Potential Hazard Index Research Articles

Occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics in water and sediments of Hatiya Island, Bangladesh and their risk assessment

This research has evaluated the MPs distribution, characteristics, and potential threats of MPs in surface water and sediments from Hatiya Island. The results showed that the abundance of MPs was 139 ± 44 items/m3 in surface water and 493 ± 80 items/kg dw in sediments, indicating higher levels of MPs contamination in sediment samples. Fibers were the predominant kind of microplastics, and microscopic sizes (0.3–1.5 mm) MPs were generally more frequent and largely present in both the surface water and sediments. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that polyethylene terephthalate was the major polymer component of microplastics in surface water, whereas polyethylene was the most abundant polymer in sediments. MPs contamination risk was examined based on multiple risk assessment models. Nemerow pollution index (NPI) and pollutant load index (PLI) show minimal pollution levels of MPs. But potential hazard index (PHI), potential ecological risk factor (Er), and potential ecological risk index (RI), indicate severe MPs contamination due to the presence of polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, epoxy that were hazardous MPs and exhibited a critical concern for MPs risk. These statistics will help to understand the environmental difficulties generated by MPs and which hazard is waiting for mankind in the future.

CONJUGATE ANALYSIS OF HEALTH RISKS IN CHILDREN AND AIR QUALITY IN VLADIMIR REGION

The purpose of this study is to assess health risks in children and the impact of air pollution from industrial enterprises in the Vladimir region on children’s health.
 Materials and Methods. The author analyzed official statistical digests Public Health in the Vladimir Region for 2005–2019. Based on relative data on primary child morbidity according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10 version), the values for real (epidemiological) health risks were calculated for Vladimir administrative regions. Data on environmental conditions were obtained from the annual reports On Environmental Conditions and Public Health of the Vladimir Region for 2001–2019. The average long-term emission load coefficient was calculated, and priority air pollutants for the region were identified. To identify probable correlation between air quality and public morbidity, a correlation analysis was carried out to determine the Pearson correlation coefficients and Spearman rank correlation.
 Results. In the Vladimir region, children in most administrative territories have high morbidity risks according to classes of circulatory system diseases; blood, hematopoietic organs, certain disorders involving the immune mechanism (D50–D89) and nervous system diseases (G00–G99). Analysis results revealed administrative territories characterized by very high risk values and the largest number of disease classes. Priority air pollutants in the region are carbon oxide, nitrous oxide, sulphur oxide, methane, ammonia and inorganic dust containing 70–20 % of silicon dioxide. Correlation analysis identified a number of statistically significant correlations between priority pollutants and the morbidity risks in children according to various disease classes. The values of the potential hazard index can be used as variables when carrying out mathematical calculations in the population health - environment system.

An operational maintenance approach for improving physiological monitor by HFMEA process: an empirical case study.

A mixed qualitative and quantitative proactive approach to explore the HFMEA process by analyzing 20 units of physiological monitors in the ICU. An HFMEA expert team of six people was formed to perform a risk-based analysis and evaluate the potential hazard index, mitigating the hazard scores and risks. From the main processes and possible failure reasons, one high-risk hazard index greater than or equal to 8 of the standard score was found. This standard score indicates the signed manufacturer's contract for maintenance was the hazard index failure mode on the parts not regularly replaced according to the contract. This systematic hazard index failure mode shows the highest hazard scores in the possible failure reason category, established as a standard maintenance procedure. In addition, the HFMEA expert analysis of the 20 units of physiological monitors within 6 months of the original and remanufactured part maintenance results in operational availability from 90.9% for self-repair to 99.2% for contract manufacturer repair. This study concludes a systematic reference in malpractices caused by maintenance negligence. The HFMEA expert team agrees that hazard failure scores greater than or equal to 8 are vital assessments and evaluations for decision-making, especially in maintaining healthcare intensive unit care physiological monitors.

