Temporal and spatial variations in road traffic noise for different frequency components in metropolitan Taichung, Taiwan.

Road traffic noise exposure has been associated with auditory and non-auditory health effects, but few studies report noise characteristics. This study determines 24-h noise levels and analyzes their frequency components to investigate associations between seasons, meteorology, land-use types, and traffic. We set up 50 monitoring stations covering ten different land-use types and conducted measurements at three times of the year to obtain 24-h-average A-weighted equivalent noise levels (LAeq,24h) and frequency analyses from 2013 to 2014 in Taichung, Taiwan. Information on land-use types, road parameters, traffic flow rates, and meteorological variables was also collected for analysis with the annual averages of road traffic noise and its frequency components. The annual average LAeq,24h in Taichung was 66.4 ± 4.7 A-weighed decibels (dBA). Significant differences in LAeq,24h and frequency components were observed between land-use types (all p-values < 0.001), but not between seasons, with the highest two noise levels of 71.2 ± 1.0 dBA and 70.0 ± 2.6 dBA measured in stream-channel and commercial areas, with the highest component being 61.4 ± 5.3 dBA at 1000 Hz. Road width, traffic flow rates, and land-use types were significantly associated with annual average LAeq,24h (all p-values < 0.050). Noise levels at 125 Hz had the highest correlation with total traffic (Spearman's coefficient = 0.795) and the highest prediction in the multiple linear regression (R2 = 0.803; adjusted R2 = 0.765). These findings reveal the spatial variation in road traffic noise exposure in Taichung. The highest correlation and predictive capacity was observed between this variation and noise levels at 125 Hz. We recommend that governmental agencies should take actions to reduce noise levels from traffic vehicles.

Health risk assessments of DEHP released from chemical protective gloves.

The substance di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is widely used as a plasticizer in chemical protective gloves to improve their flexibility and workability. However, it is possible that workers using protective gloves to handle various solvents may be exposed to DEHP leached by the solvents. Using an ASTM F739 permeation cell, it was found that BTEX solvents permeating through the glove samples dissolved DEHP from the gloves. Even without continuously contacting the permeant, DEHP was released from the contaminated glove samples during the desorption experiments. The DEHP leaching amounts were found to be inversely correlated to the permeability coefficients of BTEX in the glove samples. This result implied that the larger the amount of DEHP released from the glove samples, the higher the permeation resistance of gloves. Although chemical protective gloves provide adequate skin exposure protection to workers, the dermal exposure model developed herein indicates that leaching of DEHP from the glove samples may pose a potential health risk to the workers who handle BTEX. This study suggests that the selection of protective gloves should not only be concerned with the chemical resistance of the gloves but also the health risk associated with leaching of chemicals, such as DEHP, used in the manufacturing of the gloves.

Occupational hazards education for nursing staff through web-based learning.

This study aims to explore the efficiency of using online education as an intervention measure to prevent occupational hazards in a clinical nursing setting. The subjects were 320 female nursing staff from two hospitals in Taiwan. The questionnaire results indicated that the subjects primarily experienced human factor occupational hazards, as well as psychological and social hazards. Specifically, 73.1% and 69.8% of the subjects suffered from poor sleep quality and low back pain, respectively. After web-based learning, the experimental group had higher post-test scores than the control group in terms of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). However, there was only a significant difference (p < 0.05) in their knowledge about the prevention of occupational hazards. It is suggested that an online discussion may enhance nursing staff's participation in web-based learning, and further facilitate their comments on negative factors. The findings can highly promote nursing staff's attitudes and practices toward preventing occupational hazards through web-based learning.

Prediction of partition coefficients of organic compounds between SPME/PDMS and aqueous solution.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is commonly used as the coated polymer in the solid phase microextraction (SPME) technique. In this study, the partition coefficients of organic compounds between SPME/PDMS and the aqueous solution were compiled from the literature sources. The correlation analysis for partition coefficients was conducted to interpret the effect of their physicochemical properties and descriptors on the partitioning process. The PDMS-water partition coefficients were significantly correlated to the polarizability of organic compounds (r = 0.977, p < 0.05). An empirical model, consisting of the polarizability, the molecular connectivity index, and an indicator variable, was developed to appropriately predict the partition coefficients of 61 organic compounds for the training set. The predictive ability of the empirical model was demonstrated by using it on a test set of 26 chemicals not included in the training set. The empirical model, applying the straightforward calculated molecular descriptors, for estimating the PDMS-water partition coefficient will contribute to the practical applications of the SPME technique.

