Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Heavy Metals In Afforested Mangrove Sediment From The World's Largest Delta: Distributional Mapping, Contamination Status, Risk Assessment And Source Tracing, Md Saifur Rahman, Moshiur Rahman, Yeasmin N Jolly, Md Kamal Hossain, Sanjida Afrin Semme, Bilal Ahamad Paray, Takaomi Arai, Jimmy Yu, M Belal Hossain

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This study aims to assess seasonal and spatial variations, contamination status, ecological risks, and metal sources (Ni, Pb, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn) in human-afforested mangrove sediments in a deltaic region. Five sampling locations were sampled during dry and wet seasons. Heavy metal concentrations followed the order: Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb. Metal loads, except Cu and Pb, were higher during the dry season, aligning with national and international recommendations. Sediment quality guidelines, contamination factor, geoaccumulation index, enrichment factors, and pollution load index indicated uncontaminated sediment in both seasons. Potential ecological risk assessment showed low risk conditions in all …

Quemando Leña En Guatemala: Salud, Sostenibilidad Y Costumbres, Sydney Underhill

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

In the Central American country of Guatemala, firewood is an important fuel source. Eighty-eight percent of households in rural areas use wood stoves and open fires to cook and heat their homes. This tradition has fundamental roots in the culture and customs of Guatemala. Unfortunately, these methods contribute to air pollution. Consequently, it also results in smoke inhalation, which causes health problems. Additionally, the massive agriculture of other crops decreases the amount of firewood available to these households, affecting the sustainability of the resource. Some communities resist changing their use of firewood due to the profound nature that firewood holds …

How Communities Respond To Industrial Pollution, Jacqueline Jergensen, Sara Velardi

Sustainable Communities

Industrial pollution is a growing environmental issue in the United States, having health, economic, and social consequences on the surrounding communities. This study explores how communities respond to industrial pollution by examining two case studies in New York: the Navy/Grumman Plume of Bethpage and the IBM Plume of Endicott. Document analysis provided information to create complete timelines of the pollution and remediation in each community. Interviews were also conducted to provide personal insight from residents, employees of polluting industries, or those involved with remediation efforts. Ultimately, the research suggests that industrial actors should take a proactive stance in addressing contamination. …

Threads Of Connection: An Offering To Re-Tangle Humanity And Nature With The Patterns Of Our World, Emily Shelton

Graduate Theses

In our world there are patterns of self-similarity that serve as evidence of the interconnectedness between humankind and the rest of the natural world. They are reflected in our bodies, behaviors, and environments, both natural and manmade, and can be found throughout systems at every scale, micro through macro. These organic, linear motifs branch into smaller iterations that seem to shape our existence on this planet as we gravitate towards experiences that echo these patterns. During everyday acts like shopping in a grocery store or a crowd at a concert, we unconsciously participate in self-similar collective movements as we navigate …

The Combined Effects Of Nacl And Beet Juice On Germination And Early Seedling Growth Among Raphanus Sativus L., Justin Howell

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Salt pollution and soil salinization via secondary pathways is a global problem. One practice which contributes to increased salinity in soils and other natural systems is the application of road deicers in colder regions. Increased salinity in soils negatively affects plant growth and microbial activity. In an effort to decrease the amount of salt applied to roads, salts are applied as brine. Liquid organic additives are incorporated into these brines to foster better adherence of the salt to impermeable surfaces. One common additive is beet juice, a byproduct of sugar extraction. Beet juice contains high levels of phosphorus and organic …

Assessing Health Implications Of Monarch Butterfly Populations And Behaviors, Kira Goldman, Kelsey E. Fisher Dr.

Honors Scholar Theses

Pollinator populations have seen massive declines over the past decade due to anthropogenic activity and climate change posing serious threats to the health of humans and ecosystems (Ulyshen & Horn, 2023). As agents responsible for the production of about 35% of micronutrient rich food crops necessary for adequate nutrition to lead healthful lives and prevent nutrition associated diseases, pollinator decline is a public health concern (Aizen et al., 2009). Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) serve as bio indicators for the health of pollinator populations because of their analogous habitat and food resources shared with many other pollinator species, including bees and …

Chemical Composition, Fate, And Toxicity Of Dissolved Hydrocarbon Oxidation Products In High Latitude Aquatic Environments, Maxwell Louis Harsha

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Oil spilled in aquatic environments undergoes abiotic and biotic oxidation processes that produce hydrocarbon oxidation products (HOPs). HOPs rapidly diffuse in the water column, persisting and readily bioavailable to aquatic organisms. Characterizing HOPs is challenging because most of the mixture resides in the unresolved complex mixture (UCM). Understanding of the formation, fate, and toxicity of HOPs in high latitude environments remains limited. This research addresses these gaps through a comprehensive experimental approach, utilizing various analytical techniques including nonvolatile dissolved organic carbon (NVDOC) analysis, ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy. Additionally, …

Griz Give-And-Get: Understanding The Context, Philosophy, And Logistics Behind A Project To Reduce Waste At The University Of Montana, Sam Sullivan

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Griz Give-and-Get is an online platform at the University of Montana that aims to reduce consumer waste. It attempts to do this by providing students and staff with a place to give away their used items. The first objective of this essay is to describe the process behind Griz Give-and-Get’s early development. The second objective is to relate concepts from environmental philosophy to Griz Give-and-Get’s mission. Although part of Griz Give-and-Get’s mission is to build community and to mitigate the effects of student poverty, this essay will narrow its focus to explore the first issue that Griz Give-and-Get concerns itself …

Anthropogenic Litter In Urban Waterways: An Analysis Of Litter, Urbanization, And The Emerging Role Of Citizen Science In Beargrass Creek, Louisville, Ky., Ella Swigler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addressed the ever growing presence and persistence of anthropogenic litter (AL) in urban waterways. AL has been studied in marine environments, but research gaps exist in riverine ecosystems. Most of the AL that reaches the Earth’s oceans is carried by urban rivers, so understanding the relationship between these waterways and AL is critical in effectively fighting AL accumulation, especially for legacy plastic pollutants. The study explored fifteen sites throughout Beargrass Creek and recorded the quantity and type of AL present throughout the summer and fall of 2023. The National Geographic Marine Debris Tracker App was employed to successfully …

Understanding Stress And Coping Among Adults In The United States During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jocy-Anna Chevalier

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, individuals in the United States (U.S.) and across the globe have experienced unprecedented levels of stress. The purpose of this study is to understand the stress experienced among adults in the U.S. and which coping processes affect their overall emotional well-being. Guided by Lazarus and Folkman’s (1987) Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (TMSC), this study conducted a secondary data analysis (n=404) of adults across the U.S who completed an online survey examining their experiences with stress and coping. A Pearson correlation was utilized to explore the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms. Paired samples …

Feminist Political Ecology In The Classroom, Ella J. Yeigh

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

As the effects of climate change are being felt more frequently, discussions on how to combat such a massive issue are increasingly prevalent. Finding solutions to the climate crisis requires an understanding of how mainstream economic systems have led to the climate crisis and using these same principles to get out of the climate crisis is misguided. Economic actions have inherent value biases that have real political effects. Feminist Political Ecology (FPE) as a theoretical model presents a better understanding of how values that are inherent in economic models such as reliance on efficiency, markets, and continual economic growth have …

From Field To Fashion: A Journey In Sustainable Design And Regional Understanding, Lily Turner

Individually Designed Interdepartmental Major Honors Project

As the fashion industry became globalized over the past century, it has become a major environment polluter and exposed laborers to hazardous conditions. This honors project considers sustainability in the textile industry at large and at the regional scale of the Upper Midwest. Its scholarly component offers an overview of the current textile production, details how the industry may become sustainable, and suggests practices of environmentally-conscious and ethical design. The creative component is a soil-to-soil seasonless capsule collection titled From Field View that incorporates biomimicry and interrogates the concept of place by referencing the Midwest’s flora, wool, and linen fibers.

