In order to gain more profit and be superior to others in an environment full of intense competitions, enterprises nowadays not only have to maintain the original product quality, price, and sale passageways but also need to enhance the service quality, in an attempt to increase customers¡¦ satisfaction degree and faithfulness degree. According to the newly published ISO 9001: 2000 Customer Satisfaction Management Structure, the priority in the operating system of quality management has become customers. As a result, one of a manager¡¦s responsibilities now includes emphasizing customers¡¦ relationship management and utilizing operating strategies, which customers are satisfied. The research, which consists of China Steel Chemical Corporation¡¦s new version of ISO 9001: 2000 Customer Satisfaction Management Structure, results from the collected references and information regarding customers¡¦ satisfaction degree, along with customers¡¦ opinions obtained from thorough meetings. It analyzes certain key factors affecting customers¡¦ satisfaction degree. The research-investigating subject is all the customers, who have purchased or used the products and enjoyed the service of China Steel Chemical Corporation during the time period from April 1st, 2002 to March 31st, 2003. Survey questionnaires are also examined to measure the customers¡¦ satisfaction level, so as to evaluate the entire quality of a series of coal tar products. In the meanwhile, in order to assist China Steel Chemical Corporation to meet the standards of ISO 9001: 2000 Customer Satisfaction Management Structure, procedures, which are deliberately used for estimating the customers¡¦ satisfaction degree index, are also established. The study eventually analyzes the relationship between the total quality of the coal tar products and the customers¡¦ satisfaction degree and the correlation between the customers¡¦ satisfaction degree and faithfulness degree. Following the construction of a scale measurement, the research discovers that the entire quality of the coal tar industry products is composed of the service quality and the original product quality, which includes products, sales, prices, communications, and product deliveries. Accordingly, the higher the entire quality of the products is, the higher the customers¡¦ satisfaction degree becomes. Moreover, the study also finds out that the higher customers¡¦ satisfaction degree significantly indicates the higher customers¡¦ faithfulness degree, for the customers will be more willing to purchase the products again as well as recommend others to buy the products. In addition, after developing the procedures to assess the product quality of the coal tar industry from a variety of aspects, the research reveals that by simply consulting the handy evaluation procedures, a manager will be able to come up with other suitable ways to resolve the customers¡¦ complaints as well as improve the product and service quality. The established system that combines information of the product quality and the customers¡¦ satisfaction degree, can effectively and completely reflect the customers¡¦ feedbacks. Thus, it indeed provides enterprises with valuable references in the process of improving the entire product quality efficiently. ¡iKey Words¡j: coal tar, customers¡¦ satisfaction degree, Customer Satisfaction Management Structure, service quality, customers¡¦ faithfulness degree

The Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum) is a federally endangered species that is endemic to Barton Springs in Austin, Texas. Development within the Barton Springs watershed threatens the continued existence of E. sosorum. A factor that may be contributing to its decline is contamination from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Nearby asphalt parking lots paved with coal-tar and asphalt sealants can be sources of PAHs. Unaltered parent compounds of PAHs can have toxic effects, but oxidation and ultraviolet radiation can create degradation products 100 times more toxic than the parent compounds. The objective of this project was to determine if PAHs are potentially harmful to E. sosorum using two surrogate species. Adult eastern newts (Notophthalmus viridescens) and larval spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) were exposed to sediments with nominal concentrations of total PAHs that ranged from 0 to 1500 mg/kg under UV (290 - 400 nm) and visible (400 - 700 nm) light to determine concentration/response relationships. No statistically significant mortality occurred under any treatment. Exposure to both coal-tar sealant and UV light resulted in sublethal effects such as decreased righting ability and swimming speed. Difficulty in performing such movements would make it difficult to catch prey and increase susceptibility to predation. Exposure to UV light also resulted in elevated numbers of micronucleated erythrocytes and white blood cells. This study shows that simultaneous exposure to PAHs and UV light result in sublethal effects that could make the population of E. sosorum vulnerable to further decline.

