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Zartarian VG, Xue J, Gibb-Snyder E, Frank JJ, Tornero-Velez R, Stanek LW. Children's lead exposure in the U.S.: Application of a national-scale, probabilistic aggregate model with a focus on residential soil and dust lead (Pb) scenarios. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167132. [PMID: 37730047 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) exposures from soil and dust ingestion contribute to children's blood lead levels (BLLs) in the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities and the Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposure describe multi-pronged collaborative approaches. These include reducing multi-media lead exposures nationally using analytical tools such as EPA's Stochastic Human Exposure and Dose Simulation model for lead [SHEDS-Pb; formerly known as SHEDS-IEUBK (Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic model)], which was initially developed and applied with a focus on children's drinking water exposures. In this study we applied SHEDS-Pb to determine what residential soil Pb and dust Pb concentrations (individually and their sum) can keep BLLs of potentially exposed young children in the general U.S. population below specified values, considering aggregate exposures from water, soil, dust, food, and air. We considered two age groups (1 to <2 years and 2 to <6 years), two BLL values (5 μg/dL and 3.5 μg/dL), and two population percentiles (95th and 97.5th). Sensitivity analyses were conducted using several alternative model inputs and data sets, yielding 15 scenarios summarized in the paper. Of those scenarios, we focused on ones with the most recent science and available data. Modeled soil Pb concentrations by age group, population percentile and reference BLL scenarios for the focus scenarios ranged from 70 ppm to 220 ppm; and modeled dust Pb concentrations ranged from 110 ppm to 240 ppm. These results are consistent with current soil and dust Pb concentrations in the U.S. general population and are lower than most of the current U.S. Federal standards. Estimated BLLs compared well with measured BLLs from CDC's NHANES 2009-2016 (0-27 % relative error for focus scenarios). This analysis can be used to inform EPA and other federal Pb efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- V G Zartarian
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States of America
| | - J Xue
- Retired, formerly U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States of America
| | - E Gibb-Snyder
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States of America.
| | - J J Frank
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Office of Science Advisor, Policy, and Engagement, United States of America
| | - R Tornero-Velez
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, United States of America
| | - L W Stanek
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States of America
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Hitt LG, Khalil S, Blanchette A, Finkelstein ME, Iverson ENK, McClelland SC, Durães Ribeiro R, Karubian J. Lead exposure is correlated with reduced nesting success of an urban songbird. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 227:115711. [PMID: 36940819 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Lead exposure is a concern in urban ecosystems, with physiological and behavioral effects well documented in humans. Wildlife inhabiting urban ecosystems are also exposed to lead, yet little work has documented the sublethal effects of lead exposure in urban wildlife. We studied northern mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) in three neighborhoods of New Orleans, Louisiana, two with high soil lead and one with low soil lead, to better understand how lead exposure may influence mockingbirds' reproductive biology. We monitored nesting attempts, measured lead concentrations in blood and feathers of nestling mockingbirds, documented egg hatching and nesting success, and assessed rates of sexual promiscuity in relation to neighborhood soil lead levels. We found that nestling mockingbirds' blood and feather lead levels reflected the soil lead levels of their neighborhoods and nestling blood lead levels were similar to those of adult mockingbirds in the same neighborhoods. Nest success, as evaluated by daily nest survival rates, was higher in the lower lead neighborhood. Clutch sizes varied substantially across neighborhoods, but rates of unhatched eggs did not covary with neighborhood lead levels, suggesting that other drivers are influencing variation in clutch sizes and hatching success in urban habitats. At least one-third of nestling mockingbirds were sired by an extra-pair male, and there was no relationship between extra-pair paternity rates and neighborhood lead levels. This study provides insight on how lead contamination may influence reproduction in urban-dwelling wildlife and suggests that nestling birds could serve as useful bioindicators of lead levels in urban neighborhoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren G Hitt
- Tulane University, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, New Orleans, LA, USA; University of California, Davis, Department of Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Sarah Khalil
- Tulane University, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Annelise Blanchette
- Tulane University, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Myra E Finkelstein
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Erik N K Iverson
- Tulane University, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, New Orleans, LA, USA; University of Texas at Austin, Department of Integrative Biology, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - Renata Durães Ribeiro
- Tulane University, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jordan Karubian
- Tulane University, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Gandolff R. Lead exposure in childhood and historical land use: a geostatistical analysis of soil lead concentrations in South Philadelphia parks. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:356. [PMID: 36732369 PMCID: PMC9894736 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10871-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Elevated soil lead (Pb) concentrations in public parks and outdoor spaces continue to have a significant impact on the public health of urban communities. This study evaluated the geospatial and statistical relationships between soil Pb concentrations, the urban environment, and child blood lead levels (BLLs) in the neighborhood of South Philadelphia, PA. Soil samples (n = 240) were collected from forty (40) public parks and analyzed for Pb using a field portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer. Geospatial mapping was used to investigate historical land use of each park, vehicular traffic on adjacent roadways, and density of residential/commercial development. Predicted child BLLs and BLL "high-risk areas" were identified using interpolation and biokinetic modeling. Childhood BLL data for South Philadelphia (n = 10,379) was provided by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (2013-2015). Of the two hundred forty (240) soil samples collected, Pb levels for 10.8% of samples were ≥ 400 ppm. Two hundred sixty-nine of 10,379 children screened were identified with BLLs ≥ 5 µg/dL. Historical land use of each park was shown to be significantly correlated (p = 0.01) with soil Pb concentrations and child BLLs ≥ 5 µg/dL. Approximately 13.3% of the variance in child BLLs ≥ 5 µg/dL was attributed to historical site land use. Overall, undeveloped/greenspace historical land use exhibited the highest soil Pb concentrations in the study. Geospatial relationships were identified between census tracts with higher percentages of children with BLLs ≥ 5 µg/dL and interpolated BLL "high-risk" areas (≥ 3.5 µg/dL). The results of this study suggest soil accumulation time and historical land use may influence soil Pb concentrations and child BLLs in urban communities. Measured soil Pb concentrations were determined to effectively model community-wide contamination and childhood Pb exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafhael Gandolff
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, New York City, USA.
