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Soil Lead (Pb) in New Orleans: A Spatiotemporal and Racial Analysis
Sara Perl Egendorf1, Howard W Mielke2, Jorge A Castorena-Gonzalez2
1Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Racial disparities in New Orleans show higher soil lead (Pb) and blood lead (Pb) levels in inner-city Black communities. These environmental injustices contribute to significant health risks, necessitating targeted remediation and further research into pandemic-related mortality.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Justice
- Public Health
Background:
- Spatialized racial injustices are a significant driver of health disparities, with lead (Pb) exposure posing a severe threat.
- Lead exposure is linked to cardiovascular, kidney, and immune system dysfunction, contributing to premature death globally.
- Environmental injustices disproportionately affect marginalized communities, exacerbating health inequalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze spatial-temporal inequities in soil lead (SPb) and children's blood lead (BPb) in New Orleans.
- To examine the relationship between SPb, BPb, race, and household income.
- To assess changes in BPb levels between 2000-2005 and 2011-2016 and discuss implications for public health.
Main Methods:
- Revised analysis of a systematically assembled New Orleans dataset (2000-2005 and 2011-2016).
- Spatial mapping and comparison of SPb, BPb, racial composition, and household income.
- Median comparisons between inner-city and outlying areas.
Main Results:
- Inner-city areas showed significantly higher SPb (7.5-9.3 times) and children's BPb (~2 times higher) compared to outlying areas.
- Lower household incomes were observed in areas with higher lead contamination.
- A decline in children's BPb was observed between the two study periods (2000-2005 and 2011-2016).
Conclusions:
- Long-standing environmental and socioeconomic lead exposure injustices place Black populations at extreme risk.
- Overlapping health outcomes of lead exposure with conditions like COVID-19 warrant further investigation into pandemic-related mortality.
- Mapping and remediation of environmental lead are crucial for preventing future lead-related health issues.
