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Wang JW, Yu CH, Hou WC, Hsiao TC, Lin YP. Characterization of Fe-Containing and Pb-Containing Nanoparticles Resulting from Corrosion of Plumbing Materials in Tap Water Using a Hyphenated ATM-DMA-spICP-MS System. Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:2038-2047. [PMID: 38241248 PMCID: PMC10832032 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) has been used to characterize metallic nanoparticles (NPs) assuming that all NPs are spherical and composed of pure element. However, environmental NPs generally do not meet these criteria, suggesting that spICP-MS may underestimate their true sizes. This study employed a system hyphenating the atomizer (ATM), differential mobility analyzer (DMA), and spICP-MS to characterize metallic NPs in tap water. Its performance was validated by using reference Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and Ag-shelled AuNPs. The hyphenated system can determine the actual size and metal composition of both NPs with additional heating after ATM, while stand-alone spICP-MS misidentified the Ag-shelled AuNPs as smaller individual AgNPs and AuNPs. Dissolved metal ions could introduce artifact NPs after heating but could be eliminated by centrifugation. The hyphenated system was applied to characterize Fe-containing and Pb-containing NPs resulting from the corrosion of plumbing materials in tap water. The mode sizes of Fe-containing and Pb-containing NPs were determined to be 110 and 100 nm and the particle number concentrations were determined to be 4.99 × 107 and 1.40 × 106 #/mL, respectively. Cautions should be paid to potential changes in particle size induced by heating for metallic NPs with a low melting point or a high organic content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Wen Wang
- Graduate
Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Yu
- Graduate
Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Che Hou
- Department
of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng
Kung University, No. 1 University Road, Tainan City 70101, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Chih Hsiao
- Graduate
Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Pin Lin
- Graduate
Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
- NTU
Research Center for Future Earth, National
Taiwan University, No.
1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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Buerck AM, Khaliq M, Alfredo K, Cunningham JA, Barrett LJP, Rakotondrazaka R, Rakotoarisoa L, Champion WM, Mihelcic JR. Reductions in Children's Blood Lead Levels from a Drinking-Water Intervention in Madagascar, Sub-Saharan Africa. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:16309-16316. [PMID: 37850908 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
One in three children globally is estimated to have blood lead levels (BLL) at or above the BLL reference value of 5 μg/dL with increased burden falling on low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Within developed countries, aqueous lead is the predominant exposure route. However, aqueous lead exposure is rarely examined in the LMIC, leaving a gap in the literature that ignores a potentially significant route of exposure. Furthermore, limited lead-based remediation efforts around consumer products have been examined. This study investigates the importance of lead exposure from the water supply through a case study in Toamasina, Madagascar. The project measured aqueous lead and BLL of children pre- and postremediation efforts (i.e., removal of leaded pump components in hand pumps) to verify the impact of aqueous lead exposure within this community. Removal of the leaded pump components (i.e., piston and foot valves) and replacement with nonleaded components decreased aqueous lead levels below the World Health Organization provisional guideline of 10 μg/L in all but 4% of pumps tested. Measured BLL concentrations indicated a statistically significant decrease in BLL from pre- to postremediation. Furthermore, the remediation resulted in a decrease in BLL for 87% of children with the greatest changes in BLL observed for children with the highest preremediation concentrations. These findings point to a need for greater consideration of lead in drinking and cooking waters as an important exposure route in LMIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adaline M Buerck
- College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, ENG 030, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Mahmooda Khaliq
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 56, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Katherine Alfredo
- College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, ENG 030, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Jeffrey A Cunningham
- College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, ENG 030, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | | | | | - Lova Rakotoarisoa
- ONG Ranontsika, 22 Bis Rue du Commerce, Ampasimazava Toamasina 501, Madagascar
| | - Wyatt M Champion
- College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, ENG 030, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - James R Mihelcic
- College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, ENG 030, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
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Champion WM, Buerck AM, Nenninger C, Yusuf K, Barrett LJP, Rakotoarisoa L, Rakotondrazaka R, Alfredo K, Cunningham J, Khaliq M, Mihelcic JR. Childhood blood lead levels and environmental risk factors in Madagascar. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:68652-68665. [PMID: 35545747 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20586-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
One-third of children globally have blood lead levels (BLLs) exceeding the (former) US CDC reference value of 5 µg/dL; this value may be as high as one-half for children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Lead exposure occurs through a variety of routes (e.g., water, dust, air), and in LMICs specifically, informal economies (e.g., battery recycling) can drive lead exposures due, in part, to absent regulation. Previous work by our team identified a ubiquitous source of lead (Pb), in the form of Pb-containing components used in manually operated pumps, in Toamasina, Madagascar. Characterization of BLLs of children exposed to this drinking water, and identification of additional exposure routes were needed. BLLs were measured for 362 children (aged 6 months to 6 years) in parallel with surveying to assess 14 risk factors related to demographics/socioeconomics, diet, use of pitcher pumps, and parental occupations. BLL data were also compared against a recent meta-review of BLLs for LMICs. Median childhood BLL (7.1 µg/dL) was consistent with those of other Sub-Saharan African LMICs (6.8 µg/dL) and generally higher than LMICs in other continents. Risk factors significantly associated (p < 0.05, univariate logistic regression) with elevated BLL (at ≥ 5 µg/dL) included male gender, living near a railway or major roadway (owing potentially to legacy lead pollution), having lower-cost flooring, daily consumption of foods (beans, vegetables, rice) commonly cooked in recycled aluminum pots (a previously identified lead source for this community), and a maternal occupation (laundry-person) associated with lower socioeconomic status (SES). Findings were similar at the ≥ 10 µg/dL BLL status. Our methods and findings may be appropriate in identifying and reducing lead exposures for children in other urbanizing cities, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where lead exposure routes are complex and varied owing to informal economics and substantial legacy pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wyatt M Champion
- College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ENG 030, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.
