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Gillings MM, Ton R, Harris T, Swaddle JP, Taylor MP, Griffith SC. House Sparrows as Sentinels of Childhood Lead Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:10028-10040. [PMID: 38822757 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Our understanding of connections between human and animal health has advanced substantially since the canary was introduced as a sentinel of toxic conditions in coal mines. Nonetheless, the development of wildlife sentinels for monitoring human exposure to toxins has been limited. Here, we capitalized on a three-decade long child blood lead monitoring program to demonstrate that the globally ubiquitous and human commensal house sparrow (Passer domesticus) can be used as a sentinel of human health risks in urban environments impacted by lead mining. We showed that sparrows are a viable proxy for the measurement of blood lead levels in children at a neighborhood scale (0.28 km2). In support of the generalizability of this approach, the blood lead relationship established in our focal mining city enabled us to accurately predict elevated blood lead levels in children from another mining city using only sparrows from the second location. Using lead concentrations and lead isotopic compositions from environmental and biological matrices, we identified shared sources and pathways of lead exposure in sparrows and children, with strong links to contamination from local mining emissions. Our findings showed how human commensal species can be used to identify and predict human health risks over time and space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max M Gillings
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Riccardo Ton
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Tiarne Harris
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - John P Swaddle
- Institute for Integrative Conservation, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185, United States
| | - Mark Patrick Taylor
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Centre for Applied Sciences, Ernest Jones Drive, Melbourne, Victoria 3085, Australia
| | - Simon C Griffith
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
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Gillings MM, Ton R, Harris T, Taylor MP, Griffith SC. Blood lead increases and haemoglobin decreases in urban birds along a soil contamination gradient in a mining city. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024:119236. [PMID: 38810819 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Lead contaminated soil is a persistent global threat to the health of animal populations. Nevertheless, links between soil lead and its adverse effects on exposed wildlife remain poorly understood. Here, we explore local geographic patterns of exposure in urban birds along a gradient of lead contamination in Broken Hill, an Australian mining city. Soil lead concentrations are linked to co-located blood lead measurements in rock pigeons (Columba livia), house sparrows (Passer domesticus), crested pigeons (Ocyphaps lophotes) and white-plumed honeyeaters (Lichenostomus ornatus). Median blood lead levels were highest in crested pigeons (59.6 μg/dL), followed by house sparrows (35.2 μg/dL), rock pigeons (35.1 μg/dL), and white-plumed honeyeaters (27.4 μg/dL). Blood lead levels in all species declined away from mining areas, the primary source of lead contamination in Broken Hill. Blood lead increased significantly and at the greatest rate relative to soil lead in the three ground foraging species (crested pigeons, house sparrows, rock pigeons). For these species, soil lead concentrations below 200 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg were needed to maintain a median blood lead concentration under the lower threshold of the subtoxic (20-50 μg/dL) and toxic (≥ 50 μg/dL) effect ranges previously identified for some bird species. We also investigated the effects of lead exposure on blood haemoglobin levels as a general measure of physiological condition in birds exposed to different levels of soil lead contamination. Overall, for every 1 μg/dL increase in blood lead, haemoglobin decreased by 0.11 g/L. The rate of this decrease was not significantly different between species, which supports the measurement of haemoglobin as a robust though insensitive measure of physiological condition in chronically lead exposed birds. Our findings reflect the importance of lead contaminated soil as a widespread source of elevated blood lead and supressed haemoglobin levels in birds inhabiting urbanised and mining impacted environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max M Gillings
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia.
