Friday, April 25, 2025
4/25/2025
COHORT STUDY OF NITRATE EXPOSURE, MHG, AND HEALTH - DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project will examine the relationships between methemoglobinemia, diarrheal disease and nitrate-nitrogen exposure to further illuminate the connections between environmental exposures to nitrate/nitrite through ingestion of potable water containing these substances. A pilot, retrospective cohort study is proposed with the following aims: 1) To confirm the current nitrate/nitrite level in the participants' potable water supply; 2) To examine on the basis of varying levels of Nitrate/Nitrite exposure, individuals > 1 year of age and < 60 years in age-matched cohorts of high (>5 ppm ), medium (1-5 ppm), and low (# 0.9 ppm) exposure categories, the relationship between these varying levels of nitrate/nitrite exposure and: overall health status (including diarrheal disease experiences), methemoglobinemia history and/or self reported symptoms, if any, current methemoglobin level, and lymphocyte response status as an indicator of immuno-competency; (a number of measures including proliferation and cytokine expression); 3) To test the null hypothesis that there are no significant differences between high (>5 ppm), medium (1-5 ppm), and low (# 0.9 ppm) exposure cohorts consuming nitrate containing waters in regard to: overall health status (including diarrheal disease experiences), methemoglobinemia history and/or self reported symptoms, if any, current methemoglobin level, and lymphocyte response status as an indicator of immunocompetency (a number of measures including proliferation and cytokine expression); and 4) To provide further information to inform the scientific debate regarding the relationship between consumption of nitrate/nitrite containing waters and the overall health effects as they may reflect on the current maximum contaminant level, MCL of 10 ppm (mg/I) nitrate/nitrogen, a level that was set without consideration of a safety factor
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).