Assessing Levels of Lead Contamination in Soil and Predicting Pediatric Blood Lead Levels in Tema, Ghana

Background. Tema, Ghana's main industrial city, has many areas that are suspected to be contaminated by lead. Elevated lead levels can affect, among many other issues, mental development, kidney function and blood chemistry. Children are particularly at risk. Objectives. The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of lead in soil from selected sites in Tema and how these levels relate to local pediatric blood lead predictions. Methods. A total of 47 surface soil samples were taken from 9 different sites. Energy dispersive X-ray technique was employed to determine the levels of lead. Pediatric blood lead levels were estimated using the Integrated Exposure Uptake Bio-Kinetic Model For Lead in Children, developed by the U.S. EPA. Results. The study revealed that the selected sites are highly contaminated by lead. In particular, the concentration of Pb in soil at a used lead acid battery recycling facility exceeded regulatory limits for industrial soil as set by the U.S. EPA. The model for predicting concentrations of lead in the blood of age-specific children showed extremely high probabilities of BLLs exceeding regulatory limits. Conclusions. Based on the results of soil testing, sites that were expected to reveal lead exposure positively demonstrated high levels of contamination, in some areas exceeding U.S. and other national regulatory limits. This information is expected to help authorities make informed clean-up decisions.

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Child Exposure to Lead in the Vicinities of Informal Used Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Operations in Nairobi Slums, Kenya

Journal of Health and Pollution ◽

10.5696/2156-9614-6.12.15 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (12) ◽

pp. 15-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Maureene Auma Ondayo ◽

Gelas Muse Simiyu ◽

Phillip Okoth Raburu ◽

Faridah Hussein Were

Keyword(s):

Lead Concentration ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Lead Acid Battery ◽

Child Exposure ◽

Battery Recycling ◽

Preparatory Schools ◽

Lead Levels ◽

Floor Dust

Background. Child exposure to lead from informal used lead-acid battery (ULAB) recycling operations is a serious environmental health problem, particularly in developing countries. Objectives. We investigated child exposure to lead in the vicinities of ULAB recycling operations in the Dandora, Kariobangi and Mukuru slums in Nairobi between January and August 2015. Methods. Top soil (n = 232) and floor dust (n = 322) samples were collected from dwelling units (n = 120) and preparatory schools (n = 44) and analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer at the Mines and Geological Department Laboratory in the Ministry of Mining, Nairobi. From the obtained lead levels in soil and house dust, child blood lead levels were subsequently predicted using the Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic Model for Lead in Children (IEUBK), Windows version. Results. Lead loadings in all the floor dust samples from the Dandora, Kariobangi and Mukuru slums exceeded the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guidance value for lead on floors with a range of 65.2 – 58,194 μg/ft2. Control floor dust samples recorded lower lead loadings compared to the Dandora, Kariobangi and Mukuru slums. Lead concentration in 70.7% of the soil samples collected from waste dumps, industrial sites, residential areas, playgrounds and preparatory schools in Dandora, Kariobangi and Mukuru exceeded the respective USEPA guidance values for lead in soils. Lead concentration in 100% of control soil samples were below the respective USEPA limits. The IEUBK model predicted that nearly 99.9% of children ≤ 7 years old living near informal ULAB recycling operations in Dandora, Kariobangi and Mukuru were at risk of being lead poisoned, with predicted blood lead levels (BLL) above the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reference value for blood lead. A total of 99.9% of exposed children living in the Mukuru slums are likely to have BLL above 34 μg/dL. Conclusions. There is a need for coordinated efforts to decrease lead emissions from informal battery recycling in Nairobi slums and to remediate existing soils, particularly around battery workplaces and dumpsites. The BLL of local children should be clinically tested and appropriate intervention measures taken.

