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Karasaki S, Morello-Frosch R, Callaway D. Machine learning for environmental justice: Dissecting an algorithmic approach to predict drinking water quality in California. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175730. [PMID: 39187077 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
The potential for machine learning to answer questions of environmental science, monitoring, and regulatory enforcement is evident, but there is cause for concern regarding potential embedded bias: algorithms can codify discrimination and exacerbate systematic gaps. This paper, organized into two halves, underscores the importance of vetting algorithms for bias when used for questions of environmental science and justice. In the first half, we present a case study of using machine learning for environmental justice-motivated research: prediction of drinking water quality. While performance varied across models and contaminants, some performed well. Multiple models had overall accuracy rates at or above 90 % and F2 scores above 0.60 on their respective test sets. In the second half, we dissect this algorithmic approach to examine how modeling decisions affect modeling outcomes - and not only how these decisions change whether the model is correct or incorrect, but for whom. We find that multiple decision points in the modeling process can lead to different predictive outcomes. More importantly, we find that these choices can result in significant differences in demographic characteristics of false negatives. We conclude by proposing a set of practices for researchers and policy makers to follow (and improve upon) when applying machine learning to questions of environmental science, management, and justice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seigi Karasaki
- University of California Berkeley, Energy and Resources Group, Berkeley, California, United States.
| | - Rachel Morello-Frosch
- University of California Berkeley, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, Berkeley, California, United States; University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, California, United States
| | - Duncan Callaway
- University of California Berkeley, Energy and Resources Group, Berkeley, California, United States
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Li S, Cushing LJ, Nianogo RA, Liu J, Connolly R, Yu Y, Jerrett M, Ritz B. Contributions of neighborhood physical and social environments to racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes in California: A mediation analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 260:119578. [PMID: 38986802 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racially minoritized populations experience higher rates of adverse birth outcomes than White populations in the U.S. We estimated the mediating effect of neighborhood social and physical environments on disparities in adverse birth outcomes in California. METHOD We used birthing parent's residential address for California live birth records from 2019 to estimate census block group Area Deprivation Index and census tract level measures of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), drinking water contamination, tree canopy coverage, as a measure of greenspace, potential heat vulnerability, and noise. We performed mediation analysis to assess whether neighborhood factors explain racial/ethnic disparities in preterm birth (PTB) and term-birth low birth weight (TLBW) comparing Black, Latinx, and Asian with White births after controlling for individual-level factors. RESULTS Black, Latinx, and Asian parents had PTB rates that were 67%, 36%, and 11% higher, and TLBW rates that were 150%, 38%, and 81% higher than Whites. Neighborhood deprivation contributed 7% (95% CI: 3%, 11%) to the Black-White and 9% (95% CI: 6%, 12%) to the Latinx-White disparity in PTB, and 8% (95% CI: 3%, 12%) of the Black-White and 9% (95% CI: 5%, 15%) of the Latinx-White disparity in TLBW. Drinking water contamination contributed 2% (95% CI: 1%, 4%) to the Latinx-White disparity in PTB. Lack of greenspace accounted for 7% (95% CI: 2%, 10%) of the Latinx-White PTB disparity and 7% (95% CI: 3%, 12%) of the Asian-White PTB disparity. PM2.5 contributed 11% (95% CI: 5%, 18%), drinking water contamination contributed 3% (95% CI: 1%, 7%), and potential heat vulnerability contributed 2% (95% CI: 1%, 3%) to the Latinx-White TLBW disparity. Lack of green space contributed 3% (95% CI: 1%, 6%) to the Asian-White TLBW disparity. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests social environments explain portions of Black/Latinx-White disparities while physical environments explain Latinx/Asian-White disparities in PTB and TLBW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiwen Li
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lara J Cushing
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Roch A Nianogo
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Liu
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rachel Connolly
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yu Yu
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Center for Health Policy Research, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael Jerrett
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Beate Ritz
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Shen C, Yuan Z. The Missing Piece of the Puzzle: How Different Water-related Public Concerns Contribute to Water Governance in China. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 74:699-714. [PMID: 38913158 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-024-02001-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Public participation is crucial to improving the performance of water governance systems, especially in a governance model dominated by a top-down hierarchical structure. Public concerns, as a vital form of public participation, have been acknowledged as an essential component in contributing to water governance. However, few studies explore the varying effects of diverse public concerns in leading to different water governance outcomes. This study addresses this gap by exploring the direct and indirect effects of water-related public concerns on water pollution control and governments' pollution mitigating actions, using citizens' water-related posts crawled from China's social media. Results show that public water-related concerns contribute to water governance both through its direct effects on reducing water pollution and indirect effects by promoting policy actions. Specifically, the concerns related to water pollution hazards, water pollution monitoring, prevention products, and water pollution control measures have more positive impacts on water pollution reduction compared to other types of concern. Meanwhile, public concerns demonstrate stronger effects in triggering economic-related and infrastructure-related water pollution mitigation actions. This study provides nuanced insights to understand the role of public participation in improving water governance, the findings of which are insightful to enhance accountability of water governance systems through a bottom-up approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Shen
- Department of Public and International Affairs, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Zhihang Yuan
- Department of Public and International Affairs, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China.
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Smalling KL, Romanok KM, Bradley PM, Hladik ML, Gray JL, Kanagy LK, McCleskey RB, Stavreva DA, Alexander-Ozinskas AK, Alonso J, Avila W, Breitmeyer SE, Bustillo R, Gordon SE, Hager GL, Jones RR, Kolpin DW, Newton S, Reynolds P, Sloop J, Ventura A, Von Behren J, Ward MH, Solomon GM. Mixed contaminant exposure in tapwater and the potential implications for human-health in disadvantaged communities in California. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 267:122485. [PMID: 39368187 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/07/2024]
Abstract
Water is an increasingly precious resource in California as years of drought, climate change, pollution, as well as an expanding population have all stressed the state's drinking water supplies. Currently, there are increasing concerns about whether regulated and unregulated contaminants in drinking water are linked to a variety of human-health outcomes particularly in socially disadvantaged communities with a history of health risks. To begin to address this data gap by broadly assessing contaminant mixture exposures, the current study was designed to collect tapwater samples from communities in Gold Country, the San Francisco Bay Area, two regions of the Central Valley (Merced/Fresno and Kern counties), and southeast Los Angeles for 251 organic chemicals and 32 inorganic constituents. Sampling prioritized low-income areas with suspected water quality challenges and elevated breast cancer rates. Results indicated that mixtures of regulated and unregulated contaminants were observed frequently in tapwater throughout the areas studied and the types and concentrations of detected contaminants varied by region, drinking-water source, and size of the public water system. Multiple exceedances of enforceable maximum contaminant level(s) (MCL), non-enforceable MCL goal(s) (MCLG), and other health advisories combined with frequent exceedances of benchmark-based hazard indices were also observed in samples collected in all five of the study regions. Given the current focus on improving water quality in socially disadvantaged communities, our study highlights the importance of assessing mixed-contaminant exposures in drinking water at the point of consumption to adequately address human-health concerns (e.g., breast cancer risk). Data from this pilot study provide a foundation for future studies across a greater number of communities in California to assess potential linkages between breast cancer rates and tapwater contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Diana A Stavreva
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | - Jesus Alonso
- Clean Water Action/Clean Water Fund, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Wendy Avila
- Communities for a Better Environment, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Gordon L Hager
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Rena R Jones
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | - Seth Newton
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Peggy Reynolds
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John Sloop
- ORISE, Office of Research & Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Mary H Ward
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Gina M Solomon
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Sum S. Impact of Droughts on Served Drinking Water Disparities in California, 2007-2020. Am J Public Health 2024; 114:935-945. [PMID: 39110932 PMCID: PMC11306608 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2024.307758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2024]
Abstract
Objectives. To quantify the impact of droughts on drinking water arsenic and nitrate levels provided by community water systems (CWSs) in California and to assess whether this effect varies across sociodemographic subgroups. Methods. I integrated CWS characteristics, drought records, sociodemographic data, and regulatory drinking water samples (n = 83 317) from 2378 water systems serving 34.8 million residents from 2007 to 2020. I analyzed differential drought effects using fixed-effect regression analyses that cumulatively accounted for CWS-level trends, income, and agricultural measures. Results. CWSs serving majority Latino/a communities show persistently higher and more variable drinking water nitrate levels. Drought increased nitrate concentrations in majority Latino/a communities, with the effect doubling for CWSs with more than 75% Latino/a populations served. Arsenic concentrations in surface sources also increased during drought for all groups. Differential effects are driven by very small (< 500) and privately owned systems. Conclusions. Impending droughts driven by climate change may further increase drinking water disparities and arsenic threats. This underscores the critical need to address existing inequities in climate resilience planning and grant making. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(9):935-945. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307758).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy Sum
- Sandy Sum is with the Bren School and the Department of Economics, University of California, Santa Barbara
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Ye L, Dong Q, Gasteyer S. Decomposition analysis to assess intervention strategies for reducing health-related exposure disparities in Michigan public drinking water systems. Soc Sci Med 2024; 356:117154. [PMID: 39094390 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Contamination in U.S. public drinking water systems (PWS) is estimated to cause millions of illnesses and billions of dollars in medical expenditures annually. Few prior studies have explored intervention strategies, including environmental enforcement, to reduce estimated health-related exposure disparities (exposure disparity) in PWS, which are driven partially by socioeconomic status (SES), racism, and PWS characteristics. METHOD This study used a longitudinal measurement method to estimate the annual health-related exposure level (health level) of each PWS in Michigan, based on data from the Enforcement and Compliance Online (ECHO) and U.S. Census Bureau databases. Using a decomposition model with four strategies, we analyzed how eliminating disparities in SES, proportion minority, environmental enforcement, and PWS characteristics across communities would affect adjusted exposure disparities. RESULTS This study found that adjusted race- and poverty-based exposure disparities have existed since the 1980s but might have decreased in the last one or two decades. PWS characteristics strongly impacted the crude and adjusted exposure disparity. Environmental enforcement, although less effective in minority-concentrated communities, reduced the adjusted race-based exposure disparity by 10%-20% in the 1980s, 8% in the 1990s, and 0.012% in the 2010s. Equalizing the poverty rate distribution reduced the adjusted race-based exposure disparity by 0.72% in the 1980s and 6.8% in the 2010s. However, equalizing racial and ethnic composition distribution increased the adjusted poverty-based exposure disparity in the 2000s. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that economically disadvantaged or minority-concentrated communities in Michigan disproportionately suffer from poorer PWS quality. Enhanced environmental enforcement, increased household income, PWS investment, and other actions are needed to address these exposure disparities effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangfei Ye
- Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA.
