Agricultural Operations

Semenov AV et.al., Percolation and Survival of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica Serova Typhimurium in Soil Amended with Contaminated Dairy Manure or Slurry, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 75(10):3206-3215; May 2009.

Study showed more pathogen cells percolated to greater depths after slurry than manure application and survival of E. coli was significantly longer in soil with slurry. Results suggested that surface application of manure may decrease the risk of contamination of groundwater and lettuce roots.

Boxall ABA et.al., Impacts of Climate Change on Indirect Human Exposure to Pathogens and Chemicals from Agriculture, Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(4):508-514; April 2009.

Researchers concluded that climate change is likely to increase human exposures to agricultural contaminants. Climate change is anticipated to fuel increased use of pesticides and biocides as farming practices intensify. The magnitude of the increases will be highly dependent on the contaminant type. The potential for source variance arising from behavioral response (intensification of management and altered patterns of chemical and manure use) will also be compounding factors. Risks from many pathogens and particulate and particle-associated contaminants could increase significantly.

Winchester PD et.al., Agrichemicals in Surface Water and Birth Defects in the US, Acta Paediatrica, 98:664-669; April 2009.

Study found an association between the season of elevated agrichemicals and birth defects, as the total number birth defects and 11 of the 22 birth defect subcategories were more likely to occur between April and July, when the mean concentrations of agrichemicals were also the highest.

Bohaychuk VM et.al., A Microbiological Survey of Selected Alberta-Grown Fresh Produce from Farmers’ Markets in Alberta, Canada, Journal of Food Protection, 72(2):415-420; Feb 2009.

Samples were taken from 36 farmers’ markets in 2007. E. coli was isolated from 8.2% of samples that included lettuce, spinach, carrots and green onions. The bacterial counts ranged from <0.48 to >3.04 log MPN per gram. E. coli was not isolated from tomatoes or strawberries. The percentage of positive samples ranged from 4.4% for carrots to 27.1% for spinach. Cryptosporidium was identified by PCR in one sample of spinach.

Smith TC et.al., MRSA Strain ST398 is Present in Midwestern US Swine and Swine Workers, PLoS One, 4(1):e4528; Jan 2009.

Testing found colonization of swine by MRSA can be common and agricultural animals could become an important reservoir for MRSA.

Air (Indoor and Outdoor)

Light E, Efficacy of “Green” Cleaning Products with Respect to Common Respiratory Viruses and Mold Growth, Journal of Environmental Health, 71(9):24-27; May 2009.

Cleaning products certified by Green Seal claim to minimize health impacts associated with application and to promote protection of the general environment. Antimicrobial properties are not considered in the approval process. Review of 27 certified products found 12 contained hydrogen peroxide but only one was registered with US EPA as a disinfectant. The other products contained hydrogen peroxide with no specific claims regarding the control of surface pathogens. Typically peroxide concentrations are around 4%, while 5 to 20% may be needed against enveloped viruses (influenza), and is generally limited in effectiveness against non-enveloped viruses such as those associated with colds. Fungicidal properties are also rated as “limited”.

Jerrett M et.al., A Cohort Study of Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Mortality in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(5):772-777; May 2009.

Study found exposure to traffic-related air pollution was significantly associated with increased all-cause and circulatory mortality in this cohort.

Karagiannis I et.al., Warm, Wet Weather Associated with Legionnaires’ Disease Incidence in the Netherlands, Epidemiology & Infection, 137(2):181-187; Feb 2009.

Multivariable model study found mean weekly relative humidity, temperature and precipitation intensity were associated with LD incidence.

Venkatraman K and Ashwath N, Can Phytocapping Technique Reduce Methane Emission from Municipal Landfills?, International Journal of En. Technology and Management, 10(1):4-15; 2009.

Landfill gas, predominantly methane and carbon dioxide, are produced by the biodegradation of organic wastes. Techniques such as clay capping are used to minimize percolation of water into the landfill, or gas collection system installed to reduce methane emission into the atmosphere. The use of clay cap has proven not effective in avoiding percolation of water and gas extraction can be expensive. Study in Australia found ‘phytocapping’ can reduce surface methane emission 4-5 times more than the adjacent un-vegetated site. The root system acts as a good substrate to methanogens, which oxidizes methane thereby reducing methane emission into the atmosphere.

Mauderly JL and Samet JM, Is There Evidence for Synergy Among Air Pollutants in Causing Health Effects?, Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(1):1-6; January 2009.

