Grantee Research Project Results
Innovative methodology based on a non-targeted screening approach combined with activity patterns for estimation of soil and dust ingestion rate in children.
EPA Grant Number: R840199Title: Innovative methodology based on a non-targeted screening approach combined with activity patterns for estimation of soil and dust ingestion rate in children.
Investigators: Quinete, Natalia , Gardinali, Piero , Bagner, Daniel , George, Florence
Institution: Florida International University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: June 1, 2021 through May 6, 2025
Project Amount: $1,217,193
RFA: Estimating Childrens Soil and Dust Ingestion Rates for Exposure Science (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Endocrine Disruptors , Human Health
Objective:
The main aim of this project is to implement an innovative methodology based on non-targeted screening approach (NTA) to identify specific tracers of dust and soil exposure, which combined with relevant information on children’s behavior, activities, race, ethnicity and socioeconomic data for different age groups could provide a more accurate estimates of soil and dust ingestion rate. We hypothesize that: 1) Children of lower socioeconomic status might have higher dust and soil ingestion rates than the ones with privileged conditions; 2) Hispanic and Black children might show higher ingestion of soil and dust, which might be associated with education and income status; 3) The expected soil and dust adherence is higher in Miami due to the climate, therefore leading to higher soil ingestion ratios than in previous studies in colder northern states; 4) Potential tracer chemicals that are normally found in higher levels in soils and dust in comparison to water and food are the ones associated to consumer products such as phthalates, flame retardants, fragrances, and fluorinated chemicals; and 5) The combination of a novel and state-of-art tracer NTA methodology with children activities patterns (mouthing behavior, frequency of hand washing, time spent in specific microenvironments, among others) will improve soil and dust ingestion rates, reducing bias and providing long-term exposure data.
Approach:
In order to increase representativeness for southeastern U.S territories, this long-term study (3 years) will recruit families with children in Miami, South Florida, which has a characteristic tropical climate and the majority of the population being from underrepresented races and ethnicities. A holistic NTA approach will be developed based on liquid chromatography- high resolution mass spectrometry to fingerprint chemicals in household dust, soil, drinking water, and food collected at each participant’s houses, including children urine samples provided by parents and caregivers. Statistical analysis will be performed to select appropriate tracers of soil and dust ingestion, with minimal amount in food and water. Surveys and remote interviews will be conducted alongside environmental and biological analysis to assess frequency of hand to mouth behavior and soil and other nonfood substance ingestion. Soil and dust ingestion rates will be estimated combining statistical calculations derived from the tracer chemical studies and the data obtained from the activity pattern studies applied to the SHEDS-HT model.
Expected Results:
The findings addressing the main objective of this project will be disseminated to the scientific community and the public in conference presentations and peer-reviewed manuscript and will generate a state-of art approach based on NTA to identify specific tracers for soil and dust ingestion, where a database will be created for all chemicals present in the environmental and biological samples, including compounds showing potential health and environmental concerns. The new methodology proposed combining tracer monitoring by NTA and children mouthing behavior and micro-activity environments, will be a valuable tool in estimating soil and dust ingestion, assisting public health professionals and the general public to identify health risks associated with chemical exposure to young children via soil and dust ingestion.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 1 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 1 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
NTA, drinking water, food, urine, sensitive populations, survey, analytical measurement methods, modeling, Florida (FL), EPA region 4, underrepresented population, SHEDS-HTProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.