Geographic Information Systems in Management on the Example of a Traffic Incident with a Chemical

The purpose of the article is to present various adverse events that may occur in connection with the loading, unloading and transport of dangerous substances. The focus was on finding the reasons for their formation and an analysis of the quantity and structure of the goods transported was carried out. It also describes the possibility of using the geographical information system, with particular regard to the risk situation during the transport of such substances.

HAZARD LABELS. LABEL DESIGN, APPLICATION AND USAGE RULES

One of the distinctive features of today is the presence in our life of substances, by-products that pose a hazard to human health, a threat to the environment, but without which the production process of other goods is impossible and we cannot imagine our existence, that is, electrical energy generation by the use of nuclear fuel, mineral fertilizers, various kinds of substances in the chemical industry from conditionally hazardous to very hazardous. All of these substances need to be transported from production site to the place of use. Therefore, the question arises, i.e., if these dangerous substances are necessary for production of other very necessary and useful goods, how to protect those people who can suffer during their manufacture, transportation and use. It turns out that the answer is almost on the surface. Generating of hazardous substance primarily raises the need to develop measures for protection against their impact, or at least minimize it. This paper analyses the issues of prevention and minimization of the dangerous substances effect on the people, environment while transporting by analyzing classes, sub-classes, categories of dangerous substances categories. The classification of dangerous substances, labels designs, guidance on their application and use are given. Rules and obligations of dangerous cargoes transportation entities are specified. Key words: hazardous substances, classification of hazardous substances, hazard warning signs, methods and means of application, marking rules.

Phytoremediation of Soil Contaminated With Heavy Metals Using the Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus L.)

Phytoremediation has proven to be a suitable method for removing heavy metals from the soil with the help of plants. To examine the phytoremediation potential, the experimental study monitored the influence of high and low concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Zn) on Helianthus annuus L., as well as their accumulation in seeds, roots, stems and leaves. The experiment was carried out during one growing season in outdoor conditions, in pots with a volume of 5L in which Helianthus annuus L. was planted, and the soil was contaminated with these heavy metals in concentrations below and above the maximum allowable concentration prescribed by the Rulebook on Determining Permissible Quantities of Harmful and Dangerous Substances in Soil and Methods of Their Testing. After growth and development of the plant, the experimental research examined the accumulation potential of the plant, the growth of the plant itself and its ability to survive depending on different concentrations of heavy metals. By processing the obtained results, statistically significant differences of heavy metals were determined in individual parts of the plants, depending on the applied concentration. The highest concentration of Zn was recorded in the leaves of the plant in the amount of 18.21 mg/kg, and the lowest concentration in the stem, 3.92 mg/kg. The measured values of heavy metals Cd and Pb differ from the above because the lowest concentrations of these heavy metals were recorded in the seed, and were 12.02 mg/kg for Pb and 9.20 mg/kg for Cd, which is a statistically significantly lower determined value relative to other parts of the plant.

Application of Chemical Monitoring and Public Alarm Systems to Reduce Public Vulnerability to Major Accidents Involving Dangerous Substances

As a result of economic development and an increase in the volume of industrial production, the use of dangerous substances is increasing despite the fact that most industrial facilities are committed to the principles of environmental protection and sustainable development. Protection of human health and the environment is ensured at the local level by the local safety system. Major accidents typically have an off-site impact that also affects the general public. The most significant asymmetric event is when toxic substances are release into a populated area following a major accident. Early warning systems can significantly reduce the harmful consequences of major accidents that may occur. The operation of a reliable and effective chemical monitoring and public alarm system can be used as a basic device of defence. This ultimately means restoring the symmetry of the local safety system. It was an important scientific objective in Hungary to identify the facilities endangering the population where it is necessary to install chemical monitoring and early warning external protection systems. In this context, the main objective of this study was to present dangerous plant identification methodology and to analyse and evaluate the results of the application of this methodology.

Part II Analytical Approaches, Ch.15 The Role of Science

This chapter reflects on the crucial and multifaceted role of science in international environmental law, identifying and framing its challenges, threats, and problems. The role of science in international environmental law has been the subject of vigorous debate, focusing around competing claims concerning the need for action in almost every area of environmental regulation, such as climate change, restrictions on use of areas or resources such as fisheries, and restrictions on ‘dangerous’ substances such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The developing jurisprudence on the role of science in international environmental law articulated by various international tribunals such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) highlights the important role that science plays in this field. The chapter then considers how science has influenced international environmental law and in turn, how international environmental law has contributed to the promotion of science. An emerging issue highlighted in the chapter is the increasing politicization of science and the need to understand the limitations of science.

The Chemical Properties of Soils from Forest Fields Occupied by Oil Drills in Moinesti, Romania

Forest fields temporary occupied by different industrial activities are restored to the silvicultural circuit after the industrial activity has ended. These fields should be apt for reforestation and should have admissible values regarding their content of dangerous substances. The present article describes and interprets the characteristics of soils from four fields occupied temporary by oil wells in Moine�ti, Bacau County. The content of clay, soluble salts and nutritive elements were analysed, together with the soil�s reaction, the content of hydrocarbons or other soil characteristics. The admissible values for installing, growing and developing forest species were then emphasized. The obtained results have illustrated the fact that the oil extraction activity had negative effects on soils, namely: a strong consolidation (especially on access roads); the truncation and/or derangement/mixture of horizons or soils stratums with the rock; depletion of nutritive substances; salinization, argilisation and pollution with oil residues. In order to render these fields back to the silvicultural circuit, bio remedy technologies must be applied or other measures that can eliminate the pollutant from the soil (decontamination methods), followed by pedoameliorative measures.

Environment Monitoring System Raising Awareness of Sensitive Inhabitants Based on Regression Predictive Modelling

The system described in this paper notifies the user about possible indoor environmental hazards through a smartphone application. Events such as house fires or increasing levels of dangerous substances are detected; thus, raising the awareness level in regard to the quality of the indoor environment. Our solution is a system that monitors the environment within a room in order to avoid undesired health hazards. It consists of a data collection subsystem, a cloud database which stores the collected information and a mobile application that displays and notifies the user in case of critical events that might negatively affect the health condition.