The Need to Focus More on Climate Change Communication and Incorporate More Systems Approaches.

Society is at an inflection point-both in terms of climate change and the amount of data and computational resources currently available. Climate change has been a catastrophe in slow motion with relationships between human activity, climate change, and the resulting effects forming a complex system. However, to date, there has been a general lack of urgent responses from leaders and the general public, despite urgent warnings from the scientific community about the consequences of climate change and what can be done to mitigate it. Further, misinformation and disinformation about climate change abound. A major problem is that there has not been enough focus on communication in the climate change field. Since communication itself involves complex systems (e.g. information users, information itself, communications channels), there is a need for more systems approaches to communication about climate change. Utilizing systems approaches to really understand and anticipate how information may be distributed and received before communication has even occurred and adjust accordingly can lead to more proactive precision climate change communication. The time has come to identify and develop more effective, tailored, and precise communication for climate change.

Identification of Legacy and Active Sources of Metal Contamination in Soils in Brooklyn, NY.

The purpose of this study was to examine the spatial distribution and potential anthropogenic sources of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) in surface soils throughout Brooklyn, NY. We collected soil samples (n = 1,373) from 176 different New York City parks. Samples were analyzed ex-situ using a portable X-ray fluorescence with a subset of samples laboratory confirmed. The effect of multiple sources on concentrations were determined by multivariable linear regression with generalized estimating equations. Median concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn were 108 ppm, 145 ppm, 49 ppm, 14,034 ppm, and 279 ppm, respectively. All metals were significantly correlated with one another (p < 0.001), with the strength of the correlation ranging from a low of approximately ρ = 0.3 (Pb-Mn and Zn-Mn) to a high of ρ = 0.7 (Pb-Cu). In final multivariate modeling significant association were observed between scrap yards and Mn concentration (ß = 0.075, 0.019), National Priorities List (NPL) sites and Pb, Fe and Mn (ß = 0.134, p = 0.004; ß = 0.038, p = 0.014; ß = 0.057, p = 0.037, respectively), and bridges nearby and Pb and Zn (ß = 0.106, p = 0.003; ß = 0.076, p = 0.026, respectively). Although manufacturing and industry have mostly left the area, smaller scrap metal recyclers are abundant and associated with increased Cu and Mn soil concentrations. In addition, NPL sites contributed to increased concentrations of all five metals within 800 m. Roadways have long been established to be sources of urban pollution; however, in our study we also found the presence of bridges within 800 m were also strongly predictive of increased Pb, Cu, and Zn concentrations.

Characterization of fetal exposure to multiple metals among an urban population: A case study of New York City.

INTRODUCTION: Metals and metalloids are ubiquitous and persistent in urban areas and are generally released into the environment as mixtures. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to establish baseline concentrations of selected elements in meconium samples among a large urban population in the US and understand the spatial variability in concentrations. The association of metal mixtures on birth weight was also assessed. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted across five public hospitals located in New York City, NY (NYC) in four boroughs. We collected meconium sample from 116 infants during the first 24 h after delivery and quantified 11 metals using ICP-MS. Principal component analysis was used to determine metal mixtures and their association with birth weight. Spatial hot spots of each metal were calculated using the Getis-Ord (GI*). RESULTS: Essential elements were detected in all samples with Zn in the greatest abundance (median = 274.5 µg/g) and Mo in the least (median = 0.1845 µg/g). Pb was detected in all but two samples (median = 0.0222 µg/g), while Cd levels were detected in approximately half of the samples (median = 0.0019 µg/g). Co-located hot spots were detected for Cu, Zn, and Fe in southeast Brooklyn; Cd, Cr, and Ni in eastern Queens; and Al and Mo in south Queens. There was a significant inverse relationship between Pb concentrations (beta = -1935.7; p = 0.006) and the mixture of Cr, Cu, Mo, Zn (beta = -157.7; p = 0.045) and birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that meconium is an effective biomarker for measuring metal exposures among an urban population. We were able to quantify detectable levels of ten of the eleven metals measured in the study and characterize nutritionally necessary trace elements and metals derived from anthropogenic sources without biologic need in a cohort of NYC newborns. Further research needs to establish the change point from necessary to toxic, for the essential elements.

Lead, Soils, and Children: An Ecological Analysis of Lead Contamination in Parks and Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Brooklyn, New York.

