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PubMed2000

Development of a pollution prevention and energy efficiency clearinghouse for biomedical research facilities.

This is the report of the National Association of Physicians for the Environment Committee on Development of a Pollution Prevention and Energy Efficiency Clearinghouse for Biomedical Research Facilities from the Leadership Conference on Biomedical Research and the Environment held at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, on 1--2 November 1999. A major goal of the conference was the establishment of a World Wide Web-based clearinghouse, which would lend tremendous resources to the biomedical research community by providing access to a database of peer-reviewed articles and references dealing with a host of aspects of biomedical research relating to energy efficiency, pollution prevention, and waste reduction. A temporary website has been established with the assistance of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regions III and IV, where a pilot site provides access to the EPA's existing databases on these topics. A system of peer review for articles and promising techniques still must be developed, but a glimpse of topics and search engines is available for comment and review on the EPA Region IV-supported website (http://wrrc.p2pays.org/).

Biomedical Technology↗
PubMed1999

Testing their metal.

Metals continually rank at the top of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's annual list of agents that pose the greatest hazard to the people of the United States. Metals aren't going away, either. They do not biodegrade, and they often concentrate in human and animal cells and tissue. Many metals are known human and animal carcinogens, while many others are suspected to play a role in cancer. Little is known, however, about the mechanisms by which metals cause cancer.

Arsenic Poisoning↗
PubMed1998

Blood lead levels of pregnant women from the Klang Valley.

A study was conducted to compare the blood lead levels of 97 pregnant women warded at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, according to their ethnicity, residence and place of work. The lead content of venous blood samples was determined with a graphic furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. Blood lead levels of Klang Valley women seem to have decreased from 17.3 micrograms/dl in 1982 to 7.71 micrograms/dl in the present study most probably attributed to the phasing out of leaded gasoline. This level is below the 10 micrograms/dl recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the public, even though 27.8% of them still have blood lead levels that are equal to or in excess of 10 micrograms/dl. The study shows that certain segments of the population such as Indians (geometric mean = 9.35 micrograms/dl) and housewives (geometric mean = 9.55 micrograms/dl) may still experience blood lead levels that are slightly elevated than the rest of the population.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pesticide exposures to children from California's Central Valley: results of a pilot study.

In response to concerns about pesticide use and evidence that contaminants may accumulate in house dust, the California Department of Health Services (DHS) conducted a pilot study of pesticide contamination in rural children's home environments. House dust samples for pesticide analysis were collected from eleven homes, five of which had at least one farmworker (FW) resident. Handwipe samples were collected from one child at each residence (ages 1-3 years). Ten of 33 pesticides tested in house dust were detected. Excluding non-detects, concentrations for diazinon ranged from 0.7-169 ppm in four FW homes and 0.2-2.5 ppm in three non-farmworker (NFW) homes (overall median = 1 ppm), suggesting a difference between FW and NFW homes. Chlorpyrifos ranged from 0.2-33 ppm in three FW homes and < 1 ppm in two NFW homes (overall median < 0.5 ppm). All other pesticides were detected at < 2 ppm at four or fewer homes. The sources of these compounds could not be determined. Co-located samples were considerably different in concentration and loading, indicating intra-household variation. Of nine compounds tested, diazinon and chlorpyrifos were found on the hands of two or three FW children (20-220 ng/hand). Dust ingestion scenarios show child exposures could exceed the United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Program diazinon chronic reference dose (9 x 10(5) mg/kg/day). The results suggested that pesticide residues are present in the home environment of some California children and are likely to contribute to exposures. Additional research is feasible and needed to assess the magnitude and distribution of these risks.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2003

PCB congener distribution in estuarine water, sediment and fish samples: implications for monitoring programs.

Traditional analyses for PCBs in environmental matrices have focused on commercial Aroclor mixtures with detection limits in the 100 to 1000 part per trillion range. This approach has recently been supplanted by analyses for specific PCB compounds called congeners with detection limits less than 0.5 ppt. At the national level, total PCB determinations based upon selected PCB congeners typically characterize analyses of surface water, sediment and tissue. These federal efforts rely on a suite of 18 to 20 congeners out of a total of 209 congeners to characterize total PCB. The present study compares total PCB estimates based upon this subset of congeners with estimates based upon an expanded list of 81 congeners from water, sediment and fish tissue collected from the Delaware Estuary. Analytical data from monitoring programs conducted in the Delaware Estuary by the Delaware River Basin Commission, NOAA National Ocean Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from 1996 to 1998 were evaluated. Total PCB estimates derived from the different sets of congeners, including the adjustment factor of 2.0 used by NOAA, were compared. This evaluation indicated that differences exist between total PCB determinations based upon these approaches, and that these differences vary depending on the matrix analyzed. The bias associated with using a smaller set of PCB congeners, and the implications for risk assessment are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Blood mercury levels in US children and women of childbearing age, 1999-2000.

