General Interest - Environmental Health
Breaking News | Air | Disease & Environment | Energy | Environmental Health | Land | Water
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| Environmental Health Environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical, & biological factors external to a person, & all the related factors impacting behaviours. It encompasses the assessment & control of those environmental factors that can potentially affect health. It is targeted towards preventing disease & creating health-supportive environments. Source: WHO |
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Breaking News
EPA Oversight TVA Kingston Cleanup
May 11, 2009 EPA Region 4 has taken a formal oversight role in the TVA Kingston cleanup through an Administrative Consent Order with TVA. The cleanup will be governed by CERCLA & the National Contingency Plan for hazardous substances releases, & it sets forth individuals to oversee specific cleanup actions & a timeline for cleanup. It also allows EPA to assess penalties on TVA for violating the cleanup schedule. Learn more» |
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EPA Seeks Rules for Utilities' Runoff
May 3, 2009 — The Washington Post
Pollutants Scrubbed From Smokestacks Are Being Diverted Into Waterways. Learn more»
WTAE Interview on Water Usage for Shale & Natural Gas Extraction
November 13, 2008 — Channel 4 Action News
Reporter Jim Parsons has learned that government is doing more to protect water in eastern Pennsylvania than here in the western part of the state.
It's happening because of a drilling boom in the Marcellus Shale of western PA. Getting through the Marcellus requires millions of gallons of water for each well. In western Pennsylvania, drillers don't need anyone's permission to pump all the water they want, free of charge. See interview»
Natural Gas Extraction - How to Protect Your Private Water Supply
CD program available developed by Penn State Extension water specialists
The two-part course covers the basics of gas well drilling, illustrates how drilling can impact private wells, & offers strategies that homeowners can use to protect their water supply. Learn more» (PDF)
Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of a final report titled, 'Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook' (EPA/600/R-06/096F), which was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of Research & Development (ORD). This report updates a 2002 interim final version of the handbook. It provides updated information on various physiological & behavioral factors used in assessing children's exposure to environmental contaminants. The document is available electronically through the NCEA website or you may access it directly here.
Air
Asthma & Air Pollution in PA
Please see this resource (PDF) including background information on this issue, strategies to address it, pertinent agencies, & additional resources. Photo right: Donora PA, 1948 - The Donora smog gained national attention & helped lead to some of the first local & state pollution control laws, &, eventually, the 1970 federal Clean Air Act. |
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Disease & the Environment
QEESI
The Quick Environmental Exposure & Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI©) was developed as a screening questionnaire for multiple chemical intolerances (MCI). Learn more (PDF)»
Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance – An Emerging Theory of Disease?
By Dr. Claudia S. Miller, Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol 105, Supplement 2, March 1997. Read article»
Abdiciton / Addiction Connection
Sometimes in science, as in politics, connections arise that may at first glance appear to be strange bedfellows. That might be the natural first impression of a potential association between chemical intolerance & addiction. But although the conditions are manifested by behaviors that appear to be polar opposites--substance avoidance (or abdiction, as some are beginning to call it) by the chemically intolerant, & compulsive substance use by the addicted--there is evidence to suggest that, biologically, they may actually have much in common. Learn more»
Chemical Exposures: Low Levels & High Stakes, 2nd Edition
By Nicholas A. Ashford & Claudia S. Miller. View book»
Energy
There Will Be Gas
August 2, 2009 — Pittsburgh-Post Gazette
A look at Western Pennsylvania's other natural gas drilling booms (and busts) - by Joel A. Tarr, the Richard S. Caliguiri University Professor of History & Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. Article»
Testimonial before the U.S. House of Representatives
April 30, 2009
Testimonial by Dr. Volz to the U.S. House of Representatives on water resources & environment. Testimonial (PDF)»
Women's Health & the Environment - New Science, New Solutions
September 25, 2008 — Pittsburgh Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Remarks of Conrad (Dan) Volz, DrPH, MPH, Air & Water Science Panelist, “Science that Bridges the False Divide Between Ecological & Human Health-Ecological & Human Health Risks from Coal Combustion Products.” Presentation (PDF) | Talk (PDF)
Portland, Oregon’s Planning Document for Declines in Oil & Gas Availability
March 2007 — Peak Oil Task Force. Planning document (PDF)»
The Impacts on Water Quality from Placement of Coal Combustion Waste in PA Coal Mines
Introducing a Call for Common Sense: The Pennsylvania Minefill Report - by Earth Justice & Clean Air Task Force. Report (PDF) | YouTube video
Environmental Health
14th Annual Heinz Awards
October 21, 2008
The 14th Annual Heinz Awards has named Thomas FitzGerald, 53, founder & director of the Kentucky Resources Council its 2008 recipient in the Environment category. The Heinz Awards recipient receives a medallion inscribed with the image of Senator John Heinz on one side & a globe passing between two hands on the other. The medallion symbolizes the partnership, continuity & values carried on to the next generation. The hands also suggest passing on the stewardship of the earth to future generations. A $250,000 award for unrestricted use also goes to the recipient. The Heinz Awards are given by the Heinz Family Foundation. Learn more»
Chronic Illness Linked to Coal Mining Pollution
March 27, 2008
ScienceDaily — Pollution from coal mining may have a negative impact on public health in mining communities, according to data analyzed in a West Virginia University research study. Read more (PDF)»
Environmental Forum on Emerging Contaminants
January 24th, 2008
PA Department of Environmental Protection - A landscape perspective on antibiotic resistance, Brown & Wohl; The relationship between Channel Catfish Estrogenicity Index & the density of combined of combined & sanitary sewer overflows & metal contamination in Southwestern PA fish, Volz et al.
