Environmental Health

Chronic diseases can be caused by a multitude of factors including numerous environmental exposures. To better understand how exposures to mixed contaminants in water may relate to gastric cancer rates, we exposed gastric organoids to a mixed matrix of contaminants to quantify how targeted health outcomes change with exposure scenarios. Preliminary results indicate increased H. pylori  infection and cancer markers with increased arsenic concentrations. Results are important for identifying at risk communities and preventing gastric cancers. This project was funded by the University of Arizona. 

Stomach cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death globally. Rates for stomach cancer are 3-4 times higher among the Navajo Nation compared to the non-Hispanic white population in Arizona. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) plays a role in the healthy human gut, but it is also associated with multiple chronic diseases, including stomach cancer. A multi-year research program, conducted in partnership with Northern Arizona University through the Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention, seeks to estimate the prevalence of H. pylori among Native Americans. The study in 2018 reported a 56.4% prevalence of H. pylori within participants from three Navajo chapters, with 72% of households having at least one infected person. This research program was expanded to continue the study through other regions of Navajo Nation. Together these studies will test hypotheses that the high H. pylori prevalence in Navajo communities correlates with environmental and behavioral factors as well as diagnostic delays and to determine the genotypes of H. pylori in Native Americans in Northern Arizona and antibiotic resistance to therapies.

SARS-CoV-2 can be deposited on surfaces when shed from an infected individual. Hospitals have implemented increased routine cleaning protocols. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of contamination, the efficacy of the cleaning protocol, and if certain host factors influence the levels of the virus on surfaces. Multiple surfaces (bedside table, remotes, door handles, bathroom surfaces, scrubs, etc.) will be sampled prior to, and immediately following routine disinfection. The rooms that will be sampled will be active COVID-19 rooms. Hospital personnel will be trained on how to collect samples. Samples will be analyzed to determine the presence and the concentration of the virus on the surface to determine the efficacy of the disinfection protocol. In addition, de-identified patient data will be received from Banner University Medical Center. Information to be collected will include age, sex, underlying conditions, and onset/severity of the illness to determine correlations between these factors and the presence of the virus on surfaces.

Asthma prevalence among Navajo children is 2 times that of the general population and is fueled by disparities including poverty, environmental pollutants, and minimally accessible healthcare. This project on the Navajo Nation will address these disparities using a community-based intervention targeting healthcare providers, schools, parents, children, and community members. This project was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. 

This research supplement expanded analyses of arsenic and UVR exposures to additional analyses accounting for location and time using spatial epidemiology methods including Geographic Information Systems (GIS). To accomplish this, Marvin Langston was trained in GIS technologies and spatial epidemiologic methods under the mentorship of Dr. Dennis and a co-mentor Dr. Brown (another MEZCOPH faculty with expertise in GIS, not on the parent grant). These methods will then be applied to the arsenic and UVR exposures in relationship to melanoma within this study. Marvin Langston and Charles Lynch are also contributors to this project. 

This environmental epidemiology project is a mentored research award (K99/R00) from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The project's goals are to 1) create models of atmospheric dispersions of agricultural organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticide applications over a 20 year period in Arizona, 2) to construct a case control study of ADHD in Arizona by applying a validated algorithm to Medicaid (AHCCCS) claim records, and 3) to examine associations between the modeled ambient pesticide concentrations during fetal/early life and ADHD. The project also employs the use of novel mixture methods, primarily Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression, to assess the potential for mixture effects of different pesticide exposures. Beate Ritz is a Co-Mentor for this project with Paloma Beamer. Avellino Arellano is a collaborator for this project as well. 

This goal of this study was to determine if soil characteristics might determine where Coccidioides sp. grows in the Tucson basin.  The soil type was geo-spatially linked to severe cases of Valley fever to determine whether proximity to specific soil types would result in enhanced disease incidence. This project was supported by ADCRC. 

This project used pesticide application data from Arizona Department of Agriculture to determine children’s exposure to pesticide.  The exposures were then spatially linked to biomarker measurements to determine the efficacy of the model. This project was supported by the Arizona Department of Health Services. 

Abstract not available. 

Abstract not available. 

