Simultaneous sampling of vapor and particle-phase carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on functionalized glass fiber filters

The sampling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere is often performed on filters, which retain only aerosol particles, disregarding the vapor fraction; after the filter, an adsorbent (e.g., polyurethane foam, PUF, or styrene/divinylbenzene, XAD) is sometimes used for sampling vapors not retained from the filter. However, the use of an adsorbent may lead to many disadvantages: contaminations, analysis time and costs, and size problems when developing automated or personal samplers. In this work, a functionalized glass fiber filter for the simultaneous sampling of aerosol particles and vapor fraction is presented for the sampling of PAHs in air. A low sampling efficiency was observed for 3 ring PAHs, but all carcinogenic PAHs (according to IARC) were totally retained on functionalized filters. On the other hand, a comparison with normal filter sampling was performed, and results obtained confirm that > 10% of benzo(a)pyrene can be lost from normal filters. Together with size reduction, another advantage of the functionalized filter is an enhancement in the extraction and purification recovery. © Taiwan Association for Aerosol Research

Carbon Dioxide Removal with Tuff: Experimental Measurement of Adsorption Properties and Breakthrough Modeling Using CFD Approach

Abstract This work presents the study of tuff as an alternative material for CO 2 capturing and removal by pressure swing adsorption techniques. Tuff represents an economic and environmentally sustainable alternative to commonly-used synthetic zeolites. The proposed methodology includes a laboratory characterization of the CO 2 adsorption process under different operative conditions and experimental layouts. Measured data are also used to setup computational fluid dynamics simulations of the fixed-bed adsorption column. Results can be used to define optimal design parameters needed to implement and to improve different applications for biogas upgrading (CO 2 /CH 4 ratio adjustment) or carbon capture and storage

Trends in social acceptance of renewable energy across Europe. A literature review

Social acceptance has proven to be a significant barrier in the implementation of renewable energy systems (hereinafter "RES"). While a general acceptance of RES is high, low local acceptance has hindered the development of renewable energy projects (hereinafter "REP"). This study assesses the determinants of local and general social acceptance of REP across Europe through a qualitative analysis from 25 case studies of the most significant social drivers and barriers that include all European countries. These case studies contain qualitative and quantitative analyses of the main factors for social acceptance of many representative groups including residents, stakeholders, and experts. Understanding the influences of social acceptance enables us to create strategies that will promote the development of REP by mitigating any public opposition

Assessment of energy, mobility, waste, and water management on Italian small islands

Small islands are recognized for their vulnerability to climate change. In this context, mitigation and adaptation policies are needed, but the ecological transition must be based on data. This study aims to assess the level of sustainability reached by 26 of the inhabited Italian small islands; it collects and analyzes the data and initiatives on the energy, mobility, waste, and water sectors and discusses the islands’ steps toward sustainability. The findings show that 18 of the 26 islands are not interconnected with the national grid and that the renewable sources cover less than 5% of the energy demand on 25 of the 26 islands. The number per capita of private vehicles reaches 90 cars per 100 inhabitants on three islands. The average of the separate collection of waste on the islands is 52%, which is far from the minimum recommended threshold of 65%. Pipelines or tankers on 17 of the 26 islands guarantee the water supply, and desalination plants are still not the rule, while the presence of wastewater treatment has been detected on 12 islands, and it often provides only partial treatment. An ambitious multi-stakeholder sustainability plan for each island should be developed to overcome the typical barriers of the island and to increase the building capacity in order to use economic incentives for that goal

A real opportunity to modify cardiovascular risk through primary care and prevention: A pilot study

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a major threat to health and primary prevention outstands as the most effective instrument to face this issue, addressing multiple risk factors at a time and influencing behavioral patterns. Community nurses have been involved in many interdisciplinary prevention activities, resulting in effective control of CV risk factors. We conducted a pilot study aiming at describing the impact on the CV risk profile of an 18-month interdisciplinary intervention on lifestyle habits. From September 2018 to May 2020, four general practitioners (GPs) working in the Roman neighborhood of Torresina recruited patients having a cardiovascular risk score (CRS) equal to or higher than 3% and lower than 20%; those patients were included in a nutritional, physical, and psychological counseling program. Assessments of patients' health status were led at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months by a nutritionist, a physiotherapist, a psychologist, their GPs, and a community nurse. The CRS was estimated at every examination, based on the Italian Progetto Cuore algorithm. A total of 76 patients were included (mean age of 54.6 years; 33 men and 43 women). Mean CRS showed a significant reduction between baseline and 12 months (from 4.9 to 3.8); both total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly decreased at 6 months of follow-up (respectively, from 211.1 to 192 and from 133.1 to 123.1). Nonetheless, the reduction was later maintained only for SBP. However, during the last 6 months of the intervention, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, thus, it is not possible to know how much the results achieved at 18 months were influenced by the restrictive measures introduced by the Italian government. When stratifying according to the presence of hypertension/diabetes and physical activity, no differences in the CRS could be highlighted between the two groups. Our pilot study proved that an interdisciplinary counseling intervention program can improve CV risk profile and could be further spread to people that, according to their CRS, would benefit more from changes in lifestyles

Determinazione simultanea delle fasi particolato e gassosa di IPA aerodispersi mediante campionamento con membrane filtranti funzionalizzate

