Grantee Research Project Results

2021 Progress Report: Development of a Community-Based Lead Risk and Mitigation Model

EPA Grant Number: CR839376
Title: Development of a Community-Based Lead Risk and Mitigation Model
Investigators: Cuppett, Jonathan , Cornwell, David , Crawford-Brown, Douglas , Bonzongo, Jean-Claude J. , McTigue, Nancy , Browne, Richard
Current Investigators: Cuppett, Jonathan
Institution: Water Research Foundation
Current Institution: Water Research Foundation , Cornwell Research Group , University of Florida
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, 2021 through April 30,2022
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: Endocrine Disruptors , Drinking Water , Water

Objective:

The objective of this research is to further the science of risk assessment and mitigation for lead exposure, and to translate this into practices that limit or even eliminate lead exposure for drinking water consumers, especially children and pregnant women. This will be accomplished through these specific tasks: (1) generation of a quantitative lead risk based computational model (QLRM) that is built on a comprehensive and enhanced national dataset, (2) identification of opportunities to mitigate lead exposure in drinking water, and (3) development of a communication framework to educate stakeholders on risk mitigation opportunities.

Progress Summary:

The development of the Lead Risk and Mitigation Model proceeded during this reporting period. The model requires a number of modules, and central to the model is the module to convert water lead levels (WLL) to blood lead levels (BLL) and then to IQ impacts. During this year that module was completed.

Similarly, work proceeded on the engineering side of the model. That is, analysis of datasets to determine factors which affect the WLL in water consumed. Model predictions were developed for converting lead data collected in the LCR or future LCRR into exposure values for input into the BLL model. Predictive models were also developed for mitigation strategies involving replacing lead service lines or changing a community’s action level goal.

The research team continued to work during this time to develop a database of lead isotopes and isotope ratios from various waters, plumbing materials, and pipe scales from a number of water systems. This database will help inform the model input regarding lead sources in drinking water.

Concurrently, the research team is continuing to develop the web-based application that will allow general utilization of the model. The user interface will primarily be used for visual design and layout and serve as a way for the user to interact with the calculations programmed into the microservices and related database.

Future Activities:

During the next project period, work will continue to focus on the inputs of the model as described in the tasks above.

Specific tasks will include:

1. Continued work on the web application of the model

2. Continued assessment of datasets for development of the engineering outcomes of the model

3. Maintenance of IRB approval

4. Collection of samples of blood and environmental samples for the lead isotope work

5. Completion of home model sampling

6. Completion of mitigation and engineering inputs to model

7. Complete costing

8. Hold a workshop for Model Beta Testing

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 6 publications for this project

Supplemental 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 analysis

Relevant Websites:

The Water Research Foundation Exit

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.