Information security incidents continue to grow exponentially amidst the developing technological solutions. Malicious developers unabatedly introduce sophisticated strategies, while security experts and developers lag in response. Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) in developing countries struggle to address information security issues effectively as they do not have the required resources, hence the cyber criminals capitalize on their weaknesses. MSE’s account for 90
This study investigated heavy metal and volatile organic compound contamination in residual dust from inspection bays at two major vehicle licensing offices in Trinidad, West Indies. Surface dust was analyzed for seven heavy metals using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, while a qualitative screening for volatile organic compounds was achieved using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc ranged from n.d.–1.33 µg/g, 9.02–22.64 µg/g, 54.34–275.65 µg/g, 75.62–346.65 µg/g, 13.96–24.15 µg/g, 30.88–92.45 µg/g and 158.69–358.60 µg/g, respectively. Contamination assessments revealed an enrichment of copper, chromium, lead and zinc at the inspection bays which were attributed primarily to specific vehicular-related sources; however, the overall ecological risk was considered low. For adults, the non-cancer risks were negligible, and the potential carcinogenic risks based on exposure to cadmium, chromium and nickel were not significant. The volatile organic compound profiles included alkanes, aromatics, halohydrocarbons, oxygenated volatile organic compounds and olefins, with methylene chloride as the dominant compound at both locations.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a paramount global health threat. While antibiotic misuse is a recognized driver, other environmental pollutants, particularly non-biodegradable heavy metals, are increasingly implicated in the selection and dissemination of resistance through co-selection mechanisms. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the role of environmental heavy metal contamination as a driver of AMR evolution and spread. A systematic search was conducted across seven databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, Biomed Central, Google Scholar, and Embase) between November 2023 and January 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. Studies investigating the impact of heavy metals on AMR in environmental matrices were included. Study quality was assessed using the CASP checklist, and data were synthesized thematically. From 9513 records, 22 studies published between 2018 and 2024 were included. Evidence frequently reported strong associations between heavy metal pollution (e.g., Pb, Cd, Hg) and increased abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater, riverine, and soil ecosystems. The dominant mechanism identified in the reviewed studies was co-resistance, with metal resistance genes and ARGs co-located on mobile genetic elements, facilitating horizontal transfer. Cross-resistance and co-regulation were also reported. Importantly, metal pollution was linked to the environmental presence of high-risk multidrug-resistant pathogens. Methodological appraisal revealed a predominance of cross-sectional studies and limited data on metal speciation, constraining causal inference. The reviewed evidence suggests that environmental heavy metal pollution may be an important but underappreciated driver of AMR, potentially acting through co-selection. Effective AMR control requires integrated strategies combining antimicrobial stewardship with environmental governance. Future studies should adopt longitudinal designs and advanced molecular tools to establish causation and quantify risks. Environmental heavy metal pollution from industry and agriculture releases persistent toxins like lead and mercury into ecosystems. This pressure selects for bacteria carrying metal and antibiotic resistance traits that may be linked through multiple mechanisms including co-resistance (genes on shared mobile elements). These resistant traits can spread between microbes via horizontal gene transfer in contaminated water and soil. Ultimately, this process may contribute to the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens, threatening to compromise antibiotic efficacy and human health on a global scale
Interest in geopolymer concrete (GPC) made from agricultural wastes has increased due to the growing demand for environmentally friendly building materials; however, few studies have compared the short-term chemical resistance performance and optimisation of multi-source ash-based systems in harsh environments. The compressive strength, short-term chemical resistance, and optimisation of GPC made from sawdust ash (SDA), cassava peel ash (CPA), and rice husk ash (RHA), all of which have combined SiO₂ and Al2O₃ values greater than 70
