Exposure Investigation Phase II: July-November, 2002
Exposure Investigation Phase II: July-November, 2002
Spring Valley Neighborhood, Washington D.C.
Slide 1
Exposure Investigation Phase II: July-November, 2002 Spring Valley Neighborhood, Washington D.C.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Atlanta, GA 30333
Slide 2
Objective
- Urine arsenic levels were tested in a total of 40 individuals-34 adults and six children (age 21 months to 15 years) – to screen for arsenic exposure.
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Rationale for an Exposure Investigation (EI)
- An EI is not research.
- An EI is a screening tool.
- An EI looks at individuals who are most likely to be exposed.
- An EI makes assumptions about the rest of the population.
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Exposure Investigation
Phase I: March 2002
Phase I: March 2002
- A total of 32 individuals were tested – 23 adults and nine children (age 16 months to 13 years).
- Urine, hair, and household dust were tested.
- Only 3 individuals had reportable levels of inorganic arsenic (above 10 μg/L in urine).
- There was concern that this was not the correct time of year to show maximum exposure risk.
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Methods
- Target population
- individuals who participated in the March 2002 exposure investigation
- individuals who were living on, or adjacent to, property which was being remediated
- individuals whose yards had the highest grid (discrete or single location) sample(s)
- Consent/Confidentiality
- Urine testing procedures
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Results
- All individuals tested had total urinary arsenic between non-detect and 76 μg/L.
- Thirty seven (92%) of the participants in this investigation had “normal” urine arsenic values-less than 10 μg/L.
- Only three of the individuals tested had reportable levels of inorganic arsenic in their urine, with levels of 10 μg/L, 14 μg/L, and 26 μg/L.
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Discussion
- Urine arsenic levels in the participants were not generally elevated.
- It is not clear whether the detectable levels of inorganic arsenic in the three individuals are related to soil arsenic contamination, diet, or another source.
- Health effects are not expected in an adult with these urine levels.
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Conclusions
- Overall, the population tested in this exposure investigation has normal urine arsenic levels.
- Three individuals had slight elevations in their urine inorganic arsenic.
- These levels would not be expected to cause health problems.
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Recommendations
- Follow-up urinalysis with individuals who have elevated arsenic results.
- Discuss their results with an ATSDR physician.
- Discuss their results with their personal health care provider.
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BRIEF ARSENIC EXPOSURE QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:__________________________
Have you eaten seafood in the past 3 days?
Y/N
Do you smoke?
Y/N
Do you have contact with the soil in your yard (gardening, yard work, etc.)?
Y/N
Have you recently used any pesticides or garden sprays?
Y/N
Have you eaten any vegetables grown in your garden?
Y/N
Have you worked with chemically-treated (for example, CCA) wood?
Y/N
Do you have pets which spend time outdoors?
Y/N
What is your current occupation? ____________________________________
Page last reviewed: September 22, 2015
Content source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry