Producción de plásticos biodegradables a partir de bacterias de hábitats salinos aisladas de la Laguna de Ayarza / Production of biodegradable plastics from saline habitats bacteria isolated from Laguna de Ayarza

La contaminación por plásticos petroquímicos es una grave amenaza para el medio ambiente que requiere im-plementar alternativas como los bioplásticos para lograr un desarrollo sostenible. Los polihidroxialcanoatos (PHA) son polímeros utilizados para la producción de plásticos biodegradables y que han llamado la atención como sustitutos de los plásticos de base fósil. Sin embargo, el costo de producción de los PHA constituye una barrera para su producción industrial a gran escala. Las de bacterias de hábitats salinos son microorganismos prometedores para la síntesis de PHA debido a sus características tales como altos requisitos de salinidad que previenen la contaminación microbiana, la alta presión osmótica intracelular que permite una fácil lisis celular para purificar los PHA y la capacidad para usar un amplio espectro de sustratos. La presente investigación planteó determinar las cepas nativas de bacterias halófilas y halotolerantes de la Laguna de Ayarza capaces de producir PHA, establecer la capacidad que tienen de utilizar residuos agrícolas para la producción de PHA y determinar su eficiencia. Esto se logró a través de la inoculación de las cepas productoras de PHA en medios de fermentación con pulpa de café, cáscaras de plátanos y salvado de trigo lo que permitió determinar las cepas más eficientes. Se encontró que las bacterias productoras de PHA pertenecen a las especies: Alcaligenes faecalis, Bacillus idriensis, Bacillus megaterium, Exiguobacterium acetylicum, E. aurantiacum, Pseudomonas cuatrocienegasensis y Sta-phylococcus capitis y que las cepas AP21-14, AP21-10 y AP21-03 mostraron los mejores resultados que podrían ser prometedores para la producción a nivel industrial.

Pollution by petrochemical plastics is a serious threat to the environment that requires the implementation of al-ternatives such as bioplastics to achieve sustainable development. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are polymers used for the production of biodegradable plastics and have drawn attention as substitutes for fossil-based plastics. However, the cost of producing PHAs constitutes a barrier to their large-scale industrial production. Bacteria from saline environments bacteria are promising microorganisms for PHA synthesis due to their characteristics such as high salinity requirements that prevent microbial contamination, high intracellular osmotic pressure that allows easy cell lysis to purify PHAs, and the ability to use a broad spectrum of substrates. This research project aimed to determine the native strains of halophilic and halotolerant bacteria from Laguna de Ayarza capable of producing PHA, establish their ability to use agricultural residues for the production of PHA, and determine their efficiency. This was achieved through the inoculation of the PHA-producing strains in fermentation media with coffee pulp, banana peels and wheat bran, which allowed determining the most efficient strains. It was found that the PHA-producing bacteria belong to the species: Alcaligenes faecalis, Bacillus idriensis, Bacillus mega-terium, Exiguobacterium acetylicum, E. aurantiacum, Pseudomonas cuatrocienegasensis and Staphylococcus capitis and that the strains AP21-14, AP21-10 and AP21-03 showed the best results that could be promising for production at an industrial level.

Toxicant-nutrient interaction as a veritable host resistance against chemical toxicity in the rapidly industrializing developing nations

Growing evidence indicates that chemical utilization including toxic waste in the developing countries is on the increase. These nations have limited facilities for sound chemical management involving production, use and disposal of chemicals with minimal adverse effects on human and environmental health. Though concerns are important to all nations, they appear particularly salient to the industrializing countries under pressures to achieve development and eradicate poverty yet with limited capacity for sound chemical management. This increases the risk of chemical toxicity, with consequences such as genotoxicity, cancer and teratogenicity. The growing chemical burden implies the need for an efficient and effective means of xenobiotic metabolism and host resistance. Relevant literature on nutrients and toxicants interaction in various search engines were reviewed. The possible role of host resistance, essentially involving nutritional modulation has been ignored. Nutrient-toxicant response pathways could be affordable strategies against excessive chemical exposure. Zinc, a prime micronutrient is an antioxidant [Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD)], component of p53, guardian of the genome; active in the repair of DNA damage and apoptosis; protective against carcinogenesis. Zinc also plays an important role in vitamin A metabolism, in turn important in differentiation and central to retinoids involved in gene expression. Zinc is important in all the stages of the cell cycle, derangement of which may be a pathway to carcinogenesis. Use of this and other protective nutrients including folate and selenium, among others, appears a veritable approach to improving host resistance against chemical toxicity and should be considered promising in developing nations

