Research

17 pages, 2240 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Environmental Impact Assessment of Sanitation Projects in Chile: Overview and Improvement Opportunities Focused on Follow-Ups

by Dante Rodríguez-Luna, Francisco Javier Alcalá, Francisco Encina-Montoya and Nuria Vela

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 3964; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073964 - 26 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2598

Abstract

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a legal and administrative tool aimed to identify, predict, and interpret the impact of a project or activity on the environment and human health. The EIA also evaluates the accuracy of the predictions and audits the effectiveness [...] Read more.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a legal and administrative tool aimed to identify, predict, and interpret the impact of a project or activity on the environment and human health. The EIA also evaluates the accuracy of the predictions and audits the effectiveness of the established preventive measures. Regarding the sanitation sector, efficiency of wastewater treatments and sanitation networks determine the pollutant level of the discharged liquid effluents and the subsequent impact on the environment and human health. This problematic makes necessary to assess how proper the regulatory follow-ups of sanitation projects is. This paper evaluates the performance of the Chilean EIA System concerning to sanitation projects. Taking into account that the more restrictive Environmental Impact Study (EIS) and more permissive Environmental Impact Declaration (EID) are the ways for projects’ entry to the EIA System in Chile, 5336 sanitation projects submitted to EIA between 1994 and 2019 were complied. A representative sample of 76 projects (15 entered as EIS and 61 as EID) was analyzed by using a principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) through 14 selected performance indicators. Observed weaknesses have led to propose improvement opportunities of the EIA focused on the follow-ups after the environmental license is obtained, such as creation of a simplified sanctioning procedure, decentralization of decision-making, deadline establishment in each stage, and unified direct link for each project. These proposals seek to improve the effectiveness of monitoring and possible sanctions to early identify impacts of sanitation projects on the environment and human health. This paper introduces a robust methodology for evaluation criteria focused on the follow-ups analysis, which can be used in other countries that consider respectful sanitation projects have direct social and environmental benefits leading to long-term indirect cultural and economic values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health in EIA/SEA)

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15 pages, 2158 KiB

Open AccessArticle

HIA and EIA Are Different, but Maybe Not in the Way We Thought They Were: A Bibliometric Analysis

by Jinhee Kim and Fiona Anne Haigh

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(17), 9101; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18179101 - 28 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2885

Abstract

Background: The fields of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) have grown with increasing numbers of disciplines and sectors contributing to their advancements, but with it, perceived conflict over methodological and disciplinary approaches to integrate health in impact assessments. This [...] Read more.

Background: The fields of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) have grown with increasing numbers of disciplines and sectors contributing to their advancements, but with it, perceived conflict over methodological and disciplinary approaches to integrate health in impact assessments. This study maps the current field of HIA and health in EIA to examine the scientific landscape of the field. Methods: We carried out a bibliometric analysis of HIA papers and EIA papers that included a health focus in peer-reviewed journals in the Web of Science Core Collection (n = 229). We carried out co-authorship and co-citation network analyses of authors and documents in VOSviewer. Results: We identified two main co-authorship and co-citation groupings. Our document co-citation analysis also identified four clusters with two major groups, the Defining HIA cluster and the Describing the fields cluster versus the Active transport quantitative HIA cluster, and the Quantitative modelling tools cluster. Conclusion: Our findings strongly suggest that there exist two groups of thought in the scholarly fields of HIA and health in EIA. Barriers to developing more methodologically integrated approaches to considering health within EIA are related more to disciplinary differences than field (HIA versus EIA)-based differences and we advocate for the development of transdisciplinary approaches to both HIA and EIA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health in EIA/SEA)

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17 pages, 1094 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Looking Ahead: Health Impact Assessment of Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling Schema as a Public Health Measure

by Rodrigo Feteira-Santos, Violeta Alarcão, Osvaldo Santos, Ana Virgolino, João Fernandes, Carlota Pacheco Vieira, Maria João Gregório, Paulo Nogueira, Andreia Costa and Pedro Graça

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(4), 1422; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041422 - 03 Feb 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3369

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the underlying process, used methods and major recommendations emerging from a comprehensive and prospective health impact assessment of the endorsement of a front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOP-NL) system by the Portuguese health authorities. A mixed-methods approach was used to [...] Read more.

