A. Torma

56528060700

Publications - 18

The impact of asbestos cement pollution in irrigation water on physiological and germination characteristics of Trifolium pratense, Medicago sativa, and Solanum lycopersicum seeds

A. Torma Gergely Zoltán Macher Dóra Beke

Publication Name: Scientific Reports

Publication Date: 2025-12-01

Volume: 15

Issue: 1

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

This paper investigates how plants respond to stress caused by asbestos cement products in irrigation water. It presents a thorough evaluation of the exposure and risk factors for plants, water, and soil when exposed to these materials. The experimental results provide empirical evidence of plant stress responses based on physiological and germination parameters. The research is motivated by concerns about environmental contamination from asbestos cement in irrigation water, which can be toxic to plants and lead to soil pollution, negatively impacting vegetation and soil quality. When exposed to asbestos in water, plants experience toxic stress that can inhibit photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and germination. Asbestos can also adversely affect cell division and metabolism, risking plant growth, reproduction, and overall health, as well as making them more susceptible to disease and pests under environmental stress. The paper examines the impact on germination and physiological parameters of Trifolium pratense, Medicago sativa, and Solanum lycopersicum, particularly how they were affected by pre-established concentrations of irrigation water mixed with asbestos cement during a controlled germination experiment. The research methodology was developed in the absence of established global practices, standards, and methods, creating an opportunity for further methodological advancement. The findings could serve as a situational analysis for professionals in environmental plant protection and analytical fields.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-01011-4

Examining the Environmental Ramifications of Asbestos Fiber Movement Through the Water–Soil Continuum: A Review

A. Torma Gergely Zoltán Macher Dóra Beke

Publication Name: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Publication Date: 2025-04-01

Volume: 22

Issue: 4

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The environmental pollution potential of asbestos products is a worldwide health issue, but their dissemination through the water–soil continuum is often an overlooked aspect. Similarly, the behavior of asbestos fibers released from the products is still not fully understood, although our knowledge is based on studies concerning their mineralogical characteristics, health effects, and waste disposal. It has been claimed and contradicted that asbestos harm is only found in air and humans. Asbestos fibers are found not only in industrial settings but also through the industrial use of asbestos cement products, which has contributed to asbestos emissions and its movement in water and soil. Asbestos fibers are diverse in their physicochemical properties, and this diversity has a significant influence on their behavior in the environment. Recent research has confirmed that asbestos can be transported by water and spread to other parts of the environment. However, the mechanisms underlying this, such as the settling of fibers, their attachment to soil particles, or their movement in groundwater, as well as the environmental and health implications, require further investigation. This paper examines the process and impact of asbestos contamination in the interconnected water, soil, and plant environmental sectors, providing a systematic review of the latest literature.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph22040505

Multidimensional comparison of life cycle footprint of hydrogen production technologies

A. Torma A. Zseni Péter Németh

Publication Name: Cleaner Engineering and Technology

Publication Date: 2025-02-01

Volume: 24

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Hydrogen as an energy carrier will play an important role in the future in achieving sustainable development goals in the energy and mobility sectors as well as to reach decarbonization goals. Currently adopted hydrogen strategies foresee a significant increase in the amount of hydrogen used in the future. To meet this increased volume in the most sustainable way, a careful analysis of potential hydrogen production technologies is necessary, considering real environmental impacts. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of different non-renewable and renewable hydrogen production technologies and evaluates their environmental effects based on global warming potential (GWP). Environmental footprint data discussed in this paper are based on published life-cycle assessment (LCA) results. As direct comparison of LCA results is difficult due to different LCA scenarios, selected system boundaries, various material components and manufacturing techniques, a novel multidimensional comparison approach was developed to understand LCA results better and to give a more comprehensive picture of environmental footprint components. In addition to methodological issues, the key influencing factors of the carbon footprint of different hydrogen production technologies were also identified. It is not possible to identify one stand-alone technology that would be the most environmentally friendly in all circumstances, it is essential to investigate all the technologies in the given context of use. Regarding water-splitting, it is outstandingly crucial to examine the source of the electricity because it strongly influences the GWP of this H2 production technology. If the GWP of the electricity is high, this technology could be more harmful to the environment than the steam methane reforming (SMR).

