Mammographic density in the environs of multiple industrial sources.

BACKGROUND: Mammographic density (MD), defined as the percentage of dense fibroglandular tissue in the breast, is a modifiable marker of the risk of developing breast cancer. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of residential proximity to an increasing number of industrial sources in MD. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1225 premenopausal women participating in the DDM-Madrid study. We calculated distances between women's houses and industries. The association between MD and proximity to an increasing number of industrial facilities and industrial clusters was explored using multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: We found a positive linear trend between MD and proximity to an increasing number of industrial sources for all industries, at distances of 1.5 km (p-trend = 0.055) and 2 km (p-trend = 0.083). Moreover, 62 specific industrial clusters were analyzed, highlighting the significant associations found between MD and proximity to the following 6 industrial clusters: cluster 10 and women living at ≤1.5 km (ß = 10.78, 95 % confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.59; 19.97) and at ≤2 km (ß = 7.96, 95%CI = 0.21; 15.70); cluster 18 and women residing at ≤3 km (ß = 8.48, 95%CI = 0.01; 16.96); cluster 19 and women living at ≤3 km (ß = 15.72, 95%CI = 1.96; 29.49); cluster 20 and women living at ≤3 km (ß = 16.95, 95%CI = 2.90; 31.00); cluster 48 and women residing at ≤3 km (ß = 15.86, 95%CI = 3.95; 27.77); and cluster 52 and women living at ≤2.5 km (ß = 11.09, 95%CI = 0.12; 22.05). These clusters include the following industrial activities: surface treatment of metals/plastic, surface treatment using organic solvents, production/processing of metals, recycling of animal waste, hazardous waste, urban waste-water treatment plants, inorganic chemical industry, cement and lime, galvanization, and food/beverage sector. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that women living in the proximity to an increasing number of industrial sources and those near certain types of industrial clusters have higher MD.

Valorization of hazardous waste cooking oil for the production of eco-friendly biodiesel using a low-cost bifunctional catalyst.

Biodiesel is considered the prospective substitute for non-renewable fossil fuel-derived sources of energy. However, the high costs of feedstocks and catalysts inhibit its large-scale industrial implementation. From this perspective, the utilization of waste as the source for both catalyst synthesis and feedstock for biodiesel is a rare attempt. Waste rice husk was explored as a precursor to prepare rice husk char (RHC). Sulfonated RHC was employed as a bifunctional catalyst for the simultaneous esterification and transesterification of highly acidic waste cooking oil (WCO) to produce biodiesel. The sulfonation process coupled with ultrasonic irradiation proved to be an efficient technique to induce high acid density in the sulfonated catalyst. The prepared catalyst possessed a sulfonic density and total acid density of 4.18 and 7.58 mmol/g, respectively, and a surface area of 144 m2/g. A parametric optimization was conducted for the conversion of WCO into biodiesel using the response surface methodology. An optimal biodiesel yield of 96% was obtained under the conditions of methanol to oil ratio (13:1), reaction time (50 min), catalyst loading (3.5 wt%), and ultrasonic amplitude (56%). The prepared catalyst showed higher stability up to five cycles with biodiesel yield greater than 80%.

The health impact of hazardous waste landfills and illegal dumps contaminated sites: An epidemiological study at ecological level in Italian Region.

