Adult neuropsychological performance following prenatal and early postnatal exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated drinking water

Abstract

This population-based retrospective cohort study examined adult performance on a battery of neuropsychological tests in relation to prenatal and early postnatal exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated drinking water on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Subjects were identified through birth records from 1969 through 1983. Exposure was modeled using pipe network information from town water departments, a PCE leaching and transport algorithm, EPANet water flow modeling software, and a Geographic Information System (GIS). Results of crude and multivariate analyses among 35 exposed and 28 unexposed subjects showed no association between prenatal and early postnatal exposure and decrements on tests that assess abilities in the domains of omnibus intelligence, academic achievement or language. The results were suggestive of an association between prenatal and early postnatal PCE exposure and diminished performance on tests that assessed abilities in the domains of visuospatial functioning, learning and memory, motor, attention and mood. Because the sample size was small, most findings were not statistically significant. Future studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted to further define the neuropsychological consequences of early developmental PCE exposure.

Drug use disorder following early life exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated drinking water: a retrospective cohort study

“…Our cohort study investigated a wider variety of neurotoxic effects, including drug use among individuals with prenatal and early childhood PCE exposure (26)(27)58). Moreover, our prior analyses found that individuals who were exposed to PCE-contaminated drinking water in early life experienced 30-40% increases in the risk of using multiple drugs as a teenager or as an adult (27).…”

“…Our own population-based retrospective cohort study ("Cape Cod Health Study") found long-lasting neurotoxic effects of prenatal and early childhood exposure to PCE contaminated drinking water. In particular, we found increased risks of mood disturbances and diminished performance on tests of learning, memory, attention, and executive functioning (26) and illicit drug use (27) among exposed individuals. Speci c drugs for which increased risks were observed included crack/cocaine, psychedelics/hallucinogens, club/designer drugs and heroin.…”

Childhood and adolescent fish consumption and adult neuropsychological performance: An analysis from the Cape Cod Health Study

“…The population was exposed to PCE when it leached from the vinyl-lining of asbestos cement drinking water pipes installed across the Northeastern United States from 1969 to 1980. Information about this exposure scenario and the associated health effects have been described in detail elsewhere (Aschengrau et al, 2008;Aschengrau et al, 2009;Aschengrau et al, 2011;Aschengrau et al, 2012;Janulewicz et al, 2008;Janulewicz et al, 2012). Study participants completed a self-administered questionnaire which included demographic information and developmental, educational, occupational, medical and residential histories (Janulewicz et al, 2012).…”

“…Information about this exposure scenario and the associated health effects have been described in detail elsewhere (Aschengrau et al, 2008;Aschengrau et al, 2009;Aschengrau et al, 2011;Aschengrau et al, 2012;Janulewicz et al, 2008;Janulewicz et al, 2012). Study participants completed a self-administered questionnaire which included demographic information and developmental, educational, occupational, medical and residential histories (Janulewicz et al, 2012). In addition, the questionnaire gathered detailed information regarding childhood (defined as 7 -12 years) and adolescent (defined as 13 -18 years) fish consumption patterns including how often participants consumed fish between the years of 7 to 18 years old and their most commonly consumed varieties of fish.…”

“…Recruitment letters explaining the study purpose and self-administered questionnaires were sent to all traced subjects. Comparisons of characteristics of the study participants and non-participants as well as detailed information regarding the initial exclusion criteria have been described elsewhere (Janulewicz et al, 2012). Based on the information provided in the questionnaires, 24.8% of the cohort was excluded from neuropsychological testing for one or more of the following reasons: was a twin or triplet, had a neurological condition, experienced lead or carbon monoxide poisoning, suffered a head injury with a loss of consciousness > 5 minutes, used three or more illicit drugs, or drank excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages (average daily volume > 3 drinks) ( Table 1).…”