General prevention and risk minimization in LCA A combined approach

Methods for life cycle assessment of products (LCA) are most often based on the general prevention principle, as opposed to the risk minimization principle. Here, the desirability and feasibility of a combined approach are discussed, along with the conditions for elaboration in the framework of LCA methodology, and the consequences for LCA practice. A combined approach provides a separate assessment of above and below threshold pollution, offering the possibility to combat above threshold impacts with priority. Spatial differentiation in fate, exposure, and effect modelling is identified to play a central role in the implementation. The collection of region-specific data turns out to be the most elaborate requirement for the implementation in both methodology and practice. A methodological framework for the construction of characterization factors is provided. Along with spatial differentiation of existing parameters, two newly introduced spatial parameters play a key role: the sensitivity factor and the threshold factor. The practicability of the proposed procedure is illustrated by an example of its application. Providing a reasonable data availability, the development of separate LCA characterization factors for the respective assessment of pollution levels above and below environmental threshold values seems to be a feasible task that may add to LCA credibility.     

微波无极灯：一种具有前景的高效光催化光源

微波无极灯具有制造容易、价格低廉、能耗小和光强大等优点.作为光催化氧化的光源时,由于微波的协同作用可有效提高光催化活性,并能简化反应器.从发光机理、微波协同作用、优缺点和影响因素等方面,对微波无极灯在光催化领域的研究进行详细阐述.     

微纳米气泡/UV/K2S2O8协同处理模拟垃圾渗沥液

以垃圾渗沥液中的主要污染物冰乙酸、正丁酸、正己酸和氨组成的混合物为处理对象,采用微纳米气泡联合紫外灯活化过硫酸盐法处理模拟垃圾渗沥液,考察了反应时间、过硫酸钾投加量、pH、紫外灯功率、微纳米气泡进气量对污染物去除效果的影响。结果表明：微纳米气泡对紫外灯活化过硫酸盐法有显著的协同作用。当反应时间为180 min、过硫酸钾投加量为4 g·L⁻¹、pH=6、紫外灯功率为10 W、微纳米气泡进气量为30 mL·min⁻¹时,污染物的去除效果最佳,COD去除率为60.68%,TOC去除率为48.05%,氨氮去除率为42.1%。自由基淬灭实验结合EPR表征结果表明,羟基自由基和硫酸根自由基为降解过程中主要的活性物质。溶液中无机碳含量增加,说明废水中有机物分解为二氧化碳和水。     

Factors affecting the quantitative uncertainty of the estimated short-term intake. Part I—Calculation methods

ABSTRACT

The calculation of the combined uncertainty of the international estimated short-term intake (IESTI) of ethephon residues in apples is shown as an example. The ethephon residues in apples were reported by the Joint FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)/WHO (World Health Organization) Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR). The apple consumption data were taken from the IESTI (international short-term intake) calculation template used by the JMPR. The IESTI was calculated with the currently used method (case 2a) and a proposed one recommended by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority)/RIVM (Dutch National Institute for Public Health) Scientific Workshop co-sponsored by FAO and WHO. In this example, the ratio of IESTI_proposed/IESTI_current and their combined relative uncertainty are about 2.8, and 1.7, respectively. The larger IESTI and uncertainty obtained with the proposed equation are the consequence of calculation only with the large portion (LP) instead of its combination with unit mass, and the MRL instead of the highest residue (HR). The LP is the major contributor to the combined uncertainty. Both the calculated IESTI and its combined uncertainty depend on the actual food – pesticide residue combination, and should be calculated for each case.     

The BG Measurement System for Hazardous Substances (BGMG) and the Exposure Database of Hazardous Substances (MEGA)

German employers ‘ liability insurance associations or Berufsgenossenschaften (BGs)—institutions for statutoryaccident insurance—maintain a measurement system for hazardous substances, the so-called BGMG. The aimof the BGMG is to determine and document valid results of measurements of exposure primarily for preventionpurposes. The data are collected systematically, in parallel to the sampling in a company. Parameters which aresupposed to have a visible effect on exposure levels are documented. The MEGA database (documentation ofmeasurement data relating to workplace exposure to hazardous substances) holds 1,629 million measurementvalues, which have been compiled in since 1972. The database offers a host of selection possibilities forassessments depending on the evaluation strategy.     

Risk Assessment of 26 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Compounds in Parkıng Garages

The aim of this study was to determine the level of 26 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at parking garages and to provide the necessary annual information based on occupational inhalation exposure and non-occupational inhalation exposure, which carry risks for the environment. For this purpose, 22 samples were collected continuously from both gas and particulates phase PAHs from two parking garages at Konya City Center, Turkey. The exposure-based risk of these samples was evaluated using concentrations of the carcinogenic PAH compounds. None of the 26 PAHs measured had values exceeding the recommended exposure limits (RELs) standard values for inhalation rate recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Exposure levels of gas and particulate PAHs for the occupational group and the public (children and adults who spend time in shopping centers) were found to be 0.07–28.24 μgm^?3 and 0.05–5.753 μgm^?3, respectively, representing levels two to four times higher than those at the control site. Maximum daily inhalation of B[a]Py was estimated at 1.33 ngd^?1 for exposure of the public and as 274 ngd^?1 for the occupational group. It is believed that traffic makes a substantial contribution to the PAH profile, which had relatively high concentrations of naphthalene (Napth) and coronene (Coro). Highly carcinogenic dibenzo(a,l)pyrene (B[al]Pyre) was found in the ambient air at two parking garages. Napth and phenanthrene (Phen) were the main compounds found in nearly all the tested samples. In this study, benzo[e]pyrene (B[e]Py) was used as a reference for PAHs because its concentration is stable and does not change seasonally. Considering the importance of these compounds in relation to human health, the aim of this work was to characterize and quantify the more toxic PAHs in parking garages. Conducting PAH sampling and their chemical analysis is very costly and labor intensive. This study produced data that can be a powerful tool for environmental forensics.     