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Bramwell L, Morton J, Harding AH, Lin N, Entwistle J. Determinants of blood and saliva lead concentrations in adult gardeners on urban agricultural sites. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2022; 44:3493-3513. [PMID: 34622415 PMCID: PMC9522656 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-021-01095-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Soil Pb concentrations at urban agriculture sites (UAS) commonly exceed recommended safe levels. There is a lack of evidence regarding uptake of Pb by gardeners using such sites for food crops. Our study aimed to elucidate whether gardening in soil with raised Pb levels results in Pb body burdens of concern to health, and to assess confounding factors influencing Pb body burden. Our cross-sectional case study measured Pb in saliva and blood of UAS gardeners (n = 43), soil and produce samples from their UAS, and home tap water. Blood and saliva Pb concentrations were compared with those from non-UAS gardener controls (n = 29). A health risk threshold of 5 µg dL-1 blood Pb level (BLL) was selected in keeping with international guidance. Detailed surveys investigated individuals' anthropometrics and potential Pb exposures from diet, and historic and everyday activities. Saliva was not found to be a suitable biomarker of adult Pb exposure in this context. Predictors of higher BLLs were being older, being male and eating more root vegetables and shrub fruit. Eating more green vegetables predicted a lower BLL, suggesting a protective effect against Pb uptake. UAS gardeners' BLLs (geometric mean 1.53; range 0.6-4.1 µg dL-1) were not significantly higher (p = 0.39) than the control group (geometric mean 1.43; range 0.7-2.9 µg dL-1). All BLLs were below 5 µg dL-1 except one resulting from occupational exposure. Having paired the UAS gardeners with closely matched controls, we found Pb in UAS soils (with range 62-1300 mg kg-1from common urban sources) unlikely to pose an additional risk to adult health compared to their neighbours who did not access UAS. As such, other Pb sources may be the dominant factor controlling BLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Bramwell
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4AX Tyne and Wear UK
- Present Address: Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Northumbria University, Ellison Building, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 8ST Tyne and Wear UK
| | - Jackie Morton
- Health and Safety Executive Science and Research Centre, Buxton, SK17 9JN Derbyshire UK
| | - Anne-Helen Harding
- Health and Safety Executive Science and Research Centre, Buxton, SK17 9JN Derbyshire UK
| | - Nan Lin
- Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering, Northumbria University, Ellison Building, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 8ST Tyne and Wear UK
| | - Jane Entwistle
- Present Address: Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Northumbria University, Ellison Building, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 8ST Tyne and Wear UK
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Paltseva AA, Cheng Z, McBride M, Deeb M, Egendorf SP, Groffman PM. Legacy Lead in Urban Garden Soils: Communicating Risk and Limiting Exposure. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.873542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lead (Pb) exposure has long been recognized as a hazard to human health. Urban garden soils often contain elevated levels of Pb, mainly from legacy sources, which is a main barrier for urban gardening. The capacity of gardeners to access, understand, and act on scientific data related to soil contamination is also variable. This synthesis paper briefly summarizes the current scientific knowledge on soil Pb in urban gardens. Our objective is to produce clear recommendations about assessing actual risks and limiting exposure. First, we synthesize the nature and extent of soil contamination with Pb, and then describe how the bioavailability and risk of this contamination to humans is assessed. We then go on to potential exposure pathway through plants and remediation methods to improve soil health and reduce human exposure. We have developed best management practices for practitioners that include: (1) urban soil testing should be prioritized because of the high probability of Pb contamination, and urban gardening should not begin until thorough testing or remediation has been done; (2) documentation of land-use history should be required in all property transactions so that the potential for soil (and other) contamination can be clearly identified; (3) amendments cannot be relied upon as a treatment for contaminated soils to reduce risk to gardeners because they do not always make contaminants less harmful; (4) certain crops (such as fruiting vegetables) are much less susceptible to contamination than others and thus should be prioritized in urban gardens; (5) wherever feasible, raised beds filled with upcycled local mineral and organic materials are the preferred substrate for urban gardening. Further monitoring of potentially contaminated and remediated soils as well as effective communication with the public are necessary to ensure human safety.
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Evaluation of Chelating Agents Used in Phytoextraction by Switchgrass of Lead Contaminated Soil. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11081012. [PMID: 35448740 PMCID: PMC9030412 DOI: 10.3390/plants11081012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Soil lead (Pb) contamination is a recognized environmental and global health problem. Phytoextraction of Pb using switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a second-generation biofuel crop, is typically enhanced by soil chelation. The effectiveness of four different chelating agents, phytic acid (inositol hexaphosphate), citric acid, NTA (nitrilotriacetic acid), and EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) was examined in pot culture. Plants treated with EDTA (1 mM) showed significantly higher shoot Pb concentrations compared to control plants and plants treated with other chelates. Lead-solubility following phytoextraction was examined by soil washing using 0.01 and 0.05 M acetic acid as an extractant solution revealed no significant differences in Pb concentrations in soil among different chelate treatments and control. Furthermore, the effects of different concentrations (1, 2, 5 and 10 mM) of NTA on Pb phytoextraction of switchgrass were examined. Plants receiving 5 mM and 10 mM NTA had significantly higher foliage concentrations of Pb compared to plants treated with lower levels (1 and 2 mM) of NTA. Moreover, the effect of NTA application alone was significantly improved by a combined application of Triton X-100, an alkyl polyglucoside (APG); the Pb concentration in the foliage of switchgrass was more than doubled when treated with NTA combined with APG. The use of NTA combined with APG has great potential in improving phytoextraction efficiencies of switchgrass on Pb-contaminated soils.
