Assessment of combustion products of medical waste incinerators in Alexandria

The emissions and ashes from medical waste incinerators might perform a threat to the environment and the public health. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the emissions and ashes of six medical wastes incinerators in six hospitals in Alexandria. Five air pollutants were sampled and analyzed in the emissions comprising smoke, lead, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.Ash samples were analyzed for bacterial count, volatile substances, lead and cadmium. Shape and color of ash were observed visually. The results of the present study have revealed that all the average values of gases in the six incinerators were within the limits stated in Egyptian environmental law, where as carbonaceous particulate [smoke] averages of the six incinerators have exceeded the maximum allowable limit in the law. On the other hand, lead concentration in emissions were far below the maximum allowable limit in the law. Incinerator No6 emissions have been significantly higher in CO, NO 2, SO 2 and smoke concentration than the other five incinerators P<0.001, P<0.0006, P<0.0001, and P<0.002 respectively. There was no significant variation in bacterial count of ash samples at 20°C and 37°C between the six studied incinerators. Volatile substance percentage of ash samples in the six incinerators were much higher than the recommended percentage. There was a highly significant variation between the six incinerators [p<0.005]. Lead and cadmium concentrations in ash samples were much higher than those in developed countries, meanwhile, more or less as those in developing countries. It is recommended to state specific realistic emissions limits for medical waste incinerators and to substitute sporadic incinerators in hospitals by two central incinerators in proper places outside the city

Evaluation of occupational hazards in foundries

The working environment of foundries is hazardous and characterized by multiple simultaneous chemical, physical and mechanical hazards exposure, which would lead to injuries of foundry workers. The aim of the present work is to evaluate occupational hazards in four foundries, two in Alexandria: El Nasr and Ramsis, and two in Behira: Misr Spinning and Weaving and Misr Rayon companies. Levels of total and respirable dust, free silica% in total dust and lead concentration in total and respirable dust; NO 2, SO 2 and CO concentrations; noise and heat stress levels have been determined in the present work. Occupational injuries data were analyzed in a three years period from 1998 to 2000. The results of the present work revealed; 1. The levels of total dust and respirable dust exceeded the threshold limit values at knockout and cleaning operations at El Nasr Company. 2. Free silica percentage exceeded permissible levels in all operations except pouring in El Nasr Company. 3. CO levels in Misr Spinning and Weaving Company were higher than threshold levels. 4. Noise levels in knockout and cleaning operations at the four companies were exceeding the threshold limit values. 5. Heat stress levels in melting and pouring operations in El Nasr and in pouring operation in Ramsis Company were higher than the maximum permissible levels. 6. The age group 31-40 years has recorded the highest average incidence rate of injuries of age groups [P<0.01]. 7. Lower extremities and higher extremities have recorded the highest average incidence rate in the four companies [P<0.001-P<0.01 respectively]. 8. Transportation and lifting was the main cause of injury in the four companies [P<0.05]. 9. Faulty action and striking against was the main mean of injury in the four companies [P<0.01]. 10. Ramsis Company has the highest average incidence rate in almost all injuries parameters and indices [frequency rate and severity rate] [P<0.05-P<0.001]. The present work is a massive survey, which highlights the occupational hazards in Egyptian foundries

Ecología y salud / Ecology and health

Este trabajo de investigación participativo se ha dividido en 5 temas, los cuales nos dan un enfoque general de la situación ecológica y de salud en la que se desenvuelve nuestro medio en relación de la posibilidad de que el futuro se de un cambio en el cual el hombre se reconcilie con la naturaleza y no siga infringiendo daños en ella. En el primer capítulo tenemos concepción occidental de ciencia, ecología y salud. El capítulo segundo se trata de el desarrollo de la destrucción del medio ambiente, presentando la contaminación que se produce dentro de los hospitales. El tercer capítulo abarca los daños ecológicos producto de la deforestación realizada por las industrias madederas. El cuarto capítulo va dirigido a determinar que instituciones se preocupan por este fenómeno y que programas preventivos han desarrollado. El quinto capítulo hace una relación entre Educación, Ecología y salud, en donde damos a conocer que es lo que se enseña desde el nivel pre-primario hasta el universitario

