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Non-combustible air fresheners tested in an experimental house : exposure and health risk assessment
No full textInternational audienceAir fresheners constitute one of the specific indoor emission sources of air pollutants. Potential associated health risks need to be further understood. As part of the PRESSENS research project, and in order to contribute to the French National Plan on Indoor Air Quality, an exposure and health risk assessment was performed for two types of widely used non- combustible air fresheners – sprays and (passive or active) diffusers; including liquids, gels and oils – in order to evaluate whether household uses could be a matter of concern
Svalbard local air contamination by PAHs and nitro- and oxy- PAHs
No full textInternational audiencePolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of great public concern due to their toxicity and potential carcinogenicity. PAHs are listed as chemicals of emerging concern in the Arctic (AMAP, 2016). The coal power plant in Longyearbyen (78°13′N 15°38′E), Svalbard was hypothesized to be a major local source of PAHs. Gaseous and particulate phase air samples were collected in the power plant stack and at 1 km and 6 km transect distance downwind the plant. The sampling campaign was performed in summer when long-range atmospheric transport input is low and thus the coal burning emissions are easier to quantify. The samples were analysed for 16 parent PAHs and 22 nitro- and 8 oxy-PAHs by GC-EI-MS/MS and GCECNI-MS. An emission factor of 2.3 µg/kg coal was estimated for the Σ47 PAHs. The relative distribution of the contaminants was as follows: 66% PAHs, 21% oxy-PAHs, and 13% nitro-PAHs. Approximately 90% of the compounds were found in the gaseous phase, confirming high efficiency of exhaust particles removal by an electrostatic precipitator in the power plant. The PAH levels observed in ambient air of Longyearbyen (Σ15 PAHs ~556 pg/m3) were significantly lower (up to 2 orders of magnitude) compared to rural sites in Europe and China but were about an order of magnitude higher compared to the Canadian Arctic (Alert station) concentrations. Nitro- and oxy-PAH concentrations (Σ22 nitro-PAHs ~32 pg/m3 and Σ7 oxyPAHs ~352 pg/m3) were found at the same order of magnitude as detected at other background Scandinavian (Råö and Pallas) and central European (Košetice) monitoring stations. A multivariate statistical analysis confirmed local coal burning as the source of PAHs, as well as vehicle and marine traffic. Oxy-PAHs and nitro-PAHs also result from reactions of primary PAHs with atmospheric oxidants. Such secondary formation was concluded as an additional source of several nitro-PAHs. However, a preliminary study on the annual distribution of PAHs in Longyearbyen air revealed 2 orders of magnitude higher PAH levels in spring. Maximum concentrations were detected during Easter holiday and different profile of nitro-PAHs (markers of vehicle emissions) during that period was determined. This suggests that petrol driven snowmobiles are the main candidate source for PAH vehicle emissions in spring, although long-range transport may be of influence too. Temperature inversions are frequent in Arctic regions, and limited vertical air movement can trap and accumulate contaminants near the ground with potential consequences for public health and the environment
Hydrocarbon aerosol explosion : towards hazardous area classification
No full textInternational audienceAssessing the risk of formation and ignition of explosive atmosphere (ATEX) associated with the generation of a flammable aerosol is required by European ATEX regulation. However, such risk analysis sometimes proves difficult because of the lack of tools correlating the dispersion conditions of a mist cloud with its flammability and explosivity. This work aims to define objective criteria for assessing the risk related to the hydrocarbon mists explosion within the framework of hazardous area classification. Different fluids were selected according to their industrial interest and their physicochemical characteristics; here, a volatile solvent (ethanol), a lubricating oil and kerosene. Existing experimental set-ups as the 20L sphere and the modified Hartmann tube were adapted to determine the flammability and explosion severity of sprays and mists. A sensitivity study was performed as a function of influential parameters such as the fluid composition, the generation mode, the pressure and the turbulence. The time evolution of droplet size distributions was determined by in situ laser diffraction and APS spectrometry (aerodynamic diameter measurement). The flammability study was focused on the determination of the Lower Explosive Limit and