Assessment Of Potentially Toxic And Mineral Elements In Paddy Soils And Their Uptake By Rice (Oryza Sativa L) With Associated Health Hazards In District Malakand, Pakistan, Asghar Khan, Muhammad Saleem Khan, Munib Ahmed Shafique, Qaisar Khan, Ghulam Saddiq

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Rice, a primary food source in many countries of the world accumulate potentially harmful elements which pose a significant health hazard to consumers. The current study aimed to evaluate potentially toxic and mineral elements in both paddy soils and rice grains associated with allied health risks in Malakand, Pakistan. Rice plants with intact root soil were randomly collected from paddy fields and analyzed for mineral and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) through inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‒OES). Through deterministic and probabilistic risk assessment models, the daily intake of PTEs with allied health risks from consumption of rice were estimated …

Hab Cyanobacteria In Northeastern Sc Retention Ponds: Time Trends In Abundance And Relationship To Water Quality, Kathryn I. Hanson

Honors Theses

The accumulation of polluted runoff in retention ponds can create water quality conditions that favor development of harmful algal blooms, including toxin-producing cyanobacteria. This can present a health risk to pedestrians and nearby residents, as many such ponds are surrounded by walkways or housing complexes. Blooms can also cause harm to natural ecosystems, periodically causing hypoxic conditions and toxin buildups. This study aims to form a more complete understanding of the population dynamics of certain potentially harmful phytoplankton genera, in relation to water quality parameters in retention ponds. Sampling was performed in five ponds chosen to reflect a variety of …

Adsorbents From Rice Husk And Shrimp Shell For Effective Removal Of Heavy Metals And Reactive Dyes In Water, Md Ibrahim H Mondal, Shovra Chandra Chakraborty, Md Saifur Rahman, Shaik Merkatur Hakim Marjuban, Firoz Ahmed, John L Zhou, Mohammad Boshir Ahmed, Masoumeh Zargar

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Widespread contamination by heavy metals (HMs) and dyes poses a major health risk to people and ecosystems requiring effective treatment. In this work, rice husk (RH) and shrimp shells were extracted to obtain amorphous silica and chitosan, respectively, which were utilized to produce nano-chitosan-coated silica (NCCS). To ensure the stability of the nanoparticles, silica was freeze-dried after being coated with nano-chitosan. Functional groups (-NH

Environmental Health Assessments For Foodborne Illness Outbreaks In The United States From 2017- 2019, Alyssa Shontel Woods

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individual cases of foodborne illness can lead to outbreaks that result in severe morbidity and fatality. As the United States’ food scene continues to evolve and diversify, there is a need to consider cultural variations and how they may affect food safety practices. This quantitative study, based on the National Environmental Assessment Reporting System (NEARS) data, grounded in the socio-ecological model, examined the prevalence and factors associated with salmonella outbreaks in ethnic versus non-ethnic food service establishments (FSEs) in the U.S. from 2017 to 2019. The research questions involved understanding the relationship between the primary language spoken, food safety training, …

Co-Crystallization Of Urea Granules For Slower Dissolution, Vidya Nagaraju, Carl Wassgren, Kingsly Ambrose

Graduate Industrial Research Symposium

Co-crystals are multicomponent crystals formed through hydrogen bond interactions. Co-crystallization, the process of developing cocrystals, serves as a versatile approach for discovering new solid forms of active ingredients (AIs) that can alter physical properties such as solubility, dissolution rates, and stability. These co-crystals can be produced through three main methods: solid-state methods, solution-based methods, and supercritical fluid methods. Recently, the solid-state (mechanochemical) method of developing cocrystals has gained more attention from researchers in the development of slow-release urea fertilizers. This technique can also be applied to the development of urease inhibitors. These multicomponent crystals present a potential solution to the …

Microplastics In Atlantic Ribbed Mussels (Geukensia Demissa) From The Delaware Inland Bays, Usa, Jeffrey Ashley, Amanda Pilat, Ariana Ohlweiler, Connor Ogden, Priya Modi, Spencer Talbot, Caya Smith, Justin O'Pella, Gulnihal Ozbay

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Due to the prevalence of plastic pollution in coastal ecosystems, aquatic organisms are at high risk for accumulating microplastics (MPs). Filter-feeding bivalves, such as mussels and oysters, may be exposed to, and subsequently accumulate, MPs due to the high volume of water they pass through their bodies. This study assessed the levels of MPs within Atlantic ribbed mussels (Geukensia demissa), a common filter feeder found along the United States Atlantic Coast, from 12 sites within Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay, and Little Assawoman Bay, collectively known as the Delaware Inland Bays. Composited mussels from each site were digested using potassium …

Aloe Vera Assisted Green Synthesis Of Ag And Cu Co-Doped Zno Nanoparticles And A Comprehensive Analysis Of Their Structural, Morphological, Optical, Electrical And Antibacterial Properties, Md Hasnat Rashid, Saiful Islam Sujoy, Md Saifur Rahman, Md Jahidul Haque

