Hidden Hazards Research Articles

Mercury’s Meteorite Mysteries: A Directional Statistical Guide to Mercury’s North Pole, Hidden Hazards and Roadmap to Safe Landing Havens Based on Solar Elevation, Ice Stability, Temperature

Studying meteoroid impact patterns on planetary surfaces is critical for understanding surface dynamics and selecting safe landing sites. Mercury, one of the least explored rocky planets, presents unique challenges due to its extreme temperatures and the angular nature of its surface data. Traditional linear statistical methods are often inadequate for analyzing such directional data. This study introduces a novel approach using directional data analysis techniques to interpret the cyclical nature of meteoroid impact locations on Mercury. We employed Watson’s test, Bayesian Information Criterion scores, and a mixture of von Mises–Fisher distributions to model the distribution of impact craters and solar elevations on Mercury’s surface. Our findings indicate that while location parameters adhere to the von Mises distribution, solar elevations do not exhibit directional distribution characteristics. Additionally, by filtering datasets based on temperature thresholds and crater diameters, we pinpointed areas with a high probability of providing suitable landing surfaces. These insights enhance our understanding of the surface conditions on Mercury and provide valuable groundwork for future exploration missions.

Membrane-based technologies for removing emerging contaminants in urban water systems: Limitations, successes, and future improvements

Emerging contaminants (ECs) have been continuously discovered in recent years, posing high risks to human health and environmental safety. Due to their characteristics, such as environmental persistence and bioaccumulation, ECs have severe and often hidden hazards, necessitating effective control measures. Membrane-based technologies possess satisfactory feasibility in the treatment of ECs, which are considered green, efficient, and economically beneficial. Membrane technologies such as membrane separation and membrane bioreactor (MBR) treatment can efficiently remove some ECs. With the rapid development of materials science, membrane-based coupled technologies such as catalytic membranes and adsorption membranes have also achieved significant success, offering effective solutions for the treatment of refractory organic contaminants. This article systematically elucidated the effectiveness, progress, and shortcomings of membrane-based technologies in the field of ECs treatment in recent years. The trends of membrane-based technologies in the field of removal of ECs in the past two decades were described in detail, with a bibliometric analysis. The management situation of newly discovered microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) was also discussed. This review provided reasonable insights into the application of membrane-based technologies in the removal of ECs and offers suggestions for future research directions.

Hidden hazards in urban soils: A meta-analysis review of global heavy metal contamination (2010-2022), sources and its Ecological and health consequences

Hidden hazards in urban soils: A meta-analysis review of global heavy metal contamination (2010-2022), sources and its Ecological and health consequences

Abstract 11805: Hidden Hazards: Unraveling Risk Factors for New-Onset Acute Heart Failure in Liver Transplant Recipients

Introduction: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) following liver transplantation (LT) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Early identification and optimization of risk factors associated with development of heart failure in LT recipients could improve cardiac and liver transplant outcomes. Hypothesis: The study's primary objectives were to ascertain the incidence of new-onset HFrEF post-liver transplant, identify the associated risk factors and understand their clinical outcomes. We hypothesized that certain demographic and clinical factors may predispose liver transplant recipients to develop new-onset HFrEF. Methods: Our retrospective cohort study included 568 liver transplant recipients at our center. Patients were categorized based on whether or not they developed new-onset HFrEF post LT We utilized descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analyses to investigate potential associations between patient demographics, clinical risk factors and the development of new HFrEF . Results: The incidence of acute heart failure post-transplant was 8% (n=43). Within this group, 51% had HFrEF (LVEF<40%), 37% HFmrEF (LVEF 40-49%),12% HF with preserved EF. LVEF was significantly lower in the new-onset HF group [40(30-45) vs 60(55-65), p<0.001]. Median time to HF onset was 25 days. Coronary artery disease (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.01-6.35, p=0.04) and malignancy history (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.15-4.81, p=0.02) were significant predictors of new onset HFrEF. New onset HFrEF was associated with higher 180-day mortality (14% vs 6%, OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.00-6.56, p=0.048). Conclusions: Coronary artery disease and history of malignancy were identified as risk factors for new-onset HFrEF post-LT. Additional research is needed to better understand the impact of CAD and malignancy on cardiac and liver transplant outcomes that may result in improved patient care.

