Toxic elemental exposure through consumption of contaminated crops is becoming a serious concern for human health. Present study is based on the environment and health risk assessment of wastewater irrigated soil and crops in a semi-arid region Faisalabad, Pakistan. The concentrations of potentially toxic elements (Cu, Cr, Mn, Fe, Pb, Zn, Ni) were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometer in five different crops (Corn, rice, wheat, sugarcane and millet), while, their topsoil’s and multi targeted risks analysis were assessed. Results showed, the mean values of Pb and Zn were higher in crop than Food and Agriculture Organization guidelines for food additives and contaminants. A strong positive correlation was found among wastewater and crop’s toxic metals (r 2 values in Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni and Cr were 0.913, 0.804, 0.752, 0.694, 0.587 respectively). Whereas, a strong correlation was also found among soil and wastewater lead (r 2 = 0.639). The calculations of Nemerow Integrated Pollution Index (NIPI) showed the soil samples maximum pollution limit (NIPI > 3) and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) was found to be higher than maximum limit (PERI > 600) for all samples. While, for non-carcinogenic risk, Hazard Index (HI) values in adult were near threshold (HI > 1) for all crop samples. In children, the HI values for Corn, Rice and Wheat were above threshold limit and for Sugarcane and Millet, these were near to threshold. Cancer risk values for Cr found higher than safe limit (1 × 10 –6 ) in adult and children for crop samples. Crop irrigation by wastewater irrigation is a prominent alternative option for water scarce countries, however prior testing and treatment of such wastewater streams must be employed to minimize the adverse impacts on human health and environment.

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder and different environmental toxicants including heavy metals have been involved in diabetes induction. Therefore, assessment of the environmental risk factors and heavy metals induced toxicity have become critical for reducing the consequences of metals pollutants. Previously, we reported heavy metals induced nephrotoxicity in non-diabetic and diabetic rats. Here, we extended our analysis by examining the heavy metals induced organs (heart, kidney, liver, pancreas, and spleen) damage in diabetic and non-diabetic Wistar rats using histopathology and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Following the generation of the diabetic rat model, the animals were exposed to heavy metals including lead (Pb), arsenic (As), manganese (Mn) and cadmium (Cd). Both non-diabetic and diabetic rats were exposed to heavy metals for 30 days and subsequently, the heart, kidney, liver, pancreas and spleen tissues were examined. Heavy metal treatment resulted in irregularly arranged myofibrils and vacuolization in the heart tissue of metal treated groups as evident from hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining. The kidney tissue of rats treated with heavy metals showed tubular degeneration, fibrosis, hemorrhage, and vacuolation. The liver of the heavy metals treated rats exhibited cellular degeneration and necrosis. The pancreatic tissue of streptozotocin injected untreated and metal treated rats revealed severe degeneration, necrosis, degranulation, shrinkage, and depression in the islets of Langerhans. Increased red pulp area and congestion were observed in the spleen of the metal mixture treated non-diabetic and diabetic rats. In line with the histological data, the qRT-PCR analysis showed downregulated expression of Bcl 2 and upregulation of Caspase-3 in nondiabetic and diabetic metal treated rats as compared to the non-diabetic untreated rats. In conclusion, the present study revealed, diabetic rats are more prone to metal alone as well as metal mixture induced organ damage as compared to non-diabetic rats. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, characterized by impaired insulin secretion, fasting hyperglycemia or insulin receptor insensitivity. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing all over the world and increased from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.5% in 2014 1. Diabetes is the 7 th leading cause of mortality in the United States and worldwide and results in serious complications including kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, blindness, etc. 1,2. It is well documented that environmental exposure to synthetic or naturally occurring chemical elements contribute to diabetes induction 3-5. Metals are essential components of biological functions, while their higher concentrations can be toxic 6,7. Cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), cobalt (Co), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) are known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals 8,9. Importantly, Pb, As, Mn and Cd play a crucial role in public health issues 10 .

No abstract

No abstract

Tyre derived fuel (TDF) has a potential advantage for its use as a co-fuel with coal in rotary kilns of cement plants. In this study we analyzed the emissions of selected criteria pollutants; CO 2 , CO, NO x , SO x and PM to suggest suitable proportion of TDF to replace coal when different proportions of TDF and coal were used as cement kiln feed. Emissions of CO 2 , CO, NO, NO 2 , SO 2 and total PM from stack and concentrations of CO, NO x , SO x and PM 10 in ambient air were assessed using USEPA recommended methods. Substitution such as 85% coal and 15% TDF, 80% coal and 20% TDF, 75% coal and 25% TDF and 70% coal and 30% TDF were applied in this study. Results of the current study revealed a rise in CO and TPM stack emissions with an increase in proportions of TDF and crossed standards at 80% coal and 20% TDF. Decline in NO x emissions up-till 15% proportion of TDF was observed and remained lower than the emission of NO x at 100% coal use in spite of an increase in its concentration at each increased proportion of TDF above 15% TDF use. No significant difference (p > 0.05) in ambient air pollutant concentration with and without TDF use was observed. The study suggested 15% TDF substitution as a preferable proportion for the selected cement plant.