Disposal Methods Research Articles

Recycling and Reuse of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Resin Materials with Artificial Intelligence Technology

Landfill and incineration of obsoleted Basalt Fiber Reinforced Resin (BFRR) not only waste resources, but also pollute environment. Therefore, this study investigates the stock, environmen-tal hazards, and recycling value of waste BFRR, analyze the current BFRR recycling technolo-gies, and summarizes the current challenges and future development of BFRR recycling. The results show that the amount of obsoleted BFRR is increasing, but traditional disposal methods are challenging for efficient resource utilization while also causing environmental pollution. Emerging disposal methods also have certain drawbacks, such as the most severe damage to re-cycled Basalt Fiber (BF) reaching 80%, low recycling rates, and some methods needing help to recover resin. Regenerated BF can be used for material reinforcement, 3D printing material prep-aration, and component production, while resin recycling materials can be used in the chemical industry.Digital image processing technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are effectively uti-lized to monitor the durability of BFRR material and identify its recycling trace. Integration of AI-generated big data enhances the efficiency of BFRR material recycling, contributing to envi-ronmental protection. Overall, the investigation and advancement of BFRR recycling are still in their nascent stages. Moving forward, it is imperative to delve deeper into exploring more effi-cient and intelligent environmentally sustainable recycling methodologies aimed at minimizing recycling expenses. This endeavor will facilitate the repurposing of waste materials, consequently mitigating the environmental footprint of waste.

Comprehensive Assessment of Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Practices in Ishaka-Bushenyi Municipality: Implications for Public Health and Environmental Sustainability

Proper management of pharmaceutical waste is crucial for safeguarding public health and the environment. This study aimed to comprehensively assess pharmaceutical waste management practices in hospitals, pharmacies, and households within Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Uganda. The study employed a qualitative case study design, gathering data through observations, interviews, and questionnaires administered to five pharmacies, two hospitals, and 100 households. The results revealed that the mean amount of pharmaceutical waste generated by pharmacies and hospitals in Ishaka was 40.5 kg ± 32.39 kg per month, of which 26.83 kg ± 29.10 kg were disposed of safely. However, 60% of the waste was categorized as hazardous. The study found that while most facilities used labeled or color-coded containers for waste segregation, the practice of segregation was inconsistent, with 71.43% of the facilities not segregating their waste. Incineration (42.86%) and dilution followed by flushing in protected soak pits (42.86%) were the primary disposal methods employed by the facilities. Concerningly, only 4% of households returned unused or expired medications to pharmacies, with the majority disposing of them in dustbins (46%) or flushing them down toilets (41%). The findings also highlighted gaps in awareness and training, with 50% of pharmacy staff not receiving any training on proper pharmaceutical waste disposal, and only 14.29% of the facilities having established waste management guidelines. These deficiencies in knowledge and practices contribute to the suboptimal management of pharmaceutical waste, posing significant risks to public health and the environment. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policies, targeted training programs, and community-based initiatives to enhance pharmaceutical waste management practices in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality and similar settings. Addressing these challenges is crucial for mitigating the adverse impacts of improper pharmaceutical waste disposal and promoting sustainable healthcare waste management. Keywords: Pharmaceutical waste, Waste management, Disposal practices, Awareness, Hazardous waste.

A Review of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Their Application in Sustainable Solid Waste Management

Indigenous communities have always used their knowledge systems to improve their quality of life. For example, rural communities’ resort to indigenous cultural practices to manage their own waste when local administration lacks coordinated ways to manage waste. In the context of indigenous knowledge systems, the idea of waste is non-existent. As indigenous knowledge is believed to provide a holistic framework for an approach that effectively promotes sustainability. As such, the current study conducted a systematic review to evaluate the extent to which indigenous solid waste management practices contribute to sustainable waste disposal methods. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, a literature search was carried out in the field of indigenous solid waste management practices. The results indicate a significant imbalance in the amount of conclusive evidence that has been produced to date that suggests the sustainability of indigenous solid waste management practices. It is for this reason that the current study has discovered a substantial literature gap in sustainable solid waste management associated with indigenous knowledge systems. This is an unprecedented trend, especially for a knowledge system that is supposed to promote sustainability practices. However, to improve the likelihood of incorporating indigenous solid waste disposal methods into modern practices, it is imperative to understand the foundational elements that contribute to the advancement of sustainability, lest the sustainability aspect associated with this knowledge system in the discipline of solid waste management remain a mere rhetoric.

