Indoor coal ash and school and social competency among children aged 6-14 years.

BACKGROUND: A child's ability to succeed in social interactions and in a school setting are important for their development and growth. Exposure to environmental pollutants has been associated with poorer school performance and fewer social interaction in children. Fly ash, a waste product generated when burning coal for energy, is comprised of small glass spheres with neurotoxic heavy metal(loid)s found to be risk factors for learning and social problems in school. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this novel study was to assess the association of fly ash in children's homes with school and social competency. METHODS: We recruited children aged 6-14 years old from communities located within 10 miles of two coal-burning power plants. In homes of the participants, fly ash was collected on polycarbonate filters using personal modular impactors. We measured school competency and social competency using the validated Child Behavioral Checklist. Using Tobit and linear regression we investigated the relationship of indoor fly ash with school and social competency. RESULTS: Forty-three percent of children in the study had fly ash in their homes. In covariate-adjusted Tobit models, children with fly ash in their homes scored on average 2.63 (95% CI: -4.98, -0.28) points lower on the school competency scale than peers without ash in their homes. We did not observe that fly ash in homes was related with lower social competency. SIGNIFICANCE: Results from this study suggest that children with fly ash in their homes had poorer performance in the school setting, compared to peers without fly ash in their homes. In the US, coal-fired power plants are being closed, however health concerns about pollution from coal ash storage facilities remains. Findings from this study can provide impetus for creating of public health policy and to highlight the need future research on children's exposure to fly ash. IMPACT: Children's growth and development are impacted by their social interactions and ability to perform in school settings. Environmental pollutants may impact these essential elements of development. Millions of children are exposed to fly ash which is a waste product generated from burning coal. Fly ash, an environmental health threat throughout the world, is comprised of small glass spheres with trace concentrations of neurotoxic metal(loid)s. Findings from this research show that children with fly ash in their homes are significantly more likely to have poorer school performance than children without fly ash in their homes.

Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica in municipal household waste collection and road cleaning workers.

Despite the increase in the number of cases among South Korean sanitation workers, lung cancer as a result of exposure to occupational carcinogen has not been sufficiently investigated. This study aimed to identify exposure levels of sanitation workers to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) for various tasks and factors that affect individual RCS exposure. Exposure to RCS was assessed for 90 sanitation workers from seven companies. The obtained geometric mean value of the RCS was 2.6 µg m-3, which is a similar level to recommendations set by California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's Recommended Exposure Limit. Meanwhile, coal briquette ash (CBA) collectors exhibited the highest RCS concentration (24 µg m-3), followed by road cleaning workers who used a blower, municipal household waste collectors, sweepers, and drivers (p < 0.05). Additionally, when the ANOVA was conducted, statistically significant differences were observed in RCS concentrations among various factors such as job task, season, employment type and city scale. Our study confirmed that sanitation workers who work outdoors could be exposed to RCS. Due to the possibility of exposure to high RCS concentrations, special attention should be paid to the collection of used CBA and road cleaning involving the use of a blower.

Coal fly ash is a major carbon flux in the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) basin.

Fly ash-the residuum of coal burning-contains a considerable amount of fossilized particulate organic carbon (FOCash) that remains after high-temperature combustion. Fly ash leaks into natural environments and participates in the contemporary carbon cycle, but its reactivity and flux remained poorly understood. We characterized FOCash in the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) basin, China, and quantified the riverine FOCash fluxes. Using Raman spectral analysis, ramped pyrolysis oxidation, and chemical oxidation, we found that FOCash is highly recalcitrant and unreactive, whereas shale-derived FOC (FOCrock) was much more labile and easily oxidized. By combining mass balance calculations and other estimates of fly ash input to rivers, we estimated that the flux of FOCash carried by the Chang Jiang was 0.21 to 0.42 Mt C⋅y-1 in 2007 to 2008-an amount equivalent to 37 to 72% of the total riverine FOC export. We attributed such high flux to the combination of increasing coal combustion that enhances FOCash production and the massive construction of dams in the basin that reduces the flux of FOCrock eroded from upstream mountainous areas. Using global ash data, a first-order estimate suggests that FOCash makes up to 16% of the present-day global riverine FOC flux to the oceans. This reflects a substantial impact of anthropogenic activities on the fluxes and burial of fossil organic carbon that has been made less reactive than the rocks from which it was derived.

Associations of the Behavioral Assessment and Research System (BARS) neurobehavioral outcomes with attention problems in children living near coal ash storage sites.