| | - Qianqian Dong
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, USA
| | - Stephen Gasteyer
- Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
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Lane JM, Zhang X, Alcala CS, Midya V, Nagdeo K, Li R, Wright RO. Tweeting environmental pollution: Analyzing twitter language to uncover its correlation with county-level obesity rates in the United States. Prev Med 2024; 186:108081. [PMID: 39038770 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.108081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental pollution has been linked to obesogenic tendencies. Using environmental-related posts from Twitter (now known as X) from U.S. counties, we aim to uncover the association between Twitter linguistic data and U.S. county-level obesity rates. METHODS Analyzing nearly 300 thousand tweets from January 2020 to December 2020 across 207 U.S. counties, using an innovative Differential Language Analysis technique and drawing county-level obesity data from the 2020 Food Environment Atlas to identify distinct linguistic features in Twitter relating to environmental-related posts correlated with socioeconomic status (SES) index indicators, obesity rates, and obesity rates controlled for SES index indicators. We also employed predictive modeling to estimate Twitter language's predictive capacity for obesity rates. RESULTS Results revealed a negative correlation between environmental-related tweets and obesity rates, both before and after adjusting for SES. Contrarily, non-environmental-related tweets showed a positive association with higher county-level obesity rates, indicating that individuals living in counties with lower obesity rates tend to tweet environmental-related language more frequently than those living in counties with higher obesity rates. The findings suggest that linguistic patterns and expressions employed in discussing environmental-related themes on Twitter can offer unique insights into the prevailing cross-sectional patterns of obesity rates. CONCLUSIONS Although Twitter users are a subset of the general population, incorporating environmental-related tweets and county-level obesity rates and using a novel language analysis technique make this study unique. Our results indicated that Twitter users engaging in more active dialog about environmental concerns might exhibit healthier lifestyle practices, contributing to reduced obesity rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamil M Lane
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Climate Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Xupin Zhang
- School of Economics and Management, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cecilia S Alcala
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Climate Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vishal Midya
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Climate Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kiran Nagdeo
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Climate Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rui Li
- School of Economics and Management, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Robert O Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Climate Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Climate Change, Environmental Health, and Exposomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Lowe AT, Maki A, Figueroa C, Venugopal PD. Place-based estimates of cigarette butt litter raise environmental justice concerns in the United States. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0308930. [PMID: 39146265 PMCID: PMC11326580 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Littering of cigarette butts is a major environmental challenge. In 2022, ~124 billion cigarette butts were littered in the United States. This litter may pose an environmental justice concern by disproportionately affecting human and environmental health in communities of color or communities of low socioeconomic status. However, the lack of data on the distribution and magnitude of cigarette butt littering prevents an environmental justice analysis and limits the ability to tackle this environmental challenge. We conducted an environmental justice assessment of tobacco product waste, specifically cigarette butts, through spatially-explicit, place-based estimates across the contiguous U.S. We built a bottom-up model by synthesizing census tract-level population and smoking prevalence, state-level cigarette consumption, and published littering data to assess the spatial pattern of cigarette consumption and littering, and its implications for environmental injustice in >71,600 U.S. census tracts. Further, we compared the model output to urbanicity (rural-urban commuting area) and Social-Environmental Risk (SER; CDC Environmental Justice Index). Cigarette butt density was not uniformly distributed across the U.S. and ranged from 0-45.5 butts/m2, with an area-weighted average of 0.019 ± 0.0005 butts/m2. Cigarette butt density was 96 times higher in metropolitan vs. rural areas. Cigarette butt density increased significantly with SER, with 5.6 times more littered cigarette butts, and a steeper response to population density, in census tracts with the highest SER vs. the lowest SER. These results demonstrate the relative influences of location, smoking prevalence, and population density, and show that cigarette butt littering is a potential environmental justice concern in the U.S. This study provides information that may help devise targeted strategies to reduce cigarette butt pollution and prevent disproportionate impacts. The spatial data layer with place-based cigarette consumption and butt density is a tool that can support municipal, state, and federal level policy work and future studies on associations among cigarette butt pollution and environmental health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander T Lowe
- Division of Nonclinical Science, Center for Tobacco Products, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States of America
| | - Alexander Maki
- Division of Population Health Science, Center for Tobacco Products, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States of America
| | - Carla Figueroa
- Division of Nonclinical Science, Center for Tobacco Products, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States of America
| | - P Dilip Venugopal
- Division of Nonclinical Science, Center for Tobacco Products, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States of America
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Bloomquist TR, Spaur M, Cerna-Turoff I, Kress AM, Burjak M, Kupsco A, Casey JA, Herbstman JB, Nigra AE. Public drinking water contaminant estimates for birth cohorts in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024:10.1038/s41370-024-00699-2. [PMID: 39098852 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-024-00699-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) regulates over 80 contaminants in community water systems (CWS), including those relevant to infant health outcomes. Multi-cohort analyses of the association between measured prenatal public water contaminant concentrations and infant health outcomes are sparse in the US. OBJECTIVE Our objectives were to (1) develop Zip Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA)-level CWS contaminant concentrations for participants in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort and (2) evaluate regional, seasonal, and sociodemographic inequities in contaminant concentrations at the ZCTA-level. The ECHO Cohort harmonizes data from over 69 extant pregnancy and pediatric cohorts across the US. METHODS We used CWS estimates derived from the USEPA's Six-Year Review 3 (2006-2011) to develop population-weighted, average concentrations for 10 contaminants across 7640 ZCTAs relevant to the ECHO Cohort. We evaluated contaminant distributions, exceedances of regulatory thresholds, and geometric mean ratios (with corresponding percent changes) associated with ZCTA sociodemographic characteristics via spatial lag linear regression models. RESULTS We observed significant regional variability in contaminant concentrations across the US. ZCTAs were most likely to exceed the maximum contaminant level for arsenic (n = 100, 1.4%) and the health-protective threshold for total trihalomethanes (n = 3584, 64.0%). A 10% higher proportion of residents who were American Indian/Alaskan Native and Hispanic/Latino was associated with higher arsenic (11%, 95% CI: 7%, 15%; and 2%, 95% CI: 0%, 3%, respectively) and uranium (15%, 95% CI: 10%, 21%; and 9%, 95% CI: 6%, 12%, respectively) concentrations. IMPACT Nationwide epidemiologic analyses evaluating the association between US community water system contaminant concentration estimates and associated adverse birth outcomes in cohort studies are sparse because public water contaminant concentration estimates that can be readily linked to participant addresses are not available. We developed Zip Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA)-level CWS contaminant concentrations that can be linked to participants in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort and evaluated regional, seasonal, and sociodemographic inequities in contaminant concentrations for these ZCTAs. Future epidemiologic studies can leverage these CWS exposure estimates in the ECHO Cohort to evaluate associations with relevant infant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa R Bloomquist
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Maya Spaur
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ilan Cerna-Turoff
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amii M Kress
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MA, USA
| | - Mohamad Burjak
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MA, USA
| | - Allison Kupsco
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joan A Casey
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Julie B Herbstman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anne E Nigra
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Spaur M, Medgyesi DN, Bangia K, Madrigal JM, Hurwitz LM, Beane Freeman LE, Fisher JA, Spielfogel ES, Lacey JV, Sanchez T, Jones RR, Ward MH. Drinking water source and exposure to regulated water contaminants in the California Teachers Study cohort. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024:10.1038/s41370-024-00703-9. [PMID: 39003368 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-024-00703-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pollutants including metals/metalloids, nitrate, disinfection byproducts, and volatile organic compounds contaminate federally regulated community water systems (CWS) and unregulated domestic wells across the United States. Exposures and associated health effects, particularly at levels below regulatory limits, are understudied. OBJECTIVE We described drinking water sources and exposures for the California Teachers Study (CTS), a prospective cohort of female California teachers and administrators. METHODS Participants' geocoded addresses at enrollment (1995-1996) were linked to CWS service area boundaries and monitoring data (N = 115,206, 92%); we computed average (1990-2015) concentrations of arsenic, uranium, nitrate, gross alpha (GA), five haloacetic acids (HAA5), total trihalomethanes (TTHM), trichloroethylene (TCE), and tetrachloroethylene (PCE). We used generalized linear regression to estimate geometric mean ratios of CWS exposures across demographic subgroups and neighborhood characteristics. Self-reported drinking water source and consumption at follow-up (2017-2019) were also described. RESULTS Medians (interquartile ranges) of average concentrations of all contaminants were below regulatory limits: arsenic: 1.03 (0.54,1.71) µg/L, uranium: 3.48 (1.01,6.18) µg/L, GA: 2.21 (1.32,3.67) pCi/L, nitrate: 0.54 (0.20,1.97) mg/L, HAA5: 8.67 (2.98,14.70) µg/L, and TTHM: 12.86 (4.58,21.95) µg/L. Among those who lived within a CWS boundary and self-reported drinking water information (2017-2019), approximately 74% self-reported their water source as municipal, 15% bottled, 2% private well, 4% other, and 5% did not know/missing. Spatially linked water source was largely consistent with self-reported source at follow-up (2017-2019). Relative to non-Hispanic white participants, average arsenic, uranium, GA, and nitrate concentrations were higher for Black, Hispanic and Native American participants. Relative to participants living in census block groups in the lowest socioeconomic status (SES) quartile, participants in higher SES quartiles had lower arsenic/uranium/GA/nitrate, and higher HAA5/TTHM. Non-metropolitan participants had higher arsenic/uranium/nitrate, and metropolitan participants had higher HAA5/TTHM. IMPACT Though average water contaminant levels were mostly below regulatory limits in this large cohort of California women, we observed heterogeneity in exposures across sociodemographic subgroups and neighborhood characteristics. These data will be used to support future assessments of drinking water exposures and disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Spaur
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Danielle N Medgyesi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Komal Bangia
- Community and Environmental Epidemiology Research Branch, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Jessica M Madrigal
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Lauren M Hurwitz
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Laura E Beane Freeman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jared A Fisher
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Emma S Spielfogel
- Division of Health Analytics, Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - James V Lacey
- Division of Health Analytics, Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Tiffany Sanchez
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rena R Jones
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Mary H Ward
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
