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

Laycock, Adam; Chenery, Simon; Marchant, Elizabeth; Crabbe, Helen; Saei, Ayoub; Ruadze, Ekaterine; Watts, Michael; Leonardi, Giovanni S.; Marczylo, Tim. 2022 The Use of Pb Isotope Ratios to Determine Environmental Sources of High Blood Pb Concentrations in Children: A Feasibility Study in Georgia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (22), 15007. 10.3390/ijerph192215007

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215007

Abstract/Summary

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.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.3390/ijerph192215007
ISSN:	1660-4601
Date made live:	13 Dec 2022 15:12 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/533725

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.3390/ijerph192215007

ISSN:

1660-4601

Date made live:

13 Dec 2022 15:12 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/533725