Search Results (20)

The growing demands for sanitary regulations in medical facilities, particularly operating rooms, highlight the importance of ensuring high air quality and minimizing airborne hospital-acquired infections. Improperly designed ventilation systems may lead to contamination of up to 90–95% of patients, especially in light of evolving threats, such as COVID-19. This study focuses on enhancing the energy efficiency and performance of air conditioning and ventilation systems for cleanrooms, where air recirculation is not permissible. A novel energy-efficient direct-flow air treatment scheme is proposed, integrating a heat pump system with adjustable thermal output. A computational fluid dynamics CFD model of a clean operating room was developed to assess the impact of inlet air velocity on aerosol particle removal and airflow stabilization time. The model also considers the effect of personnel movement. The results supported optimized air distribution, reducing microbial contamination risks, with less than 10 CFU/m³, and improved thermal performance. The proposed system was evaluated for energy and cost efficiency compared to conventional setups. Findings can inform the design and operation of cleanroom ventilation in surgical environments and other high-tech applications. This research contributes to improving indoor air quality and reducing infection risks while enhancing sustainability in healthcare infrastructure. Full article

Background: Southern Brazil faced massive rains and floods in May 2024, which led to social, infrastructural, and One Health issues affecting over 478 municipalities and 2.3 million people. Exposure to floodwater increased the risk of bacterial infections, including leptospirosis. Despite the zoonotic nature of leptospiral infections, only human leptospirosis is subject to mandatory reporting, while canine cases are less closely monitored. Considering the extent of this climatic event, many emergency shelters were created for rescued dogs, highlighting the need to monitor infectious diseases to mitigate the spread of hazardous pathogens. Methods: We performed a molecular assessment of canine leptospirosis in Porto Alegre and its metropolitan region. A total of 246 dogs rescued from the flooded areas underwent molecular diagnosis targeting lipL32. In addition, positive samples were identified by sequencing of the partial secY gene. Results: A total of 9 (4%) dogs were positive for Leptospira spp. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses of secY from the positive samples determined that the circulating strains belonged to L. interrogans (n = 8)—Icterohaemorrhagiae and Pomona as the suggested serogroups—and L. kirschneri (n = 1). Conclusions: Our findings point out the challenges in diagnosing and controlling leptospirosis during severe climatic events and reinforce the need for preventive sanitary measures to mitigate the dissemination of Leptospira spp., including the adoption of a mandatory notification system for canine leptospirosis. Full article

Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila), the bacteria causing Legionnaires’ disease, a severe pneumonia with high morbidity and mortality globally. The underreporting of this disease is marked particularly in low-income African countries, where data on Legionellosis remains extremely limited. Gauteng, South Africa’s most densely populated province, faces challenges such as rapid urbanisation, limited access to sanitary facilities, and ageing infrastructure, which can compromise drinking water quality by increasing the presence of bacteria within the water distribution systems. Although research on Legionella in South Africa has been conducted, no research has compared its prevalence in urban and rural households in the country. This study examines the presence and distribution of L. pneumophila and amoeba-associated strains in water distribution systems in both urban (Hillbrow and Atteridgeville) and rural (Zandspruit and Melusi) areas in Gauteng province in South Africa. In total, 134 water samples were obtained from tap faucets and storage containers, and 260 biofilm samples were obtained from tap faucets, storage containers, and toilet bowls. Water samples were analysed for Escherichia coli (E. coli) using the IDEXX Colilert^® and for L. pneumophila using the IDEXX Legiolert^TM assay. Both water and biofilm samples were analysed for evidence of amoeba-associated Legionella using the amoeba enrichment technique. The Colilert assay detected total coliforms in 13% of the urban samples and 25% of the rural samples. The Legiolert^TM assay detected L. pneumophila in 52% of urban and 78% of rural samples. Amoeba-associated L. pneumophila was confirmed in 35% of urban samples and 25% in rural samples. The conventional PCR confirmed L. pneumophila in 81% of both urban and rural samples, while real-time PCR detected L. pneumophila in 97% of urban and 100% of rural samples. In total, 111 water and 19 biofilm samples tested positive for the presence of L. pneumophila across the four areas. These results revealed that L. pneumophila is prevalent in both urban and rural water systems in Gauteng. Full article