Offenders’ perspectives on acquisitive crime targets and stolen goods disposal methods

This paper examines offenders’ perspectives about acquisitive crime targets and stolen goods markets in Australia that have not been comprehensively reviewed since 2005. Over the last 18 years there have been significant changes in the rates of property crime, reductions in cash usage, and rapid movements to online markets as a disposal outlet, that motivate this updated analysis. In late 2022, n = 107 detainees in a Western Australian police watchhouse were interviewed about their property offending frequency, offence preferences, target selection, disposal methods, and estimated financial return for targeted goods. Results demonstrated (a) meaningful shifts towards shoplifting and away from the other stealing offences, (b) increases in stealing for personal consumption rather than selling on, (c) declines in preferences for small electronic items, (d) ongoing dependence on drug dealers as a preferred outlet for off-loading stolen goods, (e) disposal of stolen goods is still quick, easy, and typically offenders receive about one-third of the original purchase price for items, and (f) growth in the use of online markets to dispose of stolen goods. The theoretical and applied implications of these findings are discussed, emphasising the importance of opportunity-focused interventions to prevent crime.

Effect of rubberized concrete integrating uncoated and coated crumb rubber on the flexural behavior of the RC beams reinforced with steel and GFRP bars

In this investigation, crumb rubber (CR) was a viable substitute for concrete's conventional natural fine aggregate (FNA). This approach carries dual advantages: the conservation of natural resources and the environmentally conscious recycling of rubber waste, diverting it from traditional disposal methods. The study incorporated varying proportions of CR (5%, 10%, and 20%) by volume of the sand used in the mixtures. The primary study objective is to enhance the bond between CR particles and the surrounding concrete components by coating the CR with cement or fly ash slurry (CTR and FATR). For the limitation of the previous research discussed the CR effect on the beam’s behavior, fourteen beams were poured with different rubberized concrete (RuC) and tested in flexure. This comprehensive approach sought to assess the influence of diverse factors, including rubber content, treatment materials, and the nature of internal reinforcement, on the overall performance and characteristics of the beams. The results assumed that the compressive strength was raised by 6.0–11.0% and 13.0–22.0% for the mixes cast with CTR and FATR, respectively, compared to the corresponding mixes cast with UR. Consequently, the tensile strength of the RuC-integrated CTR and FATR was raised by 5.9–11.0% and 14.0–22.0%, respectively, compared to the mixes integrating uncoating CR. Moreover, the beams cast with FATR concrete experienced the highest flexural capacities among all the steel RC beams. Furthermore, using the carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) bars as internal reinforcement for the RC beams showed the highest load capacities.

Hazardous Solid Waste Landfill Site Selection for İstanbul, Türkiye using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods and GIS Data

The high toxicity of materials in disaster waste poses a significant risk to the environment, including the air, water, soil, and all living beings. One of the commonly used disposal methods for hazardous solid waste is landfilling. The selection of sites for hazardous solid waste disposal requires extreme care and attention to multiple factors from environmental, social, and economic points of view. Considering the anticipated earthquake in Istanbul and the city’s excessive population and urbanization, experts estimate that debris waste will be approximately 25 million tons. In this study, we propose a Geographic Information System (GIS) based fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach to select hazardous solid waste landfill (HSWL) locations within the scope of disaster waste management for Istanbul. First, the evaluation criteria were identified through a literature review and expert opinions. Next, criteria are prioritized using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP). Then, GIS data for the criteria are gathered from multiple resources and entered into ArcGIS 10.8 for spatial analysis. Last, the suitability map of Istanbul for the HSWL construction is built. Considering five candidates, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is applied to select the most suitable locations for Asian and European sites in the city. Accordingly, Fevzipaşa/Silivri for the European side and Hasanlı/Şile for the Asian side were selected as the most suitable two options. Last, a sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the impact of the highest weight criterion on the final solution.

