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. 2019 Mar;6(1):34-49.
doi: 10.1007/s40471-019-0182-3. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

A Review of Metal Exposure Studies Conducted in the Rural Southwestern and Mountain West Region of the United States

Joseph Hoover  1 , Esther Erdei  1 , Jacob Nash  2 , Melissa Gonzales  3
Affiliations

A Review of Metal Exposure Studies Conducted in the Rural Southwestern and Mountain West Region of the United States

Joseph Hoover et al. Curr Epidemiol Rep. 2019 Mar.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review summarizes recent literature examining exposure to environmental metals in rural areas of the southwestern/mountain west region of the United States focusing on the range of exposures and exposure pathways unique to this region.

Recent findings: Recent studies (2013-2018) indicated that exposures to arsenic (As), uranium (U), and cadmium (Cd) were the most commonly quantified metals in the study area. One or more of these three metals was analyzed in each study reviewed.

Summary: The current review draws attention to the variety of exposure assessment methods, analytical tools, and unique non-occupational exposure pathways in this region. The reviewed studies identified potential sources of metals exposure including regulated and unregulated drinking water, particulate matter, and food items, and provided information about the levels of exposures experienced by populations through a variety of exposure assessment methods including spatial analysis methodologies. The findings suggest that exposure assessment methods could be further integrated with population studies to assess health effects of environmental metals exposure through pathways unique to Southwestern and Mountain West U.S.

Keywords: environmental exposure; environmental metals; minority population; rural population; southwestern United States; western United States.

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