Attualmente il campionamento dei microinquinanti organici semivolatili come le PCDD/F i PCB e i PAH viene effettuato attraverso la captazione del particolato su membrane filtranti e in alcuni casi impiegando cartucce di materiale adsorbente o assorbente. I sistemi di campionamento a membrana filtrante sono molto più semplici dei metodi che coinvolgono anche l'impiego di cartucce idonee alla captazione della frazione volatile degli analiti. Infatti i sistemi per la determinazione del particolato vengono spesso automatizzati e permettono il campionamento su più filtri. Campionatori che permettono il campionamento del particolato e della frazione semivolatile spesso vengono impiegati per singole misure mentre sistemi automatizzati che consentono di cambiare simultaneamente i filtri e le cartucce sono assai rari da incontrare per la elevata complessità e l’elevato costo. Poiché la frazione semivolatile degli analiti che viene persa con l’utilizzo delle sole membrane filtranti non è prevedibile, un corretto campionamento prevede l’utilizzo dei due sistemi in serie o in parallelo; in questo modo comunque si aumentano sia i costi che la complessità delle analisi, con conseguente possibilità di errori. Si stanno pertanto sperimentando membrane funzionalizzate al fine di campionare in un unico stadio sia gli inquinanti in fase particellare che in fase vapore; i primi risultati ottenuti sono molto incoraggianti, sia in termini di semplificazione del campionamento che riguardo alle modalità delle successive fasi di trattamento ed analisi dei campioni raccolti

Liquefied biomethane for heavy-duty transport in Italy. A well-to-wheels approach

While environmental benefits of biofuels in general are well known, the impact of liquefaction and carbon capture to the biomethane production chains are yet to be explored. Hence, a well-to-wheels (WtW) analysis of liquified biomethane (bio-LNG, or LBM) production chains was performed; Italy was chosen as case study, having more than 25% of EU methane refuelling stations. Despite increased emissions from the liquefaction process, LBM reaches a negative impact of −572 gCO2eq/km, as it addresses transport emissions and agricultural waste management at the same time. Nitrous oxides (NOx) emissions for biomethane and fossil fuels are mostly similar, as fuel combustion in the vehicle engine is a predominant source of NOx emissions compared to fuel production. The most intensive processes contributing to climate change were biomethane upgrading and liquefaction. Small-scale CO2 capture can provide additional GHG emissions reductions by 7.55 gCO2eq/MJ although this process is also more NOx-intensive compared to other production steps

Healthcare students and their knowledge of healthcare-associated infections.

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of medical (MS) and nursing (NS) students about prevention of the HCAIs and to detect differences between these two groups. It was the pilot study of a national investigation and was performed administering a questionnaire including 6 multiple choice questions concerning 3 areas: standard precautions (SP), hand hygiene (HH) and nosocomial infections (NI). One hundred and seventeen students, 89 MS and 28 NS, were included in the study. Mean overall score (+/- SD) was 17.63 (+/- 3.8), on an overall perfect score achievable of 25. Mean score obtained by NS (18.5 +/- 3.3) was better than the one achieved by MS (17.4 +/- 3.9), even if the difference wasn't statistically significant. Stratifying the score in the three specific areas, healthcare students obtained weighed scores (+/- SD) of 6.74 (+/- 1.61) for SP, 4.7 (+/- 1.5) for HH and 4.51 (+/- 1.71) for NI. Knowledge level concerning HH area was different between medical students and nursing students (p = 0.013), in favour of the latter. According to correct answers rate, healthcare students properly know how and what kind of personal medical devices are to be used, while they show a lack of knowledge about hand hygiene. This pilot-study underlines the importance of the assessment of teaching effectiveness, and it stresses the need to critically review some specific contents of healthcare university courses

Progettazione di database georiferito a scala provinciale per la tutela ambientale

Il lavoro presentato in questo articolo ha avuto come obiettivo la realizzazione di una copertura vettoriale georiferita in ambiente GIS, per la localizzazione dei punti di prelievo (pozzi) e di scarico delle acque sul territorio della Provincia di Roma, secondo quanto previsto dal D.Lgs. 152/2006 e dal Piano di Tutela delle Acque della Regione Lazio. A seguito della localizzazione di tali siti idrici si é potuta avviare la progettazione di un database georiferito su scala provinciale da cui ricavare conseguentemente la cartografia tematica numerica per l’intero territorio provinciale e regionale. L’intero progetto è stato implementato in un software open source che come sistema di riferimento spaziale utilizza il nuovo sistema di riferimento geodetico nazionale come previsto dalle recenti normative in merito. Sono evidenti i vantaggi che l’Amministrazione per i suoi scopi di tutela e studio avrà nel disporre di una cartografia aggiornata e ufficiale in tale sistema cartografico, in quanto tutti i dati sul territorio di competenza rilevati tramite GPS potranno essere direttamente inseriti in carta senza ulteriori trasformazioni. La prima fase di lavoro ha riguardato l'utilizzo del GIS al fine di esaminare i dati esistenti, riferiti alle autorizzazioni degli scarichi tanto urbani quanto industriali. La successiva fase di lavoro ha riguardato la creazione di un database su scala provinciale georiferito per la tutela ambientale utilizzando come supporto cartografico un software open source (QGIS) che è un “Software libero”, scaricabile gratuitamente, ed adattabile alle specifiche applicazioni.