Environmental Hazard Index Research Articles

Radioactive Attenuation Using Different Types of Natural Rocks.

Humans benefit from nuclear technology, but it also generates nuclear radiation that is bad for both the environment and human health. The serious issue of radiation leakage affects many technological applications. Shielding is required to protect both users and the environment from negative side effects. This work describes the radioactive attenuation properties of some natural rocks, such as claystone, bentonitic claystone, bentonitic shale, sandstone, and basalt using a NaI(Tl) detector. The mass attenuation coefficients μm of these rocks at various photon energies, half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL), and mean free path (MFP) were determined. The validation of obtained values of μm was carried out against the theoretical calculations from the XCOM program, and the correlation factor and relative deviation between the two methods were evaluated. It was noted that basalt samples exhibit superior shielding parameters when compared to other rock samples. Also, the concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive elements (238U, 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) were measured, allowing for the calculation of environmental hazard indices and assessment of attenuation (%) efficiency for certain natural rocks, such as bentonite, sandstone, and basalt. The results revealed that increasing the thickness of Basalt-AZ from 1.5 cm to 2 cm results in an approximate 11% rise in attenuation percentage, with values reaching 77.12%, 67.2%, 67.65%, and 59.8% for NMA-U, IAEA-Th, IAEA-Ra, and IAEA-K, respectively.

Geochemical and Environmental Evaluation of the Copper Element in the Surface Soil and Its Health Effects in Selected Areas of Kirkuk Governorate

To assess the extent of copper contamination in the surface soil and its effects on human health in selected areas of Kirkuk Governorate, several geochemical analyzes and environmental assessments were performed. Twenty-two (22) surface soil samples were collected and analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The results showed that the average concentration of copper in the study area was (42.64 ppm), and its highest value was in the (H19) site represented in the Benji Ali area (129.7 ppm). In (H11) site, with a concentration of (88.8 ppm), which represents an industrial neighborhood area, and the reason is due to it being a polluted industrial area, which is higher than the permissible natural values, amounting to (20 ppm). In the soil, the element copper, which indicates a potential danger to the environment, as well as the average values of the soil accumulation index showed that it is unpolluted to medium pollution, while the value of the average enrichment factor was medium enrichment, and also the average of the environmental hazard index showed potential moderate environmental risks, and it was found Exposure through inhalation (CDIinh) is more effective in adults and children with copper than through skin contact (CDIdermal) and ingestion (CDIing). And it was found that the values (HI) are greater than one for the studied copper element for both children and adults, which indicates The presence of carcinogenic health risks of the copper element on humans in the study area, and it was found that children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of copper because they are still developing.

Effect of fungal isolates from different samples upon radionuclide behavior and environmental hazard indices during bioleaching process in Gabal Um Hamd, Um Bogma area, southwestern Sinai, Egypt

Two fungal species were isolated from the studied rock samples and identified morphologically as Aspergillus hollandicus and Penicillium citrinum. Bioleaching process was applied to W1, W2 and W3. The average concentration activity of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K are 5134.03, 5708.64, 189.51, and 1456.8 BqKg−1, respectively. Radionuclide’s distribution in leach liquor, residual, and fungal adsorption were followed and environmental hazard indices (Raeq, Iγ, Hex, Hin, and ECLR) were calculated. From the observed outcomes, the isolated fungal strains have the potential to reduce the harmful effect up to 50% compared to the original. As a result, application of these fungal strains offers a potential strategy for environmental remediation of radionuclides.

Mobility, activity ratio significance and risk assessment of radionuclides in sandstone of Magharet El Miah, Southwestern Sinai, Egypt

Sedimentary rocks of Magharet El Miah were radiometrically analyzed for determination of radionuclides 238U, 232Th, 226Ra and 40K activity concentrations. The U-content and Th/U ratio in these rocks illustrated poor weathering and rapid deposition of rock detritus. Preferential dissolution of 234U due to α-decay related processes and its re-adsorption and precipitation are responsible for the observed radioactive disequilibrium in 234U/238U of Magharet El Miah sandstone. 234U mobilization could be related to the effect of surficial or underground water. 226Ra/238U disequilibrium could be revised to the difference in the geochemical characteristics of the two isotopes. 230Th/238U activity ratios were lower than unity in all samples (10 samples) except sample number 1, suggesting selective uranium accumulation in most samples or 230Th leaching by acidified water where the rocks contain high sulpher contents. Many of the 238U/235U activity ratios were shifted from the natural ratio due to the changes in redox conditions that leads to fractionation of higher isotope from lighter one. The plotted value of 234U/238U and 230Th/238U illustrated that the U-accumulation occurred in the period from <6 × 104–105 years. The studied sandstone had higher values for uranium (95.4 ± 7.1 to 130.3 ± 12.3 Bq.kg−1), thorium (65.8 ± 4.2 and 78.4 ± 6.7 Bq.kg−1) and radium (68.2 ± 4.4 and 80.3 ± 9.1 Bq.kg−1) but lower for potassium (38.4 ± 1.2 and 54.2 ± 2.3 Bq.kg−1) in comparison with international permissible levels. All the estimated environmental hazard indices illustrated that most samples lied in the permissible level ranges. Cluster analyses indicated that the main environmental health hazard parameters exist due to the activity concentrations of 238U and 226Ra.

