Cost-benefit analysis of electrocyclone and cyclone

We propose a new method of cost-benefit analysis to investigate whether the new air pollution control equipment-electrocyclone vis-a-vis cyclone has the potential for practical use. When the flow rate of waste gas is 1000 m³/min, the cost of cyclone is then compared with that of electrocyclone provided that the benefit side is being fixed. The results show that the capital cost of electrocyclone is higher than that of cyclone, but the operating cost of electrocyclone is much lower than that of cyclone. Straight-line depreciation method is used to calculate the depreciation of capital cost per year. The total cost of electrocyclone is NT$ 160 290 per year which is cheaper than that of cyclone NT$ 225 356.     

Multi-hazard failure assessment of atmospheric storage tanks during hurricanes

Hurricane as one of the most destructive natural hazards can make a devastating impact on the industrial equipment, especially atmospheric storage tanks, leading to the release of stored chemicals and disastrous safety and environmental issues. These catastrophic consequences are caused not only by strong winds but also by the torrential rainfall and inundating floods. The objective of this study is to present a risk-based methodology for assessing and reducing the vulnerability of atmospheric storage tanks to hurricanes. Considering the shell buckling, flotation, sliding, and roof sinking as dominant failure modes of atmospheric storage tanks during hurricanes, Bayesian network (BN) has been employed to combine the failure modes while considering their conditional dependencies. The probability updating feature of the developed BN was employed to indicate that the flood is the most critical hazard during hurricanes while the impact of wind and rainfall cannot be neglected. Extending the developed BN to an influence diagram, the cost-benefit filling of storage tanks with water prior to the advent of hurricanes was shown as a viable measure for reducing the damage probability. The results show that the proposed methodology can be used as an effective decision support tool for assessing and reducing the vulnerability of atmospheric storage tanks to natural hazards.     

A cost-benefit analysis of a population screening programme for neural tube defects

Population screening for neural tube defects is possible by measuring maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels with appropriate follow-up as required. British Columbia has approximately 39 000 births annually and the incidence of neural tube defects is 1–55 per 1000 births (0–94 per 1000 livebirths). Results from a cost-benefit analysis suggest that the outlined screening programme would be cost-beneficial for British Columbia. Other important factors essential to consider before instituting a population screening programme are discussed.     

Acidification Remediation Alternatives: Exploring the Temporal Dimension with Cost Benefit Analysis

Acidification of soils and surface waters caused by acid deposition is still a major problem in southern Scandinavia, despite clear signs of recovery. Besides emission control, liming of lakes, streams, and wetlands is currently used to ameliorate acidification in Sweden. An alternative strategy is forest soil liming to restore the acidified upland soils from which much acidified runoff originates. This cost–benefit analysis compared these liming strategies with a special emphasis on the time perspective for expected benefits. Benefits transfer was used to estimate use values for sport ffishing and nonuse values in terms of existence values. The results show that large-scale forest soil liming is not socioeconomically profitable, while lake liming is, if it is done efficiently—in other words, if only acidified surface waters are treated. The beguiling logic of “solving” an environmental problem at its source (soils), rather than continuing to treat the symptoms (surface waters), is thus misleading.     

An economic evaluation of a participatory ergonomics process in an auto parts manufacturer

Problem

We assess the costs and consequences of a participatory ergonomics process at a Canadian car parts manufacturer from the perspective of the firm.

Method

Regression modeling was used with interrupted time series data to assess the impact of the process on several health measures. Consequences were kept in natural units for cost-effectiveness analysis, and translated into monetary units for cost-benefit analysis.

Results

The duration of disability insurance claims and the number of denied workers' compensation claims was significantly reduced. The cost-effectiveness ratio is $12.06 per disability day averted. The net present value is $244,416 for a 23-month period with a benefit-to-cost ratio of 10.6, suggesting that the process was worth undertaking (monetary units in 2001 Canadian dollars).

Discussion

Our findings emphasize the importance of considering a range of outcomes when evaluating an occupational health and safety intervention.

Impact on industry

Participatory ergonomics process can be cost-effective for a firm.     

Diagnostic variables as predictors of ecological risk

The state of an ecosystem may be represented by a multidemensional state vector,x. The goal of ecosystem management is to insure that the ecosystem remains within some setX of acceptable states, such thatx X. Since ecosystem management decisions must be based on limited knowledge, a small number of diagnostic variables must be found which accurately reflect ecosystem state. If the vector of diagnostic variables, , is found to be within a specified set , the state vectorx is predicted to be withinX. The selection and use of such diagnostic variables is examined in the context of an aquatic ecosystem simulation model. Techniques used in searching for diagnostic criteria include multiple linear regression, discriminant analysis, and visual inspection of graphical data displays. The adequacy of a diagnostic criterion as a predictor of ecological risk is demonstrated to be a function of the associated rates of type I and type II statistical errors. A simple cost-benefit analysis is undertaken to illustrate one approach for choosing an optimal balance between these error rates.     

A decision framework for Integrated Assessment Modelling of air quality at regional and local scale

Decision making in the field of air quality and greenhouses gases reductions can nowadays be supported by a clear overall framework and by computer tools that integrate the most relevant aspects of the problem. This approach is particularly important at local scale since new general rules on emission abatement at European level can only marginally modify the most critical hotspots and may be very costly. This paper adapts the general Drivers, Pressures, State, Impacts, Responses (DPSIR) scheme proposed by the European Environment Agency to the specific case of local air quality policies and shows how the most recent scientific developments in impact evaluation and social acceptance can be integrated. The proposed decision framework represents a general methodology to design Integrated Assessment Modelling (IAM) systems aimed at the implementation of effective Air Quality Plans (AQP). An extensive survey across European countries shows the current degree of adoption of these approaches.     

从安全检测评价实践看当前安全生产的若干薄弱环节

笔者根据安全检测评价实践 ,对安全评价中的一些问题进行归纳、分析 ,认为当前安全生产的主要薄弱环节是 :许多行业的设施、设备在本质安全化方面不到位 ;多数生产、经营活动者 ,在安全与效益发生矛盾时 ,轻安全重效益 ;员工安全意识、安全素质和安全管理人员素质有待提高。笔者结合检测评价工作 ,针对薄弱环节提出了整改建议 :高风险行业在进行基础设施和系统装置的建设时 ,应注重安全投入 ,切实做好项目的安全评价工作 ;对现有本质安全不到位的设施、装置 ,要结合项目技改工作逐步整改 ;加强安全监管队伍建设 ;生产经营单位必须摆正安全与效益关系 ,创建企业安全文化 ,提高全员安全素质 ;建立职业安全健康管理体系 ,建立安全生产长效机制。     

农业环保的经济损益分析

论述字农业环保经济损益分析的指标体系，提出了指标量化方法及经济损益分析方法，探讨了损益分析参数的实际意义。最后结合实例进行应用研究。