Potentially harmful elements

Albanese, S. (2008). Evaluation of the bioavailability of potentially harmful elements in urban soils through ammonium acetate-EDTA extraction A case study in southern Italy. Geochem. Explor. Environ. Anal. 8, 49—57. 

During both Phases I and II, 71 piezometers were installed to monitor groundwater. A total of 221 water samples were collected and 9463 analyses were carried out. Seven field surveys sampled shallow and deep groundwater, analyzing various physicochemical parameters (e. g., pH, Eh, dissolved 02, temperature, conductivity), and the presence of potentially harmful elements and compounds (e.g., heavy metals, hydrocarbons, PAH). The hydrogeological survey carried out by the Bagnoli SpA, concluded that... 

Bedcett and Davis [ 3 ]define the upper critical level of an element either in plant or in soil as the concentration at which yield is first reduced. According to the same investigators, phytotoxic effects of a potentially harmful element depend mainly of the concentration in the plant tissue, so that the upper critical level for a certain plant species would be a fixed content. On the other hand, due to changing soil characteristics (CEC, pH, % C, % clay ) affecting the availability of an element for different soil types, the upper critical level in the soil is a variable concentration. Determination of the upper critical level in the plant may be obtained by plotting the yield versus the concentration in the plant (Fig. 1) [ 4 ]. 

As a result of environmental concerns, various technologies have been developed that capture potentially harmful elements and compounds before they can be emitted to the atmosphere. 

In the early 1980s, the world witnessed the sale of the first personal computers. Its transition from the relatively bulky and slow first units to the sleek, speed demons has made the computer truly revolutionary. With each improvement in computers, however, comes the increasing problem of what to do with the ever increasing number of computer e-wastes. The U.S. EPA estimates that nearly 250 million computers will become obsolete in the next five years in the United States alone. Unfortunately, only approximately 10% of these old computers that are retired each year are being recycled. This presents a substantial concern because toxic elements such as lead, cadmium, mercury, barium, chromium, beryllium as well as flame retardant, and phosphor are contained in a typical computer and there would be potential harm if there was a release of these elements into the environment.1... 

T oxic elements are present in trace quantities in coal and other fossil fuels. Since enormous quantities of these fuels are consumed each year, appreciable quantities of the associated, potentially harmful toxic elements are produced. For example, if 600 million tons of coal are burned each year in the U.S. with average concentrations (ppm) of Hg-0.10, Pb-20, Cd-0.4, As-5, Se-5, Sb-4, V-25, Zn-200, Ni-100, Cr-20, and Be-2, the corresponding tonnages of the elements released are Hg-60, Pb-12,000, Cd-240, As-3000, Se-3000, Sb-2400, V-15,000, Zn-120,000, No-60,000, Cr-12,000, and Be-1200. (The concentrations are representative of values measured for coal burned at the Allen Steam Plant.)... 

Most lubricating oils for engine use contain additives designed to improve such properties as lubricity, detergency, oxidation resistance, and viscosity. The additives contain elements that could be potentially harmful to catalysts. Table I lists these elements and their typical concentration in lubrication oils of 1973. The first three elements are combined usually in one compound, zinc dialkyldithiophosphate. Thus, before combustion, sulfur and phosphorus in oil are in a different chemical state than the same elements are in fuel. Little is known whether combustion nullifies these differences partially or fully. Some data, to be discussed subsequently, are available on the separate poisoning effects of these elements as derived either from the fuel or from the oil. 

As more potentially harmful chemicals are discovered, concern for the long-term impact of low concentrations of large numbers of hazardous elements and compounds increases. The need for improved methods for analyzing environmental samples to identify and measure very small amounts of a wide variety of chemicals becomes critical. 

Radioactive wastes are waste materials that consist of unstable isotopes. Over time, the materials decay to a more stable form (or element) emitting potentially harmful energy in the process. 

The lifetime of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is extremely short, and if a physiological acceptor does not immediately neutralize them, ROS can damage biological systems. All aerobic organisms have developed more or less complex systems to neutralize them before their potentially harmful effect is activated. Nutritional elements are also extremely important. Foods that have potential or definite antioxidant capacities are mainly vegetables and fruits, as well as beverages like red wine, tea and beer. 

Certain chemical elements in some paints and marking materials used for color coding are potentially harmful. They may cause catastrophic cracking or pitting on susceptible alloys, particularly stainless steels and nickel alloys. 

Chlorine, sulfur and zinc are potentially harmful chemical elements. Paints and crayons used to mark susceptible alloys must contain low quantities (measured in parts per million, or ppm) of the harmful chemical elements. Less than 100 ppm is allowable. Even if approved marking materials are used, they should be removed from areas that are to be welded, brazed or soldered. An approved solvent such as a non-chlorinat-ed type should be used to remove marking materials. The same principles apply when adhesive-backed tapes are used to fix items to stainless and nickel alloy products (e.g., for radiography). All traces of adhesive must be removed from the surface with an approved solvent. There are no restrictions on using fiber tip markers because they do not leave solid residue. Solvent removal is not required with fiber tip markers. 

The area of robotic technologies has improved and expanded substantially. Safety and health professionals may want to explore the potential of the utilization of robotic technology in areas requiring heavy or repetitive lifting, repetitive performance of a singular job function, or when the job function places the employee at risk for exposures to harmful elements, among other risks. American industry has embraced the utilization of industrial robots and the expansion in use has increased substantially, primarily to improve operational performance. However, safety and health professionals should consider the utilization of robotic instruments to reduce inherent risks within the workplace. 

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