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2025.100902

Water quality of harvested rainwater from asbestos cement roofs and its suitability for irrigation

A. Torma Gergely Zoltán Macher Dóra Beke

Publication Name: Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: Unknown

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Rainwater harvesting is increasingly recognized as a sustainable solution for water management, especially in areas affected by water scarcity. However, the potential pollution risks linked to asbestos cement roofing materials, widely used in residential areas, have not been thoroughly explored. This paper addresses this gap by assessing the effects of asbestos cement roof degradation on the quality of harvested rainwater, focusing on its suitability for irrigation. The research combines controlled laboratory experiments and field-based sampling of rainwater in contact with asbestos cement surfaces. Significant changes in water quality were observed, notably, the analysis highlights a substantial increase in heavy metal contamination, including a 75.4% rise in mercury concentration and a dramatic 127.3% increase in lead levels. The findings underscore the need for extensive investigations into the impact of asbestos cement roofs on water quality in Hungary, considering the varying characteristics and contamination levels of asbestos cement products across countries as well as the limited existing scholarship on the subject in Hungary. This research is novel in its pioneering examination of the effects of asbestos cement roofing on harvested rainwater quality in Hungary, with a particular focus on heavy metal contamination (e.g., lead, mercury, zinc), which poses significant environmental and health risks.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1007/s10098-025-03197-7

Spectroscopi c Anal ysi s of Chrysoti l e Asbestos and i ts Environmental Resistance in Asbestos Cement Waste Products

A. Torma Christopher Teh Boon Sung Gergely Zoltán Macher Fanni Károly Szilveszter Gergely Dóra Beke

Publication Name: Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology

Publication Date: 2024-10-01

Volume: 32

Issue: 6

Page Range: 2441-2458

Description:

Most asbestos-related studies have focused on asbestos exposure risks, their associated health implications, and waste management issues. Our research introduced a unique perspective that has rarely been explored: the impact of environmental factors on asbestos cement products. The novelty of the study is that, in contrast to previous research, in addition to determining the material quality of asbestos, it analyses the trace materials, additives and the emissive nature of chrysotile fibers. This study aims to identify the chrysotile-asbestos content in three common asbestos cement products found in Hungary, with regard to the release of their fibers upon exposure to the environment and to identify trace elements that could be used to identify the origin and function of each of these products. Our analyses revealed the presence of chrysotile in each tested sample, with spectral matches ranging from 59.6% to 86.7%. Asbestos cement products exposed to various environmental influences for long periods showed a greater chrysotile emission capacity than those unexposed or hermetically sealed ones. Additionally, we established that all asbestos cement products contained glass fibers, with an average spectral match of 62.1%. We further identified polysilicate in the materials with an average spectral match of 66.0%, as it was included in asbestos cement products to enhance their heat resistance. Our results pave the way for a new methodology for assessing asbestos cement products with regard to the implementation of their trace element level assessments.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.47836/pjst.32.6.03

Comparison of Hydrogen Related Policies and Achievements between Latin America and Europe

A. Torma Péter Németh Susana Pérez Milicua Mendoza

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2024-01-01

Volume: 114

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 991-996

Description:

Hydrogen, and green hydrogen will be one of the dominant energy sources of the future, the application of which will support the achievement of existing decarbonisation targets and contribute to the smooth integration of renewables into energy infrastructure based on its energy storage characteristics. The goal of this study is to compare hydrogen-related policies and achievements between Latin America and Europe. The research employs a comprehensive literature review to assess existing policy frameworks, technological advancements, and economic impacts in both regions. Preliminary findings indicate that while Europe has developed a more structured and well-funded hydrogen economy, Latin America shows great potential due to its renewable energy resources but lags in policy coordination and investment. The significance of this work lies in identifying key gaps and opportunities, aiming to provide policy recommendations that can enhance hydrogen development strategies in both regions, ultimately contributing to global decarbonization efforts.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET24114166

Analysing the Sustainability Effects of Using Energy Storage Solutions at Eco-industrial Parks

A. Torma Géza Köteles

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2024-01-01

Volume: 114

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 1063-1068

Description:

