Exposure Monitoring and Health Risk Assessment of 1-Bromopropane as a Cleaning Solvent in the Workplace

This study was conducted to estimate the health risk to workers exposed to 1-bromopropane (1-BP) used as a cleaning solvent in their workplaces. Fifty samples from 10 workplaces that use 1-BP as a cleaning solvent were obtained to assess 1-BP concentrations. An exposure assessment revealed central tendency exposure (CTE) and reasonable maximum exposure (RME) levels of 82.1 and 214.8 mg/m³, respectively. For risk characterization, the 1-BP exposure concentrations for reproductive and developmental toxicities were calculated as 2.8 and 8.5 mg/m³, respectively, and compared with the reference concentrations in the workplace. The CTE and RME hazard quotients (HQ) were, respectively, 29.4 and 77.0 for reproductive toxicity and 9.6 and 25.2 for developmental toxicity. The results of our 1-BP risk assessment indicated that the CTE-HQs for both categories were higher than the acceptable risk value of 1, indicating that 1-BP may be considered as harmful to workers.     

Integrating economic input–output life cycle assessment with risk assessment for a screening-level analysis

Goal, Scope, and Background  The paper describes the integration of the economic input–output life cycle assessment (EIO-LCA) model and the environmental fate and transport model (CHEMGL) with a risk assessment tool. Utilizing the EIO-LCA, instead of a traditional LCA, enables a rapid, screening-level analysis of an emerging chemical of concern, decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE). The risk assessment in this study is evaluated based on the mass of chemical released, estimated concentrations, exposure, and chemical toxicity. Methods  The relative risk from ten economic sectors identified within the EIO-LCA model, 55 chemicals utilized in those sectors and DecaBDE along with four potential DecaBDE breakdown products, were evaluated for the life cycle stages and exposure pathways. The relative risk (expressed as toluene equivalents) of the different chemicals, sectors, and life cycle stages were compared to assess those representing the greatest overall relative risks to humans (via inhalation and ingestion) and fish. Results  The greatest overall risk to human health resulted from the manufacturing and production stages. For fish, the manufacturing stage represented virtually all of the risk. Of the 56 chemicals evaluated, DecaBDE represented the majority of the total risk to humans. However, DecaBDE posed the least risk compared to its potential breakdown products. Discussion  The risk to humans from ingestion, which represented the greatest risk, from the production, manufacturing, and consumption stages can be controlled and reduced through various safety precautions in the workplace. Additionally, the increasing concentration of DecaBDE in anaerobic compartments represents a threat to humans and fish via the higher risk DecaBDE breakdown products. Conclusions  Overall, the manufacturing and production life cycle stages pose the greatest risk to humans and fish. The sediment compartment received the highest DecaBDE concentration for the production, manufacturing, and consumption stages. This case study demonstrates that the integrated EIO-LCA with risk assessment is suitable for screening-level analysis of emerging chemicals due to rapid life cycle inventory analysis. Recommendations  The production and manufacturing stages allow for greater industry control and government regulation, compared to the consumption stage, because there are fewer point sources. This integrated life cycle methodology may allow chemical designers to evaluate each stage and assess areas where risks can be minimized.     

Risk assessment of workers exposed to crystalline silica aerosols

This study was conducted to determine the concentration of airborne respirable crystalline silica (ARCS) particles and to evaluate its risk level among workers employed in eight different workplaces in Iran. They included sandblasting operations, ceramic production, sand and gravel work, brick production, asphalt manufacturing, foundry operation, glass making, and stone cutting. Personal exposure to ARCS was measured in randomly selected samples from each workplace. The maximum and minimum average of ARCS concentration in the eight workplaces were observed in foundry operation (0.338 ± 0.110 mg/m³) and glass manufacturing (0.125 ± 0.093 mg/m³), respectively. The average concentration of ARCS in all assessed working conditions were higher than the permitted limit of occupational contact recommended by Technical Committee of the Iranian Ministry of Health, treatment and medical education (0.025 mg/m³). Overall, the results showed a serious lack of control in Iranian industries with respect to workers' exposures to ARCS.     

