Use Of Toxic Products Research Articles

Size Effect of Silver Nanoparticles Derived from Olive Mill Wastewater in THP-1 Cell Lines

The constant demand of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for different applications requires a new selection of solvents and reagents for their synthesis, to make them less toxic to living organisms and the environment. Among the alternative technologies that can be used to exclude the use of toxic products, green chemistry is based on the employment of biomolecules derived from plants or microorganisms to achieve NPs. Therefore, with the aim of applying the principles of circular economy, the waste deriving from the production of olive oil represents a useful source of polyphenols to be used as reduction agents to obtain AgNPs. In our work, we employed the Olive Mill Wastewater (OMWW), the so-called vegetation water typical of the Mediterranean geographical area, to achieve two sizes of AgNPs, i.e., 50 nm and 30 nm. These NPs were tested on the human monocytic cell line (THP-1) using two concentrations (3 µM and 5 µM) to understand their ability to trigger or not the inflammatory response. This was undertaken following IL-6, IL-8, IL-5 and TNF-α secretion and the NF-kB translocation. We concluded that the AgNPs did not induce strong activation of these pathways, especially when the cells were treated with higher dimensional NPs. Consequently, the application of these NPs in vivo for therapeutic purpose could be significant.

Anthropological Study of the Perceptions of Neighboring Households Related to the Causes and Consequences of Pollution in the Ebrié lagoon of Koumassi (Abidjan)

Our study aimed to analyze the perceptions of riparian households related to the causes and consequences of the pollution of the Koumassi Ebrié lagoon. It is based on the mixed approach combining quantitative and qualitative method, using documentary research, direct field observations, the survey by questionnaire, semi-directive individual interviews and Focus Group. The results obtained first show the socio-demographic profile of households. For this purpose, the average household size is 6 people. In addition, households operate such as fishing, lagoon transport, selling fish products, fish smoking. In addition, the average income of households is between 10,000 and 50,000 FCFA. The causes mentioned by households, at the origin of the pollution of the Ebrié Lagoon of Koumassi are: (1) household waste spills and domestic wastewater from activities, at the same time, riparian and abidjanese populations, directly In the lagoon, (2) wastewater spills from the activities of the industries installed near the lagoon and (3) the use of toxic products (pesticides) by certain fishermen for their activity (fishing). Finally, the results of the study show that the pollution of the Koumassi Ebrié lagoon impact the fishery resources, the environment and habitats of respondents. Also the study reveals the impact of pollution on health, food, rituals and household leisure.

Iodine and Peroxide Index Rapid Determination by Mid- and Near-infrared Spectroscopy in Ozonated Sunflower Oil and Ozonated Fats

ABSTRACT Ozone can react with fatty species such as vegetable oils to form oxidized compounds with interesting antibacterial activity. The iodine and peroxide indexes of these ozonated products are two crucial antibacterial characteristics. Currently, these two parameters are determined by chemical methods, which is disadvantageous because it requires long handling time, sample destruction and the use of toxic products. Spectroscopic analyses coupled with chemometric evaluations have already shown their usefulness for characterizing virgin oils via rapid, chemical-free methods. In addition, infrared spectroscopy is widely used to characterize ozonated compounds. The present study evaluates the possibility of coupling infrared spectroscopy with chemical analyses of ozonated compounds. We subjected 187 fat samples of varying compositions to different ozonation conditions to determine their chemical parameters. We analyzed the samples by infrared spectroscopy and modeled the results by combining chemical data with spectral analysis. The model results are quantified by the coefficient of determination R2, the root-mean-square error, and the residual predictive deviation (RPD). The model produces RPDs greater than 3.5 for the mid-infrared spectral range, which means that they may be used to estimate indexes. In addition, with RPDs between 2 and 3, partial least squares near-infrared models demonstrate a capacity for rough screening of ozonated fats.

