Research Project Summaries

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10929/68526

The research project summary is a 3-5 page document providing a brief, general overview of the project.

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Browsing Research Project Summaries by Author "Black, Kathy"

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    Characterization of Hexavalent Chromium Concentrations in Household Dust in Background Areas: Research Project Summary
    (Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Science, 2009-06) Fan, Zhi-Hua (Tina); Shalat, Stuart; Yu, Chang-Ho; Black, Kathy; Lin, Lin; Stern, Alan H.
    In order to understand the significance of the low-level ubiquitous occurrence of hexavalent chromium (Cr+6 ) in house dust sampled in the Hudson County Chromium Exposure and Health Study in Jersey City, New Jersey, a study was undertaken to measure Cr+6 in samples of house dust obtained from background locations unrelated to Jersey City. A total of 20 homes was sampled in New Brunswick, New Jersey and surrounding towns. Three samples were collected in each home and analyzed for Cr+6. Total chromium (Cr+6 + Cr+3) was also analyzed in 17% of samples. As in Jersey City, Cr+6 was found to be ubiquitous in house dust samples in the background locations. No significant difference was found between Cr+6 concentrations in Jersey City and the background locations. Evidence suggests that at least some of the Cr+6 in the dust arose from materials inside the houses. Comparison of the correlation of Cr+6 and Cr+3 in Jersey City and the background locations indicates that residual chromate production waste (COPR) in Jersey City was not a major source of the Cr+6 in Jersey City house dust. In addition to household materials, possible sources of Cr+6 in house dust include atmospheric deposition, naturally occurring Cr+6 in soil, and exogenous soil and soil treatments containing Cr+6 contamination. Further research will be needed to identify the sources of Cr+6 in house dust.
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    Chromium Exposure and Health Effects in Hudson County: Phase I: Research Project Summary
    (Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Technology, 2008-12) Lioy, Paul J.; Gochfeld, Michael; Fan, Zhi-hua (Tina); Shalat, Stuart L.; Black, Kathy; Lin, Lin
    During much of the twentieth century, Hudson County, and particularly Jersey City, was one of the world centers of chromate production from chromite ore. The slag and waste products from this production referred to as COPR (chromite ore processing residue) was disposed in various locations and given away gratis for fill, berms etc. This resulted in a legacy of approximately 200 COPR waste sites in Hudson County. COPR contains variable amounts of hexavalent chromium (Cr+6) as well as trivalent chromium (Cr+3). Cr+6 is a known human inhalation carcinogen (USEPA, 1998). Recent evidence indicates that it is also an ingestion carcinogen (NTP, 2008). Because of its carcinogenic potential, Cr+6 is the substance of greatest concern in COPR.