Workshop #10:  An Introduction to the Use and Application of Gene Chips in Environmental Toxicology and Implications for Their Use as Biomarkers in Contaminated Sites Evaluations

Dr. Pat Cline, Strategic Environmental Analysis, Inc., Gainesville, FL
Patrick Larkin, Ph.D., EcoArray, Inc., Alachua, FL

This workshop will explore the use and applications of gene chips (also called microarrays), a state of the art genomics tool, for risk assessment.   Gene chips are currently being used and validated by the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as other governmental agencies, and represent the future for diagnostic solutions in the environmental toxicology field. Chips can be used to enhance current approaches to toxicity studies, chemical screening, and site evaluation.

The advantage of using genes chips is that changes in the physiology of animals exposed to compounds and other stressors are ultimately the result of changes at molecular and cellular levels.  Gene chips detect molecular changes that occur in animals in a precise and quantitative manner. They can contain hundreds to thousands of genes specific to an organism spotted onto a solid support matrix.  Chips provide a wealth of data that is organized and analyzed using various bioinformatics software packages.    The data can be used in toxicity studies, chemical screening, and field evaluation to explore the link between exposure, mechanism(s) of action, and adverse effects in humans and wildlife.   In addition, the level of sophistication of these techniques enable toxicologists to determine the risk of exposure of organisms to anthropogenic compounds in a more objective way with certain knowledge of their mode of action and whether they do or do not cause adverse effects. 

Workshop #11:  Latest Developments in Managing Perchlorate in Soils and Groundwater

Todd Schwendeman, CHMM, Vice President, Director-Integrated Site Closure, ENSR International
John Gibbs, M.D., Vice President Health Management and Corporate Medical Director, Kerr-McGee Corporation
Erica Bevcar, AFCEE Perchlorate POC,  Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence
Harry VanDenberg, Director, Remedial Technologies,  ENSR International
To be announced – Industry Representative
To be announced – Environmental Protection Agency or MA-DEP

This session will present the latest developments in managing perchlorate in soils and groundwater. Ammonium perchlorate is manufactured for use as the oxidizer component and primary ingredient in solid propellant for rockets, missiles, fireworks, and some munitions. Large-scale production began in the United States in the mid-1940s. Because of its shelf life, ammonium perchlorate must be periodically removed from the country's missile and rocket inventory and replaced with a fresh supply. Thus, large volumes of the compound have been disposed of since the 1940s. The high water solubility of ammonium perchlorate has resulted in increasing rate of detection in soils and groundwater  over the past 5 years.

Regulatory Agencies have been demonstrating an increased level of interest in determining the distribution of this compound in the environment and new regulatory cleanup levels are being established. The Health Community has been actively responding to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Draft Toxicological Review and Risk Characterization for Perchlorate (2002). The military, as the principal end user and industry engaged in manufacturing ammonium perchlorate are challenged with evolving regulatory climates and deveolping remediation technologies.  This session will bring together these various interests and present an update on progress in managing this compound.

Workshop #12:  Vapor Intrusion into Indoor Air Workshop:  MADEP Requirements, Background Levels, Case Studies and More

Part 1:  Massachusetts DEP’s Overview of the Subsurface Vapor Intrusion Pathway
John Fitzgerald, MA DEP, Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup, Boston, MA

MADEP representatives will present and discuss Agency expectations on  lines of evidence and level of effort in defining and assessing subsurface vapor phase discharges to buildings.  Current indoor air quality sampling, analysis, and remediation issues will be outlined in this informative presentation.

Part 2:  Background Residential Indoor Air Quality
Richard Rago and Rose McCafferty, Haley & Aldrich, Boston, MA and Andy Rezendes, Alpha Analytical

MADEP provides guidance for comparing indoor air data to background concentration data to assess the soil vapor intrusion pathway at contaminated sites.  Current background values are based on 20-year old data, analyzed by different methods, and collected in several different countries.

This presentation summarizes recent indoor air samples collected from the living space of 100 residences located throughout rural, suburban, and urban communities in Massachusetts.  Study methodology, sample group selection criteria, and sampling procedures will be described.  Chemical data results and a comparison of the chemical data to the current recommended background values will be discussed.

Part 3:  How to Diagnose and Fix Indoor Air Quality Problems
Kathleen Campbell, CDW Consultants, Inc., Framingham, MA , and Dorothy McGlincy, TRC Environmental, Lowell, MA 

Through the use of case studies, this presentation will provide insights on diagnosing indoor air quality impacts from the environment and/or indoor sources, and then correcting the problems.  Conceptual site modeling techniques will be discussed to develop an efficient sampling program and design effective mitigating measures. This presentation will highlight several Massachusetts indoor air quality case studies from the sampling and evaluation to practical remedial solutions.

Workshop #13:  Exploring Innovative and Cost-Effective Solutions to Contaminated Sediments to  Achieve Ecological Restoration of the Lower Neponset River

Rob Breault, U.S. Geological Survey
Dave Ludwig, BBL

This past decade has seen financial and volunteer investment in a cleaner, more accessible Neponset River.  With these tangible improvements has also come a campaign to re-orient the public, and their perception of the river, from its previous reputation as an “open sewer” to a new role as a venue for recreation and celebrations on its waters and along its banks as well as an inspiration for revitalizing the village of Lower Mills.  From an ecological perspective, the Neponset is unique among urban rivers as its estuary remains largely intact and only two dams prevent anadromous fish from reaching fifteen miles of free-flowing habitat.  However, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has documented elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the soft sediment impounded behind the two dams and the water column in the lower five miles of the Neponset River as well as a continuing source of PCBs to the river. 

Decision-making about fish passage and sediment remediation must proceed concurrently when traditionally they would proceed on separate tracks.  In addition, alternatives for fish passage and ecological restoration must not constrain remediation options and, conversely, remediation options must not limit the feasibility of alternatives for fish passage and ecological restoration.  This workshop will explore a range of potential remedial options, from traditional to innovative, in the context of an ecological restoration effort that includes dam removal among the suite of alternative approaches. 

Workshop #14:  Environmental Forensics Workshop

Steve Emsbo-Mattingly, Newfields - Environmental Forensics Practice LLC, Rockland, MA

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