On August 5, 2015, 3 million gallons of acid mine drainage was accidentally released from the Gold King Mine spill, eventually reaching the San Juan River - the spiritual and physical lifeblood of the Navajo Nation. As a result, environmental contamination from catastrophic mine spills severely impacted indigenous people to the core of their spiritual and physical livelihoods, and there became a potential for unique exposure pathways and greater health risks. Further complicating the situation was the lack of empirical short and long-term exposure data following mine spills, which is necessary for scientists to address these concerns. Building on established partnerships with the Navajo Nation, this project aimed to measure the short-term exposure to lead and arsenic and evaluate the risk perceptions of Navajo communities dependent on the San Juan River in order to understand the potential long-term health risks from the Gold King Mine spill and develop mitigation strategies. The first aim was to determine levels of exposures in three Navajo Chapters downstream of the spill within 9 months of the spill and prior to the growing season. The second aim was to assess temporal and spatial changes in sediment, agricultural soil, river and well water in the three Navajo Chapters within 12 months of the spill. The third aim was to determine the association between Navajo community members' perception of health risks and measured health risks from the Gold King Mine spill within the 9-month period after the spill. The results of this investigation were used to develop a community-based intervention, designed to prevent potentially harmful exposures based on actual measured risk and/or communicate the actual long-term risks from the Gold King mine spill. While this specific incident may have been one of the largest acid mine spills in recent history, the Department of Interior has estimated more than 500,000 abandoned mines throughout the United States, and the potential for ongoing acid mine leaks or large-scale spills to impact many communities and eco-systems is high. The outcomes of this study could also be used to improve risk assessment and communication in the unfortunate event of future mine spill disasters affecting other communities. This projects received funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.  Information about the community-based intervention created based on data from this study can be found here. 

Abstract not available. 

The pilot project was focused on obtaining preliminary data to highlight the tremendous potential of using the renowned Arizona Respiratory Center (ARC) cohorts for NIEHS-funded air pollution epidemiology projects. More specifically, this pilot project allowed us to demonstrate access to exclusive historical air pollution data as well as demonstrate our capabilities to measure air pollutants in order to develop land-use regression (LUR) models for exposure assessment.  This will be completed through the following objectives: 1) measure nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) throughout the Tucson area in 2015-2016; 2) resurrect historical NOx and PM measurements collected throughout the Tucson area in 1986-1987; 3) develop models and resulting maps of NOx and PM concentrations; 4) assess relationships between these historical exposures and health outcomes in the Children’s Respiratory Study (CRS); and 5) prepare a NIEHS R21 proposal. Completion of this pilot project and the R21 proposal can allow us to establish our capabilities in LUR exposure assessment and presents future opportunities to propose other projects to NIEHS. 

Metagenomics is the study of genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples and can assist in identifying organisms present in any environment. Metagenomics provides faster and more precise analysis of multiple samples, delivers information on pathogen occurrence in water, allows scientists to identify organisms not previously possible using culture based-methods, and has revolutionized the way scientists view the living world. Sequencing of irrigation water could validate the use of traditional indicator organism in southwest US canals. This project will utilize stored samples collected during a previous project to define optimal monitoring strategies for irrigation waters. The specific objectives of the project include: 1) sequencing 350 irrigation water samples, 2) validating a previously quantified non-pathogenic surrogate (E. coli), 3) identifying new pathogenic indicators in irrigation waters of the southwest US, and 4) determining if these novel indicators were correlated to the presence of known foodborne pathogens.  This project was sponsored by the Arizona Department of Agriculture. 

The contractor provided specialized Services related to the development of new technology and methods for improved monitoring and detection of microbiological and chemical contaminants in the drinking water distribution system. These Services were focused on improving Tucson Water's investigative capabilities by providing real...time contaminant data in the field. Real-time data can be used to assist in the selection of proper analyses techniques and to determine appropriate responses to emergent events.  The Services included development of a Water Quality Measurement Instrument, a smartphone application coupled with a multi-channel paper microfluidic assay, which will identify and quantify waterborne pathogens in water samples. The paper microfluidic assay employs antibody-conjugated latex particles to capture antigens produced by viruses and bacteria present in a water sample. The custom smartphone application analyzes images produced from the paper microfluidic assay and calculates the concentration of specific pathogens (such as E.co/ 1) that may be present in a water sample.

The University of Arizona (UA), Department of Community, Environment & Policy (the Contractor) agrees to carry out the scope of work and provide the specific deliverables described below to the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). The proposed work is part of an OEHHA-led study designed to further our understanding of chemicals that can be released from crumb rubber under various environmental conditions, human exposures to these chemicals, and the associated chemical hazards and risks to human health. In consultation with OEHHA, the Contractor will collaborate with researchers at the Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health (CERCH) at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) to complete project goals.