This study assessed the status of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services at (49) selected primary schools in uMfolozi Local Municipality, which is situated in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa. Data were collected using an observational checklist tool and by conducting a walk-through survey to inspect the conditions of sanitary facilities, observe the hand-washing practices of the school learners, and analyse the accessibility to safe drinking water in school premises. The data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Science Version 29. This study revealed that there is easy access to safe drinking water in all but one school. The dependability of the water supply seemed to be one of the most urgent problems in every school, even though all of them have some kind of drinking water infrastructure on their grounds. Municipal water (n = 25, 36%) and rainwater (n = 25, 36%) were the most common type of water used in schools compared to borehole (n = 15, 22%) and tanker truck water (n = 4, 6%). Schools must have a reserved water supply because of the inconsistent supply of municipal water, and because rainwater is a seasonal harvest while borehole water may be affected by factors like load-shedding. The UNICEF-described ratio of one tap or disperser per fifty learners suggests that the water taps in the schoolyard were insufficient in some schools (n = 25, 36%). Rainwater is collected through a gutter system in the school building roofs and stored in 5000–10,000 Jojo tanks. Borehole water is pumped into Jojo tanks at an elevated position where it is stored, and learners receive the water through taps connected to the borehole tanks. During an emergency when there is no water supply from other sources, tanker trucks are hired to fill tanks that are also used to store rainwater. The borehole and rainwater quality appeared to be clear, but water treatment had not been performed, and the microbial quality was unknown. This shows that the Sustainable Development Goal (SGD) 6, clean water and sanitation, is still far from being met. According to national norms and standards for domestic water and sanitation services, people who do not use water treatment or purification techniques fall in the ‘no service’ category and contribute to the water backlog. Pit latrines (n = 46, 94%) and flush toilet (n = 3, 6%) were found to be the only convenient toilet systems used. The number of toilets is not sufficient according to the guidelines. There are (n = 46, 94%) of the schools in the study area using pit latrine due to insufficient or no water supply. In 89.8% of primary schools, sanitation facilities are in working condition in terms of repair and hygiene, while 10.2% are not usable in terms of hygiene, and these are mostly boy’s toilets. All schools (n = 46, 94%) that have flush toilets is because they received sponsorship from non-government stakeholders that funded them in achieving piped water systems that permit the functionality of flush toilets. For the purposes of this study, hygiene was evaluate based on the items found in toilets and handwashing practices. The hygiene aspects of toilets included tissues, cleanness, and toilet seat. For handwashing practices we looked the number of washing basins, the colour of water, and having soaps to use. In the schools that did provide handwashing facilities, some of the toilets were broken, there was no water, or there was no drainage system in place to allow them to function. However, according to the school act, the handwash basins should be inside the facilities. A total of (n = 7, 14%) of handwash basins were inside the toilets. Only (n = 2, 4%) of schools had handwashing facilities which were Jojo tanks with taps near toilets, which were outside of the toilet, with no soap provided. Additionally, (n = 40, 82%) of learners used drinking points for handwashing, which can possibly transmit microbes among them. The findings revealed that, in general, (n = 32, 64%) of school toilets were clean, while, in general, the girls’ toilets were cleaner than the boys’ toilets. In all the schools, the cleaning services were from the people who were involved in school nutrition. In conclusion, there were water sources available for access to water inside schools; however, the situation can be improved by increasing the number of water source points. Pit latrines were the main used toilets, which were in a majority of the schools, and did not have the necessary terms for hygiene such as handwashing basin, tissues, and others. The lack of the main aspect, i.e., access to water and sanitation items, results in an impact on hygiene to learners as they will fail to practice proper hygiene. However, improvement can still be made by keeping the boys’ toilets clean while increasing the number of handwashing basins inside the toilets, so that they do not use taps outside the toilets. Schools should work towards meeting the required number of handwashing basins to increase access to handwashing facilities. Full article

Community Restaurants (CRs), part of the Brazilian government’s Popular Restaurant Program (PRP), provide free and/or affordable nutritionally balanced meals as an essential strategy to meet the most vulnerable population’s basic needs and rights. This cross-sectional study evaluated the effectiveness of these CRs’ proposed objectives in cities with ≥100,000 inhabitants in Brazil’s northern and northeastern regions—Brazil’s most vulnerable and historically unequal regions. Effectiveness was assessed using a CR evaluation matrix-based indicator system to classify CRs as “not very effective”, “effective”, or “very effective”. Among the 94 CRs assessed (north: n = 23, 24.5%; northeast: n = 71, 75.5%), most were classified as “effective” or “very effective”, except for the northern states of Amapá and Tocantins, whose only CR was rated as “not very effective” and the northeastern state of Sergipe, which had a PR considered “not very effective”. State-operated CRs predominated (north: 82.6%; northeast: 76.1%) and primarily operated Monday to Friday (north: 87.0%; northeast: 59.2%), with 35.2% of the northeast CRs operating daily, serving lunch as the main meal (100%). Average daily meal counts were 486.5 (north) and 926.9 (northeast), and the average meal offering time was from 10:55 am to 1:21 pm in the north and from 10:35 am to 2:00 pm in the northeast region, with costs averaging USD 0.27 and USD 0.20, respectively. All CRs employed a nutritionist as a technical manager responsible for menu planning and demonstrated compliance with essential infrastructure criteria, including regular waste collection, water supply, and proximity to public transport. Most were in areas with sanitary sewage coverage (north: 91.3%; northeast: 98.6%) and had monitoring mechanisms (91.3% north; 94.4% northeast) and prioritization systems for vulnerable populations (north: 73.9%; northeast: 80.0%). These findings indicate that CRs in these regions effectively strive to address food security goals, demonstrating tangible outcomes that benefit society. Full article

The wastewater conveyance systems in the United States are facing severe structural challenges, with the nation’s overall wastewater infrastructure receiving a critically low grade of D- from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Innovative trenchless technologies, such as Cured-in-Place Pipe Renewal Technology (CIPPRT), offer a cost-efficient substitute for traditional open-cut construction methods (OCCM). However, the possibility of a comprehensive life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) comparing these methods remains unexplored. LCCA examines the comprehensive financial impact, encompassing installation, operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement expenses, using net present value (NPV) over a set duration. The objective of this study is to systematically review the existing literature to explore advancements in calculating the LCCA for CIPPRT and compare the latter approach to OCCM. A rigorous PRISMA-guided methodology applied to academic databases identified 845 publications (1995–2024), with 83 documents being selected after stringent screening. The findings reveal limited use of artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) in predicting CIPPRT costs. A bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer visualizes the results. The study underscores the potential of intelligent, data-driven approaches, such as spreadsheet models and AI, to enhance decision-making in selecting rehabilitation methods tailored to project conditions. These advancements promise more sustainable and cost-effective management of sanitary sewer systems, offering vital insights for decision-makers in addressing critical infrastructure challenges. Full article

The tightening of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations, along with stringent private standards in international fresh produce trade, requires citrus producers, especially in developing regions, to adopt robust compliance mechanisms. This study examines the integration of a Risk Management System (RMS) into the existing Quality Management System (QMS) of citrus producers in the Western Cape (WC), South Africa, aimed at improving adherence to European Union (EU) market requirements. Through a comprehensive survey of citrus producers, the research identifies the primary barriers to effective risk management integration, such as financial constraints, limited human resources, and the prevalent non-compliance in the export chain, including pest infestations and exceeding Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). The results highlight the fact that producers of varying scales face substantial challenges in resource allocation for RMS implementation. The study advocates for a strategic, top-down integration approach, which includes targeted financial support, the establishment of dedicated teams, and well-structured implementation plans. Additionally, the role of both governmental and private sector support is emphasised, particularly in providing training, technical assistance, and infrastructure investments to strengthen compliance efforts. These actions are crucial for ensuring sustained market access, enhancing the competitiveness of citrus producers, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the global market. Full article

