Environmental risk assessment of dams at constructional phase using VIKOR and EFMEA methods (Case study: Balarood Dam,Iran)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the environmental risk of Balarood Dam in Iran at constructional phase. The scientific methods used in this research were the Environmental Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (EFMEA) and VIKOR. In the process of environmental risk assessment, the EFMEA method was used first to calculate the risk priority number (RPN) for each environmental aspect. The identified risks were ranked based on RPN values in the next stage. Comparison of the RPN values showed that the risk of pollution of Balarood River, with a RPN of 125, is in the first priority. In addition, the environmental risks, identified during the follow-up phase, were weighted by entropy method based on severity, occurrence probability, and extent of pollution.Then, the VIKOR method, as one of the multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, was run to evaluate and prioritize the potential environmental risks. The risk of water pollution under high, medium and low conditions, with a weight of 1,300, 1,000 and 700, was identified as the most important risk of dam construction. Accordingly, the most important corrective action, proposed to mitigate the high priority environmental risks, is to prevent the discharge of sanitary and industrial wastewater into the river.     

Application of a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach for Ranking Environmental Risks Caused by Petrochemical Industries: A Case Study of a Sodium Carbonate Production Unit

The occurrence of accidents in petrochemical industries that cause environmental catastrophes has persuaded experts to use risk-oriented approaches. The approach is to rank the key elements of risk assessment by which the priority of each risk is specified compared to the other ones. The present study was performed to test the applicability of a multi-criteria decision-making approach for prioritizing environmental risks of a petrochemical complex in southwestern Iran. Accordingly, all risky activities of the Sodium Carbonate Production Unit (SCPU) were identified initially. Afterward, the relevant environmental components affected by the risky activities were specified. According to the specification, the most significant risks were shortlisted using experts’ judgment based on three criteria: “impact intensity,” “occurrence probability,” and the “extent of contamination dispersion in the environment.” The shortlisted environmental risks were then prioritized by the Method “Elimination et Choice Translating Reality (Elimination and Choice Expressing Reality)” abbreviated as ELECTRE. Based on the obtained results, “decreased air quality” and “manpower health threatening” are the top-priority risks while “poor quality of groundwater” was identified as the least priority risk. In a general conclusion, a multi-criteria decision-making approach is quite useful for assessing environmental risks of petrochemical industries.     

基于失效模式与效应分析法的临床药学服务风险研究

目的 探讨临床药学服务过程中的风险及引起风险的主要原因,通过一定的方式规避风险。方法 应用失效模式与效应分析法对临床药学服务模式进行风险识别管理和研究。结果 分析得出临床药学服务模式共计15项流程,21项失效环节,对其中排名靠前的高危风险提出了相应的干预措施。结论 失效模式与效应分析法可以前瞻地有效地识别高危风险,并结合风险产生的原因,针对性地采取干预措施,从而最大程度地规避风险的发生。     

Validation plan of bone marrow collection,processing and distribution using the failure mode and effect analysis methodology: a technical report

Background aimsBone marrow (BM) is commonly used in the pediatric and adult setting as a source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The standards of the Joint Accreditation Committee of the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy & European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (JACIE) include specific requirements regarding BM collection, processing and distribution. To run this process, each transplant team develops a series of JACIE-compliant procedures, customizing them with regard to local settings and paths. Moreover, JACIE standards require that transplant teams validate and periodically revise their procedures to keep the entire process under control. In this article, the authors describe the methodology adopted in our center to fulfill the aforementioned JACIE requirements.MethodsThe authors developed a validation plan based on the failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) methodology. According to the FMEA approach, the authors carefully revised activities and procedures connected to BM collection, processing and distribution at our institution. The entire process was initially divided into five main phases (assessment of donor eligibility, perioperative autologous blood donation, preparation of BM collection kit, BM harvesting and BM processing and distribution), comprising 17 subphases and 22 activities.ResultsFor each activity, one or more failure modes were identified, for a total of 28 failure modes, and a risk priority number (RPN) was then assigned to each failure mode. Although many procedures were validated, others were subjected to substantial changes according to the RPN rating. Moreover, specific indicators were identified for subsequent monitoring to contain the risk of failure of steps emerging as critical at FMEA.ConclusionsThis is the first study describing use of the FMEA methodology within an HSC transplant program. Shaping the risk analysis based on local experience may be a trustworthy tool for identifying critical issues, directing strict monitoring of critical steps or even amending connected procedures. Overall, the FMEA approach enabled the authors to improve our process, checking its consistency over time.     

失效模式与效应分析在化疗药物安全输注中的应用

目的运用失效模式与效应分析（FMEA）降低化疗药物输注过程中的风险,保证输注安全。方法根据FMEA方法,成立项目小组;制定操作流程图,进行失效模式与潜在风险原因分析,计算优先风险指数（RPN）;找出失效模式及原因;进行措施改进。结果 2012年1~5月与前年同期比较,化疗药物外渗和静脉炎的发生率差异有统计学意义（0.1%vs 0.6%;0.6%vs 1.5%,P〈0.05）。结论 FMEA应用于化疗患者,能显著降低静脉炎和药物外渗发生的风险,保证患者安全。     

Risk Assessment of Human Activities on Protected Areas: A Case Study

No study has been done on the impact of anthropogenic risks on protected areas. This may be due to complexity and diversity of risk assessment indices. In this research, using multicriteria decision-making methods, qualitative and complex indices were converted to simple and quantitative indices by which anthropogenic risks affecting the Helleh Protected Area in Iran were analyzed. To this end, a questionnaire was prepared and delivered to Delphi panelists consisting of environmental expertise. In order to prioritize the identified risks, Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and Simple Additive Weighting Technique (SAW) were used as a subset of Multiple Attribute Decision-making methods (MADM). In this study, risk factors were evaluated using three criteria of severity, probability of occurrence, and sensitivity of the recipient environment. In order to reach enough transcendence (consensus on priority of risks), an integrated approach comprising average, Borda, and Copeland methods was used. The obtained results suggested that “dam inundation upstream of the study area” is a top-priority risky factor threatening the wetland. “Stopping water pumps from the wetland” and “use of modern irrigation systems” were recommended as the most effective managerial strategies to control the identified risk.     

Geochemical Approach to Human Health Risk Assessment of Inhaled Trace Elements in the Vicinity of Industrial Enterprises in Tomsk,Russia

Human health risks due to exposure of heavy metals in the atmospheric air of Tomsk, Russia, were studied. The concentrations of 22 metals in the ambient air were calculated on the basis of the ICP–MS experimental determination of their contents in the insoluble fraction of snow cover. Non-carcinogenic hazards were estimated for the areas of power plant (“Zone PP”), brickworks location (“Zone BF”), zone influenced by concrete product plants (“Zone CP”), and petrochemical plant suburbs (“Zone PCP”). Manganese, Al, Cu, and Ba make the largest contribution to the integral non-cancer hazard caused by chronic inhalation intake in all areas. Zinc is added to the above listed elements in the “Zone PP” and V, Co, Cr, and Ni in the “Zone BF” are also added. Densely populated residential areas “Zone BF” and “Zone PP” were characterized by the higher levels of diseases risks associated with human inhalation intake of metals in comparison with other areas. The dust load should be primarily decreased in the zones subjected to harmful effects of brick factories and other construction materials. As to the power station, the portion of natural gas in consumption should increase from year to year for decreasing heavy metal emissions from burning of coal.     

Evaluation of “Classic” and Emerging Contaminants Resulting from the Application of Biosolids to Agricultural Lands: A Review

The presence of detectable amounts of contaminants in treated sewage sludge (concentrations μg/kg – mg/kg) has led to concerns that land applications of biosolids may result in an accumulation of contaminants in the soil and their subsequent translocation through the food chain. Despite advances in wastewater management (e.g., anaerobic, thermophilic, and mesophilic digestion), many compounds and their metabolites remain intact following treatment. This review looks at the main risk factors relating to the occurrence of “classic” (persistent organic pollutants [POPs]) and emerging pollutants (pharmaceuticals and personal care products) in biosolids. Relevant EU legislation and risk assessment strategies for the control of emerging contaminants are also considered. Organic pollutants regulated under the Stockholm Convention on POPs along with PPCPs were identified as contaminants of concern based on the risk factors: persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT). PPCPs were recognized as being of particular concern as their high transformation/removal rates are compensated by their continuous introduction into the environment. This study highlights the growing concern in relation to emerging contaminants in biosolids and highlights risk assessment strategies that can be used to characterize potential human/environmental risks.     

