Community health aspects of environmental contamination with lead and cadmium from a primary zinc smelter

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:6101183

Pees, N A

This study was designed to identify and evaluate the existing data on lead and cadmium concentrations within a community and then to formulate a risk characterization and assessment. Environmental lead data was evaluated utilizing a modification of an existing exposure assessment model for theoretical lead exposures. This model was extended to calculate a blood lead level in children which could result from exposure. An original model for cadmium was developed. Results of this study indicated that ambient air, school and household soils, housedust, vegetation, roof sweepings, animal tissues, and waste products from the smelter property contained elevated concentrations of both metals. Similarly, the biological sampling indicated that a large percentage, especially in children under the age of five, had blood and hair metal levels higher than normal. Soil concentrations of 500 ug Pb/g and 175 ug Cd/g were determined to contribute 50% of the acceptable daily intake of lead and cadmium. The extended blood lead calculation model was found to predict a population blood lead value approximately equivalent to the observed population blood lead. Fifty-five percent of the residents in the study area have the potential for exposure to either elevated lead or cadmium levels. For the highest risk group, children under age five, 75% have the potential for excessive lead and cadmium intake as a result of daily exposures to soils and housedust.

• Research Organization: Oklahoma Univ., Oklahoma City (USA). Health Sciences Center
• OSTI ID: 6101183
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CADMIUM
DUSTS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INHALATION
INTAKE
LEAD
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METALS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
POPULATIONS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SMELTERS
SOILS
URBAN POPULATIONS