Research / children's health

The article provides detailed information from a study that suggests environmental exposure to airborne manganese (Mn) is neurotoxic, especially when inhaled, and is inversely associated with intellectual function in young school-age children. Entering into the body through the lungs, airborne Mn may access the brain directly through olfactory uptake. This cross-sectional study measured the environmental exposure to airborne Mn resulting from mining and processing in Hidalgo State in central Mexico, and explored its association with the intellectual function of school-age children

Avaliação da exposição a hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos e partículas em suspensão (PM2.5) por queima de biomassa numa zona indígena do Estado de San Luis Potosí, México

The domestic use of firewood represents a socio-ecological condition that causes important health effects, mainly in rural areas of developing countries. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in women and children, as well as the concentration of PM2.5 inside dwellings of indigenous people who reside in Tocoy, San Antonio, San Luis Potosí, Mexico. With the results, the perspective of parents for making decisions with regards to the environmental health of children due to risks of exposure to toxins was analyzed. 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was used as an exposure biomarker to PAHs, and the 24-hour PM2,5 was measured inside indigenous dwellings using Minivol® equipment. 100 % of the studied dwellings used biomass for cooking and 70 % burned garbage in their homes. Levels of 1-OHP of 1.15 (0.28-2.1) and 1.04 (0.28-3.62) μmol/ mol creatinine were found in women and children respectively. In addition, mean PM2.5 concentrations of 93.3 ± 3.6 μg/m3 were detected. Finally, it was shown that 90 % of caregivers say that children spend more time in the kitchen area and the backyard, which are poorly or not adapted to child safety. This indigenous community is an example of the health risks associated with indoor air pollution in Mexico. Therefore, intervention programs aimed at reducing exposure to these toxins in vulnerable populations are required, starting with the education of caregivers.El uso doméstico de leña representa una condición socioecológica con importantes efectos sobre la salud, principalmente en las zonas rurales de los países en desarrollo. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la exposición a hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos (HAP) en mujeres y niños, así como la concentración de PM2,5 en interiores de viviendas indígenas de Tocoy, San Antonio, San Luis Potosí, México. Con los resultados, se analizó la perspectiva de los padres para la toma de decisiones en la atención a la salud ambiental infantil por riesgos de exposición a tóxicos. Utilizamos el 1-hidroxipireno como un biomarcador de exposición a HAP y se evaluaron las PM2,5 de 24 horas en interiores de viviendas indígenas mediante equipos Minivol®. El 100 % de las viviendas estudiadas utilizaban biomasa para la cocción de sus alimentos y el 70 % quemaban basura en sus hogares. Se encontraron niveles de 1-OHP en mujeres y niños de 1,15 (0,28-2,1) y 1,04 (0,28-3,62) μmol/mol creatinina respectivamente. Además, se detectaron concentraciones medias de PM2,5 de 93,3 ± 3,6 μg/m3. Finalmente se mostró que el 90 % de los cuidadores indican que el niño se concentra en el área de la cocina y traspatio, existiendo poca o nula adaptación para la seguridad del niño. Esta comunidad indígena es un ejemplo de los riesgos en salud asociados a contaminación de aire de interiores en México; por consiguiente se requiere de programas de intervención dirigidos a reducir la exposición a estos tóxicos en poblaciones vulnerables, iniciando por la educación de los cuidadores.O uso doméstico de lenha representa uma condição socio-ecológica com importantes efeitos sobre a saúde, principalmente nas zonas rurais dos países em desenvolvimento. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a exposição a hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos (HAPs) em mulheres e crianças, bem como a concentração de PM2.5 em interiores de habitações indígenas de Tocoy, San Antonio, San Luis Potosí, México. Com os resultados, analisou-se a perspetiva dos pais para a tomada de decisões relativamente à saúde ambiental infantil por riscos de exposição a tóxicos. Utilizámos o 1-hidroxipireno como um biomarcador de exposição a HAPs e avaliaram-seas PM2,5 de 24 horas no interior das habitações indígenas com o equipamento Minivol®. Em 100 % das habitações estudadas era utilizada biomassa para a cocção dos alimentos e em 70 % dos lares eram queimados resíduos.Encontraram-se níveis de 1-OHP em mulheres e crianças de 1,15 (0,28-2,1) e 1,04 (0,28-3,62) μmol/mol creatinina respetivamente. Além disso, foram encontradas concentrações médias de PM2.5 de 93,3 ± 3,6 μg/m3. Por fim, apurou-se que 90 % dos cuidadores indicam que as crianças se encontram na área da cozinha e logradouro, existindo pouco ou nenhum cuidado para a proteção das mesmas. Esta comunidade indígena é um exemplo dos riscos em saúde associados a contaminação do ar interior no México; indicando que são necessários programas de intervenção destinados a reduzir a exposição de populações vulneráveisa estes tóxicos, iniciando pela educação dos cuidadores

