Evaluation of radon mitigation systems in 14 houses over a two-year period

Fourteen single-family detached houses in Spokane, Washington, and Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, were monitored for two years after high concentrations of indoor radon had been mitigated. Each house was monitored quarterly using mailed alpha-track radon detectors deployed in each zone of the structure. To assess performance of mitigation systems during the second heating season after mitigation, radon concentrations in seven houses were monitored continuously for several weeks, mitigation systems in all houses were inspected, and selected other measurements were taken. In addition, occupants were also interviewed regarding their maintenance, operation, and subjective evaluation of the radon mitigation systems. Quarterly alpha-track measurements showed that radon levels had increased in most of the homes during many follow-up measurement periods when compared with concentrations measured immediately after mitigation. Mitigation-system performance was adversely affected by (1) accumulated outdoor debris blocking the outlets of subsurface pressurization pipes; (2) fans being turned off (e.g., because of excessive noise or vibration); (3) air-to-air heat exchanger, basement pressurization, and subsurface ventilation fans being turned off and fan speeds reduced; and (4) crawl-space vents being closed or sealed.     

Plasma pharmacokinetics of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol following oral and intravenous administration to sheep

The pharmacokinetics of deoxynivalenol (DON) were studied in sheep after administrating intravenous and oral doses (0.5 and 5.0 mg/kg, respectively). The plasma concentrations were measured using an electron-capture gas chromatographic method. After iv administration DON plasma levels were found to decrease biexponentially, showing a rapid distribution phase (t 1/2 alpha = 12-23 min), followed by a slower elimination phase (t 1/2 beta = 57-78 min). Only trace levels of DON could be detected in plasma 7 hr post-dosing. Further pharmacokinetic data suggest that DON was confined mainly to extracellular fluid, and did not appear to undergo any significant binding or uptake by tissue. After oral dosing, DON was quickly absorbed (t-max 4.0-5.3 hr), but had a systemic bioavailability of only 7.5%; due in part to its rapid and efficient metabolism by rumen microorganisms. Half-life of elimination (t 1/2 beta) was 100-125 min following oral administration, and depending on the animal, required 20-30 hr to be cleared from the system. The metabolic formation of the glucuronide conjugate after iv and oral administration of DON appeared to occur quite efficiently (iv, 21%; oral, 75%), and its elimination half-lives (iv, 150-200 min; oral 6.1-7.1 hr) were considerably longer than that of the parent toxin. Detection in plasma of the de-epoxide metabolite, DOM-1, accounted for only a minor portion of the dose after either dosing regimen (iv, less than 2.0%; oral, less than 0.3%), occurring predominantly as the glucuronide conjugate.     

Nitrite and Freshwater Fish

Nitrite occurs naturally in fresh waters as a result of nitrification of ammonia and denitrification of nitrate, and its concentration can be enhanced by partial oxidation of ammoniacal discharges. Nitrite is toxic to vertebrates including fish and a principal effect is the conversion of haemoglobin to methaemoglobin which is incapable of oxygen transport although there are circulatory and tissue effects as well. The toxic species is the nitrite ion (NO₂) which is believed to enter the blood via the branchial chloride/bicarbonate exchange and fish such as salmonids with high chloride uptake rates are more susceptible than those with low chloride uptake rates, for example carp. Nitrite toxicity is strongly aleviated by chloride and the concentration ratio of these ions is of great importance in assessing toxicity. Short term and long term toxicity data for a variety of fish species are presented. There are no field data on fish populations in waters where nitrite was the only pollutant. However extensive field surveys indicated that, waters with a mean chloride concentration of 25 mg l^-1 in good salmon fisheries were associated with concentrations of nitrite below 50 μg l^-1 N · NO₂, good coarse fisheries below 100 μg l^-1 N · NO₂.     