MnFe2O4-biochar decreases bioavailable fractions of thallium in highly acidic soils from pyrite mining area

The prevalence of toxic element thallium (Tl) in soils is of increasing concern as a hidden hazard in agricultural systems and food chains. In the present work, pure biochar (as a comparison) and jacobsite (MnFe2O4)-biochar composite (MFBC) were evaluated for their immobilization effects in Tl-polluted agricultural soils (Tl: ∼10 mg/kg). Overall, MFBC exhibited an efficient effect on Tl immobilization, and the effect was strengthened with the increase of amendment ratio. After being amended by MFBC for 15 and 30 days, the labile fraction of Tl in soil decreased from 1.55 to 0.97 mg/kg, and from 1.51 to 0.88 mg/kg, respectively. In addition, pH (3.05) of the highly acidic soil increased to a maximum of 3.97 after the immobilization process. Since the weak acid extractable and oxidizable Tl were the preponderantly mitigated fractions and displayed a negative correlation with pH, it can be inferred that pH may serve as one of the most critical factors in regulating the Tl immobilization process in MFBC-amended acidic soils. This study indicated a great potential of jacobsite-biochar amendment in stabilization and immobilization of Tl in highly acidic and Tl-polluted agricultural soils; and it would bring considerable environmental benefit to these Tl-contaminated sites whose occurrence has significantly increased in recent decades near the pyrite or other sulfide ore mining and smelting area elsewhere.

Hidden hazards and screening policy: Predicting undetected lead exposure in Illinois

Lead exposure still threatens children’s health despite policies aiming to identify lead exposure sources. Some US states require de jure universal screening while others target screening, but little research examines the relative benefits of these approaches. We link lead tests for children born in Illinois between 2010 and 2014 to geocoded birth records and potential exposure sources. We train a random forest regression model that predicts children’s blood lead levels (BLLs) to estimate the geographic distribution of undetected lead poisoning. We use these estimates to compare de jure universal screening against targeted screening. Because no policy achieves perfect compliance, we analyze different incremental screening expansions. We estimate that 5,819 untested children had a BLL ≥5μg/dL, in addition to the 18,101 detected cases. 80% of these undetected cases should have been screened under the current policy. Model-based targeted screening can improve upon both the status quo and expanded universal screening.

Silylation: a reproducible method for characterization of non-extractable residues (NER) of organic chemicals in the assessment of persistence

NER, a hidden hazard or a safe sink–we are going to find that out!

Clean Hydrocarbon Refrigerant Explosion Hazards

Explosion hazards are fire safety concerns resulting from the development of clean hydrocarbon refrigerants (environmental friendly flammable refrigerants) to reduce the emission of substances with high global warning potential. Several clean hydrocarbon refrigerants are flammable with propane. Explosion hazards due to flammable refrigerant leakage from refrigerators put inside a small cupboard may give a concentration higher than its lowest flammability. A small amount of ignition energy can ignite the flammable gas to give combustion. Limiting the pressure development in a small cupboard will result in deflagration, and then transition to detonation. Since the compositions of many of environmental friendly flammable refrigerants are not disclosed and odourless, it is very difficult to assess their hazard upon leakage. This study reveals that the hidden hazard of environmental friendly flammable refrigerants would lead to serious consequences using earlier experimental studies on explosion. This is a big problem taking time to solve. Indoor aerodynamics would affect the mixing between leaked refrigerant with air in the room. Appropriate ventilation should be provided to avoid keeping the heavier explosive gas at lower levels. Different ventilation modes with air inlets and outlets at high and low positions should be considered. Use of environmental friendly flammable refrigerants and the ways in protecting against possible explosion hazards for refrigerators commonly put in kitchen cupboards in small rooms, inter alia, economy-class hotel rooms, small apartments, or subdivided units in densely populated cities, such as Hong Kong have to be watched. At the moment, fire safety management must be enhanced to address the problem.