Assessing sustainable waste management practices in Rajshahi City Corporation: an analysis for local government enhancement using IoT, AI, and Android technology.

This study addresses the pressing challenge of inefficient waste management practices within the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), Bangladesh. Despite rapid urbanization and escalating waste generation rates, RCC struggles with diverse waste disposal practices, limited supervision, irregular waste collection schedules, and inadequate disposal infrastructure. In this context, this study examines the possible improvements that could be made by combining the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and Android application to improve waste management methods in the RCC. The study's foundation is a vast amount of information gathered from residents, with particular attention paid to waste disposal methods, the role of the local government, the frequency of waste collection, and public attitudes toward waste management. The results point to a complicated waste management environment with a range of waste disposal practices, little supervision, irregular waste collection, and insufficient disposal methods. The importance of RCC in waste management is emphasized, highlighting the need for proactive measures including effective monitoring, constant waste collection, and routine drain cleaning. Additionally, it is suggested that combining IoT, AI, and Android technology is a possible way to improve waste management procedures. These technologies have the potential to increase productivity, lessen their negative effects on the environment, and produce cleaner, more sustainable urban environments.

Alkaline hydrolysis and respect for the dead: an ethical critique

ABSTRACT Alkaline hydrolysis is an increasingly popular method of disposing of human corpses, which involves dissolving them into a solution of 95% water and 5% alkali, producing some bone residue and a liquid waste that can be flushed into the sewer system or otherwise hygienically disposed of. Favoured particularly by environmentalists for its perceived ecological advantages over traditional methods of inhumation and cremation, alkaline hydrolysis has been charged by some critics with being insufficiently respectful of the human corpse, and by implication the living human being whose body it once was. Following a discussion of the idea of respect for the dead and its cultural variability, it is argued that alkaline hydrolysis breaches no fundamental principles of respect for the deceased or their remains and that worries on this score are based on misunderstanding or prejudice. The question is raised whether alkaline hydrolysis might nevertheless be considered less respectful to the dead than traditional methods of burial and cremation. Three prima facie reasons in support of this claim are weighed and rejected. It is concluded that there are no sound objections based on considerations of human dignity to the adoption of alkaline hydrolysis as a disposal method for human bodies.

Molecular Insights into the Wettability and Adsorption of Acid Gas-Water Mixture.

Sequestration of acid gas in geological formations is a disposal method with potential economic and environmental benefits. The process is governed by variables such as gas-water interfacial tension, wetting transition, and gas adsorption into water, among other things. However, the influence of the pressure and temperature on these parameters is poorly understood. This study investigates these parameters using coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG-MD) simulations and density gradient theory (DGT). Simulations were carried out at 313.15 K and a pressure range of 0-15 MPa. A comparison was made against H2S-water systems to clarify the effects of adsorption on interfacial tension due to vapor-liquid-liquid equilibrium. The predicted H2S-water interfacial tension and phase densities by CG-MD and DGT matched the experimental values well. The adsorption can be quantified via the Gibbs Adsorption function Γ12, which correlated well with the three-phase transition. On the one hand, pressure increments below the three-phase transition revealed a significant adsorption of H2S. On the other hand, above the three-phase transition, the Gibbs Adsorption capacity remained constant, which indicated a saturation of H2S at the water surface due to liquid-liquid equilibrium. Finally, H2S behaves markedly differently in wetting transition, rather than the involved for CO2 to different molecular layers beneath the surface of aqueous solutions. In this respect, H2S is represented by a first-order wetting transition while CO2 presents a critical wetting. Finally, it has also been found that the preferential adsorption of H2S over the H2O interface is greater if compared to that of CO2, due to its strong interaction with water. In fact, we have also demonstrated that CO2 under triphasic conditions strongly influences the wetting of the ternary system.

Uncovering the recycling potential of industrial waste in Sri Lanka.

