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At least 865 records · Page 48Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[MVOC of fungi--use as an indicator for exposure level].

The production of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) by fungi derived from biowaste was studied on synthetic agar (YES), compost-extract media (CEA VAR 1-3) and compost. Exposure assessment was carried out in composting facilities and the occurrence of VOC/MVOC was related to the presence of airborne fungi. A number of non-specific MVOC was found at all sampling sites or in each season, some of which showed preferences for certain sampling sites (3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-octanone). They seemed to be correlated with a certain species composition or with microbial activity, and may thus be used to describe a certain state of decomposition. Correlations between single volatiles and certain fungi were found in situ, but these findings did not match with the species-specific volatiles obtained from pure cultures.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1999

[Occupational protection in biological waste treatment plants from the occupational medicine viewpoint].

Composting of biogenous waste matter constitutes an important segment in the Federal Republic of Germany's developing waste and recycling management. The processes used in compost production entail exposure to bio-aerosols, gases, dust, microorganisms and their toxins, additionally noise, fluctuating climatic conditions and various accident dangers. A study carried out was task with elaborating a specific profile of strains on compost workers in comparison with a control group. 42 composting plants were visited in 1996 and 1997. In the plants, spread out over seven federal states, 184 compost workers participated in 1996 and 178 in 1997. The control group comprised 66 (1996) and 63 (1997) employees of a senior state authority with office and laboratory jobs. About 400 mainly humanly relevant air measurements for meso-phile/thermo-phile actinomycetins or mould fungi provided emissions data for the purpose of estimating biological risks. Jeopardy analysis of jobs for chemical and physical jeopardy factors was based on the checklist method supported by GC-MS screening as well as measurements of noise level, light density and dust concentrations. On-site medical examination of all 491 employees comprised detailed industrial-medical anamnesis, internistic-clinical physical examination, recording of static-dynamic pulmonary function parameters as well as haematological-immuno-serological screening. From the results, it can be concluded that ailments of the respiratory tract and the lungs as well as chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma and exogenous allergic alveolitis are not found with significantly greater frequency in compost workers than they were in the control group. The same is likewise true for allergies, diseases of the locomotor system and the skin. ODTS did not occur. During the study period, there was one case of occupational disease in a compost worker with an hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Efforts are necessary for a better filter technique and the reduction of noise and carbon dioxide hazards.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed2000

[Influence of the radioactive strontium (89Sr) using for nuclear medical radiation therapy upon radioactive draining-water system].

PURPOSE: Strontium-89 chloride (89Sr) is a new radiopharmaceutical that provides effective pain relief for metastatic bone lesions, and is expected to be available soon in the palliative management for metastatic bone pain in Japan. Because of relatively long physical half life (50.5 days), 89Sr may affect to the radioactive draining-water system by exceeding the limits of activity concentration for radioactive drain. In this article, the influence of 89Sr use on the radioactive drainage system was simulated. METHODS: The standard tank capacity of drainage and draining frequency was determined from the results of questionnaire carried out for the nationwide medical and research institutes where radioisotope treatment are performed. On the assumption that 89Sr of 148 MBq for one therapy was used twice a week and several common radionuclides were used as the same activity as used at Chiba Cancer Center, the influence of 89Sr was estimated. The calculation was performed using the activity contamination ration into the draining-water system of each radionuclide of 0.01, which was legally determined. RESULTS: The simulation revealed that the sum of the contamination ratios of individual radionuclides exceeded a legal value of 1.0 in standard drainage with the capacity of 5 m3 and 10 m3 and draining frequency of 7 times per year. The actual contamination ratios of common radiopharmaceuticals measured at Chiba Cancer Center ranged from 1/100 to 1/1000 of the legal values. CONCLUSION: It is necessary that the legal value of activity contamination ratios into the draining-water system should be reassessed before starting 89Sr therapy.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Selection and management of central venous access devices in the home setting.

In the last decade new central venous access devices (CVADs) inserted for long-term therapy have replaced conventional peripheral venous access devices. This shift contributes to the need for additional education as technological advances result in additional options for central venous access. Healthcare's transition from the hospital to a community-based system has increased the use of CVADs in the home setting. Issues that confront the patient with a CVAD in the home setting must be examined more closely than ever before.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗
PubMed2000

[Selection guide of incinerator on medical organizations].

A countermeasure to dioxin is implementation of the so-called "3T" principle (Temperature, Time, Turbulence), and prevent re-synthesis of dioxin in the treatment process of exhaust gas. To prevent dioxin re-synthesis, the temperature of exhaust gas after exiting incinerator should immediately be cooled to less than 200 degrees C, and the dust in the exhaust gas should be removed by a high quality collector. As the exhaust gas contains a high concentration of HCl, the selection of materials to treat the exhaust gas should be carefully considered.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2000

[Alternative technologies on infectious waste treatment, and guidelines for evaluation on safety and efficacy of the alternative technologies].

Recently, regulations on incinerators have been tightened, the number of incinerators in medical facilities has hastily decreased. Under these circumstances, alternative technologies for medical waste treatments that can be substituted for incinerators have received considerable attention. Many alternative technologies for treating medical wastes have already been installed in many facilities in advanced nations such as United States of America, Europe and Australia. Appropriate guidelines are essential for safe treatment of medical wastes, and hence some guidelines for evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the alternative technologies have been established in advanced nations including Japan. In this chapter, a summary of alternative technologies, recent regulations worldwide on the technology and an outline of the guidelines are described.

Guidelines as Topic↗
PubMed2000

Heat disinfection of clinical waste: microbiological assessment and monitoring of effectiveness.

Simple, rapid and reproducible protocols are described for the microbiological assessment of clinical waste treatment processes, using Bacillus subtilis spore tests and end-product sampling. The use of these protocols to commission a new heat disinfection system (HDS), based on a hot oil-filled auger, and to monitor it over the first 21 months of operation is described. It is suggested that these protocols are suitable for assessment of other non-burn heat-treatment technologies.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMed2000

Packaging and the environment: a regulation update.

This article reports on the progress that is being made on standards and associated documents to support the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. Potential revisions are also discussed.

Environmental Pollution↗