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Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are photosynthetic, aquatic organisms found in fresh, brackish, and marine water around the world (1). Rapid proliferation and accumulation of potentially toxin-producing cyanobacteria characterize one type of harmful algal bloom (HAB). HABs have the potential to cause illness in humans and animals (2,3); however, the epidemiology of these illnesses has not been well characterized. Statewide in 2015, a total of 139 HABs were identified in New York, 97 (70%) of which were confirmed through laboratory analysis; 77 independent beach closures were ordered at 37 beaches on 20 different bodies of water. To better characterize HAB-associated illnesses, during June-September 2015, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) implemented a pilot surveillance system in 16 New York counties. Activities included the collection of data from environmental HAB reports, illness reports, poison control centers, and syndromic surveillance, and increased outreach to the public, health care providers, and veterinarians. During June-September, 51 HAB-associated illnesses were reported, including 35 that met the CDC case definitions*; 32 of the cases occurred in humans and three in dogs. In previous years, New York never had more than 10 HAB-associated illnesses reported statewide. The pilot surveillance results from 16 counties during a 4-month period suggest that HAB-associated illnesses might be more common than previously reported.

On-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs or septic systems) are designed to treat and dispose effluents on the same property that produces the wastewater. Approximately 25% of the U.S. population is served by such facilities. Nevertheless, studies on the treatment efficiency and discharge of organic contaminants through septic effluents are lacking. This pilot study showed the occurrence of organic contaminants including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), perfluoroalkyl surfactants (PFASs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in septic effluents, adjacent lake water samples, household drinking water in homes that use lake water or a well adjacent to the lake as a source of drinking water, and offshore lake water samples. Septic effluent as well as lake and tap water samples were collected from several households with OWTSs around Skaneateles Lake located in central New York. The advanced on-site systems were installed in some households for the purpose of limiting nutrient levels in the effluent to protect the local surface water. Additionally, because many of these systems serve homes with limited land, advanced treatment systems were needed. The median concentrations of ten PPCPs (ranged from 0.45 to 388 ng/L) and eleven PFASs (ranged from 0.20 to 14.6 ng/L) in septic water were significantly higher ( p ≤ 0.01) than in lake water samples. The median concentrations of PPCPs and PFASs in lake and tap water samples were not significantly different ( p ≥ 0.65). The median concentrations of ∑PBDEs in septic, lake, and tap water samples were 7.47, 3.49, and 2.22 ng/L, respectively, and those for ∑PCBs were 33.1, 29.2, and 28.6 ng/L, respectively. The mass flux of PPCPs (i.e. the mass flow of PPCPs per unit area per unit time) through the disposal of treated septic effluent from textile biofilter and aerobic treatments to the dispersal unit ranged from 12 (carbamazepine) to 66900 μg/m 2 /day (caffeine) whereas that for PFASs ranged from 7.0 (perfluorobutanesulfonate) to 833 μg/m 2 /day (perfluorooctanoic acid). Based on the ratio of measured concentrations and method detection limit, triclocarban, perfluorooctanoic acid, and perfluorooctanesulfonate have the potential to be used as chemical tracers of septic water contamination in Skaneateles Lake. The median concentrations of atenolol, a beta-blocker drug, in septic water were significantly ( ρ = 0.86, p = 0.01) correlated with enterococci counts.

We identified hospital visits with reported exposure to harmful algal blooms, an emerging public health concern because of toxicity and increased incidence. We used the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Disease (ICD) medical code specifying environmental exposure to harmful algal blooms to extract hospital visit records in New York State from 2008 to 2014. Using the ICD code, we identified 228 hospital visits with reported exposure to harmful algal blooms. They occurred all year long and had multiple principal diagnoses. Of all hospital visits, 94.7% were managed in the emergency department and 5.3% were hospitalizations. As harmful algal bloom surveillance increases, the ICD code will be a beneficial tool to public health only if used properly.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in raw and finished drinking water at seven Public Water Systems (PWSs) along the Hudson River as part of a baseline monitoring program prior to the extensive sediment dredging of the Upper Hudson River. Water samples were either analyzed using an Aroclor method (based on USEPA Method 508) or a congener method (Modified Green Bay Mass Balance Method). Using the congener-based method, raw water concentrations ranged from