The generation of industrial waste is mainly dependent on several factors, including the type of industry, production capacity, technology use and raw materials involved in the manufacturing processes. The present study is a cross-sectional study that was conducted with 580 industries under six industrial sectors in Sri Lanka in 2022. The main objective of this research was to investigate solid waste generation and estimate the recyclable fraction in the waste. Furthermore, this study calculated the prevailing recycling rate of each industrial sector and the waste generation per person employed in the sector. Industrial processes, the types and quantities of waste, waste disposal methods and management activities in terms of recycling and disposal were evaluated through a structured questionnaire and random field observations. The study identified that the composition of selected recyclable items was 16.7% of the total waste generated in the industrial sector. The prevailing rate of recycling in different sectors was as follows: manufacturing of food products (36.6%), manufacturing of beverages (82.3%), manufacturing of textiles (68.6%), manufacturing of chemical and chemical products (28.5%), manufacturing of rubber and plastic (46.5%) and manufacturing of metallic mineral products (17.8%) from the total generated recyclable material. The study further estimated the waste intensity (waste generation per unit of product output) of the industrial sectors as follows: 0.38 (manufacturing of food products), 0.36 (manufacturing of beverages), 0.27 (manufacturing of textiles), 0.26 (manufacturing of chemical and chemical products), 0.17 (manufacturing of rubber and plastic) and 0.16 (manufacturing of non-metallic mineral products).

A review on the evaluation models and impact factors of greenhouse gas emissions from municipal solid waste management processes.

The total amount of global municipal solid waste (MSW) will reach 3.5 billion tons by 2050, thereby bringing tremendous environmental pressure, especially global warming. Large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs) have been released during MSW management (MSWM). Accounting for GHG emissions is a prerequisite for providing recommendations on appropriate treatment options to mitigate emissions from MSWM systems. There are many methods involved in estimating emissions. This paper summarizes the computing models commonly used in each process of the integrated MSWM system and emphasizes the influence of parameters and other factors. Compared with other disposal methods, landfilling has the highest emissions, commonly estimated using first-order decay (FOD) methods. Emission reduction can be realized through waste to energy (WtE) and resource recovery measures. IPCC is commonly used for calculating direct emissions, while LCA-based models can calculate emissions including upstream and downstream processes, whose results depend on assumptions and system boundaries. The estimation results of models vary greatly and are difficult to compare with each other. Besides, large gaps exist between the default emission factors (EFs) provided by models and those F measured in specific facilities. These findings provide a systematic view for a bettering understanding of MSW emissions as well as the estimating methods and also reveal the key points that need be developed in the future.

УТИЛИЗАЦИЯ ШЛАМОВЫХ ПРОДУКТОВ ПРОМЫВКИ ОТСЕВОВ ШАРХИНСКОГО КАРЬЕРА В ПРОИЗВОДСТВЕ СТЕНОВЫХ СТРОИТЕЛЬНЫХ МАТЕРИАЛОВ

Abstract. The effect of semi-dry pressing on the strength of samples has been studied. It is shown that the optimal specific pressure for pressing samples from molding mixtures containing 10, 20, 30% slag-portland cement is 30Mpa. With the help of RCCP, static processing of experimental results was carried out and a regression equation was obtained for the dependence of the strength of the samples on the pressing pressure and the content of slag-portland cement in the molding mixture.
 When examining the microstructure of the samples, it was found that the resulting material is a homogeneous and durable conglomerate, the crystals of neoplasms are evenly distributed over the mass and bind the sludge particles. A pilot test of the semi-dry pressing process of products has established the possibility of obtaining high-quality hollow bricks of the M100-M300 grades with a content of slag-portland cement in the mixture in the range of 10-30% (wt.).
 The subject of the study: sludge products of flushing the screenings of the Sharkhinsky quarry in the production of wall building materials.
 Materials and methods: sludge from the Sharkhinsky quarry and slag-portland cement from the Bakhchisarai cement Plant were used in the work. The structure of the samples was studied using electron scanning microscopy on a REM-106 SELMI microscope. Experimental and industrial tests were carried out on the equipment of the Aggregate company. The physical and mechanical properties of bricks and paving slabs were studied in accordance with the norms and standards established in GOST 6133-2019.
 Results: The microstructure of the samples was investigated and it was found that the resulting material is a homogeneous and durable conglomerate, the crystals of neoplasms are evenly distributed over the mass and bind the sludge particles. Experimental and industrial testing of the semi-dry pressing process of products from molding mixtures based on the sludge of the Sharkhinsky quarry was carried out. It was confirmed that it is possible to produce high-quality hollow bricks marked M100-M300 using slag-portland cement in a mixture in the range of 10-30% (by weight), which fully meets the requirements set out in GOST 6133-2019
 Conclusions: Sludge products from the flushing of the Sharkhinsky quarry screenings can be successfully used in the production of wall building materials, which contributes to waste disposal and improvement of the ecological state of the environment. Effective methods of disposal of sludge products make it possible to obtain high-quality building materials with high physical and mechanical properties and durability.

