GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS OF RISK COMPONENTS FOR ELEVATED BLOOD LEAD LEVELS: GEOLOGIC AND ANTHROPOGENIC FACTORS

Children are the demographic most susceptible to and affected by lead poisoning. EPA’s region 7, which includes Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri, has some of the highest blood lead levels (BPbL) in children in the United States. Within Kansas, Ellis and Barton counties are of interest due to the above average BPbL in children yet low proximity to mining sites. The highest risk of elevated BPbL is usually correlated with living in an area dominated by pre-1950’s housing. From 1950 to 1978 leaded paint was slowly phased out with a ban implemented in 1978. According to data acquired through the register’s office, the proportion of houses built prior to 1978 is 87.1% in Barton County and 69.7% in Ellis. An alternative exposure route is through contact with oil field workers exposed to “pipe dope,” a threading compound that contains high quantities of lead; children can be exposed to lead when oil field workers return home. According to the Kansas Geologic Survey, in 2016 Ellis county was ranked 1^st for oil production and Barton county ranked 3^rd.

The aim of this project is to create a geospatial risk assessment map based on available children’s blood lead data, oil rig and mining/smelting locations, and fieldwork results to identify the possible areas and sources of Pb contamination. Our overarching goal is to provide assistance to future discussions in public health regulations in Ellis and Barton counties, as well as other similar areas. To assess possible exposure routes, fieldwork was done in Ellis and Barton counties to test soils, outside house paint, and cockroaches inside the house for lead. Chipping of leaded paint, evidence of children, and samples from gardens were also considered. Out of 40 houses visited, 29 were recorded having a high probability of children residing on the property (toys in the yard or seeing children). Samples are currently being processed and new Pb concentration data will be presented.