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Deori N, Paul S, Lahkar S, Brahma S. Ultrasonic-Assisted Nitrate Anion Incorporation in Triaminoguanidium Chloride Based Covalent Organic Polymer for Methylene Blue Dye Adsorption. Chem Asian J 2024; 19:e202400046. [PMID: 38533850 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202400046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Terephthalaldehyde-triaminoguanidium chloride covalent organic polymer, Te-TGCl COP can facilely be incorporated with NaNO3 by sonication. Te-TGCl COP incorporated with NaNO3 via ultrasonication adsorbs Methylene Blue (MB) dye. Te-TGCl COP alone shows negligible adsorption capacity for MB, however, when treated with NaNO3, its adsorption capacity emerges slightly. Moreover, ultrasonication of the NaNO3 treated COP, Te-TG-NaNO3 COP shows dramatic increase in its adsorption capacity for MB (qe for Te-TGCl COP ≈0 mg g-1; for Te-TG-NaNO3=17.65 mg g-1). Emergence of MB dye adsorption property in Te-TG-NaNO3 COP composite may be attributed primarily to the electrostatic interaction of MB dye molecules with nitrate anions and the sonochemical effect caused fibrous morphological structure of the adsorbent material. The kinetics of MB dye adsorption onto Te-TG-NaNO3 COP composite exhibits an excellent fit for the pseudo-second order model, suggesting the rate-determining step to be chemisorption. Homogeneous monolayer adsorption of MB dye onto Te-TG-NaNO3 COP composite can be suggested as the Langmuir isotherm model seemed to be fitted well.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saurav Paul
- Department of Chemistry, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Surabhi Lahkar
- Department of Chemistry, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Sanfaori Brahma
- Department of Chemistry, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India
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12
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Bayode AA, Ore OT, Nnamani EA, Sotunde B, Koko DT, Unuabonah EI, Helmreich B, Omorogie MO. Perovskite Oxides: Syntheses and Perspectives on Their Application for Nitrate Reduction. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:19770-19785. [PMID: 38737083 PMCID: PMC11080040 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c01487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Over the decades, the rise in nitrate levels in the ecosystem has posed a serious threat to the continuous existence of humans, fauna, and flora. The deleterious effects of increasing levels of nitrates in the ecosystem have led to adverse health and environmental implications in the form of methemoglobinemia and eutrophication, respectively. Different pathways/routes for the syntheses of perovskites and their oxides were presented in this review. In recent times, electrocatalytic reduction has emerged as the most utilized technique for the conversion of nitrates into ammonia, an industrial feedstock. According to published papers, the efficiency of various perovskites and their oxides used for the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate achieved a high Faradaic efficiency of 98%. Furthermore, studies published have shown that there is a need to improve the chemical stability of perovskites and their oxides during scale-up applications, as well as their scalability for industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajibola A. Bayode
- College
of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University
of Science and Engineering, Zigong 643000, P. R. China
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer’s University, P.M.B. 230, 232101 Ede, Nigeria
| | - Odunayo T. Ore
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Achiever’s
University, P.M.B. 1030, 341101 Owo, Nigeria
| | - Esther A. Nnamani
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer’s University, P.M.B. 230, 232101 Ede, Nigeria
- Environmental
Science and Technology Unit, African Centre of Excellence for Water
and Environmental Research (ACEWATER), Redeemer’s
University, P.M.B. 230, 232101 Ede, Nigeria
| | - Babajide Sotunde
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer’s University, P.M.B. 230, 232101 Ede, Nigeria
- Environmental
Science and Technology Unit, African Centre of Excellence for Water
and Environmental Research (ACEWATER), Redeemer’s
University, P.M.B. 230, 232101 Ede, Nigeria
| | - Daniel T. Koko
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer’s University, P.M.B. 230, 232101 Ede, Nigeria
- Environmental
Science and Technology Unit, African Centre of Excellence for Water
and Environmental Research (ACEWATER), Redeemer’s
University, P.M.B. 230, 232101 Ede, Nigeria
| | - Emmanuel I. Unuabonah
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer’s University, P.M.B. 230, 232101 Ede, Nigeria
- Environmental
Science and Technology Unit, African Centre of Excellence for Water
and Environmental Research (ACEWATER), Redeemer’s
University, P.M.B. 230, 232101 Ede, Nigeria
| | - Brigitte Helmreich
- Chair
of Urban Water Systems Engineering, School
of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Martins O. Omorogie
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer’s University, P.M.B. 230, 232101 Ede, Nigeria
- Environmental
Science and Technology Unit, African Centre of Excellence for Water
and Environmental Research (ACEWATER), Redeemer’s
University, P.M.B. 230, 232101 Ede, Nigeria
- Chair
of Urban Water Systems Engineering, School
of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 85748 Garching, Germany
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13
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Mueller R, Salvatore D, Brown P, Cordner A. Quantifying Disparities in Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Levels in Drinking Water from Overburdened Communities in New Jersey, 2019-2021. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:47011. [PMID: 38656167 PMCID: PMC11041625 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Policymakers have become increasingly concerned regarding the widespread exposure and toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). While concerns exist about unequal distribution of PFAS contamination in drinking water, research is lacking. OBJECTIVES We assess the scope of PFAS contamination in drinking water in New Jersey (NJ), the first US state to develop regulatory levels for PFAS in drinking water. We test for inequities in PFAS concentrations by community sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS We use PFAS testing data for community water systems (CWS) (n = 491 ) from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) from 2019 to 2021 and demographic data at the block group level from the US Census to estimate the demographics of the NJ population served by CWS. We use difference in means tests to determine whether CWSs serving "overburdened communities" (OBCs) have a statistically significant difference in likelihood of PFAS detections. OBCs are defined by the NJDEP to be census block groups in which: a) at least 35% of the households qualify as low-income, b) at least 40% of the residents identify as people of color, or c) at least 40% of the households have limited English proficiency. We calculate statewide summary statistics to approximate the relative proportions of sociodemographic groups that are served by CWSs with PFAS detections. RESULTS We find that 63% of all CWSs tested by NJDEP from 2019 to 2021 had PFAS detections in public drinking water, collectively serving 84% of NJ's population receiving water from CWSs. Additionally, CWSs serving OBCs had a statistically significant higher likelihood of PFAS detection and a higher likelihood of exposure above state MCLs. We also find that a larger proportion of people of color lived in CWS service areas with PFAS detections compared to the non-Hispanic white population. DISCUSSION These findings quantitatively identify disparities in PFAS contamination of drinking water by CWS service area and highlight the extent of PFAS drinking water contamination and the importance of PFAS remediation efforts for protecting environmental health and justice. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12787.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie Mueller
- Department of Economics, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington, USA
| | | | - Phil Brown
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alissa Cordner
- Department of Sociology, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington, USA
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14
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Agurs-Collins T, Alvidrez J, ElShourbagy Ferreira S, Evans M, Gibbs K, Kowtha B, Pratt C, Reedy J, Shams-White M, Brown AG. Perspective: Nutrition Health Disparities Framework: A Model to Advance Health Equity. Adv Nutr 2024; 15:100194. [PMID: 38616067 PMCID: PMC11031378 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Disparities in nutrition, such as poor diet quality and inadequate nutrient intake, arise from multiple factors and are related to adverse health outcomes such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. The aim of the current perspective is to present a nutrition-centric socioecological framework that delineates determinants and factors that contribute to diet and nutrition-related disparities among disadvantaged populations. The Nutrition Health Disparities Framework (NHDF) describes the domains (biological, behavioral, physical/built environment, sociocultural environment, and healthcare system) that influence nutrition-related health disparities through the lens of each level of influence (that is, individual, interpersonal, community, and societal). On the basis of the scientific literature, the authors engaged in consensus decision making in selecting nutrition-related determinants of health within each domain and socioecological level when creating the NHDF. The framework identifies how neighborhood food availability and access (individual/built environment) intersect with cultural norms and practices (interpersonal/sociocultural environment) to influence dietary behaviors, exposures, and risk of diet-related diseases. In addition, the NHDF shows how factors such as genetic predisposition (individual/biology), family dietary practices (interpersonal/behavioral), and food marketing policies (societal) may impact the consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages and increase chronic disease risk. Family and peer norms (interpersonal/behavior) related to breastfeeding and early childhood nutrition interact with resource-poor environments such as lack of access to preventive healthcare settings (societal/healthcare system) and low usage of federal nutrition programs (societal/behavioral), which may increase risk of poor nutrition during childhood and food insecurity. The NHDF describes the synergistic interrelationships among factors at different levels of the socioecological model that influence nutrition-related outcomes and exacerbate health disparities. The framework is a useful resource for nutrition researchers, practitioners, food industry leaders, and policymakers interested in improving diet-related health outcomes and promoting health equity in diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Agurs-Collins
- National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.
| | | | - Sanae ElShourbagy Ferreira
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Division of Clinical Innovation, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Mary Evans
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Kimberlea Gibbs
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Division of Extramural Research, Pediatric Growth and Nutrition Branch, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Charlotte Pratt
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jill Reedy
- National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Marissa Shams-White
- National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Alison Gm Brown
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
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15
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Smalling KL, Bradley PM. Invited Perspective: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Drinking Water-Disparities in Community Exposures Based on Race and Socioeconomic Status. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:41302. [PMID: 38656166 PMCID: PMC11041623 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
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16
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Erickson ML, Brown CJ, Tomaszewski EJ, Ayotte JD, Böhlke JK, Kent DB, Qi S. Prioritizing water availability study settings to address geogenic contaminants and related societal factors. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:303. [PMID: 38400911 PMCID: PMC10894127 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12362-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Water availability for human and ecological uses depends on both water quantity and water quality. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is developing strategies for prioritizing regional-scale and watershed basin-scale studies of water availability across the nation. Previous USGS ranking processes for basin-scale studies incorporated primarily water quantity factors but are now considering additional water quality factors. This study presents a ranking based on the potential impacts of geogenic constituents on water quality and consideration of societal factors related to water quality. High-concentration geogenic constituents, including trace elements and radionuclides, are among the most prevalent contaminants limiting water availability in the USA and globally. Geogenic constituents commonly occur in groundwater because of subsurface water-rock interactions, and their distributions are controlled by complex geochemical processes. Geogenic constituent mobility can also be affected by human activities (e.g., mining, energy production, irrigation, and pumping). Societal factors and relations to drinking water sources and water quality information are often overlooked when evaluating research priorities. Sociodemographic characteristics, data gaps resulting from historical data-collection disparities, and infrastructure condition/age are examples of factors to consider regarding environmental justice. This paper presents approaches for ranking and prioritizing potential basin-scale study areas across the contiguous USA by considering a suite of conventional physical and geochemical variables related to geogenic constituents, with and without considering variables related to societal factors. Simultaneous consideration of societal and conventional factors could provide decision makers with more diverse, interdisciplinary tools to increase equity and reduce bias in prioritizing focused research areas and future water availability studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda L Erickson
- U.S. Geological Survey, 2280 Woodale Drive, Mounds View, MN, 55112, USA.
