Petrochemical Complex Research Articles

Residential exposure to petrochemical industrial complexes and the risk of leukemia: A systematic review and exposure-response meta-analysis

Exposure to chemicals produced by petrochemical industrial complexes (PICs), such as benzene, ionizing radiation, and particulate matters, may contribute to the development of leukemia. However, epidemiological studies showed controversial results. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the association between residential exposure to PICs and the risk of leukemia incidence, focusing on exposure-response effects. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for studies published before September 1st, 2019. Observational studies investigating residential exposure to PICs and the risk of leukemia were included. The outcome of interest was the incidence of leukemia comparing to reference groups. Relative risk (RR) was used as the summary effect measure, synthesized by characteristics of populations, distance to PICs, and calendar time in meta-regression. We identified 7 observational studies, including 2322 leukemia cases and substantial reference groups, in this meta-analysis. Residential exposure to PICs within a maximal 8-km distance had a 36% increased risk of leukemia (pooled RR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.14–1.62) compared to controls, regardless of sex and age. In terms of leukemia subtypes, residential exposure to PICs was associated with the risks of acute myeloid leukemia (AML, pooled RR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.12–2.31) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL, pooled RR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.11–6.42). In meta-regression, the positive association occurred after 10 years of follow-up with a pooled RRs of 1.21 (95% CI = 1.02–1.44) and then slightly increased to 1.77 (95% CI = 1.35–2.33) at 30 years after follow-up. No effect modification was found by sex, age, and geographic locations.

Associations between renal functions and exposure of arsenic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in adults living near a petrochemical complex

BackgroundThe understanding for the impact of petrochemical pollutants exposure on renal functions is limited. ObjectivesOur study examined the associations between renal functions and pollutants exposure in adult residents living in the vicinity of a petrochemical industry. MethodsWe recruited 2069 adult residents near a big petrochemical complex in Taiwan in 2009–2012, and they were categorized into high exposure (HE) and low exposure (LE) groups based on their address to source by 10 km radius. Study subjects were measured the urinary levels of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, thallium, and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Taiwanese Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation, and the chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence and risks were defined according to KDIGO 2012 guidelines. Adjusted generalized linear and logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the associations between petrochemical exposure and renal functions. ResultsSubjects in the HE areas had significantly lower eGFR, higher CKD prevalence, and higher levels of urinary arsenic, cadmium, mercury, thallium and 1-OHP. The closer to complex and high exposure group of study subjects were significantly associated with the decrease in eGFR, higher ORs for CKD and high-intermediate risk of CKD. In addition, the study subjects who had two-fold urinary arsenic and 1-OHP levels were significantly with decreased 0.68 and 0.49 ml/min/1.73 m2 of eGFR, respectively. ConclusionsResiding closer and higher arsenic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure were associated with the renal impairment and risks of CKD among the residential population near the petrochemical industry.

Factors of Inverstment Efficiency and Attractiveness: The Case of Petrochemical Companies

The paper describes the process of development of the petrochemical industry in the Russian Federation, which is comprehensively presented in the document“Strategy for the development of the chemical and petrochemical complex for the period up to 2030”, the Government defines the future priorities and targets of the petrochemical industry. It analyses the real conditions for the favorable development of this strategy, it describes the existing prerequisites for the implementation of this type of the forecast. It outlinesthe close relationship between the development of the petrochemical industry and the formation of investment projects. It highlights the conditions for the optimal content of detailed design documentation. The author emphasizes the growth and development of the investment potential of the industry in this case. Investments in petrochemical projects will also be profitable for all participants in the investment process

Experimental evaluation of solar still efficiencies as a basic step in treatment of wastewater

AbstractThe present study investigates a unit for making use of freshwater in a kiln in a practical manner. At first, in this unit, the saline wastewater flowing out of the MED unit in Mobin Petrochemical Complex enters a gravitational bed and is subjected to preliminary treatment. In the next stage, the same saline wastewater enters the first pretreatment reactor for undergoing a coagulation procedure; then, it enters a second biological reactor for undergoing both coagulation and biological treatment. Afterwards, the output current of the biological reactor enters a solar pond for the separation of the dissolved salt in the wastewater, for which, it enters an antiseptic system that uses ultraviolet (UV) for treatment. Finally, the saline wastewater is transformed into a soft treated current. In the present study, the performance of a solar condensation unit installed on the path of the output wastewater of the UV antiseptic unit has been examined. In this study, the thermal output, conduction output, and freshwater production output have been altogether subjected to practical evaluation. The results offered herein are indicative of the relative error rates equal to about 7.2% and 4.9% for thermal output of day and night, respectively. Moreover, the conduction efficiency relative errors have been about 7% and 5.6% for day and night, respectively. In addition, on average, the relative cumulative error of the thermal energy storage substrate's output was about 3.5% per day over a month.

