Estimation of thyroid doses and health risks resulting from the intake of radioactive iodine in foods and drinking water by the citizens of Tokyo after the Fukushima nuclear accident

The release of radioactive materials from the Fukushima nuclear power plant after the Great East Japan Earthquake on 11 March 2011 poses health risks. In this study, the intake of iodine 131 (I-131) in drinking water and foods (milk, dairy products, and vegetables) by citizens of Tokyo was estimated. The effects of countermeasures (restrictions on the distribution of foods and the distribution of bottled water for infants) on reducing intake were also evaluated. The average thyroid equivalent doses without countermeasures from 21 March 2011 were 0.42 mSv in adults, 1.49 mSv in children, and 2.08 mSv in infants. Those with countermeasures were 0.28, 0.97, and 1.14 mSv respectively, reductions of 33%, 35%, and 45%. Drinking water contributed more to intake by adults and children than foods. The intake of I-131 within the first 2 weeks was more than 80% of the estimated intake, owing to its short half-life, indicating that rapid countermeasures are important in reducing intake. The average risks of cancer incidence and mortality due to I-131 for infants were estimated to be 3 × 10⁻⁵ and 0.2 × 10⁻⁵, respectively, lower than the annual risks of traffic accidents, naturally occurring radioactive material (potassium 40), and environmental pollutants such as diesel exhaust particles.     

Pesticide residue dynamics in passion fruits: Comparing field trial and modelling results

We evaluated the exposure to pesticides from the consumption of passion fruits and subsequent human health risks by combining several methods: (i) experimental field studies including the determination of pesticide residues in/on passion fruits, (ii) dynamic plant uptake modelling, and (iii) human health risk assessment concepts. Eight commonly used pesticides were applied onto passion fruits cultivated in Colombia. Pesticide concentrations were measured periodically (between application and harvest) in whole fruits and fruit pulp. Measured concentrations were compared with predicted residues calculated with a dynamic and crop-specific pesticide uptake model, namely dynamiCROP. The model accounts for the time between pesticide application and harvest, the time between harvest and consumption, the amount of spray deposition on plant surfaces, uptake processes, dilution due to crop growth, degradation in plant components, and reduction due to food processing (peeling). Measured and modelled residues correspond well (r² = 0.88-0.99), with all predictions falling within the 90% confidence interval of the measured values. A mean error of 43% over all studied pesticides was observed between model estimates and measurements. The fraction of pesticide applied during cultivation that is eventually ingested by humans is on average 10⁻⁴-10⁻⁶, depending on the time period between application and ingestion and the processing step considered. Model calculations and intake fractions via fruit consumption based on experimental data corresponded well for all pesticides with a deviation of less than a factor of 2. Pesticide residues in fruits measured at recommended harvest dates were all below European Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and therefore do not indicate any violation of international regulatory thresholds.     

Phytotoxic activity of crop residues from Burdock and an active substance

Abstract

Problems related to weed management such as outbreaks of herbicide-resistant weeds have recently increased. An interesting approach to such problems is to use plant materials with phytotoxic activity. Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) is a biennial herb belonging to Asteraceae and is cultivated in several countries. The present study investigated the phytotoxic activity of burdock and its active substances. Extracts of both burdock leaves and roots inhibited the shoot and root growth of cress and barnyard grass, where the level of inhibition increased with increasing extract concentration. The leaf extracts had 2.0–2.5 times higher activity than the root extracts. Bioassay-guided separations of the leaf extracts led to isolation of a phytotoxic substance, onopordopicrin. Onopordopicrin significantly inhibited the shoot and root growth of cress and barnyard grass. The concentrations of the substance required for 50% growth inhibition were 0.27 and 0.26?mM for cress shoots and roots, respectively, and 1.86 and 0.35?mM for barnyard grass shoots and roots, respectively. The present results suggest that burdock leaves have high phytotoxic activity and onopordopicrin may play a major role in the activity. Burdock leaves may be a good resource for weed management.     

螺、蚌对污水处理厂再生水环境的改善稳定作用

通过选用昆明市第五污水处理厂的一级A标出水和水处理厂外排污泥作为静态实验环境,研究不同混养密度下铜锈环棱螺、椭圆背角无齿蚌对污水处理厂再生水环境的净化性能,筛选出净化效果较好的放养密度。结果表明:放养30 d,铜锈环棱螺、椭圆背角无齿蚌对污水处理厂再生水环境的水质、底质均有一定的净化作用,扣减空白对照影响,水中COD、TP、NH3-N及底泥有机质平均去除率分别为22.26%、26.10%、25.60%和25.69%,底泥厚度平均减少3.8 cm;与对照相比,放养螺蚌45 d内水均能清澈见底,透明度均>70 cm,能明显稳定水体透明度,改善水环境。综合螺蚌生长适应性和净化效果考虑:污水处理厂再生水静态环境中,螺蚌混养密度应≤3 000 g/m3,在2 000～2 500 g/m3为宜,其中铜锈环棱螺的最适放养密度在400 g/m3,椭圆背角无齿蚌为1 600～2 100 g/m3。     

土壤-植物系统中磷和砷相互作用关系的研究进展

砷元素导致的环境污染问题日益突出,施磷已成为植物修复砷污染土壤过程中必要强化措施之一。土壤-植物系统中磷和砷的相互作用关系是非常复杂的,研究表明：磷和砷在土壤中往往是共生的,但又存在竞争吸附关系;磷和砷在不同植物中的相互作用关系主要有拮抗效应和协同效应;有必要通过分子生物学手段对磷和砷表达基理进行深入研究,获得对砷具有超积累能力的植株。     

重庆天然气净化总厂污染减排管理及措施建议

文章就重庆天然气净化总厂近年来围绕可持续发展战略,针对净化总厂主要污染物废水、废气、固体废物,在工程技术改造、提高管理等方面所采取的污染减排措施和取得的成效进行归纳总结;并对净化总厂进一步的污染减排工作进行分析,提出切实可行的污染减排对策建议。     

长筒石蒜(Lycoris longituba)种球的无性繁殖试验

以长筒石蒜球茎为材料开展其无性繁殖试验,研究切割方式、植物生长调节剂及浓度3种因素对其子球性状的影响。结果显示:①人工繁育可明显提高种球的繁殖率,切割方式对种球的繁殖率无显著影响,而植物生长调节剂对繁殖率有极显著影响,其浓度对繁殖率也有显著影响,试验最佳处理为"茎盘沟切NAA250",其繁殖率为12.9;②切割方式无论是对子球的平均质量还是平均直径均有显著影响,其中处理"切片扦插GA330"作用下的子球平均质量最重(5.8g)、平均直径(1.2cm)最大。     

我国火电厂脱硫脱硝行业2009年发展综述

介绍了2009年我国火电厂脱硫脱硝行业发展概况,分析了行业存在的主要问题,提出了对策及建议,并对行业发展进行了展望。     

UNITANK工艺在城镇污水处理厂的应用

广东省某城镇污水处理厂采用UNITANK新工艺,在项目的运行中,根据具体情况采取了较为有效的应对措施,克服了该工艺应用于大型污水处理厂的不足,运行效果良好,出水水质稳定,达到国家一级B排放标准。     

电厂袋式除尘器滤袋故障分析及处理

以北京高井热电厂为对象,运用故障树分析的方法,对袋式除尘器及滤袋失效进行了故障树分析,并将之演变为成功树,提出了防止滤袋失效的措施。