Currently, use and disposal of plastic by consumers through waste management activities in Ghana not only creates environmental problems, but also reinforces the notion of a wasteful society. The magnitude of this problem has led to increasing pressure from the public for efficient and practical measures to solve the waste problem. This paper analyses the impact of plastic use and disposal in Ghana. It emphasizes the need for commitment to proper management of the impacts of plastic waste and effective environmental management in the country. Sustainable Solid Waste Management (SSWM) is a critical problem for developing countries with regards to climate change and greenhouse gas emission, and also the general wellbeing of the populace. Key themes of this paper are producer responsibility and management of products at end of life. The paper proposes two theatrical recovery models that can be used to address the issue of sachet waste in Ghana.

• MeSH
• nakládání s odpady ekonomika   metody   MeSH
• pitná voda MeSH
• plastické hmoty analýza   MeSH
• recyklace ekonomika   metody   MeSH
• teoretické modely MeSH
• tuhý odpad analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Ghana MeSH

Plastic waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) can contain polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) that have been used as fire retardants for a long time. PBDEs were listed in the Stockholm Convention as persistent organic pollutants, so PBDE-containing plastic waste should be separated and disposed of in an ecologically sound manner. In the article, the results of bromine and PBDE content in plastic samples of WEEE collected in Belarus are presented. The screening method for bromine identification and HRGC/HRMS for PBDE identification were applied. It is shown that bromine is present in 43% of the 111 studied samples. Most often, Br-containing plastic was found in CRT monitor, CRT TVs and LCD monitor (about 50%), printers (35%), and LCD TVs (25%). PBDEs were revealed in 12 Br-containing samples, representing TVs, monitors, and printers. The sum of ∑10PBDEs varied from 6.6 to 21,000 μg/kg. BDE-209 dominated in 9 samples (75% of cases); BDE-183, in two; and BDE-47 and BDE-99, in one sample. Based on the low content of PBDEs in the plastic, year of equipment production, and year of restriction of PBDEs applied in the countries-manufacturers, it was concluded that the presence of PBDEs in plastic is a consequence of contaminated waste recycling. Despite the relatively low concentrations of PBDEs (below the limit values established by the Stockholm and Basel conventions for POP wastes), further research is necessary with an extension of the list of analyzed types of equipment and identification of other brominated flame retardants.

• MeSH
• elektronický odpad analýza   MeSH
• halogenované difenylethery analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• plastické hmoty MeSH
• retardanty hoření analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Běloruská republika MeSH

Recently, traces of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been detected in black plastic food-contact materials (FCMs), indicating the presence of recycled plastics, mainly coming from waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) as BFRs are one of the main additives in electric applications. In order to evaluate efficiently and preliminary in situ the presence of WEEE in plastic FCMs, a generic procedure for the evaluation of WEEE presence in plastic FCMs by using defined parameters having each an associated importance level has been proposed. This can be achieved by combining parameters like overall bromine (Br) and antimony (Sb) content; additive and reactive BFR, rare earth element (REE) and WEEE-relevant elemental content and additionally polymer purity. In most of the cases, the WEEE contamination could be confirmed by combining X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry and thermal desorption/pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at first. The Sb and REE content did not give a full confirmation as to the source of contamination, however for Sb the opposite counts: Sb was joined with elevated Br signals. Therefore, Br at first followed by Sb were used as WEEE precursors as both elements are used as synergetic flame-retardant systems. WEEE-specific REEs could be used for small WEEE (sWEEE) confirmation; however, this parameter should be interpreted with care. The polymer purity by Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and pyrolysis GC-MS in many cases could not confirm WEEE-specific contamination; however, it can be used for purity measurements and for the suspicion of the usage of recycled fractions (WEEE and non-WEEE) as a third-line confirmation. To the best of our knowledge, the addition of WEEE waste to plastic FCMs is illegal; however, due to lack on screening mechanisms, there is still the breakthrough of such articles onto the market, and, therefore, our generic procedure enables the quick and effective screening of suspicious samples.

• MeSH
• brom analýza   MeSH
• elektronický odpad analýza   MeSH
• obaly potravin MeSH
• plastické hmoty analýza   MeSH
• plynová chromatografie s hmotnostně spektrometrickou detekcí MeSH
• recyklace MeSH
• retardanty hoření analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

