ENVIRONMNETAL
~dEnvironmental
~tIndoor air concentrations of mercury species in incineration plants
for municipal solid waste (MSW) and hospital waste (HW)
~w2009-10-16
There is limited information about mercury exposures inside solid
waste incineration plants although incineration has been considered
as one of major solid waste treatments. This study investigated
indoor air concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM),
reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) and particulate mercury (Hgp) and
indoor dust mercury concentrations in a municipal solid waste
incineration (MSWI) plant and a hospital waste incineration (HWI)
plant during December 2003 and July 2004. The final results showed
that the employees in incineration plants are not only exposed to GEM,
but also to RGM and Hgp. For the HWI plant, only concentration of
total mercury (HgT) in operation centre in summer was below 1000 ng
m−3 due to frequent ventilation, while those of GEM and HgT in
hospital waste depot exceeded 3000 ng m−3. For the MSWI plant, only
concentration of HgT in workplace in winter exceeded 1000 ng m−3.
Therefore, more attention should be paid to mercury exposures in HWI
plants than in MSWI plants. Indoor dust containing not, vert, similar
3968 μg HgT kg−1 (dry matter) possibly served as the potential source
for indoor air mercury pollution, especially in the HWI plant.
Authors: Liu, Yangsheng; Zhan, Ziyu; Du, Fang; Kong, Sifang; Liu,
Yushan
Full Source: The Key Lab of Water and Sediment Sciences, Peking
University, Beijing, Peop. Rep. China 100871). Chemosphere 2009,
75(2), 266-271
~dEnvironmental
~tSoil lead (Pb) in residential transects through Lubbock, Texas: a
preliminary assessment
~w2009-10-16
Residential lead (Pb) contamination, resulting from decades-long use
of leaded gasoline and lead-based paint, is likely to be present in
soils in most urban areas. The focus of this study was to investigate
that component of soil contamination due to combustion of leaded
gasoline. Soils were collected from the 1–2 cm surface layer from
street-side property borders, well away from buildings that might
lead to soil contamination from leaded paint chips. All samples were
analysed for Pb after a 1 M HNO3 mild extraction to determine the
amount of bioavailable Pb. Two of three transects through the city
demonstrated significant trends of decreasing Pb concentrations with
distance from the city centre, paralleling a decrease in developed
property age. Peak soil Pb concentrations outside city development
was 4.9 ± 0.6 mg/kg while the median concentration for the city was
35.4 mg/kg. Peak soil Pb concentrations in the city centre ranged
from 90.0 to 174.0 mg/kg and decreased exponentially to 6.0–9.0 mg/kg
at the furthest terminus of the residential transects.
Authors: Brown, Ray W.; Gonzales, Chris; Hooper, Michael J.; Bayat,
Andrew C.; Fornerette, Ashley M.; McBride, Tobias J.; Longoria,
Thomas; Mielke, Howard W.
Full Source: Environmental Geochemistry and Health 2008, 30(6), 541547
MEDICAL
~dMedical
~tParticulate air pollution as a risk factor for ST-segment
depression in patients with coronary artery disease
~w2009-10-16
The association of particulate matter (PM) with cardiovascular
morbidity and mortality is well documented. PM-induced ischemia is
considered a potential mechanism linking PM to adverse cardiovascular
outcomes. The authors investigated associations of ambient pollution
with ST-segment level changes averaged over half-hour periods
measured in the modified V5 position by 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring.
Each patient was observed up to 4 times within 1 year after a
percutaneous intervention for myocardial infarction, acute coronary
syndrome without infarction, or stable coronary artery disease
without acute coronary syndrome. Effects were greatest within the
first month after hospitalisation and for patients with myocardial
infarction during hospitalisation or with diabetes.
It is concluded that ST-segment depression is associated with
increased exposure to PM2.5 and black carbon in cardiac patients. The
risk of pollution-associated ST-segment depression may be greatest in
those with myocardial injury in the first month after the cardiac
event.
Authors: Chuang, Kai Jen; Coull, Brent A.; Zanobetti, Antonella; Suh,
Helen; Schwartz, Joel; Stone, Peter H.; Litonjua, Augusto; Speizer,
Frank E.; Gold, Diane R.