Influence of accumulation of heaps of steel slag on the environment: determination of heavy metals content in the soils

The presence of high level of heavy metals involves a human healthy risk that could induce chronic diseases. This work reports on the metal contamination due to heaps of steel-slag accumulated during more than 40 years in allotments and industrial areas in the southern part of Madrid (Spain). Several slag and soil samples were collected in an area of 10 km² and characterized by different conventional (XRD and XRF) and no so common methods (ESEM, thermoluminescence and EDS-WDS). The analysis reveal the presence of: (i) important amounts of Fe (43 percent), Mg (26 percent), Cr (1.1 percent), Mn (4.6 percent), S (6.5 percent) in the form of Fe-rich slag phases (wustite, magnetite...), Si and Ca-rich phases (larnite, ghelenite...), Cr (chromite), Mn (bustamite) and graphite, (ii) traces of some other contaminants such as Cr (7700 ppm), Zn (3500 ppm), Ba (3000 ppm), Pb (700 ppm) or Cu (500 ppm) on pathway soil samples that come from the steel slag, and (iii) Co (13 ppm), Pb (78 ppm) and V (54 ppm) in farmland soil samples. Although the existing heavy metals content is not appropriate for the current use, the extremely high metal contamination of the surrounding areas is more worrying. The properties of the soil farmlands (pH circa 7, 13 percent of clay, mainly illite, and 1-4 percent of organic matter content) show suitable conditions for the retention of cationic metals, but further studies on the movilization of these elements have to be performed to determine the possibility of severe human health risks. This sort of study can provide useful information for the politicians regarding the appropriate use of the territory to prevent possible health hazard for the population.

A presença de altos niveis de metais pesados envolve riscos à saúde humana e pode induzir doenças crônicas. Este trabalho relata a contaminação metálica causada por pilhas de escória siderúrgica acumulada durante mais de 40 anos em áreas industriais na parte sul de Madrid (Espanha). Amostras de escória e solo foram coletadas em uma área de 10 km² e caracteri-zada por diferentes métodos, convencionais (XRD, XRF) ou não (ESEM, termoluminescência e EDS-WDS). A análise revela a presença de: i) quantidades importantes de Fe (43 por cento), Mg (26 por cento), Cr (1,1 por cento), Mn (4,6 por cento), S (6,5 por cento) formando várias fases ricas em Fe (wüstita, magnetita), Si e Ca (larnita, guelenita), Cr (cromita), Mn (bustamita) e grafite; (ii) tiajos de outros contaminantes, como Cr (7700 ppm), Zn (3500 ppm), Ba (3000 ppm), Pb (700 ppm) e Cu (500 ppm), no solo dos caminhos para as pilhas de resíduos e (iii) Co (13 ppm), Pb (78 ppm) e V (54 ppm) em amostras de solo agrícola. Embora os teores de metais pesados não sejam apropriados para uso corrente, a elevada contaminação de areas adjacentes é mais preocupante. Os solos adjacentes (pH ca. 7, 13 por cento de argila - principalmente ilita) e 1-4 por cento de matéria orgânica mostram condições adequadas para a retenção de cátions, mas outros estudos deverão ser realizados para determinar a possibilidade de riscos à saúde humana. Este tipo de trabalho pode fornecer informaçãoo útil para gestores públicos, com relação ao uso do território e prevenção de riscos à saúde da população.

Condições de trabalho e saúde de trabalhadores na queima de resíduos tóxicos em fornos de cimenteiras de Cantagalo, Rio de Janeiro / Health and work conditions in the burning of toxic waste in cement kilns in the Cantagalo, Rio de Janeiro