Prenatal exposure to organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) has been associated with a wide range of adverse childhood outcomes [1]–[7]. However, most of these studies rely on OP biomarkers in the general population. These biomarkers disproportionately reflect non-toxic dietary ingestion of metabolites and cannot distinguish between parent pesticides. Exposure metrics that use agricultural pesticide applications may overcome these limitations, but such studies are limited to California. We propose to prepare Arizona’s Pesticide Use Registry as a resource for future studies of exposure to pesticides and childhood health outcomes, and to enhance exposure assessment by incorporating birth certificate-reported farmworker occupation into analyses. Farmworkers are at higher risk of pesticide-associated health risks due to occupational exposures, but farmworkers are difficult to identify and are highly transitory. Thus, we also propose a pilot study of prenatal exposure to OPs and preterm birth among farmworkers to assess the feasibility of this approach for future studies. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the University of California, Davis fund this project. 

Infections with Legionella have been steadily increasing over the past decade. Current strategies regarding Legionella have been focused on response-based approaches rather than prevention-based. The purpose of this study is to bring together the resources to create a comprehensive, interactive online training focused on preventative interventions. The training will include multiple modules aimed towards creating an understanding of Legionella, how it survives, thrives and moves throughout complex water systems, identifying critical control points and a variety of interventions. The content for the training will be delivered in multiple formats to maximize user engagement. Providing in-depth training on prevention of Legionella in complex water systems will help to decrease the number of infections throughout the United States.

First Renewal of the Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Tucson and the Arizona Board of Regents: The Contractor shall provide specialized Services related to the development of new technology and methods for improved monitoring and detection of microbiological and chemical contaminants in the drinking water distribution system. These Services will improve Tucson Water's investigative capabilities by providing real...time contaminant data in the field. Real-time data can be used to assist in the selection of proper analyses techniques and to determine appropriate responses to emergent events. The Services include development of a Water Quality Measurement Instrument, a smartphone application coupled with a multi-channel paper microfluidic assay, which will identify and quantify waterborne pathogens in water samples. The paper microfluidic assay employs antibody-conjugated latex particles to capture antigens produced by viruses and bacteria present in a water sample. The custom smartphone application analyzes images produced from the paper microfluidic assay and calculates the concentration of specific pathogens (such as E.co/ 1) that may be present in a water sample.

Problem Statement and Justification: Mining remains a dangerous profession.  Risk management is a cyclical process of identifying operations or activities at high risk for injuries, redesigning operating procedures to reduce risks, implementing these changes and evaluating their effectiveness.  Internationally, risk management is a legal requirement in many countries, but in the U.S. safety and health regulations are generally compliance-based.  Establishment of risk management in Australian mines has been associated with significant reductions in lost-time injuries, and, in preliminary studies, progressive U.S. mines have also reduced injuries after instituting formal risk management programs.  Impact of the Research: Our goal is to determine the effectiveness of risk management interventions in reducing injuries and economic costs in the U.S. mining industry.  The proposed research will: identify risk management best practices for U.S. mining operations including determination of the effect of overall risk management programs and component parts on injury rates and return on investment (ROI); develop business cases to help move industry to adopt these interventions; identify critical risks and controls for industry use; and share these resources through a dedicated website.  Objective(s) and Research Approach: Our project objectives are to: 1) Evaluate current risk management implementation in the U.S. mining industry; 2) Determine intervention ROI and risk management best practices; and 3) Share risk management tools through a dedicated website.  We will work with U.S. mine sites with extensive risk management expertise representing both metal and coal sectors.  A risk management survey/data collection tool for scoring overall program implementation and individual risk management interventions will be developed.  The survey results will be combined with retrospective longitudinal analysis of company internal data and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported injury claims to determine the effectiveness of implemented risk management interventions.  We will also evaluate the costs of program implementation, including direct and indirect program costs and the resulting changes in injury costs.  Risk management intervention best practices will be identified by reduction in injury rates and positive ROI.

The Center for Indigenous Environmental Health Research (CIEHR) is a Center of Excellence on Environmental Health Disparities Research supported by the National Institute of Health’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Environmental Protection Agency. Learn more at https://ciehr.arizona.edu

The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the XStream Infection Control system against viruses, bacteria and spores from the air, surfaces and human hand transfers. Microbial surrogates will be used to represent human enteric and respiratory viruses (i.e. influenza and norovirus), MRSA and other bacterial pathogens, and C. difficile spores. The resulting data can be used for the development of exposure and risk assessment models for determining the relative risk reduction in human populations following XStream Infection Control system use.

