Battery Plant Research Articles

Chinese Alligators


 
 
 
 I present previously unpublished data on the breeding habits and related conservation efforts on behalf of the endangered endemic Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis) collected through interviews and observations conducted at the Changxing Nature Reserve & Breeding Center for Chinese Alligators. The objective of this study was to provide additional material to supplement that presented in the most current and comprehensive English-language literature on the species. Conservation efforts on behalf of the Chinese Alligator are hindered by heavily polluting industries, such as coal-fired power plants and battery plants, which affect all local fauna. In addition, captive population satistics at Changxing and Xuancheng breeding centers have changed since 2010. Additional observations of the Chinese Alligator include nesting behaviors, ovipositioning, and temperature and humidity conditions in nests. I observed experiments comparing temperature-dependent sex determination to that in the closely related American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). I provide information on reintroduction efforts by both Chinese captive breeding centers in different wild zones and discuss definitioono of "wild," with which Chinese Alligator reintroduction efforts do not conform. Further species conservation efforts should be facilitated by a master plan and studbook, implemented to maximize genetic variation and minimize the effects of inbreeding depression in captive populations with few founders.
 
 
 

Association between GSTP1 CpG methylation and the early phase of lead exposure

Context: GSTP1 is induced by lead, and thus serves as a biomarker of lead exposure. Lead exposure changes DNA methylation status.Objective: We attempted to prove that the methylation of the GSTP1 promoter plays an important role in lead toxicity.Materials and methods: We conducted a case-control study of 53 workers from a battery plant and 53 age and sex matched healthy volunteers to determine whether the methylation level of the GSTP1 promoter is associated with the risk of lead poisoning. We employed methylation-specific PCR (MSP) in cell models to determine the relationship between the GSTP1 methylation level and lead exposure.Results: We found no association between GSTP1 methylation and lead exposure. The difference in methylation frequencies between the exposure group and the controls was not statistically significant (p = 0.401), and individuals with the methylated GSTP1 gene was not associated with the risk of lead poisoning (adjusted OR = 1.36, 95% CI, 0.22–8.24).Conclusion: This study suggests that GSTP1 methylation is not involved in the early phase of lead toxicity. Further studies should be performed to detect the association between GSTP1 methylation and the risk of lead poisoning in later phases.

Association between Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in female workers of lead battery plants

Background Vitamin D receptor (VDR) genotype is a risk factor for several disorders with inflammatory components, including coronary heart diseases (CHD). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a group of zinc-dependent endopeptidases, involve extracellular matrix (ECM) physiological degradation process and contribute to progressive left ventricular remodeling, dilation, and heart failure. Aims To investigate whether the VDR genetic polymorphisms are associated with the activity of MMP-9 in female workers of lead battery plants. Methods A total of 206 female workers was recruited for this study at the Taiwan battery manufacturing plant. The mean age was 46.7 ± 8.5 years and mean working duration was 12.8 ± 8.1 years. A clinical examination was performed at a workplace health check-up, and information was obtained using self-reported questionnaire. Each study participant provided blood samples for genotyping of VDR (folk, bsml, apal) and for serum MMP-9, whole blood lead levels (BLLs) and serum oxidative stress (Malondialdehyde (MDA)) measurements. We used multiple linear regression models for determinants of MMP-9 using VDR genotypes, BLLs and MDA as independent variables Results The MMP-9 levels was found to be correlated with BLLs and menopausal status in female workers. In the trend analysis, results exhibited a significant decreased trend in MMP-9 levels from the wild-type, heterogeneity and homozygousgenotypes of VDR (apal and bsml). After adjusting for determinants of MMP-9 levels,we found that carriers of the AA genotype of VDR (apal) had a lower MMP-9 levelcompared with carriers of CC genotype in these subjects (?=-0.651, p=0. 012). A similar result was observed in carriers of the AG genotype of VDR (bsml) compared with carriers of CC genotype (?=-0.641, p= 0.008). Conclusions This study confirms that the BLLs and menopausal status are important determinants in the MMP-9 levels. There is a possibility that female workers who carry homozygous genotypes of VDR (apal and bsml) decrease in MMP-9 levels.