CONTEXT: Humans are exposed to methylmercury, a well-established neurotoxin, through fish consumption. The fetus is most sensitive to the adverse effects of exposure. The extent of exposure to methylmercury in US women of reproductive age is not known. OBJECTIVE: To describe the distribution of blood mercury levels in US children and women of childbearing age and the association with sociodemographic characteristics and fish consumption. DESIGN AND SETTING: The 1999-2000 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a cross-sectional survey of the noninstitutionalized US population. PARTICIPANTS: In 1999-2000, 1250 children aged 1 to 5 years and 2314 women aged 16 to 49 years were selected to participate in the survey. Household interviews, physical examinations, and blood mercury levels assessments were performed on 705 children (56% response rate) and 1709 women (74% response rate). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Blood concentration of total mercury. RESULTS: Blood mercury levels were approximately 3-fold higher in women compared with children. The geometric mean concentration of total blood mercury was 0.34 micro g/L (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.39 microg/L) in children and 1.02 microg/L (95% CI, 0.85-1.20 microg/L) in women. Geometric mean mercury levels were almost 4-fold higher among women who ate 3 or more servings of fish in the past 30 days compared with women who ate no fish in that period (1.94 microg/L vs 0.51 microg/L; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Measures of mercury exposure in women of childbearing age and young children generally fall below levels of concern. However, approximately 8% of women had concentrations higher than the US Environmental Protection Agency's recommended reference dose (5.8 microg/L), below which exposures are considered to be without adverse effects. Women who are pregnant or who intend to become pregnant should follow federal and state advisories on consumption of fish.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Novel use of a dual-zone restricted access sorbent: normal-phase solid-phase extraction separation of methyl oleate from polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons stemming from semi-permeable membrane devices.

A normal-phase solid-phase extraction (SPE) method was developed utilizing a dual-zone restricted-access sorbent to separate methyl oleate from the 16 US Environmental Protection Agency priority-pollutant polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in a hexane matrix. This technique represents a new development in SPE methodology expanding the limited number of available normal-phase SPE sorbents. While based on a specific application (removal of methyl oleate from semipermeable membrane device extracts), this cleanup method could easily be adapted for other uses requiring the removal/isolation of methyl oleate and potentially related compounds.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed2003

Organochlorines, lead, and mercury in Akwesasne Mohawk youth.

Most humans have detectable body burdens of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and p,p'-dichlorophenyldichloroethylene p,p'-DDE), a metabolite of p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). Native American communities may be at increased risk of exposure through subsistence-based diets and greater physical contact with contaminated soil and water. In this article we describe the levels of toxicants (PCBs, p,p'-DDE, HCB, mirex, lead, and mercury) among youth 10-17 years old (n = 271) of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation. Ultratrace, congener-specific PCB analysis of human serum quantitated 83 PCB congeners (plus 18 as pairs/triplets), in addition to p,p'-DDE, HCB, and mirex, and included all major Aroclor-derived congeners typically present in human samples. Twenty congeners (in 16 chromatographic peaks) were detected in 50% or more of the individuals sampled [geometric mean (GM) of the sum of these congeners = 0.66 ppb]. Thirteen congeners (in 10 peaks) were detected in 75% or more of the samples (GM = 0.51 ppb). Of the 20 congeners detected in 50% or more of the samples, 17 had five or more chlorine substitutions. International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry congeners 118, 101(+90), and 153 were detected in nearly all participants (GM = 0.06 ppb, 0.05 ppb, 0.09 ppb, respectively). p,p'-DDE and HCB were detected in 100% and 98% of the samples (GM: p,p'-DDE = 0.37 ppb; HCB = 0.03 ppb). Mirex was detected in approximately 46% of the samples (GM = 0.02 ppb). No cases of elevated lead level were observed. One participant had a mercury level marginally higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's current level of concern (0.50 microg/dL). Although differences in analytic methods and participant ages limit comparability, toxicant levels from the Mohawk youth are lower than those associated with severe food contamination (Yusho and Yu-cheng) but similar to other chronically exposed groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Reestablishing public health and land use planning to protect public water supplies.

OBJECTIVES: This study measured the extent to which land use, design, and engineering practices could reduce contamination of major public water supplies. METHODS: Key parcels of land were identified in New Jersey, and the potential uncontrolled loading of contaminants was estimated with the US Environmental Protection Agency's Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment model for a variety of land use, design, and engineering scenarios. RESULTS: High-density per-acre development and engineering controls, along with housing and light commercial activity near main railroads, would substantially reduce runoff. CONCLUSIONS: In New Jersey, government and purveyor action is being taken as a result of, and in support of, these findings.

Benchmarking↗
PubMed2000

ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING: Chemical Characteristics of Urban Stormwater Sediments and Implications for Environmental Management, Maricopa County, Arizona.

/ Investigations of the chemical characteristics of urban stormwater sediments in the rapidly growing Phoenix metropolitan area of Maricopa County, Arizona, showed that the inorganic component of these sediments generally reflects geologic background values. Some concentrations of metals were above background values, especially cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc, indicating an anthropogenic contribution of these elements to the sediment chemistry. Concentrations, however, were not at levels that would require soil remediation according to guidelines of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Arsenic concentrations generally were above recommended values for remediation at a few sites, but these concentrations seem to reflect geologic rather than anthropogenic factors. Several organochlorine compounds no longer in use were ubiquitous in the Phoenix area, although concentrations generally were low. Chlordane, DDT and its decay products DDE and DDD, dieldrin, toxaphene, and PCBs were found at almost all sites sampled, although some of the pesticides in which these compounds are found have been banned for almost 30 years. A few sites showed exceptionally high concentrations of organochlorine compounds.On the basis of published guidelines, urban stormwater sediments do not appear to constitute a major regional environmental problem with respect to the chemical characteristics investigated here. At individual sites, high concentrations of organic compounds-chlordane, dieldrin, PCBs, and toxaphene-may require some attention. The possible environmental hazard presented by low-level organochlorine contamination is not addressed in this paper; however, high levels of toxicity in urban sediments are difficult to explain. Sediment toxicity varied significantly with time, which indicates that these tests should be evaluated carefully before they are used for management decisions.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Quantification of ozone levels in indoor environments generated by ionization and ozonolysis air purifiers.

Indoor air purifiers are advertised as safe household products for health-conscious individuals, especially for those suffering from allergies and asthma. However, certain air purifiers produce ozone (O3) during operation, either intentionally or as a byproduct of air ionization. This is a serious concern, because O3 is a criteria air pollutant regulated by health-related federal and state standards. Several types of air purifiers were tested for their ability to produce ozone in various indoor environments at 40-50% relative humidity, including office rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms, and cars. O3 levels generated by personal wearable air purifiers were also tested. In many cases, O3 concentrations were well in excess of public and/or industrial safety levels established by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Simple kinetic equations were obtained that can predict the steady-state level of O3 in a room from the O3 emission rate of the air purifier and the first-order decay rate of O3 in the room. The additivity of O3 levels generated by independent O3 generators was experimentally demonstrated.

Air Conditioning↗
PubMed2004

Breast cancer incidence and exposure to environmental chemicals in 82 counties in Mississippi.

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is a major public health problem in the United States and in most industrialized countries. Environmental exposure to several chemicals has been implicated in the cause of breast cancer. However, data are not consistent about the role of the environment in breast cancer incidence. To assess environmental risks for breast cancer, patterns of breast cancer incidence in relation to environmental chemicals in Mississippi counties were mapped. METHODS: This article presents an analysis of age-adjusted incidence rates of female breast cancer and environmental chemical emissions by county in the state of Mississippi. The incidence data were obtained from the State Department of Health, and emissions data sources included the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Air-Data and Toxics Release Inventory Program. RESULTS: Counties having a significantly higher incidence of breast cancer compared with the state's rate were identified. Also identified were counties with higher levels of chemical emissions. The incidence of breast cancer in 1998 was significantly associated with the amount of ammonia (r = 0.268, P = 0.015), minimum emissions (r = 0.233, P = 0.035), and maximum emissions (r = 0.237, P = 0.032) of the facilities in the county. A linear dose-response relationship was observed between increased amounts of chemical emissions and breast cancer incidence. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a significant link between breast cancer incidence and maximum emissions of environmental chemicals. However, further research using individual-level data is needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Problems associated with the application of short-term tests for mutagenicity in mass-screening programs.

