CBPIR - Changes in Epithelial Cell Gene Expression Associated with Reduction in Drinking Water Arsenic

Research group outside house in Ajo, AZ.

Background
A Community Based Prevention Intervention Research (CBPIR) project has been supported by our Program. The mining/smelting town of Ajo, Arizona was selected as a site for arsenic exposure. The arsenic exposure was quickly determined to be from drinking water so a study was designed to examine this population prior to and after substitution of bottled water for the arsenic-laden drinking water.

Goal
To investigate the changes in epithelial cell gene expression associated with reduction in drinking water arsenic.

Objectives
1. To compare urine arsenic (As) concentration and buccal and bronchial epithelial cell gene expression in a community with drinking water As >20 m g/L and in a control community.

2. To measure the effectiveness of provision of As-free drinking water in normalizing inorganic urine As concentrations and epithelial cell gene expression.

Significant Findings
1. Mean total inorganic urinary arsenic was significantly higher in Ajo (29.1 ± 20.4 ppb) than Tucson (control community -13.7 ±19.4 ppb) at initial contact.

2. Twelve months following the provision of bottled drinking water in Ajo, the mean total inorganic urinary arsenic level decreased 20% to 23.2 ± 23.2.

3.Urine total inorganic arsenic was positively correlated with urine 8-OHdG in Ajo and with sputum 8-OHdG concentration in both towns.

Publications

Contact
Jeff Burgess
jburgess@email.arizona.edu
520-882-5852