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Columbia University

Superfund Research Program

Environmental As, Pregnancy, and Children's Health

Project Leader: Joseph H. Graziano
Grant Number: P42ES010349
Funding Period: 2000-2017

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Project Summary (2000-2006)

A region of Bangladesh (Sonargaon) has been identified where drinking water contains a uniquely wide range concentrations of InAs. Researchers are conducting three studies in this region to test hypotheses concerning the health effects and metabolism of InAs in the pregnant women and children. In year -01, a retrospective study of past pregnancy outcomes in approximately 2000 women will examine the relations between InAs exposure and late spontaneous abortion and stillbirth. In years -02 and -03, approximately 100 women at 12-20 weeks of gestation will be recruited to test the hypothesis that As methylation can be facilitated through the administration of multivitamins, or multivitamins + additional folate. This randomized trial will examine urinary excretion of InAs, MMA and DMA before and after the provision of such supplements. Third, among the same pregnant women, investigators will describe at delivery the relationships between maternal and umbilical cord InAs, MMA and DMA; and the relationship between plasma homocyst(e)ine (a marker of folate and B12 status) and InAs, MMA and DMA. Finally, in years -04 and -05, cross-sectional studies of children aged 6- and 10-years, respectively, will examine association between InAs exposure and selected biomarkers or health outcomes.

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