Pb For Children Research Articles

Risk Assessment for Oral Bioaccessibility of Lead and Cadmium in the Potato Growing in Smelter-Impacted Soil.

Smelting activities are an important source of heavy metals in soil. More seriously, oral ingestion of crops growing in contaminated soil potentially cause harmful effects on human health. The main purpose of this study is to apply the in vitro model (PBET) and Monte Carlo Simulation (MSC) to the health risk assessment process in order to more accurately and realistically evaluate health risks of residents eating contaminated potato. Results indicated in the raw and cooked potato, the bioaccessibility of Pb was 65.9% and 74.5%, and that of Cd was 79.6% and 61.7%, respectively. Additionally, the bioaccessible hazard quotient (BHQ) was less than the permitted level except for the BHQ of Pb for children. This indicated there wasn't potential non-carcinogenic risk for most potato-consumers but the dietary exposure risk for local children cannot be neglected. Sensitivity analysis showed that the bioaccessibility and ingestion rate appeared decisive with respect to potentially deleterious health effects.

Assessment of Elemental Components in Atmospheric Particulate Matter from a Typical Mining City, Central China: Size Distribution, Source Characterization and Health Risk.

Atmospheric particulate matters in nine size fractions were sampled at Huangshi city, Hubei province. Elemental concentrations occurred unimodal size distribution for Zn, Pb and Ni, dimodal distribution for Ca, S, Fe and Ti, and trimodal distribution for Cl, K, Mn, Cu and Cr. Enrichment factor and principal component analysis identified the main sources from crustal material, biomass burning, waste incineration, vehicular and industrial emission. As for the non-carcinogenic health risk through inhalation, there were certain potential risks for Mn and Sb for children, and Pb for children and adults in PM2.5. It showed certain potential risks for Mn, Sb and Pb for children and adults in PM10. As for the carcinogenic health risk through inhalation, Cr in PM2.5 and Ni, Co and Cr in PM10 indicated unacceptable risk for children and adults. Meanwhile, Co and Ni in PM2.5 represented acceptable risk for children.

Hazard, ecological, and human health risk assessment of heavy metals in street dust in Dezful, Iran

This study aimed to investigate the potentially toxic metal (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni, V, As, and Co) hazard in street dust from Dezful, Iran. For this purpose, we collected 30 samples of street dust from the main pedestrian sidewalks of Dezful. Subsequent heavy metal concentration data for these samples was evaluated using human health risk and potential ecological risk index (RI) assessments. The average toxic metal concentrations for Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni, V, As, and Co were 54, 224, 51, 44, 0.4, 46, 38, 3, and 8 mg/kg, respectively. Except for As, V, and Co, the mean concentration value of all heavy metals was several times higher than that of baseline concentrations. Calculations for potential ecological risk (PER) suggested a low street dust ecological risk from Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, and V, while Cd presented a moderate ecological risk level. The highest hazard quotient (HQ) in children and adults was related to Pb by ingestion, while the lowest value was for Cd via inhalation. For all heavy metals, the hazard index (HI) was higher for children than for adults, which confirmed that the risk of exposure to these potentially harmful heavy metals is higher for children. The cancer risk (CR) values for Ni, As, Cd, and Pb for children and adults were lower than the threshold, 10−6, suggesting that the cancer risk for the majority of heavy metals measured was negligible, but more significant than the threshold for Cr, indicating that the presence of Cr in street dust requires urgent attention.

