Relationship between soil and dust lead in a lead mining area and blood lead levels.
The relationship between lead mining waste and childhood lead poisoning is poorly understood. This study evaluates the contribution of soil lead to blood lead levels.


METHODS
125 children between 6 and 71 months of age living in a lead mining area of southwestern Missouri were evaluated for blood lead and their homes tested for lead in soil, dust, and paint. These results were compared to 26 control children.


RESULTS
Homes in the lead mining area had significantly increased soil and dust lead levels and significantly higher blood lead levels. The primary source of dust lead was soil lead. There was a strong relationship between blood lead levels and dust, soil, and paint lead.


CONCLUSIONS
Soil lead related to mining operations plays a significant role in contributing to blood lead levels in children.
Murgueytio
A M
AM
Saint Louis University School of Public Health, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, Missouri, USA. murgueytio@juno.com
Evans
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Roberts
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D002675:Child, Preschool; D004391:Dust; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008906:Mining; D008923:Missouri; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D004391:Dust; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D007854:Lead