Jill Johnston PhD University of Southern California SoCal Environmental Health Sciences Center Based at USC Division of Environmental Health Focus on the impact of pollution traffic effect health and disease in populations ID: 569413
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Toxic Metals, Soil Contamination & Health
Jill Johnston, PhD
University of Southern CaliforniaSlide2
SoCal Environmental Health Sciences Center
Based at USC Division of Environmental Health
Focus on the impact of pollution (traffic) effect health and disease in populations
Work to reduce the burden of diseases and disability from environmental impacts now and into the future
Community Engagement & Outreach Core
Make science and research relevant to community needs
Support use of science and research in communitiesSlide3
Burdened Community
CalEnviroScreen
2.0 RankingSlide4
Secondary Battery Smelters
Lead, arsenic, cadmium, and antimony are closely linked to smelter emissions.
These metals are being measured due to potential health problems from exposure from the
Quemetco
Battery Recycling facility.
Small doses matter
Reported releases of heavy metals at
Quemetco
Inc
in 2012, according to U.S. EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data
.Slide5
Soil Sampling Data
54 samples were collected in-situ for residential and public property within 1 mile of Quemetco on 7/8/2016.
189 samples were collected by community residents and brought to a community sampling event on 7/23/2016.
All samples were measured for metals using an XRF
22 samples were excluded from the analysis of non-lead metals due to machine errors. Slide6
OEHHA Health-based Soil LevelsSlide7
Note: The XRF equipment is not able to detect all levels of the metals. In some cases, the level of the metal in the soil may be above the health standard, but may not be detected by the equipment. For example, for arsenic the standard is .07 parts per million (ppm), but the equipment can only detect the metal if the concentration is at least ~10 ppm or higher.
Frequency of Detection of Metals in Soil SamplesSlide8
The data is summarized for all samples with a detectable concentration and results provided in ppm. The highest detectable lead level exceeded 2400 ppm; the highest arsenic level was 48 ppm. In contrast, among these samples, levels of copper, manganese, nickel and zinc did not exceed residential soil standards.
Health-based Residential Soil Concentrations for Toxic Metals (restricts to samples where the metal was detected)Slide9Slide10Slide11
Arsenic Slide12
What happens to arsenic when it enters the environment?
Arsenic is released by industrial emissions into the air
Rain and snow remove arsenic dust particles from the air.
Arsenic cannot be destroyed in the environment. It can only change its form.
Arsenic naturally occurs in soil and minerals and may enter the air, water, and land.
Can get into water from runoff and leaching.
Most of the arsenic that is found in water ultimately end up in soil or sediments. Slide13
How might I be exposed to arsenic?
Ingesting small amounts present in your food and water
Rice, apples
Groundwater
Breathing sawdust or burning smoke from wood treated with arsenic
Exposure to higher than average levels of arsenic occur mostly in the workplace, near hazardous waste sites Slide14
How can arsenic effect my
health
?
Effects multiple systems in the body
Sore throat
Irritated lungs
Blood vessel damage
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Decrease IQ scores
Known to cause cancer
Skin cancer
Lung cancerLiver cancerBladder cancerSlide15
Other Toxic Metals: Lead
Harm brain development
ADHD
Decrease growth
Decrease IQ
Hearing LossSlide16
Other Toxic Metals: Cadmium
Damage Lungs
Damage Bones
Damage Kidneys
Low-birth weight
Causes cancer
LungSlide17
Other Toxic Metals: Antimony
Eye irritation
Lung irritation
Bronchitis
Lung inflammation
Increase blood pressure
Some evidence of cancer in ratsSlide18
BiomarkersSlide19
Reducing Exposures
Prevention is key!
Avoid bare soil
Sand boxes
Mulch
Wash hands after playing outdoors
Keep dirt outdoors
Remove shoes
Watch out for pets
Reduce dust indoors
Use mops or wet wipes Eat fruits and veggiesSlide20
Questions?
Jill Johnston, PhD
Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine
Division of Environmental Health
Keck School of Medicine
University of Southern California
jillj@usc.edu
323-442-1099