Determinants of contractor's construction and demolition waste recycling intention in China: Integrating theory of planned behavior and norm activation model.

The abundant generation of construction and demolition waste (CDW) poses a threat to the sustainable development in China and recycling plays a vital role in complying with circular economy zero-waste goal. In this study, we first investigate the determinants of contractor's intention to recycle CDW by establishing an integrative model of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the norm activation model (NAM) with rational and moral considerations. Based on the questionnaire data of 210 valid responses, structural equation modeling is employed to test the proposed hypotheses and analyze the integrative structural model. The results show that the integrative model with adequate reliability and validity fits the empirical data well and the explanation power is superior to that of initial TPB model and NAM model, demonstrating the appropriateness of merging TPB and NAM in the area of CDW recycling research. Moreover, it is found that personal norms are the most critical determinant enhancing the CDW recycling intention, followed by perceived behavioral control. Although subjective norms fail to directly affect the CDW recycling intention, they can significantly strengthen personal norms and perceived behavioral control. These findings provide useful insights for government to develop effective management strategies to motivate CDW recycling intention of contractors.

[Epidemiological investigation on thyroid disease among fertile women in different iodine intake areas of Shanxi province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the prevalence of thyroid diseases and its influencing factors of iodine on thyroid gland function and autoimmune among fertile women in different iodine intake areas. METHODS: Cross-sectional method was used for descriptive epidemiology. 236 women aged 19 to 45 years were sampled in 2011, in Shanxi province. Questionnaire was used to include general data on place, name, age etc. Sample of water from home, one time random urine sample and venous blood were collected to test the iodine contents using arsenic and cerium catalysis spectrophotometric methods. Finally, in blood, free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotrophin (TSH) in blood were tested under auto-CLIA and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) through radio-immunological methods. RESULTS: 1)The urine iodine's medians were 486.9 µg/L for fertile women in high iodine areas, and 192.6 µg/L in low iodine areas, with difference on urine iodine level statistically significant (Z = -10.676, P = 0.000). 2) Levels of blood FT3 and FT4 in women from high iodine areas were obviously lower than those from proper iodine areas(t = -2.884, P = 0.004; t = -2.862, P = 0.005), but the level of TSH in high iodine areas was higher than that of proper iodine areas(t = 2.332, P = 0.021). 3) In both areas, the rate of the thyroid dysfunction with positive antibodies was obviously higher than those with negative antibodies (χ² = 20.941, P = 0.000;χ² = 5.596, P = 0.018), while the rate of the thyroid dysfunction with positive antibodies and the level of TSH in the blood for high iodine women higher than those in women with proper iodine level(χ² = 5.708, P = 0.37;t = -2.177, P = 0.031). 4)The morbidity rate of inferior clinical hyperthyroidism for women in high iodine areas was obviously higher than those in proper iodine areas(χ² = 9.542, P = 0.003), while the morbidity rate of inferior clinical hypothyroidism for women with positive antibodies in two areas obviously higher than those with negative antibodies (χ² = 17.264, P = 0.000; χ² = 6.002, P = 0.044). CONCLUSION: Morbidity rate of inferior clinical hypothyroidism for women in high iodine areas was obviously higher than those in proper iodine areas, suggesting that there were potential risks of hypothyroidism for overdose iodine intake which causing the existence of positive thyroid antibodies. Monitoring programs on iodine nutrition and thyroid function among women living in high iodine areas should be strengthened.

Studies on exposure status of inhabitants to water-arsenic valence states in areas with endemic arsenism in the Datong basin in Shanxi.

This study aimed to describe the distribution of water-arsenic (As) valence states and its relationship to areas with endemic arsenism in the Datong basin. Drinking water samples of patients with endemic arsenism and a control group were examined using hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS). We analyzed the data using SPSS10.0 for Windows. The As(III)/As ratio was 52.1% in the water sample, exceeding the national standard of 0.05 mg/L. The As(III)/As ratio significantly varied among the different stages in the disease-state groups, and with the control group (χ (2) = 22.4, P<0.01). The As(III)/As(V) ratio significantly varied in the four groups (χ (2) = 26.19, P<0.01), with a tendency to increase along with the seriousness of the disease state. The most common type of drinking water arsenic valence state was As(III) in the endemic disease-areas. Endemic arsenism was positively correlated with As(III). This led us to conclude that the fraction of each water-arsenic valence state should be studied when determining the arsenic content of drinking water.