Developing strategies to reduce blood lead levels in children living on a Superfund site

In 2003 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared 8,840 acres of Omaha, Nebraska as the largest residential Superfund Site in the nation. A review in 2003 found that 6.2% of children 6 years old and younger in the site area had blood lead levels of 10 μg/dL or greater. Two major sources of lead exist for children living in the Superfund Site, soil contaminated from past refinery operations and lead paint in homes built prior to 1978. In 2008 the New Community Development Corporation (NCDC) a Nebraska nonprofit corporation received a grant from the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to abate lead from Omaha homes. Prior to abatement and 6 to 12 months post-abatement blood lead levels are tested in children 6 years of age and younger living in the residence. Environmental swipe data is collected prior to abatement and within 1 month post-abatement. A graduate student Capstone project designed to analyze the effectiveness of the abatement process and to assist more participants in qualifying for the program has been initiated through the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health. The goal of this project is to analyze whether lead abatement has resulted in a significant difference between pre- and post-abatement blood lead levels. And whether there is a correlation between pre-abatement levels and environmental lead levels inside the homes. Service to the participants will include facilitating blood collection by community health care organizations and assisting participants in obtaining and gathering proper documentation for qualification.