Potential for childhood lead poisoning in the inner cities of Australia due to exposure to lead in soil dust.
This article presents evidence demonstrating that the historical use of leaded gasoline and lead (Pb) in exterior paints in Australia has contaminated urban soils in the older inner suburbs of large cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. While significant attention has been focused on Pb poisoning in mining and smelting towns in Australia, relatively little research has focused on exposure to Pb originating from inner-city soil dust and its potential for childhood Pb exposures. Due to a lack of systematic blood lead (PbB) screening and geochemical soil Pb mapping in the inner cities of Australia, the risks from environmental Pb exposure remain unconstrained within urban population centres.
Laidlaw
Mark A S
MAS
Environmental Science, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney NSW 2109, Australia.
Taylor
Mark P
MP
Environmental Science, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney NSW 2109, Australia. Electronic address: mark.taylor@mq.edu.au.
D001315:Australia; D002947:Cities; D004391:Dust; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D014481:United States
D004391:Dust; D012989:Soil Pollutants