bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction, operation and maintenance aspects of a deep-water port-A case study on Kakinada port, Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Kumar Raju Sathish , Chandramohan Arun
Published: June 2024

One of the most important linkages in the development of a nation’s economy and trade is its ports. Even in a continent like India, the globalization of trade is crucial for the growth of economies. Port development becomes a crucial strategic element for achieving economic expansion given that this trade is predominantly undertaken by seagoing vessels. India is situated adjacent to important shipping routes like East Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and has a peninsular coastline that measures about 7,516.6 kilometers long. India therefore has the opportunity to significantly enhance its marine trade with other nations, and as its economy grows, so will the demand for constructing ports for international trade. Here comes the significance of Kakinada sea port. Kakinada Port is the second largest port in the state after Vishakhapatnam Port and the first port in the country to be commissioned under Public Private Partnership, located in the east coast of India with a major cargo handling. Among the 187 Non-Major ports Kakinada port plays a vital role in the development of country’s economy and growth. Kakinada Port, at present comprise of two ports, Kakinada Deep Water Port and Kakinada Anchorage Port. In this context, a study is conducted which deals with the construction, operation and maintenance of Kakinada Port. The studies are done based on site visit and data collection. The case study involved the collection and analysis of data, including interviews with port managers and workers, observations of port operations, and analysis of port performance metrics. The insights gained from the case study was given as recommendations for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of port operations. It was concluded that, from an economic perspective, the Kakinada sea port has the potential to generate significant revenue for the government and create job opportunities for the local population. The port’s proximity to major industries in the region provides a competitive advantage for cargo owners, which could lead to increased trade volumes and economic growth.
Determination of Area Occupancy of the Vehicles and its Effectiveness in Heterogeneous Traffic Conditions
Authors: Doley Danial , Kumar Saurabh , Ahmed Mokaddes Ali
Published: June 2024

Traffic management is becoming a major concern as the number of vehicles on the road increases. Different types of traffic studies are conducted for different traffic management, especially in developing countries like India. To address traffic heterogeneity, only the vehicular composition is not sufficient. In this study, it has tried to include other characteristics like area occupancy for the traffic analysis. The area occupancy of vehicles was obtained, and the relationship between area occupancy and vehicular composition was investigated for various types of vehicles in Silchar. Video graphic traffic data were collected for 30 minutes, and a detection zone length of 30 meters was considered. Three locations in Silchar were considered in this study. The relationship between several characteristics of area occupancy was determined using SPSS statistical software. Relation between area occupancy and vehicular composition was found for each type of vehicle considered. It was observed that faster vehicles have a weaker relationship with area occupancy than slower vehicles. Initially, it was assumed that area occupancy depends only on vehicular composition, and the R2 was found to be 0.79. Finally, it was found that area occupancy depends on the vehicular composition, space mean speed and projected area and the corresponding R2 was found to be 0.88. The values may differ for different roads in the same city.
Identification of risky locations based on the CAS device-based alerts generated from moving vehicles: A Case study
Authors: Praneetha Devi G , Advani Mukti , Sahitya K S
Published: June 2024

Increase in traffic accidents is one of the major concerns that affects economy of the country. To reduce traffic crashes, an advanced artificial intelligence technology for road safety known as ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) is being adopted. Advanced driver assistance system is one of the groups of electronic technologies that assist drivers in driving and parking functions by giving an alert to drivers for safer decisions. The present study attempts to apply the CAS (Collision Avoidance System) in the city buses of Telangana state. The data generated from CAS device includes alert type like LDW (Lane Diversion Warning), HMW (Headway Monitoring Warning), FCW (Forward Collision Warning), PCW (Pedestrian Collision Warning) with location, date, time of the generated alert, and speed. The study uses the Geographical Information System-based platform for advanced level analysis. Total 190 km long road network is being used in this study. Alert data have been analysed to identify the risky locations and compared with the existing blackspots. These blackspots have been identified based on traditional methods of using FIR records. Results shows that higher number of alerts are generated at Kukatpally metro station. After obtaining unsafe locations through CAS analysis, the locations are then validated with existing blackspot locations.
Prediction of Ground Response Spectrum of Jalandhar City of Punjab using Non-Linear Ground Response Analysis
Authors: Krishna Anjali G , Kasilingam Senthil
Published: June 2024

