Construction and demolition waste management in Kosovo: a survey of challenges and opportunities on the road to circular economy

Managing Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is a severe and growing urban challenge, particularly in post-conflict countries. Though Kosovo has significantly rebuilt and developed after the Liberation War, these initiatives have accompanied suboptimal waste management. This research evaluates CDW management in Kosovo by assessing current practices and operations vis-a-vis the legal framework and EU requirements. It identifies instruments and policies capable of ameliorating gaps and proposes a more sustainable and circular CDW management system for Kosovo. Information was primarily collected during on-site visits to Pristina and the surroundings by a cohort of Urban Management Students from the Technische Universität Berlin, students from Kosovo, and the local office of the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, GIZ. The analysis identified gaps in Kosovo's CDW management and its observance and enforcement of existing CDW legislation, including an ambiguous licensing system impeding sustainable demolition, storage, and transport; the absence of approved CDW storage options leading to uncontrolled disposal; and an underdeveloped market for recycling and reuse, deterring stakeholders from further pursuit of circular practices. These gaps were compounded by poor recordkeeping, obscuring precise information on CDW streams. Possible instruments and incentives to support Kosovo's transition to a more sustainable CDW management system were then identified.

     

Could curcumin ameliorate titanium dioxide nanoparticles effect on the heart? A histopathological,immunohistochemical, and genotoxic study

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The evaluation of the toxicological effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) is increasingly important due to their growing occupational...     

Restoration and sequestration of carbon and nitrogen in the degraded northern coastal area in Nile Delta,Egypt for climate change mitigation

Most of coastal area in Nile Delta, Egypt, is salt-affected soils and have low carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) inputs as a result of declining vegetation growth and low net primary production. Therefore, this study amid to compare between C and N pools in degraded (uncultivated and salt-affected soil) and restored (cultivated and reclaimed 20 years ago) locations in North Nile Delta. and to examine the impact of cultivation on sequestering C and N pools in this area as one of the most important methods for mitigating climate change impacts. C and N pools increased significantly in surface soil from 2.99 and 0.43 Mgh^?1 in uncultivated sites to 19.26 and 1.66 Mgh^?1 in cultivated ones as salinity was reduced and net primary production was increased due to leaching and reclamation. Particulate (associated with sand) and nonparticulate (associated with clay +silt) soil organic C or N was significantly higher cultivated sites. In addition, nonparticulate organic C or N was lower than particulate part indicating and supporting the strong relationship between organic matter and clay. The sequestration rate (in approximately 1 m profile) was 1.69 and 0.14 Mgh^?1 yr.^?1 C and N pools respectively. Although the cultivation is leading to loss of organic matter in some areas; C and N in this coastal area are partially restored and stored. Therefore, restoration and appropriate management practices will lead to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change in this area.     

The ameliorative effect of kaempferol against CdCl2- mediated renal damage entails activation of Nrf2 and inhibition of NF-kB

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study evaluated the nephroprotective effect of kaempferol against cadmium chloride (CdCl2) -induced nephropathy in rats. It also investigated if...     

Synthesis,Characterization and Application of Biodegradable Crosslinked Carboxymethyl Chitosan/Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Clay Nanocomposites

Crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) nanocomposites were synthesized using terephthaloyl diisothiocyanate as a crosslinking agent, in presence of montmorillonite (MMT), in different weight ratios of the two matrices. Characterization of nanocomposites was performed using different analyses. Swelling behavior was studied in different buffered solutions. It was found that formation of crosslinked CMCh/PEG nanocomposites increased the swell ability. Metal ions adsorption had also been investigated. The results indicated that crosslinked CMCh adsorbs various metal ions much more than non-crosslinked CMCh. Antimicrobial activity was examined against Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus (RCMB 010027) and S. Pyogens (RCMB 010015), Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli (RCMB 010056), and also against fungi (A. fumigates (RCMBA 02564, G. candidum (RCMB 05096) and C. albicans (RCMB 05035). Data indicated that most of these nanocomposites exhibited good antimicrobial potency. Degradation studies were carried out in simulated body fluid for different time periods in order to find out the degradation index. Results showed that weight loss (%) of most of the nanocomposites increased as a function of incubation time.     

Alteration in antioxidant status in slow and fast alleles of EPHX1 gene polymorphisms among wood workers

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Occupational wood dust exposure may be associated with various health effects, especially in wood industry. These effects may be due to inducing...     

Trace elements exposure influences proximate body composition and antioxidant enzyme activities of the species tilapia and catfish in Burullus Lake—Egypt: human risk assessment for the consumers

The trace elements concentration in the fish estimates the contamination degree in the aquatic environment. These toxic trace elements are transported into the human through the consumption of polluted fish. This study estimated the effect of Cd, Hg, Pb, As, and Al on tilapia species and catfish Clarias gariepinus (six for each species of fish) inhabiting Burullus Lake—Egypt 30° 33′–31° 08′ E and 30° 22′–31° 35′ N. The highest Pb concentrations recorded in the muscle of C. gariepinus 2.29 ± 0.29 μg/g while S. galilaeus was estimated the lowest Hg concentration of 0.54 ± 0.02 μg/g which indicated the presence of contaminants exceeded the limits permitted by FAO/WHO and EC. The maximum mean carbohydrate, lipid, and protein recorded in O. niloticus 18.66, 16.33, and 58.16 mg/g, respectively; moisture in O. aureus 67.33%; and ash 16.41% in O. niloticus. The lowest amount of carbohydrate was recorded in the T. zillii 14.1 mg/g, lipid, and ash in C. gariepinus 11.65 mg/g and 3.375%, respectively. Protein and moisture in the S. galilaeus were 53.75 mg/g and 60.75%, respectively. The results recorded a marked insignificant (P > 0.05) decrease in CAT, GR, and GPx activity in O. niloticus. GSH and SOD activity was an insignificant (P > 0.05) decrease in C. gariepinus. The results concluded that the trace elements concentrations exceed the maximum permissible limits recommended in fish samples set by Egypt, FAO, WHO, and EC. The estimated weekly intake of all elements through consumption of studied fish species inhabiting Burullus Lake by a child (15 kg) in Egypt is well above the PTWI recommended by FAO/WHO, whereas it is well below the PTWI for human consumption by young people (40 kg) and adult person (70 kg), at least in respect of residual levels of studied elements excluding Cd and Hg. Thus, for consumer protection, these fish species are unsafe and have hazardous effects for children, and about youth and adult consumption, caution must be taken to consider individuals eating significant amounts of fish.

     

Association of heat shock protein70-2 genotypes with hypertension among textile workers occupationally exposed to noise

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Noise exposure is a primary cause of hearing loss with a broad range of auditory and non-auditory effects. It is one of the occupational health risks...     

Impact of the low and high concentrations of fly ash amended soil on growth,physiological response,and yield of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex Poiret L.)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Fly ash, a result of coal burning in thermal power plants, is sustainably used in agriculture and has been regarded as a problematic solid waste...     

Evaluation of the effect of serum cystatin-C and ACE I/D and ACE G2350A polymorphisms on kidney function among hypertensive sewage workers

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cadmium (Cd) as nephrotoxicant metal exerts its potent effect mainly on renal tubules disturbing its functions. A cross-sectional study was conducted...