Abstract
Background: Residents near metal mine tailings sites may have higher exposures to certain metals. Aims: This study investigates whether there is a relationship between living near a former mine and smelter site in Arizona and exposure to metals, particularly arsenic (As) and lead (Pb), via soil, dust, and water. Methods: Metals were measured in residential soil, dust, water, urine and toenail samples from 31 children in 18 households up to 5 miles from a former mine and smelter site. Soil from the house perimeter and dust from vacuum bags were collected, sieved to <63 ?m before nitric acid digestion and analysis via ICP-MS. Water and urine were analyzed without digestion, while toenails were washed, digested and analyzed. Blood lead was tested by an independent, certified laboratory. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated between each environmental media and urine and toenails. Results: Geometric mean (GSD) As concentrations in soil and dust (<63 ?m) were 29.4 (2.49) ppm and 11.0 (5.5) ppm. Concentrations in water were 8.04 (7.52) ppb. Geometric mean total urinary As was 12.7 (2.15) ?g/g creatinine. Soil and dust values for Pb were 20.3 (2.07) ppm and 15.9 (5.71) ppm. The majority of water Pb concentrations and blood Pb were below the limit of quantification. Toenail As was 0.745 (3.42) ?g/g and Pb was 1.27 (3.89) ?g/g. Correlation coefficients for As were: water-urine 0.44, soil-urine 0.11, dust-urine 0.58, urine-toenails 0.003, water-toenail 0.34, dust-toenail 0.021, soil-toenail 0.044. Conclusions: Total urinary As was above the NHANES 2009 geometric mean for ages 6-11 years with about 16% of the children above the 90th percentile, indicating a possible local source of exposure. Urine appears to have a better correlation with environmental samples than toenails. Children do not appear to be highly exposed to lead from the tailing/smelter site. Further work will examine the spatial gradient between the site and environmental and biomarker levels, as well as other potential predictors of biomarker levels.
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