The importance of energy storage is increasing to enhance the efficiency of energy grids and integrate renewable energy sources. This is particularly relevant for micro-communities that rely on decentralized energy sources and grids for part of their energy supply. Examples of such communities include internally settled electricity communities (ECs) and eco-industrial parks (EIPs). EIPs are industrial sites that operate according to the principles of industrial symbiosis (IS), prioritizing resource management and environmental stewardship by optimizing material and energy exchange networks. Industrial parks structured along the principles of industrial symbiosis often depend on renewable energy sources. Energy storage stabilizes renewable energy production and ensures the flexibility of energy supply. Energy storage enables ECs and EIPs to operate more energy-efficiently, facilitates the asynchronous mitigation of demand and capacity, reduces peak-period consumption and can also serve as a backup power source during emergencies. The aim of this article is to present an overview of the role and significance of energy storage in energy-communities and EIPs, underscore the potential for self-consumption of locally generated renewable energy, optimize the utilization of exchange connections, and provide an analysis of international research and industrial practices in this field. The literature review in this paper shows that energy storage and battery management play a key role in the optimal operation of ECs and in maximizing self-consumption, i.e. minimizing the load on the grid, and therefore minimizing the grid-wide sustainability effects.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET24114178

MULTILATERAL EVALUATION OF ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES - PROPOSAL OF AN INTEGRATED MODEL

A. Torma Géza Köteles

Publication Name: Iet Conference Proceedings

Publication Date: 2024-01-01

Volume: 2024

Issue: 8

Page Range: 76-81

Description:

There are many different solution available to meet a given energy demand. These solutions may differ significantly not only in their technical and economic characteristics but also in their effects on the environment. The purpose of this article is to present principles, considerations, and methods for a complex assessment of the production, conversion, transportation, storage, and end-use of various types of energy. The authors present seven distinct approaches, principles, and methodologies that are commonly employed to comprehend the consequences of various energy utilization solutions. The characteristics of each model and the range of information provided by each solution are presented through concrete examples. The applicability of different methods and approaches is also analysed comparatively. These methods have not yet been translated so far into a coherent, integrated model by either engineering practice or academia, although an accurate understanding of the impacts on the sustainability and energy trilemma necessitates applying as complex analytical solutions as possible. The objective of this article is to collate, evaluate, and harmonise a range of widely used energy usage evaluation models. The aim is to propose a coherent, integrated approach to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the environmental, technical, and financial implications of different energy utilisation approaches.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1049/icp.2024.2685

Analysing the Environmental Durability and Chrysotile Content of Asbestos Cement Products by FT-IR Spectroscopy

A. Torma Gergely Zoltán Macher Dóra Beke

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2024-01-01

Volume: 114

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 709-714

Description:

The aim of this paper is to examine the environmental resistance and chrysotile content of different asbestos cement products and to prove the relationship between these two factors by analytical results. The paper includes Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic analysis of asbestos cement pipes and asbestos cement products with corrugated and flat characteristics. The methodology of the study is based on FT-IR spectroscopy and general statistical approaches, and the results obtained are compared using correlation analysis. The background to the topic is that asbestos cement products are still widely used today despite their harmful effects on health, contrary to European Union asbestos-free targets. A damaged and eroded asbestos cement product loses several grams of asbestos and cement per year from its matrix structure, which is exacerbated by exposure to various environmental influences. The match rate of the chrysotile spectrum for analysed samples has been over 50 % in each case. In the number of measurements, the chrysotile detection rate was 7.64 % higher for degraded and eroded samples. In addition, in the samples exposed to environmental factors, the percentage variance was approximately 10 % or higher, with the exception of asbestos cement pipes. The results provide a basis for situational awareness options. Analytic practitioners, material science researchers, and analysts can use them.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET24114119

Objective well-being level (OWL) composite indicator for sustainable and resilient cities

Attila János Trájer Viktor Sebestyén A. Torma János Abonyi Endre Domokos

Publication Name: Ecological Indicators

Publication Date: 2024-01-01

Volume: 158

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Well-being is a critical element of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. Given the complexity of the concept of well-being, it follows that its measurement requires complex, multivariate methods that can characterize the physical, economic, social and environmental aspects along with the mental state of a city. Although it is not sufficient to carry out settlement-level analyses to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. It is necessary to understand patterns within settlements. This work aims to present how the urban macrostructure of urban well-being indicators can be estimated based on GIS-based multilayer analysis. Open-source data, e.g. road networks, points of interest, green spaces and vegetation, are used to estimate urban well-being parameters such as noise levels, air quality and health-related impacts supplemented by climate models to assess urban resilience and sustainability. The proposed methodology integrates 24 models into six categories, namely walkability, environment, health, society, climate change and safety, which are weighted based on a multilevel Principal Component Analysis to minimize information loss for aggregated composite indicators. The study revealed two main components of the macrostructure related to well-being in the studied city: one related to the geometrical features and the other can be derived from the structure of the natural environment. In Veszprém a natural restoration of the detached house area, industrial area and downtown is recommended including developments with green and blue infrastructural elements and nature-based solutions.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.111460

