Impact of lead transport on children's blood and environmental lead levels.
BACKGROUND
A lead monitoring project was established in 1996 to monitor the environmental and health effects of lead being transported through a remote town in tarpaulin-covered trucks.


METHODS
Dust samples from sites on the transport route were collected at 3-6 monthly intervals between 1996 and 1999. Annual blood lead testing clinics, offering voluntary testing to children, were conducted from 1997 to 1999.


RESULTS
Of the 55 dust samples analysed, only nine contained particles of lead concentrate and these were present at very low levels. During the project 167 children were tested. The geometic mean of blood lead levels in 1997, 1998 and 1999 were 4.5 micro g/dL, 5.0 micro g/dL and 5.1 micro g/dL, respectively (all within the normal range). Residence on the transport route was not associated with higher lead levels (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Lead transport was not associated with any detectable environmental contamination or increase in children's blood lead levels.
Mak
Donna B
DB
School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia, Public Health Medical Officer, Kimberley Public Health Unit, Derby, Australia.
Plant
Aileen J
AJ
Bulsara
Max
M
Body
Peter
P
D017677:Age Distribution; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008906:Mining; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014186:Transportation; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology
D000393:Air Pollutants; D004391:Dust; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D007854:Lead