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Effects of anthropogenic activities on the heavy metal levels in the clams and sediments in a tropical river

Wong KW, Yap CK, Nulit R, Hamzah MS, Chen SK, Cheng WH, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Jan;24(1):116-134.
PMID: 27822691 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7951-z

The present study aimed to assess the effects of anthropogenic activities on the heavy metal levels in the Langat River by transplantation of Corbicula javanica. In addition, potential ecological risk indexes (PERI) of heavy metals in the surface sediments of the river were also investigated. The correlation analysis revealed that eight metals (As, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in total soft tissue (TST) while five metals (As, Cd, Cr, Fe and Mn) in shell have positively and significantly correlation with respective metal concentration in sediment, indicating the clams is a good biomonitor of the metal levels. Based on clustering patterns, the discharge of dam impoundment, agricultural activities and urban domestic waste were identified as three major contributors of the metals in Pangsun, Semenyih and Dusun Tua, and Kajang, respectively. Various geochemical indexes for a single metal pollutant (geoaccumulation index (I geo), enrichment factors (EF), contamination factor (C f) and ecological risk (Er)) all agreed that Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn are not likely to cause adverse effect to the river ecosystem, but As and Pb could pose a potential ecological risk to the river ecosystem. All indexes (degree of contamination (C d), combined pollution index (CPI) and PERI) showed that overall metal concentrations in the tropical river are still within safe limit. River metal pollution was investigated. Anthropogenic activities were contributors of the metal pollution. Geochemical indexes showed that metals are within the safe limit.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Fulltext Intra-articular haemangioma of the knee in the skeletally immature

Wong KA, Singh VA, Pailoor J

Singapore Med J, 2013 Nov;54(11):e228-9.
PMID: 24276110

Intra-articular haemangioma is a rare and uncommon condition that sometimes presents in infants. The lesion can be a diagnostic challenge, with misdiagnosis often leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. It is essential to establish and treat the condition early, as intra-articular haemangioma can lead to destruction of the joint and secondary arthrosis. Herein, we report the case of a five-year-old boy who presented with intra-articular haemangioma and discuss the management of his condition.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Risk Stratification in Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Multicenter Observational Study

Wong JJ, Phan HP, Phumeetham S, Ong JSM, Chor YK, Qian S, et al.

Crit Care Med, 2017 Jul 26.
PMID: 28749854 DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000002623

OBJECTIVES: The Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference developed a pediatric specific definition for acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS). In this definition, severity of lung disease is stratified into mild, moderate, and severe groups. We aim to describe the epidemiology of patients with PARDS across Asia and evaluate whether the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference risk stratification accurately predicts outcome in PARDS.
DESIGN: A multicenter, retrospective, descriptive cohort study.
SETTING: Ten multidisciplinary PICUs in Asia.
PATIENTS: All mechanically ventilated children meeting the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference criteria for PARDS between 2009 and 2015.
INTERVENTIONS: None.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data on epidemiology, ventilation, adjunct therapies, and clinical outcomes were collected. Patients were followed for 100 days post diagnosis of PARDS. A total of 373 patients were included. There were 89 (23.9%), 149 (39.9%), and 135 (36.2%) patients with mild, moderate, and severe PARDS, respectively. The most common risk factor for PARDS was pneumonia/lower respiratory tract infection (309 [82.8%]). Higher category of severity of PARDS was associated with lower ventilator-free days (22 [17-25], 16 [0-23], 6 [0-19]; p < 0.001 for mild, moderate, and severe, respectively) and PICU free days (19 [11-24], 15 [0-22], 5 [0-20]; p < 0.001 for mild, moderate, and severe, respectively). Overall PICU mortality for PARDS was 113 of 373 (30.3%), and 100-day mortality was 126 of 317 (39.7%). After adjusting for site, presence of comorbidities and severity of illness in the multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model, patients with moderate (hazard ratio, 1.88 [95% CI, 1.03-3.45]; p = 0.039) and severe PARDS (hazard ratio, 3.18 [95% CI, 1.68, 6.02]; p < 0.001) had higher risk of mortality compared with those with mild PARDS.
CONCLUSIONS: Mortality from PARDS is high in Asia. The Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference definition of PARDS is a useful tool for risk stratification.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Assessment of exposure of professional agricultural operators to pesticides