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Caballero‐Gómez H, White HK, O’Shea MJ, Pepino R, Howarth M, Gieré R. Spatial Analysis and Lead-Risk Assessment of Philadelphia, USA. GEOHEALTH 2022; 6:e2021GH000519. [PMID: 35340281 PMCID: PMC8934574 DOI: 10.1029/2021gh000519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Childhood lead poisoning is an issue that continues to plague major U.S. cities. Despite efforts by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to curtail systemic childhood lead poisoning, children continue to be identified with elevated blood lead levels. The persistence of elevated blood lead levels in children is concerning because lead poisoning has been linked to decreases in academic achievement and IQ, with associated repercussions for entire communities. This paper reports the results of an analysis of the spatial distribution of houses with lead paint (i.e., pre-1978), demolitions, and occurrence of historic smelters, in West and North Philadelphia, relative to elevated blood lead level data, to determine which lead sources act as primary lead-risk factors. The presence of lead paint in homes and the number of demolitions of older properties were found to have the highest correlations to elevated blood lead levels for children in Philadelphia. Using lead-risk factors including lead paint, housing code violations, demolitions, and owner-occupied housing units, a lead-risk assessment was performed at the census tract level to identify future soil sampling sites and high-risk neighborhoods in Philadelphia. These sites of high risk for lead exposure, and in particular the census tracts 175 and 172, should be prioritized for lead poisoning prevention initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Caballero‐Gómez
- Department of ChemistryHaverford CollegeHaverfordPAUSA
- Now at University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - H. K. White
- Department of ChemistryHaverford CollegeHaverfordPAUSA
| | - M. J. O’Shea
- Department of Earth and Environmental ScienceUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - R. Pepino
- Department of Earth and Environmental ScienceUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Center of Excellence in Environmental ToxicologyUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - M. Howarth
- Center of Excellence in Environmental ToxicologyUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - R. Gieré
- Department of Earth and Environmental ScienceUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Center of Excellence in Environmental ToxicologyUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
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Pavilonis B, Cheng Z, Johnson G, Maroko A. Lead, Soils, and Children: An Ecological Analysis of Lead Contamination in Parks and Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Brooklyn, New York. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2022; 82:1-10. [PMID: 34796370 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-021-00902-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Although the prevalence of elevated childhood blood lead levels (BLLs) has been declining, there are still an estimated 500,000 children (1 to 5 years) with BLLs above the CDC's reference value (≥ 5 μg/dL). The objective of this study was to evaluate the ecological association between soil lead (Pb) concentrations in greenspaces in Brooklyn, NY and elevated BLLs of children aged 1 to 5 years old. Soil samples (n = 1504) were collected from a wide variety of parks within 43 neighborhood tabulation areas (NTAs) located in Brooklyn, NY, analyzed with a portable XRF with a subset (n = 350), and also analyzed by ICP-MS. Lead concentrations were right skewed with a mean of 160.4 ppm and a median of 113.1 ppm. The Pb concentration range spanned three orders of magnitude with most samples (66.7%) ≥ 80 ppm and 6.7% of samples ≥ 400 ppm. Elevated BLL (≥ 5ug/dL) data on children 1 to 5 years were obtained from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (2011-2015). Weighted median soil Pb concentrations were calculated for each NTA and stratified into quartiles. The overall median rate of children from 1 to 5 years old with BLLs ≥ 5 µg/dL was 28.6 per 1000; the median rate was highest (p = 0.070) in the fourth quartile (Pb concentrations ≥ 150 ppm) compared to the first quartile (Pb concentrations < 88 ppm), 37.2 vs. 28.3 per 1000, respectively. We then used multivariable linear regression to determine the ecological association between BLL rates and soil Pb concentrations. In the final stepwise multivariable regression model, controlling for known risk factors, there was a significant positive association between soil Pb concentrations and increased childhood BLL rates (beta = 0.0008; p = 0.004). Our findings suggest that there is an ecological association between high soil Pb levels and increased rates of elevated childhood BLLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Pavilonis
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, 55 W. 125th Street, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
| | - Zhongqi Cheng
- Brooklyn College of The City University of New York, 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11210, USA
| | - Glen Johnson
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, 55 W. 125th Street, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Andrew Maroko
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, 55 W. 125th Street, New York, NY, 10027, USA
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Effects of Exogenous Application of Plant Growth Regulators (SNP and GA3) on Phytoextraction by Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) Grown in Lead (Pb) Contaminated Soil. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su131910866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Soil lead (Pb) contamination is a major environmental and public health risk. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), a second-generation biofuel crop, is potentially useful for the long-term phytoremediation and phytoextraction of Pb contaminated soils. We evaluated the efficacy of a coordinated foliar application of plant growth regulators and soil fungicide and a chelator in order to optimize phytoextraction. Plants were grown in soil culture under controlled conditions. First, three exogenous nitric oxide (NO) donors were evaluated at multiple concentrations: (1) S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP); (2) sodium nitroprusside (SNP); and (3) S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). Second, the effect of SNP (0.5 μM) was examined further with the model chelate EDTA and the soil fungicide propicanazole. Third, a combined foliar application of SNP and gibberellic acid (GA3) was examined with EDTA and propicanazole. The soil application of propiconazole (a broad-spectrum fungicides) reduced AMF colonization and allowed greater Pb phytoextraction. The foliar application of SNP resulted in similar concentrations of Pb (roots and foliage) to plants that were challenged with chelates and soil fungicides. The combined foliar application of SNP and GA3 resulted in significantly greater average Pb concentration (243 mg kg−1) in plant foliage in comparison to control plants (182 mg kg−1) and plants treated with GA3 alone (202 mg kg−1). The combined foliar application of SNP and GA3 resulted in the greatest phytoextraction efficiency and could therefore potentially improve phytoextraction by switchgrass grown in Pb contaminated soils.