This study aimed to describe the underlying process, used methods and major recommendations emerging from a comprehensive and prospective health impact assessment of the endorsement of a front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOP-NL) system by the Portuguese health authorities. A mixed-methods approach was used to gather information on the impact of four FOP-NL schemes on consumers’ selection of food products according to the perception of their nutritional quality, combining a systematic literature review, focus groups (FG), in-depth individual interviews, and an open-label crossover randomized controlled study. The relevance of FOP-NL as a public health promotion policy has emerged as a consensual idea among either FGs’ participants (i.e., consumers and experts), or interviewed stakeholders. Although all of the evaluated FOP-NLs result better than no system on promoting the choice of the healthiest product, the effectiveness of easy-to-interpret FOP-NL among vulnerable groups raised concerns related to the need of integrating specific nutritional information to promote a better self-management of chronic diseases, and related to the level of literacy of consumers, which could impair the usage of FOP-NL. Educational campaigns addressing skills to use FOP-NL is recommended. Furthermore, a monitoring strategy should be considered to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of this policy in promoting healthier food choices, and in reducing diet-related non-communicable diseases burden. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health in EIA/SEA)

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23 pages, 902 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lessons from an International Initiative to Set and Share Good Practice on Human Health in Environmental Impact Assessment

by Ben Cave, Ryngan Pyper, Birgitte Fischer-Bonde, Sarah Humboldt-Dachroeden and Piedad Martin-Olmedo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(4), 1392; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041392 - 03 Feb 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5896

Abstract

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is applied to infrastructure and other large projects. The European Union EIA Directive (2011/92/EU as amended by 2014/52/EU) requires EIAs to consider the effects that a project might have on human health. The International Association for Impact Assessment and [...] Read more.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is applied to infrastructure and other large projects. The European Union EIA Directive (2011/92/EU as amended by 2014/52/EU) requires EIAs to consider the effects that a project might have on human health. The International Association for Impact Assessment and the European Public Health Association prepared a reference paper on public health in EIA to enable the health sector to contribute to this international requirement. We present lessons from this joint action. We review literature on policy analysis, impact assessment and Health Impact Assessment (HIA). We use findings from this review and from the consultation on the reference paper to consider how population and human health should be defined; how the health sector can participate in the EIA process; the relationship between EIA and HIA; what counts as evidence; when an effect should be considered ‘likely’ and ‘significant’; how changes in health should be reported; the risks from a business-as-usual coverage of human health in EIA; and finally competencies for conducting an assessment of human health. This article is relevant for health authorities seeking to ensure that infrastructure, and other aspects of development, are not deleterious to, but indeed improve, human health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health in EIA/SEA)

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23 pages, 998 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Health in Environmental Assessments—A Literature Review and Survey with a Focus on Denmark

by Sarah Humboldt-Dachroeden, Birgitte Fischer-Bonde and Gabriel Gulis

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(22), 4570; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16224570 - 18 Nov 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3190

Abstract

In the European Union, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (2014/52/EU) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive (2011/92/EU) emphasise the assessment of population and human health. The directives require health to be considered within Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). [...] Read more.

In the European Union, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (2014/52/EU) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive (2011/92/EU) emphasise the assessment of population and human health. The directives require health to be considered within Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). To date, health is mainly considered in connection with negative environmental factors and in terms of risk assessments. The integration of health in EIA as well as SEA has not been investigated in a Danish context, and this study aims to address the missing knowledge. There is a need for a more comprehensive health assessment within EIA and SEA to comply with the EIA and SEA directives. An integration of health into EIA and SEA will ensure a sound examination of health determinants which can improve decision making and thus comprehensively promote and protect health. To establish the status of the inclusion of the assessment of impacts on health into EIA and SEA, a literature review was performed. In addition, a survey addressed to researchers and practitioners was conducted and analysed through a comparative analysis. The survey examined the needs of practitioners and researchers, focusing on the Danish context, regarding the inclusion of health into EIA and SEA. Enhanced intersectoral cooperation of the health and environmental sectors, more specific guidance documents, and underlying this, stronger political support, were identified among needs for more comprehensive health assessments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health in EIA/SEA)

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12 pages, 1707 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ecological Risk and Restoration Measures Relating to Heavy Metal Pollution in Industrial and Mining Wastelands

by Huangxin Cheng, Lei Huang, Pengtu Ma and Yi Shi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(20), 3985; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16203985 - 18 Oct 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2472

Abstract

In this study, we applied an integrated approach to an ecological risk evaluation of heavy metal pollution in industrial and mining wastelands in Yangxin County, China. A total of 72 sampling sites were designated in the study area. The results show that the [...] Read more.

In this study, we applied an integrated approach to an ecological risk evaluation of heavy metal pollution in industrial and mining wastelands in Yangxin County, China. A total of 72 sampling sites were designated in the study area. The results show that the potential ecological risk levels of Hg and Cd are higher, and the coefficient of variation of mercury levels is large. Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, and As are all at low potential ecological risk. The land types with relatively high ecological risks are alum and coal mines. In the soil of alum mines, the risk due to mercury is higher, while in coal mine soil, the risk due to cadmium is relatively higher. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health in EIA/SEA)

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12 pages, 3048 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Mosses as Bioindicators of Potentially Toxic Element Contamination in Ecologically Valuable Areas Located in the Vicinity of a Road: A Case Study

by Maja Radziemska, Zbigniew Mazur, Agnieszka Bes, Grzegorz Majewski, Zygmunt M. Gusiatin and Martin Brtnicky

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(20), 3963; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16203963 - 17 Oct 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2509

Abstract

This study analyzed the impact of road transportation on the concentration of Zn, Ni, Pb, Co, and Cd in moss (Pleurozium schreberi). The study was carried out over five years near a national road running from the north to the east [...] Read more.