BACKGROUND: In working environment of waste treatment facilities, employees are exposed to high concentrations of airborne microorganisms. Fungi constitute an essential part of them. This study aims at evaluating the diurnal variation in concentrations and species composition of the fungal contamination in 2 plastic waste sorting facilities in different seasons. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Air samples from the 2 sorting facilities were collected through the membrane filters method on 4 different types of cultivation media. Isolated fungi were classified to genera or species by using a light microscopy. RESULTS: Overall, the highest concentrations of airborne fungi were recorded in summer (9.1×10³-9.0×10⁵ colony-forming units (CFU)/m₃), while the lowest ones in winter (2.7×10³-2.9×10⁵ CFU/m³). The concentration increased from the beginning of the work shift and reached a plateau after 6-7 h of the sorting. The most frequently isolated airborne fungi were those of the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus. The turnover of fungal species between seasons was relatively high as well as changes in the number of detected species, but potentially toxigenic and allergenic fungi were detected in both facilities during all seasons. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, high concentrations of airborne fungi were detected in the working environment of plastic waste sorting facilities, which raises the question of health risk taken by the employees. Based on our results, the use of protective equipment by employees is recommended and preventive measures should be introduced into the working environment of waste sorting facilities to reduce health risk for employees. Med Pr 2017;68(1):1-9.

• MeSH
• houby izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch v pracovním prostředí izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrobiologie vzduchu * MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• plastické hmoty analýza   MeSH
• počet mikrobiálních kolonií MeSH
• pracovní expozice statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• skládková zařízení * MeSH
• tuhý odpad analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Polsko MeSH

Electronic waste (e-waste) has emerged as a global environmental problem because of its massive production volume and un-structured management policy. Since the rate of e-waste accumulation is startling and the combinatorial effects of toxicants are complex, we have investigated six phthalic acid esters (PAEs), bis (2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA)), bisphenol A (BPA), sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and eight heavy metals (HMs) in the surface soil of e-waste recycling workshops and nearby open dumpsites in four metropolitan cities of India viz., New Delhi (north), Kolkata (east), Mumbai (west) and Chennai (south). Average concentration of ∑16PAHs (1259 ng/g), ∑6PAEs (396 ng/g), BPA (140 ng/g) and ∑8HM (1288 mg/kg) in the informal e-waste recycling sites were higher than ∑16PAHs (1029 ng/g), ∑6PAEs (93 ng/g), BPA (121 ng/g) and ∑8HM (675 mg/kg) in dumpsites. Almost 50-90% of BPA, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), ∑7carcPAHs and copper (Cu) were from e-waste sites predominantly from metal recovery sites (EWR). Extensive combustion of e-waste particularly in the EWR sites at New Moore market and Pudupet in Chennai and Wire Lane, Kurla of Mumbai can explain the segregation of diethyl phthalate (DEP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and carcinogenic PAHs in the first principal component (PC-1). Copper and lead along with highly abundant plasticizers like DEHP, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and BPA were loaded in PC-2. Combined impact of burning the plastic cables in e-waste and acid leaching process especially at Mandoli in New Delhi might have driven this result. Loading of chrysene, DEHA and low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs mostly in dumpsite soil might have resulted from incomplete combustion of dumped e-waste. Copper was found to exhibit the highest pollution estimated by geo-accumulation index (Igeo). Maximum estimated carcinogenic risk for adults via dermal contact was due to copper, followed by chromium, lead and nickel.

• MeSH
• benzhydrylové sloučeniny analýza   MeSH
• dibutylftalát analýza   MeSH
• elektronický odpad analýza   MeSH
• estery analýza   MeSH
• fenoly analýza   MeSH
• kyseliny ftalové analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu analýza   MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky analýza   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• recyklace MeSH
• skládková zařízení statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• těžké kovy analýza   MeSH
• velkoměsta MeSH
• změkčovadla analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Indie MeSH
• velkoměsta MeSH

Extremely hot thermal plasma was used for the gasification of biomass (spruce sawdust, wood pellets) and waste (waste plastics, pyrolysis oil). The plasma was produced by a plasma torch with DC electric arc using unique hybrid stabilization. The torch input power of 100-110 kW and the mass flow rate of the gasified materials of tens kg/h was set up during experiments. Produced synthetic gas featured very high content of hydrogen and carbon monoxide (together approximately 90%) that is in a good agreement with theory. High quality of the produced gas is given by extreme parameters of used plasma--composition, very high temperature and low mass flow rate.

• MeSH
• biomasa MeSH
• biopaliva * MeSH
• design vybavení MeSH
• dřevo MeSH
• odpadky - odstraňování přístrojové vybavení   metody   MeSH
• oxid uhelnatý analýza   chemie   MeSH
• plastické hmoty MeSH
• plyny MeSH
• tuhý odpad MeSH
• vodík analýza   chemie   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare the efficiency of a filter based sampling method and a high volume sampling method for sampling airborne culturable fungi present in waste sorting facilities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Membrane filters method was compared with surface air system method. The selected sampling methods were modified and tested in 2 plastic waste sorting facilities. RESULTS: The total number of colony-forming units (CFU)/m3 of airborne fungi was dependent on the type of sampling device, on the time of sampling, which was carried out every hour from the beginning of the work shift, and on the type of cultivation medium (p < 0.001). Detected concentrations of airborne fungi ranged 2×102-1.7×106 CFU/m3 when using the membrane filters (MF) method, and 3×102-6.4×104 CFU/m3 when using the surface air system (SAS) method. CONCLUSIONS: Both methods showed comparable sensitivity to the fluctuations of the concentrations of airborne fungi during the work shifts. The SAS method is adequate for a fast indicative determination of concentration of airborne fungi. The MF method is suitable for thorough assessment of working environment contamination by airborne fungi. Therefore we recommend the MF method for the implementation of a uniform standard methodology of airborne fungi sampling in working environments of waste treatment facilities.