二噁英的污染现状及健康效应

作为持久性有毒污染物的二噁英类物质（PCDD/Fs）,无论是直接暴露还是间接暴露,都会对人类健康产生极大的危害。为了更好地反映PCDD/Fs对人体的暴露状况,总结了目前PCDD/Fs在大气、水体、食物中的污染现状以及职业暴露风险。详细对比了国内外典型工业化城市空气中PCDD/Fs的毒性当量浓度。结果表明：我国广州等市PCDD/Fs的污染水平仍处高位,给居民健康带来了巨大的安全隐患。针对水体中的PCDD/Fs,目前我国缺乏具有代表性的数据,但通过对比洞庭湖淡水样品(0.28 pg-TEQ/L)与日本地下水PCDD/Fs平均毒性当量浓度(0.055 pg-TEQ/L)发现,我国部分水体已经受到污染。饮食为一般人群PCDD/Fs暴露的主要途径,通过对越南Bien Hoa和Da Nang地区食物中PCDD/Fs浓度进行评估,发现放养式鸡的肉蛋类、淡水鱼、蜗牛以及牛肉为PCDD/Fs污染风险高的食物,而圈养式鸡的肉蛋类、海鲜、猪肉、多叶蔬菜、水果、水稻等食物中PCDD/Fs的浓度相对较低。总结了大量针对职业暴露后人群的血液及头发等典型生物标志物中的PCDD/Fs浓度,发现其比一般人群高出数倍,表明相关主要排放行业的管理机制尚不完善。建议从以下方面开展PCDD/Fs的污染防治和长期监管：逐步建立PCDD/Fs不同排放源于不同环境介质的排放限值以及管理政策;重点区域逐步开展PCDD/Fs排放总量控制试点工作;逐步更新完善我国主要行业PCDD/Fs排放清单;开发简易、快速且价格低廉的分析方法和暴露监测技术;民众应该提高自我保护意识,调整饮食结构,并提高知情权意识。     

Effects of repeated pesticide exposure on the peripheral and central nervous systems

This study was designed to compare organic farmers (comparison group) and pesticide-using farmers (pesticide group) in terms of neurobehavioral performance and sensorimotor function. The subjects were recruited in October 2004 from Chungnam Province and the neighboring Jeolla Province in western South Korea. Psychological assessment was carried out using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Bender Gestalt test. Neuroselective sensory nerve conduction threshold was measured at both left and right middle fingers by using an electrodiagnostic device to determine current perception thresholds (CPTs). Three independent CPT measurements were obtained from each test site by using sinusoidal stimuli at three frequencies. CPT testing showed no difference between the two groups. No significant differences were found in the large myelinated (2000?Hz stimulation; cutaneous touch, pressure), small myelinated (250?Hz stimulation; mechanoreceptive, pressure, temperature, fast pain) and small unmyelinated (5?Hz stimulation; polymodal nociceptive, temperature, slow pain, postganglionic sympathetic) C-fibers. Furthermore, there was no difference found between the pesticide and comparison groups in psychological variables, including intelligence quotient, orientation, memory, calculation, similarities, visual sensitivity, and psychomotor speed. In conclusion, chronic pesticide exposure has no apparent effect on either the peripheral or central nervous system in Korean farmers.     

Evaluation of potential toxic effects of occupational inhalation exposure to licorice root dust

Licorice, a plant indigenous to southern Europe, the Middle East, and northern China, exhibits several pharmacological properties, including estrogenic, anti-tumoral, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, and anti-tussive activities. Prolonged use of licorice is known to produce headaches, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, edema, lethargy, dyspnea, sodium retention and loss of potassium in humans. However, to date, the potential adverse health effects due to occupational inhalation exposure of licorice root dust remains unknown. This study was, therefore, undertaken to address this issue. In this cross-sectional study, individuals (30 workers) occupationally exposed to licorice root dust at a licorice producing plant in Shiraz, Iran were recruited. Similarly, 30 healthy male unexposed employees at a telecommunications industry, with identical demographic and socioeconomic status, without any past or current exposure to licorice dust or habitual ingestion of this compound, served as the referent group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured. Further, individuals underwent electrocardiography, clinical examination and blood chemistry tests. To assess the extent to which subjects were exposed to licorice root dust, atmospheric concentrations of this compound were also measured in the plant. There were no differences in age, weight, height and duration of exposure to licorice dust or length of employment between exposed and referent groups. Atmospheric measurement of licorice dust showed that concentration exceeded the permissible limit of 5 mg m^?3. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures of exposed subjects were significantly higher than those of the referent group. Similarly, blood analysis revealed that serum concentrations of potassium and platelet counts were significantly lower in exposed subjects than in referent individuals. Questionnaire data demonstrated that symptoms such as headaches, lethargy, and vertigo were more common in exposed subjects. No abnormal changes were noted in the electrocardiographs of exposed or referent subjects. Our findings provide evidence that inhalation exposure to high concentrations of licorice dust is associated with an increased prevalence of headache, lethargy, and vertigo, as well as hypertension and hypokalemia. None of these changes resulted in increased morbidity and mortality in exposed workers.