Predicting Radon Testing Among University Employees

Abstract

To determine covariates of radon testing behavior, we surveyed by mail a random sample of all Boston University employees (N = 915) six to nine months after they had been informed of the availability of radon testing services through the University's medical center. The response rate was 58%. Analysis suggests blue collar workers were underrepresented within the response rate. Slightly more than half of the respondents (51%) were men. The majority (69%) were under the age of 45. Twenty-seven percent of the respondents (N = 143) had tested their homes for radon. Bivariate analysis revealed important differences between radon testers and nontesters. Testers were 12 times more likely to be home owners than renters (p = 0.00), and were more knowledgeable about radon's characteristics and testing procedures (p = 0.00). Testers were more likely to view radon as a serious problem (p = 0.00), to consider radon testing efficacious (p = 0.00), and to consider themselves susceptible to exposure (p = 0.00). Testers were also less likely to perceive barriers to radon testing. We used logistic regression to compare the usefulness of the Health Belief Model and the Diffusion of Innovations Model in predicting radon testing. We concluded that the knowledge deficits and barriers to radon testing identified in this study should be targeted in radon educational interventions.     

Models to Estimate Volatile Organic Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions from Municipal Sewer Systems

Abstract

Emissions from municipal sewers are usually omitted from hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emission inventories. This omission may result from a lack of appreciation for the potential emission impact and/or from inadequate emission estimation procedures. This paper presents an analysis and comparison of the models available to estimate volatile organic HAP (VOHAP) emissions from sewers. Comparisons were made between the different theoretical foundations of the models, as well as between the emissions predicted by the models for a single sewer component. Sewer gas concentrations predicted by the models were also compared to measured sewer gas concentrations reported in the literature. Two of the models were compared in their ability to estimate sewer VOHAP emissions for a large U. S. city using National Pollution Discharge Effluent System data for the influent wastewater to the city's municipal wastewater treatment facilities. This estimate showed that, regardless of the model used, sewer emissions are a potentially significant source of VOHAP emissions in the urban environment. The choice of model, however, is thought to be less critical to sewer emission estimates than the source of sewer wastewater VOHAP concentration data.     

A Tracer Study of Headspace Ventilation in a Collector Sewer

ABSTRACT

A field-scale tracer test was conducted to evaluate in-situ ventilation rates in a major collector sewer. The sewer under study was ~11 km long and ranged from 0.61 to 2.1 m in diameter. For the purposes of the tracer testing, the collector was divided into four reaches, each of which was tested individually. The tracer test involved injecting a measured volume of CO gas into a manhole over a short time period. CO concentrations were then measured in the collector headspace at selected manholes along the length of the reach.

The technique employed successfully measured average headspace velocities over extended lengths of the collector. In a section that had a relatively stagnant headspace, ~1.1 km of sewer could be evaluated, with substantial tracer loss attributed to losses to manholes. In a section of the sewer with elevated headspace velocities, a section ~7.0 km long was successfully tested with one injection of tracer gas. The velocities observed in the collector varied substantially with time and location in the collector. The lowest velocities measured were in the upstream sections, with a minimum observed value of 3.8 m/min. The highest velocities were observed in the downstream sections, with a maximum value of 31.5 m/min. The presence of a substantial drop structure appeared to reduce the headspace velocity in the upstream reach. In general, there was an increasing trend in gas-phase flows with distance along the length of the collector. Flows at the discharge end of the collector were almost 2 orders of magnitude greater than those at the beginning.     

An Ex Post Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Nitrogen Dioxide Air Pollution Control Program in Tokyo

ABSTRACT

The benefits and costs of past nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) control policies were calculated for Tokyo, Japan, using environmental, economic, political, demographic, and medical data from 1973 to 1994. The benefits of NO₂ control were estimated as medical expenses and lost work time due to hypothetical no-control air concentrations of NO₂. Direct costs were calculated as annualized capital expenditures and 1 year's operating costs for regulated industries plus governmental agency expenses. The major findings were as follows:

(1) Using Tokyo's average medical cost of pollution-related illness, the best net estimate of the avoided medical costs due to incidence of phlegm and sputum in adults was 730 billion yen ($6.08 billion; 1 U.S. dollar = 120 yen).

