1
|
Levin R, Villanueva CM, Beene D, Cradock AL, Donat-Vargas C, Lewis J, Martinez-Morata I, Minovi D, Nigra AE, Olson ED, Schaider LA, Ward MH, Deziel NC. US drinking water quality: exposure risk profiles for seven legacy and emerging contaminants. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 34:3-22. [PMID: 37739995 PMCID: PMC10907308 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00597-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in drinking water infrastructure and treatment throughout the 20th and early 21st century dramatically improved water reliability and quality in the United States (US) and other parts of the world. However, numerous chemical contaminants from a range of anthropogenic and natural sources continue to pose chronic health concerns, even in countries with established drinking water regulations, such as the US. OBJECTIVE/METHODS In this review, we summarize exposure risk profiles and health effects for seven legacy and emerging drinking water contaminants or contaminant groups: arsenic, disinfection by-products, fracking-related substances, lead, nitrate, per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and uranium. We begin with an overview of US public water systems, and US and global drinking water regulation. We end with a summary of cross-cutting challenges that burden US drinking water systems: aging and deteriorated water infrastructure, vulnerabilities for children in school and childcare facilities, climate change, disparities in access to safe and reliable drinking water, uneven enforcement of drinking water standards, inadequate health assessments, large numbers of chemicals within a class, a preponderance of small water systems, and issues facing US Indigenous communities. RESULTS Research and data on US drinking water contamination show that exposure profiles, health risks, and water quality reliability issues vary widely across populations, geographically and by contaminant. Factors include water source, local and regional features, aging water infrastructure, industrial or commercial activities, and social determinants. Understanding the risk profiles of different drinking water contaminants is necessary for anticipating local and general problems, ascertaining the state of drinking water resources, and developing mitigation strategies. IMPACT STATEMENT Drinking water contamination is widespread, even in the US. Exposure risk profiles vary by contaminant. Understanding the risk profiles of different drinking water contaminants is necessary for anticipating local and general public health problems, ascertaining the state of drinking water resources, and developing mitigation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronnie Levin
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Cristina M Villanueva
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER epidemiología y salud pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Beene
- Community Environmental Health Program, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- University of New Mexico Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Carolina Donat-Vargas
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER epidemiología y salud pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johnnye Lewis
- Community Environmental Health Program, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Irene Martinez-Morata
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Darya Minovi
- Center for Science and Democracy, Union of Concerned Scientists, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Anne E Nigra
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erik D Olson
- Natural Resources Defense Council, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Mary H Ward
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Meza I, Jemison N, Gonzalez-Estrella J, Burns PC, Rodriguez V, Sigmon GE, Szymanowski JE, Ali AMS, Gagnon K, Cerrato JM, Lichtner P. Kinetics of Na- and K- uranyl arsenate dissolution. CHEMICAL GEOLOGY 2023; 636:121642. [PMID: 37601980 PMCID: PMC10434837 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2023.121642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
We integrated aqueous chemistry analyses with geochemical modeling to determine the kinetics of the dissolution of Na and K uranyl arsenate solids (UAs(s)) at acidic pH. Improving our understanding of how UAs(s) dissolve is essential to predict transport of U and As, such as in acid mine drainage. At pH 2, Na0.48H0.52(UO2)(AsO4)(H2O)2.5(s) (NaUAs(s)) and K0.9H0.1(UO2)(AsO4)(H2O)2.5(s) (KUAs(s)) both dissolve with a rate constant of 3.2 × 10-7 mol m-2 s-1, which is faster than analogous uranyl phosphate solids. At pH 3, NaUAs(s) (6.3 × 10-8 mol m-2 s-1) and KUAs(s) (2.0 × 10-8 mol m-2 s-1) have smaller rate constants. Steady-state aqueous concentrations of U and As are similarly reached within the first several hours of reaction progress. This study provides dissolution rate constants for UAs(s), which may be integrated into reactive transport models for risk assessment and remediation of U and As contaminated waters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Meza
- Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
- Center for Water and the Environment, UNM, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Noah Jemison
- Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
- Center for Water and the Environment, UNM, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Jorge Gonzalez-Estrella
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Peter C. Burns
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Virginia Rodriguez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Ginger E. Sigmon
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Jennifer E.S. Szymanowski
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Abdul-Mehdi S. Ali
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Kaelin Gagnon
- Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
- Center for Water and the Environment, UNM, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - José M. Cerrato
- Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
- Center for Water and the Environment, UNM, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Peter Lichtner
- Center for Water and the Environment, UNM, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nationwide geospatial analysis of county racial and ethnic composition and public drinking water arsenic and uranium. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7461. [PMID: 36460659 PMCID: PMC9718774 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35185-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
There is no safe level of exposure to inorganic arsenic or uranium, yet recent studies identified sociodemographic and regional inequalities in concentrations of these frequently detected contaminants in public water systems across the US. We analyze the county-level association between racial/ethnic composition and public water arsenic and uranium concentrations from 2000-2011 using geospatial models. We find that higher proportions of Hispanic/Latino and American Indian/Alaskan Native residents are associated with significantly higher arsenic and uranium concentrations. These associations differ in magnitude and direction across regions; higher proportions of non-Hispanic Black residents are associated with higher arsenic and uranium in regions where concentrations of these contaminants are high. The findings from this nationwide geospatial analysis identifying racial/ethnic inequalities in arsenic and uranium concentrations in public drinking water across the US can advance environmental justice initiatives by informing regulatory action and financial and technical support to protect communities of color.
