Catalytic activity of noble metal nanoparticles toward hydrodechlorination: influence of catalyst electronic structure and nature of adsorption

In this study, stabilized Pd, Pt and Au nanoparticles were successfully prepared in aqueous phase using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a capping agent. These metal nanoparticles were then tested for catalytic hydrodechlorination toward two classes of organochlorinated compounds (vinyl polychlorides including trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and alkyl polychlorides including 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA), and 1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane (1,1,1,2-TeCA)) to determine the rate-limiting steps and to explore the reaction mechanisms. The surface area normalized reaction rate constant, k_SA, showed a systematic dependence on the electronic structure (the density of states at the Fermi level) of the metals, suggesting that adsorption of organochlorinated reactants on the metal catalyst surfaces is the rate-limiting step for catalytic hydrodechlorination. Hydrodechlorination rates of 1,1,1-TCA and 1,1,1,2-TeCA agreed with the bond strength of the first (weakest) dissociated C-Cl bond, suggesting that C-Cl bond cleavage, which is the first step for dissociative adsorption of the alkyl polychlorides, controlled the catalytic hydrodechlorination rate. However, hydrodechlorination rates of TCE and PCE correlated with the adsorption energies of their molecular (non-dissociative) adsorption on the noble metals rather than with the first C-Cl bond strength, suggesting that molecular adsorption governs the reaction rate for hydrodechlorination of the vinyl polychlorides.     

典型电子废物中多溴联苯醚的模拟浸出释放特征

选取废旧打印机外壳为典型电子废物,以商用腐殖酸溶液为浸提剂,采用浸出试验,模拟研究了废旧打印机外壳中PBDEs(多溴联苯醚)在简易填埋或与生活垃圾共处置场景下,在不同废物粒径、浸提剂DOC浓度、pH、浸提时间和液固比下的浸出特征. 分别用索氏提取法和液液萃取法提取废旧打印机外壳及其浸出液中的PBDEs,采用气相色谱-质谱法(GC-MS)对11种PBDEs同系物的浓度进行定性、定量检测. 结果表明,废旧打印机外壳中BDE28、BDE47、BDE66、BDE85、BDE99、BDE100、BDE153、BDE154被检出,而在浸出液中仅有BDE28、BDE47、BDE66、BDE85、BDE99、BDE153被检出,∑₆PBDEs的浸出率仅为0.04%~0.44%;垃圾渗滤液和土壤溶液中DOM可以促进废旧打印机外壳中PBDEs的浸出,随着浸提剂ρ(DOC)的增大,PBDEs的浸出量增加;在酸性条件下PBDEs的浸出量低于在中性条件下的浸出量;随着浸出时间的延长,PBDEs的浸出量不断增加,但在试验设定的480h内,没有得到一个液固体系的平衡时间,可见废旧打印机外壳中PBDEs的浸出是一个缓慢释放的过程.      

电子废物管理体系研究

分析了欧盟、日本、美国等国家的电子废物管理体系主要特点,并介绍我国电子废物管理现状和主要措施,在此基础上归纳总结了当前电子废物管理存在的主要问题并提出相关建议。     

居民电子废物回收行为影响因素的实证研究

基于对350名城市居民的问卷调查结果,运用验证性因子分析方法对居民的电子废物回收行为、行为意向及其影响因素进行了实证研究.结果表明,基于计划行为理论所建立的结构方程模型可以较为有效地诠释有关研究假设,环境知识、舆论宣传和垃圾分类等情境因素对电子废物回收行为具有调节作用.知觉行为控制对于行为意向转化为行为具有非常重要地促进作用,而便利状况则是影响知觉行为控制的重要因素.     

An Attempt at Preventing Asthenopia Among VDT Workers

We report the results of 3 surveys of visual display terminal (VDT) users who took a minibreak during which they viewed a stereoscopic image of a repeating parallel pattern showing planets. The single image stereogram method employed is called Stretch Eye^TM, and we evaluated the effects of Stretch Eye^TM on asthenopia. An accommodative relaxation of about 1 D was observed in participants while they were gazing at the image. The employees of 2 information technology companies were evaluated according to a visual analogue scale (VAS) for subjective symptoms of asthenopia and eyesight. The results showed that Stretch Eye^TM was effective in easing visual fatigue due to VDT work and it improved eyesight under working conditions.     

