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Examination covered 245 individuals and included characteristics of endocrine state of pulp and paper plant workers over 2011-2012, in comparison with data from 1990, as well as comparison with reference groups of male workers with no contact with chemical'industry in Arkhangelsk. Findings are both in main and reference groups general decrease in levels of cortisol, thyroxin;progesterone, testosterone, insulin, somatotropin and increased serum level of estradiol. With that, inside both groups, reliable tendencies to increased levels of cortisol, thyroxin, insulin, SSH and lower concentration of progesterone in the pulp and paper plant workers vs. the reference group members. Positive tendency was absence of abnormal concentrations of insulin, SSH and lower frequency of high cortisol levels in the pulp and paper plant workers nowadays.

The production of paper pulp by the Kraft method generates considerable amounts of wastes. Namely, lime mud generated in the recovery circuit of chemical reagents, biological sludge from the wastewater treatment of wood digestion process and fly ash collected in the fluidized bed combustor used to generate electricity from biomass burning. The final destination of such wastes is an important concern, since environmental regulations are becoming stricter regarding their landfill. Driven by this fact, industries are looking for more sustainable solutions, such as the recycling in distinct products. This work tested these wastes as secondary raw materials to produce clinker/cement that was then experienced in mortar formulations. The first step involved the residues detailed characterization and a generated amounts survey. Then, specific but simple steps were suggested, aiming to facilitate transport and manipulation. Distinct blends were prepared and fired in order to get belitic and Portland clinkers. The Portland clinkers were processed at lower temperatures than the normally used in the industry due to the presence of mineralizing impurities in some wastes. Belite-based cements were used to produce mortars that developed satisfactory mechanical strength and did not reveal signs of deterioration or durability weaknesses., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

BACKGROUND: Flexible surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates such as paper‐based substrates show great potential for rapid detection of residual chemicals on food surfaces. However, controlling the density and distribution of metallic nanoparticles adsorbed on the paper is still challenging. RESULTS: The amount of gold (Au) nanospheres (51 ± 4 nm) attached on the filter paper modified with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) was tunable, increasing as the level of APTES (2.5–15.0 g kg−1) applied for paper modification increased. Moreover, the Au nanospheres were relative evenly distributed on the filter paper modified with 2.5–10.0 g kg−1of APTES, which resulted in excellent intra‐ and inter‐reproducibility of SERS signals for pesticides including thiram, diquat dibromide, and paraquat dichloride (relative standard deviation = 2.2–10.1%). The modified paper‐based substrate could be used to detect as low as 0.05–0.2 mg L−1 of pesticides in standard solutions, and as low as 5–20 ng cm−2 of residual pesticides on apple skins with minimum sample pretreatment. CONCLUSION: This paper‐based substrate with tunable feature for the density and distribution of nanoparticles is applicable for rapid SERS detection of residual pesticides in fruits and vegetables. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (microPADs) are emerging as simple-to-use, low-cost point-of-care testing platforms. Such devices are mostly fabricated at present by creating hydrophobic barriers using wax or photoresist patterning on porous paper sheets. Even though devices fabricated using these methods are used and tested with a wide variety of analytes, still they pose many serious practical limitations for low-cost automated mass fabrication for their widespread applicability. We present an affordable and simple two-step process – cut and heat (CH-microPADs) – for the selective fabrication of hydrophilic channels and reservoirs on a wide variety of porous media such as tissue/printing/filter paper and cloth types, such as cotton and polyester, by a lamination process. The technique presents many advantages as compared to existing commonly used methods. The devices possess excellent mechanical strength against bending, folding and twisting, making them virtually unbreakable. They are structurally flexible and show good chemical resistance to various solvents, acids and bases, presenting widespread applicability in areas such as clinical diagnostics, biological sensing applications, food processing, and the chemical industry. Fabricated paper media 96 well-plate CH-microPAD configurations were tested for cell culture applications using mice embryonic fibroblasts and detection of proteins and enzymes using ELISA. With a simple two-step process and minimal human intervention, the technique presents a promising step towards mass fabrication of inexpensive disposable diagnostic devices for both resource-limited and developed regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characteristics and catalytic properties of a series of carbon-based catalysts (CBCs) produced from paper mill sludge were evaluated. The major processes involved in the production of the catalysts were chemical activation, impregnation, pyrolysis, and post pyrolysis rinsing. The porous structure, catalytic activity and thermostability of the catalysts were tailored during the production stage by introducing hetero-atoms (zinc chloride, and ferric nitrate) in the carbon structure. Characterization of the produced CBCs included determination of the surface area, pore size, and pore size distribution (PSD) from standard N2-adsorption isotherm data. The extent of graphitization and the presence of metal crystals were identified from X-ray diffraction (XRD). The limit of the catalyst gasification was estimated from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) conducted in an oxidized environment. The NOx reduction capability of the produced catalysts was evaluated in the presence of carbon monoxide using a fixed bed reactor. The reaction temperature ranged from 300 to 500 degrees C. It was shown that paper mill sludge is an excellent precursor for the production of CBCs with NOx removal capability of 66-94%. The catalytic capability of the produced CBCs varied according to the method of production, catalyst surface properties (surface area, pore structure, PSD), metal composition and reaction temperature. The highest NOx removal capacity was observed for the catalytic reactions carried out at 400 degrees C. The mesoporous catalyst produced with a Zn:Fe molar ratio of 1:0.5 exhibited the maximum NOx removal catalytic activity of 94%.

