Arsenic in private well water part 3 of 3: Socioeconomic vulnerability to exposure in Maine and New Jersey

摘要: Arsenic is a naturally occurring toxic element often concentrated in groundwater at levels unsafe for human consumption. Private well water the United States mostly unregulated by federal and state drinking standards. It responsibility of over 13 million U.S. households regularly depending on private wells their to ensure it safe drinking. There consistent graded association with health outcomes all socioeconomic status (SES) Differential exposure environmental risk may be contributing this persistent SES-health gradient. Environmental justice advocates cite overwhelming evidence that income other SES measures are consistently inversely correlated suboptimal conditions including pollutants, toxins, impacts. Here we use household surveys from two states investigate between risks arsenic exposure, examining potentially cumulative effects residential location, testing treatment behavior, psychological factors influencing behavior. We find distribution natural hazard environment socioeconomically random. no higher avoiding areas or lower groups disproportionately residing arsenic. Instead, disparities arise differing rates protective action, primarily arsenic, secondly treating contaminated water. observe these behavior as most favorable behaviors. Assessment should not limited spatial occurrence alone. important social vulnerability incorporated into modeling identifying priority intervention, which include strategies specifically target vulnerable cause