Simulation of long-term environmental dynamics of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans using the dynamic multimedia environmental fate model and its implication to the time trend analysis of dioxins

Long term environmental fate of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) were studied using the fugacity-based dynamic multimedia environmental fate model. New formulation about soil wind erosion into air was included into the model. Effect of process assumption, sensitivity analysis for parameters, and tentative validation against the measured sediment core analysis was performed. Mass fluxes between compartments were estimated by the dynamic modeling. From the model estimates, major mass fluxes coming from emission source were shown to go to the soil and water through wet/dry deposition, then go to degradation mainly in the soil and sediment. Major mass fluxes of TCDD and OCDD come from the impurities in CNP (Chlornitrofen) and PCP (Pentachlorophenol) directly into the soil. Consideration about multimedia environmental dynamics using the modeled mass fluxes was shown in the discussion.     

Distribution of pesticides and bisphenol A in sediments collected from rivers adjacent to coral reefs

To investigate the deteriorating health of coral reefs in Okinawa, Japan, natural sediment samples were analyzed for diuron, Irgarol 1051, chlorpyrifos, and bisphenol A (BPA) which are hazardous to corals. Samples were analyzed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS). Although diuron and chlorpyrifos usage is only well recorded for farms and not for cities, these chemicals were detected in both rural and urban areas. Additionally, diuron concentration in urban areas was in some cases higher than in rural areas, which might be caused by greater consumption of these chemicals in home gardens in city areas. Irgarol 1051 was detected in downstream river areas, which are situated far from the source sites such as pier or fishery harbor (0.6–3.2 km). This result suggested that Irgarol 1051 could be transported from the river mouths to the sampling sites during flood tides. High BPA concentrations were associated with urban areas (<1.2–22.0 μg kg⁻¹), while low concentrations were associated with rural areas (nd–6.8 μg kg⁻¹). The river sediments under study are delivered to coral reefs in large quantity through runoff caused by typhoons and other heavy rains. The highly hazardous chemicals are carried into coral reefs on these sediments. Therefore, these hazardous chemical substances may already be influencing the coral reefs.     

Transfer of brominated flame retardants from components into dust inside television cabinets

Television (TV) set components are highly flame resistant, with their added brominated compounds such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). These compounds might be released indoors via dust, which presents a potential exposure pathway for humans in the home environment. In this study, we collected dust from inside TV sets and TV set component samples (parts of housing front cabinets, rear cabinets and circuit boards) of five sets used in Japan. We measured BFRs (i.e., PBDEs, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs)) and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PBDD/DFs). Analytical results of the TV components showed that the concentrations of PBDEs, TBBPA and PBDFs (48,000mug/g, 19,000mug/g and 9600ng/g as mean values, respectively) were all highest in the rear cabinets. The SigmaPBDD concentrations (460ng/g as a mean value) detected were highest in the circuit board samples. The respective SigmaPBDE and SigmaPBDF concentrations in the dust samples were 67-500mug/g (mean 300mug/g) and 180-650ng/g (mean 410ng/g). Such concentrations were 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than those previously reported for house dust samples, which suggests that the brominated compounds are transferred from TV components into dust. Comparison of congener patterns of the brominated compounds in the dust identified the components as the source of these BFRs.     

A Survey of Perception, Knowledge, Awareness, and attitude in Regard to Environmental Problems in a Sample of two Different Social Groups in Jakarta, Indonesia

A quantitative study was conducted in 1998 to investigate differences in perception, knowledge, awareness, and attitude with regard to environmental problems between educated and community groups and to identify human-dimension factors to improve public perception, knowledge, awareness, and attitude in relation to global environmental conservation concerns in developing countries. Educated and community groups in Jakarta were interviewed, and data obtained from a total of 537 males aged 30-49 years were analyzed. The data were evaluated by the chi-squared test and logistic regression was applied after factor analysis. The results show that: (1) The perception, knowledge, awareness, and attitude of educated subjects in regard to regional and global environmental problems were much better than those of subjects in the community group; (2) The highest 'yes' response in the community group was in regard to perception of AIDS (82.9%). Few subjects in the community group knew the effects and the cause or source of environmental problems, however, they were well informed about AIDS (86.4% for effects and 93.9% for cause or source). The conclusions are: (1) subjects in the educated group had better perception, more detailed knowledge, were more aware, and had better attitudes in regard to regional and global environmental problems than those in the community group; (2) more education is needed to develop environmental actions and ethics in developing countries; (3) non-formal environmental education through popular mass media should be used more widely and frequently, and more detailed information on the environment should be provided to literate people by newspapers and other means.     

