title: Environmental lead after Hurricane Katrina: implications for future populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As a result of Hurricane Katrina, > 100,000 homes were destroyed or damaged and a significant amount of sediment was deposited throughout the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Researchers have identified the potential for increased lead hazards from environmental lead contamination of soils.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the distribution of residential soil and dust lead 2 years poststorm and compared soil lead before and after the storm.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study in New Orleans in which households were selected by stratified random sampling. A standard residential questionnaire was administered, and lead testing was performed for both the interior and exterior of homes. Logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors of interior and exterior lead levels in excess of allowable levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred nine households were enrolled; 61% had at least one lead measurement above federal standards. Of homes with bare soil, 47% had elevated lead and 27% had levels exceeding 1,200 ppm. Housing age was associated with soil lead, and housing age and soil lead were associated with interior lead. Race, income, and ownership status were not significantly associated with either interior or exterior lead levels. The median soil lead level of 560 ppm was significantly higher than the median level of samples collected before Hurricane Katrina.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high prevalence (61%) of lead above recommended levels in soil and dust samples in and around residences raises concern about potential health risks to the New Orleans population, most notably children. Steps should be taken to mitigate the risk of exposure to lead-contaminated soil and dust. Further research is needed to quantify the possible contribution of reconstruction activities to environmental lead levels.
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal St., SL18, Room 2016, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. rabito@tulane.edu
authors: Felicia A
authors: FA
authors: Rabito
authors: Shahed
authors: S
authors: Iqbal
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Perry
authors: Whitney
authors: W
authors: Arroyave
authors: Janet C
authors: JC
authors: Rice
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D016015:Logistic Models; D055820:New Orleans; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D007854:Lead