The common thread of my research activities focus on evaluating the link between human health and the environment. My specific efforts in Oceans and Human Health have focused on evaluating the interface between water and beach sands and risks associated with microbes and chemicals within this zone. Prior to this my focus was on evaluating the links between health and pressure treated wood, in particular wood treated with a preservative called chromated copper arsenate (CCA). I have also worked on research focused on the hydrology of the east Everglades, the major source of drinking water to Miami-Dade County.
Caption: Children’s sandbox made with preservative treated wood. Children’s play activities increase their exposure to the contaminants that can be found in the sand including microbial contaminants and contaminants from the wood treatment preservatives.
Dr. Tomoyuki Shibata collecting a wipe sample to simulate uptake of surface contaminants on hands during child play activities.
Mary (Durbin) Wright collecting sand samples from the intertidal zone for bacterial analyses.
Celebration on the last day of the epidemiologic study focused on assessing the relationship between health and exposure to beach water during swimming activities.
Dr. Tomoyuki Shibata after processing a urine sample from diaper insert after child play on treated wood playgrounds.
Caitlin Feikle at far right processing samples for mulch analysis coupled with an image of child play behavior in the vicinity of mulch.
Wendy Stephan collecting hand rinse samples from child after play to evaluate amount of arsenic on child’s hand.