In vitro pesticide degradation in turfgrass soil incubated under open and sealed conditions

Degradation of selected pesticides was conducted in a turfgrass soil from a golf course under open (i.e., allowing gas exchange with atmosphere) and sealed systems. The time required for 50% of the initial dose of fenitrothion (O,O-dimethyl O-4-nitro-m-tolyl phosphorothioate), diazinon (O,O-dimethyl O-2-isopropyl-6-methylpyrimidin4-yl phosphorothioate), iprodione [3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-N-isopropyl-2,4-dioxo-imidazolidine-1-carboxamide], mecoprop [(RS)-2-(4-chloro-otolyloxy)propionic acid], and asulam (4-aminophenylsulfonyl-carbamate) to dissipate (half-life, t 1/2) was less than 2 wk under both conditions. The t 1/2 values of dithiopyr (S,S'-dimethyl 2-difluoromethyl-4-isobutyl-6-trifluoro-methylpyridine-3,5-dicarbothioate) were 324 and 185 d under the open and sealed conditions, respectively. The t 1/2 values of isoprothiolane (di-isopropyl 1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene-malonate), flutolanil (alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-3'-isopropoxy-o-toluanilide), and benefin (N-butyl-N-ethyl-alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine) under the open conditions were 154, 336, and 47 d, respectively. The t 1/2 values of these pesticides increased slightly under the sealed conditions. The t 1/2 values of terbutol (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl N-methycarbamate) and one of the major degradation products, N-demethyl-terbutol (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl carbamate), were 182 and 291 d under the open conditions and increased by six- and threefold under the sealed conditions, respectively. The degradation system under the sealed conditions could characterize the persistence of terbutol and N-demethyl-terbutol, which were the most persistent in the field.     

Control of electrostatic charge for powder by using feedback control-type ionizer system

As a method to prevent or mitigate cone discharges in a specific section such as a large silo, we have developed a new feedback control-type ionizer system. The feedback control-type system is composed mainly of an ionizer, an electrostatic field strength meter, and computer control equipment. In this study, we evaluated experimentally the practical version of the feedback control-type ionizer system through several tests in a pneumatic powder transport facility. The specific charges of the falling pellets in the silo were also measured for 10 s using a Faraday cage. Polypropylene (PP) pellets with a mean particle size of 3 mm were used in this experiment. The results of the experiment revealed that the feedback control-type ionizer system had the following characteristics: (1) it is possible to control the performance of the ionizer with a supply current; (2) the electrostatic field strength in the loading pipe from the charged powder is reduced and maintained at near zero by using the feedback control-type system; and (3) the performance of the feedback control-type system is superior to that of others, such as the conventional AC- or DC-type ionizers.     

Flame retardants in indoor dust and air of a hotel in Japan

Occurrence of flame retardants (FRs) in the indoor environment of highly flame-retarded public facilities is an important concern from the viewpoint of exposure because it is likely that FRs are used to a greater degree in these facilities than in homes. For this study, brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) and organophosphate flame-retardants and plasticizers (OPs), and brominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PBDD/DFs) were measured in eight floor dust samples taken from a Japanese commercial hotel that was assumed to have many flame-retardant materials. Concentrations of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) varied by about two orders of magnitude, from 9.8–1700 ng/g (median of 1200 ng/g) and from 72–1300 ng/g (median of 740 ng/g), respectively. Concentrations of the two types of BFRs described above were most dominant among the investigated BFRs in the dust samples. It is inferred that BFR and PBDD/DF concentrations are on the same level as those in house and office dust samples reported based on past studies. Regarding concentrations of 11 OPs, 7 OPs were detected on the order of micrograms per gram, which are equivalent to or exceed the BFR concentrations such as PBDEs and HBCDs. Concentrations of the investigated compounds were not uniform among dust samples collected throughout the hotel: concentrations differed among floors, suggesting that localization of source products is associated with FR concentrations in dust. Passive air sampling was also conducted to monitor BFRs in the indoor air of hotel rooms: the performance of an air cleaner placed in the room was evaluated in terms of reducing airborne BFR concentrations. Monitoring results suggest that operation of an appropriate air cleaner can reduce both gaseous and particulate BFRs in indoor air.     

Multi-level perspectives with technology readiness measures for aviation innovation

Sustainability science requires the development of a theoretical framework to understand, analyze, and design innovation to solve social, economic, and environmental issues. This paper extends the framework of multi-level perspectives (MLP) by introducing a technology readiness level (TRL), and analyzes the innovation of the advanced turboprop (ATP) engine in the aviation industry, also known as a propfan or an open rotor engine, which is one of the most promising engine innovations expected to mitigate climate change. The concept of TRL was introduced to explain the mechanisms of ATP failure in the late 1980s as well as the transition of the geared turbofan (GTF). In this paper, we discuss why ATP and GTF faced different fates although both were developed under the same landscape in the aviation industry. We also discuss the different roles of the socio-technical regime, such as uneven and dynamic opportunity windows, technological readiness, niche stock, institutional support of export products, and the risk of a ‘launch’ customer, at different TRLs. As illustrated in this paper, MLP with TRL is expected to facilitate future interdisciplinary collaboration between social scientists and engineers, and also transdisciplinary expertise between academia and practitioners by supporting analysis and design of the industry’s transition toward a more environmentally friendly regime as well as its effective management.