Investigation of volatile organic compounds and phthalates present in the cabin air of used private cars

The presence of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including aromatic, aliphatic compounds and low molecular weight carbonyls, and a target set of phthalates were investigated in the interior of 23 used private cars during the summer and winter. VOC concentrations often exceeded levels typically found in residential indoor air, e.g. benzene concentrations reached values of up to 149.1 µg m^− 3. Overall concentrations were 40% higher in summer, with temperatures inside the cars reaching up to 70 °C. The most frequently detected phthalates were di-n-butyl-phthalate and bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in concentrations ranging from 196 to 3656 ng m^− 3.     

Eco-material selection using fuzzy TOPSIS method

In the classical multiple attribute decision-making or MADM methods, the ratings and the weights of the criteria are known precisely. However, in eco-material selection exercises, the available data are typically inadequate because of the selection dual quantitative and qualitative natures. Some of the qualitative selection criteria can be rated in several classes rather being expressed by exact numerical values; hence the application of fuzzy concepts in decision-making seems attractive to deal with such kind of ratings. Thusly, the presented study attempts to propose an eco-material selection approach specific to the automobile body panels using a fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), to incorporate both numerical and rating-based criteria into one holistic sustainability model. TOPSIS and fuzzy logic can aid the material selection process in translating the design goals and parameters into usable numbers that in turn can be used to rank candidate materials in their closeness to the ideal solution. An additional uniqueness of this study stems from using the fuzzy-TOPSIS as a scoring tool without any assigned weights for the different selection attributes, in order to avoid the bias that is typically associated with other classical MADM, such as quality function deployment, analytical hierarchy process and digital logic.     

Lose some, save some: Obesity, automobile demand, and gasoline consumption

This paper examines the unexplored link between the prevalence of overweight and obesity and vehicle demand in the United States. Exploring annual sales data of new passenger vehicles at the model level in 48 U.S. counties from 1999 to 2005, we find that new vehicles demanded by consumers are less fuel-efficient on average as a larger share of people become overweight or obese. The OLS results show that a 10 percentage point increase in obesity and overweight reduces the average MPG of new vehicles demanded by 1.4 percent, an effect requiring a 12 cent increase in gasoline prices to counteract. The 2SLS results after controlling for possible endogeneity in overweight and obesity prevalence put those two numbers at 5 percent and 54 cent, respectively. These findings, robust to a variety of specifications, suggest that policies to reduce overweight and obesity can have additional benefits for energy security and the environment.     

Effects of legal BAC limits on fatal crash involvement: analyses of 28 states from 1976 through 2002

PROBLEM: Hundreds of laws have been implemented in the United States over the past few decades designed to reduce alcohol-impaired driving and the crashes that often result. One approach has been to lower the legally allowable alcohol concentration for drivers. We examined the effects of changes in legal BAC limit in 28 U.S. states from January, 1976 to December, 2002. METHOD: An interrupted time-series quasi-experimental design was used, incorporating non-alcohol-related crashes as comparisons. Four outcome measures of alcohol-related crash involvement were examined: single-vehicle nighttime, BAC=0.01-0.07, BAC=0.08-0.14, and BAC>/=0.15. Missing BAC test result data were handled by using multiple imputations. Analyses involved estimation of state-specific ARIMA models, controlling for other factors affecting overall crash rates and other major DUI policy changes. Inverse variance weighting methods were used to pool results across states for the most precise underlying estimate of effect of legal BAC limits. RESULTS: Considerable state by state variability in estimated effects was observed, but results from the pooled analyses were clear and consistent. Changes in legal BAC limits significantly affected alcohol-related fatal crash involvement for both the SVN and BAC test result measures, and the laws affected drivers at all drinking levels. SUMMARY: An estimated 360 deaths are prevented each year in the United States as a result of the move from a 0.10 to 0.08 legal limit in recent years, and an additional 538 lives could be saved each year if the United States reduced the limit to 0.05, consistent with limits in most countries worldwide. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Given the significant effects of lower legal BAC limits on fatal crash involvement, businesses should support implementation of laws that further reduce the legal BAC limit for all drivers. Furthermore, all companies should set higher standards for employees, such as a zero allowable BAC limit for driving during work time.     

汽车喷漆、烤漆修理厂存在的事故隐患及治理对策

介绍了汽车喷漆、烤漆修理厂的事故隐患,采取的整改措施。整改后将使其达到安全卫生条件。     

Prevalence of drink-driving among adults in China: A nationally representative survey in 2010

Objective: We examined the prevalence of and characteristics associated with drink-driving in China. We compared this study's drink-driving findings with those from the United States to explore how effective traffic safety interventions from Western cultures might be adapted for use in China.

Methods: Data from the 2010 China Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Survey were analyzed to describe the prevalence and characteristics associated with drink-driving in China.

Results: Overall, 1.5% of Chinese adults reported drink-driving in the past 30 days—3% of males and 0.1% of females. However, among males who had driven a vehicle in the past 30 days and consumed at least one alcoholic beverage in the past 30 days, 19% reported drink-driving during the 30-day period. Excessive drinking, binge drinking, nonuse of seat belts, and having been injured in a road traffic crash in the past year were most strongly associated with drink-driving among males.

Conclusions: Drink-driving is prevalent among male drivers in China. Although large differences exist between China and the United States in the proportion of adults who drive, the proportion who consume alcohol, and some of the personal characteristics of those who drink and drive, similarities between the 2 countries are present in patterns of risk behaviors among drink-driving. To reduce injuries and deaths from drink-driving, effective interventions from Western cultures need to be tailored for adoption in China.     

新型汽车尾气净化催化剂的适应性能

研制了一种新的汽车尾气净化催化剂。其贵金属以Ｐｔ，Ｐｄ为主活性组分，载体以堇青石陶瓷蜂窝体涂复天然沸石粉，经测定，催化剂净化汽车尾气的活性，热稳定性，及抗铅，中毒等性能均较好，台架试验表明，催化箱对ＨＣ和ＣＯ均有很高的净化效果，ＨＣ转化率≥８５％，ＣＯ转化率≥９１％，并且该催化剂具有良好的冷起动性能。     

汽车修配厂含油废水处理工程分析

研究了汽车修配厂含油废水的处理技术，提出了隔油－混凝－澄清－过滤处理工艺；根据该工艺设计的汽车修配厂含油废水的处理工程；运行的实际测定结果表明，其处理后的废水，ＣＯＤｃｒ可降到３５ｍｇ／Ｌ，油可降到８ｍｇ／Ｌ，ＳＳ可降到２０ｍｇ／Ｌ，色度可降到１０度，处理后的水可达到广州市的废水处理排放标准，并可回收再利用。     

非调质钢的特性及在汽车上的应用

综述了非调质钢的工艺性能和力学性能及在汽车上的应用.说明非调质钢具有切削加工性能良好,可实施焊接和表面处理;节约能源、简化生产工序、大幅度降低成本等优点.     

燃料电池汽车的环境意义

介绍了燃料电池的结构，特点和燃料电池动力汽车的发展概况；通过比较，阐述了燃料电池汽车的环境意义。