Chemical spills put Italy’s underground physics lab in jeopardy

Science ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin Cartlidge
1993 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald G. Gunster ◽  
Carol A. Gillis ◽  
Nancy L. Bonnevie ◽  
Todd B. Abel ◽  
Richard J. Wenning

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 1739-1746
Author(s):  
D. L. Gallagher ◽  
K. Phetxumphou ◽  
A. M. Dietrich

Abstract Chemical spills polluting drinking water are often mixtures with each chemical having unique characteristics for partitioning, toxicity, and odour leading to significant differences in human risk exposures. A 2014 chemical spill of crude (4-methylcyclohexyl)methanol (MCHM) resulted in a $126 million USD fine to the water utility. The spill consisted of at least ten chemicals including 34% cis- and 60% trans-4-MCHM and 0.7% cis- and 0.3% trans-methyl-4-methylcyclohexanecarboxylate (MMCHC). While a very minor component, trans-MMCHC contributed substantially to odour because of its high Henry's Law Constant, 2.23 × 10−2 at 40 °C showering, and low odour threshold concentration (OTC), 0.02 ppb-v, air. Using USEPA risk assessment parameters in a 15-minute shower model with influent concentration of 42 ppb-aq cis- and trans-4-MMCHC, representative of initial spill concentrations in the distribution system, adult ingestion and inhalation for trans-MMCHC were almost equal, 4.00 × 10−4 and 4.26 × 10−4 mg/kg/d, respectively. For children, inhalation doses exceeded ingestion dose: 1.72 × 10−3 mg/kg/d versus 0.93 × 10−3 mg/kg/day trans-MMCHC. This exposure assessment with varying OTC for crude MCHM chemicals reinforces considering chemical, physical, and biological properties of all chemicals in the spill. Consumers aware of their exposure to chemicals in drinking water lost consumer confidence; the water utility was required to compensate individuals and businesses for financial losses.


1988 ◽  
pp. 163-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaylen R. Brubaker ◽  
Jurgen H. Exner
Keyword(s):  

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-258
Author(s):  
Almas Hamid ◽  
Alizae Salaam Ahmad ◽  
Sarah Dar ◽  
Sana Sohail ◽  
Faiza Akram ◽  
...  

The present study is conducted to determine occupational health and safety hazards with special focus on ergonomic hazards among healthcare facility (HCF) workers. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted among 200 workers in five HCFs of Lahore, Pakistan. Among the reported ergonomic hazards, muscle aches/ sprains (76.5%), elbow/ wrist/ neck pain (56.0%), body posture issues (56.0%), excessive stretching of muscles (67.5%) and bending/ twisting at work (55.5%) were commonly encountered. Biological hazards included incidences of cuts/wounds/ lacerations (69.0%), contact with specimens (56.0%), exposure of airborne diseases (64.0%) and other infections (72.0%) inspite of the fact that majority (90.0%) were aware of procedures where needle stick injuries are most likely to occur and knowledgeable on occupational infections. Physical hazards included slips/trips/falls (65.0%), high noise levels (64.0%) and chemical spills (54.0%). A significant percentage of workers experienced psychosocial hazards including work related stress (77.0%) and some form of psychosocial or physical abuse (68.5%). Despite workers awareness about occupational health hazards and implementation of control measures by HCF to mitigate hazards (especially biological) prevalence of hazards was reported. Hence, there is a need to improve working standards and conditions to reduce the occurrence of ergonomic and psychosocial hazards.


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