Full Source: Circulation 2008, 118(13), 1314-1320 (Eng)
~dMedical
~tCytotoxicity and genotoxicity of silver nanomaterials
~w2009-10-16
Silver nanomaterials have great potential in industrial and medical
applications but their potential impacts on health and environment
remain unknown. This study investigated the cytotoxic and genotoxic
effects of engineered silver nanomaterials. Using the MTT assay, the
authors compared the cytotoxicity of dialysed silver nanoparticles
(Ag NPs;15 nm), polyethylene glycol coated Ag NPs (PEGylated Ag NPs)
and silver nanorods on the survival of various human cell types
including T cell leukaemia JURKAT, B lymphoblastoid cells RAJI, human
umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human peripheral blood
mononuclear cells (PBMC). The results suggest that the toxic
potential of engineered silver nanomaterials depends on their
physicochemical properties, assay concentrations and incubation time
as well as target cell types. The findings also demonstrate that
silver nanoparticles could reduce survival and cause DNA damage in
human peripheral blood cells.
Authors: Uygur, Berna; Craig, Gary; Mason, Michael D.; Ng, Ah-Kau
Full Source: An Interdisciplinary Integrative Forum on Nanotechnology,
Biotechnology and Microtechnology, Houston, TX, United States, May 37, 2009, Volume 2, 383-386.
~dMedical
~tOccurrence of mutations in loci linked to Y chromosome in the
offspring born to individuals exposed to ionising radiation
~w2009-10-16
In September 1987, in Goiania, GO, Brazil, one of the most serious
radiological accidents occurred at a radiotherapy unit involving a
source of cesium-137. An area of 2000 m2 was contaminated and 249
people were exposed, both externally and internally, to substantial
doses of ionizing radiation, resulting in four fatalities due to
acute radiation syndrome. The current study examined the occurrence
of possible mutations on the Y chromosome of the exposed men and
their male offspring divided into two groups: A) eight accidentally
exposed men and eight boys; B) twelve occupationally exposed men and
sixteen boys; the control group was constituted by 8 men and 8 boys
not exposed. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes and
30 loci were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. All DNA
tests had a probability of paternity of at least 99.99%. The authors
found that in the control group, only one son showed an SY84 deletion.
Recombination events between repetitive regions are possibly the
cause of the high incidence of de novo mutations on the Y chromosome.
The mutations were possibly generated by intrinsic mechanisms that
could have been increased by the ionizing radiation from caesium- 137.
The exposure to ionising radiation from cesium-137 can be detected in
offspring of exposed individuals, and the mutation rate can be
attributed to radioactive exposure.
Author: Arruda, J. T.
Full Source: GMR, Genetics and Molecular Research 2009, 8(3), 938
~dMedical
~tToxic effects of PCB/PCDF to human observed in Yusho and other
poisonings
~w2009-10-16
Yusho PCB poisoning occurred in 1968, when the human environment had
been polluted with PCBs and related compounds. The causal rice oil
was contaminated with large amounts of PCBs and PCDFs by accidental
leakage at the rice oil producing Kanemi Company on February 7-15,
1968. Much less concentrations of PCBs were identified in the rice
oil produced and shipped from the Company before and after the
critical days. Concentration trend of PCBs and TEQ in human body were
examined for 40 years from 1968 to present. Serious cases of Yusho
and Yucheng having very high PCB, PCDF concentrations in blood have
suffered from severe chloracne, pigmentation, eye discharge and
others at the first stage and recovered very slowly with a lapse of
several years. However, their hormone mediated signs and symptoms,
such as high triglyceride and thyroxin levels in serum, disorder of
immunoglobulin, goitre, decrease of sperm mobility, disorder of teeth
and joints conditions, decrease of IQ score in children, headache and
numbness, etc, are persisting for more than 30 years. The residents
in East Slovakia who have been exposed to PCBs wasted from a PCB
factory and have about 3 times higher blood PCB concentrations than
the controls, have suffered from disorder of FT4 and T3 levels in
serum, disorder of thyroid grand and thymus, dental defects in enamel
developmental, hearing impairment at low frequency tone, tendency to
diabetes and others. Residents in the Great Lakes area, USA, whose
blood PCB levels are estimated to be higher than other places, have
shown disorder of thyroid, T4, TSH levels, endometriosis, joint
disorder, and low IQ score in children. The levels of PCBs and PCDFs
in the blood of Yusho patients and Controls are compared to the
normal levels of estradiol, testosterone and thyroxin. In the blood
of Yusho patients, concentrations of single congeners of PCB118,
PCB153, PCB156 and PentaCDF are high enough to disturb the hormonal
effects. Blood PCB concentrations in normal Japanese are higher than
the FT3 and FT4 levels, indicating hormonal disturbance will be
easily produced. PCBs are metabolized to produce HO-PCBs, which bind
to TTR and retain in blood medium. Blood HO-PCB concentrations in
Yusho patients and normal persons are higher than the FT3, FT4 levels
in serum. Therefore, the hormonal effects of thyroxin will be
disturbed in Yusho and normal persons. As HO-PCB will be easily
transferred to foetus through placenta, foetus development will be
possible to be disturbed. In Yusho and other cases, PCBs and TEQ
(PentaCDF, PCB118 etc) were ingested together and the strong enzyme
inducers of PentaCDF and others have metabolized PCBs to HO-PCBs,
which have retained in the blood. Complex reactions of PCDFs, PCBs
and HO-PCBs have disturbed the hormonal effects and the induced
symptoms and diseases would have been caused.
