Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Landfill Workers

Introduction: Landfill workers are frequently exposed to a multitude of deleterious factors that can adversely affect their health. These include environmental contaminants such as dioxins, furans, biogas, and heavy metals, as well as occupational hazards like noise, vibration, and extreme temperatures. Aims and Scope: This pilot study, conducted at the Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility of Fili (OEDA Filis), aimed to measure environmental risk parameters and assess their effects on the cardiovascular health of workers. Method: Data collection involved questionnaires to record personal history and job positions, clinical examinations, and blood lipid tests. Cardiovascular risk (Heart Score) was evaluated based on standards set by the Hellenic Heart Association, which incorporated the Heart Score using Greek data. Results: The majority of employees at OEDA Filis were married men from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, with 77% reporting no chronic health issues and self-assessing their health status as good. Most subjects had body mass indices categorized as either normal or overweight. Environmental assessments identified elevated concentrations of PM10 and phenanthrene in the workplace, though levels of benzo(a)pyrene and naphthalene were within safety thresholds. About 21% of the workforce was identified as being at considerable risk for cardiovascular disease. No statistically significant correlation was found between the Heart Score and job positions (p = 0.3), indicating that occupational role alone does not predict cardiovascular risk. However, elevated Heart Scores were more frequently observed among positions with greater exposure to environmental and occupational hazards. Conversely, office workers, who had reduced exposure to exhaust, noise, and air pollutants, exhibited lower Heart Scores. A univariate analysis showed a significant association between occupational stress and Heart Score (p = 0.037); workers under high stress had significantly lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (p = 0.006). Additionally, a significant correlation existed between the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and lower Heart Score risk index values (p = 0.012), highlighting the protective impact of PPE in mitigating cardiovascular risk among exposed workers. Conclusion: This study enhances understanding of the associations between cardiovascular risk and exposure to environmental and occupational hazards at landfill sites. It underscores the critical need to establish a specialized observatory for continuous monitoring of occupational health and safety at these locations. Such an observatory should include regular health assessments for workers and systematic monitoring of environmental pollutants. Furthermore, the study advocates for initiatives aimed at improving the cardiovascular health of landfill workers, underscoring their necessity in this high-risk occupational environment

Hearing Evaluation in Solid Waste Workers

Introduction: Hearing loss at work is currently considered the most common cause of permanent hearing loss in adults and one of the most important health problems with economic and psychosocial consequences. The present study has the aim to investigate the prevalence and the determinants of hearing loss among electro production workers. Material and methods: Eight-three (83) solid waste workers underwent audiometric test in the facilities of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (OEDA). For the assessment of hearing, the findings of the audiometers were evaluated, first with the performance of the diagnosis on the pathological findings and then with the use of diagnostic criteria (NIOSH, OYDOS) and includes occupational history, otoscopy and audiogram. Findings: Statistical analysis has shown that 23% of solid waste workers had sensorineural hearing loss located mainly at 4000 Hz. Multivariate analysis confirmed that the intensity of occupational exposure to noise appears to be the strongest predictor of noise-induced hearing loss (p=0.02326) followed by the years of work (p=0.02728). Particularly, the analysis with the NIOSH criterion (probability of having a positive NIOSH criterion in at least 1 of both ears) increased by 1.33 times/year or 32.84%/year on average. Finally, no univariate statistically significant associations were found with any of the two criteria and smoking, BMI, hypertension or tinnitus Estimating exposure through self-reported data is not sufficient and accurate and in fact workers who are exposed to higher risk measures tend to underestimate the risk. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that solid waste workers are occupationally exposed to high levels of noise, and present high rates of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). It is necessary to estimate the noise exposure with appropriate measurements in the work environment (individual sound exposure of employees and environmental measurements in the workplace) and take appropriate measures.                                        &nbsp

Safeguarding human–wildlife cooperation

Human–wildlife cooperation occurs when humans and free-living wild animals actively coordinate their behavior to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. These interactions provide important benefits to both the human and wildlife communities involved, have wider impacts on the local ecosystem, and represent a unique intersection of human and animal cultures. The remaining active forms are human–honeyguide and human–dolphin cooperation, but these are at risk of joining several inactive forms (including human–wolf and human–orca cooperation). Human–wildlife cooperation faces a unique set of conservation challenges, as it requires multiple components—a motivated human and wildlife partner, a suitable environment, and compatible interspecies knowledge—which face threats from ecological and cultural changes. To safeguard human–wildlife cooperation, we recommend: (i) establishing ethically sound conservation strategies together with the participating human communities; (ii) conserving opportunities for human and wildlife participation; (iii) protecting suitable environments; (iv) facilitating cultural transmission of traditional knowledge; (v) accessibly archiving Indigenous and scientific knowledge; and (vi) conducting long-term empirical studies to better understand these interactions and identify threats. Tailored safeguarding plans are therefore necessary to protect these diverse and irreplaceable interactions. Broadly, our review highlights that efforts to conserve biological and cultural diversity should carefully consider interactions between human and animal cultures. Please see AfricanHoneyguides.com/abstract-translations for Kiswahili and Portuguese translations of the abstract

Making Friends in the Rainforest: Negrito Adaptation to Risk and Uncertainty

The so-called negritos adapt not just to a tropical forest environment but also to an environment characterized by perturbations and fluctuations. As with other hunter-gatherers in the region and, indeed, throughout the world, they use both social and ecological methods to enhance their chances of survival in this changing environment: socially, they have developed networks of trading and marriage partners; ecologically, they maintain patches of key resources that are available for future harvesting. As evidenced in the case of the Batek (Orang Asli), patterns of forest structure and composition are sometimes direct outcomes of intentional resource concentration and enrichment strategies. While little of the above is controversial anthropologically, what has drawn some debate is the nature of the relationship with partner societies. Conventional wisdom posits relations of inequality between foragers and others : foragers and farmers are often construed as hierarchical dyads where foragers supply products or labor to farmers in exchange for agricultural harvests and other trade goods. This kind of adaptation appears to be one of divergent specialization. However, there are cases, such as in the relationship between Batek and Semaq Beri, where both societies follow a roughly similar mode of adaptation, and specialization has not materialized. In sum, while not denying that hierarchy and inequality exist, I suggest that they have to be contextualized within a larger strand of relationships that includes both hierarchy and egality. Further, such relationships are part of the general portfolio of risk reduction strategies, following which access to widely scattered environmental resources, and passage from one location to another, is enhanced not by competing with and displacing neighbors but by maintaining a flexible regime of friendly exchange partners

L’exploitation méconnue d’une ressource connue: la collecte des larves comestibles de charançons dans les palmiers raphias au sud Cameroun

As far as entomophagy is concerned, the first resource that comes to mind concerning the Congo Basin area is the improperly called ‘white worm of palm trees’. This weevil larva (Rhynchophorus phoenicis F., Curculionidae) is commonly known, and if we except local and specific food prohibitions, it is widely appreciated as food throughout Central Africa. This resource is frequently mentioned in the literature dealing with food consumption in this region, with precise information about its nutritional value. Nevertheless, there exists no detailed description of gathering processes. Data are elusive concerning the economic value of this NTFP, which is usually perceived as a ‘delicacy’ rather than as a resource of considerable value