The use of enzymes in the chemical industry in Europe

Many European chemical industries are in a phase of reorganization resulting in a general opening towards life sciences. Traditional chemical markets are served increasingly with products derived from bioprocesses or hybrid chemical/biocatalytic processes. Biocatalytic steps are already being used to produce a wide range of products, including agricultural chemicals, organics, drugs and plastic materials, to name but a few. Apart from the rapidly growing number of commercialized bioprocesses, a partial survey of exploratory activities points to future applications of enzymes in the European chemical industry, which will bring new products and technologies and, in some cases, replace traditional syntheses.     

Ecological total-factor energy efficiency of China’s energy intensive industries

This paper uses a meta-frontier slack-based DEA model to measure the ecological total-factor energy efficiency as well as the energy conservation potential of China’s four energy intensive subsectors. We incorporate both desirable and undesirable output together in the period, 2000–2013. The conclusions are: firstly, under the meta-frontier, the four subsectors of energy intensive industries have low average level of ecological total-factor energy efficiencies. They are 0.137, 0.212, 0.238, and 0.307 in the non-metallic mineral products manufacturing industry, raw chemical materials and chemical products manufacturing industry, smelting and pressing of ferrous metals industry, and smelting and pressing of non-ferrous metals industry, respectively. Secondly, the ecological energy efficiency in East China is the highest among three regions. Central China and West China are behind, but they are extremely close to each other. Thirdly, East China almost has no technology gap pertaining to energy efficiency, while Central China and West China almost have the same gap. Finally, Sichuan is considered to be the best province in West China under group frontier due to its perform in the three energy intensive subsectors. For Central and East China, no province has higher ecological energy efficiency in more than two energy intensive subsectors.     

Evaluation of health risks associated with trace metal exposure in water from the Barekese reservoir in Kumasi,Ghana

Abstract

Reservoirs play a pertinent role in providing potable water to humans and aquatic animals. Exposure to trace metal pollution in water may threaten aquatic ecosystem and human health. In this study, total and dissolved trace metals pollution and health risk they posed to humans in water sampled from the Barekese reservoir in Kumasi were investigated. Levels of Hg, As, Ni, and Cr in the water exceeded the WHO and USEPA stipulated limits. Arsenic and Cd recorded the highest non-carcinogenic health risk to humans. Hazard quotients (HQs) ?1 were recorded for an adult (HQ = 9.05) and a child (HQ = 21.11) via oral exposure to dissolved As in water samples. High HQ values of 40.10 and 17.20 for a child and an adult respectively were recorded through oral exposure for As. HQ of 1.41 was estimated for a child’s risk via dermal exposure to total Cd in water from the reservoir. Cancer risks of 1.63?×?10^?5 and 2.33?×?10^?6 were respectively recorded for a child and an adult oral exposure to dissolved As, suggesting possible adverse effects. The study concludes that anthropogenic activities within the Barekese catchment are deteriorating its water quality.     

A Pragmatic Approach to Assess the Exposure of the Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) When Subjected to Pesticide Spray

Plant protection spray treatments may expose non-target organisms to pesticides. In the pesticide registration procedure, the honey bee represents one of the non-target model species for which the risk posed by pesticides must be assessed on the basis of the hazard quotient (HQ). The HQ is defined as the ratio between environmental exposure and toxicity. For the honey bee, the HQ calculation is not consistent because it corresponds to the ratio between the pesticide field rate (in mass of pesticide/ha) and LD₅₀ (in mass of pesticide/bee). Thus, in contrast to all other species, the HQ can only be interpreted empirically because it corresponds to a number of bees/ha. This type of HQ calculation is due to the difficulty in transforming pesticide field rates into doses to which bees are exposed. In this study, we used a pragmatic approach to determine the apparent exposure surface area of honey bees submitted to pesticide treatments by spraying with a Potter-type tower. The doses received by the bees were quantified by very efficient chemical analyses, which enabled us to determine an apparent surface area of 1.05 cm²/bee. The apparent surface area was used to calculate the exposure levels of bees submitted to pesticide sprays and then to revisit the HQ ratios with a calculation mode similar to that used for all other living species. X-tomography was used to assess the physical surface area of a bee, which was 3.27 cm²/bee, and showed that the apparent exposure surface was not overestimated. The control experiments showed that the toxicity induced by doses calculated with the exposure surface area was similar to that induced by treatments according to the European testing procedure. This new approach to measure risk is more accurate and could become a tool to aid the decision-making process in the risk assessment of pesticides.     

