Superfund Research Program

Analytical Chemistry Core

Project Leader: Thomas J. McDonald
Grant Number: P42ES004917
Funding Period: 2000-2008

Project-Specific Links

Final Progress Reports

Year:   2007  2004 

The Analytical Services Core has provided analytical support for research in bioremediation and exposure assessment. Sediment and tissues samples collected from a Superfund site in Washington were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Data from these analyses were compared with bioassay results to evaluate the impact of biodegradation on contaminant concentration and genotoxicity. For the exposure study in Azerbaijan, samples of house dust, urine, and serum from 35 families in an urban (contaminated) region and 25 families in a rural (control) area were collected and are currently being tested for PAHs and PAH metabolites. A similar set of samples have been collected for the exposure study in China. In Shanxi Province serum from mother and father, and placenta from case and control subjects have been analyzed for trace metals and PAHs in support of a study of genetic and environmental factors affecting the risk of neural tube defects. Drinking water samples, dust, and herbal medicines were collected from several homes in China and were analyzed for the presence of trace metals.