Reciclaje de baterías de plomo ácido en Costa Rica: un estudio de caso

This work describes the production of secondary lead in a smelter located in Costa Rica. The only input of the plant is scrap automotive batteries. We describe the environmental management strategies used for waste minimization, including the waste characterization and minimization of gaseous emissions. The waste characterization included the sulphidic slag containing varying quantities of lead (total lead content and TCLP), along with the gaseous analysis (SO2, TSP and P-Pb). Through process improvement, we reduced both the quantity of slag produced and the lead loss to the slag, as well as the concentrations of gas pollutants in the gaseous emissions.Este trabajo describe la producción de plomo secundario en una fundición ubicada en Costa Rica. El único insumo de la planta son las baterías de automóviles de desecho. Nosotros describir las estrategias de gestión ambiental utilizadas para la minimización de residuos, incluyendo la caracterización de residuos y minimización de emisiones gaseosas. los la caracterización de residuos incluyó la escoria sulfídica que contiene cantidades variables de plomo (contenido total de plomo y TCLP), junto con el análisis gaseoso (SO2, TSP y P-Pb). A través de la mejora del proceso, redujimos tanto la cantidad de escoria producido y la pérdida de plomo a la escoria, así como las concentraciones de gas contaminantes en las emisiones gaseosasUniversidad Nacional, Costa RicaEscuela de Químic

Exploring the cost-effectiveness of high versus low perioperative fraction of inspired oxygen in the prevention of surgical site infections among abdominal surgery patients in three low- and middle-income countries

Background: This study assessed the potential cost-effectiveness of high (80–100%) vs low (21–35%) fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) at preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) after abdominal surgery in Nigeria, India, and South Africa. Methods: Decision-analytic models were constructed using best available evidence sourced from unbundled data of an ongoing pilot trial assessing the effectiveness of high FiO2, published literature, and a cost survey in Nigeria, India, and South Africa. Effectiveness was measured as percentage of SSIs at 30 days after surgery, a healthcare perspective was adopted, and costs were reported in US dollars ($). Results: High FiO2 may be cost-effective (cheaper and effective). In Nigeria, the average cost for high FiO2 was$216 compared with $222 for low FiO2 leading to a −$6 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −$13 to −$1) difference in costs. In India, the average cost for high FiO2 was $184 compared with$195 for low FiO2 leading to a −$11 (95$15 to −$6) difference in costs. In South Africa, the average cost for high FiO2 was$1164 compared with $1257 for low FiO2 leading to a −$93 (95% CI: −$132 to −$65) difference in costs. The high FiO2 arm had few SSIs, 7.33% compared with 8.38% for low FiO2, leading to a −1.05 (95% CI: −1.14 to −0.90) percentage point reduction in SSIs. Conclusion: High FiO2 could be cost-effective at preventing SSIs in the three countries but further data from large clinical trials are required to confirm this