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At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Shielding requirements on-site loading and acceptance testing on the Leksell gamma knife.

On August 14, 1987, the first stereotactic radiosurgical procedure using the gamma knife was performed in North America. Located in a self-contained radiosurgical suite in the basement of Presbyterian-University Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This device uses 201 highly focused beams 60Co for the single-treatment closed-skull irradiation of brain lesions localized by stereotactic techniques (radiosurgery). One hundred and fifty-two patients with intracranial arteriovenous malformations or brain tumors were treated in the first year of operation. The Presbyterian University Hospital of Pittsburgh gamma knife is the first such unit in which the 60Co sources were loaded on-site. This effort required us to solve some difficult and unusual problems encountered during site preparation, delivery, and loading of the unit in a busy hospital setting. The solutions developed enabled installation and use of the gamma knife with minimal disruption of hospital activities while maintaining acceptable levels of exposure to radiation. Environmental surveys performed during the loading of the 201 radioactive sources (total, 219 TBq) confirmed that on-site loading is possible and practical. Our experience in the design, construction, and implementation of the first North American gamma knife supports the practicality and safety of on-site loading and may be of value in the planning and development of future gamma knife installations.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

Land use planning in India.

India was the first country to provide for the protection and improvement of environment in its constitution. Land use planning (LUP) or siting of industries has been taken up at the State and Central (Federal) levels over the last few decades. LUP is critical for all types of industries and new residential colonies, but is especially so for the chemical industries. With the experience gained, more coherence in LUP policies is emerging. A few prominent cases of siting of industry, some mixed with public outcry, that have affected the policies are noted in the text. Various factors which affect LUP in India are: population density, infrastructure (roads, power, communication, etc.), level of industrialization in different parts, need for creation of jobs, eco-sensitive regions, tribal regions, historical monuments, etc. This paper discusses the current scene in India and the near future aspects.

Building Codes↗
PubMed2005

How powerful is ARAMIS methodology in solving land-use issues associated with industry based environmental and health risks?

The first experience on how a part of the ARAMIS methodology has contributed to demonstration of safety in the licensing process in Slovenia for a new Seveso II plant is described. There are two foci of this description: first, trustworthy of the methodology for evaluating safety, and second, the role of a land-use plan in issuing a construction permit for the new plant. In the context of the first focus, we present why has been safety report first rejected by the regulator, and later-on accepted after applying components of the ARAMIS methodology in its revised version. In the context of the second focus, we discuss a relationship between the land-use plan and the licensing process for the new plant. The outcomes of this Seveso II plant licensing case are that the ARAMIS approach, in spite it was still under development when applied, is more transparent and credible comparing to the others, which have also been applied. This is related to the demonstration of how safety management system and general safety behaviour is integrated into the overall management policy. The conclusions take into account regulator's response in the licensing process.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2005

The use of generic failure frequencies in QRA: the quality and use of failure frequencies and how to bring them up-to-date.

Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) is a method which is often used in the chemical industry and, in some countries, also in land-use planning. In QRA calculations the frequency of an accident scenario is most often assessed by a generic failure frequency approach. The credibility and validity of the failure frequencies used in the Netherlands for land-use planning is evaluated by means of an historical review. Furthermore, the possibility is presented how these generic data can be revised and updated.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2005

Implementation of new legislative measures on industrial risks prevention and control in urban areas.

Incompatible at first sight, but vital to each other, the industry and the city have been developing a complex relationship for decades. From 1810 on in France, risk prevention and control in and around major industrial sites evolves step-by-step, learning from accidents. Land-use planning in the vicinity of SEVESO establishments becomes one of the key policies in the prevention of major industrial accident hazard on European level in 1996, focussing on historical situation of concern [M.D. Christou, S. Porter, Guidance on Land-use Planning as required by the council Directive 96/82/EC. Joint Research Centre, European Commission, 1999]. The Toulouse (F) accidents, on 21 September 2001 evidenced the need for new tools to reinforce protective action and ease the situation of clusters of factories engulfed in the urban setting. In France, new legislative measures adopted on 30 July 2003 deeply modified the approach to land-use planning around the main dangerous facilities (622 establishments). The implementation of technological risk prevention plans [Fr. "PPRT"] will limit the exposition of the population to the consequences of accidents. These plans, derived from the risk assessment (safety reports) produced by the operators of the hazardous facilities, will delineate areas within which requirements can be imposed on existing and future buildings and within which future building rights may be restricted. On the grounds of extremely serious danger that threatens human life, pre-existing constructions may be progressively expropriated. The financing of the corresponding measures, estimated a rough 2-4 billions euro, will be defined by agreements among the Central Government, the industrial company and the local and regional bodies.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1991

Regulation of in-place asbestos-containing material.

Approximately two-thirds of New York City's 800,000 buildings contain asbestos. Most of this material is damaged or deteriorating. Legislation pending in the New York City Council (Bill number 453) would require virtually all building owners to inspect for asbestos, to develop management and maintenance plans to prevent disturbance of intact material, and to provide notice of the presence of asbestos to building occupants. This paper reviews the legislation and discusses its features that have been questioned. It concludes that regulation of in-place asbestos is necessary and appropriate.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

"Through-glass" injuries.

This prospective trial collected all cases where injuries had resulted from the hand passing through or striking glass and had been referred to a hand injury service during 1 year. Eighty-seven cases were referred and the factors relating to these injuries were examined. A record was made of the structures damaged, the surgery performed and prevailing socioeconomic factors. These injuries were very costly in terms of morbidity, surgical effort and time, with significant resource implications. The study appears to confirm other reports that current legislation on glazing safety was too long delayed and is inadequate now that it is in place.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Earthquakes and building design: a primer for the laboratory animal professional.