<p> Coal tar is a rich source of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC) which include hydrocarbons (PAH), sulfur-containing aromatics (PASH), nitrogen-containing aromatics and high molecular mass PAH. The separation of coal tar into four fractions was carried out on activated (170°C, 48 hrs) neutral alumina. Low mass aromatics and aliphatics were eluted with hexane in fraction A1 (2.2% recovery), while PAH/PASH were eluted by benzene in fraction A2 (25%). High molecular mass PAH were eluted by dichloromethane in fraction A3 (5.5%) and nitrogen-containing aromatics were eluted by methanol in fraction A4 (21%). These fractions were characterized by normal phase liquid chromatography, GCMS, probe mass spectrometry (for fractions A3 and A4) and LC-MS (for fraction A3).</p> <p> While ratio of PASH to PAH in fraction A2 was rather unfavorable (25:1), the separation of PASH from PAH was attempted using two methods: an oxidation/reduction method and a ligand exchange method. The oxidation/reduction method of Lee was a complete failure. The PdCl2-silica method of Nishioka was partially successful. Of the 25 thia-arenes identified in fraction A2, 12 eluted with the PAH while the other 13 were either partially (5) or fully (8) retained by the PdCl2-silica gel column and then eluted later to give a sulfur-enriched fraction. This fraction was further separated using normal phase HPLC to afford sulfur-containing compounds with molecular masses between 184 amu and 258 amu which exhibited almost no contamination due to PAH. Thus, it would be possible to purify about one-half of the PASH from a complex mixture such as coal tar.</p> <p> Fraction A3 which contained high mass PAH was subjected to semi-preparative normal phase HPLC to afford several high molecular mass PAH fractions. The 326 amu PAH fraction was selected because it contributed to 10% of the genotoxic of the mixture. This fraction was further separated by normal phase HPLC and the subfractions were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC with diode-array detection. Thirty-five peaks were collected from the reversed-phase HPLC analysis and were characterized by probe mass spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy (in part). Of the 35 peaks, 8 peaks were eluted in the mutagenic active range; these eight compounds will be evaluated using the Ames assay to determine which are active mutagens.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Motivation: The accurate and reliable measurement of the concentration of coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPVs) in ambient air has proved to be a challenge for occupational hygienists. The challenge must however be confronted due to, amongst others, the carcinogenic properties of some poly–aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contained in CTPVs. Aim: To determine the feasibility of a thermal desorption (TD) technique based method as an alternative method to be used for the measurement of the concentration of CTPVs in ambient air by assessing it along criteria such as ease of use, cost, accuracy and precision by comparing it to NIOSH’s Method 5515 and OSHA’s Method 58 and to determine the level of exposure to CTPVs on the anode paste floor of an electric furnace, used for the smelting of platinum group metals (PGMs) concentrate. Methodology: To satisfy the research objective, two accepted methods the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) method 5515 and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) method 58 were used for the measurement of the concentration of CTPVs with a TD technique based method used as a third, alternative method. All three methods were used concurrently to measure the concentration of CTPVs in ambient air, at the anode paste floor of a platinum group metals (PGMs) concentrate smelter. Results and conclusions: The NIOSH method proved to be the most precise method while the TD technique based method proved to be the most accurate. The TD technique based method proved to measure the widest range of individual CTPVs and were able to measure the highest concentration of Benzo(a)pyrene, an individual CTPV that is classified as a Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans) chemical substance by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The OSHA method measured on average almost four times less total CTPVs than either the NIOSH or the TD technique based method and failed to readily measure individual CTPVs with a molecular weight lower than that of Phenanthrene. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Occupational Hygiene))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Motivation: The accurate and reliable measurement of the concentration of coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPVs) in ambient air has proved to be a challenge for occupational hygienists. The challenge must however be confronted due to, amongst others, the carcinogenic properties of some poly–aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contained in CTPVs. Aim: To determine the feasibility of a thermal desorption (TD) technique based method as an alternative method to be used for the measurement of the concentration of CTPVs in ambient air by assessing it along criteria such as ease of use, cost, accuracy and precision by comparing it to NIOSH’s Method 5515 and OSHA’s Method 58 and to determine the level of exposure to CTPVs on the anode paste floor of an electric furnace, used for the smelting of platinum group metals (PGMs) concentrate. Methodology: To satisfy the research objective, two accepted methods the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) method 5515 and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) method 58 were used for the measurement of the concentration of CTPVs with a TD technique based method used as a third, alternative method. All three methods were used concurrently to measure the concentration of CTPVs in ambient air, at the anode paste floor of a platinum group metals (PGMs) concentrate smelter. Results and conclusions: The NIOSH method proved to be the most precise method while the TD technique based method proved to be the most accurate. The TD technique based method proved to measure the widest range of individual CTPVs and were able to measure the highest concentration of Benzo(a)pyrene, an individual CTPV that is classified as a Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans) chemical substance by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The OSHA method measured on average almost four times less total CTPVs than either the NIOSH or the TD technique based method and failed to readily measure individual CTPVs with a molecular weight lower than that of Phenanthrene. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Occupational Hygiene))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

De nombreuses friches héritées d’activités industrielles révolues présentent des pollutions organiques persistantes (charbon, goudron…). Alors que la réglementation impose un une évaluation du degré de contamination de ces sites, elle ne prend pas en compte les sous-produits de transformation tels que les composés polaires, peu considérés. Pourtant ils se solubilisent dans la phase aqueuse par percolation des eaux météoriques à travers ces surfaces contaminées. Bien que la littérature ciblant la matière organique dissoute (MOD) d’origine naturelle soit abondante, elle n’est pas directement transposable à la MOD issues des friches contaminées, qui reste à définir pour une meilleure compréhension du devenir de la pollution dans ces sites anthropisés. Une approche multi-techniques a été appliquée pour appréhender le plus précisément possible la MOD issue de terres d’anciennes cokeries et usines à gaz, par le biais d’expériences en laboratoire et des dispositifs de terrain (lysimètres). L’étude de ces derniers montre qu’ils contiennent une forte teneur en MOD aromatique, dont les composés aromatiques polycycliques ne représentent qu’une faible proportion de la MOD totale. Des expériences complémentaires ciblant l’influence de certains paramètres (pH et hydrophobicité) suggèrent un lien fort entre le pH et l’organisation spatiale de la MOD, ainsi qu’une diminution de la masse moléculaire apparente avec l’augmentation de l’hydrophobicité. Des expériences de vieillissement artificiel ont montré un enrichissement en produits polaires condensés entraînant leur forte mobilisation par l’eau / A large amount of wastelands inherited from former industrial activities contains persistent organic contamination (coal, coal tar…). While the regulation requires an evaluation of the contamination degree of these soils, it doesn’t take into account the transformation by-products such as polar compounds, poorly studied. Yet they solubilize in aqueous phase by percolation of meteoric waters through these contaminated sites. Despite the fact that literature targeting the fresh DOM is abundant, it is not directly transposable to the anthropogenic DOM coming from wastelands, which still need to be more precisely defined to improve our knowledge of this specific DOM and its evolution over time. A multi-technical approach was developed to comprehend the anthropogenic DOM coming from former coking and gas plant soils, thanks to a combination of laboratory experiments (under controlled conditions) and on field devices (lysimeters). Their study show that they contained high polycyclic aromatic compound (PAC) contents, whose proportions in polar PACs exceed the ones in soil measurements. However, these PACs only consist of a low proportion of the total DOM. Complementary experiences targeting the influence of some parameters (pH, hydrophobicity) show a major hydrophobic characteristic and suggest a strong link between the pH and the spatial DOM organization. Artificial aging experiences show an enrichment in polar compounds leading to their water mobilization

