The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides access to information on a variety of topics related to the environment and strives to inform citizens of health risks. The EPA also has an extensive library network that consists of 26 libraries throughout the United States, which provide access to a plethora of information to EPA employees, scientists, and researchers. The EPA implemented a reorganization project to digitize their materials so they would be more accessible to a wider range of users, but this plan was drastically accelerated when the EPA was threatened with a budget cut. It chose to close and reduce the hours and services of some of their libraries. As a result, the agency was accused of denying users the “right to know” by making information unavailable, not providing an adequate strategic plan, and discarding vital materials. This case study explores the background of the digitization project, the practices implemented, and the critiques of the project.

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The Environmental Protection Agency

Rare earth elements (REE) include the lanthanide series elements (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) plus Sc and Y. Currently these metals have become very critical to several modern technologies ranging from cell phones and televisions to LED light bulbs and wind turbines. This article summarizes the occurrence of these metals in the Earth's crust, their mineralogy, different types of deposits both on land and oceans from the standpoint of the new data with more examples from the Indian subcontinent. In addition to their utility to understand the formation of the major Earth reservoirs, multi-faceted updates on the applications of REE in agriculture and medicine including new emerging ones are presented. Environmental hazards including human health issues due to REE mining and large-scale dumping of e-waste containing significant concentrations of REE are summarized. New strategies for the future supply of REE including recent developments in the extraction of REE from coal fired ash and recycling from e-waste are presented. Recent developments in individual REE separation technologies in both metallurgical and recycling operations have been highlighted. An outline of the analytical methods for their precise and accurate determinations required in all these studies, such as, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), glow discharge mass spectrometry (GD-MS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (including ICP-MS, ICP-TOF-MS, HR-ICP-MS with laser ablation as well as solution nebulization) and other instrumental techniques, in different types of materials are presented.

Rare earth elements:A review of applications, occurrence, exploration, analysis, recycling, and environmental impact

The hydrogeochemical characteristics, water quality and health risk statuses of waters in Umunya district, southeastern Nigeria were studied, in attempt to evaluate their suitability for drinking and domestic purposes. Twelve groundwater and 3 surface water samples were analyzed for 26 physicochemical and hydrogeochemical parameters, using standard techniques. Results show that dominance of cations and anions is in the order Ca2+ > Na+ > K+ > Mg2+ and HCO3– > Cl– > NO3– > SO4–, respectively. Order of dominance of the heavy metals is Pb > Zn > Fe > Ni > Mn > Cr > Ba. Eight water types were identified, with Ca–Na–HCO3 (26.66%) and Na–Cl–HCO3 (20%) dominating the study area. All the water types characterize five major facies. Further, the result revealed that the physical properties and chemical ionic concentrations in the waters are well below standard maximum permissible limits, although majority of the samples have pH values off the allowable limits of 6.5–8.5, classing the waters as slightly acidic. Generally, the water quality in the study area is deteriorated due to the presence of high levels of heavy metals. Water quality index results show that 46.67% of the water samples are in excellent and good categories. 13.33% are in poor water category, whereas 40% are in category unsuitable for drinking purposes. A good percentage of the waters predispose users to health risks. Stoichiometric and statistical analyses revealed that the variations in chemistry and quality of the waters are due to combined influence of human activities and geogenic processes (silicate weathering and ionic exchanges). Treatment of contaminated waters before use is, therefore, recommended.

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The hydrogeochemical signatures, quality indices and health risk assessment of water resources in Umunya district, southeast Nigeria

Exposure to heavy metals pollutions in water predisposes consumers to human and environmental health deterioration. In this study, the extent of heavy metals contamination, water quality index, ecological and human health risk assessments of groundwater resources in Ajao industrial area of Lagos, Nigeria were carried out. Results revealed that Cu is the most prevalent heavy metal, contaminating 85.71% of the analyzed water samples. Based on the groundwater quality index, 76.19% of the samples are of excellent water quality and suitable for drinking, domestic and industrial purposes. However, the quality of 23.81% variedly deteriorated. Ecological risk assessment revealed that 85.71% and 14.29% of the samples pose low and moderate ecological risks, respectively. This assessment also showed that Cu was the major heavy metal posing ecological risk in the industrial area. Based on hazard quotients, Cu impacted the potentiality of chronic diseases than other heavy metals. Health hazard index analysis revealed that children are more exposed to non-carcinogenic chronic health risks due to ingestion of contaminated groundwater than the adult population. Probability of cancer risk (PCR) revealed that 19.05% of the samples pose high Cr cancer risk for both adult and children, while 14.29% pose high Cd and Ni cancer risks. Correlation and factor analyses indicated that the origin of the heavy metals in water is majorly attributed to anthropogenic inputs rather than natural, geogenic processes. Awareness programs towards protecting the groundwater in this area should be launched and encouraged. Moreover, contaminated water should be treated before use.

