scholarly journals Challenges and Emerging Trends in Toner Waste Recycling: A Review

Recycling ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Meera Parthasarathy
Keyword(s):  
Health Hazard ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
World Health ◽  
Composite Electrodes ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Emerging Trends ◽  
The Future

Toner waste is one of the major electronic waste materials posing serious environmental threat and health hazards. Globally, only about 20–30% of toner waste is recycled, while the remaining percentage is dumped in landfills. Recycling options are limited due to the desirably engineered durability of toners, ascribed to a complicated composition of chemicals, carbon black, and plastic particles, which in turn creates critical challenges in recycling. The World Health Organization has classified toner waste as class 2B carcinogen due to its potential health hazard. In this review, the existing challenges in toner waste recycling are discussed from the perspective of environmental, health, and feasibility aspects. In parallel, the challenges have been opening up alternative strategies to recycle toner wastes. Emerging trends in toner waste recycling include transformation of toner waste into value-added products, utilization as raw material for nanomaterial synthesis, generation of composite electrodes for power generation/storage devices, integration into construction materials, and development of microwave absorbing composites. Considering the enormous volume of toner waste generated globally every year, better recycling and transformation strategies are needed immediately. A circular economy could be established in the future by transforming the enormous toner waste into a resource for other applications. For an effective management of toner waste in the future, an integrated approach involving policies and legislations, infrastructure for collection and treatment, and financial planning among the stakeholders is needed in addition to technological innovations.

scholarly journals Mineral composition of raw and marinated-cooked arms from Pacific giant squid (Dosidicus gigas).

2021 ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Faustina Fernández ◽  
Celia Lucas and Sancho Bañón
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Composition ◽  
Mineral Content ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Dosidicus Gigas ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Giant Squid ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Dietary Requirements ◽  
Potential Health Hazard

Background/aim: Shellfish consumption is often perceived as a potential health hazard due to the accumulation of toxic metals. The mineral content was investigated in marinated-cooked giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) arms from three Eastern Pacific fisheries (Peru, Chile and Benthic) to elucidate their contribution to daily recommended intakes and possible presence of pollutants. Material and methods: Thirty macro- and microminerals were analysed in the raw material, marination solution, cooking broth and cooked product. Results: Both raw and marinated-cooked squid arms contained nutritionally relevant quantities of essential macro- (Na and Mg) and microminerals (Cr, Zn, Mn and Se). Fishery origin led to minor variations in the mineral composition of raw arms, while marinated-cooked arms of Benthic origin had a higher retention of Na and juice likely due to their greater size.  Levels of Pb, Hg, Zn or As found in the ready-to-eat product were below tolerable upper intake levels. Conclusion: The mineral content found in the raw squid arms suggests that the Pacific fisheries concerned are not affected by human polluting activities. Marinated-cooked squid arms cover a part of the dietary requirements for minerals and can be consumed without apparent negative nutritional implications.

scholarly journals Which Are the Main Surface Disinfection Approaches at the Time of SARS-CoV-2?

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Ghedini ◽  
Marco Pizzolato ◽  
Lilia Longo ◽  
Federica Menegazzo ◽  
Danny Zanardo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Hazard ◽  
Added Value ◽  
World Health ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Respiratory Pathogens ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Surface Disinfection ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization

Among many guidelines issued by the World Health Organization to prevent contagion from novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), disinfection of animate and inanimate surfaces has emerged as a key issue. One effective approach to prevent its propagation can be achieved by disinfecting air, skin, or surfaces. A thorough and rational application of an Environmental Protection Agent for disinfection of surfaces, as well as a good personal hygiene, including cleaning hands with appropriate products (e.g., 60–90% alcohol-based product) should minimize transmission of viral respiratory pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. Critical issues, associated with the potential health hazard of chemical disinfectants and the ineffective duration of most of the treatments, have fostered the introduction of innovative and alternative disinfection approaches. The present review aims to provide an outline of methods currently used for inanimate surface disinfection with a look to the future and a focus on the development of innovative and effective disinfection approaches (e.g., metal nanoparticles, photocatalysis, self-cleaning, and self-disinfection) with particular focus on SARS-CoV-2. The research reviews are, usually, focused on a specific category of disinfection methods, and therefore they are limited. On the contrary, a panoramic review with a wider focus, as the one here proposed, can be an added value for operators in the sector and generally for the scientific community.

scholarly journals Biomass waste utilisation in low-carbon products: harnessing a major potential resource

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nimisha Tripathi ◽  
Colin D. Hills ◽  
Raj S. Singh ◽  
Christopher J. Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Value Added ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Biomass Waste ◽  
Biomass Residues ◽  
Construction Products ◽  
Sustainable Value

