scholarly journals Vulnerable Populations Exposed to Lead-Contaminated Drinking Water within Houston Ship Channel Communities

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (15) ◽  
pp. 2745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garett Sansom ◽  
Leslie Cizmas ◽  
Kathleen Aarvig ◽  
Benika Dixon ◽  
Katie R. Kirsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Small Community ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Industrial Sites ◽  
Vulnerable Communities ◽  
The Us ◽  
Contaminated Drinking Water ◽  
Water Analyses ◽  
Houston Ship Channel

Recent events have drawn increased attention to potential lead exposures from contaminated drinking water. Further, homes with older infrastructure are at greatest risk due to the presence of the disinfectant chemical chloramine, which can leach lead from older pipes. There is a growing need to determine the extent of lead leaching especially within vulnerable communities and homes with children. This pilot study collected survey data and performed lead analysis on drinking water in the small community of Manchester in Houston, TX. Manchester is characterized by industrial sites, flooding, and a low socioeconomic population. Surveys and water analyses were completed on randomly selected homes (N = 13) and documented perceptions of participants on their drinking water regarding presence and concentration of lead. Lead was discovered in 30.8% of homes ranging from 0.6 to 2.4 (µg/L), all below the US Environmental Protection Agency action level of 15 ppb, but above the water standard goals. These findings further suggest that contaminated water is a broad issue requiring concerted efforts to ensure the health of US residents.

scholarly journals Regulation of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) in Drinking Water: A Comprehensive Review

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pontius
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Sulfonic Acid ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Perfluorooctanoic Acid ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
Water Regulation ◽  
Biological Degradation ◽  
The Us ◽  
Legal Constraints

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) are receiving global attention due to their persistence in the environment through wastewater effluent discharges and past improper industrial waste disposal. They are resistant to biological degradation and if present in wastewater are discharged into the environment. The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issued drinking water Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS at 70 ng/L each and for the sum of the two. The need for an enforceable primary drinking water regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is currently being assessed. The USEPA faces stringent legal constraints and technical barriers to develop a primary drinking water regulation for PFOA and PFOS. This review synthesizes current knowledge providing a publicly available, comprehensive point of reference for researchers, water utilities, industry, and regulatory agencies to better understand and address cross-cutting issues associated with regulation of PFOA and PFOS contamination of drinking water.

scholarly journals The concept of well integrity in gas production activities

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Reichetseder
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Marcellus Shale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Well Integrity ◽  
Drinking Water Resources ◽  
The Us ◽  
Geological Situation

Abstract Shale gas production in the US, predominantly from the Marcellus shale, has been accused of methane emissions and contaminating drinking water under the suspicion that this is caused by hydraulic fracturing in combination with leaking wells. Misunderstandings of the risks of shale gas production are widespread and are causing communication problems. This paper discusses recent preliminary results from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft study, which is revealing fact-based issues: EPA did not find evidence that these mechanisms have led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States, which contrasts many broad-brushed statements in media and public. The complex geological situation and extraction history of oil, gas and water in the Marcellus area in Pennsylvania is a good case for learnings and demonstrating the need for proper analysis and taking the right actions to avoid problems. State-of-the-art technology and regulations of proper well integrity are available, and their application will provide a sound basis for shale gas extraction.

Occurrence of Viruses in Treated Drinking Water in the United States

1985 ◽  
Vol 17 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 689-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elmer W. Akin
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Virus Detection ◽  
Enteric Virus ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
The United States ◽  
Contaminated Drinking Water ◽  
Treated Drinking Water ◽  
The U.S

Health concerns regarding waterborne transmission of enteric viruses began to develop around 1940 in the United States (U.S.) with the isolation of poliovirus from human feces and sewage. The implication of these isolations for the transmission of viral disease through contaminated drinking water stimulated research on methodology for virus detection, recovery and assessment from water. Although virus methods research is still an important area of study, relatively sensitive procedures became available during the past decade for recovering many enteric virus types from large-volume samples of drinking water. Controversy surrounded many of the early reported isolations of viruses from treated drinking water using these procedures due to the suspicion of laboratory contamination. The occurrence of viruses in drinking water treated by currently accepted procedures has still not been proven by the U.S. experience although the likelihood may be gaining support. However, a virus survey of 54 water supplies and extensive studies of two water systems by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency did not demonstrate viral contamination of treated water derived from surface sources.

Reactive Biomaterial for the Treatment of Herbicide Contaminated Drinking Water: Atrazine Dechlorination

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Reátegui ◽  
Erik Reynolds ◽  
Lisa Kasinkas ◽  
Amit Aggarwal ◽  
Michael J. Sadowsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
The United States ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Contaminated Drinking Water ◽  
Herbicide Atrazine ◽  
Heavy Rainfall Events ◽  
Planting Season

The herbicide atrazine is used for control of broadleaf weeds, principally in corn, sorghum, and sugarcane [1]. Atrazine is currently used in 70 countries at an estimated annual rate of 111,000 tons [2, 3]. Atrazine is typically applied early in the planting season. However, Heavy rainfall events, shortly after application may lead to detectable atrazine concentrations in waterways and in drinking-water supplies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency established a 3 ppb limit of atrazine in drinking water. In some instances, municipal water treatment plants use chemicals and other treatment processes, such as activated carbon, to reduce atrazine to below the 3 ppb legal limit for drinking water.

