Biological monitoring of chemical exposure : toxicokinetic differences due to age and sex

Human biomonitoring is a widely used method in the assessment of occupational exposure to chemical substances and recommended biological limits are published periodically for interpretation and decision-making. However, it is increasingly recognized that a large variability is associated with biological monitoring, making interpretation less efficient than assumed. In order to improve the applicability of biological monitoring, specific factors responsible for this variability should be identified and their contribution quantified. Among these factors, age and sex are easily identifiable, and present knowledge about pharmaceutical chemicals suggests that they play an important role on the toxicokinetics of occupational chemical agents, and therefore on the biological monitoring results.The aim of the present research project was to assess the influence of age and sex on biological indicators corresponding to organic solvents. This has been done experimentally and by toxicokinetic computer simulation. Another purpose was to explore the effect of selected CYP2E1 polymorphisms on the toxicokinetic profile.Age differences were identified by numerical simulations using a general toxicokinetic model from a previous study which was applied to 14 chemicals, representing 21 specific biological entities, with, among others, toluene, phenol, lead and mercury. These models were runn with the modified parameters, indicating in some cases important differences due to age. The expected changes are mostly of the order of 10-20 %, but differences up to 50 % were observed in some cases. These differences appear to depend on the chemical and on the biological entity considered.Sex differences were quantified by controlled human exposures, which were carried out in a 12 m3 exposure chamber for three organic solvents separately: methyl ethyl ketone, 1-methoxy-2-propanol and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. The human volunteer groups were composed 12 of ten young men and fifteen young women, the latter subdivided into those with and without hormonal contraceptive. They were exposed during six hours at rest and at half of the threshold limit value. The kinetics of the parent compounds (organic volatiles) and their metabolite(s) were followed in blood, urine and expired air over time. Analyses of the solvent and their metabolites were performed by using headspace gas chromatography, CYP2E1 genotypes by using PCR-based RFLP methods. Experimental data were used to calibrate the toxicokinetic models developed for the three solvents. The results obtained for the different biomarkers of exposure mainly showed an effect on the urinary levels of several biomarkers among women due to the use of hormonal contraceptive, with an increase of about 50 % in the metabolism rate. The results also showed a difference due to the genotype CYP2E1*6, when exposed to methyl ethyl ketone, with a tendency to increase CYP2E1 activity when volunteers were carriers of the mutant allele. Simulations showed that it is possible to use simple toxicokinetic tools in order to predict internal exposure when exposed to organic solvents. Our study suggests that not only physiological differences but also exogenous sex hormones could influence CYP2E1 enzyme activity. The variability among the urinary biological indicators levels gives evidence of an interindividual susceptibility, an aspect that should have its place in the approaches for setting limits of occupational exposure.

Evaluation of Long-Term Field Performance of Cold In-Place Recycled Roads: Field and Laboratory Testing, TR-502, 2007

Cold in-place recycling (CIR) has become an attractive method for rehabilitating asphalt roads that have good subgrade support and are suffering distress related to non-structural aging and cracking of the pavement layer. Although CIR is widely used, its use could be expanded if its performance were more predictable. Transportation officials have observed roads that were recycled under similar circumstances perform very differently for no clear reason. Moreover, a rational mix design has not yet been developed, design assumptions regarding the structural support of the CIR layer remain empirical and conservative, and there is no clear understanding of the cause-effect relationships between the choices made during the design/construction process and the resulting performance. The objective of this project is to investigate these relationships, especially concerning the age of the recycled pavement, cumulative traffic volume, support conditions, aged engineering properties of the CIR materials, and road performance. Twenty-four CIR asphalt roads constructed in Iowa from 1986 to 2004 were studied: 18 were selected from a sample of roads studied in a previous research project (HR-392), and 6 were selected from newer CIR projects constructed after 1999. This report describes the results of comprehensive field and laboratory testing for these CIR asphalt roads. The results indicate that the modulus of the CIR layer and the air voids of the CIR asphalt binder were the most important factors affecting CIR pavement performance for high-traffic roads. For low-traffic roads, the wet indirect tensile strength significantly affected pavement performance. The results of this research can help identify changes that should be made with regard to design, material selection, and construction in order to improve the performance and cost-effectiveness of future recycled roads.

