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Bisphenol A (BPA) a synthetic, high production volume chemical identified as endocrine disruptor and toxic to reproduction is mainly used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, in epoxy resins, polyvinylchloride, thermal papers as color developer, and is present in a wide range of consumer goods such as food packaging materials, storage containers, and cash receipts. Due to its effects on health and legal restrictions, BPA is increasingly replaced by other bisphenols. In this study, BPA and 13 alternatives including BPS, Bisphenol F (BPF), Bisphenol B (BPB), Bisphenol C (BPC), Bisphenol Z (BPZ), Bisphenol M (BPM), Bisphenol P (BPP), Bisphenol AF (BPAF), Bisphenol FL (BPFL), Bisphenol C12 (BPC12), Tetramethylbisphenol A (tmBPA), 4,4-bisphenol (BP-4,4), and p,p-oxybisphenol were analyzed in thermal paper cash receipts (content) and migration studies were carried out in BPA-free labelled reusable plastic drinking bottles using a sensitive UHPLC-MS/MS method. The receipts contained almost only BPA and BPS, whereas BPS was found in all samples ranging at levels up to 38 μg/g. BPA was detected at low concentrations, only in one sample 11,000 μg/g were found, exceeding the EU limit of BPA in thermal paper of 0.02% per weight. In leaching solutions from the drinking bottles BPA, BPS and BPF were found at concentrations up to 0.047 μg/L BPA, 0.043 μg/L BPS, and <0.01 μg/L BPF. No other analogues were detected. However, these levels identified are far below the legal limits. In addition, a theoretical exposure assessment was conducted indicating that exposures were within the current regulatory guidelines.
Rojin Banaderakhshan; Paul Kemp; Lea Breul; Philipp Steinbichl; Christina Hartmann; Maria Fürhacker. Bisphenol A and its alternatives in Austrian thermal paper receipts, and the migration from reusable plastic drinking bottles into water and artificial saliva using UHPLC-MS/MS. Chemosphere 2021, 286, 131842 .
AMA StyleRojin Banaderakhshan, Paul Kemp, Lea Breul, Philipp Steinbichl, Christina Hartmann, Maria Fürhacker. Bisphenol A and its alternatives in Austrian thermal paper receipts, and the migration from reusable plastic drinking bottles into water and artificial saliva using UHPLC-MS/MS. Chemosphere. 2021; 286 ():131842.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRojin Banaderakhshan; Paul Kemp; Lea Breul; Philipp Steinbichl; Christina Hartmann; Maria Fürhacker. 2021. "Bisphenol A and its alternatives in Austrian thermal paper receipts, and the migration from reusable plastic drinking bottles into water and artificial saliva using UHPLC-MS/MS." Chemosphere 286, no. : 131842.
Sintering is a process of agglomeration of fine particles into porous sinters for blast furnaces. During the sintering process, high volumes of sinter plant gas containing high loads of dust, SO2 and NOX and toxic pollutants, such as heavy metals (e.g., Hg, Pb, Cr and Cd) and PCDD/F, are emitted. The objective of this study was to characterize dusts of different plants as the basis for suggestions of reutilization and treatment options. Dusts, eluates and residues were produced and DOC, T-N, ions and heavy metals were analyzed. The results show that dusts from different plants are very similar in terms of DOC, T-N, Mg, Ca and many heavy metals and only differ in criteria such as suspended solids and ions such as K, Na, Cl and SO4. Based on the high levels of alkalis and low levels of iron, direct recycling into the sinter or furnace process is not recommended. The dissolution of the soluble substances in water reduces the MEROS dust by 90% of the weight and extracts the alkalis. The remaining wastewater needs to be treated to reduce DOC, T-N and some heavy metals. The solid residues can be recycled into the sinter to reduce potential PCDD/F, which are attached to the activated carbon.
Claudia Hledik; Martin Goetz; Franz Ottner; Maria Fürhacker. MEROS Dust Quality of Different Plants and Its Potential Further Uses. Metals 2021, 11, 840 .
AMA StyleClaudia Hledik, Martin Goetz, Franz Ottner, Maria Fürhacker. MEROS Dust Quality of Different Plants and Its Potential Further Uses. Metals. 2021; 11 (5):840.
Chicago/Turabian StyleClaudia Hledik; Martin Goetz; Franz Ottner; Maria Fürhacker. 2021. "MEROS Dust Quality of Different Plants and Its Potential Further Uses." Metals 11, no. 5: 840.
Zusammenfassung Kunststoffe sind allgegenwärtig und werden in allen aquatischen Umweltkompartimenten den Meeren, in Flüssen, an Stränden, den Sedimenten und in der gesamten Wassersäule und auch innerhalb von Biota gefunden. Durch dessen Zerfall entstehen kleinere Bruchstücke, die unter den Begriff Mikroplastik (MP) fallen. Ein besonderes Problem in der Diskussion stellt die Definition von Mikroplastik dar. Die obere Grenze von 5 mm ist von den EU-Mitgliedsstaaten und vielen internationalen Organisationen akzeptiert, aber die Definition einer unteren Grenze ist sehr verschieden, z. B. umfasst sie bei ECHA 1 nm oder bei EFSA 100 nm oder 1 µm. Ziel dieses Artikels ist es, verschiedene Informationen und Kenntnisse aber auch offene Fragen über MP in der Umwelt zusammenzuführen und die komplexen Zusammenhänge in Hinblick auf MP, dessen Definition, Untersuchungsmethodik und die damit verbundenen Probleme für eine Risikoabschätzung und Grenzwertsetzung aufzuzeigen. Neben der Definition, sind auch die Methoden zur Probenahme und Analyse und Zuordnung zu Partikelgrößen und die Erfassung der relevanten Wirkungen noch nicht standardisiert. Aktuell erfolgt die quantitative Bestimmung von MP hauptsächlich über mikroskopische, spektroskopische oder thermoanalytische Methoden, wobei es nur mit spektroskopischen Verfahren möglich ist, die Partikelanzahl, die Partikelgröße und das Material zu bestimmen, die aber nur bis zu Größen von 20 µm (FTIR) bzw. 1 µm (Raman) verlässliche Daten liefern. Die potenziellen toxischen Einflüsse einer Exposition gegenüber MP können vielfältig sein und von Fütterungsstörungen, Verletzungen und Geschwüren, Verstopfungen des Verdauungstrakts, bis hin zu verminderter Reproduktionsleistung, Störungen des Energiestoffwechsels, bzw. Veränderungen der Leberphysiologie reichen. Die wenigen verfügbaren Daten zu den Wirkungen zeigen, dass Partikel im Nanobereich signifikant wirksamer sind als solche im µm Bereich. Über indirekte Gefahren durch die Polymere selbst über Restmonomere oder Polymeradditive oder an MP adsorbierte Umweltschadstoffe, gibt es wenige Studien, die den spezifischen Einfluss der Kontamination von der Wirkung des MP trennen. Da die Expositionsdaten mit den Wirkdaten, wegen der fehlenden Größenklassen, nicht ohne weiters vergleichbar sind, ist eine Risikobewertung und Grenzwertsetzung schwierig und auch fraglich, weil das Risikomanagement in der Umwelt problematisch ist. Obwohl verschiedene Experten, die vorläufige Risikoabschätzungen durchgeführt haben, ein konkretes Risiko durch MP (in der untersuchten Größe zumeist >300 µm) im aquatischen Bereich ausschließen, wählt die ECHA und die UNEP einen Vorsorgeansatz in dem sie die Verwendung von MP (Definition 1 nm–5 mm) stark einschränkt und MP auf die Liste XV (substances of very high concern) setzt. Dies wird damit begründet, dass MP persistent ist, leicht aufgenommen wird, dadurch in die Nahrungskette gelangt und potenzielle Auswirkungen auf die menschliche Gesundheit haben kann und es unmöglich ist MP aus der Umwelt zu entfernen.
