ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Environmental health risks and benefits of the use of mosquito coils as malaria prevention and control strategy

Background Malaria is an infectious disease that causes many deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. In resource-poor malaria endemic communities, mosquito coils are commonly applied in households to repel the vector mosquito that transmits malaria parasites. In applying these coils, users have mainly been interested in the environmental health benefits potentially derived from repelling the mosquito, while oblivious of the environmental health risks that may be associated with exposure to emissions from the use of mosquito coil. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the mosquito coil, ascertained and/or estimated the toxic emissions that may emanate from the coil, and determined its overall appropriateness by conducting a risk–benefit analysis of the use of this strategy in malaria prevention at household levels. Methods The repellent ability of mosquito coils was tested by conducting a mosquito knockdown/mortality test in experimental chambers synonymous of local room spaces and conditions. The gaseous and particulate emissions from the mosquito coil were also analysed. Additional scenarios were generated with the Monte Carlo technique and a risk–benefit analysis was conducted applying @Risk software. Results Mosquito mortality arising from the application of various mosquito coils averagely ranged between 24 and 64%, which might not provide adequate repellency effect. Emissions from the mosquito coil were also found to contain CO, VOCs, SO2, NO2, PM2.5 and PM10. The Hazard Index of the respective pollutants characterized over a lifetime exposure scenario was low (< 1 for each pollutant), which suggests that the concentrations of the specific chemicals and particulate matter emitted from the mosquito coil may not constitute adverse environmental health risk. Conclusion Although the risk of morbidity from the use of the mosquito coil was low, the coil yielded limited protection as a mosquito avoidance method. It may, therefore, have a reduced benefit in controlling malaria and should be applied sparingly in a highly regulated manner only when traditionally proven effective vector control strategies are not available or too expensive for resource-poor malaria endemic regions.

Source: UG
Environmental Heavy Metal Contamination from Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Recycling ActivitiesWorldwide: A Systematic Review from 2005 to 2017

The recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) contaminates ecosystems with metals, though a compilation of data from across sites worldwide is lacking, without which evidence-based comparisons and conclusions cannot be realized. As such, here, a systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify peer-reviewed studies concerning e-waste sites (published between 2005 and 2017) that reported on the concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Hg, As, Pb and Cr) in soil, water and sediment. From 3063 papers identified, 59 studies from 11 countries meeting predefined criteria were included. Reported metal concentrations were summarized, and a narrative synthesis was performed. This review summarized 8286 measurements of the aforementioned metals in soils (5836), water (1347) and sediment (1103). More than 70% of the studies were conducted in Asia. In nearly all cases, the average metal concentrations in a particular medium from a given site were above guideline values; suggesting soils, water and sediment at, or near, e-waste recycling sites are contaminated. Across all media, concentrations of Pb were generally highest, followed by Cr, As, Cd and Hg. The synthesized information demonstrates that e-waste sites worldwide are contaminated with metals, that geographic data gaps exist, that the quality of most studies can be improved and that action is needed to help reduce such levels to protect human health and the environment.

Source: UG
Environmental impacts and causes of conflict in the Horn of Africa: A review

The Horn of Africa region stands out amongst the planet's territories that are most volatile and vulnerable to armed violence. Conflicts have greatly affected the region over the past 50 years. The conflicts have disrupted the lives of people as well as the environment in ways that are not fully understood. Although armed conflict has generally had a negative impact on the environment, the environmental impact of conflict within the Horn of Africa has barely been evaluated. Similarly, our understanding that climate variability as well as change could have played a role in increasing or decreasing the impacts of conflicts within the Horn of Africa is insufficient. Therefore, this paper looks at the environmental impacts of conflict in the Horn of Africa since 1970 and also the role of climate variability in increasing or decreasing the impacts of conflict. Scientific publications as well as grey literature were reviewed with the aim to understand the status of past and present conflicts in the Horn of Africa, environmental impacts of conflict and the role of climate variability in decreasing or increasing impacts of conflict. The review demonstrates that conflict has extensive negative impacts on the environment in the Horn of Africa with main causes like grievances, government behaviour and interests, resource scarcity and transborder conflict as well as internal migration and climate variability. Similarly, climate variability plays a great role in exacerbating the impacts of conflict in the region. However, further research is needed to clearly show the impact of conflict and climate variability on the environment in the Horn of Africa.

