A recent trend in the field of membrane research is the incorporation of nanoparticles into polymeric membranes, which could produce synergistic effects when using different types of materials. This paper discusses the effect of the introduction of different nanometals such as silver, iron, silica, aluminum, titanium, zinc, and copper and their oxides on the permeability, selectivity, hydrophilicity, conductivity, mechanical strength, thermal stability, and antiviral and antibacterial properties of polymeric membranes. The effects of nanoparticle physicochemical properties, type, size, and concentration on a membrane’s intrinsic properties such as pore morphology, porosity, pore size, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, membrane surface charge, and roughness are discussed, and the performance of nanocomposite membranes in terms of flux permeation, contaminant rejection, and antifouling capability are reviewed. The wide range of nanocomposite membrane applications including desalination and removal of various contaminants in water-treatment processes are discussed.

Silicone resins are widely applied as coating materials due to their unique properties, especially those related to very good heat resistance. The most important effect on the long-term heat resistance of the coating is connected with the type of resin. Moreover, this structure is stabilized by a chemical reaction between the hydroxyl groups from the organoclay and the silicone resin. The novel trends in application of silicone resins in intumescent paints used mostly for protection of steel structures against fire will be presented based on literature review. Some examples of innovative applications for fire protection of other materials will be also presented. The effect of silicone resin structure and the type of filler used in these paints on the properties of the char formed during the thermal decomposition of the intumescent paint will be discussed in detail. The most frequently used additives are expanded graphite and organoclay. It has been demonstrated that silicate platelets are intercalated in the silicone matrix, significantly increasing its mechanical strength and resulting in high protection against fire.

Aim: This article attempts to bring closer the issues related to the emission of harmful substances to the environment. The example of two fires that occurred in Poland in 2018 was used – in the former “Boruta” plant in Zgierz and in a landfill in Trzebinia. By presenting the results of measurements and tests available in this field, attention was drawn to the need to improve the methods of detecting and measuring hazardous substances, in particular with regard to their dispersion in the atmosphere. Introduction: The threat to the environment resulting from improper management, including waste disposal, remains a serious challenge for many societies, also for the EU countries, which are among the richest countries in the world. Increased waste generation, high costs related to waste management, i.e. landfilling and recycling, generate the risk of deliberately causing fires in landfills as a method of free disposal. It is cost-free only from the point of view of the dishonest owner of this waste, because the direct costs of long-term rescue and firefighting activities and the effects of the emission of hazardous substances to the environment are borne by the society. In addition, in the last of the aspects mentioned above, the price for this method of disposal is paid primarily by people living in the vicinity of the facilities in question. But not only. In the event of the penetration of the substances mentioned above into the soil and watercourses via e.g. firefighting waters, their impact – also delayed in time – may also affect many other people, e.g. consumers of agricultural products manufactured in the contaminated areas. Methodology: In the article, mainly theoretical research methods were used, including the analysis of literature. Also research reports of specialized research units involved in extinguishing the mentioned fires were analysed. The legal instruments were reviewed against the background of economic conditions and their impact on the efficiency of waste management in Poland was determined. Conclusions: Despite measurement imperfections mentioned above, the presence of the compounds such as toluene, benzene, ethylbenzene, styrene, methylstyrene, sulfur dioxide and o-xylene, which are characteristic substances released during the combustion of plastics, was found in the fire areas. The analysis of surface water samples showed exceeding the standard levels of metals such as copper, aluminum and antimony, as well as petroleum substances such as anthracene, fluoranthene, benzo (b) fluoranthene, benzo (k) fluoranthene, benzo (g, h, i) fluoranthene, petroleum hydrocarbons and volatile phenols. Moreover, elevated values of heavy metals were found in the soil. The above data fully justify the formulation of a thesis on the need to undertake increased, systemic actions aimed at reducing the number and size of fires in landfills. The description of some activities in the field of fire protection of the considered facilities undertaken in Poland will also constitute one of the issues of this article. Keywords: hazardous waste materials, environmental hazard, waste management, uncontrolled fires, legal regulations in waste management Type of article: review article

Chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) contamination of the environment is a significant threat to human health and life as well as environmental safety. It is then necessary to take actions aimed at minimizing and eliminating the threat. Depending on the type of contamination, various methods are used, including sorption, biodegradation, separation, or ion exchange processes in which membranes play an important role. The type of membrane is selected in respect of both the environment and the type of neutralized pollutants. Therefore, the production and modification of membranes are being adapted to the type of contamination and the purpose of the work. This article presents examples of membranes and their possible applications depending on the part of the environment subject to reclamation and the type of contamination.

The extremely dynamic development of civil aviation in recent years has simultaneously contributedto the growing popularity of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which have taken over air traffic inthe areas of protection and security of the population and, since the armed conflict in Ukraine, havealso been put to use as dual-use products in military operations. However, one must bear in mind alsousers who fly drones for private and recreational purposes. Such a rapid growth in interest caused thenecessity of introducing regulations that would enable their safe design, production, maintenanceand operation in the EU. Thanks to these requirements, the civil aviation authorities in the EU havemade every effort to create a solid legal framework for the operations of UAVs, keeping up with theirrapid technological development, minimizing accidents that involve flight participants and reducingthe risk of material damage or safety of bystanders present on the surface.The authors adopted the assumption that aviation safety regulations are excessively conservative.The first part of this hypothesis is not a revelation, the rule being that legal regulations are delayedin relation to the dynamics of technological progress in this field. The second is an open questionregarding the need for greater liberalization in the field of unmanned flights.

A review, with 31 refs., of amendments to the regulations on maintaining cleanliness and order in community of Poland. The effectiveness of waste management was evaluated on the basis of waste amts. subjected to the recovery process in relation to the waste which was disposed.