Wong HL, Garthwaite DG, Ramwell CT, Brown CD

Sci Total Environ, 2018 Apr 01;619-620:874-882.
PMID: 29734633 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.127

This study investigates how field practices in handling and applying pesticides influence the long-term patterns of professional agricultural operators' exposure to pesticides. It presents the first use of a comprehensive pesticide application dataset collected on behalf of the European Food Safety Authority with 50 operators selected to cover arable and orchard cropping systems in Greece, Lithuania and the UK. Exposure was predicted based on the harmonised Agricultural Operator Exposure Model (AOEM) and compared with Acceptable Operator Exposure Levels (AOELs). The amount of pesticides handled by individual operators across a cropping season was largest in the UK arable and orchard systems (median 580 and 437kg active substance, respectively), intermediate for the arable systems in Greece and Lithuania (151 and 77kg, respectively), and smallest in the Greek orchard system (22kg). Overall, 30 of the 50 operators made at least one application within a day with predicted exposure greater than the AOEL. The rate of AOEL exceedance was greatest in the Greek cropping systems (8 orchard operators, 2.8-16% of total applications; 7 arable operators, 1.1-14% of total applications), and least for the Lithuanian arable system (2 operators, 2.9-4.5% of total applications). Instances in Greece when predicted exposure exceed the AOEL were strongly influenced by the widespread use of wettable powder formulations (>40% of the total pesticide active substance handled for 11 of the 20 Greek operators). In contrast, the total area of land treated with an active substance on a single day was more important in the UK and Lithuania (95th percentile observed value was 132 and 19haday-1 for UK arable and orchard systems, respectively). Study findings can be used to evaluate current assumptions in regulatory exposure calculations and to identify situations with potential risk that require further analysis including measurements of exposure to validate model estimations.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Assessment of occupational exposure to pesticide mixtures with endocrine-disrupting activity

Wong HL, Garthwaite DG, Ramwell CT, Brown CD

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 Jan;26(2):1642-1653.
PMID: 30448946 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-3676-5

Occupational exposure to pesticide mixtures comprising active substance(s) and/or co-formulant(s) with known/possible endocrine-disrupting activity was assessed using long-term activity records for 50 professional operators representing arable and orchard cropping systems in Greece, Lithuania, and the UK. Exposure was estimated using the harmonised Agricultural Operator Exposure Model, and risk was quantified as a point of departure index (PODI) using the lowest no observed (adverse) effect level. Use of substances with known/possible endocrine activity was common, with 43 of the 50 operators applying at least one such active substance on more than 50% of spray days; at maximum, one UK operator sprayed five such active substances and 10 such co-formulants in a single day. At 95th percentile, total exposure was largest in the UK orchard system (0.041 × 10-2 mg kg bw-1 day-1) whereas risk was largest in the Greek cropping systems (PODI 0.053 × 10-1). All five cropping systems had instances indicating potential for risk when expressed at a daily resolution (maximum PODI 1.2-10.7). Toxicological data are sparse for co-formulants, so combined risk from complex mixtures of active substances and co-formulants may be larger in reality.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Fulltext How does exposure to pesticides vary in space and time for residents living near to treated orchards?

