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Articles 61 - 90 of 94

Full-Text Articles in Environmental Health

Zero Waste, Spring/Summer 2017, Issue 36 Sep 2019

Zero Waste, Spring/Summer 2017, Issue 36

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.


Consent Decrees, Fall/Winter 2017, Issue 35 Sep 2019

Consent Decrees, Fall/Winter 2017, Issue 35

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.


Human Ecology, Spring/Summer 2016, Issue 34 Sep 2019

Human Ecology, Spring/Summer 2016, Issue 34

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.


Citizen Science, Fall/Winter 2016, Issue 33 Sep 2019

Citizen Science, Fall/Winter 2016, Issue 33

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.


Urban Streams, Spring/Summer 2015, Issue 32 Sep 2019

Urban Streams, Spring/Summer 2015, Issue 32

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.


Unconventional Energy, Fall/Winter 2015, Issue 31 Sep 2019

Unconventional Energy, Fall/Winter 2015, Issue 31

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.


Carbon Neutral, Spring/Summer 2018, Issue 38 Sep 2019

Carbon Neutral, Spring/Summer 2018, Issue 38

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.


Political Will, Fall/Winter 2018, Issue 37 Sep 2019

Political Will, Fall/Winter 2018, Issue 37

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.


Food Safety Policies And Practices In Public Spaces: The Urban Water, Sanitation, And Hygiene Environment For Fresh Fish Sold From Individual Vendors In Mzuzu, Malawi., Jazimoni Lazaro, Fanuel Kapute, Rochelle H. Holm Sep 2019

Food Safety Policies And Practices In Public Spaces: The Urban Water, Sanitation, And Hygiene Environment For Fresh Fish Sold From Individual Vendors In Mzuzu, Malawi., Jazimoni Lazaro, Fanuel Kapute, Rochelle H. Holm

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

In sub-Saharan Africa, informal markets account for more than 80% of the total food selling. Fish is a major protein source for households in Malawi and is commonly purchased from individual vendors. The aim of this study was to review national acts and policies and local regulations focused on fresh fish sold at open-air markets or by mobile vendors and to further examine the water, sanitation, and hygiene environment that may impact food safety in Mzuzu City, Malawi. The study used interviews, an observational checklist, and sampling of water and fish skin. In general, there was limited oversight of food …


Our Envirome, Spring/Summer 2019, Issue 40 Aug 2019

Our Envirome, Spring/Summer 2019, Issue 40

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.


Plastic Pollution, Fall/Winter 2019, Issue 39.3 Aug 2019

Plastic Pollution, Fall/Winter 2019, Issue 39.3

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.


Plastic Pollution, Fall/Winter 2019, Issue 39.2 Aug 2019

Plastic Pollution, Fall/Winter 2019, Issue 39.2

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.


Plastic Pollution, Fall/Winter 2019, Issue 39 Aug 2019

Plastic Pollution, Fall/Winter 2019, Issue 39

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.


Do Rope And Washer Pumps Provide Safe Water And Satisfied Users? A Case Study Piloting New Rural Water Supply Technology In Rumphi District, Malawi., Jacob C. Mkandawire, Mavuto Tembo, Muthi Nhlema, Joel Luhanga, Rochelle H. Holm Jul 2019

Do Rope And Washer Pumps Provide Safe Water And Satisfied Users? A Case Study Piloting New Rural Water Supply Technology In Rumphi District, Malawi., Jacob C. Mkandawire, Mavuto Tembo, Muthi Nhlema, Joel Luhanga, Rochelle H. Holm

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Innovation is needed to develop rural water supply to support sub-Saharan Africa communities that are hard to reach. The purpose of this study was to critically review rope and washer pumps that have been installed on manually drilled boreholes in 48 communities as part of a pilot project in Rumphi District, Malawi, and which serve as a sustainable source of drinking water from both technical (water quality and functionality) and social (user satisfaction) perspectives. At each water source, an infrastructure checklist was used (n = 48); 10 users were interviewed (n = 472); and, if the pump had water, water …


