USE OF TIME-LAPSE PHOTOGRAPHY TO ASSESS POTENTIAL INTERCEPTION IN ARIZONA PONDEROSA PINE1

ABSTRACT: The behavior of intercepted snow on a stand of uneven-aged ponderosa pine in east-central Arizona was evaluated with the use of a super 8-mm time lapse movie camera to determine the relative significance of snowfall interception in the water yield of this type forest. A snow load index was developed to estimate interception storage for two trees in the field of view for discrete time periods. The snow load index. photographs, and climatic data were combined to describe accumulation and to identify and rank according to relative magnitudes the basic processes of canopy snow removal. The rate of snow accumulation was nonlinear with initial storage being rapid. then slowing with time. Most of the intercepted snow eventually reached the snowpack on the ground by snowslide and wind erosion or by snowmelt and subsequent stemflow and drippmg of meltwater, and was therefore not considered a significant loss to the water budget on site. Some water apparently was disposed of by the evaporation of meltwater and sublimation of canopy snow, but these losses appeared to be comparatively minor.     

Occupational exposure to fluorinated hydrocarbons during refrigeration repair work

This study describes refrigeration repair workers' occupational exposures to halogenated refrigerants, focusing on difluorochloromethane (HCFC 22), tetrafluoroethane (HFC 134a) and a mixture of tri-, tetra- and pentafluoroethane (R404A) in 30 work operations. Unlike earlier reported studies, the present study includes working procedures involving welding in order to measure possible occupational exposure to decomposition products. The measurements included hydrogen fluoride (HF), hydrogen chloride (HCl), phosgene (COCl2) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). The exposures were assessed during work operations on small-scale cooling installations like refrigerators and freezers. The repair workers' occupational exposures to refrigerants were moderate, and the major part of the exposures were associated with specific working procedures lasting for relatively short periods of time (<20 min). During these exposure events the concentrations were occasionally high (up to 42434 mg m(-3)). Although welding operations lasted only for short periods of time, HF was detected in 9 out of 15 samples when HCFC 22, HFC 134a or R404A had been used. Hydrogen chloride was detected in 3 out of 5 samples in air polluted with HCFC 22. Phosgene was not detected. A large number of VOCs in various concentrations were found during welding. Except for the applied refrigerants, halogenated compounds were only found in one sample.     

Air formaldehyde and solvent concentrations during surface coating with acid-curing lacquers and paints in the woodworking and furniture industry

An investigation of contemporary exposure to formaldehyde and organic solvents has been carried out during surface coating with acid-curing lacquers and paints in the Norwegian woodworking and furniture industry over a period of 3 years. The investigation covered 27 factories of different sizes and with different types of production, and totally 557 parallel formaldehyde and solvent samples were collected. The formaldehyde concentration (geometric mean) was 0.15 ppm (range 0.01-1.48 ppm) with about 10% of the samples exceeding the Norwegian occupational exposure limit of 0.5 ppm. The solvent concentration as additive effect (geometric mean) was 0.13 (range 0.0004-5.08) and about 5% of the samples exceeded the Norwegian occupational exposure limit. The most frequently occurring solvents from acid-curing lacquers were n-butyl acetate, ethanol, ethyl acetate and 1-butanol, which were found in 88-98% of the samples. Toluene, n-butyl acetate and 1-butanol were the only solvents with maximum concentrations exceeding their respective occupational exposure limits. Curtain painting machine operators were exposed to the highest concentrations of both formaldehyde (geometric mean 0.51 ppm, range 0.08-1.48 ppm) and organic solvents (additive effect, geometric mean 1.18, range 0.02-5.08). Other painting application work tasks such as automatic and manual spray-painting, manual painting and dip painting, showed on average considerably lower concentrations of both formaldehyde (geometric means 0.07-0.16 ppm) and organic solvents (additive effect, geometric mean 0.02-0.18). Non-painting work tasks also displayed moderate concentrations of formaldehyde (geometric means 0.11-0.17 ppm) and organic solvents (additive effect, geometric mean 0.04-0.07).     