An analysis of mortality in a cohort of workers employed in the pulp and paper industry, carried out by the authors of this presentation several years ago, indicated an increase of 22% in the risk of mortality from lung cancer. This risk decreased by only 4% after taking account of smoking. The results obtained then were considered as sufficient to undertake further studies aimed at identifying specific occupational factors responsible for an increased risk for mortality from lung cancer in the population under study. The nested case-control study, in which cases (of lung cancer) and controls were selected from the same cohort observed earlier, was approved as the most suitable method for achieving the aforesaid aim. The study covered 79 cases of deaths from lung cancer confirmed by histological and cytological or radiological examinations, and 237 'healthy' controls matched in the ratio of one to three, taking into account gender, date of birth and date of employment. A group of experts carried out in-depth analysis of exposure to harmful factors in each case of death and in each control. Using a questionnaire, specially developed for this purpose, detailed data on smoking habits among persons under study were collected. Odds ratio was used as a measure of a relative risk for death from lung cancer. A crude relative risk and risk adjusted by eliminating the effect of smoking, applying the model of conditional logistic regression, were calculated for individual exposure factors. Smoking proved to be a significant causal factor responsible for the development of lung cancer in the cohort studied. That was evidenced by relative risk accounting for 12.9 for smokers in relation to non-smokers and an enhanced risk with the increasing number of cigarettes smoked daily, the number of smoking years and an accumulated dose. The study does not confirm a hypothesis that chemical factors specific of the pulp and paper industry exert a significant effect on the risk of death from lung cancer. Odds ratios, crude and adjusted for smoking, were lower than one in all distinguished categories of exposure.

Sanitary-chemical, bacteriological and toxicological characterization of sediments in the regions of the pulp and paper mills sewage letting out are given. Methods of the analytical control are offered.