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RISKS FOR FEMALE WORKERS EXPOSED TO HAZARDOUS WORKING CONDITIONS AND MEASURES TO MINIMIZE THEM

Introduction. The problem of women’s health protection and maintaining their reproductive health is a relevant problem of occupational health. Material and methods. The assessment of exposure levels to hazardous occupational factors at workplaces and reproductive health indices of female workers of petrochemistry and mining of the Republic of Bashkortostan has been carried out. Results. Petrochemical female workers have been shown to be exposed to the combined impact of toxicants including saturated, unsaturated, aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, etc. at the maximum permissible level or below their concentration, the mining and processing enterprise workers - to the combined impact of hazardous occupational factors (polymetallic ore dust, chemicals, industrial noise). The working conditions of female workers of both industries correspond to hazardous Class I. Most chemicals possess reproductive toxicity. A significantly high prevalence of menstrual disorders, benign neoplasms, obstetric pathology in the form of threatened abortion, gestosis in the second half of pregnancy, chronic placental insufficiency, and as well as newborns’ morbidity have been revealed among female workers of main groups. Conclusion. The labor of women in the modern petrochemical complex, as well as the mining and processing enterprise fails to provide female workers’ reproductive health safety. Studies have shown the need to develop a system of preventive measures which will promote reproductive health of workers.

Learning from Fire Accident at Bouali Sina Petrochemical Complex Plant

The dependency of the society on the hydrocarbon as an energy source has increased tremendously, leading to the rapid development of this process industry. A fire accident that occurred on the 6th of July 2016 at a petrochemical complex plant in the southern part of Iran, Mahshahr petrochemical zone, has called for a more robust and all-inclusive efforts toward ameliorating and forestalling future occurrence. The on-site investigations concluded that the fire was triggered by the leakages through the ruptured blind flange gasket in the pipeline. Thus, certain inquiries on the development of robust process safety technologies gave useful insight into those capable enough to identify and handle various uncertainties in the short and long time basis, to forestall catastrophic accidents. Therefore, it is worthy and pertinent to ascertain whether process safety technology is developing correspondingly at the same pace with the process industry. Are the correct things done in the right way? If yes, then why do these catastrophic accidents keep happening? If no, how can these uncertainties in the process be properly and adequately handled, contained and managed? Failure to provide adequate and incontrovertible answers to these questions toward taking uncompromising safety actions is an invitation to more accidents in the near future. In this study, explanation on how to identify and cope with various uncertainties in process safety science is provided through learning from a real case study of a fire accident that occurred in the aforementioned petrochemical plant.

Numerical analysis of tsunami-triggered oil spill fires from petrochemical industrial complexes in Osaka Bay, Japan, for thermal radiation hazard assessment

This study assesses thermal radiation hazards from tsunami-triggered oil spill fires from petrochemical industrial complexes in Japan, and demonstrates that the assessment provides useful results for understanding how large an area will be exposed to high thermal radiation, and which tsunami vertical evacuation buildings will be in danger from the fires. A tsunami-triggered oil spill fire spread model was applied for the Port of Osaka, which has approximately 360 ha of petrochemical industrial complexes. A tsunami following a hypothetical magnitude 8.6 earthquake along the Nankai Trough subduction zone was considered. Oil spills caused by the tsunami and fire spread over oil were numerically simulated for several scenarios by varying the initial ignition location and time. Hazard maps representing the spatial distribution of maximum radiant heat flux from the fires were created. The calculations showed that one tsunami vertical evacuation building was exposed to a radiant heat flux of 40 kW/m2 or more in the worst-case scenario. Therefore, this building is likely to be ignited by the fires, and it is recommended that this building be used as little as possible for tsunami vertical evacuation. In addition, ten tsunami vertical evacuation buildings, which are not likely to be ignited, would, in several scenarios, be exposed to a radiant heat flux that exceeds the minimum heat flux that causes human skin burns. Therefore, when rooftops of these buildings are used for refuge areas, measures for shielding these areas from thermal radiation need to be implemented, such as mounting parapet walls on rooftops.

