Little Hocking Water Association
Community Exposure to C8
A Research Study

Community Newsletter

 

February, 2004
May, 2004
August, 2004
November, 2004
March, 2005

 

 

 

March, 2005

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This is the fifth of a series of quarterly newsletters concerning the C8 study being conducted in the Little Hocking Water Association Service District (LHWASD)

To Review
The objectives of this research are to assess potential routes of environmental exposure to C8 in the LHWASD, assess levels of C8 in the blood and breast milk in a sample of the exposed population, determine the major routes of exposure in these residents, and determine if the levels of C8 correlate with blood tests (i.e., biomarkers of effect) indicating possible adverse health effects.

This study is a collaboration between environmental health researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (Dr. Edward Emmett, Principal Investigator), a local health care practitioner (Dr. Hong Zhang), and the Decatur Community Association (Mr. David Freeman, Principal Investigator and Ms. Ellen Mumma, Community Coordinator).

The study is being fully funded by a grant from the Environmental Justice Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the federal government. No funding is being received from any commercial party. Furthermore, the study is independent and is not associated with any legal group.

March Community Advisory Committee Meeting
The fifth meeting of the Community Advisory Committee was held March 9th at the Decatur Community Building, located at 6505 State Route 555. In addition to Emmett, Zhang, Freeman, and Mumma, present were:

Mary Hufford - University of Pennsylvania
John Hannan - Barlow Township
Larry Miskimins - Fairfield Township
Molly Varner - Wesley Township
Sidney Brackenridge - warren Local Schools
Steve Williams - Ohio EPA

Belpre, Decatur, Dunham, Palmer, and Troy Townships were not represented. To date, Dunham, Palmer and Troy Townships have not been represented at any CAC meetings. Any individual interested in filling one of these positions should contact their township trustees to inquire about the status of the position and express their interest in filling it.

Meeting minutes are posted on the study website, WWW.LHWC8STUDY.ORG

Current Activity
Over the past several months, households in the LHWASD were randomly selected from all households in the high and low C8 exposure areas, as determined from the routes of exposure through the air and water investigation conducted elsewhere, to participate in the study.

Drawing of blood samples and administration of a questionnaire designed to aid in assessing participants major routes of exposures began on August 2nd at the offices of Grand Central Family Medicine.

Sampling is now complete with 342 participants providing a blood sample and complete the questionnaire. Just under 50% of the invited households agreed to participate. Participation levels were somewhat higher among those living closer to the water supply wells. The majority of the participants receive their water from the LHWA while a small number use water from wells cisterns.

The study also desired to enroll up to ten lactating women, only three have been located and enrolled. Any lactating women in the LHWASD or the Tuppers Plains Water Association District willing to donate a specimen of their milk in addition to a blood sample, both to be analyzed for C8 levels should contact study personal at 304-210-0975.

Dr. Zhang has informed each participant in writing of the results of their individual blood chemistry (not including C8 levels). Any participant that has not received the results of their individual blood chemistry should contact melbowling@hotmail.com

Volunteers Sampled
As a service to the community, a limited number of LHWASD volunteers, 56 in total, were accepted for participation in the study. Those individuals comprise a separate study sample. More individuals volunteered than could be accommodated by the study; the first 56 names drawn from the pool of all those volunteering comprised the volunteer pool. Volunteers will be receiving a report of their individual blood chemistry shortly, or may have already done so.

Completion of C8 Blood Level Measurements
At this time, it is expected a preliminary report on the levels of C8 found in the blood of the study participants will be available in late spring, 2005. Those measurements are being carried out at the University of Pennsylvania. Participants will receive their individual results in writing.

Release of Aggregate Study Results
Shortly after participants receive their individual results, aggregate study results will be released to the public. No participant will be identified nor any individual date will be released.

At this time, plans are underway to facilitate a wide distribution of study results. A summary of the results will be mailed in the same manner as the quarterly newsletters and will be posted to the study web site. Results will be made available to the local newspapers. Additionally, a public meeting may be held a a local venue. Announcements will be made over a variety of media ( e.g., newspapers, radio, etc.) prior to any public meeting taking place.