Environmental exposures have been linked to childhood problems with overactivity, attention, and impulse control, and an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis. Two approaches to identify these types of exposure-related neurobehavioral problems include the use of computerized tests, such as the Behavioral Assessment and Research System (BARS), as well as the use of behavior rating scales. To assess comparability of these two types of measures, we analyzed data from 281 children aged 6 to 14 years enrolled in a 5-year research study investigating coal ash exposure and neurobehavioral health. All children lived in proximity of coal ash storage sites. We administered six computer tests from the BARS and obtained behavior measures from the parent-completed Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) ADHD DSM oriented scale. BARS test performance was associated with age indicating that the tests could be used to evaluate neurodevelopmental changes over time or across a wide age range. Tests within the BARS including Continuous Performance (CPT) false alarm (standardized estimate 1.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.67, 2.48), adjusted p = 0.006), Selective Attention (SAT) wrong count (standardized estimate 2.8, 95% CI (1.17, 4.44), adjusted p = 0.006), and SAT proportion correct (standardized estimate -2.45, 95% CI (-4.01, -0.88), adjusted p = 0.01) were associated with attention and impulse control problems on the CBCL after adjustment for multiple comparisons. Findings support that the BARS can contribute to research on environmental exposures by assessing subclinical behaviors related to ADHD such as sustained attention, impulse control, response inhibition, associative learning, and short-term memory. Future research can examine relationships of these BARS measures with biomarkers of neurotoxic exposures related to living near coal ash storage sites to better identify the potential risk for ADHD-related behaviors among children living near coal ash storage sites.

Effects of a herbal formulation, KGC3P, and its individual component, nepetin, on coal fly dust-induced airway inflammation.

Coal fly dust (CFD)-induced asthma model is used as an ambient particulate matter model of serious pulmonary damage. We aimed to evaluate the effects of a combination of ginseng and Salvia plebeia R. Br extract (KGC-03-PS; KG3P) and its individual components (hispidulin, nepetin and rosmarinic acid) in a CFD-induced mouse model of airway inflammation (asthma). We also evaluated signal transduction by KG3P and its individual components in the alveolar macrophage cell line, MH-S cells. In vitro, KG3P and its individual components inhibited nitric oxide production and expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines (iNOS, COX-2, IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α) through the NF-κB and MAPK pathways in coal fly ash (CFA)-induced inflammation in MH-S cells. Moreover, in the CFD-induced asthma model in mice, KG3P and its predominant individual component, nepetin, inhibited Asymmetric Dimethyl arginine (ADMA) and Symmetric Dimethyl arginine (SDMA) in serum, and decreased the histopathologic score in the lungs. A significant reduction in the neutrophils and immune cells in BALF and lung tissue was demonstrated, with significant reduction in the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines. Finally, IRAK-1 localization was also potently inhibited by KG3P and nepetin. Thus, KG3P extract can be considered as a potent candidate for amelioration of airway inflammation.

A review on fly ash from coal-fired power plants: chemical composition, regulations, and health evidence.

Throughout the world, coal is responsible for generating approximately 38% of power. Coal ash, a waste product, generated from the combustion of coal, consists of fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, and flue gas desulfurization material. Fly ash, which is the main component of coal ash, is composed of spherical particulate matter with diameters that range from 0.1 µm to >100 µm. Fly ash is predominately composed of silica, aluminum, iron, calcium, and oxygen, but the particles may also contain heavy metals such as arsenic and lead at trace levels. Most nations throughout the world do not consider fly ash a hazardous waste and therefore regulations on its disposal and storage are lacking. Fly ash that is not beneficially reused in products such as concrete is stored in landfills and surface impoundments. Fugitive dust emissions and leaching of metals into groundwater from landfills and surface impoundments may put people at risk for exposure. There are limited epidemiological studies regarding the health effects of fly ash exposure. In this article, the authors provide an overview of fly ash, its chemical composition, the regulations from nations generating the greatest amount of fly ash, and epidemiological evidence regarding the health impacts associated with exposure to fly ash.