The Elimination of Illegal Waste in Hungary: New System of Sanctions and the First Results

A. Torma Anita Boros Gergely Zoltán Macher

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2024-01-01

Volume: 114

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 907-912

Description:

Illegal dumping is a persistent environmental challenge, with limited comprehensive data collection practices across EU Member States, leading to a lack of comparative databases on this issue. This paper addresses the problem by focusing on illegal dumping in Hungary and examining the development of a digital model for monitoring these activities, along with the characteristics and sanctions related to illegal dumping. By exploring waste management practices in the Visegrad Group Member States, this paper highlights the absence of systematic data collection and presents Hungary as a case example where citizens reported over 22,000 cases of illegal dumping in just six months via the WasteRadar application. The research findings underscore Hungary’s recent reforms, which introduced a nationwide database for tracking illegal dumping and imposed stricter sanctions aimed at mitigating the adverse environmental impacts of such activities. These actions signify important strides in addressing illegal dumping and improving environmental governance. This paper highlights the main characteristics of the reform of the Hungarian regulation, such as the advantages of the introduced method, such as establishing a country-wide database on illegal dumping and introducing significantly stricter sanctions on this activity to reduce the harmful environmental effects.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET24114152

A települési és mezogazdasági vízgazdálkodás azbeszt okozta kockázati tényezoi a krizotil-azbeszt vonatkozásában

A. Torma Gergely Zoltán Macher Dóra Beke

Publication Name: Agrokemia Es Talajtan

Publication Date: 2023-06-21

Volume: 72

Issue: 1

Page Range: 44-63

Description:

No description provided

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1556/0088.2023.00147

Hydrogen Policy Environment in the European Union, Current Status of Policy Uptake

A. Torma Péter Németh Barna Hanula

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2023-01-01

Volume: 107

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 499-504

Description:

Hydrogen (H2) can become a crucial technology in building an independent and resilient energy infrastructure. The production and utilisation of green hydrogen will play a crucial role in the energy environment of the European Union in the future. Several strategies were defined, and policy actions were taken. H2 has a comparably high lower heating value and no direct harmful emission during use, so it presents a viable alternative for conventional energy carriers. Independently from the final form of usage, H2 will play a key role in integrating green electricity into the grid, as according to the state-of-the-art, large-scale, long-term energy storage is only feasible in molecules containing H2. H2-based mobility solutions could offer a viable technology for sustainable transportation. This article investigates H2 production and demand in the EU, as well as the directives and incentives of the EU to accelerate H2 production and H2 technologies in general. Based on the existing policies and applications, it reviews the up-to-date status of policy uptake within the EU and gives insights into the different preparedness for the transition to a H2-based energy system of the Member States.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET23107084

Sustainability Opportunities and Barriers at Universities, Development of a Sustainable University Environment

A. Torma Eszter Lukács Bálint Filep Péter Németh

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2023-01-01

Volume: 107

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 505-510

Description:

Nowadays, one of the most crucial environmental, social, and economic questions is how to build a sustainable future for the following generations. This is a vital challenge because we live in a historical age due to the over-utilization of CO2-intensive technologies. Thanks to this practice, greenhouse gas emission is increasing yearly; biodiversity is decreasing dramatically. It is essential for our environment that universities play a leading role in the actions that can eliminate these adverse effects. This paper introduces the status of the uptake of sustainability-related issues and targets in the Higher Education (HE) sector. It emphasizes the necessity of the comparable evaluation of these activities by introducing current sustainability ranking systems. Some barriers disable the transition to a sustainable working model for universities. The paper identifies these barriers and makes suggestions for eliminating them through the example of Széchenyi István University’s practice and sustainability action plan. The main obstacles to sustainability in the HE sector incorporate budget constraints, resistance to change, lack of planning and focus, lack of applicability, and continuity of actions. The suggested sixteen action points in this paper could support the immediate change in the attitude to sustainability-related topics at operational levels. These suggestions support the attitude formation at each level of the decision-making process.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET23107085

