USING SPATIAL ANALYST TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTS OF BUILDING DEMOLITION ON ELEVATED BLOOD LEAD LEVELS IN CHILDREN LESS THAN 72 MONTHS OF AGE IN ST. LOUIS CITY: A PRELIMINARY LOOK

Abstract

ISEE-511 Abstract: Childhood lead poisoning is a major environmental health problem in Missouri that causes adverse effects on the cognitive development, behavior, and growth in children. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) began collecting information on blood lead testing in 1993. The increased quantity and quality of blood lead testing data collected since that date has enabled DHSS staff to determine high-risk areas in the state. One of those areas, St. Louis City, contains just 6% of the state’s child population less than 72 months of age, but reported 49% of the elevated cases in 2002. One suggested cause is airborne lead particles from building demolition. From 2000-2002, St. Louis City issued permits for the demolition of over 3000 buildings. This preliminary study utilized elevated blood lead testing data for children under 72 months of age and the total number of demolitions completed within the city from 2001-2002 to determine if demolitions had an impact on elevating blood lead levels. The locations of both elevated children and demolitions were geocoded and then processed through ESRI’s GIS software Spatial Analyst to create spatial density layers. Spatial Analyst’s map calculator was then used to combine the layers to determine spatial associations between those demolitions and elevated cases that fell three or more standard deviations above the mean. The final results identified several significant areas in the city that warrant more intensive investigation. Lessons learned from this initial effort demonstrate how Spatial Analyst can be a valuable tool for lead surveillance efforts.