Risk Assessment for Children Exposed to Arsenic on Baseball Fields with Contaminated Fill Material

Abstract

Children can be exposed to arsenic through play areas which may have contaminated fill material from historic land use. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the risk to children who play and/or spend time at baseball fields with soils shown to have arsenic above background levels. Arsenic in soils at the study sites located in Miami, FL, USA showed distinct distributions between infield, outfield, and areas adjacent to the fields. Using best estimates of exposure factors for children baseball scenarios, results show that non-cancer risks depend most heavily upon the age of the person and the arsenic exposure level. For extreme exposure scenarios evaluated in this study, children from 1 to 2 years were at highest risk for non-cancer effects (Hazard Quotient, HQ > 2.4), and risks were higher for children exhibiting pica (HQ > 9.7) which shows the importance of testing fill for land use where children may play. At the study sites, concentration levels of arsenic resulted in a range of computed cancer risks that differed by a factor of 10. In these sites, the child’s play position also affected risk. Outfield players, with a lifetime exposure to these arsenic levels, could have 10 times more increased chance of experiencing cancers associated with arsenic (i.e., lung, bladder, skin) in comparison to infielders. The distinct concentration distributions observed between these portions of the baseball fields emphasize the need to delineate contaminated areas in public property where citizens may spend more free time. This study also showed a need for more tools to improve the risk estimates for child play activities. For instance, more refined measurements of exposure factors for intake (e.g., inhalation rates under rigorous play activities, hand to mouth rates), exposure frequency (i.e., time spent in various activities) and other exposure factors (e.g., soil particulate emission rates at baseball play fields) can help pinpoint risk on baseball fields where arsenic levels may be a concern.

An integrated assessment of land-use change impact, seasonal variation of pollution indices and human health risk of selected toxic elements in sediments of River Atuwara, Nigeria

“…Arsenic being a problematic metal(oid) occurs anthropogenically and naturally in organic and inorganic forms. Organic As compounds such as monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethlyarsonic acid (DMA) are considered less hazardous and carcinogenic, while the inorganic forms (arsenite and arsenate) are more mobile and highly toxic than the organoarsenic species (Ferguson et al, 2018). It is noteworthy to mention that high concentration of As in sediment has been reported to be associated with high organic matter, and its interaction with itself and other mineral surfaces often result in possible formation of organo-arsenic complexes.…”

Exposure and Risk Assessment in Environmental and Occupational Health

“…The studies collectively assess exposure outcomes, both non-cancer and cancer risks, in various settings, such as baseball fields, beaches, industrial workplaces, agricultural environments, and foods (Black et al, 2016;Ferguson et al, 2018;Foerster et al, 2021;Oginawati et al, 2023). In each case, the findings help to understand the level of risk associated with different exposures.…”

“…Vulnerable populations, including very young children, workers in specific industrial settings, and individuals with extreme behaviors like high ingestion rates, are consistently identified as being at higher risk of exposure (Black et al, 2016;Ferguson et al, 2018;Khoshakhlagh et al, 2023;Li et al, 2023;Oginawati et al, 2023). Moreover, workers in high-risk industries like artificial stone manufacturing, Batik industry, and the agricultural sector are consistently at risk of exposure to hazardous agents (Requena-Mullor et al, 2021;Oginawati et al, 2023).…”

“…Children may be exposed to dangerous substances even on playgrounds. Due to their physiological and behavioral characteristics, children are particularly susceptible (Ferguson et al, 2018). On the other hand, playing on the shore is also hazardous.…”