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A survey of metals in United Kingdom dusts and soils has confirmed widespread lead contamination with a geometric mean value for lead in surface (0-5 cm) garden soils of 266 Mg/g and in housedusts of 561 yg/g (excluding old mining areas). A subsequent detailed survey of 97 householders in Birmingham with 2-yearold children showed dust lead loading in the home environment to be an important predictor of blood lead concentrations in young children, when both variables fell within the normal range for the U.K. The total estimated lead uptake by the young child was 36 pg/day of which 1 Ag was by inhalation and 35,ug by ingestion.

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Over the course of the last decade, research conducted by the Imperial College Environmental Geochemistry Research Group has focused on the nature and effects of lead in UK dusts and soils. An initial nationwide reconnaissance survey demonstrated that approximately 10% of the population is exposed to lead levels in excess of 2,000 μg g(-1) in house-hold dust. Subsequent exposure studies revealed that for 2 year old children in the UK urban environment, approximately 50% of lead intake was from dust ingested as a result of hand-to-mouth activity. Follow-up computer controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM) analysis of urban household dust and particulate material wiped from children's hands showed that important sources of dust lead include lead-based paint, road dust and soils. CCSEM identification of specific soil lead tracer particles (from minewaste contaminated soils) in dusts and on children's hands further documented the important role of soil as a source of exposure. Speciation studies of soil lead of this origin indicated that the form of the lead, which is largely influenced by the soil environment, is the primary control on bioavailability. It appears that although lead of minewaste origin may be present at elevated levels in dusts and soils, it does not necessarily contribute to elevated blood lead levels when the lead is present in relatively insoluble form.

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and Brogan & Partners are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Environmental Health Perspectives.A survey of metals in United Kingdom dusts and soils has confirmed widespread lead contamination with a geometric mean value for lead in surface (0-5 cm) garden soils of 266 gg/g and in housedusts of 561 fgg/g (excluding old mining areas). A subsequent detailed survey of 97 householders in Birmingham with 2-yearold children showed dust lead loading in the home environment to be an important predictor of blood lead concentrations in young children, when both variables fell within the normal range for the U.K. The total estimated lead uptake by the young child was 36 ag/day of which 1 Ag was by inhalation and 35 fJg by ingestion. Introduction An extensive survey of lead in garden soils and household dusts undertaken in England, Scotland, and Wales within the period November 1981 to June 1982 confirmed the presence of elevated concentrations both within and around a significant percentage of homes (1,2). Concentrations were highest in older homes and in London. On a national basis, around 10% of floordusts sampled exceeded 2000 itg/g lead, thus confirming the conclusions of the U.K. Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) (3) and others that ingestion of dust by hand-to-mouth activity could in manycases constitute a significant and important route of lead exposure in the young child. Over the period November 1984 to February 1985, a comprehensive study was undertaken in the inner city area of Birmingham, Britain's second largest city, in an attempt to quantify lead intake from dust in relation to other sources of lead intake by the 2-yearold child (4). This paper summarizes the results of the national survey and subsequent detailed study in Birmingham and reviews the results in terms of the aims and objectives of this conference.A national survey was commissioned by the United Kingdom Department of the Environment and sampling carried out from November 1981 to June 1982 in 53 locations in England, Scotland, and Wales. The majority of sites were selected to reflect a variety of geographical locations, the overall distribution of the population, and a range of industrial/urban development. Seven London boroughs were