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The paper discusses the method and results of the assessment of PAHs in airborne particular matter collected at high-level exposure sites in the coke plant. Qualitative analysis of PAHs fraction was made and the content of the most prevalent PAHs was determined.
An extended study was performed to determine the mechanisms that are responsible for the significant silver extraction capacity of activated carbons prepared from a high-sulphur petroleum coke that is available as a waste material from Mexican petroleum refineries. Earlier studies had shown the feasibility of the production of these adsorbents but indicated that the mechanisms of metal adsorption in the present carbons are significantly different from what is classically accepted for commercial carbons. Therefore, selective titration, IR-spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy of carbons were combined with adsorption experiments and the determination of electrochemical parameters of mixtures of carbon-AgNO3 solution to explain the fundamental reasons for the performance of the obtained carbons. This allowed us to determine the identity of the surface functional groups and to distinguish the effect of different activation processes. The experiments permitted us to explain why these activated carbons, which have a low specific area and lack classical surface functional groups, show such a high silver adsorption capacity.
Taranto coke oven batteries create a carcinogenic risk because of workers' exposure to PAHs, benzene and asbestos. Because of the vicinity to the city and the inadequacy of measures of pollution control, a risk also exists for the general population. Although the issue of environmental reclaim had been addressed by a specific law (DPR 23.04.1998), the solution to close the oldest batteries had been adopted through and enforced by the city administration and the Court. However, a recent agreement between ILVA and the Apulia Regional Administration has allowed to restart the use of some ovens, after simple revamping.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a possible risk of lung cancer related to environmental pollutants in the population living in Piombino, Italy in the neighborhood of the local coke plant. DESIGN: Geographical study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Lung cancer deaths occurred in 1986-2000 in residents in Piombino were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Observed and expected number of cases for each census unit were computed using 4 different case distributions by residence in the area: at the time of death, 10 years before death, 15 years before death, and the longer residence in Piombino. For each census unit, the expected cases of male lung cancer death in 1986-2000 were calculated using the cause-, sex- and age-specific mortality rates of the entire area, obtained with the four case distributions. Data was analyzed and adjusted for an index ofsocial deprivation, using the Stone conditional test. RESULTS: A significant excess risk of lung cancer mortality, decreasing with distance from the plant, was observed only when the cases experiencing their longer residence in Piombino were included in the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking habits and occupation are the most important risk factors, nevertheless environmental pollutants might have played an additional role in the causation of the excess risk observed.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the personal exposure of workers employed at the coke-oven in a steel plant in Genoa. DESIGN: Definition and implementation of a set of measurements for the environmental quality for the determination of PAH and benzene by means of personal sampling. Urinary determination of the metabolic substances given by benzo(a)pyrene and benzene was implemented for workers in different areas. Air pollution control was implemented by the firm during the years 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001. Operative ways and sampling methods were previously discussed by our Operational Unit of Occupational Health and Safety Control (UO PSAL) together with the steel plant and its consultant Clinica del lavoro Luigi Devoto. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: First environmental pre-screening of personal exposure to the pollutant, March to April 1997; first campaign of environmental and biological measurements, March 1998; second campaign of measurements, February to October 1999 and March 2001. RESULTS: The findings showed that among all workers, some groups were more exposed to PAH or benzene: "covers" employees, "change" employees, "loading" employees, "refrigeration and condensation" employees. REMARKS: Relative shortage of scientific data, particularly with regards to the correlation risk/damage; our office operators were unable to collect parallel samples in order to validate results of environmental and biological analysis because of some local problems; problems in maintaining effectively the corrective actions taken; omissions and lack of standards in the process used for recording exposures. Lack of awareness, on the workers side, on their "right to know" about personal risk. Importance of a technical discussion, promoted by the Genoa Province Administration, intended for the exchange of information, for providing support to decisions, for comparing opinions about the effectiveness of the implemented precautionary measures and for interpreting results. The following interventions were carried out: revision of job procedures, job methods and Risk Assessment Document; training and information about the employees' risk, edited by the firm's Service for Prevention and Protection (SPP) and by a physician indicated by the firm; PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), revision by the SPP.
