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At least 1,153 records · Page 64Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Investigations on mechanical biological treatment of waste in South America: towards more sustainable MSW management strategies.

This work presents an analysis on the suitability of mechanical biological treatment of municipal solid waste in South America, based on two previous experimental investigations carried out in two different countries. The first experiment was performed for determining the mass and volume reduction of MSW in the province of Concepción (Chile). The implemented bench-scale process consisted of a manual classification and separation stage, followed by an in-vessel biological degradation process. The second experiment consisted of a full-scale experiment performed in the city of Estrela (Brazil), where the existing municipal waste management facility was adapted to enhance the materials sorting and separation. Expressed in wet weight composition, 85.5% of the material input in the first experiment was separated for biological degradation. After 27 days of processing, 60% of the initial mass was reduced through degradation and water evaporation. The final fraction destined for landfilling equals 59% of the total input mass, corresponding to about 50% of the initial volume. In the second experiment, the fraction destined to landfill reaches 46.6% of the total input waste mass, whilst also significantly reducing the total volume to be disposed. These results, and the possible recovery of material streams suitable for recycling or for preparing solid recovered fuels, are the main advantages of the studied process.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2006

Integrating multi-criteria techniques with geographical information systems in waste facility location to enhance public participation.

Despite recent U.K. Government commitments' to encourage public participation in environmental decision making, those exercises conducted to date have been largely confined to 'traditional' modes of participation such as the dissemination of information and in encouraging feedback on proposals through, for example, questionnaires or surveys. It is the premise of this paper that participative approaches that use IT-based methods, based on combined geographical information systems (GIS) and multi-criteria evaluation techniques that could involve the public in the decision-making process, have the potential to build consensus and reduce disputes and conflicts such as those arising from the siting of different types of waste facilities. The potential of these techniques are documented through a review of the existing literature in order to highlight the opportunities and challenges facing decision makers in increasing the involvement of the public at different stages of the waste facility management process. It is concluded that there are important lessons to be learned by researchers, consultants, managers and decision makers if barriers hindering the wider use of such techniques are to be overcome.

Community Participation↗
PubMed2001

Woody debris in north Iberian streams: influence of geomorphology, vegetation, and management.

The effect of stream geomorphology, maturity, and management of riparian forests on abundance, role, and mobility of wood was evaluated in 20 contrasting reaches in the Agüera stream catchment (northern Iberian Peninsula). During 1 year the volume of woody debris exceeding 1 cm in diameter was measured in all reaches. All large woody debris (phi > 5 cm) pieces were tagged, their positions mapped, and their subsequent changes noted. Volume of woody debris was in general low and ranged from 40 to 22,000 cm3 m-2; the abundance of debris dams ranged from 0 to 5.5 per 100 m of channel. Wood was especially rare and unstable in downstream reaches, or under harvested forests (both natural or plantations). Results stress that woody debris in north Iberian streams has been severely reduced by forestry and log removal. Because of the important influence of woody debris on structure and function of stream systems, this reduction has likely impacted stream communities. Therefore, efforts to restore north Iberian streams should include in-channel and riparian management practices that promote greater abundance and stability of large woody debris whenever possible.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗
PubMed2006

Test method selection, validation against field data, and predictive modelling for impact evaluation of stabilised waste disposal.

In setting criteria for landfill classes in Annex II of the EU Landfill Directive, it proved to be impossible to derive criteria for stabilised monolithic waste due to the lack of information on release and release controlling factors in stabilised waste monofills. In this study, we present a scientific basis, which enables a realistic description of the environmental impact of stabilised waste landfills. The work in progress involves laboratory testing of different stabilisation recipes, pilot scale studies on site and evaluation of field leachate from a full-scale stabilisation landfill. We found that the pHs in run-off and in percolate water from the pilot experiment are both around neutral. The neutral pH in run-off is apparently caused by the rapid atmospheric carbonation of those alkaline constituents that are released. The soil, used as a liner protection layer, controls the release to the subsurface below the landfill. This soil layer buffers pH and binds metals. The modelling results show that the chemistry is understood rather well. Differences between predicted and actual leaching might then be attributed to discrepancies in the description of sorption processes, complexation to organic matter and/or kinetic effects in the leaching tests. We conclude that this approach resulted in a new scientific basis for environmental impact assessment of stabilised waste landfills. The integrated approach has already resulted in a number of very valuable observations, which can be used to develop a sustainable landfill for monolithic waste and to provide guidance for the management of waste to be stabilised (e.g. improved waste mix design).

