Multiple environmental burdens and neighborhood-related health of city residents

Urban living environments are known to influence human well-being and health; however, little is known about the multidimensionality of different environmental burdens. The aim of this study is to examine the relations between multiple burdens and self-rated health of city residents in Berlin. A spatial analysis was conducted to determine neighborhood street blocks with high versus low levels of three environmental burdens (traffic noise, air pollution, lack of public green space) as study sites for a cross-sectional household questionnaire. Burden level served as a dichotomous predictor to compare residents' self-reports of neighborhood satisfaction, life satisfaction, health behavior, and psychological and physical health symptoms. Residents from high-burden blocks appraised the environmental conditions more stressful, reported poorer health behavior and were less satisfied with their neighborhood than residents from low-burden blocks. However, they did not differ in regard to more general health symptoms. Three other burdens (behavior-related noise, litter and dirt in public space, lack of urban vegetation), which could not be varied objectively, were assessed by their perceived intensity. Regression analyses of the relations between the perceived levels of all six burdens and outcomes in the total sample revealed the following: Neighborhood satisfaction could be predicted from multiple stressors and resources that co-occur independently, while more general health symptoms were related only to perceived air pollution. The results have implications for both urban planning and public health.     

油气田噪声对环境的影响

噪声对人体在生理及心理上的危害和影响是相当严重的。随着油气田开发建设的进展，油气田环境噪声污染日益引起人们的关注。弄清油气田噪声污染及治理现状，正确预测噪声污染的发展趋势，将有利于噪声污染的控制和治理。通过对1986年以来油气田噪声监测数据的统计，详细阐述了区域环境、功能区及道路交通三方面的噪声污染现状，指出交通、工业、施工和生活等噪声源是我国城市目前主要的噪声污染源，预测了我国噪声污染将继续增大的发展趋势并提出了相应的控制和治理措施以及改革建议。     

The Environmental Pollution Perception of Residents in Coal Mining Areas: A Case Study in the Hancheng Mine Area, Shaanxi Province, China

The environmental behavior of the residents depends on their perception of environmental pollution. Hence, it is important for scientific and policy experts to research on the impact of the environmental pollution perception of local residents. Owing to the richness of natural resources, Hancheng coal mine areas are abound in heavy industries, and environmental pollution is serious and typical in this area, thus, the residents are anxious about their health. Using questionnaires, this paper surveys the perception of residents living in the coal mine area. The influential factors of environmental perception were analyzed by the Rank Sum Test. The results were: (1) the majority of the residents in the coal mine area are not satisfied with their living environment. The perception order of pollution severity is: air pollution?>?noise pollution?>?sanitation?>?water pollution. The residents think that pollution is mainly caused by coal processing. Hence, coal mining is not the main reason of the pollution in the coal mine area. (2) Age and length of residence have significant positive effects on perceptions of air, water, and noise pollutions; whereas education has a significant negative effect on perceptions of water and noise pollutions, as well as sanitation. This phenomenon can be explained by the various cultural groups having varied perceptions on the environmental pollution. In addition, proximity to mine has significant negative effect on perceptions of water and noise pollution. In conclusion, the paper discusses the effects of demographical and social factors on the perception of environmental pollution and gives suggestions on the planning and management of the environment.     

Preliminary assessment of indoor industrial noise pollution in Kuwait

Sound is considered as a pollutant when it exceeds undesirable limits for the recipient. One of the significant environmental problems associated with industries is noise pollution generated by machinery. The main objectives of this study were to measure noise levels generated by machinery that the workers were exposed to at five industrial facilities in the State of Kuwait. Also, to assess if these levels were within acceptable standards, for Kuwait lacks environmental standards for such a pollutant. To achieve the objectives of the study two food manufacturing companies, a cement-brick making plant, a furniture factory and a car washing facility were selected for the purpose of the research.The study showed that workers operating machinery at the five facilities were exposed to high noise levels without any kind of ear protection. Noise levels recorded during the study were very high and exceeded the British Noise at Work Regulations of 1989. In Kuwait there are no regulations to abate noise in the working environment and workers are not required to wear ear protective muffs. The results of the study indicate that, the concerned environmental and health organisations in Kuwait should be compelled to establish noise level standards and controls to safeguard the health of workers and the public at large.     

