World Congress on Environmental Toxicology and Health July 11-12, 2018 Sydney, Australia

Biography:

Timothy Winey was born in Omaha Nebraska in 1966. He went on to study music (violin) and educational studies at both California State University Fresno and California State University Sacramento where he ultimately graduated. Timothy's interest in vibration led him down the proverbial "rabbit hole" of energy medicine where he began experimenting with Torsion Fields. His discovery has led to a number of findings showing anomalous Torsion effects on liquids. University and industry testing have confirmed a puzzling array of non-classical yet robust effects including:

In 2015 Timothy was invited by famed University of Washington water researcher Dr. Gerald Pollack (author of the groundbreaking book "Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life") to present his research to a gathering of top scientists at the 10th annual conference on the Physics, Chemistry and Biology of Water held in Varna Bulgaria.

Abstract:

Radox Water

Biography:

Jaime Senabre is a Psychologist and Environmental Consultant. He has completed his Doctoral studies in the Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment of the UNED. He was Chief of Brigade in a Forest Fire Service with more than 20 years of experience. He collaborates with several companies and institutions in the area of training in psychology in emergencies and human resources. He is a Professor at the University of Valencia, Director and President of the International Scientific-Professional Committee of the National Symposium on Forest Fires (SINIF). He has published articles on forest fires, stress, psychosocial risks and emotional trauma, mainly in relation to emergency services and natural disasters. Currently, he is assigned to the Research Group on Climate and Territorial Planning at University of Alicante, where he researches on the social perception of forest fire risk and behavior in the event of possible disasters.

Abstract:

Wildland fires are a source of polluting emissions into the atmosphere whose main origin is anthropogenic, as is amply demonstrated by causality studies and statistics. Air pollution by such disturbance is due to combustion of forest biomass that mainly generates CO₂ and H₂O, and other inorganic and organic gases, and particles. During fires, and by the action of fire, the ordinary characteristics of both the fuel and the oxidizer are modified, being able to change state and suffering different reactions at the molecular level. The composition and molecular structure of the combustion gases, the concentration or dose received and the exposure time act as modulators of the possible effects on the health of the exposed persons. The harmful substances of a forest fire penetrate the body, mainly through the respiratory tract and the skin. According to recent research, in Spain it is estimated that there are about 17% of the population living less than 5 km from a source that emits carcinogenic substances. There are areas of the country which has been detected excess mortality from leukemia and certain cancers, such as those related to the digestive, respiratory, prostate, breast, ovarian and gallbladder. These findings have been related to cities or municipalities with high industrial activity. There seems to be little doubt about the association of the effects of industrial pollution and the development of certain types of cancer. In our study, we evaluated the relationship between the areas of Spain with the most industrial pollution and the areas with the highest prevalence of wildland fires, in order to determine if forest fires may be contributing: First, to an impoverishment of the quality of the air we breathe; second, an increase in vulnerability and a greater risk to the health of people.

Biography:

Md Atikul Islam has research experience in the field of environmental pollution and public health. He has completed his Doctor of Engineering in Systems Design and Engineering from Yamaguchi University, Japan. He has worked as a Visiting Scientist in Department of Soil Amelioration, University of Zagreb, Croatia. He had several national and international collaborative research projects which mainly focus on environmental pollution assessment and management. Presently he is working as a Professor under Environmental Science Discipline in Khulna University, Bangladesh.

Abstract:

Assessment of potential ecological and health risk for inhabitants living near a former secondary lead smelter

Bangladesh is the most densely populated countries in the world. High demand in the transport sector has triggered the use of Lead Acid Battery (LAB) driven vehicles. Thousands of exhausted LABs are recycled in the local markets to recover lead (Pb) by crude smelting process to manufacture new batteries. Smelting is a major source of environmental metal pollution and the effect of lead smelter on the surrounding environment and people living in the affected area were rarely studied. This study assessed the concentration of Pb, As, Cd and Zn in agricultural soils and in rice grains produced in the surrounding farmlands of a former secondary lead smelter in Khulna, Bangladesh. A total of 29 surface soil and rice samples were collected within 500 m of the smelter. The contamination factor (C_f) and total hazard quotient (THQ) was used to assess the ecological and human health risk. The mean concentrations of Pb, As and Zn in soils were 231, 6.4 and 503 mg/kg, respectively. Cd was not detected in any sample. The concentration of Pb in the surface soils near the Pb smelter was very high. Mean concentrations of Pb, As and Zn in rice grain were 7.48, 1.4 and 25 mg/kg fw, respectively. The mean concentrations of Pb and As were higher than the tolerance limits of 0.4 and 0.7 respectively, indicating a potential risk to human health. The mean value of C_f were 11.6, 2.1 and 7.4 for Pb, As and Zn, respectively. For Pb samples, 41% of the samples had C_f>6, which means very strong contamination. In relation to health risk, THQ values for Pb and As were greater than 1.0 demonstrating high health hazards of these metals. Measures should be taken to combat metal pollution from Pb smelter in the study area.

