In response to the demand for new implant materials characterized by high biocompatibility and bioresorption, two prototypes of fibrous nanocomposite implants for osseous tissue regeneration made of a newly developed blend of poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and syntheticpoly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate), PLGA/PHB, have been developed and fabricated. Afibre-forming copolymer of glycolide and l-lactide (PLGA) was obtained by a unique method of synthesis carried out in blocksusing Zr(AcAc)₄ as an initiator. The prototypes of the implants are composed of three layers of PLGA or PLGA/PHB, nonwoven fabrics with a pore structure designed to provide the best conditions for the cell proliferation. The bioactivity of the proposed implants has been imparted by introducing a hydroxyapatite material and IGF1, a growth factor. The developed prototypes of implants have been subjected to a set of in vitro and in vivobiocompatibility tests: in vitro cytotoxic effect, in vitro genotoxicity and systemic toxicity. Rabbitsshowed no signs of negative reactionafter implantation of the experimental implant prototypes.

Herein, structural and biological studies of a complex biopolymer (polyphenolic glycoconjugate) isolated from the flowering parts of Agrimonia eupatoria L. (AE) are presented. Spectroscopic analyses (UV–Vis and ¹H NMR) of the aglycone component of AE confirmed that it consists mainly of aromatic and aliphatic structures characteristic of polyphenols. AE showed significant free radical elimination activity, i.e., ABTS⁺ and DPPH^·, and was an effective copper reducing agent in the CUPRAC test, eventually proving that AE is a powerful antioxidant. AE was nontoxic to human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) and mouse fibroblasts (L929) and was nongenotoxic to S. typhimurium bacterial strains TA98 and TA100. Moreover, AE did not induce the release of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) by human pulmonary vein (HPVE-26) endothelial cells or human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). These findings correlated with the low activation of the transcription factor NF-κB in these cells, which plays an important role in the regulation of the expression of genes responsible for inflammatory mediator synthesis. The AE properties described here suggest that it may be useful for protecting cells from the adverse consequences of oxidative stress and could be valuable as a biomaterial for surface functionalization.

Uncontrolled waste fires pose a significant environmental and human health risk due to the emission and dispersion of hazardous gases and particulate matter. This study develops a receptor-oriented methodology for screening environmental risk based on human and environmental exposure to air pollutants released during waste storage facility fires. The approach combines Gaussian plume modelling (Pasquill stability classes) with a comparison of predicted pollutant concentrations against reference values established by Polish legislation, the US EPA, OSHA, and NDS standards. The methodology was applied to a case study involving the uncontrolled burning of waste from municipal waste treatment. For a waste mass of 14,000 kg, a fire duration of 3.5 h, and defined meteorological scenarios, concentration fields were modelled for selected pollutants, including PM10 and PM2.5, at receptor points and in the nearest residential area located approximately 700 m from the fire site. Under the most unfavourable analysed conditions (stability class 6, wind speed 1 m/s, southerly wind), the predicted concentrations at residential receptors remained below the applicable reference values. The results indicate that the proposed modelling framework can provide a rapid screening tool for environmental risk assessment following uncontrolled waste fires, particularly when direct emission or air-quality measurements are unavailable.

The aim of the presented work was to determine the emission of malodorous pollutants into the air, as well as the emission of bioaerosol from potential emission sources of the selected Waste Management Plant / Municipal Waste Mechanical and Biological Processing Plant, and to determine the immission of pollutants and bioaerosol at sites located on the premises of the plant and in its vicinity. It should be clearly emphasized that this issue has been a significant challenge in recent years throughout the country and often raises social concern.The structure of the publication includes, in addition to the theoretical part describing the course of processes at the selected Plant, a practical part describing the course of research into the potential odour and microbiological impact together with a summary of their results, as well as indicating solutions for reducing the odour nuisance of the discussed Plant.

The risk arising from the uncontrolled burning of waste is significant given the spatial conditions and the exposure to human health. The environmental risk associated with the emission of harmful gases and particulates into the air as a result of uncontrolled waste burning is the subject of an analysis of the legal consequences of the incident. In order to determine the risks involved, it is necessary to analyse the volume of emissions, the qualitative composition of these emissions, the range of pollutant dispersion during the event, and the level of human exposure in relation to the distribution of the pollutants present. As part of this study, the authors have undertaken work to address a research gap involving the development of a methodology for assessing environmental risk based on an analysis of the degree of exposure of people and the environment to air emissions from a waste storage facility fire. The resulting risk is assessed using analytical methods based on mathematical modelling of pollutant dispersion using the Gaussian “plume” model (Model Pasquilla) using a computer programme called Operat FB and analysing the reference levels set by the NDS (Maximum permissible concentration), EPA (The Environmental Protection Agency), OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and under local Polish legislation. This paper presents a case study, namely the uncontrolled incineration of waste resulting from the treatment of municipal waste.