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Can “Hazard-Cost-Effectiveness Analysis” improve the risk management of chemicals under REACH?
No full textInternational audienceCost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) is a decision-making framework to prioritize policy decisions for chemicals. Differences in hazard profiles among chemicals are not integrated in CEA under the EU REACH Regulation, which could limit its relevance. Another concern is that two different economic decision support methods (CEA for chemicals considered as PBTs or vPvBs from a regulatory perspective and Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) for others) are used under REACH. To address this situation, we define “Hazard” CEA by integrating a hazard score, based on persistence, bioaccumulation and (eco)toxicity, in the effect indicator of CEA. We test different designs and parameterizations of Hazard-CEA on a set of past socio-economic assessments under REACH for PBT and non-PBT chemicals. Weighing and thresholds in hazard scores do not have a significant impact on the outcome of Hazard-CEA but the design of the hazard scoring method does. We suggest using an integrated and unweighted scoring method with a multiplicative formulation based on the notion of risk. Hazard-CEA could be used for both PBT and non-PBT chemicals, to use a single method in REACH and therefore improve consistency in policy decisions. Our work also suggests that using Hazard-CEA could help make decision easier
Some Questions Related to CFD Modeling of Pressurized Tank Burst in Road Tunnels
No full textInternational audienceThe current paper focuses on high-pressure reservoirs and the consequences of their potentialburst, related to scenarios of thermal or mechanical aggressions, in tunnels.CFD modeling can be used to account for the effects of such scenarios. An intrinsic advantageof such an approach consists in integrating the specific geometrical effects (tunnel walls,presence of vehicles) on the pressure wave propagation.To meet such an objective, experimental data are required to offer an opportunity forvalidation. Data from the literature and new ones from INERIS are detailed in this paper, withtheir strengths and weaknesses to identify relevant test cases for CFD.Phenomenological tools are tested against experimental cases of bursting tank in a free fieldto evaluate their prediction capability for pressure. These tools could be used along with CFDin a global modeling framework.CFD is tested against fictious free-field cases, investigating the effect of the thermodynamicmodel on the results. The numerical method for propagating the pressure wave in realistictunnels is also studied
Barriers and framework conditions for the market entry of second-life lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles
No full textInternational audienceTransition to circular economy for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles requires integrating multiple stages of the value cycle. However, strategies aimed at extending the lifetime of batteries are not yet sufficiently considered within the European battery industry, particularly regarding repurposing. Using second-life lithium-ion batteries (SLBs) before subsequent recycling can offer several advantages, such as the development of sustainable business models, the reduction of emissions, and alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals 7, 12, and 13. Using expert and problem-centred interviews along with an exploratory workshop, this study guides stakeholders in the battery sector by illustrating the necessary changes for a more holistic circular economy. Moreover, an extended political, economic, social, technological, environmental, legal, and additionally safety-related (PESSTEL) analysis approach is carried out, which has not yet been used in this context. In this process, barriers, as well as necessary institutional framework conditions and organisational requirements for a successful market entry of SLB applications are investigated. Among others, key barriers relate to the competition with first-life applications and safety concerns. SLBs require high manual labour costs for repurposing, along with expenses for expired warranties and re-certifications. Ownership structures in traditional business models often result in SLBs and their corresponding usage data staying under the control of the manufacturers. Market viability, however, requires a level playing field for both first-life and second-life operators as well as circular battery and data-sharing business models. Gathering data on the ageing performance and performing improved safety testing according to test protocols facilitates the reliable assessment of SLBs
Multi-pollutant exposure profiles associated with breast cancer risk: A Bayesian profile regression analysis in the French E3N cohort
No full textInternational audienceBackground: Human exposure to air pollution involves complex mixtures of multiple correlated air pollutants. To date, very few studies have assessed the combined effects of exposure to multiple air pollutants on breast cancer (BC) risk.Objectives: We aimed to assess the association between combined exposures to multiple air pollutants and breast cancer risk.Methods: The study was based on a case-control study nested within the French E3N cohort (5222 incident BC cases/5222 matched controls). For each woman, the average of the mean annual exposure to eight pollutants (benzo(a)oyrene, cadmium, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB153), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone, particulate matter and fine particles (PMs)) was estimated from cohort inclusion in 1990 to the index date. We used the Bayesian Profile Regression (BPR) model, which groups individuals according to their exposure and risk levels, and assigns a risk to each cluster identified. The model was adjusted on a combination of matching variables and confounders to better consider the design of the nested case-control study. Odds ratios (OR) and their 95 % credible intervals (CrI) were estimated.Results:Among the 21 clusters identified, the cluster characterised by low exposures to all pollutants, except ozone, was taken as reference. A consistent increase in BC risk compared to the reference cluster was observed for 3 clusters: cluster 9 (OR=1.61; CrI=1.13,2.26), cluster 16 (OR=1.59; CrI=1.10,2.30) and cluster 15 (OR=1.38; CrI=1.00,1.88) characterised by high levels of NO2, PMs and PCB153. The other clusters showed no consistent association with BC.Discussion: This is the first study assessing the effect of exposure to a mixture of eight air pollutants on BC risk, using the BPR approach. Overall, results showed evidence of a positive joint effect of exposure to high levels to most pollutants, particularly high for NO2, PMs and PCB153, on the risk of B
