Biomonitoring of exposure to Great Lakes contaminants among licensed anglers and Burmese refugees in Western New York: Toxic metals and persistent organic pollutants, 2010-2015.

Between 2010 and 2015, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) conducted a biomonitoring program to gather exposure data on Great Lakes contaminants among licensed anglers and Burmese refugees living in western New York who ate locally caught fish. Four hundred and nine adult licensed anglers and 206 adult Burmese refugees participated in this program. Participants provided blood and urine samples and completed a detailed questionnaire.

Biomonitoring of populations in Western New York at risk for exposure to Great Lakes contaminants.

The New York State Department of Health conducted the Healthy Fishing Communities Program in collaboration with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to assess human exposure to contaminants common to Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and surrounding rivers and waterways among populations in western New York State who eat locally caught fish. The program enrolled licensed anglers and Burmese refugees and immigrants, living near four designated Great Lakes Areas of Concern: Buffalo River, Niagara River, Eighteenmile Creek, and the Rochester Embayment. These target populations were sampled and enrolled independently into the program between February and October of 2013.

Biomonitoring programs in Michigan, Minnesota and New York to assess human exposure to Great Lakes contaminants.

Over the past century, industrialization and urban practices have resulted in the contamination of the Great Lakes ecosystem-the world's largest surface freshwater system-that provides drinking water and recreation to more than 40 million residents. In 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was launched to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes and surrounding areas. Funded by GLRI, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry initiated the Biomonitoring of Great Lakes Populations (BGLP) program.

Depleted and enriched uranium exposure quantified in former factory workers and local residents of NL Industries, Colonie, NY USA.

Background: Between 1958 and 1982, NL Industries manufactured components of enriched (EU) and depleted uranium (DU) at a factory in Colonie NY, USA. More than 5 metric tons of DU was deposited as microscopic DU oxide particles on the plant site and surrounding residential community. A prior study involving a small number of individuals (n=23) indicated some residents were exposed to DU and former workers to both DU and EU, most probably through inhalation of aerosol particles.

Adverse birth outcomes and maternal exposure to trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene through soil vapor intrusion in New York State.

Background: Industrial spills of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Endicott, New York (USA), have led to contamination of groundwater, soil, and soil gas. Previous studies have reported an increase in adverse birth outcomes among women exposed to VOCs in drinking water.

Objective: We investigated the prevalence of adverse birth outcomes among mothers exposed to trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene [or perchloroethylene (PCE)] in indoor air contaminated through soil vapor intrusion.

Cancer incidence and asbestos in drinking water, Town of Woodstock, New York, 1980-1998.

Late in 1985, asbestos contamination was discovered in the public water supply of the Town of Woodstock, Ulster County, New York. Contamination resulted from asbestos-cement pipes installed in the town water system in the mid to late 1950s and the corrosiveness of the local water. The New York State (NYS) Department of Health established the Woodstock Asbestos Exposure Registry (WAER) in 1986 to monitor rates of cancer among individuals who lived on the water supply between 1960 and 1985.

Mortality among a cohort of female farm residents in New York State.

A retrospective cohort study of mortality among 6,405 female farm residents who were New York Farm Bureau members, or spouses or relatives of members, was conducted from 1980 through 1993. Similar to previous findings for male farmers, the cohort experienced significantly lower mortality rates for all causes combined (including malignant neoplasms and cardiovascular disease), compared with rural nonfarm female residents. These findings suggest that farmers and farm residents of both genders have favorable habits with respect to several lifestyle factors.

Watercraft-related drownings among New York State residents, 1988-1994.

Objective: To describe environmental and personal risk factors associated with watercraft-related drownings. This information may be useful in developing boating safety programs, regulations, and enforcement priorities.

Methods: A companion article in this issue (Unintentional Drownings Among New York State Residents, page 448) summarizes an investigation of 883 non-bathtub drownings among New York State residents for the years 1988 to 1994 using medical examiner, coroner, police, and hospital records in addition to death certificate data.

Unintentional drownings among New York State residents, 1988-1994.

Objective: This study examines situations in which drownings occur (environmental risk factors) and the victims' personal risk factors (age, gender, use of personal flotation device, medical condition, alcohol or drug use) to provide guidance for future drowning prevention efforts.

Methods: The authors investigated 883 non-bathtub drownings among New York State residents for the years 1988 to 1994 using medical examiner, coroner, police, and/or hospital records in addition to death certificate data.

Results: Males, children ages 0-4 years, and African American males ages 5-14 years residing in New York State outside New York City experienced the highest rates of drowning.

Cancer incidence among a cohort of female farm residents in New York State.

A retrospective cohort study of cancer incidence among 6,310 female farm residents who were New York Farm Bureau members, or members' spouses or relatives, was conducted from 1980 through 1993. Similar to the previous findings for New York State male farmers, the female farm resident cohort experienced significantly lower cancer rates for all cancers combined, and for lung cancer, compared with rural nonfarm female residents. In addition, significantly low rates for colorectal cancer and ovarian cancer were found among the female cohort members.

Investigation and reporting practices for drownings: implications for injury prevention research in new york state.

The New York State Department of Health conducted a study of drownings among New York State residents. A total of 883 drownings between 1988 and 1994 met study criteria. Medical examiner, coroner, police, and hospital records were obtained to supplement death certificate data.