Agent-Based Modelling For Simulation-Based Design Of Sustainable Faecal Sludge Management Systems., Adrian Mallory, Martin Crapper, Rochelle H. Holm Apr 2019

Agent-Based Modelling For Simulation-Based Design Of Sustainable Faecal Sludge Management Systems., Adrian Mallory, Martin Crapper, Rochelle H. Holm

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Re-using faecal sludge (FS) to generate value has the potential to contribute towards solving the issue of long term sanitation solutions in growing urban areas across sub-Saharan Africa; however, hitherto, no design tools have been available that are capable of simulating a system involving economic factors, complex social issues and environmental circumstances. We hypothesized that Agent-Based Modelling (ABM), when deployed with appropriate rigour, can provide such a tool. Extensive field work was carried out in a Malawian city, investigating the adoption of Skyloo above-ground composting toilets by households, and the operation of the municipal FS site. 65 semi-structured interviews and …


Can A Precast Pit Latrine Concrete Floor Withstand Emptying Operations? An Investigation From Malawi., Joshua Mchenga, Rochelle H. Holm Jan 2019

Can A Precast Pit Latrine Concrete Floor Withstand Emptying Operations? An Investigation From Malawi., Joshua Mchenga, Rochelle H. Holm

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

For fecal sludge from households in low- and middle-income countries to be treated offsite it needs to be removed, which can be greatly affected by the pit latrine floor design. However, it is unclear whether precast pit latrine concrete floors (latrine slabs) can withstand emptiers and their equipment. To investigate this issue, 28 prefabricated latrine slabs were purchased in two cities of Malawi. They were first visually evaluated, and then their compression strength was tested. Additionally, each seller was asked a series of questions to better understand their business, training, and construction practices. Results showed that households should perform due …


A Qualitative Assessment Of Disability Friendly Water And Sanitation Facilities In Primary Schools, Rumphi, Malawi., Harlod Zaunda, Rochelle H. Holm, Ambumulire Itimu-Phiri, Mphatso Malota, Sian White Nov 2018

A Qualitative Assessment Of Disability Friendly Water And Sanitation Facilities In Primary Schools, Rumphi, Malawi., Harlod Zaunda, Rochelle H. Holm, Ambumulire Itimu-Phiri, Mphatso Malota, Sian White

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Students with disabilities commonly face barriers when accessing water and using sanitation and hygiene facilities at school. International frameworks have prompted governments to enact local policies that enshrine these rights, guarantee equitable access to education and mandate inclusive infrastructure. This research was designed to explore whether Malawi has translated good policies into practice. Data were gathered in Rumphi district, Malawi, through structured field observations in ten schools and interviews with students with a disability (n = 23), teachers (n = 11) and government stakeholders (n = 2). No school had facilities that fully meet the needs of students with disabilities, …


A Model To Study The Effects Of Whole Life Chronic Exposure To Arsenic Or Cadmium On The Development Of Adult Metabolic Syndrome : Initial Characterization Of Hepatic Changes., Jamie L. Young May 2018

A Model To Study The Effects Of Whole Life Chronic Exposure To Arsenic Or Cadmium On The Development Of Adult Metabolic Syndrome : Initial Characterization Of Hepatic Changes., Jamie L. Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of diseases affecting < 30% of adults. Although obesity is a major risk for the development of MetS, it does not account for all cases, suggesting contribution of other risk factors. We hypothesized that early life exposure to arsenic (As) or cadmium (Cd) may represent such a risk. The purpose of this study was to characterize a model to discern the effects of early life exposures to Cd and As on high fat diet (HFD)-induced MetS. Adult C57BL/6J mice were exposed to control or metals containing drinking water. Pregnant dams and offspring were continuously exposed to the same toxicants as their parents. At weaning, offspring were fed LFD or HFD and sacrificed 10 or 24 weeks later. Metal exposure caused time- and sex-dependent alterations in HFD-induced variables of liver damage. The initial results suggest that these toxicants enhanced obesity-induced liver injury.


