Environmental lead and children: The Omaha study

Abstract

Blood lead (Pb B) was determined in 1232 samples from 831 children in Omaha and correlated with air lead (Pb A) concentrations of 0.02-1.69 microgram/m3 from 1971 to 1977. A bivariate equation for ages 6-18 yr based on these data predicts an increase in Pb B of 1.4 microgram/dl as Pb A increases from 1 to 2 microgram/m3. Pb B increases 7 microgram/dl as the mean values for soil and house dust Pb increase from 100 to 750 microgram/g. Multiple regression analysis shows that the combined effects of air, soil, and house dust Pb account for 21% of the variance of Pb B, with a high intercorrelation of all 3 variables. Since the variance of repeat sampling in individuals accounted for 38% of the total variance of Pb B, approximately 40% is unexplained and requires measurement of Pb from dietary and other sources.

Contribution of Lead in Dust to Children's Blood Lead

“…A recent study by Elwood et al (53) among preschool children in Wales showed no difference in the mean blood-lead level of a group living adjacent to busy major roads compared with that of a group living in a rural area. By contrast, some work from the United States (54)(55)(56) suggests that the blood-lead levels of urban children may be about 10 ,ug/dL higher than those of rural children (such a large difference could not be accounted for by the inhalation route alone) although it must be noted that there were difficulties in matching for race. Again, in a study of urban and suburban school children (aged 10-15 years) in Tokyo, Okubo et al (57) found significantly higher blood-lead levels in the urban groups.…”

The development of applied action levels for soil contact: a scenario for the exposure of humans to soil in a residential setting.

“…These areas are characterized by elevated levels of Pb in the environment. Numerous studies have linked the PbB content of young children with the Pb content of soil or house dust (9,10,12,(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)25,26). These studies indicate that exposure to Pb via contaminated soil or house dust is responsible for a significant amount of the Pb burden in children.…”

“…A variety of studies have correlated PbB levels with airborne Pb or Pb in weathered paint (15,16,21,22,26). Several studies have indicated that the exposure to Pb occurred via contact with soil and not directly from air or paint.…”

“…Over 800 children between the ages of 1 and 18 years in Omaha, NE, participated in a study aimed at identifying sources of Pb exposure (15). Children from three neighborhoods, one in the vicinity of a battery plant, one adjacent to downtown Omaha, and one in a suburban location, were included in the study.…”

“…The study enrolled approximately 90% of the children born in the vicinity of a smelter. PbB concentration was determined at age 6 months, 15 months, 2, 3, and 4 years in each child who remained in the study. Soil PbB content was also determined.…”