Health consultation : Former Chamberlain Manufacturing Site 550 Esther Street Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa (2012)

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has requested the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) to evaluate the health impacts associated with exposure to contaminants of concern that have been found at the former Chamberlain Manufacturing Site. The EPA has been involved in the investigation and remediation of the Former Chamberlain Manufacturing Site since 2005. As part of these investigative activities, on-site soil sampling and both on-and off-site groundwater sampling has been completed. In addition, sub-slab soil gas, indoor air, and ambient air sampling at properties located near the Former Chamberlain Manufacturing Site has been completed. This health consultation addresses potential health risks to the public from exposure to the soil, groundwater and potential vapors within homes or buildings at or near the Former Chamberlain Manufacturing Site. The information in this health consultation was current at the time of writing. Data that emerges later could alter this document’s conclusions and recommendations.

Air Formed Arch Culvert Construction: Crawford County, Construction Reports, HR-314, 1991

Iowa's secondary roads contain nearly 15,000 bridges which are less than 40 feet (12 m) in length. Many of these bridges were built several decades ago and need to be replaced. Box culvert construction has proven to be an adequate bridge replacement technique. Recently a new bridge replacement alternative, called the Air-0-Form method, has emerged which has several potential advantages over box culvert construction. This new technique uses inflated balloons as the interior form in the construction of an arch culvert. The objective of research project HR-314 was to construct an air formed arch culvert to determine the applicability of the Air-O-Form technique as a county bridge replacement alternative.

Vaneri- ja kertopuutehtaiden kuivatuskoneiden lämmöntalteenottojen järjestelmäselvitys

Vanerin tai kertopuun valmistusprosessissaviilun kuivaukseen käytetään suurin osa koko valmistusprosessin primäärienergiasta. Viilunkuivauskoneessa viilun sisältämä vesi siirretään tyypillisesti prosessihöyryllä lämmitettyyn viilunkuivaajan kiertoilmaan höyrystämällä ja poistetaanviilunkuivaajasta poistoilman mukana. Viilunkuivaajan poistoilma on lämmintä jaerittäin suuren kosteuspitoisuutensa takia sisältää runsaasti energiaa. Tyypillisellä viilunkuivaajalla poistoilmaan sitoutunut lämpöteho vaihtelee prosessiolosuhteista riippuen välillä 2,7-5,7 MW. Diplomityössä tutkittiin viilunkuivaajan poistoilman sisältämän lämmön talteenottoa laitteistolla, johon kuuluu lämmöntalteenottopesuri, jossa poistoilmalla lämmitetään tuotantolaitoksen tukkipuun hautomon kiertovettä sekä ilma-ilma-lämmönsiirrin, jolla lämmitetään pesurista poistuvan ilman jäännöslämmöllä ulkoilmaa tehdassalin tuloilmakäyttöön. Työn tavoitteena oli kehittää lämmöntalteenottojärjestelmän suunnittelua, mitoitusta ja ajotapoja. Työssä analysoitiin teoreettisesti pesuria ja ilmalämmönsiirrintä, kehitettiin lämmöntalteenottopesurin simulointimenetelmä ja mitattiin toiminnassa olevia talteenottolaitteistoja. Tutkimuksessa todettiin lämmöntalteenottohyötysuhteen vaihtelevan lämmityskaudella välillä 50-70 %. Lämmöntalteenottolaitteiston pesurin veteen saatava teho riippuu ensisijaisesti viilunkuivaajan poistoilman lämpösisällöstä, joka on enimmäkseen kosteusriippuvainen ja ilmanvaihtoilmaan saatava teho ulkolämpö-tilan määräämästä tehontarpeesta. Pesurin vesijärjestelmän vaikutusmekanismit pesurin suorituskykyyn tunnistettiin ja niiden pohjalta annetaan suositukset mitoitukseen ja ajotapaan. Lämmöntalteenottolaitteiston lämpötehon tasapainottamiseen pesurin ja ilma-ilma-lämmönsiirtimen välillä mitoituksen avulla esitellään työkalut.

Field data and prediction models of pesticide spray drift on coffee crop

The objective of this work was to generate drift curves from pesticide applications on coffee plants and to compare them with two European drift-prediction models. The used methodology is based on the ISO 22866 standard. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with ten replicates in a 2x20 split-plot arrangement. The evaluated factors were: two types of nozzles (hollow cone with and without air induction) and 20 parallel distances to the crop line outside of the target area, spaced at 2.5 m. Blotting papers were used as a target and placed in each of the evaluated distances. The spray solution was composed of water+rhodamine B fluorescent tracer at a concentration of 100 mg L-1, for detection by fluorimetry. A spray volume of 400 L ha-1 was applied using a hydropneumatic sprayer. The air-induction nozzle reduces the drift up to 20 m from the treated area. The application with the hollow cone nozzle results in 6.68% maximum drift in the nearest collector of the treated area. The German and Dutch models overestimate the drift at distances closest to the crop, although the Dutch model more closely approximates the drift curves generated by both spray nozzles.

