HEALTH EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS Linda Himmelbauer ...

1. HEALTH EFFECTS OF  CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTSLinda HimmelbauerChemistU.S. EPA, Region VIII Nitrate/Nitrite Radium*Uranium*Radon Iron * Manganese Sulfate* Fluoride* TDS

2. ACUTE vs. CHRONIC Acute - Symptoms show up in a short period of time (0-7 days) Sub-Chronic - Symptoms show up in 7 days - 7 years. Chronic - Symptoms show up in 7 years - lifetime.

3. Chronic:CARCINOGEN vs. NON-CARCINOGEN Carcinogen - chemical found to cause cancer in laboratory animals or humans. Non-Carcinogen - chemical found to cause disorders and diseases such as reproductive abnormalities, nervous system problems.

4. NITRATES & NITRITES WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? Inorganic Ion NO3- = Nitrate NO2- = Nitrite Potassium Nitrate, KNO3

5. NITRATES & NITRITES WHERE DO THEY COME FROM? SEWAGE FERTILIZERS FEEDLOTS GEOLOGICAL

6. NITRATES & NITRITES WHAT DOES Nitrate DO? Non-Carcinogenic (+) essential nutrient for many photo- synthetic processes Acute - Methaemoglobinaemia in bottle-fed infants “ blue baby syndrome” Chronic - diuresis, increased starchy deposits, hemorrhaging of the spleen. (-)Nitrate converts to Nitrite in the body

7. NITRATES & NITRITES How to SAMPLE for NITRATE only Container: PLASTIC or GLASS Minimum Sample size: (100 mL) Preservation: Analyze as soon as possible or refrigerate Maximum storage time: 48 hours or 28 days if chlorinated

8. NITRATES & NITRITES How to SAMPLE for NITRATE & NITRITES only Container: PLASTIC (polyethylene, etc.) or GLASS Minimum Sample size: (200 mL) Preservation: H2SO4 acid to pH <2, refrigerate Maximum storage time: 28 days

9. NITRATES & NITRITES INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS: Units of Sample results = mg/L nitrate as N = mg/L nitrite as N MCL for Nitrate = 10 mg/L MCL for Nitrite = 1.0 mg/L (40 CFR Part 141)

10. NITRATES & NITRITES FOLLOW- UP MONITORING for MCL EXCEEDANCES…. Confirmation sample within 24 hours of being notified. If samples cannot be collected, notify public and the system is allowed a maximum of two weeks to collect confirmation sample.

11. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON WHERE DOES IT COME FROM? Natural Sources, Erosion of natural deposits Human Activities

12. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? All are ELEMENTS Radon : Rn Atomic #: 86 Radium : Ra Atomic #: 88 Uranium: U Atomic #: 92 1. Describe /Define "ELEMENT." 2. Hand out PERIODIC TABLE. 3. Briefly describe "RADIOACTIVE DECAY" in term of the periodic table - show how one element becomes another by emitting a proton. 4. This "emission" energy is what we are measuring in the samples. 1. Describe /Define "ELEMENT." 2. Hand out PERIODIC TABLE. 3. Briefly describe "RADIOACTIVE DECAY" in term of the periodic table - show how one element becomes another by emitting a proton. 4. This "emission" energy is what we are measuring in the samples.

