Toxic Fumes Research Articles

FTIR Characterization and Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of AN/AP-Based Composite Solid Propellants

ABSTRACT Solid Rockets are one of the most efficient and reliable rockets, but production of chlorine gases in the exhausts of these rockets is a major drawback. The toxic exhaust is due to the presence of ammonium perchlorate (AP) as the oxidizer. Thus, the solution to decrease this exhaust is the use of green oxidizers such as ammonium nitrate (AN), but it suffers from the drawback of low energetics and hygroscopicity, phase transitions at room temperatures, and incomplete combustion in pure form. The present work emphasizes the phase stabilization of AN in the presence of AP and cobalt nitrate hexahydrate (CNH) catalyst. FTIR study helps to identify present functional groups in the propellant samples. The thermal decomposition of AN/AP-based propellant samples was investigated with an STA Instrument under a nitrogen atmosphere with different heating rates. The kinetic studies reveal the steps of reactions and activation energy of propellant samples which were observed to change with the addition of AN and CNH. The overall studies confirm that AP and catalyst CNH help in the phase stabilization of AN in propellant samples and enhance the combustion reactions at lower temperatures. The burn rate and flame temperature of the AN-AP propellant sample are found to increase with the addition of a catalyst. The catalyst positively effects the energy barrier or activation energy, burn rate, and flame temperature of AN-AP propellant, thus confirming that the catalyst helps in the combustion process.

Two-Wheeled Urban Vehicles—A Review of Emissions Test Regulations and Literature

Two-wheeled vehicles, due to their population, constitute a significant share of road vehicles in Europe. Therefore, this article presents an overview and analysis of the applicable legal regulations regarding two-wheeled vehicle engines in terms of toxic exhaust emission tests. For the correct interpretation of emission standards, the authors of this work made the necessary analysis of the categorization of two-wheeled vehicles based on Polish law and the criteria of European regulations. The presented analysis concerns not only the current regulations, but also their development trends over the years. These considerations are supplemented with a literature review, which includes the problems of the ecology, energy consumption and construction of the considered group of vehicles. The work presented in this article also concerns the assessment of the conditions for conducting tests on objects belonging to category L in laboratory conditions on chassis dynamometers. On this basis, considerations were made to evaluate the currently applicable WMTC (World Motorcycle Test Cycle) test by comparing it with the actual operation of two-wheeled vehicles. This resulted in the formulation of conclusions regarding the need to introduce procedures for testing pollutant emissions in road conditions in the approval process.

From Dazzle to Diesel

The rise of Turkish television drama series—or dizi as they are known in Turkey—is one of the most notable media phenomena of the past decade in francophone West Africa, particularly Guinea. This is taking place at a time when Turkey has significantly ramped up its economic, political, and cultural investments in Africa, with countries such as Guinea, rich in natural resources and with geostrategic sea access, rapidly emerging as new targets for Turkey's outsized ambitions. This article asks what we can learn about the global circulation of Turkish modernity—a unique blend of tantalizing consumerism and piety conceptualized as “neo-Ottoman cool”—in francophone West Africa by analyzing the hugely popular dizi alongside public debates on Turkey's investments in energy, transportation, energy, culture, or construction. Drawing on Joseph Tonda's notion of éblouissement (dazzlement), it argues that Guineans, like other West Africans, encounter the dazzling images of Istanbul's rich and famous that permeate dizi in stark contrast with Turkish investments in floating power plants and public transport or the Turkish-built Abdul Hamid II Mosque in Bambeto, a popular quarter of Conakry. The article proposes the phrase dazzle-to-diesel to account for the constant oscillation between blinding power and toxic fumes that accompanies encounters with neo-Ottoman cool in West Africa.

The Dirty Home

At what point should a child be taken away from their parents? In this work of philosophical short story fiction, Lydia Lowry has a problem, the government is going to take her child away and put her in foster care. However, they have a reason, Lydia’s trailer is a disaster; it’s practically a biohazard. Lydia goes to visit the narrator, an attorney, in the hopes that she can help her keep her child. The narrator, no fan of child protective services, gets a few friends to agree to head out to Lydia’s house to clean it and get the government off her back. When they arrive, they find a mobile home covered in cat urine and feces, no hot water, and a pile of trash four feet high in the front yard. After several hours of cleaning, the narrator and her friends get dizzy from the toxic fumes. They give up on cleaning, and leave. The narrator is able to convince Lydia the best course of action is to have her daughter move to California and live with their better-off relatives until she turns eighteen. It’s not exactly a classic success story, but the narrator tells herself, not every story is.

