Using Residential History and Groundwater Modeling to Examine Drinking Water Exposure and Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND. Spatial analyses of case-control data have suggested a possible link between breast cancer and groundwater plumes in upper Cape Cod, Massachusetts. OBJECTIVE. We integrated residential histories, public water distribution systems, and groundwater modeling within geographic information systems (GIS) to examine the association between exposure to drinking water that has been contaminated by wastewater effluent and breast cancer. METHODS. Exposure was assessed from 1947 to 1993 for 638 breast cancer cases who were diagnosed from 1983 to 1993 and 842 controls; we took into account residential mobility and drinking water source. To estimate the historical impact of effluent on drinking water wells, we modified a modular three-dimensional finite-difference groundwater model (MODFLOW) from the U.S. Geological Survey. The analyses included latency and exposure duration. RESULTS. Wastewater effluent impacted the drinking water wells of study participants as early as 1966. For > 0-5 years of exposure (versus no exposure), associations were generally null. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for > 10 years of exposure were slightly increased, assuming latency periods of 0 or 10 years [AOR = 1.3; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.9-1.9 and AOR = 1.6; 95% CI, 0.8-3.2, respectively]. Statistically significant associations were estimated for ever-exposed versus never-exposed women when a 20-year latency period was assumed (AOR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-3.4). A sensitivity analysis that classified exposures assuming lower well-pumping rates showed similar results. CONCLUSION. We investigated the hypothesis generated by earlier spatial analyses that exposure to drinking water contaminated by wastewater effluent may be associated with breast cancer. Using a detailed exposure assessment, we found an association with breast cancer that increased with longer latency and greater exposure duration.National Cancer Institute (5R03CA119703-02); National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (5P42 ES007381

Mapping environmental injustices: pitfalls and potential of geographic information systems in assessing environmental health and equity.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been used increasingly to map instances of environmental injustice, the disproportionate exposure of certain populations to environmental hazards. Some of the technical and analytic difficulties of mapping environmental injustice are outlined in this article, along with suggestions for using GIS to better assess and predict environmental health and equity. I examine 13 GIS-based environmental equity studies conducted within the past decade and use a study of noxious land use locations in the Bronx, New York, to illustrate and evaluate the differences in two common methods of determining exposure extent and the characteristics of proximate populations. Unresolved issues in mapping environmental equity and health include lack of comprehensive hazards databases; the inadequacy of current exposure indices; the need to develop realistic methodologies for determining the geographic extent of exposure and the characteristics of the affected populations; and the paucity and insufficiency of health assessment data. GIS have great potential to help us understand the spatial relationship between pollution and health. Refinements in exposure indices; the use of dispersion modeling and advanced proximity analysis; the application of neighborhood-scale analysis; and the consideration of other factors such as zoning and planning policies will enable more conclusive findings. The environmental equity studies reviewed in this article found a disproportionate environmental burden based on race and/or income. It is critical now to demonstrate correspondence between environmental burdens and adverse health impacts--to show the disproportionate effects of pollution rather than just the disproportionate distribution of pollution sources

Improving Links Between Science and Coastal Management: Results of a Survey to Assess U.S. State Coastal Management Science and Technology Needs

In Winter 2003/2004 the Coastal States Organization (CSO) sponsored a national survey of state coastal resource managers to better understand their science and technology needs. The web-based survey was sponsored by CSO with funding provided by the Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET) at the University of New Hampshire. This survey builds upon a previous survey conducted by CSO in 1999. CSO contracted with the Urban Harbors Institute (UHI) at UMass-Boston to prepare the survey questions and final report. The University of New Hampshire Survey Center was contracted to conduct the survey and analyze the results. Two hundred thirty (230) respondents completed the survey from 33 states, territories and Commonwealths. Organizations participating in this survey included the Coastal States Organization (CSO), National Estuarine Research Reserve Association (NERRA), Association of National Estuary Programs (ANEP), Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM), Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM), Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators (ASIWPCA), and the Atlantic States Fishery Management Commission (ASFMC). While some analysis of the data and recommendations how on the report should be used are provided, this report is not intended to offer specific interpretations of the results. Rather it is intended to raise awareness on those topics, research, information, and technology needs that are important to coastal resource managers for the purpose of initiating further dialogue on what exactly this data means and how it can best be applied to improve our future efforts

