PTS: 29200H6.1.0 Title: Health Effects of Toxic Organic Compounds from Energy Resources Keywords:Human Health
Environment
Energy Resources
Coal
Coal Bed Methane
Organic Substances
Inorganic Substances
Microorganisms
Mercury
Arsenic
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Balkan Endemic Nephropathy
Cancer
Kidney Disease
Groundwater
Well Water
Energy Co-Produced Water
Coal Combustion Products Leaders: * Lerch, Harry E., tlerch@usgs.gov, 703-648-6278, FAX 703-648-6419, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Mail Stop 956, Reston, VA 20192-0002 Accomplishments: -We have examined a series of coals of different rank and composition from different areas for concentrations of toxic organic substances. Laboratory aqueous leaching studies have been conducted on a subset of these coals. Results indicate that high rank coals contain higher concentrations of potentially toxic condensed aromatic structures (e.g. PAH's), but aqueous leaching of toxic aromatic compounds is higher in low rank coals. Based on this work, a conceptual model has been proposed suggesting that high rank coals pose a greater risk of health impacts from toxic organic compounds from combustion, but low rank coals are a greater risk from mobilization of toxic organic compounds into natural waters and drinking water supplies by aqueous leaching.
-Completed four fieldtrips (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005) in support of studies on toxic organics from coal and the etiology of Balkan Endemic Nephropthay (travel supported by USGS Energy Resources Program and NATO). Well/spring water and coal samples were collected from disease and control sites in Romania, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria. Medical doctors from the three countries conducted epidemiological surveys in support of USGS geochemical studies. The well water samples collected were analyzed for organic compounds, nutrients, major anions, and metals at USGS labs in Reston, VA. Results indicate that well water from BEN villages has high levels of potentially toxic organic compounds possibly derived from coal compared to control (non-BEN) villages.
-Epidemiological studies in Yugoslavia and Romania by Orem, Tatu, and Pavlovic have shown that villages that converted from well water to treated water in the 1960's have a lower incidence of BEN compared to villages still using well water. Well water contains higher concentrations of potentially toxic organic compounds compared to the treated water.
-Completed preliminary toxicology studies on exposure of cell cultures to aqueous extracts of coal and waters from BEN-affected area. Results show that cellular damage of various types occurs from exposure to toxic organic compounds in these waters. This work was conducted at C.A. Tatu's laboratory facilities in Timisoara, Romania, and by Bunnell at the USGS microbiology/toxicology laboratory in Reston.
-Participated in international workshops on Balkan Endemic Nephropathy and medical geology in 2002, 2005, and 2006. We have 17 publications on BEN and human health issues related to toxic organic compounds from coal as of January 2007.
-Orem and others published a paper (Applied Geochemistry) that is the first to detail toxic organic compounds present in produced water from coalbed methane extraction. Results showed a number of different toxic organic compounds (including PAH's) in the produced water samples, but at relatively low concentrations.
- Bunnell and others published a paper (Environmental Geochemistry and Health) showing a link between high rates of renal/pelvic cancer in NW Louisiana and toxic organic compounds from coal in drinking water. A similar study is underway in the Powder River Basin, WY. Communication Plan: The communication plan for this task involves : (1) reporting results to the science community in peer-reviewed publications (FY08) and presentations at international scientific meetings (FY07 and FY08), (2) communicating key results and concepts to management using meeting venues such as the recent USGS Human Health Symposium (FY07 and FY08), and (3) communicating to elected officials and the general public through publication of Fact Sheets (FY07), postings on web sites (USGS Energy web site and USGS Human Health web site), and invited presentations to congressional aides, states (e.g. FY07 presentation to West Virginia Senate), and private organizations (e.g. FY07 presentation to American Petroleum Institute). Since this project involves both a geology aspect and a medical aspect, publication of results in both medical and geologic journals is a principal objective of the communication plan. Results will be communicated at project meetings to collaborators for inclusion in overall project database (FY08), and to guide future efforts of the task and overall project.