Residential risk of leukemia for individuals living near petrochemical industrial complexes

TPS 761: Health effects of pollution sources and components, Johan Friso Foyer, Floor 1, August 28, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM “The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.” Background: Studies of human exposure to petrochemical products report associations with higher risk of hematopoietic cancer. However, the risk of leukemia for individual living close to petrochemical industrial complexes (PIC) remain unknown and controversial. This study aims to estimate the health impact for resident living in the vicinity of PIC, especially those belonging to vulnerable groups, such as children, or different genders. Methods: We followed Cochrane meta-analysis protocal to to analyze findings from 21 subjects from nine published research articles in seven countries. A random effect model was applied to estimate the pooled effect due to high heterogeneity between the selected studies. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were further applied to identify heterogeneity. We also performed sensitivity analysis, Funnel plot, Egger’s test, and Begg’s test to assess possible publication bias. Results: Residents living close to PIC have a 27% greater risk of leukemia (RR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.08–1.50). Female residents (RR = 3.17, 95% CI = 2.13–4.73) and children under 10 years old (RR = 2.75, 95% CI = 1.23–6.13) are the most vulnerable groups. Those living as far as 7.5 km from PICs still have an elevated risk of leukemia by a factor of 18% (95% CI = 1.05–1.33). Conclusions: Our study reveals a significantly increased risk of leukemia incidence among residents in the vicinity of PICs, especially among females and young children, even from distances as great as 7.5 km. These findings can inform future policy-making to address health disparities resulting from residential exposures.

Does Urinary Thiodiglycolic Acid Increase the Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children Living Near a Petrochemical Complex?

Does Urinary Thiodiglycolic Acid Increase the Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children Living Near a Petrochemical Complex?

Optimization of air quality monitoring network based on a spatiotemporal-spectrum manifold analysis

An effective air quality monitoring network (AQMN) is able to promptly reflect the characteristics of ambient air pollutants for air pollution control and management nearby potential hazardous emissions. This research proposed an innovative spatiotemporal-spectrum manifold analysis to investigate the multi-pollutant emission variation and sampling. The analysis established a coordinate system with spatial relation, temporal correlation, and the frequency spectrum of the multi-pollutant emission data. The pairwise manifold distances were estimated accordingly. We formulated a manifold-based multi-objective optimization model, which optimizes the population coverage and monitoring efficiency of the AQMN nearby the emission. We applied the manifold analysis and the optimization model to a petrochemical complex in Taiwan. The spatial and temporal variation of the complex’s multi-pollutant emission was analyzed. Then, the optimization model solved for the best configuration of AQMN that satisfied the design objectives. We examined the tradeoff between the multiple objectives. Improvement of the existing monitoring stations was suggested based on the optimization results. Adding one or two monitoring stations at the densely populated area was recommended to provide better coverage for residents. Our results also settled for an optimal addition location to increase monitoring efficiency.

Characterization of Brassica napus responses to diluted and undiluted industrial wastewater.

Risingwater scarcity, together with increased industrial wastewater production, suggests reusing of wastewater for plant irrigation. The wastewater from Razi petrochemical complex contained different salts and heavy metals. Variation in Brassica napus responses to wastewater irrigation has recommended appropriate levels of mineral nutrients in diluted wastewater that stimulated plant growth, and toxic levels of salts in undiluted wastewater that restricted plant growth. The undiluted wastewater irrigation significantly decreased chlorophyll fluorescence, along with photosynthetic capacity, while wastewater dilution mitigated its adverse effect. High levels of salts in undiluted wastewater induced an imbalance in plant mineral nutrients, which was evidenced with increased lipid peroxidation and reduced plant growth. On the contrary to adverse effects of undiluted wastewater on plant performance, the diluted wastewater, especially at 50% level, behaved as a fertilizer which increased leaf mineral nutrients, photosynthetic capacity, morphological and anatomical features of plant, but decreased lipid peroxidation. In relation to improvement in photosynthetic capacity, a significant increase was achieved in stomatal traits in plants irrigated with half-strength wastewater. In conclusion, due to the nutrition values of wastewater, it can be suggested to irrigate plants with diluted wastewater with the aim of improving crop productivity and saving freshwater sources.

A Study on the Success of Knowledge Management in the Country's Petrochemical Industry Using the AHP Technique - Case Study: Shazand Petrochemical Company

Abstract: Globalization leads to changing world and organizations, at an alarming rate. New organizations pay more attention to understanding, adapting and managing environmental changes around and are trying to learn and use the knowledge and updated information in order to improve the operation and providing clients services and more desirable products. Such organizations need to use a new management style called knowledge management. These organizations are trying to use effective knowledge management and intellectual assets to achieve strategic goals by implementing various KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT projects. In the petrochemical industry, which includes over 18 active complexes and about 15,000 official personnel, without any doubts, the main source is the knowledge that we have in the industry. The special conditions of the Iranian petrochemical industry, such as rapid progress, the transition from the state system to the private system and the entry into the world of competition, double the need to use new findings like knowledge management, and the Shazand Petrochemical Company is of no exception. The Shazand Petrochemical Complex projects plans were approved in 1363 and after the design, engineering and installation phases, the first phase was on the production line in 1372. The main question of this research is to investigate the success of knowledge in the petrochemical industry. Considering the necessity of implementing knowledge management in the petrochemical industry of the country, in this article, we try to evaluate the knowledge management success in the petrochemical industry (Shazand Arak Petrochemical Company), based on the AHP technique and ranking the Ashland Petrochemical Industries of KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT, Identify the status of the company in each of the Ashland Petrochemical Industries and, in the end, provide solutions to improve this status.