| | - Riccardo Ton
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
| | - Tiarne Harris
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
| | - Mark P Taylor
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia; Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Centre for Applied Sciences, Melbourne, Victoria, 3085, Australia
| | - Simon C Griffith
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
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Liu M, Hong Y, Duan X, Zhou Q, Chen J, Liu S, Su J, Han L, Zhang J, Niu B. Unveiling the metal mutation nexus: Exploring the genomic impacts of heavy metal exposure in lung adenocarcinoma and colorectal cancer. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 461:132590. [PMID: 37769449 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Mutations that activate oncogenes and deactivate tumor suppressor genes are widely recognized as significant contributors to cancer development. We investigated relationships between heavy metal exposure and the frequencies and types of gene mutations in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Plasma concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), and next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 1123 cancer-related genes was performed using the tumor tissues. Through Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) analysis, we found associations between the integrated concentrations of the heavy metals and the number of gene mutations, especially insertions/deletions (indels), and Pb, As, and Cd were found to be the most significant contributors to the increased mutation rates. We extracted previously established mutational signatures and observed that they exhibit significant correlations with metal exposure. Moreover, we detected substantial shifts in the mutational landscape when comparing groups with high and low metal exposures. Several frequently mutated genes displayed positive correlations with metal exposure, whereas EGFR indels showed a negative association with Cd exposure. These findings suggest that heavy metal exposure can impact genomic stability in cancer-related genes, underscoring the importance of heavy metal exposure in cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Liu
- Computer Network Information Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; WillingMed Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing 100176, China; Beijing ChosenMed Clinical Laboratory Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Yuting Hong
- Department of Epidemiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xiaohong Duan
- Beijing ChosenMed Clinical Laboratory Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Qiming Zhou
- Beijing ChosenMed Clinical Laboratory Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Beijing ChosenMed Clinical Laboratory Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Siyao Liu
- Beijing ChosenMed Clinical Laboratory Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Junyan Su
- Beijing ChosenMed Clinical Laboratory Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Li Han
- Beijing ChosenMed Clinical Laboratory Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Jiali Zhang
- Beijing ChosenMed Clinical Laboratory Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Beifang Niu
- Computer Network Information Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Computer Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
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Dong J, Li X. Lead pollution-related health of children in China: Disparity, challenge, and policy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 882:163383. [PMID: 37068684 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a neurotoxic metal, and no level of lead exposure is safe for children. China has still experienced problems on child lead poisoning even though the Chinese government has phased out leaded gasoline since 2000. The underlying problem affecting the lead pollution-related health of children in China remains to be comprehensively investigated. It is found that although the significant decline of BLLs, as the Geometric Mean (GM), from 91.40 μg/LGM in 2001 to 37.52 μg/LGM in 2018 is observed, the average BLLs of children are still above 50 μg/L or more [average 59.70 (60.50-65.02, 95 % CI) μg/LGM] after phasing out leaded gasoline since 2000 in China. Lead exposure causes 29.67 MID per 1000 children with a loss of 98.23 (59.40-146.21, 95 % CI) DALYs per 1000 in China, which is greater than the levels reported from the Western Pacific Region and other low- and middle-income countries. A significant correlation is observed between the number of child crimes (NoCCs) and the outcomes of long-term lead exposure for children in China. Although the disparities in BLLs in China are strongly influenced by unequal distributions of potential multi-lead related sources (soil lead, PM2.5 lead, dust lead), unbalance development of local industrialization and economies, as well as incorrect health care for younger children, the notable emissions from coal combustion (CC) and non-ferrous metals (NMS) exploitation dominate the crucial sources of low-level lead exposure to children after phasing out leaded gasoline in China currently. Faced with the unequal and disparate distribution of BLLs in China, the big bottleneck is to decrease the BLLs exertions of 36-45 μg/L in the next few decades. The Chinese government needs to make more efforts on developing more strict guidelines, implementing more policy strategies on prevention and management of blood Pb poisoning, and monitoring the nationwide changes in children's BLLs continuously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Dong
- Department of Environmental Science, School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, PR China; International Joint Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Pollutant Exposure and Eco-environmental Health, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, PR China
| | - Xiaoping Li
- Department of Environmental Science, School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, PR China; International Joint Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Pollutant Exposure and Eco-environmental Health, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, PR China; Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK.