the Minimum Ignition Energy. In parallel, the study of the flame propagation in a semi-open tube was used to qualify the effects of the turbulence/combustion interactions. Some tests were also performed in a standard 20L explosion sphere to determine the maximum explosion pressure and maximum rate of pressure rise of specific mists. Finally, these experimental results could serve as an input for reactive CFD simulations aiming at predicting the consequences of aerosol explosions. From a practical point of view, this study should provide decision support tools for hazardous area classification, especially for the definition of the flammable cloud extent on the basis of a percentage of the lower explosive limit
Occurrence and fate of antimony in plastics
No full textInternational audienceAntimony (Sb) is a technology critical element whose presence is ubiquitous in manufactured products, and in particular in plastics where it is used extensively as a flame retardant synergist for brominated compounds, as a catalyst for polyethylene terephthalate production, and as a pigment for colour. This study reviews the usage, regulations and fate of Sb in plastics by examining primary data on its production, applications, contents in and migration from manufactured objects, and presence in and release from waste, including the disposal and recycling routes for this material (i.e., non-controlled disposal, incineration, landfilling and recycling). Consumption of Sb and the relative apportioning of the metalloid between different uses in plastics change continuously and are largely driven by dynamic economic factors; accordingly, reference to secondary data or sources can be misleading. Since Sb is not recovered from plastics, its fate is entirely linked to the fate of plastics themselves which, as far as disposal and recycling are concerned, might be dictated by the presence of co-associated regulated substances such as brominated flame retardants. Significantly, because of the high leachability of Sb from bottom incineration ashes, the EU considers the metalloid as the most problematic substance regarding the potential reuse of this material
Monitoring Scheme for the Detection of Hydrogen Leakage from a Deep Underground Storage. Part 1 : On-Site Validation of an Experimental Protocol via the Combined Injection of Helium and Tracers into an Aquifer
No full textInternational audienceMassive underground storage of hydrogen could be a way that excess energy is produced in the future, provided that the risks of leakage of this highly flammable gas are managed. The ROSTOCK-H research project plans to simulate a sudden hydrogen leak into an aquifer and to design suitable monitoring, by injecting dissolved hydrogen in the saturated zone of an experimental site. Prior to this, an injection test of tracers and helium-saturated water was carried out to validate the future protocol related to hydrogen. Helium exhibits a comparable physical behavior but is a non-flammable gas which is preferable for a protocol optimization test. The main questions covered the gas saturation conditions of the water, the injection protocol of 5 m(3)of gas saturated water, and the monitoring protocol. Due to the low solubility of both helium and hydrogen, it appears that plume dilution will be more important further than 20 m downstream of the injection well and that monitoring must be done close to the well. In the piezometer located 5 m downstream the injection well, the plume peak is intended to arrive about 1 h after injection with a concentration around 1.5 mg center dot L-1. Taking these results into account should make it possible to complete the next injection of hydrogen
SSH-Aerosol v1.1: A Modular Box Model to Simulate the Evolution of Primary and Secondary Aerosols
No full textInternational audienceParticles are emitted by different sources and are also formed in the atmosphere. Despite the large impact of atmospheric particles on health and climate, large uncertainties remain concerning their representation in models. To reduce these uncertainties as much as possible, a representation of the main processes involved in aerosol dynamics and chemistry is necessary. For that purpose, SSH-aerosol was developed to represent the evolution of the mass and number concentrations of primary and secondary particles, across different scales, using state-of-the-art modules, taking into account processes that are usually not considered in air-quality or climate modelling. For example, the particle mixing state and the growth of ultra-fine particles are taken into account in the aerosol dynamics, the affinity of semi-volatile organic compounds with water and viscosity are taken into account in the partitioning between the gas and particle phases of organics and the formation of extremely low-volatility organic compounds from biogenic precursors is represented. SSH-aerosol is modular and can be used with different levels of complexity. It may be used as standalone to analyse chamber measurements. It is also designed to be easily coupled to 3D models, adapting the level of complexity to the spatial scale studied
