Get the lead out, beyond gas and paint: databases, data mining, crowdsourcing, and other approaches to understand modern day lead exposures
On this page:
Exposures to lead (Pb) in the United States (US) and other parts of the world have significantly declined over the last 40 years due to the phaseout of Pb in gasoline, residential paint, food cans, and plumbing. However, today in 2023, Pb still circulates in commerce in an assortment of applications and uses (batteries, ammunition, glass, pigments, e-waste). These more modest movements of Pb are may not identified and can potentially translate to significant cumulative exposure and public health significance due to the proximity to residences, schools, or places of work. These smaller industrial and commercial sources of Pb may contribute to unrecognized Pb exposures impacting the public and impoverished communities residing near landfills, battery recycling facilities, and other high-Pb use businesses, such as shooting ranges.
This session showcases topics coming from exposure science and/or epidemiology and that assess: trends in Pb exposure, particularly coming from smaller industrial and commercials sources and quantified through Pb biomarkers assessment; proximity to Pb point sources using business databases; the potential for disproportionate burden of Pb exposure among environmental justice (EJ) communities; and/or the impact of Pb exposures on various health endpoints.
Audience Description: This session would be ideal for both new and seasoned investigators in exposure science and epidemiology that are interested in exposure to commercial point sources of environmental Pb and health effects.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this abstract are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. EPA.