A Study on the Annual Increase of Air Pollutant Emissions in Korea / 예방의학회지

In order to provide bases for the control of air pollutants in Korea, the author figured out the trend on the annual increase of air pollutants emitted in the process of combustions, and estimated the amounts of air pollutants of the future years from 1975 to 1981. 1) In 1973 the consumption rate of coal was 1.2 times of that of fuel oil. The consumption rate of them would be same in 1975 and 1977. However, the rate of fuel oil would exceed that of coal in 1979. In contrast with the rate in 1979. The one of coal would be increased faster and faster to show reverse trend of consumption in 1981. 2) The estimated amounts of air pollutants emissions in the years of 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979 and 1981 were 1,561,800, 1,921,700, 2,253,300, 20769,000, and 3,145,700 tons respectively. These indicated that the amount of air pollutants in 1981 would be about 2 times of that in 1973. 3) The amounts of sulfur oxides emissions in 1981 would be 2.3 times of that in 1973, nitrogen oxides 2.2 times, carbon monoxide 1.7 times, particulate 2.0 times and hydrocarbon 2.0 times. 4) The estimated amounts of air pollutants emissions per unit area(km) in the years of 1965, 1971, 1975 and 1980 were 5.2, 14.5, 19.5 and 28.7 tons respectively. These indicated that the amount of air pollutants emissions per unit area would increase 5.5 times in 1980 comparing the one in 1965.

A study on the Status of Air and Water Pollutants Emission from Industries in Korea / 예방의학회지

In order to provide some basic data for the control of air water pollution in Korea, the suthors have estimated the amount of air and water pollutant emitted from industries which are employed over 20 employes. This study have done from July 1, 1972 to the end March 1973. The results are as follows: 1. Total number of establishments tith over 20 employees is 5,197 in Korea and the largest gorup establishments was the manufacturing of texttiles with 1,363 establishments(26.2%). 2. By order of number of employees it was observed that there 2,800 industries with 20-59(53.9%) employees, 1,101 with 50-99(21.2%), 571 with 100-199(11.0%), 501 with 200-499(9.6%) and 225with over 500(4.3%) respectively. 3. By order of regional distribution, it was observed that there were 2,257 industries in Seoul (43.3%) and 736 industries in Pusan(14.2%). 4. Industrial coal consumption was 596,154 M/T in 1972, but it'11 be 315,000 M/T in 1980, Fuel consumption was 4,972,000 K1 in 1972, and estimated volume will be 19,3700,000 K1 in 1980. 5. Ttotal amounts of air polutants emitted from industris by fuel combustion were sulfur oxides 79,459 tons, carbon monoxide 33,908 tons, particulate 31,304 tons and hydrocarbon 30,280 tons in 1972 but in 1990 there will be sulfur oxides 1,010,474 tons, nitrogen oxides 204,575 tons, carbon monoxide 68,014 tons, particulate 64,820 tons and hydrocarbon 67,622 tons, respectively. 6. Annual emitted air pollutants through the working processes were sulfur oxides 91,250 tons and nitrogen oxides 32,485 tons in 1972, but sulfur oxieds 118,625 tons and nitrogen oxides 42,555 tons will be present in 1980, respectively. 7. Annual emitted air pollutants by national unit area amounted to 0.77 tons/km2/year in 1965 and 14.7 ton/km2/year in 1980. 8. Total industrial wastes from all industries in Korea were estimated at 810,360 tons/day in 1972; manufacturing of chemicals and plastic products showed the highest amount of wastes at 470,000 tons/day. 9. The amounts of water pollutants due to industrial wastes were the .B.O.D., 471.5 tons/day,suspended solid 331.5 tons/day, CN, 2.3 tons/day, and Cr. 3. 4 tons/day in 1972, but it might be evident of a B.O.D of 3.388 tons/day, suspended solid 2,544 tons/day, CN 20.1 tons/day, and 26.5 tons/day in 1990. 10. Total population equivalent of B.O.D. was 943,000 in 1972, and the estimated value in 1990 will be6, 780, 000.

A study on Public Nuisance in Kwangju City: Surey on Air Pollution and Noise Level / 예방의학회지