Americans' Nanotechnology Risk Perception:

Although proposed nanotechnology applications hold great promise, little is known about the potential associated risks. This lack of clarity on the level of risk associated with nanotechnology has forced people to make decisions about consumption with incomplete information. A national random digit dialing telephone survey (N= 1014) was conducted in the United States to assess knowledge of nanotechnology and perception of risk in August 2006. This investigation looks critically at individuals' responses to questions about the balance of risks and benefits of nanotechnology, both at the outset of the survey and after respondents were given a brief introduction to the potential benefits and risks of the technology. Models were created to characterzise respondents who said they did not know how nanotechnology's risks and benefits balanced in the “preinformation” condition but who, in the postinformation condition, had a different opinion. Respondents who were highly educated, members of the Republican Party, or male were more likely to switch from “don't know” in the preinformation condition to “benefits outweigh risks” in the postinformation condition, whereas respondents who were less educated, members of the Democratic Party, or female were more likely to switch from “don't know” in the preinformation condition to “risks outweigh benefits” in the postinformation condition. This is the first study to our knowledge to develop a significant model of nanotechnology risk perception change, specifically with regard to gender differences. The power of information provision to sway opinions is also supported, highlighting the importance of developing educational efforts targeting vulnerable populations.     

Climate Change,Risks and Contaminants: A Perspective from Studying the Arctic

The Arctic faces threats from climate change and contaminants. Together, these two threats are likely to present surprises centered around the zero-degree isotherm because the phase change of water has enormous potential to affect contaminant transport and transfer, and biological distribution and stress. Particularly at risk are top aquatic predators, migratory species, and species narrowly adapted to ice. These species are most exposed to contaminants, are most likely to become stressed by climate change, or contain within their life cycles efficient vectors of contaminants and diseases. In the Arctic, mercury presents a special case where risks can be altered at many places in the biogeochemical cycle. Atmospheric mercury depletion events offer one such location; however, the methylation of mercury in aquatic systems appears a far more important and presently neglected component of risk from mercury to Arctic ecosystems. Climate variables alter transport, transfer, and capture of contaminants. Therefore, monitoring for contaminants must be conducted with a systems approach that includes climate-related factors. To ensure that the perception of risk is accurate and that priority risks are addressed first, a closer dialogue between scientists, the public, and public administers is urgently required.     

Characterizing the spatio-temporal exposure and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an oilfield,China

Regional-scale mass balance models are often used to simulate the multimedia environmental behaviors of organic contaminants. Variables with spatial and temporal characteristics in these models are important factors of their authenticity. The BETR-MFG(IV) model was developed to characterize the spatial and temporal variations as well as health risks of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Daqing City, a typical petroleum industrial city in the Heilongjiang Province, China. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks of these contaminants are assessed on the basis of the BETR-MFG(IV) modeled results. The simulated results showed that the temporal trends of the PAHs in the multimedia environments are in a relative steady state, and the most seriously contaminated area is the municipal districts of Daqing City. It was also demonstrated that the soil is the dominant sink and that the contaminants in the water and sediment are mainly concentrated in the Nanyin Reservoir and Daqing Reservoir. The health risks of the ΣPAHs in the study area primarily come from the pathways of soil ingestion and skin exposure. These findings are helpful to determine the spatio-temporal exposure characteristics of the contaminants, which will provide a scientific guideline for environmental protection and risk management.     

