Evasion of interferon (IFN)-

Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) is a frequently fatal viral disease transmitted through rodent secretions and excretions. Working around deer mice can increase risk of infection. This study assessed potential risk of HCPS at facilities occupied by the US Forest Service (USFS) in California. In 2004-2005, 18 USFS facilities in eight National Forests in California were evaluated for evidence of rodent infestation and circulation of hantavirus. Structural deficiencies and evidence of rodent infestation were observed at 18 facilities. Serum antibodies to hantavirus were detected in 50 of 255 deer mice collected from 15 facilities. Seroprevalence was higher at elevations > 1,600 m (22%). Employees at 14 facilities had received training in rodent-borne disease prevention. Risk of HCPS among USFS employees should motivate inclusion of disease prevention information into employee safety training.

A wood-treating facility, located near Sheridan, Oregon, has been the focus of a groundwater contamination investigation. A geophysical survey was conducted in April, 2000. Objectives of this geophysical survey included detection and delineation of coarse-grained channel-type deposits in the unconsolidated section above bedrock. These deposits constitute preferential pathways for groundwater flow, and hence contaminant migration through the subsurface. Contaminants consist of petroleumbased creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP) solutions. Dissolved phases of these contaminants comprise the groundwater contamination expected, and the delineation of the extent of this contamination was the overall objective of the investigation. In addition, dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) contamination was expected in accumulations in topographic lows of the bedrock surface near the source area. Therefore, another objective of the geophysical survey was to investigate any topography on the bedrock surface. In this preliminary phase of the investigation, geophysical methods used consisted of transient electromagnetic (TEM) soundings, a resistivity sounding, and an extensive terrain conductivity (EM-31) survey. Due to the extensive sources of cultural interference at the site (buildings, fences, railroad tracks, etc.), the geophysical survey was limited. Three profiles of 20-m central-loop TEM soundings were obtained, along with some isolated soundings where it was thought that cultural interference could be avoided. TEM approximate depth sections clearly identify the paleochannel system in cross-section. Correlation with terrain conductivity response provides confidence in the terrain conductivity interpretation of the paleochannel system in areas where only that type of data were obtained. One resistivity sounding, and an adjacent TEM sounding, were modeled simultaneously to the same layeredearth in order to test the idea of improving the resolution of the interpretation. This proved valuable in delineating an electrical equivalent of the working model of the hydrogeological section based on nearby drilling information.

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