Author: Masuda, Yoshito
Full Source: Fukuoka Igaku Zasshi 2009, 100(5), 141-155 (Japan)
~dMedical
~tMicroextraction by packed sorbent coupled with gas chromatography—
mass spectrometry: application to the determination of metabolites of
monoterpenes in small volumes of human urine
~w2009-10-16
A miniaturised sample preparation method is presented that is based
on microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) to determine metabolites
of monoterpenes in small volumes of human urine. A protocol including
syringe modifications has been developed to exploit the concept of
MEPS for application in gas chromatography—mass spectrometry with
splitless injection. Only 210 μL of enzymatically hydrolysed urine is
needed to carry out a complete extraction protocol. Elution volumes
between 1 and 10 μL can be transferred completely or partly to the
GC-MS system. All steps of filling and injection of the MEPS syringes
are performed automatically. The utility of this approach was
demonstrated in terms of determinations of the monoterpene
metabolites cis-verbenol, trans-verbenol, α-terpineol, myrtenol and
perillyl alcohol in a urine sample of a volunteer who lived in a
dwelling with high indoor air exposure of monoterpenes
Authors: Matysik, Silke; Matysik, Frank-Michael
Full Source: Microchimica Acta 2009, 166(1-2), 109-114 (Eng)
OCCUPATIONAL
~dOccupational
~tFactors related to glycophorin A mutation frequency of workers
exposed to benzene
~w2009-11-08
This study investigated the related factors affecting glycophorin A
(GPA) mutation frequency of workers exposed to benzene. GPA mutation
assay and the possibility of GPA mutation frequency as an index of
predicting the risk of benzene poisoning were explored. The
erythrocytes were bound with fluorescent-labelled monoclonal antibody
after isolated and fixed from the peripheral blood, and then the GPA
mutation assay was performed using flow cytometry (FCM). The related
factors of GPA mutation frequency were analysed by statistical
methods. The results indicated that the GPA mutation frequency of
chronic benzene poisonings was significantly higher than that of the
controls. Significant direct correlation was found with age, length
of service and accumulative exposure score with the GPA mutation
frequency of workers exposed to benzene. However, there was
significantly inverse correlation between 3-aminobenzamide (3AB)
index and the GPA mutation frequency (GPAN0: rs ) -0.589, P < 0.01,
and GPANN: rs ) -0.615, P < 0.01). In the multiple factor regression
analysis on GPA mutation frequency, benzene exposure and individual
susceptibility both entered model of multiple factors analysis, and
the coefficient of detection of benzene-exposed workers was 0.819.
The authors concluded that the study shows that exposure to benzene
and individual susceptibility was the most important factors that
affected GPA mutation frequency. GPA mutation frequency increased
with benzene exposure and individual susceptibility.
