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The Use of Pb Isotope Ratios to Determine Environmental Sources of High Blood Pb Concentrations in Children: A
Adam Laycock1, Simon Chenery2, Elizabeth Marchant1
1UK Health Security Agency, Chemical, Radiation and Environmental Hazards Directorate, Harwell Campus, Chilton OX11 0RQ, UK.
Insights
Lead poisoning in Georgia is a major concern. This study found spices and dust as likely sources of lead exposure in children, using isotope analysis to pinpoint origins and rule out others.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Lead (Pb) poisoning is a significant health issue for children in Georgia.
- A national survey revealed 41% of children aged 2-7 years have blood lead concentrations (BLCs) exceeding the reference value of ≥5 µg dL-1.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the sources of lead exposure in children with elevated BLCs in Georgia.
- To compare lead concentrations and isotope compositions of various environmental samples with blood samples.
Main Methods:
- Collected blood, spice, paint, soil, dust, flour, tea, toys, milk, and water samples from 36 households with children having BLCs > BLRV.
- Analyzed Pb concentrations and Pb isotope compositions for environmental and blood samples.
- Compared isotope signatures to pinpoint lead exposure sources.
Main Results:
- Spice and dust samples were identified as likely sources of lead in children's blood.
- Distinct isotope compositions allowed discounting of some soil, paint, and dust sources, despite high lead concentrations.
- Lead isotope ratio analysis proved effective in identifying specific exposure pathways.
Conclusions:
- Lead surveillance combined with isotope ratio analysis is crucial for managing lead exposure in high-risk populations.
- This methodology can accurately identify specific sources of lead poisoning, enabling targeted interventions.
- Environmental factors, specifically spices and dust, play a significant role in childhood lead exposure in the studied region.
Abstract:
The incidence of lead (Pb) poisoning in children in Georgia has been identified as a major health concern, with a recent national survey identifying that 41% of children aged 2-7 years had blood lead concentrations (BLCs) greater than the blood lead reference value (BLRV) of ≥5 µg dL-1. This study collected samples of blood, spices, paint, soil, dust, flour, tea, toys, milk, and water from 36 households in Georgia where a child had previously been identified as having a BLC > BLRV. The Pb concentrations of these samples were determined and compared to Georgian reference values. Samples from 3 households were analysed for their Pb isotope composition. The Pb isotope composition of the environmental and blood samples were compared to identify the most likely source(s) of Pb exposure. This approach identified that some spice and dust samples were the likely sources of Pb in the blood in these cases. Importantly, some soil, paint, and dust sources with high Pb concentrations could be discounted as contributing to blood Pb based on their distinct isotope composition. The data presented demonstrate the significant contribution that Pb surveillance and Pb isotope ratio analyses can make to managing Pb exposure in regions where high BLCs are identified.
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