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Air and Blood Lead Levels in Lead Acid Battery Recycling and Manufacturing Plants in Kenya

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene ◽

10.1080/15459624.2012.673458 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 340-344 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Faridah H. Were ◽

Geoffrey N. Kamau ◽

Paul M. Shiundu ◽

Godfrey A. Wafula ◽

Charles M. Moturi

Keyword(s):

Blood Lead ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Lead Acid Battery ◽

Manufacturing Plants ◽

Battery Recycling ◽

Lead Levels ◽

Lead Acid

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Child lead exposure near abandoned lead acid battery recycling sites in a residential community in Bangladesh: risk factors and the impact of soil remediation on blood lead levels

Environmental Research ◽

10.1016/j.envres.2020.110689 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 110689

Author(s):

Kamal Ibne Amin Chowdhury ◽

Syeda Nurunnahar ◽

Mohammad Lutful Kabir ◽

Mohammad Tauhidul Islam ◽

Musa Baker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Soil Remediation ◽

Lead Exposure ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Lead Acid Battery ◽

Residential Community ◽

Battery Recycling ◽

Lead Levels ◽

The Impact

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The Prevalence of Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Foreign-Born Refugee Children Upon Arrival to the U.S. and the Adequacy of Follow-up Treatment

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health ◽

10.1007/s10903-019-00878-6 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 10-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sarah Seifu ◽

Kawai Tanabe ◽

Fern R. Hauck

Keyword(s):

Blood Lead ◽

Refugee Children ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Elevated Blood ◽

Foreign Born ◽

Lead Levels ◽

Elevated Blood Lead Levels ◽

The U.S

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ALLOSTATIC LOAD MODIFIES THE EFFECT OF BLOOD LEAD LEVELS ON HYPERTENSION AMONG MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS IN THE U.S.

ISEE Conference Abstracts ◽

10.1289/isee.2011.00216 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ami R. Zota ◽

Edmond Shenassa ◽

Rachel Morello-Frosch

Keyword(s):

Allostatic Load ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Lead Levels ◽

Middle Aged Adults ◽

The U.S

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Blood Lead Levels in Children Living Near an Informal Lead Battery Recycling Workshop in Patna, Bihar

Journal of Health and Pollution ◽

10.5696/2156-9614-10.25.200308 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (25) ◽

pp. 200308 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jamal Akhtar Ansari ◽

Abbas Ali Mahdi ◽

Promila Sharma Malik ◽

Tabrez Jafar

Keyword(s):

Lead Toxicity ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Clinical Effects ◽

Lead Battery ◽

Informal Recycling ◽

Battery Recycling ◽

Financial Interests ◽

Lead Levels ◽

Calcium Iron

Background. Lead can cause significant biological and neurologic damage, even at small concentrations, and young children are at higher risk. Informal recycling of lead batteries and lead-based workshops/industries have increased the burden of lead toxicity in developing countries, including India. Many informal recycling lead battery workshops have been established by the local people of Patna, Bihar as self-employment opportunities. However, most of the residents are not aware of the risk factors associated with lead poisoning. Objectives. The present pilot study aimed to assess blood lead levels (BLLs) and hemoglobin levels among children aged between 3 to 12 years in the settlement of Karmalichak near Patna, India. Materials and Methods. Children residing near the informal lead battery manufacturing unit were selected for BLL assessment. A total of 41 children were enrolled in the questionnairebased survey. Results. All the children in the present study had detectable lead concentrations in their blood. Only 9% of the studied children had a BLL ≤5 μg/dl, while 91% children had a BLL above >5 μg/dl. Conclusions. The present study carried out in children of Karmalichak region of Patna, India was an attempt to better understand the problem of lead toxicity, describe the epidemiology of its adverse effects, identify sources and routes of exposure, illustrate the clinical effects and develop strategies of prevention so that remedial measures may be taken by government agencies and regulatory bodies. In view of the high lead levels in children in the study area, attempts are being made to develop strategies for future prevention by relocating the informal battery recycling workshops from the area. Moreover, parents have been advised to increase nutritional supplementation of children by providing calcium-, iron- and zinc-rich foods, including milk and vegetables. Participant Consent. Obtained Ethical Approval. The study was approved by the ethical committee of Era's Lucknow Medical College & Hospital, Era University, Lucknow (India). Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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