Impact Of Closure Of A Large Lead-zinc Smelter
On Elevated Blood Lead Levels Of Children In
Adjacent Suburbs, Boolaroo, Australia
Author(s)
C. B. Dalton & L. I. Bates
Abstract
The lead-zinc smelter at Boolaroo, near Newcastle New South Wales, Australia,
was in operation from 1897 to September 2003. A study in 1991 found that 84%
of children under 5 years of age in proximity to the smelter had blood lead levels
>10 µg/dl. Blood lead levels were elevated in children resident within several
kilometres of the smelter, with presumed contributions from historic emissions
and ongoing fugitive emissions from the smelter. An Environmental Health
Centre was established locally to provide free blood lead testing, advice on case
management of children, assistance with cleaning, HEPA vacuum cleaner loans
and health promotion activities. In 1997, the houses and yards of children with
elevated blood lead levels were targeted for extensive environmental lead
abatement. In 1998 a zonal household abatement program began which included
carpet and ceiling vacuuming, removal of visible slag and top dressing of soil of
residences closest to the smelter. Twenty-six houses were included and 640
zonal abatement episodes were completed before the program was terminated in
2001 because 1) the program appeared to be of little value due to rapid
recontamination from ongoing smelter emissions, 2) it was expensive, and 3) it
was viewed as inequitable by the community. Marked reductions in air lead
levels have occurred since 1991 through emission controls. Blood lead levels in
children declined rapidly in the first six years of the program but from 1997 to
2003 the mean blood lead levels plateaued with approximately 30% of locally
tested children having a blood lead ≥ 10 µg/dl. The smelter ceased operation on
September 12th, 2003. Blood lead testing of children < 13 years completed at 9
and 22 months post-closure demonstrated a decline in the annual percentage of
blood lead levels > 10µg/dl to 18% and 9%, respectively. Closure of the smelter,
without significant local remediation, has made a significant impact on
children’s blood lead levels, especially among children under three years of age.
Keywords: blood lead, smelter, lead, lead poisoning, children.
Keywords
blood lead, smelter, lead, lead poisoning, children.
Related Book
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