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This study investigates the potential of utilizing Aloe vera-assisted green synthesis with transition metal dopants of Ag and Cu for greater efficiency and sustainability in advanced scientific applications utilizing ZnO nanoparticles. Samples were prepared using the co-precipitation method, maintaining a basic pH media of 10. Aloe vera gel extract was chosen for its acclaimed role as a stabilizing and reducing agent and its proven antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. The XRD report revealed the hexagonal Wurtzite crystal structure of nanoparticles, exhibiting a crystallite size range of 17-23 nm with substantial alterations in lattice parameters, dislocation density, and bond lengths when …

Protecting Human And Animal Health: The Road From Animal Models To New Approach Methods, Barbara L F Kaplan, Alan M Hoberman, William Slikker, Mary Alice Smith, Emanuela Corsini, Thomas B Knudsen, M Sue Marty, Sonya K Sobrian, Suzanne C Fitzpatrick, Marcia H Ratner, Donna L Mendrick

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Animals and animal models have been invaluable for our current understanding of human and animal biology, including physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, and disease pathology. However, there are increasing concerns with continued use of animals in basic biomedical, pharmacological, and regulatory research to provide safety assessments for drugs and chemicals. There are concerns that animals do not provide sufficient information on toxicity and/or efficacy to protect the target population, so scientists are utilizing the principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement (the 3Rs) and increasing the development and application of new approach methods (NAMs). NAMs are any technology, methodology, approach, or assay used …

Heavy Metals Analysis And Physicochemical Characterization Of Groundwater At A Battery Recycling Site In South-Western Nigeria, Adeniyi T. Adeleke, Rasaki K. Odunaike, Shamsideen K. Alausa, Idris O. Olayiwola, Adetoro T. Talabi, Qasim A. Adeniji, Adejumobi C. Adeniyi

Tanzania Journal of Science

Indiscriminate dumping of battery waste is a huge issue that endangers human health and the environment. This study aimed at analysing the health impacts of exposure to pollution from spent battery recycling in Ogun State, which houses a diverse range of battery recycling industries. At this study site, forty water samples were studied over the Wet and Dry seasons to assess the impact of battery recycling waste on groundwater. Except for the TSS, the physiochemical parameters of the groundwater vary with season and are within the permissible limits. The electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, Phosphorus, Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Dissolve oxygen …

Analyzing The Effects Of Data Variability & Volume On Predicting Particulate Matter (Pm2.5): Insights From A Machine Learning Approach, Jada A. Macharie

Theses and Dissertations

Accurately predicting PM_2.5 concentrations are imperative to the future of public health and environmental policies. Machine learning models incorporating spatial and temporal datasets to predict PM_2.5 are often limited by data availability constraints and poor resolution satellite imagery.

Evaluating Corporate Marine Plastic Pollution Reduction Pledges: Achieving Plastic Reductions Or Contributing To Greenwashing, Ansar Z. Mohammed

Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Management Projects

This paper examines major corporations' commitments and performance in reducing virgin plastic production, aligning corporate initiatives with tangible outcomes. It draws on sustainability governance literature and analyzes plastic reduction strategies by industry leaders such as SC Johnson, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Borealis, Nestlé, and Unilever. By synthesizing corporate reports and scholarly literature, the research provides an understanding of corporate plastic reduction within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), which focuses on marine conservation. The study evaluates the alignment of corporate commitments with SDG 14, identifying genuine environmental stewardship and potential greenwashing. It employs three methodologies: transparency, accountability, and science-based …

Data For: "Polyethylene Polymer Type And Soil Properties Determine Impacts Of Microplastic Pollution On Arugula Growth", Noah P. Walsh, Ella Beaghen, Abigail Kane, Leilani M. Santodomingo, Daniel Watson, Christina S. Baer

First-Year Research Immersion (FRI) Scholarship

From the manuscript abstract:

While microplastics have become a novel pollutant of concern, few studies have directly compared different polymers’ effects on plants. We investigated the effects of high-density (HDPE) and low-density (LDPE) polyethylene on arugula growth. We hypothesized that polyethylene microplastics would inhibit growth and that LDPE would have a greater effect than HDPE due to its branched structure and lower density. We grew arugula (Eruca vesicaria) in plain soil or soil mixed with HDPE or LDPE microplastics. To determine if microplastic effects are dependent on soil quality, we used two kinds of fresh soil and reused one type …

