ATSDR Slates October 24 Public Meeting on Polycythemia Vera
News Release
For Immediate Release: October 15, 2009
ATSDR Slates October 24 Public Meeting on Polycythemia Vera
ATLANTA – The federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will hold a public meeting in the Tamaqua Area Auditorium at Tamaqua High School, 500 Penn St, Tamaqua, PA, on Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. to update area residents on recent efforts regarding polycythemia vera (PV).
At the meeting, representatives from ATSDR, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, the Geisinger Clinic, and the Myeloproliferative Disease (MPD) Research Consortium will present overviews of their current PV research projects. In addition, ATSDR will provide an update on the ongoing JAK2 screening in the local community. Residents can also learn more about a community group which will work with investigators and the community in these efforts.
PV is a rare form of blood cancer. The JAK2 genetic marker occurs in more than 95% of PV patients. Because of the elevated number of PV cases in this area, ATSDR is in the process of screening almost 1,500 local residents for the JAK2 genetic marker.
It is not known at this time if the JAK2 marker always leads to PV or another blood disease. Many experts believe people with PV and related blood disorders may test positive for the JAK2 marker for a number of years before ever exhibiting symptoms of PV.
MEDIA NOTICE: A media availability session with the presenters and ATSDR officials will be held on site from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m., prior to the start of the public session.
ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.
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Members of the news media can request an interview by calling the NCEH/ ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Protecting America’s Health from Toxic Exposure
4770 Buford Highway N.E., Mailstop F 61, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717
Media inquiries: 770/ 488-0700 or info@cdc.gov
ATSDR Web site: www.atsdr.cdc.gov
Autumn Leaves
*** Without ample water there would be no AUTUMN LEAVES ***
Autumn Leaves
“The falling leaves drift by the window. The autumn leaves of red and gold….” Some of you will remember the old classic song by Johnny Mercer “Autumn Leaves”. Its that time of year again when the leaves in many parts of the country begin to take on color, the nights are cooler and the pumpkins adorn the porches of many homes.
Have you ever thought to yourself “Why do the leaves change color?”
The US Forest Service has put together a nice web site explaining just that at: “Forest Service Leaves”.
Or ever wondered “Does precipitation play a role in leaf color?”
“The amount and brilliance of the colors that develop in any particular autumn season are related to weather conditions that occur before and during the time the chlorophyll in the leaves is dwindling,” says University of Kentucky agricultural meteorologist Tom Priddy. “Temperature and moisture are the main influences. The countless combinations of these two highly variable factors assure that no two autumns can be exactly alike.”
And if you are just trying to find out where the leaves are turning during a certain week or in a certain place in the country, the Foliage Report Network: “Foliage Network”keeps track of leaf colors in the eastern half of the country and the US Forest Service keeps you advised on fall colors throughout the US at: “Fall Colors 2011”.
More info the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events that are influenced by environmental changes, especially seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation driven by weather and climate visit the National Phenology Network.
Pennsylvania DEP Approves Plans to Collect and Recycle Mercury Thermostats
Recycling Reduces Threats to Human Health and the Environment
HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Department of Environmental Protection has approved two plans to collect and recycle mercury thermostats, which will reduce the amount of mercury released into the environment. The plans are part of the new Mercury-Free Thermostat Act which requires the recycling of out-of-service mercury thermostats. The law will take effect Dec. 8.
“Mercury is a toxic metal that can accumulate in living tissue and cause adverse health effects such as severe nerve and brain damage,” said DEP Secretary John Hanger. “When a mercury thermostat is broken and placed in a landfill or burned in an incinerator, the mercury can contaminate the air, surface water and ground water. By taking these outdated devices out of circulation and disposing of them in a proper manner, we are eliminating unnecessary releases of mercury into our environment. This will make our air, land and water safer for us all.”
A single thermostat contains approximately 4 grams of mercury. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that, each year, 6 to 8 tons of mercury ends up in solid waste facilities and up to 2 tons are released into the air.
Under the new law, manufacturers who have sold mercury thermostats in Pennsylvania must collect and recycle waste mercury thermostats at no cost to contractors and homeowners. Wholesalers located in Pennsylvania must serve as collection sites for the thermostats. The law also requires retailers and contractors to either participate as collection points or provide notice to customers that recycling of mercury thermostats is required by law and identify locations of nearby collection points.
DEP received two plans for manufacturers to establish collection and recycling programs in Pennsylvania. The plans were submitted by the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) of Arlington, Virginia and EWC Controls Inc. of Englishtown, New Jersey. TRC is a nonprofit organization that currently represents 29 manufacturers nationwide that have distributed over 65 brands of mercury thermostats. TRC sponsored collection sites will accept all brands of mercury thermostats. EWC Controls sold thermostats nationwide under its brand name through wholesale operations from 1989 to 2007. This collection and recycling program is for EWC Controls brand name thermostats only. Both companies are voluntarily collecting thermostats in advance of the law’s effective date in December.
For more information, or to view the approved TRC and EWC Controls collection and recycling plans, please visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: “Mercury” or call DEP’s Bureau of Waste Management at 717-787-6239.
Media contact: John Repetz, 717-787-1323
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Toxic Snow Takes Toll on Tadpoles
This release can be found in the USGS Newsroom at:
Contamination in U.S. Private Wells.