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Strong evidence for the continued contribution of lead deposited during the 20th century to the atmospheric environment in London of today. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2102791118. [PMID: 34155116 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2102791118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although leaded gasoline was banned at the end of the last century, lead (Pb) remains significantly enriched in airborne particles in large cities. The remobilization of historical Pb deposited in soils from atmospheric removal has been suggested as an important source providing evidence for the hypothetical long-term persistency of lead, and possibly other pollutants, in the urban environment. Here, we present data on Pb isotopic composition in airborne particles collected in London (2014 to 2018), which provide strong support that lead deposited via gasoline combustion still contributes significantly to the lead burden in present-day London. Lead concentration and isotopic signature of airborne particles collected at a heavily trafficked site did not vary significantly over the last decade, suggesting that sources remained unchanged. Lead isotopic composition of airborne particles matches that of road dust and topsoils and can only be explained with a significant contribution (estimate of 32 ± 10 to 43 ± 9% based on a binary mixing model) of Pb from leaded gasoline. The lead isotopes furthermore suggest significant contributions from nonexhaust traffic emissions, even though isotopic signatures of anthropogenic sources are increasingly overlapping. Lead isotopic composition of airborne particles collected at building height shows a similar signature to that collected at street level, suggesting effective mixing of lead within the urban street canyon. Our results have important implications on the persistence of Pb in urban environments and suggest that atmospheric Pb reached a baseline in London that is difficult to decrease further with present policy measures.
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Wheeler DC, Boyle J, Raman S, Nelson EJ. Modeling elevated blood lead level risk across the United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 769:145237. [PMID: 33493912 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Lead exposure adversely affects child health and continues to be a major public health concern in the United States (US). Lead exposure risk has been linked with older housing and households in poverty, but more studies of neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) and lead exposure risk over large and diverse geographic areas are needed. In this paper, we combined lead test result data over many states for a majority of the US ZIP Codes in order to estimate its association with many SES variables and predict lead exposure risk in all populated ZIP Codes in the US. The methods used for estimation and prediction of lead risk included the Vox lead exposure risk score, random forest, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and a Bayesian SES index model. The results showed that the Bayesian index model had the best overall performance for modeling elevated blood lead level (EBLL) risk and therefore was used to create a lead exposure risk score for US ZIP Codes. There was a statistically significant association between EBLL risk and the SES index and the most important SES variables for explaining EBLL risk were percentage of houses built before 1940 and median home value. When mapping the lead exposure risk scores, there was a clear pattern of elevated risk in the Northeast and Midwest, but areas in the South and Southwest regions of the US also had high risk. In summary, the Bayesian index model was an effective method for modeling EBLL risk associated with neighborhood deprivation while accounting for additional heterogeneity in risk using lead test result data covering a majority of the US. The resulting lead exposure risk score can be used for targeting public health intervention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Wheeler
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Biostatistics, One Capitol Square, Seventh Floor, 830 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219, USA.
| | - Joseph Boyle
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Biostatistics, One Capitol Square, Seventh Floor, 830 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219, USA
| | - Shyam Raman
- Cornell University, Department of Policy Analysis & Management, Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Erik J Nelson
- Indiana University, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 1025 East 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
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Masri S, LeBrón A, Logue M, Valencia E, Ruiz A, Reyes A, Lawrence JM, Wu J. Social and spatial distribution of soil lead concentrations in the City of Santa Ana, California: Implications for health inequities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 743:140764. [PMID: 32663692 PMCID: PMC7492407 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lead (Pb) exposure is a problem that disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color. We applied a community-based participatory research approach to assess the distribution of soil Pb concentrations and related social vulnerabilities across Census tracts in Santa Ana, CA. METHODS Soil Pb samples (n = 1528) were collected by the ¡Plo-NO! Santa Ana! Lead-Free Santa Ana! partnership in 2018 across Santa Ana, CA, at a high spatial resolution and measured using XRF analysis. Pb concentrations were mapped and spatial interpolation was conducted to generate a continuous smoothed map of soil Pb concentrations across the city. American Community Survey data was used to examine Pb across Census tracts based on social and economic factors, and to allow for the development of a Cumulative Risk Index to identify areas at high risk of health impacts. RESULTS Soil Pb concentrations varied by landuse type and socioeconomic factors. Census tracts with a median household income below $50,000 had over five times higher soil Pb concentrations than high-income Census tracts. Soil samples collected in tertiles with the highest percent children, residents without health insurance, renter-occupied housing units, and lowest percent college educated residents had 90.0%, 96.1%, 75.2%, and 87.0% higher Pb concentrations on average, respectively, compared to their counterparts. Overall, 52.7% of residential samples had Pb concentrations in excess of the 80 ppm California EPA recommendation, and 11 Census tracts were characterized as high risk according to our Cumulative Risk Index. DISCUSSION This study underscores the need for precautionary measures relating to disturbances of the soil, particularly for areas where children play outside, given children's higher absorption of lead. It also informs environmental justice initiatives and identifies vulnerable subpopulations at greater risk of Pb exposure, thus warranting community-driven recommendations for policies and initiatives to remediate soil Pb and protect public health and health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahir Masri
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | - Alana LeBrón
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Chicano/Latino Studies, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Michael Logue
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | | | - Abel Ruiz
- Jóvenes Cultivando Cambios, Santa Ana, CA 92705, USA
| | - Abigail Reyes
- Community Resilience, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jean M Lawrence
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
| | - Jun Wu
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of California, Irvine 92617, CA, USA.
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Pavilonis B, Maroko A, Cheng Z. Lead in New York City's soils: Population growth, land use, and contamination. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 229:113564. [PMID: 32554253 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Soil is an important exposure pathway for lead (Pb) and predictor of blood lead levels (BLL) among children. Over the past two decades, many areas within New York City (NYC) have undergone a transition from industrial and manufacturing land use to residential housing. This can bring new residents to areas which contain the legacy of historic Pb contamination. The objective of this study was to evaluate the difference in soil Pb concentrations between community parks and greenspaces in areas undergoing rapid redevelopment and land use changes and stable areas without redevelopment. Three high- and three low-risk Pb contaminated areas within NYC were identified based on an additive index that included population growth, industrial land use, and new construction. Soil samples (n=358) were collected across 34 parks and analyzed with an XRF with a subset also analyzed by ICP-MS. Areas within NYC, evaluated in this study, with a high-risk index had significantly (p<0.0001) larger mean concentrations of Pb in soil (374 mg/kg vs. 150 mg/kg, respectively) and double the rate of children under the age of six years with BLL > 5ug/dL (37.94 vs. 18.72 per 1000, respectively) compared to low-risk areas. There was a statistically significant (p <0.05) positive correlation between street density, manufacturing/industrial land density and population density change within 0.40 km of a park and soil Pb concentrations. However, we were unable to estimate the source-specific contribution of Pb concentrations in soil, since many of the variables assessed were correlated with one another. Regardless of the source, large population increases are occurring in areas with elevated soil Pb levels. In the three high-risk areas investigated in this study, the population has increased by over 35,000 residents between 2010 to 2017 compared to just 8,500 in the low-risk areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Pavilonis
- The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Department of Environmental, Occupational, and Geospatial Health Sciences, USA.
