Consequence Modeling and Analysis of Benzene leakage and explosion from a poorly sited gas station in the City of Douala, Cameroon

Introduction: Benzene has long been recognized as highly carcinogenic and the most cytotoxic of all air pollutants released by gas stations. Although several studies have been conducted on accidents in the process industry, very little work has been directed toward the modeling of risks caused by the leakage and explosion of toxic substances in gas stations. This knowledge could aid in predicting the vapor concentration inside gas station office buildings and neighboring infrastructures and in developing corresponding safety measures. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to model the consequences of Benzene dispersion following leakage and explosion from gas stations, taking the city of Douala, Cameroon as an example. Methods: Based on the measured vent emission and meteorological data, the Areal Location of Hazardous Atmosphere (ALOHA v.5.4.7) model was used to predict the hazard radius of leakage and dispersion of benzene from a tank in different seasons. The maps of the toxic and flammable vapor cloud of benzene, evaporation rate from a puddle, and the concentration of toxic and flammable vapor cloud inside and outside of the station were prepared with the aid of MARPLOT and Google Earth software. Results: The results showed that the maximum average sustained release rate of benzene from a tank was 26 kilograms per minute, with an estimated total amount released of 1,340 kilograms per 60 minutes in the dry season. The puddle spread to a diameter of 19.8 meters. The predicted threat zone distance from the station in the dry season, as compared to the rainy season, had an increase in radius of 12, 20, and 83m for the red, orange, and yellow zones, respectively. The worst hazard level extends primarily in the downwind direction and is predicted to be 31 meters in the rainy season in all directions, covering parts of the adjacent settlements and social infrastructure. Conclusion: The potential scenarios of benzene dispersion from a poorly sited gas station in the city of Douala have been modeled and the threat zones estimated. Nearby residences and social infrastructures are significantly exposed, with the predicted threat zones being more hazardous for the employees of the gas station. Further research looking at the impact of combined consequences of gasoline emissions may help determine whether the combined effects of benzene with other chemicals are cumulative or synergistic

Human resources demotivation in the public sector as the basis of the development crisis in Cameroon

This article examines the impact of psychological violence on socioeconomic development. A survey based on a sample of 100 people and a case study are used to confirm the existence and significance of such an impact led to the confirmation of the basic hypothesis and to possible solutions calling for the overhaul public policies for the management of human resources in the public administration. Public agents as producers of the public service are resigned victim of a certain psychological violence from the administrative hierarchy. Public agents as producers of the public service are a resigned victim of a certain psychological violence from the administrative hierarchy. Result is a demotivation of human resources in the public sector, all of which generates a crisis of sustainable development highlighting the shortcomings of a failing public service. The result is a demotivation of human resources in the public sector, all of which generates a crisis of sustainable development highlighting the shortcomings of a failing public service. It therefore seems necessary and urgent to provide solutions to solve this problem, in particular by setting up real public managerial governance with the elaboration of a national human resources strategy supported by ministerial organization charts inspired by a New Management. Public based on the effective practice of internal audit and control

Assessing the relationship between youth capabilities and food security : a case study of a rainwater harvesting project

>Magister Scientiae - MScThe National Water Act of 1998 provides the policy framework for stakeholder participation and the engagement of stakeholders closest to the resource on which they depend to be involved in developing and managing their water resources. Rainwater harvesting presents a viable option for securing water availability in order to increase food production and cash returns from food in the Ehlanzeni District Municipality which is one of the poorest districts in the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The study focuses on rural youth (between the ages 18-35 years) in two villages of the Ehlanzeni District, Luphisi and Dwaleni, and seeks to assess the relationship between youth capabilities and food security. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods but with more emphasis on the quantitative data, with qualitative data providing anecdotal evidence to back up the findings. The qualitative data was collected from focus group discussions and the quantitative data was based on a baseline survey within the context of an Integrated Rain Water Harvesting Project implemented by a local NGO. The data drew on indicators in the questionnaire that were to do with social capital and empowerment. The indicators tapped into attributes/capabilities like trust, social cohesion and inclusion and sociability and examined these within the context of Amartya Sen's Capability Approach, to consider whether and in what ways these attributes relate to food security. The results show that there are youth have high levels of certain attributes/capabilities such as trust, social cohesion and inclusion, collective action and co-operation, self-esteem, and meaning. The findings also show that in other dimensions there are less opportunities and that, in particular, access to networks, access to knowledge and information and sociability are lacking among youth. Low levels of adherence to networks, lack of access to knowledge and information and poor sociability show that there are inadequate opportunities for youth to engage with issues around food and water security. The Chi-square test was used to investigate the relationship between youth capabilities and food security and at p<0.05 results showed that there was no relationship between youth capabilities and food security in Dwaleni. There were only three capabilities which showed any significant statistical relationship between youth capabilities and food security in Luphisi namely; collective action and co-operation, social cohesion and self-esteem. The study recommends that networking opportunities and access to information relating to food and water security should be improved. The thesis claims that there are adequate opportunities to build on existing capabilities such as self-esteem, trust and social cohesion that are not being maximized and that youth are not being adequately engaged in water resources management.Water Research Commissio

