Association of exposure to multiple metals with papillary thyroid cancer risk in China

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has inflicted huge threats to the health of mankind. Metal pollution could be a potential risk factor of PTC occurrence, but existing relevant epidemiological researches are limited. The current case-control study was designed to evaluate the relationships between exposure to multiple metals and the risk of PTC. A total of 262 histologically confirmed PTC cases were recruited. Age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled at the same time. Urine samples were used as biomarkers to reflect the levels of environmental exposure to 13 metals. Conditional logistic regression models were adopted to assess the potential association. Single-metal and multi-metal models were separately conducted to evaluate the impacts of single and co-exposure to 13 metals. The increased concentration of urinary Cd, Cu, Fe, and Pb quartiles was found significant correlated with PTC risk. We also found the decreased trends of urinary Se, Zn, and Mn quartiles with the ORs for PTC. These dose-response associations between Pb and PTC were observed in the single-metal model and remained significant in the multi-metal model (OR_25-50th=1.39, OR_50-75th=3.32, OR_>75th=7.62, p for trend <0.001). Our study suggested that PTC was positively associated with urinary levels of Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and inversely associated with Se, Zn, and Mn. Targeted public health policies should be made to improve the environment and the recognition of potential risk factors. These findings need additional studies to confirm in other population.

     

生物滴滤塔处理模拟甲硫醚废气

在常温条件下,采用生物滴滤塔处理模拟甲硫醚废气,考察了气体空床停留时间(EBRT)、容积负荷、喷淋密度及营养液pH对生物滴滤塔性能的影响。实验结果表明:当EBRT为90 s、进气甲硫醚质量浓度为150 mg/m~3、喷淋密度为0.65 m~3/(m~2·h),营养液pH为6.8时,甲硫醚去除率为90%;容积负荷高于15 g/(m~3·h)时,对生物滴滤塔的性能产生抑制作用;EBRT为90 s及60 s时,最佳喷淋密度分别为0.56~0.65 m~3/(m~2·h)及0.65~0.75 m~3/(m~2·h);降解甲硫醚的微生物对pH的变化较敏感,最适营养液pH为6~7。     

Direct methanol fuel cell bubble removal mechanism using magnetic actuation

This article develops a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) with a magnet-actuated bubble removal mechanism. A micro-DC motor is used to control the bubble removal mechanism. The lower magnetic device is operated to extrude a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) runner to compress the liquid fuel in the anode flow channel, forcing the CO₂ bubbles in the runner to flow toward the outlet end. The bubble retention in the anode flow channel is thereby improved, enhancing the cell performance. The proposed mechanism stability and performance and Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) runner are also discussed.     

超疏水沸石咪唑酯骨架材料ZIF-90的制备及其气体吸附性能

以自制沸石咪唑酯骨架材料ZIF-90为原料,自制2,3,4,5,6-五氟苄胺为修饰剂,通过后修饰法制备了超疏水ZIF-90,采用SEM、XRD、FTIR等技术对其进行了表征,并进行了气体吸附性能测试。表征结果显示:制备的超疏水ZIF-90晶体结构和形貌良好;水接触角高达152.1°;修饰剂分子与ZIF-90晶体上的自由醛基成功发生缩胺反应。气体吸附实验结果表明:当相对压力小于0.02时,超疏水ZIF-90的CO_2吸附量较ZIF-90明显增大,CO_2/N_2和CO_2/CH_4的理想吸附选择系数由修饰前的15.76和4.88分别提升至33.28和17.13;超疏水ZIF-90具有优异的憎水性能。     

Part V—sorption of pharmaceuticals and personal care products

Background, aim, and scope  Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) including antibiotics, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and veterinary pharmaceuticals are emerging pollutants, and their environmental risk was not emphasized until a decade ago. These compounds have been reported to cause adverse impacts on wildlife and human. However, compared to the studies on hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) whose sorption characteristics is reviewed in Part IV of this review series, information on PPCPs is very limited. Thus, a summary of recent research progress on PPCP sorption in soils or sediments is necessary to clarify research requirements and directions. Main features  We reviewed the research progress on PPCP sorption in soils or sediments highlighting PPCP sorption different from that of HOCs. Special function of humic substances (HSs) on PPCP behavior is summarized according to several features of PPCP–soil or sediment interaction. In addition, we discussed the behavior of xenobiotic chemicals in a three-phase system (dissolved organic matter (DOM)–mineral–water). The complexity of three-phase systems was also discussed. Results  Nonideal sorption of PPCPs in soils or sediments is generally reported, and PPCP sorption behavior is relatively a more complicated process compared to HOC sorption, such as the contribution of inorganic fractions, fast degradation and metabolite sorption, and species-specific sorption mechanism. Thus, mechanistic studies are urgently needed for a better understanding of their environmental risk and for pollution control. Discussion  Recent research progress on nonideal sorption has not been incorporated into fate modeling of xenobiotic chemicals. A major reason is the complexity of the three-phase system. First of all, lack of knowledge in describing DOM fractionation after adsorption by mineral particles is one of the major restrictions for an accurate prediction of xenobiotic chemical behavior in the presence of DOM. Secondly, no explicit mathematical relationship between HS chemical–physical properties, and their sorption characteristics has been proposed. Last but not least, nonlinear interactions could exponentially increase the complexity and uncertainties of environmental fate models for xenobiotics. Discussion on proper simplification of fate modeling in the framework of nonlinear interactions is still unavailable. Conclusions  Although the methodologies and concepts for studying HOC environmental fate could be adopted for PPCP study, their differences should be highly understood. Prediction of PPCP environmental behavior needs to combine contributions from various fractions of soils or sediments and the sorption of their metabolites and different species. Recommendations and perspectives  More detailed studies on PPCP sorption in separated soil or sediment fractions are needed in order to propose a model predicting PPCP sorption in soils or sediments based on soil or sediment properties. The information on sorption of PPCP metabolites and species and the competition between them is still not enough to be incorporated into any predictive models.     

2种反应器中好氧颗粒污泥培养的比较研究

以絮状活性污泥为接种污泥,采用人工配制的模拟生活污水,分别在气提式序批反应器(SBAR)和序批式活性污泥反应器(SBR)中成功地培养出了成熟的好氧颗粒污泥.SBAR和SBR中的好氧颗粒污泥都具有稳定的基本形态结构,其微生物主要由杆菌和球菌组成,对COD的去除率可达到93%左右.对NH+4-N的去除率可达到98%以上.SBAR中好氧颗粒污泥的粒径主要分布、污泥体积指数(SVI)、比耗氧速率(SOUR)、TN去除率和TP去除率分别为0.45～2.00 mm、19.97 mL/g、47.68 g/(kg·h)、82%和65%;而SBR中好氧颗粒污泥的粒径主要分布、SVI、SOUR、TN去除率和TP去除率分别为0.18～1.00 mm、29.12 mL/g、43.21 g/(kg·h)、58%和50%.相对而言,SBAR更有利于好氧颗粒污泥的培养和运行.     

沸石联合微生物固定化去除微污染水体中氨氮的研究

将沸石联合经过驯化的活性污泥微生物固定化,通过静态实验.考察了不同粒径沸石及不同组分固定化方法对沸石联合微生物固定化去除氨氮的影响;通过动态实验,考察了沸石联合微生物固定化去除微污染水体中低浓度氨氮的机制.结果表明,活性污泥经过16 d的驯化,氨氮去除率为90%以上;沸石吸附氨氮为快速吸附,粒径<0.5 mm的沸石的吸附容量明显大于其他粒径的沸石;不同组分固定化小球对氨氮的去除效率不同,各组分均有贡献,吸附容量依次为:沸石固定化小球>沸石联合微生物固定化小球>微生物固定化小球;沸石联合微生物固定化去除微污染水体中低浓度氨氮可分为4个阶段,即沸石吸附阶段、吸附饱和及微生物适应阶段、硝化作用明显加强和沸石部分再生阶段、微生物作用良好和沸石进一步再生阶段,最终沸石吸附与生物再生处于良好的动态平衡中,氨氮去除率达到60%左右.     