Although the prevalence of elevated childhood blood lead levels (BLLs) has been declining, there are still an estimated 500,000 children (1 to 5 years) with BLLs above the CDC's reference value (≥ 5 µg/dL). The objective of this study was to evaluate the ecological association between soil lead (Pb) concentrations in greenspaces in Brooklyn, NY and elevated BLLs of children aged 1 to 5 years old. Soil samples (n = 1504) were collected from a wide variety of parks within 43 neighborhood tabulation areas (NTAs) located in Brooklyn, NY, analyzed with a portable XRF with a subset (n = 350), and also analyzed by ICP-MS. Lead concentrations were right skewed with a mean of 160.4 ppm and a median of 113.1 ppm. The Pb concentration range spanned three orders of magnitude with most samples (66.7%) ≥ 80 ppm and 6.7% of samples ≥ 400 ppm. Elevated BLL (≥ 5ug/dL) data on children 1 to 5 years were obtained from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (2011-2015). Weighted median soil Pb concentrations were calculated for each NTA and stratified into quartiles. The overall median rate of children from 1 to 5 years old with BLLs ≥ 5 µg/dL was 28.6 per 1000; the median rate was highest (p = 0.070) in the fourth quartile (Pb concentrations ≥ 150 ppm) compared to the first quartile (Pb concentrations < 88 ppm), 37.2 vs. 28.3 per 1000, respectively. We then used multivariable linear regression to determine the ecological association between BLL rates and soil Pb concentrations. In the final stepwise multivariable regression model, controlling for known risk factors, there was a significant positive association between soil Pb concentrations and increased childhood BLL rates (beta = 0.0008; p = 0.004). Our findings suggest that there is an ecological association between high soil Pb levels and increased rates of elevated childhood BLLs.

Estimating aerosol transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 in New York City public schools during reopening.

The objective of this study was to estimate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among students and teachers in New York City public schools, the largest school system in the US. Classroom measurements conducted from December 2017 to September 2018 were used to estimate risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission using a modified Wells-Riley equation under a steady-state conditions and varying exposure scenarios (infectious student versus teacher, susceptible student versus teacher, with and without masks). We then used multivariable linear regression with GEE to identify school and classroom factors that impact transmission risk. Overall, 101 classrooms in 19 schools were assessed, 86 during the heating season, 69 during cooling season, and 54 during both. The mean probability of transmission was generally low but varied by scenario (range: 0.0015-0.81). Transmission rates were higher during the heating season (beta=0.108, p=0.010), in schools in higher income neighborhoods (>80K versus 20K-40K beta=0.196, p<0.001) and newer buildings (<50 years beta=0.237, p=<0.001; 50-99 years beta=0.230, p=0.013 versus 100+ years) and lower in schools with mechanical ventilation (beta=0.141, p=0.057). Surprisingly, schools located in older buildings and lower-income neighborhoods had lower transmission probabilities, likely due to the greater outdoor airflow associated with an older, non-renovated buildings that allow air to leak in (i.e. drafty buildings). Despite the generally low risk of school-based transmission found in this study, with SARS-CoV-2 prevalence rising in New York City this risk will increase and additional mitigation steps should be implemented in schools now.

Presence and variability of culturable bioaerosols in three multi-family apartment buildings with different ventilation systems in the Northeastern US.

Bioaerosol concentrations in residential buildings located in the Northeastern US have not been widely studied. Here, in 2011-2015, we studied the presence and seasonal variability of culturable fungi and bacteria in three multi-family apartment buildings and correlated the bioaerosol concentrations with building ventilation system types and environmental parameters. A total of 409 indoor and 86 outdoor samples were taken. Eighty-five percent of investigated apartments had indoor-outdoor (I/O) ratios of culturable fungi below 1, suggesting minimal indoor sources of fungi. In contrast, 56% of the apartments had I/O ratios for culturable bacteria above 1, indicating the prominence of indoor sources of bacteria. Culturable fungi I/O ratios in apartments serviced by central heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system were lower than those in apartments with window AC. The type of ventilation system did not have a significant effect on the presence of indoor culturable bacteria. A significant positive association was determined between indoor dew point (DP) levels and indoor culturable fungi (P < .001) and bacteria (P < .001), regardless of ventilation type. Also, residents in apartments with central HVAC did not experience extreme DP values. We conclude that building ventilation systems, seasonality, and indoor sources are major factors affecting indoor bioaerosol levels in residential buildings.