Under våren 2021 upptäcktes förhöjda halter av polyaromatiska kolväten (PAH) i Björklinges dricksvattennät. Då ett vattenprov taget hos användare påvisade halter som låg över Livsmedelsverkets gränsvärden och källan till föroreningen inte identifierats, rekommenderades hushållen i Björklinge att inte använda kranvattnet till mat och dryck under en period. Efter sektionering av nätet och provtagning identifierades en äldre, nyligen reparerad, ledningssträcka av gjutjärn som trolig föroreningskälla. Denna typ av ledning är relativt vanligt förekommande i delar av Uppsala Vattens nät. Syftet med denna studie var att få en djupare förståelse för orsakerna till PAH-föroreningen i Björklinge och bedöma risken för att liknande föroreningar ska hända igen, samt att tillhandahålla ett beslutsunderlag för Uppsala Vattens hantering av äldre gjutjärnsledningar.En litteraturstudie genomfördes och data från Björklinge analyserades. Resultaten av litteraturstudien visade att frisättning av PAH från äldre gjutjärnsrör med korrosionsskydd innehållande stenkolstjära eller bitumen är ett välkänt fenomen. Biofilmen har en skyddande effekt och graden av frisättning kan därför påverkas av faktorer som klorering eller syrehalt i vattnet. Även mekaniskt slitage i form av reparationsarbete och tryckvågor kan leda till förhöjda nivåer av PAH. Korrosion av ledningarna är troligen också en viktig faktor.Utifrån litteraturstudien och resultaten från användarprover tagna i Björklinge respektive Skuttunge kunde det konstateras att problemen i Björklinge hade ett samband med frisättning av PAH från gjutjärnsrör. Vid tidpunkten för studien kunde ökande PAH-halter observeras på vissa platser i ledningsnätet även efter ledningsbytet i Björklinge våren 2021, vilket tydde på fortsatt kontaminering. Inga uppmätta halter i användarprover låg dock över något av Livsmedelsverkets gränsvärden och PAH i dricksvattnet anses inte vara ett stort hälsomässigt problem i dagsläget. Det är däremot viktigt att fortsätta monitorera halterna av PAH i Uppsala Vattens nät då denna typ av problem kan uppstå igen. Man bör också vara försiktig med åtgärder som kan påverka biofilmen samt vara återhållsam med spoling av denna typ av ledningar. De ledningar som identifierats som föroreningskällor bör åtgärdas. Med tanke på ledningarnas stigande ålder, begränsad kunskap om PAH och dess hälsoeffekter, samt WHOs rekommendationer bör man dock initiera ett långsiktigt arbete med att byta ut eller renovera denna typ av ledningar i Uppsala Vattens nät. / During the spring of 2021 elevated levels of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were discovered in the drinking water supply network of Björklinge. Levels above the limit set by the Swedish Food Agency were observed in one user sample, which led to the inhabitants of Björklinge being recommended not to use the tap water for drinking or cooking while the source of the contamination was being identified. After sectioning and sampling the network, an older, recently repaired cast iron pipe was identified as the probable source of the contamination. This type of pipe is not uncommon in the drinking water network of Uppsala Vatten. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the causes of the PAH contamination in Björklinge and to determine the risk of similar contaminations happening again. Further, it aimed to provide a basis for future decisions regarding the handling of older cast iron pipes in the drinking water network of Uppsala Vatten.A literature study was done and data from Björklinge was analysed. The results of the literature study showed that the release of PAH from older cast iron pipes with coal tar or bitumen coating is a well-known phenomenon. The biofilm has protective properties, and the degree of PAH release can hence be affected by factors such as chlorination or oxygen concentration of the water. Mechanical wear in the form of repair work or pressure waves can also cause increased levels of PAH in the water.Based on the literature study as well as the results from the user samples of Björklinge and Skuttunge, it could be determined that the PAH contamination in Björklinge was related to the release of PAH from old cast iron pipes. At the time of this study, increasing levels of PAH could be observed in some parts of the drinking water network even after the suspected pipes had been replaced during the spring of 2021. This might indicate that the contamination was still ongoing. However, no samples were above the limits set by the Swedish Food Agency and PAH is currently not considered a major health problem. Despite this, it is important to keep monitoring the levels of PAH in the drinking water since the PAH levels might increase again. It is also important to be careful with measures that might affect the biofilm and when flushing cast iron pipes. The pipes that have already been identified as sources of contamination should be replaced. Given the increasing age of the cast iron pipes, the limited knowledge of PAH and its health effects, as well as the recommendations from the WHO, a long-term plan for how to remove or renovate this type of pipes from the drinking water network of Uppsala Vatten should be initiated.