A Cluster-Randomized Trial To Evaluate The Impact Of An Inclusive, Community-Led Total Sanitation Intervention On Sanitation Access For People With Disabilities In Malawi., Adam Biran, Lisa Danquah, Joseph Chunga, Wolf Peter Schmidt, Rochelle Holm, Ambumulire Itimu-Phiri, Wales Singini, Hazel Jones, Hannah Kuper, Sian White Jan 2018

A Cluster-Randomized Trial To Evaluate The Impact Of An Inclusive, Community-Led Total Sanitation Intervention On Sanitation Access For People With Disabilities In Malawi., Adam Biran, Lisa Danquah, Joseph Chunga, Wolf Peter Schmidt, Rochelle Holm, Ambumulire Itimu-Phiri, Wales Singini, Hazel Jones, Hannah Kuper, Sian White

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Community-led total sanitation (CLTS) is a common method for promoting sanitation in low-income settings. This cluster-randomized trial evaluated an intervention to improve inclusion of people with disability in CLTS through training facilitators. A qualitative study examined intervention acceptability. The trial included 171 people with disabilities (78 control and 93 intervention) living in 15 intervention and 15 control communities. In the intervention arm, respondents were more likely to participate in a community meeting about sanitation (+18.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.2, 34.2) and to have been visited to discuss sanitation (+19.7, 95% CI: 0.6, 37.8). More intervention households improved latrine access …


The Handpump Choice Is Yours: A Pilot Study In Rumphi District, Malawi., Rochelle Holm, Alinafe Kamangira, Victor Kasulo, Prince Kaponda, Edwin Hara, Channing Carney-Filmore, Muthi Nhlema Oct 2017

The Handpump Choice Is Yours: A Pilot Study In Rumphi District, Malawi., Rochelle Holm, Alinafe Kamangira, Victor Kasulo, Prince Kaponda, Edwin Hara, Channing Carney-Filmore, Muthi Nhlema

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

In sub-Saharan Africa, moving towards the Sustainable Development Goals will require an approach to water and sanitation service delivery for many rural communities where handpumps still dominate infrastructure. This paper reviews a case study of allowing users (local government and communities) in Rumphi District, Malawi, to choose a handpump model based on information about the life-cycle costs. The results indicate that there is some awareness within communities and within the local government of several handpump options for the rural water supply in the study area. Given a choice of different handpump models in the treatment communities, each community chose the …


The Comparative Cytotoxicity And Genotoxicity Of Hexavalent Chromium In Humans And Sea Turtles., Rachel M. Speer Aug 2017

The Comparative Cytotoxicity And Genotoxicity Of Hexavalent Chromium In Humans And Sea Turtles., Rachel M. Speer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Monitoring the health effects of environmental contaminants can be achieved using sentinel species as models. Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are an endangered marine species that may experience prolonged exposures to environmental contaminants including hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]. While Cr(VI) has been identified as a known human carcinogen, the health effects in marine species are poorly understood. In this study the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of particulate and soluble Cr(VI) were assessed in leatherback lung cells and compared to those in human lung cells. Cr(VI) induced a concentration-dependent increase in cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in leatherback lung cells indicating Cr(VI) …


Designing Local Solutions For Emptying Pit Latrines In Low-Income Urban Settlements (Malawi)., W. C. Chipeta, R. H. Holm, J. F. Kamanula, W. E. Mtonga, F. L. De Los Reyes Aug 2017

Designing Local Solutions For Emptying Pit Latrines In Low-Income Urban Settlements (Malawi)., W. C. Chipeta, R. H. Holm, J. F. Kamanula, W. E. Mtonga, F. L. De Los Reyes

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

A lack of effective options in local technology poses challenges when onsite household sanitation facilities are eventually filled to capacity in unplanned settlement areas within Mzuzu City, located in northern Malawi. Vacuum trucks currently dominate the market but focus on emptying septic tanks in the more easily accessible planned settlement areas, rather than servicing the pit latrines common in unplanned settlement areas. As a result, households in the unplanned settlement areas within Mzuzu rely primarily on manual pit emptying (i.e., shoveling by hand) or digging a new pit latrine. These practices have associated health risks and are limited by space …


