Exposures acquired during the application of both agricultural and lawn chemicals have been measured extensively. However, few evaluations of exposure among bystanders and post application entrants in treated areas have been done. Using fluorescent dye as a surrogate, potential dermal exposures will be quantified through image analysis for applicators and for bystanders. Several studies have shown that magnesium and calcium may be protective against heart disease. In determining the health risks of a contaminated site, it is important to know when the contamination occurred, or began occurring, and when toxic materials became available to the surrounding biota.
Trees growing in the vicinity of a contaminated site provide such a historic record.
Chemical contamination of soil or water may be picked up in the water entering trees and be deposited in their growth rings. The chemical content of individual tree rings can be examined using a new technique. This study will examine the accuracy of using the laser ablation sampling technique and the ability of tree rings to monitor contamination. Core samples of trees will be take from a site in Iowa and the material will be analyzed for various contaminants. These treatability studies will lead to preliminary design calculations for TNT contaminated soil and groundwater treatment systems.