An estimation of airborne SARS-CoV-2 infection transmission risk in New York City nail salons.

Although airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from person-to-person over long distances is currently thought to be unlikely, the current epidemiological evidence suggests that airborne SARS-CoV-2 infection transmission in confined, indoor spaces is plausible, particularly when outdoor airflow rates are low and when face masks are not utilized. We sought to model airborne infection transmission risk assuming five realistic exposure scenarios using previously estimated outdoor airflow rates for 12 New York City nail salons, a published quanta generation rate specific to SARS-CoV-2, as well as the Wells-Riley equation to assess risk under both steady-state and non-steady-state conditions. Additionally, the impact of face mask-wearing by occupants on airborne infection transmission risk was also evaluated. The risk of airborne infection transmission across all salons and all exposure scenarios when not wearing face masks ranged from <0.015% to 99.25%, with an average airborne infection transmission risk of 24.77%. Wearing face masks reduced airborne infection transmission risk to between <0.01% and 51.96%, depending on the salon, with an average airborne infection transmission risk of 7.30% across all salons. Increased outdoor airflow rates in nail salons were generally strongly correlated with decreased average airborne infection transmission risk. The results of this study indicate that increased outdoor airflow rates and the use of face masks by both employees and customers could substantially reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission in New York City nail salons. Businesses should utilize multiple layers of infection control measures (e.g. social distancing, face masks, and outdoor airflow) to reduce airborne infection transmission risk for both employees and customers.

COVID-19 and Inequity: a Comparative Spatial Analysis of New York City and Chicago Hot Spots.

There have been numerous reports that the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic has disproportionately impacted traditionally vulnerable communities associated with neighborhood attributes, such as the proportion of racial and ethnic minorities, migrants, and the lower income households. The goal of this ecological cross-sectional study is to examine the demographic and economic nature of spatial hot and cold spots of SARS-CoV-2 rates in New York City and Chicago as of April 13, 2020 using data from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Illinois Department of Public Health, and the American Community Survey. In both cities, cold spots (clusters of low SARS-CoV-2 rate ZIP code tabulation areas as identified by the Getis-Ord (GI*) statistic) demonstrated social determinants of health characteristics typically associated with better health outcomes and the ability to maintain physical distance ("social distancing"). These neighborhoods tended to be wealthier, have higher educational attainment, higher proportions of non-Hispanic white residents, and more workers in managerial occupations (all p values < 0.01 using Wilcoxon two-sample test). Hot spots (clusters of high SARS-CoV-2 rate ZIP code tabulation areas) had similarities as well, such as lower rates of college graduates and higher proportions of people of color. It also appears that household size (more people per household), rather than overall population density (people per square mile), is more strongly associated with hot spots. New York City had an average of 3.0 people per household in hot spots and 2.1 in cold spots (p < 0.01), and Chicago had 2.8 people per household in hot spots and 2.0 in cold spots (p = 0.03). However, hotspots were located in neighborhoods that were significantly less dense (New York City: 22,900 people per square mile in hot spots and 68,900 in cold spots (p < 0.01); Chicago: 10,000 people per square mile in hot spots and 23,400 in cold spots (p = 0.03)). Findings suggest important differences between the cities' hot spots as well. NYC hot spots can be described as working-class and middle-income communities, perhaps indicative of greater concentrations of service workers and other occupations (including those classified as "essential services" during the pandemic) that may not require a college degree but pay wages above poverty levels. Chicago's hot spot neighborhoods, on the other hand, are among the city's most vulnerable, low-income neighborhoods with extremely high rates of poverty, unemployment, and non-Hispanic Black residents.

Lead in New York City's soils: Population growth, land use, and contamination.

