Journal of chemical health & safety最新文献

To elucidate the current research landscape and application status and to identify emerging development trends in explosion risk within the new energy industry, a bibliometric analysis was conducted using literature retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (SCI-EXPANDED, SSCI, CPCI-S) between 2008 and 2024. Employing co-occurrence analysis, cocitation analysis, and keyword burst detection, this study maps the knowledge structure and evolutionary dynamics of explosion risk research in the sector. The results indicate that major source journals by publication volume in this domain include Energies, Sustainability, and the Journal of Cleaner Production. Major research hotspots encompass machine learning-driven risk prediction, life-cycle assessment (LCA), thermal runaway mitigation in lithium-ion batteries, and safety innovations for high-pressure CO₂ storage. Emerging frontiers are focused on data-driven life-cycle risk management and integrated materials–structure–process safety technologies. Regionally, Asia leads in energy storage and protection strategies, Europe emphasizes life-cycle and system performance issues, and North America prioritizes process safety and numerical simulation. This work systematically constructs a knowledge map of explosion risks across multiple domains─including hydrogen storage, battery energy storage, and carbon capture─and reveals significant regional variations in technological emphasis, methodological approaches, and collaborative patterns.

Recent increases in the popularity of affordable 3D printers necessitate research to investigate the potential volatile organic compound (VOC) exposure that an operator would experience. VOC emissions from a Formlabs Form 2 were tested using four different resins (Clear, White, Tough, and Elastic) across several time-resolved tests and exposure scenarios: an enclosed test chamber, and within a ventilated room at two distances, with an extraction hood to investigate “real-world” exposure scenarios and the impact of mitigation methods. 2-Hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate were the prominent VOCs emitted from the resin 3D printing process, among other acrylic-based compounds. The composition of the VOCs was dependent on the type of resin: Elastic resin emitted a greater diversity of compounds, including the previously unreported isobornyl acrylate, while Tough resin emitted higher concentrations of smaller cross-linking compounds such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. VOC emissions peaked at the end of the active printing process when the build plate rose from the liquid resin bed. In the enclosed chamber scenario, total VOC (TVOC) concentrations exceeded 128,000 μg/m³, representing worst-case poorly ventilated conditions. Under realistic room conditions, TVOC concentrations reached 45–116 μg/m³ at 50 cm from the printer and returned to baseline within 2 h after printing ended. The TVOC emission concentrations were significantly reduced by 71–84% when the distance between the printer and the sampling position was increased from 0.5 to 2 m, or when an extraction hood fitted with a carbon VOC filter and particulate HEPA filter was used. These two exposure mitigation methods were considered practical options for home users, “maker” communities, and schools to use. While individual VOC concentrations remained well below established workplace exposure limits, many identified compounds lack published safety guidelines, making health risk assessment challenging, and both their acute and chronic health impacts remain unknown.

Hazardous waste (HW) generated in university laboratories poses significant health and environmental risks when national regulations are not fully observed. To address this issue, a comprehensive HW management program was implemented with the active participation of university authorities, academic staff, service personnel, and students. During the assessment phase, 242 HW items were identified, of which 14.4% were classified as unknown substances; the oldest samples dated back to 1998. Approximately 12% of the materials were discarded without being used. In total, 211.6 L of HW and 71.6 kg of solid HW were documented. Consequently, the university was formally registered as a microgenerator of HW with SEMARNAT (Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales/Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources, Mexico). In addition, a manual for integrated HW management was developed, and specific recommendations were provided. As a result of the program, HW was inventoried, stored, and disposed of in accordance with regulatory requirements, thereby reducing potential risks to human health and the environment. This program not only ensured regulatory compliance but also established a sustainable framework for safe laboratory practices within the academic environment.

The safety performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) significantly deteriorates with aging. Furthermore, the extent of aging influences the composition and quantity of gases released during the thermal runaway (TR) process. Consequently, conducting in-depth research on the gas generation characteristics during TR of aged LIBs and performing quantitative assessments of the toxicity and explosion hazards posed by these TR gases are crucial for enhancing battery safety. This study employs an experimental approach combined with empirical formulations to evaluate both the toxicity and explosion hazards of TR gases generated by aged LIBs. The results demonstrate that NCA batteries subjected to 120 aging cycles initiate TR gas release 156 s earlier than their new counterparts under identical conditions. After 120 cycles of aging, the peak values of the battery’s TR gases were 30.64 for FED, 7143.03 for FIC, and 22 for the lethality factor L_FED. These parameters significantly exceeded their respective critical thresholds, indicating severe toxic hazards. In addition, as the state of charge (SOC) of the battery increases, the lower explosive limit (LEL) of the TR gas released from aging batteries decreases, while the maximum explosion index gradually increases.