13. RADIUM, Ra RADON, Rn

14. URANIUM, U Uraninite, UO2 (Pitchblende on right)

15. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON WHAT DO THEY DO ? Chronic Exposure Carcinogenic increased risk of cancer In 1898, Marie Curie discovered that two common uranium ores, pitchblende and chalcolite were more radioactive than refined uranium. This was the indication that there must be another element, one even more radioactive than uranium, mixed with these ores. Further work indicated the samples actually contained two new elements we now know as radium and polonium. Between 1899 to 1902, Marie Curie continued to dissolve, filter, and repeatedly crystallized nearly three tons of pitchblende, lifting every kilogram by herself. The end of that working marathon was marked by the production of 1/10 of a gram of high grade radium chloride. This was enough to confirm her discovery spectroscopically and determine the exact atomic mass of radium. Detection of the nuclear decay of radium, as indicated by the emanation of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, was in part responsible for the revolution of physics that occurred between 1895 and 1910, for it had previously thought that atoms were permanent and indestructible entities. Marie Curie was shared the Nobel Prize for chemistry with her husband Pierre Curie for their basic research in radioactivity. Radium is the heaviest of the alkaline-earth metals. Like the others in the group, radium is metallic and thus a good conductor of electricity. When freshly cut, it has a brilliant white color and, in time, a nitride coating develops. Virtually all radium is derived from the by-products of uranium refining operations. Radium is intensely radioactive. It glows in the dark with an eerie bluish light. The handwritten laboratory notes of the discovers are still too radioactive today for safe handling. In the late 1950s, radium was mixed with a second phosphoresent material such as zinc sulfide to make luminous paint for wristwatches, clocks, and aircraft instrument dials. Shown above is the lumininous mixture of radium bromide and zinc sulfide lused in luminous watch dials. The radium gives off dangerous radiation which causes the zinc sulfide to glow. Recognition of the potential health hazards has forced companies to look for alternative materials for glow-in-the-dark paints. Radium is used as a portable source of neutron radiation in medicine and industry. Radium is formerly used in cancer therapy. Beta-particle An electron emitted by a radioactive substance as it decays. They have moderate energy and can be damaging to human tissue. Effective shielding can be obtained with thin metal sheets. Collectively, such particles are often called beta rays or beta radiation. Alpha-particle A He2+ ion emitted at a high velocity by a radioactive substance. Alpha particles are used to cause nuclear disintegration reactions. In radiation chemistry, alpha radiation is a form of radiation consisting of helium nuclei. An atom of radium gives off one alpha particle in decaying to radon. Alpha particles are used to bombard other nuclei in creating artificial radioactivity and are the least damaging to human tissue of all radioactive emanations. Gamma radiation A form of highly energetic radiation emanating from unstable atomic nuclei and characterized by very short wavelengths about 1 angstrom. Gamma radiation is emitted slowly by decaying radioactive nuclei such as radium, and very rapidly in the fission process. Gamma radiation is highly dangerous to body tissues and may cause genetic damage or even death on prolonged exposure. Cobalt-60 has been used in industry as a source of gamma rays. Gamma radiation is used for spectroscopic analysis and in cancer treatment. In 1898, Marie Curie discovered that two common uranium ores, pitchblende and chalcolite were more radioactive than refined uranium. This was the indication that there must be another element, one even more radioactive than uranium, mixed with these ores. Further work indicated the samples actually contained two new elements we now know as radium and polonium. Between 1899 to 1902, Marie Curie continued to dissolve, filter, and repeatedly crystallized nearly three tons of pitchblende, lifting every kilogram by herself. The end of that working marathon was marked by the production of 1/10 of a gram of high grade radium chloride. This was enough to confirm her discovery spectroscopically and determine the exact atomic mass of radium. Detection of the nuclear decay of radium, as indicated by the emanation of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, was in part responsible for the revolution of physics that occurred between 1895 and 1910, for it had previously thought that atoms were permanent and indestructible entities. Marie Curie was shared the Nobel Prize for chemistry with her husband Pierre Curie for their basic research in radioactivity. Radium is the heaviest of the alkaline-earth metals. Like the others in the group, radium is metallic and thus a good conductor of electricity. When freshly cut, it has a brilliant white color and, in time, a nitride coating develops. Virtually all radium is derived from the by-products of uranium refining operations. Radium is intensely radioactive. It glows in the dark with an eerie bluish light. The handwritten laboratory notes of the discovers are still too radioactive today for safe handling. In the late 1950s, radium was mixed with a second phosphoresent material such as zinc sulfide to make luminous paint for wristwatches, clocks, and aircraft instrument dials. Shown above is the lumininous mixture of radium bromide and zinc sulfide lused in luminous watch dials. The radium gives off dangerous radiation which causes the zinc sulfide to glow. Recognition of the potential health hazards has forced companies to look for alternative materials for glow-in-the-dark paints. Radium is used as a portable source of neutron radiation in medicine and industry. Radium is formerly used in cancer therapy. Beta-particle An electron emitted by a radioactive substance as it decays. They have moderate energy and can be damaging to human tissue. Effective shielding can be obtained with thin metal sheets. Collectively, such particles are often called beta rays or beta radiation. Alpha-particle A He2+ ion emitted at a high velocity by a radioactive substance. Alpha particles are used to cause nuclear disintegration reactions. In radiation chemistry, alpha radiation is a form of radiation consisting of helium nuclei. An atom of radium gives off one alpha particle in decaying to radon. Alpha particles are used to bombard other nuclei in creating artificial radioactivity and are the least damaging to human tissue of all radioactive emanations. Gamma radiation A form of highly energetic radiation emanating from unstable atomic nuclei and characterized by very short wavelengths about 1 angstrom. Gamma radiation is emitted slowly by decaying radioactive nuclei such as radium, and very rapidly in the fission process. Gamma radiation is highly dangerous to body tissues and may cause genetic damage or even death on prolonged exposure. Cobalt-60 has been used in industry as a source of gamma rays. Gamma radiation is used for spectroscopic analysis and in cancer treatment.

16. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON How to SAMPLE Container: PLASTIC or GLASS Minimum Sample size: (500 mL to 18 L) Type of Sample: Grab or 4 quarter composite Preservation: acidify to pH <2 Maximum storage time: up to 1-year

17. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS: Units of Sample results = pCi/L “picocuries per Liter” Action Level for gross alpha = 5 pCi/L >5 pCi/L will trigger testing for Ra-226 if Ra-226 > 3 pCi/L, must test for Rd-228 MCL for combined Ra 226-228 = 5 pCi/L. MCL for gross alpha = 15.0 pCi/L MCL for Radon, Rn - to be released 8/99.

18. IRON & MANGANESE WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? Fe, Iron Mn, Manganese

19. IRON & MANGANESE WHAT DO THEY DO? Secondary contaminants - for aesthetic value (40 CFR Part 143) (+) Fe essential nutrient in human nutrition DW NOT considered a primary source. Fe > .3 mg/L, Mn > .15 mg/L - stains laundry and plumbing fixtures, bad taste. (-) can cause deposits in pipes

20. IRON & MANGANESE How to SAMPLE Container: PLASTIC (polyethylene, etc.) or GLASS Minimum Sample size: (50 mL) can use same container for both analyses. Type of Sample: Grab Preservation: acidify to pH <2 with nitric acid (HNO3) Maximum storage time: 6 months

21. IRON & MANAGANESE INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS: Units of Sample results Mn = mg/L Fe = mg/L Secondary Standard Mn = 0.05 mg/L Fe = 0.3 mg/L

22. SULFATE WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? Gypsum, CaSO4-2(H2O) Pyrite, FeS2 SO42- Naturally Occurring

23. SULFATE Secondary Standard Sulfate =250 mg/L WHAT DOES IT DO? Taste and Odor problems possible diarrhea health effects

24. SULFATE How to SAMPLE Container: PLASTIC or GLASS Minimum Sample size: (50 mL) Type of Sample: Grab Preservation: refrigerate Maximum storage time: 28 days

25. FLUORIDE WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? Fluorite, CaF2 F- Naturally Occurring

26. FLUORIDE Secondary Standard = 2.0 mg/L What does it do? Small amounts, help reduce tooth cavities. In children whose teeth are forming, high F- exposure can cause dental fluorosis with visible changes in the teeth. In adults, high fluoride over a long time can lead to skeletal fluorosis with denser bones, joint pain, and a limited joint movement.

27. FLUORIDE How to SAMPLE Container: PLASTIC Minimum Sample size: (50 mL) Type of Sample: Grab Preservation: none required Maximum storage time: 28 days

28. TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS,TDS Dissolved solids come from rock dissolved by water. Secondary Standard = 500 mg/L

29. TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS,TDS How to SAMPLE Container: PLASTIC or GLASS Minimum Sample size: (200 mL recc.) Preservation: refrigerate Maximum storage time: 7 days (24 hour analysis preferred)