Environmental Policy for the Restriction on the Use of Plastic Products in Taiwan: Regulatory Measures, Implementation Status and COVID-19’s Impacts on Plastic Products Recycling

In response to international trends regarding the reduction in plastic waste (or plastic pollution), this work used the official statistics that were recently released, focusing on regulatory actions restricting the use of plastic products and/or the increase in recycling in Taiwan. In addition, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on plastic waste generation and plastic products’ recycling were also addressed in the present study. The results showed that the plastic compositions in the garbage slightly increased in recent years, suggesting that the effect of restrictions on the use of plastic products in Taiwan was not significant, even though the regulatory measures have been implemented since 2002. However, chlorine contents in the garbage were significantly increased in 2020. The increase could be attributed to the fact that kitchen waste (containing salt), household waste containing disinfectant (e.g., chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite) or PVC-made products were generated more during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the data also indicated that the monthly quantities of recycled plastic containers and other plastic products had no significant change since January 2020, especially in the outbreak period from May 2021 to July 2021.

Late effects of Beauveria bassiana on larval stages of Aedes aegypti Linneo, 1762 (Diptera: Culicidae)

Aedes aegypti is a culicide that has gained relevance over the years due to its ability to transmit various viruses that cause diseases in humans that all the years cause high mortality rates in the world population. The main problem is that Ae. aegypti has managed to establish and maintain a close relationship with humans and their habitat, which is why the search for alternatives to control vector populations becomes imperative. The objective of the present work was to study the effects of two Beauveria bassiana strains on Aedes aegypti. Third instar larvae of Ae. aegypti in 250 mL plastic containers were inoculated with the GHA and NB3 strains at different concentrations (1.5 × 104, 1.5× 105, 1.5 × 106 and 1.5 × 107 conidia/mL). The NB3 strain presented highest mortality values with 63% in the highest concentration i.e., 1.5 × 107, while for the GHA strain the highest mortality value was 30.7% at the same concentration. The results showed significant difference in mortality with respect to the strain and days post treatment (P = 0.0001), but not with respect to the conidial concentration (P = 0.634). The average mortality of larvae per day for the NB3 for different concentrations ranged from 20 to 25 larvae per day, while for the GHA daily mortality ranged from 5 to 12 larvae. In post-treatment mortality, the highest mortality was recorded in the third stage larvae for the NB3, while for GHA the highest percentage mortality was observed in individuals who managed to reach the adult state. The findings of the current research depicted the noteworthy role of B. bassiana for the management of an important vector of human disease.

Application of a Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Method Based on a Natural Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvent for the Extraction of Plastic Migrants from Kombuchas

A vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction, based on a natural hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent made from the monoterpene thymol and octanoic fatty acid, was employed for the analysis of 11 phthalate esters and one adipate in kombucha (a tea-based fermented beverage). Separation and determination were performed using an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) system coupled to a single quadrupole mass spectrometer. Confirmatory analyses were carried out through UHPLC tandem mass spectrometry. The full method was validated in terms of matrix effect, matrix-matched calibration, sensitivity, recovery, limits of detection and quantification and repeatability. Satisfactory determination coefficients for quadratic calibration curves (≥0.9938), recovery values (67–120%) and limits of detection (0.07–5.45 µg/L) were obtained. Analysis of 26 kombucha samples reported concentrations for dibutyl phthalate and dimethyl phthalate in the range between the limit of quantification (LOQ) and 16.18 ± 1.14 µg/L, although these phthalates were also detected under the LOQ in some of the analyzed samples. Only one of the samples bottled in plastic containers (7) did not present residues while only five of the 19 samples in glass bottles contained any plasticizer. However, the highest concentration was found in a kombucha bottled in food-grade glass. This work represents the first application in which phthalates and adipates are analyzed in kombuchas.

Talking Trash: The Rhetoric of Waste Bins

There is no mythical “land of away.” We have a trash problem, and plastic is a major contributor. In 2015, we generated 34.5 million tons of municipal solid plastic waste (EPA, “National Overview”), and it is only a part of our waste. Ironically, plastic containers, from household cans to plastic liners to the large green curbside bins, held that solid waste at one time—and were soon to be their own contribution to the 3.4 million tons. The banality, opacity, and capacity of our waste bins facilitate consumer culture. Reflective design, however, can help us query our trash practices by defamiliarizing the trashcan through making its attributes and properties visible and explorable. “Talking Trash” is an act of reflective design in which I wove a waste bin from the environmental articles of various magazines. Next, I set up a Twitter account, @Talking_Trash_, to tweet about items I was placing in the bin. Then, I considered the pedagogical value of Talking Trash and similar reflective design projects in environment humanities classes. Ultimately, I argue that our trashcans engage in a rhetoric of the everyday that encourages consumer practice and waste-world-making. Talking Trash provides insight into the public and private natures of waste, the revealing and concealing our bins promote, and the affordances of materiality present in our waste bins. Talking Trash is an intervention of hope.

