To develop and test a C8 exposure
questionnaire and to administer this questionnaire to a selected sample
of residents.
Measure the levels of C8 in
the blood, and in the case of lactating mothers, in the breast milk,
of the selected sample of residents.
Measure the levels of certain
biomarkers of C8 toxicity in the blood of the sample of residents
to determine if the levels of C8 are correlated with blood tests showing
possible health risks.
Analyze the data obtained from
the C8 exposure questionnaire and blood C8 levels in order to determine
C8 levels in the residents of the LHWA district and to evaluate the
association between these levels and the potential routes of exposure
to C8 (air, water, occupational, other).
Compare the levels of C8 in
survey participants with those previously reported in other community
and occupational groups.
Analyze the association between
sensitive *biomarkers of effect and the serum C8 levels to determine
whether there is an observable association in this population and,
if so, at what levels of serum C8 this association is found. (*Biomarker
is the term used in determining whether the levels of C8 are correlated
with blood tests showing health risks.)
Inform individual participants
of their test results.
Inform the community and the
funding agency of overall research results.