Organic dust and gaseous contaminants at wood working shops

Airborne dust bioaerosols, ammonia and formaldehyde levels were determined inside two different (ventilated and unventilated) wood working shops. Airborne dust was found at mean values of 4.3 and 3.01 mg m(-3). These levels were higher than that recommended by Egyptian environmental law [1 mg m(-3) indoor maximum allowable concentration (MAC) for hard wood]. The highest frequency of aerodynamic size distribution of airborne wood dust was detected at a diametre of 4.9 microm which was recorded during a machining operation. Total viable bacteria were recorded at a mean value of 10(4) colony-forming units (cfu) m(-3), whereas Gram-negative bacteria were found at very low counts (10(1) cfu m(-3)). Fungi levels were recorded at mean values of 10(3) and 10(2) cfu m(-3) in ventilated and unventilated shops, respectively. Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and yeast species were dominant isolates. Moreover, actinomycetes were found at a mean value of 10(3) cfu m(-3) at both workshops. Ammonia was detected in relatively low concentrations (mean values of 457 and 623 microg m(-3)), whereas formaldehyde was found in relatively moderate concentrations (mean values of 0.42 and 0.64 ppm).     

Indoor air quality during renovation actions: a case study

A temporary renovation activity releases considerably high concentrations of particulate matter, viable and non-viable, into air. These pollutants are a potential contributor to unacceptable indoor air quality (IAQ). Particulate matter and its constituents lead, sulfate, nitrate, chloride, ammonium and fungi as well as fungal spores in air were evaluated in a building during renovation action. Suspended dust was recorded at a mean value of 6.1 mg m(-3) which exceeded the Egyptian limit values for indoor air (0.15 mg m(-3)) and occupational environments (5 mg m(-3)). The highest particle frequency (23%) of aerodynamic diameter (dae) was 1.7 microm. Particulate sulfate (SO(4)(2-)), nitrate (NO(3)(-)), chloride (Cl(-)), ammonium (NH(4)(+)) and lead components of suspended dust averaged 2960, 28, 1350, 100 and 13.3 microg m(-3), respectively. Viable fungi associated with suspended dust and that in air averaged 1.11 x 10(6) colony forming unit per gram (cfu g(-1)) and 92 colony forming unit per plate per hour (cfu p(-1) h(-1)), respectively. Cladosporium(33%), Aspergillus(25.6%), Alternaria(11.2%) and Penicillium(6.6%) were the most frequent fungal genera in air, whereas Aspergillus(56.8%), Penicillium(10.3%) and Eurotium(10.3%) were the most common fungal genera associated with suspended dust. The detection of Aureobasidium, Epicoccum, Exophiala, Paecilomyces, Scopulariopsis, Ulocladium and Trichoderma is an indication of moisture-damaged building materials. Alternaria, Aureobasidium, Cladosporium, Scopulariopsis and Nigrospora have dae > 5 microm whereas Aspergillus, Penicillium and Verticillium have dae < 5 microm which are suited to penetrate deeply into lungs. Particulate matter from the working area infiltrates the occupied zones if precautionary measures are inadequate. This may cause deterioration of IAQ, discomfort and acute health problems. Renovation should be carefully designed and managed, in order to minimize degradation of the indoor and outdoor air quality.     

Recommendations on chemicals management policy and legislation in the framework of the Egyptian–German twinning project on hazardous substances and waste management

The sustainable management of chemicals and their associated wastes—especially legacy stockpiles—is always challenging. Developing countries face particular difficulties as they often have insufficient treatment and disposal capacity, have limited resources and many lack an appropriate and effective regulatory framework. This paper describes the objectives and the approach of the Egyptian–German Twinning Project under the European Neighbourhood Policy to improve the strategy of managing hazardous substances in the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) between November 2008 and May 2011. It also provides an introduction to the Republic of Egypt’s legal and administrative system regarding chemical controls. Subsequently, options for a new chemical management strategy consistent with the recommendations of the United Nations Chemicals Conventions are proposed. The Egyptian legal and administrative system is discussed in relation to the United Nations’ recommendations and current European Union legislation for the sound management of chemicals. We also discuss a strategy for the EEAA to use the existing Egyptian legal system to implement the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, the Stockholm Convention and other proposed regulatory frameworks. The analysis, the results, and the recommendations presented may be useful for other developing countries in a comparable position to Egypt aspiring to update their legislation and administration to the international standards of sound management of chemicals.     

