Mutagenic exposure in the rubber manufacturing industry: an industry wide survey

Mutagenic exposure conditions in several rubber manufacturing companies (n=9) in The Netherlands were studied. Mutagenicity of total suspended particulate matter in air (TSPM) and of wipe samples from possible contact surfaces were measured in the Ames mutagenicity assay with Salmonella typhimurium YG1041 in the presence of a metabolic activation system. Large differences in median mutagenicity of TSPM samples were observed between companies (range 49-1056rev/m(3)) and to a lesser extent between production functions (range 129-402rev/m(3)). The production function curing revealed overall the highest TSPM mutagenicity levels. Forty-one percent of the surface wipe samples revealed mutagenic activity ranging from 26 to 665rev/cm(2). Mixing had the largest proportion of positive samples resulting in a median surface mutagenic contamination of 39rev/cm(2). Surface mutagenic contamination, averaged per department/company combination, showed only a weak correlation with TSPM mutagenicity (r=0.28, P=0.05). Company, production function and total soluble matter (e.g. mass collected upon extraction with organic solvents with different polarity) explained 79 and 81% of the variability in mutagenicity of TSPM and surface contamination levels, respectively. "Company" was identified as the most important exposure determinant for mutagenic activity in TSPM and surface wipe samples. This indicates the importance of company specific determinants like production volume and rubber chemicals used for the encountered mutagenic exposure conditions. Detection of substantial mutagenic activity on possible contact surfaces supports furthermore the potential importance of the dermal route in the uptake of genotoxic compounds of workers in the rubber manufacturing industry.     

Forum: the prison reentry industry

This forum addresses the emerging Prison Reentry Industry (PRI).  It features articles and essays from authors on three continents, and from a variety of perspectives.  The authors included here range from ex-prisoners and current prisoners, PRI workers and activists, former prisoners now involved in academic and policy research, critics and practitioners.  Together these essays mark a first effort to bring a number of perspectives to bear on a growing and already vast array of programs, in the United States and beyond.  From these perspectives, the hope is that the criticism brought forward here will help stimulate debate and reform in future discussions about a processes that affect the lives of millions of people world-wide.     

Comparative life cycle assessment of rex rabbit breeding industry chains: benefits of a circular industry chain

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment - The environmental impacts of breeding industries have been broadly studied and compared. However, environmental research on the rex rabbit...     

Science for sale: academic meets industry

As research becomes increasingly interdisciplinary and the lines between academic and industrial pursuits blur, scientists on both sides of the fence are developing outsourcing models to build innovative collaborations and open funding opportunities.     

Individual adaptation of industry LCA practice: Results from two case studies in the Swedish forest products industry

Goal, Scope and Background The mere existence of life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology and general acceptance of the life cycle philosophy is not enough to make their use widespread in industry. To gain a better understanding of factors shaping LCA studies and life cycle related practice, field studies of the development of LCA practice in two companies were carried out. Methods In order to obtain a deeper understanding of LCA practice, the number of ‘variables’ was minimized and two similar companies were chosen for study: Stora Enso and SCA. Both companies are part of the Swedish forest products industry, are large multinational enterprises and have been working with LCA since the early 1990s. Both interviews and document studies were used to collect data regarding LCA work from its introduction until 2003. Results and Discussion We found fundamental differences in LCA practice between two similar companies in regard to LCA studies per se (the number of studies undertaken and methodological preferences) and also in regard to the organisation of and approach to LCA work. By testing various theoretical explanations of these divergent LCA practices, we identified the actions of individuals and their understanding of the situation as important factors shaping LCA practice. Conclusions Although sector-wide recommendations on LCA practice are common in the LCA community, this study indicates that companies use LCA differently despite similar structural conditions such as company size or sector affiliation. Recommendations and Perspectives Since the understanding and actions of individuals are important in shaping LCA practice, people working with LCA in industry probably have greater scope for action than they recognise and than sector recommendations may imply when it comes to organising and carrying out their work. Thus, those working with life cycle issues, even in different sectors, can learn much from each other about ways of organising and benefiting from LCA work.     

Microalgal industry in China: challenges and prospects

Over the past 15 years, China has become the major producer of microalgal biomass in the world. Spirulina (Arthrospira) is the largest microalgal product by tonnage and value, followed by Chlorella, Dunaliella, and Haematococcus, the four main microalgae grown commercially. China’s production is estimated at about two-thirds of global microalgae biomass of which roughly 90 % is sold for human consumption as human nutritional products (‘nutraceuticals’), with smaller markets in animal feeds mainly for marine aquaculture. Research is also ongoing in China, as in the rest of the world, for other high-value as well as commodity microalgal products, from pharmaceuticals to biofuels and CO₂ capture and utilization. This paper briefly reviews the main challenges and potential solutions for expanding commercial microalgae production in China and the markets for microalgae products. The Chinese Microalgae Industry Alliance (CMIA), a network founded by Chinese microalgae researchers and commercial enterprises, supports this industry by promoting improved safety and quality standards, and advancement of technologies that can innovate and increase the markets for microalgal products. Microalgae are a growing source of human nutritional products and could become a future source of sustainable commodities, from foods and feeds, to, possibly, fuels and fertilizers.     

Cork stoppers industry: defining appropriate mould colonization

AIMS: The main aims of this work were the study of cork slabs moulds colonization and the evaluation of the moulds diversity during cork processing steps, in different cork stoppers factories. Simultaneously, it was envisaged to perform an evaluation of the air quality. METHODS AND RESULTS: Moulds were isolated and identified from cork slabs and cork samples in four cork stoppers factories. The identification was based on morphological characters and microscopic observation of the reproductive structures. Airborne spore dispersion was assessed using a two stage Andersen sampler. It was observed that Chrysonilia sitophila was always present on cork slabs during the maturing period, but mould diversity appeared to be associated to the different factory configurations and processing steps. CONCLUSIONS: Spatial separation of the different steps of the process, including physical separation of the maturation step, is essential to guarantee high air quality and appropriate cork slabs colonization, i.e. C. sitophila dominance. The sorting and cutting of the edges of cork slabs after boiling and before the maturing step is also recommended. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study is very important for the cork stopper industry as it gives clear indications on how to keep high quality manufacturing standards and how to avoid occupational health problems.     

Biotechnology in the petroleum industry: An overview

A significant quantum of crude oil is trapped in reservoirs and often unrecoverable by conventional oil recovery methods. Further downstream, the petroleum industry is facing challenges to remove sulfur, metal, nitrogen as well as undesirable organic compounds from the crude.Conventional secondary recovery methods such as water and gas injections helped to increase the productivity of the well, while chemical and physical refinery processes such as hydrodesulfurization, desalting, and high-pressure high-temperature hydrotreating remove most inorganic impurities. The increasing demand for oil in the world coupled with very stringent environmental laws piled economical and technical pressure upon the refinery industry to further improve crude oil recovery as well as reduce sulfur, metal and nitrogen concentration to the low ppm levels.In the search for economical and environmentally friendly solutions, growing attention has been given to biotechnology such as the use of microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR). MEOR is an alternate recovery method that uses microorganisms and their metabolic products. In addition, the emerging field of crude oil refining and associated industrial processes such as biodesulfurization, biodemetallation, biodenitrogenation and biotransformation are also covered.This review aims to provide an overview on MEOR and biorefining relevant to the petroleum industry and highlights challenges that need to be overcome to become commercially successful. Literature pertaining to laboratory experiments, field trials and patents are included in view of industrial applications and further developments.