Strategic Plan for Arsenic Research in Kids

1
Strategic Plan for Arsenic Research in Kids
A collaborative research project between
Columbia University and the University of New
Hampshire
2
Arsenic in Drinking WaterA Proposed Study of
3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students in New
Hampshire and Maine

• Gail Wasserman, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator
• Professor of Clinical Psychology
• (in Child Adolescent Psychiatry)
• College of Physicians Surgeons
• Columbia University

Joseph Graziano, PhD, Principal Investigator
Associate Dean for Research Professor of Environm
ental Health Sciences Mailman School of Public He
alth Columbia University
Amy Schwartz, MPH Associate Director Clinical A
sst. Professor NH Institute for Health Policy and
Practice
University of New Hampshire
Kimberly Persson, MSW Study Coordinator Columbia
University
at the University of New Hampshire
3

• What is

?
In 2000, the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences awarded a grant to Columbia
University to study the how arsenic and manganese
in groundwater effect people in Bangladesh. We
found a negative effect of both arsenic and
manganese in well water on childrens
intellectual development. That grant has expan
ded to New Hampshire and Maine. SPARK examines
the link between arsenic exposure and childhood
intelligence. Beyond intelligence, people
exposed to arsenic have been found to have
increased risk for many kinds of cancer and other
illnesses.
4
Results from Bangladesh Relationship Between
Arsenic Concentrations Intellectual Function in
10-year olds
This graph shows an inverse relationship between
arsenic concentration and intellectual functioni
ng.
5
A Recent Article

• From The New York Times, August 30, 2007
• The arsenic problem is bigger than scientists
  had thought, and it affects nearly 140 million
  people in more than 70 countriesbut only now are
  we beginning to recognize the magnitude of the
  problem.
• ---TheRoyal Geographical Society Conference,
  London
  

6
Arsenic in the United States
7
Southern New Hampshire
8
A R S E N I C IN N H
9
Why Study New Hampshire?

• In some regions of New Hampshire, more than 30
  of household wells have arsenic concentrations
  that exceed 10 micrograms per liter, which is the
  U.S Environmental Protection Agencys limit.
• Bladder cancer mortality, long known to be
  particularly high in northern New England, is
  associated with the use of private wells (Ayotte
  et al, 2006).

10
Study Objectives in New England

• We seek to determine the relationship between
  well water arsenic and child intelligence in 3rd,
  4th and 5th grade children.
  
• We seek to recruit a total of 500 children,
  across many elementary schools, over a two year
  period .
  
• Each childs actual exposure to arsenic would be
  determined by measuring his or her arsenic levels
  in toenail clippings and an optional urine
  sample.
• Each childs intelligence will be assessed
  through the use of a commonly used, standardized
  screening tool.
  

11
Logistics

• Information will be sent home to parents from
  school in their childs backpack.
  
• Parents will review the information and return a
  reply card to their childs teacher to indicate
  whether they would like to participate in the
  study.
• Teachers will give the collected reply cards to
  SPARK research staff.
  
• SPARK staff will contact parents via telephone or
  email to schedule a one-hour home visit.
  
• Following the home visit, SPARK staff will
  schedule a school visit with your child through
  the childs teacher.
  
• A few weeks after school visit, parents will
  receive a report about their childs intelligence
  screening.
  
• A few months after the school visit, parents will
  receive a report about their well, with treatment
  recommendations, if necessary.

12
2006-2007 Project Summary

• Number of Recruitment Letters Sent 429
• Number of Post Cards Returned 127
• Number of Refusals 48
• Number of Acceptances 79
• Of The Acceptances
• 38 ineligible due to absence of well
• 5 changed their minds about participating
• 18 were not studied due to scheduling
  difficulties
  

Number of Subjects for 2006-2007 18
13
2007-2008 Changes

• Possible Recruitment Issues
• Children were intimidated by urine sample
• Ineligible families expressing interest in
  participation
  
• Reply cards were not returned to UNH
• Scheduling difficulties
• Low Recuitment

Solutions Urine sample is optional Detailed f
act sheet included in recruitment letters
Mailing will be distributed from schools in
backpacks and teachers will collect reply cards
Expanded home visit time availability
Families will be given a 25 monetary compensation
14
Questions or Concerns?

• Contact Kimberly Persson, MSW
• Study Coordinator
• 202 Hewitt Hall
• University of New Hampshire
• Durham, NH 03824
• [phone]
• kimberly.persson_at_unh.edu