The objectives of the proposed study are to: 1) estimate the geographic distribution of environmental lead in El Paso and Juarez; 2) estimate the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels in the two cities; 3) differentiate chronic and acute lead exposures in children with elevated lead levels; 4) fractionate lead by etiological source in children; and 5) involve end- users to evaluate a scientifically based, culturally relevant prevention/intervention strategy. The study seeks to improve the capacity of the El Paso, Texas - Juarez, Mexico binational community to participate in research to identify the etiology of lead exposure among low-income Hispanic children. Project activities will increase the community's capacity to deliver environmental health intervention, prevention, and educational services in a binational setting through collaborative partnerships between academic institutions, community organizations, and stakeholders. Based on original research, the study joins environmental health scientists and community organization members in an interdisciplinary investigative team. This project will evaluate lead exposure and its adverse effect on the health of low-income Hispanic children on the U.S.-Mexico border. Environmental lead distribution will be estimated using data from indoor and outdoor sites. Nine hundred and thirteen blocks will be tested for outdoor lead levels in each city. In each block 40 random samples of soil will be analyzed using a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) lead analysis unit in public areas along streets, from playgrounds, schools, hospitals, etc. Indoor lead levels in water, soil, dust, and air will be tested in 4 households in 10 randomly selected blocks. An exposure assessment survey will be administered. High- household's risk will be defined as those exceeding EPA maximum household contaminant levels. Data will be statistically analyzed to produce binational maps of environmental lead distribution. Two hundred households will be randomly selected from high-risk blocks in each city (a total 400 households). One hundred and ninety-two children, ages 6 months to 11 years, will be recruited in each city. Blood lead levels will be analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. Children with elevated lead levels (>10 ug/dL) will be tested to determine whether the exposure is chronic using K X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy of the tibia. The etiological source of lead in the blood will also be evaluated by inductively coupled plasma - mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Regression analysis will be conducted to model the relationships between blood and bone lead levels, environmental lead, and risk of exposure. Four community-based organizations (CBOs) will participate in the research process. A CBO liaison will build and coordinate a community-based partnership for education and outreach and overall capacity building.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01ES011367-03
Application #
6660784
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZES1-JPM-B (CB))
Program Officer
Srinivasan, Shobha
Project Start
2001-09-30
Project End
2006-07-31
Budget Start
2003-08-06
Budget End
2004-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$358,443
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas El Paso
Department
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
132051285
City
El Paso
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
79968
Pingitore Jr, Nicholas E; Clague, Juan W; Amaya, Maria A et al. (2009) Urban airborne lead: X-ray absorption spectroscopy establishes soil as dominant source. PLoS One 4:e5019
Romero-Gonzalez, J; Walton, J C; Peralta-Videa, J R et al. (2009) Modeling the adsorption of Cr(III) from aqueous solution onto Agave lechuguilla biomass: study of the advective and dispersive transport. J Hazard Mater 161:360-5
Haque, Nazmul; Peralta-Videa, Jose R; Jones, Gary L et al. (2008) Screening the phytoremediation potential of desert broom (Baccharis sarothroides Gray) growing on mine tailings in Arizona, USA. Environ Pollut 153:362-8
Parsons, J G; Dokken, K; Peralta-Videa, J R et al. (2007) X-ray absorption near edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis of standards and biological samples containing mixed oxidation states of chromium(III) and chromium(VI). Appl Spectrosc 61:338-45
Castillo-Michel, H; Parsons, J G; Peralta-Videa, J R et al. (2007) Use of X-ray absorption spectroscopy and biochemical techniques to characterize arsenic uptake and reduction in pea (Pisum sativum) plants. Plant Physiol Biochem 45:457-63
Romero-Gonzalez, J; Peralta-Videa, J R; Rodriguez, E et al. (2006) Potential of Agave lechuguilla biomass for Cr(III) removal from aqueous solutions: thermodynamic studies. Bioresour Technol 97:178-82
Montes-Holguin, Milka O; Peralta-Videa, Jose R; Meitzner, George et al. (2006) Biochemical and spectroscopic studies of the response of Convolvulus arvensis L. to chromium(III) and chromium(VI) stress. Environ Toxicol Chem 25:220-6
Contreras, Carolina; de la Rosa, Guadalupe; Peralta-Videa, Jose R et al. (2006) Lead adsorption by silica-immobilized humin under flow and batch conditions: assessment of flow rate and calcium and magnesium interference. J Hazard Mater 133:79-84
Gardea-Torresdey, Jorge L; Rodriguez, Elena; Parsons, Jason G et al. (2005) Use of ICP and XAS to determine the enhancement of gold phytoextraction by Chilopsis linearis using thiocyanate as a complexing agent. Anal Bioanal Chem 382:347-52
Lopez, Martha L; Peralta-Videa, Jose R; Benitez, Tenoch et al. (2005) Enhancement of lead uptake by alfalfa (Medicago sativa) using EDTA and a plant growth promoter. Chemosphere 61:595-8

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