Hazardous Waste↗
PubMed2006

Management of spent sealed radioactive sources in Turkey.

Spent radioactive sources (SRS) have been generated from industrial applications, research, and medicine in Turkey. In this study, management of SRS (Co, Cs) at Cekmece Waste Processing and Storage Facility (CWPSF) is described. Eleven Cs sources (total 851 GBq) and four Co sources (total 27.75 GBq) that had been used as levels and density gauges were conditioned. Reinforced metal drums (200 L in volume) and cement matrix were used for conditioning of these sources. In this way, greater confinement was achieved for long-term storage. Maximum dose rates at the surface of the conditioned waste package were determined. In addition to information about conditioning stages of the sources, various calculations that have been done for shielding are presented. Surface dose rates of the waste packages were 1.60 mSv h for Cs and 1.63 mSv h for Co. Measurements of the final waste packages were presented to fulfill the requirements (<2 mSv h) of transportation according to regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material.

Cesium Radioisotopes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Going green by reducing red. New alternative medical waste treatment technologies.

The field of medical waste disposal is changing rapidly. Over the past decade, there has been increasing public health concern over health care's red bag waste. The health care industry must routinely contend with a complex set of regulations covering occupational safety, transportation and packaging, medical waste disposal management, and now environmental regulations for medical waste incinerators.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2006

The treatment of infectious waste arising from home health and medical care services: present situation in Japan.

The management of waste materials arising from home health and medical care services (HHMC wastes) in Japan is now receiving greater attention from governmental workers dealing with general household waste materials. In general, HHMC waste materials are collected in a mixed form, transported and disposed of along with municipal solid wastes. As a result, municipal workers are suffering needle stick accidents so that infections associated with HHMC waste materials may occur. The collection and transportation by patients and their families of HHMC waste materials with sharp-edges, such as injection needles, to medical-related facilities can prevent municipal workers from experiencing needle-prick accidents. One of the most important strategies for medical-related facilities is hence the education of patients and their families. Improved rules for handling HHMC waste materials are essential for the safe and effective management.

Data Collection↗
PubMed2002

Report: management problems of solid waste landfills in Kuwait.

This paper evaluates current operational practices in municipal solid waste landfills in Kuwait to provide existing knowledge on uncontrolled landfilling and associated problems of solid waste disposal in developing countries. The current landfilling practices are safe neither for humans nor for the environment. The landfill sites receive all kinds of wastes such as food wastes, oil products, debris, dead animals, agricultural wastes, chemical wastes, wastewater and sewage sludge. The wastes are dumped, spread and compacted in an uncontrolled manner and cover material is not applied regularly. Dust created within the landfill site and gas emissions cause a public nuisance. The characteristics of leachate formed indicate high organic content and presence of heavy metals, salts and nutrients. There are no provisions for leachate or landfill gas collection at the landfill sites. Recommendations for adjustment in landfill operation have been made in recognition of the transition period that is experienced in proceeding from the past and present to the future management of landfills in Kuwait to safeguard the public health and protect the environment.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed2006

Improving the quality of municipal organic waste compost.

The effects of different municipal organic waste (MOW) management practices (shredding, addition of carbon-rich materials and inoculation with earthworms) on organic matter stabilization and compost quality were studied. Four static piles were prepared with: (i) shredded MOW; (ii) shredded MOW+woodshavings; (iii) non-shredded MOW; and (iv) non-shredded MOW+woodshavings. After 50 days, a part of each pile was separated for vermistabilization, while the rest continued as traditional thermophilic composting piles. At different sampling dates, and in the finished products, the following parameters were measured: pH, electrical conductivity, carbon dioxide evolution, and concentrations of organic matter, total nitrogen, water-soluble carbon, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, and extractable phosphorus. Shredded treatments exhibited faster organic matter stabilization than non-shredded treatments, evidenced specially by earlier stabilization of carbon dioxide production and shorter thermophilic phases. Woodshavings addition greatly increased quality of final products in terms of organic matter concentration, and pH and electrical conductivity values, but decreased total nitrogen and available nutrient concentrations. Vermicomposting of previously composted material led to products richer in organic matter, total nitrogen, and available nutrient concentrations than composting only, probably due to the coupled effect of earthworm activity and a shorter thermophilic phase.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The degradability of biodegradable plastics in aerobic and anaerobic waste landfill model reactors.

