The association of lead-contaminated house dust and blood lead levels of children living on a former landfill in Puerto Rico
P. R. health sci. j
;
22(2): 153-159, June 2003.
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-356187
ABSTRACT
Exposure to lead in children living on a former landfill in Vega Baja-Puerto Rico, a United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) designated Superfund Site, is a major health concern. Direct contact with lead-contaminated soil is considered a major exposure source. However, there is a lack of information regarding the contribution of lead-contaminated house dust to children's blood lead concentrations. This study evaluated the relationship between lead contaminated-house dust and children's blood lead levels. Blood from 42 children, aged 6 years old or less, and dust from 29 houses were analyzed for lead, and face-to-face interviews were performed to gather information on potential risk factors for high blood lead levels. Blood lead levels ranged from 0.97 to 7.79 micrograms/dL. Lead values for floors fluctuated from 0.12 to 98.30 micrograms/ft2, with 17 per cent of houses surpassing the USEPA standard of 40 micrograms/ft2. Multiple regression analysis showed that lead in window sills, toy chewing and soil eating habits were significant predictors of blood lead levels. Further investigations aimed at assessing the long-term effects of constant exposure to environmental lead in these children are warranted.
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Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Soil Pollutants
/
Air Pollution, Indoor
/
Environmental Exposure
/
Lead
/
Lead Poisoning
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Caribbean
/
Puerto Rico
Language:
English
Journal:
P. R. health sci. j
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2003
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Puerto Rico
Institution/Affiliation country:
University of Puerto Rico/PR
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