区域声环境质量污染水平预测方法评价与对比研究

为完成北京市“十二五”城市区域的主要声污染防治工作目标,全面提高北京市声环境质量水平,科学预测区域内在“十二五”期间噪声污染水平和发展趋势,本文以北京市某典型区域作为研究对象,在收集大量相关资料与实测历史噪声数据的基础上,运用指数平滑法与灰色模型GM（1,1）对所选定研究区域的噪声污染水平与发展趋势进行预测与分析。研究结果表明：运用指数平滑法与灰色模型对研究区域声环境噪声污染预测是可行的,北京市在“十二五”期间声环境质量水平符合《声环境质量标准》（GB3096—2008）中的一类区域标准。     

Status and fuzzy comprehensive assessment of combined heavy metal and organo-chlorine pesticide pollution in the Taihu Lake region of China

The status of combined heavy metal and organo-chlorine pesticide (OCPs; i.e. HCH and DDT) pollution was investigated and the soil environmental quality of the Taihu Lake watershed, one of the most developed regions in China, was evaluated using a fuzzy comprehensive assessment. Statistical analyses showed the presence of combined pollution in the soil. At many sampling sites, heavy metal concentrations were above corresponding background values, indicating the effects of extraneous pollutants. It has been over 20 years since China banned the use of OCPs, but they can still be found in soil samples of this region. HCH levels at all investigated sites were below the Chinese Environmental Quality Standard for Soils. Fuzzy comprehensive assessment showed that the overall soil quality in this region could be categorized as class I. Nevertheless, the high coefficients of variation for levels of DDT, Cd and Hg indicated the existence of some point-source pollution. Continuous monitoring and further studies of the region are recommended to prevent pollution of farmland from these sources.     

一个政府—企业双层优化环境治理模型

构建以政府为主导、企业为主体的环境治理体系，落实企业环境治理主体责任是我国的重大战略任务。目前地方政府环境监管亟待改善，需要加强企业生产规制，基于"污染者付费"原则促使"三废"达标排放。本研究抓住政府和企业两大主体，建立以政府为上层、企业为下层的双层优化环境治理模型，确定上层-下层目标函数及约束条件，研究地方政府环境奖罚政策与企业利润及环境行为的关联性，提出模型"乐观最优解"与"悲观最优解"及地方政府奖惩机制最优解。该模型可反映地方政府与企业的博弈过程，为寻求合理的污染奖惩方式和税费比例，促使企业在自身利润最大化的同时积极治理"三废"污染，平衡经济效益和社会效益，为企业长期粗放式生产排污严重、地方政府环境监管有待加强、西北生态安全屏障和黄河流域健康发展受到严重威胁的宁蒙沿黄地带及类似地区环境管理实践提供参考。     

四川省企业环境经济效益的分析评价

目前对于企业环境经济效益的分析评价,缺乏科学易行的方法。本文根据污染物排放量与经济效益间的关系,提出了单位等标污染负荷利税法,即每排放单位等标污染物所产生的年利税值。据此对四川省6个行业44家企业的环境经济效益进行了统计分析,并对其应用Excel模糊聚类进行了分级评价。结果表明:不同企业间单位等标污染负荷利税值存在多个数量级差异。造纸、纺织企业环境经济效益最差,体现了行业性弊病。制药、建材、机械电子行业企业环境经济效益整体较好,但仍有部分"粗放型"企业环境经济效益差。部分机械电子、化工企业依赖技术革新,环境经济效益优良。与定性分析评价方法相比,单位等标污染负荷利税法更能发现"高产值、高污染"下的误区,该法结合应用Excel模糊聚类分析,可简易、客观分析评价不同企业、行业甚至不同经济规模单元间的环境经济效益。     

油田区域交通噪声污染现状分析

通过对油田中心区域主要交通干线昼间交通噪声及环境噪声的监测分析,找出噪声的污染现状,及对人们生活、学习产生的影响,为改善中心区域的交通噪声污染,提高人们的生活质量提供了监测依据。     

Concentrations and pattern of Fe,Cu, Cr,and Zn contamination in the soils of Akure,Nigeria

An assessment was made on twenty-eight topsoils collected from seven sites with intense artisan activities in the city of Akure, Nigeria, using geochemical approach in order to establish anthropogenic influence on metal contamination and to assess the severity of the contamination in the urban environment. Concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, and Cr were determined in the samples by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results revealed between 137- and 165-fold elevation of Fe, between 17- and 94-fold elevation of Cu, between 50- and 137-fold elevation of Zn, and between 1- and 3-fold elevation of Cr in topsoil relative to background levels. This indicates that except for Cr, soil contaminations by the metals were due to anthropic sources such as mechanic and vulcanizers workshops. The current average levels of copper exceeded the target value in Nigeria and in many developed countries, while Zn and Cr are generally lower than the respective soil quality guidelines. The contamination/pollution index maps figured out mechanic workshop as the main source of diffuse contamination and also show the influence of the point sources of contamination to urban topsoils. Cu contamination found around the soils of the mechanic/battery charger workshop is potentially serious (severe pollution), and this may pose health risk to people dwelling around these sites or within the metropolis. Children could be at greater risk than adults, because of their hand-to-mouth behaviors that increase their exposure potential.     

