Safety and emergency preparedness in oil and gas industry : experience based on North Sea offshore platforms

It is .anticipated that viable oil and gas Abstract: resources are present in Sri Lanka's exclusive economic zone in the Indian Ocean. Offshore oil and gas exploration and production activities can nevertheless lead to formidable engineering challenges with severe safety repercussions. It is absolutely necessary to follow state of the art safety design practices with safety conscious management schemes. This article outlines the general structure of the safety and emergency preparedness practice used in North Sea oil and gas sector in the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). Being one of the safest oil and gas industries in the world, it is expected that the outlined framework used in NCS can be adopted with necessary modifications to safeguard future offshore oil and gas activities in Sri Lanka. It is further emphasized that Sri Lanka needs to establish a solid regulatory framework to regulate, guide, and monitor petroleum activities within its waters

Organizational factors influencing safety in oil and gas processing industry : focusing on the impacts of cost cutting and culture of safety

This article highlights the need of establishing Abdract: a positive safety culture within safety critical industries such as offshore oil and gas sector, as a vital part of their safety management systems. Obsessive cost cutting drives currently happening in the oil and gas industry is recognized as a deterrent to positive safety cultures. If not properly managed within bounds, such cost saving actions may potentially lead to long-lasting negative repercussions. The key role of regulative authorities in this scenario is discussed. In trie context of Sri Lanka, urgent necessity of a robust regulative framework and an able enforcement authority is emphasized, in order to safely utilize any hydrocarbon resources available in the Sri Lankan territorial waters

The Groundwater Geochemistry and the Human Health Risk Assessment of Drinking Water in an Area with a High Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu), Sri Lanka

Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) has become an alarming health issue in Sri Lanka. The disease is more notable among farming communities and people who consume groundwater as their main source of drinking water. To assess the possible links between drinking water chemistry and expansion of CKDu, the study was compared with hydrogeochemical data of drinking water sources in a CKDu prevalent area (Girandurukotte GND, Badulla District) and a reference area (Dambethalawa GND, Ampara District) in Sri Lanka. Based on the results, nephrotoxic heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Pb, and As) concentrations were significantly higher in the CKDu prevalent site than the reference area, compromised the harmful consequences to the people in the CKDu hotspot. Results of the inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation tool indicated the nephrotoxic heavy metals contents including Cd, Pb, As, and Cr in CKDu hotspot were changed in the ranges of 9.78–187.25 μg/L, 0.08–0.66 μg/L, 20.76–103.30 μg/L, and 0.03–0.34 μg/L. The random distribution patterns were shown by the result in Moran’s index values. Noteworthy, the results have emphasized a strong association between fluoride and water hardness. The frequency of occurrence above the threshold limit of fluoride was 28% in non-CKDu water samples, while 81% in CKDu prevalent sites. The hardness values in the CKDu prevalent site indicated “moderately hard water,” while the non-CKDu area indicated the “soft water.” Furthermore, this paper quantified overall water quality and heavy metal contamination and assessed the human health risks associated with drinking water. According to the results of the water quality index, 90% of the samples in the CKDu prevalent area were classified as “poor water” and “very poor water” for drinking purposes, while 73.33% of the samples in the non-CKDu area were “good” and “excellent” for drinking usage. Calculated chronic daily intake (CDIoral) and hazard quotient (HQoral) of nephrotoxicants were higher in CKDu hotspot than the non-CKDu site. Besides, the hazard index (HI) values obtained for the CKDu prevalent area exceeding the acceptable limit (HI = 1) indicated potential health risks to the people in those areas. This study suggests that long-term exposure to nephrotoxic heavy metals, water hardness, and fluoride present in drinking water may threaten human health and affect kidney functions. Therefore, regular monitoring and better management of water supplies in CKDu prevalent areas are essential to determine the contamination load and reduce the health impacts due to excessive and long-term exposure to the nephrotoxicants.</jats:p

The Groundwater Geochemistry and the Human Health Risk Assessment of Drinking Water in an Area with a High Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu), Sri Lanka

Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) has become an alarming health issue in Sri Lanka. The disease is more notable among farming communities and people who consume groundwater as their main source of drinking water. To assess the possible links between drinking water chemistry and expansion of CKDu, the study was compared with hydrogeochemical data of drinking water sources in a CKDu prevalent area (Girandurukotte GND, Badulla District) and a reference area (Dambethalawa GND, Ampara District) in Sri Lanka. Based on the results, nephrotoxic heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Pb, and As) concentrations were significantly higher in the CKDu prevalent site than the reference area, compromised the harmful consequences to the people in the CKDu hotspot. Results of the inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation tool indicated the nephrotoxic heavy metals contents including Cd, Pb, As, and Cr in CKDu hotspot were changed in the ranges of 9.78–187.25 μg/L, 0.08–0.66 μg/L, 20.76–103.30 μg/L, and 0.03–0.34 μg/L. The random distribution patterns were shown by the result in Moran’s index values. Noteworthy, the results have emphasized a strong association between fluoride and water hardness. The frequency of occurrence above the threshold limit of fluoride was 28% in non-CKDu water samples, while 81% in CKDu prevalent sites. The hardness values in the CKDu prevalent site indicated “moderately hard water,” while the non-CKDu area indicated the “soft water.” Furthermore, this paper quantified overall water quality and heavy metal contamination and assessed the human health risks associated with drinking water. According to the results of the water quality index, 90% of the samples in the CKDu prevalent area were classified as “poor water” and “very poor water” for drinking purposes, while 73.33% of the samples in the non-CKDu area were “good” and “excellent” for drinking usage. Calculated chronic daily intake (CDIoral) and hazard quotient (HQoral) of nephrotoxicants were higher in CKDu hotspot than the non-CKDu site. Besides, the hazard index (HI) values obtained for the CKDu prevalent area exceeding the acceptable limit (HI = 1) indicated potential health risks to the people in those areas. This study suggests that long-term exposure to nephrotoxic heavy metals, water hardness, and fluoride present in drinking water may threaten human health and affect kidney functions. Therefore, regular monitoring and better management of water supplies in CKDu prevalent areas are essential to determine the contamination load and reduce the health impacts due to excessive and long-term exposure to the nephrotoxicants

Cardiovascular Imaging in Stress Cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo Syndrome)

Stress cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo syndrome) is a reversible syndrome stemming from myocardial injury leading to systolic dysfunction and is usually noted in the setting of a stressful event, be it an emotional or physical trigger. While the exact pathophysiology behind stress cardiomyopathy is yet unknown, there is ample evidence suggesting that neurocardiogenic mechanisms may play an important role. Although historically stress cardiomyopathy was generally thought to be a relatively benign condition, there is growing recognition of the cardiovascular complications associated with it despite its reversibility. Our review aims to shed light onto key cardiovascular imaging modalities used to diagnose stress cardiomyopathy while highlighting the role that imaging plays in assessing disease severity, identifying complications, dictating treatment approaches, and in short-term and long-term prognosis.</jats:p

Assessment of severity among adult dengue patients in Colombo district, Sri Lanka

Introduction: Dengue is a major acute febrile illness in Sri Lanka and reported in epidemic proportions. From 2009 to 2013 an average of 35 000 cases were reported annually with over 60% above 15 years of age. Clinical case classification of dengue was originally based on paediatric patients. Here we assess severity of dengue illness among adults according to both WHO classical and TDR classifications.Methods: A study was conducted in 100 adult patients presenting to ID Hospital, Colombo with fever &lt;7 days, in 2013. All were tested for dengue ELISA NS1/IgM and RT-PCR. Of them 88 were confirmed as having dengue, and were classified into two WHO classifications. Type of care received was categorized into three levels as:Category 1 – general ward,Category 2 – special dengue unit,Category 3 – intensive care unit.Results: According to classical classification, 47 (53.4%) were Dengue Fever (DF) patients. Of them 31and 16 received Category 1 and 2 care respectively. None received Category 3 care. 41 (46.6%) Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) patients. Of them 14 received category 1 care while 25 and two received Category 2 and Category 3 care respectively. Classical classification and level of care sensitivity was 62.8% (CI 48–78) while specificity was 68.9% (CI 55–82). According to TDR classification 29 (32.9%) were Dengue patients without warning signs. Of them 22 and 07 received Category 1 and 2 level of care respectively and none went into category 3. 48 (55%) were Dengue with warning signs and 11 (13%) severe dengue patients. Of them 18 received Category 1 care while 39 and two received category 2 and category 3 care respectively. TDR classification and level of care sensitivity was 85.4% (CI 75–95) Specificity 55% (CI 39–70).Conclusions: WHO TDR classification captures more patients who need closer observation in Category 2 and three levels of care than classical classification. This may warrant additional hospital resources in developing country settings.Disclosure: This research was funded by the European Union 7th Framework Programme through 'DengueTools'.</p