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ARSENIC EXPOSURE STUDY, WASHINGTON STATE
Impact/Purpose:
The keys to evaluating the potential effects of long term exposure to low levels of arsenic are to identify sources of exposure and to determine how much arsenic is obtained from all sources. Recent studies have shown that urinary concentrations of inorganic arsenic and its metabolism to organic arsenic are excellent markers of exposure in individuals chronically exposed to arsenic in their drinking water. In all of the epidemiologic and exposure studies done to date, the role of high arsenic foods in individuals chronically exposed has not been evaluated because of the lack of adequate methods to analyze the levels of arsenic in food. Recently at EPA, the ability to analyze food for arsenic and its species have been developed and the role of food in arsenic exposure can be examined.
Description:
The Port Gamble SKlallam tribe has requested that the US Environmental Protection Agency assist them in understanding their exposures to arsenic from both food and water. A previous study has suggested that locally harvested shellfish which are a component of their diet contain large amounts of arsenic. The local drinking water may also contribute to arsenic exposures. This means that both food and water can be sources of exposure to arsenic. The study will collect information that will analyze environmental pathways of exposure through the collection of food and drinking water samples. Identified families will be asked to provide urine, blood and food samples as well as dietary histories for the last week and an additional 24 hour recall dietary history. Twenty-five families of the SKlallam tribe that have been resident in the area over the last 12 months will be asked to participate in the study. They will be asked to provide information about their health and their water consumption habits. An adult member of each household will be asked to set aside a duplicate portion of every food and drink item they eat for a 24 hour period. All members of the household will be asked to collect two first morning urine samples and record everything they eat for the 24 hours between urine collections. At the time of enrollment participants will have their height and weight measured and a sample of blood drawn. A Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects has reviewed this study and all information collected will be kept confidential.