Another principal objective of our communication plan is to continue to make contacts with individuals in the medical community in studies of disease etiology related to toxic organic compounds from coal. Our BEN work has attracted the attention of the Ministry of Health in Romania, and a medical doctor from Romania (Calin Tatu) is working directly with this project through a USGS Assistance Award. We are also collaborating with a medical doctor in Serbia (Nikola Pavlovic), and a research geologist from Portugal (Deolinda Flores), and have drawn collaborative interest from the Serbian Ministry of Health. Medical doctors in Louisiana (State Department of Health) are collaborating on the drinking water studies of renal-pelvic cancer and toxic organic compounds from coal.
Bunnell, Orem and others continue to pursue external funding for studies of renal-pelvic cancer and toxic organics from coal in drinking water. Highlights and Key Findings: -Initial results from coal leaching studies showed that high rank coals contain higher concentrations of potentially toxic condensed aromatic structures (e.g. PAH's), but aqueous leaching of toxic aromatic compounds is higher in low rank coals.
-Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN) and associated renal/pelvic cancer appear to be diseases whose etiology is linked to the leaching of toxic organic compounds from low-rank coal deposits. Results of well water studies from BEN and control villages show that the water from the BEN villages has significantly higher concentrations of toxic organic compounds. The low-rank coals from the BEN areas also leach exceptionally high amounts of toxic organic compounds during aqueous leaching.
-Epidemiological studies in BEN areas show that villages that have introduced treated water to replace wells as a drinking water supply have experienced a drop in the incidence of BEN over the last 30 years, compared to villages that continue to use untreated well water. Organic geochemical studies show the well water has much higher concentrations of toxic organic substances compared to the treated water.
-Toxicology experiments indicate that exposure of human kidney cell line cultures and other human cells to aqueous extracts of BEN area low-rank coals, or organic compounds isolated from well water in BEN areas results in various types of cellular damage compared to controls.
-Studies of household burning of coal and high rates of esophageal cancer in rural China showed no link to PAH's in smoke and soot.
-Studies of produced waters from coal-bed methane wells in the Powder River Basin, WY show that many of the produced waters contain significant amounts of toxic organic substances, including PAH's during initial periods of production. Levels later decline as water within the coal is depleted and water is drawn in more from outside the coal. Objectives: Objective 1: To determine the distribution of Toxic Organic Compounds in Coal, and Release of these Compounds by Aqueous Leaching
The first phase of this effort will focus on the leachability issue related to the organic quality of coal. This links to the disease studies we are conducting on toxic organic compounds from coal in drinking water supplies (BEN and PEN). A series of coals of different rank and composition (organic and inorganic) will be analyzed to determine the concentration and distribution of important and potentially toxic organic compounds.
Objective 2: To examine the potential Linking of Toxic Organic Compounds from Coal in Drinking Water Supplies to the Etiology of Specific Human Disease
Research efforts in this area include: studies of the etiology of Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN), and an examination of high rates of renal/pelvic cancer in the USA. These diseases have etiologies that link them to toxic organic compounds derived from coal, and etiological studies are being conducted in collaboration with medical personnel familiar with medical aspects of the diseases, and who provide the essential epidemiological information. For example, the etiologies of BEN and renal/pelvic cancer are hypothesized to be linked to toxic organics leached from coal into the local water supply.
These studies represent disease models of the effects of toxic organic compounds from coal on human health. Results of these studies may point to other potential connections between human health and toxic organics from energy resources. For example, high rates of renal/pelvic cancers (similar to cancers associated with BEN) occur in U.S. states with extensive low-rank coal deposits (WY, ND, SD, LA). We are currently investigating toxic organic compounds in produced waters from coal-bed methane wells in the Powder River Basin of WY, and in drinking water supplies in coal beds in LA for links to the high rates of renal-pelvic cancer in these states. The produced waters and drinking water wells in low rank coal beds represent natural waters in direct contact with the coal, with potential for leaching of toxic organic compounds from the coal and subsequent human exposure. We plan to expand studies in the USA linking specific disease occurrence to toxic organic compounds from coal during coming years Statement of Problem: Energy resources (coal, oil, petroliferous shale) contain potentially toxic organic compounds formed during catagenesis from original plant