• MeSH
• houby izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch v pracovním prostředí izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• mikrobiologie vzduchu * MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí přístrojové vybavení   metody   MeSH
• počet mikrobiálních kolonií MeSH
• skládková zařízení * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

Metallurgical wastes--oxygen converter sludge, dust from cast iron production, lead matte, and slag from recycling of used lead batteries--were treated with Acidithiobacillus bacteria. Bacterial activity and adaptability on waste and some waste mixtures were investigated. Acidithiobacillus bacteria may easily attack oxygen converter sludge, lead matte and slag and affect the mobility of metals. Cast iron dust is not a suitable substrate for applied bacteria due to the absence of reduced sulfur and reduced iron in its mineralogical composition. Nevertheless, the pure culture was able to adapt to the mixture of this waste with slag. Disposal of these metallurgical wastes deserves special attention due to potential attack by microorganisms and consequent pH changes. According to subsequent release of hazardous substances to the environment, this phenomenon can lead to evident environmental risks.

• MeSH
• Acidithiobacillus fyziologie   MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• fyziologická adaptace MeSH
• hutnictví MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí analýza   chemie   toxicita   MeSH
• odpad tekutý - odstraňování MeSH
• odpadky - odstraňování MeSH
• průmyslový odpad analýza   MeSH
• spektrofotometrie atomová MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

In this study, we characterized plastic debris (PD) found on beaches from Concepción Bay in central Chile during spring 2017 and summer 2018. The identification of polymers was carried out using FT-IR. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were extracted with hexane using an ultrasonic bath and further quantified through GC-MS. The highest abundance of PD was obtained during the summer (4.1 ± 3.7 items/m2), with the most common size range between 2.5 and 10 cm (42%) and the most frequent shape were plastic fragments (44%). FT-IR analysis showed that polypropylene was the most recurrent plastic polymer found. The ∑10PBDEs ranged from 2.1 to 1300 ng/g in spring 2017 and 392 to 3177 ng/g in summer 2018. ∑7PCBs ranged from 0.9 to 93 ng/g during the spring 2017 and 0.3 to 4.5 ng/g for summer 2018. This study is the first with information on POPs occurrence in the plastic debris of central Chile.

• MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu analýza   MeSH
• koupací pláže MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí * MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• odpadní produkty analýza   MeSH
• plastické hmoty MeSH
• spektroskopie infračervená s Fourierovou transformací MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Chile MeSH

The authors of this paper report on the changing character of household waste, in the Czech Republic between 1999 and 2009 in households differentiated by their heating methods. The data presented are the result of two projects, financed by the Czech Ministry of Environment, which were undertaken during this time period with the aim of focusing on the waste characterisation and complete analysis of the physicochemical properties of the household waste. In the Czech Republic, the composition of household waste varies significantly between different types of households based on the methods of home heating employed. For the purposes of these studies, the types of homes were divided into three categories - urban, mixed and rural. Some of the biggest differences were found in the quantities of certain subsample categories, especially fine residue (matter smaller than 20 mm), between urban households with central heating and rural households that primarily employ solid fuel such coal or wood. The use of these solid fuels increases the fraction of the finer categories because of the higher presence of ash. Heating values of the residual household waste from the three categories varied very significantly, ranging from 6.8 MJ/kg to 14.2 MJ/kg in 1999 and from 6.8 MJ/kg to 10.5 MJ/kg in 2009 depending on the type of household and season. The same factors affect moisture of residual household waste which varied from 23.2% to 33.3%. The chemical parameters also varied significantly, especially in the quantities of Tl, As, Cr, Zn, Fe and Mn, which were higher in rural households. Because knowledge about the properties of household waste, as well as its physicochemical characteristics, is very important not only for future waste management, but also for the prediction of the behaviour and influence of the waste on the environment as the country continues to streamline its legislation to the European Union's solid waste mandates, the results of these studies were employed by the Czech Ministry of Environment to optimise the national waste management strategy.

• MeSH
• charakteristiky rodiny * MeSH
• Evropská unie MeSH
• městské obyvatelstvo MeSH
• nakládání s odpady metody   MeSH
• papír MeSH
• plastické hmoty MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• těžké kovy analýza   MeSH
• tuhý odpad analýza   MeSH
• uhlí MeSH
• venkovské obyvatelstvo MeSH
• vytápění metody   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH