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Chronic respiratory symptoms are a health concern in the paper industry. This study evaluates the association between personal inhalable paper dust exposure and chronic respiratory symptoms among workers in this industry. In total, 270 workers from the paper industry and 267 from a water bottling factory participated. Chronic respiratory symptoms were assessed using a standardized questionnaire, modified from the American Thoracic Society. A job exposure matrix, based on cross-sectional personal measurements of inhalable paper dust, was used to estimate the exposure-response relationship between cumulative dust exposure and chronic respiratory symptoms. There was a higher prevalence of chronic coughs (27.4% vs. 7.5%), breathlessness (25.6% vs. 11%), coughs with sputum (21.1% vs. 1.1%), and wheezing (25.6% vs. 5%) among paper workers compared to those in the water bottling industry. A Poisson regression analysis revealed that the prevalence ratios for chronic coughs (APR = 3.3 and 95% CI: 2.0-5.4), breathlessness (APR = 2.2 and 95% CI: 1.4-3.4), and wheezing (APR = 4.3 and 95% CI: 2.3-7.7) were significantly higher in paper workers than in water bottling workers. Among paper workers, a significant exposure-response relationship was observed between cumulative dust exposure and chronic coughs after adjusting for age, sex, history of respiratory illnesses, work in other dusty industries, and use of biofuels. As there were only four ever-smokers, smoking was not included in the regression analysis. The results show a significant association between dust exposure and coughing, highlighting the need for control measures to prevent the development of respiratory symptoms among workers.

Background: Total paper dust exposure has been associated with respiratory problems among workers in the soft tissue paper industry. However, a comprehensive job exposure matrix (JEM) has not been developed for application to this industry. Our study was intended to address this need and to support further studies of mortality and morbidity in a cohort of Swedish workers from this industry., Methods: We evaluated four participating soft tissue paper mills in Sweden. We combined information on process and equipment status from the mills with knowledge of the mills obtained through research efforts and paper dust measurements made at all four mills to develop a semi-quantitative JEM with seven dust exposure levels. The JEM was targeted at workers enrolled into a soft tissue paper mill cohort and working any time between 1960 and 2009., Results: The JEM includes a total of 14 421 cells, with each cell corresponding to the exposure for a job title, department, or work location for a one-year period. Exposure levels in the JEM were estimated to decline at three of the four mills from 1971 to 2009, but overexposures (ie, exceedances of the relevant occupational exposure limits) remained common at the end of the period., Conclusions: The JEM results highlight the need for ongoing exposure control efforts in the soft tissue paper industry, and will inform ongoing epidemiological studies of the health effects of exposure to paper dust in Sweden. It is freely available for use by other researchers., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Purpose: To study respiratory effects of exposure to soft paper dust exposure, a relationship that is rarely studied., Methods: Soft tissue paper mill workers at a Swedish paper mill were investigated using a questionnaire and lung function and atopy screening. Spirometry without bronchodilation was performed with a dry wedge spirometer, and forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) were obtained and expressed as percent predicted. Exposure to soft paper dust was assessed from historical stationary and personal measurements of total dust, in addition to historical information about the work, department, and production. The impact of high exposure to soft paper dust (> 5 mg/m 3 ) vs. lower exposure ≤ 5 mg/m 3 , as well as cumulative exposure, was analyzed using multiple linear regression models. Multivariate models were adjusted for smoking, atopy, gender, and body mass index., Results: One hundred ninety-eight current workers (124 male and 74 female) were included. There were significant associations between both cumulative exposure and years of high exposure to soft paper dust and impaired lung function. Each year of high exposure to soft paper dust was associated with a 0.87% decrease in FEV 1 [95% confidence interval (CI) - 1.39 to - 0.35] and decreased FVC (- 0.54%, 95% CI - 1.00 to - 0.08) compared to the lower exposed workers., Conclusions: The present study shows that occupational exposure to soft paper dust (years exceeding 5 mg/m 3 total dust) is associated with lung function impairment and increased prevalence of obstructive lung function impairment.