material. Toxic organic compounds of particular interest include: (1) condensed aromatic structures, which can act as mutagens, cancer promoters, and endocrine disrupters, (2) aromatic amines, which have probable nephrotoxic activity, and (3) heterocyclic compounds, which may be carcinogenic and nephrotoxic. These toxic organic compounds and others may be mobilized by fossil fuel combustion, by the leaching of energy resources by surface or groundwater, or in produced waters from natural gas, coal bed methane and oil wells. Once mobilized into the air, groundwater or surface water, toxic organic compounds from energy resources pose a potential risk to human health and the environment. Long-term exposure or accumulation of these compounds in tissue may lead to cancer, renal failure, and other health problems in humans, and to reproductive decline and/or death in wildlife. Despite these potential hazards, little is known about the impact and toxicity of organic substances derived from energy resources. 2003 Progress: Work on analysis of toxic organic compounds in coals of different rank and composition continued in FY 2002. Approximately 30 different coal types (@2 samples/type) have been analyzed to date. Coals analyzed in FY 2002 included Appalachian Basin coals, and lignites from Romania,Yugoslavia, and USA Gulf Coast. Aqueous leaching experiments on coal are also continuing. Coals being leached, include Pliocene lignites from Romania and Yugoslavia, Appalachian coals, and Gulf Coast lignites. Leaching is being carried out at ambient temperature and higher temperature using continuous soxhlet extraction. Results show higher yields of PAH's and other toxic aromatic compounds in the continuous soxhlet extraction approach, and in lower rank coals. Results support a model of higher concentrations of condensed polycyclic aromatic compounds and other toxic organic compounds in the higher rank coals, but a greater degree of aqueous leaching in lower rank coals. In this model, higher rank coals pose a greater risk from toxic organic substances from combustion processes, while lower rank coals pose a greater risk from mobilizing toxic organic compounds in natural waters.
Work is continuing on Balkan Endemic Nephropathy as a model linking the leaching of toxic organic compounds from coal to specific disease occurrences. Field trips to BEN areas in Romania, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria were conducted in September 2001 and April 2002 to follow up on earlier field work (1999-2001). Well, spring water, and coal samples from BEN-affected and control villages were collected from 35 sites for organic and inorganic geochemical analysis. Medical collaborators conducted epidemiological interviews to support the geochemical studies. Results indicate that well water from BEN villages contains high levels of potentially toxic organic compounds possibly derived from coal compared to control (non-BEN) villages. Results of coal analysis show that the Pliocene lignites from the BEN areas yield exceptionally large amounts of toxic organic compounds compared to other coals. These results support the hypothesis that toxic organic compounds derived from coal are major factors in the etiology of the disease.
We completed analyses of coal, water, and soot from rural Chinese villages with high rates of esophageal cancer (cooperative effort with the National Cancer Institute). Analysis of the water samples revealed no significant concentration of toxic organic components, suggesting water quality is not an issue in the etiology of this disease. Soot samples from disease and control villages had similar levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, suggesting that these compounds are not the key etiological factors. We are currently looking at other potential mutagenic organic agents in the soot samples.
A new area of study is the analysis of toxic organic compounds in produced waters from coal-bed methane (CBM) wells. States in the USA with the highest incidence of renal/pelvic cancers, similar to the cancers associated with BEN, have extensive low rank coal deposits. Do BEN-like diseases exist in the USA in low-rank coal containing states? Produced waters from CBM wells represent waters in contact with coal deposits, and are used to examine possible mobilization of toxic organic compounds from the coals. Results from work in the Powder River Basin in July 2001 show significant concentrations of toxic organic compounds, including PAH's, in many of these produced waters. Discharge of these produced waters into surface and groundwater poses a potential health risk from toxic organic substances. Follow-up work in the Powder River Basin and in the Gulf Coast lignite areas of the USA are planned for FY 2003.
2003 Statement of Work: Work in FY 2004 will involve a continuation of previous activities and some new activities. Work will continue on the analysis of toxic organic compounds in coals of different rank and composition worldwide. Work will also continue on laboratory leaching of coals to examine the mobilization of toxic organic compounds from coals of different type into aqueous solution. Coals to be examined in FY 2003 include those from the Powder River Basin, WY, lignites from ND and SD, Gulf Coast USA lignites, Bosnian lignites, Yugoslav lignites, Appalachian Basin USA coals, and Polish Brown coals.