A developed flue gas desulfurization and dust removal process with a cross-flow moving bed filled with activated coke (AC) was tested on a pilot scale with the gas treatment capacity of 1000 mg x h(-t). The results show that a easy-operating and stable-running pilot-scale testing equipment can be reached, and under the conditions of testing space velocity, the feed gas temperature of 120 degrees C, SO2 concentrations of 3232-6006 mg x m(-3) and dust concentration of 89.3-1599.7 mg x m(-3), the high efficiency of flue gas desulfurization and dust removal is reached with the purity of dust less than 50 mg x m(-3). In the technology, the spent AC was regenerated by heating, and the SO2 concentration in the desorption gas is about 40.1%, which can be efficiently recovered as a sulfur resource. Favorable economy benefit can be reached by using the process.
The basic parameters of the erythrocytes, white blood cell and coagulation were determined in 201 workers exposed occupationally to organic substances containing benzene and its homologues. Occupational exposure to many factors during coke production, especially to high concentrations of BaP, did not cause perceptible changes in the erythrocytes. Moreover, total number of the lymphocytes was increased in the peripheral blood of exposed workers. That maybe considered as a nonspecific exposure test for the influence of the aromatic hydrocarbons. In haemostasis system the thrombocytopenia and the abnormalities of the plasma coagulation factors were revealed.
Histochemical methods were used to investigate the activities of some intracellular enzymes in the oral mucosa of the rabbits which had been kept in selected work-stands of a coking-plant for 3 months. The findings were compared with the results for the enzymatic activity of the oral mucosa of control rabbits. The epithelium of the oral mucosa of the experimental rabbits was found to be proliferated acanthotically; moreover, there occurred some other morphological changes of the mucosa which often resembled precancerous states of leukoplakia type. In comparison with the control group, the activities of the studied enzymes, i.e. reduced NAD dehydrogenase (NADD), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDS), succinate dehydrogenase (SD), cytochrome oxidase (CO), and phosphorylase a+b in the epithelium and the connective-tissue cells of the studied mucosa of the experimental animals were as a rule markedly lowered, this decline being especially pronounced for the three last-mentioned enzymes. It was only the proliferating stratum basale of the experimental rabbit epithelium that frequently exhibited enhanced activities of NADD and LDS. Besides, the activities of NADD, G6PD and LDS were of a markedly diverse intensity in the cells of the chaotically proliferating stratum spinosum of the experimental rabbit mucosa. The results point to the noxious modifying effect of chemical and physical agents of the investigated environment on the oral mucosa of the animals studied.
253 coke ++ plant workers employed for over 5 years were subject to examination. From among them 207 were exposed to very high concentrations of benzo-a-pyrene (BaP) and tar substances as well as to benzene, its homologues and carbon monoxide. However, none of these concentrations exceeded MAC value. Apart from routine medical examinations resting ECG was made and when necessary propranolol test, exercise test or even coronarography. In addition, polycardiographic and ultrasonocardiographic examinations were carried out. Comparing the results obtained in the group exposed with the controls it was found that arterial hypertension, coronary insufficiency and pathologic polycardiograms were more prevalent in the workers exposed. Chronic exposure to CO, BaP and smoking habit were considered to be factors exerting a deteriorating effect on cardiac muscle.
Studies on such parameters of immunological system as lymphocyte subpopulations percentage, immunoglobulins concentration and NBT reduction test were performed in peripheral blood obtained from 232 coke plant workers. All the subjects were divided into groups according to the degree of exposure to BaP. Lymphocyte T and B percentage, immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA concentration and NBT reduction test in the examined groups were not significantly different from those in the control group. However, in subjects exposed to the highest concentrations of BaP the low percentages of lymphocytes T (OKT-3) and lymphocytes TH--helper (OKT-4) were revealed when the lymphocytes T subpopulations were examined (using monoclonal antibodies in indirect immunofluorescent technique). Presumably, the alterations the percentage of lymphocytes T subpopulations depend on high BaP concentration affecting the exposed workers.
