Magnitude of arsenic pollution in the Mekong and Red River Deltas--Cambodia and Vietnam

Large alluvial deltas of the Mekong River in southern Vietnam and Cambodia and the Red River in northern Vietnam have groundwaters that are exploited for drinking water by private tube-wells, which are of increasing demand since the mid-1990s. This paper presents an overview of groundwater arsenic pollution in the Mekong delta: arsenic concentrations ranged from 1-1610 microg/L in Cambodia (average 217 microg/L) and 1-845 microg/L in southern Vietnam (average 39 microg/L), respectively. It also evaluates the situation in Red River delta where groundwater arsenic concentrations vary from 1-3050 microg/L (average 159 microg/L). In addition to rural areas, the drinking water supply of the city of Hanoi has elevated arsenic concentrations. The sediments of 12-40 m deep cores from the Red River delta contain arsenic levels of 2-33 microg/g (average 7 microg/g, dry weight) and show a remarkable correlation with sediment-bound iron. In all three areas, the groundwater arsenic pollution seem to be of natural origin and caused by reductive dissolution of arsenic-bearing iron phases buried in aquifers. The population at risk of chronic arsenic poisoning is estimated to be 10 million in the Red River delta and 0.5-1 million in the Mekong delta. A subset of hair samples collected in Vietnam and Cambodia from residents drinking groundwater with arsenic levels >50 microg/L have a significantly higher arsenic content than control groups (<50 microg/L). Few cases of arsenic related health problems are recognized in the study areas compared to Bangladesh and West Bengal. This difference probably relates to arsenic contaminated tube-well water only being used substantially over the past 7 to 10 years in Vietnam and Cambodia. Because symptoms of chronic arsenic poisoning usually take more than 10 years to develop, the number of future arsenic related ailments in Cambodia and Vietnam is likely to increase. Early mitigation measures should be a high priority.     

Occurrence of phthalates and bisphenol A and F in the environment

Certain xenoestrogens, namely bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), were measured in various compartments (surface water, sediments, sewage treatment plant effluents, sewage sludge, dump water, liquid manure) in order to contribute to a better understanding of exposure to these compounds in different environments. Hundred and sixteen surface-water samples and 35 sediments from rivers, lakes and channels, 39 sewage effluents, and 38 sewage sludges were collected in Germany. Furthermore, ten liquid manure, two waste-dump and two compost-runoff water samples were also analysed. BPA measurements showed low concentrations from 0.0005 to 0.41 microg L(-1) in surface water, in sewage effluents from 0.018 to 0.702 microg L(-1), in sediments from 0.01 to 0.19 mgkg(-1) and in sewage sludge from 0.004 to 1.363mgkg(-1) dw. Measured concentrations of BPF were clearly lower than BPA in all environmental media. DEHP dominated the phthalate concentrations, which ranged from 0.33 to 97.8 microg L(-1) (surface water), 1.74 to 182 microg L(-1) (sewage effluents), 27.9 to 154 mgkg(-1) dw (sewage sludge) and 0.21 to 8.44 mgkg(-1) (sediment). DBP was found only in minor concentrations and BBP, only in a few samples in low amounts. Very high concentrations of BPA and phthalates were confirmed in waste dump water and compost water samples as well as in the liquid manure samples.     