Authors: You, Li; Zhao, Yongcheng; Zhao, Wanxin; Liu, Qiang; Li,
Keqiu; Shi, Dawei; Gu, Jinlong; Wang, Jixian
Full Source: Zhonghua Laodong Weisheng Zhiyebing Zazhi 2007, 25(11),
660-663 (Ch)
~dOccupational
~tDetection of cyanogen chloride in air of working places
~w2009-11-08
In this study, the authors sampled cyanogen chloride in air of
working places using phosphate buffer solution and pyridinebarbituric acid absorption solution, followed by spectrophotometry.
The operating conditions, such as pH value, colour developing time,
temperature, chloramine T content, buffer solution proportion,
chromogenic agent proportion and maximal adsorption wavelength, were
optimised. The linear range of calibration curve was 0-0.4 íg/mL (r )
0.9993), regression equation was Y ) 1.47X - 0.005, detection limit
was 0.016 íg/mL, lower limit was 0.07 íg/mL, coefficient of variation
was 1.1%-2.8%, recovery was 98.9%-109.8%, and sampling efficiency was
92.9%-98.9%. The authors concluded that the results for this study
showed that pyridine-barbituric acid spectrophotometry was a simple,
fast, sensitive, convenient and specific method for the detection of
cyanogen chloride in air of working places and met the requirement of
occupational exposure limit detection.
Authors: Bian, Xiulan; Liu, Xiaochuan; Wang, Jinxing; Gao, Hongxia
Full Source: Zhonghua Laodong Weisheng Zhiyebing Zazhi 2007, 25(11),
690-692 (Ch).
~dOccupational
~tSolvent desorption-gas phase chromatography for determination of
chlorodifluoromethane in air of working places
~w2009-11-08
This study established and evaluated solvent desorption-gas phase
chromatography for the detection of chlorodifluoromethane (F22) in
air of working places. Based on "Specifications of Air Sampling for
Hazardous Substances Monitoring in the Workplace" (GBZ 159-2004) and
"Standardization of Methods for Detection of Toxic Substance in
Workplace" (WS/T 73-1996), F22 in air was adsorbed by activated
carbon, desorbed by dichloromethane and detected by gas
chromatography with GDX102 column. The results demonstrated that in
the concentration range F22 standard solution of 0-1,300 íg/mL
(equivalent to air F22 concentration of 0-850 mg/m3), the regression
equation of F22 was Y ) 2.935´103X+ 2.441´103 (r > 0.999), the
detection limit was 1 íg/mL, and the lower concentration limit of air
sample was 0.65 mg/m3. The average desorption efficiency was g 94%,
breakthrough capacity > 1.8 mg and sampling efficiency g 95%. Samples
could be stored under room temperature for 7 days. The authors
concluded that the findings suggest that this method was suitable for
detection of F22 in workplace air.
Authors: Liu, Zhaolin; Qiu, Leping; Huang, Wei; Yin, Luning
Full Source: Zhonghua Laodong Weisheng Zhiyebing Zazhi 2007, 25(11),
686-688 (Ch)
~dOccupational
~tDirect mercury determination method for mercury and its compounds
in air of working places
~w2009-11-08
This study sampled the air in various workplaces in order to
determine the mercury concentration. The samples were analysed using
the DMA80 mercury analyser. The sample size was 100 íL, mercury
concentration had good linearity in the range of 0-200 íg/mL, the
relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.5%-8.4%, the recovery was
100.6%-104.7%, and the lower concentration limit was 0.0015 mg/m3.
The authors concluded that the results show that this method was
suitable for the detection of mercury and its compounds in the air of
working places.
Authors: Zha, Hexia; Yu, Pingsheng
Full Source: Zhonghua Laodong Weisheng Zhiyebing Zazhi 2007, 25(11),
684-685 (Ch)
~dOccupational
~tInvestigation of dermal and liver impairment induced by
occupational exposure to trichloroethylene
~w2009-11-08
This study explored the clinical manifestations of dermal and liver
damage induced by occupational exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE).
