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

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Listed:
  • Jennifer A Horney
  • Gaston A Casillas
  • Erin Baker
  • Kahler W Stone
  • Katie R Kirsch
  • Krisa Camargo
  • Terry L Wade
  • Thomas J McDonald

Abstract

Introduction: Polycyclic 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. Methods: In 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. Results: While 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. Discussion: Residents 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer A Horney & Gaston A Casillas & Erin Baker & Kahler W Stone & Katie R Kirsch & Krisa Camargo & Terry L Wade & Thomas J McDonald, 2018. "Comparing residential contamination in a Houston environmental justice neighborhood before and after Hurricane Harvey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0192660
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192660
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Logue, J.N., 1996. "Disasters, the environment, and public health: Improving our response," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 86(9), pages 1207-1210.
    2. Timothy W. Collins & Sara E. Grineski & Jayajit Chakraborty & Marilyn C. Montgomery & Maricarmen Hernandez, 2015. "Downscaling Environmental Justice Analysis: Determinants of Household-Level Hazardous Air Pollutant Exposure in Greater Houston," Annals of the American Association of Geographers, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 105(4), pages 684-703, July.
    3. Carrie Barron Ausbrooks & Edith Barrett & Maria Martinez-Cosio, 2009. "Ethical Issues in Disaster Research: Lessons from Hurricane Katrina," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 28(1), pages 93-106, February.
    4. Malilay, J. & Heumann, M. & Perrotta, D. & Wolkin, A.F. & Schnall, A.H. & Podgornik, M.N. & Cruz, M.A. & Horney, J.A. & Zane, D. & Roisman, R. & Greenspan, J.R. & Thoroughman, D. & Anderson, H.A. & We, 2014. "The role of applied epidemiology methods in the disaster management cycle," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(11), pages 2092-2102.
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    1. Sara M. Amolegbe & Adeline R. Lopez & Maria L. Velasco & Danielle J. Carlin & Michelle L. Heacock & Heather F. Henry & Brittany A. Trottier & William A. Suk, 2022. "Adapting to Climate Change: Leveraging Systems-Focused Multidisciplinary Research to Promote Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Garett Sansom & Leslie Cizmas & Kathleen Aarvig & Benika Dixon & Katie R. Kirsch & Anjali Katare & Lindsay Sansom, 2019. "Vulnerable Populations Exposed to Lead-Contaminated Drinking Water within Houston Ship Channel Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-8, August.
    3. Samantha M. Samon & Diana Rohlman & Lane G. Tidwell & Peter D. Hoffman & Abiodun O. Oluyomi & Kim A. Anderson, 2022. "Associating Increased Chemical Exposure to Hurricane Harvey in a Longitudinal Panel Using Silicone Wristbands," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-15, May.
    4. Zunwei Chen & Suji Jang & James M. Kaihatu & Yi-Hui Zhou & Fred A. Wright & Weihsueh A. Chiu & Ivan Rusyn, 2021. "Potential Human Health Hazard of Post-Hurricane Harvey Sediments in Galveston Bay and Houston Ship Channel: A Case Study of Using In Vitro Bioactivity Data to Inform Risk Management Decisions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-16, December.

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