 

November, 2004

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This is the fourth of a series of quarterly newsletters concerning the C8 study being conducted in the Little Hocking Water Association Service District (LHWASD)

To Review
The objectives of this research are to assess potential routes of environmental exposure to C8 in the LHWASD, assess levels of C8 in the blood and breast milk in a sample of the exposed population, determine the major routes of exposure in these residents, and determine if the levels of C8 correlate with blood tests (i.e., biomarkers of effect) indicating possible adverse health effects.

This study is a collaboration between environmental health researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (Dr. Edward Emmett, Principal Investigator), a local health care practitioner (Dr. Hong Zhang), and the Decatur Community Association (Mr. David Freeman, Principal Investigator and Ms. Ellen Mumma, Community Coordinator).

The study is being fully funded by a grant from the Environmental Justice Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the federal government. No funding is being received from any commercial party. Furthermore, the study is independent and is not associated with any legal group.

November Community Advisory Committee Meeting
The fourth meeting of the Community Advisory Committee was held November 10th at the Decatur Community Building, located at 6505 State Route 555. In addition to Emmett, Zhang, Freeman, and Mumma, present were:

Mary Hufford - University of Pennsylvania
Emily Smith - Belpre Township
Larry Miskimins _Fairfield Township
Gene Morris - Watertown Township
Molly Varner - Wesley Township
Sidney Brackenridge - warren Local Schools
Sarah Wallace - Ohio EPA

Barlow, Decatur, Dunham, Palmer, and Troy Townships were not represented. To date, Dunham, Palmer and Troy Townships have not been represented at any CAC meetings. Any individual interested in filling one of these positions should contact their township trustees to inquire about the status of the position and express their interest in filling it.

Meeting minutes are posted on the study website, WWW.LHWC8STUDY.ORG

Current Activity
Over the last four months, households in the LHWASD were randomly selected from all households in the high and low C8 exposure areas as determined from the routes of exposure through the air and water investigation conducted elsewhere, to participate in the study.

Drawing of blood samples and administration of a questionnaire designed to aid in assessing participants major routes of exposure began on August 2nd at the offices of Grand Central Family Medicine.

More than 220 households and 450 individuals have agreed to participate in the study; to date 340 individuals have provided blood samples and completed questionnaires. The majority of the participants are receiving their water from the LHWA while a small number are using water from wells and cisterns.

The study also desires to enroll up to ten lactating women; to date only four have been located and enrolled. Any lactating women in the LHWASD or the Tuppers Plains Water Association District willing to donate a specimen of their milk in addition to a blood sample, both to be analyzed for C8 levels should contact study personal at 304-488-3423.

After the analysis of the blood samples is complete, Dr. Zhang will inform each participant in writing of the results of their individual C8 levels and blood chemistry together with any necessary explanation. The collective data will be analyzed to satisfy the study objectives previously described.

Volunteers Accepted
As a service to the community, it has been decided that a limited number of LHWASD volunteers, 50 in total, will be accepted for participation in the study. Those individuals will comprise a separate study sample. Individuals wishing to volunteer for the study are subject to the same requirements for participation as are the randomly selected individuals, i.e., participants must have lived in the LHWASD a minimum of two years while no children under the age of four or anyone with a bleeding disorder will be accepted in the study. Those wishing to volunteer should express their desire to do so by e-mail through the study web site of by phoning 740-989-2306 by December 3rd. No volunteer will be accepted after that date. Should more than 50 individuals volunteer to participate, the first 50 names drawn from the pool of all those volunteering will comprise the volunteer pool.

Release of Findings
At this time, it is expected a preliminary report on the levels of C8 found in the blood of the study participants will be available in early spring, 2005.