Source: UG
Environmental isotopes (18O, 2H, and 87Sr/86Sr) as a tool in groundwater investigations in the Keta Basin, Ghana

Analyses of environmental isotopes (18O, 2H, and 87Sr/86Sr) are applied to groundwater studies with emphasis on saline groundwater in aquifers in the Keta Basin, Ghana. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of groundwater and surface water of the Keta Basin primarily reflect the geology and the mineralogical composition of the formations in the catchments and recharge areas. The isotopic compositions of 18O and 2H of deep groundwater have small variations and plot close to the global meteoric water line. Shallow groundwater and surface water have considerably larger variations in isotopic compositions, which reflect evaporation and preservation of seasonal fluctuations. A significant excess of chloride in shallow groundwater in comparison to the calculated evaporation loss is the result of a combination of evaporation and marine sources. Groundwaters from deep wells and dug wells in near-coastal aquifers are characterized by relatively high chloride contents, and the significance of marine influence is evidenced by well-defined mixing lines for strontium isotopes, and hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes, with isotopic compositions of seawater as one end member. The results derived from environmental isotopes in this study demonstrate that a multi-isotope approach is a useful tool to identify the origin and sources of saline groundwater.

Source: UG
Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis from lens of economic complexity index for BRICS: Evidence from second generation panel analysis

The present study contributes to the ongoing discussion on environmental sustainability, energy efficiency for the case of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa economies by investigating the dynamic connection regarding foreign direct investment, economic complexity index, renewable energy, natural resources, urbanization, and CO2 emission for annual frequency data from 1990 to 2019. The present study employs robust econometric techniques including Augmented Mean Group with Fully Modified-Ordinary Least Squares estimators as estimation techniques. Empirical outcome shows both inverted U-Shaped and N-Shaped EKC relationship between ECI and CO2 emission. The empirical findings also lend support to the Pollution Haven Hypothesis, which suggest that foreign direct investment influx is a contributing factor to environmental degradation in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa economies. Furthermore, renewable energy and the interaction between economic complexity index and urbanization is found to have adverse impact on emission while natural resources and urbanization have positive impact on the environment. Finally, the results from the Dumitrecu and Hurlin causality reveals a bi-directional causality between economic complexity and CO2 emission. Similar causality is found between economic complexity index and urbanization and CO2 emission while a one-way causality is seen running from foreign direct investment to CO2 emission over study period. These findings encourage authorities of the investigated countries to offer a broader energy strategy on alternative energies i.e., renewables improve Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa environmental quality. Furthermore, emphasis on economic strategies that foster a healthier manufacturing activity to engender environmental sustainability without compromise for economic prosperity should be pursued among the examined economies.

Source: UG
Environmental legislation in Ghana: Quantitative comparison between military and civilian regimes

The purpose of this paper was to identify the extent which environmental issues were considered on the priority agenda of Ghana's Legislative Assembly from 1993 - 98. In doing so, an overview of some statutory environmental laws passed by both the immediate past military regime were undertaken. The civilian constitutional administration of the 1990s has more than its immediate military predecessor of the 1980s, demonstrated that legal conditions that safegaurd investments in conservation, foster improved resource use, and guarantee access to resources area prerequisite for sound, local resource management.

Source: UG
Environmental monitoring and potential health risk assessment from Pymetrozine exposure among communities in typical rice-growing areas of China

Pymetrozine is one of the most commonly used insecticides in China. This study was conducted to analyse Pymetrozine’s potential exposures through various environmental routes beyond the treatment areas. The aim was to estimate the potential health risk for communities due to non-dietary exposures to Pymetrozine in soil and paddy water. Data on registration of pesticides in China, government reports, questionnaires, interviews and literature reviews as well as toxicological health investigations were evaluated to determine the hazard and dose–response characteristics of Pymetrozine. These were based on the US EPA exposure and human health risk assessment methods and exposure data from soil and paddy water samples collected between 10 and 20 m around the resident’s location. The exposure doses from dermal contact through soil and paddy water were estimated. The potential cancer risk from the following exposure routes was evaluated: ingestion through soil; dermal contact exposure through soil; dermal contact exposure through paddy water. The potential total cancer risk for residents was estimated to be less than 1 × 10−6. These were relatively low and within the acceptable risk levels. The potential hazard quotient (HQ) from acute and lifetime exposure by dermal contact through paddy water and soil and acute and lifetime exposure by soil ingestion for residents was less than 1, indicating an acceptable risk level. This study suggested that there were negligible cancer risk and non-cancer risks based on ingestion and dermal contact routes of exposure to residents.

