Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging in an adult cohort following prenatal and early postnatal exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated drinking water

Abstract

This population-based retrospective cohort study examined Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain in relation to prenatal and early postnatal exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated drinking water on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Subjects were identified through birth records from 1969 through 1983. Exposure was modeled using pipe network information from town water departments, a PCE leaching and transport algorithm, EPANet water flow modeling software, and Geographic Information System (GIS) methodology. Brain imaging was performed on 26 exposed and 16 unexposed subjects. Scans were acquired on a Philips 3T whole body scanner using the ADNI T1-weighted MP-RAGE scan. The scans were processed by FreeSurfer version 4.3.1 software to obtain measurements of specific brain regions. There were no statistically significant differences between exposed and unexposed subjects on measures of white matter hypointensities (β: 127.5 mm3, 95% CI: −259.1, 1514.0), white matter volumes (e.g. total cerebral white matter: β: 21230.0 mm3, 95% CI: −4512.6, 46971.7) or gray matter volumes (e.g. total cerebral gray matter: β: 11976.0 mm3, 95% CI: −13657.2, 37609.3). The results of this study suggest that exposure to PCE during gestation and early childhood, at the levels observed in this population, is not associated with alterations in the brain structures studied.

Long-term Neurotoxic Effects of Early-life Exposure to Tetrachloroethylene-contaminated Drinking Water

“…Early life exposure to PCE was not associated with alterations in the brain structures as seen in structural neuroimaging studies 18 . In particular, no statistically significant differences were observed between exposed and unexposed subjects on measures of white and gray matter volumes and white matter hypointensities.…”

“…Eligible subjects who completed the survey were also invited to participate in a clinical study comprised of neuropsychological tests to evaluate visuospatial abilities, attention and executive function, short-term memory, motor skills, academic achievement, omnibus intelligence and mood; vision exams to assess color discrimination and contrast sensitivity; and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure white and gray matter volumes and white matter hypointensities 16–18 . Prior studies among adults suggested that these outcomes might be affected by early life exposure to solvents 21–25 .…”

“…The Cape Cod Health Study initially assessed the short-term impact of prenatal exposure to PCE-contaminated drinking water on reproductive outcomes, including low birth weight 12 , prematurity 12 , miscarriage 13 , stillbirth 14 , and congenital anomalies 15 . More recently, we extended the study to examine the long-term impact of both prenatal and childhood exposure on neurological outcomes, including vision 16 , neuropsychological functioning 17 , brain structure 18 , risky behaviors 19 , and mental illness 20 . There is a dearth of information on long-term neurotoxic effects of early life exposure despite well-established short-term effects among adults 1 .…”

Accelerated degradation of tetrachloroethylene by Fe(II) activated persulfate process with hydroxylamine for enhancing Fe(II) regeneration

“…The survey from contaminated sites supported by Superfund confirmed that around one quarter of the sites were contaminated by PCE and the concentrations were from several hundred micrograms per liter to over one hundred milligrams per liter or even pure PCE liquid in some sites . It is reported that chronic exposure to PCE can cause headache, sleepiness or unconsciousness, and negatively affect the liver, kidney, reproductive system and central nervous system (CNS) . In Europe, the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits recommends for PCE an occupational exposure limit (8 h time‐weighted average) of 20 mg L −1 and a short‐term exposure limit (15 min) of 40 mg L −1…”

“…4 It is reported that chronic exposure to PCE can cause headache, sleepiness or unconsciousness, and negatively affect the liver, kidney, reproductive system and central nervous system (CNS). 5 In Europe, the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits recommends for PCE an occupational exposure limit (8 h time-weighted average) of 20 mg L −1 and a short-term exposure limit (15 min) of 40 mg L −1 . 6 Consequently, it is necessary to exploit effective remediation techniques to treat PCE-contaminated groundwater and soils.…”