Der Einfluss des Biofilms, der Inkrustation, der Fließgeschwindigkeit und der Wasserqualität auf die Freisetzung von PAK wurde in Batch-, Drehkolbenreaktorversuchen und an einem Rohrleitungssystem untersucht. Chlorung von tauchgeteerten Edelstahlcoupons mit Biofilm führten zu einer fast vollständigen Ablösung des Biofilms und einer Zunahme der Freisetzung von Fluoren, Phenanthren und Fluoranthen. Die PAK-Freisetzung von tauchgeteerten Edelstahlcou-pons in einer Lösung von Trinkwasser mit 0,1% Natriumazid als Hemmstoff der Atmungskette, der den Biofilm nicht ablöst, führten zu einer Zunahme aller untersuchten PAK in der gleichen Größenordnung wie ohne Bio-film. In chloriertem Teerleachat wurden unter der teilweisen Anwendung einer einfachen Methode der kontinu-ierlichen Extraktion folgende PAK-Derivate analysiert: Chloracenaphthen, 1-Chlorpyren, 9-Fluorenon, Anthron. Da Reaktionsprodukte von Phenanthren und Fluoranthen nicht gefunden werden konnten, wird eine Weiterreaktion zu 9-Fluorenon vorgeschlagen, die durch die Pechoberfläche katalysiert wird. Instationäre Korrosion und nicht vorhandener aerober Abbau sind die Gründe für eine PAK-Zunahme während Stagnationphasen. / The influence of biofilm, encrustation, flow velocity and water quality on the release of PAHs was investigated in batch, continuously flown reactor experiments and in a pipe rig system. Chlorination of coal-tar coated stainless steel slides with biofilm resulted in an almost complete removal of the biofilm and an increase of the release of fluorene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene. PAH release of coal-tar coated stainless steel slides exposed to a solution of drinking water with 0,1% sodium azide as an inhibitor of the respiratory chain which did not remove the biofilm led to an increase of all observed PAHs up to the same magnitude as without biofilm. In chlorinated coal-tar leachate the following derivatives were detected while partly utilizing an easy method for a continuously extrac-tion: chloroacenaphthene, 1-chloropyrene, 9-fluorenone, anthrone. While reaction products of phenanthrene and fluoranthene could not be found a further reaction to 9-fluorenone catalysed by the coal-tar surface is proposed. Instationary corrosion and no aerobic degradation are the reasons for PAH increase during stagnation periods.

Der Einfluss des Biofilms, der Inkrustation, der Fließgeschwindigkeit und der Wasserqualität auf die Freisetzung von PAK wurde in Batch-, Drehkolbenreaktorversuchen und an einem Rohrleitungssystem untersucht. Chlorung von tauchgeteerten Edelstahlcoupons mit Biofilm führten zu einer fast vollständigen Ablösung des Biofilms und einer Zunahme der Freisetzung von Fluoren, Phenanthren und Fluoranthen. Die PAK-Freisetzung von tauchgeteerten Edelstahlcou-pons in einer Lösung von Trinkwasser mit 0,1% Natriumazid als Hemmstoff der Atmungskette, der den Biofilm nicht ablöst, führten zu einer Zunahme aller untersuchten PAK in der gleichen Größenordnung wie ohne Bio-film. In chloriertem Teerleachat wurden unter der teilweisen Anwendung einer einfachen Methode der kontinu-ierlichen Extraktion folgende PAK-Derivate analysiert: Chloracenaphthen, 1-Chlorpyren, 9-Fluorenon, Anthron. Da Reaktionsprodukte von Phenanthren und Fluoranthen nicht gefunden werden konnten, wird eine Weiterreaktion zu 9-Fluorenon vorgeschlagen, die durch die Pechoberfläche katalysiert wird. Instationäre Korrosion und nicht vorhandener aerober Abbau sind die Gründe für eine PAK-Zunahme während Stagnationphasen. / The influence of biofilm, encrustation, flow velocity and water quality on the release of PAHs was investigated in batch, continuously flown reactor experiments and in a pipe rig system. Chlorination of coal-tar coated stainless steel slides with biofilm resulted in an almost complete removal of the biofilm and an increase of the release of fluorene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene. PAH release of coal-tar coated stainless steel slides exposed to a solution of drinking water with 0,1% sodium azide as an inhibitor of the respiratory chain which did not remove the biofilm led to an increase of all observed PAHs up to the same magnitude as without biofilm. In chlorinated coal-tar leachate the following derivatives were detected while partly utilizing an easy method for a continuously extrac-tion: chloroacenaphthene, 1-chloropyrene, 9-fluorenone, anthrone. While reaction products of phenanthrene and fluoranthene could not be found a further reaction to 9-fluorenone catalysed by the coal-tar surface is proposed. Instationary corrosion and no aerobic degradation are the reasons for PAH increase during stagnation periods.