State Biomonitoring Programs: Assessing Disproportionate Exposure to Environmental Chemicals among Communities - 4CSBC Project Abstract The Four Corners states encompass a population of over 18.8 million individuals, sharing common environmental and public health challenges due to geological, occupational, socio-economic, and demographic factors. Over the past two decades, the collaborative efforts of scientist members of the Four Corners States Biomonitoring Consortium (4CSBC) have addressed environmental health concerns, focusing on issues such as mining wastes and emerging contaminants. Leveraging this foundation, our proposed project aims to i) expand heavy metals exposure surveillance to populations at risk in rural communities and ii) characterize exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in high exposure occupations such as firefighting. By building upon existing partnerships and expertise, this project will fill critical geographical gaps in the Center for Disease Control’s National Biomonitoring Program, providing valuable insights into exposure levels in four Western states with known elevated exposure to metals and PFAS. The findings will inform the development of targeted state health programs aimed at protecting vulnerable populations, particularly Native American/Indigenous and pediatric communities, from the adverse effects of exposure to these contaminants. The success of the 4CSBC has demonstrated the viability of regional coordination in epidemiological and laboratory activities with past funding awards enhancing laboratory capacity and community engagement, each state has developed biomonitoring outreach and laboratory capacity, ensuring a common approach towards data collection, analysis, and dissemination. This proposed project comprises two main strategies: Community Biomonitoring Investigation focusing on PFAS surveillance among firefighters, and State-wide Population and Target Surveillance targeting environmental metals exposure, particularly in communities near mining sites. Collaborative efforts will involve blood sample collection and PFAS analysis across multiple job types within firefighting and urine sample collection and metal analysis in rural communities near mining activities. These projects represent a crucial step towards improving public health surveillance in the Four Corners states, addressing pressing environmental health concerns, and protecting vulnerable populations from the adverse effects of exposure to contaminants. Through collaborative efforts and leveraging existing infrastructure, we aim to establish a sustainable framework for ongoing monitoring and intervention efforts, ensuring the long-term health and well-being of communities in the region.