| | - Craig J Brown
- U.S. Geological Survey, 101 Pitkin Street, East Hartford, CT, 06108, USA
| | | | - Joseph D Ayotte
- U.S. Geological Survey, 331 Commerce Way, Pembroke, NH, 03275, USA
| | - John K Böhlke
- U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr, Reston, VA, 20192, USA
| | - Douglas B Kent
- U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Sharon Qi
- U.S. Geological Survey, 601 SW 2nd Ave. Suite 1950, Portland, OR, 97204, USA
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17
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Hefferon R, Goin DE, Sarnat JA, Nigra AE. Regional and racial/ethnic inequalities in public drinking water fluoride concentrations across the US. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 34:68-76. [PMID: 37391608 PMCID: PMC10756931 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00570-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers fluoridation of community water systems (CWSs) to be a major public health achievement responsible for reducing dental disease, recent epidemiologic evidence suggests that chronic exposure to population-relevant levels of fluoride may also be associated with adverse child neurodevelopmental outcomes. To our knowledge, a nationally representative database of CWS fluoride concentration estimates that can be readily linked to US epidemiologic cohorts for further study is not publicly available. Our objectives were to evaluate broad regional and sociodemographic inequalities in CWS fluoride concentrations across the US, and to determine if county-level racial/ethnic composition was associated with county-level CWS fluoride. METHODS We generated CWS-level (N = 32,495) and population weighted county-level (N = 2152) fluoride concentration estimates using over 250,000 routine compliance monitoring records collected from the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Third Six Year Review (2006-2011). We compared CWS-level fluoride distributions across subgroups including region, population size served, and county sociodemographic characteristics. In county-level spatial error models, we also evaluated geometric mean ratios (GMRs) of CWS fluoride per 10% higher proportion of residents belonging to a given racial/ethnic subgroup. RESULTS 4.5% of CWSs (serving >2.9 million residents) reported mean 2006-2011 fluoride concentrations ≥1500 µg/L (the World Health Organization's guideline for drinking water quality). Arithmetic mean, 90th, and 95th percentile contaminant concentrations were greatest in CWSs reliant on groundwater, located in the Southwest and Eastern Midwest, and serving Semi-Urban, Hispanic communities. In fully adjusted spatial error models, the GMR (95% CI) of CWS fluoride per a 10% higher proportion of county residents that were Hispanic/Latino was 1.16 (1.10, 1.23). IMPACT STATEMENT We find that over 2.9 million US residents are served by public water systems with average fluoride concentrations exceeding the World Health Organization's guidance limit. We also find significant inequalities in community water system fluoride concentration estimates (2006-2011) across the US, especially for Hispanic/Latino communities who also experience elevated arsenic and uranium in regulated public drinking water systems. Our fluoride estimates can be leveraged in future epidemiologic studies to assess the potential association between chronic fluoride exposure and related adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Hefferon
- Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dana E Goin
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jeremy A Sarnat
- Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anne E Nigra
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
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18
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Levin R, Villanueva CM, Beene D, Cradock AL, Donat-Vargas C, Lewis J, Martinez-Morata I, Minovi D, Nigra AE, Olson ED, Schaider LA, Ward MH, Deziel NC. US drinking water quality: exposure risk profiles for seven legacy and emerging contaminants. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 34:3-22. [PMID: 37739995 PMCID: PMC10907308 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00597-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in drinking water infrastructure and treatment throughout the 20th and early 21st century dramatically improved water reliability and quality in the United States (US) and other parts of the world. However, numerous chemical contaminants from a range of anthropogenic and natural sources continue to pose chronic health concerns, even in countries with established drinking water regulations, such as the US. OBJECTIVE/METHODS In this review, we summarize exposure risk profiles and health effects for seven legacy and emerging drinking water contaminants or contaminant groups: arsenic, disinfection by-products, fracking-related substances, lead, nitrate, per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and uranium. We begin with an overview of US public water systems, and US and global drinking water regulation. We end with a summary of cross-cutting challenges that burden US drinking water systems: aging and deteriorated water infrastructure, vulnerabilities for children in school and childcare facilities, climate change, disparities in access to safe and reliable drinking water, uneven enforcement of drinking water standards, inadequate health assessments, large numbers of chemicals within a class, a preponderance of small water systems, and issues facing US Indigenous communities. RESULTS Research and data on US drinking water contamination show that exposure profiles, health risks, and water quality reliability issues vary widely across populations, geographically and by contaminant. Factors include water source, local and regional features, aging water infrastructure, industrial or commercial activities, and social determinants. Understanding the risk profiles of different drinking water contaminants is necessary for anticipating local and general problems, ascertaining the state of drinking water resources, and developing mitigation strategies. IMPACT STATEMENT Drinking water contamination is widespread, even in the US. Exposure risk profiles vary by contaminant. Understanding the risk profiles of different drinking water contaminants is necessary for anticipating local and general public health problems, ascertaining the state of drinking water resources, and developing mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronnie Levin
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Cristina M Villanueva
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER epidemiología y salud pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Beene
- Community Environmental Health Program, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- University of New Mexico Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Carolina Donat-Vargas
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER epidemiología y salud pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johnnye Lewis
- Community Environmental Health Program, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Irene Martinez-Morata
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Darya Minovi
- Center for Science and Democracy, Union of Concerned Scientists, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Anne E Nigra
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erik D Olson
- Natural Resources Defense Council, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Mary H Ward
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
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19
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Zuidema S, Liu J, Chepeliev MG, Johnson DR, Baldos ULC, Frolking S, Kucharik CJ, Wollheim WM, Hertel TW. US climate policy yields water quality cobenefits in the Mississippi Basin and Gulf of Mexico. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2302087120. [PMID: 37844248 PMCID: PMC10614783 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302087120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
We utilize a coupled economy-agroecology-hydrology modeling framework to capture the cascading impacts of climate change mitigation policy on agriculture and the resulting water quality cobenefits. We analyze a policy that assigns a range of United States government's social cost of carbon estimates ($51, $76, and $152/ton of CO2-equivalents) to fossil fuel-based CO2 emissions. This policy raises energy costs and, importantly for agriculture, boosts the price of nitrogen fertilizer production. At the highest carbon price, US carbon emissions are reduced by about 50%, and nitrogen fertilizer prices rise by about 90%, leading to an approximate 15% reduction in fertilizer applications for corn production across the Mississippi River Basin. Corn and soybean production declines by about 7%, increasing crop prices by 6%, while nitrate leaching declines by about 10%. Simulated nitrate export to the Gulf of Mexico decreases by 8%, ultimately shrinking the average midsummer area of the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic area by 3% and hypoxic volume by 4%. We also consider the additional benefits of restored wetlands to mitigate nitrogen loading to reduce hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico and find a targeted wetland restoration scenario approximately doubles the effect of a low to moderate social cost of carbon. Wetland restoration alone exhibited spillover effects that increased nitrate leaching in other parts of the basin which were mitigated with the inclusion of the carbon policy. We conclude that a national climate policy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the United States would have important water quality cobenefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Zuidema
- Earth Systems Research Center, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH03824
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN47907
| | - Maksym G. Chepeliev
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN47907
| | - David R. Johnson
- Department of Political Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN47907
- School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN47907
| | - Uris Lantz C. Baldos
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN47907
| | - Steve Frolking
- Earth Systems Research Center, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH03824
| | - Christopher J. Kucharik
- Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI53706
| | - Wilfred M. Wollheim
- Earth Systems Research Center, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH03824
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH03824
| | - Thomas W. Hertel
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN47907
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20
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Robinson AT, Linder BA, Barnett AM, Jeong S, Sanchez SO, Nichols OI, McIntosh MC, Hutchison ZJ, Tharpe MA, Watso JC, Gutiérrez OM, Fuller-Rowell TE. Cross-sectional analysis of racial differences in hydration and neighborhood deprivation in young adults. Am J Clin Nutr 2023; 118:822-833. [PMID: 37619651 PMCID: PMC10579046 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inadequate hydration is associated with cardiovascular and kidney disease morbidity and all-cause mortality. Compared with White individuals, Black individuals exhibit a higher prevalence of inadequate hydration, which may contribute to racial health disparities. However, the underlying reasons for these differences in hydration remain unclear. OBJECTIVE This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate whether neighborhood deprivation contributes to racial differences in hydration status. METHODS We assessed 24 Black and 30 White college students, measuring 24-hour urine osmolality, urine flow rate, urine specific gravity, and plasma copeptin concentration. Participants recorded their food and fluid intake for 3 d to assess total water intake from food and beverages. Neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation was measured using a tract-level Area Deprivation Index. RESULTS Black participants exhibited higher urine osmolality (640 [314] compared with 440 [283] mOsm/kg H2O, respectively, P = 0.006) and lower urine flow rate (1.06 [0.65] compared with 1.71 [0.89] ml/min, respectively, P = 0.009) compared with White participants, indicating greater hypohydration among Black participants. Black participants reported lower total water intake from food and beverages than White participants (2.3 ± 0.7 compared with 3.5 ± 1.1 L/day, respectively, P < 0.01). Black participants exhibited higher copeptin than White participants (6.3 [3.1] compared with 4.5 [2.3] pmol/L, P = 0.046), and urine osmolality mediated 67% of the difference (P = 0.027). Black participants reported greater cumulative exposure to neighborhood deprivation during childhood (ages 0-18 y). Furthermore, neighborhood deprivation during childhood was associated with urine specific gravity (P = 0.031) and total water intake from food and beverages (P = 0.042) but did not mediate the racial differences in these measures. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that compared with White young adults, Black young adults are hypohydrated and exhibit higher plasma copeptin concentration, and that greater neighborhood deprivation is associated with chronic underhydration irrespective of race. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04576338.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin T Robinson
- Neurovascular Physiology Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.
| | - Braxton A Linder
- Neurovascular Physiology Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Alex M Barnett
- Neurovascular Physiology Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Soolim Jeong
- Neurovascular Physiology Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Sofia O Sanchez
- Neurovascular Physiology Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Olivia I Nichols
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Mason C McIntosh
- Neurovascular Physiology Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Zach J Hutchison
- Neurovascular Physiology Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - McKenna A Tharpe
- Neurovascular Physiology Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Joseph C Watso
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Orlando M Gutiérrez
- Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Thomas E Fuller-Rowell
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
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21
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Clemmensen PJ, Schullehner J, Brix N, Sigsgaard T, Stayner LT, Kolstad HA, Ramlau-Hansen CH. Prenatal Exposure to Nitrate in Drinking Water and Adverse Health Outcomes in the Offspring: a Review of Current Epidemiological Research. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:250-263. [PMID: 37453984 PMCID: PMC10504112 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00404-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recently, several epidemiological studies have investigated whether prenatal exposure to nitrate from drinking water may be harmful to the fetus, even at nitrate levels below the current World Health Organization drinking water standard. The purpose of this review was to give an overview of the newest knowledge on potential health effects of prenatal exposure to nitrate. RECENT FINDINGS We included 13 epidemiological studies conducted since 2017. Nine studies investigated outcomes appearing around birth, and four studies investigated health outcomes appearing in childhood and young adulthood. The reviewed studies showed some indications of higher risk of preterm delivery, lower birth weight, birth defects, and childhood cancer related to prenatal exposure to nitrate. However, the numbers of studies for each outcome were sparse, and some of the results were conflicting. We suggest that there is a need for additional studies and particularly for studies that include information on water consumption patterns, intake of nitrate from diet, and intake of nitrosatable drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jörg Schullehner
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nis Brix
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Torben Sigsgaard
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Cirrau - Centre for Integrated Register-based Research at Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Leslie Thomas Stayner
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Henrik Albert Kolstad
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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22
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Lee D, Gibson JM, Brown J, Habtewold J, Murphy HM. Burden of disease from contaminated drinking water in countries with high access to safely managed water: A systematic review. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 242:120244. [PMID: 37390656 PMCID: PMC11260345 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
The vast majority of residents of high-income countries (≥90%) reportedly have high access to safely managed drinking water. Owing perhaps to the widely held perception of near universal access to high-quality water services in these countries, the burden of waterborne disease in these contexts is understudied. This systematic review aimed to: identify population-scale estimates of waterborne disease in countries with high access to safely managed drinking water, compare methods to quantify disease burden, and identify gaps in available burden estimates. We conducted a systematic review of population-scale disease burden estimates attributed to drinking water in countries where ≥90% of the population has access to safely managed drinking water per official United Nations monitoring. We identified 24 studies reporting estimates for disease burden attributable to microbial contaminants. Across these studies, the median burden of gastrointestinal illness risks attributed to drinking water was ∼2,720 annual cases per 100,000 population. Beyond exposure to infectious agents, we identified 10 studies reporting disease burden-predominantly, cancer risks-associated with chemical contaminants. Across these studies, the median excess cancer cases attributable to drinking water was 1.2 annual cancer cases per 100,000 population. These median estimates slightly exceed WHO-recommended normative targets for disease burden attributable to drinking water and these results highlight that there remains important preventable disease burden in these contexts, particularly among marginalized populations. However, the available literature was scant and limited in geographic scope, disease outcomes, range of microbial and chemical contaminants, and inclusion of subpopulations (rural, low-income communities; Indigenous or Aboriginal peoples; and populations marginalized due to discrimination by race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status) that could most benefit from water infrastructure investments. Studies quantifying drinking water-associated disease burden in countries with reportedly high access to safe drinking water, focusing on specific subpopulations lacking access to safe water supplies and promoting environmental justice, are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie Lee
- Water, Health and Applied Microbiology (WHAM) Lab, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Joe Brown
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jemaneh Habtewold
- Water, Health and Applied Microbiology (WHAM) Lab, Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, United States
| | - Heather M Murphy
- Water, Health and Applied Microbiology (WHAM) Lab, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Water, Health and Applied Microbiology (WHAM) Lab, Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, United States.
