This site provides information about the distribution of arsenic in ground water of the United States. The site features links to publications such as fact sheets, research and reports, as well as numerical data collected from over 20,000 wells. The site also provides maps that show where and to what extent arsenic occurs in ground water across the country. Links to additional resources related to ... Full description.

This report summarizes the current knowledge of naturally occurring radioactive materials in oil-fields of the United States. Of particular concern is the effect on public health and the environment of exposure to radioactive materials in the form of radium-bearing water and 'scale' deposits in tanks and pipes, which may travel far from the oil fields as scrap metal products. Full description.

This USGS fact sheet provides information about mercury toxicity and its occurrence in the environment. Maps, diagrams, and photographs complement the text which discusses the sources and types of mercury in the environment, exposure pathways, and health effects on humans and wildlife. Full description.

The Toxic Substances Hydrology Program of the USGS performs research to improve characterization and management of contaminated sites,to protect human and environmental health, and to reduce potential future contamination problems. This site features fact sheets, reports, publications, and highlights of research findings and investigations. Topics include soil and groundwater remediation, agricultural ... Full description.

This site provides reports from a British Geological Survey project which assessed the scale of arsenic contamination of groundwater in Bangladesh and examined the possible source, mobility and fate of arsenic in local aquifers. The two reports include several maps and photographs, as well as data sets from the studies. The site also features information about a similar project undertaken in Ghana. ... Full description.

This clearinghouse site features links to a comprehensive collection of resources related to the arsenic health crisis in Bangladesh and India. The site provides links to news articles, reports and other project documents, reference materials, medical information, and an online forum and email newsletter. Full description.

This paper discusses the environmental significance of mercury and its occurrence in U.S. coal beds as measured by the USGS's COALQUAL database. Useful diagrams and charts help explain mercury concentrations of in-ground coal by region, how mercury is released through coal combustion, and why using higher grade coals or physically cleaning coal can minimize mercury emissions during combustion. The ... Full description.

Much of the more than 30 million tons of asbestos used in the United States since 1900 is still present as insulation in offices and schools, as vinyl-asbestos flooring in homes, and in other common products. This book presents a comprehensive evaluation of the relation of these fibers to specific diseases and the extent of non-occupational risks associated with them. It covers sources of asbestiform ... Full description.

This site provides information about the effects of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide volcanic emissions on global climate. Helpful diagrams depict the chemical processes involved in atmospheric cooling and historical examples are cited. The 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in used as a case study. The site also provides links to references cited and additional resources. Full description.

This NASA site explains the three major types of atmospheric aerosols - volcanic emissions, desert dust, and anthropogenic aerosols - and how they affect global climate. The site discusses the generation and atmospheric distribution of these aerosols, as well as the chemical and physical processes by which they create global cooling. Full description.