Wong HL, Garthwaite DG, Ramwell CT, Brown CD

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Dec;24(34):26444-26461.
PMID: 28948535 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0064-5

This study investigated changes over 25 years (1987-2012) in pesticide usage in orchards in England and Wales and associated changes to exposure and risk for resident pregnant women living 100 and 1000 m downwind of treated areas. A model was developed to estimate aggregated daily exposure to pesticides via inhaled vapour and indirect dermal contact with contaminated ground, whilst risk was expressed as a hazard quotient (HQ) based on estimated exposure and the no observed (adverse) effect level for reproductive and developmental effects. Results show the largest changes occurred between 1987 and 1996 with total pesticide usage reduced by ca. 25%, exposure per unit of pesticide applied slightly increased, and a reduction in risk per unit exposure by factors of 1.3 to 3. Thereafter, there were no consistent changes in use between 1996 and 2012, with an increase in number of applications to each crop balanced by a decrease in average application rate. Exposure per unit of pesticide applied decreased consistently over this period such that values in 2012 for this metric were 48-65% of those in 1987, and there were further smaller decreases in risk per unit exposure. All aggregated hazard quotients were two to three orders of magnitude smaller than one, despite the inherent simplifications of assuming co-occurrence of exposure to all pesticides and additivity of effects. Hazard quotients at 1000 m were 5 to 16 times smaller than those at 100 m. There were clear signals of the impact of regulatory intervention in improving the fate and hazard profiles of pesticides used in orchards in England and Wales over the period investigated.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Cephalhematoma infected by Escherichia coli presenting as an extensive scalp abscess

Wong CS, Cheah FC

J Pediatr Surg, 2012 Dec;47(12):2336-40.
PMID: 23217901 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2012.09.029

Cephalhematoma is normally a self-limiting condition affecting 1%-2% of live births, especially following instrumental forceps delivery. The sub-periosteal bleed is characteristically limited by the cranial sutures. Although benign in most instances, this condition may, in a small proportion of cases, be complicated by hyperbilirubinemia or scalp infection. We describe a case of cephalhematoma in a newborn infant infected with Escherichia coli resulting in an extensive deep seated scalp abscess. The infection was also systemic causing E. coli septicemia and initial assessment assumed local extension including bone and meningeal to cause skull osteomyelitis and meningitis respectively. Further investigations and multiple-modality imaging with ultrasound, CT scan and bone scintigraphy outlined the involvement as limited to the scalp, resulting in a shorter antibiotic treatment period and earlier discharge from hospital. The infant recovered well with parenteral antibiotics, saucerization of the abscess and a later skin grafting procedure.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
The causes of haemoptysis in malaysian patients aged over 60 and the diagnostic yield of different investigations

Wong CM, Lim KH, Liam CK

Respirology, 2003 Mar;8(1):65-8.
PMID: 12856744

OBJECTIVE: In southeast Asia, pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is the most frequently presumed diagnosis for haemoptysis. This study was designed to assess the causes of haemoptysis, the diagnostic yield of causes in different diagnostic modalities and the distribution of older patients.
METHODS: All patients presenting to the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with haemoptysis were recruited prospectively and evaluated.
RESULTS: One hundred and sixty patients were evaluated for haemoptysis; 71 (44.4%) were aged 60 years or more. Significantly more patients smoked in the older age group (P = 0.002). The main causes of haemoptysis in the older patients were bronchogenic carcinoma (49.3%), pneumonia (11.3%), bronchiectasis (8.6%), cryptogenic (5.6%) and active TB (4.2%). Significantly more older patients had carcinoma (P < 0.001), while the younger patients more often had TB (P < 0.001). Chest pain was significantly more common in the older patients (P = 0.025), particularly in patients with carcinoma. Bronchoscopy alone or combined with CT of the thorax was significantly more diagnostic in the older patient (P = 0.006).
CONCLUSION: Bronchogenic carcinoma is the commonest cause of haemoptysis in patients aged 60 years and above. Presumptive anti-TB therapy should not be encouraged despite the regional high prevalence of TB.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Metastatic lung cancer in pregnancy

Wong CM, Lim KH, Liam CK

Respirology, 2003 Mar;8(1):107-9.
PMID: 12856752

Pregnancy complicated by lung cancer has been rarely reported. The regional incidence of this complex situation is likely to increase in the future and optimal management needs to be established to better deal with this situation. We report two patients with metastatic lung cancer complicating pregnancy to highlight the evaluation and management difficulties associated with this problem and to contribute to the limited information in the literature.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Fulltext An inverse association between the Mediterranean diet and bladder cancer risk: a pooled analysis of 13 cohort studies

Witlox WJA, van Osch FHM, Brinkman M, Jochems S, Goossens ME, Weiderpass E, et al.

