310069
Assessing Personalized Exposures of Importance: Paired Indoor/Outdoor Air Sampling and Seafood Analyses in Southeast Louisiana
Jessi Howard1, Thomas Stock2, Edward Overton3, Mark Wilson1, Jeffrey Wickliffe1
1Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112
2Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030
3Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast and Environment, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Abstract
During and following the Deepwater Horizon accident in 2010, concerns regarding negative impacts on air and seafood quality were paramount. Though individual perceptions varied, many people in coastal communities in southeast Louisiana felt that they experienced increased exposure to oil- and dispersant-related compounds. An unprecedented effort in air and seafood monitoring during and following the spill indicated that this was likely not the case. Though seafood monitoring efforts continue and indicate the seafood is safe for human consumption, some individuals still consider the seafood contaminated and unsafe for consumption. To better inform individuals as to what chemicals are in their indoor and outdoor air, we have been conducting home assessments involving participants in risk analyses. We are also analyzing seafood or fish samples of most interest to participants for the presence and levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including many that are specific to crude oil. Preliminary results indicate that levels of the selected volatile organic compounds are generally higher in indoor air samples when compared to paired-outdoor air samples. Seafood and fish analyses do not support the presence of PAHs at any levels that would represent a consumption health risk. We will discuss the implications of our findings to date and how involving individuals in the risk analysis/assessment process may aid informed decision-making.
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health educationEnvironmental health sciences
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Analyze seafood or fish samples of most interest to participants for the presence and levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including many that are specific to crude oil.
Analyze and and inform individuals as to what chemicals are in their indoor and outdoor air found from home assessments.
Discuss implications of our findings by involving individuals in the risk analysis/assessment process to aid informed decision making.
Keyword(s): Food Safety, Risk Factors/Assesment
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a student researcher on this NIEHS funded project for two and a half years focusing on seafood safety and air quality in southeast Louisiana. We are investigating risk assessment and communication using CBPR methods in vulnerable subpopulations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.