Search

The study focuses on the legal regulation of hazardous waste management as a special category of waste. The author examines the state of legal regulation of hazardous waste management in Ukraine from a historical perspective, focusing on the achievements and problems of the current legislation on hazardous waste management related to new challenges, primarily the Russian military aggression against Ukraine and the emergence of a large amount of hazardous waste of a new quality. The study examines in detail the evolution of national legislation in the field of waste management, starting with the adoption of the Law of Ukraine "On Waste" in 1998 and ending with the enactment of the new Law of Ukraine "On Waste Management" in 2022. The author notes the positive aspects of the 1998 Law, which for the first time established the basic principles and mechanisms of waste management, defined key terms, regulated the activities of waste collection, transportation, treatment and disposal, and the division of powers between executive authorities and local self-government bodies. However, over time, this law proved to be ineffective due to outdated approaches, lack of integration with European standards, insufficient regulation of hazardous waste and lack of incentives for recycling and reuse. The new legislation, adopted in 2022, introduces a number of innovative approaches, including a waste management hierarchy based on the principles of preventing waste generation, promoting its reuse, recovery or disposal. An important change is the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which obliges manufacturers to take responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products, including waste management. The new law also stimulates the creation of a modern waste management infrastructure, including the development of recycling facilities and waste collection systems, and introduces an integrated information system for accounting and reporting in this area. Based on the analysis, the author concludes that it is necessary to improve the current legislation on hazardous waste management, taking into account the current problems associated with the new conditions of its management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global economic growth and population expansion contribute to heightened solid waste production, creating environmental challenges. Sustainable waste management, notably incineration, is crucial for volume reduction, energy recovery, and resource utilization. The escalating reliance on waste incineration underlines the critical necessity for detailed waste characterization. Our study focuses on industrial and hazardous incineration residues (IHWA) and provides essential insights into their mineral and chemical composition employing various analytical techniques, including sieve analyses, laser diffraction, X-ray powder diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM-EDS, and leaching behavior, thus contributing to filling a gap in the current knowledge. The majority of IHWA particles (41%) were smaller than 500 μm, with a significant portion (34%) in the 200–400 μm range, which increases their leaching potential. Toxic elements, including Cr, Cu, and Zn, were detected at elevated levels, with Zn concentrations exceeding EU soil limits by over 250 times, what underscore environmental risks and demand proper waste treatment. The complexity of mineral composition and bonds within the sample indicates the necessity for a thorough environmental assessment to understand the potential impacts on the ecosystem. Sequential extraction revealed that Zn (90.32%), Cd (64.22%), and Hg were predominantly found in the mobile fractions, indicating a high potential for leaching and environmental hazards. In contrast, elements like Cu, Cr, and Pb were primarily associated with immobile fractions. Mineral phases such as calcite and halite dissolved during the first extraction step, while other crystalline phases, including quartz and magnetite, remained stable throughout the process. The stability of other mineral phases in all results and the low leaching potential of elements in IHWA indicate that some mineral phases could suppress the leaching efficiency of elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold mining, even under strict environmental regulations, inevitably causes environmental impacts and liabilities. To address this, the study proposes a framework for environmental zoning around gold mines based on the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), pollution indices, and bioindicators. Soil samples were collected from municipalities affected by gold mining projects, and concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Cr were measured. Then, the Pollution Load Index (PLI) was calculated. A plant model was used for the biomonitoring of PTEs, and the Plant Vigor Index (PVI) was determined. Finally, environmental zoning was proposed through geospatial analysis combining PTEs, PLI, and PVI values. The concentrations of PTEs were as follows: As ranged from 1.7 to 892, Cd from 0.1 to 65.2, Pb from 18.5 to 2345, and Cr from 5.4 to 118.4. Spearman's rank correlation showed significant relations (ρ > 0.76) between bioindicators and PTE concentrations and PLI. The PVI correlated significantly with PTE concentrations (ρ − 0.41 to − 0.67) and PLI (ρ − 0.65). The municipalities were categorized into three zones: highly contaminated, moderately contaminated, and minimally contaminated. Overall, the environmental zoning maps serve as a management tool for environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Global economic growth and population expansion contribute to heightened solid waste production, creating environmental challenges. Sustainable waste management, notably incineration, is crucial for volume reduction, energy recovery, and resource utilization. The escalating reliance on waste incineration underlines the critical necessity for detailed waste characterization. Our study focuses on industrial and hazardous incineration residues (IHWA) and provides essential insights into their mineral and chemical composition employing various analytical techniques, including sieve analyses, laser diffraction, X-ray powder diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM-EDS, and leaching behavior, thus contributing to filling a gap in the current knowledge. The majority of IHWA particles (41%) were smaller than 500 μm, with a significant portion (34%) in the 200–400 μm range, which increases their leaching potential. Toxic elements, including Cr, Cu, and Zn, were detected at elevated levels, with Zn concentrations exceeding EU soil limits by over 250 times, what underscore environmental risks and demand proper waste treatment. The complexity of mineral composition and bonds within the sample indicates the necessity for a thorough environmental assessment to understand the potential impacts on the ecosystem. Sequential extraction revealed that Zn (90.32%), Cd (64.22%), and Hg were predominantly found in the mobile fractions, indicating a high potential for leaching and environmental hazards. In contrast, elements like Cu, Cr, and Pb were primarily associated with immobile fractions. Mineral phases such as calcite and halite dissolved during the first extraction step, while other crystalline phases, including quartz and magnetite, remained stable throughout the process. The stability of other mineral phases in all results and the low leaching potential of elements in IHWA indicate that some mineral phases could suppress the leaching efficiency of elements.

