People tend to spend more and more time indoors, constantly breathing indoor air. In indoor air there is a mixture of chemicals from both the outdoor air, which is let in through the ventilation systems, and from the materials and products that are used indoors. To maintain good health, good indoor air quality (IAQ) is essential, not only at home but also at work. Some workplaces are more prone to air contamination than others, beauty salons being a great example. This is simply because a large number of products are used, all with a complex composition of different substances. In this study, the concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehydes are measured in the air of different types of beauty salons and a gym. Three different types of beauty salons are included; one hair salon using traditional hair products, one hair salon using organic products and the third salon is a nail salon. The gym is included as a reference facility where low emissions of VOCs and aldehydes are expected. Also, a sample of the outdoor air in central Örebro is taken to be able to conclude that the indoor pollution is indeed from indoor sources, using indoor/outdoor ratio (I/O ratio). To evaluate the risk associated with the measured concentrations of VOCs and aldehydes a new approach using chronic limit values for calculation of hazard index (HI) and maximum cumulative ratio (MCR) is used as well as the Swedish occupational exposure limits. HI is calculated by adding all substances in the mixture’s hazard quotients (HQs), which is the measured concentration divided by the limit value. The HI is an indication of the strength of the toxicity of the mixture where a value above 1 is of concern, whereas MCR is used to identify if one or several substances are responsible for the total toxicity by dividing the HI by the maximum HQ in the mixture. The results showed a low risk for all sampling sites, except personal sampling in salon 3, where HI > 1 and MCR>2, which means concern for combined effect by several substances. / Vi tenderar att spendera allt mer tid inomhus, vilket gör att vi konstant andas inomhusluft. I inomhusluft finns en mix av kemikalier från både luften utomhus som släpps in genom ventilationssystemen och från material och produkter vi använder inomhus. För att bibehålla god hälsa är det nödvändigt med en god kvalitet på inomhusluften, inte bara hemma utan också på jobbet. Vissa arbetsplatser löper större risk för dålig inomhusluft än andra, ett bra exempel är skönhetssalonger. Detta på grund av det stora antal produkter som används, varav alla har sin egen komplexa komposition av kemikalier. I denna studie mäts koncentrationerna av flyktiga organiska ämnen och aldehyder i inomhusluften på olika skönhetssalonger och ett gym. Tre olika skönhetssalonger deltog i studien; en hårsalong som använder sig av traditionella produkter, en hårsalong som använder ekologiska produkter och en nagelsalong. Gymmet används som en typ av referensanläggning där låga halter av flyktiga organiska ämnen och aldehyder väntas. Även utomhusluften mäts i centrala Örebro, och resultatet används för att kunna fastställa att de uppmätta ämnena har sitt ursprung i inomhusmiljön genom att beräkna indoor/outdoor ratio (I/O ratio). För att utvärdera riskerna de uppmätta koncentrationerna flyktiga organiska ämnen och aldehyder utgör, tillämpas ett nytt tillvägagångssätt där man använder kroniska gränsvärden för att beräkna hazard index (HI) och maximum cumulative ratio (MCR), samt svenska hygieniska gränsvärden. Alla ämnen i en mix har en så kallad hazard quotient (HQ) som beräknas genom att dividera den uppmätta koncentrationen av ämnet med dess gränsvärde. Alla ämnens HQ adderas och tillsammans utgör de HI. HI indikerar styrkan av mixens sammanvägda toxicitet och ett värde över 1 är oroväckande. MCR används för att identifiera om ett eller flera ämnen är ansvariga för den totala toxiciteten för mixen genom att dividera HI med den högsta uppmätta HQ i mixen. Resultaten visade låg risk för alla prover, förutom personburen provtagning i salong 3, där HI>1 och MCR>2, vilket betyder att oro finns för mixens kombinerade effekter och det orsakas av flera substanser.

Alkaline by-products were used in a leaching test to study their effect on highly weathered, sulphide-rich mine waste from Ljusnarsberg for the attempt to neutralize the leachate and immobilize trace metals through precipitation of secondary minerals. Leaching was performed at liquid/solid ratio of 0.5-20 with 10 % alkaline material. It was found that immobilization of trace elements (Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu) were successful in systems able to neutralize the mine waste. The systems with a lower pH increase (4-5) leached an increased amount of both Zn and Cd compared to the reference. Fly ashes are found to be the most effective material regarding pH and metal immobilization but are also found to have the highest increase of molybdenum and antimony, trace metals originating from the ashes. High chloride content is another concern regarding fly ashes, as high levels in the leachate would cause a concern for the nearby fresh water.

