New Study Examines Exposure to Heavy Metals in Puerto Rico

A new study was recently published in the journal Environmental International by researchers from Rutgers School of Public Health. It examined how exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic, cobalt and nickel, may alter a pregnant woman’s hormones during pregnancy.
 
For the study, researchers analyzed urine and blood samples from over 800 women enrolled in the Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) study. PROTECT, initiated back in 2010, brings together multidisciplinary researchers to study the transport, exposure, health impact and remediation of contaminants.
 
Exposure to heavy metals can result in a wide range of health issues for all people, but pregnant women and their unborn children are likely even more vulnerable. Published results from the study found that pregnant women in Puerto Rico do indeed have higher metal exposures than women living on the mainland. Women in Puerto Rico also happen to have elevated preterm birth rates and other birth challenges.
 
“As reported, Puerto Rico has 18 active Superfund sites that could be contributing to heavy metal exposure for some residents of the islands,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “There are also a number of occupations that can expose people to lead and other heavy metals. Even lead-based paints, still found in some homes and buildings, could put people at risk. This is why for almost two decades, the environmental and industrial hygiene experts at Zimmetry have been offering testing and consulting services to help identify exposure risks and mitigate, or eliminate when possible, any that are found. This includes from outdoor sources, workplace exposures and from indoor environments in homes, businesses, schools and other institutions.”
 
To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health, safety or compliance services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail