The impact of implementation of the requirements of Standard No. OHSAS 18001:2007 to reduce the number of injuries at work and financial costs in the Republic of Croatia

This article contains the results of research into the impact of implementation of the requirements mentioned in Standard No. OHSAS 18001:2007 to reduce the number of injuries at work and the financial costs incurred in this way. The study was conducted on a determined sample by a written questionnaire survey method in the Republic of Croatia. The objective of the empirical research is to determine the impact of implementation of the requirements of Standard No. OHSAS 18001:2007 to reduce the number of injuries at work and financial costs in Croatia in business organizations that implement these requirements. To provide a broader picture, the research included the collection and analysis of data on the impact of the Standard No. OHSAS 18001:2007 on accidents and fatalities at work. Research findings are based on the analysis of performed statistical data where correlation and regression analysis has been applied.     

Investment Evaluation of an Integrated Steel Mill using Multiple Criteria

A conventional steel manufacturing process generates considerable amounts of reject streams and secondary raw material. These streams are either recycled back to the process or treated as waste. Recycling affects negatively on the production yield and on the controllability of unit operations. Waste represents considerable cost unless utilized in another production process as raw material. In these streams, there exists a potential to use the chemical elements more effectively. Therefore, it might be interesting to find an economical technical solution to collect the streams and increase steel production.

Investments on process equipment are typically evaluated using conventional economic figures, like payback time, Net Present Value (NPV) etc. The problem with these practices is, that they consider only numerical aspects. Non-numerical and non-economical criteria are hard to cater to the evaluation. Still, they may affect on the investment profitability in the long run. Such criteria include environmental friendliness or the aspects of process integration.

The article presents a comparison of a conventional steel manufacturing process with one reject stream processing alternative. A target in the process modification is to optimize the use of material and energy within the site. The comparison is based on a balanced set of criteria that affect on the efficiency of an investment. The use of these criteria is a part of the new methodology that has been developed to evaluate investments on integrated process sites. In addition to the criteria, the complete methodology includes: 1) connection of company’s strategic issues into technical design and decision making, 2) optimization of the process and calculation of process potentials (differences in the performance values between the existing process and the modified process) through the use of process integration methodologies and 3) use of decision-making aids. The research is a part of Finnish National Technology Program, “Process-Integration 2000–2004”.     

PAH mass concentrations measured in PM10 particle fraction

This paper presents daily, monthly and yearly variations of PAH mass concentrations measured in PM(10) particle fraction, collected at one measuring site in Zagreb air between 2001 and 2004, and seasonal differences in PAH mass concentrations in PM(10) samples collected from 21 March 2003 to 20 March 2004. Twenty-four hour samples were taken in the northern residential part of Zagreb using a low-volume (50 m(3)) sampler and glass or quartz filters. The analysis was performed using a high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) and fluorescence detector with changeable excitation and emission wavelength. The annual average mass concentrations over the four-year measuring period for BaP ranged from 1.17 ng/m(3) in 2004 to 1.87 ng/m(3) in 2003 and were below the limit value (2 ng/m(3)) set by the Ordinance on Recommended and Limit Air Quality Values in Croatia. The highest concentrations of all PAHs measured in PM(10) samples collected from 21 March 2003 to 20 March 2004 were found in the winter and the lowest in the summer. Winter average of BaP was 2.94 ng/m(3) and summer average 0.12 ng/m(3). Autumn average was 2.76 ng/m(3) and was very similar to winter concentrations. Spring average of 0.58 ng/m(3) was higher than the summer average (0.12 ng/m(3)). Mass concentrations of all measured PAHs were much higher in the autumn than in the spring. Although annual averages for BaP did not exceed the limit value, autumn and winter BaP mass concentrations did, which calls for measures for reducing PAH emissions in the autumn and winter.     

Future climate and adverse health effects caused by fine particulate matter air pollution: case study for Poland

Ground level air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), has been associated with a number of adverse health effects. The dispersion of PM_2.5 through the atmosphere depends on several mutually connected anthropogenic, geophysical and meteorological parameters, all of which are affected by climate change. This study examines how projected climate change would affect population exposure to PM_2.5 air pollution in Poland. Population exposure to PM_2.5 in Poland was estimated for three decades: the 1990s, 2040s and 2090s. Future climate conditions were projected by Regional Climate Model RegCM (Beta), forced by the general atmospheric circulation model ECHAM5. The dispersion of PM_2.5 was simulated with chemical transport model CAMx version 4.40. Population exposure estimates of PM_2.5 were 18.3, 17.2 and 17.1 μg/m³ for the 1990s, 2040s and 2090s, respectively. PM_2.5 air pollution was estimated to cause approximately 39,800 premature deaths in the population of Poland in the year 2000. Our results indicate that in Poland, climate change may reduce the levels of exposure to anthropogenic particulate air pollution in future decades and that this reduction will reduce adverse health effects caused by the air pollution.     