Ambient Air Toxic Releases and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Previous studies have shown that women exposed to certain air pollutants are at an increased risk for preterm delivery and/or delivering a low birth weight newborn. Preterm delivery and low birth weight are associated with an increased risk for morbidity and mortality. In an effort to better understand the impact of local environmental factors on pregnancy health, duration and outcomes, this study investigated the relationship of hazardous air pollutant chemicals released by local industries and the adverse pregnancy outcomes of preterm delivery and term low birth weight in Allegheny County, PA.This study included 2,798 singleton birth records for deliveries that occurred in Allegheny County in January through March of 2004. The Toxic Release Inventory provided data for 2003 fugitive and stack air releases of all facilities in Allegheny County reporting air releases of lead and toluene. This data was used for determining proxy maternal exposure measurements. ArcGIS software was used to calculate the distance from each maternal residence to each TRI facility. The distances and reported total pounds of release from each facility were then used to calculate a total lead and toluene exposure value for every birth record. Binary logistic regression was used to assess maternal characteristics' effects on birth outcomes. Chi square tests were used to assess maternal characteristics and levels of exposure to lead and toluene. Chi square tests and binary logistic regression were then used to assess pregnancy outcomes in relation to quartiles of exposure.This study found that mothers with certain age, race, education, and marital characteristics were significantly associated with lower exposure levels of lead and toluene. However, exposure to higher levels of lead or toluene, as measured in this study, was not significantly associated with an increased risk for preterm delivery or term low birth weight.Adverse pregnancy outcomes negatively impact an individual's immediate and lifelong health. Decreasing the incidence of preterm delivery and low birth weight are of great importance to public health. Research that helps to identify environmental determinants of adverse pregnancy outcomes is of vital public health significance

Exposure Matters: Examining The Physical And Psychological Health Impacts Of Toxic Contamination Using Gis And Survey Data

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the grassroots environmental movement brought national attention to the issues related to inequities in environmental quality. Previous research addressing these environmental inequities has progressively increased and advanced methodologically. However, the arguments and focus have been primarily limited to examining the socio-demographics in an ongoing debate of race and class. This thesis extends past the methodological stalemate focusing on the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using survey data in an environmental justice case study of a community in south Florida. This approach examines the social, health and environmental impacts of a Superfund site on a low income, minority community. Using geo-coded survey (N=223) and environmental data (ash deposition patterns), this thesis employs path analysis to test the hypothesis that exposure matters. The exposure matters hypothesis suggests exposure (perceived, self-reported and actual) is a significant predictor of physical and psychological health. Results discuss significant findings, and then compare them with previous disaster and trauma-related research and present directions for future research

A GIS-Based Model to Assess On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) Contamination Risk to Local Water Resources

In a collaborative effort between Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI), Cameron County Public Health (CCPH), Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (TAMAE), and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), a GIS database that includes relevant OSSF information, such as location, system age, lot size, and other important parameters was created. This OSSF database, along with publicly available GIS data, was used to create an integrative GIS-based risk assessment model where OSSF risk parameters were assigned a risk factor and combined into a spatial contamination risk for surrounding areas and their receiving waterbodies. Parameters were broken down into two categories: environmental factors and OSSF system factors. Environmental parameters included soil type, land slope, floodplain, surface water proximity, drinking water supply proximity, and groundwater recharge areas. OSSF system parameters included system age and OSSF density. A model sensitivity analysis was then conducted using map removal sensitivity analysis and single parameter sensitivity analysis. A limited bacterial assessment was also conducted by enumerating E. coli in low and high risk waterbodies to provide a framework for future model calibration and validation

Environmental risk assessment in the mediterranean region using artificial neural networks

Los mapas auto-organizados han demostrado ser una herramienta apropiada para la clasificación y visualización de grupos de datos complejos. Redes neuronales, como los mapas auto-organizados (SOM) o las redes difusas ARTMAP (FAM), se utilizan en este estudio para evaluar el impacto medioambiental acumulativo en diferentes medios (aguas subterráneas, aire y salud humana). Los SOMs también se utilizan para generar mapas de concentraciones de contaminantes en aguas subterráneas simulando las técnicas geostadísticas de interpolación como kriging y cokriging. Para evaluar la confiabilidad de las metodologías desarrolladas en esta tesis, se utilizan procedimientos de referencia como puntos de comparación: la metodología DRASTIC para el estudio de vulnerabilidad en aguas subterráneas y el método de interpolación espacio-temporal conocido como Bayesian Maximum Entropy (BME) para el análisis de calidad del aire. Esta tesis contribuye a demostrar las capacidades de las redes neuronales en el desarrollo de nuevas metodologías y modelos que explícitamente permiten evaluar las dimensiones temporales y espaciales de riesgos acumulativos

