Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in house dust in Central Poland

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as flame retardants in numerous products, from which they are emitted to the environment, including house dust. House dust is a source of human exposure to these compounds by ingestion. The aim of this article was to determine the levels of selected PBDEs in the house dust and indicate their potential sources of origin. PBDE congeners: BDE‐47, BDE‐99, BDE‐153 and BDE‐209, were analyzed in 129 samples. The geometric mean levels (and 95% CIs) of the aforementioned congeners amounted to 3.8 (3.1–4.7) ng/g, 4.5 (3.5–5.6) ng/g, 2.2 (2.1–2.4) ng/g and 345 (269–442) ng/g respectively. BDE‐209 was the dominant congener in the majority of tested samples. We found a statistically significant correlation between the concentrations of BDE‐47 and the computer operating time per day (r_s – 0.18) and the living area (r_s – 0.20). Statistically significant higher levels of BDE‐99 were found in homes where the floor was not replaced during the last 2 years.     

Associations between evaporative cooling and dust‐mite allergens,endotoxins, and β‐(1 → 3)‐d‐glucans in house dust: A study of low‐income homes

Recent work suggests that evaporative coolers increase the level and diversity of bioaerosols, but this association remains understudied in low‐income homes. We conducted a cross‐sectional study of metropolitan, low‐income homes in Utah with evaporative coolers (n = 20) and central air conditioners (n = 28). Dust samples (N = 147) were collected from four locations in each home and analyzed for dust‐mite allergens Der p1 and Der f1, endotoxins, and β‐(1 → 3)‐d ‐glucans. In all sample locations combined, Der p1 or Der f1 was significantly higher in evaporative cooler versus central air conditioning homes (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.05‐4.98). Endotoxin concentration was significantly higher in evaporative cooler versus central air conditioning homes in furniture (geometric mean (GM) = 8.05 vs 2.85 EU/mg, P < .01) and all samples combined (GM = 3.60 vs 1.29 EU/mg, P = .03). β‐(1 → 3)‐d ‐glucan concentration and surface loads were significantly higher in evaporative cooler versus central air conditioning homes in all four sample locations and all samples combined (P < .01). Our study suggests that low‐income, evaporative cooled homes have higher levels of immunologically important bioaerosols than central air‐conditioned homes in dry climates, warranting studies on health implications and other exposed populations.     

Preparation of Ca- Fe oxygen carrier using metallurgical dust

Chemical chain combustion technology is a new combustion technology that achieves efficient and low energy separation for CO2 capture. CaSO4- Fe2O3 oxygen carrier was prepared by sol- gel method from blast furnace slag containing iron, and X- ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X- ray (SEM- EDX) were used to characterize the oxygen carrier particles. The results show that the CaSO4- Fe2O3 oxygen carrier prepared from iron metallurgical dust has a mass fraction of 93. 58%, a specific surface area of 10. 37cm2/g and a conversion rate of 67. 47% after reaction?? with coal powder, which has good reactivity. Combined with SEM and EDS analysis, the main cause of the decrease of carrier activity is the accumulation of coal ash during the cycle combustion process, resulting in complex and diversified carrier components, chemical reactions and agglomeration effects, and then carrier activity is reduced.     

Gaseous reduction of ultrafine metallurgical dust in rotary furnace

A laboratory scale rotary furnace has been developed for gaseous reduction of ultrafine metallurgical dusts to produce iron, zinc and other metal resources at submelting point temperatures. The kinetics of this process is much higher than say static or moving bed systems. By way of example, using dust with 38%Fe and 10%Zn, a 17?min treatment at 900°C produces an iron product of ～92%Fe and a zinc product of ～86%Zn.     

散装预拌砂浆与传统自拌砂浆优缺点对比分析以及使用过程中需改进的几点意见

预拌砂浆作为一项绿色建材得到政府和社会的认同,预拌砂浆采用密闭容器进行运输和现场存储,以往施工现场砂浆搅拌过程中的扬尘满天飞情况可以基本杜绝,符合北京市地方标准绿色施工管理规程(DB11/513-2008)中"施工现场易飞扬细颗粒散体材料,应密闭存放"的规定。密封运输、密封储存,减少浪费,减少扬尘,真正做到文明施工;精确搅拌使用,施工质量容易控制;加快施工速度,节约成本。但是使用过程中还存在一些需改进的地方,文中详细介绍。     

利用矿山固体废物料固结矿区路面的试验研究

白云鄂博西矿铁矿尾矿泥和甩尾碎石是矿山选矿厂排放的主要固体废弃物。利用尾矿泥代替砂、甩尾碎石代替级配碎石，采用碾压混凝土工艺进行矿区路面修筑，是改善矿区运输道路路况，延长汽车使用寿命的根本性措施。试验取得了其最佳含水量和最大比重的指标，28 d抗压强度达到18 MPa以上。工业试验路面选择在矿区主运输坡道上，一共做了4块,路面总长66.5 m，宽9.0 m，面积约600 m2，用料量共计165 t。根据路面混凝土芯样强度试验结果,尾矿泥碾压混凝土平均强度在18 MPa以上。     