(2) The best net estimate of the avoided medical costs due to incidence of lower respiratory illness in children was 93 billion yen ($775 million).

(3) Using Tokyo's average duration of pollution-related illness and average wages, the best net estimate of the avoided costs of lost wages in workers was 760 billion yen ($6.33 billion).

(4) The best net estimate of the avoided costs of lost wages in mothers caring for their sick children was 100 billion yen ($833 million).

(5) Using Tokyo-specific data, the best net costs were estimated as 280 billion yen ($2.33 billion).

(6) Using human health and productivity benefits, and annualized capital cost and operating cost estimates, the best net benefits-to-costs ratio was 6:1 (upper limit 44:1; lower limit 0.3:1). Benefit calculations were sensitive to assumptions of mobile source emissions and certain health impacts that were not included. Cost calculations were highly dependent on assumptions of flue gas volume and fuel use. For comparative purposes, we identified other studies for air pollution-related illness. Assumptions that formed the basis for most of the inputs in the present study, such as duration of illness, medical treatment costs, per person illness in children, and lost wages for working mothers, were similar to those recommended in the literature. Lost wages in sick workers and per capita illness incidence in adults were higher than numbers reported elsewhere. Further advances in cost-benefit analysis (CBA) procedures to evaluate the economic effectiveness of NO₂ controls in Tokyo are recommended to estimate impacts and values for additional human health benefits, ecosystem health and productivity effects, and nonliving system effects, as well as benefits of ancillary reductions in other pollutants. The present study suggests that Tokyo's past NO₂ control policies in total were economically quite effective.     

Impact of Microenvironmental Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations on Personal Exposures in Australia

ABSTRACT

Indoor and outdoor NO₂ concentrations were measured and compared with simultaneously measured personal exposures of 57 office workers in Brisbane, Australia. House characteristics and activity patterns were used to determine the impacts of these factors on personal exposure. Indoor NO₂ levels and the presence of a gas range in the home were significantly associated with personal exposure. The time-weighted average of personal exposure was estimated using NO₂ measurements in indoor home, indoor workplace, and outdoor home levels. The estimated personal exposures were closely correlated, but they significantly underestimated the measured personal exposures. Multiple regression analysis using other nonmeasured microenvironments indicated the importance of transportation in personal exposure models. The contribution of transportation to the error of prediction of personal exposure was confirmed in the regression analysis using the multinational study database.     

Predicting black smoke levels from deposit gauge and SO2 data to estimate long-term exposure in the United Kingdom, 1956–1961

BackgroundIn the UK air quality has been monitored systematically since 1914, providing valuable data for studies of the long-term trends in air pollution and potentially for studies of health effects of air pollutants. There are, however, challenges in interpreting these data due to changes over time in the number and location of monitored sites, and in monitoring techniques. Particulate matter was measured as deposited matter (DM) using deposit gauge monitors until the 1950s when black smoke (BS) filters were introduced. Estimating long-term exposure to particulates using data from both deposit gauge and BS monitors requires an understanding of the relationships between DM, SO₂ and BS.AimsTo explore whether DM and/or SO₂, along with seasonal and location specific variables can be used to predict BS levels.MethodsAir quality data were abstracted from hard copies of the monthly Atmospheric Pollution Bulletins for the period April 1956–March 1961 for any sites with co-located DM, SO₂ and BS data for three or more consecutive years. The relationships between DM, SO₂, and BS were assessed using mixed models.ResultsThere were 34 eligible sites giving 1521 triplets of data. There was a consistent correlation between SO₂ and BS at all sites, but the association between DM and BS was less clear and varied by location. Mixed modelling allowing for repeat measurements at each site revealed that SO₂, year, rainfall and season of measurement explained 72% of the variability in BS levels.ConclusionsSO₂ can be used as a surrogate measure for BS in all monitoring locations. This surrogate can be improved upon by consideration of site specific characteristics, seasonal effects, rainfall and year of measurement. These findings will help in estimating historic, long-term exposure to particulates where BS or other measures are not available.     

