published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

Iron and steel plants in general are significant sources of PM10 pollution. Many studies have concluded that PM10 is harmful to human health and well being. ArcelorMittal Vanderbijlpark Works falls within the jurisdiction of the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area (VTAPA) and has been given PM10 reduction targets in the Air Quality Management Plan. The aim of this study is to use dispersion modelling to determine the impact of the Vanderbijlpark Works steel plant on ambient PM10 and to assess the effectiveness of the reduction strategies with respect to PM10 The AERMOD dispersion model was chosen for the exercise because of its reliability when modelling near field dispersions on relatively flat terrain. Meteorological data was obtained from on-site stations. Emissions data was obtained from an already existing emissions inventory on site. The study modelled the PM10 baseline for 2010 and then modelled the predicted concentrations after implementation of the strategies as outlined in the VTAPA. The modeling scenarios were compared to the measured PM10 data from the fence line monitors. The following findings were made: Point sources were not significant contributors to PM10 emission. Modeling of area sources and other fugitive dust sources were found to be high and when compared to measured concentrations were found to be over predicted. It is concluded that the fugitive sources have been found to be the major source of PM10 emissions and that reduction of fugitives should feature prominently in emission reduction plans going forward. In addition, the fugitive emissions inventory needs to be refined to enhance the accuracy of the predictions.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

Orientador: Li Li Min / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T04:54:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Eid_NayeneLeocadiaManzutti_D.pdf: 3371365 bytes, checksum: c5958487d4a3f2d1c58e3f284b78b334 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Embora o avanço tecnológico tenha viabilizado o uso dos sistemas digitais para a aquisição de imagens radiográficas, ainda hoje, no Brasil, os filmes radiográficos convencionais continuam sendo os tipos de receptores mais utilizados nos consultórios odontológicos. Deste modo, após a exposição aos raios X, os filmes radiográficos devem ser processados em soluções químicas a fim de que a imagem latente seja convertida em imagem real, passível de análise para diagnóstico. Sabe-se que, tanto o revelador quanto o fixador radiográfico contém em sua composição substâncias químicas altamente tóxicas, podendo apresentar risco à saúde de profissionais, que podem desenvolver lesões cutâneas e dermatites em decorrência do manuseio e manipulação destas soluções de processamento, além de apresentarem risco à saúde pública, caso ocorra a ingestão de produtos oriundos do meio ambiente previamente contaminado e ainda, sérios prejuízos ao meio ambiente, contaminação da fauna e flora, em virtude do descarte indevido destas soluções após seu uso. Tendo isto em vista, os objetivos deste trabalho foram: 1) Avaliar a eficácia de um novo modelo de recipiente para processamento radiográfico manual em câmara-escura portátil, para uso em consultórios odontológicos; 2) Avaliar qualitativamente e quantitativamente as imagens radiográficas obtidas por meio do processamento radiográfico nos diferentes recipientes; 3) Comparar os resultados obtidos em ambas as análises; sob a hipótese de que, devido às suas configurações geométricas, este novo modelo de recipiente propiciaria a economia de soluções químicas para que a execução do processamento radiográfico manual, reduziria os custos aos profissionais da área odontológica e, além disto, promoveria a redução do impacto ambiental devido à minimização da quantidade de químicos usados nestes recipientes. Para atender aos objetivos e conhecer sobre a aplicabilidade deste trabalho, realizou-se um outro estudo no qual se fez uma investigação sobre o descarte dos Resíduos de Serviço de Saúde produzidos em consultórios odontológicos localizados no Estado do Tocantins, Brasil. O estudo abordou aspectos relacionados ao conhecimento e atitudes dos cirurgiões dentistas frente aos resíduos gerados em seu ambiente de trabalho, e sua percepção sobre os resíduos gerados nos demais consultórios odontológicos. Um questionário foi aplicado a 239 cirurgiões-dentistas. Destes, 78,2% trabalhavam em clínica particular e 68,6% já haviam cursado alguma pós-graduação. Do total dos entrevistados, 87,9% afirmaram realizar exames radiográficos em seu consultório e estes foram unânimes em afirmar que o processamento das imagens era realizado manualmente em câmara-escura portátil e a maioria dos entrevistados (88,1%) afirmou que, em média, a cada 5 dias, descartava no esgoto as soluções químicas de processamento utilizadas. Ademais, 30,1% dos participantes acreditavam que os resíduos de amálgama eram descartados, por outros profissionais, em lixo comum e outros 8,8% supunham que o descarte era feito na pia dos consultórios; 61,9% acreditavam que o lixo contaminado (infectante) era disposto juntamente com o lixo comum e, em relação os resíduos perfurocortantes, 14,2% acreditavam que eram descartados em