ENVIRO-NEWS: EPA Releases Final Health Assessment for Trichloerethylene (TCE)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Sep 28, 2011 4:37 PM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Releases Final Health Assessment for TCE
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: U.S. EPA [mailto:usaepa@govdelivery.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 4:22 PM
Subject: Research News Release (HQ): EPA Releases Final Health Assessment for TCE

CONTACT:
Latisha Petteway (News Media Only)
Petteway.latisha@epa.gov
202-564-3191
202-564-4355
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2011
 
EPA Releases Final Health Assessment for TCE
  
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released the final health assessment for trichloroethylene (TCE) to the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database.  IRIS is a human health assessment program that evaluates the latest science on chemicals in our environment. The final assessment characterizes the chemical as carcinogenic to humans and as a human noncancer health hazard. This assessment will also allow for a better understanding of the risks posed to communities from exposure to TCE in soil, water and air. It will provide federal, state, local and other policy makers with the latest scientific information to make decisions about cleanup and other actions to protect people's health.
 
"This assessment is an important first step, providing valuable information to the state, local and federal agencies responsible for protecting the health of the American people," said Paul Anastas, assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Research and Development. "It underscores the importance of EPA's science and, in particular, the critical value of the IRIS database for ensuring that government officials and the American people have the information they need to protect their health and the health of their children."
 
TCE is one of the most common man-made chemicals found in the environment. It is a volatile chemical and a widely used chlorinated solvent. Frequently found at Superfund sites across the country, TCE's movement from contaminated ground water and soil, into the indoor air of overlying buildings, is of serious concern. EPA already has drinking water standards for TCE and standards for cleaning up TCE at Superfund sites throughout the country.
 
TCE toxicity values as reported in the assessment will be considered in:
 
•         Establishing cleanup methods at the 761 Superfund sites where TCE has been identified as a contaminant
•         Understanding the risk from vapor intrusion as TCE vapors move from contaminated groundwater and soil into the indoor air of overlying buildings
•         Revising EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level for TCE as part of the carcinogenic volatile organic compounds group in drinking water, as described in the agency's drinking water strategy
•         Developing appropriate regulatory standards limiting the atmospheric emissions of TCE – a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act
 
This assessment has undergone several levels of peer review including, agency review, interagency review, public comment, external peer review by EPA's Science Advisory Board in January 2011, and a scientific consultation review in 2006 by the National Academy of Sciences. Comments from all reviewers are addressed in the final assessment.
 
EPA continues to strengthen IRIS as part of an ongoing effort to ensure concrete research and science are used to protect human health and the environment. In May 2009, EPA restructured the IRIS program to reinforce independent review and ensure the timely publication of assessments. In July 2011, EPA announced further changes to strengthen the IRIS program in response to recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences. EPA's peer review process is designed to elicit the strongest possible critique to ensure that each final IRIS assessment reflects sound, rigorous science.
 
More information on IRIS: http://www.epa.gov/IRIS
  
R293
Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.
[deletions]

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The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
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ENVIRO-NEWS: EPA Water Headlines for the week of September 26, 2011

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Sep 27, 2011 11:25 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Water Headlines for the week of September 26, 2011
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

-----Original Message-----
From: Amy Han [mailto:han.amy@epamail.epa.gov]
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2011 6:24 PM
Subject: [waterheadlines] Water Headlines for the week of September 26, 2011

Water Headlines for the week of September 26, 2011

Water Headlines is a weekly on-line publication that announces publications, policies, and activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water

In This Week's Water Headlines:

1) EPA Announces the Healthy Watersheds Initiative National Framework and Action Plan, 2011
2) Proposed Renewal of Reporting Requirements for BEACH Act Grants
[deletions]

1) EPA Announces the Healthy Watersheds Initiative National Framework and Action Plan, 2011

Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the release of the Healthy Watersheds Initiative (HWI) National Framework and Action Plan.  The HWI is intended to protect the nation's remaining healthy watersheds, prevent them from becoming impaired, and accelerate restoration successes.  The HWI National Framework and Action Plan aims to provide a clear consistent framework for action, both internally among EPA's own programs and externally in working with the Agency's partners.  EPA will work with states and other partners to identify healthy watersheds at the state scale and develop and implement comprehensive state healthy watersheds strategies that set priorities for protection and inform priorities for restoration.

Healthy watersheds provide many ecological services as well as economic benefits.  If successfully implemented, the HWI promises to greatly enhance our nation's ability to meet the Clean Water Act Section 101(a) objective of restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters.  The HWI National Framework and Action Plan is available at www.epa.gov/healthywatersheds .

