RAPID RESPONSE TO CONTAMINANTS IN FLINT DRINKING WATER

 描述（由申请人提供）：本赠款申请的总体目标是评估潜在的暴露于有毒污染物在城市供水系统在弗林特密歇根州在不可预见的水危机所造成的变化，在饮用水的来源和处理。暴露于配水系统中的铅和消毒副产品仍然是脆弱人群的风险来源。随着水处理的变化，儿童血铅水平迅速升高。还观察到了超过美国环保局最高污染物水平的消毒副产物水平。虽然对受管制的DBPs了解很多，但对不受管制的含氮DBPs（NDBPs）了解较少。美国环保署目前正在考虑对NDBPs进行监管，因为它们的癌症风险水平有所提高。在整个供水系统中，高水平的消毒副产物与极低水平的氯残留物相结合。氯含量低可能部分是由于系统内发生的自由基腐蚀，可能会导致机会性管道病原体的生长和潜在暴露。最后，由于政府官员一再保证否认与饮用水质量和安全有关的问题，居民和政府官员之间严重缺乏信任。迫切需要改进科学和风险信息的交流，这场灾难是一个 更有效地利用现代通信模式（例如Facebook等社交媒体）的机会。 通过这一独特的机会，观察弗林特水处理和分配的变化，这个跨学科的团队将记录和表征潜在有毒物质的暴露，以及提高对水质退化过程的科学认识。因此，项目小组将： 目标1 -量化由供水变化引起的余氯、消毒副产物和铅的浓度，并评估这些复杂化学混合物的毒性;目标2 -使用综合分析和建模方法，确定弗林特饮用水系统中有毒化学品的潜在暴露（城市、州和联邦）、公共卫生机构和居民通过各种渠道（包括社交媒体）使用风险沟通原则。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall goal of this grant application is to evaluate potential exposure to toxic pollutants in the municipal water distribution system in Flint Michigan during the unforeseen water crisis created by changes in the source and treatment of drinking water. Exposure to lead (Pb) and disinfection-by-products (DBPs) present in water distribution systems continues to be a source of risk to vulnerable populations. A rapid increase in elevated blood lead levels in children has followed the changes in water treatment. Levels of DBPs that exceed US EPA maximum contaminant levels have also been observed. While much is known about regulated DBPs, less is known about unregulated nitrogenous DBPs (NDBPs). The U.S. EPA is currently considering regulating NDBPs due to their enhanced cancer risk level. High levels of DBPs are paired with exceptionally low levels of chlorine residual found throughout the water distribution system. The low levels of chlorine are likely due, in part, to radical corrosion that has occurred within the system and may allow for the growth of and potential exposure to opportunistic plumbing pathogens. Finally, due to repeated assurances from government officials denying problems associated with drinking water quality and safety, there is a severe lack of trust between residents and government officials. Improved communication of scientific and risk information is critically needed and this disaster presents an opportunity to more effectively utilize modern modes of communication (e.g. social media such as Facebook). Through this unique opportunity to observe changes in water treatment and distribution in Flint, this transdisciplinary team will document and characterize exposure to potential toxicants as well as enhanced scientific understanding of the processes responsible for degraded water quality. Accordingly, the project team will: Aim 1 - quantify the concentrations of residual chlorine, DBPs and Pb that have resulted from the change in water supply and evaluate the toxicity of these complex chemical mixtures; Aim 2 - define potential exposure to toxic chemicals through Flint's drinking water system using a combined analytical and modeling approach Aim 3 - communicate results to water utility operators, government officials (city, state, and federal), public health agencies and residents using principles of risk communication through a variety of channels including social media.