Maria Fürhacker. Warum eine Risikoabschätzung und Grenzwertsetzung für Mikrokunststoffe in der aquatischen Umwelt problematisch ist. Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft 2020, 72, 361 -369.
AMA StyleMaria Fürhacker. Warum eine Risikoabschätzung und Grenzwertsetzung für Mikrokunststoffe in der aquatischen Umwelt problematisch ist. Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft. 2020; 72 (9-10):361-369.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Fürhacker. 2020. "Warum eine Risikoabschätzung und Grenzwertsetzung für Mikrokunststoffe in der aquatischen Umwelt problematisch ist." Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft 72, no. 9-10: 361-369.
Stormwater runoff from roadways often contains a variety of contaminants such as heavy metals, which can adversely impact receiving waters. The filter media in stormwater filtration/infiltration systems play a significant role in the simultaneous removal of multiple pollutants. In this study, the capacity of five filter media—natural quartz sand (QS), sandy soil (SS) and three mineral-based technical filter media (TF-I, TF-II and TF-III)—to adsorb heavy metals (Cu, Pb and Zn) frequently detected in stormwater, as well as remobilization due to de-icing salt (NaCl), were evaluated in column experiments. The column breakthrough data were used to predict lifespan of the filter media. Column experiment operated under high hydraulic load showed that all technical filters and sandy soil achieved >97%, 94% and >80% of Pb, Cu and Zn load removals, respectively, while natural quartz sand (QS) showed very poor performance. Furthermore, treatment of synthetic stormwater by the soil and technical filter media met the requirements of the Austrian regulation regarding maximum effluent concentrations and minimum removal efficiencies for groundwater protection. The results showed that application of NaCl had only a minor impact on the remobilization of heavy metals from the soil and technical filter media, while the largest release of metals was observed from the QS column. Breakthrough analysis indicated that load removal efficiencies at column exhaustion (SS, TF-I, TF-II and TF-III) were >95% for Cu and Pb and 80–97% for Zn. Based on the adsorption capacities, filtration systems could be sized to 0.4 to 1% (TF-I, TF-II and TF-III) and 3.5% (SS) of their impervious catchment area and predicated lifespan of each filter media was at least 35, 36, 41 and 29 years for SS, TF-I, TF-II and TF-III, respectively. The findings of this study demonstrate that soil—based and technical filter media are effective in removing heavy metals and can be utilized in full-stormwater filtration systems.
Tadele Measho Haile; Maria Fuerhacker. Simultaneous Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Roadway Stormwater Runoff Using Different Filter Media in Column Studies. Water 2018, 10, 1160 .
AMA StyleTadele Measho Haile, Maria Fuerhacker. Simultaneous Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Roadway Stormwater Runoff Using Different Filter Media in Column Studies. Water. 2018; 10 (9):1160.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTadele Measho Haile; Maria Fuerhacker. 2018. "Simultaneous Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Roadway Stormwater Runoff Using Different Filter Media in Column Studies." Water 10, no. 9: 1160.
Verkehrsflächenabflüsse können mit organischen und anorganischen Stoffen belastet sein und als verunreinigt gelten, sodass sie vor Einbringung in den Untergrund gereinigt werden müssen. Die Belastungen stammen bzw. entstehen aus Abgasnebenprodukten, Reifen‑, Karosserie- und Fahrbahnverschleiß, Abflüssen aus Niederschlägen, nasser und trockener Deposition und Fahrbahninstandhaltungsarbeiten. Im ÖWAV-Regelblatt 45 und in der ÖNORM B 2506, Teil 1 und 2 wird der Stand der Technik der Reinigung vor Versickerung in den Untergrund mit Bodenfiltern bzw. „technischen Bodenfiltern“ (ÖNORM) und „technischen Filtern“ (ÖWAV-RB 45) beschrieben. Die Kriterien der Mindestleistungsfähigkeit und deren Prüfung wurden in der ÖNORM B 2506, Teil 3 festgelegt. Da sowohl in der ÖNORM B 2506, Teil 1 und 2 als auch im ÖWAV-RB 45 die hochrangigen Straßen ausgenommen wurden, sollen in diesem Artikel die Grundlagen der ÖNORM B 2506, Teil 3 erläutert und ihre Anwendbarkeit auch auf hochrangige Straßen aufgezeigt werden. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass aufgrund der in der ÖNORM B 2506-3 gewählten strengen Prüfbedingungen und Prüfkriterien die Prüfung der technischen Filtermaterialien aus wissenschaftlicher Sicht geeignet sind, auch die Anforderungen an die Reinigung von Straßenabwässern von hochbelasteten Straßen mit hohen durchschnittlichen täglichen Verkehrsbelastungen (JDTV), wie jenen des hochrangigen Straßennetzes, zu erfüllen. Es sei noch darauf hingewiesen, dass die Prüfung der technischen Filtermaterialien nach ÖNORM B 2506-3 für die Versickerung in das Grundwasser erstellt wurde. Street runoff can be contaminated with organic and inorganic substances, and therefore have to be treated before being infiltrated in the underground. The contaminations are from tires, vehicles, roads, precipitation, wet and dry deposition, road maintenance work or are generated by exhaust gas products. The state of the art of cleaning before infiltration into the underground is described in the ÖWAV-Regelblatt 45 and ÖNORM B 2506 Parts 1 & 2, with the help of soil filters or “technical soil filters” (ÖNORM) and “technical filters” (ÖWAV-RB 45). The testing methods and performance criteria for such filters have been defined in ÖNORM B 2506 Part 3. Since both the ÖNORM B 2506 Parts 1 & 2 and the ÖWAV-RB 45 have exempted the high-ranking roads, this article explains the background of ÖNORM B2506 Part 3 and its applicability for run-off treatment of high-ranking roads. It has been shown that due to the strict test conditions and test criteria chosen in ÖNORM B 2506-3, the testing of the technical filter materials is from a scientific point of view also suitable, to meet the requirements for roads with high annual average daily traffic (AADT). It should be pointed out that the testing methods according to ÖNORM B 2506-3 was designed for infiltration into the underground.