Evaluation of a Hybrid Power Plant Comprising Used EV-Batteries to Complement Wind Power

This paper investigates the potential of using secondhand electric vehicle (EV) batteries to provide storage in a hybrid wind battery plant (HWBP). A number of used Li-ion EV batteries are assumed connected to an existing wind park operating on the noninterconnected island of Crete. The optimal size of the hybrid extension is determined using genetic algorithms (GAs). The potential revenues that can be achieved by the HWBP from its participation in the electricity market are estimated. Results indicate that the proposed business model is economically beneficial in case rejected wind energy is stored for later use. Profit margin varies according to the price of oil consumed by the thermal units whose energy is substituted by the output of the HWBP.

Epigenetic marker (LINE-1 promoter) methylation level was associated with occupational lead exposure

Context. Occupational and environmental exposures to lead (Pb) are a worldwide concern. DNA methylation plays an important role in the development of Pb toxicity. Here, we try to find out the evidence to prove that the methylation of the LINE-1 promoter may be involved in Pb toxicity. Methods. To determine whether the methylation level of the LINE-1 is associated with the risk of Pb poisoning, we first constructed a Pb acetate-treated cell model to detect the association between LINE-1 methylation and Pb exposure. A case–control study involving 53 workers from a battery plant and 57 healthy volunteers with matching age and gender distribution was carried out. We employed methylation-specific real-time PCR to determine the relationship between LINE-1 methylation level and Pb exposure. Results. In the cell model, Pb exposure significantly decreased the level of LINE-1 methylation (p = 0.009). Significant difference in methylation frequencies was found between the exposed and control samples (p < 0.001). We also found a decreasing trend of LINE-1 methylation level with increasing blood Pb level (p < 0.001). Conclusions. Therefore, the LINE-1 promoter methylation might contribute to the risk of Pb poisoning and identified a possible epigenetic biomarker for Pb toxicity, especially in individuals occupationally exposed to Pb.

Feasibility study of photovoltaic powered reverse osmosis and pumping plant configurations

The present study has as main goal to make a technical and financial feasibility study of a photovoltaic powered reverse osmosis (PV–RO) and pumping system developed at the Renewable Energies Laboratory, Federal University of Ceará, in Fortaleza, Brazil, with the aim to supply drinking water for human consumption at low cost from brackish water in semi-arid areas. The research intends to determine parameters like drinking water production, specific energy consumption and specific costs, as well as the optimal system size regarding financial viability. The used configurations allow comparing two strategies: with and without batteries. The research was conducted with different levels of brackish water salinity, to identify a viability limit. The technical and financial analysis show that the unit produces satisfactory and competitive results, comparing with different plants in the world, concluding that, assuming a 2748 mg/l brackish water well, the configuration that brings the best cost/benefit is the no battery plant using 3 PV panels, which provides a daily production of 175 l of drinking water at 324.60 mg/l, with a specific consumption of 3.12 kWh/m3 and presenting a competitive specific cost of 10.32 US$/m3.

Silica nanoparticles capture atmospheric lead: Implications in the treatment of environmental heavy metal pollution

Lead (Pb) contamination in the air is a severe global problem, most notably in China. Removal of Pb from polluted air remains a significant challenge. It is unclear what potential effects silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) exposure can have on atmospheric Pb. Here we first characterized the features of SiNPs by measuring the particle size, zeta potential and the specific surface area of SiO2 particles using a Nicomp 380/ZLS submicron particle sizer, the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). We measured the content of the metal Pb adsorbed by SiNPs exposed to two Pb polluted electric battery plants using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). It is found that SiNPs exposed to two Pb polluted electric battery plants absorb more atmospheric Pb compared to either blank control or micro-sized SiO2 particles in a time-dependent manner. This is the first study demonstrating that SiNPs exposure can absorb atmospheric Pb in the polluted environment. These novel findings indicate that SiNPs have potential to serve as a significant adsorbent of Pb from industrial pollution, implicating a potentially novel application of SiNPs in the treatment of environmental heavy metal pollution.

