Evaluation of atmospheric sources of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PBDEs around a steel industrial complex in northeast China using passive air samplers

The concern about emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from steel industrial parks has increased in the past decades. In this study, polyurethane foam (PUF)-disk based passive air samples were collected in and around a big steel industrial park of Anshan, Northeast China from June 2008 to March 2009. The levels, seasonal variations and potential sources of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PBDEs in the atmosphere around the steel industrial complex were investigated, and potential contribution of these three groups of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from iron and steel production was also assessed. The air concentrations of ∑₁₇PCDD/Fs (summer: 0.02-2.77 pg m⁻³; winter: 0.20-9.79 pg m⁻³), ∑₁₉PCBs (summer: 23.5-155.8 pg m⁻³; winter: 14.6-81.3 pg m⁻³) and ∑₁₃PBDEs (summer: 2.91-10.7 pg m⁻³; winter: 1.10-3.89 pg m⁻³) in this targeted industrial park were relatively low in comparison to other studies, which implied that the industrial activities of iron and steel had not resulted in serious contamination to the ambient air in this area. On the whole, the air concentrations of PCDD/Fs in winter were higher than those of summer, whereas the concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs showed opposite trends. The result from principal component analysis indicated that coal combustion might be the main contributor of PCDD/F sources in this area.     

Air pollution and health studies in China--policy implications

During the rapid economic development in China, ambient air pollutants in major cities, including PM10 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < or =10 microm) and SO2 have been reduced due to various measures taken to reduce or control sources of emissions, whereas NO2 is stable or slightly increased. However, air pollution levels in China are still at the higher end of the world level. Less information is available regarding changes in national levels of other pollutants such as PM2.5 and ozone. The Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection (MOEP) set an index for "controlling/reducing total SO2 emissions" to evaluate the efficacy of air pollution control strategy in the country. Total SO2 emissions declined for the first time in 2007. Chinese epidemiologic studies evidenced adverse health effects of ambient air pollution similar to those reported from developed countries, though risk estimates on mortality/morbidity per unit increase of air pollutant are somewhat smaller than those reported in developed countries. Disease burden on health attributable to air pollution is relatively greater in China because of higher pollution levels. Improving ambient air quality has substantial and measurable public health benefits in China. It is recommended that the current Chinese air quality standards be updated/revised and the target for "controlling/reducing total SO2 emissions" be maintained and another target for "reducing total NO2 emissions" be added in view of rapid increase in motor vehicles. Continuous and persistent efforts should be taken to improve ambient air quality.     

Microcalorimetric studies of perchlorate on heat production by hepatocytes and mitochondria isolated from Carassius auratus

As a new threat to environment all through the world, perchlorate (ClO(4)(-)) was predominantly a thyrotoxin, and its toxic manifestations in non-thyroid were also documented. However, little is known about the effects of ClO(4)(-) on cell and organelle. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of ClO(4)(-) on hepatocytes and mitochondria isolated from Carassius auratus from the direct viewpoint of energy by using the microcalorimetric method. The metabolic thermogenic curves of hepatocytes and mitochondria at 25°C were obtained. And the thermokinetic parameters, such as growth rate constant (k), inhibitory ratio (I), maximum thermal power (P(max)) and total thermal effect (Q(total)) have been calculated. The results indicated that the toxicity of ClO(4)(-) on hepatocytes was relevant to the concentration of ClO(4)(-). However, 10-100mgL(-1)ClO(4)(-) stimulated the metabolic activity of mitochondria and the toxicity of ClO(4)(-) on mitochondria only occurrenced when treated with higher concentration of ClO(4)(-). This study shown that mitochondria has a major impact on the metabolic thermogenic of hepatocytes, but not the only factor. Meanwhile, it demonstrated that microcalorimetry was a powerful tool for understanding biological processes and studying on the toxic action of environmental contaminants in cell or subcellular level.     

Increased urinary 8-hydroxy-2��-deoxyguanosine levels in workers exposed to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in a waste plastic recycling site in China

Background

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a common plasticizer used in industrial and diverse consumer products. Animal studies indicate DEHP caused developmental, reproductive, and hepatic toxicities. However, human studies of the potential effects of DEHP are limited.

Methods

The exposed site with a history of over 20 years of waste plastic recycling was located in Hunan Province, China. The reference site without known DEHP pollution source was about 50 km far away from the exposed site. In this study, 181 workers working in plastic waste recycling and 160 gender?Cage matched farmers were recruited. DEHP concentrations in water and cultivated soil samples, serum thyroid-stimulating hormone, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), urinary 8-hydroxy-2??-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and micronuclei frequency in human capillary blood lymphocytes were analyzed.

Results

Mean levels of DEHP were greater in environment at the recycling site than at reference site (industry wastewater for the exposed: 42.43 ??g/l; well water: 14.20 vs. 0.79 ??g/l, pond water: 135.68 vs. 0.37 ??g/l, cultivated soil: 13.07 vs. 0.81 mg/kg, p?p?p?Conclusions The occupational DEHP exposure might contribute to oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid damage in the male workers.     

The performance of nature reserves in capturing the biological diversity on Hainan Island,China

Purpose  

The performance of nature reserves depends on the degree to which they represent a region's full biodiversity. Here, we conducted a study on Hainan Island, China, to assess how well Hainan's biodiversity features were captured by existing nature reserves. We also explored the driving forces behind the current protection pattern so as to provide guidelines for improving the island's conservation system.     

Environmental heterogeneity analysis,assessment of trophic state and source identification in Chaohu Lake,China

Introduction  

Environmental heterogeneous methods were used for analysing data sets of trophic state with 11 parameters measured at 12 different sites at Chaohu Lake for the period 2004 to 2006. The aim of this research was to determine spatial/temporal variations in water quality, to assess trophic state and to identify pollution sources. Protective measures and schemes were proposed to improve water quality in the lake.     

蓄热式热氧化器的改进与应用

为了解决城市周边小企业挥发性有机物空气污染问题,研发了一种新型多蓄热室旋转换向蓄热式热氧化器,对现有蓄热式热氧化器内不合理的流通截面积分配比例进行了改进,并在北京市郊某工厂建设了处理能力3 000 m3/h的应用示范装置.应用情况表明,新型蓄热式热氧化器对VOC的处理效率可达96%,同时比常规热力焚烧炉节能70%以上....     

含油污泥燃料化处理剂研制及其作用机理研究

含油污泥主要有清罐油泥(罐底泥)、隔油池底泥、污水处理厂浮渣以及剩余活性污泥等几类.含油污泥含有油、苯系物、酚类、蒽、芘等具有恶臭味和毒性的物质,是国家明文规定的危险废弃物.另一方面,含油污泥中富含大量烃类,潜在能量大,热值高,平均热值达5 000kcal/kg以上.经大量室内实验,开发了一种新型含油污泥燃料化处理剂,...     

粉煤灰碎砖颗粒除磷实验研究

磷含量过高会导致水体富营养化。人工湿地除磷简单经济,但常用填料砾石除磷能力有限。通过等温吸附实验和人工湿地模型实验研究粉煤灰碎砖颗粒的除磷效果,实验结果表明,Langmuir和Freundlich吸附方程可较好地描述吸附过程,粒径为4～6 mm的粉煤灰碎砖颗粒对磷素的理论饱和吸附量为21 277 mg/kg。当初始溶液...