Analyzing Precipitation Acidity Changes Post Train Derailment and Vinyl Chloride Release in East Palestine, Ohio: Exploring Biomedical and Environmental Ramifications

This study investigates the aftermath of a significant train derailment and vinyl chloride release incident in East Palestine, Ohio, with a particular focus on the analysis of precipitation acidity changes and the concentration of vinyl chloride in samples. The research seeks to elucidate the complex relationship between industrial accidents, atmospheric chemistry, and their potential implications for human health and the environment. Through meticulous examination of variations in precipitation acidity patterns, this study provides valuable insights into the dispersion and impact of toxic agents in the environment following industrial mishaps. The results underscore the intricate interplay between these factors, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach that bridges the realms of environmental science and biomedical concerns. This research contributes to a growing body of knowledge that addresses the broader consequences of industrial incidents on public health. It underscores the importance of proactive measures, such as enhanced monitoring and surveillance, risk assessment, public education, and regulatory reform, to mitigate the environmental and health risks associated with industrial activities involving hazardous materials. By fostering collaboration between experts and stakeholders, this study advocates for a holistic approach to safeguarding both our environment and the well-being of communities affected by industrial accidents.

Synthesis of Bio-Plasticizer from Soybean Oil and Its Application in Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Films

Herein,epoxidized soybean oil methyl ester(ESOM)plasticizer was synthesized for the preparation of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)(PVC)films by the alcoholysis and epoxidation.The chemical structure of ESOM was investigated by infrared spectrum and 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance.The effect of content of ESOM and petroleum based plasticizer di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(DEHP)on the performance of plasticized PVC films was studied.The result showed that substituting DEHP with ESOM can improve the thermal stability of plasticized PVC films.When the weight ratio of ESOM and PVC is fixed at 1:2,plasticized PVC film presents higher elongation at break(350.8%vs.345.1%)and lower tensile strength(14.21 MPa vs.15.8 MPa)compared with PVC plasticized with DEHP.ESOM showed less weight loss than DEHP in all solvents.The excellent migration resistance of ESOM is helpful to improve stability of plasticized PVC films.In all,the obtained bio-based plasticizer will be potential to replace petroleum based plasticizer DEHP in flexible PVC materials.

Microwave Synthesis of Inulin Acetate as Potential Bio- Based Additive for Poly(Vinyl Chloride)

The paper presents the findings of an experimental study on the microwave synthesis (MW) of inulin acetateand its possible application as bio-additive in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The obtained inulin acetate has beenidentified and characterized by spectroscopic methods. Advantages of the MW compared with the conventionalsynthesis were defined. In order to evaluate possible application of the product as bio-based additive forpolymers, effect of the inulin ester on PVC behavior and characteristics has been investigated by differentialscanning calorimetry (DSC) and deformation upon extension. Experimental results show that in concentrationrange up to 30.0 wt. % the inulin ester influences positively the properties of PVC causing effect similar toplasticizing one. At concentration over 30 wt.% the ester shows more specific behavior, which will be furtherinvestigated. Conclusions about potential application of MW synthesized inulin acetate as bio-based additive forPVC have been drawn.

Insight of chemical environmental risk and its management from the vinyl chloride accident

The combustion of vinyl chloride(VC)after the train derailment accident in Ohio,USA in February,2023 has caused widespread concern around the world.This paper tried to analyze several issues concerning the accident,including the appropriateness of the VC combustion in the emergency response in this accident,the meanings of so-called“controlled combustion”,the potential environmental risks caused by VC and combustion by-products,and follow-up work.In our view,this accident had surely caused environmental and health risks to some extent.Hence,a comprehensive environmental risk assessment is necessary,and then the site with risk should be comprehensively remediated,hazardous waste should be harmlessly treated as soon as possible.Finally,this accident suggests that further efforts should be taken to bridge the gap between chemical safety management and their environmental risk management.

Synthetic Features and Mechanism for the Preparation of Vinyl Chloride-co-Butyl Acrylate-co-Vinyl Acetate Terpolymer via Precipitation Polymerization

Without any type of su rfactant or dispersing agent,precipitation polymerization has great superiorities in both polymer synthesis and applications.In the present work,the polymerization of vinyl chloride(VC),n-butyl acrylate(BA),and vinyl acetate(VAc)are conducted in the precipitation polymerization system and series of their random terpolymers poly(vinyl chloride-co-n-butyl acrylate-co-vinyl acetate)(PCBV)are synthesized successfully.The effects of various polymerization conditions,including solvent polarity,temperature,initiator concentration,and monomer feed ratios on the polymerization kinetics,number-average molecular weight(M_(n)),and terpolymer composition are investigated systematically.The solvent and the monomer feed ratio are crucial factors not only for the polymer morphology,but also for the reaction kinetic.In the non-polar solvent such as n-hexane,the PCBV displays particle morphology when the composition of BA ratio lower than 10 wt%.Otherwise,the PCBV forms a uniform polymer phase and precipitates out from the mixture.In the polar solvent,e.g.,dimethyl carbonate(DMC)and ethanol,the PCBV polymer maintains a slurry state either in low or in high monomer feed ratio.Impressively,VC based ternary copolymer that obtained in n-hexane has much lower M_(n)(<20 kDa)and much higher BA units mass fraction(>40 wt%)compared with emulsion and suspension polymerization.Additionally,the terpolymer can be easily sepa rated by simple centrifugation.