Evaluación de la exposición a hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos y partículas en suspensión (PM2,5) por quema de biomasa en una zona indígena del Estado de San Luis Potosí, México

El uso doméstico de leña representa una condición socioecológica con importantes efectos sobre la salud, principalmente en las zonas rurales de los países en desarrollo. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la exposición a hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos (HAP) en mujeres y niños, así como la concentración de PM2,5 en interiores de viviendas indígenas de Tocoy, San Antonio, San Luis Potosí, México. Con los resultados, se analizó la perspectiva de los padres para la toma de decisiones en la atención a la salud ambiental infantil por riesgos de exposición a tóxicos. Utilizamos el 1-hidroxipireno como un biomarcador de exposición a HAP y se evaluaron las PM2,5 de 24 horas en interiores de viviendas indígenas mediante equipos Minivol®. El 100 % de las viviendas estudiadas utilizaban biomasa para la cocción de sus alimentos y el 70 % quemaban basura en sus hogares. Se encontraron niveles de 1-OHP en mujeres y niños de 1,15 (0,28-2,1) y 1,04 (0,28-3,62) μmol/mol creatinina respectivamente. Además, se detectaron concentraciones medias de PM2,5 de 93,3 ± 3,6 μg/m3. Finalmente se mostró que el 90 % de los cuidadores indican que el niño se concentra en el área de la cocina y traspatio, existiendo poca o nula adaptación para la seguridad del niño. Esta comunidad indígena es un ejemplo de los riesgos en salud asociados a contaminación de aire de interiores en México; por consiguiente se requiere de programas de intervención dirigidos a reducir la exposición a estos tóxicos en poblaciones vulnerables, iniciando por la educación de los cuidadores

SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance in Ten Cities from Mexico

We aimed to estimate the lead time and infection prevalence from SARS-CoV-2 wastewater (WW) monitoring compared with clinical surveillance data in Mexico to generate evidence about the feasibility of a large-scale WW surveillance system. We selected 10 WW treatment plants (WWTP) and 5 COVID-19 hospitals in major urban conglomerates in Mexico and collected biweekly 24-h flow-adjusted composite samples during October–November 2020. We concentrated WW samples by polyethylene glycol precipitation and employed quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays, targeting the nucleoprotein (N1 and N2) genes. We detected and quantified SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 88% and 58% of the raw WW samples from WWTPs and COVID-19 hospitals, respectively. The WW RNA daily loads lead the active cases by more than one month in large and medium WWTP sites. WW estimated that cases were 2 to 20-fold higher than registered active cases. Developing a continuous monitoring surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2 community transmission through WW is feasible, informative, and recognizes three main challenges: (1) WW system data (catchment area, population served), (2) capacity to maintain the cold-chain and process samples, and (3) supplies and personnel to ensure standardized procedures

Perceived health risks of manganese in the Molango Mining district, Mexico

A series of investigations, using an ecosystem approach to human health, have been conducted in the Molango Mining District in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. Given that risk perception plays a key role in the public response to environmental exposures, it is important to recognize the perceived health risks of manganese (Mn). The aim of this study was to analyse the Mn risk perception by describing the attitudes of adult residents toward their communities, assessing the importance they give to environmental problems, including Mn, and their recognition of the links established between Mn and health-illness-death. A quantitative study based on interviewer-administered questionnaires was conducted. A sample of 402 residents was randomly selected from six communities at different distances from the mines and/or Mn processing plants. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to identify Mn risk perception predictors. The results show that roughly 30% of the residents identified mining activities and the resultant pollution as their most important concern. This proportion is greater in communities that have processing plants within them. More than 70% perceive a high Mn pollution regionally, but this proportion decreases when the residents attribute the pollution to their home area. More than 20% of the adults interviewed associated Mn exposure with their own illness, mainly “lungs” and “sight.” Factors influencing Mn risk perception are community of residence, age group (41–60), and the report of having a chronic illness. The risk management plan for the mining district must take into account these differences to have a greater local impact

Environmental health in Mexico: Current situation and future prospects

Environmental health has been established in Mexico as a discipline since the early nineties resuming the sanitarian tradition developed over the past century and incorporating new knowledge generated by environmental toxicology and epidemiology. During the last decade there has been some  progress in reviewing and updating the regulations, designing programs and policies to reduce exposure to pollutants and consolidating research groups and teaching in the area. However, the most prevalent problems previously diagnosed still remain and new risks have emerged due to environmental degradation (air pollution, toxics exposure and climate change among others) have been incorporated. If this trend persists, the environmental risks will continue to increase and multiply. The environmental health governance in Mexico has to be redesigned involving a transectoral approach. Future proposals  might include: establishment of a National Environmental Health Program, update the situational diagnosis at national and regional level, strengthening teaching and graduate programs in environmental health as well as increase support for research in the area and development of an integrated environmental health surveillance system

Healthy-Sustainable Housing Index: A Pilot Study to Link Architecture and Public Health in a Semi-Urban Community in Mexico

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the link between housing and children´s respiratory symptoms, through the construction of an index (HSHI) based on the definition of healthy-sustainable housing criteria, in a semi-urban community from Morelos, Mexico. A general and household questionnaire, and respiratory symptoms diary were applied in 60 households to gather information about schoolchildren, respiratory health, housing and lifestyle characteristics. HSHI was constructed using principal component analysis. The association between HSHI and the presence and duration of respiratory symptoms was assessed using logistic and Poisson regression models. HSHI had five components, which accounted for 63% of variance, and were classified into poor and sufficient quality. It was observed that schoolchildren who inhabit a sufficient-quality house, showed a reduction in nose irritation duration and in the allergic symptoms probability regarding component 1 (ventilation, lighting and cloth washing) and presented three times less duration of common cold by component 2 (construction material, painted walls inside the house and type of bathroom) compared to poor-quality house inhabitants. Our results suggest that living in a sufficient-quality house, as described by the HSHI, reduced the prevalence of wheezing episodes and the probability of ear pain, providing evidence about the positive association of a healthy-sustainable housing on the respiratory health of schoolchildren

Adoption and use of improved biomass stoves in Rural Mexico. Energy for Sustainable Development,

In households that rely on biomass for a large percentage of their energy needs, adoption of improved biomass stoves can result in significant reduction of indoor air pollutants and emissions of greenhouse gasses with concurrent health co-benefits. To maximize the effectiveness of the stove dissemination process, promoters should choose target populations that are both likely to adopt the new technology and to influence the opinions of other potential adopters within a social group. In the current study a longitudinal analysis of adoption patterns and intensity of use of a Patsari improved biomass cookstove was conducted in 259 randomly selected households of a community intervention study in rural communities of Michoacan, Mexico. Health promoters classified households into one of several stove user groups during a series of monthly follow up interviews after Patsari installation, based on physical traces of use and household selfreporting by questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was used develop a model of household and community characteristics associated with early adoption of the Patsari, leading to the development of bilevel model for targeting improved stove dissemination efforts. Factors including community of residence, number of adults in household, suffering from irritated eyes, using wood scraps for fuel, and cooking with certain types of traditional fogons were associated with early adoption of Patsari cookstoves. Maximum saturation of the Patsari in the study population was reached four months after installation; after this point, stove use decreased until eight months but remained relatively steady with 55% of the sample using the Patsari regularly from month eight onwards. Results highlight the importance of utilizing effective targeting strategies to maximize NGO resources and increase the robustness of the diffusion process, resulting in more stoves in actual use. Additionally, results point to the importance of evaluating the success of an improved stove program in terms of stove use over time, rather than the total number of stoves disseminated

Condiciones locales de vulnerabilidad asociadas con dengue en dos comunidades de Morelos Local conditions of vulnerability associated with dengue in two communities of Morelos

OBJETIVO: Evaluar las condiciones de vulnerabilidad asociadas con la ocurrencia de dengue en dos localidades de Morelos en los años 2006 a 2009. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: se aplicó una encuesta sobre conocimientos, percepción de riesgo, prácticas de prevención y uso del agua en dos localidades de Morelos. Mediante un análisis de componentes principales, se construyó un índice de vulnerabilidad local al dengue (IVL). La asociación del IVL con la enfermedad en la vivienda se evaluó mediante una prueba de ji cuadrada. RESULTADOS: El IVL incluyó cinco componentes explicando el 63% de la varianza y fue clasificado en tres categorías: baja, media y alta. Se observó una asociación significativa entre el aumento de la vulnerabilidad y la prevalencia del reporte de casos de dengue en las localidades. CONCLUSIÓN: El estudio de la vulnerabilidad al dengue permite identificar necesidades locales específicas en materia de promoción de la salud.<br>OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the vulnerability associated with the occurrence of dengue in two villages of Morelos, Mexico from 2006 to 2009. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A survey on knowledge, risk perception, prevention practices and water use was applied in two villages of Morelos. Using a principal component analysis, an index of local vulnerability to dengue (IVL) was constructed. The association of IVL with the disease at home was assessed using a Chi-square test. RESULTS: The IVL included five components explaining 63% of the variance and was classified in three categories: low, medium and high. There was a significant association between increased vulnerability and prevalence of reported cases of dengue in Temixco and Tlaquiltenango. CONCLUSION: The study of vulnerability to dengue allows us to identify local needs in the field of health promotion