| | - Andrew Maroko
- The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Department of Environmental, Occupational, and Geospatial Health Sciences, USA
| | - Zhongqi Cheng
- Brooklyn College, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, USA
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14
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Butler L, Gennings C, Peli M, Borgese L, Placidi D, Zimmerman N, Hsu HHL, Coull BA, Wright RO, Smith DR, Lucchini RG, Claus Henn B. Assessing the contributions of metals in environmental media to exposure biomarkers in a region of ferroalloy industry. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2019; 29:674-687. [PMID: 30337680 PMCID: PMC6472994 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-018-0081-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Residential proximity to ferroalloy production has been associated with increased manganese exposure, which can adversely affect health, particularly among children. Little is known, however, about which environmental samples contribute most to internal levels of manganese and other ferroalloy metals. We aimed to characterize sources of exposure to metals and evaluate the ability of internal biomarkers to reflect exposures from environmental media. In 717 Italian adolescents residing near ferromanganese industry, we examined associations between manganese, lead, chromium, and copper in environmental samples (airborne particles, surface soil, indoor/outdoor house dust) and biological samples (blood, hair, nails, saliva, urine). In multivariable regression analyses adjusted for child age and sex, a 10% increase in soil Mn was associated with increases of 3.0% (95% CI: 1.1%, 4.9%) in nail Mn and 1.6% (95% CI: -0.2%, 3.4%) in saliva Mn. Weighted-quantile-sum (WQS) regression estimated that higher soil and outdoor dust Mn accounted for most of the effect on nail Mn (WQS weights: 0.61 and 0.22, respectively, out of a total of 1.0). Higher air and soil Mn accounted for most of the effect on saliva Mn (WQS weights: 0.65 and 0.29, respectively). These findings can help inform biomarker selection in future epidemiologic studies and guide intervention strategies in exposed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey Butler
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chris Gennings
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marco Peli
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Borgese
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Donatella Placidi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Neil Zimmerman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Hsiao-Hsien L Hsu
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert O Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Donald R Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Roberto G Lucchini
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Birgit Claus Henn
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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15
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Wheeler DC, Raman S, Jones RM, Schootman M, Nelson EJ. Bayesian deprivation index models for explaining variation in elevated blood lead levels among children in Maryland. Spat Spatiotemporal Epidemiol 2019; 30:100286. [PMID: 31421801 DOI: 10.1016/j.sste.2019.100286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Lead exposure adversely affects children's health. Exposure in the United States is highest among socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals who disproportionately live in substandard housing. We used Bayesian binomial regression models to estimate a neighborhood deprivation index and its association with elevated blood lead level (EBLL) risk using blood lead level testing data in Maryland census tracts. Our results show the probability of EBLL was spatially structured with high values in Baltimore city and low values in the District of Columbia suburbs and Baltimore suburbs. The association between the neighborhood deprivation index and EBLL risk was statistically significant after accounting for spatial dependence in probability of EBLL. The percent of houses built before 1940, African Americans, and renter occupied housing were the most important variables in the index. Bayesian models provide a flexible one-step approach to modeling risk associated with neighborhood deprivation while accounting for spatially structured and unstructured heterogeneity in risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Wheeler
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, United States.
| | - Shyam Raman
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University-Bloomington, United States
| | - Resa M Jones
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Temple University and Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health, United States
| | | | - Erik J Nelson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University-Bloomington, United States
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16
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Mielke HW, Gonzales CR, Powell ET. Curtailing Lead Aerosols: Effects of Primary Prevention on Declining Soil Lead and Children's Blood Lead in Metropolitan New Orleans. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E2068. [PMID: 31212731 PMCID: PMC6617018 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16122068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
After decades of accumulation of lead aerosols in cities from additives in gasoline, in 1975 catalytic converters (which are ruined by lead) became mandatory on all new cars. By 1 January 1986 the rapid phase-down banned most lead additives. The study objective is to review temporal changes of environmental lead and children's blood lead in communities of metropolitan New Orleans. In 2001, a soil lead survey of 287 census tracts of metropolitan New Orleans was completed. In August-September 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita storm surges flooded parts of the city with sediment-loaded water. In April-June 2006, 46/287 (16%) of the original census tracts were selected for resurvey. A third survey of 44/46 (15%) census tracts was completed in 2017. The census tract median soil lead and children's median blood lead decreased across surveys in both flooded and unflooded areas. By curtailing a major urban source of lead aerosols, children's lead exposure diminished, lead loading of soil decreased, and topsoil lead declined. Curtailing lead aerosols is essential for primary prevention. For the sake of children's and ultimately societal health and welfare, the long-term habitability of cities requires terminating all remaining lead aerosols and cleanup of legacy-lead that persists in older inner-city communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard W Mielke
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave. 8683, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
| | - Christopher R Gonzales
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave. 8683, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
- Lead Lab. Inc. New Orleans, LA 70119, USA.
