Environmental research
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Environmental research · Apr 2009
Comparative StudyComparisons of computer-controlled chamber measurements for soil-skin adherence from aluminum and carpet surfaces.
A computer-controlled mechanical chamber was used to control the contact between carpet and aluminum sheet samples laden with soil, and human cadaver skin and cotton sheet samples for the measurement of mass soil transfer. The contact parameters of pressure (10-50 kPa) and time (10-50s) were varied for 768 experiments of mass soil transfer, where two soil types (play sand and lawn soil) and two soil particle sizes (<139.7 and 139.7<381 microm) were used. Mean soil mass transfer to cadaver skin was higher than mean transfer to cotton sheets for both carpet and aluminum transfers, and also generally higher pressure was associated with larger amounts of soil transfer for all contact scenarios. ⋯ For aluminum, smaller soil particle size was associated with more transfer (p=0.0349), while for carpet, larger soil size was associated with more transfer (p<0.0001). Soil type was significant but only for aluminum surface, where sand was associated with higher adherence (p<0.0001). This data set can be used to improve estimates of dermal exposure to contaminants found in soils and dust present in indoor environments.
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Environmental research · Apr 2009
Perceptions of the risks and benefits of fish consumption: individual choices to reduce risk and increase health benefits.
Studies of fish consumption often focus on awareness of and adherence to advisories, how much fish people eat, and contaminant levels in those fish. This paper examines knowledge and accuracy of risks and benefits of fish consumption among fishers and other recreationists in the New York Bight, indicative of whether they could make sound dietary decisions. While most respondents knew about health risks (70%) and benefits (94%) of consuming fish, far fewer could name specific risks and benefits. ⋯ Knowledge of which fish were high in contaminants did not match the mercury or PCB levels in those fish. There was a disconnect between the information base about specific risks and benefits of fish consumption, levels of mercury and PCBs in fish, and the respondent's desire for more information. These data indicate that respondents did not have enough accurate information about contaminants in fish to make informed risk-balancing decisions.