Permissible Levels Research Articles

Aflatoxins in food: Prevalence, health effects, and emerging trends in its mitigation—An updated review

AbstractMycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by a variety of fungal and mold species. One of the mycotoxin families that is often regarded as the most concerned one in human and animal feeds, is aflatoxin. Aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus species are very toxic and cause significant contamination of food supplies, resulting in serious health repercussions including carcinogenicity. To date, several regulations on aflatoxin permissible level limits have been established in a number of nations. Based on government guidelines and restrictions, consumers and food producers anticipate that aflatoxin contamination in food should not negatively impact human and animal health. Aflatoxin contamination of food commodities poses a consequential risk to humans and is also associated with substantial financial losses. Conventional mycotoxin reduction strategies involve both preventative and decontamination approaches. The present review gives an update on recent research on conventional approaches, including pre‐ and post‐harvest procedures that could potentially be used to decontaminate aflatoxin. Additionally, the current study delves into the source of contamination, global occurrence, impact on human health, and management strategies to assure food security and safety.

Nutrtional and Phytochemical Characterstics of Fruits and Vegetable Wastes as Livestock Feed: A Case Study in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Fruit and vegetable producers were creating a large amount of waste in homes, cafeterias, and agroprocessing units. The majority of this waste is composted and disposed in landfills and waterways. Recycling these wastes as animal feedstuffs will lessen food-feed competition and minimize environmental hazards. This study was carried out in the Gamo zone of southern Ethiopia, in the heart of the southern rift valley, to ascertain the nutritional profiles of fruit and vegetable by-products in relation to livestock feed potentials. All fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) samples were collected from homes, marketing facilities, restaurants, and waste disposal facilities. Proximate, detergent fiber component, minerals, and antinutritional factors were among the analyses performed on the collected samples. The results showed that, highest CP values recorded from banana leaf, 15.8 ± 0.8 (%DM) followed by avocado peel (14 ± 0.8) among fruit by-products and that of highest values of vegetable components were obtained from Moringa oleifera strip (20.6 ± 1.25) sweet potato (18.5 ± 1.55), respectively. The highest ME (MJ/kg DM) contents obtained from avocado and mango by-products among fruit wastes, while that of highest values recorded for cassava and potato peel (12.2 ± 0.4) and (11.3 ± 0.1) among vegetable components, respectively. The antinutrients included in FVW, namely, tannin, oxalate, and phytate, did not exceed the maximum permissible level for animal needs, which is less than 5% of DM. The macro- and micromineral profiles of these by-products also show encouraging results that contribute to maintaining the mineral needs of farm animals. FVW can be a viable and alternative source of supplemental feed for farm animals that primarily rely on low-quality natural pasture and crop residues, and can partially replace more expensive feedstuffs and their efficient reuse would minimize environmental impacts associated with the disposal of such wastes.

THE INFLUENCE OF HEAD STRAP ELASTICITY ON THE PROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF FILTERING FACEPIECE RESPIRATORS

The level of occupational respiratory diseases among workers in the mining, machine-building and metallurgical industries remains high. The most common occupational respiratory disease is pneumoconiosis, which is the result of the long-term inhalation of dust. It is possible to minimize the impact of dust on the workers and eliminate such diseases in the future due to the use of filtering mask respirators designed to reduce dust infiltration into the space under the mask. For this purpose, the choice of the type of elastic bands of filtering mask respirators has been substantiated by the geometric shape and tension forces that can ensure a permissible level of leakage of contaminated air into the breathing zone of the respirator during its use. A mathematical model has been developed to describe the influence of parameters of elastomeric headgear on the protective properties of the respirator. The dependence of the change in the residual tensile strength of the elastic bands of the headband has been established, and the dependence of the volume of air suction on the area of the elastic straps at the corresponding tension force has been determined. Using the model, the dependence of the volume of polluted air inflow on the area of the elastic straps at the corresponding tension force has been estimated. The design of the innovative inserts has been offered, which makes it possible to control the tension of the elastomeric head straps of the respirator to visualize the weakening of the pressure forces responsible for maintaining a tight fit.

