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A Participatory-Based Research Approach for Assessing Exposure to Lead-Contaminated Drinking Water in the Houston Neighborhood of the Greater Fifth Ward

Author

Listed:
  • Leanne S. Fawkes

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

  • Thomas J. McDonald

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

  • Taehyun Roh

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

  • Weihsueh A. Chiu

    (Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Robert J. Taylor

    (Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Garett T. Sansom

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

Abstract

To address community-driven concerns about lead-contaminated drinking water in residential homes in the Greater Fifth Ward neighborhood in Northeast Houston, Texas utilizing participatory-based research. The study collected survey data and performed lead analysis on drinking water from residents’ homes. The Greater Fifth Ward is characterized as a majority-minority environmental justice community and is located within two confirmed cancer clusters. The residents of 172 homes completed a survey and had detectable lead levels in their water samples. Survey results indicated that more than half of the residents (58.2%) were concerned with the water quality and 42.9% rated the drinking water as poor. Water lead levels detected ranged from 0.01 to 22 µg/L. 10.9% of homes exceeding 1 µg/L, and one located exceeded the USEPA’s action limit of 15 µg/L. Homes built prior to 1978 without major renovation had significantly higher levels of lead in their drinking water compared to homes built after 1978 ( p -value < 0.05). These findings demonstrate the need for lead testing of residential water in low socioeconomic-status communities, as well as demonstrating the benefits of community engagement and participatory research to address environmental health concerns.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:8135-:d:854588
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Senhui He & Jeffrey Jordan & Krishna Paudel, 2008. "Economic evaluation of bottled water consumption as an averting means: evidence from a hedonic price analysis," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(5), pages 337-342.
    2. 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.
    3. Michelle L. Kaiser & Michelle D. Hand & Erica K. Pence, 2020. "Individual and Community Engagement in Response to Environmental Challenges Experienced in Four Low-Income Urban Neighborhoods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-25, March.
    4. 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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    Cited by:

    1. Heather Lochotzki & Karen Patricia Williams & Cynthia G. Colen & Olorunfemi Adetona & Charleta B. Tavares & Georgina M. Ginn & Rejeana Haynes & Wansoo Im & Tanya Bils & Darryl B. Hood, 2022. "A Framework for Interfacing and Partnering with Environmental Justice Communities as a Prelude to Human Health and Hazard Identification in the Vulnerable Census Tracts of Columbus, Ohio," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-18, October.

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