Rock splitting with pyrotechnic compositions and secondary propellants

In some cases of resources extraction, as well as in construction at industrial and urbanized territories, commercial explosives are not safe enough for the surroundings with regard to the generated fly-rocks, air-blast, toxic fumes, seismic waves and vibrations. The main reasons for these harmful impacts of explosion are the velocity and the mechanism of the chemical reaction of explosive decomposition. The authors shifted the focus of their researches from detonating explosives to high-speed combusting energetic materials. The production of low explosive non-detonating mixtures from long-term stored smokeless gunpowders and ammonium nitrate prills in different configurations, and popular pyrolant compositions were studied. The samples of different cartridge casings, filled with non-detonating propellant mixtures or pyrotechnic compositions were examined by two methods - for velocity of propagation and by field tests. It was made investigations for application of waste single-base-powders and double-base-powders for obtaining non-detonating explosive cartridges, suitable in dimension stone mining, as well as in blasting activities at tender and complicated conditions.

Assessment of leaching properties of solid residue from subcritical water extraction of Zingiber zerumbet rhizome

Landfilling is known as a popular way to get rid of municipal waste because it is easy to use and reasonably priced, but it also leads to environmental issues like leachate pollution. Thus, solid residues from Zingiber zerumbet rhizome subcritical water extraction (SWE) were assessed in this study to see if they met the criteria for municipal waste that could be disposed of safely in a landfill. The assessment comprises of four crucial properties; ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity and was conducted on a sample taken during a 15-minute SWE following the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE) criteria. The residue was found to be non-ignitable (flash point above 200°C), non-corrosive (pH of 6.65 ± 0.02), and non-reactive (no visible toxic gases, vapors, or fumes) in normal environmental settings. Meanwhile, in accordance with the Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure (TCLP), the toxicity analysis results were considered at their maximum limits. Heavy metals such as barium showed the highest detectable concentration at < 0.8 mg/L, while cadmium followed at < 0.6 mg/mL, but both remained below the limits of ≤ 100.0 mg/L and ≤ 1.0 mg/L, respectively. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and herbicides detected in the sample were at remarkably low concentrations below the legal limit. Overall, these results provide convincing evidence that the solid residues of the rhizome of Z. zerumbet from the SWE can be categorised as municipal solid waste. Pre-treatment prior to landfill is therefore unnecessary. SWE promotes ecological waste management practises thus contributing to a safer and more sustainable future for all.

Peripheral Neuropathy Resembling CIDP Following Exposure to Toxic Fumes in Shoe Factory: A Case Report

Abstract Different types of solvents and adhesives are used in a shoe factory. The toxic chemicals can cause acute and chronic effects on the central and peripheral nervous system. Here, we report a case of a 25-year-old young man working as a coloring and gluing worker in a shoe factory, who presented with progressive quadriparesis following exposure of six months. Some of his coworkers also developed a similar illness. Nerve conduction velocity studies of the patient showed combined sensory and motor demyelinating and axonal polyneuropathy. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was normal. With conservative management and physiotherapy, there is a gradual improvement of the condition in the patient who can ambulate independently now.

Impact of welding occupation on serum aluminium level and its association with physical health, cognitive function, and quality of life: a cross-sectional study.

There is an occupational health concern about welders' inhalation of toxic aluminium fumes. We investigated whether serum aluminium level (SAL) and demographic variables can significantly predict physical health parameters, cognition, and quality of life (QoL) among welders. The cross-sectional study involved 100 age- and location-matched men (50 welders and 50 non-welders). SAL obtained using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer, and data collected using blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) apparatuses, biodata form, pain rating scale, General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition, WHOQoL-BREF, and Nordic musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) questionnaire were analysed using independentsamplest test, chi-square, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical linear regression. Welders had significantly higher SAL (mean difference [MD] = 1.77µg/L, p < 0.001), lower QoL (MD = 3.92, p = 0.039), and higher prevalence of MSS on the neck (χ2 = 10.187, p = 0.001), shoulder (χ2 = 9.007, p = 0.003), upper back (χ2 = 6.832, p = 0.009), and knee (χ2 = 12.190, p < 0.001) than non-welders. There was a significant bivariate association between SAL, systolic blood pressure (β = 0.313, p = 0.002), and BMI (β = 0.279, p = 0.005), but not pain intensity, cognition, or QoL. SAL remained a significant predictor of systolic blood pressure after adjustment for physical health and QoL parameters (β = 0.191, p = 0.044). The association between SAL and social QoL became significant after adjustment for physical health and other QoL domains (β = - 0.210, p = 0.032) and demographic variables (β = - 0.233, p = 0.046). Welders had significantly higher SAL, musculoskeletal symptoms, blood pressure, and lower QoL than non-welders. SAL was associated with adverse physical health parameters and social-related QoL, not cognition. We recommend routine aluminium bioavailability and physical health checks among welders.