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23
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Aiken M, Ying SC. Small Community Water Systems Have the Highest Prevalence of Mn in Drinking Water in California, USA. ACS ES&T WATER 2023; 3:2168-2178. [PMID: 37588804 PMCID: PMC10425977 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.3c00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Manganese (Mn) is currently regulated as a secondary contaminant in California, USA; however, recent revisions of the World Health Organization drinking water guidelines have increased regulatory attention of Mn in drinking water due to increasing reports of neurotoxic effects in infants and children. In this study, Mn concentrations reported to California's Safe Drinking Water Information System were used to estimate the potentially exposed population within California based on system size. We estimate that between 2011 and 2021, over 525,000 users in areas with reported Mn data are potentially exposed to Mn concentrations exceeding the WHO health-based guideline (80 μg L-1), and over 34,000 users are potentially exposed to Mn concentrations exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency health-advisory limit (300 μg L-1). Water treatment significantly decreased Mn concentrations compared to intake concentrations for all system sizes. However, smaller water systems have a wider range and a higher skew of Mn concentrations in finished water than larger systems. Additionally, higher Mn concentrations were found in systems above the maximum contaminant levels for chromium and arsenic. The treatment of these primary contaminants appears to also remove Mn. Lastly, data missingness remains a barrier to accurately assess public exposure to Mn in very small, small, and medium community water system-delivered water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda
L. Aiken
- School
of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Schmid College of Science and
Technology, Chapman University, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Samantha C. Ying
- Schmid
College of Science and Technology, Chapman
University, Orange, California 92866, United States
- Environmental
Sciences Department, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
- Planetary
Health Center, University of California
Global Health Institute, San Francisco, California, 94158, United States
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24
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Nigra AE, Lieberman-Cribbin W, Bostick BC, Chillrud SN, Carrión D. Geospatial Assessment of Racial/Ethnic Composition, Social Vulnerability, and Lead Water Service Lines in New York City. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:87015. [PMID: 37646509 PMCID: PMC10467360 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The state of New York expects to receive $ 115 million in 2022 alone from the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to support the replacement of lead water service lines. OBJECTIVES Our objective was to determine the number and proportion of potential lead water service lines across New York City (NYC) and to evaluate the association between census tract-level racial/ethnic composition, housing vulnerability, and child lead exposure vulnerability with service line type (Potential Lead, Unknown) for n = 2,083 NYC tracts. METHODS We conducted a descriptive analysis assessing water service line material recorded in the NYC Department of Environmental Protection's Lead Service Line Location Coordinates database. We used conditional autoregressive Bayesian Poisson models to assess the relative risk [RR; median posterior estimates, and 95% credible interval (CrI)] of service line type per 20% higher proportion of residents in a given racial/ethnic group and per higher housing vulnerability and child lead exposure vulnerability index scores corresponding to the interquartile range. We also evaluated the associations in flexible natural cubic spline models. RESULTS Out of 854,672 residential service line records, 136,891 (16.0%) were Potential Lead, and 227,443 (26.6%) were Unknown. In fully adjusted models, higher proportions of Hispanic/Latino residents and higher child lead exposure vulnerability were associated with Potential Lead service lines in flexible spline models and linear models [RR = 1.15 (95% CrI: 1.11, 1.21) and RR = 1.11 (95% CrI: 1.02, 1.20), respectively]. Associations were modified by borough; Potential Lead service lines were associated with higher proportions of non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Asian residents in the Bronx and Manhattan, and with higher proportions of non-Hispanic Black residents in Queens. DISCUSSION NYC has a high number of Potential Lead and Unknown water service lines. Communities with a high proportion of Hispanic/Latino residents and those with children who are already highly vulnerable to lead exposures from numerous sources are disproportionately impacted by Potential Lead service lines. These findings can inform equitable service line replacement across New York state and NYC. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12276.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E. Nigra
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Wil Lieberman-Cribbin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Benjamín C. Bostick
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York, USA
| | - Steven N. Chillrud
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York, USA
| | - Daniel Carrión
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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25
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Martenies SE, Zhang M, Corrigan AE, Kvit A, Shields T, Wheaton W, Around Him D, Aschner J, Talavera-Barber MM, Barrett ES, Bastain TM, Bendixsen C, Breton CV, Bush NR, Cacho F, Camargo CA, Carroll KN, Carter BS, Cassidy-Bushrow AE, Cowell W, Croen LA, Dabelea D, Duarte CS, Dunlop AL, Everson TM, Habre R, Hartert TV, Helderman JB, Hipwell AE, Karagas MR, Lester BM, LeWinn KZ, Magzamen S, Morello-Frosch R, O’Connor TG, Padula AM, Petriello M, Sathyanarayana S, Stanford JB, Woodruff TJ, Wright RJ, Kress AM. Developing a National-Scale Exposure Index for Combined Environmental Hazards and Social Stressors and Applications to the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6339. [PMID: 37510572 PMCID: PMC10379099 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20146339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Tools for assessing multiple exposures across several domains (e.g., physical, chemical, and social) are of growing importance in social and environmental epidemiology because of their value in uncovering disparities and their impact on health outcomes. Here we describe work done within the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO)-wide Cohort Study to build a combined exposure index. Our index considered both environmental hazards and social stressors simultaneously with national coverage for a 10-year period. Our goal was to build this index and demonstrate its utility for assessing differences in exposure for pregnancies enrolled in the ECHO-wide Cohort Study. Our unitless combined exposure index, which collapses census-tract level data into a single relative measure of exposure ranging from 0-1 (where higher values indicate higher exposure to hazards), includes indicators for major air pollutants and air toxics, features of the built environment, traffic exposures, and social determinants of health (e.g., lower educational attainment) drawn from existing data sources. We observed temporal and geographic variations in index values, with exposures being highest among participants living in the West and Northeast regions. Pregnant people who identified as Black or Hispanic (of any race) were at higher risk of living in a "high" exposure census tract (defined as an index value above 0.5) relative to those who identified as White or non-Hispanic. Index values were also higher for pregnant people with lower educational attainment. Several recommendations follow from our work, including that environmental and social stressor datasets with higher spatial and temporal resolutions are needed to ensure index-based tools fully capture the total environmental context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena E. Martenies
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Mingyu Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Anne E. Corrigan
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Anton Kvit
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Timothy Shields
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - William Wheaton
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | | | - Judy Aschner
- Department of Pediatrics, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | | | - Emily S. Barrett
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Theresa M. Bastain
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | | | - Carrie V. Breton
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Nicole R. Bush
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Ferdinand Cacho
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Carlos A. Camargo
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Kecia N. Carroll
- Department of Pediatrics, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Brian S. Carter
- Department of Pediatrics-Neonatology, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | | | - Whitney Cowell
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Lisa A. Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA 94612, USA;
| | - Dana Dabelea
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Cristiane S. Duarte
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Anne L. Dunlop
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Todd M. Everson
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Rima Habre
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Tina V. Hartert
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
| | - Jennifer B. Helderman
- Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Alison E. Hipwell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Barry M. Lester
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Kaja Z. LeWinn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Sheryl Magzamen
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Rachel Morello-Frosch
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management and School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Thomas G. O’Connor
- Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, Neuroscience, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 41642, USA
| | - Amy M. Padula
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Michael Petriello
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Joseph B. Stanford
- Department of Pediatrics, Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Tracey J. Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Rosalind J. Wright
- Department of Pediatrics, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Amii M. Kress
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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26
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Sohns A. Differential exposure to drinking water contaminants in North Carolina: Evidence from structural topic modeling and water quality data. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 336:117600. [PMID: 36967693 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
To better understand water security of communities in North Carolina, this research uses structural topic modeling (STM) and geographic mapping to identify the main topics and pollutant categories being researched and the areas exposed to drinking water contaminants. The textual data derived from the journal article abstracts that examined water pollution in North Carolina is from 1964 to present. The STM analysis of textual data is paired with socio-demographic data from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates and water pollution data from North Carolina state agencies. The STM findings show that the most discussed topics relate to runoff management, wastewater from concentrated agricultural feeding operations, emerging contaminants, land development, and health impacts as a result of water contamination. The article discusses how the topics especially threaten groundwater resources used by community water systems and private wells. Those communities served by private wells are predominantly low-income and minority populations. As a result, threats to groundwater supplies exacerbate existing issues of environmental justice in North Carolina, especially in the Coastal Plains Region. The STM findings revealed that several key threats to safe drinking water are less covered by academic literature, such as poultry concentrated agricultural feeding operations and climate impacts, which may increase disparities in water access in North Carolina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Sohns
- The Roux Institute, Northeastern University 100 Fore St. Portland, ME USA 04101.
