SCERP Project Number: EH93-3
Principal Investigators: Maria Alvarez Amaya
Gail Ackall
The University of Texas at El Paso
Research Project Description: The purpose of the study was to document whole blood levels of lead in a sample of low-income Hispanic pregnant women and in their cord blood at the time of delivery. The first 200 subjects were also tested for DDT, cadmium, selenium, nickel, and arsenic. Data have been collected and preliminary analyses are underway.
Goal: The goal of this research study was to document levels of lead, DDT and other heavy metals during the perinatal period in low income Hispanic women along the border with Mexico. The project objectives were:
1. to assess levels of lead, cadmium, selenium, nickel and arsenic in the whole blood of pregnant Hispanic women attending four El Paso City-County Health Department clinics in the target area;
2. to assess levels of whole blood DDE (metabolite of DDT) in the first 200 women recruited into the study;
3. to determine risk of exposure to these substances through questionnaire;
4. to assess levels of lead in the cord blood of subjects after delivery.
Rationale: This study is one of few to examine low level perinatal exposure to heavy metals and pesticides along the U.S.-Mexico border using an interdisciplinary approach. Scientists, health care providers and policy makers along the border are eagerly awaiting the findings as evidenced by inquiries made to the PIs and to the project office. Planned publications include comparisons of biological data with environmental data obtained by other border environmental scientists. Collaborative approaches have been identified as a priority for the advancement of environmental health science. Additionally, specific research questions will be identified for future studies.
Approach: Four hundred and sixteen women were recruited, 71 of whom were lost to study. Of the remaining 345 participants, 4 had twins. Therefore, there were a total 349 observations. Lead levels were drawn at the first prenatal visit and repeat analysis on the cord blood was done at the time of delivery using anodic stripping voltamatry. Two hundred and five cord bloods were obtained at delivery, including 1 set of twins. The first 200 women recruited were tested for DDE using a Hewlett-Packard gas chromatography instrument, and for cadmium, selenium, nickel, and arsenic using a direct current plasma (Beckman) instrument. Risk assessment for exposure was done using a bilingual pilot-tested perinatal exposure questionnaire adapted from Needleman, Rabinowitz, Leviton, Linn, Shai & Schoenbum (1984).
Status: All subjects have delivered their infants. Two separate drives were carried out in July and November, 1994 out to collect peripheral venous blood specimens from infants whose cord blood was not collected at delivery. Peripheral venous lead levels were thus obtained on an additional 14 infants who were missed at delivery. One infant was found to have lead toxicity. The infant's sibling was tested and also found to have toxic lead levels. Two home visits were conducted to obtain additional exposure data and to collect environmental specimens (dust, soil, water, insulation material) from the home site for lead analyses. These subjects were referred for appropriate medical follow-up according to the research protocol. The source of lead contamination has not been confirmed, but the father's and grandfather's occupational practices were strongly suspect. The entire family were tested for lead levels. Lead levels in the infant have dropped to normal, and the family had normal lead levels.
The data collection process for this study was meticulous and thorough, but inherently slow. The last subject delivered in December 1994, and all data have been entered. Preliminary analyses have been conducted and reported (see conference presentations).
Potential Users/Technology Transfers:
Health care professionals, environmental health scientists, policy makers.
Other Personnel:
Nicholas Pingitori, UTEP Dept. Geochemistry
Mel Ortiz, UTEP, Biostatistics Center
Laurance Nickey, Chief Medical Officer,
El Paso City-County Health & Environmental District
Jorge Magana, Chief of Pediatrics, Health District
Martha Quiroga, Director of Nursing, Health District
The FY92 SCERP-supported phase (P15) of this project was reported as
part of FY93.
The FY93 SCERP-supported phases of this project:: EH93-3
and MIEP
The FY94 SCERP-supported phase of this project: AQ94-OF-4
A related FY97 SCERP-support project: EH97-1.html
Last updated 7/1/99