Atmospheric particles have been significantly affecting urban air quality and urban-oriented living in an increasing share of the population in Bangladesh. This study assessed the concentration of PM
...1.0
, PM
2.5
, and PM
10
in Khulna, one of the largest cities in Bangladesh located near the Bay of Bengal. The maximum average concentrations were recorded 415 ± 184.01 µg/m
3
for PM
10,
302 ± 109.89 µg/m
3
for PM
2.5,
and 143 ± 45.05 µg/m
3
for PM
1.0
. These values are several times higher than the World Health Organization air quality standard and Bangladesh National Ambient Air Quality Standard. According to the size and fractional distribution of PM, most of the monitoring locations were dominated by fine particles. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks due to exposure to ambient PM
1.0,
PM
2.5
and PM
10
were also quantified to illustrate the relevant potential human health risks. The excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) values of PM
1.0
ranged from 8.6E0–4 to 6.0E–07 and PM
2.5
varied between 8.6E–04 and 6.0E–07 exceeded the allowable limit at every location indicating the potential cancer-developing risk to the urban population. The health quotient (HQ) values also crossed the least permissible value at most of the locations depicting strong non-carcinogenic risks. Average HQ values of PM
2.5
varied from 1.07 to 20.13 while PM
10
ranged from 0.44 to 8.3. This research revealed children and elderly people as the most vulnerable age groups with the highest carcinogenic risks through exposure to atmospheric PM in Khulna city. Therefore, air pollution reduction plans and risk mitigation strategies should be developed and implemented by the government authorities.
Graphical Abstract
Background: Life expectancy (LE) at birth, a widely used indicator of the overall development of a country. Therefore, we attempted to build up the relationships between sociodemographic and health ...factors with LE in the least developed countries (LDCs). Methods: Data and necessary information of 48 LDCs were obtained from the United Nations agencies. LE was the response variable and determinant factors were sociodemographic and health related variables. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to extract the main factors. Results: All predictors were found significantly correlated with LE. Finally, crude death rate, infant mortality rate, physicians density, and gross national income per capita were identified as the significant predicators of LE. Conclusions: The findings suggest that international efforts should be aimed at increasing LE by decreasing mortality rates, and increasing physicians density and national income in the LDCs.
Wearing masks or personal protective equipment (PPE) has become an integral part of the occupational life of physicians due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Most physicians have ...been developing various health hazards related to the use of different protective gears. This study aimed to determine the burden and spectrum of various health hazards associated with using masks or PPE and their associated risk factors. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Dhaka Medical College from March 01-May 30, 2021, among physicians from different public hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh. We analyzed the responses of 506 physicians who completed case record forms through Google forms or hard copies. The mean (SD) age of the respondents was 35.4 7.7, and 69.4% were men. Approximately 40% were using full PPE, and 55% were using N-95 masks. A total of 489 (96.6%) patients experienced at least one health hazard. The reported severe health hazards were syncope, severe dyspnea, severe chest pain, and anaphylaxis. Headache, dizziness, mood irritation, chest pain, excessive sweating, panic attack, and permanent facial disfigurement were the minor health hazards reported. Extended periods of work in the COVID-19-unit, reuse of masks, diabetes, obesity, and mental stress were risk factors for dyspnea. The risk factors for headaches were female sex, diabetes, and previous primary headaches. Furthermore, female sex and reusing masks for an extended period (> 6 h) were risk factors for facial disfigurement. The risk factors for excessive sweating were female sex and additional evening office practice for an extended period. Healthcare workers experienced several occupational hazards after using masks and PPE. Therefore, an appropriate policy is required to reduce such risks.
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