Degradabilities of four kinds of commercial biodegradable plastics (BPs), polyhydroxybutyrate and hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) plastic, polycaprolactone plastic (PCL), blend of starch and polyvinyl alcohol (SPVA) plastic and cellulose acetate (CA) plastic were investigated in waste landfill model reactors that were operated as anaerobically and aerobically. The application of forced aeration to the landfill reactor for supplying aerobic condition could potentially stimulate polymer-degrading microorganisms. However, the individual degradation behavior of BPs under the aerobic condition was completely different. PCL, a chemically synthesized BP, showed film breakage under the both conditions, which may have contributed to a reduction in the waste volume regardless of aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Effective degradation of PHBV plastic was observed in the aerobic condition, though insufficient degradation was observed in the anaerobic condition. But the aeration did not contribute much to accelerate the volume reduction of SPVA plastic and CA plastic. It could be said that the recalcitrant portions of the plastics such as polyvinyl alcohol in SPVA plastic and the highly substituted CA in CA plastic prevented the BP from degradation. These results indicated existence of the great variations in the degradability of BPs in aerobic and anaerobic waste landfills, and suggest that suitable technologies for managing the waste landfill must be combined with utilization of BPs in order to enhance the reduction of waste volume in landfill sites.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of metal finishing sludges: influence of the pH.

Metal finishing sludges are classified as metal hydroxide hazardous wastes due to the heavy metal release to the environment. This release, commonly determined by compliance lixiviation tests based on the equilibrium conditions at the end of the leaching experiment, is mainly dependent on the pH of the solution. In this work, the leaching behaviour of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn, of the 32 metal finishing sludges coming from 16 European industrial facilities, and using the distilled water compliance test DIN 38414-S4, have been studied. The concentrations of chromium and copper in the leachates do not follow the solubility evolution of their hydroxide with the pH. The simple assumption of a heavy metal concentration in the leachate directly related to the solubility of the hydroxide is not in good agreement with the experimental results of the distilled water leaching test, probably due to the presence of different species, which can contribute to the metal mobility depending on the sludge composition. An experimental evaluation of the easily available amount of metals in real wastes seems to be necessary for disposal assessment. This paper contains valuable information, from orderly handling metal finishing wastes to the statistical studies of production and management of wastes suggested recently by the Commission of the European Community.

Environmental Pollutants↗
PubMed2004

Useful/valuable/important medico-legally.

I've never been very sure why spring should be the season for cleaning. However, the wisdom of our forebears is in the expression and it would be a braver man than me who would challenge such tradition.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Computer-assisted management of liquid radioactive waste at the University of California, San Diego.

Commercially available software has been obtained and internal software applications have been developed to implement a tracking system for liquid radioactive wastes. This system utilizes a number of data bases that maintain sampling, waste pickup and disposition information based on various parameters. Computerization has allowed access to summary information and inventory totals that are necessary for radioactive materials license compliance. Comparative reports, which are used to show trends and track historical information, can also be generated.

California↗
PubMed2005

Radiation protection aspects of shallow land disposal of low and intermediate level liquid and solid radioactive waste at PINSTECH.

Operation of Pakistan Research Reactors 1 and 2, radioisotope production plants, and allied laboratories at the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology (PINSTECH) generates radioactive waste effluents of low and intermediate level. These waste materials are managed in a way to keep the human health and the environment free of radiation associated hazards. The prime practice has been of shallow ground or near-surface disposal type. Different measures and operational procedures at the institute, in step with the international norms for the management of low and intermediate level waste, have been adopted. To ensure the safe disposal practices and radiation safety of the workers and of the general public, radiological safety related routines are practiced with due concern. Some safety aspects of the prevailing practices are discussed in this presentation.

Humans↗