Efficacy of all-trans retinoid acid in preventing nickel induced cardiotoxicity in myocardial cells of rats

Nickel, a metal commonly found in battery plants and welding factories, has potential cardiotoxicity, while all-trans retinoid acid (atRA) can promote cardiovascular repair and myocardial recovery. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether atRA could prevent cardiotoxicity induced by nickel both in vitro and in vivo. In the study, a rat myocardial cell line (H9c2) exposed to different concentrations of nickel chloride (NiCl2) displayed apoptotic features accompanied by reactive oxygen species generation. In addition, NiCl2 also caused obvious apoptosis and systolic dysfunction in primary myocardial cells. Treatment with atRA efficiently attenuated the cytotoxicities triggered by NiCl2 as it significantly mitigated ROS generation and decreased MAP kinases activity in NiCl2-treated cardiomyocytes. Additionally, NiCl2 exposure caused obvious arrhythmia in Sprague–Dawley rats with the maximum tolerance dose of NiCl2 between 2 and 3mg/kg. A combinational intragastric administration of 40mg/kg atRA can partially reverse NiCl2-induced arrhythmia in rats. Our results suggested that atRA might have therapeutic potential in alleviating the adverse effects of nickel on the cardiovascular system.

Effects of Delta-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase Polymorphisms on Susceptibility to Lead in Han Subjects from Southwestern China

This study is to determine the distribution of the delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) polymorphism among Han subjects of the Chinese population and to study whether the polymorphism in the ALAD gene modifies the toxicity of lead in lead-exposed workers. For this purpose we conducted a cross-sectional study on 156 Chinese workers who were exposed to lead in lead-acid battery and electric-flex manufacturing plants. The authors found that the allele frequencies of ALAD1 and ALAD2 were 0.9679 and 0.0321, respectively. Workers with the ALAD 1-1 genotype were associated with higher blood lead levels than those with the ALAD 1-2 genotype. Blood and urine lead levels were much higher in storage battery workers than in cable workers. The self-conscious symptom survey showed that the incidences of debilitation, amnesia and dreaminess were much higher in those had more than five years of tenure or contact with lead on the job within the ALAD 1-1 genotype subgroup. Laboratory examinations showed that serum iron and zinc levels in workers’ with the ALAD 1-2 genotype were higher than those with the ALAD 1-1 genotype, especially in storage-battery workers. Correlation analysis indicated that the blood lead level negatively correlated with serum calcium, iron and zinc level. The data of this study suggest that the ALAD gene polymorphism and serum ion levels may modify the kinetics of lead in blood. Therefore, the authors recommend that an adequate intake of dietary calcium, iron, and zinc or the calcium, iron, and zinc supplementation should be prescribed to Chinese lead exposed workers.

Study on Lead Pollution and Blood Lead Level in Lead Workers of Storage Battery Plant

Objective To explore the situation of lead pollution and blood lead level of lead workers in storage battery plant,to explore the relations which might affect the blood lead level of workers and lead density in the air,and provide evidence for formulation of appropriate occupational health countermeasures.Methods The occupational health check was performed on 103 workers with lead exposure,and Determines the blood lead concentrations,and monitoring concentrations of lead in the air of workplace,Results The over standard rales of air lead concentration were 41.7 ％ in working places,that of blood lead were 38.8％ in lead workers,while the mean blood lead level of those lead workers was (381.81 ± 180.75) μ g/L; The differences of blood lead density between lengths of service and genders were not significance( P＞ 0.05 ) The blood lead level of lead worker was good correlation with the air lead density (r=0.9663,P＜0.05).Conclusion The lead-exposure is proved to be the obvious occupational hazard for the workers in this battery plant,and the higher lead concentrations in the air of work-place were the hazardous factor for elevated blood lead level. Key words: Blood lead; Lead pollution; Storage battery plant

High lead exposure is associated with telomere length shortening in Chinese battery manufacturing plant workers

ObjectivesCritically shortening of telomere length caused by various factors including environmental pollutants results in genome instability and age-associated diseases. Lead is one of the ubiquitous environmental and occupational pollutants, potentially...

