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Geology and Health

SpringVermont's geology contributes to many facets of human health.  Bedrock, glacial materials, and soils each have positive and/or negative impacts on water quality and air quality. Healthy human bodies require minerals and elements (ex. salt, calcium, iron) which are transferred from the geologic environment through the food chain. Some geologic materials may filter contaminants so they do not reach groundwater supplies. Geologic materials may also be the source of airborne contaminants or of naturally-occurring elements of concern in drinking water, including radionuclides and arsenic.

The Geological Survey and our partners work on geology and health issues related to arsenic, radionuclides, radon, nitrates, floride, manganese , asbestos and other contaminants. The investigations focus on source, fate and transport of materials within earth systems and the impact on both human and environmental health. The goal is to reduce exposure of Vermonters to chemical and mineral contaminants. View list of current projects and our process for aquifer characterization. 

ARSENIC

Regional Compilation of sources of groundwater contamination (arsenic and radionuclides), Kim (2014)

Arsenic Contamination in Vermont's Private Wells, Middlebury College Env Studies 401 Senior Seminar and the VT Geological Survey (2010)
Accompanying map

Co-authored references  on arsenic in bedrock aquifers may be download through the Middlebury College site. 

Arsenic and drinking water, VT Health Dept.

RADIONUCLIDES - Publications and Abstracts

RADON

GROUNDWATER CHEMISTRY STUDIES
Bennington/North Bennington (PFOA and aquifer characterization)
Charlotte 
East Montpelier
Student theses from Middlebury College

LINKS

PFAS Sampling Report, DEC, 2018
PFOA updates and work by DEC
Department of Health fact sheets :  arsenic, lead, nitrates, radioactivity (alpha radiation, uranium, radium, radon
Arsenic in Groundwater, US Geological Survey
Center for Disease Control
Vermont rules and regulations pertaining to contaminants in waste, drinking water, surface water and air.
Geology and groundwater contamination by PFOA: http://news10.com/2016/10/12/vermont-dec-geologists-work-to-build-3d-map-for-pfoa-contamination/and its subsurface.