Urban population exposure to lead and cadmium in east and south-east Asia

Information is still scarce for many Asian countries on general population exposure to two potentially toxic heavy metals of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). The present review on publications from this study group is intended to provide an overview of the non-occupational exposure to Pb and Cd among general populations in east and south-east Asia. During the period of 1991-1998, surveys were conducted in four cities in south-east Asia, five cities in mainland China, and two cities each in Japan and Korea. Peripheral blood, morning spot urine and 24-h food duplicate samples were collected from 20-50 non-smoking adult women in each survey site. The samples were digested by heating in the presence of mineral acids, and then analyzed by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the metals in blood (Pb-B and Cd-B), in urine (Pb-U and Cd-U), and in food duplicate (Pb-F and Cd-F). Measures were subjected to statistical analysis with an assumption of log-normal distribution. Pb-B, Pb-U and Pb-F levels varied substantially among the 11 urban sites; GM distributed in ranges of 32-65 microg/l for Pb-B, 2.1-7.5 microg/g cr (creatinine) for Pb-U, and 7-32 microg/day for Pb-F. The same was also the case for Cd exposure parameters, the distribution ranges being 0.5-1.8 microg/l for Cd-B, 1.2-3.1 microg/g cr for Cd-U, and 5-32 microg/day for Cd-F. It appeared that the exposure to Pb and Cd was highest in Kuala Lumpur, and Tokyo + Kyoto, respectively, and lowest in Tokyo + Kyoto and in Manila. Additional surveys in Japan showed that Pb exposure was even lower in rural areas than in Tokyo + Kyoto. When compared with the values reported in the literature, Pb exposure levels among Asian populations appear to be similar to the levels in Europe and in the United States, whereas Cd exposure seems to be higher in Asia than in Europe. The contribution of the dietary route in Pb absorption was variable and was inversely related to the extent of air pollution, whereas Cd uptake was almost exclusively via the dietary route with little contribution of the respiratory route.     

Comparative study on organic constituents in polluted and unpolluted inland aquatic environments—V: Organic carbons and hydrocarbons in sediments

Organic carbons and hydrocarbons were analysed for polluted sediments from Tama River and sludges from night soil and sewage treatment plants in the Tokyo area and unpolluted sediments from river and reservoirs from Chichi-jima Island in the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands to characterize their features for polluted and unpolluted aquatic environments. In addition the relationships of the features of organic constituents between waters and sediments were given. The contents of n-alkanes (C₁₄-C₃₆). squalane and unresolved complex mixture of hydrocarbons (UCMH) for the sediments from Tama River ranged from 16 to 94, 0.86–15 and 250–1100 μ g⁻¹ dry base, which are much higher than those of the sediments from Chichi-jima Island. The major constituents of hydrocarbons in the sediments and sludges from the Tokyo area were mainly odd-carbon numbered n-alkanes and squalane, whereas those of the island were only odd-carbon numbered n-alkanes. Hydrocarbons as carbon (total content × 0.851. as C₂₀H₄₂, HCC)/total organic carbon (TOC), HCC/extractable organic carbon with ethyl acetate (EOC), squalane as carbon (SqC)/TOC. SqC/EOC and UCMH/n-Alkane (C₁₅-C₃₃) values for the sediments from Tama River were much higher than those of the sediments from the island, while carbon preference index (CPI_H) values for the sediments of Tama River were considerably lower than those of the island. It was thus indicated that HCC/TOC, HCC/EOC, UCMH/n-Alkane and CPI^H values should be the important indicators of hydrocarbon pollution for aquatic environments. In addition SqC/TOC and SqC/EOC ratios are apparently useful measures of urban-industrial activities on aquatic environments.The similarity of the nature of hydrocarbons of sediments and sludges from the Tokyo area indicated that the sewage contributed considerably to urban river sediments. Further it was also indicated that hydrocarbons were concentrated in sedimentary environments, although the features of hydrocarbons in sediments are generally similar to those of waters.     

Absorbability of estrone and 17beta-estradiol in water onto activated carbon

With a view to reducing pollution in the aquatic environment, estrone (E1) and 17beta-estradiol (E2) were tested for their absorbability in water onto activated carbons (ACs) with various pore-size distributions. In batch-type adsorption measurements, all adsorption isotherms obtained were found to fit a Freundlich equation. In case of eight different kinds of commercial AC in pure water, the amount adsorbed at equilibrium concentration of 1 microg/L was in the range of 25.6-73.5mg/g for E1 and 21.3-67.6 mg/g for E2. In case of pre-used ACs in water sand-filtered for use as drinking water, the amount adsorbed at 1 microg/L was in the range of 3.5-8.2mg/g for E2. In the case of two commercial ACs in river water and in effluent from secondary clarifier at municipal sewage treatment plant (MSTP), both originally containing E2, was in the range of 0.1-0.2 and 0.3-1 microg/g, respectively, at 1 ng/L. The difference of amount adsorbed onto AC was discussed in view of hydrophobicity of target chemicals, specific surface area and mean pore diameter of AC, and the difference in the absorbability and the ratios of co-present substances for the target compound.     