ABSTRAK Energi, terutama dalam bentuk listrik merupakan salah satu kebutuhan esensial bagi manusia. Untuk memproduksi listrik dibutuhkan berbagai macam proses, termasuk melalui kombinasi pembangkitan tenaga gas dan uap. Dalam proses produksi, suatu Pembangkit Listik Tenaga Gas dan Uap (PLTGU) menghasilkan berbagai macam jenis limbah, diantaranya yang terkategori sebagai limbah Bahan Berbahaya dan Beracun (B3). Studi ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi sumber timbulan dan mengevaluasi pengelolaan limbah B3 di suatu PLTGU di Kota Palembang, Sumatera Selatan. Metode yang digunakan berupa observasi detail dan analisis kepatuhan pengelolaan limbah B3 berdasarkan peraturan perundangan yang berlaku. Selama masa observasi, limbah B3 yang dihasilkan berupa minyak pelumas bekas atau oli bekas, sludge oil, kain majun bekas, kemasan bekas B3, filter bekas dari fasilitas pengendalian pencemaran udara, limbah terkontaminasi, sludge IPAL, dan limbah kimia hasil analisis laboratorium. Secara umum, PLTGU tersebut telah melakukan pengelolaan limbah B3 dengan memadai, terutama di tahapan pelabelan, pengemasan, dan penyimpanan. Pengangkutan dan pengolahan limbah B3 dikerjasamakan dengan pihak ketiga yang telah memiliki izin terkait. Pengelolaan limbah B3 di suatu industri menjadi penting agar tidak menimbulkan dampak negatif ke lingkungan dan kesehatan manusia. Kata kunci: evaluasi, limbah B3, pengelolaan, PLTGU ABSTRACT Energy especially in form of electricity is one of essential needs for human. To produce electricity, various processes are needed, including a combination of gas and steam power generation. In the production process, a Combined Cycle Gas-Fired Power Plant (CCGP) generates various type of wastes, including those categorized as Hazardous and Toxic Waste. The study aims to identify sources and to evaluate the hazardous waste management at a gas and steam power plant located in Palembang City, South Sumatra. The method used was detailed observation and analysis of hazardous and toxic waste management compliance based on applicable laws and regulations. During observation period, hazardous and toxic waste generated including used lubricating oil or used oil, sludge oil, used cloth, used hazardous and toxic packaging, used filters from air pollution control facilities, contaminated waste, sludge WWTP, and chemical waste resulting from laboratory analysis. In general, the gas and steam power plant has managed hazardous and toxic waste adequately, especially in the labeling, packaging and storage stages. Transporting and processing of hazardous and toxic waste was carried out in collaboration with third parties who have the relevant permits. Hazardous and toxic waste management in an industry is important so that it does not cause negative impacts to the environment and human health. Keywords: evaluation, CCGP, hazardous waste, management

With the soaring generation of hazardous waste (HW) during industrialization and urbanization, HW illegal dumping continues to be an intractable global issue. Particularly in developing regions with lax regulations, it has become a major source of soil and groundwater contamination. One dominant challenge for HW illegal dumping supervision is the invisibility of dumping sites, which makes HW illegal dumping difficult to be found, thereby causing a long-term adverse impact on the environment. How to utilize the limited historic supervision records to screen the potential dumping sites in the whole region is a key challenge to be addressed. In this study, a novel machine learning model based on the positive-unlabeled (PU) learning algorithm was proposed to resolve this problem through the ensemble method which could iteratively mine the features of limited historic cases. Validation of the random forest-based PU model showed that the predicted top 30% of high-risk areas could cover 68.1% of newly reported cases in the studied region, indicating the reliability of the model prediction. This novel framework will also be promising in other environmental management scenarios to deal with numerous unknown samples based on limited prior experience.

In recent years, the demand for natural and synthetic zeolites has surged due to their distinctive properties and myriad industrial applications. This research aims to synthesise crystalline zeolites by co-recycling two industrial wastes: salt slag (SS) and rice husk ash (RHA). Salt slag, a problematic by-product of secondary aluminium smelting, is classified as hazardous waste due to its reactive and leachable nature, though it is rich in aluminium. Conversely, RHA, an abundant and cost-effective by-product of the agro-food sector, boasts a high silicon content. These wastes were utilised as aluminium and silicon sources for synthesising various zeolites. This study examined the effects of temperature, ageing time, and sodium concentration on the formation of different zeolite phases and their crystallinity. Results indicated that increased Na+ concentration favoured sodalite (SOD) zeolite formation, whereas Linde type–A (LTA) zeolite formation was promoted at higher temperatures and extended ageing times. The formation range of the different zeolites was defined and supported by crystallographic, microstructural, and morphological analyses. Additionally, the thermal behaviour of the zeolites was investigated. This work underscores the potential to transform industrial waste, including hazardous materials like salt slag, into sustainable, high-value materials, fostering efficient waste co-recycling and promoting clean, sustainable industrial production through cross-sectoral industrial symbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production of green energy from landfill gas in a cogeneration system is considered optimal in terms of the use of local renewable energy resources, which in the production process generates hazardous waste. Yet, the production of renewable energy is not without environmental effects. The objective of the work was to analyse the operation of the installation for biogas energy generated at a municipal waste landfill and to carry out tests on the waste (mineral deposit) from a heat exchanger generated in the exhaust manifold of a gas engine of the cogeneration unit. The objective of the work was to test waste (mineral deposit) from the heat exchanger in the exhaust manifold of the gas engine of the cogeneration unit. The conducted research constitutes a significant contribution to the identification and classification of hazardous waste generated in a cogeneration unit powered by landfill gas. The results of the research showed that the waste contains high concentrations of ecotoxic elements, i.e. heavy metals (arsenic, chromium, copper, nickel, zinc), molybdenum, antimony, sulphates, which have carcinogenic activity. Pioneering research performed as part of the leaching test showed that the permissible concentrations were exceeded for 11 parameters in the case of storage in a hazardous waste landfill, and for 6 parameters in the case of storage in an underground hazardous waste landfill. The research and analyses performed in this work will serve as input material for defining the methods of hazardous waste disposal from the cogeneration unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Household hazardous wastes can pose significant risks to the environment, increase the death rate and dangerous diseases due to their quantity, concentration or physical, chemical, or biological quality. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of educational intervention on the knowledge and attitude of health workers (Behvarzes) and health care workers of Ardestan city regarding household hazardous waste management. Materials and Methods: This research was a semi-experimental interventional study conducted among 64 healthcare workers of the Ardestan health network in Isfahan province. A valid and reliable questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were entered into SPSS version 22 software for statistical analysis and analyzed through Mann-Whitney, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and paired T-tests. Results: After the training, the average knowledge scores of Behvarzes and health-care workers in the sample group increased from 22.56±1.65 to 26.78±0.66, and their average attitude scores also increased from 89.37±2.67 to 95.31±2.71. The paired T-test showed a significant difference in the mean and standard deviation of knowledge and attitude scores in the intervention group before and after the intervention (p<0.05). The independent T-test did not show any difference in this regard according to the gender variable. The ANOVA test showed a significant difference between the different education groups after the intervention regarding the change in knowledge score or attitude according to education level (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the educational intervention for Behvarzes and healthcare workers was effective in raising their awareness and improving their attitudes towards the importance of household hazardous waste managemnt. Considering that the improvement of the household hazardous waste management system requires enhanced public awareness and attitude, as well as effective communication between Behvarzes, healthcare workers, and citizens, city managers can use the method employed in this study to organize regular training programs on household hazardous waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The use of tobacco will lead to the littering of a large number of filters, and the leakage of pollutants from them into the urban environment is a serious concern. The aim of this study was to analyze the leakage of heavy metals from filter and estimate the annual concentration of pollution leakage in different waste routes and different climatic conditions. The results showed that the highest and lowest density of filter in the studied urban environment were 0.51 and 0.01 number/m2, respectively. According to the estimated annual production of 306 million cigarette butts in the studied area, the leakage of the studied metals was estimated to be 401 g. The share of copper, chromium, and cadmium from the total leakage was 67%, 8.3%, and 1.88%, respectively. The leakage of studied metals in rainy conditions was 2.86 times more than sunny conditions. In different scenarios, the minimum and maximum annual leakage of metals were estimated 23,043 and 350,419 mg/year, respectively. Filters are a little but important source of heavy metal emission into the urban environment, the amount of pollution from which is affected by the consumers’ behavior and the efficiency of the urban cleaning system. Education on the correct disposal of filters and increasing the efficiency of the urban cleaning system will lead to a reduction in pollution caused by tobacco consumption.