Integrated Analysis and Assessment of the Hungarian Regions in Terms of Health Problems and Waste Management Challenges caused by Asbestos

A. Torma Gergely Zoltán Macher Dóra Beke

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2023-01-01

Volume: 107

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 361-366

Description:

Nowadays, more information is available regarding the health problems and waste management challenges caused by asbestos, and the research directions that focus on alternative agents, transport processes and mobilization routes of asbestos have gained ground. Only in recent years has the published research on the subject begun to deal more intensively with the development of evaluation methods that would ensure the consistent numerical qualification of individual territorial units. This paper examines the exposure of certain regions of Hungary along the lines of asbestos-related waste management and health aspects. After that, the individual relationships were identified and explored based on the specific patterns of the formed groups. The methodology of this paper is the calculation of an internationally applied integral index, the advantage of which is that it enables the comparison of numerical values with different dimensions. The focus of research is not the development of a new scientific methodology, but rather an exploration of the situation and regional comparability of asbestos exposure that is much more multidisciplinary, complex and multidimensional than the previous viewpoints. The value of the calculated integral index was 0.310±0.155 in 2005, while 0.339±0.170 in 2020. The rate of change in the value of the asbestos involvement and exposure integral index shows an increase of +28.5 % between 2005 and 2020. Based on the results, there are significant differences between the individual regions of Hungary along the values of the calculated multidimensional integral indices.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET23107061

Parameter dependence of fuzzy cognitive maps' behaviour

F. Hatwágner A. Torma L. T. Koczy

Publication Name: 2015 10th Asian Control Conference Emerging Control Techniques for A Sustainable World Ascc 2015

Publication Date: 2015-09-08

Volume: Unknown

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Stakeholder Relationship Management Systems (SRMS) are conventionally analyzed by a static way, which hides the interconnections of the system. Authors investigated a novel approach to make the evaluation of the interconnections of the SRMS and their behavior achievable. The Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCM) is a proper tool to investigate the properties of SRMS. The simulation of SRMS with FCM supports the business management process and different project support activities. If the factors of SRMS themselves, the initial states of them and causality relations among them are already determined, a simulation can be easily carried out. In some specific situations the results of the simulation is hard to use in practice, however. If the differences between factor states are very small, the order (importance) of factors cannot be defined. In such cases the modification of the threshold function's parameter can help to better separate final factor states. This paper deals with the investigation of this approach.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1109/ASCC.2015.7244823

Simulation of Causal Relations of Stakeholder Management System by Using Fuzzy Cognitive Map Approach - A Comparison of Hungarian and Lithuanian Attitudes

F. Hatwágner D. Susniene Daiva Žostautiene A. Torma L. T. Koczy

Publication Name: Procedia Computer Science

Publication Date: 2015-01-01

Volume: 65

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 880-890

Description:

Stakeholder Relationship Management Systems (SRMS) describe the general behavior of stakeholder relations at organizations. Knowing the interactions between the drivers of the SRMS helps to improve the efficiency of the whole system. This paper investigates the applicability of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCM) to simulate the system dynamics and the causal connections within it. Previous investigations showed that FCM is a proper tool to analyze these relations and with the help of that the business management process and decision making in projects can be supported. The aim of this paper is to present the results of current simulations made with the help of FCM at Lithuanian and Hungarian organizations and to explain the causes of the identified differences. Beside that the paper investigates the influences of the modification of the threshold function's parameter on the final factor states.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.procs.2015.09.047

Using Fuzzy Cognitive Map approach to model the casual relationships in stakeholder management at companies

F. Hatwágner D. Susniene A. Buruzs A. Torma L. T. Koczy

Publication Name: 5th IEEE International Conference on Cognitive Infocommunications Coginfocom 2014 Proceedings

Publication Date: 2014-01-23

Volume: Unknown

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 121-124

Description:

The aim of this paper is to investigate the operation of a Stakeholder Relationship Management System (SRMS) as a method for business management and project support by fuzzy approach. The criteria defined in connection with the SRMS will be modelled by using the Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM) approach in order to define the causality and weights of interconnections between the factors and to support decision making in that way.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1109/CogInfoCom.2014.7020431