#environmentalhazards

[rupeshacharya]

The Disposable Planet

Oceans once are full of mystics,now it has turned into a pile of plastics. Seashore too has its own savings,with bottles, bags, and so called coverings. Plastics are in nook and corner,and has become our closest partner, It made presence in deepest forest,and even on the tip of Everest. Traces are in all we consume,user friendly thus we assume. We say it’s easy to carry,and has benefits that…

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[vikashkumar7544]

💦 This Bacteria Loves Water—and It Can Kill

Legionella thrives in our modern infrastructure: cooling towers, showers, fountains. It caused a deadly outbreak in 1976 and it’s still silently spreading.

Read our deep dive on Legionnaires’ disease. 📖 https://revisiontown.com/legionella-bacteria-causes-symptoms-prevention-guide/

[oilgasenergymagazine]

AI and Historical Maps Unite to Locate Abandoned Oil Wells

https://oilgasenergymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/OGE-Source-newscenter.lbl_.gov_.jpg

Source: newscenter.lbl.gov

Category: News

  

The Hidden Legacy of Abandoned Wells

AI and Historical Maps are proving to be a game-changer in identifying and addressing the environmental hazards posed by undocumented orphaned wells (UOWs). The United States is grappling with the environmental consequences of its long history of oil and gas extraction, particularly in the form of undocumented orphaned wells (UOWs). These abandoned wells, many of which have been left without a responsible operator or official documentation, pose significant threats to both the environment and public health. From methane emissions that accelerate climate change to the contamination of water supplies with toxic substances, the dangers are clear. Yet, pinpointing the locations of these hidden relics, estimated to number between 310,000 and 800,000, has long been a daunting challenge.

Combining AI and Historical Maps to Find UOWs

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have provided a promising solution to the problem of locating orphaned wells. In a groundbreaking project, researchers have turned to historical maps, some dating back as far as 1884, to help identify the sites of former oil and gas operations. These topographic maps, digitized by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), offer valuable insights into early drilling activities. The challenge, however, is sorting through vast archives of these old maps.

Fabio Ciulla, a postdoctoral fellow at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, has been instrumental in leveraging AI to analyze these maps. By using a U-Net convolutional neural network, an AI algorithm designed to recognize oil well symbols, researchers can now identify potential UOW locations with remarkable accuracy. The system was trained on manually labeled maps and applied to regions with significant oil production histories, such as Kern and Los Angeles counties in California, and Osage and Oklahoma counties in Oklahoma. In these areas, the AI identified over 1,300 potential orphaned wells.

Verifying AI Findings and Expanding Detection Efforts

While AI has proven effective in identifying potential well sites, verification remains a critical step. Researchers use satellite images and historical aerial photos to search for visual signs of abandoned wells, such as pump jacks or storage tanks. In cases where surface evidence is lacking, magnetometers are deployed to detect buried metal well casings. The accuracy of the AI is impressive, with wells being located within an average of 10 meters of their predicted positions.

AI and Historical Maps represent a significant leap over traditional approaches, such as manual record searches or on-the-ground surveys, which are often slow and geographically limited. However, the project doesn’t stop at map analysis. As part of the Consortium Advancing Technology for Assessment of Lost Oil & Gas Wells (CATALOG), the effort includes a range of advanced tools, such as drones equipped with methane sensors and magnetometers, to detect leaks and locate buried wells. Additionally, researchers are working on cost-effective solutions to monitor methane emissions, an essential step in mitigating the environmental impact of orphaned wells.

The CATALOG initiative is also tapping into citizen science, encouraging individuals to use smartphone magnetometers to help locate abandoned wells. This crowdsourced approach expands the reach of detection technologies, providing valuable data while complementing professional surveys.

A Cleaner Future Through Collaboration and Innovation

The AI and Historical Maps-driven efforts spearheaded by CATALOG offer a glimmer of hope in addressing the legacy of America’s oil boom. By integrating historical data with modern technology, the project not only improves the accuracy of orphaned well detection but also lays the groundwork for more effective remediation. Collaboration with local communities, including Native American tribes and environmental agencies, is crucial to the initiative’s success. As researchers continue to refine their techniques, they are not only tackling the immediate environmental risks posed by orphaned wells but also contributing to broader climate mitigation efforts.

As Sebastien Biraud, a scientist at Berkeley Lab, notes, finding solutions to limit emissions is essential for the future. By combining AI, cutting-edge sensors, and community involvement, researchers are uncovering a hidden legacy of the nation’s energy history while paving the way for a cleaner and safer future.