A química dos corantes: um estudo sobre a obtenção de um corante natural proveniente do bagaço do caju

Os corantes sintéticos são utilizados em grande escala na indústria têxtil e geralmente seus efluentes são descartados em rios, sem tratamento adequado, tal fato prejudica o meio ambiente. Em outra vertente, têm-se os corantes naturais, que possuem estruturas químicas e propriedades pouco semelhantes às dos corantes sintéticos e podem ser encontrados em frutas, legumes e flores. Pensando nisso, este trabalho desenvolveu-se com o objetivo de avaliar a possibilidade da extração de um corante natural do bagaço do caju, utilizando o método de agitação magnética para favorecer a extração através das interações moleculares entre os diferentes solventes avaliados e os pigmentos presentes no pedúnculo do caju. Tal método dispensa a utilização de produtos tóxicos para a obtenção do corante, além de reaproveitar o bagaço do caju, que possui pouca ou nenhuma finalidade após a extração do suco. Segundo a literatura, os corantes naturais são menos prejudiciais ao meio ambiente, contribuindo com alguns dos princípios da química verde, que tem como ideologia o desenvolvimento sustentável dos processos químicos e a redução e reaproveitamento de resíduos. A metodologia desenvolvida para extração do corante natural do bagaço de caju mostrou-se eficiente, obtendo-se o melhor resultado quando utilizado o hidróxido de sódio (NaOH) como solvente extrator.

Cost reduction and quality improvements in the printing industry

Competitiveness has been the key factor for the survival of the companies. The economic crisis that marked the beginning of this millennium forced the total readjustment of processes and operations which, in some cases, gave origin to deep changes in the organizations. In addition, concerns and consequent environmental constraints have begun to increase. Printing industry was strongly influenced by these factors. This study aims to reduce the use of toxic products and general costs in offset printing process, as well as promote a productivity increase in the printing industry. Because this kind of industry is largely influenced by weather conditions, historical data was collected, allowing to reach the balance between the printing consumables usage and working methodologies, leading to implementing important improvements. At the end of the study, it was possible to observe very good results, increasing the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) and reducing the Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) relatively to the equipment. The biggest achievement was the massive reduction of the isopropyl alcohol consumption in the offset printing process, increasing the air quality at the facilities, reducing the costs and most of the problems during the printing process.

Mecanismos de resistencia en la interacción fruto-patógeno en poscosecha

The objective of this review was to bring together concepts related to studies aimed at elucidating defense mechanisms against disease-causing agents, mainly in postharvest. Like plants, fruits are exposed to attack by pathogens that cause rot during postharvest storage, resulting in considerable losses. To control these pathogens, synthetic chemicals are used; however, since they are toxic, genetic resistance is regarded as a viable alternative. Fruits can withstand pathogens by means of physical barriers (presence of thick cuticular or trichome layers) and chemical ones, or through induced defenses that are activated once the host detects the presence of the pathogen, triggering the oxidative burst during the early hours of interaction. This burst entails the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide (O2ˉ), hydroxyl radical (OHˉ) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and the activation of genes involved in several metabolic pathways. The study of such mechanisms may allow detecting disease-resistant genetic materials, thus reducing the use of toxic products.

A Microbial Fuel Cell Anode Model Applying Irreversible Thermodynamiics

The electrical energy generation from biodegradable waste, has been gainingground due the growing demand of this resource and the environmental impactassociated. The latter creates a paradox, from one side we have the satisfaction of theenergy demand, in other hand we create a problem that in long term could be worst, forexample the contamination of the soil, air and water by the use of toxic products(petroleum, carbon, uranium, etc.) in order to satisfy the growing demand. In that way themicrobial fuel cells, try to solve both problems at the same time, generating electricalenergy by oxidation of waste water and treat it in the process, reducing the organicloading (8). However, this technology is far from be perfect, because of the low powergeneration, that is not near to satisfy the actual energy demand. This work is looking tomodel the anode of a MFC from thermodynamics of irreversible process theory thisbecause of the need to taking account the fluxes and forces behind the behavior showedby these devices that arise from the two thermodynamic laws, in order to theorize aboutthis phenomena and to define the most appropriate parameters that make possible anoptimal performance. The main goal of this work is to open a new methodology of designMFC to treat the water of streams in the metropolitan area of Medellin, emphasizing inthe improvement of the power level of the cell.