This study analyzed the impact of road transportation on the concentration of Zn, Ni, Pb, Co, and Cd in moss (Pleurozium schreberi). The study was carried out over five years near a national road running from the north to the east (Poland) in the area of Natura 2000 sites. Samples were collected at three significantly different locations: (1) near a sharp bend, (2) near a straight section of the road in a woodless area, and (3) in a slightly wooded area. At each location, moss samples were collected from sites situated 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 m from the road edge. The highest Zn and Cd contents in the moss were recorded 6 m from the road edge near a sharp bend (where vehicles brake sharply and accelerate suddenly). At the same location, at a distance of 2 m, the highest Pb concentration was noted, and at a distance of 4 m from the road, the highest Ni concentration was noted. The Co concentration in the moss was the highest near the woodless straight section at a distance of 2 and 12 m from the road. The concentrations of Zn, Pb, Ni, Co (only at the woodless location), and Cd (at all locations) were significantly and negatively correlated with distance from the road. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health in EIA/SEA)

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17 pages, 6821 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution, Ecological Risk Assessment, and Bioavailability of Cadmium in Soil from Nansha, Pearl River Delta, China

by Fangting Wang, Changsheng Huang, Zhihua Chen and Ke Bao

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(19), 3637; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193637 - 27 Sep 2019

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3112

Abstract

Background: Cadmium (Cd) pollution poses a threat to human health. Examination of the spatial distribution of Cd in soils can be used to assess the risks posed to humans and the environment. Objective: This study determined the enrichment rules and factors influencing Cd [...] Read more.

Background: Cadmium (Cd) pollution poses a threat to human health. Examination of the spatial distribution of Cd in soils can be used to assess the risks posed to humans and the environment. Objective: This study determined the enrichment rules and factors influencing Cd pollution in Nansha, and evaluated the pollution characteristics and bioavailability of Cd in quaternary sediments through 7 deep soil profiles (0–200 cm), 4 boreholes, and 348 topsoil (0–20 cm) samples. Methods: The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and the potential ecological risk index (Er) were used to assess ecological risk, and bioavailability was determined using multivariate, spatial distribution, and correlation matrix analyses. Results: From the Er, 52% of Nansha was classed as being at very high risk of Cd pollution; a further 36% was classed as dangerous. Cadmium was more abundant in clay soils than in sandy soils. Bioavailable Cd in quaternary sediments was significantly affected by the total Cd, and labile Cd accounted for more than half of the total Cd. Changes in pH mainly affected bioavailable Cd rather than total Cd, affecting the overall bioavailability of Cd. Conclusions: Nansha soils are commonly and seriously contaminated with Cd. An appropriate remediation treatment approach should be used to reduce Cd bioavailability. Furthermore, planting structures in farmland should be adjusted to avoid the impact of heavy metals on human health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health in EIA/SEA)

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17 pages, 5222 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Eight Elements in Soils from a Typical Light Industrial City, China: Spatial Distribution, Ecological Assessment, and the Source Apportionment

by Yujie Pan, Hongxia Peng, Shuyun Xie, Min Zeng and Changsheng Huang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(14), 2591; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142591 - 20 Jul 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3496

Abstract

Contamination with the eight elements, Hg, As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Cd, is a serious concern in Zhongshan, which is a typical light industrial city, China. 60 surface soil samples were collected to investigate the concentrations, spatial distribution, human health risk, [...] Read more.

Contamination with the eight elements, Hg, As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Cd, is a serious concern in Zhongshan, which is a typical light industrial city, China. 60 surface soil samples were collected to investigate the concentrations, spatial distribution, human health risk, and sources of these elements in the soils in Zhongshan. The concentrations of the eight elements were analyzed while using ordinary kriging analysis, pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (RI), human health risk, correlation analysis, and factor analysis. The mean concentrations of the tested elements, excluding Pb and As, were higher than the soil background values in the Pearl River Delta. The spatial distribution of the tested elements revealed a zonal distribution pattern and high values in several areas. The mean PLI and RI indicated slight and moderate risk levels. Health risk assessment demonstrates that both children and adults were more exposed to Cu than to Cr, As, and Cd. However, the associated carcinogenic risk is acceptable. Hg that originated from human activities; As, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Cd originated from industrial activities; and, Pb and Zn originated from transportation activities. Cd was the main pollutant in the study area and it was present at higher concentrations when compared with those of the other elements. Therefore, Zhongshan should encourage enterprises to conduct industrial transformation to control the ecological risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health in EIA/SEA)

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