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bstract This research was conducted to measure the levels of asbestos fibers in the air of some dense sites of Baghdad city, which were monitored in autumn 2019. Samples collection was conducted via directing air flow to a mixed cellulose ester membrane filter mounted on an open‑faced filter holder using sniffer with a low flow sampling pump. Air samples were collected from four studied areas selected in some high traffic areas of Baghdad city, two of them were located in Karkh (Al-Bayaa and AlShurta tunnel) and two in Rusafa (Al-Jadriya and Al-Meshin complex), then analyzed to determine concentrations of asbestos. Measuring of levels of asbestos fibers on the filters was carried out via using scanning electron microscope SEM together with an energy dispersive X‑ray system (EDS). The results showed that the lowest level was recorded in Al-Jadriya intersection (0.0352 fiber/ml), while the maximum concentration was in Al-Bayaa (0.156 f/ml). Asbestos average concentration in the ambient air of the four studied areas was 0.0718 f/ml, which exceeded the standards of world health organization (WHO) for air which is equal to 0.0022 f/ml. This may be due to the presence of crowded traffic and the occurrence of industries near the city. Therefore, plans such as management of traffic, changing locations of industrial sites, and products substitution can be effective in minimizing the concentrations of airborne fibers . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the regulation of 'substances of concern' in the circular economy (CE) in the European Union (EU). It analyses the tensions and obstacles that the present sectoral separation of waste, product and chemicals legislation sets for the development of the CE. We argue that in a longer term perspective the aim should be to erase the border between waste and chemicals regulation and create a single regime for the regulation of materials and their flow. However, the eventual aim of such non-toxic material circulation can be achieved only via precautious transitional measures that outweigh the costs and benefits of each material flow and set restrictions for the particular substances of concern. Regulatory actions addressing the risks posed by the substances of concern in the waste-based material flows are urgently needed. New measures are necessary to protect human health and the environment and to support the development of the markets for the secondary materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choosing locations for infectious waste disposal (IWD) is one of the most significant issues in hazardous waste management due to the risk imposed on the environment and human life. This risk can be the result of an undesirable location of IWD facilities. In this study a hybrid multi-criteria analysis (Hybrid MCA) model for solving the facility location-allocation (FLA) problem for IWD was developed by combining two objectives: total cost minimization and weight maximization. Based on an actual case of forty-seven hospitals and three candidate municipalities in the northeastern region of Thailand, first, the Fuzzy AHP and Fuzzy TOPSIS techniques were integrated to determine the closeness of the coefficient weights of each candidate municipality. After that, these weights were converted to weighting factors and then these factors were taken into the objective function of the FLA model. The results showed that the Hybrid MCA model can help decision makers to locate disposal centers, hospitals and incinerator size simultaneously. Besides that the model can be extended by incorporating additional selection criteria/objectives. Therefore, it is believed that it can also be useful for addressing other complex problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A huge quantity of end-of-life liquid crystal displays (LCD) is collected, every year, around the world. Nowadays, this equipment is disassembled, for the removal of hazardous components (e.g. the backlight fluorescent lamps), and the resulting panel is stored. The reason is the significant content of valuable fractions (e.g. glass, metals and liquid crystals) and the lack of a recycling process, sustainable from an economic and an environmental point of view. Considering the relevance of this critical issue, the scientific community focused on the development of different recovery strategies, summarized in several available reviews. Nevertheless, the literature has not yet dealt with the technological innovation aspect. With the aim of filling this gap, the present review presents the international patents about LCD recycling, from 1999 to 2017, using the Espacenet platform, that has access to all the most relevant patent databases worldwide. The inventions include a first waste disassembling, followed by the classification of the target fractions and the recovery of metal (e.g. indium, indium tin oxide) and non-metal (e.g. glass, polarizing film, liquid crystal) components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over several decades, Nigeria has still not been let off the hook for the leeching effects of environmental pollution, particularly that caused by ever-growing mountains of hazardous waste. From the harmful gases put into the atmosphere or the toxic waste released into water bodies and to the waste produced from our homes, the unchecked creation of hazardous waste continues to pose a threat not just to the health and lives of both present and future generations but also to economic growth and development as well as the enjoyment of basic human rights. This article aims at examining the major issues surrounding the unbridled production of hazardous waste in Nigeria as well as some practical possibilities within the United Nations system to put an end to the menace. In so doing, a doctrinal method of legal research is employed by conducting a qualitative content analysis of primary and secondary sources of materials. This article finds that in the absence of practical and innovative actions to stem the relentless growth in waste, the future of Nigeria's economic growth is hazy. It is concluded that if the country can take a proactive dive into the United Nations system by shifting the focus from ‘waste management’ to ‘resource management’ through legally binding instruments, there may soon be a pathway for Nigeria to create one of the most sustainable economies in the world. This article recommends a substantial step-change involving both national and local political players as well as the general public to implement more practical