Background and aim: The implementation of idoneous management of hazardous waste, in contrast to illegal practices, is one of the environment and health priorities of the WHO. The aim of the present study, based on a collaborative agreement between the Italian National Health Institute and a Prosecution Office located in Naples North, was to evaluate the health effects of illegal landfills and burning of urban and hazardous waste in the territory of the Prosecution Office. Methods: The municipalities included in the study territory were investigated with respect to the regional population. Regression analyses were performed in the study area between four classes of an environmental municipal indicator of waste risk (MRI) previously defined, computing the relative risks (RRs) in 2-4 MRI classes, with respect to the first MRI class (the least impacted). The prevalence of reproductive outcomes and cause-specific mortality and hospitalization were analyzed in the general population and in the 0-19-year-old population using SAS software. Results: An increase of mortality and hospitalization risk in both the genders of the whole area, with respect to regional population, were found for overall all cancer cases, cancer of the stomach, the liver, the lung and the kidney, and ischemic heart diseases. An increase of mortality for leukemias in the 0-19-year-old population and in hospitalization risk for certain conditions originating in the perinatal period were observed. Correlation between MRI and the risk of mortality from breast tumors in women (MRI class 2: RR = 1.06; MRI class 3: RR = 1.15; MRI class 4: RR = 1.11) and between MRI and the risk of hospitalization from testis tumors (MRI class 2: RR = 1.25; MRI class 3: RR = 1.31; MRI class 4: RR = 1.32) were found. The hospitalization risk from breast tumors and asthma exceeded significantly in both genders of three and four MRI classes. Among the 0-19-year-old population, correlation between MRI and hospitalization from leukemias (MRI class 2: RR = 1.48; MRI class 3: RR = 1.60; MRI class 4: RR = 1.41) and between MRI and the prevalence of preterm birth (MRI class 2: RR = 1.17; MRI class 3: RR = 1.08; MRI class 4: RR = 1.25) were found. Conclusion: A correlation between health outcomes and the environmental pressure by uncontrolled waste sites was found. Notwithstanding the limitation of the study, the results promote implementing the actions of environmental remediation and the prosecution of illegal practices.

Mineral extraction from asbestos-containing waste (ACW) and changes in its morphology during treatment with ammonium salts.

Asbestos is a known carcinogen and a banned hazardous material. However, the generation of asbestos-containing waste (ACW) is increasing because of the demolition of old constructions, buildings, and structures. Therefore, asbestos-containing wastes need to be effectively treated to render them harmless. This study aimed to stabilize asbestos wastes by using for the first time three different ammonium salts at low reaction temperatures. The treatment was performed with ammonium sulfate (AS), ammonium nitrate (AN), and ammonium chloride (AC) at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 M and reaction times of 10, 30, 60, 120, and 360 min intervals at 60 °C. Asbestos waste samples were treated in both plate and powder form during the experiment. The results demonstrated that the selected ammonium salts could extract the mineral ions from asbestos materials at a relatively low temperature. Concentrations of the minerals extracted from powdered samples were higher than those extracted from plate samples. AS treatment demonstrated better extractability compared to that of AN and AC, based on the concentrations of magnesium and silicon ions in the extract. The results implied that among the three ammonium salts, AS had better potential to stabilize the asbestos waste. This study demonstrated the potential of ammonium salts for treating and stabilizing asbestos waste at low temperatures by extracting the mineral ions from the asbestos fibers.Implications: This study aims to establish an effective treatment to stabilize the hazardous asbestos waste to harmless forms. We have attempted treatment of asbestos with three ammonium salts (ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride) at relatively lower temperature. The selected ammonium salts could extract the mineral ions from asbestos materials at a relatively low temperature. These results suppose that asbestos containing materials could change the harmless state by using simple method. Among the ammonium salts, especially, AS has better potential to stabilize the asbestos waste.

Thermal co-treatment of aluminum dross and municipal solid waste incineration fly ash: Mineral transformation, crusting prevention, detoxification, and low-carbon cementitious material preparation.

Harmless disposal and resource utilization of hazardous industrial wastes has become an important issue with the green development of human society. However, resource utilization of hazardous solid wastes, such as the production of cementitious materials, is usually accompanied by a pretreatment process to remove adverse impurities that contaminate the final product. In this study, aluminum dross (AD) was thermally co-treated with another hazardous waste, municipal solid incineration fly ash (MSWI-FA), to synergistically solidify F and Na, control leaching of heavy metals, and remove chloride impurities. Significant crusting was observed when AD was thermally treated by itself, but not when AD and MSWI-FA were thermally co-treated. In the process of co-thermal treatment, the remaining Cl, Na, and K contents were reduced to as low as 0.3%, 1.8%, and 0.6%, respectively. CaO and SiO2 in MSWI-FA reacted with Na3AlF6 and Al2O3 in AD, and formed CaF2 and Na6(AlSiO4)6, which contributed to the prevention of crusting and limited the leaching concentrations of F and Na to below detection thresholds and 270.6 mg/L, respectively. In addition, heavy metals were well solidified, and dioxins were fully decomposed during thermal treatment. Finally, a sulfoaluminate cementitious material (SACM) with high early- and later-age strengths was successfully created via synergetic complementarity using thermally co-treated AD and MSWI-FA together with other solid wastes. Collectively, this study outlines a promising method for the efficient and sustainable utilization of AD and MSWI-FA.