 

August, 2004

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This is the third of a series of quarterly newsletters concerning the C8 study being conducted in the Little Hocking Water Association Service District (LHWASD)

To Review
The objectives of this research are to assess potential routes of environmental exposure to C8 in the LHWASD, assess levels of C8 in the blood and breast milk in a sample of the exposed population, determine the major routes of exposure in these residents, and determine if the levels of C8 correlate with blood tests (i.e., biomarkers of effect) indicating possible adverse health effects.

This study is a collaboration between environmental health researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (Dr. Edward Emmett, Principal Investigator), a local health care practitioner (Dr. Hong Zhang), and the Decatur Community Association (Mr. David Freeman, Principal Investigator and Ms. Ellen Mumma, Community Coordinator).

The study is being fully funded by a grant from the Environmental Justice Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the federal government. No funding is being received from any commercial party. Furthermore, the study is independent and is not associated with any legal group.

July Community Advisory Committee Meeting

The third meeting of the Community Advisory Committee was held July 21st at the Decatur Community Building, located at 6505 Sate Route 555. In adition to Emmett, Zhang, Freeman, and Mumma, present were:

John Hannan - Barlow Township
John Smith - Belpre Township
Robert Layfield - Decatur Township
Molly Varner -Wesley Township
Sidney Brackenridge - Warren Local Schools
Sarah Wallace - Ohio EPA
Chintan Desai - University of Pennsylvania

Dunham, Fairfield, Palmer, Troy, and Watertown Townships were not respresented. To date, Dunhan, Palmer, and Troy Townships have not been rerpesented at any CAC meetings; Watertown Township has not been represnted since the firest meeting. Any individual interested in fillling one of these positions should contac their township trustees to inquire about the status of the psositon and express their interest in filling it.

Meeting minutes re posted on the study website, WWW.LHWC8STUDY.ORG

Current Activity
During the week of July 5th, some 260 households in the LHWASD were mailed letters of invitation to participate in the study. About three weeks later, another 150 invitations were randomly selected from all households in the high and low C8 exposure areas as determined from the routes of exposure through the air and water investigation conducted elsewhere.

Drawing of blood samples and administration of a questionnaire designed to aid in assessing participants major routes of exposure began on August 2nd at the offices of Grand Central Family Medicine.

As of that date, approximately 250 individuals from the randomly selected households had agreed to participate in the study. Additional participants continue to come forward and now number more than 300; the goal is to sample 400 randomly selected individuals in the LHWASD.

The majority of the participants are receiving their water from the LHWA, while a small number are suing water from wells and cisterns.

The study also desires to enroll up to ten lactating women; to date only two have been located and enrolled. While volunteers are not accepted for the study, an exception will be made in the case of lactating women willing to donate a specimen of their milk in addition to a blood sample, both to be analyzed for C8 levels. Any lactation women in the LHWASD interested in possibly participating in the study should contact Dr. Zhang at 304-488-3423.

Next Steps
After the analysis of the blood samples is complete, Dr. Zhang will inform each participant in writing of the results of their individual C8 levels and blood chemistry together with any necessary explanation. The collective data will be analyzed to satisfy the study objectives previously described.

Other Developments
There is a possibility that area residents not chosen for the study may be able to have their blood tested at a later date. This is not yet a certainty and it is likely those individuals will have to pay for the sampling and analysis. Mary Dominiak from the US EPA updated the CAC via e-mail of a number of developments. One in particular addressed the July 8 filing of an administrative enforcement complaint against DuPont alleging that DuPont failed to provide "substantial risk" information to USEPA on PFOA (i.e. C8) in a timely fashion as required by the Toxic Substances Control Act. Ms. Dominiak stressed it is important to note the complaint does not involve any conclusions about the potential risks of PFOA but simply concludes the DuPont's information should have been provided to the Agency earlier than it was.

 

May, 2004

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This is the second of a series of quarterly newsletters concerning the C8 study being conducted in the Little Hocking Water Association Service District (LHWASD)

To Review
The objectives of this research are to assess potential routes of environmental exposure to C8 in the LHWASD, assess levels of C8 in the blood and breast milk in a sample of the exposed population, determine the major routes of exposure in these residents, and determine if the levels of C8 correlate with blood tests (i.e., biomarkers of effect) indicating possible adverse health effects.

