Objectives: Evaluate the risk of arsenic exposure and mitigation effectiveness in an Arizona mining/smelting community through speciated analysis of environmental media and urine samples. Background: The predominantly Hispanic populations of the Hayden- Winkelman community live adjacent to an open pit copper mine/smelter complex. Previous studies in these towns measured arsenic exposures that exceeded the 95th percentile for Arizona, although the sample size was limited. Community concerns have been expressed over arsenic exposure and the potential for adverse health effects.
Specific Aims : To 1) Measure a representative sample of households for multi-media, multi-pathway, exposure to arsenic species; 2) Measure individual adsorbed dose using speciated urine arsenic; 3) Model bioavailability of arsenic species by media and pathway; 4) Evaluate the contribution of individual factors (age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, lifestyle, diet, and disease) to arsenic absorbed dose; 5) Measure the effectiveness of interventions to decrease arsenic exposure; and 6) Educate the community through the establishment of a computer learning center linked with the University. Study design: 130 randomly selected and 20 community designated households will be evaluated for speciated arsenic exposure (HG-AAS) in indoor and outdoor air (PM10, PM25, vapor phase), vacuumed house dust, surface soil, water (drinking and tap), food and beverage collected using trained community members with quality assurance audits. In association with questionnaire data, regression analysis will be used to determine the effect of media, route of exposure, and individual factors on urine arsenic species concentration, and compared with existing statewide data (NHEXAS). Sixty-five intervention and 20 control households will be reevaluated for the effect of substitute or treated water and HEPA vacuuming. A public computer learning center will be developed and staffed by the community. Expected Outcome: Community members will earn the extent of their exposure to arsenic, the effectiveness of low-tech interventions, and how to obtain information on environmental exposures. There is also potential for future research, including evaluation of biological markers of effect of low-level arsenic exposure.
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