APHL 2024 POSTER ABSTRACTS exposure , resulting in poor remediation and continued exposure . From May 2019 to November 2021 , the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene ( WSLH ) worked with DHS to conduct lead poisoning source identification using lead isotope analysis . Six lead poisoning cases with peak venous blood lead level ≥10 μg / dl were assessed . WSLH analyzed the lead isotope ratios in each child ’ s blood as well as samples collected throughout the home . By comparing the ratios between the blood sample and the environmental samples , the primary contributors to the child ’ s lead exposure was positively identified and the necessary remediation actions were conducted , leading to a decline in the child ’ s venous lead levels . In lead poisoning cases where a clear source of lead was not identified , the WSLH found that the source of lead often came from unexpected sources such as spices or cosmetics . Several case studies are presented here as well as the plan to revitalize this project . The assessment of lead isotopes could be more broadly used in cases that are not responsive to typical remediation efforts . The WSLH hopes to increase the availability of this tool by renewing our testing capabilities , working with our APHL fellow and collaborating with partners .
Presenter : Christa Dahman , christa . dahman @ slh . wisc . edu
De-identification Strategies of Biomonitoring Data for Collaborative Research and Sustainable Partnership
F . Salangi , M . Josefiak , New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services
Introduction : Biomonitoring is the measure of chemicals in the human body by testing tissue or fluids to understand the relationships between chemical exposure , body burden and potential environmental sources like air , water , soil , food and everyday products . This has been an important branch of study at the New Hampshire Public Health Laboratories , specifically due to the local geology , land usage and historical and current industrial activities . The New Hampshire Biomonitoring Program ( BiomonitoringNH ) collected over 330 specimens from the 2019 New Hampshire Tracking and Assessment of Chemical Exposures ( TrACE ) Study that tested for 50 different chemicals in whole blood , urine and serum . TrACE Study data includes testing results from participant ’ s clinical samples and home drinking water as well as their exposure questionnaire . Together these data provide a holistic understanding of the baseline chemical exposures for New Hampshire residents . As with any study , the TrACE Study has oversight from an Institutional Review Board ( IRB ), which mandates de-identification of data from closed studies to ensure ethical and privacy compliance . TrACE Study data is an invaluable resource to the NH Division of Public Health Services ( DPHS ). Collaborative sharing of de-identified biomonitoring data is pivotal for fostering partnerships and advancing New Hampshire ’ s environmental public health initiatives .
Methods : Navigating the complexities of de-identifying extensive datasets involves collaboration with partners within DPHS . A detailed procedure will be crafted and tailored specifically to BiomonitoringNH datasets using TrACE Study data . Validation includes applying the procedure not only to TrACE Study data but ensuring universal adaptability to other existing BiomonitoringNH studies . Continued partnerships will provide insights to future data requests and will be vital to the design of a user-friendly data request form that will enhance accessibility for partners .
Results / Conclusions : The project achieves its primary objective with a robust de-identification procedure for BiomonitoringNH data . The finalized procedure will include anonymizing direct identifiers and employing pseudonymization techniques . Accompanied by an efficient request form , the outcome includes shareable datasets from existing and future BiomonitoringNH studies . This breakthrough removes barriers for collaborative research and will ultimately enhance New Hampshire environmental public health initiatives .
Presenter : Farooq Salangi , Ghulamfarooq . salangi @ affiliate . dhhs . nh . gov
The Iowa Biomonitoring Program : Assessment of Metal and Metalloid Exposure from Well Water in Iowa .
D . Simmons 1 , B . Wels 1 , A . Mattson 1 , E . Miller 1 , Z . Hoggarth 2 , M . Sternberg 3 , D . May 1 , S . Dai 4 , M . Schueller 1 , M . Pentella 2 , State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa 1 , University of Iowa 2 , Centers for Disease Control 3 , Iowa Biomonitoring Program 4
Previous Iowa studies suggest low level and chronic arsenic exposures are associated with prostate cancer in Iowa . The rural Iowa population heavily relies on private wells for drinking water resources , thus are vulnerable to contaminants such as heavy metals . The Iowa Biomonitoring Program focuses on determining the extent of chemical exposure through urine biomarker testing in on the rural Iowa population which uses private well water as their primary drinking water source . Besides the previously identified high arsenic risk , the current study expands the exposure study to a panel of various heavy metals such as lead , cadmium and uranium .
The State Hygienic Laboratory ( SHL ) recruited 1,015 participants for the private well study for surveillance of arsenic and other elements of interest as part of a larger surveillance effort . Water samples and urine specimens were collected by the participants and sent to the State Hygienic Laboratory for analysis . Analytical methods used for the determination of elements in water and urine were validated prior to use and were based on established CDC methods . Water samples and urine specimens were analyzed for lead , cadmium , uranium and arsenic .
The initial analysis of the data indicates statistically significant positive correlations between well water and urinary concentrations of arsenic and uranium ( Spearman ’ s rank-order correlation coefficients of 0.230 and 0.466 , respectively ). Cadmium and lead data showed no significant correlation with well water .
For the first time in Iowa , we identified a moderate association of urine uranium to uranium found in well water . This suggests that exposure to uranium is occurring by drinking well water . In addition , the correlation of arsenic in well water and urine showed a weak positive association as evidence of exposure to arsenic from drinking well water . Participants whose well water had arsenic levels at or above the MCL were contacted to increase awareness of the risk of arsenic exposure . About 85 % of the participants indicated they had water treatment systems in use which may explain the weak correlation and gives supporting evidence of public health outreach in the area .
Presenter : Donald Simmons , donald-simmons @ uiowa . edu
PublicHealthLabs |
@ APHL |
APHL . org |
Fall 2024 LAB MATTERS 45 |