Factors affecting lead and cadmium levels in house dust in industrial areas of eastern Germany

The indoor exposure of 381 women (52-59 years old) to lead and cadmium was assessed by measuring the levels of the contaminants in sedimented house du st. The study was conducted in the areas surrounding the towns of Hettstedt , a region of mining and smelting of non-ferrous ores, of Bitterfeld, a cen tre of chemical production and coal mining, and of Zerbst, a primarily agri cultural area. Factors that were significantly associated with lead and cad mium surface loading rates included the city area of residence, urban envir onment of dwelling, ventilation behaviour, type of heating, year of constru ction of building and crowding in the sampling room. In metal-contaminated areas, the transport of heavy metals into the home from external sources an d their subsequent resuspension into the air due to normal household activi ties are significant factors in the exposure to heavy metals, whereas in un polluted areas indoor sources play the major role. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.