scholarly journals Persistence and Bioaccumulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the Soil and Aquatic Ecosystems: Syrian Frontiers in Ecology and Environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loai Aljerf ◽  
Nuha AlMasri
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Sustainable Water Management ◽  
Chemicals Management ◽  
National Implementation ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Toxic Substances Control Act

<p><em>In Syria, there are no effective chemicals management programmes including any estimation and assessment programmes to screen organic chemicals for bioaccumulation potential from regulatory and resource implications are conducted yet. An important issue of excessive organic hazardous substances exposure of inhabitants living in Barada basin (Southwest) was not investigated. Among these danger substances, </em><em>P</em><em>ersistent </em><em>O</em><em>rganic </em><em>P</em><em>ollutants (POPs) have specific properties make them possible linger in soil and water for so many years. Considering the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and enabling activities for the Stockholm convention on POPs related to the national implementation plan for Syria, the current paper presents the results of the analysis of the persistence of chemicals in surface water and ground water samples gathered from different locations in this basin. The study was conducted in 2007-2008, the biodegradability under laboratory and filed conditions were assessed, half</em><em>?</em><em>lives of priority pollutants were predicted, and data were monitored and compared. The level of POPs in a larger percentage of the samples exceeded guidelines which results a call for additional protective measures for a sustainable water management for producing clean water involving reduction strategies to mitigate the POPs concentrations in the indoor environment of Barada, and safely destroy them.</em><em></em></p>

Chemicals and Hazardous Substances

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Vogel
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Federal Government ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
European Policies ◽  
Toxic Substances Control Act ◽  
The U.S ◽  
The Eu

This chapter looks at American and European policies toward the risks of chemicals and hazardous substances. The 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) significantly strengthened American chemical regulations and contributed to the 1979 decision of the EU to both harmonize and strengthen its chemical regulations, though they remained weaker than those of the United States. While there has been no major statutory change in American chemical regulation since then, in 2006 the EU approved REACH—the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals, which made European chemical regulations significantly more stringent and comprehensive than those of the United States. Meanwhile, risk assessments by the U.S. federal government do not consider the hazardous substances in electronics deposited in landfills as a threat to public health.

Secondary Contamination of Medical Personnel, Equipment, and Facilities Resulting From Hazardous Materials Events, 2003–2006

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Kevin Horton ◽  
Maureen Orr ◽  
Theodora Tsongas ◽  
Richard Leiker ◽  
Vikas Kapil
Keyword(s):  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Hazardous Material ◽  
Medical Facilities ◽  
Initial Release ◽  
Emergency Events ◽  
Contamination Events ◽  
Secondary Contamination

ABSTRACTBackground: When not managed properly, a hazardous material event can quickly extend beyond the boundaries of the initial release, creating the potential for secondary contamination of medical personnel, equipment, and facilities. Secondary contamination generally occurs when primary victims are not decontaminated or are inadequately decontaminated before receiving medical attention. This article examines the secondary contamination events reported to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and offers suggestions for preventing such events.Methods: Data from the ATSDR Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance system were used to conduct a retrospective analysis of hazardous material events occurring in 17 states during 2003 through 2006 involving secondary contamination of medical personnel, equipment, and facilities.Results: Fifteen (0.05%) Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance events were identified in which secondary contamination occurred. At least 17 medical personnel were injured as a result of secondary contamination while they were treating contaminated victims. Of the medical personnel injured, 12 were emergency medical technicians and 5 were hospital personnel. Respiratory irritation was the most common injury sustained.Conclusions: Adequate preplanning and drills, proper decontamination procedures, good field-to-hospital communication, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, and effective training can help prevent injuries of medical personnel and contamination of transport vehicles and medical facilities. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2008;2:104–113)

REGULATING RISK: OVERSIGHT OF MICROBIAL PRODUCTS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY UNDER THE U.S. TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

1999 ◽  
Vol 01 (03) ◽  
pp. 329-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
REBECCA A. EFROYMSON
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Institutional Constraints ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Microbial Products ◽  
Toxic Substances Control Act ◽  
Risk Oversight ◽  
The U.S

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is the legislation used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate releases of genetically engineered microorganisms. The rule defining the scope of the notification requirements for releases of microbial products of biotechnology was published in April 1997. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had some latitude regarding the extent to which various categories of microorganisms would be regulated, but the agency was constrained by requirements of TSCA and an interagency agreement about how to regulate products of biotechnology. This paper investigates the extent to which the scope of oversight is based on risk. A risk-based rule is defined as one where the reporting requirements are based on potential for exposure or expected adverse effects. The evolution of the rule is described, and risk-based components are discussed. In conclusion, the scope of oversight of microbial releases is determined to be based on risk to the extent that legislation and institutional constraints permit.

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