What do Australians do with their dog poo? A survey of dog-owning household practices and attitudes

ABSTRACT Australian dog owners are seeking sustainable alternatives to dog faecal collection and disposal, such as compostable waste bags and home composting. Little is known about dog owners’ attitudes towards composting dog faeces or how they manage dog faeces within private households. Australian dog owners’ (N = 1054) were surveyed to investigate household demographics, how they collect and dispose of dog faeces, their home composting practices, and their attitudes, experiences, and concerns regarding home composting dog faeces. Within households, most dog faeces were collected using tools such as shovels and scoops more than single use bags. General waste bins were the most common home disposal location followed by organic waste bins, home compost and burial. Few participants included compostable plastic dog waste bags in home compost. Most composted dog faeces were applied to non-edible plants within gardens. Over half of dog owners viewed home composting as a potentially effective disposal method and many wanted to home compost dog faeces but were not yet doing so. Reported challenges included a lack of reliable compost information, hygiene concerns and uncertainty how canine de-worming treatments affect compost. Findings are important for conducting future research that reflects current practices and address dog owners’ main concerns and challenges.

IJCM_405A: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice Regarding Menstrual Hygiene Among Students Of A Government School, Thrissur, Kerala

Background: Menstrual hygiene practices are consequently a significant public health issue. However, menstrual practices are still tainted by taboos and other sociocultural constraints, which adversely affect health since adolescent females are unaware of the scientific facts regarding menstrual hygiene practices. Objective: To determine knowledge, attitude, practice regarding menstrual hygiene among adolescent school girls in a government higher secondary school, Thrissur, Kerala Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among students of 8th standard to 12th standard in a government higher secondary school Thrissur. The data was collected after obtaining permission from head of the institution and verbal consent from the participants. Results: The study was conducted among 237 adolescent girls studying from 8th to 12th standard in a government school in Thrissur. Out of the total study participants 96 % have high knowledge about menstrual hygiene and the rest have moderate knowledge. 77.6% students use sanitary pads as adsorbing material, 15.6 % use cloth and only 6.8 % use menstrual cup. But 62 % have the opinion that menstrual cup is better than pads. 49% of the students believe that menstrual blood is impure and 50 % of students believe that normal routine activities cannot be done during menstruation. Most of the participants (92 %) adopt burning as the method of disposal while 4.2 % were practicing flushing of the pads. 61.2 % students liked to share doubt with mother and 30 % like to share with friends. Conclusion: Majority of the students have good knowledge about menstrual hygiene, but the scientific knowledge about menstruation is lacking behind.

Impacts of Fly Ash on Different Vegetation Near Industrial Areas: A Review

Fly ash pollution is created close to Chhattisgarh’s coal-fired thermal power plants, which annually produce 8.7 million metric tonnes of fly ash. Chhattisgarh’s thermal power plants have a number of negative effects, including water contamination from fly ash, soil pollution, and air pollution. Waste from thermal power plants, known as fly ash, poses a number of environmental hazards when released into the atmosphere. On the other hand, because of its high porosity, large specific surface area, and other unique characteristics, fly ash can also be used as a low-cost and highly efficient adsorbent for the treatment of environmental pollutants. There are several methods used to control the spreading and disposal of fly ash. Plants have the capacity to establish fly ash in the soil and also control its spreading. These reviews focus on the impact of fly ash on vegetation and their disposal methods.

