Estimation of the Thermal Sensitivity of a Dwelling to Variations in Architectural and Behavioural Parameters

The provision of energy for households is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the domestic sector. There is significant scope for energy savings and thus emission reduction in this sector. This paper constructs a bridge between thermal analysis and environmental assessment in the occupancy stage of the dwelling life cycle, approaching both methods as being on a common system Environment–Dwelling–Inhabitant. The importance of the local level in the thermal analysis and assessment of either a dwelling or an inhabitant's behaviour is demonstrated. It is shown that the researcher can choose between natural experiment, computer experiment and mathematical modelling to analyze the system. Such a choice is discussed for two particular methods of thermal analysis. Thermal Nomograms are the result of mathematical modelling, and the Energy Score Sheet is the result of a computer experiment in energy rating. Despite being developed for the purpose of thermal analysis, these methods can also be utilized for environmental assessment at the local level. The discussion centres on Australian conditions where the majority of the population resides in a relatively benign climate wherein behavioural alterations have significant potential for energy savings and environmental impact. The purpose of the paper is to emphasise benefits apart from energy minimisation to promote the use of energy efficient housing strategies.     

Markers of oxidative stress and toxicant exposure among young waterpipe smokers in the USA

Waterpipe (aka hookah) tobacco smokers are exposed to toxicants that can lead to oxidative DNA and RNA damage, a precursor to chronic disease formation. This study assessed toxicant exposure and biomarkers of DNA [8-oxo-7, 8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG)] and RNA [8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-oxoGuo)] oxidative damage during smoking of flavored and non-flavored waterpipe tobacco. Thirty waterpipe smokers completed two counterbalanced 2-h lab waterpipe smoking sessions (flavored vs. non-flavored waterpipe tobacco). Urinary concentrations of 8-oxodG and 8-oxoGuo and expired carbon monoxide (eCO) were measured before and after the smoking sessions. A significant increase in the urinary concentrations of 8-oxodG (from 2.12 ± 0.83 to 2.35 ± 0.91 ng/mg creatinine, p = 0.024) and 8-oxoGuo (from 2.96 ± 0.84 to 3.45 ± 0.76 ng/mg creatinine, p = 0.003) were observed after smoking the non-flavored and flavored waterpipe tobacco, respectively. Our results also showed that the mean ± SD of eCO increased significantly after smoking the flavored (from 1.3 ± 1.1 to 20.3 ± 23.6 ppm, p < 0.001) and non-flavored waterpipe tobacco (from 1.8 ± 1.2 to 24.5 ± 26.1 ppm, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the means of 8-oxodG (p = 0.576), 8-oxoGuo (p = 0.108), and eCO (p = 0.170) between the flavored and non-flavored tobacco sessions. Smoking non-flavored and flavored waterpipe tobacco leads to oxidative stress and toxicant exposure. Our findings add to the existing evidence about the adverse effects of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) and the need for strong policies to inform and protect young people from the risks of WTS.

     

Critical enablers and inhibitors for economic sustainability in the supply and demand of end-of-life vehicles in Malaysia: a SWOT analysis

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - End-of-life vehicles (ELV) management is essential for sustainable development and waste minimization. However, the ELV recycling companies are...     

Impact assessment of pesticide residues in fish of Ganga river around Kolkata in West Bengal

An investigation was conducted from 2001 to 2005 for determining the residual concentration of five pesticides, viz., total-HCH, total-DDT, total-Endosulfan, Dimethoate and Malathion in fish samples collected from various points of the river Ganga. Fish samples were analyzed for pesticide residues using standard laboratory procedures by GC method. It was found that total-HCH concentration remains above the MRL values for maximum number of times in comparison to four other pesticides. The pesticide contamination to fish may be due to indiscriminate discharge of polluted and untreated sewage-sludge to the river. The pesticide contents in some places are alarming. Thus proper care, maintenance, treatment and disposal of sewage water and sludge are most vital and should be the prime thrust for the nation.     

The impact trilemma of energy prices,taxation, and population on industrial and residential greenhouse gas emissions in Europe

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - As a major source of pollution and the cause of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions are attracting the attention of scholars, policymakers, and...     

Assessing the nexus between COVID-19 pandemic–driven economic crisis and economic policy: lesson learned and challenges

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study examines China’s budgetary policy during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of China’s insufficient ability to deal with a new...     

A review on solar-powered cooling systems coupled with parabolic dish collector and linear Fresnel reflector

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Solar energy is the most sustainable and free source to manage the world energy demand. One aspect of solar-driven energy supply can be observed in...     

Capacity and strategies of energy production from renewable sources in Arab countries until 2030: a review from renewable energy potentials to environmental issues

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Slowing and reversing climate change and keeping energy prices at affordable levels are the main important achievements of the use of renewable...     

Removal of PCDD/Fs and PCBs from sediment by oxygen free pyrolysis

Few studies have dealt on the evaluation of volatilization and decomposition reactions of dioxins from sediment by oxygen free pyrolysis. In this study, the performance of pyrolysis on the removal of dioxins from sediment was investigated. Dioxin concentrations of the raw sediment and the solid residues after pyrolysis were analyzed at different conditions. Results showed a removal efficiency of 99.9999% for total dioxins at 800℃ and retention time of 30 min. All the polychlorinated dibenzo-furans （PCDFs） have been removed and were not formed in the solid residues at the retention time range of 30-90 min at 800℃. Close to 100% removal of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins （PCDDs） was also achieved. Only trace PCDDs were detected in the solid yields at a retention time of 60 min. The highest removal efficiency of polychlorinated biphenyls （PCBs） was more than 99.9994% at a retention time of 30 min. During cooling period following pyrolysis, however, the concentration of total dioxins in solid residues increased 130 times as compared to that of the raw sediment under air atmosphere. This confirmed that some complex reactions do occur to form PCDD/Fs and PCBs from 800 to 400℃ in the presence of oxygen. Oxygen-free atmosphere therefore can prevent formation of dioxin during thermal process thus generating clean solid residues.     

Coupling of solvent-based de-emulsification dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction with high performance liquid chromatography for simultaneous simple and rapid trace monitoring of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid

A simple, rapid, and efficient sample pretreatment technique, based on solvent-based de-emulsification dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (SD-DLLME), followed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed for simultaneous preconcentration and trace detection of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) in water and urine samples. Some parameters such as acidity of solution, the amount of salt, type, and volume of extraction solvents, type of disperser/de-emulsifier solvent, and its volume were investigated and optimized. Under optimum extraction conditions, the limits of detections (LODs) of this method for MCPA and 2,4-D were 0.2 and 0.6 μg L^?1 (based on 3S_b/m) in water and 0.4 and 1.6 μg L^?1 in urine, respectively. Furthermore, dynamic linear range of this method for MCPA and 2,4-D was 1–300 and 2–400 μg L^?1, repectively. Finally, the applicability of the proposed method was evaluated by extraction and determination of the herbicides in urine and different water samples.