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At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Glutaraldehyde in hospital wastewater.

Glutaraldehyde (GA) solutions are widely used in hospitals to disinfect reusable fiber-optic endoscopes. These solutions are dumped after use in the aquatic environment without any particular safety precautions. Taking into account the quantity of GA consumed daily and the released water volume, the predicted hospital wastewater concentration was estimated at 0.50 mg/L. To measure the real GA concentration present in hospital wastewater, we developed an analytical technique that is simple, sensitive, and reliable. This method consists of a water sample concentration and purification by solid phase extraction and then a spectrophotometric determination. This analytical method was used for a 1-week surveillance program at Rouen University Hospital (2,600 beds). The wastewater tested showed the presence of a concentrated peak approximately eight times higher than the predicted wastewater concentration. The environmental impact of GA release into the aquatic environment was then studied. A predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) < 1 microg/L was calculated. In most situations the predicted environmental concentration (PEC) was found to be <0.5 microg/L taking into account the hospital wastewater dilution in its way to the sewage treatment plant and GA biodegradation. The PEC/PNEC ratio is then < 1, showing that this release are not expected to present a significant risk to the aquatic environment. However in situations of insufficient dilution or of major release, the PEC/PNEC ratio become > 1, and an environmental risk should be expected. An internal prevention program of the various hospital departments to assure GA rational use, and a release spreading would give an additional safety margin to consider GA as safe in terms of environmental risk.

Disinfectants↗
PubMed2003

Dioxin emission factors for the incineration of different medical waste types.

Previous research works showed that to protect public health, hospital incinerators should be provided with equipment to reduce atmospheric emissions. Most hospital incinerators do not possess such equipment, so efficient methodologies should be developed to evaluate the safety of incineration procedures. Emission factors can be used for an easy estimation of the parameters defined in legislation. Nevertheless, the actual knowledge is very scarce, mainly because previously published emission factors do not include enough information about the incinerated waste types and the respective proportion in incinerated mixture. The existence of different waste classifications also reduces the usefulness of previously published results. This study reports the first dioxin emission factors estimated for the incineration of medical waste, segregated in different types according to the classification of the Portuguese legislation. The main purpose was to evaluate the influence of waste type on emission factors, assessing how useful they are if not associated to the composition of the incinerated mixture. The study also allowed analyzing the correspondence between different waste classifications that are being used, comparing the estimated emission factors with the sole results previously published for specific waste types but segregated according to a different classification. The influence of the incinerated waste type and segregation practices on the concentration and amount of emitted dioxin was assessed, as well as the influence of segregation practices on the amount of wastes that must be incinerated. To estimate eventual hazards for human health, dioxin concentrations in combustion gas flow were compared with the respective legal limits.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2005

Demineralization of red crab shell waste by lactic acid fermentation.

Lactic acid fermentation was applied to demineralize red crab shell waste using Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. tolerans KCTC-3074. Various concentrations (0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0%) of glucose were supplemented as an initial carbon source and various amounts (2.5, 5.0, 10.0%) of the bacterial culture were inoculated as a starter. Microbial growth was very dependent on glucose concentration but little dependent on inoculum level. The pH decreased rapidly from pH 8 to pH 6 during the first day, at all three inoculum levels. At day 5 of fermentation, the 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0% inoculum levels with 10% glucose supply gave pH 5.5, 5.1, and 4.6, respectively, i.e. a decrease in pH concomitant with an increase in the inoculum level. The total titratable acidities (TTA) at day 5 for 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0% inoculum levels with 10% glucose supplement were 3.1, 4.5, and 8.3%, and the relative residual ash contents were 26.6, 25.9, and 19.0%, respectively. A negative relationship was found between pH and demineralization level (r2 = 0.8571), but there was a positive relationship between TTA and demineralization level (r2 = 0.5532).

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Microorganism inactivation using high-pressure generation in sealed vessels under sub-zero temperature.