Hydro-mechanical analysis of particle migration in fractures with CFD-DEM
No full textInternational audienceParticle migration driven by fluid flow is presented in many geological and geotechnical contexts, such as sand production in oil exploitation, internal erosion in dikes or dams, and proppant movement in petroleum engineering. In this study, fluid flow-induced particle migration in rock fractures has been investigated by coupling the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the discrete element method (DEM), focusing on the particle movements and the associated migration mechanisms. To fit the fracture roughness, tetrahedral grids were used to generate the fluid mesh in CFD analysis. The CFD-DEM model was first calibrated against experimental and analytical results, then a series of simulations was conducted to analyze the effects of fracture roughness (defined by the joint roughness coefficient, JRC), size ratio between fracture aperture and particle diameter, and hydraulic gradient on the migration of particle assemblies. Three modes of particle movement were obtained, i.e., the movement of particle assemblies as a whole, the separation of large particle assemblies into smaller ones, and the detachment of particles at assembly boundaries. Additionally, the velocity of a particle assembly passing through the fracture was negatively related to the aggregation of particles while positively related to the erosion rate of particle assemblies within the fracture. An equation to calculate the time of a particle assembly to pass through a fracture was proposed
Multiple xenoestrogen air pollutants and breast cancer risk: Statistical approaches to investigate combined exposures effect
No full textInternational audienceStudies suggested that exposure to air pollutants, with endocrine disrupting (ED) properties, have a key role in breast cancer (BC) development. Although the population is exposed simultaneously to a mixture of multiple pollutants and ED pollutants may act via common biological mechanisms leading to synergic effects, epidemiological studies generally evaluate the effect of each pollutant separately. We aimed to assess the complex effect of exposure to a mixture of four xenoestrogen air pollutants (benzo-[a]-pyrene (BaP), cadmium, dioxin (2,3,7,8-Tétrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin TCDD)), and polychlorinated biphenyl 153 (PCB153)) on the risk of BC, using three recent statistical methods, namely weighted quantile sum (WQS), quantile g-computation (QGC) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). The study was conducted on 5222 cases and 5222 matched controls nested within the French prospective E3N cohort initiated in 1990. Annual average exposure estimates to the pollutants were assessed using a chemistry transport model, at the participants’ residence address between 1990 and 2011. We found a positive association between the WQS index of the joint effect and the risk of overall BC (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.10, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.03–1.19). Similar results were found for QGC (OR = 1.11, 95%CI: 1.03–1.19). Despite the association did not reach statistical significance in the BKMR model, we observed an increasing trend between the joint effect of the four pollutants and the risk of BC, when fixing other chemicals at their median concentrations. BaP, cadmium and PCB153 also showed positive trends in the multi-pollutant mixture, while dioxin showed a modest inverse trend. Despite we found a clear evidence of a positive association between the joint exposure to pollutants and BC risk only from WQS and QGC regression, we observed a similar suggestive trend using BKMR. This study makes a major contribution to the understanding of the joint effects of air pollution
Phytomanagement of metal-contaminated soils by trees and herbaceous plants: associated microbial diversity and effect of fungal inoculation
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LIBS for Characterizing Nanomaterials
No full textInternational audienceNano-objects, their aggregates and their agglomerates are currently used in industry to manufacture materials with advanced functionalities. Their use requires new tools in diverse fields, such as workplace surveillance or process control. Indeed, little is known yet concerning the adverse effects these objects may have on human health and the environment. There is therefore a need to design tools allowing their in situ real-time detection and characterization during the manufacturing process. In this context, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is seen as a potential candidate for these applications. It was applied to the detection of carbon nanotube balls for workplace surveillance and to the compositional analysis of silicon carbide (SiCx) nanopowders for process control. For this latter issue, the so-called calibration-free LIBS analysis based on modelling of the laser-induced plasma emission spectrum proved to be a real asset. A new method for particle analysis has been tested. It consists of trapping particles in a radio-frequency plasma discharge for LIBS analyses. Such an approach presents several advantages further discussed in this chapter
Extinction of gas burner with minimum water flow rate discharge from a water mist
No full textInternational audienceFire extinguishing systems tend to be optimized by impinging a reduced amount of water, with controlled droplet diameter distribution. This paper investigates the minimum water flow rate required for extinguishing a fire experimentally. A gas burner is placed under a water mist nozzle to expose the fire to a controlled water discharge, gradually increasing the volumetric flow rate injected. The water mist consists of a full cone jet, generated thanks to a single nozzle, with a 100 to 300 µm particle diameter. One of the specific characteristics of water mist is the injection of small particle diameters. Thanks to their high exchange surface between droplets and the ambient, the evaporation rate is increased, which contributes to facilitating fire extinction. The main mechanisms involved in the extinction process are the cooling of the reaction zone and the reduction of the oxygen concentration by putting steam directly in this reaction zone. Some research works were published to correlate the required water flow rate to extinguish a fire but based on small-scale tests, typically with HRR lower than 50 kW. This paper aims to check whether or not these relations can be applied to higher heat release rates and higher flow rates in order to determine the critical water flow rate that extinguishes the fire. A set of normalized parameters have been used to comprehend the extinction phenomenon and to analyse the experimental data. The tendency of averaged results shows a predictable extinction rate and consolidates literature data.</div