Health implication among occupational exposed workers in a chromium alloy factory, Thailand.

This study was conducted to assess the occupational exposure and its health impact on the chromium alloy workers. Environmental and biological monitoring, noise and audiometry measurements were done to evaluate the exposure levels in the factory. A total of 112 non-smoking workers were monitored from July 2001 to August 2002.

Benzene and lead exposure assessment among occupational bus drivers in Bangkok traffic.

Four environmental and biological monitoring sites were strategically established to evaluate benzene and lead exposure assessment at various traffic zones of Bangkok Metropolitan Region(BMR). Biological measurement of 48 non air-conditioned, male bus drivers was carried to study the relationship between individual exposure levels and exposure biomarkers. The study group was further subdivided into four age groups(16-25, 26-35, 36-45 and 46-55 years old) to monitor the age-related exposure effects.

An environmental approach for used oil management in Asian cities: a Bangkok' s experience.

This paper addresses increasing concern about the pollution threat of used oil being illegally dumped and the impact of oil on air pollution and freshwater ecosystems in Asian countries. Used oil is a very serious waste management problem. These results call for management action such as maximising the collection and recovery of used oil.

Regional monitoring of lead and cadmium contamination in a tropical grazing land site, Thailand.

An investigation was carried out to monitor Pb and Cd contamination in grazing land located near a highway. Environmental media at different distances from highway (soil, grass, water, cow's forage, fertilizer, manure and milk samples) were collected from three sampling locations. Soil and grass were characterized by high metal mobility (soil with Pb: 5.

Monitoring and assessment of daily exposure of roadside workers to traffic noise levels in an Asian city: a case study of Bangkok streets.

Four noise monitoring sites were strategically established to evaluate average noise level and audiometric assessment at various traffic zones of Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR). During the monitoring period, noise levels were found to be 72.8-83.

Indicators of benzene emissions and exposure in Bangkok street.

Ambient benzene measurements were conducted for the first time at four air monitoring sites in the Bangkok metropolitan region (BMR), from January to December 2001. Analytical results show that the mean benzene concentrations range from 42.4 micro g/m(3) at the Din Daeng urban site to 15.

Environmental applicability of chitosan and zeolite for amending sewage sludge.

This study investigated the potential leachability of toxic heavy metals and pathogenic reduction in sewage sludge using chitosan and zeolite as adsorbing materials. Experiments were conducted on chitosan-sludge and zeolite-sludge mixtures in the application ratio of 0.1:10, 0.

The benefits and risks of using river sediment for Vietnamese agriculture: a case study of the Nhieu Loc canal in Ho Chi Minh City.

This study was conducted to assess the potential of river sediment for amendment of agricultural land with respect to heavy metal mobilization. The mobility and concentration of bioavailable heavy metal containing in the sediment were evaluated with the use of DTPA (diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid) extraction techniques. Sum of metals in exchangeable and carbonate fractions obtained from sequential extraction scheme was used to evaluate the potential plant available.

An environmentally sound method for disposal of both ash and sludge wastes by mixing with soil: a case study of Bangkok plain.

This study reported the test done on ash-sludge mixture for amendment of soil in pot experiments. Ash-sludge mixture ratio studies revealed that 1:5 fly ash-sludge mixture and 1:10 bottom ash-sludge mixture were the optimum mixture ratio that minimized toxic element and provided sufficient nutrients. Experiments indicated that ash-sludge mixtures is more suitable for amendment of acid soil than neutral soil which can increase soil pH and reduce available heavy metal toxicity.

Assessment of treatment alternatives for laboratory cod wastewater: a practical comparison with emphasis on cost and performance.

This study focused on investigation of treatment alternatives for COD wastewater from academic laboratories, using a number of technologies including chemical reduction/precipitation, ion exchange and adsorption by chitosan. Results showed that high concentrations of 375 mg l(-1) chromium, 1,740 mg l(-1) mercury and 993 mg l(-1) silver in COD wastewater can be reduced to 2.34 mg l(-1), 3.

THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF USING RIVER SEDIMENT FOR VIETNAMESE AGRICULTURE: A CASE STUDY OF THE NHIEU LOC CANAL IN HO CHI MINH CITY.

This study was conducted to assess the potential of river sediment for amendment of agricultural land with respect to heavy metal mobilization. The mobility and concentration of bioavailable heavy metal containing in the sediment were evaluated with the use of DTPA (diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid) extraction techniques. Sum of metals in exchangeable and carbonate fractions obtained from sequential extraction scheme was used to evaluate the potential plant available.