Reversion of mutant strains of Salmonella Typhimurium by raw and finished waters from southeastern Louisiana

Samples of raw and finished water were collected from water treatment plants in southeastern Louisiana between January 1975 and May 1976. The water source for each plant is the Mississippi River. Finished water samples also were obtained at water treatment plants at St. Francisville, LA. and Baton rouge, LA. where deep wells serve as sources of water. All samples were assayed for mutagens using histidine dependent mutant strains of Salmonella typhimurium. Almost twice as many of the finished water samples collected at Luling, Jefferson and New Orleans induced reversions than did the corresponding raw water samples. Often reversion of finished water samples occurred only with metabolic activation. When samples from Belle Chasse and Port Sulphur were assayed, the number of finished water samples inducing reversion were comparable or less than comparable to those with raw water. Nearly equal numbers of finished water samples from St. Francisville and from Baton Rouge induced genetic change. However, the majority of the samples from Baton Rouge which caused reversion, did so only with liver enzyme activation. Discussed is the significance of these findings, as well as the possible role of chlorination procedures in halogenating hydrocarbons into compounds which are mutagenic and/or carcinogenic.     

The impact of coal utilization in Texas under the National energy plan

The paper describes the results of a study of the impact of the National Energy on the trend towards increased utilization of coal and lignite in Texas with forecasts of increased coal and lignite utilization for the electric utility and industrial sectors. Environmental impacts of this increased coal and lignite use are projected in terms of increased air pollutant emissions and air quality impacts. Economic costs of compliance with alternative source emission regulations are also projected for the electric utility industry.Lignite consumption in Texas under the National Energy Plan is projected to increase from the present 13 million metric tons in 1976 to 57 million metric tons annually by 1985. Sub-bituminous coal consumption in Texas is projected to increase from 1 million metric per year in 1976 to 49 million metric tons per year in 1985. Bituminous coal consumption in Texas is expected to increase from less than one million metric tons per year in 1976 to about 3 million metric tons per year in 1985.Major increases in sulfur oxides emissions from coal and lignite combustion in Texas can be expected by 1985 of up to 1.5 × 10⁹ kg per year without controls and 0.2 × 10⁹ kg per year with controls. Increases in acid precipitation formation will result in north-east Texas from extensive lignite usage for electric power generation as a detriment to agriculture. The photochemical air pollution problem in the Houston area will probably worsen primarily because of increased nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides emissions because of industrial coal combustion. Capital costs of air pollution controls in Texas for coal-fired utility boilers are estimated as up to U.S. $3.9 billion by 1985, with total operating costs of up to U.S. $1.2 billion per year.     

Etiology and management of early pregnancy renal anhydramnios: Is there a place for serial amnioinfusions?

Early pregnancy renal anhydramios (EPRA) comprises congenital renal disease that results in fetal anhydramnios by 22 weeks of gestation. It occurs in over 1 in 2000 pregnancies and affects 1500 families in the US annually. EPRA was historically considered universally fatal due to associated pulmonary hypoplasia and neonatal respiratory failure. There are several etiologies of fetal renal failure that result in EPRA including bilateral renal agenesis, cystic kidney disease, and lower urinary tract obstruction. Appropriate sonographic evaluation is required to arrive at the appropriate urogenital diagnosis and to identify additional anomalies that allude to a specific genetic diagnosis. Genetic evaluation variably includes karyotype, microarray, targeted gene testing, panels, or whole exome sequencing depending on presentation. Patients receiving a fetal diagnosis of EPRA should be offered management options of pregnancy termination or perinatal palliative care, with the option of serial amnioinfusion therapy offered on a research basis. Preliminary data from case reports demonstrate an association between serial amnioinfusion therapy and short-term postnatal survival of EPRA, with excellent respiratory function in the neonatal period. A multicenter trial, the renal anhydramnios fetal therapy (RAFT) trial, is underway. We sought to review the initial diagnosis ultrasound findings, genetic etiologies, and current management options for EPRA.