Comparative study of plasma lead levels in the staff of Dandy Zinc Factory of Zanjan and in normal individuals

Pollution is a global problem which affects various human population functions. Despite the decline in plasma lead (Pb) levels among the general population during the past 20 years, this metal continues to be a public health concern for individuals with past and present exposures. The objective of this study was to determine blood lead levels (BPbL) in the staff of Dandy Zinc Company and compare them to control subjects. The test group included 40 staff of Dandy Zinc Company of Zanjan, while controls were selected from general population. Five milliliters of blood and plasma was sent to Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AOEI) reference lab to measure BPbL by Flameless Atomic Absorption. BPbL in test group (16.6 + 8.18 µg dL^?1) was significantly higher than control (10.47 + 2.10 µg dL^?1). In both groups BPbL was significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers. Blood lead levels in molding workers were significantly higher than other workers. BPbL in exposed workers were directly related to duration of work and age. Data indicate Pb exposure was of significant magnitude to be a public health concern especially in zinc-and Pb-related industries.     

某兽药厂废气治理改造工程实例

结合江苏常州某兽药厂废气污染的监测和改造经验,总结了兽药厂废气污染特点,并采用低温等离子体、碱液吸收和植物除臭剂等综合治理技术有效控制了废气污染。低温等离子体净化设备采用2组串联式布置,反应器内设计风速≤1 m/s,反应时间≥4 s。植物除臭净化设备利用原有活性炭吸附塔改造,改造成本较低。改造设备总投资约60万元,废气处理系统运行费用约788元/d。相关监测数据表明上述工艺在设备正常运行时可确保污染物达标排放。     

Experimental study of NO2 reduction in N2/Ar and O2/Ar mixtures by pulsed corona discharge

Non-thermal plasma technology has been regarded as a promising alternative technology for NOx removal. The understanding of NO2 reduction characteristics is extremely important since NO2 reduction could lower the total NO oxidation rate in the plasma atmosphere. In this study, NO2 reduction was experimentally investigated using a non-thermal plasma reactor driven by a pulsed power supply for different simulated gas compositions and operating parameters. The NO2 reduction was promoted by increasing the specific energy density （SED）, and the highest conversion rates were 33.7%, 42.1% and 25.7% for Ar, N2/Ar and O2/Ar, respectively. For a given SED, the NO2 conversion rate had the order N2/Ar 〉 Ar 〉 02/Ar. The highest energy yield of 3.31 g/kWh was obtained in N2/Ar plasma and decreased with increasing SED; the same trends were also found in the other two gas compositions. The conversion rate decreased with increasing initial NO2 concentration. Furthermore, the presence of N2 or O2 led to different reaction pathways for NO2 conversion due to the formation of different dominating reactive radicals.     

热等离子体技术销毁日本遗弃化武红弹装填物研究

针对二战期间日本侵略军在我国遗弃的大量化学武器的危害性,进行了热等离子体技术销毁含砷毒剂的实验,旨在为评价日本遗弃化武的销毁技术选择提供技术支持.所采用的热等离子体处理固体废弃物的实验装置主要由等离子体发生器、等离子体旋转炉、二次燃烧炉、冷却器、文丘里喷淋塔和洗涤喷淋塔等设备组成.利用该装置对日本遗弃化武红弹和红简装填物二苯氰砷和二苯氯砷进行了销毁实验,并用GC-MS法对销毁产物进行分析.结果显示,经处理后未检测出二苯氯砷和二苯氰砷,根据分析方法的检出下限计算出的二苯氯砷和二苯氰砷的销毁去除率均高达99.999 9%.对熔渣进行砷的浸出毒性实验显示,浸出液中砷的质量浓度均低于0.03 mg/L,远低于我国固体废物砷的浸出毒性鉴别标准值1.5 mg/L.但是,等离子体炉在销毁含砷有机毒剂时,固砷效率很差,因此要发挥等离子体技术的优势,还必须加强固砷方法的研究.     

Altered levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein proteases in preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia (PE) are leading causes of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Many studies have found association between low levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) proteases in the first trimester maternal circulation and the risk of subsequent development of PE and/or IUGR. These results are generally interpreted to reflect decreased production of the proteases by the placenta, leading to reduced proteolysis of IGFBPs and lower free levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF), resulting in diminished feto-placental development. However, the association between low circulating levels of placental proteins early in pregnancy and the subsequent development of IUGR and/or PE could be due to low exchange in the placenta and not due to reduced production. In contrast, late in pregnancy, the circulating levels of these proteins and their expression in the placenta are often elevated in PE, which may reflect upregulation to compensate for abnormal placental development, that is an adaptive mechanism to increase IGFBP proteolysis, increase local IGF levels and promote feto-placental growth. Further research into the biological mechanisms underlying these associations will aid the identification of high-risk pregnancies and the development of therapeutic targets for diseases for which there are presently no preventative measures. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.