Tadele Measho Haile; Maria Fürhacker. Filtermaterialprüfung: Anwendung der ÖNORM B 2506 Teil 3 für das hochrangige Straßennetz. Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft 2017, 69, 495 -502.
AMA StyleTadele Measho Haile, Maria Fürhacker. Filtermaterialprüfung: Anwendung der ÖNORM B 2506 Teil 3 für das hochrangige Straßennetz. Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft. 2017; 69 (11-12):495-502.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTadele Measho Haile; Maria Fürhacker. 2017. "Filtermaterialprüfung: Anwendung der ÖNORM B 2506 Teil 3 für das hochrangige Straßennetz." Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft 69, no. 11-12: 495-502.
Eine breite Palette an Chemikalien kann direkt oder indirekt das Hormonsystem negativ beeinflussen bzw. stören. Diese Stoffe werden endokrine Disruptoren genannt. Internationale Organisationen und auch die EU-Kommission hat bereits im Jahr 1999 eine Strategie für Endokrin Disruptive Chemikalien (EDC oder Endocrine Disruptive Compounds EDC) (EU 2017) verabschiedet und in einigen geltenden EU-Rechtsvorschriften Vorgangsweisen für EDC definiert. Trotzdem ist die Definition für EDC damals offen geblieben und es wurden formale Kriterien auf EU-Ebene erst 2016 festgelegt, um EDC zu identifizieren. Ziel dieses Artikels ist es die komplexen Zusammenhänge in Hinblick auf EDC und die Probleme bei der Methodenauswahl und Standardsetzung aufzuzeigen. EDC können die Fortpflanzungsfunktion und fötale Entwicklung, aber auch das Nervensystem und Verhalten, das Immunsystem und die metabolischen Systeme, Genexpression, Leber, Knochen und viele andere Organe, Drüsen und Gewebe, den Stoffwechsel, die Fettablagerung, die Knochenentwicklung und das Immunsystem beeinflussen. Derartige Wirkungen, wie Auswirkungen auf die Reproduktion, Inzidenz verschiedener Krebsarten, Typ 2 Diabetes, Fettleibigkeit und Herzerkrankungen; Verhaltensauffälligkeit und Schilddrüsen- und Immunsystem-Dysfunktionen sind nicht nur beim Menschen, sondern auch bei Wildtieren zu beobachten. Die OECD hat eine Vorgangsweise (Conceptual Framework CF (OECD 2012)) zur Bewertung von EDC auf 5 verschiedenen Ebenen vorgelegt, die sich aber im Wesentlichen auf Östrogen/Androgen/Schilddrüse/Steroidogenese beschränken und bestimmte Wirkungen auf das Kortikosteroidsystem von Wildtierarten oder epigenetische Effekte noch nicht berücksichtigen. Die Listen der als EDC erkannten Stoffe sind sehr unterschiedlich und es gibt noch keine international konsolidierte Liste. Das Vorkommen von EDC bei der Trinkwasser- und Abwasserbehandlung kann in vielen Fällen wegen der notwendigen tiefen Bestimmungsgrenze nicht mit ausreichender Sicherheit chemisch analytisch ermittelt werden, jedoch stehen sensitive bioanalytische Methoden zur Wirkungserfassung zur Verfügung. Eine Studie zeigt aber, dass der Einfluss von EDC auf Mensch und Umwelt potentiell mit enormen Kosten verbunden ist. There is a wide range of chemicals which can directly or indirectly affect or interfere with the hormone system – the so called endocrine disruptors. In 1999 international organizations and the European Commission have already adopted a strategy for endocrine disruptive compounds (EDCs) (EU 2017) and have defined procedures how to handle EDCs in some EU legislation. Nevertheless, the EDC definition was left open, and formal criteria for EDCs at EU level were not set until 2016. The aim of this article is to highlight the complex situation with regard to EDCs and the problems of method selection and standard setting. EDCs can affect not only the reproductive functions and fetal development, but also the nervous system and behavior, immune system and metabolic systems, gene expression, liver, bone and many other organs, glands and tissues, metabolism, fat deposition, bone development and immune system. Therefore, EDCs have been suspected to be associated with altered reproductive function in males and females, increased incidence of breast cancer, abnormal growth patterns and neurodevelopmental delays in children, as well as changes in immune function (WHO and UNEP 2013). Such effects can be observed not only in humans, but also in wildlife. The OECD has presented a conceptual framework (OECD 2012) for the evaluation of EDCs at 5 different levels, but these are mainly limited to estrogen/androgen/thyroid/steroidogenesis; certain effects on the corticosteroid system of wild animals or epigenetic effects are not yet taken into account. The lists of substances recognized as EDCs are very different depending on the organization and there is no internationally consolidated list. The presence of EDCs in drinking water and treated waste water cannot be determined with sufficient certainty by chemical analysis in many cases, because of the required low limit of detection and quantification; but sensitive bioanalytical methods are available for the detection of these effects. However, a study shows that the impact of EDCs on humans and the environment is potentially associated with tremendous costs.
Maria Fürhacker. Endokrine Disruptoren – eine komplexe Herausforderung. Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft 2017, 69, 317 -326.
AMA StyleMaria Fürhacker. Endokrine Disruptoren – eine komplexe Herausforderung. Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft. 2017; 69 (7-8):317-326.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Fürhacker. 2017. "Endokrine Disruptoren – eine komplexe Herausforderung." Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft 69, no. 7-8: 317-326.