Analysis and Evaluation of Heavy Metal Pollution in Kosasthalaiyar River near Ennore Creek Using Geo Statistical Approach

&lt;p&gt;The increasing industrialization and urbanization in recent times has led to a significant increase in heavy metal pollution in soil and sediment. The present study aims to evaluate the heavy metal contamination (HmC) in surface sediments collected from the Kosasthalaiyar River located between latitudes 13°12′03″N and 13°16′34″N and longitudes 80°18′6″E and 80°19′56″E. Ten sampling locations were selected in the study area and samples of surface sediments were collected and analyzed for 16 geochemical and heavy metal parameters, including Silver (Ag), Aluminium (Al), Calcium (Ca), Cadmium (Cd), Chloride, Cobalt (Co), Total Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Mercury (Hg), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Silica (Si), Titanium (Ti), and Zinc (Zn). The study aims to determine the potential environmental hazards of heavy metals in the sediment through calculation of the potential environmental hazard index (RI). Assess the impact of human activities on HmC in the surface sediments using four pollution indices: the Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), the Contaminant factor (CF), the degree of contamination (DC), the potential contamination index (PCI), and the pollution load index (PLI) and Conduct a human health risk assessment (HHRA) of heavy metals in the sediment. The study results will provide insight into the contamination levels and help inform measures for controlling pollution and promoting sustainability in the area.&lt;/p&gt;&#x0D;

Environmental risk due to the accumulation of metals in Sedum alfredii under different intercropping patterns during phytoremediation

AbstractA field experiment was conducted to evaluate the environmental risk of phytoextraction of Cd, Cu, and Pb using Sedum alfredii Hance. with different intercropping patterns. Three receptors representing invertebrates (earthworms), avians (yellow‐feathered chickens), and small mammalian omnivores (Rattus losea) were selected as the potentially impacted environmental receptors. Soil deglutition and food ingestion are considered dominant pathways of metal exposure. Different planting patterns, including S. alfredii monoculture and S. alfredii intercropped (coordinate and malposed) with Cicer arietinum L., were used to evaluate the mobilization, absorption, and migration of Cd during phytoextraction. This study revealed that the intercropping systems, particularly the malposed intercropping patterns, significantly increased the Cd decontamination efficiency by 31.3% and enhanced the content of Cu and Pb in the aboveground tissues of the intercropped C. arietinum. Correspondingly, different planting patterns resulted in varying environmental risks. For the omnivores, which primarily consume earthworms and plant tissues, the hazard index was 0.096 for the S. alfredii monoculture, and the index decreased to 0.074 and 0.090 in the coordinate and malposed intercropping patterns, respectively. The environmental risk might be induced by the increased Cd concentrations in the roots and shoots of S. alfredii. When extrapolating the results of this treatment to the entire region, all the environmental hazard index values of the receptors were higher than 1.0. This study suggests that if a phytoextraction method is used for metal decontamination, corresponding prevention strategies should be established to prevent the diffusion of concentrated metals to higher trophic levels via the food chain.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Soil and Garlic Influenced by Waste-Derived Organic Amendments

