Petrol lead in a small island environment

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Sammut, Michael | Savona-Ventura, Charles^;

Affiliations: Department of Toxicology, Malta Medical School, Gwardamangia, Malta, Tel.: 0356 223 035/221 019/239 783; Fax: 0356 235 638 | Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, St. Luke's Teaching Hospital, Gwardamangia, Malta, Tel.: 0356 241 251/223 035

Note: [] Corresponding author.

Abstract: The Maltese population has been repeatedly shown to have high mean blood lead levels irrespective of age. This study confirms that these higher levels also occur in Maltese children. A definite correlation is shown between high blood lead levels and the environment of the subjects studied, being statistically higher in individuals living on the urbanized larger island. A statistical correlation has been shown between hand-wipe specimens taken from children playing in a playground and the traffic density of the area. A similar statistical correlation between playground, street and household dust to traffic density has also been identified.

Keywords: Lead, traffic-density, environment

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-1996-9104

Journal: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 33-40, 1996