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Environmental Hygiene

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2017) | Viewed by 24945

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ka Man Lai

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
Interests: environmental microbiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pathogens, and many microbial biohazards, are ubiquitous in our environment. Environmental hygiene is an important measures that can help reduce the risk of disease transmission. Using the indoor environment as an example, the presence of bacteria, molds, endotoxins/mycotoxins, allergens, and microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) may affect our health and wellbeing. However, the question of “how clean is clean?” is always a difficult question to answer. Shall we learn and accept to live with microbes and their products in our surrounding environments because, ultimately, we are not living in a sterile world? In the wake of deadly emerging diseases, such as SARS, avian flu, and multi-drug resistant pathogens, and the increasing trend of advertising and marketing antimicrobial and hygiene products, which may exacerbate microbial risks and create a scary scene that we are extremely vulnerable to microbial attacks, it is difficult for the general public to relax and rationally understand environmental hygiene. As scientists working in the environmental and public health fields, research is, no longer, just about the hazards and risks, and determining remediation and hygiene measures, but also about public response to hygiene issues. In the past, it may have been an issue when the general public was too relax regarding hygiene and health; however, in the 21st century, it may be a problem if the general public becomes obsessed with cleaning and killing microbes and “imaginative” microbes on everything they touch and in the air they breathe. The impact of using various antimicrobial and hygiene products and practices on pathogens and the production and transmission of different biohazards, as well as on the environment and wildlife, is an important issue. The widespread application of antimicrobial agents may contribute to microbial resistance and change physiology and the production of hazards. Excessive consumption of many hygiene products, e.g., face masks and paper handkerchiefs, is not environmentally sustainable, and significantly increases the environmental burden. Exposure to known or unknown chemicals and additives in these products, and the side effect of the disinfection by-products, may pose an unexpected health risk to the general public. This Special Issue welcomes research studies contributing to topics related to the public response to different hygiene issues and the implications of this public action to a wider and/or unexpected new and emerging environmental and public health issues.

Dr. Ka Man Lai
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Public response
  • Disinfection by-products
  • Antimicrobials
  • Chemical risk
  • Indoor environment
  • Microbial stress responses

Published Papers (5 papers)