Prioritization of Veterinary Medicines in China's Environment

Large amounts of veterinary medicines are widely used as therapeutic drugs and feed additives (growth promoters) in China, the environmental presence of which possibly poses challenges to the environment and human health. Therefore, it is important to list the veterinary medicines that are considered to be of relatively high priority in China for environmental management. In this study, a three-stage prioritization scheme was applied to veterinary medicines in China. In Stage I, exposure assessment was conducted based on usage amounts and the possibility of entering the environment. In Stage II, the ecotoxicity and human health effects of compounds having a high potential to enter the environment were assessed. In Stage III, considering both the results of Stages I and II, veterinary medicines were assigned into four priority classifications. Using the approach, 38 compounds were assigned to “H,” 7 compounds to “M,” 2 compounds to “L,” and 22 compounds to “VL.” Among the top-ranked compounds, antibiotics, endoparasiticides, and aquacultural medicines accounted for 57.9%, 28.9%, and 10.5%, respectively. Insecticides used widely in China's aquaculture need to be taken into account due to their high priority rank. This is the first study on the prioritization of veterinary pharmaceuticals in China.     

Health Risk Assessment of Domestic Roof Water Harvesting Using Failure Mode and Effects Analysis: Evidence from Nagaur,Rajasthan, India

This article is crafted around assessment and analysis of health risks associated with domestic rooftop water harvesting in India, with the prime objective of bringing to the forefront the deterrent issues and challenges in rainwater harvesting in general and domestic rooftop water harvesting in particular. This is based on a study on health risk assessment of a domestic rooftop water harvesting project conducted in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan, India, providing a critical reflection and exemplifying the prevalent scenario in the arid regions of the world. The methodology used for deriving the conclusions is failure mode and effects analysis. A set of risks were graded according to their severity based on their risk priority number scores evolved, including various contaminants polluting the harvested rainwater. The findings bear implications for planning of reconstructive changes to be incorporated and thus providing the necessary outlook for effective alleviation of the deterrents and make rainwater harvesting the premium solution for realization of the Millennium Development Goals by providing access to safe drinking water to the populace chiefly in the developing countries where the problem of scarce safe water is grave.     

Environmental Risk Assessment of Dams by Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods: A Case Study of the Polrood Dam,Guilan Province,Iran

A dam's construction always imposes some risks to the environment. In this article, the environmental risks of the Polrood dam, located in a northern province of Iran, during its construction phase, were identified, ranked, and evaluated. The risk factors were initially identified by Delphi questionnaire and then rated using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Subsequently, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to classify the risk factors into four major categories, and Expert Choice software was used to weight them. Based on the obtained results, Physicochemical; Biological; Economic, Social, and Cultural; and Health and Safety risks were rated by the weights of 0.124, 0.080, 0.048, and 0.021, respectively. Among the physicochemical risks, Erosion and Sedimentation weighted 0.061 and 0.047, respectively, were identified as the most serious risks. Among the biological risks, the highest negative impact was assigned to Land Cover with the weight of 0.189. In the third category, the most important risk was Population Displacement, weighted 0.114. Workers’ Falls with the weight of 0.109 was also determined as the highest risk in the last category. A comprehensive risk response plan will be required for dealing with the identified risks and their mitigation.     

Benthic indicators of sediment quality associated with run-of-river reservoirs

Freshwater ecosystems have been fragmented by the construction of large numbers of dams. In addition to disruption of ecological continuity and physical disturbance downstream, accumulation of large amounts of sediment within run-of-river reservoirs constitutes a latent ecotoxic risk to aquatic communities. To date, run-of-river reservoirs and ecotoxic risks associated with contaminated sediment to the biodiversity and functioning of such systems are little studied. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to describe macroinvertebrate assemblages, and the functioning of these systems, and to propose indicators of sediment contamination to integrate in in-situ risk assessment methodology. To identify specific assemblages of run-of-river reservoirs, we first compared macroinvertebrate assemblages and their biotrait profiles (i.e. from a database of biological and ecological traits) in reservoirs (n = 6) and associated river sites (upstream and downstream of dams). Then, we compared responses of assemblages and biotrait profiles to sediment contamination of the banks and channels of reservoirs to select the most useful spatial scale to identify sediment contamination. Nineteen indicator taxa were observed to be specifically associated with channel habitats of reservoirs. Among these, the abundance of three taxa (Tanypodinae (Diptera), Ephemerella (Ephemeroptera) and Atherix (Diptera)) revealed the effect of metal sediment contamination. “Between-reservoirs” differences in their biotrait profile were found along the contamination gradient, with a shift of communities’ composition and functionality, and an increase in functional similarity. Many traits (response traits), for example “maximum size”, “transverse distribution”, “substrate preferences”, “saprobity”, “temperature”, “resistance forms”, and “locomotion”, were specifically linked to contamination of sediments by metals. This study indicates how sediment contamination can change the structural and functional composition of run-of-river reservoir assemblages. Indicator taxa and response traits identified in this study could improve current risk assessment methodology and potentially enable prediction of the risks of contaminated sediments stored in reservoirs in downstream ecosystems.     

