scholarly journals Assessing the Presence of Soil Lead Contamination on the Premises of Air Liquide Ghana Limited in Tema, Ghana

2020 ◽  
pp. 60-65
Author(s):  
Prince M. Gyekye ◽  
Adams Sadick ◽  
Felix O. Ababio ◽  
Mohammed Musah ◽  
Calys Tagoe Edward
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Absorption ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Lead Contamination ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Soil Lead ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
Concentration Levels ◽  
Over Time

A study was conducted to determine the extent of site contamination by Lead (Pb) present in the soil on the premises of Air Liquide Ghana Limited, and give the appropriate recommendation for decontamination, where necessary. Eighteen (18) soil samples were collected from the study area using an augur. The geographical coordinates and elevations of the samples were recorded with the GPS. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. In the absence of present standards from the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), both the Dutch List and the International List standard were used to evaluate the concentration levels of Pb in the soil. Results from the analysis revealed that the concentration of lead (Pb) initially exceeded the international threshold of the Dutch intervention value of 530 mg/kg in some sample areas. Nine locations of the sample areas where diesel was being stored, S2-Diese Tank and Smoking Area S5-Smoking Area recorded values of 636.4 mg/kg and 602 respectively which is above the recommended threshold. The control recorded below the threshold value of 530 mg/kg. The study also showed that Lead compounds attached to soil particles took a shorter time to break down to reduce the levels of concentration over time.

Distribution of some Heavy Metals in Leachates from a Municipal Waste Dumpsite

2007 ◽  
Vol 18-19 ◽  
pp. 495-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.O. Obahiagbon ◽  
G.B. Olowojoba
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Atomic Absorption ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Iron And Zinc ◽  
Lead Zinc ◽  
Edo State

The distribution of heavy metals in leachates from a waste dumpsite was investigated. Soil samples were taken from a major dumpsite in Edo State located at Oluku near the National Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and analyzed. The heavy metals considered were Iron, Lead, Zinc, Mercury, Chromium, Cadmium, Arsenic, Nickel, and Copper. The concentrations, in mg/l, of these heavy metals in the leachates from the soil samples over a distance of 80 meters were determined using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The following results were obtained, the concentration of Iron ranged between 1.25-1.85 mg/l, Chromium: 0.01-0.07 mg/l, Zinc: 0.45-3.45 mg/l, Copper: 0.01-0.03 mg/l, Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic, and Nickel had negligible values, i.e. less than 0.01 mg/l. From the results the concentrations of iron and zinc fell within Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) limits.

scholarly journals Thirty Years of Economics at the Environmental Protection Agency

2013 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 436-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Al McGartland
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Policy ◽  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Policy Process ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis ◽  
Clean Air ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
Over Time

When the modern era of environmental policy began with creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and passage of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, economists and economics were little used. Over time, economics became a major contributor to formation of environmental policy. Executive Order 12291 pushed economics into the policy process but also rendered benefit-cost analysis controversial. I report on economics’ role in the policy process over time and examine contributions by economists to environmental policymaking. Advancing benefit-cost analysis is an obvious contribution. I describe other areas in which economists have contributed and highlight milestones for economics at EPA.

scholarly journals Effect of Exterior Home Renovation on Community Lead Hazards: A Pilot Study in South Bend, Indiana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Moon ◽  
Meghanne Tighe ◽  
Joshua Brooks ◽  
J. Mike Coman ◽  
Heidi Beidinger-Burnett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lead Level ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Lead Contamination ◽  
Soil Lead ◽  
Lead Paint ◽  
The Us ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
South Bend ◽  
Lead Hazards

Communities across the US face challenges from legacy lead contamination. In South Bend, Indiana, over 68,000 homes were built before 1978, and most contain leaded paint. When these homes are repainted, repaired, or renovated, failure to use lead-safe practices can contaminate the surrounding soil with lead paint flakes and dust. In this study, we used X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to measure soil lead levels surrounding a home with exterior leaded paint (about 10% Pb w/w) after it was repainted in fall of 2019. The painted wooden exterior was prepared for painting by dry scraping without the use of tarps or plastic barriers. A total of 220 soil samples were collected from the home and its immediate neighbors, and an additional 102 samples were collected from 34 homes in the same neighborhood. The median lead level in dripline soil samples across the neighborhood was 434 ppm, but in the recently repainted house, the median soil lead was 1808.9 ppm, and it was 1,346.4 ppm in the four neighboring homes. The repainted house and its four neighbors were mulched by covering all bare soil to a 4-6 inch depth with chipped wood mulch. Two months later, another 100 soil samples were collected and analyzed. The surface lead level around the target house dropped to 13.8 ppm, showing that mulching is an effective strategy for interim control of high soil lead levels.