Occurrence and fate of linear and branched alkylbenzenesulfonates and their metabolites in surface waters in the Philippines

Laguna de Bay in the Philippines is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia and is considered a primary source of drinking water, but also receives daily discharges of effluent from both domestic and industrial activities. Branched alkylbenzenesulfonates (ABS), which were banned in Europe and withdrawn from the market in the U.S. since the mid-1960s, but not in Southeast Asia, and linear alkylbenzenesulfonates (LAS) are anionic surfactants used in detergent formulations and are therefore main components of effluent discharges. The presence of both LAS and ABS in several water streams in the catchment area of Laguna de Bay was determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The concentration levels of LAS (1.2-73 and 2.2-102 microg l(-1)) and ABS (1.1-75 and 1-66 microg l(-1)) in some tributaries of Laguna de Bay and its outlet (Pasig River) to Manila Bay were assessed in December 1999 and March 2000, respectively. The LAS/ABS ratio was calculated as an indication of the extent of the distribution and fate of these surfactants in the surface water. The nearer the location to the metropolitan area of Manila, the higher the levels of LAS and ABS detected in the waters. Moreover, the extent of biodegradation was investigated by monitoring their alkyl homologue distribution and the presence of sulfophenylcarboxylate (SPC) metabolites. Similarly, differences in the levels of SPC and the homologues were apparent at the different sampling points. Presumably, even the quite recalcitrant ABS form SPCs under the conditions present in Southeast Asia. Since wastewater treatment facilities are not well established in developing countries like the Philippines, the call for the use of environmentally friendly chemicals is of even higher significance.     

Distribution of sewage input in marine sediments around a maritime Antarctic research station indicated by molecular geochemical indicators

Sediments from Admiralty Bay, Antarctica were collected during the austral summers of 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 in order to assess the distribution and concentration of sewage indicators originating from Comandante Ferraz Brazilian Antarctic Station. Fecal sterols (coprostanol + epicoprostanol) and linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) ranged from < 0.01 to 0.95 μg g⁻¹ and < 1.0 to 23 ng g⁻¹ dry weight, respectively. In general, the higher concentrations were found only locally in the vicinity of Ferraz station at Martel Inlet. Baseline values for fecal sterols and coprostanone were calculated as 0.19 and 0.40 μg g⁻¹, respectively. According to fecal sterols concentrations, sewage contribution to Martel Inlet has increased more than twice since 1997, as result of the increase in the number of researchers at the station especially during the last decade. A low correlation was found between total LABs and fecal steroids, which could be attributed to the contribution of the natural sources of steroids.     

Distribution of some trace metals in Lochnagar, a Scottish mountain lake ecosystem and its catchment

Anthropogenic trace metals enter the entire ecosystem of Lochnagar solely through atmospheric deposition. Trace metals, including Hg, have been monitored in atmospheric deposition and lake water, and measured in catchment vegetation, aquatic plants and zooplankton, revealing contamination levels in the ecosystem. Furthermore, 17 sediment cores were taken from different areas of the lake. Hg, Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu were analysed in all the cores, which show that the sediments have been heavily contaminated by these trace metals since the 1860s. The distribution of trace metals in the lake sediments was found to be heterogeneous, with concentrations in the surface sediments varying significantly: 110-250 ng/g, 100-360 microg/g, 39-180 microg/g, 0.3-1.9 microg/g and 8-25 microg/g for Hg, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu, respectively. Trends in the concentration profiles for different trace metals in the same core are different, as are the trends of the profiles for the same metal in different cores. Hence, a single sediment core cannot represent the pollution history of the whole lake. As the soils and sediments contain a high proportion of plant debris and the debris has a high affinity for Hg, resulting in Hg enrichment. Hg was measured in plant debris (> 63 microm) separated from catchment soils and lake sediments. Plant debris may play an important role in storing and transferring Hg in this ecosystem.     