Source: UG
Environmental orientation, relational capital and SMEs performance: do religious, cultural and mimetic orientations matter in a Sub-Saharan African economy?

Purpose – Using the institutional and natural resource-based view theories, the purpose of this study is to examine the influence of religious, cultural and mimetic orientations on proactive environmental strategy, corporate environmental responsibility and traditional environmental strategy. Relying on data collected from managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the study further examines how proactive environmental strategy, corporate environmental responsibility and traditional environmental strategy drive relational capital and firm performance of SMEs operating in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – The study employed a survey research design, a quantitative approach and a partial least square structural equation modelling technique in making data analysis and interpretations due to its appropriateness for predictive research models. Findings – The results suggest that mimetic orientation robustly and significantly influence the dimensions of environmental orientation. While religious orientation only had a robust and significant influence on proactive environmental strategy, cultural orientation robustly and significantly influences both proactive and traditional environmental strategies. Despite the positive and significant interactions that exist between proactive environmental strategy, corporate environmental responsibility, traditional environmental strategy, relational capital and firm performance, the findings particularly revealed that proactive and environmental strategies insignificantly correlated with relational capital contrary to past study findings. Originality/value – The study is among the few to examine how religious, cultural and mimetic orientations interrelate with proactive and traditional environmental orientations, relational capital and firm performance in an emerging economy. Based on the findings, implications and directions for future research are discussed while also providing guidance for policymakers, regulatory bodies, scholars and practitioners.

Source: UG
Environmental orientation, relational capital and SMEs performance: do religious, cultural and mimetic orientations matter in a Sub-Saharan African economy?

Purpose – Using the institutional and natural resource-based view theories, the purpose of this study is to examine the influence of religious, cultural and mimetic orientations on proactive environmental strategy, corporate environmental responsibility and traditional environmental strategy. Relying on data collected from managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the study further examines how proactive environmental strategy, corporate environmental responsibility and traditional environmental strategy drive relational capital and firm performance of SMEs operating in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – The study employed a survey research design, a quantitative approach and a partial least square structural equation modelling technique in making data analysis and interpretations due to its appropriateness for predictive research models. Findings –The results suggest that mimetic orientation robustly and significantly influence the dimensions of environmental orientation. While religious orientation only had a robust and significant influence on proactive environmental strategy, cultural orientation robustly and significantly influences both proactive and traditional environmental strategies. Despite the positive and significant interactions that exist between proactive environmental strategy, corporate environmental responsibility, traditional environmental strategy, relational capital and firm performance, the findings particularly revealed that proactive and environmental strategies insignificantly correlated with relational capital contrary to past study findings.

Source: UG
Environmental radioactivity and trace metals in surficial sediments from estuarine systems in Ghana (Equatorial Africa), impacted by artisanal gold-mining

This paper reports concentrations of γ-emitter radionuclides (40K, 137Cs, 210Pb, 226Ra, 228Ra, 228Th and 234Th) and some metals (Al, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sr, Cd, Sb, Cs, Pb, Th and U) in surficial sediments from the Ankobra, Pra and Volta estuaries, in Ghana. Artisanal gold-mining in the Ankobra and Pra basins promoted moderate enrichments of As, Sb, Cu, Cs and Cr in their estuarine sediments, with respect to the reference background of the Volta Estuary. Radionuclide concentrations were in the range found in the Earth’s crust. Present data do not support any conclusion on their potential enrichments due to gold-mining activities. Radionuclide isotopic ratios revealed a transfer of 228Ra from sediments to the water column. Pearson correlation coefficient matrices showed different patterns, which were reasonably understood after novel approaches: i) inter-estuaries comparison of slopes in the linear regressions of element-concentrations vs Al, Fe and Cs; ii) study of Al-normalized concentrations of elements; iii) excess 210Pb informing on local sedimentary conditions. The metal enrichments observed in the Ankobra and Pra estuaries are associated with the Fe-rich compounds in sulphide ores (such as FeAsS) transported along the river course and deposited in the estuary.