负载TiO2浮石对污水处理厂二沉池出水的矿化与灭菌研究

城市污水处理厂第二沉淀池出水的污染物浓度较低,经过矿化及灭菌等深度处理后可以回用,从而减轻对淡水资源的需求。本实验采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了负载TiO2的浮石光催化剂,对城市污水处理厂第二沉淀池出水进行了矿化及灭菌处理研究。采用低压汞灯对处理水样照射2h,有机物降解率可以达到50％,灭菌效率达到100％。处理后的水可以作为农作物灌溉、城市绿化和娱乐用水。负载在浮石表面的TiO2薄膜经过10次的光催化循环实验后,没有明显破损,可以再次循环使用。TiO2浮石具有质轻、机械性能好和价格低等优点,该方法处理废水的适用浓度低,可以广泛应用于微污染水和城市污水处理厂出水的深度处理。     

An important pathway for ozonolysis of alpha-pinene and beta-pinene in aqueous phase and its atmospheric implications

The aqueous ozonolysis of α-pinene and β-pinene was conducted under simulated tropospheric conditions at different pHs and temperatures. Three kinds of products, peroxides, carbonyl compounds, and organic acids, were well characterized, and the detection of these products provides effective evidence for understanding the atmospheric aqueous reaction pathway. We have two interesting findings: (1) the unexpected formation of methacrolein (MACR), with a yield of ～40%, in the α-pinene–O₃ aqueous reaction indicates a potentially new SOA formation pathway, because MACR is one of the important precursors of SOA; and (2) the surprisingly high yields of H₂O₂, ～60% for the α-pinene–O₃ reaction and ～100% for the β-pinene–O₃ reaction, indicates that H₂O₂ can be a significant contributor to the origin and transformation of oxidants in the atmosphere, especially in the humid regions. Moreover, we have determined the rate constant for aqueous reaction between MACR and H₂O₂ in pH 2 to 7 and obtained its upper limit as 0.13 M L^?1 s^?1. A mechanism concerning the formation of the species mentioned above is proposed, and it differs from that in the gas-phase reaction. We suggest that water plays a key role in the mechanism, by participating in the reactions as a direct reactant and by removing the excess energy of intermediates formed in the reactions.     

Concentrations of volatile organic compounds,carbon monoxide,carbon dioxide and particulate matter in buses on highways in Taiwan

Although airborne pollutants in urban buses have been studied in many cities globally, long-distance buses running mainly on highways have not been addressed in this regard. This study investigates the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and particulate matter (PM) in the long-distance buses in Taiwan. Analytical results indicate that pollutants levels in long-distance buses are generally lower than those in urban buses. This finding is attributable to the driving speed and patterns of long-distance buses, as well as the meteorological and geographical features of the highway surroundings. The levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) found in bus cabins exceed the proposed indoor VOC guidelines for aromatic compounds, and are likely attributable to the interior trim in the cabins. The overall average CO level is 2.3 ppm, with higher average level on local streets (2.9 ppm) than on highways (2.2 ppm). The average CO₂ level is 1493 ppm, which is higher than the guideline for non-industrial occupied settings. The average PM level in this study is lower than those in urban buses and IAQ guidelines set by Taiwan EPA. However, the average PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 is higher than the level set by WHO. Besides the probable causes mentioned above, fewer passenger movements and less particle re-suspension from bus floor might also cause the lower PM levels. Measurements of particle size distribution reveal that more than 75% of particles are in submicron and smaller sizes. These particles may come from the infiltration from the outdoor air. This study concludes that air exchange rates in long-distance buses should be increased in order to reduce CO₂ levels. Future research on long-distance buses should focus on the emission of VOCs from brand new buses, and the sources of submicron particles in bus cabins.