Author: Ed Boutros

Major Health Risks Posed in the Aftermath of Sandy

The hurricane has passed and the damage has been done. We can at least take solace in the fact that things will settle down now, right?

As if the death toll and damages are not enough, experts are concerned about areas that suffered severe flooding, in particular New York City, and the spread of disease.

Dangers of fecal matter, E. Coli bacteria, flood debris, and urban contaminants such as oil, gas and trash mixing with water are very serious. Open wounds or vulnerable parts of the body such as the eyes coming into contact with flood water can create a susceptibility to infection, virus, bacteria and parasite exposure.  — Discovery.com

UCMR 3 Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3

 

The third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 3) was signed by EPA Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson on April 16, 2012. As finalized, UCMR 3 will require monitoring for 30 contaminants using EPA and/or consensus organization analytical methods during 2013-2015. Together EPA, States, laboratories and public water systems (PWSs) will participate in UCMR 3.

 

Hurricane SANDY: Actions to Take While a Boil-Water Advisory is in Effect

• Water should not be delivered to patients through the dental unit, ultrasonic scaler, or other dental equipment
that uses the public water system. This restriction does not apply if the water source is isolated from the municipal
water system (e.g., a separate water reservoir or other water treatment device cleared for marketing by FDA).
 
• Patients should rinse with bottled or distilled water until the boil-water advisory has been cancelled.
 
• During these advisory periods, tap water should not be used to dilute germicides or for hand hygiene unless
the water has been brought to a rolling boil for >1 minute and cooled before use.1,4-6
 
• For hand hygiene, antimicrobial products that do not require water (e.g., alcohol-based hand rubs) can be
used until the boil-water notice is cancelled. If hands are visibly contaminated, bottled water and soap should be used
for handwashing; if bottled water is not immediately available, an antiseptic towelette should be used.

Regulation Lax as Gas Wells’ Tainted Water Hits Rivers

“The American landscape is dotted with hundreds of thousands of new wells and drilling rigs, as the country scrambles to tap into this century’s gold rush.”  (source: New York Times).   The article reveals, alarmingly, that EPA and state regulators are NOT doing the job of protecting the water resources that supply the nation’s drinking water.  Clearly the pollution issues raised need to be examined before this country ruins its own precious water supply.  The pollution problem needs to be solved before any further threat to this essential resource is created.

Researchers alarmed at bacteria in Canadian bottled water

Canadian researchers say they’ve discovered some bottled water in Canada contains more bacteria than what comes out of the tap — although they won’t reveal which brands are the culprits.   VancouverSun.com

EAL Web Policies

  1. Links to Non-EAL Sites:  Links and pointers to non-EAL sites are provided for information only and do not constitute endorsement, expressed or implied, by EAL, of the referenced organizations, their suitability, content, products, or services, whether they are governmental, educational, commercial, or any other institutions.
  2. Content Accuracy, Completeness, and Usability of EAL Data and Information:  We make every effort to provide and maintain accurate, complete, usable, and timely information on our Web sites. However, some EAL data and information accessed through these pages may, of necessity, be preliminary in nature and presented prior to final review and approval by the Lab Director of the EAL. These data and information are provided with the understanding that they are not guaranteed to be correct or complete. Users are cautioned to consider carefully the provisional nature of these data and information before using them for decisions that concern personal or public safety or the conduct of business that involves substantial monetary or operational consequences. Conclusions drawn from, or actions undertaken on the basis of, such data and information are the sole responsibility of the user.  If one has questions pertaining to this Web site, please phone EAL by the following phone number 607.272.8902 for clarifications.