Background The improper management of hazardous solid waste in dental care offices poses significant risks to public health and the environment. Dental offices generate hazardous waste, including biological and chemical contaminants, which can lead to infections, pollution, and harm if not managed properly. Effective waste management practices are crucial, yet compliance varies significantly across regions, especially in Latin America, due to limited resources, inadequate training, and insufficient infrastructure. This study compares hazardous waste management practices in dental offices in Talara, Peru, and Machala, Ecuador, to provide actionable recommendations for improvement. Policy and Implications In Peru, hazardous waste management involves critical steps such as conditioning, segregation, transport, storage, treatment, and disposal. Compliance minimizes exposure risks and environmental contamination. Ecuador emphasizes administrative and operational aspects, including policies, records, training, and procedures. Improving practices in both countries can model enhanced waste management across Latin America. Recommendations To address challenges in Talara and similar Latin American cities, it is essential to strengthen administrative systems, increase budget allocations for waste management, and develop comprehensive training programs. Waste management should be prioritized within public policy agendas with clear guidelines and accountability measures. Both cities need improved resource allocation, modern waste treatment facilities, and centralized storage solutions. Continuous education and certification programs are crucial. Implementing integrated policies, regular reviews, and robust compliance mechanisms based on Machala’s practices can benefit other regions. Public awareness campaigns and regional collaboration through workshops and research initiatives are also recommended. Conclusions Significant disparities in hazardous waste management exist between Talara and Machala. Talara requires strengthened systems and improved infrastructure, while Machala’s practices serve as a model. Tailored interventions can enhance public health and environmental outcomes across Latin America. Regular monitoring, evaluation, and collaboration are essential for sustained improvements.

The use of economic instruments within environmental policy has become a challenging topic for policymakers, governments and scholars. Environmental taxes have emerged as a prevailing preference in developed countries to promote sustainability. Recently, a particular focus has been given to waste generation and disposal, shifting the attention from greenhouse gases to another important source of environmental pollution. This paper investigates the effect of national environmental taxes and policies on industrial waste. A fixed effects model is used for 34 countries across Europe from 2004 to 2022. The results suggest that environmental taxes and energy policies reduce industrial (hazardous and non-hazardous) waste. However, environmental tax reforms should take into consideration the deterioration in environmental quality, the increase in economic costs and undesirable social consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cigarette butts, often discarded as litter, are considered a common form of waste, containing a variety of pollutants within this hazardous residue. This study, which was designed to assess the environmental release of certain metals from cigarette butts, investigates a variety of scenarios under varying climatic conditions. Thus, in order to assess the level of metal contamination, samples of cigarette butts were collected in urban areas from seven popular brands in China, smoked artificially, and examined through graphite furnace atomic absorption (GF-AAS). The findings indicated mean concentrations of 1.77 for Cr, 2.88 for Ni, 12.93 for Cu, 24.25 for Zn, and 1.77 µg/g for Pb in the case of newly smoked butts. The emission of each of the metals increases to 8–10% when cigarette butts remain in the environment for an extended period of time. Furthermore, rainfall can accelerate metal leaching, reaching values of 18–20% compared to the controlled scenario. The worst-case scenario releases 2129.31 kg/year of metals into the environment, while the best-case scenario sees a lower release of 844.97 kg/year. The data reflect variations in metal emissions across different scenarios. There was also a strong correlation between cigarette butts in public spaces and cities. This research highlights the need to educate smokers and increase urban maintenance efficiency to reduce this litter and the metals it leaches into the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of tobacco will lead to the littering of a large number of filters, and the leakage of pollutants from them into the urban environment is a serious concern. The aim of this study was to analyze the leakage of heavy metals from filter and estimate the annual concentration of pollution leakage in different waste routes and different climatic conditions. The results showed that the highest and lowest density of filter in the studied urban environment were 0.51 and 0.01 number/m2, respectively. According to the estimated annual production of 306 million cigarette butts in the studied area, the leakage of the studied metals was estimated to be 401 g. The share of copper, chromium, and cadmium from the total leakage was 67%, 8.3%, and 1.88%, respectively. The leakage of studied metals in rainy conditions was 2.86 times more than sunny conditions. In different scenarios, the minimum and maximum annual leakage of metals were estimated 23,043 and 350,419 mg/year, respectively. Filters are a little but important source of heavy metal emission into the urban environment, the amount of pollution from which is affected by the consumers' behavior and the efficiency of the urban cleaning system. Education on the correct disposal of filters and increasing the efficiency of the urban cleaning system will lead to a reduction in pollution caused by tobacco consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Central South University is the property of Springer Nature 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 ecological and human health risks of heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) in soils around tungsten (W) mining sites have often disregarded the presence of W. In this study, we aimed to investigate the concentrations of 10 HMs (including W and other accompanying elements) in 18 agricultural soil samples obtained around a W mining site in southern Jiangxi, China. Furthermore, we determined the contamination status, source identification, and ecological and health risks of HMs in soils. Our findings revealed that HMs were extensively accumulated in soils within the study area, with the highest mean concentrations of W found. W concentrations were above background values at all sites. Multivariate analysis revealed that W mining activities, including extracting and transporting W ore, were the primary source of HMs in the soil (61.40%). The ecological risk assessment revealed that the potential ecological risk across the survey area exhibited a high risk, and the cadmium (Cd) and W should be prioritised as control pollutants for soils around the W mine site. The human health risk assessment displayed that 73.43% of children with an unacceptable non-carcinogenic risk, and W contributed the most to the overall non-carcinogenic risk (42.32%), followed by Cd and arsenic (As). In addition, 22.03% of children and 13.4% of adults were under a significant carcinogenic risk. Overall, our findings emphasise the importance of considering element W in future studies investigating the contamination of HMs around W mining areas. As such, we calculated a safe limit value for element W in soil (141.01 mg/kg) to facilitate the conservation and development of soils in W mining areas in China. Our study provides valuable information for pollution prevention and soil contamination risk mitigation in W mining areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental investigations of the effectiveness of the pretreatment of the acid leaching process of a representative sample of electric arc furnace dust (EAF dust) and characterization of a representative sample were performed. As EAF dust is globally defined as hazardous solid industrial waste, and it contains a high percentage of zinc and other useful components, in this paper, the application of pretreatment will be carried out in order to increase the efficiency of the further process of acid leaching, all with the aim of using EAF dust as a secondary raw material for metal valorization. The pretreatment involved the application of a simple process of leaching the EAF dust sample with distilled water. Under the following defined optimal leaching conditions: time—30 min, ratio of solid to liquid phase—1:10, temperature—ambient, and stirring speed—500 rpm, a reduction in the content of water-soluble components was achieved, namely, 83% Cl, 92% K, 74% Na, 14% Cd, 15% Ca, and 19% F. The application of the pretreatment enables significantly better filtration of the suspension and increases the leaching efficiency of zinc and other useful components in the further process of leaching EAF dust with a sulfuric acid solution, compared with the process of direct acid leaching of EAF dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstracts: Hazardous waste from industrial production has become a global concern because of its impact on the environment and human health. However, studies on heavy metals in regional hazardous waste are rare. Thus, this study examined 93 hazardous waste samples in Beijing in 2019, to assess the distribution, occurrence, and potential eco-environmental risks of heavy metals in such waste. The results indicated high concentrations of Zn, Cu, and Ni in hazardous waste, and the leaching toxicity of Ni (270.60 mg/L), Cu (524.1 mg/L), and Pb (136.23 mg/L) exceeded Chinese identification standards for hazardous waste. Heavy metals in hazardous waste have been primarily found in remote counties around the locations of industrial enterprises. The total amount of the heavy metals followed the order: Zn > Cu > Ni > Ba > Mn > Pb. Based on the migration abilities of their detected forms, heavy metals were classified into three categories (high, middle, and low migration abilities) to characterize their potential to enter the environment. The detected amounts of heavy metals with high and middle migration ability followed the order: Zn > Cu > Ni > Mn > Pb > Ba. The potential environmental risk of heavy metals was evaluated using the potential environmental risk index, resulting in the following ranking: Ni > Pb > Mn > Zn > Cu > Ba. Daxing District exhibited the highest total environmental risk and environmental risk per unit area, whereas Miyun District showed the highest environmental risk per secondary sector of the economy and unit of GDP. This was attributed to Beijing's industrial structure. The results of this study provide fundamental data for the management and control of hazardous waste in Beijing and are expected to aid in preventing and managing environmental risks caused by such waste.