A Partial Review of Seven Official Guidelines for Cost-Benefit Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 272-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Abelson
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Social Discount Rate ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
The Social ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
Over Time

AbstractThis paper reviews seven contemporary official guidelines to cost-benefit analysis (CBA) with respect to eight major cost-benefit issues drawing on the latest edition of the major CBA textbook for guidance, although not complete authority. The guidelines are those by UK Treasury, European Commission, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New Zealand Treasury, Infrastructure Australia, NSW State Treasury, and Victorian State Department of Treasury and Finance. The eight major issues discussed are the issue of standing, core valuation principles, the scope of CBA with reference to potential additional economic benefits, changes in real values over time, the marginal excess tax burden, the social discount rate, use of benefit-cost ratios, and treatment of risk. While all the guidelines are quality guides to CBA, the paper finds that there is room for improved discussion and practice at various points in each of these guidelines.

Addressing Health Inequities in South Chattanooga: Lead Contamination and Childhood Lead Poisoning

Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Dawn Ford ◽  
Rosa Cantu ◽  
Zachary North ◽  
Tes Cherian ◽  
Kavina Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Lead Contamination ◽  
Soil Lead ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
University Of Tennessee ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Public Meetings ◽  
Health Fairs ◽  
The Impact

Soil lead contamination is an environmental health risk that greatly affects children in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Southside Chattanooga Lead Superfund Site was added to the National Priorities List in late 2018 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has designated the clean-up threshold for soil lead contamination to be equal to or over 360 parts per million. For the EPA to conduct soil testing and proceed with clean-up, a signed access authorization letter from the tenant or property owner must be submitted. As of 7 May 2019, there are still 4371 properties to test with an estimated 1100 expected to be above the remediation threshold. Despite mailing the letters and having several public meetings, the rate of return is approximately thirty percent for access authorization forms. To increase the response rate, local non-profit agencies, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) Lions Club, and the UTC Master’s in Public Health program have been involved in educating the community. Efforts include community health fairs, grant-funded community-based blood lead testing for children, and a door-to-door canvassing campaign where residents are informed of the issue, provided with educational materials, and asked to sign and return access authorization letters to the EPA. The impact of community engagement is measured by the number/proportion of residents engaged, the number of signed authorization forms submitted, and the number of children tested for elevated blood lead levels. This poster presentation will discuss lead contamination in Chattanooga, and the results of our engagement work in the community.

scholarly journals Investigate the influence of halloysite and activated carbon mixtures in phytostabilization of Pb-contaminated soil with Lolium perenne L.

2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-80
Author(s):  
Maja Radziemska
Keyword(s):  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Contaminated Soil ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Soil Mass ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Lead Contamination ◽  
Soil Lead ◽  
Sodium Calcium ◽  
Calcium And Magnesium ◽  
Different Levels

Abstract A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of halloysite and activated carbon mixtures on the biomass and distribution of macronutrients (Mg, K, Ca, Na, P) in ryegrass grown in Pb-contaminated soil. The soil was spiked with four different levels of lead contamination, i.e. 0 (control), 200, 400, 800 mg·kg−1 were applied in an analytical grade Pb(NO3)2 solution mixed thoroughly with the soil. Raw halloysite (3%) and activated carbon (1% relative to soil mass) mixtures were used to reduce the effect of soil lead contamination. Ryegrass of the Bokser variety was harvested after 42 days, and soil samples were collected for laboratory tests. The mixture of sorbents applied in the experiment which turned out to be most effective at doses of lead amounting to 400 and 800 mg·kg−1 of soil, with the increase in the yield of ryegrass being the highest. Increasing contamination of soil with lead in the series without the mixture of sorbents increased the contents of phosphorus, sodium, calcium and magnesium in ryegrass. The applied mixture of halloysite and activated carbon changed the macronutrient concentration in ryegrass, with the greatest changes found in that of potassium and sodium.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Presence of Soil Lead Contamination Near a Former Lead Smelter in Mombasa, Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bret Ericson ◽  
Victor Odongo Otieno ◽  
Cecelia Nganga ◽  
Judith St. Fort ◽  
Mark Patrick Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Lead Contamination ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Lead Smelter ◽  
Soil Lead

