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Due to their unique size-dependent physicochemical properties, nanostructured thin films are used in a wide range of applications from smart coating and drug delivery to electrocatalysis and highly-sensitive sensors. Depending on the targeted application and the deposition technique, these materials have been designed and developed by tuning their atomic-molecular 2D- and/or 3D-aggregation, thickness, crystallinity, and porosity, having effects on their optical, mechanical, catalytic, and conductive properties. Several open questions remain about the impact of nanomaterial production and use on environment and health. Many efforts are currently being made not only to prevent nanotechnologies...
Science has never been more crucial to deciding the political issues facing the country. Yet science and scientists have less influence with the federal government than at any time since the Eisenhower administration. In the White House and Congress today, findings are reported in a politicized manner; spun or distorted to fit the speaker's agenda; or, when they're too inconvenient, ignored entirely. On a broad array of issues-stem cell research, climate change, missile defense, abstinence education, product safety, environmental regulation, and many others-the Bush administration's positions fly in the face of overwhelming scientific consensus. Federal science agencies, once fiercely indepe...
This book aims to present the different aspects of electrospinning for designing and fabricating high performing materials for sensors applied in gaseous and liquid environments. Since electrospinning is a versatile and inexpensive manufacturing technology, the book emphasizes the industrial applications perspective. The volume is an edited collection of the most recent and encouraging results concerning advanced nanostructured (bio) sensors. The feats achieved by these sensors range from high sensitivity to extreme operating conditions and satisfy a wide range of requirements. Most of the contributions in this book come from First International Workshop on Electrospinning for High Performance Sensing (EHPS2014) that was held in Rome in 2014, as part of the European COST Action MP1206 Electrospun Nanofibres for bio inspired composite materials and innovative industrial applications.
This report is the outcome of a workshop arranged to support the development of the EU strategy on mercury (based on the Council decision in December 2002), and to support international conventions aimed at reducing emissions, environmental contamination and human exposure to mercury. Specific objectives of the workshop were, a) To summarise the state-of-the-art on sources, emissions-distribution-deposition-exposure, options and technologies to reduce uses and releases, the waste problem and waste management options, and health/environmental impacts of mercury. b) To identify and discuss priority problem areas. c) To derive recommendations for an effective European mercury abatement strategy...
How does mercury get out of the ground and into our food? Is tuna safe to eat? What was the Minamata Disaster? Mercury Pollution: A Transdisciplinary Treatment addresses these questions and more. The editors weave interdisciplinary threads into a tapestry that presents a more complete picture of the effects of mercury pollution and provides new way
The Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, organized by WHO/Europe and hosted by Italy, is the latest milestone in the European environment and health process, now in its twentieth year. Focused on protecting children's health in a changing environment, the Conference set Europe's agenda on emerging environmental health challenges for the years to come. The Parma Declaration is the first time-bound outcome of the environment and health process. The 53 Member States in the WHO European Region set clear targets to reduce the harm to health from environmental threats in the next decade. Safe urban settings, locally sourced food and use of ecomaterials contributed to the first e...
Mercury, primarily because of its existence and bioaccumulation as methylmercury in aquatic organisms, is a concern for the health of higher trophic level organisms, or to their consumers. This is the major factor driving current research in mercury globally and in environmental regulation, and is the driver for the current UNEP Global Partnership for Mercury Transport and Fate Research (UNEP F&T) initiative. The overall focus of the UNEP F&T report is to assess the relative importance of different processes/mechanisms affecting the transfer of mercury (Hg) from emission sources to aquatic and terrestrial receptors and provide possible source-receptor relationships. This transfer occurs thro...
This book critically assesses the current state of knowledge on new and important detection technologies, e.g. mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, biosensor detection and tissue imaging, in connection with toxic chemical and biological agents. In general, the main topics discussed concern the risks and consequences of chemical and biological agents for human health in general, with special emphasis on all biochemical and metabolic pathways including the reproductive system. The exposome, genetic risks and the environment, various health hazard agents, risk assessment, environmental assessment and preparedness, and analysis of sub-lethal effects at the molecular level are also discussed. In closing, the book provides comprehensive information on the diagnosis of exposure, and on health concerns related to toxic chemical and biological agents.