Assessment of personal protective equipment use and occupational exposures in small industries in Jeddah: Health implications for workers

Small-scale industries account for a large proportion of jobs and play a vital role in most countries’ economic growth and prosperity. Due to the very low use of personal protective equipment (PPEs), employees are exposed to numerous physical, chemical, and accidental hazards in small-scale industries. PPEs are very effective in minimizing occupational injuries, accidents, and other hazards which otherwise result in substantial manpower and financial losses. The study objective was to assess the availability and use of PPEs as well as self-reported occupational exposures among workers in surveyed small industries in Jeddah. The study involved 102 workers from 28 small-scale industries (vehicle repair, welding, and paint). A survey was conducted to gather data of socio-demographic characteristics, self-reported occupational exposures, and frequency of PPEs used by workers. The occupational exposures (never exposed, sometimes exposed and always exposed) were reported in percentages including; noise exposure (19.6, 73.5 and 6.9%); dust/smoke exposure (9.8, 69.6 and 20.6%); vapors/fumes exposure (11.8, 60.8 and 27.5%); and direct sunlight (43.1, 56.9 and 0%), respectively. The reported use of different PPEs in descending order was; knee joints mats (50%), welding shields (50%), safety glasses (33.3%), gloves (27.5%), face masks (26.5%), safety shoes (10.8%) and earplugs/ muffs (8.8%). On the basis of this study findings, hand hygiene and general OSH awareness like interventions can be developed which will help in minimizing workplace exposures among small-scale industry workers.     

Genotoxicity of hydroquinone in A549 cells

Hydroquinone (HQ) is found in natural and anthropogenic sources including food, cosmetics, cigarette smoke, and industrial products. In addition to ingestion and dermal absorption, human exposure to HQ may also occur by inhaling cigarette smoke or polluted air. The adverse effects of HQ on respiratory systems have been studied, but genotoxicity HQ on human lung cells is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of HQ in human lung alveolar epithelial cells (A549). We found that HQ induced a dose response in cell growth inhibition and DNA damage which was associated with an increase in oxidative stress. Cytotoxicity results demonstrated that HQ was most toxic after 24 h (LC₅₀?=?33 μM) and less toxic after 1 h exposure (LC₅₀?=?59 μM). Genotoxicity of HQ was measured using the Comet assay, H2AX phosphorylation, and chromosome aberration formation. Results from the comet assay revealed that DNA damage was highest during the earlier hours of exposure (1 and 6 h) and thereafter was reduced. A similar pattern was observed for H2AX phosphorylation suggesting that damage DNA may be repaired in later exposure hours. An increase in chromosomal aberration corresponded with maximal DNA damage which further confirmed the genotoxic effects of HQ. To investigate whether oxidative stress was involved in the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of HQ, cellular glutathione and 8-Oxo-deoguanisone (8-Oxo-dG) formation were measured. A decrease in the reduced glutathione (GSH) and an increase oxidized glutathione (GSSG) was observed during the early hours of exposure which corresponded with elevated 8-Oxo-dG adducts. Together these results demonstrate that HQ exerts its cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in A549 lung cells, probably through DNA damage via oxidative stress.     

Cytogenetic analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers occupationally exposed to styrene

The genetic risk run by workers occupationally exposed to styrene vapors was assessed in two different plants A and B, using the cytogenetic analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes. In plant A engaged in the manufacture of polystyrene vessels the mean styrene exposure level was found to range between 70 and 150 mg . m-3, in plant B manufacturing sports boats, plastic slides for children and plastic guard-stones it reached the level of about 200 mg . m-3. The rate of aberrant cells (AB.C.) found in plant A workers (N = 36) at the time of first sampling was 1.38% and the value of break/cell (B/C) ratio was 0.015; at the second sampling the rate of AB.C. was 1.41% and the B/C ratio was 0.014. The group of matched controls (N = 19) was found to have 1.26% of AB.C. and 0.014 breaks per cell. Plant B workers (N = 22) exhibited at the first sampling 1.72% of AB.C. and their value of B/C ratio was 0.018, the group of matched controls (N = 22) had 1.36% of AB.C and the B/C ratio 0.015; the respective values at the time of second sampling were 2.81% for AB.C. rate and 0.029 for B/C ratio in the exposed and 1.89% for AB.C. rate and 0.021 for B/C ratio in the control group. It is concluded that styrene exposure levels below 100 mg . m-3 do not pose any serious genetic risk for the exposed population groups. The variations found in the degree of chromosome injury by smoking habits, drug intake pattern, or sex were not statistically significant.     

