title: Community blood lead survey with emphasis on preschool children following lead dust pollution in Esperance, Western Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of airborne lead dust on blood lead levels in residents of Esperance, a regional Western Australian town, with particular reference to preschool children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following identification of significant airborne lead contamination, residents were notified that a blood lead clinic was available to all, with testing of preschool children encouraged. About 40% (333 children) of the preschool group and about 20% of the remaining population were tested. The main measures were blood lead levels, prevalence of elevated results and comparisons to other Western Australian surveys.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In preschoolers, 2.1% (seven children) had blood lead levels exceeding the current 10 μg/dL level of concern. This was not significantly different to two previous community-based surveys elsewhere in Western Australia. However, at a lower cut-off of 5 μg/dL, the prevalence of elevated lead levels was 24.6%, significantly higher than children tested in a previous Western Australian survey. The prevalence of blood lead levels of 10 μg/dL or greater in adults was 1.3% (26 adults), not significantly different from a previous Western Australian survey.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of preschool children with blood lead levels exceeding the current level of concern was not significantly increased. However, the increased prevalence of children with lead levels at or above 5 μg/dL demonstrates exposure to lead dust pollution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This episode of lead dust contamination highlights the need for strict adherence to environmental controls and effective monitoring processes to ensure the prevention of future events.
authors.affiliation: Pathwest Laboratory Medicine, QE II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009. ric.rossi@health.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bulsara
authors.forename: Kerryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D052638:Particulate Matter; D015995:Prevalence; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D004391:Dust; D052638:Particulate Matter; D007854:Lead