Cytochemical reactions detecting catalase and myeloperoxidase in the peripheral blood neutrophils were carried out in coke plants employees. Intensity of the cytochemical reactions were expressed as total score and compared with the values obtained in corresponding control group. An increase in both enzymes activity, especially catalase, was seen. It is assumed that the in enzymatic activity may be related to iron-porphyrins being prosthetic group of these enzymes.
An investigation carried out of eye disorders in workers employed in the manufacture of coke demonstrated a high percentage of changes in the anterior segment of the eye. Registered symptoms such as conjunctival hyperemia, pinguecula, pigmentation and conjunctivitis were most probably connected with specific work and exposure to coal dust and irritants. In workers exposed for less than two years there were no changes in lacrimal secretion. In those working for 2-7 years excessive hypersecretion dominated, and after a longer period of exposure the majority of workers had hyposecretion.
Reports demonstrating the usefulness of neurobehavioral methods in estimation of early results of work in exposure to toxic substances have been quite frequent recently. In this study 198 workers of coking plants (including 137 highly exposed--group I and 61 low or medium exposed--group II) and 50 non-exposed workers constituting the control group have undergone psychological examinations consisting of estimation of perception, short-time memory and learning capabilities. The obtained results give evidence of statistically significant visual and motorial disturbances in group I, as compared to the control group and group II. Also the findings in group II were statistically significantly worse than those in the control group (except learning capabilities). The abnormalities coincided with the results of neurological examination (including EEG) and correlated with the degree of BaP exposure. In this connection it is suggested that the exposed workers should be rotated in their working posts.
The current standard for exposure to coke oven emissions sets a permissible exposure of 150 micrograms benzene-soluble fraction of total particulate matter/m3. The major epidemiologic study that formed the basis for this standard including a review of the evidence of a dose-response relationship between exposure to coal tar pitch volatiles and lung cancer is reviewed. Particular attention was given to the selection of the cohort, follow-up procedures, and the evolution of the analysis.
Susan VanDeVelde-Coke, is vice president, Health Science Center Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Pat Hosang, is vice president patient care, St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Canada. In this interview they discuss the similarities and differences between nursing, health care, and restructuring issues in Canada and the United States.
The effect of occupational exposure on frequency of chromosomal aberrations in workers of coke by-product department was estimated. Fourty seven persons employed in that plant, exposed to tar substances, BaP and dust and 77 non-exposed controls were examined. Concentrations of tar substances, BaP and dust exceeded MAC 13.9, 10 and 1.5 times, respectively. The structural chromosomal aberrations were evaluated in peripheral blood lymphocytes after 72h cultivation, according to a modified Moorhead method. The findings did not revealed any significant differences in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations between the compared groups. These results seem to be produced by a relatively low level of exposure.
The results of cytogenetic and immunological investigation of the workers of coke-chemical and metallurgical works evidence an increased level of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes (especially chromatid aberrations). This level depends on the length of service of the workers. Changes of chromosome apparatus correlate with the disturbance of immune status of workers. Application of antioxidants (tocopherol, quercetin) decrease the level of chromosome aberrations and normalize immunological indices.
BACKGROUND: Coke-oven workers (COWs) are occupationally exposed to high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Urinary 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) are biological markers of oxidative DNA damage and PAHs metabolism, respectively. In this study, we investigated whether polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1 and GSTT1) can modulate the relationship between urinary 8-OH-dG and 1-OHP concentrations among the COWs. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Between February and November of 2001, 53 topside-oven and 130 side-oven workers with the presence of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were investigated. RESULTS: Urinary 1-OHP and 8-OH-dG concentrations (mean +/- SD) in the topside-oven workers with the presence of GSTM1 were 107.2 +/- 107.9 and 15.3 +/- 9.7 ng/ml, respectively, which were not significantly different from those in the absence of GSTM1 (84.1 +/- 104.5 and 12.8 +/- 14.1 ng/ml). The similar insignificant results were also noted in the sideoven workers. For GSTT1 polymorphism, the results remained insignificant. In contrast, individual excretion of urinary 8-OH-dG and 1-OHP concentrations were still highly correlated (Spearman correlation coefficients: r = 0.43, P < 0.0001, n = 183). CONCLUSIONS: GST may not play a role in the regulation of metabolism of urinary biological markers in COWs.