US EPA

903707 

Journal Article 

Cross-sectional exposure assessment of environmental contaminants in Churchill County, Nevada 

Belson, M; Holmes, A; Funk, A; Kieszak, S; Rubin, C 

2003 

1 

Journal of Toxicology: Clinical Toxicology
ISSN: 0731-3810
EISSN: 1097-9875 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects 

Atlanta, Georgia 

TOX/4000194 

English 

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/fallon//study.htm#sum
Exit
 

Background: Having identified an increased number of childhood leukemia cases within Churchill County, Nevada, the Nevada State Health Division requested that CDC conduct a cross-sectional exposure assessment to identify contaminants unique to that community. Methods: 14 children with ALL or AML, and 55 age and gender matched controls were enrolled. Questionnaire data and biologic samples were collected from the cases, controls, and their immediate family. Environmental samples from current and previous homes within the county were collected. All samples were tested for metals, volatile organic compounds, PCBs, and pesticides. Results: 205 participants were enrolled. No positive association was found between the analytes measured and the case families. Tungsten urine levels were significantly greater in study participants (mean = 1.19 ?g/L, 95% CI 0.89?1.59) than in the US population (mean = 0.08 ?g/L). The median level of urine arsenic was 37.40 ?g/L (range 0?1180.40 ?g/L) with 34% of the participants above the normal threshold (50.0 ?g/L). Tungsten and arsenic were also detected in most of the tap water samples collected. Five nonpersistent and one persistent pesticide were elevated when compared with the US population. Conclusion: This investigation identified several environmental exposures of concern among Churchill County residents. Steps are being taken to further define the health implications of these exposures and to pursue genetic testing related to the metabolism of these chemicals. Specific recommendations have been made to decrease personal exposure.