Public health and environmental response to the first case of naturally acquired inhalational anthrax in the United States in 30 years: infection of a new york city resident who worked with dried animal hides.

In Pennsylvania on February 16, 2006, a New York City resident collapsed with rigors and was hospitalized. On February 21, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene were notified that Bacillus anthracis had been identified in the patient's blood. Although the patient's history of working with dried animal hides to make African drums indicated the likelihood of a natural exposure to aerosolized anthrax spores, bioterrorism had to be ruled out first. Ultimately, this case proved to be the first case of naturally occurring inhalational anthrax in 30 years. This article describes the epidemiologic and environmental investigation to identify other cases and persons at risk and to determine the source of exposure and scope of contamination. Because stricter regulation of the importation of animal hides from areas where anthrax is enzootic is difficult, public healthcare officials should consider the possibility of future naturally occurring anthrax cases caused by contaminated hides. Federal protocols are needed to assist in the local response, which should be tempered by our growing understanding of the epidemiology of naturally acquired anthrax. These protocols should include recommended methods for reliable and efficient environmental sample collection and laboratory testing, and environmental risk assessments and remediation.

Effect of amendment C:N ratio on plant richness, cover and metal content for acidic Pb and Zn mine tailings in Leadville, Colorado.

Biosolids and woody debris were applied with target C:N ratios of 8:1 to 50:1 to phytotoxic, acidic, high metal mine tailings to test the effect of amendment C:N ratio on native plant restoration. Total soil C decreased over time indicating an active microbial community. The 8:1 treatment initially had no growth, the highest plant cover for the final sampling (86.8+/-13.8%) and the lowest number of species (3.33+/-0.4). The greatest number of species was in the 30:1 treatment (5.44+/-0.45). Plant cover increased over time for all treatments from 44.7% in 2001 to 71% in 2005. This response was consistent across all except for the 30:1 treatment, which showed a slight decrease in the final year (65+/-11%). Volunteer species and evidence of animal grazing were observed in all amended plots. Results indicate that a C:N ratio>/=20:1 increased species diversity.

Ecosystem function in alluvial tailings after biosolids and lime addition.

Municipal biosolids and agricultural limestone were incorporated into the surface of alluvial highly acidic, metal-contaminated mine tailings in Leadville, CO, in 1998. Amended sites were seeded and a plant cover was subsequently established. A range of chemical and biological parameters were measured over time to determine if treatment was sufficient to restore ecosystem function. An uncontaminated upstream control (UUC), a contaminated vegetated area (CVA), and soils collected from the tailings deposits before amendment addition were used for comparison. Standard soil extracts showed decreases in extractable Pb, Zn, and Cd in the amended soils. Increased CO2 evolution, reduced N2O, and elevated NO3- in the amended tailings indicated an active microbial community. Levels of CO2 and NO3- were elevated in comparison with the CVA and UUC. Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and earthworm (Eisenia foetida) survival and metal uptake values were similar in amended tailings to a laboratory control soil. Ryegrass and worms in unamended tailings died. Field plant diversity was lower in amended areas than in CVA or UUC, with a higher percentage of the vegetative cover consisting of grasses. Small mammal analysis showed a low potential for elevated body Cd and Pb in the amended tailings. A re-entrainment study using fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) showed no danger for resuspended amended tailings, as survival of fish was similar to the laboratory control. Data suggest that ecosystem function has been restored to the amended tailings, but that these systems are not yet in equilibrium.