The possibility of different agrowastes to self-ignite under ambient condition, due to exothermic reactions between their surface molecules and air or other oxidizing agents which are conveyed into the void volume between the particles, exists. It is imperative to investigate the self-ignition ability of these harzadous waste products causing environmental pollution after the milling process to avoid sudden fire outbreaks. In this study, the self-ignition attributes of corn cob, wheat bran and rice husk residues in ambient air from biomass gasification was investigated by evaluating their self-ignition temperatures using DIN EN 15188:2021 standard and Frank-Kamenetzkii's theory of thermal explosion at varying basket volume. The results revealed decrease in the ignition temperature of dust samples as ignition time and dust basket volume were increased. Sample C (rice husk dust residue) was considered to be the most hazardous with respect to its propensity to self-heating possessing the lowest self-ignition temperature of 173 °C at 800 mL cubic mesh. Its moisture content and activation energy of 1.41 % and 46.52 kJ/mol respectively were the lowest. Its thermal conductivity, carbon content, heating value and bulk density of 0.07 W/mK, 78.98 wt%, 26,895 kJ/kg and 255.4 kg/m3 respectively were the highest. Correlation coefficient from the Arrhenius plot showing the self-ignition behaviour of dust samples using the model of Frank-Kamenetzkii were 0.9976, 0.9910 and 0.9962 for corn cob, wheat bran and rice husk residues respectively. In conclusion, the data presented are effective in predicting the self-ignition ability of corn cob, wheat bran and rice husk residues in ambient air from biomass gasification in order to prevent sudden fire attack that may arise based on storage of their dust particles in food processing industries.

This research aims to identify current procedures of hospital waste management in educational hospitals, in western Iran. This study examined upon to be current procedures of medical waste management focusing on the management of hazardous medical waste, under a circular economy. Three criteria environmental situation, environmental management, and environmental performance. The environmental assessment was done by pair matrixes between criteria and sub-criteria, and between scale levels of the indicators were done. The questionnaire structure adopted in the Romero and Carnero study. The Analytic Hierarchy Process method indicates that aspect of the hazardous waste improvement program is essential. The results demonstrated that 56 % of the total environmental criteria score was VERY DEFICIENT in the scale factors classification. The lowest values indicated in the environmental management aspect and 63 % of the total score was VERY DEFICIENT. The results indicated a deficient value in environmental criteria based on the values received for the commitment to environmental policy standards and waste management procedures. The results of environmental performance criteria have shown; that no data was on atmospheric emission. The lack of rules in green purchasing and renewable energy was indicated. In waste management criteria, the total value was reasonable, but there weren't comprehensive rules for redefining waste types and staff training obligations. However, the redefinition of rules, public and staff training, using new technologies, and determination of specific budgets and green teams by proper supervising cycle can be essential to improve hazardous waste management.