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17
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Clay K, Portnykh M, Severnini E. The legacy lead deposition in soils and its impact on cognitive function in preschool-aged children in the United States. ECONOMICS AND HUMAN BIOLOGY 2019; 33:181-192. [PMID: 30913446 DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Surface soil contamination has been long recognized as an important pathway of human lead exposure, and is now a worldwide health concern. This study estimates the causal effects of exposure to lead in topsoil on cognitive ability among 5-year-old children. We draw on individual level data from the 2000 U.S. Census, and USGS data on lead in topsoil covering a broad set of counties across the United States. Using an instrumental variable approach relying on the 1944 Interstate Highway System Plan, we find that higher lead in topsoil increases considerably the probability of 5-year-old boys experiencing cognitive difficulties such as learning, remembering, concentrating, or making decisions. Living in counties with topsoil lead concentration above the national median roughly doubles the probability of 5-year-old boys having cognitive difficulties. Nevertheless, it does not seem to affect 5-year-old girls, consistent with previous studies. Importantly, the adverse effects of lead exposure on boys are found even in counties with levels of topsoil lead concentration considered low by the guidelines from the U.S. EPA and state agencies. These findings are concerning because they suggest that legacy lead may continue to impair cognition today, both in the United States and in other countries that have considerable lead deposition in topsoil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Clay
- Carnegie Mellon University and NBER, 4800 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States.
| | - Margarita Portnykh
- Carnegie Mellon University, 4800 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States.
| | - Edson Severnini
- Carnegie Mellon University and IZA, 4800 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States.
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18
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LeBrón AMW, Torres IR, Valencia E, Dominguez ML, Garcia-Sanchez DG, Logue MD, Wu J. The State of Public Health Lead Policies: Implications for Urban Health Inequities and Recommendations for Health Equity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E1064. [PMID: 30909658 PMCID: PMC6466291 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16061064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Although lead has been removed from paint and gasoline sold in the U.S., lead exposures persist, with communities of color and residents in urban and low-income areas at greatest risk for exposure. The persistence of and inequities in lead exposures raise questions about the scope and implementation of policies that address lead as a public health concern. To understand the multi-level nature of lead policies, this paper and case study reviews lead policies at the national level, for the state of California, and for Santa Ana, CA, a dense urban city in Southern California. Through a community-academic partnership process, this analysis examines lead exposure pathways represented, the level of intervention (e.g., prevention, remediation), and whether policies address health inequities. Results indicate that most national and state policies focus on establishing hazardous lead exposure levels in settings and consumer products, disclosing lead hazards, and remediating lead paint. Several policies focus on mitigating exposures rather than primary prevention. The persistence of lead exposures indicates the need to identify sustainable solutions to prevent lead exposures in the first place. We close with recommendations to reduce lead exposures across the life course, consider multiple lead exposure pathways, and reduce and eliminate health inequities related to lead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana M W LeBrón
- Department of Population Health & Disease Prevention, Program in Public Health, Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
- Department of Chicano/Latino Studies, School of Social Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | - Ivy R Torres
- Department of Population Health & Disease Prevention, Program in Public Health, Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Michael D Logue
- Department of Population Health & Disease Prevention, Program in Public Health, Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Population Health & Disease Prevention, Program in Public Health, Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
- Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA.
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19
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Kupiec M, Pieńkowski P, Bosiacka B, Gutowska I, Kupnicka P, Prokopowicz A, Chlubek D, Baranowska-Bosiacka I. Old and New Threats-Trace Metals and Fluoride Contamination in Soils at Defunct Smithy Sites. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E819. [PMID: 30845740 PMCID: PMC6427284 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16050819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate soil contamination with trace elements and fluoride at sites in Szczecin (NW Poland) where economic activity was historically associated with the use of trace metals. As the Polish legislation does not recognize the lasting impact of historical pollution on soils, land developers are not obliged to determine soil pollution in the new residential areas, including parks and playgrounds for children. Therefore, in this study, at the locations of defunct metalwork enterprises (smithies, foundries, chemical plants, and small metal production plants), which were closed down after World War II, we determined lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and cobalt (Co) levels in the soil. In addition, we also determined fluoride (F) levels due to the contemporary fluoride pollution in the area generated by a large chemical plant with a post-production phosphogypsum waste landfill and a power plant complex. Our results show that soil at the sites of now-defunct smithies can still act as a significant source of trace metals. Pb concentration in the surface (0⁻20 cm) and subsurface (20⁻40 cm) layers exceeded concentration thresholds for soils with first-degree pollution. The concentrations of Zn and Cu also exceeded their natural background limits. Furthermore, our research indicates an increased concentration of fluoride in surface layers of the soil; however, not exceeding the fluoride content threshold. These observations have important consequences for public health and safety because, presently, the studied sites function as housing estates and other public facilities. Therefore, contaminated soil at these sites may pose a threat to the health of local residents and should be closely monitored for trace metal contamination levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Kupiec
- Institute of Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Management, University of Szczecin, Mickiewicza St. 18, 70-383 Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Paweł Pieńkowski
- Department of Environmental Protection and Development, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Słowackiego 17 St., 71-434 Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Beata Bosiacka
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13 St., 71-415 Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Izabela Gutowska
- Department of Biochemistry and Human Nutrition, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Broniewskiego 24 St., 71-460 Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Patrycja Kupnicka
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72 Str., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Adam Prokopowicz
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Kościelna 13 St., 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland.
| | - Dariusz Chlubek
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72 Str., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72 Str., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland.
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20
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McClelland SC, Durães Ribeiro R, Mielke HW, Finkelstein ME, Gonzales CR, Jones JA, Komdeur J, Derryberry E, Saltzberg EB, Karubian J. Sub-lethal exposure to lead is associated with heightened aggression in an urban songbird. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 654:593-603. [PMID: 30447598 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Many urban areas have elevated soil lead concentrations due to prior large-scale use of lead in products such as paint and automobile gasoline. This presents a potential problem for the growing numbers of wildlife living in urbanized areas as lead exposure is known to affect multiple physiological systems, including the nervous system, in vertebrate species. In humans and laboratory animals, low-level lead exposure is associated with neurological impairment, but less is known about how lead may affect the behavior of urban wildlife. We focused on the Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos, a common, omnivorous North American songbird, to gain insights into how lead may affect the physiology and behavior of urban wildlife. We predicted that birds living in neighborhoods with high soil lead concentrations would (a) exhibit elevated lead concentrations in their blood and feathers, (b) exhibit lower body condition, (c) exhibit less diverse and consistent vocal repertoires, and (d) behave more aggressively during simulated conspecific territorial intrusions compared to birds living in neighborhoods with lower soil lead concentrations. Controlling for other habitat differences, we found that birds from areas of high soil lead had elevated lead concentrations in blood and feathers, but found no differences in body condition or vocal repertoires. However, birds from high lead areas responded more aggressively during simulated intrusions. These findings indicate that sub-lethal lead exposure may be common among wildlife living in urban areas, and that this exposure is associated with increased aggression. Better understanding of the extent of the relationship between lead exposure and aggression and the consequences this could have for survival and reproduction of wild animals are clear priorities for future work in this and other urban ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C McClelland
- Behavioural Ecology and Physiology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK.