Soil is an important exposure pathway for lead (Pb) and predictor of blood lead levels (BLL) among children. Over the past two decades, many areas within New York City (NYC) have undergone a transition from industrial and manufacturing land use to residential housing. This can bring new residents to areas which contain the legacy of historic Pb contamination. The objective of this study was to evaluate the difference in soil Pb concentrations between community parks and greenspaces in areas undergoing rapid redevelopment and land use changes and stable areas without redevelopment. Three high- and three low-risk Pb contaminated areas within NYC were identified based on an additive index that included population growth, industrial land use, and new construction. Soil samples (n=358) were collected across 34 parks and analyzed with an XRF with a subset also analyzed by ICP-MS. Areas within NYC, evaluated in this study, with a high-risk index had significantly (p<0.0001) larger mean concentrations of Pb in soil (374 mg/kg vs. 150 mg/kg, respectively) and double the rate of children under the age of six years with BLL > 5ug/dL (37.94 vs. 18.72 per 1000, respectively) compared to low-risk areas. There was a statistically significant (p <0.05) positive correlation between street density, manufacturing/industrial land density and population density change within 0.40 km of a park and soil Pb concentrations. However, we were unable to estimate the source-specific contribution of Pb concentrations in soil, since many of the variables assessed were correlated with one another. Regardless of the source, large population increases are occurring in areas with elevated soil Pb levels. In the three high-risk areas investigated in this study, the population has increased by over 35,000 residents between 2010 to 2017 compared to just 8,500 in the low-risk areas.

Heat stress risk among New York City public school kitchen workers: a quantitative exposure assessment.

Despite the known human health risks associated with excessive heat exposure, particularly in occupational settings, data describing potential heat exposures in school kitchens is scarce, and no published studies to date have performed a quantitative heat exposure assessment for workers employed in this setting. The purpose of this study was to quantify the extent of heat stress in New York City public school kitchens and to assess potential risk of heat-related illness and/or acute injury. Full-shift indoor Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) indices, as well as indoor CO2 and CO concentrations were measured for ten school kitchens. A quantitative exposure assessment for three metabolic work-rate scenarios (light, moderate, heavy) was performed in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Heat Hazard Assessment methodology. The overall mean indoor WBGT index for all ten sites was approximately 25.0 °C (77.0 °F; Standard Deviation [SD] = 2.0 °C). Regarding the estimated Action Limit, 10% of school kitchens sampled exceeded this recommended limit for the light work-rate scenario; 60% of schools exceeded this limit for the moderate work-rate scenario; and 80% of schools exceeded this limit for the heavy work-rate scenario. For the Threshold Limit Value (TLV), none of the kitchens exceeded this limit for the light or moderate work-rate scenarios; 30% of kitchens were in excess of this limit for the heavy work-rate scenario. Mean full-shift CO2 and CO air concentrations ranged from 435-911 ppm (mean = 648; SD = 158) and 0.0-3.2 ppm (mean = 0.9; SD = 0.9), respectively. The data collected in the current study suggest that kitchen staff employed in New York City public schools may be exposed to excessive indoor heat levels. Adequate work-rest schedules should be implemented for kitchen workers, in addition to other feasible engineering and administrative controls to mitigate potential risk of heat-related illness and/or acute injury.

Occupational Exposure and Ventilation Assessment in New York City Nail Salons.

In 2015, New York State enacted new ventilation regulations to protect employees and clients from exposure to chemicals used in nail salons. This study measured common air pollutants found in nail salons and assessed compliance with ventilation requirements. Area sampling was conducted in 12 nail salons located in New York City for three consecutive days (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) to measure total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), methyl methacrylate, toluene, and ethyl acetate concentrations and estimate ventilation rates. Salon characteristics were determined through a walkthrough inspection and survey administered to the manager. The average daily concentration of carbon dioxide and TVOCs across all salons was 1070 ppm [standard deviation (SD) = 440 ppm] and 29 ppm (SD = 25 ppm), respectively. Chemical-specific air sampling showed low to non-detectable levels of the three measured chemicals. Seventy-five percent of the nail salons did not meet general minimum outdoor airflow requirements. Little temporal variation was observed in day-to-day average concentrations of contaminants within salons, indicating uniform exposure during high customer count days. Salons that met the outdoor airflow requirements had twice the average daily customers (83 versus 42) and half the TVOC concentrations compared with salons that did not (33 versus 16 ppm). Nail salons not meeting ventilation requirements tended to have fewer customers and managers that did not understand the essential components of the ventilation system. Data from this study can be used as evidence of reduction in exposure due to compliance with the ventilation requirements.

Occupational Groups and Environmental Justice: A Case Study in the Bronx, New York.

We used spatial analyses to examine exposure of people in vulnerable occupational groups to neighborhood-level environmental pollutants in the Bronx borough of New York City. Five-year estimates of environmental ambient exposures (derived from land use regression models for PM2.5 [particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm] and black carbon) and demographic and occupational variables were harmonized at the census tract level. Correlations revealed that areas with high environmental exposures also had high proportions of people in service industries and manufacturing and high proportions of socioeconomically vulnerable populations. This combination of vulnerabilities may be cumulative, suggesting residents could have high occupational and residential exposures in addition to sociodemographic-related inequity.