Collapse
|
4
|
Jones L, Ingram JC. Invited Perspective: Tribal Water Issues Exemplified by the Navajo Nation. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:121301. [PMID: 36515532 PMCID: PMC9749478 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey Jones
- Water Infrastructure Finance Authority, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Jani C. Ingram
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Joseph N, Libunao T, Herrmann E, Bartelt‐Hunt S, Propper CR, Bell J, Kolok AS. Chemical Toxicants in Water: A GeoHealth Perspective in the Context of Climate Change. GEOHEALTH 2022; 6:e2022GH000675. [PMID: 35949255 PMCID: PMC9357885 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The editorial focuses on four major themes contextualized in a virtual GeoHealth workshop that occurred from June 14 to 16, 2021. Topics in that workshop included drinking water and chronic chemical exposure, environmental injustice, public health and drinking water policy, and the fate, transport, and human impact of aqueous contaminants in the context of climate change. The intent of the workshop was to further define the field of GeoHealth. This workshop emphasized on chemical toxicants that drive human health. The major calls for action emerged from the workshop include enhancing community engagement, advocating for equity and justice, and training the next generation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Joseph
- Idaho Water Resources Research InstituteUniversity of IdahoMoscowIDUSA
| | - Tate Libunao
- Idaho Water Resources Research InstituteUniversity of IdahoMoscowIDUSA
| | | | | | | | - Jesse Bell
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational HealthCollege of Public HealthUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNEUSA
| | - Alan S. Kolok
- Idaho Water Resources Research InstituteUniversity of IdahoMoscowIDUSA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tsushima S, Takao K. Hydrophobic core formation and secondary structure elements in uranyl(VI)-binding peptides. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:4455-4461. [PMID: 35113097 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp05401e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic peptides as well as a modified EF-hand motif of calmodulin have been newly designed to achieve high affinity towards uranyl(VI). Cyclic peptides may be engineered to bind uranyl(VI) to its backbone under acidic conditions, which may enhance its selectivity. For the modified EF-hand motif of calmodulin, strong electrostatic interactions between uranyl(VI) and negatively charged side chains play an important role in achieving high affinity; however, it is also essential to have a secondary structure element and formation of hydrophobic cores in the metal-bound state of the peptide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Tsushima
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01328, Dresden, Germany. .,World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 152-8550 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichiro Takao
- Laboratory for Zero-Carbon Energy, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 152-8550 Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Johnson TD, Belitz K, Kauffman LJ, Watson E, Wilson JT. Populations using public-supply groundwater in the conterminous U.S. 2010; Identifying the wells, hydrogeologic regions, and hydrogeologic mapping units. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150618. [PMID: 34592272 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Most Americans receive their drinking water from publicly supplied sources, a large portion of it from groundwater. Mapping these populations consistently and at a high resolution is important for understanding where the resource is used and needs to be protected. The results show that 269 million people are supplied by public supply, 107 million are supplied by groundwater and 162 million are supplied by surface water. The population using public supply drinking water was mapped in two ways: the census enhanced method (CEM) evenly distributes the population across populated census blocks, and the urban land-use enhanced method (ULUEM) distributes the population only to certain urban land use designations. In addition, a two-dimensional polygon dataset was created for the conterminous U.S. that identifies 177 unique Hydrogeologic Mapping Units (HMUs) with similar hydrogeologic characteristics. The HMUs do not overlap, but they can delineate areas where stacked hydrogeologic regions (HRs) contribute drinking water from below the surface. HRs are waterbearing geologic regions identified as either a principal aquifers (PA) or secondary hydrogeologic regions (SHR). Within each HMU, the wells were used to determine the proportion of each HR that is providing groundwater to the HMU. In 63% of the HMUs, a single HR is providing water to the public supply wells located within it, while the rest of the HMUs show that the wells are tapping up to a maximum of four stacked HRs. In total, groundwater from 108 HRs provide drinking water for public supply, six of which provide more than 50% of the groundwater used for public supply drinking water. The aquifer serving the largest number of equivalent people (>17 million) is the glacial aquifer. The HR providing the greatest number of people per km2 is the Biscayne aquifer in Florida at nearly 453 people per km2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler D Johnson
- United States Geological Survey, California Water Science Center, 4165 Spruance Rd. Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92101, United States.
| | - Kenneth Belitz
- United States Geological Survey, Earth Systems Processes Division, 10 Bearfoot Rd., Northborough, MA 01532, United States
| | - Leon J Kauffman
- United States Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, 3450 Princeton Pike, Suite 110, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, United States
| | - Elise Watson
- United States Geological Survey, California Water Science Center, 4165 Spruance Rd. Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
| | - John T Wilson
- United States Geological Survey, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, 5957 Lakeside Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46278, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rock T, Jones L, Ingram JC. Approaches for Disseminating Environmental Research Findings to Navajo Communities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:6753. [PMID: 34201746 PMCID: PMC8268763 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18136753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We report the use of three different dissemination approaches for providing environmental research results back to Navajo communities from different research projects. The objectives of the dissemination are to provide the results to the community, have a dialogue about the results, and learn more about the environmental concerns of the community for potential future research projects. The first approach utilizes radio announcements and flyers provided to the community announcing dissemination meetings specific to the research projects. The second approach is more collaborative, working with a grassroots organization to organize report-back meetings, as well as one-on-one discussions of the research project. The third approach involves the development of a booklet for distribution to communities along with an oral presentation at the regularly scheduled monthly community meetings to discuss the information. Overall, the second and third approaches are more effective than the first approach in terms of dissemination to a larger number of community members, as well as increased dialogue between the researchers and the communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tommy Rock
- School of Earth Science and Environmental Sustainability, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (T.R.); (L.J.)
| | - Lindsey Jones
- School of Earth Science and Environmental Sustainability, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (T.R.); (L.J.)
| | - Jani C. Ingram
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| |
Collapse
|