Emission limit values for building materials. Environmental foundation and consequences for building materials

This report presents alternative emission limit values for inorganic components to be used in the revision of the Building Materials Decree (1999) in the Netherlands. Three key factors determine the emission limit value: (1) the environmental compartment under consideration, with its dimensions and the accounted for, (2) the desired level of environmental protection and (3) the scenario applying to the intended use of the construction material. Emission limit values have been derived here from modelled concentrations in soil, groundwater and surface water. The desired level of protection has been elaborated as a stand-still approach (based on quality target values and a risk-based approach (based on PNECs). Two exposure models were used for taking the effects of a time-dependent exposure of the soil to leached components into account, for vertical transport through the soil profile and for retardation of components in the soil profile. The PEARL model was used for binding described by equilibrium adsorption. The ORCHESTRA model was used for binding that also takes speciation into account. For surface water, a dilution factor was computed assuming a certain mixing zone, dependent on the size of the surface water. The consequences of the proposed alternative emission limit values have been estimated on the basis of information in a database containing results of leaching tests for construction materials. The alternatives proposed form the basis for a political decision-making process, where environmental protection will be balanced with other socio-economic concerns.In dit rapport worden varianten berekend die de huidige normen voor het hergebruik van bouwmaterialen - zoals vastgelegd in het Bouwstoffenbesluit 1999 - kunnen vervangen. De huidige normen vormden een belemmering voor het hergebruik van bouwmaterialen. Omdat er wel behoefte bestond aan hergebruik, zijn de mogelijkheden tot een eventuele verruiming, die wel milieuverantwoord blijft, onderzocht. Het bouwstoffenbesluit bevat normen voor de maximale uitstoot van anorganische stoffen (zoals metalen) in bouwmaterialen. Milieuhygienische belangen worden nu afgewogen tegen de wens tot ruimere mogelijkheden voor hergebruik. Het onderzoek houdt rekening met verschillende elementen bij het hergebruik van bouwmaterialen: het milieucompartiment, het gewenste beschermingsniveau en het toepassingsscenario van de bouwstof. Er zijn twee alternatieve computermodellen gebruikt, die de verschillen in de wijzen waarop vrijgekomen stoffen zich aan de bodem binden, berekenen. Daarnaast is ook de menging van vrijgekomen stoffen voor oppervlaktewater berekend. De berekende waarden zijn afgezet tegen de kwaliteitsgegevens van bouwstoffen die door verschillende bedrijfstakken zijn aangeleverd. De voorgestelde varianten maken onderdeel uit van een beleidsmatig besluitvormingsproces, waarbij ook andere socio-economische aspecten worden afgewogen

A Sex-Specific Metabolite Identified in a Marine Invertebrate Utilizing Phosphorus-31 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Hormone level differences are generally accepted as the primary cause for sexual dimorphism in animal and human development. Levels of low molecular weight metabolites also differ between men and women in circulating amino acids, lipids and carbohydrates and within brain tissue. While investigating the metabolism of blue crab tissues using Phosphorus-31 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, we discovered that only the male blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) contained a phosphorus compound with a chemical shift well separated from the expected phosphate compounds. Spectra obtained from male gills were readily differentiated from female gill spectra. Analysis from six years of data from male and female crabs documented that the sex-specificity of this metabolite was normal for this species. Microscopic analysis of male and female gills found no differences in their gill anatomy or the presence of parasites or bacteria that might produce this phosphorus compound. Analysis of a rare gynandromorph blue crab (laterally, half male and half female) proved that this sex-specificity was an intrinsic biochemical process and was not caused by any variations in the diet or habitat of male versus female crabs. The existence of a sex-specific metabolite is a previously unrecognized, but potentially significant biochemical phenomenon. An entire enzyme system has been synthesized and activated only in one sex. Unless blue crabs are a unique species, sex-specific metabolites are likely to be present in other animals. Would the presence or absence of a sex-specific metabolite affect an animal's development, anatomy and biochemistry

Lethal Antibody Enhancement of Dengue Disease in Mice Is Prevented by Fc Modification

Immunity to one of the four dengue virus (DV) serotypes can increase disease severity in humans upon subsequent infection with another DV serotype. Serotype cross-reactive antibodies facilitate DV infection of myeloid cells in vitro by promoting virus entry via Fcγ receptors (FcγR), a process known as antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). However, despite decades of investigation, no in vivo model for antibody enhancement of dengue disease severity has been described. Analogous to human infants who receive anti-DV antibodies by transplacental transfer and develop severe dengue disease during primary infection, we show here that passive administration of anti-DV antibodies is sufficient to enhance DV infection and disease in mice using both mouse-adapted and clinical DV isolates. Antibody-enhanced lethal disease featured many of the hallmarks of severe dengue disease in humans, including thrombocytopenia, vascular leakage, elevated serum cytokine levels, and increased systemic viral burden in serum and tissue phagocytes. Passive transfer of a high dose of serotype-specific antibodies eliminated viremia, but lower doses of these antibodies or cross-reactive polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies all enhanced disease in vivo even when antibody levels were neutralizing in vitro. In contrast, a genetically engineered antibody variant (E60-N297Q) that cannot bind FcγR exhibited prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy against ADE-induced lethal challenge. These observations provide insight into the pathogenesis of antibody-enhanced dengue disease and identify a novel strategy for the design of therapeutic antibodies against dengue