Identifying the parameters of a hydro-mechanical model for internal erosion occurring in granular soils by using an enhanced backtracking search algorithm
No full textInternational audienceDue to the complexity of the hydro-mechanical behaviour of soils subjected to internal erosion, a high number of parameters are usually required for the erosion models and the constitutive models. This aspect makes it difficult to determine by trial-error their relevant values from laboratory tests. To address this issue, an efficient optimisation-based procedure for identifying the parameters of a recently developed hydro-mechanical model for internal erosion using an enhanced backtracking search algorithm (so-called MBSA-LS) has been proposed. The MBSA-LS incorporates two points: (1) modifying the mutation of the original Backtracking Search Algorithm (BSA) and (2) incorporating an efficient differential evolution (DE) as a local search to improve the optimisation performance. A mono-objective framework with six different criteria has been proposed to identify the parameters related to the interlocking effect and the erosion process. The proposed procedure was successfully applied to identify the parameters from the erosion tests of Hong Kong-Completely Decomposed Granite mixture (HK-CDG). All results demonstrated that coupling the MBSA-LS and the hydro-mechanical erosion model could efficiently solve the issue of parameter identification accounting for both the mechanical behaviour and internal erosion
The MCRA toolbox of models and data to support chemical mixture risk assessment
No full textInternational audienceA model and data toolbox is presented to assess risks from combined exposure to multiple chemicals using probabilistic methods. The Monte Carlo Risk Assessment (MCRA) toolbox, also known as the EuroMix toolbox, has more than 40 modules addressing all areas of risk assessment, and includes a data repository with data collected in the EuroMix project. This paper gives an introduction to the toolbox and illustrates its use with examples from the EuroMix project. The toolbox can be used for hazard identification, hazard characterisation, exposure assessment and risk characterisation. Examples for hazard identification are selection of substances relevant for a specific adverse outcome based on adverse outcome pathways and QSAR models. Examples for hazard characterisation are calculation of benchmark doses and relative potency factors with uncertainty from dose response data, and use of kinetic models to perform in vitro to in vivo extrapolation. Examples for exposure assessment are assessing cumulative exposure at external or internal level, where the latter option is needed when dietary and non-dietary routes have to be aggregated. Finally, risk characterisation is illustrated by calculation and display of the margin of exposure for single substances and for the cumulation, including uncertainties derived from exposure and hazard characterisation estimates
Metrological assessment of on-site geochemical monitoring methods within an aquifer applied to the detection of H2 leakages from deep underground storages
No full textInternational audienceTo manage potential risks due to H2 leaks into the near-surface geosphere from H2 underground storages (e.g. salt caverns, aquifer), reliable monitoring methods along with a precise knowledge of the geochemical environmental impacts are necessary. Thus, the evolution of some prominent parameters in soil and aquifers can be determined: gas concentrations, redox potential, ionic balance and trace elements. As part of the ROSTOCK'H project, Ineris simulated H2 leakage by injection of dissolved H2 into a shallow aquifer (~20 m deep) in an experimental site within the Paris basin. This experiment aimed to testing advanced monitoring techniques and studying hydrogeochemical impacts at shallow depths. The aquifer water has calcium-bicarbonate facies and a neutral pH. Eight piezometers were aligned over 80 m according to the aquifer main flow (west-east). Hydrogeochemical monitoring devices were set up. One of the piezometers was equipped with a completion connected to a Raman probe and a specific Mid-IR cell for continuous measurement of aqueous gases. At the experiment outset, 5 m3 of water were extracted from the aquifer to be saturated with H2 under atmospheric conditions, before being reinjected through the