Karen D Bradham1, Clay M Nelson2, Tyler D Sowers3, Darren A Lytle4, Jennifer Tully4, Michael R Schock4, Kevin Li5, Matthew D Blackmon3, Kasey Kovalcik3, David Cox6, Gary Dewalt6, Warren Friedman7, Eugene A Pinzer7, Peter J Ashley7. 1. Center of Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27711, USA. bradham.karen@epa.gov. 2. BioGeoChem Scientific, Austin, TX, 78748, USA. 3. Center of Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27711, USA. 4. Center for Environmental Solutions & Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA. 5. Independent Researcher, Lansing, MI, 48915, USA. 6. QuanTech, 6110 Executive Blvd Suite 206, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA. 7. Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC, 20410, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Exposure to lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and copper (Cu) may cause significant health issues including harmful neurological effects, cancer or organ damage. Determination of human exposure-relevant concentrations of these metal(loids) in drinking water, therefore, is critical. OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize exposure-relevant Pb, As, and Cu concentrations in drinking water collected from homes participating in the American Healthy Homes Survey II, a national survey that monitors the prevalence of Pb and related hazards in United States homes. METHODS: Drinking water samples were collected from a national survey of 678 U.S. homes where children may live using an exposure-based composite sampling protocol. Relationships between metal(loid) concentration, water source and house age were evaluated. RESULTS: 18 of 678 (2.6%) of samples analyzed exceeded 5 µg Pb L-1 (Mean = 1.0 µg L-1). 1.5% of samples exceeded 10 µg As L-1 (Mean = 1.7 µg L-1) and 1,300 µg Cu L-1 (Mean = 125 µg L-1). Private well samples were more likely to exceed metal(loid) concentration thresholds than public water samples. Pb concentrations were correlated with Cu and Zn, indicative of brass as a common Pb source is samples analyzed. SIGNIFICANCE: Results represent the largest national-scale effort to date to inform exposure risks to Pb, As, and Cu in drinking water in U.S. homes using an exposure-based composite sampling approach. IMPACT STATEMENT: To date, there are no national-level estimates of Pb, As and Cu in US drinking water collected from household taps using an exposure-based sampling protocol. Therefore, assessing public health impacts from metal(loids) in drinking water remains challenging. Results presented in this study represent the largest effort to date to test for exposure-relevant concentrations of Pb, As and Cu in US household drinking water, providing a critical step toward improved understanding of metal(loid) exposure risk.
BACKGROUND: Exposure to lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and copper (Cu) may cause significant health issues including harmful neurological effects, cancer or organ damage. Determination of human exposure-relevant concentrations of these metal(loids) in drinking water, therefore, is critical. OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize exposure-relevant Pb, As, and Cu concentrations in drinking water collected from homes participating in the American Healthy Homes Survey II, a national survey that monitors the prevalence of Pb and related hazards in United States homes. METHODS: Drinking water samples were collected from a national survey of 678 U.S. homes where children may live using an exposure-based composite sampling protocol. Relationships between metal(loid) concentration, water source and house age were evaluated. RESULTS: 18 of 678 (2.6%) of samples analyzed exceeded 5 µg Pb L-1 (Mean = 1.0 µg L-1). 1.5% of samples exceeded 10 µg As L-1 (Mean = 1.7 µg L-1) and 1,300 µg Cu L-1 (Mean = 125 µg L-1). Private well samples were more likely to exceed metal(loid) concentration thresholds than public water samples. Pb concentrations were correlated with Cu and Zn, indicative of brass as a common Pb source is samples analyzed. SIGNIFICANCE: Results represent the largest national-scale effort to date to inform exposure risks to Pb, As, and Cu in drinking water in U.S. homes using an exposure-based composite sampling approach. IMPACT STATEMENT: To date, there are no national-level estimates of Pb, As and Cu in US drinking water collected from household taps using an exposure-based sampling protocol. Therefore, assessing public health impacts from metal(loids) in drinking water remains challenging. Results presented in this study represent the largest effort to date to test for exposure-relevant concentrations of Pb, As and Cu in US household drinking water, providing a critical step toward improved understanding of metal(loid) exposure risk.
Authors: Darren A Lytle; Michael R Schock; Kory Wait; Kelly Cahalan; Valerie Bosscher; Andrea Porter; Miguel Del Toral Journal: Water Res Date: 2019-03-24 Impact factor: 11.236
Authors: Lindsay Wichers Stanek; Jianping Xue; Claire Lay; Erik Helm; Michael Schock; Darren A Lytle; Thomas Speth; Valerie Zartarian Journal: Environ Sci Technol Date: 2020-07-08 Impact factor: 9.028
Authors: Farzana Kastury; Euan Smith; Emmanuel Doelsch; Enzo Lombi; Martin Donnelley; Patricia L Cmielewski; David W Parsons; Kirk G Scheckel; David Paterson; Martin D de Jonge; Carina Herde; Albert L Juhasz Journal: Environ Sci Technol Date: 2019-08-13 Impact factor: 9.028
Authors: F Gary Dewalt; David C Cox; Robert O'Haver; Brendon Salatino; Duncan Holmes; Peter J Ashley; Eugene A Pinzer; Warren Friedman; David Marker; Susan M Viet; Alexa Fraser Journal: J Environ Health Date: 2015-12 Impact factor: 1.179
Authors: David E Jacobs; Robert P Clickner; Joey Y Zhou; Susan M Viet; David A Marker; John W Rogers; Darryl C Zeldin; Pamela Broene; Warren Friedman Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2002-10 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Ronnie Levin; Mary Jean Brown; Michael E Kashtock; David E Jacobs; Elizabeth A Whelan; Joanne Rodman; Michael R Schock; Alma Padilla; Thomas Sinks Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2008-05-19 Impact factor: 9.031