Contamination level and potential health risk assessment of hexavalent chromium in soils from a coal chemical industrial area in Northwest China

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the total Cr and Cr(VI) contamination levels and assess the possible health risk of Cr(VI) in soils from a coal chemical industrial area in Northwest China. The contamination factor (CF) was used to calculate the total Cr and Cr(VI) contamination levels in soils from the study area. The highest concentration of Cr(VI) (69.58?mg/kg) was found in the top soil (0–20?cm) with the distance of 10 m to the coal cinder heap. The carcinogenic risk (CR) and hazard quotient (HQ) were estimated for health risk to workers by using “Chinese Technical Guidelines for Risk Assessment of Contaminated Sites (HJ 25.3-2014).” The results showed that the soils from the study area were moderately polluted by the total Cr and Cr(VI). There was no serious non-CR (HQ < 1). However, the CR values of Cr(VI) were significantly higher than the threshold value, indicating that workers are facing serious threat of Cr(VI). Inhalation (70.32%) was the main exposure pathway to CR, followed by dermal contact (20.64%), and then ingestion (9.04%). These results provide basic information of Cr(VI) pollution control and environment management in coal chemical industrial areas.     

基于投入产出模型的黄河“几字弯”城市群用水特征与节水关键区域

黄河“几字弯”区域是黄河流域的关键节点,是实现中西部崛起的关键区域,也是黄河流域生态环境保护和高质量发展的战略支撑。然而,缺水已经成为制约“几字弯”地区经济社会发展的最大瓶颈。利用投入产出模型,从生产侧的实体水和消费测的虚拟水出发,分析“几字弯”地区18个城市的用水量、结构变化和流入流出特征,结合生产与消费两个方面提出了“几字弯”地区城市群节水的重点区域及产业供水调整的建议。（1）“几字弯”区域虚拟水用量由2007年648.5亿m3增加至2017年778.4 亿m3,增加了20.0%,但实体水用量仅变化了-0.04%,各城市虚拟水增长类型差异较大。（2）18个城市实体水占虚拟水的比例由2007年41.7%下降至2017年34.8%,水资源利用效率逐步提高;实体水的用水大户是农业,虚拟水的用水大户是制造业和农业,服务业实体水和虚拟水用量剧增。（3）区域18个城市虚拟水流入量增长明显,但整体仍呈现出虚拟水净流出的特征。制造业虚拟水流出量均在188.9亿m3以上,流入量均不足108.9亿m3,制造业在区域经济中具有一定的比较优势。（4）巴彦淖尔、中卫、吴忠、石嘴山和白银市是“几字弯”18个城市中重点节水的对象。在这些城市中,农业用水比重较大,产出较低,农业是今后节水的重点。鄂尔多斯、包头、石嘴山、乌海制造业具有比较优势,巴彦淖尔的农业用水系数远远高于18个城市的平均值,需要控制其农业用水。对于鄂尔多斯、包头、石嘴山、乌海、巴彦淖尔5市,需要向当地的优势产业制造业和服务业进行供水倾斜、提高比较优势。     

Antiplatelet,antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory effects of hydroquinone

Platelets play crucial roles in thrombosis and hemostasis through platelet activation and aggregation that are crucial in cardiovascular diseases. Hydroquinone (HQ) and its derivatives are present in many dermatological creams, paints, motor fuels, air, microorganisms, and plant products like wheat bread, fruit, coffee, and red wine. The effect of HQ on humans is not clear. In this study, we found that HQ (>25 μM) inhibited arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet aggregation. HQ suppressed AA-induced thromboxane B2 production of platelets. HQ (>10 μM) also attenuated ex vivo platelet-rich plasma aggregation. HQ prevented the interleukin (IL)-1β-induced 8-isoprostane, and PGE2 production, but not IL-8 production of pulp cells. These results indicate that HQ may have an antiplatelet effect via inhibition of thromboxane production. HQ has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, and possible inhibition of COX. Exposure and consumption of HQ-containing products, food or drugs may have antiplatelet, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory effects.     

