The reduction in the fresh water supply and increase in the domestic effluents with increase in population and urbanization in the Pakistan force the farmers to use untreated sewage water for the irrigation purposes. Besides high nutrient content Sewage water also have source of metal contamination in the food chain. The present field study was conducted to compare the nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) contamination in vegetables grown on soils irrigated with sewage water and canal water in Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan. The Ni, Cu and Pb contamination was assessed using soil quality indices i.e., contamination factor (CF), metal translocation factor (MTF), pollution load index (PLI), geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and ecological risk index (ERI) were calculated in the collected samples. The physico-chemical properties of soil and water samples were determined. Based on the results, it was revealed that sewage irrigated areas were at higher risks of metals contamination compared to canal irrigated areas. From the studied metals, Pb showed highest contamination potential based on the soil quality indices. In sewage irrigated sites, metal concentrations were found higher in edible parts of the vegetables confirming that sewage water contains and supply more metals than canal irrigated water and pose more health and ecological risks.

Soil samples were collected in an industrial area (Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina) and analyzed the concentration of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The total concentration of 16 PAHs in surface soil varied within the range of 0.599-2.848 mg/kg and in deeper layer soil samples 0.041-0.320 mg/kg. Two basic sources of PAHs at this location are: pyrogenic and petrogenic sources. Benzo(a)pyrene toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) were used to calculate BaPeq in order to evaluate carcinogenic risk of soil contamination with PAHs. The total BaPeq of seven carcinogenic PAHs in surface soil and deeper soil layer were in the range 23.270-368.63 µg/kg (mean of 151.223 µg/kg), and 15.71-80.24 µg/kg, (mean of 48.08 µg/kg), respectively. These indicated that PAHs in this industrial soil presented relatively high toxicity potential. This study identifies the concentration and estimation of the potential cancer risk caused by contact with soils for adults, adolescents and children. In accordance with the estimated values of incremental life cancer risks (ILCRs), the cancer risk resulting from contact with the contaminated surface soil should be considered high (total ILCR>10 -3 ). The results suggest that current PAHs concentration highly carcinogenic and may hold a serious health risk for local residents and employees.

Introduction: This research aimed to determine the impact of horseback riding on the balance ability of first-grade students. Material and methods: Fifty-eight students were divided into two sub-groups: twenty-eight riders and thirty non-riders. The subtest of balance is composed of nine items which were grouped into five variables: Total balance, Static balance, Dynamic balance, and Open and Closed eyes balance. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine the significance of the difference between the groups, and the strength of the effect of intergroup differences was determined using the Cohen criteria. Results: The results showed that there were statistically significant differences between groups in Total balance, Static, and Balance with closed eyes. Cohen's criterion indicates that there was a strong effect of intergroup differences in performance demanding balance tasks of 7-year-old children. Conclusion: It can be observed that horseback riding has the effect of reducing the difference between the maximum and minimum balance points by enhancing competencies at the minimum level.

Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed from anthropogenic activities, i.e. industrial emissions, incomplete combustion of petroleum, coal and other fossil fuels and other industrial and domestic activities. Research areas of this study are four representative locations in the industrial complex, in the city of Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The main objective of the paper is to determine the ecological risk and to assess probable sources of PAHs contamination in soil and groundwater. The results of this study reflect the effects of coal combustion (pyrogenic origin), petrogenic and biomass origin and may provide basic data for the remediation of PAHs in the location. The ecological risk in soil (at depths of 30, 100, 200, 300 and 400 cm) and groundwater is determined. The mean values of ecological risk in soil and groundwater decreased with soil depth. Values of RQ(NCs) for groundwater were found at high ecological risk, for Ant, Chr, DahA, Acy, Pyr, BaA, Phe, Flo, Nap, Ace and Fluo, with values 28.57, 20.59, 300.00, 242.86, 185.71, 1700.0, 76.67, 53.33, 15.83, 100.00 and 57.14, respectively. ∑16PAH indicated high ecological risk for most PAHs, which decreased with soil depth. The value of RQ(NCs) for ΣPAHs in groundwater indicates high ecological risk (ΣPAHs ≥ 800 and RQ(MPCs) ≥ 1). This is the first study on the ecological risk of PAHs in soil and groundwater in industrial soils in Banja Luka and provides baseline information for further studies and additional investigations of this industrial complex.

