Environmental impact of biogas: A short review of current knowledge.

The social acceptance of biogas is often hampered by environmental and health concerns. In this study, the current knowledge about the impact of biogas technology is presented and discussed. The survey reports the emission rate estimates of the main greenhouse gases (GHG), namely CO2, CH4 and N2O, according to several case studies conducted over the world. Direct emissions of gaseous pollutants are then discussed, with a focus on nitrogen oxides (NOx); evidences of the importance of suitable biomass and digestate storages are also reported. The current knowledge on the environmental impact induced by final use of digestate is critically discussed, considering both soil fertility and nitrogen release into atmosphere and groundwater; several case studies are reported, showing the importance of NH3 emissions with regards to secondary aerosol formation. The biogas upgrading to biomethane is also included in the study: with this regard, the methane slip in the off-gas can significantly reduce the environmental benefits.

Completing the permit to work explained.

Two articles that featured in HEJ's April and November 2013 issues focused, respectively, on the roles and responsibilities of those operating and managing medical gas pipeline systems, and on the MGPS Permit to Work System. In this third article in a four-part 'series' by the same author, experienced medical gas systems trainer, Geoff Dillow, who also has extensive expertise in project management, developing medical gas Operational Policies, and assessing medical gas system compliance, and co-authored HTM 02-01, explains how to raise and complete The MGPS Permit to Work.

Nueva gestión de los gases medicinales como medicamento. Una visión desde la experiencia / New management of medical gases as a medicine: a view from experience

El génesis de esta reflexión o artículo se manifiesta ante la necesidad generada por la nueva legislación sanitaria, que asimila los gases medicinales como medicamentos, y como los diversos colectivos involucrados en esta nueva situación hemos ido afrontando su aplicación. Dentro de este colectivo pluridisciplinar están farmacéuticos hospitalarios, empresas gasistas, gestores de hospitales e ingenieros de mantenimiento (AU)

The origin of this reflection or article is found in the requirements generate by the new health legislation which considers medicinal gases as medicines, and how the different groups involved in this new situation have been applying it. This multidisciplinary group includes hospital pharmacists, gas companies, hospital administrator and maintenance engineers (AU)

[The central gas-supplying system in the hospital].

Based on the construction experiences of our hospital, we in this paper introduce some problems met with in the central gas-supply, and meanwhile we have presented several solutions and preventive measures for the reference of other hospitals.

Improving risk management systematically.

The management of risk is an ever more prevalent issue amongst healthcare professionals due to key changes in recent years driving visibility and transparency. Medical gases constitute an important area of risk--the gases are used, administered and handled by many different people and the chief executive is ultimately responsible. Such risks can be managed down by a hospital according to the letter and spirit of HTM 2022, EN737 and NMSR. The biggest failing of the current system where hospitals take it upon themselves to ensure compliance, is that typically little training is actually performed, there is almost no monitoring, and often people on the front line are unaware of the risks that they are running. A systematic response to managing risk is the only way forward, and a key decision a hospital needs to make is whether to persist towards this goal itself, or to involve a technical and clinical supplier. BOC Medical is in a key position to be of value.