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Zhang R, Yin C, Li H, Sun X, Zhao Y. Theoretical study on the potential environmental and ecological risk of 4-ethylphenol induced by hydroxyl radical. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 340:122770. [PMID: 37863255 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
This study closely examines the environmental fate of 4-ethylphenol (4-EP), a significant byproduct of biomass combustion. We employed quantum chemical calculations to investigate the reaction mechanism, kinetics, and ecotoxicity of 4-EP initiated by OH radicals in various environments (aqueous, atmospheric liquid, atmospheric and inhomogeneous phases). Our findings highlight that solvent effects contribute to a higher OH-addition reaction branching ratio (Γadd) of 0.68 for 4-EP in an aqueous solution, compared to 0.26 in the gas-phase environment and 0.22 in the inhomogeneous environment at 298 K. We determined the rate constants for the liquid-phase, gas-phase, and nonhomogeneous phase to be 1.14 × 109 s-1 M-1, 3.09 × 109 s-1 M-1, and 6.19 × 1014 s-1 M-1, respectively. Notably, the adsorption of mineral particles considerably enhances the reaction rate of 4-EP with OH radicals. 4-ethylbenzene-1,2-diol, 4-hydroxycyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-dione, 1-ethyl-6-methyl-6H-benzo(c)chromene-4,9-diol, 5-ethyl-6'-(1-hydroxyethyl)-(1,1'-biphenyl)-2,3,3'-triol and 2-ethyl-4,6,9-trimethyl-6H-benzo(c) chromene are major products in both gas-phase and liquid-phase reactions, and (2Z, 4Z)-4-ethyl-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoic acid is also one of the major products in gas-phase reactions. Toxicological predictions indicate that the ecotoxicity of 4-ethyl-6-methyl-6H-benzo(c)chromene-1,9-diol, 2-ethyl-6-methyl-6H-benzo(c)chromene-3,9-diol, and 2-ethyl-4,6,9-trimethyl-6H-benzo(c) chromene surpassed that of 4-EP. However, the toxicity of the reaction products is reduced in the presence of NOx. This investigation provides an exhaustive theoretical foundation for comprehending the degradation behavior of 4-EP and underscores the need to consider various environmental factors in assessing the potential risk of biomass combustion by products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Qu Fu Normal University Qufu, 273165, PR China
| | - Chengbin Yin
- School of Life Sciences, Qu Fu Normal University Qufu, 273165, PR China
| | - Hui Li
- School of Life Sciences, Qu Fu Normal University Qufu, 273165, PR China
| | - Xiaomin Sun
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, PR China
| | - Yan Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Qu Fu Normal University Qufu, 273165, PR China.
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Eghomwanre AF, Oguntoke O, Taiwo AM. Levels of indoor particulate matter and association with asthma in children in Benin City, Nigeria. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:467. [PMID: 35648237 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10135-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between indoor particulate matter and asthma in children was assessed in this study. Forty-five (45) locations were randomly selected across the five local government areas in Benin City, Edo State, for air quality assessment. Indoor and outdoor particulates (PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10) were monitored monthly using a handheld BLATN particulate sampler (Br-Smart-126S series). Reported clinical cases of asthma in children from 2008 to 2017 were collected from two major hospitals in the metropolis. The data obtained were analysed with SPSS for Windows version 21.0. The average concentrations of indoor and ambient PM ranged between 10.7-26.2 and 19.0-49.4 µg/m3 (PM1.0), 27.4-59.6 and 45.6-93.0 µg/m3 (PM2.5), and 33.5-67.9 and 60.9-106.1 µg/m3 (PM10) in the wet and dry seasons. PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were observed above the WHO standards. Indoor particulate concentration was significantly (p = 0.001-0.012) higher in the dry season across the locations. Outdoor PM correlated positively (R = 0.568-0.855, p < 0.05; R2 = 0.322-0.724, p < 0.001) with their corresponding indoor PM concentration. The hazard ratio (HR) values of PM2.5 and PM10 exceeded 1 in all the sampling locations during the dry season, while the mean total hazard ratio (THR) of both PM metrics was considerably higher during the dry season than in the wet season. Indoor PM concentrations showed a significant positive correlation with reported cases of asthma (R = 0.498-0.542, p < 0.001) and accounted for 40.6% of the asthma cases during the dry season. The study showed that children in the selected households are at risk of increased asthma exacerbation due to exposure to particulate matter pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Eghomwanre
- Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
- Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, College of Environmental Resources Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
| | - O Oguntoke
- Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, College of Environmental Resources Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
| | - A M Taiwo
- Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, College of Environmental Resources Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
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The Health Impact of Household Cooking Fuel Choice on Women: Evidence from China. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132112080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