GIS噪声环境监测与管理

环境噪声是评价城市环境质量的一个重要指标,但噪声污染与水污染、大气污染不同,不能通过"资源化"、"化害为利"等方式来治理,因而要解决噪声污染就必须准确地获取环境噪声信息,并对其影响进行科学评价,以及时进行噪声治理决策规划和管理。本文探讨了GIS在噪声环境监测与管理中的应用。     

社交媒体的环境关注能改善空气质量吗？

随着移动互联网的快速发展,社交媒体日益成为公众表达对重污染天气等环境问题关注的工具。本研究以微博为例,探讨了社交媒体反映的环境关注对城市PM_2.5浓度水平的影响以及内在机制。研究发现,微博上环境关注的空间分布显示出向高等级和高污染城市聚集的倾向,PM_2.5浓度水平高的地区集中在煤炭资源或重工业集聚的地区。空间回归模型的结果证实了社交媒体的环境关注能显著降低PM_2.5浓度水平,层级较高的城市及创新能力较强的城市能够更好地回应社交媒体的环境关注,并有效降低城市的PM_2.5浓度水平。本研究表明,社交媒体的环境关注已经成为环境治理中的一种重要力量,在分析环境问题时应该充分考虑新兴社交媒体平台的影响。     

创新型社会生活噪声污染防治体系构建研究

社会生活噪声具有量大、面广、分散、影响不持续、监管难度大等特点，本文以现代化环境治理视角和社会治理视角深入剖析了我国当前社会生活噪声污染防治存在的问题，结合社会生活噪声污染防治的特殊属性及其防治的有效实践，分析2021年新修订的《中华人民共和国噪声污染防治法》中防治措施的内在联系，提出构建创新型社会生活噪声污染防治体系。该体系要求在政府主导的环境治理领域充分发挥社会各界的力量，强化社会共治，新增公众自治，将环境治理同社会治理有机结合，既强调公众参与到政府主导的环境治理工作中，又强调社会各主体多元共治和自我管理，是社会生活噪声领域公众参与的升级版。最后，本文建议以宁静区域创建为切入点，通过有关监管部门联合发布宁静区域创建指导意见；地方政府落地实施，完善管理和技术指标体系；加大宣传教育，提高德治和自治水平，以点带面逐步拓展宁静区域范围，实现创新型社会生活噪声污染防治体系的实质有效性。     

A new methodology to calculate the environmental protection index (Ep). A case study applied to a company producing composite materials

Environmental indicators can be used as a first stage in progress towards comprehensive environmental impact measures [J. Environ. Manage 65/3 (2002) 285]. In this article, we develop a 'pollutant interaction matrix method' that allows calculation of a global environmental protection index (Ep) in order to verify the eco-compatibility of an industrial activity. Two methods are proposed for the Ep index evaluation (which represents the numerical measure of the environmental sustainability): the Direct Method (Epd) and the Weighted Method (Epw). Both methods need to define, in the whole industrial process, homogeneous sectors (defined as construction sites where activities of the same type are carried out). Furthermore, for each activity a set of parameters (t, duration of pollution effect, P, quantity of pollutant produced,G, hazard of the pollutant) are required to evaluate the relative pollution index Y. All indices calculations were carried out using a set of matrices. The correct use of Ep evaluation provides an improvement in the total environmental performance of companies because it points out possible critical operations in each homogeneous sector which require solutions. The methodology is applied to evaluate the environmental pollution risk of a company that produces polymer materials and to improve their environmental performance. The results obtained show that the whole productive process has a low environmental impact factor. Nevertheless the applied methodology puts in evidence some processes that generate local pollution in specific areas of the factory and which could be dangerous for the workers' health.     

The impact of visual factors on noise annoyance among people living in the vicinity of wind turbines

Wind turbines are highly visible objects and the response to wind turbine noise is possibly influenced by visual factors. In this study, visibility of the noise source, visual attitude and vertical visual angle (VVA) in different landscapes were explored. Data from two cross-sectional field studies carried out among people living near wind turbines (n=1095) were used for structural equation modelling. A proposed model of the influence of visual attitude on noise annoyance, also comprising the influence of noise level and general attitude, was tested among respondents who could see vs. respondents who could not see wind turbines from their homes, living in flat vs. hilly/rocky terrain, and living in built-up vs. rural areas. Visual attitude towards the noise source was associated with noise annoyance to different degrees in different situations. A negative visual attitude, more than multi-modal effects between auditory and visual stimulation, enhanced the risk for noise annoyance and possibly also prevented psychophysiological restoration possibilities. Aesthetic evaluations of the noise source should be taken into account when exploring response to environmental noise.     