Оценка потенциальной опасности влияния риск-индуцирующих факторов образовательного процесса и среды обитания на соматическое здоровье учащихся школ различного типа

Contemporary school should create favorable conditions for schoolchildren. The aim of the study was to comparatively analyze risk factors related to the educational process in different schools and to develop a new approach to objective assessment of combined exposure to environmental factors and factors related to the educational process and its influence on schoolchildren’s health. The study focused on the following research objects: 1) five different secondary schools, the test ones providing profound educational programs and the reference ones being ordinary secondary schools with the same or lower levels of pollution in environmental objects; 2) quality of components in the school environment (organization of the educational process, quality of meals provided by school, quality of ambient air on a school territory and inside a school, quality of drinking water, socioeconomic conditions); 3) health of 756 schoolchildren. The study was conducted by using sanitary-epidemiological, sanitary-hygienic and sociological methods; clinical and laboratory examinations; chemical analytical tests. Fuzzy logic was applied to estimate combined influence exerted by factors related to the educational process and environmental factors. We established several determinants of negative effects produced by the educational process on schoolchildren’s health. They included elevated intensity and monotony of educational and intellectual loads, shorter breaks between classes and recovery index deficiency. Diet-related factors included excess consumption of fats and carbohydrates, overall caloric contents being too high, protein and micronutrient deficiency. Chemical factors were elevated levels of metals, aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and chlorinated organic compounds in biological media. Risk-inducing factors of schoolchildren, regardless of a school and age, include organization of the educational process (Ipj = 0.45–0.58) and school meals (Ipj = 0.41–0.54); the group potential hazard index for these factors reached its peak values in primary school (Ipj = 0.49–0.58 and Ipj = 0.46–0.54). The maximum value of the integral potential hazard index (Ipdk = 0.41–0.46) caused by combined exposure to factors related to the educational process and environmental factors, regardless of a school type, was detected in senior schoolchildren in school with profound studies of natural sciences (Ipdk = 0.41); the minimum value was detected in a military school (Ipdk = 0.33).

Assessment of potential hazards posed by influence of risk-inducing environmental factors and factors related to the educational process on somatic health of schoolchildren in different schools

Contemporary school should create favorable conditions for schoolchildren. The aim of the study was to comparatively analyze risk factors related to the educational process in different schools and to develop a new approach to objective assessment of combined exposure to environmental factors and factors related to the educational process and its influence on schoolchildren’s health. The study focused on the following research objects: 1) five different secondary schools, the test ones providing profound educational programs and the reference ones being ordinary secondary schools with the same or lower levels of pollution in environmental objects; 2) quality of components in the school environment (organization of the educational process, quality of meals provided by school, quality of ambient air on a school territory and inside a school, quality of drinking water, socioeconomic conditions); 3) health of 756 schoolchildren. The study was conducted by using sanitary-epidemiological, sanitary-hygienic and sociological methods; clinical and laboratory examinations; chemical analytical tests. Fuzzy logic was applied to estimate combined influence exerted by factors related to the educational process and environmental factors. We established several determinants of negative effects produced by the educational process on schoolchildren’s health. They included elevated intensity and monotony of educational and intellectual loads, shorter breaks between classes and recovery index deficiency. Diet-related factors included excess consumption of fats and carbohydrates, overall caloric contents being too high, protein and micronutrient deficiency. Chemical factors were elevated levels of metals, aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and chlorinated organic compounds in biological media. Risk-inducing factors of schoolchildren, regardless of a school and age, include organization of the educational process (Ipj = 0.45–0.58) and school meals (Ipj = 0.41–0.54); the group potential hazard index for these factors reached its peak values in primary school (Ipj = 0.49–0.58 and Ipj = 0.46–0.54). The maximum value of the integral potential hazard index (Ipdk = 0.41–0.46) caused by combined exposure to factors related to the educational process and environmental factors, regardless of a school type, was detected in senior schoolchildren in school with profound studies of natural sciences (Ipdk = 0.41); the minimum value was detected in a military school (Ipdk = 0.33).

Microplastic contamination in processed and unprocessed sea salts from a developing country and potential risk assessment

In aquatic environments, microplastics (MPs) are pervasive which could have a considerable negative impact on the environment, organisms and pose a risk to human health. However, knowledge about the exposure and ecological risk of MPs in the coastal ecosystems of developing countries is limited. In this study, we analyzed salt samples from five commonly consumed processed and unprocessed sea salts of different commercial brands originated from 15 salt pans in Bangladesh to assess the abundance, characteristics and potential risks of MPs. The quantities of MPs in unprocessed salts (average 195 ± 56 item/kg) were higher than those in the processed salts (average 157 ± 34 item/kg). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant (p < 0.05) differences among the average numbers of MPs in both processed and unprocessed salts. MP levels in this study were 2–3 times higher than those reported from some other countries. Fiber-shaped and transparent MPs were dominant in both cases. MPs less than 0.5 mm in size were the most abundant in both unprocessed (58.2%) and processed (62.2%) salts. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed five types of polymers, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET−35%), polypropylene (PP−27.5%), polyethylene (PE−25%), polystyrene (PS−10%), and Nylon (2.5%) in the studied salts. The sea salts were classified as potential hazard index (PHI) levels IV to V, indicating serious MP contamination, whereas potential ecological risk factor (Ei), potential ecological risk index (RI), and pollutant load index (PLI) indicated moderate levels of pollution of MPs. Domestic and municipal wastewater effluents to Bay of Bengal and fishing activities may attributed to presence of MPs in the sea salt. These findings can be used by consumers, salt industries and policy makers to reduce MPs levels during consumption, production and policymaking.

