Arsenic exposure from groundwater in Union County, North Carolina
Abstract
Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a global problem affecting human health.
The highest concentrations occur overseas in areas such as Bangladesh, India, Vietnam,
and Thailand. The United States is not immune and also has hotspots of arsenic in
dangerously high concentrations. The focus of this project was to evaluate the extent
and concentration of arsenic in one such area, Union County, North Carolina, and to
attempt to use arsenic in toenails as a biomarker of exposure. Arsenic concentration
above the EPA’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10ppb was found in 22 out of 64
households tested (34%). The measurement of arsenic in toenails was successfully
used as a biomarker of exposure. Data showed that men had a greater sensitivity to
arsenic and their nail data had better correlation. Children also showed a greater
sensitivity. Out of 69 participants in the toenail-biomarker study, 4 had arsenic
concentrations in their toenails above a level deemed safe. Based on these results
it is evident that arsenic contamination of drinking water in Union County is an issue
of concern.
Type
Master's projectPermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/1033Citation
Merola, R. Brittany (2009). Arsenic exposure from groundwater in Union County, North Carolina. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/1033.Collections
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