Environmental lead exposure in St. John's, Newfoundland

Campbell, Stacy Marie (2008) Environmental lead exposure in St. John's, Newfoundland. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (12MB)

Abstract

Residential soil and house dust samples were collected in St. John's to quantify the extent of lead contamination. Fifty-one percent of soil samples collected exceeded the CCME guideline of 140 ppm for lead (n=T231). Only 12% of house dust samples were above the US EPA standards (n=95). Historical use of leaded paint and combustion of coal and leaded gasoline have contributed to lead concentrations, especially downtown. -- Based on soil lead concentrations there may be an increased lifetime health risk for all residents living on properties with soil lead concentrations greater than 900 ppm. Infants and toddlers are at particular risk, and when backyard produce is included, increased risk may occur at soil lead concentrations as low as 38 ppm for these particular receptors. There is a lot of uncertainty in the estimation of lead in backyard produce, but it may be advisable to avoid consuming it until further research is conducted.

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