We will continue etiological studies on Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN) in FY 2003. We have previously sampled groundwater, well water, and coal from Romania, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria. Results of this work support the hypothesis that toxic organic compounds derived from coal and leached into groundwater are principal etiological factors in the onset of BEN. We plan to revisit some sites in Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, sample some new sites in Buylgaria and Yugoslavia, and expand our studies into sites in Bosnia in FY 2003. Orem, Lerch, and Tatu will conduct a major fieldtrip in April 2003. Tatu will follow this up with a smaller trip in September 2003. This will allow us to cover the high flow (April) and low flow (September) times of the year. We have previously observed some differences in the levels of toxic organic compounds in well water between high and low flow periods. We plan to hold a workshop on BEN in Timisoara, Romania in April 2003 to coincide with the field work and minimize travel costs. The workshop will include about 50 researchers interested in the environmental etiology of BEN and BEN-like diseases. We plan to publish a Proceedings of the workshop as a USGS Circular.
We plan on expanding the coal-bed methane produced water work in FY 2003. We will revisit wells in the Powder River Basin, WY (collaborative with C. Rice, USGS-CERT), and visit new sites there, and in the Gulf Coast area. We also plan to sample drinking water wells that extend into coal seams in areas with high incidence of renal/pelvic cancers. Waters sampled will be analyzed for toxic organic compounds using previously described methods. Coal samples will also be collected and analyzed for toxic organics and leaching characteristics, as previously described. Produced waters and extracts of these coals will be used in toxicology studies described above.
Tatu and Orem will conduct toxicology studies of the effects of Balkan well water, and aqueous extracts of coal on human cell cultures. After the cultures are exposed for varying times, the cells will be analyzed for damage using various methods: a. viability assessment; b. investigation of the macrophage phagocytic capacity; c. apoptosis investigation: antibodies and quantification of DNA fragmentation; d. assessment of induction of expression of activation markers (HLA-DR, CD25, CD69) on T lymphocytes and of p53 protein.
Tatu, Pavlovic, Orem, and Bunnell will conduct epidemiological surveys on BEN in the Balkans and BEN-like diseases in the USA. In the Balkans we will be examining changes in the incidence of BEN in villages that have converted to treated water from well water for drinking. The incidence of BEN should have dropped in these villages if our hypothesis on BEN is correct. In the USA, we will be examining county by county incidence of renal/pelvic cancers in WY, LA, ND, and SD to look for BEN-like disease occurrence in coal-bearing areas of these states. Epidemiological studies will be conducted in partnership with local medical experts.
We plan on continuing to publish our results in peer-reviewed international journals (medical and earth science).
We expect at least two such publications to appear during FY 2003. 2004 Progress: Work Completed in FY2003 included the following:
(1) Laboratory experiments on leaching of toxic organic compounds from lignites was completed, including extraction at low and high temperature, and analysis of organic compounds leached into aqueous solution using GC and GC/MS. Results show significant solubility of many toxic organics in aqueous solution from lignites. Lignites showed greater yield of organics into water compared to higher rank coals, as hypothesized. A paper for peer-reviewed journal is currently in preparation.
(2) Work continued on the etiology of Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN). Further well water and coal sampling was conducted at new sites in Serbia (Belgrade area), and follow-up sampling at previously sampled sites in Romania and Serbia (Nis area). Medical collaborators conducted epidemiological interviews to support the geochemical studies. Results indicate that well water from BEN villages contains high levels of potentially toxic organic compounds possibly derived from coal compared to control (non-BEN) villages. Results of coal analysis show that the Pliocene lignites from the BEN areas yield exceptionally large amounts of toxic organic compounds compared to other coals. These results support the hypothesis that toxic organic compounds derived from coal are major factors in the etiology of the disease. Several journal articles on the BEN work were published in FY2003 (see Products). Orem, Tatu, and Bunnell all made presentations on the BEN work at various meetings in FY2003 (see Products).
