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Microenvironmental Analysis of Residential Exposure to Chromium‐Laden Wastes in and Around New Jersey Homes
Author(s) -
Lioy P.J.,
Freeman N.C.G.,
Wainman T.,
Stern A.H.,
Boesch R.,
Howell T.,
Shupack S.I.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
risk analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.972
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1539-6924
pISSN - 0272-4332
DOI - 10.1111/j.1539-6924.1992.tb00676.x
Subject(s) - chromium , environmental science , household waste , contamination , environmental engineering , environmental chemistry , vacuum cleaner , air pollution , toxicology , waste management , geography , chemistry , metallurgy , meteorology , materials science , engineering , ecology , suction , organic chemistry , biology
The purpose of this study was to identify the significant microenvironments that can lead to chromium exposure in Hudson County, New Jersey residential settings near or on soil contaminated with chromium waste. Measurements were made in indoor air, outdoor air, and house dust. Surface dust was found to be the best index of potential Cr exposure. The values of Cr in Hudson County household dust ranged from 3.25‐320 ng/cm 2 in wipe samples and 1.0‐12 ng/cm 2 in vacuum samples. Elevated Cr in household dust was found to be related to residential locations near large chromium waste sites, household cleaning habits, and house renovation activities. Outdoor Cr air levels were similar to those obtained in other urban areas at these seasons of the year, approximately 5‐7 ng/m 3 . Comparisons with measurements of the Cr levels in urine found that the elevated Cr in dust was associated with elevated excretion of Cr. Site‐specific Cr differences in household dust suggest different sources and routes of exposure. Within the total group of homes in the present study, Cr in household dust was the major influence on household exposure.