Results of a study in Boone County, Indiana--a high radon potential geographic area--show that residents' knowledge about radon is at a relatively superficial level. A significant correlation between radon knowledge and home radon tests is observed. Respondents chose the newspaper as the favorite medium through which to launch radon health…

The role of the Environmental Protection Agency as ombudsman concerning waste disposal is examined with respect to both the current options of source reduction and recycling as pollution prevention, and alternative approaches that expand upon these current options, particularly with respect to toxic and medical waste. (JJK)

The author suggests that numbers and distribution of people should be given highest priority in dealing with environmental quality. If population problems are solved, then other environmental problems will be prevented or solved. New Mexico, contends the author, must determine the balance between growth and quality of life. (MR)

This study suggests that staphylococci may be the preferred microbial indicators of swimming pool water quality because these organisms met all criteria for best microbial indicators in terms of amount of recovery, resistance to disinfectants, and risk to bathers using water samples from nine swimming pools in Linn and Benton Counties, Oregon. (30…

Describes the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) to demonstrate a model for injury data collection and analysis programs which includes an approach to describe the epidemiology of the product related injury problem. (MLB)

Describes the University of Michigan Hospital organizational system which is an attempt to comprehensively address environmental health issues, including the management of regulatory liaison functions. Topics discussed include the impact of regulatory and accreditation standards on hospital management, and organization and management of…

Describes a framework for developing local environmental health programs, the structure of individual objectives, and how local environmental health programs can adapt these for their own use. Based on a model for health services in Alberta, Canada, the framework involves the sequential development of health status, risk-reduction, process and…

To determine how infectious waste is being defined, treated, and disposed, the Seattle/King County Department of Public Health conducted a waste survey and facility inspection at 26 hospitals and 22 medical offices. The results and conclusions are discussed in connection with a contemporary literature review. (65 references) (Author/JJK)

Recent court decisions have pointed out the complexities involved in setting environmental standards. Environmental health is composed of multiple causative agents, most of which work over long periods of time. This makes the cause-and-effect relationship between health statistics and environmental contaminant exposures difficult to prove in…

Residents of Larimer County, Colorado, were surveyed to determine their level of awareness and attitudes concerning the disposal of household waste. Results indicated that approximately 40 percent of the population were unable to identify hazardous products within their homes and nearly 70 percent were unaware of the potential environmental…

This article presents the results of a study to identify problems and recommend solutions to training and education deficiencies of the environmental workforce for risk assessment and hazardous waste. Cites five recommendations developed as a result of a workshop held in March 1986. (Author/CW)

The National Interim Primary Drinking Water Standards are summarized. (MR)

Catalogued is the diversity of lead contaminated sources which, only recently, have been acknowledged as the principal producers of devastating toxic effects, particularly among children, despite only low-level exposure to these sources. A multifaceted approach in the effort to correct this serious health hazard to children is presented. (JJK)

Provides an overview of the past, present, and future environmental health activities of the Bureau of Health Professions, United States Department of Health and Human Services. Contains a summary of workshops, conferences, and monographs funded by the Bureau, as well as others, which characterize the environmental health work force. (TW)

The state of Arizona Department of Education operates a successful program to remove asbestos-containing building materials from schools, drawing from the expertise of the Department of Health Services, Bureau of Environmental Hygiene and Sanitation, Bureau of Waste Control, and eliciting cooperation of school officials. Includes an asbestos…