A transparent, bendable, high oxygen barrier cellulose‐based film was prepared, which has far better oxygen barrier properties than conventional polyethylene, polypropylene and cellophane materials. A series of regenerated cellulose films (RCs) were prepared from filter paper lacking oxygen barrier properties under different cellulose concentrations and gelation times. It was shown that the cellulose concentration and gel time had a greater effect on the oxygen barrier properties of RCs. When the cellulose concentration was 4 wt% and the gel time was 3 h, the RCs obtained the lowest oxygen permeability coefficient (OPC) down to 2.21 × 10−17 cm3 cm cm−2 s−1 Pa−1. The films have a tensile strength of 109.5 MPa, an elongation at break of 27.3% and a light transmission rate of 89%. In further, molecular dynamics simulations showed that when the filter paper was converted to RCs, the increase in hydrogen bonding and the decrease in free volume between cellulose chains caused a decrease in the diffusion coefficient of oxygen. As a novel biobased high oxygen barrier material, the film has broad application prospect in packaging and chemical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors studied a cohort of 2660 pulp and paper workers in Capitanata, Apulia (Italy). All workers with at least 1 year of employment on January 1 1965 or thereafter until march 30, 2000 where studied. Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) were used to compare the mortality rates of the cohort with those of Apulian population. Ninetyfive percent confidence intervals (CIs) for SMRs were obtained. Cancer risks significantly associated with work where observed: all causes for males (SMR 112.09, 95% CI 104.91-119.77), brain cancer for males (SMR 206.04, 95% CI 103.04-412.01), digestive tract for males (SMR 126.78, CI 100.63-159.73). Association with other malignancies are suggested in this study for Laryngeal and Kidney. These malignancies have been associated with different exposures in the production cycle: biocides (Kidney), Formaldehyde (Kidney, Brain). Unclear is the risk factor for the excess showed in digestive tract cancer.

Objectives: The study investigated cancer incidence among 23,718 male pulp and paper workers employed continuously for at least 1 year between 1920 and 1993 in Norway., Methods: The name, date of birth, personal identification number, dates of hire and termination for all employment periods, specific department, and job categories were registered for each worker. Six subcohorts were established (sulfite mill, sulfate mill, paper mill, maintenance department, administrative staff and other departments). Data on the cohort were linked with data in the Norwegian Cancer Register. The follow-up period for cancer incidence, date of death, or emigration was from 1953 through 1993., Results: An excess incidence of lung cancer was found among both short- and long-term employees [standardized incidence ratio (SIR) 1.5, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.13-2.03 and SIR 1.2, 95% CI 1.09-1.34, respectively], especially for workers with the longest latency (SIR 1.3, 95% CI 1.08-1.44) and for sulfite mill workers (SIR 1.5, 95% CI 1.09-1.99). The risk for pleural mesothelioma was also increased (SIR 2.4, 95% CI 1.45-3.75), especially among maintenance workers. The results also showed an increased risk for malignant melanoma (SIR 1.3, 95% CI 1.04-1.60), an unexpected finding., Conclusions: Almost all the increased risk for lung cancer can be explained by a combination of smoking habits and asbestos use. although an effect of other work-related exposures (sulfur and chloride compounds, wood dust) cannot be excluded. Most of the cases of pleural mesothelioma occurred in departments where asbestos was used. There is no clear explanation for the excess of malignant melanoma, and the finding may be a chance occurrence.

The effect of occupational exposure on the circulatory system disorders was evaluated in 802 workers (675 men and 127 women). Occupational histories were analysed, as well as physical and X-ray examinations, laboratory tests (fasting blood cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose) and ECGs were performed. In doubtful cases echocardiography and stress tests on an ergonometer were carried out. Ischaemic heart disease was diagnosed in 1.37% and symptoms suggesting this disease in 6.48% of workers. The incidence of hypertension, anginal pain and dysrhythmias reported were significantly related to workers' age and duration of employment. Smoking, obesity, hypercholesterolaemia and positive family history were found to be most frequent risk factors. Arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 9.48% of workers. Non-occupational factors seem to be mainly responsible for the circulatory system disorders, however, the effects of occupational factors occurring in the cellulose and paper industry which may accelerate the development of ischaemic heart disease, arterial hypertension and dysrhythmias cannot be excluded.

