| 1. |
- Gustafsson, Åsa, 1975-, et al.
(författare)
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Bioavailability of inhaled or ingested PFOA adsorbed to house dust
- 2022
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Ingår i: Environmental Science and Pollution Research. - : Springer. - 0944-1344 .- 1614-7499. ; 29:52, s. 78698-78710
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Indoor environments may impact human health due to chemical pollutants in the indoor air and house dust. This study aimed at comparing the bioavailability and distribution of PFOA following both an inhalation and an oral exposure to PFOA coated house dust in rats. In addition, extractable organofluorine (EOF) was measured in different tissue samples to assess any potential influence of other organofluorine compounds in the experimental house dust. Blood samples were collected at sequential time points after exposure and at the time of termination; the lungs, liver, and kidney were collected for quantification of PFOA and EOF. The concentration of PFOA in plasma increased rapidly in both exposure groups attaining a Cmax at 3 h post exposure. The Cmax following inhalation was four times higher compared to oral exposures. At 48 h post exposure, the levels of PFOA in the plasma, liver, and kidney were twice as high from inhalation exposures. This shows that PFOA is readily bioavailable and has a rapid systemic distribution following an inhalation or oral exposure to house dust coated with PFOA. The proportion of PFOA to EOF corresponded to 65-71% and 74-87% in plasma and tissues, respectively. The mass balance between EOF and target PFOA indicates that there might be other unknown PFAS precursor and/or fluorinated compounds that co-existed in the house dust sample that can have accumulated in rats.
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| 2. |
- Gustafsson, Åsa, 1975-, et al.
(författare)
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Estimated daily intake of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances related to different particle size fractions of house dust
- 2022
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Ingår i: Chemosphere. - : Pergamon Press. - 0045-6535 .- 1879-1298. ; 303:Pt 2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Indoor environmental pollutants are a threat to human health. In the current study, we analysed 25 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in seven different size fraction of house dust including the two relevant for exposure via ingestion and inhalation. The highest PFAS concentration is found in the inhalable particulate fraction which is explained by the increased surface area as the particulate's sizes decrease. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of the individual PFAS and exposure pathways were calculated for children and adults. In addition, the total EDI for PFOA and its precursors was estimated. The polyfluoroalkyl phosphoric acid diesters (diPAP), followed by PFOA and PFHxA fluortelomer, showed the highest concentrations of PFAS analysed. The cumulative EDI of PFAS for children was 3.0 ng/kg bw per day, a worst-case scenario, which is 17 times higher than the calculated EDI for adults. For children, ingestion of dust was found to result in 800 times higher PFOA exposure than via inhalation. The contribution from PFOA precursors corresponded to only 1% of the EDI from dust indicating PFOA as the main source of exposure. The EDI's of PFOA and PFOS from dust were lower than the calculated EDI's from food ingestion reported by the Swedish Food Agency. Our data indicate that the EDI for the sum of four PFASs: PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS and PFOS from dust intake alone is close to the established tolerable weakly intake of 4.4 ng/kg bw in children, set by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2020. The combined EDI levels PFOA and PFOS from both dust and food exceeded the EFSA TWI for both children and adults. This study demonstrates that dust is a relevant exposure pathway for PFAS intake and that analysis of relevant particle size fractions is important for evaluation of dust as an exposure pathway.
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| 3. |
- Gustafsson, Åsa, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Identifying present drivers of product development and describing roles of identified actors primarily affecting the development of harvesters : a multiple-case study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Silva Fennica. - : Finnish Society of Forest Science. - 0037-5330 .- 2242-4075. ; 56:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Forest operations involve several different actors. Each actor imposes their own requirements on the harvester in relation to their differing roles in the industry, whether they are concerned with the harvester itself, information, environmental concerns, etc. The manufacturers of harvesters need to meet the requirements imposed by multiple actors, among them logging contractors, whose survival depends on their harvesters. This paper aims to identify the present drivers of product development and describe the roles of the actors who have been identified as those currently affecting the development of harvesters. A multiple-case study of harvester manufacturers was conducted. In total, 4 cases were studied. Each case was comprised of five interviewees: two from each harvesting manufacturer, two logging contractors, and one dealer. Following 20 interviews and 3 validation interviews (with experts from both the industry and academia), the paper concludes that the present drivers of product development of harvesters are legislators, logging contractors, and expert and research organizations. Harvester manufacturers appear to develop harvesters aligned with requirements coming from both logging contractors and legislators. Logging contractors are the primary customers, and they prioritize requirements that reduce cost and improve work environments. Legislators, and expert and research organizations are supporting development in relation to current regulations.
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| 4. |
- Lindblad, Fredrik, 1971-, et al.
