Arsenic Lawyers Offer Glossary of Terms for Arsenic in Minneapolis

The following is a list of useful terms on Arsenic in Minneapolis, courtesy of the arsenic lawyers at Weitz and Luxenberg:

Arsenic: An element that has been used in the production of pesticides, boric acid, and pharmaceutical products. It is a by-product of lead, copper and zinc smelting. Arsenic is highly toxic by inhalation and ingestion, and a suspected human carcinogen.

Arsenic Mass Loading: Total particulate mass loading is defined as the amount of sinking (or leaching) arsenic passing through a depth level.

Contaminant Plume: A body of contaminated ground water flowing from a specific source. A plume of contamination has a measurable horizontal and vertical dimension that is suspended in and moves with ground water.

Downgradient: The way in which ground water moves through the ground is similar to the way water flows in a stream or river, only at a much slower rate. Any point downstream in ground water is considered downgradient. Wells which draw on water downgradient of a hazardous waste site are at a much higher risk of contamination than located upgradient.

Feasibility Study: A study which evaluates different alternatives for site cleanup.

Ground Water: Underground water that fills pores in soils or openings in rocks to the point of saturation. Ground water is often used as a source of drinking water via municipal or domestic wells.

Health Consultation: A Health Consultation provides advice on a specific public health issue related to real or possible human exposure to toxic material.

Institutional Controls: Legal and administrative mechanisms designed to reduce exposure to contamination. Examples include: deed restrictions, easements, warning signs and notices, and zoning restrictions.

mg/kg: Abbreviation for milligrams per kilogram, which is essentially equal to parts per million (ppm). Soil contamination with arsenic is often reported in mg/kg or ppm, while ground water contamination is often reported in micrograms per liter (ug/l) or parts per billion (ppb), a much smaller number, by 100 times.

Monitoring Wells: Special wells drilled at specific locations on or off a hazardous waste site from which ground water can be sampled at selected depths. The samples are then analyzed to determine ground water quality. Monitoring wells can also provide data such as ground water flow direction.

Permanent List of Priorities: Minnesota’s list of top priority hazardous waste sites, also known as the state Superfund list.

Remedial Investigation: A study that examines the nature and extent of contamination problems at a site.

Sodium Arsenite: A liquid product used as an insecticide or herbicide. It is highly toxic and is a suspected human carcinogen.

If you believe your health may have been affected, or that you may have property damage due to arsenic poisoning, it is important to have dedicated arsenic lawyers on your side. The law firm of Weitz and Luxenberg has experience defending victims of environmental pollutants and is dedicated to helping. For a free case evaluation, fill out the form below.

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see also:

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