Exposure to airborne organophosphates originating from hydraulic and turbine oils among aviation technicians and loaders

This study describes the potential for occupational exposure to organophosphates (OPs) originating from turbine and hydraulic oils, among ground personnel within the aviation industry. The OPs tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP), dibutyl phenyl phosphate (DBPP), triphenyl phosphate (TPP) and tricresyl phosphate (TCP) have been emphasized due to their use in such oils. Oil aerosol/vapor and total volatile organic compounds (tVOCs) in air were also determined. In total, 228 and 182 OPs and oil aerosol/vapor samples from technician and loader work tasks during work on 42 and 21 aircrafts, respectively, were collected in pairs. In general, the measured exposure levels were below the limit of quantification (LOQ) for 84%/98% (oil aerosol) and 82%/90% (TCP) of the samples collected during technician/loader work tasks. The air concentration ranges for all samples related to technician work were 相似文献   

Occupational exposure to airborne solvents during nail sculpturing

This study describes occupational exposure to acrylates and other solvents during nail sculpturing, including comparative measurements of the exposure using four different sculpturing methods: The acrylic method, the UV-gel method, the acrylic powder method and the resin method. Thirty-two nail technicians working in 22 different salons participated in the study. In total, 92 measurements were performed, comprising 70 solvent measurements and 22 measurements of ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate. The solvents most frequently present in all samples were acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene and n-butyl acetate, measured in 96%, 94%, 91% and 81% of the samples, respectively. The study shows that the overall solvent exposure was low, with all measurements calculated as the additive effect (n = 70) below 20% of the OEL (arithmetic mean 0.06 and range 0.01-0.19). No statistically significant difference between sculpturing methods were observed (p = 0.05).     

Airborne exposure and biological monitoring of bar and restaurant workers before and after the introduction of a smoking ban

The aims were to assess the impact of a total smoking ban on the level of airborne contaminants and the urinary cotinine levels in the employees in bars and restaurants. In a follow up design, 13 bars and restaurants were visited before and after the implementation of a smoking ban. Ninety-three employees in the establishments were initially included into the study. The arithmetic mean concentration of nicotine and total dust declined from 28.3 microg m(-3) (range, 0.4-88.0) and 262 microg m(-3) (range, 52-662), respectively, to 0.6 microg m(-3) (range, not detected-3.7) and 77 microg m(-3) (range, not detected-261) after the smoking ban. The Pearson correlation coefficient between airborne nicotine and total dust was 0.86 (p < 0.001; n = 48). The post-shift geometric mean urinary cotinine concentration declined from 9.5 microg g(-1) creatinine (cr) (95% CI 6.5-13.7) to 1.4 microg g(-1) cr (95% CI 0.8-2.5) after the ban (p < 0.001) in 25 non-snuffing non-smokers. A reduction from 1444 microg g(-1) cr (95% CI 957-2180) to 688 microg g(-1) cr (95% CI 324-1458) was found (p < 0.05) in 29 non-snuffing smokers. The urinary cotinine levels increased from 11.7 microg g(-1) cr (95% CI 7.0-19.6) post-shift to 21.9 microg g(-1) cr (95% CI 13.3-36.3) (p < 0.01) in the next morning in 24 non-snuffing non-smokers before the smoking ban. A substantial reduction of airborne nicotine and total dust was observed after the introduction of a smoking ban in bars and restaurants. The urinary cotinine levels were reduced in non-smokers. The decline found in smokers may suggest a reduction in the amount of smoking after intervention. In non-smokers cotinine concentrations were higher based on urine sampled the morning after a shift than based on urine sampled immediately post-shift.     

Organophosphates in aircraft cabin and cockpit air--method development and measurements of contaminants

Methods for measurements and the potential for occupational exposure to organophosphates (OPs) originating from turbine and hydraulic oils among flying personnel in the aviation industry are described. Different sampling methods were applied, including active within-day methods for OPs and VOCs, newly developed passive long-term sample methods (deposition of OPs to wipe surface areas and to activated charcoal cloths), and measurements of OPs in high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) recirculation filters (n = 6). In total, 95 and 72 within-day OP and VOC samples, respectively, have been collected during 47 flights in six different models of turbine jet engine, propeller and helicopter aircrafts (n = 40). In general, the OP air levels from the within-day samples were low. The most relevant OP in this regard originating from turbine and engine oils, tricresyl phosphate (TCP), was detected in only 4% of the samples (min-max 相似文献   

WATER YIELD IMPROVEMENT BY VEGETATION MANAGEMENT1

ABSTRACT: Vegetation management aimed at increasing the amount of usable water yield from precipitation falling on upstream watersheds may be one alternative for supplementing water supplies. Indications are that water yields can be increased within a multiple-use framework, which can benefit or at least be compatible with other natural resource objectives. Through changes in vegetation on a watershed, it is possible to reduce evaporation losses only slightly but significantly increase streamflow runoff. In an assessment of potentials for water yield improvement in Arizona, experimental studies on various vegetation zones are reviewed. Because of either limited acreage or limited rainfall, the alpine, grassland, aspen, and desert shrub vegetation zones are not realistic management areas for Arizona. Furthermore, manipulation of pinyon-juniper woodlands does not appear promising at this time. Conversion of chaparral to grasses and forbs does appear to be a possible treatment for water yield improvement, as well as various silvicultural treatments of mixed conifer and ponderosa pine forests. Streamflow increases are given for experiments in chaparral, mixed conifer, and ponderosa pine vegetation zones. However, complete information on possible constraints for these zones is not currently available. Specific assessment of water yield management options for riparian vegetation is difficult to make, due to incomplete knowledge of water yield changes and other constraints for this vegetation zone. Prior to the final adoption of management practices, results of experimental work must be coupled with economic and social considerations.     

Harmonized Nordic strategies for isocyanate monitoring in workroom atmospheres

The Nordic Network on Isocyanates (NORDNI) is financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers and is under the administration of Prof. Yngvar Thomassen and co-workers. National Institute of Occupational Health, Norway. The aim of NORDNI is to establish a broad network between the Nordic National Institutes of Occupational Health working within the field of isocyanate exposure and strategies for sampling and determination of isocyanates in workroom atmospheres. This viewpoint article summarizes the resolutions that were established at the 1st NORDNI consensus meeting arranged in Fr?ya, Norway, 31st August-2nd September, 2001. The consensus platform from the 1st NORDNI meeting was presented at the 4th International Symposium on Modern Principles of Air Monitoring, Lillehammer, Norway, 3-7 February, 2002.     

Determination of the dialdehyde glyoxal in workroom air-development of personal sampling methodology

The dialdehyde glyoxal (ethanedial) is an increasingly used industrial chemical with potential occupational health risks. This study describes the development of a personal sampling methodology for the determination of glyoxal in workroom air. Among the compounds evaluated as derivatizing agents; N-methyl-4-hydrazino-7-nitrobenzofurazan (MNBDH), 1,2-phenylenediamine (OPDA), 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonylhydrazine (dansylhydrazine, DNSH) and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), DNPH was the only reagent that was suitable. Several different samplers were evaluated for sampling efficiency of glyoxal in workroom air using DNPH as derivatizing agent; in-house DNPH coated silica particles packed in two different types of glass tubes, impingers containing acidified DNPH solution, filter cassettes containing glass fibre filters coated with DNPH, a commercially available solid phase cartridge sampler originally developed for formaldehyde sampling (Waters Sep-Pak DNPH-silica cartridge), and the commercially available SKC UMEx 100 passive sampler originally developed for formaldehyde sampling. Aldehyde atmospheres for sampler evaluation were generated with an in-house made vapour atmosphere generator coupled to a sampling unit, with the possibility of parallel sampling. The resulting glyoxal-DNPH derivative was determined using both LC-UV and LC-APCI-MS with negative ionization. By far, the highest recovery of glyoxal was obtained employing one of the in-house DNPH coated silica samplers (93%, RSD = 3.6%, n = 12).