Objective: A pair-matched, case-control study was conducted to identify if risk factors or behaviors suspected to affect childhood blood lead levels, were more prevalent among children with elevated blood lead levels living in the vicinity of a defunct mining and smelting facility. Methods: Study individuals were recruited from the 1992 Silver Valley blood lead screening participants. The cases were children with a blood lead level >10 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL). The controls were children with a blood lead level <10 μg/dL, who were matched to cases by age and sex. Data on risk factors were obtained through personal interviews. Results: Of the variables examined, yard soil remediation showed the strongest association with changes in blood lead levels. This variable was found to be a protective factor for elevated blood lead levels in children (odds ratio, 0.28; confidence interval, 0.08–0.92). Conclusion: The results suggest that removal of lead contaminated soil from residential yards was effective in reducing blood lead levels in children.
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY (ATSDR) (1989). “Preliminary Health Assessment for Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex, Kellogg, Shoshone County, Idaho.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA.
2.
AschengrauA.BeiseA.BellingerD.CopenhaferD.WeitzmanM. (1994). “The impact of soil lead abatement on urban children's blood lead levels: Phase II results from the Boston lead-in-soil demonstration project.” Environ. Res.67:125–148.
3.
BaghurstP.A.TongS.L.McMichaelA.J.RobertsonE.F.WiggN.R.VimpaniG.V. (1992). “Determinants of blood lead concentrations to age 5 years in a birth cohort study of children living in the lead smelting city of Port Pine and surrounding areas.” Arch. Environ. Health.47(3):203–210.
4.
BreslowN.E.DayN.E. (1990). Statistical Methods in Cancer Research: Volume 1 — The Analysis of Case-Control Studies. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France.
5.
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC) (1986). Kellogg Revisited–1983, Childhood Blood Lead and Environmental Status Report. US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA.
6.
CookM.ChappellW.R.HoffmanR.E.MangioneE.J. (1993). “Assessment of blood lead levels in children living in a historic mining and smelting community.” Am. J. Epidemiol.137(4):447–455.
7.
IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE (IDHW) (1992). Silver Valley Health Intervention Data Summary. Boise, ID.
8.
LandriganP.J.BakerE.L.FeldmanR.G.CoxD.H.EdenK.V. (1976). “Increased lead absorption with anemia and slowed nerve conduction in children near a lead smelter.” J. Pediatr.89(6):904–910.
9.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS INSTITUTE INCORPORATED (SAS) (1989). SAS Language and Procedures, Version 6, 1st ed. SAS Institute, Inc. Cary, NC.
10.
STATISTICS AND EPIDEMIOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION (SERC) (1991). EGRET, Revision 2. SERC., Seattle, WA.
11.
WeitzmanM.AschengrauA.BellingerD.JonesR.HamlinJ.S.BeiserA. (1993). “Lead-contaminated soil abatement and urban children's blood lead levels. JAMA269:1647–1654.
12.
YankelA.J.Von LindernI.H.WalterS.D. (1977). “The silver valley study: The relationship between childhood blood lead levels and environmental exposure.” J. Air Pollut. Contr. Assoc.27(8):763–767.