(författare)
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Closed loop supply chain as an enabler of increased circularity within the retail supply chain : An illustrative single-case study of Lindex
- 2022
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Ingår i: The 34th ANNUAL NOFOMA CONFERENCEJune 8 – 10, 2022 - Reykjavík, Iceland. ; , s. 26-26
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- PurposeThe improvement of production processes has in many cases shortened the product life cycle, changing consumer behavior and leading to increased use of natural resources. The study describes the reverse logistics flow of garments in a closed loop supply chain (CLSC) as well as proposes improvements to the reverse logistics flow. The purpose is to increase the knowledge of how a logistics service can enable a high level of circularity within the retail supply chain. By identifying challenges within the CLSC propose improvements from a logistics perspective. Design/methodology/approachThe retail CLSC has not been extensively studied from a theoretical perspective; therefore, this project complements the general CLSC theories with grey literature. A case study method has been used and is appropriate for conducting exploratory research, to empirically illustrate a reverse logistics flow of garments. Empirical information was collected through semi-structured interviews, intending to identify possible improvements.FindingsUncertainties in the CLSC is hindering development and planning, restricting possibilities to reach economies of scale as a driver for change and development. However, increased transparency from Governmental organizations related to their view towards a sustainable society greatly increases the success of the CLSC.Research limitations/implications (if applicable)The practical model derived from the case study is a contribution to the development of CLSC models in research.Practical implications (if applicable)Practitioners can be inspired by the gap analysis, which can assist in developing new CLSC within the retail industry. Original/valueOnly limited research related to this scope of the CLSC for the retail industry is identified, why the study demonstrates originality.
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| 5. |
- Kans, Mirka, 1971-, et al.
(författare)
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Internal stakeholders' views on interdisciplinarity : An empirical study within an interdisciplinary master's program
- 2020
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Ingår i: Cogent Education. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 2331-186X. ; 7:1, s. 1-21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Even though research exists on interdisciplinary education and interdisciplinary skills, the term "interdisciplinary" is ambiguous. Currently, studies on how different internal stakeholders in an education setting define and conceptualise interdisciplinarity are lacking. Consequently, the purpose of this paper is to define and conceptualise interdisciplinarity in higher education. This is investigated by focus group interviews with 29 internal stakeholders representing students, teachers, and program managers at an interdisciplinary master's program. The conclusion provides a definition of interdisciplinarity; The integration of people possessing different competencies (knowledge, background, and skills) acting upon an identified need, challenge or opportunity that requires a holistic approach founded in synergies and thereby creating new knowledge. Interdisciplinary learning is mainly conceptualised to take place in open-ended and research-like innovation projects.
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| 6. |
- Lindblad, Fredrik, 1971-, et al.
(författare)
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A Comparison between Architects' and Residents' Perceived Living Quality in Wooden Multifamily Houses in Sweden
- 2020
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Ingår i: Forest products journal. - : Forest Products Society. - 0015-7473. ; 70:4, s. 462-468
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is currently great interest in the production of wooden multifamily houses in Sweden, due to increased environmental concern combined with a demand for modern building solutions. The focus in industry and academia alike has been dominated by new innovative building solutions along with increased industrialization of the building process, aiming to improve the overall building quality and the profitability for the involved actors. However, little attention has been paid to what the residents perceive as living quality. Understanding residents' perceived living quality—compared with architects' perceptions—allows the possibility of adjusting the modern building solution of wooden multifamily houses in order to meet residents' actual expectations and, in the long term, to increase the wood-building industries' market share.The purpose of this article is to compare how residents and architects perceive living quality and whether these stakeholders' perceptions differ regarding building type and material choice (i.e., multifamily wooden or concrete buildings). A survey was sent out to 485 respondents in Sweden to gain insight into living quality perceptions. The results revealed discrepancies in what is perceived to be important in new housing development, although neither group was willing to pay more to live in a wooden building compared with a concrete building.
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| 7. |
- Lindström, Åsa, 1969-, et al.
(författare)
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Ledare i akademin : en sinnlig betraktelse
- 2020. - 1
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Ingår i: Den främste bland likar. - Växjö : Linnaeus University. - 9789189081451 - 9789189081499 ; , s. 21-38
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Kapitlet illustrerar två prefekters personliga reflektioner kring att vara ledare i akademin - allt genom våra sinnen som vägledare.
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| 8. |
- Li, Li, et al.
(författare)
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Characterization of residential household dust from Shanghai by particle size and analysis of organophosphorus flame retardants and metals
- 2019
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Ingår i: Environmental Sciences Europe. - : Springer. - 2190-4707 .- 2190-4715. ; 31:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Physical and biological properties of dust particles might affect the availability and distribution of chemicals associated to indoor dust; however it has not been adequately examined. In this study, household dust from Shanghai was fractionated into five particle sizes and size distribution, morphology, surface area, organic matter, microorganisms, elemental composition, metals and organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) compositions were characterized. Also, household dust samples from Stockholm that has previously been characterized were included in the analysis of OPFRs for comparison.Results: The respirable fraction had a yield of 3.3% in mass percentage, with a particle size of 2.22 +/- 2.04 mu m. As expected, both metals and OPFRs concentrations increased with decreased particle size. Al and Fe dominated (66-87%) followed by the concentrations of Zn (5-14%) and Ga (1.8-5%) of the sum of 16 metals in the dust. The concentrations of OPFRs in Shanghai dust ranged from 5.34 to 13.7 mu g/g (median: 7.21 mu g/g), compared to household dust from Stockholm that ranged from 16.0 to 28.3 mu g/g (median: 26.6 mu g/g). Tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP) and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) dominated in Shanghai dust samples while tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) dominated in dust from Stockholm homes.Conclusion: The results showed that mass percentage for each particle size fraction was not evenly distributed. Furthermore, the particle-bound microorganisms and OPFRs increased with decreased particle size, whereas metals had the highest concentrations at specific dust sizes. Therefore, it is essential to select the proper particle size in order to assess any specific human exposure study to indoor pollutants.