The quality of irrigation water drawn from surface water sources can vary greatly. This is particularly true for waters that are subject to intermittent contamination events such as runoff or direct entry of livestock upstream of use. Such pollution in irrigation systems increases the risk of food crop contamination. A single sample does not adequately characterize the risk potential present in large irrigation systems often utilized in the Southwestern US. This project aimed to define optimal monitoring strategies for irrigation water quality and develop guidelines for the irrigation of food crops. Following the analysis of 1,367 samples for Escherichia coli and physical and environmental parameters, the following key irrigation water collection approaches are suggested: 1) Explore up to 600m upstream to ensure no major contamination or outfalls exists; 2) Sample before noon; 3) Collect samples at any point across the canal where safe access is available; 4) Collect samples at the surface of the water; and 5) Composite five samples and perform a single E. coli assay. These recommendations consider the entirety of our data as well as sampling costs, personnel effort, and scientific knowledge of water quality characterization in the Southwest region. These guidelines will better characterize risks from microbial pathogen contamination in irrigation waters and aid in risk reduction practices for agricultural water.

The goal of this project is to 1) to demonstrate utility and feasibility of detection of LTBI among migrant farmworkers, and to compare outcomes in the US and Mexico and; 2)To assess follow-up of workers detected with LTBI and ability to link individuals to care. Through additional funding, we have been able to expand the work to include further care for participating migrant farmworkers in conjunction with the Migrant clinicians Network.

The goal of this project is to generate pilot data on the extrinsic incubation period for an important dengue vector. We used this to translate a mathematical model into MATLAB. This model is being used to investigate weather-related vector abundance for dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile virus vectors. Support for this project came from the University of Arizona Center for Insect Science. 

Abstract not available.

This project involved an Occupational Exposure Assessment and Inflammatory Biomarker Evaluation of diesel versus bio-diesel emissions, specifically in underground mining. This project was funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 

Abstract not available. 

The Exposure Science and Risk Assessment Center (ESRAC) Find more information at https://esrac.arizona.edu/

Description: An increasingly militarized border region has deeply embedded immigration enforcement policy into the daily lives of residents, including farmworkers living and working in the region. Objective: The institutionalization of ethno-racial profiling in immigration and local law enforcement, and the sanctioned use of Mexican appearance as probable cause for citizen inspection is a potential structural determinant of health yet to be explored.  Research:  data manipulation including conducting qualitative ad quantitative data analysis, results generation and manuscript development. Samantha Sabo was a contributor on this project but has since left the University of Arizona.

More information about this project can be found here: http://canyon.nonprofitsoapbox.com/archived-articles/arts-for-behavior-change. 

Abstract not available. 

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess Swimming Pool Exposures and Health Outcomes.

Evaluation of Disinfecting Wipes for the Interruption of Pathogen Surrogate Transfer in the Environment.

This project will focus on the design of a miniaturized flow cytometer (a device for counting cells) for the detection of human viruses using engineered molecular beacons. These probes target unique microbial nucleotides, producing a fluorescent signal. This approach integrates optical detection systems for fast, quantitative signal measurement. Microfluidic systems reduce reagent volumes, system cost, size, and power requirements while addressing the need for rapid, real-time environmental monitoring and disease diagnostics. Project funding came from the Faculty Seed Grants Program from the partnership between The University of Arizona Foundation and the Office of the Vice President for Research. 

Abstract not available. 

Abstract not available. 

Collect water and toenail samples from community of well water users.

Abstract not available.  Eric Lutz was a contributor on this project but has since left the University of Arizona. 

