CCA News & Information Articles

Poisoned bark worse than beetles' bite? 12-21-2004 Vancouver - In an attempt to control a massive bark-beetle infestation, the government of British Columbia injected more than 60,000 trees with an arsenic-based pesticide - then lost track of them, allowing some to be logged and burned. Arsenic in Water Increases Risk for Lung Cancer 12-22-2004 Residents of Taiwan who consumed water with high levels of arsenic have a higher risk of lung cancer. Cigarette smokers in this group have an even greater risk. This is the recent finding of researchers from the National Taiwan University. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in soil, and residents of the southwestern and northeastern coasts of Taiwan had been drinking well water contaminated with large amounts of arsenic before a public tap water system was installed. Calcite, a filter for water-borne arsenic? 11-02-2004 The health of millions of people is threatened by the presence of arsenic in their drinking water. In countries such as India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Taiwan and Argentina, tens of millions of people drink untreated water containing levels of arsenic between ten and one hundred times higher than that recommended by the World Health Organisation ! Even in France, many sources of water, including mineral waters, will no longer satisfy new standards introduced on 1st January 2004 (which limit the concentration of arsenic in drinking water to 10 ¨g L-1). China Copper Smelter Closed Amid Arsenic Probe 12-23-2004 copper smelter in Fuxin city has been temporarily closed while environmental authorities investigate reports that some workers were made sick by the smelter's arsenic emission two weeks ago. Arsenic in soil warning in city 11-24-2004 Residents in part of Cardiff are being warned to take special precautions after traces of arsenic and other chemicals were found in the soil. Cardiff Council advised people in Leckwith to thoroughly wash and peel any fruit and vegetables grown locally. A structural survey of council homes in the area has also indicated some possible underground movement and a full survey will be carried out. Allotment owners were warned about the dangers earlier this month. Vegetables grown at Leckwith allotments were found to contain enough lead and arsenic to be harmful in the long term. Munching Microbes Could Cleanse Arsenic-Contaminated Groundwater 11-18-2004 -- Microbial processes ultimately determine whether arsenic builds to dangerous levels in groundwater, say researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Remediation may be as simple as stimulating certain microbes to grow. Arsenic contamination is a serious threat to human health. In the Ganges Delta of Bangladesh, for example, chronic exposure to arsenic has been linked to serious medical conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease and a variety of cancers. Arsenic Found At Elementary School 11-17-2004 -- School officials are keeping students away from Melrose Elementary School in Placentia, Calif., Wednesday, after a high level of arsenic was found in the soil on the campus. UI team's work may lead to faster well tests 11-15-2004 High levels of toxic arsenic in some East Central Illinois water wells may be due to microbial activity, or rather a lack of it, when sulfate levels in the groundwater drop too far. That finding reported recently by University of Illinois researchers could offer an avenue for a fast, relatively inexpensive field test for arsenic in water supplies. UO's molecular 'claws' trap arsenic atoms 11-16-2004 Discovery could eventually lead to improved treatments for arsenic poisoning EUGENE, Ore.--Chemists at the University of Oregon have hit upon a way to build a molecular "claw" that grabs onto arsenic and sequesters it. The discovery is published in the Nov. 5 issue of Angewandte Chemie International Edition, a premier journal in the field of chemistry Complaint leads to recommendations for use of arsenic to control bark beetles 11-13-2004 PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. (CP) _ Improved safety procedures and greater transparency are required to protect the public from the effects of arsenic treatments used to control bark beetle infestations, the province's Forest Practices Board reported Friday. Health officials warn of elevated arsenic levels in Silver Creek trout 11-01-2004 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Trout in Silver Creek in Summit County have been found to have elevated arsenic levels, and health officials said people should limit their consumption of the fish. Adults should eat no more than two 8-ounce servings a month. Arsenic scare at city allotments 11-05-2004 Arsenic scare at city allotments Allotment holders