Das Absetzbecken einer Gewässerschutzanlage dient dem Rückhalt von Partikeln und erfüllt die Aufgabe eines Retentionsraumes. Die Erfüllung dieser Aufgaben hängt stark von der baulichen Ausführung des Absetzbeckens ab. Anhand des konkreten Beispiels einer Gewässerschutzanlage wurden Planung und Ausführung der Anlage verglichen. Dabei wurde ein signifikanter Unterschied der Höhenlage des Verbindungsrohres zwischen Absetz- und Filterbecken festgestellt. Die ausgeführte Anordnung bewirkt ein Trockenfallen des Beckens, geänderte Fließgeschwindigkeiten und somit ein nicht plangemäßes Sedimentationsverhalten im Becken. Um die Fließwege und die mittlere Aufenthaltszeit im Becken herauszufinden, wurden Modellversuche mit einem Farbtracer durchgeführt. Dabei wurden die ausgeführte Variante sowie die Wirkung von Einbauten betrachtet. Die wesentliche Erkenntnis bestand darin, dass der Einbau einer Prallwand zu längeren Aufenthaltszeiten im Becken, einer gleichmäßigeren Durchströmung und zu einer kleineren mittleren Geschwindigkeit führt. Dadurch könnten mehr Sedimente abgesetzt werden. Die ermittelten Spurenstoffkonzentrationen im Zulauf der Anlage liegen im Bereich von Literaturwerten. In der ausgeführten Form ist durch das Sedimentationsbecken kein dauerhafter Rückhalt der partikulären Fracht gegeben. Die bauliche Ausgestaltung und die Betriebsweise verursachen starke Strömungen und Turbulenzen im Becken. Dadurch kommt es im anschließenden Filterbecken zu einer zusätzlichen Belastung durch hohe Feststoffeinträge. Die negativen Auswirkungen dieser Belastung zeigen sich in der Abnahme der hydraulischen Durchlässigkeit und der Filterleistung des Filtersubstrats. Im Rahmen einer weiteren Studie wurde die Reinigungsleistung des Absetzbeckens in Hinblick auf die Konzentration von abfiltrierbaren Stoffen (AFS) im Zu- und Ablauf ausgewertet. Die Gewässerschutzanlage wurde ein Jahr überwacht; die Ergebnisse zeigten keine Partikelansammlung im Absetzbecken bzw. keine dauerhafte Beibehaltung der Partikelfracht. Die mittlere AFS-Konzentration im Zulauf des Absetzbeckens betrug 89 mg/L und im Ablauf 94 mg/L. Weiters war festzustellen, dass Aufbau und Betrieb des Systems zu ausgeprägt turbulenten Strömungsverhältnissen im Absetzbecken und zu einer geringen Sedimentation von feinen und mittelgroßen Partikeln führen. Das Resultat ist eine Beladung des Substrats im Filterbecken mit diesen Teilchen. Konkret werden die Partikel entweder auf der Oberfläche des Filters oder im Porenraum abgelagert. In beiden Fällen steigt der Bedarf an hydraulischem Potenzial bzw. an Überstauhöhe für die Durchströmung des Mediums, die Anlage ist bei zunehmend kleineren Niederschlagsereignissen hydraulisch überlastet. Daher muss der Filter regelmäßig überwacht und gewartet werden, und zwar im ersten Fall durch Entfernen der Kolmationsschicht an der Oberfläche und im zweiten Fall durch einen Austausch der Filterschicht. Sedimentation basins are incorporated into runoff infiltration systems and serve as a retention system, in which the sedimentation of particles occurs as a result of gravitational force. The effectiveness of sedimentation basins in terms of removing particles is highly dependent on design parameters such as their dimensions and drainage times. To evaluate the flow distribution within sedimentation basins, a conceptual model was developed using a tracer and compared to the actual condition at the treatment system. Here, a significant difference in the height of the connecting tube between settling basin and filter basin was found. This leads to a drying out of the basin, which significantly affects the flow rates and hence the sedimentation there. Based on a model experiment with colour tracer, the flow paths were visually represented in the basin, and both the concrete variant and the effects of internal structures were considered. It was found that the incorporation of a baffle led to an improved utilization of the basin, and to water being retained for longer times. Due to the lower flow rate and these longer times, fine and medium-sized sediments could be easily settled. In a field study, the performance of a sedimentation basin for the removal of particles was evaluated based on the influent and effluent concentrations of total suspended solids (TSS). The street runoff treatment plant was monitored for one year and results showed that there was no particle accumulation in the sedimentation basin (there was no permanent retention of the particle loads). The mean TSS concentrations were 89 mg/L at the inlet of the sedimentation basin and 94 mg/L at the end of the settling tank, respectively. The structural design and operation of the system showed higher flow and turbulent flow conditions in the sedimentation basin, in which settlement of fine and medium sized particles was very low; as a result, the soil filter basin was loaded with runoff particles. Thus the particulate matter had to be removed either on the surface of the filter basin or within the porous space of the filter. The build-up of such particles can result in a significant increase of head loss due to clogging; therefore, filters must be maintained by removing the accumulated particles on a regular basis.
DI Tadele Measho Haile; Ass.-Prof. DI Dr. Gerhard Kammerer; Ao.Univ.-Prof. DI Dr. Maria Fürhacker. Probleme bei Planung und Betrieb von Absetzbecken für Straßenabwässer. Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft 2014, 66, 112 -119.
AMA StyleDI Tadele Measho Haile, Ass.-Prof. DI Dr. Gerhard Kammerer, Ao.Univ.-Prof. DI Dr. Maria Fürhacker. Probleme bei Planung und Betrieb von Absetzbecken für Straßenabwässer. Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft. 2014; 66 (3-4):112-119.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDI Tadele Measho Haile; Ass.-Prof. DI Dr. Gerhard Kammerer; Ao.Univ.-Prof. DI Dr. Maria Fürhacker. 2014. "Probleme bei Planung und Betrieb von Absetzbecken für Straßenabwässer." Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft 66, no. 3-4: 112-119.