This study is a collaboration between environmental health researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (Dr. Edward Emmett, Principal Investigator), a local health care practitioner (Dr. Hong Zhang), and the Decatur Community Association (Mr. David Freeman, Principal Investigator and Ms. Ellen Mumma, Community Coordinator).

The study is being fully funded by a grant from the Environmental Justice Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the federal government. No funding is being received from any commercial party. Furthermore, the study is independent and is not associated with any legal group.

April Community Advisory Committee Meeting
The second meeting of the Community Advisory Committee was held April 7th at the Decatur Community Building. In addition to Emmett, Zhang, Freeman, and Mumma, present were:

John Hannan - Barlow Township
John Smith - Belpre Township
Robert Layfield - Decatur Township
Larry Miskimins - Fairfield Township
Sidney Brackenridge - Warren Local Schools
Steve Williams - Ohio EPA
Mary Dominniak - Federal EPA

Dunham, Palmer, Troy, Watertown and Wesley townships were not represented.

Meeting minutes are posted on the study website. WWW.LHWC8STUDY.ORG

Recent Developments
It has been determined that the measurement of blood C8 levels will be conducted at the University of Pennsylvania using the most advanced equipment available. C8 blood levels as small as 0.5 ppb can be detected.
Measurement of the biomarkers of effect will also be conducted at the University of Pennsylvania.
Investigation of potential routes of C8 exposure through the air and water are underway.
A Certificate of Confidentiality, issued by the National Institute of Health to protect the privacy of research subjects, was secured that covers all participants in the study, meaning that individual tests results cannot be subpoenaed.

Next Steps
A random sample of about 400 residents of the LHWASD, including both those receiving their water from the Association and those using water from wells and cisterns, will be selected for participation in the study. Participants must have lived in the district a minimum of four years. No one under the age of two or anyone with a bleeding disorder will be accepted in the sample. Children aged between two and four do not have to meet the four-year residency requirement. No financial or other inducements will be offered for participation.

It is important to understand that in order to insure the scientific validity of the study, volunteers will not be taken. Those randomly selected to participate, of course, have the right to refuse to do so.

A small subset of up to 10 lactating women will be enrolled; these subjects will additionally be asked to donate a specimen of their milk for measurement of C8 levels

In addition to supplying a blood sample, participants will complete a questionnaire to aid in assessing their major routes of exposure.

After the analysis of the blood samples is complete, Dr. Zhang will inform each participant in writing of the results of their individual C8 levels and blood chemistry together with any necessary explanation.

SELECTION OF RANDOM SAMPLE
Within the next 30 days or so, a number of residents within the LHWASD will receive a letter indicating their household has been randomly selected to participate in the study. The households will be spit between high and low C8 exposure areas as determined from the routes of exposure through the air and water investigation previously mentioned.

The letter will contain detailed instructions for registering to participate in the study. Briefly, a representative of the household will be required to register household participants by contacting study personnel via a dedicated phone number AND returning a short preliminary information form included with the mailing. The preliminary information form will ask for:

 

February, 2004

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This is the first of a planned series of quarterly newsletters concerning the C8 study being conducted in the Little Hocking Water Association Service District. (LHWASD)

Why is this study being done?
The study will address the population residing in the LHWASD. Residents in this area are potentially exposed to high levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (Known as C8) as a result of pollution of the air and public and private water supplies. The objectives of this research are to assess potential routes of environmental exposure to C8 in the LHWASD, assess levels of C8 in the blood and breast milk in a sample of the exposed population, determine the major routes of exposure in these residents, and determine if the levels of C8 correlate with blood tests indicating possible adverse health effects.