ECONOMIC THEORY OF CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT OF A REGION WITH A HIGH VALUE OF PETROCHEMICAL COMPLEX

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop the theory of regional economics in the context of the cluster organization of its petrochemical complex.
 Methodology: The research methodology includes the use of cluster analysis and network planning of performance indicators of the petrochemical complex of the Republic of Tatarstan.
 Findings: It was found that over seven years of the existence of petrochemical cluster in the Republic of Tatarstan, no synergistic effects were achieved because of its activities. At the same time, significant financial resources were allocated to the cluster organization of petrochemical complex in this region and an administrative apparatus was created. The very concept of cluster development of the region in science and practice has long proved its viability in many countries, such as the Republic of Tatarstan since Michael Porter. This is because the Soviet times is provided with a highly developed industrial base and inexpensive labor in the field of petrochemical technologies, and the training of professional specialists in the region is provided by a concentration of higher education institutions.
 Implications: The economic and mathematical approaches used in this study enable it to single out the forms of activity in the cluster that enable it to increase its efficiency to the greatest extent with the least costs. Comprehensive network planning of cluster innovation based on graphical and potential methods presented in the study provide competitive advantages to small- and medium-sized companies.

Passive air sampling of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the largest industrial city in Korea: Spatial distributions and source identification

Some halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Halo-PAHs) are known to be more toxic than their corresponding parent PAHs, but studies on Halo-PAHs have been somewhat limited. In this study, passive air samplers were used to monitor Halo-PAH and PAH contamination at 20 sampling sites in Ulsan, one of the largest industrial cities in South Korea. The mean concentrations of Σ24 ClPAHs, Σ11 BrPAHs, and Σ13 PAHs were 207 pg/m3, 84 pg/m3, and 26 ng/m3, respectively. Industrial areas displayed higher concentrations of both Halo-PAHs and PAHs than urban and rural areas. Strong correlations between energetically unfavorable Halo-PAHs and their corresponding parent PAHs suggest that the main formation mechanism of Halo-PAHs is not direct halogenation of PAHs. Low molecular weight Halo-PAHs with one halogen atom and their parent PAHs were dominant. The profiles of ClPAHs and BrPAHs in petrochemical, automobile, shipbuilding, and non-ferrous industrial complexes were distinguished. The toxicity equivalency quantities (TEQs) of ClPAHs, BrPAHs, and PAHs at the industrial sites also showed the highest values of 4.2, 0.5, and 18.3 pg-TEQ/m3, respectively, reflecting the high toxicity of Halo-PAHs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting atmospheric levels of both ClPAHs and BrPAHs using passive air samplers.

Building a Home: Everyday Placemaking in a Toxic Neighborhood

Why do residents of a contaminated area actively organize to formalize their land tenure and continually invest scarce resources in the fortification of their homes, despite their high-risk locations? Existing research documents the collective struggles of residents of contaminated communities to leave toxic areas or to confront polluting industries. Drawing from long-term ethnographic fieldwork in an informal settlement located next to a highly polluting petrochemical complex in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, this article presents the case of a marginalized community that is not only well-aware of its toxic exposure but also actively organizing and investing time and resources to ensure its permanence in the area. This article shows that the strenuous circumstances under which families moved into the neighborhood after multiple displacements, their continued struggle to remain there along with their longing for housing stability have contributed to their extended exposure to the poisonous toxic externalities of the neighboring petrochemical industry.

