| 1. |
- Kaisarevic, Sonja, et al.
(författare)
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Characterization of dioxin-like contamination in soil and sediments from the "hot spot" area of petrochemical plant in Pancevo (Serbia)
- 2011
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Ingår i: Environmental Science and Pollution Research. - : Springer. - 0944-1344 .- 1614-7499. ; 18:4, s. 677-686
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Combinatorial bio/chemical approach was applied to investigate dioxin-like contamination of soil and sediment at the petrochemical and organochlorine plant in Pancevo, Serbia, after the destruction of manufacturing facilities that occurred in the spring of 1999 and subsequent remediation actions. Materials and methods: Soil samples were analyzed for indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by gas chromatography/electron capture detection (GC/ECD). Prioritized soil sample and sediment samples from the waste water channel were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) by high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Microethoxyresorufin o-deethylase (Micro-EROD) and H4IIE–luciferase bioassays were used for monitoring of dioxin-like compounds (DLC) and for better characterization of dioxin-like activity of soil samples. Results: Bioanalytical results indicated high dioxin-like activity in one localized soil sample, while the chemical analysis confirmed the presence of large quantities of DLC: 3.0 × 105 ng/g d.w. of seven-key PCBs, 8.2 ng/g d.w. of PCDD/Fs, and 3.0 × 105 ng/g d.w. of planar and mono-ortho PCBs. In the sediment, contaminant concentrations were in the range 2–8 ng/g d.w. of PCDD/Fs and 9–20 ng/g d.w. of PCBs. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the utility of combined application of bioassays and instrumental analysis, especially for developing and transition country which do not have capacity of the expensive instrumental analysis. The results indicate the high contamination of soil in the area of petrochemical plant, and PCDD/Fs contamination of the sediment from the waste water channel originating from the ethylene dichloride production.
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| 2. |
- Assefa, Anteneh Taye, et al.
(författare)
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Assessment of PCDD/F Source Contributions in Baltic Sea Sediment Core Records
- 2014
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Ingår i: Environmental Science and Technology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0013-936X .- 1520-5851 .- 1086-931X .- 1520-6912. ; 48:16, s. 9531-9539
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Spatial and temporal trends of sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the Baltic Sea were evaluated by positive matrix factorization (PMF) and principal component analysis (PCA). Sediment cores were sampled at eight coastal, one coastal reference, and six offshore sites covering the northern to the southern Baltic Sea. The cores, which covered the period 1919-2010, were sliced into 2-3 cm disks among which 8-11 disks per core (in total 141 disks) were analyzed for all tetra- through octa-CDD/Fs. Identification and apportionment of PCDD/F sources was carried out using PMF. Five stable model PCDD/F congener patterns were identified, which could be associated with six historically important source types: (i) atmospheric background deposition (ABD), (ii) use and production of pentachlorophenol (PCP), (iii) use and production of tetra-chlorophenol (TeCP), (iv) high temperature processes (Thermal), (v) hexa-CDD-related sources (HxCDD), and (vi) chlorine-related sources (Chi), all of which were still represented in the surface layers. Overall, the last four decades of the period 1920-2010 have had a substantial influence on the Baltic Sea PCDD/F pollution, with 88 +/- 7% of the total amount accumulated during this time. The 1990s was the peak decade for all source types except TeCP, which peaked in the 1980s in the northern Baltic Sea and has still not peaked in the southern part. The combined impact of atmospheric-related emissions (ABD and Thermal) was dominant in the open sea system throughout the study period (1919-2010) and showed a decreasing south to north trend (always >80% in the south and >50% in the north). Accordingly, to further reduce levels of PCDD/Fs in the open Baltic Sea ecosystem, future actions should focus on reducing atmospheric emissions.
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| 3. |
- Assefa, Anteneh Taye, et al.
