The association of lead-contaminated house dust and blood lead levels of children living on a former landfill in Puerto Rico.
Exposure to lead in children living on a former landfill in Vega Baja-Puerto Rico, a United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) designated Superfund Site, is a major health concern. Direct contact with lead-contaminated soil is considered a major exposure source. However, there is a lack of information regarding the contribution of lead-contaminated house dust to children's blood lead concentrations. This study evaluated the relationship between lead contaminated-house dust and children's blood lead levels. Blood from 42 children, aged 6 years old or less, and dust from 29 houses were analyzed for lead, and face-to-face interviews were performed to gather information on potential risk factors for high blood lead levels. Blood lead levels ranged from 0.97 to 7.79 micrograms/dL. Lead values for floors fluctuated from 0.12 to 98.30 micrograms/ft2, with 17% of houses surpassing the USEPA standard of 40 micrograms/ft2. Multiple regression analysis showed that lead in window sills, toy chewing and soil eating habits were significant predictors of blood lead levels. Further investigations aimed at assessing the long-term effects of constant exposure to environmental lead in these children are warranted.
Sánchez-Nazario
Elia Enid
EE
Department of Environmental Health, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Mansilla-Rivera
Imar
I
Derieux-Cortés
Jean-Claude
JC
Pérez
Cynthia M
CM
Rodríguez-Sierra
Carlos J
CJ
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis
D004391:Dust; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D007854:Lead