SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

Background: The American food regulatory landscape has historically been influenced by industry interests, resulting in the widespread use of petroleum-derived synthetic food dyes banned in European countries. Chronic disease rates in American children have increased from 3% in the 1960s to approximately 60% currently, with annual healthcare costs reaching $1 trillion. The appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services marks a paradigmatic shift toward transparency and industry accountability in food safety regulation. Aim: This forum analysis examines Kennedy Jr.'s revolutionary approach to food safety regulation, particularly his confrontational stance against petroleum-based food additives exemplified by his statement, "if they want to eat petroleum, they should add it themselves at home" and evaluates the broader implications for American public health policy and global regulatory standards. Methods: Critical analysis of Kennedy Jr.'s public policy statements, examination of epidemiological data trends, and evaluation of proposed regulatory frameworks through content analysis of official speeches and policy declarations from the Department of Health and Human Services. Results: Kennedy Jr.'s administration targets the systematic elimination of synthetic food dyes through industry partnerships, scientific transparency initiatives, and restoration of rigorous research standards. His confrontational rhetorical approach, compared to Mike Tyson's boxing style, has generated unprecedented industry cooperation with food companies "calling almost daily" seeking compliance guidance. The strategy combines voluntary industry agreements with open-source information databases and enhanced FOIA access. Discussion: This confrontational rhetoric represents unprecedented directness in health policy communication, challenging decades of established regulatory practices. The approach prioritizes scientific transparency over diplomatic language, generating both media attention and voluntary industry engagement that traditional regulatory pressure failed to achieve. Conclusions: Kennedy Jr.'s revolutionary stance may establish new global standards for food additive oversight, prioritizing public health over commercial interests through evidence-based policymaking and industry accountability measures. This paradigm shift from reactive to preventive regulatory models could influence international food safety governance and restore American leadership in global health policy.

Background: Air pollution is one of the significant environmental challenges facing modern humanity. Atmospheric air is polluted with harmful substances emitted from anthropogenic and natural sources. Aim: The presented paper provides an overview of monitoring results conducted in the Capital of Georgia for 2023. Results from air quality monitoring sensors show that particulate matter, sulfur, and nitrogen dioxide represent problematic pollutants in different city areas. Methods: The research was carried out through sensors installed in different districts of Tbilisi. The investigation was carried out within the NATO SPS program project REACT. Results: Atmospheric air pollution was monitored at four stationary sensor sets on K. Cholokashvili, Nutsubidze Street, Chavchavadze Avenues, and the Old Tbilisi area. The results are presented in the article in the form of tables. Discussion: Average indexes of sulfur dioxide and PM particles were observed in all areas. Nitrogen dioxide indices were both low and medium. Conclusions: Based on the data obtained, it can be assumed that the air in most districts of Tbilisi is moderately polluted, and in some cases, the data exceeds the maximum allowable norm. There may be several reasons for this.: 1. Unauthorized slashing of Green islands and massive construction of high-rise residential buildings on their place in Tbilisi. 2. Malfunctioning vehicles, the technical inspection of which has recently been made stringent. However, some vehicles still pollute the air. 3. Emissions produced by mini factories and enterprises.

Background: Due to population growth and increased use of water resources, there has been a need to implement management measures to control and monitor river parameters. Aims: This study aims to demonstrate the application of mathematical modeling using the QUAL-UFMG model for studying nitrogen concentration in the Paraíba do Sul River located in Volta Redonda. Methods: Through mathematical modeling, it is possible to identify areas of greater impact, evaluate the effectiveness of control measures, and propose a strategy to improve water quality and preserve the balance of local aquatic ecosystems. Results: The results obtained during the study showed that the nitrogen parameters and their derivatives are within the pre-established limits set by CONAMA. Discussion: During the modeling, it was observed that there is a tendency for nitrate levels to increase along the points, indicating good self-purification of the river. Organic nitrogen values increase along the points, which is due to the contribution of sewage discharge along the course of the river, as organic nitrogen and ammonia have a physiological origin in domestic sewage. Conclusions: Through the QUAL-UFMG model, it was possible to validate the conducted analyses and create future projections of the water quality in the Paraíba do Sul River along the studied points.