Tracking Lead Exposure in Children Near a Smelter
Author Information
Author(s): Willmore Alan, Sladden Tim, Bates Lucy, Dalton Craig B
Primary Institution: Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Hypothesis
Patterns of childhood lead exposure in a community living near a lead and zinc smelter in North Lake Macquarie, Australia between 1991 and 2002 will be determined.
Conclusion
Children living closer to the smelter and in areas with higher soil lead concentrations have higher blood lead levels, but these levels have decreased over time.
Supporting Evidence
- Children living less than 1.5 km from the smelter had significantly higher blood lead levels.
- Blood lead levels have decreased by an average of 0.575 μg/dL per year since 1991.
- Children aged 1 to 3 years had the highest blood lead levels.
- Linear regression showed a significant decrease in blood lead levels with increasing distance from the smelter.
Takeaway
Kids who live near a lead smelter have more lead in their blood, but over time, the amount of lead has been going down.
Methodology
Blood lead levels of children under 13 were analyzed based on their distance from the smelter and soil lead concentration.
Potential Biases
Testing is voluntary, which may lead to non-representative samples of the child population.
Limitations
The only available soil lead data was collected in 1992, which may not reflect current conditions.
Participant Demographics
Children under 13 years living in North Lake Macquarie.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% C.I. 8.14 – 8.48
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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