Permanent magnet synchronous motor for industrial inverter applications - analysis and design

During the latest few years the need for new motor types has grown, since both high efficiency and an accurate dynamic performance are demanded in industrial applications. For this reason, new effective control systems such as direct torque control (DTC) have been developed. Permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) are well suitable for new adjustable speed AC inverter drives, because their efficiency and power factor are not depending on the pole pair number and speed to the same extent as it is the case in induction motors. Therefore, an induction motor (IM) with a mechanical gearbox can often be replaced with a direct PM motor drive. Space as well as costs will be saved, because the efficiency increases and the cost of maintenance decreases as well. This thesis deals with design criterion, analytical calculation and analysis of the permanent magnet synchronous motor for both sinusoidal air-gap flux density and rectangular air-gapflux density. It is examined how the air-gap flux, flux densities, inductances and torque can be estimated analytically for salient pole and non-salient pole motors. It has been sought by means of analytical calculations for the ultimate construction for machines rotating at relative low 300 rpm to 600 rpm speeds, which are suitable speeds e.g. in Pulp&Paper industry. The calculations are verified by using Finite Element calculations and by measuring of prototype motor. The prototype motor is a 45 kW, 600 rpm PMSM with buried V-magnets, which is a very appropriate construction for high torque motors with a high performance. With the purposebuilt prototype machine it is possible not only to verify the analytical calculations but also to show whether the 600 rpm PMSM can replace the 1500 rpm IM with a gear. It can also be tested if the outer dimensions of the PMSM may be the same as for the IM and if the PMSM in this case can produce a 2.5 fold torque, in consequence of which it may be possible to achieve the same power. The thesis also considers the question how to design a permanent magnet synchronous motor for relatively low speed applications that require a high motor torqueand efficiency as well as bearable costs of permanent magnet materials. It is shown how a selection of different parameters affects the motor properties. Key words: Permanent magnet synchronous motor, PMSM, surface magnets, buried magnets

Measurement of the air permeability profile on SC paper machine

Tämän diplomityön tarkoituksena oli asentaa ja kehittää UPM-Kymmene Rauman tehtaiden PK2:lle luotettava ja toimiva ilmanläpäisyprofiilin mittaus. Työn tarkoituksena oli myös kartoittaa tietoja ilmanläpäisyprofiiliin vaikuttavista seikoista sekä mahdollisuuksista säätää ilmanläpäisyprofiilia. Lisäksi työn tavoitteena oli löytää toimiva menetelmä verrata online mitattua ilmanläpäisyprofiilia laboratoriossa mitattuun ilmanläpäisyprofiiliin online mittauksen luotettavuuden näkökulmasta. Työn aikana selvitettiin myös ilmanläpäisyprofiilin mittauksen mahdollisuutta superkalanteroidusta SC paperista. Työn kirjallisessa osassa käsiteltiin paperin huokoisuutta ja ilmanläpäisyä, huokoisuustasoon ja huokoisuus profiiliin vaikuttavia tekijöitä, ilmanläpäisevyyden merkitystä SC paperin valmistukselle ja SC paperin painettavuudelle sekä ilmanläpäisevyyden laboratorio- sekä online mittausta. Kirjallisessa osassa käsiteltiin myös Honeywellin uutta Poros ilmanläpäisysensoria. Työn kokeellisessa osassa tutkittiin ilmanläpäisyprofiilimittauksen luotettavuutta CD ja MD suunnassa sekä laboratorio- ja online-mittausten välisiä eroavaisuuksia ennen PK2 uusintaa. PK2 uusinnan jälkeen kokeellisessa osassa keskityttiin luotettavuuden varmentamiseen CD ja MD suunnassa sekä kartoittamaan tekijöitä, jotka aiheuttivat pieniä tasoeroja mittausten välillä. Mittaukset todettiin luotettaviksi ja niiden pohjalta suoritettiin mitattujen online profiilien välisiä vertailuja. Ilmanläpäisyprofiililla todettiin olevan positiivinen korrelaatio neliömassaprofiilin ja kosteusprofiilin kanssa sekä negatiivinen korrelaatio tuhkaprofiilin kanssa. PK2 uusinnan yhteydessä tehtiin koeajoja, jotka liittyivät laadunoptimointiin viira- ja puristinosalla. Koeajoissa tutkittujen asioiden lisäksi tutkittiin muutettujen parametrien vaikutusta ilmanläpäisyprofiiliin. Höyrylaatikon vaikutusta ilmanläpäisyprofiiliin tutkittiin säätöjen virityksen yhteydessä.