Die Verwendung von biogenen Anteilen in Kraftstoffen ist aus Klimaschutzgründen gesetzlich vorgeschrieben. Es stellt sich die Frage, ob die nach ÖNORM EN 858-1 (2005) geprüften Abscheider diesen neuen Anforderungen entsprechen. In dieser Studie wurde ein handelsüblicher Mineralölabscheider mit verschiedenen Kraftstoffen mit bis zu 100 % Anteilen an Biodiesel (FAME) untersucht und dessen Reinigungsleistung mit den Parametern Summe KW, KW-Index, aber auch den nicht standardisierten Parametern Summe KWohne Aufreinigung und KW-Indexohne Aufreinigung beschrieben. Es zeigt sich, dass bei Verwendung des Parameters Summe KW für alle geprüften Kraftstoffmischungen der Prüfwert nach ÖNORM EN 858-1 (2005) eingehalten wurde. Es stellt sich aber die Frage, ob Kraftstoffe mit erhöhten biogenen Anteilen durch die Parameter Summe KW und KW-Index zufriedenstellend erfasst werden können bzw. ob die Verwendung von Heizöl für die Prüfung der Reinigungsleistung laut ÖNORM EN 858-1 (2005) dem aktuellen Stand entspricht oder ob auch andere Kraftstoffe als Prüfmedien eingesetzt werden sollten. The use of biogenic additives in fuels is required by law for environmental reasons. This raises the question of whether the oil separator tested according to ÖNORM EN 858-1 complies with these new requirements. In this study, a commercial mineral oil separator was tested with different fuels with up to 100 % biodiesel (FAME) and its elimination performance was described in terms of the parameters KW, KW-Index DIN EN ISO 9377-2 H 53 (2000), and also the non-standardized parameters for mineral oil analysis in accordance with H 18 and H 53 without the purification stage. The results showed that all the tests with different fuel mixtures complied with the test value of 5 mg/l laid out in EN 858-1 (2005) and based on the parameter mineral oil analysis in accordance with DIN 38409-H 18 (1981). As the purification stage of this method removes the biofuel fraction, the question arises as to whether fuels with increased biogenic content can be analyzed satisfactorily using these standardized mineral oil parameters; and whether the use of pure mineral oil for ÖNORM EN 858-1 (2005) performance tests is still suitable, or whether other fuels should also be used as test media.
Birgit Schärfinger; DI Tadele Measho Haile; DI Ilse Kogelbauer; Univ.-Prof. Di Dr. Willibald Loiskandl; Univ.-Prof. Di Dr. Maria Fürhacker. Untersuchung der Funktion von Leichtflüssigkeitsabscheidern bei Verwendung von Kraftstoffen mit unterschiedlichen FAME-Zusätzen. Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft 2013, 65, 105 -113.
AMA StyleBirgit Schärfinger, DI Tadele Measho Haile, DI Ilse Kogelbauer, Univ.-Prof. Di Dr. Willibald Loiskandl, Univ.-Prof. Di Dr. Maria Fürhacker. Untersuchung der Funktion von Leichtflüssigkeitsabscheidern bei Verwendung von Kraftstoffen mit unterschiedlichen FAME-Zusätzen. Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft. 2013; 65 (3-4):105-113.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBirgit Schärfinger; DI Tadele Measho Haile; DI Ilse Kogelbauer; Univ.-Prof. Di Dr. Willibald Loiskandl; Univ.-Prof. Di Dr. Maria Fürhacker. 2013. "Untersuchung der Funktion von Leichtflüssigkeitsabscheidern bei Verwendung von Kraftstoffen mit unterschiedlichen FAME-Zusätzen." Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft 65, no. 3-4: 105-113.
This paper presents the results of adsorption studies on the removal of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn) from standard solutions, real wastewater samples and activated sewage sludge using a new technique of liquid–liquid extraction using quaternary ammonium and phosphonium ionic liquids (ILs). Batch sorption experiments were conducted using the ILs [PR4][TS], [PR4][MTBA], [A336][TS] and [A336][MTBA]. Removal of these heavy metals from standard solutions were not effective, however removal of heavy metals from the industrial effluents/wastewater treatment plants were satisfactory, indicating that the removal depends mainly on the composition of the wastewater and cannot be predicted with standard solutions. Removal of heavy metals from activated sludge proved to be more successful than conventional methods such as incineration, acid extraction, thermal treatment, etc. For the heavy metals Cu, Ni and Zn, ≥90% removal was achieved.
Maria Fuerhacker; Tadele Measho Haile; Daniel Kogelnig; Anja Stojanovic; Bernhard Keppler. Application of ionic liquids for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater and activated sludge. Water Science and Technology 2012, 65, 1765 -1773.
AMA StyleMaria Fuerhacker, Tadele Measho Haile, Daniel Kogelnig, Anja Stojanovic, Bernhard Keppler. Application of ionic liquids for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater and activated sludge. Water Science and Technology. 2012; 65 (10):1765-1773.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Fuerhacker; Tadele Measho Haile; Daniel Kogelnig; Anja Stojanovic; Bernhard Keppler. 2012. "Application of ionic liquids for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater and activated sludge." Water Science and Technology 65, no. 10: 1765-1773.
Almost all over the world, the production of sewage sludge rises due to increased population, industrialization and urbanization. Treatment and disposal of sewage sludge is an expensive and environmentally challenging task, problems arising mainly from lack of social acceptability, high treatment costs, human and environmental health risks associated with treatment and lack of sustainable disposal options. Currently the most widely available and recommended option is land application of sewage sludge. It is also a growing problem worldwide since there is a special concern about organic contaminants and the discussion about potential standards. The aim of this paper is to assess the challenges to planners and policy makers with regard to sludge management. Constantly increasing environmental concerns require to identify the occurrence, type and concentration of pollutant, assess treatment efficiencies of different treatment methods as provided in literature and to evaluate the existing sludge disposal options and propose a sustainable and safe option. Different groups and levels of inorganic (heavy metals) and organic substances and the problems of pathogens in sludge are pointed out. The mere concentration of a potential health hazards does not give any information on the connected risk. The outcomes of different risk assessments for metals and organic contaminants are listed. As it will never be possible with single substance analyses to have sufficient information an alternative approach for effect monitoring is described. Recycling and use of wastes are the preferred options for sustainable development, rather than incineration or land filling, but with sewage sludge this is not straight forward because of perceptions over inorganic and organic contaminants, pathogens and its fecal origin, particularly by the food retailers. For the assurance of public and environmental health, a quality system and standards for the treatment and the produce are recommended, which need to be accepted by all stakeholders as farmers, food retailers and public requirements. The paper demonstrates that treated sewage sludge, which fulfils the quality requirements for heavy metals, organic compounds and pathogens, can be beneficially reused providing a land application of restricted amounts as a long-term sustainable waste management solution for sludge from municipal waste water treatment plants. In the future sludge management needs to be based on sustainability and beneficial reuse, and the treatment technology has to be effective and affordable. The treatment options have to be adapted to local situations to fit the socio-cultural framework, available technology and affordability as well as local climatic conditions. Therefore, it is recommended to include environmental, social, economic and technical analysis in the search for the most sustainable alternative for sludge disposal.
Maria Fuerhacker; Tadele Measho Haile. Treatment and Reuse of Sludge. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry 2010, 63 -92.
AMA StyleMaria Fuerhacker, Tadele Measho Haile. Treatment and Reuse of Sludge. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. 2010; ():63-92.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Fuerhacker; Tadele Measho Haile. 2010. "Treatment and Reuse of Sludge." The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry , no. : 63-92.