(författare)
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Temporal Trends of PCDD/Fs in Baltic Sea Sediment Cores Covering the 20th Century
- 2014
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Ingår i: Environmental Science and Technology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0013-936X .- 1520-5851. ; 48:2, s. 947-953
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The pollution trend of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the Baltic Sea region was studied based on depth profiles of PCDD/Fs in sediment cores collected from six-offshore areas, eight coastal sites impacted by industrial/urban emissions, and one coastal reference site. A general trend was observed for the offshore and coastal reference sites with substantial increase in PCDD/F concentrations in the mid-late 1970s and peak levels during 1985-2002. The overall peak year for PCDD/Fs in Baltic Sea offshore areas was estimated (using spline-fit modeling) to 1994 +/- 5 years, and a half-life in sediments was estimated at 29 +/- 11 years. For the industrial/urban impacted coastal sites, the temporal trend was more variable with peak years occurring 1-2 decades earlier compared to offshore areas. The substantial reductions from peak levels (38 +/- 11% and 81 +/- 12% in offshore and coastal areas, respectively) reflect domestic and international actions taken for reduction of the release of PCDD/Fs to the environment. The modeled overall half-life and reductions of PCDD/Fs in offshore Baltic Sea sediment correspond well to both PCDD/F trends in European lakes without any known direct. PCDD/F sources (half-lives 30 and 32 years), and previously modeled reduction in atmospheric deposition of,PCDD/Fs to the Baltic Sea since 1990. These observations support previous findings of a common diffuse source, such as long-range air transport of atmospheric emissions, as the prime source of PCDD/Fs to the Baltic Sea region. The half-life of PCDD/Fs in Baltic Sea offshore sediments was estimated to be approximately 2 and 4-6 times longer than in semirural and urban European air, respectively. This study highlights the need for further international actions to reduce the levels of PCDD/Fs in Baltic Sea air specifically and in European air in general.
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| 4. |
- Cato, Ingemar, et al.
(författare)
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DIOXINS AND OTHER POPS IN THE BALTIC SEA – TRENDS AND CURRENT
- 2009
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Ingår i: 29th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (Dioxin 2009) in Bejing, China, August 25-30, 2009.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper summarizes a project that was initiated by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2006. It involved several field studies and fate model calculations with the aim to better understand the present contamination situation of dioxins and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Baltic Sea region. Atmospheric inputs were found to be the dominant external source for all of the selected POPs (dioxins, PCBs and HCB). The model also predicted a significant decline of POP-levels in Baltic surface water if atmospheric concentrations are reduced. This issue is highly prioritized by the Swedish EPA since TEQ-levels of fatty fish exceed maximum residue limits set by the EU. Dioxin source regions were identified by air measurements and analysis of air mass origin. It was found that air that had passed over the European continent contained the highest concentrations, and the congener composition indicated that several major sources types may exist. This research has high relevance for the Swedish EPA, and continued efforts for resolving the dioxin issue of the Baltic Sea will follow.
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| 5. |
- Elling, Devy L., et al.
(författare)
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Effects of a multi-component alcohol prevention program in the workplace on hazardous alcohol use among employees
- 2023
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Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Nature. - 1471-2458. ; 23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The workplace can be affected negatively by hazardous alcohol use, and intervening at an early stage remains a challenge. Recently, a multi-component alcohol prevention program, Alcohol Policy and Managers’ skills Training (hereafter, ‘APMaT’), was delivered at the organizational level. In a previous outcome evaluation, APMaT appeared to be effective at the managerial level. The current study takes a step further by aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of APMaT in decreasing the alcohol risk level among employees.Methods: Data from 853 employees (control: n = 586; intervention: n = 267) were gathered through a cluster-randomized study. To analyze changes in the odds of hazardous alcohol use among employees, multilevel logistic regression was applied using group (control vs. intervention), time (baseline vs. 12-month follow-up), and the multiplicative interaction term (group × time) as the main predictors. The intervention effect was further adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and policy awareness.Results: No statistically significant difference was observed in the odds of hazardous alcohol use, although employees in the intervention group showed a larger decrease compared to the control group. This remained even after adjusting for several factors, including the sociodemographic factors and policy awareness.Conclusions: The findings are insufficient to determine the effectiveness of APMaT at the employee level at the current stage of the evaluation. Future studies should strive to identify issues with implementation processes in workplace-based alcohol interventions.