Alcoholism among Surgeons-Is It a Hidden Hazard?

Alcoholism among Surgeons-Is It a Hidden Hazard?

TYRE PROFILE ARITHMETIC AND PERFORMANCE PARAMETER: A REVIEW OF VEHICLE USERS AND VULCANIZERS’ COGNIZANCE ON CAR TYRE MAINTENANCE TO CURB ROAD ACCIDENTS

Ageing car tyres are a hidden hazard and recipe for road accidents. Many vehicle users and their cohorts seem unconcerned and ignorant about tyre profile and its implications on human lives and livelihood. This study reviewed car users’ and vulcanizers’ comprehension of basic arithmetic of vehicle tyre profile to instigate best practices as well as instil proper maintenance culture. Out of 307 participants, purposive and convenient sampling were employed to select 292 vehicle users and a snowball to contact 15 vulcanizers. Results after a short interview analysis revealed that car users are aware of tyre inflation pressure and could identify the rim diameter of car tyres. Meanwhile, a significant number of users couldn’t tell where to locate their vehicle tyre specification details on their cars and were also unable to interpret tyre profiles including; tyre life cycle, tyre blend, tyre speed rating and load index. Although the majority of the vehicle users carried spare tyres, most of them do not check the conditions of their spare tyres until they are in need. Responses from vulcanizers revealed that most vehicle users do not bother about tyre expiry dates but rather prefer tyre fixing to tyre replacements. It is recommended that the Leaders of Transport Unions of commercial vehicles need to ensure proper load weight of vehicles before setting off from their terminals. Drivers and Vehicle License Authority (DVLA) needs to ensure healthy tyre condition before issuing roadworthy certificates. National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) must maximize sensitization campaigns towards proper tyre maintenance practices to reduce tyre failure accidents.

Review on Acrylamide: A Hidden Hazard in Fried Carbohydrate-rich Food

Abstract: Acrylamide is classified as a hazard whose formation in carbohydrate-rich food cooked at a high temperature has created much interest in the scientific community. The review attempts to comprehend the chemistry and mechanisms of formation of acrylamide and its levels in popular foods. A detailed study of the toxicokinetics and biochemistry, carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, interaction with biomolecules, and its effects on reproductive health has been presented. The review outlines the various novel and low-cost conventional as well as newer analytical techniques for the detection of acrylamide in foods with the maximum permissible limits. Various effective approaches that can be undertaken in industries and households for the mitigation of levels of acrylamide in foods have also been discussed. This review will assist in providing an in-depth understanding of acrylamide that will make it simpler to assess the risk to human health from the consumption of foods containing low amounts of acrylamide.

Hidden Hazards and Screening Policy: Predicting Undetected Lead Exposure in Illinois Using Machine Learning

Hidden Hazards and Screening Policy: Predicting Undetected Lead Exposure in Illinois Using Machine Learning

Research on Oblique Aerial Photography and its Application in Detection of Hidden Geological Hazards

The Wu Gorge section of the Three Gorges Reservoir is prone to landslides and collapses of rock masses, which poses considerable threats to the transportation safety along the watercourse of Yangtze River. The oblique aerial photography technique can accurately present the profile and texture information of the observed objects, which can provide data for early detection of geological hazards. In this study, the technique of oblique aerial photography was analyzed in depth, and the obtained oblique aerial photographs were combined with the position and orientation system (POS) data and the ground control points to build a three-dimensional model, and a geological disaster evaluation model was built based on such factors as geological conditions, landform, and hydrological conditions for geological hazard evaluation. Meanwhile, indoor interpretation and fieldwork surveys were performed to summarize the patterns of development and distribution of geological disasters, identify the major contributors to geological disasters in the study area, and master the characteristics of liability of the study area to geological disasters and hidden hazards.

