Performance of a two Chambers Reactor for the Treatment of an Oily Effluent b...IJAEMSJORNAL
This work had as objective the development and analysis of a continuum flow reactor and measure its efficiency in the treatment of residual water of the biodiesel purification process using electro flocculation. The reactor was designed with two interconnected chambers with an 0.2 cm opening between then and reaction volume was 0.883 L and an electrolytic area of 351 cm². The electrodes were all aluminum, which were arranged in parallel and with 0.5 cm spacing, whose power was supplied by a DC source. As design variables, the influence of electrical potential (U) and residence time (τ) on: current density, final pH, removal of oils and greases, COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), turbidity and total solids, in addition to quantification of the sludge mass obtained and the energy cost of the reactor. The best performance was for a potential of 6.0 volts and a τ of 29.43 min, with 90% removal of oils and greases, 53% COD and 4.38 g of sludge, culminating in an energy consumption ranging from 0.708 kWhm-3 to 4.73 kWhm-3. In addition, by visual analysis of the formation of bubbles and the removal of turbidity (94%), it was concluded that the division of the reactor in two chambers reduced the secondary contamination of the treated effluent.
Applying Appropriate Techniques in Environmental Impact Assessment for Air Em...BREEZE Software
This paper explores the practical
and cost-effective approaches and techniques to address the
environmental impact assessment for air emissions based on
the typical chemical use and emission characteristics for
semiconductor processes.
Air pollution by the metallurgical units, as the other stressors, can modify the optical and fluorescence properties of leaf plants either directly or indirectly. Therefore stress effects on plants are detectable via changed on fluorescence signature of leaves. Air pollution could induce decrease of chlorophyll (Chl) content as well as significant decline of photosynthetic activity. The chlorophyll florescence as a nondestructive method for the in vivo analysis of plants allow to study the photosynthetic light processes and quantum conversion to detect stress effect on the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus. Metallurgical factory in Elbasan that release chemicals and particulates into the atmosphere is considered a source of air pollution. Some plant species grown in area near the factory were studied to evaluate the efficiency of photosynthetic apparatus in pollution conditions via chlorophyll fluorescence imaging during induction kinetics. Different fluorescence ratios which describe the photosynthetic light processes and the potential and effective quantum yields of Photosystem II were considered too. Chlorophyll fluorescence images were measured using the FluorCam 700MF imaging system (Photon Systems Instrument) as a technique that offers the possibility to study the distribution and patchiness of fluorescence signatures over the whole leaf area. Chl fluorescence images were measured on the leaves of spontaneous plants grown in sites with different level of steel plant air pollution assessed on base of different distances and different directions from the source of the pollution. Contamination effect reflected on photosynthetic activity of leaves was very high particularly on plants located nearer the metallurgical units.
Spotlight on Analytical Applications e-Zine - Volume 13PerkinElmer, Inc.
This document provides key analytical applications to help laboratories address the pressing concerns of the changing global landscape. Specifically, Volume 13 includes applications for Consumer Products, Energy & Industrial, Environmental and Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals.
Performance of a two Chambers Reactor for the Treatment of an Oily Effluent b...IJAEMSJORNAL
This work had as objective the development and analysis of a continuum flow reactor and measure its efficiency in the treatment of residual water of the biodiesel purification process using electro flocculation. The reactor was designed with two interconnected chambers with an 0.2 cm opening between then and reaction volume was 0.883 L and an electrolytic area of 351 cm². The electrodes were all aluminum, which were arranged in parallel and with 0.5 cm spacing, whose power was supplied by a DC source. As design variables, the influence of electrical potential (U) and residence time (τ) on: current density, final pH, removal of oils and greases, COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), turbidity and total solids, in addition to quantification of the sludge mass obtained and the energy cost of the reactor. The best performance was for a potential of 6.0 volts and a τ of 29.43 min, with 90% removal of oils and greases, 53% COD and 4.38 g of sludge, culminating in an energy consumption ranging from 0.708 kWhm-3 to 4.73 kWhm-3. In addition, by visual analysis of the formation of bubbles and the removal of turbidity (94%), it was concluded that the division of the reactor in two chambers reduced the secondary contamination of the treated effluent.
Applying Appropriate Techniques in Environmental Impact Assessment for Air Em...BREEZE Software
This paper explores the practical
and cost-effective approaches and techniques to address the
environmental impact assessment for air emissions based on
the typical chemical use and emission characteristics for
semiconductor processes.
