Unleashing the Hidden Potential: The Transformative Influence of Occupational Health and Safety Education on Chemical Engineers Sümeyye Dilek, Fatos Ayca Ozdemir Olgun Sakarya University Journal of Science, 2025 Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) education plays a crucial role in shaping the professional development of chemical engineers, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure workplace safety and prevent occupational hazards. This manuscript presents a comprehensive review of the impacts of OHS education on chemical engineers, focusing on its role in enhancing awareness, knowledge acquisition, and practical application. The study explores the influence of OHS education on promoting a safety culture, improving risk assessment and management practices, and fostering a proactive approach towards identifying and mitigating occupational hazards. It also investigates the effects of OHS education on job satisfaction, professional growth, and career opportunities within the chemical engineering field. By analyzing relevant literature and case studies, this review provides valuable insights into the positive outcomes resulting from integrating OHS education into the curriculum at universities. The findings emphasize the significance of OHS education in cultivating competent and safety-conscious chemical engineers who contribute to sustainable and responsible industrial practices.
Evaluation of the extraction methods prior to ICP-MS determination of metal levels in kinetic (magic) sand samples used for children’s play Fatos Ayca Ozdemir Olgun International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 2025 Kinetic (magic) sand is widely used in preschool activities in order to improve the children’s creative abilities. Despite its popularity, this study will be the first in literature to assess the heavy metal content of kinetic sand samples. Focusing on the determination of metal content (Hg, Cd, Sb, Sn, Al, Ni, Co, Cu, Pb) of 10 different brands of kinetic sand samples sold in Turkish markets, the significance of sample preparation step was further discussed with the application of wet digestion and microwave digestion methods, prior to analysis by ICP-MS. Based on the acute toxicity classes defined by European Union (EU) As, Cd, Hg belongs to Class 1; Ni, CrVI, Pb belongs to Class 2, whereas Zn and Cu belongs to Class 3. Among the potential toxic elements studied, the Al content of samples attracts attention with its high level exceeding the limits of directives.
Adsorptive removal of phosphate from aqueous solutions using FeCl3-immobilized melamine-formaldehyde-urea resin Fatos Ayca Ozdemir Olgun, Pınar Çetin Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2024 The surplus phosphorus in aquatic environments trigger eutrophication, an irreversible pollution stage marked by the rapid growth of algae and water plants, a decline in dissolved oxygen levels, and the emergence of dead zones. To address this critical issue, this study focuses on the removal of phosphorus in form of phosphate from aqueous solutions. The research involves the synthesis and characterization of FeCl3‐immobilized melamine‐formaldehyde‐urea resin, an innovative adsorbent, its characterization through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the evaluation of its adsorption capacity based on Langmuir and Freundlich equilibrium models. The experimental adsorption data fits well with pseudo‐second order kinetic model. Optimal adsorption parameters are carried with batch adsorption technique for 60 min using 0.5 g of adsorbent at pH = 2, achieving 15.55 mg g−1 adsorption capacity, and conducting experiments with tap‐water samples to replicate real‐world scenarios. The research findings have the potential to advance sustainable wastewater treatment technologies and contribute to the mitigation of nutrient pollution in aquatic ecosystems, addressing a pressing environmental concern.
Green Synthesized Nanoceria Applied as a Fenton-Like Catalyst for Degrading Methylene Blue Dilek Özyurt, Fatoş Özdemir Olgun, Birsen Demirata Öztürk, Mustafa Apak Aquatic Sciences and Engineering, 2023 Nanomaterials are preferred for scientific studies due to their spectral properties and perfect surface appearance. This study aims to introduce a novel, environmentally friendly, photocatalytic method for degrading methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solutions. With this purpose in mind, the study synthesizes nanoceria particles and coats them with zahter (Thymbra spicata; zahter-coated nanoceria, ZCNC) following the main outlines of green chemistry as characterized by SEM and FTIR analyses. The study proposes this new nanoparticle (with the aid of H2 O2 and UV combinations) as an alternative to iron in Fenton-type reactions for enabling MB degradation. The maximum efficiency was observed through the ternary combination of zahter-coated nanoceria, UV light, and H2 O2 at 63% concentration. The degradation of the MB solution was achieved by installing a small amount of ZCNC (0.1g), after which the absorbance values were measured at 664 nm. According to the possible reaction kinetics discussed within the study, the reaction rate was calculated at 1.49 × 10-2 min -1, thus enabling a faster reaction for a better evaluation of the reaction mechanism compared to other degradation processes that have been previously investigated.