The application of short-term tests for toxicological evaluation of environmental chemicals is certainly a reality in the near future as a result of the Toxic Substances Control Act, as well as other regulations under development [de Serres, 1977]. Many of the problems associated with this testing in the area of genetic toxicology are under study at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in our National Toxicology Program and at the Environmental Protection Agency in their Gene-Tox Program. The other problems that I have discussed in connection with standardization of protocols, protocol review and modification, and training of personnel are not being pursued aggressively. Perhaps with their definition and acceptance as meaningful problems, mechanisms will be established for their resolution. It is in these latter areas that I hope that this society can provide the forceful leadership that will result in their resolution in the near future.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Characterisation of a reference site for quantifying uncertainties related to soil sampling.

The paper reports a methodology adopted to face problems related to quality assurance in soil sampling. The SOILSAMP project, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency of Italy (APAT), is aimed at (i) establishing protocols for soil sampling in different environments; (ii) assessing uncertainties associated with different soil sampling methods in order to select the "fit-for-purpose" method; (iii) qualifying, in term of trace elements spatial variability, a reference site for national and international inter-comparison exercises. Preliminary results and considerations are illustrated.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Conceptual basis for multi-route intake dose modeling using an energy expenditure approach.

This paper provides the conceptual basis for a modeling logic that is currently being developed in the National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in intake dose assessments involving substances that can enter the body via multiple routes of exposure. NERL is simultaneously developing a consolidated human activity database that will provide much of the data needed to parameterize equations used to implement the logic. EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) is, in part, using the logic in its on-going review of the carbon monoxide national ambient air quality standard.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed2000

Development of a sample equilibration system for the TEOM continuous PM monitor.

In recent years, scientific discussion has included the influence of thermodynamic conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, and filter face velocity) on PM retention efficiency of filter-based samplers and monitors. Method-associated thermodynamic conditions can, in some instances, dramatically influence the presence of particle-bound water and other light-molecular-weight chemical components such as particulate nitrates and certain organic compounds. The measurement of fine particle mass presents a new challenge for all PM measurement methods, since a relatively greater fraction of the mass is semi-volatile. The tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) continuous PM monitor is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) PM10 equivalent method (EQPM-1090079). Several hundred of these monitors are deployed throughout the United States. The TEOM monitor has the unique characteristic of providing direct PM mass measurement without the calibration uncertainty inherent in mass surrogate methods. In addition, it provides high-precision, near-real-time continuous data automatically. Much attention has been given to semi-volatile species retention of the TEOM method.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2004

Characterization of the fugitive particulate emissions from construction mud/dirt carryout.

Although the fugitive dust associated with construction mud/dirt carryout can represent a substantial portion of the particulate matter (PM) emissions inventory in nonattainment areas, it has not been well characterized by direct sampling methods. In this paper, a research program is described that directly determined both PM10 and PM2.5 (particles < or =10 and 2.5 microm in classical aerodynamic diameter, respectively) emission factors for mud/dirt carryout from a major construction project located in metropolitan Kansas City, MO. The program also assessed the contribution of automotive emissions to the total PM2.5 burden and determined the baseline emissions from the test road. As part of the study, both time-integrated and continuous exposure-profiling methods were used to assess the PM emissions, including particle size and elemental composition. This research resulted in overall PM10 and PM2.5 emission factors of 6 and 0.2 g/vehicle, respectively. Although PM10 is within the range of prior U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance, the PM2.5 emission factor is far lower than previous estimates published by EPA. In addition, based on both the particle size and chemical data obtained in the study, a major portion of the PM2.5 emissions appears to be attributable to automotive exhaust from light-duty, gasoline-powered vehicles and not to the fugitive dust associated with reentrained mud/dirt carryout.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2006

Correlation test between indoor radon and surficial gamma radiation in Northern Virginia.

In northern Virginia, significant indoor radon differences occur due to soil chemistry, home heating system and precipitation. Homes constructed on soil over some geological units had indoor radon that exceeded the United States Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Concentration Level of 4 picoCuries/liter for home buyers. Seasons with more precipitation tend to have higher average indoor radon. Homes with electrical heating systems averaged almost 50% higher indoor radon than homes with gas or oil furnaces. Comparisons between indoor radon and soil radon show a positive correlation, suggesting that soil aero radioactivity measurements can delineate areas with a high potential for indoor radon.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