The scarcity of water and the need for protecting the environment and natural resources are the main factors leading countries in the Mediterranean region to introduce the reuse of treated wastewater as an additional water resource in their national plans of water resource management. In Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPCs), treatment and reuse of wastewater have already been applied to a certain extent, but there is still great scope for extending these practices.
Eleftheria Kampa; Redouane Choukr-Allah; Mohamed Tawfic Ahmed; Maria Fürhacker. Constraints of Application of Wastewater Treatment and Reuse in Mediterranean Partner Countries. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry 2010, 14, 93 -124.
AMA StyleEleftheria Kampa, Redouane Choukr-Allah, Mohamed Tawfic Ahmed, Maria Fürhacker. Constraints of Application of Wastewater Treatment and Reuse in Mediterranean Partner Countries. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. 2010; 14 ():93-124.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEleftheria Kampa; Redouane Choukr-Allah; Mohamed Tawfic Ahmed; Maria Fürhacker. 2010. "Constraints of Application of Wastewater Treatment and Reuse in Mediterranean Partner Countries." The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry 14, no. : 93-124.
Water is a renewable resource and acceptable quality is important for human health, ecological and economic reasons, but human activity can cause great damage to the natural aquatic environment. Managing the water cycle in a sustainable way is the key to protect natural resources and human health. On a global level, the microbiological contamination of water sources is a major problem in connection with poverty and the United Nations Millennium Development Declaration is an important initiative to handle this problem. In terms of environmental health, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) circulate globally; as they travel long distances, they are found in remote areas far from their original source of application and can cause damage wherever they move to. On a global scale, United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) issued the Stockholm Convention to reduce POPs; in the European Union (EU), one intention of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) is to reach the good chemical status of waters; beside these regulations, there are other directives in support of these goals. The aim of this paper is to discuss whether the Stockholm Convention and the WFD allows meeting the targets of protection of human and environmental health, which are established in the different directives and how could we approach the targets.
Maria Fuerhacker. EU Water Framework Directive and Stockholm Convention. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2009, 16, 92 -97.
AMA StyleMaria Fuerhacker. EU Water Framework Directive and Stockholm Convention. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2009; 16 (1):92-97.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Fuerhacker. 2009. "EU Water Framework Directive and Stockholm Convention." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 16, no. 1: 92-97.
Samples of vegetables and cereals from Egypt were screened for 113 pesticides, of which 68 were quantified, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with limits of detection (LODs) ranging from 0.02 to 1.9 µg kg−1. In addition, the residues of 17 non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) were measured in samples of animal origin (meat, dairy products and seafood) using high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC)/high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS). None of the cereal samples and 72.7% of the vegetables contained any detectable levels of the pesticides. Detectable residues, not exceeding the current European Union maximum residue limits (MRLs) were found in 27.3% of vegetables. The estimated daily intake for detected pesticides was well below their corresponding acceptable daily intake (ADI), with exposure ranges between 0.002% of the ADI for profenofos and 0.2% of the ADI for lambda-cyhalothrin. The sum concentration of 17 PCBs congeners varied between 2.5 and 322 ng g−1 fat, corresponding to 1.7-216 ng g−1 fat for the seven indicator PCBs. The highest values were measured in seafood, the lowest in dairy products. Hexa-CB 153, 138 and hepta-CB180 were the congeners with the highest contribution. PCBs congener profiles found in most of the samples were consistent with the expected profile for Aroclor 1260 and 1262. PCBs’ contamination levels reported in this paper were many times lower than in developed countries, except for chicken samples. Also, the dietary intake of seven indicator PCBs due to the consumption of food of animal origin (4.84 ng kg−1 body weight day−1) from Ismailia city, Egypt, is several times lower than the intake in European Union countries.
N. Loutfy; M. Fuerhacker; C. Lesueur; M. Gärtner; M. Tawfic Ahmed; A. Mentler. Pesticide and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) residues in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, Egypt. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B 2008, 1, 32 -40.
AMA StyleN. Loutfy, M. Fuerhacker, C. Lesueur, M. Gärtner, M. Tawfic Ahmed, A. Mentler. Pesticide and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) residues in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, Egypt. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B. 2008; 1 (1):32-40.
Chicago/Turabian StyleN. Loutfy; M. Fuerhacker; C. Lesueur; M. Gärtner; M. Tawfic Ahmed; A. Mentler. 2008. "Pesticide and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) residues in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, Egypt." Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B 1, no. 1: 32-40.
The WFD is an overarching piece of legislation that aims to harmonize existing European water policy; since 2000 it requires managing the river basins so that the quality and quantity of water does not affect the ecological services and to promote sustainable water use of any specific water body. Nevertheless the goals of other directives, such as drinking water, bathing water and urban wastewater treatment (UWWT), are not yet harmonised mainly concerning microbiological and PS/PSR/PHS contamination. Great challenges are due to emerging contaminants especially the technical improvement and harmonisation for risk identification and risk assessment: for biological effects and for chemical analysis and, finally integrate this knowledge to preserve the “good status”. The methodologies implemented have as aim the identification of acceptable or unacceptable risks. This identification provides the basis for the regulatory decisions, which follow from the risk assessment. After priority setting the UWWT needs to be adjusted and existing or new treatment options should comply with the requirements of the different directives. This will be another step on the way to reach the targets given in EU water legislation and in the achievements of millennium development goals.
M. Fürhacker. The Water Framework Directive – can we reach the target? Water Science and Technology 2008, 57, 9 -17.
AMA StyleM. Fürhacker. The Water Framework Directive – can we reach the target? Water Science and Technology. 2008; 57 (1):9-17.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Fürhacker. 2008. "The Water Framework Directive – can we reach the target?" Water Science and Technology 57, no. 1: 9-17.
Cytostatic agents are applied in cancer therapy and subsequently excreted into hospital wastewater. As these substances are known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction, they should be removed from wastewater at their source of origin. In this study the fate and effects of the cancerostatic platinum compounds (CPC) cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and the anthracyclines doxorubicin, daunorubicin and epirubicin were investigated in hospital wastewater. Wastewater from the in-patient treatment ward of a hospital in Vienna was collected and monitored for the occurrence of the selected drugs. A calculation model was established to spot the correlation between administered dosage and measured concentrations. To investigate the fate of the selected substances during wastewater treatment, the oncologic wastewater was treated in a pilot membrane bioreactor system (MBR) and in downstream advanced wastewater treatment processes (adsorption to activated carbon and UV-treatment). Genotoxic effects of the oncologic wastewater were assessed before and after wastewater treatment followed by a risk assessment. Monitoring concentrations of the selected cytostatics in the oncologic wastewater were in line with calculated concentrations. Due to different mechanisms (adsorption, biodegradation) in the MBR-system 5 - FU and the anthracyclines were removed < LOD, whereas CPC were removed by 60%. In parallel, genotoxic effects could be reduced significantly by the MBR-system. The risk for humans, the aquatic and terrestrial environment by hospital wastewater containing cytostatic drugs was classified as small in a preliminary risk assessment.