Life-Cycle Assessment in the Service Industries

Despite the dominant role service industries play in modern society, those industries have by and large not been involved in the strong efforts underway to create environmentally responsible operations. Part of the reason is that the role of these industries as driving factors in resource flows has not been recognized. Perhaps more important, no common framework for assessing the environmental responsibility of service industries has been established. This article provides such a framework and applies it to a generic service industry: automotive repair. Among the results are that evaluation must take different forms for different types of services, and that the approaches of service industries to the use of buildings and equipment will require innovative solutions quite unlike those advocated for the "greening" of manufacturing operations.     

基于碳足迹研究的中国地区工业低碳转型——以山东省为例

行业的低碳发展是工业低碳转型的目标,以工业部门为对象,应用脱钩效应和面板模型分析行业能源消费的碳足迹,对深入研究地区工业低碳转型具有重要现实意义。以山东省为例,分析工业能源消费碳足迹的1997年至2012年样本数据,将工业部门分为高耗能行业、其他行业、战略性新兴行业,展开研究,结果表明:(1)自20世纪90年末代开始节能降耗,山东省工业呈现强负"脱钩"、强"脱钩"、扩张负"脱钩"和弱"脱钩"交替发生,表明对工业节能降耗调控波动大,不利于工业部门均衡有序发展;(2)高耗能行业是能耗大户,高耗能行业与工业在绝大部分年份的脱钩状态相同,表明高耗能行业主导工业总体脱钩状态,是节能减排的主要对象;随着节能降耗的深入,相关政策趋紧,碳足迹边际成本不断升高,应关注锁定效应大的火电行业和碳足迹边际成本高的化学工业;(3)其他行业包含行业多,但总体能耗水平不高,随着节能减排的开展和行业持续发展,能耗将增加,必将承担更多的节能减排,需要关注锁定效应强的金属制品业发展,推动碳生产力系数高的食品饮料业发展;(4)战略性新兴行业碳锁定效应最弱、碳足迹边际成本最低和碳生产力系数最高,是国家大力倡导发展的行业;由于基数低,对工业碳排放态势影响极其有限,应大力推动碳锁定效应弱的新一代信息技术产业、碳足迹边际成本低的新材料行业、碳生产力系数高的节能环保业和新材料行业。     

Application of the Hazard Quotient Method in Remedial Decisions: A Comparison of Human and Ecological Risk Assessments

This paper evaluates the relative roles of the human health hazard index (HI) and the ecological risk assessment hazard quotient (HQ) in remedial decision-making. Through an analysis of HI outcomes drawn from Superfund Records of Decision, the reduced importance of the HI statistic in human health risk assessments is demonstrated, and the high visibility of the ecological risk assessment (ERA) HQ for terrestrial receptors (birds and mammals) is underscored. Three HQ method limitations common to both HHRA and ERA, deriving either from the mathematical construct of the HQ (a simple binary measure, indicating that an animal's exposure either exceeds its toxicity value or does not) or from dose-response outcomes in animal trials, are reviewed. Two additional HQ limitations unique to ERA (i.e., a propensity for the HQ to easily exceed its threshold value, and a propensity for it to assume values that are unreasonably high), and deriving from the complexities of estimating bird and mammal dietary intakes of contaminants and the availability of toxicological effects information, are also identified. The paper cautions of the potential to err in concluding that terrestrial site receptors are at risk when the HQ threshold is exceeded, and regardless of the toxicological information (NOAELs, LOAELs, etc.) used. It recognizes that because other methods of terrestrial assessment are presently unavailable, HQs are sometimes, out of necessity, used to justify a remedial action. The analysis and discussion are intended to remind ecological risk assessors that the HQ is a measure of a level of concern only and not a measure of risk     