IJCM_300A: Clinical medicine and Public health: Is the dichotomy justified? Epidemiological investigation of a Hepatitis A case admitted at a tertiary care hospital

Background: Outbreaks of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) infection have been associated with poor sanitation, inadequate sewage disposal and contamination of food and water. Objective: To identify the epidemiological factors associated with a patient who presented with fever and vomiting and diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Methodology: 23-year-old, female patient was admitted in the general medicine department of a tertiary care hospital with complaints of fever and vomiting. IgM ELISA tests for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E were positive. The patient’s mother had similar symptoms. Community Medicine department was informed about the patient. A team comprising of postgraduate students, MSW, ASHA worker and Anganwadi worker visited the patient’s house. Information including clinical history, source of drinking water, history of food and water intake from outside, sanitation and waste disposal methods of the house hold were collected. Stakeholders including the counsellor and members of the self-help group of the area were informed. House to house visit of all houses in 200 meters radius from patients’ house was done to look for more cases and to assess the environment sanitation. Results: The team identified that the source of drinking water of the patient’s family was a well which was not sanitary. A nearby house was identified with an open well with open sullage less than one meter away. Seven children of that household had fever and jaundice and were treated from a local hospital, one week prior. Stakeholders were also informed and both the wells were chlorinated and the families were educated about the importance of boiling water before consumption, proper disposal of sullage and waste disposal. Conclusion: Interdepartmental communication between clinical medicine and public health played an important role in identifying and eliminating the source of infection even when one patient was diagnosed and helped to prevent HAV outbreak.

IJCM_158A: Usage and disposal of plastic waste among general population in urban slums of Field practice area, Gandhi medical college, Telangana.

Background: Plastics, owing to their ease of use and affordability, have taken over every aspect of our modern world. It has become an essential aspect of our everyday lives, permeating every sector from food packaging to toys and electronics, to the degree that it is unimaginable to picture a world without it. Plastic takes around 15 to 1000 years to biodegrade. The consumption of plastic by individuals and the ineffective reuse or recycling of it has detrimental effects on the ecosysystem. Overusing plastic and neglecting disposal solutions for plastic over a long time led not only India but many other nations to adopt laws to limit plastic because of its increasing environmental damage. Objectives: 1. To determine the utilization and disposal of plastic waste among general population in urban slums. 2. To study association between sociodemographic factors and plastic usage and disposal. Methodology: Study Design: A cross sectional analytical study Study Population: General population residing in urban slum Sampling Technique: Simple random sampling Sample Size:216 (p= 50%, l= 7, NR=10%) Study Tools: Self-designed, semi structured, pilot-tested questionnaire will be used for the data collection which will be entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed using SPSS statistical software version 20. Results: Usage of plastic was seen in all the study participants and more than 96% of them were reusing the plastics more than once. Most common method was disposing plastic in municipal dust bins (60.2%) followed by open dumping (20.9%), whereas 16.4% were reusing them for other purposes. Level of education and religion has no association with proper disposal of plastic waste. Present study observed that there was a significantly high percentage (96.1%) of three generation families were following proper plastic waste disposal methods followed by nuclear and Joint families with 56.9% and 48.8% respectively. with P≤0.05. Conclusion: Most common method was disposing plastic in municipal dust bins followed by open dumping. Level of education and religion has no association with proper disposal of plastic waste.

Storage, Disposal, and Use of Opioids Among Cancer Patients in Central China: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study.

