Abstract
Chronic exposure to lead remains a health concern in many urban areas; Sacramento, California is one example, with state surveillance data showing nearly 3% of screened children reported with blood lead levels over 4.5 μg/dL in 2009. To investigate the environmental exposure, 91 soil samples were collected and analyzed by ICP-AES and ICP-MS for 14 elements. An additional 28 samples were collected from areas of focus and analyzed by hand-held X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for Pb and Zn. Analysis of the metals data revealed non-normal distributions and positive skewness, consistent with anthropogenic input. In addition, high correlation coefficients (≥0.75) of metal concentrations in Cd-Pb, Cd-Zn, Pb-Zn, and Sb-Sn pairs suggest similarities in the input mechanisms. Semivariograms generated from Pb and associated metals reveal these metals to exhibit spatial correlation. A prediction map of lead concentrations in soil was generated by ordinary kriging, showing elevated concentrations in soil located in the central, older area of Sacramento where historic traffic density and industrial activity have been historically concentrated. XRF analysis of Pb and Zn from additional samples verifies elevated concentrations in the central areas of Sacramento as predicted.
Highlights
Anthropogenic contamination of soils from lead and other metals is a common problem in urban areas worldwide
Lead concentrations measured by hand-held XRF range from 0 to 750 mg/kg, averaging
Comparison of lead and zinc concentrations for 10 samples by both ICP-AES and XRF methods agreed with respective R-squared values of 0.95 and 0.93, with slightly higher lead concentrations detected by XRF
Summary
Anthropogenic contamination of soils from lead and other metals is a common problem in urban areas worldwide. Lead-contaminated urban soils are known to cause elevated blood-lead levels in children due to exposure both inside and outside of residences [1,2,3,4,5]. Lead-contaminated house dust, a major source of lead exposure for children [1,3], often originates from re-suspension of dust as well as outside dust tracked in from lead-contaminated soil [2]. The spatial link between diffuse soil Pb content and the blood lead levels of resident children is well known from several major cities in the U.S and elsewhere [9], and recent work has shown the importance of the seasonal resuspension of soil Pb in controlling exposure and blood lead levels among children [10]
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