The Ethiopian textile industry faces significant challenges in chemical safety management, particularly a lack of adequate chemical safety training. This study used grounded theory to explore the factors influencing the effectiveness of chemical safety training for textile workers in Ethiopia. It highlights several key challenges, such as the limited quality of the workforce, language barriers, differences in workers’ willingness to train, and backward training methods. To address these challenges, we developed the Training System for Safe Chemical Operation (TSSCO). This system caters to the diverse needs of workers by using various training methods, including visual content, multilanguage support, interactive module, and incentive programs. Based on the trainees’ evaluations of the perceived importance of different system functions on a 5-point Likert scale (where 5 = “Very Important”), the overall average score was 4.25, indicating a strong demand and widespread recognition for a multifunctional and comprehensive training system. The study offers a more focused and practical solution for chemical safety training in Ethiopia’s textile industry.

There is a mental health crisis in academia affecting researchers and students at all levels. Reports today continue to highlight a problem that was raised nearly 30 years ago. That is not to say significant progress has not been made; simply having the topic on the minds of institutions is an achievement. However, there are costs associated with not proactively addressing this issue using all the tools we faculty have, just as strides have been made over the last 30 years in physical safety. I argue that these issues are interconnected and that physical and emotional safety are equally essential. It is our collective responsibility─faculty, students, staff, and bystanders─to actively foster a culture of safety. Here, I introduce the framework, STEM (Safely Teaching Empowerment Mentorship), which I use to intentionally address this challenge and offer suggestions for others to develop their own approaches.

As the demand for sustainable recycling of fibrous and polymeric waste increases, university laboratories play a crucial role in developing new technologies while training future professionals. This study presents a practical model for conducting safe, student-led laboratory research on the chemical recycling of textile waste with a focus on silk and cotton materials. It outlines safety measures for managing chemical and biological hazards including waste classification, disinfection protocols, and risk assessment procedures adapted for educational settings. Key innovations include the use of express tests for verifying bacterial decontamination, tailored workspace organization, and the application of solvent-based cleaning for material purity, a general approach to laboratory management that emphasizes student and staff responsibilities to health and safety. The study also reviews regulatory compliance and engineering controls specific to Russian and Uzbekistan academic settings. The proposed approach, supported by case studies, demonstrates the safe engagement of students in meaningful recycling research while mitigating risks associated with fibrous waste handling and chemical processing under the guidance of staff members who are not specialist health and safety professionals.

The intensive use of chemicals in laboratory work and pharmaceutical research generates a significant amount of hazardous waste, requiring rigorous management to protect the health of users (students, teachers, and technicians). Effective management is critical to minimize environmental contamination and occupational hazards in academic laboratories. Chemical waste from laboratory work is often discharged into sewers, threatening the water table. Sorting and collecting chemical waste are therefore a solution to reduce the risks associated with these substances. In this context, we conducted a study to determine the type of chemical waste generated by practical works of four teaching units at the Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir in Tunisia: medicinal chemistry, organic chemistry, general chemistry, and pharmacognosy. In 70% of cases, waste revealed to be hazadous. In general, slightly more than half of the waste (55.3%) can be treated by neutralization, while the remaining 44.7% must be stored due to its hazardous or non-neutralizable nature. Once the waste was identified and classified, we sought treatment solutions to ensure its sorting at the source, inert, or secure storage, pending collection by an approved company. The aqueous residues must be chemically neutralized before being drained. This is only applicable to diluted mineral acids and bases C < 1 mol/L that are free of organic solvents, heavy metals, or persistent pollutants. Final pH control (6–8) and compliance with regulatory threshold are also required. Special containers made of high-density polyethylene are needed for contaning halogenated solvents, organometallic complexes, mercury, or chromium. This methodical approach aims to reduce health and environmental risks while educating university stakeholders about appropriate laboratory procedures. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of a systematic approach to waste management as a crucial step toward safer and more responsible academic practices.

The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters pose growing challenges for research institutions, particularly chemistry laboratories that handle hazardous materials. This study proposes a comprehensive framework for “Reframing Resilience” by integrating psychological, infrastructural, and institutional strategies to support disaster-prepared research communities. Drawing from case studies including the 2024 Hualien earthquake and global examples, the study emphasizes three key dimensions: (1) fostering psychological resilience through trauma-informed recovery planning and community-based support; (2) enabling academic resource reconstruction through interuniversity collaboration, digital defense, and emergency governance; and (3) advancing sustainability in disaster risk reduction via University Social Responsibility, education for resilience, and science diplomacy. By bridging disaster recovery with long-term systemic resilience, this model advocates for inclusive decision-making and cross-sector collaboration to ensure a safer, more adaptable research environment. This work offers timely insights and practical pathways for transforming adversity into sustained institutional and community resilience in the chemical sciences.