Collaborative response to arsenic-contaminated soil in an Appalachian Kentucky neighborhood

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with an increased exposure to arsenic-contaminated soil in a Kentucky neighborhood as part of collaborative public health response. An exposure assessment survey was administered to residents and toenail clippings and soil samples analyzed for arsenic concentration. The associations between exposure variables and arsenic concentrations were evaluated using a multivariate-generalized estimating equation. An ecological assessment of cancer incidence in the community was also conducted using standardized incidence ratio maps. Median toenail arsenic was 0.48 micrograms/gram (µg/g), twice the expected regional level of 0.2 µg/g. Mean residence surface soil arsenic level was 64.8 ppm. An increase of 1 ppm of residence concentration was significantly associated with a 0.003 µg/g rise in toenail levels. Concentrations for respondents who engaged in digging were 0.68 µg/g significantly higher compared to individuals who did not. No significantly elevated rates of lung or bladder cancer were observed in the affected ZIP codes. Living in areas with high soil arsenic contamination might lead to (1) increased exposure; (2) elevated residence soil arsenic concentrations and (3) the action of digging in the soil was associated with elevated toenail arsenic levels. Based upon elevated soil levels identified, residents were recommended to move from the contaminated environment until remediation was complete. Additional recommendations included regular health-care follow-up.

KEYWORDS:

• Arsenic
• environmental contamination
• exposure assessment
• Kentucky

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgment for coordination and quick response goes to staff from the Montgomery County Health Department, Montgomery County Emergency Management, Kentucky Division of Environmental Protection, Kentucky Department for Public Health’s Regional Epidemiologist and Preparedness Coordinators, the Kentucky Department for Public Health, and the University of Kentucky College of Public Health.

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Human Participant Protection

This public health response underwent Human Subjects Review by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and received non-research determination.

Additional information

Funding

This work was unfunded and the authors acknowledge that no financial interest or benefit has arisen from the direct application of this work.