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The United Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and World Health Organization (WHO) have clearly demonstrated that indoor exposure to organic gases such as Formaldehyde could cause both chronic and acute health problems ranging from irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat to headaches, dizziness, fatigue, respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer. Formaldehyde is a common and persistent indoor air pollutant that can virtually be found indoor and particularly in most of the existing and new homes and buildings in either developing or developed countries. The main goal and objectives of this study are to (a) understand and map socio-techno-economic motives behind having this health risk problem in built environments, and (b) develop sustainable strategies for managing exposure to Formaldehyde in indoor living. Utilizing data collected in a Case study in China suggested that exposure to formaldehyde in indoor environment is primarily a result of: (I) lack of societal awareness of the health risks associated with exposure to indoor air pollutants and effectiveness of the existing technologies, (II) weaknesses in building/architectural design and furnishing, and (III) absence of proper strategic models and programs for exposure assessment and design of instruments that could properly educate public about both the exposure risks and benefits of utilizing indoor air pollution control technologies.
N R Khalili; L V Nguyen; Y Wang; S Murad; W Cheng; A Kumiega. A techno-socio-economic approach to the management of exposure to formaldehyde in indoor air, evidence from China. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 2019, 609, 042041 .
AMA StyleN R Khalili, L V Nguyen, Y Wang, S Murad, W Cheng, A Kumiega. A techno-socio-economic approach to the management of exposure to formaldehyde in indoor air, evidence from China. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. 2019; 609 (4):042041.
Chicago/Turabian StyleN R Khalili; L V Nguyen; Y Wang; S Murad; W Cheng; A Kumiega. 2019. "A techno-socio-economic approach to the management of exposure to formaldehyde in indoor air, evidence from China." IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 609, no. 4: 042041.
This study analyzes the trends, context, and impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives on company’s performance and productivity in China. We use environmental and social responsibility data in 34,000 CSR projects released by 839 companies in 31 provinces from 2006 to 2016. Clustering methods as wells as ordinary least squares and the fixed effects panel regression modeling are performed to provide insights on the context, trends, and impact of CSR projects on companies’ productivity and financial outcomes. Results of data processing and modeling indicate that: (a) most projects focused on improving companies’ environmental sustainability (compared to social); (b) implementation of both environmental and social projects had positive impacts on companies’ performance; and (c) trends, context, and impact of the projects varied with time, company type, and location (provinces). In addition, data suggest that companies operating in regions with lower economic conditions (GDP per capita) seem to be less motivated to implement environmental and social sustainability projects compared to those operating in regions with higher economic conditions. This study is meaningful for both companies that consider adopting CSR initiatives, as well as stakeholders and managers who aim to promote sustainable development in China.
Kun Li; Nasrin R. Khalili; Weiquan Cheng. Corporate Social Responsibility Practices in China: Trends, Context, and Impact on Company Performance. Sustainability 2019, 11, 354 .
AMA StyleKun Li, Nasrin R. Khalili, Weiquan Cheng. Corporate Social Responsibility Practices in China: Trends, Context, and Impact on Company Performance. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (2):354.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKun Li; Nasrin R. Khalili; Weiquan Cheng. 2019. "Corporate Social Responsibility Practices in China: Trends, Context, and Impact on Company Performance." Sustainability 11, no. 2: 354.
The foundation of sustainability science is the effort to understand the fundamental interactions between nature and society, and to guide these interactions along sustainable trajectories (Miller et al. Sustain Sci 9(2):240–246, 2014). More importantly, sustainability science aims at creating knowledge needed to improve relevancy and quality of sustainability decision-making processes through broader representation of knowledge and values. This study contributes to the sustainability science literature in the areas of strategic planning and decision-making. Both the values and the role of decision-making science in promoting sustainability are examined through the design of a strategic framework and application of a graphical multi-agent decision-making model (GMADM). This approach allows for analysis, valuation, and ranking of potential sustainability initiatives according to their projected benefits and gains for organizations and for society. The model is structured on three interrelated pillars: (I) stakeholder views and concerns (government, industry, academic institutions); (II) sustainable development trends and requirements (World Bank data); and (III) valuations of the benefits expected from sustainability efforts. The framework is applied to case studies of Shandong and Guangdong provinces in China. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of data obtained from three groups of stakeholders in each province confirmed the utility of the proposed decision-making approach for promoting sustainable transition in China. Results also demonstrated the convenience and effectiveness of the proposed framework for guiding organizations’ efforts toward optimizing their sustainability initiatives while supporting regional economic growth and sustainable development policies.