Assessment of Aluminum Levels in the Milk Supply of Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu

Introduction: Aluminium is a predominant heavy metal found in everyday products like perfumes, antiperspirants, medication, milk, vaccinations, etc. Biologically available Aluminum is non-essential and toxic to the body. Excessive intake of Aluminum can lead to various negative consequences such as neurodegeneration of the brain, age-related changes, etc. Most of the aluminium exposure is through food and its products. Hence, this study aims to determine the Aluminium levels in milk. Materials and Methods: Twenty samples were collected and stored in the Tiruvallur district area, Chennai. They were broken down into nitric and perchloric acid (4:1 v/v) until a transparent solution was obtained. This was then filtered using Whatman filter paper and diluted. Aluminum content was estimated using a flame absorption spectrophotometer. Results: This study shows that the mean aluminum levels in the milk supply in Tiruvallur district are . The current study also showed that the values are significant (p=0.000) Conclusion: Hence, the Aluminium levels of milk are within permissible levels, and care should be taken not to intake excessive amounts.

A thiophene-linked terpyridine based phenanthridine chemoreceptor for Cd2+ and Cr3+ selective ratiometric fluorescence detection in environmental water and rice samples

BackgroundThe studied materials, Cadmium (Cd2+) and Chromium (Cr3+) are highly toxic, and it focuses on investigating various environmental sources, such as industrial processes and waste water. When quantities of Cr3+ and Cd2+ exceed the allowable limit, biological toxicity and hazardous environmental pollution are unavoidable. In order to address this problem, we introduce 5-(5-(4-([2,2':6′,2″-terpyridin]-4′-yl) phenyl) thiophen-2-yl)-7,8,13,14-tetrahydrodibenzo [a,i] phenanthridine (TPTP), a dual-emission response chemosensor that employs a colorimetric and fluorescence turn-on approach for the rapid, sensitive, and discriminate detection of Cr3+ and Cd2+ ions. ResultsWe created a newly designed luminous TPTP sensor based on intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). TPTP sensor probe specifically determined Cr3+ and Cd2+ ions with an immediate colour shift from cyan to green and orange in CH3CN: H2O (6:4) solvent solution. The permissible level set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States for the presence of Cr3+ and Cd2+ ions in drinking water was higher than the detection level of 3.5 and 9.7 nM, by this sensor respectively. NMR titrations, HRMS, and theoretical calculation methods were employed to examine the accurate sensing processes of TPTP and complexes. SignificanceThis is an effective method of detecting Cr3+ and Cd2+ ions in an environmental system using a ratiometric methodology. In addition, TPTP was used to determine the concentration of Cr3+ and Cd2+ ions in natural water and food samples. Fluorescent bio-imaging studies revealed that the present sensor TPTP could identify Cr3+ and Cd2+ ions inside living HeLa cells. A paper kit analysis has been done on TPTP, which has a time-to-result of less than 1 s and offers a cost-effective assay. As a result, the platform offers portability.

Towards A Design Approach to Achieve Environmental Safety in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Units in Hospitals Using Nanotechnology

In The environmental safety was investigated in this study, with an initial focus on defining the general concept of environmental safety. Subsequently, the study delved into the environmental safety within hospitals, particularly in diagnostic and treatment spaces. Air pollutants and their types were examined, along with permissible levels, emphasizing the adverse effects of increased pollutants on human health. Additionally, attention was given to the physical hazards within these spaces, such as temperature, noise, and lighting. In the context of studying diagnostic and treatment spaces in hospitals, a review was conducted on the currently used traditional finishing materials and an evaluation of their harmful effects. The concept of "sick buildings" and its impact on human safety was also explored. The study placed a particular emphasis on nanotechnology and how nano-materials can be employed to mitigate the detrimental effects of non-compliant "sick buildings" with environmental safety standards. Global examples of nano-applications were analyzed, along with an examination of a hospital in Egypt that utilizes nano-technology in its glass structure. Furthermore, a simulation was performed on a local hospital to measure the difference in carbon dioxide emission within the space. This comparison was conducted between the current state of the building using traditional finishing materials and the scenario where nano-alternatives are employed in the glass and thermal insulation of exterior walls.