During the period from June 1st 1971 to November 30th 1971, studies on air polluton were made in Kwangju city. The city was divided into 6 areas : the downtown ares, the simi-downtown area, the heavy traffic area, the commercial area, the residential area, the park area, 13 surveying sites were selected each representing the characteristics of the area. The Measurement methods which were used are described below. Sulfur oxides were measured by PbO2 cylinder method, sulfur dioxides (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) by the MSA & Kitakwa detector, dustfall by the Deposit gauge method, and the noise levels by the Kanomax sound level meter. The results obtained are as follows : 1. The mean value of sulfur oxides in Kwangju city was 1.16 mg SO3/day/100cm2 PbO2, ranging from 0.45mg SO3/day/100cm2 PbO2 to 3.10mg SO3/day/100cm2 PbO2. 2. The mean value of sulfur oxides according to its specific area in the city were 1.45mg SO3/day/100cm2 PbO2 in heavy traffic area, 1.36 in downtown area, 1.23 in semi-downtown area, 1.11 in commercial area, 0.96 in residential area, and 1.07 in park area, respectively. 3. The average concentration of sulfur dioxide was 0.063 ppm from 2 to 5 P.M in Kwangju city. 4. The average concentration of sulfur dioxides according to its specific area, from 2 to 5 P.M, in the city were 0.084 ppm in heavy traffic area & downtown area, 0.067 in commercial area, 0.053 in semi-downtown area, 0.052 in residential area, and 0.036 in park area. 5. The average concentration of carbon monoxide was 22.3 ppm from 2 to 5 P.M in Kwangju city. 6. The average concentration of carbon monoxide according to its specific area, from 2 to 5 P.M, in the city were 27.0ppm in downtown traffic area, 26.3 in semi-downtown area, 23.0 in heavy traffic area, 21.7 in commercial area, 20.0 in residential area, and 17.6 in park area. 7. The mean value of dustfall in Kwangju city was 29.28 ton/Km2/month, ranging from 9.85 ton/Km2/month to 66.34 ton/Km2/month. 8. The mean values of dustfall according to its specific area in the city were 50.37 ton/Km2/month in semi-downtown area, 42.76 in heavy traffic area, 34.67 in downtown area, 17.77 in commercial area, 14.40 in park area, and 14.76 .in residential area. 9. The mean value of the soluble dust in Kwangju city was 10.23 ton/Km2/month and that of the insoluble dust was 19.05 ton/Km2/month. 10. The mean values of noise level in Kwangju city was 62 phon, ranging from 37phon to 88 phon. 11. The mean values of noise level according to its specific area in the city were 76 phon in heavy traffic area, 67 in semi-downtown area, 64 in downtown area, 59 in commercial area, 52 in part area, and 50 in residential area.

A study on Public Nuisance in Kwangju City: Surey on Air Pollution and Noise Level / 예방의학회지

During the period from June 1st 1971 to November 30th 1971, studies on air polluton were made in Kwangju city. The city was divided into 6 areas : the downtown ares, the simi-downtown area, the heavy traffic area, the commercial area, the residential area, the park area, 13 surveying sites were selected each representing the characteristics of the area. The Measurement methods which were used are described below. Sulfur oxides were measured by PbO2 cylinder method, sulfur dioxides (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) by the MSA & Kitakwa detector, dustfall by the Deposit gauge method, and the noise levels by the Kanomax sound level meter. The results obtained are as follows : 1. The mean value of sulfur oxides in Kwangju city was 1.16 mg SO3/day/100cm2 PbO2, ranging from 0.45mg SO3/day/100cm2 PbO2 to 3.10mg SO3/day/100cm2 PbO2. 2. The mean value of sulfur oxides according to its specific area in the city were 1.45mg SO3/day/100cm2 PbO2 in heavy traffic area, 1.36 in downtown area, 1.23 in semi-downtown area, 1.11 in commercial area, 0.96 in residential area, and 1.07 in park area, respectively. 3. The average concentration of sulfur dioxide was 0.063 ppm from 2 to 5 P.M in Kwangju city. 4. The average concentration of sulfur dioxides according to its specific area, from 2 to 5 P.M, in the city were 0.084 ppm in heavy traffic area & downtown area, 0.067 in commercial area, 0.053 in semi-downtown area, 0.052 in residential area, and 0.036 in park area. 5. The average concentration of carbon monoxide was 22.3 ppm from 2 to 5 P.M in Kwangju city. 6. The average concentration of carbon monoxide according to its specific area, from 2 to 5 P.M, in the city were 27.0ppm in downtown traffic area, 26.3 in semi-downtown area, 23.0 in heavy traffic area, 21.7 in commercial area, 20.0 in residential area, and 17.6 in park area. 7. The mean value of dustfall in Kwangju city was 29.28 ton/Km2/month, ranging from 9.85 ton/Km2/month to 66.34 ton/Km2/month. 8. The mean values of dustfall according to its specific area in the city were 50.37 ton/Km2/month in semi-downtown area, 42.76 in heavy traffic area, 34.67 in downtown area, 17.77 in commercial area, 14.40 in park area, and 14.76 .in residential area. 9. The mean value of the soluble dust in Kwangju city was 10.23 ton/Km2/month and that of the insoluble dust was 19.05 ton/Km2/month. 10. The mean values of noise level in Kwangju city was 62 phon, ranging from 37phon to 88 phon. 11. The mean values of noise level according to its specific area in the city were 76 phon in heavy traffic area, 67 in semi-downtown area, 64 in downtown area, 59 in commercial area, 52 in part area, and 50 in residential area.