DETERMINATION OF TRACE METALS IN PLANT LEAVES AS BIOMONITOR OF POLLUTION EXTENT BY A SENSITIVE STAT-AAS METHOD

The aim of this study is to assess the potential of bioindicator/biomonitor plants to determine pollution extent of toxic metals. Lead, cadmium, and copper concentrations in the plants including Platanus sp., Olea europaea L., Vitis vinifera L., and Armeniaca sp. taken from the industrial area of the city of Gaziantep, Turkey, and control location were determined by using STAT-atomic absorption spectrometry. Lead concentration in leaves of Platanus sp. taken from 50 m around the battery plant was found to be higher than 3,000 mg kg−1. The observed Pb concentration in this plant was 40 times higher than that in Armeniaca sp. grown in the same location. The limits of detection for plants were found to be 0.050 mg kg−1 for Pb and Cu and 0.005 mg kg−1 for Cd. It was concluded that the Platanus sp. plant can be considered as both biomonitor and hyperaccumulator.

Assessment of the relationship between blood lead levels and hematological parameters among lead acid and #8211;storage battery plant workers

The present study investigated the relationship between blood -lead levels and hematological parameters and urinary- δ -ALA levels in 391 male lead acid –storage battery plant workers. Blood lead levels (BLL) done by using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Hematological parameters were done by using the ABX Micros ES -60 hematology analyzer. The reticulocyte counts in subjects were done by using the supra-vital staining method. Urinary- δ -ALA levels were determined by using spectrophotometric method. The levels of BLL (p

Review: Lead Exposure in Battery Manufacturing and Recycling in Developing Countries and Among Children in Nearby Communities

The battery industry is the largest consumer of lead, using an estimated 80% of the global lead production. The industry is also rapidly expanding in emerging market countries. A review of published literature on exposures from lead-acid battery manufacturing and recycling plants in developing countries was conducted. The review included studies from 37 countries published from 1993 to 2010 and excluded facilities in developed countries, such as the United States and those in Western Europe, except for providing comparisons to reported findings. The average worker blood lead level (BLL) in developing countries was 47 μg/dL in battery manufacturing plants and 64 μg/dL in recycling facilities. Airborne lead concentrations reported in battery plants in developing countries averaged 367 μg/m3, which is 7-fold greater than the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's 50 μg/m3 permissible exposure limit. The geometric mean BLL of children residing near battery plants in developing countries was 19 μg/dL, which is about 13-fold greater than the levels observed among children in the United States. The blood lead and airborne lead exposure concentrations for battery workers were substantially higher in developing countries than in the United States. This disparity may worsen due to rapid growth in lead-acid battery manufacturing and recycling operations worldwide. Given the lack of regulatory and enforcement capacity in most developing countries, third-party certification programs may be the only viable option to improve conditions.

Handwipe Method for Removing Lead from Skin

Abstract Researchers at the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed a handwipe removal method for lead (Pb) after field studies showed that workers in lead-acid battery plants had significant risks for dermal-oral lead exposures, despite their attempts to remove the lead by washing with soap and water. Hand washing with soap and water remains the standard recommendation for workers (as well as the public) to clean skin known or believed to be contaminated with toxic metals, such as lead. Despite longstanding recommendations for workers to “wash hands with soap and water,” no efficacy studies show this to be a completely effective removal method for lead. Removal of toxic metals such as lead from skin constitutes a decontamination procedure; it is not, in fact, a hand-washing step. NIOSH scientists conceived and developed a highly effective (nearly 100 %) method for removal of lead from skin. A systems approach was devised incorporating four components deemed necessary for effective metal removal: Surfaction, pH control, chelation, and mechanical effects. The handwipe removal method evolved from a previous NIOSH invention, the handwipe disclosing method for the presence of lead, in the interests of providing complementary techniques for dermal lead detection and decontamination. The method is a patented, award-winning, commercialized technology that has significant potential to prevent occupational and public exposures to lead.