(3)A new area of study is the analysis of toxic organic compounds derived from coal in drinking water and produced waters from coal-bed methane (CBM) wells in states with high rates of incidence and death from renal/pelvic cancers. Renal-pelvic cancer is also associated with BEN, and states in the USA with high rates of these cancers also have extensive low rank coal deposits and large rural populations dependent on untreated well water. Thus, we have hypothesized that toxic organic compounds derived from low rank coals may be involved in the high rates of renal-pelvic cancers in some states, notably WY, LA, ND and SD. It is also possible that BEN-like diseases exist in the USA in low-rank coal containing states. Produced waters from CBM wells represent waters in contact with coal deposits, and are used to examine possible mobilization of toxic organic compounds from the coals. Results from work in the Powder River Basin in FY2003 (about 30 wells sampled to date) show significant concentrations of toxic organic compounds, including PAH's, in many of these produced waters. Discharge of these produced waters into surface and groundwater poses a potential health risk from toxic organic substances. Similarly, preliminary studies of drinking water from wells drilled into lignite beds (about 20 wells were sampled) show significantly higher concentrations of toxic organics compared to control wells. We also recently collected produced water from CBM wells in LA to complement the drinking water studies. Follow-up work in the Powder River Basin and in the Gulf Coast lignite areas of the USA are planned for FY 2004. A Fact Sheet on the Produced Water studies is currently in review. Technical publications are planned for FY2004.
(4) In FY03 plans were laid out to setup a microbiology/toxicology laboratory for medical geology, environmental, and energy related work. Basic equipment was purchased (microscope, incubator, -80 freezer) and space planned. The lab will open adjacent to new geochemistry labs in september 2003. The lab will be used by this project for toxicological studies to complement geochemical studies of disease etiology related to energy resources. 2004 Statement of Work: Work planned for FY 2004 will include these activities: (1) completion of chemical analysis organic and selected inorganic substances in water and coal samples collected in FY2003, (2) continuation of studies of toxic organic compounds in coals of different rank and composition, and laboratory leaching studies examining mobilization of toxic organics from coal into aqueous solution, (3) etiological studies on Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN), (4) studies of toxic organics from coal in drinking water and produced water from coalbed methane wells and links to renal-pelvic cancer in WY, LA, ND, and SD, (5) initiation of toxicological experiments examining the effects of toxic organic compounds derived from coal on cell cultures, and (6) exploratory work on the effects of toxic organics from coal burning on human health in Navaho Reservations (see Task 2).
Activity (1) will include analysis of organic compounds in drinking water from LA, produced waters from coalbed methane wells in WY (Powder River Basin), and well water from eastern Europe. The studies in LA and WY are focused on linking toxic organic compounds derived from coal to high rates of incidence and death from renal-pelvic cancer. The well water studies in eastern Europe are part of our ongoing studies of BEN as a disease model of the impact of toxic organic compounds from coal on human health. Activity (2) is an ongoing effort characterizing toxic organic compounds in coals and their leachability into natural waters, leading to a model of potential toxicities of different coal types.
Environmental etiological studies of BEN (activity 3) have advanced, resulting in a number of publications. Previous work has emphasized field studies of well water. In FY04 field work on BEN will be at a lower level of effort. We will conduct one fieldtrip in BEN areas, planned for March 2004 in conjunction with a major medical geology workshop. Tatu will follow this up with a brief wrapup trip in late summer 2004. More effort in FY04 will be aimed at initiating laboratory toxicological studies on cell cultures (activity 5) as the next step in developing the hypothesis that toxic organic compounds from coal are the principal etiological agent in the onset of BEN, and in establishing BEN as a disease model of the effects of toxic organic compounds from coal on human health. Cell cultures exposed to water samples or coal extracts containing potentially toxic organic compounds for varying times will be analyzed for damage using various methods: viability assessment, macrophage phagocytic capacity, apoptosis, antibodies, DNA fragmentation, induction of expression of activation markers (HLA-DR, CD25, CD69) on T lymphocytes and of p53 protein.
We will continue to expand work on the link between coal-derived toxic organic compounds in drinking water and produced waters from coalbed methane wells and renal pelvic cancer (activity 4). A Fact Sheet and report on the Powder River Basin produced water studies will be available in FY04. We will expand the sample set of wells in the Powder River Basin, WY, and in the Gulf Coast area. We also plan to expand on the number of drinking water wells in coal seams sampled in areas of LA and WY with high incidence of renal-pelvic cancers. Expansion of the drinking water/renal-pelvic cancer work will be expanded in ND and SD in FY04 (WY, LA, ND, and SD all are in the top 6 states in incidence and death from renal-pelvic cancer). Coal samples from all drinking water and produced water study areas will also be collected and analyzed for toxic organics and leaching characteristics, as previously described. Produced waters, drinking water, and extracts of these coals will be used in toxicology studies described above.
Tatu, Pavlovic, Orem, and Bunnell will continue epidemiological surveys on BEN in the Balkans and BEN-like diseases in the USA. Epidemiological studies will be conducted in partnership with local medical experts. 2005 Progress: Work Completed in FY2004 included the following:
(1) Studies of Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN)included the collection of 30 drinking water samples as well as coal samples from BEN areas in Romania and Serbia (April 2004). A new approach for isolating organic matter from the BEN drinking water samples, tangential flow ultrafiltration (TFU), was successfully used in FY04 for the first time. Using this approach, we were able to isolate significant amounts of organic matter for organic structural and toxicology studies. Medical collaborators conducted epidemiological interviews to support the geochemical studies. Initial contacts with the Serbian Ministry of Health for collaborative efforts on BEN were made.
Approximately 35 samples collected from BEN areas in FY03 and FY04 were extracted and analyzed by GC/MS in FY04 The LC/MS system was also installed and began operating. LC/MS is being used to examine non-volatile or thermally labile organic compounds in drinking water from BEN areas or in water extracts of coals. These types of organic compounds are not amenable to analysis by GC/MS, and their importance in BEN etiology is presently unknown. A journal article on the BEN work was accepted for publication in FY04, and a chapter in the Treatise on Geochemistry that discusses our BEN work was also published. Orem, Tatu, and Bunnell all made presentations on the BEN work at various meetings in FY04.
(2)Coalbed methane (CBM) produced water studies in FY04 focused on the Powder River Basin, WY. This work represents the first known study of organics in produced waters from CBM wells. Samples collected in July 2003 were extracted and analyzed by GC/MS. Additional produced waters will be collected from the Powder River Basin, WY in July 2004 in collaboration with C. Rice (USGS/CERT/Denver). Samples collected in July 2004 will be analyzed in FY04 and FY05. Organic compounds identified by GC/MS in extracts of the produced water samples, included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other potentially toxic organic compounds. Concentrations of individual compounds ranged from about 10 to 0.01 ug/l. Some CBM wells showed temporal decreases in concentrations of dissolved organic compounds, suggesting that pumping over several years depletes "old" water associated with the coal and draws in water from outside the coal aquifer. Organics in the produced waters are unlikely to have acute health effects at the low levels present. Chronic health and environmental effects from long periods of low-level exposure, however, are possible. A presentation on the produced water work was made at the December 2003 AGU meeting. A paper (for Coal Geology) and Fact Sheet on this work are currently being prepared, and will be completed in FY04.
(3) Studies of the relationship between low rank coal-derived organics in natural waters and renal/pelvic cancer in the USA focused on work in LA in FY04. Studies of organics in drinking water from private wells drilled into lignite beds in NW LA show significantly higher concentrations of toxic organics compared to control wells. A considerable microbiological component was added by the incorporation of fungal cultures and DNA identification of nephrotoxic bacteria. Ochratoxin-producing fungi were detected in well water samples, and leptospires were found to be present in 50% of surface waters. Presence of these microbes and microbial products may exacerbate the effects of low-level chronic exposure to lignite-derived organic compounds, together leading to renal-pelvic cancer in this area. Additional well sampling in LA is scheduled for September 2004. A publication on this work by Bunnell (see Products) was completed in FY04.
(4) A microbiology/toxicology laboratory for medical geology, environmental, and energy related work was opened in FY04. The lab will be used by this project for toxicological studies to complement geochemical studies of disease etiology related to energy resources. 2005 Statement of Work: Work for Task 1 is subdivided into three subject areas: (1)Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN), (2) Organics in produced waters from coalbed methane wells, and (3) coal-derived organics in drinking water and renal/pelvic cancer. Activities planned for FY05 in each subject area are listed below.