山地城市合流污水特细砂来源

对三峡库区山地城市合流制污水特细砂、管道沉积物、本地土壤等进行矿物成分分析表明，污水中特细砂矿物成分以石英、方解石，长石类为主，并含有少量云母、赤铁矿和石膏等矿物；认为特细砂主要来自周边砂壤质地土壤、风化岩石和地表沉积物；山地城市合流制管网（污水常规收集方式），山涧、边沟和冲沟（污水特殊收集方式）是细砂迁移的途径；生活污水和雨水是细砂迁移的载体；中亚热带湿润季风气候，加速成土母质主要是侏罗系紫色砂质岩、泥岩和石灰岩风化，而山地、丘陵地貌特征和充沛的雨量强化合流雨污水冲刷作用，导致水土流失加剧。因此，对于山地城市合流污水特细砂的治理，需要从合流制管网建设完善、水土流失防治、生活小区统一规划和污水处理厂除砂系统优化等多个方面进行控制。     

A Survey of Nitrogen Dioxide Levels Measured Inside Mobile Homes

As part of the California Mobile Home Study, over 250 mobile homes from throughout the state were monitored for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations. Week-long average measurements were taken with Palmes tubes in the kitchen and bedroom of each mobile home during the summer of 1984 and the winter of 1985. The study was conducted entirely by mail with the participants providing all the necessary information. Mobile homes using gas for cooking had significantly higher indoor NO₂ levels than those using electricity. Mobile homes located in the Los Angeles basin had significantly higher indoor NO₂ concentrations than did mobile homes in the rest of the state. Gas cooking, the inverse of the house volume and geographic location (as a surrogate of outdoor NO₂) were the most important variables identified by multiple linear regression.     

The persistence and disappearance by washoff and dryfall of methoxychlor from soybean foliage—a preliminary study

Abstract

The persistence and disappearance (washoff or dryfall) of methoxychlor [2,2‐bis(p‐methoxypheny1)‐1,1,1‐trichloroethane] from mature soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] foliage was investigated in a small field plot study under natural rainfall conditions in 1977 and 1978. Residue analyses were conducted using whole plant samples‐ Methoxychlor washoff rate was 8±4% of the amount on plants (prior to rain) per centimeter of rainfall, regardless of time after application. Total seasonal washoff for 1978 accounted for 33.5% of the applied pesticide; however, 30.5% of the total loss was removed by washoff on the second day after application. Dryfall or dislodgeable residue accounted for less than 1% of the amount applied. The amount of dryfall was significantly greater in plots entered by workers than in those where entry was avoided. More than 19% of the applied methoxychlor was lost as a result of through‐fall to the ground during application to the plots. Statistical analyses indicated that within‐sample variation for mechanical chopping of plant samples was significantly smaller at the 5% level than for a hand chopping method. Results from this study will be useful in defining research objectives for the development of algorithms to describe the behavior of foliar‐applied compounds. Such algorithms are necessary for estimating runoff losses of insecticides to water bodies.     

An evaluation of the urban stormwater pollutant removal efficiency of catch basin inserts.

In a storm sewer system, the catch basin is the interface between surface runoff and the sewer. Responding to the need to improve the quality of stormwater from urban areas and transportation facilities, and spurred by Phase I and II Stormwater Rules from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, several companies market catch basin inserts as best management practices for urban water quality management. However, little data have been collected under controlled tests that indicate the pollutant removal efficiency of these inserts when the inflow is near what can be expected to occur in the field. A stormwater simulator was constructed to test inserts under controlled and replicable conditions. The inserts were tested for removal efficiency of total suspended solids (TSS) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) at an inflow rate of 757 to 814 L/min, with influent pollutant concentrations of 225 mg/L TSS and 30 mg/L TPH. These conditions are similar to stormwater runoff from small commercial sites in the southeastern United States. Results from the tests indicate that at the test flowrate and pollutant concentration, average TSS removal efficiencies ranged from 11 to 42% and, for TPH, the removal efficiency ranged from 10 to 19%.     