Effects of copper and zinc on ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Despite great progress in prevention and control, ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Diet plays a key role in IHD, but a comprehensive delineation of the role of dietary factors in IHD is not yet quite complete. Objective: The aim of this study was to test the long-standing hypothesis that copper is protective and zinc harmful in IHD. Design: We used separate-sample instrumental variable analysis with genetic instruments (Mendelian randomization). We obtained single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from a genome wide association study, strongly (P value < 5 × 10-8) and independently associated with erythrocyte copper and zinc. We applied these genetic predictors of copper and zinc to the largest, most extensively genotyped IHD case (n ≤ 76014)-control (n ≤ 264785) study, based largely on CARDIoGRAMplusC4D 1000 Genomes and the UK Biobank SOFT CAD, to obtain SNP-specific Wald estimates for the effects of copper and zinc on IHD, which were combined through the use of inverse variance weighting. Sensitivity analysis included use of the MR-Egger method, and reanalysis including SNPs independently associated with erythrocyte copper and zinc at P value < 5 × 10-6. Results: Genetically instrumented copper was negatively associated with IHD (OR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90, 0.98). Genetically instrumented zinc was positively associated with IHD (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.11). Sensitivity analysis via MR-Egger gave no indication of unknown pleiotropy; less strongly associated SNPs gave similar results for copper. Conclusion: Genetic validation of a long-standing hypothesis suggests that further investigation of the effects, particularly of copper, on IHD may provide a practical means of reducing the leading cause of mortality and morbidity.

Assessing indoor air quality in New York City nail salons.

Nail salons are an important business and employment sector for recent immigrants offering popular services to a diverse range of customers across the United States. However, due to the nature of nail products and services, salon air can be burdened with a mix of low levels of hazardous airborne contaminants. Surveys of nail technicians have commonly found increased work-related symptoms, such as headaches and respiratory irritation, that are consistent with indoor air quality problems. In an effort to improve indoor air quality in nail salons, the state of New York recently promulgated regulations to require increased outdoor air and "source capture" of contaminants. Existing indoor air quality in New York State salons is unknown. In advance of the full implementation of the rules by 2021, we sought to establish reliable and usable baseline indoor air quality metrics to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of the requirement. In this pilot study, we measured total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in 10 nail salons located in New York City to assess temporal and spatial trends. Within salon contaminant variation was generally minimal, indicating a well-mixed room and similar general exposure despite the task being performed. TVOC and CO2 concentrations were strongly positively correlated (ρ = 0.81; p < 0.01) suggesting that CO2 measurements could potentially be used to provide an initial determination of acceptable indoor air quality for the purposes of compliance with the standard. An almost tenfold increase in TVOC concentration was observed when the American National Standards Institute/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ANSI/ASHRAE) target CO2 concentration of 850 ppm was exceeded compared to when this target was met.

Geo-Spatial Characterization of Soil Mercury and Arsenic at a High-Altitude Bolivian Gold Mine.

Soil mercury concentrations at a typical small-scale mine site in the Bolivian Andes were elevated (28-737 mg/kg or ppm) in localized areas where mercury amalgams were either formed or vaporized to release gold, but was not detectable beyond approximately 10 m from its sources. Arsenic was measurable, exceeding known background levels throughout the mine site (77-137,022 ppm), and was also measurable through the local village of Ingenio (36-1803 ppm). Although arsenic levels were high at all surveyed locations, its spatial pattern followed mercury, being highest where mercury was high.

Characterization and risk of exposure to elements from artisanal gold mining operations in the Bolivian Andes.

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) offers low-skilled workers an opportunity to elevate themselves out of poverty. However, this industry operates with little to no pollution controls and the cost to the environment and human health can be large. The objectives of this study were to measure levels of arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in the environment and characterize health risks to miners and residents in an area with active ASGM operations. An exposure assessment was conducted at two different mining sites and a nearby village in the Bolivian Anders. The resulting measurements were then used to quantify cancerous and noncancerous health risks to children and adults working at and living near ASGM areas. Soil concentrations of As were well above background levels and showed great variations between the village and mining area. Mercury vapor levels at the two mining sites were approximately 30 times larger than the EPA reference concentration. The risk of developing non-cancerous health effects were primarily due to exposure to As and Hg. The probability of individuals developing cancer was considerably increased with adult miners having a probability of 1.3 out of 100. Cancer potential was driven by exposure to As, with de minimus cancer risk from all other elements. Based on the environmental characterization of elements in soils and Hg vapors, the risk of developing cancerous and non-cancerous health outcomes were above a level of concern based on EPA risk assessment guidance. Personal protective equipment was not worn by workers and Hg amalgam is commonly heated in workers' homes. Better education of the risks of ASGM is needed as well as simple controls to reduce exposure.