recipientes plásticos e 9,2% em lixo comum. Por meio deste trabalho, concluiu-se, que, em geral, os cirurgiões-dentistas entrevistados desconheciam sobre o correto descarte dos resíduos de serviço de saúde, uma vez que foi observada negligência desta prática por muitos deles, além da percepção de que outros profissionais também realizavam o descarte incorreto dos resíduos gerados em seu ambiente de trabalho. De posse destas informações, testou-se um novo modelo de recipiente para processamento radiográfico manual. Foram obtidas imagens radiográficas dos dentes posteriores de um phantom de mandíbula humana macerada e em seguida, estas imagens foram processadas em quatro câmaras-escuras portáteis. Em uma delas foram colocados dois recipientes convencionais (R1) abastecidos com 200ml das soluções de processamento e, em cada uma das demais câmaras-escuras, para este mesmo propósito, foi disposto um par de cada um dos três tipos de recipientes desenvolvidos pelos autores, R2, R3 e R4, abastecidos com 12, 19,2 e 24ml das soluções reveladora e fixadora respectivamente. Foram processadas 184 películas em R1, 40 em R2, 48 em R3 e 56 em R4. As películas radiográficas foram digitalizadas e posteriormente submetidas à análise objetiva no programa MaZda; em seguida, foram dispostas de maneira ordenadas, obedecendo a sequência do processamento, em papel cartão preto, para que pudessem ser submetidas à análise subjetiva. Os resultados da análise subjetiva mostraram que houve concordância dentre os cinco examinadores em relação às imagens consideradas aceitáveis para diagnóstico para os quatro recipientes estudados, e os resultados da análise objetiva mostraram que as imagens foram consideradas satisfatórias para diagnóstico até o 15º dia de pesquisa para R1, até o 4º dia para R2 e R3, e 5º dia para R4. A análise subjetiva mostrou-se menos sensível que a objetiva na avaliação da qualidade das imagens radiográficas processadas nos recipientes convencionais (R1), porém, mostrou grande correlação com a objetiva na avaliação da qualidade das imagens processadas nos demais recipientes (R2, R3 e R4). Deste modo, concluiu-se que o novo modelo de recipiente viabilizou o processamento de películas radiográficas em câmara-escura portátil, utilizando menor quantidade de soluções químicas para o processamento radiográfico manual, sendo que estas se apresentaram com qualidade satisfatória para diagnóstico. / Abstract: Even though the technological advances have allowed the utilization of digital systems for acquisition of radiographic images, conventional radiographic films are still the most used in dental offices in Brazil. Thus, after X-ray exposure, the radiographic films must be processed in chemical solutions to change the latent stored images into visible images for diagnostic purposes. Both the developer and fixer contain highly toxic chemical substances that may endanger the health of professionals, who may present skin lesions and dermatitis due to handling of these solutions. These chemicals may also constitute a public health problem if contaminated products of the environment are ingested, besides posing serious risks to the environment by contamination of the fauna and flora if these chemical solutions are improperly discarded after utilization. Therefore, this study aimed to: 1) evaluate the efficacy of a new container for manual radiographic processing in portable darkrooms for utilization in dental offices; 2) qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the radiographic images obtained by radiographic processing in the different containers; 3) compare the results obtained in both analyses, considering that the design of the new container would allow dental professionals to save the chemical solutions used for manual radiographic processing, reducing the costs and also the environmental impact, considering the minimization of the quantity of chemical solutions used in these containers. To meet these objectives and know the applicability of this study, a previous study was conducted in which we investigated the discard of Health Service Wastes produced in dental offices of the state of Tocantins, Brazil. The study discussed the aspects related to the knowledge, perception and attitudes of dentists towards the waste generated in their work environment. We interviewed 239 dentists using a structured questionnaire, of whom 78.2% worked at private offices and 68.6% had post-graduate degree. From the total of respondents, 87.9% stated that they did perform intraoral radiographic exams in their offices, and these professionals unanimously used portable dark rooms from commercial brands for radiographic processing. Most dentists (88.1%) that perform radiographic exams in their offices declared that the mean period for changing the radiographic processing chemicals was 5 days. Conversely, 30.1% of participants believed that amalgam wastes were discarded in common garbage, and 8.8% believed that amalgam wastes were discarded in the offices' sink; 61.9% of them believed that the infectious waste were discarded together with the common garbage. Regarding the sharp objects, 14.2% believed that these were discard in plastic recipients, and 9.2% believed that the majority of dentists discarded sharp objects in the common garbage. The data obtained in this study