Opportunity for implementing reclaimed water for domestic applications in South Africa: institutional engagement and public perceptions

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Earth Science)Water scarcity which impacts negatively on humans, as well as on the natural environment, is a real problem facing developed and developing countries. The reuse of wastewater is a critical component of the effective and environmentally sustainable management of South Africa's municipal water supplies. Recycling municipal wastewater for domestic applications is generally less common because people are repelled by the thought of water that has been in toilets going to taps. This repulsion of 'toilet to tap' is a symptom of the disgust or 'yuck' emotion. The study aims to address negative public perceptions by proposing an approach of terms of engagement with local government, which is likely to shift negative responses to more positive responses. The study used a qualitative methodology and a case study design was deployed for the study. Data was collected through individual interviews and focus group discussions and involved the use of Participatory Action Research tools. A sample size of eightyeight respondents comprised of municipal officials and members from the public. The Capability Approach, which advocates for social justice and well-being is the theoretical framework that grounds this study. Data was analysed using categorical aggregation analysis. The study proposes that inadequate engagement between the institutions and the public is the premise for negative perceptions and emotions because it inhibits public understanding regarding the safety and benefits of the reclaimed water scheme. Equity concerns are particularly visible due to the cleavages created by the past apartheid era. The study argues that there is an over reliance of the Environmental Impact Assessment stakeholder engagement which is the modus operandi of public engagement. The study develops terms of engagement and specifies when and how institutions should engage with the public to avoid obstacles to the implementation of reclaimed water. The study posits that the public should be involved in all decisionmaking stages, from the initial stages right through to the final stages of the project, giving them an opportunity to make informed choices regarding reclaimed water. This study provides evidence that the interface between the institutions and the public is likely to foster dialogue between the public and local government where reclaimed water is no longer a threat but becomes a solution to water scarcity

Etat des lieux sur la gestion des déchets biomédicaux solides dans les formations sanitaires au Cameroun (Nord, Adamaoua, Est et Nord-Ouest) : Impacts Environnementaux et Sociaux

Les déchets biomédicaux (DBM) constituent un problème sanitaire et environnemental. Aussi, une étude a été menée pour élaborer un système de&nbsp; gestion des déchets biomédicaux dont la mise en oeuvre permettra d’améliorer la santé publique, tout en respectant les préoccupations&nbsp; environnementales, techniques et socioculturelles. Il s’agit d’une étude transversale descriptive qui s’est déroulée du 16 au 31 Janvier 2018. Un questionnaire soumis aux responsables des formations sanitaires (FOSA), chefs de services, surveillants de services et responsables de l’hygiène hospitalière et un entretien avec les personnels de soins et les opérateurs d’incinérateurs ont permis d’apprécier les mécanismes et les&nbsp; connaissances sur la gestion des DBM. Sur les 150 questionnaires distribués, 98 réponses ont été obtenues, soit un taux de réponse de 65,3 %. Un entretien avec 75 travailleurs directement impliqués dans la gestion des DBM et des observations sur la gestion des DBM au niveau des 86 services ont été réalisés. Les déchets tranchants et piquants et ceux de sang et de fluides étaient trouvés dans tous les services, à l’exception des pharmacies, les déchets pharmaceutiques dans 66 services, les déchets infectieux dans 49 services et les déchets anatomiques dans 11 services. Le tri des DBM était inadapté dans 83,5 % des FOSA et l’utilisation du système de codage par couleur inexistant dans les FOSA PBF et non PBF. Des&nbsp; boîtes de sécurité pour le recueil des objets tranchants et piquants étaient disponibles dans 62,5 % des FOSA PBF et leur utilisation effective dans 31,1 % d’entre eux. Ceux Dans la majorité des FOSA non PBF, un conditionnement inadapté était noté sous la forme d’une utilisation de bouteilles et&nbsp; poubelles en plastique po r le recueil et d’un remplissage des boîtes de sécurité avec des débordements. L’élimination des DBM était effectuée dans de vieux incinérateurs ou des fours artisanaux, avec d’importantes émanations de fumées dans 80% des FOSA. Les conditions de travail étaient jugées mauvaises par 81,3 % des travailleurs interrogés et les équipements de protection individuelle disponibles dans seulement 25,3 %des FOSA non PBF et à 65% dans les PBF. Les connaissances sur la gestion des DBM étaient jugées insuffisantes par 92,6 % des personnes&nbsp; interrogées et les risques sanitaires liés aux DBM connus par 90 %. Toutefois les impacts sur le plan sanitaire et environnemental a été plus relevé dans les FOSA non&nbsp; PBF à 70 % que chez les FOSA PBF à 30 %. A exception de l’Hôpital Régional de Bertoua qui faisant partie des FOSA PBF a présenté des impacts majeurs sur la santé et l’environnement. Mots clés Déchets biomédicaux, Gestion, Pollution, Risques, Environnement

Virtually prepared: designing remote environmental health practicum experiences

The push for virtual education modes continues to grow and develop following unprecedented acceleration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Environmental and occupational health education echoes that demand, where programs are seeing the focus expand from lab-based bench work to include greater practice emphasis in areas such as environmental health equity, environmental justice, environmental policy, and environmental health literacy. Part of the educational foundation for Environmental and Occupational Health MPH programs includes a practicum designed to provide students with “real-world” experience beyond classroom applications. Given the expected increased demand for virtual educational models from students and virtual employees from the professional sector, higher education programs that require practicum experiences must seek innovative approaches that meet both student and employer needs. The University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health is a practicum host site for local universities. Recently, faculty have sought to co-create virtual environmental health practicums in response to requests for these types of opportunities. This article expands upon work on “virtual” or “remote” practicum placements and builds upon best practices to contribute to continuing research in this area. The article also shares insight into creating additional virtual opportunities in the environmental health field. This work presents a case study of the development of a virtual student practicum, documents the processes and procedures followed to develop work grounded in best practices, and shares lessons learned and recommendations for developing future virtual practicums for public health students. The student and practicum host provide reflections on the practicum design and experience

HIV and pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the cervix in South Africa: a case-control study

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer and infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are both major public health problems in South Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of cervical pre-cancer and cancer among HIV positive women in South Africa. METHODS: Data were derived from a case-control study that examined the association between hormonal contraceptives and invasive cervical cancer. The study was conducted in the Western Cape (South Africa), from January 1998 to December 2001. There were 486 women with invasive cervical cancer, 103 control women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), 53 with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), 50 with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and 1159 with normal cytology. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratios associated with HIV infection were: 4.4 [95% CI (2.3 – 8.4) for ASCUS, 7.4 (3.5 – 15.7) for LSIL, 5.8 (2.4 – 13.6) for HSIL and 1.17 (0.75 – 1.85) for invasive cervical cancer. HIV positive women were nearly 5 times more likely to have high-risk human papillomavirus infection (HR-HPV) present compared to HIV negative women [OR 4.6 (95 % CI 2.8 – 7.5)]. Women infected with both HIV and high-risk HPV had a more than 40 fold higher risk of SIL than women infected with neither of these viruses. CONCLUSION: HIV positive women were at an increased risk of cervical pre-cancer, but did not demonstrate an excess risk of invasive cervical cancer. An interaction between HIV and HR-HPV infection was demonstrated. Our findings underscore the importance of developing locally relevant screening and management guidelines for HIV positive women in South Africa