The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of typical chemical winter maintenance practices on Arizona Department of Transportation pavements. A review of previous studies on the effect of deicing/anti‐icing chemicals did not yield definitive recommendations, especially for DIAICs typically used by ADOT. Researchers conducted a laboratory study evaluating the effects of magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and distilled water on eight different open‐graded rubber‐modified asphalt concrete mixes using the boiling test. All experimental factors were found to be statistically significant, and the researchers provide recommendations on which DIAICs should be used for different binder and aggregate types.

Land Use and Traffic Congestion is an investigation into the links among land use, travel behavior, and traffic congestion. Researchers focused on four transportation corridors in the Phoenix area: three older neighborhoods with relatively mixed, higher density land use, and one suburban area with lower density but high traffic volumes. The analysis suggested that the higher density corridors exhibited less congestion due to the greater mix of uses, shorter trip lengths, more travel by transit and non-motorized modes, and the presence of a secondary street grid system.

As part of the Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) Program, the Arizona Department of Transportation constructed eight Specific Pavement Studies 9 (SPS‐9) test sections on Interstate 10 near Phoenix is an overlay project and is accordingly given independent analysis and documentation in this report separate from Arizona SPS‐9B projects located on US 93, which were new construction and are documented in a separate report. The SPS‐9A project studied the effect of asphalt specification and mix designs on flexible pavements, specifically comparing Superpave binders with commonly used agency binders. Opened to traffic in 1995, the project was monitored at regular intervals until it was rehabilitated in 2005. Surface distress, profile, and deflection data collected throughout the life of the pavement were used to evaluate the performance of various flexible pavement design features, layer configurations, and thickness. This report documents the analyses conducted as well as practical findings and lessons learned that will be of interest to ADOT.

The Arizona Department of Health Services completed this health consultation at the request of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. This consult evaluates whether soil vapors from volatile organic compounds in the subsurface near the Silver Creek Subdivision in Tucson, Arizona are present at levels that may cause adverse health effects.

From May 2005 to June 2005, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality conducted a study, Potable Well Sampling Task 4.0, to determine if the chromium and chromium VI plume due to the discharge of the Pacific Gas and Electronic Topock Compressor Station has migrated under the Colorado River and impacted water supplies in Arizona. The ADEQ investigated the total chromium and hexavalent chromium (chromium VI) concentrations in (1) public water supply wells, (2) combined industrial and domestic water supply wells, and (3) private domestic water supply wells at Topock and Golden Shores, Arizona. The communities of Topock and Golden Shores have expressed their concerns regarding the findings. Thus, the ADEQ requested the Arizona Department of Health Services to evaluate the potential health effects of exposure to well water contaminated with chromium.

This study investigated whether highways acted as barriers to gene flow for pronghorn in northern Arizona. DNA samples from 132 pronghorn were analyzed using eight polymorphic microsatellite loci. Samples represented animals living on opposite sides of US Route 89 (US 89) and State Route 64 (SR 64). Two different modeling approaches indicated that both US 89 and SR 64, and to a lesser extent US Route 180 (US 180), acted as barriers to gene flow. The genetic structuring caused by highways, especially across US 89, is consistent with behavioral data that demonstrated pronghorn rarely cross this highway. This study found no evidence of inbreeding or reduced genetic variation in any of the populations examined, but those effects may take longer to appear. Based on these results, the researchers recommend future genetic monitoring of these populations or assessment of genetic variation across highways with larger traffic volumes or longer histories to determine whether the barrier effects documented here lead to loss of genetic diversity.

This report evaluates the potential exposure pathways associated with vermiculite concentrate processing activities at the Ari-Zonolite facility. The site is located in the near downtown area of Glendale, approximately ½ mile from the city hall, downtown shops, and other buildings. The former Ari-Zonolite facility received vermiculite from the Libby, Montana, mine. From 1951 to 1964, the site was leased the site to the Ari-Zonolite Company. Following the removal of the vermiculite concentrate processing equipment in 1964, several businesses have occupied the site. None of these businesses were involved in vermiculite processing activities. The last occupant of the former vermiculite processing building was an automotive restoration business, which vacated the site in 2002.

The purpose of this health consultation is to evaluate the air monitoring conducted by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality at Mary McLeod Bethune School (Phoenix, AZ) and evaluate the potential impact on public health. The air monitoring data includes particulate matter and metals. The ADEQ’s primary objective of this air sampling is to provide an understanding of the hazardous air pollutants in the Phoenix area.

This health consultation evaluates results of irrigation well samples collected by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality in October 2003. Previous results obtained by the Blue Ridge Elementary School District in the summer of 2003 indicated trichloroethylene levels above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Maximum Contaminant Level. In addition, the most recent (2002) Annual Water Quality Report from the drinking water supplier, Arizona Water Company, was reviewed. A previous health consultation (Blue Ridge Elementary School, Lakeside, Navajo County, Arizona Health Consultation-April 30, 2003) reviewed environmental conditions at Blue Ridge Elementary School. Parents and school staff were concerned that environmental exposures were causing students to be absent from school. Drinking water quality reports, indoor air quality data, food safety, environmental sanitation records, student attendance rates, and the results of an annual parent satisfaction survey were evaluated in the consultation. Arizona Department of Health Services concluded that environmental conditions at Blue Ridge Elementary School posed no apparent public health hazard, and that attendance rates were similar to statewide attendance rates. As part of the 2003 health consultation, ADHS requested that the school district conduct water sampling from the on-site irrigation water wells for the school grounds. Those sampling results were not available when the 2003 health consultation was completed.