Investigation was conducted using 7 cases of TCE poisoning that
occurred during 2004-2006 in Shenzhen; records were made on the
patients' information like occupational exposure period, major
clinical symptoms and signs; and examinations were carried out on
their routine blood, liver function, routine urine, trichloracetic
acid (TCA) and ECG (ECG). The findings demonstrated that six out of
seven poisoned patients came from electronic factories and metal
hardware factories. In addition, TCE exposure period was 19 to 43
days (average 30.6 days). 85.7%, 71.4%, 100% and 57.1% of the
patients had symptoms of headache, dizziness, skin itch and fever
respectively. 100%, 57.1% and 42.8% of the patients had skin erythema,
rashes and blisters respectively. In 3 patients, enlarged liver were
found, and 2 patients had positive urinary protein; the abnormal
rates of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase
(AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) were 100%, 85.7% and 57.1%
respectively. Furthermore 3 and 5 patients were found with abnormal
ECG and urinary TCA increased respectively. The authors concluded
that TCE poisoning could cause multi-organ impairment, including
nervous system, skin and liver. The authors observed that sometimes
heart and kidney were also impaired. Further investigations are
recommended on the poisoning mechanism in order to protect the
workers physical health.
Authors: Liu, Dejian; Ma, Zhongyuan
Full Source: Zhiye Yu Jiankang 2007, 23(23), 2143-2144 (Ch)
PUBLIC HEALTH
~dPublic Health
~tEvidence for methyl nitrite as an exhaust component from engines
with certain fuels
~w2009-11-08
In some areas of the United States (US), asthma prevalence has
reached historically high levels. Three peer-reviewed studies in New
York City found prevalence rates among children from 25% to 39%.
However, this is not the case in all places. For example, prevalence
in Miami, Florida, was estimated to be only 6-10%. A recent study in
major cities in Georgia found only 8.5%. One study in California
found asthma prevalence was unrelated to local concentrations of
criterion pollutants. Over the last 20 years, all of the In criterion
pollutants in the U.S, including PM2.5, have showed a downward trend.
These facts argue against any significant influence of criterion
pollutants in this crisis. These facts suggest that an unrecognised
ambient pollutant may be the cause. One important study in southern
California in mid-summer measured pulmonary function in children as
it was related to outdoor ozone pollution. They found a negative
association; higher levels of ozone were associated with improved
respiratory function. We call this a "Paradoxical Ozone Association"
(POA). Further evidence for a POA appears in seven other studies in
Los Angeles, London, Scotland, and southeastern Canada. One plausible
explanation for these observations would be the production of Me
nitrite (MN) as an exhaust product of MTBE in gasoline. Unlike ozone,
MN is rapidly destroyed by sunlight. All of the POA studies were done
in regions with significant Me ether in gasoline. This explanation is
strengthened by the observation that a POA has not been seen in
regions without ether in gasoline. A previous AWMA paper proposed a
plausible chemical model predicting that MTBE in gasoline will create
MN in the exhaust. MN is highly toxic and closely related alkyl
nitrites are known to induce respiratory sensitivity in humans.
Funding to measure MN has not been available.
Author: Joseph, Peter M.
Full Source: Archiwum Ochrony Srodowiska 2008, 34(3), 21-31 (Eng)
~dPublic Health
~tStudy on the influence of coal coking process pollution to the
health of the local residents
~w2009-11-08
In this study, the authors investigated the influence of traditional
heap coking pollution on the health of local residents. The hygiene
situation of coal coking factories, which had produced coal coking
for more than ten years were monitored, and the health of local
residents were performed epidemic investigation. During the coal
coking process, the daily average densities of BaP(Benzo[a]pyrene),
IP (absorbable particle), CO and SO2 which were discharged to the
periphery atmosphere all exceeded the allowed standards by a rate of
100%. The maximum value of BaP exceeded the allowed figure by 2.36
times. The relative risk of chronic diseases of inhabitant around the
factory was 1.48 times than those of the control district, and the
attributable risk was 31.51%. The relative risk of the chronic
bronchitis was 2.56 times than those of the controlled district. The
rate of the relative risk of the acute respiratory disorders was 1.75
times than those of the controlled district. Significant difference
was found between the health of residents and the controls. The
authors concluded that the heap coking pollution can cause various
acute and chronic diseases for the inhabitants nearby these coal
coking factories.