Technical Efficiency and the Adoption of Multiple Agricultural Technologies in the Mountainous Areas of Northern Vietnam

We examine the role of adopting environmentally-friendly agricultural technologies on the technical efficiency (TE) among maize farmers in the mountainous areas of Northern Vietnam. While technology adoption is non-randomly assigned to farmers, we draw on recent advances of machine learning models to identify farm adoption profiles of multiple agricultural technologies. Combining the stochastic production frontier with the inverse probability weights, we compare the TE between adopters and non-adopters. Although, farmers adopting new seed varieties achieve significantly higher TE than others, dissemination of integrated pest management practices by extension agents affect negatively farm performance. Results show that there is a positive relationship between actions to reduce the vulnerability of landscapes to soil erosion and corn productivity. We find heterogeneous effects of adopting multiple environmentally friendly technologies on TE. Farmers who are a member of cooperative and employ organic fertilizer are associated with higher odds to adopt new seed varieties. Maize cultivation in sloping land and farmers with large landholdings tend to be the key drivers in the provision of farm advisory services and the exertion of soil erosion control techniques. Sensitivity analysis suggests that the empirical findings are largely robust against the hidden hazard of unmeasured confounders.

Research on the Mechanism and Prevention for Rock Burst of Soft Coal in Deep Mine

Rock burst of soft coal is a new strongly concealed dynamic hazard, which threatens the mining safety of deep mine due to its unknown occurrence mechanism and the difficulty in prevention and control. Taking a coal mine in a rich coal zone with hidden hazards as an example, this paper firstly studied the cause of burst hazard in the region of deformed soft coal through theoretical analysis and field measurement, analyzed the evolution of soft coal burst, revealed its mechanism and finally proposed specific prevention and control measures. The main conclusions are: (1) the primary cause of impact hazard in soft coal mines was the formation of extensive disturbance zone under high stress, which caused the dirt ban to form a structure for carrying stored energy after the stages of dispersion, suspension, sliding motion and embedded squeeze contact; (2) the evolution of the rock bust of soft coal was concealed. In the process of the formation of bearing and storage structure, external input load gradually dissipated due to the severe deformation of roadway, forming an illusion without hazard; (3) the burst of soft coal was essentially the unstable impact of dirt band, so the criteria of obtaining stress and power for structural unstable impact was reduced; (4) the measures against the burst of soft coal from identifying potential impact areas, synchronously monitoring the stress of coal and the deformation of roadway to implementing prevention measures, were proposed, which exhibited a positive effect.

Pilot Testing a Bedside Patient Safety Display to Increase Provider Awareness of the ‘Hidden Hazards’ of Catheters and Wounds

