The PRoTECT Longitudinal Study to Assess Relationships Between Contamination, Exposure to Contaminants and Reproductive Health in Karst Regions

Puerto Rico has had among the highest preterm birth rates in the world. The most common variables associated with this adverse reproductive health do not explain the elevated rates found in Puerto Rico. Studies showing that many contaminants could have adverse reproductive outcomes, and the extensive contamination found in Puerto Rico suggest that there may be relationships between contamination and preterm birth.  The PRoTECT (Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats) Center studies the extensive contamination in the northern karst region of Puerto Rico, potential exposure to emerging and legacy contaminants, and its potential relationship between contamination and preterm birth. PRoTECT is also developing new technologies to detect, characterize, and remediate contamination, and new ways to communicate and interact with stakeholders. This presentation describes the approach developed by PROTECT, and provides some key preliminary results. The study indicates that: hydrogeological characteristics of karst aquifers favor extensive spatio-temporal contamination; contamination is reflected in drinking water systems, but is contaminant-dependent; and very large percentage of participant women show exposure to contaminants. Some of the efforts taken to work with communities in reducing the impacts of contaminations will also be discussed.