Noise exposures and hearing loss in the mining industry continue to be a major problem, despite advances in noise control technologies. This study evaluated the effectiveness of engineering, administrative, and personal noise controls using both traditional and in-ear dosimetry by job task, work shift, and five types of earplug. The noise exposures of 22 miners performing deep shaft-sinking tasks were evaluated during 56 rotating shifts in an underground mine. Miners were earplug-insertion trained, earplug fit-tested, and monitored utilizing traditional and in-ear dosimetry. The mean TWA8 noise exposure via traditional dosimetry was 90.1 ± 8.2 dBA, while the mean in-ear TWA8 was 79.6 ± 13.8 dBA. The latter was significantly lower (p 0.05) than the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) personal exposure limit (PEL) of 90 dBA. Dosimetry mean TWA8 noise exposures for bench blowing (103.5 ± 0.9 dBA), jumbo drill operation (103.0 ± 0.8 dBA), and mucking tasks (99.6 ± 4.7 dBA) were significantly higher (p 0.05) than other tasks. For bench blowing, cable pulling, grinding, and jumbo drill operation tasks, the mean in-ear TWA8 was greater than 85 dBA. Those working swing shift had a significantly higher (p 0.001) mean TWA8 noise exposure (95.4 ± 7.3 dBA) than those working day shift. For percent difference between traditional vs. in-ear dosimetry, there was no significant difference among types of earplug used. Reflective of occupational hearing loss rate trends across the mining industry, this study found that, despite existing engineering and administrative controls, noise exposure levels exceeded regulatory limits, while the addition of personal hearing protection limited excessive exposures. This project was supported by the Science Foundation Arizona Grant.  The full research report can be found here.  Eric Lutz was a contributor on this project but has since left the University of Arizona. 

  This is a K25 application for a mentored quantitative research scientist. Much of my research effort this year was focused on developing the preliminary data, and working with my mentoring team which includes: Fernando Martinez, Duane Sherrill, Lynn Gerald, Eric Betterton, Anne Wright, and Andrew Comrie. We have submitted one paper and one abstract. Research: Epidemiological analyses of respiratory outcomes and traffic pollutant exposures. Training: This grant provide training for Dr. Beamer. She has been accepted to the AzCRTP program. I completed 5 courses last year. For this project I will serve as Ms. Sugeng's primary sponsor. The main objectives of this project is to quantify pesticides in farmworker homes, understand how they are getting into the home and what are important characteristics of the pesticides and the homes to assess in future studies. RESEARCH: Ms. Sugeng has collected samples from 21 farmworker homes. They have been analyzed by Battelle Laboratories and we are currently in the process of assessing which factors were most important to their detection in the homes. SERVICE: We collaborated with Campesinos sin Fronteras to recruit participants. Each household will also receive the results of the analyses in their homes. TRAINING: This grant is primarily a training grant for Ms. Sugeng as it is her MS and dissertation work.   This is a K25 application for a mentored quantitative research scientist. Much of my research effort this year was focused on developing the preliminary data, and working with my mentoring team which includes: Fernando Martinez, Duane Sherrill, Lynn Gerald, Eric Betterton, Anne Wright, and Andrew Comrie. We have submitted one paper and one abstract. Research: Epidemiological analyses of respiratory outcomes and traffic pollutant exposures. Training: This grant provide training for Dr. Beamer. She has been accepted to the AzCRTP program. I completed 5 courses last year. For this project I will serve as Ms. Sugeng's primary sponsor. The main objectives of this project is to quantify pesticides in farmworker homes, understand how they are getting into the home and what are important characteristics of the pesticides and the homes to assess in future studies. RESEARCH: Ms. Sugeng has collected samples from 21 farmworker homes. They have been analyzed by Battelle Laboratories and we are currently in the process of assessing which factors were most important to their detection in the homes. SERVICE: We collaborated with Campesinos sin Fronteras to recruit participants. Each household will also receive the results of the analyses in their homes. TRAINING: This grant is primarily a training grant for Ms. Sugeng as it is her MS and dissertation work.

This project is a small/pilot project program with the Southern California NIOSH Education and Research Center. This project was funded by University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) through the CDC and NIOSH. For this project, I am serving as Ms. Sugeng's primary sponsor.

  Research: The objectives of this project are to determine if there is a difference in water quality between publically supplied tap water and the actual drinking water used by families in Nogales, AZ and understand the risk perception these families have about their publically-supplied tap water and alternative drinking water sources. Service: We are served the community by providing low-income families with analyses of their water supplies. Training: We provided training to promotoras at Mariposa Community Health Center, who are assisting with recruitment and data collection. This project forms the basis of Kerton Victory's dissertation and has provided him with training in project management, data and laboratory analyses, human subject research and risk communication. Research: The objectives of this project are to determine if there is a difference in water quality between publically supplied tap water and the actual drinking water used by families in Nogales, AZ and understand the risk perception these families have about their publically-supplied tap water and alternative drinking water sources. Service: We are served the community by providing low-income families with analyses of their water supplies. Training: We provided training to promotoras at Mariposa Community Health Center, who are assisting with recruitment and data collection. This project forms the basis of Kerton Victory's dissertation and has provided him with training in project management, data and laboratory analyses, human subject research and risk communication.  

