Dataset Information

Assessing the population-wide exposure to lead pollution in Kabwe, Zambia: an econometric estimation based on survey data.

ABSTRACT: This study quantitatively assessed the population-wide lead poisoning conditions in Kabwe, Zambia, a town with severe lead pollution. While existing data have reported concerning blood lead levels (BLLs) of residents in pollution hotspots, the data representing the entire population are lacking. Further, selection bias is a concern. Given the lack of compulsory testing schemes, BLLs have been observed from voluntary participants in blood sampling surveys, but such data can represent higher or lower BLLs than the population average because of factors simultaneously affecting participation and BLLs. To illustrate the lead poisoning conditions of the population, we expanded the focus of our surveys and then econometrically estimated the BLLs of individuals representing the population, including those not participating in blood sampling, using background geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic information. The estimated population mean BLL was 11.9 ?g/dL (11.6-12.1, 95% CI), lower than existing data because of our wide focus and correction of selection bias. However, the scale of lead poisoning remained immense and 74.9% of residents had BLLs greater than 5 ?g/dL, the standard reference level for lead poisoning. Our estimates provide a deeper understanding of the problem and a foundation for policy intervention designs.

SUBMITTER: Yamada D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7492281 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Assessing the population-wide exposure to lead pollution in Kabwe, Zambia: an econometric estimation based on survey data.

Yamada Daichi D Hiwatari Masato M Hangoma Peter P Narita Daiju D Mphuka Chrispin C Chitah Bona B Yabe John J Nakayama Shouta M M SMM Nakata Hokuto H Choongo Kennedy K Ishizuka Mayumi M

Scientific reports 20200915 1

This study quantitatively assessed the population-wide lead poisoning conditions in Kabwe, Zambia, a town with severe lead pollution. While existing data have reported concerning blood lead levels (BLLs) of residents in pollution hotspots, the data representing the entire population are lacking. Further, selection bias is a concern. Given the lack of compulsory testing schemes, BLLs have been observed from voluntary participants in blood sampling surveys, but such data can represent higher or lo ...[more]

PMID: 32934309

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Project description:BackgroundPopulation exposure assessment methods that capture local-scale pollutant variability are needed for large-scale epidemiological studies and surveillance, policy, and regulatory purposes. Currently, such exposure methods are limited.MethodsWe created 2006 national pollutant models for fine particulate matter [PM with aerodynamic diameter ? 2.5 ?m (PM2.5)], nitrogen dioxide (NO2), benzene, ethylbenzene, and 1,3-butadiene from routinely collected fixed-site monitoring data in Canada. In multiple regression models, we incorporated satellite estimates and geographic predictor variables to capture background and regional pollutant variation and used deterministic gradients to capture local-scale variation. The national NO2 and benzene models are evaluated with independent measurements from previous land use regression models that were conducted in seven Canadian cities. National models are applied to census block-face points, each of which represents the location of approximately 89 individuals, to produce estimates of population exposure.ResultsThe national NO2 model explained 73% of the variability in fixed-site monitor concentrations, PM2.5 46%, benzene 62%, ethylbenzene 67%, and 1,3-butadiene 68%. The NO2 model predicted, on average, 43% of the within-city variability in the independent NO2 data compared with 18% when using inverse distance weighting of fixed-site monitoring data. Benzene models performed poorly in predicting within-city benzene variability. Based on our national models, we estimated Canadian ambient annual average population-weighted exposures (in micrograms per cubic meter) of 8.39 for PM2.5, 23.37 for NO2, 1.04 for benzene, 0.63 for ethylbenzene, and 0.09 for 1,3-butadiene.ConclusionsThe national pollutant models created here improve exposure assessment compared with traditional monitor-based approaches by capturing both regional and local-scale pollution variation. Applying national models to routinely collected population location data can extend land use modeling techniques to population exposure assessment and to informing surveillance, policy, and regulation.

Project description:The present study was conducted to provide basic information on the physiological damages (mucosal indicators) of Round Goby under laboratory and environmental conditions of lead contamination. The other goal was to find mucosal biomarkers of lead contamination in the Gulf of Gorgan. In the laboratory study, 400 pieces of fish with an average the weight of 35?±?7.16?g were caught alive and were exposed to lead concentrations of 0, 3.75, 7.5 and 15?mg / l for 14 days. Once the experiment was completed, the samples of mucus and liver were collected from the fish samples with the samples being surveyed by analyses of SDS-PAGE, mucus safety and toxicology. In the field test, the samples of fish, water, and sediment were prepared from four stations. In addition to measuring the lead in water, sediment and liver tissue, the samples of mucus from the caught fish were similarly analyzed under the laboratory conditions mentioned. According to the results under laboratory conditions, obvious differences were observed between the protein pattern of samples of treatment with the control group. Further, among innate immune parameters of the mucus, only lysozyme showed a significant correlation with the concentrations of lead accumulated in the liver of Round Goby (P?<?0.05). Under environmental conditions, obvious differences were also observed between the protein pattern of samples of contaminated stations with the control station. Further, among innate immune parameters of the mucus, lysozyme indicated a positive correlation while alkaline phosphatase showed a negative correlation with lead contamination in the liver of Round Goby (P?<?0.05). In total, in the pattern of mucus protein, the intensity of the band within the range of 25?kDa was enhanced in both conditions, suggesting the presence of proteases in this region. Also, among the immune parameters, lysozyme enzyme showed a significant and positive correlation with liver lead contamination in both conditions (P?<?0.05). These can be considered as the biomarkers of protein pattern and safety in Round Goby mucus for assessing lead pollution in Gulf of Gorgan.

Dataset Information

Assessing the population-wide exposure to lead pollution in Kabwe, Zambia: an econometric estimation based on survey data.

Publications

Assessing the population-wide exposure to lead pollution in Kabwe, Zambia: an econometric estimation based on survey data.

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