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Development Of A Treatment Scheme For Spent Cleaning Solutions Using Statistical Process Control Concepts
Published in John W. Bell, Proceedings of the 45th Industrial Waste Conference May 8, 9, 10, 1990, 1991
Kenneth E. Kaszubowski, James A. Bilgo
Kohler Co. is a world-wide manufacturer of commercial and household plumbing products, small internal combustion engines, generator sets, furniture, and other household goods. The manufacturing facility located in Kohler, Wisconsin, produces vitreous china, enameled cast-iron fixtures, brass plumbing fittings, and internal combustion engines.
Decontamination of metals from firefighter turnout gear
Published in Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2022
Drew Stolpman, Denise N. Williams, Touradj Solouki, Debra D. Harris
Aside from direct contact transfer of contaminants onto PPE during a structural fire, many organic and inorganic molecules can be volatilized by the high temperatures of structural fires and deposited onto FTG and skin. Heavy metals are among the contaminants that firefighters can be exposed to when everyday items combust during a fire event. In a recent study (Keir et al. 2020), lead (Pb) concentrations on firefighters’ skin and PPE were found to significantly increase (p < 0.001) after exposure to a fire. Pb and cadmium (Cd) might be present as plastic stabilizers in children’s toys and toy jewelry that contain materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (Kumar and Pastore 2007; Greenway and Gerstenberger 2010). Also, Li et al. (2007) demonstrated that incineration of municipal solid waste that contained 5% (w/w) PVC could volatilize up to 45% of the contained Pb content at 900 °C. Chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As) have been identified in smoke particulates from different fires and on firefighters’ gloves (Fabian et al. 2014). One source of these metals is the combustion of old wood that has been treated with chromated copper arsenate, which at high temperatures (ranges of 800–1000 °C) can volatilize up to 77% of the woods’ As content and generate Cr-containing ash (McMahon et al. 1986; Hirata et al. 1992). Antimony (Sb) has been used in batteries and other semiconductors, print metals, pigments for paints and lacquers, and flame retardants for furniture and other household goods (McCallum 2005). Thus, each of these metal contaminants are common substances in environments that firefighters and their gear may encounter during fires. If not removed from FTG, heavy metals are among the toxic materials that may be absorbed dermally. For example, soluble chromium salts can produce ions that may enter and penetrate through the skin (Chiba et al. 1997; Hansen et al. 2003; Van Lierde et al. 2006). Unsuccessful removal of heavy metals from contaminated gear can result in prolonged and repeated exposures through skin. Hence, the efficient removal of contaminants from FTG is an important aspect of exposure reduction.
Indoor volatile organic compounds exposures and risk of childhood acute leukemia: a case-control study in shanghai
Published in Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 2020
Yan Zhang, Didi Chen, Rong Shi, Michihiro Kamijima, Kiyoshi Sakai, Ying Tian, Yu Gao
With people’s living standards being improved, moving and renovating the house has become more and more popular in China. As we know, home renovation is an important factor which can lead to increased indoor VOCs due to emission by the building materials, paint solvents, cabinetry materials, floor covering or other materials;[37,38] the pollutants can persistently stay in the indoor air.[39] Whitehead [40] reported that construction in the house between birth and diagnosis elevated the risk of ALL based on questionnaire. Although we did not observe significant association between home renovation and childhood AL from questionnaire, two VOCs (styrene and butyl alcohol) were related with elevated risk of childhood AL from quantitative measurements. Styrene is a monomer which is incorporated into major polymers and copolymers, and it can be used in household goods such as molded furniture.[41] Inhalation as well as food intake via release of styrene from packaging materials are two important source of styrene exposure.[42] Styrene has been characterized as a possible human carcinogen by IARC (Group 2B).[28] Previous epidemiological studies mainly focused on the health effects of occupational workers, no consistent evidence of elevated risk of leukemia emerged from these studies.[41] Butyl alcohol is an alcohol consisting of four isomers: n-butanol, tert-butanol, sec-butanol, and isobutanol, all of which are flammable and are used as solvents in paints and thinners.[43] Developmental neurotoxicity for butyl alcohol had been observed in some rodent studies, but it is not classified by IARC ratings.[28] Given the few evidence [25,44–49] linking indoor 1,2-dichloroethane/butyl alcohol exposure and health effect, our results should be interpreted cautiously. Besides styrene and butyl alcohol, chlorinated hydrocarbons and TVOC also showed significant association with childhood AL in the present study, which is consistent with our previous study.[23] A risk assessment conducted in Shanghai [24] showed that, chlorinated hydrocarbons may present a higher inhalation cancer risk, even at relatively low levels of indoor environments. Therefore, indoor exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons should arise greater concern. Since population-based data are unavailable, it is essential to explore whether there is a direct linkage of carcinogenic effects to styrene exposure alone in the future.