Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111264

Bertis B. Little, PhD¹, D. Brad Walsh, MPH², Susan Spalding, MD³, Marcene Royster, MSW³, and S. Sue Pickens, MEd². (1) Texas Data Mining Research Institute, Tarleton State University, Associate Vice President for Academic Research, PO Box T-0001, Tarleton Station, TX 76402, 254-968-9463, little@tarleton.edu, (2) Strategic Planning and Population Medicine, Parkland Health & Hospital System, 5201 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75235, (3) Community Oriented Primary Care, Parkland Health & Hospital System, 5201 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75235

Lead smelters operated in south Dallas, Texas communities from 1930 to 1990. Concerns about possible health effects of lead exposure prompted a Texas-funded Parkland Health & Hospital System study in 2002 of current and past residents of smelter neighborhoods. In the present investigation, childhood blood lead (BPb) levels and growth status before (1980-1989; n=404) an EPA Superfund Clean-up Effort (1992-1994) were compared to data ten years after the cleanup activities (2002; n=240). Child (age: 1 to 19 years) BPb was reduced after the EPA Superfund Clean-up Effort. Childhood BPb was 23.6 µg/dL (+ 1.3 SE) in 1980-1989. In 2002, child BPb was 1.6 µg/dL (+ 0.2 SE), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Growth status of children in the lead smelter communities was stunted in 1980-89, as previously published. In 2002, height was increased compared to children examined in the 1980's, with the former being approximately 6 cm taller age for age than the latter. The effects of the EPA Superfund Clean-up in the Dallas lead smelter communities was associated with a (1) dramatic decrease in child BPb and (2) marked increase in childhood stature. Therefore, health status of the Dallas communities near the lead smelters has increased markedly after the EPA Superfund Clean-up. This can be extrapolated to the communities in general because childhood health status is a well-recognized and sensitive barometer of community public health. In conclusion, the EPA Superfund Clean-up in Dallas lead smelter communities were very effective.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the session audience members will be able to

• explain the corresponding changes in blood lead and stature of children, from pre-Superfund cleanup (198
• and post-cleanup (2002)

Keywords: Children's Health, Lead

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.