion and marketing ban, a ban on the sale of novel nicotine products to minors, smoke-and nicotine-free-school hours in all schools with minors, and a significant increase in tobacco tax, was adopted in Denmark in 2019. METHODS: Eleven people involved or very close to the advocacy process were invited, two did not respond and nine attended our research centre. We used the Nominal Group Technique, a consensus method, to identify the most important driving factors for passing the Tobacco Action Plan. RESULTS: The round-robin identified 39 driving factors merged into 13 in the clarification phase. In the ranking phase, participants agreed on seven factors that they perceived have strongly influenced the political will to strengthen national tobacco control comprehensively. The most important factors were national data and evidence, a nationwide alliance with broad partnerships, a strict focus on young people, continuous media coverage, intensive lobbying by many different advocates, making it a community agenda - not a political one, and effective professional campaigns. CONCLUSION: Our findings agree with experiences from other countries that significantly improved tobacco control. The Danish strategy, including a nationwide alliance with broad partnerships, had a high influence on the political agenda. IMPLICATIONS: In this study, there was a consensus that seven factors strongly influenced the political will to comprehensively strengthen the national tobacco control in Denmark in a short time: national data and evidence; a nationwide alliance with broad partnerships; a strict focus on children and young people; continuous media coverage; intensive lobbying by many different advocates; making it a community agenda - not a political one, and effective professional campaigns. This is consistent with findings from other countries.

Local government spending and mental health: Untangling the impacts using a dynamic modelling approach.

This study investigated the impact of local government spending on mental health in England between 2013 and 2019. Guided by the "Health in All Policies" vision, which encourages the integration of health in all decision-making areas, we explored how healthcare and multiple nonmedical budgeting decisions related to population mental health. We used random curve general cross-lagged modelling to dynamically partition effects into the short-run (from t to t + 1) and long-run (from t to t + 2) impacts, account for unobserved area-level heterogeneity and reverse causality from health outcomes to financial investments, and comprehensive modelling of budget items as an interconnected system. Our findings revealed that spending in adult social care, healthcare, and law & order predicted long-term mental health gains (0.004-0.081 SDs increase for each additional 10% in expenditure). However, these sectors exhibited negative short-term impulses (0.012-0.077 SDs decrease for each additional 10% in expenditure), markedly offsetting the long-term gains. In turn, infrastructural and environmental spending related to short-run mental health gains (0.005-0.031 SDs increase for each additional 10% in expenditure), while the long-run effects were predominantly negative (0.005-0.028 SDs decrease for each additional 10% in expenditure). The frequent occurrence of short-run and long-run negative links suggested that government resources may not be effectively reaching the areas that are most in need. In the short-term, negative effects could also imply temporary disruptions to service delivery largely uncompensated by later mental health improvements. Nonetheless, some non-health spending policies, such as law & order and infrastructure, can be related to long-lasting positive mental health impacts.

CLINICIANS' PERCEPTIONS OF MANUAL HANDLING POLICIES IN STROKE REHABILITATION: A QUALITATIVE FOCUS GROUP STUDY.

Objectives: The professional literature guides manual handling in numerous health care settings. The effects of these guidelines on stroke rehabilitation and the clinical communication of health care professionals are unknown. This paper aims to investigate the perspectives of nurses and physiotherapists on handling guidelines in their professions to identify conflicts in opinions to provide optimum care to people with stroke. Design: A qualitative focus group study. Methods: Three focus groups were conducted. The participants were physiotherapists or nurses with 1 year of stroke care experience. The data were thematically analysed. Results: Nineteen participants (12 physiotherapists and 7 nurses) were interviewed. The data analysis revealed 3 themes. First, "The application of handling in stroke rehabilitation" includes clinical reasoning and real-world handling practices. The second theme, "Physical Effects on Therapists," examines the long-term effects of manual handling on therapists, including work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The final theme, "Conflicts among health care professionals," investigates stroke rehabilitation equipment conflicts between nurses and physiotherapists. Conclusion: The study concludes that stroke transfer guidelines in the specialised literature may impact health care professionals' perspectives. Conflicts among health care professionals can impair teamwork. Thus, health care professionals should work together as stroke rehabilitation teams to develop unified transfer guidelines that aid rehabilitation and avoid work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

A comparative analysis of movement and physical activity in early childhood teacher education policy in five Nordic countries.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to investigate the integration of movement and physical activity (MoPA) within Early Childhood Teacher Education (ECTE) policies across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. This knowledge can inform the development of ECTE policies and practices that promote MoPA in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in Nordic countries and other countries worldwide. Methods: In this study, a Nordic cross-national network of researchers collaborated in investigating policy documents at the national and university levels, which govern the education of ECEC teachers. This study was inspired by the Non-affirmative Theory of Education, which provides a framework for understanding the various influences on curricular development in higher education. Based on this, a four-step comparative analytical process of national and university documents across the Nordic countries was conducted. It included keyword search for MoPA related courses and a qualitative description of MoPA in ECTE. Thus, a combination of investigations of policy documents at the national and university level and expert knowledge set a solid foundation for international comparison. Results: The comparative analysis of MoPA in ECTE reveals diverse approaches influenced by national and university policies. A central theme is the variability in MoPA integration across these nations. Finland and Norway prioritize MoPA with independent mandatory courses. In Iceland, compulsory MoPA courses exist at one of two universities, and in Sweden at three out of 19. All university colleges in Denmark offer an elective course. Furthermore, learning objectives related to MoPA are, to varying degrees, part of the internships in the countries, with Sweden being an exception. In the participating countries, the teachers decide the content of the MoPA courses with little guidance, support, and agreement on essential MoPA content within and across the ECTE's. Norway has established guidelines, and in Finland, there is a network of ECTE Physical Education (PE) educators, which, to some degree, increases the consistency and quality of MoPA in education. Discussion: The Nordic countries present diverse MoPA integration approaches rooted in national policies and educational traditions. The findings emphasize the necessity of independent and mandatory MoPA courses, integration of MoPA into internships and promoting networks across the educational and academic sectors to equip future early childhood educators with competencies for fostering physical activity, motor development and children's well-being.

The Role of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Enhancing Patients' Well-Being: Systematic Study of the Qualitative and Quantitative Evidence.

Background: Animal-assisted therapy, also known as pet therapy, is a therapeutic intervention that involves animals to enhance the well-being of individuals across various populations and settings. Objective: This systematic study aims to assess the outcomes of animal-assisted therapy interventions and explore the associated policies. Methods: A total of 16 papers published between 2015 and 2023 were selected for analysis. These papers were chosen based on their relevance to the research topic of animal-assisted therapy and their availability in scholarly databases. Thematic synthesis and meta-analysis were used to synthesize the qualitative and quantitative data extracted from the selected papers. Results: The analysis included 16 studies that met the inclusion criteria and were deemed to be of moderate or higher quality. Among these studies, 4 demonstrated positive results for therapeutic mediation and one for supportive mediation in psychiatric disorders. Additionally, all studies showed positive outcomes for depression and neurological disorders. Regarding stress and anxiety, 3 studies indicated supportive mediation, while 2 studies showed activating mediation. Conclusions: The overall assessment of animal-assisted therapy shows promise as an effective intervention in promoting well-being among diverse populations. Further research and the establishment of standardized outcome assessment measures and comprehensive policies are essential for advancing the field and maximizing the benefits of animal-assisted therapy.

Do tougher drinking policies affect men's smoking behavior - Evidence from China.

In 2011, China implemented tougher driving-under-the-influence laws, which criminalized driving under the influence of alcohol for the first time and increased penalties. This paper provides the first comprehensive analysis of the effects of stricter drinking policies on men's smoking behavior by using data from the 2010 and 2012 waves of the China Family Panel Studies. The results show that stricter drinking policies reduced smoking initiation and the number of cigarettes smoked per day among men by reducing the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption. Heterogeneity analyses show that the impact of the policy is more pronounced not only for men aged 41-55, but also for men who have higher educational qualifications, who are employed, or who are not members of the Communist Party.

A comprehensive analysis of children's blood lead levels in Latin America and the Caribbean over the last eight years: Progress and recommendations.

In 2017 we published a review on blood lead levels (BLL) in children from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) for data available up to 14th of March 2014 and recommended the identification and control of "lead hot spots". In the present study, an evaluation of progress toward reducing BLL in the region was carried out. A systematic review of the latest literature on lead exposure in the LAC region held on the PubMed, Web of Science and LILACS databases (January 2014 to March 2022) was conducted using the PRISMA methodology. Only original papers published in peer-reviewed English, Spanish, or Portuguese journals were eligible. A total of 558 papers were retrieved, 77 of which met the selection criteria and 31 (40.25 %) were carried out in Mexico. The prevalence of children with BLL above 10 µg. dL-1 was 22.08 % in the previous review versus 6.78 % in the current study. In the present review, the prevalence of children with BLL above 5 µg. dL-1 was 29.62 %, and only one study reported a BLL prevalence rate between 3.3 and 5 µg. dL-1. The highest BLLs were associated with well-known sources or occupational exposures. The number of countries (n = 13) that published data on BLL in children was lower compared to the previous review (n = 16). Most studies were conducted in areas with known lead exposure sources, similar to the earlier review. The percentage of children at risk of lead poisoning in the region remains unknown because few studies have published data on environmental exposure levels and most samples were relatively small. The recommendation to identify and control sources of lead exposure was maintained, while further suggestions for establishing a systematic public health surveillance system for lead were proposed to help reduce the knowledge gap and inform public health policy-making in LAC.

Geochemistry and the optics of geospatial analysis as a preposition of water quality on a macroscale.

The water treatment depends exclusively on the identification of residues containing toxic chemical elements accumulated in NPs (nanoparticles), and ultrafine particles sourced from waste piles located at old, abandoned sulfuric acid factories containing phosphogypsum requires global attention. The general objective of this study is to quantify and analyze the hazardous chemical elements present in the leachate of waste from deactivated sulfuric acid factories, coupled in NPs and ultrafine particles, in the port region of the city of Imbituba, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Samples were collected in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Corresponding images from the Sentinel-3B OLCI satellite, taken in the same general vicinity, detected the levels of absorption coefficient of Detritus and Gelbstoff (ADG443_NN) in 443 m-1, chlorophyll-a (CHL_NN (m-3)), and total suspended matter (TSM_NN (g m-3) at 72 points on the marine coast of the port region. The results of inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) demonstrate that the leaching occurring in waste piles at the port area of Imbituba was the likely source of hazardous chemical elements (e.g., Mg, Sr, Nd, and Pr) in the environment. These leachates were formed due to the presence of coal pyrite and Fe-acid sulfates in said waste piles. The mobility of hazardous chemical elements potentiates changes in the marine ecosystem, in relation to ADG443_NN (m-1), CHL_NN (m-3), and TSM NN (g m-3), with values greater than 20 g m-3 found in 2021 and 2022. This indicated changes in the natural conditions of the marine ecosystem up to 30 km from the coast in the Atlantic Ocean, justifying public initiatives for water treatment on a global scale.