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- HM, Coleman, et al.
(författare)
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Chemicals of concern in Australian beef cattle feedlot wastes – occurrence of ectoparasiticides and steroid hormones.
- 2012
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Ingår i: 3rd International Conference on Industrial and Hazardous Waste Management.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Commercial feedlots for beef cattle finishing are potential sources of a range of trace chemical contaminants which have human health and environmental significance. The Meat and Livestock Association of Australia aim to ensure adequate protection of human and environmental health from exposure to these chemicals and have been working with the University of New South Wales to identify best practices for the management of contaminants in feedlot wastes. This involved studying the fate and analysis of key contaminants of concern in manure and composted waste on feedlot operations.Chemical contaminants of concern identified include steroidal hormones - oestrogens (17β-oestradiol, 17α-oestradiol, oestrone) and androgens (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, testosterone propionate, 17β-trenbolone, 17α-trenbolone) which are administered to beef cattle as hormone growth promoters. These compounds are of concern due to their endocrine disrupting properties. Ectoparasiticides are also commonly used on Australian feedlots as anti-parasitic agents to control ticks, flies and lice. These include the synthetic pyrethroids (deltamethrin, cypermethrin, flumethrin) and macrocyclic lactones (ivermectin, doramectin, abamectin, eprinomectin). Good management of ectoparasiticides is important for the prevention of potential ecotoxicological implications, particularly towards dung beetles. Very few of these chemical contaminants have been thoroughly investigated in terms of concentrations, effects and attenuation in feedlot wastes.This project involved the development and optimisation of analytical methods to determine the fate and levels of these compounds in cattle manure and composted waste. These methods were applied to analyse feedlot samples taken after various stages of processing from Australian beef cattle feedlots. Synthetic pyrethroids were not detected in any of the samples while macrocyclic lactones and steroidal hormones were detected in some samples. These results will be discussed with respect to sample type, chemical usage, seasonal variation, waste management practice and ecotoxicological significance. The outcomes of this research aided in the development of best practice guidelines for the safe management of feedlot wastes in Australia.
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| 2. |
- Van Minh, Hoang, et al.
(författare)
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Primary healthcare system capacities for responding to storm and flood-related health problems : a case study from a rural district in central Vietnam
- 2014
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Ingår i: Global Health Action. - : Co-Action publishing. - 1654-9716 .- 1654-9880. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: As a tropical depression in the East Sea, Vietnam is greatly affected by climate change and natural disasters. Knowledge of the current capacity of the primary healthcare system in Vietnam to respond to health issues associated with storms and floods is very important for policy making in the country. However, there has been little scientific research in this area. OBJECTIVE: This research was to assess primary healthcare system capacities in a rural district in central Vietnam to respond to such health issues. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study using quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative methods used self-administered questionnaires. Qualitative methods (in-depth interviews and focus groups discussions) were used to broaden understanding of the quantitative material and to get additional information on actions taken. RESULTS: 1) Service delivery: Medical emergency services, especially surgical operations and referral systems, were not always available during the storm and flood seasons. 2) Governance: District emergency plans focus largely on disaster response rather than prevention. The plans did not clearly define the role of primary healthcare and had no clear information on the coordination mechanism among different sectors and organizations. 3) Financing: The budget for prevention and control of flood and storm activities was limited and had no specific items for healthcare activities. Only a little additional funding was available, but the procedures to get this funding were usually time-consuming. 4) Human resources: Medical rescue teams were established, but there were no epidemiologists or environmental health specialists to take care of epidemiological issues. Training on prevention and control of climate change and disaster-related health issues did not meet actual needs. 5) Information and research: Data that can be used for planning and management (including population and epidemiological data) were largely lacking. The district lacked a disease early-warning system. 6) Medical products and technology: Emergency treatment protocols were not available in every studied health facility. CONCLUSIONS: The primary care system capacity in rural Vietnam is inadequate for responding to storm and flood-related health problems in terms of preventive and treatment healthcare. Developing clear facility preparedness plans, which detail standard operating procedures during floods and identify specific job descriptions, would strengthen responses to future floods. Health facilities should have contingency funds available for emergency response in the event of storms and floods. Health facilities should ensure that standard protocols exist in order to improve responses in the event of floods. Introduction of a computerized health information system would accelerate information and data processing. National and local policies need to be strengthened and developed in a way that transfers into action in local rural communities.
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