Recycling industrial paper wastes in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Paper waste represents a considerable proportion of the total waste, and the increased paper recycling would provide economic and environmental benefits. The present study was conducted to assess the magnitude of the problem of paper waste in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA], in particular the industrial paper waste, and the feasibility of its recycling. Data were collected form 50 enterprises in Jeddah printing and publishing newspapers and books, processing cardboards and manufacturing paper products, as related to their paper use, paper waste and recycling issues, as well as from the enterprises processing paper waste in KSA. Results showed that industrial paper waste represents nearly 4.2% of all the paper waste in the country and satisfies, only, one-third of the requirement of the currently existing paper recycling mills, while the rest is obtained from the paper waste of the municipal solid waste [MSW], leaving nearly 950,000 tons of paper waste for export. However, the considerable local requirements of card paper and other paper products would encourage the local recycling of such paper wastes instead of their export. It has been recommended to expand the paper waste recycling industry in KSA to consume the local paper wastes, as well as other paper wastes that might be imported from the neighboring Gulf countries

Study of noise exposure at the ground operations of King Abdul Aziz International Air port

Airport ground service operators are oftenly exposed to unsafe noise levels. The Saudi Arabian Airlines [SAUDIA] has been aware of this problem among their air Traffic Control Coordinators [TCC] and urged this study with the objectives of assessing the magnitude of the problem of occupational noise exposure of TCC in King Abdul-Aziz International Airport [KAAIA] during the travel peak season of the summer vacation of 2003G, and recommending noise control strategy and remedial actions. Noise was measured around "large planes" and "small planes" work stations and in other locations used by TCC, and their Time weighted Averages [TWAs] were computed. Noise levels higher than the recommended TLV of 85 dB[A] exist around planes, particularly at airplane's rear right side, due to operation of servicing vehicles and auxiliary air conditioning equipment. However, the computed TCC-TWA noise levels indicate that the shift-work-schedule which was recommended to be implemented by SAUDIA has successfully reduced their noise exposure to acceptable levels. Even though, it has been recommended to encourage SAUDIA operators to wear ear protectors where noise level higher than 85 dB[A] exist, and to subject them to periodical audiometric testing to detect the extra-auditory-sensitive individuals and to protect SAUDIA from false claims

Appraising safety performance in king Abdul Aziz university campus facilities

The present study was conducted to appraise safety in different facilities of King Abdul-Aziz University [KAUU] Campus, particularly in laboratories including students dormitories. It was concluded that safety conditions at KAAU campus are needed to be improved. This conclusion has been reached considering construction features, layout, furniture, ventilation, illumination, electrical safety, equipment arrangement and operation, safe storage and handling and disposal of hazardous materials, fire safety, safety equipment and safety practices within the campus. Moreover, safety situation in prefabricated buildings was worse than in concrete structured buildings due to the aging of the former and overlooking of safety standards

Study of illumination in Jeddah metallurgical industries

The present study was conducted in 10 metallurgical industries in Jeddah, including 40 departments performing sheet works, machining, assembly, inspection and painting, with the objectives of testing the compliance of illumination levels with the recommended standards, exploring contributing factors to discovered anomalies, and recommending remedies for deficient illumination areas. Results indicated that illumination is satisfactory during day in 65% of the 40 surveyed departments, while at night, it is not satisfactory in 90% of the 19 department that have night shifts. A 1: 10 windows and open doors area to floor area ratio seems to be a decisive factor for satisfactory illumination during day time. Deficient illumination levels are mainly attributed to improper layout distribution of light fixtures, fusion of many lamps and deficient illumination of others, accumulation of dust and dirt on luminaires, window glass, ceilirgs and walls, and low reflectance of surrounding articles. Recommendations to remedy these deficiencies were suggested

Study of noise pollution during hajj

Noise was assessed during Hajj season of 1417 H [March-April, 1997G] in 10 locations where pilgrims stay when performing Hajj. The results demonstrated existence of noise pollution problem as revealed from comparing noise levels there before and during Hajj days with corresponding noise backgrounds. This problem has been attributed to Hajj activities including stationary, mobile crowds, moving traffic masses, and other sources of noise. An outline for a control strategy to abate the problem was presented