Вивчення залишкових кількостей флонікаміду в яблуках та обґрунтування медико-санітарних нормативів безпечного застосування інсектициду на його основі

Flonicamid is a new systemic pyridine carboxamide insecticide with selective activity against a wide range of insects on various agricultural crops. In Ukraine, field tests were conducted to justify the possibility of its safe use for the protection of apple trees. Materials and Methods. The content dynamics of flonicamid residual amounts in apples and apple juice was studied in the steppe zone of Ukraine during two growing seasons of 2019-2020 with three times of insecticide use with a consumption rate of 0.07 kg/ha. The residual amounts of flonicamid in apples and apple juice were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) detection. The limits of quantitative determination (LQ) by HPLC in apples and apple juice are 0.01 mg/kg. Results. During the research period 2019-2020, the amount of flonicamid in the yield of apples and juice from them (as the sum of flonicamid and TFNA and TFNG metabolites in terms of flonicamid) was 0.019-0.071 mg/kg and 0.017-0.032 mg/kg, respectively. After applying the insecticide, the recommended waiting period before harvesting apples is 35 days. The decrease in the flonicamid content in apples occurs on an exponential curve in accordance with the first-order kinetic equation. The calculated half-life (T50) for apples is 23 days for flonicamid, and 27 days for flonicamid (as the sum of flonicamid and TFNA and TFNG metabolites in terms of flonicamid). The possible daily intake of flonicamid in the human body with apples and apple juice is 9.5% of the level of safe intake with the diet (6.6% of its permissible daily intake). The maximum permissible levels of flonicamid content are justified: apples – 0.3 (the sum of flonicamid and TFNA and TFNG metabolites in terms of flonicamid, (LQ by HPLC – 0.01 mg/kg for each compound); apple juice – 0.03 mg / kg (the sum of flonicamid and TFNA and TFNG metabolites in terms of flonicamid. Conclusions. Flonicamid belongs to the hazard class 2 pesticides in terms of degradation in apple trees. The MPL-approved safe content of the active substance in apples and apple juice and the waiting period before harvesting ensure the safety of using a flonicamid-based insecticide. Keywords: flonicamid, residual amounts, chromatography, field tests.

Reducing Mercury Emissions from Small-Scale Coal-Fired Boilers Used in Residential Heating

Aim: The aim of the research was to demonstrate that the use of low-emission carbon fuels (obtained using the initial thermal conversion of coal feedstock) in residential heating also makes it possible to reduce mercury emissions from small-scale coal-fired boilers. Project and methods: The publication presents the results of mercury emission tests conducted using five different small-scale coal-fired boilers and five different coal fuels. The research was carried out under laboratory conditions, but also using heating devices of residential users. They covered a wide range of operational parameters, both energy and emission. The flux of coal fuels burned ranged from 2 to 12.2 kg/h, with an equally wide range of boiler efficiencies obtained – 67.6–88.5%. Results: The test results presented in the article show that the amount of emissions of pollutants limited by the criteria of the PN-EN 303-5+A1:2023-05 standard and the ecodesign, namely carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, dust and organic substances, depends mainly on the design and operating conditions of the device in which the specific solid fuel is burned. There is a group of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere, for which the amount of emissions depends primarily on the quality of the fuel burned. These pollutants include sulphur oxides and mercury, whose emissions depend primarily on the combustible sulphur and mercury content of the fuel being burned. Conclusions: Experimental studies were carried out to verify what portion of Hg contained in coal during its combustion in domestic boilers with manual and automatic fuel feeding remains bound in bottom ash, and what is emitted into the atmosphere. The content of Hg in bottom ash, regardless of the boiler and fuel used, was at a similar low level, reaching a maximum of about 6% of Hg initially contained in the fuel. As studies have shown, more than 94% of mercury contained in coal fuels burned in small-scale coal-fired boilers is emitted into the atmosphere, contributing significantly to the deterioration of the environment. Replacing traditional coal with low-emission carbon fuels (e.g., such as BC fuel) would significantly reduce mercury emissions from small-scale coalfired boilers, by up to 90% compared to current emissions. Setting a legal requirement for the permissible level of mercury content in coal fuels used in domestic boilers, for example, at a maximum value of 0.05 mg/kg, would reduce mercury emissions from these devices by at least half. Keywords: mercury emission, small-scale coal-fired boilers, low-emission carbon fuel