In order to test the possibility of utilizing high pressure in bioscience and biotechnology, a simple method for high-pressure generation and its use for microbial inactivation have been studied. When a pressure vessel was filled with water, sealed tightly and cooled to sub-zero temperatures, high pressure was generated in the vessel. The pressure generation was 60 MPa at -5 degrees C, 103 MPa at -10 degrees C, and 140 MPa at -15 degrees C, -20 degrees C, and -22 degrees C. The high pressure generated inactivated microorganisms effectively: yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii), bacteria (Lactobacillus brevis and Eschericia coli), and fungi (Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae) were completely inactivated when stored in sealed vessels -20 degrees C for 24 h. However, Staphylococcus aureus was only partly inactivated under the same conditions. This method opens up a new application of high pressure for storing, transporting, and sterilizing of foods and biological materials.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1999

Seroprevalence of hepatitis A markers in subjects exposed to biological risk.

OBJECTIVES: The seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus antibodies was investigated in a population of 1051 subjects, of whom 376 were controls and 675 were exposed to different degrees of biological risk. METHODS: The exposed group was subdivided into subjects at low (242), intermediate (265), and high (168) biological hazard; all subjects were employed in the biomedical field. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were also determined. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of positive hepatitis A antibodies was 44.9% in all subjects but was significantly higher in males (50.6%) than in females (34.2%) and increased according to age (25.9% in subjects aged < or =40 years and 62.2% in subjects aged >40 years). No difference related to exposure to the biological risk was observed. The prevalence of transaminases at levels above normal values (chi2 = 4.079, P<0.05 for AST and chi2 = 4.806, P<0.05 for ALT) and mean values (AST P<0.05; ALT P<0.001) appeared significant in hepatitis A virus-positive subjects. On the other hand, excluding individuals with positive hepatitis C virus antibodies (16) and positive hepatitis B virus surface antigen (12), a prevalence of transaminase alterations was not observed, but mean levels of ALT lasted significantly longer in subjects with positive hepatitis A virus antibodies (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm that hepatitis A virus is not a risk for employees in the biomedical field, but the presence of hepatitis A virus antibodies suggests a possible, though not clinically evident, liver involvement.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Effects of pH and temperature on the survival of coliphages MS2 and Qbeta.

The RNA F-specific coliphages, MS2 and Qbeta, have been used as virus indicators in water and wastewater studies. It is therefore useful to have a good understanding concerning the effects of environmental factors on their survival in order to choose an appropriate candidate for assessing microbial safety in relation to water quality management. The effects of pH and temperature on the survival of these two coliphages were investigated. MS2 survived better in acidic conditions than in an alkaline environment. In contrast, Qbeta had a better survival rate in alkaline conditions than in an acidic environment. The inactivation rates of both coliphages were lowest within the pH range 6-8 and the temperature range 5-35 degrees C. The inactivation rates of both coliphages increased when the pH was decreased to below 6 or increased to above 8. The inactivation rates of both coliphages increased with increasing temperature. Qbeta behaved peculiarly in extreme pH buffers, i.e. it was inactivated very rapidly initially when subjected to an extreme pH environment, although the inactivation rate subsequently decreased. In general, MS2 was a better indicator than Qbeta. However, within the pH range 6-9 and at temperatures not above 25 degrees C, either MS2 or Qbeta could be used as a viral indicator.

Environment↗
PubMed2004

Chromium recycling of tannery waste through microbial fermentation.

An Aspergillus carbonarius isolate, selected from an established microbial culture collection, was used to study the biodegradation of chromium shavings in solid-state fermentation experiments. Approximately 97% liquefaction of the tannery waste was achieved and the liquid obtained from long-term experiments was used to recover chromium. The resulting alkaline chromium sulfate solution was useful in tanning procedures. A proteinaceous liquid was also obtained which has potential applications as a fertilizer or animal feed additive and has several other industrial uses. The A. carbonarius strain proved to be a very useful tool in tannery waste-treatment processes and chromium recovery in the tanning industries.

Aspergillus↗
PubMed2007

Reasons why medicines are returned to Swedish pharmacies unused.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the reasons and their relative importance why medicines are returned to Swedish pharmacies unused. SETTING: A random sample of the pharmacies in Sweden. METHOD: Interviews using a semi-structured interview form with pharmacy customers returning unused medicines to the pharmacy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Reasons given by patients/relatives/carers for returning unused medicines to the pharmacy. RESULTS: The four main reasons for returning unused medicines to the pharmacy were: (1) the medicines were too old, (2) the user had died, (3) there was no need for the medicine anymore, and (4) therapy changes. These reasons made up 75% of all reported reasons. CONCLUSION: Hoarding or over-supply of prescribed medicines may explain a large part of the volume of medicines that remain unused. Actions aiming to reduce waste of prescribed medicines ought to focus on those patients who contribute to a substantial part of all unused medicines.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Analytical survey of elements in veterinary college incinerator ashes.