Biography:

Md Atikul Islam has research experience in the field of environmental pollution and public health. He has completed his Doctor of Engineering in Systems Design and Engineering from Yamaguchi University, Japan. He has worked as a Visiting Scientist in Department of Soil Amelioration, University of Zagreb, Croatia. He had several national and international collaborative research projects which mainly focus on environmental pollution assessment and management. Presently he is working as a Professor under Environmental Science Discipline in Khulna University, Bangladesh.

Abstract:

Assessment of potential ecological and health risk for inhabitants living near a former secondary lead smelter

Bangladesh is the most densely populated countries in the world. High demand in the transport sector has triggered the use of Lead Acid Battery (LAB) driven vehicles. Thousands of exhausted LABs are recycled in the local markets to recover lead (Pb) by crude smelting process to manufacture new batteries. Smelting is a major source of environmental metal pollution and the effect of lead smelter on the surrounding environment and people living in the affected area were rarely studied. This study assessed the concentration of Pb, As, Cd and Zn in agricultural soils and in rice grains produced in the surrounding farmlands of a former secondary lead smelter in Khulna, Bangladesh. A total of 29 surface soil and rice samples were collected within 500 m of the smelter. The contamination factor (C_f) and total hazard quotient (THQ) was used to assess the ecological and human health risk. The mean concentrations of Pb, As and Zn in soils were 231, 6.4 and 503 mg/kg, respectively. Cd was not detected in any sample. The concentration of Pb in the surface soils near the Pb smelter was very high. Mean concentrations of Pb, As and Zn in rice grain were 7.48, 1.4 and 25 mg/kg fw, respectively. The mean concentrations of Pb and As were higher than the tolerance limits of 0.4 and 0.7 respectively, indicating a potential risk to human health. The mean value of C_f were 11.6, 2.1 and 7.4 for Pb, As and Zn, respectively. For Pb samples, 41% of the samples had C_f>6, which means very strong contamination. In relation to health risk, THQ values for Pb and As were greater than 1.0 demonstrating high health hazards of these metals. Measures should be taken to combat metal pollution from Pb smelter in the study area.

Biography:

Aizman Roman Idelevich is Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Honored Worker of Science of Russia, Head of the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Safety, Director of the Institute of Health and Safety. He is a Member of 3 dissertation councils for doctoral theses, a Foreign Member of the American Physiological Society, a valid Member of the European Society of Pediatric Nephrology and an Associate Editor of two scientific journals. He is author of over 500 scientific and methodical works, including 28 monographs, 90 manuals, 367 articles in refereed journals and 16 proposals, patents and registration certificates. He was awarded Diplomas of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Administration of the City and Region (Novosibirsk) the Medal Property of Siberia, K. D. Ushinsky Medal, etc.

Abstract:

Physical development and renal functions in adolescents consuming drinking water with high content of vital cations

The problem of population supply with drinking water of adequate quality is one of the determinants for the majority of subjects. In 2016, the 52 regions of the Russian Federation were unfavorable in respect of the mineralized drinking water that was not balanced by macro and microelement composition. It can be considered as potential risk factors in the population. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the level of physical development and health as well as kidney functions in pupils of 10-12 years in long-term consumption of drinking water with high content vs. control of sodium (224.6±22.5 vs. 61.2±6.1 mg/L), calcium (80.8±5.2 vs. 65.9±4.3 mg/L) and magnesium (55.1±3.4 vs. 37.5±2.2 mg/L). Evaluation of physical health of pupils and morphological parameters (Ketle index, strength of muscles, heart rate, blood pressure, reaction of the cardiovascular system to physical activity, lung capacity and vital index) showed a lower level of physical development, health and functional possibilities of the cardiorespiratory system of children consuming drinking water with high content of ions. In these pupils it has been found an increasing diuresis already in the morning background samples. After the water load (1% of body mass) in the examinees the reactivity of the renal response also increased compare to control group (it was observed a more pronounced elevation in diuresis and excretion of sodium, calcium and especially urea), which may indicate the high reactivity of osmo and ionoregulatory mechanisms. It also cannot be excluded that increased ion excretion was due to the higher their intake with drinking water and/or a decrease in the concentration of corticosteroids. The findings suggest an adverse effect of high concentrations of cations in drinking water on morphofunctional development and health of children, despite the adaptive changes of renal functions and hormonal mechanisms of their regulation.