The coordinated development of rural infrastructure and ecological environment is an effective way to improve agricultural productivity. The primary focus of the current research is how the two can work together to promote regional economic development in rural areas and in related fields. This study takes the western region as the research object, constructs an evaluation index system for rural infrastructure and ecological environment, and uses the Min-max Scaling method, coupling coordination model, gray GM (1, 1) model, and standard deviation elliptical model for evaluation. The trends and driving factors for the coordinated development of rural infrastructure and ecological coupling in the region from 2012 to 2021 are analyzed. The main results are as follows: (1) Except for Tibet, Qinghai, and Ningxia, the coupling degree of rural infrastructure and the ecological environment in western China reached the maximum level during the research period, also the coordination degree showed a gradual upward trend. (2) A prediction for the development and evolution of rural infrastructure and the ecological environment in western China indicates a trend of agglomerative development in the southern region. (3) By strengthening the construction of reservoirs, improving sanitary conditions, improving cultivated land use area and forest coverage, and controlling soil erosion, the coordinated development of the two can be effectively promoted. The purpose of this study is to promote the sustainable and coordinated development of rural infrastructure and ecological environment, and to provide a reference for policy formulation in the relevant sectors and other countries and regions with similar situations. Full article

Globally, tanks play a major part in the provision of access to clean drinking water to the human population. Beyond aiding in the supply of fresh water, tanks are also essential for ensuring good sanitary conditions for people and for livestock. Many countries have realized that a robust water supply and a robust sanitation infrastructure are necessary for sustainable growth. Therefore, there is large demand for the construction of storage tanks. Further, liquid storage tanks are crucial structures which must continue to be operational even after a catastrophic natural event, such as an earthquake, to support rehabilitation efforts. From an engineering point of view, the various forces acting on the tanks and the behaviour of the tanks under various loads are important issues which need to be addressed for a safe design. Analyses of the tanks are challenging due to the interaction between the fluid and tank wall. Thus, researchers have conducted several investigations to understand the performance of storage tanks subjected to earthquakes by considering this interaction. This paper discusses the historical development of various modelling techniques of storage tanks. The interaction with the soil also influences the behaviour of the tanks, and hence, in this paper, various modelling approaches for soil structure interaction are also reviewed. Further, a brief history of various systems of base isolation and modelling approaches of base-isolated structures are also discussed in this article. Full article

Control of water quality changes in the distribution system is an important issue, due to consumer health, and a threat to technical infrastructure. Annual monitoring of water quality allowed us to analyze the physical, chemical, and biological stability of water produced in two different technological systems. The article examines the extent to which water purification technology affects the possibility of uncontrolled changes in water quality during its transport to the consumer (the risk of secondary water pollution has been estimated). Based on the obtained results, it was found that the groundwater treatment system based on the following processes—aeration, coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection—does not ensure the effective elimination of biogenic substances that determine sanitary safety. The treatment technology extended by an additional biofiltration process on granulated activated carbons (GAC) contributed to the improvement of the quality of the treated water (lowering the content of nutrients) and reduced the risk of losing the biological stability of the water in the distribution system. The biofiltration process did not change the physical and chemical stability of the water; the calculated corrosiveness indicators showed that the waters are devoid of aggressive properties, with a tendency to precipitate CaCO₃. The production of stable water is a step forward in controlling water quality from source to tap. Full article

Production and use of plastic products have drastically increased during the past decades and their environmental impacts are increasingly spotlighted. At the same time, coarse wool, a by-product of meat and dairy production, goes largely unexploited in the EU. This paper asks why more coarse wool is not used in consumer goods, such as acoustic and sound-absorbing products, garden products, and sanitary products. This is answered through a SWOT analysis of results from a desktop study and interviews with producers of these products made from wool, as well as policy documents relating to wool, waste, textiles, and plastic. Findings show that on a product level, the many inherent properties of wool create opportunities for product development and sustainability improvements and that using the coarser wool represents an opportunity for replacing plastics in many applications as well as for innovation. This is, however, dependent on local infrastructure and small-scale enterprises, but as such, it creates opportunities for local value chains, value creation, and safeguarding of local heritage. The shift to small-scale and local resource utilization requires systemic change on several levels: Here the findings show that policy can incentivize material usage transitions, but that these tools are little employed currently. Full article

