Columbia University

Summary (2000-2006)

The Columbia University Superfund Basic Research Program, that began in 2000, is focused on the health issues arising from exposure to metals, specifically arsenic and lead contamination of soils and drinking water and the geochemistry of these two elements. The program consists of seven research projects (4 biomedical, 3 non-biomedical), three support cores (trace metals, geochemistry and hydrology), and administrative and training cores. Two biomedical projects are focusing on understanding arsenic toxicity. They include describing the adsorption of lead and its bioavailability, and elucidating the mutagenic pathways involved in arsenic-induced carcinogenesis. The two other biomedical projects are epidemiology studies in Bangladesh. One study is exploring critical dose relationships between drinking water, arsenic, and health outcomes. In the other epidemiology study investigators are examining arsenic metabolism in the neonatal period. The three non-biomedical projects are examining arsenic mobilization in Bangladesh, mobilization and redistribution of arsenic at Superfund sites in the U.S., and remediation strategies for arsenic enrichment in groundwater.