Exposure estimates for the Houston Area Asthma Study

Procedures for determining exposure extimates for the Houston Area Asthma Study are discussed. Two residential clusters of asthmatics in the Houston area have been studied as part of an overall attempt to assess the health effects of air pollution in the Texas Gulf Coast area. Air pollutant exposure data have been produced according to a three-tier monitoring scheme, i.e. (1) continuous data from centrally-located fixed stations, (2) residential indoor/outdoor measurements, and (3) personal monitoring. This air monitoring network should yield estimates of individual exposures for use in health effect correlations.The fixed sites and mobile continuously monitor ambient levels of ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and meteorological parameters (wind speed, wind direction, temperature, dew point, solar irradiation, and precipitation). Continuous sequential integrated sampling is preformed for total suspended particulates (TSP) and, inhalable particulates (IP) (total of < 2.5m and 2.5–15.0 m) by dichotomous samplers for 24 hr samplers), aldehydes (bubblers), and aeroallergens (intermittent rotorod samplers). In addition to gravimetric determinations, particulate filters are routinely analyzed for sulfate, nitrate, and (every third day) trace elements. Personal monitoring includes ozone, respirable particles, nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde. A quality assurance/control program that meets specifications established in the EPA Quality Assurance Handbook for air pollution measurement systems was implemented. Examples of results consisting of unvalidated preliminary data from the monitoring for ozone for three participants is presented and approaches to determining exposure estimates are discussed for both an integrated exposure estimate and short time period exposure estimate.(These studies have been funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through Cooperative Agreement CR 807108010 and Grant R 808738010. Statements made in this article should not be taken as Agency policy.)     

Evaluation of soil-washing process for “unwashable” clays and silts from the palmerton zinc site

The Palmerton Zinc Site is a Superfund site in Palmerton, Pennsylvania. Its former mineral processing operations have contaminated nearby wells and soils with zinc and cadmium. Preliminary analysis of soil and dust sampling conducted in May 1991 has revealed that the dust poses a potential threat to human health. Based on the results of a previous study, which showed a high percentage of silt and clay in soils from Palmerton residential properties, it was concluded that soil washing is not likely to be a viable method to treat the soil and dust contamination in Palmerton. However, since the completion of this study, a soil-washing process for “unwashable” clays and silts has been developed. A residential soil sample from Palmerton, which had low concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, and lead, and a somewhat high concentration of zinc, was washed in a bench-scale version of this process. The results showed that the new soil-washing process for “unwashable” clays and silts may be a viable method to treat the soil and dust contamination in Palmerton, depending on the soil quality criteria concentrations selected for site cleanup.     

USE OF STATE ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES IN WATER RESOURCE SYSTEM MODELING1

ABSTRACT. A relatively straightforward illustration of the potential uses of State Estimation techniques in water resources modeling is given. Background theory for Linear and Extended Kalman Filters is given; application of the filter techniques to modeling BOD and oxygen deficit in a stream illustrates the importance of model conceptualization, model completeness, uncertainty in model dynamics and incorporation of measurements and measurement errors. Potential applications of state estimation techniques to measurement system design; model building, assessment and calibration; and data extension are explored.     

COVERING BOTTOM SEDIMENTS AS A LAKE RESTORATION TECHNIQUE1

ABSTRACT: Sediment covering to control macrophytes and sediment nutrient release is reviewed. It is concluded that fly ash application to control sediment phosphorus release presents more dangers to the lake than benefits and should not be used. Polyethylene sheeting has not had long term effectiveness due to macrophyte regrowth on its surface. PVC-coated fiberglass screen is expensive but nontoxic and appears to give long term macrophyte control. Similar results may be obtained with spun-bonded polypropylene. Sand, clay, and sheeting to retard nutrient release have received insufficient attention.     

Kinship affects puberty acceleration in mice (Mus musculus)

Summary Juvenile female mice (Mus musculus) were exposed to the soiled bedding of unfamiliar males of different degrees of genetic relatedness. Females exposed to the soiled bedding of first cousins and unrelated males show an acceleration of first oestrus relative to controls. In contrast, females exposed to the soiled bedding of fathers or uncles show no such acceleration.     

Importance of insects in environmental impact assessment

Insects are particularly suited for use in environmental impact assessment (e.i.a.) because of their high species diversity, ubiquitous occurrence, and importance in the functioning of natural ecosystems. Examples are given of the use of insects in the predictive phase of e.i.a., in the monitoring and assessment phase, and in the much rarer instance of an e.i.a. that includes both of these phases. The importance of working at the species level to understanding the results of e.i.a. is emphasized.     

EVALUATING DIRECT BENEFIT ESTIMATION PROCEDURES FOR IRRIGATION PROJECTS: A SIMPLIFIED APPROACH1

ABSTRACT: An integral part of evaluating the net benefits generated by an existing or proposed irrigation project is the assessment of the associated impacts in commodity markets. Traditionally, these impacts have been measured by either assuming no change in commodity prices and calculating net returns to project farmers, or by allowing commodity prices to fall in accordance with a given elasticity of demand and subtracting commodity production costs from the associated area under the commodity demand curve. In either case, it is implicitly assumed that supply is perfectly inelastic. This article establishes that traditional approaches to measuring direct benefits are biased. Formulae are presented for calculating the maximum absolute and relative error which may result from using these techniques as a function of project size. Direct benefit estimates are then evaluated for three irrigation projects in Nebraska, illustrating how these results can be used to improve project evaluation procedures.