Ecolab

About: Ecolab is a company organization based out in Northwich, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Alkyl & Corrosion. The organization has 2860 authors who have published 3193 publications receiving 51478 citations. The organization is also known as: Economics Laboratory.

Urban Market Gardening in Africa: Foliar Uptake of Metal(loid)s and Their Bioaccessibility in Vegetables; Implications in Terms of Health Risks

Abstract: Urban market gardening in Africa is suffering from increasing environmental contamination due to sources of contamination as varied as traffic, industry, and agriculture practices. A field study was therefore conducted to determine the global influence of the polluted environment (atmosphere, soil, and irrigation waters) on vegetable quality in a large urban-farming area. For leafy vegetables collected in 15 ha of squatted land belonging to the international airport of Cotonou, total concentrations of metal(loid)s measured in consumed parts of Lactuca sativa L. and Brassica oleracea were 52.6–78.9, 0.02–0.3, 0.08–0.22, 12.7–20.3, 1.8–7.9, and 44.1–107.8 mg kg−1 for Pb, Cd, As, Sb, Cu, and Zn, respectively. Human gastric bioaccessibility of the metal(loid)s was measured, and the obtained values varied according to the considered metal(loid) and the plant species. The results identified values that are commonly found in non-polluted soils and roots associated with contaminated edible parts, raising the possibility of atmospheric contamination. Such a hypothesis is in agreement with values of magnetic susceptibility, since iron oxides and probably their associated metal(loid)s do not translocate from the roots toward the upper parts of the plants. (Bioaccessible) estimated dose intake ((B)EDI) and total (bioaccessible) target hazard quotient (Σ(B)THQ) were calculated to assess the health risk of consuming vegetables from this area. Pb and Sb were the major risk contributors. Taking the bioaccessible fractions into account, ΣBTHQ values were lower than ΣTHQ but were all still >1 for both males and females, leading to the conclusion that consuming these vegetables from this area is not risk-free.

A flat mop head for cleaning floors

Abstract: A flat floor cleaning lining (1) has a covering sheet (2) with means (3) for fastening it to a holder on its top surface and a highly absorbent material (6) at least partially made of cotton and/or viscose in the central area (5) of its bottom surface. At least the longitudinal sides of the covering sheet (2) are provided with a hem. A textile rim (7) at least partially surrounds the edges (4) of the cleaning cover (1). The textile rim (7) forms at the same time the hem. It consists of at least partially mixed yarns made of synthetic and natural fibres. This wash-resistant cleaning lining is cheap to produce, may be used both for wet and dry cleaning tasks, slides easily on the floor and has a high cleaning power both for water-soluble and solid soil.

Two-package co-sprayable film-forming sanitizer

Abstract: A uniform, continuous sanitizing film can be formed by simultaneously spraying a two-package aqueous sanitizing composition comprising in a first solution a quaternary ammonium salt compound and in a second solution a polymer containing acid functionality. The sprays are directed to areas of substantial overlap resulting in a reaction between the quaternary ammonium compound and the carboxylic acid functional polymeric compound resulting in formation of a water insoluble film.

Graft copolymers of a polyether moiety on a polycarboxylate backbone

Abstract: A composition having a high chelation value may be made by blending about 50 to 80 wt-% of a polyether such as polyethylene glycol, about 20 to 50 wt-% of a polycarboxylate such as polyacrylate moiety or an acrylate monomer, and about 0.1 to 0.5 mole-%, based upon the polyacrylate moiety or the monomer, of an organic peroxy catalyst such as t-butyl perbenzoate at a temperature below about 110° C. but sufficient to liquefy the blend and cause grafting of a polyether on the polycarboxylate.

Stable alkaline emulsion cleaners

Abstract: An alkaline emulsion detergent composition with improved phase stability, useful viscosity and excellent soil removal properties can comprise in an aqueous phase, an emulsion comprising a source of alkalinity, a nonionic surfactant blend, a water conditioning agent and an alkyl polyglucoside. The improved stable emulsions can be used in laundry applications or other soil removal processes. The compositions are typically prepared by forming an alkaline nonionic blend combining the blend with a water conditioning agent and the alkyl polyglucoside and shearing the resulting aqueous mixture to form an emulsion characterized by a preferred particle size and viscosity.