| | - Adaline M Buerck
- College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ENG 030, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Christopher Nenninger
- College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ENG 030, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Korede Yusuf
- College of Nursing and Public Health, Adelphi University, One South Ave., Garden City, NY, 11530, USA
| | | | | | | | - Katherine Alfredo
- College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ENG 030, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Jeffrey Cunningham
- College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ENG 030, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Mahmooda Khaliq
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 56, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - James R Mihelcic
- College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ENG 030, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
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McAlister M, Zhang Q, Annis J, Schweitzer RW, Guidotti S, Mihelcic JR. Systems Thinking for Effective Interventions in Global Environmental Health. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:732-738. [PMID: 34982546 PMCID: PMC8969763 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Environmental health risks such as household air pollution due to burning solid fuels, inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene, and chemical pollution disproportionately affect the poorest and most marginalized populations. While billions of dollars and countless hours of research have been applied toward addressing these issues in both development and humanitarian contexts, many interventions fail to achieve or sustain desired outcomes over time. This pattern points to the perpetuation of linear thinking, despite the complex nature of environmental health within these contexts. There is a need and an opportunity to engage in critical reflection of the dominant paradigms in the global environmental health community, including how they affect decision-making and collective learning. These paradigms should be adapted as needed toward the integration of diverse perspectives and the uptake of systems thinking. Participatory modeling, complexity-aware monitoring, and virtual simulation modeling can help achieve this. Additionally, virtual simulation modeling is relatively inexpensive and can provide a low-stakes environment for testing interventions before implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha
M. McAlister
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Jonathan Annis
- USAID
Uganda Sanitation for Health Activity, Tetra
Tech, Plot 12A, Farady
Road, Bugolobi, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ryan W. Schweitzer
- Independent, 349 West Parkwood Road, Decatur, Georgia 30030, United States
| | - Sunny Guidotti
- Latin
America and Caribbean Regional Office, UNICEF, PO Box 0843-03045, Panama City, 07144, Panama
| | - James R. Mihelcic
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
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Khaliq M, Sommariva S, Buerck AM, Rakotondrazaka R, Rakotoarisoa L, Barrett LJP, Mihelcic JR. Midstream Players Determine Population-Level Behavior Change: Social Marketing Research to Increase Demand for Lead-Free Components in Pitcher Pumps in Madagascar. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:7297. [PMID: 34299747 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) exposure through water contamination is an important issue at the intersection of public health and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Behavior-change programs designed to address this pressing problem rarely take a behavioral-science-informed approach, nor do they consider the role of intermediate players who often influence and support behavior change. Social marketing segments the population and focuses on the consumer/user throughout program development and implementation. To illustrate the social marketing process, this cross-sectional, qualitative design study investigates the use of Pb in the construction and maintenance of household pitcher pumps for potable water in Madagascar. A sample of 18 technicians were interviewed on their current practices, motivators, barriers, and communication channels for knowledge exchange. The results reveal the importance of peers, those considered experts or "market mavens", and the need for information on the dangers of Pb as an outdated practice for any future intervention. This study advances the notion of a design shift within engineering WASH projects, whereby social/behavioral approaches are used to consider the needs, concerns, and current behaviors of the consumer. We also advocate for engaging intermediate players who often influence behavior change in the rollout of an engineering innovation.
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