Remote Site Production of Sterile Purified Water from Available Surface Water

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Taylor ◽  
Elaine F. Alambra ◽  
John Anes ◽  
Joel Behnke ◽  
Brandusa Enachescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
The United States ◽  
Quality Attributes ◽  
Sterile Water ◽  
Functional Capabilities ◽  
The Us ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Product Water ◽  
States Pharmacopeia

AbstractA water purification and sterilization device was tested for its functional capabilities. Challenge water consisting of potable water augmented with bacteria, endotoxin, virus, suspended solids, and dissociable ions (sodium chloride, lead or arsenic salts) was passed through the device. The product water quality attributes were analyzed. The device demonstrated reduction in bacteria of >7 logs, endotoxin was reduced by >4 logs, virus was reduced by >4 logs, and dissociable ions were reduced by >3 logs. The product water of the device met the limits for a range of chemical entities specified by the United States Pharmacopeia and Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. The product water met the quality attributes of Sterile Water for Injection, USP, Sterile Purified Water, USP, and the Water for Dialysis. The device provides a logistical advantage in reducing the weight of transport of packaged water by 83% and the cube by 67%. It operates manually by gravity and is disposable after a single use. The device provides an effective alternative to the transport and use of packaged sterile water in remote locations by production of sterile water at the pointof-need using available water. It also is capable of producing safe drinking water following the production of clinical waters. This device has been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration for production of three liters Sterile Purified Water, USP from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grade drinking water.

Comparative performance of colisureTM and accepted methods in the detection of chlorine-injured total coliforms and E. coli

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 259-261
Author(s):  
G. A. McFeters ◽  
S. C. Broadaway ◽  
B. H. Pyle ◽  
M. Pickett ◽  
Y. Egozy
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Total Coliform ◽  
Coliform Bacteria ◽  
Comparative Performance ◽  
Total Coliforms ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Reference Methods ◽  
The Us ◽  
Viable Bacteria ◽  
Contaminated Drinking Water

Studies were done to examine the comparability of ColisureTM and accepted reference methods to detect low numbers of total coliform bacteria and E. coli subjected to chlorine stress. ColisureTM is a medium designed to concurrently detect coliform bacteria and E. coli in drinking water by the specific action of β-galactosidase (total coliforms) and β-glucuronidase (E. coli). The methods used to compare the performance of various media followed a protocol established by the USEPA. Samples (31) of sewage from six different regions of the US were treated with sufficient concentrations of chlorine (1.2-2.5mg/l) to reduce viability 1-3 logs (39% average injury) and diluted with drinking water to achieve ca. 3 viable coliforms/100ml. The mean log reductions in viable bacteria, determined with various media following disinfection of the 31 samples were: mEndo = 1.87 (TC), ColisureTM = 1.55 (TC), mTec = 3.63 (E. coli) and ColisureTM = 2.01 (E. coli). When ColisureTM was compared with accepted methods to detect total coliforms in the dilute, disinfected samples, ColisureTM yielded results that were 1.6 times greater than LTB confirmed in BGLB at 28h. ColisureTM also detected 1.7 times greater levels of E. coli than LTB confirmed in EC/MUG at 28h. Sensitivity and specificity of ColisureTM were between 96 and 100% when positive and negative tests were verified. These findings indicate that ColisureTM is superior to certain accepted reference methods in the detection of chlorine-injured coliforms and E. coli under conditions that resemble contaminated drinking water.

Potential Regulatory Problems Associated with Atrazine, Cyanazine, and Alachlor in Surface Water Source Drinking Water

1994 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 852-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Nelson ◽  
R. David Jones
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Water Source ◽  
The United States ◽  
Corn Belt ◽  
Annual Average ◽  
The Us ◽  
Us Epa ◽  
Lakes And Reservoirs

Post-application seasonal (May-July) average concentrations of atrazine, cyanazine, and, to a lesser extent, alachlor sometimes exceed their Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) (3 ug/L for atrazine and 2 ug/L for alachlor) or Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) (1 ug/L for cyanazine) in surface waters of the Mississippi and Great Lakes Basins. These three chemicals are among the primary pre-emergent herbicides applied to corn. MCLs and MCLGs are compared to annual average concentrations for regulatory purposes. However, annual average concentrations are much less frequently reported than post-application seasonal averages. In most cases, both seasonal and annual average concentrations are substantially less than the MCLs or MCLG. However, actual and estimated annual mean concentrations occasionally exceed the MCLs or MCLG. Actual or estimated exceedences occur more frequently for atrazine and cyanazine than for alachlor, and may occur more frequently in lakes or reservoirs with long retention times than in streams and rivers. Additional year round data, and data for lakes and reservoirs, are needed to determine the extent to which such exceedences occur throughout the corn belt. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) believes that substantial numbers of Community Water Systems (CWSs) within the corn belt are currently, or will be, in violation of the revised Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) with respect to atrazine and cyanazine. They are concerned that such violations could result in numerous CWSs having to implement expensive tertiary treatment systems such as granular activated carbon to decrease herbicide concentrations. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, (US EPA) is continuing to review data on the pesticide concentrations in reservoirs and lakes that registrants have been submitting over the last 18 mo under the 6(a)(2) adverse impact provision of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The US EPA is also currently using computer modeling and other methods to evaluate potential alternative and/or supplemental herbicides to reduce atrazine use. In June 1992, the US EPA approved revised labeling that is designed to reduce indirect atrazine loadings to surface waters. Additional mitigation methods have been proposed and are being considered.

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