Nasrin R. Khalili; Weiquan Cheng; Abagail McWilliams. A methodological approach for the design of sustainability initiatives: in pursuit of sustainable transition in China. Sustainability Science 2017, 12, 933 -956.
AMA StyleNasrin R. Khalili, Weiquan Cheng, Abagail McWilliams. A methodological approach for the design of sustainability initiatives: in pursuit of sustainable transition in China. Sustainability Science. 2017; 12 (6):933-956.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNasrin R. Khalili; Weiquan Cheng; Abagail McWilliams. 2017. "A methodological approach for the design of sustainability initiatives: in pursuit of sustainable transition in China." Sustainability Science 12, no. 6: 933-956.
Adsorption capacity and bioactivity of a novel mesoporous activated carbon (IIT Carbon) and bioactive (BACIIT) catalyst produced from papermill sludge were evaluated. Conversion of paper mill sludge to useful activated carbons and biocatalysts is a significant process since it reduces environmental problems associated with disposal of waste sludge, enhances wastewater treatment using carbons produced from industrial waste itself, and promotes conservation of the naturally available primary resources currently used to make activated carbons. Analysis was conducted using synthetic wastewater containing phenol and a commercially available activated carbon, sorbonorite 4 (used as reference carbon). Phenol removal was accomplished in batch and fluidized bed reactors containing mesoporous activated carbon, sorbonorite 4, and the produced bioactive catalysts. Isotherm adsorption data indicated that mesoporous activated carbon has a higher adsorption capacity and molecular surface coverage than sorbonorite 4 for phenol concentrations less than 10 mg/l. The mass transfer limitation was accounted for the lower adsorption capacity of the microporous carbon (sorbonorite 4) in dilute solutions. The fluidized bed reactor study, however, indicated similar but slightly lower phenol removal capability for the produced mesoporous carbon. While phenol removal efficiency of the carbons studied was in the range 65–70%, the produced bioactive catalysts were able to remove up to 97% of phenol during first few hours of operation. These results suggest that mesoporous carbon will feasibly be a good substitute for other commercially available activated carbons produced from natural resources, not only in physical adsorption processes, but also in fluidized bed bioreactors (FBB), used in biodegradation processes.
N Khalili; J Vyas; W Weangkaew; S Westfall; S Parulekar; R Sherwood. Synthesis and characterization of activated carbon and bioactive adsorbent produced from paper mill sludge. Separation and Purification Technology 2002, 26, 295 -304.
AMA StyleN Khalili, J Vyas, W Weangkaew, S Westfall, S Parulekar, R Sherwood. Synthesis and characterization of activated carbon and bioactive adsorbent produced from paper mill sludge. Separation and Purification Technology. 2002; 26 (2):295-304.
Chicago/Turabian StyleN Khalili; J Vyas; W Weangkaew; S Westfall; S Parulekar; R Sherwood. 2002. "Synthesis and characterization of activated carbon and bioactive adsorbent produced from paper mill sludge." Separation and Purification Technology 26, no. 2: 295-304.
A series of micro- and mesoporous activated carbons were produced from paper mill sludge using a modified carbonization methodology. N2-adsorption isotherm data and mathematical models such as the D–R equation, αs-plot, and MP and BJH methods were used to characterize the surface properties of the produced carbons. Results of the surface analysis showed that paper mill sludge can be economically and successfully converted to micro- and mesoporous activated carbons with surface areas higher than 1000 m2/g. Activated carbons with a prescribed micro- or mesoporous structure were produced by controlling the amount of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) used during chemical activation. Pore evolvement was shown to be most affected by the incremental addition of ZnCl2. Increasing the ZnCl2 to sludge ratio from 0.75 to 2.5 resulted in a 600% increase in the mesopore volume. ZnCl2 to sludge ratios less than 1 and greater than 1.5 resulted in the production of micro- and mesoporous carbons, respectively. At a ZnCl2 to sludge ratio of 3.5, an activated carbon with a predominantly (80%) mesoporous structure was produced. The calculated D–R micropore volumes for activated carbons with the suggested microporous structure were in good agreement with those obtained from the αs method, while estimated micropore volumes from the αs method deviated markedly from those obtained from the D–R equation for carbons with a predominantly mesoporous structure.
