Nano risk evaluation in laboratory environment by a customized layer of protection analysis approach

Nanotechnologies are widely used in various industrial settings and by the year 2020, it is expected that nearly 20 % of all products manufactured in the world will take a certain amount of nanotechnology. However, there is a substantial imbalance of knowledge between application of nanotechnology and its impact on health and environment, also considering that nanoparticle synthesis by chemical methods assumed a key role for economic, industrial and scale-up issues. The information currently available on nanomaterial risk assessment within the workplace are limited: systematic methods for assessing exposure are not known yet and the number of workers exposed is hardly estimated. This knowledge gap imposes to the scientific community the need to join efforts to provide a shared opinion on safety, health and welfare of workers who use, manipulate, or produce nanomaterials, adopting as well preventive and protective measures proportionated to the risk according to the precautionary principle. We develop a novel framework for Nano Risk Assessment within the laboratory context, by combining LOPA and HazId techniques, assigning credit factors to specific operative procedures and safety training, suitable to mitigate risk exposure and avoid over-conservative evaluations. Conclusions are drawn on applicative results and possible direction for further implementation of the approach, in view of sustainable, healthy and safe production at research and industrial level

Cobalt-based nanoparticles synthesis in organic solvents with environmentally sound processes

A process for the synthesis of cobalt-based nanoparticles is proposed, where standard reducing agent like hydrazine, alkali metal borohydrides, hypophosphites or other toxic reducing agents have not been employed. The solvothermal reaction is carried out in organic solvents and the dimension of the nanoparticles thus obtained have been analyzed by dynamic light scattering. Cobalt nitrate proved to be an efficient precursor, in agreement with previous literature works where its suitability for analogous processes has been tested and compared with the efficiency typical of other precursors routinely used. The soundness of this method, in terms of process safety, has been checked by analyzing the formation of toxic by-products that could be formed by side-reactions between the precursor and the solvent. This work may add some more details to a discussion pertaining to the accidental formation of N-nitroso derivatives of aliphatic compounds in the presence of alkanolamines and oxides of nitrogen

New trends in the synthesis of nanoparticles by green methods

In this brief survey, we deal with green processes concerning the synthesis of zerovalent nanoparticles, enlighting some aspects motivating their choice with respect to traditional techniques generally relying upon toxic or noxious reactants and stabilizing agents. After a short discussion about health and environmental safety related to the use of standard reductants, we run through several green methods for metal nanoparticle synthesis and we split them into two basic classes, according to the electropositivity of the elements which the nanoparticles are made of. This classification has been proposed in order to account for strengths and weaknesses of processes based on active substances of biological origin that, though being effective in the production of noble metal nanoparticles, proved to be much less suitable when tested in the synthesis of nanoparticles made of more electropositive elements. The goal of this work is essentially oriented to stimulating new research trends for the eco-friendly production of nanosized non-noble elements deserving more attention by current nanobiotechnology

Infected pancreatic necrosis: outcomes and clinical predictors of mortality. A post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study

: The identification of high-risk patients in the early stages of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is critical, because it could help the clinicians to adopt more effective management strategies. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study to assess the association between clinical risk factors and mortality among adult patients with IPN. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of mortality. We identified 247 consecutive patients with IPN hospitalised between January 2019 and December 2020. History of uncontrolled arterial hypertension (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.135-15.882; aOR 4.245), qSOFA (p = 0.005; 95% CI 1.359-5.879; aOR 2.828), renal failure (p = 0.022; 95% CI 1.138-5.442; aOR 2.489), and haemodynamic failure (p = 0.018; 95% CI 1.184-5.978; aOR 2.661), were identified as independent predictors of mortality in IPN patients. Cholangitis (p = 0.003; 95% CI 1.598-9.930; aOR 3.983), abdominal compartment syndrome (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.090-6.967; aOR 2.735), and gastrointestinal/intra-abdominal bleeding (p = 0.009; 95% CI 1.286-5.712; aOR 2.710) were independently associated with the risk of mortality. Upfront open surgical necrosectomy was strongly associated with the risk of mortality (p < 0.001; 95% CI 1.912-7.442; aOR 3.772), whereas endoscopic drainage of pancreatic necrosis (p = 0.018; 95% CI 0.138-0.834; aOR 0.339) and enteral nutrition (p = 0.003; 95% CI 0.143-0.716; aOR 0.320) were found as protective factors. Organ failure, acute cholangitis, and upfront open surgical necrosectomy were the most significant predictors of mortality. Our study confirmed that, even in a subgroup of particularly ill patients such as those with IPN, upfront open surgery should be avoided as much as possible. Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (I.D. Number NCT04747990)

Analysis of accident data for the bioenergy sector based on second generation feedstocks

