Background: Particulate matter (PM) exposure is an important health risk, both in daily life and in the workplace. It causes respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and results in 800,000 premature deaths per year worldwide. In earlier research, we assessed workers’ information needs regarding workplace PM exposure, the properties and effects of PM, and the rationale behind various means of protection. We also concluded that workers do not always receive appropriate risk communication tools with regards to PM, and that their PM knowledge appears to be fragmented and incomplete. Methods: We considered several concepts for use as an educational material based on evaluation criteria: ease of use, costs, appropriateness for target audiences and goals, interactivity, implementation issues, novelty, and speed. We decided to develop an educational folder, which can be used to inform employees about the properties, effects and prevention methods concerning PM. Furthermore, we decided on a test setup of a more interactive way of visualisation of exposure to PM by means of exposimeters. For the development of the folder, we based the information needs on our earlier mental models-based research. We adjusted the folder based on the results of ten semi-structured interviews evaluating its usability. Results: The semi-structured interviews yielded commentaries and suggestions for further improvement, which resulted in a number of alterations to the folder. However, in most cases the folder was deemed satisfactory. Conclusion: Based on this study, the folder we developed is suitable for a larger-scale experiment and a practical test. Further research is needed to investigate the efficacy of the folder and the application of the exposimeter in a PM risk communication system.
Background: With increasing knowledge on the adverse health efects of certain constituents of PM (particulate matter), such as silica, metals, insoluble ions, and black carbon, PM has been under the attention of work safety experts. Previously, we investigated the perceptions of blue-collar workers in highly exposed areas of work. Subsequently, we developed an instruction folder highlighting the most important aspects of PM risk and mitigation, and tested this folder in a digital experiment. The digital experiment yielded positive results with regards to acquired knowledge about PM, but did not on risk perception or safety behavior. Methods: In this study, we investigate the efects of the folder when combined with a practical assignment involving a PM exposimeter, showing the amount of particulate matter in microgram per cubic meter in real time on its display for various activities. We tested this at six workplaces of four companies in the roadwork and construction branch. Results: The results indicate that the folder itself yields an increased knowledge base in employees about PM, but the efects of the practical assignment are more contentious. Nevertheless, there is an indication that using the assignment may lead to a higher threat appraisal among employees for high exposure activities. Conclusion: We recommend implementing our folder in companies with high PM exposure and focusing further research on appropriate methods of implementation.
Particulate matter (PM) exposure, amongst others caused by emissions and industrial processes, is an important source of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. There are situations in which blue-collar workers in roadwork companies are at risk. This study investigated perceptions of risk and mitigation of employees in roadwork (construction and maintenance) companies concerning PM, as well as their views on methods to empower safety behavior, by means of a mental models approach. We held semi-structured interviews with twenty-two employees (three safety specialists, seven site managers and twelve blue-collar workers) in three different roadwork companies. We found that most workers are aware of the existence of PM and reduction methods, but that their knowledge about PM itself appears to be fragmented and incomplete. Moreover, road workers do not protect themselves consistently against PM. To improve safety instructions, we recommend focusing on health effects, reduction methods and the rationale behind them, and keeping workers’ mental models into account. We also recommend a healthy dialogue about work-related risk within the company hierarchy, to alleviate both information-related and motivation-related safety issues. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2019.06.043 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bolte-0856134/
Duurzaam beheerde landbouwbodems bevorderen de bodemvruchtbaarheid, zijn beter bestand tegen de klimaatveranderingen, zorgen voor schoner oppervlakte- en grondwater, een hogere biodiversiteit en het vastleggen van koolstof. Er is grote behoefte aan onderbouwde handelingsperspectieven voor koolstofvastlegging zonder nadelige effecten op nitraatuitspoeling door verhoogde mineralisatie, maar vooralsnog ontbreekt het aan praktische meet- en monitoringsmethoden van organische stof en stikstof in de bodem. Recent onderzoek laat zien dat er mogelijk een nieuwe indicator is voor koolstofvastlegging: Mineral Associated Organic Matter (MAOM) in relatie tot Particulate Organic Matter (POM). Het microbiële bodemleven is de belangrijkste regulator van de koolstofcyclus in de bodem en de omzetting van organische stof in POM en MAOM. Bij de microbiële afbraak van organisch materiaal, zoals gewasresten (blad en wortels), wortelexudaten, organische mest of compost, worden grote koolstofverbindingen enzymatisch afgebroken tot kleine koolstofverbindingen, die dienen als voedsel voor het bodemleven. Deze kleine koolstofverbindingen en de resten van afgestorven micro-organismen kunnen gemakkelijk worden gebonden en ingekapseld door kleideeltjes (MAOM). Daarmee zijn ze fysisch afgeschermd voor verdere afbraak en dus stabiel. De vorming van MAOM worden sterk gestuurd door de samenstelling van zowel het aangevoerde organische materiaal als van het bodemleven. In de praktijk betekent dit dat de keuzes die een agrariër maakt in het bouwplan (gewaskeuze) en bodembeheer (o.a. organische stofaanvoer en grondbewerking) grote invloed hebben op de vorming van MAOM en daarmee op de koolstofvastlegging. Dit project richt zich op metingen aan POM en MAOM in praktijksituaties en langlopende systeemproeven, het berekenen van de koolstof- en stikstofdynamiek en een DNA-analyse van het bodemmicrobioom. In combinatie met een knelpuntenanalyse in praktijksituaties kan dit inzicht geven in het handelingsperspectief voor agrariërs om duurzaam bodem- en waterbeheer te combineren met koolstofvastlegging op minerale grondsoorten.
The ongoing debate over the use of fossil fuels, particularly diesel, in engines due to concerns about global climate change has prompted the exploration of alternative propulsion methods and fuels. Despite various proposed alternatives, diesel engines continue to play a vital role in the global market [1]. This discussion has spurred innovations aimed at enhancing the performance and sustainability of diesel engines, including the utilization of biodiesel mixtures, synthetic fuels, and water-in-diesel emulsions (W/D emulsions) [2-5]. Scientific evidence indicates that the presence of water in water-diesel emulsions can improve engine performance and reduce emissions, such as particulate matter and NOx [6,7]. This performance enhancement is attributed to the phenomenon of micro-explosion, or secondary atomization, caused by the differing boiling points of water and diesel [8]. The rapid temperature increase during fuel injection leads to the explosive vaporization of dispersed water droplets, breaking up the diesel emulsion into smaller droplets and resulting in a shorter combustion time. Various processes, including membrane emulsification, ultrasound emulsification, and high shear stirring, are employed to create these emulsions, often necessitating the use of surfactants for stability [9]. This research proposes a two-fold approach: firstly, the use of Electrohydrodynamic Atomization (EHDA, or electrospray) to create stable water-diesel emulsions. Secondly, the employment of magnetic fields in treating both diesel and water-diesel emulsions. EHDA is already used in several applications, such as drug encapsulation, bioencapsulation, thin film coatings and is also known for its ability to form stable emulsions. [10-13]. For the second approach, it has been shown that nanobubbles can be formed [17] and stabilized due to the electric charging action of magnetic fields [18]. We hypothesize that the charged bubbles can further stabilize the diesel-water emulsion and also enhance the explosive evaporation due to the additional Coulomb forces in play.