2) Proposed Renewal of Reporting Requirements for BEACH Act Grants

The Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide grants to eligible states, territories and authorized tribes. EPA is requesting comment on its proposed renewal of the reporting requirements for the BEACH Act Grants Information Collection Request (ICR). As a grant condition, grant recipients are required to collect and submit beach monitoring and notification information to the EPA.  Collection of this information allows EPA to evaluate the extent to which grant recipients fulfill the requirements of the BEACH Act.

The proposed renewal is available for public comment through November 21, 2011 at www.regulations.gov under Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0357.

For more information on BEACH Act grants, see http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/beachgrants/ .

[deletions]

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Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
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You can contact the list owner at
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My water smells like rotton eggs

What is that awful smell in my water?

This is a pretty common complaint/inquiry in many regions of the US. I was first exposed to this water condition as a child. I remember distinctly the foul odor of rotten eggs as I attempted to drink from a public drinking fountain in upstate NY. I was immediately disgusted by the odor from the water and curious why it smelled that way.

 

The “rotten egg” smell in water is the caused by the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S). This gas, has an offensive odor, can be toxic and is corrosive. Hydrogen sulfide gas in water occurs as a byproduct of decaying organic compounds within the water source. Any presence of Hydrogen Sulfide in your water supply should be promptly corrected.

Most Hydrogen Sulfide conditions are the result of source contamination. Something occurs in your well or spring that introduces organic compounds that decay and create the gas. Another common situation is the presence of sulfate eating bacteria which can live in the water heater, water softener or other water treatment device if one is present. Your first step should be to have the water tested to determine the level of contamination and to determine if any other treatable conditions are present. It is relevant to know the full scope of what is in the water as it will impact how the condition is treated.

Toxicity

Hydrogen sulfide is considered a broad spectrum poison, meaning that it can affect several different systems within the body. It forms a complex bond with Iron in mitochondrial cytochrome enzymes, which results in inhibiting cellular respiration.

Safety

Hydrogen Sulfide gas is a highly toxic and combustible. Heavier than air, the gas tends to accumulate at the bottom of poorly ventilated spaces. Although it has a very recognizable odor at first, it will quickly deaden ones sense of smell, potential victims may be unaware of its presence until it is too late.

The quality of the water you drink, cook with and bathe in is very important to a healthy lifestyle. Don't take the risks; get your water tested.

AP

www.AskAquaPro.com
AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com  
www.AquaProSolutions.com
www.AquaEnvi.org
www.AshevilleGreenPlumbing.com

Warming Oceans Encourage Explosion of Dangerous Bacteria

Climate change is warming ocean waters, causing the spread of bacteria predicted to cost millions in health care as people are exposed to contaminated food and water and to marine diseases at ...

<http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/sep2011/ 2011-09-13-01.html>

AP

Investigation Finds BP 'Ultimately Responsible for Gulf Oil Disaster

A U.S. investigation board blames the worst offshore oil spill in the nation's history on British oil giant BP and points to BP contractors who contributed to ...

Contractors to Blame <http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/ sep2011/2011-09-16-01.html>

Article Ice Report 2011

Media Advisory: Arctic sea ice reaches lowest extent for 2011 The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) is part of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. NSIDC scientists provide Arctic Sea Ice News & Analysis < http:// nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/ > content, with partial support from NASA. The blanket of sea ice that floats on the Arctic Ocean appears to have reached its lowest extent for the year. Arctic sea ice extent fell to 4.33 million square kilometers (1.67 million square miles) on September 9, 2011. This year's minimum was the second lowest in the satellite record, which started in 1979. The lowest extent was recorded in 2007.
complete press release at http://nsidc.org/news/press/ 20110915_minimum.html

Fwd: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Climate Change and Water News

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Sep 14, 2011 1:30 PM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Climate Change and Water News
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: water_climate_change@epa.gov [mailto:water_climate_change@epa.gov]
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 11:20 AM
Subject: EPA Climate Change and Water News

EPA Climate Change and Water News

U.S. EPA News

U.S. EPA Hosts Discussion Open to the Public: Consequences of Global Climate Change: Water Quality Impacts, Ecological Impacts & Nonlinear Responses on September 20-22, 2011 in Washington, D.C.

The public is invited to attend or connect online to listen to a discussion on the Consequences of Global Climate Change: Water Quality Impacts, Ecological Impacts & Nonlinear Responses on September 20-22, 2011.  The EPA will be gathering university scientists, EPA scientists, and policy makers to highlight EPA supported research on the consequences of global climate change.  The topics will include the effects of climate change on ecosystem services, invasive species, pathogens, coastal habitat, and water quality.  This meeting is free and open to the public.  One can join for one or all three days either in person or via the Internet.  If you plan to attend in person, please email your name, contact information, and institution to Michael Hiscock (hiscock.michael@epa.gov) by September 13.  The session will be held at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1201 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 1153, Washington, D.C. 20460.  Visitors will need to check in at the security desk!
 when they arrive.  A list of attendees is needed at least one week prior to the meeting.  To connect online, please register for the webinar using the following link: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/223362878.  For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/events.