in Cardiff have been warned their crops may be dangerous to eat after chemicals were discovered in the soil. Vegetables grown at Leckwith allotments were found to contain enough lead and arsenic to be harmful in the long term. Auckland admits to ground contamination 11-02-2004 City officials in Auckland confirmed to thousands of homeowners Tuesday their properties are contaminated, and there's no city money to help them. ASARCO, EPA Discuss Clean Up 09-01-2004 ASARCO and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are meeting to talk clean up. But does this mean ASARCO is willing to foot the bill for removal of contaminated soil in west El Paso. Army using ferns to clean up contaminated soil 09-05-2004 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has turned to an unlikely ally in its attempt to rid a Washington neighborhood of contaminated soil -- ferns. That's right: The feathery plants that decorate countless gardens were discovered a few years ago to have an unusual talent, beyond just sitting there and looking pretty. A certain kind was found to soak up arsenic from soil like a horticultural sponge. Bacteria solution to groundwater arsenic - Bangladesh scientist saysthe bugs use arsenic for energy 08-14-2004 Scientists have identified a special group of bacteria responsible for breaking down arsenic in groundwater. This was disclosed by a Bangladeshi scientist conducting a study in the UK on the cause of naturally occurring arsenic release into groundwater table. Arsenic Crisis in Bangladesh 08-01-2004 Arsenic in drinking water could severely poison 50 million people worldwide. Strategies being tested in Bangladesh might help prevent the problem EPA buys arsenic plant for Three Forks 07-31-2004 . The Environmental Protection Agency is buying equipment for Three Forks to remove arsenic in water that comes from the Madison River aquifer, said Three Forks Water Superintendent Randy Johnston " King George III: Mad or misunderstood? 07-13-2004 Last year a remarkable exhibit came to light. Hidden in the vaults of a London museum was a scrap of paper containing a few strands of hair The paper was crudely fashioned into an envelope but the words on it immediately caused a stir: "Hair of his Late Majesty, King George 3rd." For Professor Martin Warren, it was the clue that would help him finally solve the mystery of King George's illness. His investigation is featured in a BBC documentary, Medical Mysteries. "King George is largely remembered for those periods when he lost his mind, but it's been difficult to explain these attacks. So I was keen to analyse this hair sample," said Professor Warren. EPA Selects Nebraska Towns For Arsenic Testing Program 07-07-2004 Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel announced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected Lyman and Stromsburg, Nebraska to serve as demonstration sites for arsenic reduction technologies in drinking water. "Maintaining water quality is vital to Nebraska. This program will help Nebraska’s small communities comply with EPA standards in a cost effective way. This will be an important program for both Lyman and Stromsburg," Hagel said. Arsenic Poisoning Sparks Health Crisis in Indian State 06-18-2004 KARIMGANJ (Assam), June 18 (OneWorld) - Amid governmental apathy, arsenic poisoning remains a slow killer in the Karimganj district of India's northeastern state of Assam bordering Bangladesh, where some 236,302 impoverished villagers are afflicted by serious skin and kidney ailments ExxonMobil makes offer to Port Royal residents 06-10-2004 PORT ROYAL -- Homeowners concerned about the effect recently discovered levels of lead and arsenic might have on their property values in Port Royal Landing are being offered resale relief from ExxonMobil. The company, legally responsible for the deposits left in the soil from a century-old fertilizer plant, has sent residents at Port Royal Landing and Riverwind Court an outline of the voluntary plan expected to curb losses if residents can't sell their property at or near market value, according to Susan Reeves, an ExxonMobil spokeswoman. STUDY CHARGES DRUGS USED IN RAISING POULTY EXPOSES CONSUMERS TO MORE ARSENIC, CANCER 05-07-2004 - ASSOCIATED PRESS: The poultry industry's widespread use of drugs to raise chickens is exposing people who eat them to more arsenic than previously estimated, according to a researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In a paper published [May 3] in the journal Environmental HealthPerspectives, Ellen K. Silbergeld said arsenic-laced drugs intended to keep the birds healthy might pose an increased risk of cancer for consumers. She also said the drugs could create manure that is contaminating Eastern Shore ground water Maine arsenic poisonings