Review article: Use of ultrasound in the developing world

As portability and durability improve, bedside, clinician-performed ultrasound is seeing increasing use in rural, underdeveloped parts of the world. Physicians, nurses and medical officers have demonstrated the ability to perform and interpret a large variety of ultrasound exams, and a growing body of literature supports the use of point-of-care ultrasound in developing nations. We review, by region, the existing literature in support of ultrasound use in the developing world and training guidelines currently in use, and highlight indications for emergency ultrasound in the developing world. We suggest future directions for bedside ultrasound use and research to improve diagnostic capacity and patient care in the most remote areas of the globe

Algal mats transport diaspores and carpological remains in shallow lakes

Algal mats in lakes and reservoirs can transport diaspores and carpological remains of plants, and thus may influence the creation of taphocoenoses. In 2012, I quantified carpological remains in two types of algal mats from a small reservoir in southern Poland. Mats formed by filamentous algae participate primarily in the original transport of diaspores, and can influence their concentration and facilitate their migration, mainly between the shores of the reservoir. Diatom mats partake primarily in diaspore redeposition, but can also cause their dispersal between the shore zone and the central part of the reservoir. This research demonstrates that mats built by diatoms contain far more remains and are more biologically diverse than filamentous algal mats. Movement of carpological remains observed in both types of algal mats points to their role in the formation of taphocoenoses and suggests that algal mats must be considered when interpreting macrofossil records

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

Soil remediation in areas with political priorities

Dit rapport biedt een bijgewerkt overzicht van de inventarisatie van het Landsdekkend beeld bodemverontreiniging en een raming van de aantallen verontreinigde locaties en spoedlocaties in Nederland. Het RIVM schat het aantal locaties in Nederland waarvan de bodem met spoed moet worden gesaneerd op 6500 tot 7500. Er zijn nog enkele jaren nodig om op basis van bodemonderzoek de exacte aantallen en de precieze spoedlocaties vast te kunnen stellen. Het overzicht is aangevuld met geraamde saneringskosten en risiconiveaus. Nieuw is dat bij de bepaling van de spoedlocaties naast de verontreinigingsbron meer factoren zijn betrokken die de risico's voor de mens bepalen: de manier waarop de bodem wordt gebruikt (huisvesting, industrie, volkstuinen, enzovoort) en de kans op verspreiding van de verontreiniging naar het grondwater (afhankelijk van het bodemtype) Volgens het huidige coalitieakkoord en de prioriteiten van de minister van VROM gelden een aantal gebieden (zoals de veertig wijken in de grote steden, de milieuaandachtsgebieden en de ecologische hoofdstructuur) als aandachtsgebied. Ook voor deze aandachtsgebieden zijn in dit rapport de aantallen locaties bepaald. Er is onderzocht of op de uitvoeringskosten kan worden bespaard door grondwatersaneringen of beheermaatregelen op nabijgelegen locaties te combineren. Het RIVM beveelt aan deze insteek verder te ontwikkelen.This report gives an improved overview of the inventory of the National list of polluted sites and the estimated numbers of sites with polluted soil and emergency sites in The Netherlands. RIVM estimates that The Netherlands has 6500-7500 sites with emergent need of remediation. It will take some years to determine the exact numbers and locations of the emergency sites on the basis of site investigations. The review is completed with estimated remediation costs and risk levels. A new aspect in the estimation of emergency sites is that beside the source of contamination, the land use (housing industry, gardening, etcetera) and the possible dispersion to groundwater (dependent on soil type) have been taken into account. According to the current government coalition agreement and priorities of the Minister of VROM (Physical Planning, Housing and the Environment) a number of areas has been appointed as areas with special attention (for instance the forty appointed city districts, the areas with environmental priorities, the main ecological structure). The number of sites is also set for these areas. The spatial distribution of the pollution has been examined to group sites for combined groundwater cleaning or soil risk management. RIVM recommends continuing on this track.VROM/LM

Onderzoek naar de herkomst van gesignaleerde hoge CS2 gehaltes van monsters rivierwater uit de Drentsche Aa en daaruit bereid drinkwater, genomen door milieulaboratorium de Punt in de periode 12-14 April 1989

Some problems arose with respect to a suspected contamination with CS2 forming pesticides (dithiocarbamates) of water from the river Drentsche Aa and drinking-water prepared from this source in the period from april 12 to 14 1989. A team of analytical experts from KIWA (Nieuwegein, The Netherlands) and RIVM investigated the analytical procedure as was followed by the laboratoryu of the drinking-water company. On the bases of an evaluation and a visit of the investigating scientists it was concluded that: 1) The drinking-water delivered in the period from 12-14 april 1990 by GWG was free of dithiocarbamates. 2) The levels of CS2 found in the samples were inflicted by the rubber septa used on the sample bottles.<br