solutions to hazardous waste in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuel oils are mostly used in marine applications and in power plants. They are known to contain hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are of health and environmental importance. Chlorinated compounds, phenolic compounds, styrenes, indene, dicyclopentadiene, dihydrodicyclopentadiene, cumene, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes are some of the VOCs that have found their way into fuel oil through various streams during bunkering operation. Chromatographic analysis of VOCs in the presence of complex matrices in fuel oil is one of the major challenges encountered when dealing with products of that nature. An analytical procedure using automated static headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed for the analysis of these compounds in fuel oil. Styrene D8 and phenol D6 were used as internal standards for quantitation. Phenol D6 was used for the quantitation of phenolic compounds, while styrene D8 was used for the quantitation of other target analytes. The influence of headspace parameters on analyte response such as temperature, incubation time and sample amount were all investigated and optimised. Linear calibration curves were achieved for all components with determination coefficients R2 > 0.995. Repeatability, limit of detection, limit of quantitation and recovery were reported. The matrix effect in fuel oil was minimised by 1:1 dilution with mineral oil. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of commercial samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address environmental issues and cost effectiveness, waste management is necessary for healthcare facilities. Most importantly, segregation of hazardous and non-hazardous waste must be done as in many developing countries; disposal of both types of healthcare waste is done together, which is an unsafe practice. Waste generated in hospitals needs proper management to minimise hazards for patient and healthcare workers. At the same time, it is quite difficult for hospitals to find a systematic way to select appropriate suppliers for hospital waste management. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to identify, validate, and rank criteria that are essential for hospital waste management suppliers’ selection. The analytical hierarchal process approach has been used and a survey from Pakistan’s largest city (Karachi) has been considered to rank the most appropriate criteria that is necessary to select the supplier, especially in a developing country like Pakistan. Results show that waste management cost (45.5%) and suppliers’ details (31.5%) are the top two main criteria for supplier selection; and storage cost (15.7%), waste handling cost (14.7%), and qualification of the suppliers (10.9%) are the top three most important overall sub-criteria for supplier selection for hospital waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illegal trade in chemicals and waste has brought severe negative impacts to human health and the environment. Fragmentation of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) has challenged implementation due to disconnects and inconsistencies between regimes that causes inefficiencies, overlapping norms, and duplication. Since the late 1990s, there have been proposals to cluster MEAs organizationally and functionally to create synergies between them. This paper evaluates whether the proposition on clustering of MEAs has worked in practice through an empirical case study of the 'MEA Regional Enforcement Network (REN)'. MEA REN sought to cluster at the organizational and functional elements of the Basel Convention, the Rotterdam Convention, the Stockholm Convention, and the Montreal Protocol in South and Southeast Asia. Regarding organizational clustering, through co-organizing regional network meetings cross-MEA learning was enhanced and costs were saved, but co-locating regional offices proved more challenging. For the clustering of functional elements, MEA enforcement was ultimately strengthened through several joint initiatives across MEAs. However, not all functions could be clustered as anticipated, including data reporting due to incompatibility between the conventions and overall workloads. The paper concludes with recommendations for future environmental enforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ecotoxicological survey of soils that were polluted with wastes from lindane (γ-HCH) production assessed the effects of organochlorine compounds on the metabolism of microbial communities and the toxicity of these compounds to a native earthworm ( Allolobophora chlorotica ). Furthermore, the bioremediation role of earthworms as facilitators of soil washing and the microbial degradation of these organic pollutants were also studied. Soil samples that presented the highest concentrations of ε-HCH, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, pentachlorobenzene and γ-HCH were extremely toxic to earthworms in the short term, causing the death of almost half of the population. In addition, these soils inhibited the heterotrophic metabolic activity of the microbial community. These highly polluted samples also presented substances that were able to activate cellular detoxification mechanisms (measured as EROD and BFCOD activities), as well as compounds that were able to cause endocrine disruption. A few days of earthworm activity increased the extractability of HCH isomers (e.g., γ-HCH), facilitating the biodegradation of organochlorine compounds and reducing the intensity of endocrine disruption in soils that had low or medium contamination levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was undertaken to estimate the energy potential of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposed over the past 15 years in an unsecured landfill located in Okhla, Delhi, India. The research collected a total of 98 samples from various depths and locations, which were analyzed for physico-chemical characterization. Multiple regression models for estimating the energy content of the disposed MSW were developed to predict average gross calorific value (GCV) and net calorific value (NCV). Forward entry regression was applied to identify the variables that contributed significantly to the regression. Thus, 4-parametric models and 2-parametric models were developed for predicting both average GCV and NCV of the disposed MSW. The developed models gave a reasonably good prediction of the energy content of MSW. Both the models gave low values of average absolute