Potential for CSO treatment with horizontal flow constructed wetlands: influence of hydraulic load,plant presence and loading frequency

This study aimed at analysing the performance of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (CWs) to treat combined sewer overflow (CSO). Four horizontal subsurface flow CWs, organized in two groups (A and B) each with a planted (Phragmites australis) and a non-planted bed, were loaded with simulated CSO, with group B receiving twice the hydraulic load of group A. Beds were monitored for pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, redox potential, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS) and enterococci. Porosity variations were also estimated. Monitoring was conducted during spring and wintertime, with regular and irregular loading frequencies. Results showed an average treatment efficiency of 90–100 % for TSS, 60–90 % for COD and 2–6 log for enterococci. Removal rates were especially relevant in the first 24 h for COD and TSS. TSS and enterococci removal did not exhibit the influence of macrophytes or the applied hydraulic load while COD’s removal efficiency was lower in the higher load group and in planted beds.

     

A review of bioretention components and nutrient removal under different climates—future directions for tropics

Bioretention systems have been implemented as stormwater best management practices (BMPs) worldwide to treat non-point sources pollution. Due to insufficient research, the design guidelines for bioretention systems in tropical countries are modeled after those of temperate countries. However, climatic factors and stormwater runoff characteristics are the two key factors affecting the capacity of bioretention system. This paper reviews and compares the stormwater runoff characteristics, bioretention components, pollutant removal requirements, and applications of bioretention systems in temperate and tropical countries. Suggestions are given for bioretention components in the tropics, including elimination of mulch layer and submerged zone. More research is required to identify suitable additives for filter media, study tropical shrubs application while avoiding using grass and sedges, explore function of soil faunas, and adopt final discharged pollutants concentration (mg/L) on top of percentage removal (%) in bioretention design guidelines.

     

Effect of TRF1 rs3863242 polymorphism on telomere length in omethoate-exposed workers

Abstract

Telomere length was found to be associated with omethoate exposure and polymorphisms in certain genes among occupational workers. However, whether the polymorphisms in telomere-binding protein genes influence telomere length remains unclear. To explore the correlation between telomere length and polymorphisms in telomere-binding protein genes, telomere length in peripheral blood leukocytes was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 180 omethoate-exposed workers and 115 healthy controls. Polymorphisms in 10 pairs of alleles were detected using flight mass spectrometry or polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. The results showed that individuals with GG genotype in TRF1 rs3863242 had longer telomere lengths than those with AG?+?AA genotype in the control group (p?=?0.005). The multiple regression analysis suggested that both omethoate exposure (b?=?0.526, p?<?0.001) and TRF1 rs3863242 GG (b?=?0.220, p?=?0.002) were related to a longer telomere length. In conclusion, GG genotype in TRF1 rs3863242 is linked to prolongation of telomere length, and individuals with GG genotype are recommended to strengthen health protection in a Chinese occupational omethoate-exposed population.     

Field application of evaluated methodology for determining 1,2‐dibromoethane,EDB, in ambient air

Abstract

EDB (ethylene dibromide) is of regulatory interest because it has cancer inducing properties and is a causative agent of aspermia. Previously evaluated methodology was used to determine the extent of exposure of workers to EDB in citrus fumigation stations and a warehouse used as a holding site before shipment. The purpose of this effort was to carry out environmental sampling, and to determine the exposure level of workers and related administrative personnel at two citrus fumigation centers and at a warehouse     

Environmental and socioeconomic assessment of impacts by mining activities—a case study in the Certej River catchment,Western Carpathians,Romania

Background, aim and scope

In the region of the Apuseni Mountains, part of the Western Carpathians in Romania, metal mining activities have a long-standing tradition. These mining industries created a clearly beneficial economic development in the region. But their activities also caused impairments to the environment, such as acid mine drainage (AMD) resulting in long-lasting heavy metal pollution of waters and sediments. The study, established in the context of the ESTROM programme, investigated the impact of metal mining activities both from environmental and socioeconomic perspectives and tried to incorporate the results of the two approaches into an integrated proposition for mitigation of mining-related issues.