Recruitment strategies and challenges: Lessons learned from a coal ash and children's health study.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the approaches and recruitment strategies of a study focused on the impact of coal fly ash on neurobehavioral performance among children living in proximity to coal-burning power plants. Challenges encountered with each recruitment approach are highlighted as well as solutions used to overcome those challenges and ultimately enroll children and one of their parents or guardians. To ensure participants were distributed throughout the study area, geographical information systems were used to guide recruitment and achieve the target sample size (N = 300). Several approaches were employed to recruit the number of needed participants, including "shoe leather" or door-to-door recruitment, placement of flyers and brochures in public spaces, mailings to targeted addresses, media announcements, and local government outreach. Since September 2015, 265 participants have been enrolled in the study using a combination of the described recruitment approaches. Even with a well-designed plan, it is important to re-examine strategies at every step to maximize recruitment efforts. Researcher flexibility in adapting to new strategies is vital in facilitating recruitment efforts, and the recruitment of participants in the study remains a dynamic and evolving process.

Subchronic air pollution exposure increases highly palatable food intake, modulates caloric efficiency and induces lipoperoxidation.

The investigation of the relationship between air pollution and obesity has captured the interest of researchers. However, the mechanism regarding the association between air pollution exposure and metabolic diseases and obesity still remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of subchronic ROFA exposure on consumption and preference for highly palatable food and its interference on biochemical, lipid and oxidative stress parameters in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided in groups: control, ROFA, chocolate and ROFA + chocolate. Rats were exposed to ROFA during 18 weeks and to palatable food in the last 30 days. Food consumption, caloric intake and caloric efficiency, body mass gain, abdominal fat deposition, glucose and lipid profile were measured. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were assessed in lungs, heart, pancreas and hypothalamus. Chocolate intake was higher in the first and second weeks in rats exposed to ROFA while the standard chow intake was smaller in second and third weeks. The amount of kilocalories derived from chocolate was higher in the animals exposed to ROFA in all weeks. The caloric intake and body mass gain were not different among groups. Triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL were higher in chocolate exposed rats. The TBARS was higher in lung and heart in ROFA group and in hypothalamus in ROFA + chocolate group. There were no significant differences in glucose, LDL and antioxidant enzymes. These findings indicate that subcronic air pollution exposure can modulate metabolic effects of subacute exposure to chocolate in adulthood.

Oxidative stress response to air particle pollution in a rat nutritional growth retardation model.

Air pollution consisting of gases and particulate matter-(PM) represents a health problem in cities worldwide. However, air pollution does not impact equally all individuals, as children appear to be more vulnerable subpopulations. Air pollution and malnutrition are two distinct factors that have been associated with oxidative damage. Therefore, the interaction between environmental exposure and nutritional status in populations at risk needs to be explored. The aim of this study was to examine oxidative metabolism in lung, heart and liver in malnourished young rats exposed to residual oil fly ash (ROFA). A Nutritional Growth Retardation (NGR) model was developed in weanling male rats placed on a 20% restricted balanced diet for 4 weeks. Then, NGR and control rats were intranasally instilled with either ROFA (1mg/kg BW) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Twenty-four hr post-exposure lung, heart and liver were excised, and serum collected. ROFA induced lung and liver inflammation in control and NGR animals as evidenced by lung polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) recruitment and alveolar space reduction accompanied by liver lymphocyte and binucleated hepatocyte level increase. In lung and liver, antioxidant defense mechanisms reduced lipoperoxidation. In contrast, only in NGR animals did ROFA exposure alter heart oxidative metabolism leading to lipid peroxidation. Although histological and biochemical tissue alterations were detected, no marked changes in serum liver and heart systemic biomarkers were observed. In conclusion, NGR animals responded differently to PM exposure than controls suggesting that nutritional status plays a key role in responsiveness to ambient air contaminants.

Unique pulmonary immunotoxicological effects of urban PM are not recapitulated solely by carbon black, diesel exhaust or coal fly ash.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to particulate matter (PM) is increasing worldwide as a result of increased human activity, the rapid industrialization of developing countries, and effects of climate change. Adverse effects of PM on human health are well documented, and because PM exposure occurs mostly through the airways, PM has especially deleterious impact on the lungs. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether surrogate PM particles like carbon black (CB), diesel exhaust particle (DEP), coal fly ash (CFA) can recapitulate the allergic airway inflammatory response induced by urban particulate matter. METHODS: We compared the pro-inflammatory potential of urban PM collected from New York (NYC) and Baltimore (Balt) with CB, DEP and CFA surrogate PM particles. Eight to ten weeks old BALB/cJ mice were exposed through the airways to particulate material, and markers of airway inflammation were determined. Specifically, we assessed cellular influx, mucus production, lung function, cytokine levels as well as immune cell profiling of the lungs. RESULTS: Herein, we demonstrate that exposure to equivalent mass of stand-alone surrogate PM particles like CB, DEP and CFA, fails to induce significant airway inflammatory response seen after similar exposure to urban PMs. Specifically, we observe that PM collected from New York (NYC) and Baltimore city (Balt) triggers a mixed Th2/Th17 response accompanied by eosinophilic and neutrophilic influx, mucus production and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Although the immune profile of NYC and Baltimore PMs are similar, they demonstrate considerable differences in their potency. Baltimore PM induced more robust airway inflammation, AHR, and Th2 cytokine production, possibly due to the greater metal content in Baltimore PM. CONCLUSIONS: Urban particulate matter with its unique physiochemical properties and heterogeneous composition elicits a mixed Th2/Th17 allergic airway response that is not seen after similar exposures to surrogate PM particles.

The Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Power Plant Emissions on Birth Weight: Evidence from a Pennsylvania Power Plant Located Upwind of New Jersey.

To examine the infant health impact of prenatal exposure to power plant emissions, we draw scientific evidence on the impacted region downwind of a large polluter, a coal-fired power plant located on the border of two states and proven to be the sole contributor to the violation of air quality standards of the impacted region. Our results show that among all live singleton births that occurred during 1990 through 2006, those born to mothers living as far as 20 to 30 miles away downwind from the power plant (which is also an affluent region) during pregnancy are at greater risks of low birth weight (LBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW): the likelihoods of LBW and VLBW could increase approximately by 6.50 and 17.12 percent, respectively. In light of the continual efforts of The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in reducing cross-state air pollution caused by transboundary power plant emissions, our study is aimed at broadening the scope of cross-border pollution impact analysis by taking into account adverse infant health effects of upwind polluters, which can impose disproportionate burdens of health risks on downwind states due to air pollutants transported by wind.

Solidification and Biotoxicity Assessment of Thermally Treated Municipal Solid Waste Incineration (MSWI) Fly Ash.

In the present work, thermal treatment was used to stabilize municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash, which was considered hazardous waste. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) results indicated that, after the thermal process, the leaching concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Zn decreased from 8.08 to 0.16 mg/L, 0.12 to 0.017 mg/L and 0.39 to 0.1 mg/L, respectively, which well met the limits in GB5085.3-2007 and GB16689-2008. Thermal treatment showed a negative effect on the leachability of Cr with concentrations increasing from 0.1 to 1.28 mg/L; nevertheless, it was still under the limitations. XRD analysis suggested that, after thermal treatments, CaO was newly generated. CaO was a main contribution to higher Cr leaching concentrations owing to the formation of Cr (VI)-compounds such as CaCrO4. SEM/EDS tests revealed that particle adhesion, agglomeration, and grain growth happened during the thermal process and thus diminished the leachability of Pb, Cu, and Zn, but these processes had no significant influence on the leaching of Cr. A microbial assay demonstrated that all thermally treated samples yet possessed strong bactericidal activity according to optical density (OD) test results. Among all samples, the OD value of raw fly ash (RFA) was lowest followed by FA700-10, FA900-10, and FA1100-10 in an increasing order, which indicated that the sequence of the biotoxicity for these samples was RFA > FA700-10 > FA900-10 > FA1100-10. This preliminary study indicated that, apart from TCLP criteria, the biotoxicity assessment was indispensable for evaluating the effect of thermal treatment for MSWI fly ash.

Stabilization of lead in incineration fly ash by moderate thermal treatment with sodium hydroxide addition.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration fly ash (IFA) can be potentially reused as a substitute for some raw materials, but treatment for detoxification is indispensable owing to high contents of heavy metals in fly ash. In the present work, due to excessive leaching concentration of lead (Pb), a moderate thermal treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) addition was employed to stabilize Pb in IFA. The moderate thermal treatment was performed under relatively low temperature ranging from 300 to 500°C and at retention time from 1 to 3 h with NaOH addition in a range of 1 to 9%. Leaching results showed that leaching concentrations of Pb in IFA leachates decreased below the standard for hazardous waste identification (5 mg/L) in China under all treatment scenarios. With the increase of temperature, retention time and the amount of NaOH, the concentration of Pb were further suppressed in IFA leachates. Especially, at 500°C for 3 h with 9% NaOH addition, the concentration of Pb dropped to 0.18 mg/L, which was below the standard for sanitary landfill (0.25 mg/L) in China. In thermal process, needle-like crystallites melted to form granules and clumps with compacter structure and less pores. After the thermal treatment, water-soluble and exchangeable fractions of Pb significantly decreased. Therefore, the thermal treatment coupled with NaOH could be applied to realize the environmentally sound management of MSW IFA.

Impacts of coal ash on methylmercury production and the methylating microbial community in anaerobic sediment slurries.

Mercury (Hg) associated with coal ash is an environmental concern, particularly if the release of coal ash to the environment is associated with the conversion of inorganic Hg to methylmercury (MeHg), a bioaccumulative form of Hg that is produced by anaerobic microorganisms. In this study, sediment slurry microcosm experiments were performed to understand how spilled coal ash might influence MeHg production in anaerobic sediments of an aquatic ecosystem. Two coal ash types were used: (1) a weathered coal ash; and (2) a freshly collected, unweathered fly ash that was relatively enriched in sulfate and Hg compared to the weathered ash. These ash samples were added to anaerobic sediment slurries constructed with a relatively pristine sediment (containing 0.03 mg kg-1 Hg) and a Hg-contaminated sediment (containing 0.29 mg kg-1 Hg). The results of these experiments showed negligible net production of MeHg in microcosms with no ash and in microcosms amended with the low sulfate/low Hg ash. In contrast, slurry microcosms amended with high sulfate/high Hg ash showed increases in total MeHg content that was 2 to 3 times greater than control microcosms without ash (p < 0.001). 16S amplicon sequencing of microbial communities in the slurries indicated that the coal ash addition generally increased the relative abundance of the methylating microbial community, including sulfate-reducing bacteria and iron-reducing bacteria species that are known to be efficient methylators of Hg. The stimulation of these microorganisms was likely caused by the release of substrates (sulfate and Fe) originating from the ash. Overall, the results highlight the need to incorporate both environmental parameters and coal ash characteristics into risk assessments that guide coal ash management and disposal.

COSMOS-rice technology abrogates the biotoxic effects of municipal solid waste incinerator residues.

Fly ashes generated by municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) are classified as hazardous waste and usually landfilled. For the sustainable reuse of these materials is necessary to reduce the resulting impact on human health and environment. The COSMOS-rice technology has been recently proposed for the treatment of fly ashes mixed with rice husk ash, to obtain a low-cost composite material with significant performances. Here, aquatic biotoxicity assays, including daphnidae and zebrafish embryo-based tests, were used to assess the biosafety efficacy of this technology. Exposure to lixiviated MSWI fly ash caused dose-dependent biotoxic effects on daphnidae and zebrafish embryos with alterations of embryonic development, teratogenous defects and apoptotic events. On the contrary, no biotoxic effects were observed in daphnidae and zebrafish embryos exposed to lixiviated COSMOS-rice material. Accordingly, whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis of the expression of various tissue-specific genes in zebrafish embryos provided genetic evidence about the ability of COSMOS-rice stabilization process to minimize the biotoxic effects of MSWI fly ash. These results demonstrate at the biological level that the newly developed COSMOS-rice technology is an efficient and cost-effective method to process MSWI fly ash, producing a biologically safe and reusable material.

Exposure-Reducing Behaviors Among Residents Living Near a Coal Ash Storage Site.

Coal ash, a waste product generated from burning coal for energy, is composed of highly respirable particles containing heavy metals, radioactive elements, and polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons. Coal ash is stored in landfills and surface impoundments frequently located near neighborhoods. Fugitive dust from the storage sites exposes neighborhoods, affecting the health and welfare of residents. The research questions of interest were (1) are community members concerned about coal ash exposure from the storage site; (2) what, if any, behaviors do community members engage in to reduce exposure; and (3) do exposure reducing behaviors differ by level of concern about coal ash. A community-based mixed-methods approach was used. Focus groups (n = 26) were conducted in 2012, and a cross-sectional survey was administered in 2013 (n = 231). The majority of survey respondents (62%) worried "a lot" about being exposed to coal ash; however, most did not engage in exposure-reducing behaviors, such as wearing protective equipment when doing chores. Compared with respondents who worry "some, very little, or none," or responded "I don't know," respondents who worried "a lot" about being exposed to coal ash did more exposure-reducing behaviors outdoors (p < .001) and indoors (p = .01). For people living near environmental hazards, reducing exposure is a priority. Although challenging because of the chronic nature of exposure, some behaviors can be useful in reducing exposure, such as wearing a particle-specific respirator when mowing the lawn. Communities at risk for chronic exposure to environmental toxins could benefit from education about exposure-reducing behaviors.

Bioaccessibility and health risk of heavy metals in ash from the incineration of different e-waste residues.