ANÁLISE CRÍTICA DA CAPACIDADE PREDITIVA DE DOIS MODELOS DE AVALIAÇÃO DO RISCO À SAÚDE HUMANA PELA EXPOSIÇÃO AO CHUMBO EM CRIANÇAS DE 0 A 7 ANOS DE IDADE

Analisou-se a capacidade preditiva de dois modelos de avaliação do risco pela exposição ao chumbo (Pb) em crianças de 0 a 7 anos residentes em uma área comprovadamente contaminada por metais. Os modelos utilizados foram o Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) e o modelo Public Health Assessment Process. Dois cenários de exposição foram simulados, o primeiro considerado padrão e o segundo individualizado. Foram utilizados antecedentes de uma base de dados gerada mediante estudos anteriores realizados na área contendo valores individuais de concentração de Pb no solo superficial, poeira domiciliar e alimentos vegetais cultivados em quintais e consumidos pela população local. Para verificar as estimativas de ambos os modelos, valores de Pb no sangue (Pb-S) obtidos de forma experimental em crianças residentes na área de estudo foram utilizados. Ambos os modelos, após calibração, se aproximaram ao valor médio de Pb-S obtido experimentalmente (4,25 μg.dL-1 ATSDR; 4,17 μg.dL-1 IEUBK e 4,56 μg.dL-1 experimental). Não foram detectadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas, entre os modelos (p=0,393), quando avaliados os valores médios estimados de Pb-S no cenário sem consumo vegetais. Foi possível observar uma associação linear moderada entre os valores individuais de Pb-S previstos pelo modelo da ATSDR e os calculados pelo modelo IEUBK (r=0,60). Ambos os modelos se apresentaram adequados, quando ajustados, para avaliar o risco pela exposição ao Pb em crianças, contudo, o modelo IEUBK apresentou uma maior praticidade relacionada à economia de recursos e tempo para predizer o risco pela exposição ao Pb.

Exposure to Heavy Metals in Soot Samples and Cancer Risk Assessment in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background.Port Harcourt is an oil-rich city in Nigeria's Niger delta region. For over two years, Port Harcourt experienced black soot deposition in the environment. In November 2016, residents woke up to black soot covering cars, clothes, houses, plants, etc. Soot concentrations continued to increase until the first quarter of 2017. After public outcry, the frequency and concentration of soot deposition began to decline.Objective.The present study was carried out to determine the presence and levels of heavy metals in soot along with a cancer risk assessment of heavy metals exposure in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.Method.Three residential locations were sampled: Aba road, Woji and Iwofe. Sampling was performed from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, to simulate the estimated duration that most residents who do not work in offices are exposed to soot in places such as the open market and business areas. Five heavy metals (iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb)) were investigated. The data obtained were subjected to Pearson correlation and one-way analysis of variance using SPSS software to test the correlation and significant differences between metals concentrations.Results.Lead was found to have a significant correlation with Cd (0.808), indicating that both metals originated from the same source. Concentrations of heavy metals were higher than control values and the World Health Organization's specifications for ambient air. Chromium concentrations were the lowest. The order of concentration of heavy metals was Fe > Pb > Cd > Ni > Cr.Conclusions.Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks of these heavy metals were evaluated using the target hazard quotient (THQ) and the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR). Obtained ILCR values were within the acceptable limits for cancer risks. However, the total ILCR values for Cd and Pb for children were 3 times higher than those for adults. This is a source of concern as their prevalence in ambient air puts children and residents in Port Harcourt metropolis at risk of various types of cancers.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Effect of recultivated wastes of mining factories on children residing in the district of their location

Wastes and tailing ponds of Tyrnyauz tungsten and molybdenum factory are the main sources of heavy metal incoming into environment in Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. The factory was closed more than 10 years ago and the recultivation of it’s tailing ponds, where accumulated hundreds of millions tones of wastes, was completed. The aim of this investigation was an assessment of their possible influence on children residing in the vicinity of these tailing ponds (village Bylym). Village Verhny Baksan located about 30 km upstream of the valley of the Baksan River was chosen as reference (pure) locality. As a results of the performed investigations we revealed that in drinking water of Bylym and Verhny Baksan concentrations of molybdenum were 2.10±0.42 pg/l and 0.31±0.15 pg/l correspondingly, which is remarkably lower than maximum permitted concentrations. The concentrations of Mo, Cu and Pb in children’s hair in both villages were practically the same, which indicates to the absence of their accumulation in human organism. But the quantity of cells with cytogenetic disorders in buccal epithelial cells in children from Bylym was 4.1 times higher in comparison with the corresponding index of uncontaminated area. The obtained data demonstrate that genotoxic effect of remedied tailing ponds retains.