revealed that, in general, the dentists interviewed were unaware of the correct procedures for the discard of health service waste, since there was both negligence in these practices by many of them and the perception that other professionals also performed incorrect discard of waste generated in their work environment. After achievement of these data, a new model of container for manual radiographic processing was tested. Radiographic images were obtained from the posterior teeth of a phantom dry human mandible and processed in four portable darkrooms. One darkroom had two conventional containers (R1) filled with 200ml of processing solutions. For the same purpose, each of the other darkrooms had one pair of the three types of containers designed by the authors, namely R2, R3 and R4, filled with 12, 19.2 and 24ml of developing and fixer solutions. A total of 184 films were processed in R1, 40 in R2, 48 in R3 and 56 in R4. The films were digitized and objectively analyzed using the software MaZda; following, they were arranged according to the sequence of processing in black cardboards for subjective analysis. The results of the subjective analysis revealed good agreement between the five examiners concerning the images considered acceptable for diagnosis for all four containers investigated. The results of the objective analysis demonstrated that the images were considered satisfactory for diagnosis until the 15th day of investigation for R1, fourth day for R2 and R3, and fifth day for R4. The subjective analysis was less sensitive than the objective analysis to evaluate the quality of radiographic images processed in the conventional containers (R1), yet presented high correlation with the objective analysis for evaluation of the quality of images processed in the other containers (R2, R3 and R4). Thus, it was concluded that the new model of container allowed processing of radiographic films in portable darkrooms using a smaller quantity of chemical solutions for manual radiographic processing and presenting satisfactory quality for diagnosis. / Doutorado / Neurocirugia / Doutor em Fisiopatologia Medica

Effects of man made pollutants on an ecosystem are initiated at the cellular level where a prime determinant for survival of an organism is its ability to metabolise and excrete toxic chemicals or their metabolites, thereby preventing cellular toxicity or damage to germ cell DNA. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are responsible (in concert with the remainder of the Ah battery enzymes) for the metabolism of numerous xenobiotics and endogenous compounds, including the metabolic activation of most environmental toxic chemicals and carcinogens. Genetic polymorphisms which affect performance of these enzymatic detoxification systems may alter tolerance to pollutants and thus survival in polluted environments. Alterations in the susceptibility of individuals and the development of resistant populations has arisen by forced selection of populations with variant genes, resulting in increased detoxification capacity. There is evidence for such scenarios of variations in activities of pollutant biotransforming enzymes of fish contributing to survival in polluted estuarine environments and several chemically resistant populations have been identified in the USA and Europe. In fish it has been demonstrated that CYP1A enzyme activity is required to activate some carcinogenic xenobiotics to a metabolic state in which they can form DNA adducts. The mechanism of reduced CYP1A expression in highly contaminated populations may therefore represent resistance to chemical stressors. European flounder (Platichthys flesus) from some waterways which have a long history of severe sedimentary contamination do not show elevated levels of CYP1A. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether any heritable differences were apparent between offspring from parents inhabiting long-term polluted and pristine areas. Flounder were obtained from a highly polluted estuary in the UK and crossed with fish from a relatively pristine environment. Offspring were raised in communal tanks in order to standardise environmental conditions, and allow investigations into the genetic variation of CYP1A. To allow identification of offspring to parental fish, polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterised for the flounder. Novel cDNA probes to transcription factors in the detoxification pathway (AhR2 and ARNT2) were cloned for flounder, and RT-PCR / Southern blot methods were developed for quantitation of gene transcript levels. A novel method of CYP1A quantification using real-time PCR was developed. PAH and PCB exposure trials were carried out on mixed batch offspring, and CYP1A gene transcript levels assessed using Northern blot and real-time PCR techniques. Offspring were genotyped to their parents using the microsatellites obtained, and CYP1A transcript levels were correlated with clean and polluted areas. CYP1A was further correlated to transcription factor expression, and data are presented. Following exposure to the commercial PCB mixture, Aroclor 1254, CYP1A transcript levels were found to be significantly lower in families whose parents originated from a polluted area. This observation indicates that there is a possible genetic component to variation in CYP1A levels, and that these fish may have acquired a heritable tolerance to polluted areas. The lack of induction, or correlation with CYP1A levels, of AhR2 and ARNT2 expression indicates a possible AhR independent pathway for the metabolism of PCBs in the flounder. © Tom Dixon 2003 http://www.tomdixon.org

