| 1. |
- Hagberg, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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Lättviktsgrindar av höghållfast stål för säkrare djurhantering och arbetsmiljö
- 2021
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Lightweight gates of high-strength steel for improved worker safety and cattle handling This report presents the work with developing a lightweight gate of high-strength steel for the handling of cattle. The project was conducted as a European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project. The project group consisted of co-workers from the unit of Agriculture and Horticulture and the unit of Process and Environmental Engineering at Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE Jordbruk och trädgård och RISE Kretsloppsteknik), Parsteel AB (former Nilssons Plåtindustri AB), SSAB EMEA AB, Sophie Atkinson at Smart Animal Handling, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Skara and the cattle farmer Lars Olsson. The main objectives of the project were to develop a lightweight gate weighing at least 50% less and being three times as strong as a traditional gate for cattle handling. The main motive was to improve the ergonomic conditions and working environment for the animal handlers. Additionally, for the safety of both animals and handlers, the gate must withstand the loads from cattle. Other objectives were to design and construct a gate that does not exceed the price of a high-quality gate and not contribute to increased negative environmental impact. A lightweight gate can be made of various materials such as plastic, fiberglass or steel. Regarding the project group's participants and their competencies, in addition to the numerous requirements placed on a lightweight gate, the choice fell on high-strength steel. High-strength steel is characterized by having high yield strengths, up to 1300 MPa, in comparison with traditional construction steel with yield strength of 355 MPa. For the specific lightweight gate, steel pipes with a yield strength of approximately 750 MPa were chosen. These pipes are mainly used in the automotive and engine industry, where high demands are placed on strength while at the same time a light construction is desired. The gate itself was designed during the project and several details were examined and developed in regard to functionality and safety for both cattle and handlers. The work environment legislation states that gates must be dimensioned and anchored so that the animals cannot break out (AFS 2008:17). The gates must also not pose a risk of injury to the cattle. In order to work safely with cattle, knowledge of cattle behavior is essential and consequently the report contains a chapter describing cattle senses and behavior. Both the lightweight gates and the handling system, built up by the gates, must be adapted to the cattle. In the project, the bud box handling system was tested. The handling system was originally developed to make use of the behavioral characteristics of cattle to encourage forward movement in the desired direction. In the project the handling system's functionality and safety, by using lightweight gates and additional equipment and components, were further designed. The handling system was tested in two groups of heifers at the SLU Götala Beef and Lamb Research Centre. The lightweight gates were also tested in a dairy herd and a beef herd, while hoof trimming, and at a small-scale abattoir. Generally, the light weight of the gates was considered an advantage as the handling of the gates is simplified also resulting in more frequent use of the gates, increasing safety for both animals and humans. During the project, several strength tests were performed by building unique test rigs. In one test rig, the weld of the pipes of the lightweight gate was tested. In another test rig, the strength of lightweight gates, compared with traditional gates on the market, were tested. The outcome of the tests confirmed the original aim of the project, a lightweight gate made of high-strength steel, about 50% lighter and at least three times as strong as traditional gates, had been developed and designed during the project period.
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| 2. |
- Jiang, Zheshun, et al.
(författare)
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Circulating lung-cancer-related non-coding RNAs are associated with occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium - A cross-sectional study within the SafeChrom project
- 2024
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Ingår i: Environment International. - : Elsevier. - 0160-4120 .- 1873-6750. ; 190
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is classified as a group 1 human carcinogen and increases the risk of lung cancer. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have key regulatory roles in lung cancer, but less is known about their relation to Cr(VI) exposure.Objectives: We aimed to 1) measure the expression of lung cancer-related circulating ncRNAs in exposed workers and controls; 2) assess associations between ncRNAs expression and Cr concentrations in red blood cells (RBC) and urine; and 3) evaluate correlations between the ncRNAs.Methods: The study included 111 Cr(VI) exposed workers and 72 controls recruited from the SafeChrom project. Cr concentrations were measured in RBC (biomarker of long-term exposure) and urine (biomarker of short-term exposure) samples. Long ncRNA (lncRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) were extracted from plasma followed by deoxyribonuclease treatment, complementary DNA synthesis, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction using target-specific assays for three lncRNAs (H19, MALAT1, NORAD), and four miRNAs (miR-142-3p, miR-15b-5p, miR-3940-5p, miR-451a).Results: Expression levels of lncRNAs MALAT1 and NORAD, and all four miRNAs, were significantly lower in Cr (VI) exposed workers compared with controls, and correlated significantly with RBC-Cr concentrations (rS = -0.16 to -0.38). H19 was non-significantly increased in exposed workers but significantly correlated with miR142-3p (rS = -0.33) and miR-15b-5p (rS = -0.30), and NORAD was significantly positively correlated with all four miRNAs (rS = 0.17 to 0.46). In multivariate regression models adjusting for confounders, expressions of lncRNAs MALAT1 and NORAD and all miRNAs were still significantly lower in the exposed group compared with controls, and the expression decreased with increasing RBC-Cr concentrations. Conclusions: Cr(VI) exposure was inversely and in a dose-response manner associated with the expression of circulating non-coding RNA, which suggests ncRNAs as potential biomarkers for Cr(VI)-induced toxicity.