Effectiveness of the activities of the federal project “Clean air” by the quality of atmospheric air and risk for the health (by means of the example of the city Bratsk)

Introduction. The study is relevant due to the necessity to adequately assess the effectiveness of activities performed within the “Clean Air” Federal Project using ambient air quality and public health risks as key performance indicators. 
 The purpose of the work was to comparatively assess ambient air quality and airborne health risks for Bratsk population over 2020 –2022 when activities planned within the “Clean Air” Federal Project were being implemented in the city.
 Materials and methods. The analysis was based on data obtained by instrumental measurements of ambient air quality performed within social-hygienic monitoring programs. More than thirty thousand measuring results were considered; they covered 20 chemicals and were taken at two monitoring posts. Carcinogenic and acute and chronic non-carcinogenic health risks were assessed in conformity with the existing regulatory documents.
 Results. Between 2020 and 2022, a decrease in ground levels of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride, and some other technogenic chemicals was registered at social-hygienic monitoring posts in Bratsk. These chemicals were subject to specific activities stipulated by the “Clean Air” Federal Project and performed by economic entities. However, public health risks remained impermissible. Thus, an acute risk of respiratory diseases equaled 3.24 during 2022 and a chronic risk of respiratory diseases reached 5.43 in the same year whereas their permissible level should not exceed 3.0. 
 Limitations. Analysis is possible only if there is a sufficient number of instrumental studies at points located in residential buildings to assess the risk (least 300 one-time or 75 daily samples for each impurity). 
 Conclusion. The study results indicate still necessary to take further efforts to provide a safer environment for Bratsk population and to continue monitoring of chemicals that create impermissible health risks. The most important task is to manage systemic operative data exchange between systems for environmental and social-hygienic monitoring to provide adequate assessment of a sanitary-hygienic situation as well as objective evaluation of key performance indicators of the “Clean Air” Federal Project

Behavioral Analysis of the Audible Sound with Remedial Action of the Common Acoustical Defects

When the acoustics are applied to any of the buildings, it produces optimum contingencies for producing and listening to vocals, any instrumental sound or recorded song in any cinema. The planning of acoustical design and construction of the building mainly provides to eradicate the noise level below the permissible level. And due to a regular use of these various instruments like frequency modulations, sci-fi movies, heavy machineries, and vehicles that produces noise, it is essential for contemporary era to improve the acoustical conditions of the building by removing the acoustical defects. This paper will explore the typologies of noise and on the other hand it will showcase the behavior of audible sound, factors that affect the same and common acoustical defects with its remedial actions. A good architectural acoustic design requires an appropriate combination of absorptive, reflective, and diffusive surfaces. Hence, for the better acoustical upshot the construction and implication of sound osmotic and sound reflective materials should be carefully selected and placed. This will lead us to providing a better quality of audio-visual sensations to the viewers and listeners. Optimum planning for acoustics can reduce or completely pulling up by the root defects related to sound which is then so called as acoustical defects.

Occurrence of antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the Lebanese polluted Litani River.

