Solar irradiation as an alternative bleaching process for agar extracted from Gracilariopsis heteroclada in Iloilo, Philippines

The current industrial practice of using chemical bleach to achieve the pure white colour of agar is deleterious to both human and environmental health. This study evaluates the potential of solar irradiation as an alternative bleaching process for agar extracted from Gracilariopsis heteroclada in Iloilo, Philippines. The physico-chemical properties of agar obtained from alkaline-treated seaweed after exposure to different bleaching conditions (e.g. solar irradiation, hypochlorite solution, and ultraviolet and fluorescent lights) were examined and compared with commercial bacteriological agar. Photobleaching through solar irradiation produced agar with superior gel strength (1038.61 g cm−2), high 3,6-anhydrogalactose content (41.44%) and low total inorganic sulphate content (1.87%) without compromising agar yield (19.37%). Solar irradiation offers very promising results as a simple, low-cost, environmentally friendly alternative to the chlorine bleaching process for agar extraction.

Using Oxone and TAED activator in non-chlorine bleaching of soda bagasse pulp

Bagasse fiber has been used in the production of bleached chemical pulp by the Pars Paper Company. In this company, a conventional three-stage sequence of hypochlorite, alkaline extraction and second hypochlorite (HEH) is applied in pulp bleaching. Pulp bleaching is one of the most important environmental pollutant stages in the pulp and paper industry. In this research, the bleaching of soda bagasse pulp by applying Oxone and TAED-activator in non-chlorine bleaching sequences has been investigated. The unbleached pulp, with kappa number of 20, 955 ml/g viscosity and 37 % brightness, was prepared from Pars Paper Company. Results indicated that, the TAED at the first and second stages were more effective than in the Oxone stages. Moreover, the sequences, which contained TAED- and Oxone-second-stage, could reach the minimum level of kappa (1.7), but the highest brightness (80 %) was attained by using only TAED with a comparatively high level of pulp viscosity (752).

Concentrations of PCDD/Fs in Human Blood: A Review of Data from the Current Decade

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-furans (PCDD/Fs) are environmental pollutants with great persistence, the capacity of bioaccumulation, and well known important toxic effects in humans and animals. Incinerators of hazardous, municipal and medical waste, chlorine bleaching of paper pulp, cement plants, and the traffic of motor vehicles are the most frequent emission sources of these compounds. The diet, followed at a great distance by inhalation, is generally the main way of human exposure to PCDD/Fs. Human biomonitoring is of great importance to prevent potential adverse effects derived from exposure to chemicals such as PCDD/Fs. In relation to this, blood is among the most used biological monitors. In the current review, we have summarized the recent information (2000–2009) published in the scientific literature (databases: Scopus and PubMed) on the concentrations of PCDD/Fs in blood samples of non-occupationally exposed populations, as well as in some groups of occupationally exposed individuals. We have revised a number of studies conducted in various African, American, Asian and European countries, and Australia. Unfortunately, the information is quite limited. No data are available for most countries over the world. Based on the results here reviewed, where available, the current health risks for the general populations do not seem to be of concern. Moreover, taking into account the important reductions observed in the levels of PCDD/Fs in foodstuffs, new decreases in the concentrations of PCDD/Fs in blood—and other biological tissues—are very probable in the immediate years.

Concentrations of PCDD/Fs in Human Blood: A Review of Data from the Current Decade

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-furans (PCDD/Fs) are environmental pollutants with a great persistence, capacity of bioaccumulation, and well known important toxic effects in humans and animals. Incinerators of hazardous, municipal and medical waste, chlorine bleaching of paper pulp, cement plants, and the traffic of motor vehicles are the most frequent emission sources of these compounds. The diet, followed at a great distance by inhalation, is generally the main way of human exposure to PCDD/Fs. Human biomonitoring is of a great importance to prevent potential adverse effects derived from exposure to chemicals such as PCDD/Fs. In relation to this, blood is among the most used biological monitors. In the current review, we have summarized the recent information (2000-2009) published in the scientific literature (databases: Scopus and PubMed) on the concentrations of PCDD/Fs in blood samples of non-occupationally exposed populations, as well as in some groups of occupationally exposed individuals. We have revised a number of studies conducted in various African American, Asian and European countries, and Australia. Unfortunately, the information is quite limited. No data are available for most countries over the world. Based on the results here reviewed –where available- the current health risks for the general populations do not seem to be of concern. Moreover, taking into account the important reductions observed in the levels of PCDD/Fs in foodstuffs, new decreases in the concentrations of PCDD/Fs in blood -and other biological tissues- are very probable in the immediate years.

Regenerablity and Stability of Antibacterial Cellulose Containing Triazine N-halamine

A reactive triazine derivative, 2,4-dichloro-6-hydroxy-1,3,5-triazine (DCHT), was prepared through the controlled hydrolysis of cyanuric chloride in water solution. The reaction was characterized with 13C NMR study. The reaction solutions could be directly used to treat cellulose fibers. A pad-dry-cure method was employed to immobilize the triazine derivative onto cotton. The covalently bound triazine moieties on cotton could be transformed into N-halamine structures after a chlorine bleaching treatment. The biocidal efficacies of the treated samples with different chlorine loadings were further examined. The storage and release testing showed that the antimicrobial function of the N-halamine modified cotton fabrics was durable and renewable. These advantages make the triazine N-halamine modified cotton as an attractive candidate in a broad range of application fields.