The Association of Soil Lead and Children’s Blood Lead Levels in Georgia Open Access
Gant, Marlon (Spring 2023)
Abstract
The persistent use of lead (Pb) for industrial, commercial, and residential purposes throughout the 19th and 20th centuries has inflicted public risks of exposure and health implications. Despite the regulations on Pb additives, Pb continues to persist in soils, affecting both urban and rural environments. Natural soil Pb levels range between 50 – 400 parts per million (ppm) and children under the age of six are most vulnerable to soil Pb due to their proximity to the ground and frequent hand-to-mouth activities. In this study, we used a community science methodology to collect soil Pb concentrations by organizing soil Screening, Health, Outreach, and Partnership (soilSHOP) events and sought to determine an association between mean soil Pb, mean children’s blood Pb levels, median household income, and race on a ZIP code scale in the state of Georgia. Additionally, we intended on raising awareness of soil Pb contamination and empower community members with knowledge of soil Pb. Soil samples from the 2020-2022 soilSHOP were analyzed and mapped along with children’s blood Pb level, median household income, and race data. The most significant relationships with mean children’s blood Pb levels were mean soil Pb and 2021 median household income. Results also indicated that 13 (5.4%) of the 238 soilSHOP samples collected from within 42 GA ZIP codes exceeded the regional screening level by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Pb of 400 ppm. However, in terms of the average soil Pb concentrations, 30148 (mean = 2657.5 ppm) and 30315 (mean = 423.46 ppm) were the only ZIP codes that exceeded that level. On the other hand, 14 ZIP codes in Georgia, all outside of the metro Atlanta area, had mean children’s blood Pb levels exceeding the CDC threshold of 3.5 µg/dL. There is, therefore, potentially a vast number of children that have blood Pb levels exceeding the threshold. These results indicate that averaging the data on a ZIP code scale does not provide an accurate representation of environmental data and more soilSHOPs should be promoted outside of city limits where the mean blood Pb levels exceed the threshold.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Distribution Agreement
Approval Page
Abstract Cover Page
Abstract
Cover Page
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
Figures and Tables
Table 1a …………………………………………………………………………………10
Table 1b …………………………………………………………………………………11
Figure 1 ………………………………………………………………………………….15
Figure 2 ………………………………………………………………………………….16
Figure 3 ………………………………………………………………………………….17
Figure 4 ………………………………………………………………………………….18
Table 2a ………………………………………………………………………………….19
Table 2b ………………………………………………………………………………….20
Table 3a ………………………………………………………………………………….21
About this Master's Thesis
| School | |
|---|---|
| Department | |
| Degree | |
| Submission | |
| Language |
|
| Research Field | |
| Keyword | |
| Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor | |
| Committee Members |
Primary PDF
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
The Association of Soil Lead and Children’s Blood Lead Levels in Georgia () | 2023-04-10 16:03:38 -0400 |
|
Supplemental Files
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
|---|