Understanding the role of tungsten on Pt/CeO_(2)for vinyl chloride catalytic combustion

Spherical CeO_(2)synthesized by the hydrothermal process was used as support to prepare Pt/WO_(3)/CeO_(2),and the effects of tungsten(W)contents on activity,stability and polychlorinated by-products were investigated to understand the role of W for vinyl chloride(VC)catalytic oxidation.The introduction of12 wt%W to Pt/CeO_(2)(P12 WC)exhibits the highest catalytic activity with 90%conversion of VC at 250℃,meanwhile the stability improves and the polychlorinated by-products in the tail gas significantly decrease due to the removal of dissociated Cl species in the formation of HCl.The beneficial effects of W on Pt/CeO_(2)are closely related to the chemical state of Pt,redox and surface acid sites distribution.The doped W not only makes Pt disperse evenly on the support with the high valence,but also weakens the interaction between Pt and CeO_(2)by the formation of Pt-O-W and Pt-O-W-O-Ce species,which facilitates oxygen mobility.In addition,the modification of W species also significantly increases the surface acidity amount and changes the distribution of acid sites.

Catalytic combustion of vinyl chloride emissions over Co_(3)O_(4) catalysts with different crystallite sizes

A series of Co_(3) O_(4) catalysts was prepared by ammonia(Co-AP) and oxalate(Co-OP) precipitation,solgel(Co-SG),and urea hydrothermal(Co-UH) methods,and their physicochemical properties were characterised by numerous techniques including X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),nitrogen sorption,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),temperature-programmed reduction of H_(2)(H_(2)-TPR),temperature-programmed desorption of O_(2)(O_(2)-TPD),and temperature-programmed desorption of NH_(3)(NH_(3)-TPD).The catalytic activity of each catalyst was estimated for the catalytic combustion of vinyl chloride(VC) emissions.The crystallite size of the Co_(3) O_(4) catalyst was found to be well correlated with the amounts of surface-adsorbed oxygen species and number of acid sites on the catalyst surface,and consequently,determined several physicochemical properties of the catalyst.Of the catalysts studied here,the Co-AP catalyst exhibits the smallest crystallite size,which increases the specific surface area and the concentration of Co^(2+) on the catalyst surface.This,in turn,enhances the redox property,oxygen mobility,and the number of acid sites associated with the Co-AP catalyst.In fact,the Co-AP catalyst exhibits the best catalytic activity for VC combustion at 360℃and does not produce any chlorinated by-products.

An Ecological Evaluation of Vinyl Chloride Exposure and Liver Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Texas

The goal of this analysis was to evaluate the association between county-level ambient vinyl chloride(VC)and county-level liver cancer incidence and mortality rates in Texas.Modeled county-level ambient VC data were obtained from the National Air Toxics Assessment.Age-adjusted county-level liver cancer incidence rates were abstracted from the Texas Cancer Registry and age-standardized county-level liver cancer mortality rates were obtained from the peer-reviewed literature.Multivariable imputation was utilized to impute incidence rates in counties with suppressed liver cancer incidence rates.Negative binomial and Poisson regression models were utilized to evaluate the association between county-level ambient VC and county-level liver cancer incidence and mortality rates,respectively,adjusted for county-level heavy drinking prevalence,hepatitis mortality rates,median income,and race(percent Hispanic).County-level ambient VC was not associated with county-level liver cancer incidence or mortality rates.Specifically,when compared to the lowest tertile of ambient VC,the middle(relative risk[RR]:1.06,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.95-1.19)and highest(RR:1.03,95%CI:0.90-1.17)tertiles of ambient VC were not associated with liver cancer incidence.Similarly,county-level ambient VC in the middle(RR:0.95,95%CI:0.85-1.05)and highest(RR:0.93,95%CI:0.82-1.05)tertiles were not associated with liver cancer mortality.This analysis suggests that county-level ambient VC is not associated with liver cancer incidence or mortality in Texas.Our study provides novel results regarding liver cancer risk from low-level non-occupational exposure to ambient VC.

The Promoting Effect of Multifunctional Groups on the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of PVC Materials

The development of PVC materials grafted with mannich base originated from myrcene(P-MAM-g,where the mannich base derived from myrcene is abbreviated as MAM)via green and effective synthetic methods is a good strategy to avoid unacceptable discoloration and deterioration of thermal and mechanical properties caused by autocatalytic dehydrochlorination(DHC)during PVC processing.In this study,MAM with double bonds,amino groups,ester groups,and phospholipid groups was introduced into the chains of PVC to improve the thermal stability of PVC.The experimental results showed that the covalent attachment of MAM to PVC enhanced both the initial and the long-term stability of PVC.The enhanced performance of P-MAM-g compared with unmodified PVC is attributed to the simultaneous introduction of double bonds and amino groups into the PVC structure.The double bonds trapped the unstable chlorine atoms originated from the degradation of the PVC chain and reacted with the labile macromolecular radicals originated from PVC,thus inhibiting the radical degradation of the PVC chain.Furthermore,the amino groups absorbed the HCl produced in the degradation of PVC,inhibiting the adverse effects of HCl.P-MAM-g displayed better intrinsic flexibility and anti-migration ability of organic functional components compared with the control PVC materials.A possible stabilizing mechanism of the P-MAM-g was also presented.