Other Federal Agency News

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Program Office Currently Soliciting Proposals until October 3, 2011

NOAA's Climate Program Office (CPO) manages competitive research programs in which NOAA funds high-priority climate science, assessments, decision support research, outreach, education, and capacity-building activities designed to advance our understanding of Earth's climate system, and to foster the application of this knowledge in risk management and adaptation efforts.  In FY 2012, NOAA will accept individual applications for twelve competitions, organized around CPO's four major programs.  One of those is the solicitation of the Climate and Societal Interactions Research which addresses: (a) climate impacts on water resources, (b) coasts and climate resilience, (c) sustainability of marine ecosystems, (d) changes in extremes of weather and climate, and (e) information for mitigating climate change. Two specific water programs are: 1) the Sectoral Applications Research Program (SARP) - with two foci, Water Resource Planning and Coping with Drought and the National Integra!
 ted Drought Information System (NIDIS); and 2) Coastal and Ocean Climate Applications (COCA) with a focus on coastal and marine resilience. 

Proposals are due to NOAA by 5:00 pm EST on October 3, 2011.  For information on SARP, contact Nancy Beller-Simms (nancy.beller-simms@noaa.gov); for information on COCA, contact Adrienne Antoine (adrienne.antoine@noaa.gov).
For more information regarding this solicitation and how to apply, visit: http://www.cpo.noaa.gov/index.jsp?pg=./opportunities/opp_index.jsp&opp=grants.  For more information on the Climate Societal and Interactions Program, visit: http://www.cpo.noaa.gov/cpo_pa/index.jsp#csip.


U.S. Department Of Energy (DOE) Re-launches its Energy.gov Website

DOE has re-launched the Energy.gov website as an interactive information platform offering localized data and resources to save energy and money.  Energy.gov modernizes how consumers and businesses access energy information and resources.  The new website makes it easier for users to get information specific to their cities, counties, and states, including information about energy tax credits, rebates, energy saving tips, and grant opportunities.  To view the site, visit: http://www.energy.gov.


U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Releases Report - Climate Engineering:  Technical Status, Future Directions, and Potential Responses

Reports of rising global temperatures have raised questions about responses to climate change, including efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, adapt to climate change, and design and develop climate engineering technologies for deliberate, large-scale intervention in the Earth's climate.  In this report, GAO assesses climate engineering technologies, focusing on their technical status, future directions for research on them, and potential responses.  To perform this technology assessment, GAO reviewed the peer-reviewed scientific literature and government reports, consulted experts with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints, and surveyed adults across the United States.  To view the report, visit: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-71.


United States Geological Survey (USGS) Posts CoreCast Series Video Online - Climate Connections: Questions from North and South Carolina
In this episode of Climate Connections, USGS scientists answer questions gathered from North and South Carolina about the effects of climate change on coastal areas and on water resources.  To view the video, please visit: http://gallery.usgs.gov/videos/429.


Other News

Global Conference on Oceans, Climate and Security (GCOCS) - May 2012 in Boston, MA - Call for Abstracts and Sponsors Deadlines Extended to September 15 and October 15, 2011

The Global Conference on Oceans, Climate and Security (GCOCS) is designed to: raise the awareness level of the threat of climate change to our oceans and the consequent threat to our human and national security; identify and prioritize the knowledge gaps in science and technology which inhibit understanding, response, and adaptation to future threats; and, generate comprehensive human security policy and governance recommendations reflecting the climate, ocean, and security continuum.  Over three days, GCOCS attendees will explore complex, cross-sector topics and strategies through interactive methods such as multi-disciplinary plenary and World cafe sessions.  The deadline for abstracts has been extended to September 15, 2011.  Sponsors and exhibitors will be accepted until October 15, 2011.  For more information, visit: http://www.gcocs.org/.  


Carpe Diem West Academy Launches Webinar Series Beginning September 27, 2011, 1:00PM (PST) - Running the Climate Rapids: Using the Iterative Risk Management Road Map

Carpe Diem West is a non-profit organization that engages a broad-based network of experts, advocates, decision makers and scientists to address the profound impacts the growing climate crisis is having on water in the American West.  It was started in 2007 by a group of western water leaders acting on a shared belief that the growing climate crisis requires everyone in the field to think in new ways.  The webinar series, Running the Climate Rapids: Using the Iterative Risk Management Road Map, is presented by the Academy to support western water managers, non-governmental organizations, and government agency staff to more effectively use climate science and emerging technology in operations and decision making.  For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.carpediemwestacademy.org/whats-new.


