Spring

The Cedar River is the major coure of drinking water for the city of Seattle. However, the level of fecal colifoRMS in the raw water supply has exceeded limits set by Washington State in recent years, and as a result, the water utility may be required to install an extensive and costly filtration system.

The sick building syndrome refers to a group of symptoms attributed to poor indoor air quality, although a specific causal agent is rarely identified. It has been hypothesized that increasing the outdoor air supply will reduce symptom prevalence.

Nuclear Factor kappa B (NFkB) is a mammalian transcriptional activator known to be involved in the inducible expression of a variety of genes, particularly those involved in immune, inflammatory and acute phase responses.

Several health hazards associated with the primary aluminum reduction industry have been recognized, lung and bladder cancer has been associated with exposure to coal tar pitch volatiles in some processes. Some researchers have linked the gas, fume, and dust exposures found in aluminum smelter pot rooms with the incidence of bronchitis and asthma.

The objective of this project was to determine the most effective subtyping method or combinaation of subtyping methods for outbreak investigation of the E. coli O157:H7 pathogen. Since the first reported outbreak in 1982, E. coli O157:H7 has emerged as an important pathogen. An estimated 20,000 illnesses and 250 deaths in the United States alone have been attributed to E.

The use of open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (OP-FTIR) to identify and quantify air emissions requires the collection of both sample and background spectra. Highly variable temporal conditions which can alter atmospheric transmission and the presence of interferants can greatly reduce the effective use of any backrground.

PCBs are persistent environmental toxicants that have been associated with neurological, developmental, and immune system effects as well as carcinogenesis in animals and humans. PCBs have been detected in all species of fish monitored in the past ten years by the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program.

Aircraft crashes have been identified as a significant cause of premature and preventable mortality. The ten-year mortality rate between 1980 and 1990 from aircraft mishaps for the entire U.S. was 5.2 deaths per 1,000,000 general population. In a Canadian study, it was determined that the death rate for commercial airline pilots from aircraft crashes was 127 per 100,000 person –years.

Dermal exposure is potentially high among industrial workers. Chemical protective clothing (CPC) is meant to guard the skin against exposure but CPC is not able to protect against all chemicals in all situations.

The purpose of this study was to use biological monitoring to evaluate occupational exposure to nitrous oxide in dental operatories and to determine relationships between nitrous oxide concentration in ambient air, urine, and exhaled breath. This study also evaluated the effectiveness of a ventilation intervention in decreasing occupational exposure levels to nitrous oxide.

Agricultural workers in the state of Washington must deal with numerous hazards in their daily work ranging from threats of falling off of ladders to turning over tractors. While these incidents are usually one-time accidents, many field workers are exposed daily to numerous types of pesticides.

Increased risk of spontaneous abortion (SAB) is possibly associated with nitrate exposures in drinking water. However, available data are insufficient to establish whether an association exists.

A needs assessment survey was conducted in the Northwest United States (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming) via one page mailed questionnaire to describe perceptions regarding the levels of concern, specific concerns, sources of information, and frequency of concerns on children's environmental health.

Noise dosimetry was used to assess the exposure levels of electricians working for a major electrical sub-contractor in Washington State at five sites using four types of construction methods. Subjects documented activity and environmental data throughout their work shift resulting in an activity/exposure record for each of the 174 samples collected over the four month duration of the study.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for causing many nosocomial infections. This Gram-negative bacteria is considered ubiquitous and is found in several environments including water, soil, normal flora, and agricultural produce.

This study assessed the effectiveness of commercially available local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems for controlling respirable dust and crystalline silica exposures during concrete cutting and grinding activities.

Electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation became a particular focus for industrial hygiene beginning in the mid 1960's when symptoms such as headache, insomnia, and cardiovascular changes were reported in switchyard workers in the former Soviet Union (WHO, 1989). Before then, hazards associated with the use of electrical power were thought to be limited to thermal burns and electrocution.

The present study assessed visual and auditory functions in adult monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) exposed in utero to methylmercury (MeHg), a prevalent environmental pollutant. Maternal exposure of either 0, 50, 70, or 90 mg/kg/day of MeHg resulted in blood mercury levels at birth from 1.04 to 2.3 ppm for treated infants.

The relationship between the many potential risk factors and the development of work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal morbidity has not been fully defined (NIOSH, 1997; NAS, 1998).

The objective of this study is to evaluate the use of a one enzyme versus two enzymes in microbial source tracking studies.

Hazardous vapors and gases are commonly present in a wide range of industries throughout the world. In order to protect workers from these contaminants, it is important to be able to accurately determine the concentrations of gases and vapors in the workplace. Traditionally, sampling has been performed by drawing air through a sorbent tube with a pump.

Agriculture is a vital industry in Washington State. In 1998, agriculture directly employed 91,700 workers, making it the third largest employment sector behind only the construction and aircraft industries providing jobs in the state of Washington.

In this study, we investigated a possible mechanism of the human airway inflammatory response to inhaled ozone (O3). Cultures of human nasal epithelial (HNE) cells were initiated from excised nasal turbinates on collagen-coated TranswellÒ tissue culture inserts and exposed to 120, 240, or 500 ppb O3 for 3 hours.

Large species differences exist in sensitivity to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced liver cancer. Mice are resistant to AFB1-induced liver cancer because they express an alpha-calss GST (mGSTA3-3) that has high activity toward the reacrtive intermediate aflatoxin B1-8, 9-epoxide (AFBO).

This research measured exposure assessment and health effects in sixteen older adults in Seattle during the winter of 2002-2003.

The U.S. Army performed more than 1,575,000 examinations for medical fitness between 1995 and 2000 on individuals applying for enlisted active duty status and performed over 15,000 exams between 1999-2000 for individuals applying for active duty status as a commissioned officer.

Noise is a ubiquitous problem in the United States, particularly in the construction industry. Because over-exposure to noise does not usually have immediate adverse consequences, there has been little focus on exposure assessment and control of construction noise. Noise-related studies have been done in the construction industry, but the date are not comprehensive.

Pesticides are ubiquitous in our environment and exposure is common. However, fetuses, infants and children may be at an increased risk of toxicity. For example, widespread mercury poisoning in Iraq in the 1970's caused nervous system effects in children born to women exposed during pregnancy. However, many of the women showed no over toxicity.

This study assessed exposures to respirable dust and silica exposures during seven construction activities. One hundred and eleven personal breathing zone samples were collected. The samples were collected by either a standard nylon cyclone or real-time aerosol monitor, which also recorded one-minute respirable dust levels.