Toxic Snow Takes Toll on Tadpoles
Pesticides can travel hundreds of miles and turn up in some unexpected
places. Scientists from the USGS and Southern Illinois University are
linking declines in frog populations in the Sierra Nevada mountains with
pesticides used on farms in the San Joaquin Valley. These pesticides can
travel by wind to contaminate the snow falling in the Sierra Nevada. When
the snow melts in the spring, pesticides in the runoff contaminate areas
where foothill yellow-legged frogs and Pacific treefrogs breed. In the
study, the pesticides endosulfan and chlorpyrifos slowed tadpole growth and
development. Chlorpyrifos also affected functioning of the nervous system,
and endosulfan caused developmental abnormalities. These factors can alter
behavior and make tadpoles more vulnerable to predators. The full report
can be read at the USGS Western Ecological Center Web site. For more
information contact Gary Fellers at gary_fellers@usgs.gov or (415)
464-5185.
Gender Line Blurred in Fish
This release can be found in the USGS Newsroom at:
Contamination in U.S. Private Wells.
Gender Line Blurred in Fish
Male smallmouth and largemouth bass with female characteristics have been
discovered in surprisingly high numbers in eight of nine river basins
throughout the United States. In some rivers, more than 70 percent of male
bass were “feminized.” Scientists suspect the cause of this condition,
which leads to immature female eggs in male fish and poorer reproduction,
may be linked to substances that have hormonal effects. Endocrine-active
compounds like pharmaceuticals, pesticides and household items are possible
causes, though some intersex fish were found at sites with no obvious
sources of this type of contamination. Because this study didn’t examine
the causes for this condition, more information is needed about the genetic
and environmental factors that might be responsible, as well as the number
and kinds of fish affected. Check out the USGS Newsroom for more
information, or contact Jo Ellen Hinck at jhinck@usgs.gov or (573)
876-1808.
Happy New Year . . . Water New Year that is!
October is an important month for CoCoRaHS as well as for climatologists and hydrologists across the Western states (and other parts of the country as well) as it begins the 2010 Water Year!
What is the water year?
The water year is the best approximation of the consecutive 12 months that span the “water storage/water usage” hydrological cycle. The water year cycle is particularly obvious in the Rocky Mountains and western U.S. where snow begins to accumulate at high elevations in October and doesnt melt until the next spring and summer.
Another way to think of the Water Year is the resting/replenishing season followed by the growing, harvesting and water-consuming season. As October begins, the summer growing season comes to an end. With the coming of colder weather, evapotranspiration shuts down. In the mountains and the northern states, snows begin to fall. For much of the country and especially the northern states, the months of October through March are months where precipitation from the sky exceeds evaporation from the ground. This means that soil moisture and ground water can recharge. Runoff that reaches the rivers and streams may increase (except in cold areas where the water remains frozen). Then, when next spring comes the temperatures rise again, plants come back to life, snow melts, rivers surge. As evapotranspiration increases as plants begin to grow. By the summer months, evapotranspiration will once again exceed precipitation for most of the country. This means that soils dry out, river flow may decrease, and little or no water recharges aquifers. Drought becomes especially problematic when precipitation falls short of expectations during the spring and summer months. By next September, crops will be harvested, temperatures will again cool, and yet another water year will come to an end.
Hazleton firm offering free disposal of oil
http://www.tnonline.com/node/483300
September 11, 2009
Hazleton firm offering free disposal of oil
The Hazleton Oil & Environmental Inc., will be celebrating Oil Recycling Day during the week of Sept. 28 to Oct. 2.
Persons may bring their waste oil, antifreeze, oil filters and vehicle batteries and the items will be collected with no charge to the participants. However, people are reminded not to bring any hazardous waste such as paint or gasoline, it will not be accpeted.
The first 200 participants will receive a free gift at the time of the drop off.
The drop off site is located along SR309 between Hazleton and McAdoo. The collection process will run from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call (570) 458-3496.
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Safe Drinking Water Seminar at the Monroe County Cooperative Extension office
http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090905/FEATURES/909050317/-1/NEWSMAP
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Monroe will be conducting a Safe Drinking Water Seminar on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Monroe County Cooperative Extension office, 724 Phillips St., Suite 201, Stroudsburg.
In addition, Penn State Cooperative Extension is offering water testing for a fee through Prosser Labs on Sept. 28 and Sept. 30. In order to participate in the water testing, you must attend the Safe Drinking Water program to receive your test bottles.
To register for this workshop, send $7 to the Monroe County Cooperative Extension office. Checks are payable to PSCE Program Account. For more information contact Peter Wulfhorst at the Pike County Cooperative Extension office in at 570) 296-3400.
Free electronics recycling event slated for all Carbon County residents slated
http://www.tnonline.com/node/481232
September 4, 2009
Free electronics recycling event slated for all Carbon County residents slated
The Carbon County Department of Solid Waste and Lehighton Borough will be hosting a two-day electronics recycling event on Monday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Tuesday, Sept. 29 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Lehighton Borough Public Works garage, located on East Penn Street.
During the event, numerous items will be accepted, including VCRs, stereos, computer monitors and towers, printers, keyboards, scanners, fax machines, telephones, DVD and CD players, typewriters, copiers, radios, telecom equipment, laptops, hard drives, and circuit boards of any kind. The items will be recycled by AAA Computer and Electronics Recycling. There will also be a collection box for ink jets and cell phone recycling. Please note that no household appliances will be accepted during this event.
AAA Computer and Electronics Recycling will assist with the electronics recycling event and will also be accepting televisions for a $10 charge. All other recycling is free.
For more information or directions, call (610) 852-5111.
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Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling near Hickory, Pa
Blog and photos of Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling near Hickory PA
Excellent source of information on the consequences of gas drilling and fracking.