Using Community Science to Better Understand Lead Exposure Risks

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is a naturally occurring heavy metal neurotoxicant that causes many deleterious effects in humans, even in small quantities (e.g., Assi et al., 2016;Dórea, 2019). It is a biologically non-essential element that is especially detrimental to young children (e.g., Koller et al., 2004). In the United States (U.S.), it has largely been phased out of products, most notably leaded gasoline and paint, but remains in many urban environments as a form of legacy pollution (e.g., Laidlaw et al., 2012). Thus, modern sources of Pb are primarily lead paint in older homes and soil/dusts that contain remnants of both leaded paint and gasoline. Ingestion and inhalation of paint, soil, and dust containing elevated levels of Pb still pose a health risk, particularly for children due to their increased handto-mouth behavior (e.g.,

One in Four US Households Likely Exceed New Soil Lead Guidance Levels

“…Our citizen science initiatives are intended to empower people with knowledge about lead exposure risks at their homes and in their neighborhoods, and to engage them in the development of simpler approaches and test kits for soil lead assessment (Dietrich et al., 2022 ). While these initiatives have provided us with far more data points than we could have collected ourselves, the voluntary nature of citizen science means that the distribution of data points is not homogenous.…”

Neighborhood-scale lead (Pb) speciation in Akron, Ohio (USA) soils: primary sources, post-deposition diagenesis, and high concentrations of labile Pb

“…The composition of white Pb-pigments, the primary Pb paint used in residential neighborhoods, included Pb-oxides, Pb-carbonate, and Pb-sulfate (Beauchemin et al, 2011 ; Hunt, 2016 ). Non-Pb phases include other pigments (modifying paint color such as Ti- and Zn-oxides), or as fillers (modifying the physical characteristics of the paint, including clays, quartz, and carbonates Dietrich et al, 2022 ; Hunt, 2016 ). The presence of these phases is consistent with a high density of older housing stock in Akron with historical Pb-paint use (Schuch et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Further, air pollution from these point sources was found to primarily impact neighborhoods closer to the smokestacks (Mostardi et al, 1981 ), which could explain why soils in West Akron contain Pb with an isotopic signature from fly ash. Further complications linking sources of Pb based on isotopic composition are changes in the isotopic composition of Pb in leaded gas over the twentieth century (Dunlap et al, 2000 ; Hurst et al, 1996 ) and remobilization and mixing Pb in soils, sediments, and aerosols resulting in isotopically mixed anthropogenic Pb (Bollhöfer & Rosman, 2001 , 2002 ; Dietrich et al, 2022 ; Jaeger et al, 1998 ). Ultimately, despite some complexity in source apportionment, the Pb isotope signature in Akron soils is dominated by historical paint and gasoline use, consistent with the industrial history of Akron.…”

Direct Environmental Lead Detection by Photoluminescent Perovskite Formation with Nanogram Sensitivity

“…To prevent lead poisoning, locating lead is the essential first step. − Already, many lead detection methods have been developed, ranging from precise analytical methods such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), to DNA fluorescence reactions and simple color tests for field testing and community science. − Despite this progress, none of these methods offer quick, large-area detection of lead with high sensitivity, which is highly desirable for many practical lead detection scenarios, as it is often unclear where lead is located. Reflecting these shortcomings, the environment is often tested for lead only after elevated levels of lead have been found in the blood of children, when it is too late and exposure has already occurred .…”