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Abstract: Arsenic, a
toxic metalloid in Group 15 of the periodic table, is associated with chronic and acute
health effects due to its ability to inhibit enzymes associated with adenosine
tri-phosphate (ATP) production, resulting in multi-organ damage and carcinogenic
effects. The risks from exposure to low concentrations of arsenic in drinking water are
not well documented. The thesis ... read moreinvestigated the cancer risks to human health associated
with lifetime consumption of groundwater contaminated with low concentrations of
arsenic. In order to test my hypothesis, I utilized analytical techniques including risk
assessment, geographic information system (GIS) software tools that integrate hardware,
software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of
geographically referenced information, and Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIRs) for
bladder cancer in two counties in north central Massachusetts. I reviewed the results of
these assessments through a series of comparisons. My study found that bladder and
urinary cancer incidence rates obtained from the Massachusetts Cancer Registry for
selected towns where people drink water that is likely to contain more than 10
μg/liter arsenic were not related to arsenic concentration in the bedrock aquifer,
but my risk assessment demonstrated that there is possible increased risk. Further
research on levels of arsenic in untreated private well drinking water is needed for
conclusive results.
Thesis (M.S.)--Tufts University,
2011.
Submitted to the Dept. of Civil
Engineering.
Advisor: Anne Marie
Desmarais.
Committee: David Gute, and Mark
Woodin.
Keywords: Environmental Engineering, and
Environmental Health.read less
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