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Item Evaluation of Drinking Water Disinfectant Byproducts Compliance Data as an Indirect Measure for Short-Term Exposure in Humans(MDPI, 2017-05-20) Parvez, Shahid; Frost, Kali; Sundararajan, Madhura; Environmental Health Science, School of Public HealthIn the absence of shorter term disinfectant byproducts (DBPs) data on regulated Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Haloacetic acids (HAAs), epidemiologists and risk assessors have used long-term annual compliance (LRAA) or quarterly (QA) data to evaluate the association between DBP exposure and adverse birth outcomes, which resulted in inconclusive findings. Therefore, we evaluated the reliability of using long-term LRAA and QA data as an indirect measure for short-term exposure. Short-term residential tap water samples were collected in peak DBP months (May–August) in a community water system with five separate treatment stations and were sourced from surface or groundwater. Samples were analyzed for THMs and HAAs per the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) standard methods (524.2 and 552.2). The measured levels of total THMs and HAAs were compared temporally and spatially with LRAA and QA data, which showed significant differences (p < 0.05). Most samples from surface water stations showed higher levels than LRAA or QA. Significant numbers of samples in surface water stations exceeded regulatory permissible limits: 27% had excessive THMs and 35% had excessive HAAs. Trichloromethane, trichloroacetic acid, and dichloroacetic acid were the major drivers of variability. This study suggests that LRAA and QA data are not good proxies of short-term exposure. Further investigation is needed to determine if other drinking water systems show consistent findings for improved regulation.Item Melting Himalayan Glaciers Threaten Domestic Water Resources in the Mount Everest Region, Nepal(Frontiers, 2020-04) Wood, Leah R.; Neumann, Klaus; Nicholson, Kirsten N.; Bird, Broxton W.; Dowling, Carolyn B.; Sharma, Subodh; Earth Sciences, School of ScienceRetreating glaciers and snowpack loss threaten high-altitude communities that rely upon seasonal melt for domestic water resources. But the extent to which such communities are vulnerable is not yet understood, largely because melt contribution to water supplies is rarely quantified at the catchment scale. The Khumbu Valley, Nepal is a highly glaciated catchment with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 8,848 m above sea level, where more than 80% of annual precipitation falls during the summer monsoon from June to September. Samples were collected from the rivers, tributaries, springs, and taps along the major trekking route between Lukla and Everest Base Camp in the pre-monsoon seasons of 2016–2017. Sources were chosen based upon their use by the communities for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing, so the sample suite is representative of the local domestic water supply. In addition, meltwater samples were collected directly from the base of the Khumbu Glacier, and several rain samples were collected throughout the study site. Meltwater contribution was estimated from δ18O isotopic data using a two-component mixing model with the Khumbu glacial melt and pre-monsoon rain as endmembers. Results indicate between 34 and 90% of water comes from melt during the dry, pre-monsoon season, with an average meltwater contribution of 65%. With as much as two-thirds of the dry-season domestic water supply at risk, the communities of the Khumbu Valley are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change as glaciers retreat and snowpack declines.Item Pilot Tap Water Sampling Project to Study Urban Drinking Water Quality in Indianapolis for Community Exposure Assessment(Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2014-04-11) Sundararajan, Madhura; Parvez, Shahidsupply exposure data. This data is collected at treatment sites (water stations) and is not representative of true exposure concentrations to humans because of several known and unknown factors. These include temporal-spatial changes, source water type characteristics, retention time in the distribution systems, byproducts formation, poor condition of pipes, and water contamination. By the time water reaches its destination i.e., residential areas, its quality can deteriorate. Also, the water utilities do not test for un-regulated water contaminants which can be more potent. Due to the urban location of White River, Indianapolis drinking water supply has a higher risk of contamination with emerging contaminants such as pesticides, personal care-products, and pharmaceuticals. Hence, a direct method of water sampling is needed for true exposure assessment. Study Plan: We are designing a pilot tap water sampling project to study drinking water quality for pesticides and other urban contaminants in the Indianapolis Community Water System (IndyCWS). Seven residential sites are identified to capture sufficient parts of IndyCWS. The samples will be collected weekly, biweekly, and monthly during the April-June period. The samples will be analyzed in a certified laboratory using EPA recommended methods. The data from this study will be compared with utilities data, used to identify the presence of new contaminants, evaluate cumulative mixture exposure, and assess potential health risks. This work is currently in progress and the results from the study will be discussed in future meetings.Item Too Much of a Good Thing? Detrimental Health Effects Linked to Environmental Lithium Exposure through Drinking Water(The American Psychiatric Association, 2024) Patterson, Andrea; Bartlett, Zane; Fisher, Sarah; Stumpff, Julia C.; Schwab, Rebecca; Unfried, GregoryFor centuries, people have made pilgrimages to lithium springs in search of better health. In modern times, relatively high levels of lithium in drinking water are linked to lower suicide and homicide rates as well as possible neuroprotective benefits. However, with increased mining of lithium, metallic contaminants in the environment are a growing concern. The goal of this systematic review is to determine whether there is a risk to humans from higher levels of environmental lithium in the water supply. Methods: Systematic Review. Between searches in October 2021 and May 2023, a total of 10,234 citations were retrieved from three databases, one citation index, and one clinical trial registry. 6106 duplicates were removed. 4127 records were screened. 3873 were excluded. 254 reports were retrieved and assessed for eligibility based on population, study design, and outcomes. 26 studies were included in the final review. Results: Of the 26 studies selected for extraction, 12 showed negative effects related to lithium exposure through drinking water. The studies reviewed included data from five continents. Study subjects ranged from newborn to adult, including pregnant women. The data reflected the possibility for detrimental effects to the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the endocrine system, the lymphatic system, the urinary system, and the integumentary system. Of note, the suggested effects included increased risk of autism spectrum disorder and up to 1.88-fold increase in the risk of schizophrenia spectrum disorder. It also indicated possible teratogenicity. Conclusion: The findings of this review indicate that lithium, even at the non-therapeutic levels found in drinking water, is linked to negative impacts on human health. This suggests the need for further studies and the development of clear guidelines regarding monitoring and maximum permissible concentrations of lithium in municipal and bottled water supplies [Note: Due to APA’s conference restrictions on the number of authors, Schwab, R was left off as an author on the poster. However, she contributed to the study by doing initial work on parameters.]