Attributes of Occupational Injury Among Workers in the Chemical Industry and Safety Issues

Case-study research was carried out with a view to find the attributes of occupational injury among workers in the chemical industry and to enhance safety issues. Injury data were collected and processed in terms of different variables, such as age, gender, skills, type of hazard, etc. Pareto analysis was then applied to find a pattern of occupational injury among the workers. The study revealed that 79.52% of the injured workers were in the 40–59 age group; 57.14% of accidents occurred during the 1st shift; 73.26% of accidents caused injury to hands, feet, chest to thigh, arms and eyes; and 70.93% of injuries were caused by pumps, carrying and lifting, vehicles, pipelines, valves, and grinding. Surprisingly, no one was injured in the group of temporary workers. The paper also provides specific suggestions followed by some action plans.     

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders at Workplaces in the People’s Republic of China

This paper presents 2 musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire surveys in 10 different Chinese occupational groups. Data collected from 1,603 workers using a modified Nordic musculoskeletal disorders symptom questionnaire showed that the 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, particularly in the low back and shoulder-neck regions, was high at many Chinese workplaces. Significant differences existed between occupational groups. Assembly workers usually had higher neck-shoulder complaints compared to workers in most other occupations. However, the nature of assembly seemed also to influence the prevalence rate. Workers at a cassette recorder and a TV set assembly plant appeared to have more neck complaints compared with a group of thermos flask assemblers.     

Postural Loading Assessment in Assembly Workers of an Iranian Telecommunication Manufacturing Company

Background. Changes in industries and work practices have coincided with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of MSDs and to assess postural loading in assembly workers of an Iranian telecommunication manufacturing company. Methods. Data were collected from 193 randomly selected workers in 4 units of the company. The Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire and the UBC ergonomic checklist were used as data collection tools. Loading on the upper body assessment (LUBA) was used to assess postural loading. Results. Lower back symptoms were the most prevalent problems among the workers (67.9%). LUBA showed that most assembly workers (94.3%) had experienced considerable and high postural loading (postural load index, PLI > 5). Regression analyses revealed that lighting, rotation, contact stress, repetition, gender and age were factors associated with symptoms. Conclusion. Work-related MSDs occurred at a high rate among workers. Postural loading requires consideration. Any ergonomic intervention should focus on eliminating ergonomic factors associated with symptoms.     

Occupational Exposure to Natural UV Radiation and Premature Skin Ageing

The skin is the part of the human body most vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The spectrum of the negative effects of UV radiation on the skin ranges from acute erythema to carcinogenesis. Between these extreme conditions, there are other common skin lesions, e.g.,photoageing. The aim of this study was to assess the skin for signs of photoageing in a group of 52 men occupationally exposed to natural UV radiation. There were 2 types of examinations: an examination of skin condition (moisture, elasticity, sebum, porosity, smoothness, discolourations and wrinkles) with a device for diagnosing the skin, and a dermatological examination. The results of both examinations revealed a higher percentage of skin characteristics typical for photoageing in outdoor workers compared to the general population.     

Investigation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among male kitchen workers in South India

Objective. This study aims to quantify the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and risks among male kitchen workers in the catering industry. Method. Data were collected with the help of the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and by direct observations. Results. In total, 114 male kitchen workers from various hostels of a college in South India were considered for this study. The average age and mean years of employment of the workers are 26.4 (SD 7.7) and 7.8 respectively. The statistical analysis carried out reveals that 67.5% of male kitchen workers reported MSDs during the past 12 months. The highest prevalence rate has been found in the lower back (65.8%) and shoulder region (62.3%). Among different categories of kitchen work analyzed, it is evident that chief cooks suffer more from MSDs (79.2%) than assistant cooks (74.3%) and kitchen aides (30.0%). Workers in the older group, i.e., ≥41 years, and workers with 6–10 years of experience suffer with higher risk of MSDs, i.e., 93.9% and 87.5%, respectively. Conclusion. The male kitchen workers who participated in this research were found to possess both MSDs and ergonomic hazards.