A indústria cimenteira nacional, desde 1991, utiliza resíduos tóxicos gerados por outras empresas como combustível ou matéria prima alternativa, e justifica a prática, que resulta em substancial economia de recursos, como expressão de responsabilidade ambiental. Entretanto, a realidade demonstra sinais de impactos negativos sobre a saúde de trabalhadores e da população vizinha às fábricas, bem como ao meio ambiente. Este estudo ocupa-se de analisar as condições de trabalho e saúde a partir do discurso dos trabalhadores envolvidos na atividade em Cantagalo, RJ, comparando-as com a literatura científica disponível, depoimentos de autoridades, material jornalístico e gerado pelas empresas interessadas. A partir desta análise, pode-se comprovar que a atividade gera adoecimento, que é agravado pelas condições socioeconômicas locais, é banalizado pelo comportamento dos responsáveis por evitá-lo. É ocultado pela negligência de notificação às autoridades e é confundido pela valorização de duvidoso monitoramento biológico, indevidamente avaliado quanto às expressões clínicas típicas de intoxicações, gerando situações dúbias, que favorecem as empresas e lesam a população exposta. Há que fortalecer as instâncias locais de Meio Ambiente e Saúde, para que o tema seja discutido de forma ampla e conjunta, envolvendo atores responsáveis pela prática, órgãos ambientais e de saúde, e as populações expostas. É imperativo que haja nivelamento técnico e equidade de forças, condições fundamentais para que o processo se faça através da legitimação dos princípios da Saúde Coletiva e da Justiça Ambiental.

[Elimination of copper and zinc from industrial wastes by mutated bacteria]

Today, toxic effluents have created ecological and health problems in and around the industrial cities resulting in death of nearby living organisms. The aim of this research was to increase the elimination of copper and zinc from copper factory effluents in Kerman/Iran through mutation inducing in metal-resistant bacteria by using Acriflavine, Acridine orange and Ethidium bromide. A total of 20 strains of Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from water and soil of the factory and subjected to microbiological identification. Maximum Inhibitory Concentration [MIC] to Cu and Zn were determined by agar dilution method. Those strains with the highest MIC to these metals [5mM] were subjected to 400-3200mg/L of the above mutagenic agents. After determination of MIC those colonies which were capable to grow on 20mM copper were selected for atomic absorption spectroscopy. According to the atomic absorption spectroscopy of dried biomass obtained from resistant strains after exposure to mutagenic agents, strains 6,7,8,9,10,13 and 16 showed the highest accumulation of CU and Zn [10mM for Cu and 20mM for Zn]. Strain 13 had the highest absorption of Cu [0.35%/mg biomass] and strain 10 showed the highest accumulation of Zn [0.33%/mg biomass]. Elimination of heavy metals by artificially mutated bacteria can be suggested as a cost effective solution to this environmental health issue

Consumo, ganho de peso e análise econômica da terminação de cordeiros em confinamento com dietas contendo diferentes proporções de resíduo úmido de cervejaria / Feed intake, weight gain and economical analysis of feedlot finished lambs fed diets with different proportions of wet brewery residue

Avaliou-se o efeito de dietas contendo diferentes proporções de resíduo úmido de cervejaria sobre o consumo de nutrientes e o ganho de peso de cordeiros terminados em confinamento, e realizou-se uma análise econômica da alimentação oferecida aos animais. Foram utilizados 25 cordeiros, machos, não-castrados, da raça Texel, distribuídos aleatoriamente em cinco tratamentos compostos por proporções de 0 por cento, 25 por cento, 50 por cento, 75 por cento e 100 por cento de substituição do alimento concentrado por resíduo úmido de cervejaria. Verificou-se efeito quadrático sobre os consumos de matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo (EE) e de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), e linear decrescente sobre os consumos de carboidratos totais (CHT) e de carboidratos não estruturais (CNE), quando expressos em kg/dia. Os consumos de EE e de FDN aumentaram linearmente, e os de CNE diminuíram linearmente, quando expressos em porcentagem do peso vivo e em g/kg PV0,75. O consumo de energia líquida, o ganho de peso diário e o custo da alimentação diminuíram linearmente com o aumento da proporção de resíduo úmido de cervejaria. Não foi verificado efeito sobre o lucro relacionado à venda dos animais vivos ou à venda das carcaças.

The effect of diets with different proportions of wet brewery residue on the nutrient intake and the weight gain of feedlot lambs in phase of termination were determined. An economic analysis of the food given to the animals was also performed. Twenty-five non-castrated Texel male lambs were randomly allotted into five groups, consisting in the replacement of the concentrate by wet brewery residue; at proportions of 0 percent, 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent, and 100 percent. The results of the test revealed a quadratic effect on the intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF); and a linear decreasing effect on intake of total carbohydrate (TCH), and non-structural carbohydrate (NSC), expressed in kg/day. The intakes of EE and NDF showed a linear increase and NSC intake showed a linear decrease, expressed in percentage of live weight ( percent LW) and g/kg LW.0.75 The consume of net energy (NE), daily weight gain, and feed cost showed a linear decrease with the increase in the proportion of wet brewery residue. It was not verified effect on profits related to the sales of the live animals or the sale of the carcasses.