Source characterization using compound composition and stable carbon isotope ratio of PAHs in sediments from lakes, harbor, and shipping waterway

Molecular compositions and compound specific stable carbon isotope ratios of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) isolated from sediments were used to characterize possible sources of contamination at an urban lake, a harbor, a shipping waterway, and a relatively undisturbed remote lake in the northwest United States. Total PAH concentrations in urban lake sediments ranged from 66.0 to 16,500 microg g(-1) dry wt. with an average of 2600 microg g(-1), which is approximately 50, 100, and 400 times higher on average than PAH in harbor (48 microg g(-1) on average), shipping waterway (26 microg g(-1)), and remote lake (7 microg g(-1)) sediments, respectively. The PAH distribution patterns, methyl phenanthrene/phenanthrene ratios, and a pyrogenic index at the sites suggest a pyrogenic origin for PAHs. Source characterization using principal component analysis and various molecular indices including C2-dibenzothiophenes/C2-phenanthrenes, C3-dibenzothiophenes/C3-phenanthrenes, and C2-chrysenes/C2-phenanthrenes ratios, was able to differentiate PAH deposited in sediments from the four sites. The uniqueness of the source of the sediment PAHs from urban lake was also illustrated by compound specific stable carbon isotope analysis. It was concluded that urban lake sediments are accumulating PAH from sources that are unique from contamination detected at nearby sites in the same watershed.     

Characterization and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminations in surface sediment and water from Gao-ping River, Taiwan

The concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and sediment samples collected from 12 locations in Gao-ping River, Taiwan were analyzed. Molecular ratios and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to characterize the possible pollution sources. Concentrations of total 16 PAHs (SigmaPAHs) in water samples ranged from below method detection limits (相似文献   

137Cs, 239+240Pu and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios in the surface waters of the western North Pacific Ocean, eastern Indian Ocean and their adjacent seas

Surface seawater samples were collected along the track of the R/V Hakuho-Maru cruise (KH-96-5) from Tokyo to the Southern Ocean. The (137)Cs activities were determined for the surface waters in the western North Pacific Ocean, the Sulu and Indonesian Seas, the eastern Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, and the South China Sea. The (137)Cs activities showed a wide variation with values ranging from 1.1 Bq m(-3) in the Antarctic Circumpolar Region of the Southern Ocean to 3 Bq m(-3) in the western North Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. The latitudinal distributions of (137)Cs activity were not reflective of that of the integrated deposition density of atmospheric global fallout. The removal rates of (137)Cs from the surface waters were roughly estimated from the two data sets of Miyake et al. [Miyake Y, Saruhashi K, Sugimura Y, Kanazawa T, Hirose K. Contents of (137)Cs, plutonium and americium isotopes in the Southern Ocean waters. Pap Meteorol Geophys 1988;39:95-113] and this study to be 0.016 yr(-1) in the Sulu and Indonesian Seas, 0.033 yr(-1) in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, and 0.029 yr(-1) in the South China Sea. These values were much lower than that in the coastal surface water of the western Northwest Pacific Ocean. This was likely due to less horizontal and vertical mixing of water masses and less scavenging. (239+240)Pu activities and (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios were also determined for the surface waters in the western North Pacific Ocean, the Sulu and Indonesian Seas and the South China Sea. The (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios ranged from 0.199+/-0.026 to 0.248+/-0.027 on average, and were significantly higher than the global stratospheric fallout ratio of 0.18. The contributions of the North Pacific Proving Grounds close-in fallout Pu were estimated to be 20% for the western North Pacific Ocean, 39% for the Sulu and Indonesian Seas and 42% for the South China Sea by using the two end-member mixing model. The higher (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios could be attributed to close-in fallout Pu delivered from the Enewetak and Bikini Atolls by ocean currents of branches of the North Equatorial Current to the Southeast Asian seas.     

Comparative study on organic constituents in polluted and unpolluted inland aquatic environments-IV Indicators of hydrocarbon pollution for waters