Analysis of Determining Factors of the Public's Risk Acceptance Level in China

This work will characterize risk acceptance in China, based on the psychometric paradigm, and explore the determining factors that influence the risk acceptable level to the Chinese public. For this purpose, a survey was conducted including 12 hazards, 10 risk attributes (including risk acceptance), and demographic variables. First, the research attempted to explore Nanjing citizens’ average risk acceptable level for 12 hazards in China. Second, intercorrelation analysis and factor analysis of nine risk attributes were performed to obtain the suitable risk perception factors as independent variables. Three risk perception models of acceptance were constructed, which were named “Environmental risk model,” “Daily risk model,” and “Technical risk model,” that explained 59.0–69.6% of variance separately. In general, the variables of Knowledge, Benefit, and Trust were found to be significant in all models, implying that these variables are the main determining factors. However, in the environmental risk model, the variable of effect was also significant, which means the determining factors would change for different types of hazards. These results could help the Chinese government to improve the communication of risks with the public and make effective mitigation policies to improve people's rational judgment on the acceptability of risks.     

Rapid prioritization of alien plants for eradication based on climatic suitability and eradication feasibility

Identifying which introduced species have the greatest potential for establishment, spread and impact is critical for prioritizing pre‐ and post‐border control. Using species distribution modelling and existing species locations we assessed the establishment risk based on the climatic suitability areas of 25 plant species listed as eradication targets under South African regulations. To improve confidence, three bioclimatic models were used to predict the potential distribution of each species. This information was combined with the number of localities and the “eradication feasibility syndromes” in a scoring‐categorical system to rank the species. Three management groups were identified. Group “A” includes species with medium‐high establishment risk and higher likelihood to be eradicated, these species should be a priority for eradication. Group “B” includes species with a medium‐low establishment risk but given the low number of known population and the species characteristics, eradication is likely to be feasible. Finally species in group “C” scored a medium‐high establishment risk but the eradication would be difficult due to the high number of known localities. This ranking provides a rapid method to prioritize the management towards the eradication of new potential invasive plant species in the country combining the establishment risk, known number of localities and the inferred eradication success.     

Indoor and outdoor levels,sources, and health risk assessment of mercury in dusts from a coal-industry city of China

To understand the mercury (Hg) pollution characteristics and health risks in indoor and outdoor dust of Huainan residential areas, 122 dust samples were collected indoors and outdoors. Average Hg contents in indoor and outdoor dusts of Huainan city were 0.321 ± 0.724 (n = 61) and 0.072 ± 0.163 (n = 61) mg/kg respectively. The average Hg content in indoor dust was characterized by PJ (Panji district) > XJJ (Xiejiaji district) > DT (Datong district) > TJA (Tianjiaan district), and in the order of PJ > DT > XJJ >TJA in outdoor dust. According to enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index, the enrichment degree and pollution intensity for Hg are ranked as “very high enrichment” and “heavily polluted” in indoor dust, and “significant enrichment” and “moderately polluted” in outdoor dust Hg concentrations in indoor dust were highly significantly associated with the coal combustion and frequency of open windows, and Hg concentrations in outdoor dust were significantly associated with the coal combustion and traffic density. The inhalation of Hg vapor is the main route of Hg exposure to adult and children. The hazard risks of Hg for different exposure ways in indoor and outdoor dust were more risk for children than for adults, but have no obvious health risk for them.