Enhancement of radon exposure in smoking areas

Radium-226 is a significant source of radon-222 which enters buildings through soil, construction materials or water supply. When cigarette smoke is present, the radon daughters attach to smoke particles. Thus, the alpha radiation to a smoker’s lungs from the natural radon daughters is increased because of smoking. To investigate whether the cigarette tobacco itself is a potential source of indoor radon, the α potential energy exposure level contents of radon (²²²Rn, 3.82d) and Thoron (²²⁰Rn, 55.60s) were measured in 10 different cigarette tobacco samples using CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). The results showed that the ^{222, 220}Rn concentrations in these samples ranged from 128 to 266 and 49 to 148 Bqm⁻³, respectively. The radon concentrations emerged from all investigated samples were significantly higher than the background level. Also, the annual equivalent doses from the samples were determined. The mean values of the equivalent dose were 3.51 (0.89) and 1.44 (0.08) mSvy⁻¹, respectively. Measurement of the average indoor radon concentrations in 20 café rooms was, significantly, higher than 20 smoking-free residential houses. The result refers to the dual (chemical and radioactive) effect of smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer.     

Effect of Gamma Radiation on the Properties of Crosslinked Chitosan Nano-composite Film

Chitosan nano-composite film crosslinked by citric acid and with glycerol as plasticizer and MgO as antibacterial agent was prepared by casting method. MgO nanoparticles were synthesized via calcination method in furnace at 500 °C for 4 h and characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. The chitosan nano-composite film with composition chitosan/citric/glycerol/magnesium oxide (1 wt%:1 wt%:75 vol%:10 wt%) has high mechanical properties than other films. The effects of different irradiation doses on the mechanical, thermal and antibacterial activity were investigated. The tensile strength enhanced by increasing irradiation dose up to 10 kGy and the elongation negligible changed as irradiation dose increased. The thermal stability slightly increased up to dose 2.5 kGy then decreased with dose increment. The antimicrobial activity film was studied against white mulberry-borne bacterial pathogens either Gram positive or Gram negative bacteria and has positive impact of gamma irradiation on the antimicrobial activity. The use of the selected chitosan nano-composite film which irradiated by dose of 2.5 kGy and has magnesium oxide of average particle size 54.3 nm as new packaging materials found to improve storage quality and shelf-life of mulberry fruit.     

微囊藻毒素-LR多克隆抗体的制备

通过对新西兰大白兔免疫自制的微囊藻毒素-LR(Microcystin-LR,MC-LR)完全抗原BSA-MC-LR,获得了质量较好的抗MC-LR的多克隆抗体,间接ELISA表明抗体的效价能达到1.5×10⁵;固定包被抗原OVA-MC-LR,采用间接竞争ELISA测定水体中的微囊藻毒素,标准曲线表明对水样中MC-LR的检测下限为10ng/L,线性区间为30ng/L·3μg/L,能满足对饮用水和地表水中MC-LR的检测要求.     

Meiobenthic nematode Oncholaimus campylocercoides as a model in laboratory studies: selection,culture, and fluorescence microscopy after exposure to phenanthrene and chrysene

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Numerous studies have focused on the response of meiofauna after exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), but none has been devoted to...     

Tank mixture additives approach to improve efficiency of bentazon against broadleaf weeds in peas

Efficiency of different tank-mixed additives with bentazon at half rate was investigated on (Malva parviflora) and other broad leaf weeds compared with bentazon at the full recommended rate without additives in peas in open field. All the tested additives enhanced the efficiency of bentazon at the half rate. Nonyl phenol and toximol S proved to be the most effective additives in comparison with the full rate treatment. The tested treatments did not show any significant effect on chlorophyll content and soil microorganisms. Bentazon residues were determined in certain treatments to investigate the effect of the tested additives on bentazon deposition. Samples were extracted using QuEChERS method and residues were determined using LC-MS/MS. Residues after 24 hours in the half rate treatment reached 4 times lower than the Maximum Residues Limit (MRL) (0.11 mg kg(-1)), compared to the full rate treatment (0.51 mg kg(-1)), that was slightly above the MRL.     

Senna alexandrina extract supplementation reverses hepatic oxidative,inflammatory, and apoptotic effects of cadmium chloride administration in rats

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Senna alexandrina is traditionally used for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but little information is available concerning its...