relative error and high values of correlation coefficient. It was found that the 2-parametric models exhibited nearly the same prediction ability with less measurable dimensions as the 4-parametric models. These models are unique and the research is a pioneering effort since apart from being the only models based on physico-chemical characteristics of disposed MSW to be reported, they also incorporate the effect of the depth of waste as an independent variable. The developed models can be used to predict calorific values of disposed MSW having similar characteristics in other landfill sites in India and abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A huge amount of by-products, wastes and chemicals are generated during leather processing, originating environmental problems due to the great amount of pollutants released, in particular for the unhairing step. Due to this reason, several strategies are studied today to reduce its impact. In this work two different methods, developed at a pilot scale level in semi-industrial reactors, were compared: an unhairing method based on proteolytic enzymes (Alcalase from Bacillus licheniformis ) and an oxidative one based on chemical agents (sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide). The efficiency of the unhairing was evaluated in both cases. The impact of both treatments on the nitrogen fraction in wastewaters was determined in order to assess the suitability of these by-products for a possible recovery in food/feed industry: the protein amount, the total and free amino acids, peptides and the percentage of amino acid racemization were determined on broths, washing residues and skins. The results indicated that both methods have the potential to be more sustainable alternatives to the current ones. The oxidative method seemed to be the most efficient and less expensive unhairing methodology, and does not require a further step after the end of the treatment as in the case of enzymatic unhairing process. On the other side, the wastewaters of enzymatic treatments, quite rich in good quality proteins, could be recovered for feed/food formulations, whereas the wastewaters coming from the oxidative treatments, due to the oxidative damage, only for lesser value applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste is part of the agenda of the European Environment and Health Process and included among the topics of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health. Disposal and management of hazardous waste are worldwide challenges. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the evidence of the health impact of hazardous waste exposure, applying transparent and a priori defined methods. The following five steps, based on pre-defined systematic criteria, were applied. 1. Specify the research question, in terms of "Population-Exposure-Comparators-Outcomes" (PECO).Population: people living near hazardous waste sites; Exposure: exposure to hazardous waste; Comparators: all comparators; Outcomes: all diseases/health disorders. 2. Carry out the literature search, in Medline and EMBASE. 3. Select studies for inclusion: original epidemiological studies, published between 1999 and 2015, on populations residentially exposed to hazardous waste. 4. Assess the quality of selected studies, taking into account study design, exposure and outcome assessment, confounding control. 5. Rate the confidence in the body of evidence for each outcome taking into account the reliability of each study, the strength of the association and concordance of results.Fifty-seven papers of epidemiological investigations on the health status of populations living near hazardous waste sites were selected for the evidence evaluation. The association between 95 health outcomes (diseases and disorders) and residential exposure to hazardous waste sites was evaluated. Health effects of residential hazardous waste exposure, previously partially unrecognized, were highlighted. Sufficient evidence was found of association between exposure to oil industry waste that releases high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide and acute symptoms. The evidence of causal relationship with hazardous waste was defined as limited for: liver, bladder, breast and testis cancers, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, asthma, congenital anomalies overall and anomalies of the neural tube, urogenital, connective and musculoskeletal systems, low birth weight and pre-term birth; evidence was defined as inadequate for the other health outcomes. The results, although not conclusive, provide indications that more effective public health policies on hazardous waste management are urgently needed. International, national and local authorities should oppose and eliminate poor, outdated and illegal practices of waste disposal, including illegal transboundary trade, and increase support regulation and its enforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hazardous and toxic waste are not only produced by industry, but also by households. But in fact, the household activities also produce Household Toxic and Hazardous Waste (HTHW). Considering the potential of the impact of HTHW to worsening environment quality, the effort of HTHW management must have been started well. One important aspect in the management strategy is to determine the characteristics and the HTHW generation. The method used to determine the characteristics HTHW refers to SNI 19-2454-2002, while the calculation of HTHW generation refers to the SNI 19-3694-1994 calculated based on weight and volume. Sampling was conducted in four districts of Semarang (Pedurungan, Semarang Barat, Semarang Utara and Banyumanik). The samples used in this study were 400 families that were selected based on the proportion of Slovin Formula. Data analysis performed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal-Walis test (a = 0.05). The largest characteristic of HTHW in Semarang City is infectious (79%), further Poisonous (13%), Combustible (6%) and Corrosive (2%). While HTHW generation is 0.01 kg/person/day (5.1% MSW). Statistical test result showed there was a significant difference (p-value : 0.001) between HTHW generation based on economic level, but there was no significant difference (p-value :0.442) between HTHW characteristics in Semarang city. The level of education, occupation, income level and lifestyle may become potential factors in differentiating the characteristics and HTHW generation in Semarang city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A better understanding of willingness to