Characteristics of Heavy Metal Pollutants of PM2.5 from Open Burning of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and the Associated Exposure Health Risks

The characteristics and health risk assessment for heavy metal pollutants in PM2.5 discharged from the open burning of municipal solid waste (MSW) in different functional areas were studied using a flue gas diluted sampling system. The two common open burning modes of barrel and natural pile-up burning were considered. The results show that the concentration of zinc (Zn) was the highest among the heavy metals produced by five different components of waste incineration, ranging from 1324.03 to 3703.12 mg·kg-1. The concentration of cadmium (Cd) was the lowest, ranging from 20.25 to 63.68 mg·kg-1. According to the geo-accumulation index, lead (Pb), Zn, arsenic (As), and Cd were highly polluted in the measured MSW samples, and all four of these metals reached moderate or higher levels of pollution under natural pile-up burning methods. The geo-accumulation index of Cd was much higher than 5. The results of the human health risk assessment showed that non-carcinogenic risk values for 8 heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, As, Cd, Cr, and Ni) by respiratory exposure were less than 1, which is within the safe range. For natural pile-up burning, the total non-carcinogenic risk values for As and Pb for children were higher than 1, indicating a non-carcinogenic risk. The carcinogenic risk values for four carcinogenic elements (As, Cd, Cr, and Ni) were less than 1.0×10-4, but still represented a low potential carcinogenic risk under exposure for long periods of time.

Penerapan Sanksi dalam Meminimalisir Kejahatan Anak Ditinjau dari Undang-undang Nomor 11 Tahun 2012 Tentang Sistem Peradilan Pidana Anak

The implementation of legislation either nationally or internationally linked to the implementation of restorative justice as one of the alterntif in the process of implementation of conviction against children in conflict with the law had been applied, but the case has not yet been thoroughly and still limited at the law enforcement officers and observers who are committed and integrity as well as having the attention to this problems. The implementation of restorative justice which is applied at each level of the process of criminal justice in the form of taking back the children to their parents, versioned by handing the children to Panti Sosial Marsudi Putra (PSMP), and the implementation of social integration through giving CB, CMB, and PB for children who are already serving imprisonment. Some obstacle factors the implementation of restorative justice as one of the alternatives in the implementation of conviction against children in conflict with the law, including physical building facilities and non-physical facilities and legal substance. It is because restorative justice has not been expressly regulated, even though in the law nomer 11, 2012 concerning about the Child Criminal System has been regulated but until now it has not been declared valid. The other factors are legal structure and legal culture.

Sources and Health Risks of Heavy Metals in PM2.5 in a Campus in a Typical Suburb Area of Taiyuan, North China

To evaluate air pollution and the public health burden of heavy metals in PM2.5 in a campus with a population of approximately 40,000 in a typical suburb area of Taiyuan, North China, PM2.5 measurements were conducted during the spring and winter of 2016. The average concentrations of PM2.5 in spring and winter were 97.3 ± 35.2 µg m−3 and 205.9 ± 91.3 µg m−3, respectively. The order of concentration of heavy metals in PM2.5 was as follows: Zn > Pb > Mn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Cd > As, in both spring and winter. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in winter and the concentrations of Cr in both spring and winter in this study were significantly higher than the corresponding air quality standard values. Road/soil dust, industrial emissions/coal combustion, and vehicle emissions/oil combustion and coal combustion/industrial emissions, road/soil dust, and vehicle emissions/oil combustion were identified by principal component analysis to be the major sources of heavy metals for spring and winter, respectively. The carcinogenic risks posed by Cr via the three exposure pathways (except for inhalation exposure to children) and by Pb via ingestion exposure exceeded the acceptable level for both children and adults. The non-carcinogenic risks posed by Mn via inhalation for both children and adults, and by Cr and Pb for children via ingestion exceeded the acceptable level.