(1)Our work on BEN will shift emphasis somewhat from field intensive studies of organics in drinking water supplies to more focused toxicological studies of the effects of organics on human cell cultures. The toxicological studies will provide information linking the presence of coal-derived organics in drinking water to actual biological effects. Toxicological studies will be conducted in Reston, VA, (Bunnell and Orem), and Timisoara, Romania (Tatu). Commercially available human cell lines will be culture Product: Databases Delivered Rice C A., Healy R.W., Bartos T.T., and Orem W.H., 2004, Produced Water from Coal-Bed Methane in the Powder River Basin: Interactions between CBM water and solid phases in infiltration impoundments and characterization of organic compounds. The International Petroleum Environmental Conference, Alburqueque, NM, October 2004, Program and Abstracts. Product: Posters Delivered Bunnell JE, Orem WH, Tatu CA, Bushon RN, Shi R, McGee B, Hanson BC, Levett P, 2005, Lignite Aquifers and Kidney Disease. Poster presented at the USGS mini-symposium: Health Related Science Activities in the Eastern Region, Reston, VA, March 2005. Product: Presentations Delivered Bunnell JE, 2005, Preliminary Geochemical, Microbiological, and Epidemiological Characteristics of Lignite Aquifers in Northwestern Louisiana. Paper presented at the Louisiana Ground Water Association Annual Convention, Alexandria, LA, January 2005. Product: Presentations Delivered Bunnell, J.E., Bushon, R.N., Orem, W., Tatu, C.A., Hanson, B., Carlson, D., and Shi, R. (2003) Investigating a possible link between water from aquifers containing lignite deposits and kidney disease in the USA: Louisiana project [abs]. Gulf Coast association of Geological Societies and Gulf Coast Section SEPM Meeting, Transactions of the 53rd Annual Convention, 50th GCSSEPM Anniversary, Baton Rouge, LA, October 2003, Program and Abstracts, p. 3. Product: Presentations Delivered Flores D., and Orem W.H., 2007, Study of Rio Maior lignites by Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. XVII Geochemistry Week/VII Iberian Congress on Geochemistry, Vila Real, Portugal, July 16-21, 2007, Extended Abstract, 4 pp. Product: Presentations Delivered Orem W.H., Bunnell J., Tatu C.A., Lerch H.E., and Rice C., 2005, Examination of organic compounds in produced waters from coalbed methane wells in the Powder River Basin, WY. Geological Society of America National Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, November 2005, Program and Abstracts. Product: Presentations Delivered Orem, W., Lerch, H., Rice, C., and Tatu, C. (2003) Organic compounds in produced waters from coalbed methane wells in the Powder River Basin, WY. American Geophysical Union Meeting, December 2003, San Francisco, Abstract Book p. F690. Product: Presentations Delivered Orem, W., Tatu C., Bunnell J., Lerch H., Pavlovic N., Finkelman R., Feder G., Bates A., and Corum M., 2004, The impact of coal-derived toxic organic compounds in groundwater on human health: case studies of Balkan endemic nephropathy and renal/pelvic cancers. Groundwater Foundation Annual Conference and Groundwater Guardian Designation, groundwater and Human Health ¿ Making the Connection, Washington, D.C., November 2004, Program and Abstracts. Product: Presentations Delivered Orem, W., Tatu C., Pavlovic N., Bunnell J., Finkelman R., Feder G., Lerch H., Bates A., and
Corum M. (2004) Is the etiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy and associated upper urinary tract tumors linked to well water containing organic compounds leached from low rank coal?: First International Symposium on Recent Advances in Environmental Health Research, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, September 19-22,2004, Program and Abstracts. Product: Presentations Delivered Orem, W., Tatu, C., Pavlovic, N., and Bunnell, J., 2007, Health Effects of Toxic Organic Substances from Coal in Drinking Water: Balken Endemic Nephropathy (BEN) and Pandemic Nephropathy (PEN) [abs.]: Second national Conference on USGS Human Health-Related Research, Reston, VA, February 27-March 1, 2007, Program and Abstracts. Product: Presentations Delivered Orem, W.H., 2007, Bioaccumulative Substances in the Environment: Sources, Exposure Pathways, and Health Effects [abs.]: Second national Conference on USGS Human Health-Related Research, Reston, VA, February 27-March 1, 2007, Program and Abstracts. Product: Presentations Delivered Orem, W.H., Tatu, C.A., Pavlovic, N., Feder, G.L., Finkelman, R.B., and Lerch, H.E., 2003,