Air pollution by the metallurgical units, as the other stressors, can modify the optical and fluorescence properties of leaf plants either directly or indirectly. Therefore stress effects on plants are detectable via changed on fluorescence signature of leaves. Air pollution could induce decrease of chlorophyll (Chl) content as well as significant decline of photosynthetic activity. The chlorophyll florescence as a nondestructive method for the in vivo analysis of plants allow to study the photosynthetic light processes and quantum conversion to detect stress effect on the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus. Metallurgical factory in Elbasan that release chemicals and particulates into the atmosphere is considered a source of air pollution. Some plant species grown in area near the factory were studied to evaluate the efficiency of photosynthetic apparatus in pollution conditions via chlorophyll fluorescence imaging during induction kinetics. Different fluorescence ratios which describe the photosynthetic light processes and the potential and effective quantum yields of Photosystem II were considered too. Chlorophyll fluorescence images were measured using the FluorCam 700MF imaging system (Photon Systems Instrument) as a technique that offers the possibility to study the distribution and patchiness of fluorescence signatures over the whole leaf area. Chl fluorescence images were measured on the leaves of spontaneous plants grown in sites with different level of steel plant air pollution assessed on base of different distances and different directions from the source of the pollution. Contamination effect reflected on photosynthetic activity of leaves was very high particularly on plants located nearer the metallurgical units.
Spotlight on Analytical Applications e-Zine - Volume 13PerkinElmer, Inc.
This document provides key analytical applications to help laboratories address the pressing concerns of the changing global landscape. Specifically, Volume 13 includes applications for Consumer Products, Energy & Industrial, Environmental and Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals.
La integración de inmigrantes en españa el caso de Jumilla (Murcia)IntegraLocal
`La integración de inmigrantes en España: el caso de Jumilla´elaborado por Alfonso Garcíay Antonia Mª Sánchez, analiza los sucesos ocurridos en Jumilla (Murcia) durante el verano de 2005. Dicho análisis pone de manifiesto las dificultades a las que se enfrenta el colectivo inmigrante para establecerse de manera firme en España, acentuándose los problemas cuando empeoran las condiciones sociales y económicas.
La integración de inmigrantes en españa el caso de Jumilla (Murcia)IntegraLocal
`La integración de inmigrantes en España: el caso de Jumilla´elaborado por Alfonso Garcíay Antonia Mª Sánchez, analiza los sucesos ocurridos en Jumilla (Murcia) durante el verano de 2005. Dicho análisis pone de manifiesto las dificultades a las que se enfrenta el colectivo inmigrante para establecerse de manera firme en España, acentuándose los problemas cuando empeoran las condiciones sociales y económicas.
Concentrations of Heavy Metals in Hair of Sudanese Exploration Mining Gold Wo...ijtsrd
The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb in scalp hair of Sudanese exploration mining gold workers in El Abedea town and healthy volunteers from Khartoum, using the XRF method. The accuracy and precision of the method for the elements were evaluated through the analysis of a standard hair sample. Workers hair samples were classified corresponding to age, work duration, year of work and the area of the workplace of the participants. The results showed that the studied trace elements in both workers and control groups were positively skewed. In comparison with the control group, lower Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb were found in all studied exploration workers. Mihaira. H. Hddad | Rawia. A. Elobaid | Ahmed. H. Elfaki | Abeer Mohamed Khairy "Concentrations of Heavy Metals in Hair of Sudanese Exploration Mining (Gold) Workers as Indicators of Environmental Pollution" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-3 | Issue-5 , August 2019, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd26454.pdfPaper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/other-scientific-research-area/other/26454/concentrations-of-heavy-metals-in-hair-of-sudanese-exploration-mining-gold-workers-as-indicators-of-environmental-pollution/mihaira-h-hddad
Dust Characterization and Source Apportionment at an Active Surface Mine in West Virginia by Dr. Nick Basta, Shane Whitacre, Dr. Vlad Kecojevic, Ali Lashgari, and Dr. Braden Lusk
COAL COMBUSTION FROM POWER PLANT INDUSTRY IN MISAMIS ORIENTAL, PHILIPPINES: A...Angelo Mark Walag
The rising demand of energy in the Philippines paved way for the proliferation of different
power sources, a more dependable energy source which is coal – based thermal power plant. The disposal
of coal combustion products in ponds and landfills is a great concern because of its leachability. It can
become a problem when elements from the ash are leached contaminating groundwater sources. The main
goal of this research is to determine the concentration of heavy metals in the groundwater sources leached
from coal combustion products and the to assess the physico-chemical parameters of water quality. Standard
methods were employed in collection and determination of the pH, color, alkalinity, odor and temperature
and the heavy metals; As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, and Hg. Mn was found to have the highest concentration
while Hg has the least concentration. The concentrations of heavy metals follow the trend Hg < Cd < Cu =
Pb< Cr < As <Mn. Concentrations of heavy metals were detected but not excessive enough to be over the
permissible limit set in the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water thus making the groundwater
potable with regards to the measured parameters in the study.