In order to achieve sustainable development, the world is experiencing a profound energy transition from traditional biomass through fossil fuel to clean and renewable energy. As women are the primary undertakers of cooking in developing countries, they are more vulnerable to household air pollution caused by solid fuel combustion. Although women can benefit from clean fuel switching for household cooking, its influence on women’s health is still not well understood. Using the longitudinal data from China Family Panel Studies in 2014 and 2018, this study adopts panel data models to investigate the impact of household cooking fuel choice on women’s health from multiple dimensions in China, including self-rated health, others-rated health, and instrumental activities of daily living, aiming at shedding light on energy transition and health improvement for developing countries. It is found that household cooking fuel switching from solid fuel to clean fuel improves women’s self-rated and others-rated health but has no significant impact on women’s abilities of independence in daily activities. Specifically, each level of household cooking fuel increases respondents’ self-rated and others-rated health by 0.009 and 0.043, respectively. Moreover, further investigation of the impact of household cooking fuel switching on the health status of women from different groups found: (1) the health effect of clean cooking fuel switching on women aged 46 and above is more significant than that on women aged 45 and below, (2) there are significant differences between urban and rural areas in the impact of household cooking fuel switching on women’s health, and (3) uneducated women benefit more than educated women from clean cooking fuel switching. Finally, this study provides some policy implications to promote the energy transition and improve women’s health in China and other developing countries.
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Liu Z, Li J, Rommel J, Feng S. Health impacts of cooking fuel choice in rural China. ENERGY ECONOMICS 2020; 89:104811. [PMID: 32536727 PMCID: PMC7267799 DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2020.104811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the impact of cooking fuel choice on the health of elderly people, as measured by activities of daily living, using micro survey data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2015. In contrast to previous studies, our focus on activities of daily living allows for a more comprehensive analysis of health outcomes than diagnoses or doctor visits. Propensity score matching and an endogenous switching regression model were used to address potential selection biases. We found a strong and positive effect of using non-solid cooking fuels on an individual's ability to cope with daily activities, with substantially greater effects on female and older respondents. Our results highlight the need to support energy transition in rural households to non-solid fuels for cooking. We also discuss potential policies to facilitate energy transition in rural China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziming Liu
- School of Social and Public Administration, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jia Li
- School of Social and Public Administration, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jens Rommel
- Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Shuyi Feng
- College of Public Administration, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, PR China
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Ahmed F, Hossain S, Hossain S, Fakhruddin ANM, Abdullah ATM, Chowdhury MAZ, Gan SH. Impact of household air pollution on human health: source identification and systematic management approach. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-019-0405-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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Kolawole TO, Olatunji AS, Jimoh MT, Fajemila OT. Heavy Metal Contamination and Ecological Risk Assessment in Soils and Sediments of an Industrial Area in Southwestern Nigeria. J Health Pollut 2018; 8:180906. [PMID: 30524865 PMCID: PMC6257164 DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-8.19.180906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased growth of industrial activities, especially in urban centers, is one of the main sources of toxic substances in Nigeria. The level of these impacts is not well known. Soil and sediment samples from one such industrial area were examined for their mineralogical composition and heavy metals contents in order to assess the level of contamination and potential ecological risk status. METHODS Mineralogical composition of the media and their heavy metals concentrations were determined using X-ray diffractometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry methods, respectively. Ecological risk assessment was carried out using single (contamination factor, geo-accumulation index, enrichment factor) and multi-elemental (contamination degree, pollution index and modified pollution index) standard indices. RESULTS The average heavy metal concentrations in soils and sediments followed the order magnesium (Mn) > chromium (Cr) > lead (Pb) > copper (Cu) > cadmium (Cd) > cobalt (Co) > nickel (Ni), with corresponding values for soils and sediments of 324.3, 79.9, 66.1, 40.7, 14.3, 9.1, 6.8 mg kg-1 and 266.8, 78.6, 40.6, 39.8, 12.9, 8.4, 4.6 mg kg-1, respectively. Principal component (PC) analysis of the results indicated three main sources of metals (industrial, vehicular activities and geogenic input). Evaluated contamination factor (Cf), enrichment factor (Ef) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) revealed very high contamination for Pb, Cd and Cu in all of the samples, with calculated pollution index (PI) and modified pollution index (MPI) revealing that all the samples were severely polluted. Calculated potential ecological risk factor (ERi) within the industrial area demonstrated a strong potential ecological risk for Cd, Pb and Cu. CONCLUSIONS Activities in the industrial area have affected the quality of the analyzed environmental media, with possible detrimental health consequences. Regular environmental monitoring of the industrial area and the formulation of appropriate policies that support reduction of contamination are strongly recommended. However, due to the limitations of comparing site samples with a single control sample in this work, further study is recommended to compliment this preliminary study. COMPETING INTERESTS The authors declare no competing financial interests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mustapha T. Jimoh