Radon Monitoring by Alpha Track Detection Using Cn–85 Plastic Track

Radon sources can be found in external and internal radiation. Lead pencil (LP) is often used for drawing, sketching, etc. regardless of age nowadays. Paracetamol (PC) is commonly used around the world especially to treat fever, headache, menstrual pain, and common pain. Hence, the aim is to study the procedures for determining the radon gas comes out from different types of lead pencil and paracetamol. Eight and five samples were collected from different companies of lead pencil and paracetamol, respectively. The samples were measured using the sealed technique in cylindrical plastic containers with CN–85 detectors. After irradiation, the detectors were chemically etched using 2 N sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution at a temperature of 70 ºC for 62 min. The alpha track density on the surface of detectors was measured using an optical microscope at a magnification of 100×. Tracks on detectors were counted using Image software. Radon concentration values including all samples in this study are within the limits of international which is 1000 Bq/m3. The concentration of radium in LP and PC samples are lower than those reported in previous study. The result of the uranium concentration of both samples is quite low compared with the allowed limit which is 11.7 ppm. Annual effective dose levels are all below the dose limit which is 10 mSv/y. Lastly, there was a linear relationship between radium activity and radon exhalation rate. Therefore, using LP and eating PC cause no danger to humans. All results showed in this study are within internationally permissible limits, and therefore not a threat to human health.

Monitoring of productive and biochemical parameters of young Clarias gariepinus during feeding of Skretting and Roycher AQUA feeds in experimental conditions

The article presents the results of monitoring the productive and biochemical indicators of the growth rate of young clary catfish using dry extruded complete feed for fish, which have proven to be best adapted for use at all stages of growing clary catfish, namely: Skretting and Roycher AQUA in experimental conditions. The research was conducted in the educational and experimental laboratories of Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University from 2019 to 2021. For the experiment, we used the young of the African marble clary catfish (Clarias gariepinus), purchased from one of the fish farms in the Odesa region. Clary catfish fry was kept in four rectangular plastic containers for 90 liters of freshwater. The tanks were two-thirds full (60 liters). The water temperature was maintained at 26 °C. For the experiment, 120 fries were used, which were kept in four plastic tanks by the method of analogs of 30 specimens each. Given that the fry differed in weight (for experiment 1 we selected fry with higher weight, and for experiment 2 – with lower weight), they were divided on the principle of analogs into two experimental and two control groups. Based on the results of monitoring in Experiment 1, fish observations, and mathematical calculation, we found that the feed ratio when fed Skretting and Roycher AQUA starter feed is 0.74 and 0.99 %, respectively. Based on the results of monitoring, fish observations, and mathematical calculation, it was found that the feed ratio in experiment 2 when feeding starter feed Skretting and Roycher AQUA is 0.75 and 1.54 %, respectively. The high feed rate for the use of Roycher AQUA can be explained by overuse due to the grinding of the granules. Growing aquaculture facilities in an artificially formed system – production, allows you to get environmentally friendly fish products all year round. This is a very important criterion in modern environmental conditions.

EFFECT OF CHITOSAN PRETREATMENT ON THE QUALITY OF STRAWBERRIES DURING COLD STORAGE

The paper is focused on improving the technology of storing strawberries. It has been investigated how pretreatment of berries with aqueous solutions of low-molecular-weight chitosan of three concentrations (0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%) affects the quality parameters of strawberries during refrigeration. The treated berries and the reference (untreated sample) were stored in 500 g perforated plastic containers at 0±2°C for 14 days. It has been found that strawberries treated with chitosan solutions had significantly smaller weight loss than the reference. At the end of storage, this parameter was 9.7% in the reference and 7.0–8.6% in the treated berries. It has been established that the respiration rate of the strawberries decreased sharply on the first day, which was caused by refrigerated storage, and continued to decline until the end of storage. Finally, this parameter attained the value 3.3 mg CO2/kg-1h-1in the reference and 2.2–3.0 mg CO2/kg-1h-1 in the treated berries. The hardness of the strawberries at the end of storage was 0.10–0.14 kg/cm2. The change in the lustre level of the berries has been observed. It has been established that on the 14th day of storage, the surface of the untreated berries was dull. The best characteristics have been observed for treatment at the chitosan concentration 0.5%. The effect of chitosan films on the sensory characteristics of berries has been investigated. It has been found that the pretreatment did not impair the taste of the berries. The results of the tasting evaluation indicate that the taste, aroma, and colour were better in the variants with the treatment concentrations 0.3 and 0.5%. However, as for the appearance and consistency, the experts preferred the berries treated at the concentration 0.5%. After two weeks’ storage, the strawberries have been found to be damaged by four fungal diseases. The infections found in the samples were Botrytis cinerea (grey mould), Rhizopus stolonifer (black mould), Whetzelinia sclerotiorum (white mould), and Penicillium spp. It has been established that pretreatment of strawberries with chitosan solutions reduces the development of phytopathogenic diseases. It has been shown that chitosan-based edible coatings have a positive effect on strawberries, increasing their shelf life and improving their quality. A conclusion has been drawn about the technology of application of chitosan solutions and about their concentrations.

