Skip Navigation
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Use this QR code to view the newest version of this document
Use this QR code to view the newest version of this document

Your Environment. Your Health.

Final Progress Reports: University of Arizona: CBPIR - Changes in Epithelial Cell Gene Expression Associated with Reduction in Drinking Water Arsenic

Superfund Research Program

CBPIR - Changes in Epithelial Cell Gene Expression Associated with Reduction in Drinking Water Arsenic

Project Leader: Jefferey L. Burgess
Grant Number: P42ES004940
Funding Period: 2000 - 2005

Project-Specific Links

Connect with the Grant Recipients

Visit the grantee's eNewsletter page Visit the grantee's eNewsletter page Visit the grantee's Twitter page Visit the grantee's Instagram page Visit the grantee's Video page

Final Progress Reports

Year:   2004 

This is the team’s final year of the CBPIR and it is completing its aims.

  1. Compare urine arsenic (As) concentration and buccal and bronchial epithelial cell gene expression in a community with drinking water As >20μg/L.

    The concentration of inorganic urinary arsenic was significantly different in Ajo (Exposed population; 29.1 ppb) and Tucson (Control population; 13.7 ppb).  Tap water baseline concentrations of total and inorganic arsenic were significantly different in Ajo (19.1 ppb) and Tucson (3.9 ppb).  Extraction of sufficient quantity and quality of RNA for microarray analysis were not successful in the Ajo and Tucson populations.  Dr. Burgess found that urine concentrations of oxidized DNA (8OHdG) did not vary with environmental arsenic exposure in the populations.  In addition, metalloproteinase concentrations in sputum (ng/ml) were not significantly increased in the Ajo samples as compared with the control group.

  2. Measure the effectiveness of provision of As-free drinking water in normalizing inorganic urine As concentrations and epithelial cell gene expression.

    Bottled water was provided to participants in Ajo.  Arsenic concentrations in the bottled water measured at the second contact were all less than 0.1 ppb.  Comparison of baseline inorganic urinary arsenic concentration to follow-up inorganic urinary arsenic concentration revealed a significant decrease in inorganic urinary arsenic.  While provision of arsenic-free bottled water resulted in a decrease in urine arsenic concentrations in Ajo, it was not to the extent seen in Tucson, suggesting some continued exposure through tap water.  This study did not find any biomarkers to date that vary significantly between populations, but Dr. Burgess is continuing to look at additional biomarkers. 

  3. Educate the community through establishment of a computer learning center linked with the University.

    This is currently underway in the present program year.  Dr. Burgess’ team has met with the Ajo community and in partnership with the University of Arizona SWEHSC Community Outreach and Education Program (COEP) will provide computer-based education materials on arsenic and other environmental toxicants in the Ajo public library.

Back
to Top