Antibiotic contamination in polluted rivers is well recognized as an environmental and public health challenge. In this study, the occurrence, distribution, and ecological risk assessment of three commonly used antibiotics (amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin) were assessed in the Litani River, the most important and highly polluted river in Lebanon. Physicochemical and microbiological water quality parameters including the antibiotic-resistant ones were in parallel determined in the same sites. Water samples from five sites stretching across the river upper basin were analyzed for the antibiotics under study using high-performance liquid chromatography, with both fluorometric and UV detectors post-extraction using a solid-phase method with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance cartridges. The disc diffusion method and standardized water quality methods were used for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and water quality assessment, respectively. Amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin were found at concentrations of 250 ng/L and 107.2 ng/L, while azithromycin was not detected in any of the sites under study. Varying levels of antibiotic resistance were detected with the isolated Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) while the total coliforms showed resistance to multiple antibiotics. COD, TP, PO43-, TN, NO3-, NH4 + , E. coli, total coliform, P. aeruginosa, and Cd levels surpassed permissible levels. Correlation analysis with water quality parameters (COD, total phosphate, phosphate, total nitrogen, and cadmium) showed a significant positive correlation with ciprofloxacin (r > 0.5, p value < 0.05). Also, the resistant P. aeruginosa showed a significant positive correlation with cadmium (r > 0.5, p value < 0.05) while the resistant E. coli was positively correlated with total nitrogen, nitrate, and lead levels (r > 0.5, p value < 0.05). The ecological risk assessment revealed that all the tested antibiotics pose low risks (ecological risk quotient RQ < 0.1) except ciprofloxacin, which could pose a medium risk (0.1 < RQ < 1). Future research concerning the long-term assessment of antibiotics' residues and the identification of resistance genes in the river is recommended.

Evaluation of selective clay minerals and biochar as materials for sewage sludge stabilization

The objectives of this study were to evaluate sewage sludge’s stabilization with untested until now materials, such as selective clay minerals or biochar in comparison with liming, for enhancing sludge’s fertilization capacity. Dewatered sewage sludge was mixed with bentonite, vermiculite, zeolite, biochar or lime at rates of 0, 15 and 30%, air-dried and analyzed for pathogens and chemical properties. Almost all fecal indicators of treated sludge with 15% bentonite, vermiculite or biochar were reduced by at least one-logarithmic unit (log10) (indicative value of sludge’s stabilization), whereas those of limed sludge were undetectable. Electrical conductivity of all treatments significantly increased, and the highest values were obtained for untreated (6.1 dS m−1) and limed sludge (above 7.0 dS m−1 for both addition rates). The untreated sludge had the significantly highest water-soluble ammonium-nitrogen (2817 mg kg−1) and phosphorus (263 mg kg−1) concentrations followed by sludge treated with bentonite, vermiculite or biochar, whereas limed sludge had the lowest content. Boron concentration of the untreated sludge was similar to the treated sludge. Total concentrations of heavy metals were far below the legislative permissible levels for sludge’s agronomic use. Nutrients’ total content of treated sludge ranged at levels of similar magnitude to the untreated sludge, except for certain cases where they were increased because of the materials’ composition. Consequently, sewage sludge treated with 15% bentonite, vermiculite or biochar seems to be stabilized, retain bioavailable nitrogen and serve as a fertilizer of macro- and micronutrients. However, potential risks of agronomic use, i.e., soil salinization and boron phytotoxicity, should be considered.

Environmental implications of illegal heavy metal mining in the Shalten area, Egypt’s Eastern Desert

ABSTRACT Most of Africa’s illegal mining operations are conducted in rural areas, but along the Red Sea coast, they primarily occur in the Eastern Desert, where they are regarded as the major source of revenue. Soil samples were collected and examined at an illegal gold mining site in the far south of Egypt’s Eastern Desert to determine the toxicity levels of eight heavy metals for pollution load index (PLI), Igeo, and health (Au, Ag, As, Hg, Ni, Cr, Zn, and Pb). The methodology used in this study was categorized into fieldwork with restricted rules within the visit, soil samples collected from the field, chemical analyses for heavy metals, and statistical analyses by applying six equations to define the environmental status of the study area. It was found that the PLI increases contamination as an environmental risk grade, Igeo, reaches grade 6, which is highly contaminated, and the average hazard index (HI) for the individual elements is high (>0.01). The health risk assessment results for Ni and Cr showed that oral intake was the main mode of exposure to heavy metals in the tailings of illegal mines. In addition, the average levels of As, Hg, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn were higher than the equivalent background levels for soils. Thus, adult cancer risk (CR) exceeds the permissible level of 10−4. The illicit mining activities in the Eastern Desert also resulted in heavy metal contamination with substantial noncarcinogenic hazards for As and Zn, necessitating urgent remediation.

