While using the Integrated Exposure Biokinetic and Uptake
model otherwise known as the IEUBK model, we looked at the data for lead concentration in soil provided by the
United States Geological Survey, which consists of over 4,000 samples taken
from around the contiguous United States.
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Lead
testing done on paint chips, a possible source of environmental exposure for
children.
Source: http://houseblog.melindamorang.com/2013_11_01_archive.html |
We also looked at the state of Ohio's soil lead concentration data provided by the EPA's interactive map and found that the average concentration of lead in soil was higher for Ohio than it was for the national average (of all 48 contiguous United States). While the USGS's national data showed a mean concentration of 25.8mg/kg, the state of Ohio had a mean concentration of 33.9mg/kg. We looked at the estimated levels of lead in water of the average home based on the WHO's water sanitation document and placed these values into the model.
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Ohio
Soil Lead Conctentration Data
Source: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/usgs-background-soil-lead-survey-state-data#OH |
Another resource we utilized was a study on the National Center for Biotechnology Information's IEUBK results and interpretation. The result found that in urban areas such as Indianapolis, Syracuse, and New Orleans, the blood lead levels came out to be under the accepted "safe" limit of 10 micrograms per deciliter, but some cut it close, with some blood lead concentrations near 8 micrograms per deciliter.
It is important to acknowledge that while health repercussions are known to occur at 10 micrograms per deciliter, it is possible to see unwanted and detrimental health effects at levels lower than that, especially in children.
The NCBI's study found that while there is a rise in lead loading rates during times of low moisture in the soil, that seasonal climate change and increases in moisture keep it mostly under control. However, they concluded that since re-suspension of soil is what seems to drive the child blood lead level concentration up, that highly lead-concentrated soil may be the main contributor to childhood lead poisoning in urban environments.
Sources:
https://www.epa.gov/superfund/usgs-background-soil-lead-survey-state-data#OH
http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/801/pdf/ds801.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1257609/
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