Dangerous good transportation by road: from risk analysis to emergency planning

Despite the relative recent move towards inherent safe materials, the relentless drive of consumerism requires increased quantities of dangerous goods to be manufactured, transported, stored and used year on year. The safety and effectiveness of road transport systems is to be considered a strategic goal in particular in those countries, like Italy, in which 80% of goods are transported by this means. In this paper, we face the risk from dangerous good transport by presenting a site-oriented framework for risk assessment and developing a theoretical approach for emergency planning and optimisation. In the first step, we collected field data on a pilot highway and developed a database useful to allow a realistic evaluation of the accident frequency on a given route, by means of multivariate statistical analysis. To this end, we considered both inherent factors (such as tunnels, bend radii, height gradient, slope etc), meteorological factors, and traffic factors (traffic frequency of tank truck, dangerous good truck etc.) suitable to modify the standard national accident frequency. By applying the results to a pilot area, referring to flammable and explosive scenarios, we performed a risk assessment sensitive to route features and population exposed. The results show that the risk associated to the transport of hazardous materials, in some highway stretches, can be at the boundary of the acceptability level of risk set down by the well known F/N curves established in the Netherlands. On this basis, in the subsequent step, we developed a theoretical approach, based on the graph theory, to plan optimal emergency actions. The effectiveness of an emergency planning can normally be evaluated in term of system quickness and reliability. As a case study, we applied the developed approach to identify optimal consistency and localisation in the pilot area of ‘prompt action vehicles’, properly equipped, quick to move and ready for every eventuality. Applying this method results in an unambiguous and consistent selection criterion that allows reduction of intervention time, in connection with technical and economic optimisation of emergency equipment.     

Bioabsorbable soy protein plastic composites: Effect of polyphosphate fillers on water absorption and mechanical properties

The use of synthetic and natural bioabsorbable plastics has been severely limited due to their low stiffness and strength properties as well as their strong tendency to absorb moisture. This research focused on the development of bioabsorbable polyphosphate filler/soy protein plastic composites with enhanced stiffness, strength, and water resistance. Bioabsorbable polyphosphate fillers, biodegradable soy protein isolate, plasticizer, and adhesion promoter were homogenized and compression-molded. Physical, mechanical, and water absorption testing was performed on the molded specimens. Results showed improvements in stiffness, strength, and water resistance with increasing polyphosphate filler content up to 20% by weight. Application of a coupling agent produced further mechanical property enhancements and a dramatic improvement in water resistance, interpreted by an interfacial chemical bonding model. Examination of the fracture surfaces of the materials revealed that the addition of the polyphosphate fillers changed the failure mode from brittle to pseudo-ductile. These results suggest that these materials are suitable for many load-bearing applications in both humid and dry environments where current soy protein plastics are not usable.     

Enzymatic Degradation of Cellulose-Based Materials

The biodegradability of cellulose-based materials was compared in the standard Sturm test and by enzymatic hydrolysis. Trichoderma reesei culture filtrate, the purified enzymes endoglucanase I and II from T. reesei, and -glucosidase from Aspergillus niger were used in the experiments. The unpurified Trichoderma reesei culture filtrate was found to contain a mixture of enzymes suitable for cellulose degradation. However, when purified enzymes were used the right balance of the individual enzymes was necessary. The addition of -glucosidase enhanced the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose materials when both culture filtrate and purified enzymes were used. In the Sturm test the biodegradability of most of the cellulose materials exceeded 70% carbon dioxide generation, but, in contrast, the biodegradability of the highly substituted aminated cellulose and cellulose acetate was below 10%. The results concerning enzymatic hydrolysis and biodegradability were in good agreement for kraft paper, sausage casing, aminated cellulose, and cellulose acetate. However, diverging results were obtained with cotton fabric, probably as a result of its high crystallinity.     