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Chen X, Cao S, Wen D, Zhang Y, Wang B, Duan X. Domestic dogs as sentinels of children lead exposure: Multi-pathway identification and source apportionment based on isotope technique. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 316:137787. [PMID: 36623594 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Environmental lead exposure poses risks to children' health, thus exposure sources and pathways identification remain important concern and research scope. Due to sharing the same environment, domestic animals, especially dogs, have been used as useful sentinels to identify human lead exposure. However, more evidence is needed on whether domestic dogs could be used to identify the lead exposure pathways and sources of children. Thus, this study investigated the dietary habits, behaviors, and household environment of children and dogs in a typical coal-fired area in China. The lead levels and lead isotope ratios (Acronym: LIRs, expressed as 208Pb/206Pb and 207Pb/206Pb) in dogs' and children's blood, as well as in environmental media (food, PM2.5, indoor/outdoor dust, drinking water and soil) were measured to explore the predominant lead pollution sources and exposure pathways of children. The results showed that the LIRs of children's blood (208Pb/206Pb = 2.0703 ± 0.0076, 207Pb/206Pb = 0.8501 ± 0.0052) were similar to those of dogs' blood (208Pb/206Pb = 2.0696 ± 0.0085, 207Pb/206Pb = 0.8499 ± 0.0052), as well as similar to the LIRs of environmental media, i.e. children's food (208Pb/206Pb = 2.0731 ± 0.0057, 207Pb/206Pb = 0.8491 ± 0.0036) and coal (208Pb/206Pb = 2.0683 ± 0.017, 207Pb/206Pb = 0.8515 ± 0.01). Children and dogs had similar lead exposure pathways, but the contributions of each exposure pathway were different, i.e., 83.1% vs. 76.9% for children and dogs via food ingestion, 1.4% vs. 5.6% via particulate matter exposure, and 15.5% vs. 17.5% via household dust exposure, respectively. The contribution of food via ingestion to lead exposure remains dominant, and coal combustion is a main lead exposure source for children and domestic dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Chen
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - SuZhen Cao
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Dongsen Wen
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yaqun Zhang
- Gansu Academy of Eco-environmental Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Beibei Wang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiaoli Duan
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
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Mathee A, Haman T, Nkosi V, Naicker N, Street R. Elevated soil and blood lead levels with increasing residential proximity to a mine tailings facility in Soweto, South Africa. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158158. [PMID: 35988623 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mining has long been associated with the release of a range of toxic metals including lead, elevated levels of which have been found in land surrounding mine dumps as far afield as Spain, India, Macedonia and Nigeria. Mining has been a key pillar of economic development in South Africa for around a century and a half, and has left a legacy of major environmental contamination, with the poorest experiencing the highest burden of exposure. The current study was undertaken to ascertain the concentrations of lead in soil and in the blood of adults and children residing at increasing distances from a cluster of large tailings facilities (MTFs) in greater Johannesburg, South Africa. Through a cross-sectional survey data on household characteristics were collected through a questionnaire survey, and supplemented with samples of soil from household gardens, together with blood samples from child-adult pairs from all households included in the study. Soil lead concentrations decreased significantly (median = 35.7 mg/kg closest to the mine tailings facility (MTF) and 8.6 mg/kg at the furthest point in the study site) with increasing distance from the MTF. Blood lead levels were highest in both adults (median = 3.0 μg/dL) and children (median = 4.0 μg/dL) who lived closest (≤500 m) to the MTF, and lowest (1.4 μg/dL in adults and 2.5 μg/dL in children) in those who lived furthest away (4-5 km). The study findings point to a need for greater emphasis on the precautionary principle in environmental health and for health impact assessments to inform decisions on planning, especially with regard to the location of human settlements relative to major, polluting development initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Mathee
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, PO Box 87373, Houghton, 2041, South Africa; Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Tanya Haman
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, PO Box 87373, Houghton, 2041, South Africa.
| | - Vusumuzi Nkosi
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, PO Box 87373, Houghton, 2041, South Africa; Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, South Africa; School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Nisha Naicker
- Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Renée Street
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, PO Box 87373, Houghton, 2041, South Africa; Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Mokoatle C, Mathee A, Street R, Nkosi V. A study protocol to evaluate the impact of a personal and domestic hygiene intervention on lead exposure in a community next to a mine dump. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1123. [PMID: 35658916 PMCID: PMC9166147 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13439-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Lead has been associated with adverse health effects, especially neurocognitive and behavioural effects, in children. Communities living close to mining land are at risk of elevated exposure to lead.
Methods
This paper outlines a before and after intervention study protocol to evaluate the impact of a personal and domestic hygiene intervention on lead exposure in a community located adjacent to a mine dump. In each participating household, parents or guardians will be interviewed using a structured questionnaire to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, living conditions, domestic hygiene practices and potential alternative sources of exposure to lead. A registered nurse will collect hand wipe samples from children aged one to five years, for whom parental consent and where possible child assent has been obtained. Environmental dust samples will be collected from the floors and/or windowsills of children’s dwellings for lead content analysis. Soil samples will be collected from yards to determine lead content. An educational intervention will then be applied to the intervention group, including the engagement of households or guardians in an educational discussion on the sources, pathways of exposure, health effects of lead exposure and protective measures, with the aid of a specially designed educational brochure. Data will be analysed for descriptive and inferential statistics using Stata version 16.
Discussion
The study will determine whether the intervention led to a reduction in indoor dust lead levels, and if shown to be effective, will inform the development of an awareness campaign to reduce lead exposure in communities located in close proximity to mine dumps.
Trial registration
The study is retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results System with registration number NCT05265572 and first release date of 18th February 2022.