Guided group discussion and the reported use of toxic products: The persuasiveness of hearing others’ views

Guided group discussion ( Lewin, 1952; Werner, 2003; Werner & Adams, 2001) was used to persuade groups to replace their toxic home and garden chemicals with nontoxic alternatives. We hypothesized that discussion would allow participants to hear others endorse the new information, and this normative information would facilitate persuasion. Approximately two months after the group discussion, we obtained questionnaires from the organizer of the meeting and a member of the group who had missed the meeting because of another obligation (i.e., not because of disinterest in the topic). Most organizers were female and analyses were limited to females. This quasi-experimental matched control group design indicated that those who attended the meeting were more favorable towards using nontoxics and more interested in sharing leftover toxic products with friends (instead of discarding them). Path and mediation analyses showed that the organizer’s evaluation of the meeting predicted her final attitude, and perceptions that the group endorsed the material (perceived group norm) partially mediated this relationship. A second mediation analysis showed that evaluation of the meeting predicted intention to share leftover toxics and this relationship was fully mediated by the organizer’s impression that the group would also share leftovers. The results support the idea that persuasion is based both on individual evaluation and normative influence, especially when people are not confident others will accept the behavior, such as sharing leftover toxic products.

Peach orchard protection strategies and aphid communities: Towards an integrated agroecosystem approach

Aphid populations, including a widespread pest, Myzus persicae, are known to be affected by cultural practices, plant growth and natural regulation, but their control in orchards most frequently relies on regular treatments aiming to avoid direct damage and virus transmission. This study aimed first at characterising farmers’ management strategies towards aphids and, secondly evaluating them in terms of efficiency and impact on aphid natural enemies. Protection methods were first identified through semi-open interviews and peach orchard pesticide records from 19 organic and conventional fruit farms in south-eastern France. It appeared that in addition to the regular use of direct control, farmers also used cultural and/or alternative methods and various decision-making indicators to optimise their orchard crop protection. Comprehensive variables based on the technical guidelines of the IOBC (International Organisation for Biological and Integrated Control) for crop protection made it possible to differentiate four strategies: intensive, optimised, input-substitution and integrated. Visual monitoring of aphid infestations and of beneficial populations was performed at the plot level. Brachycaudus schwartzi and Myzus varians were the most frequently encountered aphid species but the structures of the communities were affected by protection strategies: the more integrated the strategy, the more diverse and abundant the aphids. The two most effective strategies were dominated by chemical treatments, whereas the other two, less detrimental to aphid antagonists, were mostly carried out by organic farmers. Variations in aphid communities were related to: (i) the use of toxic products, correlated with low-infestations and low-abundance and diversity of antagonists; (ii) alternative and cultural methods (such as mowed ground cover and manual pruning of infested branches, respectively) that promoted high populations of both guilds. Unexpectedly, the structures of these communities were not related to the number of treatments, management of tree vigour or of the surrounding environment. The four strategies identified can be further interpreted as steps towards a redesign of orchard protection where integrated organic farming would be the most advanced stage. However, the paradox between effective protection strategy and biodiversity conservation still remains, casting doubts on the agroecological concept of sustainability.

Biogeographical considerations of fish diversity in Bioko

The present study on the fish fauna of Bioko reports a total of 43 species of 21 families; 18 of which are new records for the island. Bioko's icthyofauna is made up of 17 freshwater and 26 saltwater and brackish water species. Freshwater fishes are primarily restricted to a narrow belt along the north and west of the island, similar to the adjacent volcanic region around Mount Cameroon. The rest of the island, however, is inhabited by salt tolerant fishes, as found in Sao Tome, Principe and Annobon. Fish communities also vary according to elevation since rivers on Bioko are characterized by steep gradients from source to sea. Pressures on Bioko's river systems are not alarmingly high but may increase in the future because of the use of toxic products (lime and insecticides) for fishing. There is no doubt that this is having a significant effect on northern and western rivers which are precisely the most species-rich. Aphyosemion oeseri, which is endemic to Bioko, and which has a distribution restricted to the small northern rivers is in great danger of extinction. P. monkei is in a similarly precarious situation, given that it is extremely rare and will probably disappear altogether in a few years from the island's rivers. Before the situation becomes irreversible urgent measures must be taken to improve matters through educational campaigns as well as through cleaning up heavily-polluted rivers and re-stocking them with fish species from neighbouring river basins.