%0 Journal Article %J Environ Int %D 2022 %T Evaluating predictive relationships between wristbands and urine for assessment of personal PAH exposure. %A Holly Dixon %A Lisa M Bramer %A Richard P Scott %A Lehyla Calero %A Darrell Holmes %A Gibson, Elizabeth A %A Cavalier, Haleigh M %A Diana Rohlman %A Miller, Rachel L %A Antonia M Calafat %A Laurel D Kincl %A Katrina M Waters %A Julie Herbstman %A Kim A Anderson %X

During events like the COVID-19 pandemic or a disaster, researchers may need to switch from collecting biological samples to personal exposure samplers that are easy and safe to transport and wear, such as silicone wristbands. Previous studies have demonstrated significant correlations between urine biomarker concentrations and chemical levels in wristbands. We build upon those studies and use a novel combination of descriptive statistics and supervised statistical learning to evaluate the relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in silicone wristbands and hydroxy-PAH (OH-PAH) concentrations in urine. In New York City, 109 participants in a longitudinal birth cohort wore one wristband for 48 h and provided a spot urine sample at the end of the 48-hour period during their third trimester of pregnancy. We compared four PAHs with the corresponding seven OH-PAHs using descriptive statistics, a linear regression model, and a linear discriminant analysis model. Five of the seven PAH and OH-PAH pairs had significant correlations (Pearson's r = 0.35-0.64, p ≤ 0.003) and significant chi-square tests of independence for exposure categories (p ≤ 0.009). For these five comparisons, the observed PAH or OH-PAH concentration could predict the other concentration within a factor of 1.47 for 50-80% of the measurements (depending on the pair). Prediction accuracies for high exposure categories were at least 1.5 times higher compared to accuracies based on random chance. These results demonstrate that wristbands and urine provide similar PAH exposure assessment information, which is critical for environmental health researchers looking for the flexibility to switch between biological sample and wristband collection.

%B Environ Int %V 163 %P 107226 %8 2022 Apr 04 %G eng %R 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107226 %0 Journal Article %J Environ Pollut %D 2018 %T Environmental and individual PAH exposures near rural natural gas extraction. %A Paulik, L Blair %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Diana Rohlman %A Brian W Smith %A Richard P Scott %A Laurel D Kincl %A Erin N Haynes %A Kim A Anderson %K Air Pollutants %K Air Pollution %K Environmental Exposure %K Environmental Monitoring %K Humans %K Linear Models %K Natural Gas %K Oil and Gas Fields %K Petroleum %K Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons %K Pyrenes %K Silicones %K Tandem Mass Spectrometry %X

Natural gas extraction (NGE) has expanded rapidly in the United States in recent years. Despite concerns, there is little information about the effects of NGE on air quality or personal exposures of people living or working nearby. Recent research suggests NGE emits polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into air. This study used low-density polyethylene passive samplers to measure concentrations of PAHs in air near active (n = 3) and proposed (n = 2) NGE sites. At each site, two concentric rings of air samplers were placed around the active or proposed well pad location. Silicone wristbands were used to assess personal PAH exposures of participants (n = 19) living or working near the sampling sites. All samples were analyzed for 62 PAHs using GC-MS/MS, and point sources were estimated using the fluoranthene/pyrene isomer ratio. ∑PAH was significantly higher in air at active NGE sites (Wilcoxon rank sum test, p < 0.01). PAHs in air were also more petrogenic (petroleum-derived) at active NGE sites. This suggests that PAH mixtures at active NGE sites may have been affected by direct emissions from petroleum sources at these sites. ∑PAH was also significantly higher in wristbands from participants who had active NGE wells on their properties than from participants who did not (Wilcoxon rank sum test, p < 0.005). There was a significant positive correlation between ∑PAH in participants' wristbands and ∑PAH in air measured closest to participants' homes or workplaces (simple linear regression, p < 0.0001). These findings suggest that living or working near an active NGE well may increase personal PAH exposure. This work also supports the utility of the silicone wristband to assess personal PAH exposure.

%B Environ Pollut %V 241 %P 397-405 %8 2018 Oct %G eng %R 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.05.010 %0 Journal Article %J Environ Sci Technol %D 2016 %T Emissions of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Natural Gas Extraction into Air. %A LB Paulik %A Carey E Donald %A Brian W Smith %A Lane G Tidwell %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Laurel D Kincl %A Erin N Haynes %A Kim A Anderson %X

Natural gas extraction, often referred to as "fracking", has increased rapidly in the United States in recent years. To address potential health impacts, passive air samplers were deployed in a rural community heavily affected by the natural gas boom. Samplers were analyzed for 62 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Results were grouped based on distance from each sampler to the nearest active well. Levels of benzo[a]pyrene, phenanthrene, and carcinogenic potency of PAH mixtures were highest when samplers were closest to active wells. PAH levels closest to natural gas activity were comparable to levels previously reported in rural areas in winter. Sourcing ratios indicated that PAHs were predominantly petrogenic, suggesting that PAH levels were influenced by direct releases from the earth. Quantitative human health risk assessment estimated the excess lifetime cancer risks associated with exposure to the measured PAHs. At sites closest to active wells, the risk estimated for maximum residential exposure was 0.04 in a million, which is below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's acceptable risk level. Overall, risk estimates decreased 30% when comparing results from samplers closest to active wells to those farthest from them. This work suggests that natural gas extraction is contributing PAHs to the air, at levels that would not be expected to increase cancer risk.

%B Environ Sci Technol %V 50 %P 7921-9 %8 07/2016 %G eng %N 14 %R 10.1021/acs.est.6b02762 %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2015 %T Engaging rural citizen scientists to explore impacts of fracking on ambient air %A Diana Rohlman %A Erin N Haynes %A Kim A Anderson %A LB Paulik %A Feezel, P. %A Laurel D Kincl %B SETAC North America 36th Annual Meeting. Salt Lake City, Utah %8 11/2015 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2015 %T Engaging Rural Citizens to Answer Questions about Air Quality %A Diana Rohlman %A Erin N Haynes %A Kim A Anderson %A Laurel D Kincl %A Elam, S. %A LB Paulik %B Society for Applied Anthropology Annual Meeting. Pittsburgh, PA %8 03/2015 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2015 %T Environmental Preparedness and Resilience Empowering People: Personal Wristband Sampling Nexus %A Kim A Anderson %A Laurel D Kincl %A Diana Rohlman %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Josh A Willmarth %A Michael L Barton %B 25th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Exposure Science. Henderson, Nevada %8 10/2015 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2015 %T EPREP: Environmental Preparedness and Resilience Empowering People %A Diana Rohlman %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Michael L Barton %A Josh A Willmarth %A Laurel D Kincl %A Kim A Anderson %B 2015 Citizen Science Meeting. San Jose, CA %8 02/2015 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2014 %T Exposure Assessment Monitoring Tools Panel: Passive Wristband Samplers %A Diana Rohlman %A Laurel D Kincl %A Kim A Anderson %B EHS Center Meeting. Los Angeles, CA %8 04/2014 %G eng