Lab Matters Fall 2023 | Page 47

APHL 2023 POSTER ABSTRACTS

Exploring Environmental Risk from a Rural Health Perspective : A BiomonitoringNH and New England Public Health Training Center ( NEPHTC ) Initiative

V . Ciulla , M . Josefiak , N . Shonka , M . Chatterjee ; New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

The New Hampshire State Biomonitoring Program aims to better understand and prevent exposures to environmental chemicals and substances by collecting exposure data , testing clinical samples , and educating NH residents of the findings . As a collaborative effort with NEPHTC , this project focused on preparation of study data and creating an analysis plan using a rural health lens to identify potential differences between rural and non-rural residents ’ exposure to water contaminants and body burden . The EMPoWER-U ( Evaluating Metals in Private Wells and people for Exposure Reduction – Uranium ) Study ( conducted by BiomonitoringNH in collaboration with the US Geological Survey ) focused on homes that use private ( unregulated ) wells as the primary source of drinking water and were located in areas of New Hampshire with a higher risk of uranium contamination in the groundwater . Along with home water samples , participants provided a urine sample , collected a home air radon sample and completed an exposure questionnaire . Water samples were tested for ( among other analytes ) uranium , arsenic , barium , beryllium , cadmium , cobalt , lead , manganese , molybdenum , strontium and thallium . Among other chemicals , urine samples were also tested for these chemicals , creating paired clinical and environmental data . Many of these homes sampled in the EMPoWER-U Study were located in rural and / or medically underserved areas of NH . In response to the results of the EMPoWER-U Study , this project focused on a more in depth analysis of rural and medically underserved areas of NH . Data was organized to create a “ Master List ” of all unique identifiers for all study results enabling rural / non-rural designation , and geocoding for census tracts to be assigned for each participant and household . A data brief was developed to summarized high-level data analysis of study population demographics . Based on the demographics of the data , an analysis plan that focused on rural health and / or medically underserved areas was developed .

Presenter : Victoria Pedersen Ciulla , victoriapciulla @ gmail . com

Improving NJHANES Recruitment Strategies

E . Lax , T . Fan , E . Bind , C . Ho , E . Cook ; New Jersey Department of Health Public Health and Environmental Laboratories

The New Jersey Department of Health ( NJDOH ) is conducting a probability-based population surveillance study that collects and analyzes health information , nutritional status and various environmental contaminants in New Jersey residents . The recruitment approach for the New Jersey Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ( NJHANES ) is undergoing modifications to reach 500 participants . From September 2021 through June 2022 , NJHANES averaged five enrollments a month , below the target of 21 per month . The COVID-19 pandemic , government mistrust and holiday season busyness possibly contributed to initial recruitment setbacks . The recruitment packet , containing an enrollment letter , language service request , return card and prepaid envelope , is mailed to 4,800 randomly selected households throughout the two-year study period . As of December 2022 , 129 respondents expressed interest via website link or QR code , or by calling NJDOH or mailing the prepaid return card . In May 2022 , a postcard was approved to follow up with any of the 4,800 households that missed the invitation . Ninety-two respondents are enrolled . Eligible respondents schedule a Microsoft Teams consent meeting and enroll by Eventbrite calendar link . Participants can enroll in person if technology is difficult . Questionnaires are administered virtually through REDCap , a HIPAA-compliant software . A mobile phlebotomy service ( MPS ) or certified NJDOH phlebotomist collects participants ’ biological samples at their households . The specimens are couriered to NJDOH for testing . Of the NJHANES population , 44 % are over 60 , compared to 24 % of the NJ population . Of the NJHANES population , 43 % have a graduate degree , compared to 16 % of the NJ population . Seventy-one participants have been sampled ; 15 samples collected from MPS were invalid due to low sample volume , clotted blood or incorrect collection container . Sixty-three participants completed the questionnaires and physical exam . Results and thank you gift cards are sent securely . To eliminate sampling errors , the contract with the MPS is terminated . NJHANES will temporarily rely on the NJDOH phlebotomist and investigate new MPSs . In June 2022 , the incentive doubled to $ 100 , and the response rate increased to 20 enrollments per month . An additional 4,800 households will be invited next year . Other factors affecting the response rate will be investigated to provide practical approaches for state-level population surveillance studies .

Presenter : Emily Lax , emily . lax @ doh . nj . gov

Improving the Quality of Pediatric Lead Test Results Through Enhanced Specimen Collection and Analysis Practices

J . Nassif , J . Liebreich , K . Granger ; Association of Public Health Laboratories

The recent decrease in the CDC Blood Lead Reference Value ( BLRV ) to 3.5 ug / dL has highlighted the need for systematic changes that some clinicians and laboratories may need to implement to assure the quality of reported pediatric lead results . Building upon the recommendations of the Blood Lead Reference Value Workgroup , APHL has developed recommendations and resources designed to assist medical professionals and laboratory scientists minimize the likelihood of contamination when collecting and testing blood specimens . Also included are analytical practices that can improve precision , accuracy , and sensitivity of pediatric lead assays . Clinician office practices , public health and commercial clinical laboratories will all benefit from implementing these strategies .

Presenter : Julie Nassif , julianne . nassif @ aphl . org

Isotope Dilution UPLC-ESI-MS / MS Method for the Determination of Urinary VOC Metabolites

J . Gallardo , P . Behniwal , J . She ; California Department of Public Health — Environmental Health Laboratory Branch

Volatile organic compounds ( VOCs ) are a group of chemicals that originate from both natural and anthropogenic sources . Cattle farms , wildfires , tobacco smoke , paints , solvents and gasburning stoves are all examples of environmental sources of VOCs . Exposure to VOCs occurs mainly through inhalation , ingestion and skin contact . Long-term exposure to VOCs has been associated with asthma , birth defects , certain cancers , and damage to the