Objectives: Occupational exposure to soft paper dust is associated with impaired lung function. Whether there is an increased risk for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unclear., Methods: We studied 7870 workers from three Swedish soft paper mills, and defined high-exposed workers, as having been exposed to soft paper dust exceeding 5 mg/m 3 for at least 5 years. The remaining workers were classified as 'low exposed'. Person-years at risk were calculated and stratified according to gender, age and calendar-year. The follow-up time was from 1960 to 2013. The expected numbers of deaths were calculated using the Swedish population as reference and standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) with 95% CIs were assessed., Results: There was an increased mortality due to obstructive lung disease (asthma and COPD), among high-exposed workers, SMR 1.89, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.83, based on 23 observed cases. High-exposed workers had an increased mortality from asthma, SMR 4.13, 95% CI 1.78 to 8.14, based on eight observed cases. The increased asthma mortality was also observed among high-exposed men, SMR 4.38, 95% CI 1.42 to 10.2, based on five observed cases. The asthma mortality among low-exposed workers, both men and women, was not increased. The COPD mortality was not clearly increased among high-exposed workers (SMR 1.52, 95% CI 0.85 to 2.50)., Conclusion: High occupational exposure to soft paper dust increases the mortality due to asthma, and the results suggest that soft paper dust levels in workplaces should be below 5 mg/m 3 ., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

In the engine of heavy trucks, the built-in fuel filter assumes the role of "lungs". The core of the filter, namely the fuel filter paper, acts as a filter for small impurities and separates oil and water. In order to be able to separate minute impurities from the fuel, in this study, we prepared a novel fuel oil filter paper with high efficiency and high dust holding capacity based on wet-laid forming by laminating PBT/PP two-component melt-blown nonwoven material and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)-doped cellulose wood fiber pulp with the fiber mesh combination forming technology. The effects of the CNC mixing ratio, surface density of melt-blown nonwoven material layer, surface density of cellulose wood pulp paper layer and calendaring pressure on the pore size and filtration performance of the composite samples were investigated, and the filtration efficiency of the composite samples on the tiny impurities in the fuel were also studied. The results showed that the novel composite fuel filter paper material prepared by the combined forming technology of fibrous web had high filtration efficiency and dust holding capacity, and the filtration efficiency of the composite samples could respectively reach 99.90% and 99.52% for particles larger than 14 μm and 4 μm in diameter in the fuel. At the same time, the dust holding capacity of the composite sample can reach up to 27.63 mgcm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins and is used in a variety of commercial and consumer products. The leaching of BPA can result in human exposure via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal routes. As a result, humans have been exposed in their home and work environment to BPA. Conventional methods for BPA exposure assessment rely on cumbersome laboratory instrumentation with high capital and operational expenditures which limit the number of samples that can be analyzed. We report here the design of a compact portable colorimetric paper-based biosensing device with integrated sampling/analysis units for field-based measurements of BPA in indoor dust. The system employs interchangeable low-cost paper-based enzyme sensors as a test zone for BPA detection interfaced with an air-sampling cassette as a sample collection area. The sensor response was concentration-dependent with a detection limit of 0.28 μg/g. The sensor was validated with the conventional gas chromatography method and used to detect BPA exposure in household dust. BPA concentrations ranged from 0.05 to 3.87 μg/g in 57 household dust samples when both methods were used. The potential of this method for field measurements of dust samples is discussed.

Objective: To elucidate whether occupational noise exposure increases the mortality from ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke, and if exposure to paper dust modified the risks. Methods: We studied 6686 workers from soft paper mills, with occupational noise exposure, < 85 dBA, 85–90 dBA and > 90 dBA, and high (> 5 mg/m3) exposure to paper dust. Person-years 1960–2019 were stratified according to gender, age, and calendar-year. Expected numbers of deaths were calculated using the Swedish population as the reference and standardized mortality ratios (SMR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were assessed. Results: SMR for IHD was 1.12 (95% CI 0.88–1.41) for noise < 85 dBA, 1.18 (95% CI 0.90–1.55) for 85–90 dBA, and 1.27 (95% CI 1.10–1.47) among workers exposed > 90 dBA. Joint exposure to high noise exposure and high exposure to paper dust resulted in slightly higher IHD mortality (SMR 1.39, 95% CI 1.15–1.67). SMR for ischemic stroke was 0.90 (95% CI 0.37–2.15) for noise < 85 dBA, 1.08 (95% CI 0.45–2.59) for 85–90 dBA, and 1.48 (95% CI 0.99–2.00) among workers exposed > 90 dBA. High noise exposure and high exposure to paper dust resulted in higher ischemic stroke mortality (SMR 1.83, 95% CI 1.12–2.98). Conclusion: Noise levels > 90 dBA was associated with increased IHD mortality. Combined exposures of noise and paper dust may further increase the risks. Our results do not provide support for a causal relationship for ischemic stroke. Residual confounding from smoking has to be considered. Workers need to be protected from occupational noise levels exceeding 90 dBA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Workers in pulp and paper factories are continuously exposed to paper dust. Excessive exposure to paper dust can cause respiratory disease. Information about the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and dust exposure levels among workers in pulp and paper factories is not available in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess personal total dust exposure levels, the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and their associated risk factors among workers in Ethiopian pulp and paper factories. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 40 dust measurements were carried out on 20 randomly selected workers. To assess chronic respiratory symptoms and associated factors, 434 workers from two paper factories and controls were interviewed using a standard questionnaire adapted from the American Thoracic Society (ATS). Gravimetric analyses of the filters were undertaken using a standard microbalance. Poisson regression was performed for comparing the prevalence of symptoms and risk factors for the two groups. Multivariable analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with chronic respiratory symptoms. Result: The arithmetic mean (AM) and geometric mean (GM) of dust exposure levels among the paper factories workers were 11.3 (± 7.7) and 10.2 (± 1.4) mg/m3 respectively. This exposure level exceeded the threshold limit value recommended for total dust (10 mg/m3). The prevalence of having at least one chronic respiratory symptom was about 51% among the workers in paper factories. The prevalence ratio of having chronic respiratory symptoms among paper factory workers was 5.6 times higher (PR = 6, 95% CI 3.5–10.3) than in the controls. Chronic respiratory symptoms were significantly associated with factors such as an educational status of less than grade 9, being employed in the work sections of the factories, having work experience of 5 years and above, working more than 8 h per day and having a past history of occupation and respiratory illnesses. Conclusion: The dust concentration in the paper factories exceeded the acceptable recommended limit value of 10 mg/m3. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among paper factory workers was higher than among controls. The main determining factors for chronic respiratory symptoms among the workers were the specific work section such as production section, low income, having past history of respiratory illnesses, the number of years of working and low educational status. This finding indicated the need for improving the working conditions in paper factories in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Excessive paper dust during paper production may harm the workers’ respiratory health. We wanted to assess the inhalable paper dust levels and its determinants among paper industry workers.A study was conducted in Ethiopia to assess the level of personal inhalable paper dust exposure among four paper mills. A total of 150 samples were collected using the IOM sampler attached to Side Kick Casella pumps at a flow rate of 2 L/min. The samples were analyzed in Nemko Norlab, Norway. Linear mixed-effect models were applied to identify determinants of inhalable paper dust.The geometric mean of personal inhalable paper dust was 3.3 mg/m3 with 80% of the measurements exceeding the Swedish occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 2 mg/m3. The linear mixed-effects model showed that the level of dust was 28% higher when using high-speed than when using low-speed rewinding machines, while paper mills with an average of more than four machines per job group had 22% higher exposure than paper mills with a lower number of machines. Furthermore, working in packing and preparation was associated with higher dust exposure than in other areas.The dust exposure levels were above the Swedish OEL for 80% of the samples. This indicates that preventive measures should be established in the industry. The exposure model identified high-speed rewinding machines, a high number of machines, and work in preparation and packing as associated with high levels of paper dust exposure.Methods: Excessive paper dust during paper production may harm the workers’ respiratory health. We wanted to assess the inhalable paper dust levels and its determinants among paper industry workers.A study was conducted in Ethiopia to assess the level of personal inhalable paper dust exposure among four paper mills. A total of 150 samples were collected using the IOM sampler attached to Side Kick Casella pumps at a flow rate of 2 L/min. The samples were analyzed in Nemko Norlab, Norway. Linear mixed-effect models were applied to identify determinants of inhalable paper dust.The geometric mean of personal inhalable paper dust was 3.3 mg/m3 with 80% of the measurements exceeding the Swedish occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 2 mg/m3. The linear mixed-effects model showed that the level of dust was 28% higher when using high-speed than when using low-speed rewinding machines, while paper mills with an average of more than four machines per job group had 22% higher exposure than paper mills with a lower number of machines. Furthermore, working in packing and preparation was associated with higher dust exposure than in other areas.The dust exposure levels were above the Swedish OEL for 80% of the samples. This indicates that preventive measures should be established in the industry. The exposure model identified high-speed rewinding machines, a high number of machines, and work in preparation and packing as associated with high levels of paper dust exposure.Results: Excessive paper dust during paper production may harm the workers’ respiratory health. We wanted to assess the inhalable paper dust levels and its determinants among paper industry workers.A study was conducted in Ethiopia to assess the level of personal inhalable paper dust exposure among four paper mills. A total of 150 samples were collected using the IOM sampler attached to Side Kick Casella pumps at a flow rate of 2 L/min. The samples were analyzed in Nemko Norlab, Norway. Linear mixed-effect models were applied to identify determinants of inhalable paper dust.The geometric mean of personal inhalable paper dust was 3.3 mg/m3 with 80% of the measurements exceeding the Swedish occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 2 mg/m3. The linear mixed-effects model showed that the level of dust was 28% higher when using high-speed than when using low-speed rewinding machines, while paper mills with an average of more than four machines per job group had 22% higher exposure than paper mills with a lower number of machines. Furthermore, working in packing and preparation was associated with higher dust exposure than in other areas.The dust exposure levels were above the Swedish OEL for 80% of the samples. This indicates that preventive measures should be established in the industry. The exposure model identified high-speed rewinding machines, a high number of machines, and work in preparation and packing as associated with high levels of paper dust exposure.Conclusions: Excessive paper dust during paper production may harm the workers’ respiratory health. We wanted to assess the inhalable paper dust levels and its determinants among paper industry workers.A study was conducted in Ethiopia to assess the level of personal inhalable paper dust exposure among four paper mills. A total of 150 samples were collected using the IOM sampler attached to Side Kick Casella pumps at a flow rate of 2 L/min. The samples were analyzed in Nemko Norlab, Norway. Linear mixed-effect models were applied to identify determinants of inhalable paper dust.The geometric mean of personal inhalable paper dust was 3.3 mg/m3 with 80% of the measurements exceeding the Swedish occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 2 mg/m3. The linear mixed-effects model showed that the level of dust was 28% higher when using high-speed than when using low-speed rewinding machines, while paper mills with an average of more than four machines per job group had 22% higher