injection well. About 100 LSTP of dissolved H2 (concentration of 1,8 mg/L) was injected in the aquifer. The H2 injection was preceded by the injection of underground water containing tracers (He(aq), uranine and LiCl) in order to warn the H2 plume arrival in the piezometers located downstream of the injection well. The concentrations of aqueous gases (He, H2, N2, O2, CO2, H2S and CH4) were measured in a control piezometer (20 m upstream) and in six piezometers up to 60 m downstream. Thus, the maximum H2 contents were detected up to 20 m downstream of the injection well: 0.6 mg/L at 5 m, 0.17 mg/L at 7 m then 1.8 µg/L of H2 at 10 and 20 m during the first week. Following the H2(aq) addition, the aquifer physico-chemistry has been modified: low increase in pH, high decrease in redox potential and O2(aq). These results confirm the feasibility of detecting and monitoring H2 in shallow aquifers in very low concentration conditions and highlight the potential impacts. This is of first importance for establishing the surveillance and security aspects related to with H2 storage
Méthodologie d’évaluation des méthodes de mesure dans l’air des lieux de travail et l’air intérieur
No full textL’Anses élabore et recommande plusieurs types de valeurs de référence dans l’air fondées sur descritères exclusivement sanitaires, permettant de caractériser le lien entre une exposition aérienne à une substance chimique et l’occurrence d’un effet néfaste observé, notamment :• Les valeurs limites d’exposition professionnelle (VLEP) élaborées par le comité d’expertsspécialisé (CES) « Expertise en vue de la fixation de VLEP à des agents chimiques ».• Les valeurs guides de qualité d’air intérieur (VGAI) élaborées par le CES « Évaluation desrisques liés aux milieux aériens »Ces valeurs peuvent ensuite être utilisées par les pouvoirs publics en vue de fixer des valeursréglementaires.Le dispositif français d’établissement des VLEP comporte ainsi trois phases clairement distinctes :• une phase d’expertise scientifique indépendante confiée à l’Anses ;• une phase d’établissement d’un projet réglementaire de valeur limite contraignante ouindicative par le ministère chargé du travail ;• une phase de concertation sociale lors de la présentation du projet réglementaire au sein duConseil d’Orientation sur les Conditions de Travail (COCT). L’objectif de cette phase est de discuter de l’effectivité des valeurs limites et de déterminer d’éventuels délais d’application, fonction de conditions de faisabilité technico-économique.Le contrôle technique des VLEP est encadré par les dispositions du Code du travail (articles R.4412-27 à R. 4412-31 pour les agents chimiques dangereux et articles R. 4412-76 à R. 4412-80pour les agents chimiques classés cancérogènes, mutagènes et toxiques pour la reproduction(CMR)). Ces dispositions sont complétées par l’arrêté du 15 décembre 2009 relatif aux contrôlestechniques des valeurs limites d'exposition professionnelle sur les lieux de travail et aux conditions d'accréditation des organismes chargés des contrôles (publié au journal officiel du 17 décembre 2009).Les VGAI proposées par l’Anses constituent le socle initial du processus institutionnel visant à fixer des valeurs réglementaires de surveillance de la qualité de l’air intérieur.Afin d’appuyer les pouvoirs publics dans l’élaboration de valeurs opérationnelles permettant demettre en place des actions d’amélioration de la qualité de l’air intérieur, le ministère chargé de lasanté sollicite usuellement le Haut conseil de la santé publique (HCSP) en vue de proposer, à partir des VGAI de l’Anses, des valeurs repères d’aide à la gestion dans l’air des espaces clos, ainsi qu’un calendrier pour leur déploiement. Le HCSP tient compte, dans ses propositions, de considérations pratiques, réglementaires, juridiques, économiques et sociologiques.Enfin, conformément à la loi du 1er août 2008 relative à la responsabilité environnementale, desVGAI réglementaires sont établies par le ministère chargé de l’écologie, inscrites dans le code del’environnement et sont associées à des mesures de gestion.La surveillance de la qualité de l’air intérieur s’est mise en place progressivement notamment dans les établissements recevant du public et plus spécifiquement accueillant des enfants1. Les moyens d’aération devront être évalués et la mesure du formaldéhyde, du benzène et du dioxyde de carbone (et éventuellement du perchloréthylène pour les établissements contigus à un pressing) sera réalisée dans certains établissements recevant du public avec des dispositions particulières de prévention de la qualité de l’air . Les mesures de polluants seront en particulier mises en regard des valeurs-guides pour l’air intérieur et de valeurs déclenchant des investigations complémentaires