While appreciable attention has been given to the elemental composition of ashes from municipal solid waste incinerators, relatively little information is available on the elemental content of incinerators burning animal carcasses and medical wastes. In the work reported here, an analytical survey was conducted of the concentration of 22 elements in the ashes of incinerators located at veterinary colleges or animal disease diagnostic laboratories in seven states. With the exception of Zn, the concentrations of most elements were well below those found in ashes from municipal solid waste incinerators. Conversely, Ca, P and K were much higher in concentration probably deriving largely from bones, teeth and other organs of animals. There was an indication that burned plastic wastes were a source of Pb in the ashes. The concentrations of several toxic elements varied widely probably due to variations in initial waste composition, incinerator design and operating parameters. The concentrations of soluble salts in the ashes were appreciable. Organic matter in the ashes was low to nondetectable indicating the completeness of incineration.

Elements↗
PubMed1995

Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a needleless intravenous access system.

BACKGROUND: Needlestick injury has been identified as a major cause of exposure to blood and body fluids. The heparin-lock intermittent intravenous procedure was implicated in the largest number of needlestick-related exposures (26%) at this 1100-bed tertiary care hospital, and replacement of this system was imperative. Cost concerns, however, necessitated that replacement products not increase overall hospital costs. METHODS: A needleless intravenous access system (Interlink i.v. Access System; Baxter Healthcare Corp., Parenterals Division, Deerfield, Ill.) was introduced. Effectiveness and cost-benefit of this system were analyzed by comparing needlestick injuries and their associated costs, as well as costs of relevant products and procedures, for the year before introduction of the new product with those for 1 year after implementation of the new system. RESULTS: During the study period, the needleless access system was 78.7% effective in reducing intravenous line-related needlestick injuries. There was an overall reduction of 43.4% in total needlestick injuries from all procedures and events. The incremental cost to this hospital ranged from a 5.3% additional cost to a 5.7% savings, without even considering the less quantifiable benefits associated with avoidance of needlestick injury, time saved by using this product, and decreased infection rate. CONCLUSION: When used as intended, this system was extremely effective in reducing intravenous line-related needlestick injuries, and the system does pay for itself.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed2003

Severe acute respiratory syndrome in a hemodialysis patient.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a highly infective disease caused by a newly identified coronavirus. We described the clinical course of the first long-term hemodialysis patient who developed SARS in the literature, and our experience in performing hemodialysis for this patient. Such patients may present with a less typical clinical picture, making diagnosis difficult. In this patient, the course of disease and duration of viral shedding was apparently prolonged, thus highlighting the need for increased infection control. Despite worsening the anemia in renal failure patients by causing hemolysis, ribavirin is well tolerated after dosage adjustment. Difficulties of diagnosis, infection control, and treatment of SARS in renal failure patients are discussed in this report.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Removal of fluoranthene and pyrene by different microalgal species.

In this work, the efficiency of four microalgal species, namely, Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus platydiscus, Scenedesmus quadricauda, and Selenastrum capricornutum to remove fluoranthene (1.0 mg l(-1)), pyrene (1.0 mg l(-1)), and a mixture of fluoranthene and pyrene (each at a concentration of 0.5 mg l(-1)) was evaluated. Results showed that removal was algal species specific and was also toxicant-dependent. Se. capricornutum was the most effective species while C. vulgaris was the least efficient species in removing and transforming polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs removal in 7-days of treatment was 78% and 48%, respectively by these two. All species, except S. platydiscus exhibited higher fluoranthene removal efficiency than pyrene, indicating the latter PAH was generally more stable and recalcitrant. The removal efficiency of fluoranthene and pyrene in a mixture was comparable, or higher than the respective single compound, suggesting that the presence of one PAH stimulated the removal of the other PAH.

Chlorophyta↗