Evaluation of some heavy metals and selenium pollution in Karataş Lake (Burdur/Türkiye) using various pollution indices and statistical analysis

Wetland face environmental problems due to some reasons such as drought, rapid population and rapid developments in technology. Karataş Lake is located within the Lakes Region in Türkiye and has also of great economically, ecologically and ornithologically importance. Unfortunately, it completely dried out in 2021 due to sufficient rainfall, groundwater withdrawal and global climate change. In 2022, the lake started to hold water again. This study is important because it is one of the last studies before the lake dries up and first study to evaluate some heavy metals and selenium pollution using some indices. In this study, which was carried out between October 2019–July 2020, some heavy metals and selenium concentrations were determined in water of Karataş Lake seasonally and evaluated pollution degree of lake water using some indices and statistical analysis. Water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen levels were measured in situ using YSI 556 MPS. For heavy metal analysis, water samples were taken, acidified to a pH of <2, stored at 4 °C and analyzed directly using ICP-OES (Agilent 5110). Pb and Se in all seasons were below detection limit. The analyzed metals sorted as; Cd < Mo < Cr < Cu < Mn < Zn < Ni < Fe. Generally, heavy metals were increased in autumn and decreased in spring. According to some water quality standards for drinking water, Fe levels were higher than the permissible levels for drinking water in all seasons (TSE, 2005; EPA, 2018; EU, 2020), Mn in autumn (TSE, 2005; EPA, 2018; EU, 2020), Ni in autumn and summer (TSE, 2005; EU, 2020). Water Quality Index (WQI), Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) and Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI) values were calculated in Karataş Lake to determine pollution degree. Depend on WQI results, lake water was in good category in autumn, winter and spring while poor category in summer. The lake water samples based on HPI and HEI values are in the low contamination category. The lake is still struggling with environmental problems. If necessary precautions are not taken for the future of the lake, the lake may dry out again. The results of this study will help the authorities in terms of preventing re-drying, sustainability of the lake and management of the region. This study will be also a reference for future studies.

Persistent Organic Pollutants and Suspended Particulate Matter in Snow of Eastern Siberia in 2009-2023: Temporal Trends and Effects of Meteorological Factors and Recultivation Activities at Former Industrial Area.

Suspended particulate matter (SPM), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCP) were studied in the snow cover at urban and suburban localities in the Irkutsk region, Eastern Siberia for their temporal variations in 2009-2023, daily deposition fluxes (DDFs), and effects of some meteorological factors, as well as the effects of different technogenic activities in the industrial area of the former organochlorine enterprises of Usol'ekhimprom. SPM loads at both stations were found to be at a low level of pollution. The levels of HCB, α + γ-HCH, and ∑p,p'-DDX were lower than Russian maximum permissible levels (MPLs) in drinking water, groundwater, and surface water for household drinking and cultural purposes. The sums of all organochlorine compounds studied in snow were higher than the MPL in freshwater water bodies for fishery purposes. The levels of the DDFs of HCHs, DDTs, and heptachlorinated PCB decreased, di- and trichlorinated PCB levels increased, and HCB levels changed at a polynomial line during 2009-2023. The change in the relative composition of PCBs was found as a result of recultivation activities at the industrial area of the former organochlorine enterprise of Usol'ekhimprom. The air humidity and temperature are the key meteorological factors affecting the DDFs of PCBs and OCPs.

