Epidemic Lead Absorption near an Ore Smelter

Abstract

Blood lead levels were determined on a random sample of persons in all age groups living near a lead-emitting smelter in El Paso, Texas. A blood lead level of greater than or equal to 40 mug per 100 ml, which was considered indicative of undue lead absorption, was found in 53 per cent of the children one to nine years old living within 1.6 km of the smelter and in 18 per cent of those from 1.6 to 6.6 km; beyond that distance in older persons levels were lower. Children in the first 1.6 km with blood levels of greater than or equal to mug per 100 ml were exposed to 3.1 times as much lead in dust as children there with lower blood values (6447 vs 2067 ppm). There was also airborne lead exposure (8 to 10 mug per cubic meter, annual mean). Paint, water, food, and pottery were less important as sources. The data suggest that particulate lead in dust and air accounted for most of the lead absorption in El Paso children. The smelter was the principal source of this lead, especially within 1.6km of itself.

Identification of sources of lead in children in a primary zinc-lead smelter environment.

“…In urban areas, dust is derived mainly from lead paint Jacobs et al 2002;Lanphear et al 1999Lanphear et al , 2000Lanphear et al , 2002 and from former use of leaded gasoline (Mielke et al 1997(Mielke et al , 1999. In communities with lead activities, the most obvious source of the dust was from mining or smelting processes Gulson et al , 1996aGulson et al , 1996bHilts 2003;Landrigan et al 1975;von Lindern et al 2003avon Lindern et al , 2003b.…”

Uso da poeira e do ar como indicadores de contaminação ambiental em áreas circunvizinhas a uma fonte de emissão estacionária de chumbo

“…A difusão do chumbo está amplamente relacionada com as mudanças de correntes eóli-cas e de temperatura existentes na camada de ar. O vento, um importante parâmetro meteorológico, é resultante das diferenças de pressão devidas ao aquecimento ou resfriamento da atmosfera pelo sol, e capaz de espalhar o chumbo numa determinada região e transportá-lo para longe de seu ponto de emissão (Landrigan et al, 1975).…”

“…Desta forma, cria-se uma fonte de exposição a longo prazo, devido ao depósito da poeira sobre alimentos (vegetais e frutas), brinquedos (crianças os conduzem à boca) e móveis (Landrigan, 1975).…”

Follow-up screening of lead-poisoned children near an auto battery recycling plant, Haina, Dominican Republic.

“…Lead poisoning affects children's health and development, especially in densely populated urban and industrial cities (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Communities near lead, copper, zinc, and battery recycling smelters have been severely poisoned with these metals from emissions, dust, and particulates from such facilities (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). A low-to-moderate level of lead poisoning, even in the absence of overt clinical symptoms, results in irreversible loss of intelligence, behavior and neuromotor problems, and poor school performance (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24).…”

“…A lead screening survey of 116 children in the coastal Caribbean community of Haina (located approximately 10 miles from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) was conducted in March 1997 (15). This community is located next to an auto battery recycling plant that was shut down by the government soon after our initial report (15).…”