Business Roundup

BUSINESS Business Roundup ShareShare onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail C&EN, 2019, 97 (36), p 13September 16, 2019Cite this:C&EN 97, 36, 13AbstractICL is increasing capacity for the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol A by 25,000 metric tons annually at its plant near the Dead Sea in Israel. The $50 million expansion, which will also add capacity for an automotive bromine-based flame retardant, will meet higher demand from Asian customers. VCI, Germany’s leading chemical industry association, has warned that chemical production in Germany fell 0.7% in the second quarter of 2019, with flat sales and prices just 0.6% higher than in the first quarter of the year. The main reason cited for the disappointing figures is a slowdown in German industrial production. Sasol, which previously delayed release of its financial results for the year ending June 30, now says it will make results available no later than Oct. 31. The firm says it is still waiting for the completion of an independent review of cost overruns and start-up delays at its Louisiana petrochemical complex.View: PDF | Full Text HTML

Public health risk analysis for ambient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure surrounding a petrochemical complex in Curaçao

Antiquated petroleum refining methods may exacerbate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient air. There is currently an aging, yet active refinery on the island of Curaçao that has been the subject of public health concern. The objective of this study was to determine if ambient PAHs surrounding this refinery exceeded public health guidelines and investigate potential public health risks by calculating risk probability estimates. A number of recommended guidelines for the protection of public health from ambient PAHs were exceeded in Curaçao. Cumulative lifetime risk estimates for carcinogenic effects exceeded the upper bound level of acceptable risk at sites located both upwind and downwind of the petrochemical complex in 2011 and decreased to within the range considered acceptable in 2014. Risk probability estimates were highest for children and either exceeded or were approaching the upper bound advisory levels in 2011. Results indicate inhalation risks are higher at sites located downwind from the petrochemical complex compared to those upwind. This emphasizes the potential for higher risk probability estimates for residents that may have higher susceptibility, warranting the need for further health assessments in these populations and underscores the importance for continued monitoring of PAH sources and levels in Curaçao.

Association between the Occurrence of Primary Hypothyroidism and the Exposure of the Population Near to Industrial Pollutants in São Paulo State, Brazil.

Background: Environmental agents interfere with thyroid function at multiple levels. This study was to investigate the association between pollutant concentrations and the primary hypothyroidism (PH) occurrence odds in residents living in the Capuava Petrochemical Complex (CPC) influence area. Methods: This area was evaluated with the combination of the AERMOD dispersion model with the Weather Research Forecast (WRF) meteorological model (2016). The concentration of atmospheric pollutants were analyzed in 2017 using meteorological data on the period from 2005 to 2009, correlating this data with the research done in 2003 to 2005. A home-based questionnaire was applied to evaluate 2004 residents, of both sexes, aged from 8 to 72 years, based on their proximity to the industrial areas; were select residents with PH. Results: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations presented the highest correlations between the PH odds and pollutant concentrations. Conclusion: Air pollution associated with the presence of the CPC is an important environmental factor contributing to the development of PH in the nearby population. As the first study showing this association in Brazil, research should be continued to better understand the mechanisms and to find ways to compensate for or remedy to avoid health impacts in future populations.

Sasol delays financial results

Sasol says an independent review of cost overruns and start-up delays at its petrochemical complex in Lake Charles, Louisiana, points to possible “control weaknesses.” The firm delayed releasing fiscal 2019 financial results from Aug. 19 to Sept. 19 so that it and its auditors have time to assess the report. When the project got underway in 2014, it was expected to cost $8.1 billion. Sasol now says it is sticking to a cost estimate of between $12.6 billion and $12.9 billion made in May. Technical challenges interrupted start-up of the ethane cracker in July, but it is back on track, the firm adds.

Source Apportionment of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) by Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) supported by Model Simulation and Source Markers - Using Petrochemical Emissions as a Showcase

This study demonstrates the use of positive matrix factorization (PMF) in a region with a major Petrochemical Complex, a prominent source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as a showcase of PMF applications. The PMF analysis fully exploited the quality and quantity of the observation data, sufficed by a cluster of 9 monitoring sites within a 20 km radius of the petro-complex. Each site provided continuous data of 54 speciated VOCs and meteorological variables. Wind characteristics were highly seasonal and played a decisive role in the source-receptor relationship, hence the dataset was divided into three sub-sets in accordance with the prevailing wind flows. A full year of real-time data were analyzed by PMF to resolve into various distinct source types including petrochemical, urban, evaporative, long-range air parcels, etc., with some sites receiving more petro-influence than others. To minimize subjectivity in the assignment of the PMF source factors, as commonly seen in some PMF works, this study attempted to solidify PMF results by supporting with two tools of spatially/temporally resolved air-quality model simulations and observation data. By exploiting the two supporting tools, the dynamic process of individual sources to a receptor were rationalized. Percent contributions from these sources to the receptor sites were calculated by summing over the occurrence of different source types. Interestingly, although the Petro-complex is the single largest local VOC source in the 20 km radius study domain, all monitoring sites in the region received far less influence from the Petro-complex than from other emission types within or outside the region, which together add up to more than 70% of the total VOC abundance.