separate waste and waste separation behaviour can aid the design and improvement of waste management policies. Based on the intercept questionnaire survey data of undergraduate students and residents in Zhengzhou City of China, this article compared factors affecting the willingness and behaviour of students and residents to participate in waste separation using two binary logistic regression models. Improvement opportunities for waste separation were also discussed. Binary logistic regression results indicate that knowledge of and attitude to waste separation and acceptance of waste education significantly affect the willingness of undergraduate students to separate waste, and demographic factors, such as gender, age, education level, and income, significantly affect the willingness of residents to do so. Presence of waste-specific bins and attitude to waste separation are drivers of waste separation behaviour for both students and residents. Improved education about waste separation and facilities are effective to stimulate waste separation, and charging on unsorted waste may be an effective way to improve it in Zhengzhou. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash has been classified as hazardous waste and needs treatment in an environmentally safe manner. Mechanochemical (MC) treatment is such a detoxification method, since it destroys dioxins and solidifies heavy metals. Milling, however, also introduces supplemental metals (Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn...), following wear of both steel balls and housing. Milling moreover reduces the particle size of fly ash and disperses catalytic metal, potentially rising the reactivity of fly ash to form and destroy 'dioxins', i.e. polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD + PCDF or PCDD/F). To test this issue, model fly ash (MFA) samples were composed by mixing of silica, sodium chloride, and activated carbon, and doped with CuCl. Then, these samples were first finely milled without any additives for 0 h (original sample), 1 h and 8 h, and the effect of milling time (and hence particle size) was investigated on the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and of polychlorinated phenols (CP), benzenes (CBz), biphenyls (PCB) and dioxins (PCDD + PCDF) during de novo tests at 300 °C for 1 h, thus simulating the conditions prevailing in the post-combustion zone of an incinerator, where dioxins are formed and destroyed. These compounds are all characterized by their rate of generation (ng/g MFA) and their signature, i.e. internal distribution over congeners as a means of gathering mechanistic indications. PAH and CBz total yield did not decrease in MC treated MFA with milling time, while total pentachlorophenol (PeCP), PCB and PCDD/F yield decreased up to 86, 94 and 97%, respectively. International Toxic Equivalents (I-TEQ) concentration decreased more than 90%, while degree of chlorination varied inconsistently for PCB and PCDD/F, and average congener patterns of PCDD/F do not vary considerably with milling time for both gas and solid phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The improper handling of industrial hazardous waste (IHW), which comprises large amounts of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, or irradiation substances, is a considerable threat to human health and the environment. This study aims to quantify the life cycle environmental impacts of IHW landfilling and incineration in China, to identify its key factors, to improve its potential effects, and to establish a hazardous waste disposal inventory. Methods: Life cycle assessment was conducted using the ReCiPe model to estimate the environmental impact of IHW landfilling and incineration. The characterization factors for the human toxicity and freshwater ecotoxicity categories shown in the ReCiPe were updated based on the geographies, population, food intake, and environmental conditions in China. Results and discussion: The overall environmental burden was mainly attributed to the carcinogen category. The national carcinogen burden in 2014 at 37.8 CTUh was dominated by diesel consumption, cement and sodium hydroxide production, direct emission, transportation, and electricity generation stages caused by direct mercury and arsenic emissions, as well as indirect chromium emission. Although the atmospheric mercury emission directly caused by IHW incineration was comparative with the emission levels of developed countries, the annual direct mercury emission accounted for approximately 0.1% of the national mercury emission. Conclusions: The key factors contributing to the reduction of the national environmental burden include the increasing diesel and electricity consumption efficiency, the reduction of cement and sodium hydroxide use, the development of air pollutant controlling systems, the reduction of transport distance between IHW disposers to suppliers, and the improvement of IHW recycling and reuse technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potentially hazardous contents of mine tailings can pose a serious threat to the environment. Tailings dispersed around the abandoned Monica mine (Bustarviejo) in the Autonomous Region of Madrid (Central Spain) were studied to determine the concentration of several potential toxic elements and their geochemical impact in the surrounding soils. A total of 17 surface soil samples were collected from both mixed sulfide mine tailings sites and unmined soils, within a radius of 1900 m from the mine entrance. The processing of minerals (basically arsenopyrite, matildite and sphalerite) produced tailings with a pH as low as 2.9. Elements such as As, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, W, Ag, Fe were found in very high concentrations, contaminating the soil to varying degrees (these elements were sometimes 10- to 20-times higher in the tailings than in the unmined soils). Given its short distance and accessibility from such a large city as Madrid, it is of undeniable environmental and educational interest. Among other factors, there is a need for improvements to tailings management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation and international movement of hazardous wastes including their disposal in economically evolving world remains a topical issue in the environmental justice debate. Globally, it is estimated that more than 90 percent of wastes produced and traded annually are from industrialised nations. Most of these hazardous wastes are shipped to developing countries for recycling and disposal. The article argues that tightening of the