Simple SummaryThe utilization of organic wastes, for example, poultry waste, sugarcane press mud, and farmyard manure is extremely common among farmers from South Asia including Pakistan. We assess the biochemical nature and dietary benefit for plants and record the presence of heavy metals in garlic following cultivation in a soil amended with these organic wastes. Present investigation showed the grouping of toxicity and bioaccumulation of heavy metals with a particular link to their source of origin and highlight the hazard of some of them for public health through their excessive utilization. Selecting appropriate manure can significantly reduce health risks for humans.In South Asia, the high costs of synthetic fertilizers have imposed research on alternative nutrient inputs. We aimed to identify potential trace elements (PTE) present in some organic manure that might be a source of environmental pollutions and risk to public health following consumption. The study aims to evaluate how different organic waste (poultry waste, PW; press mud, PM; and farmyard manure, FYM) influences the heavy metal migration in soil, the accumulation in garlic, and their potential health risks. Organic waste caused a higher accumulation of certain metals (Zn, Cu, Fe, and Co), whereas Mn, Cd, Cr, and Pb were in lower concentrations in soil. Amendments of soil with PM revealed a higher accumulation of Cd, Cr, Fe, and Pb, whereas PW resulted in Cu and Zn accumulation in garlic. Treatment of soil with FYM exhibited higher metal concentration of Co and Mn. An environmental hazard indices study revealed that pollution load index (PLI) was highest for Cu following treatment with PM. The health risk index (HRI) was greater for Cd following amendment with PM. Maximum daily intake of metals (DIM) was observed for Zn after treatment with PW. The Pb exhibited maximum bioconcentration factor (BCF) in PM-amended plants. Based on these findings, we concluded that garlic grown on contaminated soil with organic waste may pose serious health hazards following consumption.

Conditions Affecting the Release of Heavy and Rare Earth Metals from the Mine Tailings Kola Subarctic.

In the Kola Subarctic, a mining industry has developed, which is a source of environmental pollution with heavy metals. The objects of study were the tailings of three large mining enterprises in the region: apatite-nepheline, complex and loparite ores. The geotechnical characteristics were studied, and the granulometric composition of the samples was established. The main minerals that make up the material of ore dressing tailings have been determined. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the content of trace elements, in particular heavy metals and rare earth elements, has been established. The enrichment factor, the geoaccumulation indexes, the potential ecological risk index factor and the potential environmental hazard index have been calculated. Priority pollutants characteristics for specific objects have been identified. It is noted that the finely dispersed material of the tailings of loparite and complex ores is 1.5–3 times enriched in heavy and rare earth metals in comparison with the total material of the tailings. In laboratory conditions, experiments were carried out to simulate the process of interaction of dust particles with soil solutions containing different amounts of dissolved organic matter and at average seasonal temperatures. It was found that a decrease in the pH of the solution and an increase in the amount of organic carbon and temperature lead to the mobilization of heavy and rare earth metals from the tailings.

Indices for Assessing Potential Environmental Hazard from Future Ship Scrapping Process, Determinable in Ship Design Stage

Abstract This paper shortly presents the issue of utilization of ships after their withdrawal from service. Information on number of floating units liquidated in previous years was presented. Hazards to the environment, health and life of workers employed in the Far East ship scrapping yards operating on the beaches, were indicated. Then, the most important rules which have to make the ship recycling process safe were referred to. This author proposed to supplement the rules by environmental hazard indices which would be determined already in ship design stage. According to the concept the indices should take into account amount of dangerous substances used for building the ship as well as degree of their harmfulness (weighing factors). Two approaches to the issue of determining the weighing factors were proposed: deterministic and fuzzy.

Distribution and disequilibrium of natural radionuclides in the black shale from Wadi Naseib area, Southwest Sinai, and their environmental hazard indices

Several radionuclides of the 238 U (or its decay daughters such as 234 Pa, 234 U, 230 Th, 226 Ra, 214 Pb, and 214 Bi), 232 Th ( 228 Ac, 208 Tl, and 212 Bi), and 235 U decay series have been measured. The 234 U/ 238 U activity ratios (ARs) are >1 for most rock samples indicating preferential abundance of 234 U relative to 238 U from the rock due to prevailing reducing conditions. The 226 Ra/ 238 U ratios are ranging between 0.04 and 0.6 and averaging 0.4 which show disequilibrium in the direction of uranium concentrations. 230 Th/ 238 U and 230 Th/ 234 U ARs for all studied samples are less than unity, suggesting that all 230 Th are produced by in situ decay of 234 U and there is no allogeneic or initial 230 Th. Exposure rate, dose rate, radium equivalent activity, external hazard index, internal hazard index, and radioactivity level index are determined.