The deteriorating air quality in Cape Town (CT) is a threat to the social and economic development of the city. Although previous studies have shown that most of the pollutants are emitted in the city, it is not clear how the transport of pollutants from neighbouring cities may contribute to the pollution. This thesis studies the transport of atmospheric nitrogen oxides (NOx) and nitric acid (HNO3) pollutants over South Africa and examines the role of pollutant transport from the Mpumalanga Highveld on pollution in CT. The study analysed observation data (2001 - 2008) from the CT air quality network and from regional climate model simulation (2001 - 2004) over South Africa. The model simulations account for the influences of complex topography, atmospheric conditions, and atmospheric chemistry on transport of the pollutants over South Africa. Flux budget analysis was used to examine whether the city is a net source or sink for NOx and HNO3. The results show that north-easterly flow transports pollutants (NOx and HNO3) at low level (i.e., surface to 850 hPa) from the Mpumalanga Highveld towards CT. In April, a tongue of high concentration of HNO3 extends from the Mpumalanga Highveld to CT, along the southern coast. The flux budget analysis shows that CT can be a net sink for NOx and HNO3 during extreme pollution events. The study infers that, apart from the local emission of the pollutants in CT, the accumulation of pollutants transported from other areas may contribute to pollution in the city. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

The distribution and potential sources of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils and Digitaria eriantha in the vicinity of three South African coal-fired power plants, Matla, Lethabo and Rooiwal were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. An ultrasonic assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (UA-DLLME) method was developed for the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in soil, followed by determination using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The study showed that an extraction protocol based on acetonitrile as dispersive solvent and C2H2Cl2 as extracting solvent, gave extraction efficiencies comparable to conventional soxhlet extraction for soil samples. The extraction time using ultrasonication and the volume of the extraction solvent was also investigated. Using a certified reference material soil (CRM), the extraction efficiency of UA-DLLME ranged from 64 to 86% in comparison with the Soxhlet result of 73 to 95%. In comparison with the real sample, the CRM result did not show a significant difference at 95% C.I. The UA-DLLME proved to be a convenient, rapid, cost-effective and greener sample preparation approach for the determination of PAHs in soil samples. PAH compound ratios such as phenanthrene/phenanthrene + anthracene (Phen/ Phen + Anth) were used to provide a reliable estimation of emission sources. The total PAH concentration in the soils around three power plants ranged from 9.73 to 61.24 μg g−1, a range above the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry levels of 1.0 μg g−1 for a significantly contaminated site. Calculated values of the Phen/Phen + Anth ratio were 0.48±0.08, 0.44±0.05, and 0.38+0.04 for Matla, Lethabo and Rooiwal, respectively. The flouranthene/fluoranthene + pyrene (Flan/ Flan + Pyr) levels were found to be 0.49±0.03 for Matla, 0.44±0.05 for Lethabo, and 0.53±0.08 for Rooiwal. Such values indicate a xx pyrolytic source of PAHs. Higher molecular weight PAHs (five to six rings) were predominant, suggesting coal combustion sources. The carcinogenic potency B[a]P equivalent concentration (B[a] Peq) at the three power plants ranged from 3.61 to 25.25, indicating a high carcinogenic burden. The highest (B[a] Peq) was found in samples collected around Matla power station. It can, therefore, be concluded that the soils were contaminated with PAHs originating from coal-fired power stations. Nine metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr and Zn) were analysed in soil and the Digitaria eriantha plant around three coal power plants (Matla, Lethabo and Rooiwal), using ICP-OES and GFAAS. The total metal concentration in soil ranged from 0.05 ± 0.02 to 1835.70 ± 70 μg g-1, 0.08 ± 0.05 to 1743.90 ± 29 μg g-1 and 0.07 ± 0.04 to 1735.20 ± 91 μg g-1 at Matla, Lethabo and Rooiwal respectively. The total metal concentration in the plant (Digitaria eriantha) ranged from 0.005 ± 0.003 to 534.87 ± 43 μg g-1 at Matla, 0.002 ± 0.001 to 400.49 ± 269 μg g-1 at Lethabo and 0.002 ± 0.001 to 426.91 ± 201 μg g-1 at Rooiwal. The accumulation factor (A) of less than 1 (i.e. 0.003 to 0.37) at power plants indicates a low transfer of metal from soil to plant (excluder). The enrichment factor values obtained (2.4 – 5) indicate that the soils are moderately enriched, with the exception of Pb that had significant enrichment of 20. The Geo-accumulation Index values of metals indicate that the soils are moderately polluted (0.005 – 0.65), except for Pb that showed moderate to strong pollution (1.74 – 2.53). / Chemistry / D. Phil. (Chemistry)

The distribution and potential sources of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils and Digitaria eriantha in the vicinity of three South African coal-fired power plants, Matla, Lethabo and Rooiwal were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. An ultrasonic assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (UA-DLLME) method was developed for the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in soil, followed by determination using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The study showed that an extraction protocol based on acetonitrile as dispersive solvent and C2H2Cl2 as extracting solvent, gave extraction efficiencies comparable to conventional soxhlet extraction for soil samples. The extraction time using ultrasonication and the volume of the extraction solvent was also investigated. Using a certified reference material soil (CRM), the extraction efficiency of UA-DLLME ranged from 64 to 86% in comparison with the Soxhlet result of 73 to 95%. In comparison with the real sample, the CRM result did not show a significant difference at 95% C.I. The UA-DLLME proved to be a convenient, rapid, cost-effective and greener sample preparation approach for the determination of PAHs in soil samples. PAH compound ratios such as phenanthrene/phenanthrene + anthracene (Phen/ Phen + Anth) were used to provide a reliable estimation of emission sources. The total PAH concentration in the soils around three power plants ranged from 9.73 to 61.24 μg g−1, a range above the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry levels of 1.0 μg g−1 for a significantly contaminated site. Calculated values of the Phen/Phen + Anth ratio were 0.48±0.08, 0.44±0.05, and 0.38+0.04 for Matla, Lethabo and Rooiwal, respectively. The flouranthene/fluoranthene + pyrene (Flan/ Flan + Pyr) levels were found to be 0.49±0.03 for Matla, 0.44±0.05 for Lethabo, and 0.53±0.08 for Rooiwal. Such values indicate a xx pyrolytic source of PAHs. Higher molecular weight PAHs (five to six rings) were predominant, suggesting coal combustion sources. The carcinogenic potency B[a]P equivalent concentration (B[a] Peq) at the three power plants ranged from 3.61 to 25.25, indicating a high carcinogenic burden. The highest (B[a] Peq) was found in samples collected around Matla power station. It can, therefore, be concluded that the soils were contaminated with PAHs originating from coal-fired power stations. Nine metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr and Zn) were analysed in soil and the Digitaria eriantha plant around three coal power plants (Matla, Lethabo and Rooiwal), using ICP-OES and GFAAS. The total metal concentration in soil ranged from 0.05 ± 0.02 to 1835.70 ± 70 μg g-1, 0.08 ± 0.05 to 1743.90 ± 29 μg g-1 and 0.07 ± 0.04 to 1735.20 ± 91 μg g-1 at Matla, Lethabo and Rooiwal respectively. The total metal concentration in the plant (Digitaria eriantha) ranged from 0.005 ± 0.003 to 534.87 ± 43 μg g-1 at Matla, 0.002 ± 0.001 to 400.49 ± 269 μg g-1 at Lethabo and 0.002 ± 0.001 to 426.91 ± 201 μg g-1 at Rooiwal. The accumulation factor (A) of less than 1 (i.e. 0.003 to 0.37) at power plants indicates a low transfer of metal from soil to plant (excluder). The enrichment factor values obtained (2.4 – 5) indicate that the soils are moderately enriched, with the exception of Pb that had significant enrichment of 20. The Geo-accumulation Index values of metals indicate that the soils are moderately polluted (0.005 – 0.65), except for Pb that showed moderate to strong pollution (1.74 – 2.53). / Chemistry / D. Phil. (Chemistry)

The deteriorating air quality in Cape Town (CT) is a threat to the social and economic development of the city. Although previous studies have shown that most of the pollutants are emitted in the city, it is not clear how the transport of pollutants from neighbouring cities may contribute to the pollution. This thesis studies the transport of atmospheric nitrogen oxides (NOx) and nitric acid (HNO3) pollutants over South Africa and examines the role of pollutant transport from the Mpumalanga Highveld on pollution in CT. The study analysed observation data (2001 - 2008) from the CT air quality network and from regional climate model simulation (2001 - 2004) over South Africa. The model simulations account for the influences of complex topography, atmospheric conditions, and atmospheric chemistry on transport of the pollutants over South Africa. Flux budget analysis was used to examine whether the city is a net source or sink for NOx and HNO3. The results show that north-easterly flow transports pollutants (NOx and HNO3) at low level (i.e., surface to 850 hPa) from the Mpumalanga Highveld towards CT. In April, a tongue of high concentration of HNO3 extends from the Mpumalanga Highveld to CT, along the southern coast. The flux budget analysis shows that CT can be a net sink for NOx and HNO3 during extreme pollution events. The study infers that, apart from the local emission of the pollutants in CT, the accumulation of pollutants transported from other areas may contribute to pollution in the city. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)