The false perception that the risk operating with bio-refineries, as opposed to traditional petroleum refineries is lower has led to a lack of specific safety requirements in the field of bio-energy, even when considering the fact that the major parts of these plants are small scale and are below the threshold values for the application of Seveso directives. In this context, a thorough analysis of accidents related to the production of bio-energy is here performed and, specifically, a comparison between Europe and USA. The gathered information is comprised of general data, including activity, location, type of accidents, causes, injuries and fatalities; the aim is to build a useful instrument of analysis, in order to investigate and identify the main and recurrent hazards in the area, as well as to implement risk assessment tools and become aware of the gap between Europe and America. The frequency analysis and the assessment through the use of a rapid risk matrix, confirm that a non-negligible risk profile may be attributed to bio-energy industries. Safety culture in bio-energy production is an issue of primary importance, as well as the need for extending accident investigation, looking beyond the immediate technical causes for ways of avoiding the hazards and for deficiencies in the management system

Lessons learned from environmental risk assessment within the framework of Seveso Directive in Czech Republic and Italy

Major environmental accidents prevention and risk minimization are currently two the most challenging research issues within the broad framework of sustainable development. This consideration applies to a wide range of process establishments, where the handling and production of dangerous chemicals poses a real threat for the environment for short and long term. Currently, any new establishment with the potential to create a major accident has to be carefully evaluated at the design stage and according to the changes introduced by the Seveso III Directive concerning its scope, particularly regarding substances with acute toxicity, as well as the increased requirements for public information and external emergency. This paper aims at providing experiences, knowledge, as well as new approaches to the prevention of major accidents, with impacts on the environment, driven by the implementation of the new Seveso Directive. We firstly present a statistical analysis on environmental accidents in two European Countries where completely different watery surface and sea coastline extension cause different patterns and impact in case of an accident. Subsequently, we develop a methodological approach within the Seveso framework, focused on environmental risk assessment. At last, the recognized selected methodologies are illustrated by a practical Czech case-study and the findings are used to make recommendations concerning the need of considering safety barriers and technical measures for equally protecting human health and the environment.Web of Science49604

A novel index based framework for assessing hazards of toxic and flammable gaseous releases in process plants

Generally speaking, chemicals are the main source of fire, explosion and toxicity hazards. Notwithstanding technological development, enforcement of ATEX Directives and safety management system application, hazardous releases and following toxic dispersion or explosions in the process sector still claim lives and severe economic losses. Additionally, rather moderate releases of hazardous gases under semi-confined geometry are known to present a serious risk so that there is a need in the assessment of the maximum admissible gas build-up, in connection with adverse effects. For purpose of providing comprehensive warning of the hazardous nature of the considered gas and obtaining a simplified tool, we present a simple unified approach which, starting from the chemical-physical and hazardous properties of the released gas allows estimating both asphyxiation, fire/explosion and toxic exposure hazards

Large scale carbon dioxide release: Short-cut analytical modelling and application

The ongoing development of CCS applications and installations at large scale involves the need of improving the knowledge of connected hazards resulting from accidental loss of containments, or intentional events. In fact, a massive release of CO2 can have catastrophic consequences for humans: the processes determining the hazards posed by accidental releases of CO2 from pressurized systems are complex, due to the thermodynamics of the outflow, with changes of phase, followed by the dispersion of the cold heavy gas. In this paper, we explore a peculiar scenario connected to a massive release of carbon dioxide and following accumulation driven by negative buoyancy effect under semi confined conditions, either due to low wind and natural complex orography, or to the presence of geometrical complications. The paper sets out a preliminary analytical model, developed under simplifying but conservative hypotheses, which can be conveniently adopted at least at the early stage of the evaluation process or for establishing emergency procedures defining critical distances and possible man exposure to the hazardous dose

An analytical model of carbon dioxide jet from pressurized systems for safety distance evaluation

Normative legislations relating to standards and international guidelines within the framework of carbon capture sequestration (CCS) and the transport of carbon dioxide in the actual operating conditions are still under development. The focus of the present study is the cold jet modelling, including the orientation factor, representing a scenario still partially unexplored. The framework provides by simple analytical formulae the boundaries of the jet region and air entrainment behaviour, as well as the resulting ground level hazardous concentrations to humans. The model relies on a first experimental validation of the jet phase, evidencing that the model can be applied, at least as a first cautious screening tool, for safety distance evaluation

A perspective on Seveso accident based on cause-consequences analysis by three different methods

Seveso incident happened on Saturday 10th July 1976 within the production plant of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol at the ICMESA factory represents a watershed because it gave off a specific legislation in the field of safety regarding activities subjected to Major Accident Hazards (MAH) and the handling of dangerous substances. Although the severity of the mishap, still nowadays the real cause of the accident remains, at least partially, shrouded in uncertainty and different mechanism hypotheses were proposed. These doubts could lead considering Seveso mishap as a "black swan" incident, i.e. an improbable event characterized by three peculiarities: it is not expected; it has an extreme impact; it is explainable and predictable after the fact. Further investigation appears to be essential, analyzing the available material and processing a deep analysis towards several methods, which provide different views and interpretations of the fact. To this purpose, three methods were selected: AcciMap approach; the Energy Barrier Model; the System-Theoretic Accident Model & Processes (STAMP) coupled with a dynamic approach. The last part of this work is dedicated to a specific modelling of the incident through system dynamics technique using a customized framework covering technical, human and organizational aspects