Effect of recreational noise exposure on hearing impairment among teenage students.

Several studies have focused on the potential impact of children's hearing loss on learning and development. Recently, numerous teenage students have been found to be fond of listening to music on personal devices and participating in recreational music activities. The objective of this study was to investigate teenage students' hearing impairment, their experience with recreational noise exposure, and their self-reported hearing. The participants were 1878 first-year students at a university in Taiwan. The result of the pure tone audiometry test showed that 11.9% of the participants had one or two ears with a hearing threshold over 25 dB. Over the past year, approximately 80.9% of the participants had taken part in at least one loud-noise recreational activity, and 90.9% of the participants were in the habit of using earphones. Among the participants, 190 students with a high level of recreational noise exposure were assigned to the exposure group, and 191 students with a low level of recreational noise exposure constituted the control group. The exposure group had more hearing problems than the control group, but no significant difference existed between the two groups in the pure tone audiometry test (p=0.857). It is suggested that the schools should reinforce hearing health education and proactively provide intervention measures, such as hearing tests, evaluation of noise exposure, and hearing protection.

Application of solid phase microextraction on dental composite resin analysis.

A direct immersion solid phase microextraction (DI-SPME) method was developed for the analysis of dentin monomers in saliva. Dentine monomers, such as triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) and 2,2-bis-[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropoxy) phenyl]-propane (Bis-GMA), have a high molecular weight and a low vapor pressure. The polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fiber with a medium polarity was employed for DI-SPME, and 215 nm of detection wavelength was found to be optimum in the chromatogram of HPLC measurement. The calibration range for DI-SPME was 0.30-300 µg/mL with correlation coefficients (r) greater than 0.998 for each analyte. The DI-SPME method achieved good accuracy (recovery 96.1-101.2%) and precision (2.30-8.15% CV) for both intra- and inter-day assays of quality control samples for three target compounds. Method validation was performed on standards dissolved in blank saliva, and there was no significant difference (p>0.2) between the DI-SPME method and the liquid injection method. However, the detection limit of DI-SPME was as low as 0.03, 0.27 and 0.06 µg/mL for TEGDMA, UDMA and Bis-GMA, respectively. Real sample analyses were performed on commercial dentin products after curing for the leaching measurement. In summary, DI-SPME is a more sensitive method that requires less sample pretreatment procedures to measure the resin materials leached in saliva.

Degradation of trichloroethylene using iron, bimetals and trimetals.

A cold, electrodeless method was used to prepare bimetals (Fe/Cu, Fe/Ni) and trimetals (Fe/Cu/Ni) for the treatment of trichloroethylene (TCE). With Fe/Cu, the degradation of TCE was observed to increase with increasing copper content up to 9.26 % (w/w) with a first-order degradation rate constant approximately 10 times faster than that of zero-valent iron (ZVI) alone. For copper content greater than 9.26 %, the TCE degradation rate decreased. Dechlorinated compounds were initially observed but they were transitory and accounted for no more than 9 % of initial TCE mass on a carbon molar basis. Ethylene was the primary end product of TCE reduction. Similarly for Fe/Ni, increasing rates of degradation were observed with increasing amounts of nickel with a maximum degradation rate constant of about 30 times higher than that of ZVI alone. However, the amount of nickel needed to reach the maximum rate was only 0.25 %. When copper and nickel were plated onto iron, the maximum reaction rate constant was approximately 50 times higher than that of ZVI. The maximum degradation of TCE was observed for a copper and nickel content of 4.17 % and 0.40 %, respectively. The experimental results indicated that TCE degradation was enhanced by more than one order of magnitude when copper and/or nickel was plated onto the zero-valent iron. However, copper or nickel plated onto iron by the elctrodeless process was found to leach out during the reaction which may, in turn, impact the contaminated water.

Estimation of resistance of starch/polyvinyl alcohol blends to permeation by organic solvents.