Abstracts & Biographies (PDF) | Video software required (exe) | Presentations: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Land
Marcellus Shale extraction for natural gas supplies uses chemicals that are known to present a hazard to humans and aquatic receptors
The following documents list these chemicals, address their toxicity, & give scholarly references for stated health effects.
- PA Fracing Chemical List, Toxicity, & References - Excel
- Marcellus Shale Drilling & the Effects on Aquatic Life - PDF
- References for Marcellus Shale Drilling & the Effects on Aquatic Life - PDF
CHEC has no data on the concentration of these chemicals in the fracing gel or recovered fracing water; additionally, these tables do not address concentrations of toxic elements or heavy metals contained in the formation itself that may become soluble in the fracing process. More research is needed into the concentrations of elements from the formation that may become soluble in fracing water & disposed of in water bodies. Learn more»
Related news:
- Toxins tied to fish kill may have hitchhiked — October 4, 2009 — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: An invasive toxic algae, blamed for contributing to the massive Dunkard Creek fish kill along the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border, may have hitchhiked to the region aboard equipment used in Marcellus shale drilling. Read more»
- News Analysis: What Killed Dunkard Creek? — September 30, 2009 — The Allegheny Front: Most of the aquatic animals that live in a thirty mile stretch of Dunkard Creek have died. The creek runs from Morgantown, West Virginia into Greene County, PA. Regulatory investigators have spent the last 3 weeks trying to figure out what happened. Listen»
Water
Widespread Occurrence of Intersex Bass Found in U.S. Rivers
September 14, 2009 — USGS
Intersex in smallmouth and largemouth basses is widespread in numerous river basins throughout the United States is the major finding of the most comprehensive & large-scale evaluation of the condition, according to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) research published online in Aquatic Toxicology. Read more»
This Week on the Allegheny Front
September 30, 2009 — The Allegheny Front - Environmental Radio for Southwestern PA
Toxic Chemicals Legislation, Minorities and the Environment Discussed At Conference - The impact of toxic chemicals on the most vulnerable individuals – fetuses, children, & people living in poor communities – was highlighted at last week's Rachel Carson Legacy Conference. Listen»
News Analysis: What Killed Dunkard Creek? - Most of the aquatic animals that live in a thirty mile stretch of Dunkard Creek have died. The creek runs from Morgantown, West Virginia into Greene County, Pennsylvania. Regulatory investigators have spent the last three weeks trying to figure out what happened. Listen»
Dunkard Creek Residents Try to Regroup after Fish Kill - There's been a lot of speculation about what led to the fish kill at Dunkard Creek. But regardless of the cause, the death of the creek stunned the close-knit community living along one of the most biologically diverse streams in the region. Listen»
Study Reveals Mercury Contamination in Fish Nationwide
August 19, 2009 — USGS
Scientists detected mercury contamination in every fish sampled in 291 streams across the country, according to a U.S. Geological Survey study released today. About a quarter of these fish were found to contain mercury at levels exceeding the criterion for the protection of people who consume average amounts of fish, established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. More than two-thirds of the fish exceeded the U.S. EPA level of concern for fish-eating mammals.
Press Release | Podcast | FAQs | Data & Methods
Preliminary results of dredging show Allegheny impact
October 6, 2008 — Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Conrad Volz, of West Deer & director of Pitt's Center for Healthy Environments & Communities, is identifying possible metals & toxins churned up by... Read more»
Concentrations of Pharmaceutical Estrogens & Xenoestrogens in Water
September 3, 2008
Report to the Advisory Board, University of Pittsburgh Academic Center of Excellence in Environmental Public Health Tracking (Part of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's Nationwide Environmental Public Health Tracking Program) by Dr. Dan Volz; Manuscript in Process on Concentrations of Pharmaceutical Estrogens & Xenoestrogens in Water & Preliminary Results of Total Suspended Solids (Turbidity) downstream from Allegheny River Gravel Mining Operations. Abstract (PDF) | Presentation (PDF)
Critics Find Fault with W. Virginia DEP’s Mercury Logic
West Virginia radio station presents a program on “Critics Find Fault with West Virginia Dept of Environmental Protection’s Mercury Logic” Dr. Volz offers comment on the program. Learn more»
PA DEP Directive to PPG Industries
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), along with evidence from the research of the Allegheny River Stewardship Project, has issued a directive to PPG industries to collect & treat wastewater at Armstrong County site. Learn more»
Ecotoxicology of Selenium in Freshwater Systems
PA Fish & Boat Commission Mussel Proposal: PAFBC proposes to amend 58 Pa. Code Chapter 75 (relating to endangered species). The proposed amendments add the salamander mussel, the rabbitsfoot mussel & the snuffbox mussel to the list of endangered species & add the sheepnose mussel & the rayed bean mussel to the list of threatened species... Proposal (PDF) | Dr. Volz's testimony (PDF)
Urban Stormwater Management in the United States
2008 — The National Academies of Science. Read report in brief (PDF)»
A Tall, Cool Drink of … Sewage?
August 8, 2008 — NY Times Magazine. Read article»
New York State Water Crisis Looms
August 24, 2008 — The Daily Gazette
Initial steps being taken to address issue. View article (Login required)»
What Concerned Citizens Should Know About Water
2007
The Most Important Public Health Problem of the 21st Century?, Conrad (Dan) Volz DrPH, MPH. View presentation (PDF)»
Regional Water Management Task Force
Regional Water Management Task Force is an 11-county effort to improve water management & water quality in Southwestern PA. Our region is endowed with an abundance of water, but we also face many challenges. Learn more».