公路经营企业交通噪声污染损害民事责任探析

公路经营企业应对道路交通噪声污染损害承担环境侵权责任。污染损害可归责的程度应以医学观察的可证明性为界限,在违法性和损害事实考量中,环境标准均非所问。公路经营企业的责任形式主要包括排除危害和赔偿损失。基于环境侵权的利益衡量原则,一般不宜直接判令采取公路关闭或改道等形式排除危害,而应适用设置隔声屏障、种植绿化林带、进行交通管制等调和性的"部分排除侵害"责任形式。在"先有路后有房"情景下,公路经营企业是否承担责任因受害人迁入公害时主观方面的不同而不同。受害人明知或已经预见到有遭受噪声污染的危险,且无正当理由而自愿、故意承受危险致害者,公路经营企业得根据自甘冒险原则请求拒绝排除危害、免除赔偿或减少赔偿额。     

PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS IN WATER QUALITY EVALUATION1

ABSTRACT: A Visual Perception Test, consisting of photographic slides of water sites, was designed to examine laymen's water quality perceptions. The slides were taken at five water sites where the level of visual pollution was artifically altered by the investigator. Analysis of variance indicated that the water sites were evaluated differently for each of five pollution levels. Increases in water discoloration and the quality of litter were viewed as increases in level of pollution. Laymen not only evaluated visually polluted sites lower for uses such as picnicking, but they also evaluated the quality of the actual water lower. Stepwise multiple regression indicated that a combination of water color, scenic beauty appreciation, quality of the surrounding environment and industry as a pollution source explained 73 percent of the variance in predicting Overall Pollution. Application of factor analysis simplified the variables to an Overall Pollution Factor and a Boating Use Factor.     

钻井生产过程中的环境污染及治理

随着石油钻井的快速增长,如何对污染进行有效的防治,成为一个亟待解决的课题。依据胜利油田坨767井实际情况,深入分析了钻井生产过程中产生环境污染的原因和类型,着重对废弃钻井液、废水、噪声等环境污染问题进行分析,并对防治措施进行了探讨。将污染控制变末端处理为包括源头控制、过程控制、末端治理、综合管理的全过程控制。     

长江经济带工业废气污染治理效率的时空演变及其影响因素研究

本文选取1998—2015年30个省份数据,采用超效率SBM模型测算全国、长江经济带工业废气污染治理效率;采用门槛效应模型研判长江经济带工业废气污染治理效率的影响因素.研究发现:1998—2015年长江经济带工业废气污染治理效率大于全国工业废气污染治理效率;长江经济带工业废气污染治理效率与全国工业废气污染治理效率的演变轨迹相似;长江经济带工业废气污染治理效率空间格局从"两极分化型"向"过渡型"演变;长江经济带沿线11省份工业废气污染治理效率与重工业占比呈负相关;当人均GDP较小时,长江经济带工业废气污染治理效率与工业化率、地方法规颁布件数、环境污染与破坏总次数呈负相关,与群众因污染来信数呈正相关;当人均GDP跨过门槛阈值拐点后,相关关系反之.为进一步推动长江经济带高质量发展,应加强中央与地方政府合作共促工业污染防控治理,推动重化工业绿色发展,加强媒体对废气污染的长期有效监督,推动建立科学有效的"三方共治"体系.     

环境保护领域地方市级首次立法进展研究

为调研设区的市立法权放开后各地立法进展,通过全国各省市政府网站(除港澳台外)等公开渠道收集整理的各设区的市"首次立法"(第一部实体法,简称"首法")立法情况,发现截至2017年7月,全国89%新获立法权设区的市已完成"首法"立项,超一半新获立法权设区的市已顺利出台"首法"。从"首法"立项类型来看,约40%设区的市"首法"关注环境保护,仅次于城乡建设与管理类立法,表明环境保护是各地"首法"立法关注的重点领域之一。从地方环境"首法"立项类型来看,水环境保护领域条例立项数最多,其次是生态保护领域和大气污染防治领域;从地方环境"首法"立项分布来看,水环境保护类条例多分布于位于水系末端的沿海各省,大气污染防治条例则主要集中于京津冀及其周边空气质量较差的区域。当前国家高度重视生态文明建设,各地有必要抓住地方立法这一机遇,研究出台地方环境条例,助力地方环境管理水平的提升。