Outdoor air polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations were measured in upstate New York as part of a nonoccupational exposure investigation. The adjacent study communities of Hudson Falls and Fort Edward contain numerous sites of current and former PCB contamination, including two capacitor-manufacturing facilities. Outdoor air PCB concentrations in the study municipalities were significantly higher than in the comparison municipality of Glens Falls. Total PCB concentrations in the study area ranged from 0.102 to 4.011 ng/m(3) (median: 0.711 ng/m(3)). For the comparison area, concentrations ranged from 0.080 to 2.366 ng/m(3) (median: 0.431 ng/m(3)). Although our sampling was not designed to identify point sources, the presence of PCB-contaminated sites in the study area likely contributed to this observed difference in concentration. While elevated relative to the comparison area, total PCB concentrations in the study area are lower than those in other communities with known PCB-contaminated sites, and similar to levels reported in other locations from the northeastern United States.

Simultaneous measurements of gaseous HONO, HNO3, HCl, SO2, and NH3 from July 1999 to June 2000 and fine-fraction particulate (

Simultaneous measurements of gaseous HONO, HNO3, HCl, SO2, and NH3 for a period of 1 year from July 1999 to June 2000 and fine-fraction particulate (

Providing sources of sustainable and quality potable water in Uganda is a significant public health issue. This project aimed at identifying and prioritizing possible actions on how sustainable high quality potable water in Uganda's water supply systems could be achieved. In that respect, a review of both the current water supply systems and government programs on drinking water in Uganda was completed. Aspects of quantity, quality, treatment methods, infrastructure, storage and distribution of water for different water systems were evaluated and compared with the existing water supply systems in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean, for purposes of generating feasible recommendations and opportunities for improvement. Uganda utilizes surface water, groundwater, and rainwater sources for consumption. Surface water covers 15.4% of the land area and serves both urban and rural populations. Lake Victoria contributes about 85% of the total fresh surface water. Potable water quality is negatively affected by the following factors: disposal of sewage and industrial effluents, agricultural pesticides and fertilizers, and surface run-offs during heavy rains. The total renewable groundwater resources in Uganda are estimated to be 29 million m3/year with about 20,000 boreholes, 3000 shallow-wells and 200,000 springs, serving more than 80% of the rural and slum communities. Mean annual rainfall in Uganda ranges from 500 mm to 2500 mm. Groundwater and rainwater quality is mainly affected by poor sanitation and unhygienic practices. There are significant regional variations in the accessibility of potable water, with the Northeastern region having the least amount of potable water from all sources. Uganda still lags behind in potable water resource development. Priorities should be placed mainly on measures available for improvement of groundwater and rainwater resource utilization, protection of watersheds, health education, improved water treatment methods and distribution in rural areas, and pollution control and monitoring. Implementing these changes can promote potable water accessibility especially to the poor populations living in rural and urban slum areas because they comprise the majority (80%) of Uganda's population.

The extent of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) contamination in private wells near gasoline stations, which lack the relative protection afforded many public waters supplies through zoning and routine testing, was examined. Samples were collected from 74 private wells near 21 randomly selected gasoline stations and from 21 control wells, one per facility. Two hypotheses are tested: (1) private wells downgradient and close (0.5 mi) to gasoline stations (case wells) are more likely to have MTBE contamination than private wells upgradient and distant (1.5 mi) (control wells); and (2) private wells near gasoline stations selling oxygenated gasoline are more likely to have MTBE contamination than private wells near gasoline stations selling conventional gasoline. Data on the concurrence of MTBE and other gasoline constituents are presented.MTBE concentrations ranged from1.0 micro/L (microg/L) to 61 microg/L, with a mean of 12.0 microg/L. MTBE contamination ofor =1 microg/L was detected more frequently in case wells (28%) than control wells (5%) (p = 0.015). MTBE contamination ofor =1 microg/L occurred more frequently in private wells near facilities selling oxygenated gasoline (38%) than private wells near facilities selling conventional gasoline (20%) (p = 0.11). Statistical significance may have been achieved with a larger sample size. Benzene (0.5 microg/L) was found concurrently with MTBE in only one well, which also had the highest concentration of MTBE.

[Abstract A method for determining chloroform, 1,1,1 -trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, and trichloroethene in breath samples was developed. It consisted of collecting samples in 40-mL glasssilanized tubes that were 16-in. long and had a 0.64-in. diameter. The ends tapered, resulting in a tube with a 1/4-in. diameter that was 13/4-in. long; each end had a shutoff valve attached. One end had a strip of rubber tube attached to the shutoff valve for collecting the breath sample, and the other end contained a 1/4-in. Swagelok nut with a rubber septum for withdrawing the sample. Samples were withdrawn using a pressure-lock, gaslight syringe, and they were injected onto a gas chromatograph fitted with an electron-capture detector. The analyles were stable for at least 22 days in these tubes. The method detection limit was determined to be 0.03, 0.08, 0.04, and 0.04 pg/mt for chloroform, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, and trichloroethene, respectively. Precision, based on 13 injections, was determined to be 13% for 0.09 pg chloroform, 13% for 0.21 pg 1,1,1trichloroethane, 8% for 0.16 pg carbon tetrachloride, and 14% for 0.1 pg trichloroethene. In all, the proposed method is a sensitive and reliable one for determining volatile organic compounds in breath and a method that can also be applied to air sampling.

A study was conducted to evaluate the association between PCBs in residential indoor air and in the serum of older, long time residents of three upper Hudson River communities. Samples of indoor air and of serum were collected from 170 persons 55 to 74 years of age, and analyzed for PCBs using glass capillary gas chromatography. After adjusting for age, BMI, cigarette smoking, and Hudson River fish consumption with multiple linear regression analysis, the results indicated statistically significant associations between concentrations in indoor air and serum for PCB-28, a lightly chlorinated congener common in air that accumulates in serum, and PCB-105. Duration of exposure was an important factor, since among persons who had lived in their home for 39 years or more, 11 of the 12 most commonly detected congeners were significantly correlated, as was their sum (∑ PCB). Significant associations between indoor air and serum PCB concentrations also were more likely when collected in cooler months and if the two samples were collected within 20 d of each other. The study is among the first to indicate that PCB concentrations characteristic of residential indoor air are associated with a detectable increase in body burden.

Indoor air polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations were measured in upstate New York as part of a nonoccupational exposure investigation. The adjacent study communities contain numerous sites of current and former PCB contamination, including two capacitor-manufacturing facilities. Indoor air PCB concentrations in the study area homes were not significantly different than in the comparison area homes. Total PCB concentrations in the study area homes ranged from 0.3 to 114.3 ng/m(3) (median 7.9). For the comparison area homes, concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 233.3 ng/m(3) (median 6.8). No correlations were found between PCB concentrations in indoor and outdoor air, with indoor concentrations generally 20 times higher than outdoor concentrations. Of the home characteristics cataloged, the presence of fluorescent lights was significantly associated with total PCB concentration in the study area only. The indoor PCB concentrations measured in this study are similar to those in other communities with known PCB-contaminated sites and similar to levels reported in other locations from the northeastern United States.

Sediments and fish from Lake Ontario and from a laboratory exposure study could be analyzed with an accuracy of ±50% at a detection limit of 1 pg/g with improvements in accuracy at higher concentrations.

An investigation was carried out in the New York City Watershed for the presence of selected pharmaceuticals. In four seasonal sampling events between August 2003 and May 2004, surface water was collected from eight reservoir keypoints and effluent was collected from four wastewater treatment plants. We evaluated the following twelve compounds: amoxicillin, atenolol, caffeine, carbamazepine, cephalexin, estrone, 17alpha-ethinylestradiol, 17beta-estradiol, ibuprofen, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and valproic acid. In the treated effluents, carbamazepine was detected most frequently (100%; concentration range: 22-551 ng/L), followed by atenolol (94%; ND - 14,200 ng/L), trimethoprim (83%; ND - 37,000 ng/L), ibuprofen (61%; ND - 14,600 ng/L), and caffeine (49%; ND - 37,200 ng/L), while estrone was detected once (56 ng/L). In the reservoir keypoint samples, only ibuprofen (2.5%; ND - 932 ng/L) and caffeine (2.9%; ND - 177 ng/L) were detected. The other analytes were not detected in any sample. It is expected that investigation of other wastewater treatment plants in the New York City Watershed would show that their effluents are also a potential source of pharmaceuticals, but that these pharmaceuticals are unlikely to be detected in the Watershed's surface waters.

A study to try to better understand the interactions between various air contaminants and acute asthma exacerbations is described. The study evaluates temporal associations between a panel of air contaminants and acute asthmatic exacerbations as measured by emergency room visits for asthma in communities in the Bronx and Manhattan in New York City (NYC). In addition, ambient levels of various air pollutants in two NYC communities are being compared. Almost 2 years of daily data have been collected for most of the air contaminants to be investigated. The air contaminants measured include gaseous compounds (ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, aldehydes, nitrous acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and ammonia), particulate matter components (metals, elemental and organic carbon, sulfate, hydrogen ion, pollen, mold spores and particle mass and number).