Source: UG
Environmental risk and foreign direct investment: the role of financial deepening, access and efficiency

Purpose – This study aims to decompose financial development into its three key components (depth, access and efficiency) to investigate whether they can help to overturn the negative impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the environment. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a dynamic panel of 43 economies from 1982 to 2018 and decomposed financial development into its three key components: depth, access and efficiency. Findings – The results from the various estimations indicate that financial deepening and efficiency reduce environmental risk and can overturn the negative impact of FDI on the environment. In addition, the study finds that low levels of financial access worsen environmental risk but doubling financial access is likely to reduce it which makes the relationship between access and environmental risk non-monotonic. After splitting the data set into high and low financially developed economies, the study reports that FDI is more environmentally depressive among low financially developed economies. Practical implications – The practical implications are that improvement in financial efficiency guarantees high returns on savings and investment and can reduce environmental risk. So, central governments should invest in financial technologies and formulate financial regulations through monetary and fiscal policies to enhance financial efficiency and depth. Social implications – If inward FDI to Africa continues the business-as-usual trend, the environmental risk in the region may continue to rise, environmental conditionalities for FDI must be strengthened. Originality/value – The study uses a comprehensive measure of financial sector development and decomposes financial development indicators to assess their efficacy in mitigating the relationship between FDI and environmental quality.

Source: UG
Environmental surveillance for Vibrio cholerae in selected households’ water storage systems in Accra Metropolitan Area (AMA) prior to the 2014 cholera outbreak in Accra, Ghana

Cholera is a global public health problem with high endemicity in many developing countries in Africa. In 2014, Ghana experienced its largest epidemic with more than 20,000 cases and 200 deaths; most of it occurred in the Accra Metropolitan Area (AMA). Ghana's disease surveillance system is mainly clinically based and focused on case detection and management. Environmental exploration for the etiological agents is missing from the surveillance strategy. This study therefore assessed the occurrence of toxigenic Vibrio cholerae in water storage systems in selected high risk areas in the AMA area prior to the 2014 outbreak. Three hundred twenty water samples from 80 households' water storage systems were analyzed for toxigenic Vibrio cholerae using the bacterial culture method. Presumptive V. cholerae was isolated from 83.8% of households' water storage systems. The viable cells ranged from 1 to 1400 CFU/100 ml. Vibrio cholerae O1 serotype was isolated from five households in Old Fadama, one household in Shiabu, and one household in Bukom in the month of May and a similar trend was observed for the months of June and July. The presence of Vibro cholerae in the water storage vessels used for drinking confirms the need to consider environmental surveillance for toxigenic Vibro cholerae particularly in high-risk areas to strengthen the existing surveillance system.

Source: UG
Environmental tax and global income inequality: A method of moments quantile regression analysis

Even though Environmental tax policy impacts inequality theoretically, empirical studies remain scanty not only in the context of volumes and the estimation approaches but are also focused on selected advanced countries, communities, households, and emerging countries, the neglect of the global or big picture effect, which is essential for measuring the overall effect of the collective and individual country-concerted efforts in addressing this global cancer. We provide empirical evidence in the global context using the novel method of moments quantile regression. We found that Income Inequality across the globe is sharply reduced by restrictive environmental tax policy, a finding that has ramifications for global sustainable development, particularly in dealing with the ravaging effects of Covid-19.

Source: UG
Environmental tax, carbon emmission and female economic inclusion

This research examines the nexus between environmental tax, carbon emission, and female economic inclusion. The study employs a quantitative research method, utilizing the Generalized method of moments (GMM) on a dataset of 65 countries from the period 1994 to 2020. The research finds that environmental tax has a significant negative effect on carbon emission and that firms with a higher level of female economic inclusion tend to have lower carbon emission levels. Furthermore, the research shows that firms with a higher level of female economic inclusion are more likely to implement environmentally sustainable practices, which in turn reduces their carbon emission levels. These findings suggest that policies that promote environmental taxation and female economic inclusion can be effective in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable business practices. The sampling technique used in this study is purposive sampling, where 64 countries were selected based on their availability of data on environmental tax, carbon emissions, and female economic inclusion. The population of the study comprises all countries that have data available on these variables between the period of 1994 to 2020. While there are limitations to this study, including the need for further research to fully understand the complex relationship between environmental taxation, carbon emissions, and female economic inclusion, this research represents an important contribution to the literature on these critical issues.

Source: UG