The ratios between organic carbons and hydrocarbon constituents were compared for polluted river waters from the Tokyo area and unpolluted river, brook, reservoir and pond waters from the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands to derive indicators of hydrocarbon pollution fossil fuels and their products and both combustion products, and industrial products. The hydrocarbons as carbon (HCC)/total organic carbon (TOC). HCC extractable organic carbon with ethyl acetate (EOC), squalane as carbon (SgC),TOC, SqC/EOC, and unresolved complex mixture of hydrocarbons (UCMH)n-Alkane (C₁₅-C₃₃) ratios of the waters from the Tokyo area were much higher than those of the waters from the Ogasawara Islands. The values of carbon preference index (CPI₁₁) for n-alkanes (C₁₄-C₁₄) close to unity were found in all the water samples from the Tokyo area. They are considerably lower than those of the water samples from the Ogasawara Islands. These results indicate that the HCC TOC, HCC/EOC UCMH/n-Alkane and CPI₁₁ values are the important indicators of hydrocarbon pollution. Further, it was suggested that the SqC/TOC and SqC/EOC ratios are useful indicators of urban-industrial activities on water systems.     

Impact of population and latrines on fecal contamination of ponds in rural Bangladesh

A majority of households in Bangladesh rely on pond water for hygiene. Exposure to pond water fecal contamination could therefore still contribute to diarrheal disease despite the installation of numerous tubewells for drinking. The objectives of this study are to determine the predominant sources (human or livestock) of fecal pollution in ponds and examine the association between local population, latrine density, latrine quality and concentrations of fecal bacteria and pathogens in pond water. Forty-three ponds were analyzed for E. coli using culture-based methods and E. coli, Bacteroidales and adenovirus using quantitative PCR. Population and sanitation spatial data were collected and measured against pond fecal contamination. Humans were the dominant source of fecal contamination in 79% of the ponds according to Bacteroidales measurements. Ponds directly receiving latrine effluent had the highest concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (up to 10⁶ Most Probable Number (MPN) of culturable E. coli per 100 mL). Concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria correlated with population surveyed within a distance of 30-70 m (p < 0.05) and total latrines surveyed within 50-70 m (p < 0.05). Unsanitary latrines (visible effluent or open pits) within the pond drainage basin were also significantly correlated to fecal indicator concentrations (p < 0.05). Water in the vast majority of the surveyed ponds contained unsafe levels of fecal contamination attributable primarily to unsanitary latrines, and to lesser extent, to sanitary latrines and cattle. Since the majority of fecal pollution is derived from human waste, continued use of pond water could help explain the persistence of diarrheal disease in rural South Asia.     

Tracing sewage in the marine environment: altered signatures in Concepción Bay, Chile.

Lipid biomarkers are now widely used to trace organic matter in the marine environment. Selected compounds and ratios can be used to identify sources or processes. However, in a study of a particularly contaminated area, the expected signatures were not found (Mudge and Seguel, Bol. Soc. Chil. Quím. 42 (1997) 5). This site has been re-examined to determine why they were absent. The concentrations of sterols, fatty acids and alcohol biomarkers of 10 sediment cores from Concepción Bay, Chile, were quantified by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The data obtained from 34 fatty acids, 28 fatty alcohols (C12-C30) and 32 sterols from the target study area, indicated that fatty acids from Concepción Bay sediments were the most abundant lipids (range 1.6-307 microg g(-1) dry wt) followed by sterols (range 0.02-25.3 microg g(-1) drywt). The sewage markers 5beta-coprostanol and epi-coprostanol were found in the areas close to the Penco-Lirquen disposal pipe. High bacterial activity was also present as indicated by the cholestanol, 18:1omega7, iso, anteiso and branched fatty acids and enhanced odd/even ratios of fatty alcohol biomarkers. The sediments from the centre of Concepción Bay had a greater marine/algal input characterized by brassicasterol and the marine fatty acids (20:4omega6, 20: 5omega3 22: 6omega3). The terrestrial contribution was mainly characterized by beta-sitosterol, C22-C26 fatty acids and confirmed by short/long chain ratio of the fatty alcohols. The distribution of these two markers indicates that the terrestrial matter passing through the sewage system is deficient in short chain fatty alcohols. The epi-coprostanol/coprostanol versus coprostanol/cholesterol plots also indicated selected removal of the stanols leaving apparently high cholesterol concentrations.     