K. Lenz; S.N. Mahnik; N. Weissenbacher; Robert Mader; P. Krenn; Stephan Hann; Gunda Koellensperger; M. Uhl; S. Knasmüller; F. Ferk; W. Bursch; M. Fuerhacker. Monitoring, removal and risk assessment of cytostatic drugs in hospital wastewater. Water Science and Technology 2007, 56, 141 -149.
AMA StyleK. Lenz, S.N. Mahnik, N. Weissenbacher, Robert Mader, P. Krenn, Stephan Hann, Gunda Koellensperger, M. Uhl, S. Knasmüller, F. Ferk, W. Bursch, M. Fuerhacker. Monitoring, removal and risk assessment of cytostatic drugs in hospital wastewater. Water Science and Technology. 2007; 56 (12):141-149.
Chicago/Turabian StyleK. Lenz; S.N. Mahnik; N. Weissenbacher; Robert Mader; P. Krenn; Stephan Hann; Gunda Koellensperger; M. Uhl; S. Knasmüller; F. Ferk; W. Bursch; M. Fuerhacker. 2007. "Monitoring, removal and risk assessment of cytostatic drugs in hospital wastewater." Water Science and Technology 56, no. 12: 141-149.
Simultaneous nitrification–denitrification (SND) allows biological nitrogen removal in a single reactor without separation of the two processes in time or space but requires adapted control strategies (anoxic/aerobic conditions). In this study, the formation of gaseous nitric oxide (NOG) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2G) was monitored for SND in relation to the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and nitrogen removal in a lab batch reactor and a pilot membrane bio-reactor (MBR). In addition hospital wastewater (COD/Ntot>6:1) was treated on site for 1 year. The highest total nitrogen removal rates of max 90% were reached at 220–240 mV ORP (given as Eh) with corresponding maximal NOG emissions rates of 0.9 μg g−1 VSS h−1. The maximal emission rates of NO2G (0.2 μg g−1 VSS h−1) were reached at the same ORP level and the NO2G emissions correlated to the nitrite accumulation in the activated sludge up to 5 mg l−1 NO2L-N. It was shown that this correlation was due to biological production and not due to pH-dependent chemical conversion. Therefore, NO2G can be used as additional control loop for ORP-controlled SND systems to avoid the inhibition of denitrification and high nitrite concentrations in the plant effluent.
Norbert Weissenbacher; Christian Loderer; Katharina Lenz; Susanne N. Mahnik; Bernhard Wett; Maria Fuerhacker. NOx monitoring of a simultaneous nitrifying–denitrifying (SND) activated sludge plant at different oxidation reduction potentials. Water Research 2007, 41, 397 -405.
AMA StyleNorbert Weissenbacher, Christian Loderer, Katharina Lenz, Susanne N. Mahnik, Bernhard Wett, Maria Fuerhacker. NOx monitoring of a simultaneous nitrifying–denitrifying (SND) activated sludge plant at different oxidation reduction potentials. Water Research. 2007; 41 (2):397-405.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNorbert Weissenbacher; Christian Loderer; Katharina Lenz; Susanne N. Mahnik; Bernhard Wett; Maria Fuerhacker. 2007. "NOx monitoring of a simultaneous nitrifying–denitrifying (SND) activated sludge plant at different oxidation reduction potentials." Water Research 41, no. 2: 397-405.
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) are widely used as disinfectants, biocides, and detergents, among a variety of other applications. The cationic surface-activity of QAC determines their potential to act as a biocide on both target and non-target organisms. This study aims to provide a broad-based environmental risk characterization and evaluation for selected QAC with particular focus on the situation in Austrian rivers. A modular study design was employed involving environmental exposure characterization, QAC fate and effect analysis in wastewater, ecotoxicological effect characterization, and environmental risk evaluation. A wide array of Austrian surface waters and wastewater effluents were screened for the selected key compounds, benzalkonium chlorides and dialkyldimethylammonium chlorides with different C-chain lengths. Ecotoxicological effect characterization was based on both microbiotests for a set of representative aquatic organisms and a literature review. For risk evaluation, the PEC/PNEC ratio was above 1 for some rivers. Notably, small rivers with a high particulate matter were contaminated with QAC in the case of high water incidents. Hence, for the Austrian sites studied, a QAC-derived risk to sensitive aquatic non-target organisms could not be excluded.
B. Grillitsch; O. Gans; Norbert Kreuzinger; S. Scharf; M. Uhl; M. Fuerhacker. Environmental risk assessment for quaternary ammonium compounds: a case study from Austria. Water Science and Technology 2006, 54, 111 -118.
AMA StyleB. Grillitsch, O. Gans, Norbert Kreuzinger, S. Scharf, M. Uhl, M. Fuerhacker. Environmental risk assessment for quaternary ammonium compounds: a case study from Austria. Water Science and Technology. 2006; 54 (11-12):111-118.
Chicago/Turabian StyleB. Grillitsch; O. Gans; Norbert Kreuzinger; S. Scharf; M. Uhl; M. Fuerhacker. 2006. "Environmental risk assessment for quaternary ammonium compounds: a case study from Austria." Water Science and Technology 54, no. 11-12: 111-118.
Although dietary intake studies have been carried out extensively in most developed countries, to evaluate the health risks of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs, no data of this kind exists for Egypt. In this study, concentrations of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs were measured using HRGC/HRMS in the most contributing foodstuffs (dairy products, fish/seafood, and meat) randomly collected from Ismailia city, Egypt. The dietary intake of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs were subsequently determined, and compared with the most recent studies. To provide a primary estimation of the whole TEQ intake in Egypt if all the main food categories included, an estimation of the dietary intake (based on EU data) for some important and non-measured groups (cereals, vegetables/fruits, eggs and milk) was carried out. The calculated dietary intake based on the WHO assumption of 60 kg bw ranged from 3.69 to 4.0 pg WHO-TEQ/kg bw/day for PCDD/Fs and from, 6.04 to 6.68 pg WHO-TEQ/kg bw/day, if DL-PCBs were included. PCBs intake contributed about 40% of the total TEQ intake. Dairy products (mainly cheese) were the main contributor to the intake of PCDD/Fs (89%), while fish/seafood and meat have more or less the same percent share (5.4%). The dairy products contamination was the reason for our elevated dietary intake, as the content of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs is several times higher than in all the developed countries. The total intake (PCDD/Fs + DL-PCBs) due to consumption of dairy products, fish/seafood and meat, is close to that reported in EU countries at the beginning of 1980s, but much higher than all those mentioned in all the recent reports, and higher than the maximum WHO TDI of 4 pg TEQ/kg bw/day. A recalculation of the dietary intake to include not only our measured data but also the data for the non-measured groups, yielded a total intake in the range of 4.06–6.38 pg TEQ/kg bw/day for PCDD/Fs and a range of 6.59–9.98 pg TEQ/kg bw/day for total including PCBs. Results show that cereals and vegetables/fruits contribute significantly to PCDD/Fs TEQ intake in Egypt and play a more important role than fish/seafood and meat. This is the case even though the intake for cereals and vegetables/fruits based on EU data.