Background. The informal settlement of Owino Uhuru near an abandoned lead smelter attracted international attention due to an apparent lead poisoning event. Despite this attention, the environmental data collected to date do not indicate high levels of residual contamination. Objectives. To further confirm previous findings and determine any necessary risk mitigation measures, an assessment of surface soil lead concentrations was conducted in the community. Methods. Investigators carried out an assessment of the soil in a ~12,000 m2 section of the Owino Uhuru neighborhood over the course of a single day in June 2017 with the assistance of community leaders. Fifty-nine in situ soil measurements were taken using an Innov-X tube-based (40 kV) alpha X-ray fluorescence instrument (pXRF). Results. The assessment found that mean surface soil lead concentrations in areas conducive to exposure were 110 mg/kg (95% CI: 54–168); below United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Environment Canada screening levels of 400 mg/kg and 140 mg/kg, respectively. Conclusions. There is likely no current need for risk mitigation activities in the community. These results could inform discussions on the allocation of public health spending. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests. BE, VOO, CN and JSF are employees of Pure Earth. MPT sits on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Health and Pollution.

Assessment of Lead Content in Soil Samples Obtained from Four Different Sites of Kabwe, Central Province of Zambia

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46
Author(s):  
Ellah Zingani ◽  
Gabriel Ndhlovu ◽  
Brian Chanda Chiluba
Keyword(s):  
Soil Samples ◽  
Lead Contamination ◽  
Lead Content ◽  
Central Province ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Soil Lead ◽  
The North ◽  
Lead Metal ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
The University

Pollution has increased soil lead levels to several thousand parts per million; the major cause of soil lead contamination in Kabwe district is the weathering from the former Zinc-lead mine. Soil lead is a health risk when directly ingested or inhaled as and it is of particular concern for children less than 6 years because of its implication on their growth. Hence this study set out to assess the lead soil content in four different sites of Kabwe district, Central province of Zambia. Literature was reviewed from studies that covered soil lead contamination. a quantitative analytical study was carried out and it involved geographical mapping of four different sites the north, South, East, and West of Kabwe district which were conveniently selected to collect soil Samples which were taken to The University of Zambia School of Mines, Geology Engineering Laboratory to determine the Levels of soil Lead content using a technique called Geo-Chemical Analysis. The results suggest that Chowa area is highly polluted with lead metal according to the globally recommended WHO guidelines and Zambia Environmental Management agency which all states that Residential areas should not exceed 400Kg/mg or parts per million.

Scanning electron microscopy of asbestos-containing material where the asbestos fibers are considered locked in a binder

1993 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 472-473
Author(s):  
J. R. Millette ◽  
R. S. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
The United States ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Asbestos Fibers ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Binder Material ◽  
Scanning Electron

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has labeled as “friable” those building materials that are likely to readily release fibers. Friable materials when dry, can easily be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder using hand pressure. Other asbestos containing building materials (ACBM) where the asbestos fibers are in a matrix of cement or bituminous or resinous binders are considered non-friable. However, when subjected to sanding, grinding, cutting or other forms of abrasion, these non-friable materials are to be treated as friable asbestos material. There has been a hypothesis that all raw asbestos fibers are encapsulated in solvents and binders and are not released as individual fibers if the material is cut or abraded. Examination of a number of different types of non-friable materials under the SEM show that after cutting or abrasion, tuffs or bundles of fibers are evident on the surfaces of the materials. When these tuffs or bundles are examined, they are shown to contain asbestos fibers which are free from binder material. These free fibers may be released into the air upon further cutting or abrasion.

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