| | - Renata Durães Ribeiro
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Howard W Mielke
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Myra E Finkelstein
- Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | | - John Anthony Jones
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jan Komdeur
- Behavioural Ecology and Physiology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth Derryberry
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Emma B Saltzberg
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jordan Karubian
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
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21
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Wheeler DC, Jones RM, Schootman M, Nelson EJ. Explaining variation in elevated blood lead levels among children in Minnesota using neighborhood socioeconomic variables. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 650:970-977. [PMID: 30308871 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood lead exposure is linked to numerous adverse health effects and exposure in the United States is highest among people living in substandard housing, which is disproportionately inhabited by socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals. In this paper, we compared the Vox lead exposure risk score and concentrated disadvantage based on principal component analysis (PCA) to weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression to determine which method was best able to explain variation in elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs). METHODS We constructed indices for census tracts in Minnesota and used them in Poisson regression models to identify the best socioeconomic measure for explaining EBLL risk. RESULTS All indices had a significant association with EBLL in separate models. The WQS index had the best goodness-of-fit, followed next by the Vox index, and then the concentrated disadvantage index. Among the most important variables in the WQS index were percent of houses built before 1940, percent renter occupied housing, percent unemployed, and percent African American population. CONCLUSIONS The WQS approach was best able to explain variation in EBLL risk and identify census tracts where targeted interventions should be focused to reduce lead exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Wheeler
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, United States of America.
| | - Resa M Jones
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Temple University and Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health, United States of America
| | - Mario Schootman
- Department of Clinical Analytics and Insights, Center for Clinical Excellence, SSM Health, St. Louis, United States of America
| | - Erik J Nelson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University-Bloomington, United States of America
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22
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Dong C, Taylor MP, Zahran S. The effect of contemporary mine emissions on children's blood lead levels. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 122:91-103. [PMID: 30509512 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Broken Hill is home to Australia's oldest silver-zinc-lead mine. However, the precise source of childhood blood lead (PbB) exposures has been subject to considerable debate. Lead sources include natural soil Pb enrichment, legacy deposition, contemporary mining emissions, and Pb-based paint. OBJECTIVE To test whether contemporary mining emissions independently affect childhood PbB in Broken Hill. METHODS Children's (<5 years old) PbB measures from 2011 to 2015 (n = 4852), obtained from Broken Hill Child & Family Health Centre, were analyzed using generalised linear regression models, including covariates of household soil Pb, city dust Pb concentrations (PbD), demographic factors and Pb ore production. Two natural experiments involving wind direction and the 2009 dust storm were examined to test whether the PbB-distance gradient from the mining operations was influenced by contemporary emissions. The influence of contemporary emissions was further interrogated by examining the effect of ore production on PbB and PbD. RESULTS Children living downwind and proximate to the mine had substantially higher PbB outcomes than children similarly distant but upwind. Dust Pb deposition increased significantly with proximity to mining operations as well to Pb production (1991-2013). Average annual PbB correlated with Pb ore production (p < 0.01) with all subsets of children PbB levels responding with near unit elasticity to Pb ore production (p < 0.01). Pre- and post-analysis of the dust storm showed the PbB-distance gradient remained statistically unaltered further confirming contemporary emissions as a source of exposure. CONCLUSIONS Contemporary mining emissions influence children's PbB measures independent of other sources and need to be remediated to facilitate reductions in harmful exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyin Dong
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Mark Patrick Taylor
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Energy and Environmental Contaminants Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sammy Zahran
- Department of Economics, Centre for Disaster and Risk Analysis, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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23
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Mielke HW. Dynamic Geochemistry of Tetraethyl Lead Dust during the 20th Century: Getting the Lead In, Out, and Translational Beyond. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15050860. [PMID: 29701636 PMCID: PMC5981899 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15050860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 04/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This commentary provides a brief overview of policy decisions that permitted getting tetraethyl lead (TEL) into petrol; global geochemical lead-dust deposition evidence; 1975 catalytic converter requirements; concern about habitability of cities; a personal perspective on legacy lead research that accelerated getting TEL out of petrol; and translational beyond, including New Orleans pre- vs. post-Hurricane Katrina observations about legacy lead interventions that effectively improve urban children’s health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard W Mielke
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave-SL-8683, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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24
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Sharp RM, Brabander DJ. Lead (Pb) Bioaccessibility and Mobility Assessment of Urban Soils and Composts: Fingerprinting Sources and Refining Risks to Support Urban Agriculture. GEOHEALTH 2017; 1:333-345. [PMID: 32158980 PMCID: PMC7007118 DOI: 10.1002/2017gh000093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
While the presence of legacy lead (Pb) in urban soil is well documented, less is known about the bioaccessibility, transport, and exposure pathways of urban soil Pb. We study Pb bioaccessibility in Roxbury and Dorchester, MA, urban gardens to assess exposure risk and identify remediation strategies, applicable locally and in urban gardens across the country. We work in partnership with The Food Project, which brings the goals and perspectives of local farmers to the center of the research process and enables efficient local application of results to reduce Pb exposure. We measure changes in Pb bioaccessibility as a function of growing material, grain size, and Pb source. In comparison to soils, compost has lower total Pb concentrations, has lower Pb solubility in gastric fluid, and limits fine particle resuspension. The mean bioaccessible Pb concentration of compost is 265 mg/kg, nearly an order of magnitude lower than that of soils, and compost contains 14% higher carbon content than soils, which may account for the observed 19% lower Pb bioaccessibility in compost. For all matrices (soil, raised bed fill, and compost) grain sizes <37 μm contain a disproportionate fraction of the total pool of bioaccessible Pb. Furthermore, the isotopic composition of Pb in the size fractions linked with resuspension and elevated blood lead levels is indicative of leaded gasoline and leaded paint even decades removed from the primary deposition of these sources.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel J. Brabander
