Abstract The state of the art in the field of mineral fibres is illustrated and discussed here, with a multidisciplinary approach taking into account all the different scientific strands (biology, chemistry, epidemiology, mineralogy, physics, toxicology etc.). The different views have been considered in an attempt to assemble the pieces of the jigsaw and to present the reader with an up-to-date and complete picture.

Rapid industrial development along Thailand’s eastern seaboard has increased pollution and environmental degradation in this densely populated region of the country. A growing problem is illegal disposal of industrial waste in abandoned borrow pits in many locations, especially in the capital Bangkok and its neighboring provinces. Previous work has identified the most likely illegal dumping sites in Chachoengsao Province. The focus of this work was to establish an impact assessment of potential dumping sites using a geographic information system (GIS) in order to create a patrolling and monitoring program for areas at highest risk. The impact assessment is based upon exposure and sensitivity factors of the illegal dumping sites. The exposure factor attempts to quantify the likelihood of illegal dumping; it includes distances from borrow pits to the nearest villages and highways, as well as the areas of the borrow pits. The sensitivity factor assesses the probability of environmental contamination; it includes site topography, ground permeability, aquifer characteristics, and distances to the nearest rivers. GIS was used to compute distances and to overlay other site characteristics. Variables within exposure and sensitivity factors were weighted based upon previous studies and recent expert analysis to compute exposure and sensitivity indices. Maps were then created in GIS for particular exposure and sensitivity factors, and overall impact assessment maps were constructed to indicate zones with low, medium, and high risk. These assessment maps could be adopted by local and regional governmental agencies, as well as local citizens, as part of preventive measures to conserve the local community and environment. Identification of high-risk areas can contribute to the initiation of a monitoring and patrolling program to prevent illegal dumping and preserve environmental and natural resources.

Abstract Burning and evolving for over 50 years, the anthracite coal fire in Centralia, Pennsylvania, has provided researchers with an ideal environment to study how shallow coal fires affect surface vegetation, nutrients and soil, landscape subsidence, organisms, fire migration, as well as human health. Ten years ago, surface temperatures from some gas exhaust vents were measured to be between 456° and 540 °C, and the fire was recorded to be moving rapidly at a rate of 20–22 m/yr. However, the fire has changed considerably since that time. Today, the average annual temperature of surface exhaust vents is ~65 °C, and its rate of movement is nearly unperceivable. In light of the changing parameters of the fire, Centralia continues to provide an interesting environment in which to study the effects of a subsurface anthracite coal fire on the landscape. This field trip will examine the geologic structure of the region, the Buck Mountain coal succession, the geomorphic features produced by the fire, the environmental consequences related to the removal of natural resources like coal, how a government responds to regional environmental disasters like coal fires, and the legacy of a coal fire on a region. Over the past decade, this fire and its influence on the landscape have changed considerably. However, there are still many interesting things to learn from this fire and the surrounding region.