Air pollution in the working area of the laboratories of the petrochemical complex – a risk factor for reproductive health disorders in female workers

Introduction. Protection of women’s health who combine work with maternity and care for children is one of the most critical areas of state social policy. The professional activity of female workers in harmful working conditions is associated with the impact of production factors on their bodies, which may also pose a potential danger to their reproductive health. According to Service of State Statistics (Rosstat), in the Russian Federation in 2017-2018, 22.8-23.4% worked in conditions that did not meet sanitary and hygienic standards, in the Republic of Bashkortostan - 20.6-21.7% of female workers. Materials and methods. The working conditions of female workers engaged in laboratory and analytical activities at petrochemical enterprises were studied. One hundred twenty measurements of noise, vibration, microclimate were carried out, 3074 air samples of the working area were selected and analyzed. The coefficient of summation of chemicals with a unidirectional effect of action and reproductive toxicity is calculated. Results. Hygienic studies found that female workers at the petrochemical complex were exposed to harmful chemicals, whose concentrations in the air of the working area were determined below the maximum allowable. These substances have a different nature of action on the body, including potentially dangerous to reproductive health. The summation coefficient of chemical substances with unidirectional effects and reproductive toxicity was in the range from 1.04 to 1.53, which, according to Guideline R.2.2.2006-05, corresponds to Class 3.1 of working conditions. There was an intensity of the labour process due to the three-shift nature of the work. Conclusion. Laboratorians, chemical engineers of the petrochemical complex were exposed to combined exposure to chemicals belonging to 2-4 hazard classes, many of which had a unidirectional mechanism of action and at the same time represented, to some extent, a potential hazard to women’s reproductive health. The overall assessment of working conditions of female workers corresponds to harmful class - 3.1, which requires the development of measures to reduce the occupational risk of violations of reproductive health.

Problems of increasing the efficiency of using fixed and working capital of petrochemical enterprises

The article discusses topical issues of analysis of the state and improving the quality of management of the structure of fixed and working capital of enterprises of the petrochemical complex. Evaluation of indicators affecting the efficiency of their use made it possible to determine the directions for improving the process of forming the value of fixed and circulating assets of petrochemical enterprises. In conclusion, the authors highlight the successful practices of enterprise asset management.

Airborne toxic exposure and pulmonary outcomes among petrochemical complex workers

Background Petrochemical workers are exposed to a variety of airborne toxic compounds which have been associated with increased risk for respiratory outcomes. However, long-term exposure to SO2, NO2, O3, H2S and NH3 in relation to spirometric parameters and self-reported respiratory problems is largely unknown. Methods Airborne concentration levels of SO2, NO2, O3, H2S and NH3 were collected from two fixed stations over a 3-year period in a petrochemical complex. We assessed spirometric parameters and respiratory symptoms in the petrochemical workers (n = 200) and in an unexposed group (n = 200). We calculated β-coefficients (β) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) before and after adjustment for covariates. Results The mean airborne pollution levels were 159 µg/m3 for SO2, 43 µg/m3 for NO2, 66 µg/m3 for O3, 6 µg/m3 for H2S, and 24 µg/m3 for NH3. We found a significant reduction in spirometric parameters among petrochemical workers compared to the unexposed: FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1s) (adjusted β -12; 95%CI -16, -7.64), FEV1/ FVC (forced vital capacity) (β -7.26; 95%CI -9.23, -5.28), and PEF (peak expiratory flow) (β -6.61; 95%CI -12, -0.76). Additionally, we observed higher adjusted risks for any respiratory symptom (OR 4.69; 95%CI 1.76, 12), mucus (OR 4.36; 95%CI 1.70, 11) and shortness of breath (OR 15; 4.95, 46) among petrochemical workers compared to the unexposed group. Conclusions Most measured airborne pollution levels were within the ambient recommendation levels. Still, long-term exposure to low level airborne pollutants, reduced FEV1, FEV1/FVC and PEF, and increased respiratory symptoms in Iranian petrochemical workers compared to unexposed controls.

SARS-CoV-2 and Exposure to Pollution of the Population Near an Industrial Area in the Metropolitan Region in São Paulo State, Brazil

Industrial installations close to residential areas could cause health risks. Our objectives are to evaluate the interaction between pre-existing conditions (i.e., rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, obstructive pulmonary diseases (OPDs), conjunctivitis, dermatitis and primary hypothyroidism (PH)) and a higher risk of complications when infected with SARS-CoV-2 in residents exposed to long-term air pollutants. With a focus on the area affected by the Capuava Petrochemical Complex (CPC) (Region 1) and combining the AERMOD dispersion model with the Weather Research Forecast (WRF) (2016), we evaluated the Greater ABC region, Brazil. The concentrations of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analyzed in 2017 and these data were correlated with data obtained in a survey of 2004 residents 8–72 years of age of both sexes; 1002 (Region 1), and 1002 of them reside within the areas surrounding various industrial areas (Region 2). SARS-CoV-2 cases were collected from the Greater ABC region. Region 1 showed higher average concentrations of all pollutants analyzed. Among the 2004 total residents, there were significant differences between Region 1 and Region 2 in the incidence of cases of rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, OPDs, conjunctivitis, dermatitis and PH demonstrating that there is a higher incidence of the evaluated diseases in residents who live closer to the CPC. Compared with residents with these diseases, the residents of Region 1 had a higher relative risk of complications when infected with SARS-CoV-2 than did the residents of Region 2.

