Evaluation of heavy metal leachability of incinerating recycled aggregate and solidification/stabilization products for construction reuse using TCLP, multi-final pH and EDTA-mediated TCLP leaching tests.

Incinerating recycled aggregate (IRA) produced using bottom ash generated from the incineration of municipal solid wastes can be reused as construction materials and cement-based solidification/stabilization (S/S) can be employed to improve their environmental compatibility. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) is commonly used to evaluate heavy metal leachability before reuse. However, the applicability of TCLP to IRA and their S/S products can be limited because of their alkaline nature which may cause underestimation of metal release. In this study, the leaching of heavy metals from an IRA and two S/S products, low-strength material (CLSM) and multi-functional regenerated concrete (MRC), were evaluated using TCLP, multi-final pH leaching test and EDTA-mediated TCLP. The results showed that TCLP results generally met the reuse standards. However, the results obtained from multi-final pH leaching test and EDTA-mediated TCLP showed exceedances of reuse standards for Pb and Cu when the final pH was < 5 or in the presence of> 7 mM EDTA. The results suggested that the reuse of IRA or S/S products requires further evaluation of their metal leachability in more harsh environmental conditions. Considering its simplicity, it is suggested that EDTA-mediated TCLP could be used for this purpose.

Epidemiologic features of mumps in Taiwan from 2006 to 2011: a new challenge for public health policy.

BACKGROUND: The adoption of a second dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine among Taiwanese school children began in 2001. However, during that time, mumps cases continued to occur. The purpose of the present study was to assess the epidemiology and vaccination policy for mumps in Taiwan. METHODS: We examined the data on mumps cases collected by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) between 2006 and 2011. RESULTS: During the 6-year study period, a total of 6612 cases of mumps were reported to the Taiwan CDC. Of the patients with known vaccination status, 62% received one dose of the MMR vaccine or no vaccine. The incidence of mumps ranged from 4.18 to 5.28 per 100 000 population and peaked in 2007. Males had a higher incidence of mumps than females (5.9 vs. 3.7 per 100 000 population; P=0.024). Children between 5 and 6 years of age had the highest incidence of mumps, and those 20 years and older had the lowest incidence. Compared to those who received two doses of the MMR vaccine, patients who were not vaccinated or received a single dose of the vaccine had a higher risk of suffering from complications and/or hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: In Taiwan, more than 60% of mumps cases received either no dose or one dose of the MMR vaccine. Monitoring mumps through biological testing and instituting a second dose of the MMR vaccine for children is needed for the elimination of mumps in Taiwan.

Tracheoinnominate fistula mimicking an endotracheal mass and rupture during rigid bronchoscopy.

Bleeding from tracheoinnominate fistula is an uncommon, but life-threatening complication, which typically arises when a tracheostomy tube erodes into the posterior aspect of the innominate artery. However, it has never been reported as a complication of rigid bronchoscopy. This study reviews the relevant literature and explores the possibility of lethal tracheoinnominate fistula during these procedures.