Lab Matters Summer 2023 | Page 21

FEATURE SPOTLIGHT : ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Minnesota ’ s multi-disciplinary intervention program utilizes biomonitoring as a key tool in its efforts to :

• Identify individuals who are exposed to mercury through urine mercury testing

• Investigate and identify the exposure source through offering free home visits

• Share information with the individuals and their communities about the dangers , including products tested and found to contain mercury

• Conduct follow-up home visits and repeat urine mercury testing to be sure that individuals ’ exposure has been reduced . g

Biomonitoring California staff discuss results of the ACE projects with community partners . Photo : CA Department of Public Health

Acknowledgements :

California Department of Public Health

• Kathleen Attfield , ScD , research scientist supervisor

• Nerissa Wu , PhD , MPH , research scientist supervisor

• Duyen Kauffman , health program specialist

• Asha Choudhury , MD , MPH , MS , epidemiology fellow

• Emilie Kadhim , MPH , Outreach and Communications Unit Chief

Minnesota Department of Health

• Lisa Strong , PhD , lead metals chemist , Biomonitoring & Emerging Contaminants Unit

• Fathi Ahmed , manager , Public Health , Biomonitoring Program

• Carin Huset , PhD , research scientist , Minnesota Department of Health Public Health Laboratory

References :

1 . Awata H , Linder S , Mitchell LE , Delclos GL . 2017 . Biomarker levels of toxic metals among Asian populations in the United States : NHANES 2011 – 2012 . Environ Health Perspect 125:306 – 313

2 . McKelvey W , Gwynn RC , Jeffery N , Kass D , Thorpe LE , Garg RK et al . 2007 . A biomonitoring study of lead , cadmium , and mercury in the blood of New York City adults . Environ Health Perspect 115:1435-1441 , doi : 10.1289 / ehp . 1005617938732 .

3 . Wattigney , WA , Savadatti , SS , Liu , M , Pavuk , M , Lewis-Michl , EL , Kannan , K et al . Biomonitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in minority angler communities in Central New York State . Environmental Research . Volume 204 , Part C , March 2022 .