The scientific article is devoted to the public administration of solid household waste management as a direction of consumer rights protection. Attention was drawn to the positive aspects of public administration regarding the management of solid household waste as a means of protecting consumer rights (for example, in the Dnipropetrovsk region): the existence of the National Waste Management Strategy in Ukraine until 2030; availability of a regulatory and legislative framework in the field of management and handling of solid household waste; availability of “Methodical recommendations for the development of regional waste management plans”; existence of a solid household waste management program in the Dnipropetrovsk region for 2022-2024; positive experience of the EU and other developed countries in the field of effective management and handling of solid household waste; the presence of a solid household waste collection and disposal system; availability of municipal solid waste landfills; availability of enterprises for processing, processing and disposal of hazardous components of solid household waste; initiation of elements of separate collection of solid household waste; gradual formation of awareness among the population regarding the need to separate resource-valuable components from the general flow of solid household waste. It was concluded that the problematic issues in public administration regarding the handling of solid household waste as a direction of consumer rights protection (for example, in the Dnipropetrovsk region): the tendency to increase the scale of generation and accumulation of solid household waste; lack of a systematic approach to creating effective management and handling of solid household waste; insufficient funding of solid waste management and management; low level of implementation of previous regional solid waste management and handling programs; low level of utilization of resource-valuable components of solid household waste; lack of waste transfer stations and waste processing enterprises, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discloses the forms and methods of legal regulation of consumer rights protection regarding waste management at the state level. It is emphasized that the state policy of Ukraine in the field of waste management is based on several basic principles. It is designed to protect the environment and human health from the negative impact of waste, to ensure the rational use of material, raw materials and energy resources, as well as scientifically based coordination of ecological, economic and social interests of society to achieve sustainable development. It has been established that today, the most widespread method of waste treatment in Ukraine is its disposal in landfills, terrykons, sludge and tailings storage facilities, as well as in landfills. This leads to the occupation of large areas of fertile land and becomes a source of air pollution, and leachates penetrate into the soil and groundwater. However, it is important to consider that waste can become a source of secondary resources and serve as a source of energy. Therefore, humanity faces the task of widely implementing advanced technologies to prevent and limit the generation of waste, as well as for its disposal, regeneration and safe disposal, processing of non-recyclable waste. As a conclusion, it is said that the development of society and the satisfaction of its needs interact with natural resources, which leads to a significant generation of industrial waste. The problem of waste management is recognized as one of the most urgent in the modern world and is a priority for developed countries. Due to the large volume of waste, Ukraine is facing a particularly acute situation. Based on the analysis, conclusions are drawn and recommendations are formulated for the further development of legislation and waste management practices in order to ensure effective protection of consumer rights in the international context. This article serves as a valuable contribution to the understanding and improvement of consumer protection systems in the context of environmental challenges and waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PT Kaltim Parna Industri is a business entity engaged in the petrochemical industry which has the potential to produce hazardous and toxic waste (B3). This study aims to determine the type, mapping, and handling of hazardous and toxic waste (B3). The research method is by conducting a literature study and collecting existing data in the form of documents from companies and documentation. Based on the results of identification of the types, mapping, and handling of hazardous and toxic waste at PT Kaltim Parna Industri, it can be concluded that there are types of B3 waste generated from specific sources, and non-specific sources belonging to category 1 and category 2. The waste generated comes from activities in the process and utility areas. The handling that has been carried out when there is a potential for liquid B3 waste spills is by providing spill kits in the form of universal spill kits and chemical spill kits. Meanwhile, solid B3 waste can be disposed of in a special B3 waste bin that has been provided in the factory field area or directly to the B3 waste TPS.

This study tackled the global challenge of managing specialized hospital waste, emphasizing its sensitivity due to toxic and pathogenic agents. Focused on Imam Khomeini Hospital (RA), the research employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches to assess waste production, evaluating health, safety, and environmental risks. Over a 3-month period, sampling at the hospital waste station covered household, infectious, medicinal, and sharps waste. Results disclosed an average per capita healthcare waste production of 3.52 kg per bed per day, with specific breakdowns for various waste types. The study evaluated waste management quality, establishing acceptable conditions. Utilizing the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) technique, health, safety, and environment risk assessments identified potential risks in different waste management sectors. Comparisons with global studies and national average levels highlight elevated per capita hospital waste production in Urmia city, necessitating increased attention to align facilities with World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The study emphasizes the importance of allocating funds, providing training, raising awareness, and implementing effective waste management methods to address identified challenges, underscoring the need for clear organizational structures and decision-making authorities in hospital waste control aligned with international standards.

Waste copper-containing paint residue (WCPR) represents a typical hazardous waste containing both toxic organic substances and toxic heavy metals, but there are few reports on the recycling of heavy metals. The recovery of Cu from WCPR by H2SO4 leaching–extraction–stripping has the advantages of eco-friendliness, simplicity of operation, and high value-added product. The results show that under the optimal conditions, the leaching rate of Cu in WCPR is 94.31% (18.02 g/L), while the extraction and stripping rates of Cu in the leaching solution are 99.46 and 95.32%, respectively. Due to the high concentration of Cu2+ with fewer impurities in the stripping solution, the stripping solution is heated, evaporated, cooled, and crystallized to successfully produce high-purity dark blue CuSO4 crystal, accomplishing the high-value recycling of Cu in WCPR. In addition, the leach residue of WCPR contains acrylic resin and SiO2, which can be used in cement kilns for incineration, thus realizing the overall recycling and utilization of WCPR. HIGHLIGHTS The process of Cu recovery from waste copper-containing paint residue was first proposed to regenerate CuSO4.; Using leaching–extraction–stripping to recover Cu has the advantages of eco-friendliness and high value-added product.; The stripping solution without impurities can be used directly to regenerate CuSO4.; The resulting residue with no environmental risk can be cement kiln incineration.; The process can eliminate Cu pollution and recover Cu resource.;

Hazardous wastes from Hospitals could pose threat to the health of healthcare workers, the general public and the environment unless managed properly. The study aimed to appraise the healthcare waste (HCW) composition, generation rate, and the prevailing management practices in two Hospitals (a Private and a Government-owned) of Shashemene Town, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study involving Direct Observation, Key Informant Interview, Questionnaire survey, and Weighting Scale was conducted to evaluate the current HCW management practices and to quantify the HCW generation rate. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. The mean generation rates of HCW were 45.2 ± 5.8kg day–1 (0.20kgbed‒1day‒1) and 20 ± 2.4 kg day–1 (0.19kg bed‒1day‒1) from Government Hospital(GH) and Private Hospital (PH), respectively. Of the total solid waste generated, over half(GH: 53.3%; PH: 57.1%) constituted general waste (GW), and the remaining (GH: 46.7%; PH: 42.9%) comprised hazardous waste (HW), which exceeded the WHO threshold(10‒25%) intimates the lack of poor waste segregation. There were significant variations between the hospital wards regarding GW (GH: χ2 = 31; P < 0.001; PH:χ2 = 13; P