Increasing seismicity worldwide and focus on micro zonation has amplified the importance of soil properties in the determination of seismicity. This study conducted non-linear Ground Response Analysis (GRA) to examine the impact of earthquakes on local soil conditions. DEEPSOIL v6.1 software is utilized to generate the response spectrum for 35 borehole locations in Jalandhar, Punjab. Geotechnical data are employed for this purpose. The analysis incorporated bedrock motion data obtained from PESMOS and COSMOS. The shear wave velocity is determined empirically by establishing a correlation between the standard penetration test value (SPT-N) and shear wave velocity. The average shear wave velocity at a depth of 30 meters is calculated, and based on this, the 20 borehole sites are classified using the guidelines provided by National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). The findings and outcomes of the analysis are applied and evaluated in the context of an actual construction project to gain practical insights and implications. Seismic analysis is carried out by STAAD Pro for the evaluation of base shear. Different modes of combination are employed to interpret the base shear results obtained from the analysis. The results are then compared between the site-specific response spectra and the response spectra defined by the IS code (Indian Standard code) to assess any differences or discrepancies. This comparison helps evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of the design in relation to the specific site conditions and the regulatory requirements outlined in the IS code
Analysis of 2D and 3D Slope Stability Using the Bishop Simplified Method
Authors: Kumar Sumit , Kumar Amit , Rao Brijbhan , Choudhary Shiva Shankar , Burman Avijit
Published: June 2024

Most limit equilibrium studies in slope engineering are done in two dimensions (2D). Assuming that plane strain conditions are true, a two-dimensional slope formula has been developed. But if the plane strain assumptions are wrong, three-dimensional (3D) slope analysis has to be done. It would be interesting to study the differences between 2D slope analysis and 3D slope analysis. This study used 2D and 3D formulations based on Bishop’s Simplified Method (BSM) to examine the effects of a homogeneous soil slope comprising a pore pressure ratio (ru
) and horizontal seismic loading kh
. The 3D geometry of the slope is made using a digital elevation model method. Plots show the nature of failure surfaces, malpha (mα
), the change of base dip angles, and the distribution of normal force parallel to the failure surface’s base. According to the findings, a two-dimensional slope analysis typically produces more conservative estimates of the factor of safety (FS) than a 3D analysis of slope does. Compared to a 3D slope stability problem, it is generally agreed that a 2D analysis of slope gives a more conservative estimate of the problem.
Application of greenly synthesised zero-valent iron nanoparticles for iron removal from aqueous system
Authors: Antony Jismy , Meera V. , Raphael Vinod P. , Vinod P.
Published: June 2024

The green synthesis of nanoparticles, an eco-friendly and easy method, is of great interest due to versatile applications of nanomaterials in multiple fields, especially in water/wastewater treatment. The green synthesis of nano iron particles using Amaranthus dubius leaves extracts using liquid phase reduction was investigated and employed for iron remediation from aqueous system. The synthesized nanoparticles size, surface area, morphology, functional groups, composition, and point of zero charge were investigated. Results showed that A. dubius extract mediated nanoparticles were 1-3 nm spherical particles with aggregations and possessed surface area of 12.76 m2g−1. FTIR exposed the presence of C-O, –NH or –OH stretching and bending vibrations of –CH bonds found in various groups. The effects of different process parameters like pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage and influent iron concentration on iron removal capacity of greenly synthesised zero-valent iron nanoparticle (GnZVI), were examined. GnZVI achieved 47.6% iron removal from a solution having 0.5ppm influent iron at optimised conditions of pH 10 and dose 5gL−1 after 3 h treatment. The removal efficiency was found to decreases with increase in influent iron concentration and reached 31.8% removal for 10 mgL−1 influent iron concentrations. The study revealed the feasibility of utilizing GnZVI for achieving desirable limit of iron for potable purposes from water with lower concentration of iron.
A Review on Composting of Organic Solid Waste
Authors: Dharnaik Amit S , Pol Pramodini
Published: June 2024

Solid waste generated in large quantity is creating major issue of solid waste management in many countries. The major portion of solid waste generated is dumped on land, creating an environmental problems like flooding, air, soil and water pollution and also has an impact on human health. A large amount of organic waste is present in solid waste generated. The organic waste content in solid waste can be converted into useful end product called as compost by processing the waste, which will help recycling and reduce load on landfill. In composting process, it reduces volume of waste and convert it to useful end product. Composting is one of the good options for treatment of organic waste at the point of generation and the process depends on many parameters like temperature, moisture content, pH, C/N ratio, etc. Numerous parameters can be used to regulate the rate of composting. The understanding of composting will help to treat organic waste in proper manner and will reduce environmental problems due to improper solid waste management. This review paper contains different method of composting such as aerobic and anaerobic composting and their types and the factors affecting for composting.
Improving the performance of the electro-coagulation process through efficient flocculation
Authors: Agarwal Palak , Sangal Vikas K , Mathur Sanjay
Published: June 2024