National Wildlife Federation Releases Report - Facing the Storm: Indian Tribes, Climate-Induced Weather Extremes, and the Future for Indian Country

North American Indian Tribes are harmed by climate change, as more ecological shifts and more frequent, more extreme weather events occur, a new study concludes.  Because Tribes are heavily dependent on natural resources, severe weather events like droughts, floods, wildfires, and snowstorms make tribal communities particularly vulnerable.  In collaboration with the Tribal Lands Program, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, National Congress of American Indians, Native American Fish & Wildlife Society, National Tribal Environmental Council, Native American Rights Fund, and University of Colorado Law School, the National Wildlife Federation has released Indian Tribes, Climate-Induced Weather Extremes, and the Future for Indian Country.  The report details how climate change is adversely and disproportionately affecting Indian Tribes in North America, people who rely on a healthy environment to sustain their economic, cultural, and spiritual lives.  To view the pr!
 ess release and full report, visit:  http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/Media-Center/News-by-Topic/Global-Warming/2011/08-03-11-Climate-Change-Hurts-Indian-Tribes-Disproportionately.aspx.

 
 
  
________________________________________
EPA Climate Change and Water News is produced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). For more information on EPA's climate change activities, visit http://epa.gov/climatechange.  For an overview of climate change and water issues, visit http://www.epa.gov/ow/climatechange.

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Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
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The Mystery of Water

The Mystery of Water

 

Many people regard water as a bland and boring drink, existing in such abundance as it does without causing a fuss; it’s always there, quite literally, ‘on tap’. So water is tasteless, and we enhance it by adding artificial flavours and sugars, mixing it with coffee or tea, or turning it into beer – great with pizza! We even see water as ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ and change it with machines like water softeners. It is the ultimate irony that this abundant fluid is seen as bland. We see things like water as neither rare nor precious, but generic and unimportant.

But think about water for second – or perhaps a bit longer. Contemplate what it is and you’ll find answers to the mystery of life. The human body, for instance, is comprised of roughly 65% water, and we can dehydrate quickly and easily. Without water, there can be no life on Earth, and evolution would not have occurred without this special substance.

The Composition of Water

Arguably the most famous chemical formula on earth is H20. This translates into two hydrogen molecules and one of oxygen. The essence of water is truly molecular. But look at where these molecules originate from and you’ll find that water is not bland and boring, but can be traced back to cataclysmic events that shaped the universe. Hydrogen, for example, is the primary fuel of stars.

Water is also extremely flexible. It can exist in three forms: a solid, a liquid and a gas – or, you could argue, in strong to weak states. The Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, once said, ‘in the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it’. How relaxing is a warm bath, yet how destructive is violent tsunami?

We need water

Needless to say, we should respect water, and to do so would be to respect our very humanity. There are far too many contaminants, pollutants and chemicals that ravage our water supplies in urban environments. The EPA, for example, sets out rigorous standards for water safety, but these are all too frequently ignored.

The next time you grab a glass and fill it with water, don’t see it as bland and boring; see it as a wonder of the universe, or a wonder of earth and life. Let’s drink to life. Cheers!

Further resources about water can be found here:

·         Philip Ball’s H2O: A Biography of Water is a great introduction to water and its importance

·         The EPA website, United States Environmental Protection Agency

 
Post provided by guest blogger: Paul Gardner

My thanks to Paul for sharing his thoughts on AskAquaPro.com
AP

www.AquaEnvi.org
www.AskAquaPro.com  



AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com

ENVIRO-NEWS: New USGS study on Trace Elements in U.S. Groundwater

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Sep 1, 2011 11:34 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] New USGS study on Trace Elements in U.S. Groundwater
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: Neil M Dubrovsky [mailto:nmdubrov@usgs.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 1:29 PM
Subject: New USGS study on Trace Elements in U.S. Groundwater


A new USGS study evaluates the occurrence of 23 trace elements and radon in groundwater samples from over 5,000 wells collected nationwide from 1992-2003. The report presents trace element occurrence, describes factors that influence the spatial distribution of trace elements, and compares concentrations to human-health benchmarks. A news release and the full report can be accessed online at http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/trace/pubs/sir2011-5059/index.html .

Selected Highlights:

o        About 20% of untreated water samples from public, private, and monitoring wells contain concentrations of at least one trace element, such as arsenic, manganese and uranium, at levels of potential health concern.

o        Differences in the concentration of trace elements are related to the climatic conditions and land use of the area.

o        Basic geology and geochemistry of water samples helps to predict risk of trace elements exceeding human-health benchmarks.

o        About 10 percent wells that had a trace element concentration in excess of human health benchmarks actually contained two or more trace elements exceeding human                                         health benchmarks.

This study is part of the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment Program, which has assessed the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of streams, rivers, and groundwater across the Nation since 1991.

Neil M. Dubrovsky, PhD.
Nutrients and Trace Elements National Synthesis Project Chief
National Water-Quality Assessment Program
U.S. Geological Survey
916-278-3078
nmdubrov@usgs.gov

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Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
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Library.  The center's Web site is at
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The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
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