Background: Nitrous oxide (N2O) has seen a marked decline in its usage in recent years due to its adverse clinical effects. We audited the practice in our department to evaluate the N2O consumption and cost-effectiveness of its supply. Methodology: Electronic anesthesia records of all patients anesthetized in our main operating rooms in a typical month were reviewed retrospectively, and utilization of N2O was noted in addition to the patient demographics, surgical procedure, and specialty. Results: A total of 950 patients were anesthetized, and 3.1% received N2O. The annual usage was estimated to be 72,871 liters, with a leakage of 3,883,105 liters to the environment, posing a safety hazard and wasting 149,612.50 SAR. Conclusion: Notable costs and environmental benefits may be achieved by substituting a piped supply of N2O with portable E-cylinders on demand in operating rooms for rational use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the penal protections embedded within the legal framework for waste management, with a specific focus on the management of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste). The article aims to describe the legal and factual facts of acts constituting environmental crimes and their compatibility with the provisions of the Framework Law on Waste Management No. 16 of 2020 in Jordan. In addition to explaining the guidelines for the environmentally sound management of e-waste equipment from information technology. The paper also identifies the problems faced by Jordanian legislators in implementing the strategy for the sound management of electrical and electronic equipment wastes through a special system for the management of electrical and electronic wastes. Provisions on penal liability for damages should be added with the status of judicial officer of the Ministry of Environment to ensure that the law is enforced in a manner conducive to the rule of environmental law, and adding urgency to environmental issues, particularly those related to hazardous wastes, and dealing with them quickly. It aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of penal protection in waste management, with particular emphasis on electrical and electronic waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science & Technology of Cereals, Oils & Foods is the property of Science & Technology of Cereals, Oils & Foods Editorial Office 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 use of economic instruments within environmental policy has become a challenging topic for policymakers, governments and scholars. Environmental taxes have emerged as a prevailing preference in developed countries to promote sustainability. Recently, a particular focus has been given to waste generation and disposal, shifting the attention from greenhouse gases to another important source of environmental pollution. This paper investigates the effect of national environmental taxes and policies on industrial waste. A fixed effects model is used for 34 countries across Europe from 2004 to 2022. The results suggest that environmental taxes and energy policies reduce industrial (hazardous and non-hazardous) waste. However, environmental tax reforms should take into consideration the deterioration in environmental quality, the increase in economic costs and undesirable social consequences.

Cigarette butts, often discarded as litter, are considered a common form of waste, containing a variety of pollutants within this hazardous residue. This study, which was designed to assess the environmental release of certain metals from cigarette butts, investigates a variety of scenarios under varying climatic conditions. Thus, in order to assess the level of metal contamination, samples of cigarette butts were collected in urban areas from seven popular brands in China, smoked artificially, and examined through graphite furnace atomic absorption (GF-AAS). The findings indicated mean concentrations of 1.77 for Cr, 2.88 for Ni, 12.93 for Cu, 24.25 for Zn, and 1.77 µg/g for Pb in the case of newly smoked butts. The emission of each of the metals increases to 8–10% when cigarette butts remain in the environment for an extended period of time. Furthermore, rainfall can accelerate metal leaching, reaching values of 18–20% compared to the controlled scenario. The worst-case scenario releases 2129.31 kg/year of metals into the environment, while the best-case scenario sees a lower release of 844.97 kg/year. The data reflect variations in metal emissions across different scenarios. There was also a strong correlation between cigarette butts in public spaces and cities. This research highlights the need to educate smokers and increase urban maintenance efficiency to reduce this litter and the metals it leaches into the environment.

Experimental investigations of the effectiveness of the pretreatment of the acid leaching process of a representative sample of electric arc furnace dust (EAF dust) and characterization of a representative sample were performed. As EAF dust is globally defined as hazardous solid industrial waste, and it contains a high percentage of zinc and other useful components, in this paper, the application of pretreatment will be carried out in order to increase the efficiency of the further process of acid leaching, all with the aim of using EAF dust as a secondary raw material for metal valorization. The pretreatment involved the application of a simple process of leaching the EAF dust sample with distilled water. Under the following defined optimal leaching conditions: time—30 min, ratio of solid to liquid phase—1:10, temperature—ambient, and stirring speed—500 rpm, a reduction in the content of water-soluble components was achieved, namely, 83% Cl, 92% K, 74% Na, 14% Cd, 15% Ca, and 19% F. The application of the pretreatment enables significantly better filtration of the suspension and increases the leaching efficiency of zinc and other useful components in the further process of leaching EAF dust with a sulfuric acid solution, compared with the process of direct acid leaching of EAF dust.

The active hostilities in Ukraine have not only changed the lives of the pre-war population of nearly 44 million people, but have also had a global environmental impact that negatively impacts the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This study examines the impact of compliance and safety processes related to medical waste management and final disposal strategies on the achievement of the UN SDGs in Ukraine during the period of the conflict. To conduct this research, the relationship between climate change and the production, proper disposal and environmental pollution of medical products was studied using bibliometric analysis. The interdependence between effective medical waste management and the SDGs is identified, and the importance of this issue for achieving a sustainable future is shown. Based on data analysis, the paper shows ways to reduce the negative impact of improper medical waste disposal on the environment. The study also recommends the creation of a strategy that prioritises international partnerships and exchange of experience, investment in medical waste disposal capacity, recycling and recovery, information dissemination, and international cooperation to achieve the UN SDGs.

A high humidity level in the environment leads to the development of desiccants as hygroscopic material for adsorbing water vapor. Mesoporous silica xerogel, one of the solid adsorbents used for humidity adsorption, was synthesized from hazardous waste of volcanic mud via sol–gel methods by controlling the pH of the solution. The disordered amorphous silica was obtained, with the properties varied depending on the pH of the solution. Silica xerogel obtained at pH 8 exhibits the highest specific surface area of 576.527 m2g−1 and mesoporous surface area of 527.842 m2g−1. It also has the highest adsorption capacity of 18.90% gw/gads determined from the conventional method and 22.14% gw/gads from TG analysis. The performance for humidity adsorption exceeds the commercial silica with an efficiency of 0.9–7% gw/gads. This result indicates that the potential SiO2 extracted from volcanic mud can be commercialized as desiccants for humidity adsorption.

Background: Increasing use prevalence of waterpipe tobacco products raises concerns about environmental impacts from waterpipe waste disposal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is required to assess the environmental impact of its tobacco regulatory actions per the National Environmental Policy Act. This study builds on FDA’s efforts characterizing the aquatic toxicity of waterpipe wastewater chemicals. Methods: We compiled a comprehensive list of waterpipe wastewater chemical concentrations from literature. We then selected chemicals for risk assessment by estimating persistence, bioaccumulation, and aquatic toxicity (PBT) characteristics (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), and hazardous concentration values (concentration affecting specific proportion of species). Results: Of 38 chemicals in waterpipe wastewater with concentration data, 20 are listed as harmful or potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) in tobacco smoke and tobacco products by FDA, and 15 are hazardous waste per U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Among metals, six (cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, nickel and selenium) are included in both HPHC and hazardous waste lists and were selected for future risk assessments. Among non-metals, nicotine, and 4-methylnitrosamino-1-(3-pyridyl)− 1-butanone (NNK) were shortlisted, as they are classified as persistent and toxic. Further, N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), with a low hazardous concentration value (HC50; concentration affecting 50 % of aquatic species) for chronic aquatic toxicity, had high aquatic toxicity concern and is selected. Conclusions: The presence of multiple hazardous compounds in waterpipe wastewater highlights the importance of awareness on the proper disposal of waterpipe wastewater in residential and retail settings. Future studies can build on the hazard characterization provided in this study through fate and transport modeling, exposure characterization and risk assessments of waterpipe wastewater chemicals.