weaker provisions of Basel Convention is urgently needed to assist the developing world, especially in Africa. This requires both technical transfer and capacity building given the consequences of hazardous wastes to human health and environment. Similarly, the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure should be upgraded to meet the sound Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) standard. This entails evaluating the potential risk and ability, thus allowing the importing countries to make an informed decision. The implication of this is that Basel has the potential to promote environmental justice if the key institutional reforms are made without a total ban on wastes trade in developing world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses how Greenpeace International has attempted to block the disposal of chemical weapons on Johnston Island in the Pacific. Greenpeace's efforts to prevent the U.S. Army from destroying chemical weapons at Johnston Island in the Pacific may convince other countries that the U.S.-Soviet agreement on disposing chemical arms is a sham, says Findlay. Findlay's charges, which appeared in the May 1990 issue of Pacific Research, were denied by Sebia Hawkins, Pacific coordinator for Greenpeace, in the August issue. Arms controllers claim Greenpeace has set an impossibly high standard for the complex problem of chemical weapons transport and destruction by demanding that chemical weapons be destroyed in ways that release" no material whatsoever" into the environment. In July, Greenpeace filed suit in a Hawaiian court to bar the army from using its new$ 240 million disposal facility on uninhabited Johnston atoll, about 750 miles southwest of Hawaii. Greenpeace objected to the plant from the beginning, and its protests may have gone unnoticed in the arms control community if only locally stored chemicals were at issue.

The spent lining of aluminum electrolyzer is one of the most environmentally hazardous wastes of the aluminum industry due to its content of up to 0.2 wt.% cyanide and up to 40 wt.% fluorides. The majority of spent lining is accumulated near aluminum plants in specially equipped landfills, where it can interact with water and air, with formation of toxic compounds and alkaline solutions that could lead to ground water contamination. At the same time, spent lining is of specific value due to presence of fluoride and up to 30 wt.% carbon. Known technology for processing spent lining with preparation of cryolite in operation at some aluminum plants has lost its importance after introduction of dry gas cleaning and a change-over to electrolysis technology using acidic electrolytes. This has led to a substantial reduction of cryolite requirement. Therefore, at present more attention is devoted to technology for producing aluminium fluoride, including from spent lining. This article provides a brief review of known technology for processing aluminum electrolyzer spent lining. Technology is provided for preparing aluminium fluoride product containing fluorine of 55-59 wt.%; thus, there is a reduction in fresh AlF consumption of about 4-6 kg/ton Al. Laboratory test results are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of contaminated communities have become an increasingly important area of research with the rise of environmental hazards worldwide. While much is known about communities that unite to protest toxic conditions, places where such mobilization has not occurred are far less frequently studied. Drawing on five months of ethnographic research, this article examines one such community (La Oroya) in Peru that is plagued by dangerously high lead levels, a product of 90 years of heavy metal smelter activity. What little mobilization has occurred in La Oroya arose not to protest contamination, but rather to contest the potential closure of the metallurgical complex. Through an analysis of the discursive frames that residents use to make sense of contamination, this article highlights the significance of community, collective self-understandings, and moral boundary making in community responses to toxic conditions. These aforementioned dimensions-not merely the presence of industry or potential job loss-shape subjective perceptions of risk in La Oroya in ways that tend to suppress the emergence of sustained collective action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illegal trade in hazardous waste and harmful chemicals has caused severe damage on human health and the environment, and brought big challenges to countries to meet their commitments to related multilateral environmental agreements. Synergy-building, like organising law enforcement operations, is critical to address illegal trade in waste and chemicals, and further improve the effectiveness of environmental enforcement. This article discusses how and why law enforcement operations can help countries to implement chemical and waste-related multilateral environmental agreements in a more efficient and effective way. The research explores key barriers and factors for organising law enforcement operations, and recommends methods to improve law enforcement operations to address illegal trade in hazardous waste and harmful chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Material Flow Analysis (MFA) studies for a particular substance often exist for several different countries or regions, but share a similar goal and scope. In direct comparisons of such regional resource budgets, the importance of the choices made in establishing an MFA system tends to be disregarded. We identify and quantify the effects of choices made in system layout, data material and uncertainty assessment on the outcome of regional MFAs using two recent country-scale MFAs (of Denmark and Austria) of phosphorus as a case study. We highlight the differences in system boundaries and definition of flows and processes. We quantify types and choice of data sources; analyse the consistency of the data used by looking at the extent of data reconciliation, as a measure of model quality; quantify the effect of different approaches to uncertainty assessment; and show the influence of aggregating/disaggregating flows. We show that differences in system layout are mostly attributable to varying goals and scope definitions. Direct comparison of uncertainties across studies is problematic: both studies draw on similar types of data sources, yet they show very different uncertainty assessments; the uncertainty assessment in MFA is always subjective to a certain extent. We demonstrate that reconciliation of conflicting data provides a useful measure to assess data consistency and model quality: data are more consistent (5% average change in reconciled data) in the Austrian than in the Danish (9%) case. We suggest an iterative approach to uncertainty assessment. Likewise, we demonstrate the effect of the aggregation of flows on model uncertainty. These findings quantify and emphasise the importance of examining MFA studies’ metadata and suggest an approach to be followed when drawing on such studies as a source of information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The species sensitivity distribution (SSD) distribution approach to estimating water quality guidelines (WQGs) is the preferred method in all jurisdictions reviewed (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD] members, South Africa, United States) and is one of the recommended methods for European Commission members for 33 priority and priority hazardous substances. In the event that jurisdiction-specific criteria for data quality, quantity, and taxonomic representation are not met, all of these jurisdictions endorse the use of additional safety factors (SFs) applied to either the SSD-based WQG or, the lowest suitable toxicity test endpoint. In Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Environment endorses this latter approach as the preferred approach in the belief that so-derived WQGs are more protective than SSD-based WQGs. The level of protection afforded by the latter SF approach was evaluated by statistically sampling minima from random samples of the following distributions: normal, Gumbel, logistic, and Weibull, using a range of coefficients of variation (cVs) and applying the SFs of 2 or 10 used in British Columbia. The simulations indicate that the potentially affected fraction of species (PAF) can be as high as 20%, or, approach 0%. The PAF varies with sample size and CV. Because CVs can vary systematically with mode of toxic action, the PAF using SF-based WQGs can also vary systematically with analyte class. The varying levels of protection afforded by SF-based WQGs are generally inconsistent with the common water quality management goal that allows for a small degree of change under long-term exposure. The findings suggest that further efforts be made to develop high-quality WQGs that support informed decision making and are consistent with the environmental management goal instead of using SFs in the hope of achieving an acceptable but unknown, degree of environmental protection. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:380-387. © 2015 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) wastes are among hazardous wastes that must be incinerated for environmental and human health reasons. The incineration process of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) wastes in a rotary kiln are governed by a dynamic model consist of a set of nine stiff nonlinear equations. The dynamic model accounts for variations in composition of PCBs on number of chlorine atoms and process conditions such as excess air, temperature and pressure of operation. To solve these equations, a MATLAB routine is written which is used to study the PCBs waste incineration processes. The results are presented and discussed on the holdups of ash, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, hydrochloric acid, methane, and gas at different conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Used motor oils (UMO) are hazardous wastes due particularly to the content of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) which accumulate in UMO primarily as a result of incomplete combustion of fuel. Thus UMO constitute exceptionally harmful contaminants polluting the environment. This statement had full validity in the latter half of the past century, authentically reflecting an issue that actually existed at that time. However, the progress in the field has substantially increased the quality of UMO so that it is now possible to consider whether the current UMO are or are not hazardous wastes. In this article, two methodologies were used for PAH evaluation, the IP 346 method with permitted value of the main cancerogene benzo(a)pyrene (b(a)p) 0.005%. and the methodology based on ¹H NMR spectroscopy, where the proportion of bay hydrogens (Hbay) must not exceed 0.35% of all the hydrogens present, respectively. 32 UMO samples were tested for PAH content and it was stated that every sample was well below the permitted limits. Also heavy metal content in selected samples shows the levels order of magnitude lower than the maximum permitted values. This creates the possibility of energy utilization of UMO at the place of their obtaining without unnecessary legislation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine how water contamination risk from an inactive hazardous waste site is capitalized into surrounding vacant land prices. After public knowledge of the first instance of off-site contamination, we find that shallow groundwater contamination potential is negatively capitalized into land prices, as is proximity to a known contaminated well. Public knowledge of off-site contamination and associated land price changes occur after the North Carolina's 10-year statute of repose. Our findings raise questions concerning such statutes when environmental contamination has a long latency period, especially given a recent Supreme Court ruling that Superfund law does not preempt state statutes of repose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental problems in rural areas of China can be fundamentally solved by preventing and controlling agricultural chemical pollution. On the basis of local and foreign literature, the current research used relevant statistical data regarding the use of chemical fertilizers from 1993 to 2013 and the use of agricultural films and pesticides from 1993 to 2012. Then, the paper adopted SSPS calculation, comparative analysis, and chart analysis methods to analyse the status quo of China's agricultural chemical pollution. Results show that between 1993 and 2013, the total amount of fertilizers used in 31 provinces and cities of China has significantly increased, and the intensity of fertilizer use increases yearly. Moreover, the number of provinces that exceeded the international standard for fertilizer use (225 kg/hm2) has increased from 8 to 28. During the same period, the ratio of fertilizer use in China has changed but remained far from scientific use. Furthermore, the use of agricultural films and pesticides between 1993 and 2012 has assumed an upward trend. Overall, China's