The opinions of nurses regarding low adherence to standard precautions to prevent healthcare acquired infections

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nursing Johannesburg, 2018.The purpose of this study was to explore the opinions of nurses as to why there was a low adherence to standard precautions (SP) of infection control , ways in which adherence might be improved and to make some suggestions to the Infection Prevention and Control policies and practice at an academic hospital. This study used a qualitative exploratory design. The population comprised of all Registered nurses (RNs) and Enrolled nurses working in the postnatal ward, general paediatric ward, medical ward, general surgical ward and general wards. Purposive sampling was used and the sample size was 28 (n = 28) .The self-administered narrative sketches were used as the data collection tool. This study employed directed content analysis in which the findings of the study were grouped independently and compared to findings of previous studies. The participants reaffirmed poor basic training, risk behaviours, inadequate provision of equipment and protective equipment and inappropriate work conditions as reasons for low adherence to Standard Precautions among nurses. Lack of skills and knowledge regarding standard precautions can lead to non-adherence. Behavioural and cognitive skills of individuals were associated with the low adherence to Standard Precautions. The study found that insufficient supply of resources, use of uncomfortable personal protective equipment, excessive workload, lack of time, high numbers of patients and shortage of nurses, all contribute to non-adherence to standard precautions among nurses. The findings of the study do not support unawareness of the importance of standard precautions as a reason for low adherence to SPs. Most participants felt that the level of adherence to standard precautions among nurses was satisfactory. Nurses recommended continuous education, regular audits, motivation, increasing numbers continuous support visits and use of reminders. Recommendations to the policies of Infection Control at the hospital include continuing professional development/education, regular supply of Personal Protective Equipment, Institutional strategies to change risk behaviours, management support. Further research should be conducted to examine strategies to address barriers found in this study.LG201

The Generation, Composition, Collection, Treatment and Disposal System, and Impact of E-Waste

The problem of e-waste has forced governments of many countries to develop and implement environmentally sound management practices and collection schemes for E-waste management, with a view to minimize environmental impacts and maximize re-use, recovery and recycling of valuable materials. In developed countries, e-waste management is given high priority countries, while in developing countries, it is exacerbated by completely adopting or replicating the e-waste management of developed countries and several problems including, lack of investment, technological, financial, technically skilled human resources, lack of infrastructure, little available information on the e-waste situation, recovery of valuable materials in small workshops using rudimentary recycling methods, lack of awareness on the impacts of e-waste, absence of appropriate legislations specifically dealing with e-waste, approach and inadequate description of the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and institutions involved in e-waste management, etc. This chapter provides the definition of e-waste, and presents information on generation of –andcomposition of e-waste, collection, treatment, and disposal systems. It also discusses the overview of e-waste collection schemes in different parts of the world with regional focus, and the best current practices in WEEE management applied indeveloped and developing countries. It outlines the illegal e-waste trade and illegal waste disposal practices associated with e-waste fraction. In this chapter, the terms “WEEE” and “E-waste” are used synonymously and in accordance to the EU, WEEE Directive

Enhanced uptake of water by oxidatively processed oleic acid

International audienceA quartz crystal microbalance apparatus has been used to measure the room temperature uptake of water vapour by thin films of oleic acid as a function of relative humidity, both before and following exposure of the films to various partial pressures of gas phase ozone. A rapid increase in the water-sorbing ability of the film is observed as its exposure to ozone is increased, followed by a plateau region in which additional water is taken up more gradually. In this fully-processed region the mass of water taken up by the film is about 4 times that of the unprocessed film. Infrared spectra of the films, measured after variable exposures to ozone, show dramatic increases in both the "free" and hydrogen-bonded O-H stretching regions, and a decrease in the intensity of olefinic features. These results are consistent with the formation of an oxygenated polymeric product or products, as well as the gas phase products previously identified