Respirable dust and silica exposure among World Trade Center cleanup workers.

The cleanup effort following the destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) was unprecedented and involved removal of 1.8 million tons of rubble over a nine-month period. Work at the site occurred 24 hr a day, 7 days a week and involved thousands of workers during the process. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted personal and area exposure sampling during the cleanup of the site. Secondary data analysis was performed on OSHA air sampling data for respirable dust and silica from September 2001 to June 2002 at the WTC recovery site to characterize workers' exposure. Results for silica and respirable particulate were stratified by area and personal samples as well as job task for analysis. Of 1108 samples included in the analysis, 693 were personal and 415 were area. The mean result for personal silica samples was 42 µg/m3 (Range: 4.2-1800 µg/m3). Workers identified as drillers had the highest mean silica exposure (72 µg/m3; range: 5.8-800 µg/m3) followed by workers identified as dock builders (67 µg/m3; range: 5.8-670 µg/m3). The mean result for personal samples for respirable particulate was 0.44 mg/m3 (range: 0.00010-13 mg/m3). There were no discernable trends in personal respirable dust and silica concentrations with date.

Burden of disease resulting from lead exposure at toxic waste sites in Argentina, Mexico and Uruguay.

BACKGROUND: Though lead contaminated waste sites have been widely researched in many high-income countries, their prevalence and associated health outcomes have not been well documented in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: Using the well-established health metric disability-adjusted life year (DALY) and an exposure assessment method developed by Chatham-Stephens et al., we estimated the burden of disease resulting from exposure to lead at toxic waste sites in three Latin American countries in 2012: Argentina, Mexico and Uruguay. Toxic waste sites identified through Pure Earth's Toxic Sites Identification Program (TSIP) were screened for lead in both biological and environmental sample media. Estimates of cardiovascular disease incidence and other outcomes resulting from exposure to lead were utilized to estimate DALYs for each population at risk. RESULTS: Approximately 316,703 persons in three countries were at risk of exposure to pollutants at 129 unique sites identified through the TSIP database. Exposure to lead was estimated to result in between 51,432 and 115,042 DALYs, depending on the weighting factor used. The estimated burden of disease caused by exposure to lead in this analysis is comparable to that estimated for Parkinson's disease and bladder cancer in these countries. CONCLUSIONS: Lead continues to pose a significant public health risk in Argentina, Mexico, and Uruguay. The burden of disease in these three countries is comparable with other widely recognized public health challenges. Knowledge of the relatively high number of DALYs associated with lead exposure may be used to generate support and funding for the remediation of toxic waste sites in these countries and others.

Manganese concentrations in soil and settled dust in an area with historic ferroalloy production.

Ferroalloy production can release a number of metals into the environment, of which manganese (Mn) is of major concern. Other elements include lead, iron, zinc, copper, chromium, and cadmium. Mn exposure derived from settled dust and suspended aerosols can cause a variety of adverse neurological effects to chronically exposed individuals. To better estimate the current levels of exposure, this study quantified the metal levels in dust collected inside homes (n=85), outside homes (n=81), in attics (n=6), and in surface soil (n=252) in an area with historic ferroalloy production. Metals contained in indoor and outdoor dust samples were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, whereas attic and soil measurements were made with a X-ray fluorescence instrument. Mean Mn concentrations in soil (4600 µg/g) and indoor dust (870 µg/g) collected within 0.5 km of a plant exceeded levels previously found in suburban and urban areas, but did decrease outside 1.0 km to the upper end of background concentrations. Mn concentrations in attic dust were ~120 times larger than other indoor dust levels, consistent with historical emissions that yielded high airborne concentrations in the region. Considering the potential health effects that are associated with chronic Mn inhalation and ingestion exposure, remediation of soil near the plants and frequent, on-going hygiene indoors may decrease residential exposure and the likelihood of adverse health effects.