Grantee Research Project Results

2009 Progress Report: Longitudinal Indicators of Policy Impact on Pollution, Exposure and Health Risk

EPA Grant Number: R833991
Title: Longitudinal Indicators of Policy Impact on Pollution, Exposure and Health Risk
Investigators: Burke, Thomas A. , Fox, Mary A.
Institution: The Johns Hopkins University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2011 (Extended to October 31, 2012)
Project Period Covered by this Report: January 1, 2009 through December 31,2009
Project Amount: $499,961
RFA: Development of Environmental Health Outcome Indicators (2007) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category:

Objective:

The objectives of this research are unchanged.

(a) to develop and present state-level environmental health outcome indicators that measure changes over time; and (b) to apply environmental health outcome indicators to evaluate the impact of environmental policies on population exposures and health risks.
The research will address the EPA STAR special interest in examining the relationship between environmental health and exposure indicators and environmental risk management and policy decisions implemented at both the national and state levels.
The principal hypothesis to be tested is that federal and state risk management policies initiated over the past three decades have resulted in measurable reductions in pollution, exposure and population health risk.

Progress Summary:

Due to changes in both New Jersey and U.S. EPA administrations, data collection planned during 2009 was delayed. However, established databases (e.g., STORET) were searched and preliminary datasets were used to develop example indicators for PCBs in fish and benzene in water for a scientific presentation at the American Public Health Association 2009 Annual Meeting (also discussed below under Results). A first draft of the policy timeline was developed using the New Jersey Legislature and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) websites.

We presented our work-in-progress at the American Public Health Association 2009 Annual Meeting (Abstract #204607) on November 10, 2009. At the meeting, preliminary findings presented included PCB in fish tissue from Camden, NJ, and benzene in surface water in Monmouth. These findings show the potential for elevated exposure and risk prior to state and federal policy implementation.

Future Activities:

Finalize the policy timeline.
Develop exposure models for fish tissue and water intake using standard models and references, such as EPA’s Exposure Factors Handbook and Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook (EPA 2008 and 2009).
Continue data acquisition and data entry for target analytes, including mercury, TCE, benzene and PAHs (e.g., benzo[a]pyrene).

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 3 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

mercury, trichloroethylene, benzene, benzo[a]pyrene

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

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.