Background: Urinary catheters, vascular catheters, and wounds, such as pressure injuries are often hidden from view under gowns and sheets (ie, out of sight, out of mind), contributing to prolonged catheter use, infections, delayed interventions, and diagnostic errors for symptoms (eg, fever or delirium) related to catheters and wounds. We developed and pilot tested a digital bedside Patient Safety Display of catheter and wound information to improve awareness by rounding providers (ie, physicians and advanced practice providers, APPs). Methods: The display development was informed by clinical observations of provider rounds and nurse handoffs, interviews, and iterative prototype testing with clinicians in simulated cases using catheterized mannequins with wounds. The display reports the presence and duration of urinary and vascular catheter use, urinary catheter indication, and wound presence and severity, from real-time mandatory nurse documentation in the electronic medical record (Fig. 1). We conducted a pilot study in a tertiary-care medical-surgical step-down unit with 20 private rooms, including a preintervention period and a postintervention period including 10 rooms without the display (control rooms) and 10 rooms with the display (intervention rooms). We surveyed individual providers directly after rounds to assess their awareness of their patients’ catheters and wounds compared to medical record documentation. We also assessed display utility and usability from postintervention clinician interviews and we identified major themes using an adapted grounded theory approach. Results: In total, 787 surveys were completed: 681 medicine service with 89% response rate, 106 surgery service with 47% response rate; 363 preintervention surveys, and 424 postintervention surveys. The surveys involved 176 unique patients and 47 unique providers. Among all 787 patient encounters, 156 (19.8%) had a transurethral indwelling urinary catheter (Foley), 314 (39.9%) had a central venous catheter (including PICCs), and 247 (31.4%) had at least 1 pressure injury. Figure 2 summarizes provider awareness of catheters and pressure injuries when present as assessed for patients in the preintervention and postintervention periods. Moreover, 13 clinician postintervention interviews yielded preliminary themes regarding the display’s benefits and limitations (Fig. 3). Conclusions: In this pilot study of a novel Patient Safety Display, although provider awareness of Foley catheters, CVCs, and pressure injuries appeared higher for patients in the intervention rooms compared to awareness as measured in the preintervention rooms and/or postintervention control rooms, most of these comparisons did not meet statistical significance. Clinicians varied widely in their personal assessments of the display as a useful tool for improving awareness and prompting discussion about catheters and wounds.Funding: This work was funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) grant P30HS024385. Dr. Meddings’ effort was initially partially funded by concurrent support from AHRQ (K08 HS19767).Disclosures: Dr. Meddings has reported receiving honoraria for lectures and teaching related to prevention and value-based purchasing policies involving catheter-associated urinary tract infection. The remaining authors report no conflicts of interest.

Book review: Sites Unseen: Uncovering Hidden Hazards in American Cities

Book review: Sites Unseen: Uncovering Hidden Hazards in American Cities

A Hidden Hazard - Identifying, Understanding and Preventing Combustible Dust Explosions in Forest Industry Facilities

When a dust fire or explosion event (deflagration) occurs in any facility the results are significant and the consequences can range from only a simple clean-up and/or minor personnel injuries to catastrophic property damage with significant personnel injuries and even the possibility of fatalities. The follow up reviews from these dust explosion incidents has shown that there is a general lack of understanding of this hazard. The forest products industries contain recognized sources of dust hazards. There is a need for better understanding, training and awareness of the potential for dust hazards on the part of employers, employees and forest industry type facility owner operators. The intent of this paper is to provide a basic level of understanding of this subject and to provide useful reference and resource materials.

Tourists’ Perception on Volcanic Hazard and Risk in Guci Hot Spring, Slamet Volcano, Indonesia

Guci Hot Spring is one of the tourist destinations in Central Java Province renowned for its beautiful scenery as well as its health-healing benefit. In 2016, this touristic destination attracted more than 650.000 visitors, this number is growing each year. However, this touristic spot has its hidden hazard and risk of the Slamet Volcano eruption. The historical eruptions of this volcano, recorded since the 18th century, have shown that this volcano is known for its explosive type of eruption. Despite its potential hazard and risk, this hot spring area is growing continuously as a touristic spot. Therefore, this study aims to understand tourists’ perception on volcanic hazard and risk in this area, by interviewing 31 respondents using questionnaires. The results show that 74% of respondents are aware that Slamet Volcano has different potential hazards such as volcanic ashfall, lahars, lava and pyroclastic flows. Although Guci Hot Spring is located in Slamet volcanic hazard area, only a few tourists know this information (42%). Majorities of the respondents did not have any experience on volcanic disaster (68%). Most of the respondents did not get any information on Slamet volcanic hazard (58%), while others only get information through television and/or social media. Nevertheless, almost all of the respondents claimed that they will follow any instructions given by government or related institutions if any volcanic eruption occurs (97%). Therefore, awareness program towards tourists in the volcanic touristic spot should be strengthened through different means to give information on volcanic hazard, its risk as well as mitigation and crisis management.

交通建设工程风险管控与隐患排查治理管理技术及其应用

交通建设工程风险管控与隐患排查治理管理技术及其应用