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27
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Liddie JM, Schaider LA, Sunderland EM. Sociodemographic Factors Are Associated with the Abundance of PFAS Sources and Detection in U.S. Community Water Systems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:7902-7912. [PMID: 37184106 PMCID: PMC10233791 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Drinking water contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a widespread public health concern, and exposure-response relationships are known to vary across sociodemographic groups. However, research on disparities in drinking water PFAS exposures and the siting of PFAS sources in marginalized communities is limited. Here, we use monitoring data from 7873 U.S. community water systems (CWS) in 18 states to show that PFAS detection is positively associated with the number of PFAS sources and proportions of people of color who are served by these water systems. Each additional industrial facility, military fire training area, and airport in a CWS watershed was associated with a 10-108% increase in perfluorooctanoic acid and a 20-34% increase in perfluorooctane sulfonic acid in drinking water. Waste sector sources were also significantly associated with drinking water PFAS concentrations. CWS watersheds with PFAS sources served higher proportions of Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic Black residents compared to those without PFAS sources. CWS serving higher proportions of Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic Black residents had significantly increased odds of detecting several PFAS. This likely reflects disparities in the siting of PFAS contamination sources. Results of this work suggest that addressing environmental justice concerns should be a component of risk mitigation planning for areas affected by drinking water PFAS contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jahred M. Liddie
- Department
of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan
School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | | | - Elsie M. Sunderland
- Department
of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan
School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
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28
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Larsen K, Rydz E, Peters CE. Inequalities in Environmental Cancer Risk and Carcinogen Exposures: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20095718. [PMID: 37174236 PMCID: PMC10178444 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Background: Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada and a major cause of death worldwide. Environmental exposure to carcinogens and environments that may relate to health behaviors are important to examine as they can be modified to lower cancer risks. Built environments include aspects such as transit infrastructure, greenspace, food and tobacco environments, or land use, which may impact how people move, exercise, eat, and live. While environments may play a role in overall cancer risk, exposure to carcinogens or healthier environments is not equitably spread across space. Exposures to carcinogens commonly concentrate among socially and/or economically disadvantaged populations. While many studies have examined inequalities in exposure or cancer risk, this has commonly been for one exposure. Methods: This scoping review collected and synthesized research that examines inequities in carcinogenic environments and exposures. Results: This scoping review found that neighborhoods with higher proportions of low-income residents, racialized people, or same-sex couples had higher exposures to carcinogens and environments that may influence cancer risk. There are currently four main themes in research studying inequitable exposures: air pollution and hazardous substances, tobacco access, food access, and other aspects of the built environment, with most research still focusing on air pollution. Conclusions: More work is needed to understand how exposures to these four areas intersect with other factors to reduce inequities in exposures to support longer-term goals toward cancer prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Larsen
- Health Canada, Office of Environmental Health, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Environmental and Radiation Health Science Directorate, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
- CAREX Canada, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, Canada
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Ela Rydz
- CAREX Canada, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Cheryl E Peters
- CAREX Canada, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Prevention, Screening and Hereditary Cancer, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6, Canada
- Population and Public Health, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada
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29
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Jensen AS, Coffman VR, Schullehner J, Trabjerg BB, Pedersen CB, Hansen B, Olsen J, Pedersen M, Stayner LT, Sigsgaard T. Prenatal exposure to tap water containing nitrate and the risk of small-for-gestational-age: A nationwide register-based study of Danish births, 1991-2015. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 174:107883. [PMID: 37001213 PMCID: PMC10172763 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal nitrate exposure from household tap water has been associated with increased risk of fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, birth defects, and childhood cancer. We aim to examine the association between maternal consumption of drinking-water nitrate during pregnancy and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) in a nationwide study of Danish-born children, as only one prior study has examined this association. METHODS We linked individual-level household estimates of nitrate in tap water and birth registry data to all live singleton Danish births during 1991-2015 from Danish-born parents where the mother resided in Denmark throughout the pregnancy. Exposure was both binned into four categories and modeled as an ln-transformed continuous variable. SGA was defined as the bottom 10% of births by birth weight per sex and gestational week. Multiple logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations were used to account for siblings born to the same mother while controlling for relevant confounders. RESULTS In the cohort of 1,078,892 births, the median pregnancy nitrate exposure was 1.9 mg/L nitrate. Compared to the reference group (≤2 mg/L), we found an increased risk of SGA in the second category (>2-5 mg/L) (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.03-1.06) and third category (>5-25 mg/L) (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.04) but not in the highest (>25 mg/L). There was strong (p = 0.002) evidence of an increase in SGA with nitrate in the model with continuous exposure (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04 per 10-fold increase in nitrate). Results were robust when restricting to households with nitrate levels at or below the current Danish and European Union regulatory drinking water standard (50 mg/L nitrate). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that exposure from nitrate in household tap water, even below current regulatory standards, may increase risk of SGA, raising concerns of whether current allowable nitrate levels in drinking water protect children from SGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Søndergaard Jensen
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research (CIRRAU), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Vanessa R Coffman
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jörg Schullehner
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Groundwater and Quaternary Geology Mapping, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Betina B Trabjerg
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research (CIRRAU), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; National Centre for Register-Based Research (NCRR), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Carsten B Pedersen
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research (CIRRAU), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; National Centre for Register-Based Research (NCRR), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Hansen
- Department of Groundwater and Quaternary Geology Mapping, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jørn Olsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marie Pedersen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Leslie T Stayner
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Torben Sigsgaard
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research (CIRRAU), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Rissing A, Burchfield EK, Spangler KA, Schumacher BL. Implications of US agricultural data practices for sustainable food systems research. NATURE FOOD 2023; 4:213-217. [PMID: 37118270 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-023-00711-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Using the tenets of data feminism, we analyse the National Agricultural Statistics Service Quick Stats database - the primary repository of United States agricultural data. We identify unstated assumptions built into the database's scaffolding through data collection, aggregation and dissemination practices, revealing how they facilitate granular analyses of agricultural topics historically judged as national priorities while leaving unilluminated many others of vital importance for contemporary sustainability needs. We argue that this entrenches an inequitable and unsustainable food systems status quo, and we offer recommendations for data providers and users based on principles of reflexivity, context and pluralism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rissing
- School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
| | - Emily K Burchfield
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kaitlyn A Spangler
- Department of Geography, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Britta L Schumacher
- Department of Plants, Soils and Climate and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
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Smith E, Krometis LAH, Czuba JA, Kolivras K. Land cover and community water system characteristics as predictors of Safe Drinking Water Act violations in Central Appalachia, USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159726. [PMID: 36302432 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Upstream anthropogenic land cover can degrade source drinking water quality and thereby inhibit the ability of a community water system to provide safe drinking water. This study aimed to predict differences in Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) compliance between water systems based on upstream land cover in Central Appalachia and to examine whether national trends correlating violations with system size and source type were relevant for this region. Multiple generalized linear mixed models assessed relationships between SDWA violations and the distance weighted land cover proportions associated with the water system's contributing source watershed, as well as county economic status, system size, and water source. Results indicate that rates of monitoring and reporting violations were significantly higher for smaller water systems in more economically distressed counties. Interestingly, increases in surface mining landuse and high density development decreased monitoring and reporting violations, which may reflect impacts of associated economic development. Increases in low intensity development increased the likelihood of health-based violations. To protect public health, community managers should consider source water protection and/or upgrading drinking water system treatment capacity prior to developing previously undeveloped areas and further motivate compliance with monitoring and reporting requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Smith
- Capital Planning, San Jose Water District, 1265 South Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128, USA.
| | - Leigh-Anne H Krometis
- Biological Systems Engineering, 155 Ag Quad Lane, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0303, USA.
| | - Jonathan A Czuba
- Biological Systems Engineering, 155 Ag Quad Lane, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0303, USA.
| | - Korine Kolivras
- Geography, 238 Wallace Hall, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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Van Horne YO, Alcala CS, Peltier RE, Quintana PJE, Seto E, Gonzales M, Johnston JE, Montoya LD, Quirós-Alcalá L, Beamer PI. An applied environmental justice framework for exposure science. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:1-11. [PMID: 35260805 PMCID: PMC8902490 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-022-00422-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
On the 30th anniversary of the Principles of Environmental Justice established at the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit in 1991 (Principles of Environmental Justice), we continue to call for these principles to be more widely adopted. We propose an environmental justice framework for exposure science to be implemented by all researchers. This framework should be the standard and not an afterthought or trend dismissed by those who believe that science should not be politicized. Most notably, this framework should be centered on the community it seeks to serve. Researchers should meet with community members and stakeholders to learn more about the community, involve them in the research process, collectively determine the environmental exposure issues of highest concern for the community, and develop sustainable interventions and implementation strategies to address them. Incorporating community "funds of knowledge" will also inform the study design by incorporating the knowledge about the issue that community members have based on their lived experiences. Institutional and funding agency funds should also be directed to supporting community needs both during the "active" research phase and at the conclusion of the research, such as mechanisms for dissemination, capacity building, and engagement with policymakers. This multidirectional framework for exposure science will increase the sustainability of the research and its impact for long-term success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA.
| | - Cecilia S Alcala
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 17 East 102 Street, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Richard E Peltier
- School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 686 North Pleasant Street, Room 175, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Penelope J E Quintana
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Edmund Seto
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Roosevelt One Building, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Melissa Gonzales
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, MSC10 5550 Epidemiology, Albuquerque, NM, 87111, USA
| | - Jill E Johnston
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA
| | | | - Lesliam Quirós-Alcalá
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Paloma I Beamer
- Department of Community, Environment and Policy, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295N. Martin Ave., Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
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Choe SA, Lee SM, Han YJ, Kim MH, Shim JY, Lee MY, Oh SY, Lee JH, Kim SH, Cha DH, Cho GJ, Kwon HS, Kim BJ, Park MH, Cho HY, Ko HS, Lim JH, Ryu HM. Chromosomal Abnormality, fetal/neonatal Death and Socioeconomic Status: A Prospective Cohort Study. Matern Child Health J 2023; 27:111-116. [PMID: 36352289 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-022-03542-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the risk gradient of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal or neonatal death across a socioeconomic spectrum of pregnant women. METHODS We used the data from the Korean Prenatal Diagnosis Study (KPDS), which included singleton pregnancies who were candidates for fetal aneuploidy screening enrolled from the Seoul Capital Area from December 2016 to April 2018. We analyzed chromosomal abnormalities which were diagnosed pre- or postnatally, and fetal or neonatal death. The highest level of education among the women and the average monthly household income were used as proxies for socioeconomic status. RESULTS Among the 6,715 women, the majority of were 30-39 years old and university graduates, with a reported household income higher than the national median. Chromosomal abnormalities occurred in 45 women (6.7 per 1,000). Fetal or neonatal death occurred in 70 (11.3 per 1,000), excluding pregnancies affected by chromosomal abnormality diagnosis. The adjusted odds ratio for chromosomal abnormalities was higher when household income was < 4,484 USD per month. For fetal or neonatal death, the risk estimates for lower education and lower household income were generally positive but remained imprecise. CONCLUSION We observed some evidence of an inverse association between the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormality and level of household income in a prospective cohort of pregnant women. Interventions to reduce socioeconomic disparities in perinatal health should focus on those with a low household income.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Ah Choe
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Mi Lee
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - You Jung Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Hyoung Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MizMedi Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Yoon Shim
- Mirae & Heemang Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Young Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soo-Young Oh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joon Ho Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soo Hyun Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Hyun Cha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Geum Joon Cho
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Sung Kwon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Byoung Jae Kim
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mi Hye Park
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hee Young Cho
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Sun Ko
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Hyae Lim
- Center for Prenatal Biomarker Research, CHA Advanced Research Institute, CHA Bundang Medical Center, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Mee Ryu
- Center for Prenatal Biomarker Research, CHA Advanced Research Institute, CHA Bundang Medical Center, Seongnam, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
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34
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Nationwide geospatial analysis of county racial and ethnic composition and public drinking water arsenic and uranium. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7461. [PMID: 36460659 PMCID: PMC9718774 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35185-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
There is no safe level of exposure to inorganic arsenic or uranium, yet recent studies identified sociodemographic and regional inequalities in concentrations of these frequently detected contaminants in public water systems across the US. We analyze the county-level association between racial/ethnic composition and public water arsenic and uranium concentrations from 2000-2011 using geospatial models. We find that higher proportions of Hispanic/Latino and American Indian/Alaskan Native residents are associated with significantly higher arsenic and uranium concentrations. These associations differ in magnitude and direction across regions; higher proportions of non-Hispanic Black residents are associated with higher arsenic and uranium in regions where concentrations of these contaminants are high. The findings from this nationwide geospatial analysis identifying racial/ethnic inequalities in arsenic and uranium concentrations in public drinking water across the US can advance environmental justice initiatives by informing regulatory action and financial and technical support to protect communities of color.
