The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #44544

Janvier Gasana, MD, MPH, PhD, Department of Public Health, Florida International University, 3000 N.E. 151 Street, North Miami, FL 33181, Armando Chamorro, MS, CIH, Ambient Environmental Inc., 1877 SW 25th Street, Miami, FL 33133, Amanda Coltes, MPH, Office of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Miami Dade County Health Department, 1350 NW 14th Street, Building 7, Floor 3, Miami, FL 33125, and Trisha W. Ready, College of Health, Department of Public Health, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st Street AC1-394, Miami, FL 33181, 305-919-5877, gasanaj@fiu.edu.

Objectives. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the magnitude of environmental lead contamination in the downtown area of Miami using Community Health Workers (CHWs). Methods. Lead inspections took place at 121 homes in Little Haiti and Liberty City and involved the collection of representative samples from floors, window wells, tap water, soil and air. CHWs trained in interview and safety techniques went from door to door to enlist participation. Onsite investigations were tailored to areas most utilized by children under the age of 6 years. The presence of lead containing paint was also investigated in situ via XRF analysis. Results. Of the sampling areas, the window wells area had the most abundant occurrence of lead. On analysis, 24% of sites returned window well samples with lead levels above Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines. Of the soil samples, the playgrounds around the house had the highest concentration of lead. Soil sampling demonstrated that 27.5% of sites returned samples with lead levels (400ppm to 1600ppm) in excess of HUD/EPA standards. Positive XRF readings in one or more components were returned by 18% of sites. Conclusions. More than half of the houses in these two neighborhoods exhibited unacceptably high levels of lead dust and soil in areas where children live and play. Limitations of this study did not allow the assessment of how many children in this area are affected. A more comprehensive study including other areas of Miami Dade County with older housing stock is recommended.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Describe the purpose and methods of childhood lead poisoning studies in inner city areas.
  7. Identify the community health workers for the purpose of conducting a community- based participatory research study.
  11. Recognize the socioeconomic confounding factors when dealing with studies of childhood lead poisoning in inner city areas.

Keywords: Child Health, Environmental Exposures

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.