Seasonality of meningitis in Africa and climate forcing: aerosols stand out

Bacterial meningitis is an ongoing threat for the population of the African Meningitis Belt, a region characterized by the highest incidence rates worldwide. The determinants of the disease dynamics are still poorly understood; nevertheless, it is often advocated that climate and mineral dust have a large impact. Over the last decade, several studies have investigated this relationship at a large scale. In this analysis, we scaled down to the district-level weekly scale (which is used for in-year response to emerging epidemics), and used wavelet and phase analysis methods to define and compare the time-varying periodicities of meningitis, climate and dust in Niger. We mostly focused on detecting time-lags between the signals that were consistent across districts. Results highlighted the special case of dust in comparison to wind, humidity or temperature: a strong similarity between districts is noticed in the evolution of the time-lags between the seasonal component of dust and meningitis. This result, together with the assumption of dust damaging the pharyngeal mucosa and easing bacterial invasion, reinforces our confidence in dust forcing on meningitis seasonality. Dust data should now be integrated in epidemiological and forecasting models to make them more realistic and usable in a public health perspective.     

Phosphorus flame retardants in indoor dust and their relation to asthma and allergies of inhabitants

Organophosphate esters are used as additives in flame retardants and plasticizers, and they are ubiquitous in the indoor environment. Phosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) are present in residential dust, but few epidemiological studies have assessed their impact on human health. We measured the levels of 11 PFRs in indoor floor dust and multi‐surface dust in 182 single‐family dwellings in Japan. We evaluated their correlations with asthma and allergies of the inhabitants. Tris(2‐butoxyethyl) phosphate was detected in all samples (median value: 580 μg/g in floor dust, 111 μg/g in multi‐surface dust). Tris(2‐chloro‐iso‐propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) was detected at 8.69 μg/g in floor dust and 25.8 μg/g in multi‐surface dust. After adjustment for potential confounders, significant associations were found between the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and the presence of TCIPP and tris(1,3‐dichloro‐2‐propyl) phosphate in floor dust [per log₁₀‐unit, odds ratio (OR): 2.43 and 1.84, respectively]. Tributyl phosphate was significantly associated with the prevalence of asthma (OR: 2.85 in floor dust, 5.34 in multi‐surface dust) and allergic rhinitis (OR: 2.55 in multi‐surface dust). PFR levels in Japan were high compared with values reported previously for Europe, Asia‐Pacific, and the USA. Higher levels of PFRs in house dust were related to the inhabitants' health status.     

金凤煤矿泡沫除尘技术研究及应用

针对金凤煤矿12煤煤层厚度较薄,开采时产生大量粉尘的问题,采用泡沫除尘技术降低粉尘浓度。通过对泡沫降尘技术的机理进行分析,并结合该技术在金凤煤矿12煤实际应用情况,得出:采用泡沫除尘技术大大降低了工作面掘进时产生的粉尘,取得了非常好的除尘效果,明显改善了井下的生产作业环境。     

Influence of temperature and application rate on efficacy of a diatomaceous earth formulation against Tribolium castaneum adults

Unsanitary storage bins can harbor grain-infesting insects, including the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). In a previous study involving heat treatment of empty bins, temperatures in the range of 50–55 °C for 2–4 h were effective in completely killing stored-product insects. Previous research in flour mills showed improved efficacy in killing stored-product insects by using diatomaceous earth (DE) dusts at temperatures below 50 °C. In the current study, the efficacy of a diatomaceous earth formulation (DiaFil^® 610) applied to concrete arenas, to simulate floor of empty bins, was examined at three application rates (0, 2.5 and 5.0 g/m²) to control T. castaneum adults at five constant temperatures (28, 36, 42, 44, and 46 °C). Ten adults of T. castaneum were placed on individual untreated and DE-treated concrete arenas for 4, 8, 12, and 24 h at each of the five temperatures. The efficacy of DE against T. castaneum adults increased with an increase in temperature and exposure time. Generally more adults died at 5.0 g/m² when compared with 2.5 g/m². In 2.5 and 5.0 g/m² DE treatments, exposure for 12 h at a temperature of 42 °C resulted in 73–77% mortality of adults with 100% mortality observed after 24 h. At 44 and 46 °C, 100% mortality of adults was observed after 24 h of exposure at both DE rates. At these two temperatures, the high mortality in untreated arenas (controls) at 8, 12, and 24 h exposures ranged from 27 to 100% confounding the true effects of DE. Our results suggest that combined use of DE and temperatures below 50 °C can be used as an integrated approach for controlling insects in empty bins prior to storage of newly-harvested grain.