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14 pages, 14541 KiB  
Article
Environmental Sustainability and Mold Hygiene in Buildings
by Haoxiang Wu, Tsz Wai Ng, Jonathan WC Wong and Ka Man Lai
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(4), 681; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15040681 - 04 Apr 2018
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4508
Abstract
Environmental sustainability is one of the key issues in building management. In Hong Kong, one of the initiatives is to reduce the operation hours of air-conditioning in buildings to cut down energy consumption. In this study, we reported a mold contamination case in [...] Read more.
Environmental sustainability is one of the key issues in building management. In Hong Kong, one of the initiatives is to reduce the operation hours of air-conditioning in buildings to cut down energy consumption. In this study, we reported a mold contamination case in a newly refurbished laboratory, in which the air-conditioner was switched from 24- to 18-h mode after refurbishment. In order to prevent mold recurrence, the air-conditioner was switched back to 24-h mode in the laboratory. During the mold investigation, visible mold patches in the laboratory were searched and then cultured, counted and identified. Building and environmental conditions were recorded, and used to deduce different causes of mold contamination. Eight contaminated sites including a wall, a bench, some metal and plastic surfaces and seven types of molds including two Cladosporium spp., two Aspergillus spp., one Rhizopus sp., one Trichoderma sp., and one Tritirachium sp. were identified. Cladosporium spp. were the most abundant and frequently found molds in the laboratory. The contaminated areas could have one to five different species on them. Based on the mold and environmental conditions, several scenarios causing the mold contamination were deduced, and different mold control measures were discussed to compare them with the current solution of using 24-h air-conditioning to control mold growth. This study highlights the importance of mold hygiene in sustainable building management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Hygiene)
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13 pages, 5742 KiB  
Article
In-Cabin Air Quality during Driving and Engine Idling in Air-Conditioned Private Vehicles in Hong Kong
by Natasha Maria Barnes, Tsz Wai Ng, Kwok Keung Ma and Ka Man Lai
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(4), 611; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15040611 - 27 Mar 2018
Cited by 42 | Viewed by 6110
Abstract
Many people spend lengthy periods each day in enclosed vehicles in Hong Kong. However, comparably limited data is available about in-cabin air quality in air-conditioned private vehicles, and the car usage that may affect the air quality. Fifty-one vehicles were tested for particulate [...] Read more.
Many people spend lengthy periods each day in enclosed vehicles in Hong Kong. However, comparably limited data is available about in-cabin air quality in air-conditioned private vehicles, and the car usage that may affect the air quality. Fifty-one vehicles were tested for particulate matter (PM0.3 and PM2.5), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), airborne bacteria, and fungi levels during their routine travel journey. Ten of these vehicles were further examined for PM0.3, PM2.5, TVOCs, CO, and CO2 during engine idling. In general, during driving PM2.5 levels in-cabin reduced overtime, but not PM0.3. For TVOCs, 24% vehicles exceeded the recommended Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) level in offices and public places set by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department. The total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) concentration positively correlated with the age of the vehicle. Carbon monoxide (CO) levels in all of the vehicles were lower than the IAQ recommendation, while 96% vehicles exceeded the recommended CO2 level of 1000 ppmv; 16% vehicles >5000 ppmv. Microbial counts were relatively low. TVOCs levels at idle engine were higher than that during driving. Although the time we spend in vehicles is short, the potential exposure to high levels of pollutants should not be overlooked. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Hygiene)
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316 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Behavior Change Communication Campaigns to Promote Modern Cookstove Purchase and Use in Lower Middle Income Countries
by William Douglas Evans, Michael Johnson, Kirstie Jagoe, Dana Charron, Bonnie N. Young, A. S. M. Mashiur Rahman, Daniel Omolloh and Julie Ipe
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15010011 - 22 Dec 2017
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5203
Abstract
Nearly three billion people worldwide burn solid fuels and kerosene in open fires and inefficient stoves to cook, light, and heat their homes. Cleaner-burning stoves reduce emissions and can have positive health, climate, and women’s empowerment benefits. This article reports on the protocol [...] Read more.
Nearly three billion people worldwide burn solid fuels and kerosene in open fires and inefficient stoves to cook, light, and heat their homes. Cleaner-burning stoves reduce emissions and can have positive health, climate, and women’s empowerment benefits. This article reports on the protocol and baseline data from the evaluation of four behavior change communication (BCC) campaigns carried out in lower to middle income countries aimed at promoting the sale and use of cleaner-burning stoves. Interventions implemented in Bangladesh, Kenya, and Nigeria are using a range of BCC methods including mass media, digital media, outdoor advertising, and inter-personal communication. The mixed methods evaluation comprises three large-scale surveys: one pre-BCC and two follow-ups, along with smaller scale assessments of stove uptake and patterns of use. Baseline results revealed varying levels of awareness of previous promotions and positive attitudes and beliefs about modern (i.e., relatively clean-burning) cookstoves. Differences in cookstove preferences and behaviors by gender, socio-demographics, media use, and country/region were observed that may affect outcomes. Across all three countries, cost (lack of funds) a key perceived barrier to buying a cleaner-burning stove. Future multivariate analyses will examine potential dose-response effects of BCC on cookstove uptake and patterns of use. BCC campaigns have the potential to promote modern cookstoves at scale. More research on campaign effectiveness is needed, and on how to optimize messages and channels. This evaluation builds on a limited evidence base in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Hygiene)
1621 KiB  
Article
Airborne or Fomite Transmission for Norovirus? A Case Study Revisited
by Shenglan Xiao, Julian W. Tang and Yuguo Li
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(12), 1571; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14121571 - 14 Dec 2017
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4935
Abstract
Norovirus infection, a highly prevalent condition associated with a high rate of morbidity, comprises a significant health issue. Although norovirus transmission mainly occurs via the fecal-oral and vomit-oral routes, airborne transmission has been proposed in recent decades. This paper re-examines a previously described [...] Read more.
Norovirus infection, a highly prevalent condition associated with a high rate of morbidity, comprises a significant health issue. Although norovirus transmission mainly occurs via the fecal-oral and vomit-oral routes, airborne transmission has been proposed in recent decades. This paper re-examines a previously described norovirus outbreak in a hotel restaurant wherein airborne transmission was originally inferred. Specifically, the original evidence that suggested airborne transmission was re-analyzed by exploring an alternative hypothesis: could this outbreak instead have occurred via fomite transmission? This re-analysis was based on whether fomite transmission could have yielded similar attack rate distribution patterns. Seven representative serving pathways used by waiters were considered, and the infection risk distributions of the alternative fomite transmission routes were predicted using a multi-agent model. These distributions were compared to the reported attack rate distribution in the original study using a least square methods approach. The results show that with some reasonable assumptions of human behavior patterns and parameter values, the attack rate distribution corresponded well with that of the infection risk via the fomite route. This finding offers an alternative interpretation of the transmission routes that underlay this particular norovirus outbreak and an important consideration in the development of infection control guidelines and the investigation of similar norovirus outbreaks in future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Hygiene)
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9 pages, 949 KiB  
Case Report
Near-Patient Sampling to Assist Infection Control—A Case Report and Discussion
by Julian W. Tang, Elizabeth Hoyle, Sammy Moran and Manish Pareek
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(2), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15020238 - 31 Jan 2018
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3690
Abstract
Air sampling as an aid to infection control is still in an experimental stage, as there is no consensus about which air samplers and pathogen detection methods should be used, and what thresholds of specific pathogens in specific exposed populations (staff, patients, or [...] Read more.
Air sampling as an aid to infection control is still in an experimental stage, as there is no consensus about which air samplers and pathogen detection methods should be used, and what thresholds of specific pathogens in specific exposed populations (staff, patients, or visitors) constitutes a true clinical risk. This case report used a button sampler, worn or held by staff or left free-standing in a fixed location, for environmental sampling around a child who was chronically infected by a respiratory adenovirus, to determine whether there was any risk of secondary adenovirus infection to the staff managing the patient. Despite multiple air samples taken on difference days, coinciding with high levels of adenovirus detectable in the child’s nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs), none of the air samples contained any detectable adenovirus DNA using a clinically validated diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Although highly sensitive, in-house PCR assays have been developed to detect airborne pathogen RNA/DNA, it is still unclear what level of specific pathogen RNA/DNA constitutes a true clinical risk. In this case, the absence of detectable airborne adenovirus DNA using a conventional diagnostic assay removed the requirement for staff to wear surgical masks and face visors when they entered the child’s room. No subsequent staff infections or outbreaks of adenovirus have so far been identified. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Hygiene)
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