Trace elements in PM2.5 in Shandong Province: Source identification and health risk assessment

The chemical compositions in PM2.5 in metropolitan areas have obtained lots of attentions, of which concerns of airborne trace elements are relatively lacking. Here, PM2.5 samples were collected simultaneously in one year at four urban sites (Zibo (ZB), Zaozhuang (ZZ), Qingdao (QD) and Jinan (JN (Shandong University)), and a rural site (JN (Miaopu)) in Shandong province. 25 elements (Al, Na, Cl, Mg, Si, S, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Sr, Cd, Ba and Pb) in PM2.5 were measured by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (WDXRF). Most trace elements (Al, Na, Cl, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, As, Se, Br, Cd, Ba and Pb) exhibited the highest levels at ZB and the lowest at QD. Meanwhile, they presented obvious seasonal variations with the highest concentrations in winter or spring and the lowest in summer. S and K were the most abundant elements in the area. In the non-crustal trace metal elements, Zn, Pb and Mn presented the highest concentrations. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) modeling revealed that secondary formation, coal combustion and industry emissions were the main sources in the region. The health risk assessments suggested that at the five sites Cd (diet) for adults, Pb and Co for children, and Mn (diet) for both adults and children (at ZB and SDU sites) had non-carcinogenic risks. As and Pb for adults and children existed carcinogenic risks, especially Pb for children. The sources of these elements with health risks were further explored. Notably, Cd, As and Pb should be paid special attention in the area due to their high concentrations in aerosol water exceeding the acceptable health risks, especially Pb.

Risk assessment of heavy metals pollution at Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

The aim of this study is to measure the levels of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Pb) in common plantain (P. major L.) grown in meadowland sites in Zagazig University, Zagazig City, Sharkia governorate, Egypt, among seasons of year which this plant used as bioindicators and biomonitoring. The concentration of heavy metals in soil, roots, leaves and fruits of P. major was measured. The daily metal intake and the target hazard quotients for normal daily consumption of P. major were evaluated. The soils in the Zagazig University area are primarily contaminated by Fe, followed by Zn, Mn, Cu and Pb. Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations in most samples of P. major are above the permissible limit. The values of target hazard quotient for all examined samples of P. major (leaves, roots and fruits) were less than 1, with the exception of Mn (2.56) and Fe (1.45) in P. major leaves for adult human, Mn (3.08), Fe (1.75) and Pb (1.18) for children, which indicates the presence of potential health risk posed by Mn and Fe derived from consumption of contaminated P. major leaves for adult human and Mn, Fe and Pb for children. These results demonstrate that P. major can be used as a bioindicator and a biomonitor for ecotoxicological risk assessment of heavy metals in urban areas. Also, it can be taken as a guide of contamination with heavy metals in other vegetables and grains in urban areas. Risk assessment of heavy metals pollution at Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

Long-term outcomes of Kawashima operation for patients with functional single ventricle and interrupted IVC

Lead (Pb) poisoning in children is a major public health catastrophe worldwide. This report summarises both exposure pathways and blood Pb levels in children below 7 years of age and adults (above 18 years) from the Adudu community living near a lead–zinc mine in Nasawara, Nigeria. The average and median blood Pb levels in children and adults were 2.1 and 1.3 μg/dL, 3.1 and 1.8 μg/dL, respectively. However, Pb in 14% of adults' blood exceeded 5 μg/dL, which is the recommended threshold blood Pb concentration in adults as established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore 68% of adults' blood exceeded blood Pb action level of 2 μg/dL. For children, 11.4% and 31% of the blood samples exceeded 5 μg/dL and 2 μg/dL, respectively, while no safe blood Pb level in children has been recommended. In Nasawara, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between the various age groups in children with 2–4 years old having the highest levels and 6 year old children having the lowest Pb levels. Although this study did not detect elevated levels of Pb in children's blood in regions such as Zamfara, Nigeria and Kabwe, Zambia, a high percentage of samples exceeded 2 μg/dL. Soils, floor dusts, water and crops also reveal that Pb contamination in the study area could potentially be the major cause of blood Pb in the community exposed to mining. This study also observed a significant correlation between water Pb levels of adults and blood Pb levels, suggesting that water is the major exposure pathway. This analysis highlights the need to properly manage mining activities so that the health of communities living in the vicinity of a Pb–Zn mine is not compromised.