Abstract The increasing demand for food and other basic resources from a growing population has resulted in the intensification of agricultural and industrial activities. The wastes generated from agriculture are a burgeoning problem, as their disposal, utilisation and management practices are not efficient or universally applied. Particularly in developing countries, most biomass residues are left in the field to decompose or are burned in the open, resulting in significant environmental impacts. Similarly, with rapid global urbanisation and the rising demand for construction products, alternative sustainable energy sources and raw material supplies are required. Biomass wastes are an under-utilised source of material (for both energy and material generation), and to date, there has been little activity focussing on a ‘low-carbon’ route for their valorisation. Thus, the present paper attempts to address this by reviewing the global availability of biomass wastes and their potential for use as a feedstock for the manufacture of high-volume construction materials. Although targeted at practitioners in the field of sustainable biomass waste management, this work may also be of interest to those active in the field of carbon emission reductions. We summarise the potential of mitigating CO2 in a mineralisation step involving biomass residues, and the implications for CO2 capture and utilisation (CCU) to produce construction products from both solid and gaseous wastes. This work contributes to the development of sustainable value-added lower embodied carbon products from solid waste. The approach will offer reduced carbon emissions and lower pressure on natural resources (virgin stone, soil etc.).

Natural and man-made low-frequency magnetic fields as a potential health hazard

1998 ◽  
Vol 168 (07) ◽  
pp. 767-791 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.G. Ptitsyna ◽  
G. Villoresi ◽  
L.I. Dorman ◽  
N. Iucci ◽  
Marta I. Tyasto
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Hazard

scholarly journals β-Galactosidases from a Sequence-Based Metagenome: Cloning, Expression, Purification and Characterization

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
María Florencia Eberhardt ◽  
José Matías Irazoqui ◽  
Ariel Fernando Amadio
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Treatment Technology ◽  
Catalytic Domains ◽  
Stabilization Ponds ◽  
Cazy Database ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Value Added Products

Stabilization ponds are a common treatment technology for wastewater generated by dairy industries. Large proportions of cheese whey are thrown into these ponds, creating an environmental problem because of the large volume produced and the high biological and chemical oxygen demands. Due to its composition, mainly lactose and proteins, it can be considered as a raw material for value-added products, through physicochemical or enzymatic treatments. β-Galactosidases (EC 3.2.1.23) are lactose modifying enzymes that can transform lactose in free monomers, glucose and galactose, or galactooligosacharides. Here, the identification of novel genes encoding β-galactosidases, identified via whole-genome shotgun sequencing of the metagenome of dairy industries stabilization ponds is reported. The genes were selected based on the conservation of catalytic domains, comparing against the CAZy database, and focusing on families with β-galactosidases activity (GH1, GH2 and GH42). A total of 394 candidate genes were found, all belonging to bacterial species. From these candidates, 12 were selected to be cloned and expressed. A total of six enzymes were expressed, and five cleaved efficiently ortho-nitrophenyl-β-galactoside and lactose. The activity levels of one of these novel β-galactosidase was higher than other enzymes reported from functional metagenomics screening and higher than the only enzyme reported from sequence-based metagenomics. A group of novel mesophilic β-galactosidases from diary stabilization ponds’ metagenomes was successfully identified, cloned and expressed. These novel enzymes provide alternatives for the production of value-added products from dairy industries’ by-products.

scholarly journals Adsorption Mechanism of Patulin from Apple Juice by Inactivated Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Kefir Grains

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 434
Author(s):  
Pascaline Bahati ◽  
Xuejun Zeng ◽  
Ferdinand Uzizerimana ◽  
Ariunsaikhan Tsoggerel ◽  
Muhammad Awais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Apple Juice ◽  
Adsorption Mechanism ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Hazard ◽  
Kefir Grains

In the food industry, microbiological safety is a major concern. Mycotoxin patulin represents a potential health hazard, as it is heat-resistant and may develop at any stage during the food chain, especially in apple-based products, leading to severe effects on human health, poor quality products, and profit reductions. The target of the study was to identify and characterize an excellent adsorbent to remove patulin from apple juice efficiently and to assess its adsorption mechanism. To prevent juice fermentation and/or contamination, autoclaving was involved to inactivate bacteria before the adsorption process. The HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) outcome proved that all isolated strains from kefir grains could reduce patulin from apple juice. A high removal of 93% was found for juice having a 4.6 pH, 15° Brix, and patulin concentration of 100 μg/L by Lactobacillus kefiranofacien, named JKSP109, which was morphologically the smoothest and biggest of all isolates in terms of cell wall volume and surface area characterized by SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) and TEM (transmission electron microscopy). C=O, OH, C–H, and N–O were the main functional groups engaged in patulin adsorption indicated by FTIR (Fourier transform–infrared). E-nose (electronic nose) was performed to evaluate the aroma quality of the juices. PCA (Principal component analysis) results showed that no significant changes occurred between control and treated juice.