provide valuable data for medical researchers 04-24-2004 Medical researchers stymied by a lack of data on arsenic say the mass poisoning a year ago at a church will help them rewrite textbooks on toxicology. It also may help doctors fine-tune drug treatments for people poisoned with arsenic. The crime – arsenic in the coffee at a New Sweden church – killed one man and sickened 15 others, some of them critically in the biggest case of arsenic poisoning in the nation's history. Arsenic in soil in Keaau 04-06-2004 High levels of arsenic in the soil will require special precautions during the building of a 60-room hotel at Keaau south of Hilo when work starts about August, officials told area residents this week. Arsenic concentrations up to 75 times an Environmental Protection Agency "screening level" of 22 parts per million were found last year on 5.3 acres owned by W.H. Shipman Ltd., immediately mauka of the existing Keaau Shopping Center. Residents near Live Oak skeptical area is arsenic-free 04-04-2004 LIVE OAK — After more than a year of near-fruitless investigation, state environmental experts are set to close the books on one of Suwannee County’s most vexing environmental health mysteries. Since Tuesday, backhoes and bulldozers have pulled tons of arsenic-laden dirt from the 113th Road neighborhood north of Live Oak, one of the final steps in a 17-month study. Arsenic found in Suwannee soil 04-02-2004 Residents in a small neighborhood in western Suwannee County can only sit and look as an excavator, bulldozer and dump trucks shift soil in what used to be their front yards. After almost two years of environmental testing, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Suwannee County Health Department and the Florida Department of Heath is removing soil from the neighborhood after elevated levels of arsenic were found. Jill Johnson, DEP spokesperson, said the DEP has been working at the site for 17 months as part of an on-going investigation. More sites to be tested near high school 04-01-2004 NORTH BRUNSWICK — The township will test more residential properties around the high school for contamination. After yards on Plains Gap Road tested positive for contaminant levels above the state’s residential standard, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has ordered the township to take precautionary measures and test Silver Hollow properties, according to DEP case manager Mark Searfoss. Marmora and Lake Twp. - MoE could be fined for arsenic sludge spill at Deloro 03-26-2004 The Ontario Minister of the Environment (MoE) and Leona Dombrowsky, MPP for Hastings, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington are taking the overflow (on Thursday, March 4) of the arsenic sludge storage lagoon at the arsenic treatment plant at Deloro very seriously. Arsenic contamination takes serious turn in Chandpur, Comilla 03-23-2004 Arsenic contamination in drinking water has taken a serious turn in Chandpur and Comilla districts. In some villages of these two districts, water in almost 98 percent tubewells has been contaminated. C'nawabganj municipality area 03-23-2004 People in Chapainawabganj municipality area, one of the worst arsenic-affected areas in the country, will finally get supply of safe drinking water from next month under Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project, official sources said yesterday. 'Over 60pc population still exposed to arsenic contamination' 02-20-2004 Focus on Bangladesh arsenic risk 02-20-2004 Arsenic, Variability, and Risk 02-20-2004 Appeal Court Throws Out Arsenic Compensation Case 02-20-2004 A legal action, which could have cost the British taxpayer millions of pounds in compensation to Bangladeshi arsenic poisoning victims, was thrown out by the Court of Appeal today Arsenic threatens 48,8,650 in Brahmanbaria Two hundred and sixteen persons were affected with arsenic-related diseases in Nabinagar upazila. This is because of consumption of arsenic contaminated water. Water of 23,663 tube wells in 195 villages were detected to be arsenic contaminated. Water Agencies Urge Grant Funding for New Drinking Water Rules; Arsenic, 02-06-2004 SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 6, 2004--Following on the heels of a February 3 Senate Agriculture and Water Committee Hearing that focused on the status of Proposition 50 funds, the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) is urging the Governor and the Legislature to allocate grant funds available to help agencies deal with drinking water regulations like arsenic and perchlorate. Arsenic level in Mt. Apo alarms NGO 01-24-2004 KIDAPAWAN CITY -- A church-based organization has warned concerned government agencies over their alleged inaction on the reported rising arsenic level in the waters of Mt. Apo