A systematic review comparing the health effects of dual use of electronic and conventional cigarettes with health effects of exclusive smoking of conventional cigarettes

Background: A high prevalence of dual use (DU) of e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes has been reported across the world. In some countries most users of e-cigarettes are dual users (DUs). We wanted to investigate the health effects of DU and compare with the health effects of exclusive smoking of conventional cigarettes (ESCC). Methods: A systematic search was carried out in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane library. The last search was conducted on April 26, 2021. We included original articles on any topic relevant to health, in all languages. Reviewers independently assessed the main risks of bias without the use of automated tools. We followed the PRISMA guidelines. Both reviewers independently screened and read all publications. Results: Fifty-five publications (52 studies) were included, 12 of the studies were prospective. There was great heterogeneity across studies both in methodology and outcome. Several studies, especially experimental studies with short-term outcome, found higher levels of harmful substances in ESCC than in DUs, however, the two largest population-based studies, with low risk of selection-bias, found higher levels of harmful substances in DUs than in ESCC. Most studies investigating symptoms or risk of disease were large population-based surveys. One study found that DUs reported a significantly better health than ESCC, while fifteen found a higher risk of e.g., pulmonary, cardiovascular or metabolic risk factors/symptoms, self-reported general health or cancer in DUs than in ESCC. The study with the longest follow-up, six years, found that DUs had an adjusted odds ratio of 1.48 (95% confidence interval 0.81–2.70) of a possibly smoking-related disease (confirmed by hospital discharge abstracts) compared with ESCC. Many methodological weaknesses were identified, such as risk of reverse causality. We found a correlation between high tobacco consumption in DUs and findings of negative health outcomes.Conclusion: Due to many methodological weaknesses, it is difficult to draw any strong conclusions, but the results indicate that DU might be as or even more harmful than ESCC. Well-designed longitudinal studies are needed. Before recommending EC for smoking cessation health authorities should consider the high risk of DU and its potential consequences.

Method for predicting the dissemination of hazardous substances in the soil during long-term storage of galvanic waste

The problem of production waste storage in open areas of an enterprise with a galvanic shop for the production of chips and microchips has been investigated. The composition of the sludge obtained after sewage treatment of the production of the copper line was investigated. The aim of the article is to develop a mathematical model for predicting the distribution of compounds with heavy metals in the soil during long-term storage of galvanic sludge in open areas. Modeling the process of movement of salts from the earth's surface into the lower layers of the aeration zone occurs according to the laws of molecular diffusion. The method is developed on the basis of a mathematical model that makes it possible to estimate the spread over the depth of the ground and level of soil salinity over time using initial information about soil structure and its characteristics (molecular diffusion coefficient, volume humidity), annual volumes and conditions of sludge storage in the enterprise. Restrictions are set: the presence of harmful substances on the soil surface with a concentration that exceeds the permissible level; inadmissibility of harmful substances to aquifers. The practical use of the method made it possible to identify the main dangers during long-term storage of galvanic waste in open areas. The dynamics of soil salinity levels and the depth of penetration of heavy metals increase over twenty years of conservation has been determined, as well as the possibility of hazardous compounds entering groundwater has been assessed. Polyvinyl chloride packaging has a maximum life span of 15 years. Waste should not be stored in packages and in closed areas for more than 10 years. According to the prediction results, it can be stated that storage in landfills of galvanic waste for more than 15 years leads to significant salinization of the soil and creates conditions for an emergency situation, which is caused by harmful substances entering the water horizons. Recommendations for improving storage conditions are given and the need for recycling of industrial waste is substantiated

Combustion of wood pellets with a high amount of fines

A comprehensive study of the efficiency of the 1.5 MW Arimax Bio Energy hot water boiler operating on wood pellets with a high amount of fines has been carried out. Fuel characteristics and its compliance with the quality requirements of Russian and European standards have been investigated. The components of the heat balance and emission of harmful substances have been determined. Thermovision study of the boiler was carried out. The comprehensive study showed that the boiler provides sufficiently high technical and economic performance and minimal emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. However, the high amount of fines in the pellets significantly increases the emissions of particulate matter and especially black carbon into the environment.

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE OF AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM OF FUEL COMBUSTION PROCESS IN LOW AND MEDIUM POWER BOILERS. PART 2. ALGORITHMIC SOFTWARE

The efficiency of the functioning of boiler units depends on the availability of reliable information on the progress of technological processes. The lack of control and measuring systems for the composition of the exhaust gases leads to low efficiency of the boiler unit, in particular, due to poor-quality fuel combustion. Therefore, in modern operating conditions of boiler units, it is relevant to develop technological solutions focused on finding and minimizing the causes and mechanisms of the formation of harmful substances in exhaust gases. Due to the fact that replacement of outdated boiler units with new ones requires significant capital investments, a promising direction is the modernization of existing boiler units. It is a low-cost and efficient way of rational use of fuel while simultaneously reducing the level of harmful substances in exhaust gases. It remains relevant to ensure the functioning of the control systems for the composition of the air-fuel mixture (AFM) with a given speed and high reliability of maintaining the excess air ratio (EAR) at the stoichiometric level. In the article the high-quality algorithm is proposed for the operation of an automatic control system for the combustion of fuel in boilers of medium and low power by regulating the ratio of the components of the AFM for the burner with feedback according to the signals of the oxygen sensor. The algorithms for the operation of the frequency regulator of the ratio of the components of the AFM in various operating modes are considered. The developed algorithms allowed maintaining the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio in the boiler furnace, reducing the level of toxic emissions into the atmosphere and increasing the boiler efficiency by optimizing the fuel combustion process. The AFM ratio programmer is made in the LM Programmer technical programming environment and works with Windows operating systems (XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10) and oxygen sensors manufactured by Bosch. The visualization of the control process of the fuel combustion process is made in the technical programming environment LogWorks 3 and operates in the environment of Windows operating systems.