Dispersion characteristics of the plug flow hazardous waste by multiple gas jets.

In cement kilns co-processing hazardous solid wastes, the material is transported to the calciner for incineration via pipelines. When the viscous material enters the calciner in the form of plug flow, the CO and NOx emitted by the cement kiln fluctuate greatly as a result of insufficient combustion. In order to improve the dispersion of materials, avoid accumulation and make the combustion more sufficient, an experimental system was established to study the influence of nozzle system i, distance d, and pushing speed v on the dispersion characteristics.The slump test showed that the material with a sludge mass fraction of 35 40% had good fluidity. Moreover, the shape of the dispersion area was V-shape when the dispersion length was less than 4 6 m and became a rectangle when the dispersion length was more than 6 m. Finally, the results showed that i = 3 yielded the best effect, followed by i = 5, and i = 2 had the worst effect. In addition, d = 160 mm yielded the best effect, followed by d = 240 mm, and d = 80 mm had the worst effect. As the pushing speed v increased, the dispersion effect gradually worsened. The material that was 2 m away from the spray gun accounted for about 50% of the total.Implications: In this paper, a method based on multiple gas jets atomization of hazardous waste is proposed and verified. This method can atomize the plug hazardous waste into granules, which not only improves the combustion efficiency of hazardous waste, but also reduces the fluctuation of CO. We believe that this method can be widely used in industry to increase the output of cement kiln collaborative disposal of hazardous waste.

Roasting mechanism of lightweight low-aluminum-silicon ceramisite derived from municipal solid waste incineration fly ash and electrolytic manganese residue.

Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash and electrolytic manganese residue (EMR) belong to hazardous waste, and must be disposed of before processing. It was found that the low content of silicon and aluminum at low roasting temperature can meet the expansion mechanism of lightweight aggregates. A low-aluminum-silicon lightweight ceramisite was successfully prepared from MSWI fly and EMR, the formation mechanism of which was that the viscosity of molten stuffs in pellet was the function of temperature and chemical composition and had enough capacity of capturing the emerged gas over roasting. The resulting ceramisite met with the requirement of Lytag commercial lightweight aggregate. The content of heavy metal in ceramisite accorded with the requirement of soil environmental quality for development GB 36600-2018 Class I, and PCDD/Fs in ceramisite was 2.0 ng I-TEQ/kg, which was safe. The collaboration of thermal simulation and characterization (SEM-EDS, FTIR and XRD) elaborated the formation mechanism of ceramisite, with six stages provided.

The US Environmental Protection Agency Focus on Compliant Pharmaceutical Waste Management Now Includes Long-term Care.

The article provides a summary of changes in the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulation of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals as they pertain to both long-term care-provider pharmacies and longterm care facilities. The article describes the EPA's Final Rule: Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals and Amendment to the P075 Listing for Nicotine, which became effective in some states on August 22, 2019, and is slowly being adopted by states nationwide. The new rule applies to all health care settings, including provider pharmacies and, for the first time, specifically refers to long-term care facilities as regulated entities. A major benefit of the Final Rule is the removal of over-the-counter nicotine gums, lozenges, and patches from regulation as a P-listed hazardous waste, which previously has had a major negative impact on the hazardous waste generation status of health care facilities. Waste-generation parameters are provided to enable both provider pharmacies and consultant pharmacists to evaluate their specific practices to determine applicability. The biggest change is the removal of all hazardous waste pharmaceuticals from the future calculation of generator status, thereby enabling facilities to meet the requirements of Very Small Quantity Generators or Small Quantity Generators of hazardous waste. All Small Quantity and Large Quantity Generators of hazardous waste must notify their state of their generator status once the state adopts the Final Rule by completing Form 8700-12. This article provides a variety of references to provide The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists members with additional resources and information.

