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. 2022 May 30;19(11):6670.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19116670.

Associating Increased Chemical Exposure to Hurricane Harvey in a Longitudinal Panel Using Silicone Wristbands

Samantha M Samon  1 , Diana Rohlman  2 , Lane G Tidwell  1 , Peter D Hoffman  1 , Abiodun O Oluyomi  3   4 , Kim A Anderson  1
Affiliations

Associating Increased Chemical Exposure to Hurricane Harvey in a Longitudinal Panel Using Silicone Wristbands

Samantha M Samon et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Hurricane Harvey was associated with flood-related damage to chemical plants and oil refineries, and the flooding of hazardous waste sites, including 13 Superfund sites. As clean-up efforts began, concerns were raised regarding the human health impact of possible increased chemical exposure resulting from the hurricane and subsequent flooding. Personal sampling devices in the form of silicone wristbands were deployed to a longitudinal panel of individuals (n = 99) within 45 days of the hurricane and again one year later in the Houston metropolitan area. Using gas chromatography−mass spectroscopy, each wristband was screened for 1500 chemicals and analyzed for 63 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Chemical exposure levels found on the wristbands were generally higher post-Hurricane Harvey. In the 1500 screen, 188 chemicals were detected, 29 were detected in at least 30% of the study population, and of those, 79% (n = 23) were found in significantly higher concentrations (p < 0.05) post-Hurricane Harvey. Similarly, in PAH analysis, 51 chemicals were detected, 31 were detected in at least 30% of the study population, and 39% (n = 12) were found at statistically higher concentrations (p < 0.05) post-Hurricane Harvey. This study indicates that there were increased levels of chemical exposure after Hurricane Harvey in the Houston metropolitan area.

Keywords: Hurricane Harvey; disaster research; passive sampling; silicone wristbands.

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Conflict of interest statement

Kim A. Anderson and Diana Rohlman, coauthors for this research, disclose a financial interest in MyExposome Inc., which markets products related to the reported research. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by Oregon State University in accordance with its policy on research conflicts of interest. The authors have no other conflict of interest disclosures.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participants wore and returned a silicone wristband during a post-hurricane timepoint in 2017 (n = 172, 83% compliance), and again one year later, in 2018 (n = 239, 90% compliance). The 2018 timepoint was utilized as an estimated baseline of chemical exposure in non-disaster conditions in Houston, TX. A longitudinal panel (n = 99, 79% compliance) participated in both the post-hurricane and estimated-baseline timepoints.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sum concentration of chemical classifications (i.e., personal-care products (PCPs), phthalates, pesticides, flame retardants, and pharmacological and industrial products) for matched pairs across timepoints. Comparisons represent results from Wilcoxon matched-pair signed-rank tests ** (p < 0.01), **** (p < 0.0001).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Chemical composition of chemical categories utilized in the 1500 screening method excluding PAHs. All analytes detected at least once in either timepoint were included.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Log scale of sum concentration of PAHs across ring sizes in matched pairs across timepoints. Comparisons represent results from Wilcoxon matched-pair signed-rank tests ** (p < 0.01), **** (p < 0.0001).
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