Interactions of radiofrequency radiation-induced hyperthermia and 2-methoxyethanol teratogenicity in rats

Radiofrequency (RF) radiation is used in a variety of workplaces. In addition to RF radiation, many workers are concurrently exposed to numerous chemicals; exposed workers include those involved with the microelectronics industry, plastic sealers, and electrosurgical units. The developmental toxicity of RF radiation is associated with the degree and duration of hyperthermia induced by the exposure. Previous animal research indicates that hyperthermia induced by an elevation in ambient temperature can potentiate the toxicity and teratogenicity of some chemical agents. We previously demonstrated that combined exposure to RF radiation (10 MHz) and the industrial solvent, 2-methoxyethanol (2ME), produces enhanced teratogenicity in rats. The purpose of the present research is to determine the effects of varying the degree and duration of hyperthermia induced by RF radiation (sufficient to maintain colonic temperatures at control [38.5], 39.0, 40.0, or 41.0 °C for up to 6 h) and 2ME (100 mg/kg) administered on gestation day 13 of rats. Focusing on characterizing the dose-response pattern of interactions, this research seeks to determine the lowest interactive effect level. Day 20 fetuses were examined for external and skeletal malformations. The results are consistent with previous observations. Significant interactions were observed between 2ME and RF radiation sufficient to maintain colonic temperatures at 41 °C for 1 h, but no consistent interactions were seen at lower temperatures even with longer durations. These data indicate that combined exposure effects should be considered when developing both RF radiation and chemical exposure guidelines and intervention strategies. Bioelectromagnetics 18:349–359, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effects of the Preparation Process on the Properties of Amorphous Solid Dispersions

The use of amorphous solid dispersions to improve the bioavailability of active ingredients from the BCS II and IV classifications continues to gain interest in the pharmaceutical industry. Over the last decade, methods for generating amorphous solid dispersions have been well established in commercially available products and in the literature. However, the amorphous solid dispersions manufactured by different technologies differ in many aspects, primarily chemical stability, physical stability, and performance, both in vitro and in vivo. This review analyzes the impact of manufacturing methods on those properties of amorphous solid dispersions. For example, the chemical stability of drugs and polymers can be influenced by differences in the level of thermal exposure during fusion-based and solvent-based processes. The physical stability of amorphous content varies according to the thermal history, particle morphology, and nucleation process of amorphous solid dispersions produced by different methods. The in vitro and in vivo performance of amorphous formulations are also affected by differences in particle morphology and in the molecular interactions caused by the manufacturing method. Additionally, we describe the mechanism of manufacturing methods and the thermodynamic theories that relate to amorphous formulations.     

基于投入产出表的北京市产业生态效率

提高生态效率对协调经济发展与环境保护的关系至关重要。为了了解北京市产业转型过程中各产业部门生态效率的变化趋势,识别提高影响北京市产业生态效率的关键部门,基于北京市投入产出表,运用指标体系法,选取水资源效率,以及废水、二氧化硫、工业固体废弃物的环境效率作为生态效率的衡量指标,核算了北京市2007、2010和2012年各部门的水资源效率以及2005、2007和2010年各部门的环境效率,并比较分析了各部门的水资源的完全用水系数以及污染物的完全排放系数,计算各部门之间完全排放量的相互贡献比例,识别了提高生态效率的关键部门。研究结果:(1)2007—2012年,北京市各部门水资源效率和2005—2010年废水、二氧化硫(SO_2)、工业固体废弃物的环境效率整体呈波动上升趋势。(2)农林牧渔业和废品废料部门是提高水资源效率的关键部门。(3)水的生产和供应业、化学工业、食品制造及烟草加工业、纺织业和造纸印刷及文教体育用品制造业是提高废水环境效率的关键部门。(4)石油加工、炼焦及核燃料加工业、非金属矿物制品业、金属冶炼及压延加工业、电力及热力的生产和供应业是提高SO_2环境效率的关键部门。(5)煤炭开采和洗选业、金属矿采选业、木材加工及家具制造业、非金属矿物制品业、金属冶炼及压延加工业、电力及热力的生产和供应业、水的生产和供应业是提高工业固体废弃物环境效率的关键部门。