The purpose of this project was to optimize the filtration process when analyzing ground water for risk assessment. Particulate (>0.45 μm), colloidal (0.45 μm<diam.<0.01 μm) and dissolved metal species were studied using different filtration methods: flow filtration in the field using peristaltic pump and in-line filter; replaceable filters and syringe filter in the field; replaceable filters and syringe filter in a laboratory environment. Studies where metal concentrations in the filtrate are measured as a function of the amount of material enriched in the filter was carried out. MP-AES were used for analyzing the metals in controlled systems and the reference method was done with ICP-MS. The project was done on the behalf of Structor and evaluation were also made between the sampling methods that Structor has undertaken and the methods that was examined in this report. The results were evaluated by comparison of guideline values set by the World health organization, WHO on drinking water and the regulation and status classification and environmental quality values of ground water recommended by the Swedish Geological Survey, SGU. Produced data was assessed by conventional statistics.

Methods to measure the concentration of freely dissolved PAHs in pore water have been developed and are based on the usage of passive samplers, in this case polyoxymethylene (POM). Spiked samples (containing PAHs with 4-5 rings, methylated PAHs with 2-5 rings and dibenzothiophenes in three different concentrations) were placed on an end-over-end shaker for 28 days, to obtain equilibrium between the amount of PAHs accumulated on the POM strips and the amount of PAHs freely dissolved in the water. Four samples (medium concentration) were removed from the shaker after 7 and 14 days, respectively, and after 28 days were 12 samples (low, medium and high concentrations) removed. The variance of the average log(KPOM) values obtained from medium concentration were statistically tested, and showed that the coefficients for all compounds did not differ significantly over time. The coefficient difference between the three concentrations for the methylated PAHs were greater amongst the more hydrophobic compounds; 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene had log(KPOM) of 5.64, 2.77 and 3.71 (low, medium, high). The hydrophilic compounds had coefficients that were more similar in the three concentrations; 1,6-Dimethylnaphthalene had log(KPOM) of 3.80, 2.62, and 3.39 (low, medium, high). Previous studies have determined log(KPOM) for several PAHs, and merged log(KPOM) for alkylated isomeric PAHs. The coefficients from the lowest concentration of serval methylated PAHs and Benzo(e)pyrene were similar to log(KPOM) values obtained for those compounds in an earlier study. The accuracy of risk assessments of PAH contaminated areas will increase when analysing individual methylated PAHs and using individual KPOM values for methylated PAHs, as in this study, instead of merged coefficients.

Before the persistent and toxicological properties of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were known they were used worldwide. The thermal and chemical stability from the carbon-fluorine bond makes these substances desirable for industrial applications. One particular PFAS that have received much attention is perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) which is included in the Stockholm convention. Analyses have detected PFASs, especially the ones with longer carbon chain, in the environment, wildlife and humans so replacements are being searched for. This study investigates groundwater around a former hard chromium plating site, which is one of the registered exceptions where PFOS still is used. Five different located sampling points were collected and analyzed from this site in Iggesund, which is in the northern parts of Sweden. The substances analyzed for were thirteen perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs: C4-C14, C16 and C18), five perfluorinated sulfonic acids (PFSAs: C4, C6, C8 and C10) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS). The 6:2 telomer substances is being used as a replacement for similar compounds with longer carbon chains, but are believed to undergo biotransformation to persistent alkyl acids like perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) in the environment. Solid phase extraction was performed on 500 mL filtered groundwater with and the concentrated samples were analyzed on an Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC), tandem mass spectrometer. The glass microfiber filters used for filtrating the groundwater were analyzed for particle bound PFASs. Results from the water extraction analysis showed eight detected PFAS, with PFOS as the major contributor (72 - 9600 ng/L). The PFOS concentrations differs substantially between the five groundwater samples where the two sampling points located south of the facility, and closest to the actual hard chromium plating, were clearly higher than the other three. Two other substances detected in high concentration were perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBuS), 8-1550 ng/L, and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), 18-140 ng/L which can be produced as an impurity during the production of PFOS. PFCAs in all samples were detected in lower concentrations (1-25 ng/L). Additional to the PFAS analysis, the groundwater was also measured for chromium since the carcinogenic hexavalent form is used in the chromic acid bath during hard chromium plating. In the same two samples that had the highest PFAS concentration, chromium was found in high concentration, 34900-44800 μg/L. These result indicates that the chromic acid baths is the source for the elevated concentrations found in the groundwater. If the facilities are left to deteriorate it will lead to continuously spreading of chromium and the highly water soluble PFASs downstream to Iggesundså which is of concern for the environment and water living organisms.

