Lab Matters Fall 2024 | Page 49

APHL 2024 POSTER ABSTRACTS

Updates on the Implementation of New Jersey ’ s First Statewide Biomonitoring Population Study : NJHANES

E . Cook , E . Irabor , C . Donohoe , G . Kaur , C . Maceda , C . Yu , E . Bind , T . Fan , New Jersey Department of Health

The CDC periodically reports on environmental chemicals and has conducted the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ( NHANES ) for decades . NHANES , though it serves as the gold standard for exposure data and health disparities information at the national level , it cannot report similar findings at the state level due to study design and logistical challenges . To address this issue , NJDOH established the NJ Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ( NJHANES ). It is the state ’ s first population-based biomonitoring study . It aims to track ~ 120 environmental contaminants of interest and report exposure of NJ residents to these contaminants , establish baseline exposure levels and use questionnaires to pinpoint the social determinants of health that may impact chemical exposure-related health outcomes .

NJHANES uses a two-stage cluster sampling frame to randomly select NJ households for inclusion in the study . Through a mailing campaign , NJHANES aims to attract 500 NJ residents for participation . The informed consent , questionnaire , basic physical examination and specimen ( blood and urine ) collection processes are all centered around participant accessibility . The NJHANES team leverages technology to maximize participation by using QR codes for direct access to study-relevant websites , REDCap for online surveys and MS Teams for online communication . Individual , jargonfree reports are shared back to participants through encrypted emails and accommodations are made for non-English speakers or people who have challenges accessing technology .

To date , NJHANES has consented 226 participants from 241 responsive households . Of the consented participants , NJHANES has been able to collect specimens from 79.2 % of them . In keeping with our objective to report findings back to the public , individual reports were provided for 174 participants . We found that 12.1 % of participants were elevated for at least one analyte and these participants received direct follow up . PFOA , PFOS , PFNA , PFHxS and VOC metabolites were detected in over 80 % of participants . Lead , blood mercury and PFHpS were detected in over 60 % of participants . PFUnA , PFDeA and PAH metabolites were detected in at least 40 % of the participants .

The next steps for this study include completing recruitment , specimen analysis and data analysis . These results will be shared with state agencies , environmental health professionals and the public to raise awareness and decrease exposure . The project team will also secure additional partners at local health departments , raise the profile of NJHANES statewide and build capacity for biomonitoring as a permanent fixture at the NJDOH .

Presenter : Esohe Irabor , esohe . irabor @ doh . nj . gov

Validation of a Combined Analytical Method Testing for Toxic Metals in Urine : Improving Laboratory Efficiency and Implications for Biomonitoring Use

V . Chandra , A . Mills , A . Steffens , D . Haltmeier , T . Fan , New Jersey Department of Health

Exposure to toxic metals including arsenic ( As ), barium ( Ba ), beryllium ( Be ), cadmium ( Cd ), lead ( Pb ), thallium ( TI ), uranium ( U ) and mercury ( Hg ) is linked to adverse health outcomes . Analyzing urine for these toxic metals is a crucial step in monitoring exposures in the general public and for emergency response testing . The NJ Department of Health Metals Laboratory has traditionally used separate analytical methods to test for the array of toxic metals in urine : Urine Metals ( As , Ba , Be , Cd , Pb , Tl , U ) and Urine Mercury . An improved method was developed to maximize the efficiency through reduction of analysis time , laboratory costs and labor . Here , we assess the applicability of this method to both emergency response and biomonitoring analyses and describe the validation of the combined method for testing metals in urine by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry .

The new method combines the CDC Urine Testing Methods DLS 3018.4-02 , 3018A . 3- 02 and 3002.7-05 for toxic metals , arsenic and mercury , respectively and the NY DOH Urine Method LINC- 412SOP for mercury . Components of method reagents were combined to create one diluent and one rinse . Additionally , 3 % hydrochloric acid was added to the rinse to reduce mercury carryover and reduce rinse times . Combining the methods and improving the diluent and rinse mixtures decreased rinse times between samples resulting in an overall 75 % reduction in analysis time per sample .

Validation of this method involves testing five old CLIA-certified PT urine specimens of known metals content on three different runs . Verification parameters include linearity ( R2 > 0.990 ), accuracy ( within known acceptable PT range ), precision ( ≤ 20 % RSD ), linear dynamic range ( calibration range ) and analytical specificity . The method can efficiently and accurately quantify determination of the above metals in urine . Linearity for all analytes is strong ( r > 0.997 ) using a weighted curve ( 1 / x2 ). True values fell within the accepted PT range for each analyte and sample . Precision of the method showed all analytes were < 20 % RSD , with most showing < 10 % RSD . Sample data is compared between the combined method and the separated methods to verify analytical specificity of the combined method . The biomonitoring samples at low , medium and high concentrations for each analyte that have been previously analyzed using the individual methods are tested against the combined method to determine what , if any , interference the Hg preservative solution of 20 % sulfamic acid and 10 % Triton X-100 has against any of the analytes .

The poster will highlight the value of method improvement to better facilitate public health laboratory analytics . Implications for the use of the combined urine method for both biomonitoring and emergency response will be discussed .

Presenter : Aurora Mills , aurora . mills @ doh . nj . gov