Environmental and socioeconomic factors contributing to elevated blood lead levels in children from an industrial area of Upper Silesia.

The present study concentrated on a cross-sectional analysis of recent exposure to lead (Pb) and the socioeconomic factors behind increased Pb exposure in Polish children. Lead is one of the most widespread toxic heavy metals in the industrial region of Upper Silesia (Poland). Elevated blood Pb levels in children continue to be a matter of serious concern. The present study involved 4882 children from the Upper Silesia region, aged from 3 yr to 18 yr, over the calendar years 1999 to 2013. The concentration of Pb in blood was determined in each child. The children's parents were asked to answer survey questions about the child's environmental exposure to Pb as well as the socioeconomic condition of the family. Factors that correspond with increased exposure to Pb included: lower level of education of parents, unemployment, parents' occupational Pb exposure, poor socioeconomic status of the family, smoking at home, living on the ground floor of buildings, consumption of locally grown vegetables and fruits, longer outdoor playing periods in a polluted environment, and male gender. Environmental exposure to Pb is the most important factor behind chronic poisoning of children in Upper Silesia. The most important socioeconomic factor associated with concentrations of Pb in children's blood is a lower level of education of a child's mother and father. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2597-2603. © 2016 SETAC.

Use of serial rigid bronchoscopy in the treatment of plastic bronchitis in children

AimPlastic bronchitis (PB) is a rare disorder characterized by formation of bronchial casts (BC) in the tracheobronchial tree with partial or complete airway obstruction. Although lysis of casts with several fibrinolytic agents has been reported, removal of BC with bronchoscope provides better clearance of airways. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the use of serial rigid bronchoscopy (RB) in the treatment of PB in children. Patients and methodsBetween 2011 and 2015, children with partial or complete airway obstruction with PB were evaluated for age, gender, underlying disease, clinical findings, results of bronchoscopic interventions and histopathologic findings. ResultsFive patients with 14 RB interventions were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 7.8years (min: 3years — max: 14years) and male–female ratio was 4:1. All of the patients were diagnosed as asthma and none of them had underlying cardiac disease. Suction of mucus plaques and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed in all patients with flexible bronchoscopy. Also, aerosolized tissue plasminogen activator was used in two patients. During follow-up serial RB was indicated in patients with persistent atelectasis and severe airway obstruction. The most common localization of BC was left main stem bronchus and bilateral cast formation was detected in 7 interventions. Although, removal of BC was challenging in two patients because of cast friability and fragmentation, most of the plugs were successfully removed with optical forceps and rigid suctioning. Two patients underwent repeated RB (min: 3 — max: 8) for recurrent symptoms. Histopathologic evaluation of BC revealed Charcot–Leyden crystals with inflammatory cells in all patients. The time interval between RB interventions was one to five months. ConclusionBC are tenacious mucus plugs which are firmly wedged to the tracheobronchial tree. The use of optical forceps with rigid suction provides adequate removal of BC during RB. Because of underlying disease, it is difficult to cure cast formation. Therefore, most of the patients require serial RB when they become unresponsive to standard therapy or develop partial or complete airway obstruction.

XRF-measured bone lead (Pb) as a biomarker for Pb exposure and toxicity among children diagnosed with Pb poisoning

Childhood lead (Pb) poisoning remains a global issue, especially in industrial areas. In this study, 115 children with average age 5.7 years were recruited as either patient diagnosed with Pb poisoning or controls at Xinhua Hospital in China. The subjects’ bone Pb was measured with a K-shell X-ray fluorescence (KXRF) and a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) system. A significant correlation between KXRF bone Pb and blood Pb and portable XRF and KXRF measurements were observed. The half-life of blood-lead was calculated to be 9.96 ± 3.92 d. Our results indicate that bone is a useful biomarker for Pb in children.