Ash from incinerated e-waste dismantling residues (EDR) may cause significant health risks to people through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact exposure pathways. Ashes of four classified e-waste types generated by an incineration plant in Zhejiang, China were collected. Total contents and the bioaccessibilities of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in ashes were measured to provide crucial information to evaluate the health risks for incinerator workers and children living in vicinity. Compared to raw e-waste in mixture, ash was metal-enriched by category incinerated. However, the physiologically based extraction test (PBET) indicates the bioaccessibilities of Ni, Pb, and Zn were less than 50 %. Obviously, bioaccessibilities need to be considered in noncancer risk estimate. Total and PBET-extractable contents of metal, except for Pb, were significantly correlated with the pH of the ash. Noncancer risks of ash from different incinerator parts decreased in the order bag filter ash (BFA) > cyclone separator ash (CFA) > bottom ash (BA). The hazard quotient for exposure to ash were decreased as ingestion > dermal contact > inhalation. Pb in ingested ash dominated (>80 %) noncancer risks, and children had high chronic risks from Pb (hazard index >10). Carcinogenic risks from exposure to ash were under the acceptable level (<10(-6)) both for children and workers. Exposure to ash increased workers' cancer risks and children's noncancer risks. Given the risk estimate is complex including toxicity/bioaccessibility of metals, the ways of exposure, and many uncertainties, further researches are required before any definite decisions on mitigating health risks caused by exposure to EDR incinerated ash are made.

Medical screening after a coal fly ash spill in Roane County, Tennessee.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the health of community residents following a coal fly ash spill at the Tennessee Valley Authority Kingston Fossil Plant in Harriman, Tennessee, on December 22, 2008. METHODS: A uniform health assessment was developed by epidemiologists at Oak Ridge Associated Universities and medical toxicologists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Residents who believed that their health may have been affected by the coal fly ash spill were invited to participate in the medical screening program. RESULTS: Among the 214 individuals who participated in the screening program, the most commonly reported symptoms were related to upper airway irritation. No evidence of heavy metal toxicity was found. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report, to our knowledge, regarding the comprehensive health evaluation of a community after a coal fly ash spill. Because this evaluation was voluntary, the majority of residents screened represented those with a high percentage of symptoms and concerns about the potential for toxic exposure. Based on known toxicity of the constituents present in the coal fly ash, health complaints did not appear to be related to the fly ash. This screening model could be used to assess immediate or baseline toxicity concerns after other disasters.

Burns due to wet wood ash: three cases.

Wood ash, a traditional multipurpose agent, is sometimes used under occlusion as a folkloric prescription to ease pain and edema. Adding water or oil to ash forms a mixture with strong alkaline properties. We present three interesting cases who sustained full-thickness burns after application of a poultice of wetted wood ash for the treatment of leg pain.

Coal and tire burning mixtures containing ultrafine and nanoparticulate materials induce oxidative stress and inflammatory activation in macrophages.

Ultra-fine and nano-particulate materials resulting from mixtures of coal and non-coal fuels combustion for power generation release to the air components with toxic potential. We evaluated toxicological and inflammatory effects at cellular level that could be induced by ultrafine/nanoparticles-containing ashes from burning mixtures of coal and tires from an American power plant. Coal fly ashes (CFA) samples from the combustion of high-S coal and tire-derived fuel, the latter about 2-3% of the total fuel feed, in a 100-MW cyclone utility boiler, were suspended in the cell culture medium of RAW 264.7 macrophages. Cell viability, assessed by MTT reduction, SRB incorporation and contrast-phase microscopy analysis demonstrated that CFA did not induce acute toxicity. However, CFA at 1mg/mL induced an increase of approximately 338% in intracellular TNF-α, while release of this proinflammatory cytokine was increased by 1.6-fold. The expression of the inflammatory mediator CD40 receptor was enhanced by 2-fold, the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) had a 5.7-fold increase and the stress response protein HSP70 was increased nearly 12-fold by CFA at 1mg/mL. Although CFA did not induce cell death, parameters of oxidative stress and reactive species production were found to be altered at several degrees, such as nitrite accumulation (22% increase), DCFH oxidation (3.5-fold increase), catalase (5-fold increase) and superoxide dismutase (35% inhibition) activities, lipoperoxidation (4.2 fold-increase) and sulfhydryl oxidation (40% decrease in free SH groups). The present results suggest that CFA containing ultra-fine and nano-particulate materials from coal and tire combustion may induce sub-chronic cell damage, as they alter inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters at the molecular and cellular levels, but do not induce acute cell death.