Spatio-temporal effects of fertilization in Anhui Province, China

In order to understand the status and trends in spatio-temporal variations and effects of using inorganic, chemical fertilizers, indexes of hazards of fertilization, including the Fertilization Environmental Hazard Index (FEHI), and fertilization environmental safety threshold were developed and used to evaluate potential for hazards of fertilization and thus sustainability of the use of artificial, exogenous inorganic fertilizers in Agriculture in China. An example case for Anhui Province, China, is presented. Anhui Province is one of the primary agricultural provinces in China, with serious eutrophication of surface waters due to non-point source pollution from application of fertilizer in agriculture. The FEHI increased from 0.57, which represented little hazard in 1990 through 0.65 (medium hazard) in 1995 to 0.77 (serious hazard) in 2012. Based on increases in this index and current trends in use of chemical fertilizers, it is predicted that rural aquatic environments of Anhui Province will continue to be affected by cultural eutrophication. Among 16 regions, there were two regions in Anhui Province classified as being at extreme hazard due to over-fertilization, seven regions being at serious hazard and six regions being at moderate hazard. Extreme hazard of pollution due to excess nitrogen (N) was predicted for two regions, and hazard was extreme for five regions due to excess phosphorus (P), and the predicted hazard from potash (potassium; K) was serious for eight regions.

Prioritizing chemicals for environmental management in China based on screening of potential risks

The rapid development of China’s chemical industry has created increasing pressure to improve the environmental management of chemicals. To bridge the large gap between the use and safe management of chemicals, we performed a comprehensive review of the international methods used to prioritize chemicals for environmental management. By comparing domestic and foreign methods, we confirmed the presence of this gap and identified potential solutions. Based on our literature review, we developed an appropriate screening method that accounts for the unique characteristics of chemical use within China. The proposed method is based on an evaluation using nine indices of the potential hazard posed by a chemical: three environmental hazard indices (persistence, bioaccumulation, and eco-toxicity), four health hazard indices (acute toxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity), and two environmental exposure hazard indices (chemical amount and utilization pattern). The results of our screening agree with results of previous efforts from around the world, confirming the validity of the new system. The classification method will help decisionmakers to prioritize and identify the chemicals with the highest environmental risk, thereby providing a basis for improving chemical management in China.

Cumulative Environmental Vulnerability and Environmental Justice in California’s San Joaquin Valley

The identification of “environmental justice (EJ) communities” is an increasingly common element in environmental planning, policy, and regulation. As a result, the choice of methods to define and identify these communities is a critical and often contentious process. This contentiousness is, in turn, a factor of the lack of a commonly accepted method, the concern among many EJ advocates and some regulators that existing frameworks are inadequate, and ultimately, the significant consequences of such designations for both public policy and community residents. With the aim of assisting regulators and advocates to more strategically focus their efforts, the authors developed a Cumulative Environmental Vulnerability Assessment (CEVA). This CEVA is composed of a Cumulative Environmental Hazard Index and a Social Vulnerability Index, with a Health Index as a reference. Applying CEVA produces spatial analysis that identifies the places that are subject to both the highest concentrations of cumulative environmental hazards and the fewest social, economic and political resources to prevent, mitigate, or adapt to these conditions. We recommended that these areas receive special consideration in permitting, monitoring, and enforcement actions, as well as investments in public participation, capacity building, and community economic development.

Mapping Cumulative Environmental Effects, Social Vulnerability, and Health in the San Joaquin Valley, California

To understand the social distribution of environmental hazards, methods to assess cumulative effects and their health implications are needed. We developed a cumulative environmental hazard index integrating environmental data on pollution sites, air quality, and pesticide use; a social vulnerability index to measure residents' resources to prevent or mitigate health effects; and a health index. We found that communities in California's San Joaquin Valley with high social vulnerability face more environmental burdens and have worse health conditions.

Development of a Methodology for Assessing Inherent Occupational Health Hazards

In the preliminary stages of chemical plant design, selecting the chemical process route is one of the main design decisions. Previously, the most important factor in selecting the best chemical process route was economics. Now safety, environmental and occupational health issues have become important considerations. Health risks to workers could be reduced by better selection of the chemical process route during the initial stages of process design. The chemical process route may be defined as the raw material(s) and the sequence of reactions that converts them to the desired product(s). In order to choose the ‘healthiest’ one from a number of alternative routes, the potential health hazards must be quantified. Ranking of alternative chemical process routes based on the severity of potential health effects to the workers exposed could provide an assessment method for avoiding potential harm to humans. The Process Route Healthiness Index (PRHI) has been developed to quantify the health hazards that might arise from chemical processes; the higher the index, the higher the hazards. The PRHI is influenced by the health impacts due to potential chemical releases and the concentration of airborne chemicals inhaled by workers. The index has been applied to six alternative routes to methyl methacrylate (MMA). The resulting ranking is compared to those obtained from an Inherent Safety Index, an Environmental Hazard Index and production cost estimates for the same chemical process routes.

Indicator-based assessment of environmental hazards and health effects in the industrial cities of upper Silesia, Poland.