Lead concentration in the blood of the general population living near a lead–zinc mine site, Nigeria: Exposure pathways

Lead (Pb) poisoning in children is a major public health catastrophe worldwide. This report summarises both exposure pathways and blood Pb levels in children below 7years of age and adults (above 18years) from the Adudu community living near a lead–zinc mine in Nasawara, Nigeria. The average and median blood Pb levels in children and adults were 2.1 and 1.3μg/dL, 3.1 and 1.8μg/dL, respectively. However, Pb in 14% of adults' blood exceeded 5μg/dL, which is the recommended threshold blood Pb concentration in adults as established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore 68% of adults' blood exceeded blood Pb action level of 2μg/dL. For children, 11.4% and 31% of the blood samples exceeded 5μg/dL and 2μg/dL, respectively, while no safe blood Pb level in children has been recommended. In Nasawara, a significant difference (p<0.05) was observed between the various age groups in children with 2–4years old having the highest levels and 6year old children having the lowest Pb levels. Although this study did not detect elevated levels of Pb in children's blood in regions such as Zamfara, Nigeria and Kabwe, Zambia, a high percentage of samples exceeded 2μg/dL. Soils, floor dusts, water and crops also reveal that Pb contamination in the study area could potentially be the major cause of blood Pb in the community exposed to mining. This study also observed a significant correlation between water Pb levels of adults and blood Pb levels, suggesting that water is the major exposure pathway. This analysis highlights the need to properly manage mining activities so that the health of communities living in the vicinity of a Pb–Zn mine is not compromised.

Alluvial and riparian soils as major sources of lead exposure in young children in the Philippines: the role of floods.

The objective of this paper was to determine the prevalence and sources of high lead (Pb) exposure among children in Bulacan, Philippines. A total of 150 children (6-7 years old) and their caregivers were studied. Lead was analyzed in children hair and deciduous teeth. Sources of lead exposure were determined by caregiver interview and Pb analysis of house soil, drinking faucet water, air, and water from seven Bulacan rivers. Lead was positive in 91.3% of children's hair (MC or median concentration = 8.9 μg/g; range = 0-38.29), in 46.2% of the teeth (MC = 0.000 μg/mg in positive samples; range = 0.00-0.020), in 100% of soil (MC = 27.06 mg/kg; range = 3.05-1155.80), in 21.1% of air (MC = 0 μg/Ncm; range = 0-0.10), in 4% of house, faucet water (MC = 0.0 ppm; range = 0-40). There was a significant correlation (Spearman's rho) between Pb in children's hair and soil (r = 0.195; p = 0.017) and between Pb in house water and outdoor air (r = 0.616; p = 0.005). There is no significant correlation between Pb in children's hair and teeth. None of the potential sources of Pb from interview were related to lead exposure in the children. Water from seven Bulacan rivers was 100% positive for lead (MC = 70.00 ppb; range = 30-90). Widespread flooding with river overflow occurred in Bulacan in 2009 which likely caused lead contamination of the soil. There was no significant difference in the lead concentration of the soil whether near or far from the river (p = 0.205, Mann-Whitney U test). High lead exposure in children in Bulacan is likely from soil contaminated by lead-polluted rivers during flooding. In areas where flooding is common, alluvial and riparian soils from polluted rivers are important sources of lead exposure in children.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in rice to the population in Zhejiang, China.

