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Vulnerable Populations Exposed to Lead-Contaminated Drinking Water within Houston Ship Channel Communities

Author

Listed:
  • Garett Sansom

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M School of Public Health, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Leslie Cizmas

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M School of Public Health, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Kathleen Aarvig

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M School of Public Health, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Benika Dixon

    (Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A&M School of Public Health, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Katie R. Kirsch

    (Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A&M School of Public Health, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Anjali Katare

    (Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, 400 Bizzell St., College Station, TX 77840, USA)

  • Lindsay Sansom

    (Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, 400 Bizzell St., College Station, TX 77840, USA)

Abstract

Recent events have drawn increased attention to potential lead exposures from contaminated drinking water. Further, homes with older infrastructure are at greatest risk due to the presence of the disinfectant chemical chloramine, which can leach lead from older pipes. There is a growing need to determine the extent of lead leaching especially within vulnerable communities and homes with children. This pilot study collected survey data and performed lead analysis on drinking water in the small community of Manchester in Houston, TX. Manchester is characterized by industrial sites, flooding, and a low socioeconomic population. Surveys and water analyses were completed on randomly selected homes (N = 13) and documented perceptions of participants on their drinking water regarding presence and concentration of lead. Lead was discovered in 30.8% of homes ranging from 0.6 to 2.4 (µg/L), all below the US Environmental Protection Agency action level of 15 ppb, but above the water standard goals. These findings further suggest that contaminated water is a broad issue requiring concerted efforts to ensure the health of US residents.

Suggested Citation

  • Garett Sansom & Leslie Cizmas & Kathleen Aarvig & Benika Dixon & Katie R. Kirsch & Anjali Katare & Lindsay Sansom, 2019. "Vulnerable Populations Exposed to Lead-Contaminated Drinking Water within Houston Ship Channel Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-8, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:15:p:2745-:d:253625
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Carla Campbell & Rachael Greenberg & Deepa Mankikar & Ronald D. Ross, 2016. "A Case Study of Environmental Injustice: The Failure in Flint," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-11, September.
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    4. Garett Sansom & Philip Berke & Thomas McDonald & Eva Shipp & Jennifer Horney, 2016. "Confirming the Environmental Concerns of Community Members Utilizing Participatory-Based Research in the Houston Neighborhood of Manchester," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-12, August.
    5. Hanna-Attisha, M. & LaChance, J. & Sadler, R.C. & Schnepp, A.C., 2016. "Elevated blood lead levels in children associated with the flint drinking water crisis: A spatial analysis of risk and public health response," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 106(2), pages 283-290.
    6. Jennifer A Horney & Gaston A Casillas & Erin Baker & Kahler W Stone & Katie R Kirsch & Krisa Camargo & Terry L Wade & Thomas J McDonald, 2018. "Comparing residential contamination in a Houston environmental justice neighborhood before and after Hurricane Harvey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-16, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Galen Newman & Tianqi Shi & Zhen Yao & Dongying Li & Garett Sansom & Katie Kirsch & Gaston Casillas & Jennifer Horney, 2020. "Citizen Science-Informed Community Master Planning: Land Use and Built Environment Changes to Increase Flood Resilience and Decrease Contaminant Exposure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Leanne S. Fawkes & Thomas J. McDonald & Taehyun Roh & Weihsueh A. Chiu & Robert J. Taylor & Garett T. Sansom, 2022. "A Participatory-Based Research Approach for Assessing Exposure to Lead-Contaminated Drinking Water in the Houston Neighborhood of the Greater Fifth Ward," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-11, July.
    3. Leanne Fawkes & Garett Sansom, 2021. "Preliminary Study of Lead-Contaminated Drinking Water in Public Parks—An Assessment of Equity and Exposure Risks in Two Texas Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-8, June.

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