Regional distribution, properties, treatment technologies, and resource utilization of oil-based drilling cuttings: A review.

Oil-based drilling cuttings (OBDC) are hazardous wastes produced during the extensive use of oil-based drilling mud in oil and gas exploration and development. They have strong mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic effects and need to be properly disposed of to avoid damaging the natural environment. This paper reviews the recent research progress on the regional distribution, properties, treatment technologies, and resource utilization of OBDC. The advantages and disadvantages of different technologies for removing petroleum pollutants from OBDC were comprehensively analyzed, and required future developments in treatment technologies were proposed.

Enhanced medium-chain fatty acids production from Cephalosporin C antibiotic fermentation residues by ionizing radiation pretreatment.

Antibiotic fermentation residues (AFRs) have been classified as hazardous waste in China. Anaerobic fermentation may be a good approach for AFRs treatment, through which value-added chemicals could be obtained simultaneously. This study firstly explored medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) production from AFRs through two-stage anaerobic fermentation, and gamma radiation was adopted for AFRs pretreatment. The results showed that both antibiotics removal and MCFAs production from AFRs were significantly promoted by gamma radiation pretreatment. No residual Cephalosporin C (CEP-C) was detected in gamma radiation treated groups after fermentation. Highest MCFAs concentration of 90.55 mmol C/L was obtained in 50 kGy treated group, which was 2.22 times of the control group. Genera that were positively correlated with MCFAs production were enriched in gamma radiation treated groups, like genus Paraclostridium, Terrisporobacter, Caproiciproducens and Sporanaerobacter, while genera that were negatively correlated with MCFAs production were diminished during the chain elongation process, like genus Bacteroides and NK4A214_group. Enzymes analysis suggested that the promoted MCFAs production was induced by the enrichment of functional enzymes involved in Acetyl-CoA formation and RBO pathway. This work suggested that gamma radiation pretreatment and two-stage anaerobic fermentation could achieve the dual benefits of AFRs treatment and value-added chemicals recovery.

Exocrine pancreatic cancer and living near to waste sites containing hazardous organic chemicals, New York State, USA - an 18-year population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: The etiology of exocrine pancreatic cancer (EPC) remains unknown except for family history and smoking. Despite recent medical advances, rates of pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality are increasing. Although existing evidence suggests a potentially causal relationship between environmental chemical exposures and pancreatic cancer, whether residential exposure impacts pancreatic cancer rates remains unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors identified 28 941 patients diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic cancer in New York State exclusive of New York City for the years 1996-2013. Descriptive statistics and negative binomial regression were used in this ecological study to compare pancreatic cancer hospitalization rates among patients who lived in zip codes with hazardous waste sites (HWSs) containing persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and volatile organic pollutants (VOCs) compared with clean zip codes with no identified hazardous waste sites. The authors assessed the effect of selected known and suspected human carcinogens on the EPC hospitalization rates by subgroup analyses. RESULTS: Compared with the clean sites, the pancreatic cancer hospital discharge rate in the "VOCs without POPs" and "VOCs and POPs" sites, after adjustment for potential confounders were 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03-1.09) and 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01-1.08), respectively. In the analysis by specific chemicals, rate ratios (RR) for the benzene (RR = 1.12) and ethylbenzene (RR = 1.34) in the non-chlorinated VOCs group, trichloroethylene (RR = 1.07) and tetrachloroethylene (RR = 1.11) in the chlorinated VOCs group, chlorinated pesticides (RR = 1.11) and PCBs (RR = 1.05) in the POPs groups were statistically significant (p-values <0.05) compared with clean sites. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the clean sites, the pancreatic cancer hospital discharge rate in the "VOCs without POPs" and "VOCs and POPs" sites, after adjustment for potential confounders were 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03-1.09) and 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01-1.08), respectively. In the analysis by specific chemicals, rate ratios (RR) for the benzene (RR = 1.12) and ethylbenzene (RR = 1.34) in the non-chlorinated VOCs group, trichloroethylene (RR = 1.07) and tetrachloroethylene (RR = 1.11) in the chlorinated VOCs group, chlorinated pesticides (RR = 1.11) and PCBs (RR = 1.05) in the POPs groups were statistically significant (p-values <0.05) compared with clean sites. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(4):459-71.