agricultural chemical pollution becomes increasingly serious, thereby endangering the rural environment and agricultural resources and threatening human health and life. As such, this study conducted a unique and in-depth analysis from an institutional perspective and provided countermeasures and recommendations for the institutional transition of China in terms of prevention and control of agricultural chemical pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As narcotic analgesics, fentanyl compounds have been commonly produced and widely used during surgical procedures. The residual and waste of fentanyl compounds have potential harmful impacts on the environment and human health. The oxidative degradation of fentanyl compounds by sodium bromate mixed systems was studied. Factors influencing the oxidation reaction, including molar ratio of NaBrO3/H+/SO32-, molar ratio of NaBrO3/fentanyl and pH, were investigated. Fentanyl, carfentanil and 3-methylfentanyl were able to be completely degraded in 30 minutes by a NaBrO3 mixed system under optimum conditions, the molar ratio of NaBrO3/H+/SO32- equal to 20:3:10, the molar ratio of NaBrO3:fentanyl compounds 50:1 and pH = 4. Sufentanil was only able to be degraded by 74% under the same conditions. The degradation products of the fentanyl compounds detected and identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry suggested several possible degradation pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study is to find an approach for the treatment of toxic waste condensates obtained during the generation of electricity from biomass that would transform them into wastewater. Two experimental conditions have been performed using a reactor. During the first condition, potentials were applied without following a defined path to electrically calibrate the system by observing responses. In the second experimental condition and based on these previous electrical observations, the potentials were applied. This technical approach has proven suitable for condensate treatment. However, given the aggressiveness of the residue, it is necessary to use a reactor which allows reaching and maintaining the necessary electro-oxidation potential and to combine it with an electrocoagulation reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Chromium is one of the most important metallic pollutants in plating industry wastewater. This toxic metal is a serious threat to human health and to the environment due to its cumulative effects and non-degradability. This research intended to study the effects of pH, contact time, and voltage on the degree of chromium removal from wastewater of plating industry by using the electrocoagulation method. Materials & Methods This laboratory research conducted from late May to late November 2012. A 1000cc reactor at laboratory scale was used that included 4 aluminum electrodes of 90% purity, dimensions of 5 by 10cm, and thickness of 1mm, with parallel arrangement. Synthetic chromium-bearing wastewater was prepared at the initial concentration of 50mg/l. The process is done at pH values of 3, 7, and 9, electric potentials of 20, 30, and 40 volts contact durations of 20, 40, 60, and 80 minutes. Findings The degree of chromium reduction did not change linearly with time in the solution and strongly depended on the pH. The efficiency of chromium removal in the samples had an ascending trend with increases in voltage from 20 to 30 and 40 volts. The degree of chromium removal increased at longer contact times. Conclusion Lower pH, more contact time and higher voltages are effective factors in the chromium removal from wastewater by coagulation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the history, threats, and significance of cost externalization of hazardous waste pollution in the U.S. It discusses the significance of the United Nations treaty such as Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal in prohibiting trade in hazardous wastes and hazardous waste management.

To achieve the ultimate goal of sustainable chemicals management policy-the transition to safer chemicals, materials, products, and processes-current chemicals management approaches could benefit from a broader perspective. Starting with considerations of function, rather than characterizing and managing risks associated with a particular chemical, may provide a different, solutions-oriented lens to reduce risk associated with the uses of chemicals. It may also offer an efficient means, complementing existing tools, to reorient chemicals management approaches from time-intensive risk assessment and risk management based on single chemicals to comparative evaluation of the best options to fulfill a specific function. This article describes a functional approach to chemicals management we call "functional substitution" that encourages decision-makers to look beyond chemical by chemical substitution to find a range of alternatives to meet product performance. We define functional substitution, outline a rationale for greater use of this concept when considering risks posed by uses of chemicals, and provide examples of how functional approaches have been applied toward the identification of alternatives. We also discuss next steps for implementing functional substitution in chemical assessment and policy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mine activities may cause serious environmental problems. Whether the solid wastes from the mine pollute the environment is the one of the problems. The solid wastes from the Nanjing YinMao Lead-Zinc Mine were investigated by multiple mineralogical techniques in this paper. Calcite and quartz were the major components of the solid wastes by X-ray diffraction spectrum. Several elements such as O, Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ca, K, S, Si, Al, As and Na were detected in the solid wastes by electron microprobe analysis. Although the solid wastes contained heavy metals, their concentrations in the leaching solution of the solid wastes by ICP were less than the identification standard for hazardous waste. Therefore, the solid wastes from the Nanjing YinMao Lead-Zinc Mine are not hazardous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on two conference meetings about microbial ecotoxicology held in France in March 2013 and May 2014 is presented. Main objectives of the meetings are mentioned such as to identify and bring together researchers, lecturers, and professors in the area of microbial ecotoxicology. Information about creating a website dedicated to microbial ecotoxicology is provided.