This study combines the Electro-Coagulation (EC) process with flocculation to improve the COD removal efficiency of the simulated textile wastewater without a significant increase in energy consumption. The process of flocculation improves the settleability of the flocs generated at the time of EC. A 3D aluminum electrode with perforations was used for both EC and flocculation. During flocculation, the rotating speed of the anode and detention time were taken as the major operating parameters. The operating conditions at the time of EC were kept fixed for all the runs. The maximum COD removal efficiency after EC was observed as 85.14% with a Specific Electrical Energy Consumption (SEEC) of 0.023J/mg. However, this removal efficiency increases to 90.43% when EC is followed by flocculation with a total SEEC (EC + flocculation) of 0.029J/mg. The maximum COD removal efficiency of the filtered sample after flocculating it for 20 min at 1 rpm was comparable with the removal efficiency obtained after providing a 30 min settling after flocculation. Therefore, an additional cost of filtration can be saved. This combined process can be considered as an economical and efficient treatment method to match the stringent discharge standards.
Removal of zinc metal by ion exchanger technique using Amberlite IRA-120
Authors: Raj Rahul , Mayank Muskan , Laiju A. R.
Published: June 2024

Everyone needs access to hygienic water to live a healthy life. Despite being complex, the connection between the water environment and human activities has been thoroughly demonstrated over the past few decades through various study methods. Among the numerous pollutants that contaminate water, zinc is particularly harmful to humans and the environment, including soil and water bodies. The assessment and removal of zinc from water sources are of utmost importance. This paper examines and removes zinc using the ion exchange resin Amberlite IRA-120. The advantage of this resin is that it can be recycled and reused without compromising the quality of water treatment, making it both economical and readily available. The batch experiment is performed at different pH levels, concentrations, and competing ions. under constant conditions to achieve maximum zinc removal at optimum conditions. The regenerated resin is then employed for subsequent removal cycles, demonstrating that the fifth application attains an efficiency of 75%. In the fixed bed column study, it treated more than 6ml/mm3 of water against zinc. Regeneration of resin is done by regenerating solutions. Resin shows high selectivity to zinc while other metal ions are mixed in the zinc solution. The maximum uptake capacity of this resin is determined at lower pH i.e. 4.5, further study is being done on pH 7 because the study is mainly focused on drinking water. This indicates that even after multiple uses, the upgraded system maintains water quality, allowing for the reuse of treated wastewater.
A Sustainable Approach Towards Wastewater Treatment in Pharmaceutical Industry: A Review
Authors: Vasudha V , Laiju A R
Published: June 2024

Effluents from the pharmaceutical industry have become more concerned in recent years due to rising worries about the presence and management of pharmaceutical pollutants, raw materials, intermediates, and solvents. The pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest water consumers due to the many processes that require water. Different drug and pharmaceutical production methods result in wastewater containing a wide range of chemicals such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, carbamazepine, and clorfibric acid are commonly found in water and wastewater. As part of wastewater management, it is essential to analyse and design techniques for treating pharmaceutical wastewater in light of the limited available water resources. Furthermore, the industry mandates the reuse of water after impurities such as pharmaceuticals and other toxins. In our study, the main sources of wastewater in the pharmaceutical sector are identified, and the most effective removal technologies are examined and evaluated with the assistance of the study results. Bulk medications, pharmaceutically active substances, and other pharmaceuticals generate wastewater that utilizes much water. This effluent has been analyzed, and solutions for recovering valuable molecules to a considerable extent have been proposed. Finally, the treatment of wastewater has been addressed. Due to the shortcomings of traditional treatment techniques, the authors modified the conventional treatment procedure here using membrane bioreactors and cutting-edge techniques like ozonation, creating a hybrid wastewater treatment technology that may be a better alternative for treating pharmaceutical wastewater.
Evaluation of the Rayalseema Meteorological Subdivision’s Drought Using Multiple Drought Indices
Authors: Panigrahi Siddhant , Vidyarthi Vikas Kumar
Published: June 2024

