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Community-based programs for assessing and mitigating environmental risks represent a challenge to participants because each brings a different level of understanding of the issues affecting the community. These programs often require the collaboration of several community sectors, such as community leaders, local governments and researchers. Once the primary concerns, community vulnerabilities and assets are identified, participants plan on how to address immediate actions, rank known risks, collect information to support decision making, set priorities and determine an evaluation process to assess the success of the actions taken. The evaluation process allows the community to develop new action plans based on the results obtained from earlier actions. Tracking the success of the community actions may be as simple as a visual/tangible result (e.g., cleaning a park) or as complex as the collection of specific measurements to track the reduction of toxic pollutants or to determine the presence of a specific contaminant. Recognizing that communities may need to perform measurements to meet their goals, this paper provides an overview of the available measurement methods for several chemicals and biologicals in relevant environmental samples to a community setting. The measurement methods are organized into several categories according to their level of complexity, estimated cost and sources. Community project technical advisors are encouraged to examine the objective(s) of the community to be addressed by a measurement collection effort and the level of confidence that needed for the data to make appropriate decisions. The tables provide a starting point for determining which measurement method may be appropriate for specific community needs.

LEARNING OBJECTIVESThe goal of this research was to develop a measurable indicator of human exposure to Stachyborys chartarum. Antibodies were produced against the hemolytic agent stachylysin obtained from the mold S. chartarum. These antibodies were used to develop two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods for the analysis of stachylysin in human and rat sera and environmental samples. Stachylysin was measured in rat pups that received nasal instillations of S. chartarum conidia but not in control rat serum. Stachylysin in the serum of five human adults exposed to S. chartarum in water-damaged environments was 371 ng/mL but none was detected in the control serum. Stachylysin was also quantified in spore, wallboard, mycelial, and dust samples. The measurement of stachylysin may be a useful indicator in assessing human exposure to S. chartarum and in determining the presence of this indoor mold.

Throughout history, economic growth has led to an increased utilization of natural resources. This increased usage has manifested in the deposition of industrial wastewater, medical waste, and other waste residuals into the environment and the generation of polluted air. The widespread use of biohazardous pesticides, artificial food additives, pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, nanomaterials, and mineral-based beauty and skin care products also contribute to this environmental burden. The delicate balance between the growth of living organisms, resource utilization, and environmental stressors is being challenged. The persistence of environmental contaminants in many environmental compartments presents a potential risk to humans and ecosystems. Human exposure leading to adverse health outcomes can increase as the variety and quantity of contamination sources increase.

Asclepias speciosa and A. curassavica were evaluated as potential renewable sources of chemicals for use as fuel and/or chemical feedstock. Leaves and stems of both plants were analyzed for acid-detergent fiber, acid-detergent lignin, cellulose and ash. Bomb calorimetry was performed on A. curassavica (leaves 4,590 cal/g; stems 4,219 cal/g; and latex 4,663 cal/g), and A. speciosa (leaves 4,404 cal/g; stems 4,514 cal/g; and latex 9,005 cal/g). Organic carbon in A. curassavica (leaves 41.20%; stems 41.18%; latex 48.03%) and A. speciosa (stems 45.71%; leaves 42.51%; latex 67.30%) were also determined. Major differences between the 2 plant species were in the chemical composition of the latex; A. speciosa latex contained primarily α- and β-amyrin and their acetates, and a small amount of rubber, while A. curassavica latex is known to contain at least 50% cardiac glycoside.

The goal of this research was to develop a measurable indicator of human exposure to Stachyborys chartarum. Antibodies were produced against the hemolytic agent stachylysin obtained from the mold S. chartarum. These antibodies were used to develop two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods for the analysis of stachylysin in human and rat sera and environmental samples. Stachylysin was measured in rat pups that received nasal instillations of S. chartarum conidia but not in control rat serum. Stachylysin in the serum of five human adults exposed to S. chartarum in water-damaged environments was 371 ng/mL but none was detected in the control serum. Stachylysin was also quantified in spore, wallboard, mycelial, and dust samples. The measurement of stachylysin may be a useful indicator in assessing human exposure to S. chartarum and in determining the presence of this indoor mold.

Immunoassays such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) utilize specific antibodies to produce a highly sensitive analytical procedure. In this study, ELISAs were developed for paraquat and S-bioallethrin to illustrate that the technique can be useful for pesticide residue analysis. Results indicate immunoassay can complement conventional pesticide residue techniques as well as offer distinct advantages. Paraquat haptens were synthesized and conjugated to proteins for use in producing antibodies specific for paraquat. Antibody specificity was characterized using several paraquat analogues and metabolites. An HCl extraction protocol compatible with the ELISA was developed. The antibody could also be used for extraction and yielded recoveries of 45-60%. Field samples were taken from agricultural workers and from an agricultural environment during an aerial application of paraquat to cotton. Air (glass fiber filters), hand wash, and clothing patch samples were analyzed by ELISA. The ELISA was further applied to the analysis of spiked samples of lymph, plasma, urine, potato, milk, and meat. In all of these matrices, the ELISA performed well. Using an antibody dilution of 1/5000, concentrations of paraquat cation in the range of 0.1-27 ng/mL could be determined. The ELISA correlated well with colorimetric and gas chromatographic procedures. Accuracy of the ELISA was further determined by using methyl-C $\\sp{14}$ -paraquat. Allethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide consisting of eight stereoisomers. The stereoselectivity of an ELISA was determined for the isomers of allethrin using antiserum specific for S-bioallethrin (1R, 3R,$4\\sp\\prime$ S). I $\\sb{50}$values ranged from 45 ng/mL for 1R, 3R, 4'S, to 23600 ng/mL for 1R, 3S,$4\\sp\\prime$ S. Milk and lettuce were spiked with allethrin and analyzed without extraction or cleanup. Using an antibody dilution of 1/10000 the lower limit of detection for whole milk was 100 ppb (1 mL sample) and 30 ppb for lettuce (0.6 g sample). HPLC fractions of a crude pyrethrum concentrate were analyzed for chrysanthemate content by ELISA and compared with UV detection. The ELISA was more selective and not as affected by interferences as was the UV.