Butyltin residues in livers of humans and wild terrestrial mammals and in plastic products

Butyltin compounds (BTs) including mono-(MBT), di-(DBT) and tributyltin (TBT) were determined in livers of humans and wild terrestrial mammals, such as raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoids) and monkeys (Macaca fuscata) from Japan. In addition, 22 samples of plastic products were analyzed. BT residues were detected in all the liver samples of humans and raccoon dogs, with concentrations of <360 ng/g wet wt, whereas concentrations in the liver of monkeys were either less than the detection limit or were only in trace levels. Elevated concentrations of BTs, particularly DBT (<140,000 ng/g) and MBT (<130,000 ng/g), were found in some plastic products, such as baking parchments made from siliconized paper and gloves made up from polyurethane. The results of a cooking test using the above baking parchment indicated the transfer of BTs to foodstuffs. These observations suggest expansion of BT contamination among terrestrial mammals. BT pollution from industrial appliances, such as plastic stabilizers and catalysts other than those of marine origin as antifouling agents, are suggested as alternative sources of exposure.     

Aromatization of waste polyolefin pyrolysate over H-ZSM-5 zeolite-supported gallium oxide catalysts

H-ZSM-5 zeolite-supported gallium oxides were studied as aromatization catalysts for polyolefin pyrolysate. The catalysts were prepared by a conventional physical mixing method with a gallium content of 1.0 and 4.5 wt% and were reduced in flowing hydrogen at 585°C. To test their activity, a polyolefin sample was pyrolyzed and passed over a heated catalyst layer; the product was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A continuous-flow fixed-bed reactor was used for aromatization of a model gas of polyolefin pyrolysate. For chlorine-free sources at 450°C, the catalyst with only 1.0 wt% gallium exhibited activity comparable to a gallium silicate catalyst. For chlorine-contaminated sources, the catalyst with 4.5 wt% gallium sustained catalytic activity for long periods. From the activity test results, it was found that zeolite-supported gallium catalysts prepared by the physical mixing method are suitable for converting polyolefin into aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Spatial trends of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in avian species: utilization of stored samples in the Environmental Specimen Bank of Ehime University (es-Bank)

The present study determined concentrations and patterns of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in specimens of open sea, and Japanese coastal and inland avian species, which have been stored in the Environmental Specimen Bank of Ehime University (es-Bank), to examine the spatial trends. PBDEs and PCBs were detected in all the muscle samples analyzed, suggesting that PBDE pollution has spread even to the remote open sea areas, as in the case of PCBs. Japanese coastal and inland birds accumulated higher concentrations of PBDEs than open sea birds. In addition, higher PBDE/PCB concentration ratios were observed in Japanese coastal and inland birds than in open sea birds, indicating the input of PBDEs into the Japanese terrestrial environment. Compositions of PBDEs varied among avian species with a predominance of BDE47 or BDE153. This could be due to differences in their habitat, food habit and/or biotransformation capacity of PBDEs.     

Mechanical treatment of automobile shredder residue for its application as a fuel

Enforcement of the Automobile Recycling Law in Japan requires utilization of automobile shredder residue (ASR). However, the high contents of copper (∼5%) and chlorine (∼1%) in ASR stand in the way of practical application. We studied methods for the removal of copper and chlorine from ASR so that it could be utilized as a fuel. By compression of the ASR for solidification with an extruder, the polyvinylchloride (PVC) that covered electrical cables was softened and stripped from the copper wire. The solidified ASR was comminuted with cutter mills and classified by dry density separation. The copper content of the obtained light products was 0.2%–0.5%. Furthermore, we studied the possibility of dechlorination of the ASR by mechanochemical (MC) activation. The light product of the ASR was milled with CaO or CaCO₃. The chlorine content decreased to about one-tenth of the original value after MC activation over 8 h. Therefore, the combined processing of softening–stripping and comminution liberated the PVC-covered cables and decreased the copper content of the ASR. In addition, dechlorination of the ASR was also possible by MC activation with the addition of calcium compounds.     

Recent trends in ILO conventions related to occupational safety and health.

