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330599
Validation of a Biosensor Methodology for Detecting Heavy Metal Contamination in Drinking Water Sources


Monday, November 2, 2015

Alison Krajewski, MPH, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Jyotsna Jagai, MS, MPH, PhD, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Ira Heimler, PhD, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Heavy metal contamination in drinking water sources continues to be a public health issue worldwide. Difficulties in identifying and measuring contaminants in water supplies at low concentrations and within mixtures hamper evaluation of human exposure, requiring new methods in health risk analysis.  Current detection and monitoring methods for testing heavy metals in water are time intensive, costly, not always metal specific, not readily available for field use, and require specific training.  Biosensors offer an alternative methodology for testing heavy metals in water sources and can be constructed to be metal specific.  The goal of this project is to characterize heavy metal contamination, specifically cadmium, using a metal-sensing, hand-held fluorimeter to detect for concentrations (between 0.10 – 1.0ppm) in drinking water sources, both upstream and downstream of industrial, agricultural, and mining sites in Illinois. 

In a pilot study, we obtained water sample sources from surface waters near industrial sites that may have cadmium contamination.  Using a flourimetric sensing technology for measuring metal ions in water, we detected cadmium concentrations in field samples within one to five minutes.  Samples were tested in triplicate and an average concentration was obtained. 

This pilot study has demonstrated detectable levels of cadmium, ranging from below 0.10 ppm to 0.16 ppm.  We will continue to sample surface waters and groundwater near industrial, mining, and agricultural sites in Illinois over the next six months to evaluate the field method over a greater variety of samples and seasons to assess variation in concentrations.

The results will be critical in addressing the concerns of communities impacted by heavy metal contamination. This technology will enable local health departments to obtain results on-site and at relatively low cost to evaluate public health concerns over heavy metal contamination of drinking water sources.

Learning Areas:

Environmental health sciences
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate how heavy metal contamination in sources of drinking water remains a present public health issue. Describe how a biosensor can be used to detect heavy metals in water sources. Identify the advantages and potential uses for this biosensor methodology by health departments or in the field.

Keyword(s): Environmental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am currently a PhD candidate at University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences. I am working on my dissertation on drinking water quality, with an emphasis on heavy metals in drinking water sources and detection methods. Throughout my studies and my professional experience, I have worked on exposure assessments and toxicology-based projects, as well as lab work.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3094.0: Student Achievement Poster Award Track