How living systems recognize applied electromagnetic fields

Natural and man-made magnetic and electromagnetic fields are important factors in the contemporary life. The paper discusses the role of environmental magnetic and electromagnetic fields in origin and evolution of life. A brief review of the characteristics of Earth magnetic field, Earth magnetosphere, and their role as a shield for cosmic radiation follows. The role of endogenous and exogenous magnetic fields is discussed in respect of the clarification of the potential hazard and benefit of electromagnetic fields. The second part of the paper discusses the mechanisms of detection and response to exogenous electromagnetic fields, as well as threshold versus window hypothesis for mechanisms of interactions. Finally, the necessity of accurate dosimetry at the target site and the importance of relevant research and clinical protocols in studying biological responses are pointed out.     

Exploring the Park–People Relation: Collection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vaccinium Myrtillus</Emphasis> L. by Local People From Kopaonik National Park in Serbia

Exploitation of certain resources within a protected area on a sustainable basis could contribute to higher living standards of rural people, particularly those in poor countries, and decrease conflicts between these populations and park authorities. This article presents data from a case study of Kopaonik National Park (NP), Serbia, which is a park with natural resources, most notably bilberries, which have always been relied on by local people. Vaccinium myrtillus traditionally has been collected for decades in Kopaonik NP and used by local people. However, little is known about the socioeconomic and ecological relations that affect the collection and use of this species. The aim of the present study was to understand how local people collect bilberries in Kopaonik NP and what their attitudes toward the park are. Household questionnaire data were used to examine how local people collect bilberries and how to improve the relations between local people and NP authorities. The survey questionnaire included 52 households from 7 local communities, and we applied a purposive sampling strategy. In addition, expert interviews were conducted, and from these data we obtained a broader understanding of the relation between local people and NP authorities. The results indicate that in Kopaonik NP, there is a conflict between pickers and NP authorities. Sustainable management should be directed toward the protection of bilberries. Education of local people is a key element in the sustainable collection and protection of natural resources.     

Exposure of microplastics to organic matter in waters enhances microplastic encapsulation into calcium carbonate

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Plastic pollution in water ecosystems is threatening the survival of wildlife. In particular, microplastics may be encapsulated into calcium carbonate, a crucial...     

Chemical properties and biodegradability of waste paper mill sludges to be used for landfill covering.

Waste paper mill sludges originating from different effluent treatment and de-inking installations are complex mixtures of inorganic and organic particles. Due to their favourable physico-chemical, and microbiological characteristics, they may be conveniently reused for different purposes as such or after appropriate pretreatment. Sludges from the Slovenian paper industry were extensively tested for their chemical, stability and sealing properties. During the biodegradability tests, evolutions of greenhouse gases CO2, CH4 and H2S as well as the concentrations of released volatile organic acids, such as acetic, propionic, butyric, lactic and glycollic acids as the typical degradation products of organic materials, were measured. Some other important parameters of water leachates such as pH, redox potential, content of starch and leachable ions were also evaluated. The results indicate that most of them can be efficiently applied as alternative hydraulic barrier layers for landfill construction and covering instead of the more expensive clay due to their good geomechanical properties, chemical inertness and microbiological stability. Such replacement brings about considerable economical and ecological benefits as the waste is reprocessed as secondary raw material.     

Environmental tritium of the Danube basin in Yugoslavia

An overview of environmental distribution of tritium in the Danube basin in Yugoslavia during the period 1976-1990 is presented. Temporal and regional variations of environmental tritium in the Danube along its flow (1425-847 km from the confluence) and its tributaries (the Sava, the Tisa, the Velika Morava and the Timok) at various locations, as well as in alluvial groundwaters, are given. In Belgrade, monthly values of tritium in rainfall ranged from 1.1 to 18.3 Bq litre(-1), with a maximum in the late spring and early summer months. The half-life for decline in concentration was estimated as 8.3+/-1.0 years. The total amount of tritium deposited in the first 6 months during 1976-90 was 35% larger than in the second 6 months for the same period. Seasonal variations were noticeable in rivers and groundwaters, but these were greatly attenuated and smoothed for the latter. Tritium content in the monthly composite samples from the river in the Belgrade region varied between 2.5 and 18.2 Bq litre(-1) for the Danube and from 1.5 to 16.8 Bq litre(-1) for the Sava. The yearly mean values along the Danube and its tributaries ranged from 2.4 to 15.9 Bq litre(-1) with individual measurements 1.0-30.2 Bq litre(-1). The half-lives were between 6.9+/-1.7 for the Velika Morava and 9.4+/-0.9 for the Danube. Groundwaters, particularly ones in the Ranney wells, followed changes of tritium content in the rivers with a time lag from a few days to a month. During the period of observation, tritium content decreased in alluvial waters with half-lives from 9.9+/-1.6 (Belgrade area) to 7.3+/-1.8 (the Velika Morava).