Abstract Details

Title Geographical Patterns of Soil Lead Contamination in La Oroya, Peru

Topic Global Health

Presentation(s) IN6 - (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 005

Objective

Background Past lead mining operations have created a public health crisis in La Oroya, Peru. Studies have shown elevated mean blood lead levels in populations living near metallurgic facilities. Clinician have observed an increased incidence of delayed language and motor skills among children in these regions. Programs aimed at mitigating lead exposure have been limited by lack of data regarding extent of contamination.

Design/Methods The study area was divided into 4 sites with a total area of 150km2. A total of 145 surface soil samples were collected, geocoded and analyzed using ICP-AES. For each sample, variables include land use, distance from metallurgic complex and population density. Multivariate and geostatistical analysis were applied to describe and provide interpolated data to develop maps that depict soil lead contamination in relation to population density and land use.

Results The mean soil lead concentration in La Oroya Antigua was 3574 ppm, 3129 ppm in La Oroya Nueva, 1477 ppm in Santa Rosa de Sacco, and 854 ppm in Mayupampa. The mean soil lead concentration in residential/school land was 2987 ppm, 1989 ppm in cultivable land and 2879 ppm in non-cultivable land. The mean soil lead concentration decreased exponentially with distance from metallurgic facilities. GIS mapping showed that 85% of land surveyed and 67% of land with the highest population density exceeded the EPA hazard level. The areas at highest risk were located around the metallurgic facilities, and followed a SW direction.

Conclusions The probability map shows that populations near the metallurgic facilities are at highest risk for lead exposure. Yet, the risk extends well beyond this region following an elliptical shape in the SW direction. Thus, lead mitigation efforts may require a broader scope than initially thought.

Authors/Disclosures
Meena R. Kannan, MD PRESENTER	Dr. Kannan has nothing to disclose.
Oscar L. Lopez, MD, FAAN	Dr. Lopez has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Acumen.

��ɫ��

��ɫ��