Extent of heavy metals pollution and health risk assessment of groundwater in a densely populated industrial area, Lagos, Nigeria

Characterization of heavy metal pollution in an anthropogenically and geologically influenced semi-arid region of east India and assessment of ecological and human health risks.

Risk assessment of radon in drinking water in Khetri Copper Belt of Rajasthan, India

The present study was conducted to investigate trace metal (Li, Be, B, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As Se, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba and Pb) concentrations of drinking water samples in northeast Rajasthan, India. Furthermore, the study aimed to ascertain carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of metals by ingestion and dermal absorption pathways to the local residents. Metal concentrations were analyzed by using high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and compared with permissible limits set by the Bureau of Indian Standards, United States Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization. The results indicate that the concentrations of Be, B, Al, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Sb and Ba were lower than their respective permissible limits, whereas the concentrations of Mn, Ni, Se, Cd and Pb in some samples were higher than their permissible limits.The total hazard index (summing the hazard index through ingestion and dermal routes) at all the sampling sites exceeded or nearing unity, indicating the presence of non-carcinogenic health effects from ingestion of water and dermal contact with water. The results indicate that the total excess lifetime cancer risk (considering both ingestion and dermal exposure pathways) of metals exposure was in accordance to the acceptable lifetime risks for carcinogens in drinking water (10-6–10-4). Both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were mainly attributed to the ingestion pathways.

Risk assessment of metals from groundwater in northeast Rajasthan

Uranium concentration in drinking water samples collected from some areas of Northern Rajasthan has been measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The water samples were taken from hand pumps. The uranium concentration in water samples varies from 2.54-133.0 μg L with a mean value of 38.48 μg L. The uranium concentration in most of the drinking water samples exceeds the safe limit (30 μg L) recommended by the World Health Organization. The annual effective dose associated with drinking water due to uranium concentration is estimated from its annual intake using dosimetric information based on ICRP 72. The resulting value of the annual effective dose from drinking water sources is in the range of 2.11-110.45 μSv. The annual effective dose in one of the samples was found to be greater than WHO-recommended level of 100 μSv y.

Analysis of uranium concentration in drinking water samples using ICPMS.

Radon monitoring has been increasingly conducted worldwide because of the hazardous effects of radon on the health of human beings. In the present research, groundwater samples were taken from hand pumps at different areas of the districts of SriGanganagar, Hanumangarh, Sikar and Churu in northern Rajasthan. RAD7, an electronic radon detector (Durridge co., USA), was used to estimate the radon concentration in groundwater used for drinking. Radon concentration in the groundwater ranged from 0.5 ± 0.3 Bq l(-1) (Chimanpura) to 85.7±4.9 Bq l(-1)(Khandela) with an average value of 9.03±1.03 Bq l(-1). In 89 % of the samples, radon concentration is well below the allowed maximum contamination level (MCL) of radon concentration in water of 11 Bq l(-1), proposed by US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Only in 11 % of the samples, the recorded values were found to be higher than MCL proposed by USEPA and only in 5 % of the samples, the recorded values were found to be higher than the values between 4 and 40 Bq l(-1) suggested for radon concentration in water for human consumption by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the effect of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The annual effective dose in stomach and lungs per person was also evaluated in this research. The estimated total annual effective dose of adults ranged from 1.34 to 229.68 µSv y(-1). The total annual effective dose from three locations of the studied area was found to be greater than the safe limit (0.1 mSv y(-1)) recommended by World Health Organization and EU Council.

Radon monitoring in groundwater samples from some areas of northern rajasthan, india, using a rad7 detector

Radon gas is a significant health threat linked to thousands of preventable deaths each year. In this paper, radon activity concentration is measured in 260 groundwater samples collected from 65 villages in the Bathinda district of Punjab State, India, using Rad7, an electronic radon detector (Durridge Co., USA). The radon concentration varies from 0.9 ± 0.2 to 5.1 ± 0.3 Bq l(-1) with a mean value of 2.63 Bq l(-1). The recorded values of radon concentration in groundwater are within the safe limit of 11 Bq l(-1) recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The annual effective dose in stomach and lungs per person is also evaluated in this research. The estimated total annual effective dose of adults ranged from 8.82 to 49.98 µSv y(-1). The total annual effective dose from all locations of the studied area is found to be within the safe limit (0.1 mSv y(-1)), recommended by World Health Organisation and EU Council.

Vikas Duggal

Papers

Risk assessment of radon in drinking water in Khetri Copper Belt of Rajasthan, India

Risk assessment of metals from groundwater in northeast Rajasthan

Analysis of uranium concentration in drinking water samples using ICPMS.

Radon monitoring in groundwater samples from some areas of northern rajasthan, india, using a rad7 detector

DETERMINATION OF 222Rn LEVEL IN GROUNDWATER USING A RAD7 DETECTOR IN THE BATHINDA DISTRICT OF PUNJAB, INDIA