ESTIMATING ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE TO ARSENIC AND ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION FOR A HEALTH STUDY OF MELANOMA AMONG NON-HISPANIC WHITES IN NEW MEXICO

The NM Health Sciences Center is conducting a population-based pilot study of environmental factors that potentially affect incidence of melanoma among non-Hispanic White residents. Melanoma has been associated with ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure and with exposure to arsenic, but the two factors have not been studied concurrently. We have conducted structured interviews with NM residents that have been recently diagnosed with melanoma and with controls who have been diagnosed with non-malignant nevi. The interview includes questions about current diet and compiles a history of residence locations by decade of life. The residential history is being used to construct exposure histories for UV and arsenic in water. An index to UV exposure is being calculated using the National Center for Atmospheric Research Tropospheric Ultraviolet and Visible (TUV) Radiation Model. Current and historic arsenic exposure is being evaluated using water samples collected from study participants and from extant databases of arsenic in water supplies. This work is part of a multidisciplinary study including laboratory studies examining the synergistic effects of arsenic and UV radiation in promoting melanoma. The presentation will discuss progress and challenges to developing the exposure histories.