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| 6. |
- Elling, Devy L., et al.
(författare)
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Effects of a multi-component alcohol prevention programme in the workplace on hazardous alcohol use among employees
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: The workplace can be affected negatively by hazardous alcohol use, and intervening at an early stage remains a challenge. Recently, a multi-component alcohol prevention program, Alcohol Policy and Managers’ skills Training (hereafter, ‘APMaT’), was delivered at the organizational level. In a previous outcome evaluation, APMaT appeared to be effective at the managerial level. The current study takes a step further by aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of APMaT in decreasing the alcohol risk level among employees.Methods: Data from 853 employees (control: n = 586; intervention: n = 267) were gathered through a cluster-randomized study. To analyze changes in the odds of hazardous alcohol use among employees, multilevel logistic regression was applied using group (control vs intervention), time (baseline vs 12-month follow-up), and the multiplicative interaction term (group × time) as the main predictors. The intervention effect was further adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and policy awareness.Results: Employees in the intervention group showed a larger decrease in the odds of hazardous alcohol use compared to the control group. However, this difference was not statistically significant, even after adjusting for several factors, including the sociodemographic factors and policy awareness.Conclusions: The findings are insufficient to determine the effectiveness of APMaT at the employee level at the current stage of the evaluation. Future studies should strive to identify issues with implementation processes in workplace-based alcohol interventions. Trial registration: ISCRTN: ISRCTN17250048.
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| 7. |
- Elling, Devy L., et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of a workplace alcohol prevention program targeted on managers’ inclination to initiate early alcohol interventions
- 2022
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Ingår i: Work. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 73:2, s. 517-526
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Alcohol interventions targeting the adult population are often conducted in healthcare settings, while preventive interventions often target adolescents or young adults. The general working population is often overlooked. A workplace-based intervention, consisting of development and implementation of an organizational alcohol policy, and skills development training for managers (APMaT) was carried out in order to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harms by identifying hazardous consumers at an early stage. Objective: This study aims to evaluate APMaT by focusing on managers’ inclination to initiate early alcohol intervention.Methods: In a cluster randomized design, data were obtained from 187 managers (control: n = 70; intervention: n = 117). Inclination to initiate early alcohol intervention was measured using three items on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Changes in managers’ inclination to intervene were analyzed by applying multilevel ordered logistic regression. Predictors included in the model were group (control vs. intervention), time (baseline vs. 12-month follow-up), and the multiplicative interaction term (group × time).Results: Significant increase in inclination to intervene against hazardous alcohol consumption among managers in the intervention group compared to managers in the control group was observed. Specifically, a 50% increase of confidence to initiate an intervention was observed among managers in the intervention group.Conclusions: APMaT seems effective to increase managers’ inclination to intervene early against hazardous consumption in the workplace. The effectiveness of APMaT at the employee level should be explored in prospective studies.
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| 8. |
- Elling, Devy L., et al.
(författare)
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Perceived barriers in the dissemination of an organisational alcohol policy as part of implementing an alcohol prevention programme among managers
- 2022
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Ingår i: Drugs, Habits and Social Policy. - 2752-6739. ; 23:2, s. 128-139
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose - An alcohol prevention programme, consisting of the implementation of an organisational alcohol policy and skills development training for managers, was delivered in Swedish workplaces. Previous findings revealed challenges in policy implementation because of the lack of dissemination amongst managers. This study aims to describe perceived dissemination barriers of the organisational alcohol policy by managers. Design/methodology/approach - A cross-sectional survey (n = 193 managers) was performed to identify common dissemination barriers in the workplace and complementary case illustrations derived from semi-structured interviews (n = 18 managers) were used to understand the dissemination barriers of the organisational alcohol policy. Frequency distributions were presented to describe common perceived barriers. Findings - Sixty-five per cent of managers reported that their workplace had not changed their approach to addressing alcohol-related issues compared to their usual practice before programme delivery. Various organisational factors, such as deprioritisation of programme dissemination, lack of communication and inadequate strategies were some of the common barriers perceived by managers. Moreover, managers reported uncertainties regarding any changes concerning the workplace's approach for addressing alcohol-related issues. Increased efforts in disseminating the organisational alcohol policy can reduce uncertainties among managers. Practical implications - A thorough process evaluation to understand processes in programme delivery and implementation is necessary to ensure the uptake of the intervention. Originality/value - This study highlighted the complexity of disseminating an alcohol policy in a dynamic setting, such as the workplace, and provided the importance of addressing organisational obstacles.