[ecoplanetstore]

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[mariebenz]

Microwave Radiation Targeting Diplomats in Cuba and China Resembles Traumatic Brain Injury

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Golomb Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD Director of the Golomb Research Group Professor of Medicine University of California, San DiegoResponse: MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? How was the radiation emitted? Response: Possibilities include surveillance devices (or things to jam them), electronic weapons, or, less likely, “innocent” communications devices. MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings? Response: That all key features of diplomats’ experiences comport with pulsed radiofrequency/ microwave (RF/MW) radiation. The nature of the “sounds” heard – chirping, clicking, ringing, grinding/buzzing – are known “sounds” produced via the “microwave auditory effect” aka Frey effect.  Different sounds are heard by different people, because the character of the sound heard depends on head dimensions (as well as pulse characteristics). Sounds were primarily heard at night: consistent with the microwave auditory effect, which requires low ambient noise. Some diplomats reported that sounds were spatially localized with “laserlike” specificity – said to defy known physics. This defies the physics of sound, but not radiation. The “sound” was reported to follow a diplomat as he walked, within the territory in which it was heard. Sound from a fixed source does not seem to follow people – but the microwave auditory affect does, often perceived as being located just behind (or in some cases just above, or inside) the head of the person, irrespective of the person’s orientation relative to the radiation source. The symptoms reported following these experiences also fit. Rates of reported symptoms in diplomats – headache, cognitive and sleep problems dominating, then dizziness, tinnitus, anxiety, nausea at lesser but still high rates – match closely with rates of the same symptoms reported in a 2012 Japanese study of people who report health effects from radiation, typically including pulsed RF/MW. Hearing loss is a relatively distinctive and prominent symptom in both diplomats, and RF/MW affected civilians. In both groups, some reportedly experience speech problems, balance problems, nosebleed, and strange sensations of vibration and pressure. Reports of symptoms with RF/MW exposures date at least to the 1920s, affecting radio amateurs and shipboard radio operators as well as others working with radar or microwaves in occupational settings. By 1971/72, a Naval report with over 2300 citations (many from Russia and Eastern Europe), assessing effects of low intensity RF radiation, had whole sections devoted to each of a number of the symptoms diplomats report. Hundreds (if not thousands) of studies have illuminated mechanisms by which these effects may arise, centered on oxidative stress (the kind of injury that antioxidants help to defend against) – and many downstream effects of oxidative stress (membrane damage, blood brain barrier impairment with potential for brain swelling, inflammation, voltage gated calcium (and other) channel effects (which can also lead to oxidative stress), mitochondrial impairment, autoimmune activation, etc.) Affected persons are a minority (in both settings), and in the nondiplomat setting, vulnerability has been tied to genetic variants less adept at defending against oxidative stress; and low concentrations of a critical antioxidant. In both groups, brain imaging studies resemble traumatic brain injury; and in both, at least some of those affected had prior head injury. Head injury may be a predisposing factor, as well as possible consequence. Reprising findings also shown for research on other lucrative products with potential to cause harm in some, there is a powerful tie between study results and financial conflict of interest (e.g. source of study funding or conflicts by authors). There is precedent for use of microwaves in the diplomat setting. It is known that the US embassy in Moscow was microwaved for several decades beginning in the early 1950s (with some embassy staff citing – disputed - health problems). A 1976 NY Times story (“Moscow rays linked to U.S. bugging”) referenced speculation these were for surveillance; the Soviets claimed their purpose was to thwart U.S. listening devices on the roof of the embassy. MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report? Response: Pulsed RF/MW fits all reported facts regarding diplomats’ experiences and symptoms. There is a vulnerable subset. MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study? Response: One simple test is possible. Diplomats can be issued earplugs for use in candidate inciting episodes (where strange noises are heard, particularly if accompanied by ear pain). Earplugs should attenuate perceived noise from sonic sources – but should have no impact on, or even intensify, microwave auditory effects. (Intensification may occur if there is ambient noise to attenuate.) {A key caveat is that sound, if verified, may come from an innocent source. If something sounds like crickets chirping, it may be crickets chirping.} Studies might examine objective markers seen in subsets of those with RF/MW injury elsewhere. Elevated histamine levels, myelin autoantibodies, markers of blood brain barrier impairment may be present in some with symptoms; and depressed urine melatonin metabolites and cerebral blood flow. (Some findings may be evident only in settings of recent relevant exposure.) Attention should be given to “effect modifiers” – factors and markers tied to differential vulnerability; protections; and treatment. Literature translated from Russian, in which a group of occupationally affected persons were followed, notes that if persons with at least moderate severity symptoms were put back in the setting of occupational exposure, their course of illness is progressive. Work in the civilian and diplomat communities can each inform the other. Citation:  Beatrice Alexandra Golom. Diplomats' Mystery Illness and Pulsed Radiofrequency/Microwave Radiation. Neural Computation, Sept. 15, 2018; (scheduled)   The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.   Read the full article

[mariebenz]

Interventions Reduced Childhood Lead Levels, But Did Not Improve Neurobehavioral Outcomes

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Braun Joseph M. Braun, MSPH, PhD Associate Professor of Epidemiology Epidemiology Master's Program Director Brown University School of Public Health MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Childhood lead poisoning continues to be a problem in the United States and residential lead hazards are the major source of Pb exposure in young children. However, no studies have attempted to prevent exposure to lead hazards through primary prevention. Thus, we randomized 355 pregnant women to a comprehensive residential intervention and followed their children for up to 8 years to determine if childhood lead poisoning and associated cognitive deficits and behavior problems can be prevented. MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?  Three main findings emerged from this study: This comprehensive residential intervention targeted lead exposures from paint, drinking water, and soil. We were able to substantially reduce dust lead loadings on floors, windowsills, and window troughs below the current federal clearance levels. Among Black children, who had higher blood lead concentrations than White children, the intervention reduced blood lead concentrations. Overall, the intervention did not improve neurobehavioral outcomes, but there was a trend suggesting some cognitive and behavioral benefits to children who received the intervention. MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report? Response: It is possible to reduce residential lead exposures and prevent lead exposures, particularly among children at higher risk of lead poisoning. MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work? Response: Future work could determine whether children with higher lead exposure would benefit from such an intervention and if lead poisoning could be prevented in them. . MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Response: These results are particularly relevant and timely to a recent court case that demands the US Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate a new residential dust lead clearance standard. Our results suggest that it is possible to achieve lower residential dust lead levels than previously thoughout possible. Disclosures: I was financially compensated for serving as an expert witness for plaintiffs in litigation related to tobacco smoke exposures. Citation: Braun JM, Hornung R, Chen A, et al. Effect of Residential Lead-Hazard Interventions on Childhood Blood Lead Concentrations and Neurobehavioral OutcomesA Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatr. Published online August 27, 2018. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.2382   The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.   Read the full article

[mariebenz]

More Evidence UV Filters in Sunscreens Affect Marine Life

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Adela J. Li, PhD Research Affiliate Wadsworth Center, Rm. D597 New York State Dept. of Health Empire State Plaza Albany, NY, 12201-0509 On the behalf of Dr. Kelvin Leung  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?  Response: Most people love the beach. In order to block the sun’s damaging UV radiation, people generally slather on a thick layer of sunscreen against sunburn and skin cancer. Sunscreen is suggested to be re-applied every few hours regarding its effectiveness as well as being washed off into the water. These UV filters have been detected in the environment but most studies concluded that individual sunscreen chemicals pose no/low risk to animals or human. However, UV filters constitute a heterogeneous group of chemicals in sunscreens. We are wondering if combination of UV filters would induce higher toxicity than individual compounds, and whether these chemical interactions would develop over time, becoming increasingly dangerous to the living systems. Our study found seven of the nine UV filters in Shenzhen waters, China --- a rapidly urbanized city with over 20 popular recreational beaches, surprisingly, a reservoir and tap water. After exposing artemia to three dominant UV filters and then feeding these artemia to zebrafish adults, concentrations in both were up to 4 times higher when exposed to the mixtures than when exposed to only a single UV filter. A short-term of 25-day dietary exposure to the zebrafish adults did not appear to significantly influence early life stage development of the second generation; however, relatively long exposure over 47 days had significant adverse effects on embryo development. MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report? Response: Humans are benefiting from the wearing of sunscreen to protect against sunburn and skin cancer. At the same time, we should consider how those artificial UV filters affect living animals and even human health. UV filters are referred as endocrine disrupting chemicals. Our study showed that UV filters can be transferred through food chain (artemia to zebrafish), and consequently affect early development of zebrafish embryo.  MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work? Response: Our study clearly shows that UV filters are adversely affecting early life-stage zebrafish. Comprehensive evaluation of the complex effects UV filters—and their mixtures—are having on aquatic environments as well as human health should be undertaken. With knowledge, appropriate actions can be taken to curtail their potentially damaging effects.  MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?  Response: We all live in a single earth. It is still a challenge to balance human requirements and sustainable development of the earth. Sunscreen chemicals, being endocrine disruptors, should be paid more attention at their wide applications, especially some toxic ones.  Citation: Joint Effects of Multiple UV Filters on Zebrafish Embryo Development Adela Jing Li, Japhet Cheuk-Fung Law, Chi-Hang Chow, Yanran Huang, Kaibin Li, and Kelvin Sze-Yin Leung Environ. Sci. Technol., Articles ASAP (As Soon As Publishable) Publication Date (Web):August 1, 2018 (Article) DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b02418               The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.   Read the full article