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35
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Zhao M, Hamadi HY, Haley DR, Xu J, Tafili A, Spaulding AC. COVID-19 Deaths and the Impact of Health Disparities, Hospital Characteristics, Community, Social Distancing, and Health System Competition. Popul Health Manag 2022; 25:807-813. [PMID: 36576382 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2022.0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The United States has one of the highest cumulative mortalities of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has reached 1 million deaths as of May 19th, 2022. Understanding which community and hospital factors contributed to disparities in COVID-19 mortality is important to inform public health strategies. This study aimed to explore the potential relationship between hospital service area (1) community (ie, health professional shortage areas, market competition, and uninsured percentage) and (2) hospital (ie, teaching, system, and ownership status) characteristics (2013-2018) on publicly available COVD-19 (February to October 2020) mortality data. The study included 2514 health service areas and used multilevel mixed-effects linear model to account for the multilevel data structure. The outcome measure was the number of COVID-19 deaths. This study found that public health, as opposed to acute care provision, was associated with community health and, ultimately, COVID-19 mortality. The study found that population characteristics including more uninsured greater proportion of those over 65 years, more diverse populations, and larger populations were all associated with a higher rate of death. In addition, communities with fewer hospitals were associated with a lower rate of death. When considering region in the United States, the west region showed a higher rate of death than all other regions. The association between some community characteristics and higher COVID-19 deaths demonstrated that access to health care, either for COVID-19 infection or worse health from higher disease burden, is strongly associated with COVID-19 deaths. Thus, to be better prepared for potential future pandemics, a greater emphasis on public health infrastructure is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Zhao
- Department of Health Administration, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Hanadi Y Hamadi
- Department of Health Administration, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - D Rob Haley
- Department of Health Administration, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Health Administration, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Aurora Tafili
- Department of Health Services Administration, School of Health Professions, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Aaron C Spaulding
- Division of Health Care Delivery Research, Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Liu Y, Xi Y, Xie T, Liu H, Su Z, Huang Y, Xu W, Wang D, Zhang C, Li X. Enhanced removal of diclofenac via coupling Pd catalytic and microbial processes in a H 2-based membrane biofilm reactor: Performance, mechanism and biofilm microbial ecology. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 307:135597. [PMID: 35817179 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Diclofenac (DCF) is a most widely used anti-inflammatory drug, which has attracted worldwide attention given its low biodegradability and ecological damage, especially toxic effects on mammals including humans. In this study, a H2-based membrane biofilm reactor (H2-MBfR) was constructed with well-dispersed Pd nanoparticles generated in situ. The Pd-MBfR was applied for catalytic reductive dechlorination of DCF. In batch tests, DCF concentration had significantly effect on the rate and extent DCF removal, and NO3- had negative impact on DCF reductive dechlorination. Over 67% removal of 0.5 mg/L DCF and 99% removal of 10 mg/L NO3--N were achieved in 90 min, and the highest removal of 97% was obtained at 0.5 mg/L DCF in the absence of NO3-. Over 78 days of continuous operation, the highest steady-state removal flux of DCF was 0.0097 g/m2/d. LC-MS analysis indicated that the major product was 2-anilinephenylacetic acid (APA). Dechlorination was the main removal process of DCF mainly owing to the catalytic reduction by PdNPs, microbial reduction, and the synergistic reduction of microbial and PdNPs catalysis using direct delivery of H2. Moreover, DCF reductive Dechlorination shifted the microbial community in the biofilms and Sporomusa was responsible for DCF degradation. In summary, this work expands a remarkable feasibility of sustainable catalytic removal of DCF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfen Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Yanni Xi
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Tanghuan Xie
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Huinian Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Zhu Su
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Yicai Huang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Weihua Xu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Dongbo Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Chang Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China.
| | - Xin Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China.
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Qin J, Liu N, Wei Y, Lu Y, Huang Y, Zhao Q, Ye Z. The mechanism of efficient photoreduction nitrate over anatase TiO 2 in simulated sunlight. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 307:135921. [PMID: 35932913 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Revealing the activation mechanism of nitrate (NO3-) reduction is crucially important to design high-efficiency photocatalysts for NO3- removal. In this work, the performance of photoreduction NO3- has been thoroughly studied over different crystalline phases TiO2. Photodegradation rate of NO3- over anatase TiO2 is found to be higher than that of rutile TiO2 at simulated sunlight, which can achieve high NO3- conversion of 94% and 100% nitrogen selectivity (original concentration of 50 mg/L NO3--N) at reaction time of 4 h. With the aid of in situ Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the possible reaction paths of photoreduction NO3- over anatase TiO2 was verified from theory and practice sides. NO3- was adsorbed on surface Ti site to form bridging nitrate (M - O)2NO model. Then, monodentate nitrite (M-O-N-O) model was the dominant intermediate in the reduction process of NO3-. This study presents a new opinion of photoreduction NO3- reaction paths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangzhou Qin
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Peking University, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Nengsheng Liu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Peking University, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yi Wei
- China State Construction Engineering Corporation Aecom Consultant Co., Ltd., Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yanyu Lu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Peking University, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yiping Huang
- Bureau of Soil and Water Conservation, Qin'an, Gansu, 741600, China
| | - Quanlin Zhao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Peking University, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Zhengfang Ye
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Peking University, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100871, China.
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Noh Y, Shannahan JH, Hoover AG, Pennell KG, Weir MH, Whelton AJ. Bystander chemical exposures and injuries associated with nearby plastic sewer pipe manufacture: public health practice and lessons. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2022; 85:22-31. [PMID: 37736399 PMCID: PMC10512871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Cured-in-place pipes (CIPPs) are plastic liners manufactured inside existing damaged sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and water pipes that extend the service life of host pipes. This process often is conducted in neighborhoods and near roadways. Before, during, and after plastic manufacture, waste materials that include volatile materials are released into the air. Emissions from this manufacturing process can affect outdoor air quality and indoor air quality for buildings connected to the sewer system. We identified key issues and solicited stakeholder feedback to estimate and manage public health risks of CIPP-generated chemical air pollution. A work group representing 13 U.S. agencies and public health associations provided feedback and prioritized public health issues for action. To mitigate potential public and occupational health risks, additional testing and public health educational efforts were recommended. An improved understanding of CIPP chemical exposure pathways, as well as stakeholder needs and interests, is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoorae Noh
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University
| | | | - Anna G. Hoover
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky University of Kentucky Superfund Research Center
| | - Kelly G. Pennell
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Kentucky University of Kentucky Superfund Research Center
| | - Mark H. Weir
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University Sustainability Institute, The Ohio State University
| | - Andrew J. Whelton
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Division of Ecological and Environmental Engineering, Purdue University
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Beauvais J, Nibbelink NP, Byers JE. Differential equity in access to public and private coastal infrastructure in the Southeastern United States. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022:e2770. [PMID: 36271664 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite the ubiquity of coastal infrastructure, it is unclear what factors drive its placement, particularly for water access infrastructure (WAI) that facilitates entry to coastal ecosystems such as docks, piers, and boat landings. The placement of WAI has both ecological and social dimensions, and certain segments of coastal populations may have differential access to water. In this study, we used an environmental justice framework to assess how public and private WAI in South Carolina, USA are distributed with respect to race and income. Using publicly available data from State agencies and the US Census Bureau, we mapped the distribution of these structures across the 301 km of the South Carolina coast. Using spatially explicit analyses with high resolution, we found that census block groups (CBGs) with lower income are more likely to contain public WAI, but racial composition has no effect. Private docks showed the opposite trends, as the abundance of docks is significantly, positively correlated with CBGs that have greater percentages of White residents, while income has no effect. We contend that the racially unequal distribution of docks is likely a consequence of the legacy of Black land loss, especially of waterfront property, throughout the coastal southeast during the past half-century. Knowledge of racially uneven distribution of WAI can guide public policy to rectify this imbalance and support advocacy organizations working to promote public water access. Our work also points to the importance of considering race in ecological research, as the spatial distribution of coastal infrastructure directly affects ecosystems through the structures themselves and regulates which groups access water and what activities they can engage in at those sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Beauvais
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Nathan P Nibbelink
- Center for Integrative Conservation Research, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - James E Byers
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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40
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Vance-Chalcraft HD, Jelks NO. Community-engaged learning to broaden the impact of applied ecology: A case study. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022:e2768. [PMID: 36271610 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ecological changes are creating disruptions that often disproportionately impact communities of color and economically disadvantaged areas. Scientists who study the consequences experienced by these communities are uniquely suited to bring the public into their work as a way of setting conditions that enable impacted residents to empower themselves to advance environmental and community change. In addition to involving community stakeholders in the process of science, community science can be used to motivate learning and increase engagement of students. Here we highlight a case study of one way a historically Black college involved local communities and students in water quality monitoring efforts to examine the role of the environment in human health. Students in an introductory-level environmental toxicology course collaborated with community members to track pollution and monitor conditions in an urban, impaired stream. Students participated in bi-monthly water quality monitoring alongside community watershed researchers and an annual day-long multisite sampling event with community residents and organizations. Through this engagement, students and community members contributed to the collection of data, learned about the significance of their results, and translated findings into strategies to advance watershed restoration, health, quality of life, and environmental justice goals.