Drought is the most prominent natural disaster, which affects various parts of the globe. It is not simply the lack of rainfall, but also how unevenly it occurs during the season, how long the lack of rainfall has lasted and how it has impacted the agriculture, economy and the way of life in the region. The meteorological conditions of a region directly impact various water requirements and are linked to hydrologic, agricultural and socio-economic drought conditions. Thus, it becomes crucial to monitor and characterize meteorological drought of the region to adopt suitable water management practices. The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the meteorological drought conditions over Rayalseema meteorological subdivision of India using multiple drought indices employing historical precipitation (PRCN) and temperature (TEMPR) data obtained from Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) at a resolution of 1°x1°. Three different meteorological drought indices namely, Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) have been utilized to incorporate major meteorological variables to account for varying assessment periods of 1, 3, 6, 9,12 and 24 months. The results show that an increase in the number of identified moderate and severe categories of drought events increase with the assessment periods for all the indices used in this study. The severe drought years have been found to be quite frequent post 1980’s as 1986, 1987, 1992, 1994, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2011. The Modified Mann Kendall test has been carried out for all the drought indices (SPI, RDI and SPEI) across varying assessment periods and it shows a positive trend for SPI and RDI while a negative trend is seen for SPEI. It may be due to continuous decline of precipitation and corresponding increase in the maximum temperature making the region semi-arid. For the overexploited water resources in Rayalseema, this type of research is critical for analyzing meteorological droughts, which will be extremely valuable for water resource administration and planning in the region.
Indicative Direction in Construction Materials for Indian Suburbs
Authors: Tyagi Priya , Bhyan Parul , Shrivastava Bhavna , Kumar Nand
Published: June 2024

In the recent past, it is anticipated that construction materials and technologies that promote thermal comfort would become more popular. In order to safeguard potential populations from the risks of thermal stress, study attempts to include traditional construction material solutions. To meet the comfort needs of the occupants, a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of building construction and the pertinent properties of the materials used is essential. This study aims to integrate traditional and contemporary materials in residential zone, and particularly emphasis on the issue of meeting thermal comfort requirements. The study conducted a descriptive-analytical approach to analyze roofing and wall materials used in residential buildings in Uttar Pradesh, India, for thermal comfort. The study area was chosen based on the state with the highest population and the suggested building materials and construction methods in “Pahal” by the Ministry of Rural Development. The climate was analyzed using Climate Consultant® Software based on the availability of weather data files. The comparison between suggested roof and wall materials and methods was done using U value and RETV value calculations. The space RETV value, the wall and roof U-values were compared to suggest values in Eco-Niwas Samhita 2018. The study provides a comprehensive description of the area’s geography, climate, and residential structures. The results of the study can help policymakers and designers regarding the selection of appropriate roofing and wall materials for thermal comfort in residential buildings in Uttar Pradesh.
Effect of Clay Brick Dust (CBD) on compressive strength of fly ash based geopolymer mortar
Authors: Sarika R , Salam PA , Mini R
Published: June 2024

Geopolymer is considered as an alumino-silicate material which can be used to replace Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). There are many alumino-silicate materials found in nature and some of them are FlyAsh (FA), Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag (GGBS), rice husk ash etc. Currently, there is a growing potential to utilize Clay Brick Dust (CBD) in the development of Geo Polymer Concrete (GPC). CBD contains high percentage of silica and alumina content. The current study is to find the effect of CBD on the compressive strength of FA based Geo Polymer Mortar (GPM) cubes. Initially the mix design of FA based GPM was carried out for 12 mixes and Na2SiO3 / NaOH ratio was fixed to 2.5. Then the effect of CBD on the compressive strength of FA based GPM was examined for 18 mixes by varying molarities of sodium hydroxide from 8M to 12M and by varying the percentage replacement of FA with CBD from 5% to 30%. There was an increase in the compressive strength of mortar cubes by 5.18% when 15% of FA was replaced by CBD. The best durability properties were also obtained for the same replacement percentage.
Flexo-printed polymer waveguides for integration in electro-optical circuit boards
Authors: Evertz Andreas , Pleuß Jonathan , Reitz Birger , Overmeyer Ludger
Published: June 2024

Electro-optical circuit boards (EOCBs) offer great potential for short-ranged data transmission in highly electro-magnetic inflicted environments. Finding a cost-efficient way to manufacture EOCB only using additive printing processes could establish, increase, and secure data transmission in PCB systems. Flexo printing is an efficient manufacturing process that combines high contour resolution and layout flexibility to create optical waveguides. Previous research has shown that printing waveguides on a polymethylmethacrylate substrate can enable optical data transmission for up to 20 cm. However, a thermo-resistant polyimide (PI) substrate is needed to integrate printed waveguides into PCB. Since PI does not meet optical demands, waveguide cores must be separated by printed optical cladding. This research aims to investigate the additive printing process, which stacks various polymers to achieve waveguides that are ready for integration. Further, the integration in PCB is validated according to functional testing of the optical structures. An entire manufacturing process for printed EOCB is presented, which enables the investigation of optical coupling processes in upcoming research.
The spectral boundary of block structured random matrices
Authors: Patil Nirbhay , Aguirre-López Fabián , Bouchaud Jean-Philippe
Published: June 2024