Using an indicator-based approach, we assessed environmental hazards and related health effects in populations of industrial cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants in Upper Silesia, Poland, and analyzed the relationship between environment and health. We adopted the method developed by Dutkiewicz et al. for assessing large geographic areas. Based on routinely collected environmental and health data, two groups of indicators, environmental indicators (EIs) and health status indicators (HSIs), related to environmental contamination were selected. The EI and HSI values were normalized and aggregated into synthetic measures using Strahl's taxonometric method. The synthetic measures indicated the intensity of environmental hazards and health outcomes. We used a three-level index scale to compare and rank the cities under the study and, consequently, to facilitate decision making. Findings of the assessment identified cities where actions aimed at reducing environmental hazards and improving population health status should be established as priorities. These cities included Chorzów, Katowice, Sosnowiec, Bytom, and Zabrze. We found a high correlation between the synthetic measures of environmental indicators and the synthetic measure of health status indicators (r = 0.77), as well as a high level of consistency between environmental hazard indices and environmental-related health status indices (73%). This may indicate the existence of a causal relationship between the environmental contamination within industrial cities and the health status of their inhabitants.

Chemical process route selection based on assessment of inherent environmental hazard

At the preliminary stages of chemical plant development and design the choice of the chemical process route is the key design decision. In the past, economics were the most important criterion in choosing the chemical process route. Safety and environmental issues have now become important considerations. Methods are lacking for assessing chemical process routes for environmental friendliness. The Environmental Hazard Index (EHI) ranks routes by the estimated environmental impact of a total release of chemical inventory. The EHI is a function of the environmental effects of the chemicals and the estimated inventory thereof in a plant that, if designed and built, would implement the route. The lower the EHI the more environmentally friendly is the route. The EHI has been tested on six potential and established routes to Methyl Methacrylate (MMA). These results have been compared with those for the Inherent Safety Index for the same chemical process routes. An expression has been derived which relates the EHI to an estimated fish kill.

Economic-environmental tradeoffs among alternative crop rotations

Simulated long-term impacts of different cropping systems are evaluated and analyzed in terms of the tradeoffs among net returns and different components of environmental quality. The cropping systems are modeled after the BARC Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Farm. EPIC was used to obtain crop yields, soil erosion, and the environmental fate of nitrogen, phosphorous, and herbicides in response to weather and management practices over a simulated 30 year period. This procedure provides a way to estimate the environmental impact of cropping rotations, and to analyze the tradeoffs between competing objectives, whether they are farm income, erosion control, or the reduction of multiple hazards. The results indicate that the no-till rotation provides the greatest net returns, followed by the conventional rotation. The net returns on the two cover crop rotations are lowest. In terms of environmental impacts, no-till rotation dominates all other rotations with lowest nitrogen loss, and the covercrop rotations perform best in terms of erosion and phosphorous loss. However because herbicides are necessary to control weeds in no-till, the pesticide hazard index is very high, suggesting a tradeoff between pesticide hazard and other environmental considerations. To provide decision makers with better information, an environmental hazard index was constructed to analyze the tradeoffs between potential chemical contamination and net returns. Depending on preference structure, any one of three rotations could be preferred: no-till; manure at medium application rates; and cover crop without fertilizer.

A Health Evaluation Study of Kraft Pulp Mill Workers

A health evaluation study of Kraft Pulp Mill Workers in Prince Rupert measured the responses of a large sample of Mill workers (n=326) based on a health questionnaire, a medical examination, pulmonary function tests, rest-ing EKG and blood chemistry analysis. A smaller sub group (n=84) were tested on their response to exercise. On site measurement was made of contaminant gases in several mill areas shortly after the physiological and medical tests. Based upon the chemical analyses carried out, an Environmental Hazard Index was developed to quantify the degree of workers to mixed contaminants of various work sites. After the confounding influence of age, smoking, alcohol intake, family history of coronary artery disease and activity pattern were account -ed for, the residuals of the physiological and clinical dependent variables was related to the mean Environmental Hazard Index of groups of workers in different work sites. By this type of analysis, intriguing relationships become apparent between deficiences in physiological function and the size of the Environmental Hazard Index. This paper illustrates the relative ease with which deficiencies in any work place may be detected. This contrasts markedly to the ease with which practical solutions to remedy deficiences may be developed if any company is to retain its viability. Nevertheless a solution to the hazard considered in this paper may be the development of an individual Worker Health Hazard Registry which tags each worker's daily exposure and accumulates it to identify a danger point at which physiological deficiences occur. The worker would then be found other work at a contamination free site until his personal hazard index had declined to a low level.