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Published on: June 6, 2018
Portable lead analyzer to locate source of lead
A Kuruvilla1, V V Pillay, T Venkatesh
1Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India. ajeenellickal@hotmail.com
Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|July 1, 2004
Summary
A portable X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer helped identify environmental lead sources in children with high blood lead levels. Common sources included lead-based paint, batteries, and contaminated soil, aiding in exposure investigations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Elevated blood lead levels in children pose significant health risks.
- Identifying environmental lead sources is crucial for effective intervention.
- Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) offers a promising field-based analytical tool.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate environmental lead sources in children with elevated blood lead levels.
- To evaluate the utility of a Field Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer (pXRF) in identifying lead exposure sources.
- To determine common sources of lead exposure in a pediatric population in Mangalore and Karnataka, India.
Main Methods:
- A random sample of 107 school children from Mangalore and Karnataka were screened for blood lead levels.
- Children with blood lead levels exceeding 40 microg/dl (n=10) underwent further investigation using a pXRF.
- This study marked the first use of pXRF for lead source identification in India.
Main Results:
- The pXRF successfully identified likely sources of lead exposure in 8 out of 10 investigated children.
- Identified sources included lead-based paint on household surfaces and exterior equipment, lead storage batteries, and contaminated dust and soil.
- The findings highlight common environmental pathways for lead exposure in the studied pediatric population.
Conclusions:
- The Field Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer (pXRF) proved effective in pinpointing environmental lead sources.
- pXRF is a valuable tool for rapid, on-site assessment of lead exposure in children.
- Environmental investigations are essential for mitigating lead poisoning risks in vulnerable populations.
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