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IMPACT OF LEAD TRANSPORT ON CHILDREN'S BLOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL LEAD LEVELS
Author(s) -
Mak Donna B.,
Plant Aileen J.,
Bulsara Max,
Body Peter
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
australian journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.48
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1440-1584
pISSN - 1038-5282
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1584.2003.00510.x
Subject(s) - lead (geology) , blood lead level , environmental science , lead exposure , environmental health , contamination , lead pollution , medicine , toxicology , biology , pollution , ecology , cats , paleontology
A lead monitoring project was established in 1996 to monitor the environmental and health effects of lead being transported through a remote town in tarpaulin‐covered trucks. Methods: Dust samples from sites on the transport route were collected at 3–6 monthly intervals between 1996 and 1999. Annual blood lead testing clinics, offering voluntary testing to children, were conducted from 1997 to 1999. Results: Of the 55 dust samples analysed, only nine contained particles of lead concentrate and these were present at very low levels. During the project 167 children were tested. The geometic mean of blood lead levels in 1997, 1998 and 1999 were 4.5 μg/dL, 5.0 μg/dL and 5.1 μg/dL, respectively (all within the normal range). Residence on the transport route was not associated with higher lead levels (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Lead transport was not associated with any detectable environmental contamination or increase in children's blood lead levels.