Nasrin R. Khalili; Marta Campbell; Giselle Sandi; Janusz Golaś. Production of micro- and mesoporous activated carbon from paper mill sludge: I. Effect of zinc chloride activation. Carbon 2000, 38, 1905 -1915.
AMA StyleNasrin R. Khalili, Marta Campbell, Giselle Sandi, Janusz Golaś. Production of micro- and mesoporous activated carbon from paper mill sludge: I. Effect of zinc chloride activation. Carbon. 2000; 38 (14):1905-1915.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNasrin R. Khalili; Marta Campbell; Giselle Sandi; Janusz Golaś. 2000. "Production of micro- and mesoporous activated carbon from paper mill sludge: I. Effect of zinc chloride activation." Carbon 38, no. 14: 1905-1915.
Characteristics and catalytic properties of a series of carbon-based catalysts (CBCs) produced from paper mill sludge were evaluated. The major processes involved in the production of the catalysts were chemical activation, impregnation, pyrolysis, and post pyrolysis rinsing. The porous structure, catalytic activity and thermostability of the catalysts were tailored during the production stage by introducing hetero-atoms (zinc chloride, and ferric nitrate) in the carbon structure. Characterization of the produced CBCs included determination of the surface area, pore size, and pore size distribution (PSD) from standard N 2 -adsorption isotherm data. The extent of graphitization and the presence of metal crystals were identified from X-ray diffraction (XRD). The limit of the catalyst gasification was estimated from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) conducted in an oxidized environment. The NO x reduction capability of the produced catalysts was evaluated in the presence of carbon monoxide using a fixed bed reactor. The reaction temperature ranged from 300 to 500°C. It was shown that paper mill sludge is an excellent precursor for the production of CBCs with NO x removal capability of 66–94%. The catalytic capability of the produced CBCs varied according to the method of production, catalyst surface properties (surface area, pore structure, PSD), metal composition and reaction temperature. The highest NO x removal capacity was observed for the catalytic reactions carried out at 400°C. The mesoporous catalyst produced with a Zn:Fe molar ratio of 1:0.5 exhibited the maximum NO x removal catalytic activity of 94%.
Nasrin R. Khalili; Hitendra Jain; Hamid Arastoopour. Synthesis and characterization of catalysts produced from paper mill sludge: I. Determination of NOx removal capability. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2000, 80, 207 -221.
AMA StyleNasrin R. Khalili, Hitendra Jain, Hamid Arastoopour. Synthesis and characterization of catalysts produced from paper mill sludge: I. Determination of NOx removal capability. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2000; 80 (1):207-221.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNasrin R. Khalili; Hitendra Jain; Hamid Arastoopour. 2000. "Synthesis and characterization of catalysts produced from paper mill sludge: I. Determination of NOx removal capability." Journal of Hazardous Materials 80, no. 1: 207-221.
The impact of the feed sludge (FS) concentration and addition of digested sludge (DS) to an aerobic digester was evaluated with respect to its capability for removal of the total suspended solids (TSS) and volatile suspended solids (VSS). The aerobic digesters, which operated in a batch mode at constant temperature and mixing rate, were initially filled with FS to 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the reactor's volume. The remaining volume of the reactor was occupied by the DS, having DS/FS ratio of 3, 1, 1/3, and 0. Analysis of the experimental data showed that in the absence of DS, TSS, and VSS destruction rates are very small; however, increasing DS/FS ratio from 1/3 to 3 results in 74–77% increase in VSS and TSS destruction, respectively. The increase of the DS/FS ratio associated with increased ratio of the measured viable biomass (Cc) to VSS concentration (Xv) suggested that DS serves as the source of viable cell mass needed for degradation of organic solids. Assuming pseudo-first-order kinetics, it was shown that while organic solid destruction rate constants (k) are inversely related to initial concentrations of sludge, their values increase with increasing DS/FS ratios.
Nasrin R. Khalili; Embarka Chaib; Satish J. Parulekar; David Nykiel. Performance enhancement of batch aerobic digesters via addition of digested sludge. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2000, 76, 91 -102.
AMA StyleNasrin R. Khalili, Embarka Chaib, Satish J. Parulekar, David Nykiel. Performance enhancement of batch aerobic digesters via addition of digested sludge. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2000; 76 (1):91-102.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNasrin R. Khalili; Embarka Chaib; Satish J. Parulekar; David Nykiel. 2000. "Performance enhancement of batch aerobic digesters via addition of digested sludge." Journal of Hazardous Materials 76, no. 1: 91-102.