Occupational risk factors for multiple sclerosis: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

We decided to conduct the first systematic review with meta-analysis to provide the highest level of up-to-date evidence on the occupational risk factors for Multiple Sclerosis. A systematic, comprehensive literature search was performed in four electronic academic databases. We included any case-control study that enrolled working-age subjects and compared the proportion of MS cases with controls who were not exposed to an occupational risk factor. The primary outcome was the occurrence of MS. The quality assessment was performed with the Critical Appraisal Checklist for Case Control Studies, developed, and validated by the Joanna Briggs Institute. All the selection process was also carried out by two independent and previously trained researchers. Overall, the total sample included 19,004 people with MS and 4,164,162 controls. Agricultural workers (OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.13-1.83), offshore workers (OR = 3.56, 95% CI 2.74-4.61), and hairdressers (OR = 8.25, 95% CI 1.02-66.52) were associated with a higher probability of being diagnosed with MS. In parallel, workers exposed to toxic fumes from oil wells (OR = 16.80, 95% CI 8.33-33.90), low-frequency magnetic fields (OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.03-2.72), and pesticides (OR = 3.17, 95% CI = 2.53-3.99) also had an increased likelihood of having MS. Our study has the potential to influence more assertive public policies. Nevertheless, future studies on how the occupational setting may contribute to the incidence of MS are highly recommended. The protocol was registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO- CRD42023443257).

Toxic Fumes Exposure-More than Just an Airway Concern - RETRACTION.

Toxic Fumes Exposure-More than Just an Airway Concern - RETRACTION.

Laser ablation plasma expansion using microwaves

This study explores the potential of utilizing microwaves to sustain the expansion of transient laser ablation plasma of Zr target. By application of microwaves on the plasma, we observe a significant enhancement with a two to three order of magnitude increase in the plasma emission intensity, and 18 times increase in the plasma’s spatial volume. We investigate the temperature change of the plasma and observe that it decreases from 10,000 K to approximately 3000 K. Electron temperature decreased with volume expansion owing to increased surrounding air interaction, while the plasma can be sustained in air using microwaves. The increase in electron temperature during temperature drop is indicative of non-equilibrium plasma. Our results emphasize the contribution of microwaves in promoting enhanced emission and plasma formation at controlled, low temperature, thereby demonstrating the potential of microwaves to enhance the accuracy and performance of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. Importantly, our study suggests that microwaves could also mitigate the generation of toxic fumes and dust during ablation, a critical benefit when handling hazardous materials. The system we've developed is highly valuable for a range of applications, notably including the potential to reduce the possible emergence of toxic fumes during the decommissioning of nuclear debris.

Sustainable EDM of Inconel 600 in Cu-mixed biodegradable dielectrics: Modelling and optimizing the process by artificial neural network for supporting net-zero from industry

The properties of Nickel-based superalloy(s) like stability at extreme conditions, greater strength, etc., complicate its cutting through conventional operations. Therefore, electric discharge machining (EDM) is preferred for its accurate cutting. However, the conventional dielectric i.e., kerosene used in EDM is hydrocarbon based which generates toxic fumes and contribute to the CO2 emissions during the discharging process in EDM. This affects the operator's health and the environment. Therefore, the potentiality of five biodegradable dielectrics has been deeply examined herein to address the said issues. Nano copper powder is also employed for uplifting the cutting proficiency of these dielectrics. A set of 15 experiments was performed via full factorial design. An artificial neural network (ANN) is constructed to model and optimize the material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness (SR), and specific energy consumption (SEC). The highest MRR (5.527 mm3/min) was achieved in coconut oil whereas for obtaining the lowest SR, the sunflower oil at powder concentration (Cp) of 1.0 g/100 ml is the best choice. Sunflower oil also gave a 17.05% better surface finish compared to other dielectrics. Amongst the biodegradable dielectrics, olive oil consumes lowest specific energy (SEC) i.e., 264.16 J/mm3 which is 28.8% less than the SEC of other oils. Furthermore, the maximum CO2 reduction of 72.8 ± 1.4% is achieved with Olive oil in comparison to that found with kerosene in EDM. The multi-objective optimization is conducted and sunflower oil with Cp of 0.667 g/100 ml is termed out to be optimal solution. The biodegradable dielectrics have demonstrated excellent performance for EDM to support net-zero goals from the industrial sector.

