Severe copper sulphate poisoning: A case rescued with plasmapheresis.

Acute copper sulphate poisoning is associated with multi-organ failure and high mortality. Patients typically present with gastrointestinal symptoms, haemolysis, methaemoglobinaemia, acute liver injury, rhabdomyolysis and renal failure. Management is usually supportive, and the role of chelation therapy has not been established. Copper is not dialysable. Plasmapheresis has been shown to remove protein-bound copper, reducing plasma and intracellular concentrations. We present a case of severe copper sulphate poisoning, who did not improve with chelation therapy with D-penicillamine and supportive care, but with therapeutic plasma exchange (four cycles) showed rapid clinical recovery.

Circular economy approach for sustainable solid waste management: A developing economy perspective.

The notion of circular economy (CE) strengthens the approach to sustainable development (SD). It is perceived that the adoption of CE can unlock half a trillion dollars of economic value in India by the year 2030. However, embracing the CE concept can be considered a panacea to the existing issues associated with solid waste management (SWM). The proposed study explores current waste management practices and assesses the inadequacy to infer the CE as a solution for successful waste management practices. The work provides an overview of SWM in India and emphasizes the inclusion of CE in the Indian SWM sector. The comprehensive review depicts existing, and emerging waste management approaches to form a CE by processing the waste efficiently and fuelling an SD movement. The cradle-to-cradle approach in CE, national solid waste compliances/legislation, key initiatives taken by the Governments, and the influence of industry and legal framework on CE were also discussed. The work will facilitate policy and decision-makers to include CE in the Indian SWM sector.

Rapid-in-house composting of organic solid wastes with fly ash supplementation: Performance evaluation at thermophilic exposures.

The present work was envisaged to design, fabricate, and evaluate the performance of rapid in-house composters (RICs) for composting of organic wastes comprising kitchen waste and brown waste with fly ash supplementation in the fixed combination. The prime objective of the present study was to evaluate the ideal operating temperature suitable for rapid action of pro-composting microorganisms in indigenously developed RIC. Four identical RICs were exposed to temperatures of 40 â„ƒ, 45  â„ƒ, 55 â„ƒ, and 65 â„ƒ, respectively. The factors governing the composting process were regulated through specifically designed components. Qualitative parameters like pH, moisture content (MC), C/N ratio and heavy metals were analyzed at regular intervals. Principal component analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the obtained results. The RIC with 55 â„ƒ temperature exposure, 70% MC for nine days and aeration at 4 L per minute exhibited the best results with 15.13C/N ratios of compost.

Profiling of emerging contaminants and antibiotic resistance in sewage treatment plants: An Indian perspective.

In India, sewage (partially-treated/ untreated) is randomly used for irrigation because of easy availability and presence of residual organics and nutrients. However, data on the occurrence of contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in sewage is scarce in Indian perspective. Herein, for the first time, we present a quantitative contamination profiling of selected PPCPs and antibiotic resistance in untreated and biologically-treated sewage from three different sewage treatment plants, located in northern and central part of India. Profiling of PPCPs were done using LC-ESI-MS/MS whereas antibiotic resistance was analyzed using gradient PCR and qPCR techniques. PPCPs were detected both in untreated and treated samples (0.4 - 1340 µg/L). A reduction in ARB and ARG load (2-3 log) and an increase in ARG copy number with respect to beta lactams and tetracycline were observed in treated sewage. Triclosan, estrone and 17α-ethynylestradiol, ubiquitous in all samples, could be used as markers for performance monitoring of sewage treatment facilities. The results obtained in this study help evaluate health and ecological risks associated with the presence of CECs in treated sewage used for irrigation and frame future policies.

Exploring the synergic effect of fly ash and garbage enzymes on biotransformation of organic wastes in in-vessel composting system.

The aim of the present work was to study the synergic effect of fly ash (FA) and garbage enzymes (GE) on biotransformation of organic wastes in in-vessel composting system. In-vessel composting of organic waste (household + brown in vessel 1) was performed with fly ash (mixed 5% in vessel 2; 10% in vessel 3; 15% in vessel 4; and 20% in vessel 5) by addition of extra carbon source (5%) and garbage enzyme in a fixed-dose (5%) for 15 days and changes in chemical properties (C: N ratio, nitrates, sulphates, phosphates and macro-elements) were analyzed at maturity. Vessel 5 showed better results in terms of organic matter degradability and C: N ratio (13.68) of mature compost. Principal Component Analysis (PCS) also confirmed vessel 5 as the best performing among other vessels. FTIR analysis indicated a major shift in chemical structure of organic waste due to the composting action.