Economic and ecological models can be extremely complex, with a large number of agents/species each featuring multiple interacting dynamical quantities. In an attempt to understand the generic stability properties of such systems, we define and study an interesting new matrix ensemble with extensive correlations, generalising the elliptic ensemble. We determine analytically the boundary of its eigenvalue spectrum in the complex plane, as a function of the correlations determined by the model at hand. We solve numerically our equations in several cases of interest, and show that the resulting spectra can take a surprisingly wide variety of shapes.
History
Authors: Mueller Sean
Published: June 2024

The notion of shared rule has been understood in three different yet logically connected ways. This chapter traces the emergence of these three meanings over time by looking at the works of major (con)federal theorists. Autonomy and sovereignty were there first, and horizontal cooperation arose from them. The understanding of shared rule subsequently morphed into a synonym for centralization, tilting the horizontal into a vertical continuum. Yet the creation of new states on the basis of both popular and territorial sovereignties only made for new objects of desire. Accordingly, the third and most recent understanding of shared rule defines it as the influence of regional governments over national, federal, or central decisions. Finally, the chapter discusses differences and complementarities of regional government influence regarding political parties and explains how the distinction between presidential and parliamentary systems could potentially matter for how shared rule is designed and exercised.
Regional Causes
Authors: Mueller Sean
Published: June 2024

This chapter analyses the causes of the use of shared rule at regional level, seeking to combine the strengths of quantitative and qualitative methods. It finds that what regional governments want from the central or federal level depends on both their character and the overall system of which they form part. In the main, culturally distinct regions want recognition, richer ones more freedom, and poorer entities more support. If the degree of regional self-rule as provided by the existing federal political system is satisfactory, shared rule is used as a shield to defend the status quo. If in turn changes are sought for partisan or cultural reasons, shared rule becomes yet another instrument in the struggle for greater self-rule.
Introduction
Authors: Szocik Konrad
Published: June 2024

A feminist perspective is rarely present in discourse and reflection on the place of humans in the cosmos. This book seeks to fill that niche. Although its central theme is the bioethics of space exploration analyzed from a feminist perspective, the book also takes up other ethical issues concerning the global exclusion of the poorest and traditionally marginalized groups. This is because the aim of the book is to place future human expansion in space in the broader context of all human activity and development on Earth. The introduction provides a brief overview of the topics presented in the book’s six chapters.
Power and Exclusion in Space Exploration
Authors: Szocik Konrad
Published: June 2024

This chapter examines the dynamics of power and exclusion in future space exploration and exploitation. It draws attention to the dominant power of men over women in many areas of life on a global scale. Gender issues in space and the exclusion of women from this highly masculinized environment are discussed. The chapter discusses various forms and contexts of exclusion. Special attention is paid to the specifics of capitalism and nationalism in space and how it is related to nationalism and capitalism as we know it on Earth. Finally, the chapter discusses the special case of exclusion from future space settlement.
Rooting State Capitalism in the Churn of Uneven Development
Authors: Alami Ilias , Dixon Adam D
Published: June 2024

The chapter claims that the fundamental sources of present-day state capitalism are to be found in two world-historical economic mutations, both of which stem from material transformations in the capitalist labour process and changing forms of labour exploitation: (1) the emergence of a more complex constellation of ‘old’ and ‘new’ international divisions of labour; and (2) deep-seated tendencies towards economic stagnation and industrial overcapacity. The chapter shows that these phenomena have had multifaceted ramifications in terms of the temporal and geographical dynamics of value production, circulation, and distribution, and in terms of corporate strategies. States have been directly implicated in these transformations, which they have accompanied by deploying a range of instruments, policies, and regulations. As they have done so, states have themselves experienced a process of restructuring, involving profound transformations in pre-existing landscapes of state intervention, a rearticulation of the relations between states and the circuits of capital, shifting boundaries between the state and civil society, 78and a dramatic expansion of their role as promoter of capital accumulation, direct owner of capital, and investor-shareholder. This is precisely the phenomenon that is now increasingly referred to as the ‘new’ state capitalism. The chapter then offers a panorama of this polymorphous process of state restructuring since the turn of the millennium. it identifies four tendencies: the ‘productivist’, ‘absorptive’, ‘stabilizing’, and ‘disciplinary’ state capitalist impulses. Combinations of these four state capitalist impulses have been observable to various degrees across the world economy, and have profoundly shaped global trajectories of state intervention.
Living with surveillance
Authors: Lyon David
Published: June 2024

This introductory chapter provides an overview of the key concepts of surveillance. Today, surveillance has become an unprecedented central, pervasive, but largely unseen feature of society. Aside from social media, surveillance today depends on many kinds of data, which are used for consumer advertising, public health, and security agencies. The growth of surveillance goes hand in hand with various trends, such as security. The chapter raises three key issues of surveillance: surveillance as an ambivalent practice, data justice, and social sorting. Surveillance practices are always uncertain because they may not adequately portray persons or populations fairly or appropriately. It argues that surveillance has its respective ethics and politics.
Surveillance culture: an everyday reality
Authors: Lyon David
Published: June 2024