A systematic study to achieve cleaner and sustainable manufacturing process by using bio-degradable dielectrics

Inconel 600 is widely used in aeronautical and aerospace industry owing to its excellent mechanical, wear and corrosion characteristics. This high strength alloy requires a special machining environment which justifies the use of Electric Discharge Machining (EDM). However, low cutting rate, which accounts for the productivity aspect, and emission of toxic fumes generated by thermal breakdown of kerosene dielectric currently limit the use of EDM. Moreover, since EDM is an energy intensive machining process, industry has a stringent emphasis to make this process sustainable and eco-friendly. In this context, the potentiality of six bio-degradable dielectrics was comprehensively investigated here for the first time ever to achieve cleaner and sustainable production of Inconel 600. Each biodegradable dielectric was coupled to four electrode materials to find the best tool-dielectric combinations for the EDM processing of this Ni-based super alloy. The responses were defined considering the three key ingredients of sustainability: i.e. productivity (assessed in terms of material removal rate and tool wear ratio), quality (expressed in terms of surface finish and dimensional deviation) and power consumption (expressed in terms of specific energy consumption). Experimentation was performed with a full factorial design taking dielectric type and electrode material as input variables. The EDM configuration including amla oil as dielectric and brass electrode was the best in terms of maximum MRR (19.8 mm3/min), 560% better than the standard EDM configuration including the same brass tool and kerosene dielectric. The lowest surface roughness SR (quality aspect) was obtained by the EDM configuration including a brass electrode and the sunflower oil dielectric: surface quality improved by 30.6% with respect to standard EDM using the same electrode and kerosene dielectric. Considering the specific energy consumption, the EDM setup with brass electrode and amla oil dielectric was 6.6 times more efficient than standard EDM with the same electrode and kerosene dielectric. The combination of coconut dielectric and Cu electrode results in a 5.4 times lower tool wear ratio than the traditional dielectric. In terms of achieving a better dimensional control, graphite electrode is a preferred choice against olive oil dielectric. Based on the measured values for EDM responses, it was revealed that relative percentage of carbon dioxide emissions reduces by 83.95% if amla oil is used in comparison to the CO2 emissions noted for standard kerosene oil considering brass as electrode. Finally, an optimal combination of the best biodegradable dielectric fluid and electrode material to satisfy all performance indicators was proposed through MOGA technique. Experimental data were properly fitted by using artificial neural networks. The EDM setup with copper electrode and amla oil dielectric achieved the best global performance with respect to all responses.

Polyelectrolyte complex for flame retardant silk

Silk fabric, a common component of household décor and apparel for its strength and luster, presents a fire hazard due to its high burn rate and release of toxic fumes during combustion. To combat this danger, a two-step polyelectrolyte complex (PEC), comprised of polyethylenimine (PEI) and poly(sodium phosphate) (PSP), was deposited to imbue silk with flame retardant behavior. Additionally, sonication was applied during various steps of the PEC process to improve coating penetration and reduce fiber bridging. With sonication during deposition, this unique treatment is shown to have higher weight gains through a more uniform dispersion of phosphorus and increased fiber separation within the fiber bundle. With the addition of less than 6 wt.% of this PEI + PSP PEC, silk is rendered self-extinguishing in vertical flame testing, with more than 90% residue remaining for all coated samples. Gas and condensed phase analysis suggests an intumescent flame retardant mechanism. The efficient deposition of this low-concentration flame retardant PEC on silk allows for improved scalability with no significant alteration of the mechanical behavior.

Fuel systems of high power stationary engine

The use of alternative fuels and, in the future, synthetic fuels has forced changes in the design of fuel supply systems in internal combustion engines. When operating a stationary engine at constant load, the possibility of using lean fuel mixtures appears. Selection of a precisely operating mixture ignition system requires changes in traditional fuel systems. The article presents the current designs of fuel supply systems and their properties. Attention was paid to operating parameters resulting in acceptable emissions of toxic exhaust gas components. Control systems that make the operation of the fuel system dependent on the properties of fuels are being developed.

Epidemiological profile of occupational risks associated with artisanal burning of plastic materials in Parakou

Burning plastic releases toxic fumes and gases. More and more people engage in the professional activity of welding plastic parts by fusion in Benin. Hence the need for this study. To assess the frequency of the various occupational risks associated with the welding of plastic materials by burning in Parakou. A cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study focused on plastic welders in Parakou. The data was collected using a questionnaire. The variables studied were accidents at work, occupational diseases, and socio-professional characteristics. The data was analyzed by Epi info version 7.2.1.0. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. A total of 137 subjects were surveyed. They were all male. Almost all of them were victims of accidents at work. The lesions were mainly on the fingers (99%) and feet (99%). The most expressed morbid manifestations were musculoskeletal disorders (98%), rhinitis (87%), cough (79%), tearing (98%) and conjunctival hyperemia (93%). Plastic welding in Parakou is a high health risk activity for craftsmen. It is urgent to take protective measures for these craftsmen.