Author: Hao, Bao-rong
Full Source: Xiandai Yufang Yixue 2008, 35(20), 3931-3932, 3934 (Ch)
~dPublic Health
~tEnvironmental mercury pollution and its effects on renal function
of the residents in some areas of Shanxi Province
~w2009-11-08
This study explored the distribution of mercury in the environment
and its effects on the residents' renal function induced by mercury
after indigenous alchemy. The mercury contents in air, water, crops
and residents' urine were measured by atomic fluorescence
spectrometry. Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity was
measured by kinetic method. Urinary â2-microglobulin and urine
microalbumin was detected with endpoint colorimetric analysis. The
results showed that mercury concentrations in the atmosphere were 79240 ng/m3 in all seasons in polluted area, significantly higher than
that of in control area. The mercury content in river water in
polluted area was (0.025 ( 0.006) íg/L which was 19 times higher than
the national standard. Mercury contents in millet (0.006 ( 0.003)
mg/kg and maize (0.013 ( 0.006) mg/kg in polluted area were
significantly higher than those of in control area. The urinary
mercury and urinary â2-microglobulin contents of the residents in the
polluted area were (1.24( 3.80) íg/L and (228.98 ( 4.34) íg/gCr,
obviously higher than those in the control area. The authors
concluded that the local environment was polluted with mercury. The
mercury burden and renal function of residents had been changed.
Urinary â2- microglobulin could be thought as the first indicator of
renal dysfunction after the exposure to mercury.
Authors: Tian, Lin; Guo, Hui-fen; Luo, Hong; Zhou, Ji-hua; Lu, Xiaoting; Li, Qiu-ying; Wang, Jian-wu
Full Source: Huanjing Yu Zhiye Yixue 2008, 25(5), 417-419 (Ch)
~dPublic Health
~tConcentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins,
polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and dioxin-like polychlorinated
biphenyls in blood collected from 195 pregnant women in Sapporo City,
Japan
~w2009-11-08
This study measured the concentrations of dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs),
polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), non-ortho coplanar
polychlorinated biphenyls (non-ortho PCBs), and mono-ortho coplanar
polychlorinated biphenyls (mono-ortho PCBs) in blood samples
collected between 2002 and 2004 from 195 pregnant women living in
Sapporo City of Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. The arithmetic mean total
TEQ concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs, non-ortho PCBs, and mono-ortho
PCBs of primiparous and multiparous mothers in Sapporo City, Japan
were 17.4 (median: 15.7) and 14.0 (median: 13.9) pg TEQ/g lipid,
respectively, and the concentrations were in the range of 6.6-43.4
and 3.4-28.2 pg TEQ/g lipid, respectively. In regard to the
relationship between the total TEQ concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs,
non-ortho PCBs, and mono-ortho PCBs in maternal blood and the number
of deliveries, the levels of these dioxin-like compounds tended to
decrease with increases in the number of deliveries. Furthermore,
significant correlations were observed between the total TEQ
concentrations of these dioxin-like compounds and the age of
primiparae and multiparae. The total TEQ concentrations of PCDDs,
PCDFs, non-ortho PCBs, and mono-ortho PCBs measured in 195 pregnant
women has decreased compared to past levels in Japan for the last
several decades. The authors concluded that these findings indicate
that dioxin contamination in the blood for young women in Japan is
continuing to decrease.
Authors: Todaka, T.; Hirakawa, H.; Kajiwara, J.; Hori, T.; Tobiishi,
K.; Onozuka, D.; Kato, S.; Sasaki, S.; Nakajima, S.; Saijo, Y.; Sata,
F.; Kishi, R.; Iida, T.; Furue, M.
Full Source: Organohalogen Compounds [computer optical disk]
2007, 69, 259/1-259/4 (Eng)
~dPublic Health
~tEvaluation of background dioxin-like PCB congener profiles in human
serum collected during NHANES 2001/2002 using principal component
analysis
~w2009-11-08
With the increasing use of biomonitoring to evaluate human exposure,
it is important to understand how the profile of the congeners of
interest in the potentially exposed population compares to the
corresponding congener profile are associated with background
exposure. In this study, a principal components analysis (PCA) of the
2001/2002 NHANES dioxin-like PCB data for the general U.S. population
was conducted to determine if the background dioxin-like PCB congener
profiles are affected by age, gender, or race. Overall, the results
of the PCA indicated that the dioxin-like PCB congener profile for
the NHANES participants changes with age and gender. In general, the
contributions from PCBs 157, 167, and 169 decrease with increasing
age, while the contribution from PCB 118 increases with increasing
age. In addition, males are more likely to have higher contributions
of PCB 156 than females of the same age. Finally, there were no
apparent differences in congener profile by race. The authors
concluded that these results suggest that age and gender need to be
accounted for when PCA is used to compare the dioxin-like PCB
congener profiles from the 2001/2002 NHANES data to those of a
potentially exposed population.
