The risk of NTM pulmonary infection associated with trace metal exposure from public distribution system water in the United States
Mo and V in treated water was associated with increased risk among persons susceptible to NTM PI. The effect of trace metals varies by geographic region IMPACT: The incidence and prevalence of NTM, a waterborne pulmonary infection, have been increasing in the US and have been shown to vary geographically. Our study has shown that trace metals, specifically molybdenum and vanadium, in treated drinking water significantly increase the risk of NTM pulmonary infection across the US. Our study also shows that the effect of trace metals varies by geographic region. Our research may lead to the monitoring of trace metals in drinking water as well as in susceptible populations, and ultimately, may be incorporated into a framework for NTM prevention efforts.
Authors
- D. Rebecca Prevots (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0339-9873)
- Joseph O. Falkinham (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4391-9012)
- Ettie M. Lipner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6212-0240)
- Jonathan Fintzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6361-702X)
- Joshua P. French (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9708-3353)
- Rachel A. Mercaldo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2021-6020)
- Stephen T. Nelson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5782-2169)
- Collin Powell
Institutions
- University of Utah (US)
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (US)
- Virginia Tech (US)
- University of Colorado Denver (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology
- Published
- 2025-11-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00807-w
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Vanadium and Halogenation Chemistry
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.54
Funders
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- National Institutes of Health