The pollutants emission during the process of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is of great concern due to its hazardous effect on the environment and living organisms. An assessment of the air quality of MSWM sites was made after having 16 repetitive visits at solid waste disposal sites and transfer stations of Lahore during wet and dry seasons. Pollution parameters such as fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and greenhouse gases (GHG) were measured along with meteorological parameters. PM_2.5 measurement was made by using particle counter Dylos and TSI’s Dust Trak. Both of these instruments were positioned simultaneously at the source site and downwind (50 m). CH₄ and meteorological parameters were measured by Aeroqual 500 series, while the Extech CO220 monitor was used to measure CO₂ concentration. An assessment of air quality showed the levels of their mean values as CH₄ and CO₂ ranged between 1.5–13.7 ppm and 443.4–515.7 ppm, respectively. The PM_2.5 ranged between 127.1 and 307.1 µg/m³ at sources and 172.3 and 403.8 µg/m³ downwind (50 m). GHG showed lower levels than the proposed limit value, which could not cause any health issues, while PM_2.5 was 6–10 times higher than the Pak-EPA established standards. Higher pollutant concentration was recorded in the dry season than the wet season. Regression analysis was performed to predict correlation of PM_2.5 with GHG and meteorological parameters. GHG as well as meteorological parameters also exhibited a correlation with PM_2.5. It was estimated that the ambient air of such sites is not safe for public health. So, it is necessary to use safe practices for MSWM and its emission control to prevent nearby communities and the environment.

The current study is focuses on a sustainable agricultural ecosystem for soil fertility and human health improvement. To estimate the effects of applying organic amendments (compost, vermicompost, biochar, organic manure and rapeseed cake) on crop growth of maize and nutrient uptake in calcareous soil, eleven treatments were studied, which included compost (CM), cow manure vermicompost (CMV), pig manure vermicompost (PMV), biochar vermicompost (BCV), biochar (BC), conventional synthetic fertilizers (NPK), CMV in addition to NPK (CMV + NPK), and PMV in addition to NPK (PMV + NPK), organic manure (OM), rapeseed cake (RC) and control without any fertilization (CK). Maize above and belowground biomass were analyzed in glass greenhouse experiments. The results showed that nitrogen and carbon contents showed significant differences among treatments. Vermicompost significantly showed higher biomass as compared to inorganic fertilizers except for RC. All vermicompost treatments also showed better nutrient availability as compared to NPK and CK. In conclusion, vermicompost with all substrates are recommended for application as organic fertilizers. Our study will help promote the application of organic fertilizers alone or in combination with inorganic fertilizers rather than only inorganic fertilizers for environmental health and sustainability.

As a popular vegetable in Yunnan Province, China, taro flowers are delicious but contain substances that can cause numbing and mucous membrane damage. Prolonged high-temperature cooking is used by locals to mitigate these effects, though its mechanisms were previously unexplored. This study confirms the presence of needle-like calcium oxalate crystals in taro flowers and shows that prolonged steaming reduces their quantity, size, and sharpness, making them safer to eat. Microscopic observations revealed numerous sharp-tipped (~50 μm) calcium oxalate crystals in fresh taro flowers. After 2 h of steam heating, there were significantly fewer (~80% reduction) and smaller crystals (~70% reduction). Ion chromatography showed no significant change (p > 0.05) in calcium oxalate content (remaining ~2.5% of dry weight) after heating. Higher temperatures increase calcium oxalate solubility, causing gradual dissolution and the likely formation of small irregular structures, thus reducing the numbing effect. Prolonged cooking could be applied to other plant-based foods and medicines rich in these crystals. By analyzing statistics related to taro and taro flowers, the estimated potential economic benefits of commercializing taro flowers were USD 2.58–12.92 billion annually, potentially improving food security, creating jobs, and promoting development across regions where taro is largely cultivated in the Global South.