Reducing The Burden Of Rural Water Supply Through Greywater Reuse: A Case Study From Northern Malawi., Evan Newcomer, Courtney Boyd, Laban Nyirenda, Emmanuel Opong, Shannon Marquez, Rochelle Holm Jul 2017

Reducing The Burden Of Rural Water Supply Through Greywater Reuse: A Case Study From Northern Malawi., Evan Newcomer, Courtney Boyd, Laban Nyirenda, Emmanuel Opong, Shannon Marquez, Rochelle Holm

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Greywater reuse has potential for non-potable applications that conserve freshwater resources in water-stressed areas especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The feasibility of reusing greywater for domestic activities in a rural area of Malawi, Africa, was evaluated from microbiological and public acceptance perspectives. Median Escherichia coli concentrations for eight domestic greywater sources (handwashing, laundry, runoff from a tap apron, bathing, cleaning a home/kitchen, cleaning a water collection container, washing plates and soaking vegetables) ranged from 100 to >20, 000 colony forming units (cfu)/100 ml. Twenty-four of 47 greywater samples tested (51%) met the World Health Organization guideline for unrestricted use of greywater …


Trash Removal Methods For Improved Mechanical Emptying Of Pit Latrines Using A Screw Auger., Tracey Sisco, Tate Rogers, Walt Beckwith, Willy Chipeta, Rochelle Holm, Christopher A. Buckley, Francis L. De Los Reyes Mar 2017

Trash Removal Methods For Improved Mechanical Emptying Of Pit Latrines Using A Screw Auger., Tracey Sisco, Tate Rogers, Walt Beckwith, Willy Chipeta, Rochelle Holm, Christopher A. Buckley, Francis L. De Los Reyes

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Trash in pit latrines is one of the largest challenges facing pit emptying technologies, including the powered auger (the Excrevator), developed for improved emptying in lower- and lower-middle income countries. This study focused on two trash removal methods in conjunction with pit emptying by the Excrevator: (1) simultaneous removal of trash with sludge and (2) manual trash removal prior to sludge removal. Simultaneous removal was tested by adding to the inlet of the Excrevator system two cutting heads designed to reduce the size of trash particles before entering the pipe and auger. Laboratory testing indicated that the auger will not …


Characterization Of Pit Latrines To Support The Design And Selection Of Emptying Tools In Peri-Urban Mzuzu, Malawi., Rashid Chiposa, Rochelle H. Holm, Chimuleke Munthali, Russel C.G. Chidya, Francis L. De Los Reyes Mar 2017

Characterization Of Pit Latrines To Support The Design And Selection Of Emptying Tools In Peri-Urban Mzuzu, Malawi., Rashid Chiposa, Rochelle H. Holm, Chimuleke Munthali, Russel C.G. Chidya, Francis L. De Los Reyes

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The urban areas of many low-income countries must balance a rising demand for pit latrines for household sanitation provision against limitations in space, resulting in a need for pit latrine emptying services. This study was undertaken in the peri-urban neighborhood of Area 1B in the city of Mzuzu, Malawi, to examine the characteristics of household pit latrines for designing and selecting pit latrine emptying tools. We used 150 structured household surveys and field observations. From this, a subset was selected and 30 manual cone penetrometer tests were conducted at full latrines. Chemical oxygen demand analysis was also performed for 14 …


Pit Latrine Fecal Sludge Resistance Using A Dynamic Cone Penetrometer In Low Income Areas In Mzuzu City, Malawi., Charles F.C. Chirwa, Ralph P. Hall, Leigh Anne H. Krometis, Eric A. Vance, Adam Edwards, Ting Guan, Rochelle H. Holm Feb 2017

Pit Latrine Fecal Sludge Resistance Using A Dynamic Cone Penetrometer In Low Income Areas In Mzuzu City, Malawi., Charles F.C. Chirwa, Ralph P. Hall, Leigh Anne H. Krometis, Eric A. Vance, Adam Edwards, Ting Guan, Rochelle H. Holm

