Grantee Research Project Results
2018 Progress Report: Development of a Community-Based Lead Risk and Mitigation Model
EPA Grant Number: CR839376Title: Development of a Community-Based Lead Risk and Mitigation Model
Investigators: Cuppett, Jonathan , Cornwell, David
Current Investigators: Cuppett, Jonathan , Zhang, Jian , Cornwell, David , Crawford-Brown, Douglas , Bonzongo, Jean-Claude J. , McTigue, Nancy , Brown, Richard
Institution: Water Research Foundation , Cornwell Research Group
Current Institution: Water Research Foundation
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: May 1, 2018 through April 30, 2021 (Extended to April 30, 2024)
Project Period Covered by this Report: May 1, 2018 through April 30,2019
Project Amount: $1,981,000
RFA: National Priorities: Transdisciplinary Research into Detecting and Controlling Lead in Drinking Water (2017) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Drinking Water , Endocrine Disruptors , Water
Objective:
The objective of this research is to further the science of risk assessment and mitigation for lead (Pb) exposure, and to translate this into practices that limit or even eliminate Pb exposure for drinking water consumers, especially children and pregnant women. This will be accomplished through these specific tasks: (1) generation of a risk based computational model that is built on a comprehensive and enhanced national dataset (2) identification of opportunities to mitigate Pb exposure in drinking water, and (3) development of a communication framework to educate stakeholders on risk mitigation opportunities.
Progress Summary:
The project has formed a new co-investigating collaborative partnership with the Cornwell Research Group (CRG) and University of Florida. The Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) has been submitted and approved. The new collaborative partnership and the approved QAPP allows the project to proceed with developing the water leaed prediction model, together with the blood lead risk model to provide scientific information for lead exposure prediction and targeted remediation actions.
Future Activities:
In the next reporting period, the researchers expect to initiate work on all project tasks. This will include kickoff meetings with the partners and collaborators, data gathering, modeling concept analysis, initial lead isotope investigations, and data gap analyses. The project also expects to finalize the local institutional review board human subjects approval/exemption and send that information package to EPA for approval prior to initiating any human subjects work. WRF anticipates receiving quarterly reports from the project team to monitor subrecipient progress. Future activities by project task are listed below.
Task 1: Generation of a Risk Based Computational Model – The first activities that have already started and will continue for the next year are data gathering and analyses. The project will be collecting existing utility lead and copper data sets along with information on the presence of lead lines, corrosion inhibitor used, and general water quality data. The researchers will also look to obtain school data to add to the overall data sets.
During the next quarter the project will complete the “high level” comparison of CDC reported blood lead data compared to utility reported water lead data to look for any relationships.
Over the next year we will begin efforts to see if solubility models can be better calibrated against lab and field corrosion data.
All of the above items are potential inputs to the engineering side of the model.
The researchers also plan to convert the IEUBK model to a simple spreadsheet format that will be used for the model in converting WLL to BLL. If this is successful, the eventual web-based model development will be much simpler.
The project anticipates holding the first model feedback workshop in the last half of 2020. This workshop will be used to gather feedback on model inputs and other aspects that will impact the modeling approach.
Task 2: Lead Isotope Analysis - The CRG and UF team have had several calls with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on obtaining lead samples. CDC brought in EPA region 8 where the two groups are working together on superfund sites with high lead levels. The project has identified two sites where there are good relationships with the local health department and where there are a lot of lead service lines. Further talks are continuing. The team has also been initiating direct contact with local health departments.
The researchers also developed an informational memo on the BLL isotope work which CDC and EPA are distributing to their partners in seeking sites. The project is using a new and novel analytical method to complete the isotope work using Multi-Collector ICP-MS that will provide much more detail on isotopes than traditional methods.
Task 3: Identification of Opportunities to Mitigate Pb Exposure – In this task, over the next year, the project will begin the process of developing mitigation costs and health benefits all to eventually be used in the model.
Task4: Development of a Communication Framework – The project plans to initiate conversations with the primary communication partner American Water Works Association (AWWA) to better understand the communication platforms and timing of any outreach efforts. Once the team understands the various communication opportunities, it can develop a strategy for outreach as project results become available.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 6 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
lead, modeling, drinking water, corrosion, service lines, human health effects, human exposure, risk mitigation, metals, lead sources, infrastructure, communication, blood lead level, water lead level, lead isotope analysisRelevant Websites:
http://www.waterrf.org/Pages/Projects.aspx?PID=4965 Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe 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.
Project Research Results
- 2022 Progress Report
- 2021 Progress Report
- 2020 Progress Report
- 2019 Progress Report
- Original Abstract
3 journal articles for this project