exposure than paper mills with a lower number of machines. Furthermore, working in packing and preparation was associated with higher dust exposure than in other areas.The dust exposure levels were above the Swedish OEL for 80% of the samples. This indicates that preventive measures should be established in the industry. The exposure model identified high-speed rewinding machines, a high number of machines, and work in preparation and packing as associated with high levels of paper dust exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades the Global South is witnessing unprecedented economic transformation and Asian Cities in particular have a remarkable upsurge. Coimbatore, an industrial city in Southern India with an estimated population of 2 million (in 2022) is witnessing a rapid transition in terms of infrastructure development. In this context, the present study attempts to assess the particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) emissions at road network construction sites and the heavy metal fractionation in the road dust/sediment samples with a core focus to quantify the bioavailable fraction of metals (Fe, Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb and Ni) and its source apportionment in the road side dust/sediment samples. About 60 composite road dust/sediment samples were collected for heavy metal fractionation analysis in the six arterial roads that undergo core developments like construction of road over bridges, additional road incorporation and street expansions. PM monitoring revealed that 24 h average PM 2.5 (47 µg/m 3 ) and PM 10 (69 µg/m 3 ) concentrations at many construction sites exceeded 24 h average recommended by WHO guidelines [PM 2.5 (15 µg/m 3 ) and PM 10 (45 µg/m 3 ), respectively]. The bioavailable fractions of Fe, Cu, Cr and Cd are notably higher in the roadside sediment samples at road construction sites. Health Risk assessment, such as carcinogenic risks (Children-4.41 × 10 -2 , Adult-3.598 × 10 -6 ) and non-carcinogenic risks, inferred substantial risks at high intensity construction sites with statistical analyses, including PCA and cluster analysis, indicating considerable anthropogenic influences in the heavy metal fractions., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Addressing solid waste recycling, this study aims to develop biodegradable kraft paper from buffing dust (BD) and post‐consumed jute fiber (JF). Employing a simple solution casting method with a polyurethane binder, the kraft paper was fabricated and characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, OTR, biodegradability, and tensile tests. The findings revealed covalent and hydrogen bonding between BD and JF, forming a uniform surface. Notably, the composite exhibited improved thermal stability, enhanced gas barrier properties, and biodegradability compared to individual components. Furthermore, the composite also showed 57% higher tensile strength, 38% greater elongation, 20% increased hardness, and 9% higher density compared to buffing dust. Compared to jute fiber, the increases were 125%, 91%, 30%, and 19% respectively. Moreover, the composite excelled in gas barrier performance, surpassing BD and JF by a remarkable 61% and 73% increase respectively. These significant findings underscore the vast potential of the composite kraft paper as a versatile material suitable for various applications, including packaging, interior furnishing industries, and reinforcing elements in the footwear industry. By addressing waste management and promoting sustainability, this research contributes to the development of eco‐friendly materials that align with contemporary environmental concerns. Highlights: Covalent and hydrogen bonding enhance uniformity.Biodegradable kraft paper with improved properties.Impressive tensile strength, elongation, and hardness.Versatile material for eco‐friendly applications.Promotes sustainability and waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Pulp & Paper is the property of China Pulp & Paper Magazines Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The leather sector is currently under heavy threat to reduce environmental pollution problems associated with the generation of leather waste, especially in terms of public acceptance issues related to environmental welfare requirements. Leather waste must be disposed of in landfills, which has a significant environmental impact. The development of natural polymer/paper mill sludge-based leather replacements for the production of leather goods and footwear products is an alternative solution supported by the recycled leather industry. In this work, a study is carried out to prepare natural polymer leather sheet (NPLS) from leather waste (chrome shavings and buffing dust), paper mill sludge, and natural polymer [natural rubber latex (NRL)] by vacuum-pressure method, for their potential application in leather products industries. The NPLS was characterized by its physicochemical and mechanical properties. Various types of NPLS were produced by comprising different ratios of the NRL. Results portrayed that 300 mL w/v NRL significantly improved the physicochemical and mechanical properties of NPLS. Hence, the research has revealed a revolutionary idea of NPLS developed which is cost-effective, eco-friendly, and energy efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Especially in the field of paper and print post-processing on an industrial scale, continuous cutting operations generate paper dust. Despite preventive measures like dedusting units, a high paper web velocity induces the release of particulate dust. As a result, the particles settle and accumulate on machine components and in the surrounding area. Resuspended particles around a potential ignition source represent a fire hazard. The prevention of such fire incidents requires frequent servicing and maintenance. However, the shutdown time on industrial scale applications remains cost-intensive. In this research, a cutting plotter executes reproducible knife edge cutting sequences to identify significant parameters affecting the paper dust formation on a macro and micro scale. For this purpose, an extraction system collects the exposed particles along the cutting line. The applied methods include gravimetric determination of the dust mass and dynamic image analysis to characterise particle size and shape. Final results indicate a significant influence of the blade wear condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dust poses environmental, geological, health, and economic concerns, and microorganisms can help mitigate these adverse consequences by improving soil properties. Microbial calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) has been found to be an efficient strategy for increasing soil strength, reducing soil porosity, and preventing erosion; however, severe environmental conditions such as pH and high temperatures may impede this process. To identify the best strain for MICP, 60 bacteria strains were obtained from arid soils using the enrichment culture technique. They were tested for the capacity of calcium carbonate deposition and biocement synthesis in stress environments. Phenotypic characterization indicated that the majority of the bacterial isolates were gram-positive and rod-shaped, with strong catalase and oxidase enzyme activity. Furthermore, MALDI-TOF MS identification revealed that the isolates were from the Bacillus and Pseudomonas genera. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze the microstructures and composition of bacterial cement. The results represented that B. subtilis isolate S56 has a higher production yield and forms distinctive calcite crystals as a result of fast urease synthesis. B. subtilis isolate S56 can be applied in situ to reduce soil erosion and dust pollution. This study reveals the potential of the B. subtilis S56 strain for soil consolidation and dust prevention in harsh environments and has the prospect of promoting its application in desertification control and ecological restoration., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Air filters are placed upstream of internal combustion engines to remove dust particles in the suction air. In this article, we examine the acoustic characterization of an air-filtering unit in the absence of mean flow. For this purpose, a circular air-filtering unit with an axial inlet and side outlet widely used in the automobile industry is considered. The air-filter element is modeled as an equivalent acoustic fluid with finite flow resistivity. The flow resistivity of the region is estimated from the permeability of the filter paper and the geometrical arrangement of the paper folds (pleats) inside the air-filter element using an electrical analogy. A numerical model based on the finite element method (FEM) and an analytical model using classical one-dimensional plane wave analysis (1-D PWA) was developed. Experiments were carried out using an impedance tube to estimate transmission loss. A good correlation is observed between the FEM model and the experiments. The results obtained from the 1-D PWA are in reasonable agreement with those obtained from the other two methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorides are emitted in both gaseous and particle forms in the industrial sector. However, studies usually only report total fluoride content. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the particulate, gaseous fluoride and correlate it with the respirable dust particles in Single Super Phosphate (SSP), Granular Single Super Phosphate (GSSP), and administration divisions of the industry. Respirable dust particles, particulate fluoride, and hydrogen fluoride in the work environment were collected on a filter cassette containing an MCE filter paper (0.8 micron 37-mm) and Na2CO3 impregnated backup pad, respectively, using a personal sampler. The fluoride samples were analyzed using Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) and expressed as milligrams per meter cube (mg.m-3). The respirable dust, particulate, and gaseous fluoride content were found to have statistically significant differences (p<0.001) between the divisions (SSP, GSSP, and administration) in the static monitoring, whereas, in the case of personal monitoring, no significant differences were observed. Average airborne respirable, particulate, and gaseous fluoride levels in static monitoring were 1.37, 1.03, 0.20 mg.m-3, 0.018, 0.008, 0.001 mg.m-3, and 0.808, 0.403, 0.026 ppm in SSP, GSSP and administration respectively, whereas in personal monitoring the average respirable, particulate and gaseous fluoride concentrations were 1.18, 0.85, 0.30 mg.m-3, 0.0013, 0.007, 0.002 mg.m-3 and 0.356, 0.258, 0.011 ppm in SSP, GSSP and administration respectively. The present study observed that the levels of fluoride decreased with an increase in distance from SSP, followed by GSSP and administration. It indicates that the fluoride exposure was inversely proportional to the distance of the source. This study outcome will help to design a policy and intervention to mitigate fluoride exposure among workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Pulp & Paper is the property of China Pulp & Paper Magazines Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Leaking manhole covers add inflow to sanitary sewer systems. These are the most accessible components of the sewer system, and so potentially the cheapest to repair or modify, to reduce inflow. There is, however, very little data regarding manhole cover leakage available to evaluate the cost-benefit of such an approach, and there is no field data. So, a multi-year field study of inflow was conducted. Two-hundred and fifty manholes in New York City and surrounding towns were tested. A key field observation in this study was that a dust and grit seal typically built up between the cover and the rim. This seal had a big impact on leakage rates. This made testing in-situ a necessity, and the test method had to preserve this seal. Due to the presence of the dust and grit seal, approximately 80% of the manholes tested showed no leakage. A further 15% had slow leaks. Only 5% had significant leaks., Competing Interests: The authors declare there is no conflict., (© 2024 The Author This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence (CC BY 4.0), which permits copying, adaptation and redistribution, provided the original work is properly cited (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

Solar cells are considered one of the most important and widespread solar applications in the world. However, the performance of the PV modules is significantly affected by the dust in the air. This paper, therefore, presents a comparison of an outdoor experimental study of dust effect on monocrystalline, and polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) modules. For analysis, four 100 W PVs were installed horizontally in Sohar, Oman. For each pair of PV modules, one was left dusty due to environmental impact, and the second was cleaned daily. PV performance and environmental parameter measurements were conducted every 30 min for 35 days. The effects of dust on current, voltage, power, and energy were discussed in terms of time and normalized values. Also, cleaning methods were tested to determine the optimum one. It is found that power degradation of monocrystalline (20%) is higher compared with polycrystalline (12%) due to dust accumulation. For monocrystalline, the current, voltage, and power losses ranged between 10.0-24.0%, 2.0-3.5%, and 14.0-31.0%, respectively. However, for polycrystalline, the degradation rates were 16.88-27.92%, 0.455-0.455%, and 17.14-28.1% for current, voltage, and power losses after exposure to outdoor conditions for the same period, respectively. The dust accumulation on the PV surface found after 5 weeks is 0.493 mg/cm 2 , which can be considered the lowest accumulation rate compared to other Gulf countries, but which, however, leads to less energy degradation as well. It is found that water is sufficient to clean PV in the study area. However, sodium detergent as a cleaner introduced better results compared to water, especially when there is high pollution in the location., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