Estrategias de gestión de tesorería en las pequeñas y medianas empresas del sector petroquímico

La investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar las estrategias de gestión de tesorería en las pequeñas y medianas empresas del sector petroquímico. La misma fue sustentada con una metodología de tipo descriptiva, bajo un diseño no experimental, transeccional y de campo. La población quedo constituida por seis empresas, vigentes y en ejecución dentro del complejo petroquímico del municipio Miranda. Para la recolección de la información se utilizó un instrumento, tipo cuestionario, conformado por trece ítems, con cinco opciones de respuestas. Para su validez se sometió al juicio de expertos. Para la confiabilidad, se empleó el Método Alfa de Cronbach, obteniéndose 0,96. Se tabularon los datos procediendo al análisis cuantitativo de frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Se resalta que los indicadores: flujo de cobros, flujo de pagos, posición fecha valor, previsiones de tesorería y funciones del tesorero se posicionaron en muy alta aplicación; sólo los depósitos a plazo fijo ostentaron alta aplicación. ABSTRACT The research aimed to analyze treasury management strategies in small and medium-sized companies in the petrochemical sector. It was supported by a descriptive methodology, under a non-experimental, transectional and field design. The population was made up of six companies, in force and in execution within the petrochemical complex of the Miranda municipality. To collect the information, an instrument, questionnaire type, consisting of thirteen items, with five response options was used. For its validity, it was submitted to expert judgment. For reliability, the Cronbach's Alpha Method was used, obtaining 0.96. The data were tabulated proceeding to the quantitative analysis of absolute and relative frequencies. It is highlighted that the indicators: collection flow, payment flow, value date position, treasury forecasts and treasurer functions were positioned in very high application; only fixed-term deposits held high application.

Does living close to a petrochemical complex increase the adverse psychological effects of the COVID-19 lockdown?

The petrochemical industry has made the economic development of many local communities possible, increasing employment opportunities and generating a complex network of closely-related secondary industries. However, it is known that petrochemical industries emit air pollutants, which have been related to different negative effects on mental health. In addition, many people around the world are being exposed to highly stressful situations deriving from the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns adopted by national and regional governments. The present study aims to analyse the possible differential effects on various psychological outcomes (stress, anxiety, depression and emotional regulation strategies) stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown experienced by individuals living near an important petrochemical complex and subjects living in other areas, nonexposed to the characteristic environmental pollutants emitted by these kinds of complex. The sample consisted of 1607 subjects who answered an ad hoc questionnaire on lockdown conditions, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS) and the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). The results indicate that people living closer to petrochemical complexes reported greater risk perception [K = 73.42, p < 0.001, with a medium size effect (η2 = 0.061)]. However, no significant relationship between psychological variables and proximity to the focus was detected when comparing people living near to or far away from a chemical/petrochemical complex. Regarding the adverse psychological effects of the first lockdown due to COVID-19 on the general population in Catalonia, we can conclude that the conditions included in this survey were mainly related to changes in the participants’ impulsivity levels, with different total impulsivity scores being obtained if they had minors in their care (p<0.001), if they had lost their jobs, if they were working (p<0.001), if they were not telecommuting (p<0.001), if they went out to work (p<0.001) or if they established routines (p = 0.009). However, we can also be fairly certain that the economic effects are going to be worse than those initially detected in this study. More research will be necessary to corroborate our results.

The work-technology nexus and working-class environmentalism: Workerism versus capitalist noxiousness in Italy’s Long 1968

This article traces the trajectory of theory and praxis around nocività or noxiousness – i.e., health damage and environmental degradation – drawn by the workerist group rooted in the petrochemical complex of Porto Marghera, Venice. While Porto Maghera was an important setting for the early activism of influential theorists such as the post-workerist Antonio Negri and the autonomist feminist Mariarosa Dalla Costa, the theories produced by the workers themselves have been largely forgotten. Yet, this experience was remarkable because it involved workers employed by polluting industries denouncing in words and actions the environmental degradation caused by their companies from as early as 1968, when the workerists had a determining influence in the local factories. The Porto Marghera struggles against noxiousness contradict the widespread belief that what is today known as working-class environmentalism did not have much significance in the labour unrest of Italy’s Long 1968. The Porto Marghera group’s original contribution was based on the thesis of the inherent noxiousness of capitalist work and an antagonistic-transformative approach to capitalist technology. This led to the proposal of a counterpower able to determine “what, how, and how much to produce” on the basis of common needs encompassing the environment, pointing to the utopian prospect of struggling for a different, anti-capitalist technology, compatible with the sustainable reproduction of life on the planet.