Correlating high blood lead levels in urban children with lead in soil using geospatial analysis and geographically referenced health data

The interaction between the environment and human health has been identified as a research priority by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. Past research has shown that the legacy lead (Pb) derived from leaded gasoline, paint and industrial sources continues to be a health problem with children who live in urban areas with a high burden of Pb in soils. The WESCO community, located in Marion County on the west side of Indianapolis, Indiana has had a history of children with high blood Pb levels (>10 µg/dL). These high blood Pb levels, along with the active involvement of the residents of WESCO, proximity to previous Pb/chemical industries and past remediation of soils with high Pb levels, have provided an opportunity to map the current burden of Pb in surface soils and examine the role that this soil Pb plays in Pb burdens to children. Extensive sampling of surface soils was conducted in late 2007 and are being analyzed to determine Pb concentration and to recognize typical Pb isotopic ratios of potential Pb sources in the study area. This information will be used to help identify source(s) of Pb and investigate whether measured Pb contamination in soils can be correlated to the blood Pb levels in the children that live in this area using GIS analysis. By identifying the different isotopic ratios of Pb in the soil, remediation efforts can be targeted to achieve the greatest impact for the reduction of blood Pb levels in the WESCO community children.