Who is conducting the study?
This study is a collaboration between environmental health researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, a local health cure provider (the Occupational Health Medicine Program of the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital), and a community organization (Decatur Community Association). The Principal Investigators are Dr. Edward Emmett (University of Pennsylvania), Dr. Hong Zhang (HealthSouth), and Mr. David Freeman (Decatur Community Association) Ms. Ellen Mumma of the Community Association serves as the Community Coordinator.

Who is paying for the research study?
The study is being fully funded by a grant from the Environmental Justice Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the federal government. Funding was awarded effective September 1, 2003, and continues through June 2007. No funding is being received from any commercial party. Furthermore, the study is independent and is not associated with any legal group. Findings of the study will be publicly available, except that result pertaining to any individual participant will not be released to anyone except that person or, in the case of minors, to the parent or guardian.

What are the specific goals of the study?
To develop and administer a C8 exposure questionnaire to a randomly selected sample of residents of the LHWASD.
To 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.
To measure the levels of certain biomarkers of C8 toxicity in the blood of the sample members.
To analyze the date obtained from the exposure questionnaire and blood tests to determine C8 levels in the LHWASD and surrounding community residents, and to evaluate the association between these levels and the potential routes of exposure to C8 (air, water, occupational, other).
To compare the levels of C8 in residents of the LHWASD and surrounding communities with the levels reported in other community and occupational groups.
To analyze the association between the measured biomarkes and 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 seen.

How will the goals of the study be carried out?
A random sample of about 400 residents of the LHWASD, including both those receiving their water from the Association and those using water from wells and cisterns, will be selected for participation in the study. A letter of invitation will be written to the selected households. Participants must have lived in the district a minimum of four years. No children under the age of two or anyone with a bleeding disorder will be accepted in the sample. Children aged between two and four do not have to meet the four-year residency requirement. A small sub-group of up to 10 lactating women will be enrolled; these subjects will additionally be asked to donate a specimen of their milk for measurement of C8 levels. No inducements will be offered for participation.

Administration of the exposure questionnaires and drawing of blood samples is planned for mid-2004. Dr. Zhang will inform each participant in writing of the results of their individual C8 levels and blood chemistry together with any necessary explanation.

All individual data, including the identity of participants, questionnaire responses, and test results will be kept confidential. A Certificate of Confidentiality, issued by the National Institute of Health to protect the privacy of research subjects, has been applied for and it is anticipated that it will be granted.

Community Advisory Committee
A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for the study, consisting of community residents and various stakeholders, has been formed. It is planned to have each township within the LHWASD represented. The composition of the CAC includes, in addition to Emmett, Zhang, Freeman, and Mumma:

John Smith - Belpre Township
Robert Layfield -Decatur Township
Larry Miskimins - Fairfield Township
Gregory Nicholson - Palmer Township
Donald Rauch -Watertown Township
Molly Varner - Wesley Township
Sidney Brackenridge - Warren Local Schools
Kathleen Meckstroth - WCHD
Steve Williams - Ohio EPA
Mary Dominniak - Federal EPA

Barlow, Dunham, and Troy townships and the WV EPA have been invited to participate as well but have not yet named representatives.

The CAC will be involved in all stages of the study, seeking to ensure the aims and design of the study meet community needs, and advise on the appropriateness of questions asked in the questionnaire.

The CAC meets quarterly at the Decatur Community Building, located at 6505 State Route 555. Meetings are open to the public.

What are the potential benefits of the study?
Results of the study will indicate whether C8 blood levels of residents in the LHWASD are raised above national background levels and, if levels are elevated, the responsible routes of exposure and whether higher levels are associated with blood test results indicating the possibility of present or future health effects. With this knowledge, interventions can be designed to reduce the C8 exposure through voluntary individual, voluntary community, or government regulatory actions. While available data indicate C8 is widely present in the general population of the United States, this study will provide the first examination of general population exposure in a specific community potentially contaminated with C8 in such populations, and an assessment of whether the observed levels may cause health effects.

 

 

 

Links to other sites for further information on C8:

EPA PFOA Investigation Information

DuPont Position Papers

Environmental Working Group

On the C8 situation in WV

Marietta Times C8 Site