N. Loutfy; M. Fuerhacker; P. Tundo; S. Raccanelli; A.G. El Dien; M. Tawfic Ahmed. Dietary intake of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs, due to the consumption of dairy products, fish/seafood and meat from Ismailia city, Egypt. Science of The Total Environment 2006, 370, 1 -8.
AMA StyleN. Loutfy, M. Fuerhacker, P. Tundo, S. Raccanelli, A.G. El Dien, M. Tawfic Ahmed. Dietary intake of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs, due to the consumption of dairy products, fish/seafood and meat from Ismailia city, Egypt. Science of The Total Environment. 2006; 370 (1):1-8.
Chicago/Turabian StyleN. Loutfy; M. Fuerhacker; P. Tundo; S. Raccanelli; A.G. El Dien; M. Tawfic Ahmed. 2006. "Dietary intake of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs, due to the consumption of dairy products, fish/seafood and meat from Ismailia city, Egypt." Science of The Total Environment 370, no. 1: 1-8.
Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been determined using GC/HRMS in food (butter, seafood and meat) and feed samples (chicken, cattle and fish) purchased from Ismailia city, Egypt. PCDD/F concentrations in food samples ranged between 0.12 and 3.35 pg WHO TEQ/g wet w, while those in feed samples were between 0.08 and 0.2 pg WHO TEQ/g dry w. Levels of PCB TEQ ranged from 0.14 to 3.2 pg/g wet w in the food samples. The feed samples have an average of 0.35 pg PCB TEQ /g dry w. In this study, butter samples showed the highest contamination levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs. The PCBs contribution to the total TEQ was on average 63% in seafood and on average 49% for meat and butter. The highest contamination levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were found in butter samples. The butter TEQ content is several times higher than that reported in all EU countries and exceeded the EU limits, while the PCDD/F levels in seafood and the feed samples is far below the current EU limit. Generally, congener profiles in the food samples reflect the non-industrialized nature of the city and suggest solid waste burning as a significant source of emission. Nevertheless, the profiles for butter suggest an impact from various sources. In the case of the sum of 16 PAH contamination levels in food samples were in the range of 11.7–154.3 ng/g wet w and feed samples had a range of 116–393 ng/g dry w. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) has been detected in the range of 0.05–3.29 ng/g wet w in the food samples; butter showed the highest contamination which exceeded the EU standard set for fats and oil. Fingerprints of PAHs suggested both petrogenic and pyrolytic sources of contamination.
N. Loutfy; M. Fuerhacker; P. Tundo; S. Raccanelli; M. Tawfic Ahmed. Monitoring of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, dioxin-like PCBs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food and feed samples from Ismailia city, Egypt. Chemosphere 2006, 66, 1962 -1970.
AMA StyleN. Loutfy, M. Fuerhacker, P. Tundo, S. Raccanelli, M. Tawfic Ahmed. Monitoring of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, dioxin-like PCBs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food and feed samples from Ismailia city, Egypt. Chemosphere. 2006; 66 (10):1962-1970.
Chicago/Turabian StyleN. Loutfy; M. Fuerhacker; P. Tundo; S. Raccanelli; M. Tawfic Ahmed. 2006. "Monitoring of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, dioxin-like PCBs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food and feed samples from Ismailia city, Egypt." Chemosphere 66, no. 10: 1962-1970.
Antineoplastic agents are applied in cancer therapy and end up in hospital wastewater by human excretions. In this study, the raw wastewater of the sewer of the oncologic in-patient treatment ward of the Vienna University Hospital was monitored for 98 d over 2 years for the cytostatics 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), doxorubicin (DOX), epirubicin, and daunorubicin. In a next step, the elimination of the drugs by a membrane-bio-reactor system was investigated. In addition, their fate in wastewater and elimination by activated sludge was investigated with radio-labelled substances. During the monitoring periods, concentration levels ranging from <8.6 to 124 μg l−1 for 5-FU and from <0.26 to 1.35 μg l−1 for DOX were determined. The concentrations analysed fitted the lower ranges calculated by an input–output model. Treatment of oncologic wastewater in the membrane bio-reactor as well as the analysis of the effluents of the Vienna University Hospital resulted in concentrations below the limit of detection. Investigations with radio-labelled compounds showed that 5-FU is eliminated from the liquid phase below the limit of detection. But, up to 25% of radio-labelled equivalents of the drug’s amount were found in the gaseous phase and only a marginal part in the solid phase, this indicates that at least one part of the drug is biodegraded. For the anthracyclines more than 90% was eliminated from the liquid phase. In this case, adsorption to suspended solids seems to be the major elimination pathway, as up to 30% of the radio-labelled equivalents of the drug’s amount was detected in the solid phase. Our results indicate that the investigated anticancer drugs are eliminated by sewage treatment plants, either by biodegradation or adsorption.
S.N. Mahnik; K. Lenz; N. Weissenbacher; R.M. Mader; M. Fuerhacker. Fate of 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, epirubicin, and daunorubicin in hospital wastewater and their elimination by activated sludge and treatment in a membrane-bio-reactor system. Chemosphere 2006, 66, 30 -37.
AMA StyleS.N. Mahnik, K. Lenz, N. Weissenbacher, R.M. Mader, M. Fuerhacker. Fate of 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, epirubicin, and daunorubicin in hospital wastewater and their elimination by activated sludge and treatment in a membrane-bio-reactor system. Chemosphere. 2006; 66 (1):30-37.
Chicago/Turabian StyleS.N. Mahnik; K. Lenz; N. Weissenbacher; R.M. Mader; M. Fuerhacker. 2006. "Fate of 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, epirubicin, and daunorubicin in hospital wastewater and their elimination by activated sludge and treatment in a membrane-bio-reactor system." Chemosphere 66, no. 1: 30-37.