The Use of Pb Isotope Ratios to Determine Environmental Sources of High Blood Pb Concentrations in Children: A Feasibility Study in Georgia

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Nov 15;19(22):15007. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192215007.

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.

Keywords: Georgia; blood lead concentration; children; dust; environmental tracing; lead isotope ratio; lead surveillance; paint; soil; spices.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Dust / analysis
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Georgia
  • Humans
  • Isotopes* / analysis
  • Lead*
  • Soil

Substances

  • Lead
  • Isotopes
  • Dust
  • Soil

Grants and funding

This study is part funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health, grant number NIHR200880, a partnership between the UK Health Protection Agency and Imperial College London. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR, UK Health Protection Agency, or Department of Health and Social Care.