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Rempel J, Ray I, Hessl E, Vazin J, Zhou Z, Kim S, Zhang X, Ding C, He Z, Pellow D, Cohen A. The Human Right to Water: A 20-Year Comparative Analysis of Arsenic in Rural and Carceral Drinking Water Systems in California. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:97701. [PMID: 36129293 PMCID: PMC9491218 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Rempel
- Energy and Resources Group, Rausser College of Natural Resources, University of California (UC)–Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Isha Ray
- Energy and Resources Group, Rausser College of Natural Resources, University of California (UC)–Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Ethan Hessl
- Molecular Environmental Biology, Rausser College of Natural Resources, UC-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Jasmine Vazin
- Global Environmental Justice Project, UC-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Zehui Zhou
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, College of Engineering, UC-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Shin Kim
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, College of Engineering, UC-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, College of Engineering, UC-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Chiyu Ding
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, College of Engineering, UC-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Ziyi He
- Statistics, College of Letters and Science, UC-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - David Pellow
- Environmental Studies Program, UC-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Alasdair Cohen
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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Prenatal exposure to nitrate from drinking water and the risk of preterm birth. Environ Epidemiol 2022; 6:e223. [PMID: 36249267 PMCID: PMC9556052 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence is emerging that preterm birth (PTB, birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation), a risk factor for neonatal mortality and future morbidity, may be induced by maternal nitrate (NO3−) exposure from drinking water. The objective of this study is to assess the association between maternal exposure to nitrate and the risk of PTB in a nationwide study of liveborn singletons.
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Schwetschenau SE, Schubert A, Smith RJ, Guikema S, Love NG, McElmurry SP. Improved Decision-Making: A Sociotechnical Utility-Based Framework for Drinking Water Investment. ACS ES&T ENGINEERING 2022; 2:1475-1490. [PMID: 35991121 PMCID: PMC9380853 DOI: 10.1021/acsestengg.2c00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
To achieve the goals of the Safe Drinking Water Act, state and local water authorities need to make decisions about where to direct limited funding for infrastructure improvements and currently do so in the absence of adequate evaluative metrics. We developed a framework grounded in utility theory that compares trade-offs explicitly and broadens the factors considered in prioritizing resource allocations. Relevant existing indices were reviewed to identify data applicable to drinking water decision-making. A utility-theory-based decision analysis framework was developed and applied to evaluate how different objectives affect funding decisions for lead service line replacement (LSLR) programs in Pennsylvania and Michigan, United States. The decision framework incorporates drinking water quality characteristics with community and environmental quality attributes. We compare additive and multiplicative model structures, different weights, and spatial scales. Our decision framework showed that the inclusion of additional data beyond what is usually considered in LSLR decisions could change the top 10 counties or public water systems prioritized. Further, the counties or water systems in the top 10 were influenced by the model structure and weights. Prioritization changed based on which data were included, and has implications for the use of evaluative metrics beyond traditional water system data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E. Schwetschenau
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
| | - Alyssa Schubert
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Richard J. Smith
- School
of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
| | - Seth Guikema
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department
of Industrial & Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Nancy G. Love
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Shawn P. McElmurry
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
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Ding KJ, Hornberger G, Hill E, McDonald YJ. Where you drink water: An assessment of the Tennessee, USA public water supply. WATER 2022; 14:2562. [PMID: 37476080 PMCID: PMC10358732 DOI: 10.3390/w14162562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring drinking water quality is essential to protect people's health and wellbeing. In the United States, the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) database records the occurrence of a drinking water violation regulation in public water systems. A notable shortcoming of SDWIS is the lack of the contaminant concentration level about the allowable maximum contaminant threshold. In this study, we take advantage of both the SDWIS violation database and the contaminants sampling database at the state level to examine the drinking water quality of all kinds of drinking water systems in detail. We obtained sampling data (i.e., the concentration level of contaminants) of public water systems (PWSs) in Tennessee and explored the statistical distribution of contaminant concentration data in relation to the enforceable maximum regulatory contaminant level). We use both SDWIS violation records and actual concentrations of contaminants from the sampling data to study the factors that influence the drinking water quality of PWSs. We find that different types of violations were more frequent in (1) specific geological regions, (2) counties with PWSs that serve a larger population (10,000 to 100,000 people), and (3) places with abundant surface water, such as near a lake or major river. Additionally, the distribution of measured concentrations for many contaminants was not smooth but was punctuated by discontinuities at selected levels, such as at 50% of the maximum contaminant level. Such anomalies in the sampling data do not indicate violations, but more investigation is needed to determine the reasons behind the punctuated changes.
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Nasseri Maleki G, Bayati Khatibi M, Khamnian Z, Jalali Z, Dastgiri S, Ghodrati Aroogh H. Association between nitrate concentration in drinking water and rate of colorectal cancer: a case study in northwestern Iran. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:1791-1800. [PMID: 33849327 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2021.1914322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate, as a major pollutant of drinking water, is associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) and serves as an environmental health concern, especially in the districts with unregulated agriculture. In this case study in northwestern Iran, we used two databases of nitrate concentration (1999-2013) and age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) for CRC (2002-2012) from 19 counties of East Azerbaijan province. The trend and correlation between nitrate and ASR was investigated. Inverse distance weighted technique was used to spatially interpolate the maps. Expectedly, drinking water nitrate has increased throughout the province (8-20.5 mg/L) as well as the ASR for CRC of men (from 2.07 to 18.05 mg/L) and women (from 1.57 to 10.94 mg/L). While ASR for CRC of men was positively correlated to nitrate (Pearson's r = 0.624, p-value = 0.040), no statistically significant correlation was found between nitrate and ASR for women's CRC (Pearson's r = 0.289, p-value = 0.351). According to our findings, the incidence of CRC was not higher for those residing in the regions with higher nitrate, suggesting that risk factors such as genetic predisposition and diet that were not taken into account could be determinants of this pattern. However, even a small increase in CRC rate due to water nitrate could translate into a large public health concern. The incremental pattern observed in nitrate levels of different counties over the years gives the health policymakers a better perspective of the problem and how the control of water nitrate level as a CRC risk factor might contribute to the prevention of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zhila Khamnian
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zahra Jalali
- Department of Internal Medicine, Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saeed Dastgiri
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hossein Ghodrati Aroogh
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Soliman AM, Alshamsi D, Murad AA, Aldahan A, Ali IM, Ayesh AI, Elhaty IA. Photocatalytic removal of nitrate from water using activated carbon-loaded with bimetallic Pd -Ag nanoparticles under natural solar radiation. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2022.114175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Dave DM, Yang M. Lead in drinking water and birth outcomes: A tale of two water treatment plants. JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS 2022; 84:102644. [PMID: 35732085 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2022.102644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The recent lead-in-water crisis in Newark has renewed concerns about the crisis being a widespread problem in the nation. Using data on the exact home addresses of pregnant women residing in the city combined with information on the spatial boundary separating areas within the city serviced by two water treatment plants, we exploit an exogenous change in water chemistry that resulted in lead leaching into the tap water of one plant's service area, but not the other's, to identify a causal effect of prenatal lead exposure on fetal health. We find robust evidence of adverse health impacts, which has important policy implications in light of the substantial number of lead water pipes that remain in use as part of our aging infrastructure and the cost-benefit calculus of lead abatement interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhaval M Dave
- Department of Economics, Bentley University, National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), and Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), USA.
| | - Muzhe Yang
- Department of Economics, Lehigh University, 621 Taylor Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
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Can Remote Sensing Fill the United States’ Monitoring Gap for Watershed Management? WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14131985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Remote sensing has been heralded as the silver bullet in water quality modeling and watershed management, and yet a quantitative mapping of where its applicability is likely and most useful has not been undertaken so far. Here, we combine geospatial models of cloud cover as a proxy for the likelihood of acquiring remote scenes and the shortest time of travel to population centers as a proxy for accessibility to ground-truth remote sensing data for water quality monitoring and produce maps of the potential of remote sensing in watershed management in the United States. We generate several maps with different cost-payoff relationships to help stakeholders plan and incentivize remote sensing-based monitoring campaigns. Additionally, we combine these remote sensing potential maps with spatial indices of population, water demand, ecosystem services, pollution risk, and monitoring coverage deficits to identify where remote sensing likely has the greatest role to play. We find that the Southwestern United States and the Central plains regions are generally suitable for remote sensing for watershed management even under the most stringent costing projections, but that the potential for using remote sensing can extend further North and East as constraints are relaxed. We also find large areas in the Southern United States and sporadic watersheds in the Northeast and Northwest seaboards and the Midwest would likely benefit most from using remote sensing for watershed monitoring. Although developed herein for watershed decision support in the United States, our approach is readily generalizable to other environmental domains and across the world.
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Water Quality from the Sources of Non-Centralized Water Supply within the Rural Settlements of Zhytomyr Region. EKOLÓGIA (BRATISLAVA) 2022. [DOI: 10.2478/eko-2022-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The research was conducted within the territories of rural settlements of Zhytomyr region. A total of 72 sources of non-centralized water supply were surveyed. Water quality was assessed by physical and chemical (pH, iron total, total water hardness) and toxicological (nitrites, nitrates, and ammonium) indicators, the content of which was compared with the norms given in the State Sanitary Regulations and Standards 2.2.4-171-10 “Hygienic Requirements for Drinking Water Intended for Human Consumption.” The assessment of drinking water quality was carried out in accordance with DSTU (National Standards of Ukraine) 4808:2007 and with the water quality index (WQI). It was found that the largest deviations from the norm among toxicological indicators were observed for nitrates – 63.9%. In terms of water quality classes according to DSTU 4808:2007, drinking water from sources of non-centralized water supply of villages showed the following distribution: 2.8% of the samples belonged to class 1 (excellent water quality), 72.2% to class 2, and 25% to class 3. According to WQI, 16.7% of the examined sources of non-centralized water supply had excellent water, 63.9% had good water, and 19.4% had poor water. Despite the fact that the water from the investigated sources of non-centralized water supply was of acceptable quality, it is impotable due to the excessive nitrate content. The results obtained show that there is a need for monitoring of drinking water quality from the sources of non-centralized water supply, especially in rural settlements that are not provided with centralized water supply.
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Orona-Návar C, García-Morales R, Loge FJ, Mahlknecht J, Aguilar-Hernández I, Ornelas-Soto N. Microplastics in Latin America and the Caribbean: A review on current status and perspectives. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 309:114698. [PMID: 35183939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A literature review was carried out to analyze the current status of microplastic research in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Specifically, this work focused on publications pertaining to (1) occurrence and distribution of microplastics in the environment, including water, sediments, and soil and (2) the environmental impact of MPs, particularly their presence and effects on aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The review included peer-reviewed articles from Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar and two iberoamerican open access databases (Redalyc and SciELO). It was found that LAC has only contributed to 5% of the global scientific output on microplastics, and overall the highest contributor within the region was Brazil (52%), followed by Chile (16%) and Mexico (13%). An additional section analyzing the barriers to conducting microplastic research in LAC and their exacerbation by the current COVID-19 pandemic was included to provide additional context behind the relatively low scientific production and improve recommendations encouraging research in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Orona-Návar
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., 64849, Mexico
| | - Raul García-Morales
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., 64849, Mexico; Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada Km. 107, C.P. 22860, Ensenada, B.C., Mexico
| | - Frank J Loge
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Jürgen Mahlknecht
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., 64849, Mexico
| | - Iris Aguilar-Hernández
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., 64849, Mexico.
| | - Nancy Ornelas-Soto
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., 64849, Mexico.
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