The physical, chemical and mineralogical characterisation of the ash resulting from a pulp mill boiler was performed in order to investigate the valorisation of this waste material through the production of added-value glassy materials. The ash had a particle size distribution in the range 0.06-53 microm, and a high amount of SiO(2) (approximately 82 wt%), which was present as quartz. To favour the vitrification of the ash and to obtain a melt with an adequate viscosity to cast into a mould, different amounts of Na(2)O were added to act as fluxing agent. A batch with 80 wt% waste load melted at 1350 degrees C resulting in a homogeneous transparent green-coloured glass with good workability. The characterisation of the produced glass by differential thermal analysis and dilatometry showed that this glass presents a stable thermal behaviour. Standard leaching tests revealed that the concentration of heavy metals in the leaching solution was lower than those allowed by the Normative. As a conclusion, by vitrification of batch compositions with adequate waste load and additive content it is possible to produce an ash-based glass that may be used in similar applications as a conventional silicate glass inclusively as a building ecomaterial., (2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

After years of good service, EU legislation on chemicals is currently subject to a major review. This process, initiated by the Council of Ministers at Chester in April 1998, will soon lead to new legislative proposals. In the meantime, a review of the Commission's White Paper on "Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy," published in February 2001, clearly shows that the regulatory landscape in this area will be significantly reshaped and that a new burden will be imposed on industry to demonstrate that the production and use of chemicals indeed conform to high standards of protection of human health and the environment. In the view of industry, on both sides of the Atlantic, while the objectives of the proposed reform can be supported, the measures proposed in the White Paper to implement these objectives are not properly balanced and will lead to substantial societal and economic drawbacks, unless significant adjustments are made. The purpose of this article is to present the pitfalls and difficulties of the reform as they are perceived by the EU Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Brussels, an organization that regroups about 150 European companies of American parentage, belonging to a broad range of European business sectors, including producers and users of chemicals. In view of the transatlantic and cross-business character of its membership, the EU Committee offers a different perspective on the debate.

The European Commission has proposed a radical new policy for the regulation of chemicals in the EU in the form of a White Paper. The current system has separate regulatory provisions for "new" chemicals (introduced to the market since September 18, 1981) and "existing" chemicals (on the market before September 18,1981). The proposed future policy will have a single unified regulatory system for all chemicals, which should result in better regulation of chemicals in the EU single market. It will be better because risk assessments will be targeted at the chemicals of greatest concern. Furthermore, the system will be streamlined, making regulatory decisions faster, and thus reducing the so-called burden of the past (the large number of chemicals that have never been assessed for their risks to human health or the environment). The new system incorporates the precautionary principle, which will be applied where there is an early indication of unacceptable risk or where there is undue delay in the regulatory process. Moreover, the new strategy is intended to promote greater transparency for all stakeholders.

Juvenile female rainbow trout was exposed for 4.5 months (June to October) to two dilutions of untreated and activated sludge treated whole mill effluent from a pulp mill producing bleached ECF pulp. Two controls were used, on fed ad libitum and a second receiving 0.5% feed of the body weight. All effluent exposed groups were fed ad libitum. Mean weight of the fish was measured monthly. At the end of the experiment a number of physiological and biochemical parameters were analyzed in order to establish the physiological status of the exposed fish in comparison with unexposed fish that obtained ad libitum or restricted amount of feed. The fish exposed to treated effluent grew significantly more than ad libitum control fish until August, whereupon growth retarded in fish exposed to the lower effluent dilution (400 v/v). The growth of fish exposed to untreated effluent did not deviate significantly from the control fed ad libitum. The results from the hematological analysis clearly showed that fish fed restricted amount of feed deviated significantly in most parameters compared with the control fed ad libitum. Fish exposed to treated effluent showed a response pattern similar to that of the control fed restricted amount of feed, whereas the fish exposed to untreated effluent showed a response pattern that did not deviate from that of the ad libitum control. The metabolic parameters suggested that fish exposed to treated effluent had a higher metabolic demand than ad libitum control and that the energy allocation at the end of the experiment was directed to processes other than growth. The responses on hematology were mainly a consequence of the increased energy demand and were not primary effects. The implications of using feed related parameters at field studies are discussed., (Copyright 2001 Academic Press.)