- Department of Earth Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomosho, Nigeria
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Variation of Indoor Particulate Matter Concentrations and Association with Indoor/Outdoor Temperature: A Case Study in Rural Limpopo, South Africa. ATMOSPHERE 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos9040124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Olatunji AS, Kolawole TO, Oloruntola M, Günter C. Evaluation of Pollution of Soils and Particulate Matter Around Metal Recycling Factories in Southwestern Nigeria. J Health Pollut 2018; 8:20-30. [PMID: 30524846 PMCID: PMC6221438 DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-8.17.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metal recycling factories (MRFs) have developed rapidly in Nigeria as recycling policies have been increasingly embraced. These MRFs are point sources for introducing potentially toxic elements (PTEs) into environmental media. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the constituents (elemental and mineralogy) of the wastes (slag and particulate matter, (PM)) and soils around the MRFs and to determine the level of pollution within the area. METHODS Sixty samples (30 slag samples, 15 soil samples and 15 PM samples) were collected for this study. The soils, slag and PM samples were analyzed for elemental constituents using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Mineralogy of the PM was determined using scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and soil mineralogy was determined by an X-ray diffractometer (XRD). RESULTS The results of the soil analyses revealed the following concentrations for the selected metals in mg/kg include lead (Pb) (21.0-2399.0), zinc (Zn) (56.0-4188.0), copper (Cu) (10.0-1470.0), nickel (Ni) (6.0-215.0), chromium (Cr) (921.0-1737.0) and cadmium (Cd) (below detectable limit (Bdl)-18.1). For the slags the results were Pb (68.0-.333.0), Zn (1364.0-3062), Cu (119.0-1470.0), Ni (12.0-675.0), Cr (297-1737) and Cd (Bdl-15.8). The results in μg/g for the metal analysis in PM were Pb (4.6-160.0), Zn (18.0-471.0), Cu (2.5-11.0), Ni (0.8-4.2), and Cr (2.5-11.0), while Cd was undetected. The slags are currently utilized for filling the foundations of buildings and roads, providing additional pathways for the introduction of PTEs into the environment from the suspended materials generated from mechanical breakdown of the slags. CONCLUSIONS The MRFs were found to have impacted the quality of environmental media through the introduction of PTEs, impairing soil quality, in addition to PM, which can have detrimental health consequences. Further studies on the health implications of these pollutants and their impacts on human health are needed. COMPETING INTERESTS The authors declare no competing financial interests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tesleem O. Kolawole
- Department of Geological Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State
| | | | - Christina Günter
- Institute of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Potsdam, Germany
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Liu X, Wu Y, Hu Y, Liu D, Zhang J, Chen C, Yuan Z, Lu Y. Government employees' perception of urban air pollution and willingness to pay for improved quality: a cross-sectional survey study in Nanchang, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:22183-22189. [PMID: 27562814 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7204-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
To improve the public's awareness of urban air pollution and promote establishment of more efficient policy toward urban air pollution, we investigated the government employees' perceptions of current urban air pollution and their willingness to pay (WTP) taxes for improved quality in Nanchang, China. Stratified cluster sampling strategy was used to distribute 629 questionnaires, and 608 were completed anonymously, yielding a 96.7 % response rate. Descriptive statistics frequencies and proportions were used to summarize the sample characteristics, and logistic regression models were performed to assess the associations of perception of urban air quality and WTP versus demographic variables. We found low awareness of urban air pollution (34.5 %) as well as low WTP (44.9 %), especially among the middle aged people (age 30-39 and age 40-49). Our study shows that female employees have better awareness of urban air pollution but much less willingness to pay for air quality improvement. Majority of the government employees showed their support to the government for more effective policies toward environmental protection, indicating more enhanced public education and environmental protection campaigns to improve the public's awareness of air pollution and work with every citizen to improve air quality. This study also obtained baseline information useful to the local regional and even national government in developing nations in their attempt to control urban air pollution in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Liu
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanyan Wu
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Yongxin Hu
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Denglai Liu
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Zhang
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Chen
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaokang Yuan
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuanan Lu
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolu, HI, 96822, USA.