The effects of flooding upon buildings in developing countries

The genera] effects of flooding on buildings and structural materials in developing countries are comprehensively reviewed. The aim of the paper is to stimulate further field based research as to how and what type of building improvements can be introduced, given the prevailing economic and cultural constraints of many communities, and to examine the appropriateness of floodproofing measures in developing countries where there are often few floodplain management or large scale flood prevention schemes. Proposals are suggested as to the method and type of information which is required for detailed studies prior to developing new and more effective building designs.     

有害物质安全存贮地点的选址模型研究

有害物质对人类自身及其所处的环境造成的危害日益受到人们的重视 ,因此有必要选择适宜的地点安全存贮这些物质。笔者从总成本和危害程度两方面考虑 ,建立了双目标规划模型 ,力求使选址费用最低、对周围居民的危害最小。最后的实例说明模型是合理的。     

建筑和装饰材料的室内污染对人体危害及预防措施

建筑和装饰材料中 ,释放的挥发性有机化合物是导致室内空气污染的重要原因之一。建筑和装饰材料导致的室内污染 ,对人体健康的影响已成为人们关心的热门话题。笔者就建筑和装饰材料导致室内污染 ,对人体的危害及其预防措施进行了探讨。旨在提醒人们对这个问题引起重视 ,尽量减少其对人体的危害 ,起到宣传和教育作用     

UN/ECE ICP Materials Dose-response Functions for the Multi-pollutant Situation

A “multi-pollutant exposure programme” reflecting the new pollution situation where SO₂ is no longer the dominating pollutant has been performed by the International Co-operative Programme on Effects on Materials, including Historic and Cultural Monuments (ICP Materials) within the activities of the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution. The main results obtained in the period 1997–2003 are summarised. Dose-response functions are presented for carbon steel, zinc, copper, bronze and limestone. Parameters involved in the functions include besides SO₂ and pH, which were included in the previously developed functions from ICP Materials, also the effect of particulate matter and HNO₃.     

无菌型小型饮水机试验研究

随着生活水平的提高,越来越多的家庭和办公室使用直饮水机.直饮水机通常通过活性炭或过滤纤维两种介质来去除自来水中的污染物以达到直饮的目的.在使用过程中,介质表面会生长大量细菌,造成生物学与感观的问题. 采用超声波这一新型物理技术,可抑制过滤介质上的细菌生长.通过大量重复实验,发现超声波可稳定地抑制过滤纤维和活性炭两种吸附介质上生长的菌体甚至原生动物.此外,由于超声波强化介质的吸附作用,超声波与活性炭同时处理较活性炭吸附可以更好地去除自来水中有机物;不同超声波频率下的实验进一步验证了超声波技术对活性炭吸附的强化作用.     

生物抗菌肽的应用及市场开发前景

抗菌肽广泛分布于生物体内，具有广谱抗菌能力，是天然的免疫防御系统，对病毒及癌细胞也有抑制作用。与传统抗生素作用机理不同，抗菌肽不会产生抗药菌株，是新一代抗生素的理想替代者，具有极好的市场开发前景。     

汽车内装饰材料挥发性有机物GC-MS测定和分析

采用恒温测试箱法采集汽车内部装饰材料释放的挥发性有机物,利用Nutech预浓缩仪对样品进行三级VOC富集,然后用GC-MS法(气相色谱-质谱法)对汽车内部装饰材料释放的挥发性有机物苯、甲苯、二甲苯、乙苯、苯乙烯进行了测定,检出限低于2.0μg/m3。实验选择皮革表皮、橡胶密封条、灰色无纺布、海棉和仪表盘五种汽车内部装饰材料,进行挥发性有机物含量的测定,并对结果进行了分析和讨论。结果表明五种汽车内部装饰材料均不同程度地释放挥发性有机物,其中热塑性材料仪表盘释放出的TVOC含量最高,橡胶密封条的TVOC释放量也较高,皮革表皮和灰色无纺布释放的甲苯较多,而消音材料海绵主要释放出二甲苯。汽车内部装饰材料释放挥发性有机物的情况复杂,因此,探索和建立有效的汽车内部装饰材料有害物质检测方法,对于选择低毒环保的汽车内部装饰材料非常有意义。