The chemical resistance of chlorinated hydrocarbons in starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blends has been investigated using a permeation cell with an in-cell solid phase microextraction (SPME) sampling device. The chlorinated hydrocarbon with a large molecule size or lower polarity was found to be less permeable through the starch/PVA blends. The tensile strength and chemical resistance of chlorinated hydrocarbons decreased with an increase in the starch content of blends. For the starch/PVA blends, the solubility of chlorinated hydrocarbons was inversely proportional to their molecular weight, molar volume and log Kow. The diffusion coefficients and solubility of permeants were proportional to the content of starch in the starch/PVA blends. It is plausible that the blends will be inclined to the starch characteristics as the plasticizer (i.e. glycerin) disrupts the rigidity arrangements of the starch and PVA. The present work provides information on the extent of organic compound permeation through starch/PVA blends for the practical application.

Assessment of skin exposure to N,N-dimethylformamide and methyl ethylketone through chemical protective gloves and decontamination of gloves for reuse purposes.

N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and methyl ethylketone (MEK) are the hazardous chemicals commonly used in the synthetic leather industries. Although chemical protective gloves provide adequate skin exposure protection to workers in these industries, there is currently no clear guideline or understanding with regard to the use duration of these gloves. In this study, the permeation of DMF/MEK mixture through neoprene gloves and the desorption of chemicals from contaminated gloves were conducted using the ASTM F739 cell. The acceptable use duration time of the gloves against DMF/MEK permeation was estimated by assuming a critical body burden of chemical exposure as a result of dermal absorption. In a re-exposure cycle of 5 days, decontamination of the gloves by aeration at 25°C was found to be inadequate in a reduction of breakthrough time as compared to a new unexposed glove. However, decontamination of the gloves by heating at 70 or 100°C showed that the protective coefficient of the exposed gloves had similar levels of resistance to DMF/MEK as that of new gloves. Implications of this study include an understanding of the use duration of neoprene gloves and proper decontamination of chemical protective gloves for reuse.

Exposure to volatile organic compounds and kidney dysfunction in thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) workers.

Many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted during the manufacturing of thin film transistor liquid crystal displays (TFT-LCDs), exposure to some of which has been reported to be associated with kidney dysfunction, but whether such an effect exists in TFT-LCD industry workers is unknown. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between exposure to VOCs and kidney dysfunction among TFT-LCD workers. The results showed that ethanol (1811.0+/-1740.4 ppb), acetone (669.0+/-561.0 ppb), isopropyl alcohol (187.0+/-205.3 ppb) and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA) (102.9+/-102.0 ppb) were the four dominant VOCs present in the workplace. The 63 array workers studied had a risk of kidney dysfunction 3.21-fold and 3.84-fold that of 61 cell workers and 18 module workers, respectively. Workers cumulatively exposed to a total level of isopropyl alcohol, PGMEA and propylene glycol monomethyl ether> or =324 ppb-year had a significantly higher risk of kidney dysfunction (adjusted OR=3.41, 95% CI=1.14-10.17) compared with those exposed to <25 ppb-year after adjustment for potential confounding factors. These findings indicated that array workers might be the group at greatest risk of kidney dysfunction within the TFT-LCD industry, and cumulative exposure to specific VOCs might be associated with kidney dysfunction.

Analyzing the design criteria of primary settlers for small sewage treatment systems: a national survey in Taiwan.

An onsite wastewater treatment facility normally has a treatment capacity of 5-200 population equivalents. The small system is receiving increasing attention in Asia countries to make up for the shortage of public sewer system. While many countries rely on large centralized system, small systems in Taiwan have significantly contributed to the treatment of municipal wastewater (21.6%) to make up for the low sewer connection (17.0%). To resolve disputes on the design criteria of primary settlers in small systems recommended by the government, a nationwide survey of 350 permit applications were conducted. This result of the survey revealed that 53% adopted self-proven criteria to reduce the size of the primary settlers using a design flow rate (Q) of 10 m(3)/d or less. The official design criteria were thus analyzed by using two new approaches of design criteria, scale-down factor and sludge blanket height ratio, as proposed in this study. The analysis indicated that sizing of primary settlers must consider the diurnal flow fluctuation and storage of settled sludge in primary settlers for a sufficient period of time, preferably up to 6 months. The official design criteria may be too conservative for Q<5m(3)/d, but inadequate for Q>20 m(3)/d. Based on the result of this study, new measures are suggested to strengthen the onsite program.