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Dong C, Liu J, Harvey P, Yan C. Characteristics and sources of Pb exposure via household dust from the urban area of Shanghai, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 811:151984. [PMID: 34871683 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Household dust has been considered as an important pathway for children's environmental Pb exposure. Shanghai was one of the first cities in China that removed Pb from petrol and has been shown in our previous study to have the lowest childhood blood Pb levels in China. This study therefore examines household dust Pb (PbHD) in Shanghai in order to determine the extent and exposure risks of PbHD. Household vacuum cleaner dust samples (n = 40) were collected and analyzed for total Pb concentration, bio-accessible Pb concentration and Pb isotopic compositions (PbIC). The mean concentration of PbHD was 195 mg/kg, which is between 7 and 10 times the Pb concentration of background soil samples from Shanghai. Among the investigated homes, those living in neighborhoods with lower average estate prices have higher dust Pb exposure risks for children. Bio-accessibility of Pb in household dust ranged between 53 and 91%, with a mean value of 71%. Analysis of PbIC of household dust samples (208Pb/206Pb: 2.1096 ± 0.0054; 207Pb/206Pb: 0.8648 ± 0.0025) are a close match to PbIC of coal combustion and solid waste incineration and fit well with those of outdoor air PbIC and urban surface soil PbIC of Shanghai. The study shows that children living in Shanghai are subject to PbHD exposure, with children living in the homes with lower average price having increased susceptibility to PbHD exposure. The data indicate that PbHD is derived primarily from contemporary coal combustion and solid waste incineration rather than common legacy Pb sources (e.g., Pb petrol and paint). Practices including closing doors and windows on days with poor air quality or high wind and preventing shoe wearing inside homes will aid in minimizing outdoor surface soil and ambient particulate intrusion indoors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyin Dong
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, PR China.
| | - Junxia Liu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Paul Harvey
- Environmental Science Solutions, Sydney, Australia; Biami Scientific Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia
| | - Chonghuai Yan
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
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Lee M, Lee H, Warren JR, Herd P. Effect of childhood proximity to lead mining on late life cognition. SSM Popul Health 2022; 17:101037. [PMID: 35146115 PMCID: PMC8818565 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lead exposure negatively affects cognitive functioning among children. However, there is limited evidence about whether exposure to lead in early life impairs later life cognitive functioning. METHODS Participants in the prospective Wisconsin Longitudinal Study cohort (N = 8583) were linked to the 1940 Census, which was taken when they were young children. We estimated the effect of living near a lead mine in childhood on late life memory/attention and language/executive function in 2004 (mean age 64) and 2011 (mean age 71). RESULTS Lead-exposed children had significantly steeper memory/attention decline between 2004 and 2011 and worse language/executive function at baseline in late life. These long-term effects of lead were not mediated through adolescent IQ or late life SES and health factors. DISCUSSION Proximity to lead mining in childhood had long-term effects on late life memory/attention decline and language/executive function, reflecting a possible latent influence of lead exposure. More research is needed to understand behavioral and biological pathways underlying this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lee
- Minnesota Population Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Corresponding author. 50 Willey Hall, 225 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Haena Lee
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John Robert Warren
- Minnesota Population Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Pamela Herd
- McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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Gillings MM, Fry KL, Morrison AL, Taylor MP. Spatial distribution and composition of mine dispersed trace metals in residential soil and house dust: Implications for exposure assessment and human health. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 293:118462. [PMID: 34742822 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Trace metal exposure from environmental sources remains a persistent global problem, particularly in communities residing adjacent to metal extraction and processing industries. This study examines front yard soil and house dust from 62 residences throughout the Australian Ag-Pb-Zn mining city of Broken Hill to better understand spatial variability in metal distributions, compositions and exposures across an industrially polluted urban environment. X-ray fluorescence analysis of paired soil/dust samples indicated that geomean concentrations (mg/kg) of Cu (32/113), Zn (996/1852), As (24/34) and Pb (408/587) were higher in house dust while Ti (4239/3660) and Mn (1895/1101) were higher in outdoor soil. Ore associated metals and metalloids (Mn, Zn, As, Pb) in soil and house dust were positively correlated and declined in concentration away from mining areas, the primary source of metalliferous emissions in Broken Hill. The rate of decline was not equivalent between soil and house dust, with the indoor/outdoor concentration ratio increasing with distance from mining areas for Zn/Pb (geomean = 1.25/1.05 (<1 km); 2.14/1.52 (1-2 km); 2.54/2.04 (>2 km)). House dust and Broken Hill ore Pb isotopic compositions (206Pb/207Pb; 208Pb/207Pb) were more similar in homes nearest to mining areas than those further away (geomean apportioned ore Pb = 88% (<1 km); 76% (1-2 km); 66% (>2 km)), reflecting spatial shifts in the balance of sources contributing to indoor contamination. Incorporation of house dust Pb reduced overestimation of IEUBK modelled blood Pb concentrations compared to when only soil Pb was used. These findings demonstrate that even in contexts where the source and environmental burden of metals are relatively apparent, geochemical relationships and exposures between outdoor and indoor environments are not always predictable, nor easily disaggregated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max M Gillings
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
| | - Kara L Fry
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
| | - Anthony L Morrison
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
| | - Mark Patrick Taylor
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia.
