Cigarette butts : A small but hazardous waste, according to European regulation

The emergence of companies collecting cigarette butts (CB) leads to a new waste stream, exclusively made of butts, whereas they were previously mixed with household and municipal waste. In order to conclude on the classification of this new stream, according to the Waste Framework Directive, three cigarette butts samples were analyzed and submitted to ecotoxicological tests. Hazard properties HP 4 (irritant – skin irritation and eye damage), HP 5 (specific target organ toxicity/aspiration toxicity), HP 6 (acute toxicity), HP 7 (carcinogenic), HP 8 (corrosive), HP 10 (toxic for reproduction), HP 11 (mutagenic) and HP 13 (sensitising) have been assessed by calculation, thanks to the analytical results. HP 14 (ecotoxic) has been evaluated both through calculation method and ecotoxicity tests. Even if the obtained mass balance was not complete, it was still sufficient to classify by calculation CB as hazardous waste, by HP 6 (toxicity), mainly due to their nicotine content. A classification by HP 14 (ecotoxicity) was also determined but only by ecotoxicological tests results, whatever the applied framework (French or “harmonized” test battery). These results highlight the limitation of the classification methodology adopted by European Council which necessitates to identify all compounds to perform a full detailed assessment

Analyse d’impuretés dans le biogaz et le biométhane

Biogas production is now a recognized process for treating waste and converting it into energy. Biogas is a mixture of mainly methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). However, many by-products, in particular volatile organic compounds (VOCs), can potentially be produced during the production of biogas. Therefore, before being used as fuel, biogas quality needs to be improved as some by-products may be harmful to infrastructure or represent a health risk. The draft standards for biomethane (purified biogas) intended to be injected into the natural gas networks (prEN 16723-1) and to be used as vehicle fuel (prEN 16723-2) set requirements for a large number of parameters including the content of impurities. Before these specifications can be implemented, reliable sampling and analysis methods must be developed and validated for each parameter. The European project EMPIR ENG 54 "Metrology for biogas" aimed to evaluate the metrological aspects in terms of sampling, stability and analysis of certain organic biogas residues. As part of this project, Ineris has particularly contributed to the studies on BTEX and halogenated hydrocarbons as well as the constitution of guides on sampling methods and storage of samples before analysis. Sampling with adsorbent tubes coupled were evaluated with analysis by gas chromatography/ionization flame and mass spectrometry detectors were evaluated for both family of substances. For BTEX, sampling and short-term storage were determined adequate using Carbotrap 300. This sorbent was also suited for halogenated hydrocarbons but larger variabilities were observed for these compounds. Evaluation of suitable analytical methods for measuring impurities in biogas is continuing through a follow up project EMRP 16ENG05 “Metrology for biomethane”.Avec environ 17 000 usines de biogaz en Europe, la production de biogaz est désormais un procédé reconnu pour traiter les déchets et les transformer en énergie. Le biogaz est un mélange principalement de méthane (CH4) et de dioxyde de carbone (CO2). De nombreux sous-produits peuvent cependant être potentiellement générés lors de la fabrication du biogaz (composés soufrés comme le sulfure d’hydrogène ou les mercaptans, azotés comme l’ammoniac, les terpènes, les siloxanes, les hydrocarbures halogénés, les cétones, les alcools et les esters). Par conséquent, avant d’être utilisé en tant que combustible, le biogaz doit être amélioré et sa qualité contrôlée, car ces sous-produits peuvent être nuisibles pour les infrastructures (corrosion) ou représenter un risque sanitaire

Octavius : Establishment of guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding sampling and analyses for the monitoring of pollutants emitted in CCS process liquid and atmospheric matrices

International audienceWithin OCTAVIUS EU FP7 SP1 subproject, a work package has been dedicated to the promotion of guidelines for the measurement of regulated pollutants (SO2, NOx, aldehydes, CO, CO2, etc) and nitrogenous compounds (amines, nitrosamines, amides, etc) in the three matrices generated by CO2 capture processes using amine based solvents i.e atmospheric emissions, wash water liquid wastes and circulating solvent. Processes of post combustion CO2 capture using amine based solvents are indeed likely to generate, and emit, not only common pollutants, but also nitrogenous compounds whose effects on environment and human health may not be negligible. It is of primary importance to be able to measure those compounds using a reliable and accurate methodology. The guidelines have been delivered under the form of standard operating procedures (SOPs) which consist in recommendation in terms of sampling methods, samples storage, sample preparation and analyses. They are based on a review of existing standards, international literature and feedback from Octavius partners involved in such measurements, as well as evaluation tests performed on site and round robins on analytical methods

