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Blood Lead Monitoring in a Former Mining Area in Euskirchen, Germany—Volunteers across the Entire Population

Author

Listed:
  • Jens Bertram

    (Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany)

  • Christian Ramolla

    (Public Health Department, District of Euskirchen, 53879 Euskirchen, Germany)

  • André Esser

    (Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany)

  • Thomas Schettgen

    (Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany)

  • Nina Fohn

    (Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany)

  • Thomas Kraus

    (Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany)

Abstract

After centuries of mining in the district of Euskirchen, that is, in the communities of Mechernich and Kall, the lead concentration in the soil remains high, often exceeding regulatory guidelines. To clarify the lead body burden among residents in the region, a human biomonitoring study on a voluntary basis was initiated in which the blood lead level (BLL) was assessed. A questionnaire was distributed to evaluate lead exposure routes and confounders. Overall, 506 volunteers participated in the study, of whom 7.5% were children and adolescents, 71.9% were adults from 18 to 69 years, and 19.4% were residents 70 years or older. While the BLLs in the adult population were inconspicuous, among the children and adolescents investigated, 16.7% of the children between 3 and 17 years had BLLs above the recently revised German reference values for BLL in children. These results point towards a higher lead exposure in children living in the region. The hierarchical regression analysis based on the BLL and the questionnaire revealed the significant influence of the factors age, sex, smoking, construction age of the real estate, occupancy, and intensive contact with soil on the BLL. Measures to reduce lead exposure include a focus on improved personal and domestic hygiene to minimize lead intake.

Suggested Citation

  • Jens Bertram & Christian Ramolla & André Esser & Thomas Schettgen & Nina Fohn & Thomas Kraus, 2022. "Blood Lead Monitoring in a Former Mining Area in Euskirchen, Germany—Volunteers across the Entire Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6083-:d:817302
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kristoffer Mattisson & Eva Tekavec & Thomas Lundh & Emilie Stroh, 2020. "Cadmium and Lead Levels in Blood and Arsenic Levels in Urine among Schoolchildren Living in Contaminated Glassworks Areas, Sweden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-12, October.
    2. Didier Malamba-Lez & Désire Tshala-Katumbay & Virginie Bito & Jean-Michel Rigo & Richie Kipenge Kyandabike & Eric Ngoy Yolola & Philippe Katchunga & Béatrice Koba-Bora & Dophra Ngoy-Nkulu, 2021. "Concurrent Heavy Metal Exposures and Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Case-Control Study from the Katanga Mining Area of the Democratic Republic of Congo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-21, May.
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      Keywords

      BLL; former; lead; mining area; blood; Germany;
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