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| 9. |
- Weiss, Jana, et al.
(författare)
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Screening of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), including fluorinated organophosphates in Skellefteå municipality
- 2019
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- SammanfattningResultaten visar att många fler PFAS kongener kan bestämmas i dammprover än i ytvatten ochavloppsvattenprover. I damm kvantifierades i minst ett prov 36 PFAS, jämfört med 6 PFAS i ytvattenoch 8 PFAS i avloppsvatten. Det vara stora variationer i PFAS-koncentrationerna i dammprover mellanindustrier med olika aktiviteter, vilket mycket väl återspeglar en användning av PFAS-innehållandeprodukter. Nivåerna var generellt högre i industriellt damm än vad som uppmättes tidigare ihushållsdamm. Tidigare observerade höga PFPA- och PFPIA-koncentrationerna kunde inte bekräftas,varken i damm eller i vattenproverna. Omfattande metodvalideringsarbete indikerade att dammrepresenterar en exceptionellt komplex matris, vilket kan vara en del av förklaringen. Därmed skarapporterad damm koncentrationer tolkas med varsamhet och uppföljande studier behövs för attbekräfta observationer.PFAS-nivåerna i ytvattnet var generellt under kvantifieringsnivåer. Endast 6:2 FTSA hade förhöjdanivåer i några få prover. Källan till 6:2 FTSA är inte känd. Som förväntat kunde det konstateras attSkellefteå flygplats släpper ut PFAS som kommer från brandbekämpningsskum, främst PFOS ochPFHxS. Kvantifierbara nivåer av PFAS hittades även i ett prov nedströms samhället Kusmark, medokänd källa.En viktig slutsats i studien var att många företrädare för industrin inte kände till omfattningen av PFASföroreningi sina anläggningar. Ingen av de inkluderade industrierna rapporterade användningen avPFAS, medan det framgår av litteraturgranskningen och den observerade PFAS-koncentrationen idammproverna, att PFASs hanteras i respektive anläggning. Detta belyser behovet av att förbättramedvetenheten om källorna genom bättre rapportering av innehållet i produkter. Det är viktigt attförbättra informationen om vilka PFAS som finns i produkter, och därmed ytterligare undersökapotentiella exponeringskällor. Flera toxikologiska studier har gjorts på det reglerade PFOS och PFOA,medan för andra PFASs är informationen möjliga hälsoeffekter ytterst begränsat.
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| 10. |
- Gustafsson, Åsa, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Faculty experiences in interdisciplinary programs : opportunities and challenges
- 2018
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 14th International CDIO Conference. - Kanazawa, Japan : Kanazawa Institute of Technology. - 9784906122530
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Changes in the business environment (such as shorter product lifecycles, globalization, and digitalization) while contributing to a sustainable development, have formed new conditions for companies and organizations. In this new situation, problems encountered cannot be answered within a single discipline. Interdisciplinary programs where students from different disciplines interact in learning and knowledge creation is a way to meet these changes in society. An interdisciplinary program also requires interaction on staff level: Meaningful collaboration brings together expertise from different disciplines so the fundamentals of a given discipline are clarified, and the connections to other disciplines are described, reaching a synergy effect by utilizing the strengths of each area. This, however, puts demands on the curriculum design and on the interaction of the teachers. This paper explores the teachers’ perspective of an interdisciplinary program at Linnaeus University. The program is a 2-year master program entitled “Innovation through business, engineering and design”, recruiting students from the engineering, business and design disciplines. The teaching staff represents different subject areas, and the teachers interact in an interdisciplinary mode in the first year, while the second year mainly contains disciplinary courses. In two focus group interviews, teachers were asked about opportunities and challenges in participating in the interdisciplinary program, as well as their view and how interdisciplinarity is considered in the program. The purpose of the paper is to identify how teachers perceive teaching in an interdisciplinary program as well as to distinguish perceived opportunities and challenges for teachers to participate in interdisciplinary programs. This paper concludes that teachers perceive interdisciplinary learning to take place in the project context, where students come from different disciplines work together to solve a complex real-life assignment. Moreover, the hindrances appear to outweigh the possibilities in participating in an interdisciplinary program. Amongst challenges the teachers perceive lack of resources, such as appropriate learning environments, required competence, and unclear decision channels.
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