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Brandalise JN, Guidoni LLC, Martins GA, Lopes ER, Nardino M, Bobrowski VL, Nadaleti WC, da Silva FMR, Lucia T, Corrêa ÉK. Environmental implications of combustion of rice husk at high temperatures and for an extended period for energy generation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:102222-102230. [PMID: 37667116 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29588-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The most common alternative for the management and valorization of rice processing waste is the combustion of rice husk (RH) for energy generation. The environmental risk assessment of the ash generated during the combustion of the RH to obtain energy has remained understudied. Disposal of rice husk ash (RHA) on agricultural land is the most common outcome, which could pose a risk to both natural ecosystems and human health. The objective of this study was to characterize the physicochemical composition and the phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity of RHA obtained from three distinct combustion processes. The evaluation processes were 800-900 °C in up to 5 min (I), 800-900 °C in 15-20 min (II), and 600-700 °C in 15-20 min (III). Furthermore, the content, pH, and concentrations of Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, and Ti present in the ashes were determined. The germination index for two vegetable seeds was subsequently evaluated. By measuring the mitotic index and frequency of chromosomal aberrations, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were determined. It was observed that RHA produced by combustion of RH at higher combustion temperatures for an extended period exhibited different physicochemical properties, in addition to higher levels of phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucas Lourenço Castiglioni Guidoni
- PPGB, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Rua Benjamin Constant, 989, sala 200-Porto, Pelotas, RS, 96010-450, Brazil.
| | | | - Emanoelli Restane Lopes
- Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Maicon Nardino
- Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Thomaz Lucia
- Fibra, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Érico Kunde Corrêa
- NEPERS, Centro de Engenharias, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
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Debrah JK, Dinis MAP. Chemical characteristics of bottom ash from biomedical waste incinerators in Ghana. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:568. [PMID: 37058242 PMCID: PMC10102684 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11132-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Biomedical waste (BMW) incineration is the most used alternative disposal method in developing countries, such as Ghana. The improper disposal of incinerator-generated bottom ash (BA) is a significant concern due to the hazardous nature of waste. A study was conducted at Tema Hospital (TGH) and Asuogyaman Hospital (VRAH) incinerator sites. The BA samples were sent to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Institute of Industrial Research, Ghana. The BA samples were weighed with fisher analytical balance, ground, and sieved with standard grade meshes of 120, 100, and 80 to determine the BA particle size distribution. The chemical composition and heavy metals were analysed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) techniques. The results indicated the chemical composition of the analysed BA samples was CaCO3 (49.90%), CaO (27.96%) and MgCO3 (6.02%) for TGH and CaCO3 (48.30%), CaO (27.07%), and SiO2 (6.10%) for VRAH, respectively. The mean concentration (M) (kg m-3) and standard deviation (SD) for TGH in the BA were 7.082 ± 0.478 (Ti), 4.657 ± 0.127 (Zn) and 4.271 ± 1.263 (Fe), while that of VRAH consisted of 10.469 ± 1.588 (Ti), 7.896 ± 2.154 (Fe) and 4.389 ± 0.371 (Zn). Therefore, the heavy metals' mean concentration at the BA is above the WHO permissible limits of soil, i.e., 0.056 kg m-3 (Ti), 0.085 kg m-3 (Pb), 0.100 kg m-3 (Cr) and 0.036 kg m-3 (Cu). Furthermore, the heavy metal mean concentrations of TGH and VRAH present in the BA analysed samples were ranked in descending order: Ti > Zn > Fe and Ti > Fe > Zn, respectively. It is therefore recommended that BA must be properly disposed of because of the hazardous nature of heavy metals present in the analysed samples, which are able to cause environmental and public health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justice Kofi Debrah
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Praça 9 de Abril 349, 4249-004, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis
- UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit (FP-ENAS), University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Praça 9 de Abril 349, 4249-004, Porto, Portugal.
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Yao Z, Zhao T, Su W, You S, Wang CH. Towards understanding respiratory particle transport and deposition in the human respiratory system: Effects of physiological conditions and particle properties. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 439:129669. [PMID: 35908402 PMCID: PMC9306224 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Fly ash is a common solid residue of incineration plants and poses a great environmental concern because of its toxicity upon inhalation exposure. The inhalation health impacts of fly ash is closely related to its transport and deposition in the human respiratory system which warrants significant research for health guideline setting and inhalation exposure protection. In this study, a series of fly ash transport and deposition experiments have been carried out in a bifurcation airway model by optical aerosol sampling analysis. Three types of fly ash samples of different morphologies were tested and their respiratory deposition and transport processes were compared. The deposition efficiencies were calculated and relevant transport dynamics mechanisms were discussed. The influences of physiological conditions such as breathing rate, duration, and fly ash physical properties (size, morphology, and specific surface area) were investigated. The deposition characteristics of respiratory particles containing SARS-CoV-2 has also been analyzed, which could further provide some guidance on COVID-19 prevention. The results could potentially serve as a basis for setting health guidelines and recommending personal respiratory protective equipment for fly ash handlers and people who are in the high exposure risk environment for COVID-19 transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyi Yao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, 117585, Singapore
| | - Tianyang Zhao
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create Way, Create Tower, #15-02, 138602, Singapore
| | - Weiling Su
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, 117585, Singapore
| | - Siming You
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create Way, Create Tower, #15-02, 138602, Singapore; James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Chi-Hwa Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, 117585, Singapore.
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