Since food waste is a contemporary and complicated issue that is widely debated across many societal areas, the world community has designated the reduction of food waste as a crucial aspect of establishing a sustainable economy. However, waste management has numerous challenges, such as inadequate funding, poor waste treatment infrastructure, technological limitations, limited public awareness of proper sanitary practices, and inadequate legal and regulatory frameworks. A variety of microorganisms participate in the process of anaerobic digestion, which can be used to convert organic waste into biogas (e.g., methane) and nutrient-rich digestate. In this study, we propose a synergy among multiple disciplines such as nanotechnology, omics, artificial intelligence, and bioengineering that leverage anaerobic digestion processes to optimize the use of current scientific and technological knowledge in addressing global food waste challenges. The integration of these fields carries with it a vast amount of potential for improved waste management. In addition, we highlighted the relevance, importance, and applicability of numerous biogas-generating technologies accessible in each discipline, as well as assessing the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on waste production and management systems. We identify diverse solutions that acknowledge the necessity for integration aimed at drawing expertise from broad interdisciplinary research to address food waste management challenges. Full article

The lack of biochemical stability in drinking water increases the secondary contamination risk in water supply systems and hence represents a sanitary threat to consumers. The work presented here assesses the likelihood of such risk. The assessment is based on data obtained from one of the water treatment plants. The assessment of the bio-chemical instability risk combines both approaches: fault and event trees. Additional consideration was naturally given to the events that initiated the contamination at the outlet of the water treatment plant. It is concluded that if it is to protect the water-supply infrastructure representing a kind of critical infrastructure, a water-supply company needs to put more emphasis on the distribution of stable water in terms of its properties and composition, thus having no potentially corrosive properties. The assessment underlines the importance that water supply utilities should equally consider both the supplied water sanitary quality and the water supply service continuity. Full article

With the increasing environmental and health problems caused by residential solid waste (RSW), upgrading waste disposal services has become a key priority in rural areas of developing countries. Waste disposal services can be improved by incorporating the end-user evaluation of the services and the infrastructure. This study aims to analyze the respondents’ satisfaction with waste disposal services and infrastructure in rural China, which has not been well documented in the previous literature. For this purpose, we applied the ordered probit model on survey data of 1064 rural residents of Jiangxi, China. In two separate models, two independent variables, i.e., users’ ranking of waste disposal management services and waste disposal management infrastructure, were regressed on five sets of policy, personal, social and demographic, environmental, and village characteristics of the respondents. Our results show that rural residents have relatively high satisfaction (level four out of five) with RSW services. We found a significant correlation between all five investigated characteristics (personal, social and demographic, environmental, and village characteristics) and respondents’ satisfaction with RSW management. However, the correlation differs in magnitude and direction among different respondent groups, where gender, minority status, the sanitary condition of household toilets, and treatment of toilet waste at the village level have the largest influence on satisfaction. It was found that male respondents, ethnic minorities, residents with non-farming status, and respondents with more sanitary household toilets have higher satisfaction levels. Our results provide crucial references for decision-makers to effectively promote the further optimization and improvement of rural waste disposal systems in the future. Full article

Saving fresh water is a big challenge for the next generation due to enhanced living standards and population growth. In addition, the expansion of agricultural and industrial activities is causing unmatched demands for fresh water supplies across Egypt. The Nile River is Egypt’s main water resource, representing 69.4% of the total water resources, while rainwater, torrential water and groundwater, as well as recycled agricultural and sanitary drainage water and desalinated seawater, are estimated at about 30.6%. Smart drip irrigation systems are in great demand, especially in Upper Egypt. SDG’s of the circular economy and the WEF nexus lead to full implementation of drip irrigation systems, achieving ~6.6 BM³/year of direct saving from fresh water and/or doubling the cultivated area. In addition to PV tubes and other utilities, renewable energy, e.g, photovoltaic panels, will posses an important role in low-energy driven drip irrigation systems, reducing fossil-uses, CO₂ emissions and devolving more sustainable processes that are less dependent on conventional energy sources. The current research work is a case study of the substitution of flood with drip irrigation, and its positive advantages for the Egyptian agricultural economy and capital expenditures (capex), which depends on the country’s infrastructure and availability of utilities. Full article