Research

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16 pages, 1079 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown Strategies on Oxidative Properties of Ambient PM₁₀ in the Metropolitan Area of Milan, Italy

by Maria Chiara Pietrogrande, Cristina Colombi, Eleonora Cuccia, Umberto Dal Santo and Luisa Romanato

Environments 2022, 9(11), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9110145 - 15 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2874

Abstract

This research investigates the impact of controlling pandemic measures on the characteristics of atmospheric particulate matter (PM), with specific concern to its toxicity, measured by its oxidative properties. The investigated PM₁₀ samples were collected in the metropolitan area of Milan during the [...] Read more.

This research investigates the impact of controlling pandemic measures on the characteristics of atmospheric particulate matter (PM), with specific concern to its toxicity, measured by its oxidative properties. The investigated PM₁₀ samples were collected in the metropolitan area of Milan during the epidemic lockdown, and their oxidative potential (OP) was assessed using ascorbic acid (AA) and dithiothreitol (DTT) acellular assays. During the full lockdown, we estimated reductions to 46% and 60% for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and black carbon (BC) concentrations, respectively, based on the aggregated 2018–2019 data of NO₂ and BC levels, used as baseline conditions. To quantify the impact of lockdown restrictions on PM oxidative activity, we studied the OP data measured in our laboratory on PM₁₀ filters and directly compared the results from 15–30 April 2020 with those from the same time span in 2019. The OP^AA values dropped to nearly 50%, similar to the concentration decrease in Elemental Carbon (EC) and traffic related metals, as well as to the variation in NO₂ level. Otherwise, the OP^DTT responses decreased to nearly 75%, as described by the corresponding reduction in Organic Carbon (OC) concentration and BC level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic II)

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15 pages, 2629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Socio-Economic Impact of the Imposed Lockdowns in Food Chains: A Case Study in Cyprus

by Dimitrios Koumoulides, Nikolaos Katsenios, Christoforos-Nikitas Kasimatis, George Xydis and Aspasia Efthimiadou

Environments 2022, 9(11), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9110137 - 02 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3231

Abstract

COVID-19 has affected the entire existence of humans. Despite the mass vaccination programs globally deployed, some governments are still struggling to minimize human losses, high rates of virus transmission, and the socio-economic shock the entire planet has being gone through. COVID-19 has seriously [...] Read more.

COVID-19 has affected the entire existence of humans. Despite the mass vaccination programs globally deployed, some governments are still struggling to minimize human losses, high rates of virus transmission, and the socio-economic shock the entire planet has being gone through. COVID-19 has seriously affected all global socio-economic sectors. In this direction, agriculture, food-security and the environment could not be outside of the high-scale negative impacts, especially during the first year of the imposed lockdowns on both national and global scales. The present study provides information on the impact of COVID-19 and the lockdowns imposed, having as its study area the Republic of Cyprus. The study focuses on potato cultivation and production, and on which level entire agricultural procedures were affected during the examined period of the lockdown. A survey methodology study was done with questionnaires distributed to local potato farmers across the country to quantify and identify the link between the pandemic and the potato sector of the island. It was revealed that manpower was limited due to the lockdowns, the distribution of crops to markets disrupted, long delays in transactions in the agricultural sector were experienced, and economic uncertainty, in general, in Cyprus was experienced, among other impacts. Results of the study indicated that—since COVID-19 is not going to be the last disease—a global transition towards a more resilient and spatially localised food network is required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic II)

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Review

Jump to: Research

16 pages, 861 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

A Review on Medical Waste Management: Treatment, Recycling, and Disposal Options

by Mustafa Attrah, Amira Elmanadely, Dilruba Akter and Eldon R. Rene

Environments 2022, 9(11), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9110146 - 21 Nov 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 17827

Abstract

Many nations struggle with the collection, separation, and disposal of medical waste. However, extra caution is required to avoid the risk of injury, cross-contamination, and infection; thus, healthcare workers and individuals responsible for waste management must follow the mandatory safety procedures. In this [...] Read more.

Many nations struggle with the collection, separation, and disposal of medical waste. However, extra caution is required to avoid the risk of injury, cross-contamination, and infection; thus, healthcare workers and individuals responsible for waste management must follow the mandatory safety procedures. In this review, a classification of the various types and categories of medical waste and its treatment methods are discussed. Due to the fact that medical waste can be contaminated and hazardous, it must be managed and processed using complex steps and procedures. In many countries, the primary medical/hospital waste treatment method is incineration, which is regarded as a highly polluting process that emits numerous pollutants that degrade air quality and pose a threat to human health and the environment. As case studies, medical waste treatment and disposal practices in Germany, China, USA, and Egypt were compared, and the legislations and laws enacted to regulate medical waste in each of these countries are reviewed and discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic II)

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