Remedial Investigation of Gowanus Canal Identifies Widespread Contamination, Health and Ecological Problems

Image via WikipediaOn February 2, 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a press release regarding the results of the remedial investigation of the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, New York.  This investigation confirmed the widespread presence of more than a dozen contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and various metals, including mercury, lead and copper, at high levels in the sediment in the Gowanus Canal. PAHs and metals were also found in the canal water. PAHs are a group of chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, or other organic substances. PCBs were used as coolants and lubricants in transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment. PCBs are suspected carcinogens and can have neurological effects. PAHs are also suspected carcinogens.  The investigation also identified characteristics of the canal that will influence future plans for a cleanup.  A companion human and ecological risk assessment found that exposure to the contaminants in the canal poses threats to people’s health and the environment.

“The findings of the investigation of the Gowanus Canal confirmed that contamination of the urban waterway is widespread and may threaten people’s health, particularly if they eat fish or crabs from the canal or have repeated contact with the canal water or sediment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck. “The next step is the review of options for cleaning up the Gowanus, so we can move ahead with a full-scale cleanup of the canal that will result in a revitalized urban waterway.”

Based on the results of the investigation and the human and ecological risk assessment, EPA will commence work on a study that will outline all of the options for addressing contamination in the Gowanus Canal.  This study, called a feasibility study, will take place over the coming months.  It is anticipated that a draft feasibility report containing an assessment of all options will be completed by the end of this year.  
During the investigation, EPA collected and analyzed more than 500 samples of sediment from the Gowanus Canal and more than 80 water samples for the presence of various contaminants. EPA also collected more than 200 fish, including striped bass, eel, white perch and blue crab, to analyze their tissue for contaminants. Air samples were collected at street level and at heights at which people would breathe while boating on the canal.
For more nformation visit EPA's website at: http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/gowanus/

Related articles

• Gowanus Canal is one of nation's dirtiest waterways: study (nydailynews.com)
• EPA: Gowanus Canal Among 'Most Contaminated' In U.S. (newyork.cbslocal.com)
• EPA: Gowanus Canal Is A Cancerous Stew (huffingtonpost.com)
• Gowanus Canal Inquiry Underlines Severity of Pollution (nytimes.com)
• Green: Could Prizes Emerge From the Gowanus Muck? (green.blogs.nytimes.com)

Businessman Pleads Guilty To Failing To Conduct An Asbestos Inspection

Image via WikipediaSorry we've been so busy we are just getting to this bit of information.  About Mesothelioma.net reported on Thursday, October 28, 2010 that a Bemus Point, New York businessman, Daniel Black, 56, pleaded guilty in federal court to failing to conduct an inspection before an asbestos removal project, exposing workers and neighbors to deadly asbestos fibers.  Mr. Black, president of Blackstone Business Enterprises Inc., a sheet metal and structural steel fabricator in Jamestown, New York, faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine for the Clean Air Act Violation.  Blackstone Business will also pay a $205,000 penalty to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for citations related to improper asbestos removal and an additional $25,000 to the New York Department of Labor.  Black also pleaded guilty to tax-related violations that came to light during the asbestos investigation. 
According to the About Mesothelioma.net report in 2008, Black hired four temporary workers to remove asbestos insulation from steam pipes and cut down the steam pipes as scrap metal as part of a renovation of a four-story building at 100 Blackstone Avenue in Jamestown. The four men were exposed to asbestos during the renovation work, U.S. Attorney William Hochul, Jr., told The Post-Journal.

