Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) and house wren (Troglodytes aedon) eggs and chicks were collected near a refinery site on the North Platte River, Casper. Wyoming, USA and at a reference site 10 km upstream. Total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in swallow and wren chicks were higher at the refinery site than at the reference site. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in sediment and chick dietary samples were consistent with these findings. The general lack of methylated PAHs in sediment, diet, and bird carcasses suggested that the PAHs were derived from combustion and not from petroleum. The predominance of odd-numbered aliphatic hydrocarbons and the low ratios (< or =0.25) of pristane:n-C17 and phytane:n-C18 in chick and diet samples also suggested that swallow and wren chicks were not being chronically exposed to petroleum. Mean ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase and benzyloxyresorufin-O-dealkylase activities in tree swallow livers averaged nine times higher at the refinery site than at the reference site and were probably induced by exposure to PAHs. Trace element concentrations in eggs and livers of swallows and wrens were similar or greater at the reference site than at the refinery site. Selenium, strontium, and boron concentrations were elevated in eggs and livers of swallows and wrens at both the refinery and reference sites.

Illicit drug use remains a significant public health threat. The issues surrounding drug use are recognized by public health professionals as important for several reasons. The incidence and prevalence of drug use persists in spite of the extensive societal, interpersonal, and individual consequences. In addition, the chronic health issues and health care costs associated with drug use continue to spiral. A wide variety of quantitative studies have examined the extent of health care problems, access, cost, and health care satisfaction among illicit drug users. While these studies offer important information through survey formats, fewer studies focus on subjective constructions of health care management from the users' perspective. This article examines the elements of the decision-making process involved in accessing formal health care among chronic and injecting street drug users. Twenty-eight in-depth interviews provide the data for this analysis, which is part of a large quantitative study of 1,479 injecting and chronic drug users and nondrug users in Miami, Florida. By exploring the elements of health care access through the eyes of the drug users, researchers and treatment professionals may gain insights into new ways to improve health care access for this at-risk population.

Abstract-A method for reconnaissance-level assessments of the potential toxicity of water in lakes and wetlands that receive irrigation drain water is needed. We evaluated a model that predicts toxicity to aquatic organisms due to major ionic composition as a primary means of assessing water quality. The model was used in conjunction with acute toxicity tests and trace element analyses. Mortality of Ceriodaphnia dubia and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) observed in acute toxicity tests was compared to mortality predicted by the model. The method was applied at 22 lakes and wetlands on federally administered lands in Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Fourteen of 22 locations had water that was not toxic to test organisms. Six locations had undiluted water that was toxic to C. dubia due to major ionic composition, and two locations had undiluted water that showed toxic effects caused by factors other than elevated levels of major ions. The model for C. dubia seemed to be sufficiently accurate for future application using our approach to assess lakes and wetlands receiving irrigation drain water.

A method for reconnaissance-level assessments of the potential toxicity of water in lakes and wetlands that receive irrigation drain water is needed. We evaluated a model that predicts toxicity to aquatic organisms due to major ionic composition as a primary means of assessing water quality. The model was used in conjunction with acute toxicity tests and trace element analyses. Mortality of Ceriodaphnia dubia and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) observed in acute toxicity tests was compared to mortality predicted by the model. The method was applied at 22 lakes and wetlands on federally administered lands in Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Fourteen of 22 locations had water that was not toxic to test organisms. Six locations had undiluted water that was toxic to C. dubia due to major ionic composition, and two locations had undiluted water that showed toxic effects caused by factors other than elevated levels of major ions. The model for C. dubia seemed to be sufficiently accurate for future application using our approach to assess lakes and wetlands receiving irrigation drain water.

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