Blood lead levels of concern for children in 3 Winnipeg neighbourhoods, report says
Children, who are the most sensitive to the effects of lead, could have concerning blood lead levels: report
Children in three Winnipeg neighbourhoods have predicted blood lead levels above the level of concern, says a new report commissioned by the province of Manitoba.
The independent review was commissioned to see if there are any potential risks to health, the province said in a news release Wednesday.
The report, which was done by Intrinsik, found that although the primary sources for lead contamination have been eliminated, the average predicted blood-lead levels for children in three Winnipeg neighbourhoods are higher than they should be.
Children between birth and seven years in Winnipeg's Point Douglas and Weston neighbourhoods had predicted average blood lead levels above two microgram per decilitre, which is the level of concern.
In Daniel McIntyre, the predicted blood lead levels between six months and four years were also above that level.
The report's findings were based on a predictive model, which was used to estimate blood lead levels based on the measured lead concentrations in Winnipeg soils. The model was developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
The report also notes that the Canadian residential soil quality guideline is based on pre-2000 science.
"As a result, comparing soil concentrations to this guideline may not provide an adequate level of protection for young children," a summary of the report says.
In addition, the report notes that while concentrations of lead in soil were lower in samples collected most recently by the province, those samples were collected from deeper depths, when higher concentrations of lead may be found in soil closer to the surface.
Risk low, province stresses
Despite some of the concerning findings of the report, the overall risk of lead exposure for Manitobans is low, Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba's chief public health officer, said during a media briefing Wednesday.
"We know that the risk of exposure to lead from soil is low, and that's what the consultants say," he said. "We're still responding, we're still taking a lot of caution to look at these recommendations."
Conservation and Climate minister Sarah Guillemard also insisted Wednesday that the report confirms the health risk is low.
The report said children who are seven and younger are the most sensitive to the effects of lead because their nervous systems are still developing. The effects are irreversible and can impact learning, behaviour and intelligence.
Study of neighbourhoods recommended
To provide a measure of actual lead exposures, the report is recommending a biomonitoring study for certain neighbourhoods, particularly the Point Douglas and Inkster areas, with a focus on children younger than seven.
Such a study would involve collecting biological samples to assess how much of the chemical a person has in their body. Environmental samples such as soil, residential tap water and household paint can also be collected from participating households to better understand how much children are being exposed to lead, the report says.
It may also be beneficial to extend such a study into downtown areas of Winnipeg, such as the Daniel McIntyre neighbourhood, because of limited sampling in that area and its proximity to potential sources of lead.
Doing a biomonitoring study would reveal exactly how children are being exposed to lead, and how much they are absorbing, said Shirley Thompson, associate professor at the University of Manitoba's Natural Resources Institute.
"So if there's something where a child is exposed to lead and is having high lead levels, they're not leaving it there, they're actually looking at the environment," she said.
Recommendation under review
Roussin said the province is still reviewing this recommendation.
"It can be invasive to try to find out all of this information if it's going to be useful," he said.
He said the province plans to make blood lead levels reportable under the Public Health Act, and will step up efforts to warn people about the risks of lead.
The report's authors also recommended an action plan for Weston Elementary School, after finding elevated levels of lead are still present in the soil at the school.
Covering soil surfaces, replacing grass with artificial turf, and replacing the sand and gravel in the playground area with soil barrier and rubberized playground surface material were among the recommendations.
A spokesperson for Winnipeg School Division said the division's administration only received the report Wednesday and are still reviewing it.
"In addition, we'll be distributing a letter to parents at Weston School, on behalf of the Medical Officer of Health for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, which provides them with some basic information from the report," said Radean Carter in an email.
Long-term lead exposure in adults can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney problems and reproductive effects.
The province is asking the public to take precautions to prevent contact with lead-impacted soil.
That can include avoiding ingesting soil, including preventing children from eating soil and washing hands after working with it.
If homes have a lead service line or fixtures containing lead in the plumbing system, take steps to reduce exposure.