Noise pollution is an emerging global problem therefore, it is imperative to determine noise level especially in the urban environment and its implications on human health. The objectives of this study were i) to assess the urban noise pollution and traffic density of Chiniot and Jhang and ii) to determine non-auditory health effects of noise pollution on the residents of both cities. Noise pollution was examined from 181 locations (103 from Jhang and 78 from Chiniot) and categorized into hospitals, educational, religious and recreational, residential, industrial areas, and traffic intersections. Noise levels measurements were taken using integrated sound level meter. The urban noise data showed 82% of the sites in Jhang and 95% in Chiniot exceeded the noise limits set by NEQS-Pak and WHO. Moreover, higher intensity of noise pollution (≥ 100 dB) was recorded in Chiniot (17 sites) than in Jhang (1 site). Regression analysis showed relatively strong relationship of traffic density with noise at Chiniot (R2 = 0.48) compared to Jhang (R2 = 0.31). However, spatial variability of noise with traffic density was observed at both cities. Survey study revealed that all the respondents in Jhang and Chiniot suffered from many noise related health problems such as annoyance (53 and 51%), depression (45 and 47%), dizziness (61 and 65%), headache (67 and 64%), hypertension (71 and 56%), hearing loss (53 and 56%), physiological stress (65 and 65%), sleeplessness (81 and 84%), and tinnitus (70 and 62%) due to noise, respectively. It is concluded that noise pollution is higher in Chiniot due to high traffic density resulted from higher population density and cottage industry. It is recommended that vehicles maintenance, family and urban planning could be effective measures to reduce urban noise pollution.

Abstract Nanotechnology has appeared as an emerging field of science in which we use nano-sized particles (nanoparticles) for beneficial uses like soil and water remediation from different contaminants like heavy metals, to improve soil fertility by adding nanofertilizers to nutrient deficient soils, agents to cope with climate change, and use in the medical field as agents for drug delivery and rapid diagnostics. Apart from their benefits, there are some hazards associated with these nanoparticles. They can affect a wide array of organisms through their application, ingestion, or accidental release into environment. They can reduce plant growth, yield, and even cause plant death, and can cause human and animal organ disorders through cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, etc.

Rapid telecommunications developing during previous decades is followed by novel technology systems as well as enlargement of environmental non-ionized radiation level. Emitted electromagnetic signals from base stations are shifted to the higher frequencies range with limited penetrability, requiring additional strength which implicates increasing risk for human health. The present research shows the stage of electromagnetic pollution from exposed locations in the vicinity of the elementary school in Banja Luka, obtained both by experimental measurements and theoretical estimations. For theoretical prediction, a new upgraded software was developed for visualization in two and three dimensions of real space, where calculations are performed including all fundamental characteristics of the antenna along with environment characteristics.

The aim of this research was to summarize the relevant literature on wrist injuries in gymnasts and to determine the prevalence of injuries based on a systematic review of previous research. In sports gymnastics, the upper extremities are the bearers of the whole body, which leads to consequences such as wrist injuries. The types of injuries are different, depending on its excessive use. The combination of a period of rapid growth and intensive training creates the conditions for gymnasts to be more prone to injuries, especially wrist injuries. Electronic search of papers was performed in databases: KoBSON, PubMed and Google Academic, and the studies were published in the period from 2010 to 2020, while a descriptive method was used to analyse the obtained data. Based on the database search, 14 studies met the criteria. Subjects who participated in questionnaires and experiments and different types of corrective treatment, sought to prevent further progression of the injury, and most subjects made major progress in suppressing or completely regressing their wrist injury. Raising awareness of the existence of this injury is of great importance in sport gymnastics, so early detection and prevention of injury is crucial.