Melanoma is a public health concern since the incidence is increasing faster than any other cancer in the United States. While ultraviolet radiation is a widely accepted risk factor for this disease, understanding the possible role arsenic exposure may play in the development of melanoma will allow for a more developed base of knowledge regarding the etiology of melanoma.We will conduct a population-based case-control study of incident cutaneous melanoma (CM) cases and arsenic content detected in toenail samples. To eliminate biases, we will a) use newly diagnosed cases rather than prevalent cases, b) use toenails collected within 1-9 months of diagnosis, c) use a non-cancer control group, and d) use neutron activation analysis (NAA), considered the gold standard in trace element analyses. CM cases in Iowa residents will be semi-rapid reported through the Iowa Cancer Registry. Population-based controls will be identified using the Iowa Voter Registration file, which is comparable to the Iowa Census data. We will mail subjects an introductory letter, instructions for the toenail sample collection and small baggie. We will then conduct the survey using computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) software in order to collect complex data related to residential histories (water source, sun exposure, and occupations). This format will allow interviewers to collect a residential history and probe for additional information about potential exposures at each residence. We will focus on arsenic detected by NAA in toenail samples from cases and controls. Additionally, we will assess known risk factors for CM in this population, including natural and artificial UV exposure, residential and occupational histories, sun sensitivity factors, family history of skin cancer, and sunscreen use. We will also correlate available data on arsenic levels in current drinking water to arsenic in subjects' toenails. Recording residential histories and relating them to current and historical water sources will allow us to examine the length of the potential arsenic exposure, since drinking water is believed to be the main source of arsenic exposure and may provide evidence of long-term exposure. Collecting biomarkers of arsenic exposure along with surveying subjects about known UV factors and their sun sensitivity will allow for the examination of important interactions and potential confounding of the association between arsenic and CM. This knowledge will in turn help identify a group of high-risk individuals for public health messages to target. Funding for this project comes from the National Institutes of Health. 

This study is an NIH/NHLBI funded project that is examining the effectiveness of a school based hand sanitizer program on asthma exacerbations in elementary school children.

Using GIS modeling to compute traffic exposure for a cohort of children followed by the Arizona Respiratory Center. Traffic exposures are assessed in relation to incidence of lower respiratory tract infections and wheezy phenotypes.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of household bleach for preventing the growth of mold on porous gypsum-wall board. Drywall tiles were inoculated with Penicillium brevi-compactum and Alternaria alternata spores. The molds were grown under saturated conditions for one week to encourage mycelium production and the tiles were treated with a household bleach solution (5250 ppm sodium hypochlorite) with a 10 minute contact time. Treatment with water and no treatment were included as controls. Household bleach reduced >99% of mold on drywall surfaces. Household bleach is effective at reducing mold on porous surfaces with complete removal achievable after repeated application. Routine use of bleach on porous surfaces may therefore be useful as part of an overall strategy to reduce mold contaminants in indoor environments.

This proposal aims to determine the presence of toxin-producing cyanobacteria associated with algal bloom events in canal drinking water sources of Egypt. This is a proposal to the U.S. - Egypt Joint Science and Technology Board. 

Abstract not available. 

This project focuses on work with farmers in rural communities for the promotion of safe animal practices to prevent infectious agent spread. Rural communities involved are located in Arizona. This project is a part of a subcontract. Project funding comes from the United States Department of Agriculture's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (USDA - AFRI). 

The project provides public education, evaluates the content of private wells, and integrates the efforts of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Pharmacy, and Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

This is a field sampling based project to take water and breast-milk samples from women in Nogales, AZ and analyze them for TCE. A questionnaire is being developed to help identify risk factors. Ultimately, these results will be combined with a PBPK model for TCE in the infant and used to compute cancer risk from various routes of exposure.

We are taking soil samples, dust samples and TSP samples from near Saginaw Hill. The samples are being analyzed for crustal elements and other heavy metals. These results will help us to develop, validate and revise a model soil contaminant transport. Ultimately this model could be used to assess relative contribution of soil particles to the indoor environment and aid with decision of appropriate mitigation procedures.

The goals of this study are to utilize existing and archived population-based questionnaire and biological data that describe food and water consumption histories and exposures to construct predictive models for urinary arsenic biomarkers that can be used as indicators of arsenic exposure and health effect outcomes. Five publications were published in relation to this study. This was an EPA funded study. 

Global Mining Community Health - Environmental Exposures. Eric Lutz was a contributor on this project but has since left the University of Arizona.