Study site

The small Certej catchment, situated in the Southern Apuseni Mountains, covers an area of 78 km². About 4,500 inhabitants are living in the basin, in which metal mining was the main economic sector. An open pit and several abandoned underground mines are producing heavy metal-loaded acidic water that is discharged untreated into the main river. The solid wastes of mineral processing plants were deposited in several dumps and tailings impoundment embodying the acidic water-producing mineral pyrite.

Methods

The natural science team collected samples from surface waters, drinking water from dug wells and from groundwater. Filtered and total heavy metals, both after enrichment, and major cations were analysed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Major anions in waters, measured by ion chromatography, alkalinity and acidity were determined by titration. Solid samples were taken from river sediments and from the largest tailings dam. The latter were characterised by X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction. Heavy metals in sediments were analysed after digestion. Simultaneously, the socioeconomic team performed a household survey to evaluate the perception of people related to the river and drinking water pollution by way of a logistic regression analysis.

Results and discussion

The inputs of acid mine waters drastically increased filtered heavy metal concentrations in the Certej River, e.g. Zn up to 130 mg L⁻¹, Fe 100 mg L⁻¹, Cu 2.9 mg L⁻¹, Cd 1.4 mgL⁻¹ as well as those of SO₄ up to 2.2 g L⁻¹. In addition, river water became acidic with pH values of pH 3. Concentrations of pollutant decreased slightly downstream due to dilution by waters from tributaries. Metal concentrations measured at headwater stations reflect background values. They fell in the range of the environmental quality standards proposed in the EU Water Framework Directive for dissolved heavy metals. The outflow of the large tailing impoundment and the groundwater downstream from two tailings dams exhibited the first sign of AMD, but they still had alkalinity.

Most dug wells analysed delivered a drinking water that exhibited no sign of AMD pollution, although these wells were a distance of 7 to 25 m from the contaminated river. It seems that the Certej River does not infiltrate significantly into the groundwater.

Pyrite was identified as the main sulphide mineral in the tailings dam that produces acidity and with calcite representing the AMD-neutralising mineral. The acid–base accounting proved that the potential acid-neutralising capacity in the solid phases would not be sufficient to prevent the production of acidic water in the future. Therefore, the open pits and mine waste deposits have to be seen as the sources for AMD at the present time, with a high long-term potential to produce even more AMD in the future.

The socioeconomic study showed that mining provided the major source of income. Over 45% of the households were partly or completely reliant on financial compensations as a result of mine closure. Unemployment was considered by the majority of the interviewed persons as the main cause of social problems in the area. The estimation of the explanatory factors by the logistic regression analysis revealed that education, household income, pollution conditions during the last years and familiarity with environmental problems were the main predictors influencing peoples’ opinion concerning whether the main river is strongly polluted. This model enabled one to predict correctly 77% of the observations reported. For the drinking water quality model, three predictors were relevant and they explained 66% of the observations.

Conclusions

Coupling the findings from the natural science and socioeconomic approaches, we may conclude that the impact of mining on the Certej River water is high, while drinking water in wells is not significantly affected. The perceptions of the respondents to pollution were to a large extent consistent with the measured results.

Recommendations and perspectives

The results of the study can be used by various stakeholders, mainly the mining company and local municipalities, in order to integrate them in their post-mining measures, thereby making them aware of the potential long-term impact of mining on the environment and on human health as well as on the local economy.

     

Assessment of the Application of an Ecotoxicological Procedure to Screen Illicit Toxic Discharges in Domestic Septic Tank Sludge

ABSTRACT

An innovative screening procedure has been developed to detect illicit toxic discharges in domestic septic tank sludge hauled to the Montreal Urban Community waste-water treatment plant. This new means of control is based on an integrative approach, using bioassays and chemical analyses. Conservative criteria are applied to detect abnormal toxicity with great reliability while avoiding false positive results. The complementary data obtained from toxicity tests and chemical analyses support the use of this efficient and easy-to-apply procedure.

