Health risk assessment in children exposed to lead compounds in the vicinity of mine-smelter plant "Orzeł Biały".

Abstract

Investigations of environmental exposure to lead were performed in 1028 children from a very polluted industrial region affected by emissions from the lead mine and smelter plant "Orzeł Biały". A group of 629 children was used as the reference population from non-polluted parts of Poland. The lead blood concentrations in exposed groups of children were considerably higher than in the reference group and 26% of younger children and 11% of older children exceeded the safe limit value of 20 micrograms/dl. Children with the highest health risk in which Pb-B amounted to 40-50 micrograms/dl (4.2% of exposed children) were recommended for immediate medical examination. As preventive measures, improvement of hygienic life conditions and frequent trips of exposed children to non-polluted areas, were recommended which should decrease the internal lead dose.