Contractors under the U.S. Department of Energy management have implemented a comprehensive approach to the management of design and construction of the complex facility modifications at the SP‐100 Ground Engineering System Test Site on the Hanford Reservation. The SP‐100 Test Site employs a multi‐organizational integrated management approach with clearly defined responsibilities to assure success. This approach allows for thorough planning and analysis before the project kick off, thus minimizing the number and magnitude of problems which arise during the course of the project. When combined with a comprehensive cost and schedule/project management reporting system the problems which do occur are recognized early enough to assure timely intervention and resolution.

Transport of 42 polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) congeners by purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in two ecosystems is reported. The contaminated site was beside the Hudson River at Albany, New York, and the control site was two miles distant on wasteland. By transplanting and translocating the plants between the sites, systemic uptake from the roots and uptake from the air were determined. Uptake from ambient air was also measured with a 0.2-m3 field sampling chamber. The dominant route of uptake by the plant was via the roots. At high ambient concentrations (140 ng/m) PCB was scavenged from the air by the plants. At low ambient concentrations (8 ng/m3) 2-chlorobiphenyl and 2,2′-dichlorobiphenyl were emitted by the plants.

Two tetrachlorodibenzofurans (TCDFs) were found at concentrations of 1 part-per-quadrillion (ppq) in finished drinking water from one of 20 community water systems in New York State. A follow-up study also revealed that tetra- to octa-chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs) and chlorinated dibenzofurans (CDFs) were present at part-per-trillion (ppt) to part-per-billion (ppb) concentrations in sediments taken from the same community water system and at ppq in raw water entering the plant.

Developing rats were exposed to PCBs via provision of diets containing 0.02 (no PCB added), 2.5, 26, or 269 ppm Aroclor 1254 to sperm-positive female rats from mating to weaning of their pups. Provision of the 269 ppm diet decreased the number of impregnated rats that delivered a litter and lowered pup birth weight, and most pups died within 7 days of birth. Pregnancy success, pup birth weight, and dam body weight and food intake were not altered in the 2.5 and 26 ppm conditions. Preweaning pup growth was reduced in the 26 ppm condition and slightly reduced in the 2.5 ppm condition. The ontogeny of negative geotaxis, auditory startle, and air righting was delayed in pups from the 26 ppm condition. Pups in the 2.5 ppm condition had slightly delayed development of auditory startle. PCB exposure did not affect the duration of forepaw suspension or age at eye opening. Maximal electroshock seizure tests on postweaning rats showed that perinatal PCB exposure decreased seizure severity of both the 2.5 and 26 ppm groups as indicated by increased durations of forelimb and hindlimb flexion and decreased duration of hindlimb extension. PCB exposure increased pup liver weights at birth and dam and pup liver weights at weaning. Spleen and thymus weights were lower in PCB-exposed pups, while brain weights were unaffected. Analytical determination of PCB levels in brain showed greater maternal transfer of PCBs during lactation than during gestation. Elevated PCB levels were detectable in brains of perinatally exposed adult rats. The results indicate that perinatal PCB exposure of rats alters neurobehavioral and somatic ontogeny.

Rat pups were exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from conception to weaning. Exposure occurred via feeding dams adulterated certified chow that was designed to contain 0, 3, 30, and 300 Μg/gm Aroclor® 1254. Tissue samples from rat pups and dams were analyzed for 67 different PCB congeners at birth and weaning to describe their accumulation during gestation and lactation. Bioaccumulation of PCB congeners was calculated as a function of their concentration in feed or milk. These data indicated that PCB congeners could be divided into three different groups. The “a” group was not avidly bioaccumulated. Congeners in the “b” group accumulated to widely different concentrations. This group contained primarily penta- and hexachlorinated biphenyls. The analysis of two families of pentachlorobiphenyls containing one ring with −2,3,4, or −2,4,5 chlorine substitutions indicated that molecular structure and not physico-chemical properties,e.g., gas Chromatographic retention time, determined bioaccumulation. The “c” group were all highly chlorinated congeners and bioaccumulated to nearly equal levels. Most congeners were concentrated in the milk when compared to the feed. When bioaccumulation data from pups at birth and weaning were compared, exposure was much greater during lactation than during gestation. The congener analysis showed that the same congeners were most avidly bioaccumulated during the periods of gestation and lactation, indicating that the increased accumulation during lactation was due to a higher effective dose.