Lentoaseman terminaalirakennuksen energiankäyttö ja sisäilmasto

Diplomityössä tarkasteltiin lentoaseman terminaalirakennuksen energia- ja ainevirtoja sekä sisäilman ominaisuuksia. Esimerkkikohteena oli Helsinki-Vantaan lentoaseman keskiterminaalirakennus, jonka 1. ja 2. rakennusvaiheen ulkovaippa muodosti taserajan. Taseen ulkopuolisista tekijöistä tarkasteltiin jäähdytysenergian tuotantoa ja ulkoilman laatua. Työn yhtenä tavoitteena oli muodostaa rakennukselle energiatase. Taseen avulla saatiin tietoa energian jakautumisesta eri toimintoihin ja löydettiin tekijät, joita suunnittelussa tulee painottaa. Terminaalin lähiympäristössä tutkittiin ulkoilman laatua mittausten avulla. Mittaustietoja käytetään apuna tulevaisuuden ilmanottosuunnittelussa. Työssä tarkasteltiin energia- ja ainevirtoina lämpö-, jäähdytys- ja sähköenergian sekä veden ostoa, tuotantoa ja kulutusta sekä prosessointia. Terminaalin lämpötarpeesta hieman yli puolet katettiin kaukolämmöllä. Loput noin 45 % lämpöenergiasta saatiin ns. ilmaisenergioista. Näistä merkittävimmäksi havaittiin sähkölaitteiden luovuttama lämpömäärä. Lämpöhäviöiden kannalta merkittäviä energiavirtoja olivat ilmanvaihdon ja vuotoilmojen kautta siirtyvät energiavirrat, joiden osuuden todettiin olevan noin 80 % terminaalin kokonaislämpöhäviöistä. Vaipan lämmöneristyskyky ja kyky absorboida auringon säteilyä todettiin hyviksi. Tulevaisuudessa tärkeitä suunnittelunäkökohtia tulevat olemaan ilmanvaihdon ja vuotoilman kautta siirtyvien energiavirtojen hallinta sekä sähköenergian ominaiskulutuksen pienentäminen. Ulkoilma todettiin mittauksin hyvätasoiseksi. Lento- ja maaliikenteen päästöarvot olivat lähellä toisiaan ja selvästi ohjearvoja alemmalla tasolla. Päästöjen sijaintiin vaikuttivat liikennemääriä enemmän tuuliolosuhteet. Tulevaisuudessa tuloilma voidaan johtaa terminaaliin yhtä hyvin joko lento- tai maaliikenteen puolelta.

Anatomical UV Exposure in French Outdoor Workers.

BACKGROUND: Solar ultraviolet has been recognized as the main causative factor for skin cancer and is currently classified as a carcinogenic agent by International Agency for Research on Cancer. METHOD: Results from a previous phone survey conducted in 2012 in France were used to assess exposure conditions to sun among outdoor workers. Satellite data were used in combination with an exposure model to assess anatomical exposure. RESULT: The yearly median exposure of the outdoor worker population is 77  kJ/m2 to 116  kJ/m2. Road workers, building workers, and gardeners are the more exposed. About 70% of the yearly dose estimate is due to the cumulative summer and spring exposures. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the role of individual factors in anatomical exposure and ranks the most exposed body parts and outdoor occupations. Prevention messages should put emphasis on spring exposure, which is an important contributor to the yearly dose.

Presence of air in the hepatic portal system in association with umbilical venous catheter malposition

The authors report a case of umbilical venous catheter malposition with air in the portal venous system in a preterm neonate. Initially, the hypothesis of necrotizing enterocolitis was considered, but the newborn progressed with no finding of disease and the air disappeared at follow-up radiography. The differential diagnosis of such a finding can avoid unnecessary clinical treatments.

