Addressing Tetrachloroethylene Exposure in an Impacted Community

Purdue University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Volatile Organic Compounds; Cancer; Vapors; Inhalation

Treatments: Behavioral: Environmental educational campaign

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05819996

20211507

Details and patient eligibility

About

Groundwater in Martinsville, IN, is contaminated by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE). Indoor air in some residential and commercial buildings is also contaminated with PCE and TCE. This study is being conducted to better understand the impact of low-level exposures to these compounds on community members' health. Data collected in this study will be used to help the community identify a course of action.

Full description

Martinsville, IN, is a community of 11,000 people that overlays four groundwater contamination sites, including a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-designated Superfund site. The total area of groundwater contamination is over 60 acres and lies within a single aquifer. The contaminates are chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs), primarily tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE). These contaminants are thought to originate from several dry cleaning and metal degreasing operations. An activated carbon filtration system has been in operation since 2005 to remove PCE and chlorinated VOCs from the municipal water, which now meets EPA drinking water standards. However, a recent report from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry concludes that people's health may be harmed by breathing indoor air contaminated via vapor intrusion, the migration of volatile compounds from contaminated groundwater and soil into buildings above. The long-term goal of this research is to understand how PCE exposure in communities affects health and to empower community members' participation in environmental health decision-making. In this project researchers will work with the community of Martinsville, IN to:

1. Determine the extent and exposure levels to the contaminants by measuring the contamination in residents and at their homes.
2. Assess the community's concern and perceptions about the contamination and associated health risks.
3. Study the impact of the contaminants on visual and neurocognitive functions.
4. Compare cancer rates in Martinsville to county and state rates.

The above information will help researchers and community partners co-design a targeted educational campaign to reduce community members' exposure to the contaminants.

Enrollment: 510 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 99 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Residents of Martinsville, Indiana
• 18 years or older

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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510 participants in 1 patient group

Martinsville Residents

Other group

Description:

Residents of Martinsville, Indiana, will receive educational campaign promoting participation in environmental testing

Treatment:

Behavioral: Environmental educational campaign