A Study on Public Nuisance in Seoul, Pusan and Daegu Cities: Part 1. Survey on Air Pollution and Noise Level / 예방의학회지

During the period from July 1st to the end of November 1970, a survey on air pollution and noise level was made in Seoul, Pusan and Taegu, the three largest cities in Korea. Each city was divided into 4-6 areas : the industrial area, the semi-industrial area, the commercial area, the residential area, the park area and the downtown area. Thirty eight sites were selected from each area. A. Method of Measurement : Dustfall was measured by the Deposit Gauge Method, sulfur oxides by PbO2 cylinder method, suspended particles by the Digital Dust Indicator, Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) by the MSA & Kitakawa Detector and the noise levels by Rion Sound Survey meter. B. Results: 1. The mean value of dustfall in 3 cities was 30.42 ton/km2/month, ranging from 8.69 to 95.44. 2. The mean values of dustfall by city were 33.17 ton/km2/month in Seoul, 32.11 in Pusan and 25.97 in Taegu. 3. The mean values of dustfall showed a trend of decreasing order of semi-industrial area, downtown area, industrial area, commercial area, residential area, and park area. 4. The mean value of dustfall in Seoul by area were 52.32 ton/km2/month in downtown, 50.54 in semi-industrial area, 40.37 in industrial area, 24,19 in commercial area, 16.25 in park area and 15.39 in residential area in order of concentration. 5. The mean values of dustfall in Pusan by area were 48.27 ton/km2/month in semi-industrial area, 36.68 in industrial area 25.31 in commercial area, and 18.19 in residential area. 6. The mean values of dustfall in Taegu by area were 36.46 ton/km2/month in downtown area, 33.52 in industrial area, 20.37 in commercial area and 13.55 in residential area. 7. The mean values of sulfur oxides in 3 cities were 1.52mg SO3/day/100cm2 PbO2, ranging from 0.32 to 4.72. 8. The mean values of sulfur oxides by city were 1.89mg SO3/day/100cm2 PbO2, in Pusan, 1.64 in Seoul and 1.21 in Taegu. 9. The mean values of sulfur oxides by area in 3 cities were 2.16mg SO3/day/100cm2 PbO2 in industrial area, 1.69 in semi-industrial area, 1.50 in commercial area, 1.48 in downtown area, 1.32 in residential area and 0.94 in the park area, respectively. 10. The monthly mean values of sulfur oxides contents showed a steady increase from July reaching a park in November. 11. The mean values of suspended particles was 2.89mg/m3, ranging from 1.15 to 5.27. 12. The mean values of suspended particles by sity were 3.14mg/m3 in Seoul, 2.79 in Taegu and 2.25 in Pusan. 13. The mean values of noise level in 3 cities was 71.3 phon, ranging from 49 to 99 phon. 14. The mean values of noise level by city were 73 phon in Seoul, 72 in Pusan and 69 in Taegu in that order. 15. The mean values of noise level by area in 3 cities showed a decrease in the order of the downtown area, commercial area, industrial area and semi-industrial area, park area and residental area. 16. The mean values of noise level by area in 3 cities indicated that the highest level was detected in the downtown area in Seoul and Taegu and in the industrial area in Pusan. 17. The daily average concentration o sulfur dioxides (SO2) in 3 cities was 0.081 ppm, ranging from 0.004 to 0.196. 18. The daily average concentration of sulfur dioxides by city were 0.092 ppm in Seoul, 0.089 in Pusan and 0.062 in Taegu in that order. 19. the weekly average concentration of carbon monoxides (CO) was 27.59 ppm. 20. The daily average concentration of carbon monoxides by city were 33.37 ppm. in Seoul, 25.76 in Pusan and 23.65 in Taegu in that order. 21. The concentration of SO2 and CO reaches a peak from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 22. About 3 times probably the daily average concentration of CO could be detected in the downtown area probably due to heavy traffic emission in comparison with that in the industrial area. 23. As for daily variation of the concentration of SO2 and CO it was found that the concentration maintains relatively higher value during weekdays in the industrial area and on the first part of the week in the downtown area.

Partículas suspendidas, óxidos de azufre y monóxido de carbono. Una combinación peligrosa / Suspended particles, sulphur oxide and carbon monoxide. A dangerous combination

Contiene información de los siguientes contaminantes especificando sus características, factores que causan su formación, cómo nos afecta y que acciones podemos realizar para combatirlos y protegernos. Se divide en dos capitulos: I) PARTICULAS SUSPENDIDAS TOTALES.- contaminantes del aire que provocan el "smog"; y, OXIDOS DE AZUFRE.- lluvias acidas; y II) MONOXIDO DE CARBONO.- gas muy toxico que en lugares cerrados alcanza altas concentraciones. Por último; se encuentra un cuestionario despues de cada capítulo para autoevaluar la comprensión de la información presentada en este folleto