Multinational enterprises and industrial spatial concentration patterns in the Red River Delta and Southeast Vietnam

In many Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia, the appearance of multinational enterprises (MNEs) as a consequence of open and liberal market reforms is increasing the concentration process, especially in and around the capital regions. MNEs are attracted by positive externalities provided by the large agglomerations. Additionally, Vietnam introduced an open-door policy with the initiation of the transition process in 1986. The question arises of whether MNEs will contribute to a regional increase or decrease in the spatial concentration of economic activities. In short, the paper analyzes the locational pattern of MNEs and their spatial impact. Since the economic transition to a socialist-oriented market economy in 1986, a large inflow of FDI has come mainly to the two most important economic regions in Vietnam, namely the Red River Delta (RRD) and the Southeast. Historically, the business climate in the Southeast is more market-oriented, whereas the socialist heritage of the planning system is stronger in the RRD. At first sight, industry in the RRD is less highly concentrated compared to the Southeast because MNEs try to avoid the locations with socialist remains. However, by means of an analysis using the continuous spatial concentration index, we detect that industrial production is also becoming more concentrated in the RRD.     

东南亚民居建筑类型研究

东南亚民居建筑是世界建筑文化遗产中不可或缺的一部分,它既是东南亚各族人民智慧的结晶,又是东南亚地域文化的重要表现和社会历史的主要见证。文章试图引入生物学的研究理念,寻找东南亚民居建筑的传统基因,总结形式多样的民居建筑形态,以期对东南亚地域性现代建筑的创作有所启示。     

国内外对合流制管道溢流污染的控制与管理

随着城市化进程的加快,城市雨水问题以及合流制排水管道的溢流污染问题变得日益严重.合流制管道的溢流污染已成为部分城市改善水体水质的主要制约因素之一.若未经有效处理的溢流污水直接排入水体中,不仅会严重地破坏水环境功能,还将危及人类健康.介绍了国内外部分城市控制合流制管道溢流污染的概况,分析了我国目前控制合流制管道溢流污染存在的问题和不足,讨论国外经验对我国的启示并提出一些建议,为我国对合流制管道的溢流污染控制提供借鉴.     

Passive cooling techniques through reflective and radiative roofs in tropical houses in Southeast Asia: A literature review

Cooling is one of the major concerns in building tropical houses. This problem is exacerbated by the heat gain of the roof, which constitutes 70% of the total heat gain. The passive cooling technique is one of the innovative practices and technologies that provide buildings with comfortable conditions through natural means. Reflective and radiative processes are the methods used to decrease heat gain by facilitating the elimination of excess heat in a building׳s interior to maintain a comfortable environment. Given that the potential of these techniques vary from region to region, their application in the tropics should be examined.Exploring these approaches in detail allows us to rethink how to effectively adapt these techniques to overcome the build-up of heat in modern tropical houses in Southeast Asia. This study reviews the physical characteristics of these approaches to guide architects and building designers. Results indicate a great reduction in operational cost. However, the significant differences in the performance of colour and material properties should be considered, given that the selected approach strongly affects the required thermal conditions of a building.     

日本建筑机械出口亚洲概况

虽然2008年全球金融危机目前已经使日本的经济进入衰退期,由于此次金融危机由美国引起,对于亚洲地区的影响相对滞后,所以2008年日本的建筑机械对亚洲地区主要国家中国、印度、俄罗斯、越南、韩国、新加坡、泰国、马来西亚(以下简称亚洲主要国家)等8国的出口情况(见表1、表2),总体而言2008年较2007年有不同程度的增长。     

Passive cooling techniques through reflective and radiative roofs in tropical houses in Southeast Asia: A literture review

Cooling is one of the major concerns in building tropical houses. This problem is exacerbated by the heat gain of the roof, which constitutes 70% of the total heat gain. The passive cooling technique is one of the innovative practices and technologies that provide buildings with comfortable conditions through natural means. Reflective and radiative processes are the methods used to decrease heat gain by facilitating the elimination of excess heat in a building's interior to maintain a comfortable environment. Given that the potential of these techniques vary from region to region, their application in the tropics should be examined. Exploring these approaches in detail allows us to rethink how to effectively adapt these techniques to overcome the build-up of heat in modern tropical houses in Southeast Asia. This study reviews the physical characteristics of these approaches to guide architects and building designers. Results indicate a great reduction in operational cost. However, the significant differences in the performance of colour and material properties should be considered, given that the selected approach strongly affects the required thermal conditions of a building.