Fabricating a biochar from Artocarpus heterophyllus peels for methylene blue sequestration from synthetic wastewater: Isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic analysis

In the current work, biochar prepared from the peels of Artocarpus heterophyllus was modified using phosphoric acid and employed to remove Methylene Blue (MB) from synthetic wastewater. The morphological properties of acid activated A. heterophyllus peels biochar (AAPB) were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy and found to be more porous with increased surface area. Using Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry AAPB represented a total surface area of 612 m2/g and pore volume of 1.225 cc/g which is higher than that of raw Artocarpus peels. In batch studies, process factors like pH, AAPB dosage, and initial concentration of MB were optimized for better MB removal. The maximal MB removal percentage using AAPB was reported to be 99.0% under optimal circumstances with a residual MB concentration below the permissible levels. The Freundlich isotherm fit the isotherm analysis of the MB removal process well, with a regression coefficient of 0.99 (R 2). The monolayer adsorption capacity was elucidated as 127.44 ± 9.7 mg/g through isotherm analysis. The kinetic investigation showed that the adsorption process followed pseudo-second order kinetics. The biosorption process was exothermic and had favorable thermodynamics, according to the thermodynamic study. These results showed that biochar made from acid-modified A. heterophyllus is a practical choice for removing synthetic dyes from wastewater.

Study on energy use and carbon emission from manufacturing of OPC and blended cements in India.

The demand for production of cements is ever increasing to meet the infrastructure development globally. The energy and emission factors available for cements in most of the life cycle assessment (LCA) databases may not exactly suit for all the geographical locations. The main challenge in Indian scenario is the absence of database for LCA study. This study attempts to develop the energy and emission factors for the manufacturing of cements in Indian context. In the present study, five different cement manufacturing plants located in north, south, east, west and central zones of India are considered to assess the energy dissipation and carbon dioxide emission involved during the production of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Most of the data is collected from the field, so that the energy and emission factors determined will be suitable for the zonal study. The study is then extended to assess the energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission for three blended cements, viz. Portland Pozzolan cement (PPC), Portland slag cement (PSC) and composite cement (CC) with permissible known replacement levels of fly ash, granulated blast furnace slag and both fly ash and slag, respectively. The average energy use and carbon emission is found to be on higher side in India by 15.14% and 12.64%, respectively, compared to other countries in manufacturing of cements. An average energy consumption in manufacturing of PPC, PSC and CC is found to be respectively 24.5%, 35.3% and 43.13% less compared to that of OPC. The CO2 emission intensity for OPC is found to vary between 893 and 940kg/tonne of cement from five different zones, and an average of respectively 24.8%, 40.97% and 47.18% lower CO2 emission was observed from PPC, PSC and CC compared to OPC. From the inventory results, CC has proven to be a more sustainable cement with low energy consumption and lower CO2 emission compared to other cements.

RADIATION SITUATION IN THE CONTAMINATED TERRITORIES OF UKRAINE IN THE POST-CHORNOBYL PERIOD FROM 2013 TO 2022

Radiological tests analysis aimed to determine important issues regarding the safety of food products, feeds, medicinal herbs, etc., obtained from radioactively contaminated territories as a result of the accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. The material for analysis was current documentation of the Regional State Laboratories of State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumers Protection in Zhytomyr, Volyn, Rivne, Chernihiv regions, Central Testing State Laboratory of State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumers Protection in Kyiv region and Kyiv city from 2013 to 2022. The analysis is conducted regarding contamination of food products, feeds, medicinal herbs, etc., with radionuclides 137Cs and 90Sr. The specialists of regional State Laboratories of State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumers Protection conducted 12 797 892 radiological tests, that showed 3 372 samples with higher than the permissible level content of 137Cs and 10 samples with higher than permissible level content of 90Sr. 137Cs is a main dose-forming radionuclide that has considerable influence on getting internal irradiation by population. There have been rare cases of contamination of food, feeds, and medicinal herbs with 90Sr. It was found that forest-based food (mushrooms, berries) – 62.1, milk – 22.7, meat of wild animals – 8.3, feeds – 1.8, and medicinal herbs – 0.8 had been mostly contaminated with 137Cs from the total number of samples with positive results for the specified period. Thus, analyzing the results of radiological tests over the past decade, it should be noted that even today, further radiological control of food products, feeds, etc. in radioactively contaminated territories is expedient and requires further implementation of anti-radiation protection actions established by current national legislation

Unit vector template control strategy‐based harmonic mitigation and charging with three phase–three level–three switch Vienna rectifier for Level 3 electric vehicle charging applications

SummaryFast battery charging units act as non‐linear loads, which induce a more harmonic effect in the utility grid. Hence, maintaining the stable voltage, current ripple, and total harmonic distortions within the permissible IEEE std level during the charging time of grid to electric vehicle (G2V) has become an important task for researchers in the future. In order to mitigate power fluctuations during every charging cycle, it will enhance the battery life cycle in electric vehicles (EVs). Three phase–three level–three switch Vienna rectifier with fuzzy logic controller tuned PID controller is used here for AC/DC conversion with minimum switching loss. A fuzzy intelligent control strategy has been employed with the DC link voltage regulator in order to sustain the DC link voltage as constant and progress the voltage/current profile by injecting active power at the point of common coupling. Unit vector template (UVT)‐based control strategy is employed here to identify the fundamental components from the load side and also estimate the reference phase current. This scheme enhances the performance and reduces the mathematical system complexity to diminish the harmonics in the distribution grid. The adaptability and feasibility of this proposed control method have been verified by the MATLAB simulation tool. To validate the response of the Vienna Rectifier with UVT controller are simulated with different unbalanced load conditions and also verified with 30 kW laboratory prototype experimental results using dsPIC30F4011 controller and the switch is IRFP260 with power diode RHRG30120.

The Effect of High Nitric Oxide Concentrations on Oxygenators in Cardiopulmonary Bypass Machines (Experimental Study)

The aim of the study. To study the effect of high nitric oxide concentrations on hollow polypropylene fibers of oxygenators.Materials and methods. The study was conducted in two stages. At the first stage, we evaluated the stability of oxygenator membrane made of hollow polypropylene fibers after six hours of exposure to air-oxygen mixture containing NO at 500 parts per million, or 500 pro pro mille (ppm) concentration, using mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy. At the second stage, an experiment with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was conducted on 10 pigs. In the study group (n=5) animals sweep gas was supplied to the oxygenator as an air-oxygen mixture with NO at 100 ppm. In the control group animals (n=5) an air-oxygen mixture was used without NO. The CPB lasted for 4 hours, followed by observation for 12 hours. NO, NO2 (at the inlet and outlet of the oxygenator), and the dynamics of methemoglobin were evaluated. After weaning of animals from CPB, the oxygenators were tested for leakproofness, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed.Results. The oxygenator made of polypropylene hollow fibers retained its gas transfer parameters after six hours of exposure to air-oxygen mixture containing NO at 500 ppm. Based on IR-Fourier spectroscopy findings, NO did not affect structural integrity of polypropylene membranes. NO added to gas mixture at 100 ppm did not increase NO2 to toxic level of 2 ppm in 91% of control tests during 4 hours CPB in pigs; mean value was 1.58 ± 0.28 ppm. Methemoglobin concentration did not exceed the upper limit of permissible level (3%), and there were no statistically significant differences with the control group. All tested oxygenators have passed the leakproofness test. According to SEM findings, larger amounts of fibrin deposits were found in the control group oxygenators vs study group.Conclusion. There were no negative effects of NO at 500 ppm concentration on the oxygenator membrane made of hollow polypropylene fibers. NO at 100 ppm in a gas-mixture supplied to oxygenators did not lead to an exceedance of safe NO2 and methemoglobin concentrations in an animal model. Reduced fibrin deposits on hollow fibers of polypropylene oxygenator membranes were observed when with NO at a level of 100 ppm was added to a gas mixture.