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Full text release has been delayed at the author's request until December 09, 2025

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Airborne Uranium Exposure and Indicators of Kidney Function in the Fernald Community Cohort

Saul, Daniella
http://orcid.org/0009-0005-1288-3423
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1703169494380889

Abstract Details

2023, MPH, University of Cincinnati, Medicine: Biostatistics.
Introduction: The Fernald Medical Monitoring Program (FMMP) was established to monitor the health of residents living in the area surrounding the Fernald Feed Materials Production Center (FMPC). Beginning in 1991, this program involved comprehensive physical examinations as well as multiple biospecimen collections. After the program ceased operations in 2008, the medical monitoring program became the Fernald Community Cohort (FCC), and as a result, a variety of laboratory data, medical histories, and lifetime uranium exposure estimates have been made available for research. Kidney diseases have been studied in this cohort, but specific analysis has not been conducted using lifetime exposure estimates and laboratory measures of renal health. Uranium has been associated with damage to the kidneys, but studies have struggled to establish a conclusive link between level of airborne exposure and renal function. The primary objective of this project is to investigate whether level of uranium exposure is associated with laboratory indicators of kidney function, namely serum glucose, serum creatinine, urine creatinine, and microalbumin. Methods: This study featured a cross-sectional quantitative approach using a sample of 8,235 eligible adult participants in the FCC. Upon enrollment, urine and blood samples were collected from participants in the program. An approximation of airborne uranium exposure was available for each participant using an algorithm provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Participants were also separated into three distinct groups by this exposure estimate. Descriptive statistics were generated for the full sample, as well as distributions of serum glucose, serum creatinine, urine creatinine, and microalbumin by age, sex, and exposure group. Linear regression and logistic regression models were created to investigate potential relationships between laboratory data and exposure, controlling for covariates of age and sex. Results: Age and sex were often significant covariates, but exposure was not found to be associated with serum creatinine, urine creatinine, or microalbumin in these models. A marginal increase in serum glucose was associated with an increase in lifetime airborne uranium exposure, and these results align with existing knowledge about glucose level and uranium exposure. Likewise, in linear regression models using categorical exposure groupings, there was a small difference observed in glucose level between the highest and lowest exposure groups. The odds of an abnormal laboratory result, for each measure, were not associated with level of airborne uranium exposure. Discussion: While uranium exposure was associated with serum glucose level, future analyses should incorporate additional sources of information to confirm the significance detected. Despite existing knowledge regarding renal function in uranium-exposed populations, this study was not able to detect associations between certain laboratory measures and exposure levels using FCC data. There are multiple limitations to this study, and future endeavors could incorporate participant medical histories, various sources of uranium exposure, and alternative analytical methods.
Wei-Wen Hsu, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Susan Pinney, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
47 p.
Public Health
uranium exposure; renal function; environmental contamination; environmental public health

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Saul, D. (2023). Airborne Uranium Exposure and Indicators of Kidney Function in the Fernald Community Cohort [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1703169494380889

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Saul, Daniella. Airborne Uranium Exposure and Indicators of Kidney Function in the Fernald Community Cohort. 2023. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1703169494380889.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Saul, Daniella. "Airborne Uranium Exposure and Indicators of Kidney Function in the Fernald Community Cohort." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1703169494380889

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.