The present study was conducted to analyze the ratification status of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions related to occupational safety and health (OSH) by ILO member states in terms of national indicators (length of ILO membership and national income status) and regional affiliation. 17 conventions designated as OSH-related by the 2003 International Labour Conference were examined. In general, countries with longer ILO membership ratified higher numbers of conventions related to OSH. With some variation, long-membership countries had the largest number of ratifications, followed by middle- and short-membership countries in all regions. There were also incremental increases in the number of ratifications for OSH-related conventions according to the national income status. Common regional characteristics that could not be explained by the factors studied also existed. Future efforts to increase ratification at an international level will need to consider the factors influencing ratification practice among the member states.     

Coastal hazards and community-coping methods in Bangladesh

Addressing one of the most vulnerable coastal communities in Bangladesh, this paper explores people’s perception and vulnerabilities to coastal hazards. At the same time, it investigates the methods that communities apply to cope with different coastal hazards. Findings revealed that people perceived an increase in both the intensity of hazards and their vulnerabilities. In spite of having a number of socio-economic and locational factors enhancing their vulnerabilities, the community is creating their own ways to cope with these hazards. For different aspects of life like shelter, employment, water supply, and health, communities apply different coping methods that vary with the types of hazard. Efforts have also been made by governments and NGOs to manage coastal hazards. By highlighting both community-coping methods and efforts of development organizations, this paper attempts to devise an integrated approach for managing the coastal hazards that occur in Bangladesh.     

Impact of Community-Based Forest Management on Forest Protection: Evidence from an Aid-Funded Project in Ethiopia

Many African countries have adopted community-based forest management (CBFM) to prevent deforestation. However, empirical studies have not reached a consensus on the effectiveness of CBFM. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the establishment of participatory forest management associations in Ethiopia. We used remote sensing data to gauge the change in forest area and employed a two-stage least squares model to correct for possible biases. The results indicate that the forest area managed by forest associations declines more in the year of establishment than forest areas with no association. This finding suggests that villagers may engage in "last-minute" logging. However, 1 year after the establishment of the forest associations, the forest area of the associations increased substantially, most likely because the associations monitor illegal logging, enabling the regeneration of open areas within the registered forest area. On average, the forest area of the forest associations increased by 1.5?% in the first 2 years, whereas forest areas not managed as part of an association declined by 3.3?%. The cumulative impact over 2 years yields a net increase in the rate of change of 4.8?%. These results demonstrate that it is important to improve the monitoring of forest areas during the initial establishment of participatory forest management associations to maximize the effects of association establishment.     

Urban climate in the Tokyo metropolitan area in Japan

Long-term climate changes related with urbanization in Tokyo, Japan, and recent temperature and heavy rainfall distribution in the Tokyo metropolitan area are reviewed. A relatively high temperature increase in annual mean temperature at the rate of 3.0°C/century was detected in Tokyo for the period 1901–2015. Some observational evidence showed the existence of both thermal and mechanical effects of urbanization on recent heavy rainfall occurrences, and modeling studies also support precipitation enhancement. Urban influences were recognized in other climatological elements, such as number of fog days, relative humidity, and wind circulation.     

Relation between mechanochemical dechlorination rate of polyvinyl chloride and mill power consumption

A sample of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) powder was milled with CaO powder in a planetary mill for various mill operational parameters. The milled product consisted of dechlorinated hydrocarbon and water-soluble CaOHCl. The dechlorination rate of PVC was determined by the concentration of Cl⁻ ions measured in solution after dispersing the milled product in water. To evaluate the power consumption during PVC dechlorination, the mill power consumption was measured during each experimental run. In addition, media motion during planetary milling was simulated using the discrete element method (DEM), enabling calculation of the mill power consumption. The power consumption calculated by the DEM simulation compared well with the power consumption measured experimentally. The dechlorination rate correlated well with the specific mill power consumption, regardless of the sample weight. The dechlorination rate of PVC when milled with oyster shells (CaCO₃) was observed to be faster than that of the PVC/CaO system, and oyster shells could be used as a reactant for the treatment of PVC wastes. This work should be useful for the design of a reactor for the dechlorination of PVC. Chemical Feedstock Recycling & Other Innovative Recycling Techniques 6