Domestic Pets as Biosamplers of Mining-Related Contaminants
Principal Investigator: Dr. Holly Peterson
hpeterson@mtech.edu
This project used domestic pets as a sentinel species to evaluate
exposure patterns from widespread elevated metals concentrations
in a residential setting. In addition to assessing exposure patterns,
the project also served to document the efficacy of localized remediation
using biomonitors. Hair samples were collected from over 200 domestic
dogs and several cats, to discern any spatial exposure patterns.
Additionally, four dogs which resided at homes in which the yards
had been remediated, were sampled over a several month period. Analytical
results from the 200 animals indicated that exposures are generally
higher in the regions of Butte which fall within the Butte Priority
Soils Operable Unit. In general, data from the remediation portion
of the study demonstrated a downward trend with time.
MWTP Activity IV, Project 37
|