ORIGINAL PAPERRisk assessment of atmospheric heavy metals .docxgerardkortney
ORIGINAL PAPER
Risk assessment of atmospheric heavy metals exposure
in Baotou, a typical industrial city in northern China
Kexin Li . Tao Liang . Lingqing Wang
Received: 11 March 2015 / Accepted: 1 September 2015 / Published online: 8 September 2015
! Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015
Abstract Industrial activities have led to serious air
pollution and the potentially toxic elements in atmo-
spheric particles can cause various health problems to
humans. In this study, inhalable particulate matter
(PM10) and fine particles (PM2.5) were collected from
four typical sites in Baotou, an industrial city in
northern China. We investigated both the mass
concentrations of particulate matter and the concen-
trations of heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cu, Mn, Co,
and Zn) in the collected samples. We assessed the
public health risks associated with atmospheric heavy
metal exposure. The results showed that the mass
concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 as well as these
heavy metal concentrations varied notably influenced
by the prevailing wind directions. Among the studied
metals, Zn, Mn, Pb, and Cr were the main metal
pollutants in both PM10 and PM2.5. The results of the
health assessment showed that the eight heavy metals
studied pose significant non-carcinogenic risks and Cr,
Cd, and Co pose lifetime lung cancer risks to local
residents, especially to children.
Keywords PM10 ! PM2.5 ! Heavy metals !
Health risk ! Baotou
Introduction
Mining activities are notorious for adverse environ-
mental impacts, including pollution, habitat loss, soil
erosion, and geological disasters (Salomons 1995;
Klukanová and Rapant 1999; Aguilar et al. 2004; Luı́s
et al. 2011). Among these environmental problems
caused by mining activities, the production and
dispersion of atmospheric particles has become a
great concern in recent years (Kaonga and Kgabi
2011; Chen et al. 2013; Serbula et al. 2014). Atmo-
spheric particulates are generated from numerous
sources, both natural and anthropogenic, but in areas
near mining, mining operations are considered the
largest contributor. The processes of mining, such as
crushing, grinding, excavating, smelting, and refining,
can produce large quantities of particulate matter
(PM), containing dangerously high levels of heavy
metals (Csavina et al. 2012).
Inhalable particulate matter (PM10), particularly
fine particles (PM2.5), have been shown to cause
adverse effects on human health, including asthma,
lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases (Pope et al.
2002; Sanchez et al. 2009). Lung and other organ
injuries from atmospheric heavy metal exposure have
also been well-documented (Espinosa et al. 2001;
Cancio et al. 2008; Leili et al. 2008).
K. Li ! T. Liang (&) ! L. Wang (&)
Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation,
Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources
Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101,
China
e-mail: [email protected]
L. Wang
e-mail: [email p.
Characterization of cobalt oxide and calcium aluminumShujaul Mulk Khan
The Cobalt Oxide and Calcium-Aluminum Oxide nano-catalysts were analyzed using Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. Preliminary results showed that the particles of Cobalt Oxide exhibit sponge like morphology and homogenous distribution as per confirmation via SEM. Its average particle size ranges to 30.6 nm demonstrating enormous number of pores and aggregative in nature. Its various peaks were ranging
from 19.2 to 65.4 after XRD analysis. The highest intensity was observed at 36.9 position. The energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques were used to calculate the elements present in sample according to their weight and atomic percentage. The
cobalt oxide contain cobalt as the most abundant element with 46.85 wt% and 18.01 atomic percent. It contain oxygen with 30.51 wt% and 43.19 atomic percent. Whereas, SEM of calcium aluminum oxide showed random morphology. According to the calculation of Scherrer equation regarding XRD analysis, it was distributed homogenously with particle size ranges from 30 to 40 nm. Its porous morphology was due to the interconnecting gaps between different particles. It result the eight peaks ranging from 18.1 to 62.7 in XRD spectrum. The highest intensity observed at 35.1 with average crystallite particle size of 25.6 nm. The calcium aluminum oxide contain aluminum 7.45 wt% and 6.93 atomic percent. The calcium was the most abundant element with54.7 wt% and 34.24 atomic percent followed by oxygen with 37.26 wt% and 58.42 atomic percent. It was concluded that the SEM, XRD, and EDX are the most significant techniques to characterize nano-catalysts in particular and other compounds generally.
Radioactivity levels and dose rates from rocks in selected mining areas and q...eSAT Journals
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the radioactivity levels and dose rates due to natural radionuclides in rocks from selected
mining areas and quarries in Eastern Uganda. 60 rock samples collected from six mines and quarries were analyzed using a NaI
gamma detector. The specific activities of 238U, 232Th and 40K in the samples were measured, the gamma dose rate and annual
effective dose outdoor were determined. The specific activities ranged from 13.95±0.31 to 698.02±3.38 Bq kg-1 for 238U,
98.68±1.30 to 2397.78±19.64 Bq kg-1 for 232Th, and 45.97±2.48 to 2183.80±17.89 Bq kg-1 for 40K. The absorbed dose rates were
calculated and the values obtained at all sites are above the world average of 59 nGy h-1. The annual effective dose rate outdoor
for all the sites ranges from 0.30 to 1.37 mSv y-1. The average annual effective dose rate outdoor for some areas are below 1.00
mSv y-1, the lowest permissible limit set by the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP); while other sites have
the annual effective dose rates higher than unity which suggests a health risk to the inhabitants of the areas. Therefore, the
National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) should monitor the disposal of radioactive wastes from the mines in this
region for human safety.
Keywords: Gamma Radiation, Radioactivity Levels, Absorbed Dose Rate, Mining, Rocks, Quarries
Impact of carbon nanomaterials on the formation of multicellular spheroids by...Татьяна Гергелюк
This paper investigates the effect of different concentrations of nanostructured materials: fullerene-like (С60), onion-like carbon (OLC) and ultra dispersed diamonds (UDD) on the formation of multicellular spheroids (MS). Chemical composition and purity of nanomaterials is controlled by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The strength and direction of the impact of nanomaterials on the cell population was assessed using microphotography of multicellular spheroids culture and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The results demonstrated that UDD and OLC reduced adhesion and cohesive ability of cells and stimulated generation of cell spheroids of ~ 3 ∙ 10 mm3 in significant amount. The fullerenes reduced in the main cell adhesion to substrate that led to formation of cell aggregates of ~ 5 ∙ 10-3 mm3. The results could be useful for achievement of the directed cell growth in three-dimensional culture.
Impact of carbon nanomaterials on the formation of multicellular spheroids by...Татьяна Гергелюк
This paper investigates the effect of different concentrations of nanostructured materials: fullerene-like (С60), onion-like carbon
(OLC) and ultra dispersed diamonds (UDD) on the formation of multicellular spheroids (MS). Chemical composition and purity of
nanomaterials is controlled by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The strength and direction of the impact of
nanomaterials on the cell population was assessed using microphotography of multicellular spheroids culture and Pearson's correlation
coefficient. The results demonstrated that UDD and OLC reduced adhesion and cohesive ability of cells and stimulated generation of cell
spheroids of ~ 3 ∙ 10 mm3 in significant amount. The fullerenes reduced in the main cell adhesion to substrate that led to formation of
cell aggregates of ~ 5 ∙ 10-3 mm3. The results could be useful for achievement of the directed cell
International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) is an open access online peer reviewed international journal that publishes research and review articles in the fields of Computer Science, Neural Networks, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Plastic Engineering, Food Technology, Textile Engineering, Nano Technology & science, Power Electronics, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Computational mathematics, Image processing, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, VLSI Testing & Low Power VLSI Design etc.
Today, in the industry of aluminum, the D. C. casting of billets and slabs is playing the major role. The producers of these slabs and billets are many. The end users of the product are OEMs. The degassing technology for producing these aluminum slabs and billets is provided by very few. There are two types of degassing methods currently in use. One of these, vacuum degassing, is used primarily in the steel industry and thus not generally used in the aluminum industry. The second method, generally employed in the aluminum industry, is rotary degassing, which uses finely dispersed argon, chlorine, fluorine to remove dissolved hydrogen and various salts from melt. The challenges associated with producing aluminum are reducing porosity due to hydrogen precipitation during casting through degassing processes; which generates detrimental effects on mechanical properties of alloy castings and removing impurities like; the Ca, Mg salts etc. from the molten metal. Looking at the degassing systems provided by these players, are going to be obsolete as the environment norms will become stricter in the next decade, because of the use of Fluorine and Chlorine for removing the Ca, Mg, etc. impurities from the molten metal as the ozone layer is getting depleted and process becomes more cumbersome and hazardous. So, the innovation in the technology is needed; which leads research interest on development of the ultrasonic degassing as a better option. During this research authors would be using ultrasonic technology over existing technology to compare the results of conventional degasser units available in the market such as LARSTM, SNIFTM, STASTM - ACDTM, AlpurTM, MDUTM etc., and would be finding out the better operating parameters of ultrasonic equipment for the process for replacement of Fluorine and Chlorine based old technology with Ultrasonic Technology. This research paper should underpin improvement in the process and hence improved hardness of material by elimination of the fluorine and chlorine usage by replacing it with ultrasonic technology with suitable mechanical design, metallurgical criteria and thermal analysis consideration. During the entire research and development authors had carried out various operations like Research on thermal and metallurgical behavior of the molten metal and alloys, Comparison of results achieved using ultrasonic technique over existing technique, Formulation of conclusion; making ultrasonic technique a proven technology, and Identifying the further scope of research and development. With the experiments carried out, authors found significant improvement in hardness of the material produced by ultrasonic degassing as compared with the hardness of material produced by conventional degassing.
Removal of Lead Ion Using Maize Cob as a BioadsorbentIJERA Editor
The intensification of industrial activity and environmental stress greatly contributes to the significant rise of
heavy metal pollution in water resources making threats on terrestrial and aquatic life. The toxicity of metal
pollution is slow and interminable, as these metal ions are non bio-degradable. The most appropriate solution for
controlling the biogeochemistry of metal contaminants is sorption technique, to produce high quality treated
effluents from polluted wastewater. Maize cob readily available was used as sorbent for the removal of lead ions
from aqueous media. Adsorption studies were performed by batch experiments as a function of process
parameters such as sorption 500ppm,2.5g, 400minutes, 400 rpm and 5 PH. Concentration, Dosage, time, rpm,
and pH. I have found that the optimized parameters are Freundlich model fits best with the experimental
equilibrium data among the three tested adsorption isotherm models. The kinetic data correlated well with the
Lagergren first order kinetic model for the adsorption studies of lead using maize cob. It was concluded that
adsorbent prepared from maize cob as to be a favorable adsorbent and easily available to remove the heavy
metal lead (II) is 95 % and can be used for the treatment of heavy metals in wastewater.
2. M. Celik et al. / Mutation Research 627 (2007) 158–163 159
to cause lung function impairment and respiratory symp- Afsin-Elbistan A power plant during the waste ash dis-
toms [7,8]. In another study [9], a possible lung cancer posing process were investigated by analysing the CA,
risk has been observed among Italian electricity work- polyploidy, SCE, and MN frequencies in the periph-
ers. In a 29 year follow-up study in U.K. power station eral blood lymphocytes from workers as cytogenetic
workers [10], a significant increase of death due to pleu- biomarkers.
