Suchergebnisse

Abstract
Background
Baltic States remains one of the few regions in the Europe without a dedicated particle therapy center. An initiative since 2021 has been started by CERN Baltic Group on a novel particle therapy center development in the region in partnership with CERN NIMMS collaboration. With a conceptual design idea in early 2022 and stakeholder engagement activities in late 2022 - next step forward was necessary for the initiative for a more in-depth analysis.

Methods
A dedicated workshop "Particle therapy - future for the Baltic States? State-of-play, synergies and challenges" was held. The workshop was attended by medical community from the Baltics, as well as CERN technical experts and particle therapy practicing clinicians, with scientific programme split in 5 main areas of investigation.

Results
Current cancer epidemiology statistics and RT technological possibilities in the region were analyzed, with first estimates of eligible number of patients calculated. Technological development level of the proposed accelerator complex was discussed, as well the clinical needs and synnergy possibilities with the nuclear medicine field.

Conclusions
The current state and calculated first estimates presented here have shown a promising starting point, which prompts even further in-depth work – a feasibility study for development of a novel particle therapy center in the Baltic States.

Recycling of electric and electronic waste products (e-waste) which amounted to more than 50 million metric tonnes per year worldwide is a massive and global operation. Unfortunately, an estimated 70-80% of this waste has not been properly managed because the waste went from developed to low-income countries to be dumped into landfills or informally recycled. Such recycling has been carried out either directly on landfill sites or in small, often family-run recycling shops without much regulations or oversights. The process traditionally involved manual dismantling, cleaning with hazardous solvents, burning and melting on open fires, etc., which would generate a variety of toxic substances and exposure/hazards to applicators, family members, proximate residents and the environment. The situation clearly calls for global responsibility to reduce the impact on human health and the environment, especially in developing countries where poor residents have been shouldering the hazardous burden. On the other hand, formal e-waste recycling has been mainly conducted in small scales in industrialised countries. Whether the latter process would impose less risk to populations and environment has not been determined yet. Therefore, the main objectives of this review are: 1. to address current trends and emerging threats of not only informal but also formal e-waste management practices, and 2. to propose adequate measures and interventions. A major recommendation is to conduct independent surveillance of compliance with e-waste trading and processing according to the Basel Ban Amendment. The recycling industry needs to be carefully evaluated by joint effort from international agencies, producing industries and other stakeholders to develop better processes. Subsequent transition to more sustainable and equitable e-waste management solutions should result in more effective use of natural resources, and in prevention of adverse effects on health and the environment. ; Highlights: Most e-waste is informally and inequitably recycled in developing countries; Informal recycling is reported to damage human health and the environment; The currently practised e-waste management system is inequitable and unsustainable; Developing formal and safe e-waste management should be a global priority. ; This work was supported by the Diagnosis, Monitoring and Prevention of Exposure-Related Noncommunicable Diseases (DiMoPEx) COST Action project (CA15129) and its Final Action Dissemination Grant from the European Union ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion