Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the scavenging of atmospheric organic contaminants from precipitation, specifically snow and rain. The paper also determined and quantified, from scavenging, the amount of polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in snow and rain. Snow scavenging of organic contaminants was being studied because little is known about this phenomenon and a large amount of precipitation, which occurs in North America, occurs in the form of snow. By studying the various precipitation the researchers were able to observe snow scavenging, the gas scavenging abilities of rain and the particle scavenging abilities of both rain and snow.

Tags:contaminates, organic

Abstract
This paper summarizes a DHHS study on the impact of lead-contaminated soil on public health. It also looks at different methods of assessing lead contamination in soil which could have been used in this project, and their sensitivity and specificity.

From the Paper
"A study reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) summarized the complex interactive forces considered by health scientists and environmentalists when evaluating the impact of lead-contaminated soils on public health. It looked at the relationship between exposure to lead contaminated soil and its impact on public health. The study showed that soil and dust contaminated with lead are major pathways by which children come in contact with lead from..."

Tags:lead contamination, soil testing, DHHS

Abstract
The paper uses a qualitative review of existing literature concerning arsenic characteristics, regional and site specific geology and hydrogeology, and remediation methods, to explore the arsenic contamination of groundwater in Deloro Village, Madoc, Eastern Ontario, Canada. The paper also provides recommendations on more effective and efficient means of remediation for the site and similar contaminated areas.

Outline:
Background to the Research Project
Proposed Research
Importance of this Research
Proposed Methodology
Ethical Considerations
Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research Considerations
Revised Project Schedule

From the Paper
"The Deloro Mine, in eastern Ontario, is a significant player whose activities has resulted in both surface and subsurface arsenic contamination of both soil and water, at the mine site, and off-site as well. Gold mining and smelting, with arsenic removal, was established in 1886, at Deloro. The health and safety of Deloro workers was compromised due to high levels of metal in their bodies, specifically lead and arsenic. Environmental problems were also an issue, including the air deposition of arsenic dust. This air deposition contamination was so detrimental that residents were unable to hang out their laundry during smelter operation, for years, because of the stack soot high in metals. In the 1960s, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) Water Resources Commission found water samples to be high in arsenic. "

Tags:mining, smelting, air, deposition, contamination, atmospheric, deposition

Abstract
The paper relates that the contaminants which are of concern in the Arctic are based on their chemical properties, transport, uptake, and persistence in the environment. The paper explains that such chemical properties include high volatility, and ability to adhere to particles both within the gaseous or liquid form, which allows the chemical to disperse readily from its source and travel easily its destination. The paper discusses how the Arctic also provides an efficient system both to capture and biomagnify many of the fat soluble compounds, such as mercury and POPs (persistant organic pollutants), since volatile compounds form the mid and low latitudes reach the arctic via a 'global distillation process'.

From the Paper
"What are the two most important contaminants of Canada's Arctic Ecoregion today? Why do you think they are the most important? Where do they come from and how did they get to the Arctic? Is the situation improving or getting worse? Why? The contaminants which are of concern in the Arctic are based on their chemical properties transport, uptake, and persistence in the environment. Such chemical properties include high volatility, and ability to adhere to particles both within the gaseous or liquid form, which allows the chemical to disperse readily from its source and travel easily its destination. The Arctic also provides an efficient system both to capture..."

Tags:iso 14000, contaminants, james bay

Abstract
The paper reviews the work "A Civil Action" by Jonathan Harr as a basis for exploring violation of E.P.A. regarding water contamination. It uses the incident of water contamination that took place at Woburn, Massachusetts in the 1960s and 70s as one that serves as a lesson in the prevention of water contamination. It lists the deficiencies responsible for the contamination, such as the lack of laboratory checks, lack of inspections of the land and water, lack of compliance evaluation and inhibited civil action.

