Articles

Pesticides Residues In, Vegetables and Fruits: A Review

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To feed the growing global population, it is essential to increase agricultural production. Due to health consciousness and prosperity, the consumption of fruits and vegetables, particularly in developing countries, has increased manifold in the last 50 years. To achieve these, the use of pesticides is one of the tools. Pesticides are also used for public health protection (to protect from vector-borne diseases). About 1000 compounds (organic and inorganic) are used as active ingredients of pesticides. Organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides are not only highly toxic but persist for decades. Those organochlorine pesticides which were banned 40 years ago are still found in vegetables and fruits. The pesticides from soil and water are accumulated in fruits and vegetables, and some of the vegetables are often consumed raw. Consumption of pesticide-contaminated fruits and vegetables by humans causes adverse health effects to humans. The short-term adverse effects on humans are asthma, sore throat, eye and skin irritation, and diarrhea, while long-term effects are cancer, neurological disorders, reproductive problems, diabetes, etc. This review aims to report the concentration of the commonly used pesticides in fruits and vegetables and their impact on humans. The present study will provide data for policymakers to formulate guidelines for the reduction of health risks to humans caused by the consumption of pesticide-contaminated fruits and vegetables.

Considerations in the Adoption of Solar Home System Technology in Indonesia

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The high potential for solar energy in Indonesia has prompted the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia to aim for solar energy utilization. Unfortunately, since it was planned in 2010, the target has not been achieved due to the low interest of society to purchase and use solar home systems.

Using the Technology-Personal-Environment (TPE) framework, this study aims to identify the factors that are being considered in the adoption of solar home system technology and understand the interest of the Indonesian people in repurchasing it. The data for the study were obtained through in-depth interviews with eight participants.

The study found that most participants do not consider perceived simplicity, but they consider perceived compatibility, regulations, technology support providers, performance expectations, and personal innovation. It was found that trust is also considered by participants. Additionally, they consider Regulations, Need/Urgency, Price, Technology Specifications, and Maintenance in repurchasing solar home systems. A new model proposed which exchange the perceived simplicity from technology context by trust in personal context.

It is recommended that renewable energy companies disseminate information about solar home systems through targeted websites, social media, and advertisements. Moreover, it is recommended that the government enact regulations that can support the use of solar home systems, such as providing incentives, subsidizing its materials, and building domestic factories that can produce the materials. Finally, it is recommended that further studies use other research methods, test new variables, and us the proposed models.

Vermicomposting in Silver Oak Plantation Areas for Sustainable Waste Management and Enhanced Livelihood: A Case Study of Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu, India

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Silver Oak plantation on farmlands growing coffee and black pepper has gained importance in recent times in the areas surrounding the Kolli hills in the Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu, India. The Silver Oak trees shed significant quantities of dry leaves during the summer season which the local Malayali tribal community burns and/or leaves on ground. The current case study is based on an experiment of vermicomposting using local Silver Oak leaf litter, cow dung and earthworms. The results show that joint production of manure from agroforestry practices is an option in self-sufficiency for the rural communities and has the potential for a business model. Moreover, this ensures environmental sustainability by avoiding green-house gas emissions that are caused by the practice of burning leaves and/or leaving the mulch to rot. The present paper attempts to develop a sustainable model of vermicomposting in the Kolli hills region that can offer triple solutions encompassing organic manure production, environmental quality improvement and livelihood opportunity enhancement. Based on field surveys and physiochemical experiments in the Perungiraipatti village of the Kolli hills, the study presents a sustainable model of vermicomposting with specifications on nutritional quality, environmental sustainability and economic development. 

Effectiveness of Soil Erosion Monitoring Strategies in Kuresoi South, Kenya

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Soil erosion is still one of the most important land problems and it is linked to land use and land cover changes. To mitigate against this, there has been an effort to transfer the management of natural resources to local communities especially in the tropics. Many of these initiatives incorporate the development of monitoring systems. Local monitoring systems constitute an almost compulsory component of any program or project dealing with sustainable management of natural resources. The purpose of this study was to assess soil erosion monitoring indicators as effective management tools to be used to help in monitoring change in natural resources within the study area. The study was comprised of a total representative sample population of 68 respondents from Kuresoi south catchment which was achieved using Nassiuma coefficient of variation formulae. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Data and information was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. Both quantitative and qualitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and presented in form of charts, tables of frequencies and percentages. The study results revealed the effectiveness of soil erosion monitoring indicators, degree of soil erosion and natural resource management. The study therefore recommends that it is important to introduce capacity building programs to the community and other stakeholders through creation of awareness and training so that they can have knowledge on these factors and thus implement the appropriate mitigation measures.

Prevalence and causes of ENT diseases evidence in Pakistan

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Background: ENT infections are becoming a common issue for the people around the globe. this study aims to explain the prevalence of ENT issues during   January to November 2020 in south of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Author employed the simplified frequency approach for case management and demography moreover the prevalence of ENT issues in general and ear, nose, and throat. This study is based on quantitative approach where data is being gathered through primary sources.

Results: Findings of the research confirm that roat infections are more common than of ear and nose moreover the prevalence of ENT issues are at higher rate that is around 54%. There are four main reasons which often causes ENT problems.

Conclusion: Results of this study are very much significant for general doctors, ENT specialist and clinical staff.

Application of Activated Afzelia Africana and Acacia Albida Carbon for Removal of Pollutants in Textile Wastewater

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Adsorption of contaminants in textile wastewater onto activated carbon derived from two wood species has been studied using batch-adsorption techniques. This study was carried out to examine the removal efficiency of the low-cost adsorbent (Afzelia africana) AFA and (Acacia albida) ACA for the removal of heavy metals and other organic contaminants from textile effluents. The influence of contact time and adsorbent dose kept constant on the adsorption process was also studied. Removal efficiency increased with increase in contact time. The two adsorbents had an average removal efficiency of 60% at 90mins contact time for Zn. The ACA had higher removal efficiency for chromium at all contact times than AFA except at 120mins contact time where there existed a slight difference in the removal efficiency between the two adsorbents. Removal efficiency of iron was high between 58.18- 70.52% and 72.75-75.86% for AFA and ACA carbon respectively. This showed that iron had high affinity to the adsorbents surface. It was observed that AFA exhibited highest removal efficiency for nitrate at all contact times as compared to ACA. Results indicated that the freely abundant, locally available, low-cost adsorbent derived from the two wood species could be treated as being economically viable for the removal of contaminants from textile effluents.

Stakeholders Recovery Strategy of Bali Tourism Sector in the Post-Pandemic New Normal Era

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This investigation was driven in Bali Tourism Destination and organized using a relative and corroborative examination study. The exploration instrument is taken from the public authority report which manages wellbeing convention for the travel industry area and afterward contrasted and the fact of the Bali Tourism Destination. The pointer utilized in this examination is the application (CHSE) Clean, Health, Safety, and Environment in the business’ convenience, eatery, and vacation spot, and furthermore clarifies wellbeing conventions that apply to the travel industry ventures in Bali Tourism Destination. E-tourism has a critical occupation as a platform between the movement business creators and likely tourists. It made in Indonesia as of now has not tended to the main piece of giving information and sureness to tourists when they choose to visit a travel industry objective. The objections, lodgings, and all related areas should manage the execution of The Indicator of Clean, Health, Safety, Environment (CHSE) principles on their business activities. This investigation utilizes just a work area research strategy with information and data search methods on the web, auxiliary sources, and different wellsprings of logical distributions.