A Participatory Science Approach to Evaluating Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Metals and PFAS in Guatemala City Tap Water
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
; 19(10):6004, 2022.
Article
in English
| ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-1871619
ABSTRACT
Limited information is available regarding chemical water quality at the tap in Guatemala City, preventing individuals, water utilities, and public health authorities from making data-driven decisions related to water quality. To address this need, 113 participants among households served by a range of water providers across the Guatemala City metropolitan area were recruited as participatory scientists to collect first-draw and flushed tap water samples at their residence. Samples were transported to the U.S. and analyzed for 20 metals and 25 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). At least one metal exceeded the Guatemalan Maximum Permissible Limit (MPL) for drinking water in 63% of households (n = 71). Arsenic and lead exceeded the MPL in 33.6% (n = 38) and 8.9% (n = 10) of samples, respectively. Arsenic was strongly associated with groundwater while lead occurrence was not associated with location, water source, or provider. One or more PFAS were detected in 19% of samples (n = 21, range 2.1–64.2 ppt). PFAS were significantly associated with the use of plastic water storage tanks but not with location, water source, or provider. Overall, the high prevalence of arsenic above the MPL in Guatemala City tap water represents a potential health risk that current water treatment processes are not optimized to remove. Furthermore, potential contaminants from premise plumbing and storage, including lead and PFAS, represent additional risks requiring further investigation and public engagement.
Sciences: Comprehensive Works; drinking water quality; climate change; sustainability; arsenic; lead; PFAS; Guatemala; participatory science; community-engaged research; Water treatment; Households; Questionnaires; Drinking water; Contaminants; Scientific imaging; Metropolitan areas; Groundwater; COVID-19; Water quality; Acidification; Storage tanks; Water storage; Public health; Water tanks; Lead content; Rural areas; Health risks; Population; Water utilities; Water sampling; Water analysis; Mass spectrometry; Perfluoroalkyl & polyfluoroalkyl substances; Infrastructure; Pollutant removal; Heavy metals; Urban areas; Public participation; Central America; United States--US; Latin America
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Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
ProQuest Central
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
Country/Region as subject:
Central America
/
Guatemala
Language:
English
Journal:
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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