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A Participatory Science Approach to Evaluating Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Metals and PFAS in Guatemala City Tap Water

Author

Listed:
  • Jennifer Hoponick Redmon

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Riley E. Mulhern

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Edwin Castellanos

    (Observatorio Económico Sostenible, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala)

  • Erica Wood

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

  • Andrea McWilliams

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

  • Isabel Herrera

    (Observatorio Económico Sostenible, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala)

  • Chamindu Liyanapatirana

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

  • Frank Weber

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

  • Keith Levine

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

  • Evan Thorp

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

  • Nichole Bynum

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

  • Kelly Amato

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

  • Maria Andrea Najera Acevedo

    (Observatorio Económico Sostenible, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala)

  • Justin Baker

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

  • George Van Houtven

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

  • Candise Henry

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

  • Christopher Wade

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

  • AJ Kondash

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

Abstract

Limited information is available regarding chemical water quality at the tap in Guatemala City, preventing individuals, water utilities, and public health authorities from making data-driven decisions related to water quality. To address this need, 113 participants among households served by a range of water providers across the Guatemala City metropolitan area were recruited as participatory scientists to collect first-draw and flushed tap water samples at their residence. Samples were transported to the U.S. and analyzed for 20 metals and 25 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). At least one metal exceeded the Guatemalan Maximum Permissible Limit (MPL) for drinking water in 63% of households ( n = 71). Arsenic and lead exceeded the MPL in 33.6% ( n = 38) and 8.9% ( n = 10) of samples, respectively. Arsenic was strongly associated with groundwater while lead occurrence was not associated with location, water source, or provider. One or more PFAS were detected in 19% of samples ( n = 21, range 2.1–64.2 ppt). PFAS were significantly associated with the use of plastic water storage tanks but not with location, water source, or provider. Overall, the high prevalence of arsenic above the MPL in Guatemala City tap water represents a potential health risk that current water treatment processes are not optimized to remove. Furthermore, potential contaminants from premise plumbing and storage, including lead and PFAS, represent additional risks requiring further investigation and public engagement.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer Hoponick Redmon & Riley E. Mulhern & Edwin Castellanos & Erica Wood & Andrea McWilliams & Isabel Herrera & Chamindu Liyanapatirana & Frank Weber & Keith Levine & Evan Thorp & Nichole Bynum & , 2022. "A Participatory Science Approach to Evaluating Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Metals and PFAS in Guatemala City Tap Water," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6004-:d:815966
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Henry, Candise L. & Baker, Justin S. & Shaw, Brooke K. & Kondash, Andrew J. & Leiva, Benjamín & Castellanos, Edwin & Wade, Christopher M. & Lord, Benjamin & Van Houtven, George & Redmon, Jennifer Hopo, 2021. "How will renewable energy development goals affect energy poverty in Guatemala?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    2. Wade, Christopher M. & Baker, Justin S. & Van Houtven, George & Cai, Yongxia & Lord, Benjamin & Castellanos, Edwin & Leiva, Benjamín & Fuentes, Gabriela & Alfaro, Gabriela & Kondash, AJ & Henry, Candi, 2022. "Opportunities and spatial hotspots for irrigation expansion in Guatemala to support development goals in the food-energy-water nexus," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
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    1. Walter M. Warren-Vega & Armando Campos-Rodríguez & Ana I. Zárate-Guzmán & Luis A. Romero-Cano, 2023. "A Current Review of Water Pollutants in American Continent: Trends and Perspectives in Detection, Health Risks, and Treatment Technologies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-18, March.

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