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• Housing Firm Fined after Plumber Exposed to Asbestos (first4lawyers.com)
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• "If you cut corners on asbestos removal to save money, we will pursue and prosecute you." (slog.thestranger.com)
• Asbestos Training Scammer Gets Prison Time in NorCal Plea Agreement (sacregsafetyforum.wordpress.com)
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CDC Public Health Matters Blog - Discusses NYC Pandemic Response

Image via WikipediaOne February 11, Scott Harper a Career Epidemiology Field Officer  (CEFO) for the Centers for Disese Control (CDC) posted "Battling Disease Outbreaks in the Big Apple."  Mr. Harper is stationed at the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene and currently leads surveillance and response activities for influenza, zoonotic, and vectorborne diseases.  The posting discusses New York City's most recent disease importation that came in the form of pandemic H1N1 Influenza in 2009-10.  It makes interesting reading and gives you an idea what life as a CEFO is like.  Hope you find it as interesting as I did.

Related articles

• Flu Cases on the Rise in U.S. (webmd.com)
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• U.S. Flu Season Picking up, CDC Reports (nlm.nih.gov)
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• "Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Human Infection in Hong Kong" and related posts (hygimia69.blogspot.com)
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Jeffrey Leonard On The Colbert Report Discusses Small Businesses

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Jeffrey Leonard
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

As we have discussed in classes and anyone who is willing to listen to me knows, the issue of payment by clients and the reduction of lending has caused most small businesses to curtail hiring.  Mr. Jeffrey Leonard on the Colbert Report tries to make this point though Mr. Colbert does his usual comedy routine and unfortunately does not get the point that Mr. Leonard is trying to make.  If the government wants to help small businesses hire more, then they have to help us increase our cash flow.

Possible Outbreak Of Legionellosis At The Playboy Mansion?

Image via WikipediaThe Los Angeles Times reported on Monday, February 14 that the Los Angeles County health officials said that 170 people have fallen ill with a possible outbreak of legionellosis or Pontiac fever after attending or working at a fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion and potentially other areas, but they do not believe the outbreak has spread beyond those associated with the event.  The event held on Feb. 3 DOMAINfest Global Conference in Santa Monica, affected people "with symptoms mostly consisting of fever, chills, general discomfort (malaise) and some cough," according to a statement by the LA County Department of Public Health.

According to the LA Times, the LA County Department of Public Health was notified last Friday of a "suspected respiratory infection outbreak" among those associated with the conference, and officials were still identifying and contacting possible victims Monday, according to the statement.  In addition, to the Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills several other locations (including the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica where the conference was held) associated with this conference are being investigated.  "At this time, Public Health has not determined that the source of exposure is limited to a specific location. The department is working to conclusively identify the source of exposure and the likely cause of illness for this suspected outbreak."  Staff members from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) based at the department were assisting with the investigation.
According to the LA Times, it was not clear how soon investigators could determine whether the illness is legionellosis, a milder form of Legionnaires' disease caused by a bacterium that grows in warm water and can take root in hot tubs or parts of air-conditioning systems, according to the CDC.

Related articles

• 170 Sick After Playboy Mansion Outbreak: Pontiac Fever Suspected (nowpublic.com)
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• Mystery Illness Reported at Playboy Mansion (shoppingblog.com)
• Number sickened after Playboy Mansion fundraiser rises to 200 (latimesblogs.latimes.com)
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Could NYS Be Promulgating Lead and Mold Regulations in 2011.

 

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Brains of Adults Who Were Exposed to Lead as Children