Environmental pollution with toxic heavy metals can lead to the possible contamination of the rice. Selected metals (As, Cd, Hg and Pb) and their accumulation in rice collected from Zhejiang, China were analyzed to evaluate the potential health risk to the local adults and children. The mean levels found in rice were as follows: As, 0.080 mg/kg; Cd, 0.037 mg/kg; Hg, 0.005 mg/kg; Pb, 0.060 mg/kg. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) were calculated in combination of the rice consumption data. The mean intakes of As, Cd, Hg and Pb through rice were estimated to be 0.49, 0.23, 0.03 and 0.37 µg/kg bw/day for adults, and 0.34, 0.29, 0.04 and 0.47 µg/kg bw/day for children. The 97.5th percentile (P97.5) daily intakes of As, Cd, Hg and Pb were 1.02, 0.64, 0.37 and 1.26 µg/kg bw/day for adults, and 0.63, 0.83, 0.47 and 1.63 µg/kg bw/day for children. The risk assessment in mean levels showed that health risk associated with these elements through consumption of rice was absent. However, estimates in P97.5 level of Cd and Pb for children, and Hg for adults have exceeded the respective safe limits.

Risk analysis of a residential area close to the tailing dams of an ex‐foundry

Several old mining sites in Latin America are unexpectedly turning into residential areas, posing a high health risk for its residents. Hence, we address the case of an old mineral processing plant and foundry, located in Chihuahua, Mexico. This study comprised site sampling, determination of Pb contents in the soil, and a risk analysis of the exposed child population via the Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic Model (IEUBK, USEPA model). Three exposure scenarios were derived from the Pb concentrations found in soil and were classified as: maximum (A), average (B), and minimum (C). The IEUBK considered two amounts of soil intake: (350 mg/day) for areas without paved streets and (200 mg/day) for paved streets. Results show that 62% of the samples exceed the maximum permissible level recommended for lixiviates, which indicates the solubility and possible dispersion of metal contents. 90% of the samples exceed the permissible contents of Pb for residential use and 85% are above guidelines for industrial use. Results from the IEUBK model, considering unpaved streets, show that the average concentration of Pb in blood in scenarios A, B, and C were 79.94, 16.58, and 9.25 μg/dL, respectively. For communities with paved streets and under the same conditions, the amounts of Pb in blood decreased to 57.75, 11.57, and 4.18 μg/dL respectively. In both cases, the maximum permissible concentration of Pb in children's blood is exceeded. It is imperative to take the appropriate remediation measures in this site to reduce the Pb contents in the soil and to minimize the public health risk. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 1150–1154, 2013

Prenatal and Postnatal Lead Exposure and Intelligence Quotient in Children at 2, 5, and 8 Years Old in Taiwan

PP-31-100 Background/Aims: Recent studies have focused on the importance of low-level lead (Pb) exposure to children's intelligence quotient (IQ). An act of phase-out leaded gasoline in Taiwan was executed on 2000 to reduce the sources of Pb. We aim to evaluate the influence of using unlead gasoline on children's IQ by longitudinal study. Methods: A total of 417 pregnant women were initially recruited at the third-trimester at Taichung, Taiwan during 2000–2001. In all, 119, 76, and 66 children were followed up at their age of 2, 5, and 8 years old, respectively. Pregnant women answered a detailed questionnaire in the obstetric clinic. We collected blood samples from pregnant women and children at 2 years old, and these samples were analyzed for whole blood Pb (B-Pb) levels in a certification analytical laboratory in medical center. We also assessed the children's IQ at their age of 2, 5, and 8 years using Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II, Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised, and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-version III, respectively. Results: We found that Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III (8 years) was significantly negative correlated with children B-Pb at 2 years (β: −0.229, P = 0.048) after adjustment for maternal age, education, and gender. We also observed a significant negative correlation between children B-Pb at 2 years and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (5 years) (β: −0.229, P = 0.044) after adjustment for maternal education. Significant correlation was found between Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II and maternal B-Pb at 2 years (β: −0.206, P = 0.039). Maternal education in our model was a protective factor for children's IQ before 9 years old. Conclusion: We concluded that blood Pb in children at 2 years can be a good predictor for children's neurodevelopment before 9 years old. More reduction action of Pb in the environment should be taken in Taiwan to reduce the body burden of Pb in children.