ral cancer has been found. In contrast to these studies,
Petrelli et al. [11] did not observe any excess of death 2. Materials and methods
originating from the cancer among workers of a power
plant in Italy. The degree of cancer risk associated with 2.1. Subjects and sampling
combustion products in man has been reported to depend
Prior to the study, informed consent was obtained from
on the time of exposure, and on the types and concen-
each subjects and each individual’s lifestyle (e.g. occupational
trations of biologically active compounds present in the
and health history, habits) was determined by questionnaire
combustion emissions [12]. Several experimental stud- administration. Persons with medical treatment including
ies have indicated the mutagenic and genotoxic effects radiography and vaccination up to three months before collect-
of some constitutients of coal ashes or flue gasses such ing samples were not included in the study. Smokers, alcohol
as CO, NOx , SOx , quartz, heavy metals, and PAHs in dif- consumers, and Maras powder (a kind of smokeless tobacco)
ferent test systems [13–17]. However, only a few studies chewers were also excluded. A total of 48 male workers was
have been done on the genotoxic risks of workers occu- selected for the study, who were engaged in transportation of
pationally exposed in power plants, and have reported waste coal ash for disposal. The waste ashes are transported
increased genetic damage in the occupationally exposed to the dumping area of the coal reserves without wetting. The
groups [18,19]. workers have been exposed to coal ashes by inhalation and
dermal exposure due to heavy dust. However, previous mea-
Volatile and particulate emissions from coal-fired
surements of air quality in the power plant demonstrated that
power plants are serious problems for many developing
the workers have been also exposed to gaseous emissions such
countries, because of insufficient precipitation and desul- as NO, NO2 , NOx , SO2 , and silica as well as coal ashes. In 1995,
furication techniques, and the wastes requiring disposal the air quality measurements in the power plant were stopped,
[20,21]. In time, it may adversely impact environmen- so, the level of air-borne respirable fractions of coal combus-
tal quality and health of populations working and living tion products to which the workers were exposed in the years
around the power plants. Afsin-Elbistan A power plant, just before our study was unknown. The control group con-
located in south-eastern Turkey, may represent an exam- sisted of 30 healthy male subjects with no known exposure to
ple of such power plants. genotoxic agents such as radiation, chemicals, cigarette, Maras
Afsin-Elbistan A power plant, built in 1983, has powder, alcohol, etc. Control subjects were selected from the
four pulverized coal boiler units with a total capac- city, Kahramanmaras, the minumum distance between exposed
and control groups being 160 km. The mean years of potential
ity of 1360 MW. The power plant consumes about
exposure of workers in the power plant was 20.35 ± 0.49 years
48 × 103 tonnes of low quality lignite from Kıslakoy
(range, 6–23 years). The mean age of workers was 46.08 ± 0.54
basin and produces approximately 8 × 103 tonnes of coal years (range, 36–50 years), and of controls was 45.06 ± 0.59
fly ash and bottom ash per day. These waste ashes are years (range, 38–50 years).
transported to the dumping area of the coal reserves for
disposal. In a recent study [22], coal fly ash samples 2.2. Cytogenetic methods
from Afsin-Elbistan A power plant have been reported to
contain calcium oxide, quartz, hematite, and aluminium About 2 ml of venous blood from each persons was col-
oxide, accounting for 74–85% of the material. The other lected in heparinised tubes and immediately transported over
chemical components of coal fly ash were indicated to be ice to the laboratory. Duplicate lymphocyte cultures were set
Cl, Cr2 O3 , K2 O, MgO, MnO2 , MoO3 , Na2 O, NiO, P2 O5 , up by adding six drop whole blood to 2.5 ml of chromosome
SO3 , SrO, TiO2 , V2 O5 , ZrO2 , and CO2 . The workers of medium (Biochrom, Berlin, Germany), supplemented with
the power plant have been exposed to coal ashes and its 10 g/ml bromodeoxyuridine (Sigma, Taufkirchen, Germany).
For the analysis of CA, polyploidy, and SCE, the cultures were
hazardous constituents and also volatile emissions due
incubated at 37 ◦ C for 72 h. At the 70th h of the incubation,
to inadequacy of measures for pollution control. Signif-
0.06 g/ml of colchicine (Sigma) was added to each culture
icant exposure to coal combustion products may occur for arresting the cell cycle at metaphase stage. The cells were
especially during the waste ash removal process because harvested by treating with 0.075 M KCl and methanol:glacial
of heavy dust. acetic acid (3:1) solution. The staining of air-dried slides
In the present study, the possible genotoxic risks was performed according to the modified Fluorescence Plus
of workers exposed to coal combustion products in Giemsa Method [23].
3. 160 M. Celik et al. / Mutation Research 627 (2007) 158–163
For the evaluation of MN frequencies, lymphocytes were (SPSS 10.0, SPSS Inc., USA). All P-values were two tailed and
incubated for 72 h at 37 ◦ C. After 44 h incubation, 6 g/ml of P-values of 5% or less were considered statistically significant
cytocalasin B (Sigma) was added to the tubes to block cytoki- for all tests carried out.
nesis. Following additional 28 h incubation at 37 ◦ C, the cells
were harvested according to the standard procedure [24].