In this work, the performance of residual iron dust (RID) from metallurgic industry was assessed as Fenton catalyst for the treatment of real pulp bleaching wastewater. The focus was on the removal of recalcitrant pollutants AOX (adsorbable organic halides), by a novel, cleaner, and cost-effective circular solution based on a waste-derived catalyst. The behaviour of RID as iron source was firstly assessed by performing leaching tests at different RID:wastewater w/v ratios and contact time. Afterwards, RID-catalysed homogeneous and heterogeneous Fenton processes were conducted to maximise AOX removal from the pulp bleaching wastewater. Reusability of RID was assessed by a simple collect-and-reuse methodology, without any modification. Similar AOX removal under less consumption of chemicals was achieved with the novel heterogeneous Fenton process. Reaction in the bulk solution was the main pathway of AOX removal, given that the low surface area and porosity of the material did not allow for a high contribution of surface reaction to the overall performance. Moreover, AOX removal was similar over two consecutive treatment cycles, with Fenton process being responsible for 56.7–62.1% removal of AOX from the wastewater, and the leaching step adding 11.4–13.2%. At the end of treatment, COD either decreased (1st cycle) or remained unchanged (2nd and 3rd cycle). The operating cost of the optimised heterogeneous Fenton was 3–11% lower than under conventional Fenton process. This work presented a novel, circular solution based on a low-cost waste-derived catalyst, advancing the knowledge needed to foster industrial application of such technologies to increase industrial environmental performance and efficiency. [Display omitted] • Residual iron dust successfully catalysed Fenton process, acting mainly as iron supplier. • Catalyst performance in removing AOX was maintained over consecutive treatment cycles. • The catalyst was successfully reused without any modification or regeneration. • Operating cost of the heterogeneous Fenton was 3–11% lower than conventional Fenton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ZIF-67 particles can be evenly distributed and tightly attached to the cellulose paper substrate. • Mild synthesis conditions combined with papermaking processes are suitable for mass production. • The composite filter has a hierarchical porous structure with a large specific surface area. • The optimum sample exhibited removal efficiencies of 98.52% for PM 2.5 and 99.00% for PM 10. • Composite papers possessed excellent mechanical properties and reusability. The combination of functional zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) with suitable substrates is promising for the preparation of advanced filtering materials. In this study, the bleached kraft softwood pulp (NBKP) was composited with ZIF-67 particles via an in situ growth method to fabricate functional paper. Enabled by the traditional papermaking process, ZIF-67 crystals were uniformly and tightly anchored on cellulosic fibers in a facile and economic way. The introduction of ZIF-67 boosted the mechanical performances of the composite paper owing to the presence of electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds. Meanwhile, the resultant paper presents hierarchical porous structure with a large specific surface area of 327.07 m2·g−1. The filters with hierarchical pore structure will provide a complex tortuous channel for passing particulates, which can increase the frequency of effective collision between filters and particulates. Air filtering tests demonstrated that the ZIF-67 entrapped paper has superior particle removal efficiency with a low pressure drop and a large dust holding capacity. The optimal ZP-3 sample displayed removal efficiencies of 98.52 % for PM 2.5 and 99.00 % for PM 10. Meanwhile, filtration quality factors were calculated to be 0.15 (PM 2.5) and 0.17 (PM 10), respectively. The filter also has good antibacterial activity. In addition, ZP-x composite paper is easy to regenerate and possesses good reusability. The high-efficient ZP-x filter will have potential applications in fields of air purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Paper dust has previously been linked to adverse health effects. However, a comprehensive dataset of paper dust exposures does not appear to have been published previously. Our study was intended to address this need by describing a large dataset of measurements made in Swedish soft tissue paper mills. Methods We compiled personal and area total dust exposure measurements collected from a range of operations by our research staff at four soft tissue paper mills in Sweden. We also compiled measurements made by the occupational health staff at each mill and the Swedish Work Environment Authority. We analyzed these measurements to describe patterns and trends in exposures and used mixed-effects regression models to identify measurement characteristics that predicted exposure levels. Results We compiled 1578 measurements from 1971 to 2009, of which 1026 (65%) were personal samples. Statistically significant differences were found between measurements made by research, mill, and Swedish Work Environment Authority staff, as well as between personal and area measurements. The measurement data suggest that, beginning in the 1980s, exposures declined at three of the four mills, but that overexposures were still common at the end of the period. Papermaking and converting operations had the highest observed dust exposures. One mill had significantly lower exposures than the others. Type of measurement (personal versus area) and source of measurement (research staff, company, or regulatory agency) were not significant predictors of measured total dust exposure after controlling for mill, operation, and time. Conclusions Our analysis of measured paper dust exposures may be useful for historical and contemporary exposure assessment in our own and other epidemiological studies. We have identified specific characteristics (i.e. papermaking operations and mill) and time trends that are important data features to consider, and documented continuing overexposure situations. Our results highlight the ongoing need for application of exposure controls to reduce paper dust exposures in the soft tissue paper industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cremation is commonly practiced around the world because it requires small space for the disposal of ashes. Among various options for ash disposal, many people choose to scatter the ashes of their loved ones in a scattering garden. What are the impacts of ash scattering on the vegetation of the garden? Is scattering garden a sustainable solution to the disposal of cremated ashes? This study aimed at answering these questions by characterizing and assessing the vegetation