- Environmental StudiesWellesley CollegeWellesleyMAUSA
- GeosciencesWellesley CollegeWellesleyMAUSA
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25
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Mielke HW, Gonzales CR, Powell ET, Mielke PW. Spatiotemporal exposome dynamics of soil lead and children's blood lead pre- and ten years post-Hurricane Katrina: Lead and other metals on public and private properties in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 155:208-218. [PMID: 28231548 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.01.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anthropogenic re-distribution of lead (Pb) principally through its use in gasoline additives and lead-based paints have transformed the urban exposome. This unique study tracks urban-scale soil Pb (SPb) and blood Pb (BPb) responses of children living in public and private communities in New Orleans before and ten years after Hurricane Katrina (29 August 2005). OBJECTIVES To compare and evaluate associations of pre- and ten years post-Katrina SPb and children's BPb on public and private residential census tracts in the core and outer areas of New Orleans, and to examine correlations between SPb and nine other soil metals. METHODS The Louisiana Healthy Housing and Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program BPb (µg/dL) data from pre- (2000-2005) and post-Katrina (2010-2015) for ≤6-year-old children. Data from public and adjacent private residential census tracts within core and outer areas are stratified from a database that includes 916 and 922 SPb and 13,379 and 4830 BPb results, respectively, from pre- and post-Katrina New Orleans. Statistical analyses utilize Multi-Response Permutation Procedure and Spearman's Rho Correlation. RESULTS Pre- to Post-Katrina median SPb decreases in public and private core census tracts were from 285 to 55mg/kg and 710-291mg/kg, respectively. In public and private outer census tracts the median SPb decreased from 109 to 56mg/kg and 88-55mg/kg. Children's BPb percent ≥5µg/dL on public and private core areas pre-Katrina was 63.2% and 67.5%, and declined post-Katrina to 7.6% and 20.2%, respectively. BPb decreases also occurred in outer areas. Soil Pb is strongly correlated with other metals. CONCLUSIONS Post-Katrina re-building of public housing plus landscaping amends the exposome and reduces children's BPb. Most importantly, Hurricane Katrina revealed that decreasing the toxicants in the soil exposome is an effective intervention for decreasing children's BPb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard W Mielke
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL 8683, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
| | - Christopher R Gonzales
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL 8683, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Eric T Powell
- Lead Lab, Inc., Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL 8683, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Paul W Mielke
- Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1877 USA
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26
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Aderholt M, Vogelien DL, Koether M, Greipsson S. Phytoextraction of contaminated urban soils by Panicum virgatum L. enhanced with application of a plant growth regulator (BAP) and citric acid. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 175:85-96. [PMID: 28211339 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) contamination in soil represents a threat to human health. Phytoextraction has gained attention as a potential alternative to traditional remediation methods because of lower cost and minimal soil disruption. The North American native switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) was targeted due to its ability to produce high biomass and grow across a variety of ecozones. In this study switchgrass was chemically enhanced with applications of the soil-fungicide benomyl, chelates (EDTA and citric acid), and PGR to optimize phytoextraction of Pb and zinc (Zn) from contaminated urban soils in Atlanta, GA. Exogenous application of two plant hormones was compared in multiple concentrations to determine effects on switchgrass growth: indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and Gibberellic Acid (GA3), and one PGR benzylaminopurine (BAP), The PGR BAP (1.0 μM) was found to generate a 48% increase in biomass compared to Control plants. Chemical application of citric acid, EDTA, benomyl, and BAP were tested separately and in combination in a pot experiment in an environmentally controlled greenhouse to determine the efficacy of phtyoextraction by switchgrass. Soil acidification by citric acid application resulted in highest level of aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) in plants foliage resulting in severe phytotoxic effects. Total Pb phytoextraction was significantly highest in plants treated with combined chemical application of B + C and B + C + H. Suppression of AMF activities by benomyl application significantly increased concentrations of Al and Fe in roots. Application of benomyl reduced AMF colonization but was also shown to dramatically increase levels of septa fungi infection as compared to Control plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Aderholt
- Georgia Highlands College, Cartersville Campus, 5441 Highway 20 NE, Cartersville, GA 30121, USA; Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Kennesaw State University, 370 Paulding Ave. NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA
| | - Dale L Vogelien
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, 370 Paulding Ave. NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA
| | - Marina Koether
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kennesaw State University, 370 Paulding Ave. NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA
| | - Sigurdur Greipsson
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Kennesaw State University, 370 Paulding Ave. NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA.
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27
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Soil Lead and Children's Blood Lead Disparities in Pre- and Post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans (USA). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14040407. [PMID: 28417939 PMCID: PMC5409608 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14040407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
This study appraises New Orleans soil lead and children’s lead exposure before and ten years after Hurricane Katrina flooded the city. Introduction: Early childhood exposure to lead is associated with lifelong and multiple health, learning, and behavioral disorders. Lead exposure is an important factor hindering the long-term resilience and sustainability of communities. Lead exposure disproportionately affects low socioeconomic status of communities. No safe lead exposure is known and the common intervention is not effective. An essential responsibility of health practitioners is to develop an effective primary intervention. Methods: Pre- and post-Hurricane soil lead and children’s blood lead data were matched by census tract communities. Soil lead and blood lead data were described, mapped, blood lead graphed as a function of soil lead, and Multi-Response Permutation Procedures statistics established disparities. Results: Simultaneous decreases occurred in soil lead accompanied by an especially large decline in children’s blood lead 10 years after Hurricane Katrina. Exposure disparities still exist between children living in the interior and outer areas of the city. Conclusions: At the scale of a city, this study demonstrates that decreasing soil lead effectively reduces children’s blood lead. Primary prevention of lead exposure can be accomplished by reducing soil lead in the urban environment.
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