Pythagoras project: Development of an innovative training package on Indoor Environment Quality

The aim of the Pythagoras project is the development and assessment of Greek national training material in the sector of indoor environmental quality. The need for education in this specific sector is dictated by the significant indoor environment deterioration and associated health hazards, which are caused by low ventilation levels, combined with the use of many modern building materials that aggravate pollutants emissions. Early in the project, a review is undertaken of the international literature and the syllabuses of foreign research and educational institutions active in indoor environment quality issues. At the same time, the requirements of the Greek educational and broader society, related to issues of indoor pollution and health, are determined. A training methodology is consequently developed, with the objective to optimally cover all the parameters associated with the indoor environment quality, for trainees of various disciplines. The training material is produced both in printed (book) and integrated electronic (e-learning) format. Additionally, four seminars are organized covering the respective sections of the training package. The training package is being assessed both by the trainees but also by international experts in the sector of indoor environment quality

Electricity generation using wind energy conversion systems in the area of Western Greece

Weibull parameters estimated by three different methods at four weather stations in the area of central Western Greece were used to estimate wind power potential in this area. A linear correlation was observed between the above mentioned parameters and the measured mean wind speed values. Additionally, analysis of the "unit energy cost", being the specific cost per kilowatt hour, obtained for several wind turbines at different hub heights has been conducted for every station. Our analysis demonstrated that it is possible to profit from electricity generation in Missolonghi and Aktio, especially if larger wind turbines are to be used. The specific cost per kW h decreases as wind turbine size increases for comparable systems made by the same manufacturer with similar performance but with different rated power (size). The observed correlation between these parameters is hyperbolic with the greater decreasing rate in the less windy sites. Moreover, the cost per kilowatt hour increases with hub height due to the increasing tower cost. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Inorganic tin compounds do not induce micronuclei in human lymphocytes in the absence of metabolic activation

The genotoxic evaluation (in vitro analysis) of a series of eight inorganic tin(II) and tin(IV) compounds [tin(II) acetate, tin(II) chloride, tin(II) ethylhexanoate, tin(II) oxalate, tin(II) oxide, tin(IV) acetate, tin(IV) chloride and tin(IV) oxide], for the detection of micronuclei in human blood lymphocytes, was performed in the absence of metabolic activation by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. Human lymphocytes were treated for over one cell cycle (31 hours), with concentrations ranging from 1 to 75μM (1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 75μM), of tin(II) and tin(IV) salts dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide. The above-listed concentrations cover the values that have been detected in humans with no occupational exposure to tin compounds. The experimental results show the absence of genotoxicity for all inorganic compounds tested in the specific concentrations and experimental conditions. Cytotoxic effects of tin(II) and tin(IV) compounds were evaluated by the determination of cytokinesis block proliferation index and cytotoxicity percentage. Our observations on the cytotoxicity pattern of the tested tin(II) and tin(IV) compounds indicate that they are cytotoxic in several tested concentrations to human lymphocytes treated in vitro. The observed differences in cytotoxicity of each tested compound might reflect differences in their chemical structure. © 2014 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted

Genotoxic evaluation of newly synthesized organometallic compounds of tin

The genotoxic effects of organometallic tin(II) and tin(IV) complexes namely LOEtSnCl (5), L*OEtSnCl (6), LOEtSnPh3 (7), L*OEtSnPh3 (8), incorporating the oxygen tripodal ligands [(η5-C5R5)Co{P(OEt)2O}3]-, {R = H, (LOEt-) (3); R = Me (L*OEt-) (4)} (Klaui type ligands), were investigated using the Cytokinesis Block Micronucleus assay in human lymphocytes cultures. For comparison the precursors NaLOEt (3), NaL*OEt (4), SnCl2•2H2O (1) and Ph3SnCl (2), were also studied. Statistically significant differences in comparison with the control in the micronuclei frequencies were seen at the concentrations: 75 μM for complex (5), 50 μM for complex (6), 20, 50, 75 μM for complex (8). No statistically significant differences were observed between controls and all the rest tested concentrations for all chemicals examined. The cytotoxic effect was evaluated by the Cytokinesis Block Proliferation Index. Regarding this index, the precursor (1) is not cytotoxic at all tested concentrations. Complexes (3), (4) and (5) induced cytotoxicity at the concentrations of 20, 50 and 75 μM, while complexes (6) and (8) were cytotoxic at all tested concentrations. Complex (7) was cytotoxic at 5, 10 and 20 μM but extremely toxic at 50 and 75 μM. Finally complex (2) was extremely toxic at all tested concentrations except at 1 μM. © 2015 Global NEST Printed in Greece. All rights reserved