Welding Safety and Health: Occupational Hazards and Risk Mitigation

This research delves into the safety and well-being of professionals engaged in welding activities, investigating the associated risks and effective mitigation strategies. Through an extensive analysis involving 40 welding experts, this study explores prevalent hazards like toxic fume exposure, intense light radiation, and noise-induced hearing concerns. The study highlights the pivotal role of engineering controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), and comprehensive training in curtailing health risks. Moreover, it underscores the importance of cultivating a culture of safety and collaborative efforts among stakeholders to establish secure working environments. The outcomes underline the necessity of proactive safety measures and provide valuable insights for enhancing welding safety practices. These findings resonate with employers, safety specialists, and welding professionals, prompting joint endeavors to prioritize safety measures and foster healthier workplaces. This study advances the comprehension of welding safety and health, while advocating for further research to address enduring health implications and embrace evolving technological safety advancements.

Glyphosate - A Silent, Slow Killer?

Madam, Glyphosate, commercially known as Round Up, is one of the most widely used herbicides and pesticides worldwide. As a synthetic organophosphate compound, it comes in a crystalline, odourless and colourless form. Most of the human exposure to this compound occurs during the process of its manufacturing, formulation and transport. Further exposure may come from the inhaling toxic fumes of nitrogen gas and phosphorus oxides produced when this pesticide undergoes decomposition, when farmers and gardeners use it on their crops, and when individuals come in contact with products containing it as the active ingredient (1). As of right now, there is a multitude of studies that link glyphosate to several morbidities. When a combined 9229 cases of farmers from North America, the European Union and Australia were assessed, glyphosate was directly linked to an increase in the onset of follicular lymphoma (2). It was also associated with allergic and non-allergic wheezing among farm women in the Agricultural Health Study (2005-2010), which focused on farmers in Iowa and North Carolina (3). Additionally, when tested on mice, exposure to glyphosate was found to increase TNFa in the brain and plasma, and the levels of soluble Amyloid Beta in the brain, suggesting a detrimental role to general health. Furthermore, glyphosate was one of the 11 pesticides studied and then found to have a direct correlation with the increase in overall cancer cases in Brazil. (5) Taking into consideration the aforementioned facts, it is vital to regulate the exposure of individuals to glyphosate to reduce the rising rate of morbidities. More guidelines and policies should be formulated to protect the health of individuals involved in glyphosate manufacturing, due to their exposure risk high. Pesticide leching into water sources should also be prevented to ensure that the general population does not end up consume them indirectly.

Fire Alarm System Through Smoke Detection

A reliable fire alarm system (FAS) is crucial for timely reporting and responding to fires. While existing techniques can predict undesirable outcomes, they lack guidance on when and how workers should intervene to minimize the associated costs. Recent advancements in sensors, microelectronics, and information technology have significantly improved fire detection technologies. However, the prevalence of synthetic materials in modern homes has increased the danger of fire-related injuries and deaths due to the release of toxic fumes and gases, including carbon monoxide. This highlights the need for ongoing analysis and development of fire detection techniques to ensure the safety of occupants.

An Analysis of Domestic Fire Smoke/Toxic Fumes Inhalation Injuries

Previous studies indicated that inhalation of smoke and toxic fumes is the most common form of domestic fire injury. In this article we examine the socio-demographic, contributory, and firefighting behaviour factors associated with accidental dwelling fire smoke / toxic fumes inhalation injuries. In particular, we examine age band, gender, occupancy level, deprivation, alcohol / drug consumption, and attempting to fight a domestic fire in the Merseyside area of North-West England covered by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service over the period 2011 to 2022. Smoke / toxic fumes inhalation injuries occurred more in single occupancy as opposed to multiple occupancy dwellings by a ratio of 2 to 1 over the period studied. The majority of the accidental dwelling fire smoke / toxic fumes inhalation injuries occurred in areas with the highest level of deprivation within the area studied. Alcohol / drug consumption was a contributory factor in roughly 14% of the smoke / toxic fumes inhalation injuries. Smoke / toxic fumes inhalation injuries sustained attempting to fight the fire constituted roughly 12% of the total number of smoke / toxic fumes inhalation injuries over the period studied.