The aim of this study was to quantify reaerosolization of microorganisms caused by walking on contaminated flooring to assess the risk to individuals accessing areas contaminated with pathogenic organisms, for example, spores of Bacillus anthracis. Industrial carpet and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) floor coverings were contaminated with aerosolized spores of Bacillus atrophaeus by using an artist a...

On June 6, 2011, the Section of Epidemiology (SOE) of the Alaska Division of Public Health was notified of a case of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in southeast Alaska. In collaboration with local partners, SOE investigated and identified a total of eight confirmed and 13 probable PSP cases that occurred during May--June 2011. Warnings to avoid noncommercially harvested shellfish were broa...

The science of evaluating the complex indoor air pathway is evolving. The following Ecology and Environment, Inc memo summarizes the different and sometime divergent approaches taken by the federal and state governments to evaluate the pathway. Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is presently developing a policy for the evaluation of the indoor air pathway that is appropriate for co...

In order to evaluate the performance of biofilter for H2S removal from contaminated air, a 120×14 cm column biofilter was constructed using clear polyacrylic material in conjunction with H2S production and control systems. The column was divided into four stages using perforated plates. The column was packed with a mixture of mushroom compost and snail shell (4:1).&#10 The performance of biofil...

In order to evaluate the performance of biofilter for H2S removal from contaminated air, a 120×14 cm column biofilter was constructed using clear polyacrylic material in conjunction with H2S production and control systems. The column was divided into four stages using perforated plates. The column was packed with a mixture of mushroom compost and snail shell (4:1). The performance of biofilte...

Air pollution is air contaminated by anthropogenic or naturally occurring substances in high concentrations for a prolonged time, resulting in adverse effects on human comfort and health as well as on ecosystems. Major air pollutants include particulate matters (PMs), ground-level ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxides (NO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). During the last t...

We investigate whether air pollution harms business ethics from the perspective of earnings manipulation, which exerts a real effect on economy and social welfare. Using large sample comprehensive quality index in China, we find that firms located cities with more severe exhibit higher levels discretionary accruals are likely to restate their financial statements, consistent exposure leading ma...

Groundwater is one of our most valuable natural resource. More than 50% of the U.S. population depends on groundwater for domestic use and more than 95% of the rural population is dependent on groundwater. A major portion of industries and agriculture use groundwater. These numbers suggest that the personal and economic health of the nation is dependent on groundwater. Contamination of groundwa...