Hospital waste is a burning issue that severely impacts public health. This study in three big hospitals in Lahan and Rajbiraj, Nepal, for one year (2019 March-2020 February) aims to analyze some parameters that directly help waste management properly. Field study, questionnaire, and interview methods were followed. The average moisture content of wastes of all three hospitals was 55.79%. There was no variance in the three hospitals' moisture content values of wastes (F = 1.89 P-value = 0.165 F crit = 3.284917651). The average temperature of dumped waste was 23.23°C, and the temperature of all three hospitals was closely associated (F = 0.998, P-value 0.379, Fcrit = 3.28). The average pH value of wastes from the three hospitals was 4.44, and it from all three sites was strongly associated (F = 0.0668, P-value 0.935, Fcrit = 3.284). There was no relation between income and types of waste production (χ² 0.8, df = 4, significance level = 0.05), but there was a high association between the level of income and amount of waste production. There was a high association between the nature of hospitals and types and the amount of waste (χ² = 77.09, df = 4, Significance level = 0.05). In Sagarmatha Choudhary eye hospital Lahan, there was no significant correlation between the number of patients and the amount of waste (Correlation = -0.187889 at 0.05% significance level). Unique Hospital Rajbiraj showed a correlation between the number of patients and the amount of waste (correlation = 0.1183 at 0.05% significance level). In Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital, there was a correlation between the number of patients and the amount of waste (Correlation = 0.3453, at 0.05% significance level). There was no association between the qualification of respondents and their responsibilities regarding the services provided by hospitals (χ² = 1.43, df = 6, Significance level = 0.05). It is recommended for better management and installment of modern technologies for waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agronomía & Ambiente is the property of Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomia 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.)

With the increasing demand for electronic devices that use batteries, e-waste is also becoming a major threat to the environment. Battery e-waste contains hazardous heavy metals that affect the health of the soil ecosystem. Thus, the present study evaluates the cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) phytoextraction potential of coco grass (Cyperus rotundus L.) grown in soils contaminated with battery scrap waste (BSW). Pot experiments were conducted to grow C. rotundus under different treatments (0%: control, T1: 1%, T2: 2%, T3: 3%, and T4: 4%) of BSW mixed with soil (w/w). The results showed that BSW mixing significantly (p < 0.05) increased the physicochemical properties and heavy metal (Cd and Pb) content in the soil. BSW mixing resulted in a reduction in growth and biochemical traits of C. rotundus and an increase in oxidative stress enzymes with an increase in BSW dose. The Pearson correlation studies also showed that soil HM concentration had a negative influence on the growth and biochemical parameters of C. rotundus. The bioaccumulation and translocation factor analysis showed that C. rotundus was a hyperaccumulator plant with a maximum accumulation of Cd and Pb (38.81 and 109.06 mg·kg−1) in root parts followed by the whole plant (277.43 and 76.10 mg·kg−1) and shoot (21.30 and 22.65 mg·kg−1) parts. Moreover, predictive models based on multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN) approaches were developed for Cd and Pb uptake by C. rotundus. Mathematical modeling results showed that soil properties were useful to construct quality MLR and ANN models with good determination coefficient (R2 > 0.98), model efficiency (ME > 0.99), and low root mean square error (RMSE < 5.72). However, the fitness results of the ANN models performed better compared with those of the MLR models. Overall, this study presents an efficient and sustainable strategy to eradicate hazardous HMs by growing C. rotundus on BSW-contaminated soils and reducing its environmental and health consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the management system of large companies, environmental protection is increasingly becoming one of the more important subsystems in terms of the generation of industrial waste. In order to manage the impact a factory's production process on the environment as efficiently as possible, it is necessary to control certain quality parameters of emissions into the environment, and activities to minimize the impact of emissions and pollution, from the moment the raw materials arrive until the product leaves the warehouse as a finished product. By analyzing the technological process, the method of waste management is defined, i.e. the types, composition and quantities of waste generated in the textile plants are determined. By constantly analyzing the existing waste management system, the currently implemented measures and possible shortcomings and omissions are constantly reviewed, on the basis of which measures to improve waste management are proposed. The paper describes the impact of waste management in the textile industry on the environment, i.e. examples of the management flow of industrially generated hazardous and non-hazardous waste - characterization of industrial waste, disposal methods and proposals for their reduction.

Solidification/Stabilization (S/S) method with cement as a binder to remediate metals in petroleum sludge has been successfully proven. However, this technique has not yet been explored to remediate organic contaminants since a high concentration of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) was also detected in the sludge. This study focuses on remediating 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) compounds in raw petroleum sludge with Portland cement as a binder using the S/S method. The initial concentration of 16 PAHs in the raw sludge was first measured before the performance of the S/S method to remediate the PAHs were evaluated. The S/S matrices were tested for leaching behavior and strength after 7 and 28 days by air curing. The leaching test was measured using the Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure (TCLP), and the remaining PAHs concentration in the matrices was analyzed using a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS). In the raw sludge, all 16 PAHs compounds were below the standard limit except for Benzo(a)anthracene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Dibenzo(ah)anthracene, and Indeno(1,2,3- cd_ pyrene), which are considered as high rings PAHs. The high rings PAHs show lower concentration in leachate than low rings PAHs, which indicates the potential of the S/S method in remediating high rings PAHs. The high sludge ratio in S/S matrices has shown that the percentage strength is increasing, similar to Portland cement. Therefore, this study contributed to the possibility of the S/S method in the remediation of PAHs in petroleum sludge by using only Portland cement as a binder.

