by Tajudeen Yahaya, Ahmed Aishah, Emmanuel John, Abdul-Kabir Adetunji, Abubakar Saadu, Benjamin Usman, Muhammed Shuaib

Sustain. Environ. Insight 2024, 1(1), pp 1-10; https://doi.org/10.53623/sein.v1i1.308

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Abstract The pollution of the environment by cement manufacturing companies is becoming a global concern, particularly in developing nations. This study assessed the levels of heavy metals and their associated health risks in sugarcanes (Saccharum officinarum), tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), and almonds (Prunus dulcis) cultivated in the vicinity of a cement factory in Sokoto, Nigeria. Samples of these plants were collected, treated, and then assayed for lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The values obtained were compared against the permissible limits established by the World Health Organization (WHO), and these results were used to estimate the potential health risks associated with consuming these plants. The findings revealed that both the Solanum lycopersicum and Saccharum officinarum contained non-tolerable levels of Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn, while Prunus dulcis had non-tolerable levels of Zn only. Additionally, the concentrations of individual heavy metals in each of the three plant species showed a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) from the respective WHO standards. The estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) for all the heavy metals were within the recommended limits, except for the EDI of Pb in Saccharum officinarum and the THQ of Pb in Solanum lycopersicum. The health risk index (HRI) for all the heavy metals in the three plants exceeded the tolerable limit (> 1). These findings indicate that daily consumption of these plants may pose health hazards. Therefore, the practice of cultivating plants in the vicinity of cement factories should be discouraged.[...] Read more. Full text

by Chun Hern Tan, Ang Kean Hua

Sustain. Environ. Insight 2024, 1(1), pp 11-21; https://doi.org/10.53623/sein.v1i1.379

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Abstract Organohalogens have been discovered since the 1930s and have been used for many applications ever since. The rapid development of industrial activities and reliance on organochlorine/organobromine compounds have further increased their production, ultimately leading to their leakage into our natural environment, where they circulate indefinitely. Exposure to these persistent organic pollutants (POPs) not only results in detrimental effects on human health, such as various cancers, nervous system damage, and liver damage, in addition to fetal and infant growth defects, but also affects fauna, such as bird populations, by depriving them of the ability to reproduce successfully, and farm livestock. The direct consumption of the latter or its derivatives will also lead to the bioaccumulation of POPs in the human body. The POP treatment methods discussed in this review include granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption, magnetic nanospheres coated with polystyrene, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), UV, as well as O₃ ozonation. The mechanisms, along with the advantages and drawbacks of these methods, were thoroughly discussed. Finally, challenges faced in reducing organochlorine/organobromine pollution were discussed, such as the lack of updates on water quality standards and the list of dangerous pollutants, and the failure to control illegal disposal issues.[...] Read more. Full text

by Brendan Lik Sen Kho, Ang Kean Hua, Mohd Fadzil Ali Ahmad

Sustain. Environ. Insight 2024, 1(1), pp 45-57; https://doi.org/10.53623/sein.v1i1.409

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Abstract The growing population has led to the increase in contamination to the soil, affecting the soil environment which indirectly affects importance of human health. Soil remediation is important to remove and reduce the level of contamination in the soil medium. If the contaminants present in the soil is not remediated, the possibilities of it to spread will increase due to the presence of water flow inside the soil medium, further contaminating soils that are previously clean. Hence, several nanotechnologies and nanomaterials were discovered by researchers, allowing the remediation of soil that are contaminated by different pollutants to be effectively carried out. The nanotechnologies and nanomaterials discussed in this paper involves physical, chemical and biological type of remediation. It is being known that nanoscale remediation can have higher effectiveness compared to microscale remediation. Most of the discussed nanotechnologies requires longer period of time but the effectiveness in the removal or reduction of contaminants are very high. Remediation of contaminated soils allow more land to be available for human development and exploitation. Humans are urged to reduce the chances of contamination activities or accident as contamination to the soil can adversely affect the local environment and the human health.  [...] Read more. Full text

by Apollonia Huei Jhe Lim, Muhammad Noor Hazwan Jusoh

Sustain. Environ. Insight 2024, 1(1), pp 22-31; https://doi.org/10.53623/sein.v1i1.389

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Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were one of the most concerning organic and toxic pollutants in the world. Since the 20th century, there had been no improvement in resolving or reducing the discharged or released amount of PAHs into the soil or environment. Detecting PAHs (PAHs) involved collecting environmental or biological samples, extracting PAHs using specialized techniques, and analyzing them with advanced methods like gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This process was crucial for assessing contamination levels, understanding health risks, and guiding environmental safety measures. There was no full replacement with existing technology and materials that would not release the PAHs. Now, the PAHs pollutant has caused many cases related to the impact of PAHs on the environment and human health, prompting immediate action for resolution. The remediation to remove the PAHs from the contaminated soil was conducted using the composting method. The few kinds of composting methods were vermicomposting, which used earthworms to decompose PAHs in the contaminated soil, in-vessel composting that ran the aerobic process under a close air space tank, and aerated pile that implemented the aerobic process in an open air space. The bulking agent of in-vessel composting and aerated composting was the same. Actually, these three composting methods were under bioremediation to remove PAHs from contaminated soil. There were a few challenges that would be faced by the government, the people, and the research in the future. Some recommendations have been provided to face these future challenges.[...] Read more. Full text

by Wei Jie Ngu, Ang Kean Hua, Zulayti Zakaria, Muhammad Noor Hazwan Jusoh

Sustain. Environ. Insight 2024, 1(1), pp 32-44; https://doi.org/10.53623/sein.v1i1.394

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Abstract Organochlorine is a type of persistent organic pollutants which can last long in environment due to the resistance towards the microbial degradation. Previously, the organochlorine pesticides are widely used to reduce the pests in the farm so, the crop yield could be increased, and the losses can be decreased. The organochlorine pesticides previously are used without having a proper study on the effect of organochlorine to the environment. Although the use of organochlorine pesticides has been banned, the residues of organochlorine from previous usage, still exist in the environment, causing negative impacts to the environment and human health. The distribution of the organochlorine pollution in Malaysia is required to be studied more to ensure that the organochlorine concentration will not be increasing according to time. Due to the ban of organochlorine pesticides, other pests control methods such as organophosphate pesticides, and integrated pest management are being used by the farmers. However, there are challenges raised such as financial problem of the farmers to afford the new chemicals or methods and the negative effect from the use of new chemicals, and these challenges should be solved to improve the pest control in Malaysia. Impacts of organochlorines on human health and environment are discussed in this review to show the hazard of organochlorines.[...] Read more. Full text