Pliocene Coal, Water Quality, and the Etiology of Balkan Endemic Nephropathy: Natural Science and Public Health: Prescription for a Better Environment, A National Conference on USGS Health-Related Research, Reston, VA, May 2003, Program and Abstracts. Product: Presentations Delivered Orem, William H, Tatu, Calin A, Bunnell, Joseph E, Lerch, Harry E, Rice, Cynthia A, Bartos, Timothy T, Corum, Margo D. (2004) Health Effects of Coal-Derived Organic Compounds in Natural Waters: Case Studies of Balkan Endemic Nephropathy and Renal/Pelvic Cancer: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, vol. 36, no.5, p. 24-25. Product: Presentations Delivered Pavlovic N.M., Orem W.H., Tatu C.A., Lerch H.E., Bunnell J.E., Feder G.L., and Kostic E.N., 2007, Etiology of Balkan Endemic Nephropathy: A New Multifactor Approach. International Meeting Balkanska Endemska Nefropatija, 50 Godina Naucnoistrazivackog Rada 1957-2007, Nis, Serbia, May 18-19, 2007, Extended Abstract, 5pp. Product: Report Delivered Bunnell J.E., Tatu C.A., Bushon R.N., Stoeckel D.M., Brady A.M.G., Beck M., Lerch H.E., McGee B., Hanson B.C., Shi R., and Orem W.H., 2006, Possible linkages between lignite aquifers, pathogenic microbes, and renal pelvic cancer in northwestern Louisiana, USA. Environ Geochem Health 28: 577-587 Product: Report Delivered Bunnell JE, Bushon RN, Stoeckel DM, Gifford AM, Beck M, Lerch HE, Shi R, McGee B, Hanson BC,
Kolak J, Warwick PD. 2003. Preliminary geochemical, microbiological, and epidemiological investigations into possible linkages between lignite aquifers, pathogenic microbes, and kidney disease in northwestern Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Report 03-374;
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/of03-374. Product: Report Delivered Bunnell, JE, Tatu, CA, Lerch, HE, Orem, WH, Pavlovic, N., in press, Evaluating nephrotoxicity of high molecular weight organic compounds in drinking water from lignite aquifers: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Product: Report Delivered Orem W., Tatu C., Pavlovic N., Bunnell J., Lerch H., Paunescu V., Ordodi V., Flores D., Corum M., and Bates A., 2007, Health Effects of Toxic Organic Substances from Coal: Toward ¿¿Panendemic¿¿ Nephropathy. Ambio 36: 98-102. Product: Report Delivered Orem W.H., Tatu C.A., Lerch H.E. III, Maharaj S.V.M., Pavlovic N., Paunescu, V., and Dumitrascu V. (2004) Identification and environmental significance of the organic compounds in water supplies associated with a Balkan Endemic Nephropathy region in Romania. J. Environmental Health Research 3: 11-19. Product: Report Delivered Orem, W.H. and Finkelman R.B. (2004) Coal formation and geochemistry. In: Treatise on Geochemistry (eds. H.D. Holland and K.K. Turekian), Volume 7, Sediments, Diagenesis and Sedimentary Rocks (ed. F.T. Mackenzie), Elsevier, Amsterdam, p. 191-222. Product: Report Delivered Orem, W.H., Tatu C.A., Lerch H.E., Rice C., Bartos T., Bates A.L., Tewalt S., and Corum M.D., 2007, Organic compounds in produced waters from coalbed natural gas wells in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, USA. Applied Geochemistry, in press. Product: Report Delivered Orem, W.H., Tatu, C. A., Feder, G. L., Finkelman, R. B., Lerch, H. E., Maharaj, S. V. M., Szilagyi, D., Dumitrascu, V., Paunescu, V., Buia, G., and Margineanu, F., 2003, Health effects of toxic organic compounds from coals: from Romania to Powder River Basin, Wyoming. Medical Geology Newletter, Vol. 7, p3-9. Product: Report Delivered Tatu, C.A., Orem, W.H., Maharaj, S.V.M., Diaconita, D., Feder, G.L., Finkelman, R.B., Szilagyi, D.N., Dumitrascu, V., and Paunescu, V., 2003, Organic compounds derived from Pliocene lignite and the etiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy: In ¿Geology and Health: Closing the Gap¿ Skinner, C.W., and Berger, A.R. (eds.), Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, p. 159-162. Product: Report Delivered Tatu, C.A., and Orem, W.H., 2003, Environment, medical geology, and the etiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy. CIN¿2003 ¿ III Congress of Nephrology in Internet, http://www.uninet.edu/cin2003/en/, http://www.uninet.edu/cin2003/conf/ctatu/ctatu.html, online publication, 7 pp.
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