Researchers found synergisms involving ozone have been demonstrated by laboratory studies of humans and animals. The review of literature showed the plausibility of synergisms among environmental pollutants, although mostly involved exposure concentrations much higher than typical of environmental pollutants.

Pope CA et.al., Fine-Particulate Air Pollution and Life Expectancy in the US, NEJM, 360(4):376-386; Jan 22, 2009.

A decrease of 10 µg/m2 of PM2.5 was associated with an estimated increase in mean life expectancy of 0.61 year. Reductions in air pollution accounted for as much as 15% of the overall increase in life expectancy in the study areas.

Children's Environmental Health

Edwards M et.al., Elevated Blood Lead in Young Children due to Lead-Contaminated Drinking Water: Washington, DC 2001-2004, En. Science & Technology, 43(5):1618-1623; May 2009.

Incidence of elevated blood lead (EBL) for children aged <1.3 years in Washington DC increased more than 4 times during 2001 to 2003 when lead in water was high versus 2000 when lead in water was low. The incidence of EBL was highly correlated to the 90th percentile lead in water from 2000 to 2007 for children aged <1.3 years.

Weisel CP et.al, Childhood Asthma and Environmental Exposures at Swimming Pools: State of the Science and Research Recommendations, En. Health Perspectives, 117(4):500-507; April 2009.

A review of published literature concluded that current evidence of an association between childhood swimming and new-onset asthma is suggestive but not conclusive.

Jacobs DE et.al., The Relationship of Housing and Population Health: A 30-Year Retrospective Analysis, Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(4):597-604; April 2009.

Researchers analyzed the relationship between health status and housing quality over time. Results suggested ecologic trends in childhood lead poisoning followed housing age, water leaks and ventilation; asthma follows ventilation, windows, and age; overweight trends follow ventilation; blood pressure trends follow community measures; and health disparities have not changed greatly. Except for childhood lead poisoning caused by lead-based paint, little progress has been made in reducing the health and housing disparities of disadvantaged groups.

Gaitens JM et.a., Exposure of US Children to Residential Dust Lead, 1999-2004: I. Housing and Demographic Factors, and Dixon SL et.al., II. The Contribution of Lead-Contaminated Dust to Children’s Blood Lead Levels, Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(3):461-467 and 468-474; March 2009.

Study found most houses with children with lead dust levels that complied with deferral standards may still put children at risk. Lowering the floor lead dust standard below the current standard of 40 µg/ft2 would protect more children from elevated blood lead.

Cotter A and Ryan CA, The Pool Chlorine Hypothesis and Asthma among Boys, Irish Medical Journal, 102(3); March 2009.

Study found a significant association between the number of years a boy had been swimming and the likelihood of wheezing in the last 12 months and diagnosed asthma.

Scelo G et.al., Household Exposure to Paint and Petroleum Solvents, Chromosomal Translocations, and the Risk for Childhood Leukemia, Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(1):133-139; Jan 2009.

Study found a strong, consistent association of acute myeloid leukemia when paint was used postnatally.

Denno DM et.al., Tri-County Comprehensive Assessment of Risk Factors for Sporadic Reportable Bacterial Enteric Infection in Children, Journal of Infectious Diseases, 199:467-476; Feb 15, 2009.

Study was conducted to determine risk factors for childhood sporadic reportable enteric infection (REI) caused by Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli O157 or Shigella. Results found aquatic recreation to be the most important factor associated with all REI studied. Suboptimal kitchen hygiene after preparation of raw meat or chicken and the consumption of food from restaurants were additional risks for Campylobacter infection. Infection with Salmonella was associated with the use of private wells as sources of drinking water, and the use of residential septic systems was a risk for both Salmonella and E. coli O157 infection. Researchers concluded that non-food exposures were as important as food-related exposures with regard to their contributions to the proportion of cases.

Franko EM et.al., Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels Related to Home Renovation, Repair, and Painting Activities- New York State, 2006-2007, MMWR, 58(03):55-58; Jan 30, 2009.

Study found home renovation, repair and painting (RRP) were identified as the probable source of lead exposure in 14% of children with BLL >20 µg/dL. Children living in housing built before 1978 that are undergoing RRP activities such as sanding and scarping should be considered at high risk for elevated BLL.

Climate Change

Costello A et.al, Managing the Health Effects of Climate Change, The Lancet, 373:1693-1733; May 2009.

Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. Climate change will have its greatest impact on those who are already the poorest in the world and deepen inequities. The Lancet Commissions called for a coalition of global expertise to define the priorities for management, implementation and monitoring.

Boxall ABA et.al., Impacts of Climate Change on Indirect Human Exposure to Pathogens and Chemicals from Agriculture, Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(4):508-514; April 2009.

Researchers concluded that climate change is likely to increase human exposures to agricultural contaminants. Climate change is anticipated to fuel increased use of pesticides and biocides as farming practices intensify. The magnitude of the increases will be highly dependent on the contaminant type. The potential for source variance arising from behavioral response (intensification of management and altered patterns of chemical and manure use) will also be compounding factors. Risks from many pathogens and particulate and particle-associated contaminants could increase significantly.

Communicable and Infectious Diseases (including zoonoses, infection control)

Thompson ND et.al., Nonhospital Health Care-Associated Hepatitis B and C Virus Transmission:US, 1998-2008, Annals of Internal Medicine, 150(1):33-39; Jan 6 2009.

Review identified 33 outbreaks of HBV and HCV in nonhospital settings in the past decade: 12 in outpatient clinics, 6 in hemodialysis centers and 15 in long-term care facilities, resulting in 448 persons acquiring HBV or HCV infection. The putative mechanism of infection was patient-to-patient transmission through failure of health care personnel to adhere to fundamental principles of infection control and aseptic technique.

Smith KS, et.al., Reducing the Risks of the Wildlife Trade, Science, 324(5927):594 – 595; May 2009.

Between 2000 and 2006, US imported nearly 1.5 billion live animals from 190 countries, mostly for sale as pets. 80% of the animals came from wild population and nearly 70% from Southeast Asia, a known hotspot for emerging diseases.

Mali S. et.al., Malaria Surveillance, US 2007, MMWR, 58/SS-2; April 17, 2009.

There were 1,505 cases of malaria in the US for 2007, compared to 1,564 in 2006. The highest estimated relative case rates of malaria among travelers occurred among those returning from countries in West Africa. Of 701 individuals who acquired malaria abroad, 62.9% did not follow a chemoprophylactic drug regimen for the area they had traveled.

Bitto A and Aldras A, Prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in Muskrats in Northeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Journal of Environmental Health, 71(8):20-35; April 2009.

65.9% and 50% of tested muskrats were positive for Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp., respectively, and 29.3% were infected with both parasites.

Gatewood AG et.al., Climate and Tick Seasonality are Predictors of Borrelia burgdorferi Genotype Distribution, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 75(8):2476-2483; April 2009.

Study found the magnitude of the difference between summer and winter daily temperature maximums was positively correlated with the degree of seasonal synchrony of the two immature stages of I. scapularis. Researchers concluded that as the planet warms, the upper Midwest US could more closely resemble the northeast, resulting in more persistent strains of Lyme disease.

Ulger F et.al., Are We Aware How Contaminated Our Mobile Phones with Nosocomial Pathogens?, Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials, 8:7; March 6 2009.

Samples from hands and mobile phones of 200 healthcare workers found 94.5% of phones demonstrated evidence of bacterial contamination, including gram negative strains and S. aureus.

Janssen D et.al., MRSA Skin Infections from an Elephant Calf, San Diego, California, 2008, MMWR, 58(08):194-198; March 6, 2009.

The origin of an MRSA outbreak at the San Diego zoo was traced to one elephant caretaker. The bacteria were passed onto an elephant calf, which in turn affected 20 other calf caretakers.

Gaynor K et.al., International Foodborne Outbreak of Shigella sonnei Infection in Airline Passengers, Epidemiology & Infection, 137:335-341; March 2009.

163 cases of Shigellosis were found among passengers on a flight departing from Hawaii. Raw carrot served onboard was the likely vehicle. Based on the attack rates and 2,700 meals served on other flights, researchers estimated between 300-1,500 passengers were infected. The outbreak illustrated the risk of rapid, global spread of illness from a point-source at a major airline hub.

Sharma M et.al., Effective Household Disinfection Methods of Kitchen Sponges, Food Control, 20(3):310-313; March 2009.

Study found microwaving and dishwashing (placed in a dishwasher for full wash and drying cycles) significantly lowered aerobic bacterial, yeasts and mold counts. These treatment methods were more effective than soaking the sponges in 10% bleach solution for 3 minutes.