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11
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Yang C, Li Y, Ding R, Xing H, Wang R, Zhang M. Lead exposure as a causative factor for metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and a lead exposure related nomogram for MAFLD prevalence. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1000403. [PMID: 36311639 PMCID: PMC9597460 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1000403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between lead exposure and neurological disorders has been extensively studied, but the effects of lead exposure on hepatotoxicity are unknown. Metabolically related fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is an update of previous non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It redefines the diagnostic conditions and emphasizes metabolic factors while considering non-alcoholic factors. Lead can affect the endocrine system and metabolism, so we believe that lead exposure may contribute to MAFLD. 41,723 individuals who had undergone blood lead testing from 2005 to 2018 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database were selected for this study. The characteristics of population lead exposure in the last decade or so, the effect of lead exposure on liver function and whether lead exposure can cause MAFLD were analyzed. Co-variates were adjusted according to age, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, visceral adiposity index (VAI), poverty indices (PIR), diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The results showed that blood lead concentrations stabilized at a low level after a decreasing trend from year to year. The differences in blood lead concentrations were associated with differences in age, sex, race, education level, and PIR. Lead exposure was an independent risk factor for MAFLD, and lead and nine other factors were used as independent risk factors for MAFLD, so a nomogram was established to predict the prevalence probability of MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Higher Institution Engineering Research Center of Children's Medical Big Data Intelligent Application, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Center of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment for Occupational Diseases and Poisoning, Chongqing, China
| | - Ran Ding
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Huiwu Xing
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Ruijue Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Higher Institution Engineering Research Center of Children's Medical Big Data Intelligent Application, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Ruijue Wang
| | - Mingman Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Higher Institution Engineering Research Center of Children's Medical Big Data Intelligent Application, Chongqing, China
- Mingman Zhang
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12
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Liu X, Taylor MP, Aelion CM, Dong C. Novel Application of Machine Learning Algorithms and Model-Agnostic Methods to Identify Factors Influencing Childhood Blood Lead Levels. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:13387-13399. [PMID: 34546733 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Blood lead (Pb) poisoning remains a global concern, particularly for children in their early developmental years. Broken Hill is Australia's oldest operating silver-zinc-lead mine. In this study, we utilized recent advances in machine learning to assess multiple algorithms and identify the most optimal model for predicting childhood blood Pb levels (BLL) using Broken Hill children's (<5 years of age) data (n = 23,749) from 1991 to 2015, combined with demographic, socio-economic, and environmental influencing factors. We applied model-agnostic methods to interpret the most optimal model, investigating different environmental and human factors influencing childhood BLL. Algorithm assessment showed that stacked ensemble, a method for automatically and optimally combining multiple prediction algorithms, enhanced predictive performance by 1.1% with respect to mean absolute error (p < 0.01) and 2.6% for root-mean-squared error (p < 0.01) compared to the best performing constituent algorithm (random forest). By interpreting the model, the following information was acquired: children had higher BLL if they resided within 1.0 km to the central mine area or 1.37 km to the railroad; year of testing had the greatest interactive strength with all other factors; BLL increased faster in Aboriginal than in non-Aboriginal children at 9-10 and 12-18 months of age. This "stacked ensemble + model-agnostic interpretation" framework achieved both prediction accuracy and model interpretability, identifying previously unconnected variables associated with elevated childhood BLL, offering a marked advantage over previous works. Thus, this approach has a clear value and potential for application to other environmental health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochi Liu
- School of Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark P Taylor
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, New South Wales, Australia
| | - C Marjorie Aelion
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Chenyin Dong
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
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13
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Is Time Spent Outside the Family Home a Risk Factor for Lead Exposure in Pre-School Children Living in Broken Hill? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18157721. [PMID: 34360015 PMCID: PMC8345650 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18157721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Broken Hill is amongst a group of communities internationally that are at greater risk from lead due to active or historical lead industries. Current evidence suggests there is no safe level of lead for young children. This paper describes places outside the family home where young Broken Hill children spend time and considers the potential for this to contribute to lead risk. We interviewed 65 families of children 3 years old or younger and detailed the top five places children spent time at outside the family home. Exposure to private residences outside the family home was recorded for most (88%) young children. Nearly two thirds stayed there five or more hours per week. Most children went there on a weekly basis over many months (median, 12 months), increasing the likelihood of exposure to lead hazards. Further investigation of the lead hazard and risk behaviour of children at these residences would assist in developing guidelines for remediation of the lead hazard for all private residences in Broken Hill. This approach to elucidating the potential sources and pathways of lead and other heavy metal exposures for young children may have merit in other settings where comprehensive zonal remediation is not feasible or may not be warranted.