Lead exposure suppressed ALAD transcription by increasing methylation level of the promoter CpG islands

DNA methylation provides a plausible link between the environment and alterations in gene expression that may lead to disease phenotypes. Lead exposure can change DNA methylation status. Here, we hypothesized that the methylation of the ALAD gene promoter may play an important role in lead toxicity. To determine whether the methylation level of the ALAD promoter is associated with the risk of lead poisoning, we conducted a case–control study of 103 workers from a battery plant and 103 healthy volunteers with matching age and gender distribution. We employed real-time PCR and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) in cell models to determine the relationship between ALAD methylation level and transcription level. We found lead exposure to increase the ALAD gene methylation level and down-regulate ALAD transcription. The difference in methylation frequencies between exposures and controls was statistically significant ( p = 0.002), and individuals with methylated ALAD gene showed an increased risk of lead poisoning (adjusted OR = 3.57, 95% CI, 1.55–8.18). This study suggests that the lead-exposure-induced increases in ALAD methylation may be involved in the mechanism of lead toxicity.

Air-Lead Particle Sizes in Battery Manufacturing: Potential Effects on the OSHA Compliance Model

Abstract The permissible exposure limit (PEL) for lead, as designated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Lead Standard (29 CFR 1910,]1025), was established based on a model relating blood-lead and air-lead levels. Since particle size was considered an important aspect of the relationship and adequate empirical data were not available, a theoretical particle size “distribution” for lead-acid battery manufacturing plants was developed. This distribution was used in the model to select a PEL which was applied to all affected lead industries. The purpose of this study was to determine the actual size distributions of lead aerosols present in selected battery manufacturing operations and to compare these distributions to that assumed in the model. A total of 40 air samples, collected with eight-stage personal cascade impactors, were taken on workers at each of five operations at two different battery plants. Particle distributions in the sampled battery operations were similar. Mass ...

The threshold level of urinary cadmium associated with increased urinary excretion of retinol-binding protein and β2-microglobulin: a re-assessment in a large cohort of nickel-cadmium battery workers

ObjectiveTo evaluate the threshold value of urinary cadmium (CdU) for renal dysfunction on the basis of relationships unconfounded by protein degradation, diuresis and the renal effects associated with chronic smoking.MethodsWe...

Genetic polymorphism of CYP2D6∗2 C → T 2850, GSTM1, NQO1 genes and their correlation with biomarkers in manganese miners of Central India

Manganese (Mn) intoxication is most often regarded as an occupational manifestation and occurs in places such as manganese mines, dry cell battery plants and ceramic industries. In the present study, the influence of genetic polymorphism in cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6∗2), glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) genes on blood manganese and plasma prolactin concentrations in manganese miners was investigated. Genotyping of CYP2D6∗2 C → T 2850 and NQO1 C → T 609 was carried out using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) whereas the genotyping of GSTM1 was carried out by multiplex PCR using beta globin as an internal control. Manganese miners with CYP2D6∗2 C → T 2850 variant genotype had relatively low Mn concentration [GM: 21.4 ± 8.9 μg L −1] than the subjects with wild (GM: 36.3 ± 8.5 μg L −1) and heterozygous (GM: 34.4 ± 6.9 μg L −1) genotypes. Miners with CYP2D6∗2 variant genotypes showed low prolactin levels (GM: 13.13 ± 1.6 ng mL −1) compared to the wild (GM: 16.4.4 ± 1.5 μg L −1) and heterozygous (GM: 18.7 ± 1.6 ng mL −1) genotypes. Gene–gene interaction studies also revealed that the subjects with CYP2D6∗2 C → T 2850 variant genotypes had low levels of Mn and prolactin. Our new findings suggest that CYP2D6∗2 C → T 2850 variant genotypes can regulate plasma prolactin levels in manganese miners of Central India and could be involved in the fast metabolism of blood manganese, compared to wild and heterozygous genotypes.

Study on the Historical Distribution of Metals in Aquatic Sediments

AbstractIn this study, the historical distribution of metals, phosphorous, and sulfur at four different depths in the sediments of different lakes formed in the course of an urban river (in Londrina, Parana State, Brazil) were determined. The transport of metals along the course of the river was observed mainly for Mn, Cr, and Zn. High concentrations of Pb in the Capivara Bay and Cr in the river were attributed to contamination from a battery plant and a tannery, respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals in the deepest layers of the sediments remain high several years after deposition.