Weather based warning systems for bean angular-leaf-spot and anthracnose

Data available in the literature were used to develop a warning system for bean angular leaf spot and anthracnose, caused by Phaeoisariopsis griseola and Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, respectively. The model is based on favorable environmental conditions for the infectious process such as continuous leaf wetness duration and mean air temperature during this subphase of the pathogen-host relationship cycle. Equations published by DALLA PRIA (1977) showing the interactions of those two factors on the disease severity were used. Excell spreadsheet was used to calculate the leaf wetness period needed to cause different infection probabilities at different temperature ranges. These data were employed to elaborate critical period tables used to program a computerized electronic device that records leaf wetness duration and mean temperature and automatically shows the daily disease severity value (DDSV) for each disease. The model should be validated in field experiments under natural infection for which the daily disease severity sum (DDSS) should be identified as a criterion to indicate the beginning and the interval of fungicide applications to control both diseases.

Application and validation of a warning system for grapevine downy mildew controlusing fungicides

Most warning systems for plant disease control are based on Vinho, in Bento Gonçalves - RS, during the growing seasons 2000/ weather models dependent on the relationships between leaf wetness 01, 2002/03 and 2003/2004, using the grape cultivar Isabel. The duration and mean air temperature in this period considering the conventional system used by local growers was compared with the target disease intensity. For the development of a warning system to new warning system by using different cumulative daily disease severity control grapevine downy mildew, the equation generated by Lalancette values (CDDSV) as the criterion to schedule fungicide application and et al. (7) was used. This equation was employed to elaborate a critical reapplication. In experiments conducted in 2003/04, CDDSV of 12 - period table and program a computerized device, which records, though 14 showed promising to schedule the first spraying and the interval electronic sensors, leaf wetness duration, mean temperature in this between fungicide applications, reducing by 37.5% the number of period and automatically calculates the daily value of probability of applications and maintaining the same control efficiency in leaves infection occurrence. The system was validated at Embrapa Uva e and bunches, similarly to the conventional system.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLIMATE VARIABLES, TRUNK GROWTH RATE AND WOOD DENSITY OF Eucalyptus grandis W. Mill ex Maiden TREES

ABSTRACT Climatic conditions stimulates the cambial activity of plants, and cause significant changes in trunk diameter growth and wood characteristics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of climate variables in the diameter growth rate of the stem and the wood density of Eucalyptus grandis trees in different classes of the basal area. A total of 25 Eucalyptus trees at 22 months of age were selected according to the basal area distribution. Dendrometer bands were installed at the height of 1.30 meters (DBH) to monitor the diameter growth every 14 days, for 26 months. After measuring growth, the trees were felled and wood discs were removed at the DBH level to determine the radial density profile through x-ray microdensitometry and then re-scale the average values every 14 days. Climatic variables for the monitoring period were obtained and grouped every 14 days. The effect of the climate variables was determined by maximum and minimum growth periods in assessing trunk growth. These growth periods were related with precipitation, average temperature and relative air humidity. The re-scaled wood density values, calculated using the radial growth of the tree trunks measured accurately with steel dendrometers, enabled the determination of the relationship of small changes in wood density and the effect of the climatic variations and growth rate of eucalyptus tree trunks. A high sensitivity of the wood density to variation in precipitation levels was found.

Influence of different systems of minimum ventilation on air quality in broiler houses

To maintain a competitive development of the Brazilian aviculture, some measures must be taken to enable the identification and reduction of risks to the health of birds, as well as for the physical environment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three different systems of minimum ventilation (positive pressure - SVMP, negative pressure - SVMN and natural ventilation - SVMNat) in the air quality during the first 21 days of life of broiler chicks, during winter. Three points were selected along the length to verify ammonia, carbon monoxide and oxygen concentrations at 3a.m., 9a.m., 3p.m. and 9p.m., by the respiration level of birds and workers. The averages of pollutant gases did not exceed the tolerance levels for the three minimum ventilation systems evaluated, which is 20 and 10ppm for the birds level and 20 and 39ppm for the workers level, for ammonia and carbon monoxide, respectively. It was evident that the minimum ventilation systems were appropriately sized for the required minimum ambient air renovation, in respect to ventilation rates applied for the SVMN and SVMP systems, and with air velocity at levels that do not stress the chicks, including for the SVMNat. The three studied systems of minimum ventilation allowed the birds to externalize their productive performance, with values close to the ones considered satisfactory for all evaluated parameters, in accordance with the Brazilian aviculture standards.