The Beat.

Linking Lead to Alzheimer Disease 

Scientists from Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals presented evidence at the April 2000 annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology that people who have held jobs with high levels of lead exposure have a 3.4 times greater likelihood of developing Alzheimer disease.

The researchers also examined exposures to a variety of other substances, including aluminum, copper, iron, mercury, zinc, and solvents, but only lead exposure was found to increase the risk of Alzheimer disease. People can be exposed to lead on the job either by breathing in lead dust or through direct skin contact. Coauthor Elisabeth Koss noted, "Lead exposure remains a major public concern because of its adverse effects on brain development and health in general, even with low exposure levels."

Robowell Polices Groundwater

An automated groundwater monitoring system nicknamed "Robowell" has been patented by USGS scientists in Massachusetts. The system automatically measures water levels and groundwater quality at regular intervals and then transmits the findings to a human supervisor through radio, modem, or satellite.

Using the same sampling methods as human crews, Robowell is stationed at a well cluster, where it can test the water frequently. It can also monitor other sources of known or potential contamination, such as landfills and industrial sites. The USGS has tested the technology in several situations, including a sewage treatment facility and an experimental groundwater cleanup test site.

Indonesia Implements Emissions Test

In a step toward alleviating Indonesia's serious air pollution problem, the country's State Ministry of Environment has mandated annual exhaust emission tests on all drivable vehicles. Until now, only public buses were required to be inspected. Currently, most Indonesian cars are still fueled with leaded gasoline. According to an InterPress Third World News Agency article dated 13 April 2000, officials hope the emissions test will increase public awareness about the dangers of leaded gas and encourage automobile owners to switch to unleaded fuel.

In Jakarta, lead pollution has reached a level of 1.3 [micro]g/[m.sup.3], exceeding the 0.5-1.0 [micro]g/[m.sup.3] recommended maximum set by the WHO. Vehicular emissions cause 60-70% of the air pollution in Indonesia's cities.

Kentucky Clamps Down on Factory Farm Pollution

In February 2000, Kentucky adopted emergency regulations to address the potential pollution problems of large-scale confined animal feeding operations in the state. The regulations, which took effect immediately, contain siting requirements for barns, waste lagoons, and spray areas for animal waste. They also require that meat companies paying producers to raise animals be held jointly liable with farm owners for any environmental violations that may be incurred by the farms.

The rules affect farms with more than 2,500 hogs, 100,000 chickens, or 1,000 cattle, and came in response to an initiative launched last year by the USDA and the U.S. EPA. The cabinet has filed a notice of intent to have permanent regulations enacted to replace the emergency ones.

Asia Warned of Environmental Disaster

At a June 2000 conference titled Third Dialogue on Building Asia's Tomorrow, experts outlined the environmental threats faced by the region. Said delegate Chia Slow Yue of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in a 19 June 2000 Agence France-Presse article, "If Asia's environment is to survive the next century without completely collapsing, governments in the region must make environmental issues equal in priority to economic development."

One attendee noted that even when resources are allocated for environmental projects, they typically have been squandered, and added "Environmental policies and laws in Asian countries are entangled with widespread corruption at all levels of government, cronyism, and money politics." Those present went further to state that regional disputes combined with the corruption have weakened the abilities of regional governments to effectively manage their environment.

Driving U.S. Pollution South

Environmentalist Marco Gonzalez of the Salvadoran Center for Appropriate Technology stated in an April 2000 Reuters news article that older cars imported into Central America from the United States are main contributors to the high levels of carbon monoxide and other air pollutants plaguing the region.

The cars, which are less fuel-efficient and have fewer pollution control devices, have become popular with public transportation companies as well as private car owners because they are much cheaper than new cars. During an interview in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Gonzalez said, "Central America has become a junkyard for cars from the United States."