The Management of Hazardous Waste in Developing Countries

This book chapter discusses the management of hazardous waste in developing countries, with particular emphasis on industrial hazardous waste, medical waste, and household hazardous waste. It seeks to identify the current situation and also aims to provide a review of the existing strategies that are particularly related to hazardous waste management. In developing countries, hazardous waste management systems lack a systematic approach to administer waste management programmes; inability to effectively collect and manage wastes as well as to reduce the negative impacts of those activities. The current regulatory frameworks and regulations do not adequately address hazardous waste treatment and final disposal. There are inadequacies in the implementation of regulations associated with hazardous waste management due to fragmented responsibilities among government departments and local authorities. The chapter provides practical best processes for the management of hazardous waste aimed at improving the current situation

Biodegradation of 2, 4, 6- Trinitrotoluene (TNT) in Contaminated Soil and Microbial Remediation Options for Treatment

This review paper provides a critical examination on current microbial biodegradation of 2, 4, 6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its metabolites in soil, with focus on: (i) extent of biological degradation of TNT and its metabolites in soil, (ii) factors affecting the TNT transformations, and (iii) microbial bioremediation technologies , and related challenges. This was carried out through an extensive examination of relevant published literature on the topic. The review paper found that the detoxification of TNT contaminated sites by microorganisms based- technologies have been employed but TNT has been proven to resist biological mineralization and undergo biotransformations, leading to immobilization of toxic and unstable transformation products. TNT mineralization is however achievable, but scientific studies are far away from attaining the best desired in situ bioremediation practices and much remains to be delineated. We provide future research directions to design effective bioremediation technologies for solving the problems of TNT and minimize environmental impacts.

Conversion of Iodide to Hypoiodous Acid and Iodine in Aqueous Microdroplets Exposed to Ozone

Halides are incorporated into aerosol sea spray, where they start the catalytic destruction of ozone (O3) over the oceans and affect the global troposphere. Two intriguing environmental problems undergoing continuous research are (1) to understand how reactive gas phase molecular halogens are directly produced from inorganic halides exposed to O3 and (2) to constrain the environmental factors that control this interfacial process. This paper presents a laboratory study of the reaction of O3 at variable iodide (I–) concentration (0.010–100 μM) for solutions aerosolized at 25 °C, which reveal remarkable differences in the reaction intermediates and products expected in sea spray for low tropospheric [O3]. The ultrafast oxidation of I– by O3 at the air–water interface of microdroplets is evidenced by the appearance of hypoiodous acid (HIO), iodite (IO2–), iodate (IO3–), triiodide (I3–), and molecular iodine (I2). Mass spectrometry measurements reveal an enhancement (up to 28%) in the dissolution of gaseous O3 at the gas–liquid interface when increasing the concentration of NaI or NaBr from 0.010 to 100 μM. The production of iodine species such as HIO and I2 from NaI aerosolized solutions exposed to 50 ppbv O3 can occur at the air–water interface of sea spray, followed by their transfer to the gas-phase, where they contribute to the loss of tropospheric ozone

Chemical reactivity and long-range transport potential of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – a review

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of considerable concern due to their well-recognised toxicity and especially due to the carcinogenic hazard which they present. PAHs are semi-volatile and therefore partition between vapour and condensed phases in the atmosphere and both the vapour and particulate forms undergo chemical reactions. This article briefly reviews the current understanding of vapour-particle partitioning of PAHs and the PAH deposition processes, and in greater detail, their chemical reactions. PAHs are reactive towards a number of atmospheric oxidants, most notably the hydroxyl radical, ozone, the nitrate radical (NO3) and nitrogen dioxide. Rate coefficient data are reviewed for reactions of lower molecular weight PAH vapour with these species as well as for heterogeneous reactions of higher molecular weight compounds. Whereas the data for reactions of the 2-3-ring PAH vapour are quite extensive and generally consistent, such data are mostly lacking for the 4-ring PAHs and the heterogeneous rate data (5 and more rings), which are dependent on the substrate type and reaction conditions, are less comprehensive. The atmospheric reactions of PAH lead to the formation of oxy and nitro derivatives, reviewed here, too. Finally, the capacity of PAHs for long range transport and the results of numerical model studies are described. Research needs are identified