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Pit latrines can provide improved household sanitation, but without effective and inexpensive emptying options, they are often abandoned once full and may pose a public health threat. Emptying techniques can be difficult, as the sludge contents of each pit latrine are different. The design of effective emptying techniques (e.g., pumps) is limited by a lack of data characterizing typical in situ latrine sludge resistance. This investigation aimed to better understand the community education and technical engineering needs necessary to improve pit latrine management. In low income areas within Mzuzu city, Malawi, 300 pit latrines from three distinct areas were assessed …


Adopters And Non-Adopters Of Low-Cost Household Latrines: A Study Of Corbelled Pit Latrines In 15 Districts Of Malawi., Rochelle Holm, Mavuto Tembo, Dalo Njera, Victor Kasulo, Mphatso Malota, Willy Chipeta, Wales Singini, Joshua Mchenga Sep 2016

Adopters And Non-Adopters Of Low-Cost Household Latrines: A Study Of Corbelled Pit Latrines In 15 Districts Of Malawi., Rochelle Holm, Mavuto Tembo, Dalo Njera, Victor Kasulo, Mphatso Malota, Willy Chipeta, Wales Singini, Joshua Mchenga

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The Sustainable Development Goals will challenge low- and middle-income settings to look at new approaches for rural sanitation. In 2013, Mzuzu University, in partnership with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Malawi, started a low-cost latrine program in rural areas using the corbelled latrine design supported by locally owned sustainable businesses. The objective of this work was to trace customers (early household adopters) and non-customers through field observations and interviews in 15 districts of Malawi. The research team spent 193 personnel work days in data collection and found 21 households as adopters in 7 districts. Most respondents had a preference with …


Air Pollution, Pulmonary Oxidative Stress, And The Endothelin System In The Development Of Cardiovascular Injury., Jordan B. Finch Aug 2016

Air Pollution, Pulmonary Oxidative Stress, And The Endothelin System In The Development Of Cardiovascular Injury., Jordan B. Finch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this project was to examine the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) as a mediator in the pathway between air pollution exposure and the development of vascular injury. A human cohort and male mice (C57BL/6 and ecSOD-Tg) were used to evaluate changes in the ET-1 system in response to exposures of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Human ET-1 levels were significantly associated with environmental factors and markers of vascular change, but were decreased with increased PM2.5. No association was seen between ET-1 and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) except for EPC-4, possibly indicating a regulatory relationship with this specific population. In …


Achieving The Sustainable Development Goals: A Case Study Of The Complexity Of Water Quality Health Risks In Malawi., Rochelle Holm, Philip Wandschneider, Allan Felsot, Golden Msilimba Jul 2016

Achieving The Sustainable Development Goals: A Case Study Of The Complexity Of Water Quality Health Risks In Malawi., Rochelle Holm, Philip Wandschneider, Allan Felsot, Golden Msilimba

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

RESULTS: The water quality data and human dimension questionnaire results were used to develop a household risk presentation. Sixty-seven percent and 50 % of well water and household drinking water samples, respectively, exceeded the WHO health guideline of zero detections of E. coli. Technology transfer was advanced by providing knowledge through household risk debriefing/education, establishing a water quality laboratory at the local university, and providing training to local technicians.


Access To Groundwater And Link To The Impact On Quality Of Life: A Look At The Past, Present And Future Public Health Needs In Mzimba District, Malawi., R. C.G. Chidya, R. H. Holm, M. Tembo, B. Cole, P. Workneh, J. Kanyama Jul 2016

Access To Groundwater And Link To The Impact On Quality Of Life: A Look At The Past, Present And Future Public Health Needs In Mzimba District, Malawi., R. C.G. Chidya, R. H. Holm, M. Tembo, B. Cole, P. Workneh, J. Kanyama

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Imagine a world where you have to get up at 4am to walk for two hours in the dark to fetch water. This remains true in Malawi, where it is said that the Millennium Development Goals have been met. This research aimed at understanding the impact access to groundwater has on people's ‘Being’, ‘Belonging’ and ‘Becoming,’ as well as on people's capabilities and on their quality of life in Mzimba District, Malawi. Being, Belonging and Becoming define three life domains. Being reveals ‘who one is,’ Belonging reflects ‘connections with one's environments’ and Becoming relates to ‘achieving personal goals, hopes and …