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14
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Seo JW, Hong YS. Comparative Evaluation of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Residents of Abandoned Metal Mines. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E6280. [PMID: 32872296 PMCID: PMC7503294 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17176280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study compares the heavy metal exposure levels of the population of abandoned metal mines, with high risks of environmental pollution and health effects. We used data from a two-stage abandoned metal mines survey (AMS, n = 4467). The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) and the Korea National Environmental Health Survey (KNEHS) were used as general population data. Based on the sex and age distribution in the AMS, a simple random sampling was performed, so that the two datasets had the same distribution (KNHANES n = 1815, KNEHS n = 2328). Blood lead concentrations were slightly higher in the AMS than in KNEHS. Blood cadmium concentrations were similar between the two groups. However, the difference in urine cadmium concentrations was pronounced and statistically significant. Moreover, 30.6% of the AMS data for urine cadmium concentration exceeded the 95th percentile of the KNEHS data. The concentration of lead and cadmium in the residents of the abandoned metal mines, i.e., the vulnerable regions, was higher than that in the general population. It is necessary to monitor and manage the vulnerable regions via a more active and extensive survey system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-wook Seo
- Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea;
| | - Young-seoub Hong
- Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea;
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
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15
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Dong C, Taylor MP, Gulson B. A 25-year record of childhood blood lead exposure and its relationship to environmental sources. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 186:109357. [PMID: 32330765 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Broken Hill, the oldest silver (Ag)-zinc (Zn)-lead (Pb) mining community in Australia, has a legacy and ongoing problem of environmental Pb exposure that was identified as early as 1893. To reduce Pb exposure risks, identifying potential exposure pathways and related factors is a critical first step. This study examined blood lead (PbB) levels of children ≤60 months old (n = 24,106 samples), along with Pb concentrations in corresponding soil (n = 10,160 samples), petri-dish dust (n = 106 houses) and ceiling dust (n = 80 houses) over a 25-year period from 1991 to 2015. Regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between environmental Pb sources and children's blood lead (PbB) outcomes. Analysis of the dataset showed Aboriginal children in Broken Hill had a geometric mean PbB of 7.4 μg/dL (95% CI: 6.7-7.4) being significantly higher (p < 0.01) than non-Aboriginal children (PbB 6.2 μg/dL, 95% CI: 6.2-6.3) for all years between 1991 and 2015. Children at the age of 24-36 months had a higher PbB compared with other age groups. Higher PbB levels were also statistically associated with lower socio-economic status and children living in houses built before 1940 (p < 0.01). Blood Pb was also significantly correlated with both soil Pb and indoor petri-dish dust Pb loadings, confirming that these are important pathways for exposure in Broken Hill. A 100 mg/kg increase in soil Pb was associated with a 0.12 μg/dL increase in childhood PbB. In addition, PbB concentrations increased with indoor petri-dish dust Pb loadings (i.e., 0.08 μg/dL per 100 μg/m2/30 days). The 25-year data show that the risk of exposure at ≥ 10 μg/dL was seemingly unavoidable irrespective of residential address (i.e., children of all ages presenting with a ≥10 μg/dL across the whole city area). In terms of moving forward and mitigating harmful early-life Pb exposures, all children aged 24-36 months should be prioritised for feasible and effective intervention practices. Primary intervention must focus on mitigating contemporary ongoing dust emissions from the mining operations and the associated mine-lease areas along with household soil remediation, to help prevent recontamination of homes. Additional practices of dust cleaning using wet mopping and wiping techniques, vacuuming of carpets and furnishings, ongoing monitoring of children and household dust remain important but short-lived abatement strategies. Overall, the key goal should be to eliminate risk by removing contamination in the wider environment as well as in individual homes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyin Dong
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia; Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, PR China.