Plaster Creek Stewards Curb-Cut Rain Garden Social Impacts Study, Eleanor Vander Ark, Laura Luchies

Watershed Reports

As one method of minimizing pollutants in Plaster Creek, Plaster Creek Stewards (PCS) has installed Curb-Cut Rain Gardens (CCRGs) in the downstream neighborhoods of the Plaster Creek Watershed. CCRGs sit in the parkway between the sidewalk and the street, are planted with native plants, and have a cut in the curb to allow the influx of rainwater from the street. These gardens divert polluted rainwater from the creek by catching the water closer to where it falls and allowing it to filter into the ground.

As part of a grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy …

Boiling Behind Bars: Exploring The Hidden Toll Of Extreme Heat On Mental Health In Texas Prisons, Sandra K. Miller

Social Work Theses - Archive

The State of Texas supports the largest prison system in the US and held 132,859 people in 100 units scattered across the state as of December 2023. Approximately 70% of Texas prison beds are not air conditioned, despite the state’s reputation for dangerously hot, humid summers. The State has officially recorded temperatures inside Texas prison facilities as high as 120 degrees with heat index values of over 150. Although there is a growing body of research on the negative physiological and psychological consequences of extreme heat among the general public, little is known about the physical and emotional toll of …

Environmental Health And Impact Of Workload On Errors For Wildland Fire Personnel, Michael Bryan Held

Masters Theses

"This thesis offers an analysis of how environmental health and workload affect wildland fire dispatchers and firefighters, combining results from two studies. The first study, "Environmental Health of Wildland Firefighters: A Scoping Review," performs a scoping review of scientific literature that examines the unique environmental health challenges wildland firefighters face. The review points out the increased risks to safety, health, and well-being from more exposure to natural hazards, identifying key research gaps and priorities. It stresses the need to broaden the geographic and demographic scope of studies, improve analytical methods, and increase research funding and focus for wildland firefighters.

The …

Evaluating Superfund Effectiveness And Community Engagement: Smurfit-Stone Mill Case Study, Abigail M. Sherwood

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

The Smurfit-Stone Mill operated in Frenchtown, MT from 1957 until 2010, releasing toxic pollutants into the Clark Fork River and surrounding areas. Despite environmental protests since the 1960s, substantive action to remedy environmental damage did not occur until 2015. Stakeholders including local residents, Indigenous tribes, Missoula County, and environmental non-profits have advocated for comprehensive site characterization, a timely cleanup, and robust community engagement. While residents and visitors contend with elevated toxins in fish tissue, prompting a 100-mile fish consumption advisory near the Smurfit-Stone Mill, the Environmental Protection Agency is several years away from determining the scope of a reclamation. Community …

(Plant)Ing Traditional Roots: Exploring An Impact Of Environmental Shifts On Traditional Phytotherapy Practices In The Cusco Region Of Perú, Nicole Elizabeth Wilmot

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the potential outcomes of environmental shifts on plant-based medical practices in the Cusco region of Peru. Located in the Andes mountain range, at a high elevation, the environment varies immensely, specifically in the various types of native plants in the region. Historically, using plants as natural forms of medicine or healthcare has been deeply rooted in many indigenous communities, traditions, and cultures globally. Environmentally, there have been potential changes and shifts in temperature, water, and soil that affect the nutrition and health of plants to maintain their beneficial properties. Due to various factors, adaptations or shifts to …

Braving The Elements: Loss Of Metals From Mardi Gras Beads Due To Handling And Weathering, Thomas O. Carmichael, Ruth H. Carmichael

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The largest Mardi Gras celebrations in the U.S. are found along the Gulf of Mexico coast. With increasing awareness of and concern for environmental and human health risks due to pollution from Mardi Gras celebrations, there is a need for studies to quantify potential harms. We conducted a 2—part study to determine whether use—related handling and weathering of common Mardi Gras beaded necklaces results in loss of potentially harmful metals to the environment at levels of ecological or human health concern. Our data indicate that weathering and use—related handling can cause metals to be shed from the metallic coating of …