Comparing residential contamination in a Houston environmental justice neighborhood before and after Hurricane Harvey

Abstract

IntroductionPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are complex environmental toxicants. Exposure to them has been linked to adverse health outcomes including cancer, as well as diseases of the skin, liver, and immune system. Based on an ongoing community engagement partnership with stakeholder groups and residents, we conducted a small longitudinal study to assess domestic exposure to PAHs among residents of Manchester, an environmental justice neighborhood located in the East End of Houston, TX.MethodsIn December, 2016, we used fiber wipes to collect samples of household dust from 25 homes in Manchester. Following Hurricane Harvey, in September 2017, we revisited 24 of the 25 homes to collect soil samples from the front yards of the same homes. Wipes and soil were analyzed for the presence of PAHs using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods. Principal component analysis plots, heatmaps, and PAH ratios were used to compare pre- and post-Hurricane Harvey samples.ResultsWhile direct comparison is not possible, we present three methods for comparing PAHs found in pre-hurricane fiber wipes and post-hurricane soil samples. The methods demonstrate that the PAHs found before and after Hurricane Harvey are likely from similar sources and that those sources are most likely to be associated with combustion. We also found evidence of redistribution of PAHs due to extreme flooding associated with Hurricane Harvey.DiscussionResidents of the Manchester neighborhood of Houston, TX, are exposed to a range of PAHs in household dust and outdoor soil. While it was not possible to compare directly, we were able to use several methods to assess detected concentrations, changes in site-specific PAH allocations, and PAH origination. Additional research is needed to identify specific sources of domestic PAH exposure in these communities and continued work involving community members and policy makers should aim to develop interventions to reduce domestic exposure to and prevent negative health outcomes from PAHs.

Citizen Science-Informed Community Master Planning: Land Use and Built Environment Changes to Increase Flood Resilience and Decrease Contaminant Exposure

“…Tap water samples were collected from the kitchen faucets of 13 Manchester homes in February 2019 and analyzed for the presence of lead [1]. In December 2016, settled dust samples were collected from a measured and marked one square meter area of hard flooring adjacent to the front door of 25 households using surface wipes [19]. In September 2017, surface soils were collected from the yards of 24 of the homes that were evaluated forsettled dust [19].…”

“…In December 2016, settled dust samples were collected from a measured and marked one square meter area of hard flooring adjacent to the front door of 25 households using surface wipes [19]. In September 2017, surface soils were collected from the yards of 24 of the homes that were evaluated forsettled dust [19]. Diagnostic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) ratios were performed to determine the probable sources of PAHs in the indoor settled dust and outdoor yard soil samples.…”

Using the 12-item short form health survey (SF-12) to assess self rated health of an engaged population impacted by hurricane Harvey, Houston, TX

“…A lack of zoning in Houston has furthered these types of land use and urban development inequities, while exposing residents to pollution from more freeway miles than any comparable region of the U.S. [14,15]. Vulnerable communities in the City of Houston are disproportionately exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with transportation infrastructure [16,17], heavy metals in standing water [18], detectable lead levels in drinking water [19], and outdated and ineffective infrastructure to handle flooding events [20]. These conditions are being further exacerbated by simultaneous increases in the severity and frequency of inland precipitation [21], the combined effects of sea-level rise, subsidence, and storm surge [22], and increases in the proportion of impermeable surfaces as the result of population growth and development [23].…”

Hurricane Harvey and Greater Houston households: comparing pre‐event preparedness with post‐event health effects, event exposures, and recovery

“…Unlike the vast majority of other post‐disaster analyses that entail convenience sampling (see, for example, Zhang et al, ; Schwartz et al, ; Taioli et al, ), the current study participants were initially randomly selected using a probability‐based design for a survey about social vulnerability to flood hazards in summer 2012. Follow up with some of the same set of respondents within 90 days of Harvey enables a pre‐/post‐event study design, which is uncommon among research on disasters (Horney et al, ). In a review of 225 disaster mental health studies, the vast majority were cross‐sectional, ‘after‐only’ study designs (Norris, ).…”