Characterisation of size distribution and chemical composition of nanoparticles in the emissions and ambient air around waste incineration plants

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Toxicity of fluorescent tracers and their degradation byproducts

Tracer tests are frequently used to delineate catchment area of water supply springs in karstic zones. In the karstic chalk of Normandy, the main tracers used are fluorescent: uranine, sulforhodamine B, naphtionate, and Tinopal®. In this area, a statistical analysis shows that less than half of the injected tracers joins the monitored restitution points and enters the drinking water system where they undergo chlorination. Most of the injected tracers is absorbed in the rock matrix or is thrown out of the aquifer via karstic springs: then it can join superficial waters where it is degraded due to the sun and air action. The paper presents firstly the laboratory degradation of a first batch of fluorescent tracers in contact with chlorine, in order to simulate their passage through a water treatment system for human consumption. A second batch of the same tracers is subjected to agents of natural degradation: ultraviolet illumination, sunlight and air sparging. Most tracers is degraded, and toxicity and ecotoxicity tests (on rats, daphniae and algae) are performed on degradation byproducts. These tests do not show any acute toxicity but a low to moderate ecotoxicity. In conclusion, the most used fluorescent tracers of the Normandy karstic chalk and their artificial and natural degradation byproducts do not exhibit significant toxicity to humans and the aquatic environment, at the concentrations generally noted at the restitution points

Impacts des opérations de dragage de sédiments continentaux sur la qualité physicochimique des milieux aquatiques: Participation à une campagne exploratoire de mesure de l’impact d’un dragage mécanique (substances d’intérêt émergent sur le canal de Lens, 2010)

Ce rapport présente la participation de l’INERIS à une campagne exploratoire de mesure d’impact d’un dragage mécanique, en l’occurrence sur le canal de Lens en 2010. En lien avec l’action n°23 de la convention ONEMA-INERIS 2010, cette étude est réalisée dans le cadre du projet Interreg GeDSeT (Gestion Durable des Sédiments transfrontaliers) sous le pilotage de l’Ecole des Mines de Douai et en partenariat avec les Voies Navigables de France VNF, maître d’ouvrage. La campagne a porté sur trois volets :- Qualité physico-chimique des milieux aquatiques, polluants classiques : métaux, HAP, PCB, volet réalisé par l’Ecole des Mines de Douai ;- Qualité physico-chimique des milieux aquatiques, paramètres physico-chimiques (pH, Eh, MES, NH4+, NO3-,…) et quelques polluants prioritaires au sens de la Directive Cadre sur l’Eau ou contaminants d’intérêt émergent : polybromodiphényléthers (PBDE), Di-(2-éthylhexyl)phtalate (DEHP) et Alkylphénols dont le Bisphénol A, volet réalisé par l’INERIS ;- Etat des écosystèmes et suivi écotoxicologique, volet réalisé par l’Institut Scientifique des Services Publics (ISSeP) de Wallonie…

Preservation of parabens in water samples

Parabens are preservatives widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food products due to their antibacterial and antifungal activity. Their ubiquity in surface water and their potential adverse effects on human health and environment led to their inclusion into the French monitoring programme of aquatic environment. In order to help the laboratories improving their analytical skills regarding these chemicals, BIPEA organises since November 2016 proficiency testing schemes (PTS) according to ISO 17043 [1] for the quantification of butyl-, ethyl-, methyl- and propylparaben in freshwater. Parabens degradability in water by hydrolysis and photolysis raises the issue of their stability throughout the PT, especially for the samples with long delivery time or laboratories unable to perform their analyses at reception. In order to meet PT samples homogeneity and stability requirements, BIPEA conducted a comparative study on sample preservation by ascorbic acid and nitric acid. It included (i) an experimental PT for which parabens-spiked samples were proposed to the laboratories with each preservation agent separately, and (ii) a dedicated homogeneity and stability study performed by the French National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks (INERIS). Overall preservation with nitric acid implied less dispersed results and closer to the spiking concentrations, especially for methylparaben, and a greater stability over time