This study assesses the control procedure in which 231 samples were analyzed over a 30-month period. Data clearly demonstrate the deterrent power of an efficient control procedure combined with a public awareness campaign among the carriers. In the first 15 months of application, between January 1996 and March 1997, approximately 30% of the 123 samples analyzed showed abnormal toxicity. Between April 1997 and June 1998, that is, after a public hearing presentation of this procedure, this proportion dropped significantly to approximately 9% based on 108 analyzed samples.

The results of a 30-month application of this new control procedure show the superior efficiency of the ecotoxicological approach compared with the previously used chemical control procedure. To be able to apply it effectively and, if necessary, to apply the appropriate coercive measures, ecotoxicological criteria should be included in regulatory guidelines.     

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban stormwater in Queensland, Australia

This paper reports the distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in wash-off in urban stormwater in Gold Coast, Australia. Runoff samples collected from residential, industrial and commercial sites were separated into a dissolved fraction (<0.45 μm), and three particulate fractions (0.45-75 μm, 75-150 μm and >150 μm). Patterns in the distribution of PAHs in the fractions were investigated using Principal Component Analysis. Regardless of the land use and particle size fraction characteristics, the presence of organic carbon plays a dominant role in the distribution of PAHs. The PAHs concentrations were also found to decrease with rainfall duration. Generally, the 1- and 2-year average recurrence interval rainfall events were associated with the majority of the PAHs and the wash-off was a source limiting process. In the context of stormwater quality mitigation, targeting the initial part of the rainfall event is the most effective treatment strategy. The implications of the study results for urban stormwater quality management are also discussed.     

A monitoring study of workers handling pesticides in warehouses and godowns

Abstract

Monitoring observations made on 60 operators involved in pesticide application work in godowns and warehouses and 60 matched control workers are reported. Occupational exposure history and medical history are noted. Biochemical investigations, plasma and RBC cholinesterase estimations are included along with medical examination of the workers. Workers were found to be mostly exposed to Celphos, DDVP, Malathion, Pyrethrum, etc, and the use of protective devices were very limited. Cases of significant reduction in plasma and RBC cholinesterase activity were found. Frequency of symptoms like dizziness, headache, lachrymation, burning sensation in eyes, nausea and anorexia, etc, were much more in the exposed workers. No cases of clinical poisoning attributable to occupational exposure to pesticides were reported by the workers.     

Leaching variations of heavy metals in chelator-assisted phytoextraction by Zea mays L. exposed to acid rainfall

Chelant-enhanced phytoextraction method has been put forward as an effective soil remediation method, whereas the heavy metal leaching could not be ignored. In this study, a cropping-leaching experiment, using soil columns, was applied to study the metal leaching variations during assisted phytoextraction of Cd- and Pb-polluted soils, using seedlings of Zea mays, applying three different chelators (EDTA, EDDS, and rhamnolipid), and artificial rainfall (acid rainfall or normal rainfall). It showed that artificial rainfall, especially artificial acid rain, after chelator application led to the increase of heavy metals in the leaching solution. EDTA increased both Cd and Pb concentrations in the leaching solution, obviously, whereas EDDS and rhamnolipid increased Cd concentration but not Pb. The amount of Cd and Pb decreased as the leaching solution increased, the patterns as well matched LRMs (linear regression models), with R-square (R ²) higher than 90 and 82% for Cd and Pb, respectively. The maximum cumulative Cd and Pb in the leaching solutions were 18.44 and 16.68%, respectively, which was amended by EDTA and acid rainwater (pH 4.5), and followed by EDDS (pH 4.5), EDDS (pH 6.5), rhamnolipid (0.5 g kg⁻¹ soil, pH 4.5), and rhamnolipid (pH 6.5).