performance of a scattering garden using remote sensing techniques and field measurements. The results indicated that, overall, approximately half of vegetation was degraded to either unhealthy or bare soil. The area of bare soil in the lawns of high scattering level was larger than that of low scattering level. Furthermore, the belowground biomass of vegetation in the lawns of high scattering level was significantly lower than that of low scattering level. It is concluded that the current practice of ash scattering in Hong Kong was not sustainable and the intensity of impacts was dependent upon the level of ash scattering. The findings of this study may provide a reference for the policy and management of ash scattering in Hong Kong and other cities around the world., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Copyright of China Pulp & Paper is the property of China Pulp & Paper Magazines Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The material most commonly used to filter and clean the intake air of vehicle internal combustion engines is pleated filter paper, which in most cases is shaped in the form of a cylinder or panel. The production technology has a low cost and is not complicated. In addition to high separation efficiency and filtration performance, pleated filter media are required to have low initial pressure drop, which depends on the geometry of the bed. Much research has been conducted in this area. Dust accumulated in the filter bed causes an increase in pressure drop, which is the cause of deformation and sticking of pleats. The lack of stability of the pleats, the need to strengthen them, and the need to obtain small sizes while achieving high efficiency and accuracy of filtration of engine intake air was the reason for the development of a different design and a new technology for making filter cartridges called PowerCore. The distinctive feature of these filters is axial flow in one direction of the air stream, which avoids turbulence and thus minimizes pressure drop. This paper presents a comparative analysis of a standard PowerCore and PowerCore G2 filter bed and two cylindrical filters with a pleated filter bed made of cellulose and polyester. The conditions and methodology of experimental testing of filters with test dust are presented. During the tests, the characteristics of separation efficiency and filtration performance, as well as pressure drop as a function of the mass of dust retained on the filter of two PowerCore filters and two cylindrical filters were performed. Three specimens of test filters with the same filtration area were made from each sample of filter bed. The results showed that in each test of the filter bed, there is an initial filtration period characterized by low (96–98%) initial separation efficiency and the presence of large (dpmax) dust grains. As the dust loading of the bed increases, the separation efficiency and filtration performance obtain higher and higher values. The initial period of filtration ends when the conventional value (99.9%) of separation efficiency is reached. The duration of this period depends on the type of filter bed and for the PowerCore G2 filter ends for a dust loading of km = 33.1 g/m2, and for the cellulose filter for km = 117.3 g/m2. During the initial period, the air behind the PowerCore G2 filter contains grains with sizes in the range of dpmax = 9–16 µm. Behind the cellulose filter, dust grains are much larger, dpmax = 17–35 µm. The total operating time of the PowerCore G2 filter, limited by the achievement of the permittivity resistance Δpwdop = 3 kPa, is twice that of the other filter compositions tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Asbestos in Australia: From Boom to Dust" is a comprehensive and highly readable edited volume that explores the intersection of environment, industry, and public health in Australian life. The book synthesizes diverse literatures on asbestos in Australia, providing an overview of its business, economic, and social history from its rise as a "miracle mineral" in the late nineteenth century to its decline in the face of mounting medical evidence and public outcry. The collection includes historical, legal, and medical perspectives, as well as oral histories from communities affected by asbestos mining. It serves as a valuable reference work and highlights the ongoing challenges posed by industrial pollutants in Australia. [Extracted from the article]

Sustainability in road construction can be achieved by integrating recycled materials in the production of new pavement. One such approach is using reclaimed asphalt pavement materials (RAPM) in hot mix asphalt (HMA). Successful implementation of RAPM in HMA can only be achieved by having good comprehension of the essential material characterisation and design process. The main objective of this review is to summarise the literature and provide a keen understanding of the characterisation of materials involved (RAPM and rejuvenators) and mix design, by giving due consideration to the interaction of virgin and recycled materials. Widely used techniques for extraction and recovery of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) binder have been reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of different characterisation techniques are identified. The effect of various factors on the volumetrics of the recycled mixes is presented. Insight in to the requirements of a rejuvenator by taking into account the changes in binder after ageing is provided. Aspects that need further exploration to normalise and increase the confidence of RAPM in HMA are also highlighted as the future recommendations., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) commonly used as plasticizers are distributed ubiquitously in the living environment. We conducted a field study to examine the associations between PAE residue in dust and home characteristics/living habits in 47 rural homes in Taiwan. A questionnaire regarding home characteristics/living habits and composite sampling of house dust were conducted in each participating home. Five PAEs were selected for analysis on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with the limits of quantification being 0.5 ng/g or lower. Uni- and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed for examining the associations. The five PAEs were prevalently detected from the samples, and the concentrations were below 1000 ng/g; di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was the most frequently detected PAE (85%), whereas di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) appeared to the most abundant congener with the maximum concentration of 807.65 ng/g. Floor cleaning frequency and use of detergents for floor cleaning were significantly associated with DEHP in dust (P < 0.05), suggesting additives of plasticizers in detergent products. The factors of plastic wraps in storage and use of disposable cups were both significantly related to DiBP (P < 0.01), which could be extensively used in food packaging products. We