Eur J Nutr, 2020 Feb;59(1):287-296.
PMID: 30737562 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-019-01907-8

PURPOSE: The role of diet in bladder carcinogenesis has yet to be established. To date most studies have investigated dietary components individually, rather than as dietary patterns, which may provide stronger evidence for any influence of diet on bladder carcinogenesis. The Mediterranean diet has been associated with many health benefits, but few studies have investigated its association with bladder cancer risk.
METHODS: We investigated the potential association between the Mediterranean diet score (MDS) and risk of developing bladder cancer by pooling 13 prospective cohort studies included in the BLadder cancer Epidemiology and Nutritional Determinants (BLEND) study and applying a Cox regression analysis.
RESULTS: Dietary data from 646,222 study participants, including 3639 incident bladder cancer cases, were analysed. We observed an inverse association between Mediterranean diet and bladder cancer risk (HRhigh 0.85 [95% CI 0.77, 0.93]). When stratifying the results on non-muscle-invasive or muscle-invasive disease or sex the association remained similar and the HR estimate was consistently below 1.00 both for medium and high adherence to the Mediterranean diet. A consistent association was observed when disregarding fat or alcohol intake.
CONCLUSION: We found evidence that adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with reduced risk of developing bladder cancer, suggesting a positive effect of the diet as a whole and not just one component.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Fulltext Distinguishing benign from malignant pelvic mass utilizing an algorithm with HE4, menopausal status, and ultrasound findings

Wilailak S, Chan KK, Chen CA, Nam JH, Ochiai K, Aw TC, et al.

J Gynecol Oncol, 2015 Jan;26(1):46-53.
PMID: 25310857 DOI: 10.3802/jgo.2015.26.1.46

The purpose of this study was to develop a risk prediction score for distinguishing benign ovarian mass from malignant tumors using CA-125, human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), ultrasound findings, and menopausal status. The risk prediction score was compared to the risk of malignancy index and risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA).

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment/methods
Fulltext Integrating sustainable Islamic social finance: An Analytical Network Process using the Benefit Opportunity Cost Risk (ANP BOCR) framework: The case of Indonesia

Widiastuti T, Robani A, Sukmaningrum PS, Mawardi I, Ningsih S, Herianingrum S, et al.

PLoS One, 2022;17(5):e0269039.
PMID: 35617300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269039

The utilization of Islamic social finance instruments is far behind what is expected. To realize its full potential, Islamic social finance instruments must be integrated. This study examined solutions and priority strategies for integrating sustainable Islamic social finance that could be implemented in the short and long term using the Benefit, Opportunity, Cost, and Risk (BOCR) framework, which includes six aspects: Governance, sustainable financing, institutional aspect, human resources, regulations, and supporting technology. This qualitative research employed the Analytic Network Process (ANP) method using the benefit, opportunity, cost, and risk analysis. The data were obtained mainly through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with respondents among academics, practitioners, associations, regulators, and community leaders. The respondents were selected for their expertise and experience in the selected topic. The data were processed using the Microsoft Excel and Super Decision software. There are several findings worth considering from the analysis. First, the highest priority in integrating Islamic social finance aspects are human resources (0.97), regulation (0.86), and technology (0.76). Second, based on the short- and long-term analysis, financial integration through sustainable financing (0.01 and 1.44, respectively) and improving human resource quality through certification and training (0.01 and 1.56, respectively) is a priority solution and strategy to integrate sustainable Islamic social finance. Meanwhile, according to expert judgments, integrating national data (0.24) and optimizing technology use (0.18) are priority solutions and strategies. The findings emphasize the critical role of improving human resource quality to utilize technology, with experts identifying a national data integration as the most critical solution. As a result, relevant stakeholders are concerned about technology management training for Islamic philanthropic managers, with the goal of maximizing the potential of technology's growing role and adoption.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Future climate change driven sea-level rise: secondary consequences from human displacement for island biodiversity