| | - Mark Patrick Taylor
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | - Brian Gulson
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia; CSIRO Land and Water, Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia
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16
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Fry KL, Wheeler CA, Gillings MM, Flegal AR, Taylor MP. Anthropogenic contamination of residential environments from smelter As, Cu and Pb emissions: Implications for human health. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 262:114235. [PMID: 32146362 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Communities in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) are disproportionally affected by industrial pollution compared to more developed nations. This study evaluates the dispersal and associated health risk of contaminant-laden soil and dust at a copper (Cu) smelter in Tsumeb, Namibia. It is Africa's only smelter capable of treating complex Cu ores that contain high arsenic (As) contents (<1%). The analyses focused on the primary trace elements associated with ore processing at the smelter: As, Cu, and lead (Pb). Portable X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) of trace elements in soils (n = 83) and surface dust wipes (n = 80) showed that elemental contamination was spatially associated with proximity to smelter operations. Soil concentrations were below US EPA soil guidelines. Dust wipe values were elevated relative to sites distal from the facility and similar to those at other international smelter locations (As = 1012 μg/m2 (95% CI 687-1337); Cu = 1838 μg/m2 (95% CI 1191-2485); Pb = 1624 μg/m2 (95% CI 862-2385)). Source apportionment for Pb contamination was assessed using Pb isotopic compositions (PbIC) of dust wipes (n = 22). These data revealed that the PbIC of 73% (n = 16/22) of these wipes corresponded to the PbIC of smelter slag and tailings, indicating contribution from industrial emissions to ongoing exposure risk. Modeling of carcinogenic risk showed that dust ingestion was the most important pathway, followed by inhalation, for both adults and children. Dermal contact to trace elements in dust was also determined to pose a carcinogenic risk for children, but not adults. Consequently, contemporary smelter operations remain an ongoing health risk to the surrounding community, in spite of recent efforts to improve emissions from the operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara L Fry
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Cassandra Anne Wheeler
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Max M Gillings
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - A Russell Flegal
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, WIGS, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, United States
| | - Mark Patrick Taylor
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
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17
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Aelion CM, Davis HT. Blood lead levels in children in urban and rural areas: Using multilevel modeling to investigate impacts of gender, race, poverty, and the environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 694:133783. [PMID: 31756823 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Many studies of children's exposure to lead (Pb) are carried out in urban and industrialized environments. This study analyzed blood lead level (BLL) data collected from 2011 to 2016 from approximately 140,000 children ages <1 to 6 years across South Carolina (SC), including urban and rural areas. Individual-level characteristics included children's age, and race/ethnicity. Block group variables examined included population by race and ethnicity, households below the poverty level, median year homes built, urban/rural classification, and percent road coverage. BLL were higher in urban compared to rural children but increased to a greater extent in rural children from age < 1 year to 2 years. Road coverage was strongly associated with higher BLL in urban areas, and with home age more weakly, but neither road coverage nor home age was associated with BLL in rural areas. Young urban children may receive greater exposure to Pb from house dust and outdoor legacy Pb contamination, and young rural children through diet and drinking water. Black children had higher BLL in urban areas than white children, and the converse was true in rural areas. Population data indicated that rural areas had more poverty than urban areas, but strong associations between increased children's BLL and either ethnicity or socio-economic status (SES) at the block group level was not observed, likely due to distinct characteristics of poverty and geographic distribution by ethnicity in urban as compared to rural areas of SC. Individual demographics and environmental characteristics may be more closely associated with BLL than geographically aggregated SES and race/ethnicity characteristics. Interventions to reduce children's exposure to Pb should occur at as early an age as possible, and differences between rural and urban areas should be considered as interventions are developed to reduce children's BLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Aelion
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - H T Davis
- South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Health Improvement and Equity, Columbia, SC, USA.
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18
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Symeonides C, Vuillermin P, Sly PD, Collier F, Lynch V, Falconer S, Pezic A, Wardrop N, Dwyer T, Ranganathan S, Ponsonby ALB. Pre-school child blood lead levels in a population-derived Australian birth cohort: the Barwon Infant Study. Med J Aust 2019; 212:169-174. [PMID: 31760661 PMCID: PMC9544069 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate blood lead levels in an Australian birth cohort of children; to identify factors associated with higher lead levels. DESIGN, SETTING Cross-sectional study within the Barwon Infant Study, a population birth cohort study in the Barwon region of Victoria (1074 infants, recruited June 2010 - June 2013). Data were adjusted for non-participation and attrition by propensity weighting. PARTICIPANTS Blood lead was measured in 523 of 708 children appraised in the Barwon Infant Study pre-school review (mean age, 4.2 years; SD, 0.3 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Blood lead concentration in whole blood (μg/dL). RESULTS The median blood lead level was 0.8 μg/dL (range, 0.2-3.7 μg/dL); the geometric mean blood lead level after propensity weighting was 0.97 μg/dL (95% CI, 0.92-1.02 μg/dL). Children in houses 50 or more years old had higher blood lead levels (adjusted mean difference [AMD], 0.13 natural log units; 95% CI, 0.02-0.24 natural log units; P = 0.020), as did children of families with lower household income (per $10 000, AMD, -0.035 natural log units; 95% CI, -0.056 to -0.013 natural log units; P = 0.002) and those living closer to Point Henry (inverse square distance relationship; P = 0.002). Associations between hygiene factors and lead levels were evident only for children living in older homes. CONCLUSION Blood lead levels in our pre-school children were lower than in previous Australian surveys and recent surveys in areas at risk of higher exposure, and no children had levels above 5 μg/dL. Our findings support advice to manage risks related to exposure to historical lead, especially in older houses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Symeonides
