Rhamnolipid produced from agroindustrial wastes enhances hydrocarbon biodegradation in contaminated soil

A crude biosurfactant solution was produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa growing on agroindustrial wastes as the substrate and used to study its effect on hydrocarbon biodegradation by the indigenous soil microflora under laboratory conditions. Two concentrations were studied at first and 1 mg of biosurfactant/g of soil showed to be the most efficient for the total petroleum hydrocarbon reduction, which reached 85% at the first 20 days in soil microcosms. Respirometric and microbial analyses showed that the biosurfactant added did not have toxic effects over the microbial population. The use of a biosurfactant for bioremediation has been limited because of its high cost production. Biosurfactants produced from cost-free by-products combines waste minimization with economic potential bioremediation process.

Environmental sustainability and the human element: Decision making in National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers and Practice Greenhealth subscribing institutions

Background. Various aspects of sustainability have taken root in the hospital environment; however, decisions to pursue sustainable practices within the framework of a master plan are not fully developed in National Cancer Institute (NCI) -designated cancer centers and subscribing institutions to the Practice Greenhealth (PGH) listserv.^ Methods. This cross sectional study was designed to identify the organizational characteristics each study group pursed to implement sustainability practices, describe the barriers they encountered and reasons behind their choices for undertaking certain sustainability practices. A web-based questionnaire was pilot tested, and then sent out to 64 NCI-designated cancer centers and 1638 subscribing institutions to the PGH listserv.^ Results. Complete responses were received from 39 NCI-designated cancer centers and 58 subscribing institutions to the PGH listserv. NCI-designated cancer centers reported greater progress in integrating sustainability criteria into design and construction projects than hospitals of institutions subscribing to the PHG listserv (p-value = <0.05). Statistically significant differences were also identified between these two study groups in undertaking work life options, conducting energy usage assessments, developing energy conservation and optimization plans, implementing solid waste and hazardous waste minimization programs, using energy efficient vehicles and reporting sustainability progress to external stakeholders. NCI-designated cancer centers were further along in implementing these programs (p-value = <0.05). In comparing the self-identified NCI-designated cancer centers to centers that indicated they were both and NCI and PGH, the later had made greater progress in using their collective buying power to pursue sustainable purchasing practices within the medical community (p-value = <0.05). In both study groups, recycling programs were well developed.^ Conclusions. Employee involvement was viewed as the most important reason for both study groups to pursue recycling initiatives and incorporated environmental criteria into purchasing decisions. A written sustainability commitment did not readily translate into a high percentage that had developed a sustainability master plan. Coordination of sustainability programs through a designated sustainability professional was not being undertaken by a large number of institutions within each study group. This may be due to the current economic downturn or management's attention to the emerging health care legislation being debated in congress. ^ Lifecycle assessments, an element of a carbon footprint, are seen as emerging areas of opportunity for health care institutions that can be used to evaluate the total lifecycle costs of products and services.^

Guides to pollution prevention : the mechanical equipment repair industry.

Mode of access: Internet.

Equipment repair.

Mode of access: Internet.

Greening the government : a guide to implementing Executive Order 12873.

Shipping list no.: 96-0228-P.

Guides to pollution prevention : the metal casting and heat treating industry.

Mode of access: Internet.

4Rs newsletter : reduce, reuse, recycle, re-buy /

Title from caption.

Alkaline noncyanide zinc plating with reuse of recovered chemicals /

"Cooperative agreement number CR-815829."

Guide to pollution prevention for the fabricted metal products industry /

"June 1994."

Metal Finishing Industry Workshop (Sic 347)

"May 1994."

Overcoming barriers to pollution prevention in small businesses : applications in the metal parts fabricating industry /

"May 1995."--Cover.

Pollution prevention and business management : curricula for schools of business & public health /

"HWRIC TR-024."

Pollution prevention recommendations for the State of Illinois : a report to Governor Jim Edgar and the Illinois General Assembly /

"February, 1997."

Pollution prevention : for publicly owned treatment works (POTWs).

"30688"--Colophon.

Printing & publishing industry pollution prevention and recylcling : student manual /

[Prepared by] Center for Hazardous Materials Research, University of Pittsburgh, Applied Research Center.