Concentrations of Surface-Dust Metals in Native American Jewelry-Making Homes in Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico

This pilot study was conducted to identify the metals used by home-based Native American jewelry makers, to quantify the metals in dust samples taken from jewelers' homes, and to compare these concentrations with background levels from control homes in which jewelry was not made. Participants w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of environmental health 2004-05, Vol.59 (5), p.245-249
Main Authors: Gonzales, Melissa, Shah, Vallabh, Bobelu, Arlene, Qualls, Clifford, Natachu, Kathy, Bobelu, Jeanette, Jamon, Eunice, Neha, Donica, Paine, Susan, Zager, Philip
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis
Biological and medical sciences
Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases
Dust - analysis
Housing
Humans
Indians, North American
Inorganic dusts (pneumoconiosises) and organic dusts (byssinosis etc.)
jewelry making
Manufactured Materials
Medical sciences
metals
Metals - analysis
Native American
New Mexico
Occupational Exposure
Pilot Projects
residential exposure
surface dust
Toxicology
Zuni
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Summary:This pilot study was conducted to identify the metals used by home-based Native American jewelry makers, to quantify the metals in dust samples taken from jewelers' homes, and to compare these concentrations with background levels from control homes in which jewelry was not made. Participants were recruited from Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico. Surface dust samples were collected from the work and living areas of 20 jewelers' homes, and from the living areas of 20 control homes. Silver, copper, tin, boron, nickel, zinc, lead, and cadmium were significantly higher in work areas than in living areas of jewelry-making homes (p ⩽ 0.02). Silver, copper, nickel, and antimony were significantly higher in living areas of jewelers' homes compared with control homes (p ⩽ 0.04). Ventilation measures did not effectively reduce metal concentrations in jewelers' homes; concentrations in nonwork areas remained elevated.
ISSN:0003-9896
2331-4303
DOI:10.3200/AEOH.59.5.245-249