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| 3. |
- Jiang, Zheshun, et al.
(författare)
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Hexavalent chromium still a concern in Sweden : Evidence from a cross-sectional study within the SafeChrom project
- 2024
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Ingår i: International journal of hygiene and environmental health. - : Elsevier. - 1438-4639 .- 1618-131X. ; 256
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivesHexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is classified as a human carcinogen. Occupational Cr(VI) exposure can occur during different work processes, but the current exposure to Cr(VI) at Swedish workplaces is unknown.MethodsThis cross-sectional study (SafeChrom) recruited non-smoking men and women from 14 companies with potential Cr(VI) exposure (n = 113) and controls from 6 companies without Cr(VI) exposure (n = 72). Inhalable Cr(VI) was measured by personal air sampling (outside of respiratory protection) in exposed workers. Total Cr was measured in urine (pre- and post-shift, density-adjusted) and red blood cells (RBC) (reflecting Cr(VI)) in exposed workers and controls. The Bayesian tool Expostats was used to assess risk and evaluate occupational exposure limit (OEL) compliance.ResultsThe exposed workers performed processing of metal products, steel production, welding, plating, and various chemical processes. The geometric mean concentration of inhalable Cr(VI) in exposed workers was 0.15 μg/m3 (95% confidence interval: 0.11–0.21). Eight of the 113 exposed workers (7%) exceeded the Swedish OEL of 5 μg/m3, and the Bayesian analysis estimated the share of OEL exceedances up to 19.6% for stainless steel welders. Median post-shift urinary (0.60 μg/L, 5th-95th percentile 0.10–3.20) and RBC concentrations (0.73 μg/L, 0.51–2.33) of Cr were significantly higher in the exposed group compared with the controls (urinary 0.10 μg/L, 0.06–0.56 and RBC 0.53 μg/L, 0.42–0.72). Inhalable Cr(VI) correlated with urinary Cr (rS = 0.64) and RBC-Cr (rS = 0.53). Workers within steel production showed the highest concentrations of inhalable, urinary and RBC Cr. Workers with inferred non-acceptable local exhaustion ventilation showed significantly higher inhalable Cr(VI), urinary and RBC Cr concentrations compared with those with inferred acceptable ventilation. Furthermore, workers with inferred correct use of respiratory protection were exposed to significantly higher concentrations of Cr(VI) in air and had higher levels of Cr in urine and RBC than those assessed with incorrect or no use. Based on the Swedish job-exposure-matrix, approximately 17 900 workers were estimated to be occupationally exposed to Cr(VI) today.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that some workers in Sweden are exposed to high levels of the non-threshold carcinogen Cr(VI). Employers and workers seem aware of Cr(VI) exposure, but more efficient exposure control strategies are required. National strategies aligned with the European strategies are needed in order to eliminate this cause of occupational cancer.
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| 4. |
- Jiang, Zheshun, et al.