3. Results
2.3. Cytogenetic analysis
The effects of exposure to coal combustion products
A total of 100 well-spread first-division metaphases includ- on the level of CA, polyploidy, SCE, and MN in 48
ing 46 ± 1 chromosomes was analysed for four categories male workers are presented in Tables 1 and 2, respec-
of CAs: chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks, dicentrics, tively. There was a significant (about 3-fold) increase in
and chromatid exchanges. Gaps (achromatid lesions) were not
the frequency of CA (P < 0.01) and also the percentage
scored as CAs. The criteria for distinguishing chromatid breaks
of cells with aberrations (AB.C; P < 0.01) in periph-
from gaps were the acentric piece displaced with respect to the
chromosome axis and the size of the discontinuity exceeded eral lymphocytes from exposed workers compared to
the width of the chromatid. Cells containing any type of chro- the control subjects. The most common type of aber-
mosomal aberrations were scored as aberrant cells (AB.C). ration in workers and controls was the chromatid break,
Metaphases were scored as polyploid if they contained three as shown in Table 1. The comparisons between workers
or four times the haploid number, all chromosomes were mor- and control groups with respect to the level of polyploidy
phologically similar and there was clearly visible cytoplasm. revealed a marked difference in the frequency of poly-
The number of polyploid metaphases among 100 metaphases ploidy (P < 0.01), which was higher in the exposed group
was recorded and expressed as % polyploid cells. Twenty- (Table 1).
five well-spread second-division metaphases were analysed for With regard to frequency of SCE, there was a sig-
determining the level of SCEs. The microscopic examination
nificant differences between the workers and controls
of CAs, polyploidy, and SCEs was performed at 1000× magni-
(P < 0.01) (Table 2). The mean value of SCE for exposed
fication under an oil immersion lens. For each subject, a total of
1000 binucleated lymphocytes was scored with a 40× magni- workers was 6.08, compared with 4.60 for the con-
fication lens, to determine frequency of micronuclei. All slides trol group. The exposed group also showed a slightly
were coded and cytogenetic analysis of slides from workers increased frequency of MN in binucleated lymphocytes,
and controls were carried out “blind” by the same person using about 25% higher than the mean for the control group
a Olympus-light microscope (CX21FS1). (P < 0.05).
We further analysed the data with respect to years of
2.4. Statistical analysis exposure and age of the individuals, to investigate the
association between the cytogenetic markers and inde-
The data points for statistical analysis were the mean fre- pendent variables. Spearman’s rho analysis indicated a
quencies of each endpoint for each individual. Comparison positive correlation between the years of exposure and
of mean values of the percentage of cells with aberrations, fre-
CA (P < 0.05) or MN (P < 0.05) (Table 3). The level
quencies of aberrations per cell, percent polyploid metaphases,
SCE/cell, and MN per 1000 cells between the exposed and
of SCE was not significantly enhanced with the years
control group was assessed by the Mann–Whitney U-test. of exposure, although there was a trend towards an
Spearman’s rho correlation test was used for evaluation of increase in frequency of SCE with the years of expo-
the association between cytogenetic markers and independent sure (P > 0.05). In neither workers nor controls did the
variables of age and years of exposure. Statistical calculations incidence of cytogenetic markers, show a significant cor-
were carried out using the SPSS software package programme relation with age (P > 0.05; Table 3).
Table 1
Frequencies of CA and polyploidies in lymphocytes of workers and control subjects
Group N Age ± S.E.a SCAsb Total SCA CA/cell ± S.E. AB.Cc ± S.E. % Polyploidy ± S.E. %
B B Dic CE
Workers 48 46.08 ± 0.54 106 28 13 10 158 0.033 ± 0.015d 3.12 ± 0.19d 0.52 ± 0.09d
Controls 30 45.06 ± 0.59 22 3 0 3 28 0.009 ± 0.008 0.93 ± 0.13 0.10 ± 0.05
a S.E.: Standard error.
b SCAs: Structural chromosomal aberrations; B :chromatid break; B :chromosome break; Dic:dicentric chromosome; CE: chromatid exchange.
c AB.C: Cells with aberrations.
d P < 0.01.