Earthquakes can occur in most regions of the United States, so it might be necessary to reinforce vulnerable animal facilities to better protect research animals during these unpredictable events. A risk analysis should include an evaluation of the seismic hazard risk at the proposed building site balanced against the estimated consequences of losses. Risk analysis can help in better justifying and recommending to building owners the costs of incorporating additional seismic reinforcements. The planning team needs to specify the level of post-earthquake building function that is desired in the facility, and then design the facility to it.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[10-year PCB Guideline--attempt to balance hygienic and medical/environmental-toxicological views].

PURPOSE: In 1995 a guideline was established in Germany, which requires the remediation of buildings with elevated indoor air concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). The action limit is 3000 ng/m(3). The tolerable PCB indoor air concentration is 300 ng/m(3). The aim of remediation actions is to reduce PCB in indoor air to levels < 300 ng/m(3) by removing the sources of PCB in buildings (mainly sealants, ceiling plates, wall colours). Based on this guideline a great number of school buildings, university buildings and administration buildings constructed in the 1960-ties and 1970-ties were renovated. In this paper, the toxicological basis of the aforementioned guide values are discussed. Furthermore, recent papers and proposals to establish lower guideline values for PCB in indoor air are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The existing PCB guideline should be revised. When revising the guide values for PCB in indoor air it should be kept in mind that human PCB exposure is mainly via food, that PCB intake via food has been declining since more than 20 years, and that there is only a minor increase of PCB blood levels following inhalation of PCB in indoor air. In public discussions it should be clearly stated that remediation of PCB contaminated buildings is a preventive action. PCB concentrations in indoor air, which are associated with significant health risks, are presumably much higher than the current action value.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2006

Backyard swimming pool safety inspections: a comparison of management approaches and compliance levels in three local government areas in NSW.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Since 1992, swimming pool fencing has been a legislative requirement in New South Wales (NSW), yet compliance with the NSW Swimming Pool Act is mixed. Local councils are responsible for the enforcement of the act. However, their approach to enforcement and the management of backyard swimming pool safety inspections is varied. METHODS: A random sample of backyard swimming pools was inspected in Council A and existing compliance data for pools in two other councils (B and C) were obtained. Pool owners in Council A were surveyed regarding their attitudes to pool fencing and inspections. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with council employees. RESULTS: Pool compliance rates across the three council areas varied. In Councils A and C, 51% and 54% of pools, respectively, were found to be non-compliant at the first inspection. Following re-inspection in Council A of 227 pools, a further 125 pools reached compliance. In Council B, 97% of the inspected pools were compliant. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of poor backyard swimming pool safety compliance where local government inspection activity is minimal or non-existent.

Building Codes↗
PubMed1994

Facility planning and development in Latin America.

Since the mid-1980s, the author has been involved in the development of healthcare facilities in the Caribbean and Latin America. This article highlights his experiences to date and provides insights relative to the many challenges U.S. developers and contractors might encounter when exporting U.S. healthcare expertise to Caribbean and Latin American countries.

Architecture↗
PubMed2001

Effect of prolonged radiation exposure on the thyroid gland of residents living in 60Co-contaminated rebar buildings.

PURPOSE: To evaluate prolonged low dose-rate gamma-exposure effects on the thyroid glands of residents living in 60Co-contaminated steel buildings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Physical examination and ultrasonography of the thyroid, determination of thyroid function and anti-thyroid microsomal antibodies were performed for 1346 residents. Ultrasound-guided aspiration cytology was done for thyroid nodules. The study subjects were stratified by age at examination (< or = 15 and > 15 years), sex and exposure dose to the body. Dose-response data on the prevalence of various thyroid diseases were analysed by the multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of simple goitre was related to the exposure with a dose-response relationship for males of all ages, and for females of < or = 15 years. There was a biological gradient of thyroid cyst prevalence with the increase in exposure dose for females of all ages. The prevalence of elevated serum tri-iodothyronine level showed a dose-response relationship for males of < or = 15 years. A significant increase in thyroid abnormalities with dose was observed for males of all ages, and for females of < or = 15 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Deaths and injuries due to the earthquake in Armenia: a cohort approach.

BACKGROUND: This is the first population-based study of earthquake injuries and deaths that uses a cohort approach to identify factors of high risk. As part of a special project that collected data about the population in the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Northern Armenia on 7 December 1988, employees of the Ministry of Health working in the earthquake zone on 7 December 1988, and their families, were studied as a cohort to assess the short and long term impact of the disaster. The current analysis assesses short term outcomes of injuries and deaths as a direct result of the earthquake. METHODS: From an unduplicated list of 9017 employees, it was possible to contact and interview 7016 employees or their families over a period extending from April 1990 to December 1992. The current analysis presents the determinants of 831 deaths and 1454 injuries that resulted directly from the earthquake in our study population of 32,743 people (employees and their families). RESULTS: Geographical location, being inside a building during the earthquake, height of the building, and location within the upper floors of the building were risk factors for injury and death in the univariate analyses. However, multivariate analyses, using different models, revealed that being in the Spitak region (odds ratio [OR] = 80.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 55.5-118.1) and in the city of Gumri (OR = 30.7, 95% CI: 21.4-44.2) and inside a building at the moment of the earthquake (OR = 10.1, 95% CI: 6.5-15.9) were the strongest predictors for death. Although of smaller magnitude, the same factors had significant OR for injuries. Building height was more important as a factor in predicting death than the location of the individual on various floors of the building except for being on the ground floor of the building which was protective. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that most of the high rise buildings destroyed in this earthquake were built using standard techniques, the most effective preventive effort for this disaster would have been appropriate structural approaches prior to the earthquake.

Adolescent↗