From the Paper
""A Civil Action" by Jonathan Harr is a book that brings awareness to communities that might be unaware of the EPA standards against water contamination, and the neglect of concerned authorities allowing industries to carry out their illegal dumping of chemicals in certain areas. The incident of water contamination that took place at Woburn, Massachusetts is one that serves as a lesson in history that should not be repeated. This case of water contamination was believed to be responsible for claiming many lives through leukemia because of a chemical substance (Trichloroethylene) present in the water."

Tags:Jonathan, Harr, Woburn, Massachusetts, inspections, compliance, evaluation

Abstract
This paper discusses the hazardous effects of inadequate methods of solid waste disposal on the environment. The paper emphasizes the urgency of the need to deal with this issue, and describes fecal contamination as the major culprit. The writer illustrates how the lack of modern sanitation facilities and adequate health care in certain areas, are the main cause of fecal contamination.

From the Paper
"Fecal waste may contain an undetermined number of bacteria, viruses, and parasites capable of causing disease in humans and animals. Studies have focused on numbers of indicator bacteria (total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and fecal streptococci) or enteroviruses in feces and leachates, but have not estimated the total pathogen load or identified the major sources of these pathogens. This may be due to lack of detection methods for many of the pathogens in solid waste or leachate as well as potentially low numbers of viable but non-culturable organisms. Fecal waste is a breeding ground for diseases and even the smallest of contaminations can cause a great deal of problems."

Tags:bacteria, virus, parasites, garbage, recycling, health, hazard, water

Abstract
The paper discusses the arsenic poisoning in the tiny eastern Ontario village of Deloro and how the environment ministry was aware of this for more than a decade before it decided to take action. The paper reviews the literature on the poisoning of Deloro and on arsenic contamination in general.

Outline:
Introduction
The Poisoning of Deloro
Arsenic Contamination and Poisoning
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The provincial government had known for more than a decade that the people of Deloro had been breathing arsenic-laden air and living with arsenic-poisoned soil, according to McAndrew in his 1999 article. However, on June 10th, 1999 the approximately 175 residents learned the truth, during a community meeting organized by the ministry to inform the residents about the cleanup efforts that would be conducted at the abandoned Deloro gold mine and smelter."

Tags:poisoning, toxicity, remediation

Abstract
This paper relates that the negative health effects of lead-contaminated drinking water are significant and occur at very low concentrations. The author points out that the primary source for contamination has been identified as corroding plumbing, which means that almost the whole of the developed world is faced with this danger. The paper urges that samples of real-world concentrations of lead in the drinking water supplies in the developed world should be taken from residential, commercial, industrial, and public buildings. The author suggests that this information should be used to develop public health policies.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Literature Review
Discussion and Analysis
Summary of Findings

From the Paper
"Even at very low levels of lead exposure, individuals can experience measurable and permanent neurological damage. This is especially true for the young. Bryant (2004) contends that children are most susceptible to lead exposure from birth until the age of six. This is consistent with remarks by Watt et al. (1996), who outline the effects of minimal lead exposure to infants via drinking water--from bottle feeding, breast, or directly from the mother's blood before birth. Watt et al. (1996) points out that exposure to low levels of lead in infants has been positively correlated to decreases in intelligence over the course of an individual's life."

Tags:children, plumbing, aged, school, intelligence

Abstract
An 8-page paper examining contaminated drinking water in its western and Third World implications. How economic factors aggravate the problem and affect the ability to find solutions.

Abstract
This paper describes undisclosed bottled water contamination in America. The paper reports that most of the bottled water is not frequently checked, and that a small percent of it is unsafe for the public. It illustrates how the American public has been advertised into perceiving that bottled water is pure and clean. The author calls for the labeling of bottled water to disclosing the water source, treatments and other key information.

From the Paper
"According to a four-year scientific study made recently public by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) stated that the sales of bottled water in the United States have been blown up in recent years, mainly as a result of a public awareness of purity driven by advertisements and packaging labels featuring unspoiled glaciers and crystal-clear mountain springs. However, bottled water sold in the United States does not necessarily cleaner or safer than most tap water (NRDC)."

Tags:tap, marketing, Environmental, Protection, Agency, (EPA), safe, safety, treatment, source