Endocrine disruptors in boiled drinking water carried in plastic containers: a pilot study in Thrissur, Kerala, India

Boiled drinking water is carried by students to schools and colleges in plastic containers. However, the risk associated with drinking water stored in plastic containers is very real especially the question of leachates finding their way into the water stored in these containers. In this pilot study, we identified the most common plastic container used by students to carry water and the factors that govern their choice. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was identified as the most favored plastic used to carry water. PET bottles were then subject to treatments that mimic conditions representative of normal consumer usage. The water sample collected was tested for the presence of phthalates, antimony & titanium, and their content estimated by gas chromatography and atomic absorption spectra. Although phthalates and antimony leach into water from PET bottles their concentration was not high enough to pose a threat to human life. However, the trend of increasing antimony concentration with temperature and time is a cause of concern because of its role as endocrine disruptors. Prolonged and repeated use of PET bottles to carry water, especially warm water may lead to health problems in the community.

Digitalisasi sistem jimpitan Dukuh Ngluar Desa Tepisari

Sistem jimpitan desa adalah salah satu penerapan teknologi informasi yang mempermudah pengambilan uang dari satu rumah warga ke rumah warga yang lain. Selama ini sistem yang dijalankan dalam suatu desa masih menggunakan sistem manual seperti meletakkan uang di dalam wadah plastik kemudian petugas desa akan mengambilnya. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan sebuah sistem jimpitan dengan tujuan untuk memudahkan petugas dalam pendataan jimpitan yang berbasis Quick Response Code (QR Code). Tugas akhir ini menggunkan metode Waterfall salah satu dari metode Developing Life Cycle (SDLC) dengan menggunakan bahasa pemrograman Codeigniter. basisdata MySQL, dan laptop sebagai hardwarenya. Hasil yang diperoleh yaitu sistem jimpitan yang dirancang untuk layanan publik dan memiliki fitur scan QR Code, pengelolaan data, dan menyajikan laporan keuangan jimpitan yang dapat dipertanggungjawabkan. Pengujian sistem jimpitan mengunakan teknik Blackbox yang mampu menghasilkan nilai 96% di dapat melalui presentase seluruh jawaban responden. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini adalah dengan adanya sistem jimpitan diharapkan mampu meningkatkan produktiftas desa.Digitizing the jimpitan system in Dukuh Ngluwar, Tepisari Village AbstractVillage pinch system is one application of information technology that makes it easy to withdraw money from one resident's house to another resident's home. During this time, the system that is run in a village is still using a manual system such as putting money in plastic containers, and then village officials will take it. Therefore, it requires a pinch system to facilitate the officer in the data collection of the pinch-based Quick Response Code (QR Code). This final project uses the Developing Life Cycle (SDLC) method, Code Igniter programming language, MySQL for database loading, and laptop hardware. The results obtained are a pinch system which is designed for public service and has a QR Code scan feature, data management, and presents a financial report on the pinch that can be accounted for. Testing the jimpitan system using the Blackbox technique, which can produce 96%, can be done through the presentation of all respondents' answers. This study concludes that the existence of a Jimpitan system is expected to improve village productivity.

Preservation of the quality of Actinidia kolomikta berries using a modified atmosphere

Actinidia berries are a unique natural source of ascorbic acid and many other important physiologically valuable nutrients, but they have a short shelf life. A modified atmosphere is of particular importance for preserving the quality of Actinidia berries during storage. The research was implemented in the laboratory of progressive technologies for storing fruits and vegetables of the research center of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education of the Michurinsky State Agrarian University on Actinidia berries of the Soroka variety. 600-700 g of freshly picked berries were placed in perforated plastic containers. The storage technology provided for the cooling of Actinidia to a temperature of + 0.5 ° C, the installation of perforated plastic containers with berries in the Xtend package, and packaging. The packages had two mini-cranes each, designed to connect the gas-analyzer inlet pneumatic line and return the medium. Storage was carried out in a refrigerator at a constant temperature of + 0.5 ° C and relative humidity of 90%. During the storage period, the concentration of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene in the bag was regularly measured, and the berries were examined, and their appearance was assessed. It was found that after three days of storage, the level of gas concentrations inside the package stabilized and over the next 28 days was in the range of 3.1-3.5% for carbon dioxide and 17.8-18.8% for oxygen. The intensity of ethylene release increased sharply on the 28th day of storage, which led to a significant decrease in the commercial quality of the berries. The studies have shown that to preserve the quality and extend the storage period of Actinidia berries, it is possible to recommend using a modified atmosphere, which ensures the preservation of the original quality of fresh berries. The optimal storage period is 24 days, with the yield of standard berries 94.4%, which is 2.3 times higher than the control. The duration of storage in a modified atmosphere is increased from 3 days to 24 days.