Environmental Research and Planetary Health

Hot Weather Exposure and Human Health in Vietnam: Impacts, Risk Distribution, and Adaptation Strategies

Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy — 2026-06-06

In the context of climate change, extreme heat in Vietnam has been increasing markedly in frequency, intensity, and duration, becoming one of the leading environmental threats to public health. This study aims to synthesize scientific evidence on the impacts of heat on human health, analyze the current situation and risk distribution in Vietnam, and propose appropriate response measures. Heat not only directly affects health but also has far-reaching impacts on labor productivity and socio-economic development. Evidence from Vietnam indicates that heat is associated with an increase in physiological and pathological disorders such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, kidney injury, and mental health disorders. Prolonged heatwaves increase the risk of hospitalization and mortality, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, individuals with chronic diseases, and outdoor workers. The distribution of risk is uneven, with higher concentrations in major urban areas and the southern region due to prolonged high temperatures combined with high humidity and the urban heat island effect; the North Central and Central Coastal regions are also severely affected due to hot, dry winds. Notably, heat exposure has resulted in the loss of 16 billion working hours annually, leading to economic losses of approximately USD 23 billion (as of 2022). In response to this situation, priority should be given to adaptation measures suited to Vietnam’s context, including raising public awareness, protecting vulnerable populations, adjusting working conditions, improving living environments, and promoting effective cooling solutions. These directions are crucial for mitigating the health impacts of heat in the future.

The Impact of Microplastic Footprints in Developing Countries: Threats to Ecosystems, Human Health, and Catalysts for Climate Change

Global Nurika — 2026-09-04

Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are emerging environmental pollutants with increasingly significant global impacts, particularly in developing countries where waste management and pollution control remain challenging. This systematic review examines the occurrence and distribution of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems and evaluates their potential implications for ecological systems, human health, and climate change. Microplastics have been detected in major rivers across Asia and Africa at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to more than 3,000 particles/m³. Their ecological impacts include adverse effects on plankton, shellfish, and fish, as well as potential alterations in sediment dynamics, food webs, and biogeochemical carbon cycling. Human exposure may occur through multiple pathways, including seafood consumption, fish-derived products, sea salt, and drinking water, raising concerns regarding potential long-term health risks. Moreover, microplastics in aquatic environments may influence greenhouse gas dynamics, including the release of methane (CH₄) and ethylene (C₂H₄), while potentially reducing plankton-mediated carbon sequestration. These interconnected effects highlight the need for integrated mitigation strategies addressing plastic pollution, ecosystem degradation, human exposure, and climate-related impacts.

Biodegradation of Trimethoprim by a Bacterial Consortium Enriched from a Sewage Treatment Plant

Tristan Nilsson — 2026-10-13

Antibiotic resistance is a persistent public health concern. The excessive use of prescription antibiotics in medical and animal husbandry practices has resulted in potentially harmful levels of antibiotic residues in the environment. Antibiotics released through excreta and industrial effluents exert selective pressure on environmental bacteria, promoting the proliferation and accumulation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Diverse microbial communities exhibiting antibiotic resistance may also serve as effective antibiotic degraders. Sewage treatment plants are among the environments most conducive to the development of microbial communities capable of degrading antibiotics. This study focused on Louisiana because it ranks among the five U.S. states with the highest antibiotic use. Trimethoprim (TMP) is one of the commonly prescribed antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of TMP-degrading microbial communities in a small community sewage treatment plant. Sludge was collected from the anaerobic digester at the Thibodaux sewage treatment plant, and a microbial consortium was subsequently enriched. The consortium was cultivated with TMP under various growth conditions. TMP degradation was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The results showed that the consortium was capable of degrading TMP under co-metabolic conditions, with 4-desmethyl trimethoprim identified as a major metabolite. The dfrA12 and dfrA5 genes, which are associated with TMP resistance, were detected in DNA isolated from the consortium.