Factors affecting multiple persistent organic pollutant concentrations in the air above Japan: A panel data analysis.

Numerous reports have elucidated different statistical approaches to identify temporal trends in atmospheric persistent organic pollutant (POP) time series. However, the correlation of industrial activity with concentrations of atmospheric POPs in Japan has not yet been determined. Herein, a panel data analysis of a 16-year monitoring program (2003-2018) conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Environment was used to investigate a range of POPs in the atmosphere above Japan.

Monitoring environmental burden reduction from household waste prevention.

In this study, the amount of prevented household waste in Kyoto city was quantified using three methods. Subsequently, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction by waste prevention was calculated in order to monitor the impact of waste prevention. The methods of quantification were "relative change from baseline year (a)," "absolute change from potential waste generation (b)," and "absolute amount of activities (c).

Correlation between Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Concentrations in Air.

In this study, we aim to determine the correlation between the height of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and the concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners, in an effort to improve comprehension of the atmospheric behavior of PBDEs. We used the PBDE data in air (n = 298), which were measured by the Japan Ministry of Environment (JMOE) at 50 sites across Japan during the period 2009-2012. The height of the ABL, which directly affects the PBDE concentrations in the near-surface air, was estimated by employing data retrieved from the Japanese global reanalysis (JRA-55) database, using the parcel and Richardson number method.

Factors influencing atmospheric concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Japan.

We used polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) data in air at 38 sites across Japan (2009-2012), which were measured by the Japan Ministry of Environment (JMOE), to elucidate the time trend and seasonality of atmospheric PBDEs. In order to address few (7% for BDE-47) to many (63% for BDE-153 and 183) non-detect data, Tobit model, also called a censored regression model was used. The model revealed that the concentrations of PBDE congeners were influenced by a combination of year, temperature, rainfall rate, and population density.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the treatment of household plastic containers and packaging: replacement with biomass-based materials.

The purpose of this study was to quantify the life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction that could be achieved by replacement of fossil-derived materials with biodegradable, biomass-based materials for household plastic containers and packaging, considering a variety of their treatment options. The biomass-based materials were 100% polylactide or a combination of polybutylene succinate adipate and polylactide. A scenario analysis was conducted considering alternative recycling methods.

Successful treatment of HCV-related cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis with double-filtration plasmapheresis and interferon combination therapy.

A 67-year-old, hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive woman was admitted to our hospital because of proteinuria and leg edema. Laboratory examination showed decreased serum albumin and complement activity and positive cryoglobulin. The HCV RNA genotype was 1b with high viral load.

Brominated flame retardants and other polyhalogenated compounds in indoor air and dust from two houses in Japan.

This study analyzed polyhalogenated compounds (PHCs) such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in indoor air and dust samples from two modern homes in Japan. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 2,4,6-tribromophenol (2,4,6-TBP) in exhaust and indoor air of two houses were detected at 10(2)-10(3)pgm(-3) order, which were well above those in outdoor air. For dust samples, the detected polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furan concentrations resembled values found in our past study.

Flame retardants in indoor dust and air of a hotel in Japan.

Occurrence of flame retardants (FRs) in the indoor environment of highly flame-retarded public facilities is an important concern from the viewpoint of exposure because it is likely that FRs are used to a greater degree in these facilities than in homes. For this study, brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) and organophosphate flame-retardants and plasticizers (OPs), and brominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PBDD/DFs) were measured in eight floor dust samples taken from a Japanese commercial hotel that was assumed to have many flame-retardant materials. Concentrations of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) varied by about two orders of magnitude, from 9.

Transfer of brominated flame retardants from components into dust inside television cabinets.

Television (TV) set components are highly flame resistant, with their added brominated compounds such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). These compounds might be released indoors via dust, which presents a potential exposure pathway for humans in the home environment. In this study, we collected dust from inside TV sets and TV set component samples (parts of housing front cabinets, rear cabinets and circuit boards) of five sets used in Japan.

Potential source and emission analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in China.

The Chinese Government ratified the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) on 25 June 2004. As a party to the Convention, China is preparing its National Implementation Plan (NIP), which must be finished and submitted to the Conference of the Parties before November 11, 2006. The emission inventory and strategy for reducing unintentionally formed products is a very complex and difficult part of the NIP.

Levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in China and chemometric analysis of potential emission sources.

Aimed to give a preliminary image of dioxin pollution in China, chemometric analysis was performed to determine background dioxin levels during the period 1994-2002 and potential emission sources. Using principal components analysis (PCA), the congener profiles of 71 sediment samples from rivers, lakes, and sea bays around China were compared with the congener profiles of various known or suspected industrial, residential, and municipal dioxin sources to determine whether the dioxin residues typically found in a broad range of potential environmental sources could explain the presence of these chemicals in China. It was found that the background dioxin levels of China were similar to those of lightly polluted samples from other countries during the period 1994-2002.

A case of Wegener's granulomatosis with pulmonary bleeding successfully treated with double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP).

We report a case of a 41-year-old Japanese man who presented with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, chronic sinusitis, and positive cytoplasmic-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (c-ANCA). Renal biopsy showed crescentic glomerulonephritis, and he was diagnosed as having Wegener's granulomatosis. During the clinical course, he suffered from pulmonary bleeding, and combination therapy of steroid, immunosuppressant, and double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) was started.

Congener-specific intake fractions for PCDDs/DFs and Co-PCBs: modeling and validation.

Intake fractions (iFs) for emissions to air, water, and soil for 17 PCDDs/DFs and 12 Co-PCBs were calculated with a level III multimedia model and a food-chain exposure model in succession. The two integrated models were tested by comparing the predicted and measured concentrations in the environment and by comparing intakes through food. Measurement-based iFs were also calculated and compared with the model-based iFs.