confirmed that several home characteristics/living habits were related to certain PAE residue in dust., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Copyright of Journal of Natural Fibers is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We report a simple paper filter-based cross flow filtration method for air purification. We have examined a monolith filter array with a cross flow ratio of 1.0 and parallel and staggered filter arrays with a cross flow ratio of about 0.7 in terms of pressure drop and collection efficiency. The monolith filter array shows a monotonic increase in pressure drop from approximately 0.9 to 2.1 kPa. The parallel and staggered filter arrays reduce the increase in pressure drop, which can be maintained as low as 0.8 kPa over the entire range of dust loadings examined. The monolith filter array shows the highest collection efficiency, which is more than 95% over the entire range of dust loadings examined. The collection efficiency of the parallel and staggered filter arrays is initially as high as 70% and decreases to 30% when the dust loading increases to 40 and 100 g m−2, respectively. In particular, collected particles are more uniformly distributed on the staggered filter array than on the parallel filter array, resulting in the initial collection efficiency of 70% being sustained for a longer time. This uniform distribution in the staggered filter array may prevent a rapid increase in local pressure drop. This study provides insight into the development of filtration systems using simple paper filters without increasing the pressure drop and decreasing the collection efficiency. Copyright © 2022 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sensitive skin is related to environmental factors., Objectives: We aimed to investigate the roles of poorly known associated and triggering factors on sensitive skin in a large global population., Methods: A survey was administrated to a representative sample of the adult population aged 18-75 years in five different countries (Brazil, China, France Russia, and the United States). All participants answered a web-based questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, sensitive skin and environmental factors., Results: Among the 10 743 included individuals (5285 men and 5458 women), 48.2% declared that they had sensitive skin. The group with sensitive skin reported significant increases in fatigue, dust or sweating and to a lesser extent food or tobacco consumption. The members of this group also declared that they experienced more sleep disorders than individuals without sensitive skin. Sensitive skin was very frequent in pregnant women, women with painful menstruations or women using contraceptive pills., Conclusions: This large cohort study identified new factors, including female hormonal status, fatigue, sleep disorders and food, associated with sensitive skin. These associations suggest that sensitive skin is not restricted to an epidermal disorder but may be included in a larger context. The identified factors are potential upstream drivers of neurogenic inflammation in sensitive skin., (© 2021 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

Fuel cell air filter can absorb harmful impurities and gases to fuel cell and is an important component to ensure the service life of fuel cell. The previous researches mainly focus on the activated carbon and filter paper materials in the laboratory. The object of this paper is the fuel cell air filter product assembly being used by the main engine plant. According to the tests of air filters with different carbon contents, it was found that the adsorption efficiency of current products for NO2 was better than that of C7H8, SO2 and C4H10. Based on the adsorption mechanism of activated carbon for different gases, the adsorption difference was explained. The testes also found that there was no direct relationship between the change of carbon content of products containing activated carbon and the fractional filtration efficiency. The main reason is that the gap between the activated carbon particles is large, which cannot effectively intercept dust particles. The filtering of small size particles still depends on the melt-blown layer material in the air filter element and its electrostatic electret process. It was also found that there was a positive correlation between inlet air resistance and carbon content, and a negative correlation between dust holding capacity and carbon content. This test results can help the main engine factory understand the performance and improvement direction of products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil fugitive dust pollution caused by urban construction sites is a significant problem. To improve the dust suppression efficiency on the urban construction sites, hydroxypropyl guar (HPG), dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide (OB-2), and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were selected as individual components of the composite dust suppressant using a single-factor test. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimal mixing proportions. After preparation, the characteristics of the composite dust suppressant were tested. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the composite dust suppressant and explore its mechanism. The results showed that 0.327% HPG, 0.6% OB-2, and 0.5% HPMC were the best compound concentrations. Under optimum conditions, the viscosity of the composite dust suppressant was 151.1 [Formula: see text], penetration time was 61.4 s, and water retention rate was 30.67%. Compared with traditional dust control by spraying water, it showed better resistance to evaporation at high temperatures and better wind erosion resistance. The antievaporation rate was 39.42% at 60 °C. After 11 d of continuous wind erosion at level 7, the wind erosion resistance rate was as high as 98.24%. The reason for the excellent dust suppression effect of the composite dust suppressant is that the methyl and hydroxyl groups in the solution diffuse to the surface of the soil fugitive dust particles using Brownian motion and gradually approach the corresponding groups in the soil fugitive dust particles. When the distance between the two reaches 10 [Formula: see text], adsorption occurs, causing small dust particles to stick together. Because of the stability of the covalent bonds in the methyl and hydroxyl groups, a stable solidified layer is formed on the soil fugitive dust surface after the evaporation of the composite dust inhibitor solution, thereby avoiding secondary dust. In addition, the composite dust suppressant is noncorrosive and friendly to the construction site environment. Therefore, the composite dust suppressant can effectively reduce soil fugitive dust, alleviate environmental pollution, and provide a reference for preventing and controlling soil fugitive dust on urban construction sites and preparing composite environment-friendly dust suppressants., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)