RESUMO
The background levels of lead in Jamaica in soils and sediments, estimated at 37 mg kg(-1), are relatively high compared with world averages. Several areas have values in excess of this due to mineralisation and pollution. One such is the residential Hope Flats/Kintyre area in which levels of lead up to 2.5% are found in the soils and up to 8 µg kg(-1) in the water of the nearby Hope River. The blood lead levels of a sample of children were in the range 5.7-57 µg dl(-1). The high lead levels suggest a potential health risk, particularly for the children. This can be minimised by programmes which include community education, case management and abatement to reduce the lead exposure.
RESUMO
Despite its being highly mineralised, the Hope Mine area has become a residential district. Composite soil samples taken from 91 allotments show values for cadmium: < 2-220 mg kg(-1), lead: 6-38,000 mg kg(-1), and zinc: 66-40,000 mg kg(-1). Water samples from adits contain 52-86 µg kg(-1) of lead and < 1-2 hg kg(-1) of cadmium. The soil contents of cadmium and lead in at least two areas suggest that remedial actions should be considered. Blood lead levels for 33 children aged between ten months and seven years are in the range 5.7-57 µg dl(-1); haemoglobin levels vary between 9.7 and 12.7 mg dl(-1). There is no obvious relationship between Pb and haemoglobin levels. Further geochemical work to define fully the spatial extent of the polluted region and epidemiological studies including intelligence testing to define further the effects of lead on children in this environment would be valuable.