The treatment of hazardous waste poses some unique chemical reactivity hazard management challenges. Hazardous waste in the United States is regulated by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, typically due to potential environmental and health hazards. However, hazardous waste can also have chemical reactivity hazards associated with storage, handling, or mixing with other materials. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been active in communicating chemical reactivity hazards to the regulated community and has identified numerous sources for additional information. The Center for Chemical Process Safety has also been very active in providing advisory materials and monographs on the safe management of chemical reactivity hazards. Other federal government agencies, such as the Chemical Safety Board and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, have also taken up the call for increased awareness of the hazards of unintentional chemical reactions. Despite these efforts, history of incidents indicates that reactive chemical hazards associated with hazardous waste still go overlooked. In this article, we review hazardous waste incidents through case studies and public sector reports through the lens of chemical reactivity hazard management. In each incident, inadvertent heating resulted in an unintended chemical reaction, and sufficient information existed or could have been obtained to identify the hazards. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 33: 395-398, 2014 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are stable organic compounds generated through different industrial activities. Liver is involved in the metabolism of POPs, and hence exposure to POPs may interfere with liver function. Although a few studies have shown adverse effects of POPs on liver function, large-scale studies involving humans are lacking. We performed this large population-based cross-sectional study to assess the associations between different POPs and liver dysfunction biomarkers. Methods A total of 992 individuals (all aged 70 years, 50% males) were recruited as part of Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) cohort. The total toxic equivalency (TEQ) value was calculated for seven mono-ortho and two non-ortho substituted polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and octachloro- p -dibenzodioxin (OCDD) to assess their toxicological effects. The association of TEQ values, summary measures of 16 PCBs (sum of PCBs) and three organochlorine pesticides (sum of OC pesticides) with liver dysfunction biomarkers (bilirubin; alkaline phosphatase, ALP; alanine aminotransferase, ALT; and gamma-glutamyltransferase, GGT) was analyzed utilizing linear regression analysis. Results The mono-ortho PCB TEQ values were found to be significantly positively associated with bilirubin ( β =0.71, P =0.008), while sum of OC pesticide concentrations was negatively associated with ALP ( β =−0.02, P =0.002) after adjusting for various potential confounders. When analyzed individually, a number of different POPs were associated with ALP, ALT and bilirubin. No such association with GGT was observed. Conclusion Various POPs including PCBs, OCDD and pesticides were associated with the liver dysfunction biomarkers bilirubin, ALT and ALP, suggesting adverse effects on liver function from these environmental pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes residents’ perceptions concerning an industrial accident with environmental impacts. The data used were obtained by 505 face-to-face interviews. Binary and logit models were developed to elicit parameters that affect the risk perception of residents in nearby potentially affected agglomerations. Additionally, using geographical information systems, the spatial properties of risk perception of the accident are presented interpolating the point data so as to produce various grids of risk perception. Finally, we estimated the willingness to pay (and parameters affecting it) for remediation to environmental monitoring with the aid of a proposed trusted lab. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

As pollution becomes one of the biggest environmental challenges of the twenty-first century, pollution of water threatens the very existence of humanity, making immediate action a priority. The most persistent and hazardous pollutants come from industrial and agricultural activities; therefore, effective treatment of this wastewater prior to discharge into the natural environment is the solution. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have caused increased interest due to their ability to degrade hazardous substances in contrast to other methods, which mainly only transfer pollution from wastewater to sludge, a membrane filter, or an adsorbent. Among a great variety of different AOPs, a group of electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs), including electro-Fenton, is emerging as an environmental-friendly and effective treatment process for the destruction of persistent hazardous contaminants. The only concern that slows down a large-scale implementation is energy consumption and related investment and operational costs. A combination of EAOPs with biological treatment is an interesting solution. In such a synergetic way, removal efficiency is maximized, while minimizing operational costs. The goal of this review is to present cutting-edge research for treatment of three common and problematic pollutants and effluents: dyes and textile wastewater, olive processing wastewater, and pharmaceuticals and hospital wastewater. Each of these types is regarded in terms of recent scientific research on individual electrochemical, individual biological and a combined synergetic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]