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Oluwole O, Arinola GO, Huo D, Olopade CO. Biomass fuel exposure and asthma symptoms among rural school children in Nigeria. J Asthma 2016; 54:347-356. [PMID: 27589676 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2016.1227334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 70% of rural Nigerian households rely on biomass fuels for cooking. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) estimates the prevalence of current wheeze among children in Nigeria to have risen from 10.7% in 1999 to approximately 20% in 2014. OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of biomass smoke exposure on asthma symptom prevalence in rural children in Nigeria. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey in rural communities in Nigeria. Asthma symptoms were defined according to ISAAC definitions. Biomass smoke exposure was determined by the types of fuel used for cooking. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between biomass smoke and asthma symptoms. RESULTS The study population comprised 1,690 school children, of which 865 lived in households cooking with biomass and 825 lived in households not using biomass. Asthma symptoms were reported in 481 (28.5%) children. Biomass fuel was associated with increased odds of asthma symptoms. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were 1.38 (95% CI: 1.05-1.80) for nocturnal cough, 1.26 (95% CI: 1.00-1.61) for current wheeze, and 1.33 (95% CI: 1.05-1.69) for report of any asthma-related symptoms. Sex modified the associations between asthma symptoms with biomass fuel: aORs were stronger and significant for males (nocturnal cough = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.24-2.76; current wheeze = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.03-2.13; report of any asthma-related symptoms = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.12-2.28), but weaker and non-significant for females. CONCLUSION The risk of asthma symptoms related to biomass smoke exposure appears to differ by sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwafemi Oluwole
- a Community Health and Epidemiology and the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon , SK , Canada.,d Department of Medicine and The Center for Global Health , University of Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Ganiyu O Arinola
- b College of Medicine, University of Ibadan , Ibadan , Oyo State , Nigeria
| | - Dezheng Huo
- c Department of Public Health Science , University of Chicago , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Christopher O Olopade
- d Department of Medicine and The Center for Global Health , University of Chicago , IL , USA
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Amegah AK, Jaakkola JJK. Household air pollution and the sustainable development goals. Bull World Health Organ 2016; 94:215-21. [PMID: 26966333 PMCID: PMC4773927 DOI: 10.2471/blt.15.155812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Revised: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, 41% of households, over 2.8 billion people, rely on solid fuels (coal and biomass) for cooking and heating. In developing countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa where these fuels are predominantly used, women who are customarily responsible for cooking, and their young children, are most exposed to the resulting air pollution. Solid fuels are still in widespread use and it appears that intervention efforts are not keeping pace with population growth in developing countries. Here we pinpoint the challenges and identify opportunities for addressing household air pollution while mitigating global climate change and promoting the sustainable development goals. We recommend the following actions: implementation of the WHO indoor air quality guidelineson household fuel combustion; effective promotion and dissemination of improved cookstoves through formation of country alliances for clean cookstoves; expansion of liquefied petroleum gas production facilities and distribution networks; harnessing renewable energy potential; promotion of biogas production at both household and community level; ensuring improved ventilation of homes through education and enforcement of building standards; and exploiting opportunities in the health and other sectors for changing health-damaging cooking behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeladza Kofi Amegah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, University Avenue, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Jouni J K Jaakkola
- Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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