Eco-material selection using fuzzy TOPSIS method

In the classical multiple attribute decision-making or MADM methods, the ratings and the weights of the criteria are known precisely. However, in eco-material selection exercises, the available data are typically inadequate because of the selection dual quantitative and qualitative natures. Some of the qualitative selection criteria can be rated in several classes rather being expressed by exact numerical values; hence the application of fuzzy concepts in decision-making seems attractive to deal with such kind of ratings. Thusly, the presented study attempts to propose an eco-material selection approach specific to the automobile body panels using a fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), to incorporate both numerical and rating-based criteria into one holistic sustainability model. TOPSIS and fuzzy logic can aid the material selection process in translating the design goals and parameters into usable numbers that in turn can be used to rank candidate materials in their closeness to the ideal solution. An additional uniqueness of this study stems from using the fuzzy-TOPSIS as a scoring tool without any assigned weights for the different selection attributes, in order to avoid the bias that is typically associated with other classical MADM, such as quality function deployment, analytical hierarchy process and digital logic.     

Seasonal variations in cholinesterase activity, nerve conduction velocity and lung function among sprayers exposed to mixture of pesticides

Pesticide spraying operation is associated with the increased risk of adverse health effects among sprayers who do not follow safe farm work practices. A study was conducted among pesticide sprayers in North India to evaluate the clinical and subclinical variations in their vital health parameters before and after the pesticide spraying season. Blood cholinesterase levels, pulmonary function test, nerve conduction velocity and self-reported symptoms were studied among 18 eligible and consenting male sprayers. Mean acetylcholinesterase activity was reduced by 55 % in the post-exposure assessment (P?<?0.001) as compared to pre-exposure levels. Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s was 20 % lower in the post-exposure assessment as compared to the pre-exposure level (P?<?0.05). No significant change was observed in the motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity in the median nerve of sprayers before and after the spraying activity. Also, no significant variation was observed with respect to self-reported symptoms except weakness in arms and legs (P?<?0.05). The significant decline in lung function and acetylcholinesterase level after pesticide exposure reflects the strongly negative effect of exposure to pesticides during spraying activity. More longitudinal studies among pesticide sprayers must be undertaken to further substantiate the cause–effect relationship between pesticide exposure and its subclinical effects. There is a strong necessity to minimise the exposure through the use of personal protective equipment in pesticide sprayers.     

Synergy of adsorption and advanced oxidation processes in recalcitrant wastewater treatment

Environmental Chemistry Letters - The presence of recalcitrant organic pollutants in water is a major source of concern worldwide. These pollutants are not easily removed using conventional...     

The connection between urbanization and carbon emissions: a panel evidence from West Africa

Environment, Development and Sustainability - This study examined the nexus between urbanization and carbon emissions in West Africa. Second-generation econometric techniques that are robust to...     

Investigation of integrated municipal solid waste management strategies for Oman: an assessment of waste diversion,electricity generation and greenhouse-gas emissions

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The need of an integrated municipal solid waste (MSW) management system to maximize resource recovery and simultaneously reduce greenhouse-gas...     

Dioxin emissions from municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) in France

The objective of this study was to determine whether the fear of dioxin/furan emissions from waste-to-energy plants was justified by the 2007 status of emissions of French municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs). All emissions were examined, plant by plant, but this paper focuses on the incinerator emission that is most frequently mentioned in the French media, toxic dioxins and furans. The study showed that there are 85 large MSWI that generate electricity or heat, i.e., waste-to-energy (WTE) plants, and 39 smaller MSW incinerators. The results showed that all French MSWI are operated well below the EU and French standard of 0.1 ng TEQ Nm^?3 (toxic equivalent nanograms per standard cubic meter) and that their total dioxin/furan emissions decreased from 435 g TEQ in 1997 to only 1.2 g in 2008. All other industrial emissions of dioxins have also decreased and the major source is residential combustion of wood (320 g TEQ). It was extremely difficult to obtain MSWI emission data. This unwarranted lack of transparency has resulted in the public perception that MSWI plants are major contributors to dioxin emissions while in fact they have ceased to be so.     

Modeling a sustainable Saudi Arabian economy: the real issues

This paper develops a macroeconomic framework for creating a competitive and sustainable Saudi Arabian economy, taking into account the interrelationships among social, environmental, and economic factors. The objective of the research is to build a model that will allow for evaluating the effects of a wide range of emissions abatement policies on economic growth and development. The research methodology is grounded in econometric modeling of the Saudi economy over the period 1980–2010. The estimated parameters of the model were used to project long-term gross domestic product (GDP) growth paths based on three environmental degradation abatement scenarios. The results suggest that the sustainability of economic growth in Saudi Arabia critically depends on aggressive emissions-reduction policies since policy scenarios corresponding to higher pollution cuts yielded higher, sustained long-term GDP. The results also broadly reject the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, implying that a turning point in the relationship between CO₂ emissions and per capita GDP is yet to be attained.     

A blessing for the Yangtze River: optimization of Chinese regional policy planning for water yield and purification in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Land use/land cover (LULC) changes impact the structure and functioning of ecosystems, which consequently influences the provisioning of a range of...