Toxic releases from medical waste incineration comprising organic emissions such as polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxin/furan (PCDD/Fs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), inorganic emissions and ashes containing toxic metals have been reviewed. Attempts made by various investigators to reduce/eliminate emissions have also been included. Legislations concerning emission standards for medical waste incinerators have been discussed.

Papain, a powerful proteolytic enzyme, is an endoprotease belonging to cysteine endopeptidase family. It is used extensively in food processing especially in tenderization of meat. In this study, we have made an attempt to show the structure activity relationship of this enzyme and the role of calcium and magnesium ions in the activity and stability of the enzyme. Results of activation and stabilization of the enzyme by these cations showed concentration dependent effect. The enzymatic activity of papain increases to a maximum of 18% and 24% in presence of calcium and magnesium ions at 1 x 10(-3) M concentration, respectively. Thermal denaturation studies showed that the binding of calcium and magnesium ions bring about change in the thermal stability of papain at various concentrations of these metal ions. Far ultraviolet circular dichroic studies showed no significant change in the alpha-helix and beta-sheet structure of the papain upon binding of these metal ions. The mechanism underlying the structure activity relationship of papain in presence of these metal ions have been discussed here with reference to the ionic radii, ligand binding preference, coordination numbers and the electrostatic forces between the protein molecule and cations present in the microenvironment of the enzyme.

The present article explores the ability of five different combinations of two adsorbents (Arachis hypogea shell powder and Eucalyptus cameldulensis saw dust) to remove Pb(II) from synthetic and lead acid batteries wastewater through batch and column mode. The effects of solution pH, adsorbent dose, initial Pb(II) concentration and contact time were investigated with synthetic solutions in batch mode. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study revealed that carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups were mostly responsible for the removal of Pb(II) ions from test solutions. The kinetic data were found to follow pseudo-second-order model with correlation coefficient of 0.99. Among Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models, the Langmuir model provided the best fit to the equilibrium data with maximum adsorption capacity of 270.2 mg g -1 . Column studies were carried out using lead battery wastewater at different flow rates and bed depths. Two kinetic models, viz. Thomas and Bed depth service time model, were applied to predict the breakthrough curves and breakthrough service time. The Pb(II) uptake capacity (q e = 540.41 mg g -1 ) was obtained using bed depth of 35 cm and a flow rate of 1.0 mL min -1 at 6.0 pH. The results from this study showed that adsorption capacity of agricultural residues in different combinations is much better than reported by other authors, authenticating that the prepared biosorbents have potential in remediation of Pb-contaminated waters.

A new series of transition metal complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) were synthesized from the Schiff base ligand derived from 4-aminoantipyrine, furfural ando-phenylenediamine. The structural features were derived from their elemental analyses, infrared, UV-visible spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analyses, ESR spectral analyses and conductivity measurements. The data of the complexes suggested square planar geometry for the metals with primary valency two. Antimicrobial screening tests were performed against bacteria. The comparative study of the MIC values of the Schiff base and its metal complexes indicate that the metal complexes exhibit greater antibacterial activity than the free ligand.

Incineration of acrylic waste solution in a lab scale quartz tube vertical incinerator showed the presence of 12-15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from a list of 16 priority pollutants at 700-1100 degrees C after an interval of 50 degrees C. The amount of total 16 PAHs at 900 and 1100 degrees C was about 8.5 and 1.25 times higher than those at 700 degrees C (739.48 microg g(-1)) respectively. The amount of total probable (2A) and possible (2B) human carcinogenic PAHs was minimum at 700 degrees C.