A recent legislative/regulatory report for New York State by the American Industrial Hygiene Association's (AIHA) Government Affairs Department indicates legislative/regulatory activity on mold, lead based paint, and even asbestos.  The Person Engaged in Commercial Mold Remediation legislation is currently being reviewed in the Assembly's Committee on Environmental Conservation, while the Childhood Lead Poisoning Primary Prevention and Safe Housing Act is being reviewed in the Assembly's Health Committee. Indications are that both legislation will require licensing and/or certification of individuals performing this work in New York State.  2011 NY A 1769 Mold Legislation (introduced 1/11/11) will require applicants for a license to submit proof or certification by the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC) or any other nationally recognized, third-party accredited certifying body that operates independently of training organizations and industry trade associations.  An applicant for an initial license must pass the department licensing examination in that area of licensure with a score of at least seventy percent correct before applying for the license.  All applicants must pass the department licensing examination within six months of earning certification.  While 2011 NY A 728 Childhood Lead Poisoning Primary Prevention and Safe Housing Act will require the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to promulgate rules and regulations that shall provide for, but not be limited to, qualifications of individuals eligible to conduct such inspections, standards of practice, procedures or protocol for conducting such inspections and requirements for written reports documenting the results of such inspections. To satisfy the requirements of this paragraph, the NYSDOH may adopt regulations sufficient to satisfy the requirements of 40 C.F.R. Part 745 Subpart Q or successor regulation. It would also allow the NYSDOH to promulgate rules and regulations sufficient to satisfy the requirements of 40 C.F.R. Part 745 Subpart Q or successor regulation, governing the accreditation of persons engaging in lead based paint activities.  Don't forget it will also establish by regulation a schedule of fees for the accreditation and registration of persons engaging in lead-based paint activities or conducting inspections for conditions conducive to lead poisoning or lead-based paint activities. Such fees shall be required to be paid at the time of initial registration and at the time of subsequent renewal of registration and shall be deposited into the childhood lead poisoning primary prevention and safe housing fund established pursuant to section ninety-nine-t of the state finance law.
Along with many of you, I don't know what the chances are of these regulations actually being promulgated.  It will be interesting to see if the new year sees us with both lead and mold regulations.  In addition, their seems to be movement on the asbestos front on a new regulation taking into account the Deutsche Bank fire issues.  The PACNY Environmental Conference is in three weeks and we will see if Mr. Chris Alonge has anything new to say about the asbestos regulations.

Related articles

• Making Our Homes Safe and Healthy (whitehouse.gov)
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NIOSH Science Blog Discusses Law Enforcement Injury Causes

Image via WikipediaLast week on Long Island many mourned the death of Nassau County Police Officer Michael J. Califano.  Officer Califano was killed when a flatbed truck slammed into his car during a routine traffic stop on the Long Island Expressway last Friday night (February 4, 2011).  Though his death was outside his vehicle, it is interesting that the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) science blog posting on February 9, 2011 was a discussion on "Cops and Cars".  The blog points out that, the occupational injury fatality rate for police officers was 4 times higher than the U.S. average [BLS, 2009] in 2009.  The blog also discussses a new report by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, line-of-duty deaths have dramatically increased – 40% – from 2009 to 2010 (NLEOMF, 2010).  Possible reasons for this significant increase include budget cuts, the expiration of semi-automatic weapon bans, and a diminishing respect for police officers; but these are, at best, speculations.

The blog then points out that, traffic-related incidents are actually the leading cause of death among our nation's law enforcement officers and have been for the past 13 years (NLEOMF, 2010).  In fact, over the past 5 decades, overall line-of-duty deaths have steadily declined and traffic-related fatalities have increased (2010).  More recently, traffic-related fatalities increased 43% between 2009 and 2010 (2010).  This increase includes officers involved in motor-vehicle crashes and those struck while outside their vehicles.

It is interesting that statistics indicate that law enforcement use of seat belts may be a factor.  Two studies showed that seat bealt use by law enforccement was between 38%-42%.  However, law enforcement have good reasons for not wearing seat belts, including the design of the seat belts can catch their gun holster as they quickly get out of their cars.  Because of this NIOSH is undertaking the first state-wide study of attitudes and beliefs of seatbelt usage among law enforcement officers.  This study will survey a random sample of Iowa law enforcement officers through their agency leadership.  The study will include officers in municipal departments, the state patrol, and sheriff's offices.  As NIOSH begins this research, they are requesting (through the NIOSH Science Blog) to hear from police officers, police administration, law enforcement unions, training academies, and motor-vehicle researchers about their experiences with motor-vehicle crashes and the usage of seatbelts while in patrol cars.  For more information visit the NIOSH Science Blog at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/.

Related articles

• Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (cdc.gov)
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