Peso e rendimento dos componentes do peso vivo de cordeiros terminados em confinamento com dietas contendo proporções crescentes de resíduo úmido de cervejaria / Weight and yield of liveweight components of feedlot finish lambs fed diets with increasing proportions of wet brewery residue

Avaliou-se o efeito de dietas contendo proporções crescentes de resíduo úmido de cervejaria sobre o peso e proporção dos componentes do peso vivo de cordeiros terminados em confinamento. Foram utilizados 25 cordeiros, machos, não-castrados, da raça Texel, distribuídos aleatoriamente em cinco tratamentos compostos por proporções de 0 por cento, 25 por cento, 50 por cento, 75 por cento e 100 por cento de substituição do alimento concentrado por resíduo úmido de cervejaria. Utilizou-se dieta composta de feno de Tifton-85 e mistura concentrada em uma relação volumoso:concentrado de 40:60, na matéria seca. O alimento concentrado foi constituído por milho desintegrado, farelo de soja, mistura mineral e resíduo úmido de cervejaria, sendo que suas proporções variaram de acordo com os tratamentos. Houve redução linear dos pesos de sangue, patas, cabeça, fígado, pulmão e baço, e da proporção de fígado, à medida que se elevou a proporção do resíduo úmido de cervejaria nas dietas. A proporção, em relação ao peso vivo, de rúmen/retículo e do trato gastrintestinal, com conteúdo, e do conteúdo gastrintestinal aumentou linearmente, enquanto os pesos de rúmen/retículo, abomaso, intestino delgado e do trato gastrintestinal, sem conteúdo, diminuíram linearmente com o aumento da proporção do resíduo nas dietas. A proporção de rúmen/retículo, sem conteúdo, foi influenciada de forma quadrática.

The effect of diets with increasing proportions of wet brewery residue on the weight and proportion of live weight components of feedlot finished lambs was evaluated. Twenty-five non-castrated Texel male lambs were randomly allotted into five groups, consisting in the replacement of the concentrate by wet brewery residue; at the proportions of 0 percent, 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent, and 100 percent. Diet composition was Tifton-85 hay and concentrate mixture, in a relation roughage:concentrate of 40:60, based on dry matter (DM). The concentrate was composed of ground corn, soybean meal, mineral mix and wet brewery residue, and its proportions varied in accordance with the treatments. There was a linear decrease in weights of blood, legs, head, liver, lungs, and spleen, and liver proportion, with the increase of the proportion of wet brewery residue on the diets. The proportion, in relation to live weight, of rumen/reticulum and of gastrointestinal tract with content, and the gastrointestinal tract content showed a linear increase; while the weights of rumen/reticulum, abomasum, small intestine, and gastrointestinal tract without content showed a linear decrease with the increase of wet brewery residue in the diets. A quadratic effect was observed in the proportion of rumen/reticulum without content.

Effects of sediment disturbance caused by bridge construction on macrobenthic communities in Asan Bay, Korea.

Changes in soft-bottom macrobenthic communities and the effects of anthropogenic disturbances were studied. We compared biological and environmental samples during and after bridge construction (DBC and ABC). Significant differences were detected in sediment composition at three stations, although hydrographic conditions were similar for DBC and ABC samples. From DBC to ABC, the number of species and density of macrobenthic fauna tended to decrease, whereas biomass increased. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis identified two sampling period groups from eight temporal samples, plus three station groups and one station from 12 spatial samples, which corresponded to macrobenthic faunal assemblages and theircharacteristic species. In addition, contributions of variables to similarity showed that the DBC and ABC samples differed significantly in the distribution of characteristic species and proportion of polychaete trophic groups, suggesting that the macrobenthic community structure was a factor affecting sediment disturbance caused by bridge construction.

Biomanagement of sago-sludge using an earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae.

Sago, the tapioca starch is manufactured by over 800 small-scale units located in the Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India. During the processing of sago it generates huge quantities of biodegradable solid waste, as crushed tubers. In present study an attempt was made to convert these biodegradable solid sago tubers into value added compost using an exotic earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae. The experiments were carried out in a plastic tray at various concentrations of sago-sludge (50% 75% and 100%) for a period of 90 days. During the vermicomposting, data were collected on life form (cocoon, non clitellates, clitellates) of earthworm and it was found to be high in 50% followed by 75% and 100% concentrations. Chemical analysis of worked substrates showed a step wise increase of nitrogen and phosphorus. The fold increase of phosphorus and nitrogen were found to be high for sago-sludge undergoing vermicomposting than the control. During the composting period the organic carbon decreased from its initial value of 58, 76 and 107 mg/kg to 21, 24 and 65 mg/kg for 50, 70 and 100%, respectively The microbial analysis showed that after 75 days of composting, their population stabilized and further increase in composting period did not increase their population size. The results indicate that 50% and 75% concentration of sludge mixed with bedding material was ideal for the vermicomposting.