Technical-economic Analysis of Processes for the Production of Levulinic Acid

Nowadays most of energy supply and chemicals are produced from fossil fuels. However, environmental concerns like global warming, depletion of non-renewable resources and pollution, force to search for more sustainable alternative feedstocks. In this framework, the valorization of renewable resources is currently one of the most promising strategies for the next future. In particular, the use of biomass is ranked first for production of chemicals. One of the most attractive compounds that can be obtained from lignocellulosic biomass is Levulinic acid (LA). The present work analyses, from a technical, economic and safety standpoint, the valorization of waste biomass (OPEFB, oil palm empty fruit bunch) to LA with different methodologies. Energy demand of the plant and the separation efficiency are evaluated carrying out process simulations by the commercial software Aspen HYSYS V10. The obtained results allowed an economic analysis of the alternatives, based on the evaluation of investment and main operating costs. The alternatives were screened on the basis of net present value (NPV) of costs. Safety performance was investigated by an inherent safety assessment method. This considered toxic dispersion and fire scenarios, calculating the damage distances associated with the potential outcomes of an accident and allowing for the evaluation of a potential hazard index for each main process equipment. The choice of the optimal layout configuration for the production of LA in early phases of design allowed to address, in a time and cost-effective way, further design activities in reducing the energy demand and ensuring potentially safer plants making the whole process more sustainable.

Tuberculosis and tobacco smoking: a risk of development and specific features in smoking patients

The purpose of the study was to investigate effects of smoking on risk of pulmonary tuberculosis and clinical course of newly diagnosed tuberculosis. Methods. We questioned 342 patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis (of them, 296 active smokers; 86.5%) and 386 healthy individuals (115 smokers; 29.8%). To analyze an effect of smoking on occurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis, the odds ratio (OR), absolute and attributive risks and potential hazard index (number of subjects who should be exposed to a hazardous factor for development one case of a disease) were calculated. Results. Tobacco smoking was associated with 15-fold increase in the risk of tuberculosis (OR 15.16; 95%CI: 10.37; 22.16). This risk was directly related to number of cigarettes smoked per day and to smoking duration. The potential hazard index was less related to number of cigarettes smoked per day (3.87) or smoking duration (4.87) and more closely related to the smoking itself (1.74). Clinical course of pulmonary tuberculosis was analyzed in 296 active smokers with newly diagnosed disease. Conclusion. More severe course of newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis was related to starting tobacco smoking at earlier age, smoking duration, and greater number of cigarettes smoked per day. Furthermore, heavier smoking was associated with more extending lung injury. Tobacco smoking was related to probability of development of pulmonary tuberculosis and to severity of the disease. There is a need of smoking control both in healthy population and in patients with tuberculosis.

Tropical cyclone potential hazard in Southeast China and its linkage with the East Asian westerly jet

A new synthesized index for estimating the hazard of both accumulated strong winds and heavy rainfall from a tropical cyclone (TC) is presented and applied to represent TC potential hazard over Southeast China. Its relationship with the East Asian westerly jet in the upper troposphere is also investigated. The results show that the new TC potential hazard index (PHI) is good at reflecting individual TC hazard and has significantly higher correlation with economic losses. Seasonal variation of TC-PHI shows that the largest TC-PHI on average occurs in July-August, the months when most TCs make landfall over mainland China. The spatial distribution of PHI at site shows that high PHI associated with major landfall TCs occurs along the southeast coast of China. An East Asian westerly jet index (EAWJI), which represents the meridional migration of the westerly jet, is defined based on two regions where significant correlations exist between TC landfall frequency and zonal wind at 200 hPa. Further analyses show that an anomalous easterly steering flow occurred above the tracks of TCs, and favored TCs making landfall along the southeast coast of China, leading to an increase in the landfall TC when the EAWJ was located north of its average latitude. Meanwhile, anomalous easterly wind shear and positive anomaly in low-level relative vorticity along TCs landfall-track favored TC development. In addition, anomalous water vapor transport from westerly wind in the South China Sea resulted in more condensational heating and an enhanced monsoon trough, leading to the maintenance of TC intensity for a longer time. All of these environmental factors increase the TC potential hazard in Southeast China. Furthermore, the EAWJ may affect tropical circulation by exciting meridional propagation of transient eddies. During a low EAWJI phase in July-August, anomalous transient eddy vorticity flux at 200 hPa propagates southward over the exit region of the EAWJ, resulting in eddy vorticity flux convergence and the weakening in the zonal westerly flow to the south of the EAWJ exit region, producing a favorable upper-level circulation for a TC making landfall.