Authors: Scott, P.; Haws, L.; Scott, L.; Harris, M.
Full Source: Organohalogen Compounds [computer optical disk] 2007, 69,
721/1-721/4 (Eng)
SAFETY
~dSafety
~tExperimental research on the protection safety against biological
contaminations for emergency ambulances with overpressure and
negative-pressure protection system
~w2009-10-16
This research was to investigate the protection safety against
biological contamination for emergency ambulance with overpressure
and negative-pressure protection system. Serratia marcescens aerosol
was applied to test the biological filtration efficiency of emergency
ambulance under overpressure protection and negative-pressure
protection when the aerosol was generated at 30 s, 1 min, 5 min and
10 min respectively. The results show that the average biological
filtration efficiency of emergency ambulance can come up to 99.99% at
overpressure protection status with conditioning, 99.95% at
overpressure protection status without conditioning, 99.93% at neg.pressure protection status with conditioning and 99.95% at negativepressure protection status without conditioning. It proves that the
emergency ambulance can not only carry and rescue the sick and
wounded safely when passing through the biological contamination zone,
but also the sick and wounded infected by biological contamination or
the patients with strong infectious disease while protecting the
outside environment from being polluted at the same time. This
emergency ambulance provides a safe and reliable mobile medical
treatment platform for tackling biological terror attacks and
emergent public health hazards (strong infectious disease).
Authors: Xu, Xin-xi; Liu, Ya-jun; Wang, Tai-yong; Hao, Li-mei; Cui,
Xiang-dong; Zhang, Jin-ming; Wang, Zheng; Qi, Jian-cheng
Full Source: Zhongguo Anquan Kexue Xuebao 2008, 18(7), 105-110 (China)
~dSafety
~tStudy on the fuzzy evaluation system for the inherent safety of
chemical process
~w2009-10-16
Based on comprehensive analysis on general chemical processes, a
concise assessment indicator system was firstly established. By
taking the domestic and overseas experience of inherent safety
evaluation and using the Matlab inference methodology, a fuzzy logicbased system to evaluate the inherent safety of chem. process was set
up, which took the safety level classification of the indicators, the
membership function design and inference rules as the mainline. This
system achieved the visualisation of assessment results. Finally, an
inherent safety assessment on the chemical process of producing
benzene with toluene dealkylation under high temperature
hydrogenation shows that this method is feasible and practical. This
study would have great theoretical and practical significance in
guiding chem. safety design and safety assessment, removing or
decreasing the major hazards and improving the safety management
level of the whole chem. industry in China.
Authors: Wang, Yan-hua; Chen, Bao-zhi; Huang, Jun
Full Source: Zhongguo Anquan Kexue Xuebao 2008, 18(7), 128-133 (China)
~dSafety
~tField experiments on high expansion (HEX) foam application for
controlling LNG pool fire
~w2009-10-16
Previous research suggests that high expansion foam with an expansion
ratio of 500 to 1 is one of the best options for controlling
liquefied natural gas (LNG) pool fire on land. However, its
effectiveness heavily depends on the foam application rate, foam
generator location, and the design of LNG spill containment dike.
Examination of these factors is necessary to achieve the maximum
benefit for applying high expansion foam on LNG pool fires. While
theory study of the effects of foam on LNG fires is important, the
complicated phenomena involved in LNG pool fire and foam application
increase the need for LNG field experimentation. Therefore, 5 LNG
experiments were conducted at Texas A&M University’s Brayton Fire
Training Field, USA. ANGUS FIRE provided Expandol solution to form
500 to 1 high expansion foam and its latest LNG Turbex Fixed High
Expansion Foam Generators. Data collected during these experiments
are presented and analysed. The effectiveness of high expansion foam
for controlling LNG pool fires with various application rates at 2
different types of containment pits is discussed. LNG fire behaviours
and the effects of dike wall height are also presented and discussed.
Authors: Suardin, Jaffee A.; Wang, Yanjun; Willson, Mike; Mannan, M.
Sam
Full Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials 2009, 165(1-3), 612-622
(Eng)