BLOOD LEAD LEVELS IN TORONTO CHILDREN AND ABATEMENT OF LEAD-CONTAMINATED SOIL AND HOUSE-DUST

Citation
P. Langlois et al., BLOOD LEAD LEVELS IN TORONTO CHILDREN AND ABATEMENT OF LEAD-CONTAMINATED SOIL AND HOUSE-DUST, Archives of environmental health, 51(1), 1996, pp. 59-67
Citations number
28
Categorie Soggetti
Public, Environmental & Occupation Heath","Environmental Sciences
ISSN journal
00039896
Volume
51
Issue
1
Year of publication
1996
Pages
59 - 67
Database
ISI
SICI code
0003-9896(1996)51:1<59:BLLITC>2.0.ZU;2-2
Abstract
South Riverdale in Toronto, Canada, underwent a lead-abatement program . In 1988, lead-contaminated soil was replaced at 970 properties, and in 1989, professional housecleaning for lead removal was conducted in 717 households. The effect of ''abatement'' on blood lead levels in yo ung children was investigated. Data were analyzed from 12 cross-sectio nal blood-screening surveys that were conducted during an 8-y period i n South Riverdale and in two comparison areas. Responses regarding beh avioral, household, lifestyle, neighborhood, and environmental factors , all of which were gleaned from associated questionnaires, were also analyzed. Response rates varied between 32% and 75%. During the years between 1984 and 1992, blood lead decreased in all study areas. There appeared td be a minimal blood lead level of 2-3 mu g/dl for urban Ont ario children who were less than 6 y of age. The significant differenc e between South Riverdale and the control areas disappeared by 1992. A lthough abatement activity in South Riverdale was associated with an a ccelerated decline in blood lead levels, it was difficult to distingui sh this from effects of decreased Toronto air lead levels or decreased smelter emissions. Within South Riverdale, abatement appeared to be a ssociated with a slower decline in blood lead levels over time, likely the result of selection bias, soil mixing, or recontamination from th e smelter. No difference was observed between the separate effects of housecleaning or soil replacement. The findings could neither strongly support nor refute beneficial effects of abatement.