This chapter tackles the everyday reality of being part of the surveillance culture. It raises the argument that the surveillance culture is inescapable. In a surveillance culture, people get used to (or uneasy about) their daily lives being increasingly transparent to themselves and unknown others. Moreover, social media corrodes the edges of social contexts and social roles as users strategically reveal, disclose, and conceal personal information to create connections with others and to tend to social boundaries in an effort to manage their online personas. The chapter expounds on the distinction between checking, cyberstalking, and vigilantism before considering the ‘paradox of privacy’.
Combined impact of dynamic air pollution and transportation noise on cardiometabolic disorders in San Diego County
Authors: Berneron Blanche , Yang Jiue-An , Jankowska Marta M , Benmarhnia Tarik , Letellier Noémie
Published: June 2024

Air pollution and noise exposure may synergistically contribute to increased cardiometabolic disorders; however, few studies have examined this potential interaction nor considered exposures beyond residential location. This study investigates the combined impact of dynamic air pollution and transportation noise on cardiometabolic disorders in San Diego County. Using the Community of Mine Study (2014-2017), 602 ethnically diverse participants were assessed for obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) using anthropometric measurements and biomarkers from blood samples. Time-weighted measures of exposure to PM2.5, NO2, road and aircraft noise were calculated using global positioning system (GPS) mobility data and Kernel Density Estimation. Generalized estimating equation models were used to analyze associations. Interactions were assessed on the multiplicative and additive scales using relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). We found that air pollution and noise interact to affect metabolic disorders on both multiplicative and additive scales. The effect of noise on obesity and MetS was higher when air pollution was higher. The RERI of aircraft noise and NO2 on obesity and MetS were 0.13 (95%CI 0.03, 0.22) and 0.13 (95%CI 0.02, 0.25), respectively. This finding suggests that aircraft noise and air pollution may have synergistic effects on obesity and MetS.
30 Healthier Highways - improving worker health protection in the highways sector. A case study from the UK’s motorway network
Authors: Perkins Stephen , Hirst Adrian , Jones Wendy , Armstrong Jennie
Published: June 2024

The highways maintenance, renewal and improvement industry spends some £5Bn of public money each year on the UK’s motorways and other national road infrastructure. Occupational hygiene has made negligible impact in this this sector of the construction industry, despite it employing some 30% of the 1.4M strong construction workforce. With its cocktail of occupational exposure hazards, mobile sites, long-standing working practices and significant night time working, the highways industry needs a health protection culture transformation.

The authors present a case study on the expanding initiative, known as Healthier Highways, to improve workplace health protection culture on the UK’s motorway network in a multi-stakeholder environment. Initially developed on the M25 (London’s orbital motorway), but now expanded across the Southeast Region of National Highways and beyond, they outline the Healthier Highways strategic approach to engaging organisations and workers unfamiliar with occupational hygiene. The on-going initiative covers the areas of stakeholder engagement, organisational competence, investigation and control of specific health risks, supply chain management of health risk and sector collaboration and leadership.

Outcomes from all five areas of the award winning initiative are presented, showing marked improvement in the overall culture of health protection and pointing the way to a health culture transformation in the highways industry.
67 Criteria for the assessment of the percutaneous absorption of hazardous substances at the workplace – The German MAK Commission approach
Authors: Bader Michael , Bartsch Rüdiger , Drexler Hans , Göen Thomas , Hiller Julia , Jäger Thomas , Roßbach Bernd , Hartwig Andrea ,   MAK Commission
Published: June 2024

The uptake of hazardous substances at the workplace through the skin can be one major route of exposure and therefore add to the occupational health risk for employees. More than one third of all substances with a limit value in workplace air in Germany have been designated with ‘H’ by the MAK Commission of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), indicating that the percutaneous absorption under workplace conditions can make a significant contribution to the systemic exposure of an employee. The recommendations of the MAK Commission are one major source for regulatory decisions taken by the German Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs for sustaining health and safety in the work area. This presentation summarizes the general approach of the MAK Commission’s working group on percutaneous absorption, the selection and ranking of data (workplace studies, animal studies, in vitro studies, mathematical models or algorithms) as well as the quantitative criteria for an assignment with ‘H’. For the final assessment, the estimated absorbed amount of a substance is compared with the systemically tolerable amount extrapolated from the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL). A designation with ‘H’ is recommended if the percutaneous uptake accounts for approximately 25 % or more of the tolerable quantity. Only in the case of genotoxic substances without limit values is the ability of a substance to cross the skin barrier sufficient in itself to recommend designation with an ‘H’. The assessment process as well as its merits and challenges are illustrated by some examples.
102 Enhancing the coverage of a multi-agent exposure assessment tool through the modelling of over 100,000 measurements
Authors: Sauve Jean-Francois , Kollar Fantine , Mater Gautier
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The INRS developed an online tool (https://www.inrs.fr/outil110) that provides descriptive statistics of concentrations for work situations defined by users using up to ten exposure variables. Statistics are calculated from measurements collected in French workplaces and recorded in the Colchic database. However, a given work situation may have only few measurements available for reporting reliable descriptive statistics. We explored the use of mixed-effects models to address this issue.

