Source and pathways of lead in humans from the Broken Hill mining community -- an alternative use of exploration methods
- CSIRO, North Ryde, New South Wales (Australia)
To assist in recommendations for the most suitable lead abatement policies in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, knowledge of the sources and pathways of the lead into humans is critical. The authors have approached these problems using the lead isotope fingerprinting method, combined with mineral speciation and bioavailability'' tests, approaches which have in the past been largely applied to mineral exploration. High precision lead isotope ratio measurements and lead contents were determined by thermal ionization mass spectrometry on biological samples (blood, urine) and environmental samples. Environmental samples analyzed included soils, gutter sweepings, ceiling dust, vacuum cleaner dust, long-term dust, surface dust wipes, external and internal air, food, water, and gasoline. Sources of lead have been identified in the blood of children, using lead isotopes, with dominant contributions from the Broken Hill orebody, but with individual cases having a dominant source of lead from gasoline or paint. Nevertheless, of 28 children with a blood lead level (Pb[sub B]) > 15 [mu]g/dl, [approximately] 30 percent have more than 50 percent of their Pb[sub B] from sources other than orebody lead. Female adults generally have a low Pb[sub B], < 10 [mu]g/dl, and the source of their lead is attributed to air, food, and water. The source of lead in male adults can usually be correlated with their occupation, depending on whether it is related to high risk activities, such as mining or service stations, or nonexposed''. Knowledge of the occupation and lead isotope composition in the father's blood is an important indicator of lead pathways. Other potential sources of lead; such as food and water, have lead contents too low to be significant contributors to lead levels in most children.
- OSTI ID:
- 6963515
- Journal Information:
- Economic Geology (plus the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists); (United States), Vol. 89:4; ISSN 0361-0128
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AUSTRALIA
POLLUTION
DUSTS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
LEAD
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
POLLUTION SOURCES
SOILS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
AUSTRALASIA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
METALS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
540220 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540120 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)