Asbestos cement products and their impact on soil contamination in relation to various sources of anthropogenic and natural asbestos pollution.

The results of a quantitative analysis of asbestos content in the ground with varying degrees of concentration of this mineral as a result of natural phenomena such as rock weathering, contamination by the manufacture of asbestos and cement products, and the many years of use of "eternit roofs" are presented. Preliminary thermal treatment, soil grinding and sieving were used for the determinations, followed by electrostatic separation in order to obtain the concentration of asbestos in a smaller volume. It was used for microscopic preparations for the identification and planimetry of asbestos. A polarizing optical microscope was used in the qualitative and quantitative analysis. The levels of re-emission of asbestos dust into the air as a result of the exploitation of contaminated soil were estimated. Polluted land in industrially areas, at a distance of up to 1200 m, contains 0.0003 % to 0.02 % asbestos. The content of 0.01 % asbestos does not require remediation in the absence of soil use. It may cause <500 fibres/m3. Removing the facade of asbestos-cement panels from the building at a distance of up to 10 m resulted in concentration <0.007 % of free asbestos in the ground, and for used roofs <0.001 % from above the distance of 3 m. This means that land in the vicinity of buildings with facade or roofing made of a-c products can be safely exploited. The direct discharge of rainwater from the gutter into the ground, however, contaminates it well above this value and those places should be treated as hazardous waste due to the presence of asbestos fibres in unbound form, containing <9,8 %. Ultimately, the size of the threat depends on many factors and can be comparable with the pollution of industrial production.

Solidification/stabilization of spent cathode carbon from aluminum electrolysis by vitric, kaolin and calcification agent: fluorides immobilization and cyanides decomposition.

Spent cathode carbon (SCC) is a hazardous waste containing fluorides and cyanides from aluminum electrolysis. Many literatures have focused on SCC leaching; however, SCC hazard-free treatment remains understudied. This article used 10.0 g raw SCC sample to explore the vitric/kaolin solidification and calcium stabilization of SCC, and analyze their hazard-free mechanisms by the methods of XRD and SEM. The leached fluorides were all below the Chinese identification standard for hazardous wastes (GB5085.3-2007), whether at 750/950 °C for 60 min above 8.0 g vitric, or at 1200 °C for 120 min with above 8.0 g kaolin, or above 700 °C for more than 30 min with above 0.5 g CaCO3. Kaolin/vitric solidification relied on the massive addition of vitric and kaolin to produce glassy or glass-like material (K2O·Al2O3·6SiO2) which may retain fluoride. Calcium stabilization converted soluble fluoride NaF in raw SCC sample into insoluble CaF2. Heating 60 min at 500-1200 °C at oxygen atmosphere decomposed almost of cyanides, with leached cyanides meeting Chinese standard GB5085.3-2007. Mass-loss rates of kaolin addition came from a large amount of adsorbed water and structural water in kaolinite and illite wai lost, and that of CaCO3/CaSO4 addition was attributed to their decomposition into volatile CO2/SO2, while that of CaO was a little negative due to its absorption of water vapor and CO2. In brief, as the effective hazard-free manner of SCC, both kaolin/vitric solidification and calcium stabilization successfully have achieved fluoride immobilization and cyanide decomposition.

A closed-circuit cycle process for recovery of carbon and valuable components from spent carbon cathode by hydrothermal acid-leaching method.

Spent carbon cathode (SCC) as a hazardous solid waste produced in aluminum electrolysis industry, contains plenty valuable components but generate a seriously threat to the environment. This paper focus on a closed-circuit cycle process for direct treatment of SCC based on the hydrothermal acid-leaching method. Thermodynamic calculation, single factor experiment, orthogonal experiment and kinetic study are utilized to obtain the leaching properties of impurities, optimize the leaching conditions, study the influence of conditions on leaching, and capture the restriction factors of leaching. The results indicate that the carbon content of the treated SCC can reach 97.3% when the leaching condition attach the optimal (liquid-solid ratio of 25 mL/g, temperature of 413 K, time of 270 min and acid concentration of 4 mol/L), and liquid-solid ratio is regarded as the crucial factor influencing on that. In addition, the activation energy of impurities reaches 6.25 kJ/mol and the whole leaching process is controlled by the diffusion extent. Finally, the filtrate after the hydrothermal acid leaching is treated, and calcium fluoride, cryolite and sodium chloride are successfully separated. The proposed process eliminates the harm of SCC to the environment, and completes a closed-circuit cycle for the treatment of SCC and recovery of valuable components. It enriches the hydrometallurgical processes of SCC, and provides an attractive scheme for the treatment of SCC.

