Advanced rescue techniques: lessons learned from the collapse of a building in Nairobi, Kenya

This paper examines the collapse of a five-storey building in Nairobi, Kenya, on 23 January 2006. It draws on reports from local authorities and on debriefings by Israel's Home Front Command (HFC), including information on injury distribution, rescue techniques, and the mode of operation. Most of the 117 people found under the structure were evacuated on the first day to a public hospital, which was overwhelmed by the incident. HFC forces arrived 23 hours after the disaster. At that stage, two people were still buried under the building and special techniques (tunnelling and scalping) were required to secure their evacuation. The two people quickly recovered after a short stay in hospital. Local technology is the preferred option during such events because time is crucial. International cooperation is required when this technology is not available. All of the hospitals in the disaster area, including private facilities, should participate in treating casualties.     

Transabdominal chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis: 5 years' experience at a University Centre

The fetal loss rates and fetal congenital birth defects in 821 transabdominal (TA) chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and 771 amniocentesis (AC) cases were evaluated from a 5-year period (1987–1991) at the University Central Hospital of Turku. The parents were given the option of choosing between the two sampling procedures. CVS was performed, in most cases, at 11 weeks of gestation; and AC, at 15 weeks. The rate of total post-procedure loss was 6·7 per cent in the CVS group and 4·4 per cent in the AC group (p=0·08). The rate of spontaneous abortions was 1·9 per cent in the CVS group and 1·0 per cent in the AC group (p=0·10). The number of birth defects was low in both study groups. No limb reduction cases were observed. Mosaicism was noted in 14 CVS cases and in five AC cases. We conclude that TA-CVS is a safe and practical alternative to AC in prenatal fetal karyotyping.     

Shielding from ELF Magnetic Fields Emanating from Power Plants in Large Facilities

Summary Large facilities frequently have internal power plants. High power transformers and low voltage cables associated with these plants generate low-frequency magnetic fields of large amplitude, which can be above allowed exposure levels. In order to shield against these magnetic fields large shields are used. These plates are finite and their shielding effectiveness is compromised due to their finite dimensions. This paper evaluates the shielding afforded by such a plate, as related to the geometry of the placement of the source and victim and the dimensions and structure of the shield plate.     

Uptake of carbamazepine by cucumber plants--a case study related to irrigation with reclaimed wastewater

Reclaimed wastewater is an important source of irrigation in semiarid and arid zones. Here we report data on carbamazepine (CBZ) uptake by cucumber plants in hydroponic culture and greenhouse experiments using different soil types irrigated with fresh water or reclaimed wastewater. Data obtained from the hydroponic culture experiments suggest that CBZ is mainly translocated by water mass flow, and thus it is concentrated and accumulated to the largest extent in the mature/older leaves. Carbamazepine concentration in cucumber fruits and leaves was negatively correlated with soil organic matter content. The concentrations of CBZ in the roots and stems were relatively low, and most CBZ in the plant (76-84% of total uptake) was detected in the leaves. A greenhouse experiment using fresh water and reclaimed wastewater spiked, or not, with CBZ at 1 μg L⁻¹ (typical concentration in effluents) revealed that CBZ can be taken up and bioaccumulated from its background concentration in reclaimed wastewater. Bioaccumulation factor (calculated as the ratio of CBZ concentration in the plant to that in the soil solution) for the fruits (0.8-1) was significantly lower than the value calculated for the leaves (17-20).This study emphasizes the potential uptake of active pharmaceutical compounds by crops in organic-matter-poor soils irrigated with reclaimed wastewater and highlights the potential risks associated with this agricultural practice.     

Emergency preparedness consultants at the local government level: the Israeli experience

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Municipal Emergency Consultation project in eight Israeli local authorities. The initiative centres on the appointment of independent emergency preparedness consultants entrusted with tailoring an emergency preparedness package to suit the specific needs of each locality. Regarding emergency preparedness improvements, in all of the municipalities examined, a concept of municipal emergency operation was consolidated and the derived emergency plan tested. Emergency work processes were structured and service‐level agreements reached between municipality departments. Where necessary, a‐linear patterns of municipal functioning in an emergency were established. Concerning a ‘spillover’ of emergency preparedness improvements into routine operations, and a ‘spillover’ of routine management improvements into local emergency preparedness, two municipalities near Gaza, which typically function in an emergency routine, saw a significant ‘spillover’ of emergency preparedness into routine functioning. In other localities, local managers chose to improve a number of municipal structures and procedures in times of routine functioning, which are also related to the functioning of the municipality during an emergency.     