On the green roof system. Selection, state of the art and energy potential investigation of a system installed in an office building in Athens, Greece

A detailed and integrated presentation of the green roof systems is provided in the present paper. Aiming to analyse a specific urban case study, we describe the basic architectural and scientific principles that characterize its performance and efficiency. Furthermore, a state of the art presentation of the system is provided, including the presentation of several case studies as well as a selection and description of plants that usually are extensively used in the green roof system all over the world. Energy and environmental investigation data of the green roof system performance in an office building located in the greater Athens area are provided. The energy efficiency was examined by calculating the energy savings through an accurate dynamic mathematical model. The thermal performance investigation showed a significant reduction of the building's cooling load during the summer period arriving at approximately 40%. Moreover, the influence of the green roof system in the building's heating load was fount insignificant, and this can be regarded as a great advantage of the system as any interference in the building shell for the reduction of cooling load leads usually to an increase of its heating load. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Evaluation of the genetic damage to workers in a Greek shipyard

Shipyards are industrial areas where workers are likely exposed to environmental pollutants such as welding fumes, fine organic solvent and dye dust, that render the occupational environment a high risk one. Assessing the risk that workers are exposed to is a high critical factor in improving their working conditions. The present study aims to investigate the potential genetic damage to workers exposed to a harsh environment in a Greek shipyard. It is focused on assessing the percentage of induced micronuclei, as well as on changes in the various cell types of shipyard workers’ oral mucosa epithelium by implementing the buccal micronucleus cytome assay. Exposed workers appeared with statistically significant induced micronuclei as compared to office employees. Statistically, significant cell lesions were detected and are related to workers’ exposure to environmental conditions. The workers’ smoking habit contributed as well to the observed buccal epithelial cell alterations. The observed data signify the high-risk workers are exposed; resulting in the shipyard’s management the need to implement measures improving the working environment conditions and to reevaluate the workers’ personal protective equipment requirements. ©️ 2022 National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

Training for the Indoor Environmental Quality

The aim of the specific paper is to present the methodology followed for the development of a training package in the field of indoor environmental quality. The need for education in this specific sector is dictated by the significant indoor environment problem and associated health hazards as these become evident through a series of studies and measurements. A training methodology is developed and the overall training material is structured in thirteen modules covering all the parameters associated with the indoor environment quality, for trainees of various disciplines. The training modules were evaluated through questionnaires distributed in the framework of indoor environmental quality seminarsJRC.I.2-Chemical assessment and testin

Pythagoras project: Development of an innovative training package on indoor environment quality

Summarization: The aim of the Pythagoras project is the development and assessment of greek national training material in the sector of indoor environmental quality. The need for education in this specific sector is dictated by the significant indoor environment deterioration and associated health hazards, which are caused by low ventilation levels, combined with the use of many modern building materials that aggravate pollutants emissions. Early in the project, a review is undertaken of the international literature and the syllabuses of foreign research and educational institutions active in indoor environment quality issues. At the same time, the requirements of the greek educational and broader society, related to issues of indoor pollution and health, are determined. A training methodology is consequently developed, with the objective to optimally cover all the parameters associated with the indoor environment quality, for trainees of various disciplines. The training material is produced both in printed (book) and integrated electronic (e-learning) format. Additionally, four seminars are organized covering the respective sections of the training package. The training package is being assessed both by the trainees but also by international experts in the sector of indoor environment quality.Presented on