ABSTRACT
To apply a decision-making scheme using a statistical classification while conforming to the meaning of representativeness as defined by the US EPA, we propose an equation defining the representativeness of a sample. To utilize this equation, the batch must be homogenized. This requires analyzing the constitution and distribution heterogeneities. The equation relates the sample weight m(s) to its representativeness R either by a statistical approach or by a physical approach using the following equation: m(s) = {4/(1 - R)(2)}.[K + k(e)(1 - 2t(e))/t(e)]. In the equation, K and k(e) are the heterogeneity factors determined from a descriptive analysis. This equation is applicable to solid waste with majority constituents such as automobile shredder residue (ASR) and domestic waste. This analysis was applied to a sample of ASR in the framework of a verification for France. The results of the analysis showed that the sample weight must be at least 140 kg to have a representativeness of 90%.
Subject(s)
Automobiles , Industrial Waste/analysis , Models, Statistical , Refuse Disposal/standards , Decision Making , France , Reproducibility of Results , United States , United States Environmental Protection AgencyABSTRACT
The objective of the present study was to assess symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety among children 6 months after they had been exposed to an earthquake (EQ) affecting the northwestern suburbs of Athens in September 1999. A total of 115 children attending two elementary schools located at the epicentre of the EQ were assessed. A group of 48 children not affected by the EQ attending a school not affected by the EQ were used as controls. The children and their parents completed a number of questionnaires. Overall, there was a high rate (78%) of severe to mild PTSD symptoms in the EQ exposed group. Additionally, a substantial proportion of these children scored above criteria (32%) for depression compared to the control group (12.5%). Severe or moderate symptoms of PTSD were associated with high scores of depression (p = 0.002). The relationship between PTSD symptoms and anxiety was limited to the "avoidance" factor of the anxiety questionnaire (p = 0.029). Those who were most likely to be affected were children alone at the time of the EQ, and children who sustained injuries. In summary, countries where EQs are frequent should be prepared to offer psychological support to a substantial proportion of children presenting with PTSD and depressive symptoms and should educate and prepare children to cope with these events.
Subject(s)
Disasters , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Anxiety Disorders/diagnosis , Anxiety Disorders/epidemiology , Anxiety Disorders/psychology , Child , Child Reactive Disorders/diagnosis , Child Reactive Disorders/epidemiology , Child Reactive Disorders/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depressive Disorder/diagnosis , Depressive Disorder/epidemiology , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Emigration and Immigration , Female , Greece , Health Surveys , Humans , Male , Personality Assessment , Socioeconomic Factors , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/diagnosis , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Wounds and Injuries/psychologyABSTRACT
This paper explores the possibility of using treated bark to remove oily compounds from water. Bark was first biologically or chemically treated and saturated with transition metal ions (TMI) to avoid the release of soluble organic compounds from the bark in the treated effluents. Several experimental parameters affecting the oil removal efficiency (RE) were studied (initial oil concentration, temperature, time, etc.). Saturated bark was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and bark wetting index was determined. Results of the retention of lipids suggested that their removal could exceed 95% of initial oil concentration. The uptake of lipid by treated bark varied from 0.2 to 2.0 g of organic oil/g of dry sorbent. No significant chemical modifications of saturated bark were observed in infrared spectroscopy after the sorption of oleic acid on bark treated with transition metal ions. The structure of adsorbed tridimensional layer of oleic acid molecules seemed to take place through the double bond. The hydrocarbon RE exceeded 95% using oil-water mixture with a hydrocarbon/bark ratio of one. The sorption reaction of hydrocarbons and lipids was quasi-instantaneous and seemed to be influenced by the temperature. This indicated that the retention mechanism was related to the capillary action. Results of FTIR spectroscopy suggested that no chemical bonds between barks and oily compounds were established.