Methodology

We selected individual measurements collected between 2010- 2022. We defined a core model that contained all variables available in the tool: industry, occupation, task, and product associated with exposure (random effects), number of workers, general ventilation, local exhaust ventilation, exposure frequency, process, and sampling duration (fixed effects). We modeled each agent separately (minimum 100 measurements) after excluding highly correlated variables. Models were cross-validated and predicted concentrations were compared to those recorded in Colchic from January to July 2023 (minimum 10 measurements per agent).

Results

We fitted models to 134 agents with 101 to 11,819 measurements (median 405). The median cross-validation R2 across agents was 0.45 (interquartile interval 0.35-0.56). Predictive performance for 2023 concentrations by agent (n=48) was lower (median R2 0.10, interquartile interval 0.02-0.22; median relative bias -15%); coverage of the 80% prediction intervals was adequate (median 79%, interquartile interval 69-88%).

Conclusions

While the cross-validation showed promising results, the performance of the models to predict new concentrations was less satisfactory. Factors associated with poorer predictive performance should be investigated and remediated prior to integrating these models in the tool.
130 Safe-by-design approach to reduce worker exposure risks while working with nanostructured powders
Authors: Shandilya Neeraj , Broßell Dirk , Fonseca Ana Sofia , Ribalta Carla , Jensen Keld Alstrup
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Generated dust during the powder handling processes at the workplaces causes serious worker exposure risk. Dustiness of a powder is the most relevant factor influencing powder exposure potential. The purpose of this study was to incorporate Safe-by-Design approach to reduce dustiness of particularly nanostructured powders to ultimately reduce the worker exposure.

Methodology

Several physio-chemical properties of nanostructured powders and handling activity parameters were studied to determine their impact on powder dustiness. The first phase of the study was experimental in which dustiness and release tests were carried out. In the second phase, qualitative modelling was done with an objective of the dustiness prediction based on the powder physio-chemical properties and activity handling energy.

Results

While increasing some properties, e.g. bulk density, electrostatic charge potential, decreased dustiness index, increasing other parameters, e.g. water repellence, increased the dustiness index, with linear and non-linear relationships. Increase in dustiness was observed with increasing fiber diameter and stiffness for high aspect ratio powders. Handling energy factors corrected dustiness indices from standard dustiness test methods reduced their deviation from real world powder handling activities, particularly for pouring and transferring.

Conclusions

Based on the results, safe-by-design approach can be applied to nanostructured powders by altering powder and process properties to pre-emptively reduce their dustiness (if not eliminate). The developed qualitative modelling is a first step in this direction which can be used as a predictive new approach methodology to be employed in the early stages of product innovation to reduce worker exposure risk.
225 Mapping simultaneous exposure to heat stress, air pollution and airborne allergenic pollen, for the general and working population
Authors: Scholten Bernice , Pronk Anjoeka
Published: June 2024

Climate change is expected to increase exposure to environmental health risk factors, including extreme temperatures, air pollution and airborne allergenic pollen. Outdoor and manual workers are a particularly vulnerable group for exposure to heat and humidity because their work may involve heavy exertion, and they might have less capacity to lose heat because of the need to wear personal protective clothing. The objective of this research is to visualize and quantify the extent of simultaneous exposure to multiple environmental risk factors throughout Europe for both workers and the general population.

Exposure data for all three stressors were output for the period in between 1 May 2022 until 31 August 2022. For each stressor a threshold was set using either official threshold values, or proposed using available literature. To account for differences in experienced heat stress amongst groups, the heat-stress index was adjusted to resemble a worker involved in heavy labor whilst wearing a full working outfit.

Simultaneous exposure to heat stress, air pollution and airborne allergenic pollen is most evident for Northern Italy. Male and female workers with a high-risk profile for heat stress are at increased risk for simultaneous exposure to multiple stressors, as the area of co-exposure hotspots in Europe is over three to six times higher for these worker groups, respectively.