Municipal waste is collected and processed by or on behalf of municipalities. The term excludes municipal sewage networks, treatment, and garbage from building and demolition operations. Hazardous waste management (HWM) is concerned with handling waste materials that, if not done correctly, can have serious consequences for the environment and human health. Returning a product that has been damaged or destroyed to its original state is called “reverse logistics”, which is distinct from “waste management”. The primary focus of waste management is collecting and handling materials that can no longer be recycled with Smart Grid and Renewable Energy Systems. Unscientific treatment, inappropriate garbage collection, and ethical concerns are the main issues influencing solid waste management. Solid waste management is primarily influenced by unscientific treatment, inefficient garbage collection, and ethical concerns. Soil erosion, water pollution, soil degrading, and air-polluting are some of the side effects of this process. Making smart trashcans using IoT (IoT) devices such as smart sensors is possible with Smart Grid and Renewable Energy Systems. Technology, including IoT systems, can be used to alleviate the concern of waste disposal by generating data on how much waste is produced and collected in the first place, and then using that data and implementing more efficient methods of waste reduction in the future via separation and recycling, for example.The paper presented new municipal hazardous waste management methods and the internet of things. A sensor can be attached to a dumpster to monitor its fill level in Municipal Hazardous Waste Management (MHWM-IoT) municipalities or trash management firms. While still avoiding trash disposal facilities with the room, the IoT enterprise solution may identify the most efficient paths for garbage collectors based on this data. There has been a focus on contamination of the environment and proper waste processing technology implementation. Waste management is a critical issue that the government must address swiftly. Currently, there is limited public awareness of this topic. Too many dangers are associated with bringing out garbage, not today for future generations. As​ a result, the simulation analysis clarifies waste management and attains data management, sustainability, performance, minimal wastage accomplished by recycling, and achieving an efficiency of 95.09%.Consequently, the simulation analysis helps to clarify the process of waste management while achieving data storage efficiency of 95.09 percent and sustainability and performance.

Oral health professionals' knowledge of sustainability is essential for promoting environmental protection in dental healthcare. This pilot study involved an online survey addressed to 70 dental private practitioners from Bucharest, Romania, to evaluate their awareness of the concept of sustainability in dentistry. The performed statistical analysis revealed that 41.4% of the participants were well aware of sustainability in dentistry, with older participants demonstrating significantly higher levels of such awareness (p = 0.001). Sustainability awareness among participants correlates positively with their knowledge of the negative environmental impacts of dental activity (p < 0.001) and with the concern for sustainable dentistry implementation in their workplace (p = 0.037). Improper biohazardous waste disposal was identified as the primary cause of negative environmental impact of dental practices by 87.1% of participants. Installing high energy-efficient dental equipment was selected as the most important action to implement sustainability in participants' dental practices (64.3%). Overall, 51.4% of the participants reported that the COVID-19 pandemic had a medium impact on their dental activity in terms of sustainability. Our study found that participants have a moderate level of awareness regarding sustainability in dentistry, highlighting the need for education on sustainability for oral health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Threats from landfill leachate leakage to groundwater quality in remote areas is a major concern globally. Buffering distance (BFD) maintained between landfill site and groundwater supply wells is important to prevent drinking water from contamination of hazardous pollutant. Ignoring the leakage increase in the end of landfill life leads to an underestimate of BFD demand, posing potential threat to drinking safety. This paper constructs a framework for BFD prediction with the consideration of landfill performance degradation by coupling landfill performance evaluation model with the aging and defect evolution model of landfill engineering materials, and carries out model application and verification in a coastal hazardous waste landfill. The results show that during the life cycle of a landfill, its BFD experienced a 1.5-time increase from the start of its operation to its life end and reached 3000 m. Under the condition of landfill performance degradation, the BFDs required to attenuate heavy metals experience more increase than those of organic pollutants; BFD required for zinc (Zn), for example, increases 720 m over the no-degradation condition, while 2,4-dichlorophenol(2,4-D) increases by only 288 m. Considering the uncertainty sourced from model parameter and structure, the BFD should be more than 4050 m to ensure long-term safe drinking under unfavorable conditions such as large amount of leachate, weak degradation and fast diffusion of pollutant in vadose and aquifer. If the BFD cannot meet the demand at the end of the landfill life, the leaching behavior of solid waste can be controlled to reduce it depending on BFD. For example, when the leaching concentration of Cd in the waste is reduced from 0.6 mg/L to 0.17 mg/L, the buffering distance is be reduced from 3000 m to 500 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hazardous waste may be an environmental and public health threat if not managed properly and may contribute to a regional multi-hazard when other natural disasters also exist. Hazardous and toxic waste may cause industrial disaster if its risks are not well identified and mitigated. This study aims to model the city/district-based risk assessment for each type of hazardous waste in Central Java Province for anticipating hazardous waste disasters and necessary responses. The concept of disaster is used as the method in this study, consisting of hazard, vulnerability, and capacity. The results showed that the generation of hazardous waste in Central Java Province was very large, amounting to 2,886,974.024 tons in 2021. The hazardous waste produced was sourced from 1233 types of businesses/activities in Central Java Province, with 4042 types of hazardous waste. The healthcare sector is identified as the sector that produces the most hazardous waste. Overall, the risk levels of the majority of hazardous waste types fall into the low category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advocates for civil rights, environmental justice, and movements promoting social justice require data and may lack trust in public authorities, turning instead to academic scientists to help address their questions. Assessing historical exposure to toxic chemicals, especially in situations of a specific industrial source of pollution affecting a community, is critical for informing appropriate public health and policy responses. We describe a community-driven approach to integrate retrospective environmental hazard exposure assessment with community organizing to address concerns about the extent of exposure to toxic metals in a predominantly working-class, Latinx community living near a now-closed lead-acid battery smelter facility. Named the Truth Fairy Project by leaders of the community organization East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, this community-university partnership aimed to assess prenatal and early-life exposures to toxic metals through biomarkers of exposure in baby/deciduous teeth. This partnership integrated community mobilization with empirical research, informing residents about toxic metal exposures and improving the communitys capacity to respond to a public health crisis.

Abstract As industrialization accelerates and the amount of hazardous waste generated gradually increases, the means of disposal of hazardous waste is of increasing concern. In this paper, a 40 t/d counter-flow rotary kiln incineration system owned by a Jiangsu environmental protection company was researched. The software Aspen Plus was used to build the mixed pyrolysis model and the software Fluent was used to build the computational fluid dynamics model of the incineration system. The influence of the calorific value of the hazardous waste, the operating temperature and the air supply on the operational effectiveness of the incineration system were analyzed by varying the simulation conditions. The results show that the SO x and NO x content of the product is lower when the operating temperature is above 800 °C. The incineration system could only operate above 800 °C when the calorific value of the hazardous waste is not less than 1500 kcal/kg. The incineration system operated best at a primary air velocity of 1.5 m/s. The simulation results in this paper serve as a guide for the operation of counter-flow rotary kiln incineration systems.