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

Garett Sansom, Leslie Cizmas, Kathleen Aarvig, Benika Dixon, Katie R. Kirsch, Anjali Katare and Lindsay Sansom
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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

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 15, 1-8

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.

Keywords: lead contamination; drinking water; vulnerable communities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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