(författare)
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P-205 THE SAFECHROM PROJECT - EVIDENCE FROM A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY SHOWS THAT HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM IS STILL A CONCERN IN SWEDEN
- 2024
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Ingår i: Occupational Medicine. - 0962-7480. ; 74:Suppl 1, s. 291-292
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is a human carcinogen, but the current exposure to Cr(VI) at Swedish workplaces is unknown.Recruitment of 113 workers with potential Cr(VI) exposure and 72 controls was combined with measurements of inhalable Cr(VI) (only exposed workers) and total Cr in urine and red blood cells (RBC), Bayesian analysis of occupational exposure limit (OEL) compliance was used, as well as the Swedish job-exposure-matrix.Exposed workers performed processing of metal products, steel production, welding, and plating. The geometric mean concentration of inhalable Cr(VI) in exposed workers was 0.15 μg/m3. Eight workers (7\ exceeded the Swedish OEL (5 μg/m3), and the share of OEL exceedances was estimated to be up to 19.6\ and RBC-Cr were significantly higher in exposed workers compared with controls. Workers with inferred non-acceptable local exhaustion ventilation showed significantly higher inhalable Cr(VI), urine- and RBC-Cr than those with acceptable ventilation. Workers with inferred correct use of respiratory protection had higher inhalable Cr(VI), and, paradoxically, higher urine- and RBC-Cr concentrations than workers with incorrect use. We estimate that ~17 900 Swedish workers are occupationally exposed to Cr(VI) today.Our study showed that although most air measurements were relatively low, 7\ and particularly stainless steel workers are at risk for exceeding the OEL. The existing protective measures implemented at workplaces are still inadequate and insufficient.Some workers in Sweden are exposed to high levels of the non-threshold carcinogen Cr(VI). National strategies aligned with European strategies are needed to eliminate occupational cancer.
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| 5. |
- Johnsson, Filip, 1960, et al.
(författare)
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Delrapport B2. Elektrifieringens betydelse för omställningen - till Klimaträttsutredningen M 2019:05
- 2022
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Syftet med denna studie är dels att peka på betydelsen av elektrifieringen som åtgärd för att nå Sveriges klimatmål, dels att utreda vad detta kan komma att innebära för den framtida elanvändningen. Eftersom industrin och transportsektorn idag står för de största utsläppen av växthusgaser ligger fokus för denna studie på en analys av elektrifieringens roll i dessa sektorer. Vi kan konstatera att elektrifiering som klimatåtgärd inom industri och transport har rönt stor uppmärksamhet under de senaste åren. Det handlar bland annat om att järn- och stålindustrin, som står för de största industriella utsläppen av koldioxid i Sverige, har aviserat ett antal projekt och investeringar som, om de realiseras, helt kommer att ställa om denna bransch, kraftigt minska utsläppen av växthusgaser och väsentligt bidra till en ökad elförbrukning. Även andra industribranscher har aviserat ambitioner att ersätta fossil bränsleanvändning med el och vätgas. Men utvecklingen berör också transportsektorn där försäljningen av elfordon har tagit ordentlig fart och där flertalet prognoser pekar på att majoriteten av nybilsförsäljningen av lätta fordon kommer att utgöras av laddbara fordon innan 2030. Om denna utveckling fortgår och förstärks enligt de planer och ambitioner som finns så bedöms Sverige, genom elektrifieringen, ha goda förutsättningar att nå sitt nettonollutsläppsmål till 2045. Elektrifiering är inte den enda åtgärden som erfordras för den klimatpolitiska omställningen utan kommer att ackompanjeras av andra åtgärder som exempelvis ökad användning av biobränslen och effektiviseringar. Däremot pekar väldigt mycket på att elektrifiering kan bli den enskilt viktigaste åtgärden för att omställningen ska ske tillräckligt snabbt och i tillräcklig omfattning. Det finns dock ett antal viktiga omständigheter som kan utgöra hinder för en ökad elektrifiering och, därmed på sikt, äventyra de svenska klimatmålen. En omfattande elektrifiering av det slag som sannolikt krävs, och som analyseras i denna rapport, innebär en infrastrukturell kraftansträngning inte minst med avseende på utbyggnad av elnätsinfrastruktur och elproduktion. Ledtiderna för sådana satsningar kan av flera skäl bli mycket långdragna. Detta bidrar till ökade osäkerheter och riskerar leda till att projekt som syftar till minskade växthusgasutsläpp men som kräver ansenliga mängder el inte blir av. En genomgång av olika studier indikerar att den svenska elanvändningen kan komma att i princip fördubblas till 2050 givet att elektrifieringen blir omfattande inom industri och transporter. En omfattande elektrifiering är i grund och botten en önskvärd utveckling med tanke på klimatutmaningen. Men denna utveckling kommer också att fordra en bred samhällelig uppslutning för att bli lyckosam.
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