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC.,Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
| | | | - Peter D Sly
- Child Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Children's Health and Environment, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD
| | - Fiona Collier
- Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC.,Deakin University, Geelong, VIC
| | - Victoria Lynch
- Victoria Department of Health and Human Services, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Sandra Falconer
- Victoria Department of Health and Human Services, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Angela Pezic
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC
| | | | - Terence Dwyer
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC.,The George Institute for Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sarath Ranganathan
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC.,Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Anne-Louise B Ponsonby
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC.,National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
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Screening for Elevated Blood Lead Levels and Related Risk Factors among Thai Children Residing in a Fishing Community. TOXICS 2019; 7:toxics7040054. [PMID: 31614792 PMCID: PMC6958338 DOI: 10.3390/toxics7040054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The present study explored environmental and behavioral factors associated with elevated blood lead (Pb) levels in 311 children (151 girls and 160 boys), aged 3–7 years, who lived in a coastal fishing community of the Pakpoon Municipality, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. The geometric mean for blood Pb was 2.81 µg/dL, ranging between 0.03 and 26.40 µg/dL. The percentage of high blood Pb levels, defined as blood Pb ≥ 5 µg/dL, was 10.0% in boys and 13.9% in girls. Parental occupation in producing fishing nets with lead weights was associated with a marked increase in the prevalence odds ratio (POR) for high blood Pb (POR 17.54, 95%; CI: 7.093, 43.390; p < 0.001), while milk consumption was associated with 61% reduction in the POR for high blood Pb (POR 0.393, 95%; CI: 0.166, 0.931; p = 0.034). High blood Pb was associated with an increased risk for abnormal growth (POR 2.042, 95%; CI: 0.999, 4.174; p = 0.050). In contrast, milk consumption was associated with a 43% reduction in POR for abnormal growth (POR 0.573, 95%; CI: 0.337, 0.976; p = 0.040). After adjustment for age, the mean (standard error of mean, SE) values for blood Pb were 6.22 (0.50) μg/dL in boys and 6.72 (0.49) μg/dL in girls of parents with an occupation in making fishing nets with lead weights. These mean blood Pb values were respectively 2.3 and 2.5 times higher than similarly aged boys and girls of parents with other occupations. These data are essential for setting surveillance and programmes to prevent toxic Pb exposure, especially in children of coastal fishing communities in southern Thailand.
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20
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Taylor MP, Isley CF, Glover J. Prevalence of childhood lead poisoning and respiratory disease associated with lead smelter emissions. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 127:340-352. [PMID: 30954720 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.01.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The city of Port Pirie in South Australia has been a world leading centre for lead and zinc smelting and processing since 1889 that continues to cause contamination of its environment and resident population. This study quantifies the effect of lead and SO2 emissions from Nyrstar Port Pirie Pty Ltd's smelter on blood lead and respiratory health outcomes, respectively, and establishes what air quality values are required to better protect human health. METHOD Blood lead and emergency department presentation data collected by South Australia Health (SA Health) and lead in air and SO2 data collected by the South Australian Environment Protection Authority (SAEPA) were obtained and analysed to quantify health outcomes due to smelter emissions in Port Pirie. Regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between the concentration of lead in air and children's blood lead levels between the years of available data: 2003 to 2017. Ambient SO2 concentrations (SAEPA) measured continuously between 2008 and 2018 were 24-hour averaged and compared to daily local emergency department respiratory presentation rates (available from July 2012 to October 2018). Rates of emergency department respiratory presentations at Port Pirie and regional comparators were calculated as age-standardised rates. RESULTS The data show that increases in ambient SO2 concentrations are associated with increased rates of emergency department respiratory presentations of Port Pirie residents, in which children are over-represented. The 30-day rolling average of respiratory presentations was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with incremental increases in SO2. Analysis of the relationship between lead in air and blood lead shows that annual geometric mean air lead concentrations need to be <0.11 μg/m3 to ensure the geometric mean blood lead of Port Pirie children under 5 years is ≤5 μg/dL. For children aged 24 months, lead in air needs to be no greater than 0.082 μg/m3 (annual geometric mean) to ensure geometric mean blood lead does not exceed 5 μg/dL. CONCLUSION Current smelting emissions continue to pose a clear risk of harm to Port Pirie children. Allowable emissions must be lowered significantly to limit adverse childhood health outcomes including respiratory illness and IQ, academic achievement and socio-behavioural problems that are associated with lead exposure at levels experienced by Port Pirie children. Current SO2 levels are likely to be responsible for increased rates of emergency department respiratory presentations in Port Pirie compared with other South Australian locations. As a minimum, Australian SO2 air quality standards need to be enforced in Port Pirie to better protect human health. Lead in air needs to be approximately 80% lower than the current national standard (0.5 μg/m3) to ensure that the geometric blood lead of children under 5 years is less than or equal to 5 μg/dL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Patrick Taylor
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Cynthia Faye Isley
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - John Glover
- Public Health Information Development Unit, Torrens University Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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