Dead cattle, lead and child health

This study was carried out as part of a larger interagency investigation in response to concerns about human health following the death of three cattle from lead poisoning in an old lead mining area in Silvermines, Tipperary. Its aim was to screen for lead toxicity in the local child population. Screening consisted of measurement of blood lead concentrations and the completion of questionnaires regarding exposure to lead and general health. Pre-school and primary school children resident in four surrounding district electoral divisions (DEDs) were specifically targeted. One out of 334 (0.3%) children screened had an elevated blood lead concentration. The geometric mean lead concentration was 2.6 microg/dl which is below the intervention lead concentration of 10 microg/dl recommended by the CDC. The mean lead concentration in those aged under three years was statistically significantly higher than in those aged three years and over (3.4 microg/dl vs 2.5 microg/dl; p=0.000581). No specific health problems were identified by the questionnaires. This study concluded that the elevated environmental lead levels which were demonstrated by other agencies involved in this investigation are not currently being transferred to children. It recommends further blood screening of children in the area and ongoing education to minimise the risk of lead toxicity in the area in the future.