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) are a group of organic compounds that are very stable and therefore persistent. They can be pyrogenic or petrogenic and PAHs from petrogenic sources are often enriched with alkylated PAHs while pyrogenic sources often contain more of the parent PAH. In Patholmsviken, a bay located near an abandoned woodimpregnating facility, freshwater snails were collected and analysed for PAH16, alkylated PAHs, oxy-PAHs and azaarenes using GC/MS. The concentrations of PAH16 were compared with previous analyses and the results showed that the levels had declined since 2008 and 2013. The ratio between alkylated PAHs and native PAH coincide with what could be expected from a creosote source which consist of more native PAHs. Only one oxy-PAH could be detected and the levels of alkylated PAHs were low. Freshwater snails seem to be a good bioindicator since they meet many of the desired criteria for a suitable biomonitoring organism. / Polycykliska aromatiska föreningar (PAH) är en grupp av organiska föreningar som är mycket stabila och därmed långlivade. De kan vara pyrogena eller petrogena, de petrogena källorna är ofta berikad med alkylerade PAHer medan de pyrogena källorna oftare innehåller mer av icke-substituerade PAHer. I Patholmsviken, en vik som ligger bredvid en nedlagd träimpregneringsanläggning, har snäckor samlats in och analyserats för PAH16, alkylerade PAHer, oxy-PAHer och azaarener med hjälp av GC/MS. Koncentrationerna av PAH16 jämfördes med värden från två tidigare analyser och resultaten visade att nivåerna hade minskat sedan 2008 och 2013. Endast en oxy-PAH kunde detekteras och nivåerna av alkylerade PAHer var låga. De låga nivåerna av alkylerade PAH överensstämmer med vad som kan förväntas hitta från en kreosotkälla som avger pyrogena PAHer. Snäckor verkar vara lämpliga att använda som bioindikatorer eftersom de uppfyller många av de kriterier som finns för dessa.

The aim of this study is to in cooperation with Grythyttan Vin compare and evaluate the accuracy and precision of the Alcolyzer Wine. The Alcolyzer Wine is a Near Infrared based instrument that was compared to GC-FID, GC-MS and distillation. Samples were taken from cisterns at Grythyttan Vin along with finished product samples. These were then analysed using the mentioned analytical techniques. Multiple improvements can be made for the different techniques, such as use of internal standards. The relative standard deviations are higher than desired. Considering aspects such as precision, accuracy, cost, time consumption and user friendliness the preferred method of use is the Alcolyzer Wine. Even though it has limitations in the need to know sugar content it is the fastest and easiest instrument to use. Further studies have to be made to ensure the accuracy and precision of the GC-MS and the GC-FID.

Mill scale is a by-product from hot rolling of steel. It has a high content of iron oxide which has the ability to adsorb ions. Hexavalent chromium is a pollutant which could be adsorbed to mill scale. Different pre-treatment of the mill scale was tested to optimize the adsorption of hexavalent chromium. For an efficient adsorption of hexavalent chromium the pH had to be below 6 in the aqueous phase. Optimal adsorption was obtained on mill scale treated at a low temperature, as sintering at higher temperatures decreased the surface area, with the optimal pre-treatment being heating at 200 °C followed by a rapid cooling of the mill scale. This study also showed that the mill scale used for adsorption can be reused after desorption with only a slight decrease in capacity. A large heterogeneity of the material was noticed during the adsorption tests and the capacity fluctuated significantly between 50 % and 85 % for the different samples. The content of organic matter in the material and its removal was also studied. Chemical treatment with NH3 and NaOH showed no increase in removal of organic matter only heating at different temperatures showed success. This indicates that the present organic matter most likely is stable long chained hydrocarbons e.g. lube oil.

Brass couplings are used in most piping systems for tap water. The alloy contain a variety of metal composition, amongst these metals lead is included. Lead is a toxic metal that can leach from brass when it is in contact with aqueous solutions. There are several physical and chemical conditions that affect the leaching of lead. Stagnation time, material composition and water quality are some of these conditions. The aim of this project is to generate a dataset that can be used for evaluation of the leaching of heavy metals from brass couplings during different hydrochemical conditions. By exposing brass couplings to synthetic waters various properties, analyse the results and comparing these to limits set by approval procedures it is possible to obtain a prediction on how the brass couplings might leach lead when installed in tap water systems. Results shows that at least one of the brass couplings included in this test could be unfit for usage in drinking water system installations.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent, toxic and carcinogenic environmental pollutants consisting of two or more aromatic rings. The estimation of the toxicity of PAHs can be challenging and time-consuming due to the complexity of PAH-mixtures found in the environment, for example at contaminated sites. To solve the problem of a high complexity, PAH-mixtures can be divided into fractions. In the present study, Normal Phase (NP) and Reverse Phase (RP) Liquid Chromatography (LC) methods were evaluated and developed to separate and fractionate 16 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) priority PAHs. Two stationary and six mobile phases, different column temperatures, flow rates, injection volumes, gradient and isocratic elutions were evaluated in order to achieve the best separation and fractionation. Best separation of PAHs was achieved with the RP-LC method using a phenyl stationary phase and gradient elution with mixture of methanol, acetonitrile and water. Fractionation was performed based on PAHs’ retention time windows, as well as peaks’ threshold and slope values. The elution order of fractions was verified by identification and quantification of the PAHs by GC-MS. Fractionation of a soil extract with the developed RP-LC method resulted in successful separation and fractionation of five EPA’s priority PAHs naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene and chrysene, as well as two non-priority PAHs carbazole and 4H-Cyclopenta[d,e,f]phenanthrene. The study shows that developed RP-LC method can be further optimized to fractionate complex mixtures of alkyl substituted, oxygenated and other polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs).