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Geographic 1 Proximity of Forever Chemical

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Submitted:

19 December 2024

Posted:

20 December 2024

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Abstract
Background: Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, play a pivotal role in the study of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, or PFAS. By focusing on their environmental distribution and pathways, GIS significantly contributes to understanding the sources of PFAS exposure. This method is instrumental in environmental risk assessment and developing effective management strategies.Objective: To geolocate PFAS sites in a map and perform proximity analysis around these sites. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Each PFAS site address was geocoded. We measured proximity using the Kriging interpolation method with each census tract centroid. Additionally, each site had a 1-mile buffer (exposure risk). Results: We geocoded nineteen industrial sites, twenty-nine military sites, and one wastewater management site. By empirical Bayesian kriging, a smoothed map showing proximity ranges from 200 to 2000 meters around the PFAS sites. A one-mile proximity buffer map covered the entire study area. Conclusion: This study’s findings underscore the urgent need for action. Using GIS in decision-making, we can allocate resources and prioritize interventions based on risk and vulnerability. The study highlights potential contamination in residential areas, public water supplies, public parks, and high-density population areas.
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Subject: Public Health and Healthcare  -   Public, Environmental and Occupational Health
Copyright: This open access article is published under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license, which permit the free download, distribution, and reuse, provided that the author and preprint are cited in any reuse.
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