Changes in lead concentrations in the home environment in Birmingham, England over the period 1984–1996

Data for lead concentrations reported in Birmingham prior to 1984 were reviewed and thought to be not strictly comparable in these surveys due to various sampling and analysis methodologies. A survey was implemented to compare the concentrations of lead for 1984/1985 with those of 85 houses re-sampled within the city in 1996. It is shown that lead concentrations and loading of dusts in and around the houses have fallen significantly over the last 11 years. However, lead concentrations in soils have only slightly decreased over the same period. The US EPA IEUBK model for exposure of children to lead is validated, updated and applied to predict the blood lead level of young children. It is predicted that the blood lead concentrations of 2-year-old children have been reduced considerably over the period. The fall in lead concentrations is thought to be the consequence of the reduction policies for lead emissions in the UK since the 1980s. The result of this study provides a valuable example of the benefits of the reduction policies for lead which are of equal importance in developing countries with rapid economic growth.