Biography:

Aizman Roman Idelevich is Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Honored Worker of Science of Russia, Head of the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Safety, Director of the Institute of Health and Safety. He is a Member of 3 dissertation councils for doctoral theses, a Foreign Member of the American Physiological Society, a valid Member of the European Society of Pediatric Nephrology and an Associate Editor of two scientific journals. He is author of over 500 scientific and methodical works, including 28 monographs, 90 manuals, 367 articles in refereed journals and 16 proposals, patents and registration certificates. He was awarded Diplomas of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Administration of the City and Region (Novosibirsk) the Medal Property of Siberia, K. D. Ushinsky Medal, etc.

Abstract:

Physical development and renal functions in adolescents consuming drinking water with high content of vital cations

The problem of population supply with drinking water of adequate quality is one of the determinants for the majority of subjects. In 2016, the 52 regions of the Russian Federation were unfavorable in respect of the mineralized drinking water that was not balanced by macro and microelement composition. It can be considered as potential risk factors in the population. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the level of physical development and health as well as kidney functions in pupils of 10-12 years in long-term consumption of drinking water with high content vs. control of sodium (224.6±22.5 vs. 61.2±6.1 mg/L), calcium (80.8±5.2 vs. 65.9±4.3 mg/L) and magnesium (55.1±3.4 vs. 37.5±2.2 mg/L). Evaluation of physical health of pupils and morphological parameters (Ketle index, strength of muscles, heart rate, blood pressure, reaction of the cardiovascular system to physical activity, lung capacity and vital index) showed a lower level of physical development, health and functional possibilities of the cardiorespiratory system of children consuming drinking water with high content of ions. In these pupils it has been found an increasing diuresis already in the morning background samples. After the water load (1% of body mass) in the examinees the reactivity of the renal response also increased compare to control group (it was observed a more pronounced elevation in diuresis and excretion of sodium, calcium and especially urea), which may indicate the high reactivity of osmo and ionoregulatory mechanisms. It also cannot be excluded that increased ion excretion was due to the higher their intake with drinking water and/or a decrease in the concentration of corticosteroids. The findings suggest an adverse effect of high concentrations of cations in drinking water on morphofunctional development and health of children, despite the adaptive changes of renal functions and hormonal mechanisms of their regulation.

Biography:

Timothy Winey was born in Omaha Nebraska in 1966. He went on to study music (violin) and educational studies at both California State University Fresno and California State University Sacramento where he ultimately graduated. Timothy's interest in vibration led him down the proverbial "rabbit hole" of energy medicine where he began experimenting with Torsion Fields. His discovery has led to a number of findings showing anomalous Torsion effects on liquids. University and industry testing have confirmed a puzzling array of non-classical yet robust effects including:

In 2015 Timothy was invited by famed University of Washington water researcher Dr. Gerald Pollack (author of the groundbreaking book "Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life") to present his research to a gathering of top scientists at the 10th annual conference on the Physics, Chemistry and Biology of Water held in Varna Bulgaria.

Abstract:

Radox Water

Biography:

Md Bayzidur Rahman was trained as an Environmental Scientist in Bangladesh before completing his PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Sydney on environmental exposures and the risk of cancer. He has started working as a Lecturer in Biostatistics at the School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW in January 2010 and promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2014. His research interests include multivariable methods, systematic review and meta-analysis, environmental exposure modeling and the epidemiology of cancer and environmental factors, advanced analysis of count data and analysis of data from clustered randomized trials. Since 2007, he has been working as a Consultant Biostatistician and Research Collaborator with many institutions including St Vincent’s Hospital, Prince of Wales Royal Hospital for Women, The Cancer Council NSW, University of Newcastle, United Arab Emirates University and the University of Chicago.

Abstract:

Assessment of blood lead (Pb) concentration among working women of reproductive age and children living in the vicinity of Pb battery industries in Bangladesh: A pilot study

The use of Lead Acid Batteries (LAB) has sharply risen because of enhanced demand in the transport sector in Bangladesh. About 97% LABs in Bangladesh are manufactured by recycling LABs. There are ~12,207 battery recycling/recharging establishments in Bangladesh engaging ~22,480 workers including 24.6% children. Workers in these industries are exposed to lead mainly through dermal absorption and inhalation. Absorbed lead can be stored in a person’s bones for years and for pregnant women it passes into to the baby through blood. Lead can also be in breast milk. The pilot study examined the Blood Lead Level (BLL) among the reproductive aged women and the children under 5 to assess the level of exposure. Because the proportion of women is rapidly increasing the LAB industries in small city like Khulna (our study area) it is important to assess their current level of exposure to protect their health and the health of their babies. We recruited 62 women, 4 men and 9 children from different LAB industries including 2 controls. Our lab couldn’t detect blood lead concentration >65 µg/dl. BLL data are available for 37 women, two men and 9 children. All the women working in the LAB handling shops and LAB manufacturing industry had BLL >65 µg/dl (range: 208-278) whereas the control woman had only 8.9 µg/dl. All but one child living in the vicinity of the LAB industries had BLL >55 (range: 55.2 to 240) and the control child had 20.5 µg/dl who were exposed to lead through sucking lead painted grill. Result of two men working in the LAB was available and they were >65 µg/dl. The exposure level is alarmingly high among all the exposed participants and according to CDC guidelines they should be pulled out from the work for rehabilitation.