Water-soluble and solid-state speciation of phosphorus in stabilized sewage sludge

Three chemicals, ferrous sulfate (Fe-sul), calcium oxide (CaO), and aluminum sulfate (alum), were used to stabilize phosphorus (P) in fresh, anaerobically digested sewage sludge (FSS). The chemically stabilized sludge materials and biosolids compost (BSC) were compared with the FSS with respect to water-soluble phosphorus (WSP) content in its inorganic (WSP(i)) and organic (WSP(o)) forms as well as water-soluble organic carbon (DOC). Solid-state P speciation was further probed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray elemental spectrometry (EDXS). Water-soluble P was effectively controlled by a wide range of Fe-sul or CaO additions to the sludge (Ca to P ratio = 3.47-17.72, Fe to P ratio = 1.01-16.53), but by only a narrow range (Al to P ratio = 1.04-2.87) of alum addition. The WSP content in the BSC was also depressed, but to a lesser extent. The pH in the treated sludge ranged from 3.0 to 12.5 and served as a key factor to control P chemistry. No correlation was observed between DOC and WSP(o). No crystallized Ca-P minerals were detected in the CaO-stabilized sludge, but brushite crystallization seemed to be obtained by low addition of Fe-sul and alum. Variscite and strengite crystallization was obtained following high addition of Fe-sul or alum, as detected by XRD and SEM-EDXS. Adsorption of P by newly formed Fe-hydroxide seems to play an important role in the Fe-sul-stabilized sludge. We concluded that administration of the tested chemicals at the proper rate can effectively reduce the hazard of P release and leaching from sludge.     

The cladoceran trophic status in the nitrogen limited ecosystem of Lake Kinneret (Israel)

The impactof cladocerans metabolic activities on the carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) dynamics in Lake Kinneret (Israel) is presented. The study, is based on the incorporation of field data and experimental measurements. Grazing, respiration and production rates of Diaphanosoma spp., Ceriodaphnia spp. and Bosmina spp. were experimentally measured at three temperatures, and the results were extrapolated to the field biomass distribution atthese respective temperatures, and the total lake capacity was calculated using the following equation: consumption = respiration + production + excretion. The field capacity of consumption, respiration and production were found to be mostly correlated with biomass density, but the temporal fluctuation of the percent of excretion from consumed energy differed. The increase in P, decline in N and decrease in the TN/TP mass ratio in the epilimnion of Lake Kinneret during 1969-2004 created N limitation. An increase in C and dedine in TN, with a consequential increase in the C/TN ratio were documented. TP was augmented but the C/TP ratio was only slightly increased. During 1975-2004, P was probably, a minor limitation for cladoceran growth. The positive impact of recycled P by cladocerans underthe N limitation in Lake Kinneret is discussed. There is a current threat on the water quality, derived from N limitation (mostly in summer-fall) and consequent Cyanophyta blooms. Thus, the role of recycled P bygrazers may be significant.     

Statistical analysis of PM10 concentrations at different locations in Malaysia

Malaysia has experienced several haze events since the 1980s as a consequence of the transboundary movement of air pollutants emitted from forest fires and open burning activities. Hazy episodes can result from local activities and be categorized as "localized haze". General probability distributions (i.e., gamma and log-normal) were chosen to analyze the PM(10) concentrations data at two different types of locations in Malaysia: industrial (Johor Bahru and Nilai) and residential (Kota Kinabalu and Kuantan). These areas were chosen based on their frequently high PM(10) concentration readings. The best models representing the areas were chosen based on their performance indicator values. The best distributions provided the probability of exceedances and the return period between the actual and predicted concentrations based on the threshold limit given by the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (24-h average of 150 μg/m(3)) for PM(10) concentrations. The short-term prediction for PM(10) exceedances in 14 days was obtained using the autoregressive model.     

Proportionate and disproportionate policy responses to climate change: core concepts and empirical applications

A fresh perspective on policy-making and planning has emerged which views disproportionate policy as an intentional policy response. A disproportionate policy response is understood to be a lack of ‘fit’ or balance between the costs of a public policy and the benefits that are derived from this policy, and between policy ends and means. This paper applies this new perspective on the proportionality of policy-making to the area of climate change. The first part of the paper discusses the underlying causes of disproportionate policy responses in broad terms and then applies the theoretical reasoning to understand the conditions in which they are likely to appear in relation to climate change. These conditions are hypothesized to relate to four main factors: economic considerations; levels of public demand; focusing events; and strategic considerations. It concludes with the suggestion that societal actors may be able to manipulate these four factors to encourage politicians to adopt policies that mitigate climate change more rapidly than is currently the case in most countries.