4. M. Celik et al. / Mutation Research 627 (2007) 158–163 161
Table 2 ers were significantly higher in exposed workers than in
Frequencies of SCE/cell and MN in lymphocytes of workers and con- controls.
trol subjects
Bauman and Horvat [18] reported considerably
Group N Age ± S.E.a SCE/cell ± S.E. MN ± S.E. ‰ increased CA levels in the peripheral lymphocytes of
Workers 48 46.08 ± 0.54 6.08 ± 0.12c 8.20 ± 0.61b workers occupationally exposed in a power station burn-
Controls 30 45.06 ± 0.59 4.60 ± 0.11 6.56 ± 0.43 ing coal, which contained between 14 and 100 ppm
a S.E.: Standard error.
uranium, as compared to control group. Leonard et al.
b P < 0.05. [19], scored chromosome aberrations in 59 workers from
c P < 0.01. coal-fueled power plants and in 89 workers from nuclear-
power plants and reported a significant elevation in acen-
tric chromosome fragments and dicentric chromosomes
Table 3
Correlation analysis of cytogenetic markers in both types of workers compared to the control group.
Moreover, the number of abnormal cells was signifi-
Cytogenetic markers Workers Controls
cantly greater in workers of conventional plants than in
ra P r P those of nuclear-power plants. In the study of Kleinjans
CA/cell et al. [31], peripheral lymphocytes of 22 workers occupa-
CA vs. age 0.143 >0.05 0.040 >0.05 tionally exposed to coal fly ash in a coal fly ash process-
CA vs. years of exposure 0.329 <0.05 ing plant showed a considerably higher incidence of SCE
Polyploidy (%) than in control subjects. About two year after coal fly ash
P vs. age 0.019 >0.05 0.000 >0.05 exposure-reducing measures had been taken in this coal
P vs. years of exposure 0.082 >0.05 fly ash processing plant, Stierum et al. [32], conducted a
SCE/cell study in a group of 18 male workers and 18 male control
SCE vs. age 0.124 >0.05 0.135 >0.05 subjects, to evaluate the effect of these measures with
SCE vs. years of exposure 0.217 >0.05 respect to genotoxic risk. In contrast to previous study
MN (‰) of Kleinjans et al. [31], no increased SCE frequencies
MN vs. age 0.022 >0.05 0.111 >0.05 were found in workers potentially exposed to coal fly ash
MN vs. years of exposure 0.287 <0.05 when compared to the control group. In addition, no dif-
a Correlation coefficient. ferences were observed between the exposed and control
groups for frequencies of gene mutations at the hypox-
anthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) locus,
4. Discussion for MN frequencies or for urinary mutagen excretion.
The observed elevation in the frequency of CA and
Coal combustion products from power plants have SCE in the workers of Afsin-Elbistan A power plant was
shown evidence of carcinogenic and genotoxic effects in consistent with the observations in the previous studies
different test systems, ascribed mainly to heavy metals, of Bauman and Horvat [18] and Leonard et al. [19]. We
PAHs, and silica [3,13,25–28]. Previous studies con- also found a significant increase in MN level of power
cerning the health risk of workers engaged in coal-fired plant workers. However, no published data concerning
power plants have reported an association between the the effects of occupational exposure in coal-fired power
exposure to coal combustion products and different type plants on the MN level is available.
of diseases such as lung function impairment, respira- In the present study, the frequency of CA and MN
tory symptoms, mesothelioma, lung and pleural cancer increased with the increasing years of exposure to coal
[7–10,29,30]. Advanced combustion techniques, emis- combustion products (P < 0.05) (Table 3). These results
sion control technologies, and waste disposal procedures were in aggreement with the findings in other occupa-
have been developed for limiting human exposure to tionally exposed groups [33–35]. No correlations were
combustion products. However, these technologies are found between age and CA, polyploidy, SCE, or MN
not in routine use in some old power plants especially in in exposed workers or control subjects, although ageing
less developed or developing countries due to their high effect on cytogenetic markers has been demonstrated by
cost. several other studies [36–38]. In our study, the lack of
In this study, the possible genotoxic risks to workers correlation might be attributed to the narrow age range,
from Afsin-Elbistan A power plant were investigated by 36–50 years old.
analysing the frequency of CA, polyploidy, SCE and MN In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that occu-
in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Levels of all four mark- pational exposure to coal combustion products in
5. 162 M. Celik et al. / Mutation Research 627 (2007) 158–163
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