scholarly journals Using Satellite Data to Analyse Raw Material Consumption in Hanoi, Vietnam

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 334
Author(s):  
Alessandro Novellino ◽  
Teresa J. Brown ◽  
Tom Bide ◽  
Nguyễn Thị Thục Anh ◽  
Evi Petavratzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Data ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Statistical Correlation ◽  
Earth Observation ◽  
Land Conservation ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Material Consumption ◽  
Sand And Gravel ◽  
Agricultural Areas

In this work, we provide an innovative route for analysing urban expansion and population growth and their link to the consumption of construction materials by combining satellite data with material consumption analysis within the Hanoi Province (Vietnam). Urban expansion is investigated with the use of landcover maps for the period 1975–2020 derived from satellite. During this period, artificial surfaces and agricultural areas have increased by 11.6% and 15.5%, respectively, while forests have decreased by 26.7%. We have used publicly available datasets to calculate and forecast the construction materials consumption and measure its statistical correlation with urban expansion between 2007 and 2018. Our results show that official figures for sand consumption are currently underestimated, and that by 2030, steel and sand and gravel consumption will increase even further by three and two times, respectively. Our analysis uses a new method to assess urban development and associated impacts by combining socio-economic and Earth Observation datasets. The analysis can provide evidence, underpin decision-making by authorities, policymakers, urban planners and sustainability experts, as well as support the development of informed strategies for resource consumption. It can also provide important information for identifying areas of land conservation and ecological greenways during urban planning.

scholarly journals Optimization of a pretreatment and hydrolysis process for the efficient recovery of recycled sugars and unknown compounds from agricultural sweet sorghum bagasse stem pith solid waste

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e6186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting-Ting Jiang ◽  
Yan Liang ◽  
Xiang Zhou ◽  
Zi-Wei Shi ◽  
Zhi-Jun Xin
Keyword(s):  
Solid Waste ◽  
Sweet Sorghum ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Alkali Concentration ◽  
Sweet Sorghum Bagasse ◽  
Amorphous Cellulose ◽  
Sorghum Bagasse ◽  
Value Added Products

Background Sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB), comprising both a dermal layer and pith, is a solid waste generated by agricultural activities. Open burning was previously used to treat agricultural solid waste but is harmful to the environment and human health. Recent reports showed that certain techniques can convert this agricultural waste into valuable products. While SSB has been considered an attractive raw material for sugar extraction and the production of value-added products, the pith root in the SSB can be difficult to process. Therefore, it is necessary to pretreat bagasse before conventional hydrolysis. Methods A thorough analysis and comparison of various pretreatment methods were conducted based on physicochemical and microscopic approaches. The responses of agricultural SSB stem pith with different particle sizes to pretreatment temperature, acid and alkali concentration and enzyme dosage were investigated to determine the optimal pretreatment. The integrated methods are beneficial to the utilization of carbohydrate-based and unknown compounds in agricultural solid waste. Results Acid (1.5−4.5%, v/v) and alkali (5−8%, w/v) reagents were used to collect cellulose from different meshes of pith at 25–100 °C. The results showed that the use of 100 mesh pith soaked in 8% (w/v) NaOH solution at 100 °C resulted in 32.47% ± 0.01% solid recovery. Follow-up fermentation with 3% (v/v) acid and 6.5% (w/v) alkali at 50 °C for enzymolysis was performed with the optimal enzyme ratio. An analysis of the surface topography and porosity before and after pretreatment showed that both the pore size of the pith and the amount of exposed cellulose increased as the mesh size increased. Interestingly, various compounds, including 42 compounds previously known to be present and 13 compounds not previously known to be present, were detected in the pretreatment liquid, while 10 types of monosaccharides, including D-glucose, D-xylose and D-arabinose, were found in the enzymatic solution. The total monosaccharide content of the pith was 149.48 ± 0.3 mg/g dry matter. Discussion An integrated technique for obtaining value-added products from sweet sorghum pith is presented in this work. Based on this technique, lignin and hemicellulose were effectively broken down, amorphous cellulose was obtained and all sugars in the sweet sorghum pith were hydrolysed into monosaccharides. A total of 42 compounds previously found in these materials, including alcohol, ester, acid, alkene, aldehyde ketone, alkene, phenolic and benzene ring compounds, were detected in the pretreatment pith. In addition, several compounds that had not been previously observed in these materials were found in the pretreatment solution. These findings will improve the transformation of lignocellulosic biomass into sugar to create a high-value-added coproduct during the integrated process and to maximize the potential utilization of agricultural waste in current biorefinery processing.

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