Bioassay-directed identification of organic toxicants in water and sediment of Tai Lake, China

The government of China has invested large amounts of money and manpower into revision of water quality standards (WQS). Priority organic pollutants have been screened for WQS establishment using the potential hazard index method, however, some unsuspected chemicals that could cause adverse effects might have been ignored. A large number of chemicals exist in environment and there might be interactions between or among chemicals especially those with the same mode of action. Therefore, a toxicity-directed analysis, based on acute toxicity to Daphnia magna, was conducted for organic extracts of water and sediment from Tai Lake (Ch: Taihu) to determine toxicants responsible for adverse effects. Extracts of five of twelve samples of water and all extracts of sediment were acutely toxic. Based on toxic units, water from location L1 in July and sediments from locations L1 and L4 during several months would be expected to result in some toxicity. Twenty one (21) organophosphorus pesticides, 25 organophosphorus pesticides and 10 pyrethroids were detected in samples, extracts of which caused toxicity to D. magna. Chlorpyrifos and cyfluthrin were identified as predominant pollutants in organic extracts of sediments, accounting for up to 71% and 57% of bioassay-derived toxicity equivalents (BEQs), respectively. Chlorpyrifos was identified as the major contributor to toxicity of organic extracts of surface water, accounting for 71% to 83 % of BEQs. The putative causative agents were confirmed by use of three lines of evidence, including statistical correlation, addition of key pollutants or synergists. Greater attention should be paid to chlorpyrifos and cyfluthrin, neither of which is currently on the list of priority pollutants in China. Bioassay-directed analysis should be added for screening for the presence of priority organic pollutants in environmental media.

The concept of risk factors in assessing the impact of smoking on an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

By using the risk concept, to determine a quantitative relationship between smoking in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the development of an exacerbation. Case history data were studied in 166 patients admitted for a COPD exacerbation in 2009 to 2012. There were 2 exacerbations for a year or longer. The patients were divided into 2 groups: smokers (n=110) and nonsmokers (n=56). The concept for estimating the risks was based on the calculation of absolute risk in the exposed and unexposed groups, attributable risk, relative risk, and population attributable risk and on the determination of standard errors for each type of risk and confidence interval. The methodological aspects of determining the quantitative relationship between smoking in patients with COPD and the development of its exacerbations (twice or more per year) were considered on the basis of the statistical concept of risk factors. A risk factor concept-based analysis has shown that the impact of smoking is directly related to the worsening of COPD. The frequency of exacerbations is 71.8% in the group of smoking patients and 32.1 % in that of nonsmoking patients; the risk factor increases the likelihood of this event by 39.7%. Smoking leads to a 2.2-fold increase in the frequency of COPD exacerbations. The potential hazard index was 2.5.

POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF WIND ENERGY FOR RARE, TEREATENED, AND ENDANGERED BIRDS AND BATSIN TEXAS

The purpose of this study was to estimate relative potential hazards to birds and bats from wind developments in Texas. We compiled lists of rare, threatened, or endangered species, along with their respective ranges in Texas. Using a geographic information system (GIS), we calculated a potential hazard index (PHI) for 31 bird and ten bat species based upon the percentage of known or observed species range area (by county) within each wind speed classification. Results demonstrate considerable range in relative hazard, with the lesser prairie chicken and ferruginous hawk among the most potentially impacted birds; and the pale Townsend's bat, western small-footed bat, and big free-tailed bat among the most potentially impacted bats. While additional data are necessary to establish actual impacts of wind developments, relative potential hazard indices may help prioritize future studies.