Developing an estuarine planning support system : a case study for the Humber Estuary, UK

Estuaries are often challenging to manage, as management must strike a balance between the needs of the users and the ecological and economic values within the context of multiple legislative drivers. To help facilitate integrated management, a novel Estuarine Planning Support System (EPSS) framework, using the Humber Estuary in Eastern England as a case study, has been developed. This integrated EPSS framework goes beyond previous approaches as it brings together the legislative drivers, management tools and other mechanisms for controlling plans (formal/legal management, action or work plans (e.g. shoreline management plans) and projects (a new structure or activity such as extending a port). It thereby enables managers and users to assess and address both the current environmental state, and the way in which the new project could impact an estuary in an accessible and understandable tool. This study has been primarily completed by desk based research using peer reviewed literature, technical and research reports, marine licence applications and legislation, with correspondence to several sources to determine the baseline information and existing knowledge gaps. Further to the framework, an EPSS tool was developed to provide a practical application of these requirements. The GIS-based tool ensures that the information is accessible for regulators, managers, the scientific community, developers and the public. Whilst the tool is adaptable for regions within and outside the United Kingdom (UK), the research presented in this thesis focussed on the Humber Estuary. The successful application of the tool for a complex socio-economic and environmental system such as the Humber Estuary shows that the tool can efficiently guide users through the complex administrative requirements needed to implement a management plan, and therefore support sustainable development. In addition, the tool can be used as a scoping mechanism to identify potential stressors which are to be addressed in an environmental impact assessment (EIA). The tool was validated against four case studies and was also tested by a number of stakeholders to determine the utility and accuracy of the tool. The tool was subsequently updated to reflect feedback from the stakeholders. This project should be viewed as a ‘proof of concept’ in that its primary purpose is to demonstrate the potential for developing and operationalizing an approach in the field. The method has the potential to integrate highly technical knowledge from scientists, and the views of non-scientists, to make better-informed management and planning decisions and to provide reasonable assurance to justify those decisions. The tool can be used to prevent conflicts among stakeholders and/or between uses and users and the environment, and makes it possible to integrate all the existing background data in thematic maps and identifies the human activities that use the areas, resources and services. The EPSS tool can save time and resources, aid in the decision-making process and make the decision process more transparent and consistent. It has the potential to make the governance of the marine area more logical, simple, fast and therefore more cost effective. The tool has been developed to be flexible in its approach, this means that it can be easily adapted to be used internationally and to allow for it to be adaptable to future changes. It combines the many aspects required for a holistic approach to marine management, from the inclusion of governance and stakeholder views, to the need for, and use of, monitoring information. In marine management, there will always be a need for robust and scientifically and legally defendable science to inform management. The increasingly large spatial scales that are addressed by policy makers, and the reduction in funding, means that new methods are needed to provide the evidence base which this tool helps to provide, and can be applied worldwide. The developed toolbox is an important step towards such an integrated, holistic ecosystem based approach for marine management, demonstrating that a single tool can bring together the legislative, environmental and economic considerations. The tool is a method to undertake the assessments that are currently being carried out by separate organisations, to combine in a single process that is consistent and transparent and on a quicker timescale helping to reduce costs

Understanding cumulative hazards in a rustbelt city: Integrating GIS, archaeology, and spatial history

We combine the Historical Spatial Data Infrastructure (HSDI) concept developed within spatial history with elements of archaeological predictive modeling to demonstrate a novel GIS-based landscape model for identifying the persistence of historically-generated industrial hazards in postindustrial cities. This historical big data approach draws on over a century of both historical and modern spatial big data to project the presence of specific persistent historical hazards across a city. This research improves on previous attempts to understand the origins and persistence of historical pollution hazards, and our final model augments traditional archaeological approaches to site prospection and analysis. This study also demonstrates how models based on the historical record, such as the HSDI, complement existing approaches to identifying postindustrial sites that require remediation. Our approach links the work of archaeologists more closely to other researchers and to municipal decision makers, permitting closer cooperation between those involved in archaeology, heritage, urban redevelopment, and environmental sustainability activities in postindustrial cities