PCDDs and PCDFs in human adipose tissue from the EPA FY82 NHATS repository

Analysis for tetra- through octachloro-PCDDs and PCDFs was completed for 46 tissue samples prepared from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Human Adipose Tissue Survey (NHATS). The samples were prepared as composites from over 900 specimens to represent the nine U.S. census divisions and three age groups (0–14, 15–44, and 45 plus years). The data demonstrate that PCDDs and PCDFs are prevalent in the general U.S. population and that differences exist with age.     

Recent estimates of safety belt use

The National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) has shown that safety belt use in the United States has increased steadily over the past decade. Increases have been consistent since 2000, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in partnership with the Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign, increased its encouragement of states to implement highly visible enforcement programs. In 2003, significant increases were found in the South; in secondary law states; in all types of vehicles; during both weekdays and weekends; and during both rush-hours and non-rush-hours. In spite of these increases, use remains significantly lower in secondary law states; pickup trucks; the Northeast; and the Midwest. The differences between primary and secondary law states and between pickups and other passenger vehicles have been consistent from year to year. A controlled intersection study, which is part of the NOPUS, has shown that safety belt use has increased for both sexes, for nearly all age groups, and for all races for which data are available. Finally, the NOPUS suggests that children are 3-4 times as likely to be unrestrained when riding with an unbuckled driver as when driving with a buckled driver.