Publications

Technical Articles

April 24, 2025 • DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c11265

Hold My Beer: The Linkage between Municipal Water and Brewing Location on PFAS in Popular Beverages

Environmental Science & Technology

Beer has been a popular beverage for millennia. As water is a main component of beer and the brewing process, we surmised that the polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) presence and spatial variability in drinking water systems are a PFAS source in beers. This is the first study to adapt EPA Method 533 to measure PFAS in beer from various regions, brewery types, and water sources.

Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, Nicole M. DeLuca, Evan Thorp, Chamindu Liyanapatirana, Laura Allen, and AJ Kondash

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March 18, 2023 • DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07477

Improved Decision Making for Water Lead Testing in U.S. Child Care Facilities Using Machine-Learned Bayesian Networks

Environmental Science & Technology

Tap water lead testing programs in the U.S. need improved methods for identifying high-risk facilities to optimize limited resources. In this study, machine-learned Bayesian network (BN) models were used to predict building-wide water lead risk in over 4,000 child care facilities in North Carolina according to maximum and 90th percentile lead levels from water lead concentrations at 22,943 taps.

By Riley E. Mulhern, AJ Kondash, Ed Norman, Joseph Johnson, Keith Levine, Andrea McWilliams, Melanie Napier, Frank Weber, Laurie Stella, Erica Wood, Crystal Lee Pow Jackson, Sarah Colley, Jamie Cajka, Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson, and Jennifer Hoponick Redmon

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September 30, 2022 • DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2022.307003

Lead Levels in Tap Water at Licensed North Carolina Child Care Facilities, 2020–2021

American Journal of Public Health

Tap water in child care facilities is a potential lead exposure source for children. This study conducted a participatory science testing program to evaluate lead levels in tap water at licensed North Carolina child care facilites. The study observed large variability among tap water sources within the same facility, and thus it is imperative to test every source used for drinking and cooking so appropriate action can be taken to protect children’s health.

By Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, A. J. Kondash, Ed Norman, Joseph Johnson, Keith Levine, Andrea McWilliams, Melanie Napier, Frank Weber, Laurie Stella, Erica Wood, Crystal Lee Pow Jackson, and Riley Mulhern

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May 15, 2022 • DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106004

A Participatory Science Approach to Evaluating Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Metals and PFAS in Guatemala City Tap Water

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Limited information is available regarding chemical water quality at the tap in Guatemala City, preventing individuals, water utilities, and public health authorities from making data-driven decisions related to water quality. This study recruited participatory scientists to collect household water samples in Guatemala City to identify metals and PFAS hazards in drinking water sources.

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June 25, 2021 • DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2021.06.009

Food, energy, and water nexus research in Guatemala – A systematic literature review

Environmental Science and Policy

The interconnectedness of food, energy, and water systems – commonly referred as the FEW nexus - calls for the integrated study of these systems to improve resiliency of these natural resources and adapt to our changing world. This article explores the state of FEW nexus research in Guatemala to highlight progress while also pointing out future research needs.

By A.J. Kondash, Isabel Herrera, Edwin Castellanos, Justin Baker, Benjamín Leiva, George Van Houtven, Gabriela Fuentes, Gabriela Alfaro, Candise Henry, Christopher Wade, and Jennifer Hoponick Redmon

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January 11, 2020 • DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109126 • ISBN: 0013-9351

Lead in drinking water at North Carolina childcare centers: Piloting a citizen science-based testing strategy

Environmental Research

Drinking water is a lingering hazard in the effort to eliminate childhood exposure to lead (Pb), a neurotoxin that affects cognitive and behavioral development. This study characterized Pb in municipal drinking water at North Carolina, US, childcare centers. The study also demonstrates a scalable, citizen science-based drinking water testing strategy for Pb at childcare centers.

By Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, Keith E. Levine, Anna M. Aceituno, Kristin Litzenberger, and Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson

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September 10, 2018 • DOI: 10.18043/ncm.79.5.313

Safeguarding Children’s Health: Time to Enact a Health-Based Standard and Comprehensive Testing, Mitigation, and Communication Protocol for Lead in Drinking Water

North Carolina Medical Journal

Lead was a known toxin before the Roman Empire, yet exposure remains a public health concern today. Although there is no safe lead exposure level, a health-based drinking water standard has not been established. The Clean Water for Carolina Kids Study highlights the need for a health-based standard.

By Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson, Anna M. Aceituno, Katherine P. Woodward, and Keith E. Levine

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