Chromium (VI) tolerance in two halotolerant strains of Nostoc.

The present study reports on chromium (VI) tolerance of two cyanobacterial strains Nostoc linckia and Nostoc spongiaeforme isolated from salt affected soils using uni-algal and bi-algal systems. Besides distinct halophilism, the two strains exhibited remarkable tolerance to chromium (VI) and revealed 1.2 to 2.8 times more chlorophyll in the presence of the metal. While phycobilins and carotenoids also increased in Nostoc linckia with total dissolved salts (TDS) as well as metal, a decline was observed in Nostoc spongiaeforme in the presence of Cr (VI). Relative algal biomass (as % of control) showed significantly higher values (123-239) in Nostoc linckia in the presence of salt, metal and combination of the two. In Nostoc spongiaeforme it declined in the presence of metal (72-81) but increased in the presence of salts (143-249) and also in the binary systems (121-440). The bi-algal consortium showed relatively less tolerance to salt and metal stress. Nostoc linckia (20 day culture) showed upto 40% chromium removal whereas Nostoc spongiaeforme showed up to 12% removal, indicating greater suitability of the former for use in bioremediation studies.

Combinatorial effects of distillery and sugar factory effluents in crop plants.

Under the reutilization and recycling strategy of industrial effluents, treated distillery and sugar factory mixed effluent was used in petridish culture experiments to investigate its effect on seed germination and seedling growth in wheat, garden pea, black gram and mustard. The seed germination and seedling growth were significantly reduced with increase in concentration of the effluent. The fresh matter was found significantly increased in barley (1.16 g per seedling in 25% dilution level of effluents in comparison to 0.93 in control), while other higher dilution levels reduce it. Wheat, garden pea, black gram, mustard invariably showed inhibition in fresh weight. Dry weight was found consistently reduced or unchanged in different treatments. Total chlorophyll contents in barley were significantly increased in different treatments (2.351 and 2.721 mg/g fresh weight of tissue at 25, 50% dilution levels in comparison to 1.781 of control) while in other crop it was reduced alloverthe treatments. Amylase activity in wheat, garden pea, black gram and mustard was reduced in all the treatments. Only in barley its level was enhanced from 0.76 to 0.85, 0.96, 0.81 in 25, 50, 75% dilution levels of the effluent mixture respectively Based on the data of different crops barley was found to be highly tolerant as the 25 and 50% dilution levels of combined effluents. It showed no change in germination %, while seedling growth was increased in lower dilution levels of combined effluent as compared to control Barley>garden pea>wheat>black gram>mustard gradually showed increased level of sensitivity respectively Most detrimental effects were seen in mustard. This toxicity might be due to excess of nutrients, beyond the limits of tolerance. Therefore, the higher concentration of mixed effluent was not advisable for irrigation purpose, however it could be used for irrigation purpose after proper treatment and dilution (one part treated effluent and five parts of available irrigation water), as this dilution level was found growth and yield promotory

Phytostabilization of mine waste: growth and physiological responses of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

Greenhouse experiments were carried out for phytoremediation of the Pb/Zn abandoned tailings (pH 3.2 and high metal content) of Rampura-Agucha Mines, Rajasthan. Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (cowpea) was chosen as a test crop. On unamended tailings, the seeds of the test plant showed no germination. The tailing was amended with lime (3% on weight basis), 3% lime + NPK (diammonium phosphate at 60 kg/ha, muriate of potash at 40 kg/ ha) and 3% lime + FYM at 15 t/ha and used for experiments. Quantification of various parameters viz. shoot-root length, shoot-root dry weight, chlorophyll contents (a', 'b' and total) and peroxidase activity of test crop revealed T+ S + 3% lime + NPK to be the most suitable amelioration followed by FYM. The above treatments helped in improving the growth and productivity of the test plants by providing a favorable environment.

Impact of soil types and petroleum effluents on the earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae.

Earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae, exposed to different concentrations of dump-site soil and petroleum effluents exhibited different morbidity and mortality responses. Lake sediments caused varied fluctuations in weight over a 20 day exposure period. Colour changes and mortality up to 15% were observed in earthworms cultured in 100% lake sediment, while weight loss, coiling and sluggish movement were observed in 50% lake water. The effects of 100% dump-site soils were more pronounced as 40% death, swelling, body lesions, stiffening, coiling and low reproduction were recorded. Earthworms were useful as an organism in testing the toxicity of dump-site soils and effluent from a petroleum industry. Dump-site soils and soils polluted with petroleum effluent reduced populations of earthworms and this could subsequently affect other components of the ecosystems associated with earthworm activities.

Acute toxicity levels and ethological responses of Channa striatus to fertilizer industrial wastewater.

The present paper deals with the toxicity of fertilizer's industrial wastewater on snake head fish Channa striatus (Bloch) previously named as Ophiocephalus sp., at different concentrations viz., 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 percent on the behavioural changes and mortality. The exposed fish showed hyperactivity viz., jumping, operculum movement, distance travelling, somersaulting at higher concentration such as 60, 80, and 100 percent within 48 hr. At lower concentrations such as 20 and 40 percent exposed fish showed hyperactivities viz., linear movement and eye movement within 48 hr. The LC50 values of industrial wastewater were also determined viz. 89, 75, 70 and 69 percent at different duration of exposure time i.e. 48, 72, 96 and 120 hr respectively. The obtained data revealed that LC50 value decreased with increase of exposure.

Impact of industrial effluents on the biochemical composition of fresh water fish Labeo rohita.

In acute toxicity (96 hr) experiment the fingerlings of freshwater fish Labeo rohita was exposed to tannery, electroplating and textile mill effluents. The LC0 and LC50 concentrations were 15% and 20% for tannery effluents, 3% and 6% for electroplating effluents and 18% and 22% for textile mill effluents respectively. It was found that, electroplating effluent was more toxic than tannery and textile mill wastes. After acute toxicity experiments for different industrial effluents, various tissues viz. gill, liver, muscle and kidney were obtained separately from control, LC0 and LC50 groups. These tissues were used for biochemical estimations. The glycogen content in all the tissues decreased considerably upon acute toxicity of three industrial effluents except muscle in LC50 group of tannery effluent and kidney in LC50 group of textile mill effluent, when compared to control group. The total protein content decreased in all tissues in three effluents except gills in LC50 group of tannery effluent, kidney in LC50 group of electroplating effluent and kidney in LC0 group of textile mill effluent. In general total lipid content decreased in all tissues after acute exposure when compared to control group. The results obtained in the present study showed that, the industrial effluents from tannery, electroplating and textile mills caused marked depletion in biochemical composition in various tissues of the fish Labeo rohita after acute exposure.

Dechets toxiques deverses a Abidjan (Cote-d'Ivoire) et consequences sanitaire

La pollution accidentelle par des produits chimiques peut avoir de graves consequences pour les populations humaines. En 2006; le navire Probo Koala decharge plusieurs centaines de tonnes de dechets toxiques dans plusieurs sites de la ville d'Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire). Dans les jours et semaines qui suivent; des milliers de personnes presen- tent des signes d'intoxication. Les expertises realisees sur les dechets revelent la presence de produits toxiques comme lesmercaptans et l'hydrogene sulfure. Le bilan sanitaire fait etat de huit deces; plusieurs dizaines de personnes hospitalisees et environ 100 000 consultations medicales. Cet episode rappelle qu'a l'instar des deplacements internationaux des personnes; les transfertsmondiaux de dechets industriels peuvent avoir de graves consequences sur le plan sanitaire; en particulier dans les pays du sud

Environmental management of industrial hazardous wastes in India.

Hazardous wastes are considered highly toxic and therefore disposal of such wastes needs proper attention so as to reduce possible environmental hazards. Industrial growth has resulted in generation of huge volume of hazardous wastes in the country. In addition to this, hazardous wastes sometimes get imported mainly from the western countries for re-processing or recycling. Inventorisation of hazardous wastes generating units in the country is not yet completed. Scientific disposal of hazardous wastes has become a major environmental issue in India. Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 have been framed by the Central Government and amended in 2000 and 2003 to deal with the hazardous wastes related environmental problems that may arise in the near future. This paper gives details about the hazardous wastes management in India. Health effects of the selected hazardous substances are also discussed in the paper.