Permeation of aromatic solvent mixtures through nitrile protective gloves.

The permeation of binary and ternary mixtures of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and p-xylene through nitrile gloves were investigated using the ASTM F739 test cell. The more slowly permeating component of a mixture was accelerated to have a shorter breakthrough time than its pure form. The larger differences in solubility parameter between a solvent mixture and glove resulted in a lower permeation rate. Solubility parameter theory provides a potential approach to interpret the changes of permeation properties for BTEX mixtures through nitrile gloves. Using a one-dimensional diffusion model based on Fick's law, the permeation concentrations of ASTM F739 experiments were appropriately simulated by the estimated diffusion coefficient and solubility. This study will be a fundamental work for the risk assessment of the potential dermal exposure of workers wearing protective gloves.

Mass transfer of VOCs in laboratory-scale air sparging tank.

Volatilization of VOCs was investigated using a 55-gal laboratory-scale model in which air sparging experiments were conducted with a vertical air injection well. In addition, X-ray imaging of an air sparging sand box showed air flows were in the form of air bubbles or channels depending on the size of the porous media. Air-water mass transfer was quantified using the air-water mass transfer coefficient which was determined by fitting the experimental data to a two-zone model. The two-zone model is a one-dimensional lumped model that accounts for the effects of air flow type and diffusion of VOCs in the aqueous phase. The experimental air-water mass transfer coefficients, KGa, obtained from this study ranged from 10(-2) to 10(-3)1/min. From a correlation analysis, the air-water mass transfer coefficient was found to be directly proportional to the air flow rate and the mean particle size of soil but inversely proportional to Henry's constant. The correlation results implied that the air-water mass transfer coefficient was strongly affected by the size of porous media and the air flow rates.

Diffusion and solubility coefficients determined by permeation and immersion experiments for organic solvents in HDPE geomembrane.

The chemical resistance of eight organic solvents in high density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane has been investigated using the ASTM F739 permeation method and the immersion test at different temperatures. The diffusion of the experimental organic solvents in HDPE geomembrane was non-Fickian kinetic, and the solubility coefficients can be consistent with the solubility parameter theory. The diffusion coefficients and solubility coefficients determined by the ASTM F739 method were significantly correlated to the immersion tests (p<0.001). The steady state permeation rates also showed a good agreement between ASTM F739 and immersion experiments (r(2)=0.973, p<0.001). Using a one-dimensional diffusion equation based on Fick's second law, the diffusion and solubility coefficients obtained by immersion test resulted in over estimates of the ASTM F739 permeation results. The modeling results indicated that the diffusion and solubility coefficients should be obtained using ASTM F739 method which closely simulates the practical application of HDPE as barriers in the field.

Modeling organic solvents permeation through protective gloves.

Several researchers have studied the diffusion of organic solvents through chemical protective gloves and have estimated the diffusion coefficients by using various models. In this study, permeation experiments of benzene, toluene, and styrene through nitrile and Neoprene gloves were conducted using the ASTM F-739 standard test method. The diffusion coefficients were estimated using several models from the literature. Using a one-dimensional diffusion equation based on Fick's second law and the estimated diffusion coefficients, the permeation concentrations were simulated and compared with the experimental results. The modeling results indicated that the solubility of the solvent in the glove materials obtained by immersion tests was not an appropriate boundary condition for organic solvent permeation through the polymer gloves. The modeling work of this study will assist industrial hygienists to assess exposure of chemicals to workers through the chemical protective gloves.

Organic solvents permeation through protective nitrile gloves.

Effective diffusion coefficients for the permeation of several organic solvents through nitrile gloves were experimentally investigated using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F-739 test cell method. Fick's effective diffusion coefficients for benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, and styrene were estimated to be 0.61+/-0.02, 0.50+/-0.06, 0.27+/-0.02, 0.31+/-0.03, and 0.21+/-0.03 (x10(-6)cm(2)/s), respectively. These results were comparable to results found by others using different permeation models. Using a transient mass diffusion equation and appropriate initial and boundary conditions, the effective diffusion coefficients were found to adequately simulate the concentration profiles of the organic solvents in the collection chamber during the permeation test. The effective diffusion coefficients were found to be inversely correlated to the molecular weight of the compounds. The results of this study can be used to estimate the exposure to workers using nitrile gloves.