Wetzel FT, Kissling WD, Beissmann H, Penn DJ

Glob Chang Biol, 2012 Sep;18(9):2707-19.
PMID: 24501050 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2012.02736.x

Sea-level rise (SLR) due to global warming will result in the loss of many coastal areas. The direct or primary effects due to inundation and erosion from SLR are currently being assessed; however, the indirect or secondary ecological effects, such as changes caused by the displacement of human populations, have not been previously evaluated. We examined the potential ecological consequences of future SLR on >1,200 islands in the Southeast Asian and the Pacific region. Using three SLR scenarios (1, 3, and 6 m elevation, where 1 m approximates most predictions by the end of this century), we assessed the consequences of primary and secondary SLR effects from human displacement on habitat availability and distributions of selected mammal species. We estimate that between 3-32% of the coastal zone of these islands could be lost from primary effects, and consequently 8-52 million people would become SLR refugees. Assuming that inundated urban and intensive agricultural areas will be relocated with an equal area of habitat loss in the hinterland, we project that secondary SLR effects can lead to an equal or even higher percent range loss than primary effects for at least 10-18% of the sample mammals in a moderate range loss scenario and for 22-46% in a maximum range loss scenario. In addition, we found some species to be more vulnerable to secondary than primary effects. Finally, we found high spatial variation in vulnerability: species on islands in Oceania are more vulnerable to primary SLR effects, whereas species on islands in Indo-Malaysia, with potentially 7-48 million SLR refugees, are more vulnerable to secondary effects. Our findings show that primary and secondary SLR effects can have enormous consequences for human inhabitants and island biodiversity, and that both need to be incorporated into ecological risk assessment, conservation, and regional planning.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Fulltext Effectiveness of screening and brief intervention for alcohol misuse and risky drinking in Kota Kinabalu

Wenda Riona Lamiri, Lily Shuzeen Kimin, Constance Liew Sat Lin, Alvin Oliver Payus, May Zaw Soe, May Honey Ohn, et al.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(106):57-57.
MyJurnal

Introduction:Alcohol is a major factor that can affect many aspects of life. The prevalence of current drinker in Malaysia aged 13 years old and above was 7.7% as reported by NHMS 2015. Sabah was ranked the third in highest consumption of alcohol in Malaysia, at 18.4% after Kuala Lumpur 20.3% and Sarawak 19.7%. The aim of the study is to investigate prevalence of different types of drinkers and identify demographic characteristic of drinkers in Kota Kinabalu (KK). This study also aims to investigate the effectiveness of screening and brief intervention in reduction of alcohol consumption and risky drinking in KK. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done where the data were col-lected from seven different areas in KK, selected by stratified and simple randomized sampling. Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire translated and validated in Malay version by Unit Terjemahan Universiti Malaya was used. AUDIT score was calculated and brief intervention was given accordingly and scoring was then repeated after three months. The intervention applied was based on Guideline on Risk Assessment and Primary In-tervention in Alcohol Harm, published by Ministry of Health Malaysia in 2010. Results: The age range of population studied is from 13 to 85 years old with 243 males and 230 females. Out of the 473 participants, 13.1% adolescent, 37.6% young adulthood, 36.4% middle adulthood and 12.9% in late adulthood. We observed that the male mean weight was 68.27±12.72kg versus 58.86±12.45kg mean weight in female. The prevalence of drinkers – 3.6% depen-dent drinkers, 22.2% high risk drinkers, 36.2% low risk drinker while the remaining 38.1% are abstainers. Majority of consumers were practicing low-risk drinking pattern which highlighted the need for prevention and harm minimiza-tion programme. Paired sample t-test shows that the decrease in AUDIT three months after intervention is statistically significant. Conclusion: This study conducted in KK suggests that screening coupled with brief intervention can help reduce alcohol misuse and risky drinking and should be practiced in all primary healthcare facilities.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Prediction of breast cancer risk based on common genetic variants in women of East Asian ancestry

Wen W, Shu XO, Guo X, Cai Q, Long J, Bolla MK, et al.

Breast Cancer Res, 2016 12 08;18(1):124.
PMID: 27931260

BACKGROUND: Approximately 100 common breast cancer susceptibility alleles have been identified in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The utility of these variants in breast cancer risk prediction models has not been evaluated adequately in women of Asian ancestry.
METHODS: We evaluated 88 breast cancer risk variants that were identified previously by GWAS in 11,760 cases and 11,612 controls of Asian ancestry. SNPs confirmed to be associated with breast cancer risk in Asian women were used to construct a polygenic risk score (PRS). The relative and absolute risks of breast cancer by the PRS percentiles were estimated based on the PRS distribution, and were used to stratify women into different levels of breast cancer risk.
RESULTS: We confirmed significant associations with breast cancer risk for SNPs in 44 of the 78 previously reported loci at P risk of breast cancer (95% CI: 2.15-3.40). The risk prediction model with the PRS had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.606. The lifetime risk of breast cancer for Shanghai Chinese women in the lowest and highest 1% of the PRS was 1.35% and 10.06%, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Approximately one-half of GWAS-identified breast cancer risk variants can be directly replicated in East Asian women. Collectively, common genetic variants are important predictors for breast cancer risk. Using common genetic variants for breast cancer could help identify women at high risk of breast cancer.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Occurrence and risk assessment of multiclass endocrine disrupting compounds in an urban tropical river and a proposed risk management and monitoring framework

Wee SY, Aris AZ, Yusoff FM, Praveena SM

Sci Total Environ, 2019 Jun 25;671:431-442.
PMID: 30933799 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.243

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are an emerging environmental concern and commonly occur as a mixture of compounds. The EDC mixture can be more toxic than any single compound. The present study analyses EDCs in surface water in the case of an urban tropical river, the Langat River, using the multiresidue analytical method of solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS). The Langat River is used as a drinking water source and is treated for Malaysian drinking water supply. A total of 14 EDCs i.e. five hormones, seven pharmaceuticals, one pesticide, and one plasticizer were detected. Caffeine was observed to be highest at 19.33 ng/L, followed by bisphenol A and diclofenac at 8.24 ng/L and 6.15 ng/L, respectively. Using a conservative risk quotient (RQ) method, EDCs were estimated for having negligible risks under acute and chronic exposure (RQ risk related to these compounds in the Langat River riverine ecosystem. However, the presence of EDCs in surface water raises concerns about potential human exposure to EDCs via dietary intake i.e. food and drinking water supply. Although the ecological risks are considered negligible, these risks should not be neglected in terms of future prioritization and risk management. Improvements in water quality monitoring and risk assessment in water source protection are required to support a multibarrier approach to managing drinking water supply systems for safe water supply. The present study proposes a risk management and monitoring framework for EDCs to support the aforementioned multibarrier approach.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Active pharmaceutical ingredients in Malaysian drinking water: consumption, exposure, and human health risk

Wee SY, Haron DEM, Aris AZ, Yusoff FM, Praveena SM

Environ Geochem Health, 2020 Oct;42(10):3247-3261.
PMID: 32328897 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-020-00565-8

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are typical endocrine disruptors found in common pharmaceuticals and personal care products, which are frequently detected in aquatic environments, especially surface water treated for drinking. However, current treatment technologies are inefficient for removing emerging endocrine disruptors, leading to the potential contamination of tap water. This study employed an optimized analytical method comprising solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS) to detect APIs in tap water in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Several therapeutic classes of pharmaceuticals and personal care products, including anti-inflammatory drugs (dexamethasone and diclofenac), antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole and triclosan), antiepileptics (primidone), antibacterial agents (ciprofloxacin), beta-blockers (propranolol), psychoactive stimulants (caffeine), and antiparasitic drugs (diazinon), were detected in the range of risk was negligible (risk quotient

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Ecological risk estimation of organophosphorus pesticides in riverine ecosystems

Wee SY, Aris AZ

Chemosphere, 2017 Dec;188:575-581.
PMID: 28917209 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.09.035

Pesticides are of great concern because of their existence in ecosystems at trace concentrations. Worldwide pesticide use and its ecological impacts (i.e., altered environmental distribution and toxicity of pesticides) have increased over time. Exposure and toxicity studies are vital for reducing the extent of pesticide exposure and risk to the environment and humans. Regional regulatory actions may be less relevant in some regions because the contamination and distribution of pesticides vary across regions and countries. The risk quotient (RQ) method was applied to assess the potential risk of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), primarily focusing on riverine ecosystems. Using the available ecotoxicity data, aquatic risks from OPPs (diazinon and chlorpyrifos) in the surface water of the Langat River, Selangor, Malaysia were evaluated based on general (RQm) and worst-case (RQex) scenarios. Since the ecotoxicity of quinalphos has not been well established, quinalphos was excluded from the risk assessment. The calculated RQs indicate medium risk (RQm = 0.17 and RQex = 0.66; 0.1 ≤ RQ risk (RQ ≥ 1) based on RQm and RQex at 1.44 and 4.83, respectively. A contradictory trend of RQs > 1 (high risk) was observed for both the general and worst cases of chlorpyrifos, but only for the worst cases of diazinon at all sites from downstream to upstream regions. Thus, chlorpyrifos posed a higher risk than diazinon along the Langat River, suggesting that organisms and humans could be exposed to potentially high levels of OPPs.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment*
Endocrine disrupting compounds in drinking water supply system and human health risk implication

Wee SY, Aris AZ

Environ Int, 2017 09;106:207-233.
PMID: 28552550 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.05.004

To date, experimental and epidemiological evidence of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) adversely affecting human and animal populations has been widely debated. Notably, human health risk assessment is required for risk mitigation. The lack of human health risk assessment and management may thus unreliably regulate the quality of water resources and efficiency of treatment processes. Therefore, drinking water supply systems (DWSSs) may be still unwarranted in assuring safe access to potable drinking water. Drinking water supply, such as tap water, is an additional and crucial route of human exposure to the health risks associated with EDCs. A holistic system, incorporating continuous research in DWSS monitoring and management using multi-barrier approach, is proposed as a preventive measure to reduce human exposure to the risks associated with EDCs through drinking water consumption. The occurrence of EDCs in DWSSs and corresponding human health risk implications are analyzed using the Needs, Approaches, Benefits, and Challenges (NABC) method. Therefore, this review may act as a supportive tool in protecting human health and environmental quality from EDCs, which is essential for decision-making regarding environmental monitoring and management purposes. Subsequently, the public could have sustainable access to safer and more reliable drinking water.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment
Fulltext Risk of metabolic syndrome among children living in metropolitan Kuala Lumpur: a case control study

Wee BS, Poh BK, Bulgiba A, Ismail MN, Ruzita AT, Hills AP

BMC Public Health, 2011;11:333.
PMID: 21592367 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-333

With the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity, the metabolic syndrome has been studied among children in many countries but not in Malaysia. Hence, this study aimed to compare metabolic risk factors between overweight/obese and normal weight children and to determine the influence of gender and ethnicity on the metabolic syndrome among school children aged 9-12 years in Kuala Lumpur and its metropolitan suburbs.

Matched MeSH terms: Risk Assessment/methods

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