Although it remains challenging to derived threshold values for evaluating hourly exposure data, we provide a framework to visualize and quantify simultaneous exposure to different environmental factors in Europe. The map and datasets are freely available online.
244 Implementing changes to protect workers from exposures to hazardous drugs
Authors: Arnold Susan , Davies Hugh
Published: June 2024

Hazardous drugs (HD) present a complex exposure problem within healthcare facilities whereby nursing, pharmacy and other staff are chronically exposed to low-levels of HDs via contaminated surfaces throughout pharmacies and clinical settings. Many of these drugs are designated as ALARA substances (reproductive toxins and/or carcinogens); exposures to unknown mixtures or cleaning agent reaction by-products may also occur but have been poorly characterized. There is a lack of health-based surface-OELs against which to benchmark exposures. Despite increased awareness of HD exposures and promotion of safe handling measures, surface levels of HD have plateaued over the last decade. New, collaborative approaches are needed to reduce environmental contamination of HD that contribute to exposures among healthcare workers and staff.

We introduce a new approach involving a broad, collaborative, system-wide program based on social dialogue models that brings all parties (e.g., employees/unions, employers, scientists and regulators) together to work on a common goal (e.g., HD exposure reduction) in a collaborative manner that is evidence-based (e.g., surveillance data) that have been successfully implemented in Europe, and an embedded quantitative exposure assessment strategy that uses “hygienic guidance values” (HGV) in the absence of surface OELS. This HGV-based surveillance strategy provides key operational details to the user and also provides target performance levels (through HGV rather than OELs). This approach offers support for a quantified ALARA response, as an HGV approach can encourage measured and continual improvement (i.e., exposure reductions) over time, and centers on a continuous improvement paradigm.
207a - Elevating exposure science: fostering education, training, and communication in alignment with the European Exposure Science Strategy (2020−2030)
Authors: Connolly Alison , Bachler Gerald , Galea Karen
Published: June 2024

Exposure science plays a crucial role in investigating human interaction with chemical, biological, and physical agents and evaluating associated exposure sources, pathways, and processes that may pose a risk for adverse human health effects. Exposure science is applied across workplace settings to conduct robust risk assessments and implement controls. Advances in exposure science strongly rely on input from well-trained and experienced experts. Despite these vital contributions of exposure science, Europe currently lacks formal education and training programmes solely dedicated to exposure science. The European Chapter of the International Society of Exposure Science (ISES) has formulated the European Exposure Science Strategy, which includes a priority strategic objective to formally establish exposure science in education.

To address this objective, the ISES Europe Education, Training, and Communication working group was established in 2018 with the ambition to firmly establish exposure science in academic research and education. The group made notable progress and achievements, including providing harmonised exposure science terminology to ensure appropriate and comparable interpretation of exposure science data and studies. Additionally, initiating the first steps of curriculum development by providing harmonised learning outcomes based on exposure science specific descriptors, categorised by knowledge, skill, and competence.

Future ambitions for the advancement of exposure science education and training include the development of educational courses and programmes, a certification process for recognition of these courses, and establishing professional accreditation for exposure scientists in the field. These initiatives seek to contribute to producing well-trained graduates with clearly defined career pathways, thereby enhancing the credibility of exposure science professionals.
315a - SLIC Chemex: how inspectorates at EU level cooperate!
Authors: Waegemaekers Monique
Published: June 2024

The Senior Labour Inspectorate Committee (SLIC) is an organization in which all European labour inspectorates are represented. SLIC has the mandate to give its opinion on all matters relating to the enforcement by the Member States of EU legislation on health and safety at work. Some of the key activities undertaken by SLIC include defining common principles of labour inspection for health and safety, developing methods to assess national inspection systems, facilitating information exchange among national labour inspection services and promoting labour inspector exchange programs and training initiatives, Overall, SLIC plays a crucial role in harmonizing and enhancing health and safety practices across EU Member States.

Several working groups have been set up under SLIC.WG Chemex was established to transfer knowledge to inspectorates on dangerous substances. For example, WG developed a training course for inspectors without any knowledge of dangerous substances on how to carry out a basic inspection. WG CHEMEX has published several guidance documents addressing key health hazards such as silica dust and welding fume along with guidance on REACH/OSH interface issues.. This presentation provide an overview of some of the SLIC WG Chemex products.

The presentation will also focus on the results from cooperation with the EU’s Roadmap on Carcinogens on exchange of enforcement case studies results from a survey on hazardous substances conducted for the SLIC thematic day in May 2024 will be presented. Finally, WG Chemex’s approach to the REACH/OSH interface enforcement issues and initial results from an EU pilot enforcement project addressing exposure to di-isocyanates will also be highlighted.