Biography:

Md Bayzidur Rahman was trained as an Environmental Scientist in Bangladesh before completing his PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Sydney on environmental exposures and the risk of cancer. He has started working as a Lecturer in Biostatistics at the School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW in January 2010 and promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2014. His research interests include multivariable methods, systematic review and meta-analysis, environmental exposure modeling and the epidemiology of cancer and environmental factors, advanced analysis of count data and analysis of data from clustered randomized trials. Since 2007, he has been working as a Consultant Biostatistician and Research Collaborator with many institutions including St Vincent’s Hospital, Prince of Wales Royal Hospital for Women, The Cancer Council NSW, University of Newcastle, United Arab Emirates University and the University of Chicago.

Abstract:

Assessment of blood lead (Pb) concentration among working women of reproductive age and children living in the vicinity of Pb battery industries in Bangladesh: A pilot study

The use of Lead Acid Batteries (LAB) has sharply risen because of enhanced demand in the transport sector in Bangladesh. About 97% LABs in Bangladesh are manufactured by recycling LABs. There are ~12,207 battery recycling/recharging establishments in Bangladesh engaging ~22,480 workers including 24.6% children. Workers in these industries are exposed to lead mainly through dermal absorption and inhalation. Absorbed lead can be stored in a person’s bones for years and for pregnant women it passes into to the baby through blood. Lead can also be in breast milk. The pilot study examined the Blood Lead Level (BLL) among the reproductive aged women and the children under 5 to assess the level of exposure. Because the proportion of women is rapidly increasing the LAB industries in small city like Khulna (our study area) it is important to assess their current level of exposure to protect their health and the health of their babies. We recruited 62 women, 4 men and 9 children from different LAB industries including 2 controls. Our lab couldn’t detect blood lead concentration >65 µg/dl. BLL data are available for 37 women, two men and 9 children. All the women working in the LAB handling shops and LAB manufacturing industry had BLL >65 µg/dl (range: 208-278) whereas the control woman had only 8.9 µg/dl. All but one child living in the vicinity of the LAB industries had BLL >55 (range: 55.2 to 240) and the control child had 20.5 µg/dl who were exposed to lead through sucking lead painted grill. Result of two men working in the LAB was available and they were >65 µg/dl. The exposure level is alarmingly high among all the exposed participants and according to CDC guidelines they should be pulled out from the work for rehabilitation.

Biography:

Sam Mndzebele is a Senior-Lecturer at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa, School of Public Health. He has completed his graduation from the University of South Africa with a PhD in Public Health Research Studies. He has completed his graduation with a Bachelor of Education (BEd) from the University of Swaziland in 1998. In 2003 he has obtained both his Master’s degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health under the Bristol Myers-Squibb Foundation.

Abstract:

The policy of task-shifting and decentralization of health services as perceived by health workers in Swaziland

Decentralization of public health services and task-shifting are two phenomena that have been formulated into policy and adopted in many countries in order to address critical public health challenges including human-resource shortages. The attempt through this is study was to add value on the policy of task-shifting and decentralization from the perspectives of health workers. An in-depth interview approach in which five Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 29 purposively selected health workers (mainly nurses). All the FGDs were recorded, transcribed and finally analyzed using the N-VIVO software. A total of seven thematic areas that were perceived by health workers on the concept of decentralization and task-shifting of health services were unveiled. It transpired that health workers relatively understood this health policy and that they regarded it as a positive development on the part of their communities and patients. They claimed that as a result of the policy on decentralization and task-shifting of health services, most healthcare services were now closer to the communities and that most recipients of healthcare services such as clients/patients no-longer wait in long queues to see healthcare providers in facilities. Health providers believe that now there are few chances of their clients/patients being lost to care and that there is improved service delivery in most healthcare facilities. On the other hand, the health workers perceive this policy as a challenge to the health sector in terms of its implementation coupled with inadequate resources such as material supplies, infrastructure, manpower-shortage and insufficient drugs. These findings suggest that there are a number of public health systems and policy issues that form a core of the experiences and perceptions of health workers in relation to the policy on decentralization and task-shifting of health services. According to health workers, these health systems and policy issues can be categorized as either positive or negative developments for the health sector.