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| 9. |
- Elling, Devy L., et al.
(författare)
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Perceived barriers in the dissemination of and organisational alcohol policy as a part of implementing an alcohol prevention programme among managers
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Purpose: An alcohol prevention programme, consisting of the implementation of an organisational alcohol policy and skills development training for managers, was delivered in Swedish workplaces. Previous findings revealed challenges in policy implementation due to the lack of dissemination amongst managers. This study aims to describe perceived dissemination barriers of the organisational alcohol policy by managers.Methodology: A cross-sectional survey (n=193 managers) was performed to identify common dissemination barriers in the workplace and complementary case illustrations derived from semi-structured interviews (n=18 managers) were used to understand the dissemination barriers of the organisational alcohol policy. Frequency distributions were presented to describe common perceived barriers.Findings: Sixty-five percent of managers reported that their workplace had not changed their approach to addressing alcohol-related issues compared to their usual practice before programme delivery. Various organisational factors, such as deprioritisation of programme dissemination, lack of communication, and inadequate strategies were some of the common barriers perceived by managers. Moreover, managers reported uncertainties regarding any changes concerning the workplace’s approach for addressing alcohol-related issues. Increased efforts in disseminating the organisational alcohol policy can reduce uncertainties among managers. Practical implications: A thorough process evaluation to understand processes in programme delivery and implementation is necessary to ensure the uptake of the intervention. Originality/value: The study highlighted the complexity of disseminating an alcohol policy in a dynamic setting, such as the workplace, and provided the importance of addressing organisational obstacles.
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| 10. |
- Elling, Devy L., et al.
(författare)
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Workplace alcohol prevention : are managers' individual characteristics associated with organisational alcohol policy knowledge and inclination to initiate early alcohol interventions?
- 2020
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Ingår i: International Journal of Workplace Health Management. - 1753-8351 .- 1753-836X. ; 13:5, s. 543-560
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose - Individual factors associated with managers' organisational alcohol policy knowledge and inclination to initiate early alcohol interventions have been understudied. This study aims to examine differences in managers' policy knowledge and inclination across a range of socio-demographic, work-related and health characteristics, and it aims to examine the association between policy knowledge and inclination to intervene, net of these characteristics.Design/methodology/approach - Questionnaire data were collected from 430 managers. Organisational alcohol policy knowledge and inclination to intervene were measured using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (very low) to 5 (very high). Socio-demographic, work-related and health characteristics included gender, age, education, managerial responsibility, years in current position, self-rated health and alcohol consumption. Associations were examined using multilevel ordinal regression analysis.Findings - Managers with a greater number of employees demonstrated the highest level of organisational alcohol policy knowledge and were more inclined to initiate early alcohol interventions. Alcohol policy knowledge was associated with inclination to intervene, net of individual characteristics.Practical implications - Considering how managers' characteristics might influence efforts to decrease hazardous alcohol consumption is potentially important when designing future workplace alcohol prevention programmes.Originality/value - Several individual factors related to managers' organisational alcohol policy knowledge and inclination to initiate early alcohol interventions were identified, particularly managerial responsibility. However, the association between policy knowledge and inclination to intervene remained strong after accounting for these individual factors. Future studies should explore alternative explanations at the individual and organisational levels.
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