Xylanase production from a Bacillus subtilis gene cloned into a strain of Escherichia coli was monitored. Although this gene was expressed in E. coli at several temperatures, efficient xylanase secretion did not occur; the observed protein release apparently depended on cell leakage or lysis. Screening for a better microbial protein secretor free of cellulase selected Bacillus cereus No. 518. A bidirectional vector plasmid (pMK3) was employed to carry the cloned gene into this B. cereus strain. Transformation was carried out by electroporation. Total xylanase production by the new pMK3-borne gene in B. cereus was similar to that from E. coli but the xylanase was shown to be normally secreted. The xylanase gene products from the E. coli and B. cereus hosts were shown to function identically. Both xylanases improved the delignification of unbleached softwood and hardwood kraft pulps, thus reducing the Cl2 required to achieve a given degree of bleaching, without altering the physical properties of the fibers. Using a target kappa number (lignin content) of 5, xylanase pretreatment of aspen kraft (chemical) pulp led to a 22% savings of chlorine. Adsorbable organic halogens in the bleachery effluent were also lowered by more than 50%.

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A comparison of death certificate statements on occupation for 858 white males who lived in coastal Georgia counties and who died of lung cancer during 1961--74, and for 858 controls who were of the same age and county of residence revealed a twofold excess risk of lung cancer associated with the construction industry. No elevated risk of lung cancer was found for workers in the wood and paper industries in the urban areas of Savannah, Brunswick, or Waycross, but a threefold increase was uncovered for the remaining coastal counties where the wood and paper industry was the largest employer.

BACKGROUND: Fabrication of cost‐effective and durable materials for efficient hydrogen production in splitting water (hydrogen evolution reaction) is of importance for the successful utilization of hydrogen‐based green energy technologies. Therefore, electrocatalytic materials have been designed with a simple approach using electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and thin film (AuTF) directly on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) paper. As‐prepared paper electrocatalysts (AuNPs/rGO and AuTF/rGO) were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: Free‐standing and flexible AuNPs/rGO and AuTF/rGO electrocatalysts have exhibited excellent performances on HER with low Tafel slopes (88 and 112 mV dec−1), low onset potentials (−47 and −55 mV), small overpotentials of only −176 and −204 mV to drive 10 mA cm−2, respectively, and high durability even with the rolled design. The outstanding performance of these two electrocatalysts can be attributed to the uniform distribution of 20‐nm‐sized AuNPs and the deposition of well‐ordered AuTF on rGO paper, providing an increment in the surface area and an enhancement of the electron density. CONCLUSION: The controllable design of AuNPs/rGO and AuTF/rGO electrocatalysts, together with their high flexibility, good stability and promising results, suggest potential use in future applications of H2 production in splitting water. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The fabrication of mica‐based composites with good mechanical properties is very important especially for electrical insulation applications. In this study, a new aramid fibrid along with chopped fibers was introduced into a mica system, and the composites were prepared using a papermaking machine. It was found that the mechanical properties of both fibrid–mica composite (F‐M paper) and fiber/fibrid–mica composite (A‐M paper) were largely improved in comparison with the reference sample (M paper) with an increase in the content of fibrid or hybrid floc/fibrid. This enhancement can be attributed to two mechanisms: (1) enhanced interfacial adhesion derived from the addition of fibrids with good flexibility and wrapping properties and (2) significant reinforcing due to the frameworks originating from the addition of chopped flocs with high modulus and rigid‐rod morphology. Interestingly, a synergetic effect of enhanced interfacial adhesion and reinforcing could also be observed when both flocs and fibrids were introduced, which further improved the mechanical properties. Furthermore, the addition of aramid fibrid greatly enhanced the moisture resistance, which expands the potential for mica‐based composites. Thus, we successfully fabricated a mica‐based composite for electrical insulation with good mechanical properties, high end‐use temperature and excellent moisture resistance by adding hybrid aramid fibers. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]