Unsafe opioid-related practices can lead to abuse, diversion, and accidental overdoses. In this study, we aimed to describe the patterns and beliefs regarding the storage, disposal, and use of opioids among Chinese patients with cancer in their home settings, which remain unclear. A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted in Hubei Province from October 2022 to June 2023. We collected information on the storage, disposal, and use of opioids among cancer pain inpatients in the oncology department. Logistic regression was used to estimate the factors associated with unsafe disposal and use of opioids. The survey included 221 patients with a median age of 62 years. Only 3.2% stored their opioids under lock and key, and 49.8% were unaware of proper disposal methods. Nearly one-fifth (19.5%) reported having received information on the safe storage (14.0%) and/or disposal (10.0%) of opioids. A total of 44.3% reported unsafe use by sharing (1.8%), losing (4.1%), or taking opioids at a higher dose than prescribed (42.5%). Patients who did not receive information on the safe disposal of opioids (OR = 4.57, P = .0423), had a history of alcohol use (OR = 1.91, P = .0399), and used opioids other than morphine (OR = 2.31, P = .0461) had higher odds of unsafe disposal practices. Individuals with an associate degree/bachelor's degree or above were less likely to dispose of (OR = 0.36, P = .0261) and use (OR = 0.31, P = .0127) opioids unsafely. A significant proportion of Chinese patients with cancer exhibit unsafe practices in the storage, disposal, and use of opioids. The study highlights an urgent need for implementing routine education programs and drug "take-back" initiatives to improve opioid-related practices.

A pilot-scale study and evaluation of the melting process and vitrification characteristics of electroplating sludge by oxygen enrichment melting

Melting/vitrification is an effective method for harmless and rapid disposal of electroplating sludge (EPS) on a large scale. In our work, oxygen enrichment melting was proposed to reduce the high energy consumption during EPS melting. The melting and vitrification process of EPS can be divided into water evaporation, chemical decomposition and formation, crystal phase transition and vitrification. The addition of quartz sand (QS) promotes silicate formation and the crystal phase transition process, resulting the highest value vitrification rate (99.54%) of EPS slag. The results of heavy metal leaching of both water-quenched and air-cooled slags meet the national standard. The increase of oxygen concentration reduces the operation cost by 48.3%. The operation cost continues to reduce when the QS addition is 5%, wherein the lowest operation cost was 217.23 dollars/ton EPS. The emissions of SO2 and NOx with the addition of 5% of QS are the lowest among all experiment conditions. All results indicate that the oxygen enrichment melting technology is a promising method. 5% of QS addition during EPS melting with 90% oxygen concentration is the best operation condition in terms of the vitrification rate, heavy metal solidification and leaching, flue gas emission, and operation cost.

Effect of Food Waste on The Growth Performance, Waste Reduction Efficiency and Nutritional Composition of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens (L.), Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Larvae

The rate of solid waste generation, especially in Malaysia, has become one of the major concerns for environmental and public health issues. Food waste accounts for the highest percentage of solid waste that ends up in landfills. Due to the living nature of humans and their involvement in agricultural, industrial, and municipal activities, the disposal of food waste happens on a regular basis. Due to the absence of an incineration plant, these wastes are commonly sent into landfills which are considered to be the most cost-effective method for disposal. Nevertheless, consideration for an alternative disposal method such as composting shall not be ruled out entirely. One of the established methods for composting food waste is the utilization of the larvae of the Black Soldier Fly. A study was conducted to assess the growth and nutritional composition, waste reduction capacity and nutritional composition of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) reared on food waste. We found that the larvae reared with the food waste and effective microorganism (EM), LFWEM (BSFL reared with a mixture of food waste and effective microorganisms), have a slightly better relative growth rate (2.66 ± 0.35 day-1) compared to larvae reared with only food waste (2.44 ± 0.17 day-1). The waste reduction index was higher in the LFWEM group (5.36 ± 0.18 g/day) compared to the control group, LFC (BSFL reared with chicken feed) (4.85 ± 0.03 g/day) and the LFW (BSFL reared with food waste) group (5.13 ± 0.17 g/day). The nutritional composition of the BSFL reared using food waste shows some potential as it surpasses some of the amount of essential amino acids including Arginine, Histidine, Threonine and Valine, found in the commercially available animal feeds. This finding serves as a baseline to propose potential replacements for animal protein by using BSFL reared with food waste.