Development of ornamental horticulture for residential areas

Aim. Show the ecological significance of ornamental gardening in human life and identify problems of its effective management. Methods. The methods of dialectical cognition of processes and phenomena, monographic empirical and abstract-logical, are used. Results. The issues of the development of domestic ornamental horticulture and floriculture are discussed. A historical overview of landscaping is provided. The researches of domestic and foreign scientists on the toxic effect of pollutants on plant organisms, on the prooxidant-antioxidant balance, and its shift towards the intensification of lipid cross-oxidation in plant tissues, are analyzed. The relevance of research on air transport of harmful substances of human activity in residential areas and the importance of plants in protecting them and residents from the harmful effects of pollutants are shown. Conclusions. Ornamental gardening, floriculture, and landscaping are a promising way to improve the living conditions of the population and neutralize harmful industrial emissions.

Elimination and Reduction of Harmful Substances in Cigarette Smoke, Using Nanomaterials: Study Protocol for a Systematic Review

Background Cigarette smoke is an aerosol containing more than thousands of chemical compounds, several of which are carcinogens and toxic. Many efforts have been made to use nanomaterials (NMs) to remove and filter toxic substances in cigarette smoke. Due to the characteristics of MLs and their selectivity to different compounds, NMs have a high potential for practical application in reducing harmful compounds in cigarette smoke. The objective of this systematic review is to collect, combine, and analyze the basic intervention research on NMs for removal and reduction of harmful substances in cigarette smoke. This systematic review will determine the most important factors and expected characterizations for the development or commercialization of a new filters. Finally, we will review the challenges of using NMs-based interventions. Methods This protocol is based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-P protocol and Cochrane methodology. The inclusion/exclusion criteria are determined based on PICOTS (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, Time, Study Design) Framework. The Comprehensive literature searches will be conducted in international databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and 3Iranian database, including SID, Iranmedex and Magiran. The quality of the papers and the risk of bias will be assessed using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) methodology. The results will be presented in the text as well as in a table and figure based on the SWiM guidelines (Synthesis Without Meta-analysis). the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist and guidelines will be tracked to certify a robustness and reproducibility of the process. Discussion A comprehensive analysis of the studies conducted in this field can identify research needs, examine the current and expected situation, provide the necessary parameters for research and development of new filters and ultimately determine the effective priorities for further effective interventions.

Equipment set for all-seasonal processing of poultry manure

New equipment set for the processing of manure, the main waste of poultry farms, into a range of ancillary products with predetermined properties and parameters is described. This technology decreases the emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere. The method of preparation of manure for the usage as a solid fuel with decreased expenses for drying was developed; this method allows for the significant decrease of nitrogen content in the manure (resulting in the decreased nitrogen emission at burning). The method involves the preliminary mixing of the manure with a natural absorbent (3-5% of the dry matter of manure) sieved through the 0.2 mm screen; separation of the mixture (by centrifuging or pressing) to solid fraction (moisture content 45-56%) and liquid fraction; drying of the solid fraction in a cylinder drier to moisture content 12-22%; the final product can also be pelleted. A part of the product can be burned in a furnace to produce the heat for the drying of the solid fraction; liquid fraction can be further processed in a coagulator to extract protein or can be used as a liquid fertilizer or ingredient of the liquid substrates in the hydroponic greenhouses.

Description by the method of combustion mass transfer of a gasoline-hydrogen-air mixture and reduction of harm to the environment

The prospects for the use of hydrogen in automobile engines have been studied, it is possible to summarize, first of all, in relation to environmental friendliness, renewable and unlimited raw materials and the unique characteristics of the engine, which allows the use of hydrogen without making fundamental changes in modern engines. The norms for the emission of harmful substances into the environment are given and ways to reduce the emission of these harmful substances are shown. The schematic diagrams of the hydrogen electrolyzer are developed and the transfer of hydrogen to the combustion chambers is indicated. The paper describes the combustion process of a gasoline-hydrogen-air mixture using the mass transfer method.

On the expediency of using liquefied natural gas in refrigerated containers with mounted diesel generators

Objective: Analysis of the feasibility of using LNG as an alternative to diesel fuel in mobile power units used as a power source for refrigeration units of refrigerated containers. Methods: Natural gas has been compared to diesel fuel in terms of the economic characteristics; exergy analysis, systema111 tic approach, and synthesis have been used. Results: The economic feasibility of replacing diesel fuel with LNG for power units of refrigerated containers is determined; general issues of converting from diesel fuel to LNG were considered; possible ways of utilizing cold during regasification are proposed; emissions of harmful substances from the combustion of LNG and diesel fuel were compared. Practical importance: The study findings can be applied when converting mobile power units for various purposes from diesel fuel to LNG, as well as for in-depth analysis of individual problems of using LNG as a fue.