Boundary is expanded in search for arsenic and lead pollution 01-16-2004 Gaston to test wells' arsenic levels 01-14-2004 GASTONIA, N.C. -- The Gaston County Health Department is offering residents the opportunity to get their well water tested to check for high levels of arsenic after samples taken showed more than a third of wells exceed acceptable arsenic levels. Arsenic removal test project under way 01-10-2004 An arsenic removal project has begun at the Desert Sands Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association in Anthony. High Levels of Arsenic Found in Chickens 01-08-2004 - (Ivanhoe Newswire) Researchers from the National Institutes of Health and the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service sampled the liver tissue of 5,000 chickens to estimate the arsenic concentrations of the muscle tissue, which is the part of the chicken that is most consumed. They found arsenic concentrations in young chickens to be three- to four-fold higher than in other poultry or meat sampled. Is Arsenic Metabolism more Complex than Expected? 01-07-2004 This is the first time that a thioorganoarsenate, as this class of compounds is called (Greek theion = sulfur), has been found in a biological sample. High Levels Of Arsenic In Chicken May Require Adjustment in Consumption 01-05-2004 Hi Everybody, Below is proof of arsenic being absorbed into the muscle tissue of chickens. Surely the fact that human’s accumulate it there also can not be dismissed. As a victim of arsenic poisoning I can assure you symptoms change over time. If you have been contaminated by arsenic you need treatment and the sooner the better. Of course you must also stop the source of your problem. Take care everybody and please keep safe Deborah Does Arsenic Consumption Influence the age at Menarche of Woman. 09-01-2004 Does Arsenic Consumption Influence the age at Menarche of Woman. M Sengupta Indian Pediatr, September 1, 2004; 41(9): 960-1. No abstract available. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FOUND DURING SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION 10-12-2004 Arsenic, lead and other potentially hazardous materials have been uncovered during school construction projects in San Diego, it was reported Tuesday. Calgon Carbon Introduces Arsenic Removal Systems 10-19-2004 PITTSBURGH, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Calgon Carbon Corporation (NYSE: CCC - News) announced the introduction of a family of adsorption systems that remove arsenic from drinking water. Supreme Court denies to hear arsenic challenge 10-07-2004 The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a case challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's drinking water standard for arsenic, effectively closing a loophole that would have left the standard high enough for some communities to slip through. New Arsenic Drinking Water Standard May Still be Toxic 08-24-2004 Arsenic could be toxic at much lower levels than previously thought, suggesting that the new EPA drinking water standard of 10 parts per billion might still be too high, according to a team of researchers at Dartmouth Medical School. Arsenic find not considered health risk 09-07-2004 Arsenic find not considered health risk Tuesday, 7 September 2004 The Western Australian Department of Environment says arsenic discovered in water at Deanmill's Lefroy Brook, in the state's south-west, does not pose a a risk," he said. Calgon Carbon Introduces Arsenic Removal Systems 10-19-2004 Calgon Carbon Corporation (NYSE: CCC - News) announced the introduction of a family of adsorption systems that remove arsenic from drinking water. Complaint leads to recommendations for use of arsenic to control bark beetles 11-13-2004 PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. (CP) _ Improved safety procedures and greater transparency are required to protect the public from the effects of arsenic treatments used to control bark beetle infestations, the province's Forest Practices Board reported Friday. China Copper Smelter Closed Amid Arsenic Probe 12-23-2004 copper smelter in Fuxin city has been temporarily closed while environmental authorities investigate reports that some workers were made sick by the smelter's arsenic emission two weeks ago. Arsenic, microbes and contaminated aquifers 03-02-2005 The health of tens of millions of people world-wide is at risk from drinking arsenic-contaminated well water. In most cases this arsenic occurs naturally within the sub-surface aquifers, rather than being derived from identifiable point sources of pollution. The mobilization of arsenic into the aqueous phase is the first crucial step in a process that eventually leads to human arsenicosis. Increasing evidence suggests that this is a microbiological phenomenon.