Cigarette butts as a super challenge in solid waste management: a review of current knowledge.

Filtered cigarette is the most common type of tobacco used and cigarette butt is the most important environmental consequence of smoking. This study aimed to investigate the cigarette butt management and identify future needs to improve the current situation. The results showed that cigarette butts are the most abundant and widespread hazardous waste in the world. The current form of cigarette butt management has inferior performance that faced waste management systems with serious challenges. The results showed that reducing the littering rate and recycling are known as basic strategies in the management of this hazardous waste. Future studies should focus on reducing cigarette butt pollution and the amount of pollutant leakage from them.

Impacto de una intervención educativa en el conocimiento y manejo de residuos peligrosos biológico-infecciosos / Impact of an educational intervention on the knowledge and management of infectious biological hazardous waste

Introducción: el personal de enfermería tiene una participación fundamental en el manejo de los residuos peligrosos biológico-infecciosos (RPBI) durante la atención en salud, situación que hace indispensable el conocimiento respecto a la peligrosidad y riesgo en el manejo de estos residuos. Objetivo: evaluar el impacto de una intervención educativa acerca del conocimiento y manejo de RPBI, en el personal de enfermería de un hospital general regional. Metodología: estudio cuasi experimental, pretest/postest, prospectivo y longitudinal. Se realizó una intervención educativa, y antes y después de esta se aplicó un cuestionario para evaluar conocimientos relacionados con RPBI y una lista de cotejo del Modelo Institucional para la Prevención de Infecciones Nosocomiales (MIPRIN) para evaluar el manejo de RPBI. Resultados: la intervención educativa demostró un efecto positivo en los conocimientos del personal de enfermería en relación con el manejo de RPBI. En la evaluación pretest se obtuvo un porcentaje de conocimientos de 65.2% y en la postest fue de 78.3% (p < 0.001). Respecto al cumplimiento en el manejo de RPBI, hubo un incremento; sin embargo, no se puede atribuir a la intervención, puesto que se evaluó por servicio y no de manera directa con los participantes. Conclusión: la intervención educativa mostró cambios significativos en los conocimientos y el manejo de RPBI del personal de enfermería.

Introduction: Nursing staff represent an important percentage in the management of biological hazardous waste (BHW) during health care, a situation that makes this knowledge essential regarding the danger and risk in handling these wastes. Objective: To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention about the knowledge and management of BHW in the nursing staff of a regional general hospital. Methods: quasi-experimental, pre-test/post-test, prospective and longitudinal study. An educational intervention was carried out; before and after this intervention, a questionnaire was administered to evaluate knowledge related to BHW and a checklist of the Institutional Model for the Prevention of Nosocomial Infections (MIPRIN, according to its initials in Spanish) to evaluate the management of BHW. Results: The educational intervention showed a positive effect in the nursing staff's knowledge in relation to BHW. In the pre-test evaluation a knowledge percentage of 65.2% was obtained and in the post-test evaluation it was 78.3% (p < 0.001). Regarding compliance in the management of BHW there was an increase; however, it cannot be attributed to the intervention, since it was evaluated by service and not directly with the participants.

Cigarette butt littering consequences: a study of pollution rate on beaches and urban environments.

Cigarette butts are hazardous wastes that are not properly discarded by most smokers. They are one of the most abundant litters in the environment and a threat to various organisms because they leak numerous pollutants. This study aimed to assess the distribution of cigarette butts in a coastal city south of the Caspian Sea in Mazandaran Province, Iran. Observations were performed using the visual survey technique based on standardized protocol. The results showed 11,261 littered cigarette butts in 15 studied urban areas ( an average of 0.306 units per square meter). Also, the average density of littered cigarette butts on the studied beaches was 0.106 per square meter. The littered cigarette butts had significant spatial variation, and the number of counts was 135 to 2090. The land-use has a significant effect on the density of littered cigarette butts due to its population density. The inquiry's index demonstrated that 33.3% of the studied urban areas are high pollution and severe pollution, while all beaches are high and severe. Therefore, a significant focus must be considered to reduce cigarette butts littering due to the collection problems and challenges of cigarette butt management. Because the pollution on the beaches is higher than in urban areas, improving waste management services and establishing a regular cleaning program are essential.

Bacterial diversity and competitors for degradation of hazardous oil refining waste under selective pressures of temperature and oxygen.

Oil refining waste (ORW) contains complex, hazardous, and refractory components, causing more severe long-term environmental pollution than petroleum. Here, ORW was used to simulate the accelerated domestication of bacteria from oily sludges and polymer-flooding wastewater, and the effects of key factors, oxygen and temperature, on the ORW degradation were evaluated. Bacterial communities acclimated respectively in 30/60 °C, aerobic/anaerobic conditions showed differentiated degradation rates of ORW, ranging from 5% to 34%. High-throughput amplicon sequencing and ORW component analysis revealed significant correlation between bacterial diversity/biomass and degradation efficiency/substrate preference. Under mesophilic and oxygen-rich condition, the high biomass and abundant biodiversity with diverse genes and pathways for petroleum hydrocarbons degradation, effectively promoted the rapid and multi-component degradation of ORW. While under harsh conditions, a few dominant genera still contributed to ORW degradation, although the biodiversity was severely restricted. The typical dominant facultative anaerobes Bacillus (up to 99.8% abundance anaerobically) and Geobacillus (up to 99.9% abundance aerobically and anaerobically) showed oxygen-independent sustainable degradation ability and broad-spectrum of temperature adaptability, making them promising and competitive bioremediation candidates for future application. Our findings provide important strategies for practical bioremediation of varied environments polluted by hazardous ORW.

Degradation of urea-formaldehyde resin residues by a hydrothermal oxidation method into recyclable small molecular organics.

Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin residues and the related product wastes as organic hazardous wastes are difficult to be biodegraded or recycled. In this research, a hydrothermal oxidation method using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution has been developed for the degradation and recycling of UF resin residues. The effects of solution concentration, temperature, and time on the degradation efficiency and products of UF resin residues were studied. Under optimal conditions, i.e., 140 °C and 5 wt% H2O2 solution, over 75% of UF resin residues was degraded after 3 h. The degradation efficiency is much higher than that of the traditional hydrothermal treatment or acid hydrolysis method. In addition, results from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that H2O2 solution degrades UF resin residues to low molecular compounds, such as alcohols, methylal, and amides. This research provides a novel and high-efficient hydrothermal oxidization process for the degradation of UF resin residues, which might be a promising environmentally friendly and low-cost method for the disposal and recycling of industrial UF resin residues.

Managing the hazardous waste cooking oil by conversion into bioenergy through the application of waste-derived green catalysts: A review.

Waste cooking oil (WCO) is a hazardous waste generated at staggering values globally. WCO disposal into various ecosystems, including soil and water, could result in severe environmental consequences. On the other hand, mismanagement of this hazardous waste could also be translated into the loss of resources given its energy content. Hence, finding cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative pathways for simultaneous management and valorization of WCO, such as conversion into biodiesel, has been widely sought. Due to its low toxicity, high biodegradability, renewability, and the possibility of direct use in diesel engines, biodiesel is a promising alternative to mineral diesel. However, the conventional